Sequence of an operon containing a novel δ-endotoxin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis

An insect larval toxin designated CryII is produced by several subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis and differs from the other major delta-endotoxins in these bacteria in its size, toxicity profile and presence as part of an operon with three open reading frames (ORF). Such an operon from a novel B. thuringiensis isolate has been cloned and differs from one previously characterized in the following ways: (a) the size and number of amino acid repeats in one of the ORFs; (b) the smaller size of the CryII protoxin and the presence of a unique 110-kDa CryII-related antigen; and (c) high larvicidal activity for a particular Lepidopteran but low activity for a Dipteran. Various subclones of this operon were introduced into a plasmid-free B. thuringiensis strain and only the cryII gene was found to be necessary for protoxin accumulation.     

In vitro dynamics of chromatin organization and migration

The organization of eukaryotic chromatin is not static but changes as a function of cell status during processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. DNA quantification has not been used extensively to investigate chromatin dynamics in combination with cellular migration. In this context, an optimized DNA-specific, nonperturbant method has been developed for studying chromatin organization, using the fluorescent vital bisbenzimidazole probe Hoechst 33342: this property has been described by Hamori et al. (1980). Computer-assisted image analysis was used to follow migratory activity and chromatin organization of L929 fibroblasts during in vitro wound healing. Cell movements were analyzed using an optical flow technique, which consists in the calculation of the velocity field of cells and nuclear movements in the frame. This system allows the correlation of cell migration and position in the cell cycle. It makes it possible to study chromatin dynamics using a quantitative analysis of nuclear differentiation reorganization (nuclear texture) and to correlate this with migration characteristics. The present system would be of interest for studying cell-extracellular matrix interactions using differing substrates, and also the migratory response to chemotactic factors. Such a model is a prerequisite for gaining better understanding of drug action.     

A recombinant foot-and-mouth disease virus antigen inhibits DNA replication and triggers the SOS response in Escherichia coli

Abstract The 3D gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus encodes the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase, also called virus infection associated (VIA) antigen, which is the most important serological marker of virus infection. This 3D gene from a serotype Cl virus has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the strong lambda lytic promoters. The resulting 51 kDa recombinant protein has been shown to be immunoreactive with sera from infected animals. After induction of gene expression, an immediate and dramatic arrest of cell DNA synthesis occurs, similar to that produced by genotoxic doses of the drug mitomycin C. This effect does not occur during the production of either a truncated VIA antigen or other related and non-related viral proteins. The inhibition of DNA replication results in a subsequent induction of the host SOS DNA-repair response and in an increase of the mutation frequency in the surviving cells.     

Aurin tricarboxylic acid, the anti-AIDS compound, prevents the binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor

Binding of HIV to its receptor, the CD4 molecule of lymphocytes, can be prevented by chemical agents. These agents could be considered as potential anti-AIDS drugs. We have shown that aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA, 3 microM) specifically blocks the binding of gp120, the HIV coat protein, to the CD4 molecule. We have also found that ATA prevents the binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor in a dose-dependent manner (12-50 microM range). Membrane potential shift, associated with binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor, was also blocked by ATA in a dose-dependent fashion. Our results indicate that potential anti-AIDS drugs should be screened for such undesired side effects.     

Detection of Infectious Astroviruses in Water

A method based on the infection of CaCo-2 cells and molecular hybridization with a specific cDNA probe has been developed for the detection of infectious astroviruses in environmental samples. By this procedure wild-type astroviruses have been detected in water from an area where a concurrent gastroenteritis outbreak was reported.     

Neural inhibition sharpens auditory spatial selectivity of bat inferior collicular neurons

This study examines the role of neural inhibition in auditory spatial selectivity of inferior collicular neurons of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, using a two-tone inhibition paradigm. Two-tone inhibition decreases auditory spatial response areas but increases the slopes of directional sensitivity curves of inferior collicular neurons. Inferior collicular neurons have either directionally-selective or hemifield directional sensitivity curves. A directionally-selective curve always has a peak which is at least 50% larger than the minimum. A hemifield directional sensitivity curve rises from an ipsilateral angle by more than 50% and either reaches a plateau or declines by less than 50% over a range of contralateral angles. Two-tone inhibition does not change directionally-selective curves but changes most hemifield directional sensitivity curves into directionally-selective curves. Auditory spatial selectivity determined both with and without two-tone inhibition increases with increasing best-excitatory frequency. Sharpening of auditory spatial selectivity by two-tone inhibition is larger for neurons with smaller differences between excitatory and inhibitory best frequencies. The effect of two-tone inhibition on auditory spatial selectivity increases with increasing inhibitory tone intensity but decreases with increasing intertone interval. The implications of these findings in bat echolocation are discussed. Accepted: 18 January 2000