Expression of FMR1, FXR1, and FXR2 genes in human prenatal tissues.

We analyzed the distribution of FMR1, FXR1, FXR2 mRNA, and FMRP in whole normal human embryos and in the brains of normal and fragile X fetuses. The distributions of mRNA for the 3 genes in normal whole embryos and in the brains of normal male and female carrier fetuses were similar, with large amounts of mRNA in the nervous system and in several non-nervous system tissues. No FMR1 (mRNA and protein) was detected and no evident neuropathologic abnormalities found in the brains of male carrier fetuses, suggesting that the FMR1 product (FMRP) may have no crucial function in early stages of nervous system development.

Changes in human adenovirus 5 propagated in Burkitt's lymphoma cells.

The effect of host cells on human adenovirus 5 properties was studied with the use of Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (Raji and Jijoye) that poorly replicate the virus. Only a small fraction of the cell population was producing adenovirus 5. The major virus components were synthesized; however, the purified virus particles differed from those produced in HeLa cells by lower density in CsCl gradient, lower content in DNA, limited changes in DNA restriction enzyme pattern, and polypeptide composition.

Properties of simian adenovirus 7 after one single passage in simian marmoset lymphoblastoid cells transformed by Epstein Barr virus.

Simian adenovirus 7 gave an abortive infection in simian marmoset lymphoblastoid cells, B 95-8 and M 81 (transformed by Epstein Barr Virus) whereas non transformed simian lymphocytes could not replicate this virus. Electron dense incomplete particles with a lower density than standard virus in CsCl gradients were isolated. Virus yields were low and the percentage of cells containing viral antigen as measured by immunofluorescence was 0.

Persistence of human adenovirus 5 in human cord blood lymphoblastoid cell lines transformed by Epstein-Barr virus.

Lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from human cord blood leukocytes were persistently infected with human adenovirus 5. These cell lines expressed the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen, but no other Epstein-Barr virus-related antigen. They continually produced infectious adenovirus 5 particles, but this production could be inhibited by the presence of specific neutralizing antibody to adenovirus 5.