Location of the glucuronosyltransferase domain in the heparan sulfate copolymerase EXT1 by analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants

Heparan sulfate formation occurs by the copolymerization of glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. Recent studies have shown that these reactions are catalyzed by a copolymerase encoded by EXT1 and EXT2, members of the exostosin family of putative tumor suppressors linked to hereditary multiple exostoses. Previously, we identified a collection of Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants (pgsD) that failed to make heparan sulfate (Lidholt, K., Weinke, J. L., Kiser, C. S., Lugemwa, F. N., Bame, K. J., Cheifetz, S., Massagué, J., Lindahl, U., and Esko, J. D. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 89, 2267-2271). Here, we show that pgsD mutants contain mutations that either alter GlcA transferase activity selectively or that affect both GlcNAc and GlcA transferase activities. Expression of EXT1 corrects the deficiencies in the mutants, whereas EXT2 and the related EXT-like cDNAs do not. Analysis of the EXT1 mutant alleles revealed clustered missense mutations in a domain that included a (D/E)X(D/E) motif thought to bind the nucleotide sugar from studies of other transferases. These findings provide insight into the location of the GlcA transferase subdomain of the enzyme and indicate that loss of the GlcA transferase domain may be sufficient to cause hereditary multiple exostoses.

Heparin interference with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of RNA extracted from lungs after ischemia-reperfusion

The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting gene expression. However, when we used this technique to study gene expression of cytokines in ischemic and ex-vivo-reperfused rat lungs as a model for transplantation, significant inhibition of RT-PCR reaction was observed. To optimize RT-PCR conditions, RNA was extracted from rat lungs after flushing, preservation, and reperfusion. RNA was further purified and PCR conditions were modified with various strategies. We found that heparinase I pretreatment completely overcame the inhibitory effects of RT-PCR using RNA extracted from lung tissues after ischemia-reperfusion. With this treatment, a dramatic increase in tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) mRNA was revealed from lung tissues after ischemia-reperfusion. This result suggests that residual heparin in lung tissue interferes with RT-PCR. Because heparinization is routinely used during clinical and experimental organ transplantation, we recommend the treatment of RNA samples with heparinase prior to RT-PCR.

Exploring the outcome of genetic modifications of glycosylation in cultured cell lines by concurrent isolation of the major classes of vertebrate glycans

In the preceding article (Manzi,A.E., Norgard-Sumnicht,K., Argade,S., Marth,J.D., van Halbeek,H. and Varki.A. [2000] GLYCOBIOLOGY:, 10, 669-688), we reported a comprehensive approach for the extraction, fractionation, and isolation of all of the major classes of sugar chains (glycans) from vertebrate tissues. Here we apply this "Glycan Isolation Protocol" to a variety of cultured mammalian cell lines, including two wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and some of their genetically modified variants that were predicted or known to have defined abnormalities in the biosynthesis of one or more classes of glycans. We also use this approach to characterize clone 489, a new derivative of the GAG-deficient CHO clone pgsA-745, in which sulfation has been restored by transfection of a wild-type CHO cDNA library. By metabolically labeling the cell lines with [6-(3)H]glucosamine we were able to monitor the recovery of all major classes of glycans. The results allow us to reach several conclusions: first, the protocol described in the preceding paper is further validated by finding good recovery of total radioactivity and appropriate distribution of label in the correct glycan classes in the fractions from a variety of cell lines; second, the amount of radioactivity recovered in free glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) lipids is remarkably high when compared to that found in GPI anchors, with the former being the dominant form in some cells; third, cells with known genetic mutations in specific glycosylation pathways are shown to have the expected changes in the distribution of recovered radioactivity in the appropriate fractions; fourth, the N- and O- glycans recovered via the protocol are of adequate quality to demonstrate marked differences in their structural profiles and/or content; fifth, the protocol can pick up unexpected differences of glycan classes not predicted to be affected by the primary defect; finally, the reappearance of sulfation in the novel clone 489 is not due to restoration of GAG sulfation, but rather due to the new expression of sulfation in the fraction enriched in N- and O-linked glycopeptides. These results demonstrate the power of this comprehensive approach for the concurrent exploration and profiling of the different major classes of glycans in cells.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAI1 (YGL246c) is homologous to human DOM3Z and encodes a protein that binds the nuclear exoribonuclease Rat1p

