Identification and removal of colanic acid from plasmid DNA preparations: implications for gene therapy.

Polysaccharide contaminants in plasmid DNA, including current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) clinical preparations, must be removed to provide the greatest safety and efficacy for use in gene therapy and other clinical applications. We developed assays and methods for the detection and removal of these polysaccharides, our Super Clean DNA (SC-DNA) process, and have shown that these contaminants in plasmid DNA preparations are responsible for toxicity observed post-injection in animals. Furthermore, these contaminants limit the efficacy of low and high doses of plasmid DNA administered by numerous delivery routes. In particular, colanic acid (CA) that is mainly long-chained, branched and has high molecular weight (MW) is most refractory when complexed to cationic delivery vehicles and injected intravenously (IV). Because CA is often extremely large and tightly intertwined with DNA, it must be degraded, in order, to be effectively removed. We have produced a recombinant, truncated colanic acid degrading enzyme (CAE) that successfully accomplishes this task. Initially, we isolated a newly identified CAE from a bacteriophage that required truncation for proper folding while retaining its full enzymatic activity during production. Any plasmid DNA preparation can be digested with CAE and further purified, providing a critical advance to non-viral gene therapy.

Rats in the genomic era.

The rat genome project and the resources that it has generated are transforming the translation of rat biology to human medicine. The rat genome was sequenced to a high quality "draft," the structure and location of the genes were predicted, and a global assessment was published (Gibbs RA et al., Nature 428: 493-521, 2004). Since that time, researchers have made use of the genome sequence and annotations and related resources. We take this opportunity to review the currently available rat genome resources and to discuss the progress and future plans for the rat genome.

An evaluation of the draft human genome sequence.

The completed draft version of the human genome, comprised of multiple short contigs encompassing 85% or more of euchromatin, was announced in June of 2000 (ref. 1). The detailed findings of the sequencing consortium were reported several months later. The draft sequence has provided insight into global characteristics, such as the total number of genes and a more accurate definition of gene families. Also of importance are genome positional details such as local genome architecture, regional gene density and the location of transcribed units that are critical for disease gene identification. We carried out a series of mapping and computational experiments using a nonredundant collection of 925 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and sections of the public draft genome sequence that were available at different timepoints between April 2000 and April 2001. We found discrepancies in both the reported coverage of the human genome and the accuracy of mapping of genomic clones, suggesting some limitations of the draft genome sequence in providing accurate positional information and detailed characterization of chromosomal subregions.

BEAUTY-X: enhanced BLAST searches for DNA queries.

UNLABELLED: BEAUTY (BLAST Enhanced Alignment Utility) is an enhanced version of the BLAST database search tool that facilitates identification of the functions of matched sequences. Three recent improvements to the BEAUTY program described here make the enhanced output (1) available for DNA queries, (2) available for searches of any protein database, and (3) more up-to-date, with periodic updates of the domain information. AVAILABILITY: BEAUTY searches of the NCBI and EMBL non-redundant protein sequence databases are available from the BCM Search Launcher Web pages (http://gc.bcm.tmc. edu:8088/search-launcher/launcher.html). BEAUTY Post-Processing of submitted search results is available using the BCM Search Launcher Batch Client (version 2.6) (ftp://gc.bcm.tmc. edu/pub/software/search-launcher/). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Example figures are available at http://dot.bcm.tmc. edu:9331/papers/beautypp.html CONTACT: (kworley,culpep)@bcm.tmc.edu

Large-scale concatenation cDNA sequencing.

A total of 100 kb of DNA derived from 69 individual human brain cDNA clones of 0.7-2.0 kb were sequenced by concatenated cDNA sequencing (CCS), whereby multiple individual DNA fragments are sequenced simultaneously in a single shotgun library. The method yielded accurate sequences and a similar efficiency compared with other shotgun libraries constructed from single DNA fragments (> 20 kb). Computer analyses were carried out on 65 cDNA clone sequences and their corresponding end sequences to examine both nucleic acid and amino acid sequence similarities in the databases. Thirty-seven clones revealed no DNA database matches, 12 clones generated exact matches (> or = 98% identity), and 16 clones generated nonexact matches (57%-97% identity) to either known human or other species genes. Of those 28 matched clones, 8 had corresponding end sequences that failed to identify similarities. In a protein similarity search, 27 clone sequences displayed significant matches, whereas only 20 of the end sequences had matches to known protein sequences. Our data indicate that full-length cDNA insert sequences provide significantly more nucleic acid and protein sequence similarity matches than expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for database searching.

A comparative transcription map of the murine bare patches (Bpa) and striated (Str) critical regions and human Xq28.

