Development of high-density DNA microarray membrane for profiling smoke- and hydrogen peroxide-induced genes in a human bronchial epithelial cell line

Development of the high-density DNA microarray technique permits the analysis of thousands of genes simultaneously for their differential expression patterns in various biological processes. Through clustering analysis and pattern recognition, the significance of differentially expressed genes can be recognized and correlated with biological events that may take place inside the cell and tissue. With this notion in mind, high-density DNA microarray nylon membrane with colorimetry detection was used to profile the expression of smoke- and hydrogen peroxide-inducible genes in a human bronchial epithelial cell line, HBE1. On the basis of the time course of expression, at least three phases of change in gene expression could be recognized. The first phase is an immediate event in response to oxidant injury. This phase includes induction of the bcl-2 and mdm-2 genes, which are involved in the regulation of apoptosis, and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) gene, that functions as a regulator of various mitogen-activated protein kinase activities. The second phase, usually 5 h later, includes the induction of various stress proteins and ubiquitin, which are important in providing the chaperone mechanism and the turnover of damaged macromolecules. The third phase, which is 5-10 h later, includes the induction of genes that are apparently involved in reducing oxidative stress by metabolizing reactive oxygen species. In this phase, enzymes associated with tissue and cell remodeling are also elevated. These results demonstrate a complex gene expression array by bronchial epithelial cells in response to the insult of oxidants that are relevant to environmental pollutants.

Diverse mechanisms of beta-catenin deregulation in ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas

Clinical and molecular findings suggest that the four major histological subtypes of ovarian carcinoma (serous, clear cell, mucinous, and endometrioid) likely represent distinct disease entities. Prior studies have shown that ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas (OEAs) often carry mutations in the CTNNB1 gene, which encodes beta-catenin, a critical component of the Wnt signaling pathway. However, the nature of other defects in the Wnt signaling pathway in ovarian carcinomas remains largely unknown. Thus, in 45 primary OEAs and two OEA-derived cell lines, we sought to comprehensively address the prevalence of and mechanisms underlying beta-catenin and Wnt pathway deregulation. CTNNB1 missense mutations were detected in 14 primary tumors. All mutations affected the NH(2)-terminal regulatory domain of beta-catenin, presumably rendering the mutant proteins resistant to degradation. Immunohistochemical studies revealed nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin in all but two tumors with CTNNB1 mutations. Two primary tumors lacking CTNNBI mutations showed strong nuclear immunoreactivity for beta-catenin. In one of the two tumors, biallelic inactivation of the APC gene was found. In the remaining 29 primary OEAs, unequivocal nuclear beta-catenin immunoreactivity was not observed, though a nonsense mutation in AXIN1 was observed in one tumor and a truncating frameshift mutation in AXIN2 was seen in another case. Both OEA-derived cell lines studied (TOV-112D and MDAH-2774) had elevated constitutive T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor transcriptional activity. TOV-112D cells were shown to harbor mutant beta-catenin, whereas a missense AXIN1 sequence alteration was identified in MDAH-2774 cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate frequent defects of the Wnt signaling pathway in a particular subtype of ovarian carcinomas, i.e., OEAs. Although mutations in the CTNNB1 gene are the most common mechanism of beta-catenin deregulation in OEAs, beta-catenin deregulation may also result from mutations in the APC, AXIN1, and AXIN2 genes.

A multivalent pairing model of linkage analysis in autotetraploids

Polyploidy has been recognized as an important step in the evolutionary diversification of flowering plants and may have a significant impact on plant breeding. Statistical analyses for linkage mapping in polyploid species can be difficult due to considerable complexities in polysomic inheritance. In this article, we develop a novel statistical method for linkage analysis of polymorphic markers in a full-sib family of autotetraploids. This method is established on multivalent pairings of homologous chromosomes at meiosis and can provide a simultaneous maximum-likelihood estimation of the double reduction frequencies of and recombination fraction between two markers. The EM algorithm is implemented to provide a tractable way for estimating relative proportions of different modes of gamete formation that generate identical gamete genotypes due to multivalent pairings. Extensive simulation studies were performed to demonstrate the statistical properties of this method. The implications of the new method for understanding the genome structure and organization of polyploid species are discussed.

