A head-to-toe dimerization has physiological relevance for ligand-induced inactivation of protein tyrosine receptor type Z

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) receptor type Z (PTPRZ) has two receptor isoforms, PTPRZ-A and -B, containing tandem intracellular PTP-D1 and -D2 domains, with only D1 being active. Pleiotrophin (PTN) binding to the extracellular PTPRZ region leads to inactivation of its PTPase activity, thereby facilitating oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and myelination in the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms responsible for PTN-induced PTPRZ inactivation remain unclear. We herein report that the crystal structure of the intracellular region of PTPRZ (PTPRZ-ICR) shows a "head-to-toe"-type dimer conformation, with D2 masking the catalytic site of D1. MS analyses revealed that PTPRZ-ICR proteins remain in monomer-dimer equilibrium in aqueous solution and that a substrate-derived inhibitory peptide or competitive inhibitor (SCB4380) specifically bind to the monomer form in a 1:1 ratio. A D2 deletion (ΔD2) or dimer interface mutation (DDKK) disrupted dimer formation, but SCB4380 binding was maintained. Similar to WT PTPRZ-B, monomer-biased PTPRZ-B-ΔD2 and PTPRZ-B-DDKK variants efficiently dephosphorylated p190RhoGAP at Tyr-1105 when co-expressed in BHK-21 cells. The catalytic activities of these variants were not suppressed by PTN treatment, but were inhibited by the cell-permeable PTPase inhibitor NAZ2329. Of note, the PTN treatment did not enhance OPC differentiation in primary cultured glial cells from ΔD2 or PTPase-inactive PTPRZ-B (CS) mutant knock-in mice. Our results thus indicate that PTN-induced PTPRZ inactivation results from dimer formation of the intracellular tandem PTP domains in a head-to-toe configuration, which is physiologically relevant to the control of OPC differentiation in vivo.

Mice deficient in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ) show reduced responsivity to methamphetamine despite an enhanced response to novelty

Methamphetamine (METH), a commonly abused drug, elevates extracellular dopamine (DA) levels by inducing DA efflux through the DA transporter (DAT). Emerging evidence in rodent models suggests that locomotor responses to a novel inescapable open field may predict behavioral responses to abused drugs; METH produces more potent stimulant effects in high responders to novelty than in low responders. We herein found that mice deficient in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz-KO) exhibited an enhanced behavioral response to novelty; however, METH-induced hyperlocomotion was significantly lower in Ptprz-KO than in wild-type mice when METH was administered at a non-toxic dose of 1 mg per kg body weight (bdw). Single-cell RT-PCR revealed that the majority of midbrain DA neurons expressed PTPRZ. No histological alterations were observed in the mesolimbic or nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways in Ptprz-KO brains; however, a significant decrease was noted in brain DA turnover, suggesting functional alterations. In vivo microdialysis experiments revealed that METH-evoked DA release in the nucleus accumbens was significantly lower in Ptprz-KO mice than in wild-type mice. Consistent with this result, Ptprz-KO mice showed significantly fewer cell surface DAT as well as weaker DA uptake activity in striatal synaptosomes prepared 1 hr after the administration of METH than wild-type mice, while no significant differences were observed in the two groups treated with saline. These results indicate that the high response phenotype of Ptprz-KO mice to novelty may not be simply attributed to hyper-dopaminergic activity, and that deficits in PTPRZ reduce the effects of METH by reducing DAT activity.

Behavioral and neurological analyses of adult mice carrying null and distinct loss-of-receptor function mutations in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ)

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ) is preferentially expressed in the central nervous system as two transmembrane receptor isoforms PTPRZ-A/B and one secretory isoform PTPRZ-S. Ptprz-knockout mice lacking the expression of all three isoforms show behavioral, learning, and neurological abnormalities, including increased exploratory activities to novelty, deficits in spatial and contextual learning, and reduced responses to methamphetamine, relative to wild-type mice. To investigate whether PTPRZ isoforms play distinct physiological roles, we herein performed behavioral studies on two knock-in mouse lines: One expresses the catalytically inactive Cys-1930 to Ser (CS) mutants of PTPRZ-A/B, while the other generated in the present study expresses catalytically active mutants of PTPRZ-A/B lacking the negative regulatory PTP-D2 domain and C-terminal PDZ-binding motif (ΔD2) instead of wild-type PTPRZ-A/-B. In contrast to Ptprz-knockout mice, neither increased responses to novelty in the open field nor memory impairments in the inhibitory-avoidance task were observed in Ptprz-CS or Ptprz-ΔD2 mice. However, the effects of methamphetamine on locomotor activity were significantly weaker in Ptprz-KO mice and CS mutant mice than in wild-type mice, but were normal in ΔD2 mutant mice. Furthermore, microdialysis experiments revealed that methamphetamine-evoked dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens was reduced in Ptprz-KO mice and CS mutant mice. These results suggest that the extracellular region of PTPRZ, including the secretory isoform, is crucial for behavioral responses to novelty and the formation of aversive memories, whereas the PTPase activities of PTPRZ receptor isoforms are involved in regulating the dopaminergic system.

The PTN-PTPRZ signal activates the AFAP1L2-dependent PI3K-AKT pathway for oligodendrocyte differentiation: Targeted inactivation of PTPRZ activity in mice

