Identification of orcokinin gene-related peptides in the brain of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii by the combination of MALDI-TOF and on-line capillary HPLC/Q-Tof mass spectrometries and molecular cloning

We developed a strategy for the exploration of brain peptides in the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, utilizing the combined techniques of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), molecular cloning, and on-line capillary reversed-phase HPLC/quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (Q-Tof)-MS. We initially performed direct MALDI-TOF MS analysis with slices of the brain. The MS spectra from a slice of the olfactory lobe indicated that an orcokinin (NFDEIDRSGFGFN) occurs in this species. Subsequently, its occurrence was confirmed by molecular cloning of the cDNAs encoding the precursor protein of orcokinin. The deduced amino acid sequences indicated that there are two different types of preproorcokinins. Preproorcokinin A (251 residues long) contains not only seven copies of orcokinin but also two copies of NFDEIDRSGFGFV and one copy each of NFDEIDRSGFGFA, NFDEIDRTGFGFH, and FDAFTTGFGHS. The former three peptides were previously isolated from another crayfish, Orconectes limosus, and/or the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and the latter two were novel. Preproorcokinin B (266) harbors one additional orcokinin. All sequences of the peptides are flanked by dibasic sequences which are the consensus signal for processing. Moreover, brain extract was subjected to Sephadex G-25 and, subsequently, to on-line capillary reversed-phase HPLC/Q-Tof MS analysis. From the LC-MS analysis, the molecular weights of orcokinin, NFDEIDRSGFGFV, NFDEIDRSGFGFA, NFDEIDRTGFGFH, and FDAFTTGFGHS were identified as the doubly charged ions at m/z 759.37, 751.92, 737.86, 777.90, and 593. 78, respectively. In addition, the sequences were assigned by the collision-induced dissociation spectra using the doubly charged ions in the LC-MS/MS analysis. These data suggest that orcokinin and its related peptides are especially abundant in the olfactory lobe and are synthesized and processed from the two types of preproorcokinins in the crayfish brain.

In vitro modulation of fish phagocytic cells by beta-endorphin

The activation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and carp, Cyprinus carpio, phagocytic cells by synthetic chum salmon, O. keta, beta-endorphin was analysed in vitro. Rainbow trout head kidney leukocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 1, 10, 50 or 100 ng ml-1 of chum salmon beta-endorphin and the production of superoxide anion was measured via the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in vitro. Macrophages incubated with 10 ng ml-1 up to 100 ng ml-1 of beta-endorphin showed an increase in their production of superoxide anion in comparison with control macrophages which were cultured without hormone. beta-endorphin also increased the production of superoxide anion in phagocytic cells prepared from kidney of carp. This stimulation was inhibited by naloxone. Phagocytic cells treated with beta-endorphin also displayed increased phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. These results showed that beta-endorphin in lower vertebrates activates the function of phagocytic cells in vitro.

Kidney leucocytes of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, are activated by intraperitoneal injection of beta-endorphin

The immunomodulatory effects of beta-endorphin were studied by measurements of the production of superoxide anion, phagocytosis and chemotaxis of kidney phagocytic cells in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The production of superoxide anion in phagocytic cells increased significantly in rainbow trout injected with chum salmon beta-endorphin. The responses were dose-dependent. The phagocytosis and chemotaxis also significantly increased in kidney phagocytic cells of rainbow trout injected with alpha-endorphin. These results show that beta-endorphin in rainbow trout activates the function of phagocytic cells in vivo.

Malignant ectomesenchymoma. Case report and review of the literature

Malignant ectomesenchymoma is an uncommon neoplasm composed of neuroectodermal elements and one or more mesenchymal neoplastic elements. It is believed to arise from remnants of migratory neural crest cells (ectomesenchyme). The authors report the clinical and pathological findings of a 3-year-old girl with malignant ectomesenchymoma of the CNS. Embryogenesis of this tumor is discussed, and a review of the literature with 39 other cases is done.

Subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver in a very-low-birth-weight neonate: survival after decompression laparotomy

Subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver in a very-low-birth-weight neonate was successfully treated by decompression laparotomy. This may be the second smallest survivor after surgery in the literature.

Isolation and characterization of insulin in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser guldenstaedti)

Insulin was isolated from the pancreas of Chondrostean fish, the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser guldenstaedti, by acid-ethanol extraction followed by ion-exchange and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographies. The amino acid sequence determined by automated Edman degradation is as follows: A-chain (21-amino-acid peptide), H-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu-Gln-Cys-Cys-His-Ser-Pro-Cys-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Glu-As n-Tyr-Cys-Asn-OH; and B-chain (31-amino-acid peptide), H-Ala-Ala-Asn-Gln-His-Leu-Cys-Gly-Ser-His-Leu-Val-Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Va l-Cys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Tyr-Thr-Pro-Asn-Lys-Val-OH. The sturgeon insulin appears to be identical with one of two forms of paddlefish insulin and differs from the other form by a single substitution in the A-chain, Asp15: His15. The amino acid sequence of sturgeon insulin is more similar to the amino acid sequence of mammalian insulins than of other fish insulins. Sturgeon insulin showed parallel but weaker displacement than porcine insulin and pink salmon insulin in their respective radioimmunoassays and was less potent than porcine insulin in displacing radiolabeled porcine insulin bound to partially purified rat liver plasma membranes.

