Virus-specific Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis in KB Cells Infected with Herpes Simplex Virus

The production of virus-specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) was investigated in KB cells infected with herpes simplex virus. A fraction of RNA annealable to virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was found in these cells as early as 3 hr after virus inoculation. Production of this species of RNA increased up to 6 or 7 hr after infection, at which time elaboration of virus messenger RNA (mRNA) declined. At 24 hr after infection, the rate of incorporation of uridine into this RNA was approximately one-half of the rate present at 6 hr after inoculation. Nucleotide analysis of the RNA annealable to virus DNA was compatible with that expected for virus mRNA. Centrifugation showed considerable spread in the size of the virus-induced nucleic acid, the bulk of this RNA sedimenting between 12 and 32S. Incorporation of uridine into cell mRNA, ribosomal precursor RNA, and soluble RNA was suppressed rapidly after infection. As is the case with most other cytocidal viruses investigated to date, virus-induced suppression of cell RNA synthesis appears to be a primary mechanism of cell injury.     

Loss of Rna and Protein, And Changes in Dna During A 30-Hour Cold Perchloric Acid Extraction of Cultured Cells

KB cells derived from human carcinoma were fixed in acetic-alcohol (1:3) and extracted with 10% perchloric acid (PCA) at 4 C for 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 30 hr. Cells were then washed in water and stained for nucleic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids. Control cells were kept in water for 30 hr prior to staining. Acridine orange (AO) fluorochroming revealed color changes in residual cytoplasmic and nucleolar RNA as well as DNA during extraction--interpreted as indicative of molecular alterations. All nucleic acid stains (AO, gallocyanin chromalum, and azure B bromide) demonstrated a differential extraction of RNA, with cytoplasmic RNA being removed in about 6 hr and nucleolar RNA requiring 6 more hours for complete extraction. Large granules appeared early in nuclei. These were positive for DNA by azure B, gallocyanin chromalum, Feulgen, and fluorescent-Feulgen. These same granules stained for protein by mercuric bromphenol blue and alkaline Biebrich scarlet. At 24 hr, there was visual and Feulgen-cytophotometric evidence for a slight loss of DNA, which may amount to 10-20%. There was a progressive loss of cytoplasmic and nuclear but not nucleolar protein during PCA treatment. Concurrently, large protein-positive granules appeared in the cytoplasm. Apparently, PCA treatment in combination with an aqueous wash was responsible for some protein loss. Glycogen was gradually lost (fluorescent PAS) and redistributed in cells. Lipids were unaffected (Sudan black B).     

An Autoradiographic Study of Nucleic Acid and Protein Turnover in the Mammalian Neuraxis

The turnover of nucleic acids and proteins in the central nervous system has been explored by autoradiography following the subarachnoid injection of tagged precursors. Nuclear PNA of neurons and oligodendrocytes becomes radioactive earlier than cytoplasmic PNA after injection of adenine-C¹⁴ and orotic-C¹⁴ acid. By 24 hours following injection, cytoplasmic PNA is radioactive. Radioactivity persists with little decrease for as long as 51 days after an injection of adenine-C¹⁴. The cells of the ependymal lining, choroidal plexus, leptomeninges, blood vessel walls, and Schwann cells also exhibit radioactivity in PNA as judged by the loss of radioactivity following ribonuclease digestion. From the 3rd day on, increasing numbers of the aforementioned cells, with the exception of nerve cells, exhibit ribonuclease-resistant nuclear radioactivity which is abolished by deoxyribonuclease. This radioactivity indicates labelling of nuclear DNA. Following the intrathecal injection of methionine-S³⁵ and glycine-2-H³, nerve cells, oligodendrocytes, cells of ependymal lining, choroidal plexus, leptomeninges, blood vessels, and Schwann cells become radioactive. Nerve cells lose most of their radioactivity within a few hours, first from the cytoplasm and later from the nucleus. Other cell types retain their radioactivity for considerable periods of time. Although astrocytes, microglia, and satellite cells of sensory ganglia do not appear to incorporate labelled precursors into nucleic acids or proteins, reacting phagocytic microglia actively take up labelled amino acids. These results are discussed with particular reference to PNA and protein turnover in nerve cells, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells. It is believed that these metabolic activities in neurons are concerned in part with the elaboration of axoplasmic proteins. The nucleoprotein metabolism of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells may be related to myelin biosynthesis both in the immature and the mature nervous system.     

