Epidermal Langerhans cells from mice bearing a granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor-producing mammary tumor display impaired accessory functions

A progressive depression of delayed type hypersensitivity reactions occurs during development of mammary tumors in BALB/c mice. This tumor constitutively produces prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Epidermal Langerhans cells were found to have a decreased responsiveness to bacterial superantigen and to defined antigens in tumor-bearing mice, and also showed an impaired ability to induce proliferative responses in syngeneic or allogeneic responder T cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the Langerhans cells of tumor bearers had decreased densities of the Ia molecule on their surfaces. No defects were observed in the potential of keratinocytes from tumor bearers to produce granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor or to support the activation of syngeneic T cells. Incubation of normal Langerhans cells with tumor derived factors depressed their capacity to stimulate T cell syngeneic responses. Addition of indomethacin and anti-prostaglandin E2 did not reverse this depressed activity. These results indicate that epidermal Langerhans cells from tumor-bearing mice possess a functional deficit in acquiring accessory properties in vitro, which cannot be ascribed to a lack of GM-CSF in the local microenvironment or to production of inhibitory cytokines by their keratinocytes. The functional deficit of epidermal Langerhans cells of tumor-bearing mice may account for the depressed delayed hypersensitivity displayed by these mice, and factors elaborated by the tumor may be responsible for the deficiencies observed.

FISH mapping of centromere protein C (CENPC) on human chromosome 4q31-->q21

Centromere protein C (CENP-C), a human centromere autoantigen, is a component of the inner kinetochore plate. CENP-C is required for maintaining proper kinetochore size and a timely transition to anaphase. In this study using fluorescence in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes, the human CENP-C gene (CENPC) was mapped on chromosome 4, region q13-->q21.

Dominant-negative mutants of Grb2 induced reversal of the transformed phenotypes caused by the point mutation-activated rat HER-2/Neu

To clarify the role of the Shc-Grb2-Sos trimer in the oncogenic signaling of the point mutation-activated HER-2/neu receptor tyrosine kinase (named p185), we interfered with the protein-protein interactions in the Shc.Grb2.Sos complex by introducing Grb2 mutants with deletions in either amino- (delta N-Grb2) or carboxyl-(delta C-Grb2) terminal SH3 domains into B104-1-1 cells derived from NIH3T3 cells expressing the point mutation-activated HER-2/neu. We found that the transformed phenotypes of the B104-1-1 cells were largely reversed by the delta N-Grb2. The effect of the delta C-Grb2 was much weaker. Biochemical analysis showed that the delta N-Grb2 was able to associate Shc but not p185 or Sos, while the delta C-Grb2 bound to Shc, p185, and Sos. The p185-mediated Ras activation was severely inhibited by the delta N-Grb2 but not the delta C-Grb2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that interruption of the interaction between Shc and the endogenous Grb2 by the delta N-Grb2 impairs the oncogenic signaling of the activated p185, indicating that (i) the delta N-Grb2 functions as a strong dominant-negative mutant, and (ii) Shc/Grb2/Sos pathway plays a major role in mediating the oncogenic signal of the activated p185. Unlike the delta N-Grb2, delta C-Grb2 appears to be a relatively weak dominant-negative mutant, probably due to its ability to largely fulfill the biological functions of the wild-type Grb2.

HNF3 binds and activates the second enhancer, ENII, of hepatitis B virus

The basic functional unit of hepatitus B virus (HBV) enhancer II (ENII) is located within nt 1687-1774, which is defined as the B fragment in our previous papers. A major trans-acting factor binding site has been identified within the B fragment. The sequence corresponding to this binding site was named B2. In this paper, several point mutations were introduced into the B2 subunit by PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis. CAT analysis indicated that the TGTTTGTTT motif within the B2 subunit was critical for the activity of ENII. Mutations of individual nucleotides within this motif could decrease the activity of ENII. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay revealed that the liver-enriched transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 3 alpha and HNF3 beta bound to the B2 subunit specifically and the TGTTTGTTT motif was essential for DNA-protein interaction. Anti-HNF3 alpha and anti-HNF3 beta antisera could block such binding ability. Moreover, HNF3 beta could switch on the activity of ENII in HeLa cells and the activity of ENII could be suppressed by antisense HNF3 alpha and antisense HNF3 beta mRNA in HepG2 cells. These results prompted the conclusion that HNF3 was crucial for the liver-specific activity of ENII, which in turn contributed significantly to the liver specificity of HBV.

