bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
gamma-Aminobutyric acid and benzodiazepine receptors: copurification and characterization.
Authors: Gavish M , Snyder S H
Published: May 2006

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors have been solubilized and purified by procedures such as gel filtration, ion-exchange, lectin, and affinity chromatographies. All of these procedures enhance the specific activity of each receptor to a similar extent. The drug specificities of [3H]muscimol and [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites are the same after extensive purification by affinity chromatography compared to the membrane bound and initially solubilized receptors. GABA and chloride stimulation of benzodiazepine binding is retained in pure receptors. Two bands are covalently labeled with [3H]flunitrazepam after ultraviolet irradiation of the purified receptor. The persistent association of GABA, benzodiazepine, and chloride recognition sites after extensive purification suggests that they may be part of a single macromolecular complex.
Two adrenal opioid polypeptides: proposed intermediates in the processing of proenkephalin.
Authors: Stern A S , Jones B N , Shively J E , Stein S , Undenfriend S
Published: May 2006

Two enkephalin-containing polypeptides of 3600 and 4900 daltons have been isolated from extracts of bovine adrenal medulla, purified to homogeneity, and analyzed by a combination of automated Edman degradation and enzymatic time course hydrolysis. The 4900-dalton polypeptide contains two copies of enkephalin, one an internal [Met]enkephalin sequence, the other a [Leu]enkephalin sequence at the carboxyl terminus. Sequence analysis of the 3600-dalton polypeptide has not been completed, but the polypeptide has been shown to contain a single [Met]enkephalin sequence followed by an -Arg-Phe linkage that forms the carboxyl terminus of the molecule. On the basis of these and other findings, we propose that the above enkephalin-containing polypeptides are intermediates in the biosynthesis of the enkephalins and that they are generated by posttranslational processing from a large multivalent enkephalin precursor molecule, proenkephalin. The term "multivalent" is used to indicate a polypeptide with many identical functional sequences.
Carbohydrate chains on yeast carboxypeptidase Y are phosphorylated.
Authors: Hashimoto C , Cohen R E , Zhang W J , Ballou C E
Published: May 2006

Carboxypeptidase Y, a vacuolar enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was digested with endo-beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase H to release the four oligosaccharide chains that are linked to asparagine in the glycoprotein. The oligosaccharides were fractionated into a neutral and acidic component, and the latter proved to phosphorylated. From its gel filtration pattern, the neutral fraction was shown to be a mixture of at least four homologs, the smallest of which had a proton NMR spectrum almost identical to that given by an IgM oligosaccharide with eight mannoses and one N-acetylglucosamine [Cohen, R. E. & Ballou, C. E. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 4345--4358]. The yeast oligosaccharide has one additional mannose unit in an alpha 1 leads to 3 or alpha 1 leads to 6 linkage, whereas the larger homologs appear to have two, three, and four more mannose units. One phosphorylated oligosaccharides with a mannose/phosphate ratio of 12.5 was reduced with NaB3H4 and then subjected to mild acid hydrolysis. This released mannose and mannobiose that were glycosidically linked to the phosphate group, whereas complete acid hydrolysis yielded D-mannose 6-phosphate. The recovered oligosaccharide phosphomonoester, which contained 11 or 12 mannose units, was digested exhaustively with alpha-mannosidase, and the product of this reaction was treated with alkaline phosphatase, which yielded radioactive Man3GlcNAcH2. These results suggest that the mannosidase-resistant phosphorylated oligosaccharide has the structure Man leads to P leads to 6 alpha Man leads to alpha Man leads to 6 beta Man leads to 4GlcNAcH2, in which some of the phosphate groups are substituted with mannobiose instead of mannose. A second phosphorylated oligosaccharide with a mannose/phosphate ratio of 6.5 probably contains two phosphodiester groups, but its structure has not been investigated in detail.
Mutator phenotypes in mammalian cell mutants with distinct biochemical defects and abnormal deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools.
Authors: Weinberg G , Ullman B , Martin D W
Published: May 2006

Recent studies of in vitro DNA synthesis have shown that fidelity of replication is influenced by the relative concentrations of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). Several investigators have used reconstituted prokaryotic replication systems to copy defined natural templates and have shown that specific incorporation errors can be induced by an appropriate bias of the precursor pools. The recent demonstration of mutator phenotypes among mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines with altered intracellular dNTP pools has allowed extension of the in vitro observations to eukaryotic replication and repair mechanisms. We describe here three mutant murine T-lymphosarcoma cell lines with altered dNTP pools and increased rates of spontaneous mutation to dexamethasone resistance and 6-thioguanine resistance. Unlike previously described mammalian cells with mutator phenotypes, these three lines have demonstrable defects in known structural gene products. Two of these cell lines are heterozygous for mutations affecting the M1 subunit of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase; the other mutant is deficient in deoxycytidylate deaminase. In each cell line these mutations result in deranged endogenous dNTP pools and increased rates of spontaneous mutation, which are shown to be characteristic of the cell line and independent of the two genetic markers examined. Furthermore, normalization of the dNTP pools of the deaminase-deficient cells suppresses its mutator phenotype. Thus, abnormal dNTP pools seem to cause enhanced mutagenesis in mammalian cells.
Induction of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and Lyt antigens with thymosin: identification of multiple subsets of prothymocytes in mouse bone marrow and spleen.
Authors: Goldschneider I , Ahmed A , Bollum F J , Goldstein A L
Published: May 2006

