Neurofilament heavy chain-like messenger RNA and protein are present in benign prostate and down-regulated in prostatic carcinoma

Differences in gene expression between benign and malignant human prostate specimens were investigated using the differential display technique. RNA samples from paired benign and malignant areas microdissected from opposite sides of the same prostate gland were used for reverse transcription PCR. A 477-bp band was identified that was consistently present in benign prostate but absent or diminished in intensity in malignant tissue. This band was cloned, and the sequence demonstrated 99% identity with a region in the fourth exon of the human neurofilament heavy chain gene (NF-H). Northern blotting with a cDNA probe derived from this band confirmed the presence of a similarly sized message of approximately 3.9 kb in both prostate and brain, and reverse transcription PCR using primers specific to an upstream region of exon 4 confirmed NF-H-like mRNA expression in benign prostatic tissue. Immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody to NF-H showed a positive reaction in benign prostatic epithelial cells but complete absence of staining in prostatic cancer cells. These data demonstrate the presence of a NF-H-like gene product in normal prostatic epithelial cells that is down-regulated or absent in prostatic carcinomas.

[Studies on determination of p-aminophenol and its related compounds prepared with catalytic hydrogenation by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography]

Catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with supported palladium catalyst is a new method to produce p-aminophenol. p-Aminophenol, aniline and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether obtained from this method were determined by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The factors, e.g., concentration of methanol, pH and ionic strength which could affect separation efficiency were studied. UV spectra of p-aminophenol, aniline and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether were recorded. Good separation was performed by using a 100 mm x 4.6 mm column with 5 microm Hypersil ODS, a mixture of 60% aqueous 8.0 mmol/L KH2PO4 buffered to 6.5 with 4.0 mmol/L Na2HPO4 and 40% methanol as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and UV spectrophotometric detector at 232 nm wavelength. The calibration curves of p-aminophenol, aniline and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether have good linearity over concentration range of 5-250, 5-150 and 0.2-120 mg/L, respectively. Minimum detectable limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 2 were 0.1, 0.6 and 0.6 ng. This method has been applied to analysis of the reaction products of ultrasonic catalytic hydrogenation and industrial samples with good results and reproducibility.

Realization of a permanent implantable pulsatile impeller heart with magnetically suspended motor

A permanent impeller heart that could work for years was once an idea. However, now this idea is turning into reality through the use of the magnetically suspended motor. Recently, with our implantable pulsatile impeller pump, 3 left ventricular assisted calves survived for about 2 months (62, 54, and 46 days, respectively). The termination of the experiments was related to wear of the mechanical bearing, which resulted in vibration of the rotor and pump failure. All the experimental animals were in good condition prior to pump failure. It seemed as if the experiments could have lasted indefinitely if the bearing had not failed. All the hematological and biochemical data of the calves remained in normal or acceptable ranges; neither blood damage nor organ dysfunction of any animal was detected. During autopsy, no severe thrombus formation was found in the pump or vessels although a low dose of heparin (0.5-0.8 g/h) was given to increase the activated coagulation time (ACT) to 1.5-2.0 times its normal value. To solve the problem of bearing wear, a magnetically suspended motor was investigated and applied to the impeller pump. On the opposite sides of a disc connected to the rotor, 2 permanent magnet rings were embedded, one for driving and the other for axial suspension. Because both the driving and suspending coils with iron cores attract the disc, no radial bearing was needed. This newly devised impeller heart promises to have long-term and permanent applications.

Phenotypic differences between human blood monocyte subpopulations in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Peripheral blood monocytes seem to be of importance in the initiation and maintenance of cutaneous inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Functional abnormalities of monocytes have been observed in both diseases. We sought to determine whether these abnormalities are reflected by an altered phenotypic expression of functionally active surface molecules. Peripheral blood monocyte subsets varying in cellular density and cell size from patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis were investigated using FACS analysis employing a panel of monoclonal antibodies (CD14, CD16, HLA-DR, HLA-DO, Fc epsilon RII, IL-2R, ICAM-1, CR3). Furthermore, the modulation of expression by interferon-gamma in monocyte subsets from patients was compared to normal controls. The results show that HLA-DR and -DQ expression on monocyte subsets in psoriatic patients was significantly decreased; "large" monocytes expressed significantly less HLA-DR than "small" monocyte subpopulations. Decreased HLA-DR and -DQ expression could be upregulated by incubation of psoriatic monocytes with IFN gamma. In atopic dermatitis, a different phenotype pattern of monocyte subsets was demonstrated: HLA-DR expression and HLA-DQ expression were both decreased in both "large" and "small" monocytes as compared to normal controls. However, there were no significant differences in HLA-DR and HLA-DQ expression between "large" and "small" monocyte subpopulations in atopic dermatitis. Moreover, the ICAM-1 and IL-2R expression of "large" and "small" monocyte subpopulations was significantly decreased in atopic patients from levels in normal controls and psoriatic patients. The altered expression of HLA-DR, -DQ ICAM-1 and IL-2R could be upregulated by incubation of atopic monocytes with IFN gamma. In addition, there was a significant increase in the percentage of monocytes in the differential count of patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. We conclude that the differential phenotype pattern of surface molecules on monocytes in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis may reflect an abnormal monocyte maturation/differentiation state. This may explain the functional abnormalities of monocytes observed in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Genetic modifiers of Leprfa associated with variability in insulin production and susceptibility to NIDDM

In an attempt to identify the genetic basis for susceptibility to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus within the context of obesity, we generated 401 genetically obese Leprfa/Leprfa F2 WKY13M intercross rats that demonstrated wide variation in multiple phenotypic measures related to diabetes, including plasma glucose concentration, percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin, plasma insulin concentration, and pancreatic islet morphology. Using selective genotyping genome scanning approaches, we have identified three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on Chr. 1 (LOD 7.1 for pancreatic morpholology), Chr. 12 (LOD 5.1 for body mass index and LOD 3.4 for plasma glucose concentration), and Chr. 16 (P < 0.001 for genotype effect on plasma glucose concentration). The obese F2 progeny demonstrated sexual dimorphism for these traits, with increased diabetes susceptibility in the males appearing at approximately 6 weeks of age, as sexual maturation occurred. For each of the QTLs, the linked phenotypes demonstrated sexual dimorphism (more severe affection in males). The QTL on Chr. 1 maps to a region vicinal to that previously linked to adiposity in studies of diabetes susceptibility in the nonobese Goto-Kakizaki rat, which is genetically closely related to the Wistar counterstrain we employed. Several candidate genes, including tubby (tub), multigenic obesity 1 (Mob1), adult obesity and diabetes (Ad), and insulin-like growth factor-2 (Igf2), map to murine regions homologous to the QTL region identified on rat Chr. 1.