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ) maintains oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in an undifferentiated state. The inhibition of PTPase by its ligand pleiotrophin (PTN) promotes OPC differentiation; however, the substrate molecules of PTPRZ involved in the differentiation have not yet been elucidated in detail. We herein demonstrated that the tyrosine phosphorylation of AFAP1L2, paxillin, ERBB4, GIT1, p190RhoGAP, and NYAP2 was enhanced in OPC-like OL1 cells by a treatment with PTN. AFAP1L2, an adaptor protein involved in the PI3K-AKT pathway, exhibited the strongest response to PTN. PTPRZ dephosphorylated AFAP1L2 at tyrosine residues in vitro and in HEK293T cells. In OL1 cells, the knockdown of AFAP1L2 or application of a PI3K inhibitor suppressed cell differentiation as well as the PTN-induced phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. We generated a knock-in mouse harboring a catalytically inactive Cys to Ser (CS) mutation in the PTPase domain. The phosphorylation levels of AFAP1L2, AKT, and mTOR were higher, and the expression of oligodendrocyte markers, including myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin regulatory factor (MYRF), was stronger in CS knock-in brains than in wild-type brains on postnatal day 10; however, these differences mostly disappeared in the adult stage. Adult CS knock-in mice exhibited earlier remyelination after cuprizone-induced demyelination through the accelerated differentiation of OPCs. These phenotypes in CS knock-in mice were similar to those in Ptprz-deficient mice. Therefore, we conclude that the PTN-PTPRZ signal stimulates OPC differentiation partly by enhancing the tyrosine phosphorylation of AFAP1L2 in order to activate the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Protamine neutralizes chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-mediated inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which are enriched in demyelinating plaques in neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), impair remyelination by inhibiting the migration and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the central nervous system (CNS). We herein show that protamine (PRM, also known as a heparin antagonist) effectively neutralizes the inhibitory activities of CSPGs, thereby enhancing OPC differentiation and (re)myelination in mice. Cell-based assays using mouse OPC-like OL1 cells revealed that the PRM treatment exerted masking effects on extracellular CSPGs and improved oligodendrocyte differentiation on inhibitory CSPG-coated substrates. PRM also bound to the extracellular region of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ), a membrane-spanning CSPG predominantly expressed in OPCs, and functioned as a ligand mimetic of PTPRZ, thereby suppressing its negative regulatory activity on oligodendrocyte differentiation. In primary cultures, the differentiation of OPCs from wild-type and Ptprz-deficient mice was equally enhanced by PRM. Moreover, the intranasal administration of PRM accelerated myelination in the developing mouse brain, and its intracerebroventricular administration stimulated remyelination after cuprizone-induced demyelination. These results indicate that PRM has CSPG-neutralizing activity which promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation under developmental and morbid conditions.

RNG105/caprin1, an RNA granule protein for dendritic mRNA localization, is essential for long-term memory formation

Local regulation of synaptic efficacy is thought to be important for proper networking of neurons and memory formation. Dysregulation of global translation influences long-term memory in mice, but the relevance of the regulation specific for local translation by RNA granules remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate roles of RNG105/caprin1 in long-term memory formation. RNG105 deletion in mice impaired synaptic strength and structural plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, RNG105-deficient mice displayed unprecedentedly severe defects in long-term memory formation in spatial and contextual learning tasks. Genome-wide profiling of mRNA distribution in the hippocampus revealed an underlying mechanism: RNG105 deficiency impaired the asymmetric somato-dendritic localization of mRNAs. Particularly, RNG105 deficiency reduced the dendritic localization of mRNAs encoding regulators of AMPAR surface expression, which was consistent with attenuated homeostatic AMPAR scaling in dendrites and reduced synaptic strength. Thus, RNG105 has an essential role, as a key regulator of dendritic mRNA localization, in long-term memory formation.

Messages pass from one nerve cell to the next across gaps called synapses. The first neuron releases chemical signals from the end of its long, thin nerve fiber. The second receives the message at receptors on branching structures known as dendrites. Each connection has a corresponding bump called a dendritic spine. As animals learn, these can grow larger, strengthening the connection. This is the basis of how memories form.

To strengthen a synapse, the cell must transport the materials to the dendritic spine. The cell makes copies of the genetic instructions to strengthen the synapse in the form of messenger RNA (often shortened to mRNA). But, this happens in the body of the cell, a long way from the dendrites themselves. The mRNA travels from the cell body to the dendrites in collections of molecules referred to as ‘RNA granules’.

One of the key components of the RNA granule system is a protein called RNG105/caprin1. Now, Nakayama, Ohashi et al. have engineered mice to delete the gene for RNG105/caprin1, revealing its effect on memory. Mice lacking RNG105/caprin1 struggled to make long-term memories. Unlike their normal counterparts, these mutant mice did not become accustomed to new environments or objects. They also found it more challenging to learn the position of a hidden platform in a water-based maze. Lastly, over time, the mutant mice forgot to be fearful of a dark chamber where they had received a small electric shock.

Memories form in a part of the brain called the hippocampus and the dendritic spines in this region were smaller in mice lacking RNG105/caprin1. Furthermore, when the nerve cells from this part of the brain were grown in Petri dishes, they did not respond normally to stimulation. The dendritic spines of normal cells increased in size, but those on the cells lacking RNG105/caprin1 got smaller compared to normal cells.

A closer look revealed that the distribution of mRNA in brain cells from mice lacking RNG105/caprin1 differed from that of normal mice. Some pieces of genetic information failed to make it from the cell body to the dendrites. This included mRNA involved in making regulators of a component of dendritic spines called the AMPA receptor. The AMPA receptor detects the chemical messenger, glutamate, and is crucial for memory formation.

These findings further our understanding of long-term memory and open the way for future research into human disease. Mutations in RNA granule components, including RNG105/caprin1, have links to conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further investigation could reveal new targets for drug treatment.

Identification of novel splicing variants of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ, also known as PTPζ or RPTPβ) is preferentially expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). PTPRZ plays important roles during development and adulthood in CNS myelination, learning and memory. Three splicing isoforms for PTPRZ have been identified to date: two receptor type isoforms, PTPRZ-A and PTPRZ-B, and one secretory isoform, PTPRZ-S. We herein identified novel PTPRZ receptor sub-isoforms without a seven-amino acid sequence encoded by exon 16. This sequence forms a part of the helix-turn-helix segment called the 'wedge' structure, which is located at the N-terminal region in the membrane-proximal protein tyrosine phosphatase domain. In contrast to conventional receptor isoforms with uniform expression, the deleted isoforms were expressed in the brain, but not in the retina, indicating the tissue-specific splicing of exon 16. Biochemical analyses of PTPRZ intracellular regions revealed differences in the characteristics of the deleted form, namely, stronger binding activity to postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and greater enrichment in the postsynaptic density fraction than the full-length form. Furthermore, the exon 16-deleted form exhibited higher catalytic efficiency in vitro. These results suggest that sub-isoforms of PTPRZ have different functions because of variations in the wedge structure.

