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Biomedical subjects

A Burny

Publications and source records attributed to A Burny.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Nucleotide sequence of bovine interleukin-6 cDNA.

We report the cloning of bovine interleukin-6 (IL-6) cDNA. The clone was isolated from a bovine-leukemia virus (BLV)-induced B cell-lymphosarcoma cDNA library cloned in the bacteriophage lambda gt11. The cDNA encodes a full length IL-6 protein made of 208 amino acids with 65, 53, 42 and 42% homology to published sequences of porcine, human, mouse and rat IL-6, respectively. The significance of IL-6 expression in a BLV-induced tumor is briefly discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the bovine interleukin-6 gene promoter.

We report the cloning and sequencing of a 1252 base pairs (bp) DNA fragment containing the bovine interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene promoter. This fragment was isolated from a bovine genomic library constructed in the lambda GEM11 vector. Comparison with human, murine and rat IL-6 gene promoters reveals a high degree of conservation of the 200 bp immediately upstream of the RNA CAP site. This region contains nucleotide stretches matching with consensus sequences recognized by transcription factors, including NF-KB, CREB and NF-IL6. A potential AP-1 binding site is found 284 nucleotides upstream of the RNA CAP site. The bovine IL-6 gene promoter cloned upstream of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene was shown to be active in bovine and ovine cells.

Animals↗

Sequence of bovine interleukin 7.

We report the cloning and the sequencing of a cDNA coding for the mature bovine interleukin 7 (IL-7). The clone was isolated from a bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-induced B cell-lymphosarcoma cDNA library. The 5' non-coding sequence and the sequence of the signal peptide were obtained from a clone isolated from a bovine genomic library. The entire bovine IL-7 protein is 176 amino acids long and shows 75 and 65% homology to published sequences of human and murine IL-7, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Infection of human brain cells by HIV-1: restricted virus production in chronically infected human glial cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To study expression of HIV-1 in human glial cell lines. DESIGN: Chronically HIV-1-infected glial cell lines were established to evade potential artefacts resulting from unphysiological viral entry (i.e., transfection). These cell lines were used to study viral expression and regulation. METHODS: Chronically infected glial cell lines were established by terminal dilution cloning of human glioma cells exposed to HIV-1. Virus production and expression were assayed by measuring reverse transcriptase activity, p24-antigen levels and syncytia-inducing capacity in C8166 target cells (extracellular), or by indirect immunoperoxidase staining, immunoblot analysis, and p24- and Nef-antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (intracellular). HIV-long terminal repeat (LTR)-dependent expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene was determined in transient transfection assays. RESULTS: Culture supernatant from chronically HIV-1-infected glial cells contained only low levels of virus compared with chronically HIV-infected fibroblasts and T-lymphoma cells. Detailed study of HIV-antigen expression in representative glial cell line TH4-7-5 indicated the presence of all major structural proteins, albeit at low levels, and of Vif, Tat, Rev and Nef. Intracellular levels of Nef exceeded p24-antigen levels by approximately 10-fold. Virus was recovered from TH4-7-5 cells by cocultivation with blood-derived target cells, indicating that low-level virus production is not due to defective provirus. Prominent negative regulatory element (NRE)-mediated suppression of exogenous HIV-LTR activity was observed in TH4-7-5 cells and was unequalled by chronically HIV-producing fibroblast cells or by uninfected fibroblast and glial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that restricted virus production by chronically infected glial cells involves LTR-mediated regulation of virus expression.

Base Sequence↗

Iodoacetamide treatment of bovine leukemia virus glycoprotein gp51 enhances the western blotting reactivity of anti-peptide antibodies.

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against synthetic peptides of the bovine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein gp51 and tested against the full size protein by the Western blotting technique. We show that acetylation of gp51 by iodoacetamide either maintains or significantly increases the antigen-antibody reaction and conclude therefrom that the reactive potential of an anti-peptide antibody may require acetylation of the sulfhydryl groups of the blotted protein.

Acetylation↗

Fusogenic activity of SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) peptides located in the GP32 NH2 terminal domain.

