Characterization of 13 newly isolated strains of anaerobic, cellulolytic, thermophilic bacteria

Characteristics of 13 newly isolated thermophilic, anaerobic, and cellulolytic strains were compared with previously described strains of Clostridium thermocellum: ATCC 27405 and JW20 (ATCC 31549). Colony morphology, antibiotic sensitivity, fermentation end-products, and cellulose degradation were documented. All 13 strains were sensitive to erythromycin (5 μg/ml) and chloramphenicol (25 μg/ml), and all strains but one were sensitive to kanamycin (20 μg/ml). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using primers based on gene sequences from C. thermocellum ATCC 27405 was successful for all 13 strains in the case of the hydrogenase gene and 11 strains in the case of phosphotransacetylase/acetate kinase genes. Ten strains amplified a product of the expected size with primers developed to be specific for C. thermocellum 16SrRNA primers. Two of the 13 strains did not amplify any product with the PCR primers designed for the phosphotransacetylase/acetate kinase and 16SrRNA primers. A MboI-like GATC- recognizing restriction activity was present in all of the five strains examined. The results of this study have several positive implications with respect to future development of a transformation system for cellulolytic thermophiles. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 275–280. Received 12 September 2000/ Accepted in revised form 20 November 2000     

Localization of a gene (MCUL1) for multiple cutaneous leiomyomata and uterine fibroids to chromosome 1q42.3-q43

Dominant transmission of multiple uterine and cutaneous smooth-muscle tumors is seen in the disorder multiple leiomyomatosis (ML). We undertook a genomewide screen of 11 families segregating ML and found evidence for linkage to chromosome 1q42.3-q43 (maximum multipoint LOD score 5.40). Haplotype construction and analysis of recombinations permitted the minimal interval containing the locus, which we have designated "MCUL1," to be refined to an approximately 14-cM region flanked by markers D1S517 and D1S2842. Allelic-loss studies of tumors indicated that MCUL1 may act as a tumor suppressor. Identification of MCUL1 should have wide interest, since this gene may harbor low-penetrance variants predisposing to the common form of uterine fibroids and/or may undergo somatic mutation in sporadic leiomyomata.     

Interactions of Photobleaching and Inorganic Nutrients in Determining Bacterial Growth on Colored Dissolved Organic Carbon

Abstract Bacteria are key organisms in the processing of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in aquatic ecosystems. Their growth depends on both organic substrates and inorganic nutrients. The importance of allochthonous DOC, usually highly colored, as bacterial substrate can be modified by photobleaching. In this study, we examined how colored DOC (CDOC) photobleaching, and phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) availability, affect bacterial growth. Five experiments were conducted, manipulating nutrients (P and N) and sunlight exposure. In almost every case, nutrient additions had a significant, positive effect on bacterial abundance, production, and growth efficiency. Sunlight exposure (CDOC photobleaching) had a significant, positive effect on bacterial abundance and growth efficiency. We also found a significant, positive interaction between these two factors. Thus, bacterial use of CDOC was accelerated under sunlight exposure and enhanced P and N concentrations. In addition, the accumulation of cells in sunlight treatments was dependent on nutrient availability. More photobleached substrate was converted into bacterial cells in P- and N-enriched treatments. These results suggest nutrient availability may affect the biologically-mediated fate (new biomass vs respiration) of CDOC.     

Cerebellar neurones: Differentiation and modulation of sensitivity to excitotoxic treatment

The neurite outgrowth and adhesion complex (NOAC), isolated from rabbit sera has been dissociated in its major components by reverse-phase chromatography in HPLC by using a C₁₈ column. SDS-PAGE analisys of the active fractions revealed the presence of three major bands of approximately 100, 70 and 50 kDa. Studies on the biological activity of NOAC were carried out on rat cerebellar granule cells. NOAC-cultured cells exhibit a marked resistance to excitotoxic stimuli carried by glutamate.     

