Stable expression of recombinant AMPA receptor subunits: binding affinities and effects of allosteric modulators

Homomeric AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)-type glutamate receptors (GluRs) were stably expressed in kidney cells from cDNAs encoding GluR1 flop, GluR2 flip, GluR2 flop, and GluR3 flop subunits. The recombinant receptors were of the expected size and showed functional properties in whole-cell recording as previously reported. [3H]AMPA binding to all subunits was increased to a similar extent by the chaotropic ion thiocyanate (SCN-). Significant differences were found in the Scatchard plots, however, which were linear and of high affinity for GluR1 and -3 receptors (K(D) values of 33 and 52 nM, respectively) but showed curvature for GluR2 receptors, indicating the presence of two components with distinct affinities. As with brain AMPA receptors, solubilization of GluR2 receptors reduced the number of lower-affinity sites and correspondingly increased the number of higher-affinity sites. The sulfhydryl reagent p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid, which increases binding to brain receptors, produced only minor changes except in the case of GluR2 flip. These results indicate that GluR2, among the subunits examined here, most closely resembles the native AMPA receptors in brain membranes. [3H]AMPA binding was inhibited in a noncompetitive manner by two drugs that change the desensitization kinetics of the AMPA receptor. In agreement with physiological observations, the apparent affinity of cyclothiazide for GluR2 flip (EC50 = 7 microM) was higher than that for receptors made of flop subunits (49-130 microM). In contrast, BDP-37, a member of the benzamide family of drugs, exhibited a lower potency for GluR2 flip (58 microM) than for any of the flop isoforms (18-40 microM). These results predict that the action of centrally active AMPA-receptor modulators varies across brain regions depending on their flip/flop composition.

Purification and characterization of a thermostable pyruvate kinase from the actinomycete Microbispora thermodiastatica

The pyruvate kinase of Microbispora thermodiastatica was purified to homogeneity and some properties of the enzyme were characterized. The molecular weight of the enzyme by gel filtration is 277,000. The subunit molecular weight is 55,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and only one N-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained. It had a pH optimum around pH 4.5 to 7.0 and was stable over the range of pH 4.0-8.0. The enzyme is thermostable and no activity was lost after heat treatment at 55 degrees C for 60 min. AMP activated this enzyme and the saturation curve of the enzyme for PEP changed from sigmoidal type to hyperbolic type in the presence of AMP.

cDNA cloning, expression and chromosome mapping of the human STAT4 gene: both STAT4 and STAT1 genes are mapped to 2q32.2-->q32.3

Studies of transcriptional activation by interferons and a variety of cytokines have led to the identification of a family of proteins that serve as signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). STAT4 is phosphorylated following interleukin (IL)-12 stimulation and is essential for IL-12 signal transduction. The human STAT4 cDNA was cloned, and both STAT4 and STAT1 genes were mapped to human chromosome bands 2q32.2-->q32.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. These results suggest that STAT4 and STAT1 may have arisen via a tandem gene duplication. However, human STAT1 is expressed ubiquitously, whereas human STAT4 is expressed in several tissues including spleen, heart, brain, peripheral blood cells, and testis.

Effects of a centrally active benzoylpyrrolidine drug on AMPA receptor kinetics

A newly developed benzoylpyrrolidine drug (BDP-20) that increases the size of fast, excitatory synaptic responses was examined for its effects on the kinetic properties of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxalepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors. When long pulses of glutamate were applied to excised hippocampal patches of the rat, the compound BDP-20 caused an approximately 15-fold reduction in the rate at which responses desensitized and a similar size increase in steady-state currents. In experiments using 1-ms glutamate pulses, BDP-20 prolonged response deactivation by a factor of about four and greatly reduced the depression in the second response when two consecutive glutamate pulses were given. Two types of equilibrium binding assays indicated that BDP-20 causes a measurable increase in the affinity of AMPA receptors; the EC50 values for this effect were similar to those obtained in excised patch studies. The actions of BDP-20 on physiology and ligand binding could be adequately reproduced in a receptor model by slowing the rate of desensitization and increasing the affinity of the sensitized states. The biochemical and physiological effects of this benzoylpyrrolidine compound were qualitatively different from those obtained with cyclothiazide, although both types of drug increased AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic responses. Moreover, interactions between the drugs were at most only partially competitive; AMPA receptors may thus have multiple modulatory sites with distinct drug preferences and different effects on receptor kinetics.

