bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphogenesis of phi X174: in vitro synthesis of infectious phage from purified viral components.
Authors: Aoyama A , Hamatake R K , Hayashi M
Published: May 2006

An in vitro system that synthesizes infectious phage phi X174 was developed. The synthesis depended on phi X174 supercoiled replicative form DNA, purified phi X174 gene A protein, gene C protein, gene J protein, prohead (phage head precursor composed of gene F, G, H, B, and D proteins), and uninfected host crude extract. The infectious phage synthesis was coupled with DNA synthesis. De novo initiation, elongation, and termination of phi X174 single-stranded DNA was observed. The phage synthesized in vitro cosedimented with in vivo phage in sucrose gradients and had the same buoyant density as in vivo phage in a CsCl gradient. Our results indicate that the in vitro system mimics the in vivo phi X174 assembly process.
Spin trapping of free radicals during hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation.
Authors: Rosen G M , Rauckman E J
Published: May 2006

We have used spin-trapping techniques to identify radical species formed during the NADPH-stimulated peroxidation of rat hepatic microsomes. Using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide, we have confirmed the presence of substantial quantities of superoxide but found evidence for the formation of only small quantities of hydroxyl radical. Use of the spin traps N-tert-butyl-alpha-4-pyridylnitrone-1-oxide and 2-methyl-2-nitroso-1-propanol have allowed us to determine that lipid peroxyl radicals are the predominant "lipid-type" radical found in peroxidizing microsomes under aerobic conditions. These data suggest that microsomal lipid dienyl radicals react with molecular oxygen at near diffusion-controlled rates.
Enzymatic replication of the origin of the Escherichia coli chromosome.
Authors: Fuller R S , Kaguni J M , Kornberg A
Published: May 2006

An enzyme system that replicates plasmids bearing the origin of the Escherichia coli chromosomes (oriC) has the following physiologically relevant features. The system (i) depends completely on low levels of exogenously furnished supercoiled oriC plasmids, (ii) uses only those plasmids that contain the intact oriC region of about 245 base pairs, (iii) initiates replication within or near the oriC sequence and proceeds bidirectionally, (iv) proceeds linearly, after a 5-min lag, for 30-40 min to produce as much as a 40% increase over the input DNA, (v) depends on RNA polymerase and gyrase as indicated by total inhibition by rifampicin and nalidixate, (vi) depends on replication proteins (e.g., dnaB protein and single-stranded DNA binding protein) as judged by specific antibody inhibitions, (vii) operates independently from protein synthesis, and (viii) depends on dnaA activity, as suggested by the inactivity of enzyme fraction from each of two dnaA temperature-sensitive mutant strains, and complementation (with a 15-fold overproduction of complementing activity) by a fraction from a strain containing the dnaA gene cloned in a multicopy plasmid. Resolution and analysis of factors that control the initiation of a chromosome cycle should become accessible through its enzyme system.
Salts promote activation of fat cell adenylate cyclase by GTP: special role for sodium ion.
Authors: Katz M S , Partilla J S , Piñeyro M A , Schneyer C R , Gregerman R I
Published: May 2006

The effects of GTP on adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] of human and rat fat cell membranes ("ghosts" and purified membranes) were examined in the absence and presence of added inorganic salts. With human ghosts GTP alone (0.1 mM) inhibited enzyme activity by 40% at 30 degrees C and had no significant effect at 37 degrees C. At both temperatures Na+ salts of Cl-, N3-, and SO2-(4) stimulated activity (up to 4-fold basal activity for 200 mM NaN3), with maximal effects at salt concentrations of 100-200 mM. Over the same concentration range these salts also allowed temperature-dependent stimulation by GTP. GTP increased the maximal activity produced by salt alone by about 2-fold at 30 degrees C and about 4-fold at 37 degrees C. Na+ (added as Cl-) was much more effective than other alkali metal cations in promoting activation by GTP. Na+ salts allowed activation of the human enzyme by the GTP analog 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate and also promoted stimulation of rat fat cell adenylate cyclase by both nucleotides. In time course studies of human and rat fat cell ghosts, GTP appeared to sustain an initial high rate of salt-stimulated activity, which in the absence of nucleotide subsequently fell to a lower rate, suggesting that salts might activate adenylate cyclase by promoting the stimulatory effect of endogenous membrane-bound GTP. However, with purified human fat cell membranes and a GTP-free system, salts were still stimulatory and promoted activation by added GTP. These results differ from those of previous reports in other systems in which Na+ has promoted only inhibitory effects in GTP regulation of adenylate cyclase.
Identification of the triazine receptor protein as a chloroplast gene product
Authors: Steinback Katherine E. , McIntosh Lee , Bogorad Lawrence , Arntzen Charles J.
Published: May 2006