Adipsic hypernatremia without hypothalamic lesions accompanied by autoantibodies to subfornical organ

Adipsic (or essential) hypernatremia is a rare hypernatremia caused by a deficiency in thirst regulation and vasopressin release. In 2010, we reported a case in which autoantibodies targeting the sensory circumventricular organs (sCVOs) caused adipsic hypernatremia without hypothalamic structural lesions demonstrable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); sCVOs include the subfornical organ (SFO) and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), which are centers for the monitoring of body-fluid conditions and the control of water and salt intakes, and harbor neurons innervating hypothalamic nuclei for vasopressin release. We herein report three newly identified patients (3- to 8-year-old girls on the first visit) with similar symptoms. The common features of the patients were extensive hypernatremia without any sensation of thirst and defects in vasopressin response to serum hypertonicity. Despite these features, we could not detect any hypothalamic structural lesions by MRI. Immunohistochemical analyses using the sera of the three patients revealed that antibodies specifically reactive to the mouse SFO were present in the sera of all cases; in one case, the antibodies also reacted with the mouse OVLT. The immunoglobulin (Ig) fraction of serum obtained from one patient was intravenously injected into wild-type mice to determine whether the mice developed similar symptoms. Mice injected with a patient's Ig showed abnormalities in water/salt intake, vasopressin release, and diuresis, which resultantly developed hypernatremia. Prominent cell death and infiltration of reactive microglia was observed in the SFO of these mice. Thus, autoimmune destruction of the SFO may be the cause of the adipsic hypernatremia. This study provides a possible explanation for the pathogenesis of adipsic hypernatremia without demonstrable hypothalamus-pituitary lesions.

Role of Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) Modification in the Regulation of Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type Z (PTPRZ) Activity: PLEIOTROPHIN-PTPRZ-A SIGNALING IS INVOLVED IN OLIGODENDROCYTE DIFFERENTIATION

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ) is predominantly expressed in the developing brain as a CS proteoglycan. PTPRZ has long (PTPRZ-A) and short type (PTPRZ-B) receptor forms by alternative splicing. The extracellular CS moiety of PTPRZ is required for high-affinity binding to inhibitory ligands, such as pleiotrophin (PTN), midkine, and interleukin-34; however, its functional significance in regulating PTPRZ activity remains obscure. We herein found that protein expression of CS-modified PTPRZ-A began earlier, peaking at approximately postnatal days 5-10 (P5-P10), and then that of PTN peaked at P10 at the developmental stage corresponding to myelination onset in the mouse brain. Ptn-deficient mice consistently showed a later onset of the expression of myelin basic protein, a major component of the myelin sheath, than wild-type mice. Upon ligand application, PTPRZ-A/B in cultured oligodendrocyte precursor cells exhibited punctate localization on the cell surface instead of diffuse distribution, causing the inactivation of PTPRZ and oligodendrocyte differentiation. The same effect was observed with the removal of CS chains with chondroitinase ABC but not polyclonal antibodies against the extracellular domain of PTPRZ. These results indicate that the negatively charged CS moiety prevents PTPRZ from spontaneously clustering and that the positively charged ligand PTN induces PTPRZ clustering, potentially by neutralizing electrostatic repulsion between CS chains. Taken altogether, these data indicate that PTN-PTPRZ-A signaling controls the timing of oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation in vivo, in which the CS moiety of PTPRZ receptors maintains them in a monomeric active state until its ligand binding.

Channel properties of Nax expressed in neurons

Nax is a sodium-concentration ([Na+])-sensitive Na channel with a gating threshold of ~150 mM for extracellular [Na+] ([Na+]o) in vitro. We previously reported that Nax was preferentially expressed in the glial cells of sensory circumventricular organs including the subfornical organ, and was involved in [Na+] sensing for the control of salt-intake behavior. Although Nax was also suggested to be expressed in the neurons of some brain regions including the amygdala and cerebral cortex, the channel properties of Nax have not yet been adequately characterized in neurons. We herein verified that Nax was expressed in neurons in the lateral amygdala of mice using an antibody that was newly generated against mouse Nax. To investigate the channel properties of Nax expressed in neurons, we established an inducible cell line of Nax using the mouse neuroblastoma cell line, Neuro-2a, which is endogenously devoid of the expression of Nax. Functional analyses of this cell line revealed that the [Na+]-sensitivity of Nax in neuronal cells was similar to that expressed in glial cells. The cation selectivity sequence of the Nax channel in cations was revealed to be Na+ ≈ Li+ > Rb+ > Cs+ for the first time. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Nax bound to postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) through its PSD95/Disc-large/ZO-1 (PDZ)-binding motif at the C-terminus in neurons. The interaction between Nax and PSD95 may be involved in promoting the surface expression of Nax channels because the depletion of endogenous PSD95 resulted in a decrease in Nax at the plasma membrane. These results indicated, for the first time, that Nax functions as a [Na+]-sensitive Na channel in neurons as well as in glial cells.

Loss-of-Function Mutation in APC2 Causes Sotos Syndrome Features

Sotos syndrome, characterized by intellectual disability and characteristic facial features, is caused by haploinsufficiency in the NSD1 gene. We conducted an etiological study on two siblings with Sotos features without mutations in NSD1 and detected a homozygous frameshift mutation in the APC2 gene by whole-exome sequencing, which resulted in the loss of function of cytoskeletal regulation in neurons. Apc2-deficient (Apc2^-/-) mice exhibited impaired learning and memory abilities along with an abnormal head shape. Endogenous Apc2 expression was downregulated by the knockdown of Nsd1, indicating that APC2 is a downstream effector of NSD1 in neurons. Nsd1 knockdown in embryonic mouse brains impaired the migration and laminar positioning of cortical neurons, as observed in Apc2^-/- mice, and this defect was rescued by the forced expression of Apc2. Thus, APC2 is a crucial target of NSD1, which provides an explanation for the intellectual disability associated with Sotos syndrome.

Consensus substrate sequence for protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz) has multiple substrate proteins, including G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1 (Git1), membrane-associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain-containing 1 (Magi1), and GTPase-activating protein for Rho GTPase (p190RhoGAP). We have identified a dephosphorylation site at Tyr-1105 of p190RhoGAP; however, the structural determinants employed for substrate recognition of Ptprz have not been fully defined. In the present study, we revealed that Ptprz selectively dephosphorylates Git1 at Tyr-554, and Magi1 at Tyr-373 and Tyr-858 by in vitro and cell-based assays. Of note, the dephosphorylation of the Magi1 Tyr-858 site required PDZ domain-mediated interaction between Magi1 and Ptprz in the cellular context. Alignment of the primary sequences surrounding the target phosphotyrosine residue in these three substrates showed considerable similarity, suggesting a consensus motif for recognition by Ptprz. We then estimated the contribution of surrounding individual amino acid side chains to the catalytic efficiency by using fluorescent peptides based on the Git1 Tyr-554 sequence in vitro. The typical substrate motif for the catalytic domain of Ptprz was deduced to be Glu/Asp-Glu/Asp-Glu/Asp-Xaa-Ile/Val-Tyr(P)-Xaa (Xaa is not an acidic residue). Intriguingly, a G854D substitution of the Magi1 Tyr-858 site matching better to the motif sequence turned this site to be susceptible to dephosphorylation by Ptprz independent of the PDZ domain-mediated interaction in cells. Furthermore, we found by database screening that the substrate motif is present in several proteins, including paxillin at Tyr-118, its major phosphorylation site. Expectedly, we verified that Ptprz efficiently dephosphorylates paxillin at this site in cells. Our study thus provides key insights into the molecular basis for the substrate recognition of Ptprz.

