An improved physical and genetic map of the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. C-125

Among alkaliphilic bacteria reported so far, Bacillus sp. C-125 is the strain most thoroughly characterized physiologically, biochemically, and genetically. A physical map of the chromosome of this strain was constructed to facilitate further genome analysis, and the genome size was revised from 3.7 to 4.25Mb. Complete digestion of the chromosomal DNA with two rare cut restriction endonucleases, AscI and Sse8387I, each yielded 20 fragments ranging in size from 20 to 600 kb. Seventeen linking clones were isolated in each instance to join the adjacent AscI or Sse8387I fragments in the chromosomal map. All AscI linking clones isolated were sequenced and analyzed by comparison with the BSORF database to map the genes in the chromosome of strain C-125. Several ORFs showing significant similarities to those of B. subtilis in the AscI linking clones were positioned on the physical map. The oriC region of the C-125 chromosome was identified by southern blot analysis with a DNA probe containing the gyrB region.

Sequencing of three lambda clones from the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125

The nucleotide sequences of three independent fragments (designated no. 3, 4, and 9; each 15-20 kb in size) of the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. C-125 cloned in a lambda phage vector have been determined. Thirteen putative open reading frames (ORFs) were identified in sequenced fragment no. 3 and 11 ORFs were identified in no. 4. Twenty ORFs were also identified in fragment no. 9. All putative ORFs were analyzed in comparison with the BSORF database and non-redundant protein databases. The functions of 5 ORFs in fragment no. 3 and 3 ORFs in fragment no. 4 were suggested by their significant similarities to known proteins in the database. Among the 20 ORFs in fragment no. 9, the functions of 11 ORFs were similarly suggested. Most of the annotated ORFs in the DNA fragments of the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. C-125 were conserved in the Bacillus subtilis genome. The organization of ORFs in the genome of strain C-125 was found to differ from the order of genes in the chromosome of B. subtilis, although some gene clusters (ydh, yqi, yer, and yts) were conserved as operon units the same as in B. subtilis.

Cloning and expression of the gene encoding RNA polymerase alpha subunit from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125

The rpoA gene, encoding the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase, was isolated from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125 by the PCR method. A 3-kb HindIII fragment containing the complete rpoA gene was cloned and sequenced. The alpha subunit gene was found to encode a protein consisting of 314 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 34,805 Da. Compared with the amino acid sequences of other known eubacterial RNA polymerase alpha subunits, the gene has 84% identity to that of B. subtilis, while showing 48% and 47% identity to that of Streptomyces coelicolor and Escherichia coli, respectively. Six conserved regions, which are observed in the case of other eubacteria, were found in the RNA polymerase alpha subunit of this strain. Five of them are located in the N-terminal domain involved in assembly of the core enzyme, while one is located in the C-terminal domain, which interacts with several transcriptional factors and a specific DNA element. By means of recombinant plasmids, a hexahistidine-tagged derivative of the RNA polymerase alpha subunit of strain C-125 and two deletion derivatives (C- and N-terminal domains) of this protein were overexpressed in E. coli cells and purified to near homogeneity.

Mechanisms of gene expression controlled by pressure in deep-sea microorganisms

A pressure-regulated operon has been cloned and sequenced from deep-sea barophilic Shewanella strains. To understand pressure-regulated mechanisms of gene expression, a regulatory element upstream of the pressure-regulated operon from Shewanella sp. strain DSS12 was studied. Regions A and B were classified by sequence analysis. A unique octamer motif, AAGGTAAG, was found to be repeated in tandem 13 times in region B. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that a O54-like factor recognizes region A and other unknown factors recognize region B. Different shift patterns of the protein-DNA complexes were observed when extracts of cells cultured at 0.1 MPa or 50 MPa were incubated with a DNA probe specific for region B. These results indicate that the deep-sea strain DSS12 expresses different DNA-binding factors under different pressure conditions.

Clinical features of patients with chronic liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus genotype 1a/I in Okinawa, Japan

The clinical characteristics of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers with HCV genotype 1a/I infection were investigated and compared with those of chronic HCV carriers infected with 1b/II, 2a/III, 2b/IV and the mixed type of infection. We found that 16 of 408 (3.9%) carriers had HCV genotype 1a infection, comprising four of 67 (6.0%) blood donors, 11 of 263 (4.2%) patients with chronic hepatitis and one of 39 (2.6%) patients with liver cirrhosis. Three of 408 subjects had a mixed infection of genotypes 1a/I and 1b/II. All carriers with genotype 1a (including those with the mixed infection) were of Japanese origin and all, except one who was born in Brazil, were born in Okinawa Prefecture. Nine of 14 patients infected with genotype 1a for whom medical records were obtained had a history suggestive of infection through blood exposure; six had had blood transfusions, one had tattoos, one is a nurse and one had a history of drug addiction. There were no haemophiliacs or other multitransfused patients in the genotype 1a group. Of 10 patients infected with genotype 1a who received interferon (IFN) therapy, four (40%) showed a complete response. Although the small number of patients infected with genotype 1a in the present study precluded statistical analysis of the response to IFN, the response in patients with genotype 1a was better than the response in those infected with genotype 1b and poorer than the response in those patients infected with genotype 2a/III or 2b/IV.