Thymosin (fraction 5 and synthetic alpha 1 peptide) induced prothymocytes in mouse bone marrow and spleen to express terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT; DNA nucleotidylexotransferase; nucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidylexotransferase, EC 2.7.7.31) or Lyt-1+, 2+, 3+ alloantigens (or both) after brief incubation in vitro. Three antigenic phenotypes were generated: (i) TdT+ Lyt+, (ii) TdT- Lyt+, and (iii) TdT+ Lyt-. The TdT+ Lyt+ phenotype was expressed by 80% of prothymocytes in bone marrow and 30% of prothymocytes in spleen from normal mice. The TdT- Lyt+ phenotype was expressed by 81% of prothymocytes in bone marrow from athymic mice. More than 80% of TdT+ bone marrow cells from normal and athymic mice expressed Lyt antigens after thymosin treatment. We interpret these observations as suggesting that (i) most TdT+ hemopoietic cells in normal and athymic mice are thymocyte progenitors; (ii) two independent lineages of prothymocytes exist, one that expresses TdT and another that does not, (iii) commitment of prothymocytes to the TdT+ cell pathway is partially regulated by a thymic feedback mechanism; and (iv) the bone marrow preferentially produces TdT+ prothymocytes, whereas the spleen may serve as a repository for TdT- prothymocytes. A model of T-cell development is presented in which the thymus functions as a compound organ to process TdT+ and TdT- thymocytes progenitors and to generate two lines of T cells.
T cell-dependent activation of resting B cells: requirement for both nonspecific unrestricted and antigen-specific Ia-restricted soluble factors.
Authors: Anderson J , Melchers F
Published: May 2006

Cloned murine helper T cells, restricted to the Iab antigens of the major histocompatibility locus and specific for horse erythrocytes as a foreign antigen, produce, in cooperation with antigen and histocompatible adherent cells, soluble factors that replace the helper T cells in their action on B cells. Three types of factors can be distinguished on the basis of molecular weight: proteins having apparent Mr 30,000 (p30) that act antigen- and Ia-nonspecifically as replication- and maturation-inducing factors and proteins having apparent Mr 55,000 (p55) and 125,000 (p125) that act on resting B cells in an Ia-specific, restricted fashion. Neither horse erythrocytes (a T-cell specific antigen) nor p55 and p125, alone or together, stimulate resting B cells to proliferation and maturation. Double occupancy by antigen and p55 or p125, however, renders Ia-compatible, but not Ia-incompatible, resting B cells susceptible to stimulation. The subsequent addition of p30 to these "excited" B cells then results in the proliferation and maturation of clones of horse erythrocyte-specific resting B cells, which then replicate under the stimulatory action of p30. p30 do not bind antigen, nor do they bind anti-Ia or anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. p55 are bound by anti-heavy chain variable region antibodies. p55 are bound by anti-heavy chain variable region antibodies, but not by anti-heavy or anti-light chain constant region antibodies or anti-Ia antibodies. p125 molecules bind horse but not sheep erythrocytes and are bound by anti-heavy chain variable region, but not by anti-heavy or light chain constant region or anti-Ia antibodies. p55 and p125 are likely to be soluble analogues of the antigen-specific, Ia-restricted T-cell receptors of the cloned helper T cells.
Rous sarcoma virus infection of synchronized cells establishes provirus integration during S-phase DNA synthesis prior to cellular division.
Authors: Humphries E H , Glover C , Reichmann M E
Published: May 2006

Synchronized chicken embryo fibroblasts, prepared by addition of serum to stationary cells arrested in Go, were exposed to the Prague strain of Rous sarcoma virus. At different times during the cell cycle, high molecular weight DNA was prepared from infected cells and examined for the presence of newly integrated viral DNA sequences. The results demonstrate that newly integrated viral sequences were first detected during S-phase DNA synthesis 9 hr after infection. The presence of colchicine prevented cellular division and delayed the appearance of progeny virus but it did not affect the appearance of viral specific DNA in the high molecular weight fraction of cellular DNA. Our results indicate that provirus integration, occurring during S-phase DNA synthesis, does not require cell division. Previous experiments have demonstrated that Rous sarcoma virus infection of chicken embryo fibroblasts requires cell division to initiate viral RNA synthesis and the production of progeny virus. The findings presented in this report support the hypothesis that division of the infected cells is required for an event that controls viral expression at the level of the integrated provirus.
Neurite outgrowth from embryonic chicken spinal neurons is promoted by media conditioned by muscle cells.
Authors: Henderson C E , Huchet M , Changeux J P
Published: May 2006

The effect of media conditioned by muscle cells on the development in vitro of chicken spinal neurons was studied. Neural tube cells of 4.5-day chicken embryos were dissociated after trypsinization and cultured in serum-free minimum essential medium conditioned for 4 days over cultures of fused chicken myotubes. After 20 hr in conditioned medium (protein concentration, 10--50 microgram/ml), about 50% of surviving cells had extended neurites, whereas in cultures in nonconditioned medium this value was about 10%. The active factor(s) in conditioned medium is macromolecular and its activity was completely destroyed by incubation with trypsin. Concentrated samples of conditioned medium were analyzed by gel filtration on columns of Sepharose CL-6B. The activity was recovered in peaks with apparent molecular weights of 40,000 and 500,000 and at the exclusion volume of the column. Media conditioned neurite-promoting activity but at lower levels. No activity was detected in Nerve Growth Factor, insulin, fetal calf serum, or horse serum or in media conditioned by chicken lung, chicken heart, or C6 glioma cells.
π cation radicals of ferrous and free base isobacteriochlorins: Models for siroheme and sirohydrochlorin
Authors: Chang C. K. , Hanson L. K. , Richardson P. F. , Young R. , Fajer J.
Published: May 2006

