Cloning and characterization of a third type of human alpha-amylase gene, AMY2B

We have previously reported concerning the existence of a third type of human alpha-amylase gene, AMY3 [Emi et al., Gene 62 (1988) 229-235; Tomita et al., Gene 76 (1989) 11-18], which is expressed in a lung carcinoid tissue, and differs in nucleotide sequence from the two previously characterized human alpha-amylase genes coding for salivary and pancreatic isozymes, termed AMY1 and AMY2, respectively. Here, we rename this gene AMY2B to coincide with the designation by Gumucio et al. [Mol. Cell Biol. 8 (1988) 1197-1205] and describe its genetic properties as revealed by sequencing studies. It consists of ten major exons whose sequences are highly homologous to those of AMY1 and AMY2. Not only the exons, but also most of the introns seem to be highly conserved, as judged from physical mapping data. The AMY2B gene identified from mRNA in a lung carcinoid tissue has at least two additional untranslated exons in its 5' region; hence the promoter lies far upstream relative to the other two AMY genes.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with premature closure of foramen ovale: report of an unusual type of totally anomalous pulmonary venous return

We report on a case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), associated with premature closure of the foramen ovale and an unusual type of totally anomalous pulmonary venous return. The existence of an anomalous connection of the right upper pulmonary vein to the superior vena cava-right atrial (SVC-RA) junction and the existence of the anomalous intrapulmonary venous channel between right upper and lower pulmonary vein allowed all the pulmonary blood to drain into the SVC-RA junction, whereas she had only partially anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The several intrapulmonary venous channels helped to delay the progression of pulmonary venous obstruction. Chromosomal analysis revealed that the patient had XO Turner syndrome. We conclude that all infants with HLHS should be carefully evaluated for the existence of anomalous pulmonary venous return. Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography is one of the most useful techniques for evaluating such anomalies.

Plasmodium chabaudi: in vivo effects of Ca2+ antagonists on chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive parasites

The effects of Ca2+ antagonists, verapamil, nicardipine, and diltiazem, on susceptibility to chloroquine were examined in mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant lines of Plasmodium chabaudi. In mice that received no chloroquine, daily injections of 50 mg/kg of verapamil, nicardipine, or diltiazem did not affect the growth of both sensitive and resistant parasites. When mice were injected daily with verapamil plus 2 to 3 mg/kg chloroquine, the chloroquine-sensitive parasite became more susceptible to chloroquine than the parasite in mice given chloroquine alone. On the other hand, in mice infected with chloroquine-resistant parasites, verapamil severely suppressed the growth of the parasite when accompanied by daily injections of 2 to 3 mg/kg of chloroquine, at which doses resistant parasites grew steadily in the absence of verapamil, indicating reversal of chloroquine resistance. This reversal was dose-dependent between 5 and 50 mg/kg of verapamil. Daily injections of nicardipine or diltiazem at 50 mg/kg also reversed resistance to chloroquine in resistant parasites. These results indicate that Ca2+ antagonists increase the susceptibility to chloroquine in a sensitive line of P. chabaudi and reverse chloroquine resistance in a resistant line.

Syringomyelia with spontaneous resolution

Images

Myocardial perfusion after aortic implantation for anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

Postoperative myocardial perfusion and function were evaluated using thallium-201 myocardial imaging and technetium-99m cardiac pool imaging in five patients with an anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery. The patients underwent reimplantation of the left coronary artery at an age ranging from 10 months to 13 years. Postoperative electrocardiographic and radionuclide studies were performed both at rest and during stress 1 to 4 years after the operation. Electrocardiograms which were abnormal preoperatively returned to normal after surgery except that the T wave in lead aVL remained negative. Postoperatively, left ventricular ejection fraction measured by technetium-99m cardiac pool imaging was normal in all patients. Postoperative thallium-201 myocardial imaging, however, showed a perfusion defect with incomplete redistribution at the high-lateral or antero-lateral segment in all patients after a stress test. These data suggest that although myocardial ischaemic change decreases and global cardiac function improves after establishment of a dual coronary artery system, severe myocardial damage remains at the high-lateral or antero-lateral segment.

Serum deoxythymidine kinase as a progressive marker of hematological malignancy

The levels of serum deoxythymidine kinase (s-dTK) were investigated for 127 patients suffering hematological malignancy by a sensitive method using [125I]-iododeoxy-uridine as substrate. It was found that the deoxythymidine kinase activity in the sera of these patients was higher than the normal levels in adults. It was also found that the levels of s-dTK in the progressive stage were much higher than those in the indolent stage. These results suggest that high levels of s-dTK in hematological malignancy may reflect the extent of disease and that this activity may be derived from proliferating leukemic cells. The deoxythymidine kinase activity in the extracts derived from cultured cell lines and clinical specimens indicated that leukemic cells contained much higher activity than normal cells.

