bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A molecular phylogeny of the hominoid primates as indicated by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis.
Authors: Goldman D , Giri P R , O'Brien S J
Published: May 2006

A molecular phylogeny for the hominoid primates was constructed by using genetic distances from a survey of 383 radiolabeled fibroblast polypeptides resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). An internally consistent matrix of Nei genetic distances was generated on the basis of variants in electrophoretic position. The derived phylogenetic tree indicated a branching sequence, from oldest to most recent, of cercopithecoids (Macaca fascicularis), gibbon-siamang, orangutan, gorilla, and human-chimpanzee. A cladistic analysis of 240 electrophoretic characters that varied between ape species produced an identical tree. Genetic distance measures obtained by 2DE are largely consistent with those generated by other molecular procedures. In addition, the 2DE data set appears to resolve the human-chimpanzee-gorilla trichotomy in favor of a more recent association of chimpanzees and humans.
Purification and characterization of rat liver nuclear thyroid hormone receptors.
Authors: Ichikawa K , DeGroot L J
Published: May 2006

Nuclear thyroid hormone receptor was purified to 904 pmol of L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) binding capacity per mg of protein with 2.5-5.2% recovery by sequentially using hydroxylapatite column chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, DNA-cellulose column chromatography, DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, and heparin-Sepharose column chromatography. Assuming that one T3 molecule binds to the 49,000-Da unit of the receptor, we reproducibly obtained 6.4-14.7 micrograms of receptor protein with 4.2-4.9% purity from 4-5 kg of rat liver. Elution of receptor from the heparin-Sepharose column was performed using 10 mM pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, which was observed to diminish binding of receptor to heparin-Sepharose or DNA-cellulose. This effect was specific for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, since related compounds were not effective. Purified receptor bound T3 with high affinity (6.0 X 10(9) liter/mol), and the order of affinity of iodothyronine analogues to purified receptor was identical to that observed with crude receptor preparations [3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid greater than L-T3 greater than D-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (D-T3) greater than L-thyroxine greater than D-thyroxine]. Purified receptor had a sedimentation coefficient of 3.4 S, Stokes radius of 34 A, and calculated molecular mass of 49,000. Among several bands identified by silver staining after electrophoresis in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels, one 49,000-Da protein showed photoaffinity labeling with [125I]thyroxine that was displaceable with excess unlabeled T3. The tryptic fragment and endogenous proteinase-digested fragment of the affinity-labeled receptor showed saturable binding in 27,000-Da and 36,000-Da peptides, respectively. These molecular masses are in agreement with estimates from gel filtration and gradient sedimentation, indicating that affinity labeling occurred at the hormone binding domain of nuclear thyroid hormone receptor. This procedure reproducibly provides classical native rat liver T3 nuclear receptor in useful quantity and purity and of the highest specific activity so far reported.
Quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase: preferential glial localization in the rat brain visualized by immunocytochemistry.
Authors: Köhler C , Okuno E , Flood P R , Schwarcz R
Published: May 2006

The excitotoxic brain metabolite quinolinic acid has been hypothetically linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. By using antibodies prepared against a homogeneous preparation of its catabolic enzyme, quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase [QPRTase; nicotinate-nucleotide:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (carboxylating), EC 2.4.2.19], immunocytochemical methods were applied to assess the cellular and subcellular localization of quinolinic acid in the rat brain. On the light-microscopic level, the enzyme was found to be preferentially associated with glial elements of variable morphology. In addition to its presence in glial cells, QPRTase was contained in tanycytes and ependymal cells of the cerebral ventricles and, sporadically, in neurons. Overall, QPRTase immunoreactivity was noted in every brain region studied, the histological pattern being in good accordance with the regional variation of enzyme activity established in biochemical studies. As judged on the ultrastructural level, QPRTase, in all cell types examined so far, was often noted in densely stained roundish cytoplasmic bodies (0.1-0.8 micron in diameter), which were bounded by a single membrane. In functional terms, these structures may represent early lysosomes, secretory granules, or residual bodies. The particular anatomical arrangement of the quinolinic acid system may reflect the brain's defense strategy against detrimental effects of the endogenous excitotoxin.
Initial localization of the acoustic conditioned stimulus projection system to the cerebellum essential for classical eyelid conditioning.
Authors: Steinmetz J E , Logan C G , Rosen D J , Thompson J K , Lavond D G , Thompson R F
Published: May 2006

Previous experiments have demonstrated a sufficient and necessary involvement of mossy fibers in projecting conditioned stimulus information to the cerebellum during classical eyelid conditioning in rabbits. Presented here are electrophysiological, anatomical, and lesion data that suggest that cells within the lateral pontine nuclear region may be essentially involved in projecting information concerning the occurrence of acoustic conditioned stimuli to the cerebellum during classical conditioning.
Analysis and in vivo disruption of the gene coding for calmodulin in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Authors: Takeda T , Yamamoto M
Published: May 2006

