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A substitutional mutation in the DNA binding domain of the androgen receptor causes complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

DNA analysis of the androgen receptor gene in a patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome identified a substitutional mutation (tyrosine converted to cysteine at position 571) in the DNA binding domain. In vitro transfection experiments with the patients' androgen receptor gene, indicated normal expression of the androgen receptor in transfected COS-7 cells compared to the wild type gene. There was also no evidence of impaired thermal stability of the 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone-androgen receptor complex. However, the capacity of the androgen receptor to activate target gene transcription was found to be completely disrupted in a luciferase assay. These results confirmed that only one substitutional mutation in the DNA binding domain was related to the pathogenesis of the complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Adult↗

The frequency of high avidity T cells determines the hierarchy of determinant spreading.

Autoimmunity often spreads in a predefined pattern during the progression of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This progression has been well described in animal models and in man, but the basis for this phenomenon is little understood. To gain insight into the factors that determine this spreading hierarchy, we characterized the binding affinity of a panel of beta cell-autoantigenic peptides to I-Ag7, as well as the precursor frequency, functional avidity, and phenotype of the T cells that recognize these peptides in type 1 diabetes-prone nonobese diabetic mice. We observed that autoimmunity gradually spreads from a beta cell determinant, which had the largest precursor pool of high avidity T cells, to beta cell determinants with progressively smaller and lower avidity T cell precursor pools. This correlation between the sequential development of spontaneous T cell autoimmunity and the frequency and avidity of autoantigen-reactive T cells suggests that the extent to which T cells were negatively selected by the self-determinants is the key factor determining the spreading hierarchy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Breaking immune tolerance to the prion protein using prion protein peptides plus oligodeoxynucleotide-CpG in mice.

The absence of a detectable immune response during transmissible spongiform encephalopathies is likely due to the fact that the essential component of infectious agents, the prion protein (PrP), is a self Ag expressed on the surface of many cells of the host. To overcome self-tolerance to PrP, we used 30-mer PrP peptides previously shown to be immunogenic in Prnp(-/-) mice, together with CFA or CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG) in IFA. Generation of anti-PrP T and B cell responses was analyzed in the spleen, lymph nodes, and serum of immunized C57BL/6 wild-type mice. Immunization with PrP peptides emulsified in CFA did not trigger an immune response to PrP. When CpG were used, vaccination with peptides P143-172 and P158-187 generated IFN-gamma-secreting splenic T cells, and only P158-187 significantly stimulated IL-4-secreting T cells. Both peptides induced few Ab-producing B cells, and low and variable serum Ab titers. In contrast, immunization with peptide P98-127 did not induce significant levels of T cell responses but elicited specific peptide Abs. T cell epitope mapping, performed using 15-mer peptides covering PrP segment 142-182, revealed that an immunogenic motif lies between positions 156 and 172. These results demonstrate that T and B cell repertoires against PrP can be stimulated in C57BL/6 when adjuvant of the innate immunity such as CpG, but not CFA, is added to PrP peptides, and that the pattern of immune responses varies according to the epitope.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Synthetic RGDS-containing peptides of von Willebrand factor inhibit platelet adhesion to collagen.

We compared the effect of a synthetic dodecapeptide of residues 400-411 of the gamma chain of fibrinogen (gamma Fg 400-411) and of three synthetic peptides (15 to 18 aminoacids), of human von Willebrand Factor (vWF), containing the 1744-1747 Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) sequence, upon platelet adhesion to collagen in flowing blood. Both types of peptides are known to inhibit the binding of adhesive proteins to platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa). Collagen was coated onto plastic cover slips and exposed in parallel-plate perfusion chambers to reconstituted human blood at various shear rates for 5 min at 37 degrees C. At a shear rate of 2,600 s-1, RGDS peptides inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen in a dose-dependent manner and appeared to be more potent inhibitors than the gamma Fg 400-411 on a molar basis. No synergetic effect between RGDS and gamma Fg 400-411 peptides was observed. These results suggest that the RGDS peptides affect adhesion by inhibiting the GPIIb/IIIa-vWF interaction and confirm the involvement of this platelet receptor in vWF-mediated platelet adhesion to collagen at high shear rate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative thrombolytic properties of tissue-type plasminogen activator and of a plasminogen activator inhibitor-1-resistant glycosylation variant, in a combined arterial and venous thrombosis model in the dog.

