Pure red cell aplasia following irradiation of an asymptomatic thymoma

An unusual case of pure red-cell aplasia (PRCA) developed sixteen days after irradiation of an asymptomatic thymoma. After removal of the encapsulated thymoma there was no improvement in the anemia, and no response to adrenocortical and anabolic steroid hormones or immunosuppressive agents.

Ferensimycins A and B. Two polyether antibiotics. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, characterization and structural studies

Ferensimycin A* (I), C34H59O10Na, mp 133 approximately 135 degrees C, and ferensimycin B** (II), C35H61O10Na, mp 143 approximately 145 degrees C, were isolated as their sodium salts from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. No. 5057, a strain similar to Streptomyces myxogenes Shomura et al. The physicochemical data of I and II showed that they are both closely related congeners of lysocellin (III). Ferensimycins A and B exhibit activity against Gram-positive bacteria and are effective in the treatment of coccidiosis of fowl.

Sex steroid receptors in diverse human tumors

The estrogen receptor was assayed in 8 intracranial meningiomas, 14 lung cancers, 3 thymomas and 2 malignant lymphomas using the dextran-charcoal method. Progesterone and androgen receptors were also assayed in all the cases of lung cancer. The estrogen receptor assay was positive in 3 meningiomas, 2 lung cancers, and all thymomas and malignant lymphomas. The androgen receptor assay was positive in one case of lung cancer but the progesterone receptor was negative in all assayed cases. No cases showed multiple receptor positivity. An antiestrogen (tamoxifen) was administered to one case each of intracranial meningioma and lung cancer with positive estrogen receptor. The receptor content was decreased to an undetectable level in the former after 4 months of administration. This finding suggests the estrogen dependency of the tumor. The lung cancer patient, however, died 2 weeks later without any evidence of hormone dependency.

Cloning of the regulatory genes (ompR and envZ) for the matrix proteins of the Escherichia coli outer membrane

We have cloned the regulatory gene cluster of Escherichia coli which is composed of at least two distinct genes, ompR and envZ. These genes are known to regulate the production of the outer membrane matrix proteins. The newly formed plasmids were found to complement not only ompR mutations but also envZ mutations. The ompR gene product was identified as a protein of an apparent molecular weight of 28,500.

The peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of the Proteus mirabilis outer membrane: characterization of the peptidoglycan-associated region of PAL

The peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) is present in the cell envelope in a form closely, but not covalently, associated with peptidoglycan in various Gram-negative bacteria. When the cell envelope or the isolated peptidoglycan-PAL complex from Proteus mirabilis, in which PAL maintains the interaction with peptidoglycan, was digested with trypsin, a polypeptide fragment with molecular weight 11,000 (11 K fragment) was obtained. However, when isolated PAL or the 11 K-fragment which had been dissociated from peptidoglycan was treated with trypsin, they were further digested. The 11 K-fragment maintained essentially the same tight interaction with peptidoglycan as intact PAL. These results indicate that the 11 K-fragment is probably derived from the peptidoglycan-associated region of the PAL molecule. The purified 11 K-fragment contained neither covalently-linked fatty acid nor glycerylcysteine, which are known to be present at the N-terminus of PAL. The N-terminal sequence of the 11 K-fragment was also determined.

Differential response of type I and type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in submandibular gland of isoproterenol-treated rats

The cytosolic protein kinase isozymes were studied in relation to the secretion of saliva and the proliferative process induced by isoproterenol. At the same time as salivary secretion began, cytosolic protein kinase was activated and, in the absence of cyclic AMP, increased to a maximum level at 10 min after administration of the drug. The active state of the enzyme was maintained for 1-2 h. Chromatographic analysis of the cytosol enzyme revealed that in an activated state type II kinase easily dissociates into the catalytic and regulatory subunits while type I kinase hardly dissociates. Thus we conclude that type I kinase, at least in submandibular gland, is less dissociable in the presence of cyclic AMP than type II kinase but highly active in a ternary complex (R2-4 cAMP-C2). The presence of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase, which co-chromatographed with protein kinase II, was demonstrated by use of a heat-stable inhibitor from bovine muscle, which totally inhibited the cyclic AMP-dependent enzymes, but stimulated the cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase. The level of protein kinase I decreased to its lowest value, about half that of the control value, at 10 h after isoproterenol injection and then increased slightly at 15 h, whereas type II kinase remained virtually unchanged, suggesting that the two protein kinase isozymes are independently regulated in the proliferating cells.

