Characterisation of Trypanosoma cruzi populations by dna polymorphism of the cruzipain gene detected by single-stranded dna conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and direct sequencing

Fifty fresh isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi from Triatoma dimidiata vectors and 31 from patients with Chagas disease were analysed for DNA polymorphisms within the 432-bp core region of the cruzipain gene which encodes the active site of cathepsin L-like cystein proteinase. The cruzipain gene showed signs of polymorphism consisting of four different DNA sequences in Central and South American isolates of T. cruzi. The PCR fragments of Guatemalan isolates could be divided into three groups, Groups 1, 2 and 3, based on different patterns of single-stranded DNA conformation polymorphism. All of the strains isolated from Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay, except for the CL strain, showed a Group 4 pattern. Two to four isolates from each group were analysed by cloning and sequencing. A silent mutation occurred between Groups 1 and 2, and five nucleotides and two aa substitutions were detected between Groups 1 and 3. The DNA sequence of Group 4 contained five nucleotides and one aa substitution from Group 1. All of the DNA sequences corresponded well with the single-stranded DNA conformation polymorphism. The Group 1 isolates, the majority in the Guatemalan population (70/81, 86.4%), were isolated from both triatomines and humans, but Group 3 were isolated only from humans. Moreover, the Group 2 isolates were detected only in triatomine vectors (9/50; 18%), but never in humans (0/32, P<0.05) suggesting that this group has an independent life-cycle in sylvatic animals and is maintained by reservoir hosts other than humans.     

Analysis of two distinct B cell activation pathways mediated by a monoclonal T helper cell. I. MHC-restricted activation of B cells by an IL 2-dependent pathway

The present study was carried out to determine whether the MHC-restricted and MHC-unrestricted B cell activation pathways mediated by a single cloned Th cell are separable, and whether these two pathways are mediated by distinct mechanisms. It was demonstrated that the two B cell activating functions of a single cloned Th cell could be separated by their sensitivity to irradiation. It was shown that MHC-restricted B cell activation is mediated by a radiosensitive Th cell function, whereas MHC-unrestricted B cell activation is mediated by a radioresistant function of the same Th cell. In addition, it was shown that recombinant IL 2 can restore or replace the radiosensitive component of MHC-restricted cognate helper function.     

Polymorphism of T-cell receptor genes among laboratory and wild mice: Diverse origins of laboratory mice

Southern blots of genomic DNA from 23 strains of laboratory mice and 19 individual wild mice were examined for restriction fragment length polymorphisms in their loci encoding the T-cell receptors (Tcr): the constant regions of the α, β, and γ chains (C _α,C _β, andC _γ) and a variable region family of the β chain (V _β8). Only a few polymorphisms were observed for each locus in the laboratory mice after using three restriction enzymes,Bam HI,Eco RI, andHind III. All the laboratory mice examined fall into one of two types for theC _α,C _β andV _β8 loci and one of three types for theC _γ. These types are found in some of the wild mice studied, indicating that they were already present in the founder mice of laboratory mouse strains. In contrast, theTcr genes are highly polymorphic among wild mice. Analysis of the polymorphisms in these loci suggests that laboratory mice have inherited their genes not only fromMus musculus domesticus, but also from other subspecies, and much more than previously believed from Asian subspecies.     

Assessment of aphid colonies by hoverflies. II pea aphids and 3 syrphid species;Betasyrphus serarius (Wiedemann),Metasyrphus frequens Matsumura andSyrphus vitripennis (Meigen) (Diptera: Syrphidae)

In the aphidophagous syrphid species,Betasyrphus serarius (Wiedemann),Metasyrphus frequens Matsumura andSyrphus vitripennis (Meigen), females in search of oviposition sites assess the qualitative and quantitative value of pea aphid colonies for securing the successful development of their offspring. They select, as their oviposition sites, young and “promising” aphid colonies consisting of nymphs and/or adult aphids including few winged adults. They neglect large, older colonies of 4th-instar nymphs and/or winged adult aphids. The 3 syrphid species adopt “buy-futures” ovipositional tactic as doesEpisyrphus balteatus (de Geer), although some tinge of “spot-transaction” is noticed inM. frequens andS. vitripennis.     

