bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene activates protein-tyrosine kinases Fyn and Lck in the HPB-ALL human T-cell line and increases tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1, formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and mobilization of intracellular calcium.
Authors: Archuleta M M , Schieven G L , Ledbetter J A , Deanin G G , Burchiel S W
Published: May 2006

Previous studies have shown that the immunosuppressive and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) impairs Ca(2+)-dependent transmembrane signaling in human and murine lymphocytes. The purpose of the present studies was to analyze potential mechanisms of immunosuppression by DMBA and to examine effects on Ca2+ homeostasis and antigen-receptor signaling in human T cells. DMBA produced a rapid and sustained increase in Ca2+ levels in HPB-ALL cells by release of cytoplasmic Ca2+. DMBA also inhibited anti-CD3/CD4 mobilization of Ca2+ in HPB-ALL cells, with half-maximal inhibition occurring at approximately 4 hr. Thus, the kinetics for initial Ca2+ mobilization and inhibition of the anti-CD3/CD4 response differed. The rapid rise in intracellular Ca2+ induced by DMBA alone was accompanied by a rapid but transient increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1. The pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation induced by DMBA in HPB-ALL cells was remarkably similar to that induced by anti-CD3/CD4 activation. Thus, DMBA-induced phosphorylation may mimic antigen-receptor activation in T cells, which may lead to alterations in antigen responsiveness. The mechanism of DMBA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 may have been due to an increase in protein-tyrosine kinase activity, since it was found that DMBA produced a > 2-fold increase in the activity of the T-cell receptor-associated Src-family kinases Fyn and Lck. The kinetics of activation of protein-tyrosine kinases demonstrated that Fyn activity was increased within 10 min of exposure to DMBA, whereas maximal Lck activation required 30 min. Thus, it is likely that the Fyn kinase or other protein-tyrosine kinases may be responsible for the early tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1, which results in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate release and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.
Plants that express a potyvirus proteinase gene are resistant to virus infection.
Authors: Maiti I B , Murphy J F , Shaw J G , Hunt A G
Published: May 2006

Transgenic tobacco plants that express the genome-linked protein/proteinase-coding region of the potyvirus tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) were produced and tested for their reaction to inoculation with TVMV and two other potyviruses. These plants did not develop disease symptoms after being inoculated with large doses of TVMV but were as susceptible to infection by the other potyviruses as were control plants. Lines of tobacco that express the coat protein- or the nonstructural cylindrical inclusion protein-coding regions were also produced. The coat protein transgenic plants were protected against all three potyviruses, and the cylindrical inclusion transgenic plants were susceptible to all three potyviruses. These results indicate that some, but not all, TVMV genes can be used to confer protection against potyviruses in plants. The results also suggest that combinations of viral genes in transgenic plants might improve protection against potyviruses.
Transsynaptic neuronal loss induced in hippocampal slice cultures by a herpes simplex virus vector expressing the GluR6 subunit of the kainate receptor.
Authors: Bergold P J , Casaccia-Bonnefil P , Zeng X L , Federoff H J
Published: May 2006

Patients with severe temporal lobe epilepsy lose neurons within the CA3 and hilar regions of the hippocampus. Loss of CA3 and hilar neurons was also induced by transducing organotypic hippocampal slice cultures with a replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector expressing the GluR6 kainate subtype of the glutamate receptor (HSVGluR6). In transduced fibroblasts, HSVGluR6 expressed a M(r) 115,000 protein that reacted with anti-GluR6 serum. After exposure of fibroblast to HSVGluR6, a kainate-dependent toxicity appeared in cells that were previously resistant to kainate. Microapplication of nanoliter amounts of recombinant HSV stocks into organotypic hippocampal slice cultures resulted in localized transduction and gene transfer at the site of microapplication. Microapplication of 100 HSVGluR6 virions into CA3 stratum pyramidale induced a large loss of CA3 pyramidal cells and hilar neurons, despite the small number of transduced neurons. This effect was not seen when 100 virions of HSVGluR6 were microapplied to CA1 stratum pyramidale. Tetrodotoxin or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists inhibited the large loss of CA3 and hilar neurons, suggesting that the small cluster of HSVGluR6-transduced cells induced an N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent transsynaptic loss of non-transduced neurons.
An alkylation-tolerant, mutator human cell line is deficient in strand-specific mismatch repair.
Authors: Kat A , Thilly W G , Fang W H , Longley M J , Li G M , Modrich P
Published: May 2006

The human lymphoblastoid MT1 B-cell line was previously isolated as one of a series of mutant cells able to survive the cytotoxic effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). MT1 cells nevertheless remain sensitive to mutagenesis by MNNG and display a mutator phenotype. These phenotypes have been attributed to a single genetic alteration postulated to confer a defect in strand-specific mismatch repair, a proposal that attributes the cytotoxic effect of DNA alkylation in wild-type cells to futile attempts to correct mispairs that arise during replication of alkylated template strands. Our results support this view. MNNG-induced mutations in the HPRT gene of MT1 cells are almost exclusively G.C-->A.T transitions, while spontaneous mutations observed in this mutator cell line are single-nucleotide insertions, transversions, and A.T-->G.C transitions. In vitro assay has demonstrated that the MT1 line is in fact deficient in strand-specific correction of all eight base-base mispairs. This defect, which is manifest at or prior to the excision stage of the reaction, is due to simple deficiency of a required activity because MT1 nuclear extracts can be complemented by a partially purified HeLa fraction to restore in vitro repair. These findings substantiate the idea that strand-specific mismatch repair contributes to alkylation-induced cytotoxicity and imply that this process serves as a barrier to spontaneous transition, transversion, and insertion/deletion mutations in mammalian cells.
Loss of erythropoietin responsiveness in erythroid progenitors due to expression of the Evi-1 myeloid-transforming gene.
Authors: Kreider B L , Orkin S H , Ihle J N
Published: May 2006