Distribution of the molossinus allele of Sry, the testis-determining gene, in wild mice

When the Y chromosome of the laboratory inbred mouse strain C57BL/6 (B6) is replaced by the Y of certain strains of Mus musculus domesticus, testis determination fails and all XY fetuses develop either as hermaphrodites or XY females (XY sex reversal). This suggests the presence of at least two alleles of Sry, the male-determining gene on the Y:M. m. domesticus and B6. The B6 Y chromosome is derived from the Japanese house mouse, M. m. molossinus and therefore carries a molossinus Sry allele. As a first step to determine how the molossinus Sry allele evolved, its distribution pattern was determined in wild mice. The cumulative data of 96 M. musculus samples obtained from 58 geographical locations in Europe, North Africa, and Asia show the molossinus Sry allele is restricted to Japan and the neighboring Asian mainland and confirm that Japanese M. m. molossinus mice were derived in part from a race of M. m. musculus from Korea or Manchuria. Sry polymorphisms, as illustrated by the molossinus Sry allele, can serve as molecular markers for studies on the evolution of wild M. musculus populations and can help determine the role sex determination plays in speciation.      

Novel plant-specific cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors induced by biotic and abiotic stresses

The EL2 gene of rice (Oryza sativa), previously classified as early response gene against the potent biotic elicitor N-acetylchitoheptaose and encoding a short polypeptide with unknown function, was identified as a novel cell cycle regulatory gene related to the recently reported SIAMESE (SIM) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana. Iterative two-hybrid screens, in vitro pull-down assays, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses showed that Orysa; EL2 binds the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) CDKA1;1 and D-type cyclins. No interaction was observed with the plant-specific B-type CDKs. The amino acid motif ELERFL was identified to be essential for cyclin, but not for CDK binding. Orysa;EL2 impaired the ability of Orysa; CYCD5;3 to complement a budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) triple CLN mutant, whereas recombinant protein inhibited CDK activity in vitro. Moreover, Orysa;EL2 was able to rescue the multicellular trichome phenotype of sim mutants of Arabidopsis, unequivocally demonstrating that Orysa;EL2 operates as a cell cycle inhibitor. Orysa;EL2 mRNA levels were induced by cold, drought, and propionic acid. Our data suggest that Orysa;EL2 encodes a new type of plant CDK inhibitor that links cell cycle progression with biotic and abiotic stress responses.     

Chromatin,gene silencing and HIV latency

One of the cellular defenses against virus infection is the silencing of viral gene expression. There is evidence that at least two gene-silencing mechanisms are used against the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). Paradoxically, this cellular defense mechanism contributes to viral latency and persistence, and we review here the relationship of viral latency to gene-silencing mechanisms.     

Five Quantitative Trait Loci Control Radiation-Induced Adenoma Multiplicity in Mom1R ApcMin/+ Mice

Ionising radiation is a carcinogen capable of inducing tumours, including colorectal cancer, in both humans and animals. By backcrossing a recombinant line of Apc^Min/+ mice to the inbred BALB/c mouse strain, which is unusually sensitive to radiation–induced tumour development, we obtained panels of 2Gy-irradiated and sham-irradiated N2 Apc^Min/+ mice for genotyping with a genome-wide panel of microsatellites at ∼15 cM density and phenotyping by counting adenomas in the small intestine. Interval and composite interval mapping along with permutation testing identified five significant susceptibility quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for radiation induced tumour multiplicity in the small intestine. These were defined as Mom (Modifier of Min) radiation-induced polyposis (Mrip1-5) on chromosome 2 (log of odds, LOD 2.8, p = 0.0003), two regions within chromosome 5 (LOD 5.2, p<0.00001, 6.2, p<0.00001) and two regions within chromosome 16 respectively (LOD 4.1, p  = 4×10⁻⁵, 4.8, p<0.00001). Suggestive QTLs were found for sham-irradiated mice on chromosomes 3, 6 and 13 (LOD 1.7, 1.5 and 2.0 respectively; p<0.005). Genes containing BALB/c specific non-synonymous polymorphisms were identified within Mrip regions and prediction programming used to locate potentially functional polymorphisms. Our study locates the QTL regions responsible for increased radiation-induced intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc^Min/+ mice and identifies candidate genes with predicted functional polymorphisms that are involved in spindle checkpoint and chromosomal stability (Bub1b, Casc5, and Bub1), DNA repair (Recc1 and Prkdc) or inflammation (Duox2, Itgb2l and Cxcl5). Our study demonstrates use of in silico analysis in candidate gene identification as a way of reducing large-scale backcross breeding programmes.