A novel nonviral cytoplasmic gene expression system and its implications in cancer gene therapy

We recently have developed a unique cytoplasmic transient gene expression system based on cotransfection of target cells with bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) and plasmid DNA vectors containing a T7 autogene. Because this T7 system is self-initiating, self-maintaining, and requires no cellular factors for transcription, it is therefore likely to function in any mammalian cell with any gene both in vitro and, more importantly, in vivo. In this study we demonstrate that the T7 DNA vector and T7 RNAP could be efficiently codelivered to cultured cells by lipofection. Different target genes were expressed by the T7 system in a wide variety of mammalian cells including several tumor cell lines. Gene expression could be detected in more than 30% of the cells of some tumor cell lines transiently transfected by the T7 vector. Average activity of the reporter enzyme (luciferase) expressed by a transfected cell was relatively constant regardless of the cell line used. When a T7-luciferase vector was directly injected into various tissues of mice without the use of liposomes, luciferase activity could be found in the injected liver, muscle, brain and tail connective tissues. The luciferase levels expressed by the T7 system were found to be up to 200-fold higher, depending upon the injected tissues, than levels achieved with a traditional nuclear gene expression vector. Direct tumor injection with a T7-beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) construct resulted in beta-gal gene expression in tumor cells near the injection sites. In addition, direct injection of the T7 system in mice did not generate detectable quantities of antibodies against the T7 RNAP. These results suggest that this gene expression system may be useful in many different medical applications such as cancer gene therapies and DNA vaccination, where transient but rapid and efficient gene expression is required.

[The establishment of ADBS data bank system for autopsy records]

The ADBS data bank system consists of PC 286 microcomputer, (or 386 and other more advanced machine) VGA color monitor, printer and ADBS V. 2.0 software. According to the international classification of diseases (ICD-9 or ICD-10, SNOMED), pathological diagnoses are coded and put into computer. This system has five functions: search, statistics, edition, print and system restore. For facilitating the operation of this system, all orders are listed as window menu. The statistic results can be shown as tables or figures and put out as disk files or prints. The system is currently an advanced computerized system of histopathological and autopsied records in Chinese.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in smooth muscle cells from rat penile corpora cavernosa

Nitric oxide (NO), the main mediator of penile erection, is assumed to be synthesized in the penis by the neuronal constitutive nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). However, nNOS has not been identified in the penile smooth muscle, the target of NO action. The other NOS isozymes, the inducible NOS (iNOS) and the endothelial NOS (eNOS) have not been reported in any penile tissue. The smooth muscle vascular and trabecular tissue from rat corpora cavernosa is represented in vitro by cell cultures designated RPSMC. To determine whether iNOS can be expressed in penile smooth muscle, RPSMC were treated with different lymphokines and/or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The selected inducer, LPS/interferon, elicited at 48 hours up to a 50-fold increase in nitrites in the medium; the nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, actinomycin D, cycloheximide, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and dexamethasone, but was resistant to nifedipine and platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB). iNOS induction increased with cell passage. The [3H]L-arginine/citrulline measurement of NO synthesis with intact cells confirmed these results. Incubations of soluble and particulate fractions showed that the cytosol contained most of the activity (Km = 43 microM), which was partially inhibited by ethyleneglycal-bis-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The 4.4-kb iNOS mRNA peaked at a late period (24-30 hours) and remained high for up to 72 hours. iNOS mRNA induction was strongly inhibited by actinomycin D and dexamethasone, partially inhibited by TGF-beta1, inhibited slightly by PDGF-AB, and unaffected by nifedipine. These results show that iNOS can be expressed in RPSMC in a cell passage-dependent fashion that has so far not been reported for other cell lines, and that the induction reaches much higher levels than in rat or human vascular smooth muscle cells. The expression pattern is also distinctive for the penile cells in time course of induction, Ca2+ dependence, response to certain agents, and mRNA stability.

