Mössbauer and electron nuclear double resonance study of oxidized bidirectional hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianum W5

The bidirectional hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianum W5 is an iron-sulfur protein containing approximately 12 Fe atoms and 12 labile sulfides. We have studied oxidized samples of the enzyme with Mössbauer and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy to elucidate the nature of the center that gives rise to the EPR signal with principal g-values at 2.10, 2.04, and 2.01. The g = 2.10 center exhibits two well-resolved 57Fe ENDOR resonances. One is isotropic with A1 = 9.5 MHz; the other is nearly isotropic with A2 = 17 MHz. These magnetic hyperfine coupling constants are substantially (approximately 50%) smaller than those observed for [2Fe-2S], [3Fe-4S], and [4Fe-4S] clusters. The Mössbauer and ENDOR data, taken together, suggest that the g = 2.10 center contains at least two but not more than four iron atoms. Comparison of our data with recent results reported for Escherichia coli sulfite reductase and the ferricyanide-treated [4Fe-4S] cluster from Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I suggests that the g = 2.10 center may possibly be formed, by oxidation, from a structure with a [4Fe-4S] core. The Mössbauer spectra give evidence that at least 8 of the 12 Fe atoms of oxidized hydrogenase are organized in two ferredoxin-type [4Fe-4S] clusters, supporting conclusions derived previously from EPR studies of the reduced enzyme.

Value of 8S/4S fractionation of estrogen receptors (ER) for prediction of response to hormonal manipulation in metastatic breast cancer

Using sucrose gradient centrifugation, human breast cancer estrogen receptors appear in two molecular forms sedimenting at either 8S or 4S fractions. The sum of these two fractions has been valuable clinically in helping to predict response to hormonal therapies. It has been suggested that the 4S receptor may not be of predictive value and that the practice of using only dextran-coated charcoal methodology might thus overestimate the number of patients whose tumors might be hormonally dependent. The present study correlates clinical response to hormonal manipulations with 8S and 4S receptors as determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Patients with only 4S positive receptors had a 56% response rate to hormonal manipulation compared with a 52% response rate in patients with positive 8S alone or with both 8S and 4S receptors. Although patient numbers are small in this and the other three published series addressing this question, our data do not confirm two previously published studies suggesting clinical importance of 8S/4S fractionation.

Development of polycythemia vera and chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the course of refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A case in which polycythemia vera and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) developed during the course of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is described. Observations in this case suggest that ITP was a pre-monitor of the clinical development of CLL and preceded the manifestation of polycythemia vera. The polycythemia was mild, requiring infrequent phlebotomies, and, as the CLL progressed, the requirement for phlebotomy diminished. Evidence of both CLL and myeloid proliferation, as well as severe immune thrombocytopenia, persisted throughout her course. Studies on lymphocytes revealed characteristics of those of CLL. Excellent therapeutic response of the CLL was observed with the use of vinblastine and steroids.

Elucidation of Growth Inhibition and Acetic Acid Production by Clostridium thermoaceticum

The production of acetic acid by Clostridium thermoaceticum was studied by using batch fermentations. In a pH-controlled fermentation with sodium hydroxide (pH 6.9), this organism was able to produce 56 g of acetic acid per liter. On the other hand, when the pH was not controlled and was decreased during fermentation to 5.4, the maximum attainable acetic acid concentration was only 15.3 g/liter. To obtain a better understanding of the end product inhibition, various salts were tested to determine their effect on the growth rate of C. thermoaceticum . An inverse linear relationship between the growth rate and the final cell concentration to the sodium acetate concentration was found. By using different concentrations of externally added sodium salts, the relative growth inhibition caused by the anion was found to be in the order of acetate > chloride > sulfate. Various externally added cations of acetate were also examined with respect to their inhibitory effects on growth. The relative magnitude of inhibition on the growth rate was found to be ammonium > potassium > sodium. The combined results have shown that the undissociated acetic acid was much more inhibitory than the ionized acetate ion. Complete growth inhibition resulted when the undissociated acetic acid concentration was between 0.04 and 0.05 M and when the ionized acetate concentration was 0.8 M. Therefore, at low pH (below 6.0), undissociated acetic acid is responsible for growth inhibition, and at high pH (above 6.0), ionized acetate ion is responsible for growth inhibition.

