Modified T7 DNA Polymerase Research Articles

Pyrovanadolysis, a Pyrophosphorolysis-like Reaction Mediated by Pyrovanadate, Mn2+, and DNA Polymerase of Bacteriophage T7

DNA polymerases catalyze the 3'-5'-pyrophosphorolysis of a DNA primer annealed to a DNA template in the presence of pyrophosphate (PP(i)). In this reversal of the polymerization reaction, deoxynucleotides in DNA are converted to deoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphates. Based on the charge, size, and geometry of the oxygen connecting the two phosphorus atoms of PP(i), a variety of compounds was examined for their ability to carry out a reaction similar to pyrophosphorolysis. We describe a manganese-mediated pyrophosphorolysis-like activity using pyrovanadate (VV) catalyzed by the DNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7. We designate this reaction pyrovanadolysis. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals a shorter Mn-V distance of the polymerase-VV complex than the Mn-P distance of the polymerase-PP(i) complex. This structural arrangement at the active site accounts for the enzymatic activation by Mn-VV. We propose that the Mn(2+), larger than Mg(2+), fits the polymerase active site to mediate binding of VV into the active site of the polymerase. Our results may be the first documentation that vanadium can substitute for phosphorus in biological processes.

DNA‐Dependent DNA Polymerases

This unit presents characteristics and reaction conditions of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerases, including E. coli DNA polymerase I and its Klenow fragment, T4 DNA polymerase, native and modified T7 DNA polymerase, phi29 DNA polymerase, Bst DNA polymerase, and Taq DNA polymerase. The unit also provides overviews of other classes of thermophilic DNA polymerases used in PCR applications (described fully in UNIT 15.1), and the rapidly expanding class of lesion-bypass DNA polymerases that play a role in DNA damage repair.

Distinct Roles for Gαi2, Gαi3, and Gβγ in Modulation of Forskolin- or Gs-mediated cAMP Accumulation and Calcium Mobilization by Dopamine D2S Receptors

Previous studies have shown that a single G protein-coupled receptor can regulate different effector systems by signaling through multiple subtypes of heterotrimeric G proteins. In LD2S fibroblast cells, the dopamine D2S receptor couples to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Gi/Go proteins to inhibit forskolin- or prostaglandin E1-stimulated cAMP production and to stimulate calcium mobilization. To analyze the role of distinct Galphai/o protein subtypes, LD2S cells were stably transfected with a series of PTX-insensitive Galphai/o protein Cys --> Ser point mutants and assayed for D2S receptor signaling after PTX treatment. The level of expression of the transfected Galpha mutant subunits was similar to the endogenous level of the most abundant Galphai/o proteins (Galphao, Galphai3). D2S receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was retained only in clones expressing mutant Galphai2. In contrast, the D2S receptor utilized Galphai3 to inhibit PGE1-induced (Gs-coupled) enhancement of cAMP production. Following stable or transient transfection, no single or pair set of mutant Galphai/o subtypes rescued the D2S-mediated calcium response following PTX pretreatment. On the other hand, in LD2S cells stably transfected with GRK-CT, a receptor kinase fragment that specifically antagonizes Gbeta gamma subunit activity, D2S receptor-mediated calcium mobilization was blocked. The observed specificity of Galphai2 and Galphai3 for different states of adenylyl cyclase activation suggests a higher level of specificity for interaction of Galphai subunits with forskolin- versus Gs-activated states of adenylyl cyclase than has been previously appreciated.

Replication inhibition and miscoding properties of DNA templates containing a site-specific cis-thymine glycol or urea residue.

Oligodeoxynucleotides modified site-specifically with cis-thymine glycol or urea residue, two ionizing radiation/oxidation damages, were used as templates in primer extension reactions catalyzed by 3' --> 5' exonuclease-deficient Klenow fragment, human DNA polymerase beta, AMV reverse transcriptase, and a modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase). Both lesions blocked DNA replication one nucleotide before and opposite the lesion site, but a significant fraction of full-length product was obtained after prolonged incubation. Hill plot analysis of the results on both thymine glycol- and urea- containing templates by 3' --> 5' exonuclease-deficient Klenow fragment for incorporation of either dATP or dGTP gave linear plots with Hill coefficients much less than 1. This suggests that the dNTP concentration influences the termination of DNA synthesis at multiple steps of the catalytic process. The specificity of nucleotide incorporation opposite these lesions and chain extension by the same polymerase was determined by a steady-state kinetic analysis. The kinetic studies established that the rate of nucleotide incorporation and chain extension was highest with deoxyadenosine opposite both these lesions. However, the efficiency of forming a G.T pair relative to an A.T pair for the control at a level of 1/10(9) was enhanced to approximately 1/160 for thymine glycol and 1/20 for urea, although the former lesion was more bypassable than the latter lesion. On the basis of these in vitro results, we conclude that both these DNA damages are impediments of DNA synthesis and that a urea residue, in particular, has the potential to miscode.

