TNF-alpha and interleukin 1 activate gastrin gene expression via MAPK- and PKC-dependent mechanisms

Helicobacter pylori and proinflammatory cytokines have a direct stimulatory effect on gastrin release from isolated G cells, but little is known about the mechanism by which these factors regulate gastrin gene expression. We explored whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 directly regulate gastrin gene expression and, if so, by what mechanism. TNF-alpha and IL-1 significantly increased gastrin mRNA in canine G cells to 181 +/- 18% and 187 +/- 28% of control, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. TNF-alpha and IL-1 stimulated gastrin promoter activity to a maximal level of 285 +/- 12% and 415 +/- 26% of control. PD-98059 (a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor), SB-202190 (a p38 kinase inhibitor), and GF-109203 (a protein kinase C inhibitor) inhibited the stimulatory action of both cytokines on the gastrin promoter. In conclusion, both cytokines can directly regulate gastrin gene expression via a mitogen-activated protein kinase- and protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. These data suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1 may play a direct role in Helicobacter pylori-induced hypergastrinemia.

Comparative estrogenicity of estradiol, ethynyl estradiol and diethylstilbestrol in an in vivo, male sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), vitellogenin bioassay

An in vivo bioasssay for vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis was developed to screen individual chemicals or mixtures of chemicals for potentially estrogenic effects in a marine teleost model. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantitate VTG synthesis in male sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) exposed to five concentrations of the natural estrogen (17beta-estradiol), a synthetic, steroidal pharmaceutical estrogen (17alpha-ethynyl estradiol), or a synthetic, non-steroidal, pharmaceutical estrogen (diethystilbestrol) for 16 days. At an exposure concentration of 20 ng/l, only diethystilbestrol elicited a vitellogenic response. At all test concentrations greater than 100 ng/l, VTG appeared in the plasma in a dose-dependent manner for the three estrogen treatments. Liver VTG mRNA measurements were also made, exhibiting no clear correlations between quantities, nor temporal appearance of the message and mature protein were apparent. This assay is short-term, relatively inexpensive, shows a direct response, and easily quantitated.

Genome sequences of Chlamydia trachomatis MoPn and Chlamydia pneumoniae AR39

The genome sequences of Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn) strain Nigg (1 069 412 nt) and Chlamydia pneumoniae strain AR39 (1 229 853 nt) were determined using a random shotgun strategy. The MoPn genome exhibited a general conservation of gene order and content with the previously sequenced C.trachomatis serovar D. Differences between C.trachomatis strains were focused on an approximately 50 kb 'plasticity zone' near the termination origins. In this region MoPn contained three copies of a novel gene encoding a >3000 amino acid toxin homologous to a predicted toxin from Escherichia coli O157:H7 but had apparently lost the tryptophan biosyntheis genes found in serovar D in this region. The C. pneumoniae AR39 chromosome was >99.9% identical to the previously sequenced C.pneumoniae CWL029 genome, however, comparative analysis identified an invertible DNA segment upstream of the uridine kinase gene which was in different orientations in the two genomes. AR39 also contained a novel 4524 nt circular single-stranded (ss)DNA bacteriophage, the first time a virus has been reported infecting C. pneumoniae. Although the chlamydial genomes were highly conserved, there were intriguing differences in key nucleotide salvage pathways: C.pneumoniae has a uridine kinase gene for dUTP production, MoPn has a uracil phosphororibosyl transferase, while C.trachomatis serovar D contains neither gene. Chromosomal comparison revealed that there had been multiple large inversion events since the species divergence of C.trachomatis and C.pneumoniae, apparently oriented around the axis of the origin of replication and the termination region. The striking synteny of the Chlamydia genomes and prevalence of tandemly duplicated genes are evidence of minimal chromosome rearrangement and foreign gene uptake, presumably owing to the ecological isolation of the obligate intracellular parasites. In the absence of genetic analysis, comparative genomics will continue to provide insight into the virulence mechanisms of these important human pathogens.

Intermediate not indeterminate care

Increasing demands, limited resources and an aging population are driving the development of alternatives to the full acute hospital bed. This review considers some opportunities and pitfalls, and proposes some principles for practice.

Complete genome sequence of Treponema pallidum, the syphilis spirochete

The complete genome sequence of Treponema pallidum was determined and shown to be 1,138,006 base pairs containing 1041 predicted coding sequences (open reading frames). Systems for DNA replication, transcription, translation, and repair are intact, but catabolic and biosynthetic activities are minimized. The number of identifiable transporters is small, and no phosphoenolpyruvate:phosphotransferase carbohydrate transporters were found. Potential virulence factors include a family of 12 potential membrane proteins and several putative hemolysins. Comparison of the T. pallidum genome sequence with that of another pathogenic spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, identified unique and common genes and substantiates the considerable diversity observed among pathogenic spirochetes.

Genomic sequence of a Lyme disease spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi

The genome of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi B31, the aetiologic agent of Lyme disease, contains a linear chromosome of 910,725 base pairs and at least 17 linear and circular plasmids with a combined size of more than 533,000 base pairs. The chromosome contains 853 genes encoding a basic set of proteins for DNA replication, transcription, translation, solute transport and energy metabolism, but, like Mycoplasma genitalium, it contains no genes for cellular biosynthetic reactions. Because B. burgdorferi and M. genitalium are distantly related eubacteria, we suggest that their limited metabolic capacities reflect convergent evolution by gene loss from more metabolically competent progenitors. Of 430 genes on 11 plasmids, most have no known biological function; 39% of plasmid genes are paralogues that form 47 gene families. The biological significance of the multiple plasmid-encoded genes is not clear, although they may be involved in antigenic variation or immune evasion.

