bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan cDNA.
Authors: Bourdon M A , Oldberg A , Pierschbacher M , Ruoslahti E
Published: May 2006

We report the identification and DNA sequence of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan core protein cDNA. A cDNA clone, pPG1, was selected from a rat yolk sac tumor poly(A)+RNA-derived cDNA library by using synthetic oligonucleotides predicted from the NH2-terminal peptide sequence of the mature chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. The resulting sequence analysis demonstrated that the 874-base-pair pPG1 clone contained the complete coding region of the mature proteoglycan core protein as well as 5' and 3' flanking sequences. The 104 amino acid proteoglycan core protein sequence reveals that the core protein is composed of three regions, the most striking of which is the central 49 amino acid region composed of alternating serine and glycine residues. This region clearly functions as the acceptor site for the attachment of chondroitin sulfate side chains. The serine-glycine repeat region is flanked by a 14 amino acid NH2-terminal region identical to the NH2-terminal sequence of the proteoglycan obtained by amino acid sequencing and a 41 amino acid COOH-terminal region. RNA transfer blot hybridizations of poly(A)+ mRNA from rat yolk sac tumor cells with nick-translated pPG1 reveal a single mRNA of approximately equal to 1300 nucleotides. The possibility of detecting mRNAs and genomic sequences for other proteoglycans with a serine-glycine repeat by using this cDNA clone is discussed.
Chimeric chemosensory transducers of Escherichia coli.
Authors: Krikos A , Conley M P , Boyd A , Berg H C , Simon M I
Published: May 2006

The tar and tsr genes of Escherichia coli encode homologous transducer proteins that mediate distinct chemotactic responses. We report here the construction of two tasr chimeric genes in which the 5' coding region of the tar gene is fused to the 3' coding region of the tsr gene at either of two conserved restriction sites. Both chimeric genes code for chemotactically functional proteins. Results of analyses of behavior and methylation in cells carrying the chimeric genes support existing models for the disposition of transducer domains across the cell membrane and reveal that the receptors for internal pH map in a specific region of the COOH-terminal (cytoplasmic) domain.
Acidic pH requirement for insertion of colicin E1 into artificial membrane vesicles: relevance to the mechanism of action of colicins and certain toxins.
Authors: Davidson V L , Brunden K R , Cramer W A
Published: May 2006

The channel-forming activity of colicin E1 in artificial membranes is known to increase at low pH values and to have a maximum near pH 4 in such membrane vesicles. The present work demonstrates that this pH dependence of activity can be attributed to membrane binding. Maximal binding of colicin E1 and a more slowly binding channel-forming carboxyl-terminal tryptic peptide occurred at acidic pH values, with the effective pK values for binding equal to 4.6 and less than 4.0, respectively. The binding did not require imposition of a transmembrane potential. Insertion of the tryptic peptide into the membrane was shown by retention of bound [3H]leucine-labeled peptide by vesicles after digestion with protease, as well as by retention of the peptide in salt-washed vesicles. The retention after protease treatment was also used to estimate the amount of carboxyl-terminal peptide inserted into the membrane. Approximately 12 of the 21 leucines present in the carboxyl-terminal peptide were retained after Pronase treatment at pH less than 4. Reversibility of the insertion at low pH values was seen after an alkaline shift of pH to 6.0, resulting in a decrease of the protease-inaccessible fraction of the bound protein. A model is presented describing a mechanism in which protonation of one or more carboxyl residues is necessary for effective binding and insertion into the membrane by the channel-forming domain of colicin E1. This model may also be relevant to the mechanism of membrane insertion by certain toxins.
Recombination in mouse L cells between DNA introduced into cells and homologous chromosomal sequences.
Authors: Lin F L , Sperle K , Sternberg N
Published: May 2006

In this paper, we show that DNA added to mouse L cells by the calcium phosphate method can be inserted into the genome of those cells by homologous recombination. The insertion event is detected because it reconstructs a functional thymidine kinase (tk) gene from two defective genes that share 320 base pairs of homology. One of the genes is missing its 5' portion (tk delta 5') and is in the cell's chromosome, and the other is missing its 3' portion (tk delta 3') and is in the introduced DNA. Gene reconstruction by homologous insertion is relatively inefficient; approximately one Tk+ transformant is produced per 10(6) cells per 4 micrograms of added tk DNA, a frequency of about 10(-5) that of normal tk gene transformation. The Tk+ transformants produced by homologous recombination contain Sma I and Pvu II fragments that are diagnostic of the intact tk gene, contain a herpesvirus-specific thymidine kinase activity, and can transfer the Tk+ phenotype to Tk- cells by DNA-mediated gene transfer. Two surprising observations made in the course of these studies were that only 1 of 10 Tk- cell lines containing defective tk genes could be transformed to Tk+ by homologous insertion of the complementary defective tk gene and that relatively little illegitimate insertion of introduced tk DNA into cellular DNA was detected in those cells that were transformed to Tk+ by homologous recombination.
The Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin: molecular cloning and developmental regulation of mRNA abundance.
Authors: Berchtold M W , Means A R
Published: May 2006

