bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proton-transfer spectroscopy of 3-hydroxyflavone in an isolated-site crystal matrix.
Authors: McMorrow D , Kasha M
Published: May 2006

The isolated-site low-temperature crystal matrix (dilute solutions in heptane and in octane) ( Shpol ' skii matrix) is shown to be operative for the spectroscopic study of 3- hydroxyflavone luminescence. The observed luminescence is demonstrated to be unique proton-transfer fluorescence from the excited tautomer. A separate study at higher concentrations of aggregated molecule luminescence and excitation spectra distinguishes these for 3- hydroxyflavone from isolated-molecule spectra. The application of the Shpol ' skii matrix low-temperature spectroscopy technique is suggested for other large heteroaromatic molecules, such as biomolecules containing polar groups that impart low solubility in nonaqueous solvents.
Plasma binding proteins for platelet-derived growth factor that inhibit its binding to cell-surface receptors.
Authors: Raines E W , Bowen-Pope D F , Ross R
Published: May 2006

Evidence is presented that the binding of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to plasma constituents inhibits the binding of PDGF to its cell-surface mitogen receptor. Approximately equivalent amounts of PDGF-binding activity were found in plasma from a number of different species known by radioreceptor assay to contain PDGF homologues in their clotted blood. Activation of the coagulation cascade did not significantly alter the PDGF-binding activity of the plasma components. Three molecular weight classes of plasma fractions that inhibit PDGF binding to its cell-surface receptor were defined by gel filtration: approximately equal to 40,000, 150,000, and greater than 500,000. Specific binding of 125I-labeled PDGF to the highest molecular weight plasma fraction could also be demonstrated by gel filtration. The binding of PDGF to these plasma components was reversible under conditions of low pH or with guanidine X HCl, and active PDGF could be recovered from the higher molecular weight fractions. Immunologic and functional evidence is presented that the highest molecular weight plasma fraction may be alpha 2-macroglobulin. A model is proposed in which the activity of PDGF released in vivo may be regulated by association with these plasma binding components and by high-affinity binding to cell-surface PDGF receptors.
Strategies for multilocus linkage analysis in humans.
Authors: Lathrop G M , Lalouel J M , Julier C , Ott J
Published: May 2006

The increasing number of DNA polymorphisms characterized in humans will soon allow the construction of fine genetic maps of human chromosomes. This advance calls for a reexamination of current methodologies for linkage analysis by the family method. We have investigated the relative efficiency of two-point and three-point linkage tests for the detection of linkage and the estimation of recombination in a variety of situations. This led us to develop the computer program LINKAGE to perform multilocus linkage analysis. The investigation also enables us to propose a method of location scores for the efficient detection of linkage between a disease locus, or a new genetic marker, and a linkage group previously established from a reference panel of families. The method is illustrated by an application to simulated pedigree data in a situation akin to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These results show that considerable economy and efficiency can be brought to the mapping endeavor by resorting to appropriate strategies of detecting linkage and by constructing the human genetic map on a common reference panel of families.
ATP-dependent asymmetric distribution of spin-labeled phospholipids in the erythrocyte membrane: relation to shape changes.
Authors: Seigneuret M , Devaux P F
Published: May 2006

Spin-labeled analogs of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine have been used to study phospholipid transverse diffusion and asymmetry in the human erythrocyte membrane. Ascorbate reduction was used to assess the transbilayer distribution of the labels. All three spin-labeled phospholipids initially incorporated into the outer leaflet of the membrane. On fresh erythrocytes at 5 degrees C, the phosphatidylcholine label remained mainly in the outer leaflet. In contrast, the phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine labels underwent rapid transverse diffusion that led to their asymmetric distribution in favor of the inner leaflet. The latter effect was reversibly inhibited after ATP depletion of the erythrocytes and could be reproduced on resealed erythrocyte ghosts only if hydrolyzable Mg-ATP was included in the internal medium. It is suggested that an ATP-driven transport of amino phospholipids toward the inner leaflet could be the major cause of the phospholipid asymmetry in the erythrocyte membrane. It is also proposed that the same mechanism could explain the ATP requirement of the maintenance of the erythrocyte membrane discoid shape.
A cis-acting element from the Epstein-Barr viral genome that permits stable replication of recombinant plasmids in latently infected cells.
Authors: Yates J , Warren N , Reisman D , Sugden B
Published: May 2006

The Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) genome of approximately equal to 170 kilobase pairs (kbp) is maintained as a plasmid in human B lymphoblasts transformed by the virus. We have identified a cis-acting element within 1.8 kbp of the viral genome that allows recombinant plasmids carrying it to be selected at high frequency and maintained as plasmids in cells latently infected by EBV. This functional element(s) requires a segment of DNA at least 800 bp and at most 1800 bp long, which contains a family of 30-bp tandem repeats at one end. Since this region confers efficient stable replication only to plasmids transfected into cells containing EBV genomes, its function probably requires trans-acting products encoded elsewhere in the viral genome.
Simultaneous administration of pure antiandrogens, a combination necessary for the use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Authors: Labrie F , Dupont A , Bélanger A , Emond J , Monfette G
Published: May 2006

