In vitro biosynthesis of three sulfated glycoproteins of murine zonae pellucidae by oocytes grown in follicle culture

The zona pellucida is an extracellular glycocalyx that surrounds the growing oocyte and mediates specific biological functions essential to early mammalian development. We have isolated by a novel technique intact zonae pellucidae from a murine follicle culture system which mimics in vivo granulosa cell-oocyte interactions. Using radioactive precursors we have demonstrated that all three zona proteins, ZP-1, ZP-2, and ZP-3, are sulfated glycoproteins. Incubation of the follicle culture with tunicamycin (0.5 microgram/ml), an antibiotic that blocks N-glycosylation, inhibits new protein deposition in the zona. Under these same conditions overall protein synthesis is decreased only 30%. Biosynthetic studies indicate that after 6 days in culture the zona proteins are produced at 0.4 pg/oocyte/h, which represents 2-3% of the total oocyte protein synthesis. This synthesis stops at or before ovulation and the extremely long half-life (greater than 100 h) of the zona may be essential to preserve its known biological functions, all of which occur after ovulation.

Effect of pharmacological doses of estrogen on ovary-independent rat mammary carcinoma containing estrogen and progesterone receptors

Mammary carcinoma induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by multiple intragastric intubations of 7,12-dimethylbenz-(a)anthracene showed ovary-independent growth but contained estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (Yoshida, Yoshida. Fukunishi, Sato, Okamoto, and Matsumoto, Cancer Res., 42: 2434-2439, 1982). Transplantable carcinoma (MT6) was obtained from dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma and then maintained in male rats. MT6 tumors with ER grew equally well in males, females, gonadectomized males, males given injections of bromocryptine (1 mg/day) or lisuride hydrogen maleate (50 micrograms/day), and gonadectomized males receiving smaller doses of 17 beta-estradiol (1 to 100 micrograms/2 days). However, the growth of MT6 was inhibited markedly by injection of a very large amount of 17 beta-estradiol (1 mg/2 days). Although transplanted MT6 tumors were ductal carcinoma with cribriform pattern with ER, tumors recurring after injection with 1 mg 17 beta-estradiol were found to be spindle cell carcinoma without ER, which could grow equally well in recipients treated with or without 1 mg 17 beta-estradiol. These observations suggest that the growth of ovary-independent MT6 tumors with ER and progesterone receptors is inhibited only by pharmacological doses of estrogens and that the loss of growth-inhibiting effect of pharmacological doses of estrogen of MT6 tumors occurs during high-dose estrogen treatment.

The measurement of Ascaris suum protein by radioimmunoassay in sera from patients with helminthiasis and with gastrointestinal diseases

In this study, we have developed a reliable radioimmunoassay (RIA) for Ascaris suum protein (Asp) and have measured the serum concentration of Asp in control subjects and in patients with helminthiasis and a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. The cross-reactivities of Asp antibody with other helminth worm antigens were also measured by RIA. Ascaris lumbricoides contained approximately the same amount of Asp antigenic substance as did Ascaris suum. Toxocara canis had a high concentration of a substance partially cross-reactive with Asp. Small amounts of substance cross-reacting with Asp were also exhibited by Anisakis larvae, Schistosoma japonicum and Taenia saginata. However, no cross-reactivities of Fasciola hepatica and Paragonimus westermani with Asp were observed in this study. Almost all the serum levels of Asp from normal control subjects were below the sensitivity of this RIA (10 ng/ml). High concentrations of Asp were observed in sera from patients with ascariasis (64.5 +/- 18.8 ng/ml: mean +/- S.E.), anisakiasis (75.2 +/- 28.0 ng/ml), toxocariasis (78.4 +/- 31.3 ng/ml) and schistosomiasis japonica (14.3 +/- 3.4 ng/ml). Asp levels in sera from patients with other helminthiasis were not significantly high. From these findings, it was suggested that RIA for Asp may not be specific for diagnosis of ascariasis, but might be a suitable screening method for patients with some kinds of helminthiasis. Interestingly, high concentrations of Asp were also observed in sera from patients with ulcerative colitis (24.8 +/- 2.5 ng/ml) and Crohn's disease (19.8 +/- 5.2 ng/ml), but Asp levels from 7 other gastrointestinal diseases seemed not to be significantly high. These findings remain unexplained but may derive from cross-reactivities between helminthic and gut mucosal antigens.

Normal serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid

Serum calcium, phosphorus, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] were measured in 6 women and 2 men with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, 22 normal subjects, 5 patients with chronic renal failure, and 5 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Serum 1,25-(OH)2D levels were significantly higher in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and lower in patients with chronic renal failure than in normal subjects. In patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, the serum calcitonin levels were elevated, but the parathyroid hormone and 1,25-(OH)2D levels were within normal ranges. The serum 25OHD levels were not significantly different in any group. It is concluded that chronic elevation of serum calcitonin has no effect on the serum 1,25-(OH)2D level.

