Intercellular trafficking of VP22, a herpes simplex virus type 1 tegument protein

BACKGROUND: The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) tegument protein, VP22 has been reported to have the property of intercellular transport. The previous studies have shown that following expression of a fusion protein containing VP22; it spreads to every cell in a monolayer and concentrates in the nucleus. In spite of these reports, some studies have shown that VP22 trafficking and its nucleus accumulation is an artifact and no improvement in translocation of proteins fused to VP22 has been detected. METHODS: To better understand about VP22 translocation, VP22-GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) vector was constructed and its nuclear accumulation, transportation to the nomtransfected cells and translocation between different cell types were studied by fluorescent microscope. RESULTS: VP22-fusion protein was detected in nontransfected cells which in some of them the fusion protein was shown in nucleus. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that VP22 can easily transport between different cells but nuclear accumulation of the protein is not common in all of the recipient cells.     

The influence of environmental temperature on the apparent nutrient and fatty acid digestibility in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed finishing diets containing different blends of fish oil, rapeseed oil and palm oil

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the interactive effects between water temperature and diets supplemented with different blends of fish oil, rapeseed oil and crude palm oil (CPO) on the apparent nutrient and fatty acid digestibility in Atlantic salmon. Two isolipidic extruded diets with added fish oil fixed at 50% and CPO supplemented at 10% or 25% of total added oil, at the expense of rapeseed oil, were formulated and fed to groups of Atlantic salmon (about 3.4 kg) maintained in floating cages. There were no significant effects (P>0.05) of diet on growth, feed utilization efficiency, muscle total lipid or pigment concentrations. Fatty acid compositions of muscle and liver lipids were mostly not significantly different in salmon fed the two experimental diets but showed elevated concentrations of 18:1n‐9 and 18:2n‐6 compared with initial values. Decreasing water temperatures (11–6°C) did not significantly affect protein, lipid or energy apparent digestibilities of the diets with different oil blends. However, dry matter digestibility decreased significantly in fish fed the diet with CPO at 25% of added oil. Increasing dietary CPO levels and decreasing water temperature significantly reduced the apparent digestibility (AD) of saturated fatty acids. The AD of the saturates decreased with increasing chain length within each temperature regimen irrespective of CPO level fed to the fish. The AD of monoenes and polyunsaturated fatty acids was not affected by dietary CPO levels or water temperature. No significant interaction between diet and water temperature effects was detected on the AD of all nutrients and fatty acids. The results of this study showed that the inclusion of CPO up to about 10% (wt/wt) in Atlantic salmon feeds resulted in negligible differences in nutrient and fatty acid digestibility that did not affect growth performance of fish at the range of water temperatures generally encountered in the grow‐out phase.     

The incorporation and metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids of cultured cells from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

The incorporation and metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied in a cell line derived from chum salmon heart (CHH-1). Supplementing media with 25 M fatty acid considerably altered the cellular fatty acid composition but did not affect the lipid class composition or cause the appearance of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. CHH-1 cells exhibited considerable -6-desaturase activity but showed no preference between (n-3) and (n-6)PUFA substrates. CHH-1 cells also possess -5-desaturase activity which showed preference towards (n-3)PUFA, but -4-desaturase activity was totally absent. Elongation of 20-carbon PUFA was especially active in CHH-1 cells with 22-carbon PUFA being specifically incorporated into PE and PS lipid classes. The fatty acid composition of PI indicated specific incorporation of 20-carbon PUFA into this lipid class. Supplementation with 22:6(n-3) generated fatty acid compositions more closely resembling those of intact salmonid hearts. Substantial chain shortening of 22:6(n-3) to 20:5(n-3) occurred.Abbreviations BHT butylated hydroxytoluene - BSA bovine serum albumin - CL cardiolipin - FCS fetal calf serum - PA phosphatidic acid - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PI phosphatidylinositol - PS phosphatidylserine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid - SM sphingomyelin     

A survey of contaminated ground with illustrative case histories

Contaminated ground represents a problem in all the industrialized countries of the world. Contaminated ground may give rise to hazards and that implies a degree of risk which also involves a problem of definition. The investigation of a site which is suspected of being contaminated differs somewhat from a routine site investigation. Sampling of soils, groundwater and gas producing material may be required. Various precautions may be necessary in doing this and operatives may have to wear protective clothing. The first case history considered involves a site investigation for a relief sewer in Glasgow, Scotland. As the site investigation progressed it ran into made‐ground which contained chemical waste. The presence of this waste meant that the nature of the investigation changed and much more stringent safety precautions had to be taken. It also meant that the initial location of the sewer tunnel had to be repositioned at greater depth in uncontaminated sandstone rather than in the superficial deposits above. Two further case histories associated with coal mining in the Ruhr district of Germany are included. The methods involved in investigating these two sites are described, as is their rehabilitation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.