Conditional ectopic expression of C/EBP beta in NIH-3T3 cells induces PPAR gamma and stimulates adipogenesis

Activation of adipogenesis in 3T3 preadipocytes by exposure to the adipogenic inducers dexamethasone, methylisobutylxanthine, insulin, and fetal bovine serum is accompanied by a transient burst of C/EBP beta protein expression that precedes the induction of the fat gene program. In this study we have investigated the role of C/EBP beta in initiating the adipogenic program by overexpressing C/EBP beta in multipotential NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. Conditional ectopic expression of C/EBP beta was accomplished by using an artificial transcriptional regulatory system based on the Escherichia coli tetracycline repressor to generate a stable cell line, beta 2, that expresses C/EBP beta mRNA and protein in a tightly controlled tetracycline dose-dependent manner. Induction of C/EBP beta DNA-binding activity in NIH-3T3 beta 2 cells exposed to dexamethasone in the presence of insulin and fetal bovine serum activates the expression of an adipocyte-specific nuclear hormone receptor, PPAR gamma, that stimulates the conversion of these fibroblasts into committed preadipocytes. Either ectopic expression of C/EBP beta or treatment with dexamethasone alone is incapable of inducing PPAR gamma expression, but when present together, they have a synergistic effect on the adipogenic program. Exposure of these stimulated cells to a PPAR activator 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) results in the accumulation of fat droplets and expression of the adipocyte-enriched genes aP2 and glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD). The number of beta 2 cells that can differentiate into adipocytes is related to the concentration of tetracycline and, therefore, the amount of the exogenous C/EBP beta protein expressed. C/EBP beta can induce PPAR gamma mRNA in the absence of ETYA; however, expression of aP2 mRNA and maximum fat deposition is dependent on the PPAR activator. Our results suggest that enhanced expression of C/EBP beta converts multipotential mesenchymal precursor cells into preadipocytes that respond to adipogenic inducers, including dexamethasone and PPAR activators to differentiate into adipocytes.

Growth hormone and colony-stimulating factor 1 share multiple response elements in the c-fos promoter

The c-fos protooncogene is induced by GH rapidly, but transiently. Induction requires C kinase activation and the serum response element, and recent binding studies have also implicated the sis-inducible element (SIE). However, no systematic study of the promoter elements responsible for transactivation by GH has been undertaken. Here we used Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells transiently cotransfected with rabbit GH receptor and c-fos promoter-luciferase constructs to demonstrate that the major region responsible for GH induction is located between 284-396 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. Full induction by GH requires all of the known elements located in this region to be intact, including the SIE or signal transducer and activator of transcription binding element. We also report novel negative elements located around -216 upstream of the start site that reduce induction by GH and provide gel shift evidence for factors binding in this region. Cotransfection of Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells with c-fms and c-fos promoter constructs followed by the addition of CSF-1 revealed that these same c-fos elements contribute to transactivation by c-fms. Serum also uses the same elements to induce c-fos expression, except for the SIE. These results indicate that GH receptor and c-fms tyrosine kinase operate through multiple common response elements to regulate c-fos gene expression despite their structural differences.

[A potentially new sodium channel blocker: 2-chloro-4-bromo-alpha-methylcinnamic acid]

The effects of 2-Chloro-4-Bromo-alpha-Methylcinnamic acid sodium (SC1001 Na) and some channel antagonists on the action potential (AP) and the resting potential (RP) were tested intracellularly in the sartorius muscle of the toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans). TEA (10mmol/L) and MnCl2 (10 mmol/L) had no effect on the amplitude of the AP, otherwise, TTX (1 mumol/L) blocked the AP completely. SC1001 Na at the concentration of 2mmol/L largely decreased the amplitude of the AP and expanded the duration of the AP (measured at 1/2 peak amplitude), but it had no effect on the RP. The effects of ms group of drug were reversible. Under the pretreatment of the muscle preparation with TEA (10 mmol/L), SC1001 Na still increased the duration of the AP while decreased its amplitude. At the concentration of 10mmol/L, SC1001 Na completely blocked AP and depolarized the RP significantly. These effects were not reversible. As the structure of SC1001 Na is different from that of heterocycloguanidine Na channel blocker, such as TTX, or that of local anesthetics, we infer that SC1001 Na may be a new sodium channel blocker.

