Isolation and identification of a subgroup A avian leukosis virus from imported meat-type grand-parent chickens

An exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) strain SDAU09C1 was isolated in DF-1 cells from one of 240 imported 1-day-old white meat-type grand parent breeder chicks. Inoculation of SDAU09C1 in ALV-free chickens induced antibody reactions specific to subgroup A or B. But gp85 amino acid sequence comparisons indicated that SDAU09C1 fell into subgroup A; it had homology of 88.8%–90.3% to 6 reference strains of subgroup A, much higher compared to other subgroups including subgroup B. This is the first report for ALV of subgroup A isolated from imported breeders.     

二株B亚群禽白血病病毒全基因组序列及其在细胞上的复制性比较

本研究比较了从山东地方品系鸡群分离到的二株B亚型禽白血病病毒(ALV)SDAU09E3和SDAU09C2的全基因组序列及它们在细胞培养上的复制动态。这二株ALV-B的同源性为95.4%,与GenBank中3株B亚群参考株之间的同源性也均在91.0%～94.9%间,而与其它亚群参考株的同源性均低于87.9%。与亚群无关的gag、pol基因和LTR的核苷酸序列比较表明,这二株ALV-Bgp85基因的gag和pol基因与所有比较的参考株的同源性均在93%以上。LTR与其他外源性ALV参考株的LTR间的同源性在72.6%～88.3%范围内,但与E亚群内源性ALV的LTR的同源性只有51.5%。然而,这二个ALV-B的LTR的同源性也只有74.8%,远低于其他基因组部分的同源性,特别是它们的LTR的U3区同源性只有68.8%,二者在二个CAAT分布上也显著不同。对这二株ALV-B在DF-1细胞上的复制动态比较表明,它们在细胞培养上清液中的TCID50值非常类似,但SDAU09E3株核衣壳蛋白p27抗原的含量显著高于SDAU09C2株。这表明,同一亚群的不同毒株在复制过程中,所表达的p27抗原量与所形成的具有传染性的病毒量间没有平行关系。这一差异与LTR-U3区的相关性则有待应用感染性克隆技术来做进一步深入研究。     

芦花鸡中B亚群禽白血病病毒的分离与鉴定

通过接种DF-1细胞(C/E)系,从山东某地方品系芦花鸡的鸡群中分离到一株外源性白血病病毒(ALV)SDAU09C2。与GenBank中已发表的不同亚群鸡ALV参考株的囊膜蛋白gp85的氨基酸序列比较,表明该分离株与B亚群ALV(ALV-B)2个参考株的gp85的氨基酸同源性最高,均为92.5%;与A、C、D、E亚群ALV的gp85的氨基酸同源性仅在73.2%~87.9%之间;而与J亚群gp85的氨基酸同源性更低至30.3%~32.4%。这是我国地方品系鸡群中第一次分离和鉴定ALV-B及其gp85基因的报道。     

禽白血病A亚群病毒gp85的单因子血清制备及其特异性鉴定

【目的】为了研究出一种能够针对A亚群禽白血病的快速特异性诊断试剂。【方法】将A亚群禽白血病病毒(ALV-A)SDAU09E1株接种于DF1细胞上,以感染细胞DNA为模板,通过PCR方法扩增出1023bp的ALV-A-gp85基因。将其正确阅读框架插入表达载体PET-32a(+)中,实现在BL21(Rosetta)宿主菌中表达。将纯化的融合蛋白常规免疫小鼠,制备得抗血清。【结果】实验成功获得52.8kDa的重组融合蛋白,且具有良好的免疫原性。间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)表明该血清可与ALV-A和ALV-B反应,但不与ALV-J反应。【结论】该实验首次在国内外研制出能用于鉴别性检测经典的A/B亚群ALV的单因子血清,可与ALV-J特异性单抗互补作用于外源性ALV感染的鉴别性诊断。我国鸡群同时受经典的ALV-A/B和新出现的ALV-J困扰,鉴别诊断非常必要,研究这种试剂具有较高的实用价值。     

