Y'-Help1, a DNA helicase encoded by the yeast subtelomeric Y' element, is induced in survivors defective for telomerase

The yeast Y' element is a highly polymorphic repetitive sequence present in the subtelomeric regions of many yeast telomeres. The Y' element is classed as either Y'-L or Y'-S, depending on its length. It has been reported that survivors arising from telomerase-deficient yeast mutants compensate for telomere loss by the amplification of Y' elements. The total Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome DNA data base was searched for Y' elements, and 11 Y'-Ls and eight Y'-Ss were identified. As reported previously, many of the sequences were found to contain long open reading frames which potentially encode helicase. We examined the expression of the Y' elements in telomerase-deficient Deltatlc1 survivors, in which the TLC1 gene encoding the yeast telomerase template RNA had been disrupted, and found that the Y' element is highly expressed in the survivors, but not in the wild-type cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that the survivors produce a Y'-encoded protein designated as Y'-Help1 (Y'-helicase protein 1), and that this protein possesses helicase activity. Therefore, we suggest that the Y' element has a novel and potentially important role in trans, in addition to the well characterized role in cis, in telomerase-independent telomere maintenance in yeast.

Expression of telomerase catalytic component, telomerase reverse transcriptase, in human gastric carcinomas

Telomerase activity is believed to be crucial for cellular immortality, which is considered to participate in the development of a majority of human cancers. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has recently been identified as a catalytic subunit of telomerase. We examined the expression of TERT and other telomerase components such as human telomerase RNA component (hTR, encoded by TERC) and human telomerase-associated protein (TEP1) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in human gastric carcinomas and non-neoplastic mucosa, in addition to measuring the telomerase activity. Of 20 gastric carcinomas examined, 18 (90%) and 18 (90%) showed increased expression of TERT and higher telomerase activity in comparison with corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa, respectively. Increased expression of hTR/TERC was also observed in 15 (75%) of the gastric carcinomas. Immunohistochemically, strong expression of TERT protein was detected in the nuclei of the tumor cells of all carcinoma tissues, while the expression of TERT in non-neoplastic mucosal cells as well as stromal elements (except lymphocytes) was weak or negative. These findings suggest that increased TERT expression associated with telomerase activity may serve as a novel marker for the diagnosis of stomach cancer.

Circular chromosome formation in a fission yeast mutant defective in two ATM homologues

Telomeres, found at chromosomal ends, are essential for stable maintenance of linear chromosomes in eukaryotes. The ATM family of genes, including budding yeast TEL1 (refs 1,2), fission yeast rad3+ (ref. 3) and human ATM (ref. 4), have been reported to be involved in telomere length regulation, although the significance of the telomere phenotypes observed with the mutated genes remains elusive. We have cloned tel1+, another fission yeast ATM homologue, and found that a tel1rad3 double mutant lost all telomeric DNA sequences. Thus, the ATM homologues are essential in telomere maintenance. The mutant grew poorly and formed irregular-shaped colonies, probably due to chromosome instability, however, during prolonged culture of the double mutant, cells forming normal round-shaped colonies arose at a relatively high frequency. All three chromosomes in these derivative cells were circular and lacked telomeric sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report of eukaryotic cells whose chromosomes are all circular. Upon meiosis, these derivative cells produced few viable spores. Therefore, the exclusively circular genome lacking telomeric sequences is proficient for mitotic growth, but does not permit meiosis.

Maxillofacial morphology and masseter muscle thickness in adults

The aim of this study was to investigate how the thickness of the masseter muscle relates to the maxillofacial morphology, including the thickness of alveolar process in the mandibular incisor region, and the thickness of the mandibular symphysis. The subjects consisted of 80 adult male volunteers (mean age: 23 years 8 months). The relationship between masseter muscle thickness and the maxillofacial skeleton was investigated by measuring the former by ultrasonography and the latter by roentgenographic cephalometry. The data were initially analysed using a multiple regression analysis. Thereafter, correlation coefficients were obtained by a simple regression analysis. The following results were found: 1. The thickness of the masseter muscle (mean +/- SD) was 15.8 +/- 3.0 mm in the relaxed state and 16.7 +/- 2.7 mm at maximal clenching. 2. Masseter muscle thickness was negatively correlated with the mandibular plane angle. 3. Masseter muscle thickness was positively correlated with the mandibular ramus height (Cd-Go), and the thickness of the alveolar process and that of the mandibular symphysis. It is therefore suggested that masticatory function influences the morphology of the mandible.

