Identification and sequence analysis of the core protein genes of bovine adenovirus 2.

The DNA sequence of the genome of bovine adenovirus type 2 (BAdV-2) was determined between map units 42.5 and 50. By sequence analysis and homology search, the genes of five structural proteins were identified within this region: the penton base protein (III; partial sequence), the major core protein precursor (pVII), the minor core protein (V), the mu core protein precursor (pX) and the hexon associated protein precursor (pVI; partial sequence). The putative polypeptides were compared to their known counterparts from other adenoviruses. The existence of protein V and the presence and structure of certain protease cleavage recognition sites confirmed BAdV-2 as a member of the genus Mastadenovirus.

sep1+ encodes a transcription-factor homologue of the HNF-3/forkhead DNA-binding-domain family in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

We report on the cloning of sep1+, a gene whose mutation causes filamentous growth in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Since cell growth and propagation are not affected by the mutation, it could not be cloned using selective conditions for the identification of the positive transformants. Instead, we cloned it from a cosmid of a contig (Hoheisel et al., Cell 73, 109-1120, 1993) supposed to cover the chromosomal region where the sep1-1 mutation mapped. The 1761 bp long ORF codes for a protein containing a sequence similar to the DNA-binding domains of the HNF-3/forkhead family of transcription factors.

Complete DNA sequence of yeast chromosome XI.

The complete DNA sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI has been determined. In addition to a compact arrangement of potential protein coding sequences, the 666,448-base-pair sequence has revealed general chromosome patterns; in particular, alternating regional variations in average base composition correlate with variations in local gene density along the chromosome. Significant discrepancies with the previously published genetic map demonstrate the need for using independent physical mapping criteria.

[Human cytomegalovirus, its significance in immune deficiency states, laboratory diagnosis, therapeutic possibilities]. / Humán cytomegalovirus, jelentösége immunhiányos állapotokban, laboratóriumi diagnózis, terápiás lehetöségek.

The authors report on the virological findings of 59 transplant recipients. The following procedures were used for the detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection: detection of antiviral antibodies by ELISA, the detection of virus-coded antigens in the patients' leucocytes (HCMV antigenemia test), "accelerated" virus isolation using immunofluorescence (IF). Serial examinations revealed the HCMV infection in 12 patients following organ transplantation. The antigenemia test proved to be positive in all cases. Two third of the cases suffered from viremia. The virus specific serology possess diagnostic value only in every second acute illness. Since the antigenemia test used to be successful in the earliest phase of acute illnesses, the chance of effective chemotherapy can be increased significantly. The virus serological examinations are of essential importance during the pretransplantation screening of donors and recipients. The "accelerated" procedure of virus isolation experiments indicates the presence of infective HCMV within 1 to 4 days. Transplant recipients obtain new life perspectives, nevertheless, the modern diagnostic procedures may only support the prevention of life-threatening virus infections under the conditions of immunosuppression. The excellent mutual cooperation of the clinicians and diagnostic virologists seems to be at least as important condition of successful transplantation medicine as the high technology in surgery and clinical diagnostics.

Relationship of E1 and E3 regions of human adenovirus 35 to those of human adenovirus subgroups A, C and D.

Cloned PstI fragments of human adenovirus 35 (AV35) genome were compared with the DNA of representatives of human adenovirus subgroups A (type 12), B (type 7), C (types 1, and 5), D (type 8), and E (type 4), using blot hybridization techniques. The E1b region of AV35 was found to be more distantly related to those of other subgroups than E1a regions sequences and examined by others. DNA hybridization was observed only between E1b of AV35 and the DNA of AV4, thus the recombinant constructed might be applied as B-subgroup-specific diagnostic probe. Common nucleotide sequences were detected within the E3 regions of serotypes 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 35. On the basis of inter-subgroup homology, and PstI-fragments it may be concluded, that the structure of E3 sequences of AV7 and AV35 DNA are closely related to those of AV3 DNA sequenced by Signäs et al. [18]. E4 regions were compared only of serotypes representing subgroups B, C, and D. These sequences were subgroup specific, similarly to E1b regions.