bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conformations of twisted parallel beta-sheets and the origin of chirality in protein structures.
Authors: Weatherford D W , Salemme F R
Published: May 2006

An analysis of the conformational properties of parallel beta-pleated sheets suggests that an important factor in the generation of beta-sheet twist is the preference for nonplanar peptide bond distortions that impart local left-handed helical character to polypeptide chains. It is demonstrated that the introduction of such chiral distortions, which result from the tetrahedral deformation of the peptide nitrogen atoms, naturally produces right-twisted beta-sheet structures with optimal hydrogen bond geometry.
Is there a “hydrophobic effect”?
Authors: Hildebrand Joel H.
Published: May 2006

This paper presents facts that disagree with the hypothesis of “a hydrophobic effect.”
Purification of soluble guanylate cyclase from rat liver
Authors: Braughler J. Mark , Mittal Chandra K. , Murad Ferid
Published: May 2006

Soluble guanylate cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2] has been purified from rat liver and exhibited a single protein band on polyacrylamide gels coincident with activity and indicative of a molecular weight of 150,000. The apparent specific activity of the purified enzyme was 276 nmol of cyclic GMP formed per mg per min with Mn
2+
as the cation cofactor and 23.8 nmol of cyclic GMP formed per mg per min with Mg
2+
. This represented 9200-fold and 7400-fold purifications of Mn
2+
and Mg
2+
activities, respectively. The specific activity of soluble guanylate cyclase was not constant with protein concentration. At all stages of purification, increasing the enzyme concentration in the guanylate cyclase assay increased the apparent specific activity of the preparation. The purified enzyme could be activated by nitroprusside, nitric oxide, arachidonate, linoleate, oleate, and superoxide dismutase. However, the degree of activation was dependent upon the concentration of enzyme protein assayed.
Subtilisin and cyanogen bromide cleavage products of fibronectin that retain gelatin-binding activity.
Authors: Gold L I , Garcia-Pardo A , Frangione B , Franklin E C , Pearlstein E
Published: May 2006

The gelatin-binding region of fibronectin has been obtained by subtilisin digestion and cyanogen bromide cleavage of the molecule. Enzymatic digestion yielded two fragments of molecular weights 50,000 (S50K) and 30,000 (S30K) which were isolated by elution from gelatin-Sepharose affinity columns. Because the S50K fragment also mediated the adhesion of fibroblasts to collagen, it contains both the collagen and cell binding sites on the fibronectin molecule. Both fragments had valine as the NH2-terminal residue, were enriched in half-cystine and methionine residues compared to the whole molecule, and were identical by immunodiffusion. The S50K fragment begins with the sequence Val-Tyr-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-His-Pro-Gln-Pro-(Pro)-(Gly)-Tyr-Gly-His-( )-Val, a region with an extended conformation which is susceptible to proteolysis and connects this domain to the remainder of the fibronectin molecule. The S50K fragment appears to be located in the COOH-terminal one-third of the fibronectin molecule but does not contain the interchain disulfide bridge(s); the S30K fragment is probably derived from the NH2-terminal region of S50K.
Covalent structure of subunits of bacterial luciferase: NH2-terminal sequence demonstrates subunit homology.
Authors: Baldwin T O , Ziegler M M , Powers D A
Published: May 2006

The heterodimeric subunit structure of bacterial luciferase was demonstrated more than 10 years ago. The enzymes from both Beneckea harveyi and Photobacterium fischeri have since been studied in detail; they each consist of two nonidentical subunits, designated alpha and beta. Both are required for bioluminescence activity, with the active center apparently confined to the alpha subunit. Amino acid sequence analysis of the NH2 termini of the alpha and beta subunits of the B. harveyi and P. fischeri luciferases not only confirms the earlier observation that the alpha subunits are homologous but also demonstrates that the NH2-terminal sequences of the beta subunits of the luciferases from the two genera are homologous. Furthermore, within each luciferase, the NH2-terminal sequences of the alpha and beta subunits are similar, suggesting the possibility that the genes coding, for alpha and beta may have arisen by gene duplication, presumably prior to divergence of the lines leading to present-day luminous bacteria.
Segment 8 of the influenza virus genome is unique in coding for two polypeptides.
Authors: Lamb R A , Choppin P W
Published: May 2006

In previous studies we showed that a ninth polypeptide with a molecular weight of approximately 11,000 (NS2) found in influenza virus-infected cells was unique, that it could be synthesized in vitro, and that its expression in vivo required early protein synthesis. On the basis of these results we suggested that one of the eight genome RNA segments of influenza virus codes for two polypeptides [Lamb, R.A., Etkind, P.R. & Choppin, P.W. (1978) Virology 91, 60-78]. We describe here differences in the electrophoretic mobility of the NS2 polypeptides of different strains of influenza A virus. These results provided further evidence that NS2 is virus coded and also made possible genetic studies using recombinants between two virus strains (HK and PR8) whose NS2 polypeptides differ. These studies showed that the gene for NS2 reassorts with that of the nonstructural polypeptide NS1, which is coded by genome segment 8. A mRNA for NS2 has been separated from that of NS1 and the other viral polypeptides by centrifugation and has been translated in vitro. Hybridization of genome segment 8 to the total mRNAs from infected cells specifically prevented the synthesis of NS2 and NS1. These results indicate that influenza virus genome segment 8 is transcribed into two separate mRNAs that code for two polypeptides, NS1 and NS2. Possible mechanisms for the transcription of the two mRNAs from either contiguous or overlapping genes are discussed.
Monoclonal antibody to a plasma membrane antigen of neurons.
Authors: Eisenbarth G S , Walsh F S , Nirenberg M
Published: May 2006