Frequent expression of myeloid antigen (CD13) on immature T cells in culture

Leukemic cells from 12 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) were studied to determine the inducibility of myeloid antigens in culture in the presence and absence of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in association with discrete phenotypic and genotypic analyses on these cells. The investigation revealed that leukemic cells corresponding to common or mature thymocytes were never induced to express any myeloid antigens, and showed rearrangements of T cell antigen receptor (TcR) beta and gamma chain genes. Concomitant examination on leukemic cells from mature T cell malignancies, including adult T cell leukemia (ATL), T cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL) and T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-NHL), also failed to express myeloid antigens in culture. By contrast, one of the panmyeloid antigens, CD13 (MCS-2) antigen was induced on leukemic cells corresponding to early thymocytes in 5 out of 7 cases in TPA-added culture and in 3 cases even in TPA-free culture. All of these CD13 antigen inducible cases exhibited the germ line configurations of TcR beta and gamma chain genes except for one case of T-ALL with sole TcR gamma chain gene rearrangement. These findings suggest that primitive T cells, still not undergoing TcR gene rearrangements, retain the characteristics of multipotent progenitor cells to possess different lineage markers and are able to express myeloid antigen not exceptionally. Both phenotypically and genotypically immature thymocytes are considered to be less restricted in the differentiation pathway of hematopoietic cells committed to T cell lineage.

Transcription of human endogenous retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence in a lung cancer cell line

The human genome carries several endogenous retroviral sequences. One of them that we named 'HERV-A', carries almost the complete sequence of the long terminal repeat (LTR), and is located in the 5' region of the amylase genes (M.Emi, A.Horii, N.Tomita, T.Nishide, M.Ogawa, T. Mori and K.Matsubara, Gene 62: 229-235, 1988). Using this sequence as a probe, we found a 1.4 kb LTR transcript(s) in a lung cancer cell line. No corresponding transcript was observed in control cells. Two partial, but different cDNA clones were obtained, and each one was found to be a transcript starting within human sequences at 5' upstream from the LTR and ending within the LTR sequence.

Induction of sexual agglutinability by unsaturated fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Agglutinins in S. cerevisiae are necessary for mating, for recognition between cells of opposite mating type. The mode of agglutinin synthesis is altered by the growth temperature and by the carbon source, from constitutive to inducible synthesis and vice versa. Some of the unsaturated fatty acids tested induced synthesis of agglutinins in cells grown at an elevated temperature, even in the absence of the pheromone. However, synthesis of agglutinins in glycerol-grown cells, that are inducible by the pheromone, was not induced by linolenic acid. Hence, the change in the mechanism of regulation of agglutinability produced by differences in temperature probably differs from that produced by differences in carbon source.

A band of F-actin containing podosomes is involved in bone resorption by osteoclasts

Isolated rabbit osteoclasts cultured on devitalized thin bone slices excavate resorption lacunae that can be visualized with brightfield or phase-contrast microscopy. Superimposition of the brightfield images of such resorption lacunae and the fluorescence images of the corresponding osteoclasts after fixation and staining with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin revealed that a bright fluorescent band of F-actin-containing podosomes precisely outlined the resorption lacunae in stationary osteoclasts. When the resorption lacunae were being extended laterally, the clearly delineated band of podosomes corresponded to the advancing edge of the resorbing osteoclast and the most recently excavated part of the lacunae. Reshaping and reorganization of the bright bands preceded development of the lateral boundary of the lacunae. Podosomes forming these bands were highly dynamic, changed in size and location, and appeared and disappeared continuously. Their lifespan varied between 2 and 12 min. Similar bands were also seen in vivo in bone-resorbing osteoclasts on the endocranial surface of growing calvariae. Podosomes disappeared in osteoclasts treated with calcitonin, resulting in the disruption of the fluorescent bands. Our results suggest that podosomes are an essential part of the resorption apparatus of osteoclasts.

Induction of repressible acid phosphatase by unsaturated fatty acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We studied the induction of acid phosphatase (APase) by fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae has two types of APase: constitutive and repressible enzymes. The synthesis of the latter APase is normally derepressed by depletion of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the incubation medium. Of the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids tested, linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids induced the synthesis of APase even in the presence of a high concentration of Pi, whereas palmitic, stearic and oleic acids did not. De novo protein synthesis but not stimulation of secretion of the enzyme was required for the induction. Genetic analyses using plasmids carrying the genes, PHO5 and PHO3, that code for repressible APase and constitutive APase, respectively, showed that linolenic acid induced the formation of repressible APase. Linolenic acid inhibited the uptake of exogenous 32Pi and simultaneously lowered the intracellular level of Pi. These circumstances indicate that linolenic acid-induced derepression of repressible APase is primarily caused by a fall in the intracellular level of Pi. However, cells that had been preincubated in the presence of a high concentration of Pi produced APase shortly after the addition of linolenic acid. It is, therefore, suggested that, as well as a normal regulatory mechanism for derepression of repressible APase, a mechanism independent of the external level of Pi participates in the induction of repressible APase by linolenic acid.

