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K Hertveldt

Publications and source records attributed to K Hertveldt.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Stability analysis of the bacteriophage phiKMV lysin gp36C and its putative role during infection.

The kinetic, thermodynamic and structural stability of gp36C, the virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolase domain of bacteriophage phiKMV, is analyzed. Recombinant gp36C is highly thermoresistant (k = 0.595 h(-1) at 95 degrees C), but not thermostable (T(m) = 50.2 degrees C, DeltaH(cal) = 6.86 x 10(4) cal mol(-1)). However, aggregation influences kinetic stability in an unusual manner since aggregation is more pronounced at 55 degrees C than at higher temperatures. Furthermore, gp36C reversibly unfolds in a two-state endothermic transition, and circular dichroism analysis shows that gp36C almost completely refolds after a 3-h heat treatment at 85 degrees C. These properties are in agreement with gp36C being part of the extensible tail which is ejected in an unfolded state during phage infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

[Comparison of new giant bacteriophages OBP and Lu11 of soil pseudomonads with bacteriophages of phiKZ-supergroup of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Study of two recently isolated giant bacteriophages Lu11 and OBP that are active on Pseudomonas putida var. Manila and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively, demonstrated their similarity in morphology, genome size, and size of phage particles, with giant bacteriophages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa assigned to the supergroup of phiKZ-like phages of the family Myoviridae designated in this manner according to the best studied phage phiKZ that belongs to the species of this group widely distributed in nature. Comparison of major polypeptide sizes of mature particles suggests the similarity of certain proteins in the phages examined. In OBP particles visualized with an electron microscope, an "inner body" was detected, which points to the specific DNA package intrinsic to phages of phiKZ group. In the meantime, phages Lul11 and OBP do not exhibit resemblance among themselves or with any of earlier described phiKZ-like phages in respect to other traits; particularly, they have no detectable DNA homology. Note that phage Lu11 of P. putida var. Manila exhibits very slight homology with phage Lin68 of the family of P. aeruginosa phiKZ-like phages detected only in blot hybridization. This suggests the possible involvement of these phages in interspecies recombination ("gene shuffling") between phages of various bacterial species. Results of partial sequencing of phage genomes confirmed the phylogenetic relatedness of phage OBP to phages of the phiKZ-supergroup, whereas phage Lu11 most probably belongs to a novel species that is not a member of supergroup phiKZ composition. The results of the study are discussed in terms of the evolution of these phages.

Genome, Viral↗
PubMed2005

Functional display of family 11 endoxylanases on the surface of phage M13.

Two family 11 endoxylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) were functionally displayed on the surface of bacteriophage M13. The genes encoding endo-1,4-xylanase I from Aspergillus niger (ExlA) and endo-1,4-xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) were fused to the gene encoding the minor coat protein g3p in phagemid vector pHOS31. Phage rescue resulted in functional monovalent display of the enzymes as was demonstrated by three independent tests. Firstly, purified recombinant phage particles showed a clear hydrolytic activity in an activity assay based on insoluble, chromagenic arabinoxylan substrate. Secondly, specific binding of endoxylanase displaying phages to immobilized endoxylanase inhibitors was demonstrated by interaction ELISA. Finally, two rounds of selection and amplification in a biopanning procedure against immobilized endoxylanase inhibitor were performed. Phages displaying endoxylanases were strongly enriched from background phages displaying unrelated proteins. These results open perspectives to use phage display for analysing protein-protein interactions at the interface between endoxylanases and their inhibitors. In addition, this technology should enable engineering of endoxylanases into novel variants with altered binding properties towards endoxylanase inhibitors.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of the bacteriophage PhiKMV DNA ligase.

Gene 17 product (gp17) of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infecting bacteriophage phiKMV shows in silico similarity to T7 DNA ligase. In a semi-quantitative activity assay, it is shown that gp17 is a functional, ATP-dependent DNA ligase, in spite of some structural differences related to DNA-binding properties). Enzymatic activity of His6-based purified expression product was optimised (4 degrees C at 24h for sticky end double-stranded DNA fragments) and estimated at 0.5 Weiss U/microg.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

[Comparison of the genome for phylogenetically related bacteriophages phiKZ and EL of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: evolutionary aspects and minimal genome size].

