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Population genetics of the bovine/cattle lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) based on mtDNA and AFLP marker techniques.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) patterns were compared for the lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus, a nematode parasite of cattle. Eight individual D. viviparus samples from each of 8 herds in Sweden and 1 laboratory isolate were analysed, with the aim of describing the diversity and genetic structure in populations using different genetic markers on exactly the same DNA samples. There was qualitative agreement between the whole-genome AFLP data and the mtDNA sequence data, both indicating relatively strong genetic differentiation among the Swedish farms. However, the AFLP data detected much more genetic variation than did the mtDNA data, even after allowing for the different inheritance patterns of the markers, and indicated that there was much less differentiation among the populations. The mtDNA data therefore seemed to be more informative about the most recent history of the parasite populations, as the general patterns were less obscured by detailed inter-relationships among individual worms. The 4 mtDNA genes sequenced (1542 bp) showed consistent patterns, although there was more genetic variation in the protein-coding genes than in the structural RNA genes. Furthermore, there appeared to be at least 3 distinct genetic groups of D. viviparus infecting Swedish cattle, 1 of which was predominant and showed considerable differentiation between farms, but not necessarily within farms. Second, the 2 smaller genetic groups occurred on farms where the predominant group also occurred, suggesting that these farms have had multiple introductions of D. viviparus.

Animals↗

The varicella-autoantibody syndrome.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the incidence of autoantibodies to phospholipids and coagulation proteins in children with acute varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Study groups included children with VZV alone or complicated by purpura fulminans and/or thromboembolism. VZV naïve children and children who had VZV >1 y before sample collection formed a control group. Blood was assayed for the following: free protein S (PS), protein C, antithrombin, and prothrombin; antibody binding to these proteins; lupus anticoagulant; anticardiolipin antibody; antiphospholipid antibodies; and prothrombin fragment 1+2. Data regarding coinfections was collected. Forty-three VZV-infected children showed an increased frequency of lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibody, antiphospholipid antibodies, and autoantibodies to PS, protein C, prothrombin, and antithrombin in comparison to 52 children without acute VZV (p < 0.0001). Seventeen children with VZV and purpura fulminans and/or thromboembolism showed a statistically significant decrease in free PS, significantly increased PS IgG antibody, and significantly increased prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p < 0.0001) compared with the group without acute VZV and the group with uncomplicated VZV. Twenty-six children with uncomplicated VZV showed increased PS IgG antibody (p < 0.001) compared with the children without acute VZV. For all groups combined, elevated PS IgG antibody showed negative correlation with free PS (p < 0.0001) and positive correlation with prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p = 0.0002). Autoantibodies were transient. Transient antiphospholipid and coagulation protein autoantibodies were common with VZV infection, but were not predictive of thrombotic complications.

Adolescent↗

Oncomelania hupensis (Gastropoda: rissooidea) in eastern China: molecular phylogeny, population structure, and ecology.

The rissooidean snail genus Oncomelania is of medical interest as various taxa are hosts for the human blood fluke Schistosoma and the lung fluke Paragonimus; because of close co-evolved host-parasite-relationships, snail diversity may reflect parasite diversity. There is a considerable amount of confusion regarding the identity of smooth- and ribbed-shelled populations of Oncomelania hupensis in eastern China. We therefore studied the genetic variation, population structure, phylogenetic relationships and ecology of five smooth- and five ribbed-shelled populations in Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces. Based on sequencing data of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase I from 80 individuals, we found little genetic variability within the ingroup-individuals studied here (average pi=0.01922). Moreover, within the ingroup, smooth-shelled individuals cluster together with ribbed-shelled individuals. We therefore consider all smooth- and ribbed-shelled populations of Oncomelania throughout the lower Yangtze River basin to belong to the subspecies O. hupensis hupensis. Our data indicate that ribbing in O. h. hupensis is associated with the annual floods of the Yangtze River. The greatest haplotype (d(H)) and nucleotide diversities (pi) are found in aggregates of ribbed-shelled snails along areas of the Yangtze River drainage subject to flooding. In areas not affected by flooding, the shells are smooth and genetic diversity decreases significantly.

Animals↗

Antitumor activity of the aqueous-alcoholic extracts from unripe cotton ball of Gossypium indicum.

