Measles is Back - Considerations for laboratory diagnosis

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that continues to cause significant mortality among young children worldwide despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. During the first half of 2019, over 182 countries reported more than 300,000 measles cases; greater than double the number from the same period in 2018. Timely recognition and laboratory confirmation of infected individuals as well as appropriate infection prevention measures are crucial to avert further transmission. This review highlights the importance of early recognition of the signs and symptoms of measles and provides details on the laboratory methods commonly employed to confirm cases, investigate outbreaks and characterize the virus. It's critical that clinicians, laboratorians and public health administrations work together to rapidly identify, confirm and contain the spread of measles globally.

Blockade of Cd40-Cd154 Interferes with Human T cell Engraftment in Scid Mice

Antibodies to the ligand for CD40 (CD154) have been shown to exert profound effects on the development of cell-mediated immune responses in mice. The present study shows that an antibody to human CD154 (hCD40L) inhibits in vivo Tetanus toxoid (TT) specific secondary antibody responses in hu-PBL-scid mice, as well as the expansion of xenoreactive human T cells in the scid mice. A possible cause for the reduced expansion of xenoreactive, human T cells, was the decreased expression of murine B7.1 and B7.2 caused by the administration of anti-hCD40L. Therefore, it may be that defective maturation of murine antigen-presenting cells impeded the priming and expansion of human xenoreactive T cells.

Inter- and intra-specific pan-genomes of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato: genome stability and adaptive radiation

BACKGROUND

Lyme disease is caused by spirochete bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) species complex. To reconstruct the evolution of B. burgdorferi s.l. and identify the genomic basis of its human virulence, we compared the genomes of 23 B. burgdorferi s.l. isolates from Europe and the United States, including B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B. burgdorferi s.s., 14 isolates), B. afzelii (2), B. garinii (2), B. "bavariensis" (1), B. spielmanii (1), B. valaisiana (1), B. bissettii (1), and B. "finlandensis" (1).

RESULTS

Robust B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. burgdorferi s.l. phylogenies were obtained using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms, despite recombination. Phylogeny-based pan-genome analysis showed that the rate of gene acquisition was higher between species than within species, suggesting adaptive speciation. Strong positive natural selection drives the sequence evolution of lipoproteins, including chromosomally-encoded genes 0102 and 0404, cp26-encoded ospC and b08, and lp54-encoded dbpA, a07, a22, a33, a53, a65. Computer simulations predicted rapid adaptive radiation of genomic groups as population size increases.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra- and inter-specific pan-genome sizes of B. burgdorferi s.l. expand linearly with phylogenetic diversity. Yet gene-acquisition rates in B. burgdorferi s.l. are among the lowest in bacterial pathogens, resulting in high genome stability and few lineage-specific genes. Genome adaptation of B. burgdorferi s.l. is driven predominantly by copy-number and sequence variations of lipoprotein genes. New genomic groups are likely to emerge if the current trend of B. burgdorferi s.l. population expansion continues.

Heterologous expression and purification of Arabidopsis thaliana VIM1 protein: in vitro evidence for its inability to recognize hydroxymethylcytosine, a rare base in Arabidopsis DNA

The discovery of 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine (5hmC) in mammalian cells prompted us to look for this base in the DNA of Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), and to ask how well the Arabidopsis Variant in Methylation 1 (VIM1) protein, an essential factor in maintaining 5-cytosine methylation (5mC) homeostasis and epigenetic silencing in this plant, recognizes this novel base. We found that the DNA of Arabidopsis' leaves and flowers contain low levels of 5hmC. We also cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli full-length VIM1 protein, the archetypal member of the five Arabidopsis VIM gene family. Using in vitro binding assays, we observed that full-length VIM1 binds preferentially to hemi-methylated DNA with a single modified 5mCpG site; this result is consistent with its known role in preserving DNA methylation in vivo following DNA replication. However, when 5hmC replaces one or both cytosine residues at a palindromic CpG site, VIM1 binds with approximately ≥10-fold lower affinity. These results suggest that 5hmC may contribute to VIM-mediated passive loss of cytosine methylation in vivo during Arabidopsis DNA replication.

Genome stability of Lyme disease spirochetes: comparative genomics of Borrelia burgdorferi plasmids

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne human illness in North America. In order to understand the molecular pathogenesis, natural diversity, population structure and epizootic spread of the North American Lyme agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, a much better understanding of the natural diversity of its genome will be required. Towards this end we present a comparative analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the numerous plasmids of B. burgdorferi isolates B31, N40, JD1 and 297. These strains were chosen because they include the three most commonly studied laboratory strains, and because they represent different major genetic lineages and so are informative regarding the genetic diversity and evolution of this organism. A unique feature of Borrelia genomes is that they carry a large number of linear and circular plasmids, and this work shows that strains N40, JD1, 297 and B31 carry related but non-identical sets of 16, 20, 19 and 21 plasmids, respectively, that comprise 33–40% of their genomes. We deduce that there are at least 28 plasmid compatibility types among the four strains. The B. burgdorferi ∼900 Kbp linear chromosomes are evolutionarily exceptionally stable, except for a short ≤20 Kbp plasmid-like section at the right end. A few of the plasmids, including the linear lp54 and circular cp26, are also very stable. We show here that the other plasmids, especially the linear ones, are considerably more variable. Nearly all of the linear plasmids have undergone one or more substantial inter-plasmid rearrangements since their last common ancestor. In spite of these rearrangements and differences in plasmid contents, the overall gene complement of the different isolates has remained relatively constant.

Distinct p53 genomic binding patterns in normal and cancer-derived human cells

We report here genome-wide analysis of the tumor suppressor p53 binding sites in normal human cells. 743 high-confidence ChIP-seq peaks representing putative genomic binding sites were identified in normal IMR90 fibroblasts using a reference chromatin sample. More than 40% were located within 2 kb of a transcription start site (TSS), a distribution similar to that documented for individually studied, functional p53 binding sites and, to date, not observed by previous p53 genome-wide studies. Nearly half of the high-confidence binding sites in the IMR90 cells reside in CpG islands, in marked contrast to sites reported in cancer-derived cells. The distinct genomic features of the IMR90 binding sites do not reflect a distinct preference for specific sequences, since the de novo developed p53 motif based on our study is similar to those reported by genome-wide studies of cancer cells. More likely, the different chromatin landscape in normal, compared with cancer-derived cells, influences p53 binding via modulating availability of the sites. We compared the IMR90 ChIPseq peaks to the recently published IMR90 methylome and demonstrated that they are enriched at hypomethylated DNA. Our study represents the first genome-wide, de novo mapping of p53 binding sites in normal human cells and reveals that p53 binding sites reside in distinct genomic landscapes in normal and cancer-derived human cells.

