Fine genetic mapping of the Hyp mutation on mouse chromosome X

The hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse is the murine homolog of hypophosphatemic vitamin-D-resistant rickets (HYP) in human. Despite extensive investigations in the Hyp mouse, the pathophysiology of this X-linked dominant disorder remains unclear. As a first step toward cloning the Hyp gene, we have generated a high-resolution linkage map in the vicinity of the Hyp locus using two independent backcross panels segregating the Hyp mutation, one generated from an interspecific mating between C57BL/6J-Hyp/Hyp and Mus spretus and the other from an intrasubspecific mating between C57BL/6J-Hyp/Hyp and Mus musculus castaneus. Linkage analyses in 1101 backcross progeny using a total of 23 DNA markers favor the following gene order from the centromere: DXMitl3-(DXMit11, DXMit34)-(DXMit36, Alas2)-(Hyp, DXMit8O)-DXMi198-(DXMit28, DXMit33, DXMit7O)-Pdhal-DXMit2O. This study has localized Hyp to a region of approximately 1 cM flanked by the proximal markers DXMit36 and Alas2 and the distal marker DXMit98. One microsatellite marker, DXMit8O, was found to be very tightly linked to Hyp, as it was nonrecombinant with Hyp among all the progeny of both backcrosses corresponding to 1101 meioses.

The scotopic electroretinogram of macaque after retinal ganglion cell loss from experimental glaucoma

PURPOSE

This study describes the dark-adapted electroretinograms (ERGs) of macaque monkeys with severe visual field defects and substantial retinal ganglion cell loss as a consequence of long-standing ocular hypertension.

METHODS

Monocular experimental glaucoma was produced by argon laser trabeculoplasty, and visual fields were assessed with behavioral static perimetry. Electroretinographic responses to brief ganzfeld flashes under fully dark-adapted conditions were recorded using DTL fiber electrodes in anesthetized animals. The authors quantified retinal layer thickness and cell loss in 1-micron radial sections and inspected optic nervous under the light microscope.

RESULTS

At the lowest intensities, a sensitive negative component of the scotopic ERG, which normally peaks approximately 200 msec after stimulus onset, was present in the control eyes but was reduced greatly or was virtually absent in the experimental eyes of monkeys with severe visual field loss. A previously unreported sensitive positive component of the scotopic ERG remained in both eyes. In the control eyes, the positive component gave rise to a sharp peak approximately 120 msec after stimulus onset, but in the experimental eyes, because of the absence of the more delayed sensitive negative potential, it was sustained, lasting as long as 700 msec. Scotopic a- and b-waves and oscillatory potentials in the experimental eyes were not consistently different from control eyes. Ganglion cell and optic nerve loss in the experimental eyes was substantial, and there was little other obvious retinal damage.

CONCLUSIONS

A sensitive negative component is reduced or absent from the dark-adapted ERGs of macaque monkeys with severe visual field defects and substantial retinal ganglion cell loss as a consequence of long-standing ocular hypertension.

Involvement of cytochrome P450 in oxime production in glucosinolate biosynthesis as demonstrated by an in vitro microsomal enzyme system isolated from jasmonic acid-induced seedlings of Sinapis alba L

An in vitro enzyme system for the conversion of amino acid to oxime in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates has been established by the combined use of an improved isolation medium and jasmonic acid-induced etiolated seedlings of Sinapis alba L. An 8-fold induction of de novo biosynthesis of the L-tyrosine-derived p-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate was obtained in etiolated S. alba seedlings upon treatment with jasmonic acid. Formation of inhibitory glucosinolate degradation products upon tissue homogenization was prevented by inactivation of myrosinase by addition of 100 mM ascorbic acid to the isolation buffer. The biosynthetically active microsomal enzyme system converted L-tyrosine into p-hydroxyphenylacetaldoxime and the production of oxime was strictly dependent on NADPH. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme system were 346 microM and 538 pmol per mg of protein per h, respectively. The nature of the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of amino acid to oxime in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates has been subject of much speculation. In the present paper, we demonstrate the involvement of cytochrome P450 by photoreversible inhibition by carbon monoxide. The inhibitory effect of numerous cytochrome P450 inhibitors confirms the involvement of cytochrome P450. This provides experimental documentation of similarity between the enzymes converting amino acids into the corresponding oximes in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates and cyanogenic glycosides.

