Generation of mice with a conditional allele for transforming growth factor beta 1 gene

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a multifunctional growth factor involved in wound healing, tissue fibrosis, and in the pathogenesis of many syndromic diseases (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Camurati-Engelmann disease) and muscular, neurological, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and immunological disorders, and cancer. Since the generation of Tgfb1 knockout mice, there has been extraordinary progress in understanding its physiological and pathophysiological function. Here, we report the generation of a conditional knockout allele for Tgfb1 in which its exon 6 is flanked with LoxP sites. As proof of principle, we crossed these mice to LckCre transgenic mice and specifically disrupted Tgfb1 in T cells. The results indicate that T-cell-produced TGFbeta1 is required for normal in vivo regulation of peripheral T-cell activation, maintenance of T-cell homeostasis, and suppression of autoimmunity.

Stomachs of mice lacking the gastric H,K-ATPase alpha -subunit have achlorhydria, abnormal parietal cells, and ciliated metaplasia

The H,K-ATPase of the gastric parietal cell is the most critical component of the ion transport system mediating acid secretion in the stomach. To study the requirement of this enzyme in the development, maintenance, and function of the gastric mucosa, we used gene targeting to prepare mice lacking the alpha-subunit. Homozygous mutant (Atp4a(-/-)) mice appeared healthy and exhibited normal systemic electrolyte and acid-base status but were achlorhydric and hypergastrinemic. Immunocytochemical, histological, and ultrastructural analyses of Atp4a(-/-) stomachs revealed the presence of chief cells, demonstrating that the lack of acid secretion does not interfere with their differentiation. Parietal cells were also present in normal numbers, and despite the absence of alpha-subunit mRNA and protein, the beta-subunit was expressed. However, Atp4a(-/-) parietal cells had dilated canaliculi and lacked typical canalicular microvilli and tubulovesicles, and subsets of these cells contained abnormal mitochondria and/or massive glycogen stores. Stomachs of adult Atp4a(-/-) mice exhibited metaplasia, which included the presence of ciliated cells. We conclude that ablation of the H,K-ATPase alpha-subunit causes achlorhydria and hypergastrinemia, severe perturbations in the secretory membranes of the parietal cell, and metaplasia of the gastric mucosa; however, the absence of the pump appears not to perturb parietal cell viability or chief cell differentiation.

Mice lacking the basolateral Na-K-2Cl cotransporter have impaired epithelial chloride secretion and are profoundly deaf

In chloride-secretory epithelia, the basolateral Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) is thought to play a major role in transepithelial Cl(-) and fluid transport. Similarly, in marginal cells of the inner ear, NKCC1 has been proposed as a component of the entry pathway for K(+) that is secreted into the endolymph, thus playing a critical role in hearing. To test these hypotheses, we generated and analyzed an NKCC1-deficient mouse. Homozygous mutant (Nkcc1(-/-)) mice exhibited growth retardation, a 28% incidence of death around the time of weaning, and mild difficulties in maintaining their balance. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced in both heterozygous and homozygous mutants, indicating an important function for NKCC1 in the maintenance of blood pressure. cAMP-induced short circuit currents, which are dependent on the CFTR Cl(-) channel, were reduced in jejunum, cecum, and trachea of Nkcc1(-/-) mice, indicating that NKCC1 contributes to cAMP-induced Cl(-) secretion. In contrast, secretion of gastric acid in adult Nkcc1(-/-) stomachs and enterotoxin-stimulated fluid secretion in the intestine of suckling Nkcc1(-/-) mice were normal. Finally, homozygous mutants were deaf, and histological analysis of the inner ear revealed a collapse of the membranous labyrinth, consistent with a critical role for NKCC1 in transepithelial K(+) movements involved in generation of the K(+)-rich endolymph and the endocochlear potential.

