Characterization of nucleoside-diphosphate kinase-associated guanine nucleotide-binding proteins from HeLa S3 cells

Nucleoside-diphosphate (NDP) kinase-associated [alpha-32P]GTP-incorporating proteins from HeLa S3 cells have been biochemically characterized. Two distinct NDP-kinases (F-I and F-II) had been partially purified from HeLa S3 cells by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The [alpha-32P]GTP-incorporating proteins (approx. Mr 20,000) could be separated from NDP-kinases (approx. Mr 80,000) by 5-25% glycerol density-gradient centrifugation analysis after treatment with 7 M urea in the presence of 1 mM EDTA. [alpha-32P]GTP incorporation into these two proteins (G1 and G2) from NDP-kinases required 5 mM Mg2+ and was highly inhibited by either GDP or GTP analogues, such as guanylyl imidodiphosphate and guanylyl methylenediphosphate. [3H]GDP, but no other nucleoside 5'-diphosphates, was also bound to these two proteins in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM). Moreover, incubation of [alpha-32P]GTP with either G1 or G2 in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM) resulted in the formation of [32P]GDP and Pi. The data presented here indicated that the guanine nucleotide-binding activity, the GTPase activity, and the molecular weight (approx. Mr 20,000) of NDP-kinase-associated proteins from HeLa S3 cells are similar to those reported for ras oncogene products (p21 proteins).

Amino-terminal structure of spoOA protein and sequence homology with spoOF and spoOB proteins

The previously reported nucleotide sequence of the spoOA coding region of Bacillus subtilis suggested that the protein is initiated with either of two possible initiation codons, ATG and GTG, 84 base pairs apart. To determine which codon is utilized as an initiator in B. subtilis, we constructed a fusion gene in which the promoter and NH2-terminal region of the spoOA gene was connected to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (cat gene). After introduction of the plasmid carrying the spoOA-cat fusion gene into B. subtilis cells, the fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography. The sequence of NH2-terminal amino acids of the fusion protein was determined and the result established that the GTG codon is utilized as an initiator in B. subtilis. Comparison of the amino acid sequences revealed a marked homology between the spoOA (NH2-terminal half) and spoOF proteins. A less striking but significant homology was also found between the spoOA (COOH-terminal half) and spoOB proteins. This suggests the presence of a common functional domain structure for these proteins that are supposed to play key regulatory roles in sporulation.

Ph-negative chronic myelocytic leukemia with a complex translocation involving chromosomes 7 and 11

A complex translocation t(7;11)(7qter----7p15::11q13----11qter;11pter ----11p15::11q13----11p15::7p15----7pter) was detected in the leukemic cells from a 67-year-old woman with Ph chromosome negative chronic myelocytic leukemia. This translocation has not been previously reported in Ph-negative CML.

Rapid induction of nucleoside-diphosphate kinase in HeLa S3 cells by human-type interferons

Nucleoside-diphosphate (NDP)-kinase can be considered to be induced by human-type interferons (HuIFNs) rapidly, since an enzyme increase was detected within 2 h of incubation of HeLa S3 cells with HuIFNs, while incubation with heterologous mouse IFNs had no such effect. The enzyme increase induced by HuIFNs reached a plateau at 6 h after treatment. Actinomycin D (0.5 microgram/ml) significantly blocked the enzyme increase induced by HuIFNs in the cells. A possible biological role of the enzyme in the IFN-induced biochemical events is discussed.

[Clinical studies of efficacy of piperacillin against complicated urinary tract infections]

Clinical efficacy of piperacillin against 74 cases with complicated urinary tract infection was examined. Piperacillin was administered at the dose of 4 g (2 g twice daily) through intravenous drip infusion. The overall clinical value was rated in "excellent", in 9 cases, "moderate" in 34 cases and "poor" in 31 cases with a total efficacy of 58.1%. In the analysis of clinical values based on background, its efficacy was statistically significantly lower in the patients at a higher age, those with complication of diabetes mellitus, and those with indwelling catheter. In operated cases compared to non-operated cases, it was suggested to be more effective for improving the disturbances in urinary flow as a result of the removal of the underlying conditions by the operation. As to bacteriological efficacy, 64 out of 95 strains (67.4%) isolated were eradicated following its administration. Microbes which appeared after its dosing belonged to 9 classes of 18 strains, of which 5 strains (27.8%) of Serratia were identified. Side effects were 2.5% (3/119), no serious cases appeared. Changes in laboratory examination results were elevated GOT (2.5%), GPT (1.7%), and ALP (0.8%) values, all being transient hanges.

