Identification and genetic analysis of wunen, a gene guiding Drosophila melanogaster germ cell migration

We describe a novel genetic locus, wunen (wun), required for guidance of germ cell migration in early Drosophila development. Loss of wun function does not abolish movement but disrupts the orientation of the motion causing the germ cells to disperse even though their normal target, the somatic gonad, is well formed. We demonstrate that the product of this gene enables a signal to pass from the soma to the germ line and propose that the function of this signal is to selectively stabilize certain cytoplasmic extensions resulting in oriented movement. To characterize this guidance factor, we have mapped wun to within 100 kb of cloned DNA.

[Correlation analysis of the changes of EEG mapping and the changes of CT scan in patients with senile dementia]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the changes of EEG mapping and CT scan and analyse the correlation between the changes of the function presented by EEG mapping and morphology presented by CT.

METHODS

The absolute power of EEG mapping and 9 parameters of CT in 30 normal controls and 31 patients with senile dementia were measured. The correlation was analysed quantitatively with multiple stepwise regression method.

RESULTS

The EEG mapping of senile dementia revealed a diffuse increase in delta, theta power and decreased alpha power in most areas. CT scan showed cortical and subcortical atrophy in brain. There were positive correlations between the increase of delta power and lateral fissure, and between the increase of delta power and average cerebral sulcus. There was a negative correlation between the decrease of alpha power and the increase of lateral fissure.

CONCLUSION

The EEG mapping and CT in patients with senile dementia are different from those in normal elderly. There is a correlation between the changes of EEG mapping and CT scan.

[Replantation of 45 digits in 26 children: a long-term follow-up]

Twenty eight children with 47 amputated digits were replanted by the authors from 1978 to 1985. Among them 18 cases with 37 replanted digits was from 1 to 4 years old. The average age was 4.3 yrs. Forty six digits were salvaged, with survival rate of 97.8%. Twenty-six cases with 45 replanted digits have been examined from 9 to 15 years postoperatively. The follow-up rate was 92.8%. The hand functions assessed by criteriae of nakamura and tamai were excellent in 24 and good in 2 with out fair or poor grade. The two-point discrimination discrimination distance between 2-4 mm was 85%, The long term cosmetic appearance were good. The pulps of fingers were full and had rich blood supply. The satisfactory rate amounted to 96%. The excellent result obtained was due to strict adherence to the rules for replantation in childed cases: precise repair of all kinds of tissues and strict operative skill. The bone should be shortened less than 5 mm only. The follow-up X ray films taken from 9 to 15 years postoperatively showed the average shortening of the operated hand was 4 mm in comparison with the contralateral side. The lengths of the replanted phalanges were 3.8 mm shorter than the contralateral one. It means the absolute shortening during operation has no change while the lengths of the hand have some compensation in the process of growth. Those digits amputated at the interphalangeal joints had an average shortening of total hand length of 10.2 mm. Most joints were fused. The fact demonstrate that in joint amputation case the articular surface of proximal phalanx can be shortened while the distal articular joint surface should be preserved for preservation of epiphysis.

[The effects of a single active ingredient (T4) of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook on the production of tumor necrosis factor by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovium cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients]

Encouraged by good therapeutic results of the semipurified preparations of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook (TWH) (code name T4) a single-active ingredient of TWH with the code name of T4 was obtained. The in vitro effects of T4 on the bioactivity of TNF produced by PBMC of normal subjects (n = 10) and RA patients (n = 6) or the RA digested synovium single cells (DSSC) were studied. The results showed that under pretreatment of PBMC of healthy persons with T4 (35 ng/ml) for two hours, TNF were reduced to 36.13 +/- 1.75% in comparison with the control of 63.33 +/- 2.51% (P < 0.001), with an inhibition rate of 40.31%. Similarly, the inhibition rate for the PBMC of RA patients (P < 0.001), was 25.54%. The fact that coculture of PBMC and T4 for 6 hours instead of treatment with T4 for 2 hours caused an inhibition rate of 40.51% (P < 0.01), might indicate that time of interaction was also a factor of importance. T4 also reduced TNF secretion by RA-DSSC from 72.1 +/- 6.1% to 51.6 +/- 2.0% with an inhibition rate of 28.4%. The aformentioned indicates that T4 appears to possess suppressive actions on production of TNF by PBMC and DSSC of RA patients. Therefore, it is possible that T4 may be used clinically for RA patients.

Characterization of the 5' flanking region of the human MnSOD gene

Human manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a nuclear encoded mitochondrial protein that scavenges potentially toxic superoxide radicals by dismuting O2- to O2 plus H2O2. To understand the molecular mechanism governing the transcriptional regulation of the human MnSOD gene, I have isolated and sequenced a genomic clone containing the 5' flanking region of the human MnSOD gene. One major transcription start site was mapped by primer extension to a guanine residue 67 base pairs upstream from the translation start site. Eight putative Sp1 binding elements and one AP1 consensus sequence, but no TATA or CAAT box, were found in the promoter region. Furthermore, a series of chimerical/CAT reporter gene constructs were used to transfect human hepatocellular carcinoma(HepG2) human neuroblastoma and human skin fibroblast cell lines to characterize the promoter and regulatory region of the human MnSOD gene. The results show that human MnSOD gene expression is governed by one promoter and that the basic promoter is located between nucleotides -34 and +38. The results also indicate that both positive and negative elements are involved in the regulation of the cell-type specific expression of the human MnSOD gene. The functional studies indicate that the Sp1 binding sites or G+C rich regions play an important role in regulation of expression of the human MnSOD gene in vivo.

