Triacylglycerol synthesis enzymes mediate lipid droplet growth by relocalizing from the ER to lipid droplets

Lipid droplets (LDs) store metabolic energy and membrane lipid precursors. With excess metabolic energy, cells synthesize triacylglycerol (TG) and form LDs that grow dramatically. It is unclear how TG synthesis relates to LD formation and growth. Here, we identify two LD subpopulations: smaller LDs of relatively constant size, and LDs that grow larger. The latter population contains isoenzymes for each step of TG synthesis. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 4 (GPAT4), which catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step, relocalizes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to a subset of forming LDs, where it becomes stably associated. ER-to-LD targeting of GPAT4 and other LD-localized TG synthesis isozymes is required for LD growth. Key features of GPAT4 ER-to-LD targeting and function in LD growth are conserved between Drosophila and mammalian cells. Our results explain how TG synthesis is coupled with LD growth and identify two distinct LD subpopulations based on their capacity for localized TG synthesis.

Hypothalamic expression of ART, a novel gene related to agouti, is up-regulated in obese and diabetic mutant mice

We have isolated cDNA clones that encode a novel human gene related to agouti. Sequence analysis of this gene, named ART, for agouti-related transcript, predicts a 132-amino-acid protein that is 25% identical to human agouti. The highest degree of identity is within the carboxyl terminus of both proteins. Like agouti, ART contains a putative signal sequence and a cysteine rich carboxyl terminus, but lacks the region of basic residues and polyproline residues found in the middle of the agouti protein. Both agouti and ART contain 11 cysteines, and 9 of these are conserved spatially. ART is expressed primarily in the adrenal gland, subthalamic nucleus, and hypothalamus, with a lower level of expression occurring in testis, lung, and kidney. The murine homolog of ART was also isolated and is predicted to encode a 131-amino-acid protein that shares 81% amino acid identity to humans. The mouse was found to have the same expression pattern as human when assessed by RT-PCR. Examination by in situ hybridization using mouse tissues showed localized expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, the median eminence, and the adrenal medulla. In addition, the hypothalamic expression of ART was elevated approximately 10-fold in ob/ob and db/db mice. ART was mapped to human chromosome 16q22 and to mouse chromosome 8D1-D2. The expression pattern and transcriptional regulation of ART, coupled with the known actions of agouti, suggests a role for ART in the regulation of melanocortin receptors within the hypothalamus and adrenal gland, and implicates this novel gene in the central control of feeding.

Epithelial IL-18 Equilibrium Controls Barrier Function in Colitis

The intestinal mucosal barrier controlling the resident microbiome is dependent on a protective mucus layer generated by goblet cells, impairment of which is a hallmark of the inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis. Here, we show that IL-18 is critical in driving the pathologic breakdown of barrier integrity in a model of colitis. Deletion of Il18 or its receptor Il18r1 in intestinal epithelial cells (Δ/EC) conferred protection from colitis and mucosal damage in mice. In contrast, deletion of the IL-18 negative regulator Il18bp resulted in severe colitis associated with loss of mature goblet cells. Colitis and goblet cell loss were rescued in Il18bp(-/-);Il18r(Δ/EC) mice, demonstrating that colitis severity is controlled at the level of IL-18 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells. IL-18 inhibited goblet cell maturation by regulating the transcriptional program instructing goblet cell development. These results inform on the mechanism of goblet cell dysfunction that underlies the pathology of ulcerative colitis.

Motion parallax as an independent cue for depth perception

The perspective transformations of the retinal image, produced by either the movement of an observer or the movement of objects in the visual world, were found to produce a reliable, consistent, and unambiguous impression of relative depth in the absence of all other cues to depth and distance. The stimulus displays consisted of computer-generated random-dot patterns that could be transformed by each movement of the observer or the display oscilloscope to simulate the relative movement information produced by a three-dimensional surface. Using a stereoscopic matching task, the second experiment showed that the perceived depth from parallax transformations is in close agreement with the degree of relative image displacement, as well as producing a compelling impression of three-dimensionality not unlike that found with random-dot stereograms.