Enzyme activity in dialkyl phosphate ionic liquids

The activity of four metagenomic enzymes and an enzyme cloned from the straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea were studied in the following ionic liquids, 1,3-dimethylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate, [mmim][dmp], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate, [emim][dmp], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate, [emim][dep] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [emim][OAc]. Activity was determined by analyzing the hydrolysis of para-nitrobenzene carbohydrate derivatives. In general, the enzymes were most active in the dimethyl phosphate ionic liquids, followed by acetate. Generally speaking, activity decreased sharply for concentrations of [emim][dep] above 10% v/v, while the other ionic liquids showed less impact on activity up to 20% v/v.

A new approach to a Lyme disease vaccine

A single recombinant outer surface protein A (OspA) antigen designed to contain protective elements from 2 different OspA serotypes (1 and 2) is able to induce antibody responses that protect mice against infection with either Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (OspA serotype-1) or Borrelia afzelii (OspA serotype-2). Protection against infection with B burgdorferi ss strain ZS7 was demonstrated in a needle-challenge model. Protection against B. afzelii species was shown in a tick-challenge model using feral ticks. In both models, as little as .03 μg of antigen, when administered in a 2-dose immunization schedule with aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant, was sufficient to provide complete protection against the species targeted. This proof of principle study proves that knowledge of protective epitopes can be used for the rational design of effective, genetically modified vaccines requiring fewer OspA antigens and suggests that this approach may facilitate the development of an OspA vaccine for global use.

Differential binding of Escherichia coli McrA protein to DNA sequences that contain the dinucleotide m5CpG

The Escherichia coli McrA protein, a putative C⁵-methylcytosine/C⁵-hydroxyl methylcytosine-specific nuclease, binds DNA with symmetrically methylated HpaII sequences (Cm5CGG), but its precise recognition sequence remains undefined. To determine McrA’s binding specificity, we cloned and expressed recombinant McrA with a C-terminal StrepII tag (rMcrA-S) to facilitate protein purification and affinity capture of human DNA fragments with m5C residues. Sequence analysis of a subset of these fragments and electrophoretic mobility shift assays with model methylated and unmethylated oligonucleotides suggest that N(Y > R) m5CGR is the canonical binding site for rMcrA-S. In addition to binding HpaII-methylated double-stranded DNA, rMcrA-S binds DNA containing a single, hemimethylated HpaII site; however, it does not bind if A, C, T or U is placed across from the m5C residue, but does if I is opposite the m5C. These results provide the first systematic analysis of McrA’s in vitro binding specificity.

Haematoma of the sigmoid colon secondary to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome presenting as a colonic tumour

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a collective term for a number of connective tissue disorders. Vascular rupture and dissection are well-documented sequelae as is gastrointestinal perforation. We present a rare presentation where dissection of the bowel wall presented as a suspected sigmoid colon tumour.

Rapid detection and identification of a pathogen's DNA using Phi29 DNA polymerase

Zoonotic pathogens including those transmitted by insect vectors are some of the most deadly of all infectious diseases known to mankind. A number of these agents have been further weaponized and are widely recognized as being potentially significant biothreat agents. We describe a novel method based on multiply-primed rolling circle in vitro amplification for profiling genomic DNAs to permit rapid, cultivation-free differential detection and identification of circular plasmids in infectious agents. Using Phi29 DNA polymerase and a two-step priming reaction we could reproducibly detect and characterize by DNA sequencing circular DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi B31 in DNA samples containing as little as 25 pg of Borrelia DNA amongst a vast excess of human DNA. This simple technology can ultimately be adapted as a sensitive method to detect specific DNA from both known and unknown pathogens in a wide variety of complex environments.

A new binding motif for the transcriptional repressor REST uncovers large gene networks devoted to neuronal functions

The repressor element 1 (RE1) silencing transcription factor (REST) helps preserve the identity of nervous tissue by silencing neuronal genes in non-neural tissues. Moreover, in an epithelial model of tumorigenesis, loss of REST function is associated with loss of adhesion, suggesting the aberrant expression of REST-controlled genes encoding this property. To date, no adhesion molecules under REST control have been identified. Here, we used serial analysis of chromatin occupancy to perform genome-wide identification of REST-occupied target sequences (RE1 sites) in a kidney cell line. We discovered novel REST-binding motifs and found that the number of RE1 sites far exceeded previous estimates. A large family of targets encoding adhesion proteins was identified, as were genes encoding signature proteins of neuroendocrine tumors. Unexpectedly, genes considered exclusively non-neuronal also contained an RE1 motif and were expressed in neurons. This supports the model that REST binding is a critical determinant of neuronal phenotype.

Paired-end genomic signature tags: a method for the functional analysis of genomes and epigenomes

Because paired-end genomic signature tags are sequenced-based, they have the potential to become an alternate tool to tiled microarray hybridization as a method for genome-wide localization of transcription factors and other sequence-specific DNA binding proteins. As outlined here the method also can be used for global analysis of DNA methylation. One advantage of this approach is the ability to easily switch between different genome types without having to fabricate a new microarray for each and every DNA type. However, the method does have some disadvantages. Among the most rate-limiting steps of our PE-GST protocol are the need to concatemerize the diTAGs, size fractionate them and then clone them prior to sequencing. This is usually followed by additional steps to amplify and size select for long (> or = 500) concatemer inserts prior to sequencing. These time-consuming steps are important for standard DNA sequencing as they increase efficiency approximately 20-30-fold since each amplified concatemer can now provide information on multiple tags; the limitation on data acqui- sition is read length during sequencing. However, the development of new sequencing methods such as Life Sciences' 454 new nanotechnology-based sequencing instrument (41) could increase tag sequencing efficiency by several orders of magnitude (> or = 100,000 diTAG reads/run), which is sufficient to provide in-depth global analysis of all ChIP PE-GSTs in a single run. This is because the lengths of our paired-end diTAGs (approximately 60 bp) fall well within the region of high accuracy for read lengths on this instrument. In principle, sequence analysis of diTAGs could begin as soon as they are generated, thereby completely bypassing the need for the concatemerization, sizing, downstream cloning steps and sequencing template purification. In addition, our protocol places any one of several unique four-base long nucleotide sequences, such as GATC, between each and every diTAG pair, which could be used to help the instrument's software keep base register and also provide a well-located peak height indicator in the middle of every sequence run. This additional feature could permit multiplexing of the data by simultaneous sequencing of several pooled libraries if each used a different linker sequence during diTAG formation (Figure 4).

