Evaluation of a Fluorescent Lectin-Based Staining Technique for Some Acidophilic Mining Bacteria

A fluorescence-labeled wheat germ agglutinin staining technique (R. K. Sizemore et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56:2245–2247, 1990) was modified and found to be effective for staining gram-positive, acidophilic mining bacteria. Bacteria identified by others as being gram positive through 16S rRNA sequence analyses, yet clustering near the divergence of that group, stained weakly. Gram-negative bacteria did not stain. Background staining of environmental samples was negligible, and pyrite and soil particles in the samples did not interfere with the staining procedure.     

An amino acid substitution (Gly853-->Glu) in the collagen alpha 1(II) chain produces hypochondrogenesis.

The spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia subclassification of bone dysplasias includes achondrogenesis, hypochondrogenesis, and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita. The phenotypic expression of these disorders ranges from mild to perinatal lethal forms. We report the detection and partial characterization of a defect in type II collagen in a perinatal lethal form of hypochondrogenesis. Electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide of CB peptides (where CB represents cyanogen bromide) from type II collagen of the diseased cartilage showed a doublet band for peptide alpha 1(II)CB10 and evidence for post-translational overmodification of the major peptides (CB8, CB10, and CB11) seen as a retarded electrophoretic mobility. Peptide CB10 was digested by endoproteinase Asp-N; and on reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography, fragments of abnormal mobility were noted. Sequence analysis of a unique peptide D12 revealed a single amino acid substitution (Gly-->Glu) at position 853 of the triple helical domain. This was confirmed by sequence analysis of amplified COL2A1 cDNA, which revealed a single nucleotide substitution (GGA-->GAA) in 5 of 10 clones. Electron micrographs of the diseased cartilage showed a sparse extracellular matrix and chondrocytes containing dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, which suggested impaired assembly and secretion of the mutant protein. This case further documents the molecular basis of the spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia spectrum of chondrodysplasias as mutations in COL2A1.     

Sandwich capture ELISA by a murine monoclonal antibody against a genus-specific LPS epitope for the detection of different common serotypes of salmonellas

D.CHOI, R.S.W. TSANG AND M.H. NG. 1992. A sandwich capture ELISA based on a murine monoclonal antibody against a genus-specific epitope in the outer core region of the Salmonella lipopolysaccharide is described for the detection of different common serotypes of salmonellas. Four h broth cultures of seven standard and 24 wild strains of salmonellas were all detected by the capture ELISA while overnight broth cultures of 21 non-salmonella standard strains were all negative. The capture ELISA detected 1 ng/ml of Ra lipopolysaccharide, 10⁶/ml of a smooth wild strain of Salm. typhimurium , and 1120 cells of Salm. heidelberg after enrichment culture for 4 h.     

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Alaskans: Factors associated with infection and comparison of urea breath test and anti‐Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies

Background

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common human infections in the world, and studies in Alaska Native people, as well as other Indigenous peoples, have shown a high prevalence of this gastric infection. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection by urea breath test (UBT) and anti‐ H. pylori IgG among Alaskans living in four regions of the state and to identify factors associated with infection.

Methods

A convenience sample of persons > 6 months old living in five rural and one urban Alaskan community were recruited from 1996 to 1997. Participants were asked about factors possibly associated with infection. Sera were collected and tested for anti‐ H. pylori IgG antibodies; a UBT was administered to participants > 5 years old.

Results

We recruited 710 people of whom 571 (80%) were Alaska Native and 467 (66%) were from rural communities. Rural residents were more likely to be Alaska Native compared with urban residents (P < .001). Of the 710 people, 699 (98%) had a serum sample analyzed, and 634 (97%) persons > 5 years old had a UBT performed. H. pylori prevalence was 69% by UBT and 68% by anti‐ H. pylori IgG. Among those with a result for both tests, there was 94% concordance. Factors associated with H. pylori positivity were Alaska Native racial status, age ≥ 20 years, rural region of residence, living in a crowded home, and drinking water that was not piped or delivered.

Conclusions

Helicobacter pylori prevalence is high in Alaska, especially in Alaska Native persons and rural residents. Concordance between UBT and serology was also high in this group. Two socioeconomic factors, crowding and drinking water that was not piped or delivered, were found to be associated with H. pylori positivity.     

