Isolation of UV-inducible transcripts from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Four UV-inducible cDNA clones, UVI15, UVI18, UVI22 and UVI31, were isolated from Schizosaccharomyces pombe by subtraction hybridization. All transcripts of these clones were rapidly induced about 5 to 10 fold within 1 hour after UV-irradiation and the nucleotide sequences of these clones did not showed any significant sequence homology to the known genes in the data bases. Transcripts of UVI18 and UVI31 were induced only by UV-irradiation and those of UVI22 were also induced by alkylating agents, suggesting that inductions of these transcripts are specific responses to DNA damages. However, transcript levels of UVI15 were also increased by other cytotoxic agents including heat shock. These results indicate that UVI15 might be a stress responsive gene.

Cloning and sequence analysis of rhp51+, a Schizosaccharomyces pombe homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD51 gene

A homology (rhp51+) of the RAD51 gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe was cloned by screening a Sz. pombe genomic library using the 3'-end of RAD51 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a probe. As in S. cerevisiae, the sequence of rhp51+ showed two MluI cell-cycle boxes and a putative DNA damage-responsive element in its upstream region. The open reading frame codes for a 365-amino-acid (aa) polypeptide with an estimated molecular mass of 40,555 Da. The deduced aa sequence shows 27, 66, 75 and 80% identity with Escherichia coli RecA, S. cerevisiae Rad51 and the Rad51 homologs from chicken and humans, respectively. The aa sequence encoded by rhp51+ contains A- and B-type nucleotide-binding consensus sequences, as found in other RAD51 homologs. Northern blot analysis showed that rhp51+ encodes a 1.7-kb transcript. Methyl methanesulfonate treatment increased the level of this transcript three- to fivefold. Southern hybridization analysis suggests that a single copy of rhp51+ exists in the Sz. pombe genome.

Involvement of a cAMP-responsive DNA element in mediating TRH responsiveness of the human thyrotropin alpha-subunit gene

TRH is known to stimulate the transcription of the TSH gene in pituitary cells. To examine TRH-responsive elements of the human TSH alpha-subunit gene, we have used transient transfection of GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells. Using this system, TRH treatment stimulated expression of a reporter gene containing 846 base pairs from the 5'-flanking region of the human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene linked to luciferase. Analysis of 5'-deletions of the alpha-subunit sequence revealed that at least two DNA regions with upstream limits between positions -223 to -190 and positions -151 to -135 are important for regulation by TRH. The more proximal region includes a previously defined cAMP-response element (CRE) while the more upstream region contains an element with sequence similarity to the binding site for the pituitary transcription factor, Pit-1. The TRH responsiveness of each individual region was tested by inserting fragments upstream of a thymidine kinase-luciferase reporter gene. The -151 to -100 region had basal enhancer activity and permitted a 3.4-fold response to TRH. The -223 to -168 region did not permit a TRH response, but possessed basal enhancer activity. The combination of both regions resulted in a 5-fold stimulation by TRH. To assess the contributions of different signal transduction pathways, various combinations of treatments were examined. Combined treatment with TRH and forskolin led to an additive activity. Treatment with TRH plus phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate resulted in the same level of reporter gene activity as with either agent alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Negative effects of wild-type p53 and s-Myc on cellular growth and tumorigenicity of glioma cells. Implication of the tumor suppressor genes for gene therapy

Human (U251, U87, U343) and rat glioma cell lines (C6, 9L) were examined by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and subsequent nucleotide sequencing analysis to see whether they express wild type (wt)-p53 or mutated form (mut)-p53 messages. Results showed that U87, U343, and C6 cells expressed wt-p53 messages whereas U251 and 9L cells expressed mut-p53 messages. All these cell lines were transfected with wt-p53 cDNA or the s-myc gene linked to the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter. Of several G418-resistant clones obtained from each transfection, a few expressed the s-Myc or wt-p53 proteins. Independent of mutations in the intrinsic p53 gene, the cellular growth in vitro and tumorigenicity in nude mice of these clones were drastically suppressed, the extent of suppression being correlated with the expression level of the transfected gene. Flow-cytometric analysis demonstrated that both p53 and s-Myc arrested the cell cycle at the G1/S boundary. These data suggest that these genes having negative effects on tumor cell proliferation could be used in gene therapy of gliomas, which are caused by alteration of the p53 gene or by some other genetic change.

