Endonuclease-free, protoplast-forming enzyme preparation and its application in fungal transformation.

An endonuclease-free, protoplast-forming enzyme complex was prepared from the "snail enzyme." The purified preparation has high protoplast-forming activity comparable to the crude enzyme complex without destroying circular plasmid DNA. Furthermore, a higher transformation rate was achieved by the application of the endonuclease-free enzyme complex in both yeast and filamentous fungal vector-host systems.


Occurrence of aminoglycoside phosphotransferase subclass I and II structural genes among Enterobacteriaceae spp. isolated from meat samples.

3'-Aminoglycoside phosphotransferase [APH(3')] enzymes are a group responsible for resistance to the antibiotics kanamycin (Km) and neomycin (Nm) in bacteria. Escherichia coli ECT24, originally isolated from a meat sample, harboured an 83-kb conjugative R-plasmid (pRPJ24) that carries transferable resistance to Km and Nm. Plasmid pRPJ24 was transferred by conjugation to Enterobacter cloacae 94R, which was used as the source of plasmid DNA in development of a probe for the Km-resistance determinant. Random cloning of BamHI and HindIII double-digest restriction fragments of pRPJ24 in the pUC18 vector plasmid produced clones resistant to both Nm and Km carrying a 1.9-kb DNA insert. Southern hybridization of pRPJ24 cloned chimeric plasmid DNA (pKPJ94) showed homology with the APH(3')II gene from transposon Tn5. A PstI digest of pKPJ94 produced a 920-bp fragment which hybridized with the APH(3')II structural gene, and was used as a DNA probe for the APH(3')II subclass gene. A 980-bp BamHI fragment from plasmid pGH54 carrying the APH(3')I gene from transposon Tn903 was used as a subclass I probe. Total DNA from 206 randomly screened Km-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from raw ground beef and chicken meat samples were examined for the occurrence of APH(3') subclass I and II using non-radioactively-labelled DNA probes. Thirty-six percent and 60% of the isolates examined carried subclass I and II resistances, respectively, in the isolates from chicken meat samples. The corresponding values for bacterial strains from raw ground beef samples were 51% and 72%, respectively. Four percent of the resistant bacterial isolates from chicken samples did not display homology to either probe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Applications of thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in the fermentation and isolation of the antibiotic nybomycin.

Thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) methods have been developed for the analysis of the antibiotic nybomycin, its derivatives deoxynybomycin and nybomycin acetate, during the fermentation and isolation of nybomycin. Using a quantitative HPLC based assay, the time course of nybomycin production (nybomycin titers) in 1000 liter fermentations was determined. Desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry (DCI/MS) of standard nybomycin samples, fermentation broth samples and purified fractions suggested the co-production of deoxynybomycin which was not reported previously from this organism. TLC and HPLC were used to confirm the presence of deoxynybomycin in the crude extracts of fermentation broths.


pIF21, a versatile donor of transposons Tn1, Tn5 and Tn7 for tagging and mobilizing cryptic and non-selectable plasmids.

A plasmid, pIF21, has been constructed that is able to donate transposons Tn1, Tn5 and Tn7. The transposons are located on a temperature-sensitive derivative of the incP1 plasmid pRP1, which is transferable to a wide range of Gram-negative genera.


Cloning vectors derived from Streptomyces niveus plasmid pSN2.

Two high copy number, broad host range, general purpose cloning vectors, pLG5 and pLG10, derived from the unstable Streptomyces niveus plasmid pSN2 are described. pLG5 (5.5 kb) and pLG10 (6.5 kb) both carry the thiostrepton resistance (TsrR) and lethal zygosis (Ltz+) markers and have single cloning sites within a non-essential region and the tsr gene. pLG505 (7.4 kb) was constructed by cloning the viomycin resistance (vph) gene into the single BamHI site of pLG5 to give a further vector with insertion and replacement sites which inactivate either the TsrR or VioR functions.


The pFF plasmids: cassettes utilising CaMV sequences for expression of foreign genes in plants.

A plant expression cassette was constructed using the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S 5' regulatory region with the enhancer duplicated and the 35S polyadenylation signal. Insertion of a polylinker between the transcription initiation and polyadenylation sites allows for easy cloning of genes. To test the usefulness of the cassette chimeric bacterial genes were prepared. The constructs were introduced into Nicotiana tabacum suspension culture cells by the particle bombardment process. Expression of the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene was verified by histochemical staining. Stable kanamycin and hygromycin resistant transgenic lines were obtained after introduction of chimeric genes encoding the enzymes neomycin phosphotransferase and hygromycin B phosphotransferase, respectively. The number of stable transformants was approximately 2% of the cells that transiently expressed the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene.


Immobilization of penicillin G acylase on methacrylate polymers.

Macroporous weak cation-exchange methacrylate polymers were synthesized for the immobilization of penicillin G (Pen G) acylase. The role of certain factors such as pore-generating solvent, cross-linking agent, cross-linking density, and comonomer, in enzyme adsorption and expression was studied. Kerosene was a superior pore-generating solvent to paraffin oil. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and acrylic acid served as the best cross-linking agent and comonomer, respectively, in the systems studied. 80.3% of the activity of the enzyme adsorbed onto polymer beads prepared with 0.05 mol of acrylic acid (polymer PM-39) was expressed. Properties of the Pen G acylase, immobilized on PM-39 by adsorption and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (IME-PM-39) were studied. The optimum pH, optimum temperature and Km of Pen G acylase shifted from 8.0 to 7.5-7.8, 50 degrees C to 55 degrees C and 0.038 mol dm-3 to 2.4-3.0 mol dm-3, respectively, as a result of immobilization on PM-39. IME-PM-39 was used repeatedly for 15 cycles in the production of 6-amino penicillanic acid (6-APA).


Purification, properties and recognition sequence and cleavage site determinations of restriction endonuclease from Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753 (ApaLI).

A new restriction endonuclease, designated as ApaLI, was purified from cell-free extracts of Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753 by streptomycin treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, combined column chromatographies on heparin-Sepharose CL-6B and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography on Mono Q HR 5/5. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was calculated as 26,000 daltons by gel filtration using Sephadex G-200, and the isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was 4.8 by ampholine sucrose-density gradient isoelectric focusing. The purified enzyme cleaved lambda, Ad2, SV40, M13mp18 RF 1, psi X174 RF I and pBR322 DNAs at 4, 7, 0, 0, 1 and 3 sites, respectively. The purified enzyme worked best at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0 in a reaction mixture (50 microliters) containing 1.0 micrograms lambda DNA, 10mM Tris-HCl, 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 7 mM MgCl2 and 25mM NaCl. However, the purified enzyme did not require NaCl necessarily for the enzyme reaction. The purified enzyme recognized the palindromic hexanucleotide DNA sequence, 5'-GTGCAC-3' and cut between G and T, producing a 5'-cohesive tetranucleotide extension.


Purification, properties and determinations of recognition sequence and cleavage site of restriction endonuclease from "Agrobacterium gelatinovorum" IAM 12617, a marine bacterium (AgeI).

A new restriction endonuclease, designated as AgeI, was purified from cell-free extracts of a marine bacterium, "Agrobacterium gelatinovorum" IAM 12617 by streptomycin treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, combined column chromatographies on heparin-Sepharose CL-6B and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and FPLC on Mono Q (HR 5/5) and Superose 12 (HR 10/30). The purified enzyme was homogeneous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and free from other phosphatase and exonuclease activities on ligation-recutting test. The relative molecular mass of the enzyme was 24,000 daltons by SDS-polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The gel filtration using Superose 12 (HR 10/30) gave the same calculation (23,000 daltons). These data indicated that the enzyme is a monomer. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 6.5. The purified enzyme cleaved lambda and Ad2 DNAs at 10 or more and 5 sites, respectively. However, the purified enzyme did not cleave SV40, phi X174 RF I, M13mp 18 RF I or pBR322 DNAs. pBR328 DNA was cleaved at 1 site by the purified enzyme. The purified enzyme worked best at 37 degrees C and pH 7.5 in a reaction mixture (50 microliters) containing 1.0 micrograms lambda DNA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 7 mM MgCl2 and 50 mM NaCl. The purified enzyme did not require monovalent cations necessarily for the enzyme reaction. The enzyme recognized the palindromic hexanucleotide DNA sequence 5'-ACCGGT-3' and cut between A and C, producing a 5'-cohesive tetranucleotide extension.


Overloaded hollow-fiber liquid chromatography.

Liquid chromatography in hollow fibers can separate solutes like flavors and proteins by using a stationary phase of organic solvent, sometimes containing reversed micelles. Such separations, which have a much smaller pressure drop than equivalent separations in packed beds, show dispersion consistent with chromatographic theories at low flows and dilute feeds. These separations behave less predictably at high flows and concentrated feeds, which overload the hollow fibers. The results for flavors correlate well with the Graetz number, consistent with available theories of chromatography and adsorption. The results for proteins correlate poorly with the Graetz number but better with a dimensionless flux based on facilitated diffusion in the stationary phase.


Isolation and characterization of opioid antagonist peptides derived from human lactoferrin.

Peptides with affinity for opioid receptors were found in an artificially methyl-esterified peptic digest of human lactoferrin. Three active peptides were purified by two steps of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were Tyr-Leu-Gly-Ser-Gly-Tyr-OCH3, Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Gly-Tyr-OCH2, and Lys-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Pro-Gln-Tyr-OCH3, which respectively correspond to the methyl esters of residues 318-323, 536-540, and 673-679 of human lactoferrin. The IC50 values of these peptides were 15, 10 and 23 microM, respectively, in a radioreceptor assay in the presence of 1 nM [3H]naloxone. In the myenteric plexus preparation of the longitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum, the individual peptides had no opioid agonist activities, but they antagonized [Met5]enkephalin and morphiceptin when they were at a concentration of 10(-6)-10(-5) M, suggesting that these were the opioid antagonist peptides. These three opioid antagonist peptides were named lactoferroxin A, B and C, after casoxin, the opioid antagonist peptide derived from bovine kappa-casein. Concerning the antagonist activities of lactoferroxins for opioid receptor sub-types, lactoferroxin A showed preference for mu-receptors, while lactoferroxin B and C had somewhat higher degrees of preference for kappa-receptors than for mu-receptors. A study of the structure-activity relationship of the three lactoferroxins and their synthetic analogues showed that these opioid antagonist peptides derived from food protein could be expressed by the general formula XA-Tyr-XB-Tyr-OCH3. An amino acid in position XA may affect the specificity of the antagonist peptide for opioid receptor sub-types.