Although castration levels of serum androgens are consistently achieved after 2-3 weeks of treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, the administration of these peptides alone in adult men is always accompanied by a transient increase in plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, which lasts for 5-15 days at the beginning of treatment and is accompanied by disease flare-up in some cases, thus seriously limiting the acceptability of this otherwise efficient and well-tolerated treatment. The present data show that the simultaneous administration of a pure antiandrogen neutralizes the influence of the transient increase in serum androgens on prostate cancer, as indicated by the 60% decrease in serum prostatic acid phosphatase observed within 5 days of combined treatment with an LHRH agonist and a pure antiandrogen. The addition of a pure antiandrogen thus makes fully acceptable the use of LHRH agonists as an advantageous substitute for surgical castration and estrogens in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Use of peptide synthesis to probe viral antigens for epitopes to a resolution of a single amino acid.
Authors: Geysen H M , Meloen R H , Barteling S J
Published: May 2006

A procedure is described for rapid concurrent synthesis on solid supports of hundreds of peptides, of sufficient purity to react in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Interaction of synthesized peptides with antibodies is then easily detected without removing them from the support. In this manner an immunogenic epitope of the immunologically important coat protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus (type O1) is located with a resolution of seven amino acids, corresponding to amino acids 146-152 of that protein. Then, a complete replacement set of peptides in which all 20 amino acids were substituted in turn at every position within the epitope was synthesized, and the particular amino acids conferring specificity for the reaction with antibody were determined. It was found that the leucine residues at positions 148 and 151 were essential for reaction with antisera raised against intact virus. A lesser contribution was derived from the glutamine and alanine residues at positions 149 and 152, respectively. Aside from the practical significance for locating and examining epitopes at high resolution, these findings may lead to better understanding of the basis of antigen-antibody interaction and antibody specificity.
Structure of unligated aspartate carbamoyltransferase of Escherichia coli at 2.6-A resolution.
Authors: Ke H M , Honzatko R B , Lipscomb W N
Published: May 2006

The three-dimensional structure of the allosteric enzyme aspartate carbamoyltransferase (EC 2.1.3.2) has been refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 0.24 at 2.6-A resolution in the space group P321, where a and b are 122.1 A and c is 142.2 A. This structure is isomorphous to the form of the enzyme complexed to the allosteric inhibitor cytidine triphosphate. All sources of sequence information have been evaluated against the electron density. The corrected amino acid sequences of the catalytic and regulatory proteins have been incorporated in the model, and three regions in the active site are described: (i) near arginine-105, histidine-134, and arginine-167, (ii) near lysine-232 and arginine-229, and (iii) near lysine-83 and lysine-84.
Relationships between the structures of taxol and baccatine III derivatives and their in vitro action on the disassembly of mammalian brain and Physarum amoebal microtubules.
Authors: Lataste H , Senilh V , Wright M , Guénard D , Potier P
Published: May 2006

The in vitro disassembly of microtubules from mammalian brain and Physarum is inhibited by various derivatives of taxol and baccatine III. Structure-activity relationships of the taxol derivatives were identical for both mammalian brain and Physarum microtubules. This observation suggests that the site of action of taxol has been preserved during the evolution of these two different eukaryotic lines. The substituent at C-13 of taxol was required to prevent disassembly of brain microtubules with or without microtubule-associated proteins. In contrast, both taxol and baccatine III prevented the disassembly of Physarum microtubules to the same extent, showing that the substituent at C-13 was not required in the interaction with Physarum tubulin. The different effects of baccatine III and taxol derivatives indicate that measuring the disassembly of microtubules from different organisms could be a useful parameter in the search for derivatives exhibiting antiparasitic activity.
The chromosome 14 breakpoint in neoplastic B cells with the t(11;14) translocation involves the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.
Authors: Erikson J , Finan J , Tsujimoto Y , Nowell P C , Croce C M
Published: May 2006

We hybridized neoplastic cells from a patient with chromic lymphocytic leukemia of the B-cell type, which carried a reciprocal chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 11 (q13) and 14 (q32) with mouse plasmacytoma cells. The hybrid cells were studied for the presence, rearrangement, and expression of the human immunoglobulin mu chain locus. The results indicate that the expressed mu chain gene is located on the normal chromosome 14, whereas the 14q+ translocation chromosome carries the excluded immunoglobulin constant (C) region mu chain allele (C mu) but does not contain variable (V) region heavy chain genes (VH). Since we found that the heavy chain joining region DNA (JH) of the excluded mu chain gene is on the 14q+ chromosome, we can conclude that the chromosomal break observed in the leukemic cells occurred in a chromosomal region within or 5' of the JH region. With these results, it is logical to postulate that a gene, for which we suggest the name bcl-1, is located on band q13 of chromosome 11 and is activated by its translocation into close proximity with the rearranged heavy chain locus on chromosome 14q+, contributing to the neoplastic transformation of the B cells with the t(11;14) chromosomal translocation.
Isolation, primary structure, and synthesis of human hypothalamic somatocrinin: growth hormone-releasing factor.
Authors: Ling N , Esch F , Böhlen P , Brazeau P , Wehrenberg W B , Guillemin R
Published: May 2006

