Cyclophosphamide-induced blood and tissue eosinophilia in contact sensitivity: mechanism of hapten-induced eosinophil recruitment into the skin

The mechanism leading to selective production and accumulation of eosinophils in certain allergic skin diseases is unknown. Cyclophosphamide treatment (150 mg/kg) of BALB/c mice 48 h before sensitization with picryl chloride (PCl) resulted in striking blood and tissue eosinophilia, maximal at 13 days. Blood eosinophilia was not induced by the sensitization with oxazolone and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. Challenge with 1 % PCl, but not croton oil caused preferential eosinophil accumulation into the dermis, which was associated with the enhanced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) on endothelial cells. Intravenous administration of anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibody abrogated eosinophil infiltration. In this murine model, we examined the role of several cytokines, including chemokines in inducing selective tissue eosinophilia in vivo. Local administration of antibodies against interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and RANTES, but not against IL-5 before challenge inhibited hapten-induced eosinophil recruitment. Intradermal injection of recombinant (r)IL-1beta, rIL-4, rTNF-alpha, rRANTES, and rMIP-1alpha induced marked eosinophil accumulation. Nonetheless, intradermal rIL-5 was not a chemoattractant for eosinophils in vivo. Our findings suggest that IL-1beta, IL-4, TNF-alpha, and RANTES contribute to the selective accumulation of eosinophils in contact sensitivity reaction. Although circulating IL-5 can activate eosinophils and prolong their survival, locally secreted IL-5 is not crucial for inducing eosinophil recruitment into the skin.

Analysis of specific accumulation of radiolabeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody CEA 102 in colorectal cancer using computed radiography

The specific accumulation of radiolabeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (MoAb) CEA 102 in colorectal cancers was investigated by autoradiography of surgical specimens using Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR). Five patients with colorectal cancer were injected intravenously with [13I]-labeled intact CEA 102 or its F(ab')2. Primary tumor and liver metastases were successfully detected by external scanning with gamma camera in four cases. Autoradiographic study using FCR showed predominant localization of [13I]-labeled CEA 102 in primary tumors and liver metastases in all cases. Even the small-sized liver metastasis (0.5 cm) was clearly visualized. The pixel distribution curves showed the heterogeneity of the distribution of administered MoAb in the tumors. In the quantitative distribution analysis of CEA 102, the uptake of the primary tumor was 10-fold greater than that of the normal colon mucosa. These results suggest that MoAb has great potential in radioimmunodetection as well as possible use in antibody-directed therapy.

Localization of hyaluronan in human liver sinusoids: a histochemical study using hyaluronan-binding protein

Circulating hyaluronan is mostly derived from lymph, fibroblast and Ito cells in the liver, and more than 90% of hyaluronan is degraded in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells. Thus, elevated serum hyaluronan is regarded as an indication of hepatic fibrosis with activated Ito cells and dysfunctional sinusoidal endothelial cells. We studied the distribution of hyaluronan in human liver sinusoids to determine the influences on elevated hyaluronan levels in sera. Histochemical examination was made using hyaluronan-binding protein (HABP) and serial sections of liver tissue for staining of alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) (an indicator of activated Ito cells) and of ulex europaeus agglutinin I lectin (UEA-1) (closely related to hepatic sinusoidal capillarization). Positive staining, indicating the presence of hyaluronan, was noted in fibrous regions around the portal tracts, areas of focal necrosis in the liver parenchyma, and walls of the sinusoids in chronic hepatitis. In this group, hyaluronan-positive areas corresponded to positive ASMA staining and faint staining of UEA-1. On the contrary, in liver cirrhosis, UEA-1-positive areas were essentially identical to hyaluronan-positive areas and to ASMA-negative areas in sinusoidal walls. Hyaluronan and ASMA could be detected in the same areas of sinusoidal walls in chronic hepatitis, but not in liver cirrhosis. Hyaluronan appears to be mainly related to the staining of activated Ito cells in chronic hepatitis. Therefore, we concluded that in chronic hepatitis, the production of hyaluronan was accelerated in Ito cells; however, degradation of hyaluronan by sinusoidal endothelial cells continued. On the contrary, in liver cirrhosis, hyaluronan production decreased in Ito cells, and a marked transformation of sinusoidal endothelial cells with hepatic sinusoidal capillarization indicated loss of the ability to degrade hyaluronan. These different mechanisms in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis may operate in the sinusoidal walls and may cause the elevation of hyaluronan in sera.