Fusion of spleen cells from a mouse immunized with chicken embryo retina cells with clonal mouse myeloma cells yielded a lymphocyte hybrid cell line that produced antibody that bound to neural tissue such as retina, brain, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia but not to other tissues tested. The antigen was shown by indirect immunofluorescence to be associated with plasma membranes of most, or all, neuron cell bodies in chicken retina, but little or no antigen was detected on axons or dendrites, Müller cells, or retina pigment cells. The activity of antigen A2B5 is relatively stable at 100 degrees C, is insensitive to trypsin, exhibits the solubility properties of a ganglioside, and is destroyed by neuraminidase. Antibody A2B5 cytotoxicity against retina cells is inhibited by a GQ ganglioside fraction from bovine brain (estimated half-maximal inhibition at 0.2 microM) or by N-acetylneuraminic acid (half-maximal inhibition at 5000 microM) but not by other purified gangliosides tested. These results suggest that the antigen is a complex ganglioside in plasma membranes of retina neuron cell bodies but not axons or dendrites.
Inhibition of amino acid transport into lymphoid cells by the glutamine analog L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoate.
Authors: Novogrodsky A , Nehring R E , Meister A
Published: May 2006

Transport of L-glutamine and of the chloroketone glutamine analog L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoate into lymphoid cells is mediated by the same system. Arginine and a number of other amino acids (e.g., glutamate, aspartate, and lysine) are transported to a much lesser extent by this system. However, after uptake of the chloroketone into the cells, the transport of glutamine, arginine, and other amino acids is markedly inhibited, due evidently to reaction of the chloroketone with intracellular components that are involved in amino acid transport. The chloroketone acts more effectively on growing than on resting cells. Treatment of lymphoid cells with the chloroketone or with L-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene leads to rapid and complete depletion of intracellular glutathione without affecting cell viability. These reagents appear to be useful experimental tools for studies of glutathione function and metabolism.
Fidelity of replication of phage phi X174 DNA by DNA polymerase III holoenzyme: spontaneous mutation by misincorporation.
Authors: Fersht A R
Published: May 2006

DNA from phi X174 is replicated in vitro with a fidelity similar to that found genetically. A mutation of TAG leads to TGG may be induced, however, by varying the concentrations of deoxynucleoside triphosphates, with a frequency proportional to [dGTP]2/[dATP]. This complex concentration dependence is consistent with the active participation of a proofreading mechanism that hydrolytically excises mismatched base pairs as they are formed. A simple kinetic analysis predicts that the frequency of misincorporation depends on the ratio of incorrect to correct deoxynucleoside triphosphates times the concentration of the next triphosphate in the sequence to be added. This suggests that spontaneous mutation by misincorporation depends crucially on the composition of the deoxynucleoside triphosphate pool.
Replacement of chromosome segments with altered DNA sequences constructed in vitro.
Authors: Scherer S , Davis R W
Published: May 2006

We have developed a method that may be of general application for the stable introduction of foreign sequences or deletions, constructed in vitro, into the chromosomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No vector sequences are present in the final strains. Ability to transform cells with DNA, availability of a single selective marker, and integration of the transforming DNA by homologous recombination into the chromosomes are the requirements of the system. Any isolated gene can be deleted or altered and then be used to replace the wild-type chromosomal copy. An internal deletion mutant of the his3 gene and a transposition of a galactose-inducible region into chromosome XV have been generated by using the ura3 gene as the selective marker.
Transmethylation and transguanylylation in 5'-RNA capping system isolated from rat liver nuclei.
Authors: Mizumoto K , Lipmann F
Published: May 2006

Rat liver nuclei were isolated and sonicated for extraction in order to study the capping of RNA. The guanosine 7-methyltransferase was purified from the extract by hydroxylapatite column chromatography with stepwise addition of phosphate buffer. It was assayed by using as methyl acceptor synthetic G(5')ppp(5')G and S-adenosylmethionine as donor. The enzyme appeared in a sharp peak at 160 mM. The same peak fraction was subsequently found to contain the enzyme that guanylylates short synthetic polynucleotides and low molecular weight yeast RNA as acceptors. The two enzymatic activities were separated on Sephadex G-150 chromatography, yielding guanylyltransferase and guanosine 7-methyltransferase with molecular weights of approximately 65,000 and 130,000 respectively. Guanylyltransferase was further purified by CM-Sephadex chromatography, whereby G-7-methyltransferase was completely removed. Dithiothreitol was essential for guanylylation, and 2 mM Mn2+ (optimum) was twice as active as 8 mM Mg2+ (optimum). The alpha-32P of [32P]GTP, but not its beta- or gamma-32P was incorporated into the cap structure. By using unlabeled GTP with [beta-32P]ppGpCpC-poly(A2,U2,G) as acceptor, [beta'-32P]-GpppG... was formed. Our purified transguanylylation enzyme was found to catalyze a [32P]pyrophosphate exchange with GTP, which may be useful as a rapid assay for transguanylylation.
A new endogenous primate type C virus isolated from the Old World monkey Colobus polykomos.
Authors: Sherwin S A , Todaro G J
Published: May 2006

