bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of mouse gamete interaction by a sperm tyrosine kinase.
Authors: Leyton L , LeGuen P , Bunch D , Saling P M
Published: May 2006

A 95-kDa mouse sperm protein has been previously identified as a putative receptor involved in the sperm-egg interactions that lead to fertilization. The ligand for this receptor is the zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3. This constituent of the oocyte-specific extracellular matrix mediates not only sperm binding to the zona but also triggers acrosomal exocytosis. The latter, also termed the acrosome reaction, is a key regulatory event upon which fertilization is absolutely dependent. Previously, we showed that the 95-kDa protein that binds ZP3 is a substrate for tyrosine kinase, and its phosphotyrosine content increases after sperm-zona pellucida binding. Here, we show the presence of protein tyrosine kinase activity in sperm plasma membranes and in electroeluted 95-kDa protein. The tyrosine kinase activity of the isolated protein is stimulated by solubilized zona pellucida and inhibited by tyrphostin RG-50864, a membrane-permeable tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, tyrphostin inhibits zona-triggered acrosomal exocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that the 95-kDa protein participates in a critical regulatory event of gamete interaction; moreover, our experiments suggest that sperm protein tyrosine kinase may be an excellent target for the control of fertility.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type I infection of monocytes and microglial cells in primary human cultures.
Authors: Hoffman P M , Dhib-Jalbut S , Mikovits J A , Robbins D S , Wolf A L , Bergey G K , Lohrey N C , Weislow O S , Ruscetti F W
Published: May 2006

The pathogenesis of progressive spastic paraparesis [HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)], a serious consequence of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infection, is unclear. T and B lymphocytes can be naturally infected by HTLV-I, but the susceptibility to HTLV-I infection of other cell types that could contribute to the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP has not been determined. We found that a human monocyte cell line (THP-1), primary human peripheral blood monocytes, and isolated microglial cells but not astrocytes or oligodendroglial cells derived from adult human brain were infected by HTLV-I in vitro. Infection with HTLV-I enhanced the secretion of interleukin 6 in human microglial cell-enriched cultures but did not stimulate the release of interleukin 1 from monocytes or microglial cells. Tumor necrosis factor alpha production was stimulated by HTLV-I infection of monocytes and microglial cells and could be enhanced by suboptimal amounts of lipopolysaccharide. Since both tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 have been implicated in inflammatory demyelination and gliosis, our findings suggest that human microglial cells and monocytes infected with and activated by HTLV-I could play a role in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP.
A human interleukin 3 analog with increased biological and binding activities.
Authors: Lopez A F , Shannon M F , Barry S , Phillips J A , Cambareri B , Dottore M , Simmons P , Vadas M A
Published: May 2006

Human interleukin 3 (IL-3) variants generated by site-directed mutagenesis were analyzed in multiple biological and binding assays to identify residues critical for IL-3 activity. Two mutants carrying substitutions in the predicted hydrophilic region within the first alpha-helix, [Ala21,Leu22]IL-3 and [Ala21,Leu22,Ala25]IL-3 showed loss of biological activity and high-affinity binding. Mutants in a second predicted hydrophilic region, [Ala44,Leu45,Ala46]IL-3 and [Ala44,Ala46]IL-3, however, showed similar biological and binding activities to wild-type IL-3. Mutations in a C-terminal hydrophilic region that overlaps the fourth predicted alpha-helix led to either loss or gain of function. IL-3 analogs [Glu104,Asp105]-, [Leu108]-, [Asn108]-, [Thr108]-, and [Ala101,Leu108]IL-3 were less active than wild-type IL-3, whereas [Ala101]IL-3 and [Val116]IL-3 were 2- to 3-fold more potent. Significantly, the double mutant [Ala101,Val116]IL-3 exhibited a 15-fold greater potency than native IL-3. Receptor binding studies showed that [Ala101,Val116]IL-3 exhibited increased binding to the high- and low-affinity receptors of monocytes. These results show the generation of an IL-3 analog with increased biological and binding activities and support a model where the C terminus of IL-3 interacts with the alpha chain of the IL-3 receptor, making this region a useful focus for the development of more potent IL-3 agonists or antagonists.
Deformation of DNA during site-specific recombination of bacteriophage lambda: replacement of IHF protein by HU protein or sequence-directed bends.
Authors: Goodman S D , Nicholson S C , Nash H A
Published: May 2006

Escherichia coli IHF protein is a prominent component of bacteriophage lambda integration and excision that binds specifically to DNA. We find that the homologous protein HU, a nonspecific DNA binding protein, can substitute for IHF during excisive recombination of a plasmid containing the prophage attachment sites attL and attR but not during integrative recombination between attP and attB. We have examined whether IHF and HU function in excisive recombination is mediated through DNA bending. Our strategy has been to construct chimeric attachment sites in which IHF binding sites are replaced by an alternative source of DNA deformation. Previously, we demonstrated that properly phased bends can substitute for the binding of IHF at one site in attP. Although this result is highly suggestive of a critical role of IHF-promoted bending in lambda integration, its interpretation is obscured by the continued need for IHF binding to the remaining IHF sites of these constructs. In the present work, we engineered a population of sequence-directed bends in the vicinity of the two essential IHF sites found in attR and attL. Even in the absence of IHF or HU, pairs of these attachment sites with properly phased bends are active for both in vitro and in vivo excision. This success, although tempered by the limited efficiency of these systems, reinforces our interpretation that IHF functions primarily as an architectural element.
Immunohistochemical localization of the D1 dopamine receptor in rat brain reveals its axonal transport, pre- and postsynaptic localization, and prevalence in the basal ganglia, limbic system, and thalamic reticular nucleus.
Authors: Huang Q , Zhou D , Chase K , Gusella J F , Aronin N , DiFiglia M
Published: May 2006

