Aberrant cell division and random FtsZ ring positioning in Escherichia coli cpxA* mutants

In Escherichia coli, certain mutations in the cpxA gene (encoding a sensor kinase of a two-component signal transduction system) randomize the location of FtsZ ring assembly and dramatically affect cell division. However, deletion of the cpxRA operon, encoding the sensor kinase and its cognate regulator CpxR, has no effect on division site biogenesis. It appears that certain mutant sensor kinases (CpxA*) either exhibit hyperactivity on CpxR or extend their signalling activity to one or more noncognate response regulators involved in cell division.

Inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by SB 203580 blocks PMA-induced Mr 92,000 type IV collagenase secretion and in vitro invasion

Although the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been implicated in signal transduction events, its role in regulating the Mr 92,000 type IV collagenase matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and in vitro invasiveness in cancer has not yet been determined. We made the surprising observation that, in a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (UM-SCC-1), phorbol ester-enhanced MMP-9 secretion and in vitro invasiveness were associated with a strong activation of the p38 MAPK and its downstream target, MAPK-activated protein kinase-2. To determine the role of p38 activation in these events, we investigated the effect of SB 203580, a novel specific p38 inhibitor, on protease expression and in vitro invasion of these cells. We found that inhibition of p38 by SB 203580 resulted in the almost complete reduction of phorbol myristate acetate-induced MMP-9 secretion but not of urokinase-type plasminogen activator secretion. In contrast, the activation of a transiently transfected wild-type MMP-9 promoter by MEKK-1, a specific c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activator, was only marginally inhibited by the compound, arguing for the specificity of SB 203580. Moreover, phorbol myristate acetate-enhanced in vitro invasion was completely blocked by SB 203580, whereas p38 inhibition had little effect on growth. These findings suggest that activation of p38 may contribute to a more invasive phenotype in vitro, possibly via the expression of MMP-9, and that targeting of p38 using SB 203580 may provide a novel means of controlling invasion of cancers in which this MAPK is activated.

Influence of venular prostaglandin release on arteriolar diameter during functional hyperemia

Indomethacin treatment or removal of the venular endothelium will attenuate functional arteriolar vasodilation in the hamster cremaster muscle. We tested the hypothesis that prostanoid release from venular endothelial cells was responsible for the functional vasodilation of the paired arteriole. The hamster cremaster muscle was prepared for in vivo microscopy and stimulated for 1 minute (10 V, 40 microsec, 1 Hz). Before a second muscle stimulation, the venular endothelium was removed by perfusing the venule with several air bubbles. A third muscle stimulation was performed during prostaglandin inhibition (28 micromol/L indomethacin superfusion). Arterioles (n = 9, 55+/-5 microm) dilated 25+/-4% during the initial muscle stimulation. After removal of the endothelium from the paired venules, there was no effect on resting arteriolar diameters (53+/-4 microm), but the functional arteriolar dilation was attenuated to 15+/-5% (P<.05). The additional indomethacin treatment had a significant effect on resting diameter (50+/-4 microm) but did not alter the magnitude of the functional vasodilation (11+/-4%, P>.05). In a second set of experiments, the order of the experimental protocol was reversed. Muscle stimulation resulted in a 23+/-2% increase in diameter (47+/-2 to 57+/-2 microm). Indomethacin treatment significantly attenuated the functional dilation to 8+/-3% (45+/-2 to 48+/-2 microm). Arteriolar diameter was significantly smaller after disruption of the venular endothelium with air bubbles (40+/-2 microm), but there was no effect on the functional vasodilation, 8+/-3% increase in diameter (to 43+/-2 microm). These results suggest that the arteriolar dilatory response to muscle stimulation is mediated, in part, by prostanoid release from the venular endothelium.

How many membrane proteins are there?