The triazine herbicides inhibit photosynthesis by blocking electron transport at the second stable electron acceptor of photosystem II. This electron transport component of chloroplast thylakoid membranes is a protein-plastoquinone complex termed “B.” The polypeptide that is believed to be a component of the B complex has recently been identified as a 32- to 34-kilo-dalton polypeptide by using a photoaffinity labeling probe, azido-[
14
C]atrazine. A 34-kilodalton polypeptide of pea chloroplasts rapidly incorporates [
35
S]methionine
in vivo
and is also a rapidly labeled product of chloroplast-directed protein synthesis. Trypsin treatment of membranes tagged with azido-[
14
C]atrazine, [
35
S]methionine
in vivo
, or [
35
S]methionine in isolated intact chloroplasts results in identical, sequential alterations of the 34-kilo-dalton polypeptide to species of 32, then 18 and 16 kilodaltons. From the identical pattern of susceptibility to trypsin we conclude that the rapidly synthesized 34-kilodalton polypeptide that is a product of chloroplast-directed protein synthesis is identical to the triazine herbicide-binding protein of photosystem II. Chloroplasts of both triazine-susceptible and triazine-resistant biotypes of
Amaranthus hybridus
synthesize the 34-kilodalton polypeptide, but that of the resistant biotype does not bind the herbicide.
Sertoli cells secrete both testis-specific and serum proteins.
Authors: Wright W W , Musto N A , Mather J P , Bardin C W
Published: May 2006

The secretions of the Sertoli cell were examined with two polyvalent antisera--one prepared against proteins in rat serum and the other against testis-specific proteins in rete testis fluid. These antisera detected 12 serum and 9 testis-specific proteins in rete testis fluid. To determine the origin of these proteins, primary cultures enriched in Sertoli cells were incubated with [35S]methionine, and the radiolabeled proteins in the medium were immunoprecipitated. Gel electrophoresis of the two immunoprecipitates resolved eight serum and nine testis-specific proteins. These two sets of proteins were specifically bound to their respective antiserum and were immunologically distinct. Medium from Sertoli cell cultures contained 10 times more of the testis-specific proteins than did cultures enriched for testicular myoid or interstitial cells. The concentration of the serum proteins in Sertoli cell medium was 5 and 10 times greater, respectively, than in myoid or interstitial cell preparations. The proteins from Sertoli cells were next characterized on two-dimensional gels. Seven of the proteins recognized by antiserum against serum proteins had identical molecular weights and isoelectric points as serum proteins. Three of these proteins were ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and glycoprotein 2. In addition to the proteins immunoprecipitated by the two antisera, more than 60 other proteins were detected on two-dimensional gels of the total secretory proteins. We conclude that the Sertoli cell secretes many proteins, some of which are specific to the testis and others of which are similar to serum proteins.
Efficient infection of monkey cells with DNA of simian virus 40.
Authors: Sompayrac L M , Danna K J
Published: May 2006

With standard protocols for DNA infection, only a small fraction (about 4%) of monkey cells exposed to purified DNA of simian virus 40 (SV40) exhibits signs of infection. We have devised a protocol by which we can extend the time of exposure of BSC-1 cells to DNA in the presence of low concentrations of DEAE-dextran. The efficiency of infection is proportional to the time of exposure. With an 8-hr exposure, we are reproducibly able to infect 25% of the cells, and we have been able to achieve levels of infection as high as 50% with a 16-hr exposure. The percentage of cells infected was measured either by scoring for nuclei positive for SV40 tumor antigen or by an infectious centers assay. We also report the use of ethidium bromide as a nonspecific nuclear counterstain in the immunofluorescence assay for SV40 tumor antigen.
Selective replication of ribosomal DNA repeats after loss of the abnormal oocyte phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster.
Authors: Graziani F , Vicari L , Boncinelli E , Malva C , Manzi A , Mariani C
Published: May 2006

Drosophila melanogaster females homozygous for the abnormal oocyte mutation produce a large excess of female offspring when crossed with XY/0 males. After several generations in abo homozygous stock, this maternal effect is no longer observed. The disappearance of the abo phenotype is coupled with an increase in the amount of DNA coding for rRNA (rDNA). We have used restriction endonuclease analysis of total DNA extracted from adult females and from single female larval brains to investigate the molecular organization of rDNA before and after the loss of abo phenotype. The rDNA increase is associated with variations of the restriction pattern of the nontranscribed spacer, probably due to a selective increase of rDNA repeats.
Human chorionic gonadotropin radioantibodies in the radioimmunodetection of cancer and for disclosure of occult metastases.
Authors: Goldenberg D M , Kim E E , DeLand F H
Published: May 2006

Radioimmunodetection (RaID) of tumors containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; choriogonadotropin) was evaluated in 25 patients by injecting 131I-labeled goat antibody IgG against hCG and performing total-body photoscans with a gamma scintillation camera 24 and 48 hr later. All 10 testicular cancer patients with proven tumor sites had positive RaID results, whereas three cases without known tumor were negative. Four patients with hydatidiform mole and one with degenerative products of conception showed positive RaID results consistent with elevated serum hCG titers. Two putatively false-positive results were obtained in patients with lung or ovarian cancer, whereas a false-negative metastasis to the liver of a patient with lung cancer and an elevated serum hCG titer was observed. Of 14 tumor sites found by RaID in 10 testicular cancer patients, 4 were revealed by RaID prior to any other detection method used and provided a lead time to definitive diagnosis by other measures of a few days to greater than 1 yr. Although a number of patients had high serum hCG levels, even exceeding 3 microgram/ml, the xenogeneic antibody was capable of localizing in tumor. No adverse effects were noted in any of the patients studied. Thus, hCG RaID appears to be a safe and effective method of detecting and locating hCG-producing tumors and has been found to disclose occult testicular cancers.
Smooth muscle cell hypertrophy versus hyperplasia in hypertension.
Authors: Owens G K , Rabinovitch P S , Schwartz S M
Published: May 2006

