Evaluation of antiallergic activity (type I hypersensitivity) of Inula racemosa in rats

Alcoholic extract of root of Inula racemosa, was studied for its antiallergic effect in experimental models of type I hypersensitivity, viz. egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and mast cell degranulation in albino rats. The alcoholic extract was prepared by the process of continuous heat extraction. LD50 of this extract was found to be 2100 +/- 60 mg/kg, i.p. Assessment of protection against egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxix by different doses of Inula racemosa was done by giving drug intraperitoneally or orally for seven days or once only. Mast cell degranulation studies were done by using compound 48/80 as degranulation agent with same dosage schedule. Inula racemosa (i.p. as well as p.o.) showed significant protection against egg albumin induced PCA. Protection against compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation by alcoholic extract of Inula racemosa (single dose) was similar to that of disodium cromoglycate. The seven days drug treatment schedule showed greater protection than disodium cromoglycate intraperitoneally. The results suggest that Inula racemosa possesses potent antiallergic properties in rats.

Study of 222Rn concentrations in some dwellings of Rajasthan

Total potential alpha energy concentrations due to radon progeny were measured in 143 dwellings of Udaipur, Bikaner, and Banswara towns of Rajasthan province of India with LR-115 type II detectors. The geometric mean values of total potential alpha energy concentrations in these three towns were found to be 1.9 x 10(-7) J m(-3), 1.2 x 10(-7) J m(-3) and 1.7 x 10(-7) J m(-3) with a geometric standard deviation of 2.2, 2.2, and 2.5, respectively. The estimated lifetime risk of lung cancer due to indoor radon exposure for a total population of study area was estimated to be 6.7 x 10(-3) or 0.67%. The mean relative loss of life expectancies were 0.20%, 0.12%, and 0.18%, respectively.

Asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine in C. albicans: possible mediation by CDR1, a multidrug transporter belonging to ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily

By using two molecular probes, we demonstrate that only 4% of total phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) in the plasma membrane (PM) of a human pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, is present in its external half. Evidence is presented to show that the availability of PtdEtn could be related to the expression of a multidrug transporter CDR1 of C. albicans, and the process is energy-dependent. A homozygous CDR1 disruptant strain of C. albicans shows almost 23% reduction in the external labelling of PtdEtn. This report shows that, similar to human MDRs, yeast multidrug transporter could also be involved in aminophospholipid translocation.

Effect of growth hormone therapy in burn patients on conservative treatment

Evaluation of growth hormone therapy in burns is limited and none is reported from developing countries where burns still carry high mortality. We analysed serial observations on the clinical and biochemical profiles in 13 patients with second and third degree burns who received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (0.5 IU/kg body wt) for 2 weeks in addition to standard conservative treatment and in 9 patients who were managed with standard conservative treatment only. The two groups of patients had burns, comparable in extent and severity. Additional rhGH treatment resulted in improved wound healing (p < 0.001), delayed separation of eschars (p < 0.01), increase in haemoglobin (p < 0.05), serum albumin (p < 0.01), calcium (p < 0.05), phosphorus (p < 0.001), glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.05) and 7 fold elevation in IGF-1. Also, a reduction in weight loss (p < 0.01), nitrogen production rate (p < 0.05), catabolic index (p < 0.01), duration of sepsis (p < 0.01) and hospital stay by 40% (p < 0.01) was noted with rhGH therapy. Transient hypercalcemia (3 patients), albuminuria (2 patients) and elevated blood glucose (one patient) were noted in the rhGH treated group not necessitating any specific therapy. Mortality in rhGH treatment group was 8.3% compared to 44.5% in the "no rhGH" treatment group. These observations suggest significant benefits of short term rhGH treatment in burn patients on conservative management.