Electrical and structural remodeling of the failing ventricle

Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease that presents a major public health challenge to Western society. The prevalence of HF increases with age in the elderly population, and the societal disease burden will increase with prolongation of life expectancy. HF is initially characterized by an adaptive increase of neurohumoral activation to compensate for reduction of cardiac output. This leads to a combination of neurohumoral activation and mechanical stress in the failing heart that trigger a cascade of maladaptive electrical and structural events that impair both the systolic and diastolic function of the heart.

Characterization of human mucin 5B gene expression in airway epithelium and the genomic clone of the amino-terminal and 5'-flanking region

Human mucin (MUC) 5B gene expression in human airway epithelium was studied in both tissue sections and cultures of tracheobronchial epithelial (TBE) cells. In situ hybridization demonstrated that MUC5B message was expressed mainly in the mucous cells of submucosal glands of normal human airway tissues. Nevertheless, an elevated MUC5B message level could be seen in surface goblet cells from patients with airway diseases and inflammation. Regardless of the airway tissue sources, MUC5B message was regulated by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and culture conditions in both primary and passage-1 cultures of TBE cells. MUC5B message, to a lesser extent, was also found in the immortalized epithelial cell line HBE1, but not in BEAS-2B cells. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of MUC5B gene expression, a genomic clone was obtained and sequenced for the amino terminal and the 5'-flanking region of MUC5B gene. A luciferase reporter construct containing 4,169 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region of MUC5B gene demonstrated a cell type-specific basal promoter activity in transfection studies. Both RA and the air-liquid interface culture condition further enhanced this promoter activity. These results suggest that the 5'-flanking region of MUC5B gene contains cis-elements that are potentially involved in the regulation of MUC5B gene expression.

Retrieval of biofilms from the oral cavity

With the use of the removable stents or bonded enamel piece models with or without a continuous bacterial layer, many in vitro or in vivo studies can be initiated. For example, studies on salivary pellicle formation, surface characteristics of biomaterials as they affect plaque development, antiplaque agents, the dynamics of adhesion of bacteria, interspecies adhesion of bacteria, the colonization of bacteria, the dynamics of bacterial growth in vivo, and the succession of growth in older supragingival plaques can be carried out.

Capillary electrochromatography for separation of peptides driven with electrophoretic mobility on monolithic column

A mode of capillary electrochromatography for separation of ionic compounds driven by electrophoretic mobility on a neutrally hydrophobic monolithic column was developed. The monolithic column was prepared from the in situ copolymerization of lauryl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate to form a C12 hydrophobic stationary phase. It was found that EOF in this hydrophobic monolithic column was very poor, even the pH value of mobile phase at 8.0. The peptides at acidic buffer were separated on the basis of their differences in electrophoretic mobility and hydrophobic interaction with the stationary phase; therefore, different separation selectivity can be obtained in CEC from that in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Separation of peptides has been realized with high column efficiency (up to 150,000 plates/meter) and good reproducibility (migration time with RSD <0.5%), and all of the peptides, including some basic peptides, showed good peak symmetry. Effects of the mobile phase compositions on the retention of peptides at low pH have been investigated in a hydrophobic capillary monolithic column. The significant difference in selectivity of peptides in CZE and CEC has been observed. Some peptide isomers that cannot be separated by CZE have been successfully separated on the capillary monolithic column in this mode with the same buffer used.

Differential regulation of airway mucin gene expression and mucin secretion by extracellular nucleotide triphosphates

The effects of extracellular nucleotide triphosphates on the stimulation of mucin production by airway epithelial cells were examined. The order of potency in stimulating mucin secretion in primary cultures of human tracheobronchial epithelial cells is: uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) approximately equal to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) approximately equal to ATP-gamma-S > uridine 5'-diphosphate approximately equal to adenosine 5'-diphosphate > alpha,beta-methylene ATP >> adenosine. However, only UTP can increase mucin gene (MUC5AC, MUC5B) expression; ATP and other analogues have no stimulatory effect. The stimulation of MUC5AC and MUC5B expression by UTP is time- and dose-dependent. A similar effect on the elevation of mucous cell population in mouse airway epithelium can be demonstrated in vivo by an intratracheal instillation of UTP-saline solution. The stimulatory effect of UTP or ATP on mucin secretion was inhibited by pertussis toxin, U73122, and Calphostin C, but not by PD98059, suggesting a G-protein/ phospholipase (PL) C/protein kinase (PK) C-dependent and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-independent signaling pathway. However, the stimulatory effect of UTP on mucin gene expression was sensitive to pertussis toxin and PD98059, but not to Calphostin C and U73122, suggesting a G-protein/MAPK-dependent and PLC/PKC-independent signaling pathway. These findings are the first demonstration that UTP, a pyrimidine nucleotide triphosphate, can enhance both mucin secretion and mucin gene expression through different signaling pathways.

