Skeletal malformations associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: experimental and human studies

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Skeletal malformations are seen occasionally in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study examines whether nitrofen, able to produce CDH in fetal rats, also induces skeletal anomalies and, if so, whether these are similar to those seen in CDH patients.

METHODS

Pregnant rats received either nitrofen (100 mg, n = 7) or no treatment (n = 2) on gestational day 9.5. Skeletal anatomy was studied in fetuses recovered on day 21 after alcian blue-alizarin red staining. The charts and postmortem records of 117 stillborns or newborns who died of CDH were investigated retrospectively for skeletal defects. The proportions of anomalies found in the different groups were compared.

RESULTS

The 15 control rat fetuses were normal, whereas 57 of 90 nitrofen-exposed animals (63%) had CDH accompanied by other malformations. Skeletal defects limited to vertebral segmentation or identity anomalies (split vertebra or absent, hypoplastic, or fused ribs) were seen at low thoracic and high lumbar levels in 68% of animals with CDH and in 57% of those without. Delayed ossification of limbs was seen in treated animals. There were skeletal malformations in 31.6% of the 117 human patients with CDH. Costovertebral defects (malformed, extra or defective vertebral bodies or ribs and spina bifida) were comparably frequent in infants with syndromes and in those without them (31.2% v 17.8%, not significant), whereas limb defects were significantly more frequent in those with syndromes (56.2% v 13.9%, P<.05).

CONCLUSION

The nature and location of costovertebral malformations found in both CDH patients and nitrofen-exposed rats suggest that the diaphragmatic defect and the associated organ malformations might be caused by the same early embryonal disturbance involving axial and para-axial mesoderm.

Specificity of murine glutathione S-transferase isozymes in the glutathione conjugation of (-)-anti- and (+)-syn-stereoisomers of benzo[g]chrysene 11,12-diol 13,14-epoxide

Specificities of murine glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isozymes mGSTA1-1, mGSTA2-2, mGSTA3-3 and mGSTA4-4 (alpha class), mGSTP1-1 (pi class) and mGSTM1-1 (mu class) for GSH conjugation of (-)-anti- and (+)-syn-stereoisomers of benzo[g]chrysene 11, 12-diol 13,14-epoxide (B[g]CDE), the activated metabolites of the environmental pollutant benzo[g]chrysene (B[g]C), have been determined. When GST activity was determined as a function of varying (-)-anti- or (+)-syn-B[g]CDE concentration (10-320 microM) at a fixed saturating concentration of GSH (2 mM), each isozyme obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. mGSTA1-1 was significantly more efficient than other murine GSTs in the GSH conjugation of not only (-)-anti-stereoisomer but also (+)-syn-B[g]CDE. For example, the catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of mGSTA1-1 towards (-)-anti-B[g]CDE was approximately 2.3- to 16.6-fold higher compared with other murine GSTs. Likewise, mGSTA1-1 was approximately 2.7-, 6.7-, 4.4- and 12.4-fold more efficient than mGSTA2-2, mGSTA3-3, mGSTP1-1 and mGSTM1-1, respectively, in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of (+)-syn-B[g]CDE. Interestingly, mGSTA4-4, which also belongs to class alpha, was virtually inactive towards both stereoisomers of B[g]CDE. The results of the present study indicate that murine GSTs, especially alpha class isozymes, significantly differ in their ability to detoxify B[g]CDE stereoisomers and that mGSTA1-1 plays a major role in the detoxification of both (-)-anti- and (+)-syn-B[g]CDE, which among four B[g]CDE stereoisomers are formed from the carcinogen B[g]C as major DNA binding metabolites.

Cardiovascular malformations in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: human and experimental studies

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Cardiovascular malformations (CVM) associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) account in part for the high mortality caused by this defect. The aim of this study is to examine the nature of these malformations in a large series of autopsies and to assess if similar defects are also present in rat fetuses with experimental CDH.

METHODS

The incidence of CVM and their nature were examined in the autopsy records of 136 stillborns and neonates with CDH admitted to our institution in the last 30 years. Experimental CDH was induced in rat fetuses by giving 100 mg of nitrofen to their mothers on gestational day 9.5, and the fetuses were harvested on day 21 (near full term). The presence of CDH and the anatomy of the heart and great vessels were studied under dissecting microscope after formalin fixation. Unexposed fetuses were used as controls.

RESULTS

Thirty-three newborns with CDH (24%) had CVM, either isolated or associated with other defects, and 7 had heart hypoplasia. Most CVM (ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great vessels, double-outlet right ventricle) involved the outflow tract. In our animal experiments, no malformations were found in 21 control pups. Conversely, 80 of 130 nitrofen-exposed fetuses (61%) had CDH, and 59 of them (74%) had CVM. A significant association (Fisher's Exact test, P<.01) was found between CDH and CVM because only 25 of the 50 exposed animals without CDH (50%) had CVM. Again, most defects involved the outflow tract and were similar to those seen in human CDH (tetralogy of Fallot, persistent truncus, ventricular septal defect, double-outlet right ventricle, aberrant right subclavian artery, agenetic ductus, and interrupted aortic arch). Animals with CDH had significantly decreased heart weight to fetal weight ratio in comparison with controls and with those without CDH.

CONCLUSIONS

The similar nature of the cardiovascular defects found in babies succumbing to CDH and in nitrofen-exposed rats suggests that a similar disturbance of the regional organogenesis related to the neural crest might be involved in both settings, and further validates the use of this animal model for clarifying the cellular and molecular pathogenetic mechanisms.

Skeletal malformations associated with esophageal atresia: clinical and experimental studies

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Patients with esophageal atresia (EA) often have skeletal malformations. The purpose of this study is to examine if similar defects occur in rat fetuses prenatally exposed to Adriamycin, a chemical capable of causing EA in these animals.

METHODS

The charts of 443 babies with EA were reviewed to assess the incidence and nature of these defects in them. Time-mated female rats were given either 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal Adriamycin (experimental group, n = 16) or no treatment (control group, n = 4) on gestational days 8 and 9, and the fetuses were removed near term. Skeletal anatomy was studied after alcian blue and alizarin red staining.

RESULTS

A total of 528 skeletal malformations, mainly abnormal segmentation and vertebral identity (extra or defective bodies or ribs), mishaped vertebral bodies, and limb malformations like radial aplasia or hypoplasia were found in 245 babies (55%). Costal fusion and sternal anomalies were present in 17 and 4 babies, respectively. In the animal study, all control fetuses were normal, whereas 83 of 134 experimental fetuses (62%) had EA accompanied by other malformations. No segmentation or vertebral identity anomalies were seen, but butterfly, wedged, and asymmetric vertebral bodies were found at various levels in all animals with EA and in about half of those without it. Three fetuses had rib anomalies, and 3 more had sternal malformations. Ossification of limbs was delayed in treated fetuses and short, thick, and crooked bones were seen in 4 of 31 fetuses with EA and in none of the Adriamycin-exposed ones without EA.

CONCLUSIONS

Adriamycin exposure induces in fetal rats, in addition to esophageal, duodenal, and anorectal atresias, high proportions of vertebral malformations and some limb defects of nature not identical but quite similar to that of babies with EA. This further validates this model for investigating the nature of the processes leading to EA and its associated malformations.

