Ustiloxins, antimitotic cyclic peptides from false smut balls on rice panicles caused by Ustilaginoidea virens

Ustiloxins A (1a), B (1b), C (1c), D (1d) and E (1e), antimitotic peptides, have been isolated from the water extract of false smut balls caused on the panicles of rice plant by a fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. The structure of 1b was assigned from its spectral property and its amino acid analysis in relation to 1a whose structure was determined previously by a combination of X-ray crystallographic and amino acid analyses. Structures of 1c and 1d were elucidated by their spectroscopic data, specially based on their 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Bioactivities of these compounds against microtubule assembly as well as mammal, plant and fungal cells have been studied.

[Effect of low calcium diet on blood pressure and pressure natriuresis response in rats: role of the renin-angiotensin system]

Dietary Ca is an important modulator of arterial blood pressure in humans and rats. Since the kidney plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, the effect of a low Ca diet (0.01%Ca) on blood pressure and pressure natriuresis response was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, a possible role of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension and an altered pressure natriuresis response resulting from low dietary Ca intake was investigated. In the low Ca diet group, systolic blood pressure determined by the tail-cuff method was significantly higher than in the normal Ca diet group (1.1%Ca) 1 week after the diet (113.0 +/- 7.1 vs. 105.0 +/- 9.5 mmHg, p < 0.05). Furthermore, low dietary Ca treatment significantly inhibited the water and sodium excretory responses to acute elevation of renal perfusion pressure. Treatment with an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril (30 mg/kg/day), attenuated both the development of hypertension and the reduced pressure natriuresis response observed in Ca-deficient rats. Although plasma renin activity was not different between the low and normal Ca diet groups after the 2-week dietary regimen, the pressor response to angiotensin II injection was significantly greater in the low Ca diet group. These results indicate a possible involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension and the inhibitory effects of the pressure natriuresis response caused by low dietary Ca intake, via enhanced sensitivity to angiotensin II.

Comparative direct effects of lidocaine and bupivacaine on regional myocardial function in dogs at noncardiovascular toxic levels

Although it is well recognized that accidental intravascular injection of bupivacaine during regional anesthesia can cause severe circulatory collapse, the direct cardiac effects at concentrations below the cardiotoxic level have not been described, despite increased use of regional anesthesia and its combination with general anesthesia. Therefore, the author compared the direct effects of bupivacaine and lidocaine on regional myocardial function at such concentrations in in situ beating hearts in dogs. Regional myocardial function was assessed during selective intracoronary infusion of lidocaine (0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 micrograms/mL in plasma) or bupivacaine (0, 0.5, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 micrograms/mL in plasma), while the left anterior descending coronary artery was perfused at constant flow with blood from the femoral artery. Lidocaine had a myocardial depressant effect (systolic shortening) at plasma concentrations greater than 10 micrograms/mL, whereas bupivacaine began to depress regional myocardial function at concentrations greater than 2.5 micrograms/mL. There was also a widening of the QRS interval during bupivacaine infusion at those concentrations. Post-systolic shortening was more frequent during bupivacaine infusion (47.0% +/- 7.7%) at the plasma concentration (5 micrograms/mL) than during lidocaine infusion (33.2% +/- 7.4%) at the corresponding concentration (20 micrograms/mL). It is concluded that, although lidocaine and bupivacaine have no direct myocardial effects at clinical levels (below 5 micrograms/mL and 1.25 microgram/mL lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively), they depress myocardial function at plasma concentrations near the cardiotoxic level with a relative toxicity ratio (1:4). This effect is more pronounced with bupivacaine at higher concentrations (> 5 micrograms/mL) than with lidocaine at corresponding concentrations (> 20 micrograms/mL).

Drug-induced endothelial injury potentiates lung colonization in a murine fibrosarcoma model

Lung colonization induced by the intravenous injection of fibrosarcoma cells into syngeneic mice was enhanced by the pretreatment of mice with cyclophosphamide (CPA), adriamycin (ADM), cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum II (DDP) and methotrexate (MTX). At equitoxic levels, CPA showed greater enhancement of the lung colonization than the other drugs treated. After a two-hour pretreatment of an endothelial monolayer culture, the adhesion of fibrosarcoma cells to endothelial cells was enhanced by all drugs, and the greatest enhancement was obtained with CPA. Data from these experiments supports the hypothesis that endothelial cell damag by anticancer drugs may facilitate metastasis of circulating tumor cells.