Parvalbumin (PV) is a Ca2+-binding protein found only in vertebrates. It is postulated to serve as a soluble relaxing factor in fast mammalian muscle. We have isolated a rat PV cDNA clone and used this as a probe to examine changes in PV mRNA during muscle and brain development. A cDNA library was constructed in PUC8/PUC9 plasmid vectors from adult poly(A)+ RNA isolated from rat gastrocnemius muscle. The library was screened with a 17-mer oligonucleotide encoding amino acids 28-33 of rat PV. One recombinant (9f) was confirmed as a PV clone by DNA sequencing and was shown to contain 73% of the protein coding sequence. Hybridization of clone 9f to RNA separated by electrophoresis revealed two species 700 and 1100 nucleotides long but genomic blotting indicates that PV may be a single copy gene. Highest levels of PV mRNA are found in the gastrocnemius, which is a fast contracting/relaxing muscle. Skin contains the next highest amount of PV mRNA followed, in order, by brain and the slow twitch soleus muscle. Rat muscle PV mRNA levels increase 15- to 20-fold between postnatal days 4 and 20 as measured by dot blot hybridization of total RNA, whereas only a slight increase was observed when young and adult brains were compared. The changes in PV mRNA during development appear to be selective, because mRNA coding for the structurally homologous Ca2+-binding protein calmodulin (CaM) was found to change only slightly in muscle. However, CaM mRNA levels decrease during the early days of brain ontogeny. Thus, the mRNAs that encode the homologous Ca2+-binding proteins PV and CaM appear to be developmentally regulated in a tissue-specific manner.
Interaction of mouse mammary epithelial cells with collagen substrata: regulation of casein gene expression and secretion.
Authors: Lee E Y , Lee W H , Kaetzel C S , Parry G , Bissell M J
Published: May 2006

Mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMEC) secrete certain milk proteins only when cultured on floating collagen gels. We demonstrate here that modulation of milk proteins by substrata is manifested at several regulatory levels; (i) Cells cultured on floating collagen gels have 3- to 10-fold more casein mRNA than cells cultured on plastic or attached collagen gels. (ii) Cells on the latter two "flat" substrata, nevertheless, synthesize a significant amount of caseins, indicating that the remaining mRNA is functional. (iii) Cells on all substrata are inducible for casein mRNA and casein proteins by prolactin, but the extent of induction is greater on collagen than that on plastic--i.e., the substratum confers an altered degree of inducibility. (iv) Cells on all substrata synthesize casein proteins at rates proportional to the amount of casein mRNA, but the newly synthesized caseins in cells on plastic are degraded intracellularly, whereas those synthesized by cells on floating gels are secreted into the medium. (v) Cells on all substrata examined lose virtually all mRNA for whey acidic protein despite the fact that this mRNA is abundant in the mammary gland itself; we conclude that additional, as-yet-unknown, factors are necessary for synthesis and secretion of whey acidic protein in culture.
Analysis of an evolutionarily conserved antigenic site on mammalian cytochrome c using synthetic peptides.
Authors: Jemmerson R , Morrow P R , Klinman N R , Paterson Y
Published: May 2006

Two synthetic peptides inclusive of the NH2-terminal N-acetyl-Gly-Asp-Val-Glu tetrapeptide of mammalian cytochrome c (cyt c) were used in this study to address the question of whether mammals can respond immunologically to an evolutionarily conserved region of a protein. These peptides were assessed for their capacity (i) to act as immunogens for the production of anti-self cyt c antisera and (ii) to bind rabbit anti-rodent cyt c antibody. The findings from these studies indicate the existence of an immunogenic determinant in an evolutionarily conserved region of cyt c that contains residues 1-4. This determinant can induce anti-self cyt c antibodies whether presented as a peptide on a carrier protein or in the context of the intact molecule as polymerized mammalian cyt c.
Tandemly repeated nonribosomal DNA sequences in the chloroplast genome of an Acetabularia mediterranea strain.
Authors: Tymms M J , Schweiger H G
Published: May 2006

A purified chloroplast fraction was prepared from caps of the giant unicellular green alga Acetabularia mediterranea (strain 17). High molecular weight DNA obtained from these chloroplasts contains at least five copies of a 10-kilobase-pair (kbp) sequence tandemly arranged. This unique sequence is present in DNA from chloroplasts of all stages of the life cycle examined. A chloroplast rDNA clone from mustard hybridized with some restriction fragments from Acetabularia chloroplast DNA but not with the repeated sequence. An 8-kbp EcoRI-Pst I fragment of the repeated sequence was cloned into pBR322 and used as a hybridization probe. No homology was found between the cloned 8-kbp sequence and chloroplast DNA from related species Acetabularia crenulata or chloroplast DNA from spinach.
Identification of a surface antigen on Theileria parva sporozoites by monoclonal antibody.
Authors: Dobbelaere D A , Shapiro S Z , Webster P
Published: May 2006

