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N K Robakis

Publications and source records attributed to N K Robakis.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Immunological comparison of scrapie-associated fibrils isolated from animals infected with four different scrapie strains.

Scrapie-associated fibrils (SAFs) are abnormal filamentous structures that are uniquely associated with unconventional slow virus diseases. The antigenic relationships of SAFs from animals infected with four biologically distinct scrapie strains were investigated by using antisera raised to purified SAF proteins. Rabbit antisera were raised to SAFs isolated from mice infected with the ME7 scrapie strain and to SAFs isolated from hamsters infected with the 263K scrapie strain. A strong antigenic relationship was shown among SAF proteins (PrPs) isolated from all scrapie-infected animals (ME7, 139A, and 87V in mice and 263K in hamsters), and this relationship was demonstrable regardless of which antiserum was used. SAF proteins were antigenically distinct from those of paired helical filaments or amyloid isolated from patients with Alzheimer disease. Distinct Western blot profiles were demonstrated for SAFs isolated from animals infected with each scrapie strain. Differences seen among SAFs were independent, at least in part, of host species or genotype, implying that certain specific structural and molecular properties of SAFs are mediated by the strain of scrapie agent.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1983

The effects of bisulfite on growth and macromolecular synthesis in Escherichia coli.

Bisulfite reversibly inhibits the growth of a variety of microorganisms and has been used as a preservative in foods and beverages for that reason. We have now measured macromolecule synthesis in Escherichia coli K12 after bisulfite treatment. RNA synthesis, the synthesis of total protein, and of an inducible enzyme, beta-galactosidase, stopped almost immediately upon addition of 2 mM (or higher concentrations) of bisulfite. These functions resumed after a lag whose duration depended on the concentration of bisulfite added. The synthesis of DNA was slowed upon bisulfite addition, but did not stop entirely. The inhibition of RNA synthesis by bisulfite took place in both stringent and relaxed strains of E. coli and was not relieved upon addition of chloramphenicol. Stringent control was therefore not involved in this effect. No effect on protein synthesis was observed in the cell-free system of E. coli (using poly(U) or MS2 RNA as messenger) at bisulfite concentrations up to 10 mM. Protein synthesis inhibition in vivo was apparently not due to a reaction of bisulfite with a component of this system. In additional experiments, RNA polymerase was not impaired by bisulfite, and the growth inhibition effect was shown to proceed in the presence of inhibitors of free radical chain reactions.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1983

Reversal of growth inhibition in Escherichia coli by bisulfite.

Bisulfite inhibits growth, protein synthesis and RNA synthesis in micro-organisms. These inhibitory effects, in Escherichia coli K12, were diminished when certain amino acids were added to the minimal growth medium. The effects of individual amino acids were additive, synergistic and independent of their concentration. At 10 or 5 mM bisulfite, the presence of tyrosine had the greatest importance, while phenylalanine, glycine and methionine played a lesser role. E. coli cultures resume growth subsequent to bisulfite inhibition, after a lag whose duration is proportional to the initial concentration of added bisulfite. This resumption of growth was shown not to result from the depletion of bisulfite (by air oxidation or metabolism), but rather to adaptation to the presence of bisulfite concentrations that previously were inhibitory. The inhibitory effects of bisulfite were duplicated by lesser concentrations of cysteine. Both substances inhibited RNA synthesis by a mechanism that was independent of the stringent control system. A sulfite reductase deficient mutant was more resistant to inhibition by both bisulfite and cysteine. The various results indicate that growth inhibition by bisulfite is not due to covalent reactions with cellular target molecules, but to conversion of bisulfite to other substances, probably including cysteine, which in turn inhibit bacterial growth.

Amino Acids↗