High-efficiency protein synthesis from T7 RNA polymerase transcripts in 3T3 fibroblasts

After NIH3T3 cells constitutively expressing T7 RNA polymerase were transfected (+ Ca.phosphate) with a circular DNA containing the firefly luciferase(Luc)-encoding gene (luc) 3' to the encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus 5'-untranslated sequence and T7 promoter, Luc protein comprising approx. 20% of total cellular protein was obtained. After similar transfection of an analogous construct containing the lacZ gene into the same cell line, at least 50% of the cells produced beta-galactosidase. Fibroblasts lipofected with uncapped RNA transcripts containing EMC sequence expressed the reporter genes as efficiently as capped transcripts. A novel approach was used to generate RNA transcripts containing poly(A) at its very 3' end. RNA from a luc vector with a poly(A) sequence at the very 3' end produced 20-fold more Luc than the RNA from the same vector with an additional 3' nonpoly(A) sequence. These results suggest that this T7 RNA polymerase expression system will be useful for the efficient production of proteins in mammalian cells.

A resonance Raman study of octopus bathorhodopsin with deuterium labeled retinal chromophores

The resonance Raman spectrum of octopus bathorhodopsin in the fingerprint region and in the ethylenic-Schiff base region have been obtained at 80 K using the "pump-probe" technique as have its deuterated chromophore analogues at the C7D; C8D; C8,C7D2; C10D; C11D; C11, C12D2; C14D; C15D; C14, C15D2; and N16D positions. While these data are not sufficient to make definitive band assignments, many tentative assignments can be made. Because of the close spectral similarity between the octopus bathorhodopsin spectrum and that of bovine bathorhodopsin, we conclude that the essential configuration of octopus bathorhodopsin's chromophore is all-trans like. The data suggest that the Schiff base, C = N, configuration is trans (anti). The observed conformationally sensitive fingerprint bands show pronounced isotope shifts upon chromophore deuteration. The size of the shifts differ, in certain cases, from those found for bovine bathorhodopsin. Thus, the internal mode composition of the fingerprint bands differs somewhat from bovine bathorhodopsin, suggesting a somewhat different in situ chromophore conformation. An analysis of the NH bend frequency, the Schiff base C = N stretch frequency, and its shift upon Schiff base deuteration suggests that the hydrogen bonding between the protonated Schiff base with its protein binding pocket is weaker in octopus bathorhodopsin than in bovine bathorhodopsin but stronger than that found in bacteriorhodopsin's bR568 pigment.

An isotope edited classical Raman difference spectroscopic study of the interactions of guanine nucleotides with elongation factor Tu and H-ras p21

We have measured the Raman spectrum of GDP bound to the elongation factor protein, EF-Tu, and the c-Harvey-ras protein, p21, two proteins of the guanine nucleotide binding family. In order to separate the Raman spectrum of the nucleotide from the much more intense protein spectrum, we investigate the feasibility of "tagging" the normal modes of the nucleotide by isotopic substitution, here by incoporating deuterium-labeled guanine at the C8 position into the active site. A difference spectrum between the labeled and unlabeled protein-nucleotide complex shows the changes in the Raman spectrum of the bound nucleotide that arise from the isotopic exchange. We find that surprisingly good Raman spectra of bound ligands can be obtained with this method and that the method can be easily generalized to other systems. The data show that the guanine amino group of the nucleotide interacts differently with both EF-Tu and p21 than it does with water, showing a change in hydrogen-bonding properties upon binding. On the other hand, no change in hydrogen bonding is observed at guanine's N7. The data strongly suggest that the conformation of the nucleotide when bound to EF-Tu and that p21 is the C2' endo pucker of the ribose ring and anti about the glycosidic bond. These results are compared to previous structural and chemical studies.

