Comparison of the expression of a mutant dihydrofolate reductase under control of different internal promoters in retroviral vectors

To determine the effect of different promoters on the expression of an altered dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene conferring methotrexate (MTX) resistance in different cell types, double-copy retroviral vectors were constructed carrying a murine mutant DHFR under the control of five different promoters, i.e., human adenosine deaminase (ADA), simian virus 40 (SV40), thymidine kinase (TK), human beta-actin, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Their expression was compared in NIH-3T3 cells, three human leukemia cell lines, and mouse bone marrow. The variant DHFR is readily expressed from these various promoters in retroviral vectors at a selectable level. In 3T3 cells, the DHFR constructs containing the SV40 promoter conferred the highest levels of resistance to MTX. In K562 and Raji cells, the construct with the TK promoter produced the highest level of resistance. However granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) colonies from mouse marrow were more resistant to MTX when infected with vectors containing the SV40 promoter and ADA promoter as compared to the other promoter constructs. These studies show that mouse fibroblast cell lines such as NIH-3T3 do not predict the effectiveness of retroviral-mediated gene transfer for marrow progenitor cells, and that the activity of retroviral vector-encoded promoters vary in an unpredictable manner from cell type to cell type. Possible implications for basic gene transfer studies and clinical applications are discussed.

Cloning and characterization of the groESL operon from Bacillus subtilis

The sequence of the 10 N-terminal amino acids of a Bacillus subtilis protein that cross-reacts with antibody to Escherichia coli GroEL was used to design a set of degenerate oligonucleotide probes. These probes identified a clone which carries almost the entire groESL operon from a B. subtilis subgenomic library. By chromosomal walking, an additional fragment carrying the 3' end of groESL and its flanking sequence was isolated. Sequence analysis revealed two open reading frames (ORFs) in the cloned DNA. The upstream ORF encodes a 10-kDa protein which has 47% amino acid identity with E. coli GroES. The downstream ORF encodes a 58-kDa protein which is 62% identical to E. coli GroEL. A 2.1-kb groESL mRNA from B. subtilis was detected independently by Northern (RNA) blot analyses with a groES- and a groEL-specific probe. This demonstrated that groES and groEL are in an operon. The groESL promoter was located by using a promoter-probing plasmid, and the apparent transcription start site was mapped by primer extension analysis. The same promoter is utilized under normal and heat shock conditions. This promoter has the same features as a typical sigma A promoter. A strain in which the groESL operon was under the control of the sucrose-inducible sacB promoter was created. With this strain, it was possible to show that both groES and groEL are essential genes under both normal and heat shock conditions.

Muscarinic cholinergic stimulation elevates intracellular pH in chicken granulosa cells by a Ca(2+)-dependent, Na(+)-independent mechanism

Various hormones and growth factors act at least in part by raising the cytosolic pH of the target cell. In the present studies we examined the influence of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist carbachol on intracellular pH (pHi) in chicken granulosa cells. The pHi in granulosa cells from the two largest preovulatory follicles of hens was determined spectrofluorometrically using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(carboxyethyl)- 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Carbachol (0.1-2 mM) induced a concentration-dependent increase in pHi, which reached a maximum of 0.23 +/- 0.02 pH units at a concentration of 1 mM. Cytosolic alkalinization was observed within 10 min of the addition of carbachol and lasted over the 60-min observation period. The effect of carbachol was mimicked by acetylcholine (1 mM) and muscarine (1 mM), but not by nicotine (0.1 mM). The carbachol-induced alkalinization was blocked by pretreating the cells with the muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists atropine (1 and 10 microM) and pirenzepine (0.01 and 0.1 mM). The increase in pHi did not appear to be mediated by a conventional mechanism involving the Na+/H+ antiporter, because it was unaffected by replacement of extracellular Na+ with the nonpermeant choline chloride or the presence of antiporter inhibitors, such as amiloride, dimethylamiloride, or ethylisopropylamiloride. However, the mechanism required external Ca2+, but did not involve Ca2+ channels, because it was unaffected by the general Ca2+ channel blocker methoxyverapamil (50 microM). Thus, Ca(2+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent intracellular alkalinization may be a part of the signalling mechanism by which muscarinic receptor activation regulates chicken granulosa cell function.

