Studies on neuromuscular blockade by boldine in the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm

The effects of boldine [(S)-2,9-dihydroxyl-1,10-dimethoxy-aporphine], a major alkaloid in the leaves and bark of Boldo (Peumus boldus Mol.), on neuromuscular transmission were studied using a muscle phrenic-nerve diaphragm preparation. Boldine at concentrations lower than 200 microM preferentially inhibited, after an initial period of twitch augmentation, the nerve-evoked twitches of the mouse diaphragm and left the muscle-evoked twitches unaffected. The twitch inhibition could be restored by neostigmine or washout with Krebs solution. The twitches evoked indirectly and directly were both augmented initially, suggesting that the twitch augmentation induced by boldine was myogenic. Boldine inhibited the acetylcholine-induced contraction of denervated diaphragm dose-dependently with an IC50 value of 13.5 microM. At 50 microM, boldine specifically inhibited the amplitude of the miniature end plate potential. In addition, boldine was similar to d-tubocurarine in its action to reverse the neuromuscular blocking action of alpha-bungarotoxin. These results showed that the neuromuscular blockade by boldine on isolated mouse phrenic-nerve diaphragm might be due to its direct interaction with the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Effects of boldine on mouse diaphragm and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from skeletal muscle

The effects of boldine [(S)-2,9-dihydroxy-1,10-dimethoxyaporphine], a major alkaloid in the leaves and bark of boldo (Peumus boldus Mol.), on skeletal muscle were studied using mouse diaphragm and isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles. Boldine, at 10-200 microM, has little effect on the muscle-evoked twitches; however, the ryanodine-induced contracture was potentiated dose-dependently. At higher concentrations of 300 microM, boldine by itself induced muscle contracture of two phases, which were caused by the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and induction of Ca2+ release from the internal Ca2+ storage site, the sarcoplasmic reticulum, respectively. When tested with isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles, boldine dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from actively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from skeletal muscle of rabbit or rat which was inhibited by ruthenium red, suggesting that the release was through the Ca2+ release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor. Boldine also dose-dependently increased apparent [3H]-ryanodine binding with the EC50 value of 50 microM. In conclusion, we have shown that boldine could sensitize the ryanodine receptor and induce Ca2+ release from the internal Ca2+ storage site of skeletal muscle.

Litebamine N-homologues: preparation and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity

Litebamine N-homologues were easily prepared from laurolitsine, generally via three reaction steps (N-alkylation, solvolysis with 1 M NH4OAc under reflux, and the Mannich reaction) in more than 80% overall yield. Among the prepared compounds, N-propyl-, N-isobutyl-, and N-isopropylnorlitebamines exhibited moderate antiacetylcholinesterase activity (IC50 ca. 7.0 microM), while the corresponding N-metho salt of N-propylnorlitebamine showed potent activity (IC50 2.70 microM).

Comparative studies on the induction of muscle contracture in mouse diaphragm and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by organotin compounds

Effects of organotins, including triethyltin and tributyltin, on skeletal muscle were studied with diaphragm and isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles. Triethyltin induced muscle contracture in mouse diaphragm while tributyltin had comparatively less potency and efficacy in inducing the muscle contracture. The contracture induced by tributyltin was inhibited when the diaphragm was pretreated with low Ca2+ medium or caffeine while the contracture induced by triethyltin persisted in the Ca2+-free medium but was inhibited by pretreatment of caffeine. Pretreatment of dithiothreitol blocked the contracture induced by tributyltin but not that by triethyltin. Triethyltin dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and inhibited the Ca2+-ATPase activity. These results suggested that triethyltin induced contracture in mouse diaphragm was mainly by induction of Ca2+ release and inhibition of Ca2+ uptake of the internal Ca2+ storage site the sarcoplasmic reticulum, while the tributyltin induced contracture might be due to enhancement of extracellular Ca2+ influx which further induce the release of internal Ca2+ through the Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release mechanism.