Fate of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 provirus in infected cells: a role for vpr

We investigated the fate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral DNA in infected peripheral blood lymphocytes and immortalized T-cell lines by using a replication-defective HIV-1. We observed that integrated HIV-1 DNA and viral gene expression decrease over time. A frameshift mutation in vpr resulted in maintenance of the HIV-1 provirus and stable persistence of viral expression. Transfection of vpr together with the neomycin resistance gene in the absence of other viral genes decreased the formation of geneticin-resistant colonies, indicating either a cytotoxic or a cytostatic effect upon cells. Therefore, maintenance of HIV-1 infection within an infected proliferating population is due to two competing processes, the rate of viral spread and the degree of cell growth inhibition and/or death induced by Vpr.

Control of aggregation in protein refolding: a variety of surfactants promote renaturation of carbonic anhydrase II

The denaturation and renaturation of carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) has been studied in several laboratories. Both thermodynamic and kinetic evidence support the existence of at least two intermediates between denatured and native protein. Previous studies have shown that on rapid dilution of a CAII solution from 5 M to 1 M guanidinium chloride, aggregation strongly competes with renaturation at higher protein concentrations, suggesting an upper limit for [CAII] of approximately 0.1%. Our experiments show 60% renaturation at 0.4% [CAII] and that aggregate formation is partially reversible. This yield can be substantially increased by several surfactant additives, including simple alkanols as well as micelle-forming surfactants. Effective surfactants (promoters) act by suppressing initial aggregate formation, not by dissolving aggregates. Promoters act on either the first folding intermediate (I1) or oligomers thereof. Eight of the 18 surfactants examined showed promoter activity, and no correlation was evident between promoter activity and chemical structure or surface tension lowering. These results indicate discrimination (molecular recognition) by I1 and/or its oligomers.

A new reporter system for detection of retroviral infection

We describe a novel reporter molecule, the murine surface antigen Thy-1, useful for immunoselection and detection of retrovirus-mediated transduction by flow cytometry. A cDNA encoding the murine thy-1 gene was isolated, and cell surface expression of its gene product was demonstrated. The Thy-1 glycoprotein was tested as a cell surface reporter molecule in the context of replication-defective and -competent retroviruses. Cells transduced via murine retroviral vectors carrying the thy-1 and the neomycin phosphotransferase genes express Thy-1 glycoprotein on their surfaces. The Thy-1 marker is potentially useful in gene transfer protocols because selection of transduced cells can be achieved by immunoselection with anti-Thy-1 antibodies shortly after infection with the retroviral vector. In addition, a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinant expressing Thy-1 is described, which is replication-competent and syncytium-inducing in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and immortalized CD4-positive cell lines. Cells infected with this HIV-1 recombinant express Thy-1 on their surfaces and can be detected and purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Because of these properties, retroviruses expressing this genetic marker can be useful for studies in gene therapy and of the retroviral life-cycle.

[Quantitative study of myocardial mitochondrial DNA4977 deletion in rheumatic heart disease and its significance]

To better understand the mechaenisms of cardiac function damaged by chronic hypoxemia in rheumatic heart disease, we investigated the level of the 4977 base pair mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA4977) deletion in 16 patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Myocardial malondialdehyde (SOD) activity was also measured. In control group, mtDNA4977 deletion appeared after 45 years old and reached a maximum of 0.0042%. A higher level of mtDNA4977 deletion (0.02%-1.26%) was found in RHD group. Because mtDNA4977 deletion removes 8 genes coding for subunits of complexes of respiratory chain, its deletion can inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, reduce ATP production and hinder the recovery of cardiac function. In addition, myocardial MDA content increased and SOD activity decreased in the RHD group as compared with the control group. This indicates that the generation of oxygen free radicals enhances and the elimination of free radicals reduces. Oxygen free radical can be an important factor in myocardial mitochondrial DNA injury and lead to mitochondrial DNA deletion.

