Full-length sequence and mosaic structure of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolate from Thailand.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates of envelope genotype E are contributing substantially to the global pandemic. These strains appear to be mosaics, with the gag gene from clade A and the envelope from clade E; the parental clade E strain has not been found. Here we report the first full genomic sequence of one such mosaic virus, isolate CM240 from Thailand. Multiple breakpoints between the two parental genotypes have been found in a CM240 virus. The entire gag-pol region and most, if not all, of the accessory genes vif, vpr, tat, rev, and vpu appear to derive from clade A. The genotype switches to E shortly after the signal peptide of the envelope and back to clade A near the middle of gp41; thus, the portion of the envelope that lies on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane appears to be principally derived not from clade E, as previously thought, but from clade A. Another small segment not belonging to any recognized clade and presumably also contributed by the parental E strain has been found in the long terminal repeat. It may be significant that the implied virion structure resembles a pseudotype virus with the matrix and core from one clade and the outer envelope from another. In the long terminal repeat, differences were observed between CM240 and other clades in the number of NF-kappa B binding sites, the sequence of the TATA box, and the putative secondary structure of the transactivation response region stem-loop. The mosaic structure of a CM240 virion is suggestive of phenotypic differences which might have contributed to the emergence of this variant.     

Integrated Genetic Map of Anopheles Gambiae: Use of Rapd Polymorphisms for Genetic, Cytogenetic and Sts Landmarks

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been integrated in the genetic and cytogenetic maps of the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Fifteen of these markers were mapped by recombination, relative to microsatellite markers that had been mapped previously. Thirty-four gel-purified RAPD bands were cloned and sequenced, generating sequence tagged sites (STSs) that can be used as entry points to the A. gambiae genome. Thirty one of these STSs were localized on nurse cell polytene chromosomes through their unique hybridization signal in in situ hybridization experiments. Five STSs map close to the breakpoints of polymorphic inversions, which are notable features of the Anopheles genome. The usefulness and limitations of this integrated mosquito map are discussed.     

Cartographic study: Breakpoints in 1574 families carrying human reciprocal translocations

Reciprocal translocations (rcp) are among the most common constitutional chromosomal aberrations in man. Using a European database of 1574 families carrying autosomal rcp, a cartographic study was done on the breakpoints involved. The breakpoints are non-randomly distributed along the different chromosomes, indicating “hot spots”. Breakpoints of rcp that result in descendants that are unbalanced chromosomally at birth are more frequent in a distal position on chromosomal arms, and 65% of them are localised in R-bands. Among the R-bands, bands rich in GC islands and poor in Alu repetitive sequences are more frequently the site of breakpoints, as well as bands that include a fragile site. This result suggests that the variation in degree of methylation in GC islands could be involved in chromosomal breakage and hence in chromosomal rearrangements. Received: 10 April 1995 / Revised: 1 July 1995     

Size-related photosynthetic characteristics of phytoplankton during periods of seasonal mixing and stratification in an oligotrophic multibasin lake system

Phytoplankton photosynthetic responses were studied in two basinsof an oligotrophic lake (Québec, Canada). which are characterizedby the absence (shallow Basin 1) and presence (deeper Basin2) of seasonal thermal stratification. Size-fractionated photosynthesiswas used to characterize changes in phytoplankton characteristicsduring periods of seasonal mixing and stratification. Seasonalvariations of P _max showed size-related differences, with maximumvalues in July for the picoplankton and in November for thenanoplankton. Similar patterns of variability in     

Conserved function of anopheles gambiae midgut-specific promoters in the fruitfly.

Control of malaria by a methodology that would permit the effective blockage of the Anopheles gambiae midgut wall penetration by Plasmodium parasites requires a detailed understanding of both the physiology of the mosquito's digestion, and of the interactions between the parasite and its host. We have transformed Drosophila melanogaster with several constructs that allow the study of the promoter region of two of the major late trypsin genes of A. gambiae. Using several deletions, we have identified, for both genes, small genomic segments that are sufficient to confer tissue specificity to the promoter in a species that is far away in evolution from the mosquito. This will allow further studies that will enable both the understanding of the blood meal digestion, and may potentially be useful for the design of anti-plasmodial constructs at a later stage.     