Ontogeny of prohormone convertases in rat prenatal development

It has been well established that peptide precursors usually undergo limited proteolysis at pairs or single basic amino acids during their biosynthetic process. This posttranslational modification paradigm is common for numerous membrane-spanning and secreted proteins, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones of physiological significance, in which endoproteolytic cleavage is invariably essential for the accurate biosynthesis and full activity of the mature products. Establishment of an effective peptide profile is dependent on not only the presence of peptide precursor, but also the presence and the enzymatic specificities of cleavage enzymes. We have, therefore, characterized the spatial and temporal patterns of six subtilisin-like serine endoproteases known to be involved in proprotein processing, including furin, PC1, PC2, PC4, PC5, and PACE4, in rat prenatal development and related the results to the expression patterns of several peptide precursors. We have observed largely distinct and sometimes complementary expression patterns of individual PCs in various embryonic structures, suggesting PCs may be functionally distinct in processing different sets of proprotein substrates in development. From these studies, numerous tentative enzyme-substrate relationships in various embryonic structures have been proposed and should encourage more studies to test the in vitro cleavage potentialities of individual PCs toward these precursors. In the future, knowledge gained from these studies, when combined with insights gained from in vivo perturbation and genetic ablation studies, should lead to final comprehensive understanding of specific precursors cleaved by specific enzymes at specific cleavage sites in known spatial and temporal expression patterns during development.

Significant reduction of human monocyte chemotactic response to monocyte-chemotactic protein 1 in patients with primary and metastatic malignant melanoma

The recruitment of leukocytes from the peripheral blood is a key event for the development and composition of the inflammatory infiltrate in solid tumors and tumor metastases like malignant melanoma. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are thought to play a crucial rôle in tumor immunosurveillance. In malignant melanoma expression and secretion of monocyte-chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) have been demonstrated. MCP-1 serves as an attractant for monocytes and activated T-cells. In this study we addressed the question whether circulating monocytes show altered chemotaxis to MCP-1. Therefore the chemotactic responsiveness of monocytes towards MCP-1 was investigated in patients with primary and metastatic melanoma and compared to patients with basal cell carcinoma and healthy persons. The results show that monocytes from melanoma patients showed a significantly decreased chemotactic migration towards MCP-1 while chemotaxis to the stimulus N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) remained normal. Patients with basal cell carcinoma showed normal monocyte chemotaxis to all stimuli tested. In primary melanoma, there was no relation of the number of TAM or TIL to the decreased chemotaxis of circulating monocytes to MCP-1. From these data it can be concluded that circulating monocytes from patients with primary and metastatic melanoma show a MCP-1-specific decrease in chemotactic migration. This may be due to deactivation or modulation of the MCP-1-receptor expression on these cells.

The developmental expression in the rat CNS and peripheral tissues of proteases PC5 and PACE4 mRNAs: comparison with other proprotein processing enzymes

Many peptides modulating cellular growth and differentiation in development are first synthesized as precursors that require proteolytic processing by the "prohormone convertase" (PC) family of endoproteases. Using in situ hybridization, we have here determined that two recently identified PC members, PC5 and PACE4, are expressed prenatally in spatial and temporal patterns that are each unique and distinct from those of previously characterized PCs. PC5 mRNA is first detected at e9 in highly restricted regions of the neural tube, in caudal myotomes, and at the materno-embryonic junction of the uterus. At e10, restricted PC5 mRNA expression is detected in the optic and otic vesicles, the roof of midbrain, and trunk myotomes. By midgestation (e13-e16), PC5 mRNA expression in the developing nervous system has expanded to multiple regions including hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, brain stem, and spinal cord. By midgestational stages, PACE4 mRNA is expressed in multiple regions of the developing nervous system, generally distinct from PC5, and including a uniquely high level of expression in the ventricular zone of the hippocampus. In several peripheral organ systems, including lung and gut, we observed remarkably complementary patterns of PC5 and PACE4 expression. In addition, PACE4 transcripts are expressed in the heart and liver, whereas PC5 is expressed in the adrenal and kidney primordia. These results suggest that both PC5 and PACE4 may be involved in neuropeptide precursor processing in the developing nervous system and peripheral tissues with the general nonoverlapping expression patterns suggesting that PC5 and PACE4 may process distinct sets of proprotein substrates.

Chronic left ventricular assist in calves with a pulsatile impeller pump

The author's impeller pump was further evaluated as a left ventricular assist device in calves. The longest survival was achieved in the last three calves for more than 6 weeks (62, 54, 46 days, respectively). The hemochemical measurements showed that no blood damage and no organ dysfunction occurred during the experiments. Termination of the experiments was because of bearing failure without exception. Therefore, a magnetic bearing was investigated and intended for use in the impeller pump.

The chemotactic activity of T-lymphocytes in response to interleukin 8 is significantly decreased in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Involvement of T-lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis is well established. The question arises as to whether not only tissue infiltrating but also circulating T-lymphocytes are involved in the disease process. Therefore we sought to determine whether T-lymphocytes from patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis show abnormal biological behavior to the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in vitro as studied by their chemotactic activity. In addition, the expression of T-cell activation markers such as HLA-DR and interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) were analysed with FACS-technique. In all, 25 patients with psoriasis (13 patients with severe psoriasis and 12 patients with mild psoriasis) and 11 patients with atopic dermatitis were investigated. For comparison. T-lymphocytes from 14 healthy controls were tested equally. The results show that T-cell chemotactic responses to IL-8 were significantly decreased in patients with severe psoriasis as compared to healthy controls. T-cells from patients with atopic dermatitis demonstrated an even more pronounced decrease in chemotactic response as compared to T-cells from psoriasis patients or healthy controls. In contrast, increased expression of activation markers HLA-DR and IL-2R were demonstrated in circulating T-cells from patients with severe psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in comparison to healthy controls. It can be concluded that circulating T-cells in patients with severe psoriasis and atopic dermatitis show a decreased in vitro chemotactic response to IL-8. Furthermore, the in vivo phenotypic activation state of T-lymphocytes in these patients seemed to be associated with their decreased in vitro functional capacity.

