Isolation of an RNA with the properties of haemoglobin messenger

Site of action of a Vero toxin (VT2) from Escherichia coli O157:H7 and of Shiga toxin on eukaryotic ribosomes. RNA N-glycosidase activity of the toxins

The site of action of a Vero toxin (VT2 or Shiga-like toxin II) from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae 1 on eukaryotic ribosomes was studied. Treatment of eukaryotic ribosomes with either toxin caused the release of a fragment of 400 nucleotides from 28S ribosomal RNA when the isolated ribosomal RNA was treated with aniline. Release of this fragment with aniline treatment was accompanied by inhibition of protein synthesis and of elongation-factor-1-dependent aminoacyl-tRNA binding to ribosomes. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the 3'-terminal fragment of 553 nucleotides of 28S rRNA of rat liver 60S ribosomal subunits suggested that an adenine base at position 4324 (A-4324) was absent in toxin-treated 28S rRNA. Further analysis by thin-layer chromatography demonstrated quantitative release of adenine from rat liver ribosomes on treatment with the toxins. These results indicate that both VT2 and Shiga toxin inactivate 60S ribosomal subunits by cleaving the N-glycosidic bond at A-4324 in 28S ribosomal RNA.

Separation of macromolecular RNAs by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of synthetic and natural RNAs was studied. The results show that base composition alone cannot explain the retention characteristics of natural RNAs; secondary structures are probably involved. However, under the conditions described, the separation was independent of the sizes of the molecules. 18S and 28S ribosomal RNAs were eluted after tRNAs but before 9S globin mRNA. Furthermore, globin mRNA was resolved into two species, one containing and the other lacking poly(A). When applied to the separation of HeLa cell poly(A)-containing RNA, an heterogeneous pattern was obtained. Analysis of peptides synthesized by the mRNA showed that the separation is independent of size.

Synthesis, restriction analysis, and molecular cloning of near full length DNA complementary to bovine parathyroid hormone mRNA

DNA complementary (cDNA) to a partially purified preparation of bovine parathyroid hormone mRNA was synthesized using avian myeloblastosis viral reverse transcriptase. The PTH cDNA contained about 750 bases and was greater than 95% sensitive to digestion by S1 nuclease. Analysis of the mRNA preparation by excess RNA hybridization to the PTH cDNA revealed one rapidly hybridizing component consisting of 50% of the PTH cDNA. Sequential incubation of the PTH mRNA with reverse transcriptase and E. coli DNA polymerase I produced near full length double-stranded PTH cDNA. Of the 22 restriction endonucleases tested, double-stranded PTH cDNA could be cleaved with Alu I, Mbo II, Sau 3A, Sst I, and Taq I. The restriction fragments corresponding to the 5' terminus of the sense strand were identified for the last three enzymes by comparing the size of fragments obtained from PTH cDNA before and after cleavage of the hairpin loop connecting the two strands by S1 nuclease. The restriction map of the cDNA was used to detect clones of bacteria containing recombinant plasmids with near full length PTH cDNA inserts.

Partial purification, characterization and translation in vitro of rat liver metallothionein messenger ribonucleic acid

Poly(A)+ (polyadenylated) mRNA coding for metallothioneins was purified 13-fold from rat liver polyribosomes and was identified by its ability to direct the biosynthesis of these proteins in a wheat-germ cell-free system. The carboxymethylated products of the protein-synthesizing system in vitro were analysed with sodium dodecyl sulphate/20% polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The labelled compounds [3H]serine and [35S]cysteine were incorporated at high specific radioactivity into proteins that co-migrated with authentic metallothioneins. No [3H]leucine incorporation was found, in agreement with the amino acid composition of the metallothioneins. Metallothionein mRNA had a sedimentation coefficient of 9 S and carried a maximum of four ribosomes. At 5 h after a subcutaneous injection of ZnCl2 or CdCl2 (10 mumol/kg body wt.), the amount of this mRNA increased approx. 2- and 4-fold respectively, on the basis of translation in vitro. The increase in metallothionein mRNA (defined by translation in the wheat-germ system) was transient and, after CdCl2 treatment, fell back to control values by 17 h. Metallothioneins constituted a maximum of 0.8% of the total protein products synthesized in the wheat-germ system by total mRNA isolated from rat liver after CdCl2 treatment.

Chicken globin gene number

Using complementary DNA prepared from adult chicken globin messenger RNA, we show the existence of 2-3 non-cross-hybridising globin sequences in the chicken genome, each of which is present in only one copy per haploid genome. This was done by solution hybridization to total DNA under conditions of cDNA excess. The data agreses with results of RNA-driven hybridisation of globin complementary DNA, and with protein data.