Arteries of hypertensive animals have a greater mass of smooth muscle than those of normotensive controls. We examined the contribution of smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia to this increase in mass. Cell size measurements obtained by (i) image analysis of enzyme-dispersed cells, (ii) morphometric evaluation of tissue sections, and (iii) biochemical measures of protein/cell and actin/cell ratios on isolated cells showed that average cell size was greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto and Sprague-Dawley controls. Average DNA/cell ratios were also increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats while protein/DNA ratios were not different. Analysis of nuclear DNA content of individual cells by flow microfluorimetry and Feulgen-DNA microdensitometry measurements showed that greater than 20% of spontaneously hypertensive rats cells were polyploid while less than 10% of control cells were polyploid. Estimates of cell number per centimeter of aortic length, based on ploidy and DNA content, show no difference between control and hypertensive rats. Thus, smooth muscle hypertrophy alone accounts for the increased mass of smooth muscle in aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Furthermore, this cellular hypertrophy is accompanied by a change in nuclear ploidy. This nuclear response in hypertension may represent a fixed change related to the establishment of a chronic hypertensive state.
L-Fucose-terminated glycoconjugates are recognized by pinocytosis receptors on macrophages.
Authors: Shepherd V L , Lee Y C , Schlesinger P H , Stahl P D
Published: May 2006

125I-Labeled L-fucose-albumin complex and rat preputial beta-glucuronidase are rapidly cleared from plasma after intravenous infusion. L-Fucose-albumin retards the plasma clearance of beta-glucuronidase whereas D-fucose-albumin is inactive. In vitro, 125I-labeled L-fucose-albumin is taken up into rat or rabbit alveolar macrophages by receptor-mediated pinocytosis. Uptake (37 degrees C) is time-dependent, is saturable with increasing ligand concentration (Kuptake = 4.4 X 10(-8) M), and requires Ca2+. 125I-labeled D-fucose-albumin is poorly taken up. Binding (4 degrees C) is saturable and Ca2+ dependent. Binding and uptake are fully inhibited by yeast mannan. A series of neoglycoproteins, including L-fucose-albumin, were tested as inhibitors of uptake of 125I-labeled beta-glucuronidase into macrophages. The following order of potency was observed: L-Fuc = D-Man greater than GlcNAc approximately D-Glc greater than D-Xyl much greater than than D-Gal = L-Ara = D-Fuc. L-Fucose-terminated oligosaccharides coupled to bovine serum albumin also block 125I-labeled beta-glucuronidase uptake into macrophages.
A human neutrophil-dependent pathway for generation of angiotensin II: purification and physicochemical characterization of the plasma protein substrate.
Authors: Wintroub B U , Klickstein L B , Kaempfer C E , Austen K F
Published: May 2006

Human neutrophils contain a neutral protease, previously designated "neutral peptide-generating protease," which generates a smooth muscle contractile activity from a plasma protein substrate. The plasma protein substrate has been purified to homogeneity from fresh citrated human plasma by 45% (wt/vol) ammonium sulfate precipitation of contaminating proteins, Affi-Gel Blue affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The purified product produced a single stained protein on alkaline disc gel electrophoresis and elicited a monospecific goat antiserum. Purification was approximately 330- to 350-fold, and overall recovery was 6-11% of substrate protein in starting plasma as determined by quantitative radial immunodiffusion assay. The substrate has an isoelectric point of pH 4.6-5.1 and is a single polypeptide chain glycoprotein of Mr 62,000-67,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. The mean(+/- SD) concentration of this plasma protein substrate in normal serum is 120 +/- 22 microgram/ml. The plasma protein substrate of the neutrophil neutral protease may be identical to human angiotensinogen (renin substrate) because the physicochemical characteristics are similar and the peptide product is recognized by antibody to angiotensin II.
alpha-adrenergic antagonists as possible calcium channel inhibitors.
Authors: Atlas D , Adler M
Published: May 2006

The effects of various organic Ca2+ channel inhibitors were investigated on the binding of the alpha 1-antagonist 3H-labeled 2-[(2',6'-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl]-1,4-benzodioxane ([3H]WB-4101) to membranes from rat brain and neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells (NG108-15). As found by monitoring binding of [3H]WB-41-1, the Ca2+ channel inhibitors methoxyverapamil (D600), verapamil, and the nifedipine analogue YC-93 bind to two different sites in rat brain: a high-affinity site (dissociation constant Kd = 2.9 nM and binding capacity B = 360 fmol/mg of protein) and a low-affinity site (Kd = 260 nM and B = 2700 fmol/mg of protein). In NG108-15 cells, where no alpha 1 receptors were detected with [3H]WB-4101, the Ca2+ antagonists were found to bind to nonadrenergic sites in the membrane with a capacity B = 976 fmol/mg of protein. The binding of Ca2+ antagonists to [3H]WB-41-1 sites led to the investigation of WB-4101 as a Ca2+ inhibitor by electrophysiological techniques. WB-4101 depressed the amplitude and reduced the rate of rise of the CA2+ spike with an affinity slightly greater than that observed for D600. The concentration for 50% inhibition of the Ca2+ spike amplitude was 48 microM for WB-4101 and 80 microM for D600. The WB-4101-induced blockade of the Ca2+ spike was antagonized by high Ca2+ concentrations, indicating a common site for Ca2+ and the alpha-antagonist. D600 and WB-4101 also inhibited voltage-dependent Na+ and K+ conductances. The results suggest that Ca2+ channels can account for a fraction of the sites labeled with [3H]WB-4101 in membrane preparations from brain and NG108-15 cells.
Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity of olivocochlear nerve fibers in cochlea of guinea pig and cat
Authors: Fex Jörgen , Altschuler Richard A.
Published: May 2006