Calmodulin is a low molecular weight calcium-binding protein that modulates many enzyme systems in eukaryotes. We have cloned the gene encoding calmodulin from the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, by using synthetic oligonucleotide probes that correspond to three distinct regions of Tetrahymena calmodulin. A 1.6-kilobase (kb) DNA fragment that hybridized to all of them contains a gene whose deduced product possesses 74% amino acid homology with bovine calmodulin. This gene, which is unique in the S. pombe genome and is named cam1, encodes 149 amino acids excluding the first methionine and is transcribed into mRNA of 1.2-kb length. It has an intron that apparently starts immediately after the initiation codon and is 126 bp long. S. pombe calmodulin exhibits more homology to vertebrate calmodulin than to that of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gene disruption experiments revealed that cam1 gene function is essential for vegetative growth of S. pombe. Spores bearing disrupted cam1 halt growth soon after germination and rarely carry out the first cell division, indicating that calmodulin does not exist in excess in those cells.
Regulation of insulin-like growth factor II receptors by growth hormone and insulin in rat adipocytes.
Authors: Lönnroth P , Assmundsson K , Edén S , Enberg G , Gause I , Hall K , Smith U
Published: May 2006

The acute and long-term effects of growth hormone (GH) on the binding of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) were evaluated in adipose cells from hypophysectomized rats given replacement therapy with thyroxine and hydrocortisone and in cells from their sham-operated littermates. After the cells were incubated with insulin and/or GH, the recycling of IGF-II receptors was metabolically inhibited by treating the cells with KCN. IGF-II binding was 100 +/- 20% higher in cells from GH-deficient animals when compared with sham-operated controls. These GH-deficient cells also showed an increased sensitivity for insulin as compared with control cells (the EC50 for insulin was 0.06 ng/ml in GH-deficient cells and 0.3 ng/ml in control cells). However, the maximal incremental effect of insulin on IGF-II binding was reduced approximately 27% by hypophysectomy. GH added to the incubation medium increased the number of IGF-II binding sites by 100 +/- 18% in cells from hypophysectomized animals. This increase was rapidly induced (t1/2, approximately 10 min), but the time course was slower than that for the stimulatory effect of insulin. Half-maximal effect of GH on IGF-II binding was obtained at approximately equal to 10 ng/ml. Thus, GH added in vitro exerted a rapid insulin-like effect on the number of IGF-II receptors. GH also appears to play a regulating role for maintaining the cellular number of IGF-II receptors and, in addition, modulates the stimulatory effect of insulin on IGF-II binding.
Stimulation of phospholipase A2 activity in bovine rod outer segments by the beta gamma subunits of transducin and its inhibition by the alpha subunit.
Authors: Jelsema C L , Axelrod J
Published: May 2006

In the rod outer segments (ROS) of bovine retina, light activation of phospholipase A2 has been shown to occur by a transducin-dependent mechanism. In this report, the transducin-mediated stimulation of phospholipase A2 is shown to require dissociation of the alpha beta gamma heterotrimer. Addition of transducin to dark-adapted transducin-poor ROS stimulated phospholipase A2 activity only with coincident exposure to white light or, in the dark, with addition of the hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma-S]). Both light and GTP[gamma-S] induced dissociation of the transducin subunits and led to severalfold increases in the phospholipase A2 activity of transducin-rich, but not transducin-poor, ROS. In contrast, pertussis toxin treatment of transducin, which stabilizes the associated state of this G protein, prevented the stimulation of phospholipase A2 by exogenous transducin in the presence of light. Addition of purified transducin subunits to dark-adapted transducin-poor ROS revealed that phospholipase A2 stimulation occurred by action of the beta gamma subunits. This is in contrast to the transducin-mediated increase in cGMP phosphodiesterase activity, where activation occurs by action of the alpha subunit. The alpha subunit, which itself slightly stimulated phospholipase A2 activity, inhibited the beta gamma-induced stimulation of phospholipase A2. This inhibition appears to be the result of subunit reassociation since addition of GTP[gamma-S] abolished the inhibitory effect of the alpha subunit on the beta gamma-induced increase in phospholipase A2, while pertussis toxin treatment of the subunits further inhibited phospholipase A2 activity. Modulation of phospholipase A2 activity by the transducin subunit is, therefore, a mode of action for these subunits in signal transduction.
Profile of the continuous antigenic regions on the extracellular part of the alpha chain of an acetylcholine receptor.
Authors: Mulac-Jericević B , Kurisaki J , Atassi M Z
Published: May 2006

Reaction of overlapping synthetic peptides spanning the extracellular part (residues 1-210) of the alpha chain of the Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor (an alpha 2 beta gamma delta pentamer) with anti-receptor antibodies produced the profiles of the continuous antigenic regions of the correlate segment. Essentially similar profiles were recognized by rabbit and outbred mouse antibodies against isolated receptor or mouse antibodies against membrane-bound receptor. The antigenic sites reside within eight continuous regions: residues 1-14, 25-36, 41-53, 63-75, 102-114, 128-138, 172-182, and 188-198. Five of these regions (the second and the fifth through the eighth) appeared to be immunodominant. Significantly, two of these antigenic regions (i.e., those residing within residues 128-138 and 188-198) coincided with known toxin-binding regions. The antigenic profile suggests that recognition is directed to the intact molecule and only very slightly to the processed (fragmented) protein.
Helicase properties of the Escherichia coli UvrAB protein complex.
Authors: Oh E Y , Grossman L
Published: May 2006