The RAT1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a 5'-->3' exoribonuclease which plays an essential role in yeast RNA degradation and/or processing in the nucleus. We have cloned a previously uncharacterized gene (YGL246c) that we refer to as RAI1 (Rat1p interacting protein 1). RAI1 is homologous to Caenorhabditis elegans DOM-3 and human DOM3Z. Deletion of RAI1 confers a growth defect which can be complemented by an additional copy of RAT1 on a centromeric vector or by directing Xrn1p, the cytoplasmic homolog of Rat1p, to the nucleus through the addition of a nuclear targeting sequence. Deletion of RAI1 is synthetically lethal with the rat1-1(ts) mutation and shows genetic interaction with a deletion of SKI2 but not XRN1. Polysome analysis of an rai1 deletion mutant indicated a defect in 60S biogenesis which was nearly fully reversed by high-copy RAT1. Northern blot analysis of rRNAs revealed that rai1 is required for normal 5.8S processing. In the absence of RAI1, 5.8S(L) was the predominant form of 5.8S and there was an accumulation of 3'-extended forms but not 5'-extended species of 5. 8S. In addition, a 27S pre-rRNA species accumulated in the rai1 mutant. Thus, deletion of RAI1 affects both 5' and 3' processing reactions of 5.8S rRNA. Consistent with the in vivo data suggesting that RAI1 enhances RAT1 function, purified Rai1p stabilized the in vitro exoribonuclease activity of Rat1p.

[Expression of basic fibroblastic growth factor and microvessel density in endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and microvessel density (MVD) with endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 66 specimens of endometrial carcinoma were evaluated by immunohistochemical technique with polyclonal antibody against bFGF. The microvessels were highlight by immunohistologically staining to detect factor VIII-related antigen. The area of the deepest myometrial invasion was selected for staining. Ninteen specimens of uterine prolapse were used for control.

RESULTS

Expression of bFGF was significantly correlated with tumor grade (P < 0.01). MVD was positively correlated with age, tumor grade and myometrial invasion (P < 0.01, respectively). MVD was significantly correlated with expression of bFGF (P < 0.01). Patients with bFGF strong expression and high MVD (> or = 9.4) had worse prognosis (P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

bFGF plays important role in angiogenesis in endometrial carcinoma. Expression of bFGF and MVD could be used as prognostic factors for survival in endometrial carcinoma.

Inhibitory effects of intestinal mucus on bacterial adherence to cultured intestinal epithelial cells after surface burns

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between intestinal mucus IgA content and mucus barrier function after surface burns.

METHODS

Detection of IgA content in mucus was performed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points after burns. Bacterial adherence to cultured epithelial cells (IEC-6) in vitro using E. coli was assessed for each group.

RESULTS

The intestinal mucus barrier function declined, parallel to a decrease in IgA content after surface burn in mice. In the normal control group, mucus IgA content was 2.32 D lambda, and 2.51, 1.76, 1.49, 1.06 D lambda at 0.5 h, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h after burn, respectively. Bacterial adherence rate was 0.53 in control group, and 0.46, 0.69, 0.58, 0.81 at 0.5 h, 1 h, 6 h, 24 h after burn, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The decrease of intestinal mucus IgA contents is one of the reasons why intestinal mucus barrier function declines after burns.

[The relationship between postburn gene expression of modulators in gut associated lymph tissue and the change in IgA plasma cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the postburn change in IgA plasma cells and those of IL- 4 and IL-6 in gut associated lymph tissue (GALT).

METHODS

One hundred and twenty -- five SPF mice were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into three groups -- normal control (A), microbial inoculation (B) and microbial inoculation followed by burn injury. (C) In groups Band C, the mice were gavaged with candida albicans, and the mice in group C, were inflicted with 20% TBSA III degree burn at the 14th day after inoculation. The mice were sacrificed thereafter on 1, 2 and 3 postburn days and the samples were obtained aseptically. The number of candida albicans adhering to intestinal mucosal membrane was counted. The number of IgA plasma cells in lamina propria was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The gene expression of IL-4 in Peyer patch was detected by dothybridization and that of IL-6 in lamina propria was determined by insitu hybridization.

