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The effect of two probiotic products with Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) as source of dietary protein and/or energy in ruminant diets on the growth performance and some blood parame-ters of Barki lamps were evaluated. Two com-mercial probiotic formulas (ZAD and ICEC-Trol) were administrated directly with theirap-plications: P1 (without probiotic), P2 (ZAD), P3 (ZAD + ICEC-Trol), the combination of four different rations: R1 (control), R2 (PKC as source of energy), R3 (PKC as source of en-ergy and protein) and R4 (PKC as source of protein). Barki lambs (n=96, 35kg average body weight) were randomly assigned to 12 experimental groups in a completely random-ized block design. (8 lambs for each group) and fed for 47 days. ZAD probiotic was ap-plied at 2 ml/head/day and ICEC-TROL was applied at 3 g/head/day. Animals weight gain and average daily gain were measured and Glucose, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus were measured. Results showed that animals fed control ration (R1) with P2, R2 with P3 and R4 with P3 showed highest (P

As the impact of upcoming climate change scenarios on livestock feeding security (quality, availability, and price), applying alternative feedstuffs is a must. Fattening calves considered as a most process related to traditional feeding system. In the present study we purposed new feedstuffs for fattened calves consisting citrus pulp silage, wheat germ, barley sprout and molasses. Within the above feedstuffs we using mechanical, chemical, and biological treatments. Moreover, the present study evaluates the production performance of 14 male cross Friesian calves (7 per each group) for adding 10ml/calve/day probiotic ZAD in treated group. Weight data where used to calculate Average Daily Gains ADG, nutrients digestibility, boneless meat percent, and feed conversion rate. From our results applying probiotics (ZAD) increased significantly (P

The use of two probiotic products as a means of improving in vitro and ruminal dry matter digestibility, fermentation characteristics and growth performance of Barki lambs were evaluated. The probi...

Forty-eight lactating Holstein Friesian cows were utilized to assess impact of supplementing probiotic ZAD (mixture of live bacterial cells and enzymes) compared with T5X (antitoxins product) on some productive, reproductive and antitoxins activity parameters. we have divided the animals to three experimental categories (16 each). The first category, control treatment, was fed basal diet without any supplements. The second category, ZAD treatment, was fed basal diet supplemented with ZAD probiotic (1.1 L/ton). The third category, T5X treatment, was fed basal diet supplemented with T5X antitoxins product (1.1 Kg/ton). Milk yield was recorded. we have collected and analyzed milk samples, blood samples and feed samples in order to constitutes. Time-interval between calving and fertilizing artificial insemination and pregnancy rate were recorded. The gained outcomes demonstrated that milk yield was significantly raised by ZAD treatment than other treatment. Milk components yield were significantly raised by ZAD probiotic and T5X treatments than control. Blood serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and total lipids were not significantly influenced by treatments. Total aflatoxins in concentrate mixture and aflatoxin M1 in milk were significantly diminished by ZAD and T5X than control. Number of days between calving and fertilized artificial insemination were diminished by treatments than control. Pregnancy rate was significantly raised by ZAD probiotic than T5X and control treatments, respectively. The overall conclusion of this study illustrated that Probiotic ZAD, potentially, has antitoxins activity leading to reinforcing the productive and reproductive performance of lactating cows.

Four common Egyptian Agricultural by products used for ruminant feeding were treated with different concentrations of Probiotic (ZAD) to study the effect of treatment on chemical composition of roughages. Roughages used were rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), corn stover (CS) and sugar cane bagasse (SCB). Concentrations of ZAD tested in this study were 0.05, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 ml/Kg of roughage. Roughages were mixed with ZAD solution and incubated anaerobically for 4 weeks. Results indicated that treatments decreased crude fiber (CF) contents of all roughages by 17 % in CS to 30% in SCB and increased EE by multiplication of 1.45 times in WS to 4.9 times in SCB. Statistical analysis showed no significant interaction between roughage source and ZAD concentration on chemical composition of roughages except for crude protein where interaction was significant (P

