DDB1 gene disruption causes a severe growth defect and apoptosis in chicken DT40 cells

DDB1 was originally identified as a heterodimeric complex with DDB2 and plays an accessory role in nucleotide excision repair. DDB1 also constitutes an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex together with Cul4A and Roc1 and acts as an adaptor, suggesting its multiple roles beyond DNA repair. We have generated a conditional DDB1-knockout mutant using a chicken B lymphocyte line DT40. Doxycycline-induced DDB1 depletion caused a severe growth defect followed by apoptotic cell death. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that cell cycle progression is initially retarded at all phases and subsequently impaired at S phase along with the appearance of sub-G1 population. Similarly, DDB1-knockdown in human U2OS cells by small interfering RNA exhibited a loss of clonogenic activity and perturbed cell cycle progression. These results demonstrate that the DDB1 gene is indispensable for cell viability in higher vertebrates and this conditional DDB1-knockout clone would be highly useful for the functional analysis of DDB1.

Human XPC-hHR23B interacts with XPA-RPA in the recognition of triplex-directed psoralen DNA interstrand crosslinks

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) represent a severe form of damage that blocks DNA metabolic processes and can lead to cell death or carcinogenesis. The repair of DNA ICLs in mammals is not well characterized. We have reported previously that a key protein complex of nucleotide excision repair (NER), XPA-RPA, recognizes DNA ICLs. We now report the use of triplex technology to direct a site-specific psoralen ICL to a target DNA substrate to determine whether the human global genome NER damage recognition complex, XPC-hHR23B, recognizes this lesion. Our results demonstrate that XPC-hHR23B recognizes psoralen ICLs, which have a structure fundamentally different from other lesions that XPC-hHR23B is known to bind, with high affinity and specificity. XPC-hHR23B and XPA-RPA protein complexes were also observed to bind psoralen ICLs simultaneously, demonstrating not only that psoralen ICLs are recognized by XPC-hHR23B alone, but also that XPA-RPA may interact cooperatively with XPC-hHR23B on damaged DNA, forming a multimeric complex. Since XPC-hHR23B and XPA-RPA participate in the recognition and verification of DNA damage, these results support the hypothesis that interplay between components of the global genome repair sub-pathway of NER is critical for the recognition of psoralen DNA ICLs in the mammalian genome.

Human NTH1 physically interacts with p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Thymine glycol (Tg) is one of predominant oxidative DNA lesions caused by ionizing radiation and other oxidative stresses. Human NTH1 is a bifunctional enzyme with DNA glycosylase and AP lyase activities and removes Tg as the first step of base excision repair (BER). We have searched for the factors interacting with NTH1 by using a pull-down assay and found that GST-NTH1 fusion protein precipitates proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 as well as XPG from human cell-free extracts. GST-NTH1 also bound to recombinant FLAG-tagged XPG, PCNA, and (His)6-tagged p53 proteins, indicating direct protein-protein interaction between those proteins. Furthermore, His-p53 and FLAG-XPG, but not PCNA, stimulated the Tg DNA glycosylase/AP lyase activity of GST-NTH1 or NTH1. These results provide an insight into the positive regulation of BER reaction and also suggest a possible linkage between BER of Tg and other cellular mechanisms.

cDNA cloning of the chicken DDB1 gene encoding the p127 subunit of damaged DNA-binding protein

DDB (damaged DNA-binding protein) is a heterodimer, comprised of p48 (DDB2) and p127 (DDB1) subunits, which has a high affinity for a variety of DNA lesions including UV-photoproducts. The mutations in DDB2 gene have been found in a subset of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group E patients. However, no natural mutation has been identified so far in the cDNA of human DDB1 and the precise roles of DDB1 are still unknown. We have cloned the DDB1 cDNA from the chicken B lymphocyte line DT40 and revealed an open reading frame of 3420 bp encoding a polypeptide of 1140 amino acids, which is identical in size to the orthologs of human, monkey, mouse, rat and Drosophila melanogaster in databases. The amino acid sequence deduced from the chicken DDB1 cDNA shows a high homology to the mammalian DDB1 orthologs (96-97% identity). Northern blot analysis using 5' portion of the chicken DDB1 cDNA as a probe detected a single transcript of ~ 4.3 kb in chicken DT40 cells as well as in human HeLa cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, the chicken DDB1 (tagged with enhanced GFP) transiently expressed in human cells mainly localized in the cytoplasm, and coexpression of human DDB2 dramatically changed the localization from the cytoplasm to nucleus. These results suggest that DDB1 is evolutionarily conserved in the primary structure and function, and may play a fundamental role in higher eukaryotes.

