Isolation of nitrogen deregulated mutants of erythromycin biosynthesis

Summary Ammonium represses erythromycin synthesis bySaccharopolyspora erythraea and insensitive mutants to this effect were isolated. Six mutants were selected and one of them produces 50% more antibiotic than the wild type in 100 mM NH₄Cl as nitrogen source. Glutamine synthetase and alanine dehydrogenase levels in the mutants were determined and no differences with wild type strain were observed.     

Knowledge-based simulation of DNA metabolism: prediction of enzyme action

We have developed a knowledge-based simulation of DNA metabolismthat accurately predicts the actions of enzymes on DNA undera large number of environmental conditions. Previous simulationsof enzyme systems rely predominantly on mathematical models.We use a frame-based representation to model enzymes, substratesand conditions. Interactions between these objects are expressedusing production rules and an underlying truth maintenance system.The system performs rapid inference and can explain its reasoning.A graphical interface provides access to all elements of thesimulation, including object representations and explanationgraphs. Predicting enzyme action is the first step in the developmentof a large knowledge base to envision the metabolic pathwaysof DNA replication and repair. Received on February 1, 1990; accepted on October 2, 1990     

Cloning, sequencing and mutational analysis of the cytochrome c552 gene (cycB) from Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 110

We report the cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of the cytochrome c552 gene (cycB) of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 110. The gene was identified with help of an oligonucleotide that was designed on the basis of the amino acid sequence determined for purified cytochrome c552 of B. japonicum strain CC705. The cycB gene product has an N-terminal 23-amino acid signal peptide that is missing in the mature cytochrome c552 protein. A B. japonicum cycB insertion mutant was constructed which had no observable phenotypic defects in denitrification and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Thus, the function of c552 remains unknown.     

Multiple xylanases of Cellulomona fimi are encoded by distinct genes

Cellulomonas fimi genomic DNA encoding xylanase activity has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. As judged by DNA hybridization and restriction analysis, twelve xylanase-positive clones carried a minimum of four different xylanase (xyn) genes. The encoded enzymes were devoid of cellulase activity but three of the four bound to Avicel.     

The role of the epidermal growth factor-1 and hydrophobic stack domains of human factor IX in binding to endothelial cells.

To determine the function and specificity in factor IX of the first epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain and the eight-amino acid hydrophobic stack encoded by exon C (residues 39-46), these domains were replaced by the corresponding polypeptide regions of factor X and chimeric proteins were produced in human embryo kidney cells. Both chimeras were activated by factor XIa at a rate similar to plasma factor IX and exhibited calcium-dependent fluorescence quenching similar to plasma factor IX. Both chimeras competed equally for binding to the endothelial cell receptor. Our findings make it unlikely that the first EGF-like domain or the hydrophobic stack of factor IX are responsible for the specific binding of factor IX to its endothelial cell receptor.     

Efficient expression of a Trypanosoma cruzi antigen in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and its rapid purification

A Trypanosoma cruzi antigen gene was closed into a fusion vector based on the IgG binding domain of Staphylococcus aureus protein A. This vector transformed into Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus and produced about 12 mg fusion protein/l culture. In E. coli, the product remained intracellular while in S. aureus it was excreted into the growth medium. The hybrid protein was purified by IgG Sepharose affinity chromatography. The presence of a cleavage site for enterokinase between protein A and the T. cruzi antigen in the fusion protein allowed the efficient release of the unfused antigen by enzymatic treatment. Further affinity chromatography through IgG Sepharose resulted in the production of the T. cruzi antigen free of protein A.The authors are with the Department of Molecular Genetics, BioSidus S.A., Constitución 4234, 1254, Buenos Aires, Argentina.     

Gene mapping in marsupials: Detection of an ancient autosomal gene cluster

The genes HRAS, HBB, and CAT, which are located together on the short arm of human chromosome 11, appear to be part of a conserved synteny group found in many eutherian mammals. These genes were mapped to the chromosomes of two marsupial (metatherian) species by in situ hybridization. All three genes were located together on chromosome 3 in Macropus eugenii. Only HRAS and CAT were used to probe Dasykaluta rosamondae metaphases and these genes both mapped to chromosome 4. This suggests that the HRAS-HBB-CAT gene cluster has been conserved at least since the metatherians and eutherians diverged some 130 million years ago. These findings support the concept of a mammalian genome that has remained highly conserved throughout evolution.