Autoimmunity to the sodium-level sensor in the brain causes essential hypernatremia

Na(x) is the sodium-level sensor of body fluids in the brain involved in sodium homeostasis. Na(x)-knockout mice do not stop ingesting salt even when dehydrated. Here we report a case with clinical features of essential hypernatremia without demonstrable hypothalamic structural lesions, who was diagnosed as a paraneoplastic neurologic disorder. The patient had autoantibodies directed against Na(x), along with a ganglioneuroma composed of Schwann-like cells robustly expressing Na(x). The removal of the tumor did not reduce the autoantibody levels or relieve the symptoms. Intravenous injection of the immunoglobulin fraction of the patient's serum into mice induced abnormalities in water/salt intake and diuresis, which led to hypernatremia. In the brains of these mice, cell death was observed along with focal deposits of complement C3 and inflammatory infiltrates in circumventricular organs where Na(x) is specifically expressed. Our findings thus provide new insights into the pathogenesis of hypernatremia relevant to the sodium-level-sensing mechanism in humans.

Quantification of retinal pigment epithelial phenotypic variation using laser scanning cytometry

PURPOSE

Quantifying phenotypic variation at the level of protein expression (variegation) within populations of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells may be important in the study of pathologies associated with this variation. The lack of quantitative methods for examining single cells, however, and the variable presence of pigment and/or lipofuscin complicate this experimental goal. We have applied the technique of laser scanning cytometry (LSC) to paraffin sections of mouse and human eyes to evaluate the utility of LSC for these measurements.

METHODS

Mouse eyes were perfusion fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Postmortem human eyes were fixed and dissected to obtain a 9-mm punch, which was then embedded in paraffin. A laser scanning cytometer equipped with violet, argon, and helium-neon lasers and the detectors for blue, green, and long red were used to record the fluorescence of each individual cell at all three wavelengths. Raw data were recorded and processed using the WinCyte software. Individual nuclei were identified by the fluorescence of the 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear counterstain. Next, RPE cells were uniquely identified in the green channel using an anti-retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 kDa (anti-RPE65) monoclonal antibody with an Alexa Fluor 488-labeled secondary antibody. Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was quantified in the long-red channel using an anti-MnSOD antibody and an Alexa Fluor 647-labeled secondary antibody. MnSOD(+) and RPE65(+) cells exhibited peaks in the plot of fluorescence intensity versus cell number, which could be characterized by the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), the coefficient of variation (CV), and the percentage of total RPE cells that were also labeled for MnSOD.

RESULTS

RPE cells can be uniquely identified in human and mouse paraffin sections by immunolabeling with anti-RPE65 antibody. A second antigen, such as MnSOD, can then be probed only within this set of RPE. Results are plotted primarily with the population frequency diagram, which can be subdivided into multiple regions. The data collected for each region include the MFI, the CV, and the number of cells that are immunolabeled in that region. Background interference from pigment or autofluorescent material can be successfully overcome by elevating the concentrations of fluorescent secondary antibodies. In the human and mouse eyes, age-related changes in MFI, CV, and percent RPE cells immunolabeled for MnSOD were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of the variability of gene expression in RPE cells at the protein level can be quantified by LSC. Relative changes in the MFI, the CV, and/or percentage of RPE cells double labeled for a second antigen quantify the changes observed. The analysis of these data also suggest whether the effects observed are related to local changes in transcription (alterations of CV) or major changes of protein expression (MFI), which are likely to be due to changes in the chromatin structure. The changes of these variables with age suggest that the observed age-related variegation is primarily due to changes in the chromatin structure in individual cells.

Metalloproteinase- and gamma-secretase-mediated cleavage of protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz) is preferentially expressed in the brain as a major chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Three splicing variants, two receptor isoforms and one secretory isoform, are known. Here, we show that the extracellular region of the receptor isoforms of Ptprz are cleaved by metalloproteinases, and subsequently the membrane-tethered fragment is cleaved by presenilin/gamma-secretase, releasing its intracellular region into the cytoplasm; of note, the intracellular fragment of Ptprz shows nuclear localization. Administration of GM6001, an inhibitor of metalloproteinases, to mice demonstrated the metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage of Ptprz under physiological conditions. Furthermore, we identified the cleavage sites in the extracellular juxtamembrane region of Ptprz by tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme and matrix metalloproteinase 9. This is the first evidence of the metalloproteinase-mediated processing of a receptor-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase in the central nervous system.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB4 is enhanced by PSD95 and repressed by protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz/PTPzeta/RPTPbeta) is a receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) preferentially expressed in the brain. ErbB4 is a member of the ErbB-family tyrosine kinases known as a neuregulin (NRG) receptor. Both are known to bind to postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95) on the second and the first/second PDZ (PSD95/Disc large/zona occludens1) domains, respectively, through the PDZ-binding motif of their carboxyl termini. Here we report a functional interaction between Ptprz and ErbB4. An intracellular carboxyl-terminal region of Ptprz pulled-down PSD95 and ErbB4 from an adult rat synaptosomal preparation. ErbB4 and Ptprz showed co-localization in cell bodies and apical dendrites of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. In HEK293T cells, phosphorylation of ErbB4 was raised by co-expression of PSD95, which was repressed by additional expression of Ptprz. In vitro experiments using the whole intracellular region (ICR) of ErbB4 also showed that PSD95 stimulates the autophosphorylation of ErbB4, and that the ICR of Ptprz dephosphorylates ErbB4 independent of the presence of PSD95. Taken together with the finding that the tyrosine phosphorylation level of ErbB4 was increased in Ptprz-deficient mice, these results suggest that Ptprz has a role in suppressing the autoactivation of ErbB4 by PSD95 at the postsynaptic density in the adult brain.

