Organization of the genes encoding p-aminobenzoic acid synthetase from Streptomyces lividans 1326

The selective 5HT3 antagonist tropisetron was studied in 91 outpatients meeting DSM-III criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Following a placebo washout period of up to 1 week, one of three active treatments (tropisetron 0.5 mg, 5 mg, or 25 mg daily) or placebo was given for a further 3 weeks. After 7 days treatment termination rates due to inefficacy showed a statistically significant dose-related therapeutic effect of tropisetron. Similar effects were seen on the Hopkins Symptom Check List total score and the Global Impression Scale. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale showed a similar trend which, however, failed to reach statistical significance. At day 21 tropisetron showed significant dose-dependent effects on all anxiety-related outcome measures. The incidence of adverse events was low and the severity generally mild. Most frequent complaints were headache, nausea, constipation and nervousness. Laboratory tests and physical examination performed at baseline and study end showed no significant treatment effects.     

A novel beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520: gene cloning, expression, and assignment to family 3 of the glycosyl hydrolases

A beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase gene (nagA) of Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520 was cloned in Streptomyces lividans 66. The nucleotide sequence of the gene, which encodes NagA, revealed an open reading frame of 1,896 bp, encoding a protein with an Mr of 66, 329. The deduced primary structure of NagA was confirmed by comparison with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the cloned beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase expressed by S. lividans. The enzyme shares no sequence similarity with the classical beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases belonging to family 20. However, NagA, which showed no detectable beta-glucosidase activity, revealed homology with microbial beta-glucosidases belonging to family 3; in particular, striking homology with the active-site regions of beta-glucosidases was observed. Thus, the above-mentioned results indicate that NagA from S. thermoviolaceus OPC-520 is classified as a family 3 glycosyl hydrolase. The enzyme activity was optimal at 60 degreesC and pH 5.0, and the apparent Km and Vmax values for p-nitrophenyl-beta-N-acetylglucosamine were 425.7 microM and 24.8 micromol min-1 mg of protein-1, respectively.     

Sequence, exon-intron organization, transcription and mutational analysis of prnA, the gene encoding the transcriptional activator of the prn gene cluster in Aspergillus nidulans

Rate coding and temporal coding are two extremes of the neural coding process. The concept of a stationary state corresponds to the information processing approach that views the brain as a decision maker, adopts rate coding as its main strategy and endorses the single- or few neuron approach. If information derived from sensory stimulation is used to continuously update the brain's internal representation of the world, then neural codes may change with time through learning. As a consequence, the same spike sequence may be interpreted differently (or evoke a different behavior) later in the day. This non-stationary viewpoint is embodied in the representational model of brain function that stresses learning and plasticity and employs temporal coding in neural assemblies. We argue that the switching between quasi-stable brain states as a result of learning is more relevant than the neuronal patterns, and the correlations between them, that are found during stationary states. The neural code likely resides in the activity patterns that cause this state-switching.     

Sequence analysis of the tryparedoxin peroxidase gene from Crithidia fasciculata and its functional expression in Escherichia coli

Tryparedoxin peroxidase from Crithidia fasciculata is an essential component of the trypanothione-dependent hydroperoxide metabolism in the trypanosomatids (Nogoceke, E., Gommel, D. U., Kiebeta, M., Kalisz, H. M., and Flohé, L. (1997) Biol. Chem. 378, 827-836). The tryparedoxin peroxidase gene and its flanking regions have been isolated and sequenced from a C. fasciculata genomic DNA library. It consists of an open reading frame of 564 base pairs encoding a protein of 188 amino acid residues. The gene, modified to encode 6 additional histidine residues, was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by metal chelating chromatography. Recombinant tryparedoxin peroxidase has a subunit molecular mass of 21884 +/- 22 and contains two isoforms of pI 6.2 and 6.3. It exhibits a kinetic pattern identical to that of the authentic tryparedoxin peroxidase and has a similar specific activity of 2.51 units mg-1. The enzyme unequivocally belongs to the peroxiredoxin family of proteins, whose members have been found in all phyla. A phylogenetic tree comprising 47 protein and DNA sequences showed tryparedoxin peroxidase and a homologous Trypanosoma brucei sequence to form a distinct molecular clade. The consensus sequence: xnAx5-6Fx9Gx3Vx2Fx1Px2Fx1FVCPTEx21Sx1Dx7Wx16-19Dx15- 16Gx3Rx2Fx2Dx27Ax 1Qx4-11Cx1-3Wxn was demonstrated by alignment of the sequences of tryparedoxin peroxidase and 8 other peroxiredoxins with established peroxidase function.     