Iridescent virus replication: patterns of nucleic acid synthesis in insect cells infected with iridescent virus types 2 and 6

The patterns of nucleic acid synthesis in insect cells infected with iridescent virus types 2 and 6 has been examined using nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Virus-specific RNA synthesis was detected 24 hr after infection. Virus-specific DNA synthesis was detected 96 hr after infection. Host-specific nucleic acid synthesis declined throughout infection, and host-specific nucleic acid synthesis was detected only in the first 48 hr of infection. The synthesis of iridescent virus progeny DNA molecules precedes the appearance of mature iridescent virus particles.     

Effect of fixation on the amplification of nucleic acids from paraffin-embedded material by the polymerase chain reaction.

Amplification of nucleic acids from paraffin-embedded material by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is increasingly being used to detect viral genomes and oncogene mutations. To determine the effect of fixation on the preservation of the nucleic acids, we fixed two randomly chosen fresh pathology specimens in formalin, B-5, Bouin's, Zenker's, ethanol, and Omnifix for 6, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hr (1 week), and then embedded the tissue in paraffin. Oligonucleotide primers specific for the cytoplasmic-beta-actin gene were chosen to span an intron such that amplification yielded a product of 250 BP for DNA and 154 BP for RNA. A single 6-microns section was cut from each paraffin block, deparaffinized, and then subjected to 30 rounds of amplification for either DNA or RNA. On amplifying DNA, consistent product was seen in the ethanol and Omnifix specimens up to 72 hr of fixation time, whereas variable product was seen with formalin or Zenker's fixation; all specimens fixed in Bouin's or B-5 were negative. On amplifying RNA, a product could be detected even after 1 week of fixation in ethanol or Omnifix, and after 48 hr in the formalin-fixed tissue. The Zenker's-fixed tissues gave variable results, and the Bouin's and B-5 tissues gave consistent results only after 6 hr of fixation. We therefore conclude that choice of fixative and fixation time are critical factors influencing the outcome of PCR amplification of nucleic acids from paraffin-embedded material.     

Induction of mammary prolactin receptors and lactose synthesis after ovariectomy in the pregnant mouse.

The development of prolactin receptors in the mammary gland after ovariectomy was investigated in pregnant KA mice. Mice were ovariectomized on day 13 of pregnancy and used for the determination of the amount of specific binding of 125I-labelled prolactin to the mammary tissue, and the contents of lactose and nucleic acids in the mammary gland 0, 8, 24, and 72 hr after the operation. The specific binding of 125I-labelled prolactin, lactose and RNA contents in the mammary gland remained low until 8 hr, sharply increased 24 hr and decreased 72 hr after ovariectomy. When ovariectomized mice were treated with 0.2 mg progesterone, pregnancy was maintained and an increase (1.5-fold) in the amount of specific binding was observed with an increase of lactose content. Five mg progesterone completely inhibited lactose synthesis. Cortisol administered with progesterone did not show any specific change at the dose used (0.5 to 10 mg). Although the amount of specific binding was also increased after hysterectomy, this increase (2-fold) did not fully cover the increase after ovariectomy (3-fold). These results suggest that the recepter site for prolactin is induced before the initiation of lactose synthesis caused by ovariectomy during pregnancy.     

In situ analysis of nucleic acids in cold-induced nonculturable Vibrio vulnificus.

