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Biomedical subjects

G Stöffler

Publications and source records attributed to G Stöffler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Indirect immunofluorescence test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Campylobacter pylori.

An indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF) has been developed for detecting Campylobacter pylori in gastroduodenal biopsies. This test was compared with standard methods of C. pylori diagnosis, namely Gram staining and urease test, in a study population of 226 patients; 121 of the biopsy specimens were cultured for C. pylori as well. C. pylori colonization was detected in 154 of 226 patients (68%) by at least one of these methods (IIF, 96%; Gram staining, 78%; urease test, 60%; cultivation, 55%). Serum samples from 191 patients of the study population were screened for circulating antibodies to C. pylori by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with whole, untreated bacteria as antigen. Of these serum specimens, 140 (73%) revealed absorbance readings above the limit of positivity, which was determined as an optical density of greater than 0.35 at 405/620 nm. Of 132 serum specimens, 128 (97%) from patients with C. pylori detected in biopsies, but only 12 (20%) of 59 specimens from those without C. pylori detection showed elevated specific antibody levels. Our data revealed that IIF proved to be the superior rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic method. The correlation between microbiological findings and the immune response favors our enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as an additional tool in C. pylori diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

A hirudin catching ELISA for quantitating the anticoagulant in biological fluids.

A catching ELISA has been developed that permits a quantitation of the anticoagulant hirudin in buffer, urine and plasma. In plasma hirudin can be determined in concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 25 ng/ml (2.4 X 10(-3) to 0.3 AT-U/ml), in urine between 0.8 and 200 ng/ml (0.01 and 2.4 AT-U/ml). The enzyme immunoassay allows a rapid, sensitive and reproducible quantitation of hirudin, and can thus be used to assess the pharmacokinetics of the anticoagulant in patients after parenteral and/or topic administration.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional location of ribosomal protein BL2 from Bacillus stearothermophilus, a key component of the peptidyl transferase center.

Protein BL2 from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been localized by immunoelectron microscopy on the interface side of the 50 S subunit, beneath the angle formed between the central protuberance and the L1 protuberance. The immuno-electron microscopic data suggest that the interface region of the 50 S particle is not as flat as most of the proposed three-dimensional models suggest, but instead there is a significant concavity. Since several studies demonstrated that BL2 is implicated in peptidyl transferase activity or at least located close to the peptidyl transferase center, the location of protein BL2 also provides information as to the location of this important functional domain.

Acyltransferases↗

RNA-protein cross-linking in Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunits; determination of sites on 23S RNA that are cross-linked to proteins L2, L4, L24 and L27 by treatment with 2-iminothiolane.

RNA-protein cross-links were introduced into E. coli 50S ribosomal subunits by treatment with 2-iminothiolane followed by mild ultraviolet irradiation. After partial digestion of the RNA, the cross-linked RNA-protein complexes were separated by our recently published three-step procedure. In cases where this separation was inadequate, a further purification step was introduced, involving affinity chromatography with antibodies to the ribosomal 50S proteins. Analysis of the isolated complexes enabled four new cross-link sites on the 23S RNA to be identified, as well as re-confirming several previously established sites. The new sites are as follows: Protein L2 is cross-linked within an oligonucleotide at positions 1818-1823 in the 23S RNA, protein L4 within positions 320-325, protein L24 within positions 99-107, and protein L27 within positions 2320-2323.

Base Sequence↗

A model for the spatial arrangement of the proteins in the large subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome.

A three-dimensional model for the arrangement of 29 of the 33 proteins from the Escherichia coli large ribosomal subunit has been generated by interactive computer graphics. The topographical information that served as input in the model building process was obtained by combining the immunoelectron microscopically determined network of epitope-epitope distances on the surface of the large ribosomal subunit with in situ protein-protein cross-linking data. These two independent sets of data were shown to be compatible by geometric analysis, thus allowing the construction of an inherently consistent model. The model shows (i) that the lower third of the large subunit is protein-poor, (ii) that proteins known to be functionally involved in peptide bond formation and translocation are clustered in two separate regions, (iii) that proteins functionally interdependent during the self-assembly of the large subunit are close neighbours in the mature subunit and (iv) that proteins forming the early assembly nucleus are grouped together in a distinct region at the 'back' of the subunit.

