Biomedical subjects

G Christiansen

Publications and source records attributed to G Christiansen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

The fimD gene required for cell surface localization of Escherichia coli type 1 fimbriae.

The fimD gene of Escherichia coli K12 was shown to be necessary for surface localization of type 1 fimbriae, since deletion of the gene resulted in a virtually bald phenotype. The FimD protein was found to be located in the outer membrane. Expressed alone, this protein had a very deleterious effect on cell growth. The DNA sequence of the fimD gene was determined; the corresponding amino acid sequence of the FimD protein was compared with those of the PapC and FaeD proteins. A deletion derivative of FimD gave clues as to which parts of the protein were necessary for outer membrane integration.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Age and sex correlation of Chlamydia trachomatis infections evaluated by the culture technique and by an enzyme immunosorbent assay, IDEIA.

A total number of 1358 patients were examined for genital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis. 252 urethral smears from men and 1106 cervical smears from women were obtained. The average age of infected patients was 24.8 years (females 24.1, males 27.7). The overall prevalence was 10.6% (females 10.0%, males 13.1%). At the age below 20 years, the prevalence was 21% for both women and men, and 25% when data were restricted to patients consulting general practitioners. Above that age the overall prevalence was lower in all age intervals, and higher among males than females. All samples were tested by the tissue-culture technique, and the results were confirmed by the IDEIA (Boots-Celltech) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (EIA) for detection of C. trachomatis. The original smear was used for both culture and EIA. The EIA test was evaluated to have a sensitivity of 90.8% and a specificity of 95.4% when using a cut-off level of 0.05 mean extinction values (MEV), as described by the manufacturer.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

The major subunit of Escherichia coli type 1 fimbriae is not required for D-mannose-specific adhesion.

Type 1 fimbriae are surface organelles on Escherichia coli, which mediate specific binding to D-mannose-containing structures. These fimbriae are heteropolymers composed of a major building element, the FimA protein, and small amounts of the FimF, FimG and FimH proteins. The FimH protein is uniquely responsible for the D-mannose receptor binding. In this work data are presented which indicate that the major subunit of type 1 fimbriae is dispensable for D-mannose-specific binding. A recombinant strain was studied which harboured an insertional deletion in the fimA gene, and was thereby unable to produce type 1 fimbriae; however, it was still able to express a D-mannose-binding phenotype. However, the deletion resulted in a 25-fold reduction of the adhesive potential, as measured by binding to D-mannose-coated Sepharose beads. Serological and specific receptor binding evidence is presented that suggests that the FimH adhesion is capable of being exposed on the bacterial surface without being an integral part of the fimbriae.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

The 75-kilodalton cytoplasmic Chlamydia trachomatis L2 polypeptide is a DnaK-like protein.

The gene coding for the 75-kilodalton cytoplasmic Chlamydia trachomatis L2 polypeptide has been cloned in Escherichia coli, and the nucleotide sequence has been determined. The cloned DNA fragment contained the coding region as well as the putative promoter. The deduced amino acid sequence of the 1,980-base-pair open reading frame revealed 94% homology with a 75-kilodalton protein from C. trachomatis serovar D and 57% homology with the DnaK proteins of E. coli and of Bacillus megaterium, while amino acid homology with human heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) was 42%. The promoter region was identified by computer search and by primer extension of mRNA synthesized in recombinant E. coli. The promoter region which differed from the putative promoter region in serovar D was shown to be a mixed promoter type in which the -10 region showed a regular TATA box configuration while the -35 region showed high homology with heat shock promoters. This mixed promoter was recognized in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Characterization and identification of early proteins in Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