Inappropriate expression of the Evi-1 zinc-finger gene in hematopoietic cells has been associated with acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes in murine models and in humans. Consistent with this, previous studies have shown that aberrant expression of the Evi-1 gene in a myeloid progenitor cell line blocks granulocytic differentiation. Here we demonstrate that the aberrant expression of the Evi-1 gene impairs the normal response of erythroid cells or bone-marrow progenitors to erythropoietin. Erythroid differentiation has been shown to require the GATA-1 transcription factor that binds to a sequence contained within the consensus binding sequence identified for Evi-1. In the studies presented here we also show that Evi-1 can repress GATA-1-dependent transactivation in transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays. Together the data support the hypothesis that inappropriate expression of the Evi-1 gene blocks erythropoiesis by repressing the transcription of a subset of GATA-1 target genes.
Metastatic conversion of cells by expression of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 genes.
Authors: Chen L , Ashe S , Singhal M C , Galloway D A , Hellström I , Hellström K E
Published: May 2006

The human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is a DNA tumor virus highly associated with cervical carcinoma. Viral DNA from HPV-16 is found in primary tumors and their metastatic lesions. To investigate the role of HPV-16 oncoproteins in the development of cancer metastasis, the E6 and E7 genes from HPV-16 were inserted into retrovirus and introduced into nonmetastatic mouse cell lines. Expression of either of the viral genes from HPV-16 made the cells metastatic in nude mice. In contrast, expression of the E6 and E7 genes of HPV type 6 (HPV-6b), which is frequently found in nonmalignant HPV-associated diseases, did not. The metastatic ability of cells transduced with viral genes of HPV-16 did not correlate with their growth rate or sensitivity to destruction by natural killer cells. Our results demonstrate that expression of oncogenic proteins of HPV-16 can cause tumor metastasis and implicate HPV-16 in an important role regarding the progression of HPV-associated human cancers.
Effects of abasic sites and DNA single-strand breaks on prokaryotic RNA polymerases.
Authors: Zhou W , Doetsch P W
Published: May 2006

Abasic sites are thought to be the most frequently occurring cellular DNA damage and are generated spontaneously or as the result of chemical or radiation damage to DNA. In contrast to the wealth of information that exists on the effects of abasic sites on DNA polymerases, very little is known about how these lesions interact with RNA polymerases. An in vitro transcription system was used to determine the effects of abasic sites and single-strand breaks on transcriptional elongation. DNA templates were constructed containing single abasic sites or nicks placed at unique locations downstream from two different promoters and were transcribed by SP6 and Escherichia coli RNA polymerases. SP6 RNA polymerase is initially stalled at abasic sites with subsequent, efficient bypass of these lesions. E. coli RNA polymerase also bypassed abasic sites. In contrast, single-strand breaks introduced at abasic sites completely blocked the progression of both RNA polymerases. Sequence analysis of full-length transcripts revealed that SP6 and E. coli RNA polymerases insert primarily, if not exclusively, adenine residues opposite to abasic sites. This finding suggests that abasic sites may be highly mutagenic in vivo at the level of transcription.
VH gene organization in a relict species, the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae: evolutionary implications.
Authors: Amemiya C T , Ohta Y , Litman R T , Rast J P , Haire R N , Litman G W
Published: May 2006

The living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae is a relict species whose higher-level phylogenetic relationships have not been resolved clearly by traditional systematic approaches. Previous studies show that major differences in immunoglobulin gene structure and organization typify different phylogenetic lineages. To date, mammalian-, avian-, and elasmobranch-type gene organizations have been identified in representatives of these different phylads. A fourth form or organization is found in Latimeria, which possesses immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region (VH) elements separated by approximately 190 nucleotides from diversity (D) elements. Adjacency of VH and D elements is characteristic of the elasmobranch "clustered" arrangement, although many other features of coelacanth VH gene organization and structure are more similar to those of bony fishes and tetrapods. These observations strongly support a phylogenetic hypothesis in which Latimeria occupies a sister-group relationship with teleosts and tetrapods.
cDNA structure of the mouse and rat subtilisin/kexin-like PC5: a candidate proprotein convertase expressed in endocrine and nonendocrine cells.
Authors: Lusson J , Vieau D , Hamelin J , Day R , Chrétien M , Seidah N G
Published: May 2006