Characterization of a unique borreliacidal epitope on the outer surface protein C ofBorrelia burgdorferi

The outer surface protein C (OspC) of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an immunoprotective antigen in laboratory models of infection. However, to understand its protective effects, it is important to identify the key epitopes of this protein. We produced a borreliacidal anti-OspC monoclonal antibody specific to the B31 strain and identified its binding site. The specificity of MAb 16.22 was determined by Western blot reactivity using OspC derived from different Borrelia isolates which had varying amino acid sequences. Comparison of the OspC sequences and binding data suggested that MAb 16.22 binds to amino acids 133-147 of the OspC protein. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized a 15-amino acid peptide containing the target sequence and, using competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found that this peptide included the epitope of MAb 16.22. In addition, we determined that MAb 16.22 is able to kill of B. burgdorferi in a complement-independent fashion.

Enzymatic activity of the SARS coronavirus main proteinase dimer

The enzymatic activity of the SARS coronavirus main proteinase dimer was characterized by a sensitive, quantitative assay. The new, fluorogenic substrate, (Ala‐Arg‐Leu‐Gln‐NH)₂‐Rhodamine, contained a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) main proteinase consensus cleavage sequence and Rhodamine 110, one of the most detectable compounds known, as the reporter group. The gene for the enzyme was cloned in the absence of purification tags, expressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme purified. Enzyme activity from the SARS CoV main proteinase dimer could readily be detected at low pM concentrations. The enzyme exhibited a high K_m, and is unusually sensitive to ionic strength and reducing agents.

Proteomic analysis of Lyme disease: global protein comparison of three strains of Borrelia burgdorferi

The Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete is the causative agent of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. It has been studied extensively to help understand its pathogenicity of infection and how it can persist in different mammalian hosts. We report the proteomic analysis of the archetype B. burgdorferi B31 strain and two other strains (ND40, and JD-1) having different Borrelia pathotypes using strong cation exchange fractionation of proteolytic peptides followed by high-resolution, reversed phase capillary liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Protein identification was facilitated by the availability of the complete B31 genome sequence. A total of 665 Borrelia proteins were identified representing approximately 38% coverage of the theoretical B31 proteome. A significant overlap was observed between the identified proteins in direct comparisons between any two strains (>72%), but distinct differences were observed among identified hypothetical and outer membrane proteins of the three strains. Such a concurrent proteomic overview of three Borrelia strains based upon only the B31 genome sequence is shown to provide significant insights into the presence or absence of specific proteins and a broad overall comparison among strains.

Structure-based Design of a Second-generation Lyme Disease Vaccine Based on a C-terminal Fragment of Borrelia burgdorferi OspA

Here, we describe a structure-based approach to reduce the size of an antigen protein for a subunit vaccine. Our method consists of (i) determining the three-dimensional structure of an antigen, (ii) identifying protective epitopes, (iii) generation of an antigen fragment that contains the protective epitope, and (iv) rational design to compensate for destabilization caused by truncation. Using this approach we have successfully developed a second-generation Lyme disease vaccine. Outer surface protein A (OspA) from the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi elicits protective immunity that blocks transmission of Borrelia from the tick vector to the vaccinated animal, and thus has been a focus of vaccine development. OspA has two globular domains that are connected via a unique single-layer beta-sheet. All anti-OspA monoclonal antibodies that block Borrelia transmission bind to conformational epitopes in the C-terminal domain of OspA, suggesting the possibility of using the C-terminal domain alone as a recombinant protein-based vaccine. The removal of ineffective parts from the OspA antigen may reduce side effects and lead to a safer vaccine. We prepared a C-terminal fragment of OspA by removing approximately 45% of residues from the N terminus. Although the fragment retained the native conformation and affinity to a protective antibody, its vaccine efficacy and conformational stability were significantly reduced with respect to full-length OspA. We successfully stabilized the fragment by replacing amino acid residues involved in buried salt-bridges with residues promoting hydrophobic interactions. The mutations promoted the vaccine efficacy of the redesigned fragment to a level comparable to that of the full-length protein, demonstrating the importance of the antigen stability for OspA's vaccine efficacy. Our strategy should be useful for further refining OspA-based vaccines and developing recombinant vaccines for other diseases.

Structural investigation of Borrelia burgdorferi OspB, a bactericidal Fab target

Certain antibody Fab fragments directed against the C terminus of outer surface protein B (OspB), a major lipoprotein of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, have the unusual property of being bactericidal even in the absence of complement. We report here x-ray crystal structures of a C-terminal fragment of B. burgdorferi OspB, which spans residues 152-296, alone at 2.0-A resolution, and in a complex with the bactericidal Fab H6831 at 2.6-A resolution. The H6831 epitope is topologically analogous to the LA-2 epitope of OspA and is centered around OspB Lys-253, a residue essential for H6831 recognition. A beta-sheet present in the free OspB fragment is either disordered or removed by proteolysis in the H6831-bound complex. Other conformational changes between free and H6831-bound structures are minor and appear to be related to this loss. In both crystal structures, OspB C-terminal fragments form artificial dimers connected by intermolecular beta-sheets. OspB structure, stability, and possible mechanisms of killing by H6831 and other bactericidal Fabs are discussed in light of the structural data.

Defining the CREB Regulon

The CREB transcription factor regulates differentiation, survival, and synaptic plasticity. The complement of CREB targets responsible for these responses has not been identified, however. We developed a novel approach to identify CREB targets, termed serial analysis of chromatin occupancy (SACO), by combining chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with a modification of SAGE. Using a SACO library derived from rat PC12 cells, we identified approximately 41,000 genomic signature tags (GSTs) that mapped to unique genomic loci. CREB binding was confirmed for all loci supported by multiple GSTs. Of the 6302 loci identified by multiple GSTs, 40% were within 2 kb of the transcriptional start of an annotated gene, 49% were within 1 kb of a CpG island, and 72% were within 1 kb of a putative cAMP-response element (CRE). A large fraction of the SACO loci delineated bidirectional promoters and novel antisense transcripts. This study represents the most comprehensive definition of transcription factor binding sites in a metazoan species.