One of the basic issues that arises in functional genomics is the ability to predict the subcellular location of proteins that are deduced from gene and genome sequencing. In particular, one would like to be able to readily specify those proteins that are soluble and those that are inserted in a membrane. Traditional methods of distinguishing between these two locations have relied on extensive, time-consuming biochemical studies. The alternative approach has been to make inferences based on a visual search of the amino acid sequences of presumed gene products for stretches of hydrophobic amino acids. This numerical, sequence-based approach is usually seen as a first approximation pending more reliable biochemical data. The recent availability of large and complete sequence data sets for several organisms allows us to determine just how accurate such a numerical approach could be, and to attempt to minimize and quantify the error involved. We have optimized a statistical approach to protein location determination. Using our approach, we have determined that surprisingly few proteins are misallocated using the numerical method. We also examine the biological implications of the success of this technique.

Organ-site dependence for the production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and metastasis by human renal cell carcinoma cells

We examined the role of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in the metastasis of the human renal cell carcinoma (HRCC) implanted in athymic nude mice. Cells from a HRCC KG-2 line were implanted in orthotopic (kidney) and ectopic (subcutaneous) organs. The KG-2 cells implanted in the kidney produced local tumors and lung metastases, whereas those implanted subcutaneously produced only local tumors. The production of u-PA was determined by immunohistochemistry and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High levels of u-PA were produced by the metastatic kidney tumors and lung metastases, whereas the subcutaneous tumors produced low levels. KG-2 cells co-cultured with mouse kidney or lung fibroblasts produced higher levels of u-PA than KG-2 cells co-cultured with mouse skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, KG-2 cells cultured with the conditioned medium from mouse kidney or lung fibroblasts produced higher levels of u-PA than KG-2 cells cultured with the conditioned medium from mouse skin fibroblasts. The results indicate that the expression of u-PA by KG-2 cells is one of the important factors that determine their metastatic potential and that the production of u-PA is influenced by the organ microenvironment, including soluble factors produced by surrounding fibroblasts.

TnTIN and TnTAP: mini-transposons for site-specific proteolysis in vivo

Tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease recognizes a 7-aa consensus sequence, Glu-Xaa-Xaa-Tyr-Xaa-Gln-Ser, where Xaa can be almost any amino acyl residue. Cleavage occurs between the conserved Gln and Ser residues. Because of its distinct specificity, TEV protease can be expressed in the cytoplasm without interfering with viability. Polypeptides that are not natural substrates of TEV protease are proteolyzed if they carry the appropriate cleavage site. Thus, this protease can be used to study target proteins in their natural environment in vivo, as well as in vitro. We describe two TnS-based mini-transposons that insert TEV protease cleavage sites at random into target proteins. TnTIN introduces TEV cleavage sites into cytoplasmic proteins. TnTAP facilitates the same operation for proteins localized to the bacterial cell envelope. By using two different target proteins, SecA and TolC, we show that such modified proteins can be cleaved in vivo and in vitro by TEV protease. Possible applications of the site-specific proteolysis approach are topological studies of soluble as well as of inner and outer membrane proteins, protein inactivation, insertion mutagenesis experiments, and protein tagging.

Dental caries experience of children with haemophilia in Northern Ireland

It is generally agreed that persons suffering from haemophilia from a priority group for dental care. The present study compares the prevalence of dental caries in haemophilic children in Northern Ireland with the reported values for similarly aged children in the population. The prevalence of caries experience and of untreated caries were low in the haemophiliacs in both the primary and permanent dentitions. No teeth had been extracted due to caries and a high level of fluoride usage was claimed. The dental care of these patients is carried out at the regional treatment centre and forms an integral part of their medical care.

Elevated urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor expression in a colon cancer cell line is due to a constitutively activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1-dependent signaling cascade