rt-PA-K, a variant of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) with substitution of amino acids 296 to 299 with alanine (KHRR296-299AAAA) has increased fibrin-specificity and reduced sensitivity to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; rt-PA-T, with threonine 103 replaced by asparagine has an additional glycosylation site and a reduced clearance; and rt-PA-N, with asparagine 117 mutagenized to glutamine lacks the high mannose carbohydrate side chain. We have investigated whether combination of these properties in a single molecule might yield an improved thrombolytic agent. The thrombolytic potency and fibrin-specificity of the combination mutant rt-PA-TNK was compared with that of rt-PA in a combined venous whole blood clot model and platelet-rich arterial eversion graft thrombosis model in dogs given intravenous heparin and aspirin. Infusion of 0.125 to 1.0 mg/kg over 60 min in groups of 4 to 5 dogs produced dose-dependent fibrin-specific venous clot lysis. The thrombolytic potency (percent lysis per mg compound administered per kg body weight) of rt-PA-TNK was significantly higher than that of rt-PA as evidenced by a higher maximal rate of lysis of 480 +/- 100% versus 140 +/- 40% within the 2 h observation period per mg of compound administered per kg body weight (mean +/- SEM, p = 0.004) and a significantly lower dose of 0.08 +/- 0.01 versus 0.21 +/- 0.04 mg/kg body weight at which the maximal rate of lysis was obtained (p = 0.004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A standardized approach to PCR-based semiquantitation of multiple cytokine gene transcripts from small cell samples.

A simple, rapid, reproducible, and nonradioisotopic method for semiquantitative analysis of cytokine mRNAs based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is described. RNA isolated from 2.5 million cells has proven sufficient to perform semiquantitative analysis of mRNA for 10 different cytokines. By this approach accurate assessment of mRNA levels for multiple cytokines can be made from as little as 2 ml of blood or about 3 mg of biopsy material. Total cellular RNA is quantitatively recovered by guanidinium isothiocyanate-acid-phenol extraction of a constant number of cells. Further quantitation of RNA is unnecessary. Highly reproducible PCR product formation occurs after specific amplification of aliquots of reverse transcribed test RNA. The photographic image of the ethidium bromide-stained gel accurately reflects the amount of PCR product loaded, both densitometrically and visually. PCR product generation is not affected by the presence of carrier RNA. Thus quantitative recovery of total RNA is possible even from a very small number of cells. Similarly, presence of a large excess of nonspecific RNA from nonexpressing cells does not affect amplification of the specific mRNA under study. A linear relationship between mRNA frequency and PCR product formation is observed over a 256- to 512-fold range. The actual mRNA concentration for each cytokine varies depending on the relative abundance of mRNA for that cytokine relative to total RNA. By performing two amplification cycles (28 and 35) on undiluted and 10-fold diluted RNA samples, the range of detection linearity is extended over a 5000-fold difference in input RNA levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

Selective growth of human mast cells induced by Steel factor, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 from cord blood mononuclear cells.

To establish the method for generating a large number of mature human mast cells, we cultured cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) in several conditions in the presence of Steel factor (SF). Among several cytokines tested, IL-6 enhanced SF-dependent mast cell growth from purified CD34+ cells for more than 8 wk in culture. When CBMC were cultured instead of CD34+ cells, IL-6 enhanced the mast cell development in the presence but not in the absence of PGE2. PGE2 enhanced the SF- and IL-6-dependent development of mast cells from CBMC probably by blocking granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) secretion from accessory cells, because 1) PGE2, or anti-GM-CSF enhanced the mast cell development induced by SF and IL-6 from CBMC, but not from CD34+ cells; 2) GM-CSF inhibited the enhancing effect of IL-6 on the mast cell development from CD34+ cells; and 3) PGE2 inhibited GM-CSF secretion from CBMC. The mast cells cultured in the presence of SF, IL-6, and PGE2 for >10 wk were 99% pure, and seemed to be functionally mature, because 1) they contained 5.62 micrograms of histamine and 3.46 micrograms of tryptase per 10(6) cells; and 2) when sensitized with human IgE and then challenged with anti-human IgE, the cells released a variety of mediators such as histamine, and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ was found in advance of the activation of membrane movement by using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. Electron-microscopic analysis revealed that some of the cultured mast cells are morphologically mature since they filled with scroll granules and contained crystal granules.

Base Sequence↗

In vivo antioxidant treatment suppresses nuclear factor-kappa B activation and neutrophilic lung inflammation.