The distribution of enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the cochlea of the guinea pig and cat was studied. Indirect immunofluorescence immunohistochemistry using antisera generated against a methionine enkephalin-bovine thyroglobulin conjugate was applied to surface preparations of the organ of Corti and cryostat sections of the whole of the cochlea. In the cochlear osseous spiral lamina, immunofluorescence was localized to unmyelinated fibers of the intraganglionic spiral bundle. In the organ of Corti, immunofluorescence was localized to a small number of fibers at inner hair cells, the inner spiral bundle, and tunnel spiral bundle, to tunnel crossing fibers at the level of the tunnel floor, to an occasional spiral outer fiber, and to the synaptic region of outer hair cells in the three rows of the basal turn of the cochlea. Less immunofluorescence was found in this region as one progressed towards the apex, with none seen at the apex. At the most apical region the inner spiral bundle became patchy and the tunnel spiral bundle developed arcades. There was no immunofluorescence found in spiral ganglion cells, in auditory nerve fibers, or in the hair cells of the organ of Corti. The findings were the same in cat as in guinea pig, the latter being studied in more detail. It was concluded that efferent, olivocochlear neurons of the cochlea, synapsing predominantly with primary auditory nerve fibers from the inner sensory cells or with the sensory cells, contain enkephalin-like immunoreactivity. Also, the findings indicate that endings of olivocochlear neurons that synapse predominantly with outer hair cells contain enkephalin-like immunoreactivity. It has previously been shown that olivocochlear neurons are likely to be cholinergic.
Enumeration of structure-sensitive graphical subsets: Theory
Authors: Merrifield R. E. , Simmons H. E.
Published: May 2006

The necessary mathematical machinery is developed for enumeration of the following types of special subsets of the vertices or edges of a general graph: (
i
) independent sets, (
ii
) connected sets, (
iii
) point and line covers, (
iv
) externally stable sets, (
v
) kernels, and (
vi
) irredundant sets.
Activation of the heat-stable polypeptide of the ATP-dependent proteolytic system.
Authors: Ciechanover A , Heller H , Katz-Etzion R , Hershko A
Published: May 2006

It had been shown previously that the heat-stable polypeptide of the ATP-dependent proteolytic system of reticulocytes, designated APF-1, forms covalent conjugates with protein substrates in an ATP-requiring process. We now describe an enzyme that carries out the activation by ATP of the polypeptide with pyrophosphate displacement. The formation of AMP-polypeptide and transfer of the polypeptide to a secondary acceptor are suggested by an APF-1 requirement for ATP-PPi and ATP-AMP exchange reactions, respectively. With radiolabeled polypeptide, an ATP-dependent labeling of the enzyme was shown to be by a linkage that is acid stable but is labile to treatment with mild alkali, hydroxylamine, borohydride, or mercuric salts. It therefore appears that the AMP-polypeptide undergoes attack by an -SH group of the enzyme to form a thiolester.
Initiation sites for discontinuous DNA synthesis of bacteriophage T7.
Authors: Fujiyama A , Kohara Y , Okazaki T
Published: May 2006

We have previously shown that the discontinuous replication of bacteriophage T7 DNA is primed by tetraribonucleotides (major component) or pentaribonucleotides. Both tetramers and pentamers start with pppA-C and are rich in A and C at the third and fourth nucleotides. In this study, the sites of transition from primer RNA to DNA in vivo have been located on a 340-nucleotide segment of the H strand of the T7 genome by 32P-labeling in vitro of the 5'-hydroxyl ends of DNA resulting from alkaline hydrolysis of RNA-linked T7 DNA fragments. Five strong transition sites were detected with a common sequence 5'-G-A-C-N1-N2-N3-N4-3', in which N1 was either C or A, N2 ws A, C, or G, and either N3 or N4 was the nucleotide for the switchover to DNA synthesis. We conclude that the complementary sequence 3'-C-T-G-G/T-N'2-(N'3)-5' in the template strand is the most frequently used signal for synthesis of primer RNA. Whereas primer-RNA synthesis starts at a precisely defined nucleotide, the transition to DNA synthesis varies within two nucleotides. Because the observed signal sequence would be present on a statistical basis once per 128 nucleotides, only about 10% of the existing signals are used for primer synthesis in each round of replication so that nascent fragments 1000-2000 long result. This provides an unexpected flexibility for RNA priming of DNA synthesis.
Stimulation of hepatic glutathione formation by administration of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, a 5-oxo-L-prolinase substrate.
Authors: Williamson J M , Meister A
Published: May 2006

