Nucleotide sequence of cloned DNA segments of the Haemophilus influenzae bacteriophage HP1c1.

Restriction fragments obtained by digestion of Haemophilus influenzae phage HP1c1 DNA with HaeIII have been cloned by insertion into the HindIII site of pBR322 using synthetic linkers. The nucleotide sequences have been determined for three adjacent fragments, HaeIII-E, HaeIII-C and HaeIII-K, which comprise and 8.2-kb segment of the HP1c1 genome. The distribution and location of restriction sites in the sequenced region were determined. Restriction sites containing the dinucleotides -GG- and -CC- occurred infrequently in the sequence. The region contains numerous sequences which are subsets of the high-affinity recognition sequence of Haemophilus transformation, including five sites which direct high-affinity uptake of fragments containing them. Shorter subsets of the uptake sequence, including those with little or no measurable affinity for the DNA transport system, are considerably over-represented in HP1c1 DNA. Nine open reading frames (ORFs) corresponding to presumed polypeptides longer than 90 amino acid residues were identified; all of these shared a common orientation, suggesting the probable direction of transcription in this segment of the phage genome. These ORFs were preceded by appropriately spaced polypurine stretches which might function as ribosome-binding sites. One ORF coincides with the site of a mutation affecting the production of phage tails.

Characterization of recognition sites on bacteriophage HP1c1 DNA which interact with the DNA uptake system of Haemophilus influenzae Rd.

The 32.4-kb genome of the Haemophilus influenzae bacteriophage HP1c1 contains at least twelve sites, each conferring high affinity for the DNA uptake system of transformable H. influenzae Rd. Five of these high-affinity sites have been located and their nucleotide sequences determined. Three sites contained a contiguous 9-bp sequence identical to the first nine residues of the 11-bp site previously identified as conferring high affinity for the H. influenzae transformation receptor to DNA fragments. The remaining two sites contained complete 11-bp sequences. In contrast, an HP1c1 restriction fragment containing a sequence identical to the final nine residues of the 11-bp uptake site exhibits only a low affinity for the DNA uptake system. An 8-bp sequence consisting of the first eight residues of the 11-bp site was 1% as active as the longer, high-affinity sites. Thus the first 9-bp of the 11-bp site are sufficient to direct high-affinity uptake, while the first 8-bp or the distal 9-bp are not. These results provide an initial assessment of the relative contributions of the individual residues constituting the 11-bp site to the apparent affinity of DNA fragments for the receptor of Haemophilus transformation.

Nucleotide sequence and properties of the cohesive DNA termini from bacteriophage HP1c1 of Haemophilus influenzae Rd.

The termini of the mature DNA of phage HP1c1 of Haemophilus influenzae Rd have been characterized by DNA ligation, nucleotide sequencing, and deoxynucleotide incorporation experiments. A hybrid plasmid containing the joined phage termini (the cos site) inserted into pBR322 has been constructed. The phage DNA has cohesive termini composed of complementary 5' single-stranded extensions which are seven residues long. The left cohesive terminal extension consists only of pyrimidines and the right only of purines. When the ends of the phage are joined, the terminal sequences constitute the central 7 bp of an 11 bp sequence containing only purines on one strand and pyrimidines on the other strand. This oligopyrimidine/oligopurine sequence does not possess rotational symmetry. A 10-bp sequence and its inverted repeat are located approx. 20 bp to the left and right of the fused ends.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 August 2009-30 September 2009.

This article documents the addition of 238 microsatellite marker loci and 72 pairs of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Adelges tsugae, Artemisia tridentata, Astroides calycularis, Azorella selago, Botryllus schlosseri, Botrylloides violaceus, Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii, Campylopterus curvipennis, Colocasia esculenta, Cynomys ludovicianus, Cynomys leucurus, Cynomys gunnisoni, Epinephelus coioides, Eunicella singularis, Gammarus pulex, Homoeosoma nebulella, Hyla squirella, Lateolabrax japonicus, Mastomys erythroleucus, Pararge aegeria, Pardosa sierra, Phoenicopterus ruber ruber and Silene latifolia. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Adelges abietis, Adelges cooleyi, Adelges piceae, Pineus pini, Pineus strobi, Tubastrea micrantha, three other Tubastrea species, Botrylloides fuscus, Botrylloides simodensis, Campylopterus hemileucurus, Campylopterus rufus, Campylopterus largipennis, Campylopterus villaviscensio, Phaethornis longuemareus, Florisuga mellivora, Lampornis amethystinus, Amazilia cyanocephala, Archilochus colubris, Epinephelus lanceolatus, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Symbiodinium temperate-A clade, Gammarus fossarum, Gammarus roeselii, Dikerogammarus villosus and Limnomysis benedeni. This article also documents the addition of 72 sequencing primer pairs and 52 allele specific primers for Neophocaena phocaenoides.

