RESUMO
We describe here a new method for large-scale scanning of microbial genomes on a quantitative and qualitative basis. To achieve this aim we propose to create NotI passports: databases containing NotI tags. We demonstrated that these tags comprising 19 bp of sequence information could be successfully generated using DNA isolated from intestinal or fecal samples. Such NotI passports allow the discrimination between closely related bacterial species and even strains. This procedure for generating restriction site tagged sequences (RSTS) is called passporting and can be adapted to any other rare cutting restriction enzyme. A comparison of 1312 tags from available sequenced Escherichia coli genomes, generated with the NotI, PmeI and SbfI restriction enzymes, revealed only 219 tags that were not unique. None of these tags matched human or rodent sequences. Therefore the approach allows analysis of complex microbial mixtures such as in human gut and identification with high accuracy of a particular bacterial strain on a quantitative and qualitative basis.
Assuntos
Bactérias/genética , DNA Bacteriano/metabolismo , Desoxirribonucleases de Sítio Específico do Tipo II/metabolismo , Genoma Bacteriano , Bactérias/classificação , Sítios de Ligação/genética , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Fezes/microbiologia , Humanos , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
We have developed a new type of microarray, restriction site tagged (RST), for example NotI, microarrays. In this approach only sequences surrounding specific restriction sites (i.e. NotI linking clones) were used for generating microarrays. DNA was labeled using a new procedure, NotI representation, where only sequences surrounding NotI sites were labeled. Due to these modifications, the sensitivity of RST microarrays increases several hundred-fold compared to that of ordinary genomic microarrays. In a pilot experiment we have produced NotI microarrays from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and have shown that even closely related Escherichia coli strains can be easily discriminated using this technique. For example, two E.coli strains, K12 and R2, differ by less than 0.1% in their 16S rRNA sequences and thus the 16S rRNA sequence would not easily discriminate between these strains. However, these strains showed distinctly different hybridization patterns with NotI microarrays. The same technique can be adapted to other restriction enzymes as well. This type of microarray opens the possibility not only for studies of the normal flora of the gut but also for any problem where quantitative and qualitative analysis of microbial (or large viral) genomes is needed.
Assuntos
DNA Bacteriano/genética , Desoxirribonucleases de Sítio Específico do Tipo II/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos/métodos , Bactérias/genética , Sítios de Ligação/genética , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
A model for prediction of alpha-helical regions in amino acid sequences has been tested on the mainly-alpha protein structure class. The modeling represents the construction of a continuous hypothetical alpha-helical conformation for the whole protein chain, and was performed using molecular mechanics tools. The positive prediction of alpha-helical and non-alpha-helical pentapeptide fragments of the proteins is 79%. The model considers only local interactions in the polypeptide chain without the influence of the tertiary structure. It was shown that the local interaction defines the alpha-helical conformation for 85% of the native alpha-helical regions. The relative energy contributions to the energy of the model were analyzed with the finding that the van der Waals component determines the formation of alpha-helices. Hydrogen bonds remain at constant energy independently whether alpha-helix or non-alpha-helix occurs in the native protein, and do not determine the location of helical regions. In contrast to existing methods, this approach additionally permits the prediction of conformations of side chains. The model suggests the correct values for ~60% of all chi-angles of alpha-helical residues.
Assuntos
Modelos Químicos , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Proteínas/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Ligação de Hidrogênio , Método de Monte Carlo , Biblioteca de Peptídeos , TermodinâmicaRESUMO
A new approach to predicting protein standard conformations is suggested. The idea consists in modeling by molecular mechanics tools a continuous alpha-helical conformation for the whole protein. The profile of energy along the model alpha-helix reveals minima corresponding to real alpha-helical segments in the native protein. The 3/10-helices and beta-turns including a local alpha-helical conformation may be detected as well. All alpha-helical segments in the test sample are delineated; mean residue by residue accuracy Q(3alpha) is 79%. This non-statistical approach can shed light on the physical grounds of alpha-helix formation.