Uridine phosphorylase association with vimentin. Intracellular distribution and localization

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase), a key enzyme in the pyrimidine salvage pathway, is associated with the intermediate filament protein vimentin, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and colon 26 cells. Affinity chromatography was utilized to purify UPase from colon 26 and NIH 3T3 cells using the uridine phosphorylase inhibitor 5'-amino benzylacyclouridine linked to an agarose matrix. Vimentin copurification with UPase was confirmed using both Western blot analysis and MALDI-MS methods. Separation of cytosolic proteins using gel filtration chromatography yields a high molecular weight complex containing UPase and vimentin. Purified recombinant UPase and recombinant vimentin were shown to bind in vitro with an affinity of 120 pm and a stoichiometry of 1:2. Immunofluorescence techniques confirm that UPase is associated with vimentin in both NIH 3T3 and colon 26 cells and that depolymerization of the microtubule system using nocodazole results in UPase remaining associated with the collapsed intermediate filament, vimentin. Our data demonstrate that UPase is associated with both the soluble and insoluble pools of vimentin. Approximately 60-70% of the total UPase exists in the cytosol as a soluble protein. Sequential extraction of NIH 3T3 or colon 26 cells liberates an additional 30-40% UPase activity associated with a detergent extractable fraction. All pools of UPase have been shown to possess enzymatic activity. We demonstrate for the first time that UPase is associated with vimentin and the existence of an enzymatically active cytoskeleton-associated UPase.

Magnetic-field modulation experiments on colossal magnetoresistance samples: first results

Recently we have observed a small change in the width, sigma, of the Mn-O pair distribution function when a IT magnetic field is applied. To improve our sensitivity to magnetic-field-induced changes, we have developed a magnetic field modulation technique. At each X-ray energy we collect two data points, one with field on and the other with field off: as a result we collect two scans simultaneously. The difference in these two traces provides a measure of the magnetic-field-induced change. The results for the modulation measurements will be compared to the earlier work using static magnetic fields.

Worsening of heart failure during hospital course of an unselected cohort of 2507 patients with myocardial infarction is a factor of poor prognosis: the PRIMA study. Prise en charge de l'Infarctus du Myocarde Aigu

Worsening of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction is seldom studied, elderly patients often are not included, and multivariate analysis is uncommon. The prospective PRIMA study (Prise en charge de l'Infarctus du Myocarde Aigu; management of acute myocardial infarction) sought to determine the incidence of worsening heart failure, its risk factors, and its prognostic importance in patients with myocardial infarction, regardless of age and hospital facilities, in the 'real world' in a region in France, using multivariate analysis. Data were prospectively collected in all patients with myocardial infarction admitted in all hospitals in three departments in the Rhône--Alpes region in France between 1 September 1993 and 31 January 1995. Among the 2507 patients included, 33% were in Killip classes II--IV at admission. After exclusion of patients with admission Killip class IV, 416 patients (17% of the cohort, 24% of women and 14% of men) had worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days. In-hospital mortality (overall, 14%) increased dramatically with Killip class at admission (9% in class I, 62% in class IV) and with worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days (36.5 vs. 8.5% if no worsening). In multivariate analysis, older age, diabetes mellitus and anterior Q-wave myocardial infarction were significant predictors of Killip class at admission and of its worsening; Killip class >I at admission was a significant predictor of Killip-class worsening. The significant predictors of in-hospital mortality were older age, Killip class III at admission and worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days. This large, unselected cohort revealed that, among patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure and its worsening are frequent, especially in the elderly, and dramatically worsen the in-hospital mortality.

Unjustified variations in patient management for acute myocardial infarction in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. PRIMA Group

OBJECTIVES

To examine determinants of use of cardiac procedures after acute myocardial infarction and identify variation factors.

METHODS

Observational prospective cohort study of 2,519 patients in 48 centers with a two-level logistic-regression analysis.