D1 dopamine receptor localization was examined by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal anti-peptide antibody which (i) immunoprecipitated a protein fragment encoded by a D1 receptor cDNA and (ii) on Western blots of solubilized striatal and hippocampal membranes recognized two proteins of approximately 50 kDa and 75 kDa, corresponding to reported sizes of D1 receptor proteins. Immunoreactivity overlapped with dopamine-containing pathways, patterns of D1 receptor binding, and mRNA expression. Staining was concentrated in prefrontal, cingulate, parietal, piriform, entorhinal, and hippocampal cortical areas and subcortically in the basal ganglia, amygdala, septal area, substantia inominata, thalamus, hypothalamus, and neurohypophysis. Prominent labeling was seen in the thalamic reticular nucleus, a region known to integrate ascending basal forebrain inputs with thalamocortical and corticothalamic pathways and in fiber bundles interconnecting limbic areas. In striatal neuropil, staining appeared in spines (heads and necks), at postsynaptic sites in dendrites, and in axon terminals; in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra, labeling was prevalent in myelinated and unmyelinated axons and dendrites. These data provide direct evidence for the regional and subcellular distribution of D1 receptor protein in the brain and for its pre- and postsynaptic localization in the basal ganglia. The prominent immunoreactivity seen in the limbic system and thalamic reticular nucleus supports an important role for this receptor subtype in mediating integrative processes involved with learning, memory, and cognition.
Photoreceptors of mouse retinas possess D4 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase.
Authors: Cohen A I , Todd R D , Harmon S , O'Malley K L
Published: May 2006

In the mouse, the light-sensitive pool of cAMP can be eliminated in the dark by application of the dopamine D2-like receptor agonists LY 171555 (quinpirole), (+)-N0437 (2-[N-(n-propyl)-N-2-(thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin]) , or (+)-3-PPP [3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-propylpiperidine hydrochloride]. The rank-order affinity of the ability of the D2-like antagonists to block the action of LY 171555 matched that of the rat D4 receptor. Reverse transcription of retina mRNA followed by DNA amplification using D4-specific nucleotides demonstrates the presence of D4 mRNA in retina. In situ hybridization studies using D4-specific digoxygenin-labeled oligonucleotides or 35S-labeled UTP RNA probes demonstrate the presence of D4 mRNA in the photoreceptor cell layer and in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. The modulation by D4 ligands of the dark level of light-sensitive cAMP in photoreceptors demonstrates the physiological coupling of the D4 receptor subtype.
Intermolecular interactions between the A and B subunits of heat-labile enterotoxin from Escherichia coli promote holotoxin assembly and stability in vivo.
Authors: Streatfield S J , Sandkvist M , Sixma T K , Bagdasarian M , Hol W G , Hirst T R
Published: May 2006

Cholera toxin and the related heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) produced by Escherichia coli consist of a holotoxin of one A subunit and five B subunits (AB5). Here we investigate the domains of the A subunit (EtxA) of E. coli LT which influence the events of B-subunit (EtxB) oligomerization and the formation of a stable AB5 holotoxin complex. We show that the C-terminal 14 amino acids of the A subunit comprise two functional domains that differentially affect oligomerization and holotoxin stability. Deletion of the last 14 amino acids (-14) from the A subunit resulted in a molecule that was significantly impaired in its capacity to promote the assembly of a mutant B subunit, EtxB191.5. In contrast, deletion of the last four amino acids (-4) from the A subunit gave a molecule that retained such a capacity. This suggests that C-terminal residues within the -14 to -4 region of the A subunit are important for promoting the oligomerization of EtxB. In addition, we demonstrate that the truncated A subunit lacking the last 4 amino acids was unable to form a stable AB5 holotoxin complex even though it promoted B-subunit oligomerization. This suggests that the last 4 residues of the A subunit function as an "anchoring" sequence responsible for maintaining the stability of A/B subunit interaction during holotoxin assembly. These data represent an important example of how intermolecular interactions between polypeptides in vivo can modulate the folding and assembly of a macromolecular complex.
Transcription factor TFIID induces DNA bending upon binding to the TATA element.
Authors: Horikoshi M , Bertuccioli C , Takada R , Wang J , Yamamoto T , Roeder R G
Published: May 2006

