Genetic structure of natural populations ofDryas iulia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) revealed by enzyme polymorphism and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)

Dryas iulia appears to have undergone a mode of evolution different from that of other members of its subfamily (Heliconiinae). While other species constitute highly subdivided and inbred populations, those ofD. iulia are thought to be large and uniform. Analyzing six samples from Southern Brazil (state of Rio Grande do Sul) in relation to three enzyme systems (EST, LAP, and PGM) and their mtDNA RFLP patterns, we found that they are very similar at the molecular level. TheF statistics for enzyme polymorphism data revealed that inbreeding makes a great contribution to the population homozygosity, sinceF _IS equals 0.1322 andF _ST equals 0.0023. Since the chi-square test showed thatF _ST is not significant, we conclude that all localities belong to the same population. The mtDNA differentiation was about 12 times greater than for nuclear genes;F _ST was equivalent to 0.0265. We suggest that this difference is due to a higher dispersal of males, in relation to females.     

Identification of amino acid residues critical for the B cell growth-promoting activity of HIV-1 matrix protein p17 variants

Background

HIV-1 matrix protein p17 variants (vp17s) detected in HIV-1-infected patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HIV-NHL) display, differently from the wild-type protein (refp17), B cell growth-promoting activity. Biophysical analysis revealed that vp17s are destabilized as compared to refp17, motivating us to explore structure-function relationships.

Chiral separation of unmodified α-hydroxy acids by ligand exchange HPLC using chiral copper(II) complexes of (S)-phenylalaninamide as additives to the eluent

Copper(II) complexes of (S)-phenylalaninamide have been successfully used for the direct enantiomeric separation of unmodified (R,S)-α-hydroxy acids in reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The effect of various parameters (pH, eluent polarity, selector concentration) on enantioselectivity is discussed. Evidence is provided that a mechanism of ligand exchange is actually occurring during the chromatographic separation. The method is very convenient and easy to use, and the chiral selector is commercially available and can be recovered at the end of the analysis. A conventional achiral RP-ODS-2 column is used and no pretreatment of the samples is required. This method allows the accurate determination of the enantiomeric excess of α-hydroxy acids in synthetic and biological samples. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of the Auxacolor system for the identification of clinical yeast isolates

In the last decade the number of systemic yeast infections has increased significantly. Although Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated yeast from clinical specimens, the emergence of non-albicans species has clearly been a recent concern. As a consequence, there is a greater need for rapid and accurate methods for yeast identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the AUXACOLOR system (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur) for the identification of clinically relevant yeasts, as compared with the conventional method. Yeast isolates (n = 97) belonging to 12 species were identified by the commercial system and the classic method. Correct identifications were obtained by using AUXACOLOR system in 79.4% of the isolates tested. Misidentification occurred in 5.2% of the strains and 15.5% were not identified due to a failure in the manufacturer's data base. In order to improve its accuracy, there is a need for expanding the database or revamping the tests included in the system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic Mapping of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is based on DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of random DNA segments using single arbitrary nucleotide sequences. We have adapted the assay to soybeans by using Stoffel Fragment DNA polymerase and by optimizing the reaction conditions. To increase the percentage of RAPD polymorphisms, the DNA template was digested with restriction enzymes before amplification. The combination of twenty-four primers and five DNA template treatments (Undigested, DraI, EcoRI, HindIII, and TaqI digested) revealed 94 polymorphic DNA fragments differing between soybean lines PI437654 and BSR101. Many polymorphic DNA bands were found unreliable or non-scoreable after re-screening of primers and verification of marker-allele segregation with 20 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). However, 28 RAPD markers were consistently polymorphic between the parental lines and followed Mendelian expectations. The use of DNA templates digested with DraI, EcoRI, HindIII or TaqI increased three times the number of RAPD markers compared to undigested DNA template alone. The 28 RAPD markers obtained were further screened with 72 RILs and placed on an existing RFLP map.     

The neolignans of Licaria canella

The trunk wood of Licaria canella contains, besides dillapiol and elemicin, the neolignans canellin-A, -B and -C, for which the respective structures of 1-allyl-4,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6-piperonylbicyclo-[3,2,1]octane; 3a-allyl-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-piperonyl-2,3,3a,6,7,7a-hexahydro-6-oxobenzofuran and 1-allyl-4,8-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-6-piperonyl-3-oxobicyclo-[3,2,1] octane are proposed.     

