Multiple glomus tumors of the stomach with intravascular spread. Gastric glomus tumors are characteristically benign solitary lesions. We present a case of multiple glomus tumors involving the stomach wall and perigastric adipose tissue. Histologically, the major portion of each tumor was composed of "typical" glomus cells arranged in a predominantly solid pattern. Cavernous hemangiomalike areas were present toward the periphery. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, laminin, and type IV collagen, but did not express desmin. There were several focal areas where the tumor cells had a signet-ring cell-like appearance, intermingled with cells having clear cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. Rare mitoses were noted. A striking feature was the presence of widespread but subtle extension of the glomocytes along venous channels subendothelially, with formation of intravascular nodules focally. The multiple separate tumor nodules found in perigastric fat are interpreted as having arisen in this manner. This entity is distinct from previously described typical and atypical solitary glomus tumors, glomangiosarcoma, and the syndrome of multiple glomus tumors of subcutaneous tissues. It may represent an early stage of development of the large, multilobulated glomus tumors that have rarely been reported to involve stomach and adjacent viscera.


Mediastinal lymphoblastic lymphoma with an immature B-cell immunophenotype. A 19-year-old woman presented with a large mediastinal mass, histologically shown to be malignant lymphoma of lymphoblastic type (LBL). Immunophenotypic and gene rearrangement analysis unequivocally demonstrated that the neoplasm was of B-cell lineage. The neoplastic cells expressed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, the pan-B cell antigens CD19, CD20, and CD22, and were negative for immunoglobulins and numerous T-cell antigens tested. Southern blot analysis showed rearrangement of one allele of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene while the immunoglobulin kappa and T-cell receptor beta chain genes were in the germline configuration. Thus, the immunophenotypic and molecular findings in this case correspond to an early stage of B-cell differentiation, the pre-pre B-cell stage as has been named by others. In contrast with LBL of immature T-cell lineage, precursor B-cell LBLs involving the mediastinum are truly rare. Occasional cases have been reported that have arisen elsewhere and subsequently involved the mediastinum at time of relapse or tumor progression. Well-documented examples of immature B-cell LBL arising in the mediastinum are virtually unreported. The site and cell population giving rise to this neoplasm is unknown. However, origin from precursors of normal thymic medullary B cells is proposed as one possibility.


Localization of Epstein-Barr viral genomes in angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions. Epstein-Barr virus has been demonstrated in angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions. However, these studies, which have used the polymerase chain reaction technique or Southern blot analysis, have not revealed the identity of the cell population harboring the virus. To address this issue, we analyzed 12 angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions (14 biopsy specimens) for Epstein-Barr virus RNA using a sensitive and specific in situ hybridization method. Epstein-Barr virus RNA was detected in five of 12 cases. Each positive lesion was a high-grade angiocentric immunoproliferative lesion (i.e., angiocentric lymphoma) in which Epstein-Barr virus was identified in numerous cells. Furthermore, the Epstein-Barr virus-positive cells were often larger than normal lymphocytes and thus were most likely the malignant cells. Double-labeling immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization studies revealed that the majority of Epstein-Barr virus-positive cells were CD43-positive and CD20-negative, consistent with T-cell lineage. The remaining seven cases, all grade I or II angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions, were either completely negative (four cases) or had only rare to occasional Epstein-Barr virus-positive cells (three cases). The results obtained with the polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridization studies generally confirmed those obtained with in situ hybridization. We conclude that Epstein-Barr virus is frequently associated with angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions, particularly within high-grade lesions, in which the virus is probably present within the neoplastic cells. These findings also suggest that Epstein-Barr virus may be involved in the transformation of low-grade angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions to histologically unequivocal angiocentric lymphomas.


Evaluation of basement membrane components and the 72 kDa type IV collagenase in serous tumors of the ovary. We studied the distribution of the basement membrane components laminin and type IV collagen in 46 serous tumors of the ovary, including a group of low malignant potential tumors with microinvasion. The findings were correlated with the expression of the 72 kDa type IV collagenase, an enzyme that initiates the degradation of type IV collagen and consequently may play a role in the process of invasion. Benign cystadenomas and tumors of low malignant potential without microinvasion showed a continuous basement membrane; whereas invasive carcinomas, peritoneal implants, and lymph node metastasis had frequent disruptions and extensive areas without basement membrane components. Early invasion in tumors of low malignant potential was characterized by focal disruptions in basement membranes and complete absence of laminin and type IV collagen around single or clusters of microinvasive cells. Type IV collagenase was negative or minimally expressed in cystadenomas, whereas in invasive carcinomas and metastasis the reactivity was moderate to intense. Microinvasive cells in tumors of low malignant potential were strongly positive. The collagenase IV was also localized in cell clusters elsewhere in the tumors where the basement membrane was still preserved. These cells had a similar morphology to that of the microinvasive cells. We conclude that detection of basement membrane components may be useful in recognizing early invasion in this group of ovarian neoplasms. The correlation between progressive anomalies of the basement membrane and expression of type IV collagenase suggests that this enzyme functions directly in the degradation of basement membrane components and facilitates the invasive process.


Endocervicosis of the urinary bladder. A report of six cases of a benign müllerian lesion that may mimic adenocarcinoma. Six tumor-like glandular lesions characterized by a prominent component of endocervical-type epithelium involved the wall of the urinary bladder in women of reproductive age (31 to 44 years; mean, 37). All of the lesions posed problems in histologic diagnosis; indeed, a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was initially rendered in three cases. Five patients presented with bladder symptoms, including--alone or in combination--suprapubic pain, dysuria, frequency, and hematuria. There was catamenial exacerbation of the symptoms in one case. The sixth patient--the only one with documented pelvic endometriosis--presented with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and lower abdominal tenderness. In each patient, a mass that ranged from 2 to 5 cm in maximum dimension was typically located in the posterior wall or posterior dome of the urinary bladder. A partial cystectomy (five cases) or transurethral resection (one case) was performed. In one patient, extravesical pelvic soft tissue was involved, precluding complete resection of the lesion. Microscopic examination revealed extensive involvement of the bladder wall by irregularly disposed, benign-appearing, or mildly atypical endocervical-type glands, some of which were cystically dilated. Other findings included occasional ciliated cells, typically interspersed with the endocervical-type cells (four cases), a minor component of endometrioid glands (three cases), and glands lined by nonspecific cuboidal or flattened cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm (all cases). Some of the glands were surrounded only by the smooth muscle of the muscularis propria, but in other areas, the periglandular tissue was fibrous or edematous. In three cases, rare glands were surrounded by thin rims of endometriotic stroma. Gland rupture resulted in stromal extravasation of mucin in all cases and was a prominent feature in one. All patients had uneventful postoperative follow-up periods ranging from 1.5 to 14 years. The findings indicate that these bladder lesions are müllerian in nature and represent examples of endocervicosis, the mucinous analogue of endometriosis. Awareness of the lesion, which with one possible exception is hitherto undescribed in the bladder, and attention to its typical histologic features should facilitate its crucial distinction from adenocarcinoma.


Pagetoid intraepidermal spread in Merkel cell (primary neuroendocrine) carcinoma of the skin. Pagetoid intraepidermal spread of neoplastic cells was noted in six cases of Merkel (primary neuroendocrine) cell carcinoma of the skin. In two cases, the volume of the intraepidermal portion of the neoplasm was either equal to or more extensive than the dermal component. The intraepidermal component in all six cases was remarkable because of the following findings: the presence of cells with scant cytoplasm arranged both individually and as nests, sometimes along the dermoepidermal junction; splaying of the apical portions of basal keratinocytes by solitary neoplastic cells; incomplete rims of compressed basal keratinocytes at the peripheries of some junctional nests; and occasional contiguity of neuroendocrine carcinoma cells with those of Bowen's disease or solar keratosis. These features can be used to distinguish these Merkel cell carcinomas from other lesions that have a pagetoid pattern, even in superficial biopsies, and immunohistochemistry can confirm the diagnosis or resolve problematic cases. The occurrence of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma situated largely in the epidermis raises the possibility that some of these tumors may arise from intraepidermal Merkel cells.


DNA ploidy in testicular germ cell neoplasms. Histogenetic and clinical implications. Flow cytometry was used to determine the DNA ploidy pattern of 148 testicular germ cell neoplasms (seminomas and nonseminomas in pure and mixed histologic phenotypes) and in situ carcinoma (CIS) adjacent to these tumors. The great majority (96.0%) manifested aneuploid DNA contents with minimal intratumoral heterogeneity (2.5%). The mean DNA indices (DI) of CIS (1.7 +/- 0.18), pure seminoma (1.82 +/- 0.55), and the seminoma component of mixed germ cell neoplasms (1.76 +/- 0.13) were statistically similar. The mean DI of nonseminomas pure (1.46 +/- 0.29) or as a component of mixed tumors (1.43 +/- 0.32) was significantly lower (p greater than 0.001) than those of CIS and seminomas. Our data suggest that the similarity between the DNA indices of CIS and seminomas provide evidence that both lesions constitute a temporal evolutionary step in the progression of germ cell tumors and that nonseminomas may subsequently arise from either CIS or seminoma by further loss of chromosomal DNA. These characteristic findings support the nonstochastic theory for germ cell evolution and progression and may be useful in the clinicopathologic evaluation of testicular masses.


Localization of a 230-kD parasitophorous vacuole membrane antigen of Plasmodium berghei exoerythrocytic schizonts (LSA-2) by immunoelectron and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Using antiserum to a 230-kD parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) antigen of Plasmodium berghei exoerythrocytic schizonts as a specific probe for the PVM, we studied the three-dimensional structure of this membrane within infected host cells by immunoelectron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy at 3, 4, and 50 hr after sporozoite invasion. Fluorescent label was not detected at 3 hr, but was associated with the cytoplasm of 24-hr-old exoerythrocytic parasites. Specific labeling of the PVM was not observed by immunoelectron microscopy until 50 hr, when numerous vesicles and finger-like projections of the PVM were found in the cytoplasm of infected host cells. Labeled vesicles were often isolated and located at the periphery of the infected hepatocyte. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that these vesicles formed discontinuous chains that extended from 3-10 microns away from the parasite. These structures appear to be similar to the membranous clefts of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes, and may be important in the movement of host or parasite proteins within infected hepatocytes.