The TATA box-binding factor TFIID plays a primary role in the process of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II and its regulation by various gene-specific factors. Here we employ a permuted binding site/gel retardation assay with recombinant yeast and human TFIID to show that this factor induces DNA bending around the TATA element. These results are consistent with the presence of G + C-rich sequence elements flanking the consensus TATA element and led to the recently confirmed suggestion that TFIID interacts with the TATA element via the minor groove. They also raise the possibility that TFIID-induced bending might facilitate promoter interactions of other general factors in the preinitiation complex or interactions between general transcription factors and regulatory factors bound at upstream sites.
Intron-exon organization of the gene for the multifunctional animal fatty acid synthase.
Authors: Amy C M , Williams-Ahlf B , Naggert J , Smith S
Published: May 2006

The complete intron-exon organization of the gene encoding a multifunctional mammalian fatty acid synthase has been elucidated, and specific exons have been assigned to coding sequences for the component domains of the protein. The rat gene is interrupted by 42 introns and the sequences bordering the splice-site junctions universally follow the GT/AG rule. However, of the 41 introns that interrupt the coding region of the gene, 23 split the reading frame in phase I, 14 split the reading frame in phase 0, and only 4 split the reading frame in phase II. Remarkably, 46% of the introns interrupt codons for glycine. With only one exception, boundaries between the constituent enzymes of the multifunctional polypeptide coincide with the location of introns in the gene. The significance of the predominance of phase I introns, the almost uniformly short length of the 42 introns and the overall small size of the gene, is discussed in relation to the evolution of multifunctional proteins.
Immortalization of primary human smooth muscle cells.
Authors: Perez-Reyes N , Halbert C L , Smith P P , Benditt E P , McDougall J K
Published: May 2006

Primary human aortic and myometrial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were immortalized using an amphotropic recombinant retroviral construct containing the E6 and E7 open reading frames (ORFs) of human papillomavirus type 16. The SMCs expressing the E6/E7 ORFs have considerably elevated growth rates when compared with nonimmortalized control cells and show no signs of senescence with long-term passage. The first SMC line derived in this study has been maintained in continuous tissue culture for greater than 1 year (greater than 180 population doublings). The immortalized SMCs have decreased cell size and decreased content of muscle-specific alpha-actin filaments as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. Southern blot analysis has demonstrated the stable integration of the E6/E7 ORFs in the retrovirally infected cells, and radioimmunoprecipitation has confirmed the continued expression of the E6 and E7 genes. Cytogenetic studies of the SMC lines have revealed essentially diploid populations except for the myometrial clonal line, which became aneuploid at late passage (greater than 125 doublings). These cell lines were not tumorigenic in nude mice.
A strategy for the generation of conditional mutations by protein destabilization.
Authors: Park E C , Finley D , Szostak J W
Published: May 2006

Conditional mutations such as temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations are important for the analysis of protein function but are often difficult, or impossible, to obtain. Here we present a simple method for generating conditional mutations based on the use of a protein-destabilizing genetic element in combination with systems allowing the induction and repression of gene expression. This genetic cassette can be fused to other protein-coding sequences, and once transcription is turned off and synthesis of the gene product ceases, the preexisting protein is rapidly degraded. We have applied this method to the analysis of the yeast ARD1 gene product, a subunit of an N-terminal acetyltransferase, and show that a complete loss of ARD1 product can be achieved in less than one generation. Despite the rapid loss of ARD1 protein, there is a prolonged delay in the expression of the ard1 mutant phenotype, suggesting that the acetylated substrates of ARD1 are metabolically stable and/or exert a long-lasting effect on processes such as the repression of the silent mating type cassettes.
Global and local genome mapping in Arabidopsis thaliana by using recombinant inbred lines and random amplified polymorphic DNAs.
Authors: Reiter R S , Williams J G , Feldmann K A , Rafalski J A , Tingey S V , Scolnik P A
Published: May 2006

A population of Arabidopsis thaliana recombinant inbred lines was constructed and used to develop a high-density genetic linkage map containing 252 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers and 60 previously mapped restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Linkage groups were correlated to the classical genetic map by inclusion of nine phenotypic markers in the mapping cross. We also applied a technique for local mapping that allows targeting of markers to a selected genome region by pooling DNA from recombinant inbred lines based on their genotype. We conclude that random amplified polymorphic DNAs, used in conjunction with a recombinant inbred population, can facilitate the genetic and physical characterization of the Arabidopsis genome and that this method is generally applicable to other organisms for which appropriate populations either are available or can be developed.
Phenotypic plasticity in adult sympathetic neurons: changes in neuropeptide expression in organ culture.
Authors: Zigmond R E , Hyatt-Sachs H , Baldwin C , Qu X M , Sun Y , McKeon T W , Schreiber R C , Vaidyanathan U
Published: May 2006

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactivity is present at low levels in the superior cervical ganglion of the adult rat, where immunostained neural processes, but only an occasional immunostained cell body, are found. However, when ganglia are maintained for 24 or 48 hr in organ culture, their content of VIP-like immunoreactivity increases 6- or 31-fold, respectively. When examined at 24 hr, the increase in VIP-like immunoreactivity is totally blocked by an inhibitor of RNA or protein synthesis. Many neuronal cell bodies and processes with immunoreactivity for VIP and the related peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) are seen in cultured ganglia. In addition, VIP/PHI mRNA is abundant in cultured ganglia but only barely detectable in ganglia prior to culture. Under the same culture conditions, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity increases to a small extent, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity and total ganglion protein remain unchanged. These results support the idea that adult sympathetic neurons exhibit plasticity in neuropeptide expression and that this plasticity, in the case of VIP, depends on changes in gene expression.
Artificial mobile DNA element constructed from the EcoRI endonuclease gene.
Authors: Eddy S R , Gold L
Published: May 2006