On the cDNA's for two types of rat pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor

Two types of cDNA, which code for the two types of rat pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitors (PSTIs), were cloned and sequenced. Both predicted amino acid sequences consisting of 79 amino acids, with the secretion signal peptide consisting of 18 and 23 amino acids for PSTI-I and PSTI-II, respectively. The nucleotide sequences were 91% homologous between the two cDNAs, but 68% and 65% homologous, respectively, when compared with human PSTI cDNA. Northern blot analyses showed that PSTI-I is expressed in the pancreas, whereas PSTI-II is expressed in the pancreas and the liver using the same promoter. Southern blot analyses suggested that both PSTI-I and PSTI-II genes are single copy genes per haploid genome. Duplication of rat PSTI gene seems to have occurred recently, after the divergence of humans and rats.

Involvement of c-myc oncogene in lymphoma cell lines with no detectable chromosome rearrangement of band 8q24

Two lymphoma cell lines of B-cell type were established from Japanese patients with diffuse small noncleaved cell lymphoma. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a 14q+ marker chromosome in both cell lines, and a t(8;14)(q24.1;q32.3) seemed most likely to have occurred. The chromosome 8 pair, however, had no abnormalities. Molecular analysis demonstrated c-myc amplification lacking gross rearrangement in one cell line and genetic rearrangement of c-myc at the first intron as well as aberrant sizes of c-myc mRNA in the other cell line. In the latter case, it is possible that a t(8;14)(q24.1;q32.3) was buried in an unrecognized complex translocation. A combination of cytogenetic and molecular studies to determine the precise nature of the 14q32 translocation is discussed.

Cross-lineage gene rearrangements in human leukemic B-precursor cells occur frequently with V-DJ rearrangements of IgH genes

Gene configurations of immunoglobulin (Ig), T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) beta chain, and T-cell rearranging gene gamma (TRG gamma) were studied in human B-precursor lymphoblastic leukemic cells. These cells were phenotypically classified into three developmental stages (stages II through IV) according to Nadler's criteria. All of them showed the Ig heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement, and 67% of the cells in stage IV had the rearranged TRG gamma, albeit seldom in other stages. We further analyzed IgH gene rearrangements in detail using upstream to DH (diversity region of IgH) region probe to distinguish DJ from V-DJ recombination. All dual genotyped cells in each stage except one case in stage II showed the V-DJ rearrangements. This suggests the cross-lineage involvement of the putative recombinase, particularly in the process of V-DJ rearrangements. We next examined the transcriptional status of Ig genes as an indirect reflection of the accessibility of these genes to the recombinase. Properly spliced IgH transcripts of normal size were observed in stage IV and surface Ig positive stage, but not in stage II nor III. However, IgH transcripts of aberrant sizes were seen in stage II, III, and also IV. Cross-lineage gene rearrangements were shown to occur frequently when normally spliced IgH gene begins to be transcribed or just before this. These findings may implicate that V-DJ or V-VDJ gene rearrangements forming functional IgH genes, induce frequently TCR or TRG gene rearrangements. We propose these dual genotypes are different in origin from those observed in stem cell leukemia.

Transport processes of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium yoelii, a rodent malaria parasite

The transport processes of D-glucose in Plasmodium yoelii-infected mouse erythrocytes were investigated using 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DOG), a non-metabolizable analogue of D-glucose. Infected cells showed an increase in the uptake of 2DOG compared to uninfected controls, and an effect which was more prominent in cells with mature-stage parasites. Kinetic studies measuring the initial rates of 2DOG uptake revealed two components in infected cells with late trophozoite and schizont-stage parasites: a simple diffusion system and a carrier (transporter)-mediated system. The transporter was common for D-glucose and 2DOG and had a kinetic constant indicating a high affinity for 2DOG (the Km = 0.18 mM and the Vmax = 0.61 mmol/10(10) cells/min), as compared to the constant of the mouse erythrocyte carrier (the Km = 10 mM and the Vmax = 1.8 mmol/10(10) cells/min). Determination of the distribution of [3H]2DOG in infected cells and experiments with metabolic inhibitors indicated that the simple diffusion system localizes in the membrane of host cells and the transporter in the parasite plasma membrane. The parasite glucose transporter was much less sensitive to cytochalasin B than that of the host cells and the uptake of 2DOG via the transporter was dependent on energy. Based on these findings, the following features emerge: D-glucose first gains access to the cytosol of infected erythrocytes via the simple diffusion system, which appears after infection by the parasite, and an active uptake against the concentration gradient takes place at the parasite plasma membrane via the parasite glucose transporter in an energy dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An alpha-specific gene, SAG1 is required for sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Seven alpha-specific mutants specifically defective in sexual agglutinability were isolated. The other alpha mating functions exhibited by these mutants, designated sag mutants, such as the production of alpha pheromone and response to a mating pheromone, were normal. While the MAT alpha sag1 cells did not agglutinate with wild-type a cells, the MATa sag1 cells did, indicating that the SAG1 gene is expressed only in alpha cells. The mutations were semi-dominant and fell into a single complementation group, SAG1, which was mapped near met3 on chromosome X. Complementation analysis showed that sag1 and ag alpha 1, the latter being a previously reported alpha-specific mutation, were mutations in the same gene.

