Segmented filamentous bacteria in the bovine small intestine

Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) were observed in a 28-day-old calf, attached to the absorptive villi. Morphologically, they were similar to SFB described in other animal species. Because these organisms cannot be cultured, further characterization was not possible. The organisms were confined to the upper third of the absorptive villi and were not seen attached to the follicle-associated epithelium of the Peyer's patch, or observed in the caecum or colon. Although they were often associated with minor lesions, their pathological significance was doubtful. With this report, segmented filamentous bacteria have now been described in virtually all the commercially important livestock and poultry species, in other domestic animals, and in man.

Hopper: software for automating data tracking and flow in DNA sequencing

MOTIVATION

Genome-scale DNA sequencing is a multistep process in which large numbers of small template clones are propagated, purified, sequenced and analyzed on acrylamide gels. A significant challenge to these projects is the scale at which the data handling must be done. Hence, large-scale sequencing facilities will benefit from tracking template DNA information (purification methods, reaction and electrophoresis conditions) in a systematic fashion. A lack of software tools that support automated sample entry, and automatic data storage, retrieval and analysis are a major hindrance to recording and using laboratory workflow information to monitor the overall quality of data production.

RESULTS

The UNIX file system has been used to prototype automation of the flow of data from the ABI sequencer to a data repository. Data are automatically processed by a central Perl program, Hopper, which runs a series of programs that analyze data quality (read length estimate, fraction of indeterminate bases, and number of contaminating and repetitive sequences), assemble shotgun sequence data, and generates simple reports describing the results.

Food control systems in Canada

This paper provides an overview of the responsibilities and jurisdictional boundaries of Health Canada (HC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with regard to food regulation in Canada. It examines their interagency coordination within the federal structure and with other levels of government, industry, and the consumer. The international developments are considered with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada, United States Trade Agreement (CUSTA) being regarded as likely to have a significant future impact. The federal food safety and quality system is complex and fragmented. Federal food regulation comes under the jurisdiction of four federal departments: HC, AAFC, Industry Canada (IC), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC). All four departments are involved with inspection, surveillance, and the analysis of food sold in Canada. In addition, Canada's ten provincial and two territorial governments have provincial-, regional-, municipal-, and local-level governments that also have jurisdiction over food safety and quality. Consideration is first given to the main legislative provision covering food--the Federal Food and Drugs Act. This Act is administered by several of the Federal Government departments. The role of these departments is examined individually along with additional, more specific legal provisions for which responsibility is not divided (in particular, the Canada Agricultural Products [CAP] Act administered by AAFC, and the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act [CPLA] administered by IC). The various reviews that have taken place in the recent past and those still in progress are considered, and the final part of this paper looks at the international developments that are likely to have a major impact on the future development of the Canadian food control system.

A soluble ecto-ATPase from Tetrahymena thermophila: purification and similarity to the membrane-bound ecto-ATPase of smooth muscle

For the first time, a soluble, dedicated E-type ecto-ATPase has been identified and purified. This fully soluble ecto-ATPase is released into the growth media of the single-celled eukaryote, Tetrahymena, at a constant rate over time (independent of the growth phase of the cells) and it has characteristics similar to those previously described for the membrane-bound ecto-enzyme in Tetrahymena. It was purified by a combination of ion-exchange, size exclusion, and affinity chromatography and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis. Its molecular weight was determined to be approximately 66,000 Da by denaturing gel electrophoresis and approximately 69,000 Da by size exclusion chromatography of the native form. The purified soluble enzyme displays the general characteristics of a dedicated E-type ecto-ATPase such as Ca2+ or Mg2+ dependence, hydrolysis of ATP and other nucleoside triphosphates (but not nucleoside diphosphates) and insensitivity to common ATPase inhibitors (vanadate, azide, ouabain, N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate). It was further shown to be immunologically similar (by polyclonal antibodies) to both the membrane-bound ecto-ATPase of chicken gizzard smooth muscle (66 kDa) and a 66-kDa protein in Tetrahymena plasma membranes. The ecto-ATPase enzyme activity was also shown to be present in both the body plasma membrane and ciliary plasma membrane fractions but the body membrane had slightly higher specific activities. We propose that this ecto-ATPase of Tetrahymena may play a role in inactivating purinergic signals, such as in their chemorepulsion responses to external GTP and ATP. It may also play a minor role in extracellular nucleotide scavenging.

