CTLA4 Autoimmunity-Associated Genotype Contributes to Severe Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an African Population

The gene of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-associated Antigen 4 (CTLA4), a negative regulator of T lymphocytes, contains a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position +6230A->G (ct60A->G), which has been found associated with several autoimmune diseases and appears to reduce T-cell inhibitory activity. In Ghana, West Africa, we compared the frequencies of CTLA4 +6230 A/G and 6 haplotype-tagging SNPs in 2010 smear-positive, HIV-negative patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and 2346 controls matched for age, gender and ethnicity. We found no difference in allele frequencies between cases and controls. However, +6230A and a distinct CTLA4 haplotype and a diplotype comprising the +6230A allele were significantly less frequent among cases with large opacities in chest radiographs compared to those with small ones (P_{corrected [cor]} = 0.002, P_cor = 0.00045, P = 0.0005, respectively). This finding suggests that an increased T-cell activity associated with the CTLA4 +6230G allele contributes to pathology rather than to protection in pulmonary TB.     

Optimized linker sequences for the expression of monomeric and dimeric bispecific single-chain diabodies.

Bispecific single-chain diabodies (scDb) consist of the variable heavy and light chain domains of two antibodies connected by three linkers. The structure of an scDb in the V(H)-V(L) orientation is V(H)A-linkerA-V(L)B-linkerM-V(H)B-linkerB-V(L)A, with linkers A and B routinely chosen to be 5-6 residues and linker M 15-20 residues. Here, we applied display of scDb on filamentous phage to analyse the composition of optimal linker sequences. The three linkers were randomized in length and sequence using degenerated triplets coding for only six hydrophilic or aliphatic amino acids (Thr, Ser, Asp, Asn, Gly, Ala). Antigen-binding clones were then isolated by one to two rounds of selection on the two different antigens recognized by the bispecific scDb. Using an scDb directed against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and beta-galactosidase (Gal), we found that monomeric scDb had a preferred length of 15 or more amino acid residues for the middle linker M and of 3-6 residues for the linkers A and B. No obvious bias towards a preferred linker sequence was observed. Reduction of the middle linker below 13 residues led to the formation of dimeric scDb, which most likely results from interchain pairing between all the V(H) and V(L) domains. Dimeric scDb were also formed by fragments possessing a long linker M and linkers A and B of 0 or 1 residue. We assume that these dimeric scDb are formed by intrachain pairing of the central variable domains and interchain pairing of the flanking variable domains. Thus, the latter molecules represent a novel format of bispecific and tetravalent molecules. The described strategy allows for the isolation of both optimized and minimal linker sequences for the assembly of monomeric or dimeric single-chain diabodies.     

A DNA Damage Checkpoint Pathway Coordinates the Division of Dikaryotic Cells in the Ink Cap Mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea

The fungal fruiting body or mushroom is a multicellular structure essential for sexual reproduction. It is composed of dikaryotic cells that contain one haploid nucleus from each mating partner sharing the same cytoplasm without undergoing nuclear fusion. In the mushroom, the pileus bears the hymenium, a layer of cells that includes the specialized basidia in which nuclear fusion, meiosis, and sporulation occur. Coprinopsis cinerea is a well-known model fungus used to study developmental processes associated with the formation of the fruiting body. Here we describe that knocking down the expression of Atr1 and Chk1, two kinases shown to be involved in the response to DNA damage in a number of eukaryotic organisms, dramatically impairs the ability to develop fruiting bodies in C. cinerea, as well as other developmental decisions such as sclerotia formation. These developmental defects correlated with the impairment in silenced strains to sustain an appropriated dikaryotic cell cycle. Dikaryotic cells in which chk1 or atr1 genes were silenced displayed a higher level of asynchronous mitosis and as a consequence aberrant cells carrying an unbalanced dose of nuclei. Since fruiting body initiation is dependent on the balanced mating-type regulator doses present in the dikaryon, we believe that the observed developmental defects were a consequence of the impaired cell cycle in the dikaryon. Our results suggest a connection between the DNA damage response cascade, cell cycle regulation, and developmental processes in this fungus.     