A four-disulphide-bridged toxin, with high affinity towards voltage-gated K+ channels, isolated from Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae) venom

A new toxin, named HsTX1, has been identified in the venom of Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae), on the basis of its ability to block the rat Kv1.3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. HsTX1 has been purified and characterized as a 34-residue peptide reticulated by four disulphide bridges. HsTX1 shares 53% and 59% sequence identity with Pandinus imperator toxin1 (Pi1) and maurotoxin, two recently isolated four-disulphide-bridged toxins, whereas it is only 32-47% identical with the other scorpion K+ channel toxins, reticulated by three disulphide bridges. The amidated and carboxylated forms of HsTX1 were synthesized chemically, and identity between the natural and the synthetic amidated peptides was proved by mass spectrometry, co-elution on C18 HPLC and blocking activity on the rat Kv1.3 channels. The disulphide bridge pattern was studied by (1) limited reduction-alkylation at acidic pH and (2) enzymic cleavage on an immobilized trypsin cartridge, both followed by mass and sequence analyses. Three of the disulphide bonds are connected as in the three-disulphide-bridged scorpion toxins, and the two extra half-cystine residues of HsTX1 are cross-linked, as in Pi1. These results, together with those of CD analysis, suggest that HsTX1 probably adopts the same general folding as all scorpion K+ channel toxins. HsTX1 is a potent inhibitor of the rat Kv1.3 channels (IC50 approx. 12 pM). HsTX1 does not compete with 125I-apamin for binding to its receptor site on rat brain synaptosomal membranes, but competes efficiently with 125I-kaliotoxin for binding to the voltage-gated K+ channels on the same preparation (IC50 approx. 1 pM).

A new natriuretic peptide isolated from cardiac atria of trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively) are two cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs) found in tetrapods from amphibians to mammals, whereas ANP and ventricular NP (VNP) have been identified in eel hearts. Because VNP has also been found in the rainbow trout ventricle, we attempted to isolate NP from trout cardiac atria in order to determine whether ANP and VNP are common cardiac NPs in teleosts. In the present experiments, we isolated VNP and a novel atrial NP consisting of 29 amino acid residues from the atria. This new trout NP exhibited similar sequence identity to mammalian ANP and BNP (50-60%). Its homology to eel ANP was low (52%) compared with high homology of trout and eel VNP (78%). Based on yield, the content of this new NP in trout atria may be even smaller than that of VNP. The new trout atrial NP exhibited low relaxant activity in the chick rectum (only 1/10 of that of trout VNP), and extremely low vasorelaxant activity in the rat aortic strip (only 1/400 of that of human ANP). However, the new trout NP was equipotent with trout VNP and human ANP in relaxing trout epibranchial artery. Based on the sequence similarity with other NPs and on atrial content, the new NP isolated from trout atria cannot yet be assigned to a known member of the NP family.

Generation of neutralizing antibody to the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by immunizing of mice with an infectious vaccinia virus recombinant

Antibodies inhibiting the reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) were found to be generated in the serum of mice repeatedly infected with a vaccinia virus recombinant, WRRT, expressing the enzyme. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), 7C4, which specifically and almost completely inhibits the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT was produced from a mouse repeatedly immunized with WRRT. 7C4 seems to be specific for HIV-1 among retroviruses: 7C4 inhibited RT activity of three strains of HIV-1 (IIIB, Bru, and IMS-1) but not of two strains of HIV-2 (GH-1 and LAV-2) or two strains of SIV (MAC and MND). The immunoglobulin isotype of three out of four mAbs produced from spleen cells of the immunized mouse were IgG2a. This immunization method that avoids protein denaturation may preferentially induce a T helper type-1 immune response and increase the chances of producing the only occasionally obtainable mAb capable of recognizing a conformational epitope and completely inhibiting enzyme activity.

[The effect of volatile anesthetics on EEG, auditory evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials in dogs]

We compared the changes in EEG and evoked potentials among dogs anesthetized with halothane (H), isoflurane (I) or enflurane (E). The mean frequency of EEG with H was higher than that with I and E at 1 and 2 MAC. The amplitude of the 5th wave of auditory brain stem response with H was larger than that with I and E at 2 MAC. In terms of the Pa wave of auditory middle latency response, the amplitude with H was larger than that with E at 1 MAC, and the incidence of the wave with H was higher than that with I and E at 2 MAC. The amplitudes of N2 and N3 waves of somatosensory evoked potentials with H and I tended to decrease with increasing MAC, whereas those with E increased temporarily at 1 MAC. The inhibitory effects on EEG and evoked potentials were different among three volatile anesthetics.

