Genetically controlled autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis in rats.

A study was conducted on the disease susceptibility of inbred strains of rats to experimental autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis (AIC). Three strains representing two different H-1-haploytpes developed severe glomerulonephritis within 3 months in response to a single injection with equal doses of an autologous primary tubular epithelial fraction and complete Freund's adjuvant (Lewis, AS (H-11)) and Lew.BDV (H-1d)).By contrast, two strains of the H-1 haplotype H-1n (BN and Lew.BN) showed no proteinuria and no immunohistologic findings during that time. Hybrids of Lew.BN and Lewis, subjected to the same immunizing procedure, showed a later onset of the disease as compared to the responder parent. The possible relationship between responder status and the major histocampatibility complex is discussed.     

Genetically controlled cell lysis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a tough, rigid structure, which presents a significant barrier to the release of native or recombinant proteins from this biotechnologically important organism. There is hence a need to develop inexpensive and efficient methods of lysing yeast cells in order to release their intracellular contents. To develop such a method, a tightly regulated promoter, pMET3, has been used to control three genes involved in cell wall biogenesis: PDE2, SRB1/PSA1, and PKC1. Two of these regulation cassettes, pMET3-SRB1/PSA1 and pMET3-PKC1, have been integrated at the chromosomal loci of the respective genes in order to overcome problems of plasmid instability. Although repression of PDE2 did not cause cell lysis, cells depleted of Srb1p/Psa1p gradually lost their viability and integrity, releasing about 10% of total protein into the medium. Repression of PKC1 led to extensive cell lysis, accompanied by the release of 45% of cellular protein into the medium. A double mutant, carrying both pMET3-SRB1/PSA1 and pMET3-PKC1 cassettes in place of SRB1/PSA1 and PKC1, was constructed and found to permit the efficient release of both homologous and heterologous proteins. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,     

Genetically controlled self-aggregation of cell-surface-engineered yeast responding to glucose concentration

We constructed an arming (cell-surface-engineered) yeast displaying two types of agglutinin (modified a-agglutinin and alpha-agglutinin) on the cell surface, with agglutination being independent of both mating type and pheromones. The modified a-agglutinin was artificially prepared by the fusion of the genes encoding Aga1p and Aga2p. The modified a-agglutinin could induce agglutination of cells displaying Agalpha1p (alpha-agglutinin). The upstream region of the isocitrate lyase gene of Candida tropicalis (UPR-ICL), active at a low glucose concentration, was used as the promoter to express the modified a-agglutinin- and alpha-agglutinin-encoding genes. The arming yeast displaying both agglutinins agglutinated and sedimented in response to decreased glucose concentration. When the glucose concentration was high, the arming yeast grew normally. In the late log phase, when the glucose concentration became very low, agglutination occurred suddenly and drastically and yeast cells sedimented completely. Sedimentation was confirmed by weighing the aggregated cells after filtration of the broth. Strains in which aggregation can be genetically controlled can be used in industrial processes in which the separation of yeast cells from the supernatant is necessary.     

Extracellular polysaccharide production by Klebsiella pneumoniae and its relationship to virulence

Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 1 and serotype 2 and their capsular variants were examined for production of cell-associated capsular polysaccharides and extracellular capsular polysaccharides. The virulence of these organisms in experimental animals was examined via intraperitoneal injection in mice and transtracheal inoculation into the lungs of rats. It was found that the production of either polysaccharide component correlated with the observed virulence. The extracellular polysaccharides were purified by ethanol precipitation, electrodialysis, extraction with quaternary ammonium salts, and gel filtration. These purification steps allowed for the separation and purification of both the extracellular lipopolysaccharide and the extracellular capsular polysaccharide. Purified extracellular capsular polysaccharide and extracellular lipopolysaccharide were co-injected with K. pneumoniae intraperitoneally into mice to determine if either of these substances would produce an effect on the natural course of infection in these animals. These studies showed that only purified extracellular lipopolysaccharide enhanced the virulence of K. pneumoniae when co-injected into mice, and this virulence enhancement correlated with the content of extracellular lipopolysaccharide, but not extracellular capsular polysaccharide in mixtures of these polysaccharides. Saponification of K. pneumoniae serotype 1 extracellular polysaccharides significantly decreased their virulence-enhancing capabilities in mice, further suggesting that extracellular lipopolysaccharide may play a role in these infections.     