The Escherichia coli UvrA protein has an associated ATPase activity with a turnover number affected by the presence of UvrB protein as well as by DNA. Specifically, the structure of DNA significantly influences the turnover rate of the UvrAB ATPase activity. Double-stranded DNA maximally activates the turnover rate 10-fold whereas single-stranded DNA maximally activates the turnover rate 20-fold, suggesting that the mode of interaction of UvrAB protein with different DNAs is distinctive. We have previously shown that the UvrAB protein complex, driven by the binding energy of ATP, can locally unwind supercoiled DNA. The nature of the DNA unwinding activity and single-stranded DNA activation of ATPase activity suggests potential helicase activity. In the presence of a number of helicase substrates, the UvrAB complex, indeed, manifests a strand-displacement activity--unwinding short duplexes and D-loop DNA, thereby generating component DNA structures. The energy for the activity is derived from ATP or dATP hydrolysis. Unlike the E. coli DnaB, the UvrAB helicase is sensitive to UV-induced photoproducts.
The human transforming growth factor type alpha coding sequence is not a direct-acting oncogene when overexpressed in NIH 3T3 cells.
Authors: Finzi E , Fleming T , Segatto O , Pennington C Y , Bringman T S , Derynck R , Aaronson S A
Published: May 2006

A peptide secreted by some tumor cells in vitro imparts anchorage-independent growth to normal rat kidney (NRK) cells and has been termed transforming growth factor type alpha (TGF-alpha). To directly investigate the transforming properties of this factor, the human sequence coding for TGF-alpha was placed under the control of either a metallothionein promoter or a retroviral long terminal repeat. These constructs failed to induce morphological transformation upon transfection of NIH 3T3 cells, whereas viral oncogenes encoding a truncated form of its cognate receptor, the EGF receptor, or another growth factor, sis/platelet-derived growth factor 2, efficiently induced transformed foci. When NIH 3T3 clonal sublines were selected by transfection of TGF-alpha expression vectors in the presence of a dominant selectable marker, they were shown to secrete large amounts of TGF-alpha into the medium, to have downregulated EGF receptors, and to be inhibited in growth by TGF-alpha monoclonal antibody. These results indicated that secreted TGF-alpha interacts with its receptor at a cell surface location. Single cell-derived TGF-alpha-expressing sublines grew to high saturation density in culture. However, when plated as single cells on contact-inhibited monolayers of NIH 3T3 cells, they failed to form colonies, whereas v-sis- and v-erbB-transfected cells formed transformed colonies under the same conditions. Moreover, TGF-alpha-expressing sublines were not tumorigenic in nude mice. These and other results imply that TGF-alpha exerts a growth-promoting effect on the entire NIH 3T3 cell population after secretion into the medium but little, if any, effect on the individual cell synthesizing this factor. It is concluded that the normal coding sequence for TGF-alpha is not a direct-acting oncogene when overexpressed in NIH 3T3 cells.
Intra-blood-brain barrier synthesis of human immunodeficiency virus antigen and antibody in humans and chimpanzees.
Authors: Goudsmit J , Epstein L G , Paul D A , van der Helm H J , Dawson G J , Asher D M , Yanagihara R , Wolff A V , Gibbs C J , Gajdusek D C
Published: May 2006

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was associated with progressive encephalopathy in adult and pediatric patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV antigen was detected in CSF from 6 of 7 AIDS patients with progressive encephalopathy. By contrast, HIV antigen, whether free or complexed, was detected in CSF from only 1 of 18 HIV antibody seropositive patients without progressive encephalopathy and from 0 of 8 experimentally infected chimpanzees without clinical signs. Intra-blood-brain barrier synthesis of HIV-specific antibody was demonstrated in the majority of patients with AIDS (9/12) or at risk for AIDS (8/13) as well as in the experimentally infected chimpanzees, indicating HIV-specific B-cell reactivity in the brain without apparent neurological signs. In 6 of 11 patients with HIV infection, antibodies synthesized in the central nervous system were directed against HIV envelope proteins. Active viral expression appears to be necessary for both the immunodeficiency and progressive encephalopathy associated with HIV infection.
The retinal ganglion cell mosaic defines orientation columns in striate cortex.
Authors: Soodak R E
Published: May 2006

A computer simulation was used to demonstrate that the tangential organization of orientation columns is a natural consequence of the orderly projection of the mosaic of retinal ganglion cells onto the visual cortex. Parameters of the simulation were taken from published anatomical and electrophysiological data, and the resulting columnar organization of the simulated visual cortex shows many similarities with observations from animals. The model is able to account for a variety of experimental observations, including the presence of orientation columns in visually inexperienced animals.
Consensus topography in the ATP binding site of the simian virus 40 and polyomavirus large tumor antigens.
Authors: Bradley M K , Smith T F , Lathrop R H , Livingston D M , Webster T A
Published: May 2006

