Construction of chimaeric genes for mapping a surface-exposed epitope on the pilus of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae strain M37

A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated 3H12, reacts with a surface-exposed conformational epitope on the pilus of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae strain M37. This antibody does not recognize the related pilus from H. influenzae type b, strain MinnA. Although mAb 3H12 does not recognize strain M37 pilin on Western blots, mAb 3H12 recognizes the recombinant M37 pilin protein expressed by Escherichia coli. In order to map the epitope recognized by mAb 3H12, we constructed a series of chimaeric genes. The chimaeric genes were expressed in E. coli and the chimaeric proteins characterized with respect to their reactivity with mAb 3H12. Residues between 37 and 100 of the M37 pilin protein are essential for the expression of the mAb 3H12 epitope. Residues in the carboxyl half of the M37 protein enhance the reactivity of mAb 3H12 when expressed in the presence of residues 37-100. Construction of chimaeric genes may provide a general methodology for mapping of conformational epitopes expressed by one of a related pair of proteins.     

Maturation and secretion of the non-typable Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin: roles of the N-terminal and C-terminal domains

Non-typable Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of human disease and initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory tract. The non-typable H. influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins mediate attachment to human epithelial cells, an essential step in the process of colonization. HMW1 and HMW2 have an unusual N-terminus and undergo cleavage of a 441-amino-acid N-terminal fragment during the course of their maturation. Following translocation across the outer membrane, they remain loosely associated with the bacterial surface, except for a small amount that is released extracellularly. In the present study, we localized the signal sequence to the first 68 amino acids, which are characterized by a highly charged region from amino acids 1-48, followed by a more typical signal peptide with a predicted leader peptidase cleavage site after the amino acid at position 68. Additional experiments established that the SecA ATPase and the SecE translocase are essential for normal export and demonstrated that maturation involves cleavage first between residues 68 and 69, via leader peptidase, and next between residues 441 and 442. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that HMW1 processing, secretion and extracellular release are dependent on amino acids in the region between residues 150 and 166 and suggested that this region interacts with the HMW1B outer membrane translocator. Deletion of the C-terminal end of HMW1 resulted in augmented extracellular release and elimination of HMW1-mediated adherence, arguing that the C-terminus may serve to tether the adhesin to the bacterial surface. These observations suggest that the HMW proteins are secreted by a variant form of the general secretory pathway and provide insight into the mechanisms of secretion of a growing family of Gram-negative bacterial exoproteins.     

Phylogenetic relationships among isolates of Cryptosporidium: evidence for several new species

Isolates of Cryptosporidium were characterized using nucleotide sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and dihydrofolate reductase genes and also random-amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the validity of the species of Cryptosporidium examined in this study such as Cryptospordium muris and Cryptosporidium baileyi, and also reinforced evidence from numerous researchers worldwide suggesting that Cryptosporidium parvum is not a single uniform species. The data obtained provided strong support for the validity of Cryptosporidium felis. Evidence suggests that the newly identified marsupial and pig genotypes may also be distinct and valid species, but biological studies are required for confirmation.     

Complex O-acetylation in non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide: evidence for a novel site of O-acetylation

The structure of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae strain 723 has been elucidated using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) on O-deacylated LPS and core oligosaccharide material (OS), as well as ESI-MSn on permethylated dephosphorylated OS. It was found that the LPS contains the common structural element of H. influenzae, l-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->2)-[PEtn-->6]-l-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)]-l-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->5)-[PPEtn-->4]-alpha-Kdo-(2-->6)-Lipid A, in which the beta-D-Glcp residue (GlcI) is substituted by phosphocholine at O-6 and the distal heptose residue (HepIII) by PEtn at O-3, respectively. In a subpopulation of glycoforms O-2 of HepIII was substituted by beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1--> or beta-D-Glcp-(1-->. Considerable heterogeneity of the LPS was due to the extent of substitution by O-acetyl groups (Ac) and ester-linked glycine of the core oligosaccharide. The location for glycine was found to be at Kdo. Prominent acetylation sites were found to be at GlcI, HepIII, and the proximal heptose (HepI) residue of the triheptosyl moiety. Moreover, GlcI was acetylated at O-3 and/or O-4 and HepI was acetylated at O-2 as evidenced by capillary electrophoresis ESI-MSn in combination with NMR analyses. This is the first study to show that an acetyl group can substitute HepI of the inner-core region of H. influenzae LPS.     

Structure of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1B translocator protein: evidence for a twin pore

Secretion of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin occurs via the two-partner secretion pathway and requires the HMW1B outer membrane translocator. HMW1B has been subjected to extensive biochemical studies to date. However, direct examination of the structure of HMW1B has been lacking, leaving fundamental questions about the oligomeric state, the membrane-embedded beta-barrel domain, the approximate size of the beta-barrel pore, and the mechanism of translocator activity. In the current study, examination of purified HMW1B by size exclusion chromatography and negative staining electron microscopy revealed that the predominant species was a dimer. In the presence of lipid, purified HMW1B formed two-dimensional crystalline sheets. Examination of these crystals by cryo-electron microscopy allowed determination of a projection structure of HMW1B to 10 A resolution. The native HMW1B structure is a dimer of beta-barrels, with each beta-barrel measuring 40 A by 50 A in the two orthogonal directions and appearing largely occluded, leaving only a narrow pore. These observations suggest that HMW1B undergoes a large conformational change during translocation of the 125-kDa HMW1 adhesin.     