DDB accumulates at DNA damage sites immediately after UV irradiation and directly stimulates nucleotide excision repair

Damaged DNA-binding protein, DDB, is a heterodimer of p127 and p48 with a high specificity for binding to several types of DNA damage. Mutations in the p48 gene that cause the loss of DDB activity were found in a subset of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group E (XP-E) patients and have linked to the deficiency in global genomic repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in these cells. Here we show that with a highly defined system of purified repair factors, DDB can greatly stimulate the excision reaction reconstituted with XPA, RPA, XPC.HR23B, TFIIH, XPF.ERCC1 and XPG, up to 17-fold for CPDs and approximately 2-fold for (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PPs), indicating that no additional factor is required for the stimulation by DDB. Transfection of the p48 cDNA into an SV40-transformed human cell line, WI38VA13, was found to enhance DDB activity and the in vivo removal of CPDs and 6-4PPs. Furthermore, the combined technique of recently developed micropore UV irradiation and immunostaining revealed that p48 (probably in the form of DDB heterodimer) accumulates at locally damaged DNA sites immediately after UV irradiation, and this accumulation is also observed in XP-A and XP-C cells expressing exogenous p48. These results suggest that DDB can rapidly translocate to the damaged DNA sites independent of functional XPA and XPC proteins and directly enhance the excision reaction by core repair factors.

Possibility of the reversal of multidrug resistance and the avoidance of side effects by liposomes modified with MRK-16, a monoclonal antibody to P-glycoprotein

For cancer chemotherapy, avoiding the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents is difficult. Multidrug resistance is one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) serves as an efflux pump and plays a key role in the multidrug resistance. We examined the effect of MRK-16, a monoclonal antibody against P-gp, modified liposomes (MRK-Lip) on the human myelogenous leukemia K-562 cells and its adriamycin resistance cell line K-562/ADM cells to avoid the side effects and to reverse the multidrug resistance. The uptake of vincristine (VCR) by K-562/ADM cells was lower than that by K-562 cells. This low uptake was increased in the presence of verapamil and MRK-16, however, it was not increased in the presence of control antibody, IgG2A. The binding of MRK-Lip to K-562/ADM cells was higher than that of IgG2A-modified liposome (IgG-Lip) and liposome without modification (Cont-Lip). Moreover, the cytotoxicity of VCR-encapsulated MRK-Lip to K-562/ADM cells was higher than that of VCR-encapsulated IgG-Lip and Cont-Lip. These results suggest that the interaction between liposomes and multidrug resistance cells was increased by the modification of liposomes with MRK-16. Consequently, the usefulness of MRK-Lip in cancer chemotherapy as a potent carrier was suggested.

Different distribution patterns of the two mannose 6-phosphate receptors in rat liver

Two mannose 6-phosphate receptors, cation-dependent and -independent receptors (CDMPR and CIMPR), play an important role in the intracellular transport of lysosomal enzymes. To investigate functional differences between the two in vivo, their distribution was examined in the rat liver using immunohistochemical techniques. Positive signals corresponding to CIMPR were detected intensely in hepatocytes and weakly in sinusoidal Kupffer cells and interstitial cells in Glisson's capsule. In the liver acinus, hepatocytes in the perivenous region showed a more intense immunoreactivity than those in the periportal region. On the other hand, positive staining of CDMPR was detected at a high level in Kupffer cells, epithelial cells of interlobular bile ducts, and fibroblast-like cells, but the corresponding signal was rather weak in hepatocytes. In situ hybridization analysis also revealed a high level of expression of CIMPR mRNAs in hepatocytes and of CDMPR mRNA in Kupffer cells. By double immunostaining, OX6-positive antigen-presenting cells in Glisson's capsule were co-labeled with the CDMPR signal but were only faintly stained with anti-CIMPR. These different distribution patterns of the two MPRs suggest distinct functional properties of each receptor in liver tissue.