Rat liver transcript profiling in normal and disease states using a kinetic polymerase chain reaction assay

Synthesis of a number of rat liver proteins, including albumin, fibrinogen, apolipoprotein AI, and transferrin, is elevated in the nephrotic syndrome (NS). Increased synthesis of these proteins is regulated at the transcriptional level and occurs in the context of increased mRNA encoding each protein. Changes in albumin, fibrinogen, apolipoprotein AI, and transferrin mRNA levels in total cellular RNA isolated from the livers of normal rats and rats with passive Heymann nephritis were measured using a kinetically monitored, reverse transcriptase-initiated PCR (kRT-PCR) assay. The kRT-PCR assay rapidly quantitated changes in rat liver mRNA levels with an accuracy comparable to that of more labor-intensive mRNA quantitation methods. The relative levels of beta-actin, apolipoprotein AI, fibrinogen, and albumin mRNAs were very similar in total cellular RNA isolated from rat liver versus H4C3 hepatocytes in culture, suggesting that the H4C3 hepatocyte is an appropriate model for studying expression of genes encoding proteins secreted by the liver. Taken together, the results demonstrate the feasibility of using the kRT-PCR assay for isolation and characterization of a soluble factor responsible for elevated synthesis of hepatocyte mRNAs associated with the nephrotic syndrome.

Mechanism of vasorelaxation of thoracic aorta caused by xanthone

The effect of xanthone on smooth muscle was studied in thoracic aorta isolated from rats. Xanthone relaxed the norepinephrine-induced contraction of rat thoracic aorta. This relaxing effect of xanthone persisted in endothelium-denuded aorta suggesting that the relaxation induced by xanthone is endothelium-independent. The norepinephrine and high-K+-induced vasoconstriction was inhibited dose dependently in aorta pretreated with xanthone with IC50 values of 60.26 +/- 8.43 and 82.9 +/- 13.21 microM, respectively. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation induced by norepinephrine (3 microM) in rat aorta was not affected by xanthone (10-100 microM), suggesting that the vasorelaxant effect of xanthone was not exerted on the receptor. Xanthone concentration dependently inhibited the 45Ca2+ influx induced by either norepinephrine or high-K+, suggesting that xanthone might act as a blocker of both receptor-operated and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Furthermore, xanthone caused an increase in the level of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), but not cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) content. These data suggested that the mechanism of xanthone-induced vasorelaxation might involve the increase of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) content and block of Ca2+ channels.

Modulation of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase in rat liver by geniposide from Gardenia jasminoides

Geniposide is an iridoid glycoside extracted from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides, which are used as a food colorant and as a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of hepatic and inflammatory diseases. The effects of geniposide and G. jasminoides fruit crude extract on liver cytochrome P-450 (P-450)-dependent monooxygenases, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase were investigated using rats treated orally with the iridoid glycoside (0.1 g/kg body weight/day) or the fruit crude extract (2 g/kg/day) for 4 days. The treatments decreased serum urea nitrogen level but increased liver to body weight ratio, total hepatic glutathione content and hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity. Treatments with geniposide and G. jasminoides decreased P-450 content, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, and erythromycin N-demethylation activities in liver microsomes without affecting aniline hydroxylation activity. The natural products had no effect on glutathione content and monooxygenase activities in kidney microsomes. Immunoblotting analyses of liver microsomal proteins using mouse monoclonal antibody 2-13-1 to rat P4503A1/2 revealed that geniposide and G. jasminoides crude extract decreased the intensity of a P4503A-immunorelated protein. Protein blots probed with mouse monoclonal antibody 1-12-3 to rat P4501A1 and rabbit polyclonal antibody against human P4502E1 showed that both treatments had little or no effect on P4501A and 2E proteins. The present findings demonstrate that geniposide from G. jasminoides has the ability to inhibit a P4503A monooxygenase and increase glutathione content in rat liver.

