Effect of nucleotides and inhibitory anions on mitochondrial ATPase. Its pH dependence.

The effect of pH on the sensitivity of F1-ATPase as well as mitochondrial ATPase activity to nucleoside diand triphosphates and to inhibitory anions such as cyanate and thiocyanate, has been studied. The results obtained show that nucleotides could act as activators or inhibitors of the ATPase hydrolytic activity depending on pH, substrate concentration, and binding of the enzyme to the membrane. The effect of those nucleotides which activate the hydrolysis of ATP-Mg2+ was more pronounced beyon the optimum pH corresponding to each of the three catalytic sites of the enzyme, whereas those which are inhibitors had a lower effect above this value.

The nucleotide sequence and genome organization of bovine papillomavirus type 4.

The nucleotide sequence of bovine papillomavirus type 4 (BPV-4) was determined. The viral genome is 7261 base pairs long. Several overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified both on the basis of amino acid comparison with other papillomaviruses and on their transcriptional pattern.

Nucleotide effects on kinetic properties of mitochondrial ATPase.

The hydrolytic activity of mitochondrial ATPase, both in its soluble form as F1-ATPase, or as membrane bound in whole mitochondria, was affected by the presence of free nucleoside di- or triphosphates; these effects were largely depending not only on their concentration but also on the substrate concentration. The existence of a regulatory site or sites is proposed; these sites would have a higher affinity for the free nucleoside triphosphates than for the diphosphates, and the interaction of any of these nucleotides with the proposed regulatory site or sites would lead to an activation. The nucleotide regulatory site or sites seem to be different from the anion binding sites since neither free ATP nor free GTP compete with activating or inhibitory anions.

Papillomas and cancer in cattle.

Papillomaviruses induce hyperproliferation of epithelial cells of the skin or mucosa (papillomas), and certain types can also infect fibroblasts. They are a very heterogeneous group of viruses, and individual types are associated with specific lesions. The papillomas are mostly benign but some tumours may eventually undergo malignant conversion when genetic or environmental factors are involved.

Transcriptional organization of bovine papillomavirus type 4.

Seven virus-specific RNA transcripts have been identified in tumours induced by bovine papillomavirus type 4 (BPV-4). The RNAs measured 4.2, 3.

DNA sequences of human papillomavirus types 11, 16, and 18 in lesions of the uterine cervix in the west of Scotland.

Punch biopsy specimens of the cervix were examined both histologically and for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA sequences. The presence of HPV DNA sequences was sought with the Southern blot technique using radioactively labelled HPV-6, 11, 16, and 18 DNA probes, both together and separately. Twenty six biopsy specimens were examined.

Molecular cloning and characterization of human papillomavirus type 7 DNA.

Human papillomavirus type 7 (HPV-7) was first described in 1981 but so far could not be molecularly cloned. It has been found almost exclusively in hand warts of butchers. We have cloned the complete genome in pBR 322, established its physical map, demonstrated the colinear genome organization with HPV-18 and analyzed the degree of homology with other HPV types and bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types.

Papillomavirus infection in cattle: viral and chemical cofactors in naturally occurring and experimentally induced tumours.

Six different types of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1 to BPV-6) have been identified and classified into two subgroups: subgroup A, which induce fibropapillomas, and subgroup B, which induce true epithelial papillomas. BPV-4, a member of subgroup B, is the aetiological agent of papillomas of the upper alimentary canal, which can become a focus for transformation to squamous-cell carcinomas in animals feeding on bracken fern. Strong circumstantial evidence suggests that the progression to malignancy is due to the interplay between BPV-4 and carcinogen(s) present in the fern.

The presence of bovine papillomavirus type 4 DNA is not required for the progression to, or the maintenance of, the malignant state in cancers of the alimentary canal in cattle.

In the Western Highlands of Scotland there is a very high incidence of alimentary cancers in cattle. The carcinomas of the upper alimentary canal are found in association with virus-induced benign papillomas, and transformation of papillomas to carcinomas has been observed. Strong circumstantial evidence suggests that the progression to malignancy is due to the interplay between the virus, bovine papillomavirus type 4 (BPV-4), and carcinogen(s) present in bracken fern, which infests the marginal upland grazing grounds.

Protonmotive force and photophosphorylation in single swollen thylakoid vesicles.

Swollen vesicles generally 40 micron in diameter were prepared from spinach chloroplasts. These vesicles appear to originate from thylakoids. The present study reports results obtained with individual vesicles using micromanipulative procedures.

