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[Clinical detection of polymerase gene of SARS-associated coronavirus].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the heterogeneity of polymerase gene fragment of SARS-associated coronavirus from SARS patients, and establish a RT-PCR method for detecting SARS-associated coronavirus. METHODS: RT-PCR was performed using SARS coronavirus-specific primers to amplify the polymerase gene fragment of SARS-associated coronavirus from specimens of suspected and established SARS cases. The amplicons were cloned and sequenced. All the obtained sequences were compared with the sequence of published SARS-associated coronavirus, and alignment was proceeded with other coronavirus sequences. RESULTS: Specific amplicons can be amplified from the sputum samples, throat swab and plasma of most SARS patients, and 8 were random selected and sequenced. All of them possessed 100% homology with the published SARS-associated coronavirus sequence, while all the negative controls were RT-PCR negative. Nucleotide-sequence and amino acid-sequence alignment of the fragment BNI109 with other six known coronavirus show that the fragment BNI109 is more close to bovine coronavirus(BCV) and murine hepatitis virus(MHV). The BNI109 fragment showed 75% homology with BCV and MHV at amino acid level. CONCLUSION: The polymerase fragment BNI109 of SARS coronavirus is highly conservative and is suitable for detecting SARS-associated coronavirus using RT-PCR method.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic variability within the VP1 coding region of echovirus type 30 isolates.

Genetic relationships of the prototype Bastianni strain of 1958 and of 13 echovirus type 30 (ECV30) isolates associated with meningitis cases in Germany during a period from 1966 to 1997 were investigated using direct sequencing of amplicons derived from a part of the capsid protein VP1 gene. Sequences were aligned both with each other and with known sequences of other type 30 echovirus strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that isolates investigated in this work fell into at least three genetic clusters apart from the prototype Bastianni strain. This suggests that genetically distinct groups of ECV30 variants have developed over time.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutational analysis of the Myocilin gene in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in Morocco.

PURPOSE: To investigate the Myocilin (MYOC) gene for mutations and polymorphisms in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Morocco. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with severe POAG, who suffered from complete or almost complete visual field loss, were included in the study. The MYOC coding region, including exon I, exon II, and the coding part of exon III, were screened for sequence alteration using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Variant amplicons were sequenced bidirectionally. The control group consisted of 60 subjects from the general population. RESULTS: One disease-causing mutation, T377M, was observed in one POAG patient. In addition, 10 polymorphisms, namely P13P, R76K, R82H, G122G, T135I, L159L (often associated with P13P), T285T, T325T, Y347Y, and E396E, were detected in patients or in controls. The Q368X mutation that has been documented in Caucasian POAG patients was absent. CONCLUSIONS: MYOC is an infrequent genetic cause of severe POAG in Morocco. The absence of the POAG-associated Q368X mutation and the presence of particular polymorphisms, including P13P + L159L and T325T, could be specific features of the MYOC sequence in African populations.

Adult↗

The "stomatin" gene and protein in overhydrated hereditary stomatocytosis.

In overhydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (OHSt), Coomassie- and silver-stained polyacrylamide gels show an apparently complete deficit of the 32-kDa membrane protein, stomatin. We have used an antistomatin antibody to examine peripheral blood films, bone marrow, splenic tissue, and hepatic tissue from these patients by immunocytochemistry. This technique revealed that, in fact, some red cells did show positive stomatin immunoreactivity; and consistent with this result, Western blot analysis of the red cell membranes confirmed that about one twentieth to one fiftieth of the normal amount of stomatin was in fact present. Flow cytometry, combining immunoreactive quantitation of stomatin expression with thiazole orange staining for reticulocytes, showed that in OHSt, it was the young cells that had more stomatin. Magnetic-activated cell separation studies, using beads to which an anti-transferrin receptor antibody was conjugated, confirmed that in OHSt there was a correspondence between expression of stomatin and the transferrin receptor. Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting revealed that in OHSt patients, the protein was present in spleen, liver, neutrophils, platelets, monocytes, and about 50% of the peripheral lymphocytes, with the same distribution as in healthy controls. Neither Southern blots, nor direct sequencing of multiple subclones of the cDNA, nor sequencing of amplicons from genomic DNA revealed any significant abnormality in stomatin gene sequence in these patients. The deficiency of stomatin from red cells appears to be due to a loss of stomatin from these red cells on maturation in the bone marrow and in the circulation.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

De novo chromosome formations by large-scale amplification of the centromeric region of mouse chromosomes.

