A novel HYLS1 homozygous mutation in living siblings with Joubert syndrome

The p.Asp211Gly homozygous HYLS1 mutation is so far known to cause only hydrolethalus syndrome, a lethal malformation syndrome. We report living sibling patients with a homozygous no-stop mutation in exon 4 of HYLS1, NM_145014.2:c.900A>C (p.Ter300TyrextTer11) in the second decade of life. The proband has Joubert syndrome (JS). The younger brother also has JS and an enlarged posterior fossa that was initially diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malformation. The present mutation is unique as it affects the stop codon. The product protein HYLS1 plays an essential role in the formation of the primary cilium. This report provides insight into the spectrum of disorders involving midline brain defects closely related to cilium dysfunction or ciliopathy.

GDNF-pretreatment enhances the survival of neural stem cells following transplantation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Cell transplantation has been shown to be an effective therapy for central nervous system disorders in animal models. Improving the efficacy of cell transplantation depends critically on improving grafted cell survival. We investigated whether glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-pretreatment of neural stem cells (NSCs) enhanced grafted cell survival in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). We first examined the neuroprotective effects of GDNF on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in NSCs. Cells were pretreated with GDNF for 3 days before subjecting them to OGD. After 12h of OGD, GDNF-pretreated NSCs showed significant increases in survival rates compared with PBS-pretreated NSCs. An apoptosis assay showed that the number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased in GDNF-pretreated NSCs at 1h and 6h after OGD. A PD rat model was then established by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 9μg) into the medial forebrain bundle. Two weeks after 6-OHDA injection, GDNF-pretreated NSCs, PBS-pretreated NSCs, or PBS were injected into PD rat striatum. The survival of grafted cells in the striatum was significantly increased in the GDNF-pretreated NSC group compared with the control groups. GDNF pretreatment increased survival of NSCs following transplantation, at least partly through suppression of cell apoptosis.

Mannitol facilitates neurotrophic factor up-regulation and behavioural recovery in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic rats with human umbilical cord blood grafts

We recently demonstrated that blood–brain barrier permeabilization using mannitol enhances the therapeutic efficacy of systemically administered human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) by facilitating the entry of neurotrophic factors from the periphery into the adult stroke brain. Here, we examined whether the same blood–brain barrier manipulation approach increases the therapeutic effects of intravenously delivered HUCB in a neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury model. Seven-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral HI injury and then at day 7 after the insult, animals intravenously received vehicle alone, mannitol alone, HUCB cells (15k mononuclear fraction) alone or a combination of mannitol and HUCB cells. Behavioural tests at post-transplantation days 7 and 14 showed that HI animals that received HUCB cells alone or when combined with mannitol were significantly less impaired in motor asymmetry and motor coordination compared with those that received vehicle alone or mannitol alone. Brain tissues from a separate animal cohort from the four treatment conditions were processed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at day 3 post-transplantation, and revealed elevated levels of GDNF, NGF and BDNF in those that received HUCB cells alone or when combined with mannitol compared with those that received vehicle or mannitol alone, with the combined HUCB cells and mannitol exhibiting the most robust neurotropic factor up-regulation. Histological assays revealed only sporadic detection of HUCB cells, suggesting that the trophic factor–mediated mechanism, rather than cell replacement per se, principally contributed to the behavioural improvement. These findings extend the utility of blood–brain barrier permeabilization in facilitating cell therapy for treating neonatal HI injury.

Protective effects of exercise preconditioning on hindlimb unloading-induced atrophy of rat soleus muscle

AIM

A chronic decrease in the activation and loading levels of skeletal muscles as occurs with hindlimb unloading (HU) results in a number of detrimental changes. Several proteolytic pathways are involved with an increase in myofibrillar protein degradation associated with HU. Exercise can be used to counter this increase in proteolytic activity and, thus, may be able to protect against some of the detrimental changes associated with chronic decreased use. The purpose of the present study was to determine the potential of a single bout of preconditioning endurance exercise in attenuating the effects of 2 weeks of HU on the mass, phenotype and force-related properties of the soleus muscle in adult rats.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to HU for 2 weeks. One half of the rats performed a single bout of treadmill exercise for 25 min immediately prior to the 2 weeks of HU.

RESULTS

Soleus mass, maximum tetanic tension, myofibrillar protein content, fatigue resistance and percentage of type I (slow) myosin heavy chain were decreased in HU rats. In addition, markers for the cathepsin, calpain, caspase and ATP-ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathways were increased. The preconditioning endurance exercise bout attenuated all of the detrimental changes associated with HU, and increased HSP72 mRNA expression and protein levels.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that exercise preconditioning may be an effective countermeasure to the detrimental effects of chronic decreases in activation and loading levels on skeletal muscles and that an elevation in HSP72 may be one of the mechanisms associated with these responses.

Adult neural stem and progenitor cells modified to secrete GDNF can protect, migrate and integrate after intracerebral transplantation in rats with transient forebrain ischemia

Adult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are important autologous transplantation tools in regenerative medicine, as they can secrete factors that protect the ischemic brain. We investigated whether adult NSPCs genetically modified to secrete more glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) could protect against transient ischemia in rats. NSPCs were harvested from the subventricular zone of adult Wistar rats and cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of epidermal growth factor. The NSPCs were treated with fibre-mutant Arg-Gly-Asp adenovirus containing the GDNF gene (NSPC-GDNF) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (NSPC-EGFP; control group). In one experiment, cultured cells were transplanted into the right ischemic boundary zone of Wistar rat brains. One week later, animals underwent 90 min of intraluminal right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural tests. The NSPC-GDNF group had higher behavioural scores and lesser infarct volume than did controls at 1, 7 and 28 days postocclusion. In the second experiment, we transplanted NSPCs 3 h after ischemic insult. Compared to controls, rats receiving NSPC-GDNF had decreased infarct volume and better behavioural assessments at 7 days post-transplant. Animals were killed on day 7 and brains were collected for GDNF ELISA and morphological assessment. Compared to controls, more GDNF was secreted, more NSPC-GDNF cells migrated toward the ischemic core and more NSPC-GDNF cells expressed immature neuronal marker. Moreover, the NSPC-GDNF group showed more effective inhibition of microglial invasion and apoptosis. These findings suggest that NSPC-GDNF may be useful in treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Lack of exercise, via hindlimb suspension, impedes endogenous neurogenesis

