Disruption and functional analysis of six ORFs of chromosome IV: YDL103c (QRI1), YDL105w (QRI2), YDL112w (TRM3), YDL113c, YDL116w (NUP84) and YDL167c (NRP1).

We have disrupted six ORFs (YDL103c, YDL105w, YDL112w, YDL113c, YDL116w and YDL167c) located on the left arm of chromosome IV. Except for YDL112w, the short flanking homology strategy was used to construct disruption cassettes using the KanMX4 marker. For YDL112w, a disruption cassette including the LEU2 gene was made. YDL103c and YDL105w are essential genes for vegetative growth. Disruption of YDL112w, YDL113c and YDL167c does not result in any detectable phenotype with the tests we used, while disruption of YDL116w confers slow growth, cryosensitivity and thermosensitivity, and the disrupted diploid homozygotes for the disruption failed to sporulate.

Molecular characterization of germline NF2 gene rearrangements.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disease that causes a predisposition to nervous system tumors. Deleterious point mutations have been found in about 55% of NF2 patients, and large genomic deletions account for approximately 33% of NF2 gene alterations. The majority of these deletions are larger than 50 kb, with a breakpoint usually lying outside the NF2 gene. We identified two cases of intragenic deletion with loss of 1.5 and 40 kb, respectively. In both cases, one boundary of the deletion was located in or at the proximity of an SVA sequence in NF2 intron 4. No sequence identity longer than 5 bases and no signal of specific recombination have been evidenced on either side of the deletion breakpoints. These observations are compatible with a nonhomologous recombination being responsible for the genomic deletions. In a third case, a paracentric inversion of chromosome 22 was found. This chromosomal rearrangement breaks the NF2 gene in two parts and carries the first NF2 exon in a juxta-centromeric position. The variability in position of the deletions and the observation of a new chromosomal rearrangement in the NF2 gene underscore the importance of FISH analysis in the molecular diagnosis of NF2.

NF2 gene in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder that predisposes to nervous system tumors. The schwannomin (also termed merlin) protein encoded by the NF2 gene shows a close relationship to the family of cytoskeleton-to-membrane proteins linkers ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins). Even though penetrance of the disease is >95% and no genetic heterogeneity has been described, point mutations in the NF2 gene have been observed in only 34-66% of the screened NF2 patients, depending on the series. In order to generate tools that would enable an exhaustive alteration screening for the NF2 gene, we have deduced its entire genomic sequence. This knowledge has provided the delineation of a mutation screening strategy which, when applied to a series of 19 NF2 patients, has revealed a high recurrence of large deletions in the gene and has raised the efficiency of mutation detection in NF2 patients to 84% of the cases in this series. The remaining three patients who express two functional NF2 alleles are all sporadic cases, an observation compatible with the presence of mosaicism for NF2 mutation.

A circular plasmid from the yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii.

A new member of the 2-micron family of plasmids, named pTD1, was found in the yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii, a widespread yeast associated with food. Nucleotide sequences revealed the presence of a pair of inverted repeats and three open reading frames, one of which is a homologue of the FLP recombinase gene of 2-micron plasmid. An ARS region was identified, by replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and T. delbrueckii, near one of the inverted repeats. By the use of pTD1 derivatives and auxotrophic mutant hosts an efficient host-vector system was established for T. delbrueckii. So far, the 2-micron family of plasmids is restricted to four closely related genera (Q6 group): Saccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, and Torulaspora. After a survey of 2500 strains belonging to about 500 species (80 genera) of yeast, no circular plasmids were found in other genera.

DNA sequence analysis of the VPH1-SNF2 region on chromosome XV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The nucleotide sequence of a 37 000 base pair region from the left arm of chromosome XV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined and analysed. This region contains 21 open reading frames (ORFs) coding for proteins of more than 100 amino acids. Six ORFs correspond to the genes PAC1, VPH1, MOD5, CAP20, ORF1 and SNF2 already described. Eight ORFs show some similarities to known genes from yeast and other organisms. They include genes coding for serine/threonine protein kinases, a multidrug resistance family homologue, a protein related to dihydrofolate reductase, a cluster of heat shock-like proteins and a gene coding for an enzyme related to protein disulfide isomerase. Finally seven ORFs do not show any similarities with a known gene. In addition we found a new ala-tRNA (UGC) gene located next to a sigma sequence.

