Composition and structure of the antibiotic polypeptide 308-I from Actinomadura recticatena

Antibiotic 308-I isolated from Actinomadura recticatena and the products of its degradation were studied with the methods of electron impact mass spectrometry, chemical ionization with ammonia, field desorption and ion extraction from solution under atmospheric pressure. It was shown that by its composition and structure antibiotic 308-I was identical to antibiotic BBM-928 A.     

Studies on the functional significance of a C-terminal S-shaped motif in human arginase type I: essentiality for cooperative effects

The functional significance of a C-terminal S-shaped motif (residues 304-322) in human arginase I was explored by examining the kinetic properties of the R308A mutant and truncated species terminating in either Arg-308 or Ala-308. Replacement of Arg-308 with alanine, with or without truncation, yielded monomeric species. All mutants were kinetically indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme at the optimum pH of 9.5. At the more physiological, pH 7.5, hyperbolic kinetics was observed for all the mutants, in contrast with the cooperative behavior exhibited by the wild-type species. In the presence of 2 mM guanidinium chloride (Gdn⁺), the single mutant R308A changed to a trimeric and kinetically cooperative form, whereas the other enzyme variants were not altered. The S-shaped motif is suggested as essential for the cooperative response of the enzyme to l-arginine at pH 7.5. Gdn⁺ is suggested to mimic the guanidine group of Arg-308 at the monomer-monomer interface.     

Factorizing the role of a critical leucine residue in the binding of substrate to human 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C1): Molecular modeling and kinetic studies of the Leu308Val mutant enzyme

A comparison of the structures and kinetic properties of human 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C1) and its mutant enzymes (Leu308Val and Leu308Ala) indicates that Leu308 is a selectivity determinant for substrate binding. While the Leu308Val mutation improved the catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) of AKR1C1 towards the two substrates 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol (PregA) and 5β-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (PregB), the Leu308Ala mutation rendered the enzyme inactive. In the docked model of PregA the conformation of the steroid molecule was similar to that of 20α-hydroxyprogesterone in the crystal structure of the AKR1C1 complex where the steroid did not interact with the catalytic residues Tyr55 and His117. In the case of PregB the steroid interacted with the catalytic residue His117 and formed close contacts with Leu308, suggesting that the binding mechanism of 3α-hydroxysteroids in the active site of AKR1C1 is different from that of 20α-hydroxysteroids.     

Comparison of cadmium subcellular distribution in different organs of two water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) cultivars

Aims

Mechanisms of low cadmium (Cd) accumulations in cultivars of water spinach are poorly investigated. We aimed to improve understanding of the subcellular biochemical properties of the mechanisms involved.

Methods

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the subcellular distributions of Cd in lateral and main roots, stems, and young and old leaves of a high-Cd (T308) and a low-Cd cultivar (QLQ).

Results

The ratio of main root:lateral roots Cd concentration in QLQ was lower (0.34–0.35) than that in T308 (0.39–0.55). The ratio of stem:main root Cd concentration in QLQ was much lower (0.60–0.73) than that in T308 (1.19–1.58). QLQ has higher capacity to sequester Cd in cell wall fractions of main and lateral roots than T308.

Conclusions

The difference in shoot Cd concentration between QLQ and T308 is attributable to the difference in Cd translocation from lateral to main roots and from roots to the stem. Fixation of large amounts of Cd in old leaves is beneficial to protect young leaves from Cd toxicity. Cadmium immobilization by the cell wall is important in Cd detoxification, especially in main and lateral roots of QLQ and the shoot of T308.     

在中国汉族人群中,以家系传递分析肿瘤坏死因子a-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征

目的：探讨在中国汉族人群中,肿瘤坏死因子a（TNF-alpha,TNF-a）基因启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征（Tourette syndrome,TS）的遗传易感性。方法：91例TS患者及其父母组成的核心家系成员经聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengthpolymor phism,PCR-RFLP）方法进行基因分型,评估所有研究对象的TNF-a-308A/G位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率的分布,进行传递不平衡检验（transmission disequilibrium test,TDT）,单体型相对风险（haplotype-based haplotyp erelativerisk,HHRR）,单体型风险（haplotype relative riskHRR）的研究。结果：TS患者及其父母的等位基因分布经Hardy-Weinberg（H-W）平衡检验显示符合遗传平衡法则。（x2〈3.84;P〉0.05）TDT、HHRR和HRR研究结果显示该多态性位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率均不存在传递不平衡。结论：我们的数据表明肿瘤坏死因子a启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性位点不是中国汉族人群TS的易感基因位点。     

A new DNA polymerase species from Drosophila melanogaster: a probable mus308 gene product.