Risk of progression and dying of clinically localized prostate cancer in Japan

Study was made of the conservative management of 107 men with clinically localized prostate cancer. Distant metastasis developed more frequently in patients with poorly differentiated tumors than in those with well- and moderately differentiated counterparts (P < 0.01). Poorly differentiated histology was strongly associated with cancer-specific death (P < 0.01). The progression-free and cancer-specific survival of patients with stage T1a disease was significantly better than that of patients with stages T1b, T2a-b, and T2c tumors (P < 0.05). Available data clearly demonstrate that prostate cancer is a progressive disease when managed conservatively. Long-term follow-up data indicate the natural history of prostate cancer not to differ significantly according to race, despite noteworthy differences in prevalence and mortality. Patients with localized prostate cancer would be candidates for expectant therapy if they had lower-grade tumors and a life expectancy of 10 years or less. For patients with a 10-year or greater life expectancy and any grade of disease definitive therapy should be applicable.

Pharmacological analysis of local anaesthetic tolycaine-induced convulsions by modification of monoamines in rat brain

The effects of a local anaesthetic, tolycaine, on brain monoamine levels were investigated during the convulsive process in rats. The influence of central monoamine modifications on tolycaine-induced convulsions was also examined. Tolycaine (140 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) produced a significant elevation of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in all brain regions in the convulsive state from the levels in the non-convulsive state. Their levels returned to normal during the postconvulsive state. Dopamine levels were depleted in the cerebral cortex, the striatum, and the ponsmedulla oblongata during the convulsive process and increased in the cerebellum. Pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, which depletes brain catecholamine, suppresses the tolycaine-induced convulsions, as shown by a decrease in the incidence; L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and bis-(1-methyl-4-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl)-disulfide, which increase brain catecholamine, intensified the convulsions, as shown by shortening of the latency and increase in the mortality. Antagonists of beta-adrenergic and dopamine receptors, such as propranolol, chlorpromazine and pimozide, markedly suppressed the convulsions, but an antagonist of alpha-adrenergic receptor, phenoxybenzamine, had no effect. Furthermore, 5-hydroxytryptophan, which increases brain 5-hydroxytryptamine, suppressed the convulsions, and DL-p-chlorophenylalanine, which depletes brain 5-hydroxytryptamine, intensified them. Antagonists of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, methysergide and methiothepin, suppressed the convulsions. These results suggest that brain noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine are major regulators in the tolycaine-induced convulsive process and that central catecholaminergic neurones act in a stimulatory way on the tolycaine-induced convulsions, while serotonergic neurones act suppressively.

Autotrophic carbon dioxide fixation in Acidianus brierleyi

The autotrophic CO2 fixation pathway in Acidianus brierleyi, a facultatively anaerobic thermoacidophilic archaebacterium, was investigated by measuring enzymatic activities from autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic cultures. Contrary to the published report that the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle operates in A. brierleyi, the enzymatic activity of ATP:citrate lyase, the key enzyme of the cycle, was not detected. Instead, activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase, key enzymes of the 3-hydroxypropionate cycle, were detected only when A. brierleyi was growing autotrophically. We conclude that a modified 3-hydroxypropionate pathway operates in A. brierleyi.