There exist several examples of mobile group I introns. These introns appear to use a straightforward mechanism to achieve highly site-specific and efficient insertion into homologous intronless genes. Because the only intron-specific function required by the prevailing model for the mechanism of intron mobility is the introduction of a site-specific double-stranded break in the intronless recipient DNA molecule, we reasoned that it should in principle be possible to construct artificially mobile DNA sequences. We have constructed an artificial mobile element from the gene for the restriction enzyme EcoRI that is capable of site-specific insertion at rates near those of authentic mobile introns. The generality of the mobility mechanism may enable high-efficiency targeted gene replacements or disruptions in a variety of organisms.
Transmission-blocking antibodies recognize microfilarial chitinase in brugian lymphatic filariasis.
Authors: Fuhrman J A , Lane W S , Smith R F , Piessens W F , Perler F B
Published: May 2006

Brugia malayi is a parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans. The monoclonal antibody MF1, which mediates clearance of peripheral microfilaremia in a gerbil infection model, recognizes two stage-specific proteins, p70 and p75, in B. malayi microfilariae. cDNA coding for the MF1 antigen was sequenced, and the predicted protein sequence shows significant similarities to chitinases from bacteria and yeast. When microfilarial extracts and purified preparations of the MF1 antigen were tested for chitinase activity, strong bands of chitin-degrading activity comigrated in SDS/PAGE with p70 and p75 and showed a reduction-dependent mobility shift characteristic of the MF1 antigen. Thus, the MF1 antigen is microfilarial chitinase, which may function to degrade chitin-containing structures in the microfilaria or in its mosquito vector during parasite development and transmission.
Evidence for a membrane defect in Alzheimer disease brain.
Authors: Nitsch R M , Blusztajn J K , Pittas A G , Slack B E , Growdon J H , Wurtman R J
Published: May 2006

To determine whether neurodegeneration in Alzheimer disease brain is associated with degradation of structural cell membrane molecules, we measured tissue levels of the major membrane phospholipids and their metabolites in three cortical areas from postmortem brains of Alzheimer disease patients and matched controls. Among phospholipids, there was a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. There were significant (P less than 0.05) decreases in the initial phospholipid precursors choline and ethanolamine and increases in the phospholipid deacylation product glycerophosphocholine. The ratios of glycerophosphocholine to choline and glycerophosphoethanolamine to ethanolamine were significantly increased in all examined Alzheimer disease brain regions. The activity of the glycerophosphocholine-degrading enzyme glycerophosphocholine choline-phosphodiesterase was normal in Alzheimer disease brain. There was a near stoichiometric relationship between the decrease in phospholipids and the increase of phospholipid catabolites. These data are consistent with increased membrane phospholipid degradation in Alzheimer disease brain. Similar phospholipid abnormalities were not detected in brains of patients with Huntington disease, Parkinson disease, or Down syndrome. We conclude that the phospholipid abnormalities described here are not an epiphenomenon of neurodegeneration and that they may be specific for the pathomechanism of Alzheimer disease.
A protein required for RNA processing and splicing in Neurospora mitochondria is related to gene products involved in cell cycle protein phosphatase functions.
Authors: Turcq B , Dobinson K F , Serizawa N , Lambowitz A M
Published: May 2006

The Neurospora crassa cyt-4 mutants have pleiotropic defects in mitochondrial RNA splicing, 5' and 3' end processing, and RNA turnover. Here, we show that the cyt-4+ gene encodes a 120-kDa protein with significant similarity to the SSD1/SRK1 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the DIS3 protein of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which have been implicated in protein phosphatase functions that regulate cell cycle and mitotic chromosome segregation. The CYT-4 protein is present in mitochondria and is truncated or deficient in two cyt-4 mutants. Assuming that the CYT-4 protein functions in a manner similar to the SSD1/SRK1 and DIS3 proteins, we infer that the mitochondrial RNA splicing and processing reactions defective in the cyt-4 mutants are regulated by protein phosphorylation and that the defects in the cyt-4 mutants result from failure to normally regulate this process. Our results provide evidence that RNA splicing and processing reactions may be regulated by protein phosphorylation.
Antagonism of ligand-gated ion channel receptors: two domains of the glycine receptor alpha subunit form the strychnine-binding site.
Authors: Vandenberg R J , French C R , Barry P H , Shine J , Schofield P R
Published: May 2006

The inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR) is a member of the ligand-gated ion channel receptor superfamily. Glycine activation of the receptor is antagonized by the convulsant alkaloid strychnine. Using in vitro mutagenesis and functional analysis of the cDNA encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the human GlyR, we have identified several amino acid residues that form the strychnine-binding site. These residues were identified by transient expression of mutated cDNAs in mammalian (293) cells and examination of resultant [3H]strychnine binding, glycine displacement of [3H]strychnine, and electrophysiological responses to the application of glycine and strychnine. This mutational analysis revealed that residues from two separate domains within the alpha 1 subunit form the binding site for the antagonist strychnine. The first domain includes the amino acid residues Gly-160 and Tyr-161, and the second domain includes the residues Lys-200 and Tyr-202. These results, combined with analyses of other ligand-gated ion channel receptors, suggest a conserved tertiary structure and a common mechanism for antagonism in this receptor superfamily.
Molecular cloning and sequence of cDNA encoding the pyrophosphate-energized vacuolar membrane proton pump of Arabidopsis thaliana.
Authors: Sarafian V , Kim Y , Poole R J , Rea P A
Published: May 2006

The energy-dependent transport of solutes across the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) of plant cells is driven by two H+ pumps: a vacuolar ("V-type") H(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) and a H(+)-translocating (pyrophosphate-energized) inorganic pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase; EC 3.6.1.1). The H(+)-PPase, like the V-type H(+)-ATPase, is abundant and ubiquitous in the vacuolar membranes of plant cells, and both enzymes make a substantial contribution to the transtonoplast H(+)-electrochemical potential difference. Here, we report the cloning and sequence of cDNAs encoding the tonoplast H(+)-PPase of Arabidopsis thaliana. The protein predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNAs is constituted of 770 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 80,800. It is a highly hydrophobic integral membrane protein, and the structure derived from hydrophilicity plots contains at least 13 transmembrane spans. Since the tonoplast H(+)-PPase appears to be constituted of one polypeptide species and genomic Southern analyses indicate that the gene encoding the Mr 80,800 polypeptide is present in only a single copy in the genome of Arabidopsis, it is suggested that the H(+)-PPase has been cloned in its entirety. The lack of sequence identities between the tonoplast H(+)-PPase and any other characterized H+ pump or PPi-dependent enzyme implies a different evolutionary origin for this translocase.
Molecular basis of human carbonic anhydrase II deficiency.
Authors: Roth D E , Venta P J , Tashian R E , Sly W S
Published: May 2006

Deficiency of carbonic anhydrase II (carbonate hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.1) is the primary defect in the syndrome of osteopetrosis, renal tubular acidosis, and cerebral calcification. In this report we describe the molecular basis for carbonic anhydrase II deficiency in the American family in which the association of carbonic anhydrase II deficiency with this syndrome was first recognized. The three affected siblings from this family are compound heterozygotes, each having inherited two different mutations in the structural gene for carbonic anhydrase II. The paternal mutation is a splice acceptor site mutation at the 3' end of intron 5. The maternal mutation is a missense mutation in exon 3 that substitutes a tyrosine for histidine-107. We show that the mutant enzyme expressed in bacteria from the cDNA containing the His-107----Tyr mutation has detectable, though greatly reduced, activity. We suggest that residual activity of the His-107----Tyr mutant enzyme may explain the absence of mental retardation and the relatively mild phenotype of carbonic anhydrase II deficiency in affected members of this family.
Promoter-cDNA-directed heterologous protein expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes.
Authors: Swick A G , Janicot M , Cheneval-Kastelic T , McLenithan J C , Lane M D
Published: May 2006

Heterologous proteins can be expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes by cytoplasmic microinjection of mRNA. To circumvent limitations inherent in this approach we investigate direct nuclear injection of strong viral expression vectors to drive transcription and subsequent translation of cDNAs encoding cytoplasmic, secreted, and plasma membrane proteins. After several viral promoters had been tested, the pMT2 vector was found to be a superior expression vector for X. laevis oocytes capable of directing expression of high levels of functional heterologous proteins. Typically the amount of protein derived from transcription-translation of the microinjected cDNA accounts for approximately 1% of total non-yolk protein. Moreover, the inefficiency usually associated with nuclear injections was overcome by coinjection of pMT2 driving expression of a secreted alkaline phosphatase as an internal control to select positive-expressing oocytes. Using this method, we have successfully expressed high levels of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, the adipocyte-specific cytosolic 422(aP2) protein, and the membrane-associated glucose transporter GLUT1. The system described should be applicable to a wide variety of proteins for which cDNAs are available. Hence, the cumbersome and often inefficient in vitro synthesis of mRNA for studying ion channels, receptors, and transporters as well as for expression cloning in Xenopus oocytes should no longer be necessary.
Cortical local circuit axons do not mature after early deafferentation.
Authors: McCasland J S , Bernardo K L , Probst K L , Woolsey T A
Published: May 2006

The processes underlying development, refinement, and retention of the intracortical connections critical for the function of the mammalian brain are unknown. Horseradish peroxidase-labeled fibers in mouse somatosensory barrel cortex, which is patterned like the whiskers on the contralateral face from which it receives inputs, were evaluated by automated image analysis. The sensory nerve to the whiskers was sectioned on postnatal day 7, after the whisker map is set. The deprived barrel cortices, examined in adults, showed drastically diminished intracortical projections relative to normal controls, although the map of the whiskers in the cortex was unchanged. This demonstrates anatomically that the normal pattern of intracortical connections, like the normal sensory map, is dependent upon the sensory periphery four synapses away.
Sucrose mimics the light induction of Arabidopsis nitrate reductase gene transcription.
Authors: Cheng C L , Acedo G N , Cristinsin M , Conkling M A
Published: May 2006

