Lung Cancer Wherein Durvalumab Induced Both Anti-CRMP-5 Antibody-related Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Neurological Adverse Events

A 68-year-old man with small-cell lung cancer developed anti-collapsin response-mediator protein (CRMP)-5 antibody-related paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) presenting with ataxia and chorea during treatment with durvalumab. As a result of steroid therapy, anti-CRMP-5 antibodies became negative, hyperintense lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging disappeared, and neurological symptoms improved. After resuming durvalumab, he became unable to walk due to neurological adverse events (nAEs). There have been no reported cases manifesting PNSs and nAEs as a result of the same immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) administered at different times. Resuming ICIs in patients diagnosed with PNSs should be performed with prudence.

A Case of Liver Cancer with Overlapping Myasthenia Gravis, Myocarditis, Seronegative Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy, and Myositis Symptoms Induced by Atezolizumab: A Case Report

An 83-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma developed muscle weakness, ptosis, and dyspnea 3 weeks after receiving atezolizumab. Soon after, mechanical ventilation was initiated, which was followed by marked blood pressure spikes. The levels of creatine kinase and troponin-I were significantly elevated, and acetylcholine receptor antibodies were positive. The patient was diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced myositis, myasthenia gravis (MG), myocarditis, and suspected autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG). After immunotherapy, the serum markers and blood pressure normalized, and he was weaned from the ventilator after five months. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of AAG secondary to ICI-induced myositis, MG, and myocarditis.

Production of Human Antithrombin-III in a Serum-free Culture of CHO Cells

A simple method was developed to establish serum-independent Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that grew and secreted high level of human antithrombin-III (AT-III). First, human AT-III and mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cDNAs were transfected into DHFR-deficient CHO cells. Transfected cells were treated with increasing concentrations of methotrexate (MTX) and clones secreting high levels of AT-III (10-20 micrograms/ml/3 day) in a serum-containing medium were obtained. Serum-independent clones were derived from the serum-dependent clones by simply culturing the cells for a few weeks in a serum-free medium. In a serum-free medium the established serum-independent clones grew at normal rate and produced almost equivalent amount of AT-III to that of the serum-dependent, parent clones. In addition, AT-III from the serum-independent clones has specific activity similar to that of plasma-derived AT-III.

Clinical features of 215 stage I ovarian tumors in Japanese women

PURPOSE

Differences of the clinical features of Stage I borderline ovarian tumors and Stage I ovarian cancer need to be clarified.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 215 patients with Stage I ovarian tumors (67 with borderline tumors and 148 with ovarian cancer) treated between 1988 and 2001.

RESULTS

Only one patient with a borderline tumor developed recurrence, while recurrence was found in 20 patients with Stage I ovarian cancer. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between patients with Stage Ia or Ib ovarian cancer and those with Stage Ic cancer (p = 0.007). Clear cell adenocarcinoma showed a higher recurrence rate. Among our patients with recurrence, only five in whom the recurrent tumor could be surgically resected are currently alive and disease-free.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the low aggressiveness of Stage I borderline ovarian tumors and high aggressiveness of Stage Ic ovarian cancer or clear cell adenocarcinoma. In patients with recurrence, surgical resection may improve survival.

Differential roles of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 in neutrophil transendothelial migration in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Little information is currently available on the contribution of locally generated inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines to endothelial cell activation and subsequent neutrophil transendothelial migration in patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastritis.

METHODS

The contents of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-8 in the organ culture supernatants of antral mucosal tissues were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of the endogenous IL-1beta and IL-8 in mucosal tissues on neutrophil adherence and transendothelial migration were investigated using an experimental model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

RESULTS

The contents of IL-1beta and IL-8 in organ cultures of antral mucosal tissues were significantly higher in patients with H. pylori infection than in those without infection. The organ culture supernatants from H. pylori-positive patients induced the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA in HUVEC with increased binding of neutrophils, and these stimulatory effects were inhibited when HUVEC were pretreated with a nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor, MG-132. Moreover, neutrophil adherence to HUVEC induced by the supernatants decreased after preincubation with neutralizing anti-IL-1beta antibody. As compared with the supernatants from H. pylori-negative patients, the samples from H. pylori-positive patients exhibited a significantly higher chemotactic activity for neutrophils, which was inhibited almost completely by preincubation of the supernatants with anti-IL-8 antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

Locally generated IL-1beta and IL-8 could coordinate with each other during the process of neutrophil infiltration into the gastric mucosa in patients with H. pylori infection.

