Construction and characterization of region-specific microdissection libraries and single-copy microclones for short arm of human chromosome 2

The short arm of human chromosome 2, comprising approximately 93 million bp, has been divided into four regions to construct region-specific microdissection libraries to facilitate physical mapping and gene cloning. These four regions include 2p23-p25 (designated 2P1), 2p21-p23 (2P2), 2p14-p16 (2P3), and 2p11-p13 (2P4). Together with three previously constructed microdissection libraries of 2P1, 2P2 and 2P4, a fourth library for the region 2p14-p16 (2P3) has been constructed and characterized to complete all four region-specific libraries for the entire 2p. The 2P3 library is very large, potentially comprising 1,000,000 recombinant microclones with insert sizes ranging between 50 and 800 bp and a mean of 250 bp. Approximately 40% of the microclones contain unique sequences. Of the 77 single-copy microclones analyzed, 66 clones (86%) hybridized to both human and chromosome 2 DNAs, indicating that they were derived from human and are chromosome 2 specific. The hybridizing HindIII genomic fragments for the 66 microclones have also been determined.

Analysis of the complete genome of smallpox variola major virus strain Bangladesh-1975

We analyzed the 186,102 base pairs (bp) that constitute the entire DNA genome of a highly virulent variola virus isolated from Bangladesh in 1975. The linear, double-stranded molecule has relatively small (725 bp) inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences containing three 69-bp direct repeat elements, a 54-bp partial repeat element, and a 105-base telomeric end-loop that can be maximally base-paired to contain 17 mismatches. Proximal to the right-end ITR sequences are another seven 69-bp elements and a 53- and a 27-bp partial element. Sequence analysis showed 187 closely spaced open reading frames specifying putative major proteins containing > or = 65 amino acids. Most of the virus proteins correspond to proteins in current databases, including 150 proteins that have > 90% identity to major gene products encoded by vaccinia virus, the smallpox vaccine. Variola virus has a group of proteins that are truncated compared with vaccinia virus counterparts and a smaller group of proteins that are elongated. The terminal regions encode several novel proteins and variants of other poxvirus proteins that potentially augment variola virus transmissibility and virulence for its only natural host, humans.

A region-specific microdissection library for human chromosome 2p23-p25 and the analysis of an interstitial deletion of 2p23.3-p25.1

A region-specific library for human chromosome 2p23-p25 was constructed using microdissection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated microcloning techniques. This library is large, comprising 300,000 recombinant microclones. The insert sizes range between 50-600 base pairs (bp) with a mean of 200 bp. About 50%-60% of the clones contain unique or very low copy number sequence inserts as determined by their weak or no hybridization to total human DNA. A subset of 48 microclones that did not hybridize to total human DNA after colony hybridization was analyzed, and 26 (54%) clones were shown to contain single-copy inserts and hybridize to human chromosome 2 DNAs, indicating that they are human chromosome 2 specific. The human genomic fragments identified by these clones after cleavage with HindIII have also been characterized. The single-copy microclones were used to analyze an interstitial deletion in the 2p23.3-p25.1 region--46,XY, del(2) (pter-->p25.1::p23.3-->qter)--previously reported in a patient with severe growth and mental retardation and multiple anomalies. Of the 26 microclones analyzed, 14 clones were mapped to the deletion region. The availability of the 2p23-p25 region-specific library and the probes derived from the library should be valuable for fine structure physical mapping analysis and the cloning of disease-related genes localized to the region. These studies also demonstrate the efficiency with which useful probes can be quickly generated for genome studies and for positional cloning.

Region-specific microdissection library and single-copy microclones for human chromosome 2p11-p13

We report the construction and characterization of a region-specific microdissection library for human chromosome 2p11-p13. This library (designated 2P4 library) is large, comprising 600,000 recombinant microclones. Thirty to 40% of the clones contain unique sequences. The insert sizes range from 100 to 800 bp, with a mean of 380 bp. A subset of the microclones was selected, based on their weak or no hybridization to total human DNA, for further analysis. Of 50 single-copy microclones analyzed, 35 clones (70%) were derived from human and are chromosome 2-specific. The insert sizes and the hybridizing genomic HindIII fragments of these clones were also determined. The 2P4 microdissection library and the single-copy microclones from the library are useful in preparing STS (sequence-tagged site) to isolate corresponding YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) or other clones with large inserts and for isolating region-specific cDNA clones as candidate genes for cloning disease-related genes assigned to this region.

Potential virulence determinants in terminal regions of variola smallpox virus genome

Smallpox eradication culminated the most successful antimicrobial campaign in medical history. To characterize further the linear double-stranded DNA genome of the aetiological agent of smallpox, we have determined the entire nucleotide sequence of the highly virulent variola major virus, strain Bangladesh-1975 (VAR-BSH; 186,102 base pairs, 33.7% G + C; Genbank accession number, L22579). Here we highlight features of the molecule and focus on a few of the 187 putative proteins that probably contribute to pathogenicity and virus host-range properties. One hundred and fifty proteins were markedly similar to those of vaccinia virus (smallpox vaccine), for which a complete sequence has been reported for strain Copenhagen (VAC-CPN; 191,636 base pairs, 33.3% G + C). The remaining 37 proteins reflected variola-specific sequences or open reading frame divergences for variant proteins, which are often truncated or elongated compared with their vaccinia counterparts.