Theoretical and experimental optical, redox, and paramagnetic results are presented for models of siroheme, the iron isobacteriochlorin prosthetic group of nitrite and sulfite reductases, and of sirohydrochlorin, the metal-free siroheme that is an intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway to vitamin B
12
. The facile oxidation of many isobacteriochlorins, which distinguishes them from porphyrins and chlorins, suggests that the siroheme macrocycle itself may undergo oxidation in the multi-electron enzymatic cycles that reduce nitrite to ammonia and sulfite to hydrogen sulfide. Extended Hückel MO calculations (
i
) help rationalize the redox properties of isobacteriochlorins compared with those of porphyrins and chlorins; (
ii
) indicate that Fe(II) pyridine carbonyl[(py) (CO)] complexes of isobacteriochlorins, unlike those of porphyrins and chlorins, should undergo oxidation from the macrocycle rather than the metal to yield π cation radicals; (
iii
) suggest that, in hexacoordinated Fe(II) isobacteriochlorin complexes, the site of oxidation—i.e., the metal or the macrocycle—will depend on the ligand field induced by the axial ligands; and (
iv
) predict similar unpaired spin density profiles for metal-free and (py) (CO)Fe(II) isobacteriochlorin radicals. Experimental data for three isomeric free-base and (py) (CO)Fe(II) complexes of dimethyloctaethylisobacteriochlorins support the theoretical calculations and establish the existence of Fe(II) isobacteriochlorin π cations
in vitro
.
Molecular cloning and characterization of winter flounder antifreeze cDNA.
Authors: Lin Y , Gross J K
Published: May 2006

Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from partially purified winter flounder antifreeze mRNA and inserted into the endonuclease Pst I site of plasmid pBR322 by the poly(dG).poly(dC) homopolymer extension technique. The recombinant plasmids wee used to transform Escherichia coli. Clones containing antifreeze cDNA inserts were identified by the hybridization-selection technique. One of the inserts, 380 nucleotides in length, was digested with endonucleases Sau3AI and HinfI, which cleaved the insert into three fragments. The nucleotide sequences of these fragments were determined. The cDNA contains the entire coding sequence for a possible antifreeze peptide, including the leader sequence. The predicted amino acid sequence is similar to but not identical to one of the known sequences of antifreeze peptide. Within the cDNA are three segments of repeating sequences. The basic repeating sequence of 11 amino acids is maintained in the amino acid sequence coded by the cDNA and in the antifreeze peptide.
Protein kinase activity of RNA polymerase I purified from a rat hepatoma: probable function of Mr 42,000 and 24,600 polypeptides.
Authors: Rose K M , Stetler D A , Jacob S T
Published: May 2006

RNA polymerase I was purified to homogeneity from Morris hepatoma 3924A. Purified RNA polymerase I contained a protein kinase activity but comigrated with the polymerase in nondenaturing gels. RNA polymerase II, purified from the same hepatoma, lacked protein kinase activity. Analysis of the subunit composition of the RNA polymerase I showed the presence of eight polypeptides: S1, Mr 190,000; S2, Mr 120,000; S3, Mr 62,000; S4, Mr 42,000; S5, Mr 24,600; S6, Mr 21,000; S7, Mr 19,500; and S8, Mr 17,500. Antibodies prepared against purified polymerase I specifically inhibited RNA synthesis catalyzed by RNA polymerase I. When subunits of the enzyme were covalently linked to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, complexes between the antibody preparation and S1-S6 were visualized. No immune complexes were formed between RNA polymerase I antibodies and RNA polymerase II subunits. The antibody preparation was able to inhibit both the protein phosphorylation catalyzed by RNA polymerase I and that catalyzed by a nuclear kinase (NII) purified from the same hepatoma. The two polypeptides of the nuclear kinase--Mr 42,000 and 24,600 (identical in size to S4 and S5 of polymerase I)--formed visible complexes with the RNA polymerase I antibodies. Both S4 and S5 of the polymerase contained an ATP binding site, a property associated with protein phosphorylation and also exhibited by the polypeptides of the purified kinase. These data suggest that polypeptides of Mr 42,000 and 24,600 associated with polymerase I are responsible for its kinase activity.
Role of glycosylation and protein synthesis in insulin receptor metabolism by 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes.
Authors: Reed B C , Ronnett G V , Lane M D
Published: May 2006

The roles of glycosylation and protein synthesis in the maintenance of insulin receptor levels and turnover rates in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated. The heavy isotope density-shift technique was employed to determine the effects of inhibitors of these processes on the rates of synthesis and degradation of cellular insulin receptors. Inhibitors of protein synthesis--i.e., cycloheximide and puromycin--markedly decreased the rate of degradation of the insulin receptor, the half-life for receptor decay increasing from 7.5 hr without to 25 hr with inhibitor. The continued synthesis of a short-lived protein appears to be necessary for normal insulin receptor turnover. Tunicamycin, a potent inhibitor of core oligosaccharide addition in the formation of N-glycosidically linked glycoproteins, caused the depletion of cell-surface and total cellular detergent-extractable insulin receptors. This inhibitor totally prevented the formation of functional newly synthesized insulin receptor, yet receptor degradation was affected minimally. Thus, glycosylation of the receptor appears to be required for its activation after translation.
p53 transformation-related protein: detection of an associated phosphotransferase activity.
Authors: Jay G , Khoury G , DeLeo A B , Dippold W G , Old L J
Published: May 2006

