Nucleotide sequence and expression of nifHD from Frankia strain EuIKl, a symbiont of Elaeagnus umbellata

Nucleotide sequences of nif HD from Frankia strain EuIKl were determined and analysed. The 3.2-kb and 5.5-kb Bam HI fragments of a genomic clone were previously shown to contain nif HD-like sequences and to be contiguous, based on hybridization experiments and partial sequencing data. Sequence analysis of about 3.0 kb from these fragments revealed two open reading frames and beginning of a third in the same orientation, each of which showed high degree of sequence homology with nif H, nif D and nif K, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the nif H ORF, consisting of 861 bp, showed sequence similarity of about 91% with those of other Frankia strains, whereas that of nif D ORF, consisting of 1458 bp, showed about 85% similarity. Intergenic sequence between nif H and nif D was 45 bp and between nif D and nif K was 61 bp. The 5'of nif H revealed putative Shine-Dalgarno sequences; however, a sequence resembling a typical nif -promoter or NifA binding site was not found. Northern hybridization of RNA from the nodules showed that nif HDK were transcribed into a polycistronic mRNA in the symbiont of Elaeagnus umbellata .     

Immunogold localization of hydrogenase in free-living Frankia CpI1

Abstract The free-living Frankia strain CpI1 cultured under nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing conditions was investigated for occurrence of hydrogenase protein by Western blots. Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytological labelling were used to study the distribution of hydrogenase in the Frankia strain.
Western immunoblots revealed that a 72-kDa protein in the Frankia strain CpI1 was immunologically related to the large subunit of a dimeric hydrogenase purified from Alcaligenes latus . Immunolocalization showed that the hydrogenase protein is located both in vesicles and hyphae in Frankia strain CpI1 grown in a nitrogen-free medium. Earlier reports that nitrogenase is localized in the vesicles [1,2], together with this finding, point out a possible role for hydrogenase in increasing relative efficiency of nitrogen fixation. In CpI1 grown in media containing nitrogen (lacking vesicles), the enzyme was evenly distributed in the hyphae. The impact of this result has to be further analysed.     

Nitrogenase is restricted to the vesicles in Frankia strain EAN1pec

The presence of nitrogenase in vesicles and hyphae of Frankia EAN1pec was investigated by using immunogold labelling on ultrathin cryosections for electron microscopy. These studies resulted in the specific labelling of nitrogenase in the vesicles of nitrogen-fixing cultures. No significant label could be found in the hyphae, indicating a strong repression of nitrogenase in the hyphae.     

Nickel is essential for active hydrogenase in free-living Frankia isolated from Casuarina

Five free-living Frankia strains isolated from Casuarina were investigated for occurrence of hydrogenase activity. Nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) and hydrogen evolution were also evaluated. Acetylene reduction was recorded in all Frankia strains. None of the Frankia strains had any hydrogenase activity when grown on nickel-depleted medium and they released hydrogen in atmospheric air. After addition of nickel to the medium, the Frankia strains were shown to possess an active hydrogenase, which resulted in hydrogen uptake but no hydrogen evolution. The hydrogenase activity in Frankia strain KB5 increased from zero to 3.86 μ mol H₂ (mg protein)⁻¹ h⁻¹ after addition of up to 1.0 μ M Ni. It is likely that the hydrogenase activity could be enhanced even more as a response on further addition of Ni. It is indicated in this study that absence of hydrogenase activity in free-living Frankia isolated from Casuarina spp. is due to nickel deficiency. Frankia living in symbiosis with Casuarina spp. show hydrogenase activity. Therefore, the results also indicate that the hydrogenase to some extent is regulated by the host plant and/or that the host plant supplies the symbiotic microorganism with nickel. Moreover, the result shows that this Frankia is somewhat different from Frankia isolated from Alnus incana and Comptonia peregrina ., i.e., Frankia isolated from A. incana and C. peregrina showed a small hydrogen uptake activity even without addition of nickel.     

