Nucleotide sequence at the termini of the DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae phage Cp-1

The 5' ends of Cp-1 DNA, which have a covalently linked terminal protein, can be partially unblocked by treatment with 1 M NaOH (E. Garcia, A. Gomez, C. Ronda, C. Escarmis, and R. Lopez (1983) Virology 128, 92-104) and labeled with polynucleotide kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP. The sequence of the first 444 and 520 nucleotides at the termini of Cp-1 DNA has been determined. A 236-nucleotide-long inverted terminal repeat was found and, in addition, the 116 nucleotides following the repeat show 93% homology. The first 352 nucleotides at both ends have an adenine plus thymine content of 75%. More than 50% of the nucleotides of the sequenced regions are involved in repeats of a minimum of 8 nucleotides. Three promoter-like sequences were also found at each end of Cp-1 DNA.

Protease-sensitive transfection of Streptococcus pneumoniae with bacteriophage Cp-1 DNA

The transfecting activity of pneumococcal phage Cp-1 DNA was destroyed by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, although these enzymes did not affect transfection with bacteriophage Dp-4 DNA. This transfection was stimulated by calcium ions. Protease-treated Cp-1 DNA competes for binding and uptake with transforming pneumococcal DNA as well as with transfecting Dp-4 DNA to approximately the same extent as does untreated Cp-1 DNA. In addition, [3H]thymidine-labeled Cp-1 DNA, treated with proteases or untreated, was absorbed with the same efficiency. These data suggest that uptake of Cp-1 DNA is not affected by protease treatment. [3H]thymidine-labeled Cp-1 DNA showed remarkable resistance against surface nuclease activity of competent wild-type cells. The monomeric form of the Cp-1 DNA-protein complex showed a linear dose response in transfection.

Pneumococcal bacteriophage Cp-1 contains a protein bound to the 5' termini of its DNA

The genome of the pneumococcal bacteriophage Cp-1 has been isolated as a DNA-protein complex. The transfecting activity of this complex is destroyed by treatment with proteolytic enzymes. The DNA-protein complexes do not enter into agarose or acrylamide gels and are retained on glass fiber filters. The protein is specifically associated with the two 5' termini of Cp-1 DNA on the basis of experiments carried out with restriction endonucleases, exonucleases, and radioactive labeling with [gamma-32P]ATP and polynucleotide kinase. The protein component, iodinated in vitro with 125I, has a molecular weight of 28,000 determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein remains associated with the Cp-1 DNA after thermal or alkali denaturation, incubation with 6 M guanidinium chloride or 8 M urea, and boiling in 2% SDS, 2% mercaptoethanol, and 6 M urea. When the complex was incubated in 1 M sodium hydroxide or 2.5 M piperidine only a partial breakage of the DNA-protein bond was observed. These results indicate that the 28,000-Da protein is covalently bound to the 5' termini of the DNA.

Attention disturbance in Graves' disease

Twenty-seven patients with untreated Graves' disease were studied in order to determine alterations of concentration/attention and their possible association with levels of T4, T3RU, free thyroxin index (FTI), and anxiety. The patients obtained significantly lower values (p less than 0.01) throughout the whole application period of the concentration/attention test in comparison with control healthy group. Multiple regression equations relating the attention indexes with levels of T4 and T3RU, FTI and anxiety in the patients were determined, and no significant relationships were found. Similarly, a non-linear regression equation relating attention index and FTI gave a non-significant result. Possible mechanisms that could explain the deficiency in concentration/attention in ths disease are discussed.

Sensory vagal nature and anatomical access paths to esophagus laminar nerve endings in myenteric ganglia. Determination by surgical degeneration methods

The dependence, access paths and functional significance of the intraganglionic laminar nerve endings (IGLEs) in the esophageal wall of the cat are demonstrated. To this end Wallerian degeneration was induced on the vagus nerve by a number of surgical operations performed at the nodose ganglion level. The results show IGLEs to be sensorial receptors dependent on neuronal bodies situated in the nodose ganglion. The nerve fibers on which they depend to reach the esophageal wall gain access via the vagus and the superior laryngeal nerve.

Ultrastructure of free-ending nerve fibres in oesophageal epithelium

For the first time, at the ultrastructural level, the existence of free-ending, intraepithelial nerve fibres has been demonstrated in the oesophagus wall of adult cats and monkeys. Their form, the way they penetrate the epithelium, their location within the epithelium and their relationships with neighbouring cells have been established. A sensory function is suggested for this type of ending.