Role of frizzled 7 in the regulation of convergent extension movements during gastrulation in Xenopus laevis

Wnt signalling plays a crucial role in the control of morphogenetic movements. We describe the expression and functional analyses of frizzled 7 (Xfz7) during gastrulation in Xenopus. Low levels of Xfz7 transcripts are expressed maternally during cleavage stages; its zygotic expression strongly increases at the beginning of gastrulation and is predominantly localized to the presumptive neuroectoderm and deep cells of the involuting mesoderm. Overexpression of Xfz7 in the dorsal equatorial region affects the movements of convergent extension and delays mesodermal involution. It alters the correct localization, but not the expression, of mesodermal and neural markers. These effects can be rescued by extra-Xfz7, which is a secreted form of the receptor that also weakly inhibits convergent extension when overexpressed. This suggests that the wild-type and truncated receptors have opposing effects when coexpressed and that overexpression of Xfz7 causes an increased signalling activity. Consistent with this, Xfz7 biochemically and functionally interacts with Xwnt11. In addition, Dishevelled, but not (β)-catenin, synergizes with Xfz7 to affect convergent extension. Furthermore, overexpression of Xfz7 and Xwnt11 also affects convergent extension in activin-treated animal caps, and this can be efficiently reversed by coexpression of Cdc42(T17N), a dominant negative mutant of the small GTPase Cdc42 known as a key regulator of actin cytoskeleton. Conversely, Cdc42(G12V), a constitutively active mutant, rescues the effects of extra-Xfz7 on convergent extension in a dose-dependent manner. That both gain-of-function and loss-of-function of both frizzled and dishevelled produce the same phenotype has been well described in Drosophila tissue polarity. Therefore, our results suggest an endogenous role of Xfz7 in the regulation of convergent extension during gastrulation.

[Clinical effect of Xiongshao capsule on preventing restenosis post-PTCA or/and stenting]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of Xiongshao capsule (XSC) in preventing clinical and angiographic restenosis after coronary angioplasty or/and stenting.

METHODS

Sixty-five coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with successful angioplasty or and stenting were randomly divided into the control group (37 cases, routine treatment) and the XSC group (28 cases, routine treatment plus XSC). The recurrent of angina, changing of blood stasis syndrome score (BSSS) and coronary angiography within 6 months after coronary angioplasty or/and stenting were observed.

RESULTS

Recurrent angina occurred in 6 out of 28 patients in the XSC group, which was much better than that in the control group, 18 out of 37 patients (P < 0.05). Follow-up angiography was performed in 26 including 10 patients in the XSC group (restenosis was observed in 4 cases), and 16 cases in the control group (restenosis in 13 cases), there was significant difference between the XSC group and the control group (P < 0.05). For BSSS at follow-up, XSC group was much lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). Logistic regress analysis showed the combination with XSC and the base-line BSSS were important affecting factors on the occurrence of restenosis (P < 0.05). The odds ratio of the occurrence of angiographic restenosis (BSSS > 25 to BSSS < or = 25) was 6.5.

CONCLUSIONS

XSC could markedly reduce the occurrence of restenosis, recurrence of angina and improve the condition of blood stasis after coronary angioplasty or/and stenting. The severity of blood stasis syndrome was an important affecting factor on the occurrence of restenosis. BSSS > 25 can be served as one of the predicting factors of the occurrence of restenosis after coronary angioplasty or/and stenting.

[Measurement of T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To measure T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues.

METHODS

Serum and prostatic T and DHT levels were measured in patients with normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

RESULTS

A decline was observed in serum T level, but no change in DHT concentration with aging. There were no significant differences in both blood T and DHT levels between the patients with BPH or PCA and normal controls. Serum T level remained constant. There were excessive accumulation of DHT in BPH, and cancerous prostate tissues were responsible for the pathogenesis of BPH and PCA. Finasteride treatment did not produce a reduction in prostatic DHT content.

CONCLUSION

More than one form of 5a-reductases is responsible for the high level of DHT in the gland.

Coating of hydroxyapatite on highly porous Al2O3 substrate for bone substitutes

A thin film of hydroxyapatite (HA) was successfully coated onto a highly porous substrate of alumina by using a novel solution technique. The coated HA bonded strongly to the substrate through a glass sintering aid with an intermediate thermal expansion coefficient. The coating was also found to be microstructurally and chemically uniform on the surfaces of the interconnected pores in the matrix of the substrate. Mechanical property testing results showed that the strength of the HA-coated composite was significantly improved, indicating a high potential for structural bone substitutes in hard tissue prosthetics.