Somatic mutations of the PTEN/NMAC1 gene associated with frequent chromosomal loss detected using comparative genomic hybridization in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed the mutational status of the transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGF beta RII), BAX, and PTEN/MMAC1 genes as well as microsatellite instability (MI) in 29 consecutive cases of endometrial carcinoma operated on at the Cancer Institute Hospital (Tokyo, Japan). To identify chromosomal loss associated with significant somatic mutations, we conducted comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a direct sequence for mutational analysis of these genes. To examine copy number loss at the chromosomal regions bearing these genes, we used CGH analysis. CGH analysis may provides a genome-wide overview about tumor-associated genomic imbalances.

RESULTS

Among nine tumors that showed the MI+ phenotype, four (44%) demonstrated a significant mutation with a definite amino acid change in the PTEN/MMAC1 gene. CGH analysis demonstrated that all four tumors (100%) showed chromosomal copy number loss around the locus of this gene, whereas four (57%) of seven tumors with PTEN/MMAC1 mutations showed chromosomal loss or double mutations in MI- carcinomas. The role of TGF beta RII and BAX genes is limited as a target gene of MI+ phenotype in endometrial cancer, because several mutations of these genes were detected but a chromosomal loss was demonstrated by CGH in only one tumor in MI+ endometrial cancers with mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

This report reveals, by using CGH, that most MI+ endometrial cancers with PTEN/MMAC1 mutations as well as MI- tumors showed inactivation of both alleles of this gene, which strongly suggested the involvement of this gene in carcinogenesis.

Evaluation of carbon-11 labeled KF15372 and its ethyl and methyl derivatives as a potential CNS adenosine A1 receptor ligand

We prepared [11C]KF15372 ([1-propyl-11C]8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, refs 10, 13) as well as its 11C-ethyl and 11C-methyl derivatives ([11C]EPDX and [11C]MPDX), and examined the potential of the three compounds as PET ligands for CNS adenosine A1 receptors. The three compounds had high affinity for the A1 receptors in vitro in the following order; [11C]EPDX > [11C]KF15372 > [11C]MPDX. In mice, the highest initial brain uptake was found in [11C]MPDX followed by [11C]EPDX and [11C]KF15372, but the level of [11C]MPDX decreased faster than those of the other two compounds. The uptake of each compound was decreased by carrier KF15372, but not by an A2A antagonist, indicating the selective affinity for the A1 receptors. Autoradiography with [11C]MPDX ex vivo demonstrated decreased A1 receptor binding in the superior colliculus of rats deprived of retino-collicular fibers by contralateral eye enucleation. These results show that three compounds have potential as PET ligands for CNS adenosine A1 receptors.

Carbon-11-labeled KF15372: a potential central nervous system adenosine A1 receptor ligand

The carbon-11-labeled selective adenosine A1 antagonist KF15372 ([1-propyl-11C]8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine) was elevated in vivo as a PET ligand for mapping CNS adenosine A1 receptors.

METHODS

The regional brain distribution of [11C]KF15372 and the effects of adenosine antagonists on the distribution were determined in mice by tissue sampling. In rats, in which the retinal projection fibres to the superior colliculus had degenerated due to unilateral eye removal, the brain distribution of [11C]KF15372 was visualized by ex vivo autoradiography.

