Mouse Chromosome 7

Chair of Committee for Mouse Chromosome 7     

Altered aggregational properties in a genetic variant of human glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase

The Tel Hashomer variant of human G6PD migrates as two prominent components during electrophoresis in several gel systems in which red cell G6PD from other males migrates predominantly as a single band. Since human males normally have but one X-chromosome, the extra band of this variant seemed an exception to earlier biochemical and genetic observations suggesting that human red cell G6PD is determined by a locus on the X chromosome. Results of the present studies indicate that the Tel Hashomer variant is unusually susceptible to the formation of a complex which has a higher molecular weight than normal G6PD and which represents the slow electrophoretic component. The conditions of formation and disruption of this complex in crude and purified Tel Hashomer preparations suggest that it results from the formation of disulfide bridges between molecules of Tel Hashomer G6PD.Supported by U.S. Public Health Service Research Grants AM-11065 and FR-5406 and Research Career Development Award 5 K3 AM 7992.     

Fractionation of native and denatured transforming deoxyribonucleic acid from Bacillus subtilis

1. Native DNA from Bacillus subtilis was fractionated by stepwise elution from methylated albumin, the transforming activity being confined to two out of four fractions. Partial separation of DNA active in transformation for the arginine marker from that showing activity for the histidine and tryptophan markers was achieved. 2. Partial denaturation of DNA at 90 degrees and 93.5 degrees resulted in the preferential destruction of transforming activity for the histidine and tryptophan markers. 3. Denaturation of DNA at 100 degrees followed by chromatography on methylated albumin yielded five fractions, two of which exhibited residual activity. Redenaturation at 100 degrees resulted in the interconversion of four out of the five fractions. Redenaturation of fractions labelled with (15)N and (2)H suggested the presence of a specific component that did not readily take part in the interconversions.     

The Tol-Pal system of Acinetobacter baumannii is important for cell morphology,antibiotic resistance and virulence

International Microbiology - Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic human pathogen that has become a global threat to healthcare institutions. This Gram-negative bacterium is one of the most...     

A Mycobacterium leprae-specific gene encoding an immunologically recognized 45 kDa protein

By screening a Mycobacterium leprae lambda gt11 expression library with a serum from an Ethiopian lepromatous leprosy (LL) patient a clone was isolated (LL4) belonging to hybridization group III of a panel of previously isolated M. leprae clones. Members of this hybridization group encode a serologically recognized 45 kDa protein. The complete DNA sequences of the partially overlapping clones LL4 and L1 (hybridization group III) are presented and these revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF) predicting a protein with a molecular size of 42 448 Da. Southern hybridizations on total genomic DNA of M. Ieprae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and eight atypical mycobacteria showed that the LL4 DNA fragment is specific for M. Ieprae DNA even under low-stringency conditions. The M. Ieprae specificity of LL4 DNA was further confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction using four different sets of primers. Western blotting analyses showed that the M. Ieprae 45 kDa protein is frequently recognized by antibodies from leprosy patients and that this recognition is specific since no antibodies could be detected in sera of tuberculosis patients. T-cell proliferation assays also demonstrated T-cell recognition by leprosy patients and healthy contacts of the M. Ieprae 45 kDa protein. The specificity of the LL4 DNA region and the 45 kDa antigen that is encoded by hybridization group III could provide unique tools for the development of M. Ieprae-specific immunological and DNA reagents.     

A study of the relative incidence of different Pseudomonas groups on meat using a computer-assisted identification technique employing only carbon source tests

A computer-assisted probabilistic identification technique employing 18 carbon source utilization tests has been developed and applied to 787 Pseudomonas strains isolated from beef, pork and lamb stored under aerobic conditions. Seven hundred and twelve (89.7%) were identified using these tests alone and a further six (0.8%) with extra tests. Taxa detected were Ps. fragi cluster 2, 390 strains (49.6% of all isolates); Ps. fragi cluster 1, 191 strains (24.9%); meat cluster 3, 87 strains (11.1%); Ps. fluorescens biotype I, 31 strains (3.9%); Ps. fluorescens biotype III, 7 strains (0.9%); and Ps. putida , 1 strain (0.1%). The relative incidence of members of the various taxa was similar on beef, pork and lamb, and was unaffected by storage temperature in the range 0°–10°C. Each taxon was also detected at similar rates before and after spoilage. Meat origin (abattoir) affected the frequency of detection of meat cluster 3 and Ps. fluorescens biotype I strains but did not affect the incidence of detection of either cluster of Ps. fragi.