Coating of hydroxyapatite on porous alumina substrate through a thermal decomposition method

A thin film of hydroxyapatite (HA) was uniformly coated onto a highly porous substrate of alumina through the thermal decomposition method. Calcium 2-ethyl hexanoate and bis(2-ethyhexyl) phosphite were used as starting materials. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the chemical and structural evolution of the coating. In vitro tests were conducted to evaluate the reactivity of the synthetic HA. It was found that the sintering process greatly influenced the in vitro behavior of HA. High temperature sintering may reduce the reactivity of HA, suggesting that the reactivity is structure dependent.

[Association of HLA-DRB1 allele and the susceptibility to alveolar echinococcosis in the west of China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigat the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles and the susceptibility to alveolar echinococcosis (AE).

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with AE in the high prevalence areas in the west of China were investigated for HLA-DRB1 gene by PCR/SSP technique. The results were compared with 104 normal healthy peoples.

RESULTS

Frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 040x was 26% in patient group, which was significantly higher than in control group (9.62%), with a relative risk (RR) of 4.45 (chi(2) = 13.67, P < 0.01), and with an etiological fraction of 0.20. Frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 0701 allele was decreased in patient group (patient 2.86%, control 13.94%; chi(2) = 6.67, P < 0.05), with preventable fraction of 0.30. While the frequencies of other DRB1 alleles were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Susceptibility to AE is strongly associated with the HLA-DRB1 * 040x allele. The high prevalence of human AE in this region was associated with genetic factor. HLA-DRB1 * 0701 geners resistant to Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode infection.

Crystal structure of human ornithine transcarbamylase complexed with carbamoyl phosphate and L-norvaline at 1.9 A resolution

The crystal structure of human ornithine transcarbamylase (OTCase) complexed with carbamoyl phosphate (CP) and L-norvaline (NOR) has been determined to 1.9-A resolution. There are significant differences in the interactions of CP with the protein, compared with the interactions of the CP moiety of the bisubstrate analogue N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-ornithine (PALO). The carbonyl plane of CP rotates about 60 degrees compared with the equivalent plane in PALO complexed with OTCase. This positions the side chain of NOR optimally to interact with the carbonyl carbon of CP. The mixed-anhydride oxygen of CP, which is analogous to the methylene group in PALO, interacts with the guanidinium group of Arg-92; the primary carbamoyl nitrogen interacts with the main-chain carbonyl oxygens of Cys-303 and Leu-304, the side chain carbonyl oxygen of Gln-171, and the side chain of Arg-330. The residues that interact with NOR are similar to the residues that interact with the ornithine (ORN) moiety of PALO. The side chain of NOR is well defined and close to the side chain of Cys-303 with the side chains of Leu-163, Leu-200, Met-268, and Pro-305 forming a hydrophobic wall. C-delta of NOR is close to the carbonyl oxygen of Leu-304 (3.56 A), S-gamma atom of Cys-303 (4.19 A), and carbonyl carbon of CP (3.28 A). Even though the N-epsilon atom of ornithine is absent in this structure, the side chain of NOR is positioned to enable the N-epsilon of ornithine to donate a hydrogen to the S-gamma atom of Cys-303 along the reaction pathway. Binding of CP and NOR promotes domain closure to the same degree as PALO, and the active site structure of CP-NOR-enzyme complex is similar to that of the PALO-enzyme complex. The structures of the active sites in the complexes of aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) with various substrates or inhibitors are similar to this OTCase structure, consistent with their common evolutionary origin.

Cryoatomic force microscopy of filamentous actin

Cryoatomic force microscopy (cryo-AFM) was used to image phalloidin-stabilized actin filaments adsorbed to mica. The single filaments are clearly shown to be right-handed helical structures with a periodicity of approximately 38 nm. Even at a moderate concentration ( approximately 10 microg/ml), narrow, branched rafts of actin filaments and larger aggregates have been observed. The resolution achieved is sufficient to resolve actin monomers within the filaments. A closer examination of the images shows that the branched rafts are composed of up to three individual filaments with a highly regular lateral registration with a fixed axial shift of approximately 13 nm. The implications of these higher-order structures are discussed in terms of x-ray fiber diffraction and rheology of actin gels. The cryo-AFM images also indicate that the recently proposed model of left-handed F-actin is likely to be an artifact of preparation and/or low-resolution AFM imaging.