Control of excision frequency of maize transposable element Ds in Petunia protoplasts

The complete coding region of maize transposable element Ac and truncated but active derivatives of it were placed under the control of promoters of different strength and tested for the ability to excise transposable element Ds from a beta-glucuronidase reporter gene in a cotransfection assay in Petunia protoplasts. The highest excision values (5% of the protoplasts able to express the beta-glucuronidase gene in a control experiment) were observed with a truncated version of the Ac coding region under the control of the 2' promoter. The weak Ac promoter is sufficient to give rise to excision values not much lower than those found with much stronger promoters such as the 2' and nos promoters. A decrease in excision frequency was observed when translation of the Ac coding region was hindered by out-of-frame ATG codons in addition to the use of weak promoters. Increasing the level of Ac transposase thus does not seem to be sufficient to raise the level of Ds excision observed in this system and possibly also in maize. Therefore another factor limits the excision of Ds elements. Previously, it was reported that in tobacco cells the deletion of Ds sequence between base pairs 186 and 245 led to a decrease of the Ds excision frequency by the full-length but not by the truncated Ac product. In the Petunia assay system, however, deletion of these sequences decreased the excision rate with both the full length and the truncated Ac coding region. A cDNA construct was found similarly active as the corresponding genomic DNA.

Enhancement of B cell responses by the interaction of CD2 with LFA-3

Potential effect of the interaction of CD2 with its ligand LFA-3 on B cell responses in vitro was studied to evaluate the action of CD2-LFA-3 in immune responses. It was found that: 1) addition of autologous erythrocytes to unfractional mononuclear cells resulted in enhancement of PWM-induced lymphocyte proliferation, and had no significant influence on non-mitogen stimulation; 2) autologous erythrocytes potentiated the synthesis of immunoglobulins; and 3) costimulating effects of autologous RBC can be depressed by preincubation of PBMNC with anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody (WuTll). The results suggest that preincubation of mononuclear cells with anti-CD2 McAb has a down-regulating effects on B cell responses and the interaction of CD2 with its ligand LFA-3 expressed by RBC is closely related to immune responses.

[The construction of rich genomic library of bovine Y chromosome]

According to the fundamentals of DNA renatured kinetics, we made a study in which genomic DNA from male cattle was completely digested with Sau 3A, while female DNA was sheared to an average size of 500 bp fragments. The Y derived DNA sequence rich library of bovine has been contracted with pUC19 plasmid as vector and JM109 as host bacteria by reassociation of male and female DNA. Male and female DNA probes, were used. The result of colony hybridization showed that out of 1000 recombinants analysed, 6 were found to be stronger signal with male probe. Analysis of Pvu' I digested DNA fragment revealed that most of the inserts were in the 90-300 bp.

Functional modulation of brain sodium channels by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation

Voltage-gated Na+ channels, which are responsible for the generation of action potentials in brain, are phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro and in intact neurons. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase reduces peak Na+ currents 40%--50% in membrane patches excised from rat brain neurons or from CHO cells expressing type IIA Na+ channels. Inhibition of basal cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity by transfection with a plasmid encoding a dominant negative mutant regulatory subunit increases Na+ channel number and activity, indicating that even the basal level of kinase activity is sufficient to reduce Na+ channel activity significantly. Na+ currents in membrane patches from kinase-deficient cells were reduced up to 80% by phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These effects could be blocked by a specific peptide inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and reversed by phosphoprotein phosphatases. Convergent modulation of brain Na+ channels by neurotransmitters acting through the cAMP and protein kinase C signaling pathways may result in associative regulation of electrical activity by different synaptic inputs.