偏凸-柱穗山羊草双二倍体SDAU18的细胞分子遗传学鉴定

综合利用细胞学、种子贮藏蛋白电泳、基因组原位杂交（GISH）和抗性接种鉴定相结合的方法．对偏凸-柱穗山羊草双二倍体SDAU18进行了鉴定。结果表明,SDAU18的根尖细胞染色体数目变异范围为52—56．在绝大多数根尖细胞染色体数目为56的SDAU18减数分裂中期I花粉母细胞fPMCMI）内可观察到28个二价体,在部分细胞中可观察到一定频率的单价体、三价体和四价体,平均染色体构型为2n=56=3．21I＋19．78IIRing＋6．50IIRod＋0．01III＋0．04IVRing＋0．01IVRod;在SDAU18种子贮藏蛋白电泳图谱中,亲本偏凸山羊草和柱穗山羊草的多数特异带能够出现,SDAU18高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基图谱中既出现双亲的亚基谱带．也观察到新型亚基谱带：分别利用偏凸山羊草和柱穗山羊草基因组总DNA作探针．另一个亲本基因组总DNA作封阻。对SDAU18根尖细胞制片进行染色体原位杂交．在SDAU18的56条染色体中分别有14条出现绿色杂交信号：SDAU18是偏凸山羊草和柱穗山羊草的双二倍体,对小麦白粉病和条锈病均表现免疫,是一个在小麦品种遗传改良中具有重要利用价值的新型种质材料。     

Two Loci Controlling Genetic Cellular Resistance to Avian Leukosis-Sarcoma Viruses

Female chickens known to be heterozygous for resistance to subgroups A and B of the avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses were mated to males known to be homozygously resistant to both. The progeny were assayed both on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and in tissue culture for resistance to representative viruses of the A, B, and tentatively defined C subgroups. Segregation ratios of resistance to A and B subgroup viruses agreed with the previously suggested hypothesis of single-autosomal-recessive genes controlling resistance to each subgroup. Mixed infection on the CAM and replicate plate infection in tissue culture with subgroup A and B viruses showed that resistance to the A and B subgroups was inherited independently. Assays with viruses tentatively classified as subgroup C indicated that they were largely composed of a mixture of subgroup A and B viruses or of particles possessing the host range specificity of both. However, virus stocks of the subgroup C category, as well as some stocks classified as subgroup B, produced small numbers of pocks or foci on individuals known to be resistant to subgroup A and B viruses. It is suggested that these Rous sarcoma virus stocks carry between 1 and 10% of a true subgroup C virus.     

Assessing Antigenic Drift of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses

Under selective pressure from the host immune system, antigenic epitopes of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) have continually evolved to escape antibody recognition, termed antigenic drift. We analyzed the genomes of influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains circulating in Thailand between 2010 and 2014 and assessed how well the yearly vaccine strains recommended for the southern hemisphere matched them. We amplified and sequenced the HA gene of 120 A(H3N2) and 81 A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus samples obtained from respiratory specimens and calculated the perfect-match vaccine efficacy using the p _epitope model, which quantitated the antigenic drift in the dominant epitope of HA. Phylogenetic analysis of the A(H3N2) HA1 genes classified most strains into genetic clades 1, 3A, 3B, and 3C. The A(H3N2) strains from the 2013 and 2014 seasons showed very low to moderate vaccine efficacy and demonstrated antigenic drift from epitopes C and A to epitope B. Meanwhile, most A(H1N1)pdm09 strains from the 2012–2014 seasons belonged to genetic clades 6A, 6B, and 6C and displayed the dominant epitope mutations at epitopes B and E. Finally, the vaccine efficacy for A(H1N1)pdm09 (79.6–93.4%) was generally higher than that of A(H3N2). These findings further confirmed the accelerating antigenic drift of the circulating influenza A(H3N2) in recent years.     