Sudden death of adults in Japan

Epidemiological features, risk factors and preventive methods of sudden death (SD) derived from studies the authors have performed since 1987 together with colleagues in Niigata University School of Medicine were reviewed. When SD was defined as death occurring within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, the annual incidence was 145/100,000 for people aged 15 years and older in Niigata Prefecture. The incidence increased sharply along with the advance of age, while the proportion of SD to natural death due to circulatory diseases was higher in younger people. Though diseases of the circulatory system made up approximately 90 percent of all causes of death, SD due to ischemic heart disease was less frequent in Japan than in western countries. SD showed various patterns in seasonal and "within-a-day" occurrences according to sex, age and cause of death. The months of the highest SD occurrence differed by occupation and matched the busiest work periods. A decrease in sleeping hours and mental stress experienced during the preceding week were related to the occurrence of both sudden death and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction. People having structural circulatory diseases were shown to be predisposed to SD when stress occurred, because fatal arrhythmia is easily induced by the above factors in such people. Health examinations were shown to have preventive effects, though limited, against SD. Differences in the resuscitated rates in cases where a witness was present and where one was not indicates that educating people about correct resuscitation methods is important to minimizing SD.

Preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen, clinical stage and Gleason sum as basis for predicting final pathological stage in Japanese patients with prostate cancer

By logistic regression analysis and log-likelihood ratio chi-square test, the usefulness of preoperative variables (prostate specific antigen [PSA], clinical stage and biopsy Gleason sum) for predicting the final pathological stage was assessed in 77 patients with clinically resectable prostate cancers. Pathologically, 32 (41.6%) had organ-confined disease. Extracapsular extension was found in 41 (53.2%), seminal vesicle involvement in 30 (39.0%), positive pelvic lymph nodes in 10 (13.0%) and a positive surgical margin in 27 (35.1%). Each preoperative variable was found to be significantly associated with the final pathological stage. Any combination of these variables was more predictive for extraprostatic disease, compared with each individual variable. Extraprostatic spread was found more frequently in patients with lower serum PSA in this Japanese elderly male population compared with North American males. These preoperative variables considered in combination may provide valuable information for management decisions related to prostate cancer. Serum PSA alone cannot reliably predict pathological stage on an individual basis except in patients with a PSA level of 20 ng/ml or greater. The high incidence of extraprostatic spread at intermediate PSA underscores the importance of selecting an ideal cutoff value for PSA-based screening in a Japanese male population.

Activity immediately before the onset of non-fatal myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death

To investigate triggers for the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), we examined the activities immediately before the time of onset in 149 cases of non-fatal AMI and 110 cases of SCD. All of the cases in which death occurred within 24 h from the onset of the underlying cause were considered SCD as long as the cause of death was of cardiac origin or unknown. We calculated the average time which is spent on each activity in the life cycle of Japanese people and estimated the number of incidence of each activity assuming a uniform distribution. Estimated values and actual values were compared. The results were as follows: 1) The incidence of non-fatal AMI and SCD was low while sleeping or resting or doing light work, and was high while using the toilet or doing sport or heavy work. 2) the incidence of SCD was also high even during moderate exertion, such as taking a bath or, walking or cycling, and it was significantly higher than that in the group of non-fatal AMI. 3) The incidence of non-fatal AMI was high while eating or drinking. 4) Many of the patients with SCD had past histories of circulatory diseases, compared to those with non-fatal AMI. This difference in past histories may account for the high incidence of SCD during moderate exertion.

Effects of psychotropic drugs on aldo-keto reductase activity in rat ovary and adrenal gland

We investigated the effects of minor and major tranquilizers on ovarian and adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity towards five substrates in relation to ovulation in mature cycling rats. Nitrazepam (NZP) did not alter ovarian and adrenal weights or body weight, although ovulation was inhibited at 5 and 10 mg/kg. NZP decreased ovarian 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F2 alpha (15KD-PGF2 alpha) and 4-benzoylpyridine (4BP) reducing activities. None of the doses of zopiclone (ZPC) influenced uterine and adrenal weights or body weight, but it increased ovarian weight at 10 mg/kg. No significant effects of ZPC on ovarian aldo-keto reductase activity were observed. NZP had inhibitory effects on adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity, whereas ZPC had a stimulatory effect. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) did not alter ovarian or adrenal weight, whereas the estrous cycles were abolished at 5 and 10 mg/kg. Reserpine (RSP) decreased ovarian weight and completely inhibited ovulation at 5 and 10 mg/kg, but it increased adrenal weight. Both CPZ and RSP decreased, dose dependently, ovarian aldo-keto reductase activity towards five substrates in agreement with the inhibition of ovulation. On the other hand, differences were found between the effects of CPZ and RSP on adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity. CPZ significantly increased 4BP reducing activity at 5 and 10 mg/kg, although no significant changes were observed in the other four reducing activities. RSP decreased 15KD-PGF2 alpha reducing activity in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the other four activities did not change.