RESULTS

The mouse brain uptake of [11C]KF15372 was 1.8% i.d./g at 5 min and then it gradually decreased. The uptake was high in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, striatum and cerebellum, and was significantly reduced by A1 antagonists but not by A2 antagonists. The brain distribution of 11C assessed by the tissue sampling and autoradiography was compatible with that of the A1 receptors. Autoradiography clearly visualized unilaterally decreased A1 receptor binding in the superior colliculus.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that [11C]KF15372 is a selective and high-affinity adenosine A1 receptor ligand and is useful for detecting the degeneration of presynaptic neurons.

Synthesis and evaluation of 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [11C]KF17643

For imaging CNS 5-HT3 receptors by PET, a high affinity 5-HT3 receptor ligand, endo-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl 2-(n-propyloxy)-4-quinolinecarboxylate (KF17643), have been labeled with 11C. N-Methylation of the desmethyl compound with [11C]methyl iodide followed by HPLC separation produced [11C]KF17643 with the decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 19-28%, the specific activity of 7.5-49 GBq/mumol and the radiochemical purity of > 99% at 35-40 min from EOB. After i.v. injection of [11C]KF17643 into mice, it was taken by the brain at a high level and was stable for metabolism, but no sign for the 5-HT3 receptor selectivity was found in the brain tissues by the tissue sampling and autoradiography, probably because of large non-specific binding. The [11C]KF17643 was not suitable as a PET ligand for mapping the CNS 5-HT3 receptors.

Multitracer study on uptake and excretion of trace elements in rats

The multitracer technique was first applied to the investigation of the uptake and excretion behaviour of trace elements in rats. A multitracer solution, prepared by irradiation of a gold target with a 14N-beam from the RIKEN Ring Cyclotron, was orally administered to male Wistar rats. The uptake and excretion rates of 23 elements, Be, Mn, Co, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, W, Re, Ir and Pt, were simultaneously determined under strictly identical experimental conditions. For some of the elements, the results obtained were consistent with previous reports on uptake and excretion of the elements in animals. For the other elements, unique behaviour was revealed for the first time as described in the present work. These results show that the multitracer technique has excellent reliability and versatility for a comparative study of the uptake and excretion of many different elements in animals.

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of [11C]KF15372, a selective adenosine A1 antagonist

As a radioligand for mapping the presynaptic adenosine A1 receptors in the central nervous system by PET, [1-propyl-11C]8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine ([11C]KF15372), a selective adenosine A1 antagonist, was prepared by the reaction of 8-dicyclopropylmethyl-3-propylxanthine and [11C]propyl iodide with decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 5% based on the [11C]propyl iodide, radiochemical purity of > 99%, sp. at. of 10-56 GBq/mumol and preparation time of 45-55 min. Another 11C-labeled A1 antagonist with much lower affinity for the A1 receptors, 7-[11C]methyl-KF15372 ([11C]KF17109), was also prepared using [11C]methyl iodide with a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of > 50%. In mice, the brain uptake of [11C]KF15372 (1.91% ID/g at 5 min) decreased gradually with time. Carrier KF15372 competitively reduced the brain uptake to a level (43% of the control) comparable to the brain uptake of [11C]KF17109. On the other hand, an A2 antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine showed no effect on the brain uptake of [11C]KF15372. The results show that [11C]KF15372 has potential as a PET radioligand for mapping the adenosine A1 receptors and that [11C]KF17109 may be a reference compound reflecting the non-specific uptake of the [11C]KF15372.

High K-ras mutation rates in goblet-cell-type adenocarcinomas of the lungs

Adenocarcinomas of the lungs show a variable histology. We have subclassified such lesions into five cell types: hobnail, columnar, polygonal, mixed and goblet cell types, and investigated their relationships with K-ras mutations. Codons 12, 13 and 61 of the K-ras gene in 120 surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinomas were examined by the mutation-allele-specific amplification method. Point mutations were observed in 10% of the adenocarcinomas limited to K-ras codon 12 and the commonest base substitution (nine cases) was a G to T transversion. Of the five types, goblet cell lesions demonstrated the highest mutation index, which at 100% (6/6) was significantly different from that of all other cell types. No relationship between K-ras mutation and cigarette smoking was observed. From these findings, it appears that development of goblet-cell-type adenocarcinomas of the lung may involve different carcinogenic mechanisms from adenocarcinomas of other subtypes.

