The simplicity of complex MACs

The development of mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) would be useful for biotechnology and biomedicine, including their use in functional genomics, transgenic animals and gene therapy. By analogy to large cloning systems in microorganisms, MACs may be engineered using endogenous chromosomal elements such as the yeast-based artificial chromosomes (YACs), or exogenous extra-chromosomal components derived from viruses and other cellular parasites such as the bacterial-based artificial chromosomes (BACs) and p1 artificial chromosomes (PACs).     

Towards the physical map of the Trypanosoma cruzi nuclear genome: construction of YAC and BAC libraries of the reference clone T. cruzi CL-Brener

Strategies to construct the physical map of the Trypanosoma cruzi nuclear genome have to capitalize on three main advantages of the parasite genome, namely (a) its small size, (b) the fact that all chromosomes can be defined, and many of them can be isolated by pulse field gel electrophoresis, and (c) the fact that simple Southern blots of electrophoretic karyotypes can be used to map sequence tagged sites and expressed sequence tags to chromosomal bands. A major drawback to cope with is the complexity of T. cruzi genetics, that hinders the construction of a comprehensive genetic map. As a first step towards physical mapping, we report the construction and partial characterization of a T. cruzi CL-Brener genomic library in yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) that consists of 2,770 individual YACs with a mean insert size of 365 kb encompassing around 10 genomic equivalents. Two libraries in bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) have been constructed, BACI and BACII. Both libraries represent about three genome equivalents. A third BAC library (BAC III) is being constructed. YACs and BACs are invaluable tools for physical mapping. More generally, they have to be considered as a common resource for research in Chagas disease.     

A neocentromere on human chromosome 3 without detectable alpha-satellite DNA forms morphologically normal kinetochores

A neocentromere at 3q26 was observed in a father and his daughter on a chromosome 3 with deleted centromeric region. No alpha-satellite DNA was detectable at the 3q26 neocentromere, but it was weakly positive with anticentromere (CREST) antibodies. Electron microscopy showed that the neocentromere formed microtubule-associated kinetochores with normal morphology and of the same size as the kinetochores of other large chromosomes. The deleted centromere formed a small linear marker chromosome that reacted strongly with anticentromere antibodies, but showed reduced kinetochore size. The 3q26 neokinetochore was stable under adverse growth conditions, which often caused kinetochore loss in the original 3-centromere on the small marker.     

Assay of centromere function using a human artificial chromosome

In order to define a functional human centromere sequence, an artificial chromosome was constructed as a reproducible DNA molecule. Mammalian telomere repeats and a selectable marker were introduced into yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing alphoid DNA from the centromere region of human chromosome 21 in a recombination-deficient yeast host. When these modified YACs were introduced into cultured human cells, a YAC with the alphoid DNA from the alpha21-I locus, containing CENP-B boxes at a high frequency and a regular repeat array, efficiently formed minichromosomes that were maintained stably in the absence of selection and bound CENP-A, CENP-B, CENP-C and CENP-E. The minichromosomes, 1-5 Mb in size and composed of multimers of the introduced YAC DNA, aligned at metaphase plates and segregated to opposite poles correctly in anaphase. Extensive cytological analyses strongly suggested that the minichromosomes had not acquired host sequences and were formed in all cases by a de novo mechanism. In contrast, minichromosomes were never produced with a modified YAC containing alphoid DNA from the alpha21-II locus, which contains no CENP-B boxes and has a less regular sequence arrangement. We conclude that alpha21-I alphoid DNA can induce de novo assembly of active centromere/kinetochore structures on minichromosomes.     