[The research of pancadherin and beta-catenin expression in pulmonary tissue of mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of pancadherin(Pan-cd) and beta-catenin(beta-cat) expression in pulmonary tissue of mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary injury and explore the relation between the Pan-cd/beta-cat expression and pulmonary fibrosis.

METHOD

A single dose of BLM was intratracheally injected to induce pulmonary fibrosis of mice. Animals were killed and immunohistochemical methods were used with polyclonal anti-Pan-cd and anti-beta-cat antiserum.

RESULTS

The expression of Pan-cd in type I alveolar cells was down-regulation. The expression of Pan-cd in type II alveolar cells was induced. The expression of Pan-cd and beta-cat in small airway epithelial cells were all down-regulation and were repeated with the way of down-regulation-reparation-down-regulation. The expression of Pan-cd on membrane in small airway epithelial cells decreased, whereas the cytoplasmic expression increased and was repeatedly alternated between cytoplasma with membrane. The expression of Pan-cd in alveolar macrophage and interstitial cells increased.

CONCLUSION

The abnormal expression of cadherin and beta-cat may play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis after pulmonary injury.

[Expression of T-lymphocytes and cytokines in the decidua of mifepristone with misoprostol for terminating early pregnancy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), natural killer cells (NK cells, CD56+, CD16+), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in mifepristone and misoprostod treated ducidua for terminating human early pregnancy.

METHODS

Thirty eight women who volunteered to terminate their pregnancy were divided into 3 groups: mifepristone group (group I, n = 13), mifepristone with misoprostol group (group II, n = 12) and control group (group Il, n = 13), The expression of T-lymphocyte subsets, NK cells, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expression of CD4+ were (30.91 +/- 2.57)% and (31.58 +/- 3.28)% in group I and II respectively. Which were significantly higher than that in group III (25.64 +/- 2.36)% (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CD56+ were (22.40 +/- 2.77)% and (26.88 +/- 3.79)% in group I and II, which were significantly higher than that in group III (18.58 +/- 4.04)% (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), CD16+ were (8.98 +/- 2.18)% and (10.84 +/- 2.51)% in group I and II, which were significantly higher than that in group III (6.34 +/- 2.01)% (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The expression of TNF-alpha in group I and II were higher than that of group III, TGF-beta in group I and II were lower than that of group III, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The expression of CD3+, CD8+, CD4+/ CD8+ ratio were not significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mifepristone with misoprostol for terminating early pnegnancy might be affect the expression of lymphocyte and cytokines and induce the disorder of decidual micro-environment which might be the reason of medical abortion.

A general polyploid model for analyzing gene segregation in outcrossing tetraploid species

Polyploidy has played an important role in higher plant evolution and applied plant breeding. Polyploids are commonly categorized as allopolyploids resulting from the increase of chromosome number through hybridization and subsequent chromosome doubling or autopolyploids due to chromosome doubling of the same genome. Allopolyploids undergo bivalent pairing at meiosis because only homologous chromosomes pair. For autopolyploids, however, all homologous chromosomes can pair at the same time so that multivalents and, therefore, double reductions are formed. In this article, we use a maximum-likelihood method to develop a general polyploid model for estimating gene segregation patterns from molecular markers in a full-sib family derived from an arbitrary polyploid combining meiotic behaviors of both bivalent and multivalent pairings. Two meiotic parameters, one describing the preference of homologous chromosome pairing (expressed as the preferential pairing factor) typical of allopolyploids and the other specifying the degree of double reduction of autopolyploids, are estimated. The type of molecular markers used can be fully informative vs. partially informative or dominant vs. codominant. Simulation studies show that our polyploid model is well suited to estimate the preferential pairing factor and the frequency of double reduction at meiosis, which should help to characterize gene segregation in the progeny of autopolyploids. The implications of this model for linkage mapping, population genetic studies, and polyploid classification are discussed.