[The use of the Ho: YAG laser in arthroscopic surgery]

From May 1993 to April 1994 we had performed 72 cases (total 84 joints) of arthroscopic operations with holmium laser. It included 12 bilateral knees, and single joints in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle. We performed partial menisectomy, chondroplasy, partial synovectomy and lateral retinacular release. The energy used was from 1 to 12kJ depending the complexity of the operations. All these cases had been followed up 6 to 16 months. The function of the joints was good, only two cases had joint effusion. The rate of good and excellent results was 97%.

Resiniferatoxin-amide and analogues as ligands for protein kinase C and vanilloid receptors and determination of their biological activities as vanilloids

The naturally occurring diterpene resiniferatoxin (RTX) is an ultrapotent analogue of capsaicin. Acting on polymodal afferent neurons, RTX induces a generally similar pattern of responses as does capsaicin. However, the two compounds, as well as other vanilloid derivatives, display different relative potencies for different responses. In the present study, we examined the vanilloid-like activities of two new derivatives, the amide analogue of RTX and phorbol 12,13-dibenzoate 20-homovanillylamide. Structurally, RTX-amide resembles capsaicin more closely than does RTX, and after cleavage of the amide bond the resulting amine would be predicted to not bind to protein kinase C in contrast to resiniferonol 9,13,14-orthophenylacetate, the parent diterpene of RTX. In contrast to our expectations the binding potency of the RTX-amide for the vanilloid receptor present in rat spinal cord was 450-fold lower than that of RTX (Ki values for the RTX-amide and RTX were 10.4 +/- 0.7 nM and 23.1 +/- 3.2 pM, respectively). In the case of phorbol 12,13-dibenzoate 20-homovanillylamide, there was a further loss of affinity for the vanilloid receptor compared with RTX; nonetheless, the Ki (8.56 +/- 0.61 microM) was comparable with that of capsaicin (5.31 +/- 0.37 microM). Computer fitting of the binding data yielded Hill coefficient values of 2.25 +/- 0.03, 2.33 +/- 0.03, and 1.84 +/- 0.05 for RTX, RTX-amide, and phorbol 12,13-dibenzoate 20-homovanillylamide, respectively, indicating that both new compounds induced apparent positive cooperativity among vanilloid binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of alteration of the heterocyclic nucleus of ILV on its isoform selectivity for PKC. Palladium catalyzed route to benzofuran analogues of ILV

A palladium catalyzed route for the preparation of several benzofuran analogues of the PKC activator indolactam V (ILV) is described together with the ability of these compounds to activate the isoforms of PKC. The benzofuran analogues of ILV are shown to activate PKC with a slightly different pattern of isotype selectivity than ILV or 7-n-octyl-ILV. Moreover, in an examination of the effect of stereochemistry at the C-14 center of the teleocidins on PKC binding activity, a clear preference for R-stereochemistry at the C-14 center was found, thus providing additional verification of previously published structural correlations between the families of PKC activators.

Transcription-dependent redistribution of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II to discrete nuclear domains

