Disruption of the Cr2 locus results in a reduction in B-1a cells and in an impaired B cell response to T-dependent antigen

Covalent attachment of activated products of the third component of complement to antigen enhances its immunogenicity, but the mechanism is not clear. This effect is mediated by specific receptors, mCR1 (CD35) and mCR2 (CD21), expressed primarily on B cells and follicular dendritic cells in mice. To dissect the role of mCR1 and mCR2 in the humoral response, we have disrupted the Cr2 locus to generate mice deficient in both receptors. The deficient mice (Cr2-/-) were found to have a reduction in the CD5+ population of peritoneal B-1 cells, although their serum IgM levels were within the range of normal mice. Moreover, Cr2-/- mice had a severe defect in their humoral response to T-dependent antigens that was characterized by a reduction in serum antibody titers and in the number and size of germinal centers within splenic follicles. Reconstitution of the deficient mice with bone marrow from MHC-matched Cr2+/+ donors corrected the defect, demonstrating that the defect was due to B cells themselves. These results indicate an obligatory role of B cell complement receptors in responses of the B cells to protein antigens.

Extracellular human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat protein is associated with an increase in both NF-kappa B binding and protein kinase C activity in primary human astrocytes

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been associated with an increase in the binding of the transcription factor NF-kappa B to its consensus sequence in the viral promoter. Using cultures of primary human fetal astrocytes, we show that exogenous HIV-1 Tat protein, which has been demonstrated to be released from infected cells, is associated with an increase in the binding of this transcription factor to an HIV-1 long terminal repeat kappa B sequence. This effect occurs rapidly and is independent of new protein synthesis. We also demonstrate that extracellular Tat protein is associated with an increase in protein kinase C activity. If Tat functions similarly in other cell types, such findings could relate to some of this protein's previously described physiological effects. These effects include Tat's ability to upregulate the synthesis of specific cytokines and to act as a growth factor.

Enhanced vasocontraction of rat tail arteries by toxoflavin

1. It has been suggested that the toxic effect of toxoflavin (TXF) produced by Pseudomonas cocovenenas is mainly due to the impairment of electron transfer of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, the cardiovascular effect of TXF is unknown. In the present study, the effect of TXF on the isometric contraction of rat isolated tail artery strips and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. 2. The basal force of the tissues was not affected by the toxin. However, the application of TXF before or during KCl (60 mM) stimulation potentiated KCl-induced vasocontraction, specifically the tonic phase of the contraction. 3. When the vessel strips were precontracted with phenylephrine (Phe), TXF further enhanced the tonic contraction of the tissue. Pretreatment of tissues with TXF also potentiated subsequent vasocontraction induced by Phe. The vasocontractor effects of TXF and Phe, however, were not additive. 4. The vascular effect of TXF was not mediated by oxygen-derived free radicals since catalase and SOD did not affect TXF-enhanced vasocontraction. In contrast, the vasocontractor effect of TXF was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and abolished by nifedipine (a Ca2+ antagonist). TXF also had no effect on caffeine- or U46619-induced vasocontraction. 5. It is suggested that TXF may potentially contract blood vessels via its effect on Ca2+ channels. This effect of TXF depends on the contractile status of the vascular tissues.

Micronuclei induced in round spermatids of mice after stem-cell treatment with chloral hydrate: evaluations with centromeric DNA probes and kinetochore antibodies

The chromosomal effects of chloral hydrate (CH) on germ cells of male mice were investigated using two methods to detect and characterize spermatid micronuclei (SMN); (a) anti-kinetochore immunofluorescence (SMN-CREST) and (b) multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization with DNA probes for centromeric DNA and repetitive sequences on chromosome X (SMN-FISH). B6C3F1 mice received single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 82.7, 165.4, or 413.5 mg/kg and round spermatids were sampled at three time intervals representing cells treated in late meiosis, early meiosis, or as spermatogonial stem cells. No increases in the frequencies of SMN were detected for cells treated during meiosis using either SMN-CREST or SMN-FISH methods. After spermatogonial stem-cell treatment, however, elevated frequencies of SMN were detected by both methods. With SMN-FISH, dose trends were observed both in the frequencies of spermatids containing micronuclei and in the frequency of spermatids carrying centromeric label. These findings corroborate the recent report by Allen and colleagues [Allen JW et al.(1994): Mutat. Res. 323:81-88] that CH treatment of spermatogenic stem cells induced SMN. Furthermore, our findings suggest that chromosomal malsegregation or loss may occur in spermatids long after CH treatment of stem cells. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action of the CH effect on stem cells and to determine whether similar effects are induced in human males treated with CH.