Low-temperature-induced nonculturable cells of the human pathogenic bacterium Vibrio vulnificus retained significant amounts of nucleic acids for more than 5 months. Upon permeabilization of fixed cells, however, an increasing number of cold-incubated cells released the nucleic acids. This indicates substantial degradation of DNA and RNA in nonculturable cells prior to fixation. Treatment of permeabilized cells with DNase and RNase allowed differential staining of DNA and RNA with the nucleic acid dye 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Epifluorescence microscopy revealed that the could-induced nonculturable populations of V. vulnificus are highly heterogeneous with regard to their nucleic acid content. The fraction of nonculturable cells which maintained DNA and RNA structures decreased gradually during cold incubation. After 5 months at 5 degrees C, less than 0.05% of the cells could be observed to retain DNA and RNA. In parallel with the loss of nucleic acids, an increase in the concentrations of UV-absorbing material in the culture supernatants was observed in nonculturable-cell suspensions. It is hypothesized that there are two phases of the formation of nonculturable cells of V. vulnificus: the first involves a loss of culturability with maintenance of cellular integrity and intact RNA and DNA (and thus possibly viability), and the second is typified by a gradual degradation of nucleic acids, the products of which partly remain inside the cells and partly diffuse into the extracellular space. A small number of nonculturable cells, however, retain DNA and RNA, and thus may be viable despite having reduced culturability.     

Nucleotide metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis in mouse thymocytes.

Nucleotide pool sizes, DNA polymerizing enzymes, and DNA synthesis were studied in mouse thymocytes over a 24-hr period of culture in Marbrook chambers. The initial rate of cell division was high with an average mitotic index of 1.6%/hr for 12 hr, followed by a decline to 0.14%/hr at 24 hr. The decline in DNA synthesis was not closely correlated with the activities of DNA-dependent DNA polymerases-α or -β or with the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. The amounts of several ribo- and deoxyribonucleotides per thymocyte were measured using high performance liquid chromatography and DNA polymerase. Pool sizes of ATP, GTP, dATP, and dTTP were less than 10% of pool sizes commonly observed in mammalian cells. The rates of DNA and RNA synthesis in thymocytes may be critically affected by minor changes in the availability of nucleotides. Cultures of thymocytes serve as useful experimental systems for investigation of nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism during lymphoid differentiation.     

SCHWANN CELL PROLIFERATION IN DEVELOPING MOUSE SCIATIC NERVE : A Radioautographic Study

Proliferation of Schwann cells in neonatal mouse sciatic nerve was studied radioautographically in 1-µ glycol methacrylate sections. 28 mice were injected with thymidine-³H, 4 µc/g, 48 hr after birth, and were killed serially over the next 4 days. For the cell cycle following injection, the generation time was approximately 24 hr as determined by grain-count halving data; the duration of synthesis phase was 8 hr as determined from a curve constructed from the per cent of mitotic figures containing label; and the labeling index was 9% at 2 hr after injection. With these estimates, the per cent of Schwann cells proliferating was calculated to be 27%. In addition, roughly 25% of dividing cells appeared to cease division during the cell cycle under study. The relationship of these findings to other events during maturation of nerve is discussed.     

周围神经损伤后神经组织中Par-3蛋白表达和分布的变化

目的观察极性蛋白Par-3在损伤后神经组织中的表达和分布,探讨Par-3蛋白在周围神经损伤后髓鞘再生中的作用。方法 32只Sprague Dawley大鼠随机分为正常对照组、损伤组(坐骨神经损伤后第1、2、4、8周)。制备坐骨神经挤压伤模型,分别于损伤后各时间点,采用免疫组织化学法检测坐骨神经损伤远端Par-3蛋白的表达和分布。结果正常大鼠坐骨神经组织中即存在Par-3蛋白,但表达量少,且仅分布于Schwann细胞核内。坐骨神经损伤后,Par-3蛋白的表达和分布发生变化。损伤后1周,Par-3蛋白表达开始升高,Par-3散在分布于Schwann细胞核和细胞浆内。损伤后2周,神经组织中的Par-3蛋白达峰值,在Schwann细胞浆内呈不对称性分布似包绕轴突,呈新月形或C形。损伤后4周和8周,Par-3蛋白表达显著降低,神经组织中Par-3蛋白主要分布于Schwann细胞核内,胞浆内很少。结果 极性蛋白Par-3可能参与周围神经损伤后Schwann细胞的髓鞘再生。     

Sedimentation Properties of Simian Virus 40-Specific Ribonucleic Acid Present in Green Monkey Cells During Productive Infection and in Mouse Cells Undergoing Abortive Infection