Effect of the AMPA receptor modulator IDRA 21 on LTP in hippocampal slices

IDRA 21 (7-chloro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine S,S-dioxide) has been reported to modulate AMPA receptor kinetics and to improve memory in certain animal models. In the present study, its effects on synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) were tested in hippocampal slices. IDRA 21 (500 microM) significantly increased the amplitude and halfwidth of field EPSPs. The drug did not affect monosynaptic IPSPs but enhanced disynaptically-induced feedforward IPSPs, presumably by acting on AMPA receptors on interneurons. At concentrations that facilitated synaptic transmission, IDRA 21 promoted the induction of LTP; i.e. full potentiation was obtained with stimulation paradigms that were only partially effective in the absence of drug. The results support the hypothesis that drugs which enhance AMPA receptor-mediated currents facilitate LTP.

Effects of a memory-enhancing drug on DL-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor currents and synaptic transmission in hippocampus

The benzoylpiperidine drug BDP-12 (1-(quinoxalin-6-ylcarbonyl)piperidine) enhances the encoding of transient and stable forms of memory by rats. Results reported here show that the drug increases fast, excitatory (glutamatergic) synaptic responses in hippocampal slices by about 50% with an EC50 of 170 microM. Analyses with polysynaptic responses indicated that the drug has a facilitatory action at concentrations as low as 12.5 microM. BDP-12 at 1 mM did not change the resting membrane potential, input resistance or spiking threshold and it did not alter monosynaptic potentials mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors; it did, however, enhance disynaptic inhibitory responses. In membrane patches excised from hippocampal neurons, BDP-12 at moderate concentrations (50 microM) increased the steady-state currents mediated by DL-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and slowed the rate at which the receptors desensitize, with a much larger effect on the former; the drug delayed the closing of the AMPA receptor channel after 1-msec agonist pulses. BDP-12 had no detectable effect on [3H]AMPA binding affinity. A related and more potent analog produced a different pattern of results in that it had about equal effects on steady-state currents and desensitization rates and significantly increased binding to AMPA receptors. These results indicate that the benzoylpiperidine family of modulators has functionally distinct subclasses. The findings also establish that BDP-12: 1) enhances synaptic responses in the same concentration range at which it alters AMPA receptor kinetics, 2) has a lower apparent threshold for effects on complex network operations than on monosynaptic transmission, 3) does not directly influence inhibitory responses and 4) is likely to modulate AMPA receptors on interneurons as well as on pyramidal neurons.

Spectroscopic determination of cytochrome c oxidase content in tissues containing myoglobin or hemoglobin

A simple spectroscopic method for determining the cytochrome c oxidase, cytochrome a, a3, content in tissue and mitochondria samples independent of myoglobin or blood contamination is described. Using tissue homogenates solubilized in Triton X-100, this assay relies on the selective reduction of mitochondrial cytochromes by the action of potassium cyanide. Monitoring the optical absorbance of these samples at 605 nm provided a quantitative determination of cytochrome c oxidase content in the presence of myoglobin or blood. The cytochrome c oxidase content of porcine heart mitochondria and whole tissue was determined to be 0.85 nmol/mg protein and 30.5 nmol/g wet wt, respectively.

