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G Dougan

Publications and source records attributed to G Dougan.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Identification of the major antigens of Treponema hyodysenteriae and comparison with those of Treponema innocens.

Eleven strains of Treponema hyodysenteriae isolated from pigs with swine dysentery were examined by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. T. hyodysenteriae strains formed a homogeneous group with respect to sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble proteins. However, immunoblotting with antiserum from rabbits immunized with T. hyodysenteriae CN8368 revealed heterogeneity among the lipopolysaccharide complexes of different strains. Polypeptides of molecular weights between 30,000 and 36,000 were the predominant T. hyodysenteriae polypeptides detected by porcine immune serum. In contrast, Treponema innocens did not form a homogeneous group with respect to sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble proteins. Adsorption studies and immunoblotting identified polypeptide antigens present on cells of T. hyodysenteriae which were not detected on cells of T. innocens. These unique antigens may play a role in the virulence of T. hyodysenteriae.

Animals↗

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the aroA gene of Bordetella pertussis.

The aroA locus of Bordetella pertussis, encoding 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase, has been cloned into Escherichia coli by using a cosmid vector. The gene is expressed in E. coli and complemented an E. coli aroA mutant. The nucleotide sequence of the B. pertussis aroA gene was determined and contains an open reading frame encoding 442 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight for 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase of 46,688. The amino acid sequence derived from the nucleotide sequence shows homology with the published amino acid sequences of aroA gene products of other microorganisms.

3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase↗

Molecular cloning and analysis of P. 69, a vir-controlled protein from Bordetella pertussis.

The cloning sequencing and analysis of an important antigenic component of Bordetella pertussis is described. The gene for P.69, in common with a variety of other so called "virulence" genes, (e.g., adenylate cyclase (AC), pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA)), is under control of the vir locus. The protein P.69 is externally localised on cells and protein preparations are protective as judged by the mouse intra-cerebral challenge test. The gene encoding the P.69 antigen was isolated by hybridization of mixed oligonucleotide probes against B. pertussis genomic DNA. These oligonucleotides were designed from the protein sequence data obtained from a cyanogen bromide digest of the P.69 protein. DNA sequence analysis reveals a G:C rich gene capable of encoding a protein of 910 amino acids and Mr of 93478, whose likely promoter and ribosome binding sites show little homology to their E.coli counterpart. In common with some of the genes in the PT operon the sequence 5'-CCTGG-3' was found 5' to the ATG initiation codon. At the 3', end 29 bases after the TAA stop codon, the sequence 5'GTTTTTCCT-3' was found in an equivalent position to the same sequence in the PT operon. Examination of the protein sequence reveals two regions with directly repeated elements (GGAVP)3(GGFGP)2 and (PQP)5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of stable aroA mutants of Salmonella typhi Ty2: properties and preliminary characterisation in mice.

Derivatives of the Salmonella typhi strain Ty2 carrying stable mutations in the aroA gene were isolated. The mutations were generated by transducing an aroA::Tn10 marker into Ty2 and selecting for derivatives which were tetracycline sensitive and dependent on aromatic compounds for growth. Isolates that did not revert to aromatic compound independence at a detectable frequency were obtained. An S. typhimurium derived aroA specific DNA probe was used to demonstrate the presence of DNA rearrangements in the aroA region of the chromosome of some of the S. typhi aroA mutants. Most of these isolates still expressed Vi antigen. Aromatic compound dependent mutants of S. typhi were less virulent in mice than S. typhi Ty2 following intraperitoneal challenge with bacteria suspended in mucin. Mice immunised with one of these mutants, named WBL85-1, were protected against a potentially lethal challenge of S. typhi Ty2.

Animals↗

Salmonella typhimurium aroA mutants as carriers of the Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit to the murine secretory and systemic immune systems.

We investigated the ability of Salmonella typhimurium vaccines to deliver heterologous antigens to the systemic and secretory immune systems of the mouse, while retaining their immunogenicity against salmonellosis. S. typhimurium SL3261, an avirulent aroA mutant, or SL3261 carrying plasmid pBRD026, a pBR322 derivative encoding the gene for Escherichia coli LT-B were used to immunize BALB/c mice orally. Both immunizing strains invaded the mononuclear phagocyte system of the mice, grew slowly until approximately day 14 post-infection, and then were rapidly cleared. No salmonellae were detected in livers, spleens, mesenteric lymph nodes or Peyer's patches by day 42. Mice immunized with either strain and challenged orally with the virulent parent strain, SL1344, several weeks after clearing the immunizing organism, were protected against the lethal S. typhimurium infection. Mice infected with SL3261 (pBRD026) developed substantial levels of IgG and IgA anti-LT-B antibodies 14 days post-infection in both serum and gut samples. The sera neutralized the effects of LT in an in vitro Vero cell assay. Thus, aroA mutants of S. typhimurium can deliver a heterologous antigen from a different enteric pathogen to the murine systemic and secretory immune systems without altering their efficacy against salmonellosis.