The degradation of nascent fibrinogen chains is mediated by the ubiquitin proteasome pathway

Recent studies have shown that ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis by proteasomes plays an essential role in the degradation of ER-retained proteins. We investigated the degradation of individual fibrinogen chains in transfected COS cells which express but do not secrete single chains. In transfected COS cells, the degradation of fibrinogen Bbeta and gamma chain was markedly inhibited by the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG132. These specific proteasome inhibitors also partially affected the degradation of Aalpha chain. In HepG2 cells, which synthesize and secrete fibrinogen, the degradation of intracellular free gamma chain was also inhibited by MG132. We also detected high molecular weight polyubiquitinated forms of fibrinogen chains in transfected COS cells and in HepG2 cells by sequential immunoprecipitation. These results implicate proteasomes in the degradation of fibrinogen chains. In COS cells, gamma chains have a longer half-life than Bbeta chains and Aalpha chains, suggesting that the presence of surplus gamma chains in fibrinogen-producing cells is due to the unequal degradation rate of fibrinogen chains. These results indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may be a major system for the degradation of unassembled fibrinogen chains.

Amino acid substitutions at positions 207 and 221 contribute to catalytic differences between murine glutathione S-transferase Al-1 and A2-2 toward (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene

We have previously identified a novel Alpha class murine glutathione (GSH) S-transferase isoenzyme (designated mGSTAl-2) which is exceptionally efficient in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], the ultimate carcinogen of widespread environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the Al-type subunit of this isoenzyme is significantly more active toward (+)-anti-BPDE than the other subunit (mGSTA2). To establish the basis for catalytic differences between mGSTAl and mGSTA2, which differ in their primary structures by 10 amino acids [distributed in three sections (I-III) as clusters of two (residues 65 and 95), three (residues 157, 162, and 169), and five (residues 207, 213, 218, 221, and 222) amino acids], three chimeric enzymes were expressed and tested for their activity toward (+)-anti-BPDE. These studies revealed that amino acid substitution(s) in section III determined the high catalytic activity of mGSTAl. Molecular modeling studies suggested that amino acid substitutions at positions 207 and/or 221, but not at positions 213, 218, and 222, may be responsible for such a difference. To test this possibility, amino acids at positions 207 and 221 of mGSTAl were mutated with the equivalent residues of mGSTA2. Kinetic analysis of the wild type and the mutant enzymes revealed that both methionine-207 and isoleucine-221 are critical for higher activity of mGSTA1-1 toward (+)-anti-BPDE compared with that of mGSTA2-2.

Hematocrit levels and hospitalization risks in hemodialysis patients

The association between hematocrit level and future hospitalization risks in hemodialysis patients has not been fully investigated on a national level. A total of 71,717 prevalent Medicare hemodialysis patients who survived a 6-mo entry period from July 1 through December 31, 1993 were studied, and their risk of hospitalizations was evaluated the next year. Five hematocrit groups were defined from Medicare recombinant human erythropoietin-treated patients: <27%, 27 to <30%, 30 to <33%, 33 to <36%, and > or =36%. A Cox regression model was used to investigate the association between hematocrit level and the risk of first hospitalization, and the Andersen-Gill regression model evaluated multiple hospitalizations during the next year, adjusting for patient comorbidity and severity of disease. Compared with the baseline group of 30 to <33%, patients with hematocrit levels <30% had a 14 to 30% increased risk of hospitalization without disease severity adjustment (p = 0.0001) and a 7 to 18% increased risk with disease severity adjustment (p = 0.0001). Patients in the 33 to <36% group had the lowest risk at 0.93 and 0.88 (p = 0.0001), with and without adjustment for disease severity. It is concluded that patients with hematocrits of <30% have an increased risk of future hospitalization, with hematocrit levels between 33 and 36% having the lowest associated risks.

Human placental Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter. Cloning, functional expression, gene structure, and chromosomal localization

We have cloned the human Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), which transports the water-soluble vitamins pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate, from a placental choriocarcinoma cell line (JAR). The cDNA codes for a protein of 635 amino acids with 12 transmembrane domains and 4 putative sites for N-linked glycosylation. The human SMVT exhibits a high degree of homology (84% identity and 89% similarity) to the rat counterpart. When expressed in HRPE cells, the cDNA-induced transport process is obligatorily dependent on Na+ and accepts pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate as substrates. The relationship between the cDNA-specific uptake rate of pantothenate or biotin and Na+ concentration is sigmoidal with a Na+:vitamin stoichiometry of 2:1. The human SMVT, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, induces inward currents in the presence of pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate in a Na+-, concentration-, and potential-dependent manner. We also report here on the structural organization and chromosomal localization of the human SMVT gene. The SMVT gene is approximately 14 kilobase pairs in length and consists of 17 exons. The SMVT gene is located on chromosome 2p23 as evidenced by somatic cell hybrid analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Efficient gas-phase generation of coherent vacuum ultraviolet radiation

We report the demonstration of a pulsed atomic lead (Pb) vapor-based vacuum ultraviolet frequency converter from 233 to 186 nm with unity photon-conversion efficiency. This conversion is attained without phase matching.

Heart hypoplasia in experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Heart hypoplasia is associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and decisively influences survival rate. This study examines whether nitrofen-exposed fetal rats have heart hypoplasia.

METHODS

Pregnant rats received either 100 mg nitrofen or vehicle on gestational day 9.5. The hearts recovered near full term were either formalin fixed for anatomic studies or snap-frozen for biochemical studies. Heart weight, ventricular chamber diameters and aortic-to-pulmonary root diameter ratios were measured in fixed hearts. Protein and DNA were determined in frozen hearts. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation-regression studies were used for statistical assessment.

RESULTS

All control fetuses were normal, whereas 61% of those exposed to nitrofen had CDH. Cardiovascular malformations were found in 73% of CDH and in 50% of non-CDH animals. Wet and fixed heart weights in percent of fetal weight, left-to-right ventricular diameter ratio, and aortic-to-pulmonary root diameter ratio were significantly decreased in fetuses with CDH in comparison with controls. Only wet heart was significantly decreased in nitrofen-treated fetuses without CDH, although all other variables showed a trend in the same direction. Protein to DNA ratios were similar in the three groups. The structure of the myocytes was histologically similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The spectrum of lesions in the nitrofen model of CDH encompasses heart hypoplasia, further validating its use for research on this condition. Heart hypoplasia is related to cardiopulmonary compression, but its presence in treated animals without CDH demonstrates that the teratogen itself participate directly in its pathogenesis, and this finding invites further research on this line.

Tracheobronchial malformations in experimental esophageal atresia

BACKGROUND

Malformations of the tracheobronchial tree may account for postoperative respiratory symptoms in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). This study examines the respiratory tract in fetal rats with EA induced by Adriamycin.

METHODS

Time-mated female rats were given either 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal Adriamycin on gestational days 8 and 9 (adria group, n = 6) or no treatment (control group, n = 2), and the fetuses were recovered on day 21. Laryngo-tracheo bronchial tree was studied after transparentation and alcian blue-alizarin red staining that depicts the cartilage in blue and make the surrounding tissues transparent.

RESULTS

There were no malformations in any of the 1 1 control animals studied. Conversely, 31 of 46 (67%) Adriamycin fetuses had EA with distal TEF. These had more tracheal rings than controls (32+/-2 v 26+/-1.5, P < .05) at the expense of those of the mainstem bronchi (3.2+/-1 v 6.6+/-1.1 in the right, P< .05 and 6.2+/-2.1 v 11+/-1.1 in the left, P < .05). There were tracheal stenoses in 16 pups with EA (some severe and five double), and all these had fragmented rings in the trachea or bronchi. In six cases there was an ectopic upper right bronchus, and 1 had a grossly abnormal larynx. The malformations in the 15 Adriamycin-exposed fetuses without EA were limited to some fragmented or mishaped rings.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngo-tracheobronchial malformations entailing the whole length of the tract are very constant and severe in rats with EA and tracheoesophageal fistula and correspond to an abnormal development of the tracheobronchial anlage from the ventral foregut. Their nature and extent invite a careful investigation of the respiratory tracts in EA babies in whom they could be underscored.