Nitrate reductase, the first enzyme in nitrate assimilation, is located at the crossroad of two energy-consuming pathways: nitrate assimilation and carbon fixation. Light, which regulates the expression of many higher-plant carbon fixation genes, also regulates nitrate reductase gene expression. Located in the cytosol, nitrate reductase obtains its reductant not from photosynthesis but from carbohydrate catabolism. This relationship prompted us to investigate the indirect role that light might play, via photosynthesis, in the regulation of nitrate reductase gene expression. We show that sucrose can replace light in eliciting an increase of nitrate reductase mRNA accumulation in dark-adapted green Arabidopsis plants. We show further that sucrose alone is sufficient for the full expression of nitrate reductase genes in etiolated Arabidopsis plants. Finally, using a reporter gene, we show that a 2.7-kilobase region of 5' flanking sequence of the nitrate reductase gene is sufficient to confer the light or the sucrose response.
A role for the TATA-box-binding protein component of the transcription factor IID complex as a general RNA polymerase III transcription factor.
Authors: White R J , Jackson S P , Rigby P W
Published: May 2006

The major class of vertebrate genes transcribed by RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) III, which includes 5S rRNA genes, tRNA genes, and the adenovirus VA genes, is characterized by split internal promoters and no absolute dependence upon specific upstream sequences. Fractionation experiments have shown that transcription of such genes requires two general RNA polymerase III-specific factors, TFIIIB and TFIIIC. We now demonstrate that a third general factor is also employed by these genes. This is the TATA-box-binding protein originally identified as being a component of the general RNA polymerase II transcription factor TFIID. This protein is involved in the transcription by RNA polymerase III of every template tested, even though the promoters of VA and most vertebrate tRNA and 5S rRNA genes do not contain recognizable TATA elements.
Molecular cloning and expression of chicken C-terminal Src kinase: lack of stable association with c-Src protein.
Authors: Sabe H , Knudsen B , Okada M , Nada S , Nakagawa H , Hanafusa H
Published: May 2006

Cloning and sequencing of chicken C-terminal Src kinase (CSK), a tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates the regulatory C-terminal tyrosine residue present on cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the Src family, demonstrated a high degree of interspecies conservation as well as src homology 2 and 3 domains N-terminal to the kinase domain. The lack of autophosphorylation sites distinguishes CSK from other tyrosine kinases. CSK is unique and does not belong to a gene family, suggesting that it may phosphorylate other members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases in addition to c-Src. Since complex formation between c-Src and CSK seemed a likely regulatory step in the control of c-Src kinase activity, such an association was investigated by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting as well as intracellular localization studies. Although some portions of CSK were found in a membrane fraction, no complex formation between CSK and c-Src was observed, suggesting that the src homology 2 domain of CSK does not play a role in the direct interaction of c-Src.
Fte-1, a v-fos transformation effector gene, encodes the mammalian homologue of a yeast gene involved in protein import into mitochondria.
Authors: Kho C J , Zarbl H
Published: May 2006

Revertants were isolated from v-fos-transformed rat-1 cells cotransfected with a human cDNA expression library and a selectable marker (pMEX-neo). Molecular analysis of one clone, R2.2, suggested that the revertant phenotype resulted from the disruption of a transformation effector gene by the integration of the pMEX-neo plasmid. Genomic sequences flanking the plasmid integration site were cloned and used as probes in Northern blot analyses. A probe derived from sequences 5' to the integration site hybridized to a unique 1.2-kilobase mRNA and was used to isolate a 0.9-kilobase cDNA clone (fte-1). The open reading frame of the fte-1 cDNA predicts a highly basic protein that shows a remarkable level of similarity with two genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. One of these yeast genes contains an unidentified open reading frame and the other, MFT1, is a gene isolated from a yeast mutant that fails to import a fusion protein into mitochondria [Garrett, J. M., Singh, K. K., Vonder Haar, R. A. & Emr, S. D. (1991) Mol. Gen. Genet. 225, 483-491]. Expression of the fte-1 gene was induced approximately 5-fold in v-fos-transformed fibroblasts, but expression was reduced in clone R2.2 and in several independent revertant clones. Transfection of R2.2 cells with fte-1 expression vectors resulted in the reacquisition of a transformed phenotype. These results demonstrate that the mammalian homologue of a gene implicated in protein import into yeast mitochondria is a v-fos transformation effector gene.
Increased permeability across the blood-nerve barrier of albumin glycated in vitro and in vivo from patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.
Authors: Poduslo J F , Curran G L
Published: May 2006