[A diagnostic analysis of imaging in ocular cysticercosis]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss B-ultrasonography, CT and MRI appearances and image diagnostic value for ocular cysticercosis.

METHOD

In the 29 cases with ocular cysticercosis, 21 cases were examined by B-ultrasonography, 19 cases by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and 6 cases by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTS

At the living stage of the cysticercus, B-ultrasound might detect parasitic cyst and its movement in the eyeball and orbit, extraocular muscle irregular hyperplasia; CT might detect parasitic cyst in the orbit and the pathologic extraocular muscle; MRI might detect the parasitic cyst in the eyeball and the orbit and the pathologic extraocular muscle. At the non-living stage of the cysticercus, B-ultrasonography and CT might discover calcification focus in the eyeball and extraocular muscle.

CONCLUSION

Image appearances of ocular cysticercosis depend on the parasitic site and living status of cysticercus in the eye region. For diagnosis, B-ultrasonography may first be selected, MRI secondly selected for living stage and CT secondly selected for non-living stage of the ocular cysticercosis.

Chronic effects of xanthines on levels of central receptors in mice

1. Chronic ingestion of caffeine causes a significant increase in levels of A1-adenosine, nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, serotonergic receptors, GABAA receptors and L-type calcium channels in cerebral cortical membranes from mice NIH Swiss strain mice. 2. Chronic theophylline and paraxanthine had effects similar to those of caffeine except that levels of L-type channels were unchanged. Chronic theobromine, a weak adenosine antagonist, and 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine (IBMX), a potent adenosine antagonist and phosphodiesterase inhibitor, caused only an increase in levels of A1-adenosine receptors. A combination of chronic caffeine and IBMX had the same effects on receptors as caffeine alone. Chronic 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX), a somewhat selective A2A-antagonist, caused only an increase in levels of A1-adenosine receptors. Pentoxifylline, an adenosine-uptake inhibitor inactive at adenosine receptors, had no effect on receptor levels or calcium channels. 3. A comparison of plasma and brain levels of xanthines indicated that caffeine penetrated more readily and attained somewhat higher brain levels than theophylline or theobromine. Penetration and levels were even lower for IBMX, paraxanthine, DMPX, and pentoxyfylline. 4. The results suggest that effective blockade of both A1 and A2A-adenosine receptors is necessary for the full spectrum of biochemical changes elicited by chronic ingestion of xanthines, such as caffeine, theophylline, and paraxanthine.

Neocognitron's parameter tuning by genetic algorithms

The further study on the sensitivity analysis of Neocognitron is discussed in this paper. Fukushima's Neocognitron is capable of recognizing distorted patterns as well as tolerating positional shift. Supervised learning of the Neocognitron is fulfilled by training patterns layer by layer. However, many parameters, such as selectivity and receptive fields are set manually. Furthermore, in Fukushima's original Neocognitron, all the training patterns are designed empirically. In this paper, we use Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to tune the parameters of Neocognitron and search its reasonable training pattern sets. Four contributions are claimed: first, by analyzing the learning mechanism of Fukushima's original Neocognitron, the correlations amongst the training patterns are claimed to affect the performance of Neocognitron, tuning the Neocognitron's number of planes is equivalent to searching reasonable training patterns for its supervised learning; second, a GA-based supervised learning of the Neocognitron is carried out in this way, searching the parameters and training patterns by GAs but specifying the connection weights by training the Neocognitron; third, other than traditional GAs which are unsuitable for the large searching space of training patterns set, the cooperative coevolution is incorporated to play this role; fourth, an effective fitness function is given out when applying the above methodology into numeral recognition. The evolutionary computation in our initial experiments is implemented based on the original training pattern set, e.g. the individuals of the population are generated from Fukushima's original training patterns during initialization of GAs. The results prove that our correlation analysis is reasonable, and show that the performance of a Neocognitron is sensitive to its training patterns, selectivity and receptive fields, especially, the performance is not monotonically increasing with respect to the number of training patterns, and this GA-based supervised learning is able to improve Neocognitron's performance.