Secretion of Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease in an osmophilic yeast, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.

To produce Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease (Alp) in an osmophilic yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, we constructed an expression plasmid consisting of the Z. rouxii glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) promoter, the prepro-Alp cDNA of A. oryzae, the whole sequence of Z. rouxii plasmid pSR1, and the G418 resistant gene. The resulting plasmid, when introduced into Z. rouxii cells, directed the secretion of a large amount (about 300 mg/l) of Alp into the culture medium. The N-terminus and specific activity of the enzyme were identical to those of A. oryzae Alp.


A novel human hepatoblastoma cell line (HuH-6KK) with rapid growth in serum-free medium without extracellular matrix.

A novel human hepatoblastoma cell line (HuH-6KK) with a high growth rate in a serum-free medium without extracellular matrix was developed from an original one, HuH-6 c15 (HuH). The original HuH cells (38 passages) did not proliferate well in RPMI 1640 medium containing 20% fetal calf serum (FCS). The HuH cells (HuH-6KK) with a high growth rate were selected by culturing them in an enriched RDF containing 20% FCS and 0.01% mucous polysaccharide (spirulinan) isolated from a blue-green alga, Spirulina subsalsa. The HuH-6KK cells showed a rapid growth in serum-free eRDF medium containing insulin, transferrin, ethanolamine, and selenite (eRDF-ITES medium) without fibronectin. The proliferation of the original HuH cells was also observed in the eRDF-ITES medium, but the growth was slow compared with the HuH-6KK cells. In the medium without ITES, the growth of the HuH-6KK and original HuH cells was slow. Among the ITES ingredients, insulin promoted the growth of HuH-6KK cells the most.


Calmodulin antagonistic action of KS-504a, a novel metabolite of the fungus Mollisia ventosa.

KS-504a inhibited bovine brain calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CaM-PDE) with an IC50 value of 122 microM. The inhibition was reversed by a high concentration of calmodulin. Calmodulin-independent activities of the enzyme were not affected by the compound at the same concentration ranges. Ca2(+)-dependent interaction of the compounds with calmodulin was shown using hydrophobic fluorescence probes. These data indicated that the compound exerted its effects on CaM-PDE by interacting with calmodulin. KS-504a also inhibited other calmodulin-dependent enzymes at different concentration ranges; myosin light chain kinase was inhibited at the lowest concentrations with an IC50 value of 6.3 microM. The inhibition mechanism was competitive with respect to calmodulin and non-competitive to ATP.


Regulated expression of heterologous genes in Bacillus subtilis using the Tn10 encoded tet regulatory elements.

The Escherichia coli-derived tet regulatory elements from Tn10 have been used to construct vectors allowing the regulated, inducible, high-level expression of foreign genes in Bacillus subtilis. While the wild-type tet promoters are inactive in B. subtilis, a synthetic mutant tet sequence with improved promoter consensus sequences and upstream poly A blocks shows activity in B. subtilis. The expression of an indicator cat gene is inducible by sublethal amounts of tetracycline, indicating that the Tet repressor protein and the tet operator sequences are functional. However, the inducibility and maximal expression are not sufficient in this construct. To improve these properties a tet operator sequence was placed between the -35 and -10 boxes of the B. subtilis-derived very strong xyl promoter. In the presence of a tetR gene this construct is about 100-fold inducible and has high promoter strength, but some basal expression. This is avoided by placing a second tet operator downstream resulting in no detectable basal expression at the expense of reduced inducibility. Using the system with a single tet operator inducible expression of glucose dehydrogenase from B. megaterium was obtained at a very high level, and inducible expression of human single-chain urokinase-like plasminogen activator was achieved at the same level as in E. coli. Unlike in E. coli, the product was not degraded up to 4 h after induction in B. subtilis. These results demonstrate that the regulated expression vector described here should be very useful for production of foreign gene products from B. subtilis cultures.


HAF, hepatoma aggregation factor produced by Streptomyces sp. strain No. A-6143.

We searched for a new cell aggregation factor for hepatoma AH109A cells, and found one we called HAF in the culture filtrate of Streptomyces sp. strain No. A-6143 isolated from a soil sample. HAF was purified by salting-out with ammonium sulfate. DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography, HAF was glycoprotein which had a molecular weight of about 73,000. HAF was stable from pH 6 to 8 at 37 degrees C and up to 40 degrees C at pH 8.0 and the aggregation activity of HAF was maximum around pH 8 at 30 degrees C. The activity was not influenced by some saccharides, but it was inhibited by EDTA and EGTA: moreover HAF activity was restored by the addition of calcium ions. HAF aggregated hepatoma AH136B and COS-7 cells as well as hepatoma AH109A cells, but it was inert to other cancer cells and human erythrocytes. These properties proved that HAF is completely different from other aggregation factors for cancer cells so far reported.


Growth of poliovirus using alginate entrapped-anchorage dependent Vero cells.

Obligatory anchorage dependant Vero cells were successfully grown in gelatinous-like macrocarriers made of calcium alginate. Entrapped single cells were immobilized within the polymerized alginate matrix divide to form large spherical clumps of cells. A cell density of 17 x 10(6) cells/ml of alginate with over 95% viability was obtained after 14 days in spinner flasks. When subjected to poliovirus type I infection, spherical masses of Vero cells progressively showed extensive cytopathic effect but remained entrapped in the alginate matrix of the macrocarriers. Virus was released into a cellular debris free-like supernatant and reached a peak titer of 10(8.0) TCID50/ml after 72 hours.


Long term and large-scale cultivation of human hepatoma Hep G2 cells in hollow fiber bioreactor. Cultivation of human hepatoma Hep G2 in hollow fiber bioreactor.

Long-term and large scale cultivation of an anchorage-dependent cell line using an industrial scale hollow fiber perfusion bioreactor is described. Hep G2 cells (a human hepatoma cell line) were cultivated in an Acusyst-P (Endotronic) with a total fiber surface area of 7.2 m2 6 x 1.2m2) to produce Hep G2 crude conditioned medium (CCM). Pretreatment of the cellulose acetate hollow fibers with collagen enhances the attachment of the anchorage-dependent cells. We have succeeded in growing the Hep G2 cells in an antibiotics- and serum-free IMDM medium, supplemented with 50 micrograms/ml of Hep G2 CCM protein at inoculation. The Hep G2 cells replicate and secrete CCM protein in quantities comparable to those produced in DMEM containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). The highest CCM protein productivity during the 80-day cultivation was 1.1 g/day with a total of 30 g of protein accumulated. Hep G2 CCM (20-40 micrograms protein/ml) was comparable to or even better than 10% FCS in supporting the growth of Molt-4 (a human T leukemia cell line) and FO (a mouse myeloma cell line) cells in vitro. The availability of this large amount of Hep G2 CCM will aid the further purification and characterization of growth factor(s) which could be used as serum substituents.


Stimulation and inhibition of interferon-beta production of human diploid fibroblasts by foodstuffs.

We screened for foodstuffs affecting interferon-beta (IFN-beta) production of human foreskin diploid fibroblasts, in the presence of poly I.poly C, cycloheximide, and actinomycin D. alpha- and beta-caseins stimulated IFN-beta production dose-dependently, but kappa-casein inhibited it. Of the two chymosin fragments of kappa-casein, glycomacropeptide was an inhibitor but p-kappa-casein was not. beta-lactoglobulin stimulated IFN-beta production weakly, but lactoferrin inhibited it strongly. It was also shown that serum contained some factors inhibiting IFN-beta induction and stimulating its production.


Kinetic investigation of penicillin G acylase from a mutant strain of Escherichia coli ATCC 11105 immobilized on oxirane-acrylic beads.

Highly purified penicillin G acylase from a mutant derivative of Escherichia coli ATCC 11105 was immobilized on oxirane-acrylic beads by covalent binding via oxirane groups. The highest specific activity, (322 U g-1 dry matrix at 40 degrees C and at pH 8.0) was obtained by using an enzyme solution having 13.8 U mg-1 specific activity and 72.73 mg total protein. The efficiency of immobilization was 95.8%. Kinetic parameters of immobilized penicillin G acylase were determined at the same pH and temperature by a preparation having 8.1 mg bound protein. The Km value and substrate inhibition constant of the enzyme were found to be 11.36 mmol dm-3 and 680 mmol dm-3 penicillin G respectively. Phenylacetic acid and 6-aminopenicillanic acid were estimated as the competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the enzyme and their inhibition constants were found to be 90 mmol dm-3 phenylacetic acid and 76.1 mmol dm-3 for 6-aminopenicillanic acid. The activation energy of the hydrolytic reaction was calculated to be 7.75 kcal mol-1. The immobilized enzyme showed highest activity at pH 8.0 and at 55 degrees C. The enzyme was stable when incubated at 4 degrees C for one day at a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0. Thermal stability (over 30 min) was observed up to 40 degrees C but decreased at higher temperatures and was almost absent at 60 degrees C. A 95% conversion rate was observed at 28 degrees C and at 40 degrees C with 60 and 30 min operation times respectively. Operational stability of the enzyme was improved further with dithiothreitol treatment. Activity loss was around 5% following 20 cycles of repeated use of the enzyme at 40 degrees C. No significant loss of activity was observed at 28 degrees C when the enzyme was used for 20 cycles. 6-Aminopenicillanic acid in the reaction mixture was observed to be stable during conversion reactions which were carried out at both temperatures.


Purification of restriction endonuclease from Acetobacter aceti IFO 3281 (AatII) and its properties.