Video compression of coronary angiograms based on discrete wavelet transform with block classification

A new method of video compression for angiographic images has been developed to achieve high compression ratio (~20:1) while eliminating block artifacts which leads to loss of diagnostic accuracy. This method adopts motion picture experts group's (MPEGs) motion compensated prediction to takes advantage of frame to frame correlation. However, in contrast to MPEG, the error images arising from mismatches in the motion estimation are encoded by discrete wavelet transform (DWT) rather than block discrete cosine transform (DCT). Furthermore, the authors developed a classification scheme which label each block in an image as intra, error, or background type and encode it accordingly. This hybrid coding can significantly improve the compression efficiency in certain eases. This method can be generalized for any dynamic image sequences applications sensitive to block artifacts.

Studies of group B streptococcal infection in mice deficient in complement component C3 or C4 demonstrate an essential role for complement in both innate and acquired immunity

Group B streptococci (GBS) cause sepsis and meningitis in neonates and serious infections in adults with underlying chronic illnesses. Specific antibodies have been shown to be an important factor in protective immunity for neonates, but the role of serum complement is less well defined. To elucidate the function of the complement system in immunity to this pathogen, we have used the approach of gene targeting in embryonic stem cells to generate mice totally deficient in complement component C3. Comparison of C3-deficient mice with mice deficient in complement component C4 demonstrated that the 50% lethal dose for GBS infection was reduced by approximately 50-fold and 25-fold, respectively, compared to control mice. GBS were effectively killed in vitro by human blood leukocytes in the presence of specific antibody and C4-deficient serum but not C3-deficient serum. The defective opsonization by C3-deficient serum in vitro was corroborated by in vivo studies in which passive immunization of pregnant dams with specific antibodies conferred protection from GBS challenge to normal and C4-deficient pups but not C3-deficient pups. These results indicate that the alternative pathway is sufficient to mediate effective opsonophagocytosis and protective immunity to GBS in the presence of specific antibody. In contrast, the increased susceptibility to infection of non-immune mice deficient in either C3 or C4 implies that the classical pathway plays an essential role in host defense against GBS infection in the absence of specific immunity.

Consequences and mechanisms of spike broadening of R20 cells in Aplysia californica

We studied frequency-dependent spike broadening in the two electrically coupled R20 neurons in the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia. The peptidergic R20 cells excite the R25/L25 interneurons (which trigger respiratory pumping) and inhibit the RB cells. When fired at 1-10 Hz, the duration of the falling phase of the action potential in R20 neurons increases 2-10 fold during a spike train. Spike broadening recorded from the somata of the R20 cells affected synaptic transmission to nearby follower cells. Chemically mediated synaptic output was reduced by approximately 50% when recorded trains of nonbroadened action potentials were used as command signals for a voltage-clamped R20 cell. Electrotonic EPSPs between the R20 cells, which normally facilitated by two- to fourfold during a high frequency spike train, showed no facilitation when spike broadening was prevented under voltage-clamp control. To examine the mechanism of frequency-dependent spike broadening, we applied two-electrode voltage-clamp and pharmacological techniques to the somata of R20 cells. Several voltage-gated ionic currents were isolated, including INa, a multicomponent ICa, and three K+ currents--a high threshold, fast transient A-type K+ current (IAdepol), a delayed rectifier K+ current (IK-V), and a Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ current (IK-Ca), made up of two components. The influences of different currents on spike broadening were determined by using the recorded train of gradually broadening action potentials as the command for the voltage clamp. We found the following. (1) IAdepol is the major outward current that contributes to repolarization of nonbroadened spikes. It undergoes pronounced cumulative inactivation that is a critical determinant of spike broadening. (2) Activity-dependent changes in IK-V, IK-Ca, and ICa have complex effects on the kinetics and extent of broadening. (3) The time integral of ICa during individual action potentials increases approximately threefold during spike broadening.

