Photoregulated carotenoid biosynthetic genes of Neurospora crassa.
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Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
Biomedical subjects
G Morelli
Publications and source records attributed to G Morelli.
Fatal septicaemia caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in a patient with cirrhosis.
In this case report from Italy we describe a fatal infection caused by A. hydrophila in a 39 yr old cirrhotic patient. This pathogen was isolated as a pure single culture from the patient's blood sample. The patient died on the second day of hospitalization from overwhelming sepsis. The A. hydrophila isolate was tested for different potential virulence properties, such as invasiveness, adherence, exotoxins production, presence of fimbriae and for the patterns of resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Although, the Aeromonas species are infrequently reported as a cause of human infections, the present case study confirms the capability of these pathogens to induce serious human infections.
Adult↗
Functional identification of al-3 from Neurospora crassa as the gene for geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase by complementation with crt genes, in vitro characterization of the gene product and mutant analysis.
In this work the Neurospora crassa al-3 gene function was determined. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthase activity was measured in al-2 FGSC 313 and al-3 RP100 FGSC 2082 mutant strains by in vitro synthesis methods. This experiment showed that al-3 RP100 mutant expresses a reduced GGPP synthase activity. The mutated al-3 gene was cloned and sequenced; a single missense mutation was found changing serine into asparagine. Genetic complementation was performed by Escherichia coli transformation, with clusters of crt genes from Erwinia uredovora. Carotenoid accumulation was observed in E. coli transformants when the N. crassa al-3 gene substitutes the GGPP synthase gene (crtE) in the carotenogenic crt cluster. Cell-free studies with E. coli transformants gave direct evidence of the function of the al-3 protein as GGPP synthase and indicated that a short-chain prenylpyrophosphate, such as dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, is the genuine substrate.
Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
The Arabidopsis Athb-2 and -4 genes are strongly induced by far-red-rich light.
The isolation and characterization of the Athb-2 gene, which codes for a HD-Zip protein in Arabidopsis thaliana is reported. Interestingly, Southern analysis has established that the Arabidopsis genome contains sequences which are highly related to the Athb-2 HD-Zip coding region. One of these genes, designated Athb-4, has been cloned and partially sequenced. Amino acid sequence comparison revealed that Athb-2 and -4 are members of a small family of HD-Zip related proteins. Athb-2 mRNA analysis showed that this gene is expressed during the vegetative and reproductive phases of plant growth. A significant increment in the amount of Athb-2 transcripts was observed in flowering plants. A higher steady-state level of the Athb-2 mRNA was also found in dark-adapted plants. Remarkably, far-red-rich light treatment of Arabidopsis plants results in a rapid and strong induction of the Athb-2 expression. This light treatment also induces the accumulation of Athb-4 transcripts, suggesting a similar role for the two members of this HD-Zip family.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Antigenic and epidemiologic properties of the ET-37 complex of Neisseria meningitidis.
A special collection of 336 Neisseria meningitidis strains was established that spanned the genetic variability, as defined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, of the ET-37 complex (228 strains isolated in different continents between the 1960s and the 1980s) and of other serogroup C meningococci (108 strains). Of the strains in the ET-37 complex, 90% were serogroup C and 10% were serogroup B. Most ET-37 complex strains were serotype 2a and serosubtype P1.5,2 or P1.5,y; most expressed class IIb pilin. Twenty-six Opa proteins differing in electrophoretic mobility or reactivity with monoclonal antibodies were variably expressed by different members of the ET-37 complex, although only four opa genes were detected in individual strains. Despite this overall diversity, most isolates from any one outbreak were fairly homogeneous.
Antigenic Variation↗
The interplay of light and the circadian clock. Independent dual regulation of clock-controlled gene ccg-2(eas).