Harris et al. [P.V. Harris, O.M. Mazina, E.A. Leonhardt, R.B. Case, J.B. Boyd, K.C. Burtis, Molecular cloning of Drosophila mus308, a gene involved in DNA cross-link repair with homology to prokaryotic DNA polymerase I genes, Mol. Cell. Biol., 16 (1996) 5764-5771.] reported the molecular cloning of Drosophila mus308 gene, and its nucleotide and protein sequences similar to DNA polymerase I. In the present study, we attempted to find and isolate the gene product by purifying a DNA polymerase fraction not present in mus308 flies. A new DNA polymerase with properties different from those of any known polymerase species was identified and partially purified from the wild-type fly embryos through ten column chromatographies. The enzyme was resistant to aphidicolin, but sensitive to ddTTP and NEM. Human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Drosophila replication protein A (RP-A) did not affect the polymerase activity. It preferred poly(dA)/oligo(dT) as a template-primer. The molecular mass was about 230 kDa with a broad peak region of 200 to 300 kDa in HiPrep16/30 Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. These properties a different from those of all reported Drosophila polymerase classes such as alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta and closely resemble those of the gene product expected from the nucleotide sequence. The new polymerase species appears to have ATPase and 3'-5' exonuclease activities as shown by the chromatographies.     

Serological characterization of human reassortant rotaviruses.

We analyzed the serological properties of two human wild-type cell culture-adapted rotaviruses (strains 308 and 46) and of 308 X 46 reassortants which were previously obtained and genetically characterized. Strain 308, exhibiting a so-called long RNA pattern, was found to belong to human rotavirus subgroup II, serotype 1, whereas strain 46, exhibiting a so-called short RNA pattern, represented subgroup I, serotype 2. Among the 308 X 46 reassortants we analyzed, two belonged to subgroup II, serotype 1, and exhibited short RNA patterns. This showed that the correlation observed between human subgroups I and II rotaviruses and the short and long electrophoretic patterns is not supported by any molecular basis (i.e., gene segment 10 or 11 was not involved in the subgroup specificity).     

中国汉族人群肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）基因-238G/A和-308G/A多态性与强迫症的关联分析（英文）

目的：探讨在中国汉族人群中强迫症与TNF-a基因-238G/A和-308G/A多态性之间的关联。方法：我们的研究所招募的161例强迫症患者和325名健康对照中,应用PCR-RFLP比较了OCD组和对照组之间的TNF-α基因在-238G/A（rs361525）和-308G/A（rs1800629）位点的基因型和等位基因频率多态性。结果：在中国大陆汉族人群TNF-α基因的OCD组与对照组之间-308 G/A等位基因频率及-238G/A的基因型频率和等位基因频率无显着差异,而-308G/A基因型频率有显著不同。在-308G/A位点,女性强迫症患者和对照组之间的基因型频率关联分析有增高的趋势。结论：我们的研究结果表明,肿瘤坏死因子-α在-308G/A点位多态性可能会影响在中国大陆汉族人群强迫症的发展。     

在中国汉族人群中，以家系传递分析肿瘤坏死因子a-308A/G单核苷酸多 态性与抽动秽语综合征

目的:探讨在中国汉族人群中,肿瘤坏死因子a(TNF-alpha,TNF-a)基因启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征(Tourette syndrome,TS)的遗传易感性。方法:91例TS患者及其父母组成的核心家系成员经聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengthpolymor phism,PCR-RFLP)方法进行基因分型,评估所有研究对象的TNF-a-308A/G位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率的分布,进行传递不平衡检验(transmission disequilibrium test,TDT),单体型相对风险(haplotype-based haplotyp erelativerisk,HHRR),单体型风险(haplotype relative riskHRR)的研究。结果:TS患者及其父母的等位基因分布经Hardy-Weinberg(H-W)平衡检验显示符合遗传平衡法则。(x2<3.84;P>0.05)TDT、HHRR和HRR研究结果显示该多态性位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率均不存在传递不平衡。结论:我们的数据表明肿瘤坏死因子a启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性位点不是中国汉族人群TS的易感基因位点。     