A subpopulation of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II LS) is located in 20-50 discrete subnuclear domains that are closely linked to speckle domains, which store splicing proteins. The speckle-associated fraction of Pol II LS is hyperphosphorylated on the COOH-terminal domain (CTD), and it is highly resistant to extraction by detergents. A diffuse nucleoplasmic fraction of Pol II LS is relatively hypophosphorylated on the CTD, and it is easily extracted by detergents. In transcriptionally active nuclei, speckle bound hyperphosphorylated Pol II LS molecules are distributed in irregularly shaped speckle domains, which appear to be interconnected via a reticular network. When transcription is inhibited, hyperphosphorylated Pol II LS and splicing protein SC35 accumulate in speckle domains, which are transformed into enlarged, dot-like structures lacking interconnections. When cells are released from transcriptional inhibition, Pol IIO and SC35 redistribute back to the interconnected speckle pattern of transcriptionally active cells. The redistribution of Pol II and SC35 is synchronous, reversible, and temperature dependent. It is concluded that: (a) hyperphosphorylation of Pol II LS's CTD is a better indicator of its tight association to discrete subnuclear domains than its transcriptional activity; (b) during states of transcriptional inhibition, hyperphosphorylated Pol II LS can be stored in enlarged speckle domains, which under the light microscope appear to coincide with the storage sites for splicing proteins; and (c) Pol II and splicing proteins redistribute simultaneously according to the overall transcriptional activity of the nucleus.

[A study on human dental embryology in an endemic high fluorosis region]

In a high endemic fluorosis area in Guizhou, China, 40 human fetuses delivered by induced abortion during the 5th-8th month of gestation were utilized to study dental embryonic samples under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Compared with normal controls, ultrastructure findings in the ameloblast cell organs include swelling of mitochondria, enlargement of SER, increase in RNA granules and RER. This study suggests that the irregularities of the collagenous fibers and crystallites are due to the maldevelopment of the ameloblast Tome's processes, which explains the mechanism of motteled enamel.

The discovery of novel, structurally diverse protein kinase C agonists through computer 3D-database pharmacophore search. Molecular modeling studies

A computer protein kinase C (PK-C) pharmacophore search on 206,876 nonproprietary structures in the NCI 3D-database led to the discovery of five compounds which were found to possess PK-C binding affinities in the low micromolar range and six others having detectable, but marginal, binding affinities. Molecular modeling studies showed that in addition to the presence of the defined pharmacophore, hydrophobicity and conformational energy are the two other important factors determining the PK-C binding affinity of a compound. The modeling results were confirmed by synthetic modification of two inactive compounds, producing two active derivatives. These newly discovered, structurally diverse lead compounds are being used as the basis for further synthetic modifications aimed at more potent PK-C ligands that will compete with the phorbol esters.

Sequences, organization and analysis of the hupZMNOQRTV genes from the Azotobacter chroococcum hydrogenase gene cluster

Hydrogen-uptake (Hup) activity in Azotobacter chroococcum depends upon a cluster of genes spread over 13,687 bp of the chromosome. Six accessory genes of the cluster, hupABYCDE, begin 4.8 kb downstream of the structural genes, hupSL, and are required for the formation of a functional [NiFe] hydrogenase. The sequencing of the intervening 4.8 kb of hup-specific DNA has now been completed. This revealed eight additional closely linked ORFs, which we designated hupZ, hupM, hupN, hupO, hupQ, hupR, hupT and hupV. These genes potentially encode polypeptides with predicted masses of 27.7, 22.3, 11.4, 16.2, 31.3, 8.1, 16.2 and 36.7 kDa, respectively. All eight genes are transcribed from the same strand as hupSL and hupABYCDE. A chroococcum, therefore, has a total of 16 contiguous genes affecting hydrogenase activity beginning with hupS and ending with hupE. The amino acid sequence deduced from hupZ has the characteristics of a b-type cytochrome. Insertion mutagenesis of hupZ resulted in a mutant incapable of supporting O2-dependent H2 oxidation. The deduced amino acid sequence of hupR shares high homology with bacterial rubredoxins. HupZ and HupR may both be involved in transferring electrons from hydrogenase to the electron transport chain. A mutation in hupV knocked out hydrogenase activity entirely; this gene may be involved in processing the large subunit of hydrogenase. It is now clear that the genes controlling [NiFe] hydrogenase activity in many bacteria including Azotobacter chroococcum, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhodobacter capsulatus and Escherichia coli are highly conserved, organized in much the same manner, and likely derived from a common ancestor.