Autoreactive antibodies following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

A 35-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple myeloma (IgG, lambda type, stage IIIA) received an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). She was euthyroid without autoreactive antibodies prior to the transplant. The patient complained of malaise, weight loss and low grade fever 1 month after transplant, despite rapid haematopoietic recovery. Thyroid function tests on day 34 revealed hyperthyroidism associated with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody. Antinuclear antibody was also detected, and platelet-associated immunoglobulin was increased. These findings disappeared spontaneously by day 62 without treatment. Autoimmune diseases may occur transiently after autologous PBSCT.

Effects of soy milk and bifidobacterium fermented soy milk on lipid metabolism in aged ovariectomized rats

The effects of soy milk and fermented soy milk on lipid metabolism were studied in aged ovariectomized rats. Twenty 8-mo-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: sham-operated + control diet (sham-C); ovariectomized (OVX) + control diet (OVX-C); OVX + soy milk diet (OVX-SM); and OVX + fermented soy milk diet (OVX-FSM). The rats were fed on these diets for 6 weeks. Ovariectomy induced an increase in the plasma cholesterol level by 40%. The plasma total cholesterol level of the OVX-FSM rats was decreased by 20% compared to that of the OVX-C rats. The plasma total cholesterol level of the OVX-SM group was not significantly different from that of the OVX-C and sham-C rats. The plasma triglyceride level of the OVX-FSM rats was lower than that of the sham-C rats. The liver cholesterol content in OVX-SM and OVX-FSM rats was lower than that of the OVX-C rats. The liver triglyceride contents of the sham-C, OVX-SM, and OVX-FSM groups were lower than that of the OVX-C group. Fecal steroid excretion did not differ among the groups. Ovariectomy decreased the uterus weight. The OVX-SM and OVX-FSM groups had the same uterus weights as those of the OVX-C group. Thus, the diet including fermented soy milk prevented the cholesterol elevation induced in rats by ovarian hormone deficiency.

[Structure and regulation mechanisms of telomerase]

Telomerase is a specialized type of reverse transcriptase which catalyzes the synthesis of telomeric DNA using intrinsic RNA as a template. The enzyme was originally found in a ciliate Tetrahymena, and has been extensively investigated using ciliates or budding yeast. In mammals, the enzyme is highly active in most cancer cells and germ cells, but is inactive in most somatic cells, suggesting the activation of telomerase may be important for the continued cell growth or progression of cancer cells. Recently, two protein components of the mammalian telomerase have been identified using homology to the sequencing data from unicellular eukaryotes. Interestingly, telomerase activity was induced by the expression of catalytic subunit, hTERT, in telomerase-negative normal fibroblast cells, indicating that it plays a key role in the activation of telomerase in cancer cells.

[Chromosome rearrangement involving telomeres in cancers]

Stable maintenance of chromosomes needs the functional telomeres at the chromosomal ends. It has been proposed that the loss of telomeric function (LTF) plays a major role in the production of abnormal chromosomes, such as the telomere association (TA) and the jumping translocation (JT). We analyzed TA and JT to evaluate the involvement of LTF in chromosomal instability. A shortened telomeres was identified at the fusion point of the JT. We also developed a method to examine TA based on PCR and found relationships between telomere shortening and products of PCR. Our findings strongly suggest that LTF may cause chromosomal instability and contribute to cancer cell evolution.

Development of vibration protection seats for agricultural machinery

Seats have been newly developed with an anti-vibration suspension system for agricultural machinery. These seats were examined in a series of laboratory tests to determine their static and dynamic physical characteristics. These seats are specifically designed for the Japanese physique. An artificial track was constructed to simulate a farm field based on BSI (British Standard) and to examine vibration the transmissibility of the seats when installed in machinery. The results indicated that the transmissibility from under the seat to on the seat in the vertical direction was approximately 0.25, although little reduction of vibration was observed in the fore-aft direction. This suggests that these seats are applicable to the agricultural field.