Roles of Cl- channels and Ca2+ mobilization in stretch-induced increase of SA node pacemaker activity

Ionic mechanisms underlying the enhancement of cardiac pacemaking activity by mechanical stretch were investigated in the isolated rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node. A 5-s stretch of 0.2-2.0 g was applied to small tissue strips (1.5 mm x 3.0 mm) of the SA node using a mechanical stimulator. Spontaneous excitation cycle length (SPCL) was monitored by recording endocardial surface potential through modified bipolar electrodes with high-gain amplification. Influence of neurotransmitters released from nerve terminals was eliminated by atropine and propranolol. A stretch > 0.2 g caused a significant shortening of SPCL; there was a positive correlation between the force and the maximum shortening of SPCL. Treatment of the preparation with gadolinium (10 microM) or glibenclamide (1 microM) did not affect the force-response relationship. The positive chronotropic response to mechanical stretch > 0.5 g was reduced significantly by treatment with 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (5mM), 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (1 mM), or 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (50 microM). The positive chronotropic response was also reduced in a low-Ca2+ (0.36 mM) medium and by bath application of ryanodine (0.1 microM) or thapsigargin (2 microM). These findings suggest the possible involvement of mechanosensitive Cl- channels and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in the stretch-induced enhancement of pacemaking activity in the mammalian SA node, although other conceivable mechanisms cannot be ruled out.

Response to repetitive stimulation of AMPA receptors in patches excised from fields CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus

Patches excised from fields CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus were used to study AMPA receptor responses to repetitive application of brief pulses of agonist. AMPA receptors in field CA1 exhibited a larger degree of paired-pulse depression and a slower recovery rate from desensitization than those from CA3 patches. Responses became progressively smaller during a train of short pulses (4 at 100 Hz), an effect that was greater in CA1 than CA3 patches and that was blocked by a drug (cyclothiazide) that slows desensitization. Cyclothiazide also increased steady state currents during a long pulse of glutamate and had a lower EC50 for CA3 than CA1 AMPA receptors. These results suggest (i) that differences in the relative balance of flip vs. flop subunits affect the kinetic and pharmacological properties of AMPA receptors in vivo, and (ii) that the rate of recovery from desensitization may influence responses to the bursts of afferent activity commonly used to induce long-term potentiation.

Effect of cyclothiazide on binding properties of AMPA-type glutamate receptors: lack of competition between cyclothiazide and GYKI 52466

The effects of cyclothiazide on the properties of (R,S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors were studied using equilibrium binding techniques and interactions with other compounds known to modulate the receptors. Cyclothiazide caused a reduction in [3H]AMPA binding in assays carried out in the presence of thiocyanate, a chaotropic ion that markedly increases the affinity of AMPA receptors and accelerates their desensitization. In the absence of thiocyanate, however, cyclothiazide had no reliable effect on the binding of [3H]AMPA or on the affinity for this agonist assessed from the displacement of [3H]CNQX. The interaction of cyclothiazide with the receptor appears not to be changed by the presence of thiocyanate. Analysis of the results with a kinetic model of the AMPA receptor suggests that cyclothiazide does not block receptor desensitization by making the desensitized state inaccessible but rather by stabilizing the active state, i.e., by increasing the affinity of the latter to a point where it becomes energetically more favorable than the desensitized state. GYKI 52466, an atypical benzodiazepine that blocks AMPA receptor-gated currents, did not reverse the changes in binding affinity produced by cyclothiazide in the presence of thiocyanate. Physiological experiments conducted in excised patches collected from hippocampal pyramidal cells indicated that thiocyanate does not block access of GYKI 52466 to AMPA receptors. These results point to the conclusion that cyclothiazide acts at a site on the AMPA receptor different from that for GYKI 52466.

Differences in the refractory properties of two distinct inhibitory circuitries in field CA1 of the hippocampus