RESULTS

(1) The postburn gene expression of IL-4 in Peyer patch decreased, but the IL-6 level in intestinal lamina propria increased. (2) The number of IgA plasma cells in lamina propria decreased significantly, but the adherence of candida albicans to intestinal mucous membrane increased obviously.

CONCLUSION

The decrement of postburn gene expression of IL-4 in Peyer patch might lead to IgA plasma cell decrease, resulting in the increase of candida albicans adhering to intestinal mucosal membrane.

The yeast antiviral proteins Ski2p, Ski3p, and Ski8p exist as a complex in vivo

The yeast superkiller (SKI) genes were originally identified from mutations allowing increased production of killer toxin encoded by M "killer" virus, a satellite of the dsRNA virus L-A. XRN1 (SKI1) encodes a cytoplasmic 5'-exoribonuclease responsible for the majority of cytoplasmic RNA turnover, whereas SKI2, SKI3, and SKI8 are required for normal 3'-degradation of mRNA and for repression of translation of poly(A) minus RNA. Ski2p is a putative RNA helicase, Ski3p is a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein, and Ski8p contains five WD-40 (beta-transducin) repeats. An xrn1 mutation in combination with a ski2, ski3, or ski8 mutation is lethal, suggesting redundancy of function. Using functional epitope-tagged Ski2, Ski3, and Ski8 proteins, we show that Ski2p, Ski3p, and Ski8p can be coimmunoprecipitated as an apparent heterotrimeric complex. With epitope-tagged Ski2p, there was a 1:1:1 stoichiometry of the proteins in the complex. Ski2p did not associate with Ski3p in the absence of Ski8p, nor did Ski2p associate with Ski8p in the absence of Ski3p. However, the Ski3p/Ski8p interaction did not require Ski2p. In addition, ski6-2 or ski4-1 mutations or deletion of SKI7 did not affect complex formation. The identification of a complex composed of Ski2p, Ski3p, and Ski8p explains previous results showing phenotypic similarity between mutations in SKI2, SKI3, and SKI8. Indirect immunofluorescence of Ski3p and subcellular fractionation of Ski2p and Ski3p suggest that Ski2p and Ski3p are cytoplasmic. These data support the idea that Ski2p, Ski3p, and Ski8p function in the cytoplasm in a 3'-mRNA degradation pathway.

[Study of platelet membrane glycoproteins and its fibrinogen binding reaction in patients with cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the change of platelet membrane glycoproteins and its fibrinogen binding reaction in patients with cerebral infarction and type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and assess their value in the study of thrombosis and pro-thrombosis state.

METHODS

By flow cytometry, the platelet glycoprotein (GP) I b, GP II b, GP III a, GP II b- III a complex and P-selectin expression as well as fibrinogen binding reaction were analyzed in 85 patients with type II DM and 28 with cerebral infarction, and compared with that in 30 normal subjects.

RESULTS

The platelet membrane GP II b- III a complex, P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding reaction were higher, while the platelet surface GP I b was lower in the patients with cerebral infarction and type II DM with vascular disease than those in normal group. The GP II b and GP III a were not significantly changed. There was no difference of these parameters between the type II DM without vascular disease patients and normal group.

CONCLUSION

The platelet fibrinogen binding reaction, P-selectin and GP II b- III a complex expression were increased while the GP I b decreased in patients with cerebral infarction and type II DM with vascular disease.

[Changes in myelin sheath and axon of spinal cord in X-irradiation injured rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the X-irradiation effect on the myelin sheath and axon of the spinal cord.

METHODS

60 Wistar adult rats receiving hemisection in the thoracic spinal cord were made into models of spinal injury. Among these rats, 30 in the test group received X-irradiation of 35-Gy the day after operation, while 30 in the control group only received hemisection. Operative spinal cord was subjected to immunohistochemistry and hyper-microscopic observation.

RESULTS

In the test group, injury to the myelin sheath of the upper and lower lesion and the number of neuro-fibrotic positive axon increased. In the control group the number of myelin sheath below the injured section decreased. Under electronic microscope, demyelination was found in the spinal cord and new-born tiny neuro-fibrotic tracts were seen below the lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

X-irradiation can make spinal cord demyelinate and promote the increase of neuro-fibrotic positive axon.