Bedridden patients who receive good physical rehabilitation are able to exhibit clinical improvement. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that exercise increases endogenous neurogenesis and may even protect against central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Here, we explored the effects of lack of exercise on neurogenesis in rats by employing a routine hindlimb suspension (HS) model over a 2-week period, which consists of elevating their tails, thereby raising their hindlimbs above the ground and unloading the weights in these extremities. In addition, the effects of exercise and recovery time with normal caging after HS were also explored. BrdU (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected every 8 h over the last 4 days of each paradigm to label proliferative cells. Immunohistochemical results revealed that HS significantly reduced the number of BrdU/Doublecortin double-positive cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus. Exercise and recovery time significantly improved atrophy of the soleus muscle, but did not attenuate the HS-induced decrement in BrdU/Dcx-positive cells. A separate cohort of animals was exposed to the same HS paradigm and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of neurotrophic factors was performed on brain tissue samples harvested at the end of the HS period, as well as plasma samples from all animals. ELISA results revealed that HS reduced the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus and vascular endothelial growth factor plasma levels. This study revealed that lack of exercise reduced neurogenesis with downregulation of neurotrophic factors. The use of the HS model in conjunction with CNS disease models should further elucidate the role of exercise in neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors in neurologic disorders.

Overexpression of D2/D3 receptors increases efficacy of ropinirole in chronically 6-OHDA-lesioned Parkinsonian rats

Ropinirole, which is a non-ergot dopamine agonist derivative, exerts therapeutic benefits in Parkinson's disease (PD). Based on recent studies implicating dopamine receptors 2 and 3 (D2R and D3R) as possible targets of ropinirole, we over-expressed these dopamine receptor genes in the dopamine-denervated striatum of rodents to reveal whether their over-expression modulated ropinirole activity. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats initially received unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the medial forebrain bundle. At 1 month after surgery, successfully lesioned animals (3 or less forelimb akinesia score, and 8 or more apomorphine-induced rotations/min over 1 h) were randomly assigned to intrastriatal injection (ipsilateral to the lesion) of blank lentiviral vector, D2R, D3R or both genes. At about 5 months post-lesion, ropinirole (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered daily for 9 consecutive days. The subtherapeutic dose of ropinirole improved the use of previously akinetic forelimb and produced robust circling behavior in lesioned animals with striatal over-expression of both D2R and D3R compared to lesioned animals that received blank vector. In contrast, the subtherapeutic dose of ropinirole generated only modest motor effects in lesioned animals with sole over-expression of D2R or D3R. Western immunoblot and autoradiographic assays showed enhanced D2R and D3R protein levels coupled with normalized D2R and D3R binding in the ventral striatum of lesioned animals with lentiviral over-expression of both D2R and D3R relative to vehicle-treated lesioned animals. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that D2R and D3R GFP fluorescent cells colocalized with enkephalin and substance P immunoreactive medium spiny neurons. These data support the use of the subtherapeutic dose of ropinirole in a chronic model of PD.

The high integration and differentiation potential of autologous neural stem cell transplantation compared with allogeneic transplantation in adult rat hippocampus

Cell therapy is thought to have a central role in restorative therapy, which aims to restore function to the damaged nervous system. The purpose of this study was to establish an autologous neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation model using adult rats and to compare survival, migration, and differentiation between this system and allogeneic NSC transplantation. Furthermore, we compared the immunologic response of the host tissue between autologous and allogeneic transplantation. NSCs were removed from the subventricular zone of adult Fischer 344 rats using stereotactic methods. NSCs were expanded and microinjected into normal hippocampus in the autologous brain. Allogeneic NSC (derived from adult Wistar rats) transplantation was performed using the same procedure, and hippocampal sections were analyzed immunohistologically 3 weeks post-transplantation. The cell survival and migration rate were higher for autologous transplantation than for allogeneic transplantation, and the neuronal differentiation rate in the autologous transplanted cells far exceeded that of allogeneic transplantation. Furthermore, there was less astrocyte and microglia reactivity in the host tissue of the autologous transplantation compared with allogeneic transplantation. These findings demonstrate that immunoreactivity of the host tissue strongly influences cell transplantation in the CNS as the autologous transplantation did not induce host tissue immunoreactivity; the microenvironment was essentially maintained in an optimal condition for the transplanted cells.

Two Japanese brothers with hereditary gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase deficiency

We report on two Japanese brothers with hereditary deficiency in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The propositus was 48 years old when he first visited our medical center and had a 51-year-old brother. The brothers were both tall and slender and had long limbs; the younger was diagnosed as having Marfan syndrome. Both patients both showed a tendency to retarded mental development. gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase activity was below the detection limit of 1 IU/L in both patients. Glutathionaemia and glutathionuria were evident in both brothers. The analyses of sulphydryl compounds in the plasma (and serum for certain test items) and urine indicated high concentrations of glutathione, gamma-glutamylcysteine, cysteine and cysteinylglycine. Urine amino acid analysis on an automatic analyser showed a slightly increased excretion of cystine and a large peak in the citrulline position due, at least in part, to thio-compounds.

Ophthalmic artery blood flow in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion

AIM

To evaluate the risk factors for rubeosis iridis by colour Doppler imaging (CDI) in patients with complete internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO).

METHODS

34 eyes of 32 consecutive patients with complete ICAO were enrolled. Using CDI, blood flow direction (forward, reverse, undetectable) in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) were determined. Arterial mean blood velocity (Vmean) and resistive index (RI) were calculated and correlations between the rubeosis iridis incidence and CDI parameters analysed.

