High blood acetaldehyde levels after ethanol administration. Difference between alcoholic and nonalcoholic subjects

Blood actaldehyde and ethanol levels were measured in 11 subjects, six with chronic alcholoism and five nonalcholic controls, after alcohol had been given intravenously. Despite a progressive fall in blood ethanol over a range of 54 to 33 mM/acetaldehyde did not decrease in any of the 11 subjects. The mean acetaldehyde plateau level was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in alcoholic (42.7 plus or minus 1.2 mum) than in nonalcoholic (26.5 plus or minus 1.5 mum) subjects. When the mean blood ethanol concentration reached 24 mM,the acetaldehyde plateau ended abruptly in each subject. The ethanol concentration at which this fall of blood acetaldehyde occurred suggests desaturation of an ethanol oxidizing system other than alcohol dehydrogenase and indicates that at high ethanol blood levels, such a system contributes to ethanol oxidation. The highet acetaldehyde levels in alcholism may result from both greater activity of this system and mitochondrial damage, and could contribut to the neurologic, hepatic and cardiac complications of alcoholism.

Brain functional activity during gait in normal subjects: a SPECT study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in brain activity during voluntary walking in normal subjects using technetium-99m-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography. This study included 14 normal subjects. Statistical parametric mapping analysis revealed that the supplementary motor area, medial primary sensorimotor area, the striatum, the cerebellar vermis and the visual cortex were activated. These results suggested that the cerebral cortices controlling motor functions, visual cortex, basal ganglia and the cerebellum might be involved in the bipedal locomotor activities in humans.

Bacteriophage therapy: a revitalized therapy against bacterial infectious diseases

Bacteriophage (phage) therapy involves using phages or their products as bioagents for the treatment or prophylaxis of bacterial infectious diseases. Much evidence in support of the effectiveness of phage therapy against bacterial infectious diseases has accumulated since 1980 from animal model studies conducted in Western countries. Reports indicate that appropriate administration of living phages can be used to treat lethal infectious diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio vulnificus, and Salmonella spp., and gram-positive bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus. The phage display system and genetically modified nonreplicating phages are also effective for treatment of Helicobacter pylori and P. aeruginosa, respectively. In addition to phage particles per se, purified phage-encoded peptidoglycan hydrolase (lysin) is also reported to be effective for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases caused by gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, Bacillus anthracis, and group B streptococci. All phage lysins that have been studied to date exhibit immediate and strong bacteriolytic activity when applied exogenously. Furthermore, phage-coded inhibitors of peptidoglycan synthesis (protein antibiotics), search methods for novel antibacterial agents using phage genome informatics, and vaccines utilizing phages or their products are being developed. Phage therapy will compensate for unavoidable complications of chemotherapy such as the appearance of multidrug resistance or substituted microbism.

Detection and chemical identification of natural bio-antimutagens. A case of the green tea factor

A bio-antimutagen, isolated from Japanese green tea (leaves of Camellia sinensis), reduced high spontaneous mutations due to altered DNA-polymerase III in a mutator strain of Bacillus subtilis. Chemical studies showed that the factor was epigallo-catechin-gallate (EGCg).

Experimental protection of mice against lethal Staphylococcus aureus infection by novel bacteriophage phi MR11

The protective effects of bacteriophages were assessed against experimental Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice. Of the S. aureus phages isolated in the study, phi MR11 was representatively used for all testing, because its host range was the most broad and it carries no genes for known toxins or antibiotic resistance. Intraperitoneal injections (8 x 10(8) cells) of S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant bacteria, caused bacteremia and eventual death in mice. In contrast, subsequent intraperitoneal administration of purified phi MR11 (MOI > or = 0.1) suppressed S. aureus-induced lethality. This lifesaving effect coincided with the rapid appearance of phi MR11 in the circulation, which remained at substantial levels until the bacteria were eradicated. Inoculation with high-dose phi MR11 alone produced no adverse effects attributable to the phage. These results uphold the efficacy of phage therapy against pernicious S. aureus infections in humans and suggest that phi MR11 may be a potential prototype for gene-modified, advanced therapeutic S. aureus phages.