Effect of bone-derived growth factor on DNA, RNA, and proteoglycan synthesis in cultures of rabbit costal chondrocytes

Calvariae and chondrocytes in culture have been reported to release growth factors which stimulate bone and cartilage growth respectively. In the present studies, we examined the effects of bone-derived growth factor (BDGF) on DNA, RNA and proteoglycan synthesis in cultured rabbit chondrocytes. Two partially purified fractions of BDGF were tested, one with an approximate molecular weight (MW) of 20-30,000 and with greater activity on calvarial DNA labeling (BDGF I) and another with an approximate MW 6-13,000 and greater activity on bone collagen labeling (BDGF II). Both fractions had a similar effect and increased the incorporation of -3H-uridine into acid insoluble residues in chondrocytes and the incorporation of 35SO4(2-), 3H-glucosamine and 3H-serine into proteoglycans. However, BDGF II had a greater stimulatory effect on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine than BDGF I. These findings suggest that factor(s) released by bone cells are capable of stimulating cartilage metabolism and growth.

Immunogenic properties of two types of sea-squirt antigens

Two antisera were prepared in rabbits against substantially purified preparations of sea-squirt antigens, Gi-rep and Ei-M, which were apparently discriminated from each other in antigenic behavior in radioimmunoassay experiments. Radioimmunometric analysis of the interaction between the two anti-sea-squirt sera and the two antigens revealed that Gi-rep induced in rabbit only one type of antibody (type A) which reacted with Gi-rep and Ei-M in common, while Ei-M induced not only type A antibody having the common reactivity but also another antibody (type B) which was strictly specific to Ei-M. This observation supported the preceding suggestion that Gi-rep and Ei-M carried a common antigenic determinant (type alpha) but that Ei-M had an additional determinant (type beta) specific to Ei-M. In this connection, in view of the similarity of type A antibody in specificity to the blocking antibody induced in asthmatic patients with sea-squirt allergy on hyposensitization therapy with these antigen preparations, it was suggested that the presumed allergenic substance in sea-squirt also carries the type alpha determinant.

Histopathological study of early lesions of pancreatoduodenal cancer

The early lesions of pancreatoduodenal cancer, which was defined as those in which the site of origin is confined in a single certain anatomical part and the mode of early extension can be pursued, were found in 28 of 52 surgical specimens examined; 12 in the pancreatic portion of the common bile duct (PCBD), 12 in the common channel, 1 each in the terminal portion of the common bile duct and the terminal portion of the pancreatic duct, and 2 in the peripapillary zone of the duodenum. There were roughly two types of tumor growth; one annular flat-raised, histologically scirrhous tubular adenocarcinoma, principally found in PCBD and the other polypoid, histologically papillary or papillotubular adenocarcinoma, found everywhere. The staining properties of mucin was of no value in differential diagnosis for the site of origin. One typical carcinoid was observed in PCBD. The surface spread of carcinoma beyond the originating part was seen in 10 cases (36%), lymphatic invasion in 23 cases (82%), node metastasis in 9 cases (32%), and venous invasion in 6 cases (21%). Only 2 cases were mucosal carcinomas. From these figures it can be concluded that the carcinoma of this region is of high grade malignancy.

Effect of taurine on the gastrointestinal absorption of drugs--ionic requirement for the action

In order to resolve the mechanism of taurine-induced enhancement of drug absorption, the effect of ionic components of the luminal solutions on drug absorption was examined by using the loop of rat stomach in situ. K+ has its remarkable influence on the control values of aspirin absorption. The control values, at and above 25 mM already reached to a nearly corresponding degree as that of taurine-induced enhancement, resulting in apparent disappearance of enhancement effect. On the other hand, the action of taurine on salicylamide absorption is revealed to be K+ concentration-dependent, whereas all the control values remain fairly constant. Moreover, at the higher concentration of 10 mM, aspirin absorption turned out to be significantly inhibited in the presence of taurine, and this finding is supposed to be attributed to the protection of taurine against aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage. On the contrary, salicylamide absorption was greatly enhanced. All these results clearly support that the mechanism of action of taurine toward both drugs should be separately considered.

5 beta- and 5 alpha-reductases for 4-ene-3-ketosteroids in golden hamster ovaries at different stages of development