The present study investigated the antitumor activity of the aqueous-alcoholic extracts from unripe cotton balls of Gossypium indicum. An Exposure of murine B16 melanoma and L1210 lymphoma cells to the extracts resulted in their severe deaths in time- and concentration-dependent manners. Of the extracts, hydrophilic fractions were most efficacious for the antitumor activity and found to contain certain amounts of catechin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic extract fraction C36B2-8 had approximately 10 times more cytotoxic effects on B12 and L1210 cells than on isolated murine thymocytes. High concentrations (> 150 micrograms/ml) of C 36B3-8 mainly induced necrotic cell death. At low concentrations (< 100 micrograms/ml), however, C 36B3-8 induced not only necrosis but also apoptosis of the two tumor cell lines, which was proved by the TUNEL staining and DNA fragmentation techniques. The data indicate that certain ingredients of the cotton ball extract of G. indicum have an antitumor activity.

Animals↗

Amino acid sequence studies on plasmin-derived fragments of human fibrinogen: amino-terminal sequences of intermediate and terminal fragments.

The progressive changes in amino-terminal sequence brought about by the digestion of human fibrinogen by plasmin have been studied. In addition, the limit products (fragments D and E) have been isolated and characterized in the same way. These studies have confirmed the generally accepted scheme of fibrinogen being changed into a large molecular weight fragment X, which in turn is converted into an intermediate fragment Y and a limit fragment D, followed by the breakdown of fragment Y into an additional fragment D and another core fragment E. Our data allow the precise identification of several of the junctions being attacked, including one in a region of the gamma-chain whose sequence has not previously been reported. The cleavages are not singular in any case, however, and, as suggested by others, intermediate species exist which correspond to "early D," "late D," etc. In addition to localizing the exact bonds split by plasmin, we have been able to sequentially position the core fragments relative to each other, since the gamma-chain amino terminus of fragment D has been found to be contiguous to the known carboxy-terminal sequence of fragment E.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

N-terminal 10- and 12-kDa POMC fragments stimulate differentiation of lactotrophs.

Medium conditioned by a highly enriched population of gonadotrophs, cultured as reaggregates in the presence of 0.01 nM GnRH, was concentrated, separated on a reversed-phase HPLC column, and tested for activity on lactotroph development in pituitary reaggregate cell cultures of 14-day-old rats. The number of cells expressing prolactin (PRL) mRNA was estimated by image analysis after in situ hybridization of paraffin-embedded sections. The number of these cells entering the mitotic cycle was estimated by autoradiography of [3H]thymidine ([3H]T) incorporation. One HPLC column fraction expanded the section area occupied by PRL mRNA cells without displaying an effect on [3H]T labeling of these cells, indicating that this fraction induces differentiation in the lactotroph lineage. The latter fraction was further purified on a second reversed-phase HPLC column, a gel filtration column, and a final reversed-phase HPLC column. From the last column, four substances were isolated that all selectively induced differentiation of lactotrophs. Each of them had an N-terminal amino acid sequence identical to the N-terminal domain of rat proopiomelanocortin (POMC). As determined by mass spectrometric analysis, the M(r)s were 10,091, 10,289, 12,238, and 12,247 Da, respectively. The C-terminal extension of these compounds is possibly up to Gln74 for the former two compounds and up to Gly95 for the latter two. Authentic purified human POMC(1-76) mimicked the effects of the purified 10- and 12-kDa rat POMC fragments. The present data suggest that certain isoforms of rat POMC(1-74) and human POMC(1-76) can stimulate lactotroph growth through a differentiation-inducing action on progenitor cells.

Animals↗

Arachidonic acid metabolism and modulation of in vitro anaphylaxis by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid and 9a,12a-octadecadiynoic acid.

1. 5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) inhibited the antigen-induced contractions of tracheal spirals obtained from actively sensitized guinea-pigs. Consistent data were obtained only when the spirals were treated with indomethacin. 2. ETYA did not affect histamine-induced contractions of indomethacin-treated tracheal spirals. 3. 9a, 12a-Octadecadiynoic acid (Ro-3-1314) a potential inhibitor of linoleic acid metabolism, stimulated the antigen-induced contraction of guinea-pig tracheal spirals and the immunological release of slow reacting substances of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from actively sensitized guinea-pig lung fragments. 4. Both ETYA and Ro-3-1314 inhibited the immunological release of malondialdehyde from guinea-pig lung fragments. 5. The data indicate that the effects of ETYA were due to inhibition of lipoxygenase and the effects of Ro-3-1314 were due to inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase. 6. The results suggest that products of lipoxygenase contribute to the antigen-induced contraction of guinea-pig lung, particularly when cyclo-oxygenase is inhibited. Under these conditions there may be redirection of the metabolism of arachidonic acid to favour production of constrictor products of lipoxygenase such as SRS-A.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗

A molecular dynamics computer simulation of an eight-base-pair DNA fragment in aqueous solution: comparison with experimental two-dimensional NMR data.

