RFLP analysis of chromosomal fragments in genetic mosaic strains of Bombyx mori

Mottled striped (pSm), a genetic mosaic strain for larval body marking of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, contains a small chromosomal fragment generated by breakage near the end of the 2nd chromosome. This fragment carries the striped marking (pS) gene and part of the chorion gene clusters. To determine the structural features of this fragmented chromosome, we studied the organization of the chorion genes on the fragment using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Two of three classes of chorion gene family probes detected RFLPs in the two phenotypes, pSm (p/p/pS), and p (p/p), which had lost the fragment, segregated among the siblings of a mottled striped strain. Although hybridization patterns were basically identical between them, one or two additional bands were always observed associating with the mosaic phenotype (pSm). This suggests that the additional bands correspond to extra copies of chorion genes on the chromosomal fragment, which have a different structure from ones on the intrinsic 2nd chromosomes. Such heterogeneity of chorion genes may have been maintained since the beginning of mosaic induction, due to the absence of recombinational events between the two chromosomes. We are unable to detect any RFLPs by hybridization with the early class of chorion genes, implying that chromosomal breakage might have occurred between the two chorion clusters, Chl-2 and Ch3, which are located approximately 4 cM apart from each other. Based on RFLP analyses for two independent mosaic strains (788 and 872), we postulate a common chromosomal origin with independent breakpoints and construct structural models for the two kinds of chromosomal fragments.

cDNA structure and characterization of a kinesin-like protein from the silkworm Bombyx mori

We have isolated a 1224 bp cDNA clone from a Bombyx mori embryonic cDNA library which contains sequences homologous to the kinesin-like protein gene, ncd, which is required for distribution of chromosomes at meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster females. This clone includes both a microtubule motor and the ATP-binding domains found in kinesin-like proteins. The motor domain is classified in the group of the BimC and cut7, which have a role in spindle formation during mitosis of Aspergillus nidulans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, respectively. However, the location of the domain at the carboxy terminus is not common in this family, except for ncd and KAR3.

The ste13+ gene encoding a putative RNA helicase is essential for nitrogen starvation-induced G1 arrest and initiation of sexual development in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

When the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is starved for nitrogen, the cells are arrested in the G1 phase, enter the G0 phase and initiate sexual development. The ste13 mutant, however, fails to undergo a G1 arrest when starved for nitrogen and since this mutant phenotype is not suppressed by a mutation in adenylyl cyclase (cyr1), it would appear that ste13+ either acts independently of the decrease in the cellular cAMP level induced by starvation for nitrogen, or functions downstream of this controlling event. We have used functional complementation to clone the ste13+ gene from an S. pombe genomic library and show that its disruption is not lethal, indicating that, while the gene is required for sexual development, it is not essential for cell growth. Nucleotide sequencing predicts that ste13+ should encode a protein of 485 amino acids in which the consensus motifs of ATP-dependent RNA helicases of the DEAD box family are completely conserved. Point mutations introduced into these consensus motifs abolished the ste13+ functions. The predicted Ste13 protein is 72% identical to the Drosophila melanogaster Me31B protein over a stretch of 391 amino acids. ME31B is a developmentally regulated gene that is expressed preferentially in the female germline and may be required for oogenesis. Expression of ME31B cDNA in S. pombe suppresses the ste13 mutation. These two evolutionarily conserved genes encoding putative RNA helicases may play a pivotal role in sexual development.

A defective non-LTR retrotransposon is dispersed throughout the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The presence of long repetitive sequences is demonstrated in the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Members of this BMC1 family reveal several features typical of the L1 (long interspersed sequence one) family of mammals, except for species specific elements. The number of BMC1 elements is estimated to be approximately 3500 per haploid genome. Elements containing the full length unit of 5.1 kb are dispersed throughout the genome and their restriction sites are conserved, although most members are preferentially truncated to varying extents at their 5' ends. DNA sequencing indicates that this element contains six tandem repeats of 15 bp CpG-rich sequence in the 5' proximal region. It terminates with a 3' oligo(A) stretch, and is flanked at both ends by a 7-10 bp target sequence duplication. In addition, there is significant evidence for amino acid sequence homology with reverse transcriptase domains of other L1 families, especially F, Doc and Jockey of Drosophila melanogaster. No large open reading frame is present. The BMC1 element is suggested to be dispersed in the genome by a transposition mechanism involving RNA intermediates.

