Oligonucleotide Binding Sites Research Articles

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 genetic variability: A post-market surveillance workflow for combined bioinformatic and laboratory evaluation of commercial RT-PCR assay performance.

The speed at which Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mutating has made it necessary to frequently assess how these genomic changes impact the performance of diagnostic real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Herein, we describe a generic three-step workflow to assess the effect of genomic mutations on inclusivity and sensitivity of RT-PCR assays. Sequences collected from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) were mapped to a SARS-CoV-2 reference genome to evaluate the position and prevalence of mismatches in the oligonucleotide-binding sites of the QIAstat-Dx, an RT-PCR panel designed to detect SARS-CoV-2. The frequency of mutations and their impact on melting temperature were assessed, and sequences flagged by risk-based criteria were examined in vitro. Out of 8,900,393 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences analyzed, only 173 (0.0019%) genomes contained potentially critical mutations for the QIAstat-Dx; follow-up in-vitro testing confirmed no impact on the assays' performance. The current study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants do not affect the performance of the QIAstat-Dx device. It is recommended that manufacturers incorporate this workflow into obligatory post-marketing surveillance activities, as this approach could potentially enhance genetic monitoring of their product.

GHOST-NOT and GHOST-YES: Two programs for generating high-speed biosensors with randomized oligonucleotide binding sites with NOT or YES Boolean logic functions based on experimentally validated algorithms.

High-speed allosteric hammerhead ribozymes can be engineered to distinguish well between a perfectly matching effector and the nucleic acid sequences with a few mismatches under physiologically relevant conditions. Such ribozymes can be designed to control the expression of exogenous mRNAs and can be used to develop new gene therapies, including anticancer treatments. The in vivo selection of such ribozymes is a complicated and lengthy procedure with no guarantee of success. Thus, in silico selection of high-speed ribozymes can be employed using secondary RNA structure computation based on the partition function of the RNA folding in combination with random search algorithms. This approach has already been proven very accurate in designing allosteric hammerhead ribozymes. Herein, we present two programs for the computational design of allosteric ribozymes sensing randomized oligonucleotides based on the extended version of the hammerhead ribozyme. A Generator for High-speed Oligonucleotide Sensing allosteric ribozymes with NOT logic function (GHOST-NOT) and a Generator for High-speed Oligonucleotide Sensing allosteric ribozymes with YES logic function (GHOST-YES) for computational design of high-speed allosteric ribozymes are described. The allosteric hammerhead ribozymes had a high self-cleavage rate of about 1.8 per minute and were very selective in sensing an effector sequence.

Combined Use of RT-qPCR and NGS for Identification and Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Residual Clinical Laboratory Samples in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) with increased transmissibility and immune escape capabilities, such as Delta and Omicron, have triggered waves of new COVID-19 infections worldwide, and Omicron subvariants continue to represent a global health concern. Tracking the prevalence and dynamics of VOCs has clinical and epidemiological significance and is essential for modeling the progression and evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Next generation sequencing (NGS) is recognized as the gold standard for genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants, but it is labor and cost intensive and not amenable to rapid lineage identification. Here we describe a two-pronged approach for rapid, cost-effective surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs by combining reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and periodic NGS with the ARTIC sequencing method. Variant surveillance by RT-qPCR included the commercially available TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit to track S-gene target failure (SGTF) associated with the spike protein deletion H69-V70, as well as two internally designed and validated RT-qPCR assays targeting two N-terminal-domain (NTD) spike gene deletions, NTD156-7 and NTD25-7. The NTD156-7 RT-qPCR assay facilitated tracking of the Delta variant, while the NTD25-7 RT-qPCR assay was used for tracking Omicron variants, including the BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 lineages. In silico validation of the NTD156-7 and NTD25-7 primers and probes compared with publicly available SARS-CoV-2 genome databases showed low variability in regions corresponding to oligonucleotide binding sites. Similarly, in vitro validation with NGS-confirmed samples showed excellent correlation. RT-qPCR assays allow for near-real-time monitoring of circulating and emerging variants allowing for ongoing surveillance of variant dynamics in a local population. By performing periodic sequencing of variant surveillance by RT-qPCR methods, we were able to provide ongoing validation of the results obtained by RT-qPCR screening. Rapid SARS-CoV-2 variant identification and surveillance by this combined approach served to inform clinical decisions in a timely manner and permitted better utilization of sequencing resources.

