bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purification to homogeneity and enzymological characterization of a functional covalent complex composed of cytochromes P-450 isozyme 2 and b5 from rabbit liver.
Authors: Tamburini P P , Schenkman J B
Published: May 2006

A covalent complex between rabbit hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450 isozyme 2 (LM2) and b5 was created and purified to greater than 95% homogeneity. The purified complex was largely comprised of the two cytochromes covalently attached at the interface of the functional electron transfer-effector complex as shown by the following evidence. The spin state of the LM2 within the complex was greater than the spin state of free LM2, and the addition of free cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) did not further increase the spin state of the LM2 within the complex. The spectral binding parameters (Kd and delta Amax) for the association of benzphetamine with LM2 in the complex were identical to those observed with free LM2 in the presence of saturating concentrations of free cyt b5 and much different from those observed for LM2 in the absence of cyt b5. Reconstituted monooxygenase activity of the covalent LM2-cyt b5 complex (LM2-cyt b5) in the presence of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was much higher than the activity of free LM2 and approached the activity of free LM2 in the presence of optimal concentrations of free cyt b5. Furthermore, the Km for the flavoprotein in supporting either free LM2 or LM2-cyt b5-dependent p-nitroanisole demethylation were similar. (iv) Less than 20-25% of the cyt b5 within the complex could be reduced by free NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (NADH-cyt b5 reductase) albeit at a slow rate. The implications of this data to the current understanding of the mechanism and stoichiometry of protein interactions in the hepatic mixed function oxidase system are discussed.
Expression and assembly of functional bacterial luciferase in plants
Authors: Koncz Csaba , Olsson Olof , Langridge William H. R. , Schell Jeff , Szalay Aladar A.
Published: May 2006

The
luxA
and
luxB
structural genes of
Vibrio harveyi
luciferase [alkanal,reduced FMN:oxygen oxidoreductase (1-hydroxylating, luminescing), EC 1.14.14.3] were introduced into a plant expression vector and transferred into tobacco and carrot cells by
Agrobacterium
-mediated or direct DNA transformation. Simultaneous expression of the
luxA
and
luxB
genes was monitored by protein immunoblot analysis. Luciferase-mediated light emission provided evidence for the assembly of the two protein subunits into a functional dimeric enzyme in plant protoplasts, in transformed calli, and in leaves of transformed plants. Bacterial luciferase may provide a useful marker-gene system for the quantitative assay of coordinate gene expression in transgenic plants.
Implications of the picornavirus capsid structure for polyprotein processing.
Authors: Arnold E , Luo M , Vriend G , Rossmann M G , Palmenberg A C , Parks G D , Nicklin M J , Wimmer E
Published: May 2006

Mature picornaviral proteins are derived by progressive, posttranslational cleavage of a precursor polyprotein. These cleavages play a role in the control of virus functions. Although the processed termini are separated by as much as 75 A in the native virus capsid, the fold and arrangement of polypeptide chains in a protomer before proteolysis are likely to be similar to that found in the mature virus. The three-dimensional structures of rhinovirus and Mengo virus suggest that the cleavage sites within the protomeric precursor are in structurally flexible regions. The final proteolytic processing event, maturation of the virion peptide VP0 (also called peptide 1AB) appears to occur by an unusual autocatalytic serine protease-type mechanism possibly involving viral RNA basic groups that would serve as proton-abstractors during the cleavage reaction.
Chimeric antibody with human constant regions and mouse variable regions directed against carcinoma-associated antigen 17-1A.
Authors: Sun L K , Curtis P , Rakowicz-Szulczynska E , Ghrayeb J , Chang N , Morrison S L , Koprowski H
Published: May 2006

We have cloned the genomic DNA fragments encoding the heavy and light chain variable regions of monoclonal antibody 17-1A, and we have inserted them into mammalian expression vectors containing genomic DNA segments encoding human gamma 3 and kappa constant regions. The transfer of these expression vectors containing mouse-human chimeric immunoglobulin genes into Sp2/0 mouse myeloma cells resulted in the production of functional IgG that retained the specific binding to the surface antigen 17-1A expressed on colorectal carcinoma cells.
Immunoprecipitation of the parathyroid hormone receptor.
Authors: Wright B S , Tyler G A , O'Brien R , Caporale L H , Rosenblatt M
Published: May 2006

An 125I-labeled synthetic analog of bovine parathyroid hormone, [8-norleucine,18-norleucine,34-tyrosine]PTH-(1-34) amide ([Nle]PTH-(1-34)-NH2), purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), was employed to label the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor in cell lines derived from PTH target tissues: the ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma of bone and the CV1 and COS monkey kidney lines. After incubation of the radioligand with intact cultured cells, the hormone was covalently attached to receptors by using either a photoaffinity technique or chemical (affinity) cross-linking. In each case, covalent labeling was specific, as evidenced by a reduction of labeling when excess competing nonradioactive ligand was present. After covalent attachment of radioligand, membranes were prepared from the cells and solubilized in the nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40 or octyl glucoside. The soluble membrane fraction present in the supernatant of a 100,000 X g centrifugation was incubated with IgG prepared from anti-PTH antiserum generated to the amino-terminal region, residues 1-34, of PTH. The IgG-PTH-receptor complex was precipitated with staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose. Analysis of the immunoprecipitate on NaDod-SO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography revealed the presence of a doublet of apparent molecular mass 69-70 kDa. Specifically labeled bands of approximate molecular mass 95 and 28 kDa were also observed. The anti-PTH IgG was affinity purified by passage over a PTH-Sepharose column and used to make an immunoaffinity column. The 70- and 28-kDa bands were also observed after labeled solubilized membrane preparations were allowed to bind to this column and then were eluted by using a [Nle]PTH-(1-34)-NH2-containing buffer or acetic acid. These studies suggest that the use of an anti-PTH antiserum that binds receptor-bound hormone is likely to be a useful step in the further physiochemical characterization and purification of the PTH receptor.
Regulation of a plant pathogenesis-related enzyme: Inhibition of chitinase and chitinase mRNA accumulation in cultured tobacco tissues by auxin and cytokinin
Authors: Shinshi Hideaki , Mohnen Debra , Meins Frederick
Published: May 2006