Impaired cardiac performance in heterozygous mice with a null mutation in the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2) gene

The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2) gene encodes both SERCA2a, the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump, and SERCA2b, which is expressed in all tissues. To gain a better understanding of the physiological functions of SERCA2, we used gene targeting to develop a mouse in which the promoter and 5' end of the gene were eliminated. Mating of heterozygous mutant mice yielded wild-type and heterozygous offspring; homozygous mutants were not observed. RNase protection, Western blotting, and biochemical analysis of heart samples showed that SERCA2 mRNA was reduced by approximately 45% in heterozygous mutant hearts and that SERCA2 protein and maximal velocity of Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum were reduced by approximately 35%. Measurements of cardiovascular performance via transducers in the left ventricle and right femoral artery of the anesthetized mouse revealed reductions in mean arterial pressure, systolic ventricular pressure, and the absolute values of both positive and negative dP/dt in heterozygous mutants. These results demonstrate that two functional copies of the SERCA2 gene are required to maintain normal levels of SERCA2 mRNA, protein, and Ca2+ sequestering activity, and that the deficit in Ca2+ sequestering activity due to the loss of one copy of the SERCA2 gene impairs cardiac contractility and relaxation.

Phenotype resembling Gitelman's syndrome in mice lacking the apical Na+-Cl- cotransporter of the distal convoluted tubule

Mutations in the gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule cause Gitelman's syndrome, an inherited hypokalemic alkalosis with hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria. These metabolic abnormalities are secondary to the deficit in NaCl reabsorption, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To gain a better understanding of the role of NCC in sodium and fluid volume homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of Gitelman's syndrome, we used gene targeting to prepare an NCC-deficient mouse. Null mutant (Ncc-/-) mice appear healthy and are normal with respect to acid-base balance, plasma electrolyte concentrations, serum aldosterone levels, and blood pressure. Ncc-/- mice retain Na+ as well as wild-type mice when fed a Na+-depleted diet; however, after 2 weeks of Na+ depletion the mean arterial blood pressure of Ncc-/- mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice. In addition, Ncc-/- mice exhibited increased renin mRNA levels in kidney, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria, and morphological changes in the distal convoluted tubule. These data indicate that the loss of NCC activity in the mouse causes only subtle perturbations of sodium and fluid volume homeostasis, but renal handling of Mg2+ and Ca2+ are altered, as observed in Gitelman's syndrome.

Balance and hearing deficits in mice with a null mutation in the gene encoding plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2

Plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2 (PMCA2) exhibits a highly restricted tissue distribution, suggesting that it serves more specialized physiological functions than some of the other isoforms. A unique role in hearing is indicated by the high levels of PMCA2 expression in cochlear outer hair cells and spiral ganglion cells. To analyze the physiological role of PMCA2 we used gene targeting to produce PMCA2-deficient mice. Breeding of heterozygous mice yielded live homozygous mutant offspring. PMCA2-null mice grow more slowly than heterozygous and wild-type mice and exhibit an unsteady gait and difficulties in maintaining balance. Histological analysis of the cerebellum and inner ear of mutant and wild-type mice revealed that null mutants had slightly increased numbers of Purkinje neurons (in which PMCA2 is highly expressed), a decreased thickness of the molecular layer, an absence of otoconia in the vestibular system, and a range of abnormalities of the organ of Corti. Analysis of auditory evoked brainstem responses revealed that homozygous mutants were deaf and that heterozygous mice had a significant hearing loss. These data demonstrate that PMCA2 is required for both balance and hearing and suggest that it may be a major source of the calcium used in the formation and maintenance of otoconia.

Renal and intestinal absorptive defects in mice lacking the NHE3 Na+/H+ exchanger