The blood-nerve transfer of human plasma albumin glycated with D-glucose was investigated by measuring the permeability coefficient-surface area product (PS) of the blood-nerve barrier to radioiodinated albumin in normal adult rat sciatic nerve. Human albumin (ALB) from normal individuals, freshly isolated by CM-Affi-Gel Blue affinity chromatography, was glycated in vitro for 1, 3, 10, 19, and 30 weeks. Glycated ALB (gALB) was separated from the nonglycated form by boronate-affinity chromatography. The efficiency of this separation was assessed by chromatography of ALB glycated with [14C]glucose and by rechromatography of isolated ALB and gALB after radioiodination. The gALB was also shown to have a higher molecular weight and be completely separated from ALB after SDS/pore gradient electrophoresis in a Tris borate/EDTA buffer. After 1 week of glycation, the gALB PS was 2.2-fold greater than the ALB PS (0.724 +/- 0.063 x 10(-6) vs. 0.328 +/- 0.053 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1; mean +/- SD; P less than 0.0001) and it increased with the time of glycation reaching a maximum value of 16.2-fold greater at 30 weeks (4.656 +/- 1.117 x 10(-6) vs. 0.288 +/- 0.042 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1; mean +/- SD; P less than 0.0001). No change was observed in the residual endoneurial plasma volume. In addition, the PS of gALB isolated from patients with diabetic polyneuropathy was significantly increased (P less than 0.0001) compared to the PS for ALB isolated from the same patients. It is hypothesized that the increased permeability of gALB and presumably other glycated serum components across the blood-nerve barrier, as well as the observed quantitative increase in ALB, IgG, and IgM in sural nerve biopsies from patients with diabetic polyneuropathy contribute to the development of diabetic polyneuropathy over a prolonged period of time by mechanisms that might involve osmotic changes in the nerve microenvironment, direct toxic effects of glycated macromolecules on cells within the endoneurium, or nerve damage by classical immunological mechanisms due to trapping of glycated immunoglobulins within nerve.
Malignant transformation of human fibroblast cell strain MSU-1.1 by (+-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo [a]pyrene.
Authors: Yang D , Louden C , Reinhold D S , Kohler S K , Maher V M , McCormick J J
Published: May 2006

Treatment of MSU-1.1 cells, a near-diploid, karyotypically stable, infinite life-span human fibroblast strain, with (+-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene induced focus formation. Eight independent foci were isolated and the cell strains developed from them were examined for characteristics of malignant cells. Each grew to a higher density in medium containing 1% serum than did the MSU-1.1 cells. Three of the eight grew rapidly in serum-free medium without added growth factors, formed colonies in agarose with diameters of greater than or equal to 120 microns at a frequency of 5-19%, exhibited loss of genetic material, and, when injected into athymic mice, formed sarcomas that reached 6 mm in diameter within 2-3 wk. One produced high-grade sarcomas (progressively growing, invasive tumors exhibiting high mitotic activity); the other two produced low-grade sarcomas (tumors with a lower degree of mitotic activity) that developed focal areas of high-grade malignant cells if left in the animals for greater than 4 wk. A fourth cell strain formed high-grade sarcomas only after 2.5-3 mo, but the tumor-derived cells analyzed showed the same growth properties as the three malignant cell strains described above, exhibited loss of genetic material, and, when reinjected into athymic mice, produced high-grade sarcomas with a short latency period.
Direct effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists on MCF-7 mammary cancer cells.
Authors: Segal-Abramson T , Kitroser H , Levy J , Schally A V , Sharoni Y
Published: May 2006

The binding of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analogues to the human mammary tumor cell line MCF-7 and their effect on the cell proliferation was studied to elucidate their direct action on estrogen-dependent mammary tumors. The growth rate of these cells was doubled by the addition of 1 nM estradiol to cells maintained in an estrogen-deficient medium. Although the basal growth rate was only slightly inhibited by the LH-RH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LH-RH (SB-75), the estrogen-stimulated growth was completely abolished by the antagonist. In contrast, the LH-RH agonist buserelin stimulated cell growth in estrogen-deficient medium, whereas it had no effect in the presence of estrogen. 125I-labeled buserelin was used for the measurement of LH-RH receptors on MCF-7 cells. A Scatchard plot analysis of buserelin-specific binding revealed a nonlinear plot, which suggested the presence of one high-affinity binding site with a Kd of 1.4 +/- 1.0 nM and the remaining sites with low affinity (Kd = 1.3 +/- 1.0 microM). The binding of 125I-labeled buserelin was displaced equally well by unlabeled buserelin and by the LH-RH antagonist SB-75, suggesting that both analogues are bound to the same receptor. When parallel experiments were performed with 125I-labeled SB-75, the binding was displaced by unlabeled SB-75 and other antagonists, but only partially displaced by unlabeled buserelin. The results suggest that in these mammary tumor cells there is a LH-RH antagonist binding site that is not recognizable by LH-RH agonists. This hypothesis was tested by measuring cell growth in the presence of both agonists and antagonists. It was found that SB-75 inhibited the stimulation of growth by buserelin, but buserelin did not prevent the inhibition by the antagonist of the estrogen-dependent growth. These results suggest that antagonists directly inhibit mammary tumor growth, not only by competing with LH-RH high-affinity receptors, but also by other mechanisms mediated by low-affinity antagonist binding sites.
Extracellular K+ specifically modulates a rat brain K+ channel.
Authors: Pardo L A , Heinemann S H , Terlau H , Ludewig U , Lorra C , Pongs O , Stühmer W
Published: May 2006

