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Automated protein sequence database classification. I. Integration of compositional similarity search, local similarity search, and multiple sequence alignment.

MOTIVATION: Genome sequencing projects require the periodic application of analysis tools that can classify and multiply align related protein sequence domains. Full automation of this task requires an efficient integration of similarity and alignment techniques. RESULTS: We have developed a fully automated process that classifies entire protein sequence databases, resulting in alignment of the homologous sequences. The successive steps of the procedure are based on compositional and local sequence similarity searches followed by multiple sequence alignments. Global similarities are detected from the pairwise comparison of amino acid and dipeptide compositions of each protein. After the elimination of all but one sequence from each detected cluster of closely related proteins, the remaining sequences are compiled in a suffix tree which is self-compared to detect local sequence similarities. Sets of proteins which share similar sequence segments are then weighted according to their closeness and multiply aligned using a fast hierarchical dynamic programming algorithm. Computational strategies were devised to minimize computer processing time and memory space requirements. The accuracy of the sequence classifications has been evaluated for 12 462 primary structures distributed over 341 known families. The percentage of sequences with missed or incorrect family assignments was 6.8% on the test set. This low error level is only twice that of the manually constructed PROSITE database ( 3.4% ) and is substantially better than that found for the automatically built PRODOM database ( 34.9% ). AVAILABILITY: The resulting database, called DOMO, is available through database search routine SRS at Infobiogen (http://www.infobiogen.fr/srs5/), EBI (http://srs.ebi.ac.uk:5000/) and EMBL (http://www.embl-heidelberg.de/srs5/) World Wide Web sites. CONTACT: gracy@infobiogen.fr

Algorithms↗

Deoxyribonucleic acid sequence homologies among bacterial insertion sequence elements and genomes of various organisms.

Plasmid and phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) harboring bacterial insertion sequence (IS) elements IS1, IS2, and IS5 were characterized and used as probes to detect homologous sequences in various procaryotic and eucaryotic genomes. The hybridization method used permits the detection of sequences partially homologous to the elements. Hybridization of the IS-containing probes to each other revealed a region of limited homology between IS1 and IS2. Homologous sequences were then detected by computer analysis of the published IS1 and IS2 nucleotide sequences. The homologous sequence contains a tandemly repeated tetranucleotide sequence which resembles the repeated sequence at the hot spot for spontaneous mutations in the lacI gene (P. J. Farabaugh, U. Schmeissner, M. Hofer, and J. Miller, J. Mol. Biol. 126:847-863, 1978). Homology between the IS elements and various genomes was determined by hybridizing labeled DNA containing IS1, IS2, and IS5 sequences to Southern blots of chromosomal DNA cleaved with restriction endonucleases. IS1 and IS5 appear limited to the enteric bacteria, whereas IS2 sequences can also be detected in Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. Bacteria which appear not to possess extrachromosomal elements, e.g., Caulobacter crescentus, did not show homology with any insertion sequences tested. In addition, sequences homologous to IS1, IS2, or IS5 were not detected in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Dictyostelium discoideum, or calf thymus DNA.

Bacteria↗

IdentiCS--identification of coding sequence and in silico reconstruction of the metabolic network directly from unannotated low-coverage bacterial genome sequence.

BACKGROUND: A necessary step for a genome level analysis of the cellular metabolism is the in silico reconstruction of the metabolic network from genome sequences. The available methods are mainly based on the annotation of genome sequences including two successive steps, the prediction of coding sequences (CDS) and their function assignment. The annotation process takes time. The available methods often encounter difficulties when dealing with unfinished error-containing genomic sequence. RESULTS: In this work a fast method is proposed to use unannotated genome sequence for predicting CDSs and for an in silico reconstruction of metabolic networks. Instead of using predicted genes or CDSs to query public databases, entries from public DNA or protein databases are used as queries to search a local database of the unannotated genome sequence to predict CDSs. Functions are assigned to the predicted CDSs simultaneously. The well-annotated genome of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 is used as an example to demonstrate the applicability of the method. 97.7% of the CDSs in the original annotation are correctly identified. The use of SWISS-PROT-TrEMBL databases resulted in an identification of 98.9% of CDSs that have EC-numbers in the published annotation. Furthermore, two versions of sequences of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae with different genome coverage (3.9 and 7.9 fold, respectively) are examined. The results suggest that a 3.9-fold coverage of the bacterial genome could be sufficiently used for the in silico reconstruction of the metabolic network. Compared to other gene finding methods such as CRITICA our method is more suitable for exploiting sequences of low genome coverage. Based on the new method, a program called IdentiCS (Identification of Coding Sequences from Unfinished Genome Sequences) is delivered that combines the identification of CDSs with the reconstruction, comparison and visualization of metabolic networks (free to download at http://genome.gbf.de/bioinformatics/index.html). CONCLUSIONS: The reversed querying process and the program IdentiCS allow a fast and adequate prediction protein coding sequences and reconstruction of the potential metabolic network from low coverage genome sequences of bacteria. The new method can accelerate the use of genomic data for studying cellular metabolism.