Raman spectroscopic studies of NAD coenzymes bound to malate dehydrogenases by difference techniques

We report here on the Raman spectra of NADH, 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide, APAD+, and a fragment of these molecules, adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (ADPR) bound to the mitochondrial (mMDH) and cytoplasmic (or soluble, sMDH) forms of malate dehydrogenase. We observe changes in the Raman spectrum of the adenosine moiety of these cofactors upon binding to mMDH, indicating that the binding site is hydrophobic. On the other hand, there is little change in the spectrum of the adenosine moiety when it binds to sMDH. Such observations are in clear contrast with those results obtained in LDH and LADH, where there are significant changes in the spectrum of the adenosine moiety when it binds to these two proteins. A strong hydrogen bond is postulated to exist between amide carbonyl group of NAD+ and the enzyme in the binary complexes with both mMDH and sMDH on the basis of a sizable decrease in the frequency of the carbonyl double bond. The interaction energy for formation of a hydrogen bond is the same as found previously for LDH, and we estimate that it is 2.8 kcal/mol more favorable in the binary complex than in water. A hydrogen bond is also detected between the amide-NH2 group of NADH and sMDH that is stronger than that formed in water and is of the same size as found in LDH. Surprisingly, the hydrogen bond to the -NH2 group in mMDH is the same as that found for water.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alterations in neurotransmitter-related enzyme activity in scrapie-infected PC12 cells

Enzyme activities associated with the neurotransmitter pathways in nerve growth factor-treated, 139A scrapie strain-infected PC12 cells were examined. Since these cells show no morphological alterations during the time of agent replication, any scrapie-induced effects would have to be associated with non-vital cellular functions. When compared to controls, infection with the 139A scrapie strain resulted in decreased activity of the cholinergic pathway-related enzymes, choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase. However, the adrenergic pathway was unaffected by scrapie infection as evidenced by unaltered tyrosine hydroxylase activity, the putative rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines. The effects of the 139A scrapie strain on the cholinergic system appeared to be dose-dependent and were first detected prior to the detection of scrapie agent replication in these cells. Furthermore, the altered enzymic activities observed were not the result of contaminating material in the scrapie brain homogenate because similar results were obtained when partially purified scrapie preparations were used as the inoculum. These scrapie agent-induced alterations in specific neuronal properties suggest a mechanism for the clinical manifestations observed in scrapie and perhaps other related central nervous system disorders.

Resonance Raman studies of the HOOP modes in octopus bathorhodopsin with deuterium-labeled retinal chromophores

Resonance Raman spectra of the hydrogen out-of-plane (HOOP) vibrational modes in the retinal chromophore of octopus bathorhodopsin with deuterium label(s) along the polyene chain have been obtained. In clear contrast with bovine bathorhodopsin's HOOP modes, there are only two major HOOP bands at 887 and 940 cm-1 for octopus bathorhodopsin. On the basis of their isotopic shifts upon deuterium labeling, we have assigned the band at 887 cm-1 to C10H and C14H HOOP modes, and the band at 940 cm-1 to C11H = C12H Au-like HOOP mode. Except for a 26 cm-1 downward shift, the C11H = C12H Au-like wag appears to be little disturbed in octopus bathorhodopsin from the chromophore in solution since its changes upon deuterium labeling are close to those found in solution model-compound studies. We found also that the C10H and C14H HOOP wags are also similar to those in the model-compound studies. However, we have found that the interaction between the C7H and C8H HOOP internal coordinates of the chromophore in octopus bathorhodopsin is different from that of the chromophore in solution. The intensity of the C11H = C12H and the other HOOP modes suggests that the chromophore of octopus bathorhodopsin is somewhat torsionally distorted from a planar trans geometry. Importantly, a twist about C11 = C12 double bond is inferred. Such a twist breaks the local symmetry, resulting in the observation of the normally Raman-forbidden C11H = C12H Au-like HOOP mode. The twisted nature of the chromophore, semiquantitatively discussed here, likely affects the lambda max of the chromophore and its enthalpy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes of nerve excitability and urinary deltamethrin in sprayers

