白蚁纤维素酶结构域重组研究

对来源于白蚁Nasutitermes takasagoensis的纤维素酶NtEG和来源于Thermomonospora fusca的耐热性纤维素酶E4进行同源建模和序列比较,利用重组PCR技术将E4的结合域与NtEG的催化域进行结构域重组,形成重组纤维素酶。并将得到的重组体置于毕氏酵母X33中表达并检测其催化效率。结果表明:重组纤维素酶的相对分子质量约为59 ku;用羧甲基纤维素法、滤纸法、微晶纤维素测得重组纤维素酶的活性分别为17.1、5.4、4.6 U/mL;重组纤维素酶可在毕赤酵母中成功表达。     

Successful transmission of a retrovirus depends on the commensal microbiota

To establish chronic infections, viruses must develop strategies to evade the host's immune responses. Many retroviruses, including mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), are transmitted most efficiently through mucosal surfaces rich in microbiota. We found that MMTV, when ingested by newborn mice, stimulates a state of unresponsiveness toward viral antigens. This process required the intestinal microbiota, as antibiotic-treated mice or germ-free mice did not transmit infectious virus to their offspring. MMTV-bound bacterial lipopolysaccharide triggered Toll-like receptor 4 and subsequent interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent induction of the inhibitory cytokine IL-10. Thus, MMTV has evolved to rely on the interaction with the microbiota to induce an immune evasion pathway. Together, these findings reveal the fundamental importance of commensal microbiota in viral infections.     

Suppression of the humoral antibody response in natural retrovirus infections

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) frequently causes death by predisposing the host to acute infections by other pathogens rather than by inducing leukemia. In a previous study, cats infected with FeLV were found to have prolonged homograft rejection responses but there was no evidence that the humoral immune response was impaired. In the present study, the humoral response to the synthetic multichain polypeptide (L-tyrosine-L-glutamic acid)-poly-DL-alanine-poly-L-lysine, denoted (T.G)AL, was found to be significantly depressed in healthy cats that were naturally infected with FeLV compared to uninfected controls. In cats with persistent FeLV viremia the major antibody response to (T.G)AL, normally seen at days 9 to 14 after immunization, was both delayed and greatly reduced.     

Failure to confirm XMRV/MLVs in the blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a multi-laboratory study

Murine leukemia viruses (MLVs), including xenotropic-MLV-related virus (XMRV), have been controversially linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). To explore this issue in greater depth, we compiled coded replicate samples of blood from 15 subjects previously reported to be XMRV/MLV-positive (14 with CFS) and from 15 healthy donors previously determined to be negative for the viruses. These samples were distributed in a blinded fashion to nine laboratories, which performed assays designed to detect XMRV/MLV nucleic acid, virus replication, and antibody. Only two laboratories reported evidence of XMRV/MLVs; however, replicate sample results showed disagreement, and reactivity was similar among CFS subjects and negative controls. These results indicate that current assays do not reproducibly detect XMRV/MLV in blood samples and that blood donor screening is not warranted.     

Isolation of T-cell tropic HTLV-III-like retrovirus from macaques

The isolation of a T-cell tropic retrovirus from three immunodeficient macaques and one macaque with lymphoma is described. The morphology, growth characteristics, and antigenic properties of this virus indicate that it is related to the causative agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in humans (HTLV-III or LAV). This virus is referred to as simian T-lymphotropic virus type III (STLV-III) of macaques. The existence of a cytopathic, T-cell tropic virus resembling HTLV-III in monkeys may facilitate study of disease induction and vaccine development in an animal model.     

Neutralization of the AIDS retrovirus by antibodies to a recombinant envelope glycoprotein

Mammalian cell lines have been engineered to produce a secreted form of the AIDS retrovirus envelope glycoprotein. The recombinant protein has been isolated from growth-conditioned culture media and used to immunize animals. Antibodies directed against the recombinant molecule were found to react with the envelope glycoprotein produced in virus-infected cells. Furthermore, these antibodies were able to directly inactivate the AIDS retrovirus in a neutralization assay in vitro. The expression system reported here should provide sufficient quantities of the AIDS retrovirus envelope protein for biological and vaccination studies.     

重组溶葡萄球菌酶的致突变实验

实验用ICR小鼠经口罐胃染毒（骨髓细胞微核实验和精子畸形实验的剂量分别为2500、5000、10000mg·kg^-1）,取其股骨或睾丸组织常规制片,观察分散良好的中期分裂相鼠伤寒沙门氏菌回复突变（Ames）试验采用平板掺入法（剂量分别为0．01、0．04．0．2、1．00、5．00μg·皿^-1）,探讨了重组溶葡萄球菌酶的致突变性;预防其遗传危害性和潜在致癌作用的可能性。结果表明：小鼠骨髓、睾丸细胞染色体畸变实验显示：重组溶葡萄球菌酶给药组与阴性对照组比较,差异无显著性（P〉0．05）,Ames试验显示各菌株的各测试酞度的回变菌落数均未超过自发回变菌落数的2倍。由此证明在本实验条件下,重组溶葡萄球菌酶无致突变性。     

Chronic arthritis in goats caused by a retrovirus

A virus was isolated from an adult goat with chronic arthritis and shown to belong to the retrovirus group by electron microscopy and biochemical methods. Inoculation of the virus into cesarean-derived specific-pathogen-free goats' kids produced arthritic lesions similar to those in the spontaneous disease. Vrus was reisolated from the experimentally induced lesions.