Clinical and biochemical characteristics of growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumors

To investigate the difference of biochemical characteristics on gsp-positive and gsp-negative growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary tumors, 18 GH-secreting pituitary tumors were examined for their clinical characteristics and gsp oncogenes. All patients received the pituitary function combinative stimulating test. It was found that there were no difference in the sex, age, tumor size, course of disease and plasma basal GH levels with gsp-positive and gsp-negative patients. The plasma levels of PRL were increased in most patients (11/18), and the plasma levels of TSH in gsp-positive patients were higher than those in gsp-negative patients (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the responses to pituitary combinative stimulating test in gsp-positive and gsp-negative patients. It was concluded that there was little difference in the clinical biochemical characteristics of gsp-positive with gsp-negative GH-secreting pituitary tumors.

The role of protein kinase C and its effect on GHRH in the regulation of hormone secretion by somatotrophinomas

Phorbol ester-induced release of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) from human somatotrophic tumors was examined in vitro. 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) strongly stimulated GH and PRL secretion and showed an additive effect on GH secretion if used in combination with GH releasing hormone (GHRH). In contrast, staurosporine exerted a variable inhibitory effect on GH release. There was no correlation between such effects and gsp mutations. The findings suggested that TPA doesn't act directly through cAMP signal transduction system.

Inactivation of p16 gene in leukemia

To determine the frequency of p16 gene inactivation in leukemia cells, and to evaluate their value in the prediction of their clinical outcome. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 48 patients with leukemia were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) to detect p16 gene homozygous deletion, and restriction enzyme PCR to detect p16 gene methylation. p16 gene inactivation were detected in 10 of the 48 patients (20.4%). They were five patients with p16 homozygous deletion, and five patients with p16 methylation, respectively. p16 gene inactivation correlates with adverse prognosis features. The patients with p16 inactivation had poor response to chemotherapy, and had significantly shorter survival times than the patients in whom p16 gene was preserved (P<0.001). The inactivation of p16 gene play a key role in the pathogenesis and the progression of some leukemia. The detection of p16 gene is reliable prognostic factor that predict shortened survival times.

Asymmetric synthesis of 9-alkyl-2-benzyl-6,7-benzomorphans: characterization as novel sigma receptor ligands

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of (1R,5R,9R)- and (1S,5S, 9S)-9-alkyl-2-benzyl-6,7-benzomorphans (2a-c) which starts with naphthaldehyde is described. These compounds were designed to gain additional information on the structure-sigma binding relationship of the 6,7-benzomorphan class of sigma ligands. In contrast to pentazocine and most 6,7-benzomorphans, the (1R,5R,9R)-isomers of 2a-c showed greater affinity for the sigma(1) receptor than the (1S, 5S,9S)-isomers. Despite reversal of enantioselectivity at the sigma(1) sites, moderate affinity and enantioselectivity at the sigma(2) sites [greater affinity for (1R,5R,9R)-isomers than (1S,5S, 9S)-isomers] were maintained. A comparison of the binding affinities of 2a-c to the more conformationally flexible trans-2-alkyl-1-benzaminoethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes (10a-c) suggested that the relatively rigid structure of 2a-c played an important part in their sigma(1) binding properties. These compounds, particularly (1R,5R,9R)-2-benzyl-9-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan [(-)-2a], which has a K(i) value of 0.96 nM, will be useful in further characterization of the sigma(1) receptor.

[Effects of high fluoride intake on the fluoride of femora, teeth and some biochemical indexes in rats]

In order to approach practicable indexes for assessing the effects of the products which are intended to be used to prevent endemic fluorosis, Wistar rats were fed with fluoridated water(50 mg/L) for four weeks. After only one week treated with fluoride, a higher activity of NAG(N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) in urine, ChE(cholinesterase) in blood and increased urinary excretion of fluoride (compared with the control, P < 0.01) were observed, and these changes were lasted to the end of the fourth week of the study, but hydroxyproline in serum and urine had not been changed in both groups. After four weeks, the fluoride levels in the femora and teeth of fluoride treated group were ten times higher than that of the control group. According to the results, fluoride in bones and teeth must be taken as key indexes, the activities of NAG in urine and ChE in blood should be taken into consideration for assessing the effects of fluoride protagonist.

