bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding an androgen-dependent mouse seminal vesicle secretory protein
Authors: Guilbaud C , Simon A M , Veyssière G , Jean C
Published: December 2008

We report the cloning and sequencing of a new cDNA sequence encoding a protein from the mouse seminal vesicle. An open reading frame of 297 nucleotides encoded a protein of 99 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 11·454 kDa. The first 21 amino acids constituted a signal peptide followed by 78 amino acids encoding the secreted protein. The cDNA sequence comprised a 3′ untranslated region of 226 bp and the polyadenylation signal AATAAA, 19 bp upstream from the poly(A)+ tail. A high degree of homology was found between this protein and members of the family of seminal vesicle secretory (SVS) proteins, especially rat SVS VI. Northern blot analysis indicated the presence of a 0·7 kb mRNA species in the mRNAs of seminal vesicle tissue. Castration resulted in a marked decrease in the level of the 0·7 kb mRNA encoding the protein, whereas administration of testosterone to castrated males restored the 0·7 kb mRNA.
Discrete splicing alternatives in mRNA encoding the extracellular domain of the testis FSH receptor in the normal and hypogonadal (hpg) mouse
Authors: O'Shaughnessy P J , Dudley K
Published: December 2008

The structure of RNA encoding the mouse testis FSH receptor was studied using reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction. Four major bands were observed by ethidium bromide staining and by hybridization to an FSH-receptor cDNA probe. The largest of these bands was the expected size (779 bp) while the other bands were spaced approximately 70 bp apart. Using alternative primers, each of the products was shown to contain exons 1, 9 and 10. Exons 2-8 in the FSH receptor gene are between 68 and 77 bp in size, suggesting that these multiple products arise by alternate splicing of the region encoding the extracellular domain of the receptor. A similar pattern of splicing was observed in cDNA from the testes of hypogonadal mice, showing that this alternative splicing pattern is not gonadotrophin-dependent.
Angiotensin II receptor isoforms in the rat adrenal gland: studies with the selective subtype antagonists DuP 753 and CGP42112A
Authors: Montiel M , Barker S , Vinson G P , Jiménez E
Published: December 2008

The angiotensin II (Ang II)-binding sites in rat adrenal gland membranes were characterized using 125I-radiolabelled Ang II. While Scatchard analysis identified a single population of Ang II receptor sites, isoelectric focusing (IEF) on polyacrylamide gels revealed four peaks of specific Ang II binding which migrated to isoelectric points (pI values) 6·8, 6·7, 6·5 and 6·3. In binding assays in the presence of an excess of the Ang II receptor AT1 subtype antagonist DuP 753, a monophasic dose-dependent displacement of 125I-labelled Ang II binding by the Ang II receptor AT2 subtype antagonist CGP42112A was observed, and vice versa. In this system, reduction of disulphide bridges using 1 mmol dithiothreitol (DTT)/l markedly increased the number of binding sites in the adrenal zona glomerulosa without affecting receptor affinity.

Using IEF, it was found that both DuP 753 and CGP42112A were able to reduce specific binding of each of the four peaks to some extent. However, the predominant effect of DuP 753 was to reduce the labelling of the isoform at pI 6·7 substantially, while CGP42112A significantly inhibited the specific 125I-labelled Ang II binding to the pI 6·3 isoform. When DuP 753 and CGP42112A were used together, specific binding of 125I-labelled Ang II to the isoforms of pI values 6·8, 6·7 and 6·3 was completely eliminated. These data suggest that the four peaks of specific binding found may be composed of different isoforms of both AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes and that the Ang II receptor isoforms which migrated to pI 6·7 and pI 6·3 are predominantly composed of AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes respectively. Interestingly, in the presence of both antagonists, 8·7 ± 0·9% of the specific binding migrating at pI 6·5 remained unaffected. This finding suggests the presence of an additional subtype, which is neither AT1 nor AT2, in the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.

In further studies, pretreatment with DTT was found to increase the specific 125I-labelled Ang II binding of all four isoforms. Moreover, DTT also produced a further specific binding component between pI 6·5 and pI 6·7 which exhibited AT2 subtype pharmacology in DTT-treated preparations. Since DTT has been reported to enhance only AT2 subtype binding this also suggests that the different isoforms may contain components related to both AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes.
Developmental regulation of bovine insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) gene expression: homology between bovine transcripts and human IGF-II exons
Authors: Boulle N , Schneid H , Listrat A , Holthuizen P , Binoux M , Groyer A
Published: December 2008

Initial observations have indicated similarities between bovine and human IGF-II production during development. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cattle could provide an experimental model that would mimic the complex pattern of human IGF-II gene expression. Expression of bovine IGF-II gene during development was studied by RNA hybridization using various human IGF-II probes. In fetal tissues and in adult muscle, the bovine IGF-II gene was expressed as a family of eight transcripts ranging in size from 5·2 to 1·1 kb. In adult bovine liver, a major IGF-II transcript of 4·4 kb was expressed that could not be detected in any fetal or adult extra-hepatic tissue. During fetal life, quantitative IGF-II mRNA expression differed in liver and muscle, and the relative amounts of the different transcripts varied with the tissue of origin. These observations suggest that the regulation of bovine IGF-II gene expression is specific to the stage of development and the tissue concerned. Moreover its pattern is very similar to that in its human counterpart.