Base Sequence↗

DNA sequence of the mat2,3 region of Schizosaccharomyces kambucha shares high homology with the corresponding sequence from Sz. pombe.

To define conserved sequences for mat1 imprinting and silencing of the mat2,3 region of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we determined the DNA sequence of the cognate region (mat2,3 region) of another fission yeast, Sz. kambucha, a yeast species isolated from Kambucha tea mix. The entire mat2,3 region shows more than 98% identity between the two species. Sequence similarity is even higher (99.3%) for mating-type cassettes; deduced amino acid sequences of three of the four Mat peptides (Pi, Pc and Mi) are identical between the two species, while the fourth (Mc) has a single amino acid polymorphism. Comparison of the sequence motif of the imprint site essential for mat1 switching shows that mat-P of Sz. kambucha has a sequence identical to the conserved motif present in Sz. pombe. However, this sequence motif of nine bases differs by one base for mat-M of Sz. kambucha. The sequence of the K region shows about 98% identity between the two species, with the cenH region showing 98.3% homology. Thus, the arrangement of the mat2,3 region in both yeasts is conserved and shows 1-2% nucleotide sequence variation throughout the region. The DNA sequence of the mat2,3 region from Sz. kambucha has been submitted to GenBank under Accession No. AY271822.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of nuclear sequences homologous to the B4 plasmid-like DNA of rice mitochondria; evidence for sequence transfer from mitochondria to nuclei.

Nuclear sequences homologous to the plasmid-like DNA, B4, were analyzed in the Japonica rice variety, Fujiminori. Homologous sequences existed at several positions in the nuclear genome, but each contained only a portion of the B4 sequence. It was impossible to reconstruct the entire sequence of B4 even by collating all the homologous sequences. Overlaps between some of the B4 sequences present in the nuclear genome resulted in parts of the sequence being represented more than once. These features indicate that nuclear sequences homologous to B4 are not the origin of B4 and that they have been transferred from mitochondria and integrated into the nuclear genome. Five other foreign sequences originating in the chloroplast or mitochondrial genome were found within 1 kb of the B4-homologous sequences. Structural analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that the DNA sequences were transferred via RNA.

Base Sequence↗

Direct sequencing of terminal regions of genomic P1 clones. A general strategy for the design of sequence-tagged site markers.

A method for the preparation of P1 DNA is presented, which allows the direct sequencing of ends of inserts in genomic P1 clones using the Applied Biosystems 373A DNA Sequencer and the Dye Terminator sequencing methodology. We surveyed several common methods of DNA preparation including alkaline lysis, Triton-lysozyme lysis, CsCl density-gradient purification, and a commercial column matrix DNA purification kit manufactured by Qiagen. We found that a modified alkaline lysis preparation of P1 DNA was most successful for generating P1 DNA that could be sequenced directly. We also noted that the host bacterial strain from which the P1 DNA was purified dramatically affected the quality of sequencing templates. The bacterial strains NS3145 and NS3529, in which the Drosophila melanogaster and human P1 genomic libraries are harbored, routinely yielded poor-quality sequencing templates. However, the bacterial strain DH10B routinely yielded P1 DNA that was sequenced successfully. A bacterial mating scheme is presented that exploits gamma delta transposition events to allow the transfer of P1 clones from the library host strain to DH10B. Using either an SP6 or a T7 primer, an average of 350 base pairs of DNA sequence was obtained with an uncalled base frequency of approximately 2%. About 4% of P1 end sequences generated corresponded to unique Drosophila loci present in the Genbank database. These single-pass DNA sequences were used to design sequence-tagged site markers for physical mapping studies in both humans and Drosophila.