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR) facilitates extracellular matrix degradation in part by accelerating plasmin formation at the cell surface. We previously reported that u-PAR expression is elevated in colon cancer cell lines characterized by their in vitro invasive capacity. Since, u-PAR expression is increased by a variety of growth factors, which signal through the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2), we determined if these mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate u-PAR expression in two cultured colon cancer cell lines. An in-gel kinase assay showed that ERK1 activity was considerably higher in RKO cells, which display > or = 10(5) receptors/cell, than the GEO cells which have approximately 10(4) urokinase receptors per cell. The expression of either an ERK-inactivating phosphatase (CL100), or a kinase-defective ERK1, decreased the activity of a u-PAR promoter-driven CAT reporter in RKO cells. Immune complex kinase assays indicated that the constitutive ERK1 activity in RKO cells was largely a result of an activated MEK1. Further, treatment of RKO cells with a specific inhibitor (PD 098059) of MEK1 activation, which diminished ERK1 activity, reduced the amount of urokinase specifically bound to the cell surface and this was associated with reduced laminin degradation. The expression of a dominant negative c-Raf-1 also reduced u-PAR promoter activity suggesting that MEK1 activation involved an activator at, or upstream, of this serine-threonine kinase. Transfection of the u-PAR-deficient GEO cells with a constitutively activated MEK1 expression construct up-regulated u-PAR promoter activity. Similarly treatment of GEO cells with a phosphatase inhibitor (sodium vanadate) caused a dose-dependent increase in ERK1 activity which paralleled increased cell surface binding of urokinase. Taken together, these data suggest that elevated u-PAR expression, in at least a sub-population of colon cancer, is partly a consequence of a constitutively activated ERK-1-dependent signaling cascade.

Regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression by an ERK1-dependent signaling pathway in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator contributes to tissue remodeling by controlling the synthesis of the extracellular matrix-degrading plasmin. We undertook a study to determine the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line (UM-SCC-1) that contains a transcriptionally activated urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene. Transient transfection studies using a CAT reporter driven by the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter, which had progressive 5' deletions or which had been point-mutated, indicated the requirement of binding sites for AP-1 (-1967) and PEA3 (-1973) for its maximal activation. Expression of a mutant jun protein, which lacks the transactivation domain, caused a dose-dependent repression of a CAT reporter driven by either the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter or three tandem AP-1 repeats upstream of a thymidine kinase minimal promoter indicating the importance of AP-1-binding transcription factor(s) in the regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator synthesis. Mobility shift assays with UM-SCC-1 nuclear extract revealed binding of fos and junD proteins to an oligonucleotide spanning the AP-1 site at -1967. In-gel kinase assays indicated the constitutive activation of ERK1, which regulates fos synthesis via phosphorylation of p62TCF, but not ERK2, in UM-SCC-1 cells. Moreover, the expression of a dominant-negative ERK1, but not ERK2, repressed urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter activity. Similarly, interfering with the function of the c-raf serine-threonine kinase, which lies upstream of ERK1, by the expression of a kinase-inactive c-raf repressed the activity of a CAT reporter driven by either the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promotor or tandem AP-1 repeats. These data suggest that urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression in UM-SCC-1 cells is regulated partly by an ERK1, but not ERK2, -dependent signaling pathway.

Regulation of 92 kDa type IV collagenase expression by the jun aminoterminal kinase- and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent signaling cascades

The 92 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-9), which degrades type IV collagen, has been implicated in tissue remodeling. The purpose of the current study was to determine the role of Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK)- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase- (ERK)-dependent signaling cascades in the regulation of MMP-9 expression. Towards this end, we first determined the transcriptional requirements for MMP-9 promoter activity in a cell line (UM-SCC-1) which is an avid secretor of this collagenase. Transfection of these cells with a CAT reporter driven by progressive 5' deleted fragments of the MMP-9 promoter indicated the requirement of a region spanning -144 to -73 for optimal promoter activity. DNase I footprinting revealed a protected region of the promoter spanning nucleotides -91 to -68 and containing a consensus AP-1 motif at -79. Mutation of this AP-1 motif practically abolished the activity of the MMP-9 promoter-driven CAT reporter. Mobility shift assays indicated c-Fos and Jun-D bound to this motif and transfection of the cells with a mutated c-Jun, which quenches the function of endogenous Jun and Fos proteins, decreased MMP-9 promoter activity by 80%. UM-SCC-1 cells contained a constitutively activated JNK and the expression of a kinase-deficient JNK1 reduced the activity of a CAT reporter driven either by the MMP-9 promoter or by three tandem AP-1 repeats upstream of a thymidine kinase minimal promoter. Conditioned medium collected from UM-SCC-1 cells transfected with the dominant negative JNK1 expression vector diminished 92 kDa gelatinolysis. Similarly, interfering with MEKK, which lies upstream of JNK1, using a dominant negative expression vector reduced MMP-9 promoter activity over the same concentration range which repressed the AP-1-thymidine kinase CAT reporter construct. UM-SCC-1 cells also contained a constitutively activated ERK1. MMP-9 expression, as determined by CAT assays and by zymography, was reduced by the co-expression of a kinase-deficient ERK1. Interfering with MEK1, which is an upstream activator of ERK1, either with PD 098059, which prevents the activation of MEK1, or with a dominant negative expression construct, reduced 92 kDa gelatinolysis and MMP-9 promoter activity respectively. c-Raf-1 is an upstream activator of MEK1 and a kinase-deficient c-Raf-1 expression construct decreased the activity of a promoter driven by either the MMP-9 promoter or three tandem AP-1 repeats. Conversely, treatment of UM-SCC-1 cells with PMA, which activates c-Raf-1, increased 92 kDa gelatinolysis. These data suggest that MMP-9 expression in UM-SCC-1 cells, is regulated by JNK- and ERK-dependent signaling pathways.

