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Conjugal transfer of antibiotic resistance factors in Bacteroides fragilis: the btgA and btgB genes of plasmid pBFTM10 are required for its transfer from Bacteroides fragilis and for its mobilization by IncP beta plasmid R751 in Escherichia coli.

Transferable plasmids play an important role in the dissemination of clindamycin-erythromycin resistance in Bacteroides fragilis. We previously described the isolation and properties of pBFTM10, a 14.9-kb ClnR transfer factor from B. fragilis TMP10. We also reported the isolation of a transfer-deficient deletion derivative of pBFTM10 contained in the B. fragilis-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pGAT400. In the present study we used pGAT400 and a similar shuttle vector, pGAT550, to characterize and sequence a region of pBFTM10 required for its transfer from B. fragilis to B. fragilis or E. coli recipients and for its mobilization by the broad-host-range plasmid R751 from E. coli donors to E. coli recipients. Deletion of certain BglII restriction fragments from pBFTM10 resulted in partial or complete loss of transfer ability. Tn1000 insertions into this same region also resulted in altered transfer properties. We used the sites of Tn1000 insertions to determine the DNA sequence of the transfer region. Two potential open reading frames encoding proteins of 23.2 and 33.8 kDa, corresponding to two genes, btgA or btgB, were identified in the sequence. Tn1000 insertions within btgA or btgB or deletion of all or portions of btgA or btgB resulted in either a transfer deficiency or greatly reduced transfer from B. fragilis donors and alterations in mobilization by R751 in E. coli. A potential oriT sequence showing similarity in organization to the oriT regions of the IncP plasmids was also detected. Thus, pBFTM10 encodes and requires at least two proteins necessary for efficient transfer from B. fragilis. These same functions are expressed in E. coli and are required for mobilization by R751.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Placental transfer of free fatty acids: factors affecting transfer across the guinea-pig placenta.

Using an in situ perfusion of the fetal side of the guinea-pig placenta the quantitative effects of changes in the perfusate flow rate and albumin concentration, and of changes in the transplacental free fatty acid (FFA) concentration gradient on FFA transfer across the placenta were investigated. Unidirectional transfer from mother to perfusate was assessed by the transfer of [14C]palmitic acid given as a constant infusion to the mother. The results of bidirectional FFA flux were assessed by measuring total unlabelled FFA accumulated by the perfusate during a single passage through the placenta. In 4 animals a factorial experiment was performed using perfusate in which the albumin concentration was changed from 1 to 3g/dl, whilst the flow was maintained at either 1 or 3 ml/min. A change from 1 to 3g/dl albumin averaged over both flow rates caused a significant increase in labelled palmitate, and unlabelled net FFA transfer, both for each ml of perfusuate (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.001) and for each minute of perfusion (P less than 0.005, P less than 0.001, respectively). A change from 1 to 3 ml/min flow rate averaged over both albumin concentrations caused a significant (P less than 0.001) decrease in labelled palmitate but no change in unlabelled FFA transfer per ml, but caused significant increases in labelled and unlabelled (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.001) FFA transfer per minute. From the results of these experiments and 32 more non-factorial experiments it was found that, whilst maternal and perfusate FFA concentrations were in the normal range, maternal plasma FFA levels significantly correlated (P less than 0.01) with net FFA transfer to the perfusate. When maternal plasma FFA levels became elevated then this relationship broke down. Inflowing perfusate FFA levels significantly (P less than 0.001) negatively correlated with net transfer, which changed direction and resulted in FFA transfer from perfusate to maternal blood when inflowing perfusate levels exceeded 1.7 microM/ml. It was concluded that the increases reported in fetal plasma albumin and flow rate as gestation advances enable the fetus to obtain increasing amounts of circulating maternal lipid. If this lipid is not extracted by the fetus then the reduction in the transplacental gradient will reduce net fat transfer to the fetus.

Animals↗

Cholesterol ester transfer mediated by lipid transfer protein as influenced by changes in the charge characteristics of plasma lipoproteins.

