A model for the quaternary structure of the proteasome activator PA28

PA28 is a protein activator of the 20S proteasome. It has a native molecular weight of approximately 200,000 and is composed of six 28,000-dalton subunits arranged in a ring-shaped complex. Purified preparations of PA28 contain two polypeptides, alpha and beta, which are about 50% identical in primary structure. It has been unclear whether native PA28 consists of two distinct homohexameric proteins or of a single protein containing both alpha and beta subunits. To distinguish between these possibilities, we prepared antibodies that reacted specifically with either the alpha or beta subunit and used these subunit-specific antibodies in two types of experiments designed to elucidate PA28 quaternary structure. In the first experiment, the alpha and beta subunits were completely co-immunoprecipitated by each subunit-specific antibody, indicating that both subunits were part of a single protein complex. In the second experiment, PA28 was chemically cross-linked using bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate. When the cross-linked products were immunoblotted after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indistinguishable patterns were obtained with each subunit-specific antibody. These results confirm that the alpha and beta subunits were part of the same protein complex. The pattern of cross-linked products also provided insight as to the relative abundance and arrangement of the subunits within the PA28 complex and indicated that the ring-shaped PA28 hexamer may be composed of alternating alpha and beta subunits with a stoichiometry of (alphabeta)3. PA28 was inactivated by treatment with carboxypeptidase Y, which cleaved Tyr and Ile residues from the carboxyl terminus of the alpha subunit but had very little effect on the beta subunit. This selective and limited proteolysis prevented binding of both alpha and beta subunits to the proteasome and therefore provides additional evidence of the heterodimeric nature of PA28. These results indicate that a short carboxyl-terminal sequence of the alpha subunit is critical for binding of native PA28 to the proteasome. To learn about the relative functions of the alpha and beta subunits, PA28alpha was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Purified PA28alpha stimulated proteasome activity but required 5-10-fold greater concentrations than the heterodimeric PA28 to achieve a given level of activity. These results suggest that the heterodimeric structure of PA28 is required for maximal proteasome activation.

Signal transduction pathways in guinea pig sperm

Trifluoperazine (TFP), the antagonist of calmodulin (CaM), significantly stimulated the capacitation and acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoa at the concentration of 10-100 mumol/L, independent of the external Ca2+. Forskolin, dbcAMP and caffeine evidently promoted the occurrence of acrosome reaction of spermatozoa at early capacitation stage (5 h) in nonsynchronous system but not in synchronous system. If the spermatozoa were capacitated for 15 h in synchronous system, the above three drugs significantly stimulated acrosome reaction in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. Protein kinase C activators, i.e. phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) did not influence the occurrence of acrosome reaction of spermatozoa at early capacitation stage, but significantly increased the acrosome reaction rate in capacitated spermatozoa in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. In contrast, PKC inhibitor staurosporine significantly inhibited the occurrence of acrosome reaction.

Capillary electrophoresis-electrospray mass spectra of the herbicides paraquat and diquat

The positive ion electrospray mass spectra of the quaternary ammonium salt herbicides paraquat and diquat are examined by on-line separation with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and by direct infusion of the analytes. The analytes are separated by CE in 7-10 min at pH 3.9 in 50% methanol-water by using several different separation buffer electrolytes. The capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization (CE-ES) mass spectra of paraquat and diquat consist primarily of doubly charged molecular ions, singly charged molecular ions, and singly charged deprotonated ions. The direct infusion spectra consist primarily of doubly charged molecular ions and singly charged deprotonated ions. The relative abundances of the doubly charged and deprotonated ions depend strongly on the presence or absence of ammonium ion in the CE separation buffer or the direct infusion solution. A deprotonation mechanism is proposed in which the free base ammonia is the deprotonating agent in the desolvating charged droplets or in the gas phase. The analytical potential of the CE-ES electrospray approach for environmental analyses is evaluated in terms of the precision of replicate injections, linear concentration range, and estimated detection limit.