Vertical-scanning mutagenesis of a critical tryptophan in the minor groove binding track of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Molecular nature of polymerase-nucleic acid interactions

While sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins interact predominantly in the DNA major groove, DNA polymerases bind DNA through interactions in the minor groove that are sequence nonspecific. Through functional analyses of alanine-substituted mutant enzymes that were guided by molecular dynamics modeling of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1-reverse transcriptase and DNA complex, we previously identified a structural element in reverse transcriptase, the minor groove binding track (MGBT). The MGBT is comprised of five residues (Ile94, Gln258, Gly262, Trp266, and Gln269) which interact 2-6 base pairs upstream from the polymerase active site in the DNA minor groove and are important in DNA binding, processivity, and frameshift fidelity. These residues do not contribute equally; functional analysis of alanine mutants suggests that Trp266 contributes the most to binding. To define the molecular interactions between Trp266 and the DNA minor groove, we have analyzed the properties of eight mutants, each with an alternate side chain at this position. A refined molecular dynamics model was used to calculate relative binding free energies based on apolar surface area buried upon complex formation. In general, there was a strong correlation between the relative calculated binding free energies for the alternate residue 266 side chains and the magnitude of the change in the properties which reflect template-primer interactions (template-primer dissociation rate constant, Ki,AZTTP, processivity, and frameshift fidelity). This correlation suggests that hydrophobic interactions make a major contribution to the stability of the polymerase-DNA complex. Additionally, tyrosine and arginine substitutions resulted in mutant enzymes with DNA binding properties better than predicted by buried surface area alone, suggesting that hydrogen bonding could also play a role in DNA binding at this position.

A critical evaluation of copper metabolism in Indian Wilson's disease children with special reference to their phenotypes and relatives

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper accumulation in various organs, with most common clinical manifestations such as hepatic, neurological, and renal dysfunctions. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin in Wilson's disease were significantly lower as compared to normals, controls, and relatives of Wilson's disease patients, whereas marked hypercupriuria (145+/-7 microg/24 h) was observed in Wilson's children only. A good correlation (r=0.92) was found between non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper and 24-h urinary copper excretion in Wilson's disease patients. Further, copper studies among the different phenotypes of Wilson's disease revealed substantially low serum ceruloplasmin and a marked hypercupriuria in Wilson's disease children associated with renal tubular acidosis as compared to the patients with either hepatological or neurological manifestations. Serum ceruloplasmin levels in 14 patients of Wilson's disease were between 14 and 20 mg/dL. These patients of Wilson's disease were confirmed by measuring liver biopsy copper, which was about nine times higher than normal hepatic copper content. During the family screening by copper studies, four asymptomatic siblings were diagnosed for Wilson's disease. These subjects were then started on D-penicillamine therapy because presymptomatic treatment prevents progression of the disease complications.

Identification of a novel copper-binding protein from the liver of Indian childhood cirrhosis: purification and physicochemical characterization [corrected]

A novel copper-binding protein was identified in the liver supernatant (100,000 x g) of Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC), purified to apparent homogeneity and characterized [corrected]. Purified major copper-binding protein (MCuBP) is solely responsible for binding about 35% of the total supernatant copper. Elution profile of ICC liver supernatant on Sephadex G-75 column chromatography showed three peaks. About 60% of the total supernatant copper was resolved in peak II, whereas zinc content was insignificant in this peak. But peak II was almost missing in a gel elution profile of control liver supernatant. The control group included cases of various liver diseases viz. neonatal hepatitis, septicemia, and mixed nodular cirrhosis. Copper-binding proteins of peak II further purified on ion-exchange chromatography and elution profile showed that peak II was a MCuBP with high copper-binding capacity (10 g atoms/mol of native protein). SDS-PAGE of this protein also revealed the existence of a single band with molecular mass of about 50 kD. UV spectra of MCuBP showed the maximal absorbance at 254 nm. Unlike the classical metallothionein, the amino acid composition of MCuBP revealed the presence of aromatic amino acids and higher content of glutamic acid and aspartic acid followed by glycine and serine. The ratio (0.3) of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids strongly indicates that it is an acidic protein. The cysteine content in this protein was insignificant, which further corroborates the possibility that the acidic amino acids might be prominent candidates for binding copper. Thus, the 50-kD MCuBP apparently makes a major contribution to the total copper-binding activity in ICC liver cytosol and may play a significant role in hepatic intracellular copper accumulation.