[Hypotensive effect of dihydrolycorine]

Dihydrolycorine-HCL(DL) is a derivative of lycorine, an alkaloid isolated from Lycoris radiata Herb. DL iv 20, 40, and 80 mg.kg-1 lowered the mean arterial pressure in pentobar-bitone-anesthetized normotensive rats, cats, and conscious rats either normotensive or renovascular hypertensive. In pithed rats DL depressed the hypertensive effect of reaction to electric stimulation to the T7-9 segments of spinal cord. DL also depressed the hypertensive effect of phenylephrine. In rabbit aorta ring and rat anococcygeus muscle, DL antagonized the contractile effect of methoxamine, with pA2 values of 5.93 and 6.35, respectively. These results suggest that DL can block alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

The status of the aged in Korea: are the modern more advantaged?

Using individual modernity as a measure of modernization and decision-making power to assess the status of the aged at the micro level, this study examines how modernity, family environment, and demographic characteristics affect the status of the aged in the extended family. Data are analyzed from a sample of 252 Korean elderly living with one of their married children. In contrast to findings at the societal level, this research indicates that individual modernity is associated with higher status of the aged. Individual modernity may become an important resource in negotiating for decision-making power with adult children.

POEMS syndrome--a case report

POEMS syndrome is a multisystem disorder associated with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, a monoclonal protein (M-protein), and skin changes. The authors describe a patient with POEMS syndrome who had osteosclerotic myeloma confirmed by open bone biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed discrete lesions of low signal intensity in both T1 and T2-weighted images. This patient is now being successfully treated with melphalan and prednisone with much improvement in skin thickening and sensory change in the lower extremities.

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in patients with various types of liver diseases

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to be a major cause of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and is thought to be an important causative agent of serious liver disease. Recently the role of HCV in the development of various liver disease is suggested.

METHODS

Sera from 222 patients with various liver diseases had been kept frozen at -20 degrees C until the test. Anti-HCV was detected using the ABBOTT HCV EIA Test System (ABBOTT Co., America) following the manufacturer's instructions. The assay uses a recombinant HCV antigen (C 100-3) synthesized in yeast.

RESULTS

HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) were detected in 35 (31.5%) of 111 HBsAg-negative patients. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV was 61.9% (13 out of 21 patients) in chronic hepatitis, 29.1% (14 out of 48) in liver cirrhosis, 26.3% (5 out of 19) in hepatocellular carcinoma and 13% (3 out of 23) in acute hepatitis was far less (3 out of 111 patients, 2. 7%) than that of HBsAg-negative patients (p < 0.01). In this group, anti-HCV was detected in 2 (5.1%) out of 39 liver cirrhosis, 1 (1.9%) out of 52 chronic hepatitis, among them 47 were biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis, and none of 20 hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that, in Korea, 1) coinfection of HCV and HBV is infrequent, 2) HCV might be an important cause of HBsAg-negative chronic hepatitis, 3) HCV is seemed to be a less likely important factor associated with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in HBsAg-negative patients, but further prospective study with a large population is necessary.

Increased mucin levels in submandibular saliva from mice following repeated isoproterenol treatment

Mucin decreases with age in the submandibular glands of mice and can be restored by chronic administration of isoproterenol. Mice were given repeated injections of isoproterenol to determine if the increase of mucin in the submandibular gland leads to elevated levels of mucin in the submandibular saliva. Mucin was significantly elevated in both the gland and the saliva after isoproterenol. Gland contents of mucin and the concentration of mucin in their salivas were positively correlated for both the isoproterenol (p = 0.01) and the control group (p less than 0.01).

Biochemical characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants among the Malays of Singapore with report of a new non-deficient (GdSingapore) and three deficient variants

Biochemical characteristics of one non-deficient fast G6PD variant (GdSingapore) and six different deficient variants (three new, two Mahidol, one each of Indonesian and Mediterranean) were studied among the Malays of Singapore. The GdSingapore variant had normal enzyme activity (82%) and fast electrophoretic mobilities (140% in TEB buffer, 160% in phosphate and 140% in Tris-HCl buffer systems respectively). This variant is further characterized by normal Km for G6P; utilization of analogues (Gal6P, 2dG6P; dAmNADP), heat stability and pH optimum. The other six deficient G6PD variants had normal electrophoretic mobility in TEB buffer with enzyme activities ranging from 1 to 12% of GdB+. The biochemical characteristics identity them to be 2 Mahidol, 1 Indonesian and 1 Mediterranean variants and three new deficient variants.