Turbidimetric latex agglutination inhibition immunoassay for primidone

We have developed a quick, highly sensitive immunoassay method for drugs by latex agglutination inhibition. An antiserum against primidone (PRM) was obtained by immunizing rabbits with PRM-bovine serum albumin conjugate. PRM-rabbit serum albumin conjugate sensitized latex was agglutinated with diluted antiserum, and the agglutination was inhibited by free PRM quantitatively. Turbidity of the agglutination suspension was measured by spectrophotometry as absorbance. Larger latex gave higher sensitivity than the smaller, because its agglutination was inhibited more intensely by free PRM. The assay values of this method were correlated well with those obtained by an enzyme immunoassay method.

Conversion of big ET-1 in the rat lung: role of phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin-1-converting enzyme

We examined conversion of Big endothelin-1 (ET-1) to mature ET-1 and pressor action during perfusion of the isolated perfused rat lung with Big ET-1. Big ET-1 caused a concentration-related increase in perfusion pressure and the pressor molar potency of the peptide was fivefold less than that of ET-1. Pressor responses to Big ET-1 were accompanied by an increase in immunoreactive-ET (IR-ET) levels in the perfusate and in the lung tissues. Pretreatment with phosphoramidon (10(-4) M), a metalloproteinase inhibitor, markedly suppressed the pressor action and increment in IR-ET in the tissues. Unexpectedly, the amount of IR-ET in the perfusate during perfusion of Big ET-1 was not influenced by phosphoramidon treatment. On the other hand, chymostatin, an inhibitor of chymotrypsin-like enzymes, effectively suppressed IR-ET levels in the perfusate; however, this enzyme inhibitor was without effect on the pressor action of Big ET-1 or on the increase in IR-ET levels in lung tissues. We tentatively conclude that the phosphoramidon-sensitive conversion of Big ET-T to ET-1 is linked to the pressor action of Big ET-1 in the isolated perfused rat lung. In addition, it seems likely that chymostatin-sensitive conversion of Big ET-1 to ET-1 does not play a major role in the conversion of the precursor to the mature form. We propose that IR-ET present in the tissues rather than that in the perfusate is a better indicator of the functional conversion of Big ET-1 in the rat lung.

Differences in potency of big endothelin-1-induced pressor action in rat isolated perfused mesenteric artery, hindquarter and lung

We compared the pressor response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) with that of big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) in mesenteric arteries, hindquarters and lungs of rats. In these three preparations, both peptides caused a concentration-dependent increase in the perfusion pressure. The ratio of big ET-1 concentration to ET-1 concentration needed for causing the same pressor action is different between organs; i.e., a mesentery >> a hindquarter > or = a lung. Exposure to phosphoramidon, a metalloproteinase inhibitor, significantly suppressed the pressor response to big ET-1, in a similar fashion. This suppression is likely to be due to the inhibition of phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin converting enzyme, since the inhibitor does not suppress an action of ET-1. Apparently there is a difference in potency for phosphoramidon-sensitive vasoconstriction of big ET-1 between organs and presumably regional differences in the functional phosphoramidon-sensitive conversion of big ET-1 in vasculatures.

Mechanical properties in dysthyroid myopathy

Isometric active force and passive load were measured quantitatively in five patients with dysthyroid myopathy during the alert state, to analyze the mechanism of ocular motor disturbance. The results were as follows: (1) the active forces in both agonist and antagonist muscles working in the direction of ocular limitation showed normal values and functioning according to Hering's laws; (2) increasing the passive load of the antagonist muscles consistently demonstrated a close correlation to ocular motor disturbance, but some other muscles also showed abnormal stiffness without clinical signs, and (3) muscle enlargement identified by coronal computed tomography scan was not necessarily related to increased passive load.

Afferent and efferent connections of the cortical accommodation area in the cat

Accommodative responses were evoked by microstimulation of a circumscribed area in the lateral suprasylvian (LS) cortex of the cat. We studied anatomical connections of this area with WGA-HRP. We identified an accommodation-related area by systematic microstimulation of the LS cortex in each of nine cats. Accommodative and pupillary responses were monitored by an infrared optometer and a pupillometer, respectively. WGA-HRP was injected into the accommodation-related area where accommodative responses were elicited with low-intensity microstimulation, but pupillary responses were not evoked. Retrogradely labeled cells were found mainly in ipsilateral areas 17, 18 and 19, the pulvinar, the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus (LP) and the contralateral LS area. Fewer labeled cells were found in ipsilateral areas 20 and 21, the ventral lateral suprasylvian area (VLS), the splenial visual area (SVA) and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Anterogradely labeled terminals were located mainly in the ipsilateral LP, the rostral portion of the pontine nuclei and the superficial layers of the ipsilateral superior colliculus which corresponds to the representation of the central visual field. Less dense labeled terminals were also found in the ipsilateral nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) in two cats.

