Impairment of GABAA receptor function by N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated calcium influx in isolated CA1 pyramidal cells

Mechanisms of regulation of GABAA receptor function by intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) were examined in cell somata and apical dendrites of pyramidal cells, acutely dissociated from the CA1 hippocampal subfield of adult guinea-pigs. GABAA receptor-mediated currents were measured by whole-cell clamp recordings. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents were used as conditioning source of calcium influx. Peak amplitudes of somatic GABAA whole-cell currents were reduced to about 15% of control values when net inward charge accumulation by N-methyl-D-aspartate currents reached 1.85 nC. A similar decline of GABAA currents was observed in dendritic recordings. The N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated reduction of somatic and dendritic GABAA currents was accompanied by a well correlated decrease in peak and chord conductances. Pharmacological blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate currents by 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid prevented the N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses. The N-methyl-D-aspartate effect was mediated by the calcium component of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents as demonstrated by a lack of effect in the absence of extracellular calcium and faster N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses in lower intracellular 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N"-tetra-acetate. N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA currents was significantly less expressed when intracellular ATP was replaced by its analog adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and when the specific phosphatase 2B inhibitor cypermethrin was added intracellularly. The reduction of GABAA responses persisted after cessation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated calcium influx, indicating a long-term action of N-methyl-D-aspartate on GABAA responses. Voltage-activated calcium currents did not affect GABAA responses under the experimental conditions applied. In conclusion, the data presented show that calcium influxes through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels result in long-term suppression of GABAA receptor function in CA1 pyramidal cells. Intracellular mechanisms of N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated reduction of GABAA conductances involve activation of phosphatase 2B and consecutive dephosphorylation of the GABAA receptor or a closely associated GABAA receptor-regulating enzyme. Possible mechanisms of such a distinct N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent calcium signalling pathway in the dephosphorylation-dependent suppression or GABAA receptor function are discussed.

Interactions of both melittin and its site-specific mutants with bacteriorhodopsin of Halobacterium halobium: sites of electrostatic interaction on melittin

Melittin and its site-specific mutants differentially delay the slow-decaying component of the photocycle intermediate M412 of bacteriorhodopsin in the purple membrane and the acetylated purple membrane whose several lysine residues are modified. This effect is attributed to the interaction of the total positive charges of melittin or its mutants with the total negative charges of bacteriorhodopsin. The effects of melittin and its mutants on the Triton X-100-solubilized bacteriorhodopsin monomers are somewhat complicated but are associated with their charges. These results show that there is electrostatic interaction between bacteriorhodopsin and melittin and that both N- and C-termini of melittin function as sites of the interaction, with Arg 22 and Arg 24 making a prominent contribution to the effective surface charge of melittin. Melittin, at certain concentrations, partially restores the decreased photoactivity of the bacteriorhodopsin monomers trapped in the Triton-lipid-protein mixed micelles, which suggests that melittin may compete with Triton X-100 for the binding sites on the bacteriorhodopsin monomers. Other kinds of interactions between bacteriorhodopsin and melittin are also indicated. The possible states of melittin in membranes are discussed.

[Molecular cytogenetic study of Turner's syndrome with the 45, X/46,X,r(?) karyotype]

Two small marker chromosomes were identified as X-derived ring chromosomes by using the high-resolution banding technique and in situ hybridization with a radioactively labelled human X-chromosome-specific satellite DNA probe. This procedure clearly determined the origin of the marker chromosome, which had been impossible using conventional cytogenetic techniques. The clinical significance of this work is briefly discussed.

Characterization of a mitogen-response unit in the mouse lactoferrin gene promoter

Lactoferrin is present in a variety of tissues and biological fluids; however, the amount differs significantly due to differential expressions. We have previously demonstrated that the mouse lactoferrin gene is regulated by estrogen through an estrogen-response DNA element located at -349, upstream from the transcription start site (+1). In this report, we characterized by deletion and mutation analyses a cluster of mitogen-response elements located between -80 and -40 of the mouse lactoferrin promoter. We demonstrated that the chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter constructs (the -103 to +1 sequence of the mouse lactoferrin gene) containing the mitogen-response unit of the lactoferrin gene were stimulated by cAMP, forskolin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, and epidermal growth factor/recombinant transforming growth factor-alpha (EGF/TGF-alpha) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The sequence at position -52 to -40 (mLF-CRE) of the gene conferred transcriptional activation in the presence of forskolin, cyclic AMP, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in transiently transfected human endometrium carcinoma RL95-2 cells, whereas the region at -80 to -60 responded to EGF/TGF-alpha stimulation. Overexpression of the catalytic unit of protein kinase C or protein kinase A in the RL95-2 cells elevated the chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase activity of the reporter construct 5-6-fold. The mobility shift assay suggested that AP1 and CREB or related proteins participated in complex formation with the mLF-CRE, whereas different proteins bound to the EGF/TGF-alpha-response element.