Chromosomes formed de novo which originated from the centromeric region of mouse chromosome 7, have been analysed. These new chromosomes were formed by apparently similar large-scale amplification processes, and are organized into amplicons of approximately 30 Mb. Centromeric satellite DNA was found to be the constant component of all amplicons. Satellite DNA sequences either bordered the large euchromatic amplicons (E-type amplification), or made up the bulk of the constitutive heterochromatic amplicons (H-type amplification). Detailed analysis of a heterochromatic megachromosome formed de novo by an H-type amplification revealed that it is composed of a tandem array of 10-12 large (approximately 30 Mb) amplicons each marked with integrated "foreign' DNA sequences at both ends. Each amplicon is a giant palindrome, consisting of two inverted doublets of approximately 7.5-Mb blocks of satellite DNA. Our results indicate that the building units of the pericentric heterochromatin of mouse chromosomes are approximately 7.5-Mb blocks of satellite DNA flanked by non-satellite sequences. We suggest that the formation de novo of various chromosome segments and chromosomes seen in different cell lines may be the result of large-scale E- and H-type amplification initiated in the pericentric region of chromosomes.

Animals↗

[Clinical and genetic results with reference to corneal alterations in Lowe-syndrome].

BACKGROUND: The Lowe oculo-cerebro-renal syndrome (OCRL1) is a rare X-linked disease which causes impairment of visual acuity. The situation may be further complicated by corneal alterations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total seven patients from different families were clinically examined by slit-lamp examination, funduscopy, measurement of the intraocular pressure and ultrasound sonography. Molecular genetic analysis was performed in six patients by sequencing large PCR amplicons with a DNA sequencer and the ABI PRISM Sequence navigator software. RESULT: All affected boys were aphakic. Due to high intraocular pressure, iridectomy, goniotomy, cyclo-cryo treatment or trabeculectomy were performed. All patients showed opacity or pannus-like alterations of the cornea. Molecular genetic analysis revealed four novel and two known mutations. CONCLUSION: Reduced visual acuity was partly explained by morphological changes due to the underlying genetic defect and the development of cataract and glaucoma. Opacity of the cornea as well as alterations of the cornea seem to be a major problem in the course of the disease.

Adult↗

Molecular typing of echovirus serotype 4 isolates.

We report on clinical samples Stuttgart/97, Berlin/99 and Jasi/99 associated with aseptic meningitis. All three samples contained echovirus 4 (E4) but Stuttgart/97 was simultaneous infected with echovirus 30 (E30). The genetic relationship of the E4 strains was assessed using RT-PCR and direct sequencing of amplicons derived from the genomic region encoding the capsid protein VP1. The sequences have been compared with each other and with sequences of further E4 strains obtained from GenBank. The analysis confirms that sequences of recent isolates have drifted away from elderly strains over a longer period of time. Several amino acid changes in assumed antigenic sites of the VP1 gene may be sufficient to cause changes in antigenic specificity and therefore they may be a reason for failure of serological typing of some new antigenic E4 variants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular typing of the bacterial flora in sputum of cystic fibrosis patients.

Despite recent advances in therapy, lower airway infections remain the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bacterial colonisation of the lower airways in CF is limited to a few bacterial species, commonly Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae. Burkholderia cepacia colonisation is much rarer, but it has been thought to be associated with more advanced lung disease and increased mortality. A rapid characterisation of the bacterial flora in sputum of CF patients is of great importance for proper treatment. The aim of this study was to establish bacterial profiles and to identify pathogenic bacteria in respiratory specimens by means of molecular methods including temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) and DNA sequencing of PCR amplicons derived from 16S rDNA variable V3 and V6 regions. Sputa of 13 CF patients (7 males/6 females, age 19-59 years) collected at the Stockholm CF centre were analysed. TTGE revealed the presence of complex bacterial profiles in all samples. The V3 and V6 PCR amplicons were cloned and sequenced by real-time DNA Pyrosequencing. DNA from Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, was identified together with sequences from normal oral cavity flora. The results were in reasonable agreement with those obtained by conventional bacterial culture, considering that only known CF pathogens are included in routine reports. However, the methodology seems too elaborate to be introduced into daily routine