Clinical safety and pharmacological profile of the HLA-DR antibody 1D09C3 in patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma: results from a phase I study

1D09C3 is a human monoclonal IgG4-type antibody against human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) which has demonstrated pro-apoptotic activity against lymphoid tumors in vitro and in vivo. We report results from a phase I dose-escalation study which aimed to identify tolerated dosing, and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of 1D09C3. Fourteen patients with relapsed/refractory B cell type leukemia/lymphoma were treated and followed after up to 4 weekly infusions of 1D09C3, administered in 6 dose levels at 0.25?C8?mg/kg/day. Treatment was tolerated well with mostly mild side effects. The most common grade III?CIV toxicities were hematological events observed in 4 patients. In one patient, treated at 8.0?mg/kg/day, a dose limiting toxicity occurred, identified as an invasive catheter-related infection. Adverse events resolved completely without long-term sequelae. 1D09C3 reduced peripheral blood B cells and monocytes by a median of 73?C81?% in all patients, with a nadir reached 30?C60?min after infusion and sustained for <96?h. Granulocytes and natural killer cells predominantly increased with variable time courses. Pharmacokinetic assessments showed detectable drug concentrations at doses 4?C8?mg/kg/day and a terminal half-life of 0.7?C7.9?h. Effective saturation of HLA-DR on peripheral blood B cells/monocytes was achieved, varying consistently with available serum concentrations and the cell-reducing activity of 1D09C3. In summary, 1D09C3 could be administered safely in patients with advanced B cell malignancies. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated a strong dose dependent but transient reduction of peripheral blood B cells and monocytes, consistent with a short drug serum availability.     

肝功能障碍患者对罗库溴铵药效动力学的影响

目的:探讨不同肝功能分级患者对肌松药罗库溴铵药效动力学的影响。方法:纳入肝功能障碍的手术患者152例,根据肝功能Child-Pugh分级将其分为Child-Pugh A级组62例、Child-Pugh B级组55例、Child-Pugh C级组35例,同时纳入肝功能正常患者60例为对照组。以维库溴铵以动态靶控输注程序控制,0.15~0.2μg/m L之间,维持肌松水平T1/TC在25%以内。对比分析四组间一般情况(包括性别、年龄、体重和BMI指数)、麻醉起效时间、最大阻滞持续时间、T110%恢复时间、T125%恢复时间、T175%恢复时间、恢复指数。结果:Child-Pugh A、B、C组患者的麻醉起效时间逐渐延长,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Child-Pugh A、B、C三组间患者的麻醉最大阻滞程度逐渐下降,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Child-Pugh A、B、C三组间患者的麻醉恢复指数逐渐增大,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Child-Pugh A、B、C和对照组间T110%恢复时间、T125%恢复时间、T175%恢复时间无明显差异(P0.05)。Child-Pugh A级组女性麻醉起效时间明显快于男性,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);男性最大阻滞持续时间小于女性,性别间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。肝功能Child-Pugh B级组女性麻醉起效时间明显快于男性,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。肝功能Child-Pugh C级组性别间麻醉起效时间、最大阻滞持续时间、恢复指数差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:肝功能障碍明显影响肌松药罗库溴铵麻醉起效时间,重度肝功能患者使用罗库溴铵时可不考虑性别的影响因素。     

The avian retrovirus env gene family: molecular analysis of host range and antigenic variants.

The nucleotide sequence of the env gp85-coding domain from two avian sarcoma and leukosis retrovirus isolates was determined to identify host range and antigenic determinants. The predicted amino acid sequence of gp85 from a subgroup D virus isolate of the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus was compared with the previously reported sequences of subgroup A, B, C, and E avian sarcoma and leukosis retroviruses. Subgroup D viruses are closely related to the subgroup B viruses but have an extended host range that includes the ability to penetrate certain mammalian cells. There are 27 amino acid differences shared between the subgroup D sequence and three subgroup B sequences. At 16 of these sites, the subgroup D sequence is identical to the sequence of one or more of the other subgroup viruses (A, C, and E). The remaining 11 sites are specific to subgroup D and show some clustering in the two large variable regions that are thought to be major determinants of host range. Biological analysis of recombinant viruses containing a dominant selectable marker confirmed the role of the gp85-coding domain in determining the host range of the subgroup D virus in the infection of mammalian cells. We also compared the sequence of the gp85-coding domain from two subgroup A viruses, Rous-associated virus type 1 and a subgroup A virus of the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus. The comparison revealed 24 nonconservative amino acid changes, of which 6 result in changes in potential glycosylation sites. The positions of 10 amino acid differences are coincident with the positions of 10 differences found between two subgroup B virus env gene sequences. These 10 sites identify seven domains in the sequence which may constitute determinants of type-specific antigenicity. Using a molecular recombinant, we demonstrated that type-specific neutralization of two subgroup A viruses was associated with the gp85-coding domain of the virus.     