In order to identify a putative homology between human and bovine gene structures, bovine mRNAs were examined for cross-hybridization with various non-coding exons of the human gene. Cross-hybridization was detected with human untranslated exons 5 and 6, suggesting the presence of two distinct promoters similar to the human promoters P3 and P4. The 4·4 kb mRNA species expressed in adult bovine liver failed to hybridize to a probe for human exons 1 and 2, suggesting that the leader sequences of this transcript were different from those present in the human gene. Finally, results obtained with a probe containing the 3′ untranslated end of exon 9 suggested the presence of at least two polyadenylation sites in the bovine gene.

Although differences in IGF-II gene structures were found between cattle and man, the similarities in the pattern of gene expression between the two species suggest that cattle may be a useful model to investigate some developmental aspects of the expression of the human IGF-II gene.
Transferrin gene expression in the mammary gland of the rat. The enhancing effect of 17β-oestradiol on the level of RNA is tissue-specific
Authors: Escalante R , Houdebine L-M , Pamblanco M
Published: December 2008

We have investigated the physiological factors which regulate transferrin gene expression in the mammary gland of the rat. Our studies by dot blot analysis have demonstrated that multiple doses of 17β-oestradiol (OE2; 0·5 mg/kg per day for 3 days) elicit a specific 3·5-fold increase in the transferrin mRNA levels in the mammary glands of virgin rats. The hormonal action of OE2 in mammary tissue was specific for the transferrin gene, as judged by hybridization with β-actin cDNA. The accmulation of transferrin mRNA induced by OE2 treatment was similar to the developmentally regulated expression of the gene observed during the reproductive cycle. The steady-state level of mammary transferrin mRNA increased by up to 4·5-fold at day 21 of lactation, when compared with virgin and pregnant rats. Our results show that the pattern of transferrin gene expression is different in mouse and rat mammary glands. The specific response of the transferrin gene to OE2 was not found in the liver or in the uterus. In the uterus alone, OE2 produced a significant increase in the content of nucleic acids and also induced the accumulation of transferrin and β-actin mRNAs. We have detected for the first time an induction of transferrin gene expression in the mammary gland in response to OE2, and these results support the view that the pattern of transferrin gene multimodulated expression is tissue- and species-specific.
Expression of growth hormone genes in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Lorens J B , Nerland A H , Aasland R , Lossius I , Male R
Published: December 2008

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) possess two genes encoding GH. We have investigated the expression of these two genes in the salmon pituitary. The transcriptional start site was localized 64 nucleotides upstream of the first methionyl codon using primer extension and 5′ specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Northern analysis revealed a major Atlantic salmon GH (salGH) transcript band of approximately 1400 nucleotides. As coexpression of the salGH genes is not discernible by transcript length, other techniques were used to assess gene activity; RNase protection analysis revealed GH transcript heterogeneity, while reverse transcription-PCR assays detected transcripts from both genes at approximately equivalent amounts. The encoded salGH protein, generated in vitro and by Escherichia coli, shares electrophoretic and immunoreactive identity with native pituitary salGH.
Detection of gastrin mRNA in fresh human colonic carcinomas by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Monges G , Biagini P , Cantaloube J-F , Chicheportiche C , Frances V , Brandini D , Parc P , Seitz J-F , Giovannini M , Sauvan R , Hassoun J
Published: December 2008

To investigate the hypothesis that gastrin might be synthesized by tumour tissues in cancer of the colon, samples from six human colon tumours, one hepatic metastasis, four normal colonic mucosal samples and two antral and one fundic gastric mucosal samples from nine patients were analysed to determine whether gastrin mRNA was present.

RNA was extracted from surgical specimens by ultracentrifugation on a CsC1 cushion, purified using the guanidinium thiocyanate method, reversetranscribed and amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Gastrin mRNA was detected in each colonic carcinoma sample (including the hepatic metastasis), while no such signal was observed in normal colon biopsies. Positive and negative controls (gastric antrum and fundus respectively) gave the expected results. In each of the positive samples, the chemiluminescent revelation of amplified products after Southern blotting corresponded to gastrin mRNA without the intron.

These findings demonstrate the ability of primary and metastatic human colonic tumours to produce gastrin mRNA. Since malignant cell lines have been reported to produce gastrin peptide, and since gastrin receptors were present in some cases, our results support the idea that gastrin may be involved in an autocrine mechanism.
Influence of growth factors on the plasminogen activator activity of avian granulosa cells from follicles at different maturational stages of preovulatory development
Authors: Lafrance M , Croze F , Tsang B K
Published: December 2008