A new, genetically transmitted retrovirus has been isolated from the Old World monkey Colobus polykomos. This virus, designated CPC-1, is readily transmitted to both feline and human cells in culture. Nucleic acid hybridization studies reveal that there are 50-70 copies of the CPC-1 genome in colobus cellular DNA. Related virogene sequences can be detected in the DNA of all other Old World monkeys, as well as in the DNA of at least one ape species, the chimpanzee, indicating that this virus has been genetically transmitted in primates for 30-40 million years. CPC-1 is partially related to the type C virus previously isolated from stumptail monkeys (MAC-1). These two viruses have nucleic acid sequence homology, antigenic crossreactivity in their major viral structural protein, and a very similar host range in vitro. CPC-1 and MAC-1 therefore belong to the same class of genetically transmitted primate type C viruses and, as such, represent the first example in primates of analogous endogenous retroviruses isolated from two distantly related species.
Lectin-like activity of components extracted from human glomerular basement membrane.
Authors: Gerfaux J , Chany-Fournier F , Bardos P , Muh J P , Chany C
Published: May 2006

Different fractions of human glomerular basement membranes have been isolated by enzymatic and chemical methods. These fractions were analyzed for their chemical structure and biological activity. The hypothesis that human glomerular basement membrane glycopeptide fractions related to collagenous sequences could act as a lectin-like substance was explored; in fact, extracellular glycoprotein factors play a role in cell-cell interactions and cell adhesion. These collagenous glycopeptides agglutinate human transformed or embryonic cells within 2 hr. The cell agglutination is inhibited by the following sugars: N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. In addition, the rapid cytoagglutination is followed by a cell spreading effect after a further 20-hr incubation. These data led to the postulate that the maintenance of tissue differentiation is governed by the interaction of cells with peculiar sites of the basement membrane consisting of a proteolysis-resistant association between collagen and matrix glycoprotein.
Interference of nonsense mutations with eukaryotic messenger RNA stability.
Authors: Losson R , Lacroute F
Published: May 2006

The fine structure map of the yeast URA 3 gene was established by meiotic recombination, and amber nonsense mutations were located at different points on the map. The effect of the length of the labeling time on the specific radioactivity of ura 3 messenger RNA and on its repartition between poly(A)-RNA and RNA not containing poly(A) has been followed in nonsense mutants. Nonsense mutations reduce the messenger level without lowering its instantaneous rate of synthesis. The strength of the reduction depends on the position of the nonsense codon within the locus and concerns essentially the accumulation of polyadenylylated ura 3 mRNA.
Synthesis and processing of human chorionic gonadotropin subunits in cultured choriocarcinoma cells.
Authors: Ruddon R W , Hanson C A , Addison N J
Published: May 2006

Pulse and pulse-chase experiments have identified the presence of partially glycosylated precursors of the alpha and beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in cultured JAR choriocarcinoma cells. The alpha subunit precursor has an apparent molecular weight (by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) of 18,000 (compared to 22,000 for fully processed alpha subunit); the beta subunit precursor has an apparent molecular weight of 24,000 (fully processed, 34,000). Both of these precursors appear to have an intracellular half-life of at least 1 hr and to contain the mannose core but not the terminal carbohydrate sequences. Fully processed alpha and beta subunits do not accumulate intracellularly, indicating that further processing of the precursors is followed by rapid secretion.
Rapid changes in the synthesis of specific ovarian granulosa cell proteins induced by human choriogonadotropin.
Authors: Landefeld T D , Campbell K L , Midgley A R
Published: May 2006

Total ovarian granulosa cell proteins were labeled in vitro with [35S]methionine and analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the 100-150 distinct proteins resolved by this method, 1-2% demonstrated an observable change in their synthesis during the early phases of luteinization after hormone administration. Two specific proteins first appeared as early as 30 min after treatment with human choriogonadotropin, while four additional new proteins became apparent at 3 hr. These changes in the synthesis of specific proteins occurred far in advance of the morphological changes associated with luteinization, which occur 24-72 hr later, and thus may play an important role in this process of hormonally induced cell differentiation in the rat ovary.
HeLa cell variants that differ in sensitivity to monofunctional alkylating agents, with independence of cytotoxic and mutagenic responses
Authors: Baker R. M. , Voorhis W. C. Van , Spencer L. A.
Published: May 2006

Different strains of the established human cell line HeLa differ substantially in sensitivity to ethyl methanesulfonate (EtMes). The EtMes doses effective for either cytotoxicity or mutation induction in a line of HeLa S3 cells are about 1/10th those required in the CCL2 HeLa line of the American Type Culture Collection. By plating the sensitive HeLa S3 line in the presence of highly cytotoxic doses of EtMes, we obtained a clone (designated A6) that displays about 7-fold greater resistance to EtMes toxicity. This A6 isolate is also cross resistant to other simple monofunctional alkylating agents—exhibiting about 4-fold increased resistance to methyl methanesulfonate and 10- to 15-fold increased resistance to
N
-methyl-
N
′-nitro-
N
-nitrosoguanidine but is similar to the S3 parent in sensitivity to mitomycin C, UV radiation, and γ-rays. In contrast to the results for cytotoxicity, the A6 variant and the S3 parent showed the same high susceptibility to EtMes induction of ouabain-resistant mutations. This is direct biological evidence that different alkylation lesions are normally responsible for mutagenic and cytotoxic effects. The S3 and A6 cell lines may differ in DNA repair capability specific to certain potentially lethal alkylation products. The comparative sensitivity of the A6 cells to alkylation mutagenesis may also prove useful in cell genetic studies by facilitating the generation of multiple mutants for recessive alleles and permitting exceptionally sensitive detection of specific mutagenic effects.
Binding of inhibitor alters kinetic and physical properties of extracellular cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase from Dictyostelium discoideum.
Authors: Kessin R H , Orlow S J , Shapiro R I , Franke J
Published: May 2006

The extracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase (3',5'-cyclic-nucleotide 5'-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) produced by Dictyostelium discoideum has two kinetic forms. The free enzyme has a Km of approximately 10 microM. The second form is the result of a complex formed with a heat-stable inhibitor and has a Km in the millimolar range. Treating the enzyme-inhibitor complex with dithiothreitol stimulated enzyme activity 20- to 100-fold and changed in Km from millimolar to micromolar. Dithiothreitol inactivated the inhibitor. Reconstituting purified enzyme with excess inhibitor returned the Km to the millimolar range. Under conditions known to inhibit the production of extracellular inhibitor or in mutants that lack it, extracellular phosphodiesterase activity was already high and could not be increased by dithiothreitol. The phosphodiesterase and inhibitor sedimented at 6 S and 3 S, respectively; the enzyme-inhibitor complex sedimented at 6.7 S.
Protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes: characteristics of a postribosomal supernatant factor that reverses inhibition of protein synthesis in heme-deficient lysates and inhibition of ternary complex (Met-tRNAfMet.eIF-2.GTP) formation by heme-regulated inhibitor.
Authors: Ralston R O , Das A , Grace M , Das H , Gupta N K
Published: May 2006

During heme deficiency in reticulocyte lysates, a translational inhibitor (heme-regulated inhibitor, HRI) that blocks polypeptide chain initiation is activated. HRI is a protein kinase that specifically phosphorylates the 38,000-dalton subunit of the Met-tRNAfMet binding factor, eIF-2. Phosphorylation of eIF-2 by HRI prevents its interaction with at least two additional factors, resulting in a net reduction in formation of ternary complex (Met-tRNAfMet.eIF-2.GTP) and AUG-dependent transfer of Met-tRNAfMet to 40S ribosomal subunits. A factor (sRF) that reverses protein synthesis inhibition in heme-deficient lysates has been purified from reticulocyte postribosomal supernatant. sRF also reverses the inhibition of ternary complex formation by HRI in a fractionated system. The ternary complex inhibition reversal activity and the protein synthesis inhibition reversal activity cosediment at 12.5 S upon glycerol density gradient centrifugation, and both activities are sensitive to heat or N-ethylmaleimide. Purified sRF does not dephosphorylate eIF-2 whose phosphorylation has been catalyzed by HRI, nor does the sRF prevent the phosphorylation of eIF-2 by HRI in a fractionated system. sRF stimulates ternary complex formation by both phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated eIF-2. These observations suggest that the sensitivity of protein synthesis to phosphorylation of eIF-2 by HRI may be modulated by the concentration and activity of sRF.
Complementation of the temperature-sensitive defect in H5ts125 adenovirus DNA replication in vitro.
Authors: Kaplan L M , Ariga H , Hurwitz J , Horwitz M S
Published: May 2006

Soluble extracts of adenovirus-infected HeLa cell nuclei support DNA replication on exogenous adenovirus DNA templates. Conditions of synthesis using both wild-type and temperature-sensitive extracts have been defined. Nuclear extracts prepared from cells permissively infected with the adenovirus mutant H5ts125 expressed the temperature-sensitive phenotype and could be inactivated at 37 degrees C in vitro. These extracts were completely complemented by the addition of wild-type adenovirus DNA binding protein but not by H5ts125 DNA binding protein. Enhancement by binding protein in the mutant extracts represents replication, as demonstrated by the production of full-sized products and orderly chain elongation originating, as in vivo, at both ends of the linear DNA. Replicative synthesis required the 5'-terminal protein bound covalently to template DNA and could be inhibited by denaturation of this 55,000-dalton protein. Various inhibitors of eukaryotic DNA polymerases, such as aphidicolin and 2',3'-dideoxythymidine triphosphate, inhibited replication of exogenous adenovirus templates in this system as they do in previously reported systems that only elongate endogenous replicating intermediates.
Growth of cultured human epidermal cells into multiple epithelia suitable for grafting.
Authors: Green H , Kehinde O , Thomas J
Published: May 2006

Owing to several recent developments, the cultivability of epidermal keratinocytes, particularly those of the human, has been greatly improved. Under the conditions used, single cultured cells generate stratified colonies that ultimately fuse and form an epithelium that is reasonable approximation of the epidermis. It will be shown here that large amounts of cultured epithelium can be generated from a small piece of epidermis in a short time. We wish to bring to the attention of surgeons and cell biologists the possibility of using culture-grown epithelium derived from the same individual to restore defects in the epidermis.
Oncogenic transformation of mammalian cells in vitro with split doses of x-rays.
Authors: Miller R C , Hall E J , Rossi H H
Published: May 2006