The role of Tyr13 and Lys15 of interleukin-8 in the high affinity interaction with the interleukin-8 receptor type A

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) has at least two binding regions for both the A and the B type IL-8 receptors. This study defines an important region between Cys7 and Cys50 that, together with the Glu4-Leu5-Arg6 sequence of the NH2 terminus, accounts for the high affinity binding of IL-8 to the IL-8 A receptor on leukocytes. Utilizing rabbit IL-8 that shares 82% sequence identity with human IL-8, but has 200-fold lower binding affinity for the IL-8 A receptor, residues of the human homologue were sequentially exchanged into the rabbit molecule. Replacement of rabbit His13 and Thr15 with Tyr13 and Lys15 of the human molecule converted the low affinity binding of the rabbit IL-8 to the high affinity binding of human IL-8 as shown by both competitive binding and by Ca2+ mobilization. As a corollary, replacement of the Tyr13 and Lys15 of the human IL-8 with His13 and Thr15 of the rabbit IL-8 reduced binding activity of this mutated human IL-8 200-fold. The site of interaction on the IL-8 receptor type A for the Tyr13 and Lys15 sequence was found to be in the NH2-terminal region of this receptor. A structural pattern of the binding between IL-8 and the A type IL-8 receptor is proposed.

Some physicochemical characteristics of molten salts derived from trimethylsulfonium bromide

Ambient temperature melts were derived from trimethylsulfonium bromide (TMSuBr) and AlBr3, AlCl3, or HBr. The aluminum halide melts have low-wavelength UV cutoffs and single-band 1H NMR spectra. In the TMSuBr–HBr system, the formation of HBr2− and likely existence of H2Br3− are indicated by 1H NMR and IR spectra. Conductivity and viscosity data indicate stronger TMSu+–anion interactions than those between substituted imidazolium and halide anions. A Grotthus mechanism may operate for conduction in TMSuBr:HBr melts. Keywords: ambiant temperature melts, trimethylsulfonium–anion itneractions, Grotthus mechanism.

Characterization of a novel binding site for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein gp120 on human fetal astrocytes

125I-labeled recombinant gp120 bound to primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes with a single class of 260-kDa binding sites, with a Kd of 26 nM and maximal number of binding sites of 29.9 fmol/4 x 10(4) cells. Neither CD4 nor galactocerebroside was detectable on astrocytes, and 125I-labeled recombinant gp120 binding to astrocytes was not blocked by antibodies against galactocerebroside or the gp120 binding domain of CD4.

[Effect of the changes of amino acids on both signal peptide C-terminal and mature protein N-terminal region to the secretion of alpha-amylase in B. subtilis]

By site-directed mutagenesis, G and C have taken the place of T and G at nucleotide sequence 287 and 291 of B. licheniformis alpha-amylase gene to generate pAm-y413B and the N-terminal sequence of mature protein have been changed from 7Leu 8Met to 7Arg8Ile. By the insertion of polylinker into the C-terminal of the signal sequence of alpha-amylase gene of pAmy413, the signal peptide of alpha-amylase produced by pAmy413L is 13 amino acids more than the pAmy413 (which is 29 amino acids long) and also, a new recognition cleavage sequence for signal peptidase I (Ala-Gln-Ala decreases Ser) is created; The secondary structure of the signal peptide has been analyzed by computer programs. The alpha-amylase relative activity of the two mutant strains is 3% and 36% of pAmy413, respectively. The molecular weight of extracellular alpha-amylase is the same as pAmy413. Terminal analysis shows that the N-terminal amino acid of mature protein is Ala, not Ser, and suggests that SPase I prefers to cleavage at the wild type recognition site (Ala-Ala-Ala decreases Ala). Therefore, all of the above results show that the secretion of alpha-amylase in B. subtilis is in accordance with the co-translational transportation model.