In vitro inhibition of human glioblastoma cell line invasiveness by antisense uPA receptor

The cell surface urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has been shown to be a key molecule in regulating plasminogen-mediated extracellular proteolysis. To investigate the role of uPAR in invasion of brain tumors, human glioblastoma cell line SNB19 was stably transfected with a vector capable of expressing an antisense transcript complementary to the 300 base pair of the 5' end of the uPAR mRNA. Parental and stably transfected (vector, sense, and antisense) cell lines were analysed for uPAR mRNA transcript by Northern blot analysis, and receptor protein levels were measured by radioreceptor assays and Western blotting. Significant reduction of uPAR sites was observed in the antisense transfected cell lines. The levels of uPAR mRNA were significantly decreased in antisense clones compared to control, vector and sense clones. The invasive potential of the cell lines in vitro was measured by Matrigel invasion assay and migration of cells from spheroids to monolayers. The antisense transfected cells showed a markedly lower level of invasion and migration than the controls. The antisense clones were more adhesive to the ECM components compared to parental, vector and sense clones. All transfected (vector, sense and antisense) clones and parental cells produced similar levels of uPA activity without any significant difference however, MMP-2 activity was decreased in antisense clones compared to controls. These results demonstrate that uPAR expression is critical for the invasiveness of human gliomas and down regulation of uPAR expression may be a feasible approach to decrease invasiveness.

Effect of PD 098059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, on urokinase expression and in vitro invasion

The elevated expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene, which is necessary for the invasive phenotype of several types of cancers, is controlled by growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor a, and fibroblast growth factor which bind to and activate protein tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptors. Since these activated receptors communicate with the nucleus via a signaling pathway in which c-Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1), and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases are sequentially activated, we determined the effect of a specific MEK1 inhibitor (PD 098059) on urokinase expression in two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (UM-SCC-1 and MDA-TU-138) characterized as avid secretors of the plasminogen activator. PD 098059 treatment of either cell line reduced the amount of secreted urokinase in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, a compound (daidzein) chemically unrelated to PD 098059 had little effect on urokinase secretion. The effect of PD 098059 on urokinase secretion in UM-SCC-1 cells was reversible and correlated with decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 activity. PD 098059 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the in vitro invasiveness of UM-SCC-1 cells whereas it had little effect on proliferation rates. Transient transfection assays with a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter driven by the urokinase promoter indicated that diminished secretion of the protease was largely a consequence of reduced promoter activity. These findings suggest that interfering with MEK1 may provide a novel means of controlling the invasiveness of tumors in which this signaling cascade is activated by autocrine and/or paracrine growth factors.