A mouse monoclonal antibody (mAbD1) that neutralizes sporozoites of different stocks of the protozoan parasite Theileria parva has been used to localize and identify a sporozoite antigen. Protein A-colloidal gold was used to localize bound mAbD1 in immunoelectron microscopic studies. mAbD1 bound to sporozoite antigen, which was evenly spread over the surface of all sporozoites. Immune complexes were obtained by incubation of sporozoite suspensions with mAbD1 followed by Zwittergent 3-14 extraction and precipitation with protein A-Sepharose. One- and two-dimensional NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analyses were performed on these complexes, and a major protein with a molecular size of 68 kDa was identified. Other related components of 52 kDa, 47 kDa, and 28 kDa were also detected. Since antibody to this antigen(s) neutralizes T. parva sporozoites from different stocks, the results could be of relevance to the development of a broad spectrum vaccine against the cattle disease East Coast fever, which is caused by T. parva.
Role of protein kinase C in diacylglycerol-mediated induction of ornithine decarboxylase and reduction of epidermal growth factor binding.
Authors: Jetten A M , Ganong B R , Vandenbark G R , Shirley J E , Bell R M
Published: May 2006

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters induce ornithine decarboxylase (ODCase) activity and reduce epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding in rat tracheal epithelial 2C5 cells. Phorbol esters activate protein kinase C by interacting at the same site as sn-1,2-diacylglycerols, the presumed physiological regulators. The effects of added sn-1,2-diacylglycerols and those generated by phospholipase C treatment of 2C5 cells on ODCase induction and EGF binding were investigated to establish a role for protein kinase C in these cellular responses. Treatment of 2C5 cells with phospholipase C induced ODCase activity and reduced EGF binding, whereas phospholipases A2 and D were inactive. When sn-1,2-diacylglycerols containing fatty acids 3-10 carbons in length were added to 2C5 cells, those diacylglycerols containing fatty acids 5-10 carbons in length caused ODCase induction and reduction in EGF binding. sn-1,2-Dioctanoylglycerol was one of the most active compounds tested. It induced ODCase in a dose- (50-500 microM) and time-dependent manner. The reduction of binding of 125I-labeled EGF by sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol was also time and dose dependent and appeared to result from a change in EGF affinity and not the number of receptor sites. This series of sn-1,2-diacylglycerols showed similar structure-function relationships in their ability to induce ODCase activity, to decrease EGF binding, to stimulate protein kinase C, and to inhibit [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding to the phorbol ester receptor. These data demonstrate biological activities for a number of diacylglycerols and indicate that protein kinase C activation is implicated in ODCase induction and decreased EGF binding.
Developmental expression of nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial proteins: insect cytochromes c.
Authors: Swanson M S , Zieminn S M , Miller D D , Garber E A , Margoliash E
Published: May 2006

To investigate tissue-specific developmental regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, we studied the expression of the Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm moth) thoracic muscle cytochrome c gene during adult eclosion and used this information to obtain a cDNA clone for this gene, which in turn was used to isolate the corresponding Drosophila melanogaster gene. Over the 3 days prior to adult Manduca emergence, mitochondrial inner membranes become progressively more electron dense and lamellar, and, while there is no accumulation of apocytochrome c, the amount of the holoprotein increases 40-fold per insect thorax. As determined by in vitro translation and blot hybridization analysis, the major thoracic muscle cytochrome c gene is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level, with cytochrome c mRNA increasing from less than 0.01% to 0.04% of total poly(A)+ RNA and declining to an undetectable level by day 2 after eclosion. Furthermore, the ratio of cytochrome c to the other cytochromes remains the same at all times, indicating that these components of the respiratory chain follow coordinated developmental programs. By using polysome immunoadsorption, a poly(A)+ RNA population of greater than or equal to 95% cytochrome c mRNA was isolated from thoracic muscle tissue and was used to construct a cDNA library, which was screened by hybrid selection/translation. We report the sequence of one of those clones, pMSc750, and its use to isolate the major thoracic muscle cytochrome c gene of Drosophila.
Tumor-promoting phorbol diesters cause the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptors in normal human fibroblasts at threonine-654.
Authors: Davis R J , Czech M P
Published: May 2006

The effect of tumor-promoting phorbol diesters to potentiate the action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation is associated with phosphorylation of EGF receptors, acute depression of EGF binding, and inhibition of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity. In the present studies, normal human fibroblasts and A431 carcinoma cells were labeled with [32P]phosphate and treated with and without 10 nM 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA). The EGF receptors then were isolated by immunoprecipitation and digested with trypsin. Analysis of the labeled receptor phosphopeptides by reversed-phase HPLC revealed that PMA induces the phosphorylation of a unique phosphopeptide containing [32P]phosphothreonine. Comparison of several chemical and physical properties of the 32P-labeled phosphopeptide with the primary structure of the EGF receptor suggested the identify Lys-Arg-Thr(P)-Leu-Arg. This was confirmed by direct demonstration that a synthetic peptide of this structure comigrates during HPLC and electrophoresis with the 32P-labeled phosphopeptide isolated from the EGF receptors of normal human fibroblasts. The phosphorylated site on the peptide corresponds to threonine-654 of the EGF receptor, which is located on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane nine residues distant from the transmembrane domain. These data indicate that phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in human fibroblasts and A431 cells at threonine-654 may regulate the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity and the binding of EGF.
Synthetic pheromones that promote inter-male aggression in mice.
Authors: Novotny M , Harvey S , Jemiolo B , Alberts J
Published: May 2006

