Inhibition of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase expression and function by the human cytomegalovirus ORF94 gene product

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) ORF94 gene product has been reported to be expressed during both productive and latent phases of infection, although its function is unknown. We report that expression of pORF94 leads to decreased 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) expression in transfected cells with and without interferon stimulation. Furthermore, the functional activity of OAS was inhibited by pORF94. Finally, we present evidence of OAS modulation by pORF94 during productive HCMV infection of human fibroblasts. This study provides the first identification of a function for pORF94 and identifies an additional means by which HCMV may limit a critical host cell antiviral response.     

Freshwater and estuarine fishes of the Russian Arctic coast (the Swedish–Russian Expedition 'Tundra Ecology—94')

The distribution of estuarine and freshwater fish species caught during the Swedish-Russian Expedition' Tundra Ecology–94'is presented. Thirteen sites along the Russian part of the Arctic Sea coast were sampled and a total of 21 fish species of the families Salmonidae, Coregonidae, Thymallidae, Osmeridae, Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Balitoridae, Gadidae, Gasterosteidae, Percidae, Cottidae, Pleuronectidae were recorded. Some records were new to particular basins.     

Recombinant PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) demonstrates similar linear epitope structure as natural PSP94 protein

PSP94 has the potential to be a useful diagnostic marker and therapeutic agent in prostate cancer. Recently, different immunoassay systems for quantitative analysis of PSP94 in clinical samples have been developed, but the epitope structure of PSP94 protein has not been elucidated. In this study, we report an Escherichia coli expression system for recombinant GST-PSP94 fusion protein. GST-PSP94 contains antigenic determinants similar to natural PSP94 protein (determined both by Western blotting experiments and by ELISA) and can be used to study the structure of natural PSP94 antigen. Since GST-PSP94 was expressed in E. coli and purification involved a denaturing process, we propose that the epitope structure of PSP94 is linear and largely dependent on the primary amino acid sequence, rather than conformational structure. This hypothesis was supported by reciprocal competition in ELISA among natural, GST-PSP94 fusion protein, and purified recombinant PSP94 protein. The results demonstrate that the various forms of PSP94 can compete with each other in binding to rabbit PSP94 polyclonal antibody, although the natural PSP94 has a slightly higher affinity. When natural and recombinant PSP94 protein were denatured in vitro with urea and alkali, no effect on the binding to antibody was found. The epitope activity of natural PSP94 was also shown to be resistant to the treatment of detergent and reducing agent. The location of one of the linear epitopes recognized by the PSP94 antibody was determined to be in the N-terminus by using two synthetic peptides representing N- and C-terminal sequences. Competitive ELISA between the N-terminal peptide and PSP94 protein indicate that both natural and GST-PSP94 have similar immunoactive N-termini. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The 3' 5' exonucleases

Over the past few years, several new 3' 5' exonucleases have been identified. In vitro studies of these enzymes have uncovered much about their potential functions in vivo, and certain organisms with a defect in 3' 5' exonucleases have an increased susceptibility to cancer, especially under conditions of stress. Here, we look at not only the newly discovered enzymes, but also at the roles of other 3' 5' exonucleases in the quality control of DNA synthesis, where they act as proofreading exonucleases for DNA polymerases during DNA replication, repair and recombination.     

PSP94-TNFαD11a融合基因在NIH3T3细胞中的表达及其产物活性分析

 为了分析 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合基因的表达和表达产物的生物学活性 ,将含该融合基因的质粒 pc DNA- PSP94- TNFα D1 1 a转染 NIH3T3细胞 ,72 h后收集细胞培养上清 ,并提取细胞总RNA,经 RT- PCR,得到与目的基因长度相符合的 c DNA片段 ;以 PSP94c DNA为探针 ,对 RT-PCR产物进行 Southern印迹分析 .结果表明 :转染 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合基因的 NIH3T3细胞 ,其 RT- PCR产物杂交信号为阳性 .细胞培养上清用 TNF抗体行 Western印迹和 ELISA分析 ,检测结果为阳性 .生物学活性分析表明 ,细胞培养上清不仅具有 PSP94抑制人前列腺癌细胞 PC- 3生长的活性 ,而且显示出 TNFα对 L92 9细胞的细胞毒作用 .以上结果表明 ,pc DNA- PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a质粒能够正确表达目的基因 PSP94- TNFα D1 1 a,且表达的 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合蛋白具有预期的双重生物学活性 .