The nerve excitability of median nerve as well as the urinary deltamethrin and its metabolite dibromovinyl-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (Br2A) were detected in 24 deltamethrin sprayers in an assessment of the exposure and effect of deltamethrin. Twenty-nine male, unexposed referents of the same age range were also selected. The urinary deltamethrin and its metabolite Br2A were detectable by GC and HPLC in the sprayers after exposure. The nerve excitability detected with an electromyograph and pairs of stimuli at variable intervals showed that there was a prolongation of supernormal period in median nerve of the exposed group after a 3-d spraying compared with that before spraying which became more significant 2 d after cessation of exposure. In the mean time, no change of supernormal period in the median nerve of reference group was found at the 3-d interval. Nearly half of the sprayers had a supernormal period prolonged by more than 4 ms after spraying, whereas nearly none of the reference group showed similar changes after repeated examinations. Although there was neither correlation between the nerve excitability changes and the urinary deltamethrin or Br2A excretion, nor was a case of acute deltamethrin poisoning diagnosed, the non invasive technique used for nerve excitability detection in this study seems to be valuable in studying deltamethrin toxicity on human.

[Technique for the microdissection of human high resolution chromosome subsequent polymerase chain reaction and microcloning]

In this paper is reported a simple technique for the microdissection of specific regions of human high resolution chromosome subsequent PCR and microcloning. This technique was successfully used to microdissect 4 chromosomal pieces from the distal one third from band 11.2 to the terminal of the short arm of Y chromosome where the testis determining factor located, PCR 30 cycles, and obtained 3.6 x 10(4) clones. This technique the highlight to establish a gene library of many specific regions of human chromosome hereafter.

[The evaluation of thyroid suppression test in predicting the outcome of Graves' disease treated by short-term antithyroid drugs]

One hundred and fifteen new patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism were received thyroid suppression test after cessation of 6 month course of drug therapy. The results of follow up for another 12 months were that one of them had lost, 48 cases were in remission, and 66 cases had relapsed. The present study shows that thyroid suppression test, including the 4th, 6th and 24th hour suppression rates, is useful in predicting the outcome of drug therapy. The effect of 6th hour suppression rate is better than that of 24th and 4th hours, with 75.8% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity and 75.4% accuracy when 30% of thyroid suppression rate is as out-off point which is decided by ROC curve. It is suggested that 6 hour 30% suppression rate is better than the traditional 24 hour 50% suppression rate in the prediction of outcome of drug therapy.

[Chemical composition of the penis and testes of deer before and after processing]

Compositional analysis has been made of Penis et testis Cervi before and after processing, taking extracts of EtOH (50%) and chloroform, nitrogen contents, ash contents, 18 amino-acids and 20 trace elements as chemical indexes. The result shows no remarkable difference between the raw and processed products. The processing procedure is only helpful in eliminating the fish mell and making grinding and extracting easier.

Glycosphingolipids of human myometrium and endometrium and their changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and ageing

The glycolipid composition of human myometrium and endometrium was examined at various stages of maturation and reproduction. The major neutral glycolipids of both myometrium and endometrium were identified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography as globo-series glycolipids, Gb3 and Gb4. The major acidic glycolipids (gangliosides) were identified similarly as GM3 and GD3, with lesser amounts of GM1, GD1a, and GT1b. During pregnancy, GD3 expression declined in both myometrium and endometrium, whereas GM3 expression increased. Reciprocal changes in GM3/GD3 expression were mirrored by appropriate changes in the glycosyltransferases required for their synthesis; alpha 2----3sialyltransferase activity increased approximately 3-fold during pregnancy, while alpha 2----8sialyltransferase activity declined to about 20%. The results focus attention on the glycolipids of uterine tissues, their regulation, and their possible role in reproduction and fertility.