[Regulatory effects of mifepristone and progesterone on the secretion of interleukin-6 by cultured eutopic and etopic endometrial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regulatory effects of mifepristone and progesterone on the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by endometrial and endometriosis cells in vitro.

METHODS

Primary cultures of eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells from 9 cases of endometriosis were exposed to mifepristone (10(-6) mol/L, 10(-4) mol/L) and progesterone (1 x 10(-7) mol/L, 1 x 10(-5) mol/L) respectively. IL-6 secretion was analyzed in the culture medium by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELSA).

RESULTS

Mifepristone inhibited the IL-6 secretion of ectopic endometrial cells, with the concentrations of IL-6 was (1 914.33 +/- 799.28) microg/L in the 1 x 10(-6) mol/L group (P < 0.01) and (990.25 +/- 58.40) microg/L in the 10(-4) mol/L group (P < 0.01). Progesterone also inhibited IL-6 secretion of ectopic endometrial cells, with (2 575.89 +/- 119.75) microg/L in the 1 x 10(-7) mol/L group (P < 0.05) and (1 736.25 +/- 750.89) microg/L in the 10(-5) mol/L group (P < 0.01). Mifepristone restrained the secretion of IL-6 by eutopic endometrial cells, with (346.96 < or = 24.32) microg/L in the 1 x 10(-6) mol/L group (P < 0.01) and (270.22 +/- 36.15) microg/L in the 1 x 10(-4) mol/L group (P < 0.01). All the effects of down regulation were more obvious when the concentrations of mifepristone and progesterone increased (P < 0.05 - 0.01) . Secretion of IL-6 by eutopic endometrial cells did not change significantly when incubated with progesterone (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effects on the secretion of IL-6 by ectopic and (or) eutopic endometrium may provide one of the cellular therapeutic mechanisms of mifepristone and progesterone on endometriosis.

In silico cloning of mouse Muc5b gene and upregulation of its expression in mouse asthma model

Using a BLAST-searching approach, we identified a mouse expressed sequence tag (EST) clone (AA038672) showing great similarity to the 3' end of the human MUC5B gene. The clone was named "3pmmuc5b-1" after complete nucleotide sequencing (Genbank Accession, AF369933). A subsequent search of the mouse genome database with the 3pmmuc5b-1 sequence identified two overlapping genomic clones (AC020817 and AC020794) that contained the sequence of both 3pmmuc5b-1 and the mouse Muc5ac gene. Like their human homologs, the genomic order of the mouse Muc genes is 5'-Muc5ac-Muc5b-3'. These results suggest that the newly identified EST clone, 3pmmuc5b-1, is part of the 3' portion of the mouse Muc5b gene. In situ hybridization demonstrated that this putative mouse Muc5b message was expressed in a restricted manner in the sublingual gland region of the tongue and the submucosal gland region of the mouse trachea in a normal animal. However, the gene expression was greatly enhanced in airway surface epithelium and the submucosal gland region in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice. These results were consistent with previous studies of human airway tissues. We therefore conclude that this newly cloned mouse Muc5b gene could be used as a marker for studying aberrant mucin gene expression in mouse models of various airway diseases.

Activation of mammalian Chk1 during DNA replication arrest: a role for Chk1 in the intra-S phase checkpoint monitoring replication origin firing

Checkpoints maintain order and fidelity in the cell cycle by blocking late-occurring events when earlier events are improperly executed. Here we describe evidence for the participation of Chk1 in an intra-S phase checkpoint in mammalian cells. We show that both Chk1 and Chk2 are phosphorylated and activated in a caffeine-sensitive signaling pathway during S phase, but only in response to replication blocks, not during normal S phase progression. Replication block-induced activation of Chk1 and Chk2 occurs normally in ataxia telangiectasia (AT) cells, which are deficient in the S phase response to ionizing radiation (IR). Resumption of synthesis after removal of replication blocks correlates with the inactivation of Chk1 but not Chk2. Using a selective small molecule inhibitor, cells lacking Chk1 function show a progressive change in the global pattern of replication origin firing in the absence of any DNA replication. Thus, Chk1 is apparently necessary for an intra-S phase checkpoint, ensuring that activation of late replication origins is blocked and arrested replication fork integrity is maintained when DNA synthesis is inhibited.