Effects of Lubricant Viscosity at Pressure and Sliding Velocity on Lubricating Conditions in the Compression-Friction Test on Sheet Metals

To measure friction on the die-workpiece interface, sheet specimens of soft copper were first subjected to plastic compression in plane strain, and then one of the platens was slid in the direction of sheet width. With lower viscosity lubricants and lower sliding speeds, depressed flat portions and discrete oil pits were evident on the worked surfaces. With lubricants of higher viscosity under pressure and higher sliding speeds, “microscopic plasto-hydrodynamic interactions” operated to diminish oil pits and to increase the thickness of boundary films on the flat portions. The frictional stress increased almost logarithmically with the product of viscosity under pressure and sliding speed.

Mesenchymal control over elongating and branching morphogenesis in salivary gland development

Recombination of the epithelium and mesenchyme between quail anterior submaxillary gland (elongating type) and quail anterior lingual or mouse submaxillary gland (branching type) was effected in vitro to clarify whether the elongating morphogenesis was directed by the epithelial or the mesenchymal component. Quail anterior submaxillary epithelium recombined with quail anterior lingual or mouse submaxillary mesenchyme came to branch. Conversely, quail anterior lingual or 12-day mouse submaxillary epithelium recombined with quail anterior submaxillary mesenchyme came to elongate, though the mesenchyme was less effective with 13-day mouse submaxillary epithelium. These results suggest that the elongating or branching morphogenesis of quail salivary glands is controlled by the mesenchyme.

Application of a gas chromatography mass spectrometry computer system for clinical diagnosis

Currently, one of the major clinical problems is diagnosis of inherited metabolic disorders in neonates which are caused by a defect of specific enzymes. In order to diagnose such diseases at an earlier stage, we have developed a new mass screening method, consisting of a gas chromatography mass spectrometry computer system with a newly developed 'Diagnosis Computer Program'. In this program, the chromatographic pattern of the urine of a patient with an inherited metabolic disorder is compared with that of a normal person. Internal standards are applied to simplify the comparison. The total ion current chromatogram is drawn with the relative retention times plotted on the horizontal axis and the relative intensities on the vertical axis. Diseases are diagnosed by characteristics and quantity of abnormal compounds in the urine. Reference to the stored mass spectra of abnormal compounds by a library search enables the diagnosis to be more precise. Using this program, twenty-six inherited metabolic disorders are routinely diagnosed. The diagnosis of tyrosinosis is used here as an example.

Structure of the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of the Proteus mirabilis outer membrane. II. Sequence of the amino-terminal part of the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein

The amino acid of the lipooligopeptide (LOP) derived from the N-terminal region of the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of Proteus mirabilis was determined to be [X]-Ser-Ser-Asn-Lys. An unidentified compound[X] present at the N-terminus was identified as glycerylcysteine [S-(propane-2,'3'-diol)-3-thio, 2-amino-propanoic acid]. The partial amino acid sequence of the lipopolypeptide (LPP), which contained the lipooligopeptide (LOP) at its N-terminal part, was also determined, mainly by Edman-degradation. The structure of the N-terminal part of PAL was determined to be [3 Fatty acids approximately glycerylcysteine-Ser-Ser-Asn-Lys-Asn-Asp-Asp-Glu-Thr-Asp-Thr-Ser...]. The structure of PAL is discussed in comparison with Braun's lipoprotein.

Structure of the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of the Proteus mirabilis outer membrane. I. Isolation and characterization of fatty acid-containing peptides from PAL

In the outer membrane of P. mirabilis, a peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of apparent molecular weight 18,000 is present as a major protein. A fatty acid-containing polypeptide (lipopolypeptide; LPP) was isolated by digestion of the purified PAL with trypsin in the presence of 0.05% SDS. It was composed of 31 amino acid residues, an unidentified compound[X], and ca. 3 fatty acid residues. A lipooligopeptide (LOP) was also isolated after further digestion of LPP with trypsin in the absence of SDS. LOP was composed of 4 amino acid residues (Asx, 2Ser, Lys), a compound[X], and ca. 3 fatty acid residues. The C-terminal amino acids of LPP and LOP were determined as arginine and lysine, respectively. On the other hand, the N-terminus of PAL, LPP, or LOP could not be identified by conventional N-terminal analysis of PAL, LPP, or LOP could not be identified by conventional N-terminal analysis, indicating that the N-terminus is probably masked. These results indicate that LPP and LOP are derived from the fatty-attached amino terminal region of PAL.