Molecular properties of pyruvate bound to lactate dehydrogenase: a Raman spectroscopic study

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC 1.1.1.27) catalyzes the addition of pyruvate to the four position of the nicotinamide ring of bound NAD+; this NAD-pyruvate adduct is bound tightly to the enzyme. We have used the adduct as a model for pyruvate in a competent ternary complex by comparing the Raman spectrum of the bound adduct with that for unliganded pyruvate. To understand the observed normal modes of pyruvate both as the bound adduct and in water, we have taken the Raman spectra of a series of 13C- and 18O-labeled pyruvates. We find that the carboxylate COO- moiety of pyruvate remains unprotonated at LDH's active site and forms an ion pair complex. The frequency of pyruvate's carbonyl C = O moiety shifts from 1710 cm-1 in water downward 34 cm-1 when pyruvate binds to LDH. This frequency shift corresponds to a ca. 34% polarization of the carbonyl bond, indicates a substantial interaction between the C = O group and enzyme, and is direct evidence for and is a measure of enzyme-induced electronic perturbation of the substrate needed for catalysis. This bond polarization is likely brought about by electrostatic interactions between the carbonyl moiety and the protonated imidazole group of His-195 and the guanidino group from Arg-109. We discuss how the data bear on the enzymatic chemistry of LDH.

The dental health status of 6 and 12 year-old Beijing schoolchildren in 1987

There have been few epidemiological studies in China which have randomly selected subjects for examination. This study randomly selected 240 subjects aged 6 and 12 years from six schools in the Haidian District of Beijing, China. Examiners were calibrated and used standardised light sources and methods. Five per cent of the 6 year old children and 54 per cent of the 12 year old children were caries free. The dental caries treatment needs for 6 year old children were substantially greater in quantity and complexity than the needs of those aged 12 years. School based preventive and treatment programmes directed against the differing requirements of the age groups and supported by community-wide strategies for prevention appear as dental health matters of urgency in China.

Classical Raman spectroscopic studies of NADH and NAD+ bound to lactate dehydrogenase by difference techniques

The binding of the coenzymes NAD+ and NADH to lactate dehydrogenase causes significant changes in the Raman spectra of both of these molecules relative to spectra obtained in the absence of enzyme. The molecular motions of the bound adenine moiety of both NAD+ and NADH as well as adenine containing analogues of these coenzymes produce Raman bands that are essentially identical, suggesting that the binding of adenine to the enzyme is the same regardless of the nicotinamide head-group nature. We also have observed that the molecular motions of the bound adenine moiety are different from both those obtained when it is in either water, various hydrophobic solvents, or various other solvent compositions. Protonation of the bound adenine ring at the 3-position is offered as a possible explanation. Significant shifts are observed in both the stretching frequency of the carboxamide carbonyl of NAD+ and the rocking motion of the carboxamide NH2 group of NADH. These shifts are probably caused by hydrogen bonding with the enzyme. The interaction energies of these hydrogen-bonding patterns are discussed. The aromatic nature of the nicotinamide moiety of NAD+ appears to be unchanged upon binding. Pronounced changes in the Raman spectrum of the nicotinamide moiety of NADH are observed upon binding; some of these changes are understood and discussed. Finally, these results are compared to analogous results that were recently reported for liver alcohol dehydrogenase [Chen et al. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 4776-4784]. In general, the coenzyme binding properties are found to be quite similar, but not identical, for the two enzymes.

A study of the Schiff base mode in bovine rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin

We have obtained the resonance Raman spectra of bovine rhodopsin, bathorhodopsin, and isorhodopsin for a series of isotopically labeled retinal chromophores. The specific substitutions are at retinal's protonated Schiff base moiety and include -HC = NH+-, -HC = ND+-, -H13C = NH+-, and -H13C = ND+-. Apart from the doubly labeled retinal, we find that the protonated Schiff base frequency is the same, within experimental error, for both rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin for all the substitutions measured here and elsewhere. We develop a force field that accurately fits the observed ethylenic (C = C) and protonated Schiff base stretching frequencies of rhodopsin and labeled derivatives. Using MINDO/3 quantum mechanical procedures, we investigate the response of this force field, and the ethylenic and Schiff base stretching frequencies, to the placement of charges close to retinal's Schiff base moiety. Specifically, we find that the Schiff base frequency should be measurably affected by a 3.0-4.5-A movement of a negatively charged counterion from the positively charged protonated Schiff base moiety. That there is no experimentally discernible difference in the Schiff base frequency between rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin suggests that models for the efficient conversion of light to chemical energy in the rhodopsin to bathorhodopsin photoconversion based solely on salt bridge separation of the protonated Schiff base and its counterion are probably incorrect. We discuss various alternative models and the role of electrostatics in the rhodopsin to bathorhodopsin primary process.