High prevalence of hepatitis C viremia among aplastic anemia patients and controls from Thailand. Aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening disease of unknown etiology, with unusually high prevalence in Thailand. It is sometimes associated with non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). The hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the causes of NANBH, is similar to flaviviridiae, a family of viruses many of whose members cause acute bone marrow suppression. To test the hypothesis that HCV viremia is associated with aplastic anemia among patients in Thailand, we compared 53 untransfused hospitalized aplastic anemia patients and 39 untransfused controls hospitalized for other conditions. We used the polymerase chain reaction to identify HCV viremia in three (5.7%) untransfused patients and two (5.1%) untransfused controls (P = 1.0, by Fisher's two-tailed exact test). Although our data do not exclude the possibility that a small subset of aplastic anemia cases are precipitated by HCV, we conclude that HCV viremia is not generally associated with aplastic anemia in Thailand. Our results also imply that the prevalence of HCV viremia may be unexpectedly high among untransfused persons in Thailand, a hypothesis that should be tested in other populations.


Halothane inhibition of ion transport of the tracheal epithelium. A possible mechanism for anesthetic-induced impairment of mucociliary clearance. Significant depression of mucociliary function occurs during general anesthesia. One possible mechanism to account for this effect is a change in ion and water transport across airway epithelium. To determine if anesthetics alter epithelial cell function, we used electrophysiologic techniques to measure the effects of halothane on ion transport of in vitro canine tracheal epithelial. Epithelial tissues were mounted in an Ussing chamber and the short-circuit current (Isc) (a measure of active ion transport) and transepithelial resistance were determined in the absence and presence of halothane. Halothane induced a rapid and reversible decrease in Isc that was dose-dependent. Four percent halothane reversibly decreased Isc from 90 +/- 11 to 39 +/- 6 microA/cm2 (n = 12; P = 0.001) and increased transepithelial resistance. Isoproterenol is a well-known activator of chloride secretion that acts via beta-adrenergic receptors and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Pretreatment with isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP (a cell permeable analogue of cAMP) increased the percent inhibition of Isc by 4% halothane. These effects are consistent with preferential inhibition of chloride secretion by halothane but rule out a primary action of halothane on the beta-adrenergic system. In the presence of indomethacin, which eliminates the contribution of chloride secretion to Isc, 4% halothane induced a much smaller but still significant inhibition. This suggests that sodium absorption is also affected. We conclude that halothane significantly decreases ion and water transport in canine epithelia and that impaired fluid secretion may contribute to decreased mucous clearance in the perioperative period.


Effects of halothane and isoflurane on calcium and potassium channel currents in canine coronary arterial cells. The effects of halothane (0.75% and 1.5%) and isoflurane (2.6%) on macroscopic Ca2+ and K+ channel currents (ICa and IK, respectively) were investigated in voltage-clamped vascular muscle cells from the canine coronary artery. Single coronary arterial cells were dialyzed with K+ glutamate solution and superfused with Tyrode's solution for measurement of IK (n = 45). Stepwise depolarization from a holding potential of -60 mV to beyond -30 mV elicited an outward, slowly inactivating IK that had a macroscopic slope conductance of 18 nS. IK was reduced 75% by 10 mM 4-aminopyridine, a K+ channel antagonist. Compared to 4-aminopyridine, halothane at 0.75% and 1.5% reduced peak IK amplitude only by 14 +/- 2% and 36 +/- 3%, respectively. At approximately equianesthetic concentrations, 2.6% isoflurane suppressed IK less than did 1.5% halothane, reducing peak amplitude by 15 +/- 3%. In other sets of experiments, cells were dialyzed with 120 Cs(+)-glutamate solution and superfused with 10 mM BaCl2 or CaCl2 solutions to isolate ICa (n = 39) pharmacologically. Under these conditions, progressive depolarizing steps from -60 mV elicited a small inward current, which was potentiated 3.4-fold by equimolar substitution of Ba2+ for Ca2+ in the external solution and was blocked by 1 microM nifedipine. This inward current, which resembled L-type ICa, was blocked 37 +/- 4% and 70 +/- 4% in the presence of 0.75% and 1.5% halothane, respectively. Isoflurane (2.6%) also decreased ICa by 55 +/- 5%. It appears that while halothane and isoflurane suppress both IK and ICa, these anesthetics preferentially reduce ICa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Human immunodeficiency virus activates c-myc and Epstein-Barr virus in human B lymphocytes. We have established a line of malignantly transformed human B cells by infecting purified primary B lymphocytes with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This line, termed B-HIV1, may serve as a model system for a subset of AIDS-related B-cell lymphomas in which the transformed phenotype may be initiated and/or maintained through an HIV-1 gene product. The B-HIV1 line contains both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HIV-1 genomes. In addition, the c-myc gene is expressed at levels 10 to 20 times those in normal B cells. Similarly, EBV sequences, including those for the latent membrane protein (LMP), are expressed at greatly enhanced levels relative to expression in normal, EBV-immortalized B cells. The upregulation of c-myc and of EBV gene expression can both be produced by infection of susceptible B cells (not already harboring HIV) with exogenous HIV-1. The B-HIV1 line exhibits properties of malignantly transformed cells, in that it grows logarithmically in 1% serum, clones in soft agar, and produces invasive, malignant B-cell lymphomas in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. We have shown that HIV-1 has the ability to infect primary human B cells and to activate expression of EBV and c-myc. HIV activation of EBV has been documented previously in certain cell lines, here we note that such activation can occur in primary B cells and, under certain conditions, can result in outgrowth of immortalized cell lines. This phenomenon may contribute to the clinical manifestation of lymphadenopathy early after infection with HIV. In addition, we have demonstrated that HIV infection of primary B cells in vitro can result in appearance of a fully malignant phenotype. This phenotype is likely to be due, at least in part, to the activation of c-myc by HIV. Preliminary experiments indicate that Tat, the gene product of the transactivator of viral gene transcription tat, can upregulate c-myc transcription after addition to the culture media of certain B-cell lines. This raises the possibility that Tat can bind to target sequences in cellular RNA and enhance transcription as it does for HIV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulations of corticocerebellar activity modify the gain of vestibulospinal reflexes. In addition to mossy fibers and climbing fibers, the cerebellar cortex receives noradrenergic and cholinergic afferents. Since the Purkinje (P) cells of the cerebellar vermis (culmen) respond to roll tilt of the animal with a discharge pattern that is out of phase with respect to that of the related lateral vestibular neurons, thus exerting a facilitatory influence on the gain of the vestibulospinal (VS) reflex, we tested the effects of local microinjection into the anterior vermis of noradrenergic and cholinergic agents on these reflexes. In decerebrate cats, unilateral microinjection in the paramedial zone B of the culmen of 0.25 microliters of small doses of alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-noradrenergic agonists (i.e., metoxamine, clonidine, and isoproterenol, respectively) increased the response gain (in impulses/second per deg) of the EMG response of the ipsilateral and to some extent also of the contralateral triceps brachii to animal tilt (at 0.15 Hz, +/- 10 degrees). On the other hand local injection of the corresponding antagonists (i.e., prazosin, yohimbine, and propranolol) either decreased the gain of the ipsilateral triceps brachii to labyrinth stimulation or else prevented the occurrence of the effects induced by the corresponding agonists. An increase in gain of the VS reflexes was also elicited in other experiments by unilateral microinjection either of the nonselective cholinergic agonist carbachol or of the anticholinesterase eserine sulfate. Thus, the effects could be produced by increasing the naturally present amount of acetylcholine. Further experiments indicated that a bilateral increase in the response gain of the triceps brachii to labyrinth stimulation occurred after microinjection of a selective muscarinic (bethanechol) or nicotinic agonist (nicotine), while just the opposite result was obtained after microinjection of the corresponding muscarinic (scopolamine) and nicotinic (hexamethonium, D-tubocurarine) blockers. The effects of the noradrenergic and cholinergic agonists, which persisted for about two hours after the injection, were site specific and dose dependent. It appears, therefore, that the noradrenergic and cholinergic afferents to the cerebellar vermis intervene in the gain regulation of the VS reflexes, possibly by increasing the amplitude of modulation of the P cells to labyrinth stimulation.


Phosphocreatine-dependent protein phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle. Phosphocreatine (PCr) was found to alter the phosphorylation state of two proteins of apparent molecular masses 18 and 29 kDa in dialysed cell-free extracts of rat skeletal muscle in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP. The 29 kDa protein was identified as phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM), phosphorylated at the active-site histidine residue by 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-biPG). 2,3-biPG labelling from [gamma-32P]ATP occurred through the concerted action of phosphoglycerate kinase and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate mutase. PCr-dependent labelling, which required creatine kinase, resulted from a shift in the phosphoglycerate kinase equilibrium towards 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-biPG) synthesis, ultimately resulting in an increase in available [2-32P]2,3-biPG. The maximal catalytic activity of PGM was unaffected by PCr. The 18 kDa protein was transiently phosphorylated at a histidine residue, probably by 1,3-biPG. No proteins of this monomeric molecular mass are known to bind 1,3-biPG, suggesting that the 18 kDa protein is an undescribed phosphoenzyme intermediate. Previous observations of 2- and 3-phosphoglycerate-dependent protein phosphorylation in cytosolic extracts [Ueda & Plagens (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 1229-1233; Pek, Usami, Bilir, Fischer-Bovenkerk & Ueda (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 4294-4298], attributed to the action of novel kinases, are likely to represent phosphoenzyme intermediates labelled by bisphosphorylated metabolites in a similar manner.


Respiratory control in cytochrome oxidase vesicles is correlated with the rate of internal electron transfer. Cytochrome c oxidase, after reconstitution into phospholipid vesicles, displays respiratory control. This appears as an inhibition of substrate oxidation (cytochrome c) or reduction (O2) rates which, in the first few turnovers, can be largely removed upon addition of valinomycin, a specific K+ carrier. We report experiments designed to measure directly the internal electron transfer leading to the reduction of cytochrome a3/CuB, in the presence and the absence of a membrane potential. The results suggest that, after the complete oxidation and partial re-reduction of the protein, electron transfer to the binuclear site is valinomycin-sensitive, i.e. is inhibited by the membrane potential. The first-order rate constants calculated in the absence and presence of valinomycin were 0.5-0.6 and 5-6 s-1 respectively. Kinetic analysis of the reduction process is consistent with the conclusion that the membrane potential is below the critical threshold until the first electron is transferred to the cytochrome a3/CuB site. Furthermore, the respiratory control ratio obtained from the dependence of the internal electron transfer rate constant on valinomycin is always higher (by factor of 2) than that measured under turnover conditions either polarographically or spectrophotometrically. Two possible interpretations of this discrepancy are discussed.