The synthesis of early proteins from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. By pulse-label experiments, the synthesis of seven proteins was observed at 2 to 8 h postinfection before the major outer membrane protein was detected at 8 to 10 h after infection. The early proteins were synthesized throughout the 30-h period investigated, but the synthesis of three proteins of 75, 62, and 45 kilodaltons decreased from 26 to 30 h postinfection. Pulse-chase analysis showed that the signals from the same three proteins declined 26 to 30 h after infection. Three of the early proteins were identified as the S1 ribosomal protein, the GroEL-like protein, and DnaK-like protein, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Use of polymerase chain reaction for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA. From the published sequence of the common C. trachomatis plasmid, two primer sets were selected. Detection of amplified sequences was done by agarose gel electrophoresis of cleaved or uncleaved amplified sequences, Southern hybridization, or dot blot analysis. The PCR assay was optimized and, after 40 cycles of amplification with primer set II, demonstrated a sensitivity of 10(-17) g of DNA, which corresponds to the detection of one copy of the plasmid. Because of the high sensitivity, we developed a closed system in which airborne contamination was minimized. Analysis of 228 clinical samples tested by cell culture, IDEIA enzyme immunosorbent assay (Medico-Nobel, Boots-Celltech Ltd., Berkshire, United Kingdom), and PCR showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 93% when PCR was compared with cell culture, and a corrected specificity of 99% when PCR was compared with cell culture or IDEIA.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed1989

Immunoelectron microscopy of lipopolysaccharide in Chlamydia trachomatis.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for Chlamydia trachomatis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP) were used for immunoelectron microscopy analysis. MAb specific for MOMP showed strong reaction with the chlamydial surface, whereas MAb specific for LPS showed strong association of gold particles with the periphery of the chlamydial body. After fixation of the chlamydia cells, the reactivity was, however, similar to the anti-MOMP reactivity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that MAb specific for LPS could remove LPS from the chlamydial membrane.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1989

Characterization of native and recombinant 75-kilodalton immunogens from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2.

A 75-kilodalton (kDa) immunogen from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 was characterized. The 75-kDa protein was localized in the cytoplasm of chlamydiae and was shown to be a protein synthesized early in the developmental cycle of chlamydiae. A gene library was made by the recombinant DNA technique, using the expression vectors pEX1, pEX2, and pEX3. From this library one clone was found which reacted with a monoclonal antibody against the 75-kDa immunogen of C. trachomatis. The 75-kDa protein produced by the recombinant Escherichia coli was expressed independently of the promoter for the hybrid protein cro-betagalactosidase. Thus it is not produced as a fusion protein. Epitope mapping of the 75-kDa protein from C. trachomatis L2 and from the recombinant E. coli performed by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion showed that the two proteins are identical. Furthermore, patient sera reacted with both proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Detection of Chlamydia in postmortal formalin-fixed tissue.

A procedure to detect Chlamydia in postmortal formalin-fixed tissue is described. Monoclonal antibodies against a genus specific chlamydia epitope were used in immunofluorescence to detect chlamydia inclusions in formalin-fixed tissue sections. Lung sections from chlamydia-infected mice were examined and the effect of autolysis and tetracycline treatment was evaluated. Furthermore, lung tissue from two patients who died of ornithosis was examined. Inclusions detected in lung sections showed a bright apple-green fluorescence, and had a characteristic and easily recognizable morphology. Background and non-specific fluorescence were reduced by treating the tissue sections with trypsin, rabbit serum and Evans blue counterstain. Besides giving an exact diagnosis at autopsy, the method provides the possibility of determining the occurrence of chlamydia infections in various tissues, based on retrospective investigations in formalin-fixed tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Assembly of presynaptic filaments. Factors affecting the assembly of RecA protein onto single-stranded DNA.

We have previously shown that the assembly of RecA protein onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) facilitated by SSB protein occurs in three steps: (1) rapid binding of SSB protein to the ssDNA; (2) nucleation of RecA protein onto this template; and (3) co-operative polymerization of additional RecA protein to yield presynaptic filaments. Here, electron microscopy has been used to further explore the parameters of this assembly process. The optimal extent of presynaptic filament formation required at least one RecA protein monomer per three nucleotides, high concentrations of ATP (greater than 3 mM in the presence of 12 mM-Mg2+), and relatively low concentrations of SSB protein (1 monomer per 18 nucleotides). Assembly was depressed threefold when SSB protein was added to one monomer per nine nucleotides. These effects appeared to be exerted at the nucleation step. Following nucleation, RecA protein assembled onto ssDNA at net rates that varied from 250 to 900 RecA protein monomers per minute, with the rate inversely related to the concentration of SSB protein. Combined sucrose sedimentation and electron microscope analysis established that SSB protein was displaced from the ssDNA during RecA protein assembly.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1988