Damaged DNA-binding protein DDB stimulates the excision of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in vitro in concert with XPA and replication protein A

Human cells contain a protein that binds to UV-irradiated DNA with high affinity. This protein, damaged DNA-binding protein (DDB), is a heterodimer of two polypeptides, p127 and p48. Recent in vivo studies suggested that DDB is involved in global genome repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that in vitro DDB directly stimulates the excision of CPDs but not (6-4)photoproducts. The excision activity of cell-free extracts from Chinese hamster AA8 cell line that lacks DDB activity was increased 3-4-fold by recombinant DDB heterodimer but not p127 subunit alone. Moreover, the addition of XPA or XPA + replication protein A (RPA), which themselves enhanced excision, also enhanced the excision in the presence of DDB. DDB was found to elevate the binding of XPA to damaged DNA and to make a complex with damaged DNA and XPA or XPA + RPA as judged by both electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I protection assays. These results suggest that DDB assists in the recognition of CPDs by core NER factors, possibly through the efficient recruitment of XPA or XPA.RPA, and thus stimulates the excision reaction of CPDs.

Psychological effect of the Nagasaki atomic bombing on survivors after half a century

In 1997 a mental health survey using a 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and an interview survey of an atomic bombing experience were conducted in survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Overall psychological distress measured on the basis of the GHQ-30 was greater in the atomic bombing survivors than in the controls. As for the contents of psychological distress, those concerning emotion such as anxiety and depression were milder in survivors than in the controls, but those related to social activities such as apathy, disturbance of human relations, loss of enjoyment of living were more severe. Furthermore, recurring and distressing recollection of the experience of the atomic bombing, suspicion over the relationship between the atomic bombing and an unhealthy physical condition, and the experience of witnessing death or severe injury of close relatives due to the atomic bombing were significantly related to the degree of psychological distress of the survivors.

Expression of the molecule detectable by anti-propolypeptide of von Willebrand factor antibody in rat mesangial cells in anti-Thy 1.1 mAb 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis: A marker of injured mesangial cells

We have previously reported that propolypeptide of von Willebrand factor (pp-vWF) binds to collagen with an affinity comparable to that of mature vWF, inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation, is cross-linked with laminin, and also serves as a ligand for very-late antigen 4 integrin. These observations from in vitro experiments suggest that pp-vWF is incorporated in the extracellular matrix and affects the cell-matrix interaction and that pp-vWF functions in leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory and vascular injury sites. We, therefore, hypothesize that pp-vWF might be involved in the induction and/or progression of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. To test this hypothesis, we examined the kinetics of the immunostaining of the molecule detectable by an affinity-purified anti-pp-vWF antibody in rat glomeruli in monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis. Immunostaining by pp-vWF antibody was observed in the nuclear rim of mesangial cells in monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 induced glomerulonephritis. Positive staining first appeared on day 10 after monoclonal antibody injection, when mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion had already begun. Staining was still detected on day 56, when morphologic alterations observed by light microscopy had been normalized. The pp-vWF antibody recognized molecule appeared later than alpha-smooth muscle actin or collagen type I. Positive staining was not detected in cultured mesangial cells. It should be noted that the positive staining by pp-vWF antibody in mesangial cells was still detected in previously injured glomeruli that have almost recovered normal morphology. These observations indicate that positive staining by pp-vWF antibody could be a very useful marker for identifying a past episode of injury in mesangial cells.