The hypophysiotropic peptide, growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), was isolated from human hypothalamic-hypophysial tissues by means of acid extraction, immunoaffinity chromatography, gel filtration, and two steps of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid sequence determination using a gas-phase sequencer and reverse-phase liquid chromatography of the native peptide and its synthetic replicates showed its primary structure to be as follows: H-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln -Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser -Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2, which is identical to that of the GRF recently isolated and characterized from a human pancreatic tumor that had caused acromegaly. Human hypothalamic GRF shows major homologies (93%, 89%, and 86%, respectively) when its primary structure is compared to that of the hypothalamic GRF from the porcine, bovine, caprine, and ovine species.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases from the neuronal nuclear matrix and post-synaptic density are structurally related.
Authors: Sahyoun N , LeVine H , Cuatrecasas P
Published: May 2006

A major Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase has been isolated in association with the neuronal nuclear matrix. Nuclear matrix preparations contain highly phosphorylated polypeptides with Mr values of 50,000 and 60,000. These polypeptides were further characterized by peptide and phospho peptide mapping, two-dimensional isoelectrofocusing/NaDodSO4/PAGE, and 125I-labeled calmodulin binding. The results indicate that the Mr 50,000 and 60,000 polypeptides of the nuclear matrix closely resemble the alpha and beta subunits, respectively, of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase of the post-synaptic density. These findings indicate that similar protein kinases mediate the neuronal effects of Ca2+ at the cytosolic, synaptosomal, and nuclear levels.
Tumor promoters induce a specific morphological signature in the nuclear matrix-intermediate filament scaffold of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell colonies.
Authors: Fey E G , Penman S
Published: May 2006

Tumor promoters such as phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate (TPA), mezerein, teleocidin, aplysiatoxin, and benzoyl peroxide, although structurally unrelated, induce similar, profound changes in morphology in differentiated epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell colonies. The alteration is evident in the organization of intermediate filaments in intact cells and in whole mounts of the nuclear matrix-intermediate filament (NM-IF) scaffold of the epithelial sheet. This substructure, obtained by salt extraction of the cytoskeletal framework, represents only 5% of the total cell protein but contains all of the intermediate filaments, nuclear matrix, and desmosomal core proteins arranged essentially as in the intact cell. The NM-IF is profoundly reorganized after exposure to TPA and retains the morphological changes observed in intact cells. These include bundling of the intermediate filaments, disruption of cell-cell borders, and marked deformation of the polygonal geometry of epithelia. Thus, TPA and all other complete or second-stage tumor promoters examined have a characteristic morphological signature that is not induced by mitogens, metabolic inhibitors, or agents known to disrupt microtubules or microfilaments. This signature, characteristic of tumor promoters, occurs in the absence of both protein and RNA synthesis. These results suggest that this response is prior to and independent of other biochemical markers for tumor promoters. Of the major filament systems, the cytokeratin network is implicated as an early or possibly primary site of tumor-promoter action because characteristics of the promoted cytoskeletal signature are observed in epithelial colonies after prior exposure to colchicine or cytochalasin D. Despite the massive reorganization of cytoskeletal morphology induced by TPA, the distribution of prelabeled proteins into structural fractions (i.e., cytoskeletal, chromatin, and the NM-IF) remains essentially unchanged. The sensitivity and specificity of the epithelial cell response suggest its possible use as a screen for promoting compounds.
Neuronal influence on glial enzyme expression: evidence from mutant mouse cerebella.
Authors: Fisher M
Published: May 2006

The developmentally regulated enzyme sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH; EC 1.1.1.8) is characteristically present in relatively high levels in mature Bergmann glia of the mouse cerebellum. Preliminary studies identified several neurological mouse mutants with reduced glial enzyme activity. Immunohistochemical examination of GPDH expression in three mutants (lurcher, nervous, and Purkinje cell degeneration) revealed a positive correlation between glial enzyme expression and Purkinje cell presence. Whereas GPDH immunoreactivity appears normal in Bergmann glia from all three mutants at early times, immunoreactivity diminishes fairly rapidly after Purkinje cell loss, first in the Bergmann glia somas and then in the processes. Loss of immunoreactivity is uniform throughout the cerebellar cortex in lurcher and Purkinje cell degeneration where the entire Purkinje cell populations die. In nervous mice, in which some Purkinje cells survive, GPDH immunoreactivity is patchy throughout the cortex; it is present only where Purkinje cells remain. In contrast, Bergmann fibers appear uniformly distributed throughout the cortex of mutant cerebella, as demonstrated by immunostaining for the presence of glial filaments. This observation suggest that the loss of GPDH immunoreactivity is not a result of glial cell death. These results support the idea that GPDH expression in Bergmann glia depends upon their sustained interaction with adjacent Purkinje cells.
cis-acting mutations that affect rop protein control of plasmid copy number.
Authors: Moser D R , Ma D , Moser C D , Campbell J L
Published: May 2006

A number of pMB1 derivatives provide a trans-acting function that can suppress lethal runaway replication of a temperature-sensitive copy-number mutant of NTP1. Deletion analysis indicates that the region of the pMB1 genome that contains the rop gene is required for this suppression. Mutant derivatives of the temperature-sensitive copy-number mutant plasmid whose conditional lethal phenotype is not suppressed in trans by the region encoding the rop gene have been isolated. These rop-insensitive derivatives contain single nucleotide changes within the RNA I coding region.
Identification and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to an antigen expressed on activated macrophages.
Authors: Koestler T P , Rieman D , Muirhead K , Greig R G , Poste G
Published: May 2006