An established line of mouse fibroblasts, C3H/10T1/2 cells, was used for the assessment in vitro of oncogenic transformations caused by single and split doses of x-rays. The shape of the dose-response relationship was determined over the range from 0.1 to 10 Gy. It was found that splitting the x-ray dose into two equal fractions, separated by 5 hr, led to a reduction in transformation frequency at doses above 1.5-2 Gy but to an enhancement of transformation at lower doses. The observations reported cast doubt on the assessment of human cancer risk at lo dose levels by a linear extrapolation from available high-dose data from the Japanese atomic bomb survivors or from persons exposed for medical purposes.
Isolation and characterization of transducing phage coding for sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.
Authors: Gross C A , Blattner F R , Taylor W E , Lowe P A , Burgess R R
Published: May 2006

A transducing phage has been isolated with codes for the sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Transducing phage were selected from E. coli shotgun collections of HindIII or Sac I fragments cloned into Charon 25, a new bacteriophage lambda vector that is capble of forming lyosogens at high temperature. Transduction of an E. coli strain carrying a temperature-sensitive mutation in the sigma gene was used for the selection. The positions of restriction sites for Sac I, HindIII, Xho I, Bgl II, and Kpn I in the cloned bacterial DNA segments were determined. Phage containing the HindIII fragment complement both primase (dnaG) and sigma (rpoD) whereas those containing the Sac I fragment complement only sigma. Results of analyses of the proteins made both in vivo after infection of UV-irradiated cells and in vitro in a coupled transcription/translation system suggest that a Sac I site separates the promoter for sigma from the sigma structural gene. The direction of transcription of sigma was determined to be clockwise with respect to the E. coli genetic map.
Fv-2
locus controls expression of Friend spleen focus-forming virus-specific sequences in normal and infected mice
Authors: Mak Tak W. , Axelrad Arthur A. , Bernstein Alan
Published: May 2006

We have recently demonstrated that normal hemopoietic cells express RNA sequences that are homologous to sequences specific for the Friend erythroleukemia virus genome [Bernstein, A., Gamble, C., Penrose, D. & Mak, T. W. (1979)
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
76, 4455-4459]. In this communication, we report that the
Fv-2
locus, the major genetic determinant controlling host susceptibility to erythroleukemia induction by Friend leukemia virus, also controls the expression of endogenous sequences related to the replication-defective component of Friend leukemia virus, Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV), in normal uninfected mice. Two independent congeneic pairs of mice [C57BL/6 (B6) and B6.S; B6 and B6.C(H-7
b
)], differing only in a small region of the mouse genome including the
Fv-2
locus, were used for this purpose. In both cases, molecular hybridization analysis indicated that the presence of SFFV-related RNA sequences in normal mice was associated with the
Fv-2
s
allele: bone marrow or spleen cellular RNA from
Fv-2
rr
B6 mice contained no detectable SFFV-related sequences, whereas their congeneic
Fv-2
ss
pairs contained relatively high levels of these RNA sequences. The absence of these RNA sequences in
Fv-2
rr
mice was not due to deletion of these sequences from the DNA of
Fv-2
rr
mice. Repopulation of lethally irradiated
Fv-2
rr
mice with syngeneic
Fv-2
rr
bone marrow cells did not lead to any increase in the levels of these SFFV-related RNA sequences, suggesting that the expression of these sequences is still reduced or inhibited in actively cycling
Fv-2
rr
hemopoietic cells. Infection with Friend leukemia virus resulted in the appearance of high levels of RNA homologous to SFFV-specific sequences in the leukemic spleens of B6.S (
Fv-2
ss
) mice, whereas these cellular RNA sequences could not be detected in the spleens of Friend virus-infected B6 (
Fv-2
rr
) mice. The demonstration that the same gene locus controls both the expression of exogenous SFFV-specific sequences and erythroleukemia induction by Friend leukemia virus suggests that these sequences may be necessary for erythroleukemic transformation. In addition, the finding that the
Fv-2
gene locus controls the expression of endogenous SFFV-related sequences suggests that these sequences may also be involved in normal hemopoiesis.
Induction of calcium flux across the rat mast cell membrane by bridging IgE receptors.
Authors: Ishizaka T , Foreman J C , Sterk A R , Ishizaka K
Published: May 2006

Rabbit antibody against IgE receptors or its F(ab')2 fragments induced an increase of 45Ca uptake into normal mast cells, and this process was accompanied by histamine release. Evidence was obtained that a substantial portion of 45Ca uptake was due to movement of calcium across the cell membrane. Neither 45Ca uptake nor histamine release was induced by Fab' monomer fragments of the antireceptor antibody. However, bridging of receptor-bound Fab' fragments by antirabbit IgG or bridging of receptor-bound IgE by anti-IgE induced an increase in 45Ca uptake. The results collectively indicate that crosslinking IgE receptors increases the membrane permeability of the mast cells toward calcium.
Retinoid prevents mammary gland transformation by carcinogenic hydrocarbon in whole-organ culture.
Authors: Dickens M S , Custer R P , Sorof S
Published: May 2006