RESULTS

Elderly patients were less likely to undergo pre- and inhospital thrombolysis (odds ratios, 0.71 and 0.64; 95% CI, 0.62-0.81 and 0.58-0.69, respectively). The elderly, females, and patients with heart failure on admission were less likely to undergo noninvasive tests (0.74, 0.62, and 0.51; 95% CI, 0.67-0.81, 0.46-0.83, and 0.38-0.68, respectively) and coronary angiography (0.38, 0.53, and 0.67; 95% CI, 0.34-0.42, 0.38-0.74, and 0.52-0.86, respectively) but not revascularization. Hospital factors were more difficult to interpret.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly, women, and heart failure patients underwent fewer cardiac procedures than lower-risk patients. Physicians should change their attitude toward these groups and use advanced procedures, bearing in mind the patients' needs rather than good procedural outcomes.

Overexpression of aldose reductase in liver cancers may contribute to drug resistance

We previously found that about 29% of human liver cancers overexpressed aldose reductase (AR) and about 54% of them overexpressed an AR-like gene called ARL-1 that has similar enzymatic activities to AR. Since these aldo-keto reductases can reduce a broad spectrum of substrates including cytotoxic aldehydes, we were interested to find out if these enzymes can contribute to the resistance of liver cancer chemotherapy by inactivating some of the anticancer drugs. HepG2 cells, a stable line of liver cells, were induced to overexpress AR by hypertonicity. Cells that were cultured in hypertonic medium became more resistant to daunorubicin, suggesting that overexpression of AR made the cells more resistant to this drug. This is confirmed by the fact that addition of AR inhibitor sensitizes the cells to this drug again. This information may be important for designing new drugs to treat this deadly disease.

Treatment at discharge after myocardial infarction in 2,102 patients. The PRIMA study. Prise en charge de l'Infarctus du Myocarde Aigu

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to examine the use of treatments at discharge in patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction in a French region.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from 2,102 patients discharged after myocardial infarction were prospectively collected at 48 university, community, and private hospitals in three departments in the Rh ne-Alpes region between September 1, 1993 and January 31, 1995. Beta-blockers were prescribed in 59% of the patients, calcium channel blockers in 22%, nitrates in 59%, antiplatelet agents in 82%, anticoagulants in 26%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in 36%, diuretics in 33%. Beta-blockers were prescribed less often in older patients, and in patients with higher Killip classes or a history of pulmonary disease. Calcium channel blockers were prescribed more often in older patients, and in patients with a history of diabetes, pulmonary disease, or non-Q wave myocardial infarction. Nitrates were prescribed more often in older patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed more often in patients with a history of diabetes, hypertension, or anterior myocardial infarction, and less often in patients with a history of renal failure. Diuretics were prescribed more often in older patients, and in patients with a history of renal failure, diabetes, hypertension, or higher Killip classes.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still underuse of beneficial treatments, particularly in elderly patients.

[Ultrafiltration of micropolluted water in combination with coagulation and PAC process]

The experiments of ultrafiltration of Huangpu River water with coagulation and powered activated carbon (PAC) combinations was evaluated. The results showed that coagulation and PAC pretreatment effectively remove dissolved organic matters (DOM), of which coagulation removes high molecular weight (MW) DOM and PAC removes low MW DOM. Coagulation and PAC are effective treatment for removing Trihalomethane Formation Potential (THMFP). In terms of low MW THMEP, coagulation removes poorly and PAC removes effectively. The results also showed that addition of coagulant and PAC reduce cake resistance greatly. At coagulant dosage 4 mg/L (as Al), cake resistance was minimized.

Transcriptome analysis of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): genes and expression profile from the brain

Expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis was conducted using a complementary DNA (cDNA) library made from the brain mRNA of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). As part of our transcriptome analysis in catfish to develop molecular reagents for comparative functional genomics, here we report analysis of 1201 brain cDNA clones. Of the 1201 clones, 595 clones (49.5%) were identified as known genes by BLAST searches and 606 clones (50.5%) as unknown genes. The 595 clones of known gene products represent transcripts of 251 genes. These known genes were categorized into 15 groups according to their biological functions. The largest group of known genes was the genes involved in translational machinery (21.4%) followed by mitochondrial genes (6.2%), structural genes (3.1%), genes homologous to sequences of unknown functions (2.3%), enzymes (2.7%), hormone and regulatory proteins (2.5%), genes involved in immune systems (2.1%), genes involved in sorting, transport, and metal metabolism (1.8%), transcriptional factors and DNA repair proteins (1.6%), proto-oncogenes (1.2%), lipid binding proteins (1.2%), stress-induced genes (0.7%), genes homologous to human genes involved in mental diseases (0.6%), and development or differentiation-related genes (0.3%). The number of genes represented by the 606 clones of unknown genes is not known at present, but the high percentage of clones showing no homology to any known genes in the GenBank databases may indicate that a great number of novel genes exist in teleost brain.

Interleukin-12 induces gene expression in interleukin-2 stimulated human T lymphocytes

IL-12 is a critical immunoregulatory cytokine that promotes cell-mediated immune responses by inducing the differentiation of Th1 cells. To better clarify the molecular basis of IL-12 action, we compared the gene expression in human T lymphocytes activated by IL-2 and IL-12. mRNAs from T lymphocytes activated by either IL-2 alone or IL-2 plus IL-12 were transcribed into cDNAs. A differential mRNA display was conducted. As a result, differential display of five cDNA fragments was obtained. Sequence analysis suggests that they had high homology with recorded genes as found by a computer search against GenBank. Two full genes of the five fragments were cloned, which activation-induced C-type lectin and glucose transporter-like protein. Interestingly, these proteins were expressed in the T cells stimulated by IL-2 and IL-12, but not in the T cells stimulated by IL-2 alone. These results suggest that C-type lectin and glucose transporter-like protein may play an important role in the T lymphocyte activation induced by IL-12.

Characteristics, management, and in-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction in the "real world" in France--data from a large unselected cohort of 2,519 consecutive patients in a French region

OBJECTIVE

The prospective PRIMA study (Prise en charge de l'Infarctus du Myocarde Aigu; management of acute MI) sought to determine characteristics, management, and in-hospital mortality of myocardial infarction (MI), regardless of age and hospital facilities, in the "real world" in a region in France.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were prospectively collected in all patients with MI admitted in all hospitals in three departments in the Rh ne-Alpes region between September 1, 1993 and January 31, 1995. 2,519 patients (68% men; mean +/- SD: 68 +/- 14 years) were included. Time from onset of symptoms to admission was < 6 h in 56% of the patients (median: 4 h 30 min). MI was non-Q wave in 12%. Among Q wave MI, location was anterior in 44%. At admission, Killip class was > 1 in 33%. The overall rate of thrombolysis was 36%. It was significantly higher in men than in women, in younger patients than in older patients, in lower Killip classes, in Q wave MI, and when the delay before initial medical intervention was < 6 hours. After age-adjustment, there was no difference between men and women for thrombolysis rate (odds ratio women/men: 0.92; p = 0.10). During the first 5 days, Killip class worsened in 17%. In-hospital mortality rate was 14%. Multivariate analysis identified age, anterior location, presence of Q waves, and higher Killip classes as significant predictors of in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

This large unselected cohort revealed that among patients with MI in a French region, there was a high proportion of elderly patients, a low rate of thrombolysis, and a high in-hospital mortality.

[The construction of PQE-ARL-1 recombinant expression plasmid and the preparation and purification of ARL-1 protein]

OBJECTIVE

To further understand the function and biological activity of aldose reductase like-1 (ARL-1), and to provide the basis for the preparation of the specific antibody against ARL-1.

METHODS

The ARL-1 cDNA was cloned into procaryotic expression vector PQE-30 and the recombinant ARL-1 expressed in E.coli M(15); then Ni(+)-NTA agarose columns were used to purify the ARL-1 protein.

RESULTS

With the digestion of the enzymes, we identified that the ARL-1 gene was inserted into the procaryotic expression vector PQE-30. The expression products of PQE-ARL-1 (human recombinant ARL-1) showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of ARL-1 was approximately 37.7 x 10(3) and the expression level was about 25% of the total bacterial protein. The concentration of ARL-1 protein was about 100mg/L.