The restriction endonuclease AatII was purified from cell-free extracts of Acetobacter aceti IFO 3281 by streptomycin treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, combined column chromatographies on DEAE-Toyopearl 650S, heparin-Sepharose CL-6B and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and FPLC on Mono Q and on Superose 12 (gel filtration). The purified enzyme was homogeneous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis. The relative molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 190,000 daltons by gel filtration. The SDS-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis gave the relative molecular mass of 47,500 daltons. These data indicated that the purified, native enzyme is a tetramer (190,000 daltons) composed of four 47,500-dalton subunits. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 6.0. The purified enzyme was intensely activated by manganese ion (50-fold increase or more when compared with magnesium ion). The enzyme worked best at 37 degrees C and pH 8.5 in a reaction mixture (50 microliters) containing 1.0 micrograms lambda DNA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 7 mM MnCl2 and 50 mM NaCl. The enzyme recognizes the same palindromic hexanucleotide sequence 5'-GACGTC-3', cuts between T and C and produces a 3'-tetranucleotide extension in the presence of MnCl2, as it does in the presence of MgCl2.


Production of analytical quantities of recombinant proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells using sodium butyrate to elevate gene expression.

Sodium butyrate was used to enhance expression levels and thereby facilitate the generation of analytical quantities of nine different tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) analogues expressed under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early (CMV IE) promoter by the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) mammalian expression system. Production involved growth in roller bottles, using serum free or low serum media formulations, together with repetitive, sodium butyrate inductions. Average inductions in the presence of sodium butyrate ranged from 2 to 9-fold relative to uninduced controls, using cell lines with no previous butyrate exposure. Retardation of growth rate by butyrate minimized the need to split cells during the production runs, extending longevity of roller bottles containing cells secreting at induced levels. SDS-PAGE analyses indicate a consistently high percentage of single-chain material. Measurements of specific activity and fibrinogen fragment enhancement for one of the analogues demonstrate that neither of these two critical parameters are affected by production in the presence of butyrate. Induction kinetic data and growth curves for the expression of sCD4 under control of the SV40 early promoter demonstrate that the benefits of butyrate can be realized with different promoters and heterologous genes, and are additive when used in conjunction with an amplified cell line constitutively expressing at elevated levels. This work demonstrates the practical application of sodium butyrate in the production of analytical quantities of protein from the CHO expression system, and suggests a role for sodium butyrate in commercial scale processes as well.


Purification and properties of restriction endonuclease from Deleya marina IAM 14114, a marine bacterium (DmaI).

A restriction endonuclease, designated as DmaI, was purified from cell-free extracts of Deleya marina IAM 14114 by streptomycin treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation and two steps of chromatographies on heparin-Sepharose CL-6B and Mono Q (HR 5/5, FPLC). The purified enzyme was homogeneous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis and a ligation-recutting test. The relative molecular mass measurements of the purified enzyme gave 28,000 daltons by SDS-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis and 56,000 daltons by gel filtration. These data indicated that the purified enzyme (56,000 daltons) has a dimeric structure composed of two 28,000-dalton subunits. The isoelectric point was 5.5. The purified enzyme worked best at 37 degrees C in a reaction mixture (50 microliters) containing 1.0 micrograms lambda DNA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 7 mM MgCl2 and 100 mM NaCl (pH 7.5). The enzyme was stable up to 55 degrees C and between pH 7.0 and 9.0. The purified enzyme recognizes the palindromic hexanucleotide DNA sequence 5'-CAGCTG-3', cuts between G and C and produces a flush end (isoschizomer of PvuII).


New pyrrolobenzodiazepine antibiotics, RK-1441A and B. I. Biological properties.

Streptomyces griseus and bacteriophage B were used for an assay system detecting anti-bacteriophage antibiotics. Streptomyces sp. RK-1441 was found to produce antibacteriophage antibiotics, RK-1441A and B, which are pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine group antibiotics related to neothramycin. Both RK-1441A and B had antibacteriophage activity. The former showed antimicrobial activity on a hypersensitive strain of E. coli for antitumor antibiotics, but the later did not show the activity. Restriction enzyme assay suggested that RK-1441A formed adducts with guanine residues in DNA strands. RK-1441B was not active in vitro, but it might be converted to the active form in host organisms.


Substrate specificity of alpha-galactosidase from Aspergillus niger 5-16.

This paper describes the specificity of Aspergillus niger 5-16 alpha-galactosidase toward various oligosaccharides having terminal galactose or stub galactose or both on the oligosaccharide. The galactosidase rapidly hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside, but hardly liberated galactose from melibiose, manninotriose, 6(3)-alpha-D-galactosylmannotriose, etc. On the other hand, the enzyme tore off the stub galactoses attached to the inner mannoses of the main-chain of galactomannooligosaccharides, but not the terminal galactoses attached to the non-reducing-end mannoses of the main-chain. Thus, the substrate specificity of A. niger 5-16 alpha-galactosidase is quite different from that of Mortierella vinacea alpha-galactosidase.


Interactions between novel tumor necrosis factor-alpha mutants and receptors on tumor and normal cells.

We prepared several TNF mutants by protein engineering techniques and compared their biological properties with those of the wild-type TNF. The mutant that lacked 7 N-terminal amino acids had higher cytotoxicity and higher binding activity to receptors on tumor cells. In contrast, the mutagenesis of Arg32 or Ala84, in combination with the deletion of 7 N-terminal amino acids, eliminated the cytotoxicity and the receptor binding. These mutants also lacked acute lethal toxicity in normal mice. Therefore, we concluded that the N-terminus, Arg32 and Ala84 of TNF might be concerned with binding to the TNF receptor. It was also suggested that the receptor molecules on tumor cells bound to the same or neighboring sites on TNF molecules as normal cell receptors.


Metal-affinity separations: a new dimension in protein processing.

Rapid growth in the preparative and high-resolution analytical applications of metal-affinity chromatography demonstrate the appeal of metal recognition as a basis for protein separations. Stable, inexpensive chelated metals effectively mimic biospecific interactions, providing selective ligands for protein binding. This article reviews recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of metal-protein recognition that underlie metal-affinity separations. Also discussed are schemes for integrating metal-affinity purifications into the expression and bioprocessing of recombinant proteins. Promising future developments include new metal-affinity processes for analytical and preparative-scale separations and a range of techniques for enhancing the selectivity of metal-affinity separations.


Renaturation, purification and characterization of recombinant Fab-fragments produced in Escherichia coli.

Cytoplasmatic expression of murine antibody chains in Escherichia coli results in the formation of insoluble and inactive protein aggregates (inclusion bodies). By systematic variation of the parameters influencing the folding, formation of disulfide bonds and association of the constituent polypeptide chains, we have designed a renaturation procedure allowing the production of microbially expressed Fab-fragments at yields up to 40 percent of the total amount of recombinant protein. The strategy of optimization is generally applicable for disulfide containing proteins produced as inclusion bodies in bacteria. The purified recombinant antibody fragments obtained are identical with the native murine Fab in all functional and physicochemical parameters tested.


Isolation of mutants with improved production of cAMP from Microbacterium sp. no. 205 (ATCC 21376).

Mutants were isolated from Microbacterium sp. no. 205 (ATCC 21376) producing 13-30 mM cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) by salvage biosynthesis, through sequential improvements of the bacterium for the purpose of improving cAMP production. The mutants produced 50-75 mM cAMP on 100 mM inosine 5'-monophosphate as a precursor. Mutants resistant to the inhibition of growth by cAMP at high concentrations were isolated; the resistance was one of four characteristics effective for improved production of cAMP.


Endothelial cell-selective materials for tissue engineering in the vascular graft via a new receptor.

We have found a novel adhesion receptor on the human endothelial cell for the peptide sequence Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV), which is present in the III-CS domain of human plasma fibronectin, with a dissociation constant of 2.2 x 10(-6) M and 5.8 x 10(6) sites/cell. When a synthetic peptide containing this sequence was immobilized on otherwise cell nonadhesive substrates, endothelial cells attached and spread but fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, and platelets did not. Endothelial monolayers on REDV were nonthrombogenic: endothelial cells attached and spread upon other receptor-binding domains of fibronectin and laminin, but with lesser degrees of specificity or with a loss of nonthrombogenicity. This approach may provide a basis for a tissue engineered vascular graft where endothelial cell attachment is desired, but not the attachment of other blood vessel wall cells and blood platelets.


Amplification of three threonine biosynthesis genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum and its influence on carbon flux in different strains.

The hom-thrB operon (homoserine dehydrogenase/homoserine kinase) and the thrC gene (threonine synthase) of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13,032 and the homFBR (homoserine dehydrogenase resistant to feedback inhibition by threonine) alone as well as homFBR-thrB operon of C. glutamicum DM 368-3 were cloned separately and in combination in the Escherichia coli/C. glutamicum shuttle vector pEK0 and introduced into different corynebacterial strains. All recombinant strains showed 8- to 20-fold higher specific activities of homoserine dehydrogenase, homoserine kinase, and/or threonine synthase compared to the respective host. In wild-type C. glutamicum, amplification of the threonine genes did not result in secretion of threonine. In the lysine producer C. glutamicum DG 52-5 and in the lysine-plus-threonine producer C. glutamicum DM 368-3 overexpression of hom-thrB resulted in a notable shift of carbon flux from lysine to threonine whereas cloning of homFBR-thrB as well as of homFBR in C. glutamicum DM 368-3 led to a complete shift towards threonine or towards threonine and its precursor homoserine, respectively. Overexpression of thrC alone or in combination with that of homFBR and thrB had no effect on threonine or lysine formation in all recombinant strains tested.


Poliovirus RNA recombination.

We are developing an in vitro system for poliovirus RNA recombination. In this system, two mutant RNAs are replicated with poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Recombination will produce RNAs containing neither mutation and will be the only progeny RNAs that are infectious. We will use this system to determine what proteins and reaction conditions are required for recombination and to study the details of the mechanism of recombination.


A molecular model for illegitimate recombination in Bacillus subtilis.

The recombinant DNA junctions at which pUB110 and Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA were joined to form the plasmid pKBT1 were cloned and sequenced. From the sequencing data we conclude that the pUB110 sequence is intact in the pair of cloned pKBT1 fragments and pTL12 sequences are not present. A molecular model for the formation of pKBT1 based on structural motifs characteristic of the joint sites is presented.