[An experience in the treatment of severe surgical infectious diseases with combination of antibiotics and human gammaglobulin (SM-4300)]

The human immunoglobulin (SM-4300), which was developed by Travenol Laboratories, Inc. U.S.A., was used with antibiotics on 12 cases of severe surgical infectious disease. The method of administration and the evaluation of clinical effect of gammaglobulin (SM-4300) were made based upon the criteria of the SM-4300 study group. The clinical evaluation of the effect was classified in 5 grades; excellent, good, fair, poor and unknown. Three types of administration dose schedules were employed. Severe surgical infections were 3 cases of postoperative pneumonia, 3 cases of sepsis with pneumonia, 3 cases of peritonitis, 1 case of cholangitis, 1 case of sepsis with perinephritis and 1 case of subphrenic abscess. Bacterial and immunological examination were also performed before and after the administration of SM-4300. Evaluable cases were 10 cases out of 12 cases. Clinical effects of the administration of SM-4300 were evaluated as excellent in 1 case, good in 3, fair in 2 and poor in 4.

[Rare cases of pheochromocytoma. A report of two cases]

Two rare cases of pheochromocytoma were reported. Case 1 was 39-year-old housewife who was referred for history of high fever with left hypochondralgia twice in the previous 15 months before coming to our department. The patient had neither elevation of blood pressure nor that of central and peripheral venous catecholamine concentration. A left suprarenal mass was found in CT, which was suggested to be a cyst due to the numerical value between 23-24. Further ultrasonographic study indicated a solid tumor. Left adrenalectomy was done. Histologically, some of the viable atypical adrenal cells were found in the capsulating tissue contained the necrotic material which was almost occupying the entire mass. Case 2 was a 64-year-old female with hypertension who was admitted for further examination. On the hospital course, the blood pressure returned to normal without medication. Circulating blood volume was extremely reduced (below 1/2 of normal), the replacement of which raised the blood pressure to cause hypertension. An angiographic study indicated only a right adrenal mass, whereas left adrenal venous catecholamine concentration was significantly higher than that of the right side. After confirming right adrenal with no other disorders by CT scan, right adrenalectomy was carried out. Intraoperative correction of hypertension has been sustained and cardiovascular symptoms have disappeared.

Genetic analysis of spo0A and spo0C mutants of Bacillus subtilis with a phi 105 prophage merodiploid system

An 8.0-kilobase chromosomal fragment of Bacillus subtilis which contained an intact spo0A gene was recloned onto temperate phage phi 105 from the rho 11dspo0A+-1 transducing phage. A specialized transducing phage, phi 105-dspo0A+-1, was constructed and used to transduce the spo0A12 mutant strain 1S9. A Spo+ transductant which was a single lysogen of the phi 105dspo0A+-1 transducing phage was isolated. From competent cells of this Spo+ transductant was isolated a Spo- (Spo0A) strain which was immune to phi 105. It was used to prepare a lysate of the phi 105dspo0A12 phage. Transduction of the spo0C9V recE4 strain with the phi 105dspo0A12 and phi 105dspo0A+-1 phages was carried out. The phi 105dspo0A+-1 phage gave rise to a large number of heat-resistant cells, but the phi 105dspo0A12 phage formed no heat-resistant cells. These results indicate that the spo0A12 and spo0C9V mutant genes do not complement each other in the ability to sporulate and that the spo0C9V mutation is located within the spo0A gene. Although the spo0C9V strain was completely asporogenous, the spo0C9V/spo0C9V diploid strain produced heat-resistant cells at a frequency of ca. 10(-3) in the sporulation medium. This result indicates that two copies of the spo0C9V mutant gene partially restore the ability of these cells to sporulate.

