Self-activation of N-phosphoamino acids and N-phosphodipeptides in oligopeptide formation

N-Phosphorylamino acids and N-phosphoryldipeptides can self-activate to give the oligopeptide. An intramolecular mixed anhydride intermediate might exist during the self-activating process. A peptide bond was formed from the N-terminus to the C-terminus by the '1 + n' mechanism, which was similar to the rRNA-peptide biosynthesis pathway.

Expression of chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase in Escherichia coli

Chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was expressed in E. coli by using a pET3a T7 RNA polymerase-based expression system and was purified to homogeneity. The kinase and bisphosphatase of the expressed bifunctional enzyme had kinetic properties identical to those of the native chicken liver enzyme. However, the kinase activity of the chicken liver enzyme was 7-fold higher, while the bisphosphatase activity was 50 percent lower than those of the rat liver enzyme. Cys-256 of the rat liver bisphosphatase domain is not conserved in the chicken liver enzyme. A site-directed mutation was engineered at Cys-256 of the rat liver enzyme and the results indicate that the variation of this residue is not responsible for the difference in fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity between the rat and chicken liver enzymes. It is postulated that the difference in the kinase/bisphosphatase activity ratios of these two enzymes results from differences in their NH2-terminal regions.

Secretion and circular dichroism analysis of the C-terminal signal peptides of HlyA and LktA

The secretion of the 107 kDa hemolysin A (HlyA) from Escherichia coli is mediated by membrane proteins hemolysin B (HlyB) and hemolysin D (HlyD). The signal for transport has been mapped to the C-terminal 60 amino acids of the HylA molecule. We have shown previously that the C-terminal 70 amino acids of leukotoxin (LktA) from Pasteurella hemolytica can substitute functionally for the HlyA signal sequence. This 70 amino acid peptide contains little primary sequence similarity to the HlyA signal sequence, and we have hypothesized that these signal sequences assume a similar higher-order structure which is recognized by the HlyB/D transporter. In the present study, we have expressed and purified small peptides containing the C-terminal 61 amino acids of HlyA and the C-terminal 70 amino acids of LktA. We show that these signal peptides are sufficient for secretion from E. coli in a HlyB/D dependent manner. Circular dichroism analyses show that both molecules exhibit common biophysical properties. In aqueous solution, they appear to be mainly unstructured, but in a membrane mimetic environment they assume a helical secondary structure. The conformational change observed for both peptides going from an aqueous to a membrane mimetic environment may be an important feature of these signal sequences necessary for their recognition and transport.

Mutations in rpoB gene of rifampicin resistant clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Japan

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, involvement of alterations of the RNA polymerase beta subunit in resistance to rifampicin has been described by Telenti et al. To determine if the same correlation could be observed between the mutation of the rpoB gene and clinically isolated M. tuberculosis of the rifampicin-resistant phenotype in Japan, 47 strains of M. tuberculosis of the rifampicin-resistant phenotype, 17 of the rifampicin-susceptible phenotype, and 4 type strains were examined. A 411-base pair (bp) rpoB fragment was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and subjected to solid phase direct sequencing. By comparing the nucleotides, mutation involving 8 conserved amino acids were identified in 44 of the 47 (93.6%) rifampicin-resistant isolates, but in none of the 17 sensitive isolates and 4 type strains. All mutations found were clustered within a region of 23 amino acids. Thus, similar to the results reported by Telenti et al., substitution of a limited number of highly conserved amino acids encoded by the rpoB gene appears to be the molecular mechanism responsible for resistance to rifampicin in Japanese clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. Our results suggest that direct DNA sequencing of the rpoB gene may be a reliable method for identifying rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis strains among Japanese clinical isolates.

Modified direct twos-complement parallel array multiplication algorithm for complex matrix operation

A direct twos-complement parallel array multiplication algorithm is introduced and modified for digital optical numerical computation. The modified version overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional optical twos-complement algorithm. In the array, all the summands are generated in parallel, and the relevant summands having the same weights are added simultaneously without carries, resulting in the product expressed in a mixed twos-complement system. In a two-stage array, complex multiplication is possible with using four real subarrays. Furthermore, with a three-stage array architecture, complex matrix operation is straightforwardly accomplished. In the experiment, parallel two-stage array complex multiplication with liquid-crystal panels is demonstrated.