5-Oxo-L-prolinase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 5-oxo-L-proline to L-glutamate coupled to the cleavage of ATP to ADP and Pi, also acts on L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (an analog of 5-oxoproline in which the 4-methylene moiety is replaced by sulfur) and ATP to yield cysteine and ADP. The enzyme, which exhibits an affinity for the analog similar to that for the natural substrate, is inhibited by the analog in vitro and in vivo. L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate thus serves as a potent inhibitor of the gamma-glutamyl cycle at the step of 5-oxoprolinase. Administration of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate to mice that had been depleted of hepatic glutathione led to restoration of normal hepatic glutathione levels. Since L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate is an excellent substrate of the enzyme, it may serve as an intracellular delivery system for cysteine and thus has potential as a therapeutic agent for conditions in which there is depletion of hepatic glutathione.
Specificity of chemiluminescence in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene to its carcinogenic diol epoxide.
Authors: Hamman J P , Seliger H H , Posner G H
Published: May 2006

The metabolism of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene results primarily in the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene and to a lesser extent 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxetane-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene, from which chemiluminescence is observed. This specific microsomal chemiluminescence has been used to establish that the rate-limiting reaction in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene to the bay region diol epoxide is the production of the 7,8-diol. The microsome-mediated chemiluminescence of the parent benzo[a]pyrene is therefore an indicator of the activity of the specific sequence of metabolic reactions leading to the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite.
Diphosphatidylglycerol is required for optimal activity of beef heart cytochrome c oxidase.
Authors: Vik S B , Georgevich G , Capaldi R A
Published: May 2006

Isolated beef heart cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) contains four or five molecules of tightly bound diphosphatidylglycerol per monomer (2-heme complex). This lipid could be removed in part, or wholly, by mixing the enzyme with high concentrations of Triton X-100 and then centrifuging the mixture through a glycerol gradient equilibrated in the same detergent. Cytochrome c oxidase retaining three or more diphosphatidylglycerol molecules per monomer was fully active when assayed in 1-oleoyl lysophosphatidylcholine. Upon removal of one or more of these diphosphatidylglycerols, enzymic activity was lost. Full activation could be obtained by adding diphosphatidylglycerol to the assay mixture along with lysophosphatidylcholine but not by adding phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine. Direct binding experiments, kinetic studies, and previous work using arylazidocytochrome c derivatives [Bisson, R., Jacobs, B. & Capaldi, R. A. (1980) Biochemistry 10, 4173-4178], indicate that diphosphatidylglycerol is involved in binding of substrate cytochrome c to cytochrome c oxidase.
Multiple rounds of adenovirus DNA synthesis
in vitro
Authors: Horwitz Marshall S. , Ariga Hiroyoshi
Published: May 2006

Adenovirus (Ad) type 2 DNA synthesis can be initiated in the presence of a soluble extract of uninfected HeLa cell nuclei, a 25-60% saturated ammonium sulfate fraction of infected cytoplasm and viral DNA covalently linked to a 5′-terminal protein (Ad DNA-prot). As the purification, from either the nuclei or cytoplasm, of factors active in DNA replication proceeded, various nonreplicative reactions which incorporate labeled deoxynucleotides were uncovered. In order to distinguish replicative from repair reactions, an assay was developed in which the Ad DNA-prot was digested with
Xba
I, all of the fragments so produced were used (without separation) in a replication reaction, and the products were assayed by electrophoresis on neutral agarose gels. In replicative reactions, most of the radioactivity was incorporated into the terminal fragments, with the internal fragments remaining unlabeled. Infected cytoplasm contains a “discrimination” function in addition to specific factors for Ad DNA replication. The discrimination factors inhibit the nonspecific nucleotide incorporation by uninfected HeLa nuclear extracts on Ad DNA-prot. The specific replicative incorporation into the terminal Ad DNA-prot fragments has also allowed an independent assay for reinitiation of progeny molecules synthesized
in vitro
. After the first round of replication, the 5′ strand of the progeny duplex from each end is labeled. These same labeled strands will be displaced during the second round of replication and appear in new bands which have been shown to be the single-strand equivalents of the terminal fragments. Thus, at least two rounds of Ad DNA synthesis can initiate at each terminus
in vitro
. The appearance of displaced single strands requires DNA replication because the addition of dideoxycytidine triphosphate after the first round of synthesis prevents the displacement reaction. Both the progeny single- and double-stranded DNA appear to be linked to protein.
Changes during fasting in the activity of a specific lysosomal proteinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase converting enzyme.
Authors: Melloni E , Pontremoli S , Salamino F , Sparatore B , Michetti M , Horecker B L
Published: May 2006

Three lysosomal proteinases capable of catalyzing a limited modification of the gluconeogenic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate 1-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.11) have been purified from extracts of rabbit liver lysosomes. These have been designated "converting enzymes I, II, and III," respectively, based on the order of their elution from Ultrogel AcA34. The predominant form in lysosomes from livers of fed rabbits is converting enzyme III which has been identified as a mixture of cathepsins B and L. Fasting induces a 4- to 5-fold increase in the activity of converting enzyme II; in the livers of 96-hr-fasted rabbits, this form accounts for more than 70% of the total converting enzyme activity. The increase is largely in that fraction of converting enzyme II associated with lysosomal membranes; this increase is also seen in the activity expressed by intact lysosomes. The activity of intact lysosomes is not due to their increased fragility because other lysosomal enzyme activities remain latent. The effect of fasting on the activity of converting enzyme II is selective and greatly exceeds the 2-fold increase observed for other lysosomal enzymes.
Permeability characteristics of complement-damaged membranes: evaluation of the membrane leak generated by the complement proteins C5b-9.
Authors: Sims P J
Published: May 2006

