The myrosinase gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana: gene organization, expression and evolution

Myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.3.1.) is in Brassicaceae species such as Brassica napus and Sinapis alba encoded by two differentially expressed gene families, MA and MB, consisting of about 4 and 10 genes, respectively. Southern blot analysis showed that Arabidopsis thaliana contains three myrosinase genes. These genes were isolated from a genomic library and two of them, TGG1 and TGG2, were sequenced. They were found to be located in an inverted mode with their 3' ends 4.4 kb apart. Their organization was highly conserved with 12 exons and 11 short introns. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of TGG1 and TGG2 exons revealed an overall 75% similarity. In contrast, the overall nucleotide sequence similarity in introns was only 42%. In intron 1 the unusual 5' splice border GC was used. Phylogenetic analyses using both distance matrix and parsimony programs suggested that the Arabidopsis genes could not be grouped with either MA or MB genes. Consequently, these two gene families arose only after Arabidopsis had diverged from the other Brassicaceae species. In situ hybridization experiments showed that TGG1 and TGG2 expressing cells are present in leaf, sepal, petal, and gynoecium. In developing seeds, a few cells reacting with the TGG1 probe, but not with the TGG2 probe, were found indicating a partly different expression of these genes.

[Effect of low dose rhTNF-alpha on immune function of lymphocytes in burned rats]

SD rats (200-230 g body weight) were randomly divided into three groups: (1) sham burn; (2) burn; (3) burn plus rhTNF-alpha. Third degree burn of 30% TBSA on the trunk was produced in groups 2 and 3. Intravenous rhTNF-alpha(10 micrograms/kg) was administered 6 hours postburn and once daily thereafter for 5 days in group 3. At 5 days postburn, splenic lymphocytes obtained from all the animals were used for the determination of distribution of T lymphocyte subsets with flowcytic analysis and activity of IL-2(Gills method). The results indicated that low dose rhTNF-alpha in vivo could improve distribution of splenic T lymphocyte subsets in burned rats by increasing the numbers of W3/25(Th) and decreasing the number of OX-8(Ts), and the ratio of W3/25/OX-8 was raised. In vitro the proliferation response of T lymphocytes to ConA was enhanced and the activity of IL-2 was increased by 108%, 149% and 168%, respectively, in group 3 compared with that in group 2. However, a dose-dependent effect, in that a small dose (< or = 10 ng/2.5 x 10(6) cells) of rhTNF-alpha improved the immune function of T lymphocytes, while a higher dose inhibited T lymphocyte immune function. These findings showed that rhTNF-alpha improved not only the distribution of T lymphocyte subsets but also their immune activity.

The thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems are efficient electron donors to human plasma glutathione peroxidase

Human plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) is a distinct extracellular selenoenzyme that detoxifies hydroperoxides when used with GSH in high (mM) non-physiological concentrations. We have discovered that NADPH and human thioredoxin reductase (TR) by itself or with thioredoxin (Trx) are efficient electron donors to this human plasma peroxidase. Incubation of 0.05 microM TR with 0.25 microM GSH-Px, in a system free from GSH, resulted in reduction of t-butyl hydroperoxide. Addition of Trx, 2.5 and 5 microM, respectively, further increased the rate of the reaction. These data were obtained using an assay measuring the oxidation of NADPH. A direct assay demonstrated the formation of cumyl alcohol from cumene hydroperoxide in this GSH-independent peroxidase reaction. Incubation of 0.25 microM GSH-Px with a low concentration of GSH (10 microM), representing the upper level in plasma, plus excess glutathione reductase and NADPH did not result in any reduction of t-butyl hydroperoxide. However, after addition of 2.5 microM human glutaredoxin, a linear peroxidase reaction started. The results suggest that extracellular TR, Trx, or glutaredoxin are reductants for the selenium-dependent peroxidase rather than GSH.

