Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Conservation analysis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Laser ablation-ICP-MS analysis of dissected tissue: a conservation-minded approach to assessing contaminant exposure.

Minimally invasive sampling techniques are an essential ecotoxicological tool for continuous assessment of contaminant exposure and in instances where it is not desirable or practical to sacrifice the animal. In this paper, we report on the application of laser ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) for sampling of minute (approximately 1 mg, 2-3 mm) tail clips of the banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata, as a means to assess contaminant exposure. The snakes were split into three treatments (n = 8) and were fed three increasing levels (control, medium, and high) of fish contaminated with As, Se, and Sr for 24 months. LA-ICP-MS concentrations of tail clips for all three elements were significantly correlated with the remaining whole tail concentration determined by homogenization, acid digestion, and ICP-MS analysis. Additionally, LA-ICP-MS concentrations for As and Se in the tail clip were similar to the acid digestion solution analysis values for the whole tail, which suggests that these elements are homogeneously distributed. Strontium concentrations were underestimated by LA-ICP-MS when compared to whole tail concentrations. Statistical analysis showed that LA-ICP-MS tail clip concentrations differed significantly according to dietary treatment. Posterior probability error rates from nonparametric discriminant function analysis indicated that LA-ICP-MS analysis of tail clips was useful for predicting exposure to Se with only a 4% probability of misclassification among treatments. Errors associated with misclassification of As were greater (17%) but this was, in part, related to the low concentrations of As in the tail (<1 ppm for the highest treatment). Taken together, the findings from this study suggest that LA-ICP-MS of microdissected tissue shows promise as a nondestructive technique for conservation-minded ecotoxicological studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A novel conserved cochlear gene, OTOR: identification, expression analysis, and chromosomal mapping.

We have identified a novel cochlear gene, designated OTOR, from a comparative sequence analysis of over 4000 clones from a human fetal cochlear cDNA library. Northern blot analysis of human and chicken organs shows strong OTOR expression only in the cochlea; very low levels are detected in the chicken eye and spinal cord. Otor and Col2A1 are coexpressed in the cartilaginous plates of the neural and abneural limbs of the chicken cochlea, structures analogous to the mammalian spiral limbus, osseous spiral lamina, and spiral ligament, and not in any other tissues in head and body sections. The human OTOR gene localizes to chromosome 20 in bands p11.23-p12.1 and more precisely to STS marker WI-16380. We have isolated cDNAs orthologous to human OTOR in the mouse, chicken, and bullfrog. The encoded protein, designated otoraplin, has a predicted secretion signal peptide sequence and shows a high degree of cross-species conservation. Otoraplin is homologous to the protein encoded by CDRAP/MIA (cartilage-derived retinoic acid sensitive protein/melanoma inhibitory activity), which is expressed predominantly by chondrocytes, functions in cartilage development and maintenance, and has growth-inhibitory activity in melanoma cell lines.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of vertebrate SCL loci identifies conserved enhancers.

The SCL gene encodes a highly conserved bHLH transcription factor with a pivotal role in hemopoiesis and vasculogenesis. We have sequenced and analyzed 320 kb of genomic DNA composing the SCL loci from human, mouse, and chicken. Long-range sequence comparisons demonstrated multiple peaks of human/mouse homology, a subset of which corresponded precisely with known SCL enhancers. Comparisons between mammalian and chicken sequences identified some, but not all, SCL enhancers. Moreover, one peak of human/mouse homology (+23 region), which did not correspond to a known enhancer, showed significant homology to an analogous region of the chicken SCL locus. A transgenic Xenopus reporter assay was established and demonstrated that the +23 region contained a new neural enhancer. This combination of long-range comparative sequence analysis with a high-throughput transgenic bioassay provides a powerful strategy for identifying and characterizing developmentally important enhancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Differentially expressed bovine cytokeratin genes. Analysis of gene linkage and evolutionary conservation of 5'-upstream sequences.