Production of acetic acid by immobilized whole cells of Clostridium thermoaceticum

Immobilized cells of Clostridium thermoaceticum for acetic acid production has been investigated. Using kappa-carrageenan gel as the immobilization-matrix, high cell concentration within the gel could be achieved and thus lead to high volumetric acetic acid productivity. Batch experiments using 3% gel showed that cell concentration up to 65 g (dry cell weight)/L gel could be achieved. These dry weight cell concentrations in the gel through immobilization are typically 10-15 times greater than what can be obtained in free-cell fermentations. The specific growth rate and acetic acid formation rate were similar to those observed for the free cells. Continuous culture experiments using a feed medium containing 20 g/L of glucose were performed where the reactor contained 50% by volume of the carrageenan gel and the pH was controlled at 6.9. Different steady states were acheived at dilution rates ranging from 0.061 to 0.399 h-1. Cells grew mainly near the surface of the gel and reached maximum concentration within the matrix of approximately 35 g/L. Dilution rates much greater than the maximum specific growth rate were obtained, which resulted in volumetric productivity up to 4.9 g/L-h. This value was significantly greater than that for the conventional continuous culture with free cells. Using a 40 g/L feed glucose concentration, steady states could be achieved between dilution rates of 0.12-0.4 h-1. The maximum productivity further increased to 6.9 g/L-h at a dilution rate of 0.37 h-1 and at an acetic acid concentration of 19 g/L. The cell concentration was 60 g (dry weight)/L gel at steady state.

Determination of genotypes of human aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH2 locus

Virtually all Caucasians have two major aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes, ALDH1 and ALDH2, in their livers, while approximately 50% of Japanese and other Orientals are "atypical" in that they have only ALDH1 and are missing ALDH2. We previously demonstrated the existence of an enzymatically inactive but immunologically cross-reactive material (CRM) in atypical Japanese livers. Among 10 Japanese livers examined, five had ALDH1 but not ALDH2 isozyme. These are considered to be homozygous atypical at the ALDH2 locus. Four had both ALDH1 and ALDH2 components detected by starch gel electrophoresis, that is, they are apparently usual. However, biochemical and immunological studies revealed that three of these four livers contained CRM. These three livers should be heterozygous atypical in the ALDH2 locus, that is, genotype ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(2). A Japanese liver, as well as control Caucasian livers, had no CRM, and they must be homozygous usual ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(1). Although the number of liver specimens examined is limited, the frequencies of three genotypes determined in this study are compatible with the values calculated based on the genetic model that two common alleles ALDH2(1) and ALDH2(2) for the same locus are codominantly expressed in Orientals. The remaining liver had only ALDH2 isozyme and was missing ALDH1. This type was not previously found in Caucasians and Orientals. The two-dimensional crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed the existence of a CRM corresponding to ALDH1 in this liver. The abnormality can be considered to be due to structural mutation at the ALDH1 locus producing a defective ALDH1 molecule, although other possibilities such as post-translational modifications are not ruled out.

Isolation and characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes from usual and atypical human livers

Usual human livers contain two major aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes, cytosolic ALDH1 component and mitochondrial ALDH2 component, while human livers with "atypical" phenotype have only ALDH1 isozyme and are missing ALDH2 isozyme. Approximately 50% of orientals are atypical in respect to ALDH isozymes. We previously demonstrated an existence of enzymatically inactive but immunologically cross-reactive material (CRM) in atypical oriental livers. ALDH1 and ALDH2 isozymes were purified to homogeneity from usual livers, and ALDH1 and CRM were purified from atypical oriental livers. Amino acid compositions of ALDH1 and ALDH2 were similar to, but not identical with, each other. Amino acid compositions of ALDH2 and CRM were identical within analytical errors. Subunit molecular size of ALDH1 estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 56,200 daltons, and that of ALDH2 was 52,600 daltons. The two isozymes did not contain a common subunit. Subunit molecular weight of CRM was identical with that of ALDH2. Double immunodiffusion precipitation revealed that ALDH1 and ALDH2 were immunologically analogous but not identical, and that CRM and ALDH2 were immunologically indistinguishable. These results support the genetic model that CRM is an abnormal defective protein resulting from a mutation of the ALDH2 locus.

Studies on cell division in mammalian cells. VII. A temperature-sensitive cell line abnormal in centriole separation and chromosome movement

