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We have cloned, sequenced and characterized the APT1 (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase) gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The APT1 sequence includes an open reading frame encoding 221 amino acids and is contained within a 1322-bp insert that complements APRT-deficient mutants to wild-type levels of enzyme activity. Analysis by primer extension revealed multiple transcription start points (tsp) and a major tsp 21-bp upstream from the ATG start codon. A transcript initiated at the major tsp would yield a 700-nt mRNA which is in agreement with the size observed by Northern analysis. Sequence comparison indicates that the yeast enzyme shares strong similarities with other known APRT of bacterial, invertebrate, plant and mammalian origins.

Transcriptional regulation of the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) adenine phosphoribosyltransferase-encoding gene (APRT) was studied. The 5' region of the CHO APRT is G + C-rich, but lacking TATA or CCAAT boxes. RNase protection assays indicate that it contains multiple transcription start points (tsp). A tsp 64 bp upstream from the translation start codon is denoted as +1. Linker-scanning (LS) mutation analysis indicates that the -33 to +19 region is important in regulating APRT transcription. Mutations in the -23 to -14 region abolish transcription initiated from the -23 downstream region. An unidentified protein complex binds to this region. Three Sp1-binding sites are found in the APRT promoter; however, mutations of the Sp1-binding sites do not reduce APRT transcription. Mutations at two putative GCF-binding sites increase levels of transcription.

The apt gene, coding for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT), has been isolated from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Data from both Southern analysis and characterization of apt clones isolated from a genomic library is consistent with the occurrence of one apt within the A. thaliana genome. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the apt gene with its corresponding cDNA indicates that the gene contains five introns, whereas all other apt isolated to date have fewer introns (four in mammals, two in Drosophila). The locations of the introns within the plant apt coding region are not consistent with the placement of introns in the previously isolated apt of murines, human and Drosophila species. In agreement with its expression pattern in vivo, the upstream region of this plant apt is able to express the beta-glucuronidase-encoding gene (gus) in an apparently constitutive manner in transgenic A. thaliana plants. The apt promoter region is notable for its lack of conventional promoter elements such as TATA, CCAAT or G+C-rich sequence elements.

The long terminal repeat region of the Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MoMSV) was cloned upstream from the Chinese hamster ovary adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT)-encoding gene (APRT) in order to enhance synthesis of the APRT protein. The replacement of the native promoter with the viral enhancer-promoter increased the enzymatic activity of APRT two- to threefold. Addition of sodium butyrate (NaBu) to the cell growth medium induced APRT activity ten- to 20-fold above wild-type levels in both transient and stable transfectants. The introduction of the APRT native promoter between the MoMSV enhancer-promoter and structural gene reduced the magnitude of the NaBu response. The bacterial cat gene was also stimulated by NaBu when linked to the viral enhancer-promoter. No NaBu response was found in constructs lacking the MoMSV enhancer region. Northern analysis and nuclear run-on experiments indicated that NaBu enhanced transcription of APRT mRNA in both transiently and stably transfected cells, but not in cells inhibited by cycloheximide. Thus, a butyrate-response element (BRE) is associated with the MoMSV enhancer and the action of the MoMSV BRE is promoter-dependent.

The Escherichia coli apt gene has been analyzed and its nucleotide (nt) sequence and the deduced amino acid (aa) sequence compared to those of other phosphoribosyltransferases (PRTs). The apt mRNA has a 102-nt leader sequence which may form alternate secondary structures. The RNA transcript may also form several 3' hairpin structures, which, however, do not appear to act as Rho-independent terminators. All PRTs, including E. coli adenine PRT (APRT), have a strongly conserved 13-aa sequence, as well as other regions of aa sequence or structural similarity. E. coli APRT is remarkably similar to the mouse enzyme.

A new strategy for cDNA cloning is presented, designed particularly for identification of recombinants by functional analysis, after microinjection into somatic cells. First-strand synthesis is primed by the oligodeoxyribonucleotide: (formula; see text) After second-strand synthesis and blunting, double-stranded cDNA is formed, which carries restriction sites for NotI and ApaI downstream from the coding sequence. The cDNA is ligated into a plasmid, between two promoters for phage T7 and T3 RNA polymerases. Following transfection and amplification in Escherichia coli, plasmids are extracted from the library or sublibraries. Linearisation with NotI, prior to in vitro transcription, cleaves the plasmids between the 3'-end of the coding sequence and the adjacent promoter and thus ensures that only sense RNAs, suitable for microinjection, are produced after addition of the RNA polymerases. Use of NotI, a rare cutter in the human genome, should ensure that the cDNA inserts are not damaged during linearisation. In the unlikely event that this does happen, a site for ApaI is also available. The method is demonstrated for the human adenine phosphoribosyltransferase-encoding gene.

We have isolated a clone from a human genomic lambda library which cross-hybridises with the cloned hamster adenine phosphoribosyl transferase gene (aprt). After restriction mapping and further hybridisation to the hamster gene, a series of putative human aprt-containing fragments has been isolated and tested for ability to transform adenine phosphoribosyl transferase-deficient (aprt-) strains of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to APRT proficiency. Transforming activity was detected in a 48-kb lambda clone, the 17.4-kb EcoRI insert, and an 8.6-kb HincII fragment. Smaller fragments have thus far shown no transforming activity. Transformants appear to be stable for the APRT+ phenotype, and human aprt DNA sequences are present in the hamster transformants. The 8.6-kb HincII fragment has been subcloned and the insert mapped. Nonrepetitive regions of this subclone have been identified, and should prove valuable for chromosome walking studies on human chromosome 16, familial studies of a human aprt- trait, the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the area surrounding the aprt gene, and the fine structure mapping of the mutations induced by chemical carcinogens and alkylating agents.

A functional mouse adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene was identified and cloned by screening a mouse sperm genomic DNA library in lambda Charon 4A. The probe utilized for screening was a restriction fragment encoding much of the hamster APRT gene. Six recombinants that hybridized with the probe were identified, and after digestion with restriction enzymes EcoRI and PvuII revealed three different patterns of digestion for each enzyme. Of the six recombinants, five representing two of the restriction patterns possessed transforming activity. A sixth recombinant, which has a unique restriction pattern, lacks transforming activity but hybridizes well with hamster APRT coding sequences and is a possible candidate for a pseudogene. We used three criteria for conclusively identifying the mouse APRT genes. (1) DNA from the recombinant lambda phage hybridizes with DNA encoding hamster APRT. (2) The recombinant lambda phages and their DNAs transform mouse, hamster and human APRT- cells to the APRT+ phenotype. (3) The hamster and human transformants display APRT activity that migrates with a mobility characteristic of mouse APRT and not of hamster or human. A 3.1-kb EcoRI-SphI restriction fragment which retains transforming activity has been subcloned into the plasmid pBR328. Comparison of restriction enzyme sites with those contained in a mouse APRT cDNA, coupled with loss of transforming activity after enzyme digestion, indicates that the mouse APRT gene is larger than 1.8 kb and contains at least three introns.

The Aprt locus of Drosophila melanogaster encodes the structural gene for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT). DNA cloned from microdissected salivary gland polytene chromosome region 62B7-12 was used in conjunction with chromosome walking and hybrid selection of mRNA to isolate the Aprt gene. Aprt lies at cytogenetic position 62B9 and is closely flanked by other genes of unknown function. Nucleotide sequencing shows that four APRT cDNAs have a common 5' terminus with an apparent cap consensus sequence but two different 3' sites of polyadenylation. The distribution of conserved amino acid sequences in APRT from vertebrates, insects and bacteria suggests that they may have shared a common ancestral gene for this ubiquitous enzyme.