Genes of the linear mitochondrial DNA of Williopsis mrakii: coding sequences for a maturase-like protein, a ribosomal protein VAR1 homologue, cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 and methionyl tRNA.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in some yeasts has a linear structure with inverted terminal repeats closed by a single-stranded loop. These mtDNAs have generally a constant gene order, beginning with a small ribosomal RNA gene at the right end and terminating with a cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 gene (COX2) at the left end, independently of the wide variation in genome size. In the mtDNAs from several species of the genus Williopsis, we found an additional open reading frame, ORF1, which was homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RF1 gene encoding a group I intron maturase-like protein. ORF1 genes from W. mrakii and W. suaveolens were mapped and sequenced. Next to ORF1, COX2 and methionyl tRNA genes were present on the opposite strand. The same relative positions of genes in the mtDNAs so far examined suggests that the constancy of gene order is generally conserved also at the level of individual tRNA genes. We identified another open reading frame, ORF2, in W. mrakii mtDNA. It was mapped next to the cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 gene. Rich in adenine-thymine bases, ORF2 appears to be a homologue of the VAR1 gene which codes for a small ribosomal subunit protein in S. cerevisiae mitochondria. Nucleotide sequences data have been deposited in the EmBL data library under the following Accession Numbers: X66594 (Apocytochrome b and ORF2 genes of W. mrakii), X66595 (ORF1, tRNA-Met and COX2 genes of W. mrakii), X73415 (tRNA-Met and COX2 genes of W. suaveolens), X73416 (ORF1 gene of W. suaveolens) and X73414 (tRNA-Met and COX2 genes of P. jadinii).

The DNA sequence analysis of the HAP4-LAP4 region on chromosome XI of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggests the presence of a second aspartate aminotransferase gene in yeast.

The nucleotide sequence of a 19,000 base pair region from the left arm of chromosome XI of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined and analysed. It covers the HAP4-GFA1-LAP4 loci already described. As expected HAP4, GFA1 and LAP4 genes have been found and six new open reading frames (ORFs) with a coding capacity of more than 100 amino acid residues have been identified. One of them (YKL461) shows a high degree of identity with an aspartate aminotransferase gene. This raises the question of a second aspartate aminotransferase gene in yeast. A second ORF (YKL462) shows features compatible with a membranous localization. The other ORFs do not show a similarity with any known gene. A member of the highly repetitive 'CAT' DNA sequence is present.

DNA sequence analysis of a 17 kb fragment of yeast chromosome XI physically localizes the MRB1 gene and reveals eight new open reading frames, including a homologue of the KIN1/KIN2 and SNF1 protein kinases.

We report in this paper the sequence of a part of chromosome XI of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This 17 kbp nucleotide sequence represents the right half of cosmid pUKG151 and contains nine open reading frames, YKL453, 450, 449, 448, 445, 443, 442, 441 and the 5' part of YKL440. YKL440 was previously identified as the MBR1 gene and plays a role in mitochondrial biogenesis. YKL443 is a homologue of the yeast serine-rich protein (SRP1), while YKL453 presents strong homologies with the KIN1/KIN2/SNF1 kinase family. It must be pointed out that the size of this gene is well above average for yeast.

Diphthamide synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: structure of the DPH2 gene.

A gene involved in diphthamide biosynthesis, DPH2, was cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by complementation of a diphthamide mutant. DPH2 exists as a single-copy gene in the yeast genome and is located on the left arm of chromosome XI. Sequence analysis of the DPH2 locus predicts that the DPH2 gene product is a 534-amino acid (aa) protein, with a calculated M(r) of 59,772. This conclusion was supported by Northern blot analysis of the DPH2 transcript and gel analysis of the DPH2 protein overproduced in Escherichia coli. Gene disruption studies indicate that the DPH2 gene is not essential for viability of yeast. The role of DPH2 in diphthamide biosynthesis is discussed.

DNA sequence analysis of the YCN2 region of chromosome XI in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A 6.8 kbp DNA fragment localized to the left arm of chromosome XI from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was sequenced and analysed (EMBL accession no. X69765). Two genes involved in protein phosphatase activity were identified: YCN2 and an open reading frame encoding a protein that shares 46% amino acid identity with the sds22+ protein from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A comparison of the genomic YCN2 sequence with the published cDNA sequence suggests the presence of an intron near the 5' end of the gene. Further sequence analysis suggests the presence of three additional genes near YCN2: a mitochondrial acyl-carrier protein, a gene encoding a putative hydrophobic protein, and a new gene coding for a tRNA(Leu) (UAA) isoacceptor located near a delta sequence.

Linear mitochondrial DNAs of yeasts: frequency of occurrence and general features.

In most yeast species, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been reported to be a circular molecule. However, two cases of linear mtDNA with specific termini have previously been described. We examined the frequency of occurrence of linear forms of mtDNA among yeasts by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Among the 58 species from the genera Pichia and Williopsis that we examined, linear mtDNA was found with unexpectedly high frequency. Thirteen species contained a linear mtDNA, as confirmed by restriction mapping, and labeling, and electron microscopy. The mtDNAs from Pichia pijperi, Williopsis mrakii, and P. jadinii were studied in detail. In each case, the left and right terminal fragments shared homologous sequences. Between the terminal repeats, the order of mitochondrial genes was the same in all of the linear mtDNAs examined, despite a large variation of the genome size. This constancy of gene order is in contrast with the great variation of gene arrangement in circular mitochondrial genomes of yeasts. The coding sequences determined on several genes were highly homologous to those of the circular mtDNAs, suggesting that these two forms of mtDNA are not of distant origins.

Linear mitochondrial DNAs of yeasts: closed-loop structure of the termini and possible linear-circular conversion mechanisms.