Malignant cells of the mouse transformed by a variety of different agents have been found to express high levels of a 53,000 Mr phosphoprotein (designated p53). Little or no p53 can be detected in normal mouse cells. The nucleus appears to be the predominant site of p53 localization in transformed cells. p53-related antigens are also found in transformed cells of rat, hamster, rabbit, and human. In cells transformed by simian virus 40 (SV40), p53 forms a complex with SV40 tumor (t) antigen, resulting in the coprecipitation of T antigen by monoclonal p53 antibodies. Immune complexes of p53 precipitated from extracts of SV40- or methylcholanthrene-transformed cells by monoclonal p53 antibodies have protein kinase activity. This enzymatic activity is dependent upon divalent cations, utilizing Mn2+ more effectively than Mg2+. The phosphorylation of p53 in this kinase reaction has been found to involve serine and threonine, but not tyrosine residues. In view of the finding that the transforming proteins of several different oncogenic viruses have kinase activity, the association of this activity with p53 is important with regard to the possibility of a common pathway of transformation by diverse agents.
Probing the molecular structure of phytochrome with immobilized Cibacron blue 3GA and blue dextran
Authors: Smith William O.
Published: May 2006

Phytochrome was shown to bind to agarose-immobilized Cibacron blue 3GA. A higher affinity of the dye for the putative biologically active form (P
fr
) than the inactive form (P
r
) of phytochrome was observed. Effective general eluants of P
r
included 40% (vol/vol) ethylene glycol, 1% Triton X-100, or 0.5 M potassium iodide. Increasing ionic strength (1 M KCl) did not effectively elute phytochrome. Of the natural cofactors that have been reported to be analogues of the dye, NAD
+
, NADH, NADP
+
, cyclic AMP, AMP, ADP, ATP, and coenzyme A at a concentration of 10 mM would not elute phytochrome. At 10 mM, FMN eluted at least 65% of the bound P
r
, whereas FAD eluted 40%. Blue dextran/agarose was found to bind P
fr
but exhibited essentially no affinity for P
r
. Phytochrome that was bound as P
fr
could be subsequently released by photoconversion to P
r
. Because of the high degree of selectivity that the blue dye and its dextran conjugate exhibit for the P
fr
form of phytochrome and the known property of the dye as an analogue of natural ligands of proteins, it is proposed that the dye and its conjugate may be used as probes of a binding domain on the phytochrome protein that is important to its biochemical action.
Inducibility of spleen focus-forming virus by BrdUrd is controlled by the differentiated state of the cell.
Authors: Greiser-Wilke I , Ostertag W , Goldfarb P , Lang A , Furusawa M , Conscience J F
Published: May 2006

All Friend cells--except thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21)-deficient mutants--are highly inducible for the release of biologically active spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) after exposure to BrdUrd. We studied SFFV production in somatic cell hybrids made between Friend leukemia cells (FLC) and cells expressing various differentiation programs. High inducibility of SFFV and release of constitutive Friend virus (FV) and SFFV are eliminated in all hybrids in which the potential for erythroid differentiation is suppressed. FV release and its induction by BrdUrd are unchanged in hybrids that maintain the expression of erythroid differentiation.
Hormonal regulation of cytodifferentiation and intercellular communication in cultured granulosa cells.
Authors: Amsterdam A , Knecht M , Catt K J
Published: May 2006

Granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized diethylstilbestrol-treated rats displayed pronounced intracellular and intercellular changes after 48 hr of exposure to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in vitro. As determined by light and electron microscopy, most of the FSH-treated cells became highly aggregated and grew in multilayered clusters. Numerous gap junctions were seen between cells, indicating the presence of significant intercellular communication. Microvilli densely covered the surface of the hormone-stimulated cells, which contained enlarged mitochondria with convoluted cristae, characteristic of steroidogenic cells. Luteinizing hormone receptors, identified by autoradiography with 125I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin, were mainly associated with aggregated cells, whereas single cells were usually free of the labeled hormone. Addition of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist prevented the appearance of luteinizing hormone receptors and markedly impaired cyclic AMP and progesterone production, as well as the morphological changes induced by FSH. The majority of the granulosa cells grown in the absence of either hormone assumed a flattened, and smooth shape and grew primarily in monolayers. The maintenance of cellular aggregation and intercellular communication by FSH, and its inhibition by gonadotropin-releasing hormone, may play an important role in the cytodifferentiation of ovarian granulosa cells.
Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents induce the luminescence system of luminous bacteria and their dark variants.
Authors: Ulitzur S , Weiser I
Published: May 2006

Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents such as ethidium bromide, theophylline, and caffeine induce luminescence in dark variants (K variants) different luminous species of bacteria, as well as in their wild-type luminous cells, prior to induction. The increase in luminescence appears 10-20 min after addition of these agents and is inhibited by chloramphenicol or rifampicin. Addition of these agents affects the synthesis of both luciferase and aldehyde-synthesizing enzymes. It is hypothesized that these agents, through their intercalation into DNA, cause configurational changes resulting in derepressed transcription of the luminescence operon.
Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase: cleavages and attachment of lipid during cotranslational secretion.
Authors: Smith W P , Tai P C , Davis B D
Published: May 2006

