Dynamic and structural characterization of a bacterial FHA protein reveals a new autoinhibition mechanism.

The OdhI protein is key regulator of the TCA cycle in Corynebacterium glutamicum. This highly conserved protein is found in GC rich Gram-positive bacteria (e.g.

Identification of 21 polymorphic microsatellites in the African parasitoid wasp, Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

We have developed 21 dinucleotide repeat microsatellite loci from African populations of Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp of the olive fruit fly, as part of a study assessing the role of introgression/hybridization in the success of a biological control introduction. We proposed suitable conditions for polymerase chain reaction multiplexing. All 21 loci were polymorphic with two to 21 alleles per locus within the Kenyan and South African populations tested.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak in Tajikistan.

The occurrence of outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in three districts of Tajikistan is described. The causal strain (PPR Tajikistan) was characterized and the sequence of its N gene was compared with that of 43 other strains isolated since 1968 in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The study demonstrated (1) the value of the N gene as a target in comparing isolates obtained over an extended period of evolution, and (2) that clustering was related to the geographical origin of strains.

Rapid and sensitive detection of peste des petits ruminants virus by a polymerase chain reaction assay.

A rapid and specific test was developed for the diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants disease. This assay is based on the rapid purification of RNA on glass beads followed by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To that effect, a set of primers (NP3/NP4) was used to amplify specifically a fragment of about 350 bp in the 3' end of the RNA messenger that encodes the nucleocapsid protein of the peste des petits ruminants virus.