NHE3 is one of five plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchangers and is encoded by the mouse gene Slc9a3. It is expressed on apical membranes of renal proximal tubule and intestinal epithelial cells and is thought to play a major role in NaCl and HCO3- absorption. As the distribution of NHE3 overlaps with that of the NHE2 isoform in kidney and intestine, the function and relative importance of NHE3 in vivo is unclear. To analyse its physiological functions, we generated mice lacking NHE3 function. Homozygous mutant (Slc9a3-/-) mice survive, but they have slight diarrhoea and blood analysis revealed that they are mildly acidotic. HCO3- and fluid absorption are sharply reduced in proximal convoluted tubules, blood pressure is reduced and there is a severe absorptive defect in the intestine. Thus, compensatory mechanisms must limit gross perturbations of electrolyte and acid-base balance. Plasma aldosterone is increased in NHE3-deficient mice, and expression of both renin and the AE1 (Slc4a1) Cl-/HCO3- exchanger mRNAs are induced in kidney. In the colon, epithelial Na+ channel activity is increased and colonic H+,K+-ATPase mRNA is massively induced. These data show that NHE3 is the major absorptive Na+/H+ exchanger in kidney and intestine, and that lack of the exchanger impairs acid-base balance and Na+-fluid volume homeostasis.

Targeted disruption of the murine Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 2 gene causes reduced viability of gastric parietal cells and loss of net acid secretion

Multiple isoforms of the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) are expressed at high levels in gastric epithelium, but the physiological role of individual isoforms is unclear. To study the function of NHE2, which is expressed in mucous, zymogenic, and parietal cells, we prepared mice with a null mutation in the NHE2 gene. Homozygous null mutants exhibit no overt disease phenotype, but the cellular composition of the oxyntic mucosa of the gastric corpus is altered, with parietal and zymogenic cells reduced markedly in number. Net acid secretion in null mutants is reduced slightly relative to wild-type levels just before weaning and is abolished in adult animals. Although mature parietal cells are observed, and appear morphologically to be engaged in active acid secretion, many of the parietal cells are in various stages of degeneration. These results indicate that NHE2 is not required for acid secretion by the parietal cell, but is essential for its long-term viability. This suggests that the unique sensitivity of NHE2 to inhibition by extracellular H+, which would allow upregulation of its activity by the increased interstitial alkalinity that accompanies acid secretion, might enable this isoform to play a specialized role in maintaining the long-term viability of the parietal cell.

Increased sensitivity to K+ deprivation in colonic H,K-ATPase-deficient mice

Previous studies using isolated tissues suggest that the colonic H, K-ATPase (cHKA), expressed in the colon and kidney, plays an important role in K+ conservation. To test the role of this pump in K+ homeostasis in vivo, we generated a cHKA-deficient mouse and analyzed its ability to retain K+ when fed a control or K+-free diet. When maintained on a control diet, homozygous mutant (cHKA-/-) mice exhibited no deficit in K+ homeostasis compared to wild-type (cHKA+/+ greater, similar mice. Although fecal K+ excretion in cHKA-/- mice was double that of cHKA+/+ mice, fecal K+ losses were low compared with urinary K+ excretion, which was similar in both groups. When maintained on a K+-free diet for 18 d, urinary K+ excretion dropped over 100-fold, and to similar levels, in both cHKA-/- and cHKA+/+ mice; fecal K+ excretion was reduced in both groups, but losses were fourfold greater in cHKA-/- than in cHKA+/+ mice. Because of the excess loss of K+ in the colon, cHKA-/- mice exhibited lower plasma and muscle K+ than cHKA+/+ mice. In addition, cHKA-/- mice lost twice as much body weight as cHKA+/+ mice. These results demonstrate that, during K+ deprivation, cHKA plays a critical role in the maintenance of K+ homeostasis in vivo.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 control of vascular tone

Vascular tone control is essential in blood pressure regulation, shock, ischemia-reperfusion, inflammation, vessel injury/repair, wound healing, temperature regulation, digestion, exercise physiology, and metabolism. Here we show that a well-known growth factor, FGF2, long thought to be involved in many developmental and homeostatic processes, including growth of the tissue layers of vessel walls, functions in vascular tone control. Fgf2 knockout mice are morphologically normal and display decreased vascular smooth muscle contractility, low blood pressure and thrombocytosis. Following intra-arterial mechanical injury, FGF2-deficient vessels undergo a normal hyperplastic response. These results force us to reconsider the function of FGF2 in vascular development and homeostasis in terms of vascular tone control.

