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Z Lorkiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Z Lorkiewicz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chemical characterization of effective and ineffective strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae.

Chemical composition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from an effective (97) and ineffective (87) strains of R. l. viciae has been determined. LPS preparations from the two strains contained: glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose, arabinose, heptose, glucosamine, galactosamine, quinovosamine, and 3-N-methyl-3,6-dideoxyhexose, as well as glucuronic, galacturonic and 3-deoxyoctulosonic acid. The following fatty acids were identified: 3-OH 14:0, 3-OH 15:0, 3-OH 16:0, 3-OH 18:0 and 27-OH 28:0. The ratio of 3-OH 14:0 to other major fatty acids in LPS 87 was higher that in LPS 97. SDS/PAGE profiles of LPS indicated that, in lipopolysaccharides, relative content of S form LPS I to that of lower molecular mass (LPS II) was much higher in the effective strain 97 than in 87. All types of polysaccharides exo-, capsular-, lipo, (EPS, CPS, LPS, respectively) examined possessed the ability to bind faba bean lectin. The degree of affinity of the host lectin to LPS 87 was half that to LPS 97. Fatty acids (FA) composition from bacteroids and peribacteroid membrane (PBM) was determined. Palmitic, stearic and hexadecenoic acids were common components found in both strains. There was a high content of unsaturated fatty acids in bacteroids as well as in PBM lipids. The unsaturation index in the PBM formed by strain 87 was lower than in the case of strain 97. Higher ratio of 16:0 to 18:1 fatty acids was characteristic for PMB of the ineffective strain.

Carbohydrates↗

Nodulation genes in the Rhizobium--plant signal exchange.

The process of the host-plant recognition by rhizobia is complex and multi-step. The interaction between legumes and microorganisms results in the induction of the root nodule. This symbiotic interaction is highly host-specific. Bacteria within nodules fix atmospheric nitrogen. This process is of immense ecological and economic significance. The subject of this presentation is the molecular mechanism by which the bacterium determines its host-specific characteristics. First flavonoids secreted by the plant roots induce the transcription of bacterial genes involved in nodulation, the so-called nod genes. This leads to the next step of the signalling system, i.e. the production and secretion of lipo-oligosaccharide molecules by rhizobia. These signal molecules have various discernible effects on the roots of the host leguminous plants. The bacterial nodulation factors were isolated and structurally identified as substituted and N-acylated chitin oligosaccharides. These prokaryotic signals play a key role in the symbiosis by controlling the host specificity of the bacteria. They constitute a new class of signalling molecules able to elicit nodule organogenesis in leguminous plants in the absence of bacteria. More recent studies implicate involvement of root cell membrane depolarization and ion selective channels in the communication processes that initiate nodule formation.

Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial↗

Candida sp. infection-late complication of a double valve replacement.

Severe complications prolonged the original hospital stay to over 2 months. After 5 months intermittent fever lead to readmission, but no cause could be found. After 7 months severe fever and heart failure developed. Initially valve endocarditis was suspected. After a blood culture had revealed Candida sp. antimycotic therapy was carried out. The reoperation showed surprisingly no valve endocarditis, but a mycotic lesion of the aortic suture.

Aorta↗

Siderophore containing 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid and threonine formed by Rhizobium trifolli.

An iron-binding compound was isolated from ethyl acetate extract of culture supernatant fluid of Rhizobium trifolii AR6 and was purified by iron-exchange chromatography. The compound was characterized by UV and IR. It contained 2,3-dihydroxy-benzoic acid and threonine and was accumulated during stationary phase of growth in iron-deficient media. Synthesis of the siderophore was repressed by FeCl3. In iron limited medium the compound promoted growth of R. trifolii strains.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Use of the intraluminal vascular prosthesis for the repair of aneurysm of the ascending aorta.

We present the case of a 49-year-old patient with aneurysm of the ascending aorta as well as mitral and aortic valvar insufficiency treated surgically. Preoperatively the patient was in NYHA functional class IV. We implanted mitral and aortic valvar prostheses and an intraluminal vascular graft in the ascending aorta above the coronary ostia. The postoperative course was uneventful. Five months after the operation the patient is in functional class II.

Aorta↗

Characterization of the lipopolysaccharide from the nod mutant of Rhizobium trifolii.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the non-nodulating Rhizobium trifolii 24SM 15 and from the nodulating R. trifolii 24SM 13 were isolated and examined by means of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Analysis of LPS showed these preparations from both strains examined contained Lipid A, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate, neutral sugars, amino sugars, and trace amounts of amino acids. In 24SM 13 LPS prevailed glucose and rhamnose whereas LPS from the non-nodulating strain SM 15 contained mainly mannose, galactose and heptose. Quinovosamine and mannosamine were detected only in the nodulating strain. The ratio of glucosamine phosphate to glucosamine was higher in the LPS of the non-nodulating strain SM 15 than in the corresponding material of the nodulating one. An unknown component producing a peak at the position of glyceryl-S-cysteine on amino acid analysis profiles was detected in SM 15 LPS. The differences in LPS composition were associated with the alterations in the sensitivity to phage 3H, and nodulation ability.

