Cloning and Sequencing of a 23-kb Region of the Bacillus subtilis Genome between the iol and hut Operons

Within the framework of an international project for the sequencingof the entire Bacillus subtilis genome, a 23-kb chromosomalsegment, which covers the region between the iol and hut operons,has been cloned and sequenced, creating a 99-kb contig fromthe gnt operon to the wapA locus. This region (23351 bp) contains25 complete open reading frames (ORFs; genes) including deoR,dra, nupC and pdp and two partial ones. The region (5140 bp)containing these four genes, being also sequenced by H. H. Saxildet al., was sequenced by subjecting a long polymerase chainreaction product to random sequencing using phage M13mp19. However,we could detect no conflict, between two independently determinedsequences, which could be attributed to our sequencing method.A homology search for the 24 newly identified gene productsrevealed significant homology to known proteins in 14 of them.It was notable that three proteins, encoded by the successivegenes (yxeMNO), exhibited meaningful homology to the E. coliGlnHPQ products constituting a periplasmic ATP-dependent transportsystem for glutamine.     

A Novel Monoclonal Antibody disrupting Cell Type Specific Substratum Adhesion of Frog (Xenopus laevis) Epithelial Cells and Endothelial Cells

We isolated a mouse monoclonal antibody (FAD-II) that disrupts cell-substratum adhesion of amphibian ( Xenopus laevis ) epithelial cells and endothelial cells. The effect of the antibody was cell-type specific, and the antibody had no effect on fibroblastic cells while fibronectin peptide blocked cell-substratum adhesion of all the cell types examined. In developing frog embryos, the epitopes recognized by the antibody were detected in pronephrotic ducts and in other tissue cells of embryos (from stage 33/34 afterwards). In adult tissues, the antibody mainly recognized antigens in extracelluar matrices. The antigens recognized by the antibody seems to be novel glycoepitopes in frog cells.     

Carbohydrate analysis of human von Willebrand factor with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins

Human von Willebrand factor (vWF) immobilized on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane was subjected to binding assay with a series of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins. The protein was reactive with concanavalin A, Ricinus communis agglutinin 120, wheat germ agglutinin and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) but not with peanut agglutinin before sialidase treatment. These reactivities were consistent with the major oligosaccharide structure reported except for UEA-I. The reactivity with UEA-I was greatly decreased after digestion of the protein with either alpha-L-fucosidase or peptide-N-glycosidase F, but no significant decrease was observed after mild alkaline treatment or delipidation. vWF and UEA-I have been independently used as a good marker for human endothelial cells. Our results indicate that vWF itself contains UEA-I reactive sugar chains in its Asn-linked oligosaccharides.     

Affinity chromatography of amine oxidase from Aspergillus niger.

Omega-Aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B served as an excellent biospecific adsorbent for affinity chromatography of amine oxidase (monoamine:O2 oxidoreductase (deaminating), EC 1.4.3.4) from Aspergillus niger. The enzyme was completely adsorbed on this affinity resin when applied to a column in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2). Although a small part of the enzyme was retained on the column through ionic interaction and eluted with 1.0 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), most of the enzyme adsorbed was eluted with 0.5 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 10 mM butylamine. Essentially no retention of the enzyme on a column of epsilon-aminopentyl-Sepharose or delta-aminobutyl-Sepharose occurred under the same conditions, indicating that an appropriate length (more than approx. 12 A) of a hydrocarbon extension between the agarose matrix and the terminal amino group would be necessary for efficient adsorption of amine oxidase. The modification of the enzyme with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (carbonyl inhibitor) or dithionite (reducing agent) resulted in loss of the ability to bind to omega-aminohexyl-Sepharose. It was also demonstrated that the affinity chromatography on omega-aminohexyl-Sepharose can be used as a powerful means of purifying this enzyme from crude extracts of Aspergillus niger. All of the three adsorbents were effective as a substrate in the amine oxidase reaction, but their substrate activities were as low as the corresponding free diamines.     

Intact alveolar epithelial permeability and transalveolar fluid absorption after thoracic irradiation in rats.

We have addressed the question of how the alveolar space stays relatively free of fluid when thoracic irradiation injures the pulmonary capillary endothelium and plasma fluid leaks into the interstitium. A single dose of 15 Gy to the thorax of rats significantly increased the pulmonary capillary filtration coefficient and the lung wet/dry weight ratio 2 h after irradiation. However, there was no significant increase in the release of lactose dehydrogenase or leaking of Evans blue dye into the alveolar space, indicating that alveolar epithelial permeability remained intact. We found no significant difference in the basal alveolar fluid clearance between control and irradiated animals. There was also no significant difference in blockage of alveolar fluid clearance by amiloride. This indicates that the function of the alveolar epithelial Na(+) channels is not impaired and that alveolar epithelium absorbs fluid normally. Examination of lung tissue by light microscopy demonstrated accumulation of fluid in the perivascular region but not in the alveolar space. Our data appear to indicate that the alveolar epithelial barrier function is more resistant to radiation than that of the pulmonary capillary endothelium. We conclude that intact alveolar epithelial permeability and normal transalveolar epithelial fluid absorption ability are of critical importance in keeping the alveolar space relatively free of fluid during acute radiation lung injury.