Multiple sites on IL-8 responsible for binding to alpha and beta IL-8 receptors

To define the structural features important for IL-8 binding to its two known receptors, mutants of IL-8 and melanoma growth-stimulating activity (MGSA) and chimerae consisting of segments of these two chemokines were constructed and purified from the pGEX 2T Escherichia coli expression vector. IL-8 alpha and beta receptors were expressed stably and individually in 293 kidney epithelial cells and HL60 human leukemia cells. The Kd for IL-8 itself and copy numbers for both receptors in transfected cells were comparable. Competition binding with 125I-labeled IL-8, however, showed large differences for several of the IL-8 mutants between alpha and beta receptors. The amino-terminal ELR sequence was important for IL-8 binding to the alpha receptor, but not sufficient for high affinity binding. Both rabbit IL-8 and MGSA share the ELR sequence with human IL-8, but compete poorly with it. The carboxyl terminus distal to amino acid 50 does not seem to mediate high affinity binding to the alpha receptor. A rabbit IL-8/human IL-8 chimera that differs in only eight amino acids from the human IL-8 sequence, was 150-fold lower in its affinity for the alpha receptor than human IL-8. In contrast, both the amino and carboxyl termini appear to be important for binding to the beta receptor. If the ELR sequence of IL-8 was substituted with alanines or if the carboxyl terminus distal to C50 was replaced with the MGSA sequence, a reduction occurred in binding competition. If both changes were introduced simultaneously, binding was abolished. Binding of MGSA was completely prevented by replacement of the ELR sequence with alanines. Ca2+ mobilization in HL60 cells transfected with the alpha or beta receptor was used to assess cell stimulation. The various mutant forms of IL-8 induced receptor activity with a pattern of sensitivity parallel to the competition binding affinities, indicating that both receptors are active.

Multiple sites on IL-8 responsible for binding to alpha and beta IL-8 receptors

To define the structural features important for IL-8 binding to its two known receptors, mutants of IL-8 and melanoma growth-stimulating activity (MGSA) and chimerae consisting of segments of these two chemokines were constructed and purified from the pGEX 2T Escherichia coli expression vector. IL-8 alpha and beta receptors were expressed stably and individually in 293 kidney epithelial cells and HL60 human leukemia cells. The Kd for IL-8 itself and copy numbers for both receptors in transfected cells were comparable. Competition binding with 125I-labeled IL-8, however, showed large differences for several of the IL-8 mutants between alpha and beta receptors. The amino-terminal ELR sequence was important for IL-8 binding to the alpha receptor, but not sufficient for high affinity binding. Both rabbit IL-8 and MGSA share the ELR sequence with human IL-8, but compete poorly with it. The carboxyl terminus distal to amino acid 50 does not seem to mediate high affinity binding to the alpha receptor. A rabbit IL-8/human IL-8 chimera that differs in only eight amino acids from the human IL-8 sequence, was 150-fold lower in its affinity for the alpha receptor than human IL-8. In contrast, both the amino and carboxyl termini appear to be important for binding to the beta receptor. If the ELR sequence of IL-8 was substituted with alanines or if the carboxyl terminus distal to C50 was replaced with the MGSA sequence, a reduction occurred in binding competition. If both changes were introduced simultaneously, binding was abolished. Binding of MGSA was completely prevented by replacement of the ELR sequence with alanines. Ca2+ mobilization in HL60 cells transfected with the alpha or beta receptor was used to assess cell stimulation. The various mutant forms of IL-8 induced receptor activity with a pattern of sensitivity parallel to the competition binding affinities, indicating that both receptors are active.

Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding the phenol/aryl form of sulfotransferase (mSTp1) from mouse liver

The cDNA sequence of the mouse liver phenol/aryl form of sulfotransferase (mSTp1) has been determined. The cloned cDNA consists of 1269 base pairs (bp) and contains an 897 nucleotide open reading frame (ORF) beginning at nucleotide 65, which encodes a 298 amino acid polypeptide of 34.7 kDa. Alignment of mSTp1 to other sulfotransferases shows overall identities of 87% to r-STp, 37% to r-STa, 48% to r-STe, 51% to b-STe, and 37% to h-STa, at the deduced amino acid level.

Multicellular oxidant defense in unicellular organisms

Although catalase is thought to be a major defense against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the catalase activity within individual Escherichia coli fails to protect against exogenous H2O2. Contrary to earlier reports, we find that dilute suspensions of wild-type and catalase-deficient E. coli are identical in their sensitivity to H2O2, perhaps because even wild-type, catalase-positive E. coli cannot maintain an internal/external concentration gradient of this highly diffusible oxidant. However, concentrated suspensions or colonies of catalase-positive E. coli do preferentially survive H2O2 challenge and can even cross-protect adjacent catalase-deficient organisms. Furthermore, high-density catalase-positive--but not catalase-negative--E. coli can survive and multiply in the presence of competitive, peroxide-generating streptococci. These observations support the concept that bacterial catalase may defend colonial, but not individual, E. coli against environmental H2O2. Group protection by the activity of enzymes that mitigate oxidative stress may have been a driving force in the evolution of multicellular organisms.