Affinity purification of the hepatic high-density lipoprotein receptor identifies two acidic glycoproteins and enables further characterization of their binding properties. Several high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-binding proteins, candidates for the putative HDL receptor, have recently been identified, including two membrane proteins: HB1 of 120 kDa and HB2 of 100 kDa, present in rat and human liver plasma membranes respectively. Further insights into their function however, have been hampered by poor recoveries of these hydrophobic peptides, and the present work was undertaken to improve yields and enable a more detailed investigation of their properties. A significant improvement has been achieved using two affinity chromatographic procedures, one exploiting the glycoprotein nature of the proteins and the other exploiting their ligand properties, which in combination resulted in considerable enrichment of HB1 and HB2. Thus DEAE-Sephacel fractionation (0.05-0.2 M-NaCl) of CHAPS-solubilized plasma membranes yielded active HDL-binding proteins which bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose or wheat-germ-lectin-Sepharose columns and retained their binding activity after eluting with methyl-alpha-D-mannoside or N-acetylglucosamine respectively. These glycoproteins were further purified by affinity chromatography using apo-HDL-Sepharose columns. Final purification required preparative SDS/PAGE. Investigation of the carbohydrate moieties of the proteins using glycosidases and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed pI values ranging from 4.6 to 4.9 and from 4.5 to 4.7 for HB1 and HB2 respectively, which after treatment with neuraminidase shifted towards basic pH (5.4-5.7 and 5.3-5.5 respectively). The molecular masses were decreased to 115 kDa and 95 kDa respectively, demonstrating that sialic acid residues contributed significantly to the negative charge of the glycosylated peptides. Treatment with the enzyme peptide N-glycosidase F (N-glycanase) resulted in a decrease in molecular mass of HB1 and HB2 to 105 kDa and 80 kDa respectively, but endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (O-glycanase) treatment was not effective. Neither neuraminidase nor N-glycanase treatment destroyed activity, suggesting that sialic acids or N-linked oligosaccharides are not important determinants of HDL binding. Digestion of plasma membranes with trypsin or Pronase resulted in a loss of activity of both HB1 and HB2 that was not influenced by prior treatment with neuraminidase, suggesting that sialic acid residues play no protective role against proteolytic cleavage of HDL receptor proteins.


Differential flux through the quinate and shikimate pathways. Implications for the channelling hypothesis. The qutC gene encoding dehydroshikimate dehydratase has been constitutively overexpressed in Aspergillus nidulans from a range of 1-30-fold over the normal wild-type level. This overexpression leads to impaired growth in minimal medium which can be alleviated by the addition of aromatic amino acids to the medium. Overexpression of the qutC gene in mutant strains lacking protocatechuic acid (PCA) oxygenase leads to the build up of PCA in the medium, which can be measured by a simple assay. Measuring the rate of production of PCA in strains overproducing dehydroshikimate dehydratase and correlating this with the level of overproduction and impaired ability to grow in minimal medium lacking aromatic amino acids leads to the conclusion that (a) the metabolites 3-dehydroquinate and dehydroshikimate leak from the AROM protein at a rate comparable with the extent of flux catalysed by the AROM protein, (b) the AROM protein has a low-level channelling function probably as a result of the close juxtaposition of five active sites and (c) this channelling function is only physiologically significant under non-optimal conditions of nutrient supply and oxygenation, when the organism is in situ in its natural environment.


Increased intracellular cyclic AMP inhibits inositol phospholipid hydrolysis induced by perturbation of the T cell receptor/CD3 complex but not by G-protein stimulation. Association with protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1. Modulation of inositol phospholipid (InsPL) hydrolysis in response to increasing intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) was studied in a murine T helper type II (Th2) lymphocyte clone, 8-5-5. Intact 8-5-5 cells produced maximal amounts of cAMP in response to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cholera toxin (CTx) or 7 beta-deacetyl-7 beta-(gamma-N-methylpiperazino)butyryl forskolin (dmpb-forskolin). cAMP generation reached a plateau after 5 min of treatment with dmpb-forskolin (300 microM) or PGE2 (1 microM), but required 60 min of treatment with CTx (1 microgram/ml). Preincubation of 8-5-5 cells with 1 microM-PGE2 or 300 microM-dmpb-forskolin (10 min at 37 degrees C) or with 1 microgram of CTx/ml (60 min at 37 degrees C) completely inhibited InsPL hydrolysis induced by perturbation of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex with the monoclonal antibody 145.2C11. Preincubation with the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8-Br-cAMP) also inhibited InsPL hydrolysis. Tetanolysin-permeabilized 8-5-5 cells produced cAMP in response to PGE2, dmpb-forskolin and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]), a non-cell-permeating, non-hydrolysable analogue of GTP that directly activates G-proteins. No inhibition of TCR/CD3-induced InsPL hydrolysis was observed under these conditions. InsPL hydrolysis was also unaffected when permeabilized cells were incubated with up to 10 mM-8-Br-cAMP, suggesting that permeabilized cells lost (a) soluble effector molecule(s) involved in mediating the inhibitory effect observed in intact cells. Treatment of 8-5-5 cells with dmpb-forskolin or CTx prior to permeabilization resulted in inhibition of TCR/CD3-induced InsPL hydrolysis, but did not affect InsPL hydrolysis induced via G-protein stimulation with GTP[S]. Treatment of permeabilized 8-5-5 cells with purified cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) resulted in inhibition of TCR/CD3- but not GTP[S]-induced InsPL hydrolysis. This effect was associated with phosphorylation of phospholipase (PLC)-gamma 1 in the absence of phosphorylation of components of the TCR/CD3 complex. These results suggest that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of PLC may regulate TCR/CD3-induced InsPL hydrolysis.


Characterization of specific binding sites of 3H-labelled platelet-activating factor ([3H]PAF) and a new antagonist, [3H]SR 27417, on guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells. Binding of 3H-labelled platelet-activating factor ([3H]PAF) to guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells was time-dependent, reversible and saturable. Scatchard analysis of the saturation-binding data indicated that [3H]PAF bound to one class of specific binding sites with high affinity (KD = 4.3 +/- 0.03 nM; Bmax. = 0.172 +/- 0.02 fmol/10(5) cells; n = 3). Unlabelled PAF competitively and selectively inhibited the specific binding of [3H]PAF with 50% inhibition at 4.8 +/- 0.07 nM (n = 3). SR 27417, the first member of a newly developed PAF antagonist series, competitively displaced [3H]PAF from its binding sites on guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells with a Ki of 100 +/- 3 pM (n = 3). Studies carried out in parallel demonstrated that SR 27417 was 40 times more potent than C16-PAF itself and more than 100-fold as active as the best synthetic PAF-receptor antagonist yet described. [3H]SR 27417 displayed high-affinity, specific, reversible as well as saturable binding to a single class of binding sites on tracheal epithelial cells (KD = 94 +/- 7 pM; Bmax. = 0.181 +/- 0.04 fmol/10(5) cells; n = 3). C16-PAF, lyso-PAF, enantio-PAF, SR 27417 and other PAF-receptor antagonists had Ki values which were nearly identical for both [3H]PAF and [3H]SR 27417, demonstrating that in guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells they have the same binding sites. In conclusion, these data suggest that tracheal epithelial cells contain PAF-specific receptors and indicate that SR 27417 is an extremely potent PAF-receptor antagonist, as well as being a suitable radioligand for labelling PAF receptors on intact cells.


Complementation of formyl peptide receptor-mediated signal transduction in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Formyl-methionine-containing peptides (e.g. fMet-Leu-Phe) stimulate a variety of neutrophil functions by interacting with specific cell surface receptors which are coupled via G-proteins to stimulation of phospholipase C. Two markedly distinct cDNAs coding for formyl peptide receptors have recently been isolated from a rabbit and a human cDNA library respectively. To examine the hitherto unknown signal transduction properties of the formyl peptide receptor encoded by the human cDNA, we have used the PCR to clone this cDNA from poly(A)+ RNA of myeloid differentiated human leukaemia (HL-60) cells, and have injected the cDNA-derived receptor cRNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Receptor activity was determined electrophysiologically by measuring the agonist-dependent opening of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)-independent Cl- channels. Injection of pure formyl peptide receptor cRNA did not lead to peptide-dependent changes in membrane current. In contrast, marked alterations of membrane current were observed in response to formyl peptides when the receptor cRNA was supplemented with poly(A)+ RNA isolated from undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Injection of the latter RNA did not lead to formyl-peptide-dependent alterations of membrane current. Binding studies using a radioiodinated formyl peptide revealed that injection of formyl peptide receptor cRNA alone led to expression of the formyl peptide receptor on the oocyte surface, and that co-injection of poly(A)+ RNA from undifferentiated HL-60 cells did not alter the level of receptor expression. Size fractionation of poly(A)+ RNA from undifferentiated HL-60 cells showed that the mRNA required to complement formyl-peptide-dependent signal transduction in oocytes had a size of approx. 3-3.5 kb. These results strongly suggest that the human formyl peptide receptor requires a specific cofactor(s), which is lacking in Xenopus oocytes but is present in undifferentiated HL-60 cells, to activate the second messenger pathway in oocytes. Identification of this factor will provide important information about the molecular mechanisms by which G-protein-coupled granulocyte-activating receptors stimulate phospholipase C.


Evidence for two pathways of receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry in hepatocytes. Receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry was studied in fura-2-loaded isolated hepatocytes. Emptying of internal Ca2+ stores by treatment with either the Ca(2+)-mobilizing hormone vasopressin or the inhibitors of the microsomal Ca2+ pump, 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ) or thapsigargin, stimulated Ca2+ entry, as indicated by a rise in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration after Ca2+ was added to cells suspended in nominally Ca(2+)-free medium. The enhancement of Ca2+ entry was proportional to the degree of depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ pool and occurred also after removal of vasopressin from its receptor. In contrast, the stimulation of Mn2+ entry by vasopressin required the continuous presence of the agonist, since it was prevented by the addition of vasopressin receptor antagonist. This effect was observed under conditions where refilling of the agonist-sensitive pool was prevented by using nominally Ca(2+)-free medium. Unlike vasopressin, tBuBHQ or thapsigargin did not stimulate Mn2+ entry. These results suggest the existence of two pathways for receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry in hepatocytes, a 'capacitative' pathway that is sensitive to the Ca2+ content in the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ pool and does not allow Mn2+ entry, and a second pathway that depends on receptor occupation, seems to require a second messenger for activation, and permits influx of Mn2+.


