genomic DNA

About: genomic DNA is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 15046 publications have been published within this topic receiving 663636 citations. The topic is also known as: genomic deoxyribonucleic acid & gDNA.

RNA editing of human microRNAs

Abstract: Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNAs of around 22 nucleotides that regulate gene expression. The primary transcripts of miRNAs contain double-stranded RNA and are therefore potential substrates for adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. Results: We have conducted a survey of RNA editing of miRNAs from ten human tissues by sequence comparison of PCR products derived from matched genomic DNA and total cDNA from the same individual. Six out of 99 (6%) miRNA transcripts from which data were obtained were subject to A-to-I editing in at least one tissue. Four out of seven edited adenosines were in the mature miRNA and were predicted to change the target sites in 3' untranslated regions. For a further six miRNAs, we identified A-to-I editing of transcripts derived from the opposite strand of the genome to the annotated miRNA. These miRNAs may have been annotated to the wrong genomic strand. Conclusion: Our results indicate that RNA editing increases the diversity of miRNAs and their targets, and hence may modulate miRNA function.

Positional cloning of a novel gene influencing asthma from Chromosome 2q14

Abstract: Asthma is a common disease in children and young adults. Four separate reports have linked asthma and related phenotypes to an ill-defined interval between 2q14 and 2q32 (refs. 1-4), and two mouse genome screens have linked bronchial hyper-responsiveness to the region homologous to 2q14 (refs. 5,6). We found and replicated association between asthma and the D2S308 microsatellite, 800 kb distal to the IL1 cluster on 2q14. We sequenced the surrounding region and constructed a comprehensive, high-density, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) linkage disequilibrium (LD) map. SNP association was limited to the initial exons of a solitary gene of 3.6 kb (DPP10), which extends over 1 Mb of genomic DNA. DPP10 encodes a homolog of dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs) that cleave terminal dipeptides from cytokines and chemokines, and it presents a potential new target for asthma therapy.

DNA And RNA Cleavage by Metal Complexes

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses DNA and RNA cleavage by metal complexes. DNA and RNA cleavage, a very active field of research, has been developed in two main and complementary directions within the past decade: oxidative cleavage and hydrolysis. In general, the difference between the two different approaches are (1) the preparation of new chemical tools to study genomic DNA. The recognition sites of most of the restriction enzymes are often limited to palindromic sequences, and it is useful to have artificial nucleases able to cleave DNA at any desired sequence, and (2), the synthesis of compounds that cleave nucleic acids should help in the design of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and viral diseases. The challenging development of new, efficient DNA and RNA cleavage agents can require a strong cooperation between chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists.

The neurogenic gene Delta of Drosophila melanogaster is expressed in neurogenic territories and encodes a putative transmembrane protein with EGF-like repeats.

Abstract: The decision of an ectodermal cell to take on a neural or an epidermal fate depends on its interactions with the neighbouring cells. In Drosophila melanogaster, the available evidence suggests that a regulatory signal necessary for epidermal commitment is built by the products of the so-called neurogenic genes. We have cloned 180 kb of genomic DNA surrounding the neurogenic gene Delta (Dl). Restriction fragment-length polymorphisms were mapped to a region of 25 kb. These 25 kb of DNA are assumed to contain essential parts, or all, of the Dl gene. Northern blots detect two developmentally regulated transcripts, of 5.4 and 4.6 kb, which are associated with the region where the mutants map. Serveral cDNA clones were recovered from embryonic cDNA libraries by homology to the 25 kb of genomic DNA. The complete sequence of a cDNA clone containing an insert of 4.73 kb was determined. The conceptual translation of the longest open reading frame yields a protein of 880 amino acids. This protein displays characteristics of a membrane protein, with intercellular, transmembrane and extracellular domains. The extracellular domain contains a tandem array of nine EGF-like repeats. In in situ hybridizations to tissue sections, transcripts homologous to Dl are detected in all territories with neurogenic abilities, e.g. the neurogenic ectoderm and the primordia of the sensory organs. Initially all cells of these neurogenic territories express Dl, but later on transcription of Dl becomes restricted to the cells that have adopted the neural fate. The topological specificity in the transcription of Dl corresponds to the one expected for a regulatory signal that mediates epidermal commitment.

Production of erythropoietin

Abstract: Novel polypeptides possessing part or all of the primary structural conformation and one or more of the biological properties of mammalian erythropoietin ("EPO") which are characterized in preferred forms by being the product of procaryotic or eucaryotic host expression of an exogenous DNA sequence. Illustratively, genomic DNA, cDNA and manufactured DNA sequences coding for part or all of the sequence of amino acid residues of EPO or for analogs thereof are incorporated into autonomously replicating plasmid or viral vectors employed to transform or transfect suitable procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells such as bacteria, yeast or vertebrate cells in culture. Upon isolation from culture media or cellular lysates or fragments, products of expression of the DNA sequences display, e.g., the immunological properties and in vitro and in vivo biological activities of EPO of human or monkey species origins. Disclosed also are chemically synthesized polypeptides sharing the biochemical and immunological properties of EPO. Also disclosed are improved methods for the detection of specific single stranded polynucleotides in a heterologous cellular or viral sample prepared from, e.g., DNA present in a plasmid or viral-borne cDNA or genomic DNA "library".