[Detection of group C rotavirus in the day care center]

Group C rotavirus was detected in stools of four patients from February to April, 1993. Of these patients, three were infants who were attendants of the day care center of the hospital. Although the route of viral infection has not been determined, the virus might have been spread within the center. Because the clinical symptoms of acute gastroenteritis caused by group C rotavirus were vomiting, serious anorexia and subsequent difficulty of oral intake of food, patients often required fluid administration therapy at the outpatient clinic. The symptoms continued 1 to 2 days. Diarrhea occurred 1.7 times daily for 1.2 days. Watery stool was found in 3 cases of patients, but no whitish stool was discovered. Vomiting developed 2.2 times daily for 1.2 days. These symptoms were less severe than those of gastroenteritis by group A rotaviral infection. The electrophoretic RNA pattern of group C rotavirus detected in the four cases were the same. However it was different from that of the virus strains previously isolated.

Induction of differentiation by radiation and hyperthermia in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells

The effects of either radiation or hyperthermia on the differentiation potential of NG108-15, a neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cell line, were studied. After radiation and hyperthermia, the outgrowth of neurites from NG108-15 cells was potentiated, and polarizing current and voltage pulses induced a distinct action potential and a diphasic (inward following outward) current, respectively. An increase in the specific activity of acetylcholinesterase was also observed. In addition, both treatments induced an elevation of the concentration of intracellular calcium in some cells. The increase in intracellular calcium concentration caused by applying the calcium ionophore, A23187, induced differentiation. It is suggested that both the radiation- and the hyperthermia-induced increases of electrical excitability and acetylcholinesterase activity may have originated from an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Phenotypic expressions of type I, III, IV, V, and VI collagens in patients with diabetic nephropathy: immunohistochemical comparison between HD and non-HD patients

Molecular organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney may change as impairment of renal function progresses. The present immunohistochemical study of the kidney was designed to compare localization of type I, III, IV, V, and VI collagens between "Group A" (13 patients on maintenance hemodialysis due to diabetic nephropathy) and "Group B" (13 patients with diabetic nephropathy and massive proteinuria whose serum creatinine levels were 1.3 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, mean +/- SD). Nodular scleroses that were commonly observed both in Group A (87.8 +/- 10.1%) and B (80.5 +/- 17.0%) were stained in a very similar way with antibodies against collagen types IV, V, and VI. On the contrary, thickened Bowman's capsules that were observed exclusively in Group A (80.7 +/- 10.4% in Group A versus 5.7 +/- 6.2% in Group B) were stained intensely with antibodies against collagen types I and III. Normal and expanded peritubular interstitium from every group was stained with all of the above antibodies in an identical manner. Taken together, these results indicated a close relationship between severe impairment of residual renal function and a high incidence of thickened Bowman's capsule rich in type I and III collagens.

[A case of mediastinal cystic lymphangioma in childhood]

We report a case of lymphangioma, which was widely extended from anterior to posterior mediastinum. The patient was an asymptomatic six-year-old male with a right upper mediastinal mass on chest roentgenograms. Computed tomogram showed a large anterior mediastinal mass, which extended to upper and posterior mediastinum, involving thymus, superior vena cava and innominate vein. Through midline sternotomy, the tumor was visualized and was invading the thymus, bilateral phrenic nerves, SVC and innominate veins. The tumor was also found to extend to the right side of the trachea and vertebra along the azygos vein. The tumor was resected successfully with the preservation of bilateral phrenic nerves. Macro-and microscopic examination revealed polycystic tumor with endothelialized inner spaces. Some cysts contained smooth muscle in their walls. Supportive structures contained variable amounts of fat and connective tissue. The patient weaned from mechanical respiratory support on the first post-operative day, although his diaphragms elevated slightly with poor movement. Phrenic nerve palsy was suspected, but the position and the movement of diaphragms improved four months after the operation. The patient has been well and free from tumor recurrence for four years since the operation.