Two synthetic antigens related to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide

The synthesis of the allyl beta-glycosides (8 and 20, respectively) of beta-D-GlcpA-(1----4)-D-Glcp and beta-D-Glcp-(1----3)-D-GlcpA (overlapping disaccharide fragments A and B) in the linear chain of the capsular polysaccharide (S3) from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 is described. Oxidation of allyl 2,3,6,2',3',4'-hexa-O-acetyl-beta-cellobioside with chromic acid and saponification of the product gave 8. The synthesis of 20 involved glycosylation of methyl 5-O-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranuronate or its 3-O-trityl derivative and subsequent furanose----pyranose transformation. The derivatives 8 and 20 were each copolymerised with acrylamide. In serological tests (enzyme immunoassay and passive hemagglutination), the resulting antigens exhibited the specificity of S3. It was concluded that fragment A was a much stronger immunodeterminant than fragment B.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharides corresponding to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9 capsular polysaccharide structures

Two trisaccharides, alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp and alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp, corresponding to structures from Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides type 9A, L, V and type 9N, respectively, have been synthesised as 2-aminoethyl glycosides and as protected TMSE glycosides. Ethyl thioglycosides were used as glycosyl donors and NIS/TfOH (in CH(2)Cl(2) for beta-linkages) and DMTST (in Et(2)O for alpha-linkages) as promoters in the glycosylations. The beta-ManNAc motif was introduced at the disaccharide level by azide displacement of a 2-O-triflate with beta-D-gluco configuration. The protecting group patterns allow continued syntheses of larger structures.     

Selective suppression of primary IgM responses by induction of low dose paralysis to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide.

Pretreatment of mice with a low dose of Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (S3)² decreases the response elicited by an optimal dose of S3 (low dose paralysis). The types of S3-specific responses which are affected by the induction of low dose paralysis were examined in the present study. The results indicate that pretreatment with low doses of S3 selectively suppresses responses of virgin IgM-producing B cells (Bμ). This was apparently due to a direct suppression at the level of the B cells, since S3-specific IgM responses were also suppressed when pretreated mice were challenged with S3 coupled to a thymus-dependent carrier, S3-HRBC. Pretreatment with low doses of S3 does not suppress primary IgG or secondary IgM or IgG responses to S3. Spleen cells from S3-pretreated mice did not suppress responses of normal cells after transfer to irradiated or intact recipients.     

Suppression of IgM responses to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppressed the primary IgM response of mice to Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (S3). LPS and S3 had to be given together in order for maximum suppression to occur and suppression was not due to a change in the time of the peak response in mice which received LPS. Suppression was not due to an effect of LPS on T cells since S3 responses of nude mice were suppressed by LPS. LPS did not suppress S3 responses of C₃H/HeJ mice and base hyrolysis of LPS destroyed the suppressive effect, i.e., suppression was dependent of B cell mitogenic activity of the LPS. The suppressive effect of LPS was presumably directed against virgin B cells since LPS did not suppress the S3 response of primed mice and did not suppress the development of IgG memory responses to S3.     

Synthesis of capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14. 4. Polycondensation of the monomer and characteristics of the polysaccharide

Synthesis of a regular branched polysaccharide [6(Gal beta 1-4)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1]n whose structure corresponds to that of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14, is described, involving a stereospecific polycondensation of the tetrasaccharide monomer, deacylation, and N-acetylation.     

Serum opsonic deficiency produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae and by capsular polysaccharide antigens.

The opsonic requirements for phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae types 6, 7, 18, and 23 were determined in normal and C2 deficient serum, and in normal serum chelated with magnesium ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid. All four strains were effectively opsonized via the alternative complement pathway, a finding suggesting that the capsular polysaccharides of these strains activated complement via the alternative pathway. Since bacteremic pneumococcal disease is often associated with circulating capsular polysaccharide, it was considered that this cellular component may activate complement in vivo and impair host defenses by producing an opsonic defect for pneumococci. To examine this hypothesis, serum was incubated with suspensions of whole S. pneumoniae types 6, 7, 18, or 23 or with purified capsular polysaccharide from each of these types, and residual complement activity and opsonic capacity were measured. Hemolytic C 3--9 complement activity and opsonic capacity for 3H-thymidine labeled Salmonella typhimurium, a species effectively opsonized via the alternative pathway, were reduced in serum following incubation. Polysaccharide concentrations as low as 1 microgram/ml inhibited serum opsonic capacity for salmonella. Whole pneumococci and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide also inhibited the opsonic activity of human C2 deficient serum for salmonella, further evidence for activation of complement via the alternative pathway. Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide markedly inhibited the opsonic capacity of normal serum for the homologous pneumoccal type. Thus, amounts of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide, similar to those found in the serum of patients with pneumococcal disease, bring about decomplementation of serum via activation of the alternative pathway and inhibit pneumococcal opsonization.     