Hematocrit level and associated mortality in hemodialysis patients

Although a number of clinical studies have shown that increased hematocrits are associated with improved outcomes in terms of cognitive function, reduced left ventricular hypertrophy, increased exercise tolerance, and improved quality of life, the optimal hematocrit level associated with survival has yet to be determined. The association between hematocrit levels and patient mortality was retrospectively studied in a prevalent Medicare hemodialysis cohort on a national scale. All patients survived a 6-mo entry period during which their hematocrit levels were assessed, from July 1 through December 31, 1993, with follow-up from January 1 through December 31, 1994. Patient comorbid conditions relative to clinical events and severity of disease were determined from Medicare claims data and correlated with the entry period hematocrit level. After adjusting for medical diseases, our results showed that patients with hematocrit levels less than 30% had significantly higher risk of all-cause (12 to 33%) and cause-specific death, compared to patients with hematocrits in the 30% to less than 33% range. Without severity of disease adjustment, patients with hematocrit levels of 33% to less than 36% appear to have the lowest risk for all-cause and cardiac mortality. After adjusting for severity of disease, the impact of hematocrit levels of 33% to less than 36% is vulnerable to the patient sample size but also demonstrates a further 4% reduced risk of death. Overall, these findings suggest that sustained increases in hematocrit levels are associated with improved patient survival.

Gender related differences in ATP-dependent transport of dinitrophenyl-glutathione conjugate across murine canalicular liver plasma membrane

The present study reports gender related differences in ATP-dependent transport of dinitrophenyl-glutathione (GSH) conjugate (DNP-SG), a model GSH xenobiotic conjugate, across murine canalicular liver plasma membrane (cLPM). ATP-dependent transport of DNP-SG across female A/J mouse cLPM was mediated by two components, a high-affinity and a low-affinity component, with corresponding Km of 18 microM (Vmax 0.02 nmol/min.mg) and 500 microM (Vmax 0.23 nmol/min.mg), respectively. On the other hand, only one component for the ATP-dependent transport of DNP-SG was observed in male mouse cLPM (K(m) 130 microM; Vmax 0.18 nmol/min.mg). Moreover, the rate of ATP-dependent transport of DNP-SG was markedly higher in the cLPM fraction of male mouse compared with that of the female. Presence of two transport components in female mouse cLPM, but only one system in the cLPM fraction of male mouse, was confirmed by measuring DNP-SG mediated stimulation of ATP hydrolysis (DNP-SG ATPase activity). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report on gender related differences in ATP-dependent murine canalicular transport of GSH conjugates.

Assessing environmental justice using Bayesian hierarchical models: two case studies

Sound statistical methodology for assessing environmental justice is clearly needed, but has been slow to develop. In this paper, we investigate the use of hierarchical Bayesian methods for combining disparate sources of environmental data featuring complex correlations over both space and time. After a brief review of the Bayesian approach and its specific application to disease mapping problems, we illustrate two case studies. The first to these investigates the effect of a certain nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in Ohio on the lung cancer rates in the counties that surround it, while the second concerns the relation between air quality (especially in terms of ambient ozone levels) and pediatric emergency room visits due to asthma in the Atlanta metro area. We close by summarizing the method's implications for environmental justice, as well as future methodological and applied work.

Lung hypoplasia caused by nitrofen is mediated by down-regulation of thyroid transcription factor TTF-1

Prenatal exposure to nitrofen induces lung hypoplasia and diaphragmatic hernias very similar to those in human disease, but the mechanisms are still unknown. Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) is involved in lung ontogeny and regulation of the expression of surfactant proteins, and is likely abnormally expressed in nitrofen-induced lung hypoplasia. This study examines the effect of nitrofen on TTF-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the lungs of prenatal rat fetuses and a human lung-cell line (NCI-H441) that expresses both TTF-1 and surfactant proteins in vivo. Lungs from preterm fetuses harvested from rats with 100 mg nitrofen on gestational day 9.5 and NCI-H441 cells maintained in RPMI medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and exposed to nitrofen for different times and concentrations were assayed for TTF-1 mRNA by northern blot analysis. mRNA for TTF-1 was decreased in nitrofen-exposed pups in comparison with controls, and exposure to nitrofen caused a dose- and time-related decrease in TTF-1 expression in H441 cell cultures. These results indicate that nitrofen downregulates TTF-1 both in vivo and in vitro. Since this interferes with lung development, it is reasonable to accept that lung hypoplasia in this model is in part due to the direct effect of the teratogen rather than to compression by the abdominal viscera herniated into the thorax. This mechanism should be explored in the clinical setting.

The tracheobronchial tree is abnormal in experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have other malformations that contribute to the high mortality. The nitrofen rat model allows experimental study of these anomalies. This study examines whether the tracheobronchial tree is also abnormal in this model. Time-mated rats received 100 mg nitrofen on gestational day 9. 5; 90 fetuses were harvested on day 21 (near full term) and dissected. The trachea and bronchi were stained with alcian blue-alizarin red and their anatomy was examined by transillumination under a microscope. The findings were compared with those of 11 suitable controls. Control pups had no malformations. Those with CDH (n = 57) had significantly decreased numbers of tracheal rings in comparison with controls (22.9 +/- 1.9 vs 26 +/- 1.9, P < 0.05) and 40/57 had fragmented rings (0 in controls). Twelve CDH animals had, in addition, tracheal stenoses of variable severity, sometimes related to vascular rings. Nitrofen fetuses without CDH (n = 33) had only short tracheas and 4 had mild stenoses. Nitrofen-exposed fetuses have, in addition to lung hypoplasia and sometimes CDH, severe tracheobronchial anomalies that suggest the involvement of pathogenetic mechanisms capable of acting on various tissue components. The genetic control of organogenesis is most probably disturbed by the teratogen.

[Analysis of the curative effect on ascites in liver cirrhosis by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine]

Eighty eight patients with cirrhosis ascites were treated with regular medicine and peritoneal cavity administration or with traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. The results were as follows: The urine volume per day was markedly increased in the group treated with traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine, the abdominal circuit decreased, and the time of ascites disappearonce significantly shortened. There was a significant difference betwee the regular group and the peritoneal cavity administration group (P < 0.01); the serum albumin/globulin ratio was remarkably increased (P < 0.05). The curative effect on ascites disappearonce in the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group prevailed over the other two groups (P < 0.01).

Whole body hyperthermia selectively induces heat shock protein 72 in neurons of the rat spinal cord

The aims of this study were to examine whether the heat shock response is operative in the spinal cord, and to identify the type of responsible cell. Immunoblot analysis using an antibody specific for a highly stress-inducible heat shock protein with a molecular mass of 72 kDa (HSP72) showed that exposing rats to whole body hyperthermia remarkably induced HSP72 protein in the spinal cord within 2 h. Northern blot analysis with a cDNA probe for human HSP72 demonstrated that whole body hyperthermia induced the expression of HSP72 mRNA within 30 min in the spinal cord. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that neurons in the gray matter appear to be a preferential target of the heat shock response, suggesting that the heat shock response might have a therapeutic implication for protection against spinal cord injury.