[Two cases of familial spastic paraparesis with amyotrophy of the hands]

Familial spastic paraparesis with amyotrophy of the hands was reported, and its significance in the literature was reviewed. Case 1: An 18 year-old boy, who had been suffering from spastic gait since 12 years old, noticed his hand muscle wasting distributed bilateral first interosseous muscle, thenar and hypothenar muscle at age 17. Case 2: A 20 year-old man, elder brother of case 1, who also walked in spastic manner from his childhood, developed bilateral hand muscle atrophy similar to case 1 at age 19. Clinical features of these two cases could be summarized as familial spastic paraparesis with amyotrophy characterized by hand muscle atrophy, spasticity of lower extremities with hyperreflexia and bilateral positive pathological reflexes and spastic gait. Their younger sister was also examined, who showed only minimal spastic paraparesis. The electrophysiological examination including EMG and SEP suggested the pathological process could involve not only lateral column, but also posterior column and anterior horn. Slight but generalized spinal cord atrophy was demonstrated on metrizamide CT myelography. The muscle biopsy performed from left gastrocnemius in case 2, confirmed neurogenic changes. Although the association of retinal degeneration, cataracta, mental retardation, pes cavus or even generalized amyotrophy has been reported in familial spastic paraparesis, only limited cases are available, dealing with the amyotrophy of limbs. As far the cases with amyotrophy localized to the hands are concerned, it is absolutely rare and only the cases reported by Silver could be regarded as similar or same clinical entities to our cases.

Administration of recombinant IL-2 augments the level of serum IgM in an IL-2 deficient patient

A patient with ataxia telangiectasia was treated with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and the resulting immunological effects evaluated. The patient lacked IL-2 production, and immunoglobulin synthesis was also impaired. Treatment with IL-2 selectively increased serum IgM without any significant side effects. Therapy also restored B-cell function in vitro. IgM production as well as the proliferative response to Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I. These results suggest that IL-2 treatment may correct both T-cell and B-cell defects.

The establishment of a clinical diagnostic method of the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cat: the effects of recording electrode positions, stimulus intensity and the level of anesthesia

The establishment of characteristic wave pattern of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cat was attempted in order to be aid for clinical veterinary practitioners with the evaluation of visual dysfunction. 1) The position where the largest response of the VEPs was detected was close to the midline of the occipital area in normal cats. 2) The VEPs consisted of three components with latencies within 100 msec after flash stimulus. 3) Flash stimuli of higher illumination produced VEPs of shorter latencies and increased amplitude. Intensity of more than 0.6 J was necessary to obtain stable VEP patterns. 4) The latencies of VEPs hardly changed with time course under pentobarbital anesthesia, although they showed a fluctuant variation.

A novel type of human alpha-amylase produced in lung carcinoid tumor

A novel type of alpha-amylase was detected in a lung carcinoid tissue after surveying the cDNA library constructed from this tumor mRNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the amylase expressed in this carcinoid tumor has 13 and 6 amino acid substitutions when compared with salivary amylase (Amy1) and pancreatic amylase (Amy2), respectively. The nucleotide sequence homologies of cDNAs between this carcinoid amylase and amy1, amy2 are 97.5% and 98.2%, respectively. The nucleotide sequence comparison strongly suggests that this new amylase is the product of the amy3 gene that has been detected in human genome [Emi et al., Gene 62 (1988) 229-235]

Stage-dependent inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum by potent Ca2+ and calmodulin modulators

The effects of Ca2+ channel blockers, verapamil, nicardipine and diltiazem, and of potent calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors, trifluoperazine (TFP), calmidazolium, W-7 and W-5, on Plasmodium falciparum in culture were examined. Among Ca2+ blockers, nicardipine was the most potent with the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 4.3 microM at 72 h after culture. Parasites were more sensitive to calmidazolium and W-7 with IC50 of 3.4 and 4.5 microM, respectively, than to TFP and W-5. All Ca2+ blockers and CaM inhibitors suppressed parasite development at later stages. Nicardipine, diltiazem, calmidazolium and W-5 also retarded parasite development at earlier stages and/or subsequent growth following pretreatment. Verapamil, nicardipine, TFP and calmidazolium reduced erythrocyte invasion by merozoites. Fluorescence microscopy with the cationic fluorescent dye rhodamine 123 revealed that nicardipine, TFP and calmidazolium depolarized both the plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potentials of the parasite. It is therefore considered that although all Ca2+ and CaM antagonists tested here influence parasite development at later stages, they are multifunctional, having effects not directly associated with Ca2+ channels or CaM.

Structure and properties of malic enzyme from Bacillus stearothermophilus

The malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.38) gene of Bacillus stearothermophilus was cloned in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme was purified to homogeneity from the E. coli clone. In addition to the NAD(P)-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of L-malate, the enzyme catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxalacetate. The enzyme is a tetramer of Mr 200,000 consisting of four identical subunits of Mr 50,000. The pH optima for malate oxidation and pyruvate reduction are 8.0 and 6.0, respectively; and the optimum temperature is 55 degrees C. The enzyme strictly requires divalent metal cations for its activity, and the activity is enhanced 5-7 times by NH4+ and K+. Kinetic study shows that the values of the dissociation constant of the enzyme-coenzyme complex are 77 microM for NAD and 1.0 mM for NADP, indicating that the enzyme has a higher affinity for NAD than for NADP. The nucleotide sequence of the gene and its flanking regions was also found. A single open reading frame of 1434 base pairs encoding 478 amino acids was concluded to be that for the malic enzyme gene because the amino acid composition of the enzyme and the sequence of 16 amino acids from the amino terminus of the enzyme agreed well with those deduced from this open reading frame.