RESULTS

The eyes were classified into four types according to blood flow direction: forward flow in OA, CRA, and SPCA (type 1; n = 11); reverse OA and forward CRA and SPCA flow (type 2a; n = 12); reverse OA and undetectable CRA and SPCA flow (type 2b; n = 8); undetectable flow in all three arteries (type 3; n = 3). Rubeosis iridis was seen only in type 2b and 3 eyes. Type 2b showed significantly (p<0.01) higher Vmean and lower RI values in the OA, indicating more rapid reverse flow than in type 2a eyes. Although in type 1 and 2a eyes OA flow was in opposite directions, they manifested no rubeosis iridis and no difference in the Vmean and RI values of the CRA and SPCA.

CONCLUSIONS

The classification of eyes from patients with ICAO into four types by CDI may facilitate the identification of the eyes at high risk for rubeosis iridis. Markedly diminished flow in both the CRA and SPCA may result in rubeosis iridis, regardless of OA flow direction.

Role of neuronal glutamate transporter in the cysteine uptake and intracellular glutathione levels in cultured cortical neurons

Cysteine uptake is the rate-limiting process in glutathione synthesis. Previously we have shown that the inhibitors of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) significantly enhance glutamate toxicity via depletion of intracellular glutathione. In this study we show evidence that the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3 is directly enrolled in cysteine uptake in cultured neurons. Neuronal cysteine uptake was dependent on the extracellular sodium, and was suppressed by EAAT inhibitors. Cysteine uptake was suppressed by extracellular glutamate and aspartate, substrates of EAATs, and not by substrates of cysteine transporters. Intracellular glutathione levels were reduced by EAAT inhibitors, and not by inhibitors of cysteine transporters. Knock down of EAAT3 expression using antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced cysteine uptake, intracellular glutathione level, and neuronal viability against oxidative stress. These facts indicate that EAAT3 functions as a cysteine transporter, and this function seems to be unique and distinct from cysteine transporters that have been reported.

Vitreous hemorrhage from a ciliary granuloma associated with Wegener granulomatosis

PURPOSE

To report a case of vitreous hemorrhage from ciliary granuloma in Wegener granulomatosis.

METHODS

Interventional case report. An 18-year-old woman with Wegener granulomatosis and episcleral granuloma in her LE had ultrasound biomicroscopy findings of a mass in the pars plana of the ciliary body in the meridian corresponding to the episcleral granuloma.

RESULTS

The patient underwent vitrectomy in the LE for subsequent vitreous hemorrhage. Intraoperatively, the mass was diagnosed as a ciliary granuloma at the pars plana. Dense blood clotting around the ciliary granuloma and subretinal exudation at the ora serrata were observed, with no other changes causative for the vitreous hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of vitreous hemorrhage associated with a ciliary granuloma that was revealed by ultrasound biomicroscopy. Careful observation is necessary in eyes with persistent inflammation in Wegener granulomatosis.

Anoplin, a novel antimicrobial peptide from the venom of the solitary wasp Anoplius samariensis

A novel antimicrobial peptide, anoplin, was purified from the venom of the solitary wasp Anoplius samariensis. The sequence was mostly analyzed by mass spectrometry, which was corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. Anoplin, composed of 10 amino acid residues, Gly-Leu-Leu-Lys-Arg-Ile-Lys-Thr-Leu-Leu-NH2, has a high homology to crabrolin and mastoparan-X, the mast cell degranulating peptides from social wasp venoms, and, therefore, can be predicted to adopt an amphipathic alpha-helix secondary structure. In fact, the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of anoplin in the presence of trifluoroethanol or sodium dodecyl sulfate showed a high content, up to 55%, of the alpha-helical conformation. A modeling study of anoplin based on its homology to mastoparan-X supported the CD results. Biological evaluation using the synthetic peptide revealed that this peptide exhibited potent activity in stimulating degranulation from rat peritoneal mast cells and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, this is the first antimicrobial component to be found in the solitary wasp venom and it may play a key role in preventing potential infection by microorganisms during prey consumption by their larvae. Moreover, this peptide is the smallest among the linear alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides hitherto found in nature, which is advantageous for chemical manipulation and medical application.

[Creatine kinase and its isozymes]

Creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) is found in a variety of striated and smooth muscles, and the brain, and is an important enzyme regulator of high-energy phosphate production and utilization within contractile tissues. Serum CK activity is measured routinely as a sensitive indicator of injuries to the skeletal muscle and myocardium. CK has three isozymes (CK-MM, CK-MB and CK-BB) in cytoplasm and two isozymes (non-sarcomeric and sarcomeric) in mitochondria. CK isozymes provide more specific information about injured tissue because of their tissue distribution. CK-MM is useful in skeletal muscle diseases, such as muscle dystrophy, CK-MB in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and CK-BB in brain damage and malignant tumor of the gastro-intestinal tract. CK-MB is measured either by enzyme activity or mass concentration and is measured as a marker not only in the diagnosis of AMI but also in suspected AMI and unstable angina. Mitochondrial CK, a useful indicator for pinpointing the severeness of muscle injuries, and CK-linked immunoglobulin are recognized as macro-CK because of their large molecular size.

High-throughput analysis of total nitrogen content that replaces the classic Kjeldahl method

A high-throughput method for determination of total nitrogen content has been developed. The method involves decomposition of samples, followed by trapping and quantitative colorimetric determination of the resulting ammonia. The present method is rapid, facile, and economical. Thus, it can replace the classic Kjeldahl method through its higher efficiency for determining multiple samples. Compared to the classic method, the present method is economical and environmentally friendly. Based on the present method, a novel reactor was constructed to realize routine high-throughput analyses of multiple samples such as those found for pharmaceutical materials, foods, and/or excrements.