Catalytic efficiencies of allelic variants of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 toward carcinogenic anti-diol epoxides of benzo[c]phenanthrene and benzo[g]chrysene

Four allelic variants of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase P1-1 (hGSTP1-1) that differ in their structures at amino acid(s) in position(s) 104 and/or 113 are known to exist in human populations. However, the physiological significance of hGSTP1-1 polymorphism is not fully understood. In this communication, we report that the I104,A113 allele of hGSTP1-1, which is most frequent in human populations, is also most efficient in the GSH conjugation of carcinogenic anti-diol epoxides of benzo[g]chrysene and benzo[c]phenanthrene (anti-BGCDE and anti-BCPDE, respectively). The catalytic efficiency of hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) isoform toward anti-BGCDE, 0.36 mM(-1) x s(-1), was approximately 1.7-fold higher (P < 0.05) compared with hGSTP1-1(V104,V113). Interestingly, the frequency of codon 104-valine alleles is significantly higher in certain cancers compared with codon 104-isoleucine alleles. Like anti-BGCDE, the catalytic efficiency of hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) isoform toward anti-BCPDE was higher by about 1.4- to 2.2-fold (P < 0.05) than those of other hGSTP1-1 variants. These observations are interesting because we have shown previously (Hu, X. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 238: 397-402, 1997) that the V104,V113 variant, not the I104,A113 isoform, is most efficient in the GSH conjugation of bay-region anti-diol epoxide of benzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE), which, unlike anti-BGCDE or anti-BCPDE, is a planar molecule. In conclusion, our results suggest that hGSTP1-1 polymorphism may be an important factor in differential susceptibility of humans to cancers where polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are etiological factors and that I104,A113 variant may play a major role in the detoxification of nonplanar, sterically hindered fjord-region diol epoxides (e.g., anti-BGCDE).

Differential enantioselectivity of murine glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in the glutathione conjugation of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-1, 2-oxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene stereoisomers

The kinetics of the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of anti- as well as syn-3,4-dihydroxy-1,2-oxy-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene (B[c]PDE) catalyzed by murine GSH S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes has been investigated. Murine GSTs exhibited significant differences in their enantioselectivity toward B[c]PDE stereoisomers. For example, while pi class isoenzyme mGSTP1-1 was virtually inactive toward stereoisomers with 1S configuration [(-)-syn-and (+)-anti-B[c]PDE], these stereoisomers were good substrates for alpha class isoenzyme mGSTA1-2. When GST activity was measured as a function of varying B[c]PDE concentration (10-320 microM) at a fixed saturating concentration of GSH (2 mM), each isoenzyme examined obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with all four B[c]PDE stereoisomers. Alpha class isoenzyme mGSTA4-4 exhibited negligible activity toward all four stereoisomers of B[c]PDE. The catalytic efficiency of mGSTA1-2 was approximately 1.5- to 15-fold higher than other murine GSTs in the GSH conjugation of (-)-anti-B[c]PDE, which among the four B[c]PDE stereoisomers is the most potent pulmonary carcinogen in the newborn mouse model and a potent skin tumor-initiator. While alpha class isoenzymes mGSTA3-3 and mGSTA1-2 were equally efficient in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-B[c]PDE, their catalytic efficiencies toward this stereoisomer were significantly higher than those of mGSTP1-1 and mGSTM1-1. Likewise, mGSTA1-2 was relatively more efficient than other GSTs in the GSH conjugation of both enantiomers of syn-B[c]PDE. In summary, our results indicate that (a) murine GSTs significantly differ in their enantioselectivity in the GSH conjugation of B[c]PDE stereoisomers, which may partially account for the observed differences in the carcinogenic potency of B[c]PDE stereoisomers, and (b) mGSTA1-2 and mGSTA3-3 play a major role in the detoxification of B[c]PDE.

[Effect of T-lymphocytes on hematopoietic progenitors in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of T-lymphocytes on hematopoietic progenitors in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

METHODS

Phytohemagglutinin-stimulating T-lymphocytes conditioned medium(PHA-TCM) prepared from PNH(PHA-TCM-PNH) and normal blood(PHA-TCM-N) was added to the cultures of PNH or normal CFU-GM and BFU-E.

RESULTS

In cultures containing PHA-TCM-PNH prepared from newly diagnosed PNH patients, the yields of CFU-GM and BFU-E from either PNH or normal bone marrow were reduced more than they did in cultures containing PHA-TCM-N; but in cultures containing PHA-TCM-PNH prepared from PNH patients in remission, they were normal.

CONCLUSION

T-lymphocytes from newly diagnosed PNH patients exerts an inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of CFU-GM and BFU-E.

Spatio-temporal models with errors in covariates: mapping Ohio lung cancer mortality

In estimating spatial disease patterns, as well as in related assessments of environmental equity, regional morbidity and mortality rate maps are widely used. Hierarchical Bayes methods are increasingly popular tools for creating such maps, since they permit smoothing of the fitted rates toward spatially local mean values, with more unreliable estimates (those arising in low-population regions) receiving more smoothing. In this paper we blend methods for spatial-temporal mapping with those for handling errors in covariates in a single hierarchical model framework. Estimated posterior distributions for the resulting highly-parameterized models are obtained via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, which also play a key role in our approach to model evaluation and selection. We apply our approach to a data set of county-specific lung cancer rates in the state of Ohio during the period 1968-1988. Our model uses age-adjusted death rates, and incorporates recent information regarding smoking prevalence, population density, and the socio-economic status of the counties. This information is critical to understanding the role played by a certain depleted uranium fuel processing facility on the elevated lung cancer rates in the counties that neighbour it.

Mechanism of inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by dietary curcumin

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the major yellow pigment in turmeric, has been shown to inhibit benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced forestomach cancer in mice through mechanism(s) not fully understood. It is well known that while cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and epoxide hydrolase (EH) are important in the conversion of BaP to its activated form, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BaPDE], the detoxification of (+)-anti-BaPDE is accomplished by glutathione (GSH) S-transferases (GST). Therefore, it seems reasonable to postulate that curcumin may exert anti-carcinogenic activity either by inhibiting activation of BaP or (and) by enhancing the detoxification of (+)-anti-BaPDE. Administration p.o. of 2% curcumin in the diet to female A/J mice for 14 days, which has been shown to cause a significant inhibition in BaP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis, resulted in a modest but statistically significant reduction in hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, a reaction preferentially catalyzed by CYP1A1. While EROD activity could not be detected in the forestomach of either control or treated mice, curcumin feeding caused a statistically significant increase (approximately 2.3-fold) in hepatic EH and GST activities. Hepatic and forestomach GSH levels, and forestomach EH and GST activities were not affected by curcumin treatment. Even though the levels of various hepatic GST isoenzymes were significantly increased upon curcumin feeding, maximum induction was noticed for the pi class isoenzyme (mGSTP1-1), which among murine hepatic GSTs is highly efficient in the detoxification of (+)-anti-BaPDE. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that curcumin may inhibit BaP-induced forestomach cancer in mice by affecting both activation as well as inactivation pathways of BaP metabolism in the liver.

Dyspepsia in the community is linked to smoking and aspirin use but not to Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and symptoms remains controversial. We aimed to determine if an association exists between unexplained dyspepsia (pain or discomfort centered in the upper part of the abdomen) and H pylori.

METHODS

A validated questionnaire was completed by 592 healthy blood donors. Helicobacter pylori serologic values (via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), blood group status, and Rh status were measured; 4.9% of subjects who had a history of peptic ulcer disease were excluded from the analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dyspepsia and no ulcer history was 11% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6%-13.8%); 15.4% of subjects with dyspepsia had H pylori while 14.6% of subjects without dyspepsia were infected (P=.90). The mean dyspepsia impact scores (combining frequency and severity) in those with and without H pylori were 4.7 and 5.4, respectively (P=.20). The median H pylori optical density values in dyspepsia vs no dyspepsia were not significantly different (P=.30). Independent risk factors for dyspepsia were the use of aspirin (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7) and smoking (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3-3.6) but not age, sex, marital status, educational level, income, or the use of alcohol, coffee, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Independent risk factors for H pylori were increasing age (OR, 1.8 per decade; 95% CI, 1.5-2.3), male sex (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3-3.4), and net family income (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-3.3).