Chemical cross-linking of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Purified elementary bodies (EBs) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 were analyzed by chemical cross-linking with disuccinimidyl selenodipropionate. The effect of the cross-linking was analyzed by immunoblotting sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated components which were reacted with monoclonal antibodies against major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It was shown that in EBs, MOMP was cross-linked to the LPS component of the outer membrane. Migration analysis of the cross-linked components showed that with extensive cross-linking, most of the MOMP became cross-linked to LPS, changing the migration rate from 40 to 42.5 kilodaltons. A small fraction of MOMP associated with LPS was shown to be present in bands with migration rates of 100 and 110 kilodaltons. No association of MOMP or LPS to other proteins, or to dimer or multimer forms of MOMP without LPS, was observed. A totally different membrane structure must be present in reticulate bodies, since there, MOMP was so heavily cross-linked that it did not enter the polyacrylamide gel and thus became impossible to analyze. Furthermore, the monoclonal antibody, which reacted with LPS associated with MOMP in the cross-linked EBs, did not react with reticulate bodies.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

Electron microscopy of nucleic acid.

Electron microscopy (EM) of nucleic acids was first described by Kleinschmidt and Zahn 1959 (1). By complexing duplex DNA with basic proteins and spreading the complexed DNA onto the surface of an aquous phase it was possible to obtain well stretched DNA molecules that could be examined by EM. Addition of formamide to DNA spreading solution as well as to hypophase prevented single-stranded DNA and RNA from forming secondary structures thus providing conditions for analysis of these molecules. EM studies have provided information about molecular weight, molecular configuration and homogeneity/heterogeneity of the DNA preparations examined. Furthermore, intramolecular heterogeneity in base sequence could be analyzed by partial denaturation of duplex DNA. By partial denaturation mapping information of the orientation of DNA molecules was obtained. Sequence homology between two DNA molecules were studied by heteroduplex analyses where the two DNAs to be studied were denatured to full strand separation followed by reassociation. This method has been widely used to analyze DNA mutations, and to discover sequence homologies within a DNA molecule or between two DNA molecules. Heteroduplex analyses between DNA and RNA (R-loop formation) provided information about distribution of ribosomal RNA genes and gave the first information of eukaryotic post transcriptional processing of mRNA. Also the various modes for DNA replication and transcription were studied by EM. It is possible to study duplex DNA not complexed by basic proteins by EM. The DNA is then adsorbed to an activated carbon film and rotary shadowed with finely grained metals to enhance the contrast. Using this method it was possible to study binding of proteins to DNA. This method was also used in the study of chromatin structure where it provided information of the size and distribution of nucleosomes as well as packaging of DNA in chromatin fibres. The complicated nature of DNA strand exchange and repair reactions was studied by in-vitro systems where EM analysis was used in the description of the presynoptic filament and structure of the joined molecules. Furthermore, EM provided the first direct evidence for the existence of the paranemic joint, where the DNA strands are joined without Watson-Crick base-pairing.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Electron microscopic visualization of the RecA protein-mediated pairing and branch migration phases of DNA strand exchange.

The RecA protein of Escherichia coli will drive the pairing and exchange of strands between homologous DNA molecules in a reaction stimulated by single-stranded binding protein. Here, reactions utilizing three homologous DNA pairs which can undergo both paranemic and plectonemic joining were examined by electron microscopy: supertwisted double-stranded (ds) DNA and linear single-stranded (ss) DNA, linear dsDNA and circular ssDNA, and linear dsDNA and colinear ssDNA. Several major observations were: (i) with RecA protein bound to the DNA, plectonemic joints were ultrastructurally indistinguishable from paranemic joints; (ii) complexes which appeared to be joined both paranemically and plectonemically were present in these reactions in roughly equal numbers; and (iii) in complexes undergoing strand exchange, both DNA partners were often enveloped within a RecA protein filament consisting of hundreds of RecA protein monomers and several kilobases of DNA. These observations suggest that, following RecA protein-ssDNA filament formation, strand exchange proceeds by a pathway that can be divided structurally into three phases: pairing, envelopment/exchange, and release of the products.

Base Composition↗

PubMed1987

Three fim genes required for the regulation of length and mediation of adhesion of Escherichia coli type 1 fimbriae.