The role of leukocytes during acute phase inflammation in crystalline silica-induced lung injury

Silicosis is characterized by progressive granulomatous and fibrogenic response in the lung. Inhaled crystalline silica (Qt) induces activation of pulmonary macrophages and leukocyte infiltration in the lung of Qt-treated animals. We investigated the role of leukocyte infiltration and L-selectin during the acute phase of inflammation in developing chronic lung injury in Qt-treated rats. Seventy Wistar male rats were treated with a single transtracheal instillation of Qt (25 mg/kg). Rats were treated intraperitoneally with anti L-selectin monoclonal antibody (mAb), F(ab')2 HRL-3 (HRL-3, a blocking mAb), or RF(ab')2 HRL-2 (HRL-2, a non-blocking mAb)for 4 days before and after Qt injection. Administration of HRL-3 reduced approximately 50% of leukocyte infiltration in the BAL, whereas HRL-2 treatment prior to Qt stimulation showed time-dependent increase of BAL leukocytes. CINC and GRO levels as well as peripheral blood cell counts were similar in HRL-2- or HRL-3-treated animals in the first 4 days of the study. Three months after Qt treatment, extensive granuloma-containing macrophages and leukocytes developed in the lung of the HRL-3-treated rats as compared with the HRL-2-treated rats. Ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells in granulomas did not differ between the HRL-3 and HRL-2 groups. Results suggest that an early phase of leukocyte activation was diminished by blocking L-selectin with the antibody, but treatment with anti-L-selectin increased the formation of granulomas in the Qt-treated rats.

Isolation and sequence determination of peptides in the venom of the spider wasp (Cyphononyx dorsalis) guided by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry

Micro-scale (sub-pmol) isolation and sequence determination of three peptides from the venom of the solitary spider wasp Cyphononyx dorsalis is described. We isolated two novel peptides Cd-125 and Cd-146 and a known peptide Thr(6)-bradykinin from only two venom sacs of solitary spider wasp Cyphononyx dorsalis without bioassay-guided fractionation, but instead guided by MALDI-TOF MS. The MALDI-TOF MS analysis of each fraction showed the purity and molecular weight of the components, which led to the isolation of the peptides virtually without loss of sample amount. The sequences of the novel peptides Cd-125 (Asp-Thr-Ala-Arg-Leu-Lys-Trp-His) and Cd-146 (Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Asn-Thr-Val-Thr-Val-Lys-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Leu-Arg) were determined by Edman degradation together with mass spectrometry, and finally corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. The known peptide Thr(6)-bradykinin (Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Thr-Pro-Phe-Arg) was identified by comparison with the synthetic authentic specimen. This is the first example for any kinins to be found in Pompilidae wasp venoms. The procedure reported here can be applicable to studies on many other components of solitary wasp venoms with limited sample availability.

The rebuilding of normal venous circulation for transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous fistulas by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A case report

The etiology of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) remains controversial as is the issue of whether occlusion or stenosis of the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus is a cause or a result of DAVFs. We report a case of DAVFs with transverse-sigmoid sinus occlusion and cortical venous reflux. In this case, the reconstruction of normal venous circulation by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the occluded sinus was performed and cortical venous reflux diminished. PTA may be a useful treatment for DAVFs with occluded or stenotic sinus.

Effects of site-directed mutagenesis in the cysteine residues and the N-glycosylation motif in recombinant Der f 1 on secretion and protease activity

BACKGROUND

The group 1 allergens from mite feces, which belong to the papain-like cysteine protease family, are the most significant in-door allergens. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of the cysteine residues and N-glycosylation in Der f 1, the group 1 allergen from Dermatophagoides farinae, to secretion and maturation by using systems for expression of recombinant Der f 1 (rDer f 1).

METHODS

The rDer f 1 and its mutants were expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris and insect SF9 cells. Secretion of their proforms was checked by SDS-PAGE or immunoblotting. Protease activities of the secreted proform of a mutant and the mature form were compared with that of native Der f 1.

RESULTS

The proform of a mutant Der f 1, pro-N53Q, whose consensus motif for N-glycosylation was disrupted, was not secreted in insect SF9 cells although secreted in P. pastoris. Indirect evidence was obtained to support the disulfide bond formation between Cys4 and Cys118, which were not conserved in papain. A mutant for Cys35 in the catalytic site of the cysteine protease, pro-C35S/N53Q, was secreted, but the other mutants for cysteines concerning intramolecular disulfide bonds were not secreted in P. pastoris. The prosequence of pro-C35S/N53Q was removed by an in vitro activation process. The mature C35S/N53Q showed low protease activity.

CONCLUSION

N-glycosylation is essential for secretion in insect SF9 cells but not in P. pastoris. Disulfide bonds are essential for secretion in P. pastoris. A mutation in the catalytic site, C35S, is not completely critical to removal of the prosequence and protease activity. The findings are useful for future design of recombinant products for application in immunotherapy.

Cloning and expression of cDNA encoding the complete prepro-form of an isoform of Der f 1, the major group 1 allergen from house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae

cDNA clones encoding a major house dust mite allergen, Der f 1, were isolated from a Dermatophagoides farinae cDNA library by plaque immunoscreening using rabbit anti-Der f 1 serum. The sequences cover the complete open reading frame encoding the prepro-form. The sequence is different from previously reported cDNA of Der f 1 in six bases and the encoded amino acid sequence is different in two residues. Pro-forms of Der f 1 and its mutant, in which the N-glycosylation motif was disrupted, expressed in Pichia pastoris were converted to the mature forms by an in vitro activation process and they showed significant IgE-binding. The biologically active rDer f 1 molecules would be useful for diagnostic testing and allergen-specific immunotherapy. In contrast, Der f 1 directly expressed in Escherichia coli without the prosequence had very low IgE binding. The hypoallergenic Der f 1 polypeptide could be useful for safer and more effective immunotherapy.

[Brain abscess and ventriculitis associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema than ventricular dilatation--a case report]

We present a case with brain abscess associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema in the temporo-occipital lobe than ventricular dilatation. A 72-year-old man suffering from headache and vomiting visited our clinic. CT and MRI showed brain abscess in the right parieto-occipital lobe, associated with ventriculitis. Lumbar puncture also revealed purulent meningitis. Both symptoms and CSF findings improved after administration of antibiotics. The improved condition continued for two months after admission, but disturbed consciousness and left hemiparesis than appeared. MRI and CT showed entrapment of the lateral ventricle and brain edema of the right temporo-occipital region without ventricular dilatation. Because brain edema was thought to be caused by transudate of the CSF through the ventricular wall, lobectomy of the right temporal lobe and opening of the temporal horn were carried out. Although left hemiparesis and disturbed consciousness and brain edema disappeared after the operation, subdural effusion appeared. Using a subdural-peritoneal shunt, the subdural effusion was prevented and disappeared. In this case, we thought Hounsfield Unit (HU) of the brain edema caused by transudate of CSF through the ventricular wall (12.6) was markedly lower than that of so-called vasogenic edema (25.1) due to active inflammation. Measurement of the HU seemed to be a useful means to differentiate the types of brain edema in this situation from that of vasogenic edema caused by brain abscess, and thus a means for selection of the appropriate treatment.

