bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inositol trisphosphate is generated by a rat natural killer cell tumor in response to target cells or to crosslinked monoclonal antibody OX-34: possible signaling role for the OX-34 determinant during activation by target cells.
Authors: Seaman W E , Eriksson E , Dobrow R , Imboden J B
Published: May 2006

RNK-16 cells, rat leukemia cells with features of natural killer (NK) cells, were adapted for growth in vitro and used to examine the mechanism of NK-cell activation. Contact of RNK-16 cells with tumor cells (YAC-1) that are lysed by NK cells, but not with resistant tumor cells (EL-4, K562), led to an increase in inositol trisphosphate (InsP3), a Ca2+-mobilizing messenger. A similar increase in InsP3 could be elicited in RNK-16 cells by monoclonal antibody OX-34, when the antibody was crosslinked by F(ab')2 fragments of goat antibodies to mouse immunoglobulin. This reaction was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free calcium Ca2+, due primarily to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In contrast to the stimulatory effects of crosslinked OX-34, OX-34 alone did not affect the levels of either InsP3 or cytoplasmic free Ca2+. Moreover, OX-34 alone blocked the generation of InsP3 by RNK-16 cells in response to YAC-1 cells and prevented target-cell killing. These findings demonstrate that OX-34 identifies a structure on the surface of RNK-16 cells that can stimulate the generation of InsP3, and they suggest that this structure can regulate signal transduction during target-cell recognition by NK cells.
Omega-conotoxin: direct and persistent blockade of specific types of calcium channels in neurons but not muscle.
Authors: McCleskey E W , Fox A P , Feldman D H , Cruz L J , Olivera B M , Tsien R W , Yoshikami D
Published: May 2006

Blockade of Ca2+ channels by omega-conotoxin GVIA, a 27 amino acid peptide from the venom of the marine snail Conus geographus, was investigated with patch-clamp recordings of whole-cell and unitary currents in a variety of cell types. In dorsal root ganglion neurons, the toxin produces persistent block of L- and N-type Ca2+ channels but only transiently inhibits T-type channels. Its actions appear to be neuron-specific, since it blocks high-threshold Ca2+ channels in sensory, sympathetic, and hippocampal neurons of vertebrates but not in cardiac, skeletal, or smooth muscle cells. Block occurs through direct interaction of the toxin with an external site closely associated with the Ca2+ channel, without apparent involvement of a second messenger or dependence on channel gating. The tissue and channel-type specificity and the directness and slow reversibility of the block are features that favor use of omega-conotoxin as a tool for purifying particular neuronal Ca2+ channels and defining their physiological function.
The case for an ancestral genetic system involving simple analogues of the nucleotides.
Authors: Joyce G F , Schwartz A W , Miller S L , Orgel L E
Published: May 2006

The idea that the first living systems on earth were based on self-replicating RNA molecules has recently become popular as a result of the discovery of ribozymes. However, there are several major problems associated with the prebiotic synthesis of ribonucleotides. In addition, there is the newly recognized problem of enantiomeric cross-inhibition, whereby template-directed polymerization involving one enantiomer of RNA is inhibited strongly by the presence of the other enantiomer. Here we propose that RNA was preceded in the evolution of life by a polymer constructed from flexible, acyclic, probably prochiral nucleotide analogues that were synthesized readily on the primitive earth. Several potentially prebiotic nucleotide analogues are considered in this context, and some of the consequences of this proposal are discussed.
Cloning and heterologous expression of a gene cluster for the biosynthesis of tetracenomycin C, the anthracycline antitumor antibiotic of Streptomyces glaucescens.
Authors: Motamedi H , Hutchinson C R
Published: May 2006

Through complementation of mutations specifically blocking the biosynthesis of tetracenomycin C by Streptomyces glaucescens and selecting for resistance to tetracenomycin C in Streptomyces lividans, all of the genes for the production of tetracenomycin C were inserted in pIJ702, a high copy-number Streptomyces gene cloning vector. The tcm biosynthetic and resistance genes occur as a single cluster in the S. glaucescens genome and are expressed in heterologous streptomycete hosts like S. lividans, resulting in the overproduction of pigmented intermediates of the tetracenomycin C biosynthetic pathway.
Induction of cytotoxicity in resting human T lymphocytes bound to tumor cells by antibody heteroconjugates.
Authors: Jung G , Ledbetter J A , Müller-Eberhard H J
Published: May 2006

An in vitro model for peripheral human T-cell activation and resultant tumor cell killing is described. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be generated from resting lymphocytes by incubation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells for 3 days with the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3. Cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells can also be induced by adding an anti-target-OKT3 antibody conjugate and 10% (vol/vol) fetal calf serum to the culture medium. Conjugate activation of T cells was almost completely blocked, however, when 20% (vol/vol) human serum was added to the medium. Conjugate-mediated peripheral blood mononuclear cells activation was restored to some extent by the addition of melanoma target cells to the culture and was markedly enhanced by a second conjugate containing anti-target cell and anti-CD28 antibody. Monoclonal antibody 9.3 (anti-CD28) provides a progression signal in T-lymphocyte activation when used in combination with anti-CD3. Thus, presentation by the tumor target cells of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 to resting human lymphocytes causes T-cell activation, which is independent of monocytes, proceeds in the presence of human serum, and results in tumor cell killing.
Transposition of bacteriophage Mu in the Legionnaires disease bacterium.
Authors: Mintz C S , Shuman H A
Published: May 2006

