Cloning and functional characterization of the Xenopus orthologue of the Treacher Collins syndrome (TCOF1) gene product

Gene. 2005 Oct 10:359:73-80. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2005.04.042.

Abstract

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of craniofacial development caused by mutations in the TCOF1 gene, which encodes the nucleolar phosphoprotein treacle. We previously reported a function for mammalian treacle in ribosomal DNA gene transcription by its interaction with upstream binding factor. As an initial step in the development of a TCS model for frog the cDNA that encodes the Xenopus laevis treacle was cloned. Although the derived amino acid sequence shows a poor homology with its mammalian orthologues, Xenopus treacle has 11 highly homologous direct repeats near the center of the protein molecule similar to those present in its human, dog and mouse orthologues. Comparison of their amino acid compositions indicates conservation of predominant specific amino acid residues. Antisense-mediated down-regulation of treacle expression in X. laevis oocytes resulted in inhibition of rDNA gene transcription. The results suggest evolutionary conservation of the function of treacle in ribosomal RNA biogenesis in higher eukaryotes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mandibulofacial Dysostosis / genetics
  • Microinjections
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / chemistry
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Xenopus Proteins / chemistry
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics*
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TCOF1 protein, Xenopus
  • Xenopus Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY731504