Human placental syncytiotrophoblast expresses two pharmacologically distinguishable types of Na(+)-H+ exchangers, NHE-1 in the maternal-facing (brush border) membrane and NHE-2 in the fetal-facing (basal) membrane. We investigated whether highly purified preparations of basal (fetal-facing) membrane isolated from normal term human placentas possess Na(+)-H+ exchanger activity. Uptake of Na+ into basal membrane vesicles was stimulated many-fold by an outwardly directed H+ gradient. This H(+)-gradient-dependent uptake was inhibitable by amiloride and its analogues. Na+ uptake in these vesicles did not occur via a Na+ channel, as it was not influenced by changes in membrane potential and, in addition, was inhibited by benzamil only at high micromolar concentrations. The results indicate that the human placental basal membrane possesses Na(+)-H+ exchanger activity. We then studied whether this exchanger is similar to or distinct from the Na(+)-H+ exchanger described in brush border (maternal-facing) membrane preparations. For this purpose, we compared the pharmacological characteristics of the basal membrane Na(+)-H+ exchanger with those of the brush border membrane Na(+)-H+ exchanger. The basal membrane exchanger was about 20-fold less sensitive to inhibition by amiloride and about 70-fold less sensitive to inhibition by dimethylamiloride than was the brush border membrane exchanger. The exchanger activity in both membrane preparations was inhibitable by clonidine and cimetidine, but the inhibition patterns with these compounds were markedly different between basal and brush border membrane preparations. These data demonstrate that the basal membrane Na(+)-H+ exchanger is distinct from the brush border membrane Na(+)-H+ exchanger. The pharmacological profiles of these exchangers indicate that the human placental brush border membrane possesses the housekeeping or non-epithelial type Na(+)-H+ exchanger (NHE-1), whereas the basal membrane possesses the epithelial or apical type Na(+)-H+ exchanger (NHE-2).


Purification and characterization of human erythrocyte phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate 4-kinase are distinct enzymes. PtdIns 4-kinase has been purified 83,000-fold from human erythrocyte membranes. The major protein detected by SDS/PAGE is of molecular mass 56 kDa, and enzymic activity can be renatured from this band of the gel. The characteristics of this enzyme are similar to other type II PtdIns kinases previously described: PtdIns presented in Triton X-100 micelles is preferred as a substrate over PtdIns vesicles, the enzyme possesses a relatively low Km for ATP (20 microM), and adenosine is an effective inhibitor. A monoclonal antibody raised against bovine brain type II PtdIns 4-kinase is an effective inhibitor of the purified enzyme. PtdIns(4,5)P2 inhibits by approx. 50% when added in equimolar amounts with PtdIns; PtdIns4P has little effect on activity. A PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity has also been detected in erythrocyte lysates. Approximately two-thirds of this activity is in the cytosolic fraction and one-third in the membrane fraction. No PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity could be detected in the purified type II PtdIns 4-kinase preparation, nor could this activity be detected in a bovine brain type III PtdIns 4-kinase preparation. The monoclonal antibody that inhibits the type II PtdIns 4-kinase does not affect the PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity in the membrane fraction. The cytosolic PtdIns3P 4-kinase can be efficiently recovered from a 60%-satd.-(NH4)2SO4 precipitate that is virtually free of PtdIns 4-kinase activity. We conclude that PtdIns3P 4-kinase is a new enzyme distinct from previously characterized PtdIns 4-kinases, and that this enzyme prefers PtdIns3P over PtdIns as a substrate.


Release of choline by phospholipase D and a related phosphoric diester hydrolase in human erythrocytes. 1H spin-echo n.m.r. studies. A previously detected phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D from lysates of human red blood cells has been further characterized by 1H spin-echo n.m.r. spectroscopy. A second choline-releasing enzymic activity was observed after addition of glycerophosphocholine. Both of these phosphoric diester hydrolase activities were activated to different extents by different concentrations of calcium ions. Differences between the two activities were also observed on inhibition by barium and phosphate ions. These distinct, choline-yielding, reactions which occur in the cytoplasm of red blood cells may be involved in the regulation of the levels of membrane phosphatidylcholine.


Site of palmitoylation of a phospholipase C-resistant glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchor. The site of palmitoylation of the phosphatidylinositol moiety of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor of Trypanosoma brucei procyclic acidic repetitive protein was studied by using periodate oxidation. Analysis of the products by g.c.-m.s. allowed the assignment of 40 and 60% of the palmitate to the 2-position and the 3-position respectively of the myo-inositol ring.


Localization of gastric peroxidase and its inhibition by mercaptomethylimidazole, an inducer of gastric acid secretion. Mercaptomethylimidazole (MMI) is a potent inducer of gastric acid secretion which is associated with significant inhibition of peroxidase activity of rat gastric mucosa in vivo. A time-dependent increase in acid secretion correlates well with time-dependent decrease in the peroxidase activity. In a chamber experiment in vitro using isolated gastric mucosa, MMI stimulates acid secretion, showing an almost linear response up to 600 microM. The time-dependent increase in acid secretion is also correlated with time-dependent inhibition of the peroxidase activity. This effect is not mediated through oxidation of MMI by flavin-containing mono-oxygenase, which is absent from gastric mucosa. The peroxidase has been localized mainly in parietal cells isolated and purified from gastric mucosa by controlled digestion with collagenase followed by Percoll-density-gradient centrifugation. Peroxidase activity was further localized in the outer membrane of the purified mitochondria of the parietal cell by some membrane-impermeant reagents, indicating outward orientation of the enzyme. MMI can inhibit the peroxidase activity of both the parietal cell and its mitochondria in a concentration-dependent manner. The possible involvement of the parietal-cell peroxidase-H2O2 system in MMI-induced acid secretion may be suggested.


Activation of G proteins by (Rp) and (Sp) diastereomers of guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]triphosphate in hamster fibroblasts. Differential stereospecificity of Gi, Gs and Gp. The effects of guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]triphosphate (GTP beta[S]) on G proteins have been examined in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39 line) permeabilized with alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus. Although much less effective than guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma[S]), both (Rp) and (Sp) diastereomers of GTP beta[S] were found to activate three G protein-mediated pathways: inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase (mediated by Gi), potentiation of receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase (mediated by Gs), and activation of phosphoinositide breakdown (mediated by Gp). Activation of Gi and Gs occurred above 3 microM-GTP beta[S], but activation of Gp only occurred above 100 microM-GTP beta[S]. Moreover, the order of effectiveness of the two diastereomers was not the same for the three G protein-mediated processes. Whereas both Gi and Gs were more effectively activated (about 5-fold) by (Sp)-GTP beta[S] than by (Rp)-GTP beta[S], Gp showed a marked preference for the (Rp) isomer. Indeed, (Rp)-GTP beta[S] induced the formation of inositol phosphates with a shorter latency and was a better competitor of GDP for binding to Gp than the (Sp) isomer. These results point to different guanine nucleotide-binding properties for Gi and Gs on the one hand and Gp on the other. At least two distinct Gp proteins, differing by their sensitivity to pertussis toxin, are present in CCL39 cells. Since pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin completely suppressed the effects of (Rp)-GTP beta[S] on Gi, while only slightly attenuating its effects on Gp, we believe that it is the pertussis toxin-insensitive Gp which prefers the (Rp) isomer. Therefore (Rp)-GTP beta[S] may be a valuable tool for the selective activation and the biochemical characterization of this pertussis toxin-insensitive Gp.


Maltose/proton co-transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Comparative study with cells and plasma membrane vesicles. Maltose/proton co-transport was studied in intact cells and in plasma membrane vesicles of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In order to determine uphill transport in vesicles, plasma membranes were fused with proteoliposomes containing cytochrome c oxidase as a proton-motive force-generating system. Maltose accumulation, dependent on the electrical and pH gradients, was observed. The initial uptake velocity and accumulation ratio in vesicles proved to be dependent on the external pH. Moreover, kinetic analysis of maltose transport showed that Vmax. values greatly decreased with increasing pH, whereas the Km remained virtually constant. These observations were in good agreement with results obtained with intact cells, and suggest that proton binding to the carrier proceeds with an apparent pK of 5.7. The observation with intact cells that maltose is co-transported with protons in a one-to-one stoichiometry was ascertained in the vesicle system by measuring the balance between proton-motive force and the chemical maltose gradient. These results show that maltose transport in vesicles prepared by fusion of plasma membranes with cytochrome c oxidase proteoliposomes behaves in a similar way as in intact cells. It is therefore concluded that this vesicle model system offers a wide range of new possibilities for the study of maltose/proton co-transport in more detail.


Oxytocin receptors on cultured astroglial cells. Kinetic and pharmacological characterization of oxytocin-binding sites on intact hypothalamic and hippocampic cells from foetal rat brain. The ability of astroglial cells to exhibit oxytocin (OT)-binding sites has been investigated in embryonic hypothalamic and hippocampic astroglial cell cultures. The differential characteristics of binding of OT and [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) agonists and antagonists to the OT-binding sites using the highly selective iodinated OT antagonist d(CH2)5-[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT ([125I]OTA) have been evaluated using intact cells maintained for 12 days in culture. The specific binding displayed features of reversibility. Computer analysis of the saturation studies using the LIGAND program indicated that, at 4 degrees C, the antagonist binds to a homogeneous population of sites with a Kd value of 0.02 nM and a low binding-site density of around 2 fmol/dish for hypothalamic cells and 6 fmol/dish for hippocampic cells. For hypothalamic cells, competition curves using unlabelled OT, AVP or V2 AVP agonist were characterized by a pseudo-Hill coefficient below unity (0.7), indicating possible heterogeneity among the binding sites. On the other hand, the dose-inhibition curves resulting from competition studies with hippocampic cells had a pseudo-Hill coefficient close to unity, except for OT. Computer analysis (LIGAND) indicated that the OT dose-inhibition curve was significantly better fitted to a two-site model, and this can be explained by two apparent forms of the receptor having high and low affinities for the displacing drug. The relative potencies of the peptides tested for binding to the high-affinity site were: AVP greater than OT greater than V1 AVP antagonist ([d(CH2)5-Tyr(Me)2]AVP) = V2 AVP agonist greater than AVP-Sar ([d(CH2)5-Sar7,Arg8]VP) in hypothalamic cultures, and OT = AVP greater than V1 AVP antagonist greater than V2 AVP agonist in hippocampic cultures. In addition, autoradiography allowed visualization of OT-binding sites, which are located on both soma and processes of astrocyte-like type of cells. In conclusion, these data provide evidence that glial cell cultures contain specific OT-binding sites which display pharmacological characteristics different from those already reported in neuronal cultures and in the adult rat brain.