Suppression of microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by fullerenol, a polyhydroxylated fullerene C60

The acute toxicity of fullerenol-1 was determined using mice pretreated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with polyhydroxylated C60 derivatives. The LD50 value of fullerenol-1 was estimated to be 1.2 g/kg. Pretreatments with 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg fullerenol-1 decreased cytochromes P450 and b5 contents, and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, aniline hydroxylase, and erythromycin N-demethylase activities in liver microsomes. Pretreatments with 0.01 and 0.1 g/kg fullerenol-1 had no effect on these monooxygenases. Additions of fullerenol-1 to mouse liver microsomes suppressed monooxygenases activities toward benzo[a]pyrene, 7-ethoxycoumarin, aniline, and erythromycin with IC50 values of 42, 94, 102 and 349 microM, respectively. Fullerenol-1 exhibited noncompetitive and mixed-type of inhibition in benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, respectively. Additions of fullerenol-1 to rat liver mitochondria resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of ADP-induced uncoupling and markedly inhibited mitochondrial Mg2+ -ATPase activity with an IC50 value of 7.1 microM. These results demonstrate that fullerenol-1 can suppress the levels of the microsomal enzymes in vivo and decrease the activities of P450-dependent monooxygenase and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vitro.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced vasorelaxation through activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelium of rat aorta

In the present study, the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on isolated rat aorta was investigated. Acenaphthylene and naphthalene dose-dependently relaxed the phenylephrine-induced contraction of rat aorta with 50% vasorelaxation at 40.8+/-19.83 and 118.75+/-9.83 microM, respectively. The vasorelaxation effect was diminished in the denuded (endothelium removed) aorta suggesting that the relaxation effect of PAHs was endothelium dependent. By comparing PAHs with different ring structures, we have found that acenaphthylene has the highest potency to induce vasorelaxation. Pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester, and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue, prevents the vasorelaxation induced by PAHs. These results indicate that the vasorelaxation effect of PAHs is mediated by activation of nitric oxide synthase of endothelium.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase purified from electric eel

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood and municipal waste incineration, from internal combustion engines, and from various food cooking operations and are common environmental contaminants which have been detected in surface waters, sediments, soils, plants, and both rural and urban air. In this study, we have shown that, for the first time, in vitro addition of PAHs dose-dependently inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase purified from electric eel in a competitive manner. The PAHs containing 3 or higher aromatic rings showed the highest inhibitory effect with the IC50 values between 2 and 6 ppm. Among the PAHs tested, chrysene and pyrene exhibit the highest and lowest potency with IC50 values of 2. 40+/-0.04 and 5.22+/-0.38 ppm, respectively. PAHs with lower number of aromatic rings, such as naphthalene, acenaphthylene and fluorene, and oxygenated PAHs, such as anthraquinone and xanthone, showed no or slight inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase activity.

Emergency airway management

Maintenance of the airway is the most important and one of the most challenging functions that an emergency physician has to perform. This article is a review of the various techniques that can be used by both emergency and nonemergency physicians to secure the airway. It includes standard orotracheal intubation, nasotracheal intubation, fiberoptic intubation, and cricothyroidotomy. The medications used in these procedures and in rapid sequence intubation are discussed.

Induction of calcium release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum by triphenyltin

A direct peripheral myopathy has been found in organotin intoxication and suggested to be a significant factor in the development of muscle weakness following exposure. In this study, by using the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles, we have shown that triphenyltin dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from the actively and passively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Triphenyltin induced Ca2+ release in ruthenium red-sensitive and insensitive ways with EC50 values of 75 and 270 microM, respectively. The Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake of sarcoplasmic reticulum were also inhibited by triphenyltin. Triphenyltin exerted dual effects on the apparent [3H]ryanodine binding. Triphenyltin (0.5-10 microM) dose-dependently potentiated the [3H]ryanodine binding; however, the [3H]ryanodine binding decreased as the concentration of triphenyltin increased. The dissociation of bound [3H]ryanodine was facilitated by triphenyltin. The present study suggested that the internal Ca2+ store of skeletal muscle could be depleted by triphenyltin through the inhibition of the Ca2+ uptake and the induction of Ca2+ release by acting on the Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+ release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor, of sarcoplasmic reticulum, respectively. These results could partly explain the development of muscle weakness in organotin intoxication; however, their relevance to the development of peripheral myopathy requires further examination.