Two endochitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) of
M
r
values of ≈34,000 and ≈32,000 have been purified from cultured tissues of
Nicotiana tabacum
cv. Havana 425. The chitinase content of cloned tobacco pith tissues subcultured on hormone-free medium increases by ≈5-fold to 8% of the soluble protein over a 7-day period. This induction is inhibited >90% by addition of combinations of the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin to the culture medium. Chitinase is also developmentally regulated in the intact plant. Not detectable in leaves near the top of the plant, it is 1-4% of the soluble protein in roots and lower leaves. A cDNA clone of tobacco chitinase was isolated containing a single, large open reading frame of 310 amino acids that includes the complete amino acid sequence of the mature enzyme. Chitinase and chitinase mRNA measured by RNA blot analysis show similar patterns of regulation indicating that chitinase accumulation is controlled, at least in part, at the mRNA level. The patterns were also similar to those obtained with glucan endo-1,3-β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.39) suggesting that the two enzymes are coordinately regulated.
Cytoskeletal association of human alpha-interferon-receptor complexes in interferon-sensitive and -resistant lymphoblastoid cells.
Authors: Pfeffer L M , Stebbing N , Donner D B
Published: May 2006

Human Daudi lymphoblastoid cells, which are highly sensitive to the antiproliferative action of human leukocyte alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha), and IFN-resistant and IFN-sensitive Daudi subclones (Cl2 and Cl1, respectively), contain 2300 (Kd = 20 X 10(-12) M), 3000 (Kd = 45 X 10(-12) M), and 3700 (Kd = 52 X 10(-12) M) IFN-alpha binding sites per cell, respectively. Thus, these IFN-sensitive and IFN-resistant cells have similar numbers of high-affinity IFN-alpha receptors. IFN-receptor complexes that are insoluble in Triton X-100 accumulate in IFN-sensitive but not in IFN-resistant cells. The ligand-induced accumulation of Triton-insoluble complexes in IFN-sensitive cells was inhibited by cytochalasin B. This suggests that the solubility change of IFN-receptor complexes results from their interaction with the cytoskeletal matrix. The dissociation of IFN-alpha from IFN-sensitive and IFN-resistant cells can be resolved into fast and slow components. IFN-alpha dissociates more slowly from IFN-sensitive cells than from IFN-resistant cells. Very slow dissociation of IFN-alpha from Triton-insoluble complexes correlates with this difference. These observations suggest that IFN-receptor complexes become coupled to the cytoskeletal matrix in IFN-sensitive but not in IFN-resistant cells, and that such interaction is an important element in the mechanism of the antiproliferative action of IFN-alpha on Daudi cells.
An insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein enhances the biologic response to IGF-I.
Authors: Elgin R G , Busby W H , Clemmons D R
Published: May 2006

The insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and IGF-II circulate in blood bound to carrier proteins. The higher molecular mass IGF-binding protein complex (150 kDa) is composed of subunits, and one subunit that forms this complex is growth hormone dependent. In addition, many cell types and tissues secrete another form of IGF binding protein that is not growth hormone dependent. Both forms of the IGF binding protein are believed to inactivate the IGFs and to function as delivery systems to tissues. This conclusion was based on studies that determined the effects of impure preparations of these binding proteins or that examined the effect of these proteins only on the insulin-like actions of the IGFs. We report here that a pure preparation of the extracellular form of the IGF binding protein (purified from human amniotic fluid) markedly potentiated replication of several cell types in response to human IGF-I. Secondary cultures of human, mouse, and chicken embryo fibroblasts as well as porcine aortic smooth muscle cells showed marked enhancement of their DNA synthesis response (2.8- to 4.4-fold increases) to IGF-I in the presence of this protein. These responses were synergistic since the sum of the responses to either IGF-I or to the binding protein alone was between 8 and 17% of the increase obtained in cultures exposed to both peptides. The binding protein not only potentiated the DNA synthesis response but also enhanced the increase in cell number in response to IGF-I. This stimulation is specific for growth factors that bind to the binding protein since incubation with insulin, which binds to the type I IGF receptor but not to the binding protein, did not result in potentiation of this response. We conclude that a form of IGF binding protein that is present in extracellular fluids and is secreted by many types of cells can markedly potentiate the cellular response to IGF-I.
Geographic dialects in blind mole rats: role of vocal communication in active speciation.
Authors: Nevo E , Heth G , Beiles A , Frankenberg E
Published: May 2006