Oxytocin receptors on cultured astroglial cells. Regulation by a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein and effect of Mg2+. Specific binding sites for the radio-iodinated oxytocin (OT) antagonist d(CH2)5-[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4, Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT ([125I]OTA) have been characterized on cultured hypothalamic astroglial cell membranes. The rate of association of the ligand to OT-binding sites was identical in the presence and the absence of the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p, 0.1 mM), whereas the monophasic dissociation reaction became biphasic in the presence of Gpp[NH]p. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding of [125I]OTA resulted in a linear plot with a single class of binding sites (Kd 0.06 nM) which were insensitive to the addition of Gpp[NH]p. Unlabelled OT and [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) bound to high- (H) and low- (L) affinity states with a dissociation constant ratio (KL/KH) of 100 for both hormones. Binding with both high and low affinity required the presence of Mg2+ in the incubation buffer, and the addition of Gpp[NH]p decreased the KL/KH ratio to 10 and increased the percentage of low-affinity binding sites. On the other hand, neither omission of Mg2+ from the buffer nor the addition of Gpp[NH]p altered the binding of either OT or V1 AVP antagonists to OT receptors. In the presence of a G-protein inactivator (N-ethylmaleimide; 3 mM) during OT competition studies the affinities of the two OT-binding sites were unchanged, but 90% of the high-affinity binding sites were converted into the low-affinity state. These results obtained with cultured hypothalamic astroglial cells provide further evidence for a coupling of OT receptors with a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, with a requirement for Mg2+.


Depletion of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store in vascular endothelial cells activates the agonist-sensitive Ca(2+)-influx pathway. Previous studies in non-excitable cells have suggested that depletion of internal Ca2+ stores activates Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space via a mechanism that does not require stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. To test this hypothesis in vascular endothelial cells, the effect of the Ca(2+)-ATPase/pump inhibitor 2,5-di-t-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was examined. BHQ produced a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, which remained elevated over basal values for several minutes and was substantially inhibited in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Application of bradykinin after BHQ demonstrated that the BHQ-sensitive compartment partially overlapped the bradykinin-sensitive store. Similar results were obtained with thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, two other Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors. Although BHQ had no effect on phosphoinositide hydrolysis, both 45Ca2+ influx and efflux were stimulated by this agent. These results suggest that depletion of the agonist-sensitive Ca2+ store is sufficient for activation of Ca2+ influx. Several characteristics of the Ca(2+)-influx pathway activated by internal store depletion were compared with those of the agonist-activated pathway. Bradykinin-stimulated Ca2+ influx was increased at alkaline extracellular pH (pHo), and was inhibited by extracellular La3+, by depolarization of the membrane, and by the novel Ca(2+)-influx blocker 1-(beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4- methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride (SKF 96365). Additionally, bradykinin stimulated influx of both 45Ca2+ and 133Ba2+, consistent with the hypothesis that the agonist-activated influx pathway is permeable to both of these bivalent cations. Likewise, activation of Ca2+ influx by BHQ, thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid was blocked by La3+, membrane depolarization and SKF 96365, but was unaffected by nitrendipine or BAY K 8644. Furthermore, Ca2+ influx stimulated by BHQ was increased at alkaline pHo and BHQ stimulated the influx of both 45Ca2+ and 133Ba2+ to the same extent. These results demonstrate that the agonist-activated Ca(2+)-influx pathway and the pathway activated by depletion of the agonist-sensitive internal Ca2+ store are indistinguishable.


Inhibitory effect of okadaic acid derivatives on protein phosphatases. A study on structure-affinity relationship. The effect of structural modifications of okadaic acid (OA), a polyether C38 fatty acid, was studied on its inhibitory activity toward type 1 and type 2A protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A) by using OA derivatives obtained either by isolation from natural sources or by chemical processes. The dissociation constant (Ki) for the interaction of OA with PP2A was estimated to be 30 (26-33) nM [median (95% confidence limits)]. The OA derivatives used and their affinity for PP2A, expressed as Ki (in brackets) were as follows: 35-methyl-OA (DTX1) [19 (12-25) pM], OA-9,10-episulphide (acanthifolicin) [47 (25-60) pM], 7-deoxy-OA [69 (31-138) pM], 14,15-dihydro-OA [315 (275-360) pM], 2-deoxy-OA [899 (763-1044) pM], 7-O-palmitoyl-OA [greater than 100 nM], 7-O-palmitoyl-DTX1 [greater than 100 nM], methyl okadate [much greater than 100 nM], 2-oxo-decarboxy-OA [much greater than 100 nM] and the C-15-C-38 fragment of OA [much greater than 100 nM]. The sequence of the affinity of these derivatives for PP1 was essentially the same as that observed with PP2A, although the absolute values of Ki were very different for the enzymes. The inhibitory effect of OA on PP2A was reversed by applying a murine monoclonal antibody against OA, which recognizes modifications of the 7-hydroxyl group of the OA molecule. It has been shown by n.m.r. spectroscopy and X-ray analysis that one end (C-1-C-24) of the OA molecule assumes a circular conformation. The present results suggest the importance of the conformation for the inhibitory action of OA on the protein phosphatases. The ratios of the Ki values for PP1 to that for PP2A, which were within the range 10(3)-10(4), tended to be smaller for the derivatives with lower affinity, indicating that the structural changes in OA impaired the affinity for PP2A more strongly than that for PP1.


Characterization of the interaction both in vitro and in vivo of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) with rat liver cells. Effects of monoclonal antibodies to t-PA. The interaction of 125I-labelled tissue-type plasminogen activator (125I-t-PA) with freshly isolated rat parenchymal and endothelial liver cells was studied. Binding experiments at 4 degrees C with parenchymal cells and endothelial liver cells indicated the presence of 68,000 and 44,000 high-affinity t-PA-binding sites, with an apparent Kd of 3.5 and 4 nM respectively. Association of 125I-t-PA with parenchymal cells was Ca(2+)-dependent and was not influenced by asialofetuin, a known ligand for the galactose receptor. Association of 125I-t-PA with liver endothelial cells was Ca(2+)-dependent and mannose-specific, since ovalbumin (a mannose-terminated glycoprotein) inhibited the cell association of t-PA. Association of 125I-t-PA with liver endothelial cells was inhibited by anti-(human mannose receptor) antiserum. Anti-(galactose receptor) IgG had no effect on 125I-t-PA association with either cell type. Degradation of 125I-t-PA at 37 degrees C by both cell types was inhibited by chloroquine or NH4Cl, indicating that t-PA is degraded lysosomally. in vitro experiments with three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) demonstrated that anti-t-PA MAb 1-3-1 specifically decreased association of 125I-t-PA with the endothelial cells, and anti-t-PA Mab 7-8-4 inhibited association with the parenchymal cells. Results of competition experiments in rats in vivo with these antibodies were in agreement with findings in vitro. Both antibodies decreased the liver uptake of 125I-t-PA, while a combination of the two antibodies was even more effective in reducing the liver association of 125I-t-PA and increasing its plasma half-life. We conclude from these data that clearance of t-PA by the liver is regulated by at least two pathways, one on parenchymal cells (not galactose/mannose-mediated) and another on liver endothelial cells (mediated by a mannose receptor). Results with the MAbs imply that two distinct sites on the t-PA molecule are involved in binding to parenchymal cells and liver endothelial cells.


Gi3 does not contribute to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase when stimulation of an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor causes activation of both Gi2 and Gi3. Agonist occupancy of the alpha 2-C10 adrenergic receptor in a stable clone (1C) of Rat 1 fibroblasts produced by transfection of cells with genomic DNA encoding this receptor causes the activation of both of the pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins Gi2 and Gi3 [Milligan, Carr, Gould, Mullaney & Lavan (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 6447-6455]. An IgG fraction from an antiserum (I3B) which identifies the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi3 alpha only was able to inhibit partially receptor stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity. An equivalent fraction from an antiserum (AS7) able to identify the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi1 alpha + Gi2 alpha, but not Gi3 alpha, was also able to inhibit partially receptor stimulation of GTPase activity, and the effects of the two antisera were additive. By contrast, agonist-mediated inhibition of forskolin-amplified adenylate cyclase activity was abolished completely by the IgG fraction of antiserum AS7, but was not decreased by treatment with antiserum 13B. Based on the proportion of agonist-stimulated high-affinity GTPase which was prevented by each antiserum and on the measured membrane levels of Gi2 and Gi3, calculations indicated that essentially all of the cellular Gi3, but only 15% of the available Gi2, can be activated by the alpha 2-C10 adrenergic receptor in these cells. These results demonstrate that, although Gi3 is activated by alpha 2-adrenergic agonists in membranes of clone 1C cells, it does not contribute to the transduction of receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase.


A survey of membrane peptidases in two human colonic cell lines, Caco-2 and HT-29. The expression of cell-surface peptidases was examined in two human colon carcinoma cell lines, Caco-2 and HT-29. Enzymic assays revealed the presence of eight cell-surface peptidases on a Caco-2 cell line (passage number 82-88), namely aminopeptidase N, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, peptidyl dipeptidase A (angiotension-converting enzyme), aminopeptidase P, aminopeptidase W, endopeptidase-24.11, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and membrane dipeptidase. The presence of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and endopeptidase-24.11 was also confirmed immunochemically. After 15 days culture, the activities of aminopeptidase P, peptidyl dipeptidase A and alkaline phosphatase activities on Caco-2 cells reached a plateau, and that of membrane dipeptidase began to decline. In contrast, aminopeptidase N, dipeptidyl peptidase IV and endopeptidase-24.11 activities were still rising after 26 days in culture. Caco-2 cells of passage number 181-183 were found to lack endopeptidase-24.11, but maintained dipeptidyl peptidase IV expression. Two populations of HT-29 cells were surveyed. Both the standard, undifferentiated population and a differentiated population expressed only three peptidases: dipeptidyl peptidase IV, aminopeptidase W and carboxypeptidase M. In the differentiated HT-29 cells the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV after 14-21 days was beginning to plateau whereas aminopeptidase W activity was still rising and that of carboxypeptidase M had begun to decline. These differences in activity profiles observed among this group of cell-surface peptidases indicate that these cell lines, especially Caco-2, are useful models to study the regulation of their expression.