CONCLUSION

The construction of the recombinant plasmid PQE-ARL-1 and the preparation of the protein ARL-1 have laid a solid foundation for further studying the function of ARL-1 and preparing the specific antibody against ARL-1.

High levels of soluble syndecan-1 in myeloma-derived bone marrow: modulation of hepatocyte growth factor activity

Syndecan-1 is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan expressed on the surface of, and actively shed by, myeloma cells. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a cytokine produced by myeloma cells. Previous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of syndecan-1 and HGF in the serum of patients with myeloma, both of negative prognostic value for the disease. Here we show that the median concentrations of syndecan-1 (900 ng/mL) and HGF (6 ng/mL) in the marrow compartment of patients with myeloma are highly elevated compared with healthy controls and controls with other diseases. We show that syndecan-1 isolated from the marrow of patients with myeloma seems to exist in an intact form, with glucosaminoglycan chains. Because HGF is a heparan-sulfate binding cytokine, we examined whether it interacted with soluble syndecan-1. In supernatants from myeloma cells in culture as well as in pleural effusions from patients with myeloma, HGF existed in a complex with soluble syndecan-1. Washing myeloma cells with purified soluble syndecan-1 could effectively displace HGF from the cell surface, suggesting that soluble syndecan-1 can act as a carrier for HGF in vivo. Finally, using a sensitive HGF bioassay (interleukin-11 production from the osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2) and intact syndecan-1 isolated from the U-266 myeloma cell line, we found that the presence of high concentrations of syndecan-1 (more than 3 microg/mL) inhibited the HGF effect, whereas lower concentrations potentiated it. HGF is only one of several heparin-binding cytokines associated with myeloma. These data indicate that soluble syndecan-1 may participate in the pathology of myeloma by modulating cytokine activity within the bone marrow.

[Surgical treatment and prognostic analysis of 39 cases invasive vulvar cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the procedure of operations and evaluate the prognostic factors in the invasive vulvar cancer.

METHODS

Thirty nine cases with invasive vulvar cancer admitted in our hospital from 1979 to 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. Three kinds of operations were used: 5 by local excision, 13 by modified radical vulvectomy and 21 by radical vulvectomy. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to compare the different strategy of operation and analyze the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients (84.6%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 26 of them (78.8%) were well differentiated and 2 poorly differentiated. Seven cases (17.9%) were in FIGO stage I; 17 (43.6%) in stage II; 13 (33.3%) in stage III, and 2(5.1%) in stage IV, 58.3% of tumor in stage I and II were lateral while 73.3% of tumor in stage III and IV were median type. Hospitalization time for local excision, modified radical vulvectomy and radical vulvectomy (separated and en-bloc incision) were 9.1, 20.6, 41.2 and 62.2 days (P < 0.01) and the incision infection rate were 0%, 30.8%, 66.7% and 88.9% (P < 0.01) respectively. Median survival time for stage I, II, II and IV were 132.0, 121.5, 67.5 and 21.5 months (P = 0.01) and the 5-year survival rates of them were 85.7%, 70.6%, 46.2% and 0.0% (P < 0.05) respectively. Median survival time for patients with or without lymph nodes involvement were 66.0 and 121.5 months (P < 0.01) and the 5-year survival rates were 30.0% and 71.5% (P < 0.05) respectively. Median survival time for well or poor differentiation were 97.0 and 64.0 months (P > 0.05) and the 5-year survival rates were 62.0% and 43.0% (P > 0.05) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The important prognostic factors for invasive vulvar cancer were sites(lateral/median), stage, differentiation and lymph nodes involvement. Individualized treatment should be considered.