Granulosa cells from the first (Fl), third (F3) and fifth and sixth (F5–6) preovulatory follicles and the small yellow follicles (SYFs; diameter 6–8 mm) were cultured for 21 h in the absence and presence of murine and human epidermal growth factors, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factors α and β-I (TGFα, TGFβ), platelet-derived growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-I at concentrations of 0·1–100 ng/ml. Plasminogen activator (PA) activities in the cell (PAc) and in the medium (PAm) were measured by fibrinolysis and fibrin overlay methods. Basal PAc and PAm activities were highest in cell cultures from the less mature follicles (F5–6 and SYF) and decreased as the follicles matured (F3>F1). PAc activity was greater than PAm activity, irrespective of the stage of follicular development. All growth factors examined at the 100 ng/ml level were effective in increasing PAc and PAm activities in cultures of granulosa cells from Fl follicles. However, only TGFα was able to increase PA activities at lower concentrations. The stimulation of the PA activities of granulosa cells from F3 follicles was inconsistent. None of the growth factors significantly increased PA activities in granulosa cells from F5–6 follicles and SYFs, as determined by fibrinolysis. The major PAc and PAm species (characterized by fibrin overlay) had a molecular mass of about 35 kDa, which is characteristic of the urokinase type. Both assay methods detected a stimulatory effect of the growth factors on PA activities in the granulosa cells from Fl follicles. However, an increase in PA activities in cells from F3 and F5–6 follicles and SYFs was indicated only after fibrin overlay analysis. Tritiated thymidine was incorporated into the DNA of granulosa cells at all stages of follicular development and was enhanced by all growth factors, although TGFα and TGFβ were the most effective and had a ranked order of activity: F3, F5–6>F1, SYF. The present findings show that, of the growth factors examined, TGFα may be an effective regulator of PA activity in avian granulosa cells during follicular development, in addition to its observed mitogenic action.
Evidence that two tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) prolactins have different osmoregulatory functions during adaptation to a hyperosmotic environment
Authors: Auperin B , Rentier-Delrue F , Martial J A , Prunet P
Published: December 2008

Two forms of prolactin (tiPRLI and tiPRLII), with only 69% sequence identity, have been previously described in the cichlid fish tilapia (Oreochromis species). In the present study we have attempted to investigate the biological activity of these two prolactin forms during adaptation to a hyperosmotic environment. For this purpose, we have developed two highly sensitive (sensitivity: 0·05 ng/ml) and specific (cross-reactivity <0·04%) radioimmunoassays for tiPRLI and tiPRLII, using recombinant hormones.

When fish were directly transferred from fresh to brackish water, the measured levels of plasma tiPRLI and tiPRLII dropped abruptly until 12 h after transfer. Thereafter, plasma tiPRLII remained stable (around 0·5 ng/ml) until the end of the experiment, whereas plasma tiPRLI continued to decrease to undetectable levels. These different patterns of change are reflected in the calculated ratio of plasma tiPRLII to tiPRLI, which increased from 2–3 in fresh water-adapted fish to over 10 in fish which had spent 3 days or more in brackish water. The pituitary contents of tiPRLI and tiPRLII varied in a qualitatively similar fashion after transfer to brackish water. The tiPRLI content dropped continuously after 12 h, reaching one-twelfth of its initial level after 2 weeks. The pituitary tiPRLII content, on the other hand, did not decrease significantly until day 7, and after a 2-week exposure to brackish water it had only decreased by 50%.

When injected into tilapia adapted to brackish water, both ovine prolactin and recombinant tiPRLI induced a clear dose-dependent ion-retaining effect. In contrast, the effect induced by tiPRLII treatment was markedly smaller and not dose-dependent.

Northern blot analysis of tiPRL mRNAs using either a tiPRLI or a tiPRLII cDNA probe indicated the presence of two mRNAs differing in size: a 1·7 kb mRNA coding for tiPRLI and a 1·3 kb mRNA coding for tiPRLII. After transfer to brackish water, levels of the two mRNAs decreased similarly.

The present study indicates that, in O. niloticus, the two forms of prolactin have different osmoregulatory roles during adaptation to brackish water. Accordingly, their syntheses are differentially regulated after transfer to a hyperosmotic environment, presumably at a post-transcriptional level.
Induction of gene expression during involution of the lactating mammary gland of the rat
Authors: Guenette R S , Corbeil H B , Léger J , Wong K , Mézl V , Mooibroek M , Tenniswood M
Published: December 2008

After weaning, the mammary gland ceases lactation and involutes. The wet weight of the gland decreases by 70% within 4 days of weaning. This involves significant tissue remodelling as the ducts regress and return to the resting state. The presence of apoptotic bodies in the luminal epithelial compartment 2 to 3 days after weaning provides clear evidence that a substantial proportion of the regression is attributable to the induction of active cell death (ACD) of the epithelial cells.

These changes in the architecture of the gland were found to be mirrored by changes in gene expression. The steady-state level of β-casein mRNA decreased rapidly after weaning from the high levels seen during lactation to undetectable levels by 8 days after weaning. The steady-state levels of expression of a number of genes associated with ACD, including TRPM-2, tissue transglutaminase (TGase) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), increased transiently during this time-frame. The steady-state level of TRPM-2 mRNA increased 2 days after weaning, reaching a peak on day 4, and decreasing to undetectable levels by day 8 after weaning. The steady-state levels of two other mRNAs, TGase and PARP, showed very similar kinetics. In contrast, the mRNA for Hsp 27, which has been shown to be induced during prostate regression, was not significantly induced in the regressing mammary gland. In-situ hybridization demonstrated that the TRPM-2, TGase and PARP genes were expressed predominantly in the luminal epithelial cells of the ducts. These cells expressed β-casein mRNA during lactation, and underwent ACD after weaning.