Order of assembly of human DNA repair excision nuclease

Human excision nuclease removes DNA damage by concerted dual incisions bracketing the lesion. The dual incisions are accomplished by sequential and partly overlapping actions of six repair factors, RPA, XPA, XPC, TFIIH, XPG, and XPF.ERCC1. Of these, RPA, XPA, and XPC have specific binding affinity for damaged DNA. To learn about the role of these three proteins in damage recognition and the order of assembly of the excision nuclease, we measured the binding affinities of XPA, RPA, and XPC to a DNA fragment containing a single (6-4) photoproduct and determined the rate of damage excision under a variety of reaction conditions. We found that XPC has the highest affinity to DNA and that RPA has the highest selectivity for damaged DNA. Under experimental conditions conducive to binding of either XPA + RPA or XPC to damaged DNA, the rate of damage removal was about 5-fold faster for reactions in which XPA + RPA was the first damage recognition factor presented to DNA compared with reactions in which XPC was the first protein that had the opportunity to bind to DNA. We conclude that RPA and XPA are the initial damage sensing factors of human excision nuclease.

On-line assessment of regional ventricular wall motion by transesophageal echocardiography with color kinesis during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine the changes in regional ventricular wall motion during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting by color kinesis using transesophageal echocardiography.

METHODS

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 34 patients, during which transesophageal echocardiography was used. Thirteen patients had isolated disease of the left anterior descending artery. Regional ventricular wall motion was analyzed by color kinesis with the SONOS 2500 transesophageal echocardiograph (Hewlett-Packard Co, Andover, Mass). On-line assessment of regional wall motion was continued during the operation.

RESULTS

Wall motion abnormalities during ischemia were present in 4 cases, left ventricular mid-anterior hypokinesis in 3 cases, and left ventricular apical-lateral hypokinesis in 1 case. In all cases, wall motion was maintained after bypass. In patients with total coronary occlusion, changes in wall motion did not occur during anastomosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Color kinesis allowed us to evaluate the change in regional ventricular wall motion induced by myocardial ischemia during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting both objectively and quantitatively.

The effects of general anesthetics on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus in vitro

It is unclear whether general anesthetics induce enhancement of neural inhibition and/or attenuation of neural excitation. We studied the effects of pentobarbital (5 x 10(-4) mol/L), propofol (5 x 10(-4) mol/L), ketamine (10(-3) mol/L), halothane (1.5 vol%), and isoflurane (2.0 vol%) on both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices. Excitatory or inhibitory synaptic pathways were isolated using pharmacological antagonists. Extracellular microelectrodes were used to record electrically evoked CA1 neural population spikes (PSs). In the presence of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor antagonist (bicuculline), the inhibitory actions of pentobarbital and propofol were completely antagonized, whereas those of ketamine, halothane, and isoflurane were only partially blocked. To induce the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated PS (NMDA PS), the non-NMDA and GABA(A) receptors were blocked in the absence of Mg2+. Ketamine, halothane, and isoflurane decreased the NMDA PS, and pentobarbital and propofol had no effect on the NMDA PS. The non-NMDA receptor-mediated PS (non-NMDA PS) was examined using the antagonists for the NMDA and GABA(A) receptors. Volatile, but not i.v., anesthetics reduced the non-NMDA PS. These findings indicate that pentobarbital and propofol produce inhibitory actions due to enhancement in the GABA(A) receptor; that ketamine reduces NMDA receptor-mediated responses and enhances GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses; and that halothane and isoflurane modulate GABA(A), NMDA, and non-NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission.

IMPLICATIONS

Volatile anesthetics modulate both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission of in vitro rat hippocampal pathways, whereas i.v. anesthetics produce more specific actions on inhibitory synaptic events. These results provide further support the idea that general anesthetics produce drug-specific and distinctive effects on different pathways in the central nervous system.