Shortened telomeres involved in a case with a jumping translocation at 1q21

The jumping translocation (JT) is a rare chromosomal abnormality in which a specific chromosomal segment translocates onto the ends of various chromosomes (jumps). In most cases, the region distal to 1q21 jumps onto numerous different telomeres. Here we report a molecular study of the JT involving 1q21 found in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia that had transformed from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This is the first report describing the analysis of the molecular structure of the JT. We demonstrated the presence of a stretch of telomeric repeats at the breakpoint by means of a fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment, molecular cloning, and nucleotide sequencing of the fused region. A significant amount of variant telomeric repeats (a telomeric sequence having one-base mismatch within the authentic telomeric repeat TTAGGG) was found in this region. The variant telomeric repeat has been shown to be present in the proximal region of telomeres and does not perform telomeric functions by itself. Therefore, these results indicated that the telomeres had already been critically shortened when the jumps occurred. We suggest that the extended proliferation of cancer cells during the premalignant stage, such as MDS, results in chromosomal instability due to the loss of telomeric functions.

Effects of soya milk and Bifidobacterium-fermented soya milk on plasma and liver lipids, and faecal steroids in hamsters fed on a cholesterol-free or cholesterol-enriched diet

The effects of freeze-dried soya milk (SM) and Bifidobacterium-fermented soya milk (FSM) on plasma and liver lipids, and faecal steroid excretion were estimated in hamsters fed on a cholesterol-free or cholesterol-enriched diet. Hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free diet containing 300 g FSM/kg had lower levels of plasma VLDL + LDL cholesterol than the animals fed on the control diet. SM in the diet produced a similar pattern without significant differences. In the cholesterol-enriched diet group, SM and FSM decreased the levels of plasma total cholesterol and VLDL + LDL-cholesterol. SM and FSM decreased the plasma triacylglycerol level in both the cholesterol-free and -enriched diet groups. The liver total cholesterol contents in the SM and FSM groups were lower than that in the control group, for hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free diet. The liver triacylglycerol content was not modified by SM or FSM in hamsters fed on either the cholesterol-free or -enriched diet. SM and FSM increased the total bile acid excretion and the proportion of cholesterol entering the cholic acid biosynthesis pathway in both the cholesterol-free and -enriched diet groups. SM and FSM did not affect neutral steroid excretion in the cholesterol-free or -enriched diet group. There was an inverse relationship between VLDL + LDL-cholesterol and faecal bile acid excretion in hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free (r -0.670, P < 0.01) and cholesterol-enriched (r -0.761, P < 0.001) diets respectively. These results indicated that SM had an anti-atherogenic effect, and that this effect was not diminished by prior fermentation.

Telomerase activation by hTRT in human normal fibroblasts and hepatocellular carcinomas

Telomerase is a specialized type of reverse transcriptase which catalyzes the synthesis and extension of telomeric DNA (for review, see ref.1). This enzyme is highly active in most cancer cells, but is inactive in most somatic cells. This striking observation led to the suggestion that telomerase might be important for the continued growth or progression of cancer cells. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of telomerase activation in cancer cells. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) has recently been identified as a putative human telomerase catalytic subunit. We transfected the gene encoding hTRT into telomerase-negative human normal fibroblast cells and demonstrated that expression of wild-type hTRT induces telomerase activity, whereas hTRT mutants containing mutations in regions conserved among other reverse transcriptases did not. Hepatocellular carcinoma (20 samples) and non-cancerous liver tissues (19 samples) were examined for telomerase activity and expression of hTRT, the human telomerase RNA component (hTR; encoded by TERC) and the human telomerase-associated protein (hTLP1; encoded by TEP1). A significant correlation between hTRT expression and telomerase activity was observed. These results indicate that the hTRT protein is the catalytic subunit of human telomerase, and that it plays a key role in the activation of telomerase in cancer cells.