The DNA binding activity of C/EBP transcription factor is regulated in the G1 phase of the hepatocyte cell cycle

We have isolated the promoter of the rat C/EBP alpha gene and find a high degree of homology with the mouse gene, particularly in putative regulatory domains. Transactivation of this promoter by ectopic expression of rat C/EBP beta occurs through a C/EBP regulatory domain at position -170 to -195. An oligonucleotide corresponding to this domain binds to complexes expressed in rat liver that comprise C/EBP alpha-C/EBP beta heterodimers (alpha beta) as well as C/EBP beta complexed with itself and/or other unidentified nuclear factors (beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3). The DNA binding activity of these complexes changes both qualitatively and quantitatively following partial hepatectomy. Within 2-5 h postsurgery, the binding activity of the alpha beta complexes drops severalfold, reaching a nadir by 20 h. During the ensuing 3-8 days, as regeneration nears completion, this activity slowly returns to normal quiescent liver levels. Western blot analysis shows 3 major C/EBP alpha polypeptide species (42, 40, and 30 kDa), whose abundance in general parallels the decrease and recovery in DNA binding activity. In contrast to C/EBP alpha behavior, the DNA binding activity of the beta complexes is transiently induced severalfold during the early G1 period between 2 and 6 h posthepatectomy. The major C/EBP beta polypeptide is the 32-kDa LAP protein, whereas the LIP protein (21 kDa) is weakly expressed. Both remain essentially constant throughout the course of regeneration, suggesting that changes in DNA binding activity may reflect changes in the complexed proteins rather than the C/EBP beta polypeptides themselves. In primary hepatocyte cultures, under growth supporting conditions, in the absence of growth factors proliferation is negligible; C/EBP alpha is abundantly expressed at the outset, but is then extensively down-regulated. Epidermal growth factor causes further decay of C/EBP alpha polypeptides and DNA binding activity, and down-regulates C/EBP beta DNA binding activity as well. Addition of transforming growth factor beta completely antagonizes the effects of epidermal growth factor on C/EBP beta activity, and partially overcomes the effect on C/EBP alpha. These results demonstrate that the DNA binding activity of C/EBP alpha and C/EBP beta complexes is regulated in the regenerating liver, and in hepatocyte cultures responding to growth factors that regulate their proliferation.

Identification of an upstream region that controls the transcription of the human autocrine motility factor receptor

We have isolated from a human placenta cosmid library a 0.7 kb genomic clone that contains the 5' terminal portion of the autocrine motility factor receptor (hAMFR) coding region. Chloramphenicol Acetyl Transferase (CAT) reporter gene assays have identified this region as the promoter of the hAMFR gene. A single transcription initiation site (+1) has been mapped to 129 bp upstream of the ATG start codon by primer extension. DNA sequence analysis and CAT assay revealed a TATA element at the position -485/-468 which was able to conduct only a marginal transcription (less than 5% of the total activity). The majority of the hAMFR promoter's activity is contributed by a transcription initiator (Inr) element overlapping the initiation site (+1) which independently controls the transcription of the hAMFR gene. Gel mobility shift assays showed that DNA-binding proteins in HeLa cells nuclear extract can bind specifically to both promoter's elements. DNA-binding proteins were found to be differentially expressed by sparse and dense cultured normal fibroblasts. The nuclear-binding protein expressed by sparse NIH-3T3 cells induced a DNA mobility shift similarly to the nuclear protein of HeLa cells, while a different DNA-protein complex size was observed with nuclear proteins extracted from dense cultured NIH-3T3 cells. Also CAT-reporter gene analysis revealed a significant lower activity in dense NIH-3T3 cells as compared with the sparse-cultured counterparts. These results help to explain the previously observed cell-cell contact regulation of AMFR expression in normal cells and its consecutive expression in tumor cells.