Production of an extracellular polysaccharide bioflocculant by Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae H12 produced a newly identified extracellular polysaccharide in an ethanol medium with a yield of 3.0 g/l. The molar composition of the polysaccharide was 56.04% galactose, 25.92% glucose, 10.92% galacturonic acid, 3.71% mannose, and 3.37% glucuronic acid. The addition of 0.5%-1.5% NaCl increased production. The polysaccharide flocculated with kaolin clay in suspension at the concentration of 1 ppm in a 300-ppm solution of CaCl2. Almost all bacterial species cells aggregated in the polysaccharide solution. The ability to flocculate with kaolin clay changed with the pH and with the concentrations of coexisting cation and anion species. The polysaccharide flocculant may participate in in vivo bacterial aggregation or adherence to host organisms.     

Effect of capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae on host resistance to bacterial infections. I. Induction of increased susceptibility to infections in mice.

When Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide (CPS-K) from type 1, Kasuya strain, was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) immediately before i.p. bacterial challenge, the survival time of mice infected with Salmonella enteritidis NUB 1 (virulent strain) was shortened and the mortality rate for mice infected with S. enteritidis NUB 31 (avirulent strain) was enhanced. The promotion of infection with S. enteritidis NUB 1 by CPS-K depended upon its dose, the effect of CPS-K being demonstrable up to as little as 0.2 mug per mouse. In the case of S. enteritidis NUB 31, the effect of CPS-K was detectable only when more than 20 mug per mouse was injected. As a result of enumeration of bacterial populations in the peritoneal washing, blood, liver and spleen, it was revealed that CPS-K promoted in vivo growth of S. enteritidis NUB 1 and NUB 31. In addition, CPS-K enhanced the mortality rate in mice infected with Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus pneumoniae. The peak CPS-K effect on infection with S. enteritidis NUB 1 was seen when given immediately before bacterial challenge. The active substance responsible for the infection-promoting effect of CPS-K was neutral CPS-K, which is distinct from the O antigen and from acidic CPS-K (the type-specific capsular antigen). Preparations of neutral CPS-K isolated from the other three strains of K. pneumoniae exhibited a marked infection-promoting effect comparable with that of preparations from the Kasuya strain. Neutral CPS-K, with identical antigenicity to that from the Kasuya strain, has already been found to exert a strong adjuvant effect on antibody responses to various antigens in mice. No parallelism exists between infection-promoting activity and adjuvant activity of neutral CPS-K.     

Genetically controlled chromosome breakage and reunions in the meiosis

Three mutants of Pisum sativum showing anomalies in the conjugation phase of meiosis, were investigated cytogenetically. Inspite of apparent normal chromosome pairing there is a strong reduction of chiasma number resulting into univalent formation. Simultaneously, chromosome aberrations appear as consequence of breakage and reunions in the prophase stage. The combined occurrence of these anomalies and their respective quantitative relationships to each other have been explained in the light of breakage-reunion hypothesis through the action of following factors: pairing behaviour, breakage frequency, number of breakages at one locus in the chromatid tetrads, behaviour of breakage ends and effects of environment. Due to the interaction of these factors all the anomalies found in our mutants are explainable.This study was supported by the Euratom I.T.A.L. and the Ministry of Science and Education, BRD. The second author is presently on a post doctoral fellowship of the Humboldt-Foundation.     

Synthesis of trisaccharide methyl glycosides related to fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18C.