Legionnaires disease is an acute respiratory disease that is often fatal for immunocompromised patients. The causative agent of this disease, Legionella pneumophila, is a Gram-negative bacterium that is present in a variety of aquatic environments. L. pneumophila is a facultative intracellular parasite; it grows within human phagocytic cells and eventually causes their destruction. In contrast to many other intracellular parasites, L. pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacterium that can be grown in standard microbiological culture medium. To determine the factors that enable this organism to enter, survive, and multiply within human mononuclear phagocytes, we chose bacteriophage Mu, a powerful genetic tool that transposes within the host cell genome, to generate insertion mutations and gene fusions in the Legionella genome. Certain derivatives of Mu are able to generate fusions between target genes and the lac operon from Escherichia coli. We have determined that although Mu is unable to attach to L. pneumophila or complete its life cycle within Legionella, it does transpose within the Legionella genome. Transposition was detected with a mini-Mu phage that carries the lac operon of E. coli.
A human beta-actin expression vector system directs high-level accumulation of antisense transcripts.
Authors: Gunning P , Leavitt J , Muscat G , Ng S Y , Kedes L
Published: May 2006

We have constructed a mammalian expression vector consisting of 3 kilobases of the human beta-actin gene 5' flanking sequence plus 5' untranslated region and intervening sequence 1 linked at the 3' splice site to a short DNA polylinker sequence containing unique Sal I, HindIII, and BamHI restriction endonuclease sites followed by a simian virus 40 (SV40) polyadenylylation signal. Two derivatives, containing the selection markers obtained from pSV2gpt or pSV2neo, were also generated. We find that the promoter activity of this vector is a great or greater than that of the SV40 early promoter in a variety of human and rodent cells. The vector was used to generate gamma-actin and beta-tubulin antisense transcripts in human fibroblast cell lines. The antisense transcripts accumulate to levels comparable with that of the highly abundant gamma-actin and beta-tubulin mRNAs.
Parathyroid hormone-related protein purified from a human lung cancer cell line.
Authors: Moseley J M , Kubota M , Diefenbach-Jagger H , Wettenhall R E , Kemp B E , Suva L J , Rodda C P , Ebeling P R , Hudson P J , Zajac J D
Published: May 2006

A protein with biological activities similar to parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been purified from serum-free culture medium obtained from a human lung cancer cell line (BEN). A major protein band of 18 kDa was obtained on NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels, with faint bands at 35 kDa and 67 kDa. Biological activity was associated only with the 18-kDa band. Amino acid sequence analysis of the material purified by HPLC revealed that 8 of the 16 residues were identical with those of human PTH. Antibody raised to a corresponding synthetic peptide recognized the PTH-related material but showed less than 1% cross-reactivity with human PTH amino-terminal peptides. BEN cells contained PTH DNA, but not PTH messenger RNA, indicating involvement of another gene. The purified PTH-related protein had a specific biological activity approximately equal to 6 times greater than that of bovine PTH(1-34). The PTH-related protein may have a role in the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.
Mapping a region associated with Na channel inactivation using antibodies to a synthetic peptide corresponding to a part of the channel.
Authors: Meiri H , Spira G , Sammar M , Namir M , Schwartz A , Komoriya A , Kosower E M , Palti Y
Published: May 2006

Antibodies to the synthetic peptide (carrier-coupled) corresponding to amino acids 210-223 of the primary sequence of eel Na channel (C1+ peptide) were generated. The antipeptide antibodies were used to identify functional roles as well as the accessibility from the external membrane surface of the C1+ domains. Rabbit antipeptide antibodies bound specifically to the C1+ synthetic peptide and to an eel membrane fraction bearing a high density of Na channels. When applied to the external surface of cultured dorsal root ganglion cells obtained from newborn rats, the antibodies modify Na channel inactivation by shifting the steady-state Na current-inactivation parameter, h infinity, curve to more negative potentials in fast and slow Na currents. The rate of inactivation of the slow channel is shown to be increased. The antibodies do not have a significant effect on activation of the channels. Part of the amino acid sequence corresponding to C1+ peptide is therefore accessible, in the mammalian Na channel, from the external membrane surface and is associated with the inactivation gate.
Enhancement of choleragen ADP-ribosyltransferase activities by guanyl nucleotides and a 19-kDa membrane protein.
Authors: Tsai S C , Noda M , Adamik R , Moss J , Vaughan M
Published: May 2006