Ion channel involvement in anoxic depolarization induced by cardiac arrest in rat brain

Anoxic depolarization (AD) and failure of ion homeostasis play an important role in ischemia-induced neuronal injury. In the present study, different drugs with known ion-channel-modulating properties were examined for their ability to interfere with cardiac-arrest-elicited AD and with the changes in the extracellular ion activity in rat brain. Our results indicate that only drugs primarily blocking membrane Na+ permeability (NBQX, R56865, and flunarizine) delayed the occurrence of AD, while compounds affecting cellular Ca2+ load (MK-801 and nimodipine) did not influence the latency time. The ischemia-induced [Na+]e reduction was attenuated by R56865. Blockade of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels with glibenclamide reduced the [K+]e increase upon ischemia, indicating an involvement of the KATP channels in ischemia-induced K+ efflux. The KATP channel opener cromakalim did not affect the AD or the [K+]e concentration. The ischemia-induced rapid decline of extracellular calcium was attenuated by receptor-operated Ca2+ channel blockers MK-801 and NBQX, but not by the voltage-operated Ca2+ channel blocker nimodipine, R56865, and flunarizine.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc proteins and formation of Shc/Grb2 complex correlate to the transformation of NIH3T3 cells mediated by the point-mutation activated neu

PLC-gamma, ras-GAP and Shc have been proposed to be in vivo substrates for the neu-encoded p185neu receptor tyrosine kinases. We compared the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of PLC-gamma, ras-GAP and Shc in two NIH3T3 derived cell lines, transformed B104-1-1 and non-transformed DHFR/G8 cells in which point-mutation activated and normal rat neu genes were transfected and expressed, respectively. We found that tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and formation of Shc/Grb2 complex were more significant in B104-1-1 cells than in DHFR/G8 cells, while no obvious difference could be detected for the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of ras-GAP and PLC-gamma between these two cell lines. Furthermore, we observed that association with Shc was severely impaired by deletion of most of the major autophosphorylation sites of the point-mutated neu. The truncated neu product, however, fully retained its ability to transform NIH3T3 cells, induce Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and Shc/Grb2 complex formation. Our results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc which allows formation of Shc/Grb2 complex may play an important role for cell transformation induced by the point mutation-activated neu, and that stable binding to mutant p185neu may not be necessary for Shc to mediate this signaling pathway.

[Preliminary study of a recombinant polyvalent vaccine of Plasmodium falciparum and its immunological activity]

A hybrid gene named HGFC coding three protective antigenic epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum and two exogenous T cell activating epitopes was designed and synthesized. A multicopy hybrid gene named HGF-CAC was also constructed. The two genes were cloned into expression vector pWR450-1 and the hybrid fusion proteins containing forgine antigens and beta-galactosidase were expressed in E. Coli. The molecular weights of the fusion proteins were 65KDa and 77KDa respectively. The expression rate was about 35% of total bacterial proteins. The fusion protein could react specifically with mouse and rabbit antibodies against antigens of Plasmodium falciparum. The rabbit immune serum against the purified fusion protein could specifically recognize the antigens of Plasmodium falciparum and effectively inhibit the in vitro development of the parasites. The inhibitory capacity of the immune sera to parasite invasion was enhanced as the amount of the sera increased and the incubation time of the sera with the parasites was prolonged. After 72h incubation at 20% concentration with the parasites, the serum suppressed the multiplication of parasite to a level of 82% and caused degeneration and death of the parasites. The results indicated that the recombinant hybrid antigen of Plasmodium falciparum has immunological activity and protectivity. It is probably a candidate malaria vaccine.