Simultaneous determination of GTS-21 and its metabolite in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using solid-phase extraction

It has been suggested that GTS-21 can improve the learning deficits and inhibit the neuro-degeneration in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This paper describes a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with visible detection at 405 nm for determination of GTS-21 and its metabolite, 4-hydroxy-GTS-21 in rat plasma. The method uses solid-phase extraction with a Bond Elut C18 column. A quantitation limit of 1.0 ng/ml was achieved using 0.5 ml of rat plasma. In the validation study, the coefficients of variation and the relative errors of each compound were less than 10%. Also freeze-thaw and storage stability were confirmed. This method has proved to be applicable to the pharmacokinetic study of GTS-21 in rats.

Nucleotide sequence of the genes, encoding the pentaheme cytochrome (dmsC) and the transmembrane protein (dmsB), involved in dimethyl sulfoxide respiration from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans

The nucleotide sequence of the genes encoding a pentaheme cytochrome (dmsC) and a transmembrane protein (dmsB) were determined upstream of the dmsA gene encoding dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans. dmsC and dmsB encode proteins of 404 and 226 amino acid residues, which show 40% and 26% identity to the pentaheme cytochrome TorC and the transmembrane protein TorD, respectively, of the trimethylamine N-oxide reduction system in Escherichia coli.

Human liver microsomal diazepam metabolism using cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450s: role of CYP2B6, 2C19 and the 3A subfamily

1. We have examined the metabolism of diazepam by ten human cytochrome P450 forms (CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 and 3A5) expressed in HepG2 cells using a recombinant vaccinia virus system. 2. Among the P450 forms tested, diazepam was significantly demethylated by CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 3A4 and 3A5, with 2C19 exhibiting the highest rate at concentrations < 0.1 mM, and hydroxylated only by the latter three enzymes, with 3A5 being the most active. The N-demethylation activity of diazepam by 2C19 at a concentration of 20 microM was six times of that by 3A4. However, that by 2C9 was detected at only a trace level. 3. CYP2C19, 3A4 and 3A5 of the ten human P450s catalysed the 3-hydroxylation of nordiazepam, and 2B6, the 2C subfamily and the 3A subfamily catalysed the N-demethylation of temazepam. CYP3A4 exhibited the highest activity of nordiazepam 3-hydroxylation and temazepam N-demethylation. 4. Diazepam N-demethylation by human liver microsomes correlated with diazepam 3-hydroxylation, but not S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation. 5. Our results suggest that in the human liver, the metabolism of diazepam to nordiazepam is mediated by CYP3A4, which has been reported as the most abundant P450 form in human liver as well as 2C19, which has been reported as a polymorphic enzyme.

Negative regulation of the gene for the preprothyrotropin-releasing hormone from the mouse by thyroid hormone requires additional factors in conjunction with thyroid hormone receptors

To gain additional insights into the negative gene regulatory action by triiodothyronine (T3), we isolated a 2-kilobase pair 5'-flanking region of the mouse preprothyrotropin-releasing hormone (ppTRH) gene and characterized the DNA elements mediating inhibitory regulation by T3 in the promoter region. In GH4C1 cells, the expression of the 2-kilobase pair mouse ppTRH 5'-flanking region fused to the luciferase reporter gene occurred by transfection and was significantly suppressed by T3. In contrast, T3 suppression was not observed in T3 receptor (T3R)-deficient CV-1 cells, suggesting that T3Rs were required for the negative regulation. Cotransfected mouse T3R alpha1, beta1, and beta2 possessed indistinguishable potency for the negative regulation. Deletion analysis localized the element mediating the negative regulation to the region between -83 and +46, and the sequence downstream of the transcription start site (TSS) between +12 and +46 was found to be essential for the inhibitory regulation. In mobility shift assays, only T3R monomers bound to the element containing a T3 response element half-site at -57. No apparent T3R binding was observed to the element downstream of TSS. Neither the T3 response element half-site nor the element downstream of the TSS confer T3 suppression individually in heterologous promoters. These results indicate that the negative regulation of murine ppTRH gene by T3 might be mediated by the cooperation of T3R monomers with unknown factor(s) interacting with the element downstream of the TSS.