Genetic interactions between the chlorate-resistant mutant cr 8 8 and the photomorphogenic mutants cop1 and hy5

The chlorate-resistant mutant cr88 is defective in photomorphogenesis, as shown by the phenotypes of long hypocotyls in red light and yellow cotyledons under all light conditions. A subset of light-regulated genes is expressed at subnormal levels in cr88. To analyze further the role that CR88 plays in photomorphogenesis, we investigated the genetic interactions between cr88 and mutants of two other loci affecting photomorphogenesis, CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) and LONG HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5). COP1 represses the expression of light-regulated genes in the dark, and HY5 inhibits hypocotyl elongation in the light. Using morphological, cellular, and gene expression criteria for epistasis analyses to position CR88 in the genetic hierarchy of the photomorphogenesis pathway, we determined that CR88 acts downstream of COP1 but in a branch separate from HY5. In the course of our analysis, we discovered that light causes extensive destruction of plastids in dark-grown cop1 seedlings and that cr88 prevents this destruction.

[Preliminary study on relationship between antibody against heat stress protein 70 and hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To preliminarily explore the relationship between main antibody against heat stress protein 70 (anti-HSP70) and hypertension.

METHODS

Serum anti-HSP70 was determined with Western blotting technique in hypertensive and normotensive groups. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between anti-HSP70 and hypertension.

RESULTS

It was found that level of antibody against the main heat shock protein 70 was significantly higher in patients with hypertension (based on criteria of 160/95 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) than in controls, after adjustment for the generally recognized risk factors for hypertension (such as age, sex, length of employment, body mass index, job, et al.). There still was stronger association between anti-HSP70 and hypertension (based on criteria of 140/90 mm Hg), but its strength of association was weaker than the former.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-HSP70 may potentially serve as a serum biomarker to assess hypertension, or anti-HSP70 itself may be involved in the development of hypertension.

[Changes and significance of natural killer cell, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF alpha of heroin addicts after detoxification]

In order to find out the activity of NKC and production of IL-2 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the level of IL-6 and TNF alpha in the peripheral blood serum, we investigated 51 herion addicts who were in the course of detoxification. MTT colorimetric assay and ELISA assay methods were adopted. The results showed that, in the herion addicts, NK activity was 30.11 +/- 5.2%, IL-2 activity was 8.06 +/- 1.66 IU/ml, IL-6 level was 61.17 +/- 12.07 pg/ml, and TNF alpha level was 91.83 +/- 19.19 pg/ml, whereas in the healthy controls, the results were 44.89 +/- 4.75%, 15.91 +/- 3.83 IU/ml, 22.18 +/- 9.31 pg/ml and 30.55 +/- 11.94 pg/ml respectively. When the herion addicts were subjected to detoxication, their NKC and IL-2 activities, IL-6 and TNF alpha levels gradually restored to normal, and were correlated with the time of their detoxification (NKC: r = 0.626, P < 0.001; IL-2: r = 0.684, P < 0.001; IL-6: r = -0.791, P < 0.001; TNF alpha: r = -0.703, P < 0.001).

Early repair treatment of electrical burns and recovery of tendons and nerves. Report of 194 operations

A new approach to treatment of electrically burned tendons and nerves by primarily covering with skin or myocutaneous flaps is recommended. Between 1964 and 1989, 194 operations using the new approach were performed on 147 patients, of which 179 operations were successful and only 15 procedures resulted in infection. Among 42 cases involving the wrist, the rate of functional recovery of the electrically burned tendons was 97.6%; the rate of recovery in 21 cases of electrically burned peripheral nerves was 80.9%.

Genomic structure, chromosomal mapping, and promoter region analysis of murine uridine phosphorylase gene

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) plays an important role in the activation of 5-fluorouracil and in the regulation of tissue and plasma concentration of uridine, a potential biochemical modulator of 5-fluorouracil therapy. UPase expression is affected by the c-H-ras oncogene and various cytokines through unknown mechanisms. To understand its expression and regulation, we cloned the murine UPase gene, defined its genomic organization, determined its 5'- and 3'-end flanking sequences, and evaluated the promoter activity. The UPase gene contains nine exons and eight introns, spanning a total of approximately 18.0 kb. Its promoter lacks canonical TATA and CCAAT boxes, although a CAATAAAAA TATA-like box is seen from -41 to -49. Furthermore, IFN regulatory factor 1, c/v-Myb, and p53 binding sites are present in the promoter region, indicating that UPase expression may be directly regulated by cytokines and oncogene products. The 1.2-kb flanking fragment showed promoter activity driving the expression of the luciferase gene in various mammalian cells. A TGGGG repeat sequence is seen in the 3'-end flanking region. This element is considered to be a potential recombination consensus hot spot that may contribute to the encoding of different UPase isoforms present in different tissues, both normal and neoplastic.