Force decay and deformation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures

This study evaluated commercially available molded gray elastomeric ligatures from seven companies for force decay, dimensional change, and the relationship between ligature dimension and force. The initial wall thickness, inside diameter, outside diameter, and force levels of each ligature were measured. Three of four test groups of ligatures were stretched over stainless steel dowels with a circumference approximating that of a large orthodontic twin bracket. Test group 1 was kept at room temperature and humidity for 28 days and test group 2 in a synthetic saliva bath at 37 degrees C, pH 6.84 for 28 days. The residual forces and dimensional changes were measured. The third test group was placed in a synthetic saliva bath at 37 degrees C, pH 6.84, and force levels recorded at initial, 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days. The fourth test group of unstretched samples was placed in a synthetic saliva bath at 37 degrees C, pH 6.84 for 28 days to evaluate dimensional changes due solely to moisture sorption. The results for stretched samples in a simulated oral environment revealed the following: (1) Moisture and heat had a pronounced effect on force decay and permanent deformation, (2) a positive correlation existed between the wall thickness and force, (3) a negative correlation existed between the inside diameter and force, (4) a weak correlation existed between outside diameter and force, (5) the greatest force loss occurred in the first 24 hours and the decay pattern was similar for all ligatures tested, and (6) unstretched ligatures absorbed moisture in the range of 0.060% to 3.15%. The ligatures tested appear to be suitable for use during initial aligning and leveling. However, the rapid force loss and permanent deformation of these products may preclude their use for rotational and torque corrections.

Complete genomic sequence and analysis of 117 kb of human DNA containing the gene BRCA1

Over 100 distinct disease-associated mutations have been identified in the breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1. Loss of the wild-type allele in > 90% of tumors from patients with inherited BRCA1 mutations indicates tumor suppressive function. The low incidence of somatic mutations suggests that BRCA1 inactivation in sporadic tumors occurs by alternative mechanisms, such as interstitial chromosomal deletion or reduced transcription. To identify possible features of the BRCA1 genomic region that may contribute to chromosomal instability as well as potential transcriptional regulatory elements, a 117,143-bp DNA sequence encompassing BRCA1 was obtained by random sequencing of four cosmids identified from a human chromosome 17 specific library. The 24 exons of BRCA1 span an 81-kb region that has an unusually high density of Alu repetitive DNA (41.5%), but relatively low density (4.8%) of other repetitive sequences. BRCA1 intron lengths range in size from 403 bp to 9.2 kb and contain the intragenic microsatellite markers D17S1323, D17S1322, and D17S855, which localize to introns 12, 19, and 20, respectively. In addition to BRCA1, the contig contains two complete genes: Rho7, a member of the rho family of GTP binding proteins, and VAT1, an abundant membrane protein of cholinergic synaptic vesicles. Partial sequences of the 1A1-3B B-box protein pseudogene and IFP 35, an interferon induced leucine zipper protein, reside within the contig. An L21 ribosomal protein pseudogene is embedded in BRCA1 intron 13. The order of genes on the chromosome is: centromere-1FP 35-VAT1-Rho7-BRCA1-1A1-3B-telomere.

Studies on the biosynthesis of thiostrepton: 4-(1-hydroxyethyl)quinoline-2-carboxylate as a free intermediate on the pathway to the quinaldic acid moiety