Purification and partial characterization of a 31-kDa cysteine endopeptidase from germinated barley

Proteolytic enzymes hydrolyze cereal seed storage proteins into small peptides and amino acids, which are very important for seed germination and the malting process. A cysteine-class endopeptidase was purified from 4-d-germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Morex). Four purification steps were used, carboxymethyl cellulose cation-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, size-exclusion chromatography, and electroelution from a polyacrylamide gel. The endopeptidase was most active at pH 4.5. It's isoelectric point (pI) was 4.4, as determined by isoelectric focusing, and it's SDS-PAGE molecular size was 31 kDa. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed peptide bonds when the S2 site contained relatively large hydrophobic amino acids. The N-terminal amino acid sequence residues (1-9) of the 31-kDa endopeptidase had high homology to those of the EP-A and EP-B cysteine proteinases reported previously. The 31-kDa endopeptidase had a hydrolytic specificity similar to that of the Morex green malt 30-kDa endopeptidase we characterized previously, and also reacted with the antibody raised against the purified 30-kDa proteinase, but the two had different mobilities on non-denaturing PAGE. The hydrolytic specificities of both 30- and 31-kDa endopeptidases are such that both would very quickly cleave hordein (barley storage) proteins to small glutamine- and proline-rich peptides that could be quickly degraded to amino acids by barley exopeptidases.

[The role of endothelin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the development of asthma sarcoidosis]

In order to investigate the interaction of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and their activity in the pathogenesis of asthma, ET-1 plasma and BALF levels were measured, and the amount of TNF-alpha released from alveolar macrophage (AM) was also tested. As in vitro the airway smooth muscle cells were stimulated with TNF-Alpha, the release of ET-1 was also observed. The results showed that the amount of ET-1, TNF-alpha were both increased than in the control group, at the same time, TNF-alpha could stimulate smooth muscle cells to secrete ET-1. We concluded that the release of ET-1 induced by TNF-alpha might play a certain role in development of airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling.

Guinea pig serum L-asparaginase: purification, and immunological relationship to liver L-asparaginase and serum L-asparaginases in other mammals

L-asparaginase, an enzyme used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, is found in the serum of only a few mammalian groups, including the guinea pig and its close relatives in the superfamily Cavioidea. This report describes the purification and characterization of L-asparaginase from guinea pig serum. Antiserum against the purified enzyme cross-reacted with sera from other Cavioidean species but not with mouse serum. Relatively weak cross-reaction with unpurified L-asparaginase in guinea pig liver indicates a significant degree of evolutionary divergence.

Preparation of antisera to recombinant, soluble N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V and its visualization in situ

N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GlcNAc-T V) is a glycosyltransferase which transfers N-acetylglucosamine in beta(1,6) linkage to the alpha(1,6)-linked mannose residue of Asn-linked oligosaccharides. This enzyme is characterized by several unusual properties: GlcNAc-T V is the largest lumenal Golgi glycosyltransferase described thus far, and its multiple mRNA transcripts range from 4.5 to about 9.5 kb; GlcNAc-T V mRNA and activity are regulated by the src tyrosine kinase signalling pathway; in brain tissue, large levels of GlcNAc-T V mRNA are present, but only relatively low levels of catalytic activity can be detected; a lectin-resistant cell line, Lec4A, expresses active GlcNAc-T V which is mislocalized intracellularly. In addition, the cell surface oligosaccharide products of this enzyme have been hypothesized to regulate intercellular adhesion. In order to devise specific inhibitors of this enzyme it is necessary to understand its physical structure and how structural changes can influence its activity and localization. We have expressed milligram amounts of a soluble form of recombinant rat GlcNAc-T V, purified it from CHO cell-conditioned media, and used it to prepare specific antisera. This antisera binds selectively to GlcNAc-T V and has been used to visualize B-16 mouse melanoma cell GlcNAc-T V on immunoblots after SDS-PAGE. When the antisera was used in immunofluorescence microscopy experiments on permeabilized B-16 and baby hamster kidney cells, intense, specific staining was observed in intracellular structures which appear to correspond to the Golgi apparatus.

The effect of retrograde cerebral perfusion after particulate embolization to the brain

Neurologic injury as a consequence of cerebral embolism of either air or atherosclerotic debris during cardiac or aortic surgery is still a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. While exploring various means of improving cerebral protection during complex cardiothoracic procedures, we have developed a chronic porcine model to study retrograde cerebral perfusion. We have previously demonstrated that retrograde perfusion results in a small amount of nutritive flow and provides cerebral protection that appears to be superior to simple prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of retrograde cerebral perfusion in mitigating the effects of particulate cerebral embolism occurring during cardiac surgery. Four groups of pigs (19 to 28 kg) underwent cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermia at an esophageal temperature of 20 degrees C: an antegrade control group (AC, n = 5), an antegrade embolism group (AE, n = 10), a retrograde control group (RC, n = 5), and a retrograde embolism group (RE, n = 10). In addition, because of extreme heterogeneity in outcome in the initial RE group, an additional group of 10 animals underwent embolism and retrograde perfusion at a later time. Embolization was accomplished by injection of 200 mg of polystyrene microspheres (250 to 750 micrograms in diameter) via the aortic cannula into an isolated aortic arch preparation in the AE and RE groups; the control groups received injections of 10 ml of saline solution. After infusion of the microspheres or saline solution, conventional perfusion, with the aortic arch pressure maintained at 50 mm Hg, was continued for a total of 30 minutes in the antegrade groups; in the retrograde groups, retrograde flow was initiated via a cannula positioned in the superior vena cava, and was continued for 25 minutes. Superior vena caval flow was regulated to maintain a sagittal sinus pressure of approximately 30 mm Hg in the retrograde groups, and blood returning to the isolated aortic arch was collected and measured. All animals were allowed to recover and were evaluated daily according to a quantitative behavioral score in which 9 indicates apparently complete normalcy, with lower numbers indicating various degrees of cerebral injury. At the time of planned death on day 6, half of the brain was used for recovery of embolized microspheres after digestion with 10N sodium hydroxide. The other half was submitted for histologic study. Neurologic recovery in both the antegrade and retrograde control groups appeared to be complete, although mild evidence of histologic damage was present in some animals in the retrograde control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Experimental steroid osteonecrosis in rabbits and pathologic findings]