Two hundred multiparous Holstein dairy cows post-partum were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group (control, n=100) was fed total mixed ration (TMR) without a supplement of liquid probiotic enzymes. The second group (treatment, n=100) was fed TMR supplemented with a commercial probiotic (ZAD) prepared by Bactizad company, Cairo, Egypt. at the rate of 10 ml/head/day. According to the guide of the manufacture for 12 weeks ZAD was added and mixed to the TMR at the time of feeding once per day. Each group was placed in a shaded pen equipped with free stalls. Results obtained showed that Milk yield increased significantly from 39.57 kg/day for control group up to 41.73 kg/day for treated with ZAD group. Fat and protein milk percentage tended to be improved due to treated with ZAD but the difference was not significant. Lactose percentage was affected positively and significantly by treated of ZAD, lactose percentage was 4.79 for control group and 4.83 for ZAD group. Serum total protein increased significantly from 11.52 (g/dl) for control group up to 11.85(g/dl) for treated ZAD group. Albumin was significantly higher in control group. Results indicated that blood urea concentration in treated group being 34.77 (mg/dl) and for the control group 33.91 (mg/dl), was significantly higher. Alkaline phosphates increased significantly in treated group from 21.105 U/l for control group up to 26.92 U/l for treated group. Cholesterol concentration was reduced significantly due to treatment from 240.98 mg/dl in control cows to 190.13 mg/dl in treated cows. Triglycerides concentration declined significantly due to treatment of probiotic ZAD. In control cows triglycerides concentration was 27.871 (mg/dl) and treated cows was 20.9781 (mg/dl). T3 concentration increased significantly as a response to treatment by probiotic ZAD. T3 concentration was 117.29 ng/dl in treated group and 62.38 mg/dl in control group.

The research was performed at the Department of Animal Production's fish laboratory, National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt. The research was conducted to assess the impact of commercial powder probiotic (ZADO®) on growth efficiency of Nile tilapia mono-sex fish (O. niloticus), which were fed on basal experimental diet (the control group)and other 4 experimental diet, which was the basic diet augmented with 0.25,0.5,0.75 and 1% of ZADO® for T1, T2,T3,T4 andT5, respectively. The Five experimental treatments were performed in three replicates each, the experimental aquaria were part of closed recirculating system, where environmental parameters were kept constant throughout the experimental period. Fifteen aquaria 60 × 40 × 30 cm, width, depth, and height, respectively each was stocked with 15 fish. The mean individual initial body weight (4.04 g/fish) was recorded at the start of the experiment. All fish in each aquarium throughout the entire experimental period were weighed every two weeks. The experimental fish were fed 32 % crude proteinbased diet for (98 days). The daily feed allowances were calculated as 5% of fish body weight and were divided into 3 portions fed at 8 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. The Results of the experiment indicated that T2 had the largest significant (P 0.05) were found in protein productive value (PPV). Although significant effects (p

