Nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding a new genus specific protein of Chlamydia psittaci.

DNA fragment No. 13 from the C. psittaci pigeon strain, has been cloned in the plasmid pUC19. Hybridization analysis revealed that the fragment maintained a chlamydial common sequence. Furthermore, nucleotide sequencing identified two partial open reading frames (ORF), 675b. p. and 530b. p. Expression of ORFs revealed that the second ORF encoded 25KD polypeptide, whereas the first ORF did not produce any antigenic product. The 25KD beta-galactosidase fusion protein reacted strongly with chlamydia-specific antibodies elicited against a number of different chlamydial strains. Gene Bank analysis showed that this cloned gene is not highly homologous with chlamydia or other organisms for which nucleotide sequences have already been published. This 25KD polypeptide may be an additional genus-specific antigen of Chlamydiae.     

雏番鸭基因IX型禽1型副黏病毒分离鉴定及F基因序列分析

自发病死亡雏番鸭中分离到一株(XBT14株)基因Ⅸ型禽1型副黏病毒,该病毒可引起雏鸭明显神经症状及急性死亡,致死率达44.4%;病毒融合(F)蛋白裂解位点处具有强毒株特有的多碱性氨基酸序列(112RRQRR↓F117),与Gen Bank数据库中已发布的基因IX型毒株核苷酸序列同源性高达99.7%~99.9%,与基因VII型毒株核苷酸序列同源性为85.5%~86.6%。该分离株与近来报道的GD09-2等基因IX型毒株处于同一进化分支。以上结果表明对水禽致死性的禽1型副黏病毒呈现基因型多样性,水禽禽1型副黏病毒病的防控日益严峻。     

禽呼肠孤病毒分离株δ3蛋白基因克隆及序列分析

本研究将禽呼肠孤病毒广西两分离株R1、R2和美国分离株Iso1 S1基因中编码σ3蛋白的基因片段进行克隆和鉴定.对克隆片段测序后与参考株S1133、1733、138、176毒株的S1基因相应序列进行比较分析.结果表明,广西分离株R1、R2与美国分离株Iso1以及S1133、1733、176毒株的核苷酸和推导氨基酸的同源性均在95%以上,上参考株138的同源性在81%～85%之间.由此可见,除了与138参考株外,广西分离株R1、R2和美国分离株Iso1与其他比较的毒株的S1基因上存在很大的相关性.     

Deoxynucleotide sequence conservation of the endoflagellin subunit protein gene, flaB, within the genus leptospira

A Polymerase chain reaction was developed to amplify the entire open reading frame of flaB, the gene encoding the endoflagellin subunit protein. The 852 bp amplified products from 23 serovars of the genus Leptospira were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis and the profiles correlated well with phylogenetic relationships between these serovars. The flaB deoxynucleotide sequences of L. hardjo-bovis, L. hardjo-prajitno and L. grippotyphosa were determined. The deduced primary amino acid sequences of each were highly conserved with only three amino acid residue differences observed. The deoxynucleotide sequences showed genetic drift with alternative bases in the third position of codons. The PCR product derived by amplification of flaB from L. grippotyphosa was cloned into the expression vector pGEX-2T and a recombinant FlaB fusion protein made. As predicted from the deduced amino acid sequences, the recombinant FlaB cross-reacted with heterologous antiserum derived from a rabbit infected with L. hardjo-bovis.     

Analysis of the matrix protein gene sequence of the Asian lineage of peste-des-petits ruminants vaccine virus

The M gene nucleotide sequence of an Indian peste-des-petits ruminants (PPRV) vaccine virus ("PPRV Sungri/96") belonging to Asian lineage was determined. The gene is 1476 nucleotides long with a single open reading frame (ORF). The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence was compared with the homologous region of the African Lineage Vaccine virus "PPRV/Nigeria/75/1". The nucleotide sequence of the "PPRV Sungri/96" was 86% identical to that of "PPRV/Nigeria/75/1", while a homology of 93% and 95% could be observed in the ORF and amino acids level, respectively. The M gene encodes a protein of 335 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight (MW) of 37.8 kDa. The ORF is flanked by a 3' untranslated region of 436 nucleotides and a high level of sequence divergence (approximately 30%) could be observed in this region between the vaccine viruses of Asian and African lineages. A high degree of conservation of several amino acids of this protein observed previously was also confirmed in this study.     