The penicillinase of Bacillus licheniformis is shown to be secreted cotranslationally. In extracts it was formed by membrane-associated but not by free polysomes; and after extracellular labeling of cells, followed by completion of the growing chains on polysomes in vitro, labeled penicillinase could be immunoprecipitated. This product contained electrophoretic peaks of Mr 36,000, 33,000, and 29,000, which correspond to previously reported forms of the enzyme. The Mr 36,000 form exhibits moderate hydrophobicity, as expected of a precursor with an NH2-terminal signal sequence for secretion. In addition, part of the Mr 33,000 fraction evidently contains a lipid: it is even more hydrophobic, and [2-3H]glycerol was found to be incorporated into these molecules but not into the other forms of the enzyme. These findings renew the earlier, discarded suggestion that the Mr 33,000 membrane-bound penicillinase in the cells contains lipid. The incorporation of lipid and two different cleavages can evidently all occur during growth of the penicillinase chain. Moreover, the resulting terminal regions are all accessible to extracellular labeling on growing chains. Several additional, unidentified lipoproteins also incorporate lipid during chain growth.
Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase synthesized in Escherichia coli contains covalently linked fatty acid and glyceride.
Authors: Lai J S , Sarvas M , Brammar W J , Neugebauer K , Wu H C
Published: May 2006

DNA sequence analysis of the structural gene for Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase has revealed a tetrapeptide sequence of Leu-Ala-Gly-Cys within the NH2-terminal part of the precursor form of penicillinase (penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6). The same tetrapeptide occurs in the signal sequence of the prolipoprotein of Escherichia coli, and the cysteine residue in the tetrapeptide of prolipoprotein is modified to form glyceride-cysteine which becomes the NH2 terminus of Braun's lipoprotein. On the basis of labeling, with [2-3H]glycerol, [3H]palmitate, [35S]methionine, and [35S]sulfuric acid, of an E. coli strain lysogenic for a lambda vector containing the penicillinase gene from B. licheniformis and of immunoprecipitation with rabbit antisera against purified B. licheniformis penicillinase, we conclude that B. licheniformis penicillinase synthesized in E. coli contains covalently linked glyceride and fatty acid. These results strongly suggest the operation of a modification system in E. coli, and presumably in other Gram-negative bacteria, which results in the formation of a glyceride-cysteine residue if the proper peptide sequence is present in the signal sequence of membrane proteins.
Cell multiplication in metazoans: evidence for negative control of initiation in rat fibroblasts.
Authors: Sonnenschein C , Soto A M
Published: May 2006

Experiments were performed to clarify the circumstances under which a rat fibroblast-like cell line proliferated in culture or when injected into syngeneic hosts. Rat FR3T3 and SV40FR3T3 cells in culture multiply exponentially at comparable rates regardless of the horse serum concentration in the culture medium. The concentration of horse serum in the medium determines the length of the exponential phase of cell multiplication. Heat inactivation of the serum for periods as long as 24 hr does not impair the ability of the serum to sustain maximal cell multiplication rates. At low serum concentrations the exponential phase may be prolonged by refeeding the cultures daily with fresh medium. In medium supplemented with 50% fresh rat serum, FRT3T3 and SV403T3 cells are prevented from multiplying by yet undefined component(s) in this serum. This correlates well with the lack of tumor formation by these cells when inoculated into syngeneic hosts. The evidence obtained in culture strongly suggests that the multiplication ability of established cells in culture is a dominant constitutive character of these cells that is expressed whenever they are provided with optimal supply of nutrients and when no specific inhibitory conditions are present. Based on the data presented, we postulate that cell multiplication is a repressible function. These data also are compatible with a negative control mechanism for cell multiplication.
Organization of four mouse lambda light chain immunoglobulin genes.
Authors: Blomberg B , Traunecker A , Eisen H , Tonegawa S
Published: May 2006

We have cloned four lambda light chain constant region (C) genes from mouse embryo DNA. Each carries its own joining (J) segment approximately 1.3 kilobases to its 5' side. The four C genes occur in two clusters, 5' J3C3J1C13' and 5' J2C2J4C43', with C4 being a new C lambda gene. We have also shown that V lambda 1 is joined productively with C lambda 3 in a lambda 3-producing myeloma, and it is most likely that V lambda 1 and V lambda 2 are the only V lambda genes. Based on the analysis of the germ line and rearranged variable region (V) lambda genes in myelomas we argue that the V lambda 1 and V lambda 2 genes are at the 5' side of the C3C1 and C2C4 clusters, respectively. We propose that the two clusters arose by duplication. We also speculate on the role of J-associated DNA sequences in regulation of expression of the lambda subtypes.
Mitochondrial DNA of chloramphenicol-resistant mouse cells contains a single nucleotide change in the region encoding the 3' end of the large ribosomal RNA.
Authors: Blanc H , Wright C T , Bibb M J , Wallace D C , Clayton D A
Published: May 2006