A maximum likelihood-based method for mining major genes affecting a quantitative character

In this article, we present a maximum likelihood-based analytical approach for detecting a major gene of large effect on a quantitative trait in a progeny population derived from a mating design. Our analysis is based on a mixed genetic model specifying both major gene and background polygenic inheritance. The likelihood of the data is formulated by combining the information about population behaviors of the major gene during hybridization and its phenotypic distribution densities. The EM algorithm is implemented to obtain maximum likelihood estimates for population and quantitative genetic parameters of the major locus. This approach is applied to detect an overdominant gene governing stem volume growth in a factorial mating design of aspen trees. It is suggested that further molecular genetic research toward mapping single genes affecting aspen growth and production based on the same experimental data has a high probability of success.

Gender-related differences in the characteristics of problem gamblers using a gambling helpline

OBJECTIVE

The characteristics of male and female gamblers utilizing a gambling helpline were examined to identify gender-related differences.

METHOD

The authors performed logistic regression analyses on data obtained in 1998-1999 from callers to a gambling helpline serving southern New England.

RESULTS

Of the 562 phone calls used in the analyses, 349 (62.1%) were from male callers and 213 (37.9%) from female callers. Gender-related differences were observed in reported patterns of gambling, gambling-related problems, borrowing and indebtedness, legal problems, suicidality, and treatment for mental health and gambling problems. Male gamblers were more likely than female gamblers to report problems with strategic or "face-to-face" forms of gambling, e.g., blackjack or poker. Female gamblers were more likely to report problems with nonstrategic, less interpersonally interactive forms of gambling, e.g., slot machines or bingo. Female gamblers were more likely to report receiving nongambling-related mental health treatment. Male gamblers were more likely to report a drug problem or an arrest related to gambling. High rates of debt and psychiatric symptoms related to gambling, including anxiety and depression, were observed in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with gambling disorders have gender-related differences in underlying motivations to gamble and in problems generated by excessive gambling. Different strategies may be necessary to maximize treatment efficacy for men and for women with gambling problems.

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa b transcriptional activity in airway epithelial cells by thioredoxin but not by N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione

Increasing evidence indicates that intracellular redox status modulates the activity of various transcriptional factors, including nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and activator protein-1. Our laboratory has been interested in characterizing the role thioredoxin (TRX) plays in regulating cellular redox status in airway epithelium. TRX is a small, ubiquitous protein with two redox-active half-cysteine residues, -Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys, in its active center. Using primary passage-1 human tracheobronchial epithelial cell cultures and an immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line, HBE1, we observed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha enhanced NF-kappa B transcriptional activity. This observation was based on gel mobility shift assays and interleukin (IL)-8 promoter-reporter gene transfection studies. TNF-alpha activation coincided with translocation of NF-kappa B p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) (1 to 10 mM) or glutathione (1 to 10 mM) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B transcriptional activity and IL-8 promoter-mediated reporter gene expression. In contrast, elevated TRX protein levels in cells enhanced TNF-alpha-dependent NF-kappa B transcriptional activity and IL-8 promoter activity. This observation was independent of the manner in which TRX was elevated in cells (e.g., by cotransfection with a FLAG-TRX expression clone, or by direct exposure to commercially available human TRX protein). Localization of TRX protein by anti-TRX antibody indicated an accumulation of TRX protein in the nucleus after TNF-alpha treatment. The nuclear localization phenomenon was different from the major cytosolic accumulation of glutathione and NAC. This is the first known report demonstrating movement of TRX into the nucleus of airway epithelial cells after an inflammatory stress. These results suggest a compartment effect of thiol chemicals in the regulation of redox-dependent transcriptional activity.

Preliminary interspecific genetic maps of the populus genome constructed from RAPD markers

We have constructed RAPD-based linkage maps for an interspecific cross between two species of the genus Populus (P. adenopoda and P. alba), based on a double pseudo-test-cross strategy. Of a total of 360 polymorphic fragments scored, 290 showed a test-cross configuration, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in one parent and null in the other. In the female parent, P. adenopoda, 82 markers were grouped in 19 different linkage groups (553 cM), whereas in the male parent P. alba, 197 markers established a much more complete framework map with an observed genome length of 2300 cM covering 87% of the total P. alba genome. The larger number of test-cross markers detected for the P. alba parent than for the P. adenopoda parent might be due to a higher level of heterozygosity in the former than in the latter. In this study, we detected only a small percentage (2%) of the intercross dominant markers heterozygous in both parents and segregating 3:1 in the progeny. The further focus in this mapping study should be on the identification of more intercross markers, to align the two parent-specific maps into a consensus map for mapping important genes causing species differentiation during long evolutionary divergences.