While the ultrastructural changes in the mammary gland after weaning, and the induction of TRPM-2, TGase and PARP mRNAs, are reminiscent of apoptosis in the prostate, several features of the process are different. Most notably, the disruption of the secretory processes and the lack of increased expression of Hsp 27 in the regressing mammary gland suggest that there may be a number of important events in ACD that are not common to all cells.
Mutation in 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II associated with pseudohermaphroditism in males and premature pubarche or cryptic expression in females
Authors: Mendonça B B , Russell A J , Vasconcelos-Leite M , Arnhold IJ P , Bloise W , Wajchenberg B L , Nicolau W , Sutcliffe R G , Wallace A M
Published: December 2008

A mutation (A82T) is described in the coding sequence of the gene for 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) type II that is associated with variable clinical consequences. Four homozygotes are described, all of which showed elevated levels of Δ5 steroids consistent with 3ß-HSD deficiency. Two males from a consanguineous family were found to be homozygous for A82T and were affected with pseudohermaphroditism. They differed in their degree of mild salt loss. In the same family a female was found to be homozygous for A82T, but was clinically normal and had no history of premature pubarche or of abnormal menstrual cycles. However, in an apparently unrelated family, the A82T mutation was found in a female affected with premature pubarche. This is the first report of a proven mutation in 3ß-HSD type II associated with premature pubarche.
Ontogeny of steroidogenic enzyme expression in the porcine conceptus
Authors: Conley A J , Rainey W E , Mason J I
Published: December 2008

This study examined fetal steroidogenic enzyme expression and function during pregnancy in the pig. Northern and Western analyses were performed to detect the cytochrome P450 enzyme 17α-hydroxylase/17–20 lyase (P450c17) and that for cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc), as well as 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) expression in several porcine fetal tissues. The data demonstrate higher steroidogenic enzyme expression in the fetal adrenal glands and testes than in the placenta at all stages of development examined. Although steroidogenic enzyme expression was maintained throughout gestation in both the fetal adrenals and the testes, adrenal P450c17 expression was higher in the early and late stages when compared with the intermediate stages of fetal development. The stimulation of fetal adrenal steroidogenic enzyme expression in the later stage fetuses was accompanied by increased expression of P450c17 in both the fetal testes and placenta. The expression of 3β-HSD by porcine fetal testes was low compared with that of the fetal adrenal gland at all stages of development. Adrenal explants and cultured cells secreted cortisol and androstenedione but much lower amounts of corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and aldosterone. Secretion of cortisol and androstenedione by adrenal explants was maintained by ACTH for 5 days of culture but declined in controls. In cultured porcine fetal adrenal cells, ACTH and angiotensin II stimulated the secretion of multiple steroids. Porcine fetal testis explants and cultured cells secreted testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, but were only moderately responsive to trophic stimulation by LH. In general, the data suggest that the fetal adrenal glands and the fetal testes have the potential to contribute significantly to the production of steroids during pregnancy in pigs.
Differential regulation of c-fos gene expression by two types of human endothelin receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Tabuchi H , Furuichi Y , Miyamoto C
Published: December 2008

To investigate the nuclear signalling pathway induced by endothelin (ET) isopeptides, we have established permanent Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, CHO-ETA/fos-lacZ and CHO-ETB/fos-lacZ, that produce both a c-fos-β-galactosidase fusion protein and either the type A or the type B human ET receptor. These cell lines permitted a colorimetric measurement of c-fos expression, which was induced by the signal transduction system with ET receptors and ET isopeptides. We found that the ET-1-dependent c-fos expression was so efficient that it could respond to low concentrations (even a physiological concentration) of ET-1. For example, CHO-ETA/fos-lacZ and CHO-ETB/fos-lacZ responded to ET concentrations of 5×10−9m and 5×10−13m respectively. Using this highly sensitive system, the H-7 sensitive protein kinase was found to be involved in signal transduction mediated by ETA, and also partly in the ETB-mediated pathway. These lines of evidence suggest that c-fos expression occurs through at least two different pathways, depending on the concentration of ET in plasma.
Differential accumulation of insulin-like growth factor-I in kidneys of pre- and postpubertal streptozotocin-diabetic rats
Authors: Phillip M , Werner H , Palese T , Kowarski A A , Stannard B , Bach L A , LeRoith D , Roberts C T
Published: December 2008

Nephropathy, one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by an early increase in kidney size. In experimental models of diabetes, this event is preceded by a rapid and transient rise in kidney IGF-I levels, at least in adult animals. Since diabetes-associated renal changes are uncommon in young patients, we investigated the early changes in the components of the IGF system following induction of diabetes in prepubertal and postpubertal rats. The rationale for this study was the evaluation of potential differences which could lead to kidney complications only at adult stages.