The complete DNA sequence of the rRNA genes of mouse L cell mtDNA provides a basis for the examination of the nucleotide sequence of this region in a mutant mouse cell line that is resistant to chloramphenicol, a known inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Resistance to chloramphenicol (CAPr) is conferred by a cytoplasmic determinant that is linked to mtDNA restriction endonuclease site polymorphisms. We have determined the sequence of a 212-nucleotide region of mtDNA from a CAPr mouse cell line that encodes a portion of the 1582-nucleotide large rRNA. This sequence is located 107-318 nucleotides from the 5' end of the heavy strand coding sequence, which corresponds to the 3' end of the rRNA. There is a single nucleotide difference in the large rRNA gene from CAPr cells, an A-to-G transition 243 nucleotides from the 5' end of the coding sequence. This single transition is located within a region of 10 nucleotides tht is otherwise completely homologous to human and yeast mitochondrial large rRNAs and Escherichia coli 23S rRNA and is positioned immediately adjacent to a single nucleotide transversion known to occur in a yeast CAPr mutant. This characterization of a mammalian mitochondrial mutant at the nucleotide level directly demonstrates that a mutant phenotype may result from a single mtDNA nucleotide change in an animal cell.
Physical linkage of the constant region genes for immunoglobulins lambda I and lambda III.
Authors: Miller J , Bothwell A , Storb U
Published: May 2006

During differentiation from a stem cell to an antibody-secreting cell, the immunoglobulin genes within a B cell undergo a rearrangement that juxtaposes a variable region gene to a constant region gene. To analyze the genetic organization of an immunoglobulin gene family in nonrearranged, germ-line DNA, we have constructed a recombinant DNA library from randomly cleaved mouse kidney DNA fragments. From this library, we have isolated three overlapping recombinant clones containing the constant region gene for lambda I light chains (C lambda I). These clones spanned 24.9 kilobases of mouse DNA and contained no variable region sequences. Hybridization of these clones with lambda II cDNA demonstrated the presence of an additional constant region gene and a joining region 3.2 kilobases 5' of C lambda I. This gene was tentatively identified as C lambda III by the absence of an Ava I endonuclease site, which is present within C lambda II. The C lambda III amino acid sequence has recently been reported [Azuma, T., Steiner, L. A. & Eisen, H. N. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 569-573] and is very closely related to the C lambda II amino acid sequence.
Lumsden-Wilson theory of gene-culture coevolution
Authors: Alper Joseph S. , Lange Robert V.
Published: May 2006

A critique is presented of the Lumsden-Wilson theory [Lumsden, C. J. & Wilson, E. O. (1980)
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
77, 4382-4386] of the transmission of cultural traits. An analysis of the underlying assumptions and the mathematical nature of the theory clarifies its essentially reductionist and determinist qualities. The mathematical functions governing the transition probability that an individual member of a group of a specified size will switch from one trait to an alternative form of that trait is assumed to be genetically controlled although the single independent variable of this function, the number of individuals characterized by each of the two forms of the trait, is environmentally determined. The model assumes that the cultural properties of a society are simply the sum of the properties of the individuals; that each individual is equally influenced by every other member of the group; and that kinship structures, cultural institutions, and historical factors can be neglected.
Quantum statistical mechanical theory of diffusion and reaction on solid surfaces
Authors: Lin S. H. , Ziv Alan R. , Eyring H.
Published: May 2006

We present the derivation of the general kinetic equations of diffusion and diffusion with interaction (or chemical reaction) on solid surfaces (or in dense media) by using the density matrix method. We indicate several problems to which this formalism applies and, in particular, discuss the damping effect on diffusion.
Energy-dependent reversal of the cytochrome oxidase reaction.
Authors: Wikström M
Published: May 2006

Energization of isolated rat liver mitochondria with ATP under conditions in which cytochrome c is poised in a highly oxidized state shifts the state of cytochrome oxidase (cytochrome c oxidase; ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) from fully oxidized to two new spectroscopically distinguishable states depending on the applied phosphorylation potential and redox potential at cytochrome c. Both new states are spectrally similar or identical to two previously described intermediates in the reaction between reduced enzyme and O2. The data suggest that the energy-dependent transitions are due to reversed electron transfer from water to ferricytochrome c linked to accumulation of intermediates of O2 reduction at the catalytic heme a3/copper center. Titrations with redox potential indicate that each transition is a one-electron step, a finding that would identify the second observed compound as enzyme-bound peroxide or its equivalent. This is consistent with this compound being spectrally identical to "Compound C," previously described as the reaction product between half-reduced oxidase (two electrons) and O2. On the basis of these data a catalytic scheme of O2 reduction is proposed for the heme a3/copper center of cytochrome oxidase.
Introduction by molecular cloning of artifactual inverted sequences at the 5' terminus of the sense strand of bovine parathyroid hormone cDNA.
Authors: Weaver C A , Gordon D F , Kemper B
Published: May 2006