[The role of beta-catenin in the repair of the damaged airway epithelium in smoking mice]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of beta-catenin(beta-cat) in the repair of the damaged airway epithelium by comparing their expressions of beta-cat in different stages of smoking in murine model.

METHODS

With HE staining, morphological changes of airway epithelium were observed microscopically in mice model at 5th week (S5 w), 10th week (S10 w) and 15th week (S15 w) of smoking. Immunohistochemistry and hybridization in situ were performed to investigate the expressions of beta-cat mRNA, beta-cat, c-Src gene and phospho-rytyrosine-protein (p-Tyr).

RESULTS

Morphological changes of the airway epithelium showed predominant damage(S5 w), repair(S10 w) and excessive proliferation (S15 w) Mean beta-cat OD values at S5 w, S10 w and S15 w were 0.097 +/- 0.007, 0.160 +/- 0.003 and 0.107 +/- 0.008, being significantly lower than the control value(0.204 +/- 0.012, all P < 0.01); The mean beta-cat mRNA OD value of S5 w, S10 w and S15 w were (0.123 +/- 0.011, 0.173 +/- 0.008 and 0.116 +/- 0.004) were also lower than that in control(0.223 +/- 0.008, all P < 0.01), but the OD value of S10 w was higher than those of S5 w and S15 w. OD value of S15 w was the lowest with only traced beta-cat mRNA expression in the nuclei. The expressions of c-Src and p-Tyr in normal airway epithelium(OD values: 0.048 +/- 0.015, 0.075 +/- 0.011) were significantly lower than those in S5 w(0.127 +/- 0.018, 0.112 +/- 0.012), S10 w (0.147 +/- 0.010, 0.127 +/- 0.018) and S15 w(0.147 +/- 0.010, 0.127 +/- 0.018, all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

beta-cat may play an important role in the process of repair of airway epithelium. Downregulation of beta-cat may be caused by c-Src which phosphorylates tyrosin residues of beta-cat, leading to its degradation; Intracellular level of p-Tyr may, to some extent, reflect the functional condition of beta-cat.

Control of oligodendrocyte differentiation by the Nkx2.2 homeodomain transcription factor

Oligodendrocytes are derived from glial precursors that arise from the ventral neural tube early in development. In the developing chicken CNS, oligodendrocyte progenitors selectively express Nkx2.2 homeodomain transcription factor, raising the possibility that Nkx2.2 may directly regulate oligogliogenesis. In this study, we have examined Nkx2.2 expression in rodent glial precursors and studied the effect of a loss of Nkx2.2 on oligodendrocyte and astrocyte differentiation. We show that Nkx2.2 is also expressed in mammalian oligodendrocyte progenitors and that the differentiation of MBP-positive and PLP-DM20-positive oligodendrocytes is dramatically retarded in Nkx2.2-null mutants along the entire rostrocaudal axis. In contrast, no effect is seen on astrocytic differentiation. Interestingly, absence of Nkx2.2 expression leads to a ventral expansion of the Olig1/Olig2 expression in neuroepithelial cells into the Nkx2.2 domain and a consequent increase in the production of Olig1/Olig2-positive and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-positive oligodendrocyte progenitors. These results strongly suggest that Nkx2.2 regulates the differentiation and/or maturation, but not the initial specification, of oligodendrocyte progenitors. Consistent with this suggestion, overproduction of Nkx2.2 protein in fibroblast cells can induce gene expression from the proteolipid protein promoter.

Mice lacking the Nkx6.2 (Gtx) homeodomain transcription factor develop and reproduce normally

The Nkx homeobox genes are expressed in a variety of developing tissues and have been implicated in controlling tissue patterning and cell differentiation. Expression of Nkx6.2 (Gtx) was previously observed in the embryonic neural tube, testis, and differentiating oligodendrocytes. To investigate the role of Nkx6.2 in the control of cell specification and differentiation, we generated mice with null mutations in Nkx6.2 using the standard gene targeting approach. Null mutant mice were viable and fertile without apparent histological and immunohistochemical changes in the central nervous systems and testis. The absence of detectable phenotypes suggests a redundant function of Nkx6.2 in mouse development.