Cloning and developmental expression of the alpha 3 chain of chicken type IX collagen

Fibrous and nonfibrous collagens comprise two major groups within the collagen family and both groups are found in a diverse variety of tissue fabrics. Type IX collagen is in the nonfibrous group; three different subunits of type IX collagen have been identified and the alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits have been cloned. Using molecular cloning methods we have isolated, from an embryonic chicken cartilage library, cDNA clones which code for the entire alpha 3 chain of chicken type IX collagen. The cDNA clones encompass 2416 base pairs which have a conceptual open reading frame for a protein containing 675 amino acids including 193 Gly-X-Y repeats. These collagen repeats are in three separate domains which are interspersed with four major noncollagen domains. The collagen repeats also have four minor interruptions. This chain organization directly aligns with both the alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of chicken type IX collagen. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with peptide sequences of type IX collagens shows identity with 95 of the 96 known residues of the chicken alpha 3 chain and 81 of the 98 known residues of the bovine alpha 3 chain. The identical residues match those in five peptide fragments, two from the bovine protein and three from the chicken protein. The chicken and bovine alpha 3 chains have conserved cross-linking sites, separated by 137 residues which span 40 nm, the length of the hole zone in a collagen fibril. The NC3 domain of the chicken alpha 3 chain contains a repeat Cys-Pro motif which is present in both vertebrate and invertebrate nonfibrillar collagens. Northern blot hybridization exhibits a major mRNA of about 3.3 kilobases; this transcript is found in cartilaginous tissues in the embryo, including the developing limb and is not detected in other tissues or in the precondensation stage of limb development. The composite data delineate the primary structure of the alpha 3 chain of chicken type IX collagen, show its close relationship to the alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains, demonstrate its mRNA transcript, and show the appearance of that transcript in tissues of the developing chick embryo.

FDC-P1 myeloid cells engineered to express fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 proliferate and differentiate in the presence of fibroblast growth factor and heparin

Full-length murine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 1 (FGFR-1L) cDNA was introduced into the FDC-P1 mouse myeloid progenitor cell line, which lacks FGF receptors and depends on interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for its proliferation and survival. The expression of the FGFR-1L gene in FDC-P1 cells allowed these cells to grow in the presence of FGF and heparin. The resulting cell line, designated FD FGFR-1L.A, exhibited a more mature myeloid phenotype than did the parental FD FGFR-1L cells or uninfected FDC-P1 cells. They formed mainly dispersed colonies in soft-agar cultures when grown in the presence of FGF and heparin, suggestive of myeloid differentiation. The cells can be switched between growth on FGF/heparin and IL-3. Northern blot analysis and cytochemical staining demonstrated that FD FGFR-1L.A cells expressed myeloperoxidase mRNA and protein, biochemical markers specifically expressed during differentiation from the promyelocytic to the granulocytic stages, whereas the parental FD FGFR-1L cells and FDC-P1 cells failed to express this marker. These results indicate that the expression of FGFR-1L by FDC-P1 cells transmitted signals for growth in the presence of FGF and heparin and generated an additional signal for early myeloid differentiation but failed to commit FD FGFR-1L.A cells to terminal differentiation. This in vitro culture system can be used for molecular analysis of the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation mediated by the FGFs and their receptors.

Secondary structures of a new class of lipid body proteins from oilseeds

The three main isoforms of the 19-kDa lipid body proteins (oleosin) have been purified to homogeneity from embryos of rapeseed. The secondary structures of these proteins as derived from circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were compared with the secondary structures predicted from the primary sequences. The salient feature of the primary sequence of all oleosins is its division into three defined structural domains: a central hydrophobic domain flanked on either side by relatively hydrophilic domains, respectively. Using a variety of predictive methods based on primary amino acid sequence data, the oleosins exhibited a high probability of beta-strand structure in the 70-residue central hydrophobic domain, with relatively little alpha-helical content. Secondary structure data derived from CD and FTIR were consistent with the predictions from primary sequence, showing that the oleosins contained about 45% beta-strand and 13% alpha-helical structure. Under high salt conditions, a 40-kDa polypeptide was obtained from purified preparations of the 19-kDa oleosins. The 40-kDa polypeptide has a very similar secondary structure, as analyzed by CD and FTIR, to that of the 19-kDa oleosins. This polypeptide is therefore probably a dimer of the 19-kDa oleosins that is formed in high salt environments. A model of the general structure of oleosins is proposed whereby the central hydrophobic domain of the protein with a predominantly beta-strand structure is embedded into the non-aqueous phase of lipid-bodies. This hydrophobic region is flanked by putative alpha-helical structures in the polar N- and C-terminal domains which are probably oriented at the lipid-water interface.