Reduction in glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA abundance induced by (-)-deprenyl and other monoamine oxidase B inhibitors in C6 glioma cells

Gliosis is commonly observed in the CNS following tissue damage, and it also occurs in aging and in many neurodegenerative diseases. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) accumulation is a prominent feature of astrocytic gliosis. An inhibition or delay in GFAP synthesis could mitigate scar formation and thus reduce the formation of a physical barrier. The consequence of this would be to allow neurons and oligodendrocytes to reestablish a functional environment. (-)-Deprenyl, a specific monoamine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor, has been used as an effective antiparkinsonian drug, and it has been reported to possess neuroprotective and neurorescue properties. Using northern and slot blots to detect GFAP mRNA in C6 glioma cells, we have demonstrated that (-)-deprenyl decreases the abundance of GFAP mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect seems to be specific to MAO B inhibitors because (+)-deprenyl and clorgyline exhibit no effect. This study indicates therefore that (-)-deprenyl may be useful for regulating astrogliosis following CNS injury as well as in some neurodegenerative diseases.

[An investigation of the effect of rostral ventrolateral medulla lesion on pressor response induced by electrical stimulation of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in the cat]

The experiments were performed on 20 adult cats anesthetized with chloralose and urethane, paralyzed and artificially ventilated. The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) was explored by electrical stimulation. We found that an area, 3-5 mm rostral to the obex, 3-4 mm lateral to the midline, and 0-1 mm from the ventral surface of the medulla, was the most effective region for producing a pressor response. After bilateral microinjection of kainic acid into or electrolytic lesion of the above-mentioned active RVL area, a large decrease in arterial blood pressure was elicited, and the pressor response induced by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PA) was nearly eliminated. The results suggest that the RVL mediates the PA pressor response.

Cytosol-free calcium concentration in single bladder smooth muscle cells from normal and diabetic rats

The effect of diabetes mellitus on intracellular calcium concentration was measured in single rat bladder smooth muscle cells using the fluorescent calcium indicator dye fura-2 AM. Techniques were developed for isolation and short-term culture of rat bladder smooth muscle cells. Cytosol-free calcium concentrations were measured at rest and during carbachol stimulation. Peak intracellular calcium concentration, rate of increase in intracellular calcium concentration and the integral of accumulation of intracellular calcium were determined. The techniques used to isolate and culture bladder smooth muscle cells produced live, physiologically responsive cells. Resting intracellular free calcium levels and were similar in control and diabetic cells. Both control and diabetic cells responded to carbachol stimulation. No significant differences between these cells were noted in peak calcium concentrations, rate of response or integral of response, but standard errors were large. Two patterns of intracellular response to carbachol stimulation were identified, and may explain the large variability in intracellular calcium response to carbachol stimulation.

[DSA parametric imaging--a research on organs blood flow perfusion]

This was an animal experimental study about blood flow perfusion of the kidney, brain and lung with DSA parametric imaging. The authors set up a gradient stenotic vessel model for research of blood flow perfusion of the kidney and brain, and a model of balloon embolization for research of blood flow perfusion of the lung. The experiment indicated that these models can reflect exactly the quantitative changes of blood flow perfusion of organs. The parameter-"peak height" is a useful indicator reflecting the quantitative changes of regional blood flow, whereas both time parameters-Tmax and 1/2 Tmax are not sensitive ones. The authors suggested that the information obtained from this experiment could be used as the basis for DSA parametric imaging in human.

[Comparative study on protein components of ouabain resistant mutant and wild cells of Chinese hamster V79 cell line by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis]

In the sense of gene expression, the primary and direct change in mutant cells should be involved in the protein component. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to compare the protein components of ouabain resistant mutant cells (ouaR) and sensitive wild type cells (ouaS) of chinese hamster lung cell line V79. The procedure is based on O'Farrell's method and we have made some modifications. In order to make the study reliable, we took twenty polypeptide spots as a reference marker. These marker spots could always be reproduced in a series of parallel experiments with both mutant and wild cells. In addition, these markers covered different small areas, representing different isoelectric point (pI) and molecular weight (MW) on the electrophoretogram. With reference to these marker spots, some polypeptide spots showed variations in their position, size and density. It is notable that the changes appeared in the small area 4 (pI/MW:5.0/28-30kd) and the small area (pI/MW:6.3/39kd) is highly reproducible and significant, so that these changes might be specific to ouabain resistant mutant of V79 cells. Since the level of genetic polymorphism of mammalian cells on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is quite low, these specific changes might reflect the differences in gene structure and expression. This primary study should enhance the usefulness of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis for mutagenesis research with cultured mammalian somatic cells.

Dynamic CT scan of intracranial tumors

Of ninety-eight patients with intracranial tumors examined by dynamic CT scanning, 66 were confirmed operatively and pathologically. Our study showed that: 1) Dynamic CT can be performed safely and easily in outpatients; 2) Acoustic neurinoma, meningioma, pituitary chromophobe adenoma, astrocytoma and metastatic tumor have varying levels of time-density curves; 3) The tissue-blood ratio (TBR) at peak time (TBRp) is a useful indicator of the vascularity of tumoral tissues, and analysis of the time-density curve combining with TBRp is helpful to the differential diagnosis of tumors; 4) Differential diagnosis between tumors and vascular abnormalities such as aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation could be made easily with dynamic CT.