X-linked Alport syndrome: an SSCP-based mutation survey over all 51 exons of the COL4A5 gene.

The COL4A5 gene encodes the alpha5 (type IV) collagen chain and is defective in X-linked Alport syndrome (AS). Here, we report the first systematic analysis of all 51 exons of COL4A5 gene in a series of 201 Italian AS patients. We have previously reported nine major rearrangements, as well as 18 small mutations identified in the same patient series by SSCP analysis of several exons. After systematic analysis of all 51 exons of COL4A5, we have now identified 30 different mutations: 10 glycine substitutions in the triple helical domain of the protein, 9 frameshift mutations, 4 in-frame deletions, 1 start codon, 1 nonsense, and 5 splice-site mutations. These mutations were either unique or found in two unrelated families, thus excluding the presence of a common mutation in the coding part of the gene. Overall, mutations were detected in only 45% of individuals with a certain or likely diagnosis of X-linked AS. This finding suggests that mutations in noncoding segments of COL4A5 account for a high number of X-linked AS cases. An alternative hypothesis is the presence of locus heterogeneity, even within the X-linked form of the disease. A genotype/phenotype comparison enabled us to better substantiate a significant correlation between the degree of predicted disruption of the alpha5 chain and the severity of phenotype in affected male individuals. Our study has significant implications in the diagnosis and follow-up of AS patients.     

The effects of external pH on calcium channel currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

We have investigated the effects of external pH (pHo) on whole-cell calcium channel currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons. The peak inward current increased at alkaline pHo and decreased at acidic pHo. We used tail currents to distinguish effects of pHo on channel gating and permeation. There were large shifts in the voltage dependence of channel activation (approximately 40 mV between pHo and 9.0 and pHo 5.6), which could be explained by binding of H+ to surface charge according to Gouy-Chapman theory. To examine the effects of pHo on permeation, we measured tail currents at 0 mV, following steps to + 120 mV to maximally activate the channels. Unlike most previous studies, we found only a approximately 10% reduction in channel conductance from pHo 9.0 to pHo 6.4, despite a approximately 25 mV shift of channel activation. At lower pHo the channel conductance did decrease, which could be described by binding of H+ to a site with pKa = 5.1. In some cells, there was a separate slow decrease in conductance at low pHo, possibly because of changes in internal pH. These results suggest that changes in current at pHo > 6.4 result primarily from a shift in the voltage dependence of channel activation. A H(+)-binding site can explain a rapid decrease in channel conductance at lower pHo. The surface charge affecting gating has little effect on the local ion concentration near the pore, or on the channel conductance.     

Characterization of a Kinesin-Related Gene ATSV, within the Tuberous Sclerosis Locus (TSC1) Candidate Region on Chromosome 9Q34

In the search for candidate genes for the tuberous sclerosis (TSC1) disease locus on chromosome 9q34, we have isolated an overlapping series of 22 plasmid and phage cDNA clones covering nearly 7 kb and with an open reading frame of 5070 bp encoding a protein of 1690 amino acids. The putative protein product is a member of the kinesin superfamily and is homologous to the mouse KIF1A and theCaenorhabditas elegansunc-104 genes. Both KIF1A and unc-104 function in the anterograde axonal transport of synaptic vesicles. The human homolog is therefore termed H-ATSV (axonal transporter of synaptic vesicles, HGMW-approved nomenclature ATSV) Screening of DNA from 107 tuberous sclerosis patients and 80 unaffected individuals with H-ATSV cDNA probes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis/Southern blotting following digestion by rare-cutting methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes showed variant banding patterns in three patients with tuberous sclerosis. However, further analysis indicated that these variant fragments represent a rare polymorphism probably associated with methylation of clustered restriction sites. There is no evidence to support H-ATSV as a candidate gene for TSC1.     