Molecular cloning of the alcohol/hydroxysteroid form (hSTa) of sulfotransferase from human liver

A cDNA encoding the human alcohol/hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase (h-ST-a), which catalyzes the sulfo-conjugation of many drugs and hormones, was isolated from a human liver cDNA library using a rat STa (rSTa) cDNA probe. The cDNA, designated as hSTa, consists of 1069 base pairs (bp) and contains an 855-nucleotide open reading frame beginning at nucleotide 65, which encodes a 285 amino acid polypeptide of 33.76 kDa. A second cDNA clone (1563 bp) was truncated 5' at nucleotide 231 (lacking the first 15 amino acids) with identical coding region, however, it had a much longer 3' untranslated region (UTR). Both clones contained a short segment of poly(A)+ tail. Northern blot analysis of an adult human liver showed that there are at least 2 mature mRNA with sizes ranging from approximately 1.1 kb to 1.7 kb, verifying the authenticity of the obtained cDNA clones. From the sequence alignment, the hSTa shares 62%/74%, 39%/59%, 35%/48%, 36%/54% identity with rSTa, rSTp (phenol), rSTe (estrogen), and bovine STe (bSTe) at the deduced amino acid and DNA levels, respectively, indicating that there are at least three subfamilies (alcohol, phenol and estrogen) of genes that encode for sulfotransferases in mammals.

The cytosolic components of the respiratory burst oxidase exist as a M(r) approximately 240,000 complex that acquires a membrane-binding site during activation of the oxidase in a cell-free system

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment of a mixture of cytosol and plasma membranes from resting neutrophils resulted in the activation of the respiratory burst oxidase, a complicated enzyme that catalyzes the production of O2- from NADPH and oxygen. Activation was accompanied by translocation to the plasma membranes of the oxidase components p47phox and p67phox, which in resting cytosol were found in a M(r) approximately 240,000 complex. This translocation, which appeared to take place without a major change in the size of the cytosolic complex, did not occur if the membranes lacked cytochrome b558, and was inhibited by the peptide PRGV-HFIFNK, a sequence found near the carboxyl terminus of cytochrome b558 that was known from earlier work to inhibit O2- production by the cell-free system (Rotrosen, D., Kleinberg, M. E., Nunoi, H., Leto T., Gallin, J. I., and Malech H. L. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 8745-8750). Cytosols pretreated with the cross-linking agents 3,3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl) propionate (DTSSP) (cleavable by 2-mercaptoethanol) and bis-(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (not cleavable by 2-mercaptoethanol) lost most of their ability to support O2- production in the cell-free system, and oxidase components from DTSSP-treated cytosol failed to translocate to the plasma membrane. When DTSSP-treated cytosols were incubated with 2-mercaptoethanol, however, both O2- production and translocation were partly restored, indicating that the functional impairment in DTSSP-treated cytosols was probably due at least in part to a restriction in the conformational mobility of the cross-linked peptide chains in the approximately 240,000 complex. These findings provide further support for the idea that the cytosolic components of the respiratory burst oxidase exist in the form of a approximately 240,000 complex, and suggest that the exposure of this complex to SDS induces a structural change that may or may not be associated with the loss of an inhibitory subunit too small to cause a detectable change in the size of the complex. This SDS-induced change allows translocation to take place by creating a membrane-binding site on the surface of the complex.

Random mutagenesis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe SRP RNA: lethal and conditional lesions cluster in presumptive protein binding sites

Signal recognition particle (SRP), a ribonucleoprotein composed of six polypeptides and one RNA subunit, serves as an adaptor between the cytoplasmic protein synthetic machinery and the translocation apparatus of the endoplasmic reticulum. To begin constructing a functional map of the 7SL RNA component of SRP, we extensively mutagenized the Schizosaccharomyces pombe SRP7 gene. Phenotypes are reported for fifty-two mutant alleles derived from random point mutagenesis, seven alleles created by site-directed mutagenesis to introduce restriction sites into the SRP7 gene, nine alleles designed to pinpoint conditional lesions, and three alleles with extra nucleotides inserted at position 84. Our data indicate that virtually all single nucleotide changes as well as many multiple substitutions in this highly structured RNA are phenotypically silent. Six lethal alleles and eleven which result in sensitivity to the combination of high temperature and elevated osmotic strength were identified. These mutations cluster in conserved regions which, in the mammalian RNA, are protected from nucleolytic agents by SRP proteins. The effects of mutations in the presumptive binding site for a fission yeast SRP 9/14 homolog indicate that both the identity of a conserved residue and the secondary structure within which it is embedded are functionally important. The phenotypes of mutations in Domain IV suggest particular residues as base-specific contacts for the fission yeast SRP54 protein. A single allele which confers temperature-sensitivity in the absence of osmotic perturbants was identified in this study; the growth properties of the mutant strain suggest that the encoded RNA is somewhat defective even at the permissive temperature, and is most likely unable to correctly assemble with SRP proteins at the nonpermissive temperature.