Genetic exchange and plasmid transfers in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto revealed by three-way genome comparisons and multilocus sequence typing

Comparative genomics of closely related bacterial isolates is a powerful method for uncovering virulence and other important genome elements. We determined draft sequences (8-fold coverage) of the genomes of strains JD1 and N40 of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and we compared the predicted genes from the two genomes with those from the previously sequenced B31 genome. The three genomes are closely related and are evolutionarily approximately equidistant ( approximately 0.5% pairwise nucleotide differences on the main chromosome). We used a Poisson model of nucleotide substitution to screen for genes with elevated levels of nucleotide polymorphisms. The three-way genome comparison allowed distinction between polymorphisms introduced by mutations and those introduced by recombination using the method of phylogenetic partitioning. Tests for recombination suggested that patches of high-density nucleotide polymorphisms on the chromosome and plasmids arise by DNA exchange. The role of recombination as the main mechanism driving B. burgdorferi diversification was confirmed by multilocus sequence typing of 18 clinical isolates at 18 polymorphic loci. A strong linkage between the multilocus sequence genotypes and the major alleles of outer-surface protein C (ospC) suggested that balancing selection at ospC is a dominant force maintaining B. burgdorferi diversity in local populations. We conclude that B. burgdorferi undergoes genome-wide genetic exchange, including plasmid transfers, and previous reports of its clonality are artifacts from the use of geographically and ecological isolated samples. Frequent recombination implies a potential for rapid adaptive evolution and a possible polygenic basis of B. burgdorferi pathogenicity.

Cloning, high level expression, purification, and crystallization of the full length Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type E light chain

The catalytic activity of the highly potent botulinum neurotoxins are confined to their N-terminal light chains ( approximately 50kDa). A full-length light chain for the type E neurotoxin with a C-terminal 6x His-tag, BoNT/E-LC, has been cloned in a pET-9c vector and over-expressed in BL21 (DE3) cells. BoNT/E-LC was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on Ni-NTA agarose followed by exclusion chromatography using a Superdex-75 sizing column. The purified protein has very good solubility and can be stored stably at -20 degrees C; however, it seems to undergo auto-proteolysis when stored at temperature #10878;4-10 degrees C. BoNT/E-LC is active on its natural substrate, the synaptosomal associated 25kDa protein, SNAP-25, indicating that it retains a native-like conformation and therefore can be considered as a useful tool in studying the structure/function of the catalytic light chain. Recombinant BoNT/E-LC has been crystallized under five different conditions and at various pHs. Crystals diffract to better than 2.1A.

Transcript profiling of human platelets using microarray and serial analysis of gene expression

Human platelets are anucleate blood cells that retain cytoplasmic mRNA and maintain functionally intact protein translational capabilities. We have adapted complementary techniques of microarray and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) for genetic profiling of highly purified human blood platelets. Microarray analysis using the Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 approximately 12 600-probe set maximally identified the expression of 2147 (range, 13%-17%) platelet-expressed transcripts, with approximately 22% collectively involved in metabolism and receptor/signaling, and an overrepresentation of genes with unassigned function (32%). In contrast, a modified SAGE protocol using the Type IIS restriction enzyme MmeI (generating 21-base pair [bp] or 22-bp tags) demonstrated that 89% of tags represented mitochondrial (mt) transcripts (enriched in 16S and 12S ribosomal RNAs), presumably related to persistent mt-transcription in the absence of nuclear-derived transcripts. The frequency of non-mt SAGE tags paralleled average difference values (relative expression) for the most "abundant" transcripts as determined by microarray analysis, establishing the concordance of both techniques for platelet profiling. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the highest frequency of mt-derived transcripts, along with the mRNAs for neurogranin (NGN, a protein kinase C substrate) and the complement lysis inhibitor clusterin among the top 5 most abundant transcripts. For confirmatory characterization, immunoblots and flow cytometric analyses were performed, establishing abundant cell-surface expression of clusterin and intracellular expression of NGN. These observations demonstrate a strong correlation between high transcript abundance and protein expression, and they establish the validity of transcript analysis as a tool for identifying novel platelet proteins that may regulate normal and pathologic platelet (and/or megakaryocyte) functions.

Genomic signature tags (GSTs): a system for profiling genomic DNA

Genomic signature tags (GSTs) are the products of a method we have developed for identifying and quantitatively analyzing genomic DNAs. The DNA is initially fragmented with a type II restriction enzyme. An oligonucleotide adaptor containing a recognition site for MmeI, a type IIS restriction enzyme, is then used to release 21-bp tags from fixed positions in the DNA relative to the sites recognized by the fragmenting enzyme. These tags are PCR-amplified, purified, concatenated, and then cloned and sequenced. The tag sequences and abundances are used to create a high-resolution GST sequence profile of the genomic DNA. GSTs are shown to be long enough for use as oligonucleotide primers to amplify adjacent segments of the DNA, which can then be sequenced to provide additional nucleotide information or used as probes to identify specific clones in metagenomic libraries. GST analysis of the 4.7-Mb Yersinia pestis EV766 genome using BamHI as the fragmenting enzyme and NlaIII as the tagging enzyme validated the precision of our approach. The GST profile predicts that this strain has several changes relative to the archetype CO92 strain, including deletion of a 57-kb region of the chromosome known to be an unstable pathogenicity island.

Evidence for two commonly deleted regions on mouse chromosome 2 in gamma ray-induced acute myeloid leukemic cells

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to delineate a precise molecular map of the commonly deleted region (CDR) on mouse chr2 in radiation-induced mouse acute myeloid leukemic (AML) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used a PCR-based loss of heterozygosity (LOH) assay to map the chr2-CDR in AML cells isolated from F1 hybrid mice (BALB/cJ x CBA/CaJ) which developed AML following exposure to a single dose of 3 Gy of 137Cs gamma rays. A total of 30 polymorphic microsatellite markers, mapping within or close to chr2(D-E), were used under optimized PCR conditions that generate a single major band for each marker on a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel.

RESULTS

Detailed LOH mapping identified two distinct AML-CDRs: one localized to a 4.6 centiMorgan (cM) interval between markers D2Mit272 and D2Mit394; the other mapped to a 0.8 cM interval between markers D2Mit276 and D2Mit444. Both CDRs span the mouse chr2E region.

CONCLUSION

The data present, for the first time, evidence for two distinctly noncontiguous CDRs on mouse chr2 harboring gene(s) involved in AML development. These CDRs are orthologous to human chromosomes 11p11-13 and 15q11-15 that have been implicated in subsets of AML. This finding indicates the region of mouse chr2 that must be searched for candidate genes involved in radiation-induced AML.

