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Use of species-specific satellite DNAs as diagnostic probes in the identification of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae entomopathogenic nematodes.

Three satellite DNAs previously isolated from the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis indicus give hybridization signals only with the S. carpocapsae, H. bacteriophora and H. indicus populations tested, indicating that these satellite sequences are species-specific. Because of their reiteration and their variabilities, we have shown that these sequences are able to discriminate at the interspecific level between the Steinernema and Heterorhabditis species, but also at the intraspecific level between S. carpocapsae strains. Furthermore, in simple squashed nematode experiments, we are able to unambiguously identify S. carpocapsae, H. bacteriophora and H. indicus populations. This last procedure is effective even on a single infective juvenile, with the main advantage that it avoids time-consuming DNA extractions.

Animals↗

Tissue- and species-specific expression of sp56, a mouse sperm fertilization protein.

Mouse sperm recognize and bind to ZP3, one of three glycoproteins in the egg's zona pellucida. A mouse sperm protein, sp56, was identified that has the characteristics expected of the sperm protein responsible for recognition of ZP3. The complementary DNA encoding sp56 was isolated, and its primary sequence indicates that sp56 is a member of a superfamily of protein receptors. It was shown that sp56 expression is restricted to mouse spermatids and that the presence or absence of sp56 on sperm from different species accounts for species specificity of sperm-egg recognition in mice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Species-specific kinetics of mouse renin contribute to maintenance of normal blood pressure in transgenic mice with overexpressed human angiotensinogen.

Angiotensinogen, the precursor of a vasoactive octapeptide angiotensin II, is the only known natural substrate of renin, and its reaction exhibits strict species specificity and is the rate-limiting step in the renin-angiotensin system that controls the blood pressure. We measured blood pressure and heart rate of the transgenic mice with overproduced human angiotensinogen, and showed no significant difference in these parameters between transgenic and nontransgenic mice. We also provided evidence that mouse renin could not cleave human angiotensinogen, indicating a lack of angiotensin production from the human substrate. These results suggested that the blood pressure of transgenic mice is normally maintained, probably due to the inability of mouse renin to release angiotensin from the transgene products.

Angiotensinogen↗

Monoclonal antibodies against species-specific antigens in the chick central nervous system: putative application as transplantation markers in the chick-quail chimera.

With the recent progress in transplantation of neuronal tissues, cellular markers are needed to distinguish the grafted cells from the host. To generate monoclonal antibodies (MAb) recognizing species-specific antigens in the chick nervous system, we immunized mice with chick optic nerves and obtained 2 MAb which bind to chick but not to quail neural tissues. MAb-39B11 recognizes the cell surface antigen on the nerve fibers. MAb-37F5 recognizes the cytoplasmic components in several cell types, including ependymal cells and some large neurons. The utility of these MAb as markers for chick cells in the chick-quail chimeric brain and their advantages over conventional markers are discussed.

Animals↗

Identification of species-specific and interspecies-specific polypeptides of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae.

Temporal antisera (TA) prepared in susceptible Leg-horn-type chickens against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M synoviae were evaluated to determine the extent of cross-reactivity in ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition tests. Species-specific and interspecies-specific polypeptides were identified after electrophoretic separation and protein immunoblotting with reference antisera, TA, and a monoclonal antibody specific for M gallisepticum. Mycoplasma gallisepticum antiserum cross-reacted with M synoviae polypeptides in ELISA and TA immunoblots. Two major M synoviae polypeptides (88 and 53 kilodaltons [kD]) cross-reacted with M gallisepticum antisera in TA immunoblots. An M gallisepticum polypeptide of 70 kD cross-reacted with M synoviae in TA immunoblots. In contrast, M gallisepticum and M synoviae reference antisera cross-reacted when immunoblotted with heterologous antigens. A monoclonal antibody specific for M gallisepticum bound to a 69-kD polypeptide in lectin-purified and whole-cell M gallisepticum protein fractions in immunoblot assays. The lectin-purified fraction hemagglutinated chicken RBC. Seemingly, the 69-kD polypeptide may constitute all or part of the M gallisepticum hemagglutinin.