The synthesis is reported of methyl 3-O-(4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), methyl 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D- galactopyranoside (3), methyl 3-O-(4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside 3"-(sn-glycer-3-yl sodium phosphate) (2), and methyl 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside 3-(sn-glycer-3-yl sodium phosphate) (4), which are trisaccharide methyl glycosides related to fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18C ([----4)-beta-D- Glcp-(1----4)-[alpha-D-Glcp-(1----2)]-[Glycerol-(1-P----3)]-beta-D-Galp - (1----4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----]n). Ethyl 4-O-acetyl-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10) was coupled with benzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6). Deacetylation of the product, followed by condensation with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (18), gave benzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[2,3,6-tri-O- benzyl-4-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha- D- glucopyranosyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (19). Acetolysis of 19, followed by methylation, deallylation (----22), and further deprotection afforded 1. Condensation of methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,4,6-tri- O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl]-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside (22) with 1,2-di-O-benzyl-sn-glycerol 3-(triethyl-ammonium phosphonate) (24), followed by oxidation and deprotection, yielded 2. Condensation of ethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (27) with methyl 3-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-galactopyranoside (28), selective benzylidene ring-opening of the product, coupling with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (31), and deallylation afforded methyl 6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-O- (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (33). Deprotection of 33 gave 3, and condensation of 33 with 24, followed by oxidation and deprotection, gave 4.     

Mechanism of type 3 capsular polysaccharide synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The glycosidic linkages of the type 3 capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae ([3)-beta-D-GlcUA-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc-(1-->](n)) are formed by the membrane-associated type 3 synthase (Cps3S), which is capable of synthesizing polymer from UDP sugar precursors. Using membrane preparations of S. pneumoniae in an in vitro assay, we observed type 3 synthase activity in the presence of either Mn(2+) or Mg(2+) with maximal levels seen with 10-20 mM Mn(2+). High molecular weight polymer synthesized in the assay was composed of Glc and glucuronic acid and could be degraded to a low molecular weight product by a type 3-specific depolymerase from Bacillus circulans. Additionally, the polymer bound specifically to an affinity column made with a type 3 polysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibody. The polysaccharide was rapidly synthesized from smaller chains and remained associated with the enzyme-containing membrane fraction throughout its synthesis, indicating a processive mechanism of synthesis. Release of the polysaccharide was observed, however, when the level of one of the substrates became limiting. Finally, addition of sugars to the growing type 3 polysaccharide was shown to occur at the nonreducing end of the polysaccharide chain.     

Synthesis of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14

Synthesis of the regular branched polysaccharide [-6(Gal beta 1-4)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-]n structurally corresponding to capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 involves blockwise synthesis of a tritylated 1,2-O-(1-cyano)ethylidene tetrasaccharide derivative from lactosamine and lactose precursors followed by stereospecific polycondensation of the tetrasaccharide monomer.     

Structural studies of capsular polysaccharide of type XII Diplococcus pneumoniae

The capsular polysaccharide of Diplococcus pneumoniae Type XII contains residues of d-glucose and d-galactose in a molar ratio of 2:1. The methylated polysaccharide yielded upon hydrolysis 2,3,4,6-tetra- and 3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucose and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-d-galactose as the only neutral methyl sugars. Periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide resulted in destruction of all neutral sugars and immunochemical activity against rabbit antisera. Periodate oxidation of the methyl O-methylglycosides obtained after hydrolysis of the methylated polysaccharide indicated that at least 30% of the l-fucosamine residues are substituted at C-4 in the polysaccharide. It is concluded that the polysaccharide consists of a hexosamine backbone that is substituted by d-galactosyl and kojibiosyl side-chains. The proposed terminal d-galactosyl residues apparently are sterically hindered from interacting with several d-galactose-binding proteins.     

Structural analysis of an extracellular polysaccharide bioflocculant of Klebsiella pneumoniae

The glycoside composition and sequence of an extracellular polysaccharide flocculant of Klebsiella pneumoniae H12 was analyzed. GC and HPLC analysis of the acid-hydrolysate identified its constituent monosaccharides as D-Glc, D-Man, D-Gal, and D-GlcA in an approximate molar ratio of 3.9:1.0:2.3:3.6. To analyze the glycoside sequence, the polysaccharide was partially hydrolyzed by acid and enzyme treatment. GC, HPLC, TLC, MALDI-TOF/MS, and 1H- and 13C- NMR spectroscopy characterized the obtained oligosaccharides. The results clarified the partial structure of H12 polysaccharide as a linear polymer of a unit of pentasaccharide with a side chain of one D-GlcA to D-Glc moiety (see below). Although the existence of other sequences or other constituent glycosides could not be fully excluded, H12 polysaccharide must be a novel types as such a complicated unit for a polymer has not so far been reported. The partial structure of a H12 polysaccharide flocculant is also discussed in this report. [structure: see text]