Mutational analysis of a function of xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA) protein in strand-specific DNA repair

To analyze the function of the xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA) protein in strand-specific DNA repair, we examined repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) in transcribed and non-transcribed strands of the dihydrofolate reductase gene of xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XP-A) cell line (XP12ROSV) which was transfected with various types of mutant XPA cDNA. The transfectant overexpressing mutant XPA with a defect in the interaction with either ERCC1, replication protein A (RPA), or general transcription factor TFIIH, showed more or less decreased repair of CPD in each strand in parallel, while in the transfectant overexpressing R207G (Arg207to Gly) mutant XPA derived from XP129, a UV-resistant XP12ROSV revertant, the rate of CPD repair was almost normal in each strand. We also examined the dose responses of the XPA protein on CPD repair in each strand by the modulation of the expression levels of wild-type or R207G mutant XPA using an inducible expression system, LacSwitchtrade mark promoter. There were good correlations between the rate of CPD repair in each strand and the amount of XPA protein produced in these Lac cells. Our results indicate that the XPA protein is equally important for the CPD repair in both transcribed and non-transcribed strands and that the R207G mutation found in XP129 may not be responsible for a selective defect in CPD repair in the non-transcribed strand in XP129.

[Efficacy of epidural analgesia in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery]

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB), coronary bypass grafting with small thoracotomy using no cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), became popular recently. To attenuate perioperative stress-response, we used epidural analgesia (EPI) with general anesthesia for MIDCAB operation. In this study, we compared retrospectively 11 cases of MIDCAB managed with EPI [ED (+)], and 14 cases of MIDCAB anesthetized without using EPI [ED (-)], concerning extubation time, ICU stay, hospital stay and perioperative complications. The mean time from cessation of general anesthesia to extubation was significantly shorter in ED (+) patients (0.5 hours) when compared to ED (-) patients (18.2 hours). Mean periods of ICU stay and hospital stay were, also, shorter in ED (+) patients (2.1 days, 30.5 days, respectively) when compared to ED (-) (4.3 days, 45.1 days, respectively) patients. We experienced ventricular tachycardia in three patients of ED (-). No major complication occurred in ED (+) patients. These results suggest that EPI shortened extubation time, ICU and hospital stay for MIDCAB patients.

Assembly, subunit composition, and footprint of human DNA repair excision nuclease

The assembly and composition of human excision nuclease were investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting. Individual repair factors or any combination of up to four repair factors failed to form DNA-protein complexes of high specificity and stability. A stable complex of high specificity can be detected only when XPA/RPA, transcription factor IIH, XPC.HHR23B, and XPG and ATP are present in the reaction mixture. The XPF.ERCC1 heterodimer changes the electrophoretic mobility of the DNA-protein complex formed with the other five repair factors, but it does not confer additional specificity. By using proteins with peptide tags or antibodies to the repair factors in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, it was found that XPA, replication protein A, transcription factor IIH, XPG, and XPF.excision repair cross-complementing 1 but not XPC.HHR23B were present in the penultimate and ultimate dual incision complexes. Thus, it appears that XPC.HHR23B is a molecular matchmaker that participates in the assembly of the excision nuclease but is not present in the ultimate dual incision complex. The excision nuclease makes an assymmetric DNase I footprint of approximately 30 bp around the damage and increases the DNase I sensitivity of the DNA on both sides of the footprint.

Quantification of apoptotic cells using isolated glomeruli

In order to detect apoptotic cells in the kidney, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method is used in tissue sections. But the number of apoptotic cells per glomerulus in several experimental models of nephritides is about 1 per single tissue section even at peak levels. In this study, we have reported that the TUNEL method and immunostaining of cell-specific markers to a whole isolated glomerulus in combination with laser scan microscopy are potentially useful methods for the analysis of cell turnover within glomeruli.

Characterization of reaction intermediates of human excision repair nuclease

Nucleotide excision repair in humans is a complex reaction involving 14 polypeptides in six repair factors for dual incisions on either sides of a DNA lesion. To identify the reaction intermediates that form by the human excision repair nuclease, we adopted three approaches: purification of functional DNA.protein complexes, permanganate footprinting, and the employment as substrate of presumptive DNA reaction intermediates containing unwound sequences 5' to, 3' to, or encompassing the DNA lesion. The first detectable reaction intermediate was formed by substrate binding of XPA, RPA, XPC.HHR23B plus TFIIH (preincision complex 1, PIC1). In this complex the DNA was unwound on either side of the lesion by no more than 10 bases. Independent of the XPG nuclease function, the XPG protein stabilized this complex, forming a long lived preincision complex 2 (PIC2). The XPF.ERCC1 complex bound to PIC2, forming PIC3, which led to dual incisions and the release of the excised oligomer. With partially unwound DNAs, thymine cyclobutane dimer was excised at a fast rate independent of XPC.HHR23B, indicating that a major function of this protein is to stabilize the unwound DNA or to aid lesion unwinding in preincision complexes.

