Isolation of a new virus, HBLV, in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders

A novel human B-lymphotropic virus (HBLV) was isolated from the peripheral blood leukocytes of six individuals: two HTLV-III seropositive patients from the United States (one with AIDS-related lymphoma and one with dermatopathic lymphadenopathy), three HTLV-III seronegative patients from the United States (one with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, one with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and one with immunoblastic lymphoma), and one HTLV-III seronegative patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia from Jamaica. All six isolates were closely related by antigenic analysis, and sera from all six virus-positive patients reacted immunologically with each virus isolate. In contrast, only four sera from 220 randomly selected healthy donors and none from 12 AIDS patients without associated lymphoma were seropositive. The virus selectively infected freshly isolated human B cells and converted them into large, refractile mono- or binucleated cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. HBLV is morphologically similar to viruses of the herpesvirus family but is readily distinguishable from the known human and nonhuman primate herpesviruses by host range, in vitro biological effects, and antigenic features.     

Isolation of a cDNA from the virus responsible for enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis

Major epidemic outbreaks of viral hepatitis in underdeveloped countries result from a type of non-A, non-B hepatitis distinct from the parenterally transmitted form. The viral agent responsible for this form of epidemic, or enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANBH), has been serially transmitted in cynomolgus macaques (cynos) and has resulted in typical elevation in liver enzymes and the detection of characteristic virus-like particles (VLPs) in both feces and bile. Infectious bile was used for the construction of recombinant complementary DNA libraries. One clone, ET1.1, was exogenous to uninfected human and cyno genomic liver DNA, as well as to genomic DNA from infected cyno liver. ET1.1 did however, hybridize to an approximately 7.6-kilobase RNA species present only in infected cyno liver. The translated nucleic acid sequence of a portion of ET1.1 had a consensus amino acid motif consistent with an RNA-directed RNA polymerase; this enzyme is present in all positive strand RNA viruses. Furthermore, ET1.1 specifically identified similar sequences in complementary DNA prepared from infected human fecal samples collected from five geographically distinct ET-NANBH outbreaks. Therefore, ET1.1 represents a portion of the genome of the principal viral agent, to be named hepatitis E virus, which is responsible for epidemic outbreaks of ET-NANBH.     

Cloning of Thymidine Kinase Gene of Duck Plague Virus Using Degenerate PCR

The DNA of duck plague virus （DPV） thymidine kinase （TK） gene was cloned and sequenced from a vaccine virus in the study. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers for the consensus site of herpesvirus UL24, TK, and glycoprotein H（gH） gene were used in the polymerase chain reaction （PCR） to amplify DNA product with 3 741-base-pairs （bp） in size. DNA sequence analysis revealed a 1 077-base-pairs （bp） open reading frame （ORF） encoding a 358 amino acid polypeptide homologous to herpesvirus TK proteins. The predicted TK protein shared 31.2, 41.3, 35.7, 37.4, and 28.4% identity with herpes simplex virus typel, equine herpesvirus type 4, Marek＇s disease virus 2, herpesvirus turkey, and infectious laryngotracheitis virus, respectively. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of other herpesvirus TK proteins showed that these proteins were not conserved on the whole, otherwise the portion of the TK proteins corresponding to the nucleotide binding domain and the nucleoside binding site were highly conserved among herpesvirus. Comparison with the amino acid sequences of the conserved nucleotide and nucleoside binding domains of other eleven herpesvirus TK proteins to the predicted DPV peptide confirmed its identity as the DPV TK protein.     

A sequence in M13 phage detects hypervariable minisatellites in human and animal DNA

The term "DNA fingerprint" has been used to describe the extensive restriction fragment length polymorphism associated with hypervariable minisatellites present in the human genome. Until now, it was necessary to hybridize Southern blots to specific probes cloned from human genomic DNA in order to obtain individual-specific restriction patterns. The present study describes the surprising finding that the insert-free, wild-type M13 bacteriophage detects hypervariable minisatellites in human and in animal DNA, provided no competitor DNA is used during hybridization. The effective sequence in M13 was traced to two clusters of 15-base pair repeats within the protein III gene of the bacteriophage. This unexpected use of M13 renders the DNA fingerprinting technology more readily available to molecular biology laboratories.     