Choleragen activates adenylate cyclase by catalyzing, in the presence of NAD, the ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha, the stimulatory guanyl nucleotide-binding protein of the cyclase system. Kahn and Gilman [Kahn, R. A. & Gilman, A. G. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 7906-7911] identified another guanyl nucleotide-binding protein termed ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) that stimulated this reaction. It was proposed that the toxin substrate is an ARF-Gs alpha complex and that ARF may have a physiological role in regulation of Gs alpha activity. We have found that purified ARF from bovine brain enhances not only the ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha but also Gs alpha-independent choleragen-catalyzed reactions. These are (i) ADP-ribosylation of agmatine, a low molecular weight guanidino compound; (ii) ADP-ribosylation of several proteins unrelated to Gs alpha; and (iii) auto-ADP-ribosylation of the toxin A1 peptide. These reactions, as well as the ADP-ribosylation of ARF itself, were stimulated by GTP or stable GTP analogues such as guanyl-5'-yl imido-beta gamma-diphosphate and guanosine 5'-O-[gamma-thio]triphosphate; GDP and guanosine 5'-O-[beta-thio]diphosphate were inactive. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that ARF interacts directly with the A subunit of choleragen in a GTP-dependent fashion thereby enhancing catalytic activity manifest as transfer of ADP-ribose to Gs alpha and other proteins, to the toxin A1 peptide, or to agmatine. It is tempting to speculate that ARF may be involved in regulating one or another of the ADP-ribosyltransferases found in animal cells.
Amplification and rearrangement of the Kirsten ras oncogene in virus-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells during malignant tumor progression.
Authors: Radinsky R , Kraemer P M , Raines M A , Kung H J , Culp L A
Published: May 2006

Analyses of the cellular and viral Kirsten ras genes (c-Ki-ras and v-Ki-ras, respectively) during malignant tumor progression were performed by using Kirsten murine sarcoma virus-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells that harbor a replication-defective provirus. After injection into athymic nude mice by four different routes, primary tumors and secondary lung metastases were isolated, adapted to in vitro growth, and analyzed for DNA levels and mRNA expression of both genes for comparison with the originally injected transformed cells and untransformed 3T3 cells. For all tumors (primary or secondary), the v-Ki-ras gene was amplified and v-Ki-ras mRNA expression was highly elevated above that observed in the original transformed cell population. In two of five lung metastases from the i.v. and footpad injection routes, rearranged Ki-ras DNA sequences were observed. Micrometastases from the s.c. route of injection did not display these alterations. Injection of footpad lung tumor cells with rearrangements into a second group of animals led to multiple lung metastases with even further rearrangements correlating with more effective lung colonization/growth ability (overt lung tumors in five of eight animals less than 20 days after injection). However, reinjection of an i.v. lung tumor with rearranged Ki-ras led to no further rearrangements in the lung microfoci tumors isolated greater than 40 days after injection. These data suggest (i) the significance of amplification and elevated expression of v-Ki-ras in tumor formation, (ii) correlation of this amplification with more effective tumor progression, and (iii) the selective advantage that cells with Ki-ras DNA sequence additions have in the formation of overt lung tumors.
Metabolism of 5-fluorouracil to an N-cholyl-2-fluoro-beta-alanine conjugate: previously unrecognized role for bile acids in drug conjugation.
Authors: Sweeny D J , Barnes S , Heggie G D , Diasio R B
Published: May 2006

Recently we demonstrated clinically significant levels of a previously unrecognized metabolite of the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (FUra) in bile of cancer patients. In the present study, reanalysis of bile from these patients demonstrated the presence of not one but two previously unrecognized metabolites. The major unrecognized metabolite was purified by reversed-phase HPLC, after which its molecular weight was determined by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry to be 497. The similarity in HPLC retention times and molecular weights of this FUra derivative and the bile acids N-cholylglycine (Mr 465) and N-cholyltaurine (Mr 515), along with the structural similarity of the FUra catabolite 2-fluoro-beta-alanine and the amino acids glycine and taurine, led to the hypothesis that this metabolite could be a conjugate of 2-fluoro-beta-alanine and cholic acid. This hypothesis was tested and confirmed by hydrolyzing the purified metabolite by cholylglycine hydrolase after which: 2-fluoro-beta-alanine was demonstrated by using a sensitive HPLC technique capable of resolving all of the known putative FUra metabolites, and unconjugated cholic acid was identified by both GC and GC-MS. Additionally, chemically synthesized N-cholyl-2-fluoro-beta-alanine was shown to cochromatograph on HPLC and TLC with the purified biliary metabolite. In summary, this study demonstrates a unique, so far as we know, pathway of drug metabolism in man in which an amino acid drug metabolite is conjugated with cholic acid and eliminated into the bile. Furthermore, the finding that 2-fluoro-beta-alanine is conjugated to bile acids may provide some insight into the mechanism of cholestasis that is frequently observed after administration of fluoropyrimidine by hepatic arterial infusion.
Myomodulin: a bioactive neuropeptide present in an identified cholinergic buccal motor neuron of Aplysia.
Authors: Cropper E C , Tenenbaum R , Kolks M A , Kupfermann I , Weiss K R
Published: May 2006

When Aplysia are initially exposed to food stimuli, their biting responses show progressive increases in speed and strength. The accessory radula closer (ARC) buccal muscles have been used to study this phenomenon, and it has been shown that changes in ARC muscle contraction are partially due to activity of a serotonergic neuron that modulates this muscle, by both a direct action and an action on two ARC motor neurons (B15 and B16). The motor neurons use acetylcholine as their excitatory transmitter, but they also contain bioactive peptides that can potentiate muscle contractions when they are exogenously applied. Motor neuron B15 contains the structurally related small cardioactive peptides A and B, whereas motor neuron B16 contains a different peptide--termed myomodulin. In the present study we determined the full amino acid sequence of myomodulin. Myomodulin is present in the ARC muscle, and exogenous application of the peptide potentiates ARC muscle contractions in a manner similar to the potentiation by small cardioactive peptides A and B. The structure of myomodulin, however, bears little resemblance to the small cardioactive peptides. Thus it appears that ARC muscle contractions may be regulated by at least three distinct classes of neuromodulators: serotonin, the small cardioactive peptides, and myomodulin.
Dopamine regulates expression of the glandular-type kallikrein gene at the transcriptional level in the pituitary.
Authors: Pritchett D B , Roberts J L
Published: May 2006