A new type of congenital dysfibrinogen, fibrinogen Bremen, with an A alpha Gly-17 to Val substitution associated with hemorrhagic diathesis and delayed wound healing

We have identified a new type of A alpha Gly-17 to Val substitution in a congenital dysfibrinogen, fibrinogen Bremen, derived from a 15-year-old boy having manifested easy bruising and delayed wound healing. The functional abnormality was characterized by altered fibrin monomer polymerization, which became evident by increasing the salt concentration and pH. A synthetic tetrapeptide with a sequence of the amino-terminal segment of normal fibrin alpha-chain, Gly-Pro-Arg-Val, substantially inhibited polymerization of both normal and the patient-derived fibrin monomers. A synthetic tetrapeptide with the Bremen type sequence of Val-Pro-Arg-Val inhibited polymerization of the patient's fibrin monomers partially at a peptide: fibrin monomer molar ratio of 4,000:1, and that of normal one at a much higher ratio of 10,000:1. Likewise, a synthetic peptide Ala-Pro-Arg-Val with a replacement of the Gly residue by another aliphatic amino acid Ala inhibited similarly the patient's fibrin monomer polymerization. Thus, the hypothetical two-pronged socket-like structure consisting of the alpha-amino group of the amino-terminal Gly and the guanidino group of an Arg at position 3 of the normal fibrin alpha-chain seems to be restored considerably in the mutant fibrin alpha-chain at low ionic strengths and pH's, despite the replacement of the amino-terminal Gly by another aliphatic amino acid Val.

Immune recognition of hormonogenic sites of human thyroglobulin: studies of Graves' sera and a murine monoclonal antibody with thyroid hormone antibody activity

We synthesized four peptides (HTg-1, 1-10; HTg-2, 2547-2558; HTg-4, 2592-2603 and HTg-6, 2737-2748) and two peptides (HTg-3, 2582-2591 and HTg-5, 2687-2694) with or without hormonogenic acceptor tyrosine of human thyroglobulin (hTg). They were iodinated with 127I or 125I. 127I-labeled peptides were tested for their ability to displace 125I-T4 binding to thyroid hormone autoantibodies (THAA) in two cases of Graves' disease and to a murine anti-hTg monoclonal antibody with anti-T4 activity (mAb). 125I-labeled peptides were tested for the direct binding to the aforementioned antibodies. None of the peptides displaced 125I-T4 binding to THAA or to a mAb, or exhibited increased binding to THAA and to a mAb. 125I-T4 binding to a mAb was equally displaced by hTgs obtained from a normal thyroid gland (NTg) and a case of Hürthle cell adenoma with undetectable iodine content (CTg). 125I-T4 binding to serum gamma globulin in each patient's serum was completely displaced by NTg, but CTg displaced 125I-T4 binding 2% and 5% in Case 1 and Case 2, respectively. It was speculated that the mAb recognizes a topological epitope around the hormonogenic site of hTg, while that of THAA in our two cases recognizes only T4 or an iodine dependent topological epitope(s) of hTg.

Molecular defect in factor IX Tokyo: substitution of valine-182 by alanine at position P2' in the second cleavage site by factor XIa resulting in impaired activation

Utilizing polymerase chain reaction and directly sequencing the amplified exon 6 of the factor IX gene derived from a mild hemophilia Bm patient, we have identified a T to C mutation at nucleotide 20,525. This point mutation predicted a Val182 to Ala substitution in the abnormal factor IX molecule, designated as factor IX Tokyo. The patient manifested a low factor IX activity and a moderately prolonged ox-brain prothrombin time but a normal factor IX antigen level in plasma. Immunopurified factor IX derived from the patient was found to have a normal molecular weight but a reduced specific activity (23% of normal). Limited proteolysis by activated factor XI or by a snake venom-derived factor X-activating enzyme was considerably delayed, indicating the presence of structural alteration(s) most probably at or near the second enzyme-cleavage site. Once activated, however, factor IXa Tokyo was able to activate factor X normally and was inactivated by antithrombin III also in a normal fashion. The structural model of factor IXa and a docking model of factor IX and activated factor VII (factor VIIa) suggested that the Val182 to Ala substitution would not affect the local conformation of the catalytic domain. This mutation would rather loosen the fitness of the molecule into the substrate-binding pocket of factor VIIa due to a shorter side chain of the Ala substitution at the P2' position of the second cleavage site.