Self-splicing of group II introns in vitro: lariat formation and 3' splice site selection in mutant RNAs

Deletion or substitution of the branch A residue in group II intron bl1 significantly reduces splicing activity; yet, residual exon ligation is correct, and lariats have their branch points at the normal distance from the 3' end of the intron. Mutations in the sequence facing the branch point also allow residual lariat formation; however, free 3' exons are generated with false 5' termini, all of which are within a UCACA consensus sequence located upstream or downstream of the normal 3' splice site. These results indicate that both the conserved 3' splice site APy and the spatial arrangements in stem 6 are crucial for correct 3' splice site selection.     

Adenovirus early gene products may control viral mRNA accumulation and translation in vivo

The mechanisms controlling early adenovirus gene expression in vivo have been studied using inhibitors of protein synthesis. When inhibitors were added shortly before or at the onset of infection, viral mRNA from all early regions was transcribed, spliced and accumulated over a 7 hr period. After longer pretreatment, accumulation of several early mRNAs were suppressed. Addition of inhibitors 1 hr after infection enhanced the accumulation of viral mRNA in the cytoplasm. Translation of early mRNA selected on adenovirus DNA in a cell-free system reflected the amount of viral mRNA present. A viral coded product may therefore control accumulation of viral mRNA.A different pattern emerged when inhibitors of protein synthesis were removed at 5 hr postinfection and cells were pulse-labeled in vivo. If inhibitors were introduced at or before infection, early viral proteins were synthesized only after a lag of 1–3 hr. However, if treatment was introduced 1 hr post-infection, reversion of the protein synthesis block was instantaneous. It appears that protein synthesis inhibitors reveal an in vivo translational block for viral mRNA. This block could be overcome by preinfection with a related virus. Furthermore, no block was observed in a virus-transformed human embryonic kidney cell line (293) which expresses early region 1 of the viral genome. Viral gene product(s) encoded in early region 1 may control translation of early adenovirus messenger RNA in vivo.     

Immunocytochemical detection of the growth-associated protein B-50 by newly characterized monoclonal antibodies in human brain and muscle

The growth-associated protein B-50 also termed GAP-43, F1, pp46, P-57 and neuromodulin is a nervous tissuespecific protein kinase C (PKC) substrate that is considered to play a major role in neurite formation, regeneration, and neuroplasticity. We describe the isolation of seven mouse monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against B-50. The Mabs are produced against the bovine B-50, selected by ELISA for cross-reactivity with its human counterpart, and evaluated on Western blots in comparison with the well-characterized affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies to rat-B-50. The Western blots show that the Mabs NM1, NM4, and NM6 recognize specifically the B-50 of bovine, human, and rat brain extract and the purified PKC phosphorylated and unphosphorylated rat B-50 isoforms. The Mabs NM2 and NM3 cross-react with bovine B-50 immunoreactive c-kinase substrate (BICKS), a protein sharing a 17 amino acid sequence homology with B-50. Two Mabs are useful for the detection of B-50 immunoreactivity in formalin-fixed human and rat brain tissues. In human specimen of the hippocampus, a characteristic neuropil distribution of B-50 is detected by the Mabs. In human muscle, Mabs reveal B-50 in nerve bundles and in axons at motor end plates. Thus, these Mabs are useful in investigating the function and localization of the B-50 protein.     

Genetische Aspekte bei Spermatogenesestörungen

The cause for infertility which affects about 10–15% of all couples may be found in approximately half of the cases in the male partners who usually exhibit reduced sperm counts in the ejaculate (i.e. oligozoospermia or azoospermia). The clinically most relevant genetic causes of spermatogenic failure are chromosomal aberrations including Klinefelter’s syndrome and Y chromosomal microdeletions of the AZF loci. Aside from the full clinical picture of cystic fibrosis, mutations in the CFTR gene can cause an isolated obstructive azoospermia without spermatogenic impairment. Genetic investigations should depend on the results of andrological examinations. Chromosomal aberrations are detected more frequently with decreasing sperm counts, where autosomes (e.g. translocations) are predominantly involved in men with oligozoospermia whereas in 10–15% azoospermia is caused by Klinefelter’s syndrome. Classical AZF deletions are found only in men with severe oligospermia or azoospermia and have a prognostic value. In contrast to men with AZFc deletions, carriers of complete AZFa and AZFb deletions have virtually no chance for testicular sperm extraction and a testicular biopsy is not advised. Rare cases of male infertility may be caused by specific syndromes or sperm defects (e.g. globozoospermia and disorders of ciliary structure).