Adult↗

Extensive human DNA contamination in extracts from ancient dog bones and teeth.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) sequences, especially those of human origin, are notoriously difficult to analyze due to molecular damage and exogenous DNA contamination. Relatively few systematic studies have focused on this problem. Here we investigate the extent and origin of human DNA contamination in the most frequently used sources for aDNA studies, that is, bones and teeth from museum collections. To distinguish contaminant DNA from authentic DNA we extracted DNA from dog (Canis familiaris) specimens. We monitored the presence of a 148-bp human-specific and a 152-bp dog-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment in DNA extracts as well as in negative controls. The total number of human and dog template molecules were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the sequences were characterized by amplicon cloning and sequencing. Although standard precautions to avoid contamination were taken, we found that all samples from the 29 dog specimens contained human DNA, often at levels exceeding the amount of authentic ancient dog DNA. The level of contaminating human DNA was also significantly higher in the dog extracts than in the negative controls, and an experimental setup indicated that this was not caused by the carrier effect. This suggests that the contaminating human DNA mainly originated from the dog bones rather than from laboratory procedures. When cloned, fragments within a contaminated PCR product generally displayed several different sequences, although one haplotype was often found in majority. This leads us to believe that recognized criteria for authenticating aDNA cannot separate contamination from ancient human DNA the way they are presently used.

Animals↗

Ureaplasma gallorale, an isolate from chickens, is most closely related to the human isolate, U. urealyticum.

Ureaplasma gallorale is a urease-containing mycoplasma (a member of the Mollicutes) which is pathogenic for chickens, from which it was originally isolated. We amplified the 16S rRNA gene of this bacterium and then cloned and sequenced the amplicon. A phylogenetic analysis based on an alignment of the 16S rRNA sequences of U. gallorale and several other Ureaplasma species revealed that U. gallorale is more closely related to Ureaplasma urealyticum than to other Ureaplasma species.

Animals↗

Detection of Helicobacter pylori by PCR but not culture in water and biofilm samples from drinking water distribution systems in England.

AIMS: To investigate treated water distribution systems in England as a source of Helicobacter pylori. METHODS AND RESULTS: Water and biofilms were obtained from 11 domestic and seven educational properties and from hydrants, reservoirs and water meters supplied by three water utilities. Samples were cultured on nonselective and antibiotic containing media combined with immunomagnetic separation concentration. Viable helicobacters were not detected in any of the 151 samples but Helicobacter-specific PCR assays detected DNA in 26% of samples from domestic properties, schools and hydrants with the highest frequency in biofilms (42%). Direct sequencing of six selected amplicons confirmed >95% sequence homology to H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: While viable helicobacters were not isolated, evidence was obtained for the presence of Helicobacter DNA, including that of H. pylori. Biofilms on surfaces within water distribution systems may act either as sites for the passive accumulation of helicobacters or as potentially important reservoirs of infection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our findings strengthen evidence that H. pylori may be transmitted through drinking water. However, there is currently no evidence that viable cells can survive the disinfection levels used in UK mains supplies and the health risk from this source remains unclear.

Base Sequence↗

Plasmid DNA sequences present in conventional herpes simplex virus amplicon vectors cause rapid transgene silencing by forming inactive chromatin.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based amplicon vector, a bacterial-viral-mammalian cell shuttle system, holds promise as a versatile gene delivery vehicle because of its large transgene capacity. However, amplicon-mediated transgene expression is often transient. We hypothesized that the presence of prokaryotic DNA sequences within the packaged vector genome can trigger transcriptional silencing of the entire vector sequence. To test this, we constructed a novel amplicon vector devoid of bacterial sequences (minicircle [MC] amplicon). Although the same dose of the minicircle amplicon vector in normal human fibroblasts resulted in an expression of luciferase approximately 20 times higher than that caused by the conventional amplicon vector, no significant difference was observed in copy numbers of luciferase DNA between MC amplicon- and control-transduced cells. Quantitative analyses of levels of luciferase mRNA revealed that differential expression of luciferase was controlled at the transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analyses of several regions of vector genomes revealed that the bacterial sequences found in the conventional amplicon DNA were associated with an inactive form of chromatin immediately after infection. The presence of bacterial sequences also affected the remaining vector sequences in the conventional amplicon vector. Finally, nude mice injected with the MC amplicon exhibited higher and more sustained expression of luciferase than those injected with the conventional amplicon, confirming the usefulness of the MC amplicon devoid of bacterial sequences. Although additional improvements are absolutely required, these findings are a significant first step toward developing a novel HSV amplicon vector that can achieve enhanced long-term transgene expression.