Specifically 13C-labeled quinoline-2-carboxylate derivatives were synthesized from quinoline and used to study the biosynthesis of thiostrepton in a strain of Streptomyces laurentii. 13C NMR analysis of thiostrepton recovered after feeding methyl (RS)-[11-13C]-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)quinoline-2-carboxylate or methyl [11-13C]-4-acetylquinoline-2-carboxylate showed conclusively that these compounds are specifically and efficiently incorporated into thiostrepton. Both compounds were also detected in cultures of the producing organism by isotope dilution analysis. The significance of the relative endogenous concentrations of the two compounds and of the relative extent of the incorporation of exogenously added labeled material into thiostrepton are discussed in terms of the biosynthetic pathway linking tryptophan and 4-(1-hydroxyethyl)quinoline-2-carboxylate in S. laurentii. A highly specific enzyme activity was detected in cell-free extracts of S. laurentii that was capable of adenylating (12S)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)quinoline-2-carboxylic acid. Partial purification of the enzyme was achieved. The enzyme was found to be specific for the enantiomer of the substrate which has the same absolute configuration as found in the natural antibiotic structure. The presence of one specific enzyme catalysing the adenylation process in S. laurentii was shown by photoaffinity labeling with [alpha-32P]-8-azido-ATP and subsequent SDS PAGE analysis of the labeled products. The native molecular weight of the active enzyme, determined by gel permeation chromatography, was found to be approximately 47 kDa, compared with a denatured weight of 50 kDa estimated for the photoaffinity-labeled protein. The enzyme is thus probably monomeric.

Testing for adverse reactions using prescription event monitoring

The Drug Safety Research Unit's current methods of investigating adverse drug reactions using prescription event monitoring are discussed. The statistical properties of estimators of rates of occurrence of events in post-marketing surveillance using prescription event monitoring are considered, and a simple model is proposed based on an exponential distribution of time to first occurrence of the event. It is shown that current methodology closely relates to the use of maximum likelihood estimation under this assumption and the distributions of the estimators are shown to be approximately normal, which allows simple confidence intervals and tests to be developed. Two recent applications are considered and corresponding simulations are presented to verify the approximate properties of the test statistics, based on ratios of rates over time and between drugs. Sources of bias in the rates and rate ratios are considered, including under-reporting in later months. A rule-of-thumb, developed from many years experience, is shown to be generally conservative, except when these under-reporting biases are large.

Smoking cessation: a clinical study of the transdermal nicotine patch

Although cigarette smoking is a declining trend in the United States, the amount of cigarettes consumed by the American public is the same today as in 1964. The role of cigarette smoking in many disease processes is publicly well known, and smoking cessation has been proved to reduce risk for some diseases, but the various methods of cessation are often met with a high rate of treatment failure or relapse. In this study, the short-term efficacy of nicotine-replacement therapy by way of the transdermal patch system was evaluated in 110 patients in a family practice setting. Patches were tapered from 21 mg of nicotine to 14 mg to 7 mg, each for 30 days. Subjects wore one patch for every 24 hours and were instructed not to smoke. Telephone follow-up was used at 2 to 3 weeks to check smoking status and inquire for side effects, and further follow-up of those who had completed the 3-month program was initiated 6 months after the program began. Nineteen patients never filled the prescription, and six were lost to follow-up. Of the 85 who finished the program, 35% were still not smoking at 6 months after the study began. The other 65% had relapsed. Side effects were mild and were mainly related to skin irritation at the patch site and abnormal dreams. Combinations of this cessation method with physician counseling and other behavioral methods should improve the success rate of this encouraging treatment.

The thiostrepton-resistance-encoding gene in Streptomyces laurentii is located within a cluster of ribosomal protein operons

A common approach to identify and clone biosynthetic gene from an antibiotic-producing streptomycete is to clone the resistance gene for the antibiotic of interest and then use that gene to clone DNA that is linked to it. As a first step toward cloning the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of thiostrepton (Th) in Streptomyces laurentii (Sl), the Th resistance-encoding gene (tsnR) was cloned as a 1.5-kb BamHI-PvuII fragment in Escherichia coli (Ec), and shown to confer Th resistance when introduced into S. lividans TK24. The tsnR-containing DNA fragment was used as a probe to isolate clones from cosmid libraries of DNA in the Ec cosmid vector SuperCos, and pOJ446 (an Ec/streptomycete) cosmid vector. Sequence and genetic analysis of the DNA flanking the tsnR indicates that the Sl tsnR is not closely linked to biosynthetic genes. Instead it is located within a cluster of ribosomal protein operons.