A glandular-like kallikrein enzyme, a member of a well-characterized family of specific arginyl endopeptidases that may be involved in prohormone processing, has previously been shown to be present in the anterior and neurointermediate lobes of the rat pituitary. We isolated glandular-like kallikrein cDNAs from cDNA libraries prepared from these two tissues. By nucleotide sequence, restriction endonuclease, solution hybridization/nuclease protection, and blot analyses, we showed that, of the 8-10 rat kallikrein-encoding genes, it is the true glandular kallikrein mRNA that is expressed in both pituitary lobes. RNA blot-hybridization analysis of anterior and neurointermediate lobe pituitary RNA revealed a kallikrein mRNA of approximately equal to 900 base pairs. As analyzed by blot-hybridization and solution hybridization/nuclease protection analyses, the true glandular kallikrein mRNA was present at low levels: approximately equal to 0.05% of total mRNA in both male and female neurointermediate lobes. Similar low levels of the glandular kallikrein mRNA were found in the male anterior lobe, whereas the levels were 10- to 15-fold higher in the female anterior lobe. In vivo administration of a dopamine agonist (bromocryptine) or antagonist (haloperidol) caused a decrease or increase, respectively, in the amount of true glandular kallikrein mRNA in the neurointermediate lobe of both sexes that closely paralleled changes in proopiomelanocortin mRNA levels. Bromocryptine decreased and haloperidol increased true glandular kallikrein mRNA levels in the female anterior lobe but had no effect in the male anterior lobe. Nuclear transcription run-on studies showed that the changes in mRNA were due, at least in part, to parallel effects of haloperidol on kallikrein gene transcription. Thus, these studies have demonstrated that the pituitary expresses the glandular-type member of the kallikrein gene family and that dopaminergic compounds elicit changes in kallikrein mRNA, at least in part, by modulating transcription. In the intermediate lobe, regulation of true glandular kallikrein gene expression is parallel to that of proopiomelanocortin gene expression, suggesting that the enzyme may play a physiological role in the production and/or secretion of the proopiomelanocortin peptides in this tissue.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II: identification of autophosphorylation sites responsible for generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence.
Authors: Lai Y , Nairn A C , Gorelick F , Greengard P
Published: May 2006

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II contains two types of subunit, alpha (Mr 50,000) and beta (Mr 60,000/58,000), both of which undergo Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent autophosphorylation. Autophosphorylation is known to convert the enzyme to a Ca2+/calmodulin-independent form. In the present study, we have characterized the autophosphorylation sites on rat forebrain Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II that are most likely to be responsible for the generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence. Under conditions (0 degree C, low concentrations of ATP) sufficient to generate close to maximal Ca2+/calmodulin-independence, only a few of the phosphorylatable sites on the enzyme became phosphorylated. These autophosphorylation sites were examined by phospho amino acid analysis, two-dimensional thermolytic phosphopeptide mapping, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The time course of phosphorylation of threonine in both alpha and beta subunits was similar to the time course of the generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence. Moreover, the time course of phosphorylation of one set of peptides, referred to as peptide 1/1', present in both alpha and beta subunits was similar to the time course of the generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence. Threonine was the only amino acid phosphorylated in peptide 1/1'. An additional peptide, referred to as peptide 2, was phosphorylated in the beta subunit. The time course of phosphorylation of peptide 2, which also contained only phosphothreonine, did not parallel the time course of the generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence. It is likely that the phosphorylation of a threonine residue on peptide 1/1' is responsible for the generation of Ca2+/calmodulin-independence of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.
Identification of an acetylation site of Chlamydomonas alpha-tubulin.
Authors: LeDizet M , Piperno G
Published: May 2006

An acetylation site of Chlamydomonas axonemal alpha-tubulins was identified near, or within, the binding site of 6-11B-1, a monoclonal antibody specific for posttranslationally acetylated alpha-tubulins. In a first approach, axonemal proteins were hydrolyzed by formic acid, cyanogen bromide, or chymotrypsin and analyzed with immunoblots. The smallest alpha-tubulin peptide retained on nitrocellulose and containing antibody-binding site(s) was found to span amino acids 37-138 (alpha 37-138). A smaller antibody-binding peptide, identified as alpha 25-50, was obtained by complete digestion of alpha-tubulin with chymotrypsin. This fragment was purified by reversed-phase HPLC and assayed by its ability to bind 6-11B-1 in solution. Determination of the amino acid sequences of alpha 37-138 and alpha 25-50 showed that residue 40 in axonemal alpha-tubulin is epsilon N-acetyllysine. A sequence very similar to Chlamydomonas alpha 25-50 is found in the majority of alpha-tubulins analyzed so far. However, the corresponding region is markedly divergent in some alpha-tubulin isoforms from chicken, Drosophila, and yeast.
Transforming growth factor type beta induces monocyte chemotaxis and growth factor production.
Authors: Wahl S M , Hunt D A , Wakefield L M , McCartney-Francis N , Wahl L M , Roberts A B , Sporn M B
Published: May 2006