Osteonecrosis of femoral head was experimentally induced in adult rabbits by employing a combined protocol of hypersensitive vasculitis and administration of high dose corticosteroids. By using India ink introartery infusion microangiography and pathologic examination, we found that the damage of terminal arterioles and interruption of blood supply of terminal arteriole was causative pathogenesis. In the early phase, the haemopoietic necrosis and enlargement of fat cell in the bone marrow occurred. The perfused arterioles decreased, especially in the subchondrol bone. In the later phase, the osteocytes showed necrotic fibrosis in bone marrow. The perfused arterioles increased gradually and repairtive changes began.

[Effect of tripchlorolide (T4) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook on the production of endothelin-1 by endothelial cells of human umbilical vein]

Tripchlorolide (T4), a single active ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook was shown to possess both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions in experimental animals. The paper reports the effect of T4 on the production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) by endothelial cells of human umbilical vein. The cells were incubated with different doses of T4 (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 ng/ml) for 24 hours. By radioimmunoassay the results showed that T4 at concentration of 5 ng/ml significantly inhibited the production of ET-1 by endothelial cell in a dose dependent trend. The significance of T4 action was discussed.

[Tuberculous lymphadenitis: a sarcoidosis-like variation]

By means of polymerase chain reaction technique to amplify DNA sequence specific for mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB-PCR), BCG immunohistochemistry (BCG-IHC) as well as acid fast stain (AF), mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT) and mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB) were detected in paraffin blocks from 12 cases diagnosed by consultant pathologists as lymph node "sarcoidosis". Of the 5 cases which consulting pathologists unanimously agreed to the lymph node "sarcoidosis" diagnosis, 1 case showed BCG-IHC (+) and M. TB-PCR (+); Of the 7 cases which most of the consulting pathologists agreed to be "sarcoidosis", 1 case showed AF (+), BCG-IHC (+) and M. TB-PCR (+). The results suggest: (1) some tuberculous lymphadenitis cases may present as "sarcoidosis"-like lesions; (2) lymph node sarcoidosis may be related to MOTT and M. TB infection.

Tyrosine phosphorylation is required for up-regulation of the HOX-11 (TCL-3) homeobox proto-oncogene in T cells

HOX-11 (TCL-3) is a homeobox proto-oncogene isolated from the breakpoint region of the t(10;14) chromosomal translocation associated with pediatric T-cell acute leukemia. To better understand the transcriptional regulation of the HOX-11 gene in response to extracellular signals, the levels of HOX-11 RNA were examined in normal and leukemic human T cells upon phytohemagglutinin and hematopoietic growth factor stimulation. While individual hematopoietic growth factors tested did not show any effect on HOX-11 gene expression, a drastic increase in HOX-11 RNA was observed under the induction of phytohemagglutinin. In the presence of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, phytohemagglutinin-induced HOX-11 up-regulation was suppressed, indicating that HOX-11 acts as a delayed early response gene which requires protein synthesis. The HOX-11 gene expression was also suppressed by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors tryphostin and lavendustin A. Our data therefore suggest that the delayed early response of HOX-11 up-regulation in T cells requires a tyrosine phosphorylation signal.

HIV type 1 protease activation of NF-kappa B within T lymphoid cells

NF-kappa B is a nuclear protein of the rel oncogene family capable of enhancing transcription of several cellular genes, including IL-2 and the IL-2 receptor, and viral genes transcribed from the HIV-1 LTR. It has been reported that HIV-1 protease may cleave the NF-kappa B precursor to its active form in vitro. In this study the effects of HIV protease on NF-kappa B precursor activation were examined in Jurkat T cells by introducing a protease expression vector into the cells. Increased NF-kappa B activity was observed and this increased activity was blocked by a specific inhibitor of the viral protease. Viral transcription, as measured using LTR-CAT assays, was only slightly enhanced in the HIV-protease expressing cells, while secretion of IL-2 and expression of the IL-2 receptor were not affected. The limited activation of NF-kappa B by HIV protease appears unlikely to have a significant effect on virus expression or T cell function.

[Rheumatic diseases in China]

To determine the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Chinese of Han nationality in the north and the south of China, samples of 4,192 adults in Beijing (north) and 5,057 in Shantou (south) area were studied. The same questionnaire was administered to each subject surveyed. Physical examinations were done in all who gave positive answers. For those who gave positive response to certain set of questions, blood antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor tests and radiographs of hand and/or sacroiliac joint were done. The prevalence of definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was 0.34% in the north (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.51) and 0.32% (0.95% CI 0.16-0.47) in the south and ankylosing spondilitis was noted in 0.26% of both samples (95% confidence interval in the north 0.11-0.42 and in the south 0.14-0.40). Only 3 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in the north and one in the south were identified. General rheumatic pain was reported more frequently in the north. Lumbar problems were recorded on examinations 5 times more commonly in the north than in the south (men 25.0% vs 5.3%, women 38.0% vs 6.5%) and knee problems 10 times (men 24.0% vs 1.8%, women 36.0% vs 3.4%) more commonly in the north; the difference was greatest in the age of 55-64. A further study in the south is planned to assess the contribution of inter-observer error and/or difference in cultural response to the north/south difference observed in the prevalence of general rheumatic symptoms and back pain. A search for environmental risk factors such as climate, diet, degeneration or overuse would then be indicated to explain these differences.