Animals↗

An attenuated aroA Salmonella typhimurium vaccine elicits humoral and cellular immunity to cloned beta-galactosidase in mice.

beta-Galactosidase (GZ) is an intracellular protein that is frequently used to express cloned antigens as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhimurium strain SL3261, an attenuated aroA vaccine strain, was used as a carrier for the plasmid pXY411, which directs the expression of GZ in salmonellae (which do not normally produce this protein). The resulting strain--SL3261(pXY411)--expressed GZ as an intracellular antigen. The plasmid was stable in vitro and in vivo and did not significantly alter the behavior of strain SL3261 in mice. Animals intravenously vaccinated with this construct developed circulating antibodies to GZ, as measured by ELISA, and delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen injected in the footpad. These results indicate that attenuated salmonellae may be expected to elicit both humoral and cellular responses to intracellular cloned antigens.

Animals↗

Characterization of glucosyltransferase expressed from a Streptococcus sobrinus gene cloned in Escherichia coli.

The gene encoding a glucosyltransferase which synthesized water-insoluble glucan, gtfI, previously cloned from Streptococcus sobrinus strain MFe28 (mutans serotype h) into a bacteriophage lambda vector, was subcloned into the plasmid pBR322. The recombinant plasmid was stable in Escherichia coli and gtfI was efficiently expressed. The GTF-I expressed in E. coli was compared to the corresponding enzymes in S. sobrinus strains MFe28 (serotype h), B13 (serotype d) and 6715 (serotype g) and shown to resemble them closely in molecular mass and isoelectric point. The insoluble glucan produced by GTF-I from recombinant E. coli consisted of 1,3-alpha-D-glycosyl residues (approximately 90%). An internal fragment of the gtfI gene was used as a probe in hybridization experiments to demonstrate the presence of homologous sequences in chromosomal DNA of other streptococci of the mutans group.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Live oral Salmonella vaccines: potential use of attenuated strains as carriers of heterologous antigens to the immune system.

Live attenuated strains of salmonellae are showing promise as live oral vaccines against human typhoid fever and other Salmonella infections of man and animals. Attenuation can be achieved by introducing genetically defined, non-reverting mutations into specific genes on the Salmonella chromosome. Mutations in the gal E or aroA genes of Salmonella inhibit the ability of the bacteria to grow in vivo, and strains carrying such lesions are effective vaccines against salmonellosis. Genetic determinants encoding for the expression of potentially protective antigens from heterologous, non-Salmonella pathogens can be readily introduced into these attenuated Salmonella strains. Expression of the heterologous antigen does not affect the ability of the Salmonella host to be used as a Salmonella vaccine. Mice infected orally with a Salmonella typhimurium aroA vaccine expressing the Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin B subunit developed both a secretory and serum antibody response to this antigen. These serum antibodies were able to neutralise the activity of E. coli heat-labile toxin in tissue culture assays. A humoral and cell-mediated (DTH) immune response was detected against beta galactosidase, an intracellular antigen, in mice infected with an aroA vaccine expressing this cloned antigen. The prospects for the development of live Salmonella vaccines as a method for delivering heterologous antigens derived from bacteria, viruses and parasites is discussed.

Administration, Oral↗

Expression of a cloned 987P adhesion-antigen fimbrial determinant in Escherichia coli K-12 strain HB101.

The properties of three independent enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates known to express 987P adhesion fimbriae in a manner subject to phase variation were examined. Phase variation could not be correlated with any major changes in the plasmid DNA content of these strains or with readily detectable changes in any other tested phenotypic markers. The 987P genetic determinant from one of these strains, E. coli 987, was cloned into the non-fimbriated E. coli K-12 strains HB101, and expressed, using the cosmid vector system. 987P fimbriae produced by cells harbouring these recombinant plasmids (987P+ phenotype) could not be distinguished from 987P fimbriae produced by strain 987. Expression of 987P fimbriae from some recombinant plasmids was unstable but none of the recombinants exhibited the phase variation phenotype displayed by the parental strain. One recombinant plasmid, pPM200, contained an insert of strain 987 DNA of ca. 33 kb. The HB101[pPM200] displayed a rather stable 987P+ phenotype, but this was not true for several hosts, since pPM200 acquired approx. 20-kb deletions following transformations of E. coli K-12 strains other than HB101. The deletions mapped to the same region of pPM200 irrespective of the host strain transformed. Cells harbouring the deleted plasmids did not express 987P fimbriae (987P- phenotype).