The non-catalytic function of XPG protein during dual incision in human nucleotide excision repair

XPG is a member of the FEN-1 structure-specific endonuclease family. It has 3'-junction cutting activity on bubble substrates and makes the 3'-incision in the human dual incision (excision nuclease) repair system. To investigate the precise role of XPG in nucleotide excision repair, we mutagenized two amino acid residues thought to be involved in DNA binding and catalysis, overproduced the mutant proteins using a baculovirus/insect cell system, and purified and characterized the mutant proteins. The mutation D77A had a modest effect on junction cutting and excision activity and gave rise to uncoupled 5'-incision by mammalian cell-free extracts. The D812A mutation completely abolished the junction cutting and 3'-incision activities of XPG, but the excision nuclease reconstituted with XPG (D812A) carried out normal 5'-incision at the 23rd-24th phosphodiester bonds 5' to a (6-4) photoproduct without producing any 3'-incision. It is concluded that Asp-812 is an active site residue of XPG and that in addition to making the 3'-incision, the physical presence of XPG in the protein-DNA complex is required non-catalytically for subsequent 5'-incision by XPF-ERCC1.

[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed 7 years after epileptic seizure and developed chorea during prednisolone treatment]

An 18-year-old female with 7 years' history of epilepsy was admitted for developing malar rash. She had been treated with hydantoin for 7 years. Laboratory examinations revealed leukopenia and high titer of anti-dsDNA antibodies. Renal biopsy also showed diffuse segmental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. A diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was made, and she received 40 mg of prednisolone daily. At follow up 4 months later since her first visit, she developed choreiform movements involving the right upper and lower limbs, despite no signs of increase in her disease activity. Neither biological false positive testing for syphilis nor the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) was detected. MRI demonstrated no signal abnormalities in the brain. Administration of haloperidol was started and the choreiform movements were decreased. Anticonvulsants are associated with drug-induced lupus. On the other hand, seizure is known to be one of the first manifestations of SLE. In drug-induced lupus, positive testing for anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm antibodies, hypocomplementemia and renal involvement are not a frequent as in SLE. In this case, laboratory findings showed high titer of anti-dsDNA antibodies, positive testing for antihistone, anti-SSA, anti-Ki antibodies, and hypocomplementemia. And mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was detected. So we diagnosed her as SLE and suggested that epileptic seizure developed 7 years ago had been the first manifestations of SLE. Neurologic complications of SLE are common, but chorea has been rarely reported. Since it is known that LAC is associated with thrombosis, it has been suggested that small infarctions in the basal ganglia may play a part in the pathogenesis of chorea in SLE. In this case, the LAC was negative and MRI showed no detectable abnormalities. As a result another mechanism may be attributed to chorea in this case.

Purification of a novel UV-damaged-DNA binding protein highly specific for (6-4) photoproduct

UV damage-specific binding proteins are considered to play important roles in early responses of cells irradiated with UV, including damage recognition in the DNA repair process. We have surveyed nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins which bind selectively to UV-irradiated DNA using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We detected four distinct binding activities with different mobilities in fractions separated from HeLa cells by heparin chromatography. Three of them were found in nuclear extracts and one in cytoplasmic extracts. We purified one of the binding factors from nuclear extracts to homogeneity, which was designated NF-10 (the 10th fraction of nuclear extract on heparin chromatography). It migrated as a 40 kDa polypeptide in SDS-PAGE, and bound to UV-irradiated double- stranded DNA but not to unirradiated DNA. The binding pattern of the NF-10 protein to DNA irradiated with UV corresponded to the induction kinetics of (6-4) photoproduct. Removal of (6-4) photoproducts from UV- irradiated DNA by (6-4) photoproduct-specific photolyase diminished the binding of NF-10 protein. These results suggest that the NF-10 protein binds to UV-damaged DNA through (6-4) photoproduct. Immunoblot analysis using a monoclonal antibody revealed that the NF-10 protein was expressed in cell lines from all complementation groups of xeroderma pigmentosum, indicating that the NF-10 protein is a novel UV-damaged-DNA binding protein.