Identification of 5'-deoxyribose phosphate lyase activity in human DNA polymerase gamma and its role in mitochondrial base excision repair in vitro

Mitochondria have been proposed to possess base excision repair processes to correct oxidative damage to the mitochondrial genome. As the only DNA polymerase (pol) present in mitochondria, pol gamma is necessarily implicated in such processes. Therefore, we tested the ability of the catalytic subunit of human pol gamma to participate in uracil-provoked base excision repair reconstituted in vitro with purified components. Subsequent to actions of uracil-DNA glycosylase and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, human pol gamma was able to fill a single nucleotide gap in the presence of a 5' terminal deoxyribose phosphate (dRP) flap. We report here that the catalytic subunit of human pol gamma catalyzes release of the dRP residue from incised apurinic/apyrimidinic sites to produce a substrate for DNA ligase. The heat sensitivity of this activity suggests the dRP lyase function requires a three-dimensional protein structure. The dRP lyase activity does not require divalent metal ions, and the ability to trap covalent enzyme-DNA complexes with NaBH4 strongly implicates a Schiff base intermediate in a beta-elimination reaction mechanism.

Identification of polymorphic mutant alleles of CaMDR1, a major facilitator of Candida albicans which confers multidrug resistance, and its in vitro transcriptional activation

CaMDR1 (Candida albicans Multi Drug Resistance) encodes a major facilitator whose expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers resistance to several unrelated drugs. We describe here the identification and molecular characterization of seven mutant alleles of CaMDR1 (CaMDR1-1 to 1-7). The complete sequencing of CaMDR1 alleles revealed several in-frame point mutations leading to a change in amino-acid residues where insertion/replacement of an aspartate residue in a serine-asparagine-aspartate-rich domain was most noteworthy. Interestingly, these alleles showed a distinct drug resistance profile. The expression of CaMDR1, or of its alleles, in C. albicans cells was enhanced by benomyl, methotrexate and several other unrelated drugs, and was more pronounced in at least one of the azole-resistant clinical isolates.

Plasma zinc status in Indian childhood tuberculosis: impact of antituberculosis therapy

SETTING

Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the plasma zinc status in children with tuberculosis and to correlate it with nutritional status, activity and severity of disease in relation to antituberculosis therapy.

DESIGN

The plasma zinc status of 50 children with different forms of tuberculosis was compared with 10 healthy and 10 malnourished children without tuberculosis at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months of antituberculosis therapy.

RESULT

The mean plasma zinc concentration in children with pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 20) was 68.65+/-2.50 microg/dl, central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (n = 10) was 64.20+/-3.82 microg/dl, tuberculous lymphadenitis (n = 10) was 63.2+/-3.77 microg/dl and disseminated tuberculosis (n = 10) was 59.0+/-2.75 microg/dl at 0 months. The mean plasma zinc level of healthy children was 129.10+/-3.01 microg/dl and in malnourished non-tuberculous children it was 108.40+/-3.16 microg/dl. Thus children with tuberculosis had significantly lower plasma zinc level than those without tuberculosis, irrespective of their nutritional status (P < 0.001). There was a significant rise in zinc level at the end of 6 months of antituberculosis therapy (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Plasma zinc status may prove to be a good objective marker for monitoring the severity of the disease and the response to therapy.

Mammalian abasic site base excision repair. Identification of the reaction sequence and rate-determining steps

Base excision repair (BER) is one of the cellular defense mechanisms repairing damage to nucleoside 5'-monophosphate residues in genomic DNA. This repair pathway is initiated by spontaneous or enzymatic N-glycosidic bond cleavage creating an abasic or apurinic-apyrimidinic (AP) site in double-stranded DNA. Class II AP endonuclease, deoxyribonucleotide phosphate (dRP) lyase, DNA synthesis, and DNA ligase activities complete repair of the AP site. In mammalian cell nuclear extract, BER can be mediated by a macromolecular complex containing DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) and DNA ligase I. These two enzymes are capable of contributing the latter three of the four BER enzymatic activities. In the present study, we found that AP site BER can be reconstituted in vitro using the following purified human proteins: AP endonuclease, beta-pol, and DNA ligase I. Examination of the individual enzymatic steps in BER allowed us to identify an ordered reaction pathway: subsequent to 5' "nicking" of the AP site-containing DNA strand by AP endonuclease, beta-pol performs DNA synthesis prior to removal of the 5'-dRP moiety in the gap. Removal of the dRP flap is strictly required for DNA ligase I to seal the resulting nick. Additionally, the catalytic rate of the reconstituted BER system and the individual enzymatic activities was measured. The reconstituted BER system performs repair of AP site DNA at a rate that is slower than the respective rates of AP endonuclease, DNA synthesis, and ligation, suggesting that these steps are not rate-determining in the overall reconstituted BER system. Instead, the rate-limiting step in the reconstituted system was found to be removal of dRP (i.e. dRP lyase), catalyzed by the amino-terminal domain of beta-pol. This work is the first to measure the rate of BER in an in vitro reaction. The potential significance of the dRP-containing intermediate in the regulation of BER is discussed.