Genetically unstable CXG repeats are structurally dynamic and have a high propensity for folding. An NMR and UV spectroscopic study

Recent molecular genetics studies have revealed a correlation between spontaneous, progressive expansion of several DNA trinucleotide repeats and certain hereditary neurodegenerative diseases. Triplet repeat (TR) sequences may be present in structured forms that can mediate the processes interrupting normal cellular replication, transcription, or repair activities, eventually leading to gene mutation. Using high resolution NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical methods, we probed the solution structures and properties of single-stranded TR sequences. These studies have led to the discovery of a new duplex motif (e-motif), present in CCG repeats, and to the elucidation of the structure of the (CTG)3 duplex. In this paper we provide a global picture of the solution behavior of the human disease-related CXG (X = A, C, G, or T) and the comparison GXC (X = A, or T) TR sequences. All six triplet repeats form antiparallel duplexes. The mismatched bases in CAG and CGG repeat duplexes are rather flexible and they do not appear to form stable, paired conformations. By comparison, GAC repeat duplexes and their mismatched A residues are well-structured. Most interestingly, the structures of the disease-related CXG repeats exhibit a propensity for folding at chain lengths as short as 12 residues. Furthermore, the energy barrier for the formation of homo-duplexes from the corresponding complementary hetero-duplexes are much lower for the CXG TR sequences than for the GAC or GTC TR sequences. These results provide insights into the conformation and physiochemical properties of TR sequences. Thus, a basis is provided for further studies of the behavior of long TR sequences in an effort to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of in vivo expansion and function of TR sequences.

[Anterior chamber associated immune deviation inhibiting experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the inhibition of occurrence and development of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) by the induction of anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID).

METHODS

All animals (guinea pigs), except controls, were pretreated with anterior chamber injection of allogeneic retinal extract to induce ACAID, and thereafter, they received intradermal footpad immunization of the same antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) for induction of EAU, and dead pertussis bacilli were also subcutaneously injected as a second adjuvant. The pathological changes were investigated by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The incidence of EAU in experimental group was 25.0%, whereas 85.7% in the positive controls.

CONCLUSION

ACAID does, to a great extent, inhibit the incidence and development of EAU.

The conformation of the isoprenyl chain relative to the semiquinone head in the primary electron acceptor (QA) of higher plant PSII (plastosemiquinone) differs from that in bacterial reaction centers (ubisemiquinone or menasemiquinone) by ca. 90 degrees

The conformation and partial electron spin density distribution of the reduced primary electron acceptor (QA-), a plastosemiquinone-9 (PQ-9-) anion radical, in photosystem II protein complexes from spinach as well as free PQ-9- in solution have been determined by EPR and 1H ENDOR spectroscopies. The data show that the conformation of the isoprenyl chain at C beta relative to the aromatic ring differs by 90 degrees for QA- in higher plant PSII versus both types of bacterial reaction centers, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas viridis [containing ubiquinone (UQ) or menaquinone (MQ) at QA site, respectively]. This conformational distinction between the QA- species in PSII vs bacterial RCs follows precisely the conformational preferences of the isolated semiquinone anion radicals free in solution; type II semiquinones like PQ-9- have the isoprenyl C beta C gamma bond coplanar with the aromatic ring, while type I semiquinones like UQ- and MQ- place the C beta C gamma bond perpendicular to the ring. This conformational difference originates from nonbonded repulsions between the isoprenyl chain and the C6 methyl group present in type I semiquinones, forcing the perpendicular conformation, but absent in type II semiquinones having the smaller H atom at C6. Thus, the QA binding site in both higher plant PSII and bacterial reaction centers accommodates the lower energy conformation of their native semiquinones observed in solution. The energy difference between ground (C beta C gamma bond perpendicular to the ring) and excited (C beta C gamma bond coplanar with the ring) conformations of UQ- and vitamin K1- radicals is estimated to be sufficiently large (ca. 6 kcal/mol) to produce greater than a 10-fold difference in populations of these conformations at room temperature. For PQ-9-, a similar number is estimated. We propose that the strong confornational preferences of type I and type II semiquinones has lead to the evolution of different reaction center protein structures surrounding the isoprenyl/quinone head junction of QA to accommodate the favored low energy conformers. This predicted difference in protein structures could explain the low effectiveness (high selectivities) observed in quinone replacement experiments for type II vs type I quinones seen in higher plant PSII and bacterial reaction centers, respectively.

[The detection and clinical significance of nitric oxide synthetase activity in placenta tissue]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) secreted by placenta tissue in pregnancy.

METHODS

The activity of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in placental tissue were measured in 37 normal pregnant women at various gestational ages and in 6 patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

RESULTS

The activity of NOS decreased with the advancement of pregnancy. It was higher in normal mid and late pregnancy than that in PIH. In normal pregnancy, there was positive correlation between the activity of NOS and the activity of SOD (r = 0.3588, P < 0.05), and birth weight as well (r = 0.4340, P < 0.05). Negative correlations between the activity of NOS and the concentration of MDA (r = 0.4355, P < 0.05), and gestational age (r = -0.4742, P < 0.05) were found.

CONCLUSION

NOS secreted by placenta may play an important role in regulating the process of pregnancy and the pathogenesis of PIH.

Hepatic specification of the gut endoderm in vitro: cell signaling and transcriptional control

We have studied the initial development of pluripotent gut endoderm to hepatocytes using a tissue explant system from mouse embryos. We not only find cellular interactions that specify hepatic differentiation but also those that block hepatogenesis in regions of the endoderm that normally give rise to other tissues. The results implicate both positive and negative signaling in early hepatic specification. In vivo footprinting of the albumin enhancer in precursor gut endoderm shows that the transcriptionally silent but potentially active chromatin is characterized by occupancy of an HNF-3 site. Upon hepatic specification, a host of other factors bind nearby sites as the gene becomes active. Genes in pluripotent cells therefore may be marked for potential expression by entry points in chromatin, where additional factors bind during cell type specification. The findings also provide insight into the evolutionary origin of different endodermal cell types.