The size distribution of polyribosome-associated simian virus 40 (SV40) ribonucleic acid (RNA) was examined at various times after productive infection. Eight hours after infection, virus-specific RNA was detected in the 14 to 17S region of a sucrose gradient by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-RNA hybridization; RNA present in fractions sedimenting more rapidly did not react with SV40 DNA. At successively later times, SV40 RNA was detected in more rapidly sedimenting regions. By 24 hr, a portion of the SV40 RNA was detected in the 28S region, sedimenting slightly more rapidly than a MS2 RNA marker. Nuclear SV40 RNA, prepared from cells 48 hr after infection, was distributed in more rapidly sedimenting regions of the gradient, peaking at about 32 to 34S. Some nuclear virus-specific RNA could be detected in the 45 to 50S region. During the abortive infection of mouse cells, the sedimentation profile of SV40 RNA was very similar to that observed during the early phases of the lytic cycle.     

Cell membrane permeability and respiratory activity in chilling stressed callus

To improve our understanding of the mechanism of chilling injuryin chill-sensitive callus (Cornus stolontfera), early changesin cell permeability and respiratory activity were studied.Partial leakage of amino acids and an abrupt increase in permeationand oxidation of added dopamine were characteristic of chilledcallus in the late stage of chilling at 0?C (48 hr), when mostof the callus sustained severe injury. However, little or nochange in cell permeability was observed in the early stageof chilling (within 24 hr), when calli retained their viabilityfor growth after transfer to a warm temperature. These resultssuggest that changes in the cell membranes per se are by nomeans the primary step in cell injury. Temporary depressionof respiratory activity was detected soon after chilling for12 hr, but activity appeared to return to the original levelon further chilling up to 24 hr. An irreversible dysfunction,however, occurred in the respiratory system on prolonged chillingup to 48 hr. This implies that irreversible impairment of mitochondrialfunctions may not be involved in the early stage of the cellinjury. A possible relationship between these observed changesand ultrastructural changes in chilled cells is discussed. ¹Contribution No. 2153 from the Institute of Low TemperatureScience. (Received June 6, 1979; )     

Development of the myotomal neuromuscular junction in Xenopus laevis: An electrophysiological and fine-structural study

The normal development of the myotomal neuromuscular junction in Xenopus embryos and tadpoles was investigated electrophysiologically as well as electron microscopically. Spontaneous potentials, considered to be miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs), were detected by intracellular recording as early as stage 21 and by stage 24 they were observed in every embryo tested. Like MEPPS at later stages they were blocked by curare but not by tetrodotoxin. End-plate potentials (EPPs), subject to block by tetrodotoxin, were evoked by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord in embryos as young as stage 24 and occurred spontaneously as early as stage 22. The durations of MEPPs and EPPs were initially relatively long. Focal external recordings revealed an eightfold decrease in duration during the course of development. Nerve processes emerged from the spinal cord and contacted developing muscle cells as early as stage 21, but junctional specializations were not apparent and vesicles were rare even in stage 24 embryos. During the next 24 hr, between stages 25 and 36, vesicles increased in number and became localized toward the junctional surface of the nerve ending. Basement lamina developed in the cleft and postjunctional ridges and densities were observed. Individual muscle cells also became contacted by several nerve processes. By stages 48–52 there were fewer contacts on individual muscle cells and Schwann cell processes partially covered the nerve endings. Gap junctions were observed between the muscle cells throughout development but occurred less frequently at the later stages. It is concluded that by the time they reach the muscle cells, or very shortly thereafter, at least some of the growing nerve processes can release transmitter, and some of the muscle cells are sufficiently sensitive to acetylcholine in the region of contact to respond with millivolt depolarizations. These earliest functional contacts, however, are morphologically undifferentiated.     