Cytokeratins are a family of approximately 20 polypeptides which form the intermediate-sized filaments (IFs) characteristic of epithelial cells. They are synthesized co-ordinately as 'pairs' consisting of one representative from each of the two cytokeratin subfamilies, i.e. the acidic (type I) and the more basic (type II) polypeptides, in cell type-specific combinations. We have isolated and characterized the genes coding for four bovine cytokeratins of the basic (type II) subfamily, i.e. cytokeratins Ib, III, IV and 6*, by Southern blot hybridization, hybridization-selection-translation experiments, hetero-duplex mapping, and partial sequencing of the exons coding for the hypervariable carboxy-terminal 'tail' regions of the proteins and the 3'-non-translated ends of the mRNAs which are distinct for the individual cytokeratin polypeptides. Limited 'chromosomal walk' experiments demonstrated that the genes are organized into two tandems, i.e. 6*----Ib and III----IV, in which they are separated by approximately 11 kb. RNA analysis by Northern and dot blots show that both genes of the III----IV tandem are co-expressed in some bovine tissues (muzzle epidermis, hoof pad and tongue mucosa) and cultured cells (BMGE + H) but that in other tissues, cornea for example, only the gene encoding III is expressed. Unexpectedly, the genes linked in the tandem 6*----Ib are not co-expressed in any of the tissues examined. mRNA from gene 6* has been found in tongue mucosa but in none of the other cell lines and tissues examined, whereas mRNA for cytokeratin Ib is expressed in cornea and muzzle epidermis but not in, for example, tongue mucosa and in the epidermis of the heel pad.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Identification of hypervariable and conservative fragments of Listeria genome].

The computer analysis revealed hypervariable and highly conservative fractions in the genes of Gram-positive bacteria of the Listeria genus. As a result of analysis of gene iap coding protein p60, PCR based test systems for detection of 6 Listeria species, L. monocytogenes, L. seeligeri, L. ivanovii, L. innocua, L. grayi and L. welshimeri have been developed. Species-specific and conservative gene fragments coding Listeria pathogenicity factors, listeriolysin and cytolysin, were detected. The sets of primers for detection and gene typing of L. monocytogenes, L. seeligeri and L. ivanovii containing cytolysin have been made. The gene typing of Listeria may be carried out in one reaction with the use of multiplex PCR: amplified fragments for different Listeria species differ in the length of the amplified product. The developed sets of primers have a 95-100% degree of homology and may be recommended for the detection and gene typing of Listeria.

Bacterial Toxins↗
PubMed2002

Molecular characterization of wheat polyphenol oxidase (PPO).