The t(10;11)(p13;q14) in the U937 cell line results in the fusion of the AF10 gene and CALM, encoding a new member of the AP-3 clathrin assembly protein family

The translocation t(10;11)(p13;q14) is a recurring chromosomal abnormality that has been observed in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as acute myeloid leukemia. We have recently reported that the monocytic cell line U937 has a t(10;11)(p13;q14) translocation. Using a combination of positional cloning and candidate gene approach, we cloned the breakpoint and were able to show that AF10 is fused to a novel gene that we named CALM (Clathrin Assembly Lymphoid Myeloid leukemia gene) located at 11q14. AF10, a putative transcription factor, had recently been cloned as one of the fusion partners of MLL. CALM has a very high homology in its N-terminal third to the murine ap-3 gene which is one of the clathrin assembly proteins. The N-terminal region of ap-3 has been shown to bind to clathrin and to have a high-affinity binding site for phosphoinositols. The identification of the CALM/AF10 fusion gene in the widely used U937 cell line will contribute to our understanding of the malignant phenotype of this line.

p53 overexpression and bcl-2 persistence in endometrial carcinoma: comparison of papillary serous and endometrioid subtypes

Forty-two cases, including 21 uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC) and 21 age-, nuclear-grade-, and clinical-stage-matched uterine endometrioid carcinomas (UEC), were studied immunohistochemically for p53 and bcl-2 in archival paraffin-embedded tissue. Compared to UEC (28.6% positive), UPSC (71.4% positive) had a significantly higher frequency of p53 overexpression (P = 0.005); furthermore, in a clinical-stage-matched fashion, a higher frequency of p53 overexpression was found in early-stage cases (P = 0.032), but not in late-stage cases. In a nuclear-grade-matched comparison, no statistical difference in p53 overexpression was identified between the two subtypes, although UPSC had stronger p53 immunoreactivity than UEC. Of UPSC, no difference in p53 overexpression was detected between tumors of early and late stages; additionally, in 5 cases, there was an abrupt transition from nonstaining morphologically benign glands to uniformly positive p53 nuclear staining in regions of intraepithelial carcinoma. Conversely, in UEC, there was a significant difference in p53 immunostaining between tumors of early and late stages (P = 0.01); no case had an abrupt transition for p53 immunostaining. For bcl-2 immunostaining, UEC had a significantly higher immunohistochemical staining score than did UPSC (P = 0.0002). In general, the staining intensity of bcl-2 diminished progressively from proliferative phase and hyperplastic endometrium to UEC and then to UPSC, with 3 of 21 (14.3%) UPSC being negative. These results suggest that p53 alteration may be an early event in the development of UPSC and may be related to its clinical aggressiveness, while it is a late event in UEC. Early detection of p53 nuclear accumulation may help to identify precursor lesions of UPSC. bcl-2 persistence is frequently associated with endometrial carcinoma, and failure to inactivate bcl-2 expression probably is related to the development of endometrial carcinoma.

Detailed oligosaccharide structures of human integrin alpha 5 beta 1 analyzed by a three-dimensional mapping technique

Structures of N-linked oligosaccharides obtained from human integrin alpha 5 beta 1 are described. Integrin alpha 5 beta 1 (4.5 mg) was purified from human placenta and digested using trypsin and chymotrypsin. N-linked oligosaccharides were released from the glycopeptides by digestion with glycoamidase A (from almond). The reducing ends of the oligosaccharides were derivatized with 2-aminopyridine. The pyridylamino-oligosaccharides were separated and these structures were identified by a three-dimensional HPLC mapping technique on three kinds of HPLC columns [Takahashi, N., Nakagawa, H., Fujikawa, K., Kawamura, Y. & Tomiya, N. (1995) Anal. Biochem. 226, 139-146]. Finally, 35 different oligosaccharide structures were identified, 10 of which were neutral, 6 mono-sialyl, 10 di-sialyl, 7 tri-sialyl and 2 tetra-sialyl. The molar ratio of neutral, mono-sialyl, di-sialyl, tri-sialyl and tetra-sialyl oligosaccharides was 20.8%, 24.8%, 27.7%, 18.1% and 8.6%, respectively. High-mannose-type oligosaccharides accounted for only 1.5% of the total. The remaining oligosaccharides were all complex type. The most predominant structure was the diantennary di-alpha-(2,3)-sialyl fucosyl. Major linking of sialic acid was alpha-(2,3)-linkage, and over 50% of all oligosaccharides were fucosylated at the N-acetylglucosamine residue of the reducing end.

Investigation of the differences in the local protein environments surrounding tyrosine radicals YZ. and YD. in photosystem II using wild-type and the D2-Tyr160Phe mutant of Synechocystis 6803

The reaction center of photosystem II (PSII) of the oxygenic photosynthetic electron transport chain contains two redox-active tyrosines, Tyr160 (YD) of the D2 polypeptide and Tyr161 (YZ) of the D1 polypeptide, each of which may be oxidized by the primary electron donor, P680+. Spectroscopic characterization of YZ. has been hampered by the simultaneous presence of the much more stable YD., the short lifetime of YZ., and the difficulty in trapping the YZ. radical at low temperature. We present here a method for obtaining an uncontaminated YZ. radical, trapped by freezing under illumination of PSII core complexes isolated from YD-less mutants of Synechocystis 6803. Specific labeling with deuterium of the beta-methylene-3,3- or of the ring 3,5-protons of the PSII reaction center tyrosines in the YD-less D2-Tyr160Phe mutant results in a change in the hyperfine structure of the YZ. EPR signal, further confirming that this signal indeed arises from tyrosine. The trapped YZ. radical is also stable for several months at liquid nitrogen temperature. Due to both the absence of contaminating paramagnetic species and the stability at low temperature of YZ., this mutant core complex constitutes an excellent experimental system for the spectroscopic analysis of YZ.. We have compared the environments of YZ. and YD. by EPR, 1H ENDOR, and TRIPLE spectroscopies using both mutant and wild-type core complexes, with the following observations: (1) the EPR spectra of YZ. and YD. differ in line shape and line width. (2) Both YZ. and YD. exhibit D2O-exchangeable 1H hyperfine coupling near 3 MHz, consistent with the presence of a hydrogen bond from a proton donor to the phenolic oxygen atom of a neutral tyrosyl radical. This hyperfine coupling is sharp in the case of YD., indicating the hydrogen bond to be well-defined. In the case of YZ. it is broad, suggestive of a distribution of hydrogen-bonding distances. (3) YD. possesses three additional weak couplings that disappear in D2O, arising from three or fewer protons (protein or solvent) located within a shell between 4.5 and 8.5 A. (4) All of the 1H couplings of YD. are sharp, which is indicative of a well-ordered protein environment. (5) All of the 1H couplings in the YZ. spectrum are broad. The environment surrounding YZ. appears to be more disordered and solvent-accessible.

