Genetic and molecular analyses of the C-terminal region of the recE gene from the Rac prophage of Escherichia coli K-12 reveal the recT gene.

The nucleotide sequence of the C-terminal region of the recE gene of the Rac prophage of Escherichia coli K-12 reveals the presence of a partially overlapping reading frame we call recT. Deletion mutations show that recT is required for the RecE pathway of conjugational recombination. By cloning recT with a plasmid vector compatible with pBR322, we showed by cis-trans tests that the portion of the recE gene encoding ExoVIII DNA nuclease activity is also required for RecE pathway conjugational recombination. The recT gene can replace the redB gene of lambda for recA-independent plasmid recombination. A Tn10 insertion mutation previously thought to be in recE is located in recT and is renamed recT101::Tn10. Discrepancies between the molecular mass estimates of wild-type ExoVIII protein determined from mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and calculated from the predicted amino acid sequence are discussed. The hypothesis that wild-type ExoVIII protein results from fusion of RecE and RecT proteins is disproved genetically, thus supporting a previous hypothesis that the discrepancies are due to abnormal protein mobility in SDS-PAGE. A computer-performed scan of the bacteriophage nucleotide sequence data base of GenBank revealed substantial similarity between most of recE and a 2.5-kb portion of the b2 region of lambda. This suggests interesting speculations concerning the evolutionary relationship of lambda and Rac prophages.

Cloning and preliminary characterization of srf-2020 and srf-801, the recF partial suppressor mutations which map in recA of Escherichia coli K-12.

We have located the single nucleotide changes suffered in recA sequence of 2 recF partial suppressor mutations: srf-2020 at codon 121 and srf-801 at codon 257. srf-2020 changes codon 121 from threonine (ACC) to isoleucine (ATC). srf-801 changes codon 257 from glutamine (CAG) to proline (CCG). Consequently these mutations were renamed recA2020 and recA801 respectively. Preliminary characterization of recA2020 revealed that it is transdominant to recA+, like recA803, another recF partial suppressor. Interactions of recA2020 with recA803 were examined using genetic studies. Heterozygotes containing recA2020 and recA803 failed to produce a synergistic suppression effect in suppressing the recF deficiency. Presence of both recA2020 and recA803 mutations in the same recA gene also failed to produce any greater amount of UV resistance to a uvrA6recF143del(recA) strain indicating no interactions between these suppressors.

Physical analysis of spontaneous and mutagen-induced mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 expressing DNA exonuclease VIII activity.

We have mapped the extents of two deletion sbcA mutations which result in production of DNA exonuclease VIII (ExoVIII). One mutation, sbcA8, deletes about 140 kb of DNA which includes most of the Rac prophage and the trg gene. Western blot analysis shows that the protein produced is larger than wild type ExoVIII. The nucleotide sequence shows that a translational gene fusion has occurred. The N-terminal 294 codons of recE have been deleted and the remaining C-terminal codons have been fused to the N-terminal portion of another reading frame we call sfcA. Analysis of the protein sequence encoded by sfcA shows an 83% similarity with rat and mouse NADP-linked malic enzyme. We discuss the possibility that sfcA is identical to maeA which encodes NAD-linked malic enzyme from Escherichia coli. Restriction nuclease analysis of a second deletion, sbcA81, by Southern blot technique indicates that about 105 kb of DNA have been deleted and a transcriptional gene fusion has occurred between recE and the regulatory region of an E. coli chromosomal gene. We also examined eight other sbc mutations that result in ExoVIII production. Five have no effect on restriction nucleotide fragment sizes detected by complementarity to lambda rev as probe. These are presumed point mutations. Three seem to produce additional restriction nucleotide fragments complementary to lambda rev. The possible nature of these sbc mutations is discussed.

Suppression of a frameshift mutation in the recE gene of Escherichia coli K-12 occurs by gene fusion.

The nucleotide sequences of a small gene, racC, and the adjacent N-terminal half of the wild-type recE gene are presented. A frameshift mutation, recE939, inactivating recE and preventing synthesis of the active recE enzyme, exonuclease VIII, was identified. The endpoints of five deletion mutations suppressing recE939 were sequenced. All five delete the frameshift site. Two are intra-recE deletions and fuse the N- and C-terminal portions of recE in frame. Three of the deletions remove the entire N-terminal portion of recE, fusing the C-terminal portion to N-terminal portions of racC in frame. These data indicate that about 70% of the N-terminal half of recE is not required to encode a hypothesized protein domain with exonuclease VIII activity.

[The diagnostic significance of auditory evoked brain stem potentials in multiple sclerosis]. / Zur diagnostischen Bedeutung akustisch evozierter Hirnstammpotentiale bei der Multiplen Sklerose.

30 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis were examined by BERA among other audiological tests. In 47% we stated significant pathological BERA-latencies, in 53% pathological interpeak-intervals. The most patients have symptoms of brainstem, but 3 cases spinal symptoms. There are no constant correlations to subjective hearing threshold measurements. According to literature BERA, especially the measurement of interpeak-intervals, increases diagnostic security of the diagnosis multiple sclerosis.

Properties of a mutant recA-encoded protein reveal a possible role for Escherichia coli recF-encoded protein in genetic recombination.

A mutation partially suppressing the UV sensitivity caused by recF143 in a uvrA6 background was located at codon 37 of recA where GTG (valine) became ATG (methionine). This mutation, originally named srf-803, was renamed recA803. Little if any suppression of the recF143 defect in UV induction of a lexA regulon promoter was detected. This led to the hypothesis that a defect in recombination repair of UV damage was suppressed by recA803. The mutant RecA protein (RecA803) was purified and compared with wild-type protein (RecA+) as a catalyst of formation of joint molecules. Under suboptimal conditions, RecA803 produces both a higher rate of formation and a higher yield of joint molecules. The suboptimal conditions tested included addition of single-stranded DNA binding protein to single-stranded DNA prior to addition of RecA. We hypothesize that the ability of RecA803 to overcome interference by single-stranded DNA binding protein is the property that allows recA803 to suppress partially the deficiency in repair caused by recF mutations in the uvrA6 background. Implications of this hypothesis for the function of RecF protein in recombination are discussed.

[Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis]. / Epileptische Anfälle bei multipler Sklerose.

Starting from informations in the literature, the authors deals with eight own cases, suffering from clinically certain multiple sclerosis and showing, as a further sign, epileptic seizures. Compared to the total of patients, these eight cases represent 1.78 p.c. of all patients treated for multiple sclerosis in this clinic. The features of seizures, frequency and dynamics of occurrence are referred to. The authors point out that it is necessary to differential between epileptic seizures and non-epileptic attacks, and they draw attention to the fact that here are difficulties with regard to differential diagnosis if epileptic seizure appears as a initial symptom of multiple sclerosis.

[Disability in epileptics - a situation analysis in the district of Dresden]. / Invalidität bei Epileptikern - eine Situationsanalyse im Bezirk Dresden.

The expertise and treatment documents of 173 invalid epileptics of the period from 1967 to 1977 have been analysed according to a catalogue of 117 characteristics. Furthermore, a catamnestic questioning has been carried out in 70 cases involving unclear facts. The analysis concerned in the main the social structure, treatment and appraisement centres, mode of treatment, reasons for the declaration of invalidity, classification of epilepsy, psychic findings and rehabilitation proposals. Suggestions for the improvement of both the treatment situation and the expertise situation are derived from the results obtained.

Analysis of ultraviolet light-induced suppressor mutations in the strain of Escherichia coli K-12 AB1157: an implication for molecular mechanisms of UV mutagenesis.

Genetic analysis of histidine independent (His+) revertants induced by ultraviolet light in the his-4 E. coli strain AB1157 was carried out: 93% carried ochre (UAA) suppressor mutations and 17% carried back mutations to his+ or (intragenic?) suppressors not detectably separable from his-4. Using the specialized transducing lambda psu 2int- phage, which carries supE-supB, it was determined that 87% of the ochre suppressors mapped in the supE-supB region. We were able to deduce that 56% of these affected tRNA1Gln by a CAA leads to TAA change in the tRNA gene while 31% affected tRNA2Gln by TAG- leads to TAA change. Although we were unable to deduce the base substitution of the remaining 13%, the results indicate that most of the suppressor mutations are caused by G:C to A:T transition. These results suggest that the high incidence of supE-supB region suppressor mutation in E. coli by UV would be a reflection of the general feature of UV mutagenesis; i.e. preferential induction of G:C to A:T transition in repairing nonpairing DNA lesions. AI 05371

Suppressibility of recA, recB, and recC mutations by nonsense suppressors.

Mutations in the recA, recB, and recC genes of Escherichia coli K-12 were surveyed to ascertain whether or not they are suppressed by nonsense suppressors. Several mutations which map in or near the recA gene, but have not been called recA mutations, were also surveyed. An amber recB mutation, recB156, and an amber recC mutation, recC155, were isolated. One recB mutation, recB95, and four recC mutations, recC22, recC38, recC82, and recC83, were found to be suppressed by a UGA suppressor. In addition to the previously isolated amber recA mutation recA99, two other recA mutations, recA52 and recA123, were found to be suppressed by amber suppressor supD32 but not by supE44.

Genetic analysis of mutations indirectly suppressing recB and recC mutations.

Mutations in sbcB inactivate exonuclease I and suppress the UV-sensitive, mitomycin-sensitive, recombination-deficient phenotypes associated with recB and recC mutations. Mapping experiments have located sbcB about 0.4 minutes from the his operon at 38.0 on the standard map of E. coli. This places sbcB between supD and his. A four-point cross shows that sbcB lies between P2 attH and his. P2 eduction deleting the his operon beginning with P2 attH also deletes sbcB and produces the expected exonuclease I deficiency and suppression of recB(-). The occurrence of chemical-mutagen-induced and spontaneous mutations indirectly suppressing recB(-) and recC(-) is examined. Three lines of strains produce only sbcA mutations while only sbcB mutations occur in a fourth line. Explanations for this behavior are proposed in light of the ability of the first three lines to express sbcB mutations which they inherit by transduction.

Genetic recombination in Escherichia coli: the role of exonuclease I.

The indirect suppression of recB(-) and recB(-)recC(-) mutations by the sbcB(-) allele is caused by the loss of a nuclease active on denatured DNA. Results from enzyme purifications and studies with a specific antiserum demonstrate that the activity present in sbcB(+) strains, and lost in sbcB(-) strains, is exonuclease I. It is likely that sbcB is the structural gene for exonuclease I. The loss of exonuclease I activity restores the recombination proficiency of Escherichia coli cells that has been lost by mutations in the recB and/or recC genes. This indicates that in the absence of the recB-recC-determined enzyme, exonuclease I prevents recombination. Hypothetical pathways illustrating this conclusion are presented.

Biochemical and genetic studies of recombination proficiency in Escherichia coli. II. Rec+ revertants caused by indirect suppression of rec- mutations.

All recB(-) and recC(-) mutants of E. coli carry out significant residual genetic recombination, whereas all recA(-) mutants form no recombinants. This observation suggests that an alternative minor pathway of recombination, independent of recB(+) and recC(+) products, may be operative in Escherichia coli. Rec(+) revertants of recB(-)recC(+), recB(+)recC(-), and recB(-) strains of E. coli have been isolated and are shown to fall into at least two major genotypic classes. One class carries revertant mutations which map in or very near the recB and recC genes. In this class an ATP-dependent DNase characteristic of wild type E. coli is restored. The reversions in this class are probably back-mutations or intragenic suppressor mutations. A second class carries revertant mutations which are located far from the recB and recC genes. In this class there is a high level of DNase activity which does not require ATP and is inactive on T4 DNA. Indirect and not informational suppression appears to be responsible for the second class of revertants. The suggestion is made that restoration of recombination by indirect suppression involves an activation or derepression of one or a series of enzymes, which participate in a pathway of recombination, alternative to the recB and recC pathway, but normally of minor importance. The ATP-independent DNase may be one of these enzymes.