A study of the action of phagolessin A58 on the T phages

Phagolessin A58, an antibiotic substance active against a number of bacterial viruses, was studied for activity against the seven T phages. Only three of the seven phages—T1, T3, and T7—proved to be sensitive to the antibiotic. The antibiotic caused a direct, apparently irreversible inactivation of free phage particles. A study of the properties of the inactivated phage particles showed that the particles retained the ability to kill host cells and to exert mutual exclusion against an unrelated phage after infectivity was lost. There was a progressive loss in these two properties when higher concentrations of antibiotic were used to inactivate the phage. Results with inactivated T3 and T7 revealed that these two properties—the ability to kill host cells and to exclude an unrelated phage—were lost at a different rate. They were, therefore, presumed to be different properties of these particular phage particles. The inactivation of phage by phagolessin A58 was inhibited by desoxyribose nucleic acid and to a lesser extent by ribose nucleic add. Cytosine, thymine, adenine, guanine, and cysteine failed to inhibit the reaction.     

Isolation and identification of N-mercapto-4-formylcarbostyril, an antibiotic produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain G308 isolated from barley leaves produces a novel antibiotic substance that was purified by preparative TLC and HPLC and identified as N-mercapto-4-formylcarbostyril (Cbs) by LC/DAD, IR, LC-ES(+)/MS, LC-ES(-)/MS, GC-EI/MS, LC-HRES(+)/MS, mass isotope ratios analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analysis. The purified new antibiotic compound is effective against many phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. The compound inhibited at 25 ppm spore germination and germ tube growth of the following fungi; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Fusarium culmorum, Cladosporium cucumerinum and Colletotrichum lagenarium. At concentrations up to 125 ppm, the compound did not interfere with release of zoospores from sporangia and germination of encysted zoospores of Phytophthora infestans.     

一株新型裂解K63荚膜型肺炎克雷伯菌的噬菌体分离鉴定和生物学特性研究及全基因组分析

[背景]噬菌体具有特定的杀菌能力,对生态和细菌的进化具有重要影响。近年来由于多重耐药细菌的全球出现,噬菌体疗法逐渐引起了人们的关注。[目的]对一株新型裂解K63荚膜型肺炎克雷伯菌的噬菌体vB_KpnP_IME308进行生物学特性研究、测序和比较基因组学的分析。[方法]以一株从临床分离到的肺炎克雷伯菌为宿主菌分离噬菌体,应用双层平板法进行噬菌体最佳感染复数(optimal multiplicity of infection)、一步生长曲线(one-step growth curve)、温度以及pH敏感性实验测定,纯化噬菌体并通过透射电镜观察噬菌体形态;应用标准的苯酚-氯仿提取方案提取噬菌体全基因组,使用Illumina MiSeq测序平台进行噬菌体全基因组测序,测序后对噬菌体全基因组序列进行组装、注释、进化和比较基因组学分析。[结果]分离到一株新型的肺炎克雷伯菌噬菌体,命名为vB_KpnP_IME308;其最佳感染复数为0.001,一步生长曲线结果显示,其感染宿主菌的潜伏期约为20 min,裂解期约为80 min,平均裂解量330PFU/cell;噬菌体vB_KpnP_IME308在4-50℃和pH 5.0-10.0范围内稳定;电镜观察该噬菌体属于短尾噬菌体科(Podoviridae)。基因组测序结果表明,噬菌体基因组全长为43 091bp,(G+C)mol%含量为53.9%,(A+T)mol%含量为46.1%。BLASTn比对结果表明,该噬菌体与目前已知噬菌体基因组仅84%区域有相似性。噬菌体进化树结果表明该噬菌体属于Autographivirinae亚科的Drulisvirus属的成员。[结论]从医院污水中分离鉴定了一株新型的肺炎克雷伯菌噬菌体,表征并分析了噬菌体全基因组序列,这些结果均表明该噬菌体具有开发为抗肺炎克雷伯菌制剂的潜力,为噬菌体治疗多重耐药细菌感染奠定了基础。     