By using reverse transcriptase/PCR and oligonucleotide sequences derived from conserved segments (including the conserved RRGDL sequence) of the known proprotein convertases (PCs) PC1, PC2, furin, and PC4, we identified a subtilisin/kexin-like PC called PC5 in both mouse and rat tissues. The composite structure (2.85 kb) was deduced from the analysis of the reverse transcription/PCR products combined with the sequence from a clone isolated from a cDNA library made from corticotropin-activated mouse adrenocortical Y1 cells. The deduced cDNA structures of mouse PC5 and rat PC5 showed that the closest homologue is PACE4. Furthermore, like furin, Drosophila melanogaster (d) dfurin2, and PACE4, PC5 shows the presence of a C-terminal Cys-rich domain containing either 5 (PC5 and PACE4) or 10 (dfurin2) repeats of the consensus motif Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa3-Cys-Xaa(5-7)-Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa (8-15)-Cys-Xaa3-Cys-Xaa(9-16). The richest sources of rat PC5 mRNA (3.8 kb) are the adrenal and gut, but it can also be detected in many endocrine and nonendocrine tissues. Corticotropin-stimulated adrenocortical Y1 cells showed an increased expression of PC5 mRNA, suggesting an upregulation by cAMP. In situ hybridization of rat brain sections demonstrated a unique distribution of PC5 compared to PC1, PC2, and furin.
Construction of a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning the spinal muscular atrophy disease gene region.
Authors: Kleyn P W , Wang C H , Lien L L , Vitale E , Pan J , Ross B M , Grunn A , Palmer D A , Warburton D , Brzustowicz L M
Published: May 2006

The childhood spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are the most common, serious neuromuscular disorders of childhood second to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A single locus for these disorders has been mapped by recombination events to a region of 0.7 centimorgan (range, 0.1-2.1 centimorgans) between loci D5S435 and MAP1B on chromosome 5q11.2-13.3. By using PCR amplification to screen yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) DNA pools and the PCR-vectorette method to amplify YAC ends, a YAC contig was constructed across the disease gene region. Nine walk steps identified 32 YACs, including a minimum of seven overlapping YAC clones (average size, 460 kb) that span the SMA region. The contig is characterized by a collection of 30 YAC-end sequence tag sites together with seven genetic markers. The entire YAC contig spans a minimum of 3.2 Mb; the SMA locus is confined to roughly half of this region. Microsatellite markers generated along the YAC contig segregate with the SMA locus in all families where the flanking markers (D5S435 and MAP1B) recombine. Construction of a YAC contig across the disease gene region is an essential step in isolation of the SMA-encoding gene.
Conserved structure of amphibian T-cell antigen receptor beta chain.
Authors: Fellah J S , Kerfourn F , Guillet F , Charlemagne J
Published: May 2006

All jawed vertebrates possess well-differentiated thymuses and elicit T-cell-like cell-mediated responses; however, no surface T-cell receptor (TCR) molecules or TCR genes have been identified in ectothermic vertebrate species. Here we describe cDNA clones from an amphibian species, Ambystoma mexicanum (the Mexican axolotl), that have sequences highly homologous to the avian and mammalian TCR beta chains. The cloned amphibian beta chain variable region (V beta) shares most of the structural characteristics with the more evolved vertebrate V beta and presents approximately 56% amino acid identities with the murine V beta 14 and human V beta 18 families. The two different cloned axolotl beta chain joining regions (J beta) were found to have conserved all the invariant mammalian J beta residues, and in addition, the presence of a conserved glycine at the V beta-J beta junction suggests the existence of diversity elements. The extracellular domains of the two axolotl beta chain constant region isotypes C beta 1 and C beta 2 show an impressively high degree of identity, thus suggesting that a very efficient mechanism of gene correction has been in operation to preserve this structure at least from the early tetrapod evolution. The transmembrane axolotl C beta domains have been less well conserved when compared to the mammalian C beta but they do maintain the lysine residue that is thought to be involved in the charged interaction between the TCR alpha beta heterodimer and the CD3 complex.
Sea urchin early histone H2A modulator binding factor 1 is a positive transcription factor also for the early histone H3 gene.
Authors: Palla F , Bonura C , Anello L , Casano C , Ciaccio M , Spinelli G
Published: May 2006

To shed some light on the mechanisms involved in the coordinate regulation of the early histone gene set during sea urchin development, we tested the hypothesis that the upstream sequence element USE1, previously identified in the early H2A modulator, could also participate in the transcription of the early histone H3 gene. We found by DNAse I protection analysis and by competition in electrophoretic mobility-shift experiments that two sequence elements of the H3 promoter closely resembled the USE1-H2A sequence in their binding activity for nuclear factors from 64-cell stage embryos. These modulator binding factor 1 (MBF-1)-related factors seem to recognize the ACAGA motif that is conserved between the USE1-like sequences of both H2A and H3 promoters. In fact, excess oligonucleotide containing a mutated USE1-H2A element in which the ACAGA sequence was mutated to AGTCA failed to compete with the USE1 sites of both H2A and H3 genes for interaction with MBF-1. Finally, in vivo transcriptional analysis in both Xenopus and sea urchin showed that an excess of USE1-H2A element efficiently competed for the activity of the H3 promoter. From these results we conclude that MBF-1 is a transcription factor conserved between sea urchin and frog and that MBF-1 or related transcription factors are involved in the coordinate expression of both H2A and H3 early histone genes.
Retrovirus variation and reverse transcription: abnormal strand transfers result in retrovirus genetic variation.
Authors: Temin H M
Published: May 2006