Determination of free calcium in guinea-pig cochlea perilymph by capillary electrophoresis with direct injection

At present, the tinnitus mechanism is still not clear. Our experiments demonstrated that the concentration of free calcium in cochlea perilymph of tinnitus model guinea-pigs is lower than that in normal guinea-pigs. However, the volume of cochlea perilymph is so small that only 5-10 microL of sample can be obtained from each animal. We describe the application of CE to the detection of free calcium in guinea-pig cochlea perilymph. Direct injection was employed in this study. The separation was carried out at 10 kV. The capillary temperature was maintained at 20 degrees C, and indirect UV detection at 214 nm was employed. The samples were vacuum injected for 3 s. The run buffer was 0.005 mol/L imidazole with a pH of 4.30-4.50. The concentration of free calcium in the normal group was found to be in accordance with the reference data. The method has been applied to research on the tinnitus mechanism and for medical treatment.

A novel role for 3-O-sulfated heparan sulfate in herpes simplex virus 1 entry

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) binds to cells through interactions of viral glycoproteins gB and gC with heparan sulfate chains on cell surface proteoglycans. This binding is not sufficient for viral entry, which requires fusion between the viral envelope and cell membrane. Here, we show that heparan sulfate modified by a subset of the multiple D-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase isoforms provides sites for the binding of a third viral glycoprotein, gD, and for initiation of HSV-1 entry. We conclude that susceptibility of cells to HSV-1 entry depends on (1) presence of heparan sulfate chains to which virus can bind and (2) 3-O-sulfation of specific glucosamine residues in heparan sulfate to generate gD-binding sites or the expression of other previously identified gD-binding receptors.

The URA5 gene encoding orotate-phosphoribosyl transferase of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis: cloning, sequencing and use as a selectable marker

A pair of degenerate primers was used for amplification and cloning of an internal fragment of the K. lactis URA5 gene. Primers were designed on the basis of highly conserved motifs within protein sequences predicted for URA5 genes from several microorganisms. Using the amplified fragment as a probe, we finally cloned and sequenced a 1.9 kb chromosomal fragment containing the orotate-phosphoribosyltransferase-encoding URA5 gene and an incomplete open reading frame strikingly similar to SEC65 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeasts, in which the gene encodes a subunit of the signal recognition particle. Uracil-requiring mutants of K. lactis CBS 683 were selected on media containing 5-fluoro-orotic acid and used as recipients in transformation experiments using K. lactis URA5 as the selectable marker, thereby proving functionality of the cloned gene.

The human uniqueness of HIV: innate immunity and the viral Tat protein

We have previously reported, and confirm here, that the human innate system of natural antibodies includes two, each of which is reactive, presumably by happenstance, with a specific sequence of HIV Tat protein. Comparison of cohorts of HIV+ and normal (HIV-) sera indicate that, following a period of post-infection latency, the titers of those natural antibodies decline and other Tat reactive antibodies, as evidence of induced immune response, do not arise. That human-typical pattern of innate/adaptive reactivity with HIV Tat protein is shared by chimpanzees, but not by other mammals tested in this study, in which those natural antibodies are not present, and apparently induced Tat-reactive antibodies do arise. Evidence of a temporal relationship between the decline of the Tat reactive natural antibodies and progression of HIV pathogenesis, including demise of CD4+T cells, suggests a role for those antibodies in retardation of that pathoprogression. However, that providential arrest of Tat-related pathogenicity may be limited by the immune system recognition of the natural antibody-reactive sequences of Tat as "self" with consequent induction of tolerance and restriction of production of those antibodies. The limited occurrence of progression to AIDS in chimpanzees may reflect an additional innate characteristic, one of resistance to tolerance-based diminishment of the protective natural antibodies. Although not yet defined, that characteristic may be shared by the occasionally observed HIV+ humans known as LTNP (longterm-non-progressors).