An allosteric ribozyme generator and an inverse folding ribozyme generator: Two computer programs for automated computational design of oligonucleotide-sensing allosteric hammerhead ribozymes with YES Boolean logic function based on experimentally validated algorithms

Designing oligonucleotide-sensing ribozymes using computational approaches is advantageous to in vitro selection methods for efficiency and accuracy. Allosteric ribozymes can be computationally designed for various applications in gene therapy, designer gene control systems, biosensors, and molecular computation. Here we present two programs, the allosteric Ribozyme Generator (RG) and the Inverse Folding Ribozyme Generator (IFRG), engineered to generate allosteric ribozymes with YES logic. The RG computes allosteric ribozyme sequences’ secondary structure using the minimal sequence of the hammerhead ribozyme by inserting oligonucleotide binding site (OBS) elements in the second stem. The IFRG program uses inverse folding to generate allosteric ribozyme sequences with OBS bearing distinct sequences and similar folding. For the generation of the OBS sequences, random search algorithms are employed. Allosteric ribozyme sequences generated by the RG can be used as a matrix for the IFRG program. This approach applies RNA-folding algorithms based on applying thermodynamic parameters using the partition function of the RNAfold, and the RNAinverse source codes from the Vienna RNA folding package. The two algorithms apply dynamic programming and random search algorithms to generate in silico allosteric ribozymes with predefined properties within minutes using a personal computer with over 90% accuracy, without high computation power as experimentally validated and published by us previously.

Rapid detection of OXA-23-like, OXA-24-like, and OXA-58-like carbapenemases from Acinetobacter species by real-time PCR

Carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter species, especially A.baumannii, are frequently associated with treatment failures and hospital outbreaks; thus, rapid and reliable detection of specific resistance markers is paramount. The most common carbapenemases found in A.baumannii, namely OXA-23-like, OXA-24-like, and OXA-58-like, belong to the oxacillinase group (class D β-lactamases) which is notoriously difficult to identify phenotypically due to the lack of specific inhibitors. To design and validate a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect and differentiate the above three oxacillinases. All available variants of the above three oxacillinase subfamilies were downloaded (as of November 2019) from the Beta-Lactamase DataBase (http://bldb.eu/) aligned with Clustal Omega and oligonucleotides designed using Primer-BLAST. A multiplex real-time PCR assay that included an internal control to discount inhibition was optimized on the Rotor-Gene Q (Qiagen) using the Rotor-Gene Multiplex PCR Kit (Qiagen) and validated using a panel of 122 previously characterized strains carrying a wide range of β-lactamases, often in combination. The in-silico approach enabled the design of oligonucleotides in conserved regions of the OXA-24-like and OXA-58-like alignments. Among the 42 described OXA-23-like variants, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was present in one of the oligonucleotide binding sites of OXA-27, OXA-166, OXA-811, OXA-812, and OXA-816. The assay was 100% sensitive and highly specific. Inhibition was not observed. The assay is easy to perform with results available in about 70 min. It enables unequivocal detection and differentiation of OXA-23-like, OXA-24-like, and OXA-58-like carbapenemases even when more than one is simultaneously present.

The “Bridge” in the Epstein-Barr Virus Alkaline Exonuclease Protein BGLF5 Contributes to Shutoff Activity during Productive Infection

Replication of the human herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus drastically impairs cellular protein synthesis. This shutoff phenotype results from mRNA degradation upon expression of the early lytic-phase protein BGLF5. Interestingly, BGLF5 is the viral DNase, or alkaline exonuclease, homologues of which are present throughout the herpesvirus family. During productive infection, this DNase is essential for processing and packaging of the viral genome. In contrast to this widely conserved DNase activity, shutoff is only mediated by the alkaline exonucleases of the subfamily of gammaherpesviruses. Here, we show that BGLF5 can degrade mRNAs of both cellular and viral origin, irrespective of polyadenylation. Furthermore, shutoff by BGLF5 induces nuclear relocalization of the cytosolic poly(A) binding protein. Guided by the recently resolved BGLF5 structure, mutants were generated and analyzed for functional consequences on DNase and shutoff activities. On the one hand, a point mutation destroying DNase activity also blocks RNase function, implying that both activities share a catalytic site. On the other hand, other mutations are more selective, having a more pronounced effect on either DNA degradation or shutoff. The latter results are indicative of an oligonucleotide-binding site that is partially shared by DNA and RNA. For this, the flexible "bridge" that crosses the active-site canyon of BGLF5 appears to contribute to the interaction with RNA substrates. These findings extend our understanding of the molecular basis for the shutoff function of BGLF5 that is conserved in gammaherpesviruses but not in alpha- and betaherpesviruses.