Genetic deletion of vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) reduces dopamine transporter activity in mesencephalic neurons in primary culture

Our aim was to investigate whether a defect in vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) activities would affect dopaminergic cell functions or not. We examined mesencephalon dopaminergic cultures prepared from VMAT2 wild-type, heterozygous or homozygous knockout (KO) 14-day-old mouse fetuses to determine the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells and dopamine transporter activity. The number of TH-positive cells remained unchanged in the VMAT2-KO cultures. Of interest, the dopamine transporter activity in the homozygous cells was significantly decreased, but not in the heterozygous cells, suggesting that complete deletion of VMAT2 inhibited dopamine transporter function. Furthermore, dopamine transporter activity was prominently decreased in the synaptosomal fraction of neonatal homozygous VMAT2-KO mice compared with that of wild-type/heterozygous VMAT2-KO ones, indicating that VMAT2 activity might be one of the factors regulating dopamine transporter activities. To test this possibility, we used reserpine, a VMAT2 inhibitor. Reserpine (1muM) decreased dopamine transporter activity (approx. 50%) in wild-type and heterozygous VMAT2-KO cultures but not in homozygous ones, indicating that blockade of VMAT2 activity reduced dopamine transporter activity. To investigate possible mechanisms underlying the decreased dopamine transporter activity in VMAT2-KO mice, we measured dopamine transporter activities after 24-48h exposure of primary cultures of mesencephalic neurons to dopamine receptor antagonists, PKC inhibitor, PI(3)K inhibitor, and l-DOPA. Among these drugs, l-DOPA slightly reduced the dopamine transporter activities of all genotypes, but the other drugs could not. Since the ratios of reduction in dopamine transporter activity of each genotype treated with l-DOPA were similar, substrate inhibition of dopamine transporters was not the main mechanism underlying the reduced dopamine transporter activity due to genetic deletion of VMAT2. Our results demonstrate that genetic deletion of VMAT2 did not induce immediate cell death but did markedly inhibit dopamine transporter activity.

Glial Nax Channels Control Lactate Signaling to Neurons for Brain [Na+] Sensing

Sodium (Na) homeostasis is crucial for life, and Na levels in body fluids are constantly monitored in the brain. The subfornical organ (SFO) is the center of the sensing responsible for the control of salt-intake behavior, where Na(x) channels are expressed in specific glial cells as the Na-level sensor. Here, we show direct interaction between Na(x) channels and alpha subunits of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, which brings about Na-dependent activation of the metabolic state of the glial cells. The metabolic enhancement leading to extensive lactate production was observed in the SFO of wild-type mice, but not of the Na(x)-knockout mice. Furthermore, lactate, as well as Na, stimulated the activity of GABAergic neurons in the SFO. These results suggest that the information on a physiological increase of the Na level in body fluids sensed by Na(x) in glial cells is transmitted to neurons by lactate as a mediator to regulate neural activities of the SFO.

Visualization of cervical nerve roots and their distal nerve fibers by diffusion-weighted scanning using parallel imaging

PURPOSE

To report a technique developed for visualizing cervical nerve roots and distal nerve fibers using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging employing parallel imaging.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed maximum intensity projection for a stack of isotropic axial diffusion-weighted images obtained with parallel imaging applying a motion-probing gradient in six directions with a b-value of 500 s/mm2 in a preliminary series of 13 subjects.

RESULTS

This method worked well for visualizing the spinal cord and most of the nerve roots, the dorsal root ganglia, and proximal peripheral nerves.

CONCLUSION

Although the technique remains limited in depicting the brachial plexus and distal nerves, the ability to visualize the proximal peripheral nervous system at the cervical level is promising.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z is inactivated by ligand-induced oligomerization

Receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are considered to transduce extracellular signals across the membrane through changes in their PTP activity, however, our understanding of the regulatory mechanism is still limited. Here, we show that pleiotrophin (PTN), a natural ligand for protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz) (also called PTPzeta/RPTPbeta), inactivates Ptprz through oligomerization and increases the tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates for Ptprz, G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1 (Git1) and membrane associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain containing 1 (Magi1). Oligomerization of Ptprz by an artificial dimerizer or polyclonal antibodies against its extracellular region also leads to inactivation, indicating that Ptprz is active in the monomeric form and inactivated by ligand-induced oligomerization.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z is involved in hippocampus-dependent memory formation through dephosphorylation at Y1105 on p190 RhoGAP

Ptprz is a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase predominantly expressed in the brain as a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Ptprz-deficient mice exhibit an age (maturation)-dependent impairment of spatial learning in the Morris water maze test and enhancement of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region in hippocampal slices. The enhanced LTP is canceled out by pharmacological inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), suggesting that the lack of Ptprz causes learning impairment due to aberrant activation of ROCK. Here, we report that Ptprz-deficient mice exhibit impairments in hippocampus-dependent contextual fear memory because of abnormal tyrosine phosphorylation of p190 RhoGAP, a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for Rho GTPase. We found that phosphorylation at Y1105, a major tyrosine phosphorylation site on p190 RhoGAP, is decreased 1h after the conditioning in the hippocampus of wild-type mice, but not of Ptprz-deficient mice. Pleiotrophin, a ligand for Ptprz, increased tyrosine phosphorylation of p190 RhoGAP in B103 neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, Ptprz selectively dephosphorylated pY1105 of p190 RhoGAP in vitro, and the tyrosine phosphorylation at Y1105 controls p190 RhoGAP activity in vivo. These results suggest that Ptprz plays a critical role in memory formation by modulating Rho GTPase activity through dephosphorylation at Y1105 on p190 RhoGAP.

Age-dependent enhancement of hippocampal long-term potentiation and impairment of spatial learning through the Rho-associated kinase pathway in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z-deficient mice

Although protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are expressed abundantly in the brain, their roles in synaptic plasticity have not been well elucidated. In this study, we have examined the physiological functions of Ptprz, which is a receptor-type PTP expressed predominantly in the brain as a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. We have examined phenotypes of mutant mice deficient in Ptprz using electrophysiological, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches. Mutant mice exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices and impaired spatial learning abilities in an age-dependent manner: young adult (<10 weeks old) mutant mice show normal LTP and learning abilities in the Morris water maze task, whereas adult (>13 weeks old) mutant mice exhibit enhanced LTP and impairment in the task. The enhanced LTP is specifically canceled out by pharmacological inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), a major downstream effector of Rho. These findings suggest that the lack of Ptprz leads to aberrant activation of ROCK and resultantly to enhanced LTP in the slice and learning impairments in the animal.