Permeability characteristics of the membrane lesion generated by the terminal complement proteins are considered in light of recent observations that the measured diffusion of solute across complement-damaged membranes does not conform to the "doughnut hole" model of a discrete transmembrane pore formed by the inserted C5b-9 complex. By using the measured kinetics of steady-state tracer isotope diffusion of nonelectrolytes across resealed erythrocyte ghost membranes treated with C5b-9, a new transport model is developed. This model considers the apparent membrane lesion strictly in terms of the operational criteria of a functional conducting pathway for the observed diffusing solute, independent of a priori assumptions about the geometry or molecular properties of the membrane lesion. With this definition of the unit membrane lesion and the assumption that the exclusion size of the conducting pathway varies directly with the multiplicity of bound C5b-9 (as suggested by previous measurements under conditions of varying input of C5b-9), numerical estimates of te apparent permeability of the complement-damaged membrane to four diffusing nonelectrolytes are derived. These results suggest that the pathway for a particle diffusing across the complement lesion cannot be a pore and is functionally equivalent to an aqueous leak pathway, free of pore constraints. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of current molecular models for the mechanism of membrane damage by the complement proteins.
Antigen-specific human T-cell clones: development of clones requiring HLA-DR-compatible presenting cells for stimulation in presence of antigen.
Authors: Sredni B , Volkman D , Schwartz R H , Fauci A S
Published: May 2006

A method for cloning soluble antigen-specific proliferating human T lymphocytes directly from peripheral blood cells of individuals recently primed with the antigen is described. The soluble antigen was keyhole limpet hemocyanin. After expansion in liquid culture, these cells were shown to be antigen specific and to require HLA-DR-histocompatible presenting cells. Recloning of small numbers of these cells in soft agar under conditions of high plating efficiency yielded true clones (i.e., derived from a single cell) which retained specificity for the original stimulating antigen as shown by blastogenic responses measured by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. However, antigen-specific stimulation of clones was demonstrated only in the presence of an HLA-DR-compatible cooperating cell population together with the relevant antigen. Cells that manifested only HLA-A or B locus identity with the T-cell clone were not effective as presenting cells. Other antigens, such as tetanus toxoid, to which the donor of the clone or of the presenting cells was immune failed to stimulate the clone.
Use of anionic liposomes for the reduction of chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Authors: Forssen E A , Tökès Z A
Published: May 2006

Anionic liposomes containing doxorubicin were evaluated in mice for therapeutic potential in reducing the risks of chronic cardiotoxicity characteristic of long-term high-dose anthracycline therapy. Doxorubicin first was complexed to phosphatidylcholine and then entrapped in anionic vesicles. Quantitation of myocardial injury was accomplished through examination of thin sections of cardiac tissue by light microscopy. At treatment levels of either 20 or 40 mg/kg (total dose), mice receiving liposomal doxorubicin had toxicity scores indistinguishable from or only slightly greater than those of saline-treated controls. Similar total doses of free drug produced moderate to severe myocardial damage and yielded much higher toxicity scores. Mixture of free doxorubicin with empty liposomes did not alleviate cardiac toxicity, indicating that the drug must be entrapped within phospholipid vesicles for reduction in toxicity. The inhibition of body growth produced by free doxorubicin at both dose levels was also completely eliminated by encapsulation in liposomes. Doxorubicin liposomes were also tested for chemotherapeutic potential against L-1210 and P-388 murine leukemias. In all cases, treatment with liposomal doxorubicin produced increases in life-span greater than that observed for free drug. We conclude that anionic liposomes can function as efficacious carriers of doxorubicin. These vesicles possess improved therapeutic action as reflected by their ability to reduce cardiac toxicity, overcome growth inhibition, and increase antileukemic activity.
Evidence for three classes of avian sarcoma viruses: comparison of the transformation-specific proteins of PRCII, Y73, and Fujinami viruses.
Authors: Neil J C , Delamarter J F , Vogt P K
Published: May 2006

The gag-linked transformation-specific proteins (polyproteins( of PRCII, Fujinami, and Y73 avian sarcoma viruses have been compared by tryptic peptide mapping. In addition to shared gag peptides, PRCII polyprotein p105 and FSV polyprotein p140 were found to have seven methionine-containing and five cysteine-containing tryptic peptides in common. These represent the majority of the non-gag peptides for each virus. In contrast, no overlap was detected with the non-gag peptides of the Y73 polyprotein p90. Examination of the tryptic phosphopeptides of p105, p140, and p90 labeled by their associated protein kinases gave similar results. Although the major phosphopeptides of p105 and p140 comigrated, they were distinct from the phosphopeptide of p90. Three classes of transformation-specific proteins can now be identified among known avian sarcoma viruses. After the pp60src of Rous sarcoma virus and B77 virus, the proteins of PRCII and Fujinami virus form a second class and Y73--currently the only representative--characterizes the third. Despite their structural differences, these viruses may share a common mechanism of transformation, effected by their associated protein kinases.
On the mechanism of actomyosin ATPase from fast muscle.
Authors: Midelfort C F
Published: May 2006