Human immunodeficiency virus variation is extensive and is based on numerous mistakes in reverse transcription. All retrovirus replication requires two strand transfers (growing point jumps) to synthesize the complete provirus. I propose that the numerous mistakes in reverse transcription are the result of this requirement for the two strand transfers needed to form the provirus.
Chlamydomonas mutants affected in the light-dependent step of sexual differentiation.
Authors: Buerkle S , Gloeckner G , Beck C F
Published: May 2006

Sexual differentiation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is induced by the consecutive action of two extrinsic cues--nitrogen deprivation and blue light. The definition of a blue light-dependent step in gamete formation provided a basis for the isolation of mutants altered in the signal transduction pathway by which light controls sexual differentiation. In one mutant (lrg1), gamete formation has become light independent. In the other mutant (lrg2), perception or transduction of the light signal appears to be partially impaired. In both mutants, the expression of genes activated by light in the late phase of gamete formation is affected. Genetic analyses showed that genes LRG1 and LRG2 are linked. The recessive nature of the lrg1-1 mutation implies that the gene encodes a negative factor or a protein that controls the activity of a negative factor. In the case of lrg2-1, neither wild-type nor mutant allele was dominant. Rather, two copies of the lrg2-1 gene simulate a wild-type phenotype. The identification of genetic loci in the pathway for blue light-mediated differentiation provides a basis for the isolation of signal transduction genes in Chlamydomonas.
An erythromycin analog produced by reprogramming of polyketide synthesis.
Authors: Donadio S , McAlpine J B , Sheldon P J , Jackson M , Katz L
Published: May 2006

The polyketide-derived macrolactone of the antibiotic erythromycin is made through successive condensation and processing of seven three-carbon units. The fourth cycle involves complete processing of the newly formed beta-keto group (beta-keto reduction, dehydration, and enoyl reduction) to yield the methylene that will appear at C-7 of the lactone ring. Synthesis of this molecule in Saccharopolyspora erythraea is determined by the three large eryA genes, organized in six modules, each governing one condensation cycle. Two amino acid substitutions were introduced in the putative NAD(P)H binding motif in the proposed enoyl reductase domain encoded by eryAII. The metabolite produced by the resulting strain was identified as delta 6,7-anhydroerythromycin C resulting from failure of enoyl reduction during the fourth cycle of synthesis of the macrolactone. This result demonstrates the involvement of at least the enoyl reductase from the fourth module in the fourth cycle and indicates that a virtually complete macrolide can be produced through reprogramming of polyketide synthesis.
Binding to heparan sulfate or heparin enhances neutrophil responses to interleukin 8.
Authors: Webb L M , Ehrengruber M U , Clark-Lewis I , Baggiolini M , Rot A
Published: May 2006

The interaction of interleukin 8 (IL-8) with heparin was studied by using synthetic IL-8 analogs with C- and N-terminal truncations. Elimination of the N-terminal region preceding the first cysteine, which constitutes the IL-8 receptor binding site, did not affect the affinity to heparin-Sepharose. Affinity, however, decreased with progressive truncation at the C terminus, and no binding was observed when the C-terminal alpha-helix was eliminated. The effect of heparin and other glycosaminoglycans on IL-8 activity was also tested. When IL-8 was applied together with heparan sulfate, neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro was enhanced up to 4-fold, and the stimulus-dependent increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ increased markedly in both rate and peak value. Heparin had a similar effect on the Ca2+ response but did not enhance chemotaxis. The glycosaminoglycans by themselves did not elicit neutrophil responses. Their enhancing effect was restricted to stimulation with IL-8 and was not observed when the unrelated chemoattractant fMet-Ile-Phe-Leu was used as the stimulus. Elastase released from stimulated neutrophils was inhibited by heparin, heparan sulfate, and, to a lesser extent, chondroitin sulfate B, confirming previous observations. Taken together, these results suggest that heparan sulfate, which is present on the endothelial cell surface and in the basement membrane, may have a dual function in diapedesis, promotion of IL-8-dependent transmigration of neutrophils, and protection of the tissue microenvironment from damage by lytic enzymes released from the migrating cells.
Covariation of mutations in the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein: an information theoretic analysis.
Authors: Korber B T , Farber R M , Wolpert D H , Lapedes A S
Published: May 2006

The V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein is a highly variable region that is both functionally and immunologically important. Using available amino acid sequences from the V3 region, we have used an information theoretic quantity called mutual information, a measure of covariation, to quantify dependence between mutations in the loop. Certain pairs of sites, including non-contiguous sites along the sequence, do not have independent mutations but display considerable, statistically significant, covarying mutations as measured by mutual information. For the pairs of sites with the highest mutual information, specific amino acids were identified that were highly predictive of amino acids in the linked site. The observed interdependence between variable sites may have implications for structural or functional relationships; separate experimental evidence indicates functional linkage between some of the pairs of sites with high mutual information. Further specific mutational studies of the V3 loop's role in determining viral phenotype are suggested by our analyses. Also, the implications of our results may be important to consider for V3 peptide vaccine design. The methods used here are generally applicable to the study of variable proteins.
Inhibition of RNA polymerase II transcription by oligonucleotide-RecA protein filaments targeted to promoter sequences.
Authors: Golub E I , Radding C M , Ward D C
Published: May 2006