Differentiation between solitary brain metastasis and high-grade glioma by diffusion tensor imaging

We tested our hypothesis that fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of diffusion tensor imaging could be used to differentiate between a solitary brain metastasis and a high-grade glioma. In seven patients with a solitary metastasis and seven patients with a high-grade glioma, FA values of enhancing and non-enhancing parts of the tumour were compared. Additionally, we visually assessed FA maps. No significant difference in the FA values of either the enhancing or non-enhancing part was found between the two groups. In the visual assessment, displacement of subcortical white-matter fibres was found in five of the seven metastasis patients, but in only one glioma patient. Additionally, discrimination between tumour and oedema was possible in three of the seven metastasis patients, but not in any glioma patient. Although FA values are not helpful in differentiating between the two groups, visual differences in FA values can allow the differentiation. Displacement of white-matter fibres is another finding suggestive of metastasis.

Yeast substrate-trapping system for isolating substrates of protein tyrosine phosphatases: Isolation of substrates for protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type z

Although members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family are known to play critical roles in various cellular processes through the regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cooperation with protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), the physiological functions of individual PTPs are poorly understood. This is due to a lack of information concerning the physiological substrates of the respective PTPs. Several years ago, substrate-trap mutants were developed to identify the substrates of PTPs, but only a limited number of PTP substrates have been identified using typical biochemical techniques in vitro. The application of this strategy to all the PTPs seems difficult, because the substrates identified to date were restricted to relatively abundant and highly tyrosine phosphorylated cellular proteins. Therefore, the development of a standard method applicable to all PTPs has long been awaited. We report here a genetic method to screen for PTP substrates which we have named the "yeast substrate-trapping system." This method is based on the yeast two-hybrid system with two essential modifications: the conditional expression of a PTK to tyrosine-phosphorylate the prey protein, and screening using a substrate-trap PTP mutant as bait. This method is probably applicable to all the PTPs, because it is based on PTP-substrate interaction in vivo, namely the substrate recognition of individual PTPs. Moreover, this method has the advantage that continuously interacting molecules for a PTP are also identified, at the same time, under PTK-noninductive conditions. The identification of physiological substrates will shed light on the physiological functions of individual PTPs.

Early treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Location of aneurysms and choice of treatments

SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) on the outcomes of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients of poor grades and high ages for each location of aneurysms. Between 1990 and 2003, 529 SAH cases underwent angiograghy as candidates of early aggressive treatment in our hospital. For the 299 cases in 1990-96 (Group 1), treatment options were early and intensively delayed craniotomy surgery and conservative management, while for the 230 cases in 1997-2003 (Group 2), GDG embolization at acute stage was added to these three treatment options. We compared clinical courses and outcomes of the poor grade (Hunt & Kosnik Grade 4-5) patients and high age (>=70 years old) patients between two groups for each location of aneurysms. Introduction of GDC embolization expanded the indication for early treatment in the poor grade patients with anterior communicating artery aneurysm (A-Comm An), the high age patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm (IC An) and all patients with Basilar bifurcation aneurysm (BA-Top An), and has contributed to improvement of their outcomes. To the poor grade patients with middle cerebral artery aneurysm (MCA An), GDC embolization was hardly indicated, because haematoma evacuation concomitantly performed with aneurysm occlusion would be necessary for those patients. In conclusion, results of treatment with GDC embolization at an acute stage are desirable for poor grade patients with A-Comm An, aged patients with IC An and all patients with BA-Top An. The indication of GDC embolization for the patients with MCA An is limited.

Helicobacter pylori VacA activates the p38/activating transcription factor 2-mediated signal pathway in AZ-521 cells

Persistent Helicobacter pylori colonization in the stomach induces gastritis and peptic ulcer and interferes with ulcer healing. Most strains of H. pylori produce a cytotoxin, VacA, that induces cytoplasmic vacuolation in epithelial cells with structural and functional changes, leading to gastric injury. VacA is known to cause cell death by mitochondrial damage. We hypothesized that VacA might disrupt other signaling pathways; to that end, we examined the effects of VacA on MAPKs to elucidate their role in the abnormalities seen in VacA-treated cells. VacA stimulated phosphorylation of p38 and Erk1/2, but not JNK, in AZ-521 cells. Both phosphorylation and kinase activation of p38 were maximal 10-30 min after addition of VacA and declined thereafter. Treatment with anti-VacA antibody or the p38 inhibitor SB203580 blocked p38 phosphorylation caused by VacA and inhibited VacA-induced phosphorylation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2), which is implicated in transcriptional control of stress-responsive genes. These data indicate that VacA stimulates a p38/ATF-2-mediated signal pathway. However, 10 microM SB203580, which is sufficient to decrease p38 phosphorylation, did not inhibit VacA-induced cellular vacuolation, decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, or cytochrome c release from mitochondria. These results suggest that VacA-induced activation of p38/ATF-2-mediated signal pathway is independent of cellular vacuolation, decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, or cytochrome c release from mitochondria caused by VacA. The cytotoxin may thus act independently on several cellular targets, leading to disruption of signaling, regulatory, and metabolic pathways.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of subdural and epidural empyemas

We reviewed diffusion-weighted images (DWI) from eight patients with subdural and four with epidural empyemas to assess the possibility of differentiating between these lesions by DWI. The signal intensities of the empyemas on DWI, and maps of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were analysed in seven patients. In seven of the eight patients with subdural empyema, the lesions appeared as areas of high signal. The ADC maps confirmed that these areas were the result of restricted diffusion. (In the remaining patient, the lesion showed a mixture of high and low signal.) The epidural empyemas contained areas of low signal in all four patients; part of the empyema was isointense or gave high signal in two. DWI may be an adjunct to conventional sequences for differentiating between subdural and epidural empyemas.