Thyroid hormone inhibits lung fibrosis in mice by improving epithelial mitochondrial function

Thyroid hormone (TH) is critical for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis during stress responses, but its role in lung fibrosis is unknown. Here we found that the activity and expression of iodothyronine deiodinase 2 (DIO2), an enzyme that activates TH, were higher in lungs from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than in control individuals and were correlated with disease severity. We also found that Dio2-knockout mice exhibited enhanced bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Aerosolized TH delivery increased survival and resolved fibrosis in two models of pulmonary fibrosis in mice (intratracheal bleomycin and inducible TGF-β1). Sobetirome, a TH mimetic, also blunted bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. After bleomycin-induced injury, TH promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, improved mitochondrial bioenergetics and attenuated mitochondria-regulated apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells both in vivo and in vitro. TH did not blunt fibrosis in Ppargc1a- or Pink1-knockout mice, suggesting dependence on these pathways. We conclude that the antifibrotic properties of TH are associated with protection of alveolar epithelial cells and restoration of mitochondrial function and that TH may thus represent a potential therapy for pulmonary fibrosis.

Lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by myelin basic protein-specific T cell clones correlates with encephalitogenicity

Lymphokine activity in seven myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell clones was examined. All of the clones recognize MBP peptide 1-9 in the context of I-Au. A strong positive correlation was found between levels of lymphotoxin (LT) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA and biological activity on L929 cells and their capacity to induce paralysis, the clinical hallmark of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). No correlation was found between interleukin-2 or gamma interferon production and encephalitogenicity. LT and/or TNF-alpha may play a central role in the pathogenesis of EAE.

Similarities between motion parallax and stereopsis in human depth perception

Random dot techniques were used to investigate the human visual system's sensitivity to sinusoidal depth modulations specified by motion parallax information. Thresholds for perceiving depth were found to be smallest when the spatial frequency of the depth corrugations was between 0.2 and 0.5 c/deg visual angle. These data were compared with the equivalent thresholds for perceiving depth corrugations specified by binocular disparity using similar apparatus and psychophysical procedures. The similarity between the sensitivity functions is suggestive of a closer relationship between the two systems than has previously been thought.

Antibody targeting in metastatic colon cancer: a phase I study of monoclonal antibody F19 against a cell-surface protein of reactive tumor stromal fibroblasts

PURPOSE

To define the toxicity, imaging, and biodistribution characteristics of iodine 131-labeled monoclonal antibody F19 (131I-mAbF19). MAbF19 recognizes the fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a cell-surface glycoprotein not present in most normal tissues, but abundantly expressed by reactive stromal fibroblasts of epithelial cancers, including more than 95% of primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

131I-mAbF19 was administered intravenously to 17 patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma who were scheduled for resection of localized metastases or insertion of hepatic artery catheter for regional chemotherapy. Seven to 8 days before surgery, patients received 131I-mAbF19 at three dose levels, with at least four patients entered at each level.

RESULTS

No toxicity associated with intravenous 131I-mAbF19 administration was observed. Tumor images were obtained on planar and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) scans in 15 of 17 patients with hepatic metastases, tumor-infiltrated portal lymph nodes, and/or recurrent pelvic disease. The smallest lesion visualized was 1 cm in diameter. The optimal time for tumor imaging was 3 to 5 days after 131I-mAbF19 administration. The use of image registration techniques allowed precise anatomic localization of 131I-mAbF19 accumulation. Immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy tissues showed expression of FAP in the tumor stroma (but not in normal liver) in all patients studied and confirmed that the FAP-positive tumor stromal fibroblasts were interposed between the tumor capillaries and the malignant colon epithelial cells. At the time of surgery, tumor-to-liver ratios up to 21:1 and tumor-to-serum ratios up to 9:1 were obtained. The fraction of the injected 131I-mAbF19 dose per gram tumor (%ID/g tumor) localized to hepatic metastases at the time of surgery ranged from 0.001% to 0.016%.

CONCLUSION

The FAP tumor fibroblast antigen is highly expressed in primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas and shows limited expression in normal adult tissues. This highly selective expression pattern allows imaging of colorectal carcinoma lesions as small as 1 cm in diameter on 131I-mAbF19 scans. Because of the consistent presence of FAP in the stroma of epithelial cancers and the accessibility of FAP-positive tumor stromal fibroblasts to circulating monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), this study suggests possible diagnostic and therapeutic applications of humanized mAbF19 and mAbF19 constructs with novel immune and nonimmune effector functions.