Androgen-responsive expression and mitogenic activity of schwannoma-derived growth factor on an androgen-dependent Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma cell line. We report here, using the androgen-dependent SC2G cell line derived from Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma SC115, that cDNA encoding mouse homologue of the rat schwannoma-derived growth factor (SDGF) was isolated and its protein product was identified to be an autocrine growth factor which is expressed in response to androgen in this hormone-dependent cell line. The androgen-independent SC1G cells derived from SC115 were shown to express SDGF even in the absence of androgen, while Northern analysis probed with mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) DNA showed that the androgen inducible transcriptional machinery remains functional in this hormone independent cell line.


Isolation and characterization of peptides which act on rat platelets, from a pheochromocytoma. An increase in the cellular concentration of cAMP leads to the inhibition of platelet aggregation. We have been investigating endogenous peptides which inhibit platelet function, using an assay which detects increase in platelet cAMP. Compared with the human adrenal medulla, a pheochromocytoma (PC) contained abundant peptides that elevate platelet cAMP. About 90% of the activity was found in the SP-III fraction which contained strongly basic peptides. From the SP-III fraction, peptides P-1, P-2 and P-3 were purified to homogeneity as endogenous peptides which elevated platelet cAMP. A gas phase sequencer was used to identify these peptides as follows: P-1 = vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP); P-2 = calcitonin gene related peptide-I (CGRP-I); P-3 = CGRP-II. It is well known these peptides are potent vasorelaxants. VIP and CGRP-I significantly increased platelet cAMP levels 15- and 6-fold, respectively. These results suggest that VIP and CGRP-I and -II act upon platelets as well as upon vascular tissue.


Characteristics of alpha-adrenoceptors in two human colorectal cancer cell lines. The DiFi and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell lines were characterized and compared with respect to binding properties of alpha adrenoceptors present on the cell surface. Both cell lines possessed alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors of high affinity; however, DiFi cells were rich in alpha-1 adrenoceptors, whereas HT-29 cells were rich in alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In each cell line, specificity of radioligand binding to alpha-1 or alpha-2 adrenoceptors was proved via competition studies using non-tritiated drugs. We believe this to be the first characterization of alpha-1 adrenoceptors in cell line HT-29 and of alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in DiFi cells. Differences between these cell lines in alpha adrenoceptor expression are discussed in relation to colon carcinogenesis. The high level of alpha-1 adrenoceptors seen in DiFi cells should make this cell line useful in studies of the function and regulation of this adrenoceptor subtype.


Cellular retinoic acid binding protein type II was preferentially localized in medium and posterior parts of the progress zone of the chick limb bud. The expression and distribution of cellular retinoic acid binding protein II (CRABP II) was examined in chick limb buds. CRABP II was detected in the limb buds at Hamburger and Hamilton (1) stage 21 and the amount of CRABP II was gradually increased during stages 21-27 and thereafter decreased. CRABP II was mainly located in the progress zone, and the dorsal and ventral premuscular mass in the proximal region of the limb buds at stage 23. CRABP II was preferentially localized in the medium and posterior parts rather than the anterior part of the progress zone; The content of CRABP II in the medium and posterior parts was 8-9 times more than that in the anterior part.


Gene expressions and activities of protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A in rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. We have examined the levels of gene expressions and activities of protein phosphatases, PP1 and PP2A, in rat regenerating livers. PP1 alpha mRNA started to increase from 6 h after partial hepatectomy (PH) and showed two peaks at 12 and 48 h. PP2A mRNA level showed two peaks at 6 and 10-12 h. Protein phosphatase activities were determined both in non-nuclear fraction and in nuclei. While spontaneous PP1 activity in non-nuclear fraction was nearly constant, potential PP1 activity revealed by Co(2+)-trypsin treatment showed a small peak between 7 and 12 h. In nuclei, both spontaneous and potential PP1 activity began to increase from 4-7 h after PH, reached a maximum (about 2.5-fold over control levels) at 12 h, the time which corresponds to the G1 to S transition in the cell cycle, and then declined back to control levels by 7 days. PP2A activity in non-nuclear fraction was nearly constant in both spontaneous and potential forms. PP2A activity in both forms in nuclei was very low throughout. These results suggest the possibility that PP1 in nuclei plays some role in the G1 to S transition in the cell cycle of hepatocyte proliferation.


Design and functional expression in Escherichia coli of a synthetic gene encoding Clostridium pasteurianum 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin. A gene encoding the exact sequence of Clostridium pasteurianum 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin and containing 11 unique restriction endonuclease cleavage sites has been synthesized and cloned in Escherichia coli. The synthetic gene is efficiently expressed in E. coli and its product has been purified and characterized. The N-terminal sequence is identical to that of the protein isolated from C. pasteurianum and the recombinant ferredoxin contains the exact amount of [4Fe-4S] clusters (2 per monomer) expected for homogeneous holoferredoxin. It displays reduction potential and kinetic parameters as electron donor to C. pasteurianum hydrogenase I identical to those determined for the native ferredoxin. All of these properties demonstrate that the 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin expressed in E. coli is identical to the parent clostridial protein.


Effect of atrial natriuretic factor on the water permeability of endothelial cells. Atrial natriuretic factor increases the water permeability of the whole endothelium. This study investigates how it would affect the transcellular osmotic water permeability of bovine artery endothelial cells. The cyclic-GMP production by the isolated cells was maximal for 10(-6)M atrial natriuretic factor within 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. The cyclic-GMP protein kinase cell concentration was 1.87 +/- 0.15 ng/mg protein. The control apparent water permeability of the cells measured by light scattering was 195 +/- 11 microns/sec (n = 5). Membrane folding revealed by light and scanning electron microscopy indicated that their true water permeability values would be close to 20-40 microns/sec, similar to the values for lipid membranes. The energy activation calculated from the temperature dependence of water permeability between 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C was 9.3 kcal/mol. This value suggests water movement through the lipid bilayer and not through water channels. Atrial natriuretic factor 10(-6)M did not significantly increase the water permeability of the cells. Hence, atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated increase in water permeability of the endothelium is more related to changes in paracellular water pathways than in transcellular water flux.


Structure of the mouse activin receptor type II gene. Knowledge of the structures of the activin receptor genes is crucial to our understanding of the role of the activins, inhibins, and their receptors in developmental and physiological processes. The type II activin receptor (ActRc) has been shown to be a transmembrane protein with putative serine/threonine kinase activity. Using a human ActRc type II cDNA as a probe, 18 overlapping lambda clones containing portions of the mouse ActRc type II gene were isolated from a mouse 129SvE genomic library. Sequence analysis of the exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5' and 3' non-translated regions as well as Southern blot analysis of mouse genomic DNA were used to establish the structure of the mouse ActRc type II gene. The mouse ActRc type II gene is encoded by 11 exons and spans greater than 66 kilobases. Two large introns (introns 1 and 4) contribute the majority of the gene size and are found to delineate exons which encode important domains of the activin receptor. Analysis of the 5' region of the gene reveals several putative transcription factor binding sites which may be important for the complex transcriptional regulation of this gene.


Structures of poly(dA-dT, ip5dU) containing various small amounts of the antiherpetic 5-isopropyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Three different concentrations of the antiherpetic agent 5-isopropyl-2'-deoxyuridine (ip5dU) were introduced into the synthetic DNA poly(dA-dT) to analyze resulting copolymers by electron microscopy, UV absorption and CD spectroscopy. The poly(dA-dT, ip5dU) containing 1.3 and 4.3% ip5dU did not much differ from the parent poly(dA-dT) but poly (dA-dT, ip5dU) with 7.1% ip5dU behaved in an unusual way. Results are explained by the notion that if bulky isopropyls occur sufficiently close to each other then stable hairpins protruding from the double helix are formed, presumably to accommodate the ip5dU-s into the loops.


Cellular metabolism of (-) enantiomeric 2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine. The metabolism of (-) enantiomeric 2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC) was examined in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected and mock-infected human cells. 3TC 5'-triphosphate levels accumulated comparably in HIV-1-infected and mock-infected phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and reached 40% or more of total intracellular 3TC metabolites after 4 hr. The rate of decay of 3TC triphosphate in HIV-1-infected and mock-infected PBL measured as a half-life (T1/2) ranged from 10.5 to 15.5 hr. 3TC did not significantly affect metabolism of deoxynucleotides in the U937 cell line, and was shown to be resistant to the action of human platelet pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase.


Properties of base-substituted and carboxyl-esterified analogues of griseolic acid, a potent cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Griseolic acid (GA) is a potent cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor that has an adenine base and two carboxyl groups in its molecule (Nakagawa F, Okazaki T, Naito A, Iijima Y and Yamazaki M, J Antibiot 38: 823-829, 1985). GA analogues were synthesized in which the adenine group was substituted with guanine (6-deamino-2-amino-6-hydroxygriseolic acid, G-GA) or hypoxanthine (6-deamino-6-hydroxygriseolic acid, H-GA). Their inhibitory activities to cyclic GMP (cGMP) PDE and cAMP PDE were compared with GA. For cGMP PDE from rod outer segments of bovine retina, the IC50 values of GA, G-GA and H-GA were 18, 0.040 and 0.12 microM, respectively, with 0.25 microM cGMP as substrate. For type IV PDE isozyme from mouse 3T3 fibroblast cells, the IC50 values of GA, G-GA and H-GA were 0.021, 15 and 11 microM, respectively, with 0.25 microM cAMP as substrate. Thus, GA and G-GA were found to be base-selective inhibitors of type IV PDE of 3T3 cells and type V PDE of bovine retinas, respectively. Esters of carboxylic acids of GA were synthesized in order to increase permeability into cells, and their efficacy was tested by measuring the accumulation of cAMP in 3T3 cells. The dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of GA was found to increase cAMP levels at 0.1 microM, while GA and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine were active only above 100 microM, and the dimethyl ester of GA was inactive. The dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of GA seems to exert its activity after conversion to GA in the cell, since the pivaloyloxymethyl ester was easily hydrolysed by the enzyme action and the dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of GA itself was much less potent an inhibitor of PDE. The dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of GA inhibited thrombin-induced aggregation of platelets and stimulated lipolysis of adipocytes at low concentrations.


Characterization of a spontaneously occurring arthritis in male DBA/1 mice. We studied the incidence, severity, histopathologic features, and status of infection in a spontaneous polyarthritis which occurs in male DBA/1 mice. Over a 25-week period, the arthritis was evaluated macroscopically in naive mice of different strains. The histopathology was evaluated at different phases of the disease. Virologic and bacteriologic investigations were performed. The arthritis occurs in approximately 80% of aging male DBA/1 mice. The disease is chronic and destructive, and the affected joints are characterized by synovial lining proliferation and infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly mononuclear. The susceptibility appears to be dependent on both sex-linked and non-sex-linked genes, since female DBA/1 mice are not affected and since male BALB/c housed in the same colony are only marginally affected. This first description of a spontaneous arthritis in aging male DBA/1 mice should provide new opportunities to study general features of a chronic and intermittent arthritis in a well-characterized strain, in which no generalized aberrations of the immune system have been described.