[An epidemiological study of knee osteoarthritis]

2,063 adult people of a Beijing suburban village were surveyed for osteoarthritis of the knees. Questionnaire was completed in all. 799 (38.7%) responded to have knee joint pain. 311 with knee joint pain and 212 without knee joint pain were selected randomly for X-ray films of the knees. In the former group, 79 showed osteoarthritic X-ray changes and were thus diagnosed as such, accounting 24.7% of those with knee pain. In the latter group, all were not diagnosed as clinical osteoarthritis, yet 54 (25.5%) showed also X-ray osteoarthritic changes. In both groups the X-ray osteoarthritic changes increased in parallel with increase of age, reaching 78% in those aged 60 and more in the former group and 67% in the latter group. 100 retired cadres were similarly surveyed but all had X-ray films of the knees taken. 51 of 100 responded knee pain, out of whom 49 (95.9%) showed X-ray osteoarthritic changes and were thus diagnosed as such. The overall prevalence rate of osteoarthritis of knee in rural population as judged by the 523 who had taken X-ray films (people with and without knee pain are not entirely proportional) is about 9.6% and that of 100 aged retired cadres is 49%. Those with X-ray knee osteoarthritic changes but without knee pain were not categorized as clinical osteoarthritic cases.

Effect of time of carbohydrate ingestion on muscle glycogen resynthesis after exhaustive exercise in rats

We studied the optimal time of carbohydrate ingestion required to restore muscle glycogen storage after exhaustive exercise in rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups (IN0, IN30, IN60 and IN120), each receiving 30% glucose solution (30 g/kg body weight) through a stomach tube 0, 30, 60 or 120 minutes after exercise. Six hours after administration of glucose, the glycogen concentration in the m. extensor digitorum longus returned to the baseline in the IN0 group, while reaching only 77%, 80% and 73% of the baseline in the IN30, IN60 and IN120 groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in this variable between the IN0 group and any of the three other groups. On the other hand, the glycogen concentration in the m. soleus returned to the baseline in all groups with no difference. These findings suggest that muscle glycogen may be most efficiently resynthesized if carbohydrate is given immediately after exercise, and that muscle glycogen resynthesis may vary with the type of muscle.

[Effects of tripchlorolide (T4) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients]

Tripchlorolide (T4) is a single active ingredient recently isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. The effects of T4 on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and normal subjects were studied, RA patients and sex- and age-matched normal subjects (each 8 cases) were selected. PBMC were incubated with T4 of various doses (10, 20, 30 and 40 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of PHA for 72 hours. The results were as follows: T4 remarkably inhibited the proliferation of both PHA-stimulated and unstimulated PBMC of normal subjects and PHA-stimulated PBMC of RA patients as measured by MTT colormetric method. However, T4 showed a biphasic reaction in unstimulated PBMC of 3 RA patients. These results indicates that T4 would be useful in the therapy of RA. The significance of biphasic reaction occurring in RA patients needs to be further investigated.

Syntenic assignment of human chromosome 1 homologous loci in the bovine

Three mouse chromosomes (MMU 1, 3, and 4) carry homologs of human chromosome 1 (HSA 1) genes. A similar situation is found in the bovine, where five bovine chromosomes (BTA 2, 3, 5, 16, and unassigned syntenic group U25) contain homologs of HSA 1 loci. To evaluate further the syntenic relationship of HSA 1 homologs in cattle, 10 loci have been physically mapped through segregation analysis in bovine-rodent hybrid somatic cells. These loci, chosen for their location on HSA 1, are antithrombin 3 (AT3), renin (REN), complement component receptor 2 (CR2), phosphofructokinase muscle type (PFKM), Gardner-Rasheed feline sarcoma viral (v-fgr) oncogene homolog (FGR), alpha fucosidase (FUCA1), G-protein beta 1 subunit (GNB1), alpha 1A amylase, (AMY1), the neuroblastoma RAS viral (v-ras) oncogene homolog (NRAS), and alpha skeletal actin (ACTA1). AT3, REN, CR2, and GNB1 mapped to BTA 16, PFKM to BTA 5, AMY1A and NRAS to BTA 3, FGR and FUCA1 to BTA 2, and ACTA1 to BTA 28.

A genetic linkage map of the bovine genome

A cattle genetic linkage map was constructed which marks about 90% of the expected length of the cattle genome. Over 200 DNA polymorphisms were genotyped in cattle families which comprise 295 individuals in full sibling pedigrees. One hundred and seventy-one loci were found linked to one other locus. Twenty nine of the 30 chromosome pairs are represented by at least one of the 36 linkage groups. Less than a 50 cM difference was found in the male and female genetic maps. The conserved loci on this map show as many differences in gene order compared to humans as is found between humans and mice. The conservation is consistent with the patterns of karyotypic evolution found in the rodents, primates and artiodactyls. This map will be important for localizing quantitative trait loci and provides a basis for further mapping.