A hybridoma clone secreting a monoclonal antibody, designated MA158.2, that reacts with an antigen expressed on lymphokine-treated macrophages was produced by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with rat spleen cells immunized against C57BL/6 peritoneal macrophages rendered tumoricidal in vitro by incubation with the lymphokine macrophage-activating factor. The specificity of the antibody for activated macrophages and lack of reactivity with histologically diverse cell types was determined by radioimmune indirect binding and flow cytometry. MA158.2 antibody binds to mouse peritoneal macrophages elicited by nonspecific inflammatory agents and to tumoricidal macrophages elicited with Corynebacterium parvum. Resident peritoneal, splenic, and alveolar macrophages were only weakly positive. Several macrophage cell lines (P388D1, WEH1-231, J774, RAW 264.7), murine fibroblasts, and neutrophils did not bind detectable amounts of MA158.2. Radioimmune indirect binding analysis demonstrated that cell suspensions prepared from C57BL/6 mouse spleen, thymus, and lymph node as well as polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, and T- and B-cell murine lymphomas were MA158.2 negative. Expression of the reactive antigen on the macrophage cell surface was enhanced 3-fold following in vitro activation of elicited macrophages with macrophage-activating factor and the kinetics of activation to the tumoricidal state paralleled the increased expression of the antigen recognized by MA158.2. MA158.2 is a rat IgG2a antibody containing a single specific heavy and light chain that does not detect a polymorphic determinant. This monoclonal antibody will be a useful tool for monitoring the efficacy of agents in activating murine macrophages to the tumoricidal state and in analyzing the sequence of biochemical events that culminate in macrophage activation.
Monoclonal antibodies against murine gamma interferon.
Authors: Prat M , Gribaudo G , Comoglio P M , Cavallo G , Landolfo S
Published: May 2006

Monoclonal antibodies against murine immune interferon (IFN-gamma) were produced by fusing the murine nonsecreting myeloma cell line P3.X63.Ag8.653 with spleen cells from rats immunized with IFN-gamma-containing supernatants obtained by stimulating a T-cell lymphoma, L12-R4, with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Supernatants from a twice-cloned hybridoma (AN-18.17.24) were found to neutralize and to adsorb in depletion experiments up to 27 units of mouse IFN-gamma but not equivalent amounts of mouse leukocyte or fibroblast IFNs. The AN-18.17.24 monoclonal antibody neutralized to the same extent mouse IFN-gamma from different sources--namely, (i) concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells, (ii) alloantigen-stimulated spleen cells, and (iii) monkey fibroblasts transfected with the cloned gene of murine IFN-gamma. Moreover, the monoclonal antibody displayed species specificity, since it did not neutralize IFN-gamma of human origin. Binding inhibition experiments with murine IFN-gamma preparations exposed to enzymatic or physicochemical degradation demonstrated that the protein moiety and not the carbohydrate residues were responsible for the binding to the AN-18.17.24 monoclonal antibody. Finally, this monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitated two molecular species of IFN-gamma of about 16.8 and 17.8 kilodaltons, respectively, from [35S]methionine- or [3H]glucosamine-labeled supernatants of stimulated L12-R4 cells.
Repetitive structure in the long-terminal-repeat element of a type II human T-cell leukemia virus.
Authors: Sodroski J , Trus M , Perkins D , Patarca R , Wong-Staal F , Gelmann E , Gallo R , Haseltine W A
Published: May 2006

The majority of human T-cell leukemia virus isolates (HTLV-I) are associated with clinically aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphomas. By contrast, HTLV-II has been isolated from a patient with a relatively benign hairy T-cell leukemia. To characterize differences in the viral genomes that might contribute to these different pathologies, we determined the nucleotide sequence of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of a HTLV-II provirus. Comparison with the type I HTLV LTR reveals that, whereas the overall structural features are similar, the two sequences differ markedly throughout most of the length of the LTR. Despite the overall differences, the sequences of several functional regions of the two LTRs are conserved. These include the 5' boundary of U3, the RNA cap site, and the tRNAPro-binding site immediately 3' to the LTR. Another point of similarity is a 21-base sequence that is repeated four times in the U3 region of HTLV-II and three times in the U3 region of HTLV-I. This sequence has a formal analogy to, but no common sequence with, viral transcriptional enhancers. The U3 region of HTLV-II possesses a series of imperfect tandem direct repeats, 42 bases long, 21 bases long, 19 bases long, and 7 bases long. These structures differ from those of HTLV-I except for the 21-base repeat sequence. Thus, the structure of HTLV-II differs substantially from that of HTLV-I in the region that governs transcriptional initiation and tissue specificity. Such differences may account for some of the differences in clinical presentation of HTLV-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphomas and hairy T-cell leukemia.
Multiple joined genes prevent product degradation in Escherichia coli.
Authors: Shen S H
Published: May 2006