Recent studies have focused on the potential role of transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-beta) as an immunoregulatory peptide. In this context, we demonstrate that TGF-beta is a potent chemoattractant for human peripheral blood monocytes. At concentrations from 0.1 to 10 pg/ml, TGF-beta induces directed monocyte migration in vitro. Consistent with this observation is the expression of high-affinity TGF-beta receptors on the monocytes with a Kd of 1-10 pM. At higher concentrations of TGF-beta (greater than or equal to 1 ng/ml), monocytes are stimulated to generate biologically active mediator(s) that enhance fibroblast growth. Gene expression for one of these growth factors, interleukin 1, is induced in monocytes within hours after exposure to TGF-beta. Thus, TGF-beta may provide an important signal for monocyte recruitment and for regulation of their synthesis of mediators of fibroblast growth and activity in wound healing.
Mutants of embryonal carcinoma cells defective in the expression of embryoglycan.
Authors: Dráber P , Malý P
Published: May 2006

Embryonal carcinoma cells defective in the expression of developmentally regulated carbohydrate epitope of teratocarcinoma cells (TEC-1) were isolated from mutagenized P19X1 and P19S1801A1 cells by a single-step selection technique using monoclonal antibody TEC-01 conjugated to plant toxin ricin. Three independently isolated mutant cell lines were characterized in detail. Analysis of the expression of the TEC-1 epitope in somatic cell hybrids constructed between wild-type and mutant cells and between two mutant cell types revealed that the mutant phenotypes are recessive and that the mutants belong to, at least, two complementation groups. Each mutant cell line exhibited a unique binding pattern of four monoclonal antibodies and five lectins, and different properties of large glycopeptides were distinguished by Sephadex G-50 column chromatography. The combined data suggest that our mutants identify three genes involved in the synthesis of embryoglycan, one of which appears to be the regulatory or structural gene for fucosyltransferase. One mutant cell line was completely deprived of embryoglycan and several carbohydrate structures typical of early embryonic and embryonal carcinoma cells; however, the cells were similar to parental cells in their morphology, their ability to form aggregates when cultured in suspension, their ability to differentiate into neuron-like cells after treatment with retinoic acid, and their ability to form tumors composed of embryonal carcinoma cells. Thus, embryoglycan is not required for the expression of a number of properties of the embryonal carcinoma phenotype.
Amplification and deregulation of MYC following Epstein-Barr virus infection of a human B-cell line.
Authors: Lacy J , Summers W P , Watson M , Glazer P M , Summers W C
Published: May 2006

In Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt lymphoma (BL) the role of EBV in the translocation and deregulation of the MYC oncogene remains unknown. By utilizing an EBV-negative BL (BJAB) and several EBV-positive sublines derived from it by in vitro infection, it was possible to show that the presence of the virus was associated with altered expression and copy number of MYC. In the EBV-negative BJAB line, the level of MYC transcripts declined progressively as cells approached the stationary phase of growth. In contrast, in EBV-infected BJAB cells MYC expression remained elevated as cells entered stationary phase. This effect on MYC expression was reversibly linked to the presence of the virus. Furthermore, following EBV infection of BJAB cells by two different strains of EBV, amplification of MYC in association with the appearance of a homogeneously staining region on chromosome 8 at the mapped location of MYC had occurred. These studies suggest that both the deregulation of MYC transcription and the chromosomal rearrangement in the region of the MYC locus in this B-cell line may have occurred as a result of EBV infection.
Complete nucleotide sequence of a gene conferring polymyxin B resistance on yeast: similarity of the predicted polypeptide to protein kinases.
Authors: Boguslawski G , Polazzi J O
Published: May 2006

Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that kills sensitive cells by disrupting their membranes. We have cloned a wild-type yeast gene that, when present on a high-copy-number plasmid, renders the cells resistant to the drug. The nucleotide sequence of this gene is presented. A single open reading frame within the sequence has the potential to encode a polypeptide (molecular mass of 77.5 kDa) that shows strong homologies to polypeptides of the protein kinase family. The gene, PBS2, located on chromosome X, is not allelic to the previously described PBS1 gene (where PBS signifies polymyxin B sensitivity). Although pbs1 mutations confer resistance to high levels of polymyxin B, double mutants, pbs1 pbs2, are not resistant to the drug, indicating that PBS2 is essential for pbs1 activity. Models based on the proposed protein kinase activity of the PBS2 gene product are presented to explain the interaction between PBS1 and PBS2 gene products involved in conferring polymyxin B resistance on yeast cells.
Extensive families of constant region genes in a phylogenetically primitive vertebrate indicate an additional level of immunoglobulin complexity.
Authors: Kokubu F , Hinds K , Litman R , Shamblott M J , Litman G W
Published: May 2006