Two volatile constituents of male mouse urine, dehydro-exo-brevicomin and 2-(sec-butyl)-dihydrothiazole, have been found active in bioassays of inter-male aggressive behavior. The two synthetic compounds act synergistically when added to castrated male urine but not when added to water, and they provoke fighting that is quantitatively and qualitatively comparable to that elicited by intact male urine.
Signal enhancement in distal cortical dendrites by means of interactions between active dendritic spines.
Authors: Shepherd G M , Brayton R K , Miller J P , Segev I , Rinzel J , Rall W
Published: May 2006

Pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex characteristically give rise to an apical dendrite, whose distal dendritic branches in layer I are covered with spines. These spines are known to be sites of synaptic connections, but the physiological properties of the spines and the functional significance of their responses are still largely unknown. The main function attributed thus far to these synaptic responses, situated at a great distance from the neuronal cell body, is slow background modulation of impulse output in the axon. In pursuing computer simulation analysis of electrical properties of dendrites, we have obtained results suggesting interactions between distal dendritic spines. If the heads of dendritic spines have excitable membrane properties, the spread of current from one or several spines could bring adjacent spines to their thresholds for impulse generation. This could give rise to a sequence of spine head action potentials, representing a saltatory propagation, from one or more excitable spine heads to nearby excitable spine heads, in the distal dendritic branches. Both the amplification due to several spine action potentials and the possibility of propagation into more proximal branches would increase the efficacy of distal synaptic inputs. Because of nonlinear dependence upon several modifiable parameters (such as spine stem resistance and membrane excitability) and upon the spatio-temporal pattern of synaptic input, such contingent synaptic enhancement would be particularly relevant to cortical functions underlying information processing and to plasticity underlying learning and memory.
c-erbB activation in avian leukosis virus-induced erythroblastosis: clustered integration sites and the arrangement of provirus in the c-erbB alleles.
Authors: Raines M A , Lewis W G , Crittenden L B , Kung H J
Published: May 2006

There is considerable evidence that links the activation of cellular genes to oncogenesis. We previously reported that structural rearrangements in the cellular oncogene c-erbB correlate with the development of erythroblastosis induced by avian leukosis virus (ALV). c-erbB recently has been shown to be related to the gene encoding epidermal growth factor receptor. We now have characterized the detailed mechanisms of c-erbB activation by ALV proviruses. We report here that the ALV proviral integration sites are clustered 5' to the region where homology to v-erbB starts, suggesting that interruption in this region of c-erbB is important for its activation. The proviruses are oriented in the same transcriptional direction as c-erbB and usually are full-size. The latter finding is in contrast to the frequent deletions observed within the c-myc-linked proviruses in B-cell lymphomas. We have also identified a second c-erbB allele, which differs from the previously known allele primarily by a deletion in an intron region. This allele is also oncogenic upon mutation by an ALV provirus.
P1 plasmid replication: multiple functions of RepA protein at the origin.
Authors: Chattoraj D K , Snyder K M , Abeles A L
Published: May 2006

Replication functions of a bacteriophage P1 miniplasmid are carried on a 1.2-kilobase pair (kb) segment that can be subdivided into a 245-base pair (bp) replication origin and a 959-bp region that encodes a protein required for replication (RepA). The origin region contains five 19-bp direct repeats. By using primer extension and gene-fusion assays, we mapped the promoter of the repA gene within the repeated sequences and showed that the promoter is repressed by RepA. Regulation of RepA synthesis is apparently achieved by the binding of RepA to the repeat sequences. This regulation might be a key step in the replication-control circuit, as we found that overproduction of RepA (from a foreign promoter) inhibits replication. Thus, in addition to being an autoregulated activator of replication, the protein also can have a negative regulatory role.
Type IX collagen from sternal cartilage of chicken embryo contains covalently bound glycosaminoglycans.
Authors: Bruckner P , Vaughan L , Winterhalter K H
Published: May 2006

Type IX collagen was isolated as a native protein from chicken embryo sternal cartilages and purified to homogeneity. Chondroitin and/or dermatan sulfate were bound covalently to one of the three polypeptide chains present in this protein containing collagenous and noncollagenous domains. Type IX collagen could be metabolically labeled with both radioactive sulfate and glycine. The protein containing either of these labels was sensitive to digestion by bacterial collagenase as well as chondroitinase ABC. Besides the glycosaminoglycans, type IX collagen contains asparagine-linked carbohydrate chains because the protein could be labeled with radioactive mannose and no glycosaminoglycans other than those mentioned above were present. The melting curve indicated that, in contrast to interstitial collagens, this molecule contains at least two disulfide-bonded collagenous domains with distinct thermal stabilities.
Phencyclidine in low doses selectively blocks a presynaptic voltage-regulated potassium channel in rat brain.
Authors: Bartschat D K , Blaustein M P
Published: May 2006

Phencylidine (PCP) is a major drug of abuse in the United States. It produces a toxic confusional psychosis in man. We show here that nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of PCP and behaviorally active congeners selectively block voltage-regulated noninactivating (or very slowly inactivating) presynaptic K channels in the brain. The rank order of potency for blockage of these K channels parallels both the relative ability of these agents to produce characteristic behavioral deficits in rats and their ability to displace [3H]PCP from its high-affinity binding sites in brain. In view of the enhanced voltage-gated Ca influx that would be expected to accompany blockage of presynaptic K channels, this mechanism could explain the excessive neurotransmitter release that is characteristic of PCP intoxication.
Vertex algebras, Kac-Moody algebras, and the Monster
Authors: Borcherds Richard E.
Published: May 2006