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, an Akt1 kinase, is involved in dephosphorylation of Thr-308 of Akt1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells

To investigate the role of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) in the Akt1 phosphorylation state, wild-type (wt) PDK1 and its kinase dead (kd) mutant were expressed using an adenovirus gene transduction system in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing insulin receptor. Immunoblotting using anti-phosphorylated Akt1 antibody revealed Thr-308 already to be maximally phosphorylated at 1 min but completely dephosphorylated at 5 min, with insulin stimulation, whereas insulin-induced Akt1 activation was maintained even after dephosphorylation of Thr-308. Overexpression of wt-PDK1 further increased insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Thr-308, also followed by rapid dephosphorylation. The insulin-stimulated Akt1 activity was also enhanced by wt-PDK1 expression but was maintained even at 15 min. Thus, phosphorylation of Thr-308 is not essential for maintaining the Akt1 activity once it has been achieved. Interestingly, the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation state of Thr-308 was maintained even at 15 min in cells expressing kd-PDK1, suggesting that kd-PDK1 has a dominant negative effect on dephosphorylation of Thr-308 of Akt1. Calyculin A, an inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A, also prolonged the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation state of Thr-308. In addition, in vitro experiments revealed PP2A, but not PP1, to dephosphorylate completely Thr-308 of Akt1. These findings suggest that a novel pathway involving dephosphorylation of Akt1 at Thr-308 by a phosphatase, possibly PP2A, originally, identified as is regulated downstream from PDK1, an Akt1 kinase.     

Comparison of antibiotic complexes formed by cultures of Streptomyces griseoruber

Physico-chemical properties of antibiotic complexes formed by various strains of Streptomyces griseoruber: VNIIA 1195, VNIIA 1193-INA 2022/55 and IMiV 1618 were compared. It was shown that the antibiotic complex 1195 differed by the electron absorption spectrum, chromatographic mobility and indicator properties from lateriomycins A and B produced by the type culture of S. griseoruber, Jamaguchi et Saburi, 1955 and strain 70717, as well as from prodigiozin produced by S. griseoruber, VNIIA 1193. By the absorption spectra and chromatographic mobility the components of the antibiotic complex 1195 were identical with cinerubins A and B, pyrromycin and eta- and xi-pyrromycinones included in the composition of antibiotic 1618 produced by S. griseoruber 1618 and differed in their quantitative contents and absence of epsilon-pyrromycinones.     

Bafilomycin A1 is a potassium ionophore that impairs mitochondrial functions

Novel activities of bafilomycin A1, a macrolide antibiotic known as an inhibitor of V-ATPases, were discovered. Bafilomycin A1 induced uptake of potassium ions by energized mitochondria and caused mitochondrial swelling, loss of membrane potential, uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, inhibition of the maximal respiration rates, and induced pyridine nucleotide oxidation. The mitochondrial effects provoked by nanomolar concentrations of bafilomycin A1 were connected to its activity as a potent, K⁺-specific ionophore. The K⁺ ionophoric activity of bafilomycin A1 was observed also in black lipid membranes, indicating that it was an inherent property of the bafilomycin A1 molecule. It was found that bafilomycin A1 is a K⁺ carrier but not a channel former. Bafilomycin A1 is the first and currently unique macrolide antibiotic with K⁺ ionophoric properties. The novel properties of bafilomycin A1 may explain some of the biological effects of this plecomacrolide antibiotic, independent of V-ATPase inhibition.     

Physiochemical properties of LIA-0191 A and B antibiotics

An antifungal antibiotic LIA-0191 was isolated from the mycelium by methanol extraction. It was shown with thin-layer chromatography that it consisted of components A and B. Component A was isolated with collumn chromatography on silica gel, recrystalization from the solvent mixture as a monocomponent crystalline substance. On the basis of the physicochemical and biological properties it was identified with sentacidin. Component B was obtained from preparation LIA-0191 by the method of counter-current distribution and recrystalization from methanol. Comparison of its physico-chemical and biological properties with those of the known purines and pyrimidine pyrrol showed that antibiotic LIA-0191 B is new.     