Animals↗

Amino acid sequence of the signal peptide of mitochondrial nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase as determined from the sequence of its messenger RNA.

The amino acid sequence of the bovine mitochondrial nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase was recently deduced from isolated cDNAs and reported [Yamaguchi, M., Hatefi, Y., Trach, K., and Hoch, J.A. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2761-2767]. The cDNAs lacked the N-terminal coding region, however, and the 8 N-terminal residues were determined by protein sequencing. In the present study, the nucleotide sequence of the 5' upstream region was determined by dideoxynucleotide sequencing of the transhydrogenase messenger RNA, and amino acid sequences of the N-terminal region and the signal peptide of the enzyme were deduced from the nucleotide sequence. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme as deduced from the mRNA sequence is the same as that determined by protein sequencing, with one difference. Protein sequencing showed Ser as the N-terminal residue. The mRNA sequence indicated that Ser is the second N-terminal residue, and the first is Cys. That preparations of the enzyme are mixtures of two polypeptides, one polypeptide being one residue shorter at the N terminus than the other, has been pointed out in the above reference. The signal peptide consists of 43 residues, is rich in basic (4 Lys, 2 Arg) and hydroxylated (4 Thr, 3 Ser) amino acids, and lacks acidic residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for Trimeresurus flavoviridis phospholipase A2, and consequent revision of the amino acid sequence.

A cDNA clone of Trimeresurus flavoviridis phospholipase A2 was isolated from the venom gland cDNA library using DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction with oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the N- and C-terminal sequences of this enzyme. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA nucleotide sequence determined by the dideoxy termination method was found to be inconsistent in the segment comprising the 69th to 81st positions from that reported previously [Tanaka, S. et al. (1986) J. Biochem. 99, 281-289]. Reinvestigation of the amino acid sequence of the peptide covering the sequence in question showed that the amino acid sequence predicted from the nucleotide sequence is correct. The sequence contains Asn-Asn-Gly (positions 69-71) and it was found that the Asn-Gly bond easily undergoes alpha-beta transpeptidation when digested with Achromobacter protease I at pH 9.0 but not seriously at pH 6.8. It is likely that the transpeptidation reaction caused a failure in the previous sequence determination. The cDNA clone obtained was 597 base pairs long and contained an open reading frame of 414 base pairs coding for 138 amino acid residues. A typical signal peptide sequence (16 amino acid residues long), located at the N-terminal moiety of the deduced sequence, was immediately followed by a polypeptide which corresponds to the mature enzyme. Northern blot analysis showed a single transcript only in the poly(A)+ RNA fraction of the venom gland but not in those of many other organs tested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intraspecific variation in small-subunit rRNA sequences in GenBank: why single sequences may not adequately represent prokaryotic taxa.

Small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) sequencing is a powerful tool to detect, identify, and classify prokaryotic organisms, and there is currently an explosion of SSU rRNA sequencing in the microbiology community. We report unexpectedly high levels of intraspecific variation (within and between strains) of prokaryote SSU rRNA sequences deposited in GenBank. A total of 82% of the prokaryote species with two published SSU rRNA sequences had more variable positions than a 0.1% random sequencing error would predict, and 48% of these sequence pairs had more variable positions than predicted by a 1.0% random sequencing error. Other sources of sequence variability must account for some of this intraspecific variation. Given these results, phylogenetic studies and biodiversity estimates obtained by using prokaryotic SSU rRNA sequences cannot proceed under the assumption that rRNA sequences of single operons from single isolates adequately represent their taxa. Sequencing SSU rRNA molecules from multiple operons and multiple isolates is highly recommended to obtain meaningful phylogenetic hypotheses, as is careful attention to accurate strain identification.

Bacteria↗

Molecular cloning, sequencing and restriction mapping of the genomic sequence encoding human proacrosin.