Molecular cloning of the gene encoding RNA polymerase alpha subunit from deep-sea barophilic bacterium

We have cloned the gene encoding RNA polymerase alpha subunit from a gene library of deep-sea barophilic bacterium strain DB6705. The clone contains the genes for ribosomal protein S4, RNA polymerase subunit alpha and ribosomal protein L17 in this order. The alpha gene has 328 amino acids and a molecular mass of 36 100 Da with 86.9% identity to Escherichia coli alpha gene. Differences between the two sequences were mainly in the N-terminal portion of the alpha subunit, which is involved in the assembly of the core RNA polymerase; while the 87 C-terminal residues, which form a region involved in contact with some positive regulators and rrnB P1 promoter region called UP-element, were identical in the both strain. Plasmid encoding the alpha subunit with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag was constructed. Using the plasmid, the recombinant fusion alpha subunit was overexpressed and successfully purified to near homogeneity.

[Clinical evaluation on causes of death in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis]

Seventy one patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis who died during the past 5 years (1989 to 1993) were evaluated on their causes of death. Twenty two patients (31%) died directly of tuberculosis, and among them, 18 patients (81%) of 22 patients who died of tuberculosis) had very advanced tuberculosis. The majority of them (64%) were old age over 70 years and were bedridden due mostly to cerebrovascular injuries. The serum level of albumin was low in all 17 patients in whom it was measured. Establishment of diagnosis of tuberculosis was delayed over one month after the onset of symptoms in 59% of patients who died of severe disease. Sixty one percent (11/18) of patients died within the first month after the initiation of chemotherapy and about 90% (16/18) died within 3 months. Two patients died from massive hemoptysis and other patients died of either respiratory failure or tuberculosis meningitis. From these observations it was found that very advanced tuberculosis was the major cause of death in patients who died of tuberculosis and that the advanced disease was chiefly caused by the delay on the establishment of diagnosis, and it was most important to detect tuberculosis as early as possible, with regular check up of chest X-ray and frequent examination for AFB (acid-fast bacilli) for tuberculosis suspected patients. On the other hand, the majority of patients (49/71) died of complicating medical problem unrelated to tuberculosis. Seventeen patients died from malignancy (seven lung cancer, four lymphoma, two laryngeal cancer, etc). Ten deaths were the result of bacterial superinfection. Other patients died from respiratory failure due to COPD, arteiosclerotic heart disease, or cerebrovascular injuries, etc. Two patients of old age died of hepatic failure possibly caused by adverse reaction of TB chemotherapy. It was found that diseases unrelated to tuberculosis were the cause of death in approximately 70% of patients with active tuberculosis, and it should be emphasized to detect early and to treat these diseases, in particular malignancy. And it is also imperative that the chemotherapy for TB must be instituted very carefully with frequent monitoring of liver function in patients with old age.

The structure of the gene encoding chicken ribosomal protein L30

A clone of the gene encoding chicken ribosomal protein L30 was isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined. The clone contains 3260 nucleotides of the gene which consists of five exons and four introns. Transcription of the gene initiates at the fourth residue C in a tract of 9 pyrimidines flanked by G+C-rich sequences. The 5'-flanking region of the gene lacks canonical TATA box but has a sequence ATA at position -28 to -26 embedded in G+C-rich stretch. No similarity was detected when the 5'-flanking region was compared with that of the homologous gene of mouse. Nevertheless, the region contains a consensus sequence for protein binding common to other vertebrate ribosomal protein gene promoters. It may be that chicken L30 gene utilizes a set of transcriptional regulatory factors different from that of mouse L30 gene.

[Clinical evaluation of cefpodoxime in respiratory tract infections]

Cefpodoxime (CPDX-PR) was evaluated clinically in respiratory tract infections. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The total number of the patients who were treated with CPDX-PR was 61, out of whom 53 cases were evaluated for clinical efficacy and 55 cases were investigated for the safety of the drug. CPDX-PR was given orally twice a day at 100-200 mg for 5-21 days. 2. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 9 patients, good in 36, fair in 4 and poor in 4. The overall clinical efficacy was 84.9%. In particular, CPDX-PR showed satisfactory efficacy for acute respiratory infections and mild chronic respiratory infections, with efficacy rates of 88.6% (31/35) and 100% (8/8), respectively. 3. No adverse reactions was observed, but slight and transient elevation of BUN was noted. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that CPDX-PR is an excellent and safe drug for the treatment of the respiratory tract infections.