To study the structure and function of the gene for parathyroid hormone, we obtained recombinant plasmids containing bovine parathyroid hormone cDNA. The nucleotide sequence at the 5' terminus (relative to the sense strand) of the cDNA insert in a recombinant plasmid, pPTHi4, was different from that previously reported for the bovine parathyroid hormone cDNA insert of another recombinant plasmid, pPTHm1 [Kronenberg, H. M., McDevitt, B. F., Majzoub, J. A., Nathans, J., Sharp, P. A., Potts, J. T., Jr. & Rich, A. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76, 4981-4985]. The first 50 nucleotides of the pPTHm1 insert were an inverted complement of nucleotides 2-51 of the pPTHi4 insert. the cDNA insert of another plasmid, pPTHi8, contained a sequence identical to nucleotides 2-51 of the pPTHi4 insert but also contained an additional 42 bases at the 5' terminus. The first 41 bases of the pPTHi8 insert were an inverted repeat of an internal sequence of the pPTHi4 insert corresponding to nucleotides 184-224. Restriction endonuclease analysis of pPTHi8 indicated that the internal sequence corresponding to this region was retained. The nucleotide sequence of a restriction fragment hybridized to parathyroid hormone mRNA and extended toward the 5' terminus of the mRNA with reverse transcriptase confirmed that the sequence at the 5' terminus of the pPTHi4 insert was an accurate copy of the parathyroid hormone mRNA sequence. These data suggest that two types of sequence rearrangements may occur at the 5' terminus, as occurred in pPTHm1, and (ii) an inverted repeat of an internal sequence, as occurred in pPTHi8.
Purified lexA protein is a repressor of the recA and lexA genes.
Authors: Little J W , Mount D W , Yanisch-Perron C R
Published: May 2006

Escherichia coli shows a pleiotropic response (the SOS response) to treatments that damage DNA or inhibit DNA replication. Previous evidence has suggested that the product of the lexA gene is involved in regulating the SOS response, perhaps as a repressor, and that it is sensitive to the recA protease. We show here that lexA protein is a repressor of at least two genes, recA and lexA. Purified protein bound specifically to the regulatory regions of the two genes, as judged by DNase I protection experiments, and it specifically inhibited in vitro transcription of both genes. The binding sites in recA and lexA were found to be about 20 base pairs (bp) and 40 bp long, respectively. The 40-bp sequence in lexA was composed of two adjacent 20-bp sequences, which had considerable homology to one another and to the corresponding recA sequence. These 20-bp sequences, which we term "SOS boxes," show considerable inverted repeat structure as well. These features suggest that each box represents a single repressor binding site. Finally, we found that purified lexA protein was a substrate for the recA protease in a reaction requiring ATP or an analogue, adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, and denatured DNA.
Three-dimensional structure of the complex of skeletal muscle actin and bovine pancreatic DNAse I at 6-A resolution.
Authors: Suck D , Kabsch W , Mannherz H G
Published: May 2006

The structure of rabbit skeletal muscle actin complexed with bovine pancreatic DNase I has been determined by x-ray crystallographic methods at 6-A resolution. The analysis was based on a new orthorhombic crystal form, space group P212121, with one complex in the asymmetric unit. Six isomorphous heavy-atom derivatives yielding an overall figure of merit of 0.72 have been used to calculate the electron-density map. Molecular models for actin and DNase I derived from this map have dimensions 67 X 40 X 37 A and 50 X 50 X 40 A, respectively. The actin molecule is elongated and consists of a larger and a smaller domain, each containing density regions resembling a central beta-pleated sheet surrounded by alpha-helices. The highest electron-density peak is found in the cleft between the two domains, perhaps indicating the bound ATP. Observed crystal contacts between actin molecules and a model for the F-actin filament are discussed. Two high-affinity Ca2+-binding sites which also bind Ba2+ have been located at the surface of the DNase I molecule.
In vitro synthesis and posttranslational uptake of cytochrome c into isolated mitochondria: role of a specific addressing signal in the apocytochrome.
Authors: Matsuura S , Arpin M , Hannum C , Margoliash E , Sabatini D D , Morimoto T
Published: May 2006

Administration of the thyroid hormone 3,3,5'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) to rats leads to a marked increase in hepatic levels of mRNA for cytochrome c. Messenger RNA prepared from the free polysomes of T3-treated rats directed the in vitro synthesis of a polypeptide which only differed in amino acid sequence from mature cytochrome c in that it contained an NH2-terminal methionine. The in vitro product was incorporated specifically into purified rat liver mitochondria and became inaccessible to added trypsin when the mitochondria were added after translation was completed. Horse heart apocytochrome c, but not the holocytochrome, could compete with the in vitro synthesized polypeptide for its uptake into mitochondria. This suggests that the primary structural features of apocytochrome c, which serve as an addressing signal for mitochondria, are masked after the acquisition of heme and that this process occurs in the mitochondria. The addressing signal seems to be contained in a specific segment of the cytochrome polypeptide because only one fragment generated by CNBr cleavage of horse apocytochrome c, extending from residue 66 to the carboxy end of the molecule, could compete with the in vitro product for its transfer into mitochondria.
Isolation of a taxol-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant that has an alteration in alpha-tubulin.
Authors: Cabral F , Abraham I , Gottesman M M
Published: May 2006

Taxol is a plant alkaloid that has antimitotic activity and appears to stabilize microtubules [Schiff, P. B., Fant, J. & Horwitz, S. B. (1979) Nature (London) 277, 665-667]. Taxol-resistant cells were selected from a population of UV-mutagen-treated Chinese hamster ovary cells by a single-step procedure. These mutants have normal morphologies and growth rates but are 2- to 3-fold more resistant to the toxic effects of the drug than the wild-type parent. One out of 20 mutants screened by two-dimensional electrophoresis for chemical alterations in tubulin had an "extra" spot with a more acidic isoelectric point that alpha-tubulin. This extra spot was shown to be an electrophoretic variant alpha-tubulin by its copurification with tubulin in crude microtubule-containing preparations and by one-dimensional peptide mapping. The alpha-tubulin mutant was found to be temperature sensitive for growth, and this property was used as the basis for the selection of revertants. Seventeen temperature-resistant revertants of the alpha-tubulin mutant were selected for their ability to grow at 40 degrees C and three of these revertants were found to have simultaneously lost their taxol resistance and the electrophoretic variant alpha-tubulin. These results provide evidence that an alteration in alpha-tubulin can confer taxon resistance on a mammalian cell line and suggest that alpha-tubulin is essential for cell viability.
Diffusion of injected macromolecules within the cytoplasm of living cells.
Authors: Wojcieszyn J W , Schlegel R A , Wu E S , Jacobson K A
Published: May 2006