甘蓝型油菜PGK基因的克隆与表达分析

为研究甘蓝型油菜磷酸甘油酸激酶(PGK)基因表达特性,在对拟南芥PGK基因家族生物信息学分析的基础上,通过电子克隆方法获得3个甘蓝型油菜PGK基因(BnPGK1、BnPGK2、BnPGK3)。分别设计特异引物,以甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系09A和保持系09B的cDNA为模板克隆BnPGK基因全长序列。根据获得的cDNA序列设计实时荧光定量特异引物,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术,研究油菜雄性不育系与保持系PGK基因表达差异。结果显示:BnPGK基因在甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系09A和保持系09B的根、茎、叶、花蕾中均有表达,属组成性表达。除茎中的BnPGK3外,BnPGK其它基因在根、茎、叶中的表达均表现为09A高于09B,而在花蕾中均为09B高于09A,BnPGK1和BnPGK3在09B中的表达量是09A中的2倍以上。     

BmP09, a "long chain" scorpion peptide blocker of BK channels

A novel "long chain" toxin BmP09 has been purified and characterized from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch. The toxin BmP09 is composed of 66 amino acid residues, including eight cysteines, with a mass of 7721.0 Da. Compared with the B. martensi Karsch AS-1 as a Na(+) channel blocker (7704.8 Da), the BmP09 has an exclusive difference in sequence by an oxidative modification at the C terminus. The sulfoxide Met-66 at the C terminus brought the peptide a dramatic switch from a Na(+) channel blocker toaK(+) channel blocker. Upon probing the targets of the toxin BmP09 on the isolated mouse adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, where a variety of ion channels coexists, we found that the toxin BmP09 specifically blocked large conductance Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent K(+) channels (BK) but not Na(+) channels at a range of 100 nm concentration. This was further confirmed by blocking directly the BK channels encoded with mSlo1 alpha-subunits in Xenopus oocytes. The half-maximum concentration EC(50) of BmP09 was 27 nm, and the Hill coefficient was 1.8. In outside-out patches, the 100 nm BmP09 reduced approximately 70% currents of BK channels without affecting the single-channel conductance. In comparison with the "short chain" scorpion peptide toxins such as Charybdotoxin, the toxin BmP09 behaves much better in specificity and reversibility, and thus it will be a more efficient tool for studying BK channels. A three-dimensional simulation between a BmP09 toxin and an mSlo channel shows that the Lys-41 in BmP09 lies at the center of the interface and plugs into the entrance of the channel pore. The stable binding between the toxin BmP09 and the BK channel is favored by aromatic pi -pi interactions around the center.     

Autoantibodies to the core proteins of hnRNPs

A novel autoantibody reacting the the core polypeptides of hnRNP particles has been detected in the serum of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sj?gren's syndrome manifestations. Immunoblot analysis, using either rat liver or HeLa nuclear extracts as the antigen source, demonstrated that the autoantibody interacts with a specific subgroup of the core polypeptides of hnRNP particles, namely A2, B1 and B2, but not with A1, C1 and C2.     

The study of reinnervation of gastric vagus nerves after lesser curvature and fundus myotomy in cats