Nitrogenase activity decay and energy supply in Frankia after addition of ammonium to the host plant Alnus incana

A clone of Alnus incana (L.) Moench was grown in symbiosis with a local source of Frankia or with Frankia Ar14. Seven to 9-week-old plants were given 20 m M NH₄Cl (20 m M KCl = control) for 3 days. Nitrogenase activity of intact plants decreased gradually within the 3 days of treatment to about 10% of the initial rates. Hydrogen evolution in air and total nitrogenase activity responded similarly to the treatment. Relative efficiency of nitrogenase thus remained the same throughout the study period. Control plants were not affected. Measurements of nitrogenase activity in root nodule homogenates (in vitro measurements) indicated loss of active nitrogenase rather than shortage of energy for nitrogenase activity in Frankia from ammonium-treated plants. Shoots were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ and translocation of ¹⁴C to Frankia vesicle clusters prepared from root nodules was studied. Frankia vesicle clusters from ammonium-treated plants contained about half as much ¹⁴C as those of control plants during all 3 days studied. One explanation for the observed effects is that a reduced supply of carbon to Frankia vesicles in the root nodules caused a reduced metabolic rate, including reduced protein synthesis and synthesis of nitrogenase.     

Bone strain magnitude is correlated with bone strain rate in tetrapods: implications for models of mechanotransduction

Hypotheses suggest that structural integrity of vertebrate bones is maintained by controlling bone strain magnitude via adaptive modelling in response to mechanical stimuli. Increased tissue-level strain magnitude and rate have both been identified as potent stimuli leading to increased bone formation. Mechanotransduction models hypothesize that osteocytes sense bone deformation by detecting fluid flow-induced drag in the bone''s lacunar–canalicular porosity. This model suggests that the osteocyte''s intracellular response depends on fluid-flow rate, a product of bone strain rate and gradient, but does not provide a mechanism for detection of strain magnitude. Such a mechanism is necessary for bone modelling to adapt to loads, because strain magnitude is an important determinant of skeletal fracture. Using strain gauge data from the limb bones of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, we identified strong correlations between strain rate and magnitude across clades employing diverse locomotor styles and degrees of rhythmicity. The breadth of our sample suggests that this pattern is likely to be a common feature of tetrapod bone loading. Moreover, finding that bone strain magnitude is encoded in strain rate at the tissue level is consistent with the hypothesis that it might be encoded in fluid-flow rate at the cellular level, facilitating bone adaptation via mechanotransduction.     

Phosphatase PTEN is inactivated in bovine aortic endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain

Hemodynamic forces, including cyclic strain (CS) and shear stress (SS), have been recognized as important modulators of vascular cell morphology and function. PTEN (also known as MMAC1/TEP1) is a lipid phosphatase that leads to a decrease in intracellular phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate (PIP3) and therefore can modulate the stimulating effect of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). In this study, we focused on the upstream regulators of the PI3K-Akt pathway by assessing Akt, PTEN, casein kinase 2 (CK2) (a kinase that catalyzes phosphorylation of PTEN), and PI3K activity in endothelial cells (EC) exposed to CS. The activity of phospho-PTEN (n = 4) and phospho-CK2 (n = 4) increased in a time-dependent fashion, reaching maximal activity by 10 min of CS stimulation. The peak of phospho-Akt activity (n = 4) occurred later, at 60 min. Akt activity was altered by transfection of EC with dominant negative PTEN plasmids. Furthermore, CS increased PIP3 immunoreactivity in a time-dependent manner, reaching maximal activity after 60 min of CS stimulation, and these effects were affected by transfection of EC with dominant negative PTEN plasmids. Inhibition of PTEN activity had no effect on CS-mediated cell proliferation but inhibited CS-mediated suppression of apoptosis.     

Loss of secreted hemolysin activity in the mutant strain Hsb. 1 is due to a lesion in a plasmid copy number locus

Further studies have been carried out on mutation hsb which was previously suggested to block hemolysin secretion (Mu?oa et al., 1988, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 56: 167-172). We show that the reported reduction in the extracellular hemolytic activity of mutant Hsb. 1 is due to lower hemolysin synthesis and that this is itself a consequence of a decrease in plasmid copy number. We suggest that the hsb is identical to the pcnB lesion located at minute 3.6 of the chromosome.     

The effect of mechanical strain on hyaluronan metabolism in embryonic fibrocartilage cells