Peptides of 12, 16 and 24 amino acids length corresponding to the NH2 terminal sequence of SIV gp32 were synthesized. Fluorescence energy transfer studies have shown that those peptides can induce lipid mixing of SUV (Small Unilamellar Vesicles) of various compositions at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. LUV (Large Unilamellar Vesicles) were shown to undergo fusion, provided they contained PE in their lipid composition. This work is an attempt to determine how the fusogenic activity depends on the structure of the peptide inserted into a lipidic environment. The peptides secondary structure and orientation in the lipid bilayer were determined using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). They adopt mainly a beta-sheet conformation in the absence of lipids. After interaction with DOPC SUV, the beta-sheet is partly converted into alpha-helix oriented obliquely with respect to the membrane interface. We bring here evidence that this oblique orientation is a prerequisite to the fusion process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Theoretical and functional analysis of the SIV fusion peptide.

The fusion domain of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) envelope glycoproteins is a hydrophobic region located at the amino-terminal extremity of the transmembrane protein (gp32). Assuming an alpha helical structure for the SIV fusogenic domain of gp32 in a lipid environment, theoretical studies have predicted that the fusion peptide would insert obliquely in the lipid bilayer. This oblique insertion could be an initial step of the fusion process by disorganizing locally the structure of the lipid bilayer. We have tested this hypothesis by selectively mutagenizing the SIV gp160 expressed via a vaccinia virus vector, to alter the theoretical angle of insertion of the fusion peptide. The fusogenic activity of the wild-type and mutant glycoproteins was tested after infection of T4 lymphocytic cell lines by the recombinant vaccinia virus, and measure of syncytia formation. Mutations that modified the oblique orientation reduced the fusogenic activity. In contrast, mutations that conserve the oblique orientation did not alter the fusogenic properties. Our results support the hypothesis that oblique orientation is important for fusogenic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction of a pigeonpox virus recombinant: expression of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) fusion glycoprotein and protection of chickens against NDV challenge.

A pigeonpox transfer plasmid was constructed by cloning a 2.5 kb DNA fragment containing the viral thymidine kinase (TK) gene in the psp65 plasmid. The vaccinia virus P11K promoter followed by the NDV fusion (F) gene was inserted in the TK gene. The F gene was transferred to the viral genome by homologous recombination in pigeonpox virus infected CEF cells, transfected with the recombinant plasmid. Recombinant viruses were selected with BUdR and screened for their ability to induce fusion between adjacent cells. Because of the unexpected growth advantage of the TK+ WT over the TK- recombinants, viral purification was needed to obtain stable recombinants expressing a glycosylated and cleaved F protein. Vaccination of chickens by the follicular method induced high anti-F antibody titers and good protection against challenge with the virulent Italian NDV strain. Half of the oculonasal vaccinated chickens showed anti F antibodies and also half of them were protected. Although protection seems to be correlated with antibody titers, no neutralizing antibodies were found.

Animals↗

The bovine leukemia virus tax gene contains an enhancer sequence.

Transactivator proteins of the bovine leukemia (BLV) and human T-lymphotropic (HTLV) viruses increase long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed viral gene expression and act as immortalizing oncogenes in tissue culture. We report here that the BLV tax gene sequence contains an enhancer-like activity. The X long open reading frame was cloned up-stream of the beta-globin promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. In the presence of tax sequences, up to sevenfold enhancement of CAT expression was observed. A computer-assisted homology search revealed the presence of a consensus enhancer core sequence (GTGTTGTTGGTTG) into the third exon of the 2.1-kb X mRNA. These studies demonstrate that the tax gene contains a transcriptional enhancer which could be involved in early viral gene expression in vivo.

Animals↗

Use of synthetic peptides to map sequential epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies on the bovine leukemia virus external glycoprotein.

Six sequential epitopes (A, B, B', D, D', E) were previously defined on the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) envelope glycoprotein gp51 by their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. A panel of synthetic peptides covering almost the entire sequence of gp51 was tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in order to localize these epitopes. E was shown to be included in peptide 142-161 (MCF4), B and B' in peptide 195-205, D and D' in peptide 218-237 (MCF6), and A in peptide 249-268 (MCF7). These results extend and confirm previous observations suggesting that the sequential epitopes recognized by our battery of monoclonal antibodies are located in the carboxylic half of BLV gp51.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

FACS analysis of bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected cell lines with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to B cells and to monocytes/macrophages.