Mice deficient in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z are resistant to gastric ulcer induction by VacA of Helicobacter pylori

The vacuolating cytotoxin VacA produced by Helicobacter pylori causes massive cellular vacuolation in vitro and gastric tissue damage in vivo, leading to gastric ulcers, when administered intragastrically. Here we report that mice deficient in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz, also called PTP-zeta or RPTP-beta, encoded by Ptprz) do not show mucosal damage by VacA, although VacA is incorporated into the gastric epithelial cells to the same extent as in wild-type mice. Primary cultures of gastric epithelial cells from Ptprz+/+ and Ptprz-/- mice also showed similar incorporation of VacA, cellular vacuolation and reduction in cellular proliferation, but only Ptprz+/+ cells showed marked detachment from a reconstituted basement membrane 24 h after treatment with VacA. VacA bound to Ptprz, and the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1 (Git1), a Ptprz substrate, were higher after treatment with VacA, indicating that VacA behaves as a ligand for Ptprz. Furthermore, pleiotrophin (PTN), an endogenous ligand of Ptprz, also induced gastritis specifically in Ptprz+/+ mice when administered orally. Taken together, these data indicate that erroneous Ptprz signaling induces gastric ulcers.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the cervical spinal cord using a single-shot fast spin-echo technique: findings in normal subjects and in myelomalacia

We have implemented a new diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) sequence based on the single-shot fast spin-echo technique. We hypothesised that this would add information to conventional MRI for diagnosis of lesions of the cervical spinal cord. DWI was performed using a technique in which echo collection after the application of motion-probing gradients was done in the same manner as in the single-shot fast spin-echo technique. We first imaged six healthy volunteers to demonstrate the cervical spinal cord using the sequence. Then we applied the sequence to 12 patients with cervical myelomalacia due to chronic cord compression. The spinal cord was well seen in all subjects without the distortion associated with echo-planar DWI. In the patients, lesions appeared as areas of low- or isointense signal on DWI. Calculated apparent diffusion coefficients of the lesions (3.30+/-0.38x10(-3) mm(2)/s) were significantly higher than those of normal volunteers (2.26+/-0.08x10(-3) mm(2)/s). Increased diffusion in areas of cervical myelomalacia, suggesting irreversible damage, can be detected using this technique.

Helicobacter pylori CagA containing ITAM-like sequences localized to lipid rafts negatively regulates VacA-induced signaling in vivo

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori CagA is injected into the host cell and tyrosine-phosphorylated. We examined tyrosine-phosphorylation sites of CagA, as well as the function of CagA proteins in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

After proteolytic digestion of CagA with lysyl endopeptidase, CagA tyrosine-phosphorylation sites were determined using quadropolar time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. Specific anti-pY CagA polyclonal and anti-CagA monoclonal antibodies were used to examine gastric mucosal biopsy specimens from H. pylori infected patients.

RESULTS

Mass spectrometry identified five crucial tyrosine-phosphorylation sites of CagA at Tyr893, Tyr912, Tyr965, Tyr999, and Tyr1033 within the five repeated EPIYA sequences of H. pylori (NCTC11637)-infected AGS cells. CagA protein also had an immuno-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-like amino acid sequences in the 3' region of the cagA, EPIYATIx27EIYATI, which closely resembled the ITAM. CagA proteins: (i) were localized to the 1% TritonX-100 resistant membrane fraction (lipid rafts); (ii) formed a cluster of phosphorylated CagA protein complexes; (iii) associated with tyrosine-phosphorylated GIT1/Cat1 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1/Cool-associated tyrosine-phosphorylated 1), substrate molecules of receptor type protein-tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPzeta/beta), which is the receptor of VacA; and (iv) were involved in a delay and negative regulation of VacA-induced signal. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens provided strong evidence that tyrosine-phosphorylated CagA is found together with CagA at the luminal surface of gastric foveola in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest an important role for CagA containing ITAM-like sequences in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-related disease.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of Carmofur-induced leukoencephalopathy

Carmofur (1-hexylcarbamyl-5-fluorouracil), a derivative of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), has been widely used in Japan as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy agent for colorectal and breast cancer. Periventricular hyperintensity on T2-weighted MR images in carmofur-induced leukoencephalopathy confront the physician with a broad range of differential diagnoses. We describe two cases of carmofur-induced leukoencephalopathy in which diffusion-weighted MR imaging revealed periventricular hyperintensity. We compared their findings with those of age-related periventricular hyperintensity in five patients and found discrepancies in signal intensity of periventricular areas. Our results suggest that diffusion-weighted MR imaging may be useful to differentiate carmofur-induced leukoencephalopathy from age-related periventricular hyperintensity.

Crystals of ternary protein-DNA complexes composed of DNA-binding domains of c-Myb or v-Myb, C/EBPalpha or C/EBPbeta and tom-1A promoter fragment

c-Myb and the C/EBP family are transcriptional regulatory factors that act in concert to regulate the expression of myeloid-specific genes. v-Myb encoded by avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) is a mutated form of c-Myb that contains point mutations which disrupt the cooperation with C/EBPs. To understand the mechanism of the transcriptional synergy between c-Myb and C/EBPs and the effect of the v-Myb mutations on that synergy, knowledge based on their three-dimensional structures is essential. Crystals of ternary complexes, in which various combinations of the DNA-binding domains of c-Myb or v-Myb and C/EBPalpha or C/EBPbeta are bound to a DNA fragment from tom-1A promoter, were obtained by the vapour-diffusion method. Complete diffraction data sets were obtained from each native crystal and two types of iodine-derivative crystals. A three-wavelength MAD data set was also obtained from a bromine-derivative crystal.

Early and delayed neuroprotective effects of FK506 on experimental focal ischemia quantitatively assessed by diffusion-weighted MRI

The immunosuppressive drug FK506 (tacrolimus) has been reported to be a powerful neuroprotective agent in the focal ischemia of animals. However, no report has been published concerning neuroprotective effect of this compound on the morphology in superacute stage. The separate analysis between early and delayed effects of FK506 on the morphology may be helpful in the study of the compound's mechanism of action which is still unknown. The goal of this study was to determine early and delayed effects of pharmacological treatment with FK506 in permanent MCA occlusion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nineteen rats were subjected to permanent MCA occlusion, and given either intravenous injection of placebo or 1 mg/kg FK506 immediately after occlusion. DWI and T(2)-weighted MRI were performed 3 and 24 h after MCA occlusion, and postmortem histological analysis was also performed. FK506 drastically reduced the ischemic damage in 3-h apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. This is the first report to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of FK506 on focal cerebral ischemia in superacute stage. In addition, postmortem ischemic damage tended to be smaller than ischemic area indicated by 3-h ADC map in the FK506 group, whereas there was an excellent equality between them in the placebo group, suggesting the possible effect of FK506 on the later ischemic period. Our findings provide direct evidence for the neuroprotective effect of FK506 on ischemic cell damage in both early stage and possibly later stage.

