Genomic Characterisation of Vinegar Hill Virus, An Australian Nairovirus Isolated in 1983 from Argas Robertsi Ticks Collected from Cattle Egrets.

This report describes the near complete genomic sequence and subsequent analysis of Vinegar Hill virus (VINHV; tentative member of the genus , family , order ). VINHV is the second nairovirus reported to be isolated on mainland Australia and the first to be sequenced and analysed. Our genetic analysis shows that VINHV belongs to the Dera Ghazi Khan genogroup, a group of viruses previously isolated in other parts of the world including Asia, South Africa, and the USA.

Characterization of two phosphate transporters from barley; evidence for diverse function and kinetic properties among members of the Pht1 family.

Putative phosphate transporters have been identified in a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genomic library by their homology to known phosphate transporters from dicot species. The genes designated HORvu;Pht1;1 and HORvu;Pht1;6 encode proteins of 521 and 535 amino acids respectively with 12 predicted membrane-spanning domains and other motifs common to the Phtl family of phosphate transporters.

An acetylxylan esterase and a xylanase expressed from genes cloned from the ruminal fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum act synergistically to degrade acetylated xylans.

A Neocallimastit patriciarum acetylxylan esterase (BnaA) was expressed from the cloned gene in Escherichia coli. Purified recombinant BnaA efficiently released acetate from soluble acetylated birchwood xylan (ABX), with a specific activity of 76 U mg-1. In contrast, release of acetate was very inefficient from the insoluble substrates, spear grass and delignified spear grass.

Location of neutralizing epitopes on the G protein of bovine ephemeral fever rhabdovirus.

The surface glycoprotein G is the major neutralizing and protective antigen of bovine ephemeral fever rhabdovirus (BEFV). Twelve neutralizing MAbs against BEFV strain BB7721 were used to select 33 neutralization escape mutants. The mutants had been classified previously into three major antigenic sites (G1-G3) based on their cross-neutralization patterns.