The eighteen monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to B cells and the fourteen mAbs to accessory cells submitted to the workshop were analysed by FACS on three established, bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected bovine cell lines. Several mAbs of previously defined specificity were run in parallel. This analysis allowed us to gain further insight on the precise phenotype of those peculiar cells and to cluster the submitted mAbs according to their staining patterns. The BLV-infected cell lines seemed to belong to the B cell type though some of them lack detectable surface immunoglobulins. Moreover, all lines express the CD5 T cell marker and several myeloid markers.

Animals↗

Recombinant vaccinia virus expression of the bovine leukaemia virus envelope gene and protection of immunized sheep against infection.

The bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) envelope gene encoding extracellular glycoprotein gp51 and transmembrane glycoprotein gp30 was cloned into the HA locus of vaccinia virus (Copenhagen strain), downstream of the vaccinia virus early-late promoter, H6, or a triple promoter element consisting of the promoter for the vaccinia virus H6 gene, the promoter for the cowpox virus A-type inclusion (ATI) gene and the promoter for the vaccinia virus HA gene. Inoculation of rabbits or sheep with the recombinant vaccinia virus coding for gp51 and gp30 or an uncleaved env precursor induced neutralizing antibodies to BLV. These antibodies competed with monoclonal antibodies directed against gp51 epitopes F, G, and H previously shown to be of crucial importance for BLV infection. Seven out of eight sheep vaccinated with the vaccinia recombinants resisted a drastic challenge (1.5 x 10(3) sheep infectious doses) with BLV-infected lymphocytes. These results show that vaccination with BLV env vaccinia recombinants protects sheep against infection with extremely high doses of BLV-infected heterologous lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Characterization of Two Gene Transcripts Modulated by Cytokinins in Micropropagated Apple (Malus domestica [L.] Borkh) Plantlets.

The micropropagation of apple (Malus domestica [L.] Borkh) cultivars is usually achieved by axillary bud stimulation and requires an exogenous cytokinin supply. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from mRNA isolated from plantlets grown in vitro on medium with or without benzyladenine. One cDNA clone (pSD3), corresponding to transcripts more abundant in plantlets grown on medium containing cytokinin than on medium lacking the hormone, was isolated. It corresponds to a mRNA of about 1,800 nucleotides which codes for a proline-rich protein with a predicted mass of 31,000 daltons. Its accumulation is restricted to roots and stems of in vivo grown apple plantlets and to stems of microcuttings cultivated on medium without cytokinin. Furthermore, it accumulates to comparable levels in leaves and stems when plantlets are grown on medium containing benzyladenine. A second cDNA clone (pSD4), corresponding to transcripts down-regulated in the presence of cytokinin in the culture medium, was also characterized. Its corresponding mRNA is about 700 nucleotides in length and encodes a protein highly homologous to the precursor of the 10-kilodalton polypeptide of the photosystem II from spinach. This mRNA accumulates specifically in leaves of apple plantlets and is more abundant in leaves of plantlets grown in the absence of cytokinin compared with plantlets grown in the presence of benzyladenine.

Journal Article↗

The intragenic enhancer of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 contains functional AP-1 binding sites.

An intragenic enhancer in the pol gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has previously been identified (Verdin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:4874-4878, 1990). This element is composed of two subdomains both exhibiting phorbol ester-inducible enhancing activity on the viral thymidine kinase promoter in HeLa cells. Examination of the nucleotide sequence of one of these domains (nucleotides 4079 to 4342, HXB2 isolate) revealed the presence of three short DNA regions highly homologous to the recognition site for cellular transcription factor AP-1. Two short oligonucleotides containing these AP-1 sites each functioned as a phorbol ester-inducible enhancer when cloned upstream of the thymidine kinase promoter and transfected into HeLa cells. Gel mobility shift assays and competition experiments using the same two oligonucleotides demonstrated that they bound affinity-purified AP-1 or AP-1 present in uninduced and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced HeLa nuclear extracts. Footprinting experiments confirmed that all three predicted sites bound purified AP-1. These results suggest that the AP-1 factor could play a role in the transcriptional regulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gene expression.

Base Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the bovine cyclic-AMP responsive DNA binding protein (CREB2) cDNA.

The bovine cyclic AMP responsive binding protein cDNA (CREB2) was isolated from a lambda-gt11 cDNA expression library using a 32P labelled oligonucleotide corresponding to the 21 bp enhancer sequence present in the BLV LTR. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that CREB2 contains a leucine zipper structure (residue 295 to 316), a basic amino acid domain (residue 268 to 291) and several potential phosphorylation sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