Efficient elimination of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by cloned lysin derived from bacteriophage phi MR11

We report the successful purification of a cloned lysin encoded by the novel Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage phi MR11. The lysin, designated MV-L, rapidly and completely lysed cells of a number of S. aureus strains tested, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus and a subset of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) in growing conditions. MV-L-mediated killing is specific to S. aureus and not to other species, except for S. simulans. MV-L exerted its staphylocidal effect synergistically with glycopeptide antibiotics against VISA. MV-L efficiently eliminated MRSA that had been artificially inoculated into the nares of mice. The intraperitoneal administration of MV-L also protected mice against MRSA septic death, without any harmful effects. Although MV-L evoked detectable levels of a humoral response in mice, the antibodies did not abolish the bacteriolytic activity. These results indicate that MV-L might be useful as a powerful therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant S. aureus infections.

Formation of a compensatory polyamine by Escherichia coli polyamine-requiring mutants during growth in the absence of polyamines

The amounts of normal and compensatory polyamines of polyamine-requiring Escherichia coli mutants grown in the absence of polyamines were determined. Although aminopropylcadaverine, a compensatory polyamine, was synthesized by MA135 (speB) and DR112 (speA speB), no aminopropylcadaverine or only small amounts of aminopropylcadaverine were synthesized by EWH319 (speA speB speC speD) and MA261 (speB speC), respectively. The average mass doubling times of MA135, DR112, MA261, and EWH319 grown in the absence of polyamines were 113, 105, 260, and 318 min, respectively. The correlation of these values with the sum of spermidine plus aminopropylcadaverine suggested that aminopropylcadaverine is important for cell growth in the presence of limiting amounts of normal polyamines. This hypothesis is supported by the results of aminopropylcadaverine stimulation of the in vitro synthesis of polyphenylalanine and MS2 RNA replicase and of its stimulation of the growth of MA261. For the following reasons, it was concluded that aminopropylcadaverine was synthesized preferentially from cadaverine made by ornithine decarboxylase: aminopropylcadaverine was synthesized in relatively large amounts in cells (MA135 and DR112) which possess ornithine decarboxylase; ornithine decarboxylase catalyzed the decarboxylation of lysine in vitro, and the in vivo formation of aminopropylcadaverine was inhibited by an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase.

Efficacy of bacteriophage therapy against gut-derived sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice

We evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophage (phage) therapy by using a murine model of gut-derived sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that closely resembles the clinical pathophysiology of septicemia in humans. Oral administration of a newly isolated lytic phage strain (KPP10) significantly protected mice against mortality (survival rates, 66.7% for the phage-treated group versus 0% for the saline-treated control group; P<0.01). Mice treated with phage also had lower numbers of viable P. aeruginosa cells in their blood, liver, and spleen. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha TNF-alpha, interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta], and IL-6) in blood and liver were significantly lower in phage-treated mice than in phage-untreated mice. The number of viable P. aeruginosa cells in fecal matter in the gastrointestinal tract was significantly lower in phage-treated mice than in the saline-treated control mice. We also studied the efficacy of phage treatment for intraperitoneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa and found that phage treatment significantly improved the survival of mice, but only under limited experimental conditions. In conclusion, our findings suggest that oral administration of phage may be effective against gut-derived sepsis caused by P. aeruginosa.

