The Tn7 transposon avoids inserting into a target DNA that contains a pre-existing copy of Tn7. This phenomenon, known as 'target immunity', is established when TnsB, a Tn7 transposase subunit, binds to Tn7 sequences in the target DNA and mediates displacement of TnsC, a critical transposase activator, from the DNA. Paradoxically, TnsB-TnsC interactions are also required to promote transposon insertion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent studies have indicated that ceramide generated in the liver is secreted into the bloodstream as component of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This manuscript investigates the effect of host acute phase response to inflammation on lipoprotein ceramide levels. In humans, two different patterns of responses were found.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To assess the safety, tolerability and effect of cidofovir for HIV-1 associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Design: Prospective, open-label study in nine AIDS Clinical Trials Units.
Patients And Methods: Twenty-four HIV-1-infected individuals, with neuroimaging and clinical findings consistent with PML, and symptoms for 90 days or less, whose diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid or brain biopsy, received cidofovir 5 mg/kg intravenously at baseline and 1 week, followed by infusions every 2 weeks with the dose adjusted for renal function.