In the presence of RecA protein, which plays a major role in genetic recombination in Escherichia coli, an oligodeoxyribonucleotide can find its homologous counterpart in double-stranded DNA and form triple-stranded structures. A triple-stranded structure formed by an oligonucleotide with a sequence overlapping essential regulatory elements of a viral promoter, such as TATA or GC boxes, inhibited in vitro transcription driven by RNA polymerase II. An oligonucleotide with eight nucleotides homologous to its target suppressed RNA polymerase II activity in HeLa cell extracts. This procedure offers a potential alternative to the usual mutational analysis of transcriptional promoters.
Characterization of an intronless collagen gene family in the marine sponge Microciona prolifera.
Authors: Aho S , Turakainen H , Onnela M L , Boedtker H
Published: May 2006

Two independent clones from the genomic DNA of a marine sponge Microciona prolifera were isolated by hybridization to the Caenorhabditis elegans Col-1 gene and one clone was obtained from genomic DNA by PCR. They contain open reading frames (MpCol1, MpCol2, MpCol3, MpCol4) capable of coding for a family of collagens different from those previously found in sponges. Southern blotting of genomic DNA suggested the presence of several other homologous genes. cDNA clones covering most of the triple-helical coding domain and the 3' untranslated region of MpCol1 were isolated by specific primers and reverse PCR. Two cDNA clones end in the middle of an AATAAA sequence 170 bp downstream from the translation stop codon of MpCol1. The putative NH2-terminal noncollagenous peptide is composed of only seven amino acid residues. The 1074-bp triple-helical coding region is not interrupted by intervening sequences. It codes for a polypeptide of 120 Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets with only one short interruption near the COOH terminus. A putative N-glycosylation sequence (Asn-Gly-Ser), three Arg-Gly-Asp triplets known as cell recognition peptides, frequent Lys residues in the Yaa position (which are templates for hydroxylation), several Lys-Gly-Asn/Xaa-Arg peptides known as the lysyl oxidase recognition site, and long stretches without imino acids could be found within the triple-helical domain. The short COOH-terminal noncollagenous domain closely resembles that of nematode cuticular collagens and vertebrate nonfibrillar collagens. Our results strongly support the idea that the diversity of collagen genes and gene families found in higher organisms already existed in sponge.
NF-IL6-mediated transcriptional activation of the long terminal repeat of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Authors: Tesmer V M , Rajadhyaksha A , Babin J , Bina M
Published: May 2006

An upstream control region in the long terminal repeat (LTR) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) includes a potential negative regulatory element (NRE1). Cotransfecting multimers of a sequence spanning this element with an LTR-CAT construct produced an increase in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in Jurkat and HepG2 cells, providing further evidence and support for the existence of an NRE. In screening experiments aimed at identifying those factors that regulate HIV-1 transcription through interactions with the NRE1 region, we isolated a cDNA for NF-IL6. Previous studies have shown that NF-IL6 is a key nuclear factor that activates gene expression in response to interleukin 6. By methylation interference analysis, we have localized the NF-IL6 binding site within the NRE1 region and found that it overlaps an E box that has previously been implicated as the binding element for a negative regulator of HIV-1 expression. Through a database search, we identified an additional consensus binding sequence for NF-IL6 in the LTR of many HIV-1 variants and found that over this sequence, purified NF-IL6 can produce an extended footprint that overlaps one of the binding sites for NF-kappa B. A product of the nf-il6 gene activated transcription from several LTR-CAT constructs in transient transfection assays. Thus, NF-IL6 could play a central role in the control of HIV-1 gene expression and this protein might be a key mediator in signaling pathways where HIV-1 is activated by interleukin 6.
Segregation of keratinocyte colony-forming cells in the bulge of the rat vibrissa.
Authors: Kobayashi K , Rochat A , Barrandon Y
Published: May 2006

The epidermis and its related appendages such as the hair follicle constitute the epithelial compartment of the skin. The exact location and distribution of the keratinocyte colony-forming cells within the epidermis or its appendages are unknown. We report that in the rat vibrissa, keratinocyte colony-forming cells are highly clustered in the bulge-containing region. Approximately 95% of the total colonies formed in culture from fractionated vibrissae were in this location and fewer than 4% were located in the matrix area of the follicle. Finer dissection of the bulge-containing region located the colony-forming cells in the small part containing the bulge itself. The segregation of keratinocyte colony-forming cells in the bulge confirms the hypothesis that the bulge is the reservoir of the stem cells responsible for the long-term growth of the hair follicle and perhaps of the epidermis as well.
Cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding glyoxal oxidase, a H2O2-producing enzyme from the lignin-degrading basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium.
Authors: Kersten P J , Cullen D
Published: May 2006