It is well-established that the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is involved in undesirable browning of noodles, chapattis, middle east flat breads and steamed breads. Methods for measuring PPO activity have been developed, and the variation of PPO activity among wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars has been well documented. However, there is no report on the identification and characterization of a wheat PPO gene. PCR performed on wheat genomic DNA with oligonucleotide primers designed from conserved copper binding regions of other PPO genes resulted in amplification of a 444-bp DNA fragment. Sequence analysis identified the conserved amino acids of PPO genes indicating that the PCR product was part of the wheat PPO gene. Screening genomic and cDNA libraries using 444- and 760-bp DNA fragments as probes failed to identify a PPO gene based on conserved sequence, even though there were very strong hybridization signals for some isolates. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique was used as an alternative to obtain the remaining DNA sequences in 5' and 3' directions based on the 444-bp partial wheat PPO gene sequence. With the use of ThermoScript Reverse Transcriptase (which functions at higher temperatures) and Advantage-GC cDNA kit, the complete DNA sequence in the 3' direction was obtained. A similar effort in the 5' direction resulted in amplification of a truncated 414-bp DNA sequence. Overall, 1,509-bp of putative wheat PPO DNA sequence was obtained. Alignment of deduced amino-acid sequences revealed similarity to the other PPO gene sequences, especially in the conserved copper binding regions. Southern-blot analysis performed with four different restriction enzymes revealed two to four DNA fragments, suggesting a limited number of PPO genes in wheat. Wheat genomic DNA restricted with HindIII and hybridized using a 760-bp wheat PPO probe revealed a clear distinction between wheat cultivars with high and low PPO activities. Northern-blot analysis indicated a transcript size of about 2.0-kb. PPO DNA fragment as well as RNA transcript was observed for the durum cultivar Renville which normally has very low PPO activity. Further study is needed to explain the relationship between PPO activity and the presence of PPO gene (s).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Correlative factors analysis of recurrence of endometriosis after conservative surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlative factors with recurrence of endometriosis after conservative surgery. METHODS: A cohort study was performed on 285 patients who had a minimum of 36 months of follow-up after conservative surgery for endometriosis. All patients underwent clinical interview, physical examination and ultrasonography. The factors measured included: age at surgery, age at onset of disease, gravidity, parity, tenderness nodule at cul-de-sac (yes/no), uterus mobility (movable/fixed), serum CA(125) level, type of operation (laparoscopy/laparotomy), history of operation for endometriosis (yes/no), side of endometrioma (left/right/bilateral), intraoperative revised classification American Fertility Society (r-AFS) scores, post-operative r-AFS scores, highest post-operative temperature, post-operative adjuvant therapy, post-operative gravidity and parity. The recurrent rate and its predictive factors were evaluated and the univariate, multivariate COX regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to determine the predictive factors for recurrence of endometriosis. RESULTS: The related factors and their odds ratio (OR) by univariate analysis were as follows: history of endometriosis surgery, 13.630 (P < 0.01); nodules with tenderness at cul-de-sac, 6.133 (P < 0.01); post-operative administration of clomiphene, 5.173 (P < 0.01); left endometrioma, 4.503 (P < 0.01); bilateral endometrioma, 3.709 (P < 0.01); post-operative r-AFS scores, 1.831 (P < 0.01); post-operative gravidity, 0.392 (P < 0.05); post-operative administration of progesterone for 6 months, 0.472 (P < 0.01); laparoscopic surgery, 0.567 (P < 0.05); pre-operative parity, 0.640 (P < 0.05); pre-operative gravidity, 0.759 (P < 0.05); age at onset of disease, 0.912 (P < 0.01) and age at surgery, 0.932 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the related factors and their odds ratio (OR) by multivariate COX analysis were as follows: history of endometriosis surgery, 8.219 (P < 0.01); bilateral endometrioma, 6.369 (P < 0.01); left endometrioma, 2.682 (P < 0.05); tenderness nodules at cul-de-sac, 2.154 (P < 0.05); post-operative administration of clomiphene, 1.860 (P < 0.05); post-operative r-AFS scores, 1.188 (P < 0.01); post-operative gravidity, 0.253 (P < 0.01); post-operative administration of progesterone for 6 months, 0.518 (P < 0.05); age at surgery, 0.937 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for recurrence of endometriosis include a history of endometriosis surgery, bilateral endometrioma, left endometrioma, tenderness nodules at cul-de-sac, post-operative administration of clomiphene, post-operative r-AFS scores,whereas the protective factors include the post-operative gravidity, post-operative adjuvant therapy and age at surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Analysis of simian immunodeficiency virus sequence variation in tissues of rhesus macaques with simian AIDS.