We compared and contrasted the physical structure of male "courtship" calls of 59 subterranean mole rats belonging to the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, comprising 11 populations of four chromosomal species (2N = 52, 54, 58, and 60). We also conducted behavioral auditory discrimination tests of 144 females of the four species in the laboratory. The results indicate that each chromosomal species has a vocal dialect significantly different from all others, although the call of 2N = 60, the last derivative of speciation, is not yet fully differentiated. Females of 2N = 52, 54, and 58 preferred their homospecific mates' calls, whereas females of 2N = 60 did not. We conclude that call differentiation builds up gradually and provides an efficient ethological reproductive premating isolation mechanism between the emerging species in the active speciation of mole rats in Israel.
Development of a monoclonal antibody specifically reactive to gastrointestinal goblet cells.
Authors: Vecchi M , Sakamaki S , Diamond B , Novikoff A B , Novikoff P M , Das K M
Published: May 2006

A mouse monoclonal antibody (7E6A5) of IgG isotype, reacting specifically with mucin-producing goblet cells of the human gastrointestinal tract, has been developed. 7E6A5 reacts by an ELISA with colonic protein eluted from a DEAE column. A screening by immunoperoxidase assay of 76 specimens from 19 different human tissues showed that the immunoreactivity of 7E6A5 was confined exclusively in the globules of goblet cells in the colon, the appendix, and the small intestine. Nongoblet small and large intestinal epithelial cells did not react. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the reactivity with mucin droplets in a homogeneous granular pattern inside the globules of goblet cells. Mucus-secreting cells from remaining parts of the gastrointestinal tract and other mucus-secreting organs such as respiratory, genitourinary tracts, salivary and mammary glands did not show any reactivity to 7E6A5. These findings indicate that the antigen recognized by 7E6A5 is shared by the goblet cells of both the small and large intestines and is unique to them. The monoclonal antibody may be useful in the study of function of mucus-secreting goblet cells and may represent an important tool in the evaluation of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, and intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa that are associated with quantitative changes in goblet cell numbers or with qualitative differences in mucin secretion.
Linkage of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome with polymorphic DNA sequences from the human X chromosome.
Authors: Peacocke M , Siminovitch K A
Published: May 2006

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is one of several human immunodeficiency diseases inherited as an X-linked trait. The location of WAS on the X chromosome is unknown. We have studied 10 kindreds segregating for WAS for linkage with cloned, polymorphic DNA markers and have demonstrated significant linkage between WAS and two loci, DXS14 and DXS7, that map to the proximal short arm of the X chromosome. Maximal logarithm of odds (lod scores) for WAS-DXS14 and WAS-DXS7 were 4.29 (at theta = 0.03) and 4.12 (at theta = 0.00), respectively. Linkage data between WAS and six marker loci indicate the order of the loci to be (DXYS1-DXS1)-WAS-DXS14-DXS7-(DXS84-OTC). These results suggest that the WAS locus lies within the pericentric region of the X chromosome and provide an initial step toward identifying the WAS gene and improving the genetic counseling of WAS families.
Cholinergic phosphatidylinositol modulation of inhibitory, G protein-linked neurotransmitter actions: electrophysiological studies in rat hippocampus.
Authors: Worley P F , Baraban J M , McCarren M , Snyder S H , Alger B E
Published: May 2006

In electrophysiological studies using the rat hippocampal slice preparation, cholinergic agonists and phorbol 12,13-diacetate, a stimulator of protein kinase C, block the inhibitory actions of baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist, and adenosine. Relative potencies of cholinergic agonists in stimulating the phosphatidylinositol system, as measured biochemically, parallel their activity in blocking adenosine assessed electrophysiologically. Electrical stimulation of cholinergic afferents also reverses adenosine's inhibitory action. These findings indicate that stimulation of protein kinase C by the phosphatidylinositol system mediates cholinergic blockade of adenosine and baclofen. As these inhibitory agonists act by way of receptors linked to GTP-binding proteins, protein kinase C's inactivation of the GTP-binding protein involved may account for this cholinergic action.
Monoclonal antibody analysis of keratin expression in the central nervous system.
Authors: Franko M C , Gibbs C J , Rhoades D A , Gajdusek D C
Published: May 2006

A monoclonal antibody directed against a 65-kDa brain protein demonstrates an epitope found in keratin from human epidermis. By indirect immunofluorescence, the antibody decorates intracytoplasmic filaments in a subclass of astrocytes and Purkinje cells of adult hamster brain. Double-label immunofluorescence study using antibody to glial fibrillary acidic protein and this antibody reveals the 65-kDa protein to be closely associated with glial filaments in astrocytes of fetal mouse brain cultures. Immunoblot analysis of purified human epidermal keratin and hamster brain homogenate confirms the reactivity of this antibody to epidermal keratin polypeptides. All the major epidermal keratins were recognized by this antibody. It did not bind to the remaining major intermediate filament proteins. These findings suggest that monoclonal antibody 34C9 recognizes a cytoskeletal structure connected with intermediate filaments. In addition, the monoclonal antibody demonstrates that epidermal keratins share an epitope not only among themselves but also with a "neural keratin."
Correlation of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine neurotoxicity with blood-brain barrier monoamine oxidase activity.
Authors: Kalaria R N , Mitchell M J , Harik S I
Published: May 2006

Systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes parkinsonism in humans and subhuman primates, but not in rats and many other laboratory animals; mice are intermediate in their susceptibility. Since MPTP causes selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity when infused directly into rat substantia nigra, we hypothesized that systemic MPTP may be metabolized by monoamine oxidase and/or other enzymes in rat brain capillaries and possibly other peripheral organs and thus prevented from reaching its neuronal sites of toxicity. We tested this hypothesis by assessing monoamine oxidase in isolated cerebral microvessels of humans, rats, and mice by measuring the specific binding of [3H]pargyline, an irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and by estimating the rates of MPTP and benzylamine oxidation. [3H]Pargyline binding to rat cerebral microvessels was about 10-fold higher than to human or mouse microvessels. Also, MPTP oxidation by rat brain microvessels was about 30-fold greater than by human microvessels; mouse microvessels yielded intermediate values. These results may explain, at least in part, the marked species differences in susceptibility to systemic MPTP. They also suggest the potential importance of "enzyme barriers" at the blood-brain interface that can metabolize toxins not excluded by structural barriers, and may provide biological bases for developing therapeutic strategies for the prevention of MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and other neurotoxic conditions including, possibly, Parkinson disease.
Permeability measurements with closed vesicles from rat liver nuclear envelopes.
Authors: Riedel N , Bachmann M , Prochnow D , Richter H P , Fasold H
Published: May 2006

Closed nuclear envelope ghosts in the physiological orientation were prepared from rat liver and nuclei as previously described. Here we report transport measurements of various proteins and ribonucleic acids across the envelope of these vesicles. Histones were accumulated rapidly in the ghosts, in contrast to other, nonnuclear, proteins. Triton X-100 removal of the external nuclear membrane from loaded vesicles, as well as comparative studies with open vesicles, excluded the effects of external adsorption. The exchange rate of histones across the nuclear envelope is strongly depressed in the presence of GTP and GDP. The vesicles contain the translocation mechanism for poly(A)-containing RNA. The translocation of poly(A), messenger RNA, and ribosomal RNA was investigated after entrapment of these nucleic acids during the preparation of vesicles. Our data show that the complete export of only poly(A)-containing RNA from the vesicles is enhanced in the presence of 2 mM ATP. This RNA, as well as poly(A), is transported unidirectionally.
Resolution of human transcription factor TFIIIC into two functional components.
Authors: Yoshinaga S K , Boulanger P A , Berk A J
Published: May 2006

tRNA genes and adenovirus viral-associated (VA) genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase III. Transcription of these genes in vitro requires two protein fractions containing transcription factors designated TFIIIB and TFIIIC, in addition to RNA polymerase III. We report that the TFIIIC fraction derived from human cells in culture can be separated into two functional components, which we call TFIIIC1 and TFIIIC2. Both TFIIIC1 and TFIIIC2 fractions are required for in vitro transcription of the VA1 gene. In DNase I "footprinting" experiments, the TFIIIC2 fraction protects the internal control region termed the B block. Addition of the TFIIIC1 fraction extends the footprint over the internal control region called the A block. TFIIIC1 activity is the limiting transcription factor activity required for VA1 transcription in the crude extract. TFIIIC2 activity sediments as a large component of approximately 18 S, while TFIIIC1 activity sediments at approximately 9 S. These data indicate that the two activities are unique components and when added together reconstitute TFIIIC activity.
Identification of a mammalian glutaminyl cyclase converting glutaminyl into pyroglutamyl peptides.
Authors: Fischer W H , Spiess J
Published: May 2006

Extracts from bovine pituitary were found to contain an activity catalyzing the conversion of glutaminyl peptides such as [Gln1]gonadotropin-releasing hormone, [Gln1, Gly4]thyrotropin-releasing hormone (H-Gln-His-Pro-Gly-OH), and H-Gln-Tyr-Ala-OH to the respective pyroglutamyl peptides. The TRH precursor fragment H-Lys-Arg-Gln-His-Pro-Gly-Lys-Arg-OH and the D-glutaminyl stereoisomer of H-Gln-Tyr-Ala-OH did not react under the same conditions. The conversion products were identified by Edman degradation, amino acid analysis, and reversed-phase HPLC. That this activity was exhibited by an enzyme, glutaminyl cyclase, was concluded from the protein character of the activity (revealed by its abolition with trypsin and heat), the Michaelis-Menten relationship between substrate concentration and conversion rate, and the substrate specificity. It was determined that glutaminyl cyclase had a molecular weight of 43,000-50,000, a pH optimum at pH 8, and Km and Vmax values in the range of 60-130 microM and 390-690 pmol/microgram per hr, respectively. Glutaminyl cyclase was not observed to require ATP and could be inhibited with 1.0 M ammonium chloride, which increased the Km and decreased the Vmax value. The subcellular distribution of glutaminyl cyclase corresponded to the one of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase believed to catalyze C-terminal amidations during posttranslational precursor processing. It was also observed that the formation of pyroglutamyl from glutaminyl peptides occurred nonenzymatically; however, the enzymatic reaction carried out with crude extract was found to be approximately 70 times faster than the nonenzymatic reaction enhanced by phosphate. It is speculated that glutaminyl cyclase may participate in the posttranslational processing of hormonal precursors to pyroglutamyl peptides.
Kinds of mutations formed when a shuttle vector containing adducts of (+/-)-7 beta, 8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene replicates in human cells.
Authors: Yang J L , Maher V M , McCormick J J
Published: May 2006