Glyoxal oxidase is produced by ligninolytic cultures of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and is a source of the extracellular H2O2 that is required by ligninolytic peroxidases. We report here the cloning and characterization of glx-1c cDNA, which encodes glyoxal oxidase. The deduced mature protein has 537 amino acids, a molecular size of 57 kDa, and a pI of 5.1. Five potential N-glycosylation sites are present. The predicted N-terminal sequence is identical to the experimentally determined sequence of purified enzyme and is preceded by a leader peptide of 22 amino acids. The sequence of glx-1c lacks significant homology with known sequences. Specific comparisons were made between the glx-1c translated sequence and that of galactose oxidase from Dactylium dendroides because of previously observed catalytic similarities of the enzyme. Although no significant homology is observed, in both cases extensive beta-sheet regions are predicted from the primary sequences. Glyoxal oxidase activity correlates with transcript levels and is also coordinate with the lignin peroxidases in nutrient nitrogen-starved cultures.
Deduced amino acid sequence of a putative sodium channel from the scyphozoan jellyfish Cyanea capillata.
Authors: Anderson P A , Holman M A , Greenberg R M
Published: May 2006

Members of the phylum Cnidaria are the lowest extant organisms to possess a nervous system and are the first that are known to contain cells that produce action potentials carried exclusively by Na+ ions. They thus occupy an important position in the evolution of Na+ channels. A cDNA encoding a 198-kDa protein with high sequence identity to known Na+ channels was isolated from the scyphozoan jellyfish Cyanea capillata. The similarity between this and other Na+ channels is greatest in the transmembrane segments and the putative pore region and less so in the cytoplasmic loops that link the four domains of the protein. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced protein reveals that it is closely related to known Na+ channels, particularly those of squid and Drosophila, and more distantly separated from Ca2+ channels. Scrutiny of the Cyanea channel in regions corresponding to those purported to form the tetrodotoxin receptor and selectivity filter of Na+ channels in higher animals reveals several anomalies that suggest that current models of the location of the tetrodotoxin binding site and Na+ channel selectivity filter are incomplete.
Plants transformed with a cistron of a potato virus Y protease (NIa) are resistant to virus infection.
Authors: Vardi E , Sela I , Edelbaum O , Livneh O , Kuznetsova L , Stram Y
Published: May 2006

An oligonucleotide carrying signals for translation initiation in plants was engineered upstream to a cDNA clone containing nucleotides 5812-7260 of the potato virus Y (PVY) genome. This fragment contains all but the first 100 5' terminal bases of the cistron encoding one of the PVY proteases (NIa) as well as the first 251 bases of the next cistron (NIb). Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR1 plants were transformed with this fragment. The presence of the NIa sequences in transformed plants was determined by hybridization or PCR, and its expression was ascertained by reverse transcription coupled to PCR. Plants expressing NIa were self-pollinated, and the R1 kanamycin-resistant progeny were rechecked for NIa expression. Several of these plants were found to be resistant to PVY infection, inasmuch as they did not develop symptoms for at least 50 days (the duration of the experiments), and no viral accumulation could be detected in their leaves by ELISA. All of the descendents of resistant homozygous R2 plants were also resistant. Several of the plants transformed with the last three cistrons of PVY (bases 5812-9704; NIa-NIb-coat protein) were also resistant to PVY. None of the transformed plants exhibited resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. Exposure of the plants to 35 degrees C for 48 hr prior to inoculation lowered, but did not abolish, resistance.
In vitro isolation and identification of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variants with reduced sensitivity to C-2 symmetrical inhibitors of HIV type 1 protease.
Authors: Otto M J , Garber S , Winslow D L , Reid C D , Aldrich P , Jadhav P K , Patterson C E , Hodge C N , Cheng Y S
Published: May 2006

Protease inhibitors are another class of compounds for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-caused disease. The emergence of resistance to the current anti-HIV drugs makes the determination of potential resistance to protease inhibitors imperative. Here we describe the isolation of an HIV type 1 (HIV-1) resistant to an HIV-protease inhibitor. Serial passage of HIV-1 (strain RF) in the presence of the inhibitor, [2-pyridylacetylisoleucylphenylalanyl-psi (CHOH)]2 (P9941), failed to yield a stock of virus with a resistance phenotype. However, variants of the virus with 6- to 8-fold reduced sensitivity to P9941 were selected by using a combination of plaque assay and endpoint titration. Genetic analysis and computer modeling of the variant proteases revealed a single change in the codon for amino acid 82 (Val-->Ala), which resulted in a protease with lower affinity and reduced sensitivity to this inhibitor and certain, but not all, related inhibitors.
Long-term increases in neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells expressing a constitutively active adenylate cyclase from a herpes simplex virus type 1 vector.
Authors: Geller A I , During M J , Haycock J W , Freese A , Neve R
Published: May 2006