用RFLP技术检测水稻染色体片段的来源

利用已定位的28个RFLP标记为探针,测定了IR8及其亲本在9种限制性内切酶酶切条件下的RFLP表现,以此来判断IR8品种中这些标记所在的染色体片段来源。结果,有18个标记揭示了品种间的RFLP存在。根据RFLP图谱,IR8品种中9个标记的图谱相同于Peta,5个标记的图谱相同于低脚乌尖（DGWG）,这表明这些标记所在的染色体片段分别来自Peta和DGWG。另外3个标记显示了IR8特有的RFLP图谱,表明IR8中这些标记所在的染色体片段的DNA顺序已经发生了重组。在IR8不同个体的测定中,发现了一个不与RG365标记DNA杂交的个体,该个体可能是缺少RG365标记同源顺序的突变体。RG237标记的EcoRV酶切条件下,也揭示了个体间的RFLP存在。     

Immortalization of human T lymphocytes after transfection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a ubiquitous human herpesvirus, has the ability to transform human B lymphocytes. No other cell type has been experimentally transformed by EBV, either by intact virions or naked viral DNA and subgenomic fragments. Two immortalized human T-lymphoblastoid cell lines have now been established by transfecting cord blood lymphocytes with purified B95-8 viral DNA enclosed in fusogenic Sendai virus envelopes (RSVE) and then exposing the cells to EBV from a P3HR-1 cell subclone. One of these lines, which has been fully characterized, is termed HBD-1. This line is positive for EBV DNA and expresses surface OKT11, OKT4, and Tac receptors, but not M-1, mu immunoglobulin chains, EBV receptors, or B-1 surface markers. The cells contain fully rearranged T-cell receptor genes and germline immunoglobulin genes. The karyotype of the cells is normal, they do not require interleukin-2 for growth, and do not contain human T-lymphotropic virus type I. However, the HBD-1 cells contain incomplete EBV genomes and express several EBV-determined antigens, including the early antigen type D, membrane antigens, but not EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA). This association of the EBV genome with permanently growing hematopoietic cells of non B-cell lineage should prove useful in studies on the mechanism of EBV-mediated cell transformation.     

Molecular characterization of human T-cell leukemia (lymphotropic) virus type III in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The human T-cell leukemia (lymphotropic) virus type III (HTLV-III) appears to be central to the causation of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Two full-length integrated proviral DNA forms of HTLV-III have now been cloned and analyzed, and DNA sequences of the virus in cell lines and fresh tissues from patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) have been characterized. The results revealed that (i) HTLV-III is an exogenous human retrovirus, approximately 10 kilobases in length, that lacks nucleic acid sequences derived from normal human DNA; (ii) HTLV-III, unlike HTLV types I and II, shows substantial diversity in its genomic restriction enzyme cleavage pattern; (iii) HTLV-III persists in substantial amounts in cells as unintegrated linear DNA, an uncommon property that has been linked to the cytopathic effects of certain animal retroviruses; and (iv) HTLV-III viral DNA can be detected in low levels in fresh (primary) lymphoid tissue of a minority of patients with AIDS or ARC but appears not to be present in Kaposi's sarcoma tissue. These findings have important implications concerning the biological properties of HTLV-III and the pathophysiology of AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma.     

Cloning and Detection of DNA from a Nonculturable Plant Pathogenic Mycoplasma-like Organism

The ability to detect, quantify, and differentiate nonculturable mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs) would greatly facilitate epidemiological and taxonomical studies of this unique group of plant and insect pathogens. DNA isolated from extracts of insects infected with the Western X-disease MLO was cloned in Escherichia coli. X-disease-specific clones, when labeled and used as probes, readily detected X-disease MLOs in infected plants and insects but did not hybridize with DNA from healthy plants or insects, or from several other plant pathogenic MLOs or spiroplasmas. These methods provide both a sensitive diagnostic tool and a basis for genetically differentiating MLOs.     