Determination of the disulfide bridges in factor Va heavy chain

The M(r) = 94,000 heavy chain of bovine factor Va contains 10 cysteine residues which are distributed in the 2 A domains which make up this portion of the factor V molecule. The A1 domain contains four cysteines while the A2 domain contains six cysteines. The locations of disulfide bridges and free cysteines in bovine factor Va heavy chain were analyzed using iodo[14C]acetamide-labeled factor Va heavy chain digested with trypsin, plasmin, V-8 protease, and cyanogen bromide. Following HPLC separation of the resulting peptides, free cysteines were identified by the incorporation of radioactivity while disulfide-containing peptides were detected using an SBD-F fluorometric assay after reduction. All cysteine-containing peptides were analyzed by amino acid sequence analysis. The four cysteines in the A1 domain are associated with two disulfide bonds, Cys139-Cys165 and Cys220-Cys301. One disulfide bond was explicitly identified in the A2 domain; Cys471-Cys497, and a free cysteine was found in the A2 domain at Cys538. Significant difficulties were encountered in preparing identifiable or soluble peptides which would permit the explicit identification of the three remaining cysteines in the A2 domain. On the basis of homology, it is likely that Cys589 is a free SH while a disulfide bridge exists between Cys579 and Cys660. Thus, three major disulfide bonding patterns, characterized as "alpha", "beta", and "gamma" loops, are found in factor V. Each A domain contains a 26 residue "alpha loop at positions 139-165, 471-497, and 1684-1710. The A1 and A2 domains each contain 81 amino acid residue "beta" loops at 220-301 and 579-660.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contribution of the heavy and light chains of factor Va to the interaction with factor Xa

The interactions of the isolated heavy and light chains of factor Va with factor Xa were evaluated using active-site-modified factor Xa [(carboxytetramethyl)rhodamine-Glu-Gly- Arg-factor Xa (ctr-EGR-Xa)]. The Kd for the factor Va heavy-chain interaction with ctr-EGR-Xa was 60 microM. A series of monoclonal antibodies directed against bovine factor Va were tested for their ability to inhibit thrombin formation in an assay using the fluorescent thrombin inhibitor dansylarginine N,N-(3-ethyl-1,5-pentanediyl)amide (DAPA). Monoclonal antibody alpha BFV-4, which recognizes the light chain of the cofactor, was found to inhibit the formation of thrombin. Similarly, monoclonal antibody alpha BFV-5, which is directed against the heavy chain of the cofactor, was found to inhibit thrombin formation. In contrast, monoclonal antibody alpha BFV-1, also directed against the heavy chain of the cofactor, did not inhibit thrombin generation by the prothrombinase complex. Monoclonal antibodies alpha BFV-4 and alpha BFV-5 inhibited the interaction of active-site-modified radiolabeled factor Xa (125I-Xa-EGR) with factor Va bound to PC/PS-coated microtiter wells, whereas nonimmune mouse IgG did not have any effect on the 125I-Xa-EGR.membrane-bound factor Va interaction. The antibodies effect upon the phospholipid-independent interaction between the cofactor and ctr-EGR-Xa was evaluated by analytical ultracentrifugation. Both alpha BFV-4 and alpha BFV-5 inhibited the phospholipid-independent interaction between factor Va and ctr-EGR-Xa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Transurethral non-contact laser treatment of prostatic hypertrophy]

66 cases of prostatic hypertrophy have been treated by transurethral non-contact Nd:YAG laser irradiation since April 1993. Sixty patients regained unobstructed urination within 1 week and 6 within 2 weeks after operation. The symptoms of the treated group were improved with the necrotic tissues gradually peeling off in 3 to 6 weeks. The short-term follow-up indicated that the prostatic gland distinctly reduced and residual urine decreased or vanished after treatment. Three patients had one of the following complications: urinary tract infection, epididymitis or urinous infiltration. These complications were treated appropriately. This therapy is ideal for the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy.