Animals↗

Species-specific expression of the hepatic renin gene.

The catalytic reaction of renin, an aspartyl proteinase, with angiotensinogen is the rate-limiting step fo the renin-angiotensin system involved in the maintenance of blood pressure and electrolyte balance in mammals. We have characterized species-specific expression of the hepatic renin gene by RNase protection experiment, primer extension analysis, and promoter assay using an in vitro DNA transfection. RNase protection experiments revealed that the renin gene is expressed in rat liver, but neither in mouse nor in human. Primer extension analysis identified the putative promoter region of the rat renin gene, which contains TATAAAA sequence, a canonical regulatory DNA element. In order to test whether the upstream region of the renin gene with respect to the putative transcription initiation site is a functional promoter, we have examined the ability of the 5'-flanking sequences of the rat renin gene as well as the human and mouse genes to activate expression of a reporter gene containing the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT)-coding sequences, by transient transfection assays. In transfected HepG2 cells, a hepatoma cell line, only the rat renin promoter was capable of driving the CAT gene expression. These results suggested that the rat-specific renin gene expression in the liver could be primarily determined by its promoter specificity.

Animals↗

Production and characterization of genus and species specific monoclonal antibodies against surface tegumental antigens of Schistosoma mekongi.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against freeze-thaw surface tegumental antigens of Schistosoma mekongi were produced from naturally infected BALB/c mice. In this study, we have characterized two MoAbs which have different antigenic specificity for S. mekongi, S. japonicum and S. mansoni. The target epitopes of these two hybridoma antibodies are contained in the M(r) 38 kDa (designated Sme 38) and M(r) 97 kDa (designated Sme 97) proteins of adult worms as analysed by immunoblotting. The Sme 38 epitope was genus-specific, since it is also detectable in S. japonicum and S. mansoni. The Sme 97 was not detected in S. japonicum and S. mansoni, therefore it is considered as species-specific epitope. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Sme 38 epitope in the surface tegument, the tegumental cells lying underneath the muscle layer and gut surface. The Sme 97 epitope was detectable only in the surface tegumental area.

Animals↗

Characterisation of Ag1, the major species-specific contaminant of bovine crude heparin, and its identification as an aprotinin/heparin complex.

Heparin is a potent anticoagulant polysaccharide purified for decades from ruminants or porcine tissues. However, with the emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the source of pharmaceutical heparin is currently restricted to porcine intestinal mucosa. A major species-specific contaminant, called Ag1, has recently been identified in bovine crude heparin [Rivera et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., submitted] and used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the species origin control of crude heparins [Levieux et al., J. Immunoassay, submitted]. In this report, we describe the different investigations, which were carried out to identify Ag1. This antigen was first localised by immunohistological studies essentially in the connective tissue of the bovine small intestine. After extraction from an intestinal extract by immuno-affinity chromatography, Ag1 was isolated as a single band by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Ag1 was then partly sequenced and identified as an aprotinin/heparin complex. Aprotinin, also known as the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), is present with heparin in mast cells, and is very resistant to heat, pH, chemical treatments and proteolytic digestion. The stability of Ag1 towards the different treatments performed during heparin extraction process allows this protein to remain in sufficient amounts in crude heparin and makes it an ideal target for the immunochemical control of the absence of bovine material in crude heparins.

Animals↗

Study of species specificity in growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) interaction with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors using GRF and intestinal VIP receptors from rat and human: evidence that Ac-Tyr1hGRF is a competitive VIP antagonist in the rat.