Comparison of LigAmp and an ASPCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of K103N-Containing HIV Variants

We compared the ability of the LigAmp assay and an ASPCR assay to detect and quantify K103N-containing HIV variants in samples from 63 women who received single-dose nevirapine in a clinical trial. Samples were first analyzed with the ViroSeq HIV Genotyping system, and ViroSeq PCR products were used as templates for the LigAmp and ASPCR assays. A cutoff of 0.5% K103N for detection of K103N was used for both assays. Results for the percentage K103N were similar for the two assays (R(2) = 0.92). Forty-six samples (73.0%) were positive for K103N by both assays and 13 samples (20.6%) were negative by both assays. Four samples (6.3%) were positive by ASPCR only. No samples were positive by LigAmp only. Eight discordant samples were analyzed in more detail. Sequence polymorphisms near oligonucleotide binding sites provided a possible explanation for the discordance in four of eight samples. The percentage K103N was also determined by analyzing 40 HIV clones from each of these eight samples, using a combined amplification/sequencing method (AmpliSeq). The percentage K103N determined by clonal analysis was consistent with the LigAmp result for five of eight samples, and was consistent with the ASPCR result for three of eight samples. Among 320 clones analyzed, we identified eight different codons at position 103 (mean = 3.8 codons/sample), which encoded six different amino acids, illustrating the extensive genetic diversity in HIV. Further studies are needed to compare performance of assays for detection and quantification of HIV drug resistance mutations in clinical samples.

Structural characterization of the RNase E S1 domain and identification of its oligonucleotide-binding and dimerization interfaces.

S1 domains occur in four of the major enzymes of mRNA decay in Escherichia coli: RNase E, PNPase, RNase II, and RNase G. Here, we report the structure of the S1 domain of RNase E, determined by both X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The RNase E S1 domain adopts an OB-fold, very similar to that found with PNPase and the major cold shock proteins, in which flexible loops are appended to a well-ordered five-stranded beta-barrel core. Within the crystal lattice, the protein forms a dimer stabilized primarily by intermolecular hydrophobic packing. Consistent with this observation, light-scattering, chemical crosslinking, and NMR spectroscopic measurements confirm that the isolated RNase E S1 domain undergoes a specific monomer-dimer equilibrium in solution with a K(D) value in the millimolar range. The substitution of glycine 66 with serine dramatically destabilizes the folded structure of this domain, thereby providing an explanation for the temperature-sensitive phenotype associated with this mutation in full-length RNase E. Based on amide chemical shift perturbation mapping, the binding surface for a single-stranded DNA dodecamer (K(D)=160(+/-40)microM) was identified as a groove of positive electrostatic potential containing several exposed aromatic side-chains. This surface, which corresponds to the conserved ligand-binding cleft found in numerous OB-fold proteins, lies distal to the dimerization interface, such that two independent oligonucleotide-binding sites can exist in the dimeric form of the RNase E S1 domain. Based on these data, we propose that the S1 domain serves a dual role of dimerization to aid in the formation of the tetrameric quaternary structure of RNase E as described by Callaghan et al. in 2003 and of substrate binding to facilitate RNA hydrolysis by the adjacent catalytic domains within this multimeric enzyme.

Explorations of peptide and oligonucleotide binding sites of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase using vanadate complexes.

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of a phosphodiester bond between a tyrosine residue and a DNA 3' phosphate and functions as a DNA repair enzyme that cleaves stalled topoisomerase I-DNA complexes. We previously determined a procedure to crystallize a quaternary complex containing Tdp1, vanadate, a DNA oligonucleotide, and a tyrosine-containing peptide that mimics the transition state for hydrolysis of the Tdp1 substrate. Here, the ability of vanadate to accept a variety of different ligands is exploited to produce several different quaternary complexes with a variety of oligonucleotides, and peptides or a tyrosine analogue, in efforts to explore the binding properties of the Tdp1 DNA and peptide binding clefts. Eight crystal structures of Tdp1 with vanadate, oligonucleotides, and peptides or peptide analogues were determined. These structures demonstrated that Tdp1 is able to bind substituents with limited sequence variation in the polypeptide moiety and also bind oligonucleotides with sequence variation at the 3' end. Additionally, the tyrosine analogue octopamine can replace topoisomerase I derived peptides as the apical ligand to vanadate. The versatility of this system suggests that the formation of quaternary complexes around vanadate could be adapted to become a useful method for structure-based inhibitor design and has the potential to be generally applicable to other enzymes that perform chemistry on phosphate esters.