The relationship between the cholesterol ester (CE) transfer activity of lipid transfer protein (LTP) and its affinity with lipid and lipoprotein particles was investigated. The study of the effects of chemical modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) amino groups and carboxyl groups on the CE transfer activity showed that the maximal activity is obtained upon succinylation or acetylation of approximately 7% of LDL amino groups. Further increases in the extent of modification progressively reduced the transfer activity. The treatment of LDL with fatty acids gave results comparable to the chemical modification of LDL amino groups. The addition of low concentrations of fatty acids was stimulatory, while that of high concentrations was inhibitory. Although increases in the positive charges of LDL by the carboxyl group modification did not appreciably influence the CE transfer, the addition of cationic detergents gave a profound effect on the CE transfer. A maximal CE transfer activity was obtained upon addition of very small amounts of the detergents, with the higher concentrations sharply reducing the transfer activity. We also studied the effects of the concentrations of phosphate buffer and various salts on the CE transfer as well as the affinity of LTP for very low density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins 3, and high density lipoproteins 2. It appeared that the affinity of LTP for various lipoproteins is governed by a delicate balance of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Optimal degrees of the interaction of LTP with both donor and acceptor particles seem to be required for the maximal degree of CE transfer.

Biological Transport↗

Enhanced gene transfer and cell death following p53 gene transfer using photochemical internalisation of glucosylated PEI-DNA complexes.

BACKGROUND: p53 is frequently mutated in many cancers including human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. In tumor models, wild-type (wt) p53 gene transfer induces apoptosis and tumor regression in vivo, justifying the extensive clinical investigation of p53 gene therapy. METHODS: p53 nonviral-mediated gene transfer was achieved using glucosylated polyethylenimine (PEI) in conjunction with photochemical internalisation (PCI). Experimental conditions were optimised using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. p53 gene transfer was then evaluated using semi-quantitative RT-PCR in p53-deleted PANC3 and p53-mutated FaDu cell lines. Following gene transfer, induction of apoptosis was investigated using phosphatidylserine externalisation and nuclear fragmentation assays. Induction of long-term cell death was analysed using colony-forming assays. RESULTS: PCI was found to enhance GFP gene transfer after 48 h in both cell lines. Whether using glucosylated-PEI alone or associated with PCI, p53 gene transfer was achieved with subsequent recovery of p53 mRNA expression in PANC3 cells and a significant 4-fold increase in p53 mRNA expression in FaDu cells. PCI was found to further enhance p53 mRNA expression by 2.3-fold in PANC3 cells. Spontaneous induction of apoptosis following wt-p53 gene transfer was achieved in both cell lines. PCI was found to enhance apoptosis up to levels similar to those achieved with chemotherapy. As a consequence, long-term cell death was significantly enhanced after wt-p53 gene transfer when PCI was used in both cell lines, yielding up to 60% cell death. CONCLUSIONS: PCI increases glucosylated-PEI-mediated p53 gene transfer, apoptosis as well as cell death in mutant p53 human cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗

Transfer properties of the bovine brain phospholipid transfer protein. Specificity towards phosphatidylcholine analogs and the inhibitory effect of sphingomyelin.

A coupled transport of phosphatidylinositol from the monolayer to phosphatidylcholine vesicles, and a phosphatidylcholine transport in the reverse direction in the presence of bovine brain transfer protein is demonstrated. No significant amounts of protein accumulate at the interface during the transfer reaction. The transfer protein from bovine brain shows a lower specificity for phosphatidylcholine than does the transfer protein from bovine liver. Relative to egg phosphatidylcholine a low transfer rate is found for derivatives with a chain length of 14 carbon atoms and a distance between phosphorus and nitrogen of 6 carbon atoms. The gel state of phosphatidylcholine does not reduce the transfer reaction as catalyzed by the bovine brain protein. The transfer of phosphatidylinositol is inhibited by sphingomyelin. The presence of 200 mM K+ or 1mM Ca2+ does not affect the transfer activity of the bovine brain protein. Divalent ions at concentrations higher than 5 mM cause a fusion of vesicles with monolayers. The pH optimum of the phosphatidylinositol transfer reaction is 8.

Animals↗

Modification of the N-terminal cysteine of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein selectively inhibits triglyceride transfer activity.

An invariant cysteine residue is found at the N-terminus of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) isolated from plasma of humans, rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. We previously reported the expression of recombinant rabbit cholesteryl ester transfer protein in yeast (Kotake et al., J. Lipid Res. 1996; 37: 599-605). The recombinant CETP secreted into the medium contains an altered N-terminal sequence but was fully capable of facilitating both cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) transfer between lipoproteins. We investigated the importance of the conserved N-terminal cysteine of plasma CETP in the lipid transfer activity by chemical modification of the free sulfhydryl groups of the recombinant CETP and CETP from human and rabbit plasma. The unmodified forms of these CETPs had similar specific activities of CE and TG transfer. Neither 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) nor N-ethyl maleimide altered the lipid transfer activity. In contrast, p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate selectively inhibited the TG transfer activity of both human and rabbit plasma CETP. The TG and CE transfer activities of the recombinant CETP, which lacks the N-terminal cysteine residue, was not affected. These results demonstrate that the N-terminal cysteine residue of both human and rabbit plasma CETP is free and is likely to be involved in the construction of a critical part of the active site of CETP that can determine the selectivity of the lipid molecule for the transfer reaction.