In order to determine species specificity in growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) interaction with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptors, we have tested rat (r) GRF (with a His1 such as in VIP), human (h) GRF and position 1 substituted analogs of hGRF (Ala1, Ac-Tyr1, His1, Phe1, and Trp1 in the place of Tyr1) for their ability to inhibit 125I-VIP binding and to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in human and rat intestinal epithelial membranes. We show that rGRF has a much higher affinity than hGRF for both human and rat VIP receptors. In humans, the Ki values for inhibiting 125I-VIP binding are 0.5 (VIP), 26 (rGRF), and 830 nM (hGRF). In rats the values are 0.6 (VIP), 46 (rGRF), and 1100 nM (hGRF). This is due in part to the presence of His1 in rGRF since the analog His1 hGRF has a higher affinity than hGRF in man and rat, i.e., Ki = 320 nM and 460 nM, respectively. Studies of adenylate cyclase stimulation reveal that rGRF and His1 hGRF are full VIP agonists in man and rat, whereas hGRF and its other analogs behave as partial agonists in both species. One of the hGRF analogs tested (Ac-Tyr1hGRF) is of great interest since it inhibits 125I-VIP binding to rat intestinal membranes with a Ki = 430 nM but has a negligible intrinsic activity in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity (about 6% of the efficacy of VIP). This analog does inhibit the VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner, complete inhibition of the VIP (0.01-1 nM) effect being obtained with 30 microM analog. The Schild plot of the inhibitory effect further indicates competitive antagonism. In contrast, Ac-Tyr1hGRF is a partial VIP agonist in humans (about 20% of the efficacy of VIP). These results evidence the important role of His1 for peptide interaction with VIP receptors and provide the first example of a competitive VIP antagonist.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

[The detection of human DNA in cell hybrids by the polymerase chain reaction with universal primers: the species specificity of the amplified DNA].

The human DNA detection method is developed on the basis of DNA cross-hydridization of the amplification products obtained by the universally primed polymerase chain reaction (UP-PCR) technique. These PCR products are characterized by species-specificity in hybridization assay. Two somatic cell hybrids "human x Chinese hamster" supposed to contain the human DNA, according to selection procedure, were analysed by this method. As a result, the presence of human DNA, unable to be tested by cytological techniques, have been proven. The amplified human DNA can be mapped by this method.

Animals↗

Characterization of a Trypanosoma cruzi genomic fragment complementary to several species-specific mRNAs but different from the spliced leader sequence.

We have isolated a clone of Trypanosoma cruzi genomic DNA, lambda 3b2-5, which contains sequences that are reiterated in the genome. Northern blot analysis showed that clone 3b2-5 hybridizes to 1,200-5,000 bases different mRNA species. The number of mRNAs species hybridized to clone 3b2-5 exceeds its coding capacity showing that this clone carries sequences that are common to several mRNAs species and conserved in the poly A(+) RNA. These sequences are not homologous to the T. cruzi spliced leader sequence, since clone 3b2-5 does not hybridize to a synthetic 20 nucleotide complementary to the spliced leader sequence. Clone 3b2-5 does not hybridize to DNA and RNA from several genera of Trypanosomatidae and other Trypanosoma species indicating that it carries T. cruzi species-specific sequences.

Animals↗

The species-specific ratios of 2,3-butanediol and acetoin isomers as a tool to evaluate wine yeast performance.

The isomers of 2,3-butanediol [R,R; S,S; R,S (meso-form)] and of acetoin (R,S) were determined in laboratory wine fermentations carried out by 50 yeast strains, 10 for each of the following species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kloeckera apiculata, Candida stellata, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Brettanomyces bruxellensis, in order to evaluate if such parameters might be used to differentiate wines obtained with different yeast species. According to analysis of variance (ANOVA), the strains of the same species behaved similarly, whereas the five yeast species behaved differently so that species-specific profiles were recognized. Moreover, the discriminant analysis grouped the wines into five groups, each including the 10 wines obtained by the 10 yeast strains of the same species. Trials were also included where musts partially fermented by non-Saccharomyces species were inoculated with a selected strain of S. cerevisiae to complete fermentation, and the content in 2,3-butanediol and acetoin isomers was again determined and statistical analysis was performed. Although the final values of these parameters resembled those obtained in pure fermentation with S. cerevisiae, statistical analysis discriminated wines according to the yeast species performing the first fermentation phase.