The structure and dynamics of an 8-base-pair DNA fragment (dCGCAACGC/dGCGTTGCG) in aqueous solution (14 Na+ ions, 1231 water molecules) have been simulated by using the molecular-dynamics method. Interproton distances have been calculated for various structures and are compared with a set of 174 distances which have been derived from 2D NOE experiments. The averaged MD structures are compared with ideal A-DNA and B-DNA structures in terms of helix parameters, dihedral angles, and so forth. The hydration of various atoms of the DNA fragment and of the Na+ ions is analyzed by calculating coordination numbers and first-neighbor shell residence times.

Base Composition↗

Identification of an immediate-early gene in the Marek's disease virus long internal repeat region which encodes a unique 14-kilodalton polypeptide.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is an oncogenic avian herpesvirus whose genomic structure is similar to those of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Repeat regions of the MDV genome have been intensively investigated because of a potential relationship to MDV oncogenicity and abundant expression of immediate-early transcripts. In this study, a 1.6-kb immediate-early transcript was localized to the BamHI-I2 region by Northern (RNA) hybridization analysis. With cDNA cloning and sequencing, two cDNAs of 1.4 kb (C1) and 1.35 kb (C2) were identified. Both cDNAs are derived from spliced mRNAs spanning the BamHI-H and -I2 fragments. C1 and C2 use the same splice acceptors and 3' ends, but they differ at their 5' ends and utilize different splice donors. The upstream promoter-enhancer region of C1 cDNA has been defined as a bidirectional regulatory region shared by the MDV pp38 gene. Sequencing analysis shows two small open reading frames (ORFs) within each cDNA (ORF1a and ORF2 in C1, ORF1b and ORF2 in C2). Potential ORFs of the sequence have no significant homology with any known protein in the Swiss-Protein data base. DNA fragments encoding ORF1a and ORF1b were cloned into pGEX-3X vectors to produce glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins and induce antisera. In Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of MDV-infected-cell lysates, a 14-kDa polypeptide was identified by antisera against both ORF1a and ORF1b. This 14-kDa protein is expressed in cells which are lytically infected with MDV strains GA, Md11 passage 14 (oncogenic), and Md11 passage 83 (attenuated), as well as in the latently MDV-infected and transformed MSB-1 cell line.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cyclization of short DNA fragments and bending fluctuations of the double helix.

Cloutier and Widom [Cloutier, T. E. & Widom, J. (2004) Mol. Cell 14, 355-362] recently reported that the cyclization efficiency of short DNA fragments, about 100 bp in length, exceeds theoretical expectations by three orders of magnitude. In an effort to resolve this discrepancy, we tried modifying the theory. We investigated how the distribution of the angles between adjacent base pairs of the double helix affects the cyclization efficiency. We found that only the incorporation of sharp kinks in the angle distribution provides the desired increase of the cyclization efficiency. We did not find a model, however, that fits all cyclization data for DNA fragments of different lengths. Therefore, we carefully reinvestigated the cyclization of 100-bp DNA fragments experimentally and found their cyclization efficiency to be in remarkable agreement with the traditional model of DNA bending. We also found an explanation for the discrepancy between our results and those of Cloutier and Widom.

Base Pairing↗

An NMR study of the interaction of 15N-labelled bradykinin with an antibody mimic of the bradykinin B2 receptor.

An isotope-edited NMR study of the peptide hormone bradykinin (RPPGFSPFR) bound to the Fab fragment of a monoclonal antibody against bradykinin (MBK3) is reported. MBK3 was previously shown to provide a binding site model of the B2 bradykinin receptor [Haasemann, M., Buschko, J., Faussner, A., Roscher, A. A., Hoebeke, J., Burch, R. M. & Muller-Esterl, W. (1991) Anti-idiotypic antibodies bearing the internal image of a bradykinin epitope, J. Immunol. 147, 3882-3892]. Bradykinin was obtained in a uniformly 15N-labelled form using recombinant expression of a fusion protein consisting of the glutathione-binding domain of glutathione S-transferase fused to residues 354-375 of the high-molecular-mass kininogen from which bradykinin was released by proteolytic digestion with its natural protease plasma kallikrein. Bradykinin forms a complex with the Fab fragment of MBK3 which exchanges slowly on the NMR time scale. The 15N and 1H resonances of the tightly bound residues of bradykinin show appreciable changes in chemical shift with respect to the free form, while the 15N and 1H linewidths indicate that the hydrodynamic behaviour of bound bradykinin is dominated by the high-molecular-mass Fab fragment. The NMR data indicate that essentially the entire nonapeptide is involved in binding. The kinetics of the ligand-exchange process, together with resonance assignments obtained via exchange spectroscopy. indicate that bradykinin binds to MBK3 only in the all-trans conformation at all three Xaa-Pro amide bonds. NH-NH NOE connectivities suggest that bradykinin is bound in an extended conformation. The spectroscopic data obtained from this study are compared to recently proposed computational models of the conformation of bradykinin bound to the B2 receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thermodynamic analysis of the lactose repressor-operator DNA interaction.