Nucleotide sequences of the sporulation gene spo0A and its mutant genes of Bacillus subtilis

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a 2375-base-pair DNA fragment, which contained the sporulation gene spo0A cloned from Bacillus subtilis. The sequence had only one long open reading frame consisting of 239 codons, which was found to correspond to the spo0A gene by comparing the nucleotide sequence of the wild-type gene with those of the mutant alleles. The calculated molecular weight of the product of the wild-type spo0A gene was 26,500. We found also a new mutation, sgi, which maps within the spo0A gene. This mutation relieves the growth inhibition of the host cells caused by a multicopy plasmid carrying the spo0A gene. The mutations spo0A12, spo0C9V, and sgi-1 were found to be an amber mutation at the 62nd codon, a missense at the 229th codon, and a frame-shift at the 223rd codon of the spo0A gene, respectively.

In vitro and in vivo activities of DN-9550, a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin

DN-9550 [(6R, 7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl) methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(1-pyridinio)methyl]-8-oxo-5-thia -1-azabicyclo methyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate hydrochloride] is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The activity of DN-9550 against most species of the family Enterobacteriaceae was roughly comparable to that of ceftazidime, slightly lower than that of cefotaxime, and far exceeded that of cefoperazone. Against Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia marcescens, DN-9550 was more active than ceftazidime and cefotaxime. DN-9550 and ceftazidime were significantly more active than cefotaxime against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but DN-9550 and cefotaxime were clearly more active than ceftazidime against staphylococci and streptococci. Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were also highly susceptible to DN-9550, but Bacteroides fragilis was generally not susceptible to the compound. DN-9550 was stable to various types of beta-lactamases and had high affinities for penicillin-binding protein 3 of both Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa. When DN-9550 was administered subcutaneously to mice experimentally infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its efficacy well reflected its in vitro potency.

Identification of the sporulation gene spoOA product of Bacillus subtilis

A 2.4-kilobase fragment of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome containing the wild-type spoOA gene derived from the phi 105dspoOA+-Bc-1 transducing phage was cloned onto plasmid pBR322 in Escherichia coli. A recombinant plasmid harboring the mutant spoOA12 allele on the 2.4-kilobase insert was also constructed from the phi 105dspoOA12-1 phage DNA and pBR322. Protein products synthesized in response to plasmid DNA in a DNA-directed cell-free system derived from E. coli were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis. A protein of approximately 27,500 daltons synthesized with the recombinant plasmid DNA harboring the wild-type spoOA gene as template was not formed with the recombinant plasmid DNA harboring the spoOA12 allele. Since the spoOA12 mutation is a nonsense mutation, we conclude that the 27.5-kilodalton protein is the product of the spoOA gene.

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on collagenase production in rabbit uterine cervix culture

Rabbit uterine cervical explants were found to produce a typical collagenase, latent form, in tissue culture, 4-Aminophenylmercuric acetate and trypsin were potent activators of the enzyme. The enzyme was purified simply in one step of CM-52 cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and then further characterized. Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) to culture medium significantly stimulated collagenase production, but DHAS did not directly activate the enzyme. In addition, dehydroepiandrosterone and 17 beta-estradiol, the main metabolites of DHAS in vivo, depressed enzyme production. Our previous result, that increases in cytoplasmic DHAS-binding protein in rabbit uterine cervices parallel the progress of pregnancy, and these results suggest that DHAS might have direct actions toward cervical ripening.

[Combination chemotherapy of mitomycin C and cytosine arabinoside in the intravesical treatment for superficial bladder tumors: report 2. Evaluation of prophylactic intravesical infusion therapy]

Combined chemotherapy of Mitomycin C (20 mg to 30 mg) and Cytosine Arabinoside (200 mg) was given by intravesical infusion to 25 patients with superficial bladder tumor who underwent transurethral treatment for prevention of postoperative recurrence. The prophylactic effect of this therapy was evaluated as follows. 1) The postoperative recurrence rates by the actuarial method were 4.0% in six months, 8.1% in one year, 22.2% in two years, 37.4% in three years and 37.4% in five years. 2) The prophylactic effect on recurrence tended to be marked on primary tumors, solitary tumors, low grade tumors and relatively large tumors. 3) The correlation of doses and the recurrence rate was significantly observed: prophylactic effect tended to increase in proportion to increase of doses of both Mitomycin C and Cytosine Arabinoside.