High efficiency retroviral-mediated gene transduction into CD34+ cells purified from peripheral blood of breast cancer patients primed with chemotherapy and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The hematopoietic system has been one of the major targets for designing human gene therapy protocols. In the present system, we have transduced LNL6, one of the most commonly used retroviral vectors in gene therapy, into purified CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of patients primed with chemotherapy and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Purification of CD34+ cells was achieved by incubation with a murine anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody (9C5), and subsequently with paramagnetic microspheres (Dynal) coated with sheep anti-mouse IgG1 (Fc). The CD34+ cells were released from the beads by treatment with chymopapain. Flow cytometry analysis using the anti-CD34 antibody HPCA-2-FITC targeted at another epitope of CD34 showed that 78-97.5% of the cells thus purified were CD34+. After retroviral-mediated gene transfer, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that 67-100% of the hematopoietic colonies contained the marker gene neo, indicating that CD34+ cells purified by immunomagnetic microsphere method from peripheral mononuclear cells primed with hematopoietic growth factors are highly susceptible to retroviral-mediated gene transfer. The expression of neo as determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR appeared to be unstable and not persistent. Taken together, our data suggest that LNL6 is a suitable vector for gene marking of hematopoietic progenitors but not for gene therapy protocols based on persistent gene expression.

[The influence of prostate-specific antigen p30 on human fertility]

The influence of prostate-specific antigen p30 on human fertility was studied with purified p30, domestic anti-p30 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The results showed that the anti-p30 antibody presented in human serum had no negative effect upon human fertility and the anti-p30 antibody produced by heteroimmunization did not interfere with the process of human fertility in vitro. All these imply that it is unsuitable to recommend p30 as a contraceptive vaccine antigen.

The HOX-11 (TCL-3) homeobox proto-oncogene encodes a nuclear protein that undergoes cell cycle-dependent regulation

Molecular analysis of the t(10;14) chromosomal translocation found in pediatric patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia has led to the identification of the HOX-11 (TCL-3) protooncogene. The HOX-11 cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a homeoprotein with features of DNA-binding. The majority of the t(10;14) chromosomal translocation breakpoints have been mapped to the 5' end of the HOX-11 gene, supporting the notion that deregulation of the HOX-11 gene by the t(10;14) chromosomal translocation contributed importantly to leukemia formation. To further define the role of the HOX-11 homeoprotein, we have prepared rabbit antiserum against a trpE-HOX-11 fusion protein. The purified anti-HOX-11 IgG immuno-precipitated a protein with apparent relative molecular mass of 40 kD. Biochemical fractionation demonstrated that the protein is localized in the nucleus. Furthermore, the HOX-11 RNA and protein appeared to be modulated during the cell cycle, with the highest level of expression at G1/S phase boundary. Taken together, these data suggest that the HOX-11 gene product may function as a transcription factor for G1 progression in the cell cycle.

Nitrate Fluxes and Nitrate Reductase Activity of Suspension-Cultured Tobacco Cells (Effects of Internal and External Nitrate Concentrations)

Cell suspensions of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv KY14) were used to determine the responses of NO3- uptake and NO3- reductase activity (NRA) to exogenous NO3- levels in the absence of long-distance NO3- transport. Tobacco cells grown with complete Murashige and Skoog medium for 7 d were subcultured for 3 d with NH4+-free media containing 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mM NO3-. Cell NO3-, in vitro NRA, NO3- influx, and efflux of cell NO3- were determined. The NRA increased as cell NO3- increased. Cell NO3- efflux values increased as cell NO3- level increased. Cells with low intracellular NO3- had greater NO3- influx than cells with high intracellular NO3-. Woolf-Augustinsson-Hofstee transformations of the NO3- influx kinetic data revealed patterns characteristic of a high- and low-affinity two-component NO3- uptake system. Apparent Vmax values generally decreased and Km values increased as cell NO3- concentration increased. The NRA of cells supplied with 10 and 20 mM NO3- after 3-d growth in N- free medium increased about 5-fold within 2 h and then remained constant for the next 2 h, whereas NRA of cells supplied with 5 mM NO3- increased only 2-fold during the 4-h period. Intracellular NO3- and other N metabolites associated with cell NO3- levels exerted differential effects on the NO3- influx activity and NRA of tobacco cells cultured in suspension. Expression of high NRA was correlated with both high external and intracellular NO3-, whereas maximum NO3- influx activity required a low (depleted) level of cell NO3-.

Cloning and analysis of expression of a ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase expressed during oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Using the enhancer trap approach we have searched for genes with important functions in oogenesis. We selected a line of flies with a P insertion, carrying the Escherichia coli lac Z gene, which showed beta-galactosidase expression in the nurse cell nuclei during oogenesis. Surrounding the P insertion we discovered a cluster of transcription units with enriched expression in the ovary. One of these encodes a protein with extensive sequence similarity to the human and yeast ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase. Analysis of a fusion protein including the putative ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase indicated that this protein does have the appropriate enzyme activity, and the gene was assigned the name ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase uch-D. The expression of this gene is enriched in the nurse cells and transcripts are transported to the embryo. Transcripts are abundant for the first few hours of development. The transcripts are found to be enriched on the ventral side of the oocyte and nurse cells. Rather little is known about the ubiquitin pathway in Drosophila and the discovery of this gene enables us to make predictions as to the roles it may play during early embryogenesis.

In search of the identity of the cerebellar climbing fiber transmitter: immunocytochemical studies in rats

Quantitative immunogold cytochemistry at the electron microscopic level was used to assess the endogenous contents of glutamate, aspartate, homocysteic acid, and glutamine (a precursor of glutamate) in the cerebellar climbing fiber terminals. Of the three excitatory amino acids, only glutamate appeared to be enriched in these terminals. The climbing fiber terminals also displayed immunoreactivity for glutamine. The level of aspartate immunoreactivity was far higher in the nerve cell bodies in the inferior olive than in their terminals in the cerebellar cortex. Homocysteic acid immunolabelling was concentrated in glial cells including the Golgi epithelial cells in the Purkinje cell layer. Our immunocytochemical data indicate that glutamate is a more likely climbing fiber transmitter than aspartate and homocysteic acid.