A homologous probe for the constant region of the Heterodontus francisci (horned shark) immunoglobulin heavy chain was used to screen a genomic DNA library constructed in bacteriophage lambda, and a large number of independent clones were recovered. Their hybridization patterns with segment-specific probes are consistent with the close linkage of heavy-chain constant (CH), joining (JH), and variable (VH) gene segments. Differences in the nucleotide sequences of the first CH exon of five genes primarily are localized to 5' positions; extended regions of sequence identity are noted at 3' positions. The predicted amino acid sequences of each gene are different and are related distantly to the corresponding regions of higher vertebrate immunoglobulins. Gene-specific oligodeoxynucleotide probes were used to establish that at least three of the five genes are transcriptionally active. Quantitative gene titration data are consistent with the large numbers of genes suggested by the library screening analyses. In this representative early vertebrate, it appears that (VH-diversity-JH) segments are associated with individual constant region genes that can differ at the predicted protein level.
Integration of
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
transfer DNA (T-DNA) involves rearrangements of target plant DNA sequences
Authors: Gheysen Godelieve , Montagu Marc Van , Zambryski Patricia
Published: May 2006

The transfer DNA (T-DNA) mobilized into plant cells by
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
seems to integrate rather randomly into the plant genome. We analyzed a target site in the genome of
Nicotiana tabacum
before and after integration of a T-DNA. Clones presenting right and left T-DNA/plant DNA junctions were used as probes to identify and isolate a unique 1.8-kilobase
Eco
RI fragment corresponding to the plant DNA target site for a T-DNA insertion event. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the plant DNA portions of the T-DNA junction clones with the original plant DNA target revealed that several types of rearrangements resulted from insertion of the T-DNA. The most dramatic alteration was a 158-base-pair direct repeat of target plant sequences at the left and right T-DNA junctions. In addition, there were deletion and insertion events at the ends of the right and left copies of the 158-base-pair repeat. The variety of target-site rearrangements suggests that T-DNA insertion is a multistep process of recombination accompanied by local replicative and repair activities mediated by host-cell enzymes.
Dissociation of bradykinin-induced prostaglandin formation from phosphatidylinositol turnover in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts: evidence for G protein regulation of phospholipase A2.
Authors: Burch R M , Axelrod J
Published: May 2006

In Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts bradykinin stimulated inositol phosphate (InsP) formation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. The EC50 values for stimulation of PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation by bradykinin were similar, 200 pM and 275 pM, respectively. Guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate stimulated PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation, and guanosine-5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate inhibited both PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation stimulated by bradykinin. Neither bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis nor InsP formation was sensitive to pertussis toxin. Phorbol ester, dexamethasone, and cycloheximide distinguished between bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate enhanced bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but inhibited bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. Pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone for 24 hr inhibited bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but was without effect on bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. Cycloheximide inhibited bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but was without effect on bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. When bradykinin was added to cells prelabeled with [3H]choline, the phospholipase A2 products lysophosphatidylcholine and glycerophosphocholine were generated. In cells pretreated with dexamethasone, lysophosphatidylcholine and glycerophosphocholine formation induced by bradykinin were inhibited. Treatment of cells with phorbol ester enhanced bradykinin-induced formation of these metabolites. The data suggest that bradykinin receptors are coupled by GTP-binding proteins to both phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 and that phospholipase A2 is the enzyme that catalyzes release of arachidonate for prostaglandin synthesis.
Visualization of multiple opioid-receptor types in rat striatum after specific mesencephalic lesions.
Authors: Eghbali M , Santoro C , Paredes W , Gardner E L , Zukin R S
Published: May 2006

In order to gain insight into a possible modulatory role for mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, we investigated the topographical organization of the receptors with respect to pre- and postsynaptic membranes. Dopaminergic terminals projecting from the substantia nigra to the corpus striatum were destroyed by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the substantia nigra. Quantitative receptor assays using highly specific radioligands were used to measure the density of striatal mu, delta, and kappa receptors before and after denervation. Denervation caused a 34 +/- 2% loss of striatal mu receptors and a 32 +/- 1% loss of striatal delta receptors on the lesioned side of the brain; in contrast, kappa receptors did not change significantly in density. Quantitative in vitro autoradiography was used to visualize the neuroanatomical pattern of receptors on lesioned and nonlesioned sides of the brain under the light microscope. Loss of mu receptors in striatal patches was striking in the ventrolateral areas of the striatum, whereas the most notable loss of delta receptors was found in the central striatum. Other brain areas did not differ significantly in mu receptor density between the lesioned and nonlesioned sides, as determined by autoradiography. These findings suggest that a high percentage of mu and delta receptors in the striatum are located on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic terminals and support the concept of a modulatory role for mu and delta opioid peptides in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway.
Expression of human extracellular superoxide dismutase in Chinese hamster ovary cells and characterization of the product.
Authors: Tibell L , Hjalmarsson K , Edlund T , Skogman G , Engström A , Marklund S L
Published: May 2006