The location and sequence composition of a consensus element of the nucleotide binding site in both simian virus 40 (SV40) and polyomavirus (PyV) large tumor antigens (T antigens) can be predicted with the assistance of a computer-based pattern-matching system, ARIADNE. The latter was used to optimally align elements of T antigen primary sequence and predicted secondary structure with a "descriptor" for a mononucleotide binding fold. Additional consensus elements of the nucleotide binding site in these two proteins were derived from comparisons of T antigen primary and predicted secondary structures with x-ray structures of the nucleotide binding sites in four otherwise unrelated proteins. Each of these elements was predicted to be encompassed within a 110-residue segment that is highly conserved between the two T antigens residues 418-528 in SV40 T antigen and residues 565-675 in PyV). Results of biochemical and immunologic experiments on the nucleotide binding behavior of these proteins were found to be consistent with these predictions. Taken together, the latter have resulted in a topological model of the ATP binding site in these two oncogene products.
Role of homology in site-specific recombination of bacteriophage lambda: evidence against joining of cohesive ends.
Authors: Nash H A , Bauer C E , Gardner J F
Published: May 2006

Bacteriophage lambda integration and excision take place at specific loci called attachment sites. Earlier work has shown that efficient recombination requires the identical sequence to be present in both attachment sites throughout the seven-base-pair region between the points of strand exchange. A plausible model for the role of homology postulates that Int, the site-specific recombinase, makes double-strand breaks at attachment sites such that each broken end has a short single-strand protrusion. Recombination would then depend upon the capacity of these protrusions to form Watson-Crick helices--i.e., to anneal--a process that might require perfect complementarity between the cohesive ends. To test this model, we have studied Int-promoted crosses in which one attachment site is a heteroduplex. Specifically, we constructed sites in which the seven-base-pair region between the points of strand exchange contains one or more noncomplementary pairs. The double-strand break and annealing mechanism predicts that crosses with these heteroduplex sites should yield one completed recombinant and one broken site. We find that such nonreciprocal recombination is uncommon and that the typical outcome of crosses involving a heteroduplex site is a reciprocal recombinant in which both products are resealed. Moreover, the occasional appearance of nonreciprocal products can be explained by our finding that Int can cleave heteroduplex attachment sites after recombination is completed. Taken together, our data strongly indicate that bacteriophage lambda recombination does not proceed by the homology-dependent annealing of cohesive ends; acceptable alternatives for the role of homology are discussed.
Synthetic peptide antagonists of glucagon.
Authors: Unson C G , Andreu D , Gurzenda E M , Merrifield R B
Published: May 2006

Several glucagon analogs were synthesized in an effort to find derivatives that would bind with high affinity to the glucagon receptor of rat liver membranes but would not activate membrane-bound adenylate cyclase and, therefore, would serve as antagonists of the hormone. Measurements on a series of glucagon/secretin hybrids indicated that replacement of Asp9 in glucagon by Glu9, found in secretin, was the important sequence difference in the N terminus of the two hormones. Further deletion of His1 and introduction of a C-terminal amide resulted in des-His1-[Glu9]glucagon amide, which had a 40% binding affinity relative to that of native glucagon but caused no detectable adenylate cyclase activation in the rat liver membrane. This antagonist completely inhibited the effect of a concentration of glucagon that alone gave a full agonist response. It had an inhibition index of 12. The pA2 was 7.2. An attempt was made to relate conformation with receptor binding. The peptides were synthesized by solid-phase methods and purified to homogeneity by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on C18-silica columns.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding the cerebrovascular and the neuritic plaque amyloid peptides.
Authors: Robakis N K , Ramakrishna N , Wolfe G , Wisniewski H M
Published: May 2006

Deposits of amyloid fibers are found in large numbers in the walls of blood vessels and in neuritic plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease and adults with Down syndrome. We used the amino acid sequence of the amyloid peptide to synthesize oligonucleotide probes specific for the gene encoding this peptide. When a human brain cDNA library was screened with this probe, a clone was found with a 1.7-kilobase insert that contains a long open reading frame coding for 412 amino acid residues including the 28 amino acids of the amyloid peptide. RNA gel blots revealed that a 3.3-kilobase mRNA species was present in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer disease, with Down syndrome, or with no apparent neurological disorders. Southern blots showed that homologous genes are present in the genomic DNA of humans, rabbits, sheep, hamsters, and mice, suggesting that this gene has been conserved through mammalian evolution. Localization of the corresponding genomic sequences on human chromosome 21 suggests a genetic relationship between Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome, and it may explain the early appearance of large numbers of neuritic plaques in adult Down syndrome patients.
Activation of a muscarinic receptor selectively inhibits a rapidly inactivated Ca2+ current in rat sympathetic neurons.
Authors: Wanke E , Ferroni A , Malgaroli A , Ambrosini A , Pozzan T , Meldolesi J
Published: May 2006