High prices of corn grains due to their shortage in some regions force researcher to explore nonconventional alternatives. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing corn grains at 25% (dry matter (DM) basis) with date press cake (DPC) without/with exogenous enzymes at 2 L/ton feed in diets of Barki sheep (24 rams divided as 6 rams/treatment) and Egyptian buffaloes (16 buffaloes divided as 4 buffalo/treatment). Each experiment was conducted under 4 treatments regime: control diet containing only corn grains, T1 diet where the control diet supplemented with exogenous enzyme, T2 diet where the control diet contained DPC on corn replacement (25% DM basis), and T3 diet where the control diet contained DPC on corn replacement (25% DM basis) along with exogenous enzyme supplement. The control diet contained concentrate feed mixture, corn silage, and rice straw at 50:40:10, respectively. Data on nutrient intake, digestibility, and nitrogen balance in sheep, as well as on blood parameters, milk production, and composition in buffaloes, were analyzed using the PROC GLM/MIXED procedure of SAS. The sheep under T2 and T3 treatments demonstrated greater digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fibers, along with improved nitrogen balance. The milk yield and its constituents were improved in the buffaloes under T3 treatment followed by those buffaloes under T2 and T1 treatments. This investigation could conclude that replacing corn grains with DPC at 25% (DM basis) in ruminant diets had beneficial effects on nutrients digestibility and milk yield along with its composition.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of feeding Atriplex halimus (AH) silage treated with two developed enzyme cocktails to sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation. The AH silage was treated without or with 2 L of ZAD1® or ZAD2®/1000 kg with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Barley grain (300 g/head/day) was fed as an energy supplement once daily at 10.00 hours and AH silage with or without enzyme treatment was offered ad libitum to animals twice daily at 09.00 and 16.00 hours. Sheep were fed on four experimental forage diets comprised of AH silage and barley (D1), AH silage treated with ZAD1® and barley (D2), AH silage treated with ZAD2® and barley (D3) and AH silage treated with a combination of ZAD1® and ZAD2® (1:1) and barley (D4). Ensiling AH with enzymes reduced its contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. The dry matter intake of AH of D2, D3 and D4 decreased (P

The study evaluated replacement of Egyptian berseem clover (BC, Trifolium alexandrinum) with spent rice straw (SRS) of Pleurotus ostreatus basidiomycete in diets of lactating Baladi goats. Nine lactating homo-parity Baladi goats (average BW 23.8±0.4 kg) at 7 d postpartum were used in a triplicate 3×3 Latin square design with 30 d experimental periods. Goats were fed a basal diet containing 0 (Control), 0.25 (SRS25) and 0.45 (SRS45) (w/w, DM basis) of SRS. The Control diet was berseem clover and concentrate mixture (1:1 DM basis). The SRS45 had lowered total feed intake and forages intake compared to Control. The SRS25 and SRS45 rations had the highest digestibilities of DM (p = 0.0241) and hemicellulose (p = 0.0021) compared to Control which had higher (p

Forty crossbred steers (Baladi×Friesian, average BW 153±5.14kg) were used to evaluate the effects of exogenous enzyme (ENZ) addition on nutrient intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation and feed conversion in beef steers. Steers were randomly assigned to two groups of 20 animals and fed individually a total mixed ration (TMR) without (CTRL) or with addition of 40g/hd/d of an enzyme mixture (ZADO®). The ENZ mixture was added for 220 days and in vivo apparent digestibility was measured on days 210-220. Enzyme addition did not affect (P=0.1) DM intake, whereas it increased (P

This study was conducted to investigate effects of increasing doses: 0 (control), 6 (low), 12 (medium) and 24 (high) mg/g DM of ZADO ® enzyme preparation mixture (ENZ) on in vitro gas production (GP) and some ruminal fermentation parameters of the fibrous feeds Saccharum officinarum (leaves), Andropogon gayanus (leaves), Pennisetum purpureum (leaves) and Sorghum vulgare (straw). Rumen liquor was obtained from two Brown Swiss cows fitted with permanent rumen cannulae fed a total mixed ration of a 500:500 commercial concentrate and alfalfa hay ad libitum . The GP was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation. After 96 h, the incubation was stopped and the pH of the mixture was determined and filtrate used to determine dry matter degradability (DMD), partitioning factor (PF 96 ), gas yield (GY 24 ), in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and microbial crude protien production (MCP). In general, the crude protein (CP) content of the fibrous feeds was low and ranged from 23 g/kg DM ( S. officinarum) to 44 ( A. gayanus ). The fibre contents ( i.e. , NDFom and ADFom) were highest (P S. officinarum . Increasing ENZ dose linearly increased (P P. purpureum and S. vulgare and rate of gas production in S. officinarum and S. vulgare. Addition of ENZ also quadratically increased (P S. officinarum and S. vulgare , and A. gayanus , but only at 72 h in A. gayanus . The parameters of ruminal fermentation of OMD, ME, GY 24 and SCFA linearly increased (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertility status, milk output, mortality, and body thermoregulation of rabbit does as affected by different levels of multi-enzyme extracts (EZ) in their diets. A total of 120 Hy-Plus rabbit does were divided into four comparable experimental groups (n = 30 does per group). Animals of each group were divided in six pens (five animals per pen), and each pen was used as an experimental unit. The first group was kept untreated and fed a commercial diet alone without enzyme extracts (EZ0), while the other groups were fed the same diet but supplemented with 1 (EZ1), 3 (EZ3), and 5 (EZ5) kg/ton of enzyme extracts, respectively. Feeding EZ additive increased (P