The complete genome sequence of the hyperthermophilic, sulphate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus

Archaeoglobus fulgidus is the first sulphur-metabolizing organism to have its genome sequence determined. Its genome of 2,178,400 base pairs contains 2,436 open reading frames (ORFs). The information processing systems and the biosynthetic pathways for essential components (nucleotides, amino acids and cofactors) have extensive correlation with their counterparts in the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii. The genomes of these two Archaea indicate dramatic differences in the way these organisms sense their environment, perform regulatory and transport functions, and gain energy. In contrast to M. jannaschii, A. fulgidus has fewer restriction-modification systems, and none of its genes appears to contain inteins. A quarter (651 ORFs) of the A. fulgidus genome encodes functionally uncharacterized yet conserved proteins, two-thirds of which are shared with M. jannaschii (428 ORFs). Another quarter of the genome encodes new proteins indicating substantial archaeal gene diversity.

The complete genome sequence of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori, strain 26695, has a circular genome of 1,667,867 base pairs and 1,590 predicted coding sequences. Sequence analysis indicates that H. pylori has well-developed systems for motility, for scavenging iron, and for DNA restriction and modification. Many putative adhesins, lipoproteins and other outer membrane proteins were identified, underscoring the potential complexity of host-pathogen interaction. Based on the large number of sequence-related genes encoding outer membrane proteins and the presence of homopolymeric tracts and dinucleotide repeats in coding sequences, H. pylori, like several other mucosal pathogens, probably uses recombination and slipped-strand mispairing within repeats as mechanisms for antigenic variation and adaptive evolution. Consistent with its restricted niche, H. pylori has a few regulatory networks, and a limited metabolic repertoire and biosynthetic capacity. Its survival in acid conditions depends, in part, on its ability to establish a positive inside-membrane potential in low pH.

Stressful events among pregnant Salvadoran women: a cross-cultural comparison

OBJECTIVE

To compare stressful events, including violent episodes, experienced by pregnant Salvadoran women with those experienced by two other groups of low-income, pregnant women living in the United States (non-Salvadoran Hispanics and non-Hispanics) and to examine the association between episodes of violence and drug or alcohol use among the three groups.

DESIGN

Comparative, descriptive study.

SETTING

Public health prenatal clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred four Salvadoran, 69 non-Salvadoran Hispanic, and 187 non-Hispanic pregnant women.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Difficult Life Circumstances (DLC) scale and psychosocial history assessment.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in total DLC scores, F(2, 357) = 14.98, p < .001; reported episodes of violence, F(2, 357 = 17.82, p < .001; and drug or alcohol use, F(2, 357) = 6.33, p < .001. A significant difference was found to the extent that alcohol or drug use accounted for the variance in violence among the three groups, F(3, 360) = 6.28, p < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-cultural comparisons revealed group differences in the number of stressful events, including episodes of violence and alcohol or drug use.

Specific tryptophan substitution in catalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase allows differentiation between bound substrate ATP and product ADP in steady-state catalysis

Tryptophan was specifically inserted as the residue immediately preceding the P-loop sequence in F1-ATPase catalytic sites. The mutant enzyme (betaF148W) showed normal enzymatic characteristics. The fluorescence responses of beta-tryptophan 148 enabled us to differentiate between nucleoside di- and triphosphate bound in catalytic sites; MgADP quenched at 350 nm, whereas MgAMPPNP and MgADP.BeFx complex enhanced the fluorescence at 325 nm. With MgATP, both effects were seen simultaneously. This allowed analysis of bound catalytic site nucleotides directly under steady-state MgATP hydrolysis conditions. At mM concentration of MgATP (Vmax conditions) one of the three catalytic sites was filled with substrate MgATP and the other two sites were filled with product MgADP. A model for F1-ATPase steady-state turnover is presented that encompasses these findings. Given the structural similarity of the P-loop in nucleotide-binding proteins, this approach may prove widely useful.

alpha-Aspartate 261 is a key residue in noncatalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase

X-ray structure analysis of the noncatalytic sites of F1-ATPase revealed that residue alpha-Asp261 lies close to the Mg of bound Mg-5'-adenylyl-beta,gamma-imidodiphosphate. Here, the mutation alpha D261N was generated in Escherichia coli and combined with the alpha R365W mutation, allowing nucleotide binding at F1 noncatalytic sites to be specifically monitored by tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy. Purified alpha D261N/alpha R365W F1-ATPase showed catalytic activity similar to wild-type. An important feature was that, without any resort to nucleotide-depletion procedures, the noncatalytic sites in purified native enzyme were already empty. Binding studies with MgATP, MgADP, and the corresponding free nucleotides led to the following conclusions. Residue alpha-Asp261 interacts with the Mg of Mg-nucleotide in noncatalytic sites and provides a large component of the binding energy (approximately 3 kcal/mol). It is the primary determinant of the preference of noncatalytic sites for Mg-nucleotide. The natural ligands at these sites in wild-type enzyme are the Mg-nucleotides and free nucleotides bind poorly. Under conditions where noncatalytic sites were empty, alpha D261N/alpha R365W F1 showed significant hydrolysis of MgATP. This established unequivocally that occupancy of noncatalytic sites by nucleotide is not required for catalysis.