The X-linked developmental mouse mutations bare patches (Bpa) and striated (Str) may be homologous to human X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX2) and incontinentia pigmenti (IP2), respectively, based on their genetic mapping and clinical phenotypes. Bpa and Str have been localized to an overlapping critical region of 600 kb that demonstrates conserved gene order with loci in human Xq28 between DXS1104 and DXS52. As part of efforts to isolate the genes involved in these disorders, we have begun to develop a comparative transcription map spanning this region in both species. Using techniques of cross-species conservation and hybridization, exon trapping, and cDNA selection we have identified four known genes or members of gene families--caltractin, a member of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor gene family, a member of the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family, and several members of the murine-specific, X-linked lymphocyte regulated gene (Xlr3) family. Trapped exons and, in some cases, longer cDNAs have been isolated for potentially 7-9 additional genes. One cDNA demonstrates highly significant homology with members of the Krüppel family of zinc finger transcription factors. A second novel cDNA demonstrates homology at the 3' end of the predicted amino acid sequence to a LIM domain consensus. Gene order appears conserved among those cDNAs determined to be present in both human and mouse. Three of the murine transcripts appear to be present in multiple copies within the Bpa/Str critical region and could be associated with a predisposition to genomic rearrangements. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and Northern analysis demonstrate that several of the transcripts are expressed in mid-gestation murine embryos and neonatal skin, making them candidates for the Bpa and Str mutations and their respective homologous human disorders.

BCM Search Launcher--an integrated interface to molecular biology data base search and analysis services available on the World Wide Web.

The BCM Search Launcher is an integrated set of World Wide Web (WWW) pages that organize molecular biology-related search and analysis services available on the WWW by function, and provide a single point of entry for related searches. The Protein Sequence Search Page, for example, provides a single sequence entry form for submitting sequences to WWW servers that offer remote access to a variety of different protein sequence search tools, including BLAST, FASTA, Smith-Waterman, BEAUTY, PROSITE, and BLOCKS searches. Other Launch pages provide access to (1) nucleic acid sequence searches, (2) multiple and pair-wise sequence alignments, (3) gene feature searches, (4) protein secondary structure prediction, and (5) miscellaneous sequence utilities (e.g., six-frame translation). The BCM Search Launcher also provides a mechanism to extend the utility of other WWW services by adding supplementary hypertext links to results returned by remote servers. For example, links to the NCBI's Entrez data base and to the Sequence Retrieval System (SRS) are added to search results returned by the NCBI's WWW BLAST server. These links provide easy access to auxiliary information, such as Medline abstracts, that can be extremely helpful when analyzing BLAST data base hits. For new or infrequent users of sequence data base search tools, we have preset the default search parameters to provide the most informative first-pass sequence analysis possible. We have also developed a batch client interface for Unix and Macintosh computers that allows multiple input sequences to be searched automatically as a background task, with the results returned as individual HTML documents directly to the user's system. The BCM Search Launcher and batch client are available on the WWW at URL http:@gc.bcm.tmc.edu:8088/search-launcher.html.

BEAUTY: an enhanced BLAST-based search tool that integrates multiple biological information resources into sequence similarity search results.

BEAUTY (BLAST enhanced alignment utility) is an enhanced version of the NCBI's BLAST data base search tool that facilitates identification of the functions of matched sequences. We have created new data bases of conserved regions and functional domains for protein sequences in NCBI's Entrez data base, and BEAUTY allows this information to be incorporated directly into BLAST search results. A Conserved Regions Data Base, containing the locations of conserved regions within Entrez protein sequences, was constructed by (1) clustering the entire data base into families, (2) aligning each family using our PIMA multiple sequence alignment program, and (3) scanning the multiple alignments to locate the conserved regions within each aligned sequence. A separate Annotated Domains Data Base was constructed by extracting the locations of all annotated domains and sites from sequences represented in the Entrez, PROSITE, BLOCKS, and PRINTS data bases. BEAUTY performs a BLAST search of those Entrez sequences with conserved regions and/or annotated domains. BEAUTY then uses the information from the Conserved Regions and Annotated Domains data bases to generate, for each matched sequence, a schematic display that allows one to directly compare the relative locations of (1) the conserved regions, (2) annotated domains and sites, and (3) the locally aligned regions matched in the BLAST search. In addition, BEAUTY search results include World-Wide Web hypertext links to a number of external data bases that provide a variety of additional types of information on the function of matched sequences. This convenient integration of protein families, conserved regions, annotated domains, alignment displays, and World-Wide Web resources greatly enhances the biological informativeness of sequence similarity searches. BEAUTY searches can be performed remotely on our system using the "BCM Search Launcher" World-Wide Web pages (URL is < http:/ /gc.bcm.tmc.edu:8088/ search-launcher/launcher.html > ).

Rapid molecular cytogenetic analysis of X-chromosomal microdeletions: fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for complex glycerol kinase deficiency.

