Evidence for a common ancestor sequence for the Balbiani ring 1 and Balbiani ring 2 genes in Chironomus tentans

The Balbiani ring (BR) 1 and BR 2 genes in Chironomus tentans are functionally related and are only expressed in the salivary gland cells. Here we reveal the principal structure of the BR 1 gene and analyze the structural and evolutionary relationship between the BR 1 and BR 2 genes. The properties of the BR 1 gene, 37 kilobases in size, are derived from the analysis of a cloned cDNA sequence, pCt 21. A considerable part of the BR 1 gene consists of one or a few blocks of a tandemly repeated 246-base-pair (bp) major repeat unit. About half of this major repeat unit is in turn built from four tandem repeats of a 33-bp sequence. This hierarchic arrangement of repetitive sequences within the BR 1 gene suggests that the gene has evolved through two major amplification steps, starting from a short primordial sequence. A similar evolutionary model has been put forward for the BR 2 gene [Sümegi, J., Wieslander, L. & Daneholt, B. (1982) Cell 30, 579-587]. The two putative primordial genes contain a similar, 102-bp-long sequence (86% nucleotide sequence homology), indicating that the BR 1 and BR 2 genes most likely arose from the same ancestor sequence. During the course of evolution the two genes diverged, mainly due to differences in the length and sequence of the gene segments involved in the two amplification steps. Moreover, at least one of the BR genes was translocated to another chromosomal locus.     

Cloning and sequencing of the pertussis toxin genes: operon structure and gene duplication.

Pertussis toxin, a protein composed of five different subunits (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5), is the major virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis. We have cloned and sequenced a DNA fragment of 4.7 kilobases that contains the genes coding for the five subunits. The genes are clustered within 3.2 kilobases in the following order: S1, S2, S4, S5, and S3. A sequence closely resembling Escherichia coli promoters is found only before the S1 gene, and a possible termination signal is present at the end of the S3 gene, which suggests that the pertussis toxin genes are organized in a single operon. A possible Shine-Dalgarno sequence is present before the S1 gene but not before the other four genes that 8-12 nucleotides upstream from the ATG codon show a new consensus sequence, 5'TCC(T)GG3', possibly involved in the regulation of translation. We have also found sequence homology between the S2 and S3 genes and their protein products indicating that gene duplication played a major role in the evolution of pertussis toxin.     

Distinct organization of methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 genes in the rat.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450c gene was determined by sequence analysis of cloned genomic DNA and the sequence, consisting of 524 amino acids, of the protein was deduced therefrom. The gene for the cytochrome was approximately 6.0 kilobases long and was split into seven exons. Comparison of the gene with that of the phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450e showed that the gene structures for the two types of cytochrome P-450 differ greatly; the location, number, and size of intervening sequences are very dissimilar. However, the sequence homology between the two types of cytochrome suggests that the two genes have evolved from a common ancestor.     

Preliminary data suggest that mutations in the CgRP pathway are not involved in human sporadic cryptorchidism

In testicular descent to the scrotum, a multistep process, many anatomical and hormonal factors play a role. Cryptorchidism occurs in about 1-2% of males and may cause secondary degeneration of the testes. Animal models have shown that abnormalities, in the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CgRP) activity, could be relevant in the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism. We performed a mutation screening by PCR exon amplification, single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing in four candidate genes, CgRPs (alphaCgRP, betaCgRP), their receptor (CgRPR) and the receptor component protein (CgRP-RCP), in 90 selected cases of idiopathic unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism. Mutation screening of the coding regions and intron-exon boundaries revealed some polymorphic variants but no pathogenic sequence changes. These preliminary data suggest that these genes are not major factors for cryptorchidism in humans.     

Organization and sequences of the diversity, joining, and constant region genes of the human T-cell receptor beta chain.

The organization and sequences of the human beta-chain T-cell receptor diversity, joining, and constant region segments are described. The beta chain of the human T-cell receptor, analogous to the mouse counterpart, consists of two distinct constant region genes approximately equal to 10 kilobases apart. The two constant region genes, C beta 1 and C beta 2, are very similar not only in sequence but also in genomic organization. The coding sequences of each of these C beta constant region genes are divided into four exons. The first two exons encode most of the extracellular constant domain. The third exon encodes a major part of the presumed transmembrane portion, and the last exon contains the cytoplasmic coding sequence as well as 3' untranslated sequences. Except for a stretch of approximately equal to 95 highly conserved nucleotides extending 3' of the first exon of the C region genes, little homology can be found between the intron sequences of C beta 1 and C beta 2. A small cluster of joining region (J beta) gene segments is located approximately equal to 5 kilobases upstream of each of these two constant regions. The first cluster, J beta 1, contains six functional J gene segments while the second, J beta 2, contains seven functional J gene segments. In addition, diversity region (D beta) gene segments are located approximately equal to 600 base pairs upstream of each J beta. Recombinational signals containing highly conserved heptamer and nonamer sequences separated by 12 or 23 bases are found adjacent to all of these D beta and J beta gene segments. These signal sequences are thought to be involved in the somatic recombination processes. These results indicate that what appears to be a gene duplication event giving rise to these two distinct regions must have arisen a long time ago in the evolution of this gene locus.     