Inhibitory effect of ethidium bromide on mitotic chromosome condensation and its application to high-resolution chromosome banding

Ethidium bromide (EB) is known to intercalate between stacked base pairs without specific base-pair preference. Its use in cultured human lymphocytes and Burkitt's lymphoma cells resulted in the accumulation of cells in prophase and prometaphase stages. Inhibition of mitotic chromosome condensation as a possible mechanism involved in this phenomenon is discussed. A simple method for obtaining high-resolution banding patterns on elongated chromosomes was devised as follows: Human lymphocytes cultured for 3 days with phytohemagglutinin were exposed to EB (5-10 micrograms/ml) and Colcemid (0.02 micrograms/ml) simultaneously for 2 h and then routinely harvested for chromosome preparation. High-resolution G-bands were obtained by Giemsa staining following mild trypsin treatment.

Chemical composition of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) varieties

The chemical composition of dry seeds of four varieties, pods, stalks and leaves of winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) was determined. The seeds had a high range of protein (27.8-36.6%) and fat (14.8-17.9%), which were similar to soybeans. the seeds contained high phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The leaf was highest in protein content (33.7%) of all the parts studied except for the seeds. The protein and fat content of pods decreased as pods ripened. the calcium content in the leaf was much higher than in the other parts. Protein was extracted sequentially with 2% NaCl, 30% isopropyl alcohol, 4% lactic acid and 0.5% KOH from dry seeds of four varieties of winged beans. The NaCl extract showed the highest range of protein concentration (60.2-77.6%). The NaCl extract was separated into two fractions based on solubility in water. the amino acid composition of the flour from the seeds and of the two fractions from the NaCl extract were determined. Contents of lysine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and leucine were large, while the sulfur-amino acid content was small. Trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities of 2% NaCl extract from the seeds were determined, and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity was higher than the trypsin.

[Combination chemotherapy of mitomycin C and cytosine arabinoside in superficial bladder tumors. 1. Evaluation of intravesical infusion therapy]

A combined chemotherapy of Mitomycin C (20-30 mg) and Cytosine Arabinoside (200 mg) was given intravesical by to 37 patients with superficial bladder tumor. The antitumor effect of the therapy was evaluated as follows. 1) The results were: remarkably effective in 12 cases (32.5%); effective in, 14 cases (37.8%); non-effective in 11 cases (29.7%), with overall rate of 70.3%. 2) The antitumor effect tended to be evident in multiple tumors, small tumors, and tumors of low malignancy. 3) Side effects were found in 35.1% of the cases including 24.3% of bladder irritating symptom. 4) The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 60 months with an average of 36.6 months. Recurrence rate was 27.0%. There was a tendency that recurrence occurred more frequently in cases of multiple tumors and small tumors than in other cases.

Cloning of sporulation genes spo0A and spo0C of Bacillus subtilis onto rho 11 temperate bacteriophage

A HindIII fragment harboring the intact spo0C gene of Bacillus subtilis was cloned with rho 11 temperate bacteriophage as a vector. Transformation experiments with the DNA from rho 11 dspo0C+ specialized transducing phage showed that the spo0C gene resides on a 5.3-megadalton fragment generated by HindIII digestion. The 5.3-megadalton fragment also contains the intact spo0A gene, but not spoIIIA, spoIIIB, or spoIVB.

Effect of paromomycin sulfate on endotoxemia in patients with cirrhosis

We evaluated, in a randomized double-blind trial, the efficacy of oral paromomycin sulfate administration in the prevention of endotoxemia in 24 cirrhotic patients with endotoxemia. Renal function was evaluated by glomerular-filtration rate and renal plasma flow at the beginning and at the end of the study period. After the administration of paromomycin sulfate, 2 g/day for 4 weeks, endotoxemia disappeared in 10 out of 13 (76.9%) cirrhotic patients with endotoxemia, whereas it became negative in only 3 of the 11 (27.3%) treated with placebo, the difference being significant (P less than 0.05). With regard to correlation of endotoxemia with renal impairment, endogenous creatinine clearance and p-aminohippurate clearance were significantly improved (P less than 0.02) in those patients whose endotoxemia disappeared on paromomycin sulfate administration. We did not find significant improvement, however, neither in liver function or in blood coagulation tests in the same patients. Paromomycin sulfate seems to be effective in the prevention of endotoxemia and the associated renal impairment in cirrhosis in man.