Unlike the situation in the postpubertal kidney, in which there was a transient accumulation of extractable IGF-I 24–48 h after streptozotocin (STZ) administration, there was a decrease of ∼12-fold in the level of IGF-I in the prepubertal kidney over the same period of time. Paradoxically, kidney IGF-I mRNA levels were reduced by ∼50% in the postpubertal rat 24 h after STZ treatment, whereas in the prepubertal kidney IGF-I mRNA levels were unaltered. Furthermore, the levels of IGF-I receptor mRNA and 125I-labelled IGF-I binding to kidney membranes of postpubertal diabetic rats were similar to the levels in control kidneys. On the other hand, both the levels of IGF-I receptor mRNA and 125I-labelled IGF-I binding were increased (∼2·5-fold (after 24 h) and ∼ 3-fold (after 48 h) respectively) in prepubertal animals. In addition, increased expression of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1 mRNA was seen early in diabetes in both pre- and postpubertal rats.

The results of this study suggest that the transient accumulation of IGF-I in the kidney of the postpubertal diabetic rat may not be due to an increase in the local synthesis of IGF-I, but rather to an increase in IGF-I uptake from the circulation due to non-membrane-associated IGFBP-1. The lack of accumulation of IGF-I in the prepubertal kidney probably reflects the ∼ 10-fold lower levels of circulating IGF-I in young as compared with adult diabetic rats.
Differential regulation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and aromatase (P450arom) enzyme mRNA expression by gonadotrophins and cyclic AMP in human granulosa cells
Authors: Yong E L , Hillier S G , Turner M , Baird D T , Ng S C , Bongso A , Ratnam S S
Published: December 2008

The co-ordinated biosynthesis of progesterone and oestradiol in the human ovary is critical for reproductive cyclicity and eventual pregnancy. The crucial regulatory enzymes for progesterone and oestradiol biosynthesis in granulosa cells are the cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and aromatase (P450arom) enzymes respectively. We utilized the cDNA sequences encoding P450arom and P450scc to examine the roles of FSH and LH, and their intracellular second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), in regulating steroidogenic gene expression. Mature granulosa cells (aspirated before the onset of the endogenous LH surge) and granulosa lutein cells (obtained after an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotrophin) were cultured for 4 days with FSH, LH or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP). After the period of culture, total RNA was extracted from granulosa cells and Northern analyses were performed utilizing 32P-labelled cDNAs encoding P450arom and P450scc. Spent culture media were analysed for steroid and cAMP content.

Both FSH and LH strongly stimulated P450arom mRNA expression and oestradiol production in mature granulosa cells. On the other hand, P450scc mRNA expression and progesterone biosynthesis were weakly induced by FSH; maximal synthesis occurred only in the presence of LH. With both gonadotrophins at equivalent concentrations, LH generated a 30-fold higher level of cAMP than FSH. Furthermore, the differential effects of FSH and LH on P450 mRNA expression were reproduced by the presence of low and high concentrations of dbcAMP respectively. LH (and high levels of dbcAMP) increased P450arom mRNA expression in mature granulosa cells but inhibited its accumulation in granulosa lutein cells. In contrast, it stimulated P450scc mRNA expression and progesterone synthesis in both mature granulosa and granulosa lutein cells. Therefore, FSH/low cAMP levels stimulated P450arom gene expression and oestradiol production, while LH/high cAMP levels maximally induced P450scc gene expression and function, in a development-related manner consistent with steroid production in vivo. These findings support the hypothesis that one set of genes (like P450arom) in human granulosa cells is regulated by FSH/low cAMP levels and another (like P450scc) by LH/high cAMP levels.
Distribution and developmental pattern of neuromedin U expression in the rat gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Austin C , Oka M , Nandha K A , Legon S , Khandan-Nia N , Lo G , Bloom S R
Published: December 2008

This study has quantified, for the first time, the relative levels of neuromedin U (NmU) mRNA in the rat gastrointestinal tract using Northern blot analysis. NmU message was detected in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus to the rectum. The greatest levels were found in the duodenum and jejunum, the principal sites for absorption, which were 2·5- and 3-fold respectively above ileal levels.

Quantification of NmU mRNA and peptide contents in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum during postnatal development of the rat showed message and peptide levels to be greater in the maturing rat than in neonates. Message levels in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed 14-, 7- and 4-fold increases respectively between 1 and 56 days after birth, whilst the corresponding peptide levels in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed 33-, 14- and 25-fold increases respectively.

Food deprivation caused a small, but significant, decrease in message levels in the jejunum and colon, but there was no change in the duodenum or ileum. This shows that the presence of food has little effect on NmU mRNA levels in the gut.
Insulin-like growth factor-I gene expression in human granulosa-lutein cells
Authors: Huang Z H , Clayton P E , Brady G , Morris I D
Published: December 2008

IGF-I is an important local regulator of ovarian function, stimulating follicular growth and steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells. However, it is not known whether ovarian IGF-I is derived from the circulating serum pool or from local production. IGF-I peptide has only been detected in human thecal cells and not in granulosa cells. This study has used the sensitive technique of reverse transcription of mRNA followed by PCR amplification (RT/PCR) to examine IGF-I gene expression in human preovulatory granulosa cells.