[Rhabdomyolysis induced by succinylcholine chloride and sevoflurane in an elderly man]

An 81-year-old man was scheduled for cervical lymph node biopsy. His laboratory data were within normal ranges. After induction of anesthesia with thiopental 175 mg and succinylcholine chloride (SCC) 40 mg, moderate masseter spasm was observed. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and sevoflurane. After the operation he had severe muscle pain and CK was elevated up to 81,400IU.l-1. The body temperature was not elevated above 37.2 degrees C during and after the operation. The skinned fiber examination, performed one month later, showed his calcium-induced-calcium-release (CICR) to be within normal ranges. We diagnosed him as rhabdomyolysis induced by coadministration of SCC and sevoflurane, especially SCC. We concluded that even in an elderly man, SCC should be administered cautiously.

Purification and characterization of rhesus monkey liver amido hydrolases and their roles in the metabolic polymorphism for E6123, a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist

We previously showed that a polymorphism for E6123 [(S)-(+)-6- (2-chlorophenyl)-3-cyclopropanecarbonyl-8,11-dimethyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-8H-pyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a] [1,4]diazepine] metabolism exists only in rhesus monkeys. In the present study, we purified, from rhesus monkey hepatic microsomes, three amido hydrolases that are involved in the metabolic polymorphism. Two forms of amido hydrolase from an extensive metabolizer and one from a poor metabolizer were purified by Q-Sepharose Fast Flow, Red A-agarose, octylamino-Sepharose 4B, and hydroxyapatite-Ultrogel chromatography, after solubilization with Lubrol. The three purified enzymes had the same molecular mass (47 kDa), and their amino-terminal amino acid sequences were identical. The enzymes were different from various known carboxylesterases in terms of substrate specificity, molecular mass, and amino-terminal amino acid sequence. They resembled arylacetamide deacetylase from human hepatic microsomes with respect to molecular mass and amino-terminal amino acid sequence. The KM values of the high and low affinity enzymes in the extensive metabolizer and the sole enzyme in the poor metabolizer were 37.6, 73.0, and 76.5 microM, respectively. The Vmax values were 3312.4, 504.8, and 427.9 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. The high affinity enzyme in extensive metabolizer appears to be quite distinct, whereas the low affinity enzyme in extensive metabolizer in similar or identical to the sole enzyme in poor metabolizer. Thus, the metabolic polymorphism in rhesus monkey may depend upon the existence of the high affinity enzyme in extensive metabolizer.

[Anesthesia for a patient with HELLP syndrome]

A 43-year-old female with HELLP syndrome underwent an emergency caesarean section under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced by fentanyl and thiopental with oxygen inhalation. Bolus injection of nicardipine was used to treat hypertensive crisis during operation. Continuous intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 was started after delivery to normalize arterial blood pressure. After surgery, both the patient and her baby were discharged uneventfully. It is suggested that a suitable dosage of fentanyl is effective without causing serious side effects for neonate. Prostaglandin E1 may have cytoprotective action in vital organs, such as the liver and the kidney, and may stabilize the arterial blood pressure.

[A case of congenital penile curvature]

A case of congenital penile curvature is reported. A 21-year-old man was admitted because of penile pain curvature to the left at the erection and the difficulty of intercourse. He had no signs of Peyronie's disease and no history of penile fracture so that he was considered to have congenital penile curvature. By Nesbit's method the curvature of the penis was appropriately corrected. There were no signs of recurrence at either 1 or 5 months after the operation.

Telomere position on the cat chromosome

The telomere in the cat chromosome was detected by the fluorescence in situ hybridization method using all human telomere as a probe. In the metaphase chromosomes of cultured peripheral lymphocytes, telomere spots were observed in the terminal portions of the chromosomes. Although telomeres were confirmed in all chromosomes, the fluorescence intensity varied between the two homologues in some chromosomes.