Hairpin formation during DNA synthesis primer realignment in vitro in triplet repeat sequences from human hereditary disease genes.

Genetic expansion of DNA triplet repeat sequences (TRS) found in neurogenetic disorders may be due to abnormal DNA replication. We have previously observed strong DNA synthesis pausings at specific loci within the long tracts (> approximately 70 repeats) of CTG.CAG and CGG.CCG as well as GTC.GAC by primer extensions in vitro using DNA polymerases (the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, the modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase), and human DNA polymerase beta). Herein, we have isolated and analyzed the products of stalled synthesis found at approximately 30-40 triplets from the beginning of the TRS. DNA sequence analyses revealed that the stalled products contained short tracts of homogeneous TRS (6-12 repeats) in the middle of the sequence corresponding to the flanking region of the primer-template sequence. The sequence at the 3'-side terminated at the end of the primer, indicating that the primer molecule had served as a template. In addition, chemical probe and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analyses revealed that the stalled products existed in hairpin structures. We postulate that these products of the DNA polymerases are caused by the existence of an unusual DNA conformation(s) within the TRS, during the in vitro DNA synthesis, enhancing the DNA slippages and the hairpin formations in the TRS due to primer realignment. The consequence of these steps is DNA synthesis to the end of the primer and termination. Primer realignment including hairpin formation may play an important intermediate role in the replication of TRS in vivo to elicit genetic expansions.

Identification and Characterization of Galectin-9, a Novel β-Galactoside-binding Mammalian Lectin

A 36-kDa beta-galactoside mammalian lectin protein, designated as galectin-9, was isolated from mouse embryonic kidney by using a degenerate primer polymerase chain reaction and cloning strategy. Its deduced amino acid sequence had the characteristic conserved sequence motif of galectins. Endogenous galectin-9, extracted from liver and thymus, as well as recombinant galectin-9 exhibited specific binding activity for the lactosyl group. It had two distinct N- and C-terminal carbohydrate-binding domains connected by a link peptide, with no homology to any other protein. Galectin-9 had an alternate splicing isoform, exclusively expressed in the small intestine with a 31-amino acid insertion between the N-terminal domain and link peptide. Sequence homology analysis revealed that the C-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain of mouse galectin-9 had extensive similarity to that of monomeric rat galectin-5. The presence of galectin-5 in the mouse could not be demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction or by Northern or Southern blot genomic DNA analyses. Sequence comparison of rat galectin-5 and rat galectin-9 cDNA did not reveal identical nucleotide sequences in the overlapping C-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain, indicating that galectin-9 is not an alternative splicing isoform of galectin-5. However, galectin-9 had a sequence identical with that of its intestinal isoform in the overlapping regions in both species. Southern blot genomic DNA analyses, using the galectin-9 specific probe derived from the N-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain, indicated the presence of a novel gene encoding galectin-9 in both mice and rats. In contrast to galectin-5, which is mainly expressed in erythrocytes, galectin-9 was found to be widely distributed, i.e. in liver, small intestine, thymus > kidney, spleen, lung, cardiac and skeletal muscle > reticulocyte, brain. Collectively, these data indicate that galectin-9 is a new member of the galectin gene family and has a unique intestinal isoform.

DNA‐Dependent DNA Polymerases

This unit presents characteristics and reaction conditions of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerases, including E. coli DNA polymerase I, Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I, T4 DNA polymerase, native and modified T7 DNA polymerase, and Taq DNA polymerase.