Ovarian homogenates from 10-, 23- 128- and 60-day-old golden hamsters were incubated with [14C]-4-androstene-3,17-dione or [7-3H]-progesterone in the presence of NADPH and enzyme activities and metabolism of progesterone were estimated. A rapid increase in uterine weight was found around 28 days of age. The activity of 5 alpha-reductase was very high in the ovaries of 23-day-old hamsters (647 +/- 117 (SD) nmol/g tissue/h), high in those of 28-day-old hamsters (135 +/- 4) and low in those of 10- and 60-day-old animals (20 +/- 16, 39 +/- 11). However, the activity of 5 beta-reductase was high in all ovaries of golden hamsters at different stages of development (84-132 nmol/g tissue/h). The major C-21-17-hydroxysteroids and C19-steroids formed from progesterone by the ovaries of 23-day-old hamsters were 5 alpha-steroids such as 3 alpha, 17-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one and androsterone, whereas those by the ovaries of 28- and 60-day-old hamsters were 4-ene-3-ketosteroids and 5 beta- and 5 alpha-steroids such as 17-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione. 3 alpha, 17-dihydroxy-5 alpha- and 5 beta-pregnan-20-one, 4-androstene-3,17-dione, testosterone and androsterone. The formation of oestradiol-17 beta and oestrone from progesterone was found only in the ovaries of 38- and 60-day-old hamsters. These results show that similarly high levels of 5 beta-reductase are present in all ovaries from suckling, immature and adult golden hamsters and that high levels of 5 alpha-reductase are formed only in ovaries from immature hamsters, especially those with small uterus. The active 5 alpha-reduction of 4-ene-3-ketosteroids may be responsible for the decrease in the formation of oestrogens in immature hamster ovaries.

Somatomedin-like peptide(s) isolated from fetal bovine cartilage (cartilage-derived factor): isolation and some properties

Fetal bovine cartilage contains a polypeptide(s) that has somatomedin-like effects on rat and rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture. This factor, named the cartilage-derived factor, was extracted from fetal bovine cartilage, fractionated with acetone, and purified by gel filtration on Toyopearl HW 55-F in 4 M guanidine hydrochloride, preparative isoelectric focusing, and subsequent gel filtration on Toyopearl HW 55-F in 1 M formic acid. The resulting preparation, which focused in the neutral pH region and eluted from a Toyopearl column in a fraction with apparent Mr 10,000--11,000, appeared homogenous by NaDodSO4 gel electrophoresis. The purified preparation markedly enhanced not only proteoglycan synthesis but also DNA synthesis in rabbit costal chondrocytes and, on a protein basis, it was 1000 times more active than insulin and 1,000,000 times more active than fetal calf serum in stimulating proteoglycan synthesis.

Multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) and cartilage-derived factor (CDF): biological actions in cultured chondrocytes

Previously, we showed that a polypeptide isolated from fetal bovine cartilage stimulates proteoglycan synthesis, RNA synthesis, and DNA synthesis in cultured rabbit costal chondrocytes. In the present study, the effects of the cartilage-derived factor (CDF) were compared with those of multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA), which is thought to be included in somatomedins. CDF and MSA markedly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into rabbit costal chondrocytes from 7--14 h after their additions. The incorporation of [3H]uridine was also increased within 1--2 h in the cells incubated with the peptides. These stimulations of nucleic acid syntheses were followed by cell division in serum-free culture medium. On the other hand, the peptides enhanced the synthesis of sulfated proteoglycans within 7 h. Furthermore, the extent of stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis, as measured in terms of increased incorporation of [35S]sulfate, [3H]glucosamine, or [3H]serine into material precipitated with cetylpyridinium chloride, was consistently higher than the extent of CDF or MSA stimulation of total protein synthesis, as measured in terms of increased incorporation of [3H]serine into acid-insoluble cellular material. These findings suggest that the stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis by CDF and MSA is not directly linked to the peptide-induced stimulation of cell proliferation. The present study also showed that CDF is as effective as MSA in stimulating various metabolic indices in cultured chondrocytes at their optimal concentrations.

Isolation of antigenically active components from leptospiral serovar-specific lipopolysaccharide antigen by alkaline treatment

The serovar-specific main antigen (TM antigen) of Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola, which as lipopolysaccharide properties, was treated with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide. This treatment degraded the antigen into two major antigenic components, one of high and one of low molecular weight. The component with the lower molecular weight (approximately 4,000 daltons) consisted mainly of carbohydrates, having lost almost all of the fatty acid and protein components of the original antigen. Although the substance lacked immunoprecipitable activity, it continued to show serovar-specific inhibitory potency in a radioimmunoassay system as well as in a microscopic immunoagglutination reaction of the organisms. The antigenic activity of the compound was also reduced by periodate oxidation as was that of the TM antigen. A component with the same chemical and physicochemical properties was also produced by alkaline treatment from a different serotype TM antigen (serovar kremastos Kyoto), but it showed no antigenic activity.

Developmental alteration in RNA metabolism of E1 mouse brain

The contents of brain RNA rose rapidly until 14 days after birth and then dropped. They were lower in the E1 than in the non-convulsive mice between 56 and 100 days of life. The contents of acid-soluble UMP and their specific radioactivities, three hours after an intracranial injection of [3 H]-orotic acid, were not different in the same age of E1 and non-convulsive mouse brains. From four to 20 days after birth, the specific and relative specific radioactivities, representing the ratio of brain RNA synthesis, of the E1 mice were lower than those of the non-convulsive strains, while the E1 mice, applying convulsions once a week, exhibited higher values during the periods from 56 to 100 days of age as compared with the non-stimulated E1 or non-convulsive strains.