CONCLUSION

Dyspepsia in the community is linked to smoking and aspirin use, but not to H pylori infection.

Alterations in the biorheological features of some soft tissues after limb lengthening

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a surgical limb lengthening procedure on the biorheological features of some lengthened soft tissues. In this procedure external fixators were applied to goats' right radius to stretch the tissues. The right forelegs of goats were lengthened by 2, 4 cm, respectively. After lengthening ceased, the goats were examined after different periods of time. The lengthened median nerves, arteries and veins were harvested and used to study their biorheological features. Tensile strength of lengthened and control specimens were measured and their stress relaxation features and stress-strain relationships were studied. Results showed that at the beginning of recovery, the stress-strain curves, relaxation curves and tensile strengths of the lengthened specimens began to deviate from those of their controls. However, with increasing recovery time, the curves and tensile strength of the lengthened specimens reverted to those of their controls. All the tissues studied exhibited the same behavior.

[Experimental study of the therapeutic effects of an anti-endothelial cell monoclonal antibody BVE-1 for solid tumor xenograft in nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To study the possibility of targeting endothelial cells with monoclonal antibody for the therapy of solid tumors.

METHODS

Leiomyosarcoma cell line SK-LMS-1, liver cancer cell line 7721 and pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 xenografts in nude mice were treated i.p. with an anti-endothelial cell monoclonal antibody BVE-1 or 131I labeled BVE-1, with normal mouse IgG or 131I labeled IgG as controls. The tumor volume was measured at regular intervals following treatment. After sacrifice of the mice, the tumor was histologically examined and the intra-tumoral microvessel density(TMVD) recorded.

RESULTS

The tumor growth inhibition effects in mice treated with BVE-1 was 49.8% in SK-LMS-1, 48.7% in SW1990 and 70.5% in 7721, respectively. Metastasis of leiomyosarcoma was also inhibited by the antibody treatment, leading to decreased death rate. This effect was enhanced when treated with 131I-labeled BVE-1 with an increase of tumor growth inhibition rate to 82.2%-86.6%. Pathologically, capillary endothelial cells degeneration, occlusion of capillaries and massive tumor cells necrosis around the degenerated vessels were observed in the BVE-1 treated mice. TMVD was significantly lower in the BVE-1 treated mice than that in mice treated with normal mouse IgG and in the untreated mice.

CONCLUSION

The monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial cells BVE-1 is effective in the treatment of human cancer xeno-transplanted in nude mice through the induction of capillary endothelial degeneration and vascular occlusion inside of the tumor. It can be used as a novel strategic approach in the treatment of human solid tumors.

Gender-related differences in susceptibility of A/J mouse to benzo[a]pyrene-induced pulmonary and forestomach tumorigenesis

Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is a suspected human carcinogen and is known to produce tumors in the lung and forestomach of mice. Glutathione (GSH) S-transferases (GST) play a major role in the detoxification of the ultimate carcinogen of BP, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene ((+)-anti-BPDE). Previous studies have shown gender-related differences in the expression of GST isoenzymes in mice. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis whether gender-related differences in the expression of GST isoenzymes can affect the susceptibility of mice to BP-induced lung and forestomach tumorigenesis. The expression of pi class isoenzyme mGSTP1-1, which is highly efficient in the detoxification of (+)-anti-BPDE, was approximately 3.0- and 1.5-fold higher in the liver and forestomach of male A/J mouse, respectively, as compared with the female. The levels of other major GST isoenzymes, mGSTA3-3 (alpha class), mGSTM1-1 (mu class) and mGSTA4-4 (alpha class), were also significantly higher in the liver of the male mouse as compared with the female. While pulmonary mGSTP1-1 expression did not differ significantly between male and female A/J mice, the expression of mGSTA3-3, mGSTM1-1 and mGSTA4-4 was significantly higher (1.4-4.0-fold) in the lung of the male A/J mouse as compared with the female. At lower concentrations of BP (0.5 mg BP/mouse), the tumor incidence/multiplicity was significantly higher in the lung as well as in the forestomach of female mice as compared with male mice. For example, while 30% of the female mice developed pulmonary tumors 26 weeks after the first 0.5 mg BP administration, none of the male mice had tumors in their lungs. At higher doses of BP (1.5 mg BP/mouse), however, this differential was either abolished or relatively less pronounced. Our results suggest that up to a certain threshold of BP exposure the levels of GST isoenzymes may be an important determinant of susceptibility to BP-induced tumorigenesis in mice.

ATP-dependent transport of glutathione conjugate of 7beta, 8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene in murine hepatic canalicular plasma membrane vesicles

Glutathione (GSH) S-transferases (GSTs) have an important role in the detoxification of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], which is the ultimate carcinogen of benzo[a]pyrene. However, the fate and/or biological activity of the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-BPDE [(-)-anti-BPD-SG] is not known. We now report that (-)-anti-BPD-SG is a competitive inhibitor (Ki 19 microM) of Pi-class isoenzyme mGSTP1-1, which among murine hepatic GSTs is most efficient in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE. Thus the inhibition of mGSTP1-1 activity by (-)-anti-BPD-SG might interfere with the GST-catalysed GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE unless one or more mechanisms exist for the removal of the conjugate. The results of the present study indicate that (-)-anti-BPD-SG is transported across canalicular liver plasma membrane (cLPM) in an ATP-dependent manner. The ATP-dependent transport of (-)-anti-[3H]BPD-SG followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km 46 microM). The ATP dependence of the (-)-anti-BPD-SG transport was confirmed by measuring the stimulation of ATP hydrolysis (ATPase activity) by the conjugate in the presence of cLPM protein, which also followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. In contrast, a kinetic analysis of ATP-dependent uptake of the model conjugate S-[3H](2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione ([3H]DNP-SG) revealed the presence of a high-affinity and a low-affinity transport system in mouse cLPM, with apparent Km values of 18 and 500 microM respectively. The ATP-dependent transport of (-)-anti-BPD-SG was inhibited competitively by DNP-SG (Ki 1.65 microM). Likewise, (-)-anti-BPD-SG was found to be a potent competitive inhibitor of the high-affinity component of DNP-SG transport (Ki 6.3 microM). Our results suggest that GST-catalysed conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE with GSH, coupled with ATP-dependent transport of the resultant conjugate across cLPM, might be the ultimate detoxification pathway for this carcinogen.

Cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a functionally novel alpha class glutathione S-transferase with exceptional activity in the glutathione conjugation of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene

The present study describes cDNA cloning, expression, and kinetic characterization of the two subunits of a murine alpha-class glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isoenzyme (previously designated as GST 9.5), which, unlike other alpha-class mammalian GSTs, is exceptionally efficient in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE] [X. Hu, S. K. Srivastava, H. Xia, Y. C. Awasthi, and S. V. Singh (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 32684-32688]. The cDNAs for both subunits of GST 9.5 (GST 9.5-1 and GST 9.5-2) were cloned by RT-PCR. The deduced amino acid sequences of GST 9.5-1 and GST 9.5-2 clones were identical to those of mGSTA1 and mGSTA2, respectively. Both these subunits were expressed in Escherichia coli to determine the relationships between recombinant mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 and corresponding subunits of tissue-isolated GST 9.5. The pI values of recombinant mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 (9.49 and 9.45, respectively) were similar to that of the tissue-isolated isoenzyme (pI 9.5). The reverse-phase HPLC elution profiles and immunological cross-reactivities of recombinant mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 were also similar to those of the corresponding subunits of tissue-isolated GST 9.5. The catalytic efficiency of recombinant mGSTA1-1 toward (+)-anti-BPDE, 131 mM-1.s-1, was approximately 9.5-to 655-fold higher compared with tissue-isolated mGSTP1-1, mGSTA3-3, mGSTM1-1, and mGSTA4-4. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of mGSTA1-1 toward (+)-anti-BPDE was about 3.3-fold higher compared with recombinant mGSTA2-2. The mGSTA1 and/or mGSTA2 subunits were expressed to varying degrees in female A/J mouse tissues. For example, mGSTA1, but not mGSTA2, subunit expression was observed in the skin, which is a target organ for benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced cancer in mice. On the other hand, the expression of either mGSTA1 or mGSTA2 subunit could not be detected in the lung, which is another target organ for BP-induced cancer in mice. Interestingly, relatively large amounts of both mGSTA1 and mGSTA2 subunits were detected in the kidney. In conclusion, the results of the present study clearly indicate that the A1-type subunit of GST 9.5 is responsible for its exceptional catalytic efficiency in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE, which is the ultimate carcinogen of widespread environmental pollutant BP.

[Expression of the polyketide ketoreductase gene from midecamycin producing strain in E. coli]

Two primers were designed and synthesized according to the polyketide ketoreductase from midecamycin producing strain gene(MKR) sequence data which has been reported, MKR gene was amplified using PCR technique. The amplified MKR gene was subcloned into NdeI and BamHI sites of the T7RNA polymerase-dependent pT7-7 expression vector, and introduced into E. coli K38/pGP1-2. Proteins were isolated from transformant. The result of exclusive labeling by L-35S-methionine of plasmid-encoded proteins SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the MKR was produced in E. coli. The expressed MKR has bioactivity.

Differential induction of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase by anti-carcinogenic organosulfides from garlic

This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of organ specificity and differential efficacy of garlic organosulfides (OSCs) [diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), dipropyl sulfide (DPS) and dipropyl disulfide (DPDS)] in preventing benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced tumorigenesis in mice. The results of the present study reveal a good correlation between chemopreventive efficacies of garlic OSCs and their inductive effects on the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO), an enzyme implicated in the detoxification of activated quinone metabolites of BP. Treatment of mice with DADS and DATS, which are potent inhibitors of BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis, resulted in a statistically significant increase (2.4- and 1.5-fold, respectively) in forestomach NQO activity. In addition, DADS and DATS were much more potent inducers of forestomach NQO activity than DAS, which is a weak inhibitor of BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis than the former compounds. Propyl-group containing OSCs (DPS and DPDS), which do not inhibit BP-induced tumorigenesis, did not affect forestomach NQO activity. Similar to forestomach, a good correlation was also observed between effects of these OSCs against BP-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis and their effects on NQO expression in the lung. For example, treatment of mice with DAS, which is a potent inhibitor of BP-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis, resulted in about 3.2-fold increase in pulmonary NQO activity. On the other hand, this activity was increased by about 1.5-fold upon DATS administration, which does not inhibit BP-induced cancer of the lung. In conclusion, our results suggest that induction of NQO may be important in anti-cancer effects of garlic OSCs.

Induction of glutathione S-transferase pi as a bioassay for the evaluation of potency of inhibitors of benzo(a)pyrene-induced cancer in a murine model

There is a growing need for short-term and cost-effective bioassay to assess the efficacy of potential chemo-preventive agents. We report that the induction of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase pi (mGSTP1-1) by a chemo-preventive agent can be used as a reliable marker to assess its efficacy in retarding chemical carcinogenesis induced by benzo(a)pyrene (BP), which is a widespread environmental pollutant and believed to be a risk factor in human chemical carcinogenesis. This conclusion is based on 1) the relative contribution of mGSTP1-1 of the liver and forestomach of female A/J mice in the detoxification of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BP, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9, 10-oxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE]; and 2) a positive correlation between the induction of hepatic and forestomach mGSTP1-1 by 5 naturally occurring organosulfides (OSCs) from garlic (diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, dipropyl sulfide and dipropyl disulfide) and their effectiveness in preventing BP-induced forestomach neoplasia in mice. In the liver, the combined contribution of other GSTs in the detoxification of (+)-anti-BPDE was far less than the contribution of mGSTP1-1 alone. Likewise, in the forestomach, the contribution of mGSTP1-1 far exceeded the combined contribution of other GSTs. Studies on the effects of OSCs against BP-induced forestomach neoplasia revealed a good correlation between their chemo-preventive efficacy and their ability to induce mGSTP1-1 expression in the liver (r = -0.89; p < 0.05) as well as in the forestomach (r = -0.97; p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the induction of mGSTP1-1 may be a reliable marker for evaluating the efficacy of potential inhibitors of BP-induced cancer in a murine model.

A ketoreductase gene from Streptomyces mycarofaciens 1748 DNA involved in biosynthesis of a spore pigment

An efficient plasmid transformation system for S. mycarofaciens 1748 has been established. In order to determine the function of MKR gene in S. mycarofaciens 1748, the gene disruption experiment was carried out. For this purpose the plasmid pKC1139 was used. A recombinant strain with white spore appeared, in contrast to the grey-colour spore of S. mycarofaciens 1748. This suggested that homologous recombination between plasmid-borne MKR gene sequence and the chromosome of S. mycarofaciens 1748 had occurred. A Southern hybridization experiment using a-(32)P-labelled MKR gene as probe indicated that the desired integration event had occurred in the recombinant. The result of gene disruption showed that the alteration of this gene in the chromosome of S. mycarofaciens 1748 made sporulating colonies remain white instead of taking on the typical grey colour of sporulating wild type colonies, suggesting that MKR gene is involved in the biosynthesis of a spore pigment. The recombinant strain was incubated with fermentation medium optimised for midecamycin production. A TLC assay showed that the recombinant strain produced midecamycin in quantities comparable to that of S. mycarofaciens 1748. A pCN8B12 was a clone from genomic library of midecamycin producing strain which contained a 28-kb DNA insert. The 28-kb DNA fragment contained act I-homologous and act III-homologous regions. he PKS (act I-homologous) and MKR (act III-homologous) genes that define spore pigment of midecamycin producing strain were localized by restriction endonuclease digestion with pCN8B12, indicating that they are separated by about 10 kb DNA. The polyketide synthase gene cluster of similar organization has not been reported yet.

Actinin-associated LIM protein: identification of a domain interaction between PDZ and spectrin-like repeat motifs

PDZ motifs are protein-protein interaction domains that often bind to COOH-terminal peptide sequences. The two PDZ proteins characterized in skeletal muscle, syntrophin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, occur in the dystrophin complex, suggesting a role for PDZ proteins in muscular dystrophy. Here, we identify actinin-associated LIM protein (ALP), a novel protein in skeletal muscle that contains an NH2-terminal PDZ domain and a COOH-terminal LIM motif. ALP is expressed at high levels only in differentiated skeletal muscle, while an alternatively spliced form occurs at low levels in the heart. ALP is not a component of the dystrophin complex, but occurs in association with alpha-actinin-2 at the Z lines of myofibers. Biochemical and yeast two-hybrid analyses demonstrate that the PDZ domain of ALP binds to the spectrin-like motifs of alpha-actinin-2, defining a new mode for PDZ domain interactions. Fine genetic mapping studies demonstrate that ALP occurs on chromosome 4q35, near the heterochromatic locus that is mutated in fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Activity of four allelic forms of glutathione S-transferase hGSTP1-1 for diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Allelic forms of hGSTP1-1 which differ from each other by their catalytic properties and, structurally, by the amino acid(s) in position(s) 104 or (and) 113 are known to exist in human populations. The four possible isoforms of hGSTP1-1 with isoleucine or valine in position 104 and with alanine or valine in position 113 were produced by site-directed mutagenesis of the cDNA followed by bacterial expression and purification of the proteins. Glutathione-conjugating activity was measured with the diol epoxides of benzo(a)pyrene and chrysene, as well as with the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Isoenzymes with valine in position 104 were more effective with the diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but less effective with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene than the isoforms with isoleucine 104. In addition, the transition A113V in the presence of V104 caused a pronounced increase in catalytic efficiency for the benzo(a)pyrene but not the chrysene diol epoxide. It is proposed that amino acid 113 functions as part of a clamp that lines the mouth of the water channel leading to the active sites of the hGSTP1-1 dimer and controls the access to substrates. Therefore, the hydrophobicity and the size of residue 113 are important in co-determining the substrate specificity of the isoenzymes. The widely different activities of the allelic isoforms toward carcinogenic diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may help to explain the correlation between cancer susceptibility and genotype at the hGSTP1 locus that has been found by others.

