No abstract

No abstract

A novel thermophilic spore-forming strain, GaT, was isolated from the Garga hot spring located in the northern part of the Transbaikal region (Russia). Strain GaT was found to be an aerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, thermophilic (optimum growth temperature is 60–65 °C), chemo-organotrophic bacterium that grows on various sugars, carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons. The G+C content of its DNA is 52·9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity data show that strain GaT is closely related to members of the genus Geobacillus. Relevant chemotaxonomic data (in particular, the major fatty acid profile of strain GaT, which includes iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 acids) support the assignment of this strain to the genus Geobacillus. The physiological, biochemical and DNA–DNA hybridization studies of strain GaT showed that it differs both genotypically and phenotypically from the recognized Geobacillus species. Based on these data, strain GaT belongs to a novel species, Geobacillus gargensis sp. nov. (type strain, GaT=VKM B-2300T=DSM 15378T). The analysis of the phenotypic characteristics (additional to those given in the original description) of the type strain of Bacillus vulcani (DSM 13174T) showed that they are very similar to the major phenotypic characteristics of the genus Geobacillus. The low DNA–DNA reassociation values of strain DSM 13174T with various species of this genus (from 38 to 54 %) clearly demonstrate a sufficient genomic distinction of this strain and its taxonomic status as a species. The physiological characteristics, phylogenetic position and DNA–DNA reassociation values of B. vulcani allow this species to be reclassified as Geobacillus vulcani comb. nov. The main properties that differentiate G. vulcani from the other species of the genus are its ability to produce acids from glycerol, lactose and ribose.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a human hematological neoplastic disease often associated with the loss of a chromosome 13 region between RB1 gene and locus D13S25. A new tumor suppressor gene (TSG) may be located in the region. A cosmid contig has been constructed between the loci D13S1168 (WI9598) and D13S25 (H2-42), which corresponds to the minimal region shared by B-CLL associated deletions. The contig includes more than 200 LANL and ICRF cosmid clones covering 620 kb. Three cDNAs likely corresponding to three different genes have been found in the minimally deleted region, sequenced and mapped against the contigged cosmids. cDNA clone 10k4 as well as a chimeric clone 13g3, codes for a zinc-finger domain of the RING type and shares homology to some known genes involved in tumorigenesis (RET finger protein, BRCA1) and embryogenesis (MID1). We have termed the gene corresponding to 10k4/13g3 clones LEU5. This is the first gene with homology to known TSGs which has been found in the region of B-CLL rearrangements.

Mutational status of immunoglobulin variable region genes (VH-genes) is known as the strongest predictor of long term prognosis in B-CLL. However, applications in the routine clinical practice are time consuming, and therefore some other predictions are required. In this study, we have compared prognostic values of real time PCR quantification of the expression levels of four genes previously shown to be differentially expressed in V(H)-unmutated and mutated B-CLL subtypes: ZAP-70, ZBTB20, DMD and LPL. The study included 134 B-CLL patients. Expression levels of LPL and DMD genes were significantly correlated to mutational status, while expression levels of of ZAP-70 gene correlated only in CD19+ selected cases (N = 40). No correlation was observed for ZBTB20 gene. Expression levels of LPL and DMD predicted overall survival in the entire cohort of patients. Prognostic values of LPL gene expression levels were significant even for CLL patients with stage A. Quantitative RT-PCR assays for measuring LPL gene expression are robust enough to be introduced into routine clinical practice.