One rhesus macaque displayed severe encephalomyelitis and another displayed severe enterocolitis following infection with molecularly cloned simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain SIVmac239. Little or no free anti-SIV antibody developed in these two macaques, and they died relatively quickly (4 to 6 months) after infection. Manifestation of the tissue-specific disease in these macaques was associated with the emergence of variants with high replicative capacity for macrophages and primary infection of tissue macrophages. The nature of sequence variation in the central region (vif, vpr, and vpx), the env gene, and the nef long terminal repeat (LTR) region in brain, colon, and other tissues was examined to see whether specific genetic changes were associated with SIV replication in brain or gut. Sequence analysis revealed strong conservation of the intergenic central region, nef, and the LTR. However, analysis of env sequences in these two macaques and one other revealed significant, interesting patterns of sequence variation. (i) Changes in env that were found previously to contribute to the replicative ability of SIVmac for macrophages in culture were present in the tissues of these animals. (ii) The greatest variability was located in the regions between V1 and V2 and from "V3" through C3 in gp120, which are different in location from the variable regions observed previously in animals with strong antibody responses and long-term persistent infection. (iii) The predominant sequence change of D-->N at position 385 in C3 is most surprising, since this change in both SIV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been associated with dramatically diminished affinity for CD4 and replication in vitro. (iv) The nature of sequence changes at some positions (146, 178, 345, 385, and "V3") suggests that viral replication in brain and gut may be facilitated by specific sequence changes in env in addition to those that impart a general ability to replicate well in macrophages. These results demonstrate that complex selective pressures, including immune responses and varying cell and tissue specificity, can influence the nature of sequence changes in env.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Comparative genomic analysis of equilibrative nucleoside transporters suggests conserved protein structure despite limited sequence identity.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) are a recently characterized and poorly understood group of membrane proteins that are important in the uptake of endogenous nucleosides required for nucleic acid and nucleoside triphosphate synthesis. Despite their central importance in cellular metabolism and nucleoside analog chemotherapy, no human ENT gene has been described and nothing is known about gene structure and function. To gain insight into the ENT gene family, we used experimental and in silico comparative genomic approaches to identify ENT genes in three evolutionarily diverse organisms with completely (or almost completely) sequenced genomes, Homo sapiens, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. We describe the chromosomal location, the predicted ENT gene structure and putative structural topologies of predicted ENT proteins derived from the open reading frames. Despite variations in genomic layout and limited ortholog protein sequence identity (< or =27.45%), predicted topologies of ENT proteins are strikingly similar, suggesting an evolutionary conservation of a prototypic structure. In addition, a similar distribution of protein domains on exons is apparent in all three taxa. These data demonstrate that comparative sequence analyses should be combined with other approaches (such as genomic and proteomic analyses) to fully understand structure, function and evolution of protein families.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1999

Zoo-FISH analysis of dog chromosome 5: identification of conserved synteny with human and cat chromosomes.

Conserved segments of synteny between the human genome and chromosome 5 (CFA 5) of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) have been identified by reciprocal chromosome painting analysis. A CFA 5 paint probe was applied to human metaphase spreads, revealing distinct hybridisation sites on human (HSA) chromosomes 1, 11, 16, and 17. Paint probes for these human chromosomes were then hybridised to dog metaphase spreads, identifying the regions of CFA 5 with which homology is shared with the corresponding human chromosome. Application of the CFA 5 paint probe to metaphase spreads of the domestic cat (Felis catus, FCA) demonstrated hybridisation to cat chromosomes C1, D1, E1, and E2. Dog PCR primers for type 1 markers known to lie in the corresponding regions of HSA 11, 16, and 17 were used to isolate dog BAC clones representing four genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis confirmed their localisation to CFA 5 and suggested that two of the conserved segments lie in opposing orientations on CFA 5, compared to the human chromosome concerned. A third segment appears to lie in the same orientation on both human and dog chromosomes. No suitable gene markers were available for analysis of the fourth segment. The significance of these findings is discussed with reference to current and future dog genome mapping efforts.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differences among Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from three different populations and demonstrated by restriction enzyme analysis of an internal fragment of the conserved gene hpaA.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to test the idea that Helicobacter pylori genotypes vary from one population to another. METHODS: Analysis of Sau3A and HinfI restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) in a 375-bp polymerase chain reaction amplicon of hpaA was used to compare 31 H. pylori isolates from a relatively small and genetically homogeneous population (Goteborg, Sweden) with those of large, genetically heterogeneous populations located in two different countries (50 isolates from Houston, TX, and 69 isolates from Minas Gerais, a state in the southeastern region of Brazil). RESULTS: Five different Sau3A and three different HinfI restriction patterns were found; different combinations of these comprise 10 different RFLP types, I through X. The RFLP types found in the United States and Brazil collections were very similar, except for two Brazil isolates belonging to type VIII and five Brazil isolates belonging to type X, neither type found in the United States. The overall profile of H. pylori isolates from Sweden was remarkably different, with 18 of 31 (58%) having a new Sau3A restriction pattern, termed gS; 10 of these 18 isolates had HinfI restriction pattern E (RFLP type VIII), and 8 had HinfI restriction pattern F (RFLP type IX). No isolates from Sweden belonged to RFLP type III or type X. CONCLUSIONS: RFLP typing of a 375-bp polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA fragment of H. pylori hpaA revealed that H. pylori genotypes can and do vary from one population to another. We conclude that the unique RFLP profile shown by the group of H. pylori isolates from Goteborg is the result of a cohort effect in this relatively small, stable, genetically homogeneous population. Also, the overall similarity between RFLP profiles of the H. pylori isolates from Texas and Minas Gerais coincides with the fact that although geographically distanced, these populations are similar in being large, dynamic, and genetically heterogeneous.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic implications of conservative clergy views on sexuality: an empirical analysis.

