Mitochondria,nitric oxide,and cardiovascular dysfunction

Cardiovascular diseases encompass a wide spectrum of abnormalities with diