scholarly journals Development and Characterization of Anti-Nitr9 Antibodies

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radhika N. Shah ◽  
Ivan Rodriguez-Nunez ◽  
Donna D. Eason ◽  
Robert N. Haire ◽  
Julien Y. Bertrand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Receptors ◽  
Hematopoietic Lineage ◽  
Activating Receptors ◽  
Functional Orthologs ◽  
Activating Receptor

The novel immune-type receptors (NITRs), which have been described in numerous bony fish species, are encoded by multigene families of inhibitory and activating receptors and are predicted to be functional orthologs to the mammalian natural killer cell receptors (NKRs). Within the zebrafish NITR family,nitr9is the only gene predicted to encode an activating receptor. However, alternative RNA splicing generates three distinctnitr9transcripts, each of which encodes a different isoform. Althoughnitr9transcripts have been detected in zebrafish lymphocytes, the specific hematopoietic lineage(s) that expresses Nitr9 remains to be determined. In an effort to better understand the role of NITRs in zebrafish immunity, anti-Nitr9 monoclonal antibodies were generated and evaluated for the ability to recognize the three Nitr9 isoforms. The application of these antibodies to flow cytometry should prove to be useful for identifying the specific lymphocyte lineages that express Nitr9 and may permit the isolation of Nitr9-expressing cells that can be directly assessed for cytotoxic (e.g., NK) function.

scholarly journals Transcription-termination-mediated immunity and its prevention in bacteriophage SfV of Shigella flexneri

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 3187-3197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fleur Roberts ◽  
Gwen E. Allison ◽  
Naresh K. Verma
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Transcription Termination ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Temperate Phage ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Subsequent Infection

The temperate phage SfV encodes the genes responsible for the serotype conversion of Shigella flexneri strains from serotype Y to 5a. Bacteriophages often encode proteins that prevent subsequent infection by homologous phages; the mechanism by which this is accomplished is referred to as superinfection immunity. The serotype conversion mediated following lysogenization of SfV is one such mechanism. Another mechanism is the putative λ-like CI protein within SfV. This study reports the characterization of a third superinfection mechanism, transcription termination, in SfV. The presence of a small immunity-mediating RNA molecule, called CI RNA, and its essential role in the establishment of immunity, is shown. The novel role of the gene orf77, located immediately downstream from the transcription termination region, in inhibiting the establishment of CI RNA-mediated immunity is also presented.

Intersecting Factors Lead to Absolute Pitch Acquisition That is Maintained in a “Fixed do” Environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Wilson ◽  
Dean Lusher ◽  
Catherine L. Martin ◽  
Genevieve Rayner ◽  
Neil McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Absolute Pitch ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Behavioral Level ◽  
Complex Relationships

the skill of absolute pitch (ap) has been proposed as an ideal paradigm for investigating the complex relationships that exist between the genome and its expression at a cognitive and behavioral level (the phenotype). Yet despite this, we still have limited understanding of the early conditions that might be necessary or sufficient for development of this skill, and the influence of the current music environment has not been explored. To investigate these issues we undertook a detailed characterization of the early and current music environment of 160 musicians, and then identified factors predictive of varying extent of AP ability. The results demonstrate a similar contribution of past and present environmental influences, with a combination of factors (rather than any given factor) most salient in AP musicians. The novel finding for the role of the current environment suggests that auditory processing models emphasizing plasticity effects are relevant to AP ability.

scholarly journals Organization of the biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces sp. DSM 4137 for the novel neuroprotectant polyketide meridamycin

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (12) ◽  
pp. 3507-3515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Sun ◽  
Hui Hong ◽  
Markiyan Samborskyy ◽  
Tatiana Mironenko ◽  
Peter F. Leadlay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Gene Deletion ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene ◽  
Modular Polyketide Synthase

Meridamycin is a non-immunosuppressant, FKBP-binding macrocyclic polyketide, which has major potential as a neuroprotectant in a range of neurodegenerative disorders including dementia, Parkinson's disease and ischaemic stroke. A biosynthetic cluster predicted to encode biosynthesis of meridamycin was cloned from the prolific secondary-metabolite-producing strain Streptomyces sp. DSM 4137, not previously known to produce this compound, and specific gene deletion was used to confirm the role of this cluster in the biosynthesis of meridamycin. The meridamycin modular polyketide synthase consists of 14 extension modules distributed between three giant multienzyme proteins. The terminal module is flanked by a highly unusual cytochrome P450-like domain. The characterization of the meridamycin biosynthetic locus in this readily manipulated streptomycete species opens the way to the engineering of new, altered meridamycins of potential therapeutic importance.