The mouse mammary gland in whole-organ culture, an in vitro system that is capable of alveolar development, differentiation, involution, and oncogenic transformation, has been used to examine the effects of the retinoid 2-retinylidene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (retinylidene dimedone) on epithelial transformation by a low concentration (10 nM) of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. The retinoid significantly prevented mammary gland transformation only when administered after the carcinogen. In addition, the phenotypes of the early transformed state of the mammary gland were suppressed for 20 days after removal of the retinoid. The retinoid was effective during both mammary alveolar development and regression in culture at concentrations as low as 1 nM, and itself had no significant transforming or cytotoxic activity. Mammary glands treated with both the carcinogen and the retinoid resembled, at the microscopic level, those given the solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) only. The mouse mammary gland in whole-organ culture provides a promising model system in which to study the actions by which retinoids prevent and suppress the chemical transformation in vitro and oncogenesis in vivo of epithelial cells in general and of mammary gland in particular. The present findings support the suggestion that a search for suitable retinoids as chemopreventive agents against human breast cancer is warranted. This model system may be useful as initial indicator in that search.
Effect of glucose/sulfonylurea interaction on release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin from isolated perfused rat pancreas.
Authors: Efendić S , Enzmann F , Nylén A , Uvnäs-Wallensten K , Luft R
Published: May 2006

The effect of a sulfonylurea, glibenclamide, on the release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin was studied in the isolated perfused rat pancreas. At glucose concentrations of 1.1 mM or less, the drug stimulated somatostatin release, whereas glucagon release, after 2-3 min of increase, was markedly inhibited. Insulin release was moderately stimulated, and maximal release occurred relatively late. A moderate glucose load (6.7 mM) inhibited glibenclamide-induced release of somatostatin, whereas the two in combination exerted an additive action on insulin release. Greater glucose loads, which by themselves would stimulate somatostatin release, only marginally suppressed glibenclamide-induced somatostatin release. The insulinogenic effect of these glucose levels was not modified by glibenclamide. Glibenclamide may thus stimulate both the alpha and beta as well as delta cells of the pancreas, depending on glucose concentration. We suggest a paracrine (local) interaction of somatostatin with the alpha and beta cells, which has an important role in the kinetics of insulin and glucagon release induced by sulfonylureas.
Membrane potential changes caused by thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the clonal GH3 cell and their relationship to secretion of pituitary hormone.
Authors: Ozawa S , Kimura N
Published: May 2006

Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; thyroliberin) on membrane electrical properties were studied in the clonal rat anterior pituitary cell (GH3) by continuous recording of the intracellular potential. Application of TRH, which stimulates the release of prolactin and growth hormone from the GH3 cell, elicited a transient hyperpolarization of the cell membrane followed by an enhancement of the generation of action potentials for an extended period in the majority of cells tested. The transient hyperpolarization was due to an increase of the membrane conductance to K+. The enhancement of the spike generation was not due to membrane depolarization. The input resistance of the cell membrane was found to be increased during the facilitation. Thus the mechanism of the facilitatory action of TRH is different from the mechanisms of conventional excitatory neurotransmitters. TRH enhances the spike generation, thus promoting Ca2+ entry from extra- to intracellular space (the action potential of the GH3 cell has a Ca2+ component) and stimulating the release of hormones. This notion is supported by the observation that cobalt ions, which block the calcium spike in these cells, completely abolished the stimulatory effect of TRH on the release of prolactin and growth hormone.
An improvement in the theory of regular solutions
Authors: Hildebrand J. H.
Published: May 2006

In constructing the theory of regular, nonpolar, binary solutions, the partial molal energy of mixing has been expressed by the square of difference between “solubility parameters,” usually evaluated by the molal energy of vaporization per cubic centimeter, (Δ

E
v
/V

)
1/2
= δ, at approximately 25°C. We have found, however, that liquids whose molecules contain methyl groups do not conform to these parameters; to account for their solvent power for iodine requires parameters increased in proportion to the number of methyl groups per molecule. The anomaly may be attributed to the absence of outer nonbonded electrons able to exert London attractive force between neighboring molecules. Parameters derived from solubility for iodine in both methyl-containing liquids and fluorochemicals greatly improve the predictive power of the theory of regular solutions.
Irreversible processes at nonequilibrium steady states and Lyapounov functions
Authors: Nicolis G. , Prigogine I.
Published: May 2006

Nonequilibrium stability theory is reviewed. In answer to recent comments by Fox [Fox, R. F. (1979)
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
76, 2114-2117], it is pointed out that various choices of Lyapounov functions are possible in the nonlinear range of irreversible phenomena.
Internal genome deletions in two distinct classes of defective interfering particles of vesicular stomatitis virus.
Authors: Perrault J , Semler B L
Published: May 2006

We have characterized the genome sequences represented in two defective interfering particles derived from the heat-resistant strain of vesicular stomatitis virus by means of end-labeling and hybridization techniques. Both defective particle RNAs, which differ slightly in size, contain 5'-end sequences identical to each other and to that of the standard infectious virus genome, for at least the first approximately 55 bases. In contrast, the 3'-end sequences of these two RNAs are different. The 3'-end sequence of the smaller RNA is identical to that of the standard genome for at least the first 48 bases. The 3'-end sequence of the larger RNA is an inverted complement of its 5' end for approximately 65 bases. The bulk of the sequences in both RNAs is derived from the 3' half of the standard genome. We also show that the two defective particles differ in vitro transcription and in vivo replication properties. These results provide direct evidence for the presence of internal genome deletions in defective interfering particles of negative-stranded RNA animal viruses and demonstrate the existence of at least two distinct classes of these particles.
Arrangement of coding and intervening sequences of chicken lysozyme gene.
Authors: Lindenmaier W , Nguyen-Huu M C , Lurz R , Stratmann M , Blin N , Wurtz T , Hauser H J , Sippel A E , Schütz G
Published: May 2006

