Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Brown

Publications and source records attributed to F Brown.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

A molecular approach to the diagnosis of virus infections.

Virus diseases are usually diagnosed by serological methods, provided specific antisera are available. With a "new" virus, however, knowledge of its physical and chemical properties is necessary before it can be assigned to one of the existing families. If a specimen contains sufficient virus, electron microscopy is the most valuable first test to apply because this often allows the agent to be placed immediately in a virus family. Further characterization can be achieved by measuring the stability of the virus in lipid solvents. With unenveloped viruses, the density in cesium chloride is a valuable diagnostic property. A more exact characterization can be made by examining the nucleic acid and protein of the virus. RNA viruses, for example, can be identified with great precision using base sequence homology and ribonuclease T1 mapping. Similar precision can be achieved with DNA viruses by the use of restriction endonucleases. Examination of the proteins of both RNA and DNA viruses also allows similar viruses to be distinguished. These methods have proved valuable in the epidemiology of those diseases for which serological methods did not allow the isolates to be identified with certainty.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase mutants of a picornavirus.

Temperature-sensitive (ts) RNA polymerase mutants of a picornavirus are reported. Two foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) mutants designated ts 22 and ts 115 have been characterized. As judged by isoelectric focusing, both have charge alterations in P56a, the FMDV RNA polymerase protein. Virus RNA synthesis in cells infected with the mutants is severely impaired at the nonpermissive temperature. RNA polymerase purified from baby hamster kidney cells infected with these mutants exhibits a marked ts transcribing activity in vitro. Spontaneous revertants of both mutants have P56a polypeptides that are indistinguishable from the parental proteins on the basis of charge. The revertants regain the ability to synthesize virus RNA in vivo at the nonpermissive temperature. RNA polymerase purified from the revertants remains transcriptionally active at the nonpermissive temperature.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Comparison of bluetongue type 20 with certain viruses of the bluetongue and Eubenangee serological groups of orbiviruses.

The genome of bluetongue virus type 20 consists of 10 segments of double-stranded RNA each of which contains unique sequences as determined by oligonucleotide mapping. The 10 polypeptide products of the virus genome were detected in virus-infected cells, and in pulse--chase experiments there was no secondary cleavage of the primary gene products. Using stringent conditions for RNA--RNA reassociation, no significant homology could be detected between the genomes of bluetongue type 20 isolated in Australia and representative serotypes isolated in other geographic regions. The results suggest sequence divergence between geographically isolated viruses and not the recent introduction of a bluetongue virus into Australia.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1981

Removal of the genome-linked protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus by rabbit reticulocyte lysate.

Rabbit reticulocyte lysate cleaves the genome-linked protein VPg from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) RNA. This activity could be reliably monitored since removal of the protein resulted in a change in migration in polyacrylamide gels of the small specific 5' and fragment of the RNA (S fragment). The unlinking activity cleaved the bond between the tyrosine residue of VPg and the RNA to leave a 5' phosphate on the RNA. The 5' sequence of the RNA from which VPg had been removed by rabbit reticulocyte lysate was the same as that of FMDV mRNA isolated from infected cells. VPg released from the RNA was rapidly degraded by the rabbit reticulocyte lysate to material which eluted with the inclusion volume of a Sepharose 6B column and partitioned to the aqueous phase during phenol extraction. The unlinking activity was inhibited by heating the lysate to 56 degrees C, by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), EDTA, and Zn2+ ions but was unaffected by reducing agents, a translation inhibitor, and a number of protease and RNase inhibitors.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Biochemical aspects of variation in foot-and-mouth disease virus.

The biochemical basis for variation in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has been explored by analysis of the virus RNA and the virus-induced and structural proteins of three isolates of the virus. Two of the isolates were from serotype A and the third was from serotype O. Hybridization studies of the RNAs showed greater than 80% homology between the two type A viruses and about 65% homology between the two type A viruses and the virus of type O. The ribonuclease T1 maps of the three viruses gave distinct patterns typical of FMDV, but did not show that any two of the three viruses were more closely related. The virus-induced primary translation products, P88, P52 and P100 isolated from infected cells, were compared by tryptic peptide analysis. Combinations of 3H- and 14C-leucine-labelled polypeptides were hydrolysed with trypsin and resolved on an ion-exchange column. Much greater differences were found in P88 than in P52 or P100, indicating that the major variation occurs in the region of the genome coding for the structural proteins. Similar analysis of combinations of the structural proteins of the three viruses showed that there were differences in VP1, VP2 and VP3 and these results were supported by those obtained by PAGE analysis of the Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease cleavage products.