Three novel fim genes of Escherichia coli, fimF, fimG and fimH, were characterized. These genes were not necessary for the production of fimbriae but were shown to be involved in the adhesive property and longitudinal regulation of these structures. Complementation experiments indicated that both the major fimbrial subunit gene, fimA, and the fimH gene in combination with either the fimF or the fimG gene were required for mannose-specific adhesion. The fimF, fimG and fimH gene products were likewise shown to play a major role in the fimbrial morphology as longitudinal modulators. The amount of FimF, FimG and FimH proteins appeared to control the length and number of the fimbriae. The DNA sequence of a 2050 bp region containing the three genes was determined. The corresponding protein sequences all exhibited homology with the fimbrial subunit protein, FimA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Electrophoretic analysis of proteins from Mycoplasma hominis strains detected by SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting.

The proteins of 14 strains of Mycoplasma hominis were compared by SDS-PAGE in gradient gels, by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis of extracts of 35S-labelled cells and by immunoblot analysis of cell proteins. The strains examined included the M. hominis type strain PG21 and 13 others isolated variously from genital tract, mouth, blood, upper urinary tract and a wound. These 14 strains shared 76-99% of proteins in SDS-gradient gel analysis and 41-72% in the 2D gels. As expected, the immunoblot analysis likewise revealed the existence of an extensive common protein pattern in M. hominis, in addition to a number of antigens shared only by some strains.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1987

Genomic and gene variation in Mycoplasma hominis strains.

DNAs from 14 strains of Mycoplasma hominis isolated from various habitats, including strain PG21, were analyzed for genomic heterogeneity. DNA-DNA filter hybridization values were from 51 to 91%. Restriction endonuclease digestion patterns, analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, revealed no identity or cluster formation between strains. Variation within M. hominis rRNA genes was analyzed by Southern hybridization of EcoRI-cleaved DNA hybridized with a cloned fragment of the rRNA gene from the mycoplasma strain PG50. Five of the M. hominis strains showed identical hybridization patterns. These hybridization patterns were compared with those of 12 other mycoplasma species, which showed a much more complex band pattern. Cloned nonribosomal RNA gene fragments of M. hominis PG21 DNA were analyzed, and the fragments were used to demonstrate heterogeneity among the strains. A monoclonal antibody against strain PG21 was produced. The possible presence of the corresponding antigenic epitope in the other 13 M. hominis strains was analyzed by immunoblotting and compared with results of immunoblotting using polyclonal antibodies against PG21.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1987

Heterogeneity of Mycoplasma hominis as detected by a probe for atp genes.

Use of a plasmid containing part of the atp operon of Mycoplasma PG50 as a probe in Southern blots show that this region can be used to detect the presence of Mycoplasma species in general. DNA from 14 different strains of M. hominis was analyzed for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by the use of the same PG50 probe. The M. hominis strains exhibit considerable polymorphism, although some groupings can be observed. These groupings are compared to those obtained for the same strains by other means. The groups are not conserved, thus further demonstrating the heterogeneity of M. hominis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1986

Visualization of the paranemic joining of homologous DNA molecules catalyzed by the RecA protein of Escherichia coli.

In reactions catalyzed by the RecA protein of Escherichia coli, synapsis between two DNA molecules is believed to occur even in the absence of free homologous DNA ends and to involve a metastable interaction termed paranemic joining. We have used electron microscopic methods to visualize synapse formation between supertwisted M13 double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and linear M13 mp7 single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with non-M13 sequences at its ends. These non-M13 sequences block strand invasion and make this pairing equivalent to the joining of two fully circular molecules. We observed a high frequency of joining when the ssDNA was initially assembled into presynaptic filaments with RecA protein. Cleavage of the dsDNA in the joined complexes by Hpa I revealed that the joint was at a site of homology. In these joints, the dsDNA entered the presynaptic filament over a length of 360 +/- 80 base pairs, not visibly altering its ultrastructure, and then dissociated from the filament. Although the dsDNA in the complexes appeared topologically relaxed, deproteinization released supertwisted dsDNA, indicating that the dsDNA was unwound by 34 degrees per base pair in the paranemic joint. When supertwisted M13 dsDNA was paired with circular M13 ssDNA, similar joints were observed and both DNA circles appeared topologically relaxed.

DNA, Single-Stranded↗