We hypothesized that endotoxin injection in rats would stimulate in vivo nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation in lung tissue and that antioxidant treatment before endotoxin injection would attenuate endotoxin-induced NF-kappa B activation, chemokine gene expression, and neutrophilic lung inflammation. We studied NF-kappa B activation in rat lung tissue following a single i.p. injection of endotoxin (6 mg/kg). After in vivo endotoxin treatment, lung NF-kappa B activation peaked at 2 h and temporally correlated with the expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant mRNA in lung tissue. Treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1 h before endotoxin resulted in decreased lung NF-kappa B activation in a dose-dependent manner (from 200-1000 mg/kg) and diminished cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant mRNA expression in lung tissue. Treatment with NAC significantly suppressed endotoxin-induced neutrophilic alveolitis. The average total lung lavage neutrophil count was 5.5 x 10(6) with endotoxin treatment vs 0.9 x 10(6) with NAC treatment before endotoxin. The NF-kappa B pathway represents an attractive therapeutic target for strategies to control neutrophilic inflammation and lung injury.

Acetylcysteine↗

Microbial diversity in production waters of a low-temperature biodegraded oil reservoir.

Microbial communities in two production waters of a low-temperature and low-salinity petroleum reservoir in Canada were examined using cultural and molecular approaches. The predominant cultivated microorganisms were homoacetogens but sulfate-reducers, acetoclastic methanogens and denitrifiers also gave significant counts. The dominant members of the culturable population were affiliated with the Firmicutes, the "Deltaproteobacteria", the "Epsilonproteobacteria", the Spirochaetes and the Euryarchaeota. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were also constructed from the total DNA collected from production waters. The bacterial library was entirely composed by a single phylotype related to Arcobacter. The archaeal phylotypes were generally very closely related to members of the orders Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales. Consistent with earlier observations, our data suggest that methanogenesis is a dominant terminal process in the reservoir. Moreover, the cross-evaluation of culture-dependent and -independent techniques also indicates that, contrary to most studies, both acetoclastic and lithotrophic methanogens may be involved in this process. This first investigation of the microbial diversity in a non water-flooded low-temperature and low-salinity petroleum reservoir expands substantially our knowledge of the extent of microbial diversity and highlights the complexity of microbial communities involved in the oil field food chain.

Alberta↗

Negative information for motif discovery.

We discuss a method of combining genome-wide transcription factor binding data, gene expression data, and genome sequence data for the purpose of motif discovery in S. cerevisiae. Within the word-counting algorithmic approach to motif discovery, we present a method of incorporating information from negative intergenic regions where a transcription factor is thought not to bind, and a statistical significance measure which account for intergenic regions of different lengths. Our results demonstrate that our method performs slightly better than other motif discovery algorithms. Finally, we present significant potential new motifs discovered by the algorithm.

Algorithms↗

CD4+ T cell epitope affinity to MHC II influences the magnitude of CTL responses elicited by DNA epitope vaccines.

Immunization with naked plasmid DNA elicits strong cell-mediated immune responses. In the present study, we examine strategies to enhance epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses using DNA constructs, expressing a minimal class I epitope of the gp120 of HIV-IIIB. Here, we evaluate the effect of CD4+ T cell (T(H)) epitope affinity for the MHC II molecule on the immunogenicity of our DNA vaccines. Our data indicate that a low-affinity T(H) epitope decreased the magnitude of the CTL responses. In addition, we observed decreased numbers of epitope-specific T helper cells and CTLs, as well as diminished cytokine secretion and proliferative responses. Thus, the immunogenicity of a DNA epitope vaccine can be modulated by altering the affinity of the T(H) epitope.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detecting differential and correlated protein expression in label-free shotgun proteomics.