The labeled inorganic phosphate formed by enzymatic hydrolysis of [gamma-18O]ATP in normal water was derivatized to trimethyl phosphate and analyzed for the proportions of [18O3]Pi, [18O2]Pi, [18O1]Pi, and [18O0]Pi. The proportions observed were correlated with the kinetics of intermediate exchange by using a kinetic relationship in which it is assumed that binding of ATP and subsequent release of products are irreversible. Actomyosin and acto-heavy meromyosin catalyze intermediate exchange at a mean rate that is more than 1 order of magnitude slower than that predicted by rapid kinetic studies or implied by the essentially complete intermediate exchange observed with myosin alone. The reason for the slow apparent exchange is that there are two ATPase activities with different exchange properties. The effect of varying heavy meromyosin concentrations at a constant actin concentration shows that the two activities are interrelated and suggests further that one is due to ATP hydrolysis by the undissociated actomyosin crossbridge.
Amplification of the metallothionein-I gene in cadmium-resistant mouse cells.
Authors: Beach L R , Palmiter R D
Published: May 2006

Friend leukemia cells resistant to cadmium toxicity were selected. More than 70% of total cysteine incorporation in these cells was into the metal-binding protein, metallothionein. We used cDNA and genomic DNA clones containing the metallothionein-I gene to measure the concentration of its mRNA, the rate of gene transcription, and the number of genes. On a per cell basis, optimally induced, cadmium-resistant cells have a 14-fold more metallothionein-I mRNA, a 6-fold higher rate of metallothionein-I gene transcription, and 6-fold more metallothionein-I genes than do nonresistant cells. Metaphase spreads revealed that the resistant cells are nearly tetraploid and contain, on the average, three very small chromosomes that are absent from non-resistant Friend cells.
Specific in vitro initiation of transcription of simian virus 40 early and late genes occurs at the various cap nucleotides including cytidine.
Authors: Gidoni D , Kahana C , Canaani D , Groner Y
Published: May 2006

High specific activity [beta-32P]ATP and [beta-32P]CTP were used to study in vitro transcriptional initiation and subsequent capping of simian virus 40 (SV40) early and later RNAs. More than 40% of the capped SV40 RNA synthesized in vitro was also polyadenylylated. With [beta-32P]ATP, only adenosine-containing caps were labeled and the incorporated radioactive phosphate was found exclusively in the beta position. Cap digestion patterns showed extensive qualitative and quantitative similarities between these 32P-labeled caps and caps labeled in vivo [Canaani, D., Kahana, C., Mukamel, A. & Groner, Y. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76, 3078--3082]. With [beta-32P]CTP, only early SV40 RNA was labeled, consistent with the absence of cytosine-containing caps in late transcripts. The [beta-32P]CTP-labeled cap was identified as m7GpppCmpU, which was previously identified as the major cap of in vivo labeled early SV40 mRNA [Kahana, C., Gidoni, D., Canaani, D. & Groner, Y. (1981) J. Virol. 37, 7--16]. This experiment provides biochemical evidence for eukaryotic RNA polymerase II initiation of transcription with CTP. The data imply that, on SV40 DNA, RNA polymerase II initiates transcription at multiple nucleotide sequences and capping occurs at the initiator nucleotide.
Identification of receptors for phorbol ester tumor promoters in intact mammalian cells and of an inhibitor of receptor binding in biologic fluids.
Authors: Horowitz A D , Greenebaum E , Weinstein I B
Published: May 2006

Utilizing [3H]phorbol dibutyrate [P(Bu)2], we have developed an assay for high-affinity phorbol ester receptors in intact rat embryo fibroblasts. At 37 degrees C, binding of [3H]P(Bu)2 reached a maximum within 10 min and was rapidly reversible. The tumor promoters 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate, teleocidin B, and mezerein were potent inhibitors of [3H]P(Bu)2 binding. Phorbol and 4-alpha-phorbol didecanoate, which lack tumor-promoting activity, did not inhibit [3H]P(Bu)2 binding. Epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, arginine and lysine vasopressin, luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone, and diazepam did not inhibit [3H]P(Bu)2 binding. A Scatchard analysis was compatible with two classes of binding sites, one with Kd = 8 nM and about 1--2 x 10(5) sites per cell and the other with Kd = 710 nM and about 3 x 10(6) sites per cell. Sera from various species, human amniotic fluid, and certain tissue extracts inhibited specific binding of [3H]P(Bu)2. Fractionation of human serum led to 135-fold purification of an inhibitory factor with a molecular weight in the range 40,000 to 80,000.
Laminin and fibronectin in cell adhesion: enhanced adhesion of cells from regenerating liver to laminin.
Authors: Carlsson R , Engvall E , Freeman A , Ruoslahti E
Published: May 2006

