Molecular cloning and characterization of a Candida tsukubaensis α-glucosidase gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The molecular cloning of an -glucosidase gene isolated from a Candida tsukubaensis (CBS 6389) genomic library in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is reported. The cloned gene is contained within a 6.2 kb Sau3A DNA fragment and directs the synthesis and secretion of an amylolytic enzyme into the extracellular medium of the recombinant host, S. cerevisiae. The cloned enzyme was found to have an unusually broad substrate specificity and is capable of hydrolysing -1,2, -1,3, -1,4 and 1,6 linked, as well as aryl and alkyl, d-glucosides. On the basis of its substrate specificity profile, the cloned enzyme was classified as an -glucosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.20). It has a pH optimum in the range 4.2–4.6, a temperature optimum of 58°C and is readily inactivated at pasteurization temperature (60°C). Southern blot analysis failed to reveal any homology between the cloned gene and genomic DNA isolated from other well characterized amylolytic yeasts. A rapid plate-assay, based on the utilization of a chromogenic substrate X--d-glucoside to detect the expression of the cloned -glucosidase in S. cerevisiae transformants, was developed.     

Cloning and expression of an Aspergillus kawachii endo-1,4-β-xylanase gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

First-strand cDNA was prepared from mRNA isolated from Aspergillus kawachii IFO4308 and the -xylanase gene (xynC) amplified by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. This gene was inserted between the yeast phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK1) gene promoter (PGK1 _p) and terminator (PGK1 _T) sequences. The PGK1 _P-xynC-PGK1 _T construct (designated XYN3) was cloned into a multicopy episomal plasmid and the XYN3 gene was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Functional -xylanase (Xyn3) was produced and secreted by the recombinant yeast. Xyn3 was stable between 30 and 50°C, and the optimum temperature and pH were shown to be at 60°C and lower than pH3, respectively. An autoselective fur1::LEU2 XYN3 recombinant strain was developed that allowed -xylanase production at a level of 300 nkat/ml in a non-selective complex medium.     

EGD1 (β-NAC) mRNA is localized in a novel cytoplasmic structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

RNA localization is a common mechanism for recruiting proteins to specific regions of a cell, which causes cell polarization and sometimes asymmetric division. We found that EGD1 mRNA accumulates dose-dependently as a cytoplasmic granule in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EGD1 encodes a β-subunit of the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC). NAC is a heterodimer consisting of α- and β-subunits, associated with ribosomes and thought to be involved in the folding of nascent polypeptide chains. Analysis of deletion constructs showed that the localization of EGD1 mRNA requires both an upstream region and an ORF of EGD1, suggesting that the translation of Egd1p is important for localization. We also showed that Egd1p and P-body components are co-localized with EGD1 mRNA. This granule, named the EGD1 granule, has features similar to cellular inclusions containing aggregated proteins. Disruption of microtubules by treatment with a drug, benomyl, resulted in loss of the EGD1 granule. When the expression level of EGD2 encoding the αNAC increased, the percentage of cells showing the EGD1 granule decreased, suggesting that the granular distribution of EGD1 depends on the quantitative balance between α- and β-subunits of NAC. Taken together, we propose a novel microtubule-dependent mechanism for controlling NAC through RNA localization.     

‘Phase variation’-type regulation of gene expression and gene replacement mediated by FLP recombinase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Expression of a neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) gene has been designed to be regulated by an FLP-mediated switching of the orientation of the NPTII coding region located on the invertible DNA segment in episomal yeast plasmids. Inversion of the segment from inverted to direct orientation with respect to the promoter resulted in a dramatic increase in G418 resistance. FLP also promoted a double reciprocal exchange between the transforming and the resident 2-m plasmid, leading to insertion of the FLP and REP2 genes into the transforming plasmid. The results demonstrate a possible use of FLP recombinase for phase variation-type regulation of gene expression and gene replacement in eukaryotic cells.     