Thermodynamics of human DNA ligase I trimerization and association with DNA polymerase beta

The interaction between human DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) and DNA ligase I, which appear to be responsible for the gap filling and nick ligation steps in short patch or simple base excision repair, has been examined by affinity chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation. Domain mapping studies revealed that complex formation is mediated through the non-catalytic N-terminal domain of DNA ligase I and the N-terminal 8-kDa domain of pol beta that interacts with the DNA template and excises 5'-deoxyribose phosphate residue. Intact pol beta, a 39-kDa bi-domain enzyme, undergoes indefinite self-association, forming oligomers of many sizes. The binding sites for self-association reside within the C-terminal 31-kDa domain. DNA ligase I undergoes self-association to form a homotrimer. At temperatures over 18 degreesC, three pol beta monomers attached to the DNA ligase I trimer, forming a stable heterohexamer. In contrast, at lower temperatures (<18 degreesC), pol beta and DNA ligase I formed a stable 1:1 binary complex only. In agreement with the domain mapping studies, the 8-kDa domain of pol beta interacted with DNA ligase I, forming a stable 3:3 complex with DNA ligase I at all temperatures, whereas the 31-kDa domain of pol beta did not. Our results indicate that the association between pol beta and DNA ligase I involves both electrostatic binding and an entropy-driven process. Electrostatic binding dominates the interaction mediated by the 8-kDa domain of pol beta, whereas the entropy-driven aspect of interprotein binding appears to be contributed by the 31-kDa domain.

Pituitary-gonadal hormones during prolonged residency in Antarctica

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone levels were measured in nine eugonadal men in New Delhi and during the 1st week of different months of their stay at Dakshin Gangotri in Antarctica. During their 12-month stay in Antarctica, they were exposed to a severely cold climate, long polar nights and polar days, high wind velocity, increased amounts of solar and ultraviolet radiation and geomagnetism, as well as physical and social isolation. Plasma testosterone tended to increase in March, but a significant increase (P < 0.05) was not seen until April. The mean testosterone levels in May, June, September and November were also significantly higher than the March or New Delhi values. The absolute values of LH, FSH and PRL did not show any month-to-month changes in Antarctica. However, when the hormone levels were expressed as a percentage of the individual annual Antarctic mean, significant differences as a percentage of the individual annual Antarctic mean, significant differences were observed. The testosterone peak in April, May and June was associated with an increase in LH. The nadirs of testosterone, LH, FSH and PRL were seen in either July or August. FSH showed the highest values in March, whereas the highest PRL values were seen in November. These observations suggest the presence of circannual variations in gonadotropin, PRL and LH in Antarctica which are independent of polar days and polar nights. It appears that factors other than the duration of daylight might be involved in regulating these changes. The significance of maintenance of testosterone levels in the supra-physiological range in Antarctica remains unknown but may be important in acclimatization/habituation to the extreme polar cold by increasing basal metabolic rate, protein synthesis and erythropoiesis.

Viability of fibroblast-seeded ligament analogs after autogenous implantation

Fibroblast-seeded collagen scaffolds or ligament analogs are potentially useful for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. To provide lasting benefits, the seeded cells must survive implantation within the harsh synovial environment of the knee joint. Our objective was to determine the in vivo fate of autogenous fibroblast-seeded ligament analogs as a function of fibroblast source (anterior cruciate ligament or skin), implantation site (knee joint or subcutaneous space), and time after implantation (1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks). Before implantation, fibroblasts were labeled with PKH26-GL, a fluorescent membrane dye. Immediately after retrieval of the implant, the viability of the labeled seeded cells was assessed under a fluorescent microscope. Viable seeded fibroblasts remained attached to the collagen fibers within the ligament analogs for at least 4 weeks (skin fibroblasts) or 6 weeks (anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts) after implantation. A larger number of viable seeded cells were consistently observed in the subcutaneous space than in the knee joint. Scaffold resorption prevented observation at the 8-week time period. Fibroblast-seeded ligament analogs remained viable for prolonged periods in the knee joint and therefore have the potential to influence the formation and remodeling of neoligament tissue after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Human DNA polymerase beta deoxyribose phosphate lyase. Substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism

DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) cleaves the sugar-phosphate bond 3' to an intact apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site (i.e. AP lyase activity). The same bond is cleaved even if the AP site has been previously 5'-incised by AP endonuclease, resulting in a 5' 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate (i.e. dRP lyase activity). We characterized these lyase reactions by steady-state kinetics with the amino-terminal 8-kDa domain of beta-pol and with the entire 39-kDa polymerase. Steady-state kinetic analyses show that the Michaelis constants for both the dRP and AP lyase activities of beta-pol are similar. However, kcat is approximately 200-fold lower for the AP lyase activity on an intact AP site than for an AP endonuclease-preincised site. The 8-kDa domain was also less efficient with an intact AP site than on a preincised site. The full-length enzyme and the 8-kDa domain efficiently remove the 5' dRP from a preincised AP site in the absence of Mg2+, and the pH profiles of beta-pol and 8-kDa domain dRP lyase catalytic efficiency exhibit a broad alkaline pH optimum. An inhibitory effect of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate on the dRP lyase activity is consistent with involvement of a primary amine (Lys72) as the Schiff base nucleophile during lyase chemistry.

Functional analysis of the amino-terminal 8-kDa domain of DNA polymerase beta as revealed by site-directed mutagenesis. DNA binding and 5'-deoxyribose phosphate lyase activities

The amino-terminal 8-kDa domain of DNA polymerase beta functions in binding single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), recognition of a 5'-phosphate in gapped DNA structures, and as a 5'-deoxyribose phosphate (dRP) lyase. NMR and x-ray crystal structures of this domain have suggested several residues that may interact with ssDNA or play a role in the dRP lyase reaction. Nine of these residues were altered by site-directed mutagenesis. Each mutant was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein was purified to near homogeneity. CD spectra of these mutant proteins indicated that the alteration did not adversely affect the global protein structure. Single-stranded DNA binding was probed by photochemical cross-linking to oligo(dT)16. Several mutants (F25W, K35A, K60A, and K68A) were impaired in ssDNA binding activity, whereas other mutants (H34G, E71Q, K72A, E75A, and K84A) retained near wild-type binding activity. The 5'-phosphate recognition activity of these mutants was examined by UV cross-linking to a 5-nucleotide gap DNA where the 5' terminus in the gap was either phosphorylated or unphosphorylated. The results indicate that Lys35 is involved in 5'-phosphate recognition of DNA polymerase beta. Finally, the dRP lyase activity of these mutants was evaluated using a preincised apurinic/apyrimidinic DNA. Alanine mutants of Lys35 and Lys60 are significantly reduced in dRP lyase activity, consistent with the lower ssDNA binding activity. More importantly, alanine substitution for Lys72 resulted in a greater than 90% loss of dRP lyase activity, without affecting DNA binding. Alanine mutants of Lys68 and Lys84 had wild-type dRP lyase activity. The triple alanine mutant, K35A/K68A/K72A, was devoid of dRP lyase activity, suggesting that the effects of the alanine substitution at Lys72 and Lys35 were additive. The results suggest that Lys72 is directly involved in formation of a covalent imino intermediate and are consistent with Lys72 as the predominant Schiff base nucleophile in the dRP lyase beta-elimination catalytic reaction.