Global analysis of gene expression in invasion by a lung cancer model

Metastasis is a complicated multistep process that involves interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironments. Previously, we have established a series of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with varying degrees of invasiveness. Tracheal graft assay confirmed that cell lines with higher in vitro invasiveness had greater in vivo invasive potential. In this study, we used these model cell lines to identify invasion-associated genes using cDNA microarray with colorimetric detection. A more invasive subline, CL 1-5-F 4, derived from metastatic lung tumor of severe combined immunodeficient mice inoculated with CL 1-5 cells, was combined with CL 1-0, CL 1-1, and CL 1-5 in cDNA microarray screening. cDNA microarray membranes, each containing 9600 nonredundant expressed sequence tag clones, were used to identify differentially expressed genes in these cell lines. For statistical analysis, self-organizing map algorithm was performed to identify the expression patterns. Positive correlation between gene expression levels and cell line invasiveness was found in 2.9% of the 9600 putative genes. On the other hand, negative correlation was found in 3.3% of the genes. The trends of expression of some of the genes were also confirmed by Northern hybridization and flow cytometry. Our data demonstrated that genes related to cell adhesion, motility, angiogenesis, signal transduction, and some other expressed sequence tag genes may play significant roles in the metastasis process. These results substantiate the model system with which one can identify invasion-associated genes by using cDNA microarray and cancer cell lines of different invasiveness. This technique may allow us to explore complex interactions between multiple genes that orchestrate the process of cancer metastasis.

Characterization of a novel airway epithelial cell-specific short chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase gene whose expression is up-regulated by retinoids and is involved in the metabolism of retinol

Multiple retinoic acid responsive cDNAs were isolated from a high density cDNA microarray membrane, which was developed from a cDNA library of human tracheobronchial epithelial cells. Five selected cDNA clones encoded the sequence of the same novel gene. The predicted open reading frame of the novel gene encoded a protein of 319 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains four motifs that are conserved in the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family of proteins. The novel gene shows the greatest homology to a group of dehydrogenases that can oxidize retinol (retinol dehydrogenases). The mRNA of the novel gene was found in trachea, colon, tongue, and esophagus. In situ hybridization of airway tissue sections demonstrated epithelial cell-specific gene expression, especially in the ciliated cell type. Both all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid were able to elevate the expression of the novel gene in primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cells in vitro. This elevation coincided with an enhanced retinol metabolism in these cultures. COS cells transfected with an expression construct of the novel gene were also elevated in the metabolism of retinol. The results suggested that the novel gene represents a new member of the SDR family that may play a critical role in retinol metabolism in airway epithelia as well as in other epithelia of colon, tongue, and esophagus.

Phylogenetic placement of a novel tenuivirus from the grass Urochloa plantaginea

Evidence is presented that a tenuivirus recovered from the grass Urochloa plantaginea is probably a novel tenuivirus species, to be called Urochloa hoja blanca virus (UHBV). It is related to both Echinochloa hoja blanca virus (EHBV) and Rice hoja blanca virus (RHBV), and these three form a group distinct from Maize stripe virus (MStV) and Rice stripe virus (RStV). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data for RNA-3 and RNA-4 of these viruses supports the hypothesis that EHBV and UHBV may have evolved from an ancestral form of RHBV, precipitated by the introduction of Echinochloa colona and Urochloa plantaginea to America.

[The enhanced mechanism of Cl- to SERS in silver colloid]

The SERS is enhanced when KCl is added to silver colloid and cation molecule. The hypothesis supposed that Cl- bridged between nano-silver and molecule, as a result the molecule adsorbing on nano-silver surface is promoted and the SERS is therefore enhanced. The CN- and NH3 can be better adsorbed when they are added separately to the nano-silver particles, Cl- and anion molecule. The SERS reduces when CN- and NH3 are added separately to Cl-, anion molecule and silver colloid. The result is that the CN- and NH3 are so strong that they have replaced Cl- and anion molecules. Therefore the SERS reduces. This has proved the bridge role of Cl-.