Synaptic vesicle ultrastructural changes in the rat hippocampus induced by a combination of alpha-linolenate deficiency and a learning task

Rats fed either a safflower oil (alpha-linolenate-deficient) or a perilla oil (alpha-linolenate-sufficient) diet through two generations (F1) showed significant differences in the brightness-discrimination learning task. In this task, correct responses were lever-pressing responses, which were reinforced with dietary pellets, and incorrect responses were those with no reinforcement. The inferior learning performance in the safflower oil group was caused mainly by the inferior ability to rectify the incorrect responses through the learning sessions. In the safflower oil group after the learning task, the average densities of synaptic vesicles in the terminals of the hippocampus CA1 region were decreased by nearly 30% as compared with those in the perilla oil group, and it is notable that this difference was not detected without the learning task. These results suggest that dietary oil-induced morphological changes in synapses in the hippocampus of rats are related to the differential learning performance and that the turnover rate of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus may be an important factor affecting learning performance.

A novel D-amino acid-containing peptide, fulyal, coexists with fulicin gene-related peptides in Achatina atria

Fulicin (Phe-D-Asn-Glu-Phe-Val-NH2) is a neuropeptide from ganglia of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica). Previously, the sequences of nine fulicin gene-related peptides (FGRP-1 to -9) have been predicted from the cDNA encoding the ganglia fulicin precursor and the transcripts have been detectable in the heart. We synthesized twenty peptides related to fulicin and FGRPs containing either an L- or a D-amino acid at position 2 and used them to identify FGRPs in atrial extracts. We identified ten alpha-amidated peptides, including fulicin and confirmed their structures as follows: Tyr-Ala-Glu-Phe-Leu-NH2 (FGRP-9), [D-Ala2]FGRP-9 (fulyal), [L-Asn2]fulicin, fulicin, Ser-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-2), Thr-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Leu-NH2 (FGRP-3), Tyr-Asp-Phe-Ile-NH2 (FGRP-5), Ser-Pro-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Ile-NH2 (FGRP-6), Asn-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-7) and Ser-Pro-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-8). We analyzed the biological activities of synthetic FGRPs using the snail penis retractor muscle. The results revealed that fulyal remarkably potentiated the tetanic contraction at concentrations as low as 10(-12) M. FGRP-9 was about 10,000-fold less potent. Fulyal, like fulicin, seems to undergo preferential maturation to participate in the penis retractor muscle contraction as a neuropeptide containing a D-amino acid.

IQI/Jic mice have thymic B cells

The thymus of IQI/Jic mice aged 3 to 15 months was studied chronologically by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Thymic B cells (Thy B) expressing the surface marker B220+IgM+ were detected in both sexes, but were more prominent in females. Thy B appeared as early as 4 months of age in female mice, and the incidence of Thy B-positive mice and average Thy B ratio in thymocytes increased with age, reaching over 90% and 15%, respectively, after 9 months of age. In males, Thy B-positive animals appeared around 9 months of age and its incidence and average ratio increased gradually to 53% and 5%, respectively, at 15 months. The Thy B-rich thymus was thickened with cortical atrophy and medullary hyperplasia. Small- to medium-sized Thy B crowded and often formed follicle-like structures in the medulla. When mice of various ages were injected with mercuric chloride to induce antinucleolar antibody, many Thy B-rich animals could not develop the antibody, implying that these animals are immunologically impaired. IQI/Jic can be a novel strain to elucidate the relationship between the presence of Thy B and disorders of the immune system.

Occurrence of Borrelia garinii oculo-neuroborreliosis in Japan

We report a 64-year-old Japanese man with oculo-neuroborreliosis. His clinical features consisted of polyarthralgia, keratoconjunctivitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, confusion, and polyradiculitis. Assay of antibodies to Borrelia species detected IgG-antibody to B. garinii in both serum and CSF. Progressive declining of serum IgG antibody titer against Borrelia garinii, in parallel with clinical improvement, was observed after administration of ceftriaxone.

Cytokine profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to 50 Hz EMF

The effect of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on the immune system was assessed by measuring the cytokine production of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs) of a healthy individual. The h-PBMCs were exposed in vitro to varying magnetic flux densities of 1, 3, 10, and 30 milli Tesla for 3 days. Changes in cytokine production of IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were studied using the ELISA method. Significant reduction in TNF-alpha production by the EMF-exposed h-PBMCs, in comparison with the non-exposed cells, was detected at all exposure levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Significant increase in IL-1 beta production and decrease in IFN-gamma production were also detected at some exposure strength. No significant differences were detected between the control and the EMF-exposed cells in the production of the other cytokines.