Approaches toward the directed design of a vaccine against Borrelia burgdorferi

The overall efficacy of a recombinant vaccine for Lyme disease that is effective worldwide will depend upon the selection of one or more immunoprotective target(s) and the frequency of genetic variation, which can alter the antigenicity of the immunoprotective epitopes of the target proteins. Careful delineation of these protective epitopes on target antigens is essential for the development of vaccine candidates as well as for understanding the limitations of such vaccines. Structural models of these targets will provide critical information about conformation and specific residue surface accessibility for defining protective epitopes. Co-crystal structures with Fab fragments of protective antibodies will further delineate critical antigen surfaces. Population genetics will provide vital information on the heterogeneity of these proteins. Detailed epitope mapping will provide the information needed for the bioengineering of antigens needed to expand the specificity of a candidate vaccine.

Frameshift mutation in PRKDC, the gene for DNA-PKcs, in the DNA repair-defective, human, glioma-derived cell line M059J

Anderson, C. W., Dunn, J. J., Freimuth, P. I., Galloway, A. M. and Allalunis-Turner, M. J. Frameshift Mutation in PRKDC, the Gene for DNA-PKcs, in the DNA Repair-Defective, Human, Glioma-Derived Cell Line M059J. Radiat. Res. 156, 2-9 (2001). The glioma-derived cell line M059J is hypersensitive to ionizing radiation, lacks DNA-PK activity, and fails to express protein for the catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs, while a sister cell line, M059K, derived from the same tumor, has normal DNA-PK activity. Both cell lines are near pentaploid and have multiple copies of chromosome 8, the chromosome on which the DNA-PKcs gene, PRKDC, is located. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified exons revealed the loss in M059J cells of a single "A" nucleotide in exon 32, corresponding to the first nucleotide of codon 1351 (ACC, Thr) of PRKDC. Loss of the "A" nucleotide would terminate the DNA-PKcs reading frame early in exon 33. DNA from M059K cells had only the wild-type sequence. An analysis of sequences surrounding PRKDC exon 32 from 87 unrelated individuals revealed no polymorphic nucleotides except for a triplet repeat near the 3' end of this exon; no individual had a frameshift mutation in exon 32. No other sequence differences in PRKDC between M059J and M059K cells were observed in approximately 15,000 bp of genomic sequence including the sequences of exons 5 through 38 and surrounding intron sequence, suggesting a possible reduction to homozygosity at this locus prior to acquisition of the mutation leading to the M059J cell line.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein C (OspC)

Single crystals of the outer surface protein C (OspC) from Borrelia burgdorferi HB19 have been obtained by the vapor-diffusion method. These crystals belong to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 66.218, b = 46.113, c = 112.079 A, beta = 99.30 degrees, and diffract to at least 2.2 A resolution. Native data have been collected from flash-frozen crystals at the National Synchrotron facility of Brookhaven National Laboratory. There are two dimers per asymmetric unit, related by a non-crystallographic twofold axis and a pseudo-translational symmetry.

Immunolocalization of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in bovine ciliary epithelium

PURPOSE

Recent evidence suggests that Na-K-Cl cotransport plays a major role in blood-to-aqueous anion transport across the ciliary body epithelium. The present study was undertaken to determine the location of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in fixed sections of bovine eye.

METHODS

Sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed adult and calf bovine eyes were treated with a monoclonal antibody to mammalian Na-K-Cl cotransporter and a fluorescent secondary antibody and examined under a fluorescent microscope. Na-K-Cl cotransporter protein was detected on immunoblots of dissected tissue and purified nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) and pigmented ciliary epithelial (PE) cells.

RESULTS

Cotransporter immunofluorescence was most intense along the basolateral surfaces of the PE cells. Anterior pars plicata possessed the greatest PE immunofluorescence, and this diminished posteriorly toward the pars plana. Quantitation of immunofluorescence images indicated 7- to 10-fold more cotransporter protein in pars plicata PE than in pars plana PE. Diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence was seen in the NPE cells, which was also brightest in anterior pars plicata. Immunoblots of separated PE and NPE cells from anterior pars plicata showed that PE contain four times more 170-kDa cotransporter protein than NPE. This confirmed fluorescence quantitation estimates. Cotransporter was barely detectable in cells isolated from pars plana in either cell layer. Immunoblots of the Na,K-ATPase catalytic (alpha) subunit in separated NPE and PE cells showed that NPE cells possessed approximately eight times more alpha subunit protein than PE. Immunofluorescence indicated a similar distribution of alpha subunits and indicated a basolateral membrane location for the subunit on both cell types. Na-K-Cl cotransporter fluorescence patterns showed more variability in adult animals than in calves, which may be related to aging and/or disease. Distinctive patterns of cotransporter fluorescence were also seen in the cornea, iris, and retina.

CONCLUSIONS

Localization of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter to the plasma membrane on the blood side of the ciliary epithelium tight junctions supports a role for the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in ciliary epithelium as a chloride entry mechanism involved in blood-to-aqueous chloride transport. The concentration of Na,K-ATPase catalytic subunits on NPE basolateral membranes could provide net Na(+) efflux into the aqueous humor.

Catecholaminergic regulation of Na-K-Cl cotransport in pigmented ciliary epithelium: differences between PE and NPE

