Gene cloning and characterization of thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus L1

The gene coding for an extracellular lipase of Bacillus stearothermophilus L1 was cloned in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis showed an open reading frame of 1254 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 417 amino acid residues. The polypeptide was composed of a signal sequence (29 amino acids) and a mature protein of 388 amino acids. An alanine replaces the first glycine in the conserved pentapeptide (Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly) around the active site serine. The expressed lipase was purified by hydrophobic interaction and ion exchange chromatography using buffers containing 0.02% (v/v) Triton X-100. The lipase was most active at 60-65 degrees C and in alkaline conditions around pH 9-10. The lipase had highest activity toward p-nitrophenyl caprylate among the synthetic substrates and tripropionin among the triglycerides. It hydrolyzed beef tallow and palm oil more rapidly than olive oil at 50 degrees C.

Association with FcRgamma is essential for activation signal through NKR-P1 (CD161) in natural killer (NK) cells and NK1.1+ T cells

Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit cytotoxicity against variety of tumor cells and virus-infected cells without prior sensitization and represent unique lymphocytes involved in primary host defense. NKR-P1 is thought to be one of NK receptors mediating activation signals because cross-linking of NKR-P1 activates NK cells to exhibit cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production. However, molecular mechanism of NK cell activation via NKR-P1 is not well elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the cell surface complex associated with NKR-P1 on NK cells and found that NKR-P1 associates with the FcRgamma chain which is an essential component of Fc receptors for IgG and IgE. The association between FcRgamma and NKR-P1 is independent of Fc receptor complexes. Furthermore, NK cells from FcRgamma-deficient mice did not show cytotoxicity or IFN-gamma production upon NKR-P1 cross-linking. Similarly, NK1.1+ T cells from FcRgamma-deficient mice did not produce IFN-gamma upon NKR-P1 crosslinking. These findings demonstrate that the FcRgamma chain plays an important role in activation of NK cells via the NKR-P1 molecule.

Development of a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to measure alpha 2-macroglobulin in irradiated rat serum

A competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with antigen immobilized on the solid phase was developed to measure alpha 2-macroglobulin in rat serum. The cross reactivity with albumin and hemoglobin was eliminated by use of IgG fractions that were isolated after chromatography on Cibacron Blue F3-GA Sepharose immobilized rat whole serum and hemoglobin Sepharose. Blocking materials and pH of the coating buffer had no effect on the amount of alpha 2-macroglobulin that binds to the plate. When the coating amount of alpha 2-macroglobulin was 100 ng/well, at pH 7.4, 10 mM Tris-HCl containing 150 mM sodium chloride and the IgG amount added was 60 ng/well, then albumin and hemoglobin did not affect the assay at concentrations of 150 micrograms/ml or 200 micrograms/ml. This assay is useful for measuring the concentration of alpha 2-macroglobulin in normal and irradiated rat serum.

Crystal structure of nitric oxide reductase from denitrifying fungus Fusarium oxysporum

Structures of nitric oxide reductase (NOR) in the ferric resting and the ferrous CO states have been solved at 2.0 A resolution. These structures provide significant new insights into how NO is reduced in biological systems. The haem distal pocket is open to solvent, implicating this region as a possible NADH binding site. In combination with mutagenesis results, a hydrogen-bonding network from the water molecule adjacent to the iron ligand to the protein surface of the distal pocket through the hydroxyl group of Ser 286 and the carboxyl group of Asp 393 can be assigned to a pathway for proton delivery during the NO reduction reaction.

Inhibition of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice by nicotinamide treatment for 5 weeks at the early age

To know the effects of nicotinamide (NCT) treatment for 5 weeks at the early age on insulitis and development of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, this experiment was performed. Ten ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) and 15 female NOD mice at 4 weeks of age were used. Mice were assigned to ICR and NOD groups, and NOD mice were randomly divided to control and NCT-treated groups. NCT was administered to mice orally as a solution and in a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight a day from the age of 4 to 8 weeks. Diabetes onset was 18 weeks of age in control group, and 22 weeks of age in NCT-treated group. Cumulative incidences of diabetes at 25 weeks of age in control and NCT-treated NOD mice were 63 and 29%, respectively. Insulitis occurred in all NOD mice. Incidence of insulitis in total islets was decreased by NCT treatment in diabetic NOD mice, but intensity of insulitis was not improved by NCT treatment. Blood glucose level was increased markedly, and plasma insulin level was decreased by diabetes development in NOD mice. Plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were increased in diabetic mice than in non-diabetic mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that NCT treatment for 5 weeks at the early age in NOD mice inhibits development of diabetes and insulitis in diabetic NOD mice.