Animals↗

Energy transfer pathways in the minor antenna complex CP29 of photosystem II: a femtosecond study of carotenoid to chlorophyll transfer on mutant and WT complexes.

The energy transfer processes between carotenoids and Chls have been studied by femtosecond transient absorption in the CP29-WT complex, which contains only two carotenoids per polypeptide located in the L1 and L2 sites, and in the CP29-E166V mutant in which only the L1 site is occupied. The comparison of these two samples allowed us to discriminate between the energy transfer pathways from the two carotenoid binding sites and thus to obtain detailed information on the Chl organization in CP29 and to assign the acceptor chlorophylls. For both samples, the main transfer occurs from the S(2) state of the carotenoid. In the case of the L1 site the energy acceptor is the Chl a 680 nm (A2), whereas the Chl a 675 nm (A4-A5) and the Chl b 652 nm (B6) are the acceptors from the xanthophyll in the L2 site. These transfers occur with lifetimes of 80-130 fs. Two additional transfers are observed with 700-fs and 8- to 20-ps lifetimes. Both these transfers originate from the carotenoid S(1) states. The faster lifetime is due to energy transfer from a vibrationally unrelaxed S(1) state, whereas the 8- to 20-ps component is due to a transfer from the S(1,0) state of violaxanthin and/or neoxanthin located in site L2. A comparison between the carotenoid to Chl energy transfer pathways in CP29 and LHCII is presented and differences in the structural organization in the two complexes are discussed.

Binding Sites↗

Homology-dependent DNA transfer from plants to a soil bacterium under laboratory conditions: implications in evolution and horizontal gene transfer.

DNA transfer was demonstrated from six species of donor plants to the soil bacterium, Acinetobacter spp. BD413, using neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) as a marker for homologous recombination. These laboratory results are compatible with, but do not prove, DNA transfer in nature. In tobacco carrying a plastid insertion of nptII, transfer was detected with 0.1 g of disrupted leaves and in oilseed rape carrying a nuclear insertion with a similar quantity of roots. Transfer from disrupted leaves occurred in sterile soil and water, without the addition of nutrients. It was detected using intact tobacco leaves and intact tobacco and Arabidopsis plants in vitro. Transfer was dose-dependent and sensitive to DNase, and mutations in the plant nptII were recovered in receptor bacteria. DNA transfer using intact roots and plants in vitro was easily demonstrated, but with greater variability. Transfer varied with plant genome size and the number of repeats of the marker DNA in the donor plant. Transfer was not detected in the absence of a homologous nptII in the receptor bacteria. We discuss these results with reference to non-coding DNA in plant genomes (e.g., introns, transposons and junk DNA) and the possibility that DNA transfer could occur in nature.

Acinetobacter↗

Absence of cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated cholesteryl ester mass transfer from high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein particles is a major feature of combined hyperlipidaemia.

Elevated plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mass is characteristic of combined hyperlipidaemia (CHL), an atherogenic dyslipidaemia characterized by increased levels of both very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and subnormal levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). CETP remodels plasma lipoproteins by promoting the heteroexchange of neutral lipids. To determine the mechanism of the CETP-mediated redistribution of cholesteryl ester (CE) between plasma lipoprotein particles in CHL, we measured CE mass transfer and exchange from HDL to apoB-containing lipoproteins under physiological conditions in the plasmas of 14 CHL patients and compared the data with those in a group of normolipidaemic subjects (NLS; n = 9). The rate of CE mass transfer from HDL to VLDL was significantly increased in CHL patients (24.1 +/- 3.8 micrograms CE transferred h-1 mL-1 plasma) when compared with NLS (14.4 +/- 2.6 micrograms CE transferred h-1 mL-1 plasma, P = 0.0001). By contrast with control subjects, no net CE mass transfer from HDL to LDL was detected in CHL patients; transfer of radiolabelled CE to LDL was, however, observed, suggesting the occurrence of CE exchange between HDL and LDL in the absence of net CE mass transfer. The LDL fraction from CHL patients displayed a significant reduction (15%; P < 0.003) in its ability to accept cholesteryl ester from HDL when compared with normolipidaemic LDL. Moreover, a reduction of 10% (P < 0.02) was found in the capacity of hyperlipidaemic HDL to donate cholesteryl esters to apoB-containing lipoproteins as compared with control HDL; the reduced levels (-32%) of HDL2b particles in CHL plasmas may account for this effect. We conclude that the low affinity of hyperlipidaemic LDL particles for CETP, taken together with the elevated plasma concentrations of a qualitatively active CE acceptor, VLDL, and the low HDL levels in CHL patients, result in the absence of net CE mass transfer from HDL to LDL in Combined hyperlipidaemia.