Brain glutamate decarboxylase and pyrroloquinoline quinone. Porcine brain glutamate decarboxylase was examined for the presence of covalently bound pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ). HPLC analysis of pure glutamate decarboxylase subjected to the hexanol extraction procedure gave negative results when monitored at 320 nm, the maximum of absorbance of 4-hydroxy-5-hexoxy-PQQ. Resolved glutamate decarboxylase exhibits a structureless absorption band at wavelengths longer than 300 nm which cannot be attributed to PQQ. The holoenzyme is not a pyridoxal-quinoprotein; its catalytic mechanism involves the participation of only one cofactor, i.e. pyridoxal-5-P. Free PQQ is a strong inhibitor of the decarboxylase (Ki = 13 microM) and the reaction with the protein results in spectral changes resembling those of polylysine treated with PQQ. If the concentration of free PQQ in some regions of the brain reaches the micromolar level, then PQQ might play a role in the regulation of glutamate decarboxylase activity.


Effects of acute and chronic blockade of neutral endopeptidase with Sch 34826 on NaCl-sensitive hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. We have previously demonstrated that dietary NaCl supplementation is associated with increased circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats but not in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and that replacement with exogenous ANP prevents NaCl-sensitive hypertension in NaCl-sensitive SHR (SHR-S). The current study tested the hypothesis that chronic administration of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor Sch 34826 prevents NaCl sensitive hypertension in SHR-S by increasing endogenous ANP. Male SHR-S received Sch 34826 (90 mg/kg/day) or vehicle by gavage for 4 weeks beginning immediately before the initiation of 1% or 8% NaCl diets at age 7 weeks. Sch 34826 prevented the increase in arterial pressure in response to 8% NaCl in SHR-S, but had no effect on blood pressure in 1% NaCl fed SHR-S; plasma ANP levels were increased by 63 and 68% in the 1% and 8% NaCl groups, respectively, in response to Sch 34826. To examine the mechanism(s) of the antihypertensive effect of Sch 34826 in NaCl-supplemented SHR-S, a single dose (90 mg/kg) of Sch 34826 or vehicle was administered by gavage to SHR-S that had consumed 1% or 8% NaCl diets for 3 weeks. Sch 34826 abolished the NaCl-induced increase in blood pressure 3 h after treatment in 8% NaCl fed SHR-S, but had no effect in SHR-S fed the 1% NaCl diet. This effect was associated with increased urine volume and urinary sodium, ANP, and cyclic GMP in 8% NaCl fed SHR-S.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effects of interleukin-1 beta on blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, and pituitary endocrine functions in anesthetized rats. The effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), an endogenous pyrogen, on both the central and peripheral endocrine, sympathetic, and cardiovascular systems were investigated by injecting it intracisternally (IC) and intravenously (IV). Intracisternal injections of IL-1 caused dose-dependent vasopressor responses, which were accompanied by corresponding increases in the abdominal sympathetic discharge. Blood pressure increased gradually, and attained a peak response at 20 to 30 min. Heart rate also increased dose-dependently. Intracerebroventricular pretreatments with indomethacin abolished both the pressor responses and tachycardia. The IV injections similarly elicited vasopressor responses with gradual onset, which were also accompanied by corresponding increases in the abdominal sympathetic firings. However, IL-1 did not constrict the peripheral vasculature in the perfused hindlimb preparation. Both IC and IV injections of IL-1 increased plasma vasopressin and corticotropin dose-dependently after 30 min. These results indicate that IL-1 of both central and peripheral origin may cause vasopressor responses. These may be partly mediated by the release of vasopressor pituitary hormones. The site of action could be a similar region in the central nervous system.


Expression of growth factor ligand and receptor genes in the preimplantation bovine embryo. The sensitive technique of mRNA phenotyping with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the patterns of gene expression for several growth factor ligand and receptor genes during bovine preimplantation development. Several thousand bovine embryos encompassing a developmental series from one-cell zygotes to hatched blastocysts were produced by the application of in vitro maturation, fertilization, and oviductal epithelial cell embryo coculture methods. Transcripts for transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-A) are detectable in all preimplantation bovine stages as observed in the mouse. Transcripts for TGF-beta 2 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-II) and the receptors for PDGF-alpha, insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II are also detectable throughout bovine preimplantation development, suggesting that these mRNAs are products of both the maternal and the embryonic genomes in the cow, whereas in the mouse they are present only following the activation of the embryonic genome at the two-cell stage. In contrast to the mouse embryo, IGF-I mRNA was detected within preimplantation bovine embryos. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a maternal message in the bovine embryo, since it is only detectable up until the eight-cell embryo stage. Bovine trophoblast protein (bTP) mRNA was detectable within day 8 bovine blastocysts. As was observed in the mouse, the transcripts for insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), or nerve growth factor (NGF) were not detectable in any bovine embryo stage. Analyses of this type should aid the development of a completely defined culture medium for the more efficient production of preimplantation bovine embryos.


Mitotic checkpoints.

Mitotic checkpoints. Entry into mitosis is triggered by activation of maturation promoting factor and a complex of p34cdc2 kinase and cyclin B. Activation induces nuclear lamina breakdown, chromosome condensation and mitotic spindle assembly. Exit from mitosis is initiated by the degradation of cyclin B and the subsequent inactivation of maturation-promoting factor. A more thorough understanding of the checkpoints for initiation of and exit from mitosis has evolved during the past few years.


G protein-coupled receptors.

G protein-coupled receptors. The diversity of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily is now being realised with the molecular cloning of DNA encoding many new receptors and receptor subfamilies. The existing pharmacological definitions of receptor subtypes have been extended dramatically with identification of additional subtypes at the molecular level. Functional analysis of cloned receptors by expression in heterologous cell types has demonstrated that individual receptor subtypes can couple to a variety of different effector systems.


G proteins in cellular control.

G proteins in cellular control. In the past year, cDNA cloning has revealed substantial diversity in G protein alpha, beta and gamma subunits. The number of cellular functions recognized to be controlled by G proteins is also increasing. Most G proteins are associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, and molecular mechanisms for membrane association of certain G protein subunits have been defined recently. Mutations in G protein subunits, both artificially induced and naturally occurring, have provided important insights into G protein structure and function.


Inositol lipids in cell signalling.

Inositol lipids in cell signalling. In the past year, major advances have been made in our understanding of the regulation of phosphoinositidase C, and of the action of the inositol trisphosphate receptor and how it may generate 'quantal' Ca2+ release. The functions of inositol tetrakisphosphate and of the 3-phosphorylated inositol lipids continue to generate controversy, but both may be well on the way towards some clarification. Finally, we may have to extend our concept of the inositide cycle to include an intranuclear signalling function.


Intracellular calcium: molecules and pools. The complex nature of intracellular calcium storage pools has been examined at many levels in the past year. Additional molecules associated with calcium stores have been identified and their localization examined. The convergence of molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry has now allowed the details of calcium signalling to be meaningfully explored.


Transgenic approaches to modifying cell and tissue function. As our knowledge of cell regulation pathways becomes increasingly sophisticated, the tools and techniques that have emerged from in vitro studies are being applied to the whole organism through transgenesis. With the development of new ways of modifying cellular signalling in intact animals comes the ability to analyse physiological systems and their pathologies with greater spatial and temporal precision.


Development of a monoclonal antibody-based p24 capsid antigen detection assay for HTLV-I, HTLV-II, and STLV-I infection. A monoclonal antibody-based antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and employed to detect p24 capsid antigen from human T-cell lymphotropic viruses type I and II (HTLV-I, HTLV-II), simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (STLV-I)-infected cell lines, and from mononuclear cell cocultures of HTLV-infected humans and STLV-I infected monkeys. A monoclonal antibody specific for HTLV p24 and p53 capsid antigens was coated onto 96-well microtiter plates to capture HTLV/STLV antigen. Captured antigen was then detected by the addition of a polyclonal, biotinylated human anti-HTLV-I antibody, and color developed with tetramethyl benzidine/H2O2 substrate. As little as 15 pg/ml of HTLV-I p24 antigen could be detected in this assay. Culture supernatants from HTLV-I-infected cell lines (HUT-102, MT-2, C5/MJ, HTLV-II-infected cell lines (Mo-T, Mo-B, PanG 12.1, NRA) and STLV-I-infected cell lines (Matsu, NEPC M39) were all positive in the assay. In addition, p24 was detected from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cocultures of 8 of 8 (100%) HTLV-I diseased patients, 14 of 20 (70%) HTLV-I and HTLV-II-infected, asymptomatic persons, and 8 of 8 (100%) STLV-I-infected, asymptomatic monkeys. Culture supernatants of cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex I and II (HSV), feline leukemia virus (FELV), bovine leukemia virus (BLV), and bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) were all negative. Similarly, normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and uninfected, transformed human T cells, were also negative in the assay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the aorta complicated by anuria. Tumors of the aorta have been reported infrequently in the literature. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with malignant aortic fibrous histiocytoma (also known as fibroxanthosarcoma). She was referred to us with suspected occlusion of the right renal artery in a single functioning kidney, with a clinical picture of anuria during the previous 48 hours. We also review 31 previously published cases in the literature.


Inhibition of erythrocyte 5-aminolaevulinate hydrolase activity by tin and its prevention by selenite. Mice were injected with either SnCl2 (intraperitoneal) or Na2SeO3 (subcutaneous) alone or together at doses of 50 mumol/kg body weight. After 20 hours blood was collected and the concentrations of tin (Sn) and Selenium (Se) and the activity of 5-aminolaevulinate hydrolyase (ALA dehydratase, EC 4.2.1.24) in blood were determined. The concentrations of Sn in whole blood were 4.9 (SD 1.5) nmol/ml (n = 4) and ALA dehydratase activity was 10% of the control in Sn treated animals. Concentrations of Sn were 2.6 (SD 0.6) nmol/ml and ALA dehydratase activity was 92% of that in control animals when Sn and Se were simultaneously injected. The supernatant from lysed erythrocytes from Sn treated mice were applied to a Sephacryl S-300 column. The predominant peak containing Sn was eluted at the position of haemoglobin; a second peak was eluted at the position of ALA dehydratase. When the supernatant of lysed erythrocytes from mice injected with Sn and Se was chromatographed, a negligible amount of Sn was detected in the ALA dehydratase fraction. It thus appears that Sn binds to ALA dehydratase molecules and inhibits enzyme activity, and that simultaneous injection of Se prevents Sn binding to ALA dehydratase, thereby preventing the inhibition of ALA dehydratase activity by Sn.