The development of the synovial joint cavity between the cartilage anlagen of the long bones is thought to be mediated by differential matrix synthesis at the developing articular surfaces. In addition, many studies have shown that removal of movement-induced mechanical stimuli from developing diarthrodial joints prevents cavity formation or produces a secondary fusion of previously cavitated joints. Herein, we describe an inductive influence of mechanical strain on hyaluronan metabolism and the expression of hyaluronan-binding proteins in cultured cells isolated from the articular surface of the distal tibial condyles of 18-day chick embryos. The effect of 10 min of mechanical strain on hyaluronan release into culture media, intracellular uridine diphospho-glucose dehydrogenase activity (an enzyme required for hyaluronan saccharide precursor production), cell surface hyaluronan-binding protein expression and HA synthase mRNA expression were analysed up to 24 h later. Six hours after the application of strain, there was a significant increase in the accumulation of hyaluronan released into tissue culture media by strained fibrocartilage cells compared with controls, an effect still detectable after 24 h. Strained cells also showed increased activity for uridine diphospho-glucose dehydrogenase and expressed higher levels of the hyaluronan-binding protein CD44 at 24 h. In addition, at 24 h mRNA for HA synthase 2 was expressed in all samples whereas mRNA for HA synthase 3 was only expressed in strained cells. These results further highlight the role for movement-induced stimuli in differential extracellular matrix metabolism during joint development and also show that strain may facilitate differential HA synthase gene expression.     

Genetic analysis of glyphosate tolerance in Halomonas variabilis strain HTG7

Summary A highly glyphosate-tolerant bacterium strain HTG₇ was isolated from glyphosate-polluted soil in north China, and identified as Halomonas variabilis. It was a Gram-negative motile rod giving convex colony. The strain HTG₇ could tolerate up to 900 mM glyphosate in minimal medium. The 16S rDNA sequence was amplified by PCR using universal primers. The region essential for glyphosate tolerance was localized to a 3.5-kb fragment from a cosmid library of HTG₇. The DNA fragment consisted of one complete open reading frame (ORF) and one partial ORF. The partial ORF was homologous to prephenate dehydrogenase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. The complete ORF contained the tyrA and aroA genes. Only the 1.35-kb aroA encoding EPSP synthase conferred glyphosate tolerance, and complemented with E. coli aroA mutant ER2799. E. coli JM109 harboring aroA grew well in Mops supplemented with 80 mM glyphosate.     

Distribution of gymnostoma spp. microsymbiotic frankia strains in new caledonia is related to soil type and to host-plant species

The diversity of the Frankia strains that are naturally in symbiosis with plants belonging to the Gymnostoma genus in New Caledonia was investigated. A direct molecular characterization of DNA extracted from nodules was performed, followed by characterization by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the ribosomal rrs-rrl (16S-23S) intergenic spacer (IGS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified region. Seventeen different patterns were identified among the 358 microsymbiotic strains studied in the eight species of host plant present in New Caledonia. This genotypical approach permitted us to show that a large diversity existed among the patterns and that these did not exhibit a strict specificity to any host-plant species comparable with that previously found in the Casuarina and Allocasuarina symbioses in Australia. Despite this lack of specificity, a correspondence analysis nevertheless showed that the distribution of these patterns was related to soil type and to host-plant species. Furthermore, several Frankia strains were exclusively associated with the ultramafic soils.     

Mouse strain differences in autonomic responses to stress

In humans, anxiety disorders are often accompanied by an overactive autonomic nervous system, reflected in increased body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR). In rodents, comparable effects are found after exposure to stress. These autonomic parameters can give important information on stress and anxiety responses in mice. In the present experiments, stress reactivity of three frequently used mouse strains [129 Sv/Ev, Swiss Webster (SW) and C57 BL/6] was assessed using their autonomic stress responses. BT, HR and activity were telemetrically measured. Undisturbed circadian rhythms already showed clear differences between the mouse strains. Hereafter, autonomic responses to stressors with increasing intensity were measured. Strain differences were found in magnitude and duration of the stress responses, especially after high-intensity stressors. Generally, C57BL/6 mice showed the largest autonomic response, SW the lowest and the 129Sv/Ev the intermediate response. Interestingly, the observed ranking in autonomic stress response does not match the behavioral stress responsivity of these strains. Finally, sensitivity to the anxiolytic diazepam (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) was tested using the stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm. Pharmacological sensitivity to diazepam differed between the strains with the 129Sv/Ev being most sensitive. These studies show that simultaneous measurement of behavioral and autonomic parameters under stressful conditions contributes considerably to a better interpretation of anxiety and stress levels in mice.     

The hydrolytic activity of esterases in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is strain dependent

Ester precursors of fluorogenic or chromogenic probes are often employed in studies of yeast cell biology. This study was aimed at a comparison of the ability of several commonly used laboratory wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to hydrolyse the following model esters: fluorescein diacetate, 2-naphthyl acetate, PNPA (p-nitrophenyl acetate) and AMQI (7-acetoxy-1-methylquinolinum iodide). In all the strains, the esterase activity was localized mainly to the cytosol. Considerable differences in esterase activity were observed between various wild-type laboratory yeast strains. The phase of growth also contributed to the variation in esterase activity of the yeast. This diversity implies the need for caution in using intracellularly hydrolysed probes for a comparison of yeast strains with various genetic backgrounds.     