Induction of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle by xanthone and norathyriol

1. Effects of xanthone and its derivative, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone (norathyriol), on Ca2+ release and ryanodine binding were studied in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle. 2. Both xanthone and norathyriol dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from the actively loaded SR vesicles which was blocked by ruthenium red, a specific Ca2+ release inhibitor, and Mg2+. 3. Xanthone and norathyriol also dose-dependently increased apparent [3H]-ryanodine binding. Norathyriol, but not xanthone, produced a synergistic effect on binding activation when added concurrently with caffeine. 4. In the presence of Mg2+, which inhibits ryanodine binding, both caffeine and norathyriol, but not xanthone, could restore the binding to the level observed in the absence of Mg2+. 5. Xanthone activated the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of isolated SR vesicles dose-dependently reaching 70% activation at 300 microM. 6. When tested in mouse diaphragm, norathyriol potentiated the muscle contraction followed by twitch depression and contracture in either a Ca(2+) -free bathing solution or one containing 2.5 mM Ca2+. These norathyriol-induced effects on muscle were inhibited by pretreatment with ruthenium red or ryanodine. 7. These data suggest that xanthone and norathyriol can induce Ca2+ release from the SR of skeletal muscle through a direct interaction with the Ca2+ release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor.

Modulation of microsomal cytochrome P450 by Scutellariae Radix and Gentianae scabrae Radix in rat liver

The present study has determined the effects of Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Gentianae scabrae Radix (Longdan) on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent mono-oxygenases using rats pretreated with crude extracts of medicinal herbs. Scutellariae Radix resulted in a 53% decrease of pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in liver microsomes. In contrast, Gentianae scabrae Radix caused a 50% increase of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity. Immunoblotting analysis of liver microsomes revealed that Scutellariae Radix induced and suppressed the levels of P450 1A and 2B proteins, respectively. Scutellariae and Gentianae scabrae Radixes had no effects on microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity and P450 2E1 protein.

Binding sites for abundant nuclear factors modulate RNA polymerase I-dependent enhancer function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The 190-base pair (bp) rDNA enhancer within the intergenic spacer sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae rRNA cistrons activates synthesis of the 35S-rRNA precursor about 20-fold in vivo (Mestel,, R., Yip, M., Holland, J. P., Wang, E., Kang, J., and Holland, M. J. (1989) Mol. Cell. Biol. 9, 1243-1254). We now report identification and analysis of transcriptional activities mediated by three cis-acting sites within a 90-bp portion of the rDNA enhancer designated the modulator region. In vivo, these sequences mediated termination of transcription by RNA polymerase I and potentiated the activity of the rDNA enhancer element. Two trans-acting factors, REB1 and REB2, bind independently to sites within the modulator region (Morrow, B. E., Johnson, S. P., and Warner, J. R. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 9061-9068). We show that REB2 is identical to the ABF1 protien. Site-directed mutagenesis of REB1 and ABF1 binding sites demonstrated uncoupling of RNA polymerase I-dependent termination from transcriptional activation in vivo. We conclude that REB1 and ABF1 are required for RNA polymerase I-dependent termination and enhancer function, respectively, Since REB1 and ABF1 proteins also regulate expression of class II genes and other nuclear functions, our results suggest further similarities between RNA polymerase I and II regulatory mechanisms. Two rDNA enhancers flanking a rDNA minigene stimulated RNA polymerase I transcription in a "multiplicative" fashion. Deletion mapping analysis showed that similar cis-acting sequences were required for enhancer function when positioned upstream or downstream from a rDNA minigene.