Sympathetic neurons dissociated from the superior cervical ganglion of 2-day-old rats were studied by whole-cell patch clamp and by fura-2 measurements of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i. Step depolarizations in the presence of tetrodotoxin and hexamethonium triggered two Ca2+ currents that differed in the voltage dependence of activation and kinetics of inactivation. These currents resemble the L and N currents previously described in chicken sensory neurons [Nowycky, M. C., Fox, A. P. & Tsien, R. W. (1985) Nature (London) 316, 440-442]. Treatment with acetylcholine resulted in the rapid (within seconds), selective, and reversible inhibition of the rapidly inactivated, N-type current, whereas the long-lasting L-type current remained unaffected. The high sensitivity to blocker drugs (atropine, pirenzepine) indicated that this effect of acetylcholine was due to a muscarinic M1 receptor. Intracellular perfusion with nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide analogs or pretreatment of the neurons with pertussis toxin had profound effects on the Ca2+ current modulation. Guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate caused the disappearance of the N-type current (an effect akin to that of acetylcholine, but irreversible), whereas guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate and pertussis toxin pretreatment prevented the acetylcholine-induced inhibition. In contrast, cAMP, applied intracellularly together with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, as well as activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C, were without effect. Acetylcholine caused shortening of action potentials in neurons treated with tetraethylammonium to partially block K+ channels. Moreover, when applied to neurons loaded with the fluorescent indicator fura-2, acetylcholine failed to appreciably modify [Ca2+]i at rest but caused a partial blunting of the initial [Ca2+]i peak induced by depolarization with high K+. This effect was blocked by muscarinic antagonists and pertussis toxin and was unaffected by protein kinase activators. Thus, muscarinic modulation of the N-type Ca2+ channels appears to be mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein and independent of both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C.
Biosynthesis of polyamines in ornithine decarboxylase, arginine decarboxylase, and agmatine ureohydrolase deletion mutants of Escherichia coli strain K-12.
Authors: Panagiotidis C A , Blackburn S , Low K B , Canellakis E S
Published: May 2006

Escherichia coli K-12 mutants that carry deletions in their genes for ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) (speC), arginine decarboxylase (L-arginine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.19) (speA), and agmatine ureohydrolase (agmatinase or agmatine amidinohydrolase, EC 3.5.3.11) (speB) can still synthesize very small amounts of putrescine and spermidine. The putrescine concentration in these mutants was found to be 1/2500th that in spe+ cells. The pathway of putrescine synthesis appears to be through the biodegradative arginine decarboxylase, which converts arginine to agmatine, in combination with a low agmatine ureohydrolase activity--1/2000th that in spe+ strains. These results suggest that even such low levels of polyamines permit a low level of protein synthesis. Evidence is presented that the polyamine requirement for the growth of the polyamine-dependent speAB, speC deletion mutants, which are also streptomycin resistant, is not due to a decreased ability to synthesize polyamines.
Determination of the minimum polypeptide lengths of the functionally active sites of human interleukins 1 alpha and 1 beta.
Authors: Mosley B , Dower S K , Gillis S , Cosman D
Published: May 2006

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a two-member family of proteins (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta) that mediates a diverse series of immune and inflammatory responses. These two proteins have only 26% amino acid homology yet bind to the same receptor. It is of importance to define the active sites of these molecules in order to understand their receptor interactions and the mechanisms involved in their multiple biological functions. We report here the localization of the biologically active portions within the initial polypeptide translation products. An in vitro transcription and translation system was used to generate specific fragments of each of the IL-1 molecules, which then were assayed for receptor binding capability and biological activity. Using this system, we have demonstrated that core sequences of amino acids for IL-1 beta (numbers 120-266) and 140 amino acids for IL-1 alpha (numbers 128-267) must be left intact to retain full biological activity and further that the biological activities of the IL-1 polypeptides parallel their receptor binding capabilities.
Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells express T3 antigen and the T-cell receptor gamma chain.
Authors: Stingl G , Koning F , Yamada H , Yokoyama W M , Tschachler E , Bluestone J A , Steiner G , Samelson L E , Lew A M , Coligan J E
Published: May 2006

The murine epidermis is a heterogeneous epithelium composed of keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and a recently described subpopulation (2-3%) of bone-marrow-derived leukocytes with a dendritic morphology and the cell surface phenotype Thy-1+, L3T4-, Lyt-2-. Previous studies have demonstrated that cell lines derived from freshly explanted Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells (DEC) have abundant mRNA for rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma-chain genes. Analysis of Thy-1+ DEC in situ, freshly isolated cell suspensions of Thy-1+ DEC, and long-term Thy-1+ DEC lines demonstrated that 100% of the Thy-1+ DEC reacted with a monoclonal antibody to the epsilon chain of the murine T3 complex and that 40-60% of resident Thy-1+ DEC were also reactive with an antiserum to the TCR gamma chain. Two Thy-1+ DEC lines expressed a disulfide-linked 70-kDa molecule that could be precipitated with an anti-gamma-chain antiserum and could be coprecipitated with an antiserum to the T3 delta chain; the molecule appeared as a single 34-kDa band under reducing conditions. The phenotype of Thy-1+ DEC (T3+, L3T4-, Lyt-2-, TCR gamma chain+) thus resembles that of the recently described subpopulation of murine and human lymphocytes that have been identified in the thymus, peripheral blood, and fetal blood.
Distinct cellular and regional localization of immunoreactive protein kinase C in rat brain.
Authors: Mochly-Rosen D , Basbaum A I , Koshland D E
Published: May 2006

