Cloning, characterization, and nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding Microbispora bispora BglB, a thermostable beta-glucosidase expressed in Escherichia coli.

Genomic DNA fragments encoding beta-glucosidase activities of the thermophilic actinomycete Microbispora bispora were cloned into Escherichia coli. Transformants expressing beta-glucosidase activity were selected by their ability to hydrolyze the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside. Two genes encoding beta-glucosidase activity were isolated and distinguished by restriction analysis, Southern hybridization, and the substrate specificities of the encoded enzymes.

Cloning of a bovine interferon-alpha gene subfamily and comparisons between genetically engineered and leukocyte bovine interferons.

Bovine peripheral leukocytes were virally induced for interferon production, and an acid stable, SDS stable, antiviral activity was detected in the preparation. This bovine interferon (BoIFN) was tested for its ability to induce an antiviral state in various mammalian cells and was found to be specific to cells from bovine origin. The BoIFN cross reacts with antibodies against human IFN-alpha but these antibodies do not neutralize the bovine IFN activity.

Cloning, expression and biological activity of a new variant of human interferon alpha identified in virus induced lymphoblastoid cells.

A synthetic oligonucleotide complementary to a highly conserved sequence in the IFN-alpha gene family, was used to screen a Namalva cDNA library. Among the cDNA clones having typical IFN-alpha traits, one was distinct from previously characterized IFN-alpha cDNAs. E.

Mutations not altering the symmetrical sequences in the trp operator yield a constitutive phenotype.

An E. coli trp promoter operator mutant was constructed, having two base pair alterations at position -4 and -1 relative to the transcription initiation site (+1). Expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene under this trp promoter operator suggests that it is almost fully constitutive.

Cleavage maps of a tetracycline plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus.

The cleavage maps of a Staphylococcus aureus plasmid, pSN1 (2.75 megadaltons), conferring tetracycline resistance, were determined. Cleavage maps are given for HpaI and HindIII restriction endonucleases by using the single HpaII site as a reference point.

Isolation and characterization of a plasmid involved with enterotoxin B production in Staphylococcus aureus.

Genetic analysis and molecular characterization of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was performed in a toxigenic isolate of Staphylococcus aureus strain DU4916. Elimination, transduction, and transformation experiments provided us with a series of derivatives similar except for the presence or absence of genes mediating resistance to penicillin (penr), methicillin (mecr), and tetracycline (tetr) and enterotoxin type B (SEB) production (entB+). The derivatives were examined for the presence of a plasmid species which encodes for SEB production.