Cerebral activation during performance of a card sorting test

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is used clinically for evaluating frontal lobe function, but there is some controversy as to its specificity for detecting frontal lobe damage. To investigate the cerebral regions essential to the performance of the Card Sorting Test, we measured the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 18 normal subjects by PET under the three conditions: (i) during the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST); (ii) during a matching-to-sample (MTS) task, based on the MCST, but with selective attention to one of three stimulus categories (colour, number or shape) as a control to cancel the effects of maintenance of sets in the MCST; (iii) under resting conditions as overall control. When rCBF during the MCST was compared with that during each MTS task separately, significant activations were observed during the MCST in the left or bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), bilateral inferior parietal lobes, left superior occipital gyrus and left cerebellum. Compared with all the MTS tasks inclusively, significant increase in rCBF was detected during the MCST in the bilateral DLPFC, inferior parietal lobes, striate cortex, cerebellum and left occipital cortex. These results suggest the involvement of the DLPFC and other related areas such as the inferior parietal cortex in the execution of the MCST, and may help explain why a variety of brain lesions can result in impaired performance on the Card Sorting Test.

Oestrogen receptor alpha and beta mRNA expression in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle

We examined the localization of oestrogen receptor (ER) beta mRNA in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle using non-radioactive in-situ hybridization with Brigati-tailed oligonucleotides. The findings were compared with those of ERalpha in order to examine the possible biological significance of ERbeta in the human endometrium. Both ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression were detected in all major human uterine cell types, including glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the uterine wall, at every menstrual cycle stage. However, ERalpha mRNA expression was more prominent than that of ERbeta in all cell types throughout the menstrual cycle. In proliferative phase endometrium, ERalpha mRNA was expressed in both glandular epithelial and stromal cells, while ERbeta mRNA was expressed predominantly in glandular epithelial cells. Although the same pattern was observed in the secretory phase, both the ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression was relatively weaker. These results suggest that oestrogenic effects occur predominantly through ERalpha, but that ERbeta may also play a role in the modulation of oestrogenic action, especially on glandular epithelial cells in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.

Sequence analysis of bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging/terminase genes 16 and 17 reveals a common ATPase center in the large subunit of viral terminases

Phage DNA packaging is believed to be driven by a rotary device coupled to an ATPase 'motor'. Recent evidence suggests that the phage DNA packaging motor is one of the strongest force-generating molecular motors reported to date. However, the ATPase center that is responsible for generating this force is unknown. In order to identify the DNA translocating ATPase, the sequences of the packaging/terminase genes of coliphages T4 and RB49 and vibriophages KVP40 and KVP20 have been analyzed. Alignment of the terminase polypeptide sequences revealed a number of functional signatures in the terminase genes 16 and 17. Most importantly, the data provide compelling evidence for an ATPase catalytic center in the N-terminal half of the large terminase subunit gp17. An analogous ATPase domain consisting of conserved functional signatures is also identified in the large terminase subunit of other bacteriophages and herpesviruses. Interestingly, the putative terminase ATPase domain exhibits some of the common features found in the ATPase domain of DEAD box helicases. Residues that would be critical for ATPase catalysis and its coupling to DNA packaging are identified. Com binatorial mutagenesis shows that the predicted threonine residues in the putative ATPase coupling motif are indeed critical for function.

DNA microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in deep endometriosis using laser capture microdissection

Endometriosis, a common gynecological disorder that causes infertility and pelvic pain, is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within extra-uterine sites. However, despite extensive studies its etiology and pathogenesis are not completely understood. Differentially expressed genes were investigated in epithelial and stromal cells from deep endometriosis and matched eutopic endometrium using cDNA microarrays and laser capture microdissection. Validation of results of several up- and down-regulated genes was performed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Our data showed that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), protein kinase C beta1 (PKC beta1) and janus kinase 1 (JAK1) were upregulated, and Sprouty2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) were downregulated in endometriosis stromal cells, suggesting the involvement of the RAS/RAF/MAPK signaling pathway through PDGFRA in endometriosis pathophysiology. In addition, two potential negative regulators of aromatase expression, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 2 (COUP-TF2) and prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype EP3 (PGE2EP3), were downregulated in endometriosis epithelial cells, which might result in increased local production of estrogen in endometriosis epithelial cells. Furthermore, three potential candidate genes that might be involved in endometriosis related pain were identified: tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRkB) in endometriosis epithelial cells, and serotonin transporter (5HTT) and mu opioid receptor (MOR) in endometriosis stromal cells were all upregulated. One of the candidate genes, MOR, may be involved in a defective immune system in endometriosis. This study has provided new insights into endometriosis pathophysiology.