Granulosa-lutein cell (GLC) samples were obtained by follicular puncture of seven women enrolled in an ovulation induction programme. Treatment had included buserelin acetate, human menopausal gonadotrophin to stimulate follicular growth and human chorionic gonadotrophin to induce ovulation. Total RNA (TRNA), extracted from the GLCs, was amplified by RT/PCR, using combinations of leader and 3′ IGF-I exon-specific primers, to yield four IGF-I gene products: IGF-IA (exons 1, 3, 4, 6), IGF-IB (exons 1, 3, 4, 5), IGF-IA′ (exons 2, 3, 4, 6) and IGF-IB′ (exons 2, 3, 4, 5). As controls from other tissues, an identical procedure was undertaken on TRNA from peripheral blood monocytes and liver. All four mRNAs were expressed in GLCs, monocytes and liver. However the pattern of IGF-I mRNA expression differed between the tissues; in liver and GLCs, the IGF-IA transcript was dominant, but in monocytes the IGF-IA′ species was the most prominent. Quantitative RT/PCR using standardization to the house-keeping gene for glyceraldehyde-3′-phosphate dehydrogenase revealed that IGF-IA mRNA was 300-fold more abundant in liver than GLCs.

This study has indicated that: i) RT/PCR can be used to detect multiple IGF-I mRNA species in small amounts of TRNA from human tissue, ii) the IGF-I gene is expressed at low level in human preovulatory GLCs and iii) there is preferential use of leader exon 1 in human GLCs and leader exon 2 in monocytes. Further studies of IGF-I gene expression by this method in other ovarian cell types and granulosa cells from the developing follicle may help to clarify the local role of IGF-I in the human ovary.
Directed expression of simian virus 40 T-antigen in transgenic mice using the epidermal growth factor gene promoter
Authors: Pascall J C , Surani M A , Barton S C , Vaughan T J , Brown K D
Published: December 2008

A transgenic mouse line (EGF/Tag) has been established in which expression of SV40 T-antigen is directed by a 5·5 kb fragment of the 5′-flanking region of the mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene. Of the two principal sites of EGF expression in mice, submaxillary gland and kidney, T-antigen mRNA and protein were detected in the former but not in the latter tissue of the EGF/Tag animals. T-antigen expression in the submaxillary gland was restricted to the EGF-producing cells of the granular convoluted tubules, and the oncoprotein induced hyperplasia of these cells. T-antigen levels were markedly higher in the submaxillary glands of male compared with female transgenic mice, suggesting that expression of the transgene was androgen-regulated, like the endogenous EGF gene. These results indicate that the 5·5 kb fragment upstream of the mouse EGF gene contains the DNA enhancer elements required for hormonally regulated expression in the submaxillary gland. Since the hyperplastic submaxillary glands of the EGF/Tag mice continue to synthesize EGF, these glands provide a tissue source from which it may prove possible to establish EGF-secreting cell lines for further in vitro studies of the mechanisms regulating expression of the EGF gene.
Human relaxins in normal, benign and neoplastic breast tissue
Authors: Tashima L S , Mazoujian G , Bryant-Greenwood G D
Published: December 2008

Immunoreactive relaxin is present in human breast cyst fluid and postpartum milk without concurrent detectable serum levels, suggesting that the breast is a site of relaxin synthesis. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to human relaxin H2 have been used to immunolocalize relaxins in normal, benign and neoplastic breast tissues with the avidin—biotin immunostaining technique. In view of the similarities in amino acid sequence between HI and H2 relaxins, these antibodies to H2 relaxin are likely to detect either or both relaxins present in tissue sections. Staining patterns with these antibodies were identical and showed positive diffuse cytoplasmic staining in normal, lobular and ductal epithelium and in myoepithelial cells in breast tissues from normal prepubertal, cyclic, gestational, lactational and postmenopausal females. Relaxin staining was also present in epithelial and myoepithelial cells of ducts and lobules in benign breast disease as well as in metaplastic epithelium of apocrine microcysts. All breast carcinomas (infiltrating ductal, tubular, medullary, intraductal and infiltrating lobular carcinomas) had strong uniform cytoplasmic staining within the neoplastic epithelial cells. All staining was abolished in normal and neoplastic tissues when the polyclonal antibody was preabsorbed with relaxin.

It was necessary to distinguish between the possibilities of relaxins being sequestered by breast tissue and local synthesis. Therefore, the expression of the Hl, H2 or both human relaxin genes in normal and neoplastic breast tissues was studied by the isolation of RNA, synthesis of first strand cDNA and amplification by PCR using primer sets which amplified either both H1 and H2, or specifically only H1 or H2 relaxin. The coamplification of both relaxin genes was verified by Southern analysis, diagnostic restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The primer set for H1 relaxin detected H1 gene expression in 1 out of 8 normal and 9 out of 12 neoplastic breast RNA samples. The H2 relaxin gene was found to be expressed in 3 out of 8 of the normal samples but in all 12 of the neoplastic samples, suggesting that this gene is expressed at higher copy number in the neoplastic tissues.