Identification of sites of pre-MRNA/spliceosome association.

RNase H and synthetic DNA oligonucleotides were used to analyze the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) structure of the yeast spliceosome and to assay the pre-mRNA sequence requirements for step 1 of splicing. The data suggest that tight, stable contacts between the pre-mRNA and the spliceosome may be limited to the 5' splice site and branch point regions of the intron. A 30 nucleotide segment 3' of the branch point was found to be necessary for spliceosome maturation and essential for step 1 of splicing. Somewhat surprisingly, the 3' splice site was sensitive to nuclease digestion and completely dispensable for step 1 of splicing.


Primary structure of a nuclease (nuclease PA3) from a Penicillium sp.

The complete primary structure of a nuclease from a Penicillium sp. [nuclease PA3 (Kazama et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 38, 3081 (1990)] was determined. The sequencing was done by analysis of the peptides generated by digestion of reduced and carboxymethylated nuclease PA3 (RCM nuclease PA3) with lysylendopeptidase, and by digestion with staphylococcal V8 protease or chemical cleavage with BrCN. It consisted of 270 amino acid residues and carbohydrate moieties attached to the 92nd, 138th, 184th, and 197th asparagine residues. The molecular weight of the protein moiety deduced from the sequence was 29,211. It contains four half cystine residues. The amino acid sequence was identical with that of P1 nuclease from Penicillium citrinum [K. Maekawa, S. Tsunasawa, G. Dibo, and F. Sakiyama, Abstracts of Papers, the 62nd Meeting of the Biochemical Society of Japan, Seikagaku, 61, 1013 (1989)] except that the 190th Thr residue was Ile in P1 nuclease.


Constitutive high-level production of human lymphotoxin by CHO-K1 cells transformed with the human lymphotoxin gene controlled by a human beta-actin promoter.

To achieve high-level production of human lymphotoxin (hLT), a plasmid (p beta LT-ldhfr) containing the hLT genomic DNA, a mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cDNA, and a bacterial Ecogpt gene was cotransfected with a plasmid (p beta LTML) encoding only the hLT genomic DNA into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells at a 1:7 molar ratio. Subsequently one of the Ecogpt-positive clones (clone A31) was grown in stepwise increasing concentrations of methotrexate (MTX). A large amount of the hLT was secreted by cells resistant to increased levels of MTX as a result of coamplification of the DHFR cDNA and the hLT gene. A cell clone (clone M-1) resistant to up to 500 nM MTX constitutively expressed the hLT at a concentration of 80 micrograms per ml at an elevated level for about 2 months. The hLT was produced in glycosylated form the molecular mass of which was 23,000 daltons and the mRNA was normally spliced, so the protein molecules were probably homogeneous.


Structural features of the sulphated polysaccharide from a green seaweed, Cladophora socialis.

A sulphated heteropolysaccharide, [alpha]27D + 59.9 degrees, has been isolated from a green seaweed, Cladophora socialis, by extraction with dilute acid and purified by fractional precipitation. The polymer is composed of galactose (58.3%), arabinose (31.8%), xylose (10.6%) and sulphate (16.9%). The results of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and partial acid hydrolysis studies indicate that the polymer is a branched one and is composed of 1,3-linked galactose and 1,4-linked arabinose units. Xylose is present at the non-reducing end position of the branches. Both arabinose and galactose carry branches. Desulphation and subsequent analysis of the polymer show that some of the arabinose units carry sulphate groups at C-3 and some of the galactose units carry the sulphate groups at C-4 and some at C-4 and C-6 as well.


Transposition and transduction of plasmid DNA in Streptomyces spp.

To expand the application of molecular genetics to many different streptomycete species, we have been developing two potentially widely applicable methodologies: transposon mutagenesis and plasmid transduction. We constructed three transposons from the Streptomyces lividans insertion sequence IS493. Tn5096 and Tn5097 contain an apramycin resistance gene inserted in different orientations between the two open reading frames of IS493. These transposons transpose from different plasmids into many different sites in the Streptomyces griseofuscus chromosome and into its resident linear plasmids. Tn5099 contains a promoterless xylE gene and a hygromycin-resistance gene inserted in IS493 close to one end. Tn5099 transposes in S. griseofuscus giving operon fusions in some cases that drive expression of the xylE gene product, catechol deoxygenase, giving yellow colonies in the presence of catechol. We have also developed plasmid vectors that can be transduced into many streptomycete species by bacteriophage FP43. We describe the characterization of FP43 and mapping of several bacteriophage functions. The region of cloned FP43 DNA essential for plasmid transduction includes the origin for headful packaging.


DNA recovery and direct detection of Tn5 sequences from soil.

Specific Tn5 sequences inserted in the genome of Enterobacter agglomerans were detected in EcoRI digested DNA directly recovered from soil 70 d after its inoculation with the bacteria, when these were no longer culturable on agar medium. A new method of DNA extraction from soil was used. No amplification of DNA sequences by PCR was needed.


Design and use of synthetic oligonucleotide probes in the cloning of delta-endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis.

A detailed protocol is described for the design and use of synthetic oligonucleotide probes for screening DNA libraries from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (strain HD191) for copies of the gene (tox) encoding the insecticidal delta-endotoxin. Two homologous tox genes were identified in this organism; one of these was located on a 75-kb plasmid and the other on a second large plasmid or the bacterial chromosome. A tox gene was isolated as a 6.5-kb HindIII fragment of B. thuringiensis plasmid DNA.


Expression of recombinant calf prochymosin in mammalian cell culture.

The calf preprochymosin cDNA was cloned into an extrachromosomal mammalian cell expression vector containing Epstein-Barr virus sequences using polymerase chain reaction. Transfection of HeLa cells yielded Hygromycin B resistant cell clones, expressing immunoreactive prochymosin, which was quantitatively secreted into the culture medium. Based on Western blotting we estimated that selected cell clones produced about 10-20 mg prochymosin per liter in 20 h. The biological activity of the secreted chymosin was confirmed by milk clotting assay.


High-resolution particle size analysis in biotechnology process control.

Many industrially important proteins can now be expressed intracellularly as insoluble protein inclusion bodies. In production, large-scale centrifugation is commonly used to separate and recover the inclusion bodies. Recovery efficiency depends critically on the centrifuge feed rate, which must be optimized to minimize production costs. We have used a disc centrifuge photosedimentometer to make high-resolution measurements of the particle size distribution (PSD) of the supernatant during the production of porcine somatotropin (pST) inclusion bodies. These measurements readily monitor the breakthrough of inclusion bodies into the supernatant and allow the centrifugation operation to be optimized.


Establishment and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Chuzan virus K-47.

We established sixteen mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive to Chuzan virus K-47 strain using P3-X63-Ag8-U1 cells as fusion partner cells. Among them, CG53/2/4 recognized a 100K structural protein of the virus. The 100K antigen lost it's antigenicity for CG53/2/4 after mild periodate oxidation treatment, suggesting that the 100K viral antigen is a glycoprotein. In addition, CG53/2/4 neutralized the viral infectivity. This indicates that the 100K glycoprotein is essential for the infection of the virus. The other monoclonal antibodies reacted with a 41K antigen of the virus. Especially CG1/1 showed the highest reactivity to the virus. Forward step sandwich assay using CG1/1 and biotinylated CG53/2/4 could detect the virus at 10TCID50/ml. Therefore, these monoclonal antibodies can eventually predict the virus infection to the animals before their sideration.


Selective removal of ammonia from animal cell culture broth.

Serum-free perfusion cultures of hybridoma TO-405 cells were carried out in spinner flasks coupled with zeolite A-3 packed beads. Ammonia was selectively removed from the culture broth by passing cell free permeate from ceramic cross flow filtration, through the zeolite packed bed. Ammonia concentration in the culture broth was effectively maintained between 1 to 4 mmol/l which was below the inhibitory concentration for cell growth. Maximum cell density levels of 10(7) cells/ml as well as improved percentage cell viability higher than in serum-supplemented cultures were feasible in this system. The possible effects of shear stress, generated by variation of the flow rates of the broth through the ceramic filter module, on the growth of the hybridoma cells were investigated. Backwashing, by reversing the direction of the permeate, was found necessary to prolong the life of the filter. Variation of the flow rates of the broth through the ceramic module between 0.29 m/s to 0.59 m/s did not cause immediate cell damage but growth was repressed at the higher flow rate. This study also showed that glutamine appears to be one of the factors limiting the growth of the hybridoma cells.


Functions of intracellular protein degradation in yeast.

Diverse vacuolar and nonvacuolar pathways of protein degradation have been described in yeast. In several cases, much is known about the proteases involved, but most of these studies utilized nonphysiological model substrates. On the other hand, many regulatory proteins, such as those involved in cell cycle control, cell type determination, and the regulation of metabolite fluxes through biosynthetic pathways, have been shown to be rapidly and selectively destroyed in vivo, either constitutively or in response to specific regulatory signals. Precisely what molecular features of this class of proteins target them for degradation is largely unknown; this question is an area of intense current interest. A connection has been made between a particular proteolytic mechanism and a specific naturally short-lived protein in only a handful of examples. It is in this regard that the powerful molecular and genetic techniques available in yeast will probably have their greatest impact in the near future. The promise of this type of approach is already becoming apparent with the molecular genetic analysis of the yeast ubiquitin system. Although this work began less than ten years ago, the genes encoding at least 22 proteins involved in ubiquitin-dependent processes have already been isolated, and questions of their physiological and mechanistic function are being answered at an ever quickening pace.


Positive identification of a lambda gt11 clone containing a region of fungal phytase gene by immunoprobe and sequence verification.

As the initial step in a project to provide a more cost-effective source of the phytase enzyme, this paper reports on the use of a polyclonal antibody raised to phytase purified from an isolate of Aspergillus niger (A. ficuum) to screen an A. niger lambda gt11 expression library and the use of amino acid sequencing to identify a clone containing part of the fungal phytase gene. The described use of amino acid sequence fragments to verify the cloning of a gene has potential applications in other cloning projects.


Expression of chimeric ras protein with OmpF signal peptide in Escherichia coli: localization of OmpF fusion protein in the inner membrane.