A method is described that allows the expression of a stable human proinsulin product in Escherichia coli as encoded by either a fused or an unfused gene construction. In the fused system, the human proinsulin coding sequence is joined to the 3' side of a fragment containing the lac promoter and the coding sequence for a small part of the NH2 terminus of beta-galactosidase. In the unfused system, the proinsulin coding sequence is linked directly to a fragment containing the Tac promoter followed by a bacterial Shine-Dalgarno sequence. In both systems, the human proinsulin product is too unstable to be detected by NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or even pulse-chase analysis. However, when multiple copies of the proinsulin coding sequence are tandemly linked such that the resultant protein product contains multiple copies of the proinsulin domain, the stability of the product is markedly increased in both the fused and the unfused expression systems. In the unfused system, three tandemly linked proinsulin polypeptide domains are required for stabilization, whereas two proinsulin domains plus the bacterial leader protein enhance stability in the fused system. The polypeptide product of a multiple copy proinsulin gene can be cleaved into single proinsulin units by cyanogen bromide treatment.
Synthesis of the templates for influenza virion RNA replication in vitro.
Authors: Beaton A R , Krug R M
Published: May 2006

To elucidate the mechanism(s) of influenza viral RNA replication, we have developed an in vitro system in which the templates for viral RNA replication as well as the viral messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are synthesized. Because the synthesis of both the viral mRNAs and the template RNAs occurs in the nucleus of infected cells, we determined whether infected cell nuclei are active in the synthesis of these two types of transcripts in vitro. Nuclei isolated as early as 1-2 hr after infection catalyze the in vitro synthesis of both the viral mRNAs and template RNAs. The time course of appearance of these activities indicates that they most likely represent the transcriptional complexes functioning in vivo. Template RNA synthesis catalyzed by the nuclei in vitro is independent of concomitant protein synthesis; rather, it utilizes preformed proteins present in the nuclear preparations. This protein pool can be depleted by treating the infected cells with a protein synthesis inhibitor prior to the isolation of the nuclei, thereby rendering the nuclei inactive in template RNA synthesis in vitro. This activity can be restored by the addition of infected cell cytoplasmic extracts or of the high-speed supernatant fraction from these extracts. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic fraction from infected cells enables the viral transcription complex to continue transcription past the site at which termination occurs during viral mRNA synthesis and also suggest that this fraction enables the transcription complex to initiate transcription without the capped primer used in viral mRNA synthesis.
Eutherian-like reproductive specializations in a viviparous reptile
Authors: Blackburn Daniel G. , Vitt Laurie J. , Beuchat Carol A.
Published: May 2006

The viviparous Brazilian scincid lizard
Mabuya heathi
exhibits a suite of reproductive specializations widely believed to be confined to the eutherian mammals. This skink ovulates the smallest known reptilian egg (≃1.0 mm in diameter). Placental transport accounts for >99% of the dry mass of the periparturient fetus, representing a degree of placentotrophy proportionately greater than that reported in any other non-mammalian vertebrate. Placental morphology and the timing of fetal growth implicate the chorioallantoic placenta in maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. The yolk sac placenta regresses prior to any major increase in embryonic dry mass. Precocial gonadal maturation and postponement of reproductive investment until well after ovulation enables females to become pregnant at 3-4 months of age, long before attainment of full adult body size.
Cellular homologs of the avian erythroblastosis virus erb-A and erb-B genes are syntenic in mouse but asyntenic in man.
Authors: Zabel B U , Fournier R E , Lalley P A , Naylor S L , Sakaguchi A Y
Published: May 2006

Avian erythroblastosis virus, a retrovirus that causes erythroblastosis and sarcomas in infected birds, possesses two host cell-derived genes [viral (v) erb-A and erb-B]. Although v-erb-B seems to be responsible for oncogenic transformation, v-erb-A might have an enhancing effect on transformation. In chickens, the natural host for avian erythroblastosis virus, cellular (c) erb-A and erb-B genes appear to be unlinked, but their chromosomal locations in other species are unknown. To ascertain the chromosomal location of c-erb genes in man and mouse, we analyzed interspecies somatic cell and microcell hybrids by Southern filter hybridization techniques using specific v-erb-A and v-erb-B probes. We found c-erb-A sequences on human chromosome 17 (17p11----qter) and located c-erb-B on human chromosome 7 (7pter----q22). In contrast, both c-erb-A and c-erb-B reside on mouse chromosome 11.
Construction and genetic characterization of temperature-sensitive mutant alleles of the yeast actin gene.
Authors: Shortle D , Novick P , Botstein D
Published: May 2006

Two temperature-sensitive mutations have been constructed in the single actin gene (ACT1) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by in vitro mutagenesis of the cloned gene followed by integrative transformation of mutagenized DNA into yeast cells. A strategy of allele replacement was used that allowed recessive mutations to be phenotypically expressed in the initial transformants, thus simplifying the screening of large numbers of independently transformed cells. After confirming that several ts mutations were located within the actin structural gene by genetic methods, these mutant alleles were cloned, and the altered amino acid residues were defined by DNA sequence analysis. The two unique mutations resulted in substitution of proline-32 with leucine and alanine-58 with threonine. In the course of isolating these mutations, the observation was made that a high proportion of yeast cells transformed with exogenous DNA by the spheroplast method are temperature sensitive for growth because of genetic changes unrelated to the transforming DNA.
Regulation of glutathione transferase and DT-diaphorase mRNAs in persistent hepatocyte nodules during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.
Authors: Pickett C B , Williams J B , Lu A Y , Cameron R G
Published: May 2006