欧盟鱼病水平测试样品中DNA病毒检测

[目的]通过参加欧盟鱼病水平测试,评价试验室检测能力,加强对检测方法的掌握。[方法]按照水平测试说明的方法进行病毒分离鉴定,测试的10个样品在病毒分离后用PCR方法检测DNA病毒。[结果]PTⅡ检测为流行性造血器官坏死病毒(Epizootic haemato-poietic necrosis virus,EHNV),PTⅢ为欧洲鮰病毒(European catfish virus,ECV),PTⅧ和PTⅩ为锦鲤疱疹病毒(Koi herpesvirus disease vi-rus,KHDV),PTⅨ为流行性溃疡综合征(Epizootic ulcerative syndrome,EUS)。[结论]该实验室检出了2011年欧盟鱼病水平测试样品中的4种DNA病毒,与最后公布的测试结果完全一致。     

A region of the Herpesvirus saimiri genome required for oncogenicity

Herpesvirus saimiri naturally infects squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) without producing signs of disease; infection of other New World primates, however, results in a rapidly progressing, malignant, T-cell lymphoma. Results described in this report identify a region of the viral genome that is required for oncogenicity in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus); this region is not required for replication of the virus. This is believed to be the first such genomic region identified in a herpesvirus system.     

Soluble membrane antigens of lip and cervical carcinomas: reactivity with antibody for herpesvirus nonvirion antigens

With the use of antibody for herpesvirus nonvirion antigens (not structural components of the virus) complement fixing reactivity has been shown for soluble membrane antigens separated from lip and cervical carcinomas but not for similar extracts from normal vaginal tissue or intestinal carcinoma. Neither the serum obtained from the guinea pig before hyperimmunization with the herpesvirus nonvirion antigen nor the antiserum of guinea pigs immunized with comparable uninfected cell extracts reacted with these tumor soluble membrane antigens. Since the above soluble membrane antigens could be specific markers for the presence of virus genome within the tumor cells, the findings could support an etiological role of herpesvirus in selected human malignancies.     

Specific DNA probe for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Malaria can be diagnosed either by direct microscopic examination of blood smears, which is time consuming and requires expertise, or by immunological techniques, which are effective but do not distinguish between past and present infections. In this study, a simple procedure was developed for spotting lysed blood from infected patients directly onto nitrocellulose paper and identifying the malaria species on the basis of hybridization of parasite DNA with a species-specific probe. A genomic DNA library of Plasmodium falciparum was screened to detect clones containing DNA sequences that are highly repeated within the parasite genome. Several such clones were further analyzed to identify those that hybridize specifically with P. falciparum DNA but not with DNA from humans, P. vivax, or P. cynomolgi. This technique appears to be sensitive enough to detect 10 picograms of purified P. falciparum DNA (equivalent to 100 parasites) and in field studies is able to detect approximately 40 parasites per microliter of blood.     

DNA amplification for direct detection of HIV-1 in DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

By means of a selective DNA amplification technique called polymerase chain reaction, proviral sequences of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) were identified directly in DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of persons seropositive but not in DNA isolated from PBMCs of persons seronegative for the virus. Primer pairs from multiple regions of the HIV-1 genome were used to achieve maximum sensitivity of provirus detection. HIV-1 sequences were detected in 100% of DNA specimens from seropositive, homosexual men from whom the virus was isolated by coculture, but in none of the DNA specimens from a control group of seronegative, virus culture-negative persons. However, HIV-1 sequences were detected in 64% of DNA specimens from seropositive, virus culture-negative homosexual men. This method of DNA amplification made it possible to obtain results within 3 days, whereas virus isolation takes up to 3 to 4 weeks. The method may therefore be used to complement or replace virus isolation as a routine means of determining HIV-1 infection.     

