Dr. Maas said that Zynononas mobilis is a nonpathogen ic anerobic soil 
bacterium which exchanges genes with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and coli . 
Dr. Barb an added that Zymamonas mobilis is frequently found in ferment- 
ing plant juices, principally in tropical climates. 
Dr. Maas moved approval of the request under P2 conditions. By a 
vote of seventeen in favor, none opposed, the RAC adopted the motion. 
E. Request to Clone S chiz osacc hararyces pcmbe ENA in Schizosaccharamyces 
pombe 
Dr. Brill introduced the request (tabs 930, 931/15) from Dr. Benjamin 
Hall, Uhiversity of Washington, to clone Schizosaccharomyces pombe 
ENA in Sch izosaccharomyces pombe using approved HV1 Saccharonyces 
cerevisiae/E. coli hybrfcTplasmids as vectors. Dr. Hall requested 
PI as the appropriate level of physical containment. He pointed out 
that Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been the subject of intense 
genetic studies in the laboratory and traditionally has been used to 
ferment beverages for human consumption. 
Dr. Brill moved to approve the request under PI conditions. Dr. Pinon 
concurred. By a vote of seventeen in favor, none opposed, the RAC 
accepted the motion. 
F. Request for Permission to Clone the Tox A Gene of Staphylococcus aureus 
Dr. Maas introduced the request (tab 940) from Drs. A. G. Barbour and 
L. W. Mayer, National Institutes of Health, to clone the pyrogenic 
exotoxin type A (Tbx A) gene of Staphylococcus aureus . The issue is 
whether this is a prohibited experiment under the Guidelines. 
Dr. Maas said Tbx A produces fever, enhances susceptibility to coli 
endotoxin, stimulates immune system T cells, and enhances acquired skin 
reactivity to other antigens. He said Tbx A is less potent that botu- 
linum or tetanus toxin. He said Drs. Barbour and Mayer originally 
requested permission to clone the gene in an HV2 Bacillus subtil is 
host-vector system, but when informed that no HV2 B^ subtilis system 
had been certified to date, requested permission to clone the Tbx A 
gene in an EK2 system. Dr. Maas noted that certification of an HV2 
Bacillus subtilis had been recommended by the RAC at this meeting. 
He preferred that the B^ subtilis host- vector system be used for 
cloning, as Tbx A activates the E. coli endotoxin. He suggested 
that containment conditions specified for cloning toxin genes should 
be based on the pharmacological effect of the toxin. He urged cau- 
tion in concluding that cloning a toxin gene from a mildly pathogenic 
organism in a non-pathogenic host-vector system will present no 
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