A temperature-sensitive Syrian hamster mutant cell line, ts-745, exhibiting novel mitotic events has been isolated. The cells show normal growth and mitosis at 33 degrees C, the permissive temperature. At the nonpermissive temperature of 39 degrees C, mitotic progression becomes aberrant. Metaphase cells and those cells still able to form a metaphase configuration continue through and complete normal cell division. However, cells exposed to 39 degrees C for longer than 15 min can not form a normal metaphase spindle. Instead, the chromosomes are distributed in a spherical shell, with microtubules (MT) radiating to the chromosomes from four closely associated centrioles near the center of the cell. The cells progress from the spherical monopolar state to other monopolar orientations conical in appearance with four centrioles in the apex region. Organized chromosome movement is present, from the spherical shell state to the asymmetrical orientations. Chromosomes remain in the metaphase configuration without chromatid separation. Prometaphase chromosome congression appears normal, as the chromosomes and MT form a stable monopolar spindle, but bipolar spindle formation is apparently blocked in a premetaphase state. When returned from 39 degrees to 33 degrees C, the defective phenotype is readily reversible. At 39 degrees C, the mitotic abnormality lasts 3-5 h, followed by reformation of a single nucleus and cell flattening in an interphase-like state. Subsequent cell cycle events appear to occur, as the cells duplicate chromosomes and initiate a second round of abnormal mitosis. Cell cycle traversion continues for at least 5 d in some cells despite abnormal mitosis resulting in cells accumulating several hundred chromosomes.

Structural mutation in a major human aldehyde dehydrogenase gene results in loss of enzyme activity

Most Caucasians have two major liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes, ALDH1 and ALDH2, while approximately 50% of Orientals have only ALDH1 isozyme, missing the ALDH2 isozyme. A remarkably higher frequency of acute alcohol intoxication among Orientals than among Caucasians could be related to the absence of the ALDH2 isozyme, which has a low apparent Km for acetaldehyde. Examination of liver extracts by two-dimensional crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed that an atypical Japanese liver, which had no ALDH2 isozyme, contained an enzymatically inactive but immunologically cross-reactive material corresponding to ALDH2, beside the active ALDH1 isozyme. Therefore, the absence of ALDH2 isozyme in atypical Orientals is not due to regulatory mutation, gene deletion, or nonsense mutation, but must be due to a structural mutation in a gene for the ALDH2 locus, resulting in synthesis of enzymatically inactive abnormal protein.

Relationship between plasma Ara-C and intracellular Ara-CTP pools under conditions of continuous infusion and high-dose Ara-C treatment

Plasma level Ara-C and Ara-U in vivo and intracellular Ara-CTP pools in vivo and in vitro were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Plasma Ara-C during High Dose therapy was found in two phases; one, a peak at t1/2 of approximately 5-8 minutes, the other approaching that of Continuous Infusion with a t1/2 of about 6 to 8 hours. There appears to be no relationship between peak levels of plasma Ara-C and intracellular Ara-CTP formed during High Dose therapy. Intracellular Ara-CTP pools were found to be higher in peripheral blood than in bone marrow during High Dose treatment and were also higher in bone marrow of patients treated with High Dose rather than conventional dose Ara-C. In vitro experiments with various concentrations of Ara-C on patient cells prior to treatment suggest that patients may benefit from High Dose therapy when an increase in intracellular Ara-CTP occurred with higher extracellular concentrations of Ara-C. In patients with metabolically sensitive cells containing the necessary enzymes to activate Ara-C to Ara-CTP, where resistance is due to limited drug transport, High Dose therapy may prove beneficial. Conversely, in patients with no increase in Ara-CTP pools in vitro due to a depletion of activating enzymes, High Dose treatment may not be warranted. Therefore, it may be possible to determine patients most likely to benefit from High Dose chemotherapy by measuring pre-treatment in vitro intracellular Ara-CTP.

Reduction of daunomycin toxicity by razoxane

A single dose of 200 mg/kg razoxane protected mice against the subchronic lethal effects (i.e. within 21 days) of 10 mg/kg daunomycin. When the razoxane dose was split into 2 doses of 100 mg/kg, even better protection against higher doses of daunomycin was obtained. The best protective effect was seen when the razoxane was given 24 h before or simultaneously with the daunomycin, and it was still present, though less, 24 h later. Histopathological examination to determine the site of protection showed it to be in the small bowel. Marrow and cardiac tissue showed no evident changes when examined by light microscopy.

Traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the popliteal artery associated with a closed subtrochanteric fracture: report of a case

Major vascular injuries associated with closed fractures of the femur are rare. A 35-year-old man incurred a subtrochanteric fracture associated with an arterial injury distally. The femoral fracture type most likely to be associated with a major vascular injury is one near the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the bone. The mechanism involves tethering of the artery in the adductor hiatus. The location of the arterial injury is usually at the fracture site.

Laser resonators folded by diffraction gratings

A grating may be employed to fold a laser resonator, thereby enabling the simultaneous extraction of several frequencies from the laser. This limits the range of useful grating constants as compared to the Littrow case. The astigmatism introduced by the grating is examined through the use of sigma-circle diagrams. It will be seen that the grating performs an angle-dependent transformation on the sigma-circle representative of the plane of diffraction to make the mode astigmatic. Some consequences of this related to the design of similar resonators are discussed.