Identification of proteins that bind tightly to pre-mRNA during in vitro splicing

Incubation of a human beta-globin pre-mRNA in a HeLa cell nuclear extract under conditions permissive for efficient splicing resulted in the assembly of the RNA into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. This RNP formation occurred largely within the characteristic lag period that precedes splicing. Two classes of RNP were detected by the criterion of their stability in Cs2SO4 gradients. One was unstable and contained mainly aberrant RNA cleavage products. The other class of RNP complexes comprised 50-85% of the beta-globin RNA, formed only under splicing-permissive conditions, was stable in Cs2SO4 gradients, and contained both unspliced pre-mRNA molecules and the lariat intron 1-exon 2 splicing intermediate. This latter class of RNP complexes banded at approximately equal to 1.30 g/cm3, a density very similar to that of native heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles that contain pre-mRNA. RNA-protein crosslinking revealed major proteins of Mr approximately equal to 38,000 and 41,000 in the stable class of RNP. The use of antibodies specific for heterogeneous nuclear RNP core proteins and for small nuclear RNA-associated proteins, in conjunction with [32P]RNA-protein crosslinking, revealed polypeptides having the molecular weights of both sets of antigens. These results show that both heterogeneous nuclear RNP particle core proteins and small nuclear RNA-associated proteins bind tightly to pre-mRNA during splicing in vitro.

Molecular comparison of retroviruses associated with human and simian AIDS

Infectious retrovirus(es) associated with the human (LAV, HTLV-III, ARV) and simian (SAIDS-1) acquired immune deficiency syndrome were compared by electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques and by restriction endonuclease mapping of the viral genomes. The extracellular virus particles had similar type D morphology, but intracytoplasmic type A nucleoids were found only in SAIDS virus infected cells. Although the antigens of the three prototype AIDS viruses were similar, no cross-reactivity with the SAIDS virus was detected. Molecular hybridization and restriction enzyme analysis also revealed that the SAIDS and AIDS viruses were genetically unrelated. However, only minor differences, consistent with strain polymorphism, were found between the three AIDS virus isolates. Thus, the retroviruses associated with AIDS in macaques and humans are unique to each species.

Small nuclear RNAs in the ciliate Tetrahymena

We have isolated and partially characterized a family of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) from three different species of the protozoan Tetrahymena. We find six distinct snRNAs ranging in size from 100 to 250 nucleotides. The two largest snRNAs, as well as an abundant, heterogenous group of smaller snRNAs are found in the nucleolar RNA fraction. None of the snRNAs are transcription products of the ribosomal RNA gene or its flanking regions, as shown by hybridization tests. The snRNAs are metabolically stable as determined by pulse/chase experiments and several of them contain a number of modified nuclotides. The snRNAs from Tetrahymena all have slightly different sizes from mammalian snRNAs. The cap structure of the snRNAs from Tetrahymena differs from that of the snRNAs from mammalian cells, but has not yet been fully characterized. The relative amount of snRNAs to total RNA is less in Tetrahymena (greater than 0.1%) than in mammalian cells (2%).

Family study of genetic and environmental factors determining the protein binding of propranolol

The unbound fraction of propranolol was found to vary from 1.9 to 13.2% in 434 plasma samples from members of 132 families. As expected, there was a linear correlation between the ratio of bound/unbound propranolol and the orosomucoid concentration (r = 0.67, P less than 0.001). Albumin concentration did not influence propranolol binding. The unbound fraction was negatively correlated with obesity and alcohol intake, but was not significantly influenced by age and sex. By applying path analysis, 21% of the variability in propranolol binding could be ascribed to genetic factors and 5% to common environmental factors.

Assessment of heritability for personality, based on a short-form of the Eysenck Personality Inventory: a study of 12,898 twin pairs

The influence of genetic factors for two personality dimensions was analyzed using data from 12,898 unselected twin pairs of the Swedish Twin Registry. The heritability index was 0.50 (men) and 0.58 (women) for psychosocial instability. Corresponding figures for psychosocial extraversion were 0.54 and 0.66. Thus, about half the phenotypic variation may be attributed to genetic factors.

The value of routein intravenous urography in acute epididymitis

The urographies of 106 patients with acute epididymitis are reviewed. In 71 cases the urogrpahy was completely normal, while in the remaining 35 patients abnormalities were found. In 25 patients the findings were consistent with hypertrophy of the prostate. More than half of the patients had known urological diseases and had undergone cystoscopy and/or catheterization prior to the onset of acute epididymitis. All 35 patients had demonstrated symptoms that would otherwise have resulted in intravenous urography independent of the epididymitis. No cases of urogenital tuberculosis were found. The authors conclude that routine urography under the age of 50 is not recommended. Over the age of 50 concomitant urological diseases are so common that urography is often indicated, but acute epidiymitis in itself is only a relative indication.