[CT evaluation of extravascular perfusion of contrast medium and its potential to a new method of diagnosis: an experimental study using macro, micro-molecular contrast media]

To evaluate the dynamics of extravascular perfusion, dynamic CT with two different molecular sized contrast media was performed on VX2 tumor of rabbit. The first dynamic CT was performed with a bolus injection of iopamidol (IP:120 mgI/ml, 5 ml). After ascertaining that the tumor attenuation had returned to the pre-contrast level, the second dynamic CT was performed on the same slice with bolus injection of iodoethylated starch (IES:120 mgI/ml). The time-density (T-D) curves of the same tumor area on the images obtained by two contrast media were compared. The T-D curve with IP showed definitely higher level than that with IES. This occurrence can be explained that IP, 13 A in size, has higher permeability distributing not only in the intravascular space, but also into the extravascular space. On the other hand, IES, 200 A in size, will stay mostly in the intravascular space. From this, we consider that the attenuation difference between the two curves will be an indicator for the dynamics of extravascular perfusion, suggesting to become a new method for CT diagnosis.

A novel heparin-binding protein, HBp15, is identified as mammalian ribosomal protein L22

A 15kDa-protein (HBp15) was purified from mouse submandibular gland and bovine brain by virtue of its heparin-binding property. The amino acid sequences of mouse and bovine HBp15 showed a high degree of homology to a sea urchin protein encoded by gene called "development specific protein 217." Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction methods, cDNA clones for HBp15 were isolated from submandibular gland mRNA of mouse, human and pig, and sequenced. Database search of HBp15 showed that HBp15 also resembles yeast ribosomal protein YL31 in addition to the 217 protein. Using specific antibodies against HBp15, HBp15 was identified as mammalian ribosomal protein L22, for which no sequence information is available.

[Assessment of the distribution of renal cortical blood flow by contrast ultrasonography]

The importance of the distribution of intrarenal blood flow in the regulation of various renal functions, such as urine concentration and sodium excretion, has been well recognized. However, there have been no reliable methods to measure local flow in the kidney in vivo. The present study demonstrated the usefulness of contrast ultrasonography combined with injection of sonicated 5% albumin for assessment of the distribution of renal cortical blood flow in eleven mongrel dogs. The left kidney was displayed by tomographic echography, and microbubbles of sonicated albumin were injected into the abdominal aorta above the left renal artery. Video density time curves were generated and fitted to a time-intensity curve. Intrarenal infusion of acetylcholine (4.0 micrograms/kg/min) increased renal blood flow (RBF) from 2.5 +/- 0.3 to 4.6 +/- 1.0 ml/min/g kwt (p < 0.01), and norepinephrine (0.5 microgram/kg/min) decreased RBF from 2.5 +/- 0.3 to 1.2 +/- 0.5 ml/min/g kwt (p < 0.01). There were significant positive correlations between percent change in RBF and peak intensity and area under the curve, which were calculated with a time-intensity curve. Furthermore, the inner/outer renal cortex ratio of peak intensity significantly increased during acetylcholine infusion (0.72 +/- 0.11 vs 0.86 +/- 0.09; p < 0.01), whereas no significant change was observed during norepinephrine infusion. These results suggest that renal contrast ultrasonography may be useful for real-time assessment of the distribution of renal cortical blood flow in vivo.

Immunohistochemical expression of keratin proteins in keratoacanthomas of the skin

Keratin expression in eight cases of keratoacanthoma was examined immunohistochemically using a panel of seven monoclonal antibodies to either single or a few subsets of keratin polypeptides, and compared with normal surrounding skin to evaluate their cell phenotypes. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin were also examined. In outer root sheath cells of normal hair follicles, all the cells were immunopositive with E3, CK8.12 and 312C8-1 antibodies, limited reactivity was seen at the level of sebaceous duct insertion with 34 beta B4, and restricted expression was seen at the early anagen stage with KS-1A3, while all cells were totally immunonegative with RPN1165 and CK4.62. In all eight keratoacanthomas studied, 312C8-1 immunorectivity was seen in peripheral basaloid cells of the endophytic lobules, E3, CK8.12 and 34 beta 4 immunoreactivity was found in centrally located cells with glassy appearance, while RPN1165 and CK4.62 gave no immunoreaction. In one case, glassy type cells were positive with KS-1A3. These results suggest that keratin expression in keratoacanthomas resembles that in the upper part of the outer root sheath cells of the hair follicle, and suggest the possible origin of keratoacanthoma cells from those of the outer root sheath. However, similar keratin expression was found in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and we were unable to distinguish these two conditions from their keratin reactivity.

[Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in mediating the natriuretic response to acute extracellular volume expansion]

To determine the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) in mediating the natriuretic response to acute extracellular volume expansion (ECVE) with isotonic saline (3% of body weight per hour), the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ECVE were studied in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats during the intravenous infusion of an EDNO synthesis inhibitor, NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Intravenous infusion of L-NAME at the dose of 5 micrograms/kg/min significantly inhibited the diuresis and natriuresis in response to ECVE by 58% and 67%, without altering arterial pressure, effective renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate and basal excretory function. This inhibitory effect of L-NAME on the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ECVE was attenuated by the infusion of the EDNO synthesis precursor, L-arginine (1mg/kg/min), but not by D-arginine. In addition, pretreatment with 0.3 mg/kg of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, L-158,809, normalized the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ECVE in L-NAME-treated rats, suggesting an angiotensin-II-dependency of the reduced renal excretory response to ECVE during EDNO synthesis inhibition. Neither L-arginine nor L-158,809 alone significantly altered the renal excretory response to ECVE compared with vehicle-treated control rats. These results suggest that EDNO might play an important role in the regulation of sodium and water excretion during ECVE, and indicate a possible interaction between EDNO and angiotensin II on the renal excretory function.

[Distribution of S-100 protein-positive dendritic cells inside the cancer nest and expression of HLA-DR antigen and blood group antigen on the cancer cell in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder--in relation to tumor progression and prognosis]

The distribution of S-100 protein positive dendritic cells (S100-DCs) inside the cancer nest and the expression of HLA-DR alpha antigen (HLA-DR) and blood group antigen (BGA) on cancer cells in 90 cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder were immunohistochemically investigated in relation to the degree of malignancy and its prognosis. A dense infiltration of S100-DCs inside the cancer nest ("many", i.e. more than 10DCs/HPF) was detected in 47 (52%) out of 90 cases. The HLA-DR positive cancer cells (DR-CCs) were detected in 24 cases (27%), including in the 16 most dense cases ("many", i.e. more than 100DR-CCs/HPF). BGA positive cancer cells (BGA-CCs) were detected in 49 cases (54%) ("positive", i.e. more than 100BGA-CCs/HPF). In connection with the degree of malignancy and with the number of cases affected by S100-DCs infiltration. HLA-DR expression and BGA expression. A statistical analysis showed significant correlation between the number of cases affected by S100-DC and each clinicopathological factor including G, pT, ly, v, and showed also between that affected by BGA expression and each clinicopathological factor including G, pT, INF, but showed no significant correlation between that affected by HLA-DR and each clinicopathological factor. As regards the prognosis, the 10-year survival rates for all 90 cases were 60.4%. In the 10-year survival rate, S100-DCs "many'' (77.7%) and "few'' (39.0%), DR-CCs "many'' (85.7%) and "no'' (56.9%), DR-CCs "many'' and "few'' (43.8%), BGA-CCs "positive'' (74.3%) and BGA-CCs "negative'' (46.5%) were statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An INTERSALT study investigation: relationship between body mass index and blood pressure in the combined populations of three local centres in Japan

Body mass index was positively and strongly correlated with BP in the INTERSALT study. Because the average body mass index in Japan, although low relative to other developed countries, has been increasing recently it would be useful, particularly from the public health viewpoint, to investigate the impact of body mass index on BP in Japanese populations. In this study, the relationship between body mass index and BP was investigated taking into account age, alcohol intake and sodium and potassium excretion in 24h urine. Data were obtained from 274 men and 284 women, aged 20-59 years, who were not taking antihypertensive medication. Random selection of participants took place at three local centres as outlined in the 1985 INTERSALT study in Japan. It was found that body mass index was positively and significantly correlated with BP in men and women, respectively, but was independent of age, alcohol intake and urinary sodium/potassium ratio. Both SBP and DBP were significantly higher by > or = 5 mmHg in participants whose body mass index (kg/m2) was in the highest quartile compared with participants in the lowest or the next lowest quartile category in men and women. In this study, it was suggested that the body mass index in Japanese men and women was directly correlated with BP independent of other confounding factors. Accordingly, the maintenance of a moderate body mass index may be important in achieving and maintaining a desirable BP level.