Characterization, sequence, and replication of a small cryptic plasmid from Selenomonas ruminantium subspecies lactilytica

A 2.5-kb cryptic plasmid, pJDB21, from the gram-negative ruminal anaerobe, Selenomonas ruminantium subspecies lactilytica, was mapped and sequenced. Five open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted and expression of two ORFs was demonstrated. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of the ORF 1 protein indicated approximately 30% homology with the replication protein (rep) common to many gram-positive plasmids, and a highly conserved sequence representing the origin of replication in these plasmids was located upstream of ORF 1. This finding was consistent with a rolling circle form of replication for pJDB21. Transformation of Escherichia coli K-12 UB1636pol Ats with pJDB21 showed that the plasmid replicated independently of DNA polymerase I and produced a single-stranded DNA intermediate. Deletion analyses localized the E. coli replication function to a 1.4-kb sequence that was mapped to the predicted rep gene.

Detection of anti-SSB antibodies in patients with rheumatic diseases

Anti-SSB antibodies were measured by ELISA in patients with various kinds of connective tissue diseases using SSB antigen purified from fresh rabbit thymus. The SSB antigen reacted with anti-SSB standard serum, and the positive rates in SS, SLE, RA, PBS and MCTD were 55.1%, 48.3%, 32.8%, 30.8% and 26.3%, respectively. The titers of anti-SSB antibodies were higher in SS and SLE patients than in other connective tissue disease patients. However, 10% of normal individuals were found to have anti-SSB antibodies with low titers. The anti-SSB antibodies detected were mainly of IgG isotype. Preliminary analysis of clinical data showed no relationship between anti-SSB and systemic involvement in SS.

Sequence and expression of a Drosophila melanogaster cDNA encoding a putative ribosomal protein

An abundant ovarian cDNA from Drosophila melanogaster has been cloned and sequenced. The predicted protein sequence is similar to that of the ribosomal protein 1024 of Dictyostelium discoideum, the 40S ribosomal protein ys11 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a 22 kd protein from Trypanosoma brucei. It seems, therefore, that the Drosophila cDNA also encodes a ribosomal protein. Transcripts are found at all stages of the life cycle but are especially abundant in the ovary, suggesting that this mRNA is maternally stored for utilization in embryogenesis to enable the rapid production of ribosomal proteins and assembly of ribosomes.

Distribution of glutamate-like and glutamine-like immunoreactivities in the rat organ of Corti: a light microscopic and semiquantitative electron microscopic analysis with a note on the localization of aspartate

The light- and electron microscopic localization of glutamate and glutamine in the rat organ of Corti was studied by means of antisera raised against the respective amino acids coupled to carrier proteins. The light microscopic analysis was performed in semithin sections treated according to the peroxidase-antiperoxidase procedure. The two amino acids were visualized in the same ultrathin sections by use of postembedding immunocytochemistry with two different gold particle sizes. The distribution of aspartate-like immunoreactivity was also recorded, but only at the light microscopic level. In the hair cells, the level of glutamate-like immunoreactivity was higher than that in supporting cells but lower than that in the presumed glutamatergic terminals of cerebellar parallel and mossy fibres. The latter types of terminal were sampled from ultrathin sections that had been incubated under the same conditions as the cochlear sections. Within the hair cells, gold particles signalling glutamate were enriched on mitochondria but not on clusters of synaptic vesicles. Glutamine-like immunoreactivity was present in hair cells as well as supporting cells. The glutamate/glutamine ratio, expressed as the ratio between the respective gold particle densities, was considerably lower for hair cells compared with the cerebellar excitatory terminals. No consistent difference was found between outer and inner hair cells in relation to the levels and subcellular distribution of glutamate and glutamine immunoreactivities. Aspartate-like immunoreactivity was accumulated in outer hair cells, with some labelling also of border cells and Böttcher cells. While the present study confirmed the presence of glutamate in hair cells and demonstrated that these cells are also endowed with the important glutamate precursor glutamine, it revealed notable differences between hair cells and presumed glutamatergic terminals in the CNS. These could reflect differences in the synthesis and compartmentation of transmitter glutamate. Methodological factors could also contribute. Alternatively, the differences could be interpreted to suggest that the hair cell transmitter is not glutamate, but a similar compound. Aspartate could be a candidate in the case of the outer hair cells.

Synteny mapping in the bovine: genes from human chromosome 5

In an effort to generate a more complete bovine syntenic map of Type I comparative anchor loci, seven homologs to genes found on HSA5 were mapped using a panel of bovine x rodent hybrid somatic cells. Five HSA5 genes, CSF2, RPS14, PDGFRB, FGFA, and CSF1R, were assigned to bovine syntenic group U22 (chromosome 7), while two others, C9 and HGMCR, mapped to U10 and U5, respectively. Previous studies had assigned the HSA5 marker SPARC to bovine syntenic group U22. The mapping of genes spanning the length of HSA5 in cattle and also in mouse permits syntenic comparisons between prototypic genomes of three mammalian orders, providing insight into the evolutionary history of this region of the ancestral mammalian genome.