Primary sequence and functional expression of a novel β subunit of the P-ATPase gene family

The cortical collecting tubule (CCT) of the mammalian kidney reabsorbs sodium and potassium, processes that are mediated by Na/K-ATPase and H/K-ATPase. CCT is also an important site for proton secretion, which is driven, in part, by H/K-ATPase. Na/K-ATPase and H/K-ATPase are members of the ion-motive P-ATPase gene family. They are closely related plasma membrane proteins which consist of heterodimers. The urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus is the amphibian counterpart of mammalian CCT. We have previously characterized a ouabain-resistant Na/K-ATPase [see ref. 17], from TBM cells, a clonal cell line derived from the toad bladder, which expresses transepithelial sodium transport. In the present study, we report the primary sequence and functional expression of a novel subunit ( _bladder= _bl) isolated from a toad bladder epithelial cell cDNA library. The deduced polypeptide is 299 amino acids in length and has a predicted molecular mass of 33 kDa. The _bl protein exhibits 35% amino acid identity to the previously characterized ₁ of B. marinus Na/K-ATPase and 39% identity with ₃ of B. marinus Na/K-ATPase. It shares 38% identity with the mammalian gastric H/K-ATPase and 52% with the mammalian ₂ Na/K-ATPase. Northern blot analysis shows that a 1.4×10³-base mRNA is expressed at a high level in bladder epithelial cells and eye and at a trace level in kidney; it is not detectable in significant amounts in the stomach, colon and small intestine. The _bl subunit can associate with the ₁ subunit of B. marinus Na/K-ATPase to form a functional sodium pump in the Xenopus laevis oocyte. Our data indicate that, in addition to the known ₁ and ₃ isoforms, a third distinct isoform of the subunit is present in the bladder epithelium. This new isoform could be functionally associated with subunits of either Na/K- or H/K-ATPase.     

Accelerated expression of secreted α-chain gene in anaphylactoid purpura

The mechanisms of the elevation of serum IgA levels in anaphylactoid purpura were investigated. Serum IgA levels were significantly elevated within 2 weeks (5 to 14 days for all 12 patients) after onset in patients with anaphylactoid purpura. Serum IgM and IgG were not elevated. Although the percentages of surface IgA-bearing cells were not increased in the patients, the numbers of IgA-secreting cells within 2 weeks after onset in the patients with anaphylactoid purpura were significantly higher than those of controls. In northern blot analysis on lymphocytes, the secreted (_s)-chain gene was well expressed compared with the membrane-bound (_m)-chain gene, within 2 weeks after the onset of anaphylactoid purpura. Therefore, stimulation by a certain agent or a certain immune response may accelerate expression of the _s-chain gene in anaphylactoid purpura.     

Direct selection of hepatoma cell variants deficient in α1-antitrypsin gene expression

Expression plasmids containing the human ₁-antitrypsin (₁ AT) promoter fused to either adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) or xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (gpt) coding sequences were sequentially introduced into APRT^– HPRT^– rat hepatoma cells. Stable transfectants expressing both transgenes were isolated and characterized. Nonexpressing variants were subsequently obtained by selecting against expression of one or both transgenes. Variants isolated by selecting against expression of either transgene alone generally displayed deficiency phenotypes incis, as only three of 20 clones tested were affected for expression of ₁AT mRNA. In contrast, double selection yielded predominantlytrans effects: 12 of 14 lines tested showed impaired ability to express their chromosomal ₁AT genes. Furthermore, expression of several other liver genes, including the gene encoding the HNF-1trans-activator, was repressed in many of the variant lines. Thus, double selection using chimeric transgenes is a useful approach for generating variant cell lines deficient in expression of specific mammalian genes.     