Significance of preoperative parameters for predicting tumor volume in nonpalpable prostate cancer

Preoperative parameters were assessed for their usefulness in predicting tumor volume in 26 cases of nonpalpable prostate cancer. The number of positive biopsy cores was found to be the parameter which predicted most accurately tumor volume in surgical specimens. All 14 patients with multiple positive cores had an index tumor of 0.5 cm3 or more in radical prostatectomy specimens. Only six tumors with a single positive core were substantial. Three of the patients showed a serum level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) of 4.0 ng/ml or more. The pathological stage and prostatectomy Gleason sum could not be predicted accurately by this variable (P>0.05). To predict index tumor volumes of 1.0 cm3 or greater, stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted, and on the basis of the results it was possible to single out multiple positive biopsies as the only significant variable. The number of positive biopsies appeared reliable for predicting tumor volume of surgical specimens in cases of nonpalpable disease. The presence of significant tumors despite "normal" levels of PSA warrants further investigation of variables that can predict such prostate cancers. An adequate model for predicting significant tumors in oriental male populations should be established using samples of larger size.

Mechanism of tachycardia-dependent appearance of ventricular extrasystoles in concealed bigeminy

A case of concealed ventricular bigeminy is reported in which the number of sinus QRS complexes intervening between two successive noninterpolated extrasystoles was always uneven. Coupling intervals of manifest extrasystoles to the preceding sinus QRS complexes were almost fixed and much longer than sinus QT intervals. Bradycardia-dependent disappearance of manifest bigeminy and tachycardia-dependent appearance of extrasystoles occurred in this case. Apparently, 2:1 block of sinus impulses occurred in the reentrant pathway, with markedly depressed conductivity. Concealed electrotonic conduction of blocked sinus impulses in the pathway of extrasystoles may have favored the appearance of the subsequent manifest extrasystoles without concealed conduction owing to two-level block. A possible explanation for the mechanism of such concealed bigeminy is presented, which uses the concepts of longitudinal dissociation and electrotonic inhibition in the reentrant pathway with markedly depressed conductivity.

Survival factor-insensitive generation of reactive oxygen species induced by serum deprivation in neuronal cells

To investigate the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal apoptosis, we performed confocal and flow cytometric analysis with a ROS-specific fluorogen, 6-carboxy-2', 7'-dichorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, di(acetoxymethyl ester) (C-DCDHF-DA). Serum deprivation significantly increased the level of ROS in PC12 cells and rat cortical neurons. N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), an antioxidant, reduced ROS production induced by serum deprivation and recovered cell survival. However, some survival factors such as nerve growth factor and Bcl-2, which prevented the apoptosis of PC12 cells, did not affect the up-regulation of ROS induced by serum deprivation. Epidermal growth factor which prevented the apoptosis of cortical neurons, did not affect the increase of ROS. These data suggest that survival factors rescue the serum deprivation induced apoptosis independently of ROS production.

Genomic organization and promoter function of the human thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene

We isolated and characterized the gene for the human thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor. The gene spanned more than 30 kilobases and contained three exons and two introns. Intron 1 exists in the 5'-untranslated region, and intron 2 is more than 25 kilobases in length which interrupts the coding region before the beginning of the putative sixth transmembrane domain. Exon 3 encodes the rest of the coding region and the entire 3'-untranslated region. The 3'-flanking region contains four potential polyadenylation signals, and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends studies showed that only a signal at 2076 base pairs downstream of the stop codon was functional in the anterior pituitary. Primer extension and anchor-polymerase chain reaction studies indicated a transcriptional start site at 344 base pairs upstream of the translational start site. The promoter region does not contain either a TATA box or a CAAT box in the appropriate location. Transient transfection study revealed significant activity of the promoter in GH4C1 cells, and the region between -338 and -933 bp from the transcriptional start site worked as a negative regulator. Knowledge of the genomic organization and the promoter region of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor gene will allow further studies of possible disorders of the TRH receptor, as well as facilitate elucidation of transcriptional control of the human TRH receptor gene.