Analysis of the yeast transcription factor TFIIA: distinct functional regions and a polymerase II-specific role in basal and activated transcription

To probe the structure and function of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae general transcription factor TFIIA, we have systematically mutagenized the genes encoding both subunits and analyzed the effects of the mutations both in vivo and in vitro. We found that the central nonconserved region of the large subunit is not essential for function and likely acts as a spacer between the conserved N- and C-terminal regions. Deletion mutagenesis of the large subunit defined a region which is required for TATA binding protein (TBP) interaction. Alanine scanning mutagenesis defined a cluster of four basic residues which are likely required for interaction with DNA in the TBP-DNA complex. Much of the conserved regions of both subunits is required for subunit association, suggesting that these conserved regions fold into compact domains which extensively interact. In vitro transcription performed with extracts from yeast strains with mutations in either the large or the small TFIIA subunit demonstrated that TFIIA stimulates both basal and activated polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. The TFIIA-depleted extracts have normal Pol I and Pol III transcription activity, showing that TFIIA is a Pol II-specific factor. In vivo depletion of TFIIA activity reduced transcription from four different Pol II promoters. Finally, alanine scanning mutagenesis of TFIIA's small subunit has identified at least one mutation which is defective in transcription but which is not defective in subunit association or binding to TBP or TBP-DNA complexes.

Effects of bipyridylium compounds on calcium release from triadic vesicles isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle

1. The effects of 1,1'-diheptyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dibromide (DHBP), a viologen for electrochromic memory display agent, on calcium release and ryanodine binding were studied with triad-rich sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. 2. DHBP inhibited the calcium release induced by 2 mM caffeine and 2 micrograms ml-1 polylysine with an IC50 value of 5 micrograms ml-1 and 4 micrograms ml-1 respectively. 3. DHBP inhibited [3H]-ryanodine binding in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 2.5 micrograms ml-1 and 90-100% inhibition at 20-30 micrograms ml-1. 4. Calcium uptake by SR was inhibited in the presence of caffeine and this inhibition was antagonized by concomitant addition of DHBP. 5. The effect of DHBP on muscle twitches was studied on the mouse diaphragm. Muscle twitches elicited by direct electrical muscle stimulation and contractions induced by either 10 mM caffeine or 1 microM ryanodine were blocked by pretreatment with DHBP. 6. Data from this study provided evidence that DHBP blocked the calcium release from SR by direct interaction with the calcium release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor. A possible use of this agent as a specific inhibitor for calcium release and as a muscle relaxant was suggested.

Effects of signalling transduction modulators on the transformed phenotypes in v-H-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells

Several signalling transduction modulators were used to examine their effects on the morphological changes, foci formation in soft agar and cellular growth in v-H-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. The results from this study showed that specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and tyrphostin 23) and cyclic AMP-elevating agents (forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine) could effectively induce differential flat phenotype of v-H-ras transformant at micromolar concentrations. At the same dose range, both signalling modulators also caused a significant suppression of anchorage-independent and cellular growth in the same transformant. By contrast, compound inhibitors such as protein kinase C (staurosporin and H-7), phospholipase A2 (aristolochic acid), phospholipase C (neomycin sulfate) and cyclooxygenase (indomethacin) all did not alter the cellular morphology or foci formation in soft agar, although PKC inhibitors exhibited a slight inhibition on the cellular growth. Based on these observations, we propose that the alterations of protein kinase A or tyrosine kinase-associated signal pathways is necessary and the original cause of the transformation event, but that increase of the activities of protein kinase C, phospholipase C, phospholipase A2 or cyclooxygenase probably is an indirect result of the v-H-ras-mediated transformation.