Monoclonal antibodies raised against highly purified protein kinase C were used to localize protein kinase C in the rat brain. Using various monoclonal antibodies, at least three distinct antibody-staining patterns were found. One monoclonal antibody exclusively labeled astroglial elements, including astrocytes, tanycytes, and cerebellar radial glia. Another monoclonal antibody exclusively labeled neural cells, including cortical and hippocampal pyramidal dendrites and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. A third monoclonal antibody (which inhibited protein kinase C activity) intensely stained more limited brain regions, particularly thalamic neurons, and also stained astroglial structures in brain, spinal cord, and cerebellum. The possibility that the three staining patterns reflect the differential regional and cellular localization of related, but distinct, enzymes of protein kinase C is discussed.
The gene-specific initiation factor USF (upstream stimulatory factor) bound at the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter: mass and three-dimensional structure.
Authors: Hough P V , Mastrangelo I A , Wall J S , Hainfeld J F , Sawadogo M , Roeder R G
Published: May 2006

The gene-specific transcription initiation factor USF (upstream stimulatory factor) binds at a palindromic sequence that extends from -52 to -63 relative to the start site of the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter; USF enhances in vitro transcription 10- to 20-fold. By analysis of digital micrographs from the Brookhaven scanning transmission electron microscope, we have identified a sample of 29 proteins (mass, 55 +/- 5 kDa) specifically bound at the palindrome. The individual protein digital images show extensive homology, which permits modeling a three-dimensional structure at a relatively low resolution, which is nonetheless significant for the study of protein-protein interactions in initiation. Non-sequence-specific competitor DNA at high mass excess can be used in reactions for microscopy, enabling characterization of specific binding for proteins present at 1% of total protein or less.
Amino acid sequence of the beta subunit of bovine lung casein kinase II.
Authors: Takio K , Kuenzel E A , Walsh K A , Krebs E G
Published: May 2006

The amino acid sequence of the 209-residue beta subunit of bovine lung casein kinase II has been determined. Excluding the amino-terminal blocking group, which was not identified, the molecular weight of the polypeptide chain is 24,239. A marked polarity of the beta subunit is indicated by clusters of negative charges in the amino-terminal region and of positive charges in the carboxyl-terminal region. Whereas the beta subunit shows no homology with any known protein, a segment of the sequence of the larger and microheterogeneous alpha subunit exhibits homology with the catalytic domains of other protein kinases, particularly with the yeast cell-division-control protein CDC28.
Toxicity of folic acid analogs in cultured human cells: a microtiter assay for the analysis of drug competition.
Authors: Roos D S , Schimke R T
Published: May 2006

We have used a microtiter assay to study the toxicity of various folate analogs in a series of cultured human cell lines that exhibit different degrees of resistance to methotrexate, an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. These cells retain their sensitivity to the lipophilic antifolate BW301U despite the amplification of dihydrofolate reductase genes. Because the cell lines under investigation grow very slowly and have poor plating efficiencies in unconditioned medium, an assay was developed that relies on cell proliferation rather than colony formation as a measure of toxicity. This approach is easily generalized to provide a rapid and inexpensive assay of drug competition. Two-dimensional studies indicate that methotrexate and BW301U show differences in patterns of toxicity, competition, and rescue by folinic acid, suggesting that the two drugs act on different targets. Further applications of the microtiter assay to the analysis of multidrug interactions are discussed.
High rates of deletions in the constant region segment of the immunoglobulin mu gene.
Authors: Jäck H M , Wabl M
Published: May 2006

Spontaneous deletions at the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus are frequently found in myelomas, hybridomas and pre-B-cell lines. We have measured the rates for large and small deletions within the constant-region gene segment for mu chain in a pre-B-cell lines. The large deletions, which include the entire first and second exons, occurred at a rate of 1.7 X 10(-5) per cell generation. The small deletions, which span a few base pairs, occurred at a rate of 1.4 X 10(-7) per cell generation. The rate for the reversion of a termination codon in the second exon is even less than that for the small deletions and is 1000 times lower than the reversion rate that had been determined for the variable-region gene segment. Therefore, the variable-region gene segment is likely to be the preferred target for hypermutation.
Transformation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Escherichia coli with the C. diphtheriae plasmid pNG2.
Authors: Serwold-Davis T M , Groman N , Rabin M
Published: May 2006

The transfection and transformation of members of two species of pathogenic corynebacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans, is described. Protoplasts were produced by treatment with lysozyme following growth in glycine, and a medium was defined on which a significant fraction of the osmotically sensitive cells were regenerated. Transfections were carried out with DNA from corynephage 782, a member of the beta family of converting phages, and transformations were performed with DNA of plasmid pNG2, a 9500-kDa plasmid that was isolated from an erythromycin-resistant strain of C. diphtheriae and carries the resistance gene. Strains of Corynebacterium glutamicum and Escherichia coli were also successfully transformed with pNG2 DNA. Transfection frequencies were in the range of 3-8 X 10(3) plaque-forming units/micrograms of phage DNA, and transformation frequencies were in the range of 0.2-150 colony-forming units/micrograms of plasmid DNA. Plasmid pNG2 replicated and was stably maintained in all transformants both in the presence or absence of erythromycin. Thus, it displayed the ability to replicate in strains of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria without the intervention of genetic engineering. pNG2 DNA isolated from any of the transformed strains was able to transform all parental strains. The host range of pNG2 suggests its possible utility in or as a shuttle vector for the study and manipulation of genes from corynebacterial strains of animal origin.
Cloning of human thymic subcapsular cortex epithelial cells with T-lymphocyte binding sites and hemopoietic growth factor activity.
Authors: Mizutani S , Watt S M , Robertson D , Hussein S , Healy L E , Furley A J , Greaves M F
Published: May 2006

