ABSTRACT. Triple tandemly repeated sequences and the corresponding complementary sequence are known to exist in the 5 -terminal regulatory region of the human gene for thymidylate synthase (TS). To examine the function of these sequences, a set of deletion mutants was prepared and used in a transient expression assay. The results showedthat at least one repeated sequence and its complementarysequence were necessary for the efficient expression of the gene. As another approach to understanding the function of this unique structure, DNA polymorphism in the same region was analyzed. In addition to the TS gene with the triple tandem repeat, the TS gene with a double tandem repeat was found in genomesof normal humansubjects at an estimated frequency of 19% when genomes of 21 unrelated Japanese were analyzed. The expression activity of a reporter gene linked to the promoter region of the human TS genes with the two types of repeated sequence was examined and the result showed that the expression activity of the gene with the double repeat was lower than that of the gene with the triple repeat in the transient expression assay. Thus, it appears that the unique repeated sequences in the 5 -terminal region of the human TS gene are polymorphic and contribute to the efficiency of expression of the gene.

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The serum IL-6 level may be the most useful indicator for the diagnosis and the clinical severity of influenza virus-associated encephalopathy.

The presence of autoantibodies against NMDA GluR epsilon2 suggests autoimmune pathologic mechanisms but is not a hallmark of Rasmussen's encephalitis. Patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis may have autoantibodies against several neural molecules, and these autoantibodies may be produced in the CNS after cytotoxic T cell-mediated neuronal damage.

Low-dose synthetic ACTH therapy is as effective for the treatment of WS as the higher doses used in previous studies. The dosage of synthetic ACTH used in the treatment of WS can be decreased as much as possible to avoid serious adverse effects.