The Development and Use of a DNA Polymerase Arrest Assay for the Evaluation of Parameters Affecting Intrastrand Tetraplex Formation

We show here that a K+-dependent block to DNA synthesis is a sensitive and specific indicator of intrastrand tetraplex formation that can be used, both to identify sequences with tetraplex-forming potential and to examine parameters that affect tetraplex formation. We show that tetraplex formation is determined by a complex combination of factors including the size and base composition of its constituent loops and stems. In the process of carrying out this study we have found that the number of sequences with the ability to form tetraplexes is larger than previously thought, and that such sequences are ubiquitous in eukaryote genomes.

DOP-vector PCR: a method for rapid isolation and sequencing of insert termini from PAC clones.

DOP-vector PCR: a method for rapid isolation and sequencing of insert termini from PAC clones.

Pausing of DNA Synthesis in Vitro at Specific Loci in CTG and CGG Triplet Repeats from Human Hereditary Disease Genes

Several human hereditary neuromuscular disease genes are associated with the expansion of CTG or CGG triplet repeats. The DNA syntheses of CTG triplets ranging from 17 to 180 and CGG repeats from 9 to 160 repeats in length were studied in vitro. Primer extensions using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, the modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase), or the human DNA polymerase beta paused strongly at specific loci in the CTG repeats. The pausings were abolished by heating at 70 degrees C. As the length of the triplet repeats in duplex DNA, but not in single-stranded DNA, was increased, the magnitude of pausing increased. The location of the pause sites was determined by the distance between the site of primer hybridization and the beginning of the triplet repeats. CGG triplet repeats also showed similar, but not identical, patterns of pausings. These results indicate that appropriate lengths of the triplets adopt a non-B conformation(s) that blocks DNA polymerase progression; the resultant idling polymerase may catalyze slippages to give expanded sequences and hence provide the molecular basis for this non-Mendelian genetic process. These mechanisms, if present in human cells, may be related to the etiology of certain neuromuscular diseases such as myotonic dystrophy and Fragile X syndrome.

Ultrasensitive near-IR fluorescence detection for capillary gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing applications.

Electropherograms of oligonucleotides labeled with near-IR fluorescent dyes, separated by capillary gel electrophoresis and detected using an ultrasensitive near-IR fluorescence detection system, are presented. A universal M13 sequencing primer was labeled on the 5' end with a near-IR dye containing an isothiocyanate functional group. Comparison of the on-column detection limits in capillary gel electrophoresis for the near-IR dye-labeled sequencing primer to those obtained for a visible fluorescein-labeled primer indicated improved sensitivity for the near-IR case. The detection limit was found to be 3.4 x 10(-20) mol (SNR = 3) for the near-IR dye-labeled primer, while the on-column detection limit for the fluorescein analog was 1.5 x 10(-18) mol (SNR = 3). The sequence of nucleotide bases in an M13mp18 template was determined using a single lane, single dye technique. The molar concentrations of the ddNTPs used during chain extension reactions were varied to achieve a ratio of 4:2:1:0 (A:C:G:T), which allowed the identification of each terminal base via fluorescence intensity measurements. Sequencing ladders were prepared from the M13mp18 template using standard Sanger dideoxy chain-terminating techniques, the modified T7 DNA polymerase, and the near-IR dye-labeled M13 universal primer. The data indicated reliable sequence determination by the 4:2:1:0 (A:C:G:T) peak height identification method up to 250 bases from the annealing site. Comparison of the known sequence of the M13mp18 plasmid to that obtained using this protocol yielded a base-calling accuracy of 84% for the 4:2:1:0 ratio.

Double-stranded DNA sequence analysis.

There are several different methods for analyzing the sequence of cloned DNA segments. For analysis of immunoglobulin variable (V) regions, double-stranded DNA sequencing is routinely used. Although this method does not yield the longest DNA sequences, it is easy and provides sufficient information to determine the correct sequence. The protocols in this unit are for use with the Sequenase Version 2.0 kit from U.S. Biochemicals, which is based on dideoxy sequencing with a modified T7 DNA polymerase. The Basic Protocol describes performing a sequencing reaction for cloned immunoglobulin V regions and running and analyzing a sequencing gel. A support protocol describes pouring and setting up the sequencing gel.