It is known that the adjoint representation of any Kac-Moody algebra
A
can be identified with a subquotient of a certain Fock space representation constructed from the root lattice of
A
. I define a product on the whole of the Fock space that restricts to the Lie algebra product on this subquotient. This product (together with a infinite number of other products) is constructed using a generalization of vertex operators. I also construct an integral form for the universal enveloping algebra of any Kac-Moody algebra that can be used to define Kac-Moody groups over finite fields, some new irreducible integrable representations, and a sort of affinization of any Kac-Moody algebra. The “Moonshine” representation of the Monster constructed by Frenkel and others also has products like the ones constructed for Kac-Moody algebras, one of which extends the Griess product on the 196884-dimensional piece to the whole representation.
Hepatocellular influx of [14C]oleate reflects membrane transport rather than intracellular metabolism or binding.
Authors: Stremmel W , Berk P D
Published: May 2006

When [14C]oleate bound to bovine serum albumin was incubated at 37 degrees C for 7 min with isolated rat hepatocytes in the absence of glucose, the cumulative oleate uptake curve had two components: a rapid, linear segment over the first 30 sec, followed by a slower, curvilinear component. At 173 microM [14C]oleate/albumin (1:1, mol/mol), the initial component had a slope (Vo) of 118 +/- 18 pmol per min per 5 X 10(4) hepatocytes (mean +/- SD). During this initial 30 sec, virtually no oleate was oxidized, and less than 11% was esterified. By 5 min, 79% was esterified; oxidation never exceeded 4%. Addition of 2 mM glucose significantly increased oleate esterification and thereby available oleate binding sites on cytosolic fatty acid binding protein but had no influence on Vo. Pretreatment with trypsin reduced Vo by 49 +/- 15%. These data indicate that the initial component of the oleate uptake curve reflects predominantly influx, whereas the subsequent component reflects a balance between influx, efflux, and intracellular metabolism. Influx is independent of intracellular binding, oxidation, and esterification and may reflect a membrane-associated carrier-mediated process.
Secretion and autoproteolytic maturation of subtilisin.
Authors: Power S D , Adams R M , Wells J A
Published: May 2006

The sequence of the cloned Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin gene suggested that this secreted serine protease is produced as a larger precursor, designated preprosubtilisin [Wells, J. A., Ferrari, E., Henner, D. J., Estell, D. A. & Chen, E. Y. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 11, 7911-7925]. Biochemical evidence presented here shows that a subtilisin precursor is produced in Bacillus subtilis hosts. The precursor is first localized in the cell membrane, reaching a steady-state level of approximately equal to 1000 sites per cell. Mutations in the subtilisin gene that alter a catalytically critical residue (i.e., aspartate +32----asparagine), or delete the carboxyl-terminal portion of the enzyme that contains catalytically critical residues, block the maturation of this precursor. This block occurs when these mutant genes are expressed in B. subtilis hosts where the chromosomal subtilisin gene has been deleted. When the mutant B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisins are expressed in B. subtilis hosts that contain an intact chromosomal subtilisin gene, the mutant precursors are processed to a mature form and released to the medium. Such processing, in trans, of the precursor is also demonstrated in vitro by addition of active subtilisin. Thus, the release of subtilisin from the cell membrane is dependent on an autoproteolytic process that appears to be novel among secreted proteins.
Platelets contain a peptide inhibitor of endothelial cell replication and growth.
Authors: Brown M T , Clemmons D R
Published: May 2006

Platelets release specific growth factors that stimulate division of aortic endothelial cells. Acidification or heating to 56 degrees C of platelet extracts is required to detect these factors. Nonheated platelet extracts inhibit endothelial growth. To determine if this inhibitory effect is due to a discrete chemical substance, a crude extract obtained by freezing and thawing human platelets was incubated with an endothelial cell mitogen and found to inhibit the endothelial cell incorporation of [3H]thymidine by greater than 95%. The inhibitor was partially purified by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The partially purified material inhibited endothelial cell division as well as DNA synthesis. Inhibition caused by the partially purified material was concentration dependent, reversible, and not due to cytotoxicity. Further purification by heparin-Sepharose chromatography resulted in removal of greater than 95% of the contaminating substances without a loss of inhibitory activity. Physical characterization revealed that heparin-Sepharose-purified factor was heat labile, had a molecular size estimated at 35-40 kDa, and was stable between pH 4.5 and 9.0. Treatment with proteolytic enzymes destroyed all biologic activity, suggesting a peptide composition. These data support the conclusion that platelets contain a potent inhibitor of endothelial replication and growth. Since platelet deposition and release occur after endothelial denudation, release of this platelet-derived growth inhibitor may be an important regulator of reendothelialization that occurs after vessel injury.
Interleukin 1 induces endothelial cell procoagulant while suppressing cell-surface anticoagulant activity.
Authors: Nawroth P P , Handley D A , Esmon C T , Stern D M
Published: May 2006