Purification and characterization of 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from mature porcine testicular cytosol

NADPH-dependent 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha/beta-HSD) was purified to apparent homogeneity from testicular cytosol of mature pigs. The purified enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) to both 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 31 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 40 kDa by gel filtration chromatography indicating that the native 3 alpha/beta-HSD is a monomer. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was found to be 6.2 by density gradient isoelectric focusing and 6.4 by chromatofocusing. The enzyme reduced both 5 alpha- and 5 beta-DHT, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydroprogesterone, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydrocortisol, prostaglandin E2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha. Moreover, the enzyme caused rapid reduction of other carbonyl compounds including aldehydes, ketones and quinones. The rates of reduction of these compounds are fast relative to the rates of reduction of steroids and prostaglandins. The purified enzyme was inhibited by AgNO3, SH-reagent, quercetin, hexesterol, stilbestrol, disulfiram and divalent cation such as Cu2+, Hg2+ and Cd2+. The two enzymes show certain similarities (e.g. molecular weight, cross-reactivity to a common antibody) and certain striking differences (e.g. pI, effects of various inhibitors and greater enzyme activity towards steroids (neonatal form) or prostaglandins (mature form). Reasons are give for suggesting that these enzymes are closely related to carbonyl reductase.

Role of neuraminidase in the morphogenesis of influenza B virus

When ts7, a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of influenza B/Kanagawa/73 virus, infected MDCK cells at the nonpermissive temperature (37.5 degrees C), infectious virus was produced at very low levels compared with the yield at the permissive temperature (32 degrees C) and hemagglutinating activity and enzymatic activity of neuraminidase (NA) were negligible. However, viral protein synthesis and transport of hemadsorption-active hemagglutinin to the cell surface were not affected. When the cell lysate was treated with bacterial NA, hemagglutinating activity was recovered but infectivity was not, even after further treatment with trypsin. It was found that ts7 was defective in transport of NA to the cell surface and formation of virus particles. Analysis of the genomes of non-ts recombinants obtained by crossing ts7 and UV-inactivated B/Lee showed that ts7 had the ts mutation only in RNA segment 6 coding for NA and the glycoprotein NB. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the RNA segment revealed that ts7 had four amino acid changes in the NA molecule but not in NB. We suggest that assembly or budding of influenza B virus requires the presence of NA at the plasma membrane, unlike influenza A virus.

Mode of action of a topical steroid on immediate phase reaction after antigen challenge and nonspecific nasal hyperreactivity in nasal allergy

This study compared the effects of 2-week administration of a topical steroid (fluticasone propionate [FP] 100 micrograms twice daily) with placebo in 28 patients with perennial nasal allergy who were allergic to house dust and mites in a double-blind randomized study. The number of inflammatory cells and decidual epithelial cells and concentrations of tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein in nasal lavages, and reactivity of the nasal mucosa to histamine and to antigen were investigated. The topical steroid, FP, significantly inhibited all of these assessments. The degree of improvement of nasal reactivity to histamine significantly correlated with the degree of decrease in eosinophil cationic protein levels.

Catabolite repression of the Bacillus subtilis gnt operon mediated by the CcpA protein

Inducer exclusion was not important in catabolite repression of the Bacillus subtilis gnt operon. The CcpA protein (also known as AlsA) was found to be necessary for catabolite repression of the gnt operon, and a mutation (crsA47, which is an allele of the sigA gene) partially affected this catabolite repression.