[Malignant lymphomas in childhood in Sichuan province--a clinicopathological analysis of 304 cases]

A clinicopathological study of 304 cases of malignant lymphomas (ML) in children in Sichuan province is reported. One hundred and sixty of them were Hodgkin's disease (HD). The ratio between males and females was 5.7 to 1. The disease was more prevalent in children aged from 5 to 9. Cervical lymph nodes were more easily involved. Extra-nodal HD wasn't found in these cases. When subtypes of HD were concerned 62.5% of cases belonged to mixed-cellularity HD. The prognosis of HD was better than that of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The remaining 144 cases were NHL. The ratio between males and females was 3.4 to 1. The disease was more prevalent in children aged from 4 to 14. Eighty four percent of NHL primarily originated from superficial lymph nodes and the other 16.0% of NHL was of extranodal involvement. Seventy two point nine percent of cases in this group was of high grade malignancy. Among them the lymphoblastic type of NHL occupied 44.5%. On the other hand, the follicular type of NHL was rare (0.7%). The specialities of malignant lymphomas in childhood in China are also discussed in the present report.

Cytostellin distributes to nuclear regions enriched with splicing factors

Cytostellin, a approximately 240 kDa phosphoprotein found in all cells examined from human to yeast, is predominantly intranuclear in interphase mammalian cells and undergoes continuous redistribution during the cell cycle. Here, mammalian cytostellin is shown to localize to intranuclear regions enriched with multiple splicing proteins, including spliceosome assembly factor, SC-35. Cytostellin and the splicing proteins also co-localize to discrete foci (called ‘dots’), which are distributed throughout the cell during mitosis and part of G1. The cytostellin that is localized to these dots resists extraction by Triton X-100, indicating that it is tightly associated with insoluble cell structures. All immunostainable cytostellin reappears in the nucleus before S-phase. Although cytostellin and the splicing proteins co-localize in interphase and dividing cells, cytostellin is not detected in purified spliceosomes, and it associates with six unidentified proteins, forming a macromolecular complex that is biochemically distinct from the proteins that comprise spliceosomes. This macromolecular complex is detected at constant levels throughout the cell cycle, and the level of cytostellin protein remains constant during the cell cycle. Nevertheless, intranuclear cytostellin immunostaining fluctuates markedly during the cell cycle. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) H5 epitope of cytostellin is ‘masked’ in serum-starved cells, but 60 minutes after serum stimulation intense cytostellin immunoreactivity appears in the nuclear speckles. This rapid induction of cytostellin immunoreactivity in subnuclear regions enriched with many splicing factors, as well as accumulations of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcripts, suggests that cytostellin may have a function related to mRNA biogenesis.

Hybridization to an anti-activated platelet monoclonal antibody enhances fibrinolytic potency on urokinase

The B-chain of urokinase (UK) was covalently linked by disulfide bond to the Fab fragment of an anti-human activated platelet monoclonal antibody (SZ-51). The UK-SZ-51 conjugate retained the original binding specificity of its parent antibody, and produced about a 5-fold enhancement in clot lysis in plasma over that of the urokinase in vitro. Whereas UK significantly decreased the concentration of fibrinogen in plasma clot assay supernatants, UK-SZ-51 did not.

Uncovering of functional alternative CTLA-4 counter-receptor in B7-deficient mice

B7 delivers a costimulatory signal through CD28, resulting in interleukin-2 secretion and T cell proliferation. Blockade of this pathway results in T cell anergy. The in vivo role of B7 was evaluated with B7-deficient mice. These mice had a 70 percent decrease in costimulation of the response to alloantigen. Despite lacking B7 expression, activated B cells from these mice bound CTLA-4 and GL1 monoclonal antibody, demonstrating that alternative CTLA-4 ligand or ligands exist. These receptors are functionally important because the residual allogenic mixed lymphocyte responses were blocked by CTLA4Ig. Characterization of these CTLA-4 ligands should lead to strategies for manipulating the immune response.