Oligonucleotide uptake in human hematopoietic cells is increased in leukemia and is related to cellular activation

The use of antisense oligonucleotides as tools for modulating gene expression represents a novel strategy for designing drugs to treat a variety of diseases. Several factors, including cellular uptake and internalization of the oligonucleotides, are important parameters in determining the effectiveness of antisense agents such as therapeutic drugs. We have studied oligonucleotides uptake in normal and leukemic human hematopoietic cells, such as peripheral blood, bone marrow (BM), and HL-60 cell line; and have found that, in normal human blood and BM, myeloid cells and B cells preferably took up more oligonucleotides than T cells. There was no marked difference in oligonucleotide uptake between CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytolytic T cells. Leukemic cells had greater oligonucleotide uptake than their normal counterparts. Furthermore, oligonucleotide uptake was closely related to cell activation status and can be modulated by growth factors or inhibitors. These studies provide a basis for using oligonucleotides as therapeutic drugs both in vitro and in vivo.

Secreted amyloid beta-protein similar to that in the senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease is increased in vivo by the presenilin 1 and 2 and APP mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's disease

To determine whether the presenilin 1 (PS1), presenilin 2 (PS2) and amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP) mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) increase the extracellular concentration of amyloid beta-protein (A beta) ending at A beta 42(43) in vivo, we performed a blinded comparison of plasma A beta levels in carriers of these mutations and controls. A beta 1-42(43) was elevated in plasma from subjects with FAD-linked PS1 (P < 0.0001), PS2N1411 (P = 0.009), APPK670N,M671L (P < 0.0001), and APPV7171 (one subject) mutations. A beta ending at A beta 42(43) was also significantly elevated in fibroblast media from subjects with PS1 (P < 0.0001) or PS2 (P = 0.03) mutations. These findings indicate that the FAD-linked mutations may all cause Alzhelmer's disease by increasing the extracellular concentration of A beta 42(43), thereby fostering cerebral deposition of this highly amyloidogenic peptide.

[Pterygium and lipid peroxidation]

OBJECTIVE

The mechanism of light damage causing pterygium was investigated from the point of view of lipid peroxidation.

METHODS

22 patients with pterygium underwent excision of pterygium and a little superior bulbar conjunctiva was excised as normal control. The lipid peroxidation reaction of both pathologic and normal samples was analyzed by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde.

RESULT

The concentration of malondialdehyde in the pathologic samples was much higher than that in the normal samples (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Light Induced peroxidation reaction is closely related to the pterygium formation.

Reduced sympathetic innervation after alteration of target cell neurotransmitter phenotype in transgenic mice

Neurotransmitters play a variety of important roles during nervous system development. In the present study, we hypothesized that neurotransmitter phenotype of both projecting and target cells is an important factor for the final synaptic linkage and its specificity. To test this hypothesis, we used transgenic techniques to convert serotonin/melatonin-producing cells of the pineal gland into cells that also produce dopamine and investigated the innervation of the phenotypically altered target cells. This phenotypic alteration markedly reduced the noradrenergic innervation originating from the superior cervical ganglia. Although the mechanism by which the reduction occurs is presently unknown, quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay showed the presence of the equivalent amounts of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the control and transgenic pineal glands, suggesting that it occurred in a NGF-independent manner. The results suggest that target neurotransmitter phenotype influences the formation of afferent connections during development.