Crystallization, preliminary diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of a single crystal of cytochrome P450nor

Cytochrome P450nor (P450nor) is a heme-containing nitric oxide reductase from the denitrifying fungus, Fusarium oxysporum. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of NO to N2O. In the present study, we report results from preliminary crystallographic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis of a single crystal of P450nor. The crystal was grown in 100 mM MES buffer at pH 5.6 using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. It belongs to the orthorhombic system with cell dimensions of a = 54.99 A, b = 82.66 A, c = 87.21 A, and the space group is P2(1)2(1)2(1). The crystal diffracts synchrotron radiation at higher than 2.0 A resolution, and therefore it is suitable for X-ray crystal structure analysis at atomic resolution. Bijvoet and dispersive anomalous difference Patterson maps show a clear peak corresponding to the heme iron. The structure solution is currently underway by means of MIR and MAD techniques. EPR analysis determined the orientation of the heme within the P450nor crystal.

Kaposi's sarcoma: advances in tumor biology and pharmacotherapy

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a highly vascularized neoplasm that primarily results in raised, highly vascularized lesions. Before the 1980s, KS was a rare disorder that occurred predominantly in elderly men of Mediterranean or Eastern European Jewish descent. With the advent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, its occurrence has increased dramatically. It can be classified into four types: classic, African endemic, iatrogenic or drug associated, and AIDS related. Classic KS usually follows an indolent and benign clinical course that rarely requires treatment. In contrast, AIDS-KS is a fulminant disease that requires aggressive pharmacotherapy, especially when it involves visceral organs. The epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management strategies of AIDS-KS are reviewed, including recent pharmacologic advances.

Protein kinase A coordinately regulates both basal expression and cyclic AMP-mediated induction of three catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme genes

Studies have shown that the cyclic AMP-regulated pathway is involved in the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and in the induction of gene expression of the three catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, TH, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). In the present study we investigated further the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the regulation of both basal and cyclic AMP-inducible transcription of the three catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in primary cultured bovine chromaffin cells by using the PKA-specific inhibitor N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamine)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89). In the presence of 40 microM H-89, mRNA levels of TH, DBH, and PNMT were reduced to 17 +/- 8, 19 +/- 8, and 14 +/- 2% of the untreated control, respectively, in 24 h, and intracellular norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were decreased to 20 and 34%, respectively, in 72 h. At 20 microM, although the basal enzyme gene expression levels were little affected, their induction by forskolin was abolished and norepinephrine and epinephrine levels fell to 55 and 74%. This reduction in catecholamines at 20 microM was probably due to changes in the phosphorylation state of TH, as its enzymatic activity was found to be decreased to 66 and 69% in 48 and 72 h, respectively. Thus, PKA activity in bovine adrenal medullary cells coordinately regulates both basal and cyclic AMP-inducible gene expression of specific catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, resulting in changes in intracellular catecholamine levels available for consequent neurohormonal activities.

Infant emotionality, parenting, and 3-year inhibition: exploring stability and lawful discontinuity in a male sample

In this study, the authors examine temperament (12-13 months) and mothering and fathering (15, 21, 27, 33 months) antecedents of inhibition of children at age 3 years prospectively in a sample of 125 firstborn boys and retrospectively in only the most and least inhibited children. High negativity coupled with low positivity in infancy predicted high inhibition, as did parenting that was supportive (e.g., high sensitivity, low intrusiveness). Parenting appeared more influential in the case of children who were highly negative as infants. The importance of distinguishing positive and negative emotionality in infancy and of studying mothering and fathering are discussed.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of a putative ras gene of the phytopathogenic fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana

We solated and determined the complete nucleotide sequence of a ras gene from Botryotinia fuckeliana, the causal agent of gray mold disease. Furthermore, in two other phytopathogenic fungi, Magnaporthe grisea (rice blast fungus) and Colletotrichum lagenarium (an anthracnose fungus), ras gene homologs were identified by amplifying gene fragments in polymerase chain reactions. The putative ras gene of B. fuckeliana encoded a polypeptide of 212 amino acids, and the coding sequence was interrupted by three short introns. The amino-terminal one third of the predicted Ras protein was highly homologous, and the next one third moderately homologous, to those of mammalian Ras proteins. The carboxy-terminal one third showed no homology, except in the last several amino acids that conformed to the acylation consensus.

Device for occlusion of rectovaginal fistula: clinical trials

PURPOSE

To evaluate a device designed for occlusion of rectovaginal fistula in patients with acquired rectovaginal fistula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The device consisted of a disk portion, an anchoring portion, and a shaft that connected each portion. The device was framed with a nitinol wire. The disk portion was framed in a four-leaf clover configuration, and the anchoring portion had two ellipsoid arms. The disk and anchoring portions were mounted with a nylon patch and coated with silicone. The device was designed for transrectal insertion and was placed in seven women with rectovaginal fistula caused by pelvic irradiation or pelvic surgery.

RESULTS

All devices were placed successfully, and all fistulas were completely occluded after placement of the device. No procedural complications were encountered. The follow-up period was 1-26 months. One patient died of distant metastasis 5 months after placement of the device. None of the patients reported leakage from the rectovaginal fistula during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The occlusion device may be promising and beneficial for use in occlusion of rectovaginal fistula that results from pelvic irradiation or pelvic surgery.

Functional and structural comparison of nitric oxide reductases from denitrifying fungi Cylindrocarpon tonkinense and Fusarium oxysporum

Two isozymes of nitric oxide reductase (Nor) from the denitrifying fungus Cylindrocarpon tonkinense (c.Nor1 and c.Nor2) are the heme-enzyme cytochrome P-450's (Usuda et al. (1995) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61, 883-889). However, they catalyze the NO reduction to N2O, but not the monooxygenation reaction using O2. We kinetically and spectrophotometrically studied the reactions of the two Nor's with NO and electron donor, NAD(P)H, using flash-photolysis and stopped-flow rapid scan methods. The enzyme in the Fe3+ state can bind NO to yield the Fe3+ NO complex. When the resultant Fe3+ NO complex reacted with the electron donor, it was converted to the Fe3+ enzyme via a transient formation of the characteristic intermediate (I). The spectroscopic results were essentially the same as those of the Nor from another denitrifying fungus Fusarium oxysporum (f.Nor), which we previously reported (Shiro et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1617-1623), suggesting that these fungal Nor's catalyze the NO reduction by the same mechanism. Most probably, the Fe3+ NO complex of the Nor is reduced with two-electrons directly transferred from NAD(P)H to yield the intermediate I, and then the I reacts with another NO to generate N2O and the Fe3+ enzyme. However, the kinetic measurements showed that the reaction rate constant of each step was variable depending on the combination of the Nor and the electron donor; i.e., c.Nor1 + NADH, c.Nor2 + NADPH, c.Nor2 + NADH and f.Nor + NADH. In particular, the rate constant for the electron transfer step from the electron donor to the Fe3+ NO enzyme is dramatically different among these systems. On the other hand, we also measured paramagnetically shifted 1H-NMR spectra of c.Nor2 and f.Nor in the ferrous (reduced) state, where the iron-bound Cys beta-CH2 signal was observed at the same position (approximately 270 ppm) for c.Nor2 and f.Nor, indicating that the Cys thiolate (S-) coordinates to the heme iron in the same fashion in the Nor's. However, the heme peripheral proton signals were subtly but significantly different in their positions between the two enzymes. On the basis of these kinetic and spectroscopic data, we suggested that the Fe-S- binding character is not essential for the NO reduction reactivity, but that the subtle difference in interaction of their hemes with the surroundings is possibly responsible for the difference in the Nor reactivity, especially in the electron transfer step from NAD(P)H to the Fe3+ NO moiety.