The aim of this study was to investigate the reinnervation of gastric vagus nerves after lesser curvature and fundus myotomy (LCFM) in cats. After injection of the retrogradely tracing agent horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the stomach wall along the predicted line of LCFM, the neuronal cell bodies of the afferent and efferent fibers were well-defined in both the nodose ganglia (NG) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMNx), respectively. The animals were divided into three subgroups. After LCFM, at intervals of 0 day, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, respectively, they were processed for a HRP histochemical study in both subgroups A and B. In subgroup A, HRP was directly injected into both sides of the stomach wall distal to the dissecting plane of LCFM. A further corpoantral circumferential myotomy (CACM) was performed in subgroup B to eliminate the possibility of collateral sprouting via antropyloric vagus innervation before applying HRP to the same sites as those of subgroup A. Both LCFM and CACM with an overlapping suture were performed in subgroup C, and HRP was then injected into sites similar to those of subgroup A on the twelfth postoperative week. HRP-labeled cells were found in the NG on the sixth week and in the DMNx on the eighth week in subgroups A and B. The labeled cells increased in number until the twelfth week in both subgroups A and B. However, cells found in subgroup A were always more numerous than those found in subgroup B in both the NG and DMNx at equivalent time intervals. No labeled cell was found in the NG or DMNx in subgroup C during the 12 week study period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effectiveness of Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Children Estimated by a Test-Negative Case-Control Design Study Based on Influenza Rapid Diagnostic Test Results

We assessed vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza in children 6 months to 15 years of age in 22 hospitals in Japan during the 2013–14 season. Our study was conducted according to a test-negative case-control design based on influenza rapid diagnostic test (IRDT) results. Outpatients who came to our clinics with a fever of 38°C or over and had undergone an IRDT were enrolled in this study. Patients with positive IRDT results were recorded as cases, and patients with negative results were recorded as controls. Between November 2013 and March 2014, a total of 4727 pediatric patients (6 months to 15 years of age) were enrolled: 876 were positive for influenza A, 66 for A(H1N1)pdm09 and in the other 810 the subtype was unknown; 1405 were positive for influenza B; and 2445 were negative for influenza. Overall VE was 46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39–52). Adjusted VE against influenza A, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and influenza B was 63% (95% CI, 56–69), 77% (95% CI, 59–87), and 26% (95% CI, 14–36), respectively. Influenza vaccine was not effective against either influenza A or influenza B in infants 6 to 11 months of age. Two doses of influenza vaccine provided better protection against influenza A infection than a single dose did. VE against hospitalization influenza A infection was 76%. Influenza vaccine was effective against influenza A, especially against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, but was much less effective against influenza B.     

2009年云南省2株肠道病毒71型分离株全基因组序列遗传特性分析

对2009年云南省肠道病毒71型分离株KMM09和KM186-09进行全基因组序列测序,并与我国及其它国家流行的EV71基因型进行比较和进化分析。KMM09和KM186-09基因组长为7 409bp,编码2 193个氨基酸,VP1系统进化分析显示2009年云南分离株属于C4基因型的C4a亚型。在结构区,与其它基因型相比较,C基因型之间的核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性高于其它基因型;而在非结构区,C4与B基因型和CA16原型株G10同源性高于其它C基因亚型。通过RDP3重组软件和blast比对分析,发现EV71C4基因型与B3基因型,与CA16原型株G10的基因组在非结构区存在重组。EV71全基因组序列的比较和分析,对了解引起我国手足口病暴发或流行C4基因亚型EV71毒株的遗传特性具有重要意义。     

Virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila to channel catfish Ictaluras punctatus fingerlings in the presence and absence of bacterial extracellular products

We investigated the virulence of three 2009 west Alabama isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila (AL09-71, AL09-72 and AL09-73) to channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fingerlings (4.6 +/- 1.3 g) in the presence and absence of extracellular products (ECPs) from overnight bacterial culture using both bath immersion and intraperitoneal injection routes. At a concentration of 1.65 x 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU) ml(-1), AL09-73 without its ECPs killed 100% of the catfish fingerlings within 2 h by bath immersion. However, at a similar concentration, AL09-73 in the presence of its ECPs killed only 23 +/- 6% catfish fingerlings. The absence of ECPs in the bath immersion experiment also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the virulence of AL09-71, AL09-72, and AL98-C1B, a 1998 Alabama strain of A. hydrophila, suggesting that the virulence of the 4 A. hydrophila isolates was mainly due to bacterial cells, not to their overnight ECPs. Filter-sterilized ECPs failed to kill any catfish by bath immersion or injection. The virulence order of the 4 A. hydrophila isolates, by both bath immersion and intraperitoneal injection, was: AL09-73 > or = AL09-71 > AL09-72 > or = AL98-C1B. At 2 h post bath immersion, all 4 isolates of A. hydrophila were found in all tissues studied (skin, intestine, liver, spleen, kidney, gill and brain), with the highest bacteria count being in the gill and kidney.     