Necrotizing myelopathy associated with malignancy caused by herpes simplex virus type 2: clinical report of two cases and literature review

Two cases of necrotizing myelopathy, one with lung carcinoma and the other with adult T cell leukemia (ATL), displayed flaccid paraplegia and sphincter dysfunction. Both cases did not show any direct neoplastic cell invasion of the spinal cord. Pathologically, diffuse and random necrosis was found in the spinal cord in both cases. In the case of ATL, small numbers of inclusion bodies in the nerve cell nuclei were demonstrated. Using polyclonal and also monoclonal antibodies, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was clearly demonstrated in the spinal cord in both cases. By electron microscopy, numerous herpes virus particles were observed in the spinal cord in both cases. The usefulness of electrophysiological studies should be emphasized in the differentiation of these cases from others which might also display flaccid paraplegia. The possibility of necrotizing myelopathy caused by HSV-2 should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord diseases displaying flaccid paraplegia.

Monoclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in patients with strongyloidiasis

The relationship between strongyloidiasis and HTLV-I was investigated in Okinawa, an area where both conditions are endemic. Thirty-six patients with strongyloidiasis were seropositive for HTLV-I and suffered from several related clinical complications. Fourteen of these patients (39%) were shown to have monoclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in their blood lymphocytes, a condition designated as "smouldering" adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL). Monoclonal integration of proviral DNA correlated with an increased CD4/CD8 ratio and the presence of abnormal lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, and with a trend for greater severity of the parasitic infection. Although the immunodeficiency caused by HTLV-I could predispose to hyperinfestation by Strongyloides, it is also possible that both the parasitic and the retroviral infestations are important co-factors leading to the development of ATL.

[Clinical trial of fosfomycin for Campylobacter enteritis]

Forty-three children and 4 adults with Campylobacter enteritis were studied in the treatment of fosfomycin (FOM). FOM was administered per orally in doses ranging from 50 to 100 mg/kg/day for children and 3 g/day for adults for 5 days. Main symptoms such as diarrhea and fever were disappeared within 2 days on the average. Campylobacter jejuni in stool specimen disappeared within a week in 95% of these patients. The duration of main symptoms and the period of positive stool culture were evidently shortened in FOM-treated group compared with non-treated group. All of the isolated strains were sensitive to FOM by mono-concentration disk method. MIC50 of these strains remained between 1.56 and 3.13 micrograms/ml. None of these MIC was beyond 12.5 micrograms/ml.

[Simultaneous, bilateral hypertensive intracranial hematomas]

The reported incidences of bilateral intracerebral hemorrhages due to systemic arterial hypertension are exceptionally rare in Japan. Unilateral hemorrhages, on the other hand, are less uncommon. Recently, we have examined two patients with bilateral intracerebral hemorrhages due to hypertension. The first case involved bilateral thalamic hemorrhages; and in the other, a contralateral hemorrhage developed postoperatively, subsequent to the evacuation of a primary hematoma. The characteristic neurological manifestation of bilateral intracerebral hemorrhages include quadriparesis, bilateral Babinski's signs, stupor, and coma. Published information regarding the anatomy of intracerebral hemorrhages due to hypertension is inconclusive, but the bilateral basal ganglias are believed to be most frequently involved. One school of thought explains the pathomechanism of bilateral hemorrhages as a symmetrical rupture of cerebral microaneurysm. However, it is possible that an unilateral hematoma was formed by a ruptured microaneurysm, and subsequently, a contralateral hemorrhage developed in relatively short time due to circulatory disturbance. As in the case of general cerebral hemorrhage, a craniotomy is also indicated for hypertensive bilateral intracerebral hemorrhage.

[Transfer of cefotiam into the tissues of gynecological organs]

Uterine infections, particularly myometritis have been shown to be severe because of the difficult passage of the antibiotics into the affected tissues. Consequently, a biochemically novel drug, cefotiam (CTM) was investigated for the distribution into the uterine body, uterine cervix, ovary and oviduct of 10 patients with benign tumor, 1 g of CTM in 250 ml of 5% glucose was infused for 2 hours. The mean concentration of the antibiotics in the serum, uterine body, uterine cervix, ovary and oviduct at 30 minutes after the intravenous drip infusion was, respectively 19.7 micrograms/ml, 10.1 micrograms/g, 12.9 micrograms/g, 10.7 micrograms/g and 11.7 micrograms/g. The concentration ratio of the tissue to serum was found to be relatively high (51.5--65.5%), as compared to other antibiotics. In this experiments, no adverse effects, such as laboratory findings were found.