Comparative gene mapping of the human and mouse TEP1 genes, which encode one protein component of telomerases

The chromosomal locations of the human TEP1 (telomerase protein component 1) and mouse Tep1 genes, which were originally named TLP1 (telomerase protein 1) or TP1 (telomerase-associated protein 1), were determined by direct R-banding FISH and a molecular linkage analysis with interspecific backcross mice. The human TEP1 and mouse Tep1 genes were mapped by FISH to human chromosome 14q11.2 and to the C2D1 band of mouse chromosome 14, respectively. By means of genetic linkage mapping, the mouse gene was further localized as being 2.7 cM distal to D14Mit18 and D14Mit134 and 2.0 cM proximal to D14Mit5 on mouse chromosome 14, where conserved linkage homology with human chromosome 14q11-q12 has been identified.

Regulation mechanisms of mammalian telomerase. A review

In this review, I summarize the most recent progress in the studies on mammalian telomerase, especially focusing on the molecular aspects. Possible regulation mechanisms of telomerase activity in mammalian cells are discussed.

ICE: a novel and efficient method for isolation of chromosomal ends

The linear chromosomal ends are usually unclonable by general methods due to a lack of restriction sites. We present a novel method, isolation of chromosomal ends (ICE), which has been developed for the efficient isolation of linear DNA ends.

Telomere crisis in leukemia

Previous studies on telomere dynamics in leukemia are summarized. The 'telomere crisis model' is proposed to explain the clonal evolution mechanism of cancer cells from the standpoint of telomere biology. Future trends, including the development of potential telomerase inhibitors as a new class of anti-cancer agent, are discussed.

TLP1: a gene encoding a protein component of mammalian telomerase is a novel member of WD repeats family

We have cloned and characterized the rat telomerase protein component 1 gene (TLP1), which is related to the gene for Tetrahymena p80. The cDNA encodes a 2629 amino acid sequence and produces the TLP1 proteins p240 and p230. The anti-TLP1 antibody specifically immunoprecipitated the telomerase activity. Moreover, p240 and p230 were copurified with telomerase activity in a series of extensive purification experiments. These results strongly suggest that the TLP1 proteins are components of, or are closely associated with, the rat telomerase. A pulse-chase experiment showed that p240 is modified to p230 in vivo. p230 was the dominant form in telomerase-positive cells, suggesting that modification of the TLP1 protein may regulate telomerase activity in vivo.

Telomere crisis, the driving force in cancer cell evolution

Cancer cells show characteristic telomere dynamics. Their chromosomes usually have short telomeres and a high telomerase activity. The "telomere crisis model" proposed here suggests that these unique telomeric features are responsible for the progression of cancer.

[A case of hemolysis induced by lansoprazole]

Hemolytic anemia and possible aplastic crisis with symptoms including jaundice, general fatigue and dark urine developed in a man being treated only by lansoprazole. Five days later, he was treated with antibiotics. The next day, he was admitted to our hospital because of jaundice. On admission, the hemoglobin was 14.0 g/dl, reticulocyte count 8/1000, platelets 79 x 10(9)/l and total bilirubin 12.4 mg/dl (indirect bilirubin 9.5 mg/dl). The above medications were discontinued. The direct Coombs antiglobulin test was positive. Examination of the complement revealed a C3 fiter at the upper limit of normal and an increased C4 and CH50. Three days after admission, he had a severe anemia. The hemoglobin was 3.3 g/DL. We thought it possible that aplastic crisis had followed the hemolytic anemia induced by lansoprazole. He was treated with blood transfusions and corticosteroids. He recovered from anemia within three weeks. Exhaustive studies to identify the cause of the hemolytic anemia were undertaken with negative results. We detected IgG antibody to lansoprazole. We believe that the hemolytic anemia was induced by lansoprazole.

[Telomere and telomerase]

Telomeres are the functional domains positioned at the ends of chromosomes. It is essential for the stable maintenance of chromosomes. Telomerase is an enzyme that has an important role in the DNA replicator at telomeres. Its activity is specifically activated in cancer cells. We have reported a novel specific and sensitive assay (stretch RCR assay) for the detection of telomerase activity. We analyzed the telomerase activity in leukemias using this method. The results showed that telomerase is specifically activated during the progression stages of leukemia. The "telomere crisis model" has been proposed for explaining the role of the telomere dynamics in malignancies.