Deletion of transmembrane domain 12 of CDR1, a multidrug transporter from Candida albicans, leads to altered drug specificity: expression of a yeast multidrug transporter in baculovirus expression system

Cdr1p, an ATP-binding cassette transporter from the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, confers resistance to several unrelated drugs including anti-Candida drugs (Prasad et al., 1995b). We demonstrate that the deletion of 237 bp (79 aa) from the 3' end of CDR1 (which encompasses the transmembrane domain (TM) 12 of the putative transporter) did not result in the total loss of its ability to efflux cytotoxic agents. While the expression of deltaCDR1 in yeast resulted in impaired sensitivity to drugs like cycloheximide, anisomycin, sulfomethuron methyl and antifungal nystatin, its ability to confer resistance remained unaltered to drugs such as o-phenanthroline, 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide, cerulenin, azoles, oligomycin, erythromycin, and benomyl. Similar to human MDR1p. Cdr1p might also have localized drug binding sites in TM 12, but that might not be the case for all the drugs. The TM 12 deletion also did not lead to any significant impairment in NTPase activities. Both ATPase and UTPase activities of complete Cdr1p and deltaCdr1p were not significantly altered, as was the case with respect to their ability to efflux Rh123 and steroid hormone like [3H]-beta-estradiol. To further dissect the functionality of Cdr1p, its truncated version was overexpressed in a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The synthesis of deltaCdr1p in Sf9 cells was temporally regulated as a function of the baculovirus polyhedrin gene promoter. The Sf9 derived deltaCdr1p was approximately 130 kDa, which was lower than the expected size, probably due to the differences in glycosylation. This, however, did not affect the functionality of deltaCdr1p. The deletion of TM 12 did not affect the targeting of the protein and deltaCdr1p was exclusively localized in plasma membrane of Sf9 cells as detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of deltaCdr1p in the baculovirus-insect expression system generated a high drug-stimulated plasma membrane-bound ATPase activity which was not demonstrable when deltaCdr1p was expressed in yeast.

An unusual presentation of pulmonary echinococcosis

A case of pulmonary hydatid disease presenting with right supraclavicular cystic swelling is being reported. Radiologically, the cyst had an extension into the chest wall with bony involvement in the form of destruction and thinning of the first and second ribs on the right side. The patient responded to albendazole therapy.

Plasma insulin and growth hormone during antarctic residence

Circulatory levels of insulin and growth hormone (GH) were estimated in nine tropical euglycemic men in New Delhi and during the first week of every month of stay in Dakshin Gangotri, Antarctica. Prolonged residency in Antarctica did not alter GH levels because mean GH values during Austral summer and Austral winter were not significantly different from the New Delhi values. Compared with GH, the insulin levels during March, April, and June were found to be significantly lower than the New Delhi values. In Antarctica, the insulin levels in March, April, May, June, July, and August were also found to be significantly lower than the December values. This decline in insulin in Antarctica might be important in increasing substrate availability for heat production by facilitating lipolysis and hepatic glucose output.

Expression of CDR1, a multidrug resistance gene of Candida albicans: transcriptional activation by heat shock, drugs and human steroid hormones

We have examined the expression of CDR1 (Candida drug resistance gene) in different stress conditions. There was a significant but transient enhancement of CDR1 expression associated with elevated temperatures. Most noteworthy transcriptional activation was observed with miconazole and vinblastine. Interestingly, beta-estradiol and progesterone were also able to enhance CDR1 expression. Elevated levels of CDR1 and CDR2 (a homologue of CDR1) mRNA were found in some azole-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans. CaMDR1 (benomyl-resistant) expression, however, did not differ among all the resistant isolates. Our results confirm the existence of multiple mechanisms of azole resistance in C. albicans.

Purified arginine permease of Candida albicans is functionally active in a reconstituted system

We have for the first time purified arginine permease from a pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, to homogeneity by affinity chromatography using L-arginine-linked agarose matrix as affinity column. The purified protein (PP) was of 66 kDa with no subunit structure. Two kinetically distinct binding affinities of PP were evident where high affinity binding (S1) revealed a dependence on acidic pH while pH did not have dramatic effect on low affinity (S2) binding. The specificity of L-arginine binding to PP with regard to other amino acids, structural analogues and inhibitors, was essentially similar to arginine transport observed in the intact cells of C. albicans (Rao et al., 1986). The purified arginine permease was reconstituted into proteoliposomes and its functionality was tested by imposing a valinomycin-induced membrane potential. All the characteristic features of L-arginine transport displayed by the reconstituted system were similar to those observed in intact cells. Thus homogeneous purified arginine permease was also functionally active.