[The association of radiation-induced apoptosis with radiosensitivity of cervical carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between apoptosis, radiation-induced apoptosis and radiosensitivity of cervical carcinoma and find new markers for predicting radiosensitivity.

METHODS

TdT-mediated bio-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to check apoptosis cells. The association of radiation-induced apoptosis with tumor volume shrinkage, radiation damage grade and local control rate was analysed.

RESULTS

There was no relationship between apoptosis before radiation and tumor volume shrinkage(P > 0.05); Radiation-induced apoptosis had a significant association with tumor volume shrinkage (P < 0.01); In patients with radiation-induced apoptosis 10 or more, the grade of radiation damage IIb-III accounted for 76% (13/17), while for less than 10, it was 39% (5/13, P < 0.05); After 6 months of radiotherapy, local control rate was 88% (15/17) in the former, 69% (9/13) in the latter, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Radiation-induced apoptosis has some reference value for predicting radiosensitivity of cervical carcinoma.

[Histological grading in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast]

OBJECTIVE

To study the significance of histological grading as a prognostic factor in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

METHODS

According to Van Nuy's classification, 32 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast were divided into three grades.

RESULTS

Low grade (well differentiated, low grade DCIS) 12 patients (37.5%); Intermediate grade, 9 patients (28.1%); High grade (poorly differentiated DCIS) 11 patients (34.4%). Among the high grade DCIS, the histological subtypes were comedo (9 patients), micto papillary (1 patient) and solid (1 patient). The positive expression of c-erbB-2, p53 and MIB-1 in high grade DCIS was higher than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS. The difference between high grade and low grade DCIS was significant (P < 0.05). The expression of ER in high grade DCIS was lower than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS.

CONCLUSIONS

Histological grading of breast ductal carcinoma in situ may be a good prognostic factor.

Images of oligomeric Kv beta 2, a modulatory subunit of potassium channels

The Shaker type voltage-gated potassium (K+) channel consists of four pore-forming Kv alpha subunits. The channel expression and kinetic properties can be modulated by auxiliary hydrophilic Kv beta subunits via formation of heteromultimeric Kv alpha-Kv beta complexes. Because each (Kv alpha)4 could recruit more than one Kv beta subunit and different Kv beta subunits could potentially interact, the stoichiometry of alpha-beta and beta-beta complexes is therefore critical for understanding the functional regulation of Shaker type potassium channels. We expressed and purified Kv beta 2 subunit in Sf9 insect cells. The purified Kv beta 2, examined by atomic force and electron microscopy techniques, is found predominately as a square-shaped tetrameric complex with side dimensions of 100 x 100 A2 and height of 51 A. Thus, Kv beta 2 is capable of forming a tetramer in the absence of pore-forming alpha subunits. The center of the Kv beta 2 complex was observed to be the most heavily stained region, suggesting that this region could be part of an extended tubular structure connecting the inner mouth of the ion permeation pathway to the cytoplasmic environment.

[Prognostic value of cell proliferation and apoptosis in uterine cervical cancer treated with radiation]

OBJECTIVE

To study the prognostic value of cell proliferation and apoptosis in cervical cancer patients treated with radiation.

METHODS

A retrospective study was done in 40 radiotherapy-uncontrolled cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri and an equal number of cases, matched in age, clinical stage, tumor size and histologic grade, which had been cured by radiotherapy. Cell proliferation was judged by the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positively stained cell number x intensity of staining, and number of cells in mitosis per 10 high-power microscopic fields (HPF). Apoptotic cells were identified by TUNEL method and the result was expressed as the number of cells undergone apoptosis per 10 HPF.

RESULTS

The average level of PCNA expression was 5.38 +/- 3.21 in the cured patients and 7.50 +/- 3.16 in the radiotherapy-uncontrolled patients (P < 0.01). The number of mitotic cells/10 HPF was 6.33 +/- 5.15 in the cured patients and 11.33 +/- 7.50 in the uncontrolled patients (P < 0.001). The number of apoptotic cells/10 HPF was 20.90 +/- 8.19 in the cured patients and 27.13 +/- 17.28 in the uncontrolled patients (P < 0.05). The ratio of number of apoptotic cells to that of mitotic cells (A/M) was 4.97 +/- 3.31 in the cured and 3.36 +/- 2.83 in the uncontrolled (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In cervical cancer, PCNA expression, the number of cells in mitosis and that of cells in apoptosis are significantly increased while the A/M ratio is significantly decreased in radiotherapy-uncontrolled patients compared to those of patients cured by radiotherapy. These parameters may be of value of predict response to radiotherapy and prognosis of patients with cervical cancer.