Alteration of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) metabolism by ethanol: mechanism of action.

We present evidence that ethanol alters intracellular poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) metabolism and we further describe the mechanism by which ethanol exerts its effect on polymer synthesis. One percent ethanol stimulates polymer accumulation as much as 2.5-fold but does not alter polymer degradation in intact cells following DNA damage. Ethanol directly stimulates polymer synthesis following low doses of DNA damage induce by deoxyribonuclease I in a nucleotide-permeable cell system that does not possess a functional polymer turnover system. Ethanol has no measurable effect on polymer synthesis in undamaged nucleotide-permeable cells or in permeable cells treated with high doses of deoxyribonuclease I. Ethanol concentrations that stimulate poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerase activity in vitro specifically lower KDNA without affecting KNAD or Vmax. The results clearly show that ethanol alters the binding of this enzyme to the DNA component of chromatin and that this altered binding is responsible for the activation of the enzyme. Altered affinity of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerase and perhaps other regulatory proteins for chromatin may play an important role in the pathology of alcohol.

ADP-ribosylation in mammalian cell ghosts. Dependence of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis on strand breakage in DNA.

Detergent-lysed BS-C-1, HeLa, and mouse L cells incorporate ADP-ribose from NAD+ into two classes of macromolecules. Metabolically stable products, which appear to be a variety of proteins to which are attached one or a few ADP-ribose residues, predominate when the cellular DNA remains intact. In addition, ghost cells have a potentially much greater capacity to synthesize poly(ADP-ribose), which is completely dependent upon the introduction of strand breaks into their DNA. The initial rate of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis increases linearly with prior x-ray dose or with the concentration of endonuclease added and, once synthesized, the polymer is rapidly degraded with a half-life of 10 min or less. It appears that sites on the DNA capable of supporting a certain amount of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis are created as a result of x-irradiation or nucleolytic cleavage and are rapidly eliminated, or "repaired," during subsequent incubation. The sites accumulate if cells are irradiated at 0 degree C; further incubation of the lysed cells with NAD+ at 35 degrees C results in both a burst of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis and the elimination of the sites. NAD+ enhances the elimination of x-ray-induced sites. Thus, the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) may be required for the repair of DNA strand breaks.

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis in vitro programmed by damaged DNA. A comparison of DNA molecules containing different types of strand breaks.

The ability of DNA is support poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis is completely dependent upon the number and type of strand breaks it contains and is independent of the sequence. Single-stranded DNA is ineffective. Covalently closed circular plasmid DNA is ineffective, but when it is enzymatically digested it activates poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in proportion to the number of strand breaks, suggesting that the polymerase recognizes DNA ends. Double-stranded restriction fragments with flush ends are approximately 3 times more effective than are fragments with unpaired nucleotides extending from the 3' termini and about 10 times more effective than are either fragments with unpaired nucleotides extending from the 5' termini or plasmids with single-strand breaks. All types of restriction fragments become more effective upon removal of terminal 5'-phosphate groups. This specificity profile may relate to the proposed role of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis in the repair of DNA strand breaks, for those which are assumed to be more difficult to repair in vivo are the more effective stimulators. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase has no divalent cation requirement when supplied with flush-ended DNA fragments, but magnesium may enhance the effective of other types of DNA by activating magnesium-dependent nucleases. Ineffective DNAs, such as covalently closed plasmids or synthetic homopolymers that are unable to form Watson-Crick duplexes, apparently compete with effective DNA and weakly inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis.

Nucleotide sequence of xylE from the TOL pDK1 plasmid and structural comparison with isofunctional catechol-2,3-dioxygenase genes from TOL, pWW0 and NAH7.

Detailed restriction and nucleotide sequence analysis of the Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid pDK1 xylE gene revealed significant homology with isofunctional xylE (81.5%) and nahH (78.0%) genes from the TOL pWW0 and NAH7 plasmids. The highest degrees of nucleotide and apparent amino acid conservation (82.2 and 86.4%, respectively) among all three genes were found to exist within a region comprising 264 nucleotides encoding the C terminus. A comparison of localized regions revealed significantly greater homology between xylEpWW0 and xylEpDK1 within the C-terminal region, whereas xylEpWW0 and nahH showed greater similarity at the N terminus. The possibility that xylEpWW0 may represent a genetic hybrid of xylEpDK1 and nahH is discussed.