We have investigated the kinds of mutations induced when a shuttle vector containing covalently bound residues of (+/-)-7 beta, 8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) replicates in human cells. A human embryonic kidney cell line, 293, was used as the eukaryotic host. The target gene for mutation analysis, supF, codes for a tyrosine suppressor tRNA and is strategically located between the origin of replication of the plasmid in Escherichia coli and the gene for a selectable marker, so that the possibility of recovering supF mutants containing gross rearrangements is low. The frequency of supF mutants obtained when untreated plasmid replicated in 293 cells was 1.4 X 10(-4). The frequency with BPDE-treated plasmid increased linearly as a function of the number of adducts, with 16 adducts per plasmid giving 38 X 10(-4). Polyacrylamide gel and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis of 137 plasmids with mutations in the supF gene indicated that 70% (21/30) from untreated plasmids contained deletions or insertions or showed altered gel mobility, whereas only 28% (30/107) of those derived from BPDE-treated plasmids contained such alterations. Of the 86 unequivocally independent mutants derived from BPDE-treated plasmids that were analyzed by sequencing, the majority (60/86) exhibited base substitutions. Mutants exhibiting frameshifts (insertions or deletions of one, two, or four base pairs) were also found, but they were a minority (11/86). In the progeny of BPDE-treated plasmids 61/71 base substitutions observed were transversions, with 45/61 G X C----T X A. Examination of the location of BPDE-induced mutations among the 85 base pairs in the structure of the tRNA revealed that 30% of the base substitutions occurred at two sites and 44% of the rest occurred at five other hot spots. Only 20% of all these base changes involved a site in which a guanine containing a BPDE adduct is predicted to be labile--i.e., a guanine that has a pyrimidine to its 5' side.
Induction of murine interleukin 1: stimuli and responsive primary cells.
Authors: Koide S , Steinman R M
Published: May 2006

An interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) cDNA probe and an IL-1 responsive T-cell clone (D10.G4; half-maximal stimulation, 0.1-1 pM) have been used to study the production of IL-1 by primary murine cell populations, particularly macrophages and dendritic cells. Spleen and peritoneal macrophages produced IL-1 mRNA and released biologically active IL-1 when challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Induction of IL-1 was evident over a dose range of 0.01-10 micrograms of LPS per ml, and maximal mRNA levels were maintained from 4 to 20 hr. Several other stimuli did not induce IL-1 in cultured macrophages, including phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, gamma-interferon, Con A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-3, cachectin, and activated T cells. Activated T cells could markedly reduce the response of peritoneal macrophages to LPS. When other cell types were compared with macrophages, keratinocytes had high levels of IL-1 mRNA, apparently in response to endogenous LPS. However B and T lymphocytes did not yield detectable IL-1 during proliferative responses to LPS and Con A, respectively, while dendritic cells produced little or no IL-1 when challenged with a battery of stimuli. Therefore, IL-1 may not be required for the potent accessory function of dendritic cells in lymphocyte mitogenesis. The results indicate that macrophages and dendritic cells have different secretory capacities. The macrophage is the principal leukocyte that synthesizes IL-1, and select stimuli increase and decrease the levels of macrophage IL-1 mRNA.
Synergistic myelopoietic actions in vivo after administration to mice of combinations of purified natural murine colony-stimulating factor 1, recombinant murine interleukin 3, and recombinant murine granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor.
Authors: Broxmeyer H E , Williams D E , Hangoc G , Cooper S , Gillis S , Shadduck R K , Bicknell D C
Published: May 2006

Combinations of low dosages of purified murine hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (CSFs)--L-cell CSF type 1 (CSF-1), recombinant interleukin 3 (IL-3), and recombinant granulocyte/macrophage CSF (GM-CSF)--were compared with single CSFs for their influence on the cycling rates and numbers of bone marrow granulocyte/macrophage, erythroid, and multipotential progenitor cells in vivo in mice pretreated with human lactoferrin. Lactoferrin was used to enhance detection of the stimulating effects of exogenously administered CSFs. Concentrations of CSFs that were not active in vivo when given alone were active when administered together with other types of CSF. The concentrations of CSF-1, IL-3, and GM-CSF needed to increase progenitor cell cycling rates were reduced by factors of 40-200, 10-50, and 40- greater than 400, respectively; the concentrations needed to increase progenitor cell numbers were reduced by factors of 40-500 (CSF-1), 20-80 (IL-3), and greater than 40- greater than 200 (GM-CSF) when these forms of CSFs were administered in combination with low dosages of one of the other forms of CSFs. The results demonstrate that different CSFs can synergize when administered in vivo to increase the cycling rates and numbers of marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells. These findings may be of relevance physiologically to the regulation of myeloid blood cell production by CSFs.
Telencephalon-specific antigen identified by monoclonal antibody.
Authors: Mori K , Fujita S C , Watanabe Y , Obata K , Hayaishi O
Published: May 2006