Involvement of bcl-2 gene in Japanese follicular lymphoma

A t(14;18) (q32;q21) chromosome translocation is closely associated with the follicular lymphoma, which is prevalent in the United States, and the t(14;18) causes the juxtaposition of a bcl-2 gene on chromosome 18 with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene locus on chromosome 14. Genomic DNAs from 30 Japanese patients with follicular lymphoma were examined for the molecular features by Southern blot hybridization. Using probe b for the major breakpoint cluster region of a bcl-2 gene, the rearrangements were detected in eight patients. Six of the eight patients had breakpoints located within the major breakpoint region, while two had breakpoints outside this cluster region but within the region of the 7.5-kb SstI fragment containing the probe b sequence. In two patients, pFL-2 probe detected the bcl-2 gene rearrangements that occurred near or within the minor breakpoint cluster region. These ten patients had a rearranged JH-containing fragment that migrated with the rearranged bcl-2 fragment. In the other 20 patients, these two chromosome 18-specific DNA probes did not detect the bcl-2 rearrangements. Compared with studies performed in the United States, the statistical analysis indicates a significant difference in frequency of the bcl-2 gene rearrangements near or within the major breakpoint cluster region (P = 0.0027) and the minor breakpoint cluster region (P = 0.029). However, the distribution difference of these events was not significant.

Southern blot analysis of Bcr, N-ras, H-ras, c-myc and myb proto-oncogenes in blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Proto-oncogenes were studied by Southern blotting in 12 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis (CML). Cytogenetically, all cases had Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome and 4 had additional chromosomal abnormalities including +8, +19, i(17q), double Ph1. The bcr gene was rearranged in all cases and the region of breakage points were located in the 5.8 kb Bgl II-Bam HI fragment of bcr. In a case with double Ph1 the breakage points of bcr were thought to be different from each other. We analyzed other proto-oncogenes (N-ras, H-ras, c-myc and myb) by Southern blotting, but did not find any abnormalities.

Immunohistochemical analysis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma in Japanese patients

The authors immunohistochemically analyzed the phenotype of 40 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, including 12 adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) cases. Molecular genetic analysis of the T-cell receptor beta-chain and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes were also applied to cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD)-like lymphoma and so-called Lennert's lymphoma. Twenty non-ATL lymphomas expressed a helper/inducer phenotype, whereas only one extranodal case expressed a suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype. Three cases had a CD4-CD8- phenotype, and two cases a CD4+CD8+phenotype. No specific relationship between morphologic characteristics (LSG classification) and phenotype was found among non-ATL lymphomas. Six of eight AILD-like lymphomas had a helper/inducer phenotype. Monoclonality of neoplastic T-cells was demonstrated in six of the seven cases of AILD-like lymphoma by molecular genetic analysis. Two cases of Lennert's lymphoma also showed a helper/inducer phenotype and rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene. Serologically defined ATL cases had a helper/inducer phenotype except in one case that expressed both CD4 and CD8. None of the ATL cases had the CD7 antigen in this study using WT 1 as a CD7 antibody, which is in contrast with the non-ATL lymphomas in which 13 of 25 cases expressed CD7. CD25, strongly detectable in all ATL cases, was negative or weakly expressed in non-ATL lymphomas. These facts suggest that non-ATL and ATL are in the different biologic state, probably resulting from the integration of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), although both are derived from helper/inducer T-cells.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of human pancreatic prechymotrypsinogen cDNA

The cDNA clone encoding human prechymotrypsinogen was isolated from a human pancreas cDNA library and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The sequence consists of a 16 bp 5' non-coding region, a 789 bp amino acid coding region and a 60 bp 3' non-coding region. The predicted product consists of 263 amino acids, including 18 amino acids for a signal peptide and 15 amino acids possible for an activation peptide. Southern blot analyses using the cloned cDNA as a probe revealed that human genomic DNA carries at least two genes that are related to chymotrypsinogen.

Production of sterile transcripts of C gamma genes in an IgM-producing human neoplastic B cell line that switches to IgG-producing cells

A human neoplastic B cell line SSK41 that expresses IgM on its surface switches spontaneously to IgG-producing cells. The SSK41 line contains a single immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus, the constant region (C) genes of which retain the germline configuration. The IgG-producing SSK41 line was purified by sorting, and shown to have undergone S-S recombination with deletion of the C mu gene. This line produced secretory and membrane-bound forms of gamma-chain mRNA. From cDNA libraries of a mixed population of IgM+/IgG+ SSK41 cells, we have isolated cDNA clones encoding the mature membrane-bound and secretory forms of the mu and gamma 1 heavy chains, all of which share the same variable region sequence. cDNA clones containing the mature gamma 3 chain were identified as well. We also isolated cDNA clones containing C gamma 1 and C gamma 3 sterile transcripts from the SSK41 line. These sterile transcripts contained additional exon sequences designated 'I' which were localized upstream of the C gamma 1 and C gamma 3 switch regions and homologous to murine counterparts. The I sequences were precisely spliced to the 5' ends of the corresponding C gamma exon sequences. These features of germline CH transcripts, i.e. the isotype specificity to class switching, location of exons, and sequences per se, are highly conserved between man and mouse.