Identification of Streptomyces violaceoruber Tü22 genes involved in the biosynthesis of granaticin

A 50 kb region of DNA from Streptomyces violaceoruber Tü22, containing genes encoding proteins involved in the biosynthesis of granaticin, was isolated. The DNA sequence of a 7.3 kb fragment from this region, located approximately 10 kb from the genes that encode the polyketide synthetase responsible for formation of the benzoisochromane quinone skeleton, revealed five open reading frames (ORF1-ORF5). The deduced amino acid sequence of GraE, encoded by ORF2, shows 60.8% identity (75.2% similarity) to a dTDP-glucose dehydratase (StrE) from Streptomyces griseus. Cultures of Escherichia coli containing plasmids with ORF2, on a 2.1 kb BamHI fragment, were able to catalyze the formation of dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose from dTDP-glucose at 5 times the rate of control cultures, confirming that ORF2 encodes a dTDP-glucose dehydratase. The amino acid sequence encoded by ORF3 (GraD) is 51.4% identical (69.9% similar) to that of StrD, a dTDP-glucose synthase from Streptomyces griseus. The amino acid sequence encoded by ORF4 shares similarities with proteins that confer resistance to tetracycline and methylenomycin, and is suggested to be involved in transporting granaticin out of the cells by an active efflux mechanism.

A liquid perfluorochemical decreases the in vitro production of reactive oxygen species by alveolar macrophages

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether reactive oxygen metabolite production by alveolar macrophages is affected by liquid perfluorochemical exposure.

DESIGN

Controlled, animal laboratory investigation of alveolar macrophage function in vitro.

SETTING

Animal research facility of a health sciences university.

SUBJECTS

Six adult male New Zealand white rabbits and six young piglets.

INTERVENTIONS

Alveolar macrophages were obtained after sacrifice from both species by total lung lavage. Macrophages were divided into control and experimental groups. Macrophages in the experimental groups were exposed to perfluorooctylbromide. To determine production of reactive oxygen metabolites, hydrogen peroxide production and chemiluminescence were measured in both experimental and control groups after chemical stimulation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Perfluorooctylbromide-exposed alveolar macrophages produced significantly less hydrogen peroxide (1.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 2.4 +/- 1.6 nmol/10(6) cells; p = .002). Perfluorooctylbromide-exposed alveolar macrophages demonstrated significantly less chemiluminescence activity compared with nonexposed cells (0.70 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2 mV of relative activity per 3.5 x 10(5) cells; p = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure of alveolar macrophages to perfluorooctylbromide in vitro decreases the responsiveness of macrophages to potent stimuli. This finding may partially explain the decrease in pulmonary inflammation seen in animals treated with partial liquid ventilation during experimentally induced lung injury.

Complications resulting from the use of Chinese herbal medications containing undeclared prescription drugs

OBJECTIVE

Many patients with chronic disease use alternative therapies. Our objective was to investigate complications resulting from the use of Chinese herbal medications containing undeclared prescription drugs, and to analyze these pills.

METHODS

Medical records of 5 patients with complications were reviewed. Pills from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals were analyzed for possible content of undeclared prescription drugs.

RESULTS

All pills analyzed contained mefenamic acid and diazepam. Complications related to the presence of these substances included, among others, massive gastrointestinal bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal medications may contain undeclared prescription drugs including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and benzodiazepines.

The structure of trp RNA-binding attenuation protein

The crystal structure of the trp RNA-binding attenuation protein of Bacclius subtilis solved at 1.8 A resolution reveals a novel structural arrangement in which the eleven subunits are stabilized through eleven intersubunit beta-sheets to form a beta-wheel with a large central hole. The nature of the binding of L-tryptophan in clefts between adjacent beta-sheets in the beta-wheel suggests that this binding induces conformational changes in the flexible residues 25-33 and 49-52. It is argued that upon binding, the messenger RNA target forms a matching circle in which eleven U/GAG repeats are bound to the surface of the protein ondecamer modified by the binding of L-tryptophan.