Resonance raman spectroscopy of an ultraviolet-sensitive insect rhodopsin

We present the first visual pigment resonance Raman spectra from the UV-sensitive eyes of an insect, Ascalaphus macaronius (owlfly). This pigment contains 11-cis-retinal as the chromophore. Raman data have been obtained for the acid metarhodopsin at 10 degrees C in both H2O and D2O. The C = N stretching mode at 1660 cm-1 in H2O shifts to 1631 cm-1 upon deuteriation of the sample, clearly showing a protonated Schiff base linkage between the chromophore and the protein. The structure-sensitive fingerprint region shows similarities to the all-trans-protonated Schiff base of model retinal chromophores, as well as to the octopus acid metarhodopsin and bovine metarhodopsin I. Although spectra measured at -100 degrees C with 406.7-nm excitation, to enhance scattering from rhodopsin (lambda max 345 nm), contain a significant contribution from a small amount of contaminants [cytochrome(s) and/or accessory pigment] in the sample, the C = N stretch at 1664 cm-1 suggests a protonated Schiff base linkage between the chromophore and the protein in rhodopsin as well. For comparison, this mode also appears at approximately 1660 cm-1 in both the vertebrate (bovine) and the invertebrate (octopus) rhodopsins. These data are particularly interesting since the absorption maximum of 345 nm for rhodopsin might be expected to originate from an unprotonated Schiff base linkage. That the Schiff base linkage in the owlfly rhodopsin, like in bovine and in octopus, is protonated suggests that a charged chromophore is essential to visual transduction.

Epstein-Barr virus seroepidemiology in China

Since 1978 more than 300,000 sera from normal individuals were screened serologically in NPC high risk areas and prospective studies were carried out. Many patients were diagnosed in early stage. For example, in Wuzhou city, 20,726 persons over 40 years of age were screened; 1,138 persons were found to have IgA VCA antibody. Among them 18 NPC cases were detected; an additional 21 NPC patients were found within 5 year follow-up studies. Altogether there were 39 NPC patients. As compared to the patients in outpatient clinics, the frequency of NPC in stage I increased from 1.7% to 38.5% and in early stage (I + II) increased from 32% to 92.3%. IgA VCA antibody can be detected 5 years before the diagnosis of NPC in early stage was made. The detection rate of NPC from IgA VCA antibody-positive persons is 38-374 times the incidence rate of NPC in the general population of the same age group. Follow-up studies on the change of IgA VCA antibody titer in antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were also carried out for years. 10.9% of antibody-positive individuals became antibody negative and 5.4% seronegative persons converted to positive within 4 years. Eighty-eight per cent of NPC patients were detected in the group of no change of antibody titer or in the group of increasing antibody titer. No NPC patients were found in the original antibody negative group.

Correlations between visible light scattering and CO2 laser damage to reflective and antireflective coatings

In this work, 10.6-microm pulsed laser damage studies were performed on reflective and antireflective coatings on Si, Ge, and ZnSe substrates. Single-pulse damage threshold determinations were conducted at two different laser spot sizes. A high-resolution TV system was used to perform visible light scattering studies, the results of which correlated with laser damage at 10.6 microm. Single-pulse damage determinations along with visible light scattering and multipulse damage determinations indicate that coating performance can be improved substantially by reducing the density of scattering centers present on the coatings.