Analysis of 2-carbon-11-thymidine blood metabolites in PET imaging

Carbon-11-thymidine labeled in the ring-2 position was used with PET to image tumor and tissue proliferation. Since thymidine is rapidly degraded in the body, one must consider the generation of metabolites to fully interpret the PET data.

METHODS

We have measured the blood time-activity curves of thymidine and its metabolites in arterial blood samples. Blood was processed to obtain three input curves, including the total activity, the activity with CO2 removed and the fraction of CO2-free activity in intact thymidine (% Tdr).

RESULTS

We found that CO2 reached a plateau of 65% (+/- 12%) of total blood activity by 11 min after injection. When a 1-min infusion of labeled thymidine is used, the time to 50% degradation to thymine and metabolites other than CO2 (measured in acidified samples by HPLC) was 2.9 +/- 0.6 min. We fit the results of the blood metabolism with a compartmental model. We found that we could accurately determine the % Tdr curve with as few as three measured points with an root mean square (RMS) error of 2% in the integrated curve, compared to the curve using all blood samples (mean of seven samples per patient). The integral of thymidine blood activity serves as the input to thymidine models, so similar errors could be expected in calculations of DNA synthetic rates. We found that the determination of CO2 could be accomplished with as few as five samples, with an RMS error of 4% in plateau %CO2 value.

CONCLUSION

While it is essential to take metabolites into account when interpreting results obtained with 11C-thymidine, the reproducibility of these degradation curves may allow the use of a limited number of samples to measure the catabolic products of thymidine. These data from the blood, along with tissue kinetic models, are needed to calculate DNA synthetic rates.

Intravenous vs. intraprostatic administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to induce prostate cancer in rats

To develop an improved model of human prostate cancer, 16-wk-old Wistar rats were treated orally for 18 days with the antiandrogen, flutamide (50 mg/kg body weight [BW]/day), followed by 3 days of s.c. testosterone (100 mg/kg BW). There were the only treatments the control animals received (Group 1, n = 10). On the day after the third testosterone injection, N-methyl-N-nitorsourea (MNU) was administered via the tail vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg BW (Groups 2, n = 40 and 3, n = 20); in some rats, a second dose was delivered by the same route 22 wk later (Group 3). A smaller dose of MNU (15 mg/kg BW) was administered intraprostatically (Group 4, n = 20) to a fourth group. In Groups 2, 3, and 4, silastic capsules containing testosterone were implanted s.c. approximately every 6 wk beginning 1 wk post-MNU. Accessory sex gland tumors arose in MNU-treated rats in Group 2 (12/40, 30%). Group 3 (8/20, 40%), and Group 4 (8/20, 40%); 90% were macroscopic (25/28). There were no neoplasms in these organs in the control rats (Group 1, 0/10). These accessory sex gland neoplasms were adenocarcinomas or undifferentiated carcinomas which appeared to be derived from the prostate based on location and histological characteristics, although the size and spread of some of the tumors precluded definitive localization of the tissue of origin. The incidence of these neoplasms was similar in rats given a single dose of MNU intraprostatically or two doses of MNU i.v., but the animals treated intraprostatically maintained higher body weights and developed fewer extraneous tumors. The average (+/- SD) latent period for clinical or postmortem detection of prostate neoplasia after MNU was shortest in the rats given two i.v. doses (39 +/- 3 wk) compared with the single i.v. dose (45 +/- 6 wk) or an intraprostatic dose (56 +/- 7 wk). In 57% of the cases (16/28), the prostate tumors metastasized to distant sites. An activating point mutation was detected in codon 12 of the Ki-ras oncogene in the MNU-induced primary prostate tumors (8/10 examined), and metastases arising from these prostate tumors (2/3) but was absent in normal prostate tissue (0/6). This study demonstrates that two systemic doses of MNU increase the incidence and decrease the latency of prostate neoplasms compared with a single dose, and that a single dose of MNU injected intraprostatically induces prostate adenocarcinoma without many of the other tumors and weight loss typically found after i.v. administration.

Development of labeled thymidine analogs for imaging tumor proliferation

We have sought nucleoside analogs suitable for labeling with F-18 that could be used to image tumor proliferation with positron emission tomography (PET). The following three thymidine analogs were labeled with tritium and screened for their catabolism and biodistribution in vivo in mice: 5-fluoro-1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (FFUdR), 5-fluoro-1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-uracil (FFaraU) and 5-methyl-1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (FTdR). We found that all three compounds were stable to degradation in vivo and when incubated in blood. Of the three analogs tested, only FFUdR showed preferential retention in rapidly proliferating tissues, such as the spleen and implanted tumors, and it attained tissue to blood ratios of 2.1 at 2 h.

High molecular weight polypeptide bands specific for equine herpesvirus 4

Serum neutralisation (SN) and immunoblotting were used in attempts to distinguish between natural infections with the closely related viruses equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpes-virus 4 (EHV-4). Horse sera (n = 323) collected in 1990 from studs with no experience of EHV-1 abortions as well as 197 sera collected in 1992 from studs with a history of EHV-1 abortions were tested by SN. The two groups differed in the proportion with measurable EHV-1 antibody, the 1992 group being significantly higher. Both groups had high proportions with EHV-4 antibody and no serum had antibody to EHV-1 alone. Pools of positive sera were prepared as probes in immunoblots. High molecular weight (> 200 kDa) polypeptide bands specific for EHV-4 were detected. No bands specific for EHV-1 only were found. The specific EHV-4 polypeptides shared some properties with gp2 of EHV-1.

Radiosyntheses of labeled beta-pseudothymidine ([C-11]- and [H-3]methyl) and its biodistribution and metabolism in normal and tumored mice

In order to develop labeled probes for measuring DNA synthetic rates in vivo we investigated [H-3]- and [C-11]methyl labeled beta-pseudothymidine (2a), and report on their radiosyntheses from methyl iodide. We find methylation is rapid and regioselective on N-1 of the acylurea moiety of 2'-deoxy-beta-D-pseudouridine (1a), in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine and N,N-dimethylformamide at 60 degrees C. Although yields are low (11% [C-11]-decay corrected and 4.4% [H-3]), the method is simple and high specific activity tritiated methyl iodide can be used. In contrast to the rapid degradative de-glycosylation of thymidine in blood, beta-pseudothymidine is stable. However, based on biodistribution and metabolite studies, the anticipated uptake of [H-3]methyl-beta-pseudothymidine into mouse DNA of proliferating tissues (e.g. spleen, thymus and duodenum) and implanted tumors was not observed.