High sequence fidelity in a non-enzymatic DNA autoligation reaction.

The success of oligonucleotide ligation assays in probing specific sequences of DNA arises in large part from high enzymatic selectivity against base mismatches at the ligation junction. We describe here a study of the effect of mismatches on a new non-enzymatic, reagent-free method for ligation of oligonucleotides. In this approach, two oligonucleotides bound at adjacent sites on a complementary strand undergo autoligation by displacement of a 5'-end iodide with a 3'-phosphorothioate group. The data show that this ligation proceeds somewhat more slowly than ligation by T4 ligase, but with substantial discrimination against single base mismatches both at either side of the junction and a few nucleotides away within one of the oligonucleotide binding sites. Selectivities of >100-fold against a single mismatch are observed in the latter case. Experiments at varied concentrations and temperatures are carried out both with the autoligation of two adjacent linear oligonucleotides and with intramolecular autoligation to yield circular 'padlock' DNAs. Application of optimized conditions to discrim-ination of an H- ras codon 12 point mutation is demonstrated with a single-stranded short DNA target.

Cloning sequence-specific DNA-binding factors from cDNA expression libraries using oligonucleotide binding site probes.

Cloning sequence-specific DNA-binding factors from cDNA expression libraries using oligonucleotide binding site probes.

The Effect of Self-association on the Interaction of the Escherichia coliRegulatory Protein TyrR with DNA

The interaction of the Escherichia coliregulatory protein TyrR, with a 42 bp oligonucleotide (42A/42B) containing a centrally located recognition sequence (TyrR box), was examined by analytical ultracentrifugation. The stoichiometry of the binding of oligonucleotide to dimeric TyrR was determined by equilibrium centrifugation of a mixture of fluorescein-5- isothiocyanate-labelled 42A/42B (F-42A/42B) in the presence of an eightfold molar excess of TyrR. The molecular mass ( M) of the labelled oligonucleotide was estimated as 148,000, indicating a 1:1 complex composed of oligonucleotide ( M=27,000) and TyrR dimer ( M=113,000). The association constant ( K o,d ′=2.8(±0.1) × 10 6M −1) was determined by a global analysis of sedimentation data, collected at multiple wave- lengths between 230 and 285 nm. The presence of 30 μM ATPγS enhanced the affinity of TyrR for DNA approximately 3.5-fold, ( K o,d=9.9(±0.3) × 10 6M −1). The effect of dimer to hexamer self-association of TyrR on the binding of 42A/42B was also examined. Multiple wavelength sedimentation data fitted a model in which the oligonucleotide could bind to one site on the dimer ( K o,d=9.9 × 10 6M −1), and to either one or three sites on the hexamer ( K o,h=2.0(±0.1) × 10 8M −1and 3.8(±0.1) × 10 6M −1, respectively). Competitive sedimentation equilibrium and fluorescence anisotropy titrations were performed under stoichiometric conditions to resolve the number of oligonucleotide binding sites per hexamer. In these experiments, 42A/42B was used as a competitor to displace F-42A/42B from the hexamer, which was found to bind the 42mer with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Our data support a model in which ATP increases the affinity of TyrR for the DNA recognition sequence, and tyrosine induced self-association of TyrR generates a hexameric species with a single binding site for the 42A/42B oligonucleotide.

Sequence-specific alkylation and cleavage of DNA mediated by purine motif triple helix formation.

An N-bromoacetyl electrophile attached to the 5'-phosphate group of a purine-rich oligonucleotide affords sequence-specific alkylation of duplex DNA (at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4) through the formation of a specific purine.purine.pyrimidine triple-helical complex. In a 645 bp restriction fragment containing three consecutive guanine bases adjacent to the 3'-end of an oligonucleotide binding site, the yield of single-strand cleavage after piperidine treatment is 80% at the guanine base directly adjacent to the binding site and 88% overall. In an 837 bp restriction fragment containing two adjacent inverted repeats of the third strand binding site and a single 3'-guanine base, yields of single-strand cleavage are 87% on each strand at the 3'-guanine base. Double-strand cleavage was obtained in 61% yield at a single site in a 6.6 kbp plasmid containing the 837 bp fragment. Extension of triple helix mediated DNA alkylation from the pyrimidine to purine motif formally extends the number of sites in duplex DNA that can be cleaved in a sequence-specific and nucleotide-specific manner in good yields.