Mechanism of differential efficacy of garlic organosulfides in preventing benzo(a)pyrene-induced cancer in mice

The mechanism of differential efficacies of diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), dipropyl sulfide (DPS) and dipropyl disulfide (DPDS) in preventing benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced cancer in mice has been investigated by determining their effects on the enzymes of BP activation/inactivation pathways. With the exception of DATS, treatment of mice with other organosulfides (OSCs) caused a small but significant increase (37-44%) in hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity. However, the forestomach EROD activity did not differ significantly between control and treated groups. Only DAS treatment caused a modest but statistically significant reduction (about 25%) in pulmonary EROD activity. These results suggest that while reduction of EROD activity may, at least in part, contribute to the DAS-mediated inhibition of BP-induced lung cancer, anticarcinogenic effects of OSCs against BP-induced forestomach carcinogenesis seems to be independent of this mechanism. Treatment of mice with DAS, DADS and DATS resulted in a significant increase, as compared with control, in both hepatic (3.0-, 3.2- and 4.4-fold, respectively) and forestomach (1.5-, 2.7- and 2.7-fold, respectively) glutathione transferase (GST) activity toward anti-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE), which is the ultimate carcinogen of BP. The pulmonary GST activity was not increased by any of the OSCs. Even though epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity was differentially altered by these OSCs, a correlation between chemopreventive efficacy of OSCs and their effects on EH activity was not apparent. The results of the present study suggest that differences in the ability of OSCs to modulate GST activity toward anti-BPDE may, at least in part, account for their differential chemopreventive efficacy against BP-induced cancer in mice.

Mechanism of differential catalytic efficiency of two polymorphic forms of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 in the glutathione conjugation of carcinogenic diol epoxide of chrysene

The kinetics of the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with anti-1, 2-dihydroxy-3,4-oxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochrysene (anti-CDE), the activated form of the widespread environmental pollutant chrysene, catalyzed by two naturally occurring polymorphic forms of the pi class human GSH S-transferase (hGSTP1-1), has been investigated. The polymorphic forms of hGSTP1-1, which differ in their primary structure by a single amino acid in position 104, exhibited preference for the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-CDE, which is a far more potent carcinogen than (-)-anti-CDE. When concentration of anti-CDE was varied (5-200 microM and the GSH concentration was kept constant at 2 mM, both hGSTP1-1(I104) and hGSTP1-1(V104) obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. However, the Vmax of GSH conjugation of anti-CDE was approximately 5.3-fold higher for the V104 variant than for the I104 form. Calculation of catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) thus resulted in a value for hGSTP1-1(V104), 28 mM-1 s-1, that was 7.0-fold higher than that for hGSTP1-1(I104), 4 mM-1 s-1. The mechanism of the differences in the kinetic properties of hGSTP1-1 isoforms toward anti-CDE was investigated by molecular modeling of the two proteins with GSH conjugation products in their active sites. These studies revealed that the enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 for (+)-anti-CDE and the differential catalytic efficiencies of the V104 and I104 forms of hGSTP1-1 in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-CDE were due to the differences in the active-site architecture of the two proteins. The results of the present study, for the first time, provide evidence for the toxicological relevance of GSTP1-1 polymorphism in humans and suggest that the population polymorphism of hGSTP1-1 variants with disparate enzyme activities may, at least in part, account for the differential susceptibility of individuals to environmental carcinogens such as anti-CDE and possibly other similar carcinogens.

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), but not recombinant human granulocyte CSF, down-regulates the recombinant human stem cell factor-dependent differentiation of human fetal liver-derived mast cells

The effects of recombinant human granulocyte CSF (rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage CSF (rhGM-CSF) on the recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF)-dependent development of human mast cells from fetal liver progenitors were examined. Mast cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for tryptase and by flow cytometric analysis of surface Kit expression. Only rhGM-CSF affected mast cell development. When rhGM-CSF (1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) and rhSCF (50 ng/ml) were added to cell cultures from day 0, both the percentage and absolute numbers of mast cells were diminished after 4 wk compared with cultures exposed to rhSCF alone. Half of the maximal response was achieved at a dose of rhGM-CSF between 0.1 and 1 ng/ml. The Kit+ cells developing in the presence of rhGM-CSF and rhSCF exhibited an intensity of surface Kit expression comparable to that of cells exposed to rhSCF alone. Also, if the initial exposure to rhGM-CSF was delayed for 1 to 3 wk, attenuation of mast cell development waned. These findings are consistent with uncommitted progenitor cells being diverted to nonmast cell lineages by rhGM-CSF, while cells committed to a mast cell lineage, albeit immature, appear to be resistant to the lineage directives of rhGM-CSF. Exposure of fetal liver cells to rhGM-CSF for 1 to 3 days before addition of rhSCF further diminishes the number of mast cells that develop compared with the simultaneous addition of these growth factors on day 0. Whether administration of rhGM-CSF to humans before or together with rhSCF diminishes the mast cell hyperplasia that occurs with rhSCF alone remains to be determined.

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), but not recombinant human granulocyte CSF, down-regulates the recombinant human stem cell factor-dependent differentiation of human fetal liver-derived mast cells

The effects of recombinant human granulocyte CSF (rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage CSF (rhGM-CSF) on the recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF)-dependent development of human mast cells from fetal liver progenitors were examined. Mast cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for tryptase and by flow cytometric analysis of surface Kit expression. Only rhGM-CSF affected mast cell development. When rhGM-CSF (1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) and rhSCF (50 ng/ml) were added to cell cultures from day 0, both the percentage and absolute numbers of mast cells were diminished after 4 wk compared with cultures exposed to rhSCF alone. Half of the maximal response was achieved at a dose of rhGM-CSF between 0.1 and 1 ng/ml. The Kit+ cells developing in the presence of rhGM-CSF and rhSCF exhibited an intensity of surface Kit expression comparable to that of cells exposed to rhSCF alone. Also, if the initial exposure to rhGM-CSF was delayed for 1 to 3 wk, attenuation of mast cell development waned. These findings are consistent with uncommitted progenitor cells being diverted to nonmast cell lineages by rhGM-CSF, while cells committed to a mast cell lineage, albeit immature, appear to be resistant to the lineage directives of rhGM-CSF. Exposure of fetal liver cells to rhGM-CSF for 1 to 3 days before addition of rhSCF further diminishes the number of mast cells that develop compared with the simultaneous addition of these growth factors on day 0. Whether administration of rhGM-CSF to humans before or together with rhSCF diminishes the mast cell hyperplasia that occurs with rhSCF alone remains to be determined.