This research attempts to close the gap in the literature on clergy views of sexuality by surveying pastors of a large conservative evangelical denomination in a metropolitan southern California county (n = 31) on moral attitudes, understandings of God's view of sexuality, and the role of the church regarding issues of sexuality. These pastors held quite conservative moral principles while also affirming sensuality within the context of a marital relationship. Pastors saw the role of the church as mainly to serve and influence the sexual practices of the people within the church but also affirmed the church's involvement in the influence of the local community. Religion and sexuality were entirely compatible concepts for these pastors. Therapeutic implications and suggestions are offered.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Phylogenetics and the conservation of a diverse and ancient flora.

Phylogenetics has a valuable role in the conservation of the flora of Western Australia particularly in the south-west where the complex evolutionary history has resulted in a diverse flora with both relictual and recently evolved components. Phylogenetic analysis contributes to conservation of plants through clarification of taxonomic status, identification of unique evolutionary lineages, determination of relictual and recently derived species, determination of phylogenetic value for conservation priority setting, and identifying phylogenetically independent comparisons between rare and widespread species. The contribution of phylogenetic analysis to these aspects of effective conservation management are discussed with examples from various species in Western Australia.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Mutational analysis of the role of the conserved lysine-270 in the Pichia stipitis xylose reductase.

Xylose reductase catalyzes the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of xylose to xylitol and is essential for growth on xylose by yeasts. To understand the nature of coenzyme binding to the Pichia stipitis xylose reductase, we investigated the role of the strictly conserved Lys270 in the putative IPKS coenzyme binding motif by site-directed mutagenesis. The Lys270Met variant exhibited lower enzyme activity than the wild-type enzyme. The apparent affinity of the variant for NADPH was decreased 5-16-fold, depending on the substrate used, while the apparent affinity for NADH, measured using glyceraldehyde as the substrate, remained unchanged. This resulted in 4.3-fold higher affinity for NADH over NADPH using glyceraldehyde as the substrate. The variant also showed a 14-fold decrease in Km for xylose, but only small changes were observed in Km values for glyceraldehyde. The wild-type enzyme, but not the Lys270Met variant, was susceptible to modification by the Lys-specific pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Results of our chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis study indicated that Lys270 is involved in both NADPH and D-xylose binding in the P. stipitis xylose reductase.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1990

Monoclonal antibody analysis of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Structural conservation and the detection of a nucleolar form.