Sulfur dioxide and sodium metabisulfite induce bronchoconstriction in the isolated perfused and ventilated guinea pig lung via stimulation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves

In this study the relationship between sulfur dioxide-induced sensory nerve activation and acute bronchoconstriction was assessed. We also studied the effects of sodium metabisulfite, an agent that is suggested to increase airway resistance via activation of sensory nerves. Sulfur dioxide (250 ppm) induced a characteristic biphasic bronchoconstriction. Concomitantly sulfur dioxide induced the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves into the pulmonary circulation. In lungs of guinea pigs pretreated with a neurotoxic dose of capsaicin, the first phase of bronchoconstriction was reduced and the overflow of CGRP was not detectable. Tetrodotoxin abolished the initial phase of the bronchoconstriction induced by sulfur dioxide, indicating that a local neural reflex depending on sodium channels was operant. Inhibition of the vanilloid receptor with capsazepine slightly, although not significantly, reduced the contractile responses to sulfur dioxide. Sodium metabisulfite, when infused via the pulmonary circulation (3 mM), induced bronchoconstriction which was abolished by capsaicin pretreatment, but not significantly reduced by capsazepine. The results indicate that in the isolated guinea pig lung inhaled sulfur dioxide induces initial bronchoconstriction in part via sensory nerve activation, while other mechanisms are involved in the late effect. Sensory nerve activation appears to be the only mechanism for bronchoconstriction induced by infused sodium metabisulfite. A role for sensory nerve-mediated bronchoconstriction by sulfur dioxide or sodium metabisulfite via activation of the vanilloid receptor could not be conclusively demonstrated by this study using capsazepine.

Determination of the disulfide bridges in factor Va light chain

The 74-kDa light chain of bovine factor Va is composed of three domains: the NH2-terminal A3 domain and the COOH-terminal C1 and C2 domains. In total, the light chain has eight cysteines: two in the A3 domain and three in each C domain. To determine the locations of the disulfide bridges, peptides were obtained from factor Va and iodo[1-14C]acetamide-labeled factor Va light chains by digestion with trypsin, activated protein C, lysylendopeptidase, and V8 protease. After HPLC purification, amino acid sequence and composition analyses showed that each domain of bovine Va light chain possesses a disulfide bond. The sites are Cys1684-Cys1710 (A3), Cys1866-Cys2020 (C1), and Cys2025-Cys2180 (C2). One free cysteine is located in each C domain, i.e., Cys1953 and Cys2100. The locations of the disulfide bonds in human Va and VIIIa light chains are anticipated to be similar to those of bovine Va light chain, because the cysteines involved are conserved.

Characterization of a Brassica napus myrosinase pseudogene: myrosinases are members of the BGA family of beta-glycosidases

Myrosinase isoenzymes are known to be encoded by two different families of genes denoted MA and MB. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a Brassica napus genomic clone containing a gene for myrosinase revealed it to be a pseudogene of the MA family. The gene spans more than 5 kb and contains at least 12 exons. The exon sequence of the gene is highly similar to myrosinase cDNA sequences. However, the gene displays three potential or actual pseudogene characters. Southern blot analysis using probes from the 3' portions of the genomic and B. napus MA and MB cDNA clones showed that MA type myrosinases are encoded by approximately 4 genes, while MB type myrosinases are encoded by more than 10 genes in B. napus. Northern blots with mRNA from seeds and young leaves probed with the MA- and MB-specific probes showed that the MA and MB myrosinase gene families are differentially expressed. Myrosinases are highly similar to proteins of a beta-glycosidase enzyme family comprising both beta-glycosidases and phospho-beta-glycosidases of as diverged species as archaebacteria, bacteria, mammals and plants. By homology to these beta-glycosidases, putative active site residues in myrosinase are discussed on the basis of the similarity between beta-glycosidases and cellulases.

[The DNA content of bladder carcinoma in relation to pathologic grading, staging and prognosis: a flow cytometric study]

DNA ploidy analysis of 90 paraffin embedded specimens in bladder carcinoma were carried out by flow cytometry (FCM). Emphasis was paid on grade II tumors which usually have variable clinical course. DNA ploid level determined by FCM correlates highly with pathologic grade, stage, and prognosis of bladder carcinoma. Among grade II tumors, the patients with diploid and peridiploid carcinoma had a favourable prognosis whereas the patients with aneuploidy of high average DNA index had a bad prognosis, in particular, those with triploid and peritriploid tumors had poorer prognosis. DNA ploid level by which the prognosis of patients with bladder carcinoma is evaluated, appears to be more accurate than pathologic grade and clinical stage, particularly stage T0-T or grade II tumors. It therefore can serve as a tumor marker in bladder carcinomas.