A novel quantitative 'stretch PCR assay', that detects a dramatic increase in telomerase activity during the progression of myeloid leukemias

Telomerase activation is important for carcinogenesis. However, the timing and magnitude of the activation during cancer development are unknown. In this study, a new PCR-based method for measuring telomerase activity was developed and shown to be very useful for quantitative analysis of human telomerase. Using this assay, blood or bone marrow cells from healthy donors, and patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were examined as to their relative activity. Telomerase activity present in normal peripheral blood cells was generally very low. However, significant activity was detected occasionally in samples derived from younger healthy donors. Striking telomerase activation was observed at the time of the blastic crisis in CML: no samples from chronic phase cases showed significant activity, while all cases with a well established crisis showed strong activity. Most AML cases were telomerase-positive. Quantitative analyses revealed that the relative titer varied among the AML patients, from as low as found in normal cells to as high as found in cell lines. However, a tendency that the activity was higher in relapsed cases than in fresh ones was suggested. In summary, telomerase was activated during the progression of the clinical stages in leukemias. This observation suggests that shortened telomeres and increased telomerase activity might be necessary for cancer cells to undergo clonal evolution towards more malignant phenotypes in advanced stages.

[An adhesion dependent injury of target cell membrane by NK cell surface associated metaloprotease]

Natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity was assayed with P3-X63-Ag8-U1 (P3U-1) target cells which had been previously demonstrated to release endogenous alkaline phosphatase (AlP) on the attack of lymphocyte-activated killer cells). P3U-1 cells showed a definite sensitivity to the AlP-release test, but no response in the Cr-release test at all. The AlP-release was not inhibited by anti-perforin antibody, benzoate, phenyl-methyl-sulfonyl-fluoride, soybean trypsin inhibitor, Succinyl-Gly-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-amino-methyl-coumarin, or gamma-radiation to effector cells, but was inhibited by o-phenanthroline, anti-CD13 antibody, and anti-LFA-1 alpha antibody. The AlP-release from P3U-1, therefore, did not appear to be brought on by the NK cell-derived perforin, hydroxy-radical, granzymes or cytosolic proteases. The inhibition by o-phenanthroline and the antibody for CD13 (aminopeptidase N) or the adhesion factor in NK cells, however, indicated that the membrane of such cells with adhesion ligand to NK cells was probably susceptible to NK cell surface-associated metaloprotease in an adhesion dependent manner to the extent of some injury without complete perforation through the membrane.

Bioluminescent detection of RNA with sequence-specificity using RNA binding protein-luciferase fusion protein

A novel bifunctional reagent has been synthesized for RNA detection by genetic fusion of a sequence-specific RNA binding protein and firefly luciferase. The RNA binding protein used in this study recognizes the oligoribonucleotide rH4 which contains four (UUAGGG)-repeat sequence, while luciferase works as a bioluminescent marker. The constructed fusion protein exhibited both sequence-specific RNA binding and bioluminescent activities. The rH4 and rECGF, which has an unrelated sequence having the same length as rH4, were immobilized on a nylon membrane. The membrane was pre-treated by 5% bovine serum albumin and soaked into a fusion protein solution. Bioluminescent detection has successfully been performed at more than 50 pmol of rH4, so the detection limit using this protein was 50 pmol. However, no appreciable bioluminescence was induced by rECGF.

Isolation and identification of seven metabolites of a water-soluble platelet aggregation inhibitor in rat urine

1. Seven metabolites of 7-piperidino-1,2,3,4,5-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1- b]quinazolin-2-one dihydrochloride monohydrate (DN-9693) were isolated from rat urine by extraction with Amberlite XAD-2 and purification by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 open-column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc). The structure assignment of the metabolites was performed by field desorption mass spectrometry and 200-MHz Fourier transform nmr spectroscopic analysis and comparison with authentic standards when available. 2. DN-9693 underwent metabolism mainly at the piperidine ring to give the 4-hydroxypiperidine derivative (III) and 2-hydroxy-piperidine derivative, which is further metabolized to lactam (II) or delta-aminovaleric acid (V). The acyl side chain of V was shortened by beta-oxidation to form the 3-aminopropionic acid derivative (VII). V and/or VII underwent oxidative dealkylation to give the 7-amino derivative, which was conjugated with acetic acid to form the 7-acetylamino derivative (IV). DN-9693 also underwent hydrolysis of its lactam moiety to give VI. 3. The urinary excretion of III, V and VII was determined by liquid chromatography/electrochemistry (LC/EC) and V proved to be the major metabolite in rat urine. 4. A procedure is also presented for the identification of DN-9693 metabolites using LC/EC.