Solution structure of the C-terminal single-stranded DNA-binding domain of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I.

Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I catalyzes the interconversion of different topological forms of DNA. In this paper we describe NMR studies of a 14K C-terminal fragment of this enzyme that binds preferentially to single-stranded DNA and enhances the enzyme's ability to relax negatively supercoiled DNA under high salt conditions. The 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of the protein were assigned from a number of heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments, and the three-dimensional structure of the protein was determined from a total of 2188 NMR-derived restraints. The root-mean-square deviation about the mean coordinate positions for residues 13-120 is 0.68 +/- 0.11 A for the backbone atoms and 1.09 +/- 0.09 A for all heavy atoms. The overall fold, which consists of two four-stranded beta-sheets separated by two helices, differs from other DNA- and RNA-binding proteins such as gene 5, cold shock protein, and hnRNP C. From an analysis of the changes in chemical shift upon the addition of single-stranded DNA, the location of the oligonucleotide binding site was determined. The binding site consists of a beta-sheet containing positively charged and aromatic amino acids and, in spite of its different structure, is similar to that found in other proteins that bind single-stranded oligonucleotides.

A nonconsensus octamer‐recognition sequence (TAATGARAT‐motif) identifies a novel DNA binding protein in human merkel cell carcinoma cell lines

We have established a number of cell lines from Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin. In many respects these cell lines resemble those established from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and it is difficult to differentiate between metastatic MCC and SCLC on morphological or histochemical criteria. Both are thought to be neuroendocrine tumours and may express a number of neuroendocrine markers. SCLC cell lines express the octamer-DNA binding transcription factor brn-2 gene products N-Oct3 and N-Oct5, which are restricted to the neuroectodermal cell lineage. In DNA binding studies using a consensus octamer recognition site we have found that 4 of 8 MCC cell lines examined expressed brn-2 in at least trace amounts compared with 3 SCLC cell lines which all expressed brn-2 proteins at high levels. Moreover, these DNA binding studies were extended by using a high-affinity brn-2 recognition site related to the degenerate octamer TAATGARAT-motif. This identified a novel DNA binding protein in a subset of MCC cell lines. The protein was absent from the three SCLC cell lines, melanoma cells and brain tissue. This binding activity, which we term Merkel cell DNA nuclear (MNF), was shown to be specific by competitive inhibition with oligonucleotide binding sites and was not inhibited by polyclonal antisera against the Oct-1, Oct-2 or Brn-2 proteins. This protein may serve as a unique marker for MCC compared with SCLC cells and may be involved in regulating the Merkel cell phenotype.

Cooperative binding of Ets-1 and core binding factor to DNA.

Two phorbol ester-inducible elements (beta E2 and beta E3) within the human T-cell receptor beta gene enhancer each contain consensus binding sites for the Ets and core binding factor (CBF) transcription factor families. Recombinant Ets-1 and purified CBF bound individually to beta E2 and beta E3, in which the Ets and core sites are directly adjacent. In this report, we show that CBF and Ets-1 bind together to beta E2 and beta E3 and that Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes are favored over the binding of either protein alone to beta E2. Formation of Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes increased the affinity of Ets-1-DNA interactions and decreased the rate of dissociation of CBF from DNA. Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes were not observed when either the Ets or core site was mutated. The spatial requirements for the cooperative interaction of Ets-1 and CBF were analyzed by oligonucleotide mutagenesis and binding site selection experiments. Core and Ets sites were coselected, and there appeared to be little constraint on the relative orientation and spacing of the two sites. These results demonstrate that CBF and Ets-1 form a high-affinity DNA-binding complex when both of their cognate sites are present and that the relative spacing and orientation of the two sites are unimportant. Ets and core sites are found in several T-cell-specific enhancers, suggesting that this interaction is of general importance in T-cell-specific transcription.