Association of a distinct strain of Chilli veinal mottle virus with mottling and distortion disease of Datura inoxia in India

Association of a distinct strain of Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) with severe mottling and distortion disease of Datura inoxia was investigated based on the presence of flexuous filamentous particles of ~800 × 11 nm and sequence analyses of ~1.5 kb amplicons obtained during RT-PCR from two representative samples, designated as GMT (accession JN692501) and JNP (JN624776). Both GMT and JNP isolates contained partial polyprotein gene comprising of partial nuclear inclusion b gene, complete coat protein gene and 3′ un-translated region, a hallmark gene array of genus Potyvirus. The isolates under study shared 99% nucleotide sequence identities with each other and 83–85% identities (marginal value for species demarcation recommended by ICTV) during basic local alignments and distant phylogenetic relationships with strains of ChiVMV, hence identified as isolates of a distinct strain of ChiVMV. Association of ChiVMV strain with mottling and distortion disease of D. inoxia is being reported for the first time from India.     

狂犬病病毒CTN-1V株在人二倍体细胞Walvax-2株的适应传代

目的建立狂犬病病毒固定毒CTN-1V株在人二倍体细胞Walvax-2株上的传代适应株。方法用狂犬病病毒固定毒CTN-1V株经昆明小鼠鼠脑回传后的病毒接种Walvax-2细胞,连续传代,检测各代次病毒的滴度及免疫原性。结果 CTN-1V株能较好地适应Walvax-2细胞,通过连续带毒传代至第7代,病毒滴度可达6.78 lg LD50/mL,并在第10~15代内滴度维持在7.0 lg LD50/mL以上,15~30代滴度稳定在7.0 lg LD50/mL左右。以15代适应毒株CTN-1V-HDC P15制备的疫苗原液,各项指标均符合《中华人民共和国药典》三部(2010版)的要求,疫苗效力在6.0IU/剂以上。结论所获人胚肺二倍体细胞Walvax-2株传代适应狂犬病毒固定毒株CTN-1V-HDC可用于人用狂犬病疫苗的生产开发。     

Identification of the agg1 mutation responsible for negative phototaxis in a “wild-type” strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model organism for various studies in biology. CC-124 is a laboratory strain widely used as a wild type. However, this strain is known to carry agg1 mutation, which causes cells to swim away from the light source (negative phototaxis), in contrast to the cells of other wild-type strains, which swim toward the light source (positive phototaxis). Here we identified the causative gene of agg1 (AGG1) using AFLP-based gene mapping and whole genome next-generation sequencing. This gene encodes a 36-kDa protein containing a Fibronectin type III domain and a CHORD-Sgt1 (CS) domain. The gene product is localized to the cell body and not to flagella or basal body.     

Changes in cerebral inositol-1-phosphate concentrations in LiCl-treated rats: Regional and strain differences

LiCl-induced (5 mEq/kg) regional differences in the cerebral phosphoinositide (PI) cycle were studied by measuring inositol-1-phosphate (Ins-1-P), an, intermediate in the PI cycle, in male Sprague Dawley and Han/Wistar rats by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Control Ins-1-P levels were higher frontally than caudally in both rat strains. LiCl increased Ins-1-P levels 1.8 to 7.4 fold in different, regions of brain of Sprague Dawley rats but only 1.2 to 1.8 fold in Han/Wistar rats. This strain difference offers a way to compare the effects of lithium on PI metabolism versus receptor-G protein-phospholipase C coupling mechanisms.     

Mapping of some genes involved in C-1 metabolism in the facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium sp strain AM1 (Pseudomonas AM1)

R68.45 mediated mobilisation of the chromosome of Methylobacterium sp strain AM1 has been investigated. High frequencies of cotransfer of four genes required for C-1 metabolism with the genes coding for streptomycin, phosphonomycin and cycloserine resistance were demonstrated. A preliminary map of this region has been constructed on the basis of the results of three and four factor crosses showing that not all the C-1 genes are contiguous.Abbreviations Str streptomycin - Pho phosphonomycin - Cyc cycloserine - Tc tetracycline - Km kanamycin - Cb carbenicillin - Ade adenine - Thi thiamine - Met methionine