Age-related changes in mucins from human whole saliva

The predominant mucins in human whole saliva, MG1 and MG2, serve to protect and to lubricate the oral cavity. In this study, both unstimulated and stimulated whole salivas were collected from two groups of subjects: young (18-35 years of age) and aged (65-83 years of age). The subjects were in apparent good health. Saliva samples from each subject were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The gels were stained with Stains-all, and both MG1 and MG2 were quantitated by video-image densitometry. The protocol gave reproducible values for each mucin. The stimulated and unstimulated salivas from aged subjects showed significant reductions in concentrations of both MG1 and MG2, as quantitated in mucin dye-binding units. Possible associations of these reductions with the aging process are discussed.

A gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe analogous to the RAD4 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A gene, analogous to the RAD4 gene, which is required for nucleotide excision repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also exists in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. RNA isolated from wild type S. pombe cells strongly cross-hybridized with the 1.2 kb PvuII DNA fragment of the S. cerevisiae RAD4 genomic clone (pPC1). Chromosomal DNA isolated from S. pombe had similar restriction patterns to those from S. cerevisiae, as determined by Southern blot analysis. Two species of mRNA, 3.1 and 1.8 kb, were identified by Northern hybridization. The level of these transcripts did not increase upon UV-irradiation, suggesting that the RAD4-like gene in S. pombe is not UV-inducible.

A swelling power test for selecting potential noodle quality wheats

A swelling power test was developed for selecting wheats suitable for the manufacture of Japanese white noodles. The test is rapid, uses less than 0.4 g of sample and is applicable to starch, flour, wholemeal or Quadrumat Junior flour samples. Swelling power values correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with peak paste viscosity monitored on the Rapid Visco Analyser and with noodle eating quality. Paste viscosity of flour or starch is considered an important characteristic governing noodle quality. The swelling power test provides a suitable predictive method for identifying noodle quality wheats in the early stages of a breeding programme.

The effect of ageing on mucin contents in mouse submandibular glands

There may be deleterious effects if there is an age-dependent reduction in mucin composition or content in salivary glands. To assess whether there was an effect of age in submandibular glands from male mice aged 3 months, 10 and 20 months and 27, 29 and 30 months, mucin, protein and sialic acid were quantitated. Changes in wet weight per gland and protein per gland were highly significant (p less than 0.001), as tested by analysis of variance, and the means for both were highest in middle aged glands. While sialic acid per gland showed no significant change from middle aged to old glands, mucin per gland showed an age-related decrease (p less than 0.01) when comparing either young or middle aged glands with old glands.

Red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase phenotypes in several Mongoloid populations of eastern India: existence of a non-deficient fast variant in two Australasian tribes

A total of 954 subjects of both sexes from nine Mongoloid tribes of eastern India were investigated for the distribution of red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) phenotypes by starch-gel electrophoresis. The incidence of Gd- was found to be 8% in the Khasi, 6% in the Nishi, 5% in Apatani and 3% in Adi. The small group of Bodo and the mixed group of other Arunachal tribes had Gd- frequencies of 19% and 15%, respectively. Only one isolated incidence of Gd- was encountered in the Naga, while the Hmar lacked Gd-. The Khasi had a polymorphic frequency (about 4%) of a non-deficient fast variant (GdV) (105% mobility in TEB buffer of pH 8.6). Two heterozygotes of this allele with a combination of common GdB+ were detected in two females. Interestingly, the same allele was reported earlier in another Australasian tribe--the Korkus of central India.

Structures of Flavamine and Flavadine from Aconitum flavum

Two new diterpenoid alkaloids, flavamine ( 1) and flavadine ( 2), were isolated from the roots of ACONITUM FLAVUM Hand-Mazz. The structures were established on the bases of spectral analyses and chemical correlations with napelline ( 3) and lucidusculine ( 4), respectively.