Animals↗

[Detection of human rhinovirus genes from clinical sample by one-step RT-PCR].

OBJECTIVE: Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most common respiratory pathogen, which causes not only acute respiratory infection and community acquired pneumonitis in children, but also asthma episode and deterioration. However, the detection of respiratory pathogen, which mainly focuses on respiratory syncytial virus, influenzaviruses A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1-3 and adenoviruses, does not include HRV yet by now in China. The absence of detection method limits the clinical understanding of HRV pathogenicity, and causes unreasonable use of antibiotics. This study aimed to establish a one-step reverse transcription (RT) PCR system for detecting specific fragment of HRV RNA, and to analyze the sequences of amplicons. METHODS: A pair of degenerate primers based on the HRV highly conserved 5'' noncoding region (NCR) were used to develop a one-step RT-PCR system for detecting HRV RNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 78 children with acute respiratory tract infections in the spring of 2004. All the positive PCR products were sequenced, and the sequences of the nucleotides were analyzed by using biological software and compared with those in the GeneBank. RESULTS: Eleven (14.1%) of 78 samples were positive on RT-PCR, these patients were clinically diagnozed as upper respiratory tract infection (n = 7), bronchitis (n = 3) and bronchopneumonia (n = 1), respectively. Compared with the sequences of clinical and standard HRV viruses in the GeneBank, the nucleotide sequences of these 11 amplicons shared high homology of 89%-95.5%. Within the 11 amplicons, nucleotide identity varied from 75.2% to 91.8%, and the ratio of genetic variation was from 8.8% to 31.0%, which occurred in highly conserved regions and usually showed single nucleotide mutation in some special locations. These 11 amplicons attribute to the two branches of HRV cladogram, respectively. Most of mutations in highly conservative domain occurred on single ribonucleotide, mainly as transversion (C/G, A/G) and transition (T/C, A/G), some were mutations among 3 bases (A/C/G, A/T/G, A/C/T). And a few mutations involved two nearby ribonucleotide which were also found in highly conservative domain. However, ribonucleotide deletion and insertion were usually found in highly variable domain. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that this one-step RT-PCR system was highly specific, rapid and convenient for the detection of HRV RNA in nasopharyngeal secretions of patients with acute respiratory tract infections and that the genome of HRV viruses was highly variable.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of two novel ACTH-responsive genes encoding manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and the zinc finger protein TIS11b [tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)-inducible sequence 11b].

ACTH is the major trophic factor regulating and maintaining adrenocortical function, affecting such diverse processes as steroidogenesis, cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell survival. We used differential display RT-PCR to identify genes that are rapidly induced by ACTH in the bovine adrenal cortex. Of 42 PCR products differentially amplified from primary cultures of bovine adrenocortical cells treated with 10 nM ACTH, six identified mRNAs that were confirmed by Northern blot analysis to be induced by ACTH. Four of these amplicons encoded noninformative repetitive sequences. Of the other two sequenced amplicons, one encoded a partial sequence for mitochondrial manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2), an enzyme that is likely to protect adrenocortical cells from the cytotoxic effects of radical oxygen species generated during steroid biosynthesis. The second was identified as TIS11b (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-inducible sequence 11b)/ERF-1/cMG, a member of the CCCH double-zinc finger protein family. SOD2 induction by ACTH was independent of extracellular steroid concentration or oxidative stress. SOD2 and TIS11b mRNA expressions were rapidly induced by ACTH, reaching a maximal level after 8 h and 3 h of treatment, respectively. These ACTH effects were mimicked by forskolin but appeared independent of cortisol secretion. Upon ACTH treatment, induction of TIS11b expression closely followed the previously characterized peak of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Transfection of a TIS11b expression plasmid into 3T3 fibroblasts induced a decrease in the expression of a reporter gene placed upstream of the VEGF 3'-untranslated region, indicating that TIS11b may be an important regulator of VEGF expression through interaction with its 3'-untranslated region.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis spp. nov. to replace Candida parapsilosis groups II and III.

