^*Author for Correspondence.
Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150, Kelantan.
Tel: 609-7664139; Fax: 609-7653370.
E.mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Key words: acute myeloid leukaemia, AML1/ETO, RT-PCR

Abstract.
The translocation (8;21)(q22;22) is one of the most common chromosomal aberrations seen in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), occuring in the frequency of 7 to 12 % of cases . The t(8; 21) results in the formation of a chimeric AML1/ETO transcript. The aim of this study was to detect AML1/ETO fusion transcript in patients with AML diagnosed in Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital. RNA from 24 whole blood samples were extracted from these patients and subjected to RT-PCR using specific primers for AML1 and ETO genes. Four of these patients (16.7%) were found to have AML1/ETO fusion transcript. Morphologically 3 of them were classified as AML-M2 (FAB classification) and 1 was classified as AML-M1. Only one of those positive samples was sent for cytogenetic analysis and was found to have t(8;21). All 3 patients with AMLM2 had aberrant expression of CD19. Thus, RT-PCR detection of AML1/ETO may identify a subgroup of AML patients who carry a better prognosis.

THE BIOTECHNOLOGY PROMISE
Biotechnology in the last two decades has experienced unprecedented advancement. A wide array of biotechnology products are now available in the market as well as in the pipeline, which offer promises of improved quality of life. The rapid adoption of biotechnology, particularly agricultural biotechnology, in several countries, has resulted in an abundance and variety of biotechnology products, especially genetically modified food (GMF) in the market. This has caused concerns for the safety of these products i.e. biosafety concerns.

Fortunately, the successful conclusion of the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety1 in Montreal on January 29, 2000 marked a cornerstone for the regulation of transboundary movement, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). For the first time, the international community has a set of obligations to comply with in the development, handling, transport, use and release of LMOs into the environment. Malaysia, as a Party to the Protocol has an international commitment to take necessary legal and administrative steps to ensure that genetically modified organisms will be assessed as safe before they are released into the environment, including for sale in the market.

This paper will focus on GMF used for food and feed, rather than the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment for planting.

Abstract.
Bacillus sp. N18, which produces a strongly fibrinolytic enzyme, was isolated from soil samples. The gene coding for the fibrinolytic enzyme (N18) was cloned and high level of expression/secretion was achieved using a high copy number plasmid and a triple protease deficient Bacillus subtilis strain. The recombinant enzyme (termed ReN18) was purified by consecutive chromatography with Streamline SP XL and Sephacryl S-100, resulting in a single protein band on IEF gel with an isoelectric point approximately at pH 8.6 and on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight of 28,000 Da, which is very close to the molecular mass determined by mass spectrometry (27,728 Da). N-terminal sequencing revealed that the first 15 amino acid residues are AQSVPYGISQIKAPA , identical to those deduced from DNA sequence. The purified ReN18 showed a higher affinity for fibrin in comparison with urokinase or plasmin in vitro. ReN18 was also active in vivo in experimental animals using either oral or intravenous route of administration. Furthermore, analysis of plasmin (Plm) activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity and D-dimer concentration, and residual plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) indicated that the recombinant enzyme was able to cleave directly cross-linked fibrin without concurrently destroying fibrinogen. Results obtained from a brain-thrombus mouse model demonstrated that the recombinant enzyme was able to increase the surviving rate of experimental animals to 82% at a dose of 8,000 U/kg, 77% at 4,000 U/kg, 40% at 2,000 U/kg, respectively, in comparison with 57% at a dose of 8,000 U/kg when urokinase was used. The current study demonstrated that ReN18 could be used as a potent thrombolytic agent.

Key words: Bacillus, Fibrinolytic enzyme, Nattokinase, Plasmin, Thrombolytic agent, Urokinase

^*Author for Correspondence.
Mailing address: School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Tel. : 86-21-62233295, Fax.: 86-21-62233754, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
The 1.35-kb fragment of P97/302 infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) VP2 gene, encompassing the hypervariable region was successfully amplified by the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR). This isolate was cloned and sequenced. The sequenced was analyzed and compared to other eight reference IBDV strains. This isolate has amino acid substitutions at the 222(A), 256(I), 294(I) and 299(S) as other reported reference vv (very virulent) strains of UK661, HK46 and OKYM. The amino acid residues at the two hydrophilic regions and the serine-rich heptapeptide region of the P97/302 are the same as vv strains of UK661, HK46 and OKYM. The P97/302 IBDV isolate can be digested with enzymes TaqI, StyI, SspI but not with SacI as previously reported in many others vv strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequence of hypervariable region showed that this isolate clustered with the vv strains of UK661, HK46 and OKYM and distinct from other groups of classical, attenuated and variant strains. It was concluded that this P97/302 IBDV isolate was serotype 1, vv IBDV strain.

Key words: Very Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease

^*Author for Correspondence.