The Second Messenger, Cyclic AMP, Is Not Sufficient for Myelin Gene Induction in the Peripheral Nervous System

Abstract: The adenylyl cyclase-cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathway has been proposed to regulate myelin gene expression; however, a clear correlation between endogenous cAMP levels and myelin-specific mRNA levels has never been demonstrated during the induction or maintenance of differentiation by the myelinating Schwann cell. Endogenous cAMP levels decreased to 8–10% of normal nerve by 3 days after crush or permanent transection injury of adult rat sciatic nerve. Whereas levels remained low after transection injury, cAMP levels reached only 27% of the normal values by 35 days after crush injury. Because P₀ mRNA levels were 60% of normal levels by 14 days and 100% by 21 days after crush injury, cAMP increased only well after P₀ gene induction. cAMP, therefore, does not appear to trigger myelin gene induction but may be involved in myelin assembly or maintenance. Forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, increased endoneurial cAMP levels only in the normal nerve, and in the crushed nerve beginning at 16 days after injury, but at no time in the transected nerve. Only by treating transected nerve with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterases, in combination with forskolin was it possible to increase cAMP levels. No induction of myelin genes, however, was observed with short- or long-term treatment with IBMX and forskolin in the transected nerve. A three-fold increase in phosphodiesterase activity was observed at 35 days after both injuries, and a nonmyelinated nerve was shown to have even higher activity. These experiments, therefore, suggest an important role for phosphodiesterase in the inactivation of this second messenger-dependent stimuli when Schwann cells are non-myelinating, such as after sciatic nerve injury or in the nonmyelinated nerve, which again implies that cAMP may be required for the maintenance of the myelin sheath.     

Germination of Phaseolus vulgaris III. The role of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in the initiation of axis elongation

Excised embryonic axes of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. WhiteMarrowfat) begin cell elongation after approximately 4 hr ofincubation at 26°C. The incorporation of ³²P into nucleicacids and phenylalanine-l-¹⁴C into protein markedly increasesduring the 4th hr of incubation, prior to initiation of cellelongation. CH, which inhibits incorporation of phenylalanine-l-¹⁴C intoprotein by 93% during the 2nd hr after its addition, completelyprevents the initiation of axis elongation if added up to 2hr after the beginning of imbibition. Actinomycin D reducesthe fresh weight increase of the axes, and inhibits both ³²Pincorporation into nucleic acids and phenylalanine-l-¹⁴C incorporationinto protein. 5-FU inhibits ³²P incorporation into nucleic acidsbut not phenylalanine-l-¹⁴C incorporation into protein or thefresh weight increase of the axes. MAK column chromatography indicates that actinomycin D inhibitsthe synthesis of all types of nucleic acids to about the sameextent, while 5-FU almost completely inhibits the accumulationof ³²P in ribosomal RNA with lesser but significant inhibitoryeffects on accumulation of ³²P in tRNA. The results suggest an absolute requirement for protein synthesisprior to initiation of cell elongation and at least a partialrequirement for synthesis of nucleic acid species other thanribosomal RNA, tRNA and DNA. The kinetic data suggest that theaxes develop a greatly increased capacity for nucleic acid andprotein synthesis prior to initiation of axis elongation. ¹This research was supported by NSF grant GB 4145 and a grantfrom the U. S. Forest Service. (Received December 16, 1968; )     

Involvement of RNA and DNA in the staining of Escherichia coli by SYTO 13

AIMS: To assess the extent to which DNA and RNA bacterial content contributes to fluorescent response of SYTO 13. METHODS AND RESULTS: RNA and DNA of Escherichia coli 536 cells were extracted and fluorimetrically quantified to compare the different contents, throughout a 24 h culture, with their SYTO 13 fluorescence emission when analysed by the cytometer. SYTO 13 fluorescence varied depending on the stage of bacterial growth and in accordance with both DNA and RNA content. RNA content accounted for at least two-thirds of the total fluorescence of a cell. Escherichia coli cells were treated with chloramphenicol to improve their RNA content. With this treatment, both nucleic acids remained constant but there was a clear improvement in fluorescent emission. SYTO 13 fluorescence was also studied in E. coli X-1488 minicells. CONCLUSIONS: Although both nucleic acids are implicated, RNA accounts for a major part of SYTO 13 fluorescence. The fluorescence cannot be considered as a direct reflection of nucleic acid content. Other factors, such as topology or supercoiling, need to be considered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results confirm the efficacy of SYTO 13 for labelling bacteria and for assessing the distinct physiological status. A better knowledge of the parameters implicated in its fluorescence emission has been achieved.