Defective endothelium-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell Ca2+ signaling in mice lacking sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoform 3

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase isoform 3 (SERCA3) is one of two Ca2+ pumps serving intracellular Ca2+ signaling pools in non-muscle tissues; however, unlike the ubiquitous SERCA2b, it exhibits a restricted cell-type distribution. Gene targeting was used to generate a mouse with a null mutation in the SERCA3 gene. Homozygous mutant mice were viable, fertile, and did not exhibit an overt disease phenotype. Because SERCA3 is expressed in arterial endothelial cells, aortic ring preparations were analyzed to determine whether it is involved in the regulation of vascular tone. Contraction-isometric force relations in response to phenylephrine or KCl, as well as relaxation produced by exposure to a nitric oxide donor, were similar in wild-type and null mutant aortas. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortas after precontraction with phenylephrine was significantly reduced in homozygous mutants (61.3 +/- 5.6% in wild type, 35.4 +/- 7.3% in mutants). Ca2+ imaging of cultured aortic endothelial cells demonstrated that the acetylcholine-induced intracellular Ca2+ signal is sharply diminished in SERCA3-deficient cells and also indicated that replenishment of the acetylcholine-responsive Ca2+ stores is severely impaired. These results indicate that SERCA3 plays a critical role in endothelial cell Ca2+ signaling events involved in nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

How knockout mouse lines will be used to study the role of drug-metabolizing enzymes and their receptors during reproduction and development, and in environmental toxicity, cancer, and oxidative stress

The dioxin-inducible mouse [Ah] battery contains at least six genes that "cross-talk" with one another and are believed to play important roles in reproduction and development, and in environmental toxicity, cancer, and oxidative stress. In addition to two P450 genes, Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2, this laboratory has shown that the four Phase II [Ah] genes include: NAD(P)H:menadione oxidoreductase (Nmo1); a cytosolic "class 3" aldehyde dehydrogenase (Ahd4); a UDP glucuronosyltransferase having 4-methylumbelliferone as substrate (Ugt1a6); and a glutathione transferase having 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene as substrate (Gsta1, Ya). The Ah receptor-mediated coordinate induction is controlled positively in all six [Ah] battery genes. Oxidative stress up-regulates the four Phase II [Ah] genes. This laboratory is generating conventional, plus inducible, knockout mouse lines having homozygous disruptions in the above-mentioned genes; this novel methodology is described herein. If the conventional knockout is healthy and viable, the mouse line would be useful for studies involving environmental agents. If the conventional knockout is lethal during development, this model would be important for developmental biology, but the inducible (also called conditional) knockout can still be used--at selected ages and even in selected tissue or cell types--for studies designed to understand the mechanisms involved in reproduction and development, and in environmental toxicity, cancer, and oxidative stress.

FLP-mediated site-specific recombination in microinjected murine zygotes

The FLP recombinase of yeast catalyses site-specific recombination between repeated FLP recombinase target (FRT) elements in yeast and in heterologous systems (Escherichia coli, Drosophila, mosquito and cultured mammalian cells). In this report, it is shown that transient FLP recombinase expression can recombine and activate an extrachromosomal silent reporter gene following coinjection into fertilized one-cell mouse eggs. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that introduction of a FLP-recombinase expression vector into transgenic one-cell fertilized mouse eggs induces a recombination event at a chromosomal FRT target locus. The resulting event occurred at the one-cell stage and deleted a chromosomal tandem array of a FRT containing lacZ expression cassette down to one or two copies. These results demonstrate that the FLP recombinase can be utilized to manipulate the genome of transgenic animals and suggest that FLP recombinase-mediated plasmid-to-chromosome targeting is feasible in microinjected eggs.