The thymic microenvironment involves complex cell interactions among different types of epithelial cells, macrophages, tissue histiocytes, and immature and maturing T cells. We describe the isolation of a subset of thymic epithelial cells by selective primary culture followed by cotransfection with a simian virus 40 replication-origin-defective mutant and pSV2neo plasmid. The cloned cells have the composite immunophenotype that is unique to thymic subcapsular epithelial cells, suggesting that they may provide a model system in vitro for analyzing the earliest steps in T-cell differentiation. This possibility is supported by the finding that these epithelial cells express LFA-3-associated binding sites for T cells, secrete a macrophage hemopoietic growth factor, and synergize with macrophages in the production of interleukin 1.
Nucleotide sequence and expression of the mercurial-resistance operon from Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258.
Authors: Laddaga R A , Chu L , Misra T K , Silver S
Published: May 2006

The mercurial-resistance determinant from Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 is located on a 6.4-kilobase-pair Bgl II fragment. The determinant was cloned into both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Mercury resistance was found only in B. subtilis. The 6404-base-pair DNA sequence of the Bgl II fragment was determined. The mer DNA sequence includes seven open reading frames, two of which have been identified by homology with the merA (mercuric reductase) and merB (organomercurial lyase) genes from the mercurial-resistance determinants of Gram-negative bacteria. Whereas 40% of the amino acid residues overall were identical between the pI258 merA polypeptide product and mercuric reductases from Gram-negative bacteria, the percentage identity in the active-site positions and those thought to be involved in NADPH and FAD contacts was above 90%. The 216 amino acid organomercurial lyase sequence was 39% identical with that from a Serratia plasmid, with higher conservation in the middle of the sequences and lower homologies at the amino and carboxyl termini. The remaining five open reading frames in the pI258 mer sequence have no significant homologies with the genes from previously sequenced Gram-negative mer operons.
Gene overlap and site-specific attenuation of transcription of the viral polymerase L gene of human respiratory syncytial virus.
Authors: Collins P L , Olmsted R A , Spriggs M K , Johnson P R , Buckler-White A J
Published: May 2006

Sequence analysis of the gene encoding polymerase L protein of respiratory syncytial virus showed that L-gene transcription initiates within its upstream neighbor, the gene encoding the 22-kDa protein 22K. This is an exception to the canonical mode of sequential transcription of nonoverlapping genes described for other nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses. As a consequence of the gene overlap, the termination/polyadenylylation signal for the 22K gene is located at nucleotides 56-68 within the L gene. L-gene transcription yielded two RNAs: an abundant, truncated, polyadenylylated transcript resulting from termination at the internal signal and a markedly less abundant large polyadenylylated transcript representing the complete L gene. This result showed that the internal termination/polyadenylylation signal is an attenuator of L-gene transcription.
Transforming growth factor type beta specifically stimulates synthesis of proteoglycan in human adult arterial smooth muscle cells.
Authors: Chen J K , Hoshi H , McKeehan W L
Published: May 2006

Myo-intimal proteoglycan metabolism is thought to be important in blood vessel homeostasis, blood clotting, atherogenesis, and atherosclerosis. Human platelet-derived transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-beta) specifically stimulated synthesis of at least two types of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in nonproliferating human adult arterial smooth muscle cells in culture. Stimulation of smooth muscle cell proteoglycan synthesis by smooth muscle cell growth promoters (epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and heparin-binding growth factors) was less than 20% of that elicited by TGF-beta. TGF-beta neither significantly stimulated proliferation of quiescent smooth muscle cells nor inhibited proliferating cells. The extent of TGF-beta stimulation of smooth muscle cell proteoglycan synthesis was similar in both nonproliferating and growth-stimulated cells. TGF-beta, which is a reversible inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation, had no comparable effect on endothelial cell proteoglycan synthesis. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that TGF-beta is a cell-type-specific regulator of proteoglycan synthesis in human blood vessels and may contribute to the myo-intimal accumulation of proteoglycan in atherosclerotic lesions.
Synthesis of acetylcholine from choline derived from phosphatidylcholine in a human neuronal cell line.
Authors: Blusztajn J K , Liscovitch M , Richardson U I
Published: May 2006