Oral immunoadjuvant activity of lipophilic derivatives of N-acetylglucosaminyl-beta(1-->4)-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamin yl-(L)- 2,6-meso-diaminopimeric acid-(D)-amide

Twenty-four kinds of the acylated, amidated or esterified derivatives of N-acetylglucosaminyl (GlcNAc)-beta(1-->4)-N-acetylmuramyl (MurNAc)-L-alanyl (Ala)-D-isoglutaminyl (isoGln)-(L)-meso-2,6-diaminopimeric acid (A2pm)-(D)-amide (GMP3-A) which were prepared by chemical modifications of an enzymatic hydrolysate of Lactobacillus plantarum cell-wall peptidoglycans were examined for oral adjuvant activity by gastric intubation with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in liposomes into BALB/c mice. The gastric intubation of GlcNAc-beta(1-->4)-MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln-(L)- stearoyl-(D)-meso-A2pm-(D)-amide-(L)-O-octyl, -nonyl and -dodecyl esters exhibited the most marked oral adjuvant activity in terms of enhanced production of serum anti-BSA IgG antibody. Some derivatives showed a less marked adjuvanticity and others were totally inactive. Thus the oral adjuvanticity of test lipophilic derivatives of GMP3-A in liposomes was dependent upon their chemical structure.

Chiral separation of diniconazole, uniconazole and structurally related compounds by cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Enantiomeric separation of the structural analogs, diniconazole and uniconazole, can be achieved by cyclodextrin (CD)-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The elution behavior of other structurally related compounds was therefore investigated and compared with that in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a CD-bonded stationary phase. From the results, it was concluded that the benzene ring of the solute plays an important role in formation of CD complexes and chiral recognition in MEKC as well as in HPLC, although the enantioselectivity with the two methods was different. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data revealed different CD effects on the solute between the MEKC and HPLC models.

Determination of organic acids in urine by capillary zone electrophoresis

The simultaneous measurement of organic acids was studied using capillary electrophoresis with direct measurement of UV absorption at 185 nm. The organic acids studied were oxalic, formic, malonic, fumaric, succinic, alpha-ketoglutaric, citric, acetic, pyruvic, lactic, isovaleric and hippuric acid. They were separated in a fused-silica capillary (100 cm x 75 microm I.D.) filled with 50 mM borax buffer (pH 10.0) containing cationic surfactant as the electroosmotic flow modifier. The method was successfully applied to the determination of organic acids in urine in comparison with an organic acid analyser.

Long cellular repeats flanking a defective HTLV-I provirus: implication for site-targeted integration

Retroviruses generally integrate as proviruses which are flanked by long-terminal repeats (LTRs) on both 5' and 3' ends. Since these LTRs are required for the efficient integration mediated by the viral integrase, it is believed that defective proviruses with a single LTR are normally formed by deletion after integration. However, we found no deletion of cellular sequences around the integration site of such a defective HTLV-1. Rather, we identified 99 bp-long direct repeats adjacent to both ends of the defective provirus. The repeated cellular sequences contained a potential poly(A) signal followed by a retroviral primer-binding-site-like sequence. The presence of the direct repeats of cellular sequences can be explained by the integration of the defective virus through homologous recombination between cellular and viral read-through sequences.