Analysis of enzymatic DNA sequencing reactions by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The products from base-specific, dideoxy-nucleotide chain-termination DNA sequencing reactions catalyzed by the modified T7 DNA polymerase have been analyzed by using the technique of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Preliminary experiments were performed to determine detection limits for a synthetic mixture of mixed-base single-stranded DNA which contained a 14-mer, a 21-mer, and a 41-mer; acceptable spectra, showing peaks for each component, were obtainable for samples that contained as little as 5 fmol per component. Initial sequencing reactions were therefore carried out on 2-pmol amounts of a short synthetic template that was 45 nucleotides in length, employing 2 pmol of 12-mer as the primer strand. This provided readable sequence information out to the 19th base past the primer. Using a 21-mer primer, nearly the entire sequence of the template could be read.

Reverse misreading of a GC doublet by the modified T7 DNA polymerase, Sequenase.

In nucleotide sequencing of the cDNA of the influenza virus PB2 polymerase gene by the dideoxy method using a modified T7 DNA polymerase, Sequenase, the sequence of the promoter region, 5'-AGCGAAAGCAGG, was shown to be misread as 5'-AGCGAAACGAGG, i.e., a GC doublet at positions 8 and 9 was read in reverse. This misreading was also found both when the sequence of BsmI restriction site upstream from the PB2 promoter sequence was exchanged by that of the promoter of T7 RNA polymerase and when the downstream region was substituted with the nonstructural (NS) protein gene. These results indicated that the misreading by Sequenase was attributed specifically to the PB2 promoter region, independent of the upstream and downstream sequences. The misreading, however, did not occur when dGTP in the labeling mixture was substituted with another nucleotide analog, dITP. Furthermore, the reversion did not occur in the NS gene promoter region, where the nucleotide sequence was 5'-AGCAAAAGCAGG. Since the nucleotide difference between the PB2 and NS promoter regions was only at the fourth residue, i.e., G for PB2 and A for PB2 and A for NS, the G residue followed by a triplet AAA in the PB2 promoter region was suggested to be a signal responsible for the misreading by Sequenase T7 DNA polymerase. The findings warns of possible misreading in determining DNA sequences, in addition to compression of the sequencing ladder.

Genetic Bit Analysis: a solid phase method for typing single nucleotide polymorphisms.

A new method for typing single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA is described. In this method, specific fragments of genomic DNA containing the polymorphic site(s) are first amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using one regular and one phosphorothioate-modified primer. The double-stranded PCR product is rendered single-stranded by treatment with the enzyme T7 gene 6 exonuclease, and captured onto individual wells of a 96 well polystyrene plate by hybridization to an immobilized oligonucleotide primer. This primer is designed to hybridize to the single-stranded target DNA immediately adjacent from the polymorphic site of interest. Using the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I or the modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase), the 3' end of the capture oligonucleotide is extended by one base using a mixture of one biotin-labeled, one fluorescein-labeled, and two unlabeled dideoxynucleoside triphosphates. Antibody conjugates of alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase are then used to determine the nature of the extended base in an ELISA format. This paper describes biochemical features of this method in detail. A semi-automated version of the method, which we call Genetic Bit Analysis (GBA), is being used on a large scale for the parentage verification of thoroughbred horses using a predetermined set of 26 diallelic polymorphisms in the equine genome.

DNA Sequencing Using Ultra Small Amounts of Reagents and Template

One of the key points in the genome project is finding ways to reduce the running cost in DNA sequencing. One way is to use a highly-sensitive fluorescent DNA sequencer, where only trace amounts of template DNA and reagents are needed. An experimental protocol optimized for the trace amounts of DNA analysis was established by using the hybridization reaction rate coefficient of primers on template DNA, which was estimated to be 7.5 x 10(5) M-1sec-1 at 37 degrees C. One femtomole of template DNA with 0.001 unit of modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase Ver. 2.0) and also 0.45 fmol of M13 template DNA with 0.01 unit of Taq DNA polymerase were enough to sequence DNA of up to 400 bases.