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To quantify and compare messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of ER-alpha and ER-beta among ovarian endometriotic cysts and red and black peritoneal endometriotic lesions.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Patients with or without endometriosis.

INTERVENTION(S)

Samples of peritoneal (n = 33) and ovarian endometriotic lesions (n = 37) were obtained during laparoscopic surgery. Normal eutopic endometrial tissues and macroscopically normal peritoneal tissues were obtained as controls during or just after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Expression of mRNA for ER-alpha and ER-beta, using a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay, TaqMan RT-PCR, and nonradioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques.

RESULT(S)

Both eutopic endometrium and endometriotic tissues showed predominantly higher levels of ER-alpha than ER-beta mRNA. Relative ratio of ER-alpha to ER-beta (ER-alpha/ER-beta) mRNA in red peritoneal lesions was significantly higher than in black lesions and ovarian endometriotic cysts. There was no significant difference in ER-alpha/ER-beta between proliferative eutopic endometrium and red peritoneal lesions. These results were confirmed by ISH analysis, which also revealed that the two estrogen receptors were localized in both epithelial and stromal cells of endometriotic tissues.

CONCLUSION(S)

The predominant expression of ER-alpha in both glandular epithelial and stromal cells may be essential for the development and growth of peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis.

Isolation and characterization of a novel Enterococcus faecalis bacteriophage phiEF24C as a therapeutic candidate

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) has become a significant threat in nosocomial settings. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is frequently proposed as a potential alternative therapy for infections caused by this bacterium. To search for candidate therapeutic phages against Enterococcus faecalis infections, 30 Enterococcus faecalis phages were isolated from the environment. One of these, virulent phage phiEF24C, which has a broad host range, was selected for analysis. The plaque-forming ability of phiEF24C was virtually unaffected by differences in the clinical host strains. Furthermore, the phage had a shorter latent period and a larger burst size than ordinary tailed phages, indicating that phiEF24C has effective lytic activity against many Enterococcus faecalis strains, including VRE. Morphological and genomic analyses revealed that phiEF24C is a large myovirus (classified as family Myoviridae morphotype A1) with a linear double-stranded DNA genome of c. 143 kbp. Analyses of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the virion proteins, together with the morphology and the genome size, speculated that phiEF24C is closely related to other myoviruses of Gram-positive bacteria that have been used experimentally or practically for therapy or prophylaxis. Considering these results, phiEF24C may be a potential candidate therapeutic phage against Enterococcus faecalis infections.

Polyamines as a chemotaxonomic marker in bacterial systematics

Aliphatic linear polyamines, from diamines to hexaamines, tertiary branched tetraamines, and quaternary branched pentaamines are widely distributed in eubacteria, archaebacteria, and cyanobacteria. Twenty-four linear types and four branched types are acid extractable from bacterial cells and can be chromatographically analyzed and identified. The varieties of polyamines are due to the combination of amino acid decarboxylase activities to form diamines, aminopropyl- and aminobutyl-transfer activities mediated by aminopropyltransferases or Schiff-base complex formation, and hydroxylation activity. The absence or presence of spermidine, norspermidine or homospermidine and the occurrence of 2-hydroxyputrescine and diaminopropane are related to grouping into the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta subclasses within Proteobacteria. Flavobacterium complex and green bacteria contain putrescine and homospermidine. Gram-negative thermophiles contain long linear and branched polyamines; however, their distribution profiles are species specific. Gram-positive eubacteria, which comprise Bacillus cluster, anaerobes, and actinomycetes, ubiquitously contain putrescine and spermidine, while the occurrence of spermine is limited to thermophiles. Archaebacteria are separated into polyamine-absent methanogens and halophiles, homospermidine-dominant methanogens, spermidine-dominant methanogens, and spermidine- and norspermidine-containing thermophiles. Cyanobacteria comprise two types; one group contains homospermidine and the other spermidine. The polyamine distribution pattern can serve as a chemotaxonomic marker in bacterial classification and is associated with bacterial systematics on the level of order, family, or genus.