Hybrid phages that contain chicken lysozyme gene sequences have been isolated from a chicken DNA library. Two overlapping clones covering a region of 22 kilobase pairs around this gene have been studied by restriction mapping. Southern hybridization, and electron microscopic analysis of hybrids between lysozyme mRNA and the cloned cellular DNA. Three intervening sequences interrupt the lysozyme structural gene. The cellular gene is at least 3.9 kilobases long, about 6 times the length of the structural gene.
Asymmetric distribution of plasma membrane proteins in mouse L-929 cells.
Authors: Evans R M , Ward D C , Fink L M
Published: May 2006

The distribution of plasma membrane-associated proteins was studied by using latex-filled phagolysosomes prepared from cultured mouse L-929 cells as a model of "inside-out" membrane. Proteins from 131I/lactoperoxidase-labeled phagolysosomes, phagolysosomes derived from 131I/lactoperoxidase-labeled cells, and phagolysosomes prepared from [35S]methionine metabolically labeled cells were analyzed by high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The gel patterns of iodinated proteins showed specific differences in the availability of membrane proteins to lactoperoxidase labeling between inside-out and right-side-out membranes. However, at least two prominent [35S]methionine-labeled proteins of approximately 60,000 and 100,000 daltons were available for iodination at both sides of the membrane. Partial proteolysis of the 100,000-dalton protein revealed that different peptides were iodinated when the iodination was performed on intact cells or on phagolysosomes, consisent with the idea that this protein spans the plasma membrane.
Cell-cycle-associated rearrangement of inverted repeat DNA sequences.
Authors: Nisen P , Medford R , Mansour J , Purucker M , Skalka A , Shapiro L
Published: May 2006

Inverted repeat DNA sequences of Caulobacter crescentus have been isolated, characterized, and cloned in a bacteriophage lambda vector. Both whole populations and individual clones of these sequences were hybridized to restriction endonuclease-generated fragments of chromosomal DNA isolated from cells that were in different stages of the cell cycle. Some inverted repeat DNA sequences were observed to hybridize to different regions of the chromosomal DNA isolated from the morphologically and biochemically distinct swarmer cell and stalked cell populations. These results suggest that the inverted repeat sequences have the capacity to rearrange and thus be located at different sites on the genomes of the different cell types.
DNA gyrase: purification and catalytic properties of a fragment of gyrase B protein.
Authors: Gellert M , Fisher L M , O'Dea M H
Published: May 2006

A protein isolated from Escherichia coli complements the DNA gyrase A (NalA) protein to generate an activity that relaxes supercoiled DNA. Oxolinic acid, a known inhibitor of DNA gyrase, blocks this activity and causes double-strand cleavage of DNA at the same sites as are attacked by DNA gyrase. The protein, of molecular weight 50,000, appears to be fragment of the DNA gyrase B (Cou) protein (molecular weight, 90,000) as judged by the identical sizes of numerous peptides produced by partial proteolytic digestion. The complex of this fragment and the gyrase A protein lacks both the DNA-supercoiling and DNA-dependent ATPase activities of DNA gyrase.
Hyaluronate and invasiveness of the rabbit V2 carcinoma.
Authors: Toole B P , Biswas C , Gross J
Published: May 2006

We propose that hyaluronate, a major component of extracellular matrices through which cells migrate during embryonic tissue development and in regenerative processes, is also concentrated in the environment through which neoplastic cells invade local host tissues and may facilitate this process. The hyaluronate content of invasive V2 carcinoma grown in rabbit was found to be 3-4 times greater than that of the same tumor grown in the nude mouse, in which it is noninvasive. Moreover, hyaluronate concentrations were most elevated in the connective tissue interface between the tumor mass and the neighboring host tissue in the invasive rabbit tumors. The particular site of tumor implantation in the rabbit or nude mouse did not affect the concentrations of hyaluronate in either the parenchyma or the surrounding connective tissue. Similar values were obtained for neoplasms grown in muscle, which normally contains little hyaluronate, and in subcutaneous tissue, which is relatively rich in this glycosaminoglycan.
Reorganization of actin in platelets stimulated by thrombin as measured by the DNase I inhibition assay.
Authors: Carlsson L , Markey F , Blikstad I , Persson T , Lindberg U
Published: May 2006

The effect of thrombin stimulation on actin organization in human platelets has been analyzed by using the DNase I inhibition assay, which is selective for unpolymerized and filamentous actin. The results provide biochemical evidence for the suggestion that stimulation leads to rapid polymerization of actin. The measurements also reveal changes in the polymerization state of actin occurring after cell lysis. These changes are influenced by the concentration of free calcium in the extracts.
Disappearance of a structural chromatin protein A24 in mitosis: implications for molecular basis of chromatin condensation.
Authors: Matsui S I , Seon B K , Sandberg A A
Published: May 2006