Regional distribution of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and protein mass in the ocular lens

We have attempted to map the regional distribution of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) enzyme activity and protein mass along the radial axis of the ocular lens. Because lens plasma membrane is extremely rich in cholesterol and the lens must synthesize this cholesterol, the activity of HMGR could be a key factor controlling lens membrane formation. Lenses of young rats were divided into discrete fractions by gradual dissolution in a tergitol-containing buffer; each fraction was then equated to a specific arc of the radius based upon its protein content. Aliquots of each fraction were assayed for HMGR enzyme activity and protein mass. Relative protein mass was quantitatively estimated by Western blotting using a monoclonal antibody to HMGR with immunoreactivity detected by enhanced chemiluminescence. Lens HMGR possessed a molecular mass of about 97 kDa and localized in the cell's insoluble fraction. Peak levels of both HMGR enzyme activity and protein mass were found in the outer 5% of the lens radius; levels of both decreased precipitously from there to the outer 10% radius mark. This distribution paralleled synthesis of the membrane's cholesterol, phospholipid, and intrinsic protein. We conclude that the abrupt cessation of plasma membrane synthesis in the ocular lens could involve loss of HMGR activity over a narrow arc of the lens radius, and that this activity loss is due to disappearance of enzyme protein.

Structure-refinement program for disordered carbons

An automated structure-refinement program has been developed for X-ray powder diffraction data collected on disordered carbons. The program minimizes the difference between the observed and calculated diffraction profiles in a least-squares sense by optimizing model parameters analogously to the popular Rietveld refinement method. Unlike the Rietveld method, which is designed for crystalline materials, this program allows the quantification of the finite size, strain and disorder present in disordered carbon fibers and cokes. For example, the structural model used includes the probability of a random translation parallel to adjacent carbon layers as a refinable parameter describing turbostratic disorder. Other parameters are used to describe finite size, fluctuations in the spacing between adjacent layers, average lattice constants, background and other important quantities. The structural model, combined with the refinement program, acceptably describes the diffraction patterns from disordered carbons such as pitch heated near 823 K, cokes, fibers, heat-treated cokes and synthetic graphite.

Antioxidant properties of fractions and polyphenol constituents from green, oolong and black teas

Green, oolong and black teas were extracted with water, and then the water extracts were extracted separately with three types of solvent, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol, to obtain eight fractions. Major flavanol was extracted by EtOAc, while most of the alkaloid was in the chloroform fraction. Thearubigin was greatest in the butanol fraction, and most of the amino acid remained in the water fraction. All fractions were systematically analyzed by UV spectrophotometer and reverse phase HPLC for those important components existing in green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. The pure compounds of (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate-A, theaflavin monogallate-B, and theaflavin digallate were separated by LH-20 chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. All fractions and pure compounds were assayed for antioxidant activity and lipoxygenase inhibition activity. Flavanol showed very strong antioxidant activity and lipoxygenase inhibition.

The risk of osteoarthritis with running and aging: a 5-year longitudinal study

Our purpose was to determine the 5-year longitudinal effects of running and aging on the development of radiographic and clinical osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees, hands and lumbar spine. Thirty-five running subjects and 38 controls, with a mean age of 63 years, were matched for age (+/- 2 years), years of education, and occupation; 33 matched pairs were constructed. All subjects underwent rheumatologic examination, completed questionnaires, and had radiographs taken of the hands, lateral lumbar spine, and knees in 1984 and in 1989. Five year radiographic results for both the runner and control groups showed OA progression for the knees, hands, and lumbar spine. In 1989, 10 (13%) of the 73 subjects fit American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for clinical OA of the hand, and 9 subjects (12%) fit ACR criteria for OA of the knee. In summary, running did not accelerate the development of radiographic or clinical OA of the knees, but with aging, 13% of all subjects developed OA of the hands and 12% of all subjects developed OA of the knees.