Pigmented (PE) and nonpigmented (NPE) ciliary epithelial cells comprise the ciliary epithelium, the site of aqueous humor formation in the eye. In man, catecholamines increase the rate of aqueous humor formation, but the mechanism underlying these effects is not understood. Recent evidence suggests that Na-K-Cl cotransport plays a central role in blood-to-aqueous chloride transport across ciliary epithelium in cow and rabbit. We therefore investigated whether catecholamines stimulate Na-K-Cl cotransport in human PE cells. Na-K-Cl cotransporter protein was detected as a 170 kDa protein band on immunoblots. Immunofluorescence microscopy detected cotransporter on the basolateral membranes of the PE layer of ciliary epithelium from a human donor. Cotransporter immunofluorescence was also detected in cultured PE cells. Na-K-Cl cotransport activity measured as ouabain-insensitive bumetanide-sensitive(86)Rb uptake was stimulated by isoproterenol 1.6-fold, with an EC(50) = 28 n M and maximal stimulation at 1 microM. Other transport mechanisms involved in(86)Rb uptake were not affected. Stimulation by 1 microM isoproterenol was blocked by 10 n M ICI 118,551, a beta(2)-specific receptor antagonist, whereas the receptor subtype-specific antagonists yohimbine (alpha(2)), prazosin (alpha(1)) and atenolol (beta(1)) were ineffective. Norepinephrine stimulation (EC(50) = 280 n M) was also blocked by ICI 118,551. Dopamine stimulated Na-K-Cl cotransport 1.6-fold with an EC(50) = 14 microM. The dopamine effect could not be blocked by 10 microM SCH 23390, a D1-antagonist, but was abolished by ICI 118,551. Forskolin and CPT-cAMP stimulated Na-K-Cl cotransport 1.79- and 1.71-fold, respectively, whereas the inactive forskolin analogue 1,9-dideoxyforskolin had no effect. However, high concentrations of the PKA inhibitors PKI amide 14-22 and KT 5720 were needed to inhibit both PKA activity in cell lysates and isoproterenol stimulation of cotransport. This finding may indicate the presence of a novel PKA isoform in PE cells. Inhibitors of other protein kinases, including myosin light chain kinase, protein kinase G, calmodulin-dependent kinase and tyrosine kinase, were without effect on stimulated Na-K-Cl cotransport. When EC(50)s for catecholaminergic stimulations of Na-K-Cl cotransport in PE were compared to those in NPE, values within five-fold of one another were seen for isoproterenol and norepinephrine. In contrast, dopamine was 28-fold more potent in NPE than in PE. The data suggest that both PE and NPE possess beta(2)adrenergic receptors, but only NPE cells possess dopamine D1 receptors linked to Na-K-Cl cotransport.

Structural identification of a key protective B-cell epitope in Lyme disease antigen OspA

Outer surface protein A (OspA) is a major lipoprotein of the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Vaccination with OspA generates an immune response that can prevent bacterial transmission to a mammalian host during the attachment of an infected tick. However, the protective capacity of immune sera cannot be predicted by measuring total anti-OspA antibody. The murine monoclonal antibody LA-2 defines an important protective B-cell epitope of OspA against which protective sera have strong levels of reactivity. We have now mapped the LA-2 epitope of OspA using both NMR chemical-shift perturbation measurements in solution and X-ray crystal structure determination. LA-2 recognizes the three surface-exposed loops of the C-terminal domain of OspA that are on the tip of the elongated molecule most distant from the lipid-modified N terminus. The structure suggests that the natural variation at OspA sequence position 208 in the first loop is a major limiting factor for antibody cross-reactivity between different Lyme disease-causing Borrelia strains. The unusual Fab-dominated lattice of the crystal also permits a rare view of antigen flexibility within an antigen:antibody complex. These results provide a rationale for improvements in OspA-based vaccines and suggest possible designs for more direct tests of antibody protective levels in vaccinated individuals.

The role of NaKCl cotransport in blood-to-aqueous chloride fluxes across rabbit ciliary epithelium

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of NaKCl cotransport in short-circuit current (Isc) and chloride fluxes across rabbit ciliary epithelium mounted in a Ussing-type chamber.

METHODS

Bilayered intact ciliary epithelium free of stroma was obtained after perfusion and dissection of rabbit eyes and mounted in an Ussing-type chamber. The effects of bumetanide and other drugs on Isc and transepithelial 36Cl fluxes in bicarbonate-containing Ringer's were determined. Immunoblot analysis was performed by standard techniques.

RESULTS

Bumetanide (100 microM) applied to the blood (pigmented epithelium [PE]) side of the ciliary bilayer caused a dose-dependent decrease in Isc from 18.2 +/- 2.2 to 10.4 +/- 1.4 microA/cm2 (43%). Bumetanide applied to the aqueous (nonpigmented epithelium [NPE]) side of the tissue inhibited Isc by only 12%. Immunoblots of dissected NPE and PE tissue probed with an antibody to mammalian NaKCl cotransporter detected approximately 10 times more NaKCl cotransporter protein in PE than in NPE. 36Cl flux studies revealed a PE-to-NPE chloride flux of 180.3 +/- 37.2 microEq/cm2 per hour and an NPE-to-PE flux of 72.3 +/- 22.9 microEq/cm2 per hour, indicating a net PE-to-NPE flux of 108.0 +/- 31.3 microEq/cm2 per hour across rabbit ciliary epithelium. Bumetanide inhibited the PE-to-NPE chloride flux by 52% but did not inhibit the NPE-to-PE flux. Isoproterenol (10 microM) added to the PE side of the bilayer increased Isc by a dose-dependent 53%. Prior addition of bumetanide to the PE side blocked the increase due to isoproterenol by 37%. Isoproterenol (10 microM) stimulated the PE-to-NPE chloride flux by 75% but had no stimulatory effect on the NPE-to-PE chloride flux. 4,4'Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited Isc when added to either side of the bilayer but was more potent at low concentrations (<100 microM) when added to the NPE side and more potent at higher concentrations (>100 microM) when added to the PE side. Prior addition of 1 mM DIDS to the NPE side decreased isoproterenol stimulation of Isc by 56%.

CONCLUSIONS

NaKCl cotransporters located primarily on the blood side of rabbit ciliary epithelium contribute to aqueous-negative Isc and to blood-to-aqueous chloride transport across the tissue in bicarbonate-containing medium. DIDS-inhibitable mechanisms, possibly including HCO3-Cl exchange and Cl channels, also play a role. Isoproterenol stimulation of Isc involves coordinate upregulation of PE-side NaKCl cotransport and an NPE-side DIDS-inhibitable mechanism(s).

Stable enterovirus 5' nontranslated region over a 7-year period in a patient with agammaglobulinemia and chronic infection

Cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained 7 years apart from a patient with chronic meningoencephalitis and underlying agammaglobulinemia were examined to determine enteroviral genotypic variability. From each sample, amplicons spanning 496 nucleotides within the 5' nontranslated region were generated directly from the cerebrospinal fluid and analyzed. A consensus sequence derived from 3 clones of each amplicon revealed only 7 nucleotide changes over the 7-year period within the region studied. The observed 5' nontranslated region mutation rate in this patient ( approximately 0.2% per year) was significantly lower than mutation rates reported for the poliovirus genome.