Effect of long-term exercise under restricted-feeding on intestinal content of cholecystokinin and on the pancreas in aging rats

The effects of exercise (5000 m/day running from 100 to 600 days of age) on the cholecystokinin (CCK) content in the proximal intestine, and the enzyme and insulin contents of the pancreas were examined in food-restricted rats. Food restriction decreased the body weight and the wet weights of the pancreas and proximal intestine but not the wet weight of the stomach. Food restriction also decreased the chymotrypsin content of the pancreas but not its amylase content. The contents of enzymes in the pancreas were not affected by exercise. The insulin content of the pancreas was lower in lean rats produced by food restriction and/or exercise than in controls. Exercise increased the wet weight of the proximal intestine and the CCK content of the intestine. The increase in the CCK content may be due to compensational change in the efficiency of digestion of luminal nutrients induced by exercise.

Anaerobic threshold can provoke microalbuminuria in non-insulin-dependent diabetics

We examined two groups of non-insulin-dependent diabetic men (group A, 13 patients without microalbuminuria; group B, 9 patients with intermittent microalbuminuria) to ascertain whether the anaerobic threshold (AT) can provoke microalbuminuria, comparing them with 12 healthy subjects matched for age and sex (group C). All subjects exercised on a bicycle ergometer until the AT was reached. In intermittent microalbuminuria, the albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) was over 0.25 mg/mmol.Cr 1-3-fold in 5 measurements. The ACR after exercise was increased to over 0.25 mg/mmol.Cr in 4/9 cases in group B (P < 0.05), in 2/13 cases in group A, but not at all in group C. We also studied the mechanism of exercise-induced microalbuminuria. In group B, ACR before exercise correlated positively with the baseline plasma glucose. Furthermore, positive correlation was found between ACR after exercise and HbA1c in group B. The AT did not affect the urinary beta 2-microglobulin in any groups. The plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) after exercise was elevated most prominently in group B (P < 0.05). Positive correlation was found between increments of ACR and increments of plasma ANF after exercise in group B. We conclude that the AT can provoke microalbuminuria in some non-insulin-dependent diabetics. The plasma ANF and metabolic control may play an important role in the pathophysiology of exercise-induced microalbuminuria.

"Lupinosis"-like lesions in mice caused by ustiloxin, produced by Ustilaginoieda virens: a morphological study

A crude toxin, obtained by methanol-extraction of a water extract of false smut balls (INA-KOUJI in Japanese) caused by Ustilaginoidea virens on rice panicles, was injected into mice intraperitoneally. Single injection of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract was not lethal but caused acute, occasional necrosis of hepatocytes and renal tubular cells, followed by increased number of mitotic figures with occasional multinuclear giant cells. Erosions and ulceration of the forestomach and atrophy of the thymus were observed a week later. Repeated intraperitoneal injection of the crude toxin at the levels of 12 and 25 mg/kg body weight induced more severe necrosis of the liver and kidneys, with delayed occurrence of mitosis. Forestomach erosion also occurred. Serial injection for 10-12 days of either 3 or 6 mg/kg of the crude extract or 400 micrograms/kg of ustiloxin A, using the purified crystals, caused relatively mild but definite liver and kidney lesions similar to those described above. The lesions in the liver and kidney were quite similar to those observed in lupinosis caused by phomopsin A, a mycotoxin produced by Phomopsis leptostromiformis. Isolation of the toxic substance indicates that the contaminated rice panicles may cause toxicosis of cattle, although no field outbreaks have occurred yet.

Nucleotide sequence and features of the Bacillus licheniformis gnt operon

Bacillus licheniformis was able to utilize gluconate as the sole carbon source as efficiently as Bacillus subtilis did. Southern analysis indicated that B. licheniformis likely possesses only one gnt determinant. The nucleotide sequence (6278 bp) of the B. licheniformis DNA containing the gnt operon was determined, revealing the five complete open reading frames (ORF; genes). The putative product of the first gene, oug, did not show any significant homology to known proteins, but those of the second to fifth genes exhibited striking homology to the gntRKPZ genes of B. subtilis, respectively, indicating that they are the corresponding gnt genes of B. licheniformis. Not only is the organization of the gnt genes of these two Bacilli highly conserved, but so are the cis regulatory elements of their gnt operon. Sequence analysis of the upstream regions of these two gnt operons implied that a chromosome rearrangement in B. subtilis might have occurred immediately upstream of the gnt operon during evolution, causing it to diverge from a common ancestor into B. licheniformis and B. subtilis.