Cyp1a2(-/-) null mutant mice develop normally but show deficient drug metabolism

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is a predominantly hepatic enzyme known to be important in the metabolism of numerous foreign chemicals of pharmacologic, toxicologic, and carcinogenic significance. CYP1A2 substrates include aflatoxin B1, acetaminophen, and a variety of environmental arylamines. To define better the developmental and metabolic functions of this enzyme, we developed a CYP1A2-deficient mouse line by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Mice homozygous for the targeted Cyp1a2 gene, designated Cyp1a2(-/-), are completely viable and fertile; histologic examination of 15-day embryos, newborn pups, and 3-week-old mice revealed no abnormalities. No CYP1A2 mRNA was detected by Northern blot analysis. Moreover, mRNA levels of Cyp1a1, the other gene in the same subfamily, appear unaffected by loss of the Cyp1a2 gene. Because the muscle relaxant zoxazolamine is a known substrate for CYP1A2, we studied the Cyp1a2(-/-) genotype by using the zoxazolamine paralysis test: the Cyp1a2(-/-) mice exhibited dramatically lengthened paralysis times relative to the Cyp1a2(+/+) wild-type animals, and the Cyp1a2(+/-) heterozygotes showed an intermediate effect. Availability of a viable and fertile CYP1A2-deficient mouse line will provide a valuable tool for researchers wishing to define the precise role of CYP1A2 in numerous metabolic and pharmacokinetic processes.

Targeted ablation of the phospholamban gene is associated with markedly enhanced myocardial contractility and loss of beta-agonist stimulation

Phospholamban is the regulator of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and it has been suggested to be an important determinant in the inotropic responses of the heart to beta-adrenergic stimulation. To determine the role of phospholamban in vivo, the gene coding for this protein was targeted in murine embryonic stem cells, and mice deficient in phospholamban were generated. The phospholamban-deficient mice showed no gross developmental abnormalities but exhibited enhanced myocardial performance without changes in heart rate. The time to peak pressure and the time to half-relaxation were significantly shorter in phospholamban-deficient mice compared with their wild-type homozygous littermates as assessed in work-performing mouse heart preparations under identical venous returns, afterloads, and heart rates. The first derivatives of intraventricular pressure (+/- dP/dt) were also significantly elevated, and this was associated with an increase in the affinity of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase for Ca2+ in the phospholamban-deficient hearts. Baseline levels of these parameters in the phospholamban-deficient hearts were equal to those observed in hearts of wild-type littermates maximally stimulated with the beta-agonist isoproterenol. These findings indicate that phospholamban acts as a critical repressor of basal myocardial contractility and may be the key phosphoprotein in mediating the heart's contractile responses to beta-adrenergic agonists.

Characterization of cross-reactive anti-DNA autoantibodies in murine lupus

The role of crossreactive anti-DNA autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and its counterpart in the mouse (murine lupus) remains undefined. Five murine monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibodies tested in ELISA and immunofluorescence assays were found to cross-react with a variety of both nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid antigens. These included double stranded DNA (dsDNA), single stranded DNA (ssDNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and the murine thymoma cell lines WEHI-22, WEHI-7, and EL-4. The majority of the autoantibodies reacted with all antigens tested; none of the autoantibodies reacted with only one antigen. To determine if the multiple reactivities demonstrated by these hybridoma-derived monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibodies accurately reflects the in vivo, autoimmune environment, the same assays were used to measure the reactivities of autoantibodies secreted directly from unfused autoimmune spleen cells cultured in vitro. These spleen cell-derived autoantibodies were found to display reactivities very similar to those demonstrated by the monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibodies indicating that the hybridoma process itself does not appear to select and amplify reactivities which are not present in vivo. Initial molecular characterization of F11, a monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibody crossreactive with both dsDNA and ssDNA, revealed that it utilizes the same VH gene segment as an anti-DNA autoantibody specific for ssDNA. F11 was also found to utilize similar VH, D, and JH gene segments as an antibody directed against the hapten polymer (Glutamic acid60, Alanine30, Tyrosine10)n (GAT). Thus, the same Ig gene segments used to encode crossreactive anti-DNA autoantibodies can also be utilized by anti-DNA autoantibodies displaying strict antigen specificity as well as by antibodies directed against exogenous antigens.

