Codon usage bias and the evolution of influenza A viruses. Codon Usage Biases of Influenza Virus

Background  

The influenza A virus is an important infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and was responsible for 3 pandemics in the 20^th century. As the replication of the influenza virus is based on its host's machinery, codon usage of its viral genes might be subject to host selection pressures, especially after interspecies transmission. A better understanding of viral evolution and host adaptive responses might help control this disease.     

Multiplicity of genes encoding secreted aspartic proteinases in Candida species

The secreted aspartic proteinases (SAP) of Candida sp. are presumed to be potential virulence factors. In the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans the proteinase genes identified to date, SAP1, SAP2, SAP3 and SAP4, constitute a multigene family. Before addressing the possible role of each proteinase in virulence, we sought to isolate all the members of this multigene family by screening a genomic library with a SAP1 probe for additional C. albicans SAP genes using low-stringency hybridization conditions. Three putative new members, SAP5, SAP6 and SAP7 were isolated and sequenced. The N-terminal segments of the deduced amino acid sequences of SAP5 and SAP6 contained secretion signal sequences similar to those of other Candida SAPs. Upon comparison and alignment with the other reported SAP amino acid sequences, SAP7 is not only the most divergent protein but also exhibits a much longer putative pro-sequence with a single Lys-Lys putative processing site. Using SAP1 to SAP7 as probes, the overall number of SAP genes in C. albicans was tentatively estimated by low-stringency hybridization to EcoRI-digested genomic DNA. While each isolated SAP gene could be assigned to distinct EcoRI bands, the existence of two additional genes not isolated after screening of the C. albicans gene library was inferred. Furthermore, evidence was obtained for the existence of SAP muttigene families in other Candida species such as C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. guiller-mondii.     

Controlled regioselectivity of fatty acid oxidation by whole cells producing cytochrome P450BM-3 monooxygenase under varied dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Utilising whole cells of recombinant Escherichia coli K27 (pCYP102, pGEc47) containing active cytochrome P450BM-3 monooxygenase [E.C. 1. 14.14.1], multiple oxidations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were performed by the enzyme under conditions of excess oxygen. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium strongly influenced the regioselectivity of the reaction, as reflected in the distribution and amount of oxidised products. We have verified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry that the products of in vivo biotransformation of pentadecanoic acid by cytochrome P450BM-3 are identical to those formed in cell-free extracts containing the enzyme. The formation of keto- and dihydroxy acids, side products which are characteristic for in vitro conversions with purified cytochrome P450BM-3 in the presence of excess oxygen, has been observed as well. Thus, by varying the oxygen concentration, we could control the regioselectivity of oxidation and the number of products made. Under oxygen limiting conditions, only monooxidised 12-, 13-, and 14-hydroxy-pentadecanoic acids were obtained. Consequently, unwanted side products could be excluded by modulating the amount of oxygen used in the bioconversion. Furthermore, whole cell oxidation of two unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, cis-pentadec-10-enoic and cis-hexadec-9-enoic acid, resulted in the production of epoxides, various subterminal hydroxyalkenoic acids and keto- and hydroxyalkanoic acids. Although we obtained higher activities of C15:0 conversion in vitro, the whole cell biocatalyst proved to be useful for specific oxidations of long-chain fatty acids since there is no need to add the costly cofactor NADPH. This biooxidation by E. coli K27 (pCYP102, pGEc47) under oxygen limitation has been demonstrated at the 2-L scale, showing that 12-, 13-, and 14-hydroxypentadecanoic acids can be produced in the g L-1 range.     

A radioimmunoprecipitation method in the serodiagnosis of HIV infection: the development of the optimal conditions for its performance and the evaluation of the possibilities for its use

The optimum conditions for using the method of radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in serum samples have been established. Out of several available cell lines persistently infected with HIV, specially selected line 17 has been chosen. The characteristic feature of this is the high and stable (under the conditions of prolonged cultivation) accumulation of virus-specific proteins in infected cells. The optimum conditions for making the test and its evaluation have also been established. The data of literature on the advantages of the method of RIP over such traditional methods as the enzyme immunoassay and immunoblotting have been confirmed. Thus, the presence of specific antibodies in several serum samples registered as false negative has been established. The intertypical reactivity of two serotypes of the virus, HIV-1 and HIV-2, has been studied. Cross reactivity of antibodies with respect to the HIV gene gag, but not with respect to viral glycoproteids, has been established. Ideas on the expediency and prospects of using RIP for the serological control of HIV infection are presented.