Electron Microscopy of Retinal Photoreceptors : The Use of Chromation Following Formaldehyde Fixation as a Complementary Technique to Osmium Tetroxide Fixation

The fine structure of the cone and rod outer segments of the toad was studied under the electron microscope after fixation in osmium tetroxide and fixation in formaldehyde followed by chromation. In the OsO₄-fixed specimens, the rod outer segment appears to be built of a stack of lobulated flattened sacs, each of which is made of two membranes of about 40 A separated by an innerspace of about 30 A. The distance between the rod sacs is about 50 A. The sacs in the cone outer segment are originated by the folding of a continuous membrane. The thickness of the membranes and width of the spaces between the cone sacs is the same as in rod, but the sac innerspace is slightly narrower in the cone (~ 20 A). After fixation in formaldehyde and chromation, two different dense lines (l₁ and l₂) separated by spaces of less density appear. One of the lines, l₁, has a thickness of 70 A and is less dense than the other, l₂, which is 30 A thick. The correlation of the patterns obtained with both fixatives is considered and two possible interpretations are given. The possibility that l₂ is related to a soluble phospholipid component is discussed. It is suggested that the outer segments have a paracrystallin organization similar to that found in myelin.     

Molecular Interaction Studies of HIV-1 Matrix Protein p17 and Heparin: IDENTIFICATION OF THE HEPARIN-BINDING MOTIF OF p17 AS A TARGET FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTITARGET ANTAGONISTS*

Once released by HIV⁺ cells, p17 binds heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and CXCR1 on leukocytes causing their dysfunction. By exploiting an approach integrating computational modeling, site-directed mutagenesis of p17, chemical desulfation of heparin, and surface plasmon resonance, we characterized the interaction of p17 with heparin, a HSPG structural analog, and CXCR1. p17 binds to heparin with an affinity (K_d = 190 nm) that is similar to those of other heparin-binding viral proteins. Two stretches of basic amino acids (basic motifs) are present in p17 N and C termini. Neutralization (Arg→Ala substitution) of the N-terminal, but not of the C-terminal basic motif, causes the loss of p17 heparin-binding capacity. The N-terminal heparin-binding motif of p17 partially overlaps the CXCR1-binding domain. Accordingly, its neutralization prevents also p17 binding to the chemochine receptor. Competition experiments demonstrated that free heparin and heparan sulfate (HS), but not selectively 2-O-, 6-O-, and N-O desulfated heparins, prevent p17 binding to substrate-immobilized heparin, indicating that the sulfate groups of the glycosaminoglycan mediate p17 interaction. Evaluation of the p17 antagonist activity of a panel of biotechnological heparins derived by chemical sulfation of the Escherichia coli K5 polysaccharide revealed that the highly N,O-sulfated derivative prevents the binding of p17 to both heparin and CXCR1, thus inhibiting p17-driven chemotactic migration of human monocytes with an efficiency that is higher than those of heparin and HS. Here, we characterized at a molecular level the interaction of p17 with its cellular receptors, laying the basis for the development of heparin-mimicking p17 antagonists.     

Enolase from Streptococcus sobrinus is an immunosuppressive protein

A strategy of Streptococcus sobrinus, a major agent of dental caries, to survive and colonize the host consists of the production of a protein that suppresses the specific antibody responses. We have cloned the gene coding for a protein with immunosuppressive activity. It contains an open reading frame of 1302 base pairs encoding a polypeptide with 434 amino acid residues and a molecular mass of 46910 Da. The gene product is homologous to enolases from several organisms. The polypeptide was expressed in Escherichia coli as a hexahistidine-tagged protein and purified in a fluoride-sensitive enzymatically active form. Pretreatment of mice with the S. sobrinus recombinant enolase suppresses a primary immune response against T-cell dependent antigens. This immunosuppressive effect is specific to the antigen used in the immunization, as it is not observed when the immune response against other antigens is analysed. Furthermore, the S. sobrinus recombinant enolase stimulates an early production of interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and not the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma. These observations indicate that enolase acts in the suppression of the specific host immune response against S. sobrinus infection.     

Polyamine biosynthesis in rabbit perfused heart under various degrees of oxygen tension

Ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities increase in hypoxic perfused rabbit heart (more with less severe hypoxia). Anoxic perfusion causes a decrease in the former activity and no effect in the latter. Changes in polyamine specific radioactivity are consistent with those of the the two enzymes, except for the enhancement at 60 minutes of anoxia.