Extracellular reflections of IPSPs were examined in two distinct circuitries in field CA1 of the hippocampus. Stimulation in the stratum radiatum in the presence of AMPA receptor antagonists elicited positive potentials in the same stratum that were eliminated by picrotoxin, a blocker of GABAA receptors. Laminar profile analysis revealed that the response was maximal in the stratum radiatum at a point well distal to the pyramidal cell body layer and had a negative reflection in the stratum oriens. These field IPSPs presumably mediate the feedforward inhibition normally activated by the Schaffer-commissural projections to field CA1. Stimulation of the alveus produced an antidromic response followed by a much slower positive potential in recordings collected in the pyramidal cell layer. The latter response was suppressed by AMPA receptor antagonists or picrotoxin, as expected for disynaptic, recurrent (feedback) inhibition. The laminar profile for the feedback field IPSPs had its maximum near the pyramidal cell layer and its negative dipole in the stratum radiatum. Feedforward IPSPs were inhibited by about 50% if they were preceded within 200 ms by a priming pulse while feedback IPSPs were reduced by less than 20% under comparable conditions. The refractory effect was minimally dependent on stimulation intensity but was strongly affected by an antagonist of GABAB receptors. Attempts to modify IPSPs in the s. radiatum with long trains of low frequency stimulation or with theta-burst stimulation were not successful, suggesting that GABAergic synapses do not have the plasticities found in their glutamatergic counterparts. These results indicate that interneurons contacted by the extrinsic afferents of hippocampus form GABAergic synapses that differ in terms of spatial location and functional properties from the synapses generated by interneurons innervated by the recurrent collaterals of the pyramidal cells. The findings also suggest that repetitive afferent activity, while reducing the influence of dendritic IPSPs on excitatory input, will leave feedback suppression of cell spiking largely intact.

Proteolysis of spectrin by calpain accompanies theta-burst stimulation in cultured hippocampal slices

Tests were carried out to determine if repetitive bursts of afferent stimulation activate calpain, a calcium-dependent protease hypothesized to be involved in the production of long-term potentiation. Antibodies against a stable breakdown product that results from proteolysis of spectrin by calpain were used to identify sites of enzyme activation in cultured hippocampal slices. Slices in which theta-burst stimulation was applied to the Schaffer collateral fibers had pronounced accumulations of breakdown product that were restricted to field CA1, the zone innervated by the stimulated axons. Labelling occurred in the form of scattered puncta and was also present in dendritic processes. The extent of these effects was correlated (r = 0.73) with the amount of theta-burst stimulation delivered. Control slices or those receiving low frequency stimulation had variable, but uniformly lower, amounts of breakdown product and were clearly distinguishable from those given theta bursts. Statistical analyses using a six point rating scheme confirmed this point (P < 0.001). These results satisfy an essential prediction of the hypothesis that calpain plays an important role in the induction of long-term potentiation.

Ionic basis of the chronotropic effect of acetylcholine on the rabbit sinoatrial node

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to study the ionic basis of the chronotropic effects of bath applied acetylcholine and vagal stimulation on the rabbit sinoatrial node.

METHODS

The chronotropic effect of bath applied acetylcholine was measured in single cells and small multicellular preparations from the rabbit sinoatrial node and the chronotropic effect of postganglionic vagal stimulation was measured in the intact sinoatrial node. The roles of the hyperpolarisation activated current, i(f), the acetylcholine activated potassium current, iK,ACh, and the L-type calcium current, iCa, were investigated by blocking the currents with 1-2 mM Cs+ or 10(-6) M UL-FS49, 0.2-1.0 mM Ba2+, and 6 x 10(-6) M nifedipine, respectively.

RESULTS

Under control conditions, small multicellular preparations were approximately two orders of magnitude less sensitive to bath applied acetylcholine than single cells. However, after block of acetylcholinesterase by eserine in small multicellular preparations the sensitivities of the two types of preparation were approximately the same. Block of i(f) either had no discernible effect or increased the chronotropic effect of bath applied acetylcholine on single cells or small multicellular preparations, whereas partial block of iK,ACh reduced it substantially. Similarly, block of i(f) did not suppress the initial slowing of spontaneous action potentials by vagal stimulation, whereas partial block of iK,ACh reduced it. The hyperpolarisation of the arrested sinoatrial node in response to vagal stimulation was also substantially reduced by block of iK,ACh. Partial block of iCa caused large decreases in the action potential amplitude and maximum diastolic potential, but little decrease in the rate of spontaneous action potentials, and therefore did not mimic the effect of acetylcholine.