Fine-structural and immunohistochemical study of anterior pituitary cells of Snell dwarf mice

Summary Snell dwarf mice display remarkable retardation of growth after birth and are known to lack prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and growth hormone (GH). The aim of this study was to determine the reason for these hormonal deficiencies. We examined the fine structure of the gland and its immunohistochemical staining pattern with respect to antisera raised against PRL, TSH, GH, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The gland of control mice reacted immunohistochemically against all antisera used, whereas only ACTH-producing cells (ACTH cells) and LH-producing cells (LH cells) were distinguished in the dwarf mice. ACTH cells in dwarf mice varied in cell shape, although they were similar in size to those of controls. The distribution of secretory granules in the cytoplasm varied from cell to cell. LH cells in the dwarf mice showed immature features, having poorly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The cells were about half the size of controls, and secretory granules were smaller. In dwarf mice, non-granulated cells were encountered in addition to granulated ACTH and LH cells. Some of them formed small clusters, characteristic cell junctions being found between the cells; they thus appeared to be follicular cells. The above results suggest that hormone deficiency in Snell dwarf mice is a result of a defect in the hormoneproducing cells in the gland.     

Effects of antipyretics and anticancer drug on human cells at high temperature condition

The effects of antifebriles and anticancer drug on human vascular endothelial cells (HVE) and several cultured human cells were investigated. The HVE were isolated from umbilical cord veins by enzyme treatment and cultured successively in aerated synthetic medium, RPMI-1640, with 20% preclostrum new born calf serum. The presence of factor VIII antigen in the HVE was determined by enzyme-labeled antibody method. Cell count and protein amount were examined at regular intervals. At 3 hour-expose, sulpyrine was more toxic to the cultured cells than aspirin at 37 degrees C. The cytotoxicity of sulpyrine was markedly enhanced at 40 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. However, there was no enhancement in the cytotoxicity of aspirin at 40 degrees C. Cultured HVE and normal human fetal lung (HAIN-55) cells at 37 degrees C were sensitive to sulpyrine, and their sensitivity of the cells to the drug were markedly enhanced when they were incubated at 41 degrees C. In contrast, sensitivity of malignant human cells (HeLa cells) to sulpyrine was not found at 37 degrees C, however sensitivity of the cells to the drug was manifested at 41 degrees C of incubation. There was no effect of 5-fluorouracil (FU) on the growth of HVE and HAIN-55 cells at 41 degrees C, while HeLa cells showed high susceptibility to FU at the same temperature. The results showed the possibility that normal human cells may be sensitive to antifebrile drugs but not to anticancer drug at ordinary and high temperature, whereas malignant human cell may be susceptible to both antifebrile drugs and anticancer drug at high temperature.     

Deletion analysis of the Taka-amylase A gene promoter using a homologous transformation system in Aspergillus oryzae.

The Taka-amylase A gene (amyB) of Aspergillus oryzae is induced by starch or maltose. The molecular mechanism of the induction was investigated using a fusion of the amyB promoter and the Escherichia coli uidA gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS). To identify the region responsible for high-level expression and regulation within the amyB promoter, a series of deletion promoters was constructed and introduced into the A. oryzae met locus by homologous recombination. Deletion of the region between -377 to -290 (the number indicates the distance in base pairs from the translation initiation point (+1) to the deletion end point) significantly reduced of the GUS activity, but slight reduction of the GUS activity was observed in deletions up to -377. Northern blot analysis showed that reduction of the GUS activity depended upon the expression level of the GUS gene. The region between -377 to -290 is suggested to include the sequence required directly for high-level expression and regulation of the amyB gene.     

Construction of a fusion gene comprising the Taka-amylase A promoter and the Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase gene and analysis of its expression in Aspergillus oryzae

Summary Northern blot analysis of glucose-grown and starch-grown mycelia of Aspergillus oryzae R11340 was conducted using the cloned Taka-amylase A (TAA) gene as a probe. The amount of mRNA homologous to the TAA gene was increased when this fungus was grown with starch as a sole carbon source. In order to analyze the induction mechanism, we inserted the Escherichia coli uidA gene encoding -glucuronidase (GUS) downstream of the TAA promoter and introduced the resultant fusion gene into the A. oryzae genome. Production of a functional GUS protein was induced by starch, but not by glucose. When the effects of various sugars on expression of the fusion gene were examined, the results suggested that the expression of the fusion gene was under control of the TAA gene promoter.