A complementary DNA clone from human placenta, encoding human extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD; superoxide:superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1), has recently been isolated and characterized. An expression plasmid, based on the EC-SOD complementary DNA, was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). The transfected cells secreted human EC-SOD to the culture medium. The secreted recombinant (r) EC-SOD was isolated in high yield with a three-step procedure beginning with immobilized monoclonal anti-EC-SOD antibodies. The properties of the rEC-SOD were compared with native (n) EC-SOD isolated from human umbilical cords. The specific activities and amino-terminal amino acid sequences were identical. The amino acid compositions were virtually identical and very similar to the composition deduced from the complementary DNA sequence. Both rEC-SOD and nEC-SOD contained 4 Cu and 4 Zn atoms per molecule, and the presence of Zn in EC-SOD is thus now established. The rEC-SOD produced is type C, since its affinity for heparin-Sepharose was identical to that of nEC-SOD type C. Both enzymes bound to concanavalin A, lentil lectin, and wheat germ lectin and are thus glycoproteins. rEC-SOD and nEC-SOD seem to have the same subunit structure and composition as analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel chromatography.
Autonomous replication of plasmids bearing monkey DNA origin-enriched sequences.
Authors: Frappier L , Zannis-Hadjopoulos M
Published: May 2006

Twelve clones of origin-enriched sequences (ORS) isolated from early replicating monkey (CV-1) DNA were examined for transient episomal replication in transfected CV-1, COS-7, and HeLa cells. Plasmid DNA was isolated at time intervals after transfection and screened by the Dpn I resistance assay or by the bromodeoxyuridine substitution assay to differentiate between input and replicated DNA. We have identified four monkey ORS (ORS3, -8, -9, and -12) that can support plasmid replication in mammalian cells. This replication is carried out in a controlled and semiconservative manner characteristic of mammalian replicons. ORS replication was most efficient in HeLa cells. Electron microscopy showed ORS8 and ORS12 plasmids of the correct size with replication bubbles. Using a unique restriction site in ORS12, we have mapped the replication bubble within the monkey DNA sequence.
Binding of two desmin derivatives to the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope of avian erythrocytes: evidence for a conserved site-specificity in intermediate filament-membrane interactions.
Authors: Georgatos S D , Weber K , Geisler N , Blobel G
Published: May 2006

Using solution binding assays, we found that a 45-kDa fragment of desmin, lacking 67 residues from the N terminus, could specifically associate with avian erythrocyte nuclear envelopes but not with plasma membranes from the same cells. It was also observed that a 50-kDa desmin peptide, missing 27 C-terminal residues, retained the ability to bind to both membrane preparations. Displacement experiments with an excess of purified vimentin suggested that the two desmin derivatives were interacting with a previously identified vimentin receptor at the nuclear envelope, the protein lamin B [Georgatos, S. & Blobel, G. (1987) J. Cell Biol. 105, 117-127]. Additional analysis by affinity chromatography confirmed this conclusion. Employing an overlay assay, we demonstrated that the 50-kDa fragment, but not the 45-kDa desmin peptide, was capable of interacting with the plasma membrane polypeptide ankyrin (a known vimentin attachment site), as was intact vimentin. Conversely, the nuclear envelope protein lamin B was recognized by both fragments but not by a chymotryptic peptide composed solely of the helical rod domain of desmin. These data imply that the lamin B-binding site on desmin resides within the 21 residues following its helical rod domain, whereas the ankyrin-associating region is localized within its N-terminal head domain, exactly as in the case of vimentin.
Direct evidence for a receptor-ligand interaction between the T-cell surface antigen CD2 and lymphocyte-function-associated antigen 3.
Authors: Takai Y , Reed M L , Burakoff S J , Herrmann S H
Published: May 2006

The recognition of foreign antigen by T lymphocytes requires direct contact with cells expressing the antigen. It has recently become clear that T lymphocytes can form conjugates with other cells in the absence of foreign antigen expression. Studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to inhibit conjugate formation have suggested that a portion of the antigen-dependent adhesion is mediated by T lymphocytes interacting with cells expressing lymphocyte-function-associated antigen 3 (LFA-3), a widely distributed cell surface protein. We have investigated antigen-independent adhesion by incorporating affinity-purified LFA-3 into the lipid membrane of an artificial target cell (ATC; a nylon-matrix vesicle with a lipid membrane). These vesicles are similar in size and density to intact cells, so that conjugates between cells and ATCs may be seen by light microscopy. ATCs expressing a density of LFA-3 similar to that on intact cells were found to form conjugates with T cells, but only if the T cells expressed the sheep erythrocyte receptor, CD2 (T11; LFA-2). Previous studies using mAbs have implicated the CD2 molecule in both adhesion and T-cell activation. ATCs prepared without surface protein or with purified HLA class I protein failed to interact with the CD2-positive T cells, indicating that the adhesion found was mediated by the LFA-3 molecule. Furthermore, mAb against LFA-3 or CD2 was able to block the LFA-3-mediated vesicle-cell interaction, whereas mAb against LFA-1 or HLA failed to inhibit the interaction. These results provide direct evidence that LFA-3 functions as an adhesion molecule by serving as a ligand for the CD2 molecule on T cells.
Molecular characterization of the murine cytotoxic T-cell membrane glycoprotein Ly-3 (CD8).
Authors: Panaccio M , Gillespie M T , Walker I D , Kirszbaum L , Sharpe J A , Tobias G H , McKenzie I F , Deacon N J
Published: May 2006