Biotransformation of the MPTP analog trans-1-methyl-4-[4-dimethylaminophenylethenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetra- hydropyridine to a fluorescent pyridinium metabolite by intact neuroblastoma cells

The possibility of imaging monoamine oxidase (MAO) containing neurons through the MAO-mediated conversion of the nonfluorescent tetrahydropyridine compound trans-1-methyl-4-[4-dimethylaminophenylethenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro pyridine (t-THP) to the corresponding fluorescent trans-1-methyl-4-[4-dimethylaminophenylethenyl]pyridinium species (t-P+) was examined with the aid of human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). Fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence measurements established the intracellular formation of a fluorescent species with maximal excitation/emission wavelengths of 485/620 and 530/620 nm corresponding to the fluorescence characteristics of synthetic t-P+. An independent assay confirmed the presence of both MAO-A and MAO-B in these cells. As expected, the development of the fluorescence was inhibited by both clorgyline (an MAO-A inhibitor) and deprenyl (an MAO-B inhibitor). Cytotoxic effects, as determined by trypan blue dye exclusion for viability and by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay for mitochondrial integrity, were not observed in cells incubated with concentrations of t-THP as high as 10(-3) M for 4 hr. The results from these studies with a neuronal cell line of human origin suggest: (1) that SH-SY5Y cells metabolize and, therefore, can be used for study of tetrahydropyridine compounds in vitro, and (2) that t-THP may be a useful agent to monitor neurodegenerative processes in MAO-rich neurons, including the dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons that are damaged by the parkinsonian-inducing tetrahydropyrridine MPTP. The potential advantage of using t-THP over related imaging techniques is the possibility of assessing neuronal function by an in vivo processing of the reporter molecule rather than by postmortem immunofluorescent or formaldehyde-based procedures.

[Clinical analysis of bacterial vaginosis in 76 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical manifestation and treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV).

METHODS

The criteria used for diagnosis were the presence of clue cells by wet mount slide or gram stain, plus at least 2 of the following 3 signs and symptoms: (1) vaginal discharge with pH > 4.5; (2) an increased thin homogeneous vaginal discharge; (3) positive amine test. From 1994, 1 to 1995, 3, a total of 76 cases with BV who had good follow up were diagnosed and treated by Kejunning (a combination of chinese traditional herb medicine), Shuangzuotai (combined metronidazole vaginal suppository), metronidazole, etc.

RESULTS

For BV, the presence of clue cells is a prerequisite for diagnosis. Vaginal discharge with pH > 4.5 and positive amine test were present in all the cases. Increased white thin homogeneous vaginal fluid were found in 96.1% (73/76) of the cases. 79.0% of the patients complained of fishy odor vaginal discharge. Treatment with antibiotics or Shuangzuotai were effective. Kejunning had a cure rate of 70.0% one month after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of clue cell is an important diagnostic criterion. Besides metronidazole, Kejunning had a good result for the treatment of BV as well.

Identification, purification, and characterization of a PA700-dependent activator of the proteasome

The activity of the intracellular protease, the proteasome, is modulated by a number of specific regulatory proteins. One such regulator, PA700, is a 700,000-Da multisubunit protein that activates hydrolytic activities of the proteasome via a mechanism that involves the ATP-dependent formation of a proteasome-PA700 complex. Four subunits of PA700 have been shown previously to be members of a protein family that contains a consensus sequence for ATP binding, and purified PA700 expresses ATPase activity. We report here the identification, purification, and initial characterization of a new modulator of the proteasome. The modulator has no direct effect on the activity of the proteasome, but enhances PA700 activation of the proteasome by up to 8-fold. This activation is associated with the formation of a proteasome/PA700-containing complex that is significantly larger than that formed in its absence. The modulator has a native Mr of approximately 300,000, as determined by gel filtration chromatography, and is composed of three electrophoretically distinct subunits with Mr values of 50,000, 42,000, and 27,000 (p50, p42, and p27, respectively). Amino acid sequence analysis of the subunits shows that p50 and p42 are members of the same ATP-binding protein family found in PA700. The p50 subunit is identical to TBP1, a protein previously reported to interact with human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein (Nelbock, P., Dillion, P. J., Perkins, A., and Rosen, C. A. (1990) Science 248, 1650-1653), while the p42 subunit seems to be a new member of the family. The p27 subunit has no significant sequence similarity to any previously described protein. Both p50 and p42, but not p27, were also identified as components of PA700, increasing the number of ATP-binding protein family members in this complex to six. Thus, p50 and p42 are subunits common to two protein complexes that regulate the proteasome. The PA700-dependent proteasome activator represents a new member of a growing list of proteins that regulate proteasome activity.

