Distribution of minichromosomes in individual Escherichia coli cells: implications for replication control. (25/17470)

A novel method was devised to measure the number of plasmids in individual Escherichia coli cells. With this method, involving measurement of plasmid-driven expression of the green fluorescent protein gene by flow cytometry, the copy number distribution of a number of different plasmids was measured. Whereas natural plasmids had fairly narrow distributions, minichromosomes, which are plasmids replicating only from a cloned oriC copy, have a wide distribution, suggesting that there is no copy number control for minichromosomes. When the selection pressure (kanamycin concentration) for minichromosomes was increased, the copy number of minichromosomes was also increased. At up to 30 minichromosomes per host chromosome, replication and growth of the host cell was unaffected. This is evidence that there is no negative element for initiation control in oriC and that there is no incompatibility between oriC located on the chromosome and minichromosome. However, higher copy numbers led to integration of the minichromosomes at the chromosomal oriC and to initiation asynchrony of the host chromosome. At a minichromosome copy number of approximately 30, the cell's capacity for synchronous initiation is exceeded and free minichromosomes will compete out the chromosome to yield inviable cells, unless the minichromosomes are incorporated into the chromosome.  (+info)

Initiation of DNA replication at the Chinese hamster origin oriGNAI3 relies on local sequences and/or chromatin structures, but not on transcription of the nearby GNAI3 gene. (26/17470)

We recently identified a region of preferential replication initiation, oriGNAI3, near the 3' end of the Chinese hamster GNAI3 gene. oriGNAI3 is co-amplified in mutants selected for AMPD2 amplification, a process generating chromosomal rearrangements. In this report we have taken advantage of cell lines with truncated and translocated amplified units to show that these rearrangements do not alter the function of ori GNAI3. These results indicate that replication initiation at this locus relies essentially on local features. Interestingly, the study of one line in which a rearrangement has disrupted the GNAI3 gene shows that ongoing transcription of this gene is not required for initiation at oriGNAI3. In order to obtain further insight into the sequences and/or chromatin structures required for oriGNAI3 function, we have analyzed the DNase I sensitivity and nucleotide sequence of the region. The features important for replication initiation appear to cluster in a 7-12 kb region which includes oriGNAI3.  (+info)

Long-term stability of large insert genomic DNA episomal shuttle vectors in human cells. (27/17470)

We have constructed an episomal shuttle vector which can transfer large (>100 kb) human genomic DNA inserts back and forth between bacteria and human cells and which can be tracked in rapidly dividing human cells using a live cell assay. The vector (p5170) is based on the F factor-derived bacterial artificial chromosome cloning vector used in Escherichia coli, with the addition of the family of repeats element from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent origin of replication. This element provides nuclear retention in cells expressing the EBV protein EBNA-1. We have subcloned a series of genomic DNA inserts into p5170 and transfected the constructs into an EBNA-1(+) human cell line. Episomal mitotic stability was quantitatively analysed using flow cytometry. The episomes were also tracked by time course photography of expanding colonies. A 117 kb episome was retained at approximately 2 copies/cell and could be shuttled unrearranged from the human cells into bacterial cells after 15 months of continuous cell growth. Furthermore, the episome could still be rescued from human cells cultured in the absence of selection for 198 days. Such a trackable E.coli /human cell line shuttle vector system capable of carrying >100 kb of genomic DNA in human cells could prove a valuable tool in gene expression studies.  (+info)

Plant cell-directed control of virion sense gene expression in wheat dwarf virus. (28/17470)

We have used particle bombardment (biolistics) to deliver replication-competent wheat dwarf virus (WDV)-based constructs, carrying reporter gene sequences fused to the virion sense promoter (Pv) or the CaMV 35S promoter, to suspension culture cells and immature zygotic embryos of wheat. While the replication of WDV double-stranded DNA forms (replicons) was equivalent between wheat suspension culture cells and embryos, GUS reporter gene activity was 20-40 times higher in the embryo cultures. Maximum expression of WDV replicons occurred in the embryonic axis tissue of wheat embryos but their expression in suspension cells was compromised, compared with transiently maintained input plasmid DNA containing the same sequences. From these studies, we propose that WDV replicons are subject to a host cell-controlled competency for virion sense transcription. The term competency is used to distinguish between the phenomenon described here and control of gene expression by specific transcription factors. Control of competency is independent of Pv, the replacement 35S promoter and of the complementary sense control of virion sense expression involving specific sequences in Pv. We propose that factors controlling the competency for replicon expression may be present in cells which, as well as maintaining high rates of DNA synthesis, are totipotent. Cell type control of active chromatin, methylation of specific sequences in WDV minichromosomes and/or interaction of virus-encoded proteins with specific host factors are considered as possible mechanisms.  (+info)

