Another link between phospholipid transmembrane migration and ABC transporter gene family, inferred from a rare inherited disorder of phosphatidylserine externalization.

The mechanisms involved in the maintenance or loss of the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the cell plasma membrane remain mysterious. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transmembrane migration of certain phospholipids is controlled by transcription regulators of various ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. The P-glycoprotein membrane transporters encoded by the multidrug resistance (MDR) genes, members of the ABC protein family, act as lipid translocases in mammalian cells.

Mutational and protein analysis of patients and heterozygous women with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with impaired beta-oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA), is due to mutations in a gene encoding a peroxisomal ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter (ALD protein [ALDP]). We analyzed the open reading frame of the ALD gene in 44 French ALD kindred by using SSCP or denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis and studied the effect of mutations on ALDP by immunocytofluorescence and western blotting of fibroblasts and/or white blood cells. Mutations were detected in 37 of 44 kindreds and were distributed over the whole protein-coding region, with the exception of the C terminus encoded in exon 10.

A close relative of the adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) gene codes for a peroxisomal protein with a specific expression pattern.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a severe demyelinating disease, is caused by mutations in a gene coding for a peroxisomal membrane protein (ALDP), which belongs to the superfamily of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters and has the structure of a half transporter. ALDP showed 38% sequence identity with another peroxisomal membrane protein, PMP70, up to now its closest homologue. We describe here the cloning and characterization of a mouse ALD-related gene (ALDR), which codes for a protein with 66% identity with ALDP and shares the same half transporter structure.

Funnel-well SDS-PAGE: a rapid technique for obtaining sufficient quantities of low-abundance proteins for internal sequence analysis.

We report a modified sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method that permits up to a 60-fold concentration factor, without significant loss of protein. This method leads to very efficient concentration of low-abundance proteins from partially purified fractions or very dilute protein solution. Furthermore, it permits in situ enzymatic digestion and consequently increases the probability of obtaining a suitable internal sequence.

Purification by DNA affinity precipitation of the cellular factors HEB1-p67 and HEB1-p94 which bind specifically to the human T-cell leukemia virus type-I 21 bp enhancer.

Transcription driven by the proviral promoter of the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type I (HTLV-I) is tightly regulated by the Tax1 transactivator. This viral protein potently induces the enhancer activity of a 21 bp motif repeated three times in the promoter. We have previously shown that this induction results from the binding of Tax1 to this enhancer sequence and that this association is mediated by the cellular factor HEB1.

Binding of the HTLV-I Tax1 transactivator to the inducible 21 bp enhancer is mediated by the cellular factor HEB1.

Transcription driven by the HTLV-I promoter is strongly activated by the viral transactivator protein Tax1. This effect is mediated via a 21 bp sequence which is imperfectly repeated three times in the viral promoter. We showed previously that a single 21 bp copy exhibits a strong Tax1-inducible enhancer activity and is able to bind different cellular proteins, namely ATF, HEB1 and HEB2.

Tax1 induction of the HTLV-I 21 bp enhancer requires cooperation between two cellular DNA-binding proteins.

Activation of the HTLV-I promoter by the viral Tax1 transactivator is mediated by a 21 bp sequence motif imperfectly repeated three times and composed of three exactly conserved domains (A, B and C from 5' to 3'). We show here that the Tax1 response requires the integrity of the B domain and of at least one of the flanking A or C domains. We have identified three cellular proteins which bind specifically to the 21 bp motif.