Laminin, a basement membrane glycoprotein isolated from cultures of mouse endodermal cells and rat yolk sac carcinoma cells, promoted the attachment of liver cells obtained from regenerating mouse liver. Cells from normal mouse liver attached readily to dishes coated with fibronectin but attached poorly to surfaces coated with laminin. Both proteins efficiently promoted the attachment of cells from livers undergoing regeneration. After regeneration, the attachment to laminin returned to the low levels found in animals not subjected to partial hepatectomy but attachment to fibronectin remained high. Immunofluorescent staining of sections of normal liver with antilaminin revealed the presence of laminin in or adjacent to the walls of the bile ducts and blood vessels. After induction of regeneration by partial hepatectomy, increased amounts of laminin appeared in the sinusoidal areas. After carbon tetrachloride poisoning, staining for laminin was especially pronounced in the necrotic and postnecrotic areas around the central veins. This additional expression of laminin was transient. It reached a maximum around 5--6 days after the injury and then gradually disappeared. These findings show that laminin is an adhesive protein. The increase of laminin in regenerating liver and the adhesiveness of cells from such livers to laminin suggest a role for laminin in the maintenance of a proper tissue organization during liver regeneration.
Comparison of mouse immunoglobulin gamma 2a and gamma 2b chain genes suggests that exons can be exchanged between genes in a multigenic family.
Authors: Ollo R , Auffray C , Morchamps C , Rougeon F
Published: May 2006

A 23-kilobase EcoRI DNA fragment coding for the BALB/c immunoglobulin gamma 2a chain was cloned from mouse embryo DNA in the cosmid pJC74, and a nucleotide sequence of 1904 bases was determined for the entire constant region (CH1, CH2, and CH3), the three intervening sequences (IVS 1, IVS 2, and IVS 3) and the 5' and 3' flanking sequences. When the gamma 2a chain nucleotide sequence was compared with the gamma 2b chain nucleotide sequence, the percent homology of corresponding segments (excluding deletion and insertion) was 82% for the 5' flanking sequence, 87% for CH1, 84% for IVS 1, 96% for the hinge, 95% for IVS 2, 94.6% for CH2, 86% for IVS 3, 74% for CH3, 89% for the 3' untranslated region, and 92% for the 3' flanking region. These findings show that different domains of gamma 2a and gamma 2b have independent rates of evolution and that some of the noncoding segments of the gene are more conserved than are adjacent coding segments. Hypotheses on the possible role of IVS is gene evolution and expression are discussed.
Induction of proliferation and differentiation of neoplastic B cells by anti-immunoglobulin and T-cell factors.
Authors: Isakson P C , Puré E , Uhr J W , Vitetta E S
Published: May 2006

Sepharose-bound anti-immunoglobulins, which are potent mitogens for normal adult B cells, are not mitogenic for tumor cells freshly isolated from mice carrying the B-cell leukemia BCL1. However, after 4 or more days of in vitro cultivation, BCL1 cells can be stimulated to divide by either anti-mu or anti-delta antibodies. These results suggest that in vitro cultivation of BCL1 cells results in their differentiation into more mature cells which can be triggered to proliferate by their interaction with anti-Ig antibodies. Addition of T-cell helper factors to anti-Ia treated BCL1 cells results in their differentiation into Ig-secreting cells. These results indicate that surface Ig molecules on BCL1 cells are capable of delivering an activation signal to the cells but that the cells require a second signal from T cells for induction of Ig secretion.
Phosphorylation of McArdle phosphorylase induces activity.
Authors: Cerri C G , Willner J H
Published: May 2006

In McArdle disease, myophosphorylase deficiency, enzyme activity is absent but the presence of an altered enzyme protein can frequently be demonstrated. We have found that phosphorylation of this protein in vitro can result in catalytic activity. We studied muscle of four patients; all lacked myophosphorylase activity, but myophosphorylase protein was demonstrated by immunodiffusion or gel electrophoresis. Incubation of muscle homogenate supernatants with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP resulted in phosphorylase activity. The activated enzyme comigrated with normal human myophosphorylase in gel electrophoresis. Incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP resulted in incorporatin of 32P into the band possessing phosphorylase activity. Activation of phosphorylase by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was inhibited by antibodies to normal human myophosphorylase or by inhibitory protein to cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Incubation of muscle homogenates with phosphorylase b kinase and ATP also resulted in phosphorylase activity. After the action of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, the resulting activity was similar to that of phosphorylase b. However, incubation with phosphorylase kinase resulted in activity similar to that of phosphorylase a. For several reasons, it is not likely that McArdle disease is due to lack of normal phosphorylation, but restoration of activity to the mutant protein by phosphorylation may provide a clue to understanding the mechanism of this genetic defect.
Mouse cells transformed by bovine papillomavirus contain only extrachromosomal viral DNA sequences.
Authors: Law M F , Lowy D R , Dvoretzky I , Howley P M
Published: May 2006

The viral DNA sequences in mouse C127 cells transformed by bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) virions, by full-length linear BPV-1 DNA, or by a defined transforming subgenomic DNA segment of BPV-1 were examined by reassociation kinetics and blot hybridization. In all cases, the transformed cells contained multiple copies of BPV-1 DNA, present exclusively as supercoiled or nicked circular extrachromosomal molecules or as a slowly migrating complex of circular viral DNA molecules. In the transformed cell lines established from cells transfected with full-length linear BPV-1 DNA, there was recircularization of the input DNA which in some cases resulted in the loss of the restriction site used in the linearization of the DNA. In the transformed cell lines established with the defined subgenomic segment there was circularization of the DNA accompanied by the acquisition of new sequences or duplication and rearrangement of the BPV-1 sequences. In contrast to other well-studied virus transformation systems, no integration of the BPV-1 genome into the host chromosome could be detected under conditions sensitive enough to detect 0.1-0.2 viral genome equivalent. It was concluded that maintenance of transformation may be mediated by nonintegrated viral DNA.