A study of radiation necrosis and edema in the canine brain using positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Evidence derived from sequence comparisons and the genomic organization of the murine Antennapedia-class homeobox gene clusters suggest that they arose from a primordial cluster through a process of gene duplication and divergence followed by cluster duplication. A large chromosomal domain surrounding the ancestral homeobox cluster also appears to have been duplicated and has remained relatively stable since the divergence of humans and rodents. To test the extent of the duplicated chromosomal domain, we have initiated physical mapping studies of the regions surrounding the four murine homeobox clusters using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and yeast artificial chromosome cloning. In this study, we present a long-range restriction map of mouse chromosome 11 spanning 1500 kb in the region surrounding the Hox-b cluster. We have determined that the gene for the nerve growth factor receptor is tightly linked to the Hox-b complex and is located within 50 kb of the Hox-b 1 gene at the 3' end of the cluster. Four yeast artificial chromosomes have been isolated and characterized by the polymerase chain reaction, long-range restriction mapping, and Southern blotting. Two clones of 150 and 300 kb contain the entire Hox-b cluster and the nerve growth factor receptor gene. A 440-kb clone contains the 3' end of the Hox-b cluster, the nerve growth factor receptor gene, and extends downstream. A 210-kb clone contains the 5' end of the Hox-b cluster and extends upstream. These clones confirm the pulsed-field restriction map of uncloned mouse DNA and represent a contig of approximately 600 kb of cloned material from mouse chromosomes 11.     

Identification of complex chromosome rearrangements in the gibbon by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of a human chromosome 2q specific microlibrary, yeast artificial chromosomes, and reciprocal chromosome painting

Chromosome painting has revealed that the human chromosome homologs in lesser apes are often fragmented and translocated to a number of different hylobatid chromosomes. We investigated the fragmented human chromosome 2 homologs in gibbons to illustrate a new strategy in mapping regional and band-specific chromosomal homologies between species. Previous research showed that the DNA library specific to human chromosome 2 paints parts of four gibbon (lar species group) chromosomes (viz., 1, 10, 12, and 16) and yields five distinct hybridization signals (including two on gibbon chromosome 16). However, the exact segments of human chromosome 2 that were translocated to the various gibbon chromosomes could not be distinguished. To determine the origin of the human chromosome 2 signals, we hybridized a microlibrary for the long arm of human chromosome 2, as well as YACs specific for most of the major bands on this chromosome, to metaphases of the gibbon. For reciprocal chromosome painting, we hybridized flow-sorted gibbon chromosome probes to human chromosome 2. Each method added additional insights that helped clarify the shuffling of human chromosome 2 material in the highly reorganized gibbon genome. There was an excellent correspondence between these complementary techniques. YAC 958d2 identified the breakpoint between human chromosome 2 material present on gibbon chromosomes 10 and 16. The reciprocal chromosome painting permitted a more complete and regional assignment of homology between segments on various gibbon chromosomes to human chromosome 2. The results show that a combination of reciprocal chromosome painting, subregional microlibraries, and band-specific probes (such as YACs) can be used to identify homologies between species and to rapidly construct detailed comparative chromosome maps, especially when the karyotypes are highly rearranged.     

Extramedullary plasmacytoma. A form of marginal zone cell lymphoma?

A 2Mb contig was constructed of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) and P1 artificial chromosomes (PACs), extending from DXS6849 to a new marker EC7034R, 1Mb distal to UBE1, within the p11.3 region of the human X chromosome. This contig, which has on average four-fold cloned coverage, was assembled using 37 markers, including 13 new sequence tagged sites (STSs) developed from YAC and PAC end-fragments, for an average inter-marker distance of 55kb. The inferred marker order predicted from SEGMAP analysis, STS content and cell hybrid data is Xpter-EC7034R-EC8058R-FB20E11-DXS7804-D XS8308-(DXS1264, DXS1055)-DXS1003-UBE1-(UHX), PCTK1)-DXS1364-DXS1266-DXS337-SYN1-DXS6 849-cen. One (TC)n dinucleotide sequence from an end-clone was identified and found to be polymorphic (48% heterozygosity). The contig is merged with published physical maps both in the distal and in the centromeric direction of Xp, and provides reagents to aid in the DNA sequencing and the finding of genes in this region of the human genome.     

Yeast artificial chromosome segregation from host chromosomes with similar lengths

We propose a new method for segregation of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) from endogenous yeast chromosomes with similar lengths. The method is based on recently developed PNA-assisted rare cleavage (PARC) of genomic DNA. We apply the PARC procedure to YAC-containing samples of yeast DNA in such a way that host chromosomes, which electrophoretically comigrate with the chosen YACs, are selectively digested while YACs remain intact. These data demonstrate that a pool of appropriate PNAs can be used as an efficient tool for the PARC-based isolation of intact purified YACs directly from the host cells.     