Evaluation of oral anticoagulant therapy by measuring plasma prothrombin fragment 1 + 2

To assess the degree of haemostatic system activation, plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), a direct indicator for thrombin generation in vivo, were measured in 49 patients with thrombotic disease undergoing long-term warfarin therapy (Thrombotest values < or = 40%). In these patients, vitamin K dependent coagulation factors (factors II, VII, IX and X) were decreased together with the anticoagulant proteins C and S, but the mean plasma concentration of F1 + 2 was significantly decreased compared with 48 healthy subjects. In warfarin-treated patients, F1 + 2 was positively correlated with the Thrombotest value, factors II, VII, IX and X. When analysed according to the intensity of anticoagulation, patients with Thrombotest values less than 30% showed a significant decrease in F1 + 2, but the mean F1 + 2 level was normal in patients with Thrombotests higher than 30%. These findings indicate that long-term oral anticoagulant therapy suppresses thrombin generation approximately in parallel to the decrease in coagulation factors, and levels of F1 + 2 lower than healthy subjects are observed when Thrombotest values are less than 30%.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev function by a Rev mutant which interferes with nuclear/nucleolar localization of Rev

A nonfunctional mutant of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev was created by deleting seven amino acid residues within the nucleolar targeting signal. This mutant Rev remained in the cytoplasm in expressed cells and strongly inhibited the function of Rev by interfering with the nuclear/nucleolar localization of coexpressed Rev. These findings strongly suggest the multimerization of Rev in the cytoplasm before migration to the nucleus/nucleolus, where wild-type Rev functions as a trans-regulator.

Functional conversion from HIV-1 Rev to HTLV-1 Rex by mutation

A nucleolar localizing rev gene mutant M10 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) lost a Rev function completely, instead, gained a Rex activity of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The obtained compatibility between Rev M10 and Rex with their own nucleolar targeting signal (NOS) suggests a common molecular mechanism of their post-transcriptional regulation, despite no sequence similarities of both proteins and their responsive RNA elements, respectively.

Mutational analysis of structure--activity relationships in human tumor necrosis factor-alpha

To determine the region of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), essential for cytotoxic activity against mouse L-M cells, single amino-acid-substituted TNF-alpha mutant proteins (muteins) were produced in Escherichia coli by protein engineering techniques. An expression plasmid for TNF-alpha was mutagenized by passage through an E. coli mutD5 mutator strain and by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Approximately 100 single amino-acid-substituted TNF-alpha muteins were produced and assayed for cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxic activities of purified TNF-alpha muteins, e.g. TNF-31T, -32Y, -82D, -85H, -115L, -141Y, -144K and -146E, were less than 1% of that of parent TNF-alpha. These results indicate that the integrity of at least four distinct regions of the TNF-alpha molecule is required for full biological activity. These regions are designated as follows: region I, from position 30 to 32; region II, from position 82 to 89; region III, from position 115 to 117; region IV, from position 141 to 146. In addition, TNF-141Y could not completely compete with parent TNF-alpha for binding to the receptor. This demonstrates that region IV, and at least aspartic acid at position 141, must be involved in the TNF receptor binding site.

Functional protein-polysaccharide conjugate prepared by controlled dry-heating of ovalbumin-dextran mixtures

A functional ovalbumin-dextran conjugate was prepared by dry-heated storage at 60 degrees C and 65% relative humidity for 3 weeks. The emulsifying properties of the ovalbumin-dextran conjugate were about three times higher than those of an ovalbumin-glucose conjugate. SDS-electrophoresis patterns showed that the ovalbumin-dextran conjugate obtained by dry-heating was not as polydispersed as that obtained by cyanogen bromide-activated dextran. The average molecular weight of the ovalbumin-dextran conjugate was about 200,000. The excellent emulsifying properties of ovalbumin-dextran conjugate were maintained even at pH 3 and were further improved at pH 10. In addition, the emulsifying properties of the ovalbumin-dextran conjugate were greatly enhanced by preheating the conjugate at 100 degrees C. Thus, it is suggested that an ovalbumin-dextran conjugate prepared by controlled dry-heating can be used as a macromolecular emulsifier for food applications.