A novel DISC1-interacting partner DISC1-Binding Zinc-finger protein: implication in the modulation of DISC1-dependent neurite outgrowth

Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a gene disrupted by a (1;11) (q42.1;q14.3) translocation that segregates with major psychiatric disorders in a Scottish family. To investigate how DISC1 confers susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, we previously identified fasciculation and elongation protein zeta-1 and Kendrin as DISC1-interacting molecules in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human brain complementary DNA library. Here, we have further identified a novel DISC1-interacting protein, termed DISC1-Binding Zinc-finger protein (DBZ), which has a predicted C(2)H(2)-type zinc-finger motif and coiled-coil domains. DBZ was co-immunoprecipitated with DISC1 in lysates of PC12 cells and rat brain tissue. The domain of DISC1 interacting with DBZ was close to the translocation breakpoint in the DISC1 gene. DBZ messenger RNA (mRNA) was expressed in human brains, but not in peripheral tissues. In situ hybridization revealed high expression of DBZ mRNA in the hippocampus, olfactory tubercle, cerebral cortex and striatum in rats. Because this pattern of localization was similar to that of the pituitary adenylate cyclase (PAC(1)) receptor for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), which has recently been implicated in neuropsychological functions, we examined whether DISC1/DBZ interaction was involved in the PACAP signaling pathway. PACAP upregulated DISC1 expression and markedly reduced the association between DISC1 and DBZ in PC12 cells. A DISC1-binding domain of DBZ reduced the neurite length in PC12 cells after PACAP stimulation and in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. The present results provide some new molecular insights into the mechanisms of neuronal development and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Localisation of apoptosis and expression of apoptosis related proteins in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether apoptosis occurs in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the intermediate molecules operating in this process.

METHODS

DNA fragmentation was detected by in situ nick end labelling (ISNEL) in the synovium of patients with RA (n = 11) and control patients with femoral neck fracture (n = 5). The expression of proteins p53, p21WAFI/CIPI, c-myc, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Bcl-2 was also examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

ISNEL positive synovial cells with apoptosis specific morphology were detected in extremely limited areas in only two RA synovial tissue specimens. Proteins p53, p21WAFI/CIPI, and c-myc, known inducers of apoptosis or cell cycle arrest or both, were expressed in the sublining cells independent of ISNEL positive cells. PCNA, a marker for cell proliferation, was observed in the synovial lining cells. Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis, was expressed mainly in infiltrated lymphocytes and in parts of the sublining layer cells of RA; it also did not correspond with ISNEL staining.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that RA synovial cells undergo apoptosis in addition to cell proliferation, but the frequency of apoptosis was very low. We suspect that the apoptotic process in the RA synovium may be suppressed by over-expression of Bcl-2. Although expressed proteins p53, p21WAFI/CIPI, and c-myc were present in the RA synovium, these protooncogenes are probably not implicated in the apoptotic process.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in mice: effects of topical bacteriophage KPP12 administration

The therapeutic effects of bacteriophage (phage) KPP12 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis were investigated in mice. Morphological analysis showed that phage KPP12 is a member of the family Myoviridae, morphotype A1, and DNA sequence analysis revealed that phage KPP12 is similar to PB1-like viruses. Analysis of the phage KPP12 genome did not identify any genes related to drug resistance, pathogenicity or lysogenicity, and so phage KPP12 may be a good candidate for therapeutic. KPP12 showed a broad host range for P. aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical ophthalmic infections. Inoculation of the scarified cornea with P. aeruginosa caused severe keratitis and eventual corneal perforation. Subsequent single-dose administration of KPP12 eye-drops significantly improved disease outcome, and preserved the structural integrity and transparency of the infected cornea. KPP12 treatment resulted in the suppression of neutrophil infiltration and greatly enhanced bacterial clearance in the infected cornea. These results indicate that bacteriophage eye-drops may be a novel adjunctive or alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of infectious keratitis secondary to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Widespread occurrence of norspermidine and norspermine in eukaryotic algae