Signal-transduction pathways mediate a wide range of short-term changes in the physiology of neuronal systems from invertebrates to mammals. However, examples of long-term changes in neuronal physiology mediated by these pathways have been limited to invertebrate systems. In this report, long-term changes in the physiology of mammalian neurons were studied by using genetic intervention to cause a long-lasting activation of the cAMP pathway. The catalytic domain of yeast adenylate cyclase (cyr), encoding a constitutive enzyme activity, was expressed in neuronal cells infected with a defective herpes simplex virus vector (pHSVcyr). In PC-12 cells infected with pHSVcyr, increases were seen in cAMP levels, protein kinase A activity, protein phosphorylation, phosphorylation of the tyrosine hydroxylase protein kinase A site (Ser40), and catecholamine release. Infection of sympathetic neurons with pHSVcyr increased cAMP levels, protein phosphorylation, and catecholamine release. Yeast adenylate cyclase immunoreactivity and elevated cAMP levels were localized to the cell bodies of sympathetic neurons. The increase in neurotransmitter release was both Ca(2+)- and activity-dependent and persisted for at least 1 week after infection of the sympathetic neurons, suggesting that sustained physiological activation of the cAMP pathway may mediate long-term changes in the neuronal physiology of mammalian systems.
Inhibition of CD10/neutral endopeptidase 24.11 promotes B-cell reconstitution and maturation in vivo.
Authors: Salles G , Rodewald H R , Chin B S , Reinherz E L , Shipp M A
Published: May 2006

The common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen [(CALLA) CD10, neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP)] is a cell-surface zinc metalloprotease expressed by a subpopulation of early murine B-lymphoid progenitors and by bone marrow stromal cells that support the earliest stages of B lymphopoiesis. In previous in vitro studies in which uncommitted murine hematopoietic progenitors plated on a stromal cell layer differentiate into immature B cells, the inhibition of CD10/NEP increased early lymphoid colony numbers. To further characterize CD10/NEP function during lymphoid ontogeny in vivo, we utilized a Ly5 congenic mouse model in which the lymphoid differentiation of uncommitted hematopoietic progenitors from Ly5.1 donors was followed in sublethally irradiated Ly5.2 recipients treated with a specific long-acting CD10/NEP inhibitor (N-[L-(1-carboxy-2-phenyl)ethyl]-L-phenylalanyl-beta- alanine (SCH32615)). The expression of Ly5.1, B220, and surface IgM (sIgM) was utilized to characterize donor-derived hematopoietic cells (Ly5.1+), B lymphocytes (B220+), and mature B cells (B220+ sIgM+) from the lymphoid organs of recipient animals treated with SCH32615 or vehicle alone. SCH32615-treated animals had higher percentages of Ly5.1+ donor splenocytes than animals treated with vehicle alone (16.9% vs. 10.4%, 63% increase, P = 0.013). Animals treated with the CD10/NEP inhibitor also had relatively more Ly5.1+ splenic B (B220+) cells than vehicle-treated animals (14.4% vs. 8.2%, 75% increase, P = 0.018). To more specifically characterize the effects of CD10/NEP inhibition on B-cell differentiation, Ly5.1+ splenocytes from animals treated with SCH32615 or vehicle alone were analyzed for coexpression of B220 and sIgM. Animals treated with the CD10/NEP inhibitor had a significantly higher percentage of mature donor B cells (Ly5.1+ B220+ sIgM+, 10.2% vs. 5.2%, 90% increase, P = 0.006) and a more modest relative increase in immature donor B cells (Ly5.1+ B220+ sIgM-, 4.7% vs. 3.4%, 38% increase, P = not significant). Taken together, these results suggest that CD10/NEP inhibition promotes the reconstitution and maturation of splenic B cells. Therefore, CD10/NEP may function to regulate B-cell ontogeny in vivo by hydrolyzing a peptide substrate that stimulates B-cell proliferation and/or differentiation.
Epidermal growth factor stimulates substrate-selective protein-tyrosine-phosphatase activity.
Authors: Hernández-Sotomayor S M , Arteaga C L , Soler C , Carpenter G
Published: May 2006

This study investigates the regulation of protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (PTPase; EC 3.1.3.48) activity by epidermal growth factor (EGF). Cytosol from EGF-treated A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells was used as a source of PTPase activity, and tyrosine-phosphorylated ErbB2, EGF receptor, phospholipase C-gamma 1, and the Ras GTPase-activating protein were used as substrates to monitor PTPase activity. EGF stimulated PTPase activity that was selective toward these substrates, as it dephosphorylated ErbB2 and the EGF receptor, but not phospholipase C-gamma 1 and the Ras GTPase-activating protein. EGF stimulated PTPase activity in several cell lines, regardless of EGF receptor number, and the activity was localized in the cytosol. The dephosphorylation activity in vitro was dependent on the presence of reducing agents and was inhibited by orthovanadate. Agonists such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, isoproterenol, or ATP were unable to stimulate PTPase activity. Physiological relevance is indicated by experiments showing that EGF treatment of a human mammary cancer cell line rapidly induced the dephosphorylation of ErbB2.
Evolutionary games and computer simulations.
Authors: Huberman B A , Glance N S
Published: May 2006

The Prisoner's Dilemma has long been considered the paradigm for studying the emergence of cooperation among selfish individuals. Because of its importance, it has been studied through computer experiments as well as in the laboratory and by analytical means. However, there are important differences between the way a system composed of many interacting elements is simulated by a digital machine and the manner in which it behaves when studied in real experiments. In some instances, these disparities can be marked enough so as to cast doubt on the implications of cellular automata-type simulations for the study of cooperation in social systems. In particular, if such a simulation imposes space-time granularity, then its ability to describe the real world may be compromised. Indeed, we show that the results of digital simulations regarding territoriality and cooperation differ greatly when time is discrete as opposed to continuous.
The N-terminal region of the 37-kDa translocated fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A aborts translocation by promoting its own export after microsomal membrane insertion.
Authors: Theuer C P , Buchner J , FitzGerald D , Pastan I
Published: May 2006