This study was conducted to assess effects of sun-drying and/or addition of an exogenous enzyme (ENZ) preparation on intake, digestibility of nutrients and recovery values of secondary metabolites (SM) in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep fed Atriplex halimus (AH) foliages. A randomized block design for 28 d was used for four experimental treatments based on either fresh (AH-F) or sun-dried (AH-S) A. halimus foliages in the absence (−ENZ) or presence (+ENZ) of 10 g/sheep/d of the exogenous of ZADO® enzyme preparation. Three adult sheep weighing 51 ± 2.7 kg were fed for each experimental treatment. The ENZ was added daily with a small amount of concentrate to help balance the dietary metabolizable energy concentration. Nutrient intake and digestibility, N balance and recovery of SM (i.e., total phenolics (TP), saponins (SP), alkaloids (AK), aqueous fraction (AF)) in the gastrointestinal tract were determined. Levels of most nutrients did not differ between AH-F and AH-S foliages, but the AH-S contained less than half of the SM in AH-F. Drying of A. halimus and ENZ addition increased (P=0.001) intake as well as OM and NDFom digestibility (P=0.02). Feed intake and digestibility were higher (P=0.01) in AH-S with ENZ addition. Intake of N by sheep fed the treatment diets depended on DM intake as the dietary concentration of N in the diets was similar. Thus AH-S sheep supplemented with ENZ had higher (P=0.001) N intake. Digestibility of N was similar to DM and OM digestibility, and was higher (P=0.03) in AH-S sheep supplemented with ENZ. Drying and ENZ addition to the diet increased (P=0.004) recovery of all SM. The fate of these compounds in the rumen needs to be evaluated considering that SM have been implicated in fiber and protein degradation in the rumen. The study showed that there are beneficial impacts of sun-drying and/or dietary exogenous enzyme addition for sheep fed A. halimus.

Twenty-four Ossimi male lambs were used to evaluate effects of inclusion of ensiled orange pulp (EOP) in lamb diets either with or without addition of exogenous enzymes (ENZ) of ZADO ® on digestion and growth performance. Lambs (21.1 ± 1.01 kg body weight (BW)) were assigned to one of three groups of 8 animals/group in a randomized complete block design being: Control (basal diet with 0 g/kg EOP), EOP (Control with 150 g/kg EOP) or EOP + ENZ (EOP with 5 g/kg of ZADO ® ) in a 90-day experiment. Ensiling the orange pulp increased the crude protein, ether extract and metabolizable energy of the silage by 29, 46 and 8%, respectively, and reduced the secondary metabolites, such as total phenolics, saponins and alkaloids. Silage lactic acid and ethanol were increased by 35% and 54%, respectively for EOP and EOP with ENZ, but all silage quality parameters were in the normal range. Concentration of NH 3 –N before feeding was decreased ( P P P = 0.036) by 52 and 59%, whereas the ADFom increased ( P = 0.032) by 8 and 11% in EOP and EOP + ENZ lambs, respectively. Nutrients digestion were higher ( P P = 0.042) by 19 and 31% in EOP and EOP + ENZ lambs compared to control diet. Live weight gain increased ( P = 0.038) by 92% in EOP + ENZ lambs whereas it increased by 54% in EOP lambs. Addition of EOP to the diet improved feed efficiency and live weight gain suggesting a good quality feed, which could probably be used to replace a part of the concentrate in ruminant diets.