Infant emotionality, parenting, and 3-year inhibition: exploring stability and lawful discontinuity in a male sample

In this study, the authors examine temperament (12-13 months) and mothering and fathering (15, 21, 27, 33 months) antecedents of inhibition of children at age 3 years prospectively in a sample of 125 firstborn boys and retrospectively in only the most and least inhibited children. High negativity coupled with low positivity in infancy predicted high inhibition, as did parenting that was supportive (e.g., high sensitivity, low intrusiveness). Parenting appeared more influential in the case of children who were highly negative as infants. The importance of distinguishing positive and negative emotionality in infancy and of studying mothering and fathering are discussed.

Degradation of human immunoglobulins and cytotoxicity on HeLa cells by live Trichomonas vaginalis

The present study was undertaken to determine whether live T. vaginalis degrades human secretory IgA, serum IgA and IgG molecules. Human immunoglobulins were exposed to live trophozoites, parasite lysate, and excretory-secretory product (ESP) of T. vaginalis. To determine the fragmentation of immunoglobulins, the reaction sample was subjected to SDS-PAGE and EITB, and peroxidase conjugated antihuman IgA and IgG were used as probes. Live trophozoites degraded secretory IgA. Serum IgA and IgG, and degradation were pressed forward by the prolongation of the incubation time and by increasing the number of trichomonads respectively. Also the lysates and ESP of trichomonads degraded IgA and IgG. The cysteine and serine proteinase inhibitors such as E-64, antipain, iodoacetic acid, iodoacetamide, TLCK reduced the ability of cleaving immunoglobulins. The proteinase activity and cytotoxicity of T. vaginalis to HeLa cells were decreased when live T. vaginalis was treated with metallo-proteinase inhibitor as well as cysteine and serine proteinase inhibitors. These results suggest that proteinase secreted from live T. vaginalis may play a part role in host pathogenesis by T. vaginalis, and the cleaving ability of host immunoglobulins by the proteinase may contribute as a one of immune evasion mechanism for parasite survival in the host.

Isolation and characterization of a benomyl-resistant form of beta-tubulin-encoding gene from the phytopathogenic fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana

As an initial step to develop a DNA-mediated transformation system using benomyl resistance as a dominant selectable marker in the phytopathogenic fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana (anamorph, Botrytis cinerea), we have constructed a phage lambda genomic DNA library of a benomyl-resistant strain 91T-1, and a beta-tubulin-encoding gene benA was isolated, cloned and sequenced. Southern blot analysis suggested that a single copy of benA is present in the genome of B. fuckeliana. The benA gene is composed of seven exons which are separated by six introns of 52 to 135 bp. The intron consensus sequences are similar to those of other fungal genes. The deduced amino acid sequence (447 amino acid residues) is highly homologous to those of other fungal beta-tubulin-encoding genes. Comparison of the sequences around codons 198 and 200 in benomyl-resistant and sensitive strains revealed that the benAHR allele from the benomyl-resistant strain 91T-1 contained a mutation at codon 198 from GAG (Glu) to GCG (Ala), which has been correlated with high resistance to benzimidazole fungicides including benomyl in various filamentous fungi.

Crucial role of Jak3 in negative selection of self-reactive T cells

Jak3 mediates growth signals through cytokine receptors such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-7, and its deficiency results in autosomal recessive SCID in mice and humans. In spite of the severely reduced number of lymphocytes in Jak3-deficient mice, the differentiation profile of thymocytes was normal and mature T cells accumulated in the periphery with age. However, we found that self-reactive T cells were not deleted in the thymus and the peripheral tissues in Jak3-deficient mice. All peripheral T cells were in the activation state and thus were unable to be activated further, as demonstrated by the failure of eliciting Ca2+ response upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. From the analysis of TCR-transgenic Jak3-deficient mice, only self-reactive T cells appeared to be in the activated state and anergic. These findings demonstrate a crucial function of Jak3 in the negative selection of autoreactive T cells and the maintenance of functional peripheral T cells.