Kinetic and equilibrium constants for lactose repressor-operator DNA interaction have been examined as a function of salt concentration, size and sequence context of the operator DNA, and temperature. Significant salt effects were observed on kinetic and equilibrium parameters for pLA 322-8, an operator-containing derivative of pBR 322, and pIQ, an operator and pseudooperator-containing derivative of pBR 322. The association rate constant and equilibrium constant for the 40 base pair operator fragment were also salt dependent. Data for all the DNAs were consistent with a sliding mechanism for repressor-operator association/dissociation [Berg, O. G., & Blomberg, C. (1978) Biophys. Chem. 8, 271-280]. Calculation of the number of ionic interactions based on salt dependence yielded a value of approximately 8 for repressor binding to pIQ and pLA 322-8 vs. approximately 6 for the repressor-40 base pair fragment. These data and the differences in binding parameters for the plasmids vs. the 40 base pair operator are consistent with the formation of an intramolecular ternary complex in the plasmid DNAs. Unusual biphasic temperature dependence was observed in the equilibrium and dissociation rate constants for pLA 322-8, pIQ, and the 40 base pair fragment. These observations coupled with a discontinuity found in the inducer association rate constant as a function of temperature suggest a structural change in the protein. The large positive entropy contributions associated with repressor binding to all the DNAs examined provide the significant driving force for the reaction and are consistent with involvement of ionic and apolar interactions in complex formation.

Escherichia coli↗

Genetic polymorphism of the single locus probes pL159-1 and pL355-8.

The genetic polymorphism of the single-locus probes pL159-1 (D18S17) and pL355-8 (D20S15) was investigated in 445 unrelated individuals using PstI as restriction enzyme. Fragment size calculations were obtained using the molecular weight size marker MW-SBH. The basic relationship between migration distance and molecular weight was transformed using an exponential function. Fragment size frequency data show 2 peaks for pL159-1 at 4.36kb (2.36%) and 4.67 kb (6.29%) and one peak for pL355-8 at 6.04 kb (5.73%). The rate of heterozygosity exceeded 70% for both probes.

Alleles↗

Extreme mtDNA divergences in a terrestrial slug (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Arionidae): accelerated evolution, allopatric divergence and secondary contact.

Extremely high levels of intraspecific mtDNA differences in pulmonate gastropods have been reported repeatedly and several hypotheses to explain them have been postulated. We studied the phylogeny and phylogeography of 51 populations (n = 843) of the highly polymorphic terrestrial slug Arion subfuscus (Draparnaud, 1805) across its native distribution range in Western Europe. By combining the analysis of single stranded conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) and nucleotide sequencing, we obtained individual sequence data for a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA and a fragment of the nuclear ITS1. Additionally, five polymorphic allozyme loci were scored. Based on the 16S rDNA phylogeny, five monophyletic haplotype groups with sequence divergences of 9-21% were found. Despite this deep mitochondrial divergence, the haplotype groups were not monophyletic for the nuclear ITS1 fragment and haplotype group-specific allozyme alleles were not found. Although there is evidence for an accelerated mtDNA clock, the divergence among the haplotype groups is older than the Pleistocene and their current allopatric ranges probably reflect allopatric divergence and glacial survival in separate refugia from which different post-glacial colonization routes were established. A range-overlap of two mtDNA groups (S1 and S2, 21% sequence divergence) stretched from Central France and Belgium up to the North of the British Isles. The nuclear data suggest that this secondary contact resulted in hybridization between the allopatrically diverged groups. Therefore, it seems that, at least for two of the groups, the deep mtDNA divergence was only partially accompanied by the formation of reproductive isolation.

Animals↗

Immunolabelling of the cytoplasm and processes of apoptotic facial motoneurons following axotomy in the neonatal rat.