Previous studies demonstrated that endothelial cells participate actively in both anticoagulant and procoagulant reactions. Although anticoagulant mechanisms predominate on the surface of quiescent endothelial cells, perturbed endothelial cells can promote coagulation through the coordinated induction of procoagulant activity and suppression of anticoagulant mechanisms. Purified recombinant interleukin 1 was infused intravenously into rabbits and coagulant properties of the native aortic endothelium were subsequently studied. Interleukin 1 infusion resulted in a time- and dose-dependent induction of the procoagulant cofactor tissue factor, while concomitantly blocking the protein C anticoagulant pathway. Tissue factor activity increased greater than 10-fold by 3-5 hr after the infusion, while endothelial cell-dependent thrombin-mediated protein C activation decreased by 72% and assembly of functional activated protein C-protein S complex on the vessel surface was decreased by greater than 90%. Scanning electron microscopy of major arteries demonstrated fibrin strands closely associated with the luminal endothelial cell surface with a predilection for bifurcations. Interleukin 1, a mediator of the inflammatory response, can shift the balance of procoagulant and anticoagulant reactions on the endothelium unidirectionally favoring clot formation. The surface of perturbed endothelium can thus provide a template, facilitating the development of a prethrombotic state, and provides a model for the early stages of thrombosis.
Monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor is internalized without stimulating receptor phosphorylation.
Authors: Sunada H , Magun B E , Mendelsohn J , MacLeod C L
Published: May 2006

The down-regulation and internalization of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors induced by two separate anti-EGF monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), IgG1 mAb-225 and -455, and by EGF was examined. mAb-225 competitively inhibits EGF binding and it is internalized to an extent comparable to EGF. The antibody down-regulates surface EGF receptors in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, mAb-455 does not competitively inhibit the binding of EGF or mAb-225, but it specifically immunoprecipitates the EGF receptor. mAb-455 also down-regulates the EGF receptor. Unlike EGF, which elicits phosphorylation of the receptor at tyrosine, threonine, and serine residues, neither of these antibodies elicits phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in intact A431 cells or in KB cells. Our studies suggest that EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of the receptor is not required for the internalization of the ligand-receptor complex.
Mapping of brain areas expressing RNA homologous to two different acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit cDNAs.
Authors: Goldman D , Simmons D , Swanson L W , Patrick J , Heinemann S
Published: May 2006

We have used an in situ RNA X RNA hybridization technique to determine, in the central nervous systems of the mouse and rat, the distribution of RNA homologous to cDNA clones encoding the alpha subunit of a putative neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the alpha subunit of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Hybridization of the neural alpha-subunit probe was strongest in the medial habenula but was also detected consistently in the compact part of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, in the neocortex, and in certain parts of the thalamus and hypothalamus. The in situ hybridization technique makes it possible to compile a map of brain regions containing cell bodies expressing RNA coding for a specific receptor type and subsequently to apply the techniques of molecular biology to study these brain receptors.
Cloning of Drosophila choline acetyltransferase cDNA.
Authors: Itoh N , Slemmon J R , Hawke D H , Williamson R , Morita E , Itakura K , Roberts E , Shively J E , Crawford G D , Salvaterra P M
Published: May 2006

Choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) is the biosynthetic enzyme for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. To isolate choline acetyltransferase cDNA clones, a cDNA library was constructed from poly(A)+ RNA of Drosophila melanogaster heads, these being one of the richest known sources of the enzyme. By screening the cDNA library with a mixture of three different monoclonal antibodies to Drosophila choline acetyltransferase, we isolated 14 positive clones. Only 1 of these clones was identified to be a Drosophila choline acetyltransferase cDNA clone based on the following evidence. (i) The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert completely corresponded to that of several tryptic peptides from choline acetyltransferase. (ii) The cDNA insert hybridized specifically to only the region on Drosophila polytene chromosomes that had been identified as the site of the choline acetyltransferase (Cha) gene by cytogenetic analysis. The cDNA insert consisted of a coding region 2190 nucleotides long, a 3'-noncoding region 284 nucleotides long, and EcoRI linkers. RNA analysis of Drosophila head poly(A)+ RNA with the cDNA insert as a probe showed the choline acetyltransferase mRNA to be approximately equal to 4700 nucleotides long.
Selective modification of NMR relaxation time in human colorectal carcinoma by using gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid conjugated with monoclonal antibody 19-9.
Authors: Curtet C , Tellier C , Bohy J , Conti M L , Saccavini J C , Thedrez P , Douillard J Y , Chatal J F , Koprowski H
Published: May 2006

Monoclonal antibody 19-9 (mAb 19-9) against human colon adenocarcinoma was conjugated with gadolinium X diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd X DTPA) and used as a contrast agent in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in an effort to improve tumor target selectivity in nude mice. The data indicate that Gd X DTPA-mAb 19-9 in solution decreased the T1 relaxation of water protons at 90 MHz in direct proportion to the gadolinium concentration, and this effect was greater than in Gd X DTPA solutions. T1 relaxation time at 90 MHz, measured in tumors removed from nude mice 24 hr after injection of Gd X DTPA-mAb 19-9 (Gd, 20 mumol/kg; 16 DTPA molecules per mAb molecule), was significantly decreased (by 15%) as compared with the control group. Similar results were obtained in tumors from mice injected with Gd X DTPA-mAb 19-9 solutions in which Gd was used at 2, 6, or 10 mumol/kg (16 DTPA molecules per mAb molecule). These doses are lower than those commonly used for Gd X DTPA (10-100 mumol/kg) as contrast agent. Tumor localization by the Gd X DTPA-mAb 19-9 complex containing radioactive Gd (0.3 microCi/microgram of 153Gd) to confirm scintigraphy revealed significant concentrations of the complex (5% of the injected dose per gram of tissue) in the tumor. Scan images recorded in planar scintigraphy at day 5 showed good visualization of tumors.
Genetic evidence suggests that homosporous ferns with high chromosome numbers are diploid
Authors: Haufler Christopher H. , Soltis Douglas E.
Published: May 2006