Biochemical characterization and time-course analysis of Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus with monoclonal antibodies

Hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to a 31,000 molecular weight viral protein or a 31,000 molecular weight polyhedrin protein of Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdNPV) were developed. The two polypeptides were shown to be different by comparing their amino acid compositions. Immuno-electron microscopy was used to verify specific binding of the MAbs to their respective targets. Specific MAbs were used to develop an ELISA procedure to monitor the development of LdNPV virus and polyhedrin in vivo. Results indicated that in hemolymph of larvae fed 10(6) polyhedral inclusion bodies, the concentration of virus began to increase 16 h after inoculation and continued to increase for the next 5 days. By 36 h, the concentration of polyhedrin increased and was maintained at a high level in the later stages of infection. One-third of this group of infected larvae survived the infection. In these individuals, the concentrations of virus and polyhedrin declined to a low level 5 days after infection. This suggests the presence of a host mechanism for clearing the virus from the hemolymph.

[Electron microscopic observations on Pseudomonas cocovenenans]

A strain of food-poisoning bacterium has been isolated by Jin Jiexiang (1963) in China from the fermented cornflour that has gone bad. These pathogenic microorganism has been identified and named Pseudomonas by Zhao Naixin in 1988, which is the same species as P. cocovenenans. The characteristics of them were conformed to these of the species P. cepacia of section 2 of the genus Pseudomonas. In view of the fact that the fine structures of the above mentioned three strains of Pseudomonas have not been described yet, we decided to observe them with electron microscope. Results indicate there are many things in common among the three strains, such as: appearing short rods, 0.6-0.8 microns in diameter by 1.5-2.0 microns in length, one polar multiflagella; non-pili, non-capsules, non-endospores; containing intranuclear inclusions (electron-dense bodies or concentric laminae bodies), accumulating intracytoplasmic PHB granules; forming filaments, minicells and bizarrecells; producing extracellular cellulose-like materials by the three strains have not been reported previously.

Species- and infective stage-specific monoclonal antibodies to Leishmania major produced by an in vitro immunization method

Monoclonal antibodies specific to the infective-stage promastigotes of Leishmania major are needed for developing rapid diagnostic assays of infected sand flies. An in vitro immunization protocol was applied for the production of monoclonal antibodies using small amounts of L. major. Infective-stage promastigotes were isolated from sand flies (Phlebotomus papatasi) 7-10 days after infection and used as antigen for immunization. Two weeks after a primary immunization, murine splenocytes were removed and immunized in vitro with antigen in murine EL-4 thymoma cell conditioned medium. Three fusions were performed using X63-Ag.653 myeloma cells as fusion partners and two fusions were performed using FOX-NY cells. Antibodies specific to promastigotes were detected using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Initially 56 monoclonal antibodies were selected, and their species and stage specificity were determined using both an ELISA and an indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA). Twelve monoclonal antibodies showed species specificity to L. major when tested against four sympatric species of Leishmania. Four other monoclonal antibodies showed species and infective-stage specificity to L. major promastigotes. When tested in immunoblots, all four species- and stage-specific monoclonal antibodies bound to five protein bands that were unique to the infective-stage promastigotes.

Photoperiodic diapause in Drosophila melanogaster involves a block to the juvenile hormone regulation of ovarian maturation

