The complete sequence of the gene for the knob-associated histidine-rich protein from Plasmodium falciparum.

'Knobs' at the surface of erythrocytes infected with mature stages of Plasmodium falciparum are believed to be important in adherence of these cells to capillary walls. They contain at least one parasite protein, designated the knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP). We present here the sequences of a cDNA and chromosomal clone that predict the complete sequence of KAHRP. The gene contains a single intervening sequence, located at the 3' boundary of the hydrophobic core of a putative signal sequence. Exon two encodes a short region that is rich in histidine as well as two separate regions of repetitive sequence, the 5' repeats (five copies related to SKKHKDNEDAESVK) and the 3' repeats (seven copies related to SKGATKEAST). These repeat blocks were both shown to bear epitopes recognized by the human immune system during natural infection by expressing them separately in Escherichia coli, and reacting human antibodies affinity-purified on lysates of the resulting clones with the corresponding synthetic oligopeptides. The 3' end of the molecule, presumably the repetitive region, is a site of size variation in KAHRP from different isolates.     

Probabilistic behavior of DNA segregation in Escherichia coli.

The pattern of segregation of DNA in Escherichia coli B/rK was analyzed by using the Methocel technique for forming chains of cells and the membrane binding elution method. Strain B/rK was shown to have a relatively high degree of nonrandom segregation and was used in a critical experiment to test the proposal that only one DNA strand acts nonrandomly during segregation. Thymidine-labeled cells were bound to a nitrocellulose membrane, and newly dividing cells were eluted from the membrane for six generations. The segregation of DNA in the eluted cells as well as in the cells bound to the membrane was examined by the Methocel technique. No difference in segregation was found between the two populations of cells, a result which indicates that the two strands are equivalent in segregation and that the pattern of segregation is not the result of a permanent binding of any strand to a pole of a cell.     

Backbone and side chain 1H, 15N and 13C assignments for the reduced form of the oxidoreductase protein DsbA from Vibrio cholerae

We have determined ¹³C/¹⁵N/¹H assignments for the reduced and oxidised forms of Vibrio cholerae DsbA (VcDsbA). These form the basis for ongoing studies aimed at characterising the dynamics observed in the different redox forms of this bacterial oxidoreductase enzyme.     

Substrate preference of metalloproteinases secreted by ts-110 Moloney murine sarcoma virus-transformed normal rat kidney cells.

In this study, the two forms of affinity-purified transformation-associated proteins (TAPs) (68 and 64 kD) were shown to have different substrate preferences. For the 68-kD TAP, the order of substrate preference was collagen types I, III, and V; fibronectin; gelatin; and collagen IV. For the 64-kD TAP, the order of substrate preference was collagen I, III, and V and gelatin. The 64-kD TAP did not cleave collagen IV and fibronectin. We also found a 71-kD metalloproteinase in the concentrated purified TAPs that reacted only weakly with a TAP monoclonal antibody and showed this substrate preference: collagen I, III, and V; gelatin; and collagen IV. Whether this 71-kD TAP is a new member of the rat metalloproteinase family will be investigated.     

Rat hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin messenger RNA is unaffected by adrenalectomy.

The negative feedback control of hypothalamic cortocotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and anterior pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) by corticosteroids is well understood. However, less is known about the mechanisms that regulate POMC gene expression in the arcuate nuclei in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). Using a sensitive and specific S1 endonuclease protection assay, we have examined the effect of adrenalectomy on POMC mRNA in the rat MBH and pituitary. Our results show that adrenalectomy does not change POMC mRNA levels in the MBH at 7 or 14 days post surgery. The neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary was similarly unaffected by adrenalectomy, while in the anterior lobe, POMC mRNA increased 7-10 fold at both time points, effects that were prevented by dexamethasone treatment. We conclude that while POMC mRNA in the anterior lobe of the pituitary is regulated by plasma glucocorticoids, in the MBH and neurointermediate lobe, it is not.     

Evaluation of pulmonary resistance and maximal expiratory flow measurements during exercise in humans.

To evaluate methods used to document changes in airway function during and after exercise, we studied nine subjects with exercise-induced asthma and five subjects without asthma. Airway function was assessed from measurements of pulmonary resistance (RL) and forced expiratory vital capacity maneuvers. In the asthmatic subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) fell 24 +/- 14% and RL increased 176 +/- 153% after exercise, whereas normal subjects experienced no change in airway function (RL -3 +/- 8% and FEV1 -4 +/- 5%). During exercise, there was a tendency for FEV1 to increase in the asthmatic subjects but not in the normal subjects. RL, however, showed a slight increase during exercise in both groups. Changes in lung volumes encountered during exercise were small and had no consistent effect on RL. The small increases in RL during exercise could be explained by the nonlinearity of the pressure-flow relationship and the increased tidal breathing flows associated with exercise. In the asthmatic subjects, a deep inspiration (DI) caused a small, significant, transient decrease in RL 15 min after exercise. There was no change in RL in response to DI during exercise in either asthmatic or nonasthmatic subjects. When percent changes in RL and FEV1 during and after exercise were compared, there was close agreement between the two measurements of change in airway function. In the groups of normal and mildly asthmatic subjects, we conclude that changes in lung volume and DIs had no influence on RL during exercise. Increases in tidal breathing flows had only minor influence on measurements of RL during exercise. Furthermore, changes in RL and in FEV1 produce equivalent indexes of the variations in airway function during and after exercise.     

Is Friday the 13th bad for your health?

OBJECTIVE--To examine the relation between health, behaviour, and superstition surrounding Friday 13th in the United Kingdom. DESIGN--Retrospective study of paired data comparing driving and shopping patterns and accidents. SUBJECTS--Drivers, shoppers, and residents. SETTING--South West Thames region. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Numbers of vehicles on motorways; numbers of shoppers in supermarkets; and hospital admissions due to accidents. RESULTS--There were consistently and significantly fewer vehicles on the southern section of the M25 on Friday the 13th compared with Friday the 6th. The numbers of shoppers were not significantly different on the two days. Admissions due to transport accidents were significantly increased on Friday 13th (total 65 v 45; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended.     

Developmental complexities of simple leaves

Recent papers have explored early events in the development of simple leaves. Functional compartmentalization of the shoot apical meristem correlates with distinct fields of cells connected by plasmodesmata. Molecules important in the initiation of phyllotactic pattern are described and the relationship between dorsoventral patterning and lateral leaf expansion is investigated.