Two new species, Candida orthopsilosis and C. metapsilosis, are proposed to replace the existing designations of C. parapsilosis groups II and III, respectively. The species C. parapsilosis is retained for group I isolates. Attempts to construct a multilocus sequence typing scheme to differentiate individual strains of C. parapsilosis instead revealed fixed DNA sequence differences between pairs of subgroups in four genes: COX3, L1A1, SADH, and SYA1. PCR amplicons for sequencing were obtained for these four plus a further seven genes from 21 group I isolates. For nine group II isolates, PCR products were obtained from only 5 of the 11 genes, and for two group III isolates PCR products were obtained from a different set of 5 genes. Three of the PCR products from group II and III isolates differed in size from the group I products. Cluster analysis of sequence polymorphisms from COX3, SADH, and SYA1, which were common to the three groups, consistently separated the isolates into three distinct sets. All of these differences, together with DNA sequence similarities <90% in the ITS1 sequence, suggest the subgroups should be afforded species status. The near absence of DNA sequence variability among isolates of C. parapsilosis and relatively high levels of sequence variability among isolates of C. orthopsilosis suggest that the former species may have evolved very recently from the latter.

Base Sequence↗

Microbial characterization of biofilms in domestic drains and the establishment of stable biofilm microcosms.

We have used heterotrophic plate counts, together with live-dead direct staining and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), to characterize the eubacterial communities that had formed as biofilms within domestic sink drain outlets. Laboratory microcosms of these environments were established using excised biofilms from two separate drain biofilm samples to inoculate constant-depth film fermentors (CDFFs). Drain biofilms harbored 9.8 to 11.3 log(10) cells of viable enteric species and pseudomonads/g, while CDFF-grown biofilms harbored 10.6 to 11.4 log(10) cells/g. Since live-dead direct staining revealed various efficiencies of recovery by culture, samples were analyzed by DGGE, utilizing primers specific for the V2-V3 region of eubacterial 16S rDNA. These analyses showed that the major PCR amplicons from in situ material were represented in the microcosms and maintained there over extended periods. Sequencing of amplicons resolved by DGGE revealed that the biofilms were dominated by a small number of genera, which were also isolated by culture. One drain sample harbored the protozoan Colpoda maupasi, together with rhabtidid nematodes and bdelloid rotifers. The microcosm enables the maintenance of stable drain-type bacterial communities and represents a useful tool for the modeling of this ecosystem.

Bacteria↗

Complete rRNA gene sequences reveal that the microsporidium Nosema bombi infects diverse bumblebee (Bombus spp.) hosts and contains multiple polymorphic sites.

Characterisation of microsporidian species and differentiation among genetic variants of the same species has typically relied on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. We characterised the entire rRNA gene of a microsporidium from 11 isolates representing eight different European bumblebee (Bombus) species. We demonstrate that the microsporidium Nosema bombi infected all hosts that originated from a wide geographic area. A total of 16 variable sites (all single nucleotid polymorphisms (SNPs)) was detected in the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and 42 (39 SNPs and 3 indels) in the large subunit (LSU) rRNA sequence. Direct sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA products of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed identical sequences in all isolates. In contrast, ITS fragment length determined by PAGE and sequencing of cloned amplicons gave better resolution of sequences and revealed multiple SNPs across isolates and two fragment sizes in each isolate (six short and seven long amplicon variants). Genetic variants were not unique to individual host species. Moreover, two or more sequence variants were obtained from individual bumblebee hosts, suggesting the existence of multiple, variable copies of rRNA in the same microsporidium, and contrary to that expected for a class of multi-gene family under concerted evolution theory. Our data on within-genome rRNA variability call into question the usefulness of rRNA sequences to characterise intraspecific genetic variants in the Microsporidia and other groups of unicellular organisms.

Animals↗

Intratypic genome variability of echovirus type 30 in part of the VP4/VP2 coding region.

The genetic relationship of 33 echovirus type 30 (E30) isolates associated with three different outbreaks of meningitis in Norway and one outbreak in USA was assessed using direct sequencing of amplicons derived from a region covering part of the capsid proteins VP4 and VP2. The E30 sequences were compared to each other, and to other enteroviruses. Less sequence variation was observed between the isolates from a single outbreak (2-3%) than between groups of isolates from different outbreaks (4-9%). All observed nucleotide substitutions were amino acid silent. Homology between enteroviruses obtained from GenEMBL and the nucleotide consensus sequence generated from the E30 isolates varied between 44.8% (coxsackievirus A24) and 72.6% (coxsackievirus A9). Comparing the E30 sequences in this part of the genome with other enteroviruses, E30 clearly belongs to the coxsackie B-like virus group.

Base Sequence↗