The terminal structure of the linear mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from three yeast species has been examined. By enzymatic digestion, alkali denaturation, and sequencing of cloned termini, it was shown that in Pichia pijperi and P. jadinii, both termini of the linear mtDNA were made of a single-stranded loop covalently joining the two strands, as in the case of vaccinia virus DNA. The left and right loop sequences were in either of two orientations, suggesting the existence of a flip-flop inversion mechanism. Contiguous to the terminal loops, inverted terminal repeats were present. The mtDNA from Williopsis mrakii seems to have an analogous structure, although terminal loops could not be directly demonstrated. Electron microscopy revealed the presence, among linear molecules, of a small number of circular DNAs, mostly of monomer length. Linear and circular models of replication are considered, and possible conversion mechanisms between linear and circular forms are discussed. A flip-flop inversion mechanism between the inverted repeat sequences within a circular intermediate may be involved in the generation of the linear form of mtDNA.

Analysis of the MSS51 region on chromosome XII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have localized gene MSS51 on chromosome XII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae between the RDN1 and CDC42 loci. 'Head to head' with MSS51 is another gene, QRI5, the function of which is unknown. However, the proximity of these genes, the structure of the intergenic region and the presence of an ABF1 binding site right in the middle of this region suggest that the MSS51 and QRI5 expressions are submitted to a common regulatory process.

Sequence of the HMR region on chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A 10,095 base pair DNA fragment from the right arm of chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been sequenced and analysed. It encompasses the silent mating-type locus HMR. Both HMRa1 and HMRa2 genes, as well as their flanking regulatory regions, have been identified. Three new open reading frames longer than 80 amino acid residues were found in this fragment. One of them (YCR137) shows features compatible with a membranous localization and a transporter function. The other two do not show a similarity with any known gene. A new gene coding for tRNA(thr)al (ACU) has been identified. It is located in a region coding for several delta sequences.

Sequence of the sup61-RAD18 region on chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A 7965 bp DNA segment from the right arm of chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encompassing the sup61 and RAD18 genes, was sequenced. Four new open reading frames were found in this DNA fragment. One of them, YCR103, is 51% homologous with the G10 gene product of Xenopus laevis.

Irreversible trapping of DNA during crossed-field gel electrophoresis.

Using an original protocol with a rotating gel electrophoresis apparatus, it is shown that duplex DNA undergoing crossed-field electrophoresis in agarose gets trapped in the gel when the field is increased above a threshold value which decreases with the chain length and depends on the angle between the fields in a non-monotonous manner. This trapping is irreversible, i.e. once trapped at a high field strength, chains are unable to resume their motion when the field is returned to a lower value at which they moved prior to trapping. A model of trapping by "tight knots" is proposed. It predicts a trapping threshold proportional to the inverse square of the electric field, in qualitative agreement with the data. The implications of our results for the separation of large DNA molecules are discussed.

Transcriptional organization of the S10, spc and alpha operons of Escherichia coli.

We have investigated the transcription patterns at the inter-operon regions between the S10 and spc, and spc and alpha ribosomal protein operons of Escherichia coli. Newly synthesized transcripts were characterized by RNase T1 protection experiments, and accumulated transcripts were mapped with S1 nuclease. With both techniques we found that about 75% of the RNA polymerases transcribing the S10 operon terminated at the position of a typical rho-independent terminator. In contrast, most or all RNA polymerases transcribing the spc operon continued into the alpha operon. Nevertheless, we observed that about 30% of the transcripts of the alpha operon were initiated at the alpha operon promoter.

Retroregulation of the synthesis of ribosomal proteins L14 and L24 by feedback repressor S8 in Escherichia coli.

Previous studies on regulation of the spc operon containing genes for ribosomal proteins have shown that S8, encoded by the fifth gene of the operon in Escherichia coli, is a translational repressor and regulates the synthesis of the third gene product (L5) and distal gene products by acting at a site near the L5 mRNA translation initiation site. We have now shown that S8 also regulates the synthesis of the first and second gene products (L14 and L24) of the operon by acting at the same mRNA target site--that is, the site located distal to sites coding for L14 and L24--and that mRNA degradation is involved in this retroregulation. It was shown that single base substitutions in the target site, which abolish repression of the synthesis of L5 and L5-distal gene products by S8, also cause derepression of L14-L24 synthesis. Inhibition of L14-L24 synthesis by S8 was also shown by overproducing S8 in trans from a plasmid carrying the S8 gene under lac promoter/operator control. A strain carrying temperature-sensitive mutations in genes for polynucleotide phosphorylase and RNase II was found upon shift to nonpermissive temperature to show higher differential synthesis rates of L14-L24 (and L5) relative to those of several L5-distal spc operon gene products. We suggest that repression of distal ribosomal protein synthesis by S8 triggers nucleolytic cleavage of spc operon mRNA, followed by mRNA degradation by these 3'- to 5'- exonucleases, which is then responsible for inhibition of L14-L24 synthesis.