Periodontal infection as a possible risk factor for preterm low birth weight

Peridontal diseases are gram-negative anaerobic infections that can occur in women of childbearing age (18 to 34 years). In the present investigation we sought to determine whether the prevalence of maternal periodontal infection could be associated with preterm low birth weight (PLBW), controlling for known risk factors and potential covariates. A case-control study of 124 pregnant or postpartum mothers was performed. PLBW cases were defined as a mother with a birth of less than 2,500 g and one or more of the following: gestational age < 37 weeks, preterm labor (PTL), or premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Controls were normal birth weight infants (NBW). Assessments included a broad range of known obstetric risk factors, such as tobacco use, drug use, alcohol consumption, level of prenatal care, parity, genitourinary infections, and nutrition. Each subject received a periodontal examination to determine clinical attachment level. PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases (n = 93) had significantly worse periodontal disease than the respective NBW controls. Multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for other risk factors and covariates, demonstrated that periodontal disease is a statistically significant risk factor for PLBW with adjusted odds ratios of 7.9 and 7.5 for all PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases, respectively. These data indicate that periodontal diseases represent a previously unrecognized and clinically significant risk factor for preterm low birth weight as a consequence of either PTL or preterm PROM.

Immunoprotection by monoclonal antibodies to the porins and lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella typhimurium

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against the outer membrane (OM) antigens of Salmonella typhimurium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western immunoblots indicated that 10 MAbs in the panel were specific for surface epitopes, and 10 recognized buried epitopes of OmpC or OmpD porins; three MAbs reacted with smooth lipo-polysaccharide (LPS), two bound rough LPS, and the remaining three MAbs apparently reacted with a porin-LPS complex. We screened these MAbs and immune polyclonal sera in CAF1 (Ity) mice for their relative immunoprotective potential against a challenge with 10 to 500 LD50 of the virulent S. typhimurium LT-2 strain WB600, or against two LD50 of purified OM from this organism. Polyclonal sera that contained high titers of antibodies to porin monomers and trimers, and LPS, provided significant protection (33 to 100% survivors). Antiporin MAbs, when administered individually, did not protect or prolong the survival of mice. A mixture of MAbs with specificity for the surface, but not buried epitopes of porins, prolonged the survival of mice against endotoxemia, but none provided significant protection against mouse typhoid. MAbs specific for smooth (but not rough) LPS on the other hand, conferred significant protection against endotoxemia and mouse typhoid. Finally, MAbs that presumably recognized epitopes present in porin-LPS complexes, were also protective against endotoxemia and mouse typhoid. These results support the role of antibodies to LPS O-chains, porin-LPS complexes, and to a lesser degree, native porins in acquired resistance to infection by S. typhimurium.

Requirement of an upstream AP-1 motif for the constitutive and phorbol ester-inducible expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor gene

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR) facilitates extracellular matrix proteolysis by accelerating plasmin formation at the cell surface. The present study was undertaken to identify elements in the u-PAR promoter required for the elevated expression of this binding site. Toward this end, we used two cultured colon cancer cell lines; one (RKO) has a transcriptionally activated u-PAR gene, and the other (GEO) overexpresses the receptor only after phorbol ester treatment. A chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter driven by 398 nucleotides of 5' regulatory sequence of the u-PAR gene was strongly activated in the RKO cells, which displays approximately 3 x 10(5) receptors/cell. A region of this promoter between -197 and -8 was required for optimal expression, as indicated using a CAT reporter driven by 5' deleted fragments. DNase I footprinting revealed three protected regions (I, -190 to -171; II, -148 to -124; and III, -99 to -70) in this part of the promoter. Mutation of an AP-1 binding site at -184 within region I reduced activation of the promoter by 85%. Deletion of either region II or III also reduced promoter activity by over 60%. An oligonucleotide spanning the AP-1 motif at -184 bound, specifically, nuclear factors from RKO cells, and antibodies specific for Jun-D, c-Jun, or Fra-1 proteins supershifted the complex indicating the presence of these proteins. The amount of these factors was reduced in GEO cells in which the u-PAR gene is only weakly transcriptionally activated. Expression of a vector encoding a wild-type Jun-D cDNA increased u-PAR promoter activity in GEO cells. Conversely, transfection of RKO cells with a transactivation domain-lacking Jun-D expression construct resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in u-PAR promoter activity. Treatment of GEO cells with phorbol ester increased u-PAR mRNA and the activity of a CAT reporter driven by the wild-type but not the AP-1 (-184)-mutated u-PAR promoter, and this was associated with a strong induction in the amount of Jun-D, c-Jun, and c-Fos. Methylation interference studies using a fragment of the u-PAR promoter (spanning -201 to -150) bound with nuclear extracted proteins from RKO cells, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated and -untreated GEO cells showed that the contact points corresponded to the AP-1 binding site at -184. Thus, the elevated expression of u-PAR in RKO cells, which constitutively produces this binding site, as well as in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated GEO cells requires an AP-1 motif located 184 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site.

Regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression by an ERK1-dependent signaling pathway in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator contributes to tissue remodeling by controlling the synthesis of the extracellular matrix-degrading plasmin. We undertook a study to determine the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line (UM-SCC-1) that contains a transcriptionally activated urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene. Transient transfection studies using a CAT reporter driven by the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter, which had progressive 5' deletions or which had been point-mutated, indicated the requirement of binding sites for AP-1 (-1967) and PEA3 (-1973) for its maximal activation. Expression of a mutant jun protein, which lacks the transactivation domain, caused a dose-dependent repression of a CAT reporter driven by either the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter or three tandem AP-1 repeats upstream of a thymidine kinase minimal promoter indicating the importance of AP-1-binding transcription factor(s) in the regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator synthesis. Mobility shift assays with UM-SCC-1 nuclear extract revealed binding of fos and junD proteins to an oligonucleotide spanning the AP-1 site at -1967. In-gel kinase assays indicated the constitutive activation of ERK1, which regulates fos synthesis via phosphorylation of p62TCF, but not ERK2, in UM-SCC-1 cells. Moreover, the expression of a dominant-negative ERK1, but not ERK2, repressed urokinase-type plasminogen activator promoter activity. Similarly, interfering with the function of the c-raf serine-threonine kinase, which lies upstream of ERK1, by the expression of a kinase-inactive c-raf repressed the activity of a CAT reporter driven by either the urokinase-type plasminogen activator promotor or tandem AP-1 repeats. These data suggest that urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression in UM-SCC-1 cells is regulated partly by an ERK1, but not ERK2, -dependent signaling pathway.

Stimulation of 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter activity by ras is mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1-independent and requires multiple transcription factor binding sites including closely spaced PEA3/ets and AP-1 sequences

The 92-kDa type IV collagenase (92-kDa gelatinase B also referred to as MMP-9), which plays a critical role in extracellular matrix degradation, is regulated by growth factors that mediate their effects through the ras proto-oncogene. The current study was undertaken to determine the transcriptional requirements for the induction of 92-kDa gelatinase B expression by an activated ras oncogene. Transfection of OVCAR-3 cells with an expression vector encoding an activated Ha-ras increased 92-kDa gelatinolytic activity and stimulated (over 10-fold) the activity of a CAT reporter driven by 670 nucleotides of 5' flanking sequence of the 92-kDa gelatinase B gene. Transient assays using a CAT reporter driven by 5' deleted fragments of the 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter indicated that a region spanning -634 to -531 was required for optimal induction of the promoter. The individual deletion, or mutation, of a PEA3/ets (-540) motif, AP-1 sites (-533, -79), a NF-kappa B (-600) consensus sequence, and a GT box (-52) substantially reduced the activation of the promoter by ras. An expression vector encoding the PEA3 transcription factor caused a 3-fold stimulation of the wild type but not the PEA3/ets-deleted 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter. Coexpression of a dominant negative c-jun antagonized the ras-dependent stimulation of the 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter-driven CAT reporter. The signaling pathway mediating the induction of 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter activity by ras was examined. The expression of a phosphatase (CL100) which inactivates multiple mitogen-activate protein kinase members abrogated the stimulation of 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter activity by ras. However, the expression of a kinase-deficient mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) did not prevent activation of the 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter by ras and a constitutively activated c-raf expression vector was insufficient for 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter activation. Thus, the stimulation of the 92-kDa gelatinase B promoter by ras requires multiple elements including closely spaced PEA3/est and AP-1 sites and is MEK1-independent.