Ambient light is the major agent mediating entrainment of circadian rhythms and is also a major factor influencing development and morphogenesis. We show that in Neurospora crassa the expression of clock-controlled gene 2 (ccg-2), a gene under the control of the circadian clock and allelic to the developmental gene easy wettable (eas), is regulated by light in wild-type strains. Light elicits a direct and important physiological effect on ccg-2(eas) expression as demonstrated using several mutant Neurospora strains. In white collar mutants (wc-1 and wc-2) that are "blind" to blue light, ccg-2(eas) mRNA shows no variation following illumination with saturating light. By contrast, ccg-2(eas) mRNA is photoinduced in clock-null strains such as frequency (bd;frq). The results in the clock mutants show that an intact circadian oscillator is not required for light induction of ccg-2(eas). Thus, ccg-2(eas) is subject to a dual regulation that involves separable regulation by light and circadian rhythm.
Alleles↗
Trigonoplasty by Gil Vernet in the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in adult patients.
There are several surgical procedures for the correction of primary vesicoureteral reflux. Among them, the one of increasing success for its safety and effectiveness is that introduced by Gil Vernet at the beginning of the 1980s, primarily in the pediatric field. By the time of this study, its use had been extended to adult patients as well. We report the results obtained with this method in 17 adult patients with primary vesicoureteral reflux.
Adolescent↗
[Echography in the follow-up of patients receiving an endoscopic injection of teflon for vesico-renal reflux].
The surgical treatment of vesicorenal reflux implies open surgery and consequently an hospitalization. The sub-ureteric injection of poly-tetra-fluoro ethylene (Teflon) for correction of vesicorenal reflux was first utilized in 1981 by Matouschek. We have reviewed our personal experience with endoscopic correction of vesicorenal reflux from 1985 to 1990 and evaluated the importance of ultrasonography especially in the follow up.
Adolescent↗
[Echo-guided puncture of intraprostatic cysts: our experience].
Prostatic cysts are a pathological condition which is rare and still poorly known. In the past a precise diagnosis was difficult and was made with radiologic examination and/or cystoscopy and/or surgery. Up to date echotomography is the most important technique not only for the diagnosis but also for the treatment of prostatic cysts. The Authors relate upon their experience about diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cysts.
Cysts↗
[Echographic localization and monitoring of bladder calculi treated with ESWL].
The standard treatments for bladder stones consist either of an open operation or endoscopic transurethral disintegration and extraction. These treatment require anesthesia and hospitalization. We report our experience of ESWL monotherapy in the treatment of 10 patients affected by bladder stones. Our early datas show that ESWL for bladder stones is a safe an effective therapy which can be performed without the use of anesthesia in an outpatient basis.
Adult↗
Photoinduction of albino-3 gene expression in Neurospora crassa conidia.
The synthesis of carotenoids is induced by blue light in Neurospora crassa mycelia, while in conidia (the vegetative spores) the accumulation of carotenoids also occurs in the dark. The expression of the albino-3 (al-3) gene (coding for the carotenogenic enzyme geranyl-geranyl pyrophosphate synthetase) in isolated conidia was analysed. The level of al-3 mRNA was shown to be increased in light-induced wild type (wt) conidia. This light response was elicited by blue light and was under the control of the white collar-1 (wc-1) and white collar-2 (wc-2) gene products. This indicates that the blue-light photoreceptor and the light transduction pathway which activate al-3 gene expression in mycelia are probably the same as in conidia.
Base Sequence↗
Identification of a gene in Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1 determining the amount of packaged DNA.
The virulent Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1 encapsidates its DNA by a headful mechanism. Analyzing phage missense mutants, which package less DNA than SPP1 wild-type but show no other affected properties, we have identified a gene whose product is involved in the sizing of phage DNA during maturation. Characterization of this gene and its product provides an experimental access to the poorly understood mechanism of DNA sizing in packaging. The gene (gene 6 or siz) was cloned and sequenced. An open reading frame (ORF) coding for a 57.3 kDa polypeptide was identified. All the single nucleotide substitutions present in different siz mutants affect the net charge of that protein. The gene was further characterized by assignment of several nonsense mutations (sus) to the ORF. Phages carrying the latter type of mutations could be complemented in trans when gene 6 is provided by a plasmid.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A comparison of the variable antigens expressed by clone IV-1 and subgroup III of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A.
Serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis of subgroup III has caused two pandemics of meningococcal meningitis since 1966 and recently spread to East Africa. The last epidemics in West Africa in the early 1980s were caused by clone IV-1. Surface antigens of clone IV-1 strains from West Africa and subgroup III strains from both pandemic waves were analyzed. Lipopolysaccharide was stable within clone IV-1 but variable in subgroup III. Pili from clone IV-1 possessed class I epitopes, while those from subgroup III also possessed class IIa epitopes. Certain class 5 protein variants were expressed by both bacterial clones, possibly reflecting either inheritance of primeval genes or horizontal transmission. Exposure of Gambians to clone IV-1 bacteria stimulated production of bactericidal antibodies cross-reactive with subgroup III bacteria in some individuals but of type-specific antibodies in others. Gambians without bactericidal antibodies usually became healthy carriers rather than developing meningococcal disease on exposure to virulent meningococci.
Africa, Western↗
Classic hemophilia in elderly patients.
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Aged↗
Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord: report of a case.
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Genital Neoplasms, Male↗
The Neurospora crassa carotenoid biosynthetic gene (albino 3) reveals highly conserved regions among prenyltransferases.
In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa the biosynthesis of carotenoids is regulated by blue light. Here we report the characterization of the albino-3 (al-3) gene of N. crassa, which encodes the carotenoid biosynthetic enzyme geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate synthetase. This is the first geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate synthetase gene isolated. Nucleotide sequence comparison of al-3 genomic and cDNA clones revealed that the al-3 gene is not interrupted by introns. Transcription of the al-3 gene has been examined in dark-grown and light-induced mycelia. The analysis revealed that the al-3 gene is not expressed in the dark and that its transcription is induced by blue light (Nelson, M. A., Morelli, G., Carattoli, A., Romano, N., and Macino, G. (1989) Mol. Cell. Biol. 9, 1271-1276). The al-3 gene encodes a polypeptide of 428 amino acids. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of al-3 with the sequences of prenyltransferases of other species, from bacteria to humans, showed three highly conserved homologous regions. These homologous regions may be involved in the formation of the catalytic site of the prenyltransferases.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A novel class of plant proteins containing a homeodomain with a closely linked leucine zipper motif.
The homeobox, a 183 bp DNA sequence element, was originally identified as a region of sequence similarity between many Drosophila homeotic genes. The homeobox codes for a DNA-binding motif known as the homeodomain. Homeobox genes have been found in many animal species, including sea urchins, nematodes, frogs, mice and humans. To isolate homeobox-containing sequences from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, a cDNA library was screened with a highly degenerate oligonucleotide corresponding to a conserved eight amino acid sequence from the helix-3 region of the homeodomain. Using this strategy two cDNA clones sharing homeobox-related sequences were identified. Interestingly, both of the cDNAs also contain a second element that potentially codes for a leucine zipper motif which is located immediately 3' to the homeobox. The close proximity of these two domains suggests that the homeodomain-leucine zipper motif could, via dimerization of the leucine zippers, recognize dyad-symmetrical DNA sequences.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of opc, the gene for an unusual class 5 outer membrane protein from Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci/surface antigen).
A genomic library was constructed in a lambda gt11 vector using chromosomal DNA from a meningococcal serogroup A strain and plaques expressing the class 5C protein were recognized by screening with specific monoclonal antibodies. The opc insert was subcloned into a multicopy plasmid which induced expression of that protein in Escherichia coli as a surface-exposed major outer membrane protein. The nucleotide sequence of opc is typical of an outer membrane protein with a promoter and terminator region, a leader peptide which is cleaved during expression and a complete open reading frame. Unlike other meningococcal class 5 proteins or gonococcal P.II proteins, the sequence did not contain any pentanucleotide repeats and the sequence showed little homology to these other functionally related proteins. However, the predicted amino acid sequence of the mature protein for opc showed 27% similarity to that for a second opa gene cloned from the same meningococcal strain. This is the first report of cloning and expression of a functional meningococcal gene encoding a class 5 outer membrane protein in E. coli.
Amino Acid Sequence↗