Identification of GIT1/Cat-1 as a substrate molecule of protein tyrosine phosphatase zeta /beta by the yeast substrate-trapping system

We used a genetic method, the yeast substrate-trapping system, to identify substrates for protein tyrosine phosphatases zeta (PTPzeta/RPTPbeta). This method is based on the yeast two-hybrid system, with two essential modifications: conditional expression of protein tyrosine kinase v-src (active src) to tyrosine-phosphorylate the prey proteins and screening by using a substrate-trap mutant of PTPzeta (PTPzeta-D1902A) as bait. By using this system, several substrate candidates for PTPzeta were isolated. Among them, GIT1/Cat-1 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1/Cool-associated, tyrosine-phosphorylated 1) was examined further. GIT1/Cat-1 bound to PTPzeta-D1902A dependent on the substrate tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine-phosphorylated GIT1/Cat-1 was dephosphorylated by PTPzeta in vitro. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that PTPzeta-D1902A and GIT1/Cat-1 form a stable complex also in mammalian cells. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that PTPzeta and GIT1/Cat-1 were colocalized in the processes of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus and neocortex in rat brain. Subcellular colocalization was further verified in the growth cones of mossy fibers from pontine explants and in the ruffling membranes and processes of B103 neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, pleiotrophin, a ligand for PTPzeta, increased tyrosine phosphorylation of GIT1/Cat-1 in B103 cells. All these results indicate that GIT1/Cat-1 is a substrate molecule of PTPzeta.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the C/EBPbeta C-terminal region in complex with DNA

The C-terminal fragment (residues 259-345) of human C/EBPbeta, a basic region leucine zipper transcriptional regulatory factor which includes the minimal DNA-binding domain, was crystallized in complex with a 16 bp DNA fragment from the tom-1 promoter. The crystals were in the form of a parallelepiped belonging to space group C222(1), had unit-cell parameters a = 100.7 (2), b = 113.5 (1), c = 74.4 (1) A and diffracted to a resolution of 2.1 A. Moreover, truncation of nine residues from the C-terminus not conserved among C/EBP family members yielded isomorphous crystals that diffracted to a resolution of 1.8 A or better. Truncation of 14 residues from the N-terminus of the C-terminal fragment produced well shaped crystals in the form of hexagonal bipyramids, however; unfortunately, they were unstable and diffracted poorly.

Structural analyses of DNA recognition by the AML1/Runx-1 Runt domain and its allosteric control by CBFbeta

The core binding factor (CBF) heterodimeric transcription factors comprised of AML/CBFA/PEBP2alpha/Runx and CBFbeta/PEBP2beta subunits are essential for differentiation of hematopoietic and bone cells, and their mutation is intimately related to the development of acute leukemias and cleidocranial dysplasia. Here, we present the crystal structures of the AML1/Runx-1/CBFalpha(Runt domain)-CBFbeta(core domain)-C/EBPbeta(bZip)-DNA, AML1/Runx-1/CBFalpha(Runt domain)-C/EBPbeta(bZip)-DNA, and AML1/Runx-1/CBFalpha(Runt domain)-DNA complexes. The hydrogen bonding network formed among CBFalpha(Runt domain) and CBFbeta, and CBFalpha(Runt domain) and DNA revealed the allosteric regulation mechanism of CBFalpha(Runt domain)-DNA binding by CBFbeta. The point mutations of CBFalpha related to the aforementioned diseases were also mapped and their effect on DNA binding is discussed.

Nav2/NaG channel is involved in control of salt-intake behavior in the CNS

Na(v)2/NaG is a putative sodium channel, whose physiological role has long been an enigma. We generated Na(v)2 gene-deficient mice by inserting the lacZ gene. Analysis of the targeted mice allowed us to identify Na(v)2-producing cells by examining the lacZ expression. Besides in the lung, heart, dorsal root ganglia, and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, Na(v)2 was expressed in neurons and ependymal cells in restricted areas of the CNS, particularly in the circumventricular organs, which are involved in body-fluid homeostasis. Under water-depleted conditions, c-fos expression was markedly elevated in neurons in the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis compared with wild-type animals, suggesting a hyperactive state in the Na(v)2-null mice. Moreover, the null mutants showed abnormal intakes of hypertonic saline under both water- and salt-depleted conditions. These findings suggest that the Na(v)2 channel plays an important role in the central sensing of body-fluid sodium level and regulation of salt intake behavior.

Choroidal detachment after vitreous surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To study the frequency and clinical features of choroidal detachment (CD) after vitreous surgery, because there have been no reports on this problem.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied the clinical features of 14 patients (15 eyes) with CD from a total of 380 patients treated with vitrectomy at the Nagasaki University Hospital from January 1994 to August 1997.

RESULTS

The incidence of CD after vitreous surgery was 3.9% (15/380). The reasons for vitrectomy were 6 retinal detachments, 4 proliferative diabetic retinopathies, and 5 others. During vitrectomy, 4 eyes were treated with scleral buckling, 11 with endolaser photocoagulation, and 3 with cryoretinopexy. Retinal detachment as a postoperative complication was seen in 8 patients, and in 5 of them the retina remained detached after the final treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

CD may be caused by scleral buckling, panphotocoagulation, or stress on the ciliary body. Some patients with CD have a poor outcome.

1H-NMR determination of the solution structure and absolute configuration of FR134043, a novel inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase

FR134043 is a semisynthetic disulfonated derivative of the natural product FR901277, is isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces resistomicificus and has potent inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase. Although the chemical structure of FR134043 was determined to be a unique bicyclic peptide-like compound consisting of seven amino acids by using several spectroscopic analytical methods, the chiralities of three centers were unknown. A simple simulated annealing protocol to determine the structure was applied to the eight possible stereoisomers, and the one that best satisfied the NOE distance constraints was determined to be the true stereoconfiguration of FR134043. The solution structure showed that all Calpha atoms existed in the L configuration and six of the seven side chains were located towards the outside of the bicyclic framework, even though most of them are highly hydrophobic moieties. The simulated annealing calculation described here is a frequently used method for the determination of the solution structure of peptides or small proteins. We show here that it is also applicable to the determination of the absolute configuration of macrocyclic compounds produced from natural sources.