Investigation of the heterogeneity of heterogalactan from the fruit bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola, by employing concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography

A heterogalactan was isolated from the hot water extract of fruit bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola by a combination of fractionation procedures including precipitation with ethanol and with Cetavlon, and chromatography on columns of DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. Despite its apparent homogeneity on gel filtration, zone electrophoresis, sedimentation equilibration, and immunodiffusion analyses, the neutral component of heterogalactan was further fractionated into unbound, weakly bound, and strongly bound forms by affinity chromatography on a column of concanavalin A-Sepharose CL 4B. The former two polysaccharides fractions eluted with 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) were found to be a fucogalactan and a mannofucogalactan, respectively. A more tightly bound fraction (mannofucogalactan) was subsequently eluted with 0.1 M glucose in 1 M NaCl. The results of methylation, complete Smith degradation, and proton and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses indicated that the three kinds of heterogalactans are all highly branched polysaccharides containing a framework of (1 leads to 6)-linked alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residues, the C-2 positions of which are substituted in different proportions with either single L-fucopyranosyl residues or disaccharide units of 3-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-L-fucopyranose residues.

A novel peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) found in the outer membrane of Proteus mirabilis and other Gram-negative bacteria

A novel peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) was found in the cell envelope of Proteus mirabilis. This protein showed the following properties: (1) The apparent molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel was 18,000. (2) The protein was present in the cell envelope in a form very closely, but not covalently, associated with the peptidoglycan layer. (3) The protein was recovered predominantly from the outer membrane fraction after separation of the cell envelopes. (4) [1-14C]Palmitic acid and [2-3H]glycerol were incorporated into the protein. (5) The protein contained covalently linked fatty acids (about 3 mol of fatty acid per mol of protein). (6) An unidentified compound was present in the hydrolysate of the protein. These properties, except for molecular weight and non-covalent association with the peptidoglycan, showed resemblance to those of Braun's lipoprotein. However the protein was distinct from Braun's lipoprotein in regard to amino acid composition. A similar peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) was present widely in the cell envelopes of various Gram-negative bacteria. P. mirabilis contains about twelve times as much PAL as Escherichia coli. Antiserum against PAL of P. mirabilis was cross-reactive against PAL of E. coli, but not against Braun's lipoprotein of E. coli.

Purification and characterization of embryonic chicken pepsinogen, a unique pepsinogen with large molecular weight

An embryo-specific pepsinogen was isolated from the proventriculi of 15-day-old chicken embryos and purified by means of fractionation with ammonium sulfate, filtration on Sephadex G-100, and chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and hydroxyapatite. The properties of this pepsinogen and pepsin derived from it were compared with those of an adult-specific chicken pepsinogen and its pepsin. Though the optimal pH and alkali-stability were similar in the two pepsinogens, molecular weight, sensitivity to pepstatin, and antigenicity were quite different. Among the properties of this embryo-specific pepsinogen, the large molecular weight (56,000 for pepsinogen and 53,000 for pepsin) is especially noteworthy, since the molecular weights of the known pepsinogens of mammals and birds fall into the range of 35,000-48,000.

Prostatic induction: interaction of epithelium and mesenchyme from normal wild-type mice and androgen-insensitive mice with testicular feminization

The prostate gland develops from the urogenital sinus as epithelial buds projecting into the surrounding mesenchyme. The role of the mesenchyme in this process was determined using sinuses from normal and androgen-insensitive Tfm mice which are deficient in androgen receptors. Epithelium and mesenchyme from both types of sinus were separated and recombined and the recombinants grown in organ culture in the presence of testosterone. Recombinants consisting of normal epithelium and normal mesenchyme developed epithelial buds projecting into the surrounding mesenchyme but no buds were formed in recombinants of epithelium and mesenchyme from mutant mice. In recombinants of epithelium from mutant mice with normal mesenchyme the epithelium developed prostatic buds and the number was similar to that found if normal epithelium was associated with normal mesenchyme. In contrast, normal epithelium combined with mesenchyme from mutant mice failed to form prostatic buds. The results suggested that the mesenchyme determines the development of prostatic buds and that the lack of inductive capacity of the mesenchyme from mutant mice may be due to a deficiency of mesenchymal androgen receptors.

