Leila Wabnegger

Homologous sites of GABAA receptor α1, β3 and γ2 subunits are important for assembly

Abstract GABAA receptors are the major inhibitory transmitter receptors in the central nervous system. The majority of these receptors is composed of two α, two β and one γ subunit that assemble around an aqueous pore and form an intrinsic chloride ion channel. Using full-length or truncated chimeric subunits it was demonstrated that homologous sequences from different subunit classes, α1(54–68), β3(52–66), and γ2(67–81), are important for assembly of GABAA receptors composed of α1, β3, and γ2 subunits. In addition, evidence was provided that these sequences all are located in topologically homologous regions of the different subunits. Finally, it was demonstrated that the sequences investigated cause a selective assembly with certain subunits only and thus influence subunit arrangement within GABAA receptors.

Role of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in children hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia in Vienna, Austria.

No recent Austrian data are available on the epidemiology and morbidity of Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) as causative agent in youths and children hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). These data would serve as a rationale for empiric antimicrobial therapy.

Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in cats with conjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of chlamydial species including recently described chlamydial agents as well as the human pathogen Chlamydophila pneumoniae in feline conjunctivitis. ANIMAL STUDIED Twenty five cats without and 49 cats with conjunctivitis were tested for chlamydia using a Chlamydiaceae real time (RT) PCR (targeting the 23S rRNA gene sequence), a Chlamydiales PCR (targeting the 16S rRNA gene sequence), and cell culture. The PCR products of all positive samples were sequenced and subsequently analyzed using a basic local alignment search tool search. RESULTS Chlamydiaceae RT PCR and subsequent sequence analyses identified C. pneumoniae in five cats in the conjunctivitis group. The presence of Chlamydophila felis was shown in two cats with conjunctivitis. Chlamydiae related to uncultured members of Chlamydiales were detected in three conjunctivitis cases and in one cat without clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION This study detects for the first time, the known human pathogen C. pneumoniae in feline conjunctivitis cases using Chlamydiaceae RT PCR and sequence analyses.