Investigation of Corneal Autofluorescence in Diabetic Patients

Purpose: The investigation of corneal autofluorescence in diabetic patients.Objects and Methods: Corneal autofluorescence was investigated with a newly-developed fluorophotometer (wave length: excitation, 290-390 nm; emission, 430-630 nm) having, fluorescence characteristics involving those of reduced pyridine nucleotides (PN) and advanced glycation endoproduct (AGE) except pentosidine and pyrraline. Twenty-eight patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and sixty-seven healthy volunteers were studied.Results: The corneal autofluorescence was 1.65 times higher than that of controls (P <.0001). In non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the corneal autofluorescenece was not correlated significantly with various diabetic parameters in blood (r < 0.4). In controls, the corneal autofluorescence was correlated significantly with age (r = 0.438).Conclusion: The corneal autofluorescence has some relation with PN and AGE accumulation in the cornea.

Biologically active recombinant forms of a major house dust mite group 1 allergen Der f 1 with full activities of both cysteine protease and IgE binding

BACKGROUND

Group 1 allergens from mite faeces, Der f 1 and Der p 1, are the most significant in-door allergens. Therefore, they are the most important component in the standardization of house dust mite extract for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). Although their cDNAs have been cloned, efforts to prepare biologically active recombinant forms in expression systems using bacteria or yeast have failed.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose is to establish an efficient system to prepare recombinant Der f 1(rDer f 1), identical in quality to native Der f 1.

METHODS

The preproforms of Der f 1 and a mutant N53Q, whose consensus motif for N-glycosylation was disrupted, were expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris. Cysteine protease activity and IgE reactivity were analysed using synthetic substrates and by RAST-EIA, respectively.

RESULTS

The proforms of the two rDer f 1 molecules were efficiently secreted into culture medium. Their prosequences were removed autocatalytically by dialysis against acidic buffer. Although the wild-type rDer f 1 was more highly glycosylated than native Der f 1, N53Q had almost the same apparent molecular weight as native Der f 1 on SDS-PAGE. Both the protease and IgE binding activities of the mature rDer f 1 molecules were the same as those of native Der f 1, whereas the proforms had no or markedly reduced activities.

CONCLUSION

The efficient system to prepare active rDer f 1s established in this study is useful for diagnosis and standardized AIT for house dust mite allergy. Furthermore, the system would be a tool for analysis of IgE epitopes, determination of tertiary structure, allergen engineering for safer and more effective AIT, resolving the relation between the enzymatic activity and pathogenesis, and the development of therapeutic inhibitors.

Structure and biological activities of eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), a new mast cell degranulating peptide in the venom of the solitary wasp (Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado)

A new mast cell degranulating peptide, eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), was isolated from the venom of the solitary wasp Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado, the most common eumenine wasp found in Japan. The structure was analyzed by FAB-MS/MS together with Edman degradation, which was corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. The sequence of EMP-AF, Ile-Asn-Leu-Leu-Lys-Ile-Ala-Lys-Gly-Ile-Ile-Lys-Ser-Leu-NH(2), was similar to that of mastoparan, a mast cell degranulating peptide from a hornet venom; tetradecapeptide with C-terminus amidated and rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids. In fact, EMP-AF exhibited similar activity to mastoparan in stimulating degranulation from rat peritoneal mast cells and RBL-2H3 cells. It also showed significant hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes. Therefore, this is the first example that a mast cell degranulating peptide is found in the solitary wasp venom. Besides the degranulation and hemolytic activity, EMP-AF also affects on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster walking leg preparation. Three analogs EMP-AF-1 approximately 3 were snythesized and biologically tested together with EMP-AF, resulting in the importance of the C-terminal amide structure for biological activities.

Pars plana vitrectomy for regression of choroidal neovascularization with age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE

In age-related macular degeneration, the posterior vitreous surface often remains attached to a higher degree than expected for the patient's age, suggesting the involvement of the posterior vitreous membrane in the pathophysiology of choroidal neovascularization. Thus, we performed simple pars plana vitrectomy and artificial posterior vitreous detachment in order to induce regression of choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

Vitrectomy was performed in 12 eyes of 11 patients with age-related macular degeneration in whom the posterior vitreous surface remained attached, and in whom there was evidence of highly active choroidal neovascularization. The posterior vitreous membrane was artificially detached during surgery, but photocoagulation and/or a subretinal procedure for choroidal neovascularization was not performed. Patients underwent fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography both pre- and postoperatively to assess the status of choroidal neovascularization.

RESULTS

Six months after surgery, 6 of the 12 eyes showed regression of choroidal neovascularization, and in 2 eyes it had disappeared completely. Subretinal exudative changes in 8 eyes had improved. Visual acuity testing showed improved vision in 4 eyes, unchanged vision in 4 eyes, and worsening of vision in 4 eyes. The final best corrected visual acuity was 10/20 or better in one eye, 10/ 20 to 20/200 in 7 eyes, and 20/200 or worse in 4 eyes.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest the involvement of the posterior vitreous membrane in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration. Furthermore, the minimally invasive pars plana vitrectomy may represent a new treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

[Investigation of corneal autofluorescence in diabetic patients]

PURPOSE

The investigation of corneal autofluorescence in diabetic patients.

OBJECTS AND METHODS

Corneal autofluorescence was investigated with a newly-developed fluorophotometer (wave length: excitation, 290-390 nm; emission, 430-630 nm) having, fluorescence characteristics involving those of reduced pyridine nucleotides (PN) and advanced glycation endoproduct (AGE) except pentosidine and pyrraline. Twenty-eight patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and sixty-seven healthy volunteers were studied.