We have utilized cDNA probes and in vitro translation analysis to quantitate the levels of rat liver glutathione transferase (glutathione S-aralkyltransferase; RX:glutathione R-transferase, EC 2.5.1.18) and DT-diaphorase [NAD-(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2] mRNAs in persistent hepatocyte nodules induced by chemical carcinogens. Our results indicate that within the nodules, glutathione transferase mRNAs specific for the Ya/Yc and Yb subunits are increased 3-fold and 5-fold, respectively, over the levels observed in normal liver or in the liver tissue surrounding the nodules. Similarly, the level of DT-diaphorase mRNA is increased 5- to 7-fold within the nodules as compared to surrounding liver tissue or normal liver. When animals were administered 3-methylcholanthrene, a typical inducer of these mRNAs in normal animals, a further increase in the glutathione transferase Yb mRNA(s) and DT-diaphorase mRNA was observed in the nodules; however, the Ya/Yc mRNA levels remained unaffected. Our data indicate that during chemically induced neoplastic transformation, the mRNA levels for the Yb subunit of glutathione transferase and DT-diaphorase are increased in the nodules but still retain the capacity to be regulated by 3-methylcholanthrene. Although the glutathione transferase Ya/Yc mRNAs are also increased in the nodules, they lost their ability to be regulated by 3-methylcholanthrene. These latter data suggest that within the nodules there is a specific defect in the regulatory mechanism(s) that leads to an induction of the Ya/Yc mRNAs in normal tissue by xenobiotics.
Cyclosporin A inhibits T-cell growth factor gene expression at the level of mRNA transcription.
Authors: Krönke M , Leonard W J , Depper J M , Arya S K , Wong-Staal F , Gallo R C , Waldmann T A , Greene W C
Published: May 2006

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressive agent, now gaining wide application in human organ transplantation. The immunosuppressive activity of CsA is at least in part due to inhibition of lymphokine production by activated T lymphocytes. Specifically, inhibition of T-cell growth factor (TCGF; also designated interleukin 2) production appears to be an important pathway by which CsA impairs T-cell function. To define further both the specificity of CsA and the level at which it interferes with lymphokine gene expression, we have studied its effects on TCGF mRNA accumulation as well as TCGF gene transcription. These studies were performed with a cloned human leukemic T-cell line (Jurkat, subclone 32), which can be induced with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to produce large amounts of TCGF. In these cells, high levels of TCGF mRNA were present in induced but not in uninduced Jurkat cells as judged by hybridization to a cloned human TCGF cDNA probe. CsA completely inhibited induced TCGF mRNA accumulation at concentrations of 0.3-1.0 microgram/ml, whereas low levels of appropriately sized TCGF mRNA were present at 0.01 microgram/ml. In nuclear transcription experiments, CsA inhibited the synthesis of TCGF transcripts in a dose-dependent manner with complete inhibition at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. In contrast, CsA did not inhibit the expression of two other inducible genes, TCGF receptor and HT-3. Further, HLA gene expression was also less affected than TCGF in CsA-treated cells. These data suggest a relatively selective action of CsA on TCGF gene transcription.
Detection of a pancreatic cancer-associated antigen (DU-PAN-2 antigen) in serum and ascites of patients with adenocarcinoma.
Authors: Metzgar R S , Rodriguez N , Finn O J , Lan M S , Daasch V N , Fernsten P D , Meyers W C , Sindelar W F , Sandler R S , Seigler H F
Published: May 2006

A competition radioimmunoassay was developed, utilizing a murine monoclonal antibody to human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Immunoblotting of a standard antigen preparation from either serum or ascites fluid after electrophoresis in 1% agarose showed that the specific DU-PAN-2 activity resided in two major high molecular weight bands. DU-PAN-2 antigen levels were expressed as arbitrary units based on a standard partially purified antigen preparation. The inhibition curve with standard antigen was reproducible (SD less than 10%) and essentially linear from 25 to 200 units/ml. The mean DU-PAN-2 antigen concentration for the sera from 126 normal individuals was 81 units/ml. Sera from pediatric patients with malignancy had a mean of 127 units/ml, while nasopharyngeal, stage III melanoma, and ovarian carcinoma patients had means of 89, 92, and 119 units/ml, respectively. All values in normal subjects as well as the melanoma, nasopharyngeal, ovarian, and pediatric cancer patients were less than 400 units/ml. Intermediate antigen levels were detected in patients with alimentary tract malignancies. Eight of 20 gastric cancer and 8 of 76 colorectal carcinoma patients and 3 patients with benign or nonmalignant gastrointestinal tract disease had DU-PAN-2 values exceeding 400 units/ml. Ascites fluids from 6/6 and pancreatic juice from 2/2 pancreatic cancer patients had values greater than 750 units/ml. Serum from 68% of the 89 pancreatic cancer patients tested had DU-PAN-2 antigen levels greater than 400 units/ml. The mean serum value in this patient population was 4888 units/ml.
Lipoxins: novel series of biologically active compounds formed from arachidonic acid in human leukocytes.
Authors: Serhan C N , Hamberg M , Samuelsson B
Published: May 2006