Differential inducibility of chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges by indirect mutagens in various mammalian cell lines

A total of 17 cultured mammalian cell lines of various types was investigated for the inducibility of chromosome aberrations (CAs) and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) after exposure to 3 direct mutagens, cyclophosphamide (CP), dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and benzo[a]pyrene (BP), without extrinsic metabolizing factors. The following cell lines were highly sensitive to CP as estimated by the dose-dependent increase of either CAs or SCEs, or both: 4 rat ascites hepatomas (AH66-B, AH66-C, AH70B, AH109A), 3 rat esophageal tumors (R1, R2, R3), the Yoshida sarcoma (YS), a Chinese hamster embryonic cell line (B-13), and a human embryonic (HE2236) cell line. 1 golden-hamster embryonic (GHE), 1 human embryonic (HE2144) and 1 human esophageal tumor (TH) cell line were moderately sensitive to CP in terms of the yield of SCEs, though they showed rather low sensitivity when measured by the frequency of CAs. 2 Chinese hamster (CHO-K1, CHL) and 1 human lymphoma (P3HR-1) cell lines were much less sensitive or almost insensitive with respect to the yield of both CAs and SCEs. Considering the above results and taking some other experimental conditions into account, 7 cell lines, including another Chinese hamster cell line (Don 6), were similarly investigated with DMN and BP. The results indicated that AH66-B, which was highly sensitive to CP, was also sensitive to DMN and BP, and that the CP-sensitive R1 and R3 were responsive to DMN. While YS, B-13, Don 6 and P3HR-1 did not show any significant response to DMN, a considerable increment of SCEs was noted in B-13 after treatment with BP, GHE was also notable for its high sensitivity to BP, showing an apparently dose-dependent increase of both CAs and SCEs. HE2144 exhibited a slightly increased rate of SCEs after exposure to BP.

A possible role of R plasmids in bacterial permeability for beta-lactam antibiotics

Four strains of clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens (13039, 13090, 13093, 14093) harboring R plasmids were highly resistant to ampicillin (ABPC) and cephaloridine (CER). With elimination of R plasmids from these strains by acriflavine treatment, ABPC-resistance levels of these strains were markedly reduced. Reduction of CER-resistance levels was also demonstrated in strains 13039 and 13093, but not in strains 13090 and 14093. The permeability of the former strains for CER was also decreased, but not in the latter strains. At the same time, beta-lactamase activity of these strains also almost completely disappeared when the R plasmids were eliminated. By broth matings with these strains. The recipient strains of S. marcescens 13031 (rif), Escherichia coli K-12 (rif), and E coli 15046 (rif) all acquired a high permeability barrier against CER with inheritance of the R plasmids from strains 13039 and 13093, but not from strains 13090 and 14093. The transconjugant of strain 13031 that inherited R plasmid 13093 was resistant not only to CER but also to cefazolin, cephalothin, and cephalexin. Its permeability to these antibiotics was significantly lower than that of the original strain. This fact suggest the possibility that the R plasmid from strain 13093 may be involved not only in production of beta-lactamases, but also in regulation of bacterial permeability for cephalosporins.

Genetic evidence for possible interaction between a ribonucleic acid polymerase subunit and the spo0C gene product of Bacillus subtilis

Spontaneous rifampin-resistant mutants (9V Rifr) were isolated from a mutant strain of Bacillus subtilis, 9V, which has a spo0C mutation. Whereas 90% of the 9V Rifr double mutants maintained the Spo0C phenotype (Spo- Abs +/-), the remaining 10% had the Spo0A phenotype (Spo- Abs-). The latter mutants, termed 9V Rifr Spo- Abs-, were revealed to have other Spo0A characters, such as reduced transformability, higher sensitivity to phage phi 2, and reduced frequency of lysogenization by phage phi 105. The rif mutation of these 9V Rifr Spo- Abs- strains was mapped near the cysA locus. The phenotype of the Rifr transformants of strain 9V by deoxyribonucleic acid derived from these 9V Rifr Spo- Abs- strains was Spo0A, and that of the Rifr transformants of strain 168 was Spo+ Abs+. The ribonucleic acid polymerase of the 9V Rifr Spo- Abs- strains was shown to be resistant to rifampin.