In vitro activities of eight antibiotics against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains isolated in Korea

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated at eight large medical centers in Korea were examined for methicillin resistance and resistance to eight other antibiotics; cefazolin, cefamandole, cefuroxime, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, moxalactam, penicillin G and vancomycin. Methicillin resistance was found in 296 of 1225 strains (24.2%) of S. aureus and 126 of 348 strains (36.2%) of S. epidermidis. Methicillinresistant strains were isolated from all sources with the frequency of isolation ranging from 11% to 60%. From pleural effusion, throat swab and blood, methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus were more frequently isolated with statistical significance (Chi-squared test, 95% confidence). Almost all of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. epidermidis (MRSE) strains were multiply resistant to one or more tested eight antibiotics. However only 7(2.4%) of 296 MRSA strains and 2(1.6%) of 126 MRSE strains were resistant to vancomycin. Vancomycin was the most effective antibiotic against staphylococcal isolates as well as MRSA and MRSE.

Upstream regulatory regions controlling the expression of the yeast maltase gene

The expression of the maltase (MALS) and the maltose permease (MALT) genes in Saccharomyces species is coregulated at the transcriptional level; they are coordinately induced by maltose in the presence of a positively acting regulatory (MALR) gene and carbon catabolite repressed by glucose. We generated a series of deletions in the upstream region of the MAL6S gene to examine the regulatory elements in detail. The results showed that inducible expression by maltose was lost when the region between 320 and 380 base pairs upstream of the translation initiation codon was deleted. This region contained an imperfect inverted repeat sequence (-361 to -327) or four copies of short direct repeats that might serve as components of the upstream activation site (UASM) for the maltase gene, or both. When a stretch of T-rich sequence (-253 to -237) was deleted, the susceptibility of the maltase gene to carbon catabolite repression was affected.

Alkaloids of Lycoris guangxiensis1

A new alkaloid, N-allylnorgalanthamine ( 1), was isolated from the bulbs of LYCORIS GUANGXIENSIS Y. Hsu et Q. J. Fan (Amaryllidaceae). Additionally, seven known alkaloids, lycorine, narwedine, galanthamine, lycoramine, crinine, norgalanthamine, and pseudolycorine were also obtained. The structure of 1 was established through the interpretation of spectral data.

Primary structure of the maltase gene of the MAL6 locus of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

We have determined the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 2937-bp DNA fragment containing the yeast maltase (EC 3.2.1.20) gene (MAL6S) as well as part of the contiguous maltose permease gene (MAL6T) from the MAL6 locus of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis. The MAL6S gene encodes an alpha-glucosidase that is required for the utilization of maltose as a carbon source by yeast. The 5' transcription initiation sites for both MAL6S and MAL6T were determined by primer extension experiments using reverse transcriptase. The sequence data show one major open reading frame (ORF) of 584 amino acids (aa) for maltase with a calculated Mr of 68 107, somewhat larger than the value of 63 000 previously determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis. The nucleotide sequences upstream of both the MAL6S and MAL6T genes, which are divergently transcribed, show common structural features for the transcription initiation of yeast genes as well as signals required for their translation. The codon bias index shows that the MAL6S gene is moderately expressed. The possible significance of two 17-bp dyad symmetric sequences, found in the intergenic region of MAL6S and MAL6T, for the control of expression of these genes is also discussed.

Eye movements during active head turning with different vestibular and cervical input

Eye movements were measured in 15 volunteers during vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), cervico-ocular reflex with the head fixed from the ceiling (passive COR), during voluntary stabilization of the head in space while the trunk was moved sinusoidally (active COR) and active head movements with and without additional vestibular or cervical stimuli. The subjects were sitting with eyes covered on a rotating chair swinging sinusoidally at 40 degrees peak to peak amplitude at 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 Hz. The saccadic activity during passive COR is below the VOR and increases slightly during active COR. During voluntary head movements it shows a marked increase and is further activated if cervical or vestibular stimuli are added. The amplitudes of eye shifts of passive and active COR are not different. During active head movements and more with additional cervical or vestibular input, they increase significantly. The phase of the maximum eye shifts to head position is anticompensatory during passive COR and compensatory during VOR. The phase lead of about 45 degrees during active head movements is less during active COR but is larger with additional cervical and vestibular stimuli reaching 90 degrees.