Characterization of the secA gene of Streptomyces lividans encoding a protein translocase which complements and Escherichia coli mutant defective in the ATPase activity of SecA

The secA gene of Streptomyces lividans was cloned using as probe a 57-mer oligonucleotide based on conserved sequences of the Escherichia coli secA and the Bacillus subtilis div genes. It encodes a protein of 946 amino acids (aa) with a deduced M(r) of 106,079, with high similarity to all known SecA proteins. All the previously described conserved motifs of SecA proteins were conserved in the S. lividans protein. The secA gene of S. lividans restored sensitivity to sodium azide in E. coli SecA4 (AzR) a mutant with an azide-resistant (ATPase defective) SecA protein. However, it did not complement the temperature-sensitive mutation in E. coli MM52 (SecAts) (a conditional lethal mutant defective in protein translocation) allowing only poor growth at the nonpermissive temperature. secA homologous sequences were present in 11 different species of Streptomyces and Nocardia.     

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the Borrelia burgdorferi secA gene

Adamantinoma of long bones is a rare bone tumour with (immuno-) histological features of epithelial cells, surrounded by various amounts of osteofibrous tissue. Recent studies have indicated that cells with an epithelial phenotype are most probably the malignant element. There is still debate as to whether the fibrous part should be designed as a benign neoplastic element of a biphasic tumour or as a reactive non-neoplastic tissue next to an epithelioid bone tumour. The expression of fibroblast growth factor type 2 (FGF-2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and their respective receptors FGFR-1 and EGFR, as well as the proliferation marker Ki-67, was studied in both constituents of adamantinoma in serial sections of 25 cases by immunohistochemistry. Expression of FGF-2 and its receptor was present in both constituents of adamantinoma, but predominated in the epithelial component. Expression of EGF and its receptor was restricted to the epithelial component of adamantinoma. Comparing osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD)-like adamantinoma with classic epithelial cell-rich adamantinoma, the expression of FGF-2, EGF, and EGFR was more intense and in a higher percentage of cells in classic adamantinoma. Proliferative activity was found nearly exclusively in the epithelial component. These data further substantiate the hypothesis that epithelial cells constitute the proliferating tumour cell population responsible for the malignant behaviour of adamantinoma. The data indicate that during progression, the epithelial cells acquire expression of FGF-2, EGF, and EGFR, accompanied by a higher proliferative activity. Within the epithelial cell population, there exists an autocrine pathway of growth stimulation. Furthermore, these data point to an interaction between the epithelial and fibrous components, in which the epithelial cells additionally stimulate fibrous cell growth via a paracrine pathway involving FGF-2.     

Sequence and polymorphism analysis of the murine gene encoding histidyl-tRNA synthetase

The transition from the partial to the total loss of teeth is characterized by the presence of a reduced number of remaining teeth, on a single maxilla or on both of them, which don't provide optimum conditions for the conjunct or composite prosthetics. Its extraction contravene to the biological principle. Its preservation and utilisation involves a series of difficulties, which the dental surgeon must known and surpass within the frame of the prosthetic therapy. The secondary dental malposition, the absence or the reduction of the intercadic dental contacts, accompanying the mandibular cranial malrelations, all with implications in the oro-facial esthetic modification, require specific, complex interventions, before the definitive prosthetics. Upon the basis of a 15 years practical experience, the work presents a series of such clinical cases, the applied therapy and the outcomes also.     

Structural dynamics of the Streptomyces lividans K+ channel (SKC1): oligomeric stoichiometry and stability

SKC1, a 160-residue potassium channel with two putative transmembrane (TM) segments was recently identified from Streptomyces lividans. Its high levels of expression, small size, and ease of purification make SKC1 an ideal candidate for high-resolution structural studies. We have initiated the structural characterization of this channel by assessing its oligomeric behavior, stability in detergent, general hydrodynamic properties, and preliminary secondary structure content. SKC1 was readily expressed and purified to homogeneity by sequential metal-chelate and gel filtration chromatography. Standard SDS-PAGE, together with chemical cross-linking analysis indicated that SKC1 behaves as a tightly associated tetramer even in the presence of SDS. Using a gel shift assay to assess its oligomeric state, we determined that SKC1 is stable as a tetramer in most detergents and can be maintained in nonionic detergent solutions for extended periods of time. The tetramer is also stable at relatively high temperatures, with an oligomer-to-monomer transition occurring at approximately 65 degrees C. The Stokes radius of the micellar complex is 5 nm as determined from gel filtration chromatography of SKC1 in dodecyl maltoside. Preliminary estimations of secondary structure from CD spectroscopy showed that the channel exists mostly in alpha-helical conformation, with more than 50% alpha-helical, close to 20% beta-sheet, 10% beta-turn, and about 15% unassigned or random coil. These results are consistent with the idea that a bundle of alpha-helices forming a tetramer around the ion-conductive pathway is the common structural motif for members of the voltage-dependent channel superfamily.     

High-frequency transposition of IS1373, the insertion sequence delimiting the amplifiable element AUD2 of Streptomyces lividans

IS1373 is the putative insertion sequence delimiting the amplifiable unit AUD2 of Streptomyces lividans. Two IS1373-derived thiostrepton-resistant transposons, Tn5492 and Tn5494, transposed into multiple sites of the S. lividans chromosome at frequencies as high as 0.4 and 1%, respectively. Hence, IS1373 is a functional insertion sequence and its unique open reading frame, insA, encodes the transposase.