Invasion and metastasis

The invasive character of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck represents a major challenge to the clinician since most often these tumors require extensive surgical resection impairing important physiological functions including speech and swallowing. Additionally, in many cases costly reconstructive surgery is required to repair the adverse cosmetic effects of the resective surgery. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the molecular mechanism(s) which underlie the local and regional spread of this disease. Since the ability of tumor cells to invade into surrounding structures requires hydrolytic action much effort has been spent on identifying the hydrolases involved in this process. Some of the enzymes which have been implicated in the spread of head and neck cancer include the urokinase-type plasminogen activator and several members of the collagenase family such as type I and IV collagenases and the stromelysins synthesized either by the tumor cells or in the surrounding fibroblasts. More recent studies have addressed the mechanism(s) by which these hydrolases are overexpressed in invasive cancer. In the tumor cells themselves, work has focused on defining the transcriptional requirements for enzyme synthesis and addressing how the appropriate transcription factors are activated by signal transduction pathways. In contrast, where the hydrolases (e.g. stromelysin-2 and stromelysin-3) are produced by the fibroblasts, current investigations are directed at identifying tumor-derived growth factors which lead to the inducible expression of the enzymes in the stromal cells. The ultimate goal of these studies is to develop novel therapeutic interventions which decrease the invasive capacity of head and neck cancer leading to longer survival times and enhanced quality of life for patients afflicted with this disease.

An HLA-B35-restricted epitope modified at an anchor residue results in an antagonist peptide

Peptides associated with HLA-B35 commonly have a proline or occasionally a serine residue in the P2 anchor position of the peptide, with a tyrosine at the C terminus. Based on this motif, we identified an octamer epitope from influenza A matrix protein which is presented by HLA-B35. The requirements for MHC binding and T cell receptor contact have been analyzed using analogs of this peptide with substitutions at positions 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. The natural epitope contains a serine residue at P2 of the peptide. Substitution of this residue with proline (the favored amino acid in this position in B35-associated peptides) considerably enhances binding to HLA-B35 in the T2-B35 cell line, but the peptide is not recognized by the majority of CTL clones and can antagonize recognition of the index peptide. This suggests that a conservative substitution at the P2 anchor position results in a conformational change in the peptide-MHC surface exposed to the T cell receptor.

Randomised trial of oral morphine for chronic non-cancer pain

BACKGROUND

The use of opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain is controversial. Some surveys report good pain relief and improvement in performance while others suggest a poor outcome with a propensity to psychological dependence or addiction.

METHODS

We undertook a randomised double-blind crossover study to test the hypothesis that oral morphine relieves pain and improves the quality of life in patients with chronic regional pain of soft tissue or musculoskeletal origin who have not responded to codeine, anti-inflammatory agents, and antidepressants. Morphine was administered as a sustained-release preparation in doses up to 60 mg twice daily and compared with benztropine (active placebo) in doses up to 1 mg twice daily over three-week titration, six-week evaluation, and two-week washout phases. Pain intensity, pain relief, and drug liking were rated weekly and psychological features, functional status, and cognition were assessed at baseline and at the end of each evaluation phase.

FINDINGS

After dose titration in the 46 patients who completed the study, the mean daily doses of drugs were morphine 83.5 mg and benztropine 1.7 mg. On visual analogue scales, the morphine group showed a reduction in pain intensity relative to placebo in period I (p = 0.01) and this group also fared better in a crossover analysis of the sum of pain intensity differences from baseline (p = 0.02). No other significant differences were detected.

INTERPRETATION

In patients with treatment-resistant chronic regional pain of soft-tissue or musculoskeletal origin, nine weeks of oral morphine in doses up to 120 mg daily may confer analgesic benefit with a low risk of addiction but is unlikely to yield psychological or functional improvement.

Regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression by the v-mos oncogene

We undertook a study to determine if the serine-threonine kinase-encoding v-mos oncogene regulated the expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator. An expression vector encoding v-mos, but not a kinase-inactive mutant, stimulated urokinase promoter activity in CAT assays employing a squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The induction of urokinase promoter activity by v-mos was mediated, in part, via an increased AP-1 activity since (a) mutation of 2 AP-1 binding sites (at -1967 and -1885), or the co-expression of a transactivation domain-lacking c-jun mutant reduced the induction of the urokinase promoter by v-mos and (b) expression of v-mos increased the activity of a CAT reporter driven by three AP-1 tandem repeats. The stimulation of the urokinase promoter by v-mos was partially countered by co-expression of an ERK1/ERK2-inactivating phosphatase. Western blotting and zymographic analysis indicated that v-mos-transformed NIH3T3 cells (MSV NIH-3T3) secreted more urokinase compared with NIH3T3 cells and this was associated with a higher level of activated ERK1 and ERK2. Expression of a catalytically-inactive MAPKK mutant reduced the activity of a urokinase promoter-driven CAT reporter in the MSV NIH-3T3 cells. In conclusion, the data herein indicate that urokinase expression is regulated by v-mos through a MAPKK-dependent signaling pathway.

Membrane topology analysis of the Escherichia coli cytosine permease

The Escherichia coli codBA operon encodes cytosine permease (CodB) and cytosine deaminase (CodA). CodB mediates uptake of exogenously supplied cytosine, and CodA catalyses the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine to uracil and ammonia. The hydropathic profile of CodB indicates that it is an integral cytoplasmic membrane protein possessing several transmembrane-spanning domains. The membrane topology of CodB was investigated by using gene fusions containing varying lengths of the amino-terminus of CodB fused to either alkaline phosphatase (AP) or beta-galactosidase (BG). The AP activities expressed by the CodB-AP fusions are consistent with a topological model in which the amino- and the carboxy-termini of CodB are located in the cytoplasm, and in which CodB possesses 12 membrane-spanning segments. The enzyme activities of most of the CodB-BG fusions support the model. However, the results obtained with some of the CodB-BG fusions illustrate the limitations of using BG as a reporter protein in studies of membrane protein topology.

Involvement of a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the regulation of urokinase promoter activity by c-Ha-ras

The expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator, which plays a crucial role in tissue remodeling by controlling the synthesis of the broadly acting plasmin serine protease, is regulated by several tyrosine kinases. Since the actions of these tyrosine kinases is dependent on the activation of ras proteins, we undertook a study to identify signaling events downstream of ras responsible for the stimulation of urokinase promoter activity. Transient expression of an activated c-Ha-ras in OVCAR-3 cells, which do not harbor the mutated oncogene, led to a dose-dependent trans-activation of the urokinase promoter. A sequence residing between -2109 and -1964 was critical for the stimulation of the urokinase promoter by c-Ha-ras. Mutation of an AP-1 and a PEA3 site at -1967 and -1973, respectively, or the co-expression of a transactivation domain-lacking c-jun substantially impaired the ability of c-Ha-ras to stimulate urokinase promoter activity. The induction of the urokinase promoter by ras was completely blocked by expression of a dominant negative c-raf expression vector and substantially reduced in cells made to co-express a catalytically inactive mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Further, the expression of an ERK1/ERK2-inactivating phosphatase (CL100) abrogated the stimulation of the urokinase promoter by c-Ha-ras. These data argue for a role of a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling pathway in the regulation of urokinase promoter activity by ras.

Dental caries experience of children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in relation to the duration of treatment and the period of time in remission

The dental condition of 54 children aged 3-19 years who were in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was examined in relation to the duration of their chemotherapy and their period of time in remission. There were no significant differences in the number of early ('white spot') lesions or in the total dental caries experience in relation to the duration of chemotherapy. Children who were longest in remission had significantly more white spot lesions in permanent teeth but not in primary teeth, and there was no significant difference in dental caries experience. Children who had received nystatin treatment for more than a year had significantly more white spot lesions in permanent teeth than those who had received nystatin for shorter periods.