Molecular evolution of the human adult alpha-globin-like gene region: insertion and deletion of Alu family repeats and non-Alu DNA sequences.

Previous heteroduplex studies have revealed extensive sequence homology between the two human adult alpha-globin-like genes (alpha 2 and alpha 1) and their flanking regions. These homologous regions, which are interrupted by two blocks of nonhomology, each span approximately 4 kilobases [Lauer, J., Shen, C.-K. J. & Maniatis, T. (1980) Cell 20, 119-130]. We have determined 3 kilobases of DNA sequences within and flanking the nonhomologous blocks of these two tandem duplication units. A total of three Alu family repeats has been identified. Two of them are approximately 300 base pairs long and define the 3' ends of the first homology blocks. The third Alu family member is a 600-base-pair-long sequence consisting of two monomeric Alu members arranged in a head-to-tail fashion. It is located in the 3' portion of the first block of nonhomology in alpha 2-gene-containing unit. We present direct evidence that this dimeric Alu sequence was inserted at a staggered break. The second nonhomology block is the result of insertion or deletion of a 224-base-pair sequence. From these data and the calculation of sequence divergence, we propose a history for the evolution of the human adult alpha-globin-like gene region. We also suggest that DNA insertion elements may disrupt gene correction processes in the two duplication units containing alpha 2- and alpha 1-globin genes.     

Emergence of the ZNF91 Krüppel-associated box-containing zinc finger gene family in the last common ancestor of anthropoidea.

The ZNF91 gene family, a subset of the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB)-containing group of zinc finger genes, comprises more than 40 loci; most reside on human chromosome 19p12-p13.1. We have examined the emergence and evolutionary conservation of the ZNF91 family. ZNF91 family members were detected in all species of great apes, gibbons, Old World monkeys, and New World monkeys examined but were not found in prosimians or rodents. In each species containing the ZNF91 family, the genes were clustered at one major site, on the chromosome(s) syntenic to human chromosome 19. To identify a putative "founder" gene, > 20 murine KRAB-containing zinc finger protein (ZFP) cDNAs were randomly cloned, but none showed sequence similarity to the ZNF91 genes. These observations suggest that the ZNF91 gene cluster is a derived character specific to Anthropoidea, resulting from a duplication and amplification event some 55 million years ago in the common ancestor of simians. Although the ZNF91 gene cluster is present in all simian species, the sequences of the human ZNF91 gene that confer DNA-binding specificity were conserved only in great apes, suggesting that there is not a high selective pressure to maintain the DNA targets of these proteins during evolution.     

Cloning and characterization of human liver cDNA encoding a protein S precursor.

Human liver cDNA encoding a protein S precursor was isolated from two cDNA libraries by two different techniques. Based upon the frequency of positive clones, the abundance of mRNA for protein S is approximately 0.01%. Blot hybridization of electrophoretically fractionated poly(A)+ RNA revealed a major mRNA approximately 4 kilobases long and two minor forms of approximately 3.1 and approximately equal to 2.6 kilobases. One of the cDNA clones contains a segment encoding a 676 amino acid protein S precursor, as well as 108 and 1132 nucleotides of 5' and 3' noncoding sequence, respectively, plus a poly(A) region at the 3' end. The cDNAs are adenosine plus thymidine-rich (60%) except for the 5' noncoding region, where 78% of the nucleotides are guanosine or cytosine. The protein precursor consists of a 41 amino acid "leader" peptide followed by 635 amino acids corresponding to mature protein S. Comparison of the mature protein region with homologous vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins shows that it is composed of the following domains: an amino-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich region of 37 amino acids; a 36 amino acid linker region rich in hydroxy amino acids; four epidermal growth factor-like segments, each approximately 45 amino acids long; and a 387 amino acid carboxyl-terminal domain of unrecognized structure and unknown function.     

Evolution and organization of the human protein C gene.

We have isolated overlapping phage genomic clones covering an area of 21 kilobases that encodes the human protein C gene. The gene is at least 11.2 kilobases long and is made up of nine exons and eight introns. Two regions homologous to epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor are encoded by amino acids 46-91 and 92-136 and are precisely delimited by introns, as is a similar sequence in the genes for coagulation factor IX and tissue plasminogen activator. When homologous amino acids of factor IX and protein C are aligned, the positions of all eight introns correspond precisely, suggesting that these genes are the product of a relatively recent gene duplication. Nevertheless, the two genes are sufficiently distantly related that no nucleic acid homology remains in the intronic regions and that the size of the introns varies dramatically between the two genes. The similarity of the genes for factor IX and protein C suggests that they may be the most closely related members of the serine protease gene family involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis.     

Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome in Roma families from Portugal is due to a founder mutation of the HRPT2 gene

The hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the occurrence of parathyroid tumors and ossifying jaw fibromas. The gene causing HPT-JT, HRPT2, is located on chromosome 1q31.2 and consists of 17 exons that encode a 531-amino acid protein, designated parafibromin. We recently identified six Roma families in Portugal with 56 members (11 affected and 45 asymptomatic), who had the HPT-JT syndrome. We postulated that they may have a common ancestor and that the HPT-JT syndrome may be due to a mutation of the HRPT2 gene. Haplotype analysis using 14 chromosome 1q24-q32 polymorphic markers showed that the 11 affected individuals shared a common haplotype defined by seven markers that spanned an approximately 12.5-cM region, flanked centromerically by D1S202 and telomerically by D1S306. DNA sequence analysis identified a 2-bp (TG or GT) frameshift deletion in exon 8, which predicts a truncated parafibromin protein, in all 11 affected individuals. This mutation was also found in 19 unaffected individuals (age range, 12-74 yr) who shared the affected haplotype, suggesting a low age-related penetrance for HPT-JT in these families. Thus, the HPT-JT syndrome in six Roma families from Portugal is due to a novel founder mutation in the HRPT2 gene.     

Parallel changes in gene expression after 20,000 generations of evolution in Escherichiacoli

Twelve populations of Escherichia coli, derived from a common ancestor, evolved in a glucose-limited medium for 20,000 generations. Here we use DNA expression arrays to examine whether gene-expression profiles in two populations evolved in parallel, which would indicate adaptation, and to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying their adaptation. We compared the expression profile of the ancestor to that of clones sampled from both populations after 20,000 generations. The expression of 59 genes had changed significantly in both populations. Remarkably, all 59 were changed in the same direction relative to the ancestor. Many of these genes were members of the cAMP-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) and guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) regulons. Sequencing of several genes controlling the effectors of these regulons found a nonsynonymous mutation in spoT in one population. Moving this mutation into the ancestral background showed that it increased fitness and produced many of the expression changes manifest after 20,000 generations. The same mutation had no effect on fitness when introduced into the other evolved population, indicating that a mutation of similar effect was present already. Our study demonstrates the utility of expression arrays for addressing evolutionary issues including the quantitative measurement of parallel evolution in independent lineages and the identification of beneficial mutations.     

Amplification units containing human N-myc and c-myc genes.

The amplification units in human tumors containing amplified myc genes were examined. The amplification unit in all cases consisted of a large genomic region coamplified with the coding region of the myc genes themselves. In eight independent neuroblastomas containing N-myc amplifications, the amplification unit was estimated to be 290 to 430 kilobases. This amplification unit was highly conserved among the different neuroblastomas, with some neuroblastomas containing almost identical units. In contrast, five tumor cell lines containing c-myc amplifications exhibited amplification units that were more variable in size (90 to 300 kilobases) and sequence content; at least three different patterns of c-myc amplification units could be discerned.     

Polymorphism in a second ABC transporter gene located within the class II region of the human major histocompatibility complex.

Recent studies have identified genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that may play a role in presentation of antigenic peptides to T cells. We have previously described RING4, a gene within the human MHC class II region that has sequence homology with members of the ABC ("ATP-binding cassette") transporter superfamily. We now report the nucleotide sequence of RING11, a second ABC transporter gene located approximately 7 kilobases telomeric to RING4, RING11 is gamma-interferon inducible, a property shared with other genes involved in antigen presentation. Comparison between the amino acid sequences of RING11 and RING4 reveals strong homology. We propose that they form a heterodimer that transports peptides from the cytoplasm into the endoplasmic reticulum. We have identified two RING11 alleles, which differ in the length of their derived protein sequence by 17 amino acids. The more common of these alleles is present in a Caucasoid population at a frequency of 79%.     

Internal duplication in human alpha 1 and beta 1 interferons.

Metric analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the intron-free human interferon beta 1 (IFN-beta 1) gene by using the Sellers TT algorithm revealed that this gene contains two major repeated segments, which span the entire coding region. These repeats are each approximately 300 nucleotides in length and have 45% identical aligned nucleotides (common bases). When these metrically aligned DNA repeats were translated into amino acids, 9 (19%) of the 47 in-phase amino acid residues were identical (common acids). This internal duplication was also apparent on visual inspection of the amino acid sequence of IFN-beta 1. In addition, metric analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the intron-free IFN-alpha 1 gene showed that this gene also contains two repeats, each approximately 300 nucleotides long, having 47% common bases and 19% common acids. Since the IFN-alpha 1 and -beta 1 genes are known to be related (by the present metric analysis they contain 53% common bases and 45% common acids), a consensus DNA sequence was derived from all four of these repeats. Manual alignment of the separate metric alignments corresponding to the two halves of the IFN-alpha 1 and -beta 1 genes provided a composite alignment with 58% of the alignment positions having the same nucleotide in at least three of the four repeats. When this composite nucleotide alignment was translated to define a composite alignment of the four protein segments, 10 (31%) of the 32 in-phase amino acid residues contained the same amino acid in at least three of the four segments. These sequences relationships provide insight into the origin of the IFN-alpha 1 and -beta 1 genes and furnish an additional basis for comparing them with other related genes.