A study of nonpathogenicFrancisella, Brucella, andYersinia strains as producers of recombinant β-endorphin

Abstract

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Brucella abortus, and Francisella tularensis strains producing a recombinant [3-endorphin have been obtained. The highest production of this peptide, which displays physiological activity, was recorded for cells of the Y. pseudotuberculosis strain 2243 (pSK95E).Key Words: ~-endorphin; producer strains; synthesis; biological activityIn our previous study [2], in which the regulatory peptide [~-endorphin additively synthesized by a microbial donor was evaluated for its influence on the physiological state of recipient organisms, we established that the psychoemotional status and nociceptive responses of CBA mice depend on the reproductive dynamics in these hosts of the Francisella tularensis strain generating a recombinant l~-endorphin. The prolonged effect induced by this strain exceeded by 25-50% the mean index of pain sensitivity inhibition [15]. Native ~-endorphin (8-10 gg/kg) elicited in mice only a short-term effect that varied from 0 to 200-300% [2].In an. effort to further boost the additive action of recombinant [~-endorphin, we have now explored the possibility of producing a number of strains capable of more intensive and more prolonged synthesis of this peptide in vitro and in the vaccinated animal host.With this aim in view, we selected known vaccine strains of Brucella abortus and Francisella tularensis as well as avirulent Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains. These microorganisms are all capable

Definition and Overview of Emerging Threats

“…This is the first report of a bioactive peptide being delivered by a threat agent and having a physiological effect in animals. The following year, the same group reported construction of recombinant strains of Yersinia, Francisella, and Brucella producing human endorphin (7). Although not specifically reported for obvious reasons, these recombinant organisms might be expected to produce altered pathology following infection that might confound treatment of the disease.…”

Function-based classification of hazardous biological sequences: Demonstration of a new paradigm for biohazard assessments

“…), even for legitimate purposes, could lead to the production of novel or enhanced hazardous products. In fact, precedent has shown that genetic manipulation can lead to biodesigns with high pathogenicity (van Der Most et al, 2000;Whitworth et al, 2005;Velmurugan et al, 2007;Bartra et al, 2008;Kurupati et al, 2010;Luo et al, 2010;Tsang et al, 2010), host bioregulation ability (Borzenkov et al, 1993;Borzenkov et al, 1994;Gold et al, 2007), vaccine escape capability (Serpinskii et al, 1996;Jackson et al, 2001;Zhang, 2003;Kerr et al, 2004;Chen et al, 2011), high transmissibility (Herfst et al, 2012), high toxicity (Francis et al, 2000), controlled drug production capability (Galanie et al, 2015;Nakagawa et al, 2016), and species extinction capability (Esvelt et al, 2014).…”