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“Of particular interest” — in the opinion of biotechnologists
"Of particular interest"in the opinion of biotechnologists. Papers "of particular interest" selected, from the previous year's literature, by the authors of reviews in the section on Environmental Biotechnology in the June 1992 issue of Current Opinion in Biotechnology. Biological degradation of explosives and chemical agents selected by David L. Kaplan SPANGGORD RJ, SPAIN JC, NISHINO SF, MORTELMANSKE: Biodegradation of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene by Pseudomonas sp. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991, 57:3200-3205. An excellent paper dealing with oxidative mechanisms involved in the mineralization of highly substituted nitroaromatics. The role of a dioxygenase is described, based on ]802 incorporation studies, and a transient intermediate, 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol, is identified. One of the few papers detailing the reaction mechanisms involved in these oxidative pathways. VALLI K, BROCK BJ, JOSHI DK, GOLD MH: Degradation of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene by the Lignin-degrading Fungus Pbanerocbaete cbryosporium. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992, 58:221-228. A major contribution to the field, providing detailed mechanisms for the oxidative pathway catalyzed by the peroxidase system from this fungus. The identification of the cyclic reduction-methylation nature of the pathway should help other researchers to isolate and identify intermediates from related compounds. DEFRANK JJ, CHENG T-C: Purification and Properties of an Organophosphorus Acid Anhydrase from a Halophilic Bacterial Isolate. J Bacteriol 1991, 173:1938-1943. Key paper describing the purification and characterization of this class of enzyme from prokaryotic sources. Once this enzyme is sequenced, an excellent complement to the squid system will be available to begin to elucidate differences in primary and secondary structure that might explain the significantly different activities of these two enzymes.
Live attenuated vaccines for human use selected by Stanley J. Cryz Jr. Moss B: Vaccinia Virus: A Tool for Research and Vaccine Development. Science 1991, 252:1662-1667. Presents a comprehensive overview of the use of vaccinia virus as an expression vector for delivery of vaccine antigens. COONEY EL, COLLIERAC, GREENBERGPD, COOMBS RW, ZARLING J, ARDWrI DE, HOFFMAN MC, HU S-L, COREY L: Safety of and Immunological Response to a Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Vaccine" Expressing HIV Envelope Glycoprotein. Lancet 1991, 337:567-572. Illustrates the suppressive effect that prior exposure to or immunization by a vaccine vector may have on the immune response to the delivered vaccine antigen. In this instance, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing gp 160
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of human immunodeficiency virus was poorly immunogenic in subjects with a previous history of vaccination with vaccinia, although itwas able to evoke good humoral and T-cell immune responses in naive individuals. SANTOSHAMM, LETSONGW, WOLFF M, REID R, GAHAGAN S, ADAMSR, CALLAHANC, SACK RB, KAPIKIANAZ: A Field Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Two Candidate Rotavirus Vaccines in a Native American Population. J Infect Dis 1991, 163:483-487. Describes a direct comparison of two candidate rotavirus vaccine strains in a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Illustrates the fact that efficacy of a given vaccine may vary widely due to geographical differences and endemic strain.
Use of inoculation in bioremediation selected by Parmely H. Pritchard PIPKE R, WAGNER-DOBLER I, TIMMIS KN, DW~R DF: Survival and Function of a Genetically Engineered Pseudomonad in Aquatic Sediment Microcosms. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992, 58:1259-1265. A good series of microcosm studies demonstrating that the introduction of a specific microorganism, in this case genetically engineered, can affect the fate of a persistent xenobiotic chemical. Studies on inoculation should include more of this kind of study. GROSSER RJ, WARSHAWSKYD, VESTALJR: Indigenous and Enhanced Mineralization of Pyrene, Benzo[a]pyrene, and Carbazole in Soils. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991, 57:3462-3469. An example of excellent research to establish the metabolic capabilities of a potential inoculant and to demonstrate, in laboratory studies, their usefulness in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation is a good candidate for inoculation approaches. BHAGWATAA, KEISTER DL: Identification and Cloning of Bradyrhizobium j a p o n i c u m Genes Expressed Strain-Selectively in Soil and Rhizosphere. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992, 58:1490--1495. A very interesting paper describing a creative method to detect genes which possibly determine the competitive factors associated with root nodulation by Bradyrbizobium. The approach could be extended to identify 'competiveness' genes in other types of bacteria. KNUSDEN SM, KAmSTROMOH: Development of Efficient Suicide Mechanisms for Biological Containment of Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991, 57:85-92. Provides the latest conceptual and developmental aspects of suicide gene technologies. The paper forms an experimental basis for further development of the concept and its possible inclusion with inoculation strategies.
© 1992 Current Biology
Live attenuated vaccines for human use selected by Stanley J. Cryz Jr. Moss B: Vaccinia Virus: A Tool for Research and Vaccine Development. Science 1991, 252:1662-1667. Presents a comprehensive overview of the use of vaccinia virus as an expression vector for delivery of vaccine antigens. COONEY EL, COLLIERAC, GREENBERGPD, COOMBS RW, ZARLING J, ARDWrI DE, HOFFMAN MC, HU S-L, COREY L: Safety of and Immunological Response to a Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Vaccine" Expressing HIV Envelope Glycoprotein. Lancet 1991, 337:567-572. Illustrates the suppressive effect that prior exposure to or immunization by a vaccine vector may have on the immune response to the delivered vaccine antigen. In this instance, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing gp 160
424
of human immunodeficiency virus was poorly immunogenic in subjects with a previous history of vaccination with vaccinia, although itwas able to evoke good humoral and T-cell immune responses in naive individuals. SANTOSHAMM, LETSONGW, WOLFF M, REID R, GAHAGAN S, ADAMSR, CALLAHANC, SACK RB, KAPIKIANAZ: A Field Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Two Candidate Rotavirus Vaccines in a Native American Population. J Infect Dis 1991, 163:483-487. Describes a direct comparison of two candidate rotavirus vaccine strains in a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Illustrates the fact that efficacy of a given vaccine may vary widely due to geographical differences and endemic strain.
Use of inoculation in bioremediation selected by Parmely H. Pritchard PIPKE R, WAGNER-DOBLER I, TIMMIS KN, DW~R DF: Survival and Function of a Genetically Engineered Pseudomonad in Aquatic Sediment Microcosms. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992, 58:1259-1265. A good series of microcosm studies demonstrating that the introduction of a specific microorganism, in this case genetically engineered, can affect the fate of a persistent xenobiotic chemical. Studies on inoculation should include more of this kind of study. GROSSER RJ, WARSHAWSKYD, VESTALJR: Indigenous and Enhanced Mineralization of Pyrene, Benzo[a]pyrene, and Carbazole in Soils. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991, 57:3462-3469. An example of excellent research to establish the metabolic capabilities of a potential inoculant and to demonstrate, in laboratory studies, their usefulness in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation is a good candidate for inoculation approaches. BHAGWATAA, KEISTER DL: Identification and Cloning of Bradyrhizobium j a p o n i c u m Genes Expressed Strain-Selectively in Soil and Rhizosphere. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992, 58:1490--1495. A very interesting paper describing a creative method to detect genes which possibly determine the competitive factors associated with root nodulation by Bradyrbizobium. The approach could be extended to identify 'competiveness' genes in other types of bacteria. KNUSDEN SM, KAmSTROMOH: Development of Efficient Suicide Mechanisms for Biological Containment of Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991, 57:85-92. Provides the latest conceptual and developmental aspects of suicide gene technologies. The paper forms an experimental basis for further development of the concept and its possible inclusion with inoculation strategies.
© 1992 Current Biology