A polyclonal antibody intended to recognize c-Jun (Oncogene Science, c-jun/AP-1, Ab-2) has previously been shown to recognize an apparently novel "apoptosis-specific protein" (ASP) in the cytoplasm of cells undergoing apoptotic cell death in vitro. We have investigated whether this antibody would also serve as a reliable marker for apoptotic motoneurons in vivo. Following transection of the left facial nerve in anesthetized neonatal rat pups, which results in over 90% death of the facial motoneurons, we performed immunohistochemistry on frozen brain stem sections with Oncogene Science Ab-1 and Ab-2 antibodies which are raised against different peptide fragments of c-Jun. While Ab-1/c-Jun labelling was seen in the nuclei of the majority of axotomized motoneurons, Ab-2/ASP immunoreactivity was present only in scattered cells, all of which had characteristic apoptotic morphology. Furthermore, Ab-2/ASP immunoreactivity was cytoplasmic and frequently included the dendrites and axons of dying neurons. Some cerebellar granule cells undergoing postnatal developmental cell death were also Ab-2/ASP positive. The time course of the number of Ab-2/ASP-labelled motoneurons corresponded relatively closely with our previous data on DNA fragmentation in these cells, as assessed by an in situ end labelling (ISEL) technique. When facial nerve axotomy was performed at 7 and 14 days postnatum, resulting in reduced cell death, the number of Ab-2/ASP immunoreactive cells decreased correspondingly. Although the exact identity of the epitope recognized by Ab-2 is unclear, we conclude that, by labelling the cytoplasmic and neuritic components of apoptotic motoneurons, Ab-2/ASP immunohistochemistry is a valuable complementary technique to existing in situ methods based on the detection of fragmented DNA in the cell nucleus.

Animals↗

[Behavioral study of denture acceptance. Part 1 qualitative investigation of linguistic data and validity of coding process].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to extract questionnaire items based on qualitative data from edentulous patients obtained by individual interview. METHODS: Forty-three patients (20 complete denture, 20 partial denture and three non-denture wearers) who had visited the dental hospital affiliated to Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo voluntarily agreed to be interviewed about their denture use with ten questions structured by Triandis theory in an open-rended manner. Responses to interview were recorded by voice recorder and qualitatively analyzed into linguistic and coded items, i.e. fragmentation and editing of recorded data followed by linguistic coding. The coded items were then classified into one of the 4 domains of Triandis theory: intentions of their denture acceptance (I), social factor (SF), affect (A) and perceived consequences (PC). RESULTS: The analysis of qualitative data, description, fragmentation and editing, accumulated 722 linguistic items. These were summarized into 72 codes, and classified into twelve I, nine SF, nine A and 42 PC. CONCLUSIONS: The 72 coded items, which summarized the edentulous qualitative data including the 4 domains of Traindis theory, are considered useful as questionnaire items of behavioral investigation. Further large-scale studies using this questionnaire will be needed to clarify the reasons for denture acceptance.

Aged↗

The possibility of participation of different protein kinases in the regulation of degradation of Glp6[125I]Tyr8SP6-11 with different endopeptidases in subcellular fractions of rat brain.

1. Nuclear fraction of cortex and synaptosomal fraction of hippocampus of rat brain were preincubated with ATP and different, "second messengers" as well as some "classical" neurotransmitters and then incubated with Glp6[125I]Tyr8SP6-11 (JP). 2. It was found that different neurotransmitters and especially "second messengers" might be involved in the activation or inhibition of peptidase I and II. 3. Activation of different protein kinases results in substantial modulation of degradation of JP (SP C-terminal fragment). 4. The data confirm that products of one peptidase might be inhibitors of the second peptidase acting on JP, although the second enzyme might be affected additionally in conditions activating different protein kinase systems.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Correlation between ribosomal DNA polymorphism and electrophoretic enzyme polymorphism in Yersinia.

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) polymorphism was compared with electrophoretic enzyme polymorphism for the intra- and interspecies differentiation of Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Y. aldovae, Y. frederiksenii and Y. kristensenii. DNA from 90 strains previously classified into six zymotypes (Y. enterocolitica and Y. frederiksenii) and into distinct enzyme electrophoretic patterns (the four other species) was digested with EcoRI or HindIII and analysed by Southern blotting. The six species were clearly differentiated from each other. In Y. enterocolitica, the subclassification of biotype 1 into zymotypes 1A and 1B was also reflected in the rDNA and the four other bio-zymotypes gave four different classes of restriction pattern. In Y. frederiksenii, both EcoRI and HindIII gave five distinct riboclasses which correlated with the zymotypes. In the four other species, the phenotype polymorphism appeared to be better correlated with the restriction fragment length polymorphism data in some enzymes than others. The data demonstrate that the inter- and intraspecies classification by rDNA polymorphism using two restriction enzymes is similar to that based on electrophoretic enzyme polymorphism. The analysis could be refined for taxonomic and epidemiological purposes by using other restriction enzymes.

DNA, Bacterial↗