Recombinant chimeric Borrelia proteins for diagnosis of Lyme disease

Current serologic Lyme disease tests use whole borrelia cells as the source of antigen. These assays are difficult to standardize and to optimize for sensitivity and specificity. To help solve these problems, we constructed a library of recombinant chimeric proteins composed of portions of key antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi. These proteins were then used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared our assay with the most sensitive of three whole-cell borrelia assays. We found that the recombinant assay could detect antibodies significantly better from early Lyme disease sera (P<0.05), and had the same sensitivity for late Lyme disease sera, as the most sensitive whole-cell borrelia assay. On potentially cross-reactive sera, the recombinant assay was more specific, but not significantly so, than the best whole-cell borrelia assay. Optimization of the recombinant assay offers the potential for a significant improvement in both sensitivity and specificity.

Genomic determinants of cardiovirulence in coxsackievirus B3 clinical isolates: localization to the 5' nontranslated region

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infections can cause myocarditis in humans and are implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. The natural genetic determinants of cardiovirulence for CVB3 have not been identified, although using strains engineered in the laboratory, cardiovirulence determinants have been identified in the CVB3 5' nontranslated region (5'NTR) and capsid. The myocarditic phenotypes of two CVB3 clinical isolates were determined using an established murine model of inflammatory heart disease. The 5'NTRs and capsid proteins of the noncardiovirulent CVB3/CO strain and cardiovirulent CVB3/AS strain were examined to determine their influence on the cardiovirulence phenotype. Six intratypic chimeric viruses were constructed in which 5'NTR and capsid sequences of the infectious cDNA copy of the cardiovirulent CVB3/20 genome were replaced by homologous sequences from CVB3/CO or CVB3/AS. Chimeric strains were tested for cardiovirulence by inoculation of C3H/HeJ mice. Sections of hearts removed at 10 days postinoculation were examined for evidence of myocarditis by light microscopy and assayed for the presence of virus. Replacement of the CVB3/20 capsid coding region by that from the homologous region of CVB3/CO resulted in no change in the cardiovirulent CVB3/20 phenotype, with virus recoverable from the heart at 10 days postinoculation. However, recombinant virus containing the CVB3/CO 5'NTR alone or the 5'NTR and capsid sequences together were not myocarditic, and infectious virus was not recovered from the myocardium. Chimeric viruses containing the CVB3/AS 5'NTR alone, capsid sequence alone, or both together preserved the myocarditic phenotype. These data support the 5'NTR as the primary site in the determination of the natural cardiovirulence phenotype of CVB3.

Infection with multiple strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in patients with Lyme disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess human skin biopsy specimens from erythema migrans lesions for the presence of infection with multiple strains of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi.

DESIGN

Skin biopsy specimens were obtained prospectively from patients with erythema migrans. To determine allelic differences and strain identification of B burgdorferi, the biopsy specimens were analyzed by cold single-strand conformation polymorphism of an amplified fragment of the outer surface protein C (ospC) gene. Further single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns of amplified ospC genes from culture isolates were compared with polymerase chain reaction products obtained directly from erythema migrans biopsy specimens.

SETTING

A private dermatology office and a university medical center outpatient department.

PATIENTS

Sixteen patients presenting with erythema migrans.

RESULTS

Two of the 16 patients in this cohort were infected with 2 B burgdorferi sensu stricto strains, as evidenced by 2 ospC alleles in their skin biopsy results.

CONCLUSION

This is the first documented description of the existence of more than a single strain of B burgdorferi sensu stricto in a human specimen.

Characterization of genetic instability in radiation- and benzene-induced murine acute leukemia

This study, using the CBA/Ca mouse as a model, compares genetic lesions associated with radiation- and benzene-induced acute leukemias. Specific types of leukemia included in the analyses are radiation-induced acute myeloid leukemia (ML), and benzene-induced lymphoblastic leukemias, lymphomas, or mix-lineage leukemias. These leukemias have histopathological characteristics similar to those seen in human acute leukemias. G-band cytogenetic analysis showed that specific deletions involving regions D-E of one copy of mouse chromosome 2 [del(2)(D-E)] were frequently associated in both radiation- and benzene-induced acute leukemias. In addition, translocations of chr2(D-E) were also observed in some cases. These results suggest an important role of chr2 (D-E) deletions and translocations in the development of radiation- and benzene-induced murine acute leukemias. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with DNA probes specific for 2(D-E), constructed in our laboratory by means of chromosomal microdissection and PCR amplification, also demonstrate 2(D-E) deletions and/or translocations in these leukemic cells. Aneuploidy of chromosomes 3, 15, 16, and Y were also frequently detected in benzene-induced leukemic cells with or without lesions on chr2. These cytogenetic findings support the previous observations that metabolites of benzene lead to spindle-fiber disruption or abnormal cytokinesis in exposed animals. In summary, genetic instabilities observed in leukemic cells isolated from mice that had developed leukemia after exposure to radiation or benzene are syntenic with those frequently detected in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, acute ML, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thus, the CBA/Ca mouse has several characteristics that make it an excellent model for the study of radiation or benzene leukemogenesis in humans.

Four clones of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto cause invasive infection in humans

Lyme disease begins at the site of a tick bite, producing a primary infection with spread of the organism to secondary sites occurring early in the course of infection. A major outer surface protein expressed by the spirochete early in infection is outer surface protein C (OspC). In Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, OspC is highly variable. Based on sequence divergence, alleles of ospC can be divided into 21 major groups. To assess whether strain differences defined by ospC group are linked to invasiveness and pathogenicity, we compared the frequency distributions of major ospC groups from ticks, from the primary erythema migrans skin lesion, and from secondary sites, principally from blood and spinal fluid. The frequency distribution of ospC groups from ticks is significantly different from that from primary sites, which in turn is significantly different from that from secondary sites. The major groups A, B, I, and K had higher frequencies in the primary sites than in ticks and were the only groups found in secondary sites. We define three categories of major ospC groups: one that is common in ticks but very rarely if ever causes human disease, a second that causes only local infection at the tick bite site, and a third that causes systemic disease. The finding that all systemic B. burgdorferi sensu stricto infections are associated with four ospC groups has importance in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease.

Genetic diversity of ospC in a local population of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto

The outer surface protein, OspC, is highly variable in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease. We have shown that even within a single population OspC is highly variable. The variation of ospA and ospC in the 40 infected deer ticks collected from a single site on Shelter Island, New York, was determined using PCR-SSCP. There is very strong apparent linkage disequilibrium between ospA and ospC alleles, even though they are located on separate plasmids. Thirteen discernible SSCP mobility classes for ospC were identified and the DNA sequence for each was determined. These sequences, combined with 40 GenBank sequences, allow us to define 19 major ospC groups. Sequences within a major ospC group are, on average, <1% different from each other, while sequences between major ospC groups are, on average, approximately 20% different. The tick sample contains 11 major ospC groups, GenBank contains 16 groups, with 8 groups found in both samples. Thus, the ospC variation within a local population is almost as great as the variation of a similar-sized sample of the entire species. The Ewens-Watterson-Slatkin test of allele frequency showed significant deviation from the neutral expectation, indicating balancing selection for these major ospC groups. The variation represented by major ospC groups needs to be considered if the OspC protein is to be used as a serodiagnostic antigen or a vaccine.

