Isolation and functional identification of a novel cDNA for astaxanthin biosynthesis from Haematococcus pluvialis,and astaxanthin synthesis in Escherichia coli

We succeeded in isolating a novel cDNA involved in astaxanthin biosynthesis from the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis, by an expression cloning method using an Escherichia coli transformant as a host that synthesizes -carotene due to the Erwinia uredovora carotenoid biosynthesis genes. The cloned cDNA was shown to encode a novel enzyme, -carotene ketolase (-carotene oxygenase), which converted -carotene to canthaxanthin via echinenone, through chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of the pigments accumulated in an E. coli transformant. This indicates that the encoded enzyme is responsible for the direct conversion of methylene to keto groups, a mechanism that usually requires two different enzymatic reactions proceeding via a hydroxy intermediate. Northern blot analysis showed that the mRNA was synthesized only in the cyst cells of H. pluvialis. E. coli carrying the H. pluvialis cDNA and the E. uredovora genes required for zeaxanthin biosynthesis was also found to synthesize astaxanthin (3S, 3S), which was identified after purification by a variety of spectroscopic methods.     

Primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viremia and central nervous system invasion in a novel hu-PBL-immunodeficient mouse strain.

We established four new mouse strains with defective T and B cells as well as defects in innate immunological reactions using an NK cell depletion antibody and showed that all mutant mouse strains efficiently received human peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) engraftment (hu-PBL-scid mice). Higher levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication were observed in these new hu-PBL-scid mice than in conventional hu-PBL-C.B-17-scid mice. In one particular strain, hu-PBL-NOD-scid mice, high levels of HIV-1 viremia (more than 10(6) 50% infectious doses per ml) were detected after infection with HIV-1. The plasma viral load was about 100 to 1,000 times higher than that observed in other hu-PBL-scid mice infected with HIV-1. Although high-level viremia did not correlate with the total amount of HIV-1 RNA in cells from infected mice, high levels of free virions were detected only in hu-PBL-NOD-scid mice. HIV-1 viremia induced systemic HIV-1 infection involving the liver, lungs, and brain. PCR in situ hybridization confirmed that HIV-1-infected cells invaded the brain tissue of the hu-PBL-NOD-scid mice. Our results suggest that the genetic background, including innate immunity, is critical in the development of primary HIV-1 viremia and subsequent central nervous system invasion with HIV-1. The hu-PBL-NOD-scid mouse represents a useful model for the study of the pathogenesis of HIV-1 in vivo, especially brain involvement, and therapy of primary HIV-1 viremia.     

Forensic analysis of eleven cyclic antidepressants in human biological samples using a new reversed-phase chromatographic column of 2 μm porous microspherical silica gel

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the forensic analysis of eleven frequently used cyclic antidepressant drugs (ADSs) (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, dosulepine, doxepin, imipramine, maprotiline, melitracen, mianserine and nortriptyline) using a recently developed reversed-phase column with 2 μm particles for the analysis of biological samples. The separation was carried out using two different C₈ reversed-phase columns (column 1: 100 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 2 μm, TSK gel Super-Octyl; column 2: 100 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 5 μm, Hypersil MOS-C₈) for comparison. The mobile phase was composed of methanol-20 mM KH₂PO₄ (pH 7) (60:40, v/v) and the flow-rate was 0.6 ml/min for both columns. The absorbance of the eluent was monitored at 254 nm. When the eleven drugs were determined, the sensitivity with the 2 μm particles was about five times greater than with the 5 μm particles. Retention times on column 1 were shorter than those on column 2. These results show that the new ODS column packing with a particle size of 2 μm gives higher sensitivity and a shorter analysis time than the conventional ODS column packing when applied to the analysis of biological samples.     

Genetic Identification of Members of the Genus Corynebacterium at Genus and Species Levels with 16S rDNA-Targeted Probes

16S rRNA gene-targeted probes were designed for the identification of corynebacteria at the genus and species levels. The genus-specific probe hybridized all clinically important members of the genus Corynebacterium and could distinguish them from other coryneform bacteria and phylogenetically related high G + C% gram-positive bacteria, including Actinomyces, Rhodococcus, Gordona, Nocardia, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium and Mycobacterium. The species-specific probes for C. jeikeium and C. diphtheriae could differentiate these two species from other members of this genus. The probes were used to select corynebacteria among gram-positive clinical isolates which had been tentatively identified as corynebacteria by biochemical tests. We screened 59 strains with the genus-specific probe; 51 strains hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 8 did not. Of the 51 strains that hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 1 hybridized to the C. diphtheriae species probe and 13 hybridized to the C. jeikeium species probe. The 8 strains that did not hybridize to the genus probe were further characterized by analyzing cell wall diaminopimelic acid and partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The results indicated that these strains were distributed in the genera Arthrobacter and Brevibacterium.     

Identification of a novel hedycaryol synthase gene isolated from Camellia brevistyla flowers and floral scent of Camellia cultivars

Planta - A novel terpene synthase ( Tps ) gene isolated from Camellia brevistyla was identified as hedycaryol synthase, which was shown to be expressed specifically in flowers. Camellia plants are...     

Small ruminant lentiviral Vif proteins commonly utilize cyclophilin A,an evolutionarily and structurally conserved protein,to degrade ovine and caprine APOBEC3 proteins

Mammals have co‐evolved with retroviruses, including lentiviruses, over a long period. Evidence supporting this contention is that viral infectivity factor (Vif) encoded by lentiviruses antagonizes the anti‐viral action of cellular apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide‐like 3 (APOBEC3) of the host. To orchestrate E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for APOBEC3 degradation, Vifs utilize mammalian proteins such as core‐binding factor beta (CBFB; for primate lentiviruses) or cyclophilin A (CYPA; for Maedi–Visna virus [MVV]). However, the co‐evolutionary relationship between lentiviral Vif and the mammalian proteins associated with Vif‐mediated APOBEC3 degradation is poorly understood. Moreover, it is unclear whether Vif proteins of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), including MVV and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), commonly utilize CYPA to degrade the APOBEC3 of their hosts. In this study, molecular phylogenetic and protein homology modeling revealed that Vif co‐factors are evolutionarily and structurally conserved. It was also found that not only MVV but also CAEV Vifs degrade APOBEC3 of both sheep and goats and that CAEV Vifs interact with CYPA. These findings suggest that lentiviral Vifs chose evolutionarily and structurally stable proteins as their partners (e.g., CBFB or CYPA) for APOBEC3 degradation and, particularly, that SRLV Vifs evolved to utilize CYPA as their co‐factor in degradation of ovine and caprine APOBEC3.     

Liver alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in the Japanese: isozyme variation and its possible role in alcohol intoxication.

Forty autopsy livers from Japanese individuals were studied concerning alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes using electrophoretic and enzyme assay methods. A remarkably high frequency (85%) was found for the atypical ADH phenotype. The gene frequencies of ADH22 and ADH32 were .625 and .05, respectively. The usual ALDH phenotype showed two major isozyme bands, a faster migrating (low Km for acetaldehyde) and a slower migrating isozyme (high Km for acetaldehyde). Fifty-two percent of the specimens had an unusual phenotype of ALDH, which showed only the slower migrating isozyme. The usual phenotype was inhibited about 20%--30% by disulfiram and the unusual type up to 90%. Such a high incidence in the Japanese of the unusual phenotype, which lacks in the low Km isozyme, suggests that the initial intoxicating symptoms after alcohol drinking in these subjects might be due to delayed oxidation of acetaldehyde rather than its higher-than-normal production by typical or atypical ADH.