Brain growth retardation due to the expression of human insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 in transgenic mice: an in vivo model for the analysis of igf function in the brain

Three lines of transgenic (Tg) mice carrying a fusion gene linking the mouse metallothionein-I promoter to a cDNA encoding human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (hIGFBP-1) were found to express the transgene in brain. As judged by comparing Tg brain weights to those of non-transgenic littermates, adult hemizygotic Tg mice of each line exhibited brain growth retardation (16.2%, 14.4% and 8.1% reductions in weight, respectively in each line). In two lines, total brain DNA and protein content were decreased. Further analysis indicated that the brain growth retardation was manifested in the second week of postnatal life. Given that the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) stimulate cell proliferation and/or survival in neural cultures and that hIGFBP-1, when present in a molar excess, inhibits IGF interactions with their cell surface receptors, the brain growth retardation in hIGFBP-1 Tg mice likely results from hIGFBP-1 inhibition of IGF-stimulated growth-promoting actions. These hIGFBP-1 Tg mice should prove useful in defining IGF actions during postnatal brain maturation.

Human insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (hIGFBP-1) in transgenic mice: characterization and insights into the regulation of IGFBP-1 expression

Three hemizygous transgenic (Tg) mouse lines were generated with a fusion gene composed of the mouse metallothionein promoter (mMT-I) and a full-length human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (hIGFBP-1) complementary DNA that was truncated in its 3'-untranslated region. Despite high serum hIGFBP-1 levels (120-2570 micrograms/liter) before puberty in two of these lines, no significant alterations were observed in somatic growth, nor were marked alterations noted in fasting or random serum glucose or in the response of young adult Tg mice to ip glucose. The transgene was expressed in a number of tissues from each line, but liver was a significant site of transgene expression in only one line. Unexpectedly, liver hIGFBP-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in this line was regulated in fashion similar to the native liver IGFBP-1 mRNA: 1) its abundance waned with advancing postnatal age and became minimal in early adult life, despite continuous zinc supplementation to stimulate its transcription; and 2) fasting increased its abundance 3- to 4.3-fold. The decline in transgene expression with aging was not due to a deletion, rearrangement, or a change in the methylation of liver transgene DNA. Transcriptional mechanisms also were not likely to account for the observed regulation of the transgene mRNA, because liver expression of the mMT-I gene, which shares identical genomic 5'-regulatory elements with the transgene, was not similarly altered by aging or fasting. Because cycloheximide (CHX) treatment of cultured rat H4IIE cells has been shown to prolong IGFBP-1 mRNA half-life while decreasing its transcription, Tg mice were treated with CHX to test the possibility that instability of the liver transgene mRNA influenced its abundance. After CHX and under conditions of chronic zinc supplementation, liver transgene mRNA abundance increased in parallel with that of the native IGFBP-1 mRNA. Although CHX is known to activate mMT-I transcription by mechanisms involving the 5'-regulatory regions contained in the transgene, CHX-induced transcription only in part accounted for the increase in liver transgene mRNA, because CHX induced an earlier and greater increase in liver transgene mRNA than in mMT-I mRNA. Taken together, these data indicate that both transgene and native IGFBP-1 liver mRNA are regulated by factors that alter mRNA stability. The finding that native liver IGFBP-1 mRNA abundance is influenced by transgene expression further supports the concept that both mRNAs share some common mechanisms of regulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Subunit interaction in the CCAAT-binding heteromeric complex is mediated by a very short alpha-helix in HAP2

We dissected the domain of HAP2 that mediates subunit association in the heteromeric CCAAT-binding complex, first by genetic mutational analysis and then by structural studies. The mutational data suggest that a very short region in HAP2 mediates protein-protein association and that the structure of this domain is likely to be an alpha-helix. The CD analyses of a 15-residue synthetic oligopeptide covering this region confirm this surmise. The oligopeptide indeed formed an unusually thermal stable alpha-helix in aqueous solution. Eight amino acids that lie along one face of this helix, including three arginines, are found to be critical for protein-protein association. The partner that interacts with this helical motif is likely to be another subunit in the HAP complex, since the CCAAT-binding factor is shown to contain one molecule of HAP2. Our results suggest that very short regions in proteins can encode precise structures and mediate stable and specific protein-protein recognition and interactions.

Synthesis of 2,6-diazido-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine 3',5'-bisphosphate: incorporation into transfer RNA and photochemical labeling of Escherichia coli ribosomes

2,6-Diazido-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine was prepared by the reaction of 2,6-dichloro-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine with sodium azide. The nucleoside was bisphosphorylated with pyrophosphoryl chloride to form 2,6-diazido-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine 3',5'-bisphosphate. This product was labeled with 32P using T4 polynucleotide kinase to exchange the 5' phosphate with the gamma phosphate of [gamma-32P]ATP. When yeast tRNA(Phe) containing 2,6-diazido-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine at the 3' terminus was bound to the P site of the Escherichia coli ribosome in the presence of poly(U) and irradiated with 300-nm light, the photoreactive tRNA derivative became cross-linked exclusively to the 50S subunit. The label was attached to proteins L27 and L33 as well as to the 23S rRNA.