Heat shock proteins in thermotolerance and other cellular processes

Heat shock proteins appear to be causatively involved in the acquisition of thermotolerance in prokaryotes but not in eukaryotes. Further, the enhanced synthesis of hsps may be necessary for some cellular responses to stress but not others. In prokaryotic cells the development of thermotolerance, as measured by cell survival, is dependent upon protein synthesis. However, in eukaryotes, enhanced hsp synthesis following an inducing stress and prior to a subsequent heat shock is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of thermotolerance as measured by colony-forming assays. The enhanced expression of hsps may be required for some mammalian cellular stress responses, such as the ability to reform both actin microfilament bundles and nucleolar morphology. These latter two thermotolerant responses have not been correlated with colony-forming ability. Future work should address the relationships between these various physiological responses to stress and determine if hsps function in some repair mode with regard to colony formation responses. Evidence is accumulating that hsps or their cognates may function in growth and differentiation in some manner as yet to be fully explained. Recent studies indicate that genes controlling cell division in E. coli may be linked to those of several stress regulons, and it would not be surprising to find a similar relationship in eukaryotes. At this time, it is important that studies investigating the role of hsps in stress and other cellular responses such as growth and differentiation define the specific gene (including its regulatory sequences) that encodes the protein being investigated, in order to avoid apparently contradictory and confusing reports of hsps expression.

Ornithine decarboxylase production in vitro by using mouse cDNA

Microgram quantities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17)-specific mRNA were synthesized by transcription techniques in vitro, by using a plasmid containing mouse cDNA coding for this enzyme. The homogeneous RNA preparation was then used for cell-free synthesis of ODC protein, in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Analysis of products translated in vitro by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis revealed predominantly one protein produced, with Mr approx. 54,000, which was immunoprecipitable by anti-ODC serum. Two-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis showed that the protein ODC synthesized in vitro had a pI of approx. 5.4, similar to the native enzyme isolated from mouse tissues. In addition, quantification of activity and protein amount showed that the enzyme synthesized in vitro had a specific activity of approx. 63,000 units (nmol/min)/mg, consistent with the purified mouse kidney enzyme's specific activity of approx. 47,000 units/mg. An average of nearly 200 pg of ODC protein was produced in vitro from various RNA preparations. These data demonstrate that ODC-specific mRNA and active ODC protein can be produced by 'in vitro' technology, which should prove useful in studying functional and structural characteristics of these molecules.

Accumulation of heat shock protein 70 RNA and its relationship to protein synthesis after heat shock in mammalian cells

Heat stress induces a set of heat shock proteins (hsps) in a wide variety of species. In response to either a mild (5 min X 45 degrees C) or severe (30 min X 45 degrees C) heat shock, the timing of expression of the hsps and the recovery of general protein synthesis in rat embryonic fibroblasts was dependent on the duration of the hyperthermic exposure. Synthesis of mRNA coding for an hsp of Mr approximately equal to 70,000 (hsp 70) followed immediately after the mild heat shock but was delayed after the severe heat shock. Appearance of the hsps paralleled the synthesis and decay of RNA and was indicative that new RNA synthesis was required for hsp 70 expression. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide after the mild heat shock increased the maximal accumulation of hsp 70 encoding mRNA but did not prevent the subsequent decrease in this mRNA species. These results suggest that mammalian cells control the expression of hsp 70 primarily at the level of transcription, and that the normal pattern of hsp 70 mRNA turnover after an inducing heat stress is not dependent on new protein synthesis.

Lawn dart injury in children: report of two cases

Two cases of intracranial penetration by lawn darts are presented in this report. Both patients were children who developed infectious sequelae following primary closure of cutaneous puncture wounds. These injuries suggest that the darts produced a high-energy impact force that resulted in skull fractures and focal cerebral injury. When children present with puncture wounds or lacerations produced by lawn darts, intracranial penetration must be ruled out, using appropriate medical imaging. Parents should be advised regarding the need for medical reassessment should fever, headache, or local signs of infection occur.