The ras gene was fused with the DNA sequence of OmpF signal peptide or with the DNA sequence of OmpF signal peptide plus the amino terminal portion of the OmpF gene. They were placed in plasmids together with the bacteriophage lambda PL promoter. These plasmids were introduced into Escherichia coli strain K-12 and the OmpF signal peptide fusion proteins were expressed. These fusion proteins were identified as 29.0 and 30.0 kDa proteins. However, processed products of these proteins were not found in the extract. The fusion proteins were localized mostly in the cytoplasm and the inner membrane, but none of them was secreted into the periplasmic space. On the other hand, the ras protein alone was found in the cytoplasm and not in the inner membrane. Viable counts of E. coli harbouring these plasmids decreased when these fused proteins were induced. Induction of the ras protein alone did not harm cells. These observations suggest that insertion of the heterologous proteins into the inner membrane may cause the bactericidal effect.


Retroelement particles as purification, presentation and targeting vehicles.

The manipulation of retrotransposon and retroviral particles to carry biologically active molecules is becoming feasible. In addition, recent experiments suggest that it may be possible to target these engineered particles to specific cell types. This has implications for gene therapy, biological drug delivery and vaccine design.


Micro-targeting: high efficiency gene transfer using a novel approach for the acceleration of micro-projectiles.

We have constructed a novel micro-projectile accelerating system for efficient gene transfer into cells in situ that avoids binding DNA to micro-projectiles and keeps the DNA in solution. Further, instead of a macro-projectile (or the equivalent), it accelerates the particles in a Bernoulli air stream. The micro-targeting approach directs highly dispersed particles to sites with diameters as little as 0.15 mm, allowing precise aiming to restricted tissues. The system is physically flexible and should therefore be adaptable to different tissues and species. Transient expression of the Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase gene in immature wheat embryo scutella was obtained at a frequency of up to 3% of the treated cells in the surface layer. In tobacco SR1, we achieved many transgenic plants, and the efficiency of stable transformation with the neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) gene was approximately 10(-3) per exposed cell.


Designing peptide and protein ligands for biological receptors.

A clearer understanding of structure-function relationships of protein hormone-receptor systems is emerging from the increased use of molecular biology approaches. On the other hand, the introduction of rationally designed conformation constraints into peptide hormones and neurotransmitters is leading to the development of highly receptor-selective ligands that allow further investigations into the topographic modulation of their bioactivities and rational design principles for peptide antagonists.


Altered reactivity of immunoglobulin produced by human-human hybridoma cells transfected by pSV2-neo gene.

The HB4C5 and HF10B4 cell lines are human-human hybridomas producing human IgM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive to porcine carboxypeptidase A (CPase), but not to double stranded DNA (ds DNA). We obtained G418-resistant HB4C5 and HF10B4 cells by an introduction of pSV2-neo DNA. Almost all of the G418-resistant clones produced MAbs reactive to not only the CPase but the ds DNA. The results of the inhibition ELISA suggested that the cross-reactivity of the antibodies from G418-resistant clones to CPase and ds DNA was responsible for the alteration on their antigen specificity. HB4C5 and HF10B4 cells and their G418-resistant clones produced antibodies having glycosylated lambda chain. The antibodies produced by tunicamycin-treated G418-resistant subclones of HB4C5 and HF10B4 lost the ability to bind to ds DNA, but retained the ability to bind to CPase. These results suggest that an introduction of pSV2-neo DNA into these hybridomas alters the specificities of their MAbs, and that the alteration to antigen binding specificities of their MAbs may be associated with glycosylation of the MAbs by these hybridomas.


Genetic transformation of Aureobasidium pullulans.

Aureobasidium pullulans strain Y117 was transformed to hygromycin resistance using plasmid pDH33, which contains the bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) fused to promoter elements of the Aspergillus niger glucoamylase gene (glaA). Southern hybridizations of transformants revealed multiple, integrated copies of the vector. The glaA promoter was not induced by starch in A. pullulans as it is in A. niger; however, the transcriptional start points were the same in both species.


Characterization of endosteal osteoblasts isolated from human maxilla and mandible: an experimental system for biocompatibility tests.

Fragments of cancellous and cortical bone from human maxilla and mandible were cultured by the explant technique. Cells isolated by trypsinization of primary cultures were characterized as osteoblasts on the basis of intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, the constituents of the extracellular matrix, and response to human parathormone (PTH). In culture, the osteoblasts often gave rise to superposed clumps of large cells whose cytoplasm contained endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, vacuoles, and a dense network of intermediate filaments, often at the level of the plasma membrane. In the presence of vitamin C and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the osteoblasts produced an extracellular matrix composed of collagen type I and various non-collagenous proteins, including osteocalcin. Biochemical test results were comparable to those reported for osteoblasts of other origins (rat calvaria, human iliac crest), and namely elevated intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity and cAMP accumulation in response to stimulation by human PTH (1-34). Osteoblasts isolated in this manner were cultured in the presence of pure titanium disks to determine the effects of exposure to this metal. Electron microscopy revealed few significant differences in cell growth and specific enzyme activity compared to control osteoblasts grown on plastic dishes, reflecting the excellent biologic and biochemical relationship between the osteoblasts and pure titanium. This experimental system thus appears suitable for biocompatibility studies, and in particular, evaluation of dental implants.


Receptor-based assays.

Receptor-based assays have benefitted from the newest advances in biotechnology and electronics in three main ways: genetically engineered cells expressing single receptor subtypes have been developed for many natural and synthetic ligands; assays have been designed which take advantage of a variety of signals triggered in cells by binding, or inhibition of binding, of ligands to surface-bound receptors; and radiolabelled ligand assays have been considerably improved and simplified by novel electronic devices.


Biosensors for process control.

Biosensors have been extensively studied during the last 20 years, and a myriad of laboratory biosensors have been developed. Improvements are required in biosensor design and performance before they become widely accepted in industrial process monitoring. However, as the biotechnology industry expands, biosensors may become more acceptable because, despite their limitations, they are the only devices capable of delivering the information required.


Technological advances in poultry vaccines.

The work described in this paper represents an extended program utilizing both traditional and novel technologies to develop a range of poultry vaccines which target current or emerging opportunities in domestic and international marketplaces. The successes with the traditional products to date have been gratifying and the advent of a series of recombinant vaccines over the next few years holds promise for the generation of a range of novel immunobiologicals.


Poliovirus antigen chimeras.

Poliovirus, the aetiological agent of paralytic poliomyelitis, is arguably the best characterized of all animal viruses. Using recombinant-DNA technology, this information, together with the availability of infectious cDNA clones of the notably safe and efficacious live attenuated Sabin 1 vaccine strains of poliovirus, has enabled the creation of hybrid viruses (chimeras) possessing novel antigenicity. The potential applications of these 'epitope-presentation systems' include their use as immunogens, as antigens for serodiagnosis, and as vaccines.


Enhanced secretion of human nerve growth factor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae using an advanced delta-integration system.

We have designed an advanced delta-integration system (integration of genes into the delta-sequence of yeast retrotransposon Ty) and used it for secretion of human nerve growth factor (hNGF) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression and secretion of hNGF was directed by the PGK promoter and MF alpha 1 prepro-signal. Using two selectable markers (URA3 and leu2-d), haploid yeast strains were constructed with approximately 20 copies of a delta-integrated hNGF expression cassette on four chromosomes. The strain secreted hNGF at levels 3-4 fold higher than a 2 micron-based plasmid. Northern and Western analyses revealed that the oversecretion was caused by an increased amount of mRNA. We also detected an unusual processing of the MF alpha 1 prepro-hNGF fusion protein that required the pep4 mutation. Application of this system for industrial purposes is discussed.


Protein stabilization by engineered metal chelation.

A ligand can shift a protein's folding/unfolding equilibrium by binding with higher affinity to the native state. A metal-chelating site consisting of two histidines separated by three residues (His-X3-His) engineered into an alpha-helix provides a general and easily-implemented means for protein stabilization by this mechanism. We have tested this approach with the iso-1-cytochrome c of Saccharomyces cerevisiae substituted with histidine at positions 4 and 8 in its N-terminal alpha-helix. One mM Cu(II) complexed to iminodiacetate stabilizes the cytochrome c variant by ca. 1 kcal/mol, as determined by guanidinium chloride-induced unfolding. The protein's folding/unfolding equilibrium is shifted by a free energy equal to that calculated from the metal ion's preferential binding to the native protein. Given the ubiquity of surface alpha-helices and the additional possibility of inserting di-histidine chelating sites into turns and beta-structures, we conclude that this is a useful method for protein stabilization.


Immunomodulation: suppression, enhancement and autoimmunity.

Recent reports highlight new approaches to immunointervention (suppression or enhancement) based on the known roles of lymphocyte populations, cytokines and their receptors, and adhesion molecules in immune responses. Considerable interest over the past year has focused on immunophilins (cyclophilin and the FK506-binding protein) which appear to play key roles in signal transduction within activated T cells and provide a molecular basis for new advances in immunosuppressive drug therapy.


Growth factors and receptors in cancer.

There have been a number of recent developments in mechanisms of action of growth factors and their receptors with particular relevance to cancer. The tyrosine kinase receptor family, in particular, has been shown to be important in tumour growth. These receptors are the products of oncogenes, or can interact with other oncogene pathways. Thus, antibodies to either the receptor or its ligand can be used as therapeutic agents. Peptide analogues of ligands that can block receptor activation are also potential therapeutic agents.


Receptors for neurotransmitters and related substances.

Advances in techniques for cloning neurotransmitter receptors have revealed new targets for selective drug design. Cell systems for more efficient expression of cloned receptor genes have also been developed. Knowledge of the nature of ligand-binding sites is now becoming available and this should aid in the design of better drugs with fewer side effects.


Molecular cloning and expression of the VP1 gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus C1 in E. coli: effect on bacterial cell viability.