Mutations in yeast HAP2/HAP3 define a hybrid CCAAT box binding domain

We describe a detailed genetic analysis of the DNA-binding regions in the HAP2/HAP3 CCAAT-binding heteromeric complex. The DNA-binding domain of HAP2 is shown to be a 21 residue region containing three critical histidines and three critical arginines. Mutation of an arginine at position 199 to leucine alters the DNA-binding specificity of the complex to favor CCAAC over CCAAT. Residues in HAP3 that are critical for DNA-binding comprise a short, seven amino acid region. Three different mutations in the HAP2 DNA-binding domain are suppressed by a mutation in the HAP3 DNA-binding domain. This HAP3 mutation also suppresses mutations in a different region of HAP2 which promotes subunit assembly of the complex. These findings suggest that short regions of HAP2 and HAP3 comprise a hybrid DNA-binding domain and that this domain can help hold the two subunits together in the CCAAT-binding complex.

Transformation-sensitive cells in G2/M-phase are not promoted by TPA following 137Cs gamma-rays

Mouse C3H 10T1/2 cells are most sensitive to radiation-induced neoplastic transformation in the G2/M-phase of the cell cycle. When synchronized 10T1/2 cells were exposed to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) after irradiation, transformation of cells not in the transformation-sensitive window was enhanced, but transformation of cells already in the transformation-sensitive window was not. Earlier work showed that (a) TPA enhances the frequency of transformation of both high and low dose-rate gamma-irradiated cells by about the same factor, but that (b) TPA enhances the transformation of cells exposed to low dose-rate fission spectrum neutrons appreciably less than cells exposed to high dose-rate fission spectrum neutrons. The latter observation is consistent with the inability of TPA to promote cells in the transformation-sensitive window and with the role of such cells in enhancing transformation by protracted doses of neutrons. The data provide a cellular basis for studying the biochemical/molecular aspects of TPA promotion in vitro.

Nuclear RNA tracks: structural basis for transcription and splicing?

Knowledge of how the biochemical machineries governing metabolism and transport of several distinct classes of RNA may be organized and integrated into the structure of the nucleus remains very limited. Recent observations, including advances in the detection of specific nucleotide sequences directly within the nucleus, have heightened the long-standing interest in the structural organization of pre-mRNA transcription and processing.

Oxygen radicals as second messengers for expression of the monocyte chemoattractant protein, JE/MCP-1, and the monocyte colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1, in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha and immunoglobulin G. Evidence for involvement of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent oxidase

The potential involvement of reactive oxygen species in the expression of genes involved in immune response was examined in mesangial cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and aggregated (aggr.) IgG increased mRNA levels for the monocyte chemoattractant protein, JE/MCP-1, and the colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1. Scavengers for free radicals such as di- and tetra-methylthiourea (DMTU and TMTU) attenuated the increase in mRNA levels in response to TNF-alpha and aggr. IgG. Generation of superoxide anion by xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine increased mRNA levels of these genes, but exogenous H2O2 did not. Addition of NADPH to activate a membrane-bound NADPH-oxidase generated superoxide and caused a dose-dependent increase in mRNA levels and further enhanced the stimulation by TNF-alpha or aggr. IgG. An inhibitor of NADPH-dependent oxidase 4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy-acetophenone attenuated the rise in mRNA levels in response to TNF-alpha and aggr. IgG. By nuclear run-on experiments TNF-alpha, aggr. IgG and NADPH increased the transcription rates for JE/MCP-1 and CSF-1, effects inhibited by TMTU. We conclude that generation of reactive oxygen species, possibly by NADPH-dependent oxidase, are involved in the induction of the JE/MCP-1 and CSF-1 genes by TNF-alpha and IgG complexes. The concerted expression of leukocyte-directed cytokines represents a general response to tissue injury.

Higher level organization of individual gene transcription and RNA splicing

Visualization of fibronectin and neurotensin messenger RNAs within mammalian interphase nuclei was achieved by fluorescence hybridization with genomic, complementary DNA, and intron-specific probes. Unspliced transcripts accumulated in one or two sites per nucleus. Fibronectin RNA frequently accumulated in elongated tracks that overlapped and extended well beyond the site of transcription. Splicing appears to occur directly within this RNA track, as evidenced by an unambiguous spatial separation of intron-containing and spliced transcripts. Excised introns for neurotensin RNA appear free to diffuse. The transcription and processing site of the fibronectin gene localized to the nuclear interior and was associated with larger transcript domains in over 88 percent of the cells. These results support a view of nuclear function closely integrated with structure.