Seven phyla of eukaryotic algae were analyzed to determine their contents of diamines and polyamines. The algae examined included Rhodophyta, Pyrrophyta, Chrysophyta, Phaeophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorophyta, and Charophyta. Both putrescine and spermidine were detected in all the algae studied, while appreciable amounts of spermine were detected only in a few species of algae. 1,3-Diaminopropane, norspermidine, and norspermine, which are chemical analogs of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, respectively, were widely distributed in various species of algae. There was no parallelism between the distribution patterns of putrescine derivatives and those of 1,3-diaminopropane derivatives. Cadaverine and agmatine were detected in multicellular marine algae. Homospermidine was detected sporadically in some algae. The biological and phylogenetical significance of polyamines in these lower eukaryotes is discussed.

T-even-related bacteriophages as candidates for treatment of Escherichia coli urinary tract infections

Multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is increasing gradually on a worldwide scale. We therefore examined the possibility of bacteriophage (phage) therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by the UPEC strains as an alternative to chemotherapy. In addition to the well-known T4 phage, KEP10, which was newly isolated, was used as a therapeutic phage candidate. KEP10 showed a broader bacteriolytic spectrum (67%) for UPEC strains than T4 (14%). Morphological and genetic analyses showed that KEP10 resembles phage T4. Phages T4 and KEP10 injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice were distributed immediately to all organs examined and maintained a high titer for at least 24 h. They were stable in the urine of both mice and humans for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Administration of these phages into the peritoneal cavity caused a marked decrease in the mortality of mice inoculated transurethrally with a UPEC strain, whereas most of the control mice died within a few days of bacterial infection. Inoculation with phage alone produced no adverse effects attributable to the phage per se. The present study experimentally demonstrated the therapeutic potential of phage for E. coli-induced UTIs, and T-even-related phages may be suitable candidates with which to treat them.

Induced HMGA1a expression causes aberrant splicing of Presenilin-2 pre-mRNA in sporadic Alzheimer's disease

The aberrant splicing isoform (PS2V), generated by exon 5 skipping of the Presenilin-2 (PS2) gene transcript, is a diagnostic feature of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found PS2V is hypoxia-inducible in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. We purified a responsible trans-acting factor based on its binding to an exon 5 fragment. The factor was identified as the high mobility group A1a protein (HMGA1a; formerly HMG-I). HMGA1a bound to a specific sequence on exon 5, located upstream of the 5' splice site. HMGA1a expression was induced by hypoxia and the protein was accumulated in the nuclear speckles with the endogenous splicing factor SC35. Overexpression of HMGA1a generated PS2V, but PS2V was repressed by cotransfection with the U1 snRNP 70K protein that has a strong affinity to HMGA1a. HMGA1a could interfere with U1 snRNP binding to the 5' splice site and caused exon 5 skipping. HMGA1a levels were significantly increased in the brain tissue from sporadic AD patients. We propose a novel mechanism of sporadic AD that involves HMGA1a-induced aberrant splicing of PS2 pre-mRNA in the absence of any mutations.

A broad-host-range vibriophage, KVP40, isolated from sea water

A broad-host-range vibriophage, KVP40, was isolated from sea water by using Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1010 (EB101) as the indicator host. The host range of KVP40 extended over at least 8 Vibrio and 1 Photobacterium species. KVP40 was a large tailed phage containing double-stranded DNA and belonged to Ackermann's morphotype A2. KVP40 DNA was cleaved by 11 different type II restriction endonucleases including EcoRI and HindIII, but not by 17 other enzymes including BamHI, KpnI and SalI.