Purificaton and characterization of a pepsinogen and its pepsin from proventriculus of the Japanese quail

A crude extract of the proventriculus of the Japanese quail gave at least five bands of peptic activity at pH 2.2 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The main component, constituting about 40% of the total acid protease activity, was purified to homogeneity by hydroxyapatite and DEAE-Sepharose column chromatographies. At below pH 4.0, the pepsinogen was converted to a pepsin, which had the same electrophoretic mobility as one of the five bands of peptic activity present in the crude extract. The molecular weights of the pepsinogen and the pepsin were 40 000 and 36 000, respectively. Quail pepsin was stable in alkali up to pH 8.5. The optimal pH of the pepsin on hemoglobin was pH 3.0. The pepsin had about half the milk-clotting activity of purified porcine pepsin, but the pepsinogen itself had no activity. The hydrolytic activity of quail pepsin on N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-3,5-diiodo-L-tyrosine was about 1% of that of porcine pepsin. Among the various protease inhibitors tested, only pepstatin inhibited the proteolytic activity of the pepsin. The amino acid composition of quail pepsinogen was found to be rather similar to that of chick pepsinogen C, and these two pepsinogens possessed common antigenicity.

Antagonistic effects of cyproterone acetate and oestradiol on the development of the fetal rat prostate gland induced by androgens in organ culture

The influence of cyproterone acetate and 17beta-estradiol on the induction of the rat prostate gland by androgens has been investigated in organ culture. The gland develops from its "anlage," the urogenital sinus, as epithelial buds projecting from the urogenital epithelium into the surrounding mesenchyme. In 16.5-day-old male sinuses explanted in organ culture, testosterone or dihydrotestosterone induced such buds de novo; cyproterone acetate or 17beta-estradiol combined with the androgens competitively inhibit the bud formation in most explants. In contrast, in 18.5-day male sinuses both anti-androgens are ineffective, and prostatic buds develop. The difference in response suggests that in the older tissue, exposure to endogenous testosterone before explantation has already set in motion events leading to the differentiation of the gland that are irreversible.

Influence of molecular size and osmolarity of sugars and dextrans on the synthesis of outer membrane proteins O-8 and O-9 of Escherichia coli K-12

Supplementation of the growth medium with high concentrations of sugars or low-molecular-weight dextrans results in a drastic change in the ratio of outer membrane proteins O-8 and O-9, due to induction of O-8 synthesis and suppression of O-9 synthesis. Sugars and dextrans of molecular weights greater than 600 to 700 switched the synthesis of O-9 to that of O-8 more effectively than those of lower molecular weight, although the effect was almost the same within each of the two groups irrespective of the differences in molecular weight within the group. Proteins O-8 or O-9, or both, are responsible for the formation of pores that allow the passive diffusion of hydrophilic molecules whose molecular weights are smaller than about 600 (T. Nakae, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 71:877-884, 1976). The results indicate that substances that cannot pass through the outer membrane switch the synthesis of O-9 to that of O-8 more effectively than those that can penetrate this membrane with the aid of O-8, O-9, or both. It is suggested that the osmotic pressure exerted on the outer membrane plays an important role in the regulation of synthesis of the two proteins.

Metabolism of testosterone by the epithelium and mesenchyme of the rat urogenital sinus

Testosterone metabolism was measured in separated epithelium and mesenchyme from the urogenital sinuses of 17- and 19-day-old male and female rat embryos and compared with testosterone metabolism in the intact sinus. Both the epithelium and the mesenchyme converted testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The epithelium produced much more androstanedione and androsterone but less 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstanediol than did the mesenchyme. The whole sinus synthesized all four metabolites, but in different proportions, producing relatively more androsterone than either of its two component tissues. These data suggest that androsterone is formed by the joint action of epithelium and mesenchyme. Metabolism of testosterone did not differ with sex or foetal age in either of the separated tissues or in the intact sinus, implying that the failure of urogenital mesenchyme from 19-day-old female foetuses to induce prostatic morphogenesis is not due to the loss of 5 alpha-reductase. It is suggested that this lack of inductive capacity may be attributable to a decline in androgen levels with age in female mesenchyme.

Isolation and characterization of major outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO with special reference to peptidoglycan-associated protein

The outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO contains six major proteins (proteins D, E, F, G,H, and I). Two of them (protein F and protein H) were found to be retained by the peptidoglycan layer when cell envelopes were extracted with 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution at 35 degrees C. At higher temperature (greater than 55 degrees C), no proteins were retained by peptidoglycan. By making use of this property, purification of protein F and protein H was achieved. Three other major outer membrane proteins, D, E, and I were also isolated and characterized. Their amino acids compositions were determined. Circular dichroism spectra of these isolated proteins were measured in SDS solution. Protein F was rich in beta-structure, while protein I was rich in alpha-helix. When isolated protein F was heated (100 degrees C-15 min) in SDS solution, the circular dichroism spectrum changed significantly. In parallel with the conformational change, the electrophoretic mobility of protein F on urea-SDS polyacrylamide gel also changed. These results indicate that protein F is a so-called heat-modifiable protein.