Correlation of ganglioside patterns of primary brain tumors with survival

BACKGROUND

Classification/grading schemes for brain tumors are based mainly on histologic examinations, but these have major limitations, which has led to a search for more objective prognostic markers. Gangliosides have several biologic effects relevant to tumors, and ganglioside compositions of primary brain tumors correlate with diagnosis. This led to the authors' hypothesis that ganglioside patterns of brain tumors might be useful as prognostic indicators.

METHODS

Gangliosides in primary brain tumors of different histologic types from 84 patients were analyzed. Specific ganglioside patterns and several other relevant variables were examined for associations with survival using a Cox proportional hazards model. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Patients in whom less than 30% of total tumor gangliosides consisted of 1b pathway gangliosides (GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b) had significantly higher risk ratios than those with more than 30% 1b gangliosides (P approximately 0.03). The presence of 6'-LM1 (NeuAc alpha 2-->6Gal beta 1-->4Glc-NAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1Cer was also associated with a higher risk ratio (P approximately 0.007). Combinations of 1b gangliosides and 6'-LM1 identified three groups of patients regardless of histologic diagnosis. Group A, with less than 30% 1b and the presence of 6'-LM1, had a median survival time of 331 days. Group B, with less than 30% 1b but no 6'-LM1, had a median survival time of more than 698 days. Group C, with more than 30% 1b had a median survival time of more than 776 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation of ganglioside patterns with survival in this initial investigation suggests the potential of 1b gangliosides and 6'-LM1 to be used as prognostic indicators. Continuing research is being conducted to assess this possibility prospectively.

Autoradiographic localization of beta-endorphin binding in the pancreas

Autoradiographic localization of 125I-labeled beta-endorphin binding in the rabbit pancreas demonstrated specific binding in the pancreatic islet cells. Binding was inhibited by (1) nonradioactive beta-endorphin, (2) the opioid antagonist naloxone, (3) the mu receptor agonists morphine and [D-Ala2, (Me)Phe4, Gly(ol)5]enkephalin, (4) the delta receptor agonist [D-penicillamine2, D-penicillamine5]-enkephalin, (5) the mu and delta agonist met-enkephalin and (6) the delta and kappa agonist dynorphin. Specific binding was not clearly demonstrable in the acinar portion of the rabbit pancreas. The binding characteristics of 125I-beta-endorphin in the pancreatic islets were comparable with those of mu and delta opioid receptors in the rabbit brain. In the pancreas, beta-endorphin binding appeared to be concentrated in discrete areas in the islets. Combined immunohistochemistry and autoradiography demonstrated that beta-endorphin binding was primarily concentrated in the glucagon-containing alpha and somatostatin-containing delta cells, but was also found in the insulin-containing beta cells to a lesser extent. Given the intraislet location of the opioid binding sites, and our previous finding of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in the pancreatic beta cells and the inhibitory effect of beta-endorphin on insulin secretion, it appears that beta-endorphin may serve a paracrine or autocrine function in the regulation of pancreatic hormone secretion.

Analysis of bacterial populations in a basalt aquifer

Basalt aquifers are common in many parts of Canada and the United States; however, little is known about their microbial ecology. Microbial populations were characterized at a basalt aquifer with 7 m of clay and silt in the vadose zone and a saturated zone extending from 7 to 500 m. Planktonic total counts and viable counts were 1.7 × 105 and 2.3 × 104 cells/mL, while sessile total counts and viable counts were 1.9 × 107 and 1.7 × 105 cells/g, respectively. Some of the physical and chemical habitat conditions measured were pH (7.1), Eh (135 mV), dissolved O2 (4.1 mg/L), temperature (10 °C), NH4+ (4 μM), NO3− (253 μM), Fe (0.17 μM), and Mn (36 nM). Variation in physical and chemical variables correlated with depth and the region of the aquifer sampled. One hundred forty-nine random isolates of the dominant culturable bacteria from groundwater and subsurface cores were submitted to phenotypic analysis on the basis of antibiotic responses. The resultant dominant bacteria were Gram-negative, mesophilic heterotrophs. Cluster analysis revealed at least 14 discernible clusters containing representatives from the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, and Clavibacter. Centrotype representatives were selected from each cluster and tentatively identified.Key words: basalt aquifer bacterial ecology.

Microneurovascular transfer of the tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the tongue

The tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap has been successfully transferred for coverage of the groin, abdomen, and thigh regions. After free transfer, it has demonstrated both muscle reinnervation and sensibility. The current study presents anatomical dissections and five clinical cases of innervated tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap transfer for immediate reconstruction of subtotal glossectomy defects after carcinoma extirpation. Clinical evaluation 10 to 24 months postoperatively with oral pressure measurement, electromyography, cineradiography, and speech analysis demonstrated adequate bulk and both sensory and motor function. Speech and swallowing were superior to those in patients whose defects were repaired by primary closure and pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps. Tensor fascia lata reconstructions showed superior tongue-palate and tongue-pharynx contact and improved oral functional rehabilitation. We believe the tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap is ideal for reconstruction of total or partial glossectomy defects because of its appropriate bulk and reinnervation.

The developmental expression in rat of proteases furin, PC1, PC2, and carboxypeptidase E: implications for early maturation of proteolytic processing capacity