In the present study, molecular cloning, sequencing and restriction mapping of the genomic sequence encoding human proacrosin is described. The full-length cDNA encoding human proacrosin was utilized to recover a 17-kb human genomic clone which was sequenced without further subcloning. The nucleotide sequences of the exons agree with the sequence of the cDNA reported previously. More than 500 bases of the promoter region were sequenced and found to be highly GC rich but devoid of an identifiable TATA box. These findings are generally consistent with a recently published report [Keime, S., Adham, I. M. & Engel, W. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 190, 195-200]. However, further sequence analysis revealed discrepancies between our clone and that previously reported. Sequencing of the first intron showed similarity with the published data for 54 bases of the 5' region, beginning with the donor splice site, and for 114 bases at the 3' end. However, 500 bases sequenced distal to the initial 54 bases at the 5' end of intron 1 showed no similarity with the published sequence. In addition, the boundaries of intron 3 differed such that a cytosine residue previously reported to be in exon 3 was found to be the first base of exon 4. Detailed studies were undertaken to confirm that our clone constitutes the authentic sequence of human proacrosin. Cloning and characterization of the human proacrosin gene may allow for informative studies of its regulation, and for a more detailed examination of its role in fertilization.

Acrosin↗

Role of the two-component leader sequence and mature amino acid sequences in extracellular export of endoglucanase EGL from Pseudomonas solanacearum.

The egl gene of Pseudomonas solanacearum encodes a 43-kDa extracellular endoglucanase (mEGL) involved in wilt disease caused by this phytopathogen. Egl is initially translated with a 45-residue, two-part leader sequence. The first 19 residues are apparently removed by signal peptidase II during export of Egl across the inner membrane (IM); the remaining residues of the leader sequence (modified with palmitate) are removed during export across the outer membrane (OM). Localization of Egl-PhoA fusion proteins showed that the first 26 residues of the Egl leader sequence are required and sufficient to direct lipid modification, processing, and export of Egl or PhoA across the IM but not the OM. Fusions of the complete 45-residue leader sequence or of the leader and increasing portions of mEgl sequences to PhoA did not cause its export across the OM. In-frame deletion of portions of mEGL-coding sequences blocked export of the truncated polypeptides across the OM without affecting export across the IM. These results indicate that the first part of the leader sequence functions independently to direct export of Egl across the IM while the second part and sequences and structures in mEGL are involved in export across the OM. Computer analysis of the mEgl amino acid sequence obtained from its nucleotide sequence identified a region of mEGL similar in amino acid sequence to regions in other prokaryotic endoglucanases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

The terminal a sequence of the herpes simplex virus genome contains the promoter of a gene located in the repeat sequences of the L component.

The herpes simplex virus DNA genome consists of two covalently linked components, L and S. The unique sequences of the L component are flanked by 9-kilobase-pair inverted repeat sequences ab and b'a', whereas those of the S component are flanked by 6.5-kilobase-pair inverted repeat sequences c'a' and ca. We report that the 500-base-pair a sequence contains the promoter-regulatory domain and the transcription initiation site of a diploid gene, the coding sequences of which are located in the b sequences of the inverted repeats of the L component. The chimeric gene constructed by fusion of the a sequence to the coding sequences of the thymidine kinase gene and recombined into the viral genome was regulated as a gamma 1 gene. The size of the protein predicted from its sequence is 358 amino acids; it was designated as infected cell protein (ICP) 34.5. Thus, the inverted repeats flanking the unique sequences of the L component contain two genes specifying ICP0 and ICP34.5, respectively. Moreover, in addition to the cis-acting sites for the inversion of L and S components relative to each other, for cleavage of unit length DNA molecules from head-to-tail concatemers, and for packaging of the DNA into capsids, the a sequence also contains the promoter-regulatory domain and transcription initiation sites of a gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Energy-transducing nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase: nucleotide sequences of the genes and predicted amino acid sequences of the subunits of the enzyme from Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Based on the amino acid sequence of the N-terminus of the soluble subunit of the Rhodospirillum rubrum nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase, two oligonucleotide primers were synthesized and used to amplify the corresponding DNA segment (110 base pairs) by the polymerase chain reaction. Using this PCR product as a probe, one clone with the insert of 6.4 kbp was isolated from a genomic library of R. rubrum and sequenced. This sequence contained three open reading frames, constituting the genes nntA1, nntA2, and nntB of the R. rubrum transhydrogenase operon. The polypeptides encoded by these genes were designated alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta, respectively, and are considered to be the subunits of the R. rubrum transhydrogenase. The predicted amino acid sequence of the alpha 1 subunit (384 residues; molecular weight 40276) has considerable sequence similarity to the alpha subunit of the Escherichia coli and the N-terminal 43-kDa segment of the bovine transhydrogenases. Like the latter, it has a beta alpha beta fold in the corresponding region, and the purified, soluble alpha 1 subunit cross-reacts with antibody to the bovine N-terminal 43-kDa fragment. The predicted amino acid sequence of the beta subunit of the R. rubrum transhydrogenase (464 residues; molecular weight 47808) has extensive sequence identity with the beta subunit of the E. coli and the corresponding C-terminal sequence of the bovine transhydrogenases. The chromatophores of R. rubrum contain a 48-kDa polypeptide, which cross-reacts with antibody to the C-terminal 20-kDa fragment of the bovine transhydrogenase. The predicted amino acid sequence of the alpha 2 subunit of the R. rubrum enzyme (139 residues; molecular weight 14888) has considerable sequence identity in its C-terminal half to the corresponding segments of the bovine and the alpha subunit of the E. coli transhydrogenases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nucleotide sequence of the variable region in Trypanosoma brucei completes the sequence analysis of the maxicircle component of mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA.

