Autoradiographic distribution of alpha 2 adrenoceptors, NAIBS, and 5-HT1A receptors in human brain using [3H]idazoxan and [3H]rauwolscine.

The regional distribution of [3H]idazoxan and [3H]rauwolscine was studied autoradiographically in human brain. [3H]Idazoxan binds with high affinity to alpha 2 adrenoceptors as well as to non-adrenergic sites (NAIBS). [3H]Rauwolscine, besides binding to alpha 2 adrenoceptors, also binds to 5-HT1A receptors. Both radioligands labelled the same population of alpha 2 adrenoceptors, defined as the epinephrine-displaceable binding component. The highest densities of alpha 2 adrenoceptors occur in the leptomeninges, cerebral cortex and claustrum; lower densities were visualised in the basal ganglia, thalamus, pons, substantia nigra, cerebellum and medulla oblongata; no alpha 2 adrenoceptors were detected in amygdala and nucleus ruber. NAIBS were present in all the examined brain areas, with the highest densities found in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra. The finding that certain brain regions, such as the amygdala, contained NAIBS but no detectable alpha 2 adrenoceptors, suggests that the binding sites are independent from each other. The regional distribution of 5-HT1A receptors labelled by [3H]rauwolscine is in agreement with previous studies using [3H]8-OH-DPAT.

Molecular organisation of the genes involved in the production of F7(2) fimbriae, causing mannose-resistant haemagglutination, of a uropathogenic Escherichia coli 06:K2:H1:F7 strain.

The genes responsible for the formation of the F7 (2) fimbriae of the uropathogenic E. coli strain AD110 (O6:K2:H1: F7 ) have been cloned on the recombinant plasmid pPIL110 -35 (Van Die et al. 1983). The F7 (2) fimbriae, like the F7 (1) fimbriae of AD110 , are responsible for mannose resistant haemagglutination ( MRHA ). The molecular organisation of the genes of pPIL110 -35 involved in the expression of MRHA was studied by: (a) analysis of transposon gamma delta and Tn5 insertion mutants. Mutations that cause an MRHA -deficient phenotype were located in discrete groups within an 11.5 kb restriction fragment of pPIL110 -35, separated by insertion mutations that do not inactivate MRHA . (b) complementation experiments. Restriction fragments of pPIL110 -35 subcloned in the vector pBR322 were tested for their ability to complement transposon insertion mutations in the corresponding regions of pPIL110 -35. Five complementation groups were distinguished. Five genes (designated A-E) involved in the expression of MRHA can be distinguished by these results. The products of these genes were analysed in minicells. The results indicate that gene B codes for a 75 K dalton protein, gene C for a 23 K dalton protein and gene E for a 36 K dalton protein. No product of gene D was observed. Gene A probably codes for the 17 K dalton subunit polypeptide of the F7 (2) fimbriae, as will be discussed.

Genetic organization and transcriptional analysis of a major gene cluster involved in siderophore biosynthesis in Pseudomonas putida WCS358.

In iron-limited environments, the plant-growth-stimulating Pseudomonas putida WCS358 produces a yellow-green fluorescent siderophore called pseudobactin 358. The transcriptional organization and the iron-regulated expression of a major gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis and transport of pseudobactin 358 were analyzed in detail. The cluster comprises a region with a minimum length of 33.5 kilobases and contains at least five transcriptional units, of which some are relatively large. The directions of transcription of four transcriptional units were determined by RNA-RNA hybridization and by analysis in Escherichia coli minicells. The latter also demonstrated that large polypeptides were encoded by these transcriptional units. The results allowed us to localize several promoter regions on the DNA. The iron-dependent expression of at least two genes within this cluster appears to be regulated at the transcriptional level.

Genetic manipulation of major P-fimbrial subunits and consequences for formation of fimbriae.

The influence of genetic manipulation of the structural genes coding for major P-fimbrial subunits on the formation of fimbriae in Escherichia coli was studied. Deletion of two regions that code for hypervariable parts of the P fimbrillin resulted in strong reduction or total absence of fimbria production. Replacement of deleted amino acids by other amino acid residues restored the formation of fimbriae. The hypervariable regions may be important for biogenesis of fimbriae by imposing correct spacing between conserved regions of the protein. The potential for substituting amino acids in the P-fimbrial subunit opens interesting possibilities for use of fimbriae as carriers of foreign antigenic determinants. An antigenic determinant of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was incorporated in the F11 fimbrial subunit. Hybrid fimbriae, recognized by an FMDV-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against FMDV, were formed.

Functional relationship among the gene clusters encoding F7(1), F7(2), F9, and F11 fimbriae of human uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

The P fimbrial gene clusters encoding the serologically different F7(1), F7(2), F9, and F11 fimbriae were compared functionally. The results show that these gene clusters are closely related.

Expression of foreign epitopes in P-fimbriae of Escherichia coli.

Hypervariable regions (HRs) of the major subunit of F11 fimbriae were exploited for insertion of foreign epitopes. Two insertion vectors were created that contain a unique cloning site in HR1 or HR4 respectively. Several oligonucleotides, coding for antigenic determinants derived from different pathogens, were cloned in both insertion vectors. Hybrid fimbrial subunits were generally shown to be assembled in fimbriae when the length of the inserted peptide did not exceed 14 amino acids. The inserted peptides appeared to be exposed in the fimbrial filament. One hybrid fimbrial protein induced detectable levels of antibodies against the inserted epitope if injected into mice.