Expression of the Opc protein correlates with invasion of epithelial and endothelial cells by Neisseria meningitidis

Whereas capsulate strains of Neisseria meningitidis are dependent on pili for adhesion to human endothelial and epithelial cells, strains which lacked assembled pili and were partially capsule-deficient adhered to and invaded human endothelial and epithelial cells if they expressed the Opc protein. Bacteria expressing low or undetectable levels of Opc protein failed to adhere to or invade eukaryotic cells. In addition, the presence of OpaAC751 protein on the surface of bacteria did not increase bacterial interactions with host cells. Association of Opc-expressing bacteria was inhibited by antibodies against Opc. Invasion was dependent on the host-cell cytoskeletal activity and was inhibited by cytochalasin D. In some cells, infected at the apical surface, bacteria emerging from basal surface were detected by electron microscopy. Opc is found in diverse meningococci and may represent a common virulence factor which facilitates adherence and invasion by these bacteria.     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer study of the associative state of membrane-bound complexes of complement proteins C5b-8

Human complement protein C8 was labeled with the fluorescent chromophores fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC), 3-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-7-diethylamine-4-methyl coumarin (IPM), eosin-5-isothiocyanate (EOS), or Texas Red (sulforhodamine-101-sulfonyl chloride; TR) with only minor reduction in the specific hemolytic activity of the protein. The distribution of C5b-8 complexes bound to sheep erythrocyte membranes was investigated by monitoring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (RET) between the following RET donor/acceptor pairs of labeled C8: FITC-C8/EOS-C8, IPM-C8/EOS-C8, and FITC-C8/TR-C8. On binding to membranes containing pre-formed C5b67 complexes, specific RET was detected for each of the donor/acceptor pairs of labeled C8 investigated. In contrast, no energy transfer was observed for these RET donor/acceptor pairs of labeled C8 incubated in the presence of control membranes or in membrane-free solution. On the basis of a consideration of the transfer efficiency that would be expected for donor/acceptor pairs of labeled C8 that were uniformly dispersed on the membrane surface, these results suggest that C5b-8 complexes are aggregated into polymeric clusters when membrane-bound. The efficiency of donor-C8 to acceptor-C8 RET--and the hemolytic activity of membrane-bound C5b-8 (in the absence of C9)--are both related to the surface density of membrane-bound C5b67, suggesting that the physical clustering of the membrane-inserted C5b-8 complex may be related to the expression of its cytolytic activity.     

Foliage sesquiterpenes of Dacrydium cupressinum: identification,variation and biosynthesis

The major sesquiterpenes in the foliage of Dacrydium cupressinum are α-longipinene, longifolene, longibornyl acetate, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, humulene, α- and β-selinene, β- and δ-elemene, aromadendrene and the rare 9βH-caryophyllene. Sesquiterpene levels vary greatly from tree to tree. As this variation is largely independent of environmental factors, genetic control is proposed. Longifolene and α-longipinene levels are closely correlated, as are those of caryophyllene and humulene. The biosynthetic implications of these correlations are discussed.     

Enzymatic Regulation of Glycoprotein Synthesis in Peripheral Nervous System Myelin

The enzyme UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: dolichyl phosphate, N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase initiates the synthesis of the oligosaccharide chain of complex-type glycoproteins. In view of the high content of glycoprotein in peripheral nerve myelin, the properties of this enzyme, its changes with age, and the effect of the specific inhibitor tunicamycin were investigated. The enzyme activity in rat peripheral nerve homogenate was completely dependent on the presence of exogenous dolichyl phosphate as well as Mg2+ and a detergent (Triton X-100) and was also greatly stimulated by a high salt concentration (0.4 M KCl) and AMP. The highest specific activity was present in the postmitochondrial membranes. The specific activity in postmitochondrial membranes in the presence of exogenous dolichyl phosphate reached a maximum at 17 days and remained relatively high throughout development, up to 2 years of age, but the activity was much lower when dolichyl phosphate was not added. This indicates that the enzyme level does not decrease with age, but that the content of the lipid cofactor may limit glycoprotein synthesis in vivo. Tunicamycin (5 micrograms) was injected intraneurally into 24-day-old rat sciatic nerve, and the enzyme was assayed from 1 to 24 days after injection. The specific activity of the transferase remained at low levels (5-40% of the level in control nerve) in most injected nerves assayed throughout this postinjection period. A protein previously identified as the unglycosylated P0 protein was synthesized in vitro by the tunicamycin-injected nerve and could be demonstrated to be incorporated into myelin in large amounts at 2 days and in small amounts at 6 days after injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The chromosomal location of T-cell receptor genes and a T cell rearranging gene: possible correlation with specific translocations in human T cell leukaemia.

We have examined the chromosomal location of human T cell-specific genes which are involved in antigen recognition and of a gene which specifically rearranges in T cells. The genes encoding both the variable and constant region segments of the T cell receptor alpha chain are found on chromosome 14 while the delta chain gene of the T cell receptor-associated T3 complex is localised to chromosome 11. Further, the two tandemly arranged T cell-specific rearranging genes, designated gamma, were mapped to chromosome 7, but apparently not closely linked to the previously mapped T cell receptor beta-chain gene. The locations of the three different genes, which undergo rearrangement in T cells, may correlate with the chromosomal breakpoints known to be involved in translocations within abnormal human T cells.     

Detection of an antigenic cell wall layer inHistoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells have been studied by immunoelectron microscopy using rabbit polyclonal antisera and a biotin-avidin-peroxidase detection system. An antigenic surface layer has been visualized in the cell wall of immunostained organisms. This layer was not seen in samples prepared by standard electron microscopic methods or in negative controls used with the immunocytochemical technique. Without immunostaining the cell wall ofHistoplasma appeared almost transparent. In contrast, after immunoperoxidase staining the cell wall was conspicuous, bounded by the darkly stained outer layer. This electron dense layer, appeared to be a reservoir of surface antigens that were recognized by anti-Histoplasma antibodies.Abbreviations CHHA Cystine-heart-hemoglobin agar - PBS phosphate buffered saline - Ig immunoglobulin - TBS Tris buffered saline - DAB 3,3-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - M199 tissue culture medium 199, according to Morgan et al. (1950)     

Comparison of health problems related to work and environmental measurements in two office buildings with different ventilation systems.

A cross sectional survey investigating "building sickness" was carried out in two buildings with similar populations of office workers but differing ventilation systems, one being fully air conditioned with humidification and the other naturally ventilated. The prevalence of symptoms related to work was assessed by a questionnaire administered by a doctor. A stratified, randomly selected sample of workers was seen (84% response). Building sickness includes several distinct syndromes related to work, most of which were significantly more common in the air conditioned building than the naturally ventilated building--namely, rhinitis (28% v 5%), nasal blockage and dry throat (35% v 9%), lethargy (36% v 13%), and headache (31% v 15%). The prevalence of work related asthma and humidifier fever was low and did not differ significantly between the two buildings. An environmental assessment of the offices was performed to attempt to identify possible factors responsible for the differences in the prevalence of disease. Globe temperature, dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, moisture content, air velocity, positive and negative ions, and carbon monoxide, ozone, and formaldehyde concentrations were all measured. None of these factors differed between the buildings, suggesting that building sickness is caused by other factors.