鳗鲡疱疹病毒FJ株ORF51基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

为了解本课题组分离的鳗鲡疱疹病毒福建株（AngHV-FJ） ORF51的结构特征,扩繁了 AngHV-FJ ,提取其基因组DNA ,经PCR扩增,获得ORF51基因,将其克隆至pMD19-T载体中,进行DNA测序,用生物信息学方法分析AngHV-FJ ORF51基因及其编码蛋白的结构和功能。结果显示,扩增到长约720 bp的ORF51基因序列,其与GeneBank上鳗鲡疱疹病毒欧洲株（AngHV-1） ORF51基因的序列完全一致。该基因编码239个氨基酸;预测ORF51基因编码蛋白的分子量为26107.1 Da ,等电点为7.66,是疏水性蛋白且偏碱性;有4个跨膜域;抗原表位预测显示抗原性较好;结构预测显示,存在1个N-糖基化位点、1个O-糖基化位点、10个磷酸化位点;亚细胞定位预测显示其主要存在于内质网。本研究为解析ORF51的功能及开展AngHV的基因工程疫苗研究奠定了基础。     

Cloning and Sequence of Glycoprotein H Gene of Duck Plague Virus

The glycoprotein H （gH） gene homologue of duck plague virus （DPV） was cloned by degenerate polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and sequenced. It was located immediately downstream from the thymidine kinase gene （TK）. In addition, the 3＇-end of the gene homologue to herpesvirus UL21 was located downstream from the gH gene. DPV gH gene open reading frame （ORF） was 2 505 bp in length and its primary translation product was a polypeptide of 834 amino acids long. It possessed several characteristics of membrane glycoproteins, including an N-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence, an external domain containing eight putative N-linked glycosylation sites, a C-terminal transmembrane domain, and a charged cytoplasmic tail. Comparison with other herpesvirus revealed identities of 20.2, 25.1, 23.0, 23.0, 26.5 and 26.0% with the gH counterparts of the human herpesvirus virus 1 （HSV1）, equine herpesvirus 4 （EHV4）, bovine herpesvirus 1 （BHV1）, pseudorabies virus （PRV）, gallid herpesvirus 2 （GHV2） and gallid herpesvirus 3 （GHV3）, respectively.     

藏马微卫星标记遗传多样性研究

为研究西藏藏马种群的微卫星多态性,应用生物素标记的微卫星探针与藏马基因组酶切片段杂交,通过链霉亲和素包被的磁珠捕获150～1 000 bp含有微卫星序列的DNA片段,连接到pEASY-T1载体中,构建藏马基因组微卫星富集文库。结果表明:从2 380个转化子中随机挑取112个阳性克隆进行测序后,经筛选比对发现,从62个微卫星中筛选出39个在马属基因组卫星库中未被检测到的微卫星;成功设计了10对藏马微卫星引物,经聚合酶链式反应-单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP)方法检测到3个具有多态性的微卫星标记,其中有2个多态性信息含量(PIC)值均大于0.5。因此,这3个微卫星标记可应用于藏马遗传多态性检测、种群遗传结构等方面研究,为藏马遗传连锁图谱的构建、辅助育种、群体遗传学分析、基因组结构分析以及分子进化研究等提供依据。     

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus fusion-entry receptor: cystine transporter xCT

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, human herpesvirus 8) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and other lymphoproliferative syndromes often associated with HIV/AIDS. Functional complementary DNA selection for a receptor mediating KSHV cell fusion identified xCT, the 12-transmembrane light chain of the human cystine/glutamate exchange transporter system x-c. Expression of recombinant xCT rendered otherwise not susceptible target cells permissive for both KSHV cell fusion and virion entry. Antibodies against xCT blocked KSHV fusion and entry with naturally permissive target cells. KSHV target cell permissiveness correlated closely with endogenous expression of xCT messenger RNA and protein in diverse human and nonhuman cell types.