Cholinergic neurons are unique among cells since they alone utilize choline not only as a component of major membrane phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine (Ptd-Cho), but also as a precursor of their neurotransmitter acetylcholine (AcCho). It has been hypothesized that choline-phospholipids might serve as a storage pool of choline for AcCho synthesis. The selective vulnerability of cholinergic neurons in certain neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer disease, motor neuron disorders) might result from the abnormally accelerated liberation of choline (to be used as precursor of AcCho) from membrane phospholipids, resulting in altered membrane composition and function and compromised neuronal viability. However, the proposed metabolic link between membrane turnover and AcCho synthesis has been difficult to demonstrate because of the heterogeneity of the preparations used. Here we used a population of purely cholinergic cells (human neuroblastoma, LA-N-2), incubated in the presence of [methyl-3H]methionine to selectively label PtdCho synthesized by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine, the only pathway of de novo choline synthesis. PtdCho, purified by thin-layer chromatography, contained 90% of the label incorporated into lipids, demonstrating that LA-N-2 cells contained phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase. Three peaks of radioactive material that cochromatographed with authentic Ac-Cho, choline, and phosphocholine were observed when the water-soluble metabolites of the [3H]PtdCho were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Their identities were ascertained by subjecting them to enzymatic modifications with acetylcholinesterase, choline oxidase, and alkaline phosphatase, respectively. The results demonstrate that AcCho can be synthesized from choline derived from the degradation of endogenous PtdCho formed de novo by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine.
Lactose permease of Escherichia coli: properties of mutants defective in substrate translocation.
Authors: Overath P , Weigel U , Neuhaus J M , Soppa J , Seckler R , Riede I , Bocklage H , Müller-Hill B , Aichele G , Wright J K
Published: May 2006

Mutants of lactose permease of Escherichia coli with amino acid changes (Gly-24----Glu; Gly-24----Arg; Pro-28---Ser; Gly-24, Pro-28----Glu-Ser and Gly-24, Pro-28----Arg-Ser) within a putative membrane-spanning alpha-helix (Phe-Gly-Leu-Phe-Phe-Phe-Phe-Tyr-Phe-Phe-Ile-Met-Gly- Ala-Tyr-Phe-Pro-Phe-Phe-Pro-Ile) are incorporated into the cytoplasmic membrane. The mutant proteins retain the ability to bind galactosides, and the affinity for several substrates is actually increased. However, the rate of active transport is decreased to 0.01% of the wild-type rate in the mutants carrying Arg-24 or Arg-24, Ser-28. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that the two mutants require 10 min to cause occupied binding sites for galactoside and H+ to change their exposure from the periplasm to the cytoplasm as compared to 50 ms in the wild type. The effect is less pronounced when these sites are unoccupied.
Phospholipase C associated with particulate fractions of bovine brain.
Authors: Lee K Y , Ryu S H , Suh P G , Choi W C , Rhee S G
Published: May 2006

We previously reported that cytosolic fractions of bovine brain contain two immunologically distinct phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C (PLCs), PLC-I and PLC-II. In this report the subcellular distribution of PLC-I and PLC-II in brain homogenates was measured using RIA. Significant differences were found in the distribution of the two forms of PLC in 100,000 X g supernatants (cytosolic fraction) of brain homogenized in hypotonic buffer and 2 M KCl extracts of washed pellets (particulate fraction). More than 90% of PLC-II was found in the cytosolic fractions, whereas the PLC-I-like molecules were equally distributed between cytosolic and particulate fractions. Purification of PLC enzyme to near homogeneity from the particulate fractions yielded two PLC enzymes, both of which could be recognized by anti-PLC-I antibodies but not by anti-PLC-II antibodies. Their Mr values, determined under denaturing conditions, were 150,000 and 140,000. The polypeptide of the enzyme of Mr 150,000 seems to be the same as that of the cytosolic enzyme PLC-I: their Mr values were identical, and their trypsin-digested peptides yielded a similar elution profile on a C18 reverse-phase column. We propose, therefore, that PLC-I and its truncated form are weakly associated with membranes.
Cloning and expression of recombinant, functional ricin B chain.
Authors: Chang M S , Russell D W , Uhr J W , Vitetta E S
Published: May 2006

The cDNA encoding the B chain of the plant toxin ricin has been cloned and expressed in monkey kidney COS-M6 cells. The recombinant B chain was detected by labeling the transfected cells with [35S]methionine and [35S]-cysteine and demonstrating the secretion of a protein with a Mr of 30,000-32,000 that was not present in the medium of mock-transfected COS-M6 cells. This protein was specifically immunoprecipitated by an anti-ricin or anti-B-chain antibody and the amount of recombinant B chain secreted by the COS-M6 cells was determined by a radioimmunoassay. Virtually all of the recombinant B chain formed active ricin when mixed with native A chain; it could also bind to the galactose-containing glycoprotein asialofetuin as effectively as native B chain. These results indicate that the vast majority of recombinant B chains secreted into the medium of the COS-M6 cells retain biological function.
Analysis of the role of cysteine residues in isopenicillin N synthetase activity by site-directed mutagenesis.
Authors: Samson S M , Chapman J L , Belagaje R , Queener S W , Ingolia T D
Published: May 2006

The predicted amino acid sequences of isopenicillin N synthetase from both Cephalosporium acremonium and Penicillium chrysogenum have two cysteine residues in analogous positions (Cys-106 and Cys-255 in the C. acremonium numbering). To examine the role of these cysteine residues in the activity of the C. acremonium enzyme, we used site-directed in vitro mutagenesis to change these cysteine residues to serine residues. Mutation of Cys-255 reduces specific activity approximately equal to 50%, whereas mutation of Cys-106 or mutation of both Cys-106 and Cys-255 reduces specific activity about 97%. This suggests that the cysteines are important but not essential for IPNS activity. Alkylation of IPNS also almost completely inactivated the enzyme, but residual activity could have been due to incomplete alkylation. Atomic substitution via genetic manipulation in this case is a more accurate means of assessing the role of sulfhydryl moieties in enzyme activity.