Isolation of yeast artificial chromosomes free of endogenous yeast chromosomes: construction of alternate hosts with defined karyotypic alterations

An intrinsic feature of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) is that the cloned DNA is generally in the same size range (i.e., approximately 200-2000 kb) as the endogenous yeast chromosomes. As a result, the isolation of YAC DNA, which typically involves separation by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, is frequently confounded by the presence of a comigrating or closely migrating endogenous yeast chromosome(s). We have developed a strategy that reliably allows the isolation of any YAC free of endogenous yeast chromosomes. Using recombination-mediated chromosome fragmentation, a set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae host strains was systematically constructed. Each strain contains defined alterations in its electrophoretic karyotype, which provide a large-size interval devoid of endogenous chromosomes (i.e., a karyotypic "window"). All of the constructed strains contain the kar1-delta 15 mutation, thereby allowing the efficient transfer of a YAC from its original host into an appropriately selected window strain using the kar1-transfer procedure. This approach provides a robust and efficient means to obtain relatively pure YAC DNA regardless of YAC size.     

Use of photo-anchoring of DNA probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization

A possibility was investigated to use photo-crosslinking DNA probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). DNA probes were modified by incorporating photonucleotides in these, containing a photoreactive group (tetrafluorobenzazid) and capable of making covalent bonds with the examined DNA, when irradiated in 300-330 nm region. The photonucleotide was incorporated into the probe either by nick-translation, or upon elongation of the hybridized probe by the Kljonow fragment. It has been shown that the DNA probe, cross-linking to a chromosome as a result of covalent bonds, is not removed from the place of hybridization under consequent denaturating washing, which makes it possible to carry out the following DNA hybridization with selective conservation of signals obtained due to previous hybridization. This peculiarity of photo-linking DNA probes makes it possible to use them for the two-step DNA hybridization. To demonstrate this, preparations of human chromosomes were investigated. On the first step, chromosomal DNA was hybridized by means of DNA probe having nucleotide sequences of centromeric regions of chromosomes 13 and 21, the probe being linked to chromosomal DNA by the photonucleotide. Following the denaturation treatment of the preparation, and after the second chromosomal DNA hybridization with cosmid DNA, containing chromosome 13 DNA nucleotide sequence, the signal in chromosome 13 centromeric region was retained to serve a marker of this chromosome, thus fascilitating its easier identification following the hybridization of its DNA with cosmic DNA. The denaturation stability of photo-crosslinking probes opens some new possibilities in technology of DNA in situ hybridization.     

Chromosome walking to the AVR1-CO39 avirulence gene of Magnaporthe grisea: discrepancy between the physical and genetic maps

The avrCO39 gene conferring avirulence toward rice cultivar CO39 was previously mapped to chromosome 1 of Magnaporthe grisea between cosegregating markers CH5-120H and 1.2H and marker 5-10-F. In the present study, this region of the chromosome was physically mapped using RecA-mediated Achilles' cleavage. Cleavage of genomic DNA sequences within CH5-120H and 5-10-F liberated a 610-kb restriction fragment, representing the physical distance between these markers. Chromosome walking was initiated from both markers but was curtailed due to the presence of repetitive DNA sequences and the absence of overlapping clones in cosmid libraries representing several genome equivalents. These obstacles were overcome by directly subcloning the target region after release by Achilles' cleavage and a contig spanning avrCO39 was thus assembled. Transformation of two cosmids into a virulent recipient strain conferred a cultivar-specific avirulence phenotype thus confirming the cloning of avrCO39. Meiotic crossover points were unevenly distributed across this chromosomal region and were clustered around the avrCO39 locus. A 14-fold variation in the relationship between genetic and physical distance was measured over the avrCO39 chromosomal region. Thus the poor correlation of physical to genetic distance previously observed in M. grisea appears to be manifested over relatively short distances.     