Breast cancer-associated antigen, DF3/MUC1, induces apoptosis of activated human T cells

Given the plethora of well-documented breast carcinoma-associated antigens in humans including MAGE-1, -2 and -3, mutated p53, p21ras, HER-2/neu and DF3/MUC-1, coupled with evidence that humoral and cytotoxic T-cell responses against these antigens exist, the central dilemma facing tumor immunologists is why the host immune response is so inefficient. One possibility is that tumor cells themselves are either inefficient or ineffective antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The failure of tumor cells to function as APCs may be due to their inability to process and present the antigen, the absence or insufficient numbers of adhesion and costimulatory molecules or, potentially, the secretion of inhibitory cytokines. Therefore, we sought to determine whether human breast cancer cell lines could function as APCs and, if not, to identify mechanism(s) responsible for this defect. Here, we show that human breast cancer cell lines fail to present alloantigen. This defect does not reside in their inherent capacity to present antigen but rather is due to apoptosis of activated T cells induced by exposure to the breast carcinoma-associated mucin antigen, DF3/MUC1. These results support the hypothesis that DF3/MUC1 may contribute to the paucity of clinically significant anticarcinoma-specific immune responses.

Relationship between squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels and tumor volumes in patients with cervical carcinomas undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy

This study was performed to determine whether there is a linear correlation between serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen levels and tumor volumes in patients with cervical carcinoma. Sera from 43 patients with stage IIb bulky (>4 cm) cervical carcinoma were collected prospectively and assayed for SCC antigen levels before, and 2 weeks after, three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At the same time, tumor volume was measured by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mean serum SCC antigen level declined significantly after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, from 16.8 ng/ml (range 0.4-80.2 ng/ml) to 3.1 ng/ml (range 0.1-13.0 ng/ml) (P = 0.0001). Also, the percentage of patients with elevated serum SCC antigen level decreased significantly from 79.1 to 25.6% (P < 0.001). Furthermore, mean tumor volume also declined significantly after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, from 54.1 cm3 (range 8.4-133.9 cm3) to 5.3 cm3 (range 0-77.8 cm3) (P = 0.0001). However, serum SCC antigen levels did not show a linear correlation with tumor volumes before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (r = 0.0776, P = 0.6208; r = 0.1887, P = 0.2256, respectively). Interestingly, the percentage reduction in serum SCC antigen levels showed a linear correlation with that of tumor volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 34 patients who had elevated prechemotherapy serum SCC antigen levels (r = 0.5094, P = 0.0021). These results suggest that although serum SCC antigen level does not have a direct linear relationship to tumor volume, reduction in serum SCC antigen level has a linear correlation with that of tumor volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with cervical carcinoma and elevated prechemotherapy SCC antigen levels.

FcR gamma-chain is essential for both surface expression and function of human Fc gamma RI (CD64) in vivo

Most Ig receptors exist as hetero-oligomeric complexes with separate ligand binding (alpha) and signal transducing (beta, gamma, or zeta) subunits. For Fc gamma RIIIa and Fc epsilon RI, association with the FcR gamma-chain is essential for surface expression. However, the human high affinity IgG receptor, hFc gamma RI, was found to be surface-expressed by itself in transient transfection models. We have now analyzed the integrity of hFc gamma RI expression in more detail in stable transfectants. In vitro we noted that, in the absence of FcR gamma-chain, surface expression of hFc gamma RI rapidly declined to background levels, in both IIA1.6 B cells and NIH3T3 fibroblasts. The effect of FcR gamma-chain on hFc gamma RI surface expression in vivo was evaluated by using two newly generated transgenic mouse lines, selectively expressing hFc gamma RI on myeloid cells. These transgenic mice were crossed with FcR gamma-chain-deficient mice. Analysis of blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages showed that surface expression of hFc gamma RI was reduced by approximately 80%. The remaining approximately 20% of receptors were still capable of binding IgG-opsonized RBC, suggesting FcR gamma-chain not to be critical for hFc gamma RI ligand-binding capacity. Importantly, however, hFc gamma RI signaling capacity was lost in FcR gamma-chain-deficient cells. No phagocytosis could be observed using either ligand sensitized (EA-IgG2a) or CD64-targeted erythrocytes (using a bispecific antibody) in both hFc gamma RI transgenic lines. This documents the FcR gamma-chain to be indispensable for both surface membrane expression and function of human Fc gamma RI in vivo.