Immunohistochemical screening of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against fractions rich in the dendrodendritic synaptosomes of the rabbit olfactory bulb revealed that one of the mAbs (mAb 271A6) recognized a telencephalon-specific antigen or antigens. Thus, the stain with mAb 271A6 was observed throughout the gray matter of all regions of the neocortex, piriform cortex, hippocampus, striatum, septum, and the amygdaloid nucleus, in addition to the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. The mAb 271A6, however, labeled neither nontelencephalic regions of the central nervous system nor the peripheral nervous system so far examined. Dot-immunobinding assays of homogenates of various brain regions also showed the telencephalon-specific distribution of the antigen designated as 271A6. Antigen 271A6 is developmentally regulated. At birth, the antigen was expressed in a small quantity only in phylogenetically older telencephalic regions such as the olfactory bulb, piriform cortex, striatum, cingulate cortex, and hippocampus. It was hardly detectable in most areas of the neocortex. The densities and areas of 271A6-positive structures increased during the early postnatal period. These results demonstrate a molecular specificity of the most rostral brain segment, the telencephalon. mAb 271A6 may be a good tool for obtaining a better understanding of the molecular basis of the segmental organization or the segment-specific functions of the brain.
A mutant Paramecium with a defective calcium-dependent potassium conductance has an altered calmodulin: a nonlethal selective alteration in calmodulin regulation.
Authors: Schaefer W H , Hinrichsen R D , Burgess-Cassler A , Kung C , Blair I A , Watterson D M
Published: May 2006

The Paramecium mutant, pantophobiac A, has a defect that results in an in vivo loss of calcium-dependent potassium efflux channel activity. This defect is corrected fully by the microinjection of wild-type Paramecium calmodulin into pantophobiac A cells and is partially restored by calmodulins from other organisms, but it cannot be restored by microinjection of pantophobiac calmodulin. Overall, these results suggested that wild-type Paramecium calmodulin has unique features that allow it to restore fully a normal phenotype and that the defect in pantophobiac A might be an altered calmodulin molecule. Previous studies established the amino acid sequence of wild-type calmodulin and showed that Paramecium calmodulin has several differences from other calmodulins, including the presence of dimethyllysine at residue 13. To test directly the possibility that calmodulin from the pantophobiac mutant might be altered, we purified the mutant calmodulin and compared its properties to those of wild-type Paramecium calmodulin. We found one amino acid sequence difference between the two Paramecium calmodulins: a phenylalanine in the mutant protein, instead of a serine, at residue 101. This change is at a calcium-liganding residue in the third calcium-binding loop. These and previous studies demonstrate that comparatively subtle changes in the structure of calmodulin can result in quantitative alterations in in vivo activity, provide insight into the in vivo roles of calmodulin and the regulation of ion channels, and demonstrate that functional alterations of calmodulin are not necessarily lethal.
Insulin stimulates a membrane-bound serine kinase that may be phosphorylated on tyrosine.
Authors: Yu K T , Khalaf N , Czech M P
Published: May 2006

Triton X-100-solubilized high-density microsomes from insulin-treated rat adipocytes exhibit a marked increase in serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase activities toward exogenous histone when compared to controls. The insulin-dependent activation of microsomal histone kinase activities occurs within the physiological range of hormone concentrations (ED50 = 0.6 nM). The hormone-enhanced histone phosphorylation by the high-density microsomes appears to be catalyzed by two distinct kinases, based on their differential interaction with wheat germ agglutinin-agarose. The insulin-sensitive serine/threonine kinase is not retained by The insulin-sensitive serine/threonine kinase is not retained by the lectin column, whereas the tyrosine kinase appears to be a glycoprotein as evidenced by its adsorption to the immobilized lectin. The insulin-stimulated serine/threonine kinase exhibits preferential phosphorylation of histone and Kemptide (synthetic Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) compared to a number of other peptide substrates. The substrate specificity of this serine/threonine kinase shows that it is distinct from the kinases that phosphorylate ribosomal protein S6, casein, phosvitin, ATP citrate lyase, and glycogen synthase and from multifunctional calmodulin-dependent, cAMP- and cGMP-dependent, and Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases. Furthermore, 22% of the insulin-sensitive serine/threonine kinase activity can be adsorbed by monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies immobilized on agarose. Its adsorption is specifically inhibited by excess free phosphotyrosine but not phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The data suggest that this insulin-stimulated serine/threonine kinase in adipocyte high-density microsomes is tyrosine-phosphorylated, consistent with the hypothesis that the stimulatory action of insulin on this kinase may be mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation.
Purified prion proteins and scrapie infectivity copartition into liposomes.
Authors: Gabizon R , McKinley M P , Prusiner S B
Published: May 2006

Considerable evidence indicates that the scrapie prion protein (PrP 27-30) is required for infectivity. Aggregates of PrP 27-30 form insoluble amyloid rods that resist dissociation by nondenaturing detergents. Mixtures of the detergent cholate and phospholipids were found to solubilize purified PrP 27-30 in the form of detergent-lipid-protein complexes. Removal of the cholate by dialysis resulted in the formation of closed liposomes. Both the detergent-lipid-protein complexes and the liposomes often but not always exhibited a 10-fold increase in scrapie infectivity compared to that observed with the rods. No evidence for a prion-associated nucleic acid could be found when the phospholipid vesicles containing PrP 27-30 were digested with nucleases and Zn2+ under conditions that allowed hydrolysis of exogenously added nucleic acids. No filamentous or rod-shaped particles were found amongst prion liposomes by electron microscopy in our search for a putative filamentous "scrapie virus." The partitioning of PrP 27-30 and scrapie infectivity into phospholipid vesicles contends that PrP 27-30 has a central role in scrapie pathogenesis, establishes that the prion amyloid rods are not essential for infectivity, and argues that prions are fundamentally different from viruses.
AUU-to-AUG mutation in the initiator codon of the translation initiation factor IF3 abolishes translational autocontrol of its own gene (infC) in vivo.
Authors: Butler J S , Springer M , Grunberg-Manago M
Published: May 2006