SEM evidence for a new species, Giardia psittaci

The genus Giardia has been subdivided by Filice (1952) into 3 species, G. agilis, G. muris, and G. duodenalis, based on the morphology of the median body and subtle variations in the dimensions of trophozoites. Giardia trophozoites were isolated from the small intestine of budgerigars (parakeets) and examined morphologically with light and scanning electron microscopy. These trophozoites, like other Giardia spp., possessed a flattened dorso-ventral shape, 8 flagella, and an adhesive disc on the ventral surface. The presence of a claw hammer-shaped median body suggested classification of these trophozoites as G. duodenalis. However, unlike any known members of G. duodenalis, the Giardia trophozoites from budgerigars were morphologically distinct in that they lacked the ventrolateral flange and therefore did not have a marginal groove bordering the anterior and lateral border of the adhesive disc. This distinct morphology clearly indicated that trophozoites from budgerigars should be considered as a separate species, G. psittaci. Our evidence has demonstrated that median body shape cannot serve as a sole criterion for speciation of Giardia. In addition, if other avian species of Giardia also resemble G. psittaci, then this would suggest that evolutionary divergence has occurred in the genus Giardia.     

Chemical evidence for covalent linkages of a semi-synthetic glycoconjugate vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae type B disease

We have defined the nature of the covalent linkages in a Haemophilus influenzae type b oligosaccharide-CRM197 conjugate vaccine, designated HbOC. The conjugate was acid hydrolyzed to release a novel amino-acid derivative, N epsilon-(2-hydroxyethyl)lysine (OHEt-Lys), identifiable with an amino-acid analyzer. This amino-acid derivative was formed by reduction of Schiff bases formed between H. influenzae type b oligosaccharides (HbO) and the lysyl epsilon-amino groups of CRM197 (a non-toxic, cross-reactive variant of diphtheria toxin), followed by acid hydrolysis of HbOC. Quantification of OHEt-Lys per CRM197 molecule allowed the determination of a covalency ratio, a useful parameter for evaluating the stoichiometry and consistency of HbOC preparations. Covalent association between HbO and CRM197 was also demonstrated by the coincidence of immunoreactivity of gel-electrophoresed HbOC on a Western blot probed with anti-CRM197 and anti-saccharide antisera.     

Purification and properties of a new restriction endonuclease from Haemophilus influenzae Rf.

Haemophilus influenzae Rf 232, showing the phenomena of restriction and modification, contains an endonuclease that inactivates in vitro the biological activity of DNAs lacking the strain-specific modification. This specific restriction endonuclease has been purified to near homogeneity by a procedure that includes DNA-agarose chromatography. This highly purified enzyme requires ATP and Mg2+ for activity and is stimulated by S-adenosylmethionine. The enzyme seems to cleave DNA at well-defined sites, since it produces a specific pattern of bands upon agarose gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has no ATPase activity. A methylase activity is observed in the course of the endonucleolytic reaction, which probably protects some of the DNA sites from cleavage.     

Characterisation and genetic organisation of a 24-MDa plasmid from the Brazilian Purpuric Fever clone of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius

Strains of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius causing septicaemia were identified in Brazil in the 1980s, causing the life-threatening illness of Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF). The strains were found to fall into a single clonal group, the BPF clone, characterised by their possession of the approximately 24MDa "3031" plasmid. In this work we report the characterisation and genetic organisation of this plasmid. Analysis of the gene content of what appears to be a typical broad host range conjugative plasmid, its presence in non-BPF strains as revealed by Southern hybridisation, and the recent discovery of plasmid-lacking BPF strains, has led us to conclude that it is unlikely to play a critical role in bacterial virulence. Establishing its entire sequence has nonetheless been an important step on the road to delineating, by comparison of BPF and non-BPF strains, chromosomal genetic loci that are involved in the special virulence of the BPF clone.     

The water frogs of Greece: Bioacoustic evidence for a new species

The structure of the mating call of lake frogs (referred to as R. ridibunda) from 16 populations in Greece was analyzed for local variation using multivariate statistics. The populations of Thrace and of the island of Samothraki form a group giving the same type of mating call, whereas the mating call of the other populations differs in the degree of temperature dependence of four parameters, and specifically in the number of pulses/pulse group and pulse groups/call. Discriminant functions distinguish even single call series with a probability of 97%, intermediate mating calls are absent, and there is a significant, but slight differentiation of external morphological characters. These results have strong taxonomic implications. We conclude that the lake frogs of Greece comprise two species. The mating call of the lake frogs from Thrace resembles in all parameters that of the Rana ridibunda in the terra typica restricta (Guryev, CIS). Accordingly, the lake frogs of eastern Greece belong to R. ridibunda. The mating call of these lake frogs consists of 20 pulses/pulse group and of 7 pulse groups/call on the average. Most of Greece is inhabited by the second taxon, Rana balcanica sp. n. Its mating call is characterized by 27 pulses/pulse group and 4 pulse groups/call on the average. The two species in Greece do not differ with respect to coloration and size, but several standardized indices vary significantly: body length/digitus primus length; body length/callus internus length; body length/snout-eye distance; body length/tympanum diameter; tibia length/callus internus length; maximal head width/snout-eye distance.     