High-resolution crystal structure of magnesium (MgII)-iron (FeII) hybrid hemoglobin with liganded beta subunits

The structures of deoxy (alpha(Mg(II))2 beta(Fe(II))2) and CO-liganded (alpha(Mg(II)2(Fe(II)-CO)2) forms of human hemoglobin were determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.7 A and 1.9 A, respectively. The deoxy hybrid has virtually the same structure as that of the native deoxy HbA. Both the deoxy and CO-liganded hybrids assumed a T quaternary structure characteristic of native deoxy HbA. No significant structural difference was found between the alpha subunits of the CO-liganded hybrid and deoxy HbA, while in the beta subunit, significant tertiary structural changes were confined to the heme pocket. Baldwin showed by a comparison of COHbA and deoxy HbA that there is a 1.5 A shift of the beta subunit heme into its pocket. This shift was much reduced in alpha(Mg(II))2 beta(Fe(II)-CO)2. On the other hand, when the two structures are compared with superposition of hemes, the nearest neighbors of CO (Fe, E11 Val and E7 His) have shifted nearly to the same positions as those in COHbA. Thus the tertiary structure of the beta subunit of alpha(Mg(II))2 beta(Fe(II)-CO)2 is such that the CO molecule and the neighboring atoms assume nearly the same conformation as those of COHbA, while the block shift of these groups is impeded with respect to the structural invariant portions of the molecule.

Beta-core fragment (beta-core/UGF/UGP), a tumor marker: a 7-year report

In 1988 we published three papers describing immunoassay results for urine beta-core fragment as a marker of gynecological cancers. Many other papers have been published since, and three commercial immunoassays have been established. beta-Core fragment is called beta-core, UGF, or UGP by different commercial vendors. To avoid confusion we call it beta-core/UGF/UGP here. In this 7-year report, we compare the three commercial assays, establish cutoff limits, and use the Ciba-Corning kit for two large studies. The first was a retrospective study, measuring beta-core/UGF/UGP in gynecological cancer and control urines accumulated in our freezers (n = 486). The second is a first prospective study, testing over a 16-month period beta-core/UGF/UGP levels in urines of all new patients attending the Gynecology Oncology Clinic (n = 548). In the retrospective study, elevated beta-core/UGF/UGP levels ( > 1.9 ng/ml) were detected in 11% of urines from healthy individuals (n = 132), in 11% from women with benign gynecological disease (n = 196), in 44% from cervical cancer (n = 68), 56% from ovarian cancer (n = 54), and 47% from endometrial cancer (n = 38). Altogether, beta-core/UGF/UGP levels were elevated in 50% of 170 samples from gynecological cancers. Overall, sensitivity increased with advancing stage of malignancy. Sensitivity was 28% for stage I, 50% for stage II, 47% for stage III, and 68% for stage IV malignancies. In the prospective study very similar results were recorded. Elevated beta-core/UGF/UGP levels ( > 1.9 ng/ml) were detected in 11% of urines from healthy individuals (n = 99), 11% from individuals with benign gynecological disease (n = 196), 7% from women with carcinoma in situ (n = 28), in 42% of samples from cervical cancer (n = 69), 56% from ovarian cancer (n = 59), and 52% from endometrial cancer. Altogether, beta-core/UGF/UGP levels were elevated in 48% of 225 gynecological cancer samples. Overall, sensitivity increased with advancing stage of malignancy. Sensitivity was 29% for stage I, 66% for stage II, 60% for stage III, and 77% for stage IV malignancies. In both studies sensitivity for beta-core/UGF/UGP increased with advancing stage of disease. Sensitivity for cervical and endometrial cancers was slightly lower than that for ovarian malignancies. This difference may be due to the preponderance of advanced-stage-disease patients in the ovarian cancer group. beta-Core/UGF/UGP may be a general stage-dependent marker for all gynecological cancers. The same false-positive results and very similar sensitivity values were found in a retrospective and a prospective study. They confirm each other, and suggest a definitive false-positive rate and sensitivity of this tumor marker for gynecological cancers.