A novel peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein found in the cell envelope of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli

Protein H, one of the major outer membrane proteins Pseudomonas aeruginosa, shows an interesting interaction with the peptidoglycan layer of the cell. It is retained by peptidoglycan after extraction of the cell envelope with SDS solution at 35 degrees C. A protein of the same molecular weight (21,000) as protein H was found in the peptidoglycan-associated fraction of Escherichia coli K-12 prepared under the same conditions. This protein, designated here as protein 21K, was purified from the cell envelope of E. coli, and the properties of two proteins (protein H and protein 21K) were compared. By gas chromatographic analysis of purified protein 21K and protein H, it was found that both contained covalently linked fatty acid. In isotopic labeling experiments, [14C]palmitic acid and [2-3H]glycerol were incorported into both proteins H and 21K. These two proteins showed similar amino acid compositions, but no apparent correlation was found between protein 21K or protein H and Braun's lipoprotein. These results suggest that protein 21K of E. coli K-12 and protein H of P. aeruginosa PAO are a novel type of lipoprotein. All nine gram-negative bacteria tested, including enteric and non-enteric bacteria, contained a similar protein of apparent molecular weight 21,000 as a peptidoglycan-protein complex.

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in differentiation of stomach epithelium in fetal mice

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during development of the forestomach and glandular stomach in fetal mice were investigated by recombination experiments in vitro. Stomach epithelium could not survive when cultivated alone, but its development was supported by the presence of homologous or heterologous mesenchyme. The developmental fate of the epithelium was not affected by recombination with heterologous mesenchyme, but the expression of epithelial differentiation was influenced by the type of mesenchyme. The rate of keratinization of the forestomach epithelium was significantly greater on recombination with homologous mesenchyme than on recombination with heterologous mesenchyme. Moreover, the rate of formation of glandular structures in the glandular stomach epithelium was significantly greater on recombination with 16.5-day stomach mesenchyme than on recombination with 14.5- or 18.5-day stomach mesenchyme.

Role of the mesenchyme in the induction of the rat prostate gland by androgens in organ culture

Rat prostate glands are induced de novo by androgens in 16·5-day-old male and female urogenital sinuses in vitro as epithelial buds projecting into the surrounding mesenchyme. The role of the mesenchyme in this process has been investigated in various epithelial-mesenchymal recombinations in organ culture.

Isolated epithelium did not form buds but required the presence of the mesenchyme to do so. This requirement seemed to be specific; in the presence of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone only urogenital mesenchyme increased cell division in the urogenital epithelium and stimulated prostatic bud formation. In contrast, heterotypic mesenchyme did not affect epithelial mitosis and failed to induce buds while heterotypic epithelia did not respond to urogenital mesenchyme.

In recombinants of urogenital mesenchyme pretreated with androgen and untreated urogenital epithelium, grown in androgen-free medium, the majority of explants developed prostatic buds while only a few buds were formed from epithelium pretreated with androgen when it was recombined with untreated mesenchyme.

The role of the mesenchyme in the loss of androgen responsiveness of the older female sinuses was examined in heterochronic recombinants. It was found that the old female mesenchyme failed to induce buds in young epithelium while young male or female mesenchymes induced them in the old female epithelium.

The results suggest that the urogenital mesenchyme is essential for the initiation of the foetal rat prostate gland and that it may be a target for androgens and complement or mediate their effect on the epithelium.

Changes in molecular species of pepsinogens in the development of the chick

The potential peptic activity of the chick forestomach increases rapidly at the time of hatching. Together with this, the electrophoretic pattern of the pepsinogens shifts to the adult type. These changes take place even under the complete starvation of a newly hatch chick.

Self-mutilation and sleep stage in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Correlation of self-mutilation and sleep stage in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome was studied by a polygraphic method. Five patients and three control boys were monitored with EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG and respiration throughout the night. The results were as follows: 1. The sleep-time of the patients was much disturbed during the night. 2. Decreased REM density was noticed with low DQ of the patients. 3. Self-mutilation during sleep-time was observed a lot in stages 1, 2, and REM in two cases. 4. No correlation was observed between body movement and self-mutilation in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. These data suggested functional disorders of the frontal lobe in the patients.