Frequency and duration of handwashing in an intensive care unit

The effects on hand decontamination of the introduction of an antiseptic handrub lotion in an intensive care unit was studied. To obtain baseline data, nursing, medical, physiotherapy, radiology, and orderly staff members were observed. Further observations were carried out after the introduction of the handrub lotion. Patient care activities were classified as high or low, according to the degree of contact with the patients or their equipment. A total of 884 patient contacts and 341 hand decontamination episodes was observed: 440 contacts and 140 handwashes in stage one (32%) and 444 contacts and 201 handwashes in stage two (45%). There was an increase of 13% in hand decontamination frequency after the introduction of the handrub lotion. The data indicate that the frequency of hand decontamination is below levels recommended by infection control authorities. Increasing the accessibility of hand decontamination facilities did result in a slight increase in handwashing compliance.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, FGFR1 and FGFR2 in normal and malignant human breast, and comparison with other normal tissues

The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and two of its receptors, FGFR1 and FGFR2, was detected using the polymerase chain reaction, and quantified by comparison to the relative amount of product obtained following co-amplification of the ubiquitous glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase transcript. Varying levels were found in the vast majority of both cancer and non-malignant breast biopsies as well as in samples of several other normal human tissues. Significantly less bFGF was present in cancers (P less than 0.0001). Similarly, FGFR2 product was also much less in cancer tissues (P = 0.0078), as was FGFR1 (P = 0.002). FGFR1 levels in cancers tended to be higher in those which were oestrogen receptor positive (P less than 0.06). Amplification of different coding regions showed evidence of variant forms of FGFR1 RNA. Cancers appeared to have a significantly greater proportion of PCR product corresponding to the region between the third immunoglobulin like domain and the tyrosine kinase domain (P = 0.046). Differential expression was observed in breast cell lines, with bFGF in the normal derived HBL100, HBR SV1.6.1 and 184A1 but little or none in ZR-75-1, MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB-231. FGFR1 was present in most of these but FGFR2 was absent from T47D, MDA-MB-231 and HBL100. ZR-75-1 cells had a marked preponderance of FGFR1 variants lacking part of the coding sequence. Aberrant receptor processing may provide clues concerning the role of FGF's and their potential involvement in malignancy.

Coupling between clathrin-dependent endocytic budding and F-BAR-dependent tubulation in a cell-free system

Cell-free reconstitution of membrane traffic reactions and the morphological characterization of membrane intermediates that accumulate under these conditions have helped to elucidate the physical and molecular mechanisms involved in membrane transport. To gain a better understanding of endocytosis, we have reconstituted vesicle budding and fission from isolated plasma membrane sheets and imaged these events. Electron and fluorescence microscopy, including subdiffraction-limit imaging by stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), revealed F-BAR (FBP17) domain coated tubules nucleated by clathrin-coated buds when fission was blocked by GTPgammaS. Triggering fission by replacing GTPgammaS with GTP led not only to separation of clathrin-coated buds, but also to vesicle formation by fragmentation of the tubules. These results suggest a functional link between FBP17-dependent membrane tubulation and clathrin-dependent budding. They also show that clathrin spatially directs plasma membrane invaginations that lead to the generation of endocytic vesicles larger than those enclosed by the coat.

Prediction of cerebral palsy in very low birthweight infants: prospective ultrasound study

The value of regular cerebral ultrasound scanning in predicting cerebral palsy (CP) was assessed in very low birthweight infants. The infants were scanned before discharge, and their vision and hearing were assessed at age 9 months and neurodevelopment was assessed at 18 months. Ultrasound abnormalities, defined before the study, were periventricular haemorrhage (PVH), "prolonged flare" (echodensity persisting in the periventricular white-matter for more than 2 weeks without cavitating), and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). The incidence of these three conditions in surviving infants was 49%, 15%, and 8%, respectively. 158 infants survived to be discharged from hospital and 156 had neurodevelopmental assessment at 18 months of corrected age. All infants with PVH alone and confined to the lateral ventricles were normal at follow-up. The presence of cysts accurately predicted abnormal outcome (94%) and was highly specific (96%). Prolonged flare predicted adverse outcome but the accuracy (79%) was less good than for cystic PVL. 12 infants had CP, and 10 of these had ultrasound evidence of PVL. 8 of the 13 infants with cysts had spastic CP. 4 of these were walking independently and had mild CP. No infant with ultrasound evidence of a single cyst or with cysts confined to the frontal region or centrum semiovale had severe CP. Cysts involving the periventricular white-matter in the occipital region were associated with a poor prognosis. Echolucent cystic lesions detected by ultrasound in the neonatal period accurately predict adverse outcome, and if multiple and present in the occipital region, confer a very high risk of severe CP.