Identification of a yeast artificial chromosome clone encoding an accessory factor for the human interferon gamma receptor: evidence for multiple accessory factors

Human chromosomes 6 and 21 are both necessary to confer sensitivity to human interferon gamma (Hu-IFN-gamma), as measured by the induction of human HLA class I antigen. Human chromosome 6 encodes the receptor for Hu-IFN-gamma, and human chromosome 21 encodes accessory factors for generating biological activity through the Hu-IFN-gamma receptor. A small region of human chromosome 21 that is responsible for encoding such factors was localized with hamster-human somatic cell hybrids carrying an irradiation-reduced fragment of human chromosome 21. The cell line with the minimum chromosome 21-specific DNA is Chinese hamster ovary 3x1S. To localize the genes further, 10 different yeast artificial chromosome clones from six different loci in the vicinity of the 3x1S region were fused to a human-hamster hybrid cell line (designated 16-9) that contains human chromosome 6q (supplying the Hu-IFN-gamma receptor) and the human HLA-B7 gene. These transformed 16-9 cells were assayed for induction of class I HLA antigens upon treatment with Hu-IFN-gamma. Here we report that a 540-kb yeast artificial chromosome encodes the necessary species-specific factor(s) and can substitute for human chromosome 21 to reconstitute the Hu-IFN-gamma-receptor-mediated induction of class I HLA antigens. However, the factor encoded on the yeast artificial chromosome does not confer antiviral protection against encephalomyocarditis virus, demonstrating that an additional factor encoded on human chromosome 21 is required for the antiviral activity.     

Human artificial chromosomes generated by modification of a yeast artificial chromosome containing both human alpha satellite and single-copy DNA sequences

A human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector was constructed from a 1-Mb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) that was selected based on its size from among several YACs identified by screening a randomly chosen subset of the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) (Paris) YAC library with a degenerate alpha satellite probe. This YAC, which also included non-alpha satellite DNA, was modified to contain human telomeric DNA and a putative origin of replication from the human beta-globin locus. The resultant HAC vector was introduced into human cells by lipid-mediated DNA transfection, and HACs were identified that bound the active kinetochore protein CENP-E and were mitotically stable in the absence of selection for at least 100 generations. Microdissected HACs used as fluorescence in situ hybridization probes localized to the HAC itself and not to the arms of any endogenous human chromosomes, suggesting that the HAC was not formed by telomere fragmentation. Our ability to manipulate the HAC vector by recombinant genetic methods should allow us to further define the elements necessary for mammalian chromosome function.     

Major chromosomal rearrangements induced by T-DNA transformation in Arabidopsis

We show that major chromosomal rearrangements can occur upon T-DNA transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana. In the ACL4 line, two T-DNA insertion loci were found; one is a tandem T-DNA insert in a head-to-head orientation, and the other is a truncated insert with only the left part of the T-region. The four flanking DNA regions were isolated and located on the Arabidopsis chromosomes; for both inserts, one side of the T-DNA maps to chromosome 2, whereas the other side maps to chromosome 3. Both chromosome 3 flanking regions map to the same location, despite a 1.4-kb deletion at this point, whereas chromosome 2 flanking regions are located 40 cM apart on the bottom arm of chromosome 2. These results strongly suggest a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 2 and 3, with the breakpoints located at the T-DNA insertion sites. The interchanged fragments roughly correspond to the 20-cM distal ends of both chromosomes. Moreover, a large inversion, spanning 40 cM on the genetic map, occurs on the bottom arm of chromosome 2. This was confirmed by genetic analyses that demonstrated a strong reduction of recombination in the inverted region. Models for T-DNA integration and the consequences for T-DNA tagging are discussed in light of these results.     