Trihydroxytetraenes, a novel series of oxygenated derivatives formed from arachidonic acid in human leukocytes, were recently isolated [Serhan, C. N., Hamberg, M. & Samuelsson, B. (1984) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 118, 943-949]. The structure of the major compound was established--i.e., 5,6,15L-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-icosatetraenoic acid. The present study reports the structure of a second member of the trihydroxytetraene series of compounds--i.e., 5D,14,15L-trihydroxy-6,8,10,12-icosatetraenoic acid. When added to human neutrophils, 5,6,15L-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-icosatetraenoic acid stimulated superoxide anion generation and degranulation at submicromolar concentrations without provoking a substantial aggregation response. With respect to superoxide anion generation, 5,6,15L-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-icosatetraenoic acid proved to be as potent as leukotriene B4. In contrast, the compound was approximately 2 orders of magnitude less potent than either leukotriene B4 or fMet-Leu-Phe at provoking degranulation. The results indicate that interaction(s) between the 5- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways of human leukocytes leads to formation of a new series of oxygenated derivatives of arachidonic acid that may be involved in regulating specific cellular responses. The trivial names lipoxin A (5,6,15L-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-icosatetraenoic acid) and lipoxin B (5D,14,15L-trihydroxy-6,8,10,12-icosatetraenoic acid) are proposed for the new compounds.
Stability of "salt bridges" in membrane proteins.
Authors: Honig B H , Hubbell W L
Published: May 2006

We estimate the free energies of transfer of ionized amino acid side chains in water to both their ion-paired and neutral hydrogen-bonded states in low-dielectric media. The difference between the two free energies corresponds to the proton transfer free energy in a "salt bridge" formed between acidic and basic groups (i.e., lysine and glutamic acid residues). Our approach is to use gas phase proton transfer data, pK values, and experimentally determined solvation energies to estimate the standard state free energy changes involved in transferring amino acid side chains, in both ionized and neutral form, from water (dielectric constant epsilon = 80) to vacuum (epsilon = 1). The familiar expressions for the charging energy of a sphere and dipole are used to interpolate between epsilon = 1 and epsilon = 80. Our results suggest that it costs approximately 10-16 kcal/mol to transfer a salt bridge from water to a medium of epsilon = 2-4, in ionized or neutral form within the resolution of our estimates. The proton transfer energy is thus approximately 0. The tendency of salt bridges to form additional hydrogen bonds in real proteins suggests that the ion pair will be present in most biological systems.
Movement of ions through fixed pores in the neural membrane.
Authors: Wooldridge D E
Published: May 2006

A simple configuration is first proposed for the pores used by sodium and potassium ions in moving through the neural membrane. The voltage dependence of the ion current through a system of such pores is then derived from diffusion theory and shown not to agree well with experimental observation. Good agreement is obtained, however, when the end segments of the pores are modified to include constrictions and ion-specific trapping centers.
Tunicamycin blocks neuritogenesis and glucosamine labeling of gangliosides in developing cerebral neuron cultures.
Authors: Yavin E , Richter-Landsberg C , Duksin D , Yavin Z
Published: May 2006

Fetal cerebral neurons at the initiation of active neurite outgrowth in culture incorporate 4-fold more [3H]glucosamine into glycoproteins than into the cellular lipid fraction. After 8 days or longer, when a well-developed fiber network is apparent, lipids are labeled more extensively than the glycoproteins. Labeling of the latter is inhibited 95% and 89% by 0.5 microgram of tunicamycin per ml added to 1-day-old and 8-day-old cultures, respectively. Labeling of glycolipids is inhibited 30% in 1-day-old and 86% in 8-day-old cultures. Tunicamycin blocks incorporation of glucosamine label into practically all ganglioside species except for a resorcinol-positive, sialidase-sensitive band tentatively identified as GQ1b tetrasialoganglioside (Svennerholm ganglioside nomenclature). It also substantially reduces binding of 125I-labeled tetanus toxin to intact cells. There is 14% and 27% reduction in the total ganglioside sialic acid content in 1-day-old and 8-day-old cells treated for 24 hr with 0.5 microgram of tunicamycin per ml, but no substantial compositional changes are encountered. Tunicamycin blocks neurite outgrowth when added to cells soon after plating but causes no retraction or losses of fibers once the fiber network is established. Therefore, inhibition of neurite outgrowth by tunicamycin is not due to an effect on cellular gangliosides but can be correlated to an inhibition of protein glycosylation.
An 8-kilobase abl RNA transcript in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Authors: Gale R P , Canaani E
Published: May 2006