Plasminogen phenotypes in a Japanese population. Four new variants including one with a functional defect

Human plasminogen (PLG) phenotypes were investigated by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting. In 5,735 plasma samples from unrelated, healthy Japanese individuals, four new variants were detected and tentatively designated PLG AOsaka, PLG BOsaka, PLG MOsaka and PLG ANara. The plasminogen concentrations and activities of the PLG phenotypes were studied. In agreement with previous studies PLG M5 was found to have a decreased activity. The new variant PLG MOsaka had a very low activity and appears to be an abnormal plasminogen with a functional defect similar to that of PLG M5.

Rapid clearance of Plasmodium yoelii-infected erythrocytes after exposure to the ionophore A23187

1. The effects of Ca2+ and the calcium ionophore A23187 on the intraerythrocytic development of the asexual forms of Plasmodium yoelii were examined. 2. Erythrocyte-free parasites obtained by saponin lysis of infected cells remained viable after exposure to 1 mM Ca2+. 3. A23187 inhibited the growth of P. yoelii and the inhibition was augmented by Ca2+ in cells infected with parasites at young stage of development. 4. A23187-treated infected cells disappeared from the circulation shortly after intravenous injection and this disappearance was profound in infected cells treated with the ionophore in the presence of Ca2+.

[Marginal periodontitis and the immune system. III. Differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment in adult periodontitis patients]

The lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 8 individuals, aged 25 to 57 yr, with moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were analyzed before and after treatment by means of flow cytometry, and then compared with the findings in 20 normal adults (aged 30 to 45 yr). The results were as follows: the percentage of OKT-8+ (CD 8) in the patients (20.25 +/- 7.15%) was lower than that in normal individuals (31.50 +/- 6.03%, P less than 0.01) while the OKT-4/OKT-8 ratio (2.34 +/- 1.18) was higher than the corresponding ratio in the controls (1.23 +/- 0.37); however, there was no significant difference in the percentages of OKT-3+ (CD 3), OKT-4+ (CD 4) and Leu-12+ (CD 19) between patients and normal subjects. The percentages of OKT-3+, OKT-4+, OKT-8+, Leu-12+ and OKT-4/OKT-8 after the periodontal therapy did not show a significant difference compared with the data obtained before treatment. These results indicate that the decrease in suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell population may be a kind of pathological disposition of the initiation and/or course of adult periodontitis.

Chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent, inhibits zygote formation in yeast

Haploid cells of opposite mating type of Saccharomyces cerevisiae conjugate to form zygote. During the conjugation process, the degradation or reorganization of the cell wall and the fusion of the two plasma membranes take place. Since chloroquine inhibits cellular events associated with the reorganization of the plasma membrane, the effect of the drug on conjugation was studied. Chloroquine at a concentration, at which cell growth was not retarded, inhibited zygote formation, while it did not affect other mating functions, such as sexual agglutination, production of and response to mating pheromone. Cells in a mating culture containing chloroquine formed no "prezygote" suggesting that they were not prepared for entering into fusion process. The inhibitory effect of chloroquine was reversible as cells formed zygote when they were washed after treatment with chloroquine. Zygote formation was unaffected in cells possessing chloroquine within vacuoles after incubation with the drug in complete medium (YPD) at pH 7.5, followed by washing. This suggests that chloroquine inhibits zygote formation by adsorbing to the plasma membrane of S. cerevisiae.

A novel B cell line established from Ki-1-positive diffuse large cell lymphoma

A novel cell line, designated KIS-1, was established from a patient with Ki-1-positive diffuse large cell lymphoma. Multiple phenotypic analysis of the KIS-1 cells was carried out with a total of 22 monoclonal antibodies defining hematopoietic cell subsets and lineages. The KIS-1 cells were positive for Ki-1, B4, HLA-DR, and 2D1 (common leucocyte) antigens, but were negative for the antigens reportedly specific for T cells, natural killer cells, granulocytes, monocytes, interdigitating reticulum cells and dendritic reticulum cells. The genomic analysis of the KIS-1 cells showed not only the rearrangement of JH and J kappa genes but also the probable rearrangement of C lambda genes. Moreover, the cells produced immunoglobulin lambda chains. Thus, KIS-1 was considered to be of B-cell lineage. The lymphoma-cell derivation of KIS-1 was based on the following facts. The cytochemical, immunologic, cytogenetic properties and the results of the molecular genomic analysis in the KIS-1 cells were essentially the same as those of the original tumor cells, and the KIS-1 cells were negative for Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen. KIS-1 is the only known B-cell line derived from Ki-1-positive diffuse large cell lymphoma, and should be useful for defining the biological implications of Ki-1 antigen.