The proopiocortin (adrenocorticotropin/beta-lipoprotein) gene is located on chromosome 2 in humans

The proopiocortin gene is located on chromosome 2 in humans. A 13-kb DNA fragment containing proopiocortin gene sequences was identified in human cells while proopiocortin-related genes sequences of 9.8 and 6.2 kb were present in mouse cells. In human-mouse cell hybrids which contained reduced numbers of human chromosomes and a complete set of mouse chromosomes, the 9.8- and 6.2-kb fragments were always present while the 13-kb fragment segregated with human chromosome 2 and the chromosome 2 enzyme markers acid phosphatase-1 (ACP1), malate dehydrogenase-1 (MDHI), and isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1). Analysis of a single cell hybrid with a broken chromosome 2 indicates that the proopiocortin and ACP1 genes are closely linked and in the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 2.     

Direct isolation of human BRCA2 gene by transformation-associated recombination in yeast

Mutant forms of the BRCA2 gene contribute significantly to hereditary breast cancer. Isolation of the normal and mutant forms of the BRCA2 gene with its natural promoter would greatly facilitate analysis of the gene and its contribution to breast cancer. We have accomplished the direct isolation of the 90-kb gene from total human DNA by transformation-associated recombination in yeast using a small amount of 5' and 3' BRCA2 sequence information. Because the entire isolation procedure of a single chromosomal gene could be accomplished in approximately 2 weeks, the transformation-associated recombination cloning approach is readily applicable to studies of chromosome alterations and human genetic diseases.     

Identification of novel simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) in mouse by interspersed repetitive element (IRE)-PCR

Interspersed repetitive element (IRE)-PCR is a useful method for identification of novel human or mouse sequence tagged sites (STSs) from contigs of genomic clones. We describe the use of IRE-PCR with mouse B1 repetitive element primers to generate novel, PCR amplifiable, simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) from yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones containing regions of mouse chromosomes 13 and 14. Forty-two IRE-PCR products were cloned and sequenced from eight YACs. Of these, 29 clones contained multiple simple sequence repeat units. PCR analysis with primers derived from unique sequences flanking the simple sequence repeat units in seven clones showed all to be polymorphic between various mouse strains. This novel approach to SSLP identification represents an efficient method for saturating a genomic interval with polymorphic genetic markers that may expedite the positional cloning of genes for traits and diseases.     

Construction and validation of yeast artificial chromosome contig maps by RecA-assisted restriction endonuclease cleavage

RecA-assisted restriction endonuclease (RARE) cleavage is an "Achilles' heel" approach to restriction mapping whereby a RecA-protein-oligodeoxynucleotide complex protects an individual restriction site from methylation, thus limiting subsequent digestion to a single, predetermined site. We have used RARE cleavage to cut yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) at specific EcoRI sites located within or adjacent to sequence-tagged sites (STSs). Each cleavage reaction produces two YAC fragments whose sizes are a direct measure of the position of the STS in the YAC. In this fashion, we have positioned 45 STSs within a contig of 19 independent YACs and constructed a detailed RARE-cleavage map that represents 8.4 Mbp of human chromosome 6p21.3-22. By comparing maps of overlapping YACs, we were able to detect seven internal deletions that ranged from approximately 75 kbp to approximately 1 Mbp in size. Thirteen pairs of EcoRI sites were targeted for double RARE cleavage in uncloned total human DNA. The excised fragments, up to 2 Mbp in size, were resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and were detected by hybridization. In general, the genomic RARE-cleavage results support the YAC-based map. In one case, the distance in uncloned DNA between the two terminal EcoRI sites of a YAC insert was approximately 1 Mbp larger than the YAC itself, indicating a major deletion. The general concept of RARE-cleavage mapping as well as its applications and limitations are discussed.     

Transient gene expression from yeast artificial chromosome DNA in mammalian cells is enhanced by adenovirus

The introduction of high molecular weight DNA into mammalian cells is useful for gene expression studies. However, current transfection strategies are inefficient, necessitating propagation of stable DNA transformants prior to analysis of gene expression. Here we demonstrate that transient lipid-mediated DNA transfection can be used to assess gene expression from yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing the 230 kb cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene ( CFTR ) and Escherichia coli lacZ . We also show that psoralen-UV inactivated adenovirus significantly enhances transfection efficiency. The ability to deliver high molecular weight DNA using lipid-mediated transfection should expedite the analysis of large human genes contained within artificial chromosome vectors.