[Study on pretreatment for the determination of several nutrition element in eggs with AAS]

In this paper, 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl, 6 mol x L(-1) HCl, pH 7.0 1 mol x L(-1) NH4Ac was oscillated and 6 mol x L-' HCI was boilled to extract and determine K, Na, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Cu. Comparing with classical method that popularly used HNO3-HCl04 to degest and ash samples,the results indicated that for macroelement K,Na and Mg several extraction methods are similar to classical method,the recovery was 90%-115%,for microelement Zn, Mn and Fe could be extracted using pH7.0 1 mol x L(-1) NH4Ac, 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCI, 6 mol x L(1) HCI oscillating,the recovery was 100%-115%. Cu could be analysed using 6 mol x L(-1) HCI boiling. But the results of Ca were not better because of the enhancement effect. The results with ash sample were lower because many elements were lost when ash temperature was up to 450 degrees C. These methods of exatraction pretreatment are simple and rapid. The recovery and precision are satisfactory.

[Tissue specificity and expression of a human sperm protein's gene BSD-2.4]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the tissue specificity and expression in spermatogenic stage of BSD-2.4 cDNA which might be related with fertility and its sequence was received by GenBank.

METHODS

Dot blot, Northern blot, and in situ hybridization were used.

RESULTS

Northern blot analysis of sixteen human tissues showed that BSD-2.4 cDNA had one transcript only with testis. BSD-2.4 mRNA was detected in germ cells of human testis.

CONCLUSIONS

BSD-2.4 is a testis-specific protein. The cDNA was expressed throughout the stages of the spermatogenic cycle.

[Prediction the octane number of gasoline by near infrared spectra analysis]

The feasibility of predicting the octane number by the near infrared spectra analysis technique in the quantitative analysis was investigated. 12 calibration gasoline samples and 4 prediction samples were collected and their absorption spectra were measured with a high precision model Lambda 19 scanning spectrophotometer. Based on the multivariate statistic model, stagewise regression and partial least squares were selected. A model of the correlation behavior between the spectra and octane number was established and calibrated, and then the prediction of octane number is made. The prediction error is +/-1.0 octane number in the best analysis results.

[The characterization of a novel testis-specific nucleoporin gene]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the structure and function of testis-specific gene and spermatogenesis in human.

METHODS

Screening cDNA expression library, 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends, Northern blot and fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH) were used. Gene expressing, purified of expressed protein by affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE as well as phosphorylation of expressed protein in vitro by PKC and p34cdc2 were observed.

RESULTS

A cDNA designated as BS-63 was isolated and found to consist of 2,209 bp with an open reading frame of 2,100 bp and assigned the accession number U64675 by GenBank. The deduced polypeptide consisted of 700 amino acid residues containing XFXFG or FG motifs that were characteristic of nuclear pore complex (NPC) protein and acted as potential binding sites for Ran. The N-terminal region had high homology with Ran BP2/Nup 358, a nucleoporin component, showing that BS-63 was a member of the NPC family. Northern blot analysis of mRNA prepared from various human tissues showed that BS-63 gene was transcribed in two forms: 6.0 and 8.5 kb. The 8.5 kb transcript was present in low amounts in several somatic tissues; whereas the 6.0 kb transcript was expressed only in testis. Analysis by FISH method mapped the BS-63 gene in 2q11.2-12. A protein band with an estimated Mr of 80,000 was detected with E. coli BL21 (DE3) transfected with recombinant plasmid pET30a (+)-BS-63. In vitro phosphorylation test indicated the BS-63 recombinant protein could be phosphorylated by PKC and p34cdc2.

CONCLUSIONS

The study was the first demonstration that the BS-63 gene encoding a nucleoporin-related protein with Ran binding sites was expressed in germ cells of human testis.