The UUAG-specific RNA binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D0. Common modular structure and binding properties of the 2xRBD-Gly family

Human cDNA clones encoding the UUAG-binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) D0 protein have been isolated and expressed. The protein has two RNA-binding domains (RBDs) in the middle part of the protein and an RGG box, a region rich in glycine and arginine residues, in the C-terminal part ("2xRBD-Gly" structure). The hnRNP A1, A2/B1, and D0 proteins, all possess common features of the 2xRBD-Gly structure and binding specificity toward RNA. Together, they form a subfamily of RBD class RNA binding proteins (the 2xRBD-Gly family). One of the structural characteristics shared by these proteins is the presence of several isoforms presumably resulting from alternative splicing. Filter binding assays, using the recombinant hnRNP D0 proteins that have one of the two RBDs, indicated that one RBD specifically binds to the UUAG sequence. However, two isoforms with or without a 19-amino acid insertion at the N-terminal RBD showed different preference toward mutant RNA substrates. The 19-amino acid insertion is located in the N-terminal end of the first RBD. This result establishes the participation of the N terminus of RBD in determining the sequence specificity of binding. A similar insertion was also reported with the hnRNP A2/B1 proteins. Thus, it might be possible that this type of insertion with the 2xRBD-Gly type RNA binding proteins plays a role in "fine tuning" the specificity of RNA binding. RBD is supposed to bind with RNA in general and sequence-specific manners. These two discernible binding modes are proposed to be performed by different regions of the RBD. A structural model of these two binding sites is presented.

Purification of Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, by two-step column chromatography

A rapid and simple purification method for Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, the etiological agent of venereal syphilis, was developed. A 40-ml suspension of organisms (1.10(9)/ml) was extracted from rabbit testicular tissue and solubilized with a non-ionic detergent, 1-O-n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Solubilized antigens were purified by cation-exchange and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The overall recovery of immunoreactive material was 48.3% and the specific activity increased. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis confirmed the purity and species specificity of the purified antigen.

[Cytotoxicity test based on luminescent assay of alkaline phosphatase released from target cells]

Assay of 51Cr release from target cells has been commonly used in various methods of examining the cytotoxic properties of lymphocytes. In this paper a non-isotopic assay of cytotoxicity based on the leak of endogenous alkaline phosphatase (AIP) in target cells, is described. Enzyme activities were assayed by the luminescence on hydrolysis of the lumigen-PPD substrate. P3-X63-Ag8-U1 (P3U-1) cells were demonstrated to contain AIP and proved sensitive to the IL-2-induced killer lymphocytes, while no AIP activity was detected in human effector lymphocytes. Comparative studies of the test with 51Cr- and AIP-release in P3U-1 target cells were carried out, and the results obtained suggested that the AIP release test is useful as a new, simple lymphocyte cytotoxicity test.

Latex agglutination test for detecting antibodies to Treponema pallidum

We have developed an automated latex agglutination test for Treponema pallidum (TPLA) for measurement of the concentration of treponemal antibodies in syphilitic sera. The assay needs neither a complicated pretreatment of the sera nor special techniques. Intra- and interassay precision studies showed high reproducibility. Potentially interfering substances, such as bilirubin, hemoglobin, triglycerides, and rheumatoid factor, did not affect the results. The results obtained with the TPLA test showed a strong correlation with those from conventional methods. This test for antibodies to T. pallidum may be useful for the mass screening of syphilitic infections.