Etanercept reduces matrix metalloproteinase-9 level in children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and TNF-α-308GG genotype

Genetic contribution of tumor necrosis factor polymorphism (TNF-α-308G/A) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) on response to TNF blocking agents, as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) production, is not yet well established. We have investigated whether the TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism can influence MMP-9 level and clinical response to etanercept (TNF receptor II-Fc fusion protein) in JIA patients, after 1 year of treatment. A total of 66 patients with polyarticular JIA and 65 healthy children were screened for the polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. JIA patients donated paired blood samples prior to and 12 months after etanercept therapy. Plasma MMP-9 level was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Clinical assessment was performed according to ACR Pedi 50 improvement criteria. The frequency of the A allele was significantly higher in JIA patients compared to controls (39% vs. 26%, P?=?0.026). Patients with the ?308GG genotype achieved an ACR Pedi 50 response significantly more frequently than those with the ?308AA genotype (P?=?0.035). MMP-9 level in patients with the genotype ?308GG was significantly decreased after 1 year of treatment with etanercept compared to the value from before (P?=?0.036). On the other hand, there was a decrease of MMP-9 levels after treatment, but not statistically significant in patients with the genotypes ?308GA/AA. We conclude that etanercept reduces MMP-9 level in children with polyarticular JIA and TNF-α-308GG genotype. Our results correlate with findings that the ?308A allele is associated with a lower response to etanercept treatment.     

TNF promoter ?308 A/G and ?238 A/G polymorphisms and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to determine whether the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoter polymorphisms confer susceptibility to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A meta-analysis was conducted on the A allele of the TNF -308 A/G and -238 A/G polymorphisms. The nine comparison studies including 1,132 JIA patients and 1,663 controls were included in the meta-analysis and consisted of 7 European, 1 Mexican, and 1 Turkish population. No association was found between JIA and the TNF -308 A allele and the TNF -238 A allele (odds ratio [OR] = 1.211, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.917-1.598, P = 0.177; OR = 1.135, 95 % CI = 0.603-1.861, P = 0.615, respectively). Stratification by ethnicity did not show the association of the TNF -308 and -238 polymorphisms with JIA in Europeans. Mexicans were found to have lower prevalences of A alleles (2.9, 4.1 %) of the TNF -308 A/G and -238 A/G polymorphisms than any other population studied, and the Turkish population the highest (31.2, 26.9 %). This meta-analysis shows no association between the A alleles of the TNF -308 A/G or -238 A/G polymorphisms and JIA in Europeans, but that the prevalences of these alleles are ethnicity dependent.     

含铜抗菌不锈钢的抗菌性能研究

对铁素体和奥氏体2种含铜抗菌不锈钢的抗菌性能进行了考察.采用覆膜法检测抗菌率,用透射电镜观察与铁素体抗菌不锈钢作用后的大肠埃希菌细胞形态.2种抗菌不锈钢材料对供试的 17 株常见菌,除产气肠杆菌外均显示较强的抗菌性能,抗菌谱广;铁素体和奥氏体对1×107 cfu/mL及以下浓度的大肠埃希菌在 24 h内杀灭率达到99%;铁素体和奥氏体分别在作用 3 h和 9 h时可将1×107 cfu/mL的大肠埃希菌全部杀灭;打磨次数和环境温度的变化不影响2种抗菌不锈钢的杀菌率;透射电镜结果显示,与抗菌不锈钢作用后的大肠埃希菌菌体结构松散,细胞壁和细胞膜破裂,有内容物漏出.铁素体和奥氏体抗菌不锈钢均具优良的抗菌性能,抗菌谱广,与其作用后的细菌菌体破裂,有内容物溶出,最终致菌死亡.     

New species of the genus Nocardia and its antibiotic properties]

A culture of a new species of Nocardia, i.e. N. indigoensis producing an antibiotic close to celicomycins was isolated from a soil sample of Kazakhstan plated on the selective medium with kanamycin. By a number of chemical properties and biological activity the antibiotic differed from celicomycins. Probably it is a new natural substance.