CONCLUSIONS

The chronotropic effects of bath applied acetylcholine and vagal stimulation are not principally the result of a suppression of i(f) or iCa, whereas the activation of iK,ACh may play an important role.

Effect of thiocyanate on AMPA receptor mediated responses in excised patches and hippocampal slices

The binding affinity of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors for [3H]AMPA is increased 10-30-fold by the chaotropic anion thiocyanate. The present experiments tested if thiocyanate alters AMPA receptor mediated current fluxes and if any such effects are reflected in the waveform of synaptic responses. Currents were measured after a step application of glutamate or AMPA to patches excised from pyramidal cells of hippocampal slice cultures. Application of 1 mM AMPA produced responses with an average peak amplitude of 86 pA at -50 mV and a 10-90% rise time of 1.7 +/- 0.1 ms; the responses desensitized to a steady-state level below 10% of the peak current with a time constant of 11.1 +/- 0.7 ms. Glutamate in presence of D-amino-phosphonopentanoate produced similar responses which were inhibited by 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-dione and enhanced by aniracetam or cyclothiazide and thus are characteristic for AMPA receptors. Thiocyanate accelerated the decay of AMPA responses two-fold and reduced the peak current by 30-50% with an EC50 of 3.2 mM which is comparable to its EC50 for enhancing binding. Effects on the desensitization of glutamate induced responses were much smaller and only evident at the highest thiocyanate concentration; no effect was seen on response amplitude. Binding and physiological effects can be adequately explained by assuming that thiocyanate enhances conversion from the sensitive to the desensitized state of the receptor and reduces ligand dissociation from the desensitized state. Synaptic responses were measured in disinhibited hippocampal slices. Perfusion with 20 mM sodium thiocyanate increased the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential by 44.9 +/- 4.2% and reduced its decay time by 10.4 +/- 4.3%. The former effect appears to result at least in part from an increase in transmitter release since it was accompanied by a decrease in paired-pulse facilitation and was reduced in magnitude after enhancing transmitter release. The decrease in the decay time constant points to an effect of thiocyanate on AMPA receptors in situ which is similar to that seen in excised patches. These results demonstrate that an increase in binding affinity may be indicative of reduced rather than enhanced current flow through AMPA receptors. In addition, the results provide further evidence that the kinetics of the AMPA receptor channel contribute significantly to at least the decay phase of fast excitatory synaptic responses.

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs for 70-kDa heat-shock proteins (Hsp70) from two fish species of the genus Oryzias

cDNA corresponding to two hsp70-related genes (OLHSC70 and CEHSC70) were isolated from two lines of cultured fish cells derived from the genus Oryzias. OLHSC70 was 2,261 bp in length and encoded a protein of 686 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 76,120 daltons. CEHSC70 was 2,114 bp in length and it lacked the 5' region found in OLHSC70. Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that Oryzias latipes has at least three heat-inducible proteins with molecular masses of about 70,000 daltons. One of these proteins (Hsp70.1) was barely expressed under normal conditions but its high-level expression was induced by hyperthermia. The other two proteins (Hsc70.1, and Hsc70.2) were constitutively expressed under normal conditions and only slightly enhanced levels were induced by hyperthermia. Transfection with the cloned sequence, RNA dot-blot analysis and the two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins showed that OLHSC70 encoded Hsc70.1.

Relationship between the induction of proteins in the HSP70 family and thermosensitivity in two species of Oryzias (Pisces)

A cultured fish cell line, CE, derived from Oryzias celebensis, which lives in a tropical zone, was more heat-resistant than the OL32, which were derived from the Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes which lives in a temperate zone. Protein synthesis in OL32 cells was also more heat-sensitive than that in CE cells. The relative levels in proteins of the HSP70 family and the ability of cells to tolerate severe heat treatment after a conditioning heat treatment were examined. Twenty-four hours after conditioning heat treatment, both cell lines retained thermotolerance even though three proteins in the HSP70 family had returned to their control levels.