This is the first demonstration of the cellular immunolocalization of relaxin and relaxin gene expression in normal and neoplastic breast. This should allow further exploration of relaxin's role(s) in normal breast physiology and in its tumorigenesis.
Effects of oestrogen on rat uterine expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins
Authors: Molnar P , Murphy L J
Published: December 2008

Previous studies have established that the IGFs are involved in oestrogen-induced uterine proliferation. IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are present in most biological fluids and tissues and may modulate the actions of the IGFs. We examined uterine, hepatic and renal expression of the IGFBPs throughout the oestrous cycle and investigated the effects of oestradiol (OE2) on IGFBP expression in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Uterine expression of IGFBPs-1 and -3 showed a definite variation throughout the oestrous cycle with highest levels during dioestrus. In the liver and kidney the changes in IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 mRNA abundance were the opposite of those observed in the uterus, with the highest levels observed during oestrus. Administration of OE2 to ovx rats decreased uterine IGFBP-3 mRNA and increased IGFBP-4 mRNA levels. In these rats there were no consistent changes in renal IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-3 mRNAs; however, a significant increase in IGFBP-4 mRNA was observed in this tissue, as in the uterus. In the liver an increase in IGFBP-1 mRNA and a decrease in IGFBP-3 mRNA levels were observed in rats treated with OE2. Despite changes in uterine, hepatic and renal IGFBP mRNA levels, no significant variation was seen in serum IGFBPs as determined by ligand blotting of sera. These data demonstrate that there is a cyclical variation in the expression of the IGFBPs in the uterus, kidney and liver, and that OE2 is able to modulate differentially IGFBP expression in these tissues.
Regulators for the rat clusterin gene: DNA methylation and cis-acting regulatory elements
Authors: Rosemblit N , Chen C-L C
Published: December 2008

Clusterin, also known as sulphated glycoprotein-2 or testosterone-repressed prostate message-2, is a ubiquitous protein found in a variety of tissues and species. In the reproductive tract of the male rat, clusterin is regulated in a complex age-dependent and cell-specific manner. It is expressed at high levels in the epididymis and testis and at very low levels in the prostate under basal conditions. The expression of this gene in the prostate and seminal vesicles is associated with androgen withdrawal, while in the testis clusterin mRNA is repressed by cyclic AMP (cAMP). To understand the mechanisms that control the expression of the clusterin gene better, we isolated and characterized the gene encoding rat clusterin, and analysed its cytosine methylation pattern in various tissues. Several putative regulatory DNA elements were identified, including a consensus AP-1 site in the 5′ flanking region. Two AP-1 sites and two transforming growth factor-β inhibitory elements, one AP-2 site and eight half-sites for glucocorticoid/androgen response elements were found within the first intron, and one cAMP response element was found in the first exon. The cytosine methylation pattern indicated that testicular or epididymal DNA in the rat is hypomethylated in the region between positions −534 and −99 of the clusterin gene, when compared with tissues with lower levels of expression such as prostate as well as liver, lung, kidney and spleen.
Importance of the extracellular domain of the human thyrotrophin receptor for activation of cyclic AMP production
Authors: Paschke R , Parmentier M , Vassart G
Published: December 2008

The mechanism by which the TSH receptor is activated is unknown. Current knowledge leads us to consider that G protein-coupled receptors are activated by positioning of their ligand in the pocket formed by the hydrophobic transmembrane segments. Furthermore, activation of an N-terminally truncated LH receptor lacking most of the extracellular domain has been described, suggesting the existence of a mechanism involving a direct interaction between LH and the transmembrane segments. The high conservation of the transmembrane segments among G protein-coupled receptors is a strong indication for a common mechanism of receptor activation.

To test this hypothesis for the TSH receptor we have constructed four N-terminally truncated TSH receptor mutants with 5 or 69 amino acids of the extracellular domain joined to signal peptide regions consisting of the first 23 or 33 amino acids. The four fragments were amplified by PCR and subcloned into pBSK+. Sequences were confirmed after subcloning in M13. After joining the four fragments in pBSK+, the four TSH receptor constructs were subcloned in pSVL and transiently or stably expressed in COS and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells respectively.

In contrast to results obtained for the LH receptor, stimulation of the transfectants with 10 μm human chorionic gonadotrophin or 350 mU TSH/ml did not increase cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations in cultures of transiently transfected COS cells or stably transfected CHO cells. However, mRNA for the TSH receptor could be detected by RNase protection assay in all stable transfectants used for stimulation of cAMP.

These results suggest that activation of the receptor does not implicate direct interaction of TSH with the transmembrane domains. However, our experiments could not investigate whether binding of TSH to the extracellular part of the TSH receptor can induce conformational changes of the transmembrane part, which might trigger activation of the receptor or any other role of the extracellular receptor domain as a cofactor for TSH receptor activation.
Effect of oestradiol-17β on the expression of oestrogen receptor mRNA in human tonsillar cells
Authors: Evagelatou M , Farrant J
Published: December 2008

We have investigated the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) mRNA in Ficoll-separated tonsillar cells and the changes that occur with the addition of oestradiol (OE2) both in the presence and the absence of the T cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The amounts of ER mRNA and β-actin mRNA in the samples were determined by slot blotting and hybridization and quantified by densitometry. The levels of ER mRNA were normalized against the β-actin mRNA content. In the presence of OE2 (7×10−8m) after a 10-h culture there was a significant decrease (P<0·05) to about 66% of the control (0-h culture) ER mRNA levels. Stimulating the cultures with PHA (1 μg/ml, without the presence of OE2, had no effect on the expression of ER mRNA. However, when OE2 was present in a 10-h culture of PHA-stimulated cells, the ER mRNA level was significantly decreased (P<0·05) to about 60% of control levels. In 24-h cultures, the presence of OE2 and/or PHA had no effect. When separated T cell preparations from the tonsils were used, no significant effects of OE2 were seen in either the 10-h or 24-h cultures. In conclusion, OE2 downregulates the ER mRNA content in a tonsillar mononuclear cell system in vitro as it does in many primary oestrogen target cells.
High-level expression of recombinant porcine LH receptor in baculovirus-infected insect cells or caterpillars
Authors: Pajot-Augy E , Couture L , Bozon V , Remy J-J , Biache G , Severini M , Huer J-C , Pernoller J-C , Salesse R
Published: December 2008