RESULTS

The corneal autofluorescence was 1.65 times higher than that of controls (p < 0.0001). In non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the corneal autofluorescence was not correlated significantly with various diabetic parameters in blood (r < 0.4). In controls, the corneal autofluorescence was correlated significantly with age (r = 0.438).

CONCLUSION

The corneal autofluorescence has some relation with PN and AGE accumulation in the cornea.

[Transvenous embolization for cavernous dural arteriovenous shunts: about the intracranial venous approach to the cavernous sinus]

Recently, the first choice of therapy for cavernous dural arteriovenous shunts (CdAVS) is transvenous embolization. Usually the approach routes for cavernous sinus are the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS), the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) in most cases and the superior petrosal sinus (SPS) in rare case. But, it is difficult for us to treat patients in whom there are no extracranial veins through which to approach the cavernous sinus, with transvenous embolization. We presented the case in which intracranial transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus and transvenous embolization were performed and in which we achieve good results. In this article, we presented a case with Barrow's type D CdAVS and cortical venous drainage. At first, transarterial embolization was performed to decrease the amount of venous drainage for the purpose of eliminate convulsions and consciousness disturbance. However, cortical venous drainage continued. Moreover bilateral dilated SOVs normalized and bilateral IPSs were not visible, so we decided that it was impossible to carry out the transvenous embolization via extracranial veins. Transvenous embolization to the left cavernous sinus via the intracranial ophthalmic vein between the superior ophthalmic fissure and the inferior ophthalmic fissure after craniotomy was performed. Then, the transvenous embolization to the right cavernous sinus was carried out through the right superficial middle cerebral vein after craniotomy. The results were good and chemosis and bilateral abducens palsy diminished immediately. Trans-intracranial venous embolization for CdVAS is a very useful therapy when no extracranial veins exist for transvenous embolization.

Production of enzymatically and immunologically active Der f 1 in Escherichia coli

Der f 1 is a major house dust mite allergen belonging to the cysteine protease family. Because of the great demand for clinical and research use of this allergen, much effort to establish an efficient method of preparing purified Der f 1 has been made. We constructed an isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible expression plasmid to produce the pro-form of Der f 1 in Escherichia coli. The recombinant product was accumulated as insoluble inclusion bodies in cells. The solubilized inclusion bodies were found to be successfully renatured by two-step gel filtration chromatography. About 70 mg of pro Der f 1 were properly refolded by this method from 1 liter of culture. Acid treatment of the renatured pro Der f 1 resulted in the autocatalytic removal of the pro-sequence. The obtained mature form of Der f 1 bound IgE in patient sera and induced the release of histamine from peripheral blood leukocytes equally to native Der f 1. Furthermore, mature Der f 1 obtained by this method had identical protease activity with native Der f 1. We also discussed the contribution of the pro-sequence and the sugar chain of Der f 1 to its antigenic and enzymatic activity. This is the first report to produce an active mature form of recombinant Der f 1 in E. coli.

Molecular determinants of binding of a wasp toxin (PMTXs) and its analogs in the Na+ channels proteins

The structural specificity of alpha-PMTX, a novel peptide toxin derived from wasp venom has been studied on the neuromuscular synapse in the walking leg of the lobster. alpha-PMTX is known to induce repetitive action potentials in the presynaptic axon due to sodium channel inactivation. We synthesized 29 analogs of alpha-PMTX by substituting one or two amino acids and compared threshold concentrations of these mutant toxins for inducing repetitive action potentials. In 13 amino acid residues of alpha-PMTX, Arg-1, Lys-3 and Lys-12 regulate the toxic activity because substitution of these basic amino acid residues with other amino acid residues greatly changed the potency. Determining the structure-activity relationships of PMTXs will help clarifying the molecular mechanism of sodium channel inactivation.

Retinol equivalence of carotenoids can be evaluated by hepatic vitamin A content

The present study demonstrates a new method to evaluate the bioavailability of carotenoids based on the calculation of the hepatic retinol contents. Weaning male rats of Wistar strain were divided into 5 groups. Each group respectively received retinol acetate (2000-10,000 IU per kg diet), alpha-carotene (2400-6000 micrograms per kg diet), beta-carotene (2400-6000 micrograms per kg diet), mixture of alpha- and beta-carotenes in the ratio of 1:2 (2400 and 4800 micrograms per kg dit), and palm-carotene oil (2400-6000 micrograms per kg diet). The derived retinol equivalences of each carotenoid calculated according to the hepatic retinol contents were almost constant regardless of the volume of respective intake (alpha-carotene: 1.25 micrograms per IU; beta-carotene: 0.59 microgram per IU; mixture of alpha- and beta-carotene in the ratio of 1:2: 0.96 microgram per IU; Palm-carotene oil: 1.23 micrograms per IU). The results suggest that the hepatic retinol contents can be used as a new measure to evaluate the vitamin A bioavailability of carotenoids.

Allelic imbalance and mutations of the PTEN gene in ovarian cancer

The PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1 tumor-suppressor gene, which maps to chromosome 10q23.3, is mutated and homozygously deleted in a variety of human tumors, including endometrioid-type ovarian tumors. We examined 33 primary ovarian cancers and 3 ovarian borderline tumors for allelic imbalance (AI) of the 10q23.3 region using 5 polymorphic markers, including an insertion/deletion-type polymorphic marker identified in intron 4 of the PTEN gene. AI at one or more loci was detected in 12 of 31 (39%) informative ovarian cancers and none of 3 ovarian borderline tumors. The commonly deleted region was mapped between the D10S215 and D10S541 loci, including the PTEN locus. Moreover, the incidence of AI at the PTEN locus (38%) was the highest among the 5 loci examined. Therefore, we searched for mutations in the entire coding region of the PTEN gene by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analyses in these tumors and 7 ovarian cancer cell lines. Mutations were detected in 3 of the 33 (9%) ovarian cancers: 2 cases with double mutations and 1 case with a mutation on 1 allele accompanied by deletions on both alleles in the poly T tract preceding the splice acceptor site in intron 7. An intragenic deletion was detected in 1 of the 7 (14%) ovarian cancer cell lines. PTEN mutations were detected not only in the endometrioid type but also in the serous and mucinous types of ovarian cancer. However, PTEN was not mutated in the 12 tumors that showed AI of the PTEN locus. Our results suggest that the PTEN gene plays an important role in the development of a subset but diverse histological types of ovarian tumors. However, it is possible that another tumor-suppressor gene in the close vicinity of the PTEN gene is also inactivated by AI of the 10q23.3 region.