Novel fluoroprostacyclin analogs with modified cycloalkylenyl chains. Highly potent and orally active anti-anginal agents

Novel fluoroprostacyclin analogs (1a-f) have been synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. Compounds 1a-c given intravenously or orally showed potent and long-lasting anti-anginal activities in an animal model.

Major antigenic region on the integrase (IN) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 determined by reactivity of human sera and a monoclonal antibody to IN protein

The gene encoding the integrase (IN) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was expressed in vaccinia virus and Escherichia coli, and sera from 55 HIV-1-infected individuals were examined for immunoreactivity to the recombinant IN proteins by Western immunoblot. Approximately 98% (54 of 55) of the HIV-1-infected individuals showed reactivity to both the full-length IN protein of 32 kDa (IN32 protein) and the carboxy-terminal portion of the IN protein (IN17 protein). Serum samples from only 6 of the 54 antibody-positive individuals and a monoclonal antibody against the IN protein, 6F4, reacted with the amino-terminal portion of the IN protein (IN15 protein). The eight AIDS patients tested were seronegative to IN15 protein. The magnitude of reactivity to the recombinant IN proteins decreased slightly in the progression of the course of HIV-1 infection. These results suggest that a B-cell immunodominant epitope(s) on the IN protein is located on the C-terminal IN17 portion and that a minor epitope(s) recognizable by 6F4 and by rare patients is on the N-terminal IN15 portion.

Characterization of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone from the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): multiplicity of molecular forms by stereoinversion and diverse functions

The complete amino acid sequence of two forms of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from the X-organ sinus gland complex of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) has been determined. There are two variants of P. clarkii CHH (Prc-CHH), I and II, which can be separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Each variant was oxidized by performic acid and then cleaved with lysyl endopeptidase. Intact hormone was also digested with trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N, successively. The resulting fragments were separated by RP-HPLC and subjected to sequence analyses by a gas-phase sequencer and tandem mass spectrometry. Both variants contain 72 amino acid residues with three disulfide linkages, at positions 7-43, 23-39, and 26-52, and differ from each other by the D/L epimerization of phenylalanine at position 3; Prc-CHH-II contains D-amino acid. Injections of Prc-CHH-I and Prc-CHH-II at a dose of 12.5 pmol resulted in significant increase of hemolymph glucose levels in the crayfish. The hormones are also active in repressing ecdysteroid synthesis at concentrations of 250 mM (Prc-CHH-I) and 25 nM (Prc-CHH-II) in Y-organ culture. These results may indicate that the stereoinversion in the CHH molecule leads to an important alternation in hormonal functions during crustacean development.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

The synthesis and antiviral activity of racemic carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides are reported. Carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides were obtained from the 3-fluoro cyclopentane derivative 4, which was prepared by two methods. The SN2-displacement of the hydroxyl group of (+/-)-(1 beta, 2 alpha, 3 beta, 4 beta)-4-acetamido-2-fluoro-3-hydroxycyclopentylmethyl acetate (1) with Ph3P-I2 followed by tin hydride reduction afforded the 3-fluoroamino alcohol derivative 3. Alternatively, the protected fluoroamino alcohol 3 was prepared by regio- and stereoselective bromo-fluorination of cis-4 beta-acetamidocyclopent-2-enemethyl acetate (5) with hydrogen fluoride-pyridine/N-bromosuccinimide followed by tin hydride reduction to remove the bromine atom. Carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoroguanosine (14) thus obtained was moderately active against herpes simplex virus in vitro.

A new treatment for dialysis-related amyloidosis with beta 2-microglobulin adsorbent column

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is characterized by the presence of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) in the plasma. In order to eliminate beta 2-m from the circulating blood, the beta 2-m selective adsorbent for direct hemoperfusion (DHP) was developed. A DHP column (BM-01), containing 350 ml of the adsorbent, was subjected to clinical trials. The column was connected with a PAN (AN69) membrane dialyzer in series and used 3 times a week for 1 week (11 patients), 4 weeks (5 patients), 6 months (1 patient) and 12 months (2 patients). The percent reduction (%) of beta 2-m was for 16 patients (for 1 or 4 weeks), more than 65, and for 3 patients (for more than 6 months), 76.5 +/- 4.9, 73.5 +/- 5.7, 72.2 +/- 6.2. At the end of each session, beta 2-m plasma levels were found to be below 10 mg/L, with 3.4 mg/L being the lowest. The total amounts of beta 2-m removed were 172.5 +/- 22.3, 257.0 +/- 75.6, 157.6 +/- 32.2 and 429.8 mg/session at max. Two out of these three patients had a favorable effect on joint symptoms and ocular fundus. It can be concluded that this selective adsorption therapy may delay the progression of DRA, and is worth considering for wide application.