The nature of the 5'-linked 5' nucleotide sequence at the 5' end of rabbit globin messenger ribonucleic acid

Poly(A)-containing messenger RNA isolated from rabbit reticulocytes as estimated by periodate oxidation and condensation with [3H]isoniazid has two oxidizable end groups per molecule of mol. wt. 220000. When the mRNA is subjected to stepwise degradation by beta-elimination, only one oxidizable end-group is found. This indicates that one of the 2',3' hydroxyl end-groups is linked through the normal 3'--5' phosphodiester bond, but that the other is linked in such a way that after stepwise degradation no new 2',3 hydroxyl group is revealed. This structure could be a 5'-linked 5'-phospho di- or tri-ester. On digestion with ribonuclease the isoniazid-labelled RNA produced oligonucleotide hydrazones consistent with a poly(A) sequence at the 3' end plus fragments that are not found after stepwise degradation. These fragments have a charge of --6 and --8 from pancreatic ribonuclease or --7 from ribonuclease T1 digestion. These charges are changed to --3.4 and --4.1 after pancreatic ribonuclease, ribonuclease T2 and alkaline phosphatase digestion. methyl-3H-labelled-poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from late erythroid cells contain a methyl-labelled fragment resistant to endonuclease and phosphodiesterase II digestion. After digestion with phosphodiesterase I this fragment produces methyl-3 H-labelled nucleotides with the electrophoretic mobility of pm7G and pAm. It is concluded that globin mRNA has the 5' sequences m7G(5')ppp'AmpYpGp ... and m7G(5')pppAmpApGpYp.

The regulation of haemoglobin synthesis in cultured chick blastoderms by steroids related to 5beta-androstane

1. After 24h of incubation, the blastoderm may be dissected from the early developing chick embryo and successfully maintained under conditions of organ culture in vitro. 2. Low concentrations of steroids related to 5beta-androstane stimulate the synthesis of foetal haemoglobins, types E and P, in a highly steroid- and tissue-specific manner.

Regulation of cell cycle stage-specific transcription of histone genes from chromatin by non-histone chromosomal proteins

RNA transcripts from chromatin of S phase but not G1 cells contain histone-specific sequences. Chromatin reconstituted with S phase non-histone chromosomal proteins transcribes histone messenger RNA sequences whereas chromatin reconstituted with G1 non-histone proteins does not. These results suggest that transcription of histone genes is regulated during the cell cycle and that non-histone proteins have a key role in this regulation.

Globin messenger sequences in nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles of avian erythroblasts

Nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated from chick erythroblast nuclei. The particles were found to sediment as heterogeneous material. The major fraction of the rapidly synthesized RNP sedimented at 30 S, whereas the nuclei were found to contain a major, apparently more stable, RNP component sedimenting at about 40 S. The RNA isolated from the RNP particles was assayed for globin messenger activity in a wheat germ cell-free system. RNP sedimenting at relatively low S values (approx. 15 S) as well as RNP-particles of larger size code for globin. In addition to globin, the RNA of the particles codes also for other, not yet identified, proteins.

Nucleotide sequences of the 3'-terminal untranslated region of messenger RNA for human beta globin chain

In normal messenger RNA for the human beta-globin chain, nucleotide sequences have been identified which can be matched to the amino-acid sequence of the abnormally long segment of the beta-chain of hemoglobin Cranston. The finding of these sequences strengthens the hypothesis that the betaCranston chain arose by a frameshift mutation allowing the "readthrough" of the normal termination codon and translation of usually untranslated portions of the messenger RNA for the beta-globin chain. The oligonucleotides which match the amino-acid sequence of hemoglobin Cranston provide a sequence of 36 nucleotides which follows the normal beta-chain termination codon UAA.

Units of transcription and translation: sequence components of heterogeneous nuclear RNA and messenger RNA

Defining the units in which the eucaryotic genome is transcribed and translated is central to any analysis of eucaryotic gene expression. The relationship between heterogeneous nuclear RNA and messenger RNA raises the question of whether the primary transcript may be more complex than the sequence which is translated; as I concluded last month in the first part of this review, kinetic analyses of these two RNA populations provide some suggestive indications but cannot prove whether the nuclear population includes messenger precursors that are much longer than mature cytoplasmic messengers (Lewin, 1975). Here I discuss recent analyses of the sequence components present in hnRNA and mRNA and how they may be related to each other and to the organization of the genome.