We previously showed that Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF3 regulates the expression of its own gene infC at the translational level in vivo. Here we create two alterations in the infC gene and test their effects on translational autocontrol of infC expression in vivo by measuring beta-galactosidase activity expressed from infC-lacZ gene fusions under conditions of up to 4-fold derepression or 3-fold repression of infC expression. Replacement of the infC promoter with the trp promoter deletes 120 nucleotides of the infC mRNA 5' to the translation initiation site without affecting autogenous translational control. Mutation of the unusual AUU initiator codon of infC to the more common AUG initiator codon abolishes translation initiation factor IF3-dependent repression and derepression of infC expression in vivo. These results establish the AUU initiator codon of infC as an essential cis-acting element in autogenous translational control of translation initiation factor IF3 expression in vivo.
Molecular cloning of Lyt-3, a membrane glycoprotein marking a subset of mouse T lymphocytes: molecular homology to immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor variable and joining regions.
Authors: Nakauchi H , Shinkai Y , Okumura K
Published: May 2006

Lyt-3 is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on thymocytes and class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T cells. Lyt-3 is expressed as a heterodimer with Lyt-2, and this complex is considered to be a homologue of the human Leu-2/T8 (CD8) that has been postulated to be a receptor for the class I major histocompatibility complex. We have determined the complete primary structure of Lyt-3 from the nucleotide sequence of its cDNA clones. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence indicates that the Lyt-3 polypeptide has a 21-amino acid leader peptide, and the mature protein consists of an NH2-terminal region of 146 amino acids, a transmembrane region of 27 residues, and a C-terminal region of 19 amino acids. The NH2-terminal 110 residues show clear homology to the T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin variable region sequences. In addition, Lyt-3 has 11 residues that have strong homology to the joining region sequences of the T-cell receptor and the immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. The presence of immunoglobulin variable- as well as joining-region-related sequences in Lyt-3 further supports the idea that these molecules may be recognition molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin super gene family.
Activity of a recombinant fusion protein between transforming growth factor type alpha and Pseudomonas toxin.
Authors: Chaudhary V K , FitzGerald D J , Adhya S , Pastan I
Published: May 2006

The transforming growth factor type alpha gene has been fused to a modified Pseudomonas toxin gene from which the cell-recognition domain has been deleted. The chimeric gene has been expressed in Escherichia coli, and the chimeric protein, PE40-TGF-alpha, has been highly purified. PE40-TGF-alpha kills cells expressing epidermal growth factor receptors and has little activity against cells with few receptors. This chimeric protein might be useful in treating cancers that contain high numbers of epidermal growth factor receptors.
Spontaneous release of interleukin 1 from human blood monocytes reflects bone formation in idiopathic osteoporosis.
Authors: Pacifici R , Rifas L , Teitelbaum S , Slatopolsky E , McCracken R , Bergfeld M , Lee W , Avioli L V , Peck W A
Published: May 2006

Osteoporosis is a state of reduced skeletal mass characterized by various rates of bone remodeling. Multiple locally elaborated factors have been identified that appear to influence the cellular events in bone remodeling. The possible role(s) of these factors in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is unknown. One such factor, interleukin 1 (IL-1), is of particular interest, as this protein is known to stimulate bone resorption and perhaps formation. Consequently, we have measured the spontaneous secretion of IL-1 activity by cultured peripheral blood monocytes obtained from 22 osteoporotic patients and 14 age-matched control subjects. Monocytes from osteoporotic patients produced more IL-1 than did monocytes from control subjects. When patients were grouped according to monocyte-produced IL-1 activity, dynamic parameters of bone formation, as judged by quantitative histomorphometric analysis of iliac crest bone biopsies and by circulating levels of bone 4-carboxyglutamic acid protein (BGP)--a marker of bone formation--were higher in subjects with elevated IL-1 activity; whereas, indices of bone resorption and static indices of bone formation were similar in subjects with either high or normal IL-1 activity. IL-1 activity released by peripheral blood monocytes appears to reflect bone formation rate in osteoporotic patients and may be of pathogenetic significance in a subset of individuals with osteoporosis.
Alterations in the phenotype of plant cells studied by NH
2
-terminal amino acid-sequence analysis of proteins electroblotted from two-dimensional gel-separated total extracts
Authors: Bauw G. , De Loose M. , Inzé D. , Van Montagu M. , Vandekerckhove J.
Published: May 2006