Molecular mimicry of hepatitis B surface antigen by an anti-idiotype-derived synthetic peptide

Monoclonal antibody 2F10 is an "internal-image" anti-idiotype (anti-id) antibody capable of mimicking the group-specific "a" determinant of human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). By mRNA sequencing and computer-assisted molecular modeling of monoclonal antibody 2F10, we identified a 15-amino acid region of the heavy-chain hypervariable region that has partial residue homology with sequences of the "a" determinant epitopes of HBsAg. We have established that a linear 15-mer peptide from a contiguous region on the anti-id antibody can (i) generate anti-HBsAg-specific antibodies when injected into mice, (ii) prime murine lymph node cells for in vitro HBsAg-specific T-cell proliferative responses, and (iii) stimulate in vitro human CD4+ T cells that were primed in vivo to HBsAg by natural infection with hepatitis B virus or vaccination with a commercially available HBsAg vaccine. Significantly, this peptide could also stimulate CD4+ T cells of human hepatitis B virus carriers. We conclude that a 15-mer peptide derived from the anti-id sequence can duplicate the B- and T-cell stimulatory activity of the intact anti-id antibody and the antigen that is mimicked, HBsAg.

The effect of platelet activating factor on different phases of murine in vitro fertilization

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to examine the effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) in different phases of mouse in vitro fertilization and optimal parameters that would enhance the fertilization rate.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

Various PAF concentrations (10(-7) to 10(-5) M) were selected to investigate its effect on three phases of mouse in vitro fertilization (i.e., sperm capacitation, sperm/oocyte coincubation, and preimplantation embryo growth) in three experimental groups: (I) with PAF treatment in the first phase, (II) with PAF treatment adopted in the first and second phases, and (III) with PAF treatment implemented in all three phases.

RESULTS

The improvement of the fertilization rate in PAF treatment groups over the control group ranges from 6.5 to 19.0% (P < 0.05-P < 0.001). The highest enhancement of fertilization rate was achieved under the condition of PAF treatment (10(-6) M) through sperm capacitation and sperm/oocyte coincubation phases.

CONCLUSION

The PAF concentration of 10(-6) M in sperm capacitation and sperm/oocyte coincubation yielded the greatest improvement in fertilization. However, continuing PAF treatment after sperm/oocyte coincubation had no beneficial effect on fertilization and preimplantation development.

Antioxidative effect of polyphenol extract prepared from various Chinese teas

METHODS. Twelve different types of Chinese teas, including green, semifermented, and black tea, were studied for their antioxidant activities and active components. Compositions of (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, and gallic acid were identified by fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activities in lard were measured by the Rancimat method. RESULTS. The results showed that both yields of polyphenol extract and antioxidant activities varied with different tea processing methods. It was found that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin gallate inhibited soybean lipoxygenase at the IC50 values ranging from 10 to 20 microM.

Characterization of a 54-nucleotide gap region in the 28S rRNA gene of Schistosoma mansoni

We have analyzed 572 bp in the 28S rDNA of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni which correspond to expansion segment 5 of domain IV as defined by Clark et al. for the Xenopus laevis 28S rRNA. S1 nuclease mapping and primer extension analysis comparing this region with the mature 28S rRNA indicate that there are 54 nucleotides present in the 28S rDNA which are absent from the mature rRNA. This defines a gap that creates two 28S rRNA subunits (28S alpha and 28S beta). Comparison of the S. mansoni sequence with rDNAs of other organisms which contain gaps in their 28S rRNA shows that the overall features are conserved except that the S. mansoni gap is less A + T-rich. The conserved features include: (1) the location of the gap within the 28S rRNA; (2) the predicted secondary structure of the gap, containing a stem-loop with a UAAU sequence within the loop; and (3) a conserved CGAAAGGG on the 3' side of the gap.

[Anti-inflammatory effect of aconitines]

Aconitines are the total alkaloids isolated from the main root of Aconitum carmichaeli. They have marked suppressive effect on the swelling of rat's hind paw induced by injections of fresh egg protein, carrageenin, histamine and 5-HT, on the mouse's ear oedema induced by bimethylphenyl, on the exudate and proliferation of granulation tissue of granuloma pouch induced by croton oil, on the leukocyte migration and on the contents of PGE in the exudate of the swelling hind paw induced by injecting carrageenin. Aconitines have been found useful in inhibiting significantly such immune inflammations as reversible passive Arthus reaction, rat's delayed skin hypersensitivity and adjuvant arthritis. They have also a noticeable analgesic effect.