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematologic malignancy characterized by a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 [t(9;22)] in greater than 90% of cases. This translocation results in a short chromosome 22, termed the Philadelphia (Ph1 or 22q-) chromosome. Recently, the cellular oncogenes abl and sis were mapped to human chromosomes 9 and 22, respectively. Moreover, abl was shown to be translocated from chromosome 9 to 22 and sis from chromosome 22 to 9 in CML patients with t(9;22). These findings raised the possibility that one or both of these oncogenes is activated and directly involved in the development of the disease. We analyzed expression of the abl and sis oncogenes in leukemic cells from CML patients with t(9;22). We found that sis is not expressed but that abl is transcribed into an 8-kilobase RNA. This abl RNA is also present in two leukemic cell lines (EM2 and K562), which were derived from CML patients and contain the t(9;22). This 8-kilobase RNA is not detected in normal cells, in other human leukemias without t(9;22), or in human cell lines that lack t(9;22). The consistent presence of this abl RNA transcript in CML with t(9;22) suggests that it is a consequence of abl translocation and that it plays a role in the development of this leukemia.
Expression of pro-opiomelanocortin-like gene in the testis and epididymis.
Authors: Chen C L , Mather J P , Morris P L , Bardin C W
Published: May 2006

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), beta-endorphin, and the melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSHs), which are products of a common precursor, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), are present in a variety of tissues other than pituitary. The recent detection of immunoreactive POMC-derived peptides in the male reproductive tract raised the possibility that these hormones might regulate reproductive function. To determine whether the low concentrations of POMC-derived peptides in the male reproductive tract are synthesized locally and are not contaminants from blood, we have demonstrated POMC-like gene expression in both testis and epididymis. The identification of cells in testis capable of synthesizing POMC mRNA was established by showing the presence of this mRNA in mouse Leydig cell lines (TM3 and I10A). The hybridizing species of POMC-like mRNA in the testis, epididymis, and Leydig cell lines (TM3 and I10A) were approximately 150 bases shorter than those in the pituitary or hypothalamus but were similar in size to that in the amygdaloid nucleus of rat brain. The concentration of POMC-like mRNA in the testis is almost as high as that in the hypothalamus. This finding is quite unexpected because the concentrations of POMC-derived peptides in the testis were 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than those in the hypothalamus. The demonstration of a POMC-like gene expression in male reproductive tissues suggests that POMC-derived peptides are synthesized in Leydig cells and epididymis. These observations are consistent with the postulate that POMC-derived peptides may exert paracrine and/or autocrine effects in these organs.
Phase changes at the end of a microtubule with a GTP cap.
Authors: Hill T L , Chen Y
Published: May 2006

Examination of Monte Carlo kinetic simulations, based on a realistic set of microscopic rate constants that apply to the end of a microtubule with a GTP cap, suggests that the end of a microtubule alternates between two quasimacroscopic phases. In one phase, the microtubule end has a GTP cap that fluctuates in size; in the other phase, the GTP cap has been lost. These repeated phase changes take place at any given tubulin concentration in a wide range of concentrations. While in the first phase, the microtubule grows slowly; while in the second phase, it shortens rapidly and may disappear completely. These results are closely related to the recent experimental work of Mitchison and Kirschner [Mitchison, T. & Kirschner, M.W. (1984) Nature (London), in press].
Multiple gene deletions within the human immunoglobulin heavy-chain cluster.
Authors: Migone N , Oliviero S , de Lange G , Delacroix D L , Boschis D , Altruda F , Silengo L , DeMarchi M , Carbonara A O
Published: May 2006

Two subjects, of 11,000 healthy individuals screened, were found to be missing three and four immunoglobulin isotypes, respectively (IgA1, IgG2, and IgG4; IgA1, IgG2, IgG4, and IgE), and have been analyzed at the DNA level by means of Southern blotting and Ig heavy-chain-specific probes. A broad deletion within the heavy-chain constant region (C) gene cluster was found on chromosome 14 of both probands. Two different haplotypes are described: the first has lost the C alpha 1, C psi gamma, C gamma 2, C gamma 4, and C epsilon genes; the second lacks the C psi epsilon, C alpha 1, C psi gamma, C gamma 2, and C gamma 4 genes. These findings confirm the reciprocal order of the Ig heavy-chain genes as derived by molecular cloning. The inclusion of the C psi gamma gene within the deleted regions confirms its location between C alpha 1 and C gamma 2. From the observed frequency of the homozygous genotype, 1%-3% of healthy subjects from our population are expected to be heterozygous for multiple heavy-chain gene deletions. Cross-over between mispaired homologous regions seems to be the favored mechanism of multiple Ig gene deletions and duplications, and, generally, in the evolution of the human Ig heavy-chain gene family.
T-DNA of Agrobacterium tumefaciens encodes an enzyme of cytokinin biosynthesis.
Authors: Akiyoshi D E , Klee H , Amasino R M , Nester E W , Gordon M P
Published: May 2006

Phytohormone overproduction in crown gall tumors is due to the expression of several T-DNA genes. The data strongly suggest that the tmr gene (transcript 4) is responsible for cytokinin overproduction by encoding dimethylallyl-pyrophosphate:AMP dimethylallyltransferase (DMA transferase), an enzyme directly involved in cytokinin biosynthesis. Cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli strains containing the tmr gene from pTiA6NC had DMA transferase activity. No activity was present in the control strain containing only the plasmid vector. The cytokinins synthesized were isopentenyladenine, isopentenyladenosine, and isopentenyladenosine 5'-monophosphate. DMA transferase activity was also detected in cloned crown gall tumors incited by Agrobacterium tumefaciens wild-type A6NC and a tms mutant. Enzymatic activity in cell-free extracts of E. coli and tumors could be abolished by transposon insertion within the tmr gene.