Phenotypic alterations induced by the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine in cell suspensions of
Nicotiana plumbaginifolia
were studied at the level of the NH
2
-terminal sequence of the constituent proteins. Total protein extracts were separated by classical two-dimensional PAGE, and the proteins were recovered by electroblotting onto support materials allowing direct gas-phase sequence analysis of the immobilized proteins. The systems used consist of an efficient electrotransfer buffer (50 mM Tris borate, pH 8.3) in combination with either glass-fiber sheets to which poly(4-vinyl-
N
-methylpyridinium iodide) is adsorbed or with membranes of polyvinylidene difluoride. The former is an improved version of our previously reported Polybrene-coated glass-fiber sheets and was found to be at least twice as efficient as the polyvinylidene difluoride blots. Thirteen proteins were selected for analysis. They were either induced, repressed, or independent of cytokinin. Ten proteins yielded a sequence, ranging from 10 to 38 residues. Three of the studied
Nicotiana
proteins show a degree of homology higher than 85% with the amino acid sequences of other eukaryotic proteins—triose-phosphate isomerase, Mn superoxide dismutase, and (1,3)-β-glucanase. The latter enzyme was repressed by the plant hormone. This study demonstrates that proteins associated with phenotypic variations in cells can now be sequenced by a straightforward procedure involving two-dimensional gel separation of total cellular proteins, recovery by electroblotting, and gas-phase sequence analysis of the immobilized proteins.
Heterodimers and homodimers of inhibin subunits have different paracrine action in the modulation of luteinizing hormone-stimulated androgen biosynthesis.
Authors: Hsueh A J , Dahl K D , Vaughan J , Tucker E , Rivier J , Bardin C W , Vale W
Published: May 2006

Inhibin, a gonadal hormone capable of preferential suppression of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, has recently been purified. The major form of this protein is an alpha beta heterodimer encoded by two separate genes. In contrast to the FSH-suppressing action of the alpha beta heterodimer, the beta beta homodimer stimulates FSH secretion. Luteinizing hormone (LH)-secreting pituitary cells and gonadal androgen-producing cells have long been shown to form a closed-loop feedback axis. Based on recent studies demonstrating the FSH stimulation of inhibin biosynthesis by ovarian granulosa and testis Sertoli cells, an additional closed-loop feedback axis exists between pituitary FSH- and gonadal inhibin-producing cells. Because uncharacterized Sertoli cell factors have been suggested to either stimulate or inhibit androgen production by testicular Leydig cells, we have tested the intragonadal paracrine actions of heterodimers and homodimers of inhibin subunits. In primary cultures of testis cells, the alpha beta heterodimer of inhibin enhances Leydig cell androgen biosynthesis stimulated by LH, whereas the beta beta homodimer suppresses androgen production. Furthermore, similar modulatory actions of inhibin-related proteins were found in cultured ovarian theca-interstitial cells and theca explants treated with LH. In contrast, treatment with the inhibin-related proteins alone did not affect gonadal steroidogenesis. Our data indicate that the inhibin-related gene products synthesized by Sertoli and granulosa cells may form heterodimers or homodimers to serve as intragonadal paracrine signals in the modulation of LH-stimulated androgen biosynthesis and allow cross-communication between the two feedback loops.
Human cDNA clones for an alpha subunit of Gi signal-transduction protein.
Authors: Bray P , Carter A , Guo V , Puckett C , Kamholz J , Spiegel A , Nirenberg M
Published: May 2006

Two cDNA clones were obtained from a lambda gt11 cDNA human brain library that correspond to alpha i subunits of G signal-transduction proteins (where alpha i subunits refer to the alpha subunits of G proteins that inhibit adenylate cyclase). The nucleotide sequence of human brain alpha i is highly homologous to that of bovine brain alpha i [Nukada, T., Tanabe, T., Takahashi, H., Noda, M., Haga, K., Haga, T., Ichiyama, A., Kangawa, K., Hiranaga, M., Matsuo, H. & Numa, S. (1986) FEBS Lett. 197, 305-310] and the predicted amino acid sequences are identical. However, human and bovine brain alpha i cDNAs differ significantly from alpha i cDNAs from human monocytes, rat glioma, and mouse macrophages in amino acid (88% homology) and nucleotide (71-75% homology) sequences. In addition, the nucleotide sequences of the 3' untranslated regions of human and bovine brain alpha i cDNAs differ markedly from the sequences of human monocyte, rat glioma, and mouse macrophage alpha i cDNAs. These results suggest there are at least two classes of alpha i mRNA.
Recruitment of substrate-specificity properties from one enzyme into a related one by protein engineering.
Authors: Wells J A , Cunningham B C , Graycar T P , Estell D A
Published: May 2006

The Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisins differ by 31% in protein sequence and by factors of greater than 60 in catalytic efficiency, kcat/Km, toward various substrates. Despite large differences in sequence and substrate specificity for these serine proteases, only two amino acid substitutions (residues 156 and 217) occur within 4 A (contact distance) of modeled substrates, and a third substitution (residue 169) is within 7 A. The three B. licheniformis substitutions (Ser-156/Ala-169/Leu-217) were introduced into the wild-type B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisin (Glu-156/Gly-169/Tyr-217) by site-directed mutagenesis. The substrate specificity of the triple mutant approaches that of B. licheniformis enzyme when assayed with seven different substrates that vary in charge, size, and hydrophobicity. Thus, specificity properties of distantly related and functionally divergent enzymes can be exchanged by limited amino acid replacements, in this case representing less than 4% of the sequence differences.