The genes encoding mammalian subtilisin-like endoproteases furin, PC1, and PC2 have been isolated and are implicated in endoproteolytic cleavage of precursor molecules, which is a key step in posttranslational maturation of proproteins and neuropeptide precursors. Following endoproteolytic cleavage, the carboxyl-terminal basic amino acid residues are removed by carboxypeptidase E (CPE). We have examined the expression of these genes during rat development by in situ hybridization and compared their expression patterns to those of potential substrates. In the primitive streak stage of embryogenesis (e7) furin is expressed in both endoderm and mesoderm. This overall expression pattern is maintained until e10, when a distinctly higher level of furin expression is observed in the heart and liver primordia. In mid- and late gestational stages furin is broadly expressed in the peripheral tissues, and, therefore, may contribute to the proteolytic processing of numerous fetal proproteins, such as the precursors for natriuretic factors in heart and IGF-II throughout the embryo. In contrast, the expressions of PC1 and PC2 are initiated much later (e13) and are mainly confined to the developing nervous system, but with distinct spatial distributions. At midgestational ages, PC1 mRNA is mainly expressed in the hypothalamus and peripheral ganglia, while PC2 is expressed not only in these tissues but also in the thalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, cortical plate, and spinal cord. Besides neuropeptide precursor processing in the nervous system, PC1 and PC2 may also be involved in the proteolytic processing in additional regions as evidenced by the finding that both PC1 and PC2 mRNAs are expressed in the embryonic pituitary and pancreas. CPE mRNA is expressed in both neural tissues and some non-neural tissues. In the developing nervous system, the expression of CPE encompasses all the regions where PC1 and PC2 are expressed and in fact includes most brain regions as neurogenesis proceeds. CPE mRNA is also expressed in some peripheral tissues, such as the embryonic heart and cartilage primordia, and in some cases its expression overlaps with furin expression. Thus, CPE may functionally collaborate during development with the subtilisin family of endoproteases in the completion of proteolytic processing of neuropeptide precursors in the nervous system and proproteins in the peripheral tissues. In the pituitary, the endoproteolytic processing of polyfunctional precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) occurs in a developmentally regulated manner. We have shown that while PC2 mRNA is predominantly expressed in the intermediate lobe in the adult, we observed an increased expression of PC2 mRNA in developing rat anterior lobe, peaking at early postnatal stages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Functional role of N-glycosylation in alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptor. De-N-glycosylation induces dissociation or altered association of alpha 5 and beta 1 subunits and concomitant loss of fibronectin binding activity

Fibronectin (FN)-mediated cell adhesion is controlled mainly by alpha 5 beta 1 (recognizing the RGD sequence) and alpha 4 beta 1 (recognizing the CS-1 peptide sequence of FN) integrin receptors. Integrin-dependent cell adhesion to FN is greatly promoted by optimal GM3 concentration at the surface membrane (Zheng, M., Fang, H., Tsuruoka, T., Tsuji, T., Sasaki, T., and Hakomori, S. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 2217-2222), and cell adhesion mediated by alpha 4 beta 1 (to FN) or alpha 6 beta 1 (to laminin) is inhibited by modifying N-glycosylation processing of the integrin receptor (e.g. Akiyama, S. K., Yamada, S. S., and Yamada, K. M. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 18011-18018). We therefore studied the specific role of N-glycosylation in alpha 5 beta 1 function. Key findings of the present study were as follows. (i) Adhesion of K562 cells to FN-coated plates, which is mediated solely by alpha 5 beta 1, was inhibited when cells were treated with a mixture of endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase F and peptide -N4-(N-acetylglucosaminyl)asparagine amidase F (endo-F/PNGase-F). (ii) The alpha 5 beta 1 receptor at the K562 cell surface tended to dissociate into alpha 5 and beta 1 subunits when an extract of cells treated with endo-F/PNGase-F was precipitated by integrin subunit-specific antibodies, i.e. the alpha 5 subunit was preferentially precipitated by anti-alpha 5 monoclonal antibody ZH5, and the beta 1 subunit was preferentially precipitated by anti-beta 1 monoclonal antibody ZH1. When intact cells were extracted and treated with either ZH5 or ZH1, both alpha 5 and beta 1 were coprecipitated, indicating that the two subunits are normally tightly associated with each other. (iii) Adhesion of alpha 5 beta 1-containing liposomes (phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol liposomes incorporating purified alpha 5 beta 1) to FN-coated plates was abolished by treatment of liposomes with endo-F/PNGase-F. Liposomes incorporating alpha 5 beta 1 pretreated with endo-F/PNGase-F also did not bind to FN. When purified alpha 5 beta 1 receptor was treated with endo-F/PNGase-F followed by ZH5 or ZH1, the alpha 5 or beta 1 subunit was precipitated separately, respectively. In contrast, both subunits were always coprecipitated when intact purified alpha 5 beta 1 receptor was directly treated with ZH5 or ZH1. These findings indicate that N-glycosylation of both the alpha and beta subunits of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptor is essential for association of these subunits and for optimal binding to FN.

Synthetic immunochemistry of glycohexapeptide analogues characteristic of oncofetal fibronectin. Solid-phase synthesis and antigenic activity

Monoclonal antibody FDC-6, and its second-generation antibodies FDB-1 and FDB-4, are able to distinguish between fibronectin (FN) from fetal or cancer tissue (onco-FN) vs. FN from normal adult tissue and plasma (nor-FN). The epitope structure recognized by the above antibodies is the glycohexapeptide H-Val-(GalNAc-alpha)Thr-His-Pro-Gly-Tyr-OH (P2). In order to define further the specificity of the reactive site, we synthesized various glycopeptides based on the unglycosylated hexapeptide sequence (P1) and compared their reactivities with these antibodies. In continuation of our structure-activity relationship studies the (Asn3,Ala5)-glycohexapeptide analogue (P3) was synthesized by a solid-phase procedure. The [Ala(CN)3,Ala5]-glycopeptide (P4), owing to dehydration of the asparagine side chain amide during carboxyl activation of Fmoc-Asn-OH, was also isolated. Fmoc-[GalNAc(Ac)3-alpha]Thr-OH was used for incorporating the glycosylated amino acid residue. For the sake of comparison the epitope P2 and the hexapeptide sequence P1 were also synthesized. The final products were characterized by elemental and amino acid analyses, optical rotation, analytical HPLC, proton NMR and fast-atom bombardment mass spectroscopy. Synthetic analogues were applied to inhibit onco-FN specific MAbs FDB-1, FDB-4 and FDC-6 binding to immobilized onco-FN, and their activities were compared with onco-FN and nor-FN. P2 exhibited an activity similar to that of an intact molecule of onco-FN. Deglycosylation (P1) or replacement of amino acid (P3, P4) greatly reduced activity. Data clearly showed that P2 was the minimal essential structure of the epitope in onco-FN defined by MAbs FDB-1, FDB-4 and FDC-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibits extracellular matrix protein-induced haptotactic motility but not adhesion of B16 mouse melanoma cells

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), the initial product of Sph catabolism, inhibited chemotactic motility of a few lines of tumor cells [(1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 9686]. We now report that Sph-1-P even at very low concentration (10-100 nM) inhibits integrin-dependent motility of melanoma cells induced by extracellular matrix (ECM), although it did not affect integrin-dependent adhesion to ECM. Other Sph-related compounds tested (including sphinganine-1-P) were much less effective than Sph-1-P at inhibiting motility, and also had no effect on integrin-dependent adhesion of tumor cells to ECM. Our findings suggest that Sph-1-P inhibits actin filament reorganization by affecting cytoplasmic connection integrin in ECM-stimulated motility of melanoma cells.

