GPR98 mutations cause Usher syndrome type 2 in males.

Mutations in the large GPR98 gene underlie Usher syndrome type 2C (USH2C), and all patients described to date have been female. It was speculated that GPR98 mutations cause a more severe, and eventually lethal, phenotype in males. We describe for the first time two male patients with USH2 with novel GPR98 mutations. Clinical characterization of a male patient and his affected sister revealed a typical USH2 phenotype in both. GPR98 may have been excluded from systematic investigation in previous studies, and the proportion of patients with USH2C probably underestimated. GPR98 should be considered in patients with USH2 of both sexes.

Binding of free bile acids by cells of yogurt starter culture bacteria.

Several strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, which produced exocellular polysaccharides (EPS), varied in the amount produced. The streptococci tended to produce the most EPS per milliliter of culture; however, when compared on the basis of amounts per 10(7) cfu, the lactobacilli produced the most. Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus strains Lb-18 and Lb-10442 and S. thermophilus St-143 produced significantly larger amounts per 107 cfu than did other strains tested. These three cultures plus two strains of the streptococci that produced the greatest amounts of EPS per ml of culture were tested for the ability to bind bile acids from laboratory media. The two cultures of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (Lb-18 and Lb-10442) bound significantly higher amounts of cholic acid than did the three strains of streptococci. These two cultures of lactobacilli bound up to 15.3% of the cholic acid present in laboratory media, up to 452 microg/mg of EPS and 2.9 microg/10(7) cfu. None of the cultures tested in this study were able to bind the conjugated bile acid, glycocholic acid.

Analysis of the G93E mutant allele of KpsM, the membrane component of an ABC transporter involved in polysialic acid translocation in Escherichia coli K1.

KpsM is an integral membrane protein involved in the translocation of the polysialic acid capsule of Escherichia coli K1. The kpsMG93E allele is a point mutation in the first cytoplasmic loop (Cl) of KpsM which partially disrupts translocation of the capsule. While producing polymer of wild-type length, strains harboring the G93E allele exhibit a decreased production of capsular polymer and a reduced rate of polymer translocation to the cell surface.

Topological and mutational analysis of KpsM, the hydrophobic component of the ABC-transporter involved in the export of polysialic acid in Escherichia coli K1.

The 17 kb kps gene cluster of Escherichia coli K1, which encodes the information required for synthesis, assembly and translocation of the polysialic acid capsule of E. coli K1, is divided into three functional regions. Region 3 contains two genes, kpsM and kpsT, essential for the transport of capsule polymer across the cytoplasmic membrane. The hydrophobicity profile of KpsM suggests that it is an integral membrane protein while KpsT contains a consensus ATP-binding site. KpsM and KpsT belong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of membrane transporters. In this study, we investigate the topology of KpsM within the cytoplasmic membrane using beta-lactamase fusions and alkaline phosphatase sandwich fusions. Our analysis provides evidence for a model of KpsM having six membrane-spanning regions, with the N- and C-terminal domains facing the cytoplasm, and a short domain within the third periplasmic loop, which we refer to as the SV-SVI linker localizing in the membrane. Protease digestion studies are consistent with regions of KpsM exposed to the periplasmic space. In vivo cross-linking studies provide support for dimerization of KpsM within the cytoplasmic membrane. Linker-insertion and site-directed mutagenesis define the N-terminus, the first cytoplasmic loop, and the SV-SVI linker as regions that are important for the function of KpsM in K1 polymer transport.

[Immediate effects of dimenhydrinate on uterine contraction and the fetal cardiac rhythm during labor]. / Effets immédiats du dimenhydrinate sur la contraction utérine e le rythme cardiaque foetal durant le travail.

The effects of intravenous administration of 100 mg of dimenhydrinate (Gravol) were studied in 20 patients during active spontaneous labour. The uterine activity and the fetal heart rate were monitored by an invasive technique. After administration of the medication the uterine activity increases significantly, and in 20% of the cases decelerations in the fetal heart rate of the hypoxic type occurred. Because of its unpredictable effects, this drug should be used with care during labour.