Diagnosis of X-chromosomal microdeletions has relied upon the traditional methods of Southern blotting and DNA amplification, with carrier identification requiring time-consuming and unreliable dosage calculations. In this report, we describe rapid molecular cytogenetic identification of deleted DNA in affected males with the Xp21 contiguous gene syndrome (complex glycerol kinase deficiency, CGKD) and female carriers for this disorder. CGKD deletions involve the genes for glycerol kinase, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and/or adrenal hypoplasia congenita. We report an improved method for diagnosis of deletions in individuals with CGKD and for identification of female carriers within their families, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a cosmid marker (cosmid 35) within the glycerol kinase gene. When used in combination with an Xq control probe, affected males demonstrate a single signal from the control probe, while female carriers demonstrate a normal chromosome with two signals, as well as a deleted chromosome with a single signal from the control probe. FISH analysis for CGKD provides the advantages of speed and accuracy for evaluation of submicroscopic X-chromosomal deletions, particularly in identification of female carriers. In addition to improving carrier evaluation, FISH will make prenatal diagnosis of CGKD more readily available.

Identification of new members of a carbohydrate kinase-encoding gene family.

In a sequence database search using the human glycerol kinase-encoding sequence (HUMGLYKINB) as a query, we identified six previously unidentified carbohydrate kinase sequences. Five of the six newly identified sequences appear to be known types of carbohydrate kinases, four are glycerol kinases and one is a gluconokinase. The sixth newly identified sequence, the Caenorhabditis elegans gene, CER08D7.7-CEF59B2.1, shows similarity to the family of carbohydrate kinases including other glycerol kinases, xylulokinases, gluconokinases, ribulokinases, rhamnulokinases, and fucokinases. A phylogenetic comparison of this newly identified Caenorhabditis elegans gene with the other members of the carbohydrate kinase family demonstrated that this sequence cannot be assigned to one of the known classes of carbohydrate kinases.

A dosage sensitive locus at chromosome Xp21 is involved in male to female sex reversal.

Male to female sex reversal has been observed in individuals with duplications of the short arm of the X chromosome. Here we demonstrate that sex reversal results from the presence of two active copies of an Xp locus rather than from its rearrangement and that alterations at this locus constitute one of the causes of sex reversal in individuals with a normal 46,XY karyotype. We have named this locus DSS (Dosage Sensitive Sex reversal) and localized it to a 160 kilobase region of chromosome Xp21, adjacent to the adrenal hypoplasia congenita locus. The identification of male individuals deleted for DSS suggests that this locus is not required for testis differentiation. We propose that DSS has a role in ovarian development and/or functions as a link between ovary and testis formation.

Yeast artificial chromosome cloning in the glycerol kinase and adrenal hypoplasia congenita region of Xp21.

The adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and glycerol kinase (GK) loci are telomeric to the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus in Xp21. We developed a pair of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contigs spanning at least 1.2 Mb and encompassing the region from the telomeric end of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) locus to beyond YHX39 (DXS727), including the genes for AHC and GK. The centromeric contig consists of 13 YACs reaching more than 600 kb from DMD through GK. The telomeric contig group consists of 8 YACs containing more than 600 kb including the markers YHX39 (DXS727) and QST-59 (DXS319). Patient deletion breakpoints in the region of the two YAC contigs define at least eight intervals, and seven deletion breakpoints are contained within these contigs. In addition to the probes developed from YAC ends, we have mapped eight Alu-PCR probes amplified from a radiation-reduced somatic cell hybrid, two anonymous DNA probes, and one Alu-PCR product amplified from a cosmid end, for a total of 26 new markers within this region of 2 Mb or less. One YAC in the centromeric contig contains an insert encompassing the minimum interval for GK deficiency defined by patient deletion breakpoints, and this clone includes all or part of the GK gene.

Identification of new markers in Xp21 between DXS28 (C7) and DMD.

Characterization of Xp21 distal to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the region containing the genes for adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD) has been limited due to a paucity of probes. Two probes were localized between DXS28 (C7) and AHC, the yeast artificial chromosome insert YHX39 (DXS727) and the polymorphic phage clone QST59 (DXS319). A genomic clone, FT1 (DXS726), 3' to DMD, was also characterized. Portions of the three probes were sequenced and primer pairs were generated to amplify a sequence-tagged site within each probe. Amplification of DNA from patients confirmed the deletion results obtained by Southern blot analysis, and these three sequence-tagged sites were successfully combined for triplex PCR. In addition to facilitating molecular genetic diagnosis in Xp21, these probes can be used to identify additional YACs and other probes to further increase the genomic information and diagnostic capabilities in this region.

Characterization of human genomic yeast artificial chromosome inserts containing hexokinase 1 coding information on chromosome 10.

Hexokinase 1 (HK1) is one of four mammalian HK isoenzymes and maps to human chromosome 10. Two yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) were identified in the Washington University human YAC library using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers designed with knowledge of the human HK1 cDNA sequence. YAC B129B12 is 120 kb in length and maps entirely to chromosome 10. YAC A159D5 is 400 kb in length and appears to have resulted from a recombination of chromosome 10 with non-chromosome 10 material. We report these YACs as potential resources for those interested in HK1 gene organization and mapping, as well as those desiring additional genomic information and markers on chromosome 10.