The diffusion of macromolecules introduced into the cytoplasm of human fibroblasts by erythrocyte-mediated microinjection was measured by the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique. The apparent diffusion coefficients for fluorescein-labeled IgG and fluorescein-labeled bovine serum albumin were approximately 10(-8) cm2/sec at 22 degrees C, consistent with the kinetics of spreading of the fluorescent probe following microinjection and approximately 1/70 the values in aqueous buffer. The diffusion of labeled bovine serum albumin was shown to be strongly dependent on temperature and, in fact, similar to that expected in a 61% aqueous sucrose solution. However, the marked reduction in diffusion at 5 degrees C could be fully reversed by incubation with 0.1 mM colchicine. These findings suggest that cytoplasmic diffusion rates are reduced relative to rates in aqueous media as a result of increased aqueous phase viscosity or the impedence provided by structural elements. Several simple models to account for the data are presented.
Ubiquitous cell-surface glycoprotein on tumor cells is proliferation-associated receptor for transferrin.
Authors: Sutherland R , Delia D , Schneider C , Newman R , Kemshead J , Greaves M
Published: May 2006

A murine monoclonal antibody (OKT9) raised against human leukemic cells binds to a wide variety of leukemia and tumor cell lines and to a minority of leukemia cells taken directly from patients. Fetal thymus and liver are strongly reactive as are some normal, immature hemopoietic cells and activated lymphocytes. Reactivity with OKT9 appears to correlate with proliferation status in both normal and malignant populations. Biochemical analysis indicates that this structure is a approximately equal to 180,000-dalton glycoprotein with two disulfide-bonded subunits of approximately equal to 90,000-daltons. Isolation of the transferrin receptor from a T-cell line (MOLT-4) indicates that it also has a dimeric approximately equal to 180,000-dalton structure. Radio-labeled transferrin bound to its receptors can be specifically precipitated by the monoclonal OKT9, although the latter does not bind transferrin itself, indicating that the antigenic structure defined by this antibody is likely to be the transferrin receptor.
Distinct forms of both alpha and beta subunits are present in the human Ia molecular pool.
Authors: Accolla R S , Gross N , Carrel S , Corte G
Published: May 2006

Two distinct subsets of human Ia molecules, called NG1 and NG2, present in all individuals irrespective of their HLA-DR phenotype, which were previously defined by their reactivity with two monoclonal hybridoma antibodies, D1--12 and D4--22, were analyzed by two-dimensional peptide mapping techniques. Results show that, in the Ia molecular pool from a single individual, small beta subunits of the NG1 and NG2 subsets display significant differences from each other. In addition, beta subunits of the same subset from two different allotype Ia molecular pools are also different from each other, thus indicating that NG1 and NG2 subsets carry polymorphic specificities. Moreover, large alpha chains of NG1 and NG2 subsets are different from each other; however, no significant differences are observed in alpha chains of the same subset when different allotype Ia pools are analyzed. The possible genetic implications of these findings are discussed.
Platelet factor 4 is chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes.
Authors: Deuel T F , Senior R M , Chang D , Griffin G L , Heinrikson R L , Kaiser E T
Published: May 2006

Platelet factor 4 is shown to be a chemotactic protein for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes at concentrations found in human serum and reached locally in injured tissue. The maximum chemotactic response to platelet factor 4 nearly equals that achieved with saturating concentrations of the chemotactic activity derived from the fifth component of human complement, C5. Cells desensitized to C5 chemotactic activity retain chemotactic responsiveness to platelet factor 4. Serum contains inhibitory capacity against the chemotactic activity associated with platelet factor 4. Our results suggest that the local release of platelet factor 4 may be an important stimulus attracting inflammatory cells to sites of blood vessel injury.
Isolation and characterization of human actin genes.
Authors: Engel J N , Gunning P W , Kedes L
Published: May 2006

We have utilized cloned actin genes from Drosophila melanogaster and from chicken to isolate 12 actin gene fragments from a human DNA library. Each of these 12 clones was shown to contain actin coding regions by its ability to selectively hybridize to human actin mRNA as assayed by in vitro translation. The translation product was judged to be actin on the basis of its comigration with authentic actins when electrophoresed on one- and two-dimensional NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels and on the basis of its partial proteolysis products. Determination of the sizes and order of the fragments generated by restriction endonuclease digestion of each of these recombinant phages allows us to conclude that they are nonallelic and are from nonoverlapping regions of the genome. We have used these cloned human actin genes and the Drosophila and chicken actin gene clones to show that the human genome contains 25-30 EcoRI fragments homologous to actin genes and that, among three nonconsanguineous individuals tested, none of these fragments exhibit length or restriction-site polymorphism.