The human XIST gene: analysis of a 17 kb inactive X-specific RNA that contains conserved repeats and is highly localized within the nucleus

X chromosome inactivation in mammalian females results in the cis-limited transcriptional inactivity of most of the genes on one X chromosome. The XIST gene is unique among X-linked genes in being expressed exclusively from the inactive X chromosome. Human XIST cDNAs containing at least eight exons and totaling 17 kb have been isolated and sequenced within the region on the X chromosome known to contain the X inactivation center. The XIST gene includes several tandem repeats, the most 5' of which are evolutionarily conserved. The gene does not contain any significant conserved ORFs and thus does not appear to encode a protein, suggesting that XIST may function as a structural RNA within the nucleus. Consistent with this, fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments demonstrate localization of XIST RNA within the nucleus to a position indistinguishable from the X inactivation-associated Barr body.

The Ribosomal Database Project

The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) complies ribosomal sequences and related data, and redistributes them in aligned and phylogenetically ordered form to its user community. It also offers various software packages for handling, analyzing and displaying sequences. In addition, the RDP offers (or will offer) certain analytic services. At present the project is in an intermediate stage of development.

Killing of virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis by reactive nitrogen intermediates produced by activated murine macrophages

Tuberculosis remains one of the major infectious causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, yet the mechanisms by which macrophages defend against Mycobacterium tuberculosis have remained obscure. Results from this study show that murine macrophages, activated by interferon gamma, and lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor alpha, both growth inhibit and kill M. tuberculosis. This antimycobacterial effect, demonstrable both in murine macrophage cell lines and in peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice, is independent of the macrophage capacity to generate reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Both the ROI-deficient murine macrophage cell line D9, and its ROI-generating, parental line J774.16, expressed comparable antimycobacterial activity upon activation. In addition, the oxygen radical scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, mannitol, and diazabicyclooctane had no effect on the antimycobacterial activity of macrophages. These findings, together with the results showing the relative resistance of M. tuberculosis to enzymatically generated H2O2, suggest that ROI are unlikely to be significantly involved in killing M. tuberculosis. In contrast, the antimycobacterial activity of these macrophages strongly correlates with the induction of the L-arginine-dependent generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). The effector molecule(s) that could participate in mediating this antimycobacterial function are toxic RNI, including NO, NO2, and HNO2, as demonstrated by the mycobacteriocidal effect of acidified NO2. The oxygen radical scavenger SOD adventitiously perturbs RNI production, and cannot be used to discriminate between cytocidal mechanisms involving ROI and RNI. Overall, our results provide support for the view that the L-arginine-dependent production of RNI is the principal effector mechanism in activated murine macrophages responsible for killing and growth inhibiting virulent M. tuberculosis.

Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum: decline of antibodies against diagnostic adult worm antigens (Sm31/32) following praziquantel treatment of mice

Mice were infected with 10, 100 or 200 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni or S. japonicum and treated between one and two months later with two doses of praziquantel. At this time, the animals had high levels of antibodies against the adult worm proteins Sm31/32 (schistosome cathepsin B and haemoglobinase). Antibody levels were followed up for about one more year by Western blots and ELISA using purified Sm31/32. Among the 34 surviving mice perfused at the end of the experiments, 14 had between 1 and 4 and one mouse had 8 residual stunted worms. In most mice without detectable worms, anti-Sm31/32 antibodies started to drop within a few months after therapy. In other animals of this group and in those harbouring residual worms, the decrease in titers was not observed or less pronounced. Thus, the presence of even one stunted worm was sufficient to induce continued high titres of antibodies. Decreasing levels of antibody against Sm31/32, however, reflected complete elimination of schistosomes.

[Studies on the mutagenicity of vesnarinone]

The mutagenicity of domestic Vesnarinone (OPC-8212) was studied by Ames test, micronucleus test of NIH mouse bone marrow and chromosome aberration assay in CHL cells. Negative results were obtained, which suggested that OPC-8212 did not induce prokaryotic cell gene mutation or chromosome damage both in vitro and in vivo.

Physical and biological properties of cyclopolymers related to DIVEMA ("pyran copolymer")

A series of copolymers related in structure to the 1:2 alternating cyclocopolymer of divinyl ether and maleic anhydride (DIVEMA) have been shown to possess antitumor properties. The synthesis and structures of these copolymers are discussed, and their effectiveness as antitumor agents is presented. Certain of the copolymers have been prepared in controlled molecular weight ranges using chain transfer agents, and the resultant copolymers finally fractionated via use of solvent-nonsolvent systems. These samples of narrow molecular weight distribution have been evaluated for their antitumor properties and have been found to be quite effective.