Species of Borrelia distinguished by restriction site polymorphisms in 16S rRNA genes

Abstract Three phyletic groups of Borrelia associated with Lyme disease, B. burgdorferi, B. garinii and group VS461 can be distinguished from each other and other species of Borrelia by Bfa I restriction site polymorphisms in PCR amplified 16S rRNA genes. One strain isolated from an Ixodes pacificus tick in California that was previously unclassifiable was distinguishable from B. burgdorferi by an Mnl I restriction site polymorphism.     

Opportunistic foraging strategy of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo

Rainbow lizards (Agama agama) are common in suburban areas throughout Africa, and have an opportunistic foraging strategy, with arthropods being the main prey source. In a coastal resort in southern Togo, West Africa, several individuals in a population were observed while feeding regularly upon non-natural human-made food (pizza) and showing a clear preference for a given type of food versus others that were offered (‘four cheeses’ being the preferred one). The fact that all monitored individuals fed upon a same type of pizza suggests that they may have some chemical cues attracting them.     

Characterization of a Small Family (CAIII) of Microsatellite-Containing Sequences with X-Y Homology

Four X-linked loci showing homology with a previously described Y-linked polymorphic locus (DYS413) were identified and characterized. By fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), somatic cell hybrids, and YAC screening, the X-linked members of this small family of sequences (CAIII) all map in Xp22, while the Y members map in Yq11. These loci contribute to the overall similarity of the two genomic regions. All of the CAIII loci contain an internal microsatellite of the (CA)_n type. The microsatellites display extensive length polymorphism in two of the X-linked members as well as in the Y members. In addition, common sequence variants are found in the portions flanking the microsatellites in two of the X-linked members. Our results indicate that, during the evolution of this family, length variation on the Y chromosome was accumulated at a rate not slower than that on the X chromosome. Finally, these sequences represent a model system with which to analyze human populations for similar X- and Y-linked polymorphisms. Received: 29 July 1996 / Accepted: 15 January 1997     

Preparation of coenzymic activity of soluble polyethyleneimine-bound NADP+ derivatives.

Alkylation at N-1 of the NADP+ adenine ring with 3,4-epoxybutanoic acid gave 1-(2-hydroxy-3-carboxypropyl)-NADP+. Enzymic reduction of the latter, followed by alkaline Dimroth rearrangement and enzymic reoxidation, gave N6-(2-hydroxy-3-carboxypropyl)-NADP+. On the other hand, bromination at C-8 of the NADP+ adenine ring, followed by reaction with the disodium salt of 3-mercaptroproionic acid, gave 8-(2-carboxyethylthio)-NADP+. Carbodimide coupling of the three carboxylic NADP+ derivatives to polyethyleneimine afforded the corresponding macromolecular NADP+ analogues. The carboxylic and the polyethyleneimine derivatives synthesized have been shown to be co-enzymically active with yeast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, liver glutamate dehydrogenase and yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase. The degree of efficiency relative to NADP+ with the three enzymes ranged from 17% to 100% for the carboxylic derivatives and from 1% to 36% for the polyethyleneimine analogues. On comparing the efficiences with the three enzymes of the N-1 derivatives to the one of the corresponding N6 anc C-8 analogues, the order of activity was N-1 greater than N6 greater C-8, except in the case of the carboxylic compounds with glutamate dehydrogenase, where this order was inverted. None of these modified cofactors were active with pig heart isocitrate dehydrogenase.     

Lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin: Intracellular volume and intracellular [K+]

The effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on lymphocytes was examined with respect to free intracellular water volume and intracellular [K⁺]. At a cell concentration of 30 × 10⁶ lymphocytes/ml in modified Hank's Buffered Salt Solution (HBSS) in the presence of 10% human AB serum, addition of PHA at 3 mg/ml resulted in a 24–27% decrease in free intracellular water space within 30 to 60 minutes and a return to control level after three hours. A larger change in intracellular water (44%) was observed under similar conditions in the absence of serum. The absolute intracellular K⁺ content did not change after PHA addition, but the cell water volume decrease arising from PHA addition resulted in a 29% increase in intracellular [K⁺] at 60 minutes. The decrease in lymphocyte water volume induced by PHA was also observed for concanavalin A which stimulates lymphocyte proliferation, but not for wheat germ lectin, an agglutinating agent which is not mitogenic. Thus, volume regulation may be closely associated with the mitogenicity of these compounds.     

Effect of vitamin B3-active compounds on the content of free and combined gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in the brain of mice

The bound and free GABA and glutamic acid content in the brain of F1 (CBA X C57B1/6) hybrid mice was investigated by the Eliott method. A tendency to a decrease of GABA and glutamate content in the brain with their practically constant bound/free ratio was observed 24 h after calcium-D-pantothenate injections (150 mumole/kg, 9 injections for 3 days). Calcium-D-homopantothenate injected in the same way caused a significant decrease in the GABA content, and a sharp drop of the bound/free GABA ratio. The effect is not associated with the influence of calcium ions in the composition of the injected compounds.     

The epoxide hydrolase catalyzed hydrolysis of trans-3-bromo-1,2-epoxycyclohexane. A direct proof for a general base catalyzed mechanism of the enzymatic hydration

The hydrolysis of (±)-$\text{trans}$-3-bromo-1,2-epoxycyclohexane in the presence of rabbit liver microsomes was investigated, and found to yield, beside $\text{c}$-3-bromocyclohexane-$\text{r}$-1,$\text{t}$-2-diol, 2,3-epoxycyclohexanol. It was demonstrated that the latter compound was the only product of the enzymatic reaction, whereas the diol resulted from a non enzymatic hydration in the reaction medium. These data provide the first direct proof for a general base catalysis in the enzymatic epoxide hydration, previously hypothesized on the basis of several lines of indirect evidence, and disprove alternative mechanisms involving protonation of the oxirane oxygen.     

Genetic control of effector cell characteristics: con A-induced suppressor cells carry H-2 I region encoded determinants.

Activation of splenic lymphocytes with Con A leads to the formation of suppressor cells capable of interfering with the activity of several polyclonal B-cell-activating substances. Thus, these suppressor cells, or their products, most probably act directly on B cells. Suppressor cells could be recovered from the effluent cell population of nylon wool columns, and they were absent from the spleens of athymic nude mice. Furthermore, they were absent from the thymus of normal as well as cortison-treated mice. Cortisone treatment did not abolish the formation of Con A-induced suppressor cells in the spleen. Treatment of activated suppressor cells with antisera specific for distinct products of the H-2 I region revealed that they carried I-J cell surface antigens. We conclude that the suppressor cells in our test system, which unlike other Con A-induced suppressor cell populations have a direct effect on B cells, had antigenic characteristics similar to those previously described for I-J carrying suppressor cells.