PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Bukovská

Publications and source records attributed to G Bukovská.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Assay design and optimization of mutant-enriched PCR based method for detection of K-ras gene mutations in pancreatic carcinoma.

The aim of our work was to develop a fast, reliable and sensitive PCR method to detect K-ras mutations in various clinical samples. There is a need for an unimpeachable method for early diagnosis and/or screening of pancreatic cancer (PC). We optimized and subsequently analyzed four methods based on mutant-enriched PCR for the sensitivity, cost and time expense. Using the selected optimal method we examined codon 12 K- ras mutations in a study population of 59 patients with upper GIT malignancies. Reliability of the genotyping was confirmed by sequencing. By using the best of our modified mutant-enriched PCR methods we achieved sensitivity of 1:1 x 10(5). Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal biological material sampling in PC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Resistance of corynebacterial strains to infection and lysis by corynephage BFK 20.

AIMS: Defence mechanisms of the corynebacterial strains against corynephage BFK 20, which causes lysis of Brevibacterium flavum CCM 251. METHODS AND RESULTS: We tested adsorption of the phage BFK 20 to the corynebacterial cell surface. We observed strong adsorption ranging from ca 79 to 93% on the cells of B. flavum ATCC strains, but only ca 76% for B. flavum CCM 251. Minor adsorption for Brevibacterium lactofermentum BLOB (ca 13%) and no adsorption for Corynebacterium glutamicum RM3 were determined. BFK 20 infection had no significant effect on growth and viability of C. glutamicum and B. lactofermentum, but significantly influenced growth and viability of B. flavum ATCC 21127, 21128 and 21474. Cell growth stopped in short time after infection but with no lysis. Brevibacterium flavum CCM 251 cell growth was arrested too and lysis occurred. The Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of significant amount of BFK 20 DNA in samples from B. flavum CCM 251 and B. flavum ATCC strains after BFK 20 infection. Only weak hybridization signal was detected for DNA from infected cells of B. lactofermentum BLOB and no signal for C. glutamicum RM3. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above results we suggest presence of a mechanism leading to abortive infection in B. flavum ATCC 21127, 21128 and 21474. In B. lactofermentum BLOB and C. glutamicum RM3 the adsorption barrier is more likely. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study increases the knowledge on defence mechanisms of corynebacteria against bacteriophages.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Characterization of a complex restriction-modification system detected in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae strains isolated from infections of domestic animals.

Characterization of classic type II restriction-modification systems (RMS) (restriction endonucleases and modification methyltransferases) was carried out in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae obtained from clinical material. Among the 100 isolates of S. aureus two different RMS type II were detected. The first was expressed in isolates 32 and 33 (Sau32 I and Sau33 I); the targeting sequence was determined as 5'-GGN CC-3' (Sau96 I isoschizomer). The second was found in isolates no. 90, 93, 96*, and 98 (Sau90 I, Sau93 I, Sau96* I, Sau98 I) and enzymes recognized sequence 5'-CTY RAG-3' (SmlI isoschizomer). Analysis of 40 isolates of S. agalactiae revealed only one RMS; it was detected in two isolates (no. 16 and 23; Sag16 I and Sag23 I). Restriction endonuclease expressed by these isolates cleaved DNA in sequence 5'-CTG CA/G-3' (PstI isoschizomer). In RMS-positive S. aureus and S. agalactiae isolates plasmid DNA capable of replication in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis was also detected and isolated.

Animals↗

DNA microarrays--techniques and applications in microbial systems.

Genome projects produce a huge amount of sequence information. As a result, the focus of genomics research is turning toward deduction of functional information about newly discovered genes. Thus structural genomics paves the way for a new discipline called functional genomics by providing the information required for microarray manufacture. Microarray technology is the result of automation and miniaturization in the detection of differential gene expression. By using this technology one can make a parallel analysis of RNA abundance and DNA homology for thousands of genes in a single experiment. Over the past several years, this unique technology has been used to explore hundreds transcriptional patterns and genome differences for a variety of microbial species. Applications of microarrays extend beyond the boundaries of basic biology into diagnostics, environmental monitoring, pharmacology, toxicology and biotechnology. We describe comprehensive nature of DNA microarray technology with emphasis on fabrication of DNA microarrays and application of this technology in biological environment with primary accent on microbial systems.

Bacteria↗

An origin of DNA replication from streptomycete phage phi U1.

A DNA fragment from phage phi U1 containing an origin of DNA replication was identified. This fragment, designated ori, was able to support the maintenance in Streptomyces lividans of a plasmid lacking a functional Gram-positive ori. The sequence of the minimal ori fragment was determined and analyzed. The minimal fragment conferring replication origin function contained a number of direct and inverted repeats. The absence of an open reading frame in this ori fragment indicates that host factors alone were sufficient to initiate replication at ori.

Bacteriophages↗

Connection between foreign DNA replication and induced expression of the restriction-modification system in Streptomyces aureofaciens.

Tetracycline-producing strains of Streptomyces aureofaciens expressed SauLPI restriction-modification (R-M) system, which recognized specific DNA sequence 5'-GCCGGC-3' (isoschizomer Nael). The activation of the second R-M system SauLPII (5'-GAGCTC-3', isoschizomer of XhoI), which was silent during the growth cycle, after a foreign DNA transfer into this strain was observed. This phenomenon was tentatively explained as a response of the cells against the exogenous DNA entering the cells. The involvement of a SOS-like response in induction of R-M system genes in S. aureofaciens strains has been considered.

Bacteriophage mu↗

Construction of promoter-probe shuttle vectors for Escherichia coli and corynebacteria on the basis of promoterless alpha-amylase gene.

We constructed new promoter-probe vectors for E. coli and corynebacteria based on the promoterless alpha-amylase gene originating from Bacillus subtilis. Vectors pJUPAE1 and pJUPAE2 are suitable for isolation of transcriptionally active fragments from plasmids, phages or genomic DNA. alpha-Amylase activity can be easily visually detected on agar plates containing a chromogenic substrate, or by direct measurement of alpha-amylase activity.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Characterization and sequence analysis of the F2 promoter from corynephage BFK20.

F2 promoter from corynephage BFK20 was isolated and characterized. It was functional in Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum. Cloning of the F2 promoter into the pJUP05 promoter probe vector caused an increase of the neomycin phosphotransferase II specific activity. According to the Northern blot hybridization the nptII gene was expressed from the cloned F2 promoter. The apparent transcription start point in E. coli and C. glutamicum was determined. The -35 region of F2 promoter showed high similarity to that of E. coli promoter consensus sequence, but its -10 region was G+C rich and had no significant homology to that.

Bacteriophages↗