The murine Ly-2/3 glycoprotein is a surface marker of T cells restricted by class I major histocompatibility complex antigens. It is a disulfide-bonded heterodimer in which either the alpha or alpha' polypeptide chain encoded by Ly-2 is covalently linked to the beta polypeptide chain encoded by Ly-3. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of the murine Ly-3 cDNA, isolated by using the rat Ly-3 cDNA clone pX9.15, together with the amino acid sequence of Ly-3.1 peptides and the N terminus, are presented here. The alignment of peptide data from the Ly-3.1 antigen with that of the predicted amino acid sequence of the Ly-3.2 antigen confirmed that the putative Ly-3 cDNA clones do in fact encode the Ly-3 protein. The Ly-3.2 cDNA clones encode a protein of 213 amino acids, which includes a 21-residue leader sequence and structural features in common with immunoglobulin variable, joining, and hinge regions. Searches of protein data bases revealed that Ly-3 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily with significant homology to Ly-2, immunoglobulin variable region kappa and lambda light chains, and the beta chain of the T-cell receptor. A single N-linked glycosylation site was found at asparagine-13. The relative expression of two mRNA species (approximately 1.3 and 2.3 kilobases) varied according to the source of mRNA. A murine B1 repeat was located in the 3' untranslated region of Ly-3 cDNA clones.
Stable expression and replication of hepatitis B virus genome in an integrated state in a human hepatoma cell line transfected with the cloned viral DNA.
Authors: Tsurimoto T , Fujiyama A , Matsubara K
Published: May 2006

A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Huh6-c15) was transfected with a recombinant DNA molecule that consists of tandemly arranged hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and a neomycin-resistant gene. One clone resistant to G-418 produces and releases surface antigen and e antigen into medium at a high level and accumulates core particles intracellularly. This clone has a chromosomally integrated set of the original recombinant DNA and produces a 3.5-kilobase transcript corresponding to the pregenome RNA as well as HBV DNAs in an extrachromosomal form. Most of these DNAs were in single-stranded or partially double-stranded form and were packaged in the intracellular core particles. In the medium, particles were detected that contained HBV DNA and were morphologically indistinguishable from Dane particles. These results demonstrate that the HBV genome in an integrated state acted as a template for viral gene expression and replication. The cells were maintained for more than 6 months without losing the ability to produce the extrachromosomal HBV DNA and Dane-like particles. Thus, the cells can be used as a model system for analyses of gene expression and DNA replication of HBV in human hepatocytes.
Constitutive overexpression of a growth-regulated gene in transformed Chinese hamster and human cells.
Authors: Anisowicz A , Bardwell L , Sager R
Published: May 2006

Comparison by subtractive hybridization of mRNAs revealed a moderately abundant message in highly tumorigenic CHEF/16 cells present at very low levels in closely related nontumorigenic CHEF/18 cells. After cloning and sequencing the corresponding cDNA, computer comparison showed closest homology with the human connective tissue-activating peptide III (CTAP III). The human tumor cell cDNA hybridizing with the Chinese hamster clone was isolated, sequenced, and found to have closer similarity to the Chinese hamster gene than to CTAP III. Thus, the cloned cDNAs from Chinese hamster and human cells represent a different gene, named gro. Studies of its transcriptional regulation have shown that expression is tightly regulated by growth status in normal Chinese hamster and human cells and relaxed in the tumorigenic cells so far examined.
Role in T-cell activation for HLA class I molecules from accessory cells: further distinction between activation signals delivered to T cells via CD2 and CD3 molecules.
Authors: Huet S , Boumsell L , Raynal B , Degos L , Dausset J , Bernard A
Published: May 2006

The immunological function of major histocompatibility complex molecules, including HLA class I molecules, is to present antigens and/or their processed peptides to various lymphocyte subpopulations. Thus, they play a pivotal role in regulatory interactions between cells of the immune system, which can result in the activation and function of T cells. We looked for a role of major histocompatibility complex molecules during T-cell activation induced by monoclonal antibody (mAb) or combinations of mAb recognizing the two well-characterized T-cell surface molecules CD3 and CD2. To activate T-cell peripheral blood lymphocytes, we used a CD3 mAb or two different pairs of CD2 mAb, CD2 "GT2 + T11(1)" and CD2 "D66 + T11(1)," which, as we have previously shown, deliver different signals of activation to T cells. Anti-HLA class I mAb blocked the activation induced by CD3 mAb or by CD2 GT2 + T11(1), but it did not block activation induced by CD2 D66 + T11(1). We observed this pattern of inhibition according to the stimulus used to activate T cells both when the anti-HLA class I mAbs were added to cultures of whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells and when they were fixed to monocytes only. In the latter case, purified monocytes were first incubated with the anti-HLA mAb (whether whole immunoglobulin or Fab fragment) and then fixed with paraformaldehyde before culture with autologous purified T cells. Anti-HLA class I fixed on monocytes prevented both interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression and IL-2 synthesis on T cells. The inhibitory effects of anti-class I mAb bound to monocytes were not reversed by adding large amounts of recombinant IL-2 or recombinant IL-1, a finding consistent with the observations that accessory cells surface components can fully complement the signals directly delivered to T cells by CD2 or CD3 mAb. We conclude that HLA class I from accessory cells plays an important role in the early phase of T-cell activation when direct contacts between accessory cells and T cells are required.