The human skeletal alpha-actin promoter is regulated by thyroid hormone: identification of a thyroid hormone response element. Skeletal alpha-actin mRNA increases in the adult heart during cardiac hypertrophy after the imposition of hemodynamic overload/aortic restriction. 3,3',5-Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) elicits a cardiac response similar to the effect of prolonged exercise and was recently shown to cause a rapid increase in the amount of skeletal alpha-actin mRNA in hearts from normal and hypophysectomized animals. We used transient transfection analysis to show that T3 induces the expression of the native skeletal alpha-actin promoter between nucleotide positions -2000 and +239 linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in COS-1 fibroblasts and myogenic C2C12 cells. This T3 (10-100 nM)-induced transcriptional activation is dependent on the expression of the thyroid hormone receptors from transfected alpha 1 and beta 1 c-erbA complementary DNA expression vectors. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to identify a thyroid hormone response element (TRE) in the human skeletal alpha-actin gene. This TRE is located between nucleotide positions -173 and -149 with respect to the start of transcription at +1 (5' TGGTCAACGCAGGGGACCCGGGCGG 3'). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments showed that the putative skeletal alpha-actin TRE and defined rodent growth hormone TREs (that bind thyroid hormone receptors in vitro and in vivo) interacted with an identical nuclear factor in vitro in muscle cells that was developmentally regulated during myogenesis. Transient transfection analysis utilizing 5' unidirectional deletions of the skeletal alpha-actin promoter indicated that cis-acting sequences between nucleotide positions -432 and -153, which encompassed the TRE, were required for T3/thyroid hormone receptor-dependent trans-activation in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the skeletal alpha-actin TRE is juxtaposed next to SRF and SpI binding sites, at its 5' and 3' flanks, respectively. It is also surrounded by sequences densely populated by other SpI, SRF, and CTF binding sites. In conclusion, these results indicate that T3-induced increases in alpha-actin mRNA in animals are mediated by a direct transcriptional mechanism that may involve interactions with ubiquitous proteins.


Altered expression of cell cycle related genes including c-myb in a subclone of HL-60 that exhibits reversible differentiation. A differentiation resistant subclone of HL-60, DMSOr, was removed from the selective pressure of dimethyl sulfoxide and characterized with a new stable phenotype of reversible differentiation. DMSOr cells, when treated with 1.25% dimethyl sulfoxide, differentiated in a manner similar to the parental HL-60 with respect to morphological changes, increase in superoxide production, and withdrawal from cell cycle. Upon removal of the dimethyl sulfoxide at points normally associated with commitment to terminal differentiation, DMSOr reverted to the immature phenotype. This demonstrates an uncoupling of the morphological, functional, and antiproliferative effects of differentiation from commitment to terminal differentiation. Associated with the reversible phenotype of DMSOr was an altered expression of the c-myb oncogene. In HL-60, c-myb expression was down-regulated by 72 h and completely diminished by 144 h. Northern blot analysis of DMSOr demonstrated greater levels of expression of c-myb at 72 and 144 h. Similar results were shown with histone H4, cdc2 kinase, and, to a lesser extent, ornithine decarboxylase. The c-myb related gene B-myb did not show altered regulation during differentiation. The results suggest that altered expression of genes that control cell cycle may be critical for the reversible phenotype of DMSOr.


Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) receptors on human normal and scleroderma dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Interferons alpha and gamma (IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) exert different regulatory effects on the proliferation and biosynthetic activities of human dermal fibroblasts. Inasmuch as these cytokines bind to specific receptors in order to exert their activities, the expression of IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha receptors on fibroblasts from human adult normal and scleroderma skin cultured in vitro were quantitated. Adsorption was detected by incubating confluent normal and scleroderma fibroblasts with various concentrations of [125I]cytokine. Replicate experiments revealed 19,742 +/- 2057 (Kd = 1.15 x 10(-9) M) TNF-alpha receptors per normal dermal fibroblast and 15,006 +/- 75 (Kd = 6.75 x 10(-10) M) TNF-alpha receptors per scleroderma fibroblast. Cross-linking 125I-TNF-alpha to its receptor on normal and scleroderma fibroblasts revealed 130- and 100-kDa TNF-receptor complexes. Although no quantitative or qualitative differences were detected between these two cell types with regard to receptor numbers, TNF-alpha affinity or receptor protein as detected by radiolabelled TNF-alpha, differences were detected in levels of mRNA specific for TNF-alpha receptors. Northern blot analysis revealed normal fibroblasts to constitutively contain mainly mRNA specific for the 55-kDa TNF receptor and indicate that they are capable of responding to TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation of mRNA specific for the 75 kDa TNF receptor. Scleroderma fibroblasts, however, constitutively contain mRNA for both TNF receptors and fail to respond to TNF-alpha up-regulation of the message for the 75-kDa receptor for TNF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effects of novel synthesized retinobenzoic acid (Am-80) on adenylate cyclase and arachidonic acid release in pig epidermis. It has been well established that the psoriatic hyperproliferative epidermis is characterized by a defective beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase response and an increased arachidonic acid metabolism. Effects of a newly synthesized retinoid, Am-80 (4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)amino) carbamoyl]benzoic acid), on the beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase response and on the arachidonic acid metabolism of pig epidermis were investigated. Am-80 augmented the beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase response of the epidermis. The effect was observed at the concentrations of more than 1 microM. The maximum beta-adrenergic augmentation effect induced by Am-80 was similar to those of all-trans-retinoic acid and of hydrocortisone. Am-80 inhibited the basal arachidonic acid release as well as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated arachidonic acid release from epidermal keratinocytes. The effect was observed at the concentrations of 50-100 microM. The inhibitory effect of Am-80 was similar to those of all-trans-retinoic acid and of hydrocortisone. Our results indicate that Am-80, a newly synthesized retinoid, reveals the beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase response augmentation effect and the inhibitory effect on the arachidonic acid metabolism of the epidermis. These effects are consistent with a view that Am-80 is another retinoid which has significant pharmacological effects on keratinocytes.


Gene transfer in human lymphocytes using a vector based on adeno-associated virus. Adeno-associated virus is a nonpathogenic, dependent parvovirus that integrates at a specific site in human chromosome 19. We have used the inverted terminal repeats of the virus, which mediate integration, to establish a vector for gene transfer in human lymphocytes. A neomycin resistance gene has been stably introduced into nontransformed human T-cell clones and a subsequent analysis of the functional properties of the infected clone revealed no detectable alterations. Rescue and replication of the wild-type virus was accomplished with adenovirus superinfection; however, the vector was not rescued and did not replicate by this procedure, indicating the stability of the integrated vector and demonstrating an additional level of safety incorporated in its construction. An adeno-associated virus-based vector represents an alternative to retroviruses for gene therapy in lymphocytes.


Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of a ras p21-MnIIGDP complex in solution. The number of water molecules bound to Mn2+ in the complex with a variant of Ha ras p21 and GDP has been determined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements in 17O-enriched water. A resolution enhancement method has been used to improve quantitation of the spectral data. These spectroscopic measurements show that Mn2+ has four water ligands in this complex, a result in agreement with the conclusions of a previous paper [Smithers, G. W., Poe, M., Latwesen, D. G., & Reed, G. H. (1990) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 280, 416-420]. The resolution enhancement method has also been applied in a measurement of the 17O-Mn2+ superhyperfine coupling constant of 17O in the beta-phosphate of the GDP in the ras p21 complex. The intrinsically narrow EPR signals of Mn2+ in the complex with ras p21 and GDP in 2H2O respond to resolution enhancement such that the superhyperfine splitting from the 17O nuclear spin (I = 5/2) becomes visible in the EPR signals. An 17O-Mn2+ superhyperfine coupling constant is obtained from simulation of the resolution-enhanced EPR spectrum.


Sequential 1H and 15N NMR assignments and secondary structure of a recombinant anti-digoxin antibody VL domain. A uniformly 15N-labeled recombinant light-chain variable (VL) domain from the anti-digoxin antibody 26-10 has been investigated by heteronuclear two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) NMR spectroscopy. Complementary homonuclear 2D NMR studies of the unlabeled VL domain were also performed. Sequence-specific assignments for 97% of the main-chain and 70% of the side-chain proton resonances have been obtained. Patterns of nuclear Overhauser effects observed in 2D NOESY, 3D NOESY-HSQC, and 3D NOESY-TOCSY-HSQC spectra afford a detailed characterization of the VL domain secondary structure in solution. The observed secondary structure--a nine-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel--corresponds to that observed crystallographically for VL domains involved in quaternary associations. The locations of slowly exchanging amide protons have been discerned from a 2D TOCSY spectrum recorded after dissolving the protein in 2H2O. Strands B, C, E, and F are found to be particularly stable. The possible consequences of these results for domain-domain interactions are discussed.


DNA sequence determinants for binding of transformed Ah receptor to a dioxin-responsive enhancer. We have utilized gel retardation analysis and DNA mutagenesis to examine the specific interaction of transformed guinea pig hepatic cytosolic TCDD.AhR complex with a dioxin-responsive element (DRE). Sequence alignment of the mouse CYPIA1 upstream DREs has identified a common invariant "core" consensus sequence of TNGCGTG flanked by several variable nucleotides. Competitive gel retardation analysis using a series of DRE oligonucleotides containing single or multiple base substitutions has allowed identification of those nucleotides important for TCDD.AhR.DRE complex formation. A putative TCDD.AhR DNA-binding consensus sequence of GCGTGNNA/TNNNC/G has been derived. The four core nucleotides, CGTG, appear to be critical for TCDD-inducible protein-DNA complex formation since their substitution decreased AhR binding affinity by 100-800-fold; the remaining conserved bases are also important, albeit to a lesser degree (3-5-fold). The 5'-ward thymine, present in the invariant core sequence of all the DREs identified to date, appears not to be involved in DNA binding of the AhR. The results obtained here indicate that although the primary interaction of the TCDD.AhR complex with the DRE occurs with the conserved "core" sequence, nucleotides flanking the core also contribute to the specificity of DRE binding.