Bacterial Proteins↗

A rapid immunological spot test for the identification of proteins in covalently linked protein-nucleic acid complexes.

A method is described for the rapid immunological identification of proteins in studies of multicomponent systems. In this case the system is the E. coli ribosome, and the ribosomal proteins to be identified are covalently attached to fragments of labelled ribosomal RNA as a result of chemical cross-linking procedures. Antisera raised against the individual ribosomal proteins are spotted onto a nitrocellulose sheet, and an aliquot of the covalent complex under test is added to each antibody spot. After suitable washing procedures, a positive reaction with one or other of the antisera is visualized by autoradiography of the labelled RNA moiety attached to the antibody via the ribosomal protein. Amounts of protein as low as 10 pg can readily be detected.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

RNA-protein cross-linking in Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits; determination of sites on 16S RNA that are cross-linked to proteins S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, S9, S11, S13, S19 and S21 by treatment with methyl p-azidophenyl acetimidate.

RNA-protein cross-links were introduced into E. coli 30S ribosomal subunits by treatment with methyl p-azidophenyl acetimidate. After partial nuclease digestion of the RNA moiety, a number of cross-linked RNA-protein complexes were isolated by a new three-step procedure. Protein and RNA analysis of the individual complexes gave the following results: Proteins S3, S4, S5 and S8 are cross-linked to the 5'-terminal tetranucleotide of 16S RNA. S5 is also cross-linked to the 16S RNA within an oligonucleotide encompassing positions 559-561. Proteins S11, S9, S19 and S7 are cross-linked to 16S RNA within oligonucleotides encompassing positions 702-705, 1130-1131, 1223-1231 and 1238-1240, respectively. Protein S13 is cross-linked to an oligonucleotide encompassing positions 1337-1338, and is also involved in an anomalous cross-link within positions 189-191. Protein S21 is cross-linked to the 3'-terminal dodecanucleotide of the 16S RNA.

Bacterial Proteins↗

RNA-protein cross-linking in Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits; determination of sites on 16S RNA that are cross-linked to proteins S3, S4, S7, S9, S10, S11, S17, S18 and S21 by treatment with bis-(2-chloroethyl)-methylamine.

RNA-protein cross-links were introduced into E. coli 30S ribosomal subunits by treatment with bis-(2-chloroethyl)-methylamine. After partial nuclease digestion of the RNA moiety, a number of cross-linked RNA-protein complexes were isolated by a new three-step procedure. Protein and RNA analysis of the individual complexes gave the following results: proteins S4 and S9 are cross-linked to the 16S RNA at positions 413 and 954, respectively. Proteins S11 and S21 are both cross-linked to the RNA within an oligonucleotide encompassing positions 693-697, and proteins S17, S10, S3 and S7 are cross-linked within oligonucleotides encompassing positions 278-280, 1139-1144, 1155-1158, and 1531-1542, respectively. A cross-link to protein S18 was found by a process of elimination to lie between positions 845 and 851.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Localization of ribosomal protein L27 at the peptidyl transferase centre of the 50 S subunit, as determined by immuno-electron microscopy.

Protein L27 has been localized on the ribosomal surface by immuno-electron microscopy by using antibodies specific for Escherichia coli L27, and by reconstituting 50 S subunits from an E. coli mutant, which lacks protein L27, with the homologous protein from Bacillus subtilis and using antibodies specific for the B. subtilis protein. With both approaches, protein L27 has been located at the base of the central protuberance at the interface side of the 50 S particle and thus in proximity to the peptidyl transferase centre. The immuno-electron microscopic data also suggest that the interface region of the 50 S particle is not as flat as most of the proposed three-dimensional models suggest, but instead there is a significant depression.

Acyltransferases↗

The topography of ribosomal proteins on the surface of the 30S subunit of Escherichia coli.