Amino Acids↗

Characterization of the in vitro constructed plasmid composed of the nif gene cluster of Lignobacter and RP4.

The nitrogen fixation of Lignobacter K17 is plasmid mediated. Nif plasmid was transferred from Lignobacter to other bacterial species and the transposon Tn9 was inserted into it. The molecular weight of this plasmid designated pUCS101, is of 19.8 Mdal. In this study we constructed in vitro a hybrid plasmid (pUCS110) by ligating HindIII digests of pUCS101 nif:: Tn9 and of RP4. Next it was proved that pUCS110 is able to complement the total deletion of the nif region in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The 50 Mdal plasmid pUCS110 was not maintained stably in Escherichia coli recA+ as in E. coli recA-. After being transferred to K. pneumoniae, pUCS110 showed a tendency to generate plasmids of various size from 2.8 to 78 Mdal. Bacteria harbouring plasmids of various size classes were more resistant to chloramphenicol than K. pneumoniae (pUCS110). Altered cleavage patterns were found in derivatives of pUCS110. The obtained results suggest that translocation of the transposon Tn9 can be responsible for the instability of pUCS110.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Structure of rigid-layer of Rhizobium cell wall. I. Purification on the peptidoglycan from the cellulose microfibrils.

The bag shaped peptidoglycan layer of Rhizobium cell wall was isolated from intact cells after treatment with sodium dodecylsulfate and trypsin, chymotrypsin or pepsin digestion. Results of chemical analysis of acid hydrolyzed peptidoglycan revealed beside two amino sugars: glucosamine and muramic acid, three major amino acids; alanine, glutamic acid and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid and also significant amount of glucose. Evidence were provided that the polyglucose found in peptidoglycan preparations of three strains of Rhizobium trifolii, one of Rhizobium leguminosarum and one of Rhizobium meliloti consist of cellulose microfibrils. The content of cellulose present in Rhizobium peptidoglycans ranged from 60 to 80%. Methods of peptidoglycan purification from the cellulose microfibrils are described.

Amino Acids↗

Structure of the rigid-layer of rhizobium cell wall. II. Evidence for a covalent bond between peptidoglycan and cellodextrins.

Covalent linkages between peptidoglycan and cellodextrins in the cell walls of Rhizobium were defined by the analysis of lysozyme split products. Digestion of peptidoglycan with lysozyme resulted in the liberation, beside disaccharide tetrapeptide fragments composed of glucosamine, muramic acid, alanine, glutamic acid and diaminopimelic acid in a molar ratio 1:1:2:1:1, also significant amounts of glucose and its polymers. The neutral carbohydrates composed of glucose, were further purified and determined as cellobiose, cellotriose and cellotetrose. Peptidoglycans pretreated with cellulase, which librated glucose and cellobiose, still contains glucose linked by lysozyme sensitive but cellulase insensitive bond.

Amino Acids↗

Structural studies of the lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhimurium 902 (ColIb drd2).

Salmonella typhimurium infected with the plasmid ColIb drd2 gave rise to changes in the composition of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Bacteria carrying the wild-type ColIb, the revertant of drd2 to the wild type, or the noncolicinogenic strain resulting from the elimination of ColIb drd2, showed no changes in the sugar composition of the lipopolysaccharide. The structure of the O-specific side chains of the lipopolysaccharide produced by S. typhimurium 902, infected with derepressed ColIb mutants has been investigated. As a result of these studies, it is proposed that the O-specific side chains are composed of chemical repeating units with the following structure: (formula: see text).

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Restriction enzyme analysis of the plasmid ColIb DNA.

Plasmid ColIb (61.5 Mdal) was digested with restriction enzymes EcoRI and HindIII. The DNA digestion products were separated by electrophoresis on 1.2% agarose gels. There were identified 22 fragments of ColIb DNA generated by the endonuclease EcoRI and 21 fragments produced by HindIII. Molecular weights of the fragments were estimated. The total molecular weight of the fragments generated by EcoRI was 61.42 Mdal and for HindIII fragments 62.79 Mdal.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Transfer of RP4 and R68.45 factors to Rhizobium.

Two R factor were introduced by conjugation into Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium meliloti strains at a frequency of 10(-5) to 10(-6). Plasmids RP4 from Escherichia coli J53 and R68.45 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.25 were maintained stably in Rhizobium hosts and could be retransferred to other Rhizobium recipients. Some of the transconjugants were able to mobilize chromosome and transfer his or met genes in intra-, and interspecies matings.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Detection of small cryptic plasmids in Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2.

Small cryptic plasmids of molecular weights ranging from 1 to 3 Mdal were detected by electron microscopy in Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 (ColIb). They were divided into different size classes. Two of the cryptic plasmids were transferred simultaneously with ColIb to Escherichia coli.

Bacteriocin Plasmids↗