A chromatin protein, A24, a conjugate of histone H2A and evolutionally conserved ubiquitin, was virtually the only structural polypeptide that was present in interphase but missing in mitosis of a Chinese hamster cell line (DON). Because a 10% increase in the H2A/DNA ratio observed in interphase-mitosis transition explained the stoichiometric conversion of A24 to H2A, it appears that ubiquitin bound to H2A of nucleosomal surfaces in interphase is released at mitosis whereas the total H2A remains as a structural component of nucleosomes. Regardless of protein synthesis, ubiquitin was again bound to H2A when cells entered the G1 phase. Based on the electrostatic nature of the COOH-terminal region of H2A, where ubiquitin binds, and the mitosis-specific rise of covalently linked phosphates in histones H1 and H3, we propose that an ionic interaction between the positively charged H2A COOH-terminal regions on fibers and negatively charged phosphates linked to serine or threonine of H1 and H3 molecules on adjacent fibers could generate an assembly of chromatin fibers in mitosis.
Polarity of influenza and vesicular stomatitis virus maturation in MDCK cells: lack of a requirement for glycosylation of viral glycoproteins.
Authors: Roth M G , Fitzpatrick J P , Compans R W
Published: May 2006

We have investigated whether glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins is a determinant of the site of maturation of enveloped viruses in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In MDCK cell monolayers, vesicular stomatitis virus buds exclusively from the basal or lateral plasma membranes and contains a sialylated glycoprotein, whereas influenza virus buds exclusively from the apical plasma membrane and lacks neuraminic acid. In order to study the possible relationship between glycosylation of viral glycoproteins and the budding site, infected MDCK cells were treated with tunicamycin at a concentration that completely inhibits glycosylation of viral glycoproteins and the site of virus maturation was examined by electron microscopy. When tunicamycin-treated monolayers were compared to controls, the polarity in the maturation sites of both viruses was maintained. These results indicate that glycosylation of viral glycoproteins is not required for the determination of the cellular maturation site of these enveloped viruses.
Chromosome 1 contains the endogenous RAV-0 retrovirus sequences in chicken cells.
Authors: Tereba A , Lai M M , Murti K G
Published: May 2006

We have developed a structurally unique probe which can be used to determine the chromosomal location of nonreiterated genes in vertebrate organisms by the method of in situ hybridization. The probe consists of several specific RNA molecules attached by means of poly(A) . poly(BrdUrd) hybrids to 125I-labeled DNA of high molecular weight. The probe can be synthesized with a variety of RNA molecules, giving it versatility for detecting a variety of genes irrespective of gene size, copy frequency, and host genome complexity. Using this probe prepared with retrovirus genomic RNAs, we have physically mapped all three detectable endogenous genomes of Rous-associated virus type 0 (RAV-0) in Spafas gs- chf- (group-specific antigen negative, chicken helper factor negative) chicken fibroblasts to specific sites on chromosome 1. This finding suggests that these multiple nontranscribed RAV-0 genomes evolved through gene duplication of an original RAV-0 genome. The endogenous src gene coding for a 60,000-dalton protein also has been localized to one of the small macrochromosomes, 10, 11, or 12, in both chicken and Japanese quail cells. The results presented here are consistent with and greatly extend previously reported data obtained by using both chromosome fractionation and restriction endonuclease techniques and thus support the soundness of this hybridization approach.
Genetic complementation studies of multiple sulfatase deficiency.
Authors: Horwitz A L
Published: May 2006

Cultured fibroblasts from two individuals with multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) were found to have decreased activities of arylsulfatases (aryl-sulfate sulfohydrolase, EC 3.1.6.1) A, B, and C as well as iduronate-sulfate sulfatase, sulfamidase, and N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase. The activity of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase was decreased in one line but not in the other. Mixtures of MSD cell extracts with extracts from normal cells did not result in inhibition of normal sulfatase activities. Mixtures of MSD cell extracts with extracts of fibroblasts from patients with Hunter or Sanfilippo A syndrome did not activate iduronate-sulfate sulfatase or sulfamidase activity. Heterokaryons formed by fusion of MSD cells with Sanfilippo A fibroblasts demonstrated a partial correction of the enzyme deficiency. In similar manner, MSD-Hunter heterokaryons showed a significant increase in iduronate-sulfate-sulfatase activity. Genetic complementation in heterokaryons of MSD fibroblasts and cells of either Sanfilippo A or Hunter syndrome implies a genetic defect in MSD different from that causing specific sulfatase deficiencies.
Evolution of human influenza A viruses in nature: recombination contributes to genetic variation of H1N1 strains.
Authors: Young J F , Palese P
Published: May 2006

In June of 1977, a new influenza A pandemic was started by strains of the H1N1 serotype. Oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis of the RNA from viruses isolated during the early stage of this pandemic demonstrated that genetic variation among these 1977 strains could be attributed to sequential mutation [Young, J.F., Desselberger, U. & Palese, P. (1979) Cell, 18, 73-83]. Examination of more recent strains revealed that the H1N1 variants that were isolated in the winter of 1978-1979 differed considerably from the H1N1 viruses isolated the previous year. Oligonucleotide and peptide map analysis of the new prototype strain (A/Cal/10/78) suggested that it arose by recombination. It appears that only the HA, NA, M, and NS genes of this virus are derived from the earlier H1N1 viruses and that the P1, P2, P3, and NP genes most likely originate from an H3N2 parent. These data suggest that genetic variation in influenza virus strains of the same serotype is not restricted to mutation alone, but can also involve recombination (reassortment).