Eight ribosomal proteins, S6, S10, S11, S15, S16, S18, S19 and S21 have been localized on the surface of the 30S subunit from Escherichia coli by immuno electron microscopy. The specificity of the antibody binding sites was demonstrated by stringent absorption experiments. In addition we have reinvestigated and refined the locations of proteins S5, S13 and S14 on the ribosomal surface which had previously been localized in our laboratory (Tischendorf et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 134, 209-223, 1974). Thus altogether 16 out of the 21 ribosomal proteins of the small subunit from E. coli have been mapped in our laboratory.

Escherichia coli↗

Deletion and insertion mutants in the structural gene for ribosomal protein S1 from Escherichia coli.

Mutants have been constructed by deleting regions of the gene rpsA for ribosomal protein S1, which had been cloned in plasmid pACYC184. The mutant genes were analyzed for their ability to complement an S1 amber mutant containing a temperature-sensitive suppressor. Another series of mutants was constructed using the tac promoter plasmid pKK223-3, and the effect of the mutant proteins was analyzed in a strain wild type for rpsA. The gene products of all mutants were identified by the immunoblotting technique. Plasmids with a mutant rpsA gene which do not or only poorly complement the S1 amber mutation cause drastic growth reduction, whereas the overall protein synthesis is affected to different extents depending on the site of the deletion. Mutants which express S1 fragments comprising at least the NH2-terminal 100 amino acids stimulate or inhibit the synthesis of certain cellular proteins. The amount of chromosomal coded S1 was reduced by each mutant plasmid. Our data suggest that S1 has a general regulatory role during protein biosynthesis.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for hirudin.

A competitive ELISA assay has been developed that permits reproducible quantitation of the anticoagulant hirudin in buffer and urine. Coupling of peroxidase and hirudin was performed with the heterobifunctional reagent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionate. In both solvents the lower limit of sensitivity was 8 ng hirudin/ml (0.08 AT-U) while the upper limit was 7.7 micrograms/ml (78.45 AT-U).

Animals↗

RNA-protein cross-linking in Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits: localization of sites on 16S RNA which are cross-linked to proteins S17 and S21 by treatment with 2-iminothiolane.

Treatment of E. coli ribosomal subunits with 2-iminothiolane coupled with mild ultraviolet irradiation leads to the formation of a large number of RNA-protein cross-links. In the case of the 30S subunit, a number of sites on 16S RNA that are cross-linked to proteins S7 and S8 by this procedure have already been identified (see ref. 6). Here, by using new or modified techniques for the partial digestion of the RNA and the subsequent isolation of the cross-linked RNA-protein complexes, three new iminothiolane cross-links have been localized: Protein S17 is cross-linked to the 16S RNA within an oligonucleotide encompassing positions 629-633, and protein S21 is cross-linked to two sites within oligonucleotides encompassing positions 723-724 and positions 1531-1542 (the 3'-end of the 16S RNA).

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

In vitro long-term perfusion of different materials for biliary endoprostheses.

An in vitro perfusion of Teflon, polyethylene, polyurethane, and Percuflex TM catheters with human bile was performed to estimate the incrustation rate of the different materials. Microscopic and chemical analyses revealed the highest incrustation rate on Teflon and the lowest on polyurethane (about four times lower than on Teflon). For each material the probable minimum value for the duration of patency of an endoprostheses of a 3-mm inner diameter was calculated.

Bile Ducts↗

A mutant from Escherichia coli which lacks ribosomal proteins S17 and L29 used to localize these two proteins on the ribosomal surface.

A mutant of Escherichia coli has been isolated which lacked ribosomal proteins S17 and L29, as judged by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A battery of immunological tests was used to confirm this result. Ribosomes of this mutant were used as a control for the localization of proteins S17 and L29 on the surface of the ribosomal subunits of E. coli. Protein S17 has been localized on the 30S subunit body, 3-5 nm away from the lower pole, while protein L29 is located at the back of the 50S particle on the opposite side to the interface.

Bacterial Proteins↗