Meta-analysis demonstrates that the NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene 609 C>T polymorphism is associated with increased gastric cancer risk in Asians

The association between the NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene C609T polymorphism and gastric cancer has been widely evaluated, yet with conflicting results. Data were available from seven study populations involving 2600 subjects. Overall, comparison of alleles 609T and 609C indicated a significantly increased risk (46%) for gastric cancer (95% confidence interval (95%CI) for odds ratio (OR) = 1.20-1.79) in individuals with the T allele. The tendency was increased in the homozygous comparison (609TT versus 609CC), with an OR = 2.04 (95%CI = 1.37-3.05). Stratified analysis by study design demonstrated stronger associations in population-based studies than in hospital-based studies, based on OR. Ethnicity-based analysis demonstrated a significant association in Asians but not in Caucasians. Additionally, in the subgroup analyses by the type of gastric cancer, a significantly increased risk was found with all genetic models in the gastric adenocarcinoma subgroup compared to the others. We conclude that the NQO1 gene C609T polymorphism increases the risk for gastric cancer, especially in Asian populations.     

The collagen repeat sequence is a determinant of the degree of herpesvirus saimiri STP transforming activity

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is divided into three subgroups, A, B, and C, based on sequence divergence at the left end of genomic DNA in which the saimiri transforming protein (STP) resides. Subgroup A and C strains transform primary common marmoset lymphocytes to interleukin-2-independent growth, whereas subgroup B strains do not. To investigate the nononcogenic phenotype of the subgroup B viruses, STP genes from seven subgroup B virus isolates were cloned and sequenced. Consistent with the lack of oncogenic activity of HVS subgroup B viruses, STP-B was deficient for transforming activity in rodent fibroblast cells. Sequence comparison reveals that STP-B lacks the signal-transducing modules found in STP proteins of the other subgroups, collagen repeats and an authentic SH2 binding motif. Substitution mutations demonstrated that the lack of collagen repeats but not an SH2 binding motif contributed to the nontransforming phenotype of STP-B. Introduction of the collagen repeat sequence induced oligomerization of STP-B, resulting in activation of NF-kappaB activity and deregulation of cell growth control. These results demonstrate that the collagen repeat sequence is a determinant of the degree of HVS STP transforming activity.     

Expression of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene in human cells under the control of early adenovirus subgroup C promoters: effect of E1A gene products from other subgroups on gene expression

A hierarchy of dominance has been observed in HeLa cells co-infected with two serotypes of adenovirus belonging to different subgroups. DNA replication and late protein synthesis of one serotype are inhibited by those of the other. The degree of inhibitory effect has the following decreasing order: adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) and Ad7 (subgroup B), Ad9 (D), Ad4 (E), Ad12 (A), Ad2 and Ad5 (C) [Delsert and D'Halluin, Virus Res. 1 (1984) 365-380]. HeLa cells were first transfected with recombinant plasmids carrying Ad5 E2A or E3 promoters fused to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene (cat), and then infected with human Ad belonging to different subgroups. All the serotypes tested were found to be able to stimulate both E2A and E3 promoters. When HeLa cells were co-transfected with either of the previous plasmids, plus a second plasmid carrying the Ad3 E1A region, the same stimulatory effect was observed. However, an inhibitory effect on Ad5 E2A and E3 promoters seemed to occur when both Ad2 E1A (subgroup C) and Ad3 E1A (subgroup B) genes were present together. To determine which one of the early products was responsible for the observed repression effect, and to assign the target on the genome of subgroup C Ad, a plasmid was constructed in which the sequences at the 5' end of the Ad2 E1A region were fused to the structural sequences of the cat gene. In HeLa cells transfected with this plasmid, CAT activity was significantly increased after co-transfection with a plasmid carrying the Ad2 E1A region, but decreased with a plasmid carrying the Ad3 E1A region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)