Analysis of Large X-Ray-Induced Mutant Populations by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

To increase the precision by which predominant point mutations can be observed, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT)-deficient mutants selected en masse from large X-irradiated cultures of human lymphoblastoid cells (line TK6) were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Four independent experiments yielded approximately 7 x 10(3) and 3.2 x 10(3) initial surviving 6-thioguanine-resistant (6-TGr) mutants in X-ray-treated and untreated cultures, respectively. The hprt exon 3 fragments were amplified from DNA extracted from these mixed 6-TGr cell populations by employing the polymerase chain reaction using modified T7 DNA polymerase. DGGE was used to separate the mutant sequences from the wild-type as mutant/wild-type heteroduplexes. The X-irradiated populations contained several mutant bands in the 104-bp low-melting region of exon 3 that were not observed in the untreated cultures. Two exon 3 specific mutations were observed in more than one treated culture and various tests for potential biases suggested that these were radiation-specific mutational hotspots. These two recurring mutations were specific 1-bp deletions in either a run of four T:A's (bp 294-297) or a run of 3 A:T's (bp 247-249). Several other "sporadic" signals observed in X-irradiated cultures were caused by small deletions ranging from 2 to 25 bp in length.

Influence of template primary structure on 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine triphosphate incorporation into DNA

In the present study, templates containing a specific segment of the Gγ-globin gene were constructed and incorporation of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate (AZT-TP) or 2′,3′-dideoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate (ddTTP) into these templates was compared to that observed in M13 bacteriophage DNA. Investigations on the intrinsic fidelity of T7 DNA polymerase in reactions with AZT-TP and without deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate, resulted in DNA synthesis beyond the first T site, suggesting that other normal deoxynucleotides misincorporated at these T sites. Modified T7 DNA polymerase incorporated AZT-TP into T sites of elongating DNA strands. Chain termination at noncomplementary sites was also observed with AZT-TP when a genomic DNA template was used and interestingly, this phenomenon was not detected in the presence of a M13 DNA template. These DNA template-dependent effects were not detected with either ddTTP, 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine 5′-triphosphate, or 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate (D4T-TP). A variation in the extent of chain termination at T sites was observed with D4T-TP suggesting that each 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside may exhibit unique chain termination patterns along with the template sequence.

Beta-L-thymidine 5'-triphosphate analogs as DNA polymerase substrates.

beta-L-3'-Deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate (L-ddTTP) and beta-L-3'-deoxy-2',3'-didehydrothymidine 5'-triphosphate (L-d4TTP) were substrates for human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase, Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow), and Sequenase (modified T7 DNA polymerase). The beta-D- and beta-L-enantiomers of 5-methyluridine 5'-triphosphate (rTTP) were inhibitors but not substrates of reverse transcriptase. The steady-state Km values for L-ddTTP and L-d4TTP, with all three enzymes, were 12-70-fold larger than the Km values for the corresponding D-enantiomers. The Km value of reverse transcriptase for L-ddTTP was 50-fold larger than that for D-ddTTP because the Kd for L-ddTTP was 5-fold larger than that for D-ddTTP, and the first-order rate constant for incorporation of L-ddTMP into the template-primer was 10% that of the D-enantiomer. The D- and L-enantiomers had kcat values with reverse transcriptase and Sequenase that were similar to kcat for the natural substrate, thymidine 5'-triphosphate (dTTP). Thus, the rate determining step appeared to be dissociation of the enzyme-chain-terminated template-primer complex. In contrast, kcat values for the L-enantiomers with Klenow were only 0.1% that of dTTP, and the kcat values for the D-enantiomers were 15% the kcat for dTTP. The reduced kcat values were due to a change in rate determining step from dissociation of the Klenow-chain-terminated template-primer complex to an earlier step in the reaction mechanism, presumably catalysis. Thus, these DNA polymerases did not stereospecifically recognize D-nucleoside 5'-triphosphate analogs as substrates.

Effects of different DNA polymerases in ligation-mediated PCR: enhanced genomic sequencing and in vivo footprinting.

We have developed a simplified procedure for the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) using Thermococcus litoralis DNA polymerase (Vent DNA polymerase). We show that Vent DNA polymerase produces correct, blunt-ended primer extension products with substantially higher efficiency than Thermus aquaticus (Taq) DNA polymerase or modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase). This difference leads to significantly improved genomic sequencing, methylation analysis, and in vivo footprinting with LMPCR. These improvements include representation of all bands with more uniform intensity, clear visualization of previously difficult regions of sequence, and reduction in the occurrence of spurious bands. It also simplifies the use of DNase I cut DNA for LMPCR footprinting.