The VP1 gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus (serotype C1) has been cloned in Escherichia coli Clts cells, under the control of the bacteriophage lambda pL promoter. The expressed VP1 protein was complete and non-fused, and its molecular weight was indistinguishable from that of the VP1 obtained from virions. Cells harbouring the recombinant vectors exhibited symptoms of plasmid instability and toxicity and died in a few weeks even when never exposed to inducing conditions. A new plasmid clone in which a segment of the VP1 gene was fused with contiguous genes of the viral genome was very stable. The expressed partial VP1 protein contains the two major immunogenic domains of the virion. This system can be used as a tool to design an immunogenic VP1, and to explore possible synthetic vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease.


Identification of polymerized-albumin receptor domain in the pre-S2 region of hepatitis B virus surface antigen M protein.

The pre-S2-coding region in the hepatitis B virus surface antigen M (P31; pre-S2 + S) protein gene was modified to identify a polymerized-albumin receptor (PAR) domain by deleting restriction fragments or performing site-directed mutagenesis. The modified M protein genes (M-P31x; x = d, e, f, h and i) were cloned into the yeast generalized-expression vector pGLD 906-1 and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene promoter. The PAR activities of these gene products suggested that the PAR domain is located in the hydrophilic and highly conserved domain in the pre-S2 region (around Leu12 approximately Tyr21). Antibodies specific for a pre-S2 peptide (Phe8 approximately Pro34, subtype adr), which covers the PAR domain, were purified from sera of rabbits immunized with yeast-derived M protein particles having a natural PAR domain. Immune electron microscopy showed that the purified antibodies could aggregate HBV particles. Therefore, it was speculated that the PAR domain overlapped with the dominant virus-neutralizing and virus-protecting epitopes.


Maximizing the expression of a recombinant gene in Escherichia coli by manipulation of induction time using lactose as inducer.

The use of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) for induction of the lac-promoter in small-scale cultivations is well established. However, for large-scale microbiological processes the cost of this inducer is a severe limitation. Here is described a method by which lactose is used as inducer of the lac promoter with the same efficiency as that of IPTG. It was found that after growth on glucose the time of the addition of lactose is important for the quality of induction. The resulting yield of the recombinant protein increased when lactose was added to the culture if the glucose concentration was rather low. By careful monitoring of the glucose level in the fermentation, using a biosensor, it was possible to add the inducer when the carbon source was nearly depleted. Using Escherichia coli BL21 (pET3), in which was cloned the main antigen coat protein of the foot and mouth disease virus, induction of the gene led to expression of the target protein at a level exceeding 20% of the total cell protein.


Influence of short-chain fatty acids on the production of spiramycin by Streptomyces ambofaciens.

The addition of short-chain fatty acids stimulates the production of spiramycin by Streptomyces ambofaciens cultivated on dextrins and ammonium chloride. The fatty acids were activated by two enzymatic systems. The first system (acyl-CoA synthetases) was present only during the exponential phase. The second system (acylkinases coupled with acylphosphotransferases) was synthesized during the growth phase and during the stationary phase, in which spiramycin production started. Short-chain fatty acids induced the synthesis of acylkinases and acylphosphotransferases. Added at the beginning of cultures, they increased the specific activity of these enzymes during the exponential growth phase. Added at the early stationary phase, the specific activity of these enzymes and of the spiramycin production increased. Excess ammonium in the culture considerably lowered the specific activity of acylkinases synthesized in the stationary phase, when spiramycin production started. This ammonium effect can be reduced by the addition of short-chain fatty acids.


Receptor-based assays in screening for biologically active substances.

Molecular biology has identified new receptors and ligands which are deregulated in diseases such as cancer and autoimmune conditions and which provide rational targets for therapeutic intervention. Advances in instrumentation and methodology make it possible to screen large numbers of samples in simple receptor-ligand binding assays in the search for drug candidates. Caution must be exercised in the interpretation of data derived from such assays. This is particularly pertinent to the recently characterized receptors, such as the cytokine receptors, as we do not fully understand the relationship between the receptor type and the linkage of receptors to the appropriate or inappropriate second messenger systems that are used in the experimental screening protocols and the disease state.


Monitoring a genetically engineered bacterium in a freshwater environment by rapid enzymatic amplification of a synthetic DNA "number-plate".

In order to set up a sensitive and reliable detection method to monitor environmentally released genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) a 72-bp, double-stranded DNA fragment has been built by annealing and ligating four synthetic oligonucleotides. Binding sites for two 20-mer oligonucleotides are situated inside the DNA fragment, flanking the centre. Into the central part of the construction a 30-nucleotide identification sequence has been fitted. Thanks to the presence of the two oligonucleotide binding sites, the synthetic construction ("number-plate") can be submitted to enzymatic amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), thus enabling the identification system to take advantage of the outstanding sensitivity of this technique. When released into a freshwater microcosm, cells of Pseudomonas putida carrying a "number-plated" chromosome could be easily and rapidly detected merely by submitting boiled cell sediments to PCR amplification.


Enzyme immobilization on a low-cost magnetic support: kinetic studies on immobilized and coimmobilized glucose oxidase and glucoamylase.

Glucose oxidase (GOx) and glucoamylase (GA) were immobilized and coimmobilized through their carbohydrate moieties onto polyethyleneimine-coated magnetite crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and derivatized with adipic dihydrazide. The carbohydrates were oxidized with sodium periodate, and at optimal concentration, their Vm increased up to 18% for GOx and up to 16% for GA. After immobilization, a remaining activity as high as 88% and 70% for GA with maltose and maltodextrin respectively as substrates was obtained, independently of the particle loading. On the contrary, the remaining activity of GOx strongly decreased at high particle loading. Nevertheless, half of its initial activity was recovered at low loading and was not significantly affected when GA was coimmobilized by saturating the reactive groups left on the particle. The Vm of both immobilized enzymes was improved by crosslinking their carbohydrates with adipic dihydrazide, a treatment which allows further coimmobilization of the other enzyme on a second layer.


Formation of bioerodible polymeric microspheres and microparticles by rapid expansion of supercritical solutions.

Polyhydroxy acids [poly(L-lactic acid) (L-PLA), poly(D,L-lactic acid) (DL-PLA), and poly-(glycolic acid) (PGA)], biocompatible and bioerodible polymers that are being investigated for controlled delivery of pharmaceuticals and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for in vivo sutures and bone repair implants, have been dissolved in supercritical CO2 and precipitated by rapid expansion of the resulting supercritical solutions (RESS). The formation of these microparticles and microspheres is a first step toward the goal of producing, in a single processing step, drug-loaded polymeric microspheres for use in controlled release applications. Nucleation of poly(L-lactic acid) from CO2 and CO2-acetone mixtures produced microparticles and microspheres ranging from 4 to 25 microns. Microspheres (2-20 microns) were also obtained with chlorotrifluoromethane as solvent. Commercial L-PLA precipitated after extraction of low molecular weight oligomers showed degradation kinetics similar to that of the starting material. The precipitation of DL-PLA from CO2 produced irregular-sized particles (10-20 microns). PGA, a polymer insoluble in most organic solvents, was found to be soluble in supercritical CO2. Nucleation of PGA from CO2 produced both regular-sized particles and needles of 10-40-microns length. The total solubility of commercial L-PLA in supercritical CO2 at 250 bar and 55 degrees C decreased from 0.14 wt % to less than 0.05 wt % and then leveled off as the cumulative flow of CO2 per unit mass of L-PLA loaded in the extractor increased beyond 20 standard L of CO2/g of L-PLA. Use of acetone (1 wt %) as a cosolvent increased L-PLA solubility by approximately 500%.


Factor(s) required by EBV transformed lymphocytes to grow under limiting dilution conditions.

IL-6 was demonstrated to promote growth of EBV transformed lymphocytes. However IL-6 was ineffective at promoting growth of EBV transformed lymphocytes cultured at the single cell level under limiting dilution conditions. On the contrary, HECS, which is known to contain IL-6, supported very efficiently the growth of 1-2 EBV transformed cells. When IL-6 was removed from HECS, by using specific antibodies, no reduction in HECS activity was observed, indicating that probably more than one growth factor is required to support the growth of EBV transformed cells cultured at very low cell numbers in the absence of feeder cells.


Structure-function analyses for aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II (APH(3')-II).

Mutant strains containing APH(3')-II were constructed via site-directed mutagenesis of the cloned gene and by random mutagenesis of a strain containing the APH(3')-II gene on a conjugative plasmid. Substitutions at highly conserved amino acid residues produced APH(3') enzymes which in general showed reduced activity and conferred reduced levels of resistance to their substrates. Substitutions at Tyr 218 altered substrate specificity for the enzymes. Random mutagenesis produced plasmid-borne mutations conferring amikacin resistance. Two of these mutations appeared to be localized to the APH(3')-II structural gene.


Improvement of recombinant gene expression in Escherichia coli for glucose-controlled continuous and fed-batch cultures.

Escherichia coli TG1 (pHRW500) permanently expressed the human interferon alpha 1 gene (ifn alpha 1) directed by the tryptophan promoter (trpP.O) during continuous and fed-batch cultivation with a limited supply of glucose. The expression of ifn alpha 1 could be improved after insertion of the catabolite activator region (cap) upstream to trpP.O during cultivation of the modified E. coli TG1(pHRW500cap) in glucose-controlled continuous and fed-batch cultures. The cap-mediated stimulatory effect on the expression of cap-trpP.O-ifn alpha 1 increased with decreasing dilution rate. These results are in line with the increase in the level of cAMP with declining dilution rate and the well-known positive effects of cAMP-catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) at the transcriptional level. In addition, expression of the galactokinase gene (trpP.O-galK) in E. coli TG1(pDR720) could be improved in the same way with cap-trpP.O-galK in E. coli TG1(pDR720cap). Determinations of plasmid copy numbers, cellular amounts of galactokinase-mRNA, activity of galactokinase (AGalK) and the concentration of galactokinase at various dilution rates (D) strengthen the conclusion that the increase in AGalK with decreasing D was indeed due to the cap-mediated enhancement of transcription of the galK gene. We suggest that expression of other recombinant genes directed by various promoters that allow permanent transcription during growth with limited glucose supply in chemostat and fed-batch fermentors can be improved by appropriate insertion of the cap region.


S-Zephyr, a new high performance ion exchange chromatography column matrix.