Colonic protein fermentation and promotion of colon carcinogenesis by thermolyzed casein

Thermolyzed casein is known to promote the growth of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colon cancer when it is fed to rats that have been initiated with azoxymethane. We speculated that the promotion was a consequence of increased colonic protein fermentation (i.e., that the thermolysis of the casein decreases its digestibility, increases the amount of protein reaching the colon, and increases colonic protein fermentation and that the potentially toxic products of this fermentation promote colon carcinogenesis). We found that the thermolysis of casein reduces its digestibility and increases colonic protein fermentation, as assessed by fecal ammonium and urinary phenol, cresol, and indol-3-ol. Thermolysis of two other proteins, soy and egg white protein, also increases colonic protein fermentation with increased fecal ammonia and urinary phenols, and thermolysis of all three proteins increases the levels of ammonia and butyric, valeric, and i-valeric acids in the cecal contents. We found, however, that the increased protein fermentation observed with thermolysis is not associated with promotion of colon carcinogenesis. With casein, the kinetics of protein fermentation with increasing thermolysis time are clearly different from the kinetics of promotion of ACF growth. The formation of the fermentation products was highest when the protein was thermolyzed for one hour, whereas promotion was highest for protein that had been thermolyzed for two or more hours. With soy and egg white, thermolysis increased colonic protein fermentation but did not promote colon carcinogenesis. Thus, although thermolysis of dietary casein increases colonic protein fermentation, products of this fermentation do not appear to be responsible for the promotion of colon carcinogenesis. Indeed, the results suggest that protein fermentation products do not play an important role in colon cancer promotion.

Giant-cell tumor of the distal phalanx of the hand in a child

Giant-cell tumor of bone in the distal phalanx is rare, as is its clinical occurrence in children. A case of a 10-year-old girl with giant-cell tumor in the distal phalanx of the left thumb is reported, and a literature review of phalangeal giant-cell tumor of the hand is presented. The tumor was curetted, and after 2.5 years there was no recurrence.

Ionic mechanism of acupuncture on improvement of learning and memory in aged mammals

Memory impairment is one of the most frustrating problems for older people. Several acupoints were used for the treatment of memory loss in old rats, and the elemental mechanism of acupuncture therapy was studied with Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy. The result indicates that acupuncture improves learning and memory ability significantly in aged animals when compared with controls. This study demonstrated that elevations of eight essential elements (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and P) in the brain are the ionic basis for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. A hypothetical model of the mechanism of acupuncture therapy is described.

An autonomously propagating luciferase-encoding vector for Dictyostelium discoideum

We have constructed a luc reporter vector for Dictyostelium discoideum using a 626-bp fragment from the nuclear-associated plasmid Ddp2. The ori from Ddp2 is localized within this fragment and was used to provide an autonomous replication sequence for the reporter vector. This reporter vector was stably retained in D. discoideum AX3K cells without alteration. The vector molecule was also found to exist in relatively low copy number compared to other Dictyostelium vectors in the transformed cells. We demonstrated the utility of this vector as a reporter vector with glycogen synthase promoter/luc fusions of varying sizes.

Solution structure of the tetrameric minimum transforming domain of p53

We report the solution structure of the minimum transforming domain (residues 303-366) of human p53 (p53tet) determined by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. This domain contains a number of important functions associated with p53 activity including transformation, oligomerization, nuclear localization and a phosphorylation site for p34/cdc2 kinase. p53tet forms a symmetric dimer of dimers that is significantly different from a recent structure reported for a shorter construct of this domain. Phosphorylation of Ser 315 has only minor structural consequences, as this region of the protein is unstructured. Modelling based on the p53tet structure suggests possible modes of interaction between adjacent domains in full-length p53 as well as modes of interaction with DNA.

Optical complex matrix-vector multiplication with negative binary inner products

Based on the mixed negative binary number system, we propose an inner-product algorithm for digital complex-valued matrix-vector multiplication. The features are no carries, no signs, no indications for decimal points, and simple preprocessing and postprocessing. Correspondingly, an optical architecture of incoherent optical correlation with spatial digital coding of data is suggested. Negative binary complex matrix-vector multiplication can be realized optically in parallel with a high accuracy. The experimental result is also given.

[Molecular cloning of alpha antigen like protein gene of Mycobacterium leprae and its over production in Escherichia coli]

I have constructed the genomic library of M. leprae Thai 53 strain, and cloned the alpha antigen like protein gene by plaque hybridization method by using M. leprae alpha antigen DNA fragment as probe which was characterized in the previous study, I have termed it as alpha 2 antigen gene. The alpha 2 antigen gene has been characterized by sequencing. By comparing the deduced amino acid sequence of alpha and alpha 2 antigen with 85 complex antigen of other mycobacteria. I have found the higher homology between alpha 2 antigen and 85A antigen and between alpha antigen and 85B antigen. We have constructed the over expression system of M. leprae alpha and alpha 2 antigen gene in E. coli using vector pMALc-RI. Recombinant alpha and alpha 2 antigen has been purified by amylose column chromatography at the purity of more than 95%. More than 6 mg and more than 10 mg of recombinant alpha and alpha 2 antigen has been obtained from 200 ml of liquid culture, respectively. ELISA tests have been performed with the sera of leprosy patient and healthy control against the recombinant alpha and alpha 2 antigens. The antibody titers in sera of leprosy patient against the two kinds of antigens were all much higher than healthy controls. The antibody titer against the alpha 2 antigen was higher than that against alpha antigen. Recombinant alpha and alpha 2 antigens in this study could be used as a new specific antigen for serodiagnosis of leprosy.