Synteny mapping in the bovine: genes from human chromosome 4

Genes homologous to those located on human chromosome 4 (HSA4) were mapped in the bovine to determine regions of syntenic conservation among humans, mice, and cattle. Previous studies have shown that two homologs of genes on HSA4, PGM2 and PEPS, are located in bovine syntenic group U15 (chromosome 6). The homologous mouse genes, Pgm-1 and Pep-7, are on MMU5. Using a panel of bovine x hamster hybrid somatic cells, we have assigned homologs of 11 additional HSA4 loci to their respective bovine syntenic groups. D4S43, D4S10, QDPR, IGJ, ADH2, KIT, and IF were assigned to syntenic group U15. This syntenic arrangement is not conserved in the mouse, where D4s43, D4s10, Qdpr, and Igj are on MMU5 while Adh-2 is on MMU3. IL-2, FGB, FGG, and F11, which also reside on MMU3, were assigned to bovine syntenic group U23. These data suggest that breaks and/or fusions of ancestral chromosomes carrying these genes occurred at different places during the evolution of humans, cattle, and mice.

Nitrate use by tobacco cells in response to N-stress and ammonium nutrition

Characterization of NO 3 (-) use by suspension cultured tobacco cells during a culture cycle is needed to take advantage of cell cultures for further study of the biochemical regulation of NO 3 (-) uptake induction and decay processes. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. Ky14) cells were cultured with media containing different N sources. Cells cultured with a mixture of NO 3 (-) and NH 4 (+) (40 mM NO 3 (-) plus 20 mM NH 4 (+) , in Murashige and Skoog media) initially grew slightly faster but attained the same maximum cell culture density as those cultured with 40 mM NO 3 (-) only. Cells subcultured with N-free media grew at a similar rate for the first 3 d as those cells grown with N, then ceased further growth. The cessation of growth of cells subcultured with N-free media coincided with depletion of cell NO 3 (-) . The NO 3 (-) influx of cells subcultured with N-free media increased eleven-fold and those grown with N increased four- to five-fold before declining. Maximal NO 3 (-) influx rates occurred at the onset of the stationary growth phase for N-stressed cells, while cells grown with N reached maximums prior to the stationary phase of cell growth. Cells grown with a mixture of NO 3 (-) and NH 4 (+) had lower NO 3 (-) reductase (NR) activity and higher cell NO 3 (-) levels than those of cells grown with NO 3 (-) only. The NR activity of cells subcultured with N-free media peaked within 1 d after subculture before declining to a constitutive level when cell NO 3 (-) was depleted. The level of cell NO 3 (-) plays a critical role in the expression of the NO 3 (-) uptake and reduction processes. The transitions in the expression of NO 3 (-) uptake and reduction activities of tobacco cell suspension cultures should prove valuable for further study of the biochemical and molecular basis for the regulation of these processes.

Wheat vegetative nitrogen compositional changes in response to reduced reproductive sink strength

N redistribution patterns and the N composition of vegetative tissues above the peduncle node of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants with altered reproductive sink strength were evaluated to determine the role of vegetative storage proteins in the temporary storage of excess N destined for export. The degree of leaf senescence symptoms (loss of chlorophyll, total N, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) were initially reduced, but the complete senescence of vegetative tissues proceeded even for plants completely lacking reproductive sinks. Plants with 50% less sink strength than control plants with intact spikes redistributed vegetative N to the spike almost as effectively as the control plants. Plants without reproductive sinks exported less N from the flag leaf and had flag leaf blades and peduncle tissues with higher soluble protein and alpha-NH(2) amino acid levels than control plants. An abundant accumulation of polypeptides in the soluble protein profiles of vegetative tissues was not evident in plants with reduced sink strength. Storage of amino acids apparently accommodates any excess N accumulated by vegetative tissues during tissue reproductive growth. Any significant role of vegetative storage proteins in the N economy of wheat is unlikely.

T-lymphocyte proliferation: tyrosine kinases in interleukin 2 signal transduction

Interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation appears to play a major role in IL-2-induced cellular proliferation. Several intracellular substrates including the beta chain of the IL-2 receptor complex (IL-2R beta), raf, MAP2 kinase, the regulatory 83 kDa subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and S6 kinases are substrates for the IL-2 receptor activated kinase(s). However, none of the identified members of the IL-2 receptor complex exhibits intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Therefore, the IL-2R complex must activate intracellular tyrosine kinases. We have demonstrated that specific tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are coprecipitated with IL-2 receptor constructs that mediate IL-2-induced cell proliferation but not with those that do not. The IL-2-activated tyrosine kinase appears to be associated with a serine and proline rich intracellular domain which is highly conserved between IL-2R beta and the erythropoietin receptor. Although the responsible kinase has not been identified, lck, fyn, fgr, ltk, hck and lyn can be ruled out as obligatory mediators. Using methods to clone tyrosine kinases from T cells, we have identified potential candidate kinases, including several which had not been known to be expressed by T lymphocytes as well as several unique kinases which had not been previously identified in any cell type.

Genomic organization of the putative human homeobox proto-oncogene HOX-11 (TCL-3) and its endogenous expression in T cells

The HOX-11 (TCL-3) gene, which is abnormally expressed in the leukemic cells of some patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a new member of the homeobox gene family. It is structurally altered by the t(10;14) chromosomal translocation, resulting in head-to-tail juxtaposition of HOX-11 with the T-cell receptor delta-chain gene. In order to understand the normal functions of HOX-11 and its role in T-cell leukemia, we have determined the exon-intron structure of the HOX-11 gene. By using oligonucleotide primers flanking an intron of the HOX-11 gene, we have developed a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the expression of HOX-11. We detected HOX-11 expression in multiple cell lineages including normal T cells and two T-cell lines in which the HOX-11 gene appeared to be unaltered in structure. Our results suggest that deregulation of the endogenous expression of HOX-11 in normal T cells represents an essential step towards the formation of this type of T-cell leukemia.