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA, has recently been identified as the polymerase delta accessory protein. PCNA is essential for cellular DNA synthesis and is also required for the in vitro replication of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA where it acts to coordinate leading and lagging strand synthesis at the replication fork. The cDNA for rat PCNA was cloned into a series of bacterial expression vectors and the resulting protein used to immunize mice. Eleven new monoclonal antibodies to PCNA have been isolated and characterized. Some of the antibodies recognize epitopes conserved from man to fission yeast. Immunocytochemical analysis of primate epithelial cell lines showed that the antibodies recognized antigenically distinct forms of PCNA and that these forms were localized to different compartments of the nucleus. One antibody reacted exclusively with PCNA in the nucleolus. These results suggest that the PCNA protein may fulfil several separate roles in the cell nucleus associated with changes in its antigenic structure.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Prognosis of conservatively treated patients with Pott's paraplegia: logistic regression analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of various clinical, radiological, and neurophysiological findings in conservatively treated patients with Pott's paraplegia, using multiple regression analysis. METHODS: The study included 43 patients with Pott's paraplegia, managed conservatively. The diagnosis of Pott's spine was based on clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography or ultrasound guided aspiration biopsy. All patients were examined clinically, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to lower limbs and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded. Outcome at six months was defined as good or poor. For evaluating predictors of outcome, 15 clinical, investigative, and evoked potential variables were analysed, using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The age range of the patients was 16-70 years, and 22 were female. Mild spasticity with hyperreflexia only was seen in 13 patients. In the remaining, weakness was severe in eight, and moderate and mild in 11 patients each. Twenty patients had loss of joint position sensation. MEP and SEP were abnormal in 19 and 18 patients, respectively. On multiple regression analysis, the best model predicting six month outcome included power, paraplegia score, SEP, and MEP. CONCLUSION: Patients with Pott's paraplegia are likely to recover completely by six months if they have mild weakness, lower paraplegia score and normal SEPs and MEPs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of the functional role of conserved residues in the protein subunit of ribonuclease P from Escherichia coli.

The processing of precursor tRNAs and some other small cellular RNAs by M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli ribonuclease P, is accelerated by C5 protein (the protein cofactor) both in vitro and in vivo. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which the protein cofactor promotes and stabilizes certain conformations of M1 RNA that are most efficient for RNase P catalysis, we have used site-directed mutagenesis to generate mutant derivatives of C5 protein and assessed their ability to promote RNase P catalysis in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that certain conserved hydrophobic and basic residues in C5 protein are important for its function and that single amino acid residue changes in C5 protein can alter the substrate specificity of the RNase P holoenzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Comparative analysis of the rotavirus NS53 gene: conservation of basic and cysteine-rich regions in the protein and possible stem-loop structures in the RNA.

NS53, the product of rotavirus gene 5, is an RNA-binding protein that contains a cysteine-rich region and is a component of early replication intermediates. To gain information about the structure of NS53 and its RNA, we determined the nucleotide sequence of gene 5 for the human viruses Wa (serotype 1) and DS1 (2) and the simian virus SA11 (3) (Patton strain) and compared them and their deduced amino acid sequences to those reported for the bovine viruses UK (6) and RF (6), SA11 (3) (Both strain), the human virus Rohivg803, and the group C porcine virus PRV. The results showed that gene 5 for human, simian, and bovine strains have lengths of 1564-1567, 1611, and 1579-1581 nucleotides (nt) and encode proteins of 486, 495, and 491 amino acids, respectively. Comparison of the protein sequences for NS53 among different serotypes showed that they are extremely divergent with many sharing amino acid homologies of only 36-38%. Even NS53 from viruses isolated from the same species possessed relatively poor homology, e.g., DS1 versus Wa was 68%. The first 150 amino acids of NS53 exhibited a greater degree of conservation than the rest of the protein. Near the amino terminus, NS53 contains three basic regions and a cysteine-rich domain, suggesting that this area is responsible for the RNA-binding activity of the protein. Present in the cysteine-rich domain of all group A and C viruses was the motif C-X2-C-X8-C-X2-C-X3-H-X-C-X2-C-X5-C. Although this motif may form one or two zinc fingers, the fact that it is highly conserved indicates that it plays a critical role in the function of protein. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences for gene 5 showed that the entire 5'-noncoding region and the first 24 nt of the NS53 ORF are conserved. RNA-folding predictions suggest that this region of the NS53 mRNA can interact with itself, producing a stem-loop structure similar to that found near the 5'-terminus of the NS35 mRNA. Thus, such structures may be common to all rotavirus mRNAs, perhaps functioning as signals for packaging of RNAs into replication intermediates or regulating mRNA translation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