The complete 36,466-bp genome sequence of the virulent phage Lc-Nu of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus was determined. The linear dsDNA with a GC-content of 44.2% contained 3' single-stranded cohesive ends of 12 nucleotides. A total of 51 putative open reading frames (orfs) were predicted. Lc-Nu showed to be evolutionary closely related to the temperate Lactobacillus casei phages phi AT3 and A2. High DNA homology with phi AT3 was shared over the late transcribed genes, and the highest homology with A2 was within the genetic switch region. The truncated cI-like repressor was the only lysogeny related gene left, which strongly suggested Lc-Nu to be recently evolved from a temperate origin. Three putative methylases and endonucleases were detected from the region of early-transcribed genes. The putative origin of replication within the putative gene orf34 homologous to replisome organizers resembled to that of lambdoid phages. The present study suggested Lc-Nu to be a new candidate for the proposed Sfi21-like species.

ArticlesClinical Investigation nature publishing group INTRODUCTION: Preterm birth is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Intrauterine infection and/or inflammatory response are evident in 60-70% of spontaneous preterm births (sPTBs). Genetic factors significantly increase this risk. however, the genetic background associated with sPTB is poorly understood. surfactant protein (sP) a, sP-D, and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are structurally and functionally related collectins that bind pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and mostly suppress innate immune responses. RESULTS:We detected an overrepresentation of the methionine allele of the SFTPD gene (encoding sP-D) Met31Thr polymorphism in preterm infants as compared to term infants. This association was highly significant in infants of families with recurrent sPTBs (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.22-2.22); however, there was no such association with SFTPD in the mothers of these infants. Polymorphism of the genes encoding sP-a and MBL did not influence the risk of sPTB. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that the fetal SFTPD Met31Thr polymorphism plays a significant role in genetic predisposition to sPTB. We propose that fetal immune responses influence sensitivity to preterm labor-inducing signals. METHODS: Genes encoding sP-a, sP-D, and MBL were investigated as potential candidates for association with sPTB in a population of preterm singleton infants (n = 406) and their mothers (n = 308), and in mothers with term deliveries (n = 201) and their infants (n = 201), all originating from northern Finland.

SFTPC SNP rs4715 associates with the duration of PPROM, and SP-C is expressed in gestational tissues. We propose that fetal SFTPC moderates the inflammatory activation within the fetal extra-embryonic compartment.