Latex agglutination test for detecting antibodies to Treponema pallidum

We have developed an automated latex agglutination test for Treponema pallidum (TPLA) for measurement of the concentration of treponemal antibodies in syphilitic sera. The assay needs neither a complicated pretreatment of the sera nor special techniques. Intra- and interassay precision studies showed high reproducibility. Potentially interfering substances, such as bilirubin, hemoglobin, triglycerides, and rheumatoid factor, did not affect the results. The results obtained with the TPLA test showed a strong correlation with those from conventional methods. This test for antibodies to T. pallidum may be useful for the mass screening of syphilitic infections.

Nuclear proteins that bind the pre-mRNA 3' splice site sequence r(UUAG/G) and the human telomeric DNA sequence d(TTAGGG)n

HeLa cell nuclear proteins that bind to single-stranded d(TTAGGG)n, the human telomeric DNA repeat, were identified and purified by a gel retardation assay. Immunological data and peptide sequencing experiments indicated that the purified proteins were identical or closely related to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) A1, A2-B1, D, and E and to nucleolin. These proteins bound to RNA oligonucleotides having r(UUAGGG) repeats more tightly than to DNA of the same sequence. The binding was sequence specific, as point mutation of any of the first 4 bases [r(UUAG)] abolished it. The fraction containing D and E hnRNPs was shown to bind specifically to a synthetic oligoribonucleotide having the 3' splice site sequence of the human beta-globin intervening sequence 1, which includes the sequence UUAGG. Proteins in this fraction were further identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis as D01, D02, D1*, and E0; intriguingly, these members of the hnRNP D and E groups are nuclear proteins that are not stably associated with hnRNP complexes. These studies establish the binding specificities of these D and E hnRNPs. Furthermore, they suggest the possibility that these hnRNPs could perhaps bind to chromosome telomeres, in addition to having a role in pre-mRNA metabolism.

[A case of pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma in which cytokines exhibited high value by subculture]

A case of pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (PMFH) was experienced, and the tumor was subcultured in nude mice. Tumor cells were resected and cultured in medium containing RPMI 1640 and 10% FCS. As a result, in both the nude mice and in the cytokines, as supernatant in the tumorous cells, cultured using ELISA method or RIA method. IL-1 alpha, beta, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and in particular IL-6 and G-CSF, exhibited markedly raised values. Clinically, the leukocyte and platelet counts on admission showed markedly elevated values of 27,500/mm3 and 48.3 x 10(4)/mm3, respectively, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased of 67 mm in 1 hour. These findings corresponded to the physiological findings of elevated IL-6 and G-CSF levels. We have experienced two further patients with PMFH, in whom serum levels of IL-6 and G-CSF were markedly elevated. Some reports have been published on cytokine-generating tumors, but there is no report about cytokine generation in PMFH. We report this patient's very interesting clinical course, together with elevation of cytokine generation.

High-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry of hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acid acetyl derivatives

A method for the analysis of hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acids was developed. The hydroperoxy groups were acetylated by acetic anhydride, and the mixture was partially purified on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with thermospray mass spectrometry. Generally, the base ion, [M+H - n(60)]+ or [M+H - n(60) - n(H2O)]+, is produced through elimination of acetic acid or water (n = number of hydroperoxy groups). The detection limit for these derivatives was ca. 1 pmol at concentrations of hydroperoxy polyenoic acids prior to derivatization. Using this method, many hydroxy and hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives could be detected simultaneously within 30 min on a selected-ion monitoring detection chromatogram without a gradient system. The assay was successfully applied to hydroxy and hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acids from an incubation mixture of rat brain homogenate to which polyunsaturated fatty acids had been added.

Frequent mutations in the p53 gene in human myeloid leukemia cell lines

The p53 gene is currently considered to function as a tumor-suppressor gene in various human malignancies. In hematologic malignancies, alterations in the p53 gene have been shown in some human leukemias and lymphomas. Although mutations in the p53 gene are infrequent in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients, we show in this report that alterations in the p53 gene are frequent in myeloid leukemia cell lines. We studied alterations of the p53 gene in nine human myeloid leukemia cell lines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and direct sequencing. Expression of the p53 gene was not detected at all by RT-PCR in two of the nine cell lines. In these two cell lines, Southern blot analysis showed gross rearrangements and deletions in both of the p53 alleles. Six of the nine cell lines were found to express only mutant p53 mRNA by RT-PCR/SSCP analysis and direct sequencing, and wild-type p53 mRNA was not detected. Two of the mutant p53 mRNAs were shown to be products of abnormal splicing events induced by intronic point mutations. Taken together, eight of nine human myeloid leukemia cell lines expressed no or an undetectable amount of wild-type p53 mRNA. Three of the eight cell lines were growth factor-dependent. Our results suggest that inactivation of the p53 gene may be a common feature in myeloid leukemia cell lines and may play an important role in the establishment of these cell lines.