The nucleotide sequence of two non-contiguous DNA fragments of 4.0 and 2.2 kb, respectively, of the kinetoplast maxicircle of Trypanosoma brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been determined, completing the sequence analysis of the so-called variable region (see also de Vries et al., 1988, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 27, 71-82). Analysis of the entire 8-kb variable region sequence revealed the presence of a 5.2-kb cluster of imperfect, tandemly repeated sequences, flanked by DNA of unique sequence. Both repetitive and unique DNA evolve rapidly, but comparison to the closely related strain EATRO 164 indicated that the repetitive cluster is more prone to sequence and size divergence. The variable region is transcribed into RNAs of varying lengths but appears to be devoid of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins or tRNAs, as judged from computer analysis. Moreover, genes that could encode guide RNAs involved in producing the known edited mitochondrial mRNA sequences are also absent. The repetitive DNA cluster within this region consists of 14 blocks each containing one 130 bp repeat and a variable number of 19 bp repeats. A duplicated sequence was identified (5'-GGGGTTGGTGT) which proved to be identical to the eleven 5'-terminal residues of the universal minicircle dodecamer involved in initiation of leading strand synthesis. This suggests a role for these sequences in the initiation of maxicircle DNA replication. With the data presented in this report, the nucleotide sequence analysis of the 23016 bp maxicircle of T. brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been completed.

Animals↗

Sequencing of amphioxus PSMB5/8 gene and phylogenetic position of agnathan sequences.

Reanalyses of vertebrate PSMB5 and PSMB8 genes were conducted with a newly obtained amphioxus sequence. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the amphioxus sequence is an outgroup of both vertebrate PSMB5 and PSMB8 genes. The agnathan sequences were previously thought to be closer to PSMB5 than PSMB8 sequences. However, in this study the phylogenetic trees supported the clustering of agnathan sequences with PSMB8 rather than with PSMB5 sequences. In the alignment there are many sites in which the agnathan sequences are more similar to PSMB5 than PSMB8 sequences. Parsimony analysis showed that the amino acid pattern at these sites could be explained by one substitution on the ancestral branch leading to the jawed vertebrate PSMB8 cluster. The number of substitutions required at these sites was the same for different tree topologies with respect to the position of agnathans. The phylogenetic analyses of PSMB6/PSMB9 and PSMB7/PSMB10 genes indicated that all the interferon-gamma-inducible forms have evolved two to three times faster than the housekeeping forms in the jawed vertebrate lineage. Hence although the agnathan sequences cluster with the PSMB8 sequences, they have a slower rate of evolution similar to that of the housekeeping forms, and may be functioning as housekeeping forms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutagenesis study on the zebra fish SOX9 high-mobility group: comparison of sequence and non-sequence specific HMG domains.

