We have isolated the cDNA encoding a novel human myogenic factor, Myf‐5, by weak cross‐hydridization to the mouse MyoD1 probe. Nucleotide sequence analysis and the identification of the corresponding gene indicate that human Myf‐5 is a member of a small gene family which also contains the human homologue to MyoD1. Although structurally related to the mouse factor, the human Myf‐5 constitutes a different protein which nevertheless is capable of inducing the myogenic phenotype in embryonic C3H mouse 10T1/2 ‘fibroblasts’. The existence of more than one MyoD1‐like protein in human skeletal muscle is further suggested by the detection of several similar but distinct cDNA clones. The phenotypic conversion of 10T1/2 cells by the human factor is recognized by the capacity of the cells to form multinucleated syncytia and synthesize sarcomeric myosin heavy chains. Moreover, transient expression of Myf‐5 in 10T1/2 cells leads to the activation of a co‐transfected muscle‐specific CAT reporter gene which by itself is transcriptionally silent in the non‐muscle cell background. The deduced amino acid sequence of clone Myf‐5 reveals a region which is highly similar to myc proteins and the developmental factors from Drosophila encoded by the achaete scute locus and the twist gene. The myc homology region and a preceding cluster of basic amino acids are located in a larger sequence domain with strong similarity to the mouse myogenic factor MyoD1. Two additional short segments with high serine and threonine content are conserved between the two proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Based on current data we propose that the uninucleated-cyst-producing Entamoeba infecting 36 humans is called Entamoeba polecki and divided into four subtypes (ST1-ST4) and that
37Entamoeba coli is divided into two subtypes (ST1-ST2). New hosts for several species were 38 detected and while host specificity and genetic diversity of several species remain to be 39 clarified, it is clear that previous reliance on cultivated material has given us a misleading and 40 incomplete picture of variation within the genus Entamoeba.
In the summer of 2016, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands reported widespread Usutu virus (USUV) activity based on live and dead bird surveillance. The causative USUV strains represented four lineages, of which two putative novel lineages were most likely recently introduced into Germany and spread to other western European countries. The spatial extent of the outbreak area corresponded with R0 values > 1. The occurrence of the outbreak, the largest USUV epizootic registered so far in Europe, allowed us to gain insight in how a recently introduced arbovirus with potential public health implications can spread and become a resident pathogen in a naïve environment. Understanding the ecological and epidemiological factors that drive the emergence or re-emergence of USUV is critical to develop and implement timely surveillance strategies for adequate preventive and control measures. Public health authorities, blood transfusion services and clinicians in countries where USUV was detected should be aware of the risk of possible USUV infection in humans, including in patients with unexplained encephalitis or other neurological impairments, especially during late summer when mosquito densities peak.
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