30 
XXI. RBQUEST TO CLONE THE GQiETIC EETE3WINANT OF THE TOOaC-SHOCK SYNDROME CAUSED 
BBf gTAPHYLOODOCUS AURRB 
Cr. Mason initiated the review of a proposal (tabs 1008, 1015/Xl) fron 
Dr. Richard Novidc of the Public Heedth Research Institute of the City of 
New York, Inc. Cr. Novick requested permission to clone in St^gahyloooccus 
yreus the genetic determinant of the toxio-shock syndrome caus^ by 
5. aureus . Dr. Novick stated that reoambin^mt ENA techniques pronise the 
most rapid and direct means of unraveling the biology of the determinant 
and of the disease. He requested permission to conduct the experiments 
under P2 oontaiment using aureus strain RN 450, which is non-hemolytic, 
non-pigmented, and lacking any (fetectable prophage. Dr. Mason said he 
felt the work should be done but said containment should probably be 
assessed at the P3 level. Cr. Levine said the proposed was not suffi- 
ciently amplified; too little data had been submitted to permit a fair 
appraised. Cr. Holmes agreed, he said he would like to examine additioned 
information on the toxin and on the enfeebled ^ aureus strain to be used 
as a host. 
Dr. Novick noted that the RAC at a previous meeting had eipproved the 
cloning of the S. ainreus TbxA gene in B. subtilis at P3. He acknitted that 
the exact cause of the syndrcroe has nck~been elucidated and said he hoped 
to identify the toxin's role through these studies. 
Dr. Nightingale 8^Lid the presentation was not well-prepared. She felt 
that the information available on toxic-shock syndrone may not be sufficient 
to permit a reasonable appraisal of the proposed experiments. She requested 
addition^d data. 
Dr. Maas said that currently there is a state of confusion as to which 
toxin is the cause of toxic shock syndrome. He felt the issues should be 
clarified before permission is given to begin cloning the toxin gene. 
Dr. Qottesman said the previous RAC approval to clone the S. aureus Tox A 
gene stipulated P3 containment oonditicxis with an HV2 Bacillus subtilis 
host-vector system. She questioned t^iether ^ aureus would be a safer 
host-vector system than an HV2 B. subtilis host-vector system. The toxin's 
capacity to potentiate other toxli^ is also an issue. Dr. Novick said he 
would withdraw his proposal and attarpt to provide better documentation 
at a future time. 
(1191 
