Human interstitial retinoid binding protein. A potent uveitopathogenic agent for the induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis

Human interstitial retinoid binding protein (HIRBP) is a 136,000 m.w. photoreceptor cell protein which transports retinoids between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye. The amino acid sequence of HIRBP suggests that the molecule consists of four continuous homology domains which arose by several gene duplications some 600 to 800 million years ago. When injected into susceptible animal species, including primates, it induces an experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a predominantly T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the retina and uveal tract of the eye, and the pineal gland. In order to further refine specific sites in HIRBP responsible for its uveitopathogenicity, we synthesized 120 overlapping peptide corresponding to its entire 1262 amino acid sequence, and tested each peptide for its ability to induce an EAU in Lewis rats. Five peptides with extensive amino acid sequence homology, designated HIRBP 715, HIRBP greater than 730 and HIRBP 745, HIRBP 778, and HIRBP 808 were uveitopathogenic when used at a 50 micrograms immunizing dose. The most potent peptide for the induction of EAU was HIRBP 715 (amino acid positions 521 to 540). In dose response studies as little as 0.1 microgram/animal was capable of inducing an inflammatory response. In addition, peptide HIRBP 946 which corresponds to the mid portion of peptide HIRBP 715 and contains only eight amino acids (RTATAAEE) was uveitopathogenic under our experimental conditions. Our study identifies multiple uveitopathogenic sites in HIRBP and further defines the amino acids necessary for the induction of EAU in one of these sites.     

Characterization and expression of the plasmid-borne bedD gene from Pseudomonas putida ML2, which codes for a NAD+-dependent cis-benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase.

The catabolic plasmid pHMT112 in Pseudomonas putida ML2 contains the bed gene cluster encoding benzene dioxygenase (bedC1C2BA) and a NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase (bedD) required to convert benzene into catechol. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence upstream of the benzene dioxygenase gene cluster (bedC1C2BA) revealed a 1,098-bp open reading frame (bedD) flanked by two 42-bp direct repeats, each containing a 14-bp sequence identical to the inverted repeat of IS26. In vitro translation analysis showed bedD to code for a polypeptide of ca. 39 kDa. Both the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequences show significant identity to sequences of glycerol dehydrogenases from Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. A bedD mutant of P. putida ML2 in which the gene was disrupted by a kanamycin resistance cassette was unable to utilize benzene for growth. The bedD gene product was found to complement the todD mutation in P. putida 39/D, the latter defective in the analogous cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. The dehydrogenase encoded by bedD) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. It was found to utilize NAD+ as an electron acceptor and exhibited higher substrate specificity for cis-benzene dihydrodiol and 1,2-propanediol compared with glycerol. Such a medium-chain dehydrogenase is the first to be reported for a Pseudomonas species, and its association with an aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase is unique among bacterial species capable of metabolizing aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Plant microtubule inhibitors against trypanosomatids

Trypanosomatid protozoa are etiologic agents of several prevalent tropical diseases. Tubulins constitute 10% of the total proteins of these organisms. In addition, they are conserved within the Trypanosomatidae family but are different from that of the mammalian hosts. Since current chemotherapy has severe side effects, new compounds are urgently needed. The microtubular system provides a target for selective chemotherapy. Plant microtubule inhibitors, trifluralin and its analogues, inhibits Leishmania and Trypanosoma brucei, and Marion Chan and Dunne Fong here discuss the biosafety and potential for development of drug resistance to these compounds.     

Identification and characterization of a novel repressor site in the human tumor necrosis factor alpha gene.