Evaluation of antibody against AR142, a synthetic peptide derived from the core sequence of hepatitis C virus, in the diagnosis of non-A, non-B chronic liver disease

We evaluated serum anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using a synthetic peptide (AR142) which includes an epitope in the core region of HCV. The incidence of anti-AR142 in 98 patients with type non-A, non-B chronic liver diseases (NANB-CLD) was 89.8%, while all the 28 patients with non-type C chronic liver diseases were negative for anti-AR142. Among 98 NANB-CLD patients, 74 were positive for both anti-AR142 and anti-C100-3, 23 showed discordant results, and one was positive for neither. Eighty-one NANB-CLD patients underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay to detect viremia and 76 (93.8%) had a detectable level of HCV-RNA. Titers of anti-AR142 were not different among groups of different disease activities, genotypes of HCV, nor amount of serum HCV-RNA. These observations suggest that anti-AR142 could be a useful marker for chronic HCV infection.

The Azotobacter chroococcum hydrogenase gene cluster: sequences and genetic analysis of four accessory genes, hupA, hupB, hupY and hupC

The Azotobacter chroococcum chromosome contains a region spanning about 14 kb associated with hydrogen-uptake (Hup) activity. The small and large subunits of the hydrogenase are encoded by the structural genes hupS and hupL. Two other genes, hupD and hupE, are located 8.9 kb downstream from hupL and are required for the formation of a catalytically active hydrogenase. In this study, we determined the nucleotide sequence of a 3.8-kb region immediately upstream from hupD. This revealed four additional closely linked ORFs which we designated hupA, hupB, hupY and hupC; these genes potentially encode polypeptides with predicted masses of 12.6, 33.3, 80.4 and 9.0 kDa, respectively. This cluster of genes was shown to be essential for hydrogenase activity by insertion mutagenesis using antibiotic-resistance gene cassettes and a Tn5 derivative carrying a promoterless lacZ gene. A 10.5-kb fragment of DNA beginning 3.4 kb downstream from hupL, and including the sequenced region, was able to complement hupA and hupY mutants, supporting earlier evidence for a promoter downstream from hupSL. The deduced amino acid sequences of hupA, hupB and hupC are homologous to the Escherichia coli hypA, hypB and hypC gene products, respectively. Of particular interest is the fact that there is no homologue of the hupY gene product in the E. coli hyp operon. Mutations in hupY or hupB had little effect on beta-galactosidase activity in a strain also carrying a hupL::lacZ fusion, showing that hupY and hupB are not major factors in regulating the transcription of the hydrogenase structural genes.

Characterization of two genes (hupD and hupE) required for hydrogenase activity in Azotobacter chroococcum

In Azotobacter chroococcum the hydrogenase structural genes (hupSL) cover about 2.8 kb of a 15-kb region associated with hydrogen-uptake (Hup) activity. Two other genes in this region, hupD and hupE, were located 8.9 kb downstream of hupL and were shown to be essential for hydrogenase activity by insertion mutagenesis. A fragment of DNA beginning 3.4 kb downstream of hupL was able to complement the hupE mutant, supporting earlier evidence for a promoter downstream of hupSL. Hybridization experiments showed that hupD and hupE share some similarity with a region of Alcaligenes eutrophus DNA which is apparently involved in the formation of catalytically active hydrogenase. The hupD gene encodes a 379-amino acid, 41.4-kDa polypeptide while hupE codes for a 341-amino acid, 36.1-kDa product. The predicted amino acid sequences of the hupD and hupE genes are homologous to the Escherichia coli hypD and hypE gene products, respectively. A polar mutation in hupD had no effect on beta-galactosidase activity in a strain also carrying a hupL-lacZ fusion, indicating that hupD and hupE are probably not involved in regulating hydrogenase structural gene expression.

[The effect of fluorine on the developing human brain]

Fifteen therapeutically aborted fetuses at the 5th-8th gestation month from the endemic fluorosis area were compared with those from the non-endemic area. Stereological study of the brains showed that the numerical density of volume of the neurons and the undifferentiated neuroblasts as well as the nucleus-cytoplasm ratio of the neurons were increased. The mean volume of the neurons was reduced. The numerical density of volume, the volume density and the surface density of the mitochondria were significantly reduced. The results showed that chronic fluorosis in the course of intrauterine fetal life may produce certain harmful effects on the developing brain of the fetus.