Bacteriophages of the family Myoviridae represent one of the most widespread domains of the biosphere substantially affecting the ecological balance of microorganisms. Interestingly, sequence analysis of genomic DNAs of large bacteriophages revealed many genes coding for proteins with unknown functions. A new approach is proposed to improve the functional identification of genes. This approach is based on comparing the genome sequence for phylogenetically and morphologically related phages showing no considerable homology at the level of genomic DNA. It is assumed that gene functions essential for the development of phages of a given family are conserved and that the corresponding genes code for similar orthologous proteins even when lacking sequence homology. The genome was sequenced and compared for two Pseudomonas aeruginosa giant bacteriophages, phiKZ and EL, which belong to a group of (phiKZ-related phages. A substantial difference in genome organization was observed, suggesting specific features of phage evolution. In addition, the problem of the minimal genome of the superfamily is discussed on the basis of the difference in size and structure between the phiKZ and EL genomes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Identification and characterization of a highly thermostable bacteriophage lysozyme.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage phiKMV is a T7-like lytic phage. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of the structural proteins revealed gene product 36 (gp36) as part of the phiKMV phage particle. The presence of a lysozyme domain in the C terminal of this protein (gp36C) was verified by turbidimetric assays on chloroform-treated P. aeruginosa PAO1 and Escherichia coli WK6 cells. The molecular mass (20,884 Da) and pI (6.4) of recombinant gp36C were determined, as were the optimal enzymatic conditions (pH 6.0 in 16.7 mM phosphate buffer) and activity (4800 U/mg). Recombinant gp36C is a highly thermostable lysozyme, retaining 26% of its activity after 2 h at 100 degrees C and 21% after autoclaving. This thermostability could prove an interesting characteristic for food conservation technology.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Limb-body wall complex: 4 new cases illustrating the importance of examining placenta and umbilical cord.

Limb-body wall complex (LBWC) is a rare, sporadic, congenital defect defined as a combination of at least two of three characteristics: 1. limb defects, 2. anterior body wall defects, and 3. exencephaly or encephalocoele with/without facial clefts. Three pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed: early amnion rupture, vascular disruption and embryonic dysgenesis. In this study we carried out the pathological evaluation of four fetuses with LBWC and their placentas. None of the cases had craniofacial defects. Three fetuses showed an abdominal wall defect with eventration of abdominal organs, cloacal exstrophy, absent external genitalia, abnormal internal genitalia, scoliosis and lower limb defects. One fetus showed failure of closure of both thoracic and abdominal walls with ectopia cordis, evisceration of left lung and abdominal organs, severe reduction defect of left arm, but normal colon, anus, bladder, genitalia and lower limbs. All cases had a short, malformed umbilical cord, incompletely covered by amnion. The umbilical vessels were embedded in an amniotic sheet which connected the skin margin of the anterior body wall defect to the placenta. These anomalies suggest an abnormal body stalk development as a pathogenic mechanism for LBWC. Prenatally, the abnormal fetoplacental attachment can be detected ultrasonographically by the end of the first gestational trimester. Postnatally, the examination of placenta, umbilical cord and membranes is crucial in confirming the diagnosis of LBWC.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1997

Flow cytometry as a quantitative and sensitive method to evaluate low dose radiation induced apoptosis in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes, irradiated in vitro, die by an apoptotic process. The number of apoptotic cells after in vitro gamma-irradiation (0, 0.1, 0.2, 1, 2 and 5 Gy) was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin V and DiOC6 (a cationic dye) after 24 and 48 h incubation. The mean dose-response curves for apoptosis of six healthy volunteers obtained with both methods were steep below 1 Gy and flatter at higher doses. A slightly higher number of apoptotic cells was observed with DiOC6, compared to Annexin V. This can be assigned to a minor DiOC6-int/PI- population. Forty-eight hour cultures contained higher numbers of apoptotic cells compared with 24 h cultures. For both culture times, DiOC6 and Annexin V detected a statistically significant difference between a control sample and a 0.1 Gy irradiated one, illustrating the high sensitivity of the methods.

Annexin A5↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

A 23-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed reticulo-nodular opacities. The crazy paving appearance on high-resolution CT was highly suggestive of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease but an important diagnosis to make as treatment with pulmonary lavage is curative in a large proportion of patients.

Adult↗