Interaction of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase core with two specificity-determining subunits. Competition between sigma and the SPO1 gene 28 protein

Gene activity in the development of phage SPO1 is transcriptionally regulated. Early viral genes are transcribed by the major vegetative cell RNA polymerase (E. sigma). Middle viral genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase core (E) bearing the SPO1 gene 28 protein (gp28) instead of sigma. This paper deals with the competitive interactions of sigma and gp28 with E which must, at least in part, be involved in the ability of viral middle gene expression to succeed early gene expression. An in vitro assay has been developed for determining the proportions of early (E. sigma) and SPO1 middle (E.gp28) Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase in mixtures. The assay, which is based on the transcription of two well studied SPO1 restriction fragments followed by gel electrophoresis and quantitation of the E. sigma and E.gp28 transcription products, has been used to study the interactions of sigma and gp28 with RNA polymerase core. These subunits are found to be capable of competitively excluding each other. The binding competition is sensitive to ionic strength, with sigma being more effective below 0.2 total ionic strength and gp28 being more effective at higher values. The outcome of competition is also dependent on the order of addition of subunits and the reconstitution kinetics have been studied. The subunit competition is rather insensitive, particularly at higher ionic strength, to temperature. Gp28 can convert E. sigma to E.gp28 but the reverse reaction occurs much less efficiently. The B. subtilis delta protein biases the sigma-gp28 competition in favor of the sigma subunit. the implications of these results for the physiological transition of transcriptional specificity during SPO1 development are discussed.

Transcription in aging: the response of rat liver nuclear RNA polymerases to cycloheximide in vivo

Experiments were performed to address the known relationship between diet and longevity. The acute response of rat liver nuclear RNA polymerases to inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide (10 mg/kg) was quantitated in rats of varying ages. Thirty minutes after cycloheximide administration, there was a "compensatory" 1.5--2-fold increase in RNA polymerase II activity at all ages. Nucleolar RNA polymerase I activity was significantly diminished only up to 4 months, indicating a loss in tight control coupling of protein synthesis to rRNA synthesis with age.

Development of an antibody to actinomycin D and its application for the detection of serum levels by radioimmunoassay

An antibody specific for actinomycin D (Act D) has been developed and used in a rapid, sensitive radioimmunoassay for detection of this anticancer drug in serum. The 2-amino group of the heterocyclic chromophore of Act D was covalently coupled to available free carboxyl groups of bovine serum albumin with carbodiimide. The resulting complex was then used for the production of a specific antibody to Act D in two male New Zealand rabbits. Antibody production was of sufficient titer in both rabbits to allow the development of a radioimmunoassay for the free drug which is rapid and sensitive enough to accurately measure 0.1 pmol of Act D. The antibody produced was characterized to be immunoglobulin G by virtue of its ability to bind to Protein A:Sepharose columns. With the use of Act-D analog, actinomine, the antibody was characterized to be specific for the pentapeptide portion of the molecule. Pharmacokinetic analysis of serial serum samples obtained from a patient who received the drug i.v. revealed a biphasic response with an alpha-serum half-life of 1.78 and a beta serum half-life of 34 min. An i.v. injection of Act D into a dog and assay of serum concentration revealed a similar biphasic response with an alpha serum half-life of 0.78 min and a beta-serum half-life of 208 min.

Enhanced transcription by RNA polymerases II and III after inhibition of protein synthesis

Intraperitoneal administration of cycloheximide (100 mg/kg) to rats produces a time-dependent rise in nuclear RNA polymerase II activity which is maximum at 30 min. This same concentration of cycloheximide also reduces RNA polymerase I activity to 64% of control within this time period. When 10 mg/kg of cycloheximide was administered, there was a 2-fold increase in both RNA polymerases II and III activities within 30 min as assayed in isolated nuclei. When these enzymes are solubilized from nuclei and resolved by DEAE-Sephadex, there is no significant change in the activity of RNA polymerase I or II when assayed on an exogenous template. It is suggested that the dual enhancement of nuclear RNA polymerase II and III activities is the result of a compensatory feedback relationship which exists between translation and transcription in vivo.