Acetoin↗

Cloning of the monocarboxylate transporter isoform MCT2 from rat testis provides evidence that expression in tissues is species-specific and may involve post-transcriptional regulation.

The cDNA for the monocarboxylate transporter MCT2 from rat testis has been cloned and sequenced. The derived protein sequence shows 82% identity with that from hamster. Rat MCT2 has a relative insertion of five amino acids in the N-terminal sequence preceding the first predicted transmembrane segment. MCT2 appears to be less highly conserved between species than MCT1. Using Northern blotting of RNA from rat and mouse tissues, MCT2 message was demonstrated to be abundant in the testis where a smaller, less abundant MCT2 transcript was also present. Low levels of a slightly different-sized transcript were found in rat and mouse liver, and mouse kidney. In hamster, only one-size transcript was detected at relatively high abundance in all the tissues examined. Antibodies were raised against a peptide derived from the extreme C-terminus of rat MCT2, and Western blotting with these detected MCT2 in membrane fractions prepared from rat testis, liver and brain but not those from heart or skeletal muscle. In hamster, MCT2 was detected in liver, heart and testis but not in brain [Garcia, Brown, Pathak, and Goldstein (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1843-1849]. For both rat MCT1 and MCT2 there were marked differences between the relative abundance of their respective messages and the amount of protein in membrane fractions from different tissues. This suggests that expression of both of these transporters in different tissues may be species-specific and regulated post-transcriptionally. The different-sized MCT2 transcripts may arise from alternative splicing. Starvation of rats for up to 48 h did not lead to any change in MCT1 or MCT2 expression in the liver, as determined by either Northern or Western blotting.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Species-specificity of T cell stimulating activities of IL 2 and BSF-1 (IL 4): comparison of normal and recombinant, mouse and human IL 2 and BSF-1 (IL 4).

Mouse and human interleukin 2 (IL 2) both cause proliferation of T cells of the homologous species at high efficiency. Human IL 2 also stimulates proliferation of mouse T cells at similar concentrations, whereas mouse IL 2 stimulates human T cells at a lower (sixfold to 170-fold) efficiency. In contrast, the T cell stimulating activities of mouse and human B cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4; IL 4) appear to be species specific over the range of concentrations tested; we detected no activity of mouse IL 4 on human T cells, or human IL 4 on mouse T cells.

Animals↗

Species-specific binding of human secretory component to SpsA protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae via a hexapeptide motif.

SpsA, a pneumococcal surface protein belonging to the family of choline-binding proteins, interacts specifically with secretory immunglobulin A (SIgA) via the secretory component (SC). SIgA and free SC from mouse, rat, rabbit and guinea-pig failed to interact with SpsA indicating species-specific binding to human SIgA and SC. SpsA is the only pneumococcal receptor molecule for SIgA and SC as confirmed by complete loss of SIgA and SC binding to a spsA mutant. Analysis of recombinant SpsA fusion proteins showed that the binding domain is located in the N-terminal region of SpsA. By the use of different truncated N-terminal SpsA fusion proteins, the minimum binding domain was shown to be composed of 112 amino acids (residues 172-283). The sequence of this 112-amino-acids domain was used to spot synthesize 34 overlapping peptides, consisting of 15 amino acids each, with an offset of three amino acids on a cellulose membrane. One of the peptides reacted specifically with both SIgA and SC. By using a second membrane with immobilized synthetic peptides of decreasing length containing parts of the identified 15-amino-acid motif a hexapeptide, YRNYPT was identified as the binding motif for SC and SIgA. SpsA proteins with a size smaller than the assay-positive domain of 112 amino acids were able to inhibit the interaction of SIgA and pneumococci provided they contained the binding motif. The results indicated that the hexapeptide YRNYPT located in SpsA of pneumococcal strain type 1 (ATCC 33400) between amino acids 198 and 203 is involved in SIgA and SC binding. Because synthetic peptides containing only parts of the hexapeptide also assayed positive, these results further suggest that at least the amino acids YPT of the identified hexapeptide are critical for binding to SC and SIgA. Amino acid substitutions in the identified putative binding motif abolished SC-/SIgA-binding activity of the mutated SpsA protein, confirming the functional activity of this hexapeptide and the critical role of the amino acids YPT in SC and SIgA binding. Identification of this motif, which is highly conserved in SpsA protein among different serotypes, might contribute towards a new peptide based vaccine strategy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Species-specific sensitivity of aquatic macrophytes towards two herbicides.