Sequence homologies between bovine papillomavirus genomes mapped by a novel low-stringency heteroduplex method.

The bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) types 1, 2, and 5 cause fibropapillomas whereas BPVs types 3, 4, and 6 cause true papillomas. A novel method of heteroduplex mapping at low stringency of hybridisation has identified the position and relative orientation of distantly related sequences in the genomes of these viruses. The genomes of BPV-1 and BPV-2 are closely related but both show a high degree of sequence divergence from the BPV-5 genome.

A pedigree study of perinatally lethal renal disease.

A family study of perinatally lethal renal disease (PLRD) was undertaken in the State of Victoria, Australia, for the years 1961 to 1980. A total of 221 cases was ascertained through hospital and necropsy records and confirmed by necropsy findings. There were 134 cases of bilateral renal agenesis (BRA), 34 cases of unilateral agenesis with dysplasia of the other kidney (URA/RD), 42 cases of bilateral renal dysplasia (BRD), and 11 cases of renal aplasia.

Ultrasound diagnosis of abdomino-pelvic neuroblastoma.

Ultrasound scans of 16 children with abdomino-pelvic neuroblastoma (11 adrenal, 5 extra-adrenal) were reviewed to determine their specific features. With large suprarenal masses, renal displacement and distortion are such that differentiation between renal and extrarenal origin relies on other parameters. The typical ultrasound appearance of an adrenal neuroblastoma is a mass greater than 8 cm in diameter, displacing adjacent great vessels anteriorly and to the opposite side.

Papillomaviruses and their involvement in oncogenesis.

Papillomaviruses have been identified as the causative agents of benign epithelial proliferation in many animals including man. Recent evidence has shown that each viral type will only infect a specific species and tissue. Furthermore, certain papillomavirus types have been found associated with lesions capable of malignant conversion, particularly in response to secondary physical or chemical factors.

The biology of papillomaviruses and their role in oncogenesis.

A large number of different papillomavirus types have been identified. Several viruses often infect the same species and each virus is associated with a defined tissue. Recent evidence has shown that certain benign lesions can undergo malignant transformation in both animals and humans in response to genetic or environmental factors.

Papillomas of the teats and udder of cattle and their causal viruses.

An abattoir survey was carried out on 1657 cattle to determine the incidence and parameters of teat and udder papillomas and their causal viruses. Recent research has characterised six different bovine papillomaviruses of which three have been found to be particularly associated with teat tumours. Of the population studied 37.

Alimentary fibropapilloma in cattle: a spontaneous tumor, nonpermissive for papillomavirus replication.

Fibropapillomatosis of the upper alimentary canal of cattle is described. The tumors, found in the esophagus, esophageal groove, and rumen, showed involvement of the subepithelial fibroblasts as well as of the squamous epithelial layer. Although the fibropapilloma cells harbored multiple episomal copies of the genome of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) easily detected by hybridization techniques, no mature virus could be isolated from these lesions or seen by electron microscopy, and no viral antigen could be detected by immunohistochemical methods.

A novel bovine papillomavirus (BPV-6) causing true epithelial papillomas of the mammary gland skin: a member of a proposed new BPV subgroup.

A papillomavirus has been isolated from frond epithelial papillomas of the bovine udder. It is clearly distinguishable from all other bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) based on DNA sequence homology and antigenic properties and is thus characterised as a new entity, designated BPV-6. BPV-6 does not possess the interspecific papillomavirus antigen, its genomic DNA (7.

Protonmotive force in giant mitochondria.

The accompanying communication [Eur. J. Biochem.

Assay of ATP synthesis using single giant mitochondria.

Two assays of the capacity of single giant mitochondria or mitoplasts to phosphorylate ATP from Pi and ADP have been developed. One depends on the placement of a single mitochondrion next to a glycerinated myofibril, by micromanipulation. With the appropriate controls, contraction of the myofibril serves as an indication of ATP synthesis.

Papillomavirus research: a growth area.

Recent advances in papillomavirus research have revealed a fascinating picture of diversity among viral types, specificity of tissue infected, and oncogenic potential. Fine mapping of the viral functions may prove invaluable in furthering our understanding of the mechanisms of their interaction with, and transformation of, the host cell.

Radiological findings in total aganglionosis coli.

The radiological findings in 13 patients with total aganglionosis coli were reviewed. There was a male to female ratio of 7:6. Fifty-four percent of patients presented in the first week of life, but a significant number (31%) did not present until after 1 month of age.