Quantitative studies of inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation in vitro and in vivo.

The ADP-ribosyl moiety of NAD+ is consumed in reactions catalyzed by three classes of enzymes: poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, protein mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases, and NAD+ glycohydrolases. In this study, we have evaluated the selectivity of compounds originally identified as inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase on members of the three classes of enzymes. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of more than 20 compounds was determined in vitro for both poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase A in an assay containing 300 microM NAD+. Of the compounds tested, benzamide was the most potent inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase with an IC50 of 3.3 microM. The IC50 for benzamide for mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase A was 4.1 mM, and similar values were observed for four additional cellular mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases. The IC50 for NAD+ glycohydrolase for benzamide was approximately 40 mM. For seven of the best inhibitors, inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in intact C3H1OT1/2 cells was studied as a function of the inhibitor concentration of the culture medium, and the concentration for 50% inhibition (culture medium IC50) was determined. Culture medium IC50 values for benzamide and its derivatives were very similar to in vitro IC50 values. For other inhibitors, such as nicotinamide, 5-methyl-nicotinamide, and 5-bromodeoxyuridine, culture medium IC50 values were 3-5-fold higher than in vitro IC50 values. These results suggest that micromolar levels of the benzamides in the culture medium should allow selective inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in intact cells. Furthermore, comparative quantitative inhibition studies should prove useful for assigning the biological effects of these inhibitors as an effect on either poly(ADP-ribose) or mono(ADP-ribose) metabolism.

Identification of enzymatic activities which process protein bound mono(ADP-ribose).

Enzymatic activities have been identified in extracts of cultured mouse cells which catalyze the removal of intact mono(ADP-ribosyl) residues linked to proteins at arginine. Activities that sequentially remove AMP and ribose 5-phosphate have also been identified. These results suggest that mono(ADP-ribosylation) of proteins is a reversible post translational modification.

Natural transformation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is a metabolically versatile microorganism that is naturally competent for DNA uptake and incorporation. We have exploited the natural state of competency for studies involving the cloning, organization and expression of genes encoding catabolic enzymes. A. calcoaceticus is able to take up, at high efficiency, genetically engineered DNA, incorporate the DNA and stably maintain and express the DNA. Sequence analysis of cloned A. calcoaceticus DNA reveals a great deal of internal repetition and secondary structure, but no specific sequences associated with uptake appear to be present. Uptake and transformation occurs in solid and liquid medium, at a wide range of DNA concentrations and with little restriction barrier to the source of the transforming DNA.

Molecular cloning of the xylL-xylE region from the P. putida TOL plasmid, pDK1.

A 5.2 kilobase EcoRI restriction fragment from the Pseudomonas putida HS1 TOL plasmid pDK1, encoding a portion of the lower toluene degradation pathway, was cloned into the E. coli plasmid pBR325. A detailed map of the restriction endonuclease sites was constructed and the nucleotide sequence of three contiguous XhoI fragments, with a combined total length of approximately 3.9 kilobases, has been investigated. This region was determined to contain a total of four separate open reading frames, each preceded by an identical putative ribosome-binding site (nucleotide sequence of 5'-GAGGTG-3'). These open reading frames have been tentatively identified as encoding the lower pathway enzymes catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) and 1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene carboxylate dehydrogenase (DHCDH) and a subunit of the toluate 1,2-dioxygenase complex (TO).

Modification of an arginine residue essential for the activity of NAD-malic enzyme from Ascaris suum.

Purified NAD-malic enzyme from Ascaris suum is rapidly inactivated by the arginine reagent, 2,3-butanedione, and this inactivation is facilitated by 30 mM borate. Determination of the inactivation rate as a function of butanedione concentration suggests a second-order process overall, which is first order in butanedione. A second-order rate constant of 0.6 M-1 s-1 at pH 9 is obtained for the butanedione reaction. The inactivation is reversed by removal of the excess reagent upon dialysis. The enzyme is protected against inactivation by saturating amounts of malate in the presence and absence of borate. The divalent metal Mg2+ affords protection in the presence of borate but has no effect in its absence. The nucleotide reactant NAD+ has no effect on the inactivation rate in either the presence or absence of borate. A dissociation constant of 24 mM is obtained for E:malate from the decrease in the inactivation rate as a function of malate concentration. An apparent Ki of 0.5 mM is obtained for oxalate (an inhibitor competitive vs malate) from E:Mg:oxalate while no significant binding is observed for oxalate using the butanedione modified enzyme. The pH dependence of the first-order rate of inactivation by butanedione gives a pKa of 9.4 +/- 0.1 for the residue(s) modified, and this pK is increased when NAD is bound. The arginine(s) modified is implicated in the binding of malate.