[Cardiac manifestations of Lyme borreliosis with special reference to contractile dysfunction]

Borrelia burgdorferi infection (BBI) is suggested to be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Stanek et al. were able to cultivate Borrelia burgdorferi (BB) from myocardial biopsy tissue of a patient with longstanding dilated cardiomyopathy. Here we present a study in which we examined the effect of standard antibiotic treatment on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy associated with BBI. In this study we assessed the serum (IgG, IgM ELISA; Western Blot) and the history of 46 IDC-patients with specific respect spect to BBI (mean LV-EF: 30.4 +/- 1.3%; measured by cardiac catheterisation and echocardiography--length-area-volume method). All 46 patients received standard treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy: ACE-inhibitors, digitalis and diuretics. 11 (24%) patients showed positive serology and a history of BBI; 9 of these also had a typical history of tick bite and erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) and/or other organ involvement, 2 had no recollection of tick bite or EMC, but showed other BB-associated disorders (neuropathy, oligoarthritis). These 11 patients with BBI received standard antibiotic treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g bid for 14 days. 6 (55%) recovered completely and showed a normal LV-EF after 6 months, 3 (27%) improved their LV-EF and 2 (18%) did not improve at all. This amounts to 9 (82%) recovery/improvement in the BB-group. The 35 patients who did not show positive serology or a history of BBI did not receive antibiotic treatment. In this group without BBI 12 (26%) showed recovery/improvement following the standard treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (see above). Our results indicate that BBI could play a decisive role in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, especially in a geographical region as Graz, where BB is endemic. While aware of the small number of BB-patients in this study, we nevertheless conclude that, in a remarkable number of patients with signs of BBI, dilated cardiomyopathy could be reversed and LV-EF improved upon standard antibiotic treatment.

Bcl-2 expression identifies an early stage of myogenesis and promotes clonal expansion of muscle cells

We show that Bcl-2 expression in skeletal muscle cells identifies an early stage of the myogenic pathway, inhibits apoptosis, and promotes clonal expansion. Bcl-2 expression was limited to a small proportion of the mononucleate cells in muscle cell cultures, ranging from approximately 1-4% of neonatal and adult mouse muscle cells to approximately 5-15% of the cells from the C2C12 muscle cell line. In rapidly growing cultures, some of the Bcl-2-positive cells coexpressed markers of early stages of myogenesis, including desmin, MyoD, and Myf-5. In contrast, Bcl-2 was not expressed in multinucleate myotubes or in those mononucleate myoblasts that expressed markers of middle or late stages of myogenesis, such as myogenin, muscle regulatory factor 4 (MRF4), and myosin. The small subset of Bcl-2-positive C2C12 cells appeared to resist staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, though myogenic cells from genetically Bcl-2-null mice formed myotubes normally, the muscle colonies produced by cloned Bcl-2-null cells contained only about half as many cells as the colonies produced by cells from wild-type mice. This result suggests that, during clonal expansion from a muscle progenitor cell, the number of progeny obtained is greater when Bcl-2 is expressed.

Pausing and termination by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase

Two types of sites are known to cause pausing and/or termination by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP). Termination at class I sites (typified by the signal found in the late region of T7 DNA, TPhi) involves the formation of a stable stem-loop structure in the nascent RNA ahead of the point of termination, and results in termination near runs of U. Class II sites, typified by a signal first identified in the cloned human preproparathyroid hormone (PTH) gene, generate no evident structure in the RNA but contain a conserved sequence ahead of the point of termination, and also contain runs of U. Termination at class I and class II sites may involve non-equivalent mechanisms, as mutants of T7 RNA polymerase have been identified that fail to recognize class II sites yet continue to recognize class I sites. In this work, we have analyzed pausing and termination at several class II sites, and variants of them. We conclude that the 7 bp sequence ATCTGTT (5' to 3' in the non-template strand) causes transcribing T7 or T3 RNA polymerase to pause. Termination 6 to 8 bp past this sequence is favored by the presence of runs of U, perhaps because they destabilize an RNA:DNA hybrid. The effects of T7 lysozyme on pausing and termination are consistent with the idea that termination involves a reversion of the polymerase from the elongation to the initiation conformation, and that lysozyme inhibits the return to the elongation conformation. A kinetic model of pausing and termination is presented that provides a consistent interpretation of our results.

Blockade of CD40-CD154 interferes with human T cell engraftment in scid mice

Antibodies to the ligand for CD40 (CD154) have been shown to exert profound effects on the development of cell-mediated immune responses in mice. The present study shows that an antibody to human CD154 (hCD40L) inhibits in vivo Tetanus toxoid (TT) specific secondary antibody responses in hu-PBL-scid mice, as well as the expansion of xenoreactive human T cells in the scid mice. A possible cause for the reduced expansion of xenoreactive, human T cells, was the decreased expression of murine B7.1 and B7.2 caused by the administration of anti-hCD40L. Therefore, it may be that defective maturation of murine antigen-presenting cells impeded the priming and expansion of human xenoreactive T cells.

Genetic divergence among the group B coxsackieviruses

As documented in the preceding discussion, the noncoding regions, and in particular the 5' NTR, of the CVB are tolerant of a substantial degree of nucleotide diversity while still being capable of fulfilling the life cycle requirements for these viruses. While diversity among the CVB is observed in the sequences encoding for the capsid proteins, it tends to involve predominantly those regions coding for amino acids located at the surface of the virus and not those responsible for the structural integrity of the mature virion, i.e., beta-barrels and alpha-helices. It is these capsid surface differences that define the six serotypes of the CVB and subdivide them antigenically into strains. Additionally, these proteins most likely play the major role in determining host and cellular tropism. The most conserved of the CVB proteins and, therefore those with the least diversity in their coding sequences, appear to be the nonstructural proteins. Perhaps, as speculated earlier, it is a conformational requirement imposed by the necessity to interact with host or viral substrates that maintains the high degree of amino acid identity of this group of viral proteins.