A unique class of proteins, containing high-mobility group (HMG) domain(s), recognizes unusual DNA structures and/or bends specific to AT-rich linear double-stranded DNA. The DNA binding feature of these proteins is exhibited in the HMG domain(s). Although the sequence specific and non-sequence specific HMG domains exhibit very high degrees of sequence similarity, the reasons for the difference between their DNA recognition mechanisms are unclear. A series of zebra fish SOX9 HMG domain mutants was prepared in an effort to elucidate the importance of various residues on protein stability and DNA binding. This study is the first of a comprehensive mutagenesis study on a sequence specific HMG domain. Comparing how various residues influence sequence specific and non-sequence specific HMG domains helps us to rationalize their mode of action. Positively charged amino acids concentrated at the surface of sequence specific HMG domains recognize specific, linear AT-rich DNA segments. After the negative charges at the surface of the DNA are neutralized, the hydrophobic residues of the protein may intercalate DNA. Phenylalanine at position 12 plays a crucial role in the sequence specific HMG domain. The differences in pI values, the instability index, and DNA contact regions between sequence and non-sequence specific HMG domains are associated with their functional modes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of ultrafast half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo sequence with turbo spin-echo sequences for T2-weighted imaging of the female pelvis.

So that we might evaluate the ultrafast half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequence in T2-weighted MRI of the female pelvis and compare it with the turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence, we prospectively studied 60 consecutive females with suspected abnormalities of the pelvis. For all MR examinations, we used a 1.5-T superconductive magnet with a phased array coil. The HASTE sequence was applied with TR/effective TE/echo train = infinity/90/64 and a 128 x 256 matrix (acquisition time: .3 sec/slice), conventional TSE imaging with 3,400 to 5,000/132/15 and a 128 x 256 matrix (mean acquisition time: 2 min 4 sec), and high-resolution TSE imaging with 3,400 to 5,000/132/15 and a 300 x 512 matrix (6 min 4 sec). Although the lesion conspicuity for the HASTE sequence was less than that for the high-resolution TSE sequences, artifacts (including ghosting, bowel motion, susceptibility difference, and chemical shift) were negligible on HASTE images of all patients. The lesion conspicuity for the HASTE sequence was significantly better than for the conventional TSE sequence. In spite of the very short acquisition time, the subjective scoring of the overall image quality for the HASTE sequence was significantly higher than for the conventional TSE sequence (P < .01) and were slightly lower than for the high-resolution TSE sequence. Compared with high-resolution TSE, HASTE provided clearer visualization of large leiomyomas and ovarian tumors but slightly poorer visualization of uterine cancer. In occlusion, HASTE sequence generates higher contrast and is free from motion and chemical shift artifact with much higher time efficacy. Because of limited image resolution, the HASTE sequence should be used when the high-resolution TSE imaging is suboptimal.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of further-developed MRCP sequences in comparison with standard MRCP sequences.

The purpose of this study was the comparison of technically improved single-shot magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences with standard single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) and half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences in evaluating the normal and abnormal biliary duct system. The bile duct system of 45 patients was prospectively investigated on a 1.5-T MRI system. The investigation was performed with RARE and HASTE MR cholangiography sequences with standard and high spatial resolutions, and with a delayed-echo half-Fourier RARE (HASTE) sequence. Findings of the improved MRCP sequences were compared with the standard MRCP sequences. The level of confidence in assessing the diagnosis was divided into five groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a level of p<0.05 was applied. In 15 patients no pathology was found. The MRCP showed stenoses of the bile duct system in 10 patients and choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis in 16 patients. In 12 patients a dilatation of the bile duct system was found. Comparison of the low- and high spatial resolution sequences and the short and long TE times of the half-Fourier RARE (HASTE) sequence revealed no statistically significant differences regarding accuracy of the examination. The diagnostic confidence level in assessing normal or pathological findings for the high-resolution RARE and half-Fourier RARE (HASTE) was significantly better than for the standard sequences. For the delayed-echo half-Fourier RARE (HASTE) sequence no statistically significant difference was seen. The high-resolution RARE and half-Fourier RARE (HASTE) sequences had a higher confidence level, but there was no significant difference in diagnosis in terms of detection and assessment of pathological changes in the biliary duct system compared with standard sequences.

Adult↗