Four hydrophobic segments in the NH2-terminal third (H1-H4) of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit alternately initiate and halt membrane translocation of the newly synthesized polypeptide

Transmembrane disposition of the NH2-terminal third of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit was studied using an experimental approach that involved in vitro endoplasmic reticulum membrane insertion of chimeras. These chimeras consisted of four truncated amino-terminal segments of the alpha subunit linked at amino acid residues 126, 179, 313, and 439 to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), a reporter protein, that contains a consensus sequence for N-linked glycosylation. The fusion sites were located after one of the four hydrophobic segments (H1-H4). The results showed that the chimeras in which the alpha subunit was truncated at positions 126 and 313 were glycosylated, and the glycosylated peptides were protected by membranes from proteolysis. However, the other two chimeras were not glycosylated and the inserted peptides were digested by protease into fragments which did not immunoprecipitate with anti-CAT. These results clearly demonstrate that hydrophobic segments H1 and H3 function as signal/anchor type II, and H2 and H4 function as halt transfer signals. Furthermore, membrane insertion of the NH2-terminal third of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit is achieved by a series of alternate signal/anchor type II and halt transfer sequences.

Functional changes in dorsal root ganglion cells after chronic nerve constriction in the rat

1. We studied the effects of a chronic nerve constriction on the evoked responses in dorsal root fibers in the rat to norepinephrine and to thermal stimuli applied either to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) or the site of nerve injury. We recorded a total of 59 C fibers, 15 A delta-fibers, and 46 A beta-fibers from the L5 dorsal root of the rats 11-52 days after a loose ligation of the ipsilateral sciatic nerve. Most fibers were identified by the presence of spontaneous activity (SA) that originated partially at and/or proximal to the injury site. In addition, we recorded 20 C fibers, 1 A delta-fiber, and 28 A beta-fibers from the dorsal roots of normal, uninjured neurons. 2. In nerve-injured rats, the SA of some C fibers was generally increased by cooling and decreased by heating either site. In contrast, the SA of most A beta-fibers was increased by heating either the injury site or the DRG. Cooling the DRG decreased SA in A beta-fibers, whereas cooling the injury site typically had no effect. Excitatory responses were not evoked in any fiber group when the same thermal stimuli were applied to the nerve or DRG tested in normal, uninjured rats. 3. Norepinephrine (< 0.5 mM) applied either to the injury site or the DRG increased the SA of most C fibers and A delta-fibers but only a minority of A beta-fibers in previously injured nerves. The threshold concentration for excitation of the DRG somata of C fibers was 0.01 mM. No effects were found for fibers in uninjured nerves. 4. The effect of norepinephrine was blocked by a pretreatment with yohimbine, an alpha 2-blocker, but not with prazosin, an alpha 1-blocker. 5. Stimulation of the sympathetic trunk (L2-L3) excited most C fibers and a minority of A beta-fibers. In contrast, the SA of a minority of C fibers and A beta-fibers was depressed during sympathetic stimulation. 6. After a chronic nerve constriction the DRG becomes a source of abnormal activity modulated by sympathetically released norepinephrine acting on alpha 2 receptors in DRG somata. This neuropathic activity may contribute to cutaneous pain and hyperalgesia.

[The effects of 2-chloro-4-bromo-alpha-methylcinnamic acid on the neuromuscular transmission of toad]

The effects of 2-chloro-4-bromo-alpha-methylcinnamic acid sodium (SC1001 Na) on neuromuscular transmission were tested by means of intracellular recordings in isolated sciatic nerve-sartorius preparations of toad. The results were: (1) at a concentration of 0.1mmol/L, SC1001 Na had no effect on end-plate potential (EPP); at a concentration of 1 mmol/L, SC1001 Na reduced the amplitude of the EPP significantly, and the paired-pulse facilitation was also decreased; at a concentration of 10mmol/L, SC1001 Na blocked the EPP completely; (2) the 0.1 mmol/L and 1mmol/L groups of drug had no effect on the resting potential of the toad muscle fibers; the resting potential was reduced significantly by SC1001Na at the concentration of 10mmol/L, the action of 10mmol/L drug was irreversible. These results suggest that SC1001 Na may block the neuromuscular transmission of toad, and the blocking effect might be mainly due to a presynaptic mechanism.