Rodent complementation group 8 (ERCC8) corresponds to Cockayne syndrome complementation group A

US31 is a UV-sensitive mutant cell line (rodent complementation group 8) derived from a mouse T cell line L5178Y. We analyzed removal kinetics for UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4) photoproducts in US31 cells using monoclonal antibodies against these photoproducts. While nearly all (6-4) photoproducts were repaired within 6 h after UV-irradiation, more than 70% of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers remained unrepaired even 24 h after UV-irradiation. These kinetics resembled those of Cockayne syndrome (CS) cells. Since US31 cells had a low efficiency of cell fusion and transfection, which hampered both complementation tests and gene cloning, we constructed fibroblastic complementation group 8 cell line 6L1030 by fusion of US31 cells with X-irradiated normal mouse fibroblastic LTA cells. Complementation tests by cell fusion and transfection using 6L1030 cells revealed that rodent complementation group 8 corresponded to CS complementation group A.

Isoflurane and sevoflurane modulate inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ currents in single bullfrog atrial myocytes

BACKGROUND

To clarify the mechanism(s) of anesthetic depression of myocardial Ca2+ currents, the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane on the inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ current in single bullfrog atrial myocytes were studied.

METHODS

Freshly isolated bullfrog atrial myocytes were obtained with an enzymatic dispersion procedure. Ca2+ currents were recorded with a whole-cell voltage-clamp technique.

RESULTS

Both isoflurane (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5, 5.0 vol%) decreased the peak amplitude of Ca2+ current ICa with a minimal change in the time to peak and the reversal potential. The inactivation kinetics studies revealed that (1) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (5.0 vol%) markedly reduced the time constant of inactivation in ICa to 55% and 75% of control, respectively; (2) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) shifted the midpoint (V1/2) of steady-state inactivation curve of ICa toward negative by 2.3 mV; and (3) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) delayed the reactivation time constant of ICa to 119% of control. The further computer-simulation study demonstrated that the observed decrease of time constant by isoflurane (1.25, 2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5 vol%) can explain the reduction in amplitude of ICa.

CONCLUSIONS

The depression of ICa by lower concentration of isoflurane (1.25, 2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5 vol%) mainly is due to the decrease of time constant and, at higher concentration, isoflurane and sevoflurane may affect the other membrane components.

Differences in midazolam-induced breathing patterns in healthy volunteers

Sex differences, and the influence of drug dosage and additional upper airway obstruction were studied in midazolam-induced breathing patterns and sedation in 30 healthy volunteers (8 males and 22 females). After administration of 0.1 mg.kg-1 midazolam (8 male and 8 female subjects), the rib cage (RC) motion increased in 6 males and the abdominal wall (ABD) motion and SaO2 decreased in all males. In contrast, the RC and ABD motions and SaO2 decreased in all females. Snoring and loss of consciousness occurred in 7 males and in 2 females. There were significant differences in the RC motion, SaO2, the incidence of snoring and the sedative state between male and female subjects. A bolus dose of 0.5 mg of flumazenil completely antagonized the sedative effect of midazolam and restored the breathing pattern, whereas it did not completely restore SaO2. A higher dose (0.2 mg.kg-1) of midazolam was administered to an additional 8 females. It caused a loss of consciousness in all subjects and increased the RC motion in only one subject. Partial obstruction of the nasal cavity was effected with cotton balls in the remaining 6 females who were sedated with 0.1 mg.kg-1 midazolam. An increase in the RC motion occurred similar to that observed in males. These findings suggest a difference in midazolam-induced sedation and breathing patterns between male and female subjects with midazolam administration on a mg.kg-1 basis.