Homosporous ferns have usually been considered highly polyploid because they have high chromosome numbers (average
n
= 57.05). In angiosperms, species with chromosome numbers higher than
n
= 14 generally have more isozymes than those with lower numbers, consistent with their polyploidy. By extrapolation, homosporous ferns would be expected to have many isozymes. However, ongoing surveys indicate that within fern genera, species having the lowest chromosome numbers have the number of isozymes considered typical of diploid seed plants. Only species above these lowest numbers have additional isozymes. Therefore, homosporous ferns either have gone through repeated cycles of polyploidy and gene silencing or were initiated with relatively high chromosome numbers. The latter possibility represents a radical departure from currently advocated hypotheses of fern evolution and suggests that there may be fundamental differences between the genomes of homosporous ferns and those of higher plants. These hypotheses can be tested by genetic, karyological, and molecular techniques.
Phorbol myristate acetate inhibits anti-IgM-mediated signaling in resting B cells.
Authors: Mizuguchi J , Beaven M A , Li J H , Paul W E
Published: May 2006

Cross-linking the membrane immunoglobulins of resting B cells leads to activation as judged by increased inositol phospholipid metabolism, intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and cell volume. Such activated B cells enter S phase in the presence of B-cell stimulatory factor 1. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is a potent inhibitor of anti-IgM- and anti-IgD-stimulated B-cell responses. In B cells concentrations of PMA ranging from 0.1 to 100 ng/ml completely inhibit anti-IgM-stimulated DNA synthesis and block anti-IgM-stimulated increases in inositol phospholipid metabolism and in [Ca2+]i. Preincubation periods as short as 4 min block these effects although longer preincubations are somewhat more effective in inhibiting increases in [Ca2+]i. Preincubation with PMA for 1.5 hr does not diminish expression of membrane IgM. This strongly suggests that PMA inhibits responses of resting B cells to anti-IgM by interrupting signal transmission rather than by diminishing cross-linking of membrane immunoglobulin on B cells. In contrast to resting B cells, B cells activated in vitro for 29 hr show enhanced responses to anti-IgM in the presence of PMA.
Go, a guanine nucleotide-binding protein: immunohistochemical localization in rat brain resembles distribution of second messenger systems.
Authors: Worley P F , Baraban J M , Van Dop C , Neer E J , Snyder S H
Published: May 2006

We have localized a guanine nucleotide-binding protein, Go, in rat brain by immunohistochemistry with a selective polyclonal antiserum to the alpha 39 subunit of Go. Specific staining is widely distributed, abundant in neuropil, absent from neuronal cell bodies, and displays regional heterogeneity. Staining is enriched in cerebral cortex, particularly the molecular layer, neuropil of the hippocampal formation, striatum, substantia nigra pars reticulata, molecular layer of the cerebellum, substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, and posterior pituitary. High density staining in the substantia nigra reflects a Go-containing striatonigral pathway since striatal lesions reduce ipsilateral immunostaining in the pars reticulata. Confirming immunostaining, quantitative [32P]ADP-ribosylation of nigral membranes with pertussis toxin indicates a 66% +/- 11% (mean +/- SEM) reduction of Go ipsilateral to striatal lesions. Go may be associated with Purkinje cells in the cerebellum since membranes from mutant mice (Nervous), which postnatally lose Purkinje cells, are markedly depleted in pertussis toxin substrate. The localizations of Go correspond in many areas with those of protein kinase C, a component of the phosphatidylinositol cycle, suggesting a major role for Go in the brain related to regulation of the phosphatidylinositol cycle.
Nucleotide sequence and expression of the selenocysteine-containing polypeptide of formate dehydrogenase (formate-hydrogen-lyase-linked) from Escherichia coli.
Authors: Zinoni F , Birkmann A , Stadtman T C , Böck A
Published: May 2006

The gene (fdhF) coding for the selenopolypeptide of the benzylviologen-linked formate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The fdhF gene contains, within an open reading frame coding for a protein of 715 amino acids (calculated molecular weight, 79,087), an opal (UGA) nonsense codon in amino acid position 140. Existence of this nonsense codon was confirmed by physical recloning and resequencing. Internal and terminal deletion clones and lacZ fusions of different N-terminal parts of fdhF were constructed and analyzed for selenium incorporation. Selenylated truncated polypeptide chains or beta-galactosidase fusion proteins were synthesized when the deletion clones or gene fusions, respectively, contained the fdhF gene fragment coding for the selenopolypeptide sequence from amino acid residue 129 to amino acid residue 268. Translation of the lacZ part of the fusions required the presence of selenium in the medium when the N-terminal fdhF part contained the UGA codon and was independent of the presence of selenium when a more upstream part of fdhF was fused to lacZ. The results are consistent with a co-translational selenocysteine incorporation mechanism.
Cloned T-cell proliferation and synthesis of specific proteins are inhibited by quinine.
Authors: Sabath D E , Monos D S , Lee S C , Deutsch C , Prystowsky M B
Published: May 2006

