Telomere structure, function and maintenance in Arabidopsis

The stability of eukaryotic genomes is provided in part by the integrity of telomeres, the nucleoprotein caps on the ends of chromosome. Recent studies reveal that proper telomere architecture is required for long-term proliferation capacity. Here we describe molecular mechanisms that protect and maintain chromosome ends and discuss why Arabidopsis is emerging as a powerful new model for elucidating fundamental aspects of telomere biology.     

HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles in the Brazilian population of the northeastern region of the state of São Paulo

The HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles in 161 healthy unrelated individuals, including Caucasians, Blacks and Mulattos (mixed Caucasian and Black), from the Northeastern region of the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil were analysed. The 36 different DRB1 alleles detected included not only common Caucasian alleles, but also DRB1*0411, 0807 and 1402, typical of Amerindians, and DRB1*0302, 1503, and 0804, typical of African American Blacks.     

Quantitative determination of binding of anthracycline antibiotics with DNA

Research Institute of Experimental Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors, Oncologic Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow. Troitsk Branch, I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow Region. (Presented by Academician of the Russian Academy of medical Sciences, N. N. Trapeznikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 113, No. 6, pp. 636–638, June, 1992.     

Human herpesvirus-6 DNA in the saliva of paediatric oncology patients and controls

Children with malignancy are immunosup-pressed and susceptible to serious infections with herpesviruses. The majority of children on chemotherapy for malignancy are seropositive for human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), and although HHV-6 has been demonstrated to be a pathogen in severely immunocompromised patients, whether this is the case for paediatric oncology patients is unknown. HHV-6 is secreted in saliva and in this study samples were examined prospectively for HHV-6 DNA in healthy children and those with malignancy. In a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a 287 bp outer fragment and 163 inner fragment of HHV-6 DNA were amplified. The resulting amplimer contained a Hind III restriction site present only in “B” type HHV-6 and this was used to identify the type of HHV-6 amplified. In saliva from healthy control children, 74% (28/38) of samples were HHV-6 DNA-positive in either the supernate, pellet or both. In the patients, 58% (45/77) of all samples were HHV-6 DNA-positive. When sequential samples from twelve patients were examined the children appeared to fall into two groups: those who were frequently HHV-6 DNA-positive (60% of samples or more) and those who were rarely HHV-6 DNA-positive (33% of samples or less) (P < 0.0001). The only apparent difference between these two groups was that the less frequently HHV-6-positive group was more often febrile and unwell with neutro-paenia. Hind III digestion demonstrated all the positive samples to be “6” type HHV-6. Possible explanations for this difference in HHV-6 secretion between the patient groups are discussed. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Encomium: Theodore puck,a life in biophysics applied to medicine

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia proposed that dopaminergic pathways are involved in the etiology of the disease. In particular, interest among psychiatrists has focused on the D₂ receptor because of its affinity to antipsychotic drugs. Recently a new dopamine receptor gene has been cloned, and named the dopamine D₃ receptor. The D₃ receptor is a potential site for antipsychotic drug action and may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We have carried out a linkage study between the susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and polymorphism of the dopamine D₃ receptor gene in two Japanese pedigrees. The LOD scores were negative for, all genetic models and for all affective status at a recombination fraction θ = 0. Linkage of DRD₃ has been excluded for the model 1 (dominant model) and the model13 (recessive model). The LOD score was - 3.43 at θ = 0 for model 1 (dominant model) and broad definition of affected status. These results were consistent with previous studies. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Detection of DNA from infectious laryngotracheitis virus by colourimetric analyses of polymerase chain reactions

A combination of the polymerase chain reaction and a novel ELISA-type DNA colourimetric assay (developed from studies with a retrovirus from man) was used in a preliminary study to detect DNA from avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The method is sensitive, specific and easy to perform. Since it can be readily adapted for the detection of DNA from other sources it could be useful for the identification of a variety of pathogens from other species of veterinary importance.     

Some aspects of structural disturbances in the DNP complex when damaged by N-nitroso-N-methylurea

The effect of solubilization of deoxyribonucleoproteins (DNP) in a medium of near-physiological ionic strength after treatment with the mutagen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) is highly dependent on the NMU concentration. To convert DNP into a soluble state, the critical number of groups in the DNA and protein must evidently be modified. On the basis of data obtained by the circular dichroism method and by viscosimetry it is concluded that after treatment with NMU the DNP complex becomes soluble in solvents with near-physiological ionic strength largely as a result of labilization and dissociation of the DNA-protein bonds.Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Sector of Kinetics of Chemical and Biological Processes, Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Laboratory of Physical Methods of Investigation, D. I. Ivanovskii Institute of Virology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. S Debov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 6, pp. 674–677, June, 1976.     

DNA cloned from the ayw subtype of hepatitis B virus

DNA from the ayw subtype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was ligated into the EcorI site of DNA from plasmid pBR322 and propagated in E coli chi 776. A plasmid with a 3200 base pair insert (pHBV-1) was isolated and the cloned HBV DNA was mapped with restriction endonucleases. Differences were found in restriction endonuclease cleavage sites for DNAs from HBV of subtype ayw and adr.     

Effect of pancreatic lipase on supramolecular DNA complexes in eukaryotic cellsin vivo andin situ

Effect of pancreatic lipase on supramolecular DNA complexes, nuclear matrix, and 70% ethanol-fixed cells is studied by elastoviscosimetry. It is shown that lipase induces DNA degradation not onlyin vitro but also in whole cells. Possible role of neutral lipids, in particular, DNA-bound diglycerides, in the arrangement of chromosomal DNA is discussed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 12, pp. 635–639, December, 1997     

Distribution of TT virus genomic groups 1-5 in Brazilian blood donors, HBV carriers, and HIV-1-infected patients

Human isolates of the highly prevalent TT virus (TTV) have been classified into five major genomic groups (1-5). The geographical distribution of the groups throughout the world is not well known. Five different PCR assays were developed in an attempt to amplify specifically TTV DNAs of each genomic group. Serum samples collected from 72 Brazilian adults (24 voluntary blood donors, 24 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, and 24 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients) were tested. TTV DNA from at least one genomic group was detected in 11 (46%) blood donors, 13 (54%) HBV carriers, and 24 (100%) HIV-1 patients. All five genomic groups were detected in the three populations, with the exception of group 2 in blood donors. Some samples, negative with all five specific assays, were positive with the commonly used untranslated region (UTR) PCR system. On the other hand, TTV DNA was detected in some samples by using specific assays but not with the UTR PCR. Mixed infections with 2-5 TTV isolates from different groups were detected in 21% blood donors, 29% HBV carriers, and 71% HIV-1 patients. Fifteen PCR products (three obtained with each assay) were sequenced. Most sequences showed high (>86%) homology with those of TTV isolates belonging to their presumed groups. However, three sequences had low homology with all TTV sequences available from the DNA databanks. In conclusion, TTV isolates belonging to all five known genomic groups circulate in Brazil, and the results suggest the existence of new and as yet uncharacterised major genomic groups.