Sequence similarity between the long terminal repeat coding regions of mammary-tumorigenic BALB/cV and renal-tumorigenic C3H-K strains of mouse mammary tumor virus

The long terminal repeat (LTR) of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) encodes a protein which functions as a superantigen. The BALB/cV strain differs from other exogenous MMTVs antigenically, biochemically, on the basis of restriction fragment analysis, and by the specificity of its superantigen for V beta 2+ T cells. In order to elucidate the origin of the BALB/cV virus and to better understand the interaction of its superantigen with the T cell receptor, we have determined the nucleotide sequence of the BALB/cV LTR open reading frame, including 93 bases downstream of the translation termination site. The encoded protein's C-terminal portion, thought to control superantigenic specificity, is identical to the C3H-K strain of MMTV, isolated from a rare kidney adenocarcinoma. The remainder of the coding sequence is highly related to many MMTV strains. Like other MMTV strains, the BALB/cV LTR maintains intact an 18 base pair sequence, located downstream of the translational termination site, which is lacking in the C3H-K LTR. Sequence comparison between the BALB/cV LTR and other MMTV strains indicates that the most likely origin for the BALB/cV open reading frame sequence is a recombination event involving the endogenous provirus mtv-6.

Muscle contracture and twitch depression induced by arsenite in the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the possible mechanism of muscle contracture and twitch depression induced by arsenite in the mouse diaphragm. Arsenite-contracture was dependent on extracellular Ca2+; both EGTA and Ca(2+)-channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) inhibited arsenite-contracture. However, the activators caffeine and ryanodine and the inhibitor ruthenium red of the Ca2+ releasing channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) all exerted a profound inhibitory action on arsenite-contracture. Neither the Ca(2+)-release nor the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of SR. were affected by 50 microM arsenite. These findings indicate a possibility that arsenite induced muscle contracture by enhancing Ca(2+)-entry which further induced Ca(2+)-release from SR. Moreover, the possible mechanism of twitch blockade induced by arsenite was studied by an electrophysiological technique. The frequency of miniature endplate potential (m.e.p.p.) was initially increased but eventually abolished by arsenite, while the amplitude of m.e.p.p. remained unaffected and that of endplate potential rapidly declined. It is considered that arsenite increased the spontaneous release of transmitter by enhancing Ca2+ entry into the nerve terminal and inhibited the evoked transmitter release possibly by acting at a certain site which governs transmitter release.

Schizophrenic delusions among Koreans, Korean-Chinese and Chinese: a transcultural study

In this transcultural study of schizophrenic delusions among Koreans, Korean-Chinese and Chinese, many delusions were shown to be different among the three groups in their frequency and content and the differences could be explained by sociocultural and political factors. Delusional themes sensitive to influence by sociocultural or political situations and changes seem to be 'family', 'love affairs', 'religious matters', 'economic matters', 'specific physical damage' and 'political themes.' Delusions about 'family', 'love affair', 'being raped', 'religious matters' and 'economic and business matters' were most frequent in Koreans. Delusions of 'blood-relatedness', 'longevity' and 'political themes' were most frequent in Korean-Chinese. Delusions of 'bloodsucking and brain or viscera extracted' and 'poison or being pricked by poisoned needle' were most prominent in Chinese.

A novel photoactivatable cross-linker for the functionally-directed region-specific fluorescent labeling of proteins