Large scale production of recombinant mouse and rat growth hormone by fed-batch GS-NSO cell cultures

Investigations of biological effects of prolonged elevation of growth hormone in animals such as mice and rats require large amounts of mouse and rat growth hormone (GH) materials. As an alternative to scarce and expensive pituitary derived materials, both mouse and rat GH were expressed in NSO murine myeloma cells transfected with a vector containing the glutamine synthetase (GS) gene and two copies of mouse or rat GH cDNA. For optimal expression, the mouse GH vector also contained sequences for targeting integration by homologous recombination. Fed-batch culture processes for such clones were developed using a serum-free, glutamine-free medium and scaled up to 250 L production scale reactors. Concentrated solutions of proteins, amino acids and glucose were fed periodically to extend cell growth and culture lifetime, which led to an increase in the maximum viable cell concentration to 3.5×10⁹ cells/L and an up to 10 fold increase in final mouse and rat rGH titers in comparison with batch cultures. For successful scale up, similar culture environmental conditions were maintained at different scales, and specific issues in large scale reactors such as balancing oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal, were addressed. Very similar cell growth and protein productivity were obtained in the fed-batch cultures at different scales and in different production runs. The final mouse and rat rGH titers were approximately 580 and 240 mg/L, respectively. During fed-batch cultures, the cell growth stage transition was accompanied by a change in cellular metabolism. The specific glucose consumption rate decreased significantly after the transition from the growth to stationary stage, while lactate was produced in the exponential growth stage and became consumed in the stationary stage. This was roughly coincident with the beginning of ammonia and glutamate accumulation at the entry of cells into the stationary stage as the result of a reduced glutamine consumption and periodic nutrient additions.     

An impedimetric method for rapid screening of cosmetic preservatives

An efficient impedance method was developed for rapid evaluation of cosmetic preservatives. The method used decimal reduction time or D-value to assess preservative efficacies. The D-value, which was calculated from the plot of Log CFU ml^–1 versus time by linear regression analysis, could be obtained within 48 h. Thus, the time required for the challenge test was reduced from 4–8 weeks with the standard procedures (eg US Pharmacopeia), to 2 days with the current method. A calibration curve (r=-0.95) was established by plotting the Log CFU ml^–1 versus capacitance detection time (DT) of 108 samples. With the calibration, CFU can be estimated directly from the impedance test without plating. Two commercial biocides and several other chemicals were evaluated in a shampoo by the impedance procedure againstPseudomonas aeruginosa. The D-values obtained from the impedance test were not significantly different from those produced by the conventional plate count method. The technique was found to be particularly useful when screening a large number of compounds to find novel preservatives and synergistic preservative combinations.     

豌豆外源凝集素基因的克隆及序列分析

从豌豆幼叶分离基因组ＤＮＡ,设计特异引物,用聚合酶链式反应方法扩增出豌豆外源凝集素基因并克隆到Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ质粒ｐＢｌｕｅｓｃｒｉｐｔＳＫ（＋）的ＥｃｏＲＶ位点。进一步亚克隆至ｐＵＣ１９。序列分析表明,克隆到的片段大小为８３２ｂｐ,包含了豌豆外源凝集素基因完整的编码序列。该基因无内含子,同报道的已知序列相比,其核苷酸序列及推测的氨基酸序列的同源率分别为９９．６％和９８．９％。     

病毒基因组启动子识别的人工神经网络方法

本文运用神经网络方法,并结合病毒基因分子生物学有关理论与统计事实,对病毒基因启动子区域进行了识别,文中选择了共35个基因组,作为研究对象．学习组选择了28个基因组,预测组选择了7个基因组,结果表明,将神经网络模型与病毒基因有关理论相结合,能够运用计算方法,以大量的可能启动子组合中排列出唯一的启动子区域．     

高压快速柱分离纯化牛血球超氧化物歧化酶的研究

以牛血球为材料,经溶血等处理和丙酮沉淀,获得牛血球超氧化物歧化酶粗品。此粗酶可以通过ＤＥＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ和ＣＭ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ快速柱层析,获得超氧化物歧化酶纯品。纯化的酶比活可达１３５００ｕ／ｍｇ,经ＰＡＧＥ、ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和快速蛋白液相色谱（ＦＰＬＣ）检测,结果表明,纯化酶是均一的Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ Ｇ－１００凝胶过滤测得该酶分子量为３１,８００,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ测得亚基分子量为１５     

中药材分类中的聚类分析

本文应用聚类分析中的系统聚类法与模糊聚类法,对植物药材百合的18个样品进行了聚类．结果不仅两法所得的结论相一致,而且与传统分类的情况相符合．     

主成分分析法在中药鉴别中的应用

本文以植物药百合、动物药海马、中成药二妙丸为研究对象．取百合的23个样品,海马的20个样品,二妙丸与加味药的17个样品进行紫外色谱或光谱分析,对所得的数量化指标矩阵进行主成分分析,压缩出两个用以区分样品间异同的综合性指标──二元主成分,在二元主成分平面图上实现了对动植物药、中成药的鉴别与分类．