Variant (6;15) translocations in murine plasmacytomas involve a chromosome 15 locus at least 72 kb from the c-myc oncogene

The variant (6;15) translocations in murine plasmacytomas join the myc oncogene-bearing band of chromosome 15 and the immunoglobulin kappa band of chromosome 6. We recently cloned a region from chromosome 15 linked to C kappa and have now used probes from that region to define the major locus of plasmacytoma variant translocations, which we denote pvt-1. In five of nine plasmacytomas we analysed, the 6;15 translocation resulted from reciprocal recombination between the C kappa locus and a 4.5-kb region of pvt-1. Moreover, nearby we located the region shown by others to have undergone a complex (15;12;6) translocation in plasmacytoma PC7183. All the chromosome 6 breakpoints fell between 1 and 3 kb 5' to C kappa but only two were near J kappa genes. Thus the J kappa -C kappa region appears to be a recombination 'hot spot' in lymphocytes, but the breaks are unlikely to be mediated via V/J recombination enzymes. Comparison of a cloned 108-kb region across pvt-1 and another of 52 kb across c-myc established that the pvt-1 breakpoints lie at least 72 kb from the c-myc promoters. Since c-myc is expressed at a substantial level, the 6;15 translocation apparently activates c-myc. Activation may occur directly, at a remarkable distance along the chromosome, or indirectly, via a putative pvt-1 gene product.

A prospective randomized trial of triage angiography in acute coronary syndromes ineligible for thrombolytic therapy. Results of the medicine versus angiography in thrombolytic exclusion (MATE) trial

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine if early triage angiography with revascularization, if indicated, favorably affects clinical outcomes in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction who are ineligible for thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with acute myocardial infarction and other acute coronary syndromes are considered ineligible for thrombolysis and therefore are not afforded the opportunity for early reperfusion.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, randomized trial evaluated in a controlled fashion the outcomes following triage angiography in acute coronary syndromes ineligible for thrombolytic therapy. Eligible patients (n=201) with <24 h of symptoms were randomized to early triage angiography and subsequent therapies based on the angiogram versus conventional medical therapy consisting of aspirin, intravenous heparin, nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, and analgesics.

RESULTS

In the triage angiography group, 109 patients underwent early angiography and 64 (58%) received revascularization, whereas in the conservative group, 54 (60%) subsequently underwent nonprotocol angiography in response to recurrent ischemia and 33 (37%) received revascularization (p=0.004). The mean time to revascularization was 27+/-32 versus 88+/-98 h (p=0.0001) and the primary endpoint of recurrent ischemic events or death occurred in 14 (13%) versus 31 (34%) of the triage angiography and conservative groups, respectively (45% risk reduction, 95% CI 27-59%, p=0.0002). There were no differences between the groups with respect to initial hospital costs or length of stay. Long-term follow-up at a median of 21 months revealed no significant differences in the endpoints of late revascularization, recurrent myocardial infarction, or all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Early triage angiography in patients with acute coronary syndromes who are not eligible for thrombolytics reduced the composite of recurrent ischemic events or death and shortened the time to definitive revascularization during the index hospitalization. Despite more frequent early revascularization after triage angiography, we found no long-term benefit in cardiac outcomes compared with conservative medical therapy with revascularization prompted by recurrent ischemia.

Murine T lymphomas with retroviral inserts in the chromosomal 15 locus for plasmacytoma variant translocations

The frequent trisomy of murine chromosome 15 in T lymphomas suggests that it bears one or more genes conducive to T-cell neoplasia. One such gene seems to be c-myc, the oncogene frequently activated in B-lymphoid tumours either by retroviral insertion, as in the avian bursal lymphomas, or by a translocation to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus, as in the predominant t(12; 15) of murine plasmacytomas and the analogous t(14; 8) of human Burkitt lymphomas. The c-myc gene was strongly implicated in T-cell neoplasia when 15-25% of T lymphomas arising in AKR mice, a strain prone to leukaemia, were found to have retroviral inserts near c-myc. Proviruses near c-myc were also found in several T lymphomas induced by murine leukaemia viruses (MuLV) in both mice and rats, but many of the rat thymomas bear an insert instead at one of several other common sites, at least two of which have murine homologues on chromosome 15. We show here that some murine T lymphomas contain proviral inserts in the recently identified chromosome 15 locus for plasmacytoma variant (6; 15) translocations, which we have denoted pvt-1. Although 6; 15 breakpoints map cytogenetically to the same chromosome band as c-myc, the alterations of pvt-1 in tumours occur at least 72 kilobases (kb) from the c-myc promoters. The insertions in T lymphomas suggest that an altered pvt-1 locus is conducive to neoplasia in T cells as well as B cells, possibly via long-range effects on c-myc expression.