Characterization of the novel role of NinaB orthologs from Bombyx mori and Tribolium castaneum

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 106-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunli Chai ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
Weizhong Sun ◽  
Fang Zhang ◽  
Chuan Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bombyx Mori ◽  
Tribolium Castaneum ◽  
The Novel

scholarly journals Heterogeneity Among Ly-49C Natural Killer (NK) Cells: Characterization of Highly Related Receptors with Differing Functions and Expression Patterns

1996 ◽  
Vol 184 (6) ◽  
pp. 2085-2090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Brennan ◽  
Suzanne Lemieux ◽  
J. Douglas Freeman ◽  
Dixie L. Mager ◽  
Fumio Takei
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Color Flow ◽  
Flow Cytometric

Ly-49C is a member of the polymorphic family of murine NK cell inhibitory receptors. The 5E6 antibody that defines a subset of NK cells responsible for the rejection of parental H-2d bone marrow by F1 mice has been shown previously to react with Ly-49C. Here, the 5E6 antibody was found to detect two Ly-49C-related molecules in B6 mice. Two cDNA clones were isolated from B6 NK cells, one identical to previously reported Ly-49CB6 and the other a novel cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence of the latter differs from that of Ly-49CBALB at only 4 residues, whereas the previously reported Ly-49CB6 differs at 22 residues. Flow cytometric analyses of COS cells transfected with the two cDNAs showed that the 5E6 antibody binds to both Ly-49 molecules, while another anti-Ly-49C antibody, 4LO3311, binds to the newly described Ly-49C but not the previously reported Ly-49CB6. Two-color flow cytometric analysis detected 5E6+4LO3311− as well as 5E6+4LO3311+ subsets of NK cells from B6, but not BALB/c, mice. The level of Ly-49C expression on B6 NK cells detected by the 4LO3311 antibody was substantially lower than that on BALB/c NK cells. Binding specificity of the novel Ly-49CB6 was indistinguishable from that of Ly-49CBALB, whereas no binding was detectable with previously reported Ly-49CB6. These results demonstrate that the newly described Ly-49CB6, not the previously reported Ly-49CB6, is the probable B6 allelic form of Ly49C. The previously reported Ly-49CB6 must be encoded by a separate gene and should be renamed Ly-49I. The implication of these results with respect to the role of Ly-49C in hybrid resistance is discussed.

scholarly journals Involvement of the LlaKR2I Methylase in Expression of the AbiR Bacteriophage Defense System in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis KR2

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (5) ◽  
pp. 1920-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Yang ◽  
Patricio J. DeUrraza ◽  
Nadya Matvienko ◽  
Daniel J. O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Gene Organization ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Abortive Infection ◽  
Methylase Gene

ABSTRACT The native lactococcal plasmid, pKR223, from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis KR2 encodes two distinct bacteriophage-resistant mechanisms, the LlaKR2I restriction and modification (R/M) system and the abortive infection (Abi) mechanism, AbiR, that impedes bacteriophage DNA replication. This study completed the characterization of AbiR, revealing that it is the first Abi system to be encoded by three genes, abiRa, abiRb, and abiRc, arranged in an operon and that it requires the methylase gene from the LlaKR2I R/M system. An analysis of deletion and insertion clones demonstrated that the AbiR operon was toxic in L. lactis without the presence of the LlaKR2I methylase, which is required to protect L. lactis from AbiR toxicity. The novelty of the AbiR system resides in its original gene organization and the unusual protective role of the LlaKR2I methylase. Interestingly, the AbiR genetic determinants are flanked by two IS982 elements generating a likely transposable AbiR composite. This observation not only substantiated the novel function of the LlaKR2I methylase in the AbiR system but also illustrated the evolution of the LlaKR2I methylase toward a new and separate cellular function. This unique structure of both the LlaKR2I R/M system and the AbiR system may have contributed to the evolution of the LlaKR2I methylase toward a novel role comparable to that of the cell cycle-regulated methylases that include Dam and CcrM methylases. This new role for the LlaKR2I methylase offers a unique snapshot into the evolution of the cell cycle-regulated methylases from an existing R/M system.

scholarly journals Pivotal Role of KARAP/DAP12 Adaptor Molecule in the Natural Killer Cell–mediated Resistance to Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection

2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (7) ◽  
pp. 825-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Sjölin ◽  
Elena Tomasello ◽  
Mehrdad Mousavi-Jazi ◽  
Armando Bartolazzi ◽  
Klas Kärre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Murine Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Activating Receptors ◽  
And Function

Natural killer (NK) cells are major contributors to early defense against infections. Their effector functions are controlled by a balance between activating and inhibiting signals. To date, however, the involvement of NK cell activating receptors and signaling pathways in the defense against pathogens has not been extensively investigated. In mice, several NK cell activating receptors are coexpressed with and function through the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-bearing molecule KARAP/DAP12. Here, we have analyzed the role of KARAP/DAP12 in the early antiviral response to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). In KARAP/DAP12 mutant mice bearing a nonfunctional ITAM, we found a considerable increase in viral titers in the spleen (30–40-fold) and in the liver (2–5-fold). These effects were attributed to NK cells. The formation of hepatic inflammatory foci appeared similar in wild-type and mutant mice, but the latter more frequently developed severe hepatitis with large areas of focal necrosis. Moreover, the percentage of hepatic NK cells producing interferon γ was reduced by 56 ± 22% in the absence of a functional KARAP/DAP12. This is the first study that shows a crucial role for a particular activating signaling pathway, in this case the one induced through KARAP/DAP12, in the NK cell–mediated resistance to an infection. Our results are discussed in relation to recent reports demonstrating that innate resistance to MCMV requires the presence of NK cells expressing the KARAP/DAP12-associated receptor Ly49H.

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