Porcine LH receptor ectodomain was overexpressed in insect cells and lepidopteran larvae using the recombinant baculovirus expression system. A low multiplicity of infection yielded the largest active production, of approximately 107 receptors/cell or 3 μg active receptor/mg total protein in infected cells. The truncated ectodomain solubilized with Triton X-100 bound its ligand with a high affinity which was comparable with that of the native membrane receptor. Increasing the multiplicity of infection resulted in an optimum protein production of 0·6 mg receptor/mg total protein in infected cells. This receptor was largely inactive, probably trapped within aggregation pools. Active receptor could be recovered by dilution of the samples. No secretion of recombinant receptor was ever observed whatever the conditions of infection. Expression of the recombinant receptor in insect larvae was also tested. This low-cost system failed both to increase the amount of active receptor and to induce secretion into the haemolymph. Two methods remain for producing sizeable amounts of active receptor with this baculovirus/insect cell system. One relies on immunoaffinity purification of the active protein and requires large-scale production, and the other is based on the purification of overexpressed inactive receptor followed by renaturation.
A novel cyclic AMP response element-binding protein-1 (CREB-1) splice product may down-regulate CREB-1 activity
Authors: Ellis M J C , Hurst H C , Goodbourn S
Published: December 2008

In this report we identify novel spliced forms of cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element-binding protein-1 (CREB-1) mRNA. These forms contained an additional 17 nucleotide insert, which we refer to as the β exon, located between exons 4 and 7 of the Δ, and 5 and 7 of the α forms of CREB-1 transcript (nomenclature of Ruppert et al. 1992; EMBO Journal 11, 1503-1512). The inclusion of the β exon led to the generation of mRNAs in which the frame of CREB-1 sequences 3′ to the exon was shifted such that the encoded proteins terminate after the transactivation domain, but before the target serine for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The β exon-containing CREB-1 mRNAs were more abundant in tissues that respond poorly to cAMP, suggesting that the generation of βCREB-1 mRNAs may contribute to the down-regulation of CREB-1 activity and cAMP responsiveness.
Contribution of a 12 kDa protein to the angiotensin II-induced stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA: interaction with the 3′ untranslated mRNA
Authors: Klett C , Bader M , Schwemmle M , Ganten D , Hackenthal E
Published: December 2008

Several authors have shown that angiotensin II stimulates hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. In previous studies we have demonstrated that this effect of angiotensin II depends mainly on a transient inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and is the consequence of a stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA. In the present study we describe the isolation of a polysomal 12 kDa protein which, in band shift and cross link assays, shows a specific affinity to the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of angiotensinogen mRNA and prevents enzymatic degradation of angiotensinogen mRNA in a cell-free incubation system. [32P]UTP-labelled or unlabelled 3′ fragments of angiotensinogen mRNA were synthesized on a transcription vector (pGEM5zf+) into which the corresponding DNA sequence was cloned after restriction from vector pRAG 16. Binding of the 12 kDa protein to the radioactively labelled 3′ UTR of angiotensinogen mRNA could be displaced by unlabelled 3′ UTR mRNA fragments but not by a renin mRNA of comparable length derived from the coding region, The RNA-binding protein appears to be derived from a higher molecular mass precursor (45 kDa) which is preferentially present under reducing conditions in vitro; the active low molecular mass form is evident in the absence of reducing agents. In a cross link experiment we established that a band shift signal which was obtained in the presence of the 45 kDa protein preparation exclusively depends on RNA binding of the active 12 kDa protein. In addition, a phosphorylation step may be involved in the activation of the 12 kDa protein, since its molecular mass and isoelectric point correlate with proteins which were phosphorylated in response to transient decreases of cAMP (induced by guanfacine or angiotensin II) or in response to a direct inhibition of protein kinase A by the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMP. The importance of phosphorylation reactions for the stabilization of angiotensinogen mRNA was further assessed in a cell-free incubation system of rat liver parenchymal cells. These studies demonstrated that in the presence of acid phosphatase (1 U/ml) the half-life of angiotensinogen was significantly decreased. In the same incubation system the 12 kDa protein increased the half-life of endogenous as well as of exogenous angiotensinogen mRNA three- to fourfold, while no stabilizing effect was apparent when exogenous angiotensinogen mRNA from which the 3′ tail had been deleted was added. We concluded that an intracellular 12 kDa protein may play a crucial role in the angiotensin Il-induced stabilization of hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA and further suggest that this protein exerts its effect via binding to the 3′ UTR of angiotensinogen mRNA in response to a cAMP-dependent activation step.