Production and characterization of recombinant human neutrophil chemotactic factor

A putative mature human neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) corresponding to the C-terminal 72 amino acids of its precursor was directly produced in Escherichia coli by recombinant DNA technology. Human NCF was present in both the soluble and insoluble protein fractions of the homogenate of host cells, and it was partially purified as a water-soluble polypeptide from both fractions, separately. The partially purified NCF preparation was highly purified to an endotoxin-free homogeneous polypeptide by means of CM-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography and gel filtration on Toyopearl HW-55. No difference between the human NCF preparations purified from both starting materials could be found concerning purity, primary structure, solubility, molecular weight, and chemotactic activity for human neutrophils. The amino acid sequence of recombinant human NCF was identical to the sequence deduced from the cDNA sequence. A methionine residue due to the translation initiation codon was removed. Recombinant human NCF was found to be biologically active and to exhibit chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in vitro and cause a neutrophil infiltration in vivo in mice.

Differential determination of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha and its deamidated derivative by two sandwich enzyme immunoassays using monoclonal antibodies. Comparison with a polyclonal antibody-based competitive enzyme immunoassay

Using three different monoclonal antibodies (McAb no. 374, no. 964 and no. 1190) to human interleukin-1 alpha (rHu-IL-1 alpha), we have established two sandwich enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to differentiate rHu-IL-1 alpha and its deamidated derivative (rHu-Asp36-IL-1 alpha) where the asparagine at position 36 (counting from the N-terminus) of rHu-IL-1 alpha is converted to Asp. The McAb no. 1190 reacts specifically with rHu-IL-alpha and not with the rHu-Asp36-IL-1 alpha whereas both no. 374 and no. 964 can react with the two different forms of rHu-IL-1 alpha. The first EIA (S-EIA I) which uses the McAb no. 964 labelled with horse-radish peroxidase and the McAb no. 1190 fixed to the microtiter plate, only measure rHu-IL-1 alpha. The second EIA (S-EIA II) which uses enzyme labelled no. 964 and no. 374 fixed to the plate, can detect both rHu-IL-1 alpha and rHu-Asp36-IL-1 alpha and this assay of total rHu-IL-1 alpha is comparable to a competitive EIA using an enzyme-labelled rHu-IL-1 alpha and an anti-rHu-IL-1 alpha polyclonal antibody. Thus, the level of rHu-Asp36-IL-1 alpha in the samples containing the two IL-1 alpha s can be calculated by subtracting the level measured by S-EIA I from that measured by S-EIA II. The two EIA systems with an assay range of 1.5-100 ng/ml do not recognize IL-1 beta, IL-2, rHu-TNF alpha, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma of human origin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cloning and characterization of the cDNAs for human and rabbit interleukin-1 precursor

DNA sequence complementary to the mRNA for rabbit interleukin-1 precursor (preIL-1) has been cloned from the cDNA library constructed using partially purified poly(A)+RNA from induced rabbit alveolar macrophages by mRNA hybridization-translation assay. By using this cDNA as a probe, human IL-1 cDNA was isolated from the cDNA library prepared using poly(A)+RNA from induced HL-60 cells, a human monocyte-like cell line. The amino acid sequences of the human and rabbit preIL-1 deduced from the cDNA sequences reveal their primary structures which consists of 271 and 267 amino acid residues, respectively. The amino acid sequence is 64% conserved between human and rabbit. The difference in number of amino acid residues results from the carboxy-terminal extention of 4 amino acid residues in human preIL-1. Expression of the cloned human cDNA in E. coli yielded biologically active IL-1.

Antibiotic A-16316-C, a new water-soluble basic antibiotic

A new water-soluble basic antibiotic named antibiotic A-16316-C was isolated together with antibiotic A-396-I and hygromycin B from a streptomyces strain identified as Streptoverticullium eurocidicus. The properties of the antibiotic A-16316-C were similar to those of destomycin B. But it was found that the antibiotic A-16316-C was not identical with destomycin B on the basis of NMR analysis. On acidic degradation antibiotic A-16136-C gave N, N'-dimethyl-2-deoxystreptamine, destomic acid and D-mannose. The gross structure for antibiotic A-16136-C was deduced from chemical reactions and spectral data.