Catalase as a source of both X- and V-factor for Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae requires two growth factors, designated factor X (porphyrin) and factor V (NAD). Mammalian catalases contain both bound heme and NADPH. This study shows that catalase can supply both factors X and V to H. influenzae in vitro, thus representing a potential in vivo source of these essential growth factors.     

Proteinase isoenzyme patterns of Bacteroides nodosus: distinction between ovine virulent isolates, ovine benign isolates and bovine isolates

Bacteroides nodosus isolates from ovine virulent footrot and ovine benign footrot and bovine isolates of low virulence for sheep were distinguishable from each other by their proteinase isoenzyme patterns after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Variants of low virulence were not always distinguishable from their virulent parent strains. The molecular weights of the isoenzymes ranged from 70000 to 129000. The relationship of isoenzyme patterns to virulence is discussed.     

A genomewide scan for type 1-diabetes susceptibility in Scandinavian families: identification of new loci with evidence of interactions

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM) has a multifactorial etiology, with major genetic-susceptibility determinants located in the HLA and insulin-gene (INS) regions. Linkage data implicating other disease-susceptibility loci are conflicting. This is likely due to (1) the limited power for detection of contributions of additional susceptibility loci, given the limited number of informative families available for study, (2) factors such as genetic heterogeneity between populations, and (3) potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. To circumvent some of these problems, we have conducted a genomewide linkage analysis for T1DM-susceptibility loci in 408 multiplex families from Scandinavia, a population expected to be homogeneous for genetic and environmental factors. In addition to verifying the HLA and INS susceptibility loci, the study provides confirmation of IDDM15 on chromosome 6q21. Suggestive evidence of additional susceptibility loci was found on chromosomes 2p, 5q, and 16p. For some loci, the support for linkage increased substantially when families were stratified on the basis of HLA or INS genotypes, with statistically significant heterogeneity between the stratified subgroups. Our data support both the existence of non-HLA genes of significance for T1DM and interaction between HLA and non-HLA loci in the determination of the T1DM phenotype.     

Hin4II, a new prototype restriction endonuclease from Haemophilus influenzae RFL4: discovery, cloning and expression in Escherichia coli

The genes encoding restriction-modification system of unknown specificity Hin4II from Haemophilus influenzae RFL4 were cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced. The Hin4II system comprises three tandemly arranged genes coding for m6A DNA methyltransferase, m5C DNA methyltransferase and restriction endonuclease, respectively. Restriction endonuclease was expressed in E. coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. The DNA recognition sequence and cleavage positions were determined. R.Hin4II recognizes the novel non-palindromic sequence 5'-CCTTC-3' and cleaves the DNA 6 and 5 nt downstream in the top and bottom strand, respectively. The new prototype restriction endonuclease Hin4II was classified as a potential candidate of HNH nuclease family after comparison against SMART database. An amino acid sequence motif 297H-X14-N-X8-H of Hin4II was proposed as forming a putative catalytic center.     

Stigmatomyces from New Zealand and New Caledonia: new records, new species and two new host families

Seven new records and three new species of Stigmatomyces (S. australis, S. baeopteri and S. clasiopellae), a genus of Laboulbeniales associated only with Diptera, are described from New Zealand and New Caledonia. Two new host families for Laboulbeniales are recorded, and a dichotomous key to Stigmatomyces species in New Zealand and New Caledonia is presented.     

Photoreactions of melanin: a new transient species and evidence for triplet state involvement.

The detection of a new transient species in photoirradiated natural and synthetic melanins is reported. This species decays rapidly at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures and has an electron spin resonance spectrum whose time-profile reveals spin polarization effects (chemically induced dynamic electron polarization) characteristic of triplet state involvement. A possible mechanism for light absorption and degradation by melanins is suggested.     

Statistical evidence for a biochemical pathway of natural, sequence-targeted G/C to C/G transversion mutagenesis in Haemophilus influenzae Rd.

Markov chain analysis of the Haemophilus influenzae Rd genome reveals striking under-representation of three palindromic tetranucleotide strings (CCGG, GGCC and CATG), accompanied by over-representation of six tetranucleotide strings that are derived from the former by exchanging strand location of the two residues making up a G/C nucleotide pair at the terminal palindrome position. Constraints are outlined for a molecular model able to explain the phenomenon as the result of sequence-targeted, enzyme-driven G/C to C/G transversion mutagenesis. Possible participation in the process by components of known DNA mismatch repair or restriction/modification systems (in particular, cytosine methylation) is discussed. The effect widens the spectrum of enzyme-driven, specific mutagenesis beyond the formerly described C/G to T/A transition (VSP repair of Escherichia coli). Potential evolutionary benefits of enzymatic pathways of specific mutagenesis can be envisioned.