In human monocytic cell lines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) expression is induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). We have identified positive and negative cis-acting elements in the TNF alpha promoter by deletion analysis. Here we present the initial characterization of the repressor element. The repressor element was shown to function in either orientation and at various distances upstream from the positive element of the TNF alpha promoter. The TNF alpha repressor site (TRS) has been localized to a 25 bp region between base pairs -254 and -230 in the promoter. This region contains a 10 bp sequence with homology to the binding site of the activator protein AP-2. Mutation of the 6 C's of this 10 bp AP-2-like site abolish TRS repressor function. However, this AP-2-like site is not a binding site for AP-2 protein based on gel retardation analysis. In addition, a well-characterized AP-2-binding site placed upstream of the positive element of the TNF alpha gene did not cause repression. Therefore, this repression is very likely mediated by a novel protein(s) which interacts with the AP-2 consensus site in the TRS.     

Abscisic acid biosynthesis during corn embryo development

In this study we examined the biosynthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) by developing corn (Zea mays L.) embryos. Three comparisons were made: ABA biosynthesis in embryos isolated from kernels grown in vitro with those grown in the field; the developmental profile of ABA content with that of biosynthesis; and ABA biosynthesis in corn embryos lacking carotenoid precursors with ABA biosynthesis in normal embryos. Embryos were harvested at various times during seed development and divided into two groups. Endogenous levels of ABA were measured in one group of embryos and ABA biosynthetic capacity was measured in the other group. The ABA biosynthetic capacity was measured with and without tetcyclacis (an inhibitor of ABA degradation) in embryos from both field-grown and in-vitro-grown corn kernels. Reduced-carotenoid (either fluridone-treated or genetically viviparous) embryos were also included in the study. Corn kernels developing under field and in-vitro conditions differed from each other in their responses to tetcyclacis and in their profiles of ABA biosynthesis during development. Therefore, in-vitro kernel culture may not be an appropriate substitute for field conditions for studies of embryo development. The developmental profiles of endogenous ABA content differed from those of ABA biosynthesis in isolated embryos of both in-vitro-and field-grown kernels. This indicated that ABA levels in the developing embryos were determined by import from the maternal tissues available to the embryos rather than by in-situ biosynthesis. In embryos with reduced levels of carotenoids, either fluridone-treated or genetically viviparous embryos, ABA biosynthesis was low or nonexistent. This result is expected for the presence of an indirect pathway of ABA biosynthesis and in the absence of ABA precursors.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - DAP days after pollination     

四种动物病毒的细胞培养及血凝检测的比较研究

四种动物病毒的细胞培养及血凝检测的比较研究李天宪,赵林,罗怡珊,冯锋（中国科学院武汉病毒研究所,武汉４３００７１）关键词细小病毒,细胞培养,细胞病变,血凝试验云豹肠炎病毒（ＬＰＶ）、水貂肠炎病毒（ＭＥＶ）、犬肠炎病毒（ＣＰＶ）和猫泛白细胞减少症病毒（...     

Biosynthesis and function of membrane bound and secreted forms of recombinant CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1)

Full-length (membrane bound) and truncated (secreted) forms of the beta 2 integrin heterodimer, CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), were expressed in a human kidney cell line (293) that normally does not express leukocyte adhesion molecules (Leu-CAMs). The biosynthesis of recombinant Mac-1 in 293 cells differed from that reported for leukocytes in that heterodimer formation was not required for CD11b to be exported to the cell surface. A stable cell line was constructed that constitutively secreted the recombinant, truncated Mac-1 heterodimer into growth conditioned cell culture medium. A novel monoclonal antibody that enabled an immunoaffinity method for the selective purification of recombinant Mac-1 heterodimers was identified. Sufficient protein was purified to allow the first measurement of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for CD11b/CD18 and for the direct comparison of the inhibitory activity of recombinant soluble Mac-1 with that of various CD18 and CD11b specific monoclonal antibodies. Purified recombinant soluble Mac-1 inhibited the binding of neutrophils, activated by opsonized zymosan or fMet-Leu-Phe peptide, to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Similarly, the recombinant integrin was effective in inhibiting the binding of unactivated neutrophils to tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) activated endothelial cells. The availability of an abundant source of purified, biologically active Mac-1 will enable direct physical and chemical investigations into the relationship between the structure and function of this leukocyte adhesion molecule.