Mechanisms of nasal tolerance induction in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis: identification of regulatory cells

Autoantigen administration via nasal mucosal tissue can induce systemic tolerance more effectively than oral administration in a number of experimental autoimmune diseases, including Ab-mediated experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, a murine model of myasthenia gravis. The mechanisms underlying nasal tolerance induction are not clear. In this study, we show that nasal administration of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in C57BL/6 mice, before immunizations with AChR in adjuvant, results in delayed onset and reduced muscle weakness compared with control mice. The delayed onset and reduced muscle weakness were associated with decreased AChR-specific lymphocyte proliferation and decreased levels of anti-AChR Abs of the IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes in serum. The clinical and immunological changes in the AChR-pretreated C57BL/6 wild-type (wt) mice were comparable with those observed in AChR-pretreated CD8-/- mice, indicating that CD8+ T cells were not required for the generation of nasal tolerance. AChR-pretreated wt and CD8-/- mice showed augmented TGF-beta and reduced IFN-gamma responses, whereas levels of IL-4 were unaltered. Splenocytes from AChR-pretreated wt and CD8-/- mice, but not from CD4-/- mice, suppressed AChR-specific lymphocyte proliferation. This suppression could be blocked by Abs against TGF-beta. Thus, our results demonstrate that the suppression induced in the present model is independent of CD8+ T cells and suggest the involvement of Ag-specific CD4+ Th3 cells producing TGF-beta.

Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in glycosaminoglycan assembly and glucuronosyltransferase I

The proteoglycans of animal cells typically contain one or more heparan sulfate or chondroitin sulfate chains. These glycosaminoglycans assemble on a tetrasaccharide primer, -GlcAbeta1, 3Galbeta1,3Galbeta1,4Xylbeta-O-, attached to specific serine residues in the core protein. Studies of Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in the first or second enzymes of the pathway (xylosyltransferase and galactosyltransferase I) show that the assembly of the primer occurs by sequential transfer of single monosaccharide residues from the corresponding high energy nucleotide sugar donor to the non-reducing end of the growing chain. In order to study the other reactions involved in linkage tetrasaccharide assembly, we have devised a powerful selection method based on induced resistance to a mitotoxin composed of basic fibroblast growth factor-saporin. One class of mutants does not incorporate 35SO4 and [6-3H]GlcN into glycosaminoglycan chains. Incubation of these cells with naphthol-beta-D-xyloside (Xylbeta-O-Np) resulted in accumulation of linkage region intermediates containing 1 or 2 mol of galactose (Galbeta1, 4Xylbeta-O-Np and Galbeta1, 3Galbeta1, 4Xylbeta-O-Np) and sialic acid (Siaalpha2,3Galbeta1, 3Galbeta1, 4Xylbeta-O-Np) but not any GlcA-containing oligosaccharides. Extracts of the mutants completely lacked UDP-glucuronic acid:Galbeta1,3Gal-R glucuronosyltransferase (GlcAT-I) activity, as measured by the transfer of GlcA from UDP-GlcA to Galbeta1,3Galbeta-O-naphthalenemethanol (<0.2 versus 3.6 pmol/min/mg). The mutation most likely lies in the structural gene encoding GlcAT-I since transfection of the mutant with a cDNA for GlcAT-I completely restored enzyme activity and glycosaminoglycan synthesis. These findings suggest that a single GlcAT effects the biosynthesis of common linkage region of both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Development and validation of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to evaluate minimal residual disease for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and follicular lymphoma

The presence of occult disease in cancer patients after therapy is one of the major problems faced by oncologists. For example, although 95% of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients have a complete therapeutic response to multiagent chemotherapy, half will relapse, indicating that they must have harbored low levels of residual cancer cells at the end of therapy. Sensitive detection assays promise to help identify those patients that carry this minimal residual disease (MRD) and are at risk of relapse. We have developed and validated a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting tumor-specific chromosomal rearrangements, including del(1) involving the tal-1 locus in pediatric T-ALL and t(14;18) involving the bcl-2 locus in follicular lymphoma. This quantitative PCR assay utilizes a synthetic internal calibration standard (ICS) that contains priming sequences identical to those found flanking the chromosomal rearrangement breakpoints. Using this ICS-PCR method, the limits of detection were 5 tumor cells at ratios of 1 tumor cell in 10(5) normal cells and a linear range up to 100% tumor cells. This ICS-PCR method has also performed well in terms of precision and accuracy as indicated by low coefficients of variation, minimal random, proportional, and constant errors, and good clinical sensitivity and specificity characteristics. This technique will allow for the evaluation of parameters such as the rate of therapeutic response and the levels of MRD as predictors of patient outcome.