Regional localization of the human platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF1) gene to chromosome 22q13

Using in situ hybridization and a panel of human X rodent somatic cell hybrids, which discriminates between four different regions of human chromosome 22, we have localized the gene for human platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF1) to 22q13, placing ECGF1 distal to the PDGFB locus at 22q12.3----q13.1.

Organization and chromosomal localization of the human platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor gene

Human platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (hPD-ECGF) is a novel angiogenic factor which stimulates endothelial cell growth in vitro and promotes angiogenesis in vivo. We report here the cloning and sequencing of the gene for hPD-ECGF and its flanking regions. This gene is composed of 10 exons dispersed over a 4.3-kb region. Its promoter lacks a TATA box and a CCAAT box, structures characteristic of eukaryotic promoters. Instead, six copies of potential Sp1-binding sites (GGGCGG or CCGCCC) were clustered just upstream of the transcription start sites. Southern blot analysis using genomic DNAs from several vertebrates suggested that the gene for PD-ECGF is conserved phylogenetically among vertebrates. The gene for hPD-ECGF was localized to chromosome 22 by analysis of a panel of human-rodent somatic cell hybrid lines.

[Analysis of Ph1-positive leukemia by PCR]

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized cytogenetically by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, which is the result of a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. Analysis of the rearranged chromosome 22 have demonstrated that the DNA breakpoints fall within a 5.8-kilobase (kb) region termed M-bcr. In Ph1-acute lymphocytic leukemia, approximately half of the patients have a breakpoint within M-bcr, whereas the remaining half have the break within the first intron of the BCR gene (m-bcr). We have investigated five cases with CML in the blastic phase to search the molecular mechanism of blastic crisis in CML. Using a method of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we have identified both types of breakpoints in samples of the three cases, suggesting the existence of M-bcr/ABL and m-bcr/ABL chimeric mRNAs in the RNA samples derived from blasts of the three cases. We have further analysed for alterations in the p53 gene in those cases. The p53 gene is now considered to be a tumor suppressor gene and its mutations play a role in the development of many human malignancies. We have attempted to determine whether the p53 gene is involved in the mechanism of blastic crisis in CML. Using the methods of RT-PCR and single stand-conformational polymorphism (SSCP), we have detected expression of only a mutated p53 allele in a case with CML blastic crisis, indicating that inactivation of the p53 gene in both alleles may contribute to the blastic crisis in this case. Accumulation of molecular analysis in more cases will clarify the mechanism of blastic crisis in CML.

Mutations of the p53 gene in lymphoid leukemia

p53 is currently considered to be a tumor suppressor gene product, and its alterations are suggested to be involved in several human malignancies. Here we show evidence of the possible involvement of p53 gene mutations in lymphoid leukemias studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, and nucleotide sequencing. Fourteen patients with various leukemias were examined and two with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and one with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia were identified to have mutations in the coding region of the p53 gene. These mutations included point mutation, triplet deletion, and single nucleotide insertion. Furthermore, expression of the wild-type p53 mRNA was not detected in the samples from these three patients. In one of them, chromosome 17p was deleted, suggesting the absence of the nonmutated p53 gene, whereas in the other two patients, chromosome 17p seemed to be intact by cytogenetic analysis. Our results suggest that alterations of the p53 gene may have a role in the genesis of some leukemias.

[Detection of activated oncogenes in hematological malignancies using RT-PCR method and its clinical applications]

Recently, a new and simple method of PCR has been developed and its application is extending widely including clinical research. We are using this method to detect various activated oncogenes within clinical samples from hematological malignancies. We now attempt to use these results as supporting evidences in clinical diagnosis. Here we report several successful results we have obtained through the study of activated RAS oncogenes.