Case report: silent thyroiditis after adrenalectomy in a patient with Cushing's syndrome

A case of silent thyroiditis after unilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of Cushing's syndrome is reported. The left adrenocortical adenoma was resected. Glucocorticoid was replaced after the operation and was gradually tapered. Thyrotoxic symptoms with painless goiter occurred 9 months after the adrenalectomy when a replacement dose of prednisolone was tapered to 5 mg/d. Plasma-free thyroid hormones increased and thyrotropin was suppressed. Thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine was extremely low. Both titers of antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies stayed at high levels throughout the observation period from the preoperative stage. Normalization of thyroid functions was obtained 3 months after the onset of thyrotoxicosis with beta-adrenergic blocker alone. It was speculated that exposure to a large amount of endogenous and supplementary exogenous glucocorticoid protected the patient's immune system from autoimmune attack of thyroid antigens and that tapering of the supplementary glucocorticoid caused exacerbation of immune responses, resulting in overt thyroid dysfunction even 9 months after adrenalectomy.

Identification of a pentanucleotide telomeric sequence, (TTAGG)n, in the silkworm Bombyx mori and in other insects

A pentanucleotide repetitive sequence, (TTAGG)n, has been isolated from a silkworm genomic library, using cross-hybridization with a (TTNGGG)5 sequence, which is conserved among most eukaryotic telomeres. Both fluorescent in situ hybridization and Bal 31 exonuclease experiments revealed major clusters of (TTAGG)n at the telomeres of all Bombyx chromosomes. To determine the evolutionary origin of this sequence, two types of telomeric sequence, (TTAGG)5 and a hexanucleotide repetitive sequence, (TTAGGG)4, which is conserved mainly among vertebrate and several invertebrate telomeres so far examined, were hybridized to DNAs from a wide variety of eukaryotic species under highly stringent hybridization conditions. The (TTAGGG)5 oligonucleotide hybridized to genomic DNAs from vertebrates and several nonvertebrate species, as has been reported so far, but not to any DNAs from insects. On the other hand, the Bombyx type of telomere sequence, (TTAGG)n, hybridized to DNAs from 8 of 11 orders of insect species tested but not to vertebrate DNAs, suggesting that this TTAGG repetitive sequence is conserved widely among insects.

Identification of a pentanucleotide telomeric sequence, (TTAGG)n, in the silkworm Bombyx mori and in other insects

A pentanucleotide repetitive sequence, (TTAGG)n, has been isolated from a silkworm genomic library, using cross-hybridization with a (TTNGGG)5 sequence, which is conserved among most eukaryotic telomeres. Both fluorescent in situ hybridization and Bal 31 exonuclease experiments revealed major clusters of (TTAGG)n at the telomeres of all Bombyx chromosomes. To determine the evolutionary origin of this sequence, two types of telomeric sequence, (TTAGG)5 and a hexanucleotide repetitive sequence, (TTAGGG)4, which is conserved mainly among vertebrate and several invertebrate telomeres so far examined, were hybridized to DNAs from a wide variety of eukaryotic species under highly stringent hybridization conditions. The (TTAGGG)5 oligonucleotide hybridized to genomic DNAs from vertebrates and several nonvertebrate species, as has been reported so far, but not to any DNAs from insects. On the other hand, the Bombyx type of telomere sequence, (TTAGG)n, hybridized to DNAs from 8 of 11 orders of insect species tested but not to vertebrate DNAs, suggesting that this TTAGG repetitive sequence is conserved widely among insects.

Early cancer of the gastric remnant with special reference to the importance of follow-up of gastrectomized patients

Seven patients with early cancer of the gastric remnant (group 1) and nine with gastric remnant cancer that developed after surgery for early gastric cancer (group 2) were studied clinicopathologically. In group 1, the great majority of cases were classified as type I by gross type. Most lesions existed in the posterior wall of the remnant stomach. All lesions were differentiated carcinomas. In group 2, six of the nine early gastric tumors resected at the initial surgery were present in site A and three in site M. Gross tumours were of various types. Six patients underwent Billroth II resection and two underwent Billroth I resection. At second surgery (for gastric remnant cancer) four lesions were found to be located in the gastric stump or anastomosed region and five in the posterior wall of the stomach remnant. Histologically, the lesions included four undifferentiated carcinomas and five differentiated carcinomas. Of the nine lesions involving the gastric remnant, only two were early stage: the remaining seven were in an advanced stage. Prognosis was extremely poor in the group, many patients dying of carcinomatous peritonitis. In summary, most group 1 patients had a type I lesion in the remnant stomach. In group 2, more than half of the lesions were present in the gastric stump or anastomosed site and most were in an advanced stage. These observations suggest that it is very important to follow up patients operated on for early gastric cancer in order to detect malignant lesions, if any, in the remnant stomach before disease progresses to a stage at which radical resection is no longer possible. Follow-up will no doubt improve long-term results following surgery for early gastric cancer. We consider endoscopic examination and biopsy, especially of the gastric stump and anastomosed site, of great importance for gastrectomized patients.