Immunocytochemical localization and endogenous synthesis of apolipoprotein E in testicular Leydig cells

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is synthesized by a wide variety of tissues, including those involved in steroidogenesis; its function in most extrahepatic tissues is unknown. Significant amounts of apoE mRNA have been detected in the testis, but the cellular origin of this material has not yet been determined. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the steroidogenic cells of the testis synthesize apoE. We localized apoE in the testis of mice by an avidin-biotin peroxidase technique using a cross-reactive anti-rat apoE antibody. ApoE immunoreactivity was strongest in interstitial cells but was also diffusely localized throughout the seminiferous tubules. Acute treatment of mice with hCG diminished apoE immunoreactivity in the testis. A murine Leydig tumor cell line (I-10 cells) also demonstrated apoE immunoreactivity, suggesting that at least one source of interstitial apoE is the Leydig cell. Normal Leydig cells were subsequently isolated from control and hCG-treated mice using Percoll density gradients. Isolated hepatocytes, I-10 cells, and Leydig cells (with or without hCG in vitro) were incubated in the presence of [35S]methionine. A 35S-labeled protein of approximately 33-35 kDa was immunoprecipitated from the cells and media of all three types of preparations using whole antiserum or affinity-purified antibody. Preincubating the antibodies with apoE-containing murine very low-density lipoprotein or purified rat apoE eliminated these bands. Leydig cell apoE synthesis and secretion were decreased by hCG treatment in vivo and/or in vitro. These data suggest that apoE is synthesized by normal and transformed Leydig cells and may play a role in sterol transport in the testis.

Regulatory role of GM3 ganglioside in alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptor for fibronectin-mediated adhesion of FUA169 cells

Mouse mammary carcinoma mutant cell line FUA169, characterized by high GM3 ganglioside content, was established from parent cell line FM3A/F28-7, which has high lactosyl ceramide (LacCer) content but no GM3. FUA169 displays no changes in protein glycosylation, and is a typical glycolipid mutant differing from its parent in that it contains high quantities of GM3 and GlcCer, but no LacCer (see accompanying paper; Tsuruoka, T., Tsuji, T., Nojiri, H., Holmes, E. H., Hakomori, S. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 2211-2216). In contrast to parent F28-7 cells, FUA169 cells showed clear adhesion to fibronectin (FN). Several lines of evidence indicate that adhesion of FUA169 cells to FN requires the presence of GM3, which supports the function of integrin receptor. (i) Both FUA169 and F28-7 cells express the same quantity of FN integrin receptor, which consists of alpha 5 beta 1 (sensitive to RGDS peptide) and alpha 4 beta 1 (sensitive to CS1 peptide). However, adhesion to FN-coated plates, regardless of type of FN, was much higher for FUA169 than for F28-7 cells. (ii) F28-7 cells, which normally lack GM3 and adhere only weakly to FN, acquired GM3 during incubation in GM3-containing medium, and subsequently adhered strongly to FN. (iii) Cholesterol-lecithin liposomes (cholesterol was 14C-labeled) incorporating alpha 5 beta 1 receptor isolated from human placenta showed clear adhesion to FN-coated plates, and this adhesion was completely inhibited by RGDS peptide and by anti-beta 1 mAb ZH1. When liposomes included a moderate quantity of GM3 (0.22-0.44 micrograms (0.2-0.4 nmol)/55 micrograms of phosphatidylcholine, 33 micrograms of cholesterol, 5 micrograms of alpha 5 beta 1 in liposome), adhesion was enhanced significantly. In contrast, adhesion was greatly reduced below control level for alpha 5 beta 1 liposomes containing a higher quantity (2.2 micrograms; > 2 nM) of GM3. Adhesion to FN was also inhibited, but never enhanced, for alpha 5 beta 1 liposomes with similar composition but containing 0.4 nmol (or other quantities) of LacCer or GlcCer instead of GM3. These findings suggest that the greater adhesion to FN by FUA169 cells, relative to parent F28-7 cells, is due to functional support by GM3 of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptor.

A study of protein and glycoprotein syntheses in pre-implantation mouse embryos using mini-2D-electrophoresis, video densitometer scanning and computer-image analysis

In the present study, proteins and glycoproteins of mouse embryos at 2-cell, morula and blastocyst stages were analyzed. The techniques of 35S-Met incorporation, ConA antiserum-precipitating ConA-binding proteins, mini-2D-electrophoresis, fluorography, video densitometer scanning and the computer-image system were used for analyses. Results of the investigations indicated that proteins and glycoproteins were synthesized by the embryos in a gradual increase manner from 2-cell to blastocyst. A relatively large amount of glycoproteins was synthesized during the morula and blastocyst stages. Two specific small glycoproteins respectively with molecular weights about 6500 and 9000 and PIs at 5.0 and 6.5 were apparently synthesized in the blastocyst but not in the 2-cell or the morula.

Experimental studies on the inhibition effects of 1000 Chinese medicinal herbs on the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus

The reverse passive hemagglutination inhibition test was used in the screening of 1000 Chinese materia medica for inhibitors of hepatitis B virus surface antigen. The herbal drugs were commercially available and the surface antigen was from sera of hepatitis B patients. 127 effective drugs were obtained from the survey of which 28 were highly inhibitory (8:1), 35 were moderately effective (4:1), and 64 mildly effective (2:1). Further experiments with varying dosages of the drug, dosages of HBsAg and duration of contact showed 10 drugs to be of optimal effect.

Regulatory role of GM3 ganglioside in integrin function, as evidenced by its effect on function of alpha 5 beta 1-liposomes: a preliminary note

Mouse mammary carcinoma mutant cell line FUA169, characterized by high GM3 ganglioside content, was established from parent cell line FM3A/F28-7, which has high LacCer content but no GM3. Although both cell lines showed the same quantity and quality of integrin receptors, FUA169 showed much stronger adhesion to fibronectin (FN)-coated plates than did F28-7. Liposomes containing phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, alpha 5 beta 1, and a moderate amount of GM3 showed greatly enhanced adhesion to FN-coated plates, but adhesion of similar liposomes containing a large amount of GM3, or no GM3, was much lower. Our results suggest that GM3 regulates integrin receptor function essential for cell adhesion to FN.