Cylophosphamide (CYCL) is a strong anticancer and immunosuppressive agent but its urotoxicity presents one of the major toxic effects that limit its wide usage particularly in high dose regimens. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Acacia Senegal gum exudate, Gum Arabic (GA), for its possible role as a natural, nontoxic agent against CYCL-induced urotoxicity. Male Swiss albino rats were exposed to CYCL (150 mg/kg BW, once i.p) with or without GA oral supplementation (7.5 g/kg/day for 6 days) through drinking water. Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric oxide (NO) bladder contents were assessed. Responsiveness of the bladder rings to acetylcholine (ACh) in vitro, microscopic and macroscopic features are also investigated. CYCL produced pronounced harmful effects on bladder urothelial lining with significant increases in (MDA) and NO levels in the tissue homogenates. Bladder-GSH content is dropped by over 60% following CYCL injection. Bladder contractility, as measured by its responsiveness to ACh, recorded a marked reduction. The isolated bladders exhibited such macroscopic changes as severe edema, inflammation and extravasation. The bladder weight increased as well. Histological changes were evident in the form of severe congestion, petechial hemorrhage and chronic inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria accompanied with desquamated epithelia. GA, a potential protective agent, produced an almost complete reversal of NO induction, lipid peroxidation or cellular GSH bladder contents in the GA + CYCL-treated group. Likewise, bladder inflammation and edema were reduced. Bladder rings showed a remarkable recovery in their responsiveness to ACh. Bladder histological examination showed a near normal configuration and structural integrity, with a significant reduction in inflammation and disappearance of focal erosions. These remarkable effects of GA may be attributed to its ability to neutralize acrolein, the reactive metabolite of CYCL and/or the resultant reactive oxygen metabolites, through a scavenging action. GA may limit the cascading events of CYCL-induced damage, initiating a cytoprotective effect leading to structural and functional recovery of the bladder tissues.

The effect of exposing of potato tubers cv. Di-amond to ethyl salicylic acid (ES) vapour for dif-ferent doses and different periods of exposing on rots incidence and sprouting of tubers under long term storage was studied. Expose of tubers to high doses of vapour (resulted from evaporation of 0.5 or 1 ml/ liter space) for 6 h led to appear a very strong harmful effect on exposed tubers stored for 4 months. All tubers were decayed, collapsed and severely infected by rot pathogens. Expose of tu-bers to middle dose (0.25 ml/liter space) for 6, 12, 24, or 48 h then stored for 4 months at ambient temperature showed variable effects. Six or 12 h exposing led to slight reduction of rot incidence but it had not effect on sprouting in comparison to non-exposed tubers. On the other hand, exposing, for 24 or 48 h suppressed sprouting completely and reduced to very great extent rots incidence (%). Storage of tubers exposed to 0.25 ml/ liter for 24 h at high relative humidity (~90%) or under cooling (6-8 C ) did not cause any reduction in compound efficiency. Expose of tubers to low dose of ES vapour (0.125 ml/ liter space) for dif-ferent periods showed that exposing for 6 or 12 h led to stimulatory effect on sprouting without ef-fect on rots incidence. Twenty four hours exposing led to decrease rots incidence and sprouting.These results clearly indicated that ES vapour had variable effects on exposed tubers depend upon dose and period of exposing.