Adult↗

Elective single-embryo transfer versus double-embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: The risks of premature birth and perinatal death are increased after in vitro fertilization. These risks are mainly due to the high incidence of multiple births, which relates to the number of embryos transferred. METHODS: We performed a randomized, multicenter trial to assess the equivalence of two approaches to in vitro fertilization with respect to the rates of pregnancy that result in at least one live birth and to compare associated rates of multiple gestation. Women less than 36 years of age who had at least two good-quality embryos were randomly assigned either to undergo transfer of a single fresh embryo and, if there was no live birth, subsequent transfer of a single frozen-and-thawed embryo, or to undergo a single transfer of two fresh embryos. Equivalence was defined as a difference of no more than 10 percentage points in the rates of pregnancy resulting in at least one live birth. RESULTS: Pregnancy resulting in at least one live birth occurred in 142 of 331 women (42.9 percent) in the double-embryo-transfer group as compared with 128 of 330 women (38.8 percent) in the single-embryo-transfer group (difference, 4.1 percentage points; 95 percent confidence interval, -3.4 to 11.6 percentage points); rates of multiple births were 33.1 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively (P<0.001). These results do not demonstrate equivalence of the two approaches in rates of live births, but they do indicate that any reduction in the rate of live births with the transfer of single embryos is unlikely to exceed 11.6 percentage points. CONCLUSIONS: In women under 36 years of age, transferring one fresh embryo and then, if needed, one frozen-and-thawed embryo dramatically reduces the rate of multiple births while achieving a rate of live births that is not substantially lower than the rate that is achievable with a double-embryo transfer.

Adult↗

Transference, counter-transference and repetition: some implications for nursing practice.

AIMS: This discussion paper offers an introductory text for nurses and explores the psychoanalytic ideas of transference, counter-transference and repetition compulsion. Disguised case vignettes provide illustrations of the ideas as they might apply to nursing, including professional practice and occupational choice. BACKGROUND: The literature suggests that transference can be a source of creativity as well as destructiveness and influence important communications with oneself and others including the choice of nursing and other health professions as an occupation. Recognizing possibilities of transference, counter-transference along with repetitive patterns of behaviours, can help nurses of all specialities to address situations constructively by responding thoughtfully and appropriately. CONCLUSION: This discussion concludes with the suggestions that we know little about the motivational factors underlying nursing as an occupational preference; moreover, nursing does not have a culture of personal therapy. As such nurses are denied opportunities to understand the possible reasons underlying their occupational choice or gain experiential knowledge of interpersonal dynamics occurring between patients and colleagues. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Transference and counter-transference are thought to have some bearing on all relationships. Forming a natural part of the way human beings relate to each other, transference and counter-transference can bring about sincere human interest, caring and concern. However, there is also potential for disagreements. Recognizing the possible origins of relational difficulties can offer opportunities for professional development to nurses along with the benefits for health service users.

Nursing↗

Conjugal TOL transfer from Pseudomonas putida to Pseudomonas aeruginosa: effects of restriction proficiency, toxicant exposure, cell density ratios, and conjugation detection method on observed transfer efficiencies.