Structure of 1,1-dichloro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-diphenylcyclopropane

C22H18Cl2O, M(r) = 369.3, monoclinic, P2(1)/a, a = 16.585(1), b = 17.328(1), c = 13.192(3) A, beta = 107.443(8) degrees, V = 3616.8 A3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.356 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 3.2 cm-1, F(000) = 1536, T = 138 K, R = 0.039 for 5450 observed reflections. The structural features of the two independent molecules are quite similar except in the orientation of the methoxy group. The cyclopropane ring shows the expected bond-length asymmetry with C(2)-C(3) as the longest bond. The two cis-arranged phenyl rings adopt similar conformations as observed in diaryl-cyclopropanes, with one ring in the bisecting position and the other near the perpendicular position. The conformation of the third aryl ring is also near the perpendicular position. The overall conformation of the three aryl rings is different from the helical propeller conformation consistently observed in tamoxifen and all other known tri(tetra)aryl-vinyl systems.

Spatial frequency of the human short-wavelength-sensitive (blue) cone mechanism. Psychophysical studies and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials

The interactions of spatial and chromatic processing of the short-wavelength-sensitive cone mechanism were studied in humans with patterned (checkerboard) stimuli of various spatial frequency (10, 22, 44, and 85 min of are respectively), under steady exposure to yellow light (575 nm, 390 cd/m2). Psychophysical studies and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials were employed. Parameters of the transient pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (pattern reversal rate of 2.4 s-1) especially observed were the latencies of P2 (P100) and N3 and the amplitude of P2-N3. It was only with the largest applicable check size (85 min of arc) that both the psychophysical studies and visual evoked potentials could succeed in satisfactorily isolating the short-wavelength-sensitive cone mechanism. Pattern-reversal visual evoked potential latencies are recommended in the evaluation of this cone mechanism because of their smaller variance and higher selectivity in isolating the short-wavelength-sensitive cone mechanism than the amplitude. The peak sensitivity of this cone mechanism was shown to be about 449 nm at the corneal level. The short-wavelength sensitive cone mechanism represented the characteristics of low spatial resolution and long latencies of the pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials.

Effect of isoelectric point on biodistribution and inflammation: imaging with indium-111-labelled IgG

Electrostatic effects play an important role in protein interactions and may alter the biodistribution of antibodies. To study the effect of molecular charge of the biodistribution and infection imaging properties of human polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG), its isoelectric point was varied by changing the level of diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) substitution: 0.8, 0.9, 3.7, 5.1 and 5.9 DTPA/IgG. Biodistributions of the different IgG preparations were determined at 10 min, 1, 6, 24, and 48 h post injection in normal rats, and infection imaging properties were determined in rats with Escherichia coli thigh infections. The biodistribution was significantly affected by pI. The immunoglobulin preparations with 0.9 and 3.7 DTPA/IgG showed faster clearance from the circulation and generally lower accumulation in most organs. The images had a target-to-background ratio of approximately 1.3-2.3:1. These results suggest that even though targeting is not affected by the level of DTPA substitutions, preparations with 0.9 and 3.7 DTPA/IgG may be superior imaging agents because of reduced accumulation by background organs.

Recent trends in the registration of blindness and partial sight in Leicestershire

A study is reported of all new registrations for blindness and partial sight in the county of Leicestershire, England, for the years 1965, 1975, and 1985. The number of new registrations for blindness has risen considerably over this period, but the increase is shown to be attributable to changes in the age structure of the population and under-registration in 1965. The number of new registrations for partial sight has also increased over the study period but by significantly more than would be expected, even after changes in the population structure are allowed for. The registration rates for Leicestershire when analysed by age, sex, and cause are shown to be broadly in line with available national figures. Registration rates for macular degeneration and glaucoma are increasing in both males and females, and rates for cataract are at a significantly higher level for women than for men.