Nanoencapsulation of phase change materials for advanced thermal energy storage systems

Phase change materials (PCMs) allow the storage of large amounts of latent heat during phase transition. They have the potential to both increase the efficiency of renewable energies such as solar power through storage of excess energy, which can be used at times of peak demand; and to reduce overall energy demand through passive thermal regulation. 198.3 million tons of oil equivalent were used in the EU in 2013 for heating. However, bulk PCMs are not suitable for use without prior encapsulation. Encapsulation in a shell material provides benefits such as protection of the PCM from the external environment and increased specific surface area to improve heat transfer. This review highlights techniques for the encapsulation of both organic and inorganic PCMs, paying particular attention to nanoencapsulation (capsules with sizes <1 μm). We also provide insight on future research, which should focus on (i) the development of multifunctional shell materials to improve lifespan and thermal properties and (ii) advanced mass manufacturing techniques for the economically viable production of PCM capsules, making it possible to utilize waste heat in intelligent passive thermal regulation systems, employing controlled, "on demand" energy release/uptake.

Impairment of muscle function caused by mutations of phosphorylation sites in myosin regulatory light chain

Myosin regulatory light chain is phosphorylated by myosin light chain kinase at conserved serine and threonine residues in a number of species. Phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain regulates smooth muscle contraction, but appears to have a modulatory role in striated muscle contraction. We assessed the in vivo role of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation in the striated muscles of Drosophila melanogaster by substituting alanine at each or both conserved myosin light chain kinase-dependent phosphorylation sites, serine 66 and serine 67. We report here that myosin light chain kinase-dependent phosphorylation is not required for myofibrillogenesis or for the development of maximal isometric force in indirect flight muscles. However, mutants with substitutions at the major phosphorylation site (serine 66) or with the double substitutions had reduced power output in isolated flight muscle fibres and reduced flight ability, showing that myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation is a key determinant of the stretch activation response in Drosophila.

A Bcl-xL-Drp1 complex regulates synaptic vesicle membrane dynamics during endocytosis

Following exocytosis, the rate of recovery of neurotransmitter release is determined by vesicle retrieval from the plasma membrane and by recruitment of vesicles from reserve pools within the synapse, the latter of which is dependent on mitochondrial ATP. The Bcl-2 family protein Bcl-x_L, in addition to its role in cell death, regulates neurotransmitter release and recovery in part by increasing ATP availability from mitochondria. We now find, however, that, Bcl-x_L directly regulates endocytotic vesicle retrieval in hippocampal neurons through protein/protein interaction with components of the clathrin complex. Our evidence suggests that, during synaptic stimulation, Bcl-x_L translocates to clathrin-coated pits in a calmodulin-dependent manner and forms a complex of proteins with the GTPase Drp1, Mff and clathrin. Depletion of Drp1 produces misformed endocytotic vesicles. Mutagenesis studies suggest that formation of the Bcl-x_L-Drp1 complex is necessary for the enhanced rate of vesicle endocytosis produced by Bcl-x_L, thus providing a mechanism for presynaptic plasticity.

Randomized placebo-controlled study of recombinant human interleukin-11 to prevent chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with breast cancer receiving dose-intensive cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin

PURPOSE

Thrombocytopenia may compromise cancer treatment, causing chemotherapy dose reductions, schedule alterations, or the need for platelet transfusions. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11; Neumega, Genetics Institute, Inc, Cambridge, MA), a novel thrombopoietic growth factor, in reducing the need for platelet transfusions in patients who undergo dose-intensive chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women with advanced breast cancer received cyclophosphamide (3,200 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (75 mg/m2) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; 5 microg/kg/d). Patients were randomized to blinded treatment with placebo or 50 microg/kg/d rhIL-11 subcutaneously for 10 or 17 days after the first two chemotherapy cycles.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients were randomized and constitute the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Sixty-seven patients (the assessable subgroup) either completed both cycles without a major protocol violation (n = 62) or received a platelet transfusion before treatment was discontinued after the first cycle. In the ITT population, rhIL-11 significantly decreased the requirement for platelet transfusions; 27 of 40 (68%) patients who received rhIL-11 did not require transfusions, compared with 15 of 37 (41%) in the placebo group (P = .04). Treatment with rhIL-11 significantly reduced the total number of platelet transfusions required in the assessable subgroup (P = .03) and the time to platelet recovery to more than 50,000/microL in the second cycle (P = .01). Most adverse events associated with rhIL-11 were reversible, mild to moderate in severity, and likely related to fluid retention.

CONCLUSION

rhIL-11 is safe and effective in reducing treatment-associated thrombocytopenia and the need for platelet transfusions in patients who undergo dose-intensive chemotherapy, and thus may permit chemotherapy to be administered as planned at intended doses and thereby maximize the potential for a successful outcome.

Development and geometry of isotropic and directional shrinkage-crack patterns

We have studied shrinkage-crack patterns which form when a thin layer of an alumina/water slurry dries. Both isotropic and directional drying were studied. The dynamics of the pattern formation process and the geometric properties of the isotropic crack patterns are similar to what is expected from recent models, assuming weak disorder. There is some evidence of a gradual increase in disorder as the drying layer become thinner, but no sudden transition, in contrast to what has been seen in previous experiments. The morphology of the crack patterns is influenced by drying gradients and front propagation effects, with sharp gradients having a strong orienting and ordering effect.

Purification and evaluation of the integral membrane protein H11 as a protective antigen against Haemonchus contortus

A detergent extract of adult Haemonchus contortus enriched in the integral membrane protein H11, previously shown to give protective immunity against the parasite, was fractionated by lectin and ion-exchange chromatography. The fractions were evaluated for their ability to immunize Clun Forest and Dorset Horn sheep against experimental haemonchosis. Most of the protective activity was associated with H11. Used in an approximately 95% pure form it gave a mean reduction in parasite egg output of 94.6% and reduced male and female worm numbers by 86.5 and 93.5%, respectively. Level of protection correlated with serum antibody titre to H11.

S-Palmitoylation Sorts Membrane Cargo for Anterograde Transport in the Golgi

While retrograde cargo selection in the Golgi is known to depend on specific signals, it is unknown whether anterograde cargo is sorted, and anterograde signals have not been identified. We suggest here that S-palmitoylation of anterograde cargo at the Golgi membrane interface is an anterograde signal and that it results in concentration in curved regions at the Golgi rims by simple physical chemistry. The rate of transport across the Golgi of two S-palmitoylated membrane proteins is controlled by S-palmitoylation. The bulk of S-palmitoylated proteins in the Golgi behave analogously, as revealed by click chemistry-based fluorescence and electron microscopy. These palmitoylated cargos concentrate in the most highly curved regions of the Golgi membranes, including the fenestrated perimeters of cisternae and associated vesicles. A palmitoylated transmembrane domain behaves similarly in model systems.

Chromosome 8 breakpoint far 3′ of the c-myc oncogene in a Burkitt's lymphoma 2;8 variant translocation is equivalent to the murine pvt-1 locus

The 2;8 variant translocation of human Burkitt's lymphomas is closely related cytogenetically to the t(6;15) of murine plasmacytomas; both involve a reciprocal exchange between the Ig kappa locus and a band region indistinguishable from that bearing the c-myc oncogene. To define their molecular relationship, we have compared cloned chromosome 8 DNA from the t(2;8) breakpoint in the human Burkitt's lymphoma JBL2 with cloned DNA from the murine pvt-1 locus, the major chromosome 15 breakpoint region in murine t(6;15). DNA sequencing and Southern blot analysis shows that these two regions are homologous. Thus the t(2;8) in JBL2 is the molecular equivalent of many murine t(6;15). The murine pvt-1 locus lies an unknown distance 3' of c-myc; analysis of DNA from several tumours with c-myc amplification reveals that pvt-1 is co-amplified in at least one case, placing pvt-1 approximately 100-500 kb 3' of c-myc. The significance of these results with respect to the role of pvt-1 in tumorigenesis is discussed.