Recombinant human interleukin 2 (rIL-2) drives the proliferation of the cloned murine T-helper line L2. The initial G1 activation occurs during the first 20 hr after stimulation, with DNA synthesis (S phase) beginning approximately 20 hr after rIL-2 stimulation. Three patterns of protein synthesis were observed during G1 activation. Type I proteins (e.g., p72 and p66) were synthesized at near maximal rates as early as 4 hr after stimulation, with little change in rates of synthesis through the G1 to S phase transition. Type II proteins (e.g., p52 and p36) were detectable early after stimulation, but their rates of synthesis continued to increase throughout G1 activation, becoming maximal 24-28 hr after stimulation. Type III proteins (e.g., p93, p89, and p63) were synthesized maximally 4 or 8 hr after rIL-2 stimulation, then their rates of synthesis declined markedly to prestimulation levels. Type II proteins, p52 and p36, were shown to be correlated with cell proliferation, since their rates of synthesis were maximal while L2 cells were proliferating and declined as the cells returned to a quiescent state. The potassium channel blocker quinine inhibited cell growth and the synthesis of p52 and p36 when added 0 or 2 hr after rIL-2 stimulation but not when added 6 hr after rIL-2 stimulation. Thus, a quinine-sensitive event occurring in L2 cells between 2 and 6 hr after rIL-2 stimulation is necessary for synthesis of type II proteins, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation.
Nerve growth factor rapidly induces c-fos mRNA in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells.
Authors: Milbrandt J
Published: May 2006

The nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated increase in c-fos gene expression in the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line has been investigated. NGF treatment of PC12 cells results in an increased level of c-fos mRNA within 15 min. An approximately 100-fold increase in the level of c-fos mRNA occurs 30-45 min after exposure to NGF and the c-fos mRNA concentration returns to its basal level 2 hr after NGF treatment. Thus, the half-life of this RNA transcript is extremely short. In the presence of cycloheximide, the c-fos gene is superinduced and the increased level of c-fos mRNA persists for at least 24 hr. The induction of c-fos gene expression was further studied by utilizing a monoclonal antibody (mAb-192) that is directed against the NGF receptor but does not compete with NGF for binding to the receptor. Treatment of the cells with mAb-192 inhibits the NGF-stimulated elevation of c-fos mRNA, suggesting that the antibody may interfere with the receptor's ability to generate the signal required to stimulate the transcription of this gene. NGF is not the only agent capable of inducing c-fos gene expression in these cells; epidermal growth factor, the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and the calcium ionophore A23187, agents that induce the c-fos gene in other cell lines, are also effective in PC12 cells. The mRNA for the nuclear protein fos is rapidly induced by NGF and other agents to which PC12 cells respond. This supports the hypothesis that the fos gene product may play a role in signal transduction.
Design of potent, orally effective, nonpeptidal antagonists of the peptide hormone cholecystokinin.
Authors: Evans B E , Bock M G , Rittle K E , DiPardo R M , Whitter W L , Veber D F , Anderson P S , Freidinger R M
Published: May 2006

We describe the design and synthesis of nonpeptidal antagonists of the peptide hormone cholecystokinin. Several of these compounds have high specificity and nanomolar binding affinity and are active after oral administration. To our knowledge, the design of such agents has not previously been accomplished for any peptide hormone. The structural similarities between these synthetic compounds and the anxiolytic 1,4-benzodiazepines are noted, and the potential of this structural feature for future design of ligands for other peptide hormone receptors is discussed.
Isolation and identification in bovine cerebral cortex of n-butyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, a potent benzodiazepine binding inhibitor.
Authors: Peña C , Medina J H , Novas M L , Paladini A C , De Robertis E
Published: May 2006

A substance having benzodiazepine-binding inhibitory activity has been extracted from 18 kg of gray matter of bovine cerebral cortex and purified to homogeneity. This substance inhibits competitively [3H]flunitrazepam and ethyl beta-[3H]carboline-3-carboxylate binding with high affinity (Ki, 3 nM), but it is inactive upon 3H-labeled Ro 5-4864, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate, [3H]prazosin, [3H]clonidine, [3H]dihydroalprenolol, and upon high-affinity [3H]muscimol binding. This inhibitor has been identified as n-butyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCB) by fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (Mr, 268) and electron bombardment fragmentography, ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra, coelution in HPLC with standard beta-CCB, and by the exact correspondence in Ki with beta-CCB on the displacement of [3H]flunitrazepam binding. The possible artificial formation of beta-CCB has been discarded by a series of control experiments including addition of tryptophan to the starting homogenate, extraction from liver, isolation and purification by an alternative procedure avoiding organic solvents, and by the impossibility of making beta-CCB from beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid or its methyl ester in the conditions of our extraction and purification procedures.