[Distribution of lead in fetal rat tissue at different days of pregnancy]

In order to reveal the mechanism of the transplacental transfer of lead from mothers to fetus, tissues lead content of fetal rat at different days of pregnancy were determined and compared. Lead was administered to four groups of 4 week-old female Wistar rats for 50 days. The doses of lead were 0, 10, 50 and 200 mg/L in drinking water respectively. Rats were mated with non-lead-treated male rats. The pregnant rats in each group were then divided into four sub-groups by random. The pregnant rats in four sub-group of each group were sacrificed in turn at 10, 14, 17 and 20 days of gestation (dg). Blood lead of pregnant rats, lead burden of whole fetus, lead concentration of fetal brain, fetal liver and placenta were determined. Results indicated that lead concentration in fetal brain kept unchanged during the period of gestation, but lead content in whole fetus and fetal brain were increased with the days of gestation. But the lead concentration in fetus at 10 dg was higher than that at 14 dg. It seemed that higher lead absorption by the fetus was related to the newly emerged lead bonding-site in fetus, especially during the calcification of bones.

Formation of HNK-1 determinants and the glycosaminoglycan tetrasaccharide linkage region by UDP-GlcUA:Galactose beta1, 3-glucuronosyltransferases

While expression-cloning enzymes involved in heparan sulfate biosynthesis, we isolated a cDNA that encodes a protein 65% identical to the UDP-GlcUA:glycoprotein beta1, 3-glucuronosyltransferase (GlcUAT-P) involved in forming HNK-1 carbohydrate epitopes (3OSO3GlcUAbeta1,3Gal-) on glycoproteins. The cDNA contains an open reading frame coding for a protein of 335 amino acids with a predicted type II transmembrane protein orientation. Cotransfection of the cDNA with HNK-1 3-O-sulfotransferase produced HNK-1 carbohydrate epitopes in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and COS-7 cells. In vitro, a soluble recombinant form of the enzyme transferred GlcUA in beta-linkage to Galbeta1,3/4GlcNAcbeta-O-naphthalenemethanol, which resembles the core oligosaccharide on which the HNK-1 epitope is assembled. However, the enzyme greatly preferred Galbeta1, 3Galbeta-O-naphthalenemethanol, a disaccharide component found in the linkage region tetrasaccharide in chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. During the course of this study, a human cDNA clone was described that was thought to encode UDP-GlcUA:Galbeta1,3Gal-R glucuronosyltransferase (GlcUAT-I), involved in the formation of the linkage region of glycosaminoglycans (Kitagawa, H., Tone, Y., Tamura, J., Neumann, K. W., Ogawa, T., Oka, S., Kawasaki, T., and Sugahara, K. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 6615-6618). The deduced amino acid sequences of the CHO and human cDNAs are 95% identical, suggesting that they are in fact homologues of the same gene. Transfection of a CHO cell mutant defective in GlcUAT-I with the hamster cDNA restored glycosaminoglycan assembly in vivo, confirming its identity. Interestingly, transfection of the mutant with GlcUAT-P also restored glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Thus, both GlcUAT-P and GlcUAT-I have overlapping substrate specificities. However, the expression of the two genes was entirely different, with GlcUAT-I expressed in all tissues tested and GlcUAT-P expressed only in brain. These findings suggest that, in neural tissues, GlcUAT-P may participate in both HNK-1 and glycosaminoglycan production.

Isolation and characterization of SYN1, a RAD21-like gene essential for meiosis in Arabidopsis

The proper pairing, recombination, and segregation of chromosomes are central to meiosis and sexual reproduction. The syn1 mutation was previously identified as a synaptic mutant in a T-DNA-tagged population of plants. SYN1 has been isolated and found to exhibit similarity to Schizosaccharomyces pombe RAD21 and RAD21-like proteins, which are required for chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis. Plants homozygous for syn1 are male and female sterile and show defects in chromosome condensation and pairing beginning at leptonema of meiosis I. Fragmentation of the chromosomes was observed at metaphase I. Alternative promoters produced two SYN1 transcripts. One transcript was expressed at low levels in most tissues, whereas the other was expressed only in prebolting buds. DNA blot analyses suggest that Arabidopsis contains a small RAD21 gene family. Consistent with the DNA blot data, a second Arabidopsis RAD21-like gene has been identified. These results suggest that different RAD21-like proteins play essential roles in chromosome condensation and pairing during both meiosis and mitosis.