The effects of restriction proficiency and premating exposure to toxicants on conjugal transfer of the TOL plasmid between Pseudomonas spp. was investigated by examinations of filter matings. A Pseudomonas putida KT2442-derived strain carrying a gfp-tagged variant of the TOL plasmid was used as a donor, and both restriction-deficient (PAO1162N) and -proficient (PAO2002N) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were used as recipients. The in situ enumeration of conjugation events allowed us to obtain frequency estimates that were unbiased by transconjugant growth or plasmid retransfer. We observed a strong dependence of the plasmid transfer frequency on the initial donor-to-recipient ratio of surface matings, which invalidated the use of mass action-based plasmid transfer kinetic estimators. Careful control of the initial parental cell densities permitted evaluations of the true effects of restriction proficiency and toxicant exposure on TOL transfer. At standard donor-to-recipient ratios (10(-3) for PAO1162N and 2 x 10(1) for PAO2002N) and total cell densities (10(5) cells/mm(2) for PAO1162N and 10(6) cells/mm(2) for PAO2002N), plasmid transfer frequencies without toxicant exposure were approximately 10(-7) (events/mm(2))(-1) for PAO1162N and 10(-11) (events/mm(2))(-1) for PAO2002N based on in situ observations of conjugation events. The enumeration of transconjugants via selective plating yielded transfer frequencies that were up to 1 order of magnitude lower. Premating exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate (1 to 10 mM) significantly increased the transfer frequency for the restriction-proficient strain PAO2002N (P < 0.05) but not for the restriction-deficient strain PAO1162N. On the other hand, premating exposure to ethanol, toluene, or phenol had no positive effect on the plasmid transfer frequency. Clearly, restriction proficiency provides a strong barrier to interspecific transfer of the TOL plasmid, and this barrier was only marginally attenuated by recipient exposure to toxicants within the ranges examined.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Suppression of lipid transfer inhibitor protein activity by oleate. A novel mechanism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein regulation by plasma free fatty acids.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the interlipoprotein exchange of cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride. A second plasma protein, lipid transfer inhibitor protein (LTIP), binds to lipoproteins and inhibits CETP activity by displacing CETP from the lipoprotein surface. Since free fatty acids (FFAs) enhance the binding of CETP to lipoproteins, we have examined the possible role of FFAs in modulating LTIP activity. Partially purified CETP, LTIP, and lipoproteins were incubated with 0 to 30 mumol/L sodium oleate, and the transfer of CE between a labeled donor lipoprotein and a given acceptor lipoprotein was measured. Without LTIP, oleate stimulated CETP-mediated CE transfer between VLDL, LDL, and HDL up to threefold. This stimulation was unique in both magnitude and oleate concentration dependence for each donor-acceptor lipoprotein pair. In contrast to CETP activity, in transfer reactions involving LDL or VLDL as donor, LTIP activity was suppressed (> 80%) by 10 to 15 mumol/L oleate. LTIP activity in transfer reactions with HDL as donor was less sensitive. Similar results to these were observed when lipid transfer reactions were measured in the total lipoprotein fraction isolated from FFA-enriched plasma. The FFA content of lipoproteins was strongly influenced by the concentration of FFA in plasma; lipoprotein FFA levels sufficient to suppress LTIP activity by 50% to 100% were achieved in plasma containing 0.8 to 1.0 mmol/L FFA. We conclude that LTIP may be functionally inactive during periods of transient elevations of plasma FFA levels, such as during postprandial lipemia or overnight fasting, or chronically suppressed in disease states in which plasma FFA levels are increased. The suppression of LTIP activity by FFA allows for maximum CETP-mediated lipid transfer between all lipoproteins, including lipid transfer reactions involving LDL that are normally preferentially suppressed by LTIP.

Biological Transport↗

Lipoprotein lipase enhances the cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated transfer of cholesteryl esters from high density lipoproteins to very low density lipoproteins.

These studies were undertaken to examine the effects of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on the transfer of cholesteryl esters from high density lipoproteins (HDL) to very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Human or rat VLDL was incubated with human HDL in the presence of either partially purified CETP, bovine milk LPL or CETP plus LPL. CETP stimulated both isotopic and mass transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL into VLDL. LPL caused only slight stimulation of cholesteryl ester transfer. However, when CETP and LPL were both present, the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL into VLDL remnants was enhanced 2- to 8-fold, compared to the effects of CETP alone. The synergistic effects of CETP and LPL on cholesteryl ester transfer were more pronounced at higher VLDL/HDL ratios and increased with increasing amounts of CETP. In time course studies the stimulation of cholesteryl ester transfer activity occurred during active triglyceride hydrolysis. When lipolysis was inhibited by incubating LPL with either 1 M NaCl or 2 mM diethylparanitrophenyl phosphate, the synergism of CETP and LPL was reduced or abolished, and LPL alone did not stimulate cholesteryl ester transfer. These experiments show that LPL enhances the CETP-mediated transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to VLDL. This property of LPL is related to lipolysis.

Carrier Proteins↗