The ontogeny of m1-m5 muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat forebrain

The ontogeny of muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat forebrain has been determined utilizing a panel of antisera recognizing unique epitopes of the m1-m5 receptor proteins. Total receptor density in forebrain, as measured by the non-selective antagonist, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), was found to increase from 507 fmol/mg in neonates (3.5 days) to 1727 fmol/mg in mature animals (45 days). Adult levels were reached two weeks post-partum. A recently developed precipitation protocol was then used to further characterize receptor ontogeny. Cumulatively, 90% of [3H]QNB labelled muscarinic receptors from adult forebrain were immunoprecipitated with subtype selective antibodies (m1-m5). In 3- to 4-day-old neonates, m1 receptors are expressed at 31% of adult levels, m2 receptors at 32% of adult levels, m3 receptors at 36% of adult levels, and m4 receptors at 20% of adult levels. In mature animals, m1 receptors were equal to 35%, m2 equal to 18%, m3 equal to 11%, and m4 equal to 26%, of total receptors, respectively. Levels of m5 receptors are consistently very low at all ages tested (less than or equal to 1% of total receptor density). Although there were subtle differences in the time courses of development between muscarinic receptor subtypes, in general, they developed with similar ontogenic profiles. Subtypes coupled preferentially to inhibition of adenylate cyclase (m2 and m4) comprised 35% of total receptors expressed in neonates. The combined m2/m4 receptor density increased at a uniform rate during development from 173 to 757 fmol/mg. Receptors preferentially coupled to phosphoinositide turnover (m1, m3, and m5) were found in newborns at approximately 270 fmol/mg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synergistic suppression: anomalous inhibition of the proliferation of factor-dependent hemopoietic cells by combination of two colony-stimulating factors

Cells of the continuous murine hemopoietic cell line FDC-P1 expressing macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptors following retroviral insertion of murine c-fms cDNA proliferated clonally when stimulated by granulocyte/macrophage (GM)-CSF, multipotential CSF, or M-CSF. However, M-CSF combined with either GM-CSF or multi-CSF, even at low CSF concentrations, strongly inhibited colony formation, with loss of clonogenicity in affected cells accompanied by increased macrophage differentiation. Stimulation by these CSF combinations did not induce short-term changes in CSF receptor expression or internalization. FDC-P1 cells expressing another inserted tyrosine kinase receptor, basic fibroblast growth factor receptor, did not exhibit suppression when GM-CSF was combined with fibroblast growth factor. This phenomenon of synergistic suppression may have relevance for the future clinical use of combinations of CSFs, because a potentially similar suppression is also observable with some normal macrophage progenitor cells.

[Gene deletion of X-linked ichthyosis]

The characterization of steroid sulfatase (STS) gene mutation from seven X-linked ichthyotic patients was performed by multiple polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) which amplified two specific regions at the 5' and 3' end of STS gene. The results indicated that five out seven patients were found to have entire STS gene deletion. Two other cases and five patients' mothers showed two amplification fragments. So did two cases of dominant ichthyosis vulgaris. It was further ascertained that entire gene deletion is the main mutation of STS locus in Chinese population. MPCR is a rapid and simple method for gene diagnosis of X-linked ichthyosis.

Inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on T lymphocyte DNA synthesis

The interference of Cyclosporin A (CyA) with peripheral lymphocytes DNA synthesis was investigated. The results showed that the drug could strongly inhibit T cell proliferation in response to PHA stimulation if added at the start or at the early phase of the process, and it failed to do so if added 48 h later when most cells had already started to proliferate. Without PHA, no obvious differences were detected between normal control and CyA-treated cells. A comparison was made between T cell DNA synthesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy volunteers and renal transplant patients. It was found that T-cell DNA synthesis of patients was significantly lower than that of the healthy controls. From the above it may be suggested that CyA activity on T cell proliferation is similar in vivo and in vitro.