Direct high-performance liquid chromatography determination of diastereomeric oxprenolol glucuronides

The β-blocking agent oxprenolol is used therapeutically as the racemate. In humans and animals it is metabolized i.a. to ether glucuronide diastereomers. A stereoselective HPLC assay was developed to determine directly, without hydrolysis to their parent enantiomers, the oxprenolol glucuronides in biological samples. The glucuronide standards for this direct assay are prepared by incubation of rabbit liver microsomes with RS-oxprenolol. The glucuronides obtained are purified and concentrated with solid-phase extraction, and their concentration is measured by an indirect method, i.e. HPLC assay of the oxprenolol enantiomers after enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase. The direct assay involves separation by HPLC using a C₁₈-reversed-phase column, with UV detection at 274 nm; nalorphine is used as internal standard. On injection onto the column, without previous hydrolysis, the limit of detection is 20 ng for both glucuronides. The assay is sensitive, accurate and reproducible. The method is suitable for the assay of glucuronides in liver microsomal incubates and plasma.     

Differential Expression of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Receptor in the Upper Respiratory Tracts of Humans and Dromedary Camels

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is not efficiently transmitted between humans, but it is highly prevalent in dromedary camels. Here we report that the MERS-CoV receptor—dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4)—is expressed in the upper respiratory tract epithelium of camels but not in that of humans. Lack of DPP4 expression may be the primary cause of limited MERS-CoV replication in the human upper respiratory tract and hence restrict transmission.     

Characterization of a novel enzyme—<Emphasis Type="Italic">Starmerella bombicola</Emphasis> lactone esterase (SBLE)—responsible for sophorolipid lactonization

We recently discovered a novel enzyme in the exoproteome of Starmerella bombicola, which is structurally related to Candida antarctica lipase A. A knockout strain for this enzyme does no longer produce lactonic sophorolipids, prompting us to believe that this protein is the missing S. bombicola lactone esterase (SBLE). SBLE catalyzes a rather unusual reaction, i.e., an intramolecular esterification (lactonization) of acidic sophorolipids in an aqueous environment, which raised questions about its activity and mode of action. Here, we report the heterologous production of this enzyme in Pichia pastoris and its purification in a two-step strategy. Purified recombinant SBLE (rSBLE) was used to perform HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS)-based assays with different sophorolipid mixtures. We experimentally confirmed that SBLE is able to perform ring closure of acetylated acidic sophorolipids. This substrate was selected for rSBLE kinetic studies to estimate the apparent values of K _m . We established that rSBLE displays optimal activity in the pH range of 3.5 to 6 and has an optimal temperature in the range of 20 to 50 °C. Additionally, we generated a rSBLE mutant through site-directed mutagenesis of Ser₁₉₄ in the predicted active site pocket and show that this mutant is lacking the ability to lactonize sophorolipids. We therefore propose that SBLE operates via the common serine hydrolase mechanism in which the catalytic serine residue is assisted by a His/Asp pair.     

Adenylate cyclase stimulation by VIP in rat and human parotid membranes

Adenylate cyclase activity was stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in rat parotid membranes, in the presence of 100 microM guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The threshold concentration of VIP was 300 nM and the activity doubled at the maximal VIP concentration tested (30 microM). The relative potency of peptides of the VIP family was: VIP greater than peptide histidine isoleucinamide (PHI) greater than secretin. The beta-adrenergic agent isoproterenol was a more efficient activator of rat parotid adenylate cyclase and its stimulatory effect, like that of VIP, depended on the presence of GTP. The effects of VIP and isoproterenol were both potentiated by 10 microM forskolin. By comparison with rat parotid preparations, membranes from a human parotid gland responded similarly to the VIP family of peptides (VIP greater than PHI greater than secretin). In both rat and human parotid membranes, two proteins (Mr 44 kDa and 53 kDa) of the alpha-subunit of Ns (the guanyl nucleotide-binding stimulatory protein) were labelled by ADP-ribosylation, in the presence of cholera toxin. Taken together, these results indicate that VIP receptors, when coupled to Ns, were able to activate the adenylate cyclase system in rat and human parotid membranes.     

Preliminary Investigations about the Mode of Transmission and Spread of Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis on Forage Grasses

Extensive studies showed that no disease was caused when seeds of different forage grasses were inoculated with Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis. The disease could easily be induced by infecting the plants in the root system, leaves or flower. The inoculation site in the leaf proved to be of vital importance for the development of the disease. Wilting symptoms were quickly induced when the pathogen was inoculated near the leaf base. Plants in root-contact with diseased plants showed disease symptoms. It is not known whether these symptoms were caused by the bacteria or by toxins released by nearby diseased plants. Cross inoculation trials on different grass varieties revealed that different pathovars exist in the group of xanthomonads, pathogenic to forage grasses. Some have a broad host range whereas others are more limited to a single plant genus. Field trials suggest that in Belgian climatic conditions, the losses caused by bacterial wilt are rather limited.