Interframe DPCM with robust median-based predictors for transmission of image sequences over noisy channels

A new image sequence coding technique based on robust median-based predictors is presented for the transmission of image sequences over noisy channels. We analyze the robustness of median-based predictors against channel errors. A heuristic algorithm for the design of a robust predictor from a given median-based predictor is presented. It is shown that with small modifications in terms of a necessary requirement for a median-based predictor to be robust against channel errors, the robustness of a given median-based predictor can be considerably improved. Simulations on a real image sequence show significant improvement over the conventional differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) at high bit error rate (BER) using this new technique. The technique does not increase the transmission rate. It is shown that the quality of reconstructed images obtained by robust median-based predictors can be further improved by postprocessing the image using a nonlinear detail-preserving noise-smoothing filter.

Interfacial thickness of liposomes containing poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol from electrophoresis

The electrophoretic mobilities of liposomes incorporating a polyethylene glycol (PEG) headgroup coupled to cholesterol for PEG of average chain index 3.0, 13.2, and 22.3 have been determined as a function of PEG-cholesterol mole fraction between 5% and 40% and ionic strength between 2 and 200 mM. The liposome compositions were 40 mole % cholesterol plus PEG-cholesterol, 10 mole % 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glyerco-3-phosphoglycerol, and 50 mole % egg phosphatidylcholine. The mobilities were fit to a model in which the PEG forms a surface layer of polymer subject to viscous drag arising from electroosmotic flow within this layer. The model provides estimates of the average layer thickness that are comparable to those determined from contemporary models of surface-attached polymer.

Hormone replacement therapy may reduce the return of endogenous lead from bone to the circulation

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women suppresses the increase in bone resorption expected as circulating levels of endogenous estrogen decline. We tested the hypothesis that bone lead content might remain elevated in women on HRT. Fifty six women who at recruitment were on average 35 years postmenopausal were placed on calcium supplementation. Six months later 33 of these women were prescribed either low dose or moderate dose hormone replacement in addition to the calcium supplementation. After approximately 4 years of hormone replacement, lead content was measured at the tibia and calcaneus by in vivo fluorescence excitation, and lead concentrations were measured in serum, whole blood, and urine. Women not taking hormones had significantly lower lead concentrations in cortical bone compared to all women on HRT (p = 0.007). Tibia lead content (mean +/- SD) for women on calcium only was 11.13 +/- 6.22 microgram/g bone mineral. For women on HRT, tibia bone lead was 19.37 +/- 8.62 micrograms/g bone mineral on low-dose HRT and 16.87 +/- 11.68 micrograms/g bone mineral on moderate-dose HRT. There were no differences between groups for lead concentrations measured in trabecular bone, whole blood, serum or urine. Hormone replacement maintains cortical bone lead content. In women not on HRT, there will be a perimenopausal release of lead from bone.

280 cases of hyperplasia of mammary gland treated by ru he chong ji

280 patients with hyperplasia of mammary gland were treated by Ru He Chong Ji, a breast nodule granular dissolvable agent. Thirty-one were cured, 117 markedly improved, 119 improved, and 13 showed no change. The rate of cure and marked effectiveness was 52.86%, with a total effective rate of 95.36%. The agent is also effective for treatment of depression of liver-energy and menoxenia.