[Study on binding characteristics of 125I-labeled McAb LC-1 to lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo]

McAb LC-1 was derived from fusion of myeloma cells and murine spleen cells immunized with human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells. The immunoglobulin isotype of LC-1 belonged to IgM. LC-1 was direct against the common epitope of lung cancer. It not only reacted with small cell lung cancer but also with non small cell lung cancer. LC-1 was purified from ascitic fluid by euglobulin precipitation and Sephadex G-200 filtration chromatography, and was iodinated with Iodogen, the specific reactivity of 125I-labeled LC-1 was determined by comparing standard curve with self-displacement curve. The immunoreactive fraction of 125I-LC-1 was determined by its binding to excess of antigen. The RIA data were plotted in Scatchard-form as binding of SPC-A-1 cells to LC-1. The binding constant of LC-1 binding to SPC-A-1 was 4.8 x 10(8) M-1. The LC-1 binding sites on SPC-A-1 were 7.2 x 10(4) per cell. The RIA inhibition test showed that LC-1 and LAC-122 (another IgM isotype McAb reacted only with non small cell lung cancer) had no cross-reactivity. The treatment of SPC-A-1 cells by proteinase and sodium periodate inhibited LC-1 binding to these treated target cells by 39% and 66% respectively. These results suggested that the biochemical nature of antigen recognized by LC-1 was glycoprotein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Viscosity measurements of barium sulfate mixtures for use in motility studies of the pharynx and esophagus

Detailed viscosity measurements have been made of barium sulfate mixtures over a wide range of viscosities for use in radiography of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A new methodology was developed for more accurate estimation of viscosity in non-Newtonian fluids in conventional cylinder-type viscometers. As base cases, the variation of viscosity with shear rate was measured for standard commercial mixes of e.z.hd (250% w/v) and a diluted mixture of liquid e.z.paque (40% w/v). These suspensions are strongly shear thinning at low shear rates. Above about 3s-1 the viscosity is nearly constant, but relatively low. To increase the viscosity of the barium sulfate mixture, Knott's strawberry syrup was mixed to different proportions with e.z.hd powder. In this way viscosity was systematically increased to values 130,000 times that of water. For these mixtures the variation of viscosity with temperature, and the change in mixture density with powder-syrup ratio are documented. From least-square fits through the data, simple mathematical formulas are derived for approximate calculation of viscosity as a function of mixture ratio and temperature. These empirical formulas should be useful in the design of "test kits" for systematic study for pharyngeal and esophageal motility, and clinical analysis of motility disorders as they relate to bolus consistency.

Regulation of ribosomal protein S25 in HL60 cells isolated for resistance to adriamycin

The ribosomal protein S25 gene is highly overexpressed in HL60 cells isolated for resistance to adriamycin. In contrast there is no overexpression of 3 other ribosomal genes which code for proteins S14, S17 and S24. Studies with an antibody against a synthetic peptide of the S25 protein show that although the S25 gene is overexpressed in resistant cells there is no corresponding increase in the levels of S25 protein. These results suggest that the r-protein levels are highly regulated by translational controls or protein turnover.

[Regularity of recurrent sites of cervix carcinoma after radical operation]

Radical operations were performed in 872 cases of cervical carcinoma from April 1964 to December 1985. The concrete ways of operation and auxiliary therapy were different according to clinical stage of each case. All the cases were followed-up for more than 5 years. 114 cases showed definite single or multiple lesions. Analysis of 92 cases of single lesions, the revealed that recurrent sites may be related to clinical stage, pathology, pelvic node metastases and auxiliary treatment. The local recurrence rate of single lesions was 59.8% and that of distant lesions was 40.2%.