Recent studies have revealed a relationship between protein abundance and sampling statistics, such as sequence coverage, peptide count, and spectral count, in label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) shotgun proteomics. The use of sampling statistics offers a promising method of measuring relative protein abundance and detecting differentially expressed or coexpressed proteins. We performed a systematic analysis of various approaches to quantifying differential protein expression in eukaryotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae and prokaryotic Rhodopseudomonas palustris label-free LC-MS/MS data. First, we showed that, among three sampling statistics, the spectral count has the highest technical reproducibility, followed by the less-reproducible peptide count and relatively nonreproducible sequence coverage. Second, we used spectral count statistics to measure differential protein expression in pairwise experiments using five statistical tests: Fisher's exact test, G-test, AC test, t-test, and LPE test. Given the S. cerevisiae data set with spiked proteins as a benchmark and the false positive rate as a metric, our evaluation suggested that the Fisher's exact test, G-test, and AC test can be used when the number of replications is limited (one or two), whereas the t-test is useful with three or more replicates available. Third, we generalized the G-test to increase the sensitivity of detecting differential protein expression under multiple experimental conditions. Out of 1622 identified R. palustris proteins in the LC-MS/MS experiment, the generalized G-test detected 1119 differentially expressed proteins under six growth conditions. Finally, we studied correlated expression of these 1119 proteins by analyzing pairwise expression correlations and by delineating protein clusters according to expression patterns. Through pairwise expression correlation analysis, we demonstrated that proteins co-located in the same operon were much more strongly coexpressed than those from different operons. Combining cluster analysis with existing protein functional annotations, we identified six protein clusters with known biological significance. In summary, the proposed generalized G-test using spectral count sampling statistics is a viable methodology for robust quantification of relative protein abundance and for sensitive detection of biologically significant differential protein expression under multiple experimental conditions in label-free shotgun proteomics.

Bacterial Proteins↗

A sequential broncho-alveolar washing in non-anaesthetized normal bovines: method and preliminary results.

The method of lung lavage under fiberoptic control allowed collection of alveolar cells in non-anaesthetized adult cows. The median section of the diaphragmatic lobe was lavaged with five consecutive aliquots of 30 ml each. Every one was analysed separately. A mean of 25.6% of instilled fluid was recovered and this is lower than amounts obtained on isolated lungs or in anaesthetized calves (about 50%). The cellular formula of 30 samples showed 83.5% of macrophages, 6.0% of lymphocytes, 9.4% of polymorphonuclear cells, 0.5% of monocytes. Cellular viability and total cell count were similar to previously published data. All results were found to be independent of the washing sequence. This simple and well tolerated technique appeared to be a useful tool for the study of defence mechanisms of deep lung.

Animals↗

Simplified amino acid alphabets based on deviation of conditional probability from random background.

The primitive data for deducing the Miyazawa-Jernigan contact energy or blocks substitution matrix (BLOSUM) consists of pair frequency counts. Each amino acid corresponds to a conditional probability distribution. Based on the deviation of such a conditional probability from random background, a scheme for the reduction of the amino acid alphabet is proposed. It is observed that an evident discrepancy exists between the reduced alphabets obtained from the raw data of the Miyazawa-Jernigan's and BLOSUM's residue pair counts. Taking a homologous sequence database SCOP40 as a test set, we detect homology with the obtained coarse-grained substitution matrices. It is verified that the reduced alphabets obtained well preserve information contained in the original 20-letter alphabet.

Algorithms↗

Rapid, species-specific detection of uropathogen 16S rDNA and rRNA at ambient temperature by dot-blot hybridization and an electrochemical sensor array.

Development of rapid molecular approaches for pathogen detection is key to improving treatment of infectious diseases. For this study, the kinetics and temperature-dependence of DNA probe hybridization to uropathogen species-specific sequences were examined. A set of oligonucleotide probes were designed based on variable regions of the 16S gene of the Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A universal bacterial probe and probes-specific for gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were also included. The oligonucleotide probes discriminated among 16S genes derived from 11 different species of uropathogenic bacteria applied to nylon membranes in a dot-blot format. Significant binding of oligonucleotide probes to target DNA and removal of nonspecific binding by membrane washing could both be achieved rapidly, requiring as little as 10 min. An oligonucleotide probe from the same species-specific region of the E. coli 16S gene was used as a capture probe in a novel electrochemical 16-sensor array based on microfabrication technology. Sequence-specific hybridization of target uropathogen 16S rDNA was detected through horseradish peroxidase acting as an electrochemical transducer via a second, detector probe. The sensor array demonstrated rapid, species-specific hybridization in a time course consistent with the rapid kinetics of the dot-blot hybridization studies. As in the dot-blot hybridization studies, species-specific detection of bacterial nucleic acids using the sensor array approach was demonstrated both at 65 degrees C and at room temperature. These results demonstrate that molecular hybridization approaches can be adapted to rapid, room temperature conditions ideal for an electrochemical sensor array platform.

Bacteria↗

Characterization of a mutant of Lactococcus lactis with reduced membrane-bound ATPase activity under acidic conditions.