The use of perfluorocarbon liquids in diabetic vitrectomy

Three eyes of 3 patients were operated on for severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional and/or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using perfluoro-n-octane as temporary tamponade. The perfluorocarbon was removed at the end of the procedure. Intraocular tamponade was provided by a long-acting gas in all eyes. The intraoperative use of perfluorocarbon effectively facilitated retinal flattening and endophotocoagulation. Anatomical success was obtained in all 3 cases, with a minimum follow-up of 10 months. Visual acuity improved in all eyes. The main advantages of perfluorocarbon are that it enables easy flattening of the posterior retinal folds and effective endophotocoagulation with good visual conditions.

Vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous or tractional retinal detachment with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the anatomic features and surgical indications of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) complicated with rhegmatogenous or tractional retinal detachment.

DESIGN

Retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-eight eyes of 25 patients who had either clinically suspected or fully diagnosed FEVR. Of these, 25 had rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, 2 had tractional retinal detachment, and 1 had tractional retinal detachment plus vitreous hemorrhage.

INTERVENTIONS

The authors carefully observed the vitreoretinal interface during surgery, studied the clinical and anatomic features of FEVR, and then evaluated the surgical results.

RESULTS

The vitreoretinal adhesions were so strong in the peripheral avascular area that iatrogenic retinal breaks easily occurred in 22 of 28 eyes. In all cases, the bimanual technique with vitreous scissors and forceps was required to dissect the posterior vitreous membrane from the retinal surface. The retina was reattached in 24 of 28 cases (85.7%), and visual acuity improved in 20 eyes (71.4%).

CONCLUSION

Dissection of the vitreous in the peripheral avascular area is very difficult in FEVR, and those patients for whom this procedure was not successfully performed may have a poorer prognosis.

The allergens of Dendropanax trifidus Makino and Fatsia japonica Decne. et Planch. and evaluation of cross-reactions with other plants of the Araliaceae family

cis-9,17-Octadecadiene-12,14-diyne-1,16-diol (I), an analog of falcarinol has been identified in our previous report as an active component of Dendropanax trifidus and a strong sensitizer. In this report, 16-hydroxy-cis-9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diynoic acid (II) and cis-9,trans-16-octadecadiene-12,14-diynoic acid (III) were elucidated as 2 other active components of the plant. Compound I, however, presented with the highest concentration and showed a stronger reaction on patch testing. The leaves of Fatsia japonica Decne. et Planch. were also found to contain compound I, but the amount was found to be 7x more in Dendropanax trifidus than in Fatsia japonica. 5 subjects with hypersensitivity to Dendropanax trifidus and compound I showed positive reactions when patch tested with the leaves of Hedera helix L. and Schefflera arboricola. 1 of these also showed a positive reaction to the extract of Panax ginseng root powder diluted 1% in ethanol. There was cross-reaction among these plants, which all belong to the Araliaceae family.

A case of bacterial endophthalmitis following perforating injury caused by a cat claw

A case of bacterial endophthalmitis following a perforating ocular injury caused by a cat claw is reported. The scleral wound was sutured immediately following the injury and systemic antibiotics were administered. Despite this treatment, endophthalmitis occurred 3 days after the injury. The endophthalmitis was resolved by pars plana vitrectomy, however preretinal reproliferation and retinal detachment subsequently occurred. After reoperation the retina was reattached and the corrected visual acuity improved from 10 cm/HM to 20/200. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in cultured vitreous humor that was collected during surgery. This case illustrates the possibility of endophthalmitis being caused by gram negative bacillus in cases of perforating injuries caused by animal claws. Perforating ocular injuries caused by animal claws are relatively rare. Here we report a case of endophthalmitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa that occurred after a perforating injury caused by a cat claw. The eye was treated by pars plana vitrectomy.

Allelic imbalance in chromosome band 18q21 and SMAD4 mutations in ovarian cancers

Recently, three candidate tumor suppressor genes, SMAD2 (MADR2/JV18-1), SMAD4 (DPC4), and DCC, were identified in chromosome band 18q21. We examined allelic imbalance (AI) in 18q21 using six polymorphic microsatellite markers in 38 primary ovarian cancers and four ovarian borderline tumors. AI at one or more loci was detected in 15 of 37 (41%) informative ovarian cancers and in none of the four borderline tumors. Frequent AI was detected at the D18S46 (31%) and D18S474 (36%) loci, which were adjacent to the SMAD4 gene, and at the D18S69 (33%) locus, which was telomeric to the DCC gene. Therefore, we searched for mutations of the SMAD4 gene in 42 primary tumors and eight cell lines by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analyses. Missense mutations were detected in two ovarian tumors and three ovarian cancer cell lines, whereas silent mutation was detected in a primary ovarian cancer. These results suggest that there are at least two tumor suppressor genes on chromosome arm 18q and that SMAD4 is of importance in ovarian tumorigenesis.

Multiple cranial arteriovenous malformations in a child with eventual blindness in the affected eye

PURPOSE

To report a case of multiple cranial arteriovenous malformations involving the orbit and retina.

METHOD

Case report. We treated a 7-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a left submaxillary, a left retinal, a left orbital, and a middle subdural arteriovenous malformation.

RESULTS

Enlargement of the arteriovenous malformations, except for the retinal arteriovenous malformation, was observed. After external carotid artery embolizations and radiation therapy for uncontrolled oral cavity bleeding, loss of light perception in the affected eye occurred, but no marked changes occurred in the retinal arteriovenous malformation.