Further evidence of a quantitative deficiency of chain-specific globin mRNA in the thalassemia syndromes

Formamide gel electrophoresis separates the mRNA fraction from reticulocyte polyribosomes of adult humans into two major RNA species with migratory rates identical to those of the alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs of the rabbit. That these two RNAs of human origin are the globin mRNAs is further supported by the deficiency of the presumed beta mRNA in reticulocyte polyribosomes of fetuses and premature infants, whose cells make gamma chains in preference to beta chains. The globin mRNAs of reticulocyte polyribosomes from patients with hematological disorders were estimated by scanning the stained formamide gels. In contrast to individuals with either hemolytic anemia without hemoglobinopathy or sickle cell anemia who had beta mRNA to alpha mRNA ratios of approximately one, a patient with Hb S-beta-thalassemia had a ratio of beta mRNA to alpha mRNA of 0.75 while two subjects with homozygous beta-thalassemia had severe deficiencies of beta mRNA. Conversely, a patient with alpha-thalassemia (Hb H disease) had a ratio of beta mRNA to alpha mRNA on reticulocyte polyribosomes of 6. These data provide further evidence of a quantitative deficiency of chain-specific globin mRNA in patients with the thalassemia syndromes.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of RNA synthesized from rabbit globin complementary DNA

Rabbit globin complementary DNA made with RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) was used as template for in vitro synthesis of (32)P-labeled RNA. The sequences of the nucleotides in most of the fragments resulting from combined ribonuclease T(1) and alkaline phosphatase digestion have been determined. Several fragments were long enough to fit uniquely with the alpha or beta globin amino-acid sequences. These data demonstrate that the cDNA was copied from globin mRNA and contained no detectable contaminants.

Estimation of the number of genes coding for the constant part of the mouse immunoglobulin kappa light chain

As previously shown, purified 14S RNA of mouse myeloma MOPC-41 forms a single peak on sucrose gradients and gel electrophoresis and codes for a single polypeptide chain, the immunoglobulin light chain produced by the same myeloma in vivo. This 14S mRNA was used for the enzymatic synthesis of DNA (cDNA) which is complementary to the RNA template. A DNA fraction was isolated which has an average size of 300 nucleotides. Kinetic studies of the hybridization of the 14S RNA with the cDNA indicate that about 40% of the RNA consists of a single RNA sequence. From the size of the cDNA fraction and from the direction of DNA synthesis, it can be concluded that the cDNA includes the sequence complementary to the constant region of light chain mRNA. This radioactive cDNA was used for DNA.DNA reannealing experiments with unlabeled DNA from mouse liver or myeloma tumor in 3 x 10(6)-fold excess. This allowed the determination of the number of copies in the mouse genome of those sequences represented in the cDNA. The data show no significant reiteration in either liver or myeloma DNA and suggest that the gene coding for the constant part of immunoglobins is present in the haploid genome in one to five copies. Furthermore, this gene is not "amplified" in nuclear DNA of myeloma plasmocytes.

Nucleotide sequences of human globin messenger RNA

Globin messenger RNA, isolated from human peripheral blood reticulocytes, was transcribed into complementary DNA by use of the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase of avian myeloblastosis virus. The complementary DNA was then transcribed into (32)P-labeled complementary RNA by E. coli RNA polymerase in the presence of alpha-(32)P-labeled ribonucleoside triphosphates. The fingerprint pattern obtained from ribonuclease T1 digests of human globin complementary RNA was specific and reproducible. Different patterns were obtained from digests of duck, mouse, and rabbit globin complementary RNA. The fingerprint patterns obtained from digests of purified natural human 10S globin messenger RNA, labeled in vitro with (125)I or with [gamma-(32)P]ATP and polynucleotide kinase, were similar to that of the complementary RNA but contained some additional oligonucleotides. Sufficient nucleotide sequence information has been obtained from about 50% of the intermediate sized oligonucleotides (8-14 base residues long), to make possible examination of correspondence between these nucleotide sequences and globin amino-acid sequences. Approximately 70% of these oligonucleotide sequences can be matched to unique amino-acid sequences in the alpha- or beta-globin chains. The other 30% do not match known amino-acid sequences and presumably correspond to untranslated portions of the mRNA; some of these sequences, however, can be matched to amino-acid sequence in the abnormally long segment of the alpha chain of hemoglobin Constant Spring, which is thought to result from a chain-termination mutation.