A型禽流感病毒不同拷贝数基质蛋白胞外区基因的原核表达及免疫保护力研究

为研究含禽流感病毒(AIV)不同拷贝数基质蛋白胞外功能区(M2e)亚单位疫苗在SPF鸡体中的免疫保护效力差异,根据已发表的高致病性AIV M2基因序列设计合成两对引物,利用PCR技术扩增单个M2e基因片段,以此为基础顺次串联得到不同拷贝数的M2e基因片段,并将其克隆到pMAL-C2x载体中,构建不同拷贝数的A型AIV M2e基因的重组表达质粒,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞,经IPTG诱导表达,SDS-PAGE鉴定。表达产物经纯化后免疫家兔、SPF鸡,制备抗M2e融合蛋白的多克隆抗体。Western blot和间接免疫荧光试验检测纯化的融合蛋白免疫原性,间接ELISA测定鸡血清抗体水平,表明MBP-3M2e融合蛋白的抗体水平较高,且MBP-3M2e亚单位疫苗产生最好的免疫保护力。     

Differentiation of avian poxvirus strains on the basis of nucleotide sequences of 4b gene fragment

Investigations for detection and differentiation of nine avian poxviruses (APVs) were carried out by the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with restriction enzyme analysis (REA) and further nucleotide sequence analysis. With one primer set, which framed a region within the fowl poxvirus 4b core protein gene, we were able to detect APV-specific DNA from 19 tested strains and isolates belonging to five defined Avipoxvirus species and four previously undefined isolated species. PCR results revealed no recognizable differences in size of amplified fragments among the different APVs. REA of PCR products with MseI and EcoRV allowed us to differentiate most of the tested avipox species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified fragments showed a nucleotide similarity of 72%-100% among the different species. Phylogenetic analysis documented five distinguishable sequence clusters in accordance with results obtained by REA. PCR in combination with REA and sequencing of the amplified fragments is a rapid and effective diagnostic system, and it is a new approach to refine epidemiologic studies of APV infections.     

No detection of avian influenza A viruses of the subtypes H5 and H7 and isolation of lentogenic avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 in passerine birds during stopover in the year 2001 on the island Helgoland (North Sea)

A total of 543 migrating passerines were captured during their stopover on the island of Helgoland (North Sea) in spring and autumn 2001. They were sampled for the detection of avian influenza A viruses (AIV) subtypes H5 and H7, and for avian paramyxoviruses serotype 1 (APMV-1). The goal of the study was to examine the role of migrating birds as potential vectors for these zoonotic viral diseases. For virus detection samples were taken from a) short-distance migrants such as chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs, n = 131) and song trushes (Turdus philomelos, n = 169), and b) long-distance migrants such as garden warbler (Sylvia borin, n = 142) and common redstarts (Phoenicurus phoenicurus, n = 101). Virus detection was done on conjunctival, choanal cleft and cloacal swabs. Embryonated SPF chicken eggs were used to isolate and propagate virus followed by virus identification in a hemagglutination test, hemagglutination inhibition test and in an agar gel diffusion test. In none of the tested samples AIV was detected. Therefore, we conclude that the tested four species of passerines were infected by these pathogens. Six out of 543 birds (1.1 %) were found to carry non-pathogenic and lentogenic strains of APMV-1. This indicates that the passerine species examined in this study may play only a minor role as potential vectors of APMV-1.     

Isolation of Chuzan virus, a new member of the Palyam subgroup of the genus Orbivirus, from cattle and Culicoides oxystoma in Japan

Five virus strains with identical antigenic properties were isolated from 3 RBC suspensions obtained from 2 healthy sentinel calves and from 2 pools of Culicoides oxystoma in cultures of a hamster lung cell line (HmLu-1). The virus was tentatively named Chuzan virus. The Chuzan virus was classified as a new member of the Palyam subgroup of the genus Orbivirus on the basis of its physicochemical, morphologic, and antigenic properties.     