Glycosaminoglycans inhibit degradation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5

Human dermal fibroblasts secrete insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), -4, and -5. Fibroblast-conditioned medium contains minimal intact IGFBP-5, and this form of IGFBP is predominantely a 23-kilodalton fragment, suggesting that the IGFBP-5 fragment is derived from intact IGFBP-5 by proteolysis. In this study we investigated the effects of glycosaminoglycans on IGFBP-5 degradation in fibroblast-conditioned medium. The addition of heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate (100 micrograms/ml) to the medium of fibroblast monolayer cultures inhibited IGFBP-5 degradation, as determined by the conversion of intact IGFBP-5 to a 23-kilodalton fragment. In contrast, hyaluronic acid, keratan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate-A and -C had no effect. Heparin and heparan sulfate inhibited IGFBP-5 degradation at concentrations of 1 or 2.5 micrograms/ml, but 100 micrograms/ml dermatan sulfate were required. Heparin was also inhibitory in vitro, that is when conditioned medium and heparin were incubated without cells. Experiments with modified forms of heparin showed that O-sulfate groups in the 2 or 3 carbon position were required for heparin to be inhibitory. Completely desulfated heparin had no activity, and N-resulfation of desulfated heparin had only a minimal effect. Dextran sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, and fucoidan, which are composed of different saccharide units but contain O-sulfate groups in the 2 or 3 carbon positions, also inhibited IGFBP-5 degradation. These results demonstrate that heparin-like molecules are important regulators of IGFBP-5 degradation. O-Sulfation of the 2 or 3 position of the saccharide ring is required for inhibitory activity. As glycosaminoglycan side-chains are present in proteoglycans that are present in extracellular matrix and on cell surfaces, these side-chains represent a potential mechanism for regulating IGFBP-5 proteolysis in vivo.

A new enzyme, maltobionate alpha-D-glucohydrolase, from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. N-1053

A new enzyme, maltobionate alpha-D-glucohydrolase, was purified to apparent homogeneity from a cell-free extract of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. N-1053 about 930-fold with a yield of 18% and some of its properties were investigated. The enzyme showed optimum activity at about pH 7.0, and was stable over the range of pH 6.0-9.5. The molecular weight was estimated to be 152,000 and 71,000 by HPLC gel filtration on TSKgel G3000SWXL and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed maltobionate more effectively than disaccharides such as maltose and maltitol or trisaccharides such as maltotrionate, maltotriose and maltotriitol, but showed no activity toward polysaccharides such as amylose, amylopectin and soluble starch. The reaction products from 1 mol of maltobionate were found to be 1 mol of beta-D-glucose and 1 mol of D-gluconate. The Km value for maltobionate was 1.63 mM and the Vmax/Km value for maltobionate was the largest among the substrates tested. The enzyme activity was almost completely inhibited by Hg2+, Ag+, iodine and N-bromosuccinimide, and also inhibited by p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-glucoside, maltose and maltitol.

A centrally active drug that modulates AMPA receptor gated currents

Systemic administration of the drug 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)-piperidine (1-BCP) has been reported to enhance monosynaptic responses in the hippocampus in vivo and to improve spatial and olfactory memory in rats. The drug's mechanism of action was investigated in the present study using membrane patches excised from cultured hippocampal slices. The decay time of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor mediated inward currents was greatly increased by 1-BCP in a concentration dependent and reversible fashion; peak current was also enhanced but to a lesser degree. In vitro slice experiments indicated that the drug has parallel effects on the field EPSP. It is concluded that 1-BCP is a centrally active modulator of the AMPA receptor.

Stimulation of NMDA receptors activates calpain in cultured hippocampal slices

The hypothesis that intense stimulation of NMDA receptors activates calpain was tested in long-term cultures of hippocampus. Slices prepared from 10-day-old rats were maintained for periods of up to 6 weeks and then assayed for a stable breakdown product that results from the proteolysis of spectrin by calpain. The breakdown product increased dramatically during the first 24 h after tissue preparation and then decreased to a low level that remained unchanged for weeks. NMDA caused a 2- to 3-fold increase in breakdown product that rose linearly with time (5-30 min) and was blocked by the receptor antagonist MK-801. The effect of NMDA was the same throughout the culture period and was dependent upon the concentration of extracellular calcium with no effect at 2 mM and maximal effect at 4 mM calcium. These results indicate that rapid activation of calpain occurs in undamaged hippocampal neurons following stimulation of NMDA receptors.