CONCLUSION

This rare case suggests that the clinical finding of a stable retinal arteriovenous malformation may be associated with enlargement of arteriovenous malformation lesions at other sites.

Vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy with asteroid hyalosis

PURPOSE

To characterize the clinical features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with asteroid hyalosis treated by pars plana vitrectomy.

METHODS

Vitrectomy was performed in 26 eyes with PDR accompanied by asteroid hyalosis (7 eyes with vitreous hemorrhage, 6 eyes with tractional retinal detachment with vitreous hemorrhage, and 13 eyes with tractional retinal detachment without vitreous hemorrhage). We observed the occurrence of posterior vitreous detachment intraoperatively and evaluated the clinical characteristics retrospectively.

RESULTS

In 24 eyes, posterior vitreous detachment was slight, necessitating artificial detachment. Of the 26 eyes, 20 experienced iatrogenic retinal breaks and 6 (23%) experienced postoperative retinal detachment due to iatrogenic breaks. Three cases worsened to anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy and retinal reattachment could not be achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

In vitrectomy for PDR with asteroid hyalosis, and in cases of simple vitreous hemorrhage, surgery should be performed with full understanding of the anatomic characteristics. Notably, if posterior vitreous detachment is not present, the occurrence of iatrogenic retinal breaks is more likely.

Tissue specific-distribution and metabolism of vitamin A are affected by dietary protein levels in rats

The effect of dietary protein levels on tissue-specific distribution and metabolism of vitamin A was studied in rats given [15-14C] retinol (14C-ROH). The weanling rats were fed a low level vitamin A diet for 10 days, then rats (15 rats per group) were divided into 2 groups; one was given a 40% casein diet as a high protein diet (HP-diet), and the other a 5% casein diet as a low protein diet (LP-diet). After 10 days feeding on these diets, 14C-ROH (5 microCi/rat) was given to both groups, HP-diet and LP-diet, by intraperitoneal injection. The radioactivity in the exhalated gases, urine and feces was measured to estimate the rate of vitamin A metabolism. The tissue specific-distribution of ROH was studied in terms of the radioactivities of the ROH fractions separated by HPLC. The hepatic 14C-ROH content in the HP-diet group was lower than that in the LP-diet group at 24, 48, and 72 hours after administration of 14C-ROH. In contrast, 14C-ROH content in serum, spleen, pancreas, and small intestinal mucosa in the HP-diet group was higher than that in the LP-diet group. The radioactivity of the exhalated gas and feces was higher in the HP-diet group. These results suggest that metabolism of vitamin A is higher with intake of a HP-diet. Thus, dietary protein levels may affect tissue-specific distribution and metabolism of vitamin A, thereby modulating the actions of this vitamin.

Isolation and structure of pompilidotoxins, novel peptide neurotoxins in solitary wasp venoms

Novel peptide neurotoxins, alpha- and beta-pompilidotoxins (alpha- and beta-PMTXs), were purified from the venoms of the solitary wasps Anoplius samariensis and Batozonellus maculifrons. Their structures were analyzed mostly by MALDI-TOF-MS, which were corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. alpha-PMTX, with 13 amino acid residues and the sequence of Arg-Ile-Lys-Ile-Gly-Leu-Phe-Gln-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Leu-NH2, greatly potentiates synaptic transmission of lobster leg muscle by the presynaptic mechanisms. beta-PMTX, in which the lysine residue at 12 position of alpha-PMTX was replaced with arginine, was more potent than alpha-PMTX.

Quantitative determination of biological sulfhydryl groups by postcolumn derivatization and elucidation of microheterogeneity of serum albumins

A quantitative analytical system for biological sulfhydryl compounds has been developed using an ion-pair reagent with isocratic elution and an on-line postcolumn derivatization with Ellman-type reagents. As human or bovine serum albumin has 35 cysteinyl residues, one cysteinyl residue exists as a free sulfhydryl moiety, and this gives rise to the microheterogeneity in serum albumin. Here we report for the first time the quantitative characterization of the microheterogeneity of serum albumin. Cysteine was found to be the major molecule attached to the sulfydryl group of the serum albumins. Although glutathione could not be detected, the Cys-Gly element of glutathione was found. Freshly prepared human serum albumin from healthy volunteers contained 0.46 nmol of Cys/mL of serum, 0.24 nmol of Cys-Gly/mL of serum, and very small amounts of glutathione (0.02 nmol/mL).

Alpha-pompilidotoxin (alpha-PMTX), a novel neurotoxin from the venom of a solitary wasp, facilitates transmission in the crustacean neuromuscular synapse

A new neurotoxin, named alpha-pompilidotoxin (alpha-PMTX) has been found in the venom of the solitary wasp Anoplius safnariensis. In the neuromuscular synapse of the lobster walking leg preparation, alpha-PMTX (10-100 micro/M) caused great enhancement of both the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Recordings of the excitatory post synaptic currents (EPSCs) at the synaptic sites showed that alpha-PMTX reversibly and dose-dependently potentiates EPSCs. Alpha-PMTX may act primarily on the presynaptic membrane but the mode of action of the toxin is clearly different from other known facilitatory neurotoxins, such as alpha-latrotoxin, apamin or charybdotoxin. This novel toxin will serve as a useful tool in the research field of neuroscience.

The major allergen of Dendropanax trifidus Makino

Dendropanax trifidus Makino (family Araliaceae, syn. Gilibertia trifida Makino) has been reported as causing allergic contact dermatitis in Japan. To identify the major allergen, fractionated extracts of fresh leaves of Dendropanax trifidus were patch tested on 2 patients with hypersensitivity to the plant. Cis-9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diyne-1, 16-diol (I), an analog of falcarinol, was identified as an active component. 18 normal control subjects were patch tested with the leaf of Dendropanax trifidus and I diluted to 0.05% in pet. 4 of them showed active sensitization to the leaf of Dendropanax trifidus and I. Our results suggest that I is the major allergen of Dendropanax trifidus and is a strong sensitizer. The results of patch testing on patients and control subjects with the leaves of Fatsia japonica Decne. et Planch. and Hedera helix L., which also belong to the Araliaceae family, and urushiol are also shown.