Th1 CD4+ lymphocytes delete activated macrophages through the Fas/APO-1 antigen pathway

The Fas/APO-1 cytotoxic pathway plays an important role in the regulation of peripheral immunity. Recent evidence indicates that this regulatory function operates through deletion of activated T and B lymphocytes by CD4+ T cells expressing the Fas ligand. Because macrophages play a key role in peripheral immunity, we asked whether Fas was involved in T-cell-macrophage interactions. Two-color flow cytometry revealed that Fas receptor (FasR) was expressed on resting murine peritoneal macrophages. FasR expression was upregulated after activation of macrophages with cytokines or lipopolysaccharide, although only tumor necrosis factor-alpha rendered macrophages sensitive to anti-FasR antibody-mediated death. To determine the consequence of antigen presentation by macrophages to CD4+ T cells, macrophages were pulsed with antigen and then incubated with either Th1 or Th2 cell lines or clones. Th1, but not Th2, T cells induced lysis of 60-80% of normal macrophages, whereas macrophages obtained from mice with mutations in the FasR were totally resistant to Th1-mediated cytotoxicity. Macrophage cytotoxicity depended upon specific antigen recognition by T cells and was major histocompatibility complex restricted. These findings indicate that, in addition to deletion of activated lymphocytes, Fas plays an important role in deletion of activated macrophages after antigen presentation to Th1 CD4+ T cells. Failure to delete macrophages that constitutively present self-antigens may contribute to the expression of autoimmunity in mice deficient in FasR (lpr) or Fas ligand (gld).

Reduction of metabolic rate and thermoregulation during daily torpor

Physiological mechanisms causing reduction of metabolic rate during torpor in heterothermic endotherms are controversial. The original view that metabolic rate is reduced below the basal metabolic rate because the lowered body temperature reduces tissue metabolism has been challenged by a recent hypothesis which claims that metabolic rate during torpor is actively downregulated and is a function of the differential between body temperature and ambient temperature, rather than body temperature per se. In the present study, both the steady-state metabolic rate and body temperature of torpid stripe-faced dunnarts, Sminthopsis macroura (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia), showed two clearly different phases in response to change of air temperature. At air temperatures between 14 and 30 degrees C, metabolic rate and body temperature decreased with air temperature, and metabolic rate showed an exponential relationship with body temperature (r2 = 0.74). The Q10 for metabolic rate was between 2 and 3 over the body temperature range of 16 to 32 degrees C. The difference between body temperature and air temperature over this temperature range did not change significantly, and the metabolic rate was not related to the difference between body temperature and air temperature (P = 0.35). However, the apparent conductance decreased with air temperature. At air temperatures below 14 degrees C, metabolic rate increased linearly with the decrease of air temperature (r2 = 0.58) and body temperature was maintained above 16 degrees C, largely independent of air temperature. Over this air temperature range, metabolic rate was positively correlated with the difference between body temperature and air temperature (r2 = 0.61). Nevertheless, the Q10 for metabolic rate between normothermic and torpid thermoregulating animals at the same air temperature was also in the range of 2-3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Vena iliaca externa thrombosis after open operation of the bladder and prostate]

Since 1986, we have performed total cystectomy or partial cystectomy with ureteroneocystostomy in 64 cases and prostatectomy in 182 cases. 5 cases developed vena iliaca external thrombosis (VIET) or thrombophlebitis postoperatively. Three of them recovered after treatment, and 2 died of pulmonary embolism 7 and 16 days after operations. VIET is a very serious complication. Once develops pulmonary embolism, the patient may die soon. We suggested that patients be encouraged to increase limbs activities, be given medicines of antilipemic and antiatherogenic preoperatively. And during the surgical operation, patients' blood pressure should be kept steady, and hypopietic shock should be avoided as long as possible. The vena iliaca external should never be constricted when a deep hook is used for exposure or gauze is used to stop bleeding. After operation, the patient should be encouraged to exercise on bed or around bed as early as possible, so as to increase venous flow. The veins of lower limbs should be avoided by using infusion. Styptic should not be applied abusively. Infusion of dextranum-40 and orally taking of persantinum may also be used to prevent this kind of complication.