[Method of producing fusarin C in perlite-liquid culture medium]

For researching the biosynthesis labelled Fusarin C(Fc) by Fuscarium moniliforme, a more quick and convenient method of Fusarin C production and purification were established, and a good liquid culture medium consisted of different kinds organic matters (hydroxy proline, sucrose and glycerin), inorganic salts and perlite replaced corn grit medium. The perlite-liquid culture medium inoculated with the strain of F. moniliforme yields 936mg Fc/kg organic matter with in 14 days of incubation at 28 degrees C. As compared with the corn grit medium, the amount of Fc from perlite-liquid medium was more than that from corn grit medium (831mg Fc/kg corn grit). In all experiments both thin-layer chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography were used to confirm the presence of Fc. parameters which were important for the optimal biosynthesis of Fc included hydroxy proline and sucrose concentrations, incubated time/temperature and amount of perlite. The 40g of sucrose/L liquid culture was optimal concentration for Fusarin C production. Of three contained N-matter tested, hydroxy proline was the best sources of N-atom for Fusarin C. Under the absence of hydroxy proline, the Fc wasn't synthesized in perlite-liquid culture medium by F. moniliforme. A culture time/temperature study of Fc production was done, and the optimal Fc amounts was synthesized after incubation for 14 days at 28 degrees C on perlite-liquid culture medium.

Excitatory amino acid signal transduction in the hippocampus: role of noradrenergic afferents and nitric oxide in cGMP increases in vivo

Previous studies have demonstrated that excitatory amino acid (EAA)-dependent increases in cerebellar cGMP are dependent upon the prior activation of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Additionally, the actions of NMDA, but not kainate or quisqualate, in elevating cerebellar cGMP have been shown to be dependent upon intact noradrenergic innervation of the cerebellum. In the current study we extended these observations to the hippocampus and again found that EAA-dependent increases in hippocampal cGMP also involve prior formation of NO. And as in the case of the cerebellum, NMDA-dependent increases in hippocampal cGMP involve prior release of norepinephrine which in turn apparently activates an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor to elicit cGMP increases. In toto, these data suggest that a key role of NMDA receptors in these brain regions is to presynaptically regulate the release of norepinephrine, thereby modulating the tone of this monoaminergic system. This may be a general principle which needs experimentation in other terminal fields of noradrenergic pathways.

ACTH hypertension in the rat: role of sodium chloride

Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) produces adrenally dependent increases in both blood pressure and salt (NaCl) appetite in the rat. The present study examines the effect of free access to a high intake of NaCl on ACTH hypertension in the rat to test the hypothesis that high NaCl intake would amplify the rise in blood pressure. Either water or 1%NaCl were offered to sham or ACTH treated Sprague-Dawley rats. Subcutaneous injections of synthetic ACTH (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 10 days caused large increases in the intake of both 1%NaCl (+240 +/- 6 ml/day) and water (+45 +/- 4 ml/day), urine volume (1%NaCl + ACTH +182 +/- 4 ml/day, ACTH + water +36 +/- 2 ml/day), adrenal weight (ACTH + water 176 +/- 18, ACTH + 1%NaCl 367 +/- 129 mg/100 g body weight) and maximum systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ACTH + water +18 +/- 5 mmHg; 1%NaCl + ACTH +16 +/- 3 mmHg). Some ACTH + 1%NaCl rats developed severe edema. Thus, free access to NaCl in ACTH treated Sprague Dawley rats did not potentiate the hypertension, but was associated with edema in some animals.

Effects of methylguanidine on sodium and organic ion transport

We studied the acute effect of methylguanidine (MG), a suspected uremic toxin that accumulates in renal failure, on p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake in rabbit kidney slices, on Na+,K+ ATPase activity in the microsomal fraction of rabbit kidneys, and on transepithelial active Na transport across toad skin. MG at concentrations ranging from 0.05 (similar to that reported in uremic patients) to 1.0 mM does not affect the organic anion (PAH) uptake, although it exhibits a concentration-dependent inhibition of organic cation (TEA) uptake. MG at concentrations from 0.05 to 5 mM had no effect on kidney Na+,K+ ATPase activity or on active transepithelial Na transport across toad skins when applied to the outside bathing solution; however, MG (greater than 1 mM) stimulated Na transport when applied to the inside bathing solution. These results are not consistent with the hypothesis that MG is a potential uremic toxin that causes the natriuresis and other toxic effects. However, long-term toxic effects of MG on the kidney were not assessed in the present study.