鹅细小病毒非结构蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位的鉴定及抗原表位区分子特性分析

为进一步对鹅细小病毒(GPV)非结构(NS)蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位进行定位,本研究设计了覆盖NS1蛋白C末端453 aa～627 aa的7个长约30个氨基酸残基的重叠短肽,并进行了融合表达。蛋白质印迹分析结果表明,表达的融合蛋白NSb(485 aa～514 aa)、NSc(498 aa～532 aa)、NSd(523 aa～556 aa)、NSe(543 aa～573 aa)、NSf(564 aa～598 aa)和NSg(599 aa～627 aa)能够被GPV免疫的鹅血清识别。将抗原表位区推导氨基酸序列与GenBank中登录的12株GPV和番鸭细小病毒(MDPV)相应序列应用DNAMAN进行同源性比较,并构建了系统进化树。分析结果表明,GPV各株之间的同源性较高,但在强弱毒株和不同地区分离株中存在一定的差异。同时,GPV和MDPV的NS蛋白中可能存在共同的线性抗原表位区。     

The sclerodactylid holothurians of southern Africa,with the erection of one new subfamily and two new genera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

The sclerodactylid subfamily Sclerodactylinae is restricted to include only those forms with a short, compact, tubular calcareous ring and a new subfamily Sclerothyoninae is diagnosed to accommodate two new southern African monotypic genera Sclerothyone and Temparena, with compact but non-tubular calcareous rings. The new genera are erected respectively for Ludwig and Heding's (1935) Cucumaria? velligera and C.l chuni, formerly classified in Pentamera. This brings the total number of sclerodactylid holothurians known from southern Africa to six genera and seven species. All taxa are diagnosed and/or described, a key is provided for all southern African species and their local distributions are mapped.     

Characterization of,and immune responses of mice to,the purified OmpA-equivalent outer membrane protein of Pasteurella multocida serotype A:3 (Omp28)

Pasteurella multocida A:3 is a major cause of bovine pneumonia. A major antigenic heat-modifiable 28kDa outer membrane protein (Omp28) was previously identified. The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize Omp28 immunologically and structurally. Omp28 was extracted from N-lauroylsarcosine-insoluble protein preparations by a combination of detergent fractionation with Zwittergent 3-14 and chromatography. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence confirmed Omp28 as a member of the OmpA-porin family. However, porin activity could not be demonstrated in a lipid-bilayer assay. Heat modifiability of purified Omp28 was demonstrated, and Omp28 was found in outer membrane fraction of P. multocida. Surface exposure of Omp28 was demonstrated by partial protease digestion of intact bacteria, by binding of anti-Omp28 polyclonal ascites fluid to the bacterial surface, and by partial inhibition of anti-outer membrane antiserum binding by previous incubation of the bacteria with anti-Omp28 serum. CD-1 mice vaccinated with purified Omp28 developed a significant antibody titer (P<0.05) compared to the control treatment group but were not protected from a homologous intraperitoneal bacterial challenge. By contrast, treatment groups vaccinated with P. multocida outer membrane, formalin-killed P. multocida or a commercial vaccine were significantly protected from challenge. In vitro complement-mediated killing of P. multocida was observed in post-vaccination sera of outer membrane, formalin-killed P. multocida, and commercial vaccine-treatment groups, but not with sera from the Omp28-treatment group. In conclusion, although Omp28 is surface exposed and antigenic, it may not be a desirable immunogen for stimulating immunity to P. multocida.     

Basic characterization of avian β‐defensin genes in the Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

In this study, we identified a cluster of 14 avian β‐defensins (AvBD; approximately 66 kbp) in the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica. Except for AvBD12 (CjAvBD12) and ‐13, the CjAvBDs coding sequences exhibited greater than 78.0% similarity to the respective orthologous chicken AvBD genes (GgAvBD). The putative amino acid sequence encoded by each CjAvBD contained six cysteine residues and the GXC (X1‐2) motif considered essential for the β‐defensin family. Each CjAvBDs also formed a sub‐group with the respective orthologous genes of various bird species in a phylogenetic tree analysis. Synteny between the CjAvBD cluster and GgAvBD cluster was confirmed. The CjAvBD cluster was mapped on the long‐arm end of chromosome 3 by linkage analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CjAvBD1 and CjAvBD12 (approximately 46kbp), as well as GgAvBD cluster. We also confirmed that CjAvBD1, ‐4, ‐5, ‐9, and ‐10 are transcribed in 20 tissues, including immune and digestive tissues. However, our experimental data indicated that the CjAvBD cluster lacks the AvBD3 and ‐7 loci, whereas the CjAvBD101α, ‐101β, and ‐101θ loci arose from gene duplication of the AvBD6 orthologous locus in the CjAvBD cluster after differentiation between Coturnix ‐ Gallus.