Developmental defects of lymphoid cells in Jak3 kinase-deficient mice

Jak3 is a tyrosine kinase mediating cytokine receptor signaling through the association with the common gamma chain of the cytokine receptors such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. Unlike other members of the Jak family, the expression of Jak3 is highly restricted in hematopoietic cells. To elucidate in vivo function of Jak3, Jak3-deficient mice were generated by homologous recombination. Mice homozygous for Jak3 null mutation showed severe defects, specifically in lymphoid cells. B cell precursors in bone marrow, thymocytes, and both T and B cells in the spleen drastically decreased, although these defects were significantly recovered as aging occurred. Peripheral lymph nodes, NK cells, dendritic epidermal T cells, and intestinal intraepithelial gamma delta T cells were absent. Normal number of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow from Jak3-deficient mice and the similar capability to generate myeloid and erythroid colonies as wild-type mice indicated specific defects in lymphoid stem cells. Furthermore, the abnormal architecture of lymphoid organs suggested the involvement of Jak3 in the function of epithelial cells. T cells developed in the mutant mice did not respond to either IL-2, IL-4, or IL-7. These findings establish the crucial role of Jak3 in the development of lymphoid cells.

Elevation of serum type IV collagen in liver cancer as well as liver cirrhosis

Studies on the level of serum type IV collagen (IV C) have usually been focused on the disease with diffuse hepatic fibrosis. To investigate whether serum level of IV C was predictive for the development of liver cancer as well as liver cirrhosis, serum IV C level was measured by a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The mean level of serum IV C was 73.3 +/- 31.3 ng/ml in 48 controls. The levels (ng/ml) of IV C were 396.4 +/- 254.9, 429.6 +/- 320.7, 420.6 +/- 322.8, and 362.9 +/- 247.4 respectively in 11 patients with chronic hepatitis, 11 with liver cirrhosis, 16 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis, 10 with HCC without cirrhosis, and 10 with metasatic liver cancer, which were significantly higher than that in controls (p < 0.05). Serum IV C levels were also evaluated using a cut-off value which was determined as the mean plus two standard deviations in the controls, 136 ng/ml. The elevations above the cut-off value were observed in 91, 100, 80, and 90% respectively of 11 patients with cirrhosis, 16 with HCC with cirrhosis, 10 with HCC without cirrhosis, and 10 with metastatic liver cancer, while only one (9%) of 11 chronic hepatitis patients and none (0%) of 48 controls had elevated levels. The levels of serum IV C were analysed with regard to age, sex, serum levels of albumin, globulin, transaminases, alpha-fetoprotein, and diameter of liver mass, a significant difference being observed only between the diameter of HCC and serum level of IV C (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the measurement of serum IV C is a useful for the determination of primary and metastatic liver cancer as well as liver cirrhosis.

p53 mutation in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and borderline ovarian tumor

We have investigated a series of 19 human ovarian carcinomas and 17 borderline ovarian tumors to determine the loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 17p and possible concurrent p53 mutations. Allelic losses were assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism study, and p53 gene mutations were detected by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and by direct sequencing. In addition, we stained the same tumor sections immunohistochemically to detect p53 protein in tissues. Among 19 ovarian malignant tumor samples tested, we identified 17p allelic deletions in 12 (63.2%) of 19 informative cases. The p53 gene mutation was observed in 7 of 19 (36.8%) malignant ovarian tumors, and it was predominantly observed in tumors with allelic loss on 17p (six of seven tumors, 85.7%). Although 9 cases of 17 borderline ovarian tumors showed shifted bands on single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, only one case was proved to have a point mutation in direct sequencing. We also obtained six cases (31.6%) of positive immunoreactivity from 19 ovarian cancers and 3 cases (17.6%) from 17 borderline ovarian tumors. We conclude that loss or inactivation of tumor suppressor gene function by chromosome 17p allelic deletions or p53 mutations are important genetic changes in ovarian cancer.