Aphthovirus↗
PubMed1980

Serological and immunological relations between the 146S and 12S particles of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Intact 146S particles of the seven serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) produce type-specific precipitating, complement-fixing and neutralizing antibodies in cattle and guinea-pigs. However, the 12S structural subunit, produced from the virus particle by mild acid treatment (pH 6) or by heating at 56 degrees C, although stimulating the production of precipitating and complement-fixing antibodies, produces only low levels of neutralizing antibody. Nevertheless, 12S antibody in guinea-pigs primed with a vaccine prepared from 146S particles. Moreover, heterotypic 12S and 146S particles also boosted the neutralizing antibody response to the first virus. These results point to an antigenic similarity between the 146S particles of each type and to a close antigenic relationship between the 146S and 12S particles.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A study of the level of nucleotide sequence conservation between the RNAs of two types serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

The level of nucleotide sequence conservation between the RNAs of type A and type O foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has been compared by three methods. (I) RNA hybridization of fragments containing either the poly(C) tract at the 5' end of the RNA of the poly(A) tract at the 3' end of the RNA indicates that there is a similar level of sequence conservation (65% homology) across the genome. RNase T1 fingerprinting of these fragments did not show the presence of any long regions of completely conserved nucleotides apart from the poly(C) and the poly(A) tracts. (2) RNase T1 fingerprints of the RNA on the 5' side of the the poly(C) tract (the S fragment) show that there is more conservation in this region of the RNA than indicated by the hybridization results. (3) Direct nucleotide sequencing of the poly(C) tract and of the 54 nucleotides at the 5' end of the two genomes shows that there is considerable sequence conservation at the extreme 5' end of the RNA.

Aphthovirus↗
PubMed1980

Location of the initiation site for protein synthesis on foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA by in vitro translation of defined fragments of the RNA.

An mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate has been used to translate foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA in vitro. Polypeptides P16, P20a, and P88, which have been shown to be derived from the 5' end of the RNA by pactamycin mapping experiments with infected cells, were preferentially synthesized in vitro. Removal of VPg, the small protein covalently linked to the 5' end of the genome RNA, had no effect on the translation of the RNA. The two RNA fragments (L and S) produced by specific digestion of the polycytidylic acid [poly(C)] tract with RNase H were also translated in vitro. The L fragment, consisting of RNA to the 3' side of the poly(C) tract and including the polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] tract, directed the synthesis of the same products as those made by full-length RNA. However, no small defined products were produced when the S fragment, which contains the 5' end of the RNA, was translated. These results show that the major initiation site for protein synthesis on foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA is to the 3' side of the poly(C) tract. Furthermore, the use of N-formyl [35S]methionine tRNAfMet as a label for the initiation peptides showed that the major polypeptide labeled in lysates primed with both full-length RNA and the L fragment was P16, i.e., the protein nearest the initiation site for translation as deduced from pactamycin mapping experiments. Fragments of RNA were also translated in vitro. Those containing the poly(C) tract gave products similar to those produced when full-length RNA was translated. The polypeptides synthesized when fragments containing the poly(A) tract were used, however, did not resemble those made from full-length RNA.

Aphthovirus↗
PubMed1980

Heterogeneity of the genome-linked protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

The genome-linked protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus was examined by electrofocusing in polyacrylamide gels. Two proteins of different charge and amino acid composition were found. The tryptic peptide maps of the proteins were dissimilar. The possible relationship between the two proteins is discussed.

Aphthovirus↗
PubMed1980

Intraoperative ultrasound examination of the brain.

In a preliminary demonstration of cranial intraoperative real-time ultrasound, both supratentorial and posterior fossa scans displayed the pertinent anatomy. A grade III astrocytoma was visualized on the supratentorial scan as well. Ultrasound may be valuable for surgical planning and biopsy procedures because of its reliable depiction of intracranial anatomy and ease of use.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Caliciviridae.

The caliciviruses, as a proposed family Caliciviridae, have a distinct virion morphology with cup-shaped depressions on a spherical capsid surface. The viruses have single-stranded RNA, which has a molecular weight about 2.6 x 10(6) and is infectious. The RNA is covalently linked to a small protein. A single major polypeptide is found in the capsid. A subgenomic RNA, molecular weight about 1 x 10(6), coding for the capsid polypeptide is found in infected cells. Caliciviruses infecting swine, pinnipeds and cats have been characterized. Viruses which are morphologically identical to the known caliciviruses have been identified in human feces; these viruses have been shown to be associated with gastroenteritis, but they have not yet been propagated in the laboratory.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Multiple meningiomas in the spinal canal.

Previous experimental and clinical observations suggest that radiation is a causative factor in the development of meningiomas. We report a rare case of three spinal meningiomas in a patient who had prior irradiation in the spinal region. The myelographic technique to evaluate multiple spinal canal tumors is outlined.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Sequence and location of the poly C tract in aphtho- and cardiovirus RNA.

The poly C tract in the RNA of the aphtho- and cardio viruses has been examined in several isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. The length of the tract is variable, containing 100 to 170 bases in the FMDV isolates and 80 to 250 bases in the EMC virus isolates. Each poly C tract contains c. 10% A and U residues, located at the 5' end, i.e. most of the tract is a continuous run of C residues. The position of the tract on the genome was the same in each of the FMDV isolates, about 400 bases from the 5' end, whereas in the EMC virus isolates it was about 150 bases from the 5' end.

Animals↗