S-Zephyr, a new column material for high performance cation exchange chromatography of proteins, is compared with Mono-S. The comparison is based on a retentivity study, a model separation of an artificial protein mixture, a sample load capacity experiment and the development of the separation performance at a column overload situation. S-Zephyr is found to be a good matrix for cation exchange chromatography, for analytical separations as well as for small and large scale protein purification applications.


Stabilization of Streptomyces lividans by homologous recombinational insertion.

We have developed a system for the introduction and maintenance of novel tandem repeats in the chromosome of Streptomyces lividans 66. This was achieved by introducing, via transformation, Escherichia coli "suicide" vectors carrying manipulated S. lividans DNA fragments. Selection for antibiotic resistance markers carried on such plasmids permitted the isolation and maintenance of mutant strains containing novel tandem repeats formed by the integration into the chromosome of the plasmids, via homologous recombination between plasmid-borne chromosomal sequences and identical sequences on the chromosome. When novel repeats were introduced, and maintained, in regions of the chromosome which become deleted in unstable strains of S. lividans, those deletion events were blocked. Surprisingly, such strains were also 10 to 20-fold more stable than the parent even in the absence of selection. In stable regions of the chromosome, the maintenance of novel repeats had no obvious effect on the deletion events. This strategy could be generally applicable to industrial strains of Streptomyces, where instability is a common problem.


Accumulation of alkaliphilic Bacillus penicillinase cleaved within the signal sequence in cytoplasm of Escherichia coli.

Alkaliphilic Bacillus penicillinase produced by Escherichia coli is distributed in several subcellular compartments according to cultivation conditions. The penicillinase that accumulated in particular subcellular fractions of E. coli grown under different conditions was purified and characterized. Periplasmic or extracellular penicillinase (24 kDa) was mature protein, indicating that the putative precursor (27 kDa) was processed at the correct amino acid residue, probably by signal peptidase I. Cytoplasmic penicillinase contained two unusual proteins (25 kDa) that are produced by proteolytic cleavage of the precursor within its signal sequence.


Novel applications of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway in plant genetic engineering.

One goal of plant genetic engineering is the manipulation of protein levels within crop plants. New insights into the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway provide potential novel ways of enhancing levels of desired proteins by synthesizing them as ubiquitin fusions, and reducing levels of undesired proteins by selective protein degradation. As a result, the ubiquitin pathway should become a useful tool for many aspects of plant biotechnology.


Spin labeling and kinetic studies of a membrane-immobilized proteolytic enzyme.

Membrane-based bioreactors can greatly influence the rate and extent of chemical reactions and consequently lower the costs associated with the corresponding engineering processes. However, in order to progress in this area, greater understanding of the relationship of the structure and function of bioreactor systems is required. In this study, a proteolytic enzyme, papain (EC 3.4.22.2), was covalently coupled onto the surface of a vinyl alcohol/vinyl butyral copolymer (PVB) membrane employing either glutaraldehyde (GA) or 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). Various kinetic and performance properties of the immobilized papain were studied. It was found that these characteristics of the membrane-bound papain depended on the immobilization method. The CDI-immobilized papain bioreactor was used, although the apparent Michaelis constant, Km, of the CDI-immobilized papain was larger than that of the GA-immobilized enzyme. In separate experiments, a six-carbon spacer was also used between the membrane support and the covalently-linked enzyme. It was found that the insertion of the spacer reduced the disturbance of the enzyme system, resulting in a decreased Km, which was now closer to the value for the free enzyme. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques of spin labeling were used for the first time to examine the conformational change and the active site structure of an enzyme covalently immobilized to a membrane. The structural changes of the active site of papain upon immobilization with and without a spacer were in agreement with the functional properties of the enzyme.


Expression and purification of recombinant 3C proteinase of Coxsackievirus B3.

We have cloned various lengths of coxsackievirus B3 cDNA encompassing the region encoding the 3C proteinase, which is essential to the viral replication cycle. Such viral cDNAs were fused in frame to the 5'terminal portion of the lacZ' gene carried on the vector pUC118 to express mature 3C proteinase in Escherichia coli. In the E. coli cells containing pCXB108 or pCXB117, constructed for this study, a large amount of 23-kDa protein was synthesized in the presence of IPTG. This protein was purified and was shown to be intact 3C proteinase. These data suggest that 3C proteinase, expressed as a part of a fusion protein, was active in E. coli and released itself from the precursor fusion protein by autocatalytic cleavage.


Chalcone tetramers, lophirachalcone and alatachalcone, from Lophira alata as possible anti-tumor promoters.

Two chalcone tetramers were isolated as inhibitors of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-activation induced by a tumor promoter, teleocidin B-4, from a medicinal plant in tropical west Africa, Lophira alata (Ochnaceae). One of them was identified as lophirachalcone. The other, named alatachalcone, was new, and the structure was determined by spectral properties. Both compounds also showed potent inhibitory activities against teleocidin B-4-induced inflammation on mouse ear. In an initiation-promotion experiment on mouse skin, alatachalcone (16 nmol) significantly inhibited tumor promotion caused by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 1.6 nmol).


Steroidal saponins from Smilax riparia and S. china.

Two new neotigogenin glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Smilax riparia and a new isonarthogenin glycoside from those of S. china. The structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis followed by spectral and chromatographic analysis. Several known saponins were also isolated and identified. The inhibitory activity of the saponins on cAMP phosphodiesterase was examined.


Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax sieboldii.

Six new steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax sieboldii. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis to be 3 beta-hydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one (laxogenin) 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, laxogenin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3 beta,27-dihydroxy-(25S)-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3 beta,22 xi,26-trihydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha-furostan-6-one 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3 beta,22 xi,26-trihydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha-furostan-6- one 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta-ol (tigogenin) 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl- (1----6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase by the saponins was evaluated.


Multilocus DNA fingerprint analysis of cell banks: stability studies and culture identification in human B-lymphoblastoid and mammalian cell lines.

The technique of multilocus DNA fingerprinting has great potential for the authentication of animal cell cultures and in identification of cross-contamination. The Alec Jeffreys probes 33.6 and 33.15 were used as multilocus probes to demonstrate the consistent DNA fingerprint profiles in human peripheral blood and its derivative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed B-lymphoblastoid cultures maintained by repeated subculture for six months. However, fingerprint analysis of EBV transformed cultures generated from small numbers of cells showed that the majority (seven of eight cultures) had anomalous profiles. Some of these altered profiles shared common features not seen in the peripheral blood pattern. Analysis of seven murine hybridoma clones from a single fusion experiment revealed only two clones which could not be distinguished using probe 33.15. Further studies of master and distribution cell banks for eleven cell lines demonstrated consistent fingerprint profiles in all cases except one (U937). However, this cell line showed only minor differences in the master and distribution bank profiles. These data indicate that, while changes in fingerprint profile may be identified in exceptional instances, the multilocus fingerprinting method using probes 33.6 and 33.15 is a powerful and reliable tool in the quality control of animal cell cultures.


Genetic engineering strategies for environmental applications.

Environmental applications of genetically engineered microorganisms are currently hampered not only by legal regulations restricting their release, but also by the frequent dearth of adequate genetic tools for their construction in the laboratory. Recent approaches to strain development include the use of non-antibiotic markers as selection determinants, the use of transposon-vectors for the permanent acquisition of recombinant genes, and the utilization of expression devices based on promoters from promiscuous plasmids and biodegradative pathway genes.


Jatropham derivatives and steroidal saponins from the bulbs of Lilium hansonii.

Two new jatropham derivatives and three new steroidal saponins were isolated from the fresh bulbs of Lilium hansonii, along with previously known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated, on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidence, and by comparing them with those of known compounds, as (-)-5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one (jatropham) 5-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (2S*,4R*)-1-(3-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyrrolinyl)-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-pyrr olidinecarboxyli c acid, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5 alpha-furostan-3 beta,22 zeta-diol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, (25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta,12 alpha-diol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25R)-spirost-5-en-3 beta,12 alpha-diol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively. The stereostructure of jatropham dimer, the plain structure of which was presented previously, was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The inhibitory activity on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase of the steroidal saponins was evaluated.


Diagnosis of mycobacterial infections by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion.

A method for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections by PCR amplification followed by selective restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product was developed. The amplified DNA sequence used in this study occurs within the gene encoding for the mycobacterial 65 kDa heat shock protein (Hance et al. 1989), which is found in all mycobacteria. However, there are minute differences in the amplified sequence from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex compared with the corresponding sequence from the Mycobacterium avium complex. These differences made it possible to rapidly identify to which mycobacterial complex a particular sample belonged by restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product. A total of 66 samples were tested and all of them were correctly identified. This and similar methods should provide a sensitive, specific and rapid (within 12 h) way of diagnosing mycobacterial infections to the species level.


Protein hormones and their receptors.

Technological advances in the isolation and characterization of novel receptors have led to a significant increase in our understanding of protein-ligand binding to receptors and the means by which responses are triggered. Hormones and their receptors are composed of structurally conserved domains, and several ligands appear to use similar surface regions for receptor binding. A key event in signal transduction is the aggregation by the ligand of one or more receptor subunits, and this can include the sharing of subunits between different ligands. These findings have allowed the design of ligands with receptor-antagonist properties.


Selection and isolation of bacteria capable of degrading dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol).

Dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) has been a widely used herbicide that persists in some contaminated soils, and has been found in groundwaters, causing health and environmental hazards. Persistence in some soils may stem from a lack of dinoseb-degrading organisms. We established a chemostat environment that was strongly selective for aerobic (liquid phase) and anaerobic (sediment phase) bacteria able to degrade dinoseb. The chemostat yielded five taxonomically diverse aerobic isolates that could transform dinoseb to reduced products under microaerophilic or denitrifying conditions, but these organisms were unable to degrade the entire dinoseb molecule, and the transformed products formed multimeric material. The chemostat also yielded an anaerobic consortium of bacteria that could completely degrade dinoseb to acetate and CO2 when the Eh of the medium was less than -200 mV. The consortium contained at least three morphologically different bacterial species. HPLC analysis indicated that dinoseb was degraded sequentially via several as yet unidentified products. Degradation of these intermediates was inhibited by addition of bromoethane sulfonic acid. GC-MS analysis of metabolites in culture medium suggested that regiospecific attacks occurred non-sequentially on both the nitro groups and the side-chains of dinoseb. The consortium was also able to degrade 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene via a similar series of intermediate products. The consortium was not able to degrade 2,4-dinitrophenol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of strictly anaerobic biodegradation of an aromatic compound containing a multicarbon, saturated hydrocarbon side chain.