Different agents were tested as inducing re-sistance factors in tomato plants against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. These agents include ethyl salicylic acid, (0.125 ml/l) jassmonic acid (0.125 ml/L) sincocin solution, (0.1%) agrispon solution (0.1%) water extract of mango malformed inflorescence (7.5%), coconut milk solution (2%) as root dipping during transplanting and spraying after one month from transplanting. Data obtained clearly indicated that sincocin solu-tion, extract of mango malformed inflorescence, agrispon solution and jassmonic acid led to a great reduction in disease severity, number of galls/ root, number of females/ root and number of egg masses/ root, followed by ethyl salicylic acid and coconut milk descending order. All tested agents did not affect juvenile's viability except mango malformed inflorescence extract and coco-nut milk solution which led to slight effect on juvenile viability. All tested agents increased plant growth in the presence of nematode inocula in comparison to untreated plants. In this respect coconut milk solution had the superior effect. Data indicated that the tested agents induced resistance in treated plant and the mechanisms of their mode of action needs further studies.

Bacterial angular leaf spot disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans is an important foliage disease of cucumber, under protected cultivation system. The present work was planned to control the disease using bio-agents and abiotic agents alone or combining, under greenhouse and commercial plastic house conditions. Data obtained indicated that application of bio- and abiotic agents decreased severity of bacterial angular leaf spot disease of cucumber, compared with the control. Fluorescent Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens and P. putida isolates) were more effectiveness than isolate of Bacillus subtilis to reduce the disease severity, when they were applied as soil drench treatment. Application of abiotic agents as foliar treatment was more effective than as seed treatment to decrease the disease severity. Isolates of P. fluorescens or P. putida as bio-agents and salicylic acid or ethephone as abiotic agents were the most effective against the disease. Disease severity was significantly reduced by increasing rates of abiotic agents. However, interaction between bio-agents (P. fluorescens or P. putida isolates) as soil treatment and abiotic agents (salicylic acid or ethephone) as foliar treatment greatly decreased severity of bacterial angular leaf spot disease of cucumber, under greenhouse and commercial plastic house condition, compared with the control. Combination between P fluorescens isolate as soil treatment and salicylic acid as foliar treatment were the most effective against the disease

The effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on the cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DOX) was investigated. A single dose of DOX (15 mg kg −1 , i.p) induced cardiotoxicity manifested biochemically by a significant elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CK; EC: 2.7.3.2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC: 1.1.1.27) 48 h later. Moreover, cardiotoxicity was further confirmed by the significant increase in lipid peroxides measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), and significant decrease in protein thiols ( Protein -SH) content in heart tissues. Administration of LA (100 mg kg −1 ) orally for 5 days before and 2 days after DOX injection produced a significant protection against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX. The amelioration of cardiotoxicity was evident by significant reductions in serum CK and LDH. Moreover, LA prevented the rise of MDA as well as the significant reduction of Protein -SH. These results may suggest that LA has a protective effect against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX and it may, therefore, improve the therapeutic index of DOX.

The effect of aminoguanidine (AG) against toxicity of paraquat (PQ), an oxidative-stress inducing substance, in mice was investigated. A single dose of PQ (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced lung-toxicity, manifested by significant decrease of the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in lung tissue indicating pulmonary capillary endothelial cell damage. Lung toxicity was further evidenced by significant decrease of total sulfhydryl (–SH) content and significant increase in lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissues. Oral pretreatment of mice with AG (50 mg/kg) in drinking water, starting 5 days before PQ injection and continuing during the experimental period, ameliorated the lung toxicity induced by PQ. This was evidenced by a significant increase in the levels of ACE activity, a significant decrease in lung MDA content and a significant increase in the total sulfhydryl content 24 h after PQ administration. Moreover, pretreatment of mice with AG leads to an increase of the LD 50 value of paraquat. These results indicate that AG is an efficient cytoprotective agent against PQ-induced lung toxicity.