Females of Drosophila melanogaster held under short-day photoperiods at a moderately low temperature (12 degrees) enter a state of ovarian diapause in which yolk deposition in the oocytes is suspended (D. S. Saunders, V. C. Henrich, and L. I. Gilbert, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 3748-3752, 1989). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using polyclonal antibodies raised against D. melanogaster yolk polypeptides (YPs) showed that diapausing flies synthesize and accumulate YPs in the hemolymph, but very little in the ovary. Nondiapausing females at the same temperature but at long days, and short-day flies in which diapause was broken by an upshift in temperature or topical application of juvenile hormone (JH), showed enhanced titers of YPs in the ovaries, suggesting stimulating uptake. Determinations of juvenile hormone bisepoxide (JHB3) and JH III synthesis in vitro by single excised corpora allata showed that glands from nondiapausing flies or corpora allata from flies in which diapause had been broken synthesized JH at a rate about four times higher than glands from diapausing flies. Corpora allata incubated in medium supplemented with farnesoic acid showed an increase in the rate of JH synthesis, but the increase was relatively greater with corpora allata from nondiapausing flies. Glands from diapausing flies presented the appearance of newly emerged or "immature" glands. Ovarian diapause is terminated at 12 degrees LD 10:14 in 7 days following topical application of either JH III or JHB3 at a concentration of about 0.5 micrograms per fly, diapause termination being expressed by an increased rate of vitellogenesis and by an increase in the number of fully developed eggs per vitellogenic female. It is concluded that the short-day-elicited diapause in D. melanogaster results from a "block" to the JH-stimulated uptake of yolk proteins from the hemolymph, caused by a reduced rate of JH synthesis by the corpus allatum. Photoperiodic regulation of the corpus allatum may be mediated via the brain.

[Separation and purification of the toxic protein of Bacillus sphaericus Ts-1]

Bacillus sphaericus strain Ts-1 is highly insecticidal to larvae of the mosquito. It's insecticidal component is toxic proteins. The toxin was extracted from spore-crystal complexes by disruption in a Sonicator Cell Disruptor Model W-220F followed by treatment with 0.05 mol/L NaOH. Fraction recovered from chromatography of the spore-crystal complexes on column of Sephadex G-200 were assayed against mosquito larvae and the toxic fractions from gel chromatography were subjected to SDS-PAGE. The toxic proteins in B. sphaericus Ts-1 spore-crystal complex migrated in position corresponding to 42kD and 43kD. Bioassay of the two purified proteins prepared by PAGE indicated that they were all toxic to mosquito larvae. Toxic protein was further purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The toxic protein with a molecular weight of 42kD was obtained.

Heat treatment of cytochrome c oxidase perturbs the CuA site and affects proton pumping behavior

It has been previously reported that mild heat treatment (43 degrees C for ca. 60 min) abolishes the proton pumping activity of cytochrome c oxidase while leaving the oxidase activity and cytochromes a and a3 unperturbed [Sone, N., & Nicholls, P. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 6550-6554]. We herein describe the effects of this heat treatment on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption signatures of the redox-active metal centers in the enzyme. We find that heat treatment of the oxidized enzyme causes a local structural perturbation at the CuA site. After heat treatment, the enzyme sample contains three subpopulations, each of which has a different structure at CuA. These include (i) native CuA, (ii) a type 2 copper species similar to the one produced by chemical modification by p-(hydroxymercuri)benzoate (pHMB) [Gelles, J., & Chan, S. I. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3963-3972], and (iii) a novel type 1 copper species. In addition to changes at the CuA site, we find that heat treatment results in accelerated cyanide binding and the removal of subunit III. If the cytochrome c oxidase is heat treated while fully reduced, none of these changes are observed except for subunit III depletion. Furthermore, partial (CO mixed-valence derivative) reduction of the enzyme as well as ligand binding to cytochrome a3 also protects the enzyme against the heat-induced changes, indicating that the oxygen binding site plays a role in stabilizing the CuA site against structural perturbations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hb F-Xin-Su or A gamma I73(E17)Asp----His: a new slow-moving fetal hemoglobin variant

A slow-moving gamma chain variant was discovered in the cord blood of an infant born to parents of the Han nationality from Jiangsu. The variant, which migrated electrophoretically at alkaline pH between Hb A and Hb D, was characterized by an Asp----His substitution at gamma 73, while residues gamma 75 and gamma 136 were occupied by Ile and Ala, respectively. As the A gamma T-chain was also present, this baby has two types of abnormal gamma-chain. The variant was named Hb F-Xin-Su.

Hb F-Xinjiang or A gamma T25(B7)Gly----Arg: a new slow-moving unstable fetal hemoglobin variant

This report describes a new fetal hemoglobin variant, Hb F-Xinjiang, which was observed in a newborn baby of the Han nationality. Its electrophoretic mobility at pH 8.6 was slower than that of Hb D. Structural analyses identified the variant as A gamma T25(B7)Gly----Arg. Heat stability test showed that the variant was unstable.