Expansion of insecticidal host range of Bacillus thuringiensis by in vivo genetic recombination.

We describe a novel approach for the insertion of an insecticidal toxin gene into a resident plasmid in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). A gene encoding a coleopteran-specific toxin was cloned within a fragment of IS232 and inserted into a plasmid thermosensitive for replication in Bt. The plasmid was used to transform a Bt strain toxic to lepidoptera, and the transformants were then selected at non-permissive temperature for clones in which the vector had integrated into a copy of IS232 present on a resident plasmid. A second recombination event was selected such that the vector was eliminated and the newly introduced toxin gene was conserved. The resulting strain contained only DNA of Bt origin, and displayed insecticidal activity against both lepidoptera and coleoptera.


Cellular engineering for the treatment of metabolic disorders: prospects for therapy in diabetes.

Significant advances in the areas of identification of disease susceptibility genes and gene transfer technologies have fueled new initiatives in cellular engineering as a means for treating metabolic disease. This article utilizes new findings from such work as the blueprint for a discussion of the prospects for gene therapy in diabetes mellitus.


Influence of transfected SV40 early region on growth and differentiation of human endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells isolated from human umbilical veins show a limited in vitro life span of about 40 population doublings. Cell division is dependent on the presence of endothelial cell growth factor in the culture medium. We have transfected primary endothelial cells with a plasmid containing the early region of SV40 virus. Large T positive cells were obtained which grew in the absence of endothelial cell growth factor at low serum concentrations and showed a prolonged lifespan. Expression of von Willebrand factor and SV40 large T antigen was detected simultaneously in transfected cells.


Bioprocess development to improve foreign protein production from recombinant Streptomyces.

Bioprocessing strategies to improve production of the heterologous protein parathion hydrolase from recombinant Streptomyces lividans were investigated. Initial limitations to increased production were overcome by using large amounts of nutrients and feeding these nutrients throughout the fermentation. Batch addition of such large amounts of nutrients resulted in byproduct acid accumulation. Our data suggest that byproducts resulted from incomplete utilization of peptide medium ingredients and not from an overflow of glucose catabolism. Over extended fed-batch operation, oxygen transfer became limiting and these limitations were overcome by sparging oxygen-enriched gas. When cultivation was continued past about 90 h, we observed that despite nutrient feeding and oxygen enrichment enzyme activities no longer increased. Our results show that during such late cultivation periods the rates of enzyme synthesis and deactivation became balanced. If synthesis is prevented, either by a nutritional limitation or by the addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol, enzyme activities were observed to decrease. Since deactivation rate constants in these experiments were similar to those observed in cell-free studies, and because extracellular protease activities were not detected in our fermentation, it appears that deactivation results from the inherent instability of the parathion hydrolase enzyme.


Functional expression of GABAA chloride channels and benzodiazepine binding sites in baculovirus infected insect cells.

We have employed the baculovirus expression system for the production of insect cell membranes having GABA/benzodiazepine binding sites. Three recombinant baculoviruses each harboring a different GABAA receptor cDNA were introduced into insect cells by simultaneous infection. Infected cells expressed GABA responsive Cl- channels and benzodiazepine binding sites with the same pharmacological specificity as animal cells expressing these receptor subunits.


Transgenic plants of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) obtained by direct gene transfer to protoplasts.

Chimeric hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) and phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar) genes were introduced, using polyethylene glycol treatment, into protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspension cultures of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a graminaceous plant that is an important forage crop in temperate pastures. Colonies resistant to either 200 mg/l hygromycin or 100 mg/l phosphinothricin, respectively, were recovered upon selection using bead-type culture systems. Stable integration of the transgenes in the genomes of plants regenerated from resistant callus clones was shown by Southern hybridization analysis. In situ hybridization of a labeled transgene-probe to metaphase chromosomes is shown for one transgenic primary regenerant. Expression of the transgenes in mature plants was demonstrated by HPH enzyme assay or by phosphinothricin-herbicide spraying.


Protein compositional analysis of inclusion bodies produced in recombinant Escherichia coli.

Culture conditions favouring the simultaneous formation of soluble protein and inclusion bodies (IBs) were chosen for producing the cytoplasmic protein beta-galactosidase or the periplasmic protein TEM-beta-lactamase. Soluble and insoluble cell fractions of Escherichia coli producing either beta-galactosidase or TEM-beta-lactamase were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent silver staining or immunodetection of the recombinant protein. The results show that truncated fragments of the recombinant protein were not present in the soluble cell fraction but accumulate in the IB fraction. The presence of other cellular, non-plasmid-encoded proteins in IB preparations such as the outer membrane proteins OmpF, OmpC, and OmpA or the ribosomal subunit proteins L7/L12 was attributed to co-precipitation of cell-debris-associated components. Protein-folding enzymes were not detected in IB preparations. The specificity of in-vivo protein association in the formation of IBs and its implication on protein purification is discussed.


Use of mammalian cell expression cloning systems to identify genes for cytokines, receptors, and regulatory proteins.

Mammalian cell expression cloning has become a standard technique for the isolation of mammalian genes or cDNAs. Its advantage is that the biological functions of the gene of interest are used for cloning. Therefore, the identified cDNAs or genes should be functional in vivo, and there is no need for physical or chemical information about the gene products, so that protein purification in sufficient quantity to raise antibodies or to obtain amino acid sequences is not necessary. Here, we summarize recent progress in mammalian cell cloning systems, and discuss the possible directions in which this technique will lead.


Examples of expression systems based on animal RNA viruses: alphaviruses and influenza virus.

Successful recovery of RNA viruses and functional RNA replicons from cDNA has greatly facilitated molecular genetic analyses of viral proteins and cis-regulatory elements. This technology allows the use of RNA virus replication machinery to express heterologous sequences. Both positive-strand and negative-strand animal RNA viruses have been engineered to produce chimeric viruses expressing protective epitopes from other pathogens and for transient expression of heterologous sequences.


Adeno-associated virus vectors.

Adeno-associated virus is a human parvovirus that integrates its DNA genome into host cell chromosomes with very high efficiency. This suggests that adeno-associated virus may be a useful vector for human gene therapy. Interest in adeno-associated virus vectors increased greatly in the last year following reports that adeno-associated virus genome integration may be site specific and occur at preferred sites in the human genome. Several genes relevant to the treatment of genetic or infectious diseases have been expressed in adeno-associated virus vectors in vitro.


Generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific for the major thiol-activated cysteine proteinase of Porphyromonas gingivalis W83.

An IgM monoclonal antibody specified for the thiol-activated proteinase of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 was generated. The antibody reacted with a single protein of approximate molecular mass 43 kDa in outer membrane preparations of P. gingivalis. Immuno-electron microscopy using the monoclonal antibody and immunogold labelling confirmed the cell surface location of the thiol-activated proteinase. The monoclonal antibody failed to detect any proteins in Western blot analysis of other closely related oral bacteria. The specificity of this monoclonal antibody to the thiol-activated proteinase of P. gingivalis should allow its use as a diagnostic tool for the rapid enumeration of P. gingivalis in clinical samples.


Effects of oxygen on recombinant protein production by suspension cultures of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) insect cells.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) insect cells have been grown in serum-free medium in 250-ml spinner flasks. The maximum cell density obtained in these cultures was dependent on the aeration rate of the culture. Similar yields of uninfected cells were obtained when cultures were stirred in spinner flasks at 80 rev min-1 and in a 4-1 stirred-tank bioreactor and the dissolved oxygen in the bioreactor was controlled at 20% of air saturation. Cells were infected with a recombinant baculovirus at different multiplicities of infection: the timing and maximum level of expression of the recombinant protein were dependent on the multiplicity of infection, the cell density at infection, and on the aeration rate of the culture. Oxygen-limited growth resulted in undetectable levels of recombinant protein (< 6 ng recombinant protein 10(-7) cells). Compared with the maximum yields observed in spinner flask cultures, higher levels of recombinant protein were produced when cells were grown and infected in the bioreactor. The level of dissolved oxygen in the bioreactor was controlled at 50% of air saturation.


Stimulation of the onset of sporulation of Clostridium perfringens type A by netropsin and distamycin.

The basic peptide antibiotics, netropsin and distamycin, previously shown to inhibit sporulation of Bacillus subtilis, stimulated low levels of sporulation of Clostridium perfringens strain NCTC 8798 at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 microgram/ml respectively. Most sporulating cells produced in the presence of the antibiotics were defective. These were blocked at Stage III of sporulation, and many possessed forespores exterior to the sporangium. The same antibiotics could also inhibit the caffeine-induced stimulation of sporulation of this strain.


Biological fate of a polydisperse acrylate polymer in anaerobic sand-medium transport.

Soluble polyacrylate (PA), a polydisperse mixture of polyacrylate polymers, is strongly adsorbed and biodegradable. Biotic fate studies were carried out with once-through columns containing sand colonized with anaerobic biomass previously grown in a methanogenic fluidized bed. A fraction of soluble PA having a weight-average molecular weight of 16,700 and a range of molecular weight from 10(3) to 10(5) was biologically removed and mineralized to CO2. Due to its polydisperse nature, the breakthrough curve had a gradual increase to an apparent steady-state removal of approximately 60% near one day when the liquid detention time was 21 minutes. Modeling successfully explained the observed breakthrough result when the fraction was divided into components having a wide range of retardation factors (R): about 25% was strongly adsorbed (R = 200 and 500), 45% was moderately adsorbed (R = 50 and 100), and 30% was weakly adsorbed (R = 1-10). In this study, in which active biomass already was present from utilization of a primary substrate (glucose here), equilibrium adsorption increased the time to breakthrough, which also reduced the exiting concentration by increasing the substrate contact time.