Extracellular potassium concentration is actively maintained within narrow limits in all higher organisms. Slight variations in extracellular potassium levels can induce major alterations of essential physiological functions in excitable tissues. Here we describe that superfusion of cultured rat hippocampal neurones with potassium-free medium leads to a decrease of a specific outward potassium current, probably carried by RCK4-type channels (RCK4 are potassium channels found in rat brain). This is confirmed by heterologous expression of these channels in Xenopus oocytes. In this system, variations of extracellular potassium in the physiological concentration range induce significant differences in current amplitude. Moreover, the current is completely suppressed in the absence of extracellular potassium. The potassium dependence of macroscopic conductance in RCK4 channels was related by site-directed mutagenesis to that lysine residue in the extracellular loop between the transmembrane segments S5 and S6 of RCK4 protein that confers resistance to extracellular blockage by tetraethylammonium. It is shown that extracellular potassium affects the number of available RCK4 channels, but not the single-channel conductance, the mean open time, or the gating charge displacement upon depolarization.
Localization, conjugation, and function of salicylic acid in tobacco during the hypersensitive reaction to tobacco mosaic virus.
Authors: Enyedi A J , Yalpani N , Silverman P , Raskin I
Published: May 2006

Salicylic acid (SA) is hypothesized to be a natural signal that triggers the systemic induction of pathogenesis-related proteins and disease resistance in tobacco. When Xanthi-nc (NN genotype) tobacco was inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) there was an increase in endogenous SA in both inoculated and virus-free leaves. The highest levels of SA were detected in and around necrotic lesions that formed in response to TMV. Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of extracts from TMV-inoculated leaves demonstrated the presence of a SA conjugate tentatively identified as O-beta-D-glucosyl-SA. The SA conjugate was detected only in leaves that contained necrotic lesions and was not detected in phloem exudates or uninoculated leaves of TMV-inoculated Xanthi-nc tobacco. When exogenous SA was fed to excised tobacco leaves, it was metabolized within 10 hr. However, this reduction in free SA did not prevent the subsequent accumulation of the PR-1 family of pathogenesis-related proteins. The absence of SA accumulation in TMV-inoculated tobacco plants incubated at 32 degrees C was not a result of the glucosylation of SA. The addition of SA to the medium elevated levels of SA in the leaves of virus-free tobacco grown hydroponically. Increasing the endogenous level of SA in leaves to those naturally observed during systemic acquired resistance resulted in increased resistance to TMV, expressed as a reduction in lesion area. These data further support the hypothesis that SA is a likely natural inducer of pathogenesis-related proteins and systemic acquired resistance in TMV-inoculated Xanthi-nc tobacco.
Multiple sulfatase deficiency: catalytically inactive sulfatases are expressed from retrovirally introduced sulfatase cDNAs.
Authors: Rommerskirch W , von Figura K
Published: May 2006

Multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) is an inherited lysosomal storage disease characterized by the deficiency of at least seven sulfatases. The basic defect in MSD is thought to be in a post-translational modification common to all sulfatases. In accordance with this concept, RNAs of normal size and amount were detected in MSD fibroblasts for three sulfatases tested. cDNAs encoding arylsulfatase A, arylsulfatase B, or steroid sulfatase were introduced into MSD fibroblasts and fibroblasts with a single sulfatase deficiency by retroviral gene transfer. Infected fibroblasts overexpressed the respective sulfatase polypeptides. While in single-sulfatase-deficiency fibroblasts a concomitant increase of sulfatase activities was observed, MSD fibroblasts expressed sulfatase polypeptides with a severely diminished catalytic activity. From these results we conclude that the mutation in MSD severely decreases the capacity of a co- or post-translational process that renders sulfatases enzymatically active or prevents their premature inactivation.
Postsynaptic protein kinase C essential to induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region.
Authors: Wang J H , Feng D P
Published: May 2006

Previous studies on the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors intracellularly introduced into the postsynaptic neuron on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region showed that given before the tetanic stimulation they only blocked the development of the maintenance phase of LTP and that given after the tetanus they did not affect the continued maintenance of established LTP. We now report different results in such experiments obtained by looking into the dose-effect relationship of the inhibitors given to the postsynaptic neuron and making use of a synergistic effect of two inhibitors given together. We used the following three PKC inhibitors: polymyxin B (PMB), PKC-(19-31), and H7. With the intracellular delivery of the inhibitor(s) beginning 30 min before the tetanus, PMB in adequate dosage or a combination of PMB and PKC-(19-31), each at a low dosage, could block the development of LTP completely including its initial induction phase. With the delivery beginning at the time of the tetanus, PKC-(19-31) or H7 slowly caused the established LTP to decline to the baseline; this decline was greatly accelerated when PMB and PKC-(19-31) or PMB and H7 were given together. PMB and PKC-(19-31) given together 75-90 min or even 3 h after the tetanus caused a decline of the maintained LTP similar to the decline observed when both inhibitors were given at the time of the tetanus. These results show that postsynaptic PKC is essentially involved in both the initial induction and the subsequent maintenance of LTP, contrary to current views on the subject.