Pbp1 mediates the aberrant expression of genes involved in growth defect of ccr4∆ and pop2∆ mutants in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

CCR4 and POP2 genes encode the catalytic subunit of the Ccr4-Not complex involved in shortening mRNA poly(A) tail in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ccr4Δ and pop2∆ mutants exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes such as slow and temperature-sensitive growth, aberrant expression of glucose repression genes and abnormal cell wall synthesis. We previously found that the growth defect of the ccr4Δ and pop2∆ mutants is suppressed by deletion of the PBP1 gene, which encodes poly(A)-binding protein (Pab1)-binding protein 1. In this study, we investigated the functional relationship between Ccr4/Pop2 and Pbp1 by measuring changes in gene expression in ccr4Δ and pop2∆ single mutants and ccr4Δ pbp1∆ and pop2∆ pbp1∆ double mutants. We found that expression of HSP12, HSP26, PIR3, FUS1 and GPH1 was increased in ccr4Δ and pop2∆ single mutants. The pbp1∆ mutation not only restored the growth defect but also reduced the increased expression of those genes found in the ccr4Δ and pop2∆ mutants. Over-expression of PBP1 in the ccr4Δ mutant further increased the expression of HSP12, HSP26, PIR3 and FUS1 and exacerbated the cell growth. These results suggest that the aberrant expression of a subset of genes, which is facilitated by Pbp1, contributes to the pleiotropic phenotypes of the ccr4Δ and pop2∆ mutants.     

Cloning,characterization, and expression of two α-amylase genes from Aspergillus niger var. awamori

Summary Using synthetic oligonucleotide probes, we cloned genomic DNA sequences encoding an -amylase gene from Aspergillus niger var. awamori (A. awamori) on a 5.8 kb EcoRI fragment. Hybridization experiments, using a portion of this cloned fragment to probe DNA from A. awamori, suggested the presence of two -amylase gene copies which were subsequently cloned as 7 kb (designated as amyA) and 4 kb (amyB) HindIII fragments. DNA sequence analysis of the amyA and amyB genes revealed the following: (1) Both genes are arranged as nine exons and eight introns; (2) The nucleotide sequences of amyA and amyB are identical throughout all but the last few nucleotides of their respective coding regions; (3) The amyA and amyB genes from A. awamori share extensive homology (98% identity) with the genes encoding Taka-amylase from A. oryzae. In order to test whether both amyA and amyB were functional in the genome, we constructed vectors containing gene fusions of either amyA and amyB to bovine prochymosin cDNA and used these vectors to transform A. awamori. Transformants which contained either the amyA- or amyB-prochymosin gene fusions produced extracellular chymosin, suggesting that both genes are functional.Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, PA, USA.     

Molecular structure of the SWA2 gene encoding an AMY1-related α-amylase from Schwanniomyces occidentalis

A 2.1-kb DNA fragment containing the SWA2 gene determining an -amylase from Schwanniomyces occidentalis has been sequenced. It contains an open reading frame of 1521 bp which has the potential to encode a 507 amino-acid protein of Mr 55966. Its deduced aminoacid sequence shows significant similarities to the sequence of other studied -amylases. These similarities identify a consensus sequence, F(LIV)(ED)NHD, which is shared in addition by most maltases, invertases and glucoamylases.     

Isolation and genetic study of p-fluoro-dl-phenylalanine-resistant mutants overproducing β-phenethyl-alcohol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary p-Fluoro-dl-phenylalanine (PFP)-resistant mutants which produce a large amount of -phenethyl-alcohol, a rose-like flavor component, were isolated from the isogenic strains X2180-1A and X2180-1B of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells of these mutants accumulated phenylalanine and tryptophan more than 3-fold times that of wild-type cells, while they accumulated less than half the tyrosine. The activity of prephenate dehydrogenase (PDG) (EC 1.3.1.12) was markedly decreased while that of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (EC 4.1.2.15) was increased. Genetic analysis revealed that the mutation occurred at the TYR1 locus, encoding PDG, and that the mutated TYR1 gene, tyr1-pfp, caused both PFP resistance and -phenethyl-alcohol overproduction. This was supported by molecular genetic studies with cloned tyr1-pfp DNA.     