A peptide derived from the human papillomavirus L2 protein is recognized by a myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell clone from a multiple sclerosis patient and by MBP-specific autoantibodies purified from multiple sclerosis brain tissue. We now show in mice that low doses of this papillomavirus peptide were optimal in selecting a subpopulation of papillomavirus peptide–specific T cells that cross-reacted with MBP(87–99) and with an unrelated viral peptide derived from the BSLF1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These low dose viral peptide– specific T cell lines were highly encephalitogenic. Splenocytes from mice transferred with viral peptide–specific T cells showed a vigorous response to both the papillomavirus and MBP peptides, indicating that viral antigen–specific T cells survived for a prolonged time in vivo. The EBV peptide, unable to prime and select an autoreactive T cell population, could still activate the low dose papillomavirus peptide–specific cells and induce central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. Cytokine profiles of papillomavirus peptide–specific encephalitogenic T cells and histopathology of CNS lesions resembled those induced by MBP. These results demonstrate conserved aspects in the recognition of the self-antigen and a cross-reactive viral peptide by human and murine MBP-specific T cell receptors. We demonstrate that a viral antigen, depending on its nature, dose, and number of exposures, may select autoantigen-specific T cells that survive in vivo and can trigger autoimmune disease after adoptive transfer.

We report the cloning and characterization of a novel cDNA termed C2H2-546 which encodes a C2H2-type zinc finger protein. C2H2-546 RNA is expressed in the HTLV-1 infected T cells examined which were derived from HAM-TSP patients, but not in T cells derived from ATL patients. The C2H2-546 gene is conserved in humans and primates and maps to chromosome 10q11.2, a site associated with a variety of cancers. Thus, C2H2-546 is a candidate regulatory molecule important in the formation of these tumors, and may serve as an important marker to distinguish HTLV-1 infected ATL versus HAM-TSP T cell lineages.

C2H2 zinc finger proteins constitute the largest family of transcription factors known with an estimated 300-500 genes encoding these proteins in the human genome. These proteins possess two conserved cysteines that are part of an antiparallel beta-sheet and two conserved histidines that are part of an alpha-helix, coordinated by a central zinc atom to form a globular domain. The protein family is typified by the RNA polymerase II transcription factor TFIIIA and the gap gene product Kruppel. 13 refs., 1 fig.

We describe a novel human zinc finger cNDA, C2H2-171. This cDNA represents an mRNA which encodes a protein of 484 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 54 kD. Four zinc finger-like domains are found in the C-terminal end of the protein. At the N-terminus, C2H2-171 contains a POZ/tramtrack-like domain similar to that found in the tumor associated zinc finger proteins LAZ-3/BCL-6 and PLZ-F, as well as in non-zinc finger proteins. C2H2-171 RNA is preferentially expressed in the brain, and increases during the course of murine development, with maximal expression in the adult. C2H2-171 RNA is differentially expressed in brain regions, with the highest level of expression in the cerebellum. C2H2-171 RNA was expressed at high levels in primary cerebellar granule cell neurons compared to astrocytes. The gene encoding C2H2-171 is highly conserved in vertebrates, and maps to the terminus of human chromosome 1 (1q44-ter). This chromosomal location is associated with a number of cytogenetic aberrations including those involving brain developmental anomalies and tumorigenesis. These data suggest that C2H2-171 may play an important role in vertebrate brain development and function.

To identify genes that are expressed in MS pathogenesis, we have analyzed a normalized cDNA library made from mRNA obtained from CNS lesions of a patient with primary progressive MS. Complementary DNA clones obtained from this library were subjected to automated DNA sequencing to generate expressed sequence tags. Analysis of this MS cDNA library revealed the presence of 54 cDNAs that were associated with immune activation and indicated the presence of an ongoing inflammatory response with evidence of both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. The surprising finding was that 16 of the cDNAs encoded autoantigens associated with seven other autoimmune disorders, while only three of these 16 autoantigen cDNAs were present in a similarly constructed adult brain library. Such aberrant autoantigen expression could provide a source of secondary autoimmune stimulation that could contribute to the ongoing inflammatory response in MS. In addition, two cDNAs were found that mapped to a known MS susceptibility locus (5p14-p12): one encoded an excitatory amino acid transporter and the other a human homologue of the Drosophila disabled gene. This approach to the molecular biology of MS pathogenesis may help to illuminate previously unappreciated aspects of this disease.