Angiotensin II receptors in the solitary-vagal area of hypertensive rats

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been proposed to be an endogenous neuromodulator of the baroreceptor reflex at the level of the brain stem solitary-vagal area. Elevated activity of the brain Ang II system has been implicated in the development and maintenance of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats and deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats. In the present study, we sought to determine if Ang II receptors in the solitary-vagal area exhibited altered binding kinetics in spontaneously hypertensive rats or deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats. Ang II receptors were examined by quantitative autoradiographic analysis of iodine-125-labeled [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II binding in the solitary-vagal area in six groups of animals: 1) spontaneously hypertensive rats, 2) normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats, 3) uninephrectomized rats, 4) uninephrectomized rats with a 1% solution of saline for drinking water, 5) uninephrectomized and deoxycorticosterone-treated rats, and 6) uninephrectomized and deoxycorticosterone-treated rats given a 1% solution of saline for drinking water. Blood pressure was significantly elevated in the spontaneously hypertensive rats and deoxycorticosterone-salt rats relative to control animals. There was a significant decrease in the binding affinity (increased KD) for 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II and a significant increase in the maximum binding density for 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II in the solitary-vagal area of spontaneously hypertensive rats relative to Wistar-Kyoto rats. Deoxycorticosterone-salt rats also exhibited significantly higher KD and maximum binding density values compared with controls. These results indicate that Ang II receptor binding is altered in the solitary-vagal area of two different models of experimental hypertension and suggest that these changes could contribute to the expression of the hypertensive state.

Metabolic compartmentation of glutamate and glutamine: Morphological evidence obtained by quantitative immunocytochemistry in rat cerebellum

An electron microscopic, double-labelling immunocytochemical procedure was used to assess the level of fixed glutamate and glutamine in different cell profiles in ultrathin sections of rat cerebellar cortex. The procedure was based on sequential immunolabelling with two rabbit antisera, using gold particles of different sizes as markers and formaldehyde vapour as a means to avoid interference between the two incubations. Model sections containing a series of known concentrations of the respective amino acids (aldehyde--fixed to rat brain protein) were incubated together with the tissue material. These revealed a close to linear relationship between gold particle density and antigen concentration throughout the range of biological relevance. The ratio between the density of the two categories of gold particles was calculated for the individual profile types. This ratio showed a 20-fold variation, with the highest glutamate/glutamine ratios obtained for putative excitatory terminals (terminals of parallel fibres in the outer part of the molecular layer, followed by mossy and climbing fibre boutons) and the lowest for glial cells (Bergmann glia, astrocytes in the granule cell layer, and oligodendrocytes). Granule cell bodies and dendrites, and cell bodies and processes of putative GABAergic cells (Purkinje, basket and Golgi cells) displayed intermediate ratios. The ratios corresponded to millimolar ratios (mM fixed glutamate/mM fixed glutamine) ranging from 4.5 to 0.2, tentatively assessed by adjusting for differences in labelling efficiency of the two antigens. Our results show that the compartmentation of glutamate and glutamine, an issue previously addressed mainly in the test tube, can be studied in morphologically intact preparations at a resolution that matches the complexity of CNS tissue. The data indicate that glutamate is effectively converted to glutamine in all categories of glial cells, and that glutamate synthesis prevails in each of the three types of excitatory terminals in the cerebellar cortex. Terminals of putative GABAergic cells form a distinct low glutamate/low glutamine compartment.

S1 nuclease hypersensitive sites in an oligopurine/oligopyrimidine DNA from the t(10;14) breakpoint cluster region

Recurring chromosomal translocations are frequently seen in cancers, especially in leukemias and lymphomas. The genes affected by these chromosomal translocations appear to play an important role in oncogenesis. The mechanism underlying the formation of chromosomal translocation is a subject under extensive study. In chromosomal translocations involving the Ig and TCR loci, complete heptamer-spacer-nonamer signal motifs are usually present at the break of the Ig and TCR genes, indicating the involvement of V-D-J recombinase(s). On the other hand, in only about 50% of the cases signal motif sequences have been found at the break in the other participating chromosome, suggesting that different mechanisms may be involved in the scission of the corresponding chromosome. Here we report the identification of an oligopurine/oligopyrimidine DNA in the t(10;14) breakpoint cluster region associated with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. S1 nuclease mapping revealed multiple S1 hypersensitive sites in the oligopurine/oligopyrimidine DNA. These data suggest a role for oligopurine/oligopyrimidine sequences (non-B DNA) in the formation of chromosomal translocation.

Differential cellular distribution of two sulphur-containing amino acids in rat cerebellum. An immunocytochemical investigation using antisera to taurine and homocysteic acid

An antiserum to homocysteic acid was raised in rabbits. Immunogens were prepared by coupling this amino acid to bovine serum albumin by means of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. When applied to semithin or ultrathin sections of rat cerebellum, the antiserum produced selective labelling of glial cells and processes, including the Bergmann fibers. No enrichment of immunoreactivity was detected in nerve terminals of the major excitatory fiber systems. The distribution of homocysteic acid-like immunoreactivity was very different from that of taurine (another sulphur-containing amino acid), as judged from consecutive semithin sections labelled with a postembedding immunoperoxidase procedure and from ultrathin sections labelled with a postembedding double immunogold procedure. Taurine-like immunoreactivity was concentrated in Purkinje cells and was low in glial elements. Our data suggest that the cerebellum contains a glial pool of homocysteic acid (and/or precursors that may undergo spontaneous oxidation to homocysteic acid) and that this amino acid is unlikely to act as a cerebellar transmitter.