The complete nucleotide sequence of bacteriophage HP1 DNA.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the temperate phage HP1 of Haemophilus influenzae was determined. The phage contains a linear, double-stranded genome of 32 355 nt with cohesive termini. Statistical methods were used to identify 41 probable protein coding segments organized into five plausible transcriptional units. Regions encoding proteins involved in recombination, replication, transcriptional control, host cell lysis and phage production were identified. The sizes of proteins in the mature HP1 particle were determined to assist in identifying genes for structural proteins. Similarities between HP1 coding sequences and those in databases, as well as similar gene organizations and control mechanisms, suggest that HP1 is a member of the P2-like phage family, with strong similarities to coliphages P2 and 186 and some similarity to the retronphage Ec67.

Identification and expression of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plastidial carbonic anhydrase.

Four carbonic anhydrase (CA) cDNA clones were isolated from a 48 h dark-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedling cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed two different CA isoforms designated GhCA1 and GhCA2. The encoded polypeptides possess N-terminal serine/threonine-rich regions indicative of plastid transit peptides, and approximately 80% sequence identity to other plant plastidial beta-CAs. The GhCA1 cDNA encodes a nearly complete preprotein of 323 amino acids with a molecular mass of 34.9 kDa and a predicted mature protein of 224 amino acids with a molecular mass of 24.3 kDa. Eleven nucleotide differences within ORFs of GhCA1 and GhCA2 result in 5 conservative amino acid substitutions. The 3' GhCA2 untranslated region contains five additional substitutions and one single nucleotide addition. GhCA1 clones, nearly full-length or with 70% of the transit peptide deleted, were expressed as LacZ alpha fusion proteins in E. coli. Lysates of these strains contained 9-fold higher levels of CA activity as compared to untransformed controls and this activity was inhibited by CA-specific inhibitors. Sulfanilamide, acetazolamide, ethoxyzolamide, each at 10 mM, inhibited recombinant CA activity approximately 50%, 65%, and 75%, respectively. In plant tissue homogenates these inhibitors reduced CA activity by 50%, 70%, and 95%, respectively. Although CA activity was bighest in extracts of mature cotton leaves, probing total RNA with GhCA1 revealed CA transcript levels to be highest in the cotyledons of dark-grown cotton seedlings. Collectively, our data indicate the presence of a plastid-localized CA in cotyledons of germinated seeds, suggesting a role for CA in postgerminative growth.

Aspartate transcarbamoylase genes of Pseudomonas putida: requirement for an inactive dihydroorotase for assembly into the dodecameric holoenzyme.

The nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding the enzyme aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) from Pseudomonas putida have been determined. Our results confirm that the P. putida ATCase is a dodecameric protein composed of two types of polypeptide chains translated coordinately from overlapping genes. The P. putida ATCase does not possess dissociable regulatory and catalytic functions but instead apparently contains the regulatory nucleotide binding site within a unique N-terminal extension of the pyrB-encoded subunit. The first gene, pyrB, is 1,005 bp long and encodes the 334-amino-acid, 36.4-kDa catalytic subunit of the enzyme. The second gene is 1,275 bp long and encodes a 424-residue polypeptide which bears significant homology to dihydroorotase (DHOase) from other organisms. Despite the homology of the overlapping gene to known DHOases, this 44.2-kDa polypeptide is not considered to be the functional product of the pyrC gene in P. putida, as DHOase activity is distinct from the ATCase complex. Moreover, the 44.2-kDa polypeptide lacks specific histidyl residues thought to be critical for DHOase enzymatic function. The pyrC-like gene (henceforth designated pyrC') does not complement Escherichia coli pyrC auxotrophs, while the cloned pyrB gene does complement pyrB auxotrophs. The proposed function for the vestigial DHOase is to maintain ATCase activity by conserving the dodecameric assembly of the native enzyme. This unique assembly of six active pyrB polypeptides coupled with six inactive pyrC' polypeptides has not been seen previously for ATCase but is reminiscent of the fused trifunctional CAD enzyme of eukaryotes.