A mutant of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis C2 with reduced membrane-bound ATPase activity was characterized to clarify its acid sensitivity. The cytoplasmic pH of the mutant was measured in reference to the parental strain under various pH conditions. At low pH, the mutant could not maintain its cytoplasmic pH near neutral, and lost its viability faster than the parental strain. The ATPase activities of cells cultured under neutral and acidic conditions using pH-controlled jar fermentors were measured. The relative ATPase activity of the mutant at pH 7.0 was 42% of the parental strain. At pH 4.5, the parental strain showed an ATPase activity 2.8-fold higher than that at pH 7.0 while the level of increase in the mutant was only 1.6. Northern and Western blot analyses found that at pH 7.0 the transcriptional level and the amount of F1 beta subunit were similar in both strains, suggesting that the mutant has a defective ATPase structural gene. On the other hand, at pH 4.5 the transcriptional level and the amount of F1 beta subunit were found to be significantly higher in both strains than those at pH 7.0. From these results, it was suggested that the mutant has a normal regulation system for ATPase gene expression. It was concluded that the mutant is acid sensitive due to its inability to extrude protons out of the cell with defective ATPase under acidic conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of two recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor glycoforms. Pharmacokinetic and activity studies of single-dose administration in mice.

Two recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) isoforms were isolated from the medium conditioned by an engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. The two rhG-CSFs were characterized and were found to differ in the carbohydrate structure attached to Thr-133. The glycoform, referred to as Peak 1, contains the O-linked glycan Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc; the Peak 2 glycoform contains the O-linked glycan Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-3)[Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)]GalNAc. The two glycoforms displayed a similar biological activity in cultures of a mouse 32D C13 cell line and human bone-marrow myelo-monocytic progenitor cells (CFU-GM). In the latter test both glycoforms displayed a higher activity than nonglycosylated rMet-hG-CSF from Escherichia coli. The pharmacokinetic profile and activity of the two rhG-CSF glycoforms and of a mixture of them (Pool) were investigated in mice treated with a single injection of rhG-CSF at the doses of 125 micrograms and 250 micrograms/kg, given via the intravenous (i.v.) and the subcutaneous (s.c.) route, respectively. The plasma concentration profiles obtained were similar for all three substances and did not show any relevant differences in absorption or elimination. The pharmacokinetic parameters indicate that the three substances have similar area under the curve (AUCs), volumes of distribution, and terminal half-life. Furthermore, our data indicate a high bioavailability of the two different glycoforms of rhG-CSF when given to mice via the s.c. route either singularly or as a mixture. Detectable levels of rhG-CSF persisted for more than 8 h in the i.v. and more than 24 h in the s.c. route of administration. All three substances induced early neutrophilia in mice. All rhG-CSF-treated mice developed a two-four-fold rise in neutrophil counts as early as 4 h after the intravenous and 2 h after the subcutaneous injection. Relatively high levels of neutrophils were maintained for at least 8 and 24 h after i.v. and s.c. administration, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

ZIPcnv: accurate and efficient inference of copy number variations from shallow whole-genome sequencing.

MOTIVATION: Shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS), a rapid and cost-effective sequencing technology, has gradually been widely adopted for CNV analyses. However, with genome‑wide coverage of only 0.1-5×, sWGS data display a pronounced zero‑inflation phenomenon-a large fraction of loci has zero sequencing reads. Zero inflation causes read counts to fluctuate by several‑fold between adjacent windows. As a result, random upward blips in coverage can be misinterpreted as copy‑number gains (false positives), and true deletions often become indistinguishable from pervasive zero‑coverage noise. In addition, existing CNV detection tools developed for sWGS data often struggle to adapt across different CNV sizes. These combined effects severely constrain the accuracy of CNV inference. RESULTS: To address above challenges, we propose ZIPcnv, a novel CNV detection tool specifically designed for sWGS data. First, we apply a segment sliding window to smooth the raw read depth signal, which transforms the original zero-inflated statistical characteristics into approximately normal distribution characteristics. We then design a statistical process model that robustly detects persistent shifts under high background noise using a cumulative sum strategy, classifying genomic regions into candidate and non-candidate CNV regions. Finally, dynamic sliding windows are used for one-pass detection of CNVs of varying lengths, with window size adapting to the CNV region size. We evaluated the performance of ZIPcnv on simulated data and 190 real whole-genome sequencing samples. Experimental results show that ZIPcnv consistently outperforms currently popular CNV detection tools. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The ZIPcnv source code is freely available at https://github.com/Nevermore233/ZIPcnv.

DNA Copy Number Variations↗