Malignant histiocytosis with rearrangement of the heavy chain gene and evidence of monocyte-macrophage lineage

A unique case of malignant histiocytosis (MH) is reported. Its origin from the monocyte-macrophage system was indicated by expression of highly specific myeloid cell markers (My4, MCS2, and cytoplasmic lysozyme), diffuse activity of acid phosphatase and NaF-sensitive alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, lack of immunologic markers specific for other cell lineages, and germ line configuration of the immunoglobulin light chain gene and the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene. Its neoplastic nature was suggested by the single rearranged band of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene.

Establishment of a peripheral T-cell lymphoma cell line showing amplification of the c-myc oncogene

A new T-cell lymphoma cell line, designated T34, was established from freshly isolated lymph node tumor cells of a patient with non-Hodgkin's diffuse large cell lymphoma. The T34 cells, as well as the parental lymphoma cells, showed mature helper/inducer immunophenotypes in that they formed spontaneous sheep erythrocyte rosettes and reacted with OKT-3 and OKT-4 monoclonal antibodies. They were negative for OKT-6, OKT-8, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, WT-1, and HLA-DR antigens. Molecular analysis revealed that the T34 cells contained 8- to 16-fold amplified c-myc DNA. The same genetic change was observed in parental lymphoma cells, indicating that the c-myc amplification had occurred in vivo. There was no gross rearrangement of the c-myc DNA. The c-myc gene of the T34 cell line was actively transcribed into normal-sized c-myc mRNA. Cytogenetic analysis showed that both the T34 and the parental lymphoma cells had a near-triploid karyotype with multiple structural chromosome changes. The terminal end of the long arm of chromosome No. 8, the chromosomal locus of single-copy c-myc, was elongated (8q+ chromosome), perhaps reflecting the site of c-myc amplification. These data suggested that amplification of the c-myc oncogene played some role in progression and proliferation of this peripheral T-cell neoplasm.

Regulation of differentiation in a population of cells interacting through a common pool

We consider a model of a suspension of a cell population in a well-mixed medium. There are two chemical substances, say A and H, reacting in each cell of the population and the substance H can only diffuse from the inside of cell to the medium or vice versa across the cell membrane. The medium is well mixed that the concentration of H is kept uniform over the medium. Cells interact indirectly with each other through the medium. The differential equations governing the dynamics of the suspension are analyzed using standard techniques for differential equations. It is shown that the cell population divides into several groups in respect of the chemical concentrations as time elapses. It is also shown how the fraction of the number of cells belonging to each subgroup to the total number of cells is regulated. The results may be used to explain the mechanism for differentiation of multi-cellular organisms.

Effects of the antiserum against a fraction enriched in scrapie-associated fibrils on the scrapie incubation period in mice

An antiserum against a fraction enriched for scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF), was examined for its effects on scrapie incubation period by inoculating mice either intraperitoneally or intracerebrally with various dilutions of the serum mixed with scrapie-infected mouse brain homogenate. After intraperitoneal inoculation the mean time of the incubation period increased with increasing concentrations of the antiserum in a statistically significant fashion, when the serum dilutions were made with phosphate-buffered saline. After intracerebral inoculation, however, there were no statistically significant differences between the control group and any of the antiserum-groups. When the antiserum dilutions were made with pre-immune serum, the mice inoculated intraperitoneally also showed no significant differences between the two groups. These results indicate that the specific antibodies to SAF have no effect on the scrapie infectivity.

Expression of novel interleukin 2 binding molecules and their functional roles in human B cell differentiation

Expressions and functional roles of novel IL-2 binding molecules (p70, 75) in the differentiation of B cells into Ig secreting cells were explored by using human several B cell lines and tonsillar B cells. Affinity-crosslinking studies revealed that five of nine B cell lines expressed p70 and p75 without detectable Tac antigen (p55) expression and the expression was associated with B cell maturation. In tonsillar B cells, small high-density B cells did not express p70 and p75, whereas large low-density B cells, which were thought to be activated in vivo, expressed them. Binding assays of radiolabeled IL-2 showed that the affinity of these molecules was intermediate (kD = 1-3 nM, 700-3,000 sites/cell). Furthermore, high concentrations of IL-2 (greater than 100 U/ml) induced Ig productions in large B cells and two of five cell lines. These results taken together suggest that B cells may express novel IL-2 binding molecules, associated with B cell differentiation and differentiate into Ig secreting cells by IL-2 through novel IL-2 binding molecules.

Significance of extra 18q- chromosome in Japanese t(14;18)-positive lymphoma

Karyotype evolution of t(14;18)-positive lymphoma was studied in 13 Japanese patients. The extra 18q- chromosome, found in six of ten patients with complex karyotypes, was the most common change subsequent to a t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosome translocation. The additional change was interpreted as being a duplication of an 18q- derived from a t(14;18). The six patients had transformed histology of follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma or diffuse large cell lymphoma, and five of them had extranodal expansion associated with a poor prognosis. These findings indicate that the extra 18q-, together with other chromosome abnormalities, is closely associated with the advanced grade disease of t(14;18)-positive lymphoma, and the extra chromosome is evolutionally comparable with the second Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome often found in the blastic phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia carrying a t(9;22)(q34;q11). In addition, since the extra 18q- is rarely found in American patients with t(14;18)-positive lymphoma, there appears to be a difference in the karyotype evolution between Japanese and American patients.