Origins of the variations in long-term potentiation between synapses in the basal versus apical dendrites of hippocampal neurons

Responses to theta pattern stimulation, and the long-term potentiation (LTP) they induce, were compared in the basal versus apical dendrites of neurons in field CA1 of hippocampus. A series of 10 theta bursts produced more than twice as much LTP in basal synapses as in their apical counterparts as measured with field EPSPs. This confirms earlier field potential studies showing that the maximum degree of potentiation (the LTP ceiling) is considerably greater in stratum oriens than stratum radiatum. Experiments with whole-cell clamp recording obtained similar results, indicating that synapses at different loci on the same neuron reach different LTP ceilings following prolonged theta burst stimulation. The basal synapses also required fewer theta bursts to reach their LTP ceiling than did the apical synapses. Tests with paired-pulse facilitation and an antagonist of the NMDA receptor gave no indication that the greater LTP in basal synapses was qualitatively different from the lesser effect obtained in apical contacts. Intracellular recording revealed significant differences between basal versus apical responses to single theta bursts and trains of bursts: the within-burst depolarization was greater and the between-burst hyperpolarization was smaller for the basal dendritic responses. These two variables have previously been proposed to influence the magnitude of LTP and the observed differences between basal versus apical synapses are in accord with this hypothesis. Together with recently described immunocytochemical results, the findings reported here suggest that variations in LTP across dendritic subfields of hippocampus reflect a differential distribution of a subclass of GABAergic interneurons.

Molecular cloning of the breakpoint for 3q27 translocation in B-cell lymphomas and leukemias

Reciprocal exchanges between chromosomal region 3q27 and three loci of the Ig genes have been reported in cases of B-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have cloned a region containing a breakpoint junction of 3q27 from a cell line established from a patient with Burkitt's lymphoma carrying t(3;22)(q27;q11). The region cloned was shown to contain an Ig lambda light chain gene fused to a gene on chromosome 3q27. This finding was subsequently confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Extra nucleotides were present at the joining site. The heptamer-like and nonamer-like sequences separated by an intervening 24 bp were present in the region corresponding to the breakpoint of 3q27, suggesting that a misrecombination in Ig gene rearrangement may be involved in the translocation. Southern blot analysis with a 3q27-specific probe showed rearrangements in three additional patients with B-cell malignancies with the t(3;14)(q27;q32). The breakpoints of all four cases clustered within a limited 3-kb region on chromosome 3q27. The region of 3q27 involved in the translocation was designated as the BCL5 locus. The transcripts from the BCL5 locus were detected in normal tissues and hematopoietic cell lines, and the increased expression of transcript of aberrant size was detected in the established cell line carrying t(3;22). These observations suggest that a gene located at 3q27 is involved in the translocation and that its deregulation plays a role in the malignant transformation of B cells.

[Multiple myeloma associated with diffuse parenchymal amyloidosis of the lung]

A 58-year-old woman was hospitalized in March, 1991, with slight breathlessness on exertion. Laboratory investigations revealed M-protein (IgG lambda type, 7,575mg/dl) in serum, and Bence-Jones proteinuria. Osteolytic bone lesions were noted roentgeno-logically. Bone marrow aspiration showed the presence of 19% of atypical plasma cells, and the case was diagnosed as multiple myeloma. The chest X-ray film showed bilateral diffuse micronodules, which were found by a transbronchial lung biopsy to be diffuse parenchymal amyloid deposits. The patient was treated with melphalan, prednisolone and interferon-alpha for 6 courses. Clinical symptoms improved but no decrease of the level of M-protein was observed. The patient is still alive without changes of pulmonary shadows on X-ray films for the past 2 years.