Crystal structure of bullfrog M ferritin at 2.8 A resolution: analysis of subunit interactions and the binuclear metal center

Ferritins concentrate and store iron as a mineral in all bacterial, plant, and animal cells. The two ferritin subunit types, H or M (fast) and L (slow), differ in rates of iron uptake and mineralization and assemble in vivo to form heteropolymeric protein shells made up of 24 subunits; H/L subunit ratios reflect cell specificity of H and L subunit gene expression. A diferric peroxo species that is the initial reaction product of Fe(II) in H-type ferritins, as well as in ribonucleotide reductase (R2) and methane monooxygenase hydroxylase (MMOH), has recently been characterized, exploiting the relatively high accumulation of the peroxo intermediate in frog H-subunit type recombinant ferritin with the M sequence. The stability of the diferric reaction centers in R2 and MMOH contrasts with the instability of diferric centers in ferritin, which are precursors of the ferric mineral. We have determined the crystal structure of the homopolymer of recombinant frog M ferritin in two crystal forms: P4(1)2(1)2, a = b = 170.0 A and c = 481.5 A; and P3(1)21, a = b = 210.8 A and c = 328.1 A. The structural model for the trigonal form was refined to a crystallographic R value of 19.0% (Rfree = 19.4%); the two structures have an r.m.s.d. of approximately 0.22 A for all C alpha atoms. Comparison with the previously determined crystal structure of frog L ferritin indicates that the subunit interface at the molecular twofold axes is most variable, which may relate to the presence of the ferroxidase site in H-type ferritin subunits. Two metal ions (Mg) from the crystallization buffer were found in the ferroxidase site of the M ferritin crystals and interact with Glu23, Glu58, His61, Glu103, Gln137 and, unique to the M subunit, Asp140. The data suggest that Gln137 and Asp140 are a vestige of the second GluxxHis site, resulting from single nucleotide mutations of Glu and His codons and giving rise to Ala140 or Ser140 present in other eukaryotic H-type ferritins, by additional single nucleotide mutations. The observation of the Gln137xxAsp140 site in the frog M ferritin accounts for both the instability of the diferric oxy complexes in ferritin compared to MMOH and R2 and the observed kinetic variability of the diferric peroxo species in different H-type ferritin sequences.

Karyological and dental identification of Microtus limnophilus in a large focus of alveolar echinococcosis (Gansu, China)

A study of voles (Arvicolidae, Rodentia) from Gansu (China) designed to identify a potential host of Echinococcus multilocularis, responsible for human alveolar echinococcosis, leads to a general analysis of Microtus limnophilus population karyotypes, M1 of M. oeconomus populations from all of Eurasia and of M. limnophilus of Mongolia. The Microtus of Gansu belonging to the nominal subspecies M. limnophilus limnophilus (2n = 38; NF = 58) differs markedly in size and shape of M1 from the M. limnophilus of Mongolia, which must therefore be considered as a new subspecies M. limnophilus of malygini nov. ssp. (2n = 38; NF = 60) and the M. oeconomus of Mongolia should be ranked as M. oeconomus kharanurensis nov. ssp. (2n = 30; NF = 60).

Expression of gp145trkB in the early stage of Schwann cell tube formation

We investigated the expression of tyrosine kinase receptors (trkBs) and their ligand, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in isolated sciatic nerve segments of rat in a silicone chamber model devoid of axonal contact, using an immunohistochemical technique. The receptor gp 95trkB was not detected during the first 3 weeks but was strongly expressed in the nerve stumps on day 21. In contrast, gp 145trkB immunoreactivity was readily detected in the Schwann cells in the nerve stumps between days 1 and 7 after isolation. Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-S-100 antibody demonstrated that Schwann cell tube formation within the silicone chamber had been completed by the third week, which suggested that gp 95trkB began to be produced by Schwann cells after completion of Schwann cell tube formation. Considering the low level of BDNF production during the first week, molecules other than BDNF may be ligands for gp 145trkB in the silicone chamber model devoid of axonal contact.