Characterization and localization of α-connectin (titin 1): An elastic protein isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle

Summary A simplified procedure to isolate-connectin (titin 1, TI), a gigantic elastic protein, from rabbit skeletal muscle is described. A rapid column chromatography step to concentrate-connectin is introduced. Separation of-connectin from-connectin is introduced. Separation of-connectin from-connectin (titin 2, TII) in the presence of 4 M urea at pH 7.0 did not cause any change in the secondary structure of-connectin as judged by circular dichroic spectra. Ultraviolet absorption spectra and the amino acid composition of-connectin (MW, approximately 3×10⁶) were similar to those of its proteolytic product,-connectin (MW, approximately 2×10⁶). Circular dichroic spectra suggested that both- and-connectin consist of 60%-sheet and 30%-turn. It thus appears that the whole elastic filament of connectin has a folded-strand structure. Proteolysis of-connectin by calpain resulted in formation of-connectin and smaller peptides. The-connectin interacted with both myosin and actin filaments similarly to-connectin. Polyclonal antibodies raised against 1200 kDa peptides obtained from aged rabbit skeletal myofibrils reacted with-connectin (titin 1, TI) but only weakly with-connectin (titin 2, TII) in rabbit skeletal muscle. Immunoelectron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the antibodies bound at the Z-line and at the epitope regions in the I-band near the binding site of a monoclonal antibody SMI whose position depends on sarcomere length. It thus appears that-connectin extends from the edge of M-line to the above epitope region in the I-band.     

Asd-homothallism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: identification of asd1-1 as an allele of sir4 and detection of α-specific suppressors of it

Asd-homothallism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves a life cycle characterized by a non-mating phenotype and endomitotic diploidization. The former trait is determined by a single mutation, asd1-1. This mutation was mapped between hom2 and lys4 on the right arm of chromosome IV and was complemented by the cloned SIR4 gene. Therefore, we conclude that asd1-1 is an allele of sir4-11 and renamed it sir4-11. Endomitotic diploidization of asd-homothallism is caused by the collaboration of three to four mutations including sir4-11. In the course of this study, we detected -specific suppressors of sir4-11.     

Analysis and manipulation of neuronal gene expression using the Tα1 α-tubulin promoter

Analysis of the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation in mammals has been hampered by the lack of appropriate model systems. Here, we review the evidence that the Tα1 α-tubulin gene represents such a model system. The endogenous Tα1 gene is expressed at highly abundant levels during the growth of developing and mature neurons. In transgenic mice, 1·1 kb of 5′ flanking sequence from the Tα1 gene is sufficient to target gene expression to early developing neurons, and to regulate levels of expression as a function of neuronal growth. Analysis of this promoter has led to the initial elucidation of sequence elements essential for gene expression during neuronal development. Moreover, the Tα1 promoter provides an experimental mechanism for the manipulation and analysis of differentiating neurons in transgenic mice.     

Expression and Localization of α-amylase in the Submandibular and Sublingual Glands of Mice

In the major salivary glands of mice, acinar cells in the parotid gland (PG) are known to be the main site for the production of the digestive enzyme α-amylase, whereas α-amylase production in the submandibular gland (SMG) and sublingual gland (SLG), as well as the cell types responsible for α-amylase production, has been less firmly established. To clarify this issue, we examined the expression and localization of both the mRNA and protein of α-amylase in the major salivary glands of male and female mice by quantitative and histochemical methods. α-amylase mRNA levels were higher in the order of PG, SMG, and SLG. No sexual difference was observed in α-amylase mRNA levels in the PG and SLG, whereas α-amylase mRNA levels in the female SMG were approximately 30% those in the male SMG. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, signals for α-amylase mRNA and protein were found to be strongly positive in acinar cells of the PG, serous demilune cells of the SLG, and granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells of the male SMG, weakly positive in seromucous acinar cells of the male and female SMG, and negative in mucous acinar cells of the SLG. These results clarified that α-amylase is produced mainly by GCT cells and partly by acinar cells in the SMG, whereas it is produced exclusively by serous demilune cells in the SLG of mice.