Antagonism between T3 and amiodarone on the contractility and the density of beta-adrenoceptors of chicken cardiac myocytes

3,3',5-Triiodothyronine (T3), at 10(-8) M, potentiated by 26.4-30.9% the isoproterenol-mediated inotropic effect in chick embryo cardiac myocytes in culture. Amiodarone (10(-6) M) decreased this response by 44.6% only in cells cultured with serum, where the T3 concentration was 10(-13) M. Amiodarone inhibited the potentiating effect of T3. Amiodarone alone had no influence on the beta-adrenoceptor density in cells cultured in serum-free medium. This confirms that the effects of amiodarone on cardiac beta-adrenoceptors are T3 dependent. T3 increased the density of beta-adrenoceptors through two concentration ranges, with an initial 30% increase between 10(-14) and 10(-11) M, followed by a second increase until 10(-7) M. Amiodarone not only inhibited the first positive effect of T3 but also decreased beta-adrenoceptor density far below the control value. The second positive T3 effect was also inhibited by 50% by amiodarone. This study suggests that T3 might increase the number of cell-surface beta-adrenoceptors and modify their cellular traffic through at least two mechanisms, one assumed to be non-genomic, the other being genomic, and that amiodarone could affect the two mechanisms differently.

Autoamputation of the fingertips in an 11-year-old boy

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses can be found on the following pages.

A 47-year-old woman with a 5-year history of bilateral hand deformities

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. Initial history, physical findings, and roentgenographic examinations are offered for your consideration. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses are presented on the following pages.

An 11-year-old boy with swelling and progressive deformity of his finger

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. Initial history, physical findings, and roentgenographic examinations are found on the first two pages. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses are presented on the following pages.

Dual regulation of the glycogen phosphorylase 2 gene Dictyostelium discoideum: the effects of DIF-1, cAMP, NH3 and adenosine

Cell differentiation in Dictyostelium results in the formation of two cell types, stalk and spore cells. The stalk cells undergo programmed cell death, whereas spore cells retain viability. The current evidence suggests that stalk cell differentiation is induced by Differentiation Inducing Factor (DIF), while spore cell differentiation occurs in response to cAMP. We have discovered the first developmentally regulated Dictyostelium gene, the glycogen phosphorylase gene 2 (gp2) gene, that can be induced by both DIF-1 and cAMP, suggesting the possibility of a new group of developmentally regulated genes that have DIF-1 and cAMP dual responsiveness. The gp2 gene was found to be expressed in both prestalk/stalk cells and prespore/spore cells. The DIF-1 competence of the gp2 gene required uninterrupted development, whereas the cAMP-competence for the gene required only starvation. Both DIF-1 and cAMP induction of the gene could be inhibited by NH3, a factor that is thought to act as a developmental signal in Dictyostelium. Another developmental signal, adenosine, was found to repress the DIF-1 induction of the gp2 gene. Two introns in the gp2 gene were examined for their involvement in the regulation of the gene, but no regulatory function was detected. A model for the regulation of the gp2 gene during the development is proposed.

Disruption of glycogen phosphorylase gene expression in Dictyostelium: evidence for altered glycogen metabolism and developmental coregulation of the gene products

Glycogen phosphorylase 1 and 2, the isozymes responsible for glycogen degradation, are encoded by separate genes in Dictyostelium. The two gene products display different transcriptional and translational expression and distinct post-translational regulation. Using DNA-mediated transformation, Dictyostelium clones which lacked either glycogen phosphorylase 1 or 2 (gp1 or gp2) expression were obtained. The loss of either enzyme did not change axenic growth patterns, developmental progression, or gross organismic morphology. In gp1- strains, glycogen accumulated to a 17- to 28-fold higher level during late stationary phase without any obvious detrimental effects. This implies that no alternative pathway for glycogen degradation is present in amoebae, and that glycogen metabolism is not critical for vegetative cell growth. Developmental glycogen concentrations were not altered significantly in any of the transformants, but in gp2- cells the posttranslational regulation of the intact gp1 enzyme was apparently modulated to compensate for the loss of gp2. Western blots of microdissected, lyophilized Dictyostelium slugs and early culminates showed that gp2 was found in both prestalk and prespore cells, with a slight enrichment in prespore cells. The gp1 protein was highly enriched in prestalk cells in the parental strain. In gp2- transformants, however, gp1 was detected in equal amounts in both cell types. The loss of gp2 led to a shift in the cell-type-specific expression pattern of gp1, presumably due to developmental coordinate regulation of gp1 and gp2 at the translational and/or transcriptional level.