1.85-A resolution crystal structure of human ornithine transcarbamoylase complexed with N-phosphonacetyl-L-ornithine. Catalytic mechanism and correlation with inherited deficiency

The crystal structure of human ornithine transcarbamoylase complexed with the bisubstrate analog N-phosphonacetyl-L-ornithine has been solved at 1.85-A resolution by molecular replacement. Deleterious mutations produce clinical hyperammonia that, if untreated, results in neurological symptoms or death (ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency). The holoenzyme is trimeric, and as in other transcarbamoylases, each subunit contains an N-terminal domain that binds carbamoyl phosphate and a C-terminal domain that binds L-ornithine. The active site is located in the cleft between domains and contains additional residues from an adjacent subunit. Binding of N-phosphonacetyl-L-ornithine promotes domain closure. The resolution of the structure enables the role of active site residues in the catalytic mechanism to be critically examined. The side chain of Cys-303 is positioned so as to be able to interact with the delta-amino group of L-ornithine which attacks the carbonyl carbon of carbamoyl phosphate in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. This sulfhydryl group forms a charge relay system with Asp-263 and the alpha-amino group of L-ornithine, instead of with His-302 and Glu-310, as previously proposed. In common with other ureotelic ornithine transcarbamoylases, the human enzyme lacks a loop of approximately 20 residues between helix H10 and beta-strand B10 which is present in prokaryotic ornithine transcarbamoylases but has a C-terminal extension of 10 residues that interacts with the body of the protein but is exposed. The sequence of this C-terminal extension is homologous to an interhelical loop found in several membrane proteins, including mitochondrial transport proteins, suggesting a possible mode of interaction with the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Three-dimensional crystals of Ca2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum: merging electron diffraction tilt series and imaging the (h, k, 0) projection

Electron crystallography offers an increasingly viable alternative to X-ray crystallography for structure determination, especially for membrane proteins. The methodology has been developed and successfully applied to 2D crystals; however, well-ordered thin, 3D crystals are often produced during crystallization trials and generally discarded due to complexities in structure analysis. To cope with these complexities, we have developed a general method for determining unit cell geometry and for merging electron diffraction data from tilt series. We have applied this method to thin, monoclinic crystals of Ca2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum, thus characterizing the unit cell and generating a 3D set of electron diffraction amplitudes to 8 A resolution with tilt angles up to 30 degrees. The indexing of data from the tilt series has been verified by an analysis of Laue zones near the (h, k, 0) projection and the unit cell geometry is consistent with low-angle X-ray scattering from these crystals. Based on this unit cell geometry, we have systematically tilted crystals to record images of the (h, k, 0) projection. After averaging the corresponding phases to 8 A resolution, an (h, k, 0) projection map has been calculated by combining image phases with electron diffraction amplitudes. This map contains discrete densities that most likely correspond to Ca2+-ATPase dimers, unlike previous maps of untilted crystals in which molecules from successive layers are not aligned. Comparison with a projection structure from tubular crystals reveals differences that are likely due to the conformational change accompanying calcium binding to Ca2+-ATPase.

Transcription factor AP-2gamma regulates murine adenosine deaminase gene expression during placental development

Trophoblast cells are specialized extra-embryonic cells present only in eutherian mammals. They play a major role in the implantation and placentation processes. To understand better the molecular mechanisms that control the development and function of trophoblast cells, we sought to identify the transcription factors that regulate murine adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene expression in the placenta. Here we report a detailed characterization of a placenta-specific footprinting region (FP1) in the Ada placental regulatory element. The sequence of FP1 was mapped by DNase I footprinting and was found to match a consensus AP-2 transcription factor-binding site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that FP1 interacted with AP-2-like proteins. Further analysis using AP-2 antibody confirmed that AP-2 protein was indeed present in the placenta and bound to FP1. Mutation at the AP-2 site in FP1 abolished the ability of the Ada placental regulatory element to bind AP-2 proteins and failed to target chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene expression to placentas in transgenic mice, indicating that AP-2 is required for Ada expression in the placenta. In addition, RNase protection assays demonstrated that AP-2gamma was the predominant AP-2 family member expressed in the placenta. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that AP-2gamma expression was enriched in the trophoblast lineage throughout development, suggesting that AP-2gamma may be critical for trophoblast development and differentiation.