Purification of a positive regulatory subunit from phage SP01-modified RNA polymerase

A phage-induced subunit has been purified from phage SP01-modified Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase. This subunit binds in vitro to RNA polymerase core from uninfected B. subtilis thereby template-selective transcription and asymmetric synthesis of SP01 middle RNA.

The virus-specified subunits of a modified B. subtilis RNA polymerase are determinants of DNA binding and RNA chain initiation

The phage SPO1-modified RNA polymerase B-P can form rapidly initiating complexes with SPO1 DNA but not with heterologous phi1 DNA. The B-P enzyme binds only weakly to heterologous phi29 DNA: preincubation with phi29 DNA does not substantially slow the formation of rapidly initiating complexes between polymerase B-P and subsequently added SPO1 DNA. In contrast, B. subtilis holoenzyme and core polymerase are substantially sequestered by preincubation with phi29 DNA. The results show that at least one of the phage SPO1-coded subunits of the polymerase B-P determines selective transcription at the level of DNA binding and RNA chain initiation, weakens the binding of RNA polymerase core to heterologous DNA, and discriminates against promoter complex formation at certain promoters that are utilized by the B. subtilis holoenzyme.

RNA polymerase from phage SP01-infected and uninfected Bacillus subtilis

A purification procedure for RNA polymerase from uninfected and phage SP01-infected Bacillus subtilis is presented. The RNA polymerase purified from B. subtilis 10 min after infection with wild type phage SP01 is resolved into two major fractions (B, C) and one minor fraction (A) by calf thymus DNA-cellulose chromatography. Fraction C is indistinguishable from RNA polymerase from uninfected cells with respect to transcription specificity (both before and after phosphocellulose chromatography). Fraction B yields, on subsequent phosphocellulose chromatography, an enzyme (B-P) whose properties distinguish it from the host RNA polymerase. Enzyme B-P preferentially transcribes SP01 DNA and selectively forms rapidly initiating complexes with SP01 DNA but not with heterologous DNA. The SP01 RNA synthesized by Enzyme B-P includes, as previously reported, a large proportion of asymmetrical middle viral RNA. Host RNA polymerase holoenzyme synthesizes asymmetrical early viral RNA, while host core polymerase synthesizes symmetrical RNA that is complementary to early, middle, and late in vivo viral RNA and contains a preponderance of antimessenger. The subunit composition of Enzyme B-P is identical to host core polymerase with respect to the beta,beta', and alpha subunits and two additional components of mr equals 9,500 and 11,000 that we observe in all preparations of RNA polymerase. In addition, Enzyme B-P has two subunits of mr equals 13,000 and 28,000, which are synthesized after phage infection. On heterologous template, Enzyme B-P and host core polymerase have comparable activities. On these templates, addition of host initiation factor, sigma, restores full activity to Enzyme B-P as well as to host core polymerase. Sigma also modifies the activity of Enzyme B-P on SP01 DNA, restoring some asymmetrical early RNA transcription while retaining some asymmetrical middle RNA transcription.

Conversion of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase activity in vitro by a protein induced by phage SP01

A protein fraction from B. subtilis infected with phage SP01 (fraction LGG) stimulates the activity of RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6; nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase) core from uninfected bacteria. Fraction LGG contains a protein (P-28, molecular weight 28,000) that is labeled after phage infection and binds tightly to RNA polymerase core at a relatively high ionic strength. B. subtilis RNA polymerase core with bound P-28 has the transcription specificity of the previously purified, phage-modified B-P RNA polymerase; the latter contains two subunits, v-28 and v-13 (molecular weights 28,000 and 13,000, respectively) that are synthesized after phage infection. Both enzymes transcribe SP01 DNA preferentially and direct the asymmetric synthesis of viral middle RNA. P-28, like v-28, binds more tightly to B. subtilis RNA polymerase core than the B. subtilis initiation factor, sigma, at higher ionic strength. We propose that P-28 and v-28 are the same protein. P-28 and, by implication, v-28 suffice to endow the bacterial RNA polymerase core with a novel transcription specificity.