The s-triazine herbicide terbutylazine, an inhibitor of photosystem II, is often found in surface waters in concentrations < 1 microg L(-1), but concentrations up to 13 microg L(-1) have been measured. To study the effect on the aquatic flora, we tested the sensitivity of 10 aquatic macrophyte species and a natural epiphyte community in a 2-week laboratory multispecies test at constant terbutylazine concentrations and two irradiance regimes. The data were described by a log-logistic concentration-response model and species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) were created from the EC50 and EC10 values. The 5% hazard concentration (HC5) of the EC10-based SSD for terbutylazine was 1 and 3 microg L(-1); hence the low chronic terbutylazine concentrations measured in the environment are not likely to affect the macrophyte community. To compare the species sensitivity between different groups of herbicides, SSDs were constructed from a published study on the sulfonylurea metsulfuron-methyl, an inhibitor of acetolactate synthase. There was no correlation between species-specific sensitivity to the two herbicides; hence, the combined exposure of different herbicides might affect the macrophyte community more broadly rather than seriously affecting a few susceptible species. Evaluating the standard procedure of leaving at least a factor of 100 between the EC50 of standard tests on Lemna sp. and the predicted environmental concentration seems to be protective for at least 95% of the macrophyte species for both terbutylazine and metsulfuron-methyl.

Arylsulfonates↗

Species-specific activation of EGF receptor signaling underlies evolutionary diversity in the dorsal appendage number of the genus Drosophila eggshells.

In Drosophila melanogaster, the patterning of dorsal appendages on the eggshell is strictly controlled by EGFR signaling. However, the number of dorsal appendages is remarkably diverse among Drosophila species. For example, D. melanogaster and D. virilis have two and four dorsal appendages, respectively. Here we show that during oogenesis the expression patterns of rhomboid (rho) and argos (aos), positive and negative regulators of EGFR signaling, respectively, were substantially different between D. melanogaster and D. virilis. Importantly, the number and position of both the rho expression and MAPK activation were consistent with those of the dorsal appendages in each species. Despite the differences in the spatial expression, these results suggest that the function of EGFR signaling in dorsal appendage formation is largely conserved between these two species. Thus, our results link the species-specific activation of EGFR signaling and the evolution of eggshell morphology in Drosophila.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Species-specific and mutant MWFE proteins. Their effect on the assembly of a functional mammalian mitochondrial complex I.

The MWFE protein (70 amino acids) is highly conserved in evolution, but the human protein (80% identical to hamster) does not complement a null mutation in Chinese hamster cells. We have identified a small protein segment where significant differences exist between rodents and primates, illustrating very specifically the need for compatibility of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in the assembly of complex I. The segment between amino acids 39 and 46 appears to be critical for species-specific compatibility. Amino acid substitutions in this region were tested that caused a reduction of activity of the hamster protein or converted the inactive human protein into a partially active one. Such mutations could be useful in making mice with partial complex I activity as models for mitochondrial diseases. Their potential as dominant negative mutants was explored. More deleterious mutations in the NDUFA1 gene were also characterized. A conservative substitution, R50K, or a short C-terminal deletion makes the protein completely inactive. In the absence of MWFE, no high molecular weight complex was detectable by Blue Native-gel electrophoresis. The MWFE protein itself is unstable in the absence of assembled mitochondrially encoded integral membrane proteins of complex I.

Alleles↗