A cleavable cross-linking reagent, sulfosuccinimidyl-2(7-azido-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetamido)-ethyl-1,3'- dithiopropionate (SAED), was synthesized for the selective transfer of a coumarin fluorophore from a 'donor' protein to a position near the binding site of an interacting 'target' protein. SAED contains a terminal N-sulfosuccinimidyl ester for conjugation to the donor, a terminal photoactivatable azido-coumarin species for cross-linking with the interacting target, and a central disulfide spacer for the release of the labeled target after cleavage. To evaluate the effectiveness of this labeling reagent, soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) was derivatized (approximately 0.5 mol/mol) with SAED and then photolyzed in the presence of trypsin. A single fluorescent cross-linked species (6-7 mol% of total STI) was observed by SDS/PAGE and, after reductive cleavage, was shown to be a 1:1 STI-trypsin complex. This complex was not detected without photolysis or with an inactivated cross-linker. Importantly, complex formation was inhibited by an excess of unmodified STI and prevented by substitution of a non-interacting protein for trypsin. Cleavage of the cross-linked complex revealed that the trypsin, but not the STI, was fluorescent; the uncomplexed trypsin fraction remained unlabeled. These results demonstrated the specificity of the labeling of trypsin by fluorescent-transfer cross-linking with SAED. An efficiency of about 15% for this cross-linking mediated labeling of trypsin was calculated. The short cross-linking span of SAED (less than or equal to 1.8 nm) strictly limited the labeling to the vicinity of the contact region of trypsin with STI. Thus, this novel cross-linker permits the region-specific targeting of a fluorophore near a functionally important binding site.

Characterization of "depolarization"-induced calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in vitro with the use of membrane potential probe

In the triad, the complex of transverse (T) tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release is induced from SR by mediation of the T-tubule. We report here evidence that this Ca2+ release is produced by depolarization of the T-tubule moiety. Thus, we found that the amount of [14C]SCN- taken up by T-tubules and triads (but not that by SR) increased upon incubation with (K, Na) gluconate, Mg ATP, indicating that the T-tubule was polarized making the lumenal side (equivalent to the extracellular side of an intact muscle fiber) more positive. Upon mixing with choline chloride, the procedure to induce Ca2+ release, [14C]SCN- uptake decreased, indicating that the T-tubule became depolarized. Activation of the T-tubule polarization by Na+ and prevention of it by digoxin [inhibitor of the (Na+, K+) pump], respectively, led to activation and inhibition of choline chloride-induced SR Ca2+ release.

Conformational changes in the foot protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum assessed by site-directed fluorescent labeling

Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation--contraction coupling is likely to be mediated by conformational changes in the foot protein moiety of the triadic vesicles. As a preparative step toward the studies of dynamic conformational changes in the foot protein moiety, we have developed a new method that permits specific labeling of the foot protein moiety of the isolated membranes with a fluorophore. A novel fluorescent cleavable photoaffinity cross-linking reagent, sulfosuccinimidyl 3-((2-(7-azido-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetamido)ethyl)dithio)propionate (SAED), was conjugated with site-directing carriers, polylysine (Ca(2+)-release inducer) and neomycin (Ca(2+)-release blocker). The conjugates were allowed to bind to polylysine- and neomycin-binding sites of the heavy fraction of SR (HSR). After photolysis, the cross-linked reagent was cleaved by reduction and the fluorescently labeled HSR was separated from the carriers by centrifugation. These procedures led to specific incorporation of the methylcoumarin acetate (MCA) into the foot protein. Polylysine and neomycin bound to different sites of the foot protein, since neomycin, at release-blocking concentrations, did not interfere with polylysine binding. The fluorescence intensity of the foot protein labeled with the carrier, neomycin, showed biphasic changes as a function of ryanodine concentration (increasing up to 1 microM ryanodine and decreasing above it), while with the carrier polylysine, ryanodine induced no change in fluorescence intensity. In contrast, the fluorescence intensity of the foot protein labeled with each of the two carriers, neomycin and polylysine, showed almost identical calcium dependence (first increasing from 0.1 microM to about 3.0 microM calcium concentration, and then decreasing at higher calcium concentrations).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of anti-triadin antibody on Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum

The monoclonal antibody, mAb GE 4.90, raised against triadin, a 95 kDa protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), inhibits the slow phase of Ca2+ release from SR following depolarization of the T-tubule moiety of the triad. The antibody has virtually no effect on the fast phase of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release nor on caffeine-induced Ca2+ release. Since the slow phase of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release is also inhibited by dihydropyridines (DHP), these results suggest that triadin may be involved in the functional coupling between the DHP receptor and the SR Ca2+ channel.