BODY BUILD AND LONGEVITY

The very expression “well built” has become a part of our language. It implies that persons of a particular build or structure are better coordinated or somehow can function better than other people and may, therefore, be expected to have a greater life span. Variations in the structure of individuals are marked and serve to distinguish fairly definite types. Insurance experience has crystallized into a number of fairly definite conclusions with regard to the relative longevity of certain of these types. Extremes of stature, for example, are decided handicaps. Extreme overweight and underweight carry with them increased mortality and correspondingly shorter life. Very heavy people are more likely to succumb prematurely to such conditions as diabetes, organic heart disease, renal impairment, hardening of the arteries, and very light persons, particularly at the younger ages, are more likely to develop tuberculosis. Insurance experience has confirmed the popular judgment that the individuals who approach the mean of these body measures are better able to withstand the hazards of life and to round out a fairly full expectation.     

Use of Genetic and Physical Mapping to Locate the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Locus between Two New Highly Polymorphic DNA Markers

The gene for autosomal recessive forms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has recently been mapped to chromosome 5ql3, within a 4-cM region between the blocks D5S465/D5S125 and MAP-1B/D5S112. We identified two new highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers—namely, AFM265wf5 (D5S629) and AFM281yh9 (D5S637)—which are the closest markers to the SMA locus. Multilocus analysis by the location-score method was used to establish the best estimate of the SMA gene location. Our data suggest that the most likely location for SMA is between locus D5S629 and the block D5S637/D5S351/MAP-1B/D5S112/D5S357. Genetic analysis of inbred SMA families, based on homozygosity by descent and physical mapping using mega-YACs, gave additional information for the loci order as follows: cen–D5S6–D5S125/D5S465–D5S435–D5S629–SMA–D5S637–D5S351–MAP–1B/D5S112–D5S357–D5S39–tel. These data give the direction for bidirectional walking in order to clone this interval and isolate the SMA gene.     

Subject: Endocrinology and chronobiology

Research Notes on Avian Biology 1994: Selected Contributions from the 21st International Ornithological CongressMorphology and Physiology: Endocrinology

Subject: Endocrinology and chronobiology     

The Effects of l-Glutamate and trans-(±)-1-Amino-1,3-Cyclopentanedicarboxylate on Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis Can Be Pharmacologically Differentiated

Abstract: The excitatory amino acid analogues l -glutamate ( l -Glu), l -aspartate ( l -Asp), d -Asp, and trans -(±)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylate ( trans -ACPD) stimulate the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides (PI). In the present studies, the effects of noncompetitive and competitive inhibitors on PI hydrolysis stimulated by excitatory amino acid analogues were examined. When agonist and inhibitor were added simultaneously to hippocampal tissue, the noncompetitive inhibitor l -2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate ( l -AP3) did not block the effects of l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp at concentrations that block the effects of trans -ACPD by more than 80%. When tissue was pre-incubated with l -AP3, the effects of l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp were blocked (IC₅₀ values between 65 and 210 µ M ). Unlike l -AP3, l -aspartate-β-hydroxamate ( l -AβHA) inhibited PI hydrolysis stimulated by trans -ACPD, l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp when agonist and inhibitor were added simultaneously in hippocampus; its effects were not time-dependent. In cerebellum, both l -AP3 and l -AβHA had agonist activity. Inhibition by the recently identified competitive inhibitor (+)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [(+)-MCPG] of PI hydrolysis was also examined. (+)-MCPG blocked PI hydrolysis stimulated by trans -ACPD, l -Asp, or d -Asp in both hippocampus and cerebellum (IC₅₀ values between 220 and 1,700 µ M ). The effects of (+)-MCPG were consistent with a competitive mechanism of action. (+)-MCPG (up to 3 m M ) blocked PI hydrolysis stimulated by l -Glu by less than 25% in both hippocampus and cerebellum.