The 37-kDa C-terminal fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE; termed PE37 and composed of aa 280-613 of PE) translocates to the cell cytosol to cause cell death. PE37 requires a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence to be cytotoxic, indicating that the toxin may translocate to the cytosol from the endoplasmic reticulum. We show here that the N-terminal region of nascent PE37 can be inserted into the membrane of canine pancreatic microsomes by the preprocecropin signal sequence but then is exported or released from microsomes. The 34 N-terminal amino acids of the toxin fragment are sufficient to arrest translocation and prevent the microsomal accumulation of nascent chains that otherwise are sequestered into microsomes. These data support a role for the N-terminal region of PE37 in the translocation of the toxin from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol in mammalian cells.
Tau protein kinase I is essential for amyloid beta-protein-induced neurotoxicity.
Authors: Takashima A , Noguchi K , Sato K , Hoshino T , Imahori K
Published: May 2006

Pathological changes of Alzheimer disease are characterized by cerebral cortical atrophy as a result of degeneration and loss of neurons. Typical histological lesions include numerous senile plaques composed of deposits of amyloid beta-protein and neurofibrillary tangles consisting predominantly of ubiquitin and highly phosphorylated tau proteins. Previously, tau protein kinase I (TPK I) was purified and its cDNA was cloned. To examine the biological role of this enzyme in neurons, we have studied the induction of its kinase activity in primary cultures of embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. Treatment of cultures with amyloid beta-protein significantly increased TPK I activity and induced the appearance of tau proteins recognized by the Alz-50 monoclonal antibody. In addition, though amyloid beta-protein was neurotoxic, either cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevented neuronal death. Death was also prevented by TPK I antisense oligonucleotides but not by sense oligonucleotides. These observations suggest that rat hippocampal neurons undergo programmed cell death in response to amyloid beta-protein and that TPK I is a key enzyme in this process.
A selective N-type calcium channel antagonist protects against neuronal loss after global cerebral ischemia.
Authors: Valentino K , Newcomb R , Gadbois T , Singh T , Bowersox S , Bitner S , Justice A , Yamashiro D , Hoffman B B , Ciaranello R
Published: May 2006

Calcium influx is believed to play a critical role in the cascade of biochemical events leading to neuronal cell death in a variety of pathological settings, including cerebral ischemia. The synthetic omega-conotoxin peptide SNX-111, which selectively blocks depolarization-induced calcium fluxes through neuronal N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, protected the pyramidal neurons in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus from damage caused by transient forebrain ischemia in the rat model of four-vessel occlusion. SNX-111 provided neuroprotection when a single bolus injection was administered intravenously up to 24 hr after the ischemic insult. These results suggest that the window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention after cerebral ischemia may be much longer than previously thought and point to the potential use of omega-conopeptides and their derivatives in the prevention or reduction of neuronal damage resulting from ischemic episodes due to cardiac arrest, head trauma, or stroke. Microdialysis studies showed that SNX-111 was 3 orders of magnitude less potent in blocking potassium-induced glutamate release in the hippocampus than the conopeptide SNX-230, which, in contrast to SNX-111, failed to show any efficacy in the four-vessel occlusion model of ischemia. These results imply that the ability of a conopeptide to block excitatory amino acid release does not correlate with its neuroprotective efficacy.
Mutations of von Willebrand factor gene in families with von Willebrand disease in the Aland Islands.
Authors: Zhang Z P , Blombäck M , Nyman D , Anvret M
Published: May 2006

Patients with von Willebrand disease in four families in the Aland Islands, including the original family that was described in 1926 by the Finnish physician von Willebrand, were screened for mutations in the Swedish "hot-spot" regions (exons 18, 28, 32, 43, and 45) of the von Willebrand factor gene. One cytosine deletion in exon 18 was detected in each of these families. Linkage analysis and genealogical studies suggest that the deletion present in these four families probably has an origin in common with the mutations in the Swedish patients. Apart from the deletion in exon 18, two close transitions (G-->A at S1263 and C-->T at P1266) in exon 28 on the same chromosome were identified in one individual who married into the original family and in his two children. The transitions could be due to a recombination between the von Willebrand factor gene and its pseudogene.
The primary structure of a fungal chitin deacetylase reveals the function for two bacterial gene products.
Authors: Kafetzopoulos D , Thireos G , Vournakis J N , Bouriotis V
Published: May 2006

Chitin deacetylase (EC 3.5.1.41) hydrolyzes the N-acetamido groups of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitin. A cDNA to the Mucor rouxii mRNA encoding chitin deacetylase was isolated, characterized, and sequenced. Protein sequence comparisons revealed significant similarities of the fungal chitin deacetylase to rhizobial nodB proteins and to an uncharacterized protein encoded by a Bacillus stearothermophilus open reading frame. These data suggest the functional homology of these evolutionarily distant proteins. NodB is a chitooligosaccharide deacetylase essential for the biosynthesis of the bacterial nodulation signals, termed Nod factors. The observed similarity of chitin deacetylase to the B. stearothermophilus gene product suggests that this gene encodes a polysaccharide deacetylase.