The mitochondrial genome: structure, transcription, translation and replication. (29/17470)

Mitochondria play a central role in cellular energy provision. The organelles contain their own genome with a modified genetic code. The mammalian mitochondrial genome is transmitted exclusively through the female germ line. The human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a double-stranded, circular molecule of 16569 bp and contains 37 genes coding for two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and 13 polypeptides. The mtDNA-encoded polypeptides are all subunits of enzyme complexes of the oxidative phosphorylation system. Mitochondria are not self-supporting entities but rely heavily for their functions on imported nuclear gene products. The basic mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression have been solved. Cis-acting mtDNA sequences have been characterised by sequence comparisons, mapping studies and mutation analysis both in vitro and in patients harbouring mtDNA mutations. Characterisation of trans-acting factors has proven more difficult but several key enzymes involved in mtDNA replication, transcription and protein synthesis have now been biochemically identified and some have been cloned. These studies revealed that, although some factors may have an additional function elsewhere in the cell, most are unique to mitochondria. It is expected that cell cultures of patients with mitochondrial diseases will increasingly be used to address fundamental questions about mtDNA expression.  (+info)

The fission yeast homologue of Orc4p binds to replication origin DNA via multiple AT-hooks. (30/17470)

The origin recognition complex (ORC) was originally identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a protein that specifically binds to origins of DNA replication. Although ORC appears to play an essential role in the initiation of DNA replication in the cells of all eukaryotes, its interactions with DNA have not been defined in species other than budding yeast. We have characterized a Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologue of the ORC subunit, Orc4p. The homologue (Orp4p) consists of two distinct functional domains. The C-terminal domain shows strong sequence similarity to human, frog, and yeast Orc4 proteins, including conserved ATP-binding motifs. The N-terminal domain contains nine copies of the AT-hook motif found in a number of DNA-binding proteins, including the members of the HMG-I(Y) family of chromatin proteins. AT-hook motifs are known from biochemical and structural studies to mediate binding to the minor groove of AT-tracts in DNA. Orp4p is essential for viability of Sc. pombe and is expressed throughout the cell cycle. The Orp4 protein (and its isolated N-terminal domain) binds to the Sc. pombe replication origin, ars1. The DNA binding properties of Orp4p provide a plausible explanation for the characteristic features of Sc. pombe origins of replication, which differ significantly from those of Sa. cerevisiae.  (+info)

DNA replication in vertebrates requires a homolog of the Cdc7 protein kinase. (31/17470)

CDC7 is an essential gene required for DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cdc7p homologs have recently been identified in vertebrates, but their role in DNA replication has not yet been addressed. Here we show that antibodies to the Xenopus laevis homolog, xCdc7, interfere with DNA replication in vivo in developing embryos and in vitro in cycling egg extracts. We also demonstrate cell cycle-dependent association of xCdc7 with the Mcm complex, which binds to replication origins and also is required for DNA synthesis. Taken together, these data indicate that the function of xCdc7 is conserved from fungi to vertebrates. xCdc7 protein accumulates after stimulation of resting oocytes with progesterone, suggesting a molecular explanation for previous observations that the development of the capacity for DNA replication requires protein synthesis late in meiosis I.  (+info)

Microsatellite instability in Drosophila spellchecker1 (MutS homolog) mutants. (32/17470)

We have cloned a mutS homolog from Drosophila melanogaster called spellchecker1 (spel1) and have constructed spel1 mutant flies. MutS proteins promote the correction of DNA mismatches and serve important roles in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. The spel1 gene belongs to a subfamily of mutS first characterized by the MSH2 gene of yeast and which also includes hMSH2, one of the two major hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer loci of humans. Like msh2 mutants in other species, we find that flies lacking the spel1 gene suffer a highly increased rate of instability in long runs of dinucleotide repeats when analyzed after 10-12 fly generations. Using a new assay, we have also discovered that mutations in spel1 decrease the stability of a dinucleotide repeat when it is copied into the site of a double-strand break during gene conversion. Contrary to the case in mammalian cells, spel1 deficiency does not affect tolerance of flies to a methylating agent nor does it affect resistance to gamma-irradiation.  (+info)