Relationship between endotoxaemia and protein concentration of ascites in cirrhotic patients

Endotoxaemia was investigated by the Limulus assay in 42 cirrhotic patients with ascites and in 33 without ascites. The incidence of endotoxaemia in the former group (59.5%) was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in the latter (36.4%). Correlation between endotoxaemia and specific gravity and concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin in ascitic fluid was studied in the group with ascites. The specific gravity of ascites in 25 patients with endotoxaemia was significantly greater than that in 17 patients without endotoxaemia (P less than 0.01). The concentration of total protein in patients with endotoxaemia (13.95 +/- 7.18 milligram, mean +/- SD) was nearly twice as high (P less than 0.01) as in patients without endotoxaemia (7.49 +/- 3.60 milligram). The protein content of those who showed reactions greater or equal to 2(+) in the Limulus assay (16.78 +/- 7.14 milligram) was a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in those with 1(+) reaction (11.26 +/- 6.33 milligram). Moreover, the concentration of albumin in patients with endotoxaemia (7.68 +/- 4.60 milligram) was more than twice that of the patients without endotoxaemia (3.39 +/- 1.58 milligram, P less than 0.01). On the other hand, globulin concentration in patients with endotoxaemia was 1.6 times that of patients without endotoxaemia (P less than 0.01). Similar differences were noted between endotoxaemic and non-endotoxaemic patients in the ascites-to-serum ratio in protein, albumin, and globulin. These results suggest that in liver cirrhosis endotoxaemia may cause an increase in protein concentrations in ascitic fluid, and that it may be a precipitating factor in the formation of ascites.

Early-blocked asporogenous mutants of Bacillus subtilis are lysogenized at reduced frequency by temperate bacteriophages

The establishment of lysogeny in early-blocked asporogenous (Spo-) mutants of Bacillus subtilis 168, which were also defective in the production of antibiotics (Abs-), by temperate phage phi105 or SPO2 was studied. It was found that the frequency of lysogenization of Spo-Abs-mutants was 10 to 20% that of the wild-type bacteria. There was no difference in the efficiency of plating and the burst size of phi105 between wild-type and mutant strains. Phi105 lysogens of mutant strains were as stable as those of the wild type. Several rifampin-resistant mutants defective in the production of antibiotics were isolated. They were also defective in spore formation and lysogenized by phi105 at reduced frequency.

Escape synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits and termination factor rho following induction of prophage lambda in Escherichia coli

Synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits and of transcription termination factor p was studied after thermoinduction of prophage lambdac1857 located at several unusual sites on the chromosome of Escherichia coli. When a lysogen carrying the prophage at the bfe gene was induced at 42 degrees C, the rate of synthesis of core polymerase subunits (alpha, beta and beta') rapidly decreased, followed by a marked increase after about 10 min. The latter increase was observed specifically in the "bfe lysogen" and not in any of the other lysogens tested. Similarly, the rate of synthesis of p factor increased appreciably in the induced ilv lysogen carrying the prophage at the ilv gene, and possibly in the bfe lysogen as well, but not in other lysogens examined. Taken together with other evidence, these results suggest that the enhanced syntheses of beta and beta' subunits of RNA polymerase and of p factor observerd represent "escape synthesis", resulting from the close linkage of the prophage genome to the respective structural genes. In contrast, omega factor synthesis was stimulated upon induction of any of the lysogens used without respect to the site of prophage location, suggesting the involvement of an entirely different mechanism.

Unbalanced 13q/21q translocation: a revised study of the case previously reported as 21-monosomy

Reexamination was made on a male infant previously reported as 21-monosomy. Extensive chromosome banding analyses in the patient and parents disclosed an unbalanced de novo translocation between chromosomes 13 and 21. The patient's karyotype was interpreted as 45,XY,--13,--21+der(13),t(13;21) (q2 or 3;q1 or 2)pat. The patient showed many clinical features characteristic of 13q--syndrome.