Phenotypic conversion of T lymphoblastic lymphoma to acute biphenotypic leukemia composed of lymphoblasts and myeloblasts. Molecular genetic evidence of the same clonal origin

Acute biphenotypic leukemia composed of lymphoblasts and myeloblasts developed in a patient with T lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) who had an anterior mediastinal mass. A novel myeloid cell line, termed TK-1, has been established from his peripheral blood after the leukemic conversion. The identical rearranged pattern of T cell receptor gamma-chain gene was observed among the DNAs derived from lymph node cells in the lymphoma phase, the myeloid cell line TK-1, and the subclones with different karyotypes (TK-1B and TK-1D), which showed that myeloid cells had been derived from the T-LBL of the same patient. This finding demonstrates that phenotypic conversion occurs in the clonally propagating tumor cells and suggests that some hematopoietic cells retain the capacity to adopt either lineage.

Western blot detection of scrapie-associated fibril protein in tissues outside the central nervous system from preclinical scrapie-infected mice

We describe a method of sample preparation to detect scrapie-associated fibril (SAF) proteins in small amounts of scrapie-infected mouse tissues by Western blot analysis using an antiserum to a synthetic peptide that corresponds to the N-terminal region of hamster prion protein. SAF proteins were efficiently detected in brain tissue by this procedure. The proteins were also detected in preparations from spleen and lymph node. SAF proteins were detected in brain samples at 24 weeks after intraperitoneal infection. Using spleen samples, the proteins were detected from mice in the preclinical stage (from 4 weeks after infection), clinical symptoms of scrapie were observed in some mice from 22 weeks after infection.

Immunogenotypes of lymphoid malignancies; the rearrangement of T cell receptor beta chain gene can occur before the gamma chain gene rearrangement

Immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TcR) gene rearrangements were analyzed in 101 cases of lymphoid malignancies in association with a surface phenotype study. In leukemias/lymphomas with mature phenotype, there is a good correlation between phenotypes and genotypes. However, in leukemias/lymphomas with immature phenotype, we found many discordances between phenotypes and genotypes, suggesting the stochastic nature of hematopoietic cell differentiation at the early stage. As for TcR beta and gamma chains, the rearrangement of gamma chain gene is considered to occur slightly prior to that of beta chain gene. However, we observed a mature T cell malignancy, adult T-cell leukemia, with rearranged beta chain gene and germ line gamma chain gene, showing the possible existence of another pathway of T cell differentiation.

Novel receptor-mediated internalization of interleukin 2 in B cells

Novel IL-2-binding molecules (p70 and p75) mediating internalization and degradation of IL-2 were examined by employing a human B lymphoblastoid line, SKW6-4 cells. High concentrations of IL-2 induced IgM secretion in these cells through a receptor distinct from Tac antigen. The acid-wash technique revealed that more than 60% of 125I-labeled IL-2 bound to the cells became acid-unremovable in the first 30 min of incubation at 37 degrees C and degradation products of 125I-IL-2 increased after 30 min of incubation. Treatment of the cells with NaN3 buffer inhibited the appearance of acid-unremovable 125I-IL-2, suggesting that acid-unremovable 125I-IL-2 was not due to fluid-phase pinocytosis but due to internalization. Loss of labeled bands by incubation of cells with 125I-IL-2 at 37 degrees C before affinity cross-linking demonstrated that 125I-IL-2 was internalized via novel IL-2-binding molecules. These results suggest that novel IL-2-binding molecules are responsible for internalization and may mediate signal transduction in B cells in the absence of Tac antigen.

Expression and the functional role of a p70/75 interleukin 2-binding molecule in human B cell

Expression of p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules and their functional roles in induction of Ig secretion by IL-2 were examined in human B cells. IL-2, at high concentrations induced higher levels of Ig secretion in Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I (SAC)-activated B cells than at low concentrations. About 50% of SAC-activated B cells, lacking Tac antigen, were also responsive to Ig secretion by IL-2, although the required dose of IL-2 was higher than that for Tac-positive B cells. H-31 antibody which recognizes Tac antigen did not inhibit the induction of Ig secretion by high concentrations of IL-2 in both Tac-negative and Tac-positive B cells, suggesting that IL-2 might induce Ig secretion through a receptor distinct from Tac antigens. In contrast, IL-2 was ineffective in the absence of SAC stimulation even at high concentrations. Upon analysis by SDS-PAGE, p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules were detected on Tac-negative SAC-activated B cells. Similar IL-2-binding molecules distinct from Tac antigen (p55) were detected in both Tac-positive B and T cells. However, neither p55 nor p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules could be detected in the absence of SAC stimulation. These observations suggest that p70/75 IL-2 binding molecules are induced in human B-cells in the presence or absence of Tac antigen by SAC stimulation and these determinants play an important function in the transduction of IL-2 associated signal for B cell differentiation.