A 30-year-old woman with 13-year history of pain in multiple joints

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. Initial history, physical findings, and roentgenographic examinations are found on the first two pages. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses are presented on the following pages.

A 73-year-old woman with stiffness in both hands

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. Initial history, physical findings, and roentgenographic examinations are found on the first page. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses are presented on the following pages.

Endemic fluorosis of the skeleton: radiographic features in 127 patients

OBJECTIVE

A wide range of radiographic appearances have been reported in skeletal fluorosis, but little has been written about the spectrum of radiographic features. We evaluated the spectrum of radiographic appearances in this disorder to help with its diagnosis and differentiation from other metabolic skeletal disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty-seven patients with clinically proved endemic fluorosis had radiographs of the chest, spine, pelvis, elbow, forearm, and knee obtained. The radiographic findings were classified as osteosclerosis, osteopenia, intermittent growth lines, diaphyseal widening, or soft-tissue ossification. Two different osteopenic patterns were defined: an osteoporotic pattern with overall decreased bone density and an osteomalacic pattern that combines the features of osteoporosis with bone deformity. Soft-tissue ossification included involvement of ligaments, tendons, and interosseous membranes.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight of the patients (89% of the adults) had some evidence of calcification and/or ossification of the attachments of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and interosseous membranes. Osteosclerosis was seen in 54 patients (43%), and osteopenia was seen in 51 patients (40%). Of the patients with osteopenia, the osteoporotic pattern was seen in 28 and the osteomalacic pattern in 23. Growth lines were found in 89 patients (70%). Metaphyseal osteomalacic zones were found in children. Diaphyseal widening was present in 35 patients (28%).

CONCLUSION

Endemic skeletal fluorosis can have a wide variety of radiographic appearances, including calcification and/or ossification of the attachments of soft-tissue structures to bone, osteosclerosis, osteopenia, growth lines, and metaphyseal osteomalacic zones.

Developmental and cAMP-mediated regulation of glycogen phosphorylase 1 in Dictyostelium discoideum

The Dictyostelium discoideum glycogen phosphorylase-1 (gp-1) exhibits a complex pattern of developmental expression in which differential temporal regulation of enzyme activity, protein levels and mRNA levels is observed. This pattern of expression implies that gp-1 regulation occurs at multiple levels, probably involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Post-translational control of gp-1 activity, in effect, actually regulates the protein from a developmental perspective. In this report we have examined several facets of this regulation. We show that addition of exogenous cAMP to cells in suspension culture caused changes in gp-1 enzyme activity and mRNA levels that are identical to those observed during normal development, suggesting that cAMP is involved in the regulation of gp-1. Exogenous cAMP could regulate gp-1 mRNA expression at concentrations as low as 1.0 microM. cAMP regulation of gp-1 mRNA appeared to occur through a mechanism that required intracellular cAMP signalling. We identified regions of the promoter necessary for gp-1 expression by using gp-1 promoter deletions to drive the expression of a luciferase reporter gene. Results of these experiments suggested that developmental and cAMP-mediated changes in gp-1 mRNA levels were the result of alterations in transcription. The promoter analysis also suggested that a vegetative specific element is located between -785 and -1894 nucleotides from the transcriptional start site. Elements necessary for maximal developmental and cAMP-mediated expression appear to be located between -1153 and -1894 nucleotides from the cap site. Sequence elements located between -180 and -1153 appear to be required for a basal level of late developmental expression.

Diet, aberrant crypt foci and colorectal cancer

We have used the aberrant crypt focus (ACF) assay to test and develop hypotheses linking diet and colon cancer. The hypotheses were suggested by epidemiological studies that identified possible dietary factors associated with colorectal cancer risk. The ACF assay was used to quantitate the effect of the dietary factors on the initiation and growth of these putative precursors of colon cancers in experimental animals. Using this approach we have developed 3 new hypotheses for the role of diet in colorectal cancer. These are (1) a risk associated with 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde in caramelized sugar, (2) a risk associated with some factor in thermolyzed casein, and (3) a risk associated with single nutrient boluses of sucrose and fructose. The importance of these hypotheses has still to be tested in long term carcinogenesis experiments, in analytic epidemiology studies and then, perhaps, in intervention trials.

A 21-year-old man with pain and swelling of the right hand

The following case is presented to illustrate the roentgenographic and clinical findings of a condition of interest to the orthopaedic surgeon. Initial history, physical findings, and roentgenographic examinations are found on this page. The final clinical and roentgenographic differential diagnoses are presented on the following pages.