Efficacy and safety of gentamicin and streptomycin in Optisol-GS, a preservation medium for donor corneas

Increasing reports of gentamicin-resistant bacteria contaminating donor corneas and causing endophthalmitis have indicated that preservation of corneal storage media with 100 micrograms/ml of gentamicin alone needs reevaluation. We investigated the stability and possible cytotoxicity of streptomycin as a supplement to gentamicin in Optisol corneal storage medium. The combination of gentamicin and streptomycin in Optisol solution was stable at room temperature for at least 4 weeks and inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, alpha hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus Group D, Propionibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, and diphtheroids, but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The addition of vancomycin did not significantly improve the antibacterial effectiveness of the gentamicin and streptomycin combination when stored at 4 degrees C. The growth of 15 of 20 clinical ocular isolates of Ps. aeruginosa was suppressed by the gentamicin-streptomycin combination. Streptomycin in concentrations of up to 1,000 micrograms/ml did not decrease the mitotic activity of corneal endothelial cells as evaluated by the in vitro incorporation of tritiated thymidine or cause cytotoxicity. The addition of 200 micrograms/ml of streptomycin to Optisol corneal storage medium containing 100 micrograms/ml of gentamicin may significantly improve activity against gentamicin-sensitive and gentamicin-resistant contaminants.

Advocacy training during pediatric residency

Despite broad concerns about the welfare of children, most pediatric residents are not able to engage in child advocacy during their busy training years. Yet residency can provide an opportunity for young pediatricians to learn valuable advocacy skills by undertaking an independent project with an experienced mentor. We describe the University of Washington Pediatrics Residency Program's experience in training interested residents in child advocacy. Basic requirements are that advocacy projects must not interfere with clinical training, resident participation must be voluntary, and faculty with advocacy skills must be available to help guide the residents. Four resident projects are outlined and guidelines for instituting such programs are presented.

Regulation of insulin-stimulated glycogen synthase activity by overexpression of glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase in rat-1 fibroblasts

High glucose concentrations such as are seen in diabetes mellitus are known to have deleterious effects on cells, but the pathways by which glucose induces these effects are unknown. One hypothesis is that metabolism of glucose to glucosamine might be involved. For example, it has been shown that glucosamine is more potent than glucose in inducing insulin resistance in cultured adipocytes and in regulating the transcription of the growth factor transforming growth factor alpha in smooth muscle cells. The rate-limiting step in glucosamine synthesis is the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to glucosamine-6-phosphate by the enzyme glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase. To test the hypothesis that this hexosamine biosynthesis pathway is involved in the induction of insulin resistance, we have overexpressed the enzyme glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase in Rat-1 fibroblasts and investigated its effects on insulin action in those cells. We electroporated Rat-1 fibroblasts with expression plasmids that did and did not contain the gene for glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase and measured glycogen synthase activity at varying insulin concentrations. Insulin stimulation was blunted in the glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase-transfected cells, resulting in decreased insulin sensitivity reflected by a rightward shift in the dose-response curve for activation of synthase (ED50 = 7.5 nM vs. 3.4 nM insulin, in glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase and control cells, respectively). Rat-1 fibroblasts incubated with 5.- mM glucosamine for 3 days exhibited a similar shift in the dose-response curve. The rightward shift in the dose-response curve is seen as early as 2 days after poration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose regulation of transforming growth factor-alpha expression is mediated by products of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway

We have recently shown that glucose and glucosamine regulate the transcription of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) in rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells. Based on the increased potency of glucosamine compared to glucose, we hypothesized that stimulation of TGF alpha transcription by glucose is mediated through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. The yeast cDNA for the rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway, glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFA), was therefore expressed in RASM cells. GFA-transfected cells showed an increase in GFA activity, exhibiting a 2.2-fold increase in the synthesis of glucosamine-6-phosphate, the first product of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. To test the effect of GFA overexpression on TGF alpha transcriptional activity, cells were transiently cotransfected with GFA along with a reporter plasmid containing the firefly luciferase gene under control of the TGF alpha promoter. GFA-transfected cells exhibited a glucose-dependent 2-fold increase in TGF alpha activity compared to control cells. Maximal stimulation of TGF alpha-luciferase activity by glucosamine, however, was equivalent in GFA-and control-transfected cells, confirming that the stimulation observed by both agents operated through the same pathway. This increase in TGF alpha activity was inhibited (85% at 0.5 mM glucose and 69% at 30 mM glucose) by the glutamine analog and inhibitor of GFA, 6-diazo-5-oxonorleucine (10 microM). Control studies confirmed that the increased TGF alpha-luciferase activity in the GFA-expressing cells was not an artifact of altered growth, survival, or transfection efficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body plasma membrane vesicles from Paramecium contain a vanadate-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase

Paramecia are an excellent model system for studying the mechanisms involved in sensory transductions and intracellular Ca2+ regulation. These cells have two functionally distinct plasma membrane domains, body and cilia. The body plasma membrane is responsible for transduction of sensory stimuli into receptor potentials and the ciliary membrane is required for Ca2+ action potentials. Although ciliary membrane vesicles (cmv) have been purified and well characterized, body plasma membranes have not. We have generated body plasma membrane vesicles (bmv) by homogenization of deciliated cells and purified them from the microsome fraction by a two-phase aqueous polymer separation. The major criteria for purity of the bmv fraction are: (i) It is enriched 15-fold for a known plasma membrane marker (immobilization antigen) while the marker activities for other membranes were all decreased. The protein banding pattern of bmv is generally similar to cmv on SDS-PAGE. (ii) It contains a vanadate-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase activity that has been suggested to be a plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. The specific activity of this bmv Ca(2+)-ATPase is increased 4-fold over that of the homogenate. (iii) The phospholipid, fatty acid, and sterol composition of the bmv fraction are indicative of plasma membranes because they are qualitatively similar to cmv. The bmv also contains a membrane-bound NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase activity, suggesting that it may play a role in body plasma membrane function. This purified bmv preparation is useful for studying the role of the body plasma membrane in Ca2+ regulation, sensory transduction, protein and lipid trafficking, and plasma membrane fusion events.

Combination antibiotic supplementation of corneal storage medium

Gram-positive cocci frequently contaminate donor corneal tissue and represent the most common cause of postkeratoplasty endophthalmitis. Although gentamicin is currently added to corneal storage medium in an effort to decrease bacterial contamination of donor tissue, it has poor or variable in vitro activity against many strains of streptococci and staphylococci. To investigate whether the antibiotic supplementation of corneal storage media could be improved, we surveyed 11 antibiotics for antimicrobial efficacy under simulated storage conditions against gentamicin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and St. viridans. All antibiotics showed markedly reduced activity at 4 C as compared to their predicted activity at 37 C. Bactericidal activity of streptomycin and tobramycin was enhanced by preceding 4 C storage with a three-hour period at room temperature (23 C). Under these conditions, streptomycin showed the best antimicrobial activity of the 11 antibiotics tested. Addition of gentamicin to streptomycin resulted in further improvement of activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, whereas the addition of penicillin G to streptomycin enhanced the activity against St. viridans. Optimal antibiotic activity (99% or more killing) against all four isolates of gentamicin-resistant gram-positive cocci was best achieved with the combination of gentamicin, streptomycin, and penicillin G, coupled with a three-hour period at room temperature before 4 C storage.

Analysis of individual CNS protein synthesis

A procedure for labeling rat CNS proteins in vivo which is useful for behavioral and pharmacological studies has been developed. Intraventricular administration of 35S-methionine through bilateral indwelling cannulae provided reproducible and highly specific radiolabeling of proteins from frontal cortex (FC), parietal cortex (PC), occipital cortex (OC), striatum (ST), septal nuclei (SN), amygdala (AM), hippocampus (HIP), thalamus (TH), brain stem (BS) and cerebellum (CB). Relative rates of synthesis of over 200 individual proteins were subsequently analyzed by 2DGE. Regional analysis demonstrated increased labeling of a protein of MW 28 kD and pI 6.4 in the hippocampus that was barely detectable in striatum of control rats. In heat-shocked animals, there was increased relative synthesis of the 74 kD Heat Shock Protein in both the septal nuclei and hippocampus.