CCD-3693: an orally bioavailable analog of the endogenous neuroactive steroid, pregnanolone, demonstrates potent sedative hypnotic actions in the rat

An endogenous neuroactive steroid, pregnanolone, and an orally available synthetic analog, CCD-3693, were administered to rats at the middle of their circadian activity phase (6 hr after lights off). Electroencephalogram-defined sleep-wake states, locomotor activity and body temperature were concurrently measured 30 hr before and after treatment. Identical procedures were used to test triazolam and zolpidem. Triazolam (0.1-1.6 mg/kg), zolpidem (2.5-10 mg/kg) and the neuroactive steroids (10-30 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent increases in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. At this dose and time of day (in which the rats were predominantly awake during the 6 hr before treatment) the neuroactive steroids appeared more intrinsically efficacious in promoting NREM sleep than the benzodiazepine ligands. The neurosteroids did not, however, significantly interfere with rapid eye movement sleep and were more selective in reducing (EEG) wakefulness, with relatively less locomotor activity impairment during waking than triazolam and zolpidem. In addition, the benzodiazepine receptor ligands showed distinct "rebound" wakefulness after the NREM sleep-promoting effect subsided, although the neuroactive steroids did not. In addition, in vitro binding studies and in vivo pharmacological data confirmed that CCD-3693 was orally active in standard tests of anxiety, anticonvulsant, loss-of-righting and passive avoidance.

Active site architecture of polymorphic forms of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 accounts for their enantioselectivity and disparate activity in the glutathione conjugation of 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-ox y-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene

In this study, we demonstrate that the active site architecture of the human glutathione (GSH) S-transferase Pi (GSTP1-1) accounts for its enantioselectivity in the GSH conjugation of 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-oxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo(a) pyrene (anti-BPDE), the ultimate carcinogen of benzo(a)pyrene. Furthermore, we report that the two polymorphic forms of human GSTP1-1, differing in their primary structure by a single amino acid in position 104, have disparate activity toward (+)-anti-BPDE, which can also be rationalized in terms of their active site structures. When concentration of (+)-anti-BPDE, which among four BPDE isomers is the most potent carcinogen, was varied and GSH concentration was kept constant at 2 mM (saturating concentration), both forms of hGSTP1-1 [hGSTP1-1(V104) and hGSTP1-1(I104)] obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The V(max) of GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE was approximately 3.4-fold higher for hGSTP1-1(V104) than for hGSTP1-1(I104). Adherence to Michaelis-Menten kinetics was also observed for both isoforms when (-)-anti-BPDE, which is a weak carcinogen, was used as the variable substrate. However, (-)-anti-BPDE was a relatively poor substrate for both isoforms as compared with (+)-anti-BPDE. Moreover, there were no significant differences between hGSTP1-1(V104) and hGSTP1-1(I104) in either V(max) or K(m) for (-)-anti-BPDE. The mechanism of differences in kinetic properties and enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 variants toward anti-BPDE was investigated by modeling of the two proteins with conjugation product molecules in their active sites. Molecular modeling studies revealed that the differences in catalytic properties of hGSTP1-1 variants as well as the enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 in the GSH conjugation of anti-BPDE can be rationalized in terms of the architecture of their active sites. Our results suggest that the population polymorphism of hGSTP1-1 variants with disparate enzyme activities may, at least in part, account for the differential susceptibility of individuals to carcinogens such as anti-BPDE and possibly other similar carcinogens.

Detection of mycoplasma infection of mammalian cells

Mycoplasma infection was detected in cultures of COS cells with a novel, simple assay that detects the conversion of arginine to citrulline by the enzyme, arginine deiminase, specific to all species of mycoplasma. Transfection of COS cells was inhibited in mycoplasma-infected cells, a phenomenon that was readily reversed by treatment with a mycoplasma removal agent. Cultures of cells used for transfection should be regularly monitored for evidence of mycoplasma by assay of arginine deiminase activity or by other methods.

Age might influence the frequency distribution of metoprolol hydroxylation polymorphism in a Chinese population

The frequency distribution of the 8-hour urinary ratio of metoprolol/alpha-hydroxymetoprolol (MR) was investigated in 206 healthy rural Chinese volunteers. The frequency of the poor metabolizer phenotype of metoprolol alpha-hydroxylation was 0% in this Chinese population. When the 206 subjects were subgrouped into four groups by age, the excretion of alpha-hydroxymetoprolol was significantly lower in the subjects with age older than 41 years compared to two younger groups (16-30 years), and the metoprolol hydroxylation metabolic ratio(metoprolol/a-hydroxymetoprolol, MR) was higher in these middle-aged subjects, indicating that age may affect the frequency distribution of the 8-hour urinary MR or log MR, although multiple regression analysis did not show a significant correlation between age, urine volume and MR. Also, a significant correlation was found between age and the excretion (percentage of dose) of alpha-hydroxymetoprolol in 8-hour urine (r = 0.259, P < 0.001). On the other hand, both multiple regression analysis and nonparametric tests showed that the larger the amount of urine excreted, the more metoprolol was recovered, demonstrating that the urinary excretion of unchanged metoprolol is renal flow-limited.

Mechanism of increased sensitivity to etoposide in a mitomycin C-resistant human bladder cancer cell line

The mechanism of increased sensitivity to etoposide (VP-16) in a human bladder cancer cell line (J82/MMC-2), which is >9-fold more resistant to mitomycin C (MMC) compared with parental cells (J82/WT), was investigated. Colony formation assays, following 1 hr drug exposure, revealed that about a 2.2-fold higher concentration of VP-16 was required to kill 50% of the J82/WT cell line compared with J82/MMC-2. The MTT assays, following continuous drug exposure, also showed that the J82/MMC-2 cell line was significantly more sensitive to VP-16 compared with J82/WT. Accumulation of VP-16 was significantly higher in the J82/MMC-2 cell line compared with J82/WT at every drug concentration tested. Likewise, intracellular VP-16 retention was significantly higher in the J82/MMC-2 cell line compared with J82/WT when drug uptake was measured as a function of varying incubation time and at a fixed VP-16 concentration. The efflux of VP-16 from the J82/MMC-2 cell line was equivalent to that from J82/WT. In agreement with the results of drug uptake studies, the levels of VP-16-induced protein-DNA complexes were markedly higher in the J82/MMC-2 cell line compared with J82/WT. The catalytic activity of topoisomerase II (topo II) in 0.35 M NaCl nuclear extract of J82/WT cells was equivalent to that of J82/MMC-2. The levels of topo II mRNA were also comparable in these cells. Our results suggest that the mechanism responsible for the collateral sensitivity of the J82/MMC-2 cell line to VP-16 may be attributable to a relatively higher drug accumulation in this cell line compared with parental cells.

Nitric oxide synthase and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase concentrated at the neuromuscular endplate

Nitric oxide mediates diverse functions in development and physiology of vertebrate skeletal muscle. Neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-mu is enriched in fast-twitch fibers and binds to syntrophin, a component of the sarcolemmal dystrophin glycoprotein complex. Here, we show that cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I, a primary effector for nitric oxide, occurs selectively at the neuromuscular junction, in mice and rats, and both neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-mu and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I remain at skeletal muscle endplates at least two weeks following muscle denervation. Expression of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-mu and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I are up-regulated following fusion of cultured primary myotubes. Interestingly, the highest levels of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-mu in muscle are found complexed with dystrophin at the sarcolemma of intrafusal fibers in muscle spindles. Localization of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-mu and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I at the neuromuscular junction suggests functions for nitric oxide and cyclic GMP in the regulation of synaptic actions of intra- and extrafusal muscle fibers.