Cloning, Molecular↗

Effects of immune colostrum on the expression of a K88 plasmid encoded determinant: role of plasmid stability and influence of phenotypic expression of K88 fimbriae.

Passaging of the K88-positive Escherichia coli strain CN6913 through synthetic medium containing immune colostrum gave rise to large numbers of K88-negative CN6913 variants. These K88-negative variants had all lost a single large plasmid known to encode the K88 genetic determinant. Four other large plasmids harboured by this strain were unaffected. Viable K88-positive and K88-negative variants of CN6913 accumulated at a similar rate in synthetic medium and in medium containing non-immune colostrum. In the presence of immune colostrum, viable cells of the K88-negative variant accumulated faster and to a greater extent in cultures than the K88-positive variant if incubated at 37 degrees C, which favours the phenotypic expression of K88. However, when similar cultures were incubated at 18 degrees C, a temperature known to inhibit phenotypic expression of K88, the accumulation of viable cells of the two variants was strictly comparable in all media and no loss of plasmid or increase in K88-negative variants was observed. Cells containing a pBR322-based K88-encoding recombinant plasmid were also eliminated by immune colostrum whereas cells containing pBR322 were not. Plasmids encoding the K99 antigen were not readily eliminated from strains passaged through medium containing immune colostrum. K99-negative variants that were detected still harboured the K99-encoding plasmid.

Animals↗

In vivo properties of a cloned K88 adherence antigen determinant.

An Escherichia coli strain of serotype O9:K36:H19 harboring the K88 recombinant plasmid pMK005 was able to efficiently colonize the small bowel of young piglets after oral infection. The strain expressed K88 antigen in vivo, and bacteria were detected in close association with the surface of the intestinal villi. Mice infected orally or intravenously with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 harboring pMK005 were well protected against subsequent challenge with the highly virulent S. typhimurium SL1344. Anti-K88 antibodies were detected in the serum of mice immunized with SL3261(pMK005).

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Cloning of chromosomal DNA encoding the F41 adhesin of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and genetic homology between adhesins F41 and K88.

The genetic determinant for production of the adhesive antigen F41 was isolated from a porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain by cosmid cloning. The cloned DNA included sequences homologous to those of hybridization probes prepared from the K88 adhesive antigen operon. Transposon insertions which inactivated F41 production mapped to the same region of DNA showing homology with the K88 genes, demonstrating the genetic relatedness of F41 and K88. Hybridization of a K88 gene probe to plasmid and total DNA from the porcine E. coli isolate from which the F41 gene was cloned indicated that F41 is chromosomally encoded by this strain. This observation was extended to other F41-producing animal isolates. A large number of animal E. coli isolates were examined with K88, F41, and K99 gene probes and for mannose-resistant hemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes and K88 and F41 antigen production. All K88 and F41 antigen producers possessed genetic homology with the K88 and F41 gene probes. Most, but not all, F41-producing strains possessed homology to the K99 gene probe, reflecting the previously observed association of F41 and K99 antigen production. In the strains examined, homology with the K99 gene probe was plasmid associated, whereas homology with the F41 gene probe was chromosomal. The K88 antigen-producing strains showed no homology with the K99 probe. A number of strains possessed homology with the K88 and F41 gene probes and were mannose-resistant hemagglutination positive, but did not produce K88 or F41 antigens. This suggests that there are adhesins among animal isolates of E. coli which are genetically related to but antigenically distinct from K88 and F41.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Molecular analysis of the virulence determinants of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from domestic animals: applications for vaccine development.

Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli are an important cause of diarrhoeal disease in young farm animals. Several virulence determinants have been shown to play a major role in the pathogenicity of these strains. The molecular structure of some of these determinants including adhesion fimbriae, heat-labile toxins and heat-stable toxins have been elucidated. This knowledge has made possible the development of novel vaccines effective against enterotoxigenic strains. In this short review, the structure of these virulence factors will be described and the implications for the development of future vaccines will be discussed.

Adhesiveness↗

Expression of a gene for glucan-binding protein from Streptococcus mutans in Escherichia coli.

The structural gene for a glucan-binding protein (GBP) of Streptococcus mutans has been inserted into a bacteriophage lambda vector and expressed in Escherichia coli K12. Lysates of E. coli infected with the recombinant phage contain an antigenic protein of the same size as S. mutans GBP. The GBP synthesized in E. coli can be affinity-purified on immobilized glucan and antiserum raised against it has been shown to precipitate fructosyltransferase activity from S. mutans.

Antigens, Bacterial↗