A novel adenosine triphosphatase isolated from RNA polymerase preparations of Escherichia coli. II. Enzymatic properties and molecular structure

An adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) [EC 3.6.1.3] copurified with the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase [EC 2.7.7.6] from Escherichia coli was isolated to apparent homogeneity and some of its functional as well as structural properties were examined. Although the novel ATPase exhibited metal requirements similar to those of Mg2+, Ca2+-ATPase, its response to NaN3 and antisera appeared completely different from that of the Mg2+, Ca2+-ATPase. The purified ATPase was found to be a large protein with a molecular weight of 9.3X10(5) daltons, composed of identical subunits of 7X10(4) daltons. When viewed under an electron microscope, the ATPase appeared to be very similar to material previously misidentified as the RNA polymerase. The physiological role of the novel ATPase, however, remains unclear.

A novel adenosine triphosphatase isolated from RNA polymerase preparations of Escherichia coli. I. Copurification and separation

Adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) [EC 3.6.1,3] activity has been found to exist in most preparations of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase [EC 2.7.7.6] obtained from Escherichia coli by a number of purification procedures so far established. Electrophoretic analysis on polyacrylamide gels demonstrated that ATP hydrolysis and RNA synthesis were catalyzed by two distinct enzyme proteins. It appears that the two enzymes are associated or have similar molecular properties. Separation of the two enzymes, the object of the present work, was achieved by three independent methods: ion exchange chromatography on a phosphocellulose column, electrophoresis in glycerol gradients, or high-salt glycerol gradient centrifugation.

An abortus with a normal/trisomy 16 mosaicism: instability of trisomic cells in vitro

A 46,XX/47,XX,+16 mosaicism was demonstrated in cultured chorionic cells obtained from an abortion material. By tracing polymorphic fluorescent chromosome markers in the abortus and the parents, the karyotypically normal component was confirmed to be non-maternal in origin. The trisomic cells showed a growth disadvantage, and were overtaken by the normal cells in prolonged cultivation.

Prenatal diagnosis of I-cell disease

A pregnancy from a family in risk of I-cell disease was monitored. The fetus was diagnosed as having I-cell disease based on the findings that (1) lysosomal enzyme activities except for acid phosphatase and alpha glucosidase were clearly elevated in amniotic fluid and were reduced in cultivated amniotic fluid cells, and (2) cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in cultivated amniotic cells by phase contrast microscopy. The accuracy of prediction was confirmed by cultured skin fibroblast of the aborted fetus.

A male infant with monosomy 21

A male infant with total monosomy 21 identified by Q-, G- and R-banding is described. His main symptoms are hypertonia, micrognathia, microphthalmus, imperforate anus, ambiguous external genitalia, floating and malopposed thumbs, overlying fingers, right clubfoot and growth retardation. Both parents are phenotypically as well as karotypically normal.

Genetic and physical studies of lambda transducing bacteriophage carrying the beta subunit gene of the Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase

The prophage lambdac1857 was inserted into the bfe gene located near rif (the structural gene for the beta subunit of deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA]-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase) on the Escherichia coli chromosome. Induced lysates (low-frequency transducing lysates) of such a lysogen contained defective lambda phage particles (lambdadrif+) that can specifically transduce the wild-type rif+ gene. Upon transduction into a recipient strain carrying recA, heterogenotes harboring both the wild-type and the mutant rif genes were isolated. Rec+ derivatives of these heterogenotes produce high-frequency transducing lysates that contain lambdadrif+ and normal active phages at a ratio of 1 to 2. The results of marker rescue experiments and of density determination with several transducing phages indicate that most of the late genes are deleted and replaced by a segment of the chromosomal DNA carrying the bfe-rif region. The length of the chromosomal segment seems to vary between approximately 0.5 and 0.6% of the total bacterial DNA among the three independently isolated lambdadrif+ phages. Electron microscopy of heteroduplex DNA consisting of one strand from lambdadrif+-6 and the other from lambdaimm-21 phages directly confirmed that most of the phage DNA of the "left arm" was replaced by the bacterial DNA. The heteroduplex study also demonstrated that the integration of prophage lambda into the bfe region occurred at the normal cross-over point within the phage attachment site.