Cooperative binding of Ets-1 and core binding factor to DNA

Two phorbol ester-inducible elements (beta E2 and beta E3) within the human T-cell receptor beta gene enhancer each contain consensus binding sites for the Ets and core binding factor (CBF) transcription factor families. Recombinant Ets-1 and purified CBF bound individually to beta E2 and beta E3, in which the Ets and core sites are directly adjacent. In this report, we show that CBF and Ets-1 bind together to beta E2 and beta E3 and that Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes are favored over the binding of either protein alone to beta E2. Formation of Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes increased the affinity of Ets-1-DNA interactions and decreased the rate of dissociation of CBF from DNA. Ets-1-CBF-DNA complexes were not observed when either the Ets or core site was mutated. The spatial requirements for the cooperative interaction of Ets-1 and CBF were analyzed by oligonucleotide mutagenesis and binding site selection experiments. Core and Ets sites were coselected, and there appeared to be little constraint on the relative orientation and spacing of the two sites. These results demonstrate that CBF and Ets-1 form a high-affinity DNA-binding complex when both of their cognate sites are present and that the relative spacing and orientation of the two sites are unimportant. Ets and core sites are found in several T-cell-specific enhancers, suggesting that this interaction is of general importance in T-cell-specific transcription.

Oligodeoxynucleotides interact with recombinant CD4 at multiple sites.

Phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotides bearing the 5'-alkylating moiety 4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methyl)aminobenzylamine specifically modify recombinant soluble CD4 (rsCD4) in solution. This reaction is saturable with respect to the alkylating oligonucleotide reagent. The existence of at least two binding sites, with different affinities, on the rsCD4 molecule, were demonstrated. The values of apparent Kd for the sites are approximately 0.1 and 1 microM. The existence of two sites was confirmed by electrophoretic analysis of the modified protein, in which two distinct gel bands were seen. The modification is inhibited by excess non-alkylating oligonucleotide, as well as by phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. Quantitative estimates of the competition constants (Kc), for the binding of these competitors of the binding of the alkylating oligonucleotide reagent with rsCD4, have been made. By use of this method, several anionic dyes as well as potential anti-HIV therapeutic agents were also demonstrated to interact with rsCD4. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides also inhibit binding of rsCD4 with the monoclonal antibody L71.1.1 This monoclonal antibody recognizes the CDR3-like loop (D1 domain) of the rsCD4 molecule. Thus, oligonucleotide binding sites exist on two remote regions (i.e. both the CDR2- and CDR3-like loops) of the D1 domain of CD4.

Separation of the complex DNA binding domain of EBNA-1 into DNA recognition and dimerization subdomains of novel structure.

EBNA-1 is essential for replication of the latent episomal form of the Epstein-Barr virus genome and is involved in regulation of viral latency promoters. EBNA-1 activity is mediated through direct DNA binding. The DNA binding and dimerization functions of EBNA-1 have previously been located to a carboxy-terminal domain, amino acids (aa) 459 to 607. To identify and define the subdomains for these two functions, we created an extensive series of deletions and point mutations in an EBNA-1 (aa 408 to 641) background. The ability of the EBNA-1 mutants to heterodimerize with a wild-type EBNA-1 (aa 459 to 641) Immunoprecipitation assays with a monoclonal antibody, EBNA.OT1x, that recognizes EBNA-1 (aa 408 to 641) but not EBNA-1 (aa 459 to 641). These experiments revealed that mutations affecting dimerization occurred over two separate regions, aa 501 to 532 and aa 554 to 598. DNA binding was tested in mobility shift assays against a panel of oligonucleotide-binding sites. Dimerization was a prerequisite for DNA binding. The DNA recognition domain was localized to a separate region, aa 459 to 487, upstream of the dimerization domain. EBNA-1 variants carrying substitutions at aa 467 and 468 and at aa 477 gave a pattern of binding to mutant oligonucleotide probes that implicates these particular amino acids in DNA recognition. EBNA-1 appears to utilize novel mechanisms for both DNA recognition and dimerization since neither domain conforms to previously described structural motifs.

Microsatellites and the new genetic maps

Ask any molecular biologist what is the most important technique developed since DNA cloning and the answer will always be the same: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [l]. This pervasive technique has the persuasive simplicity of all good ideas, and a whole generation of bio- logical scientists kicked themselves for not having thought of it first. PCR exploits sequence recognition by specihc oligonucleotides and uses DNA polymerases to amplify the DNA sequences flanked by oligonucleotide-binding sites. The exponential amplification of target sequences means that the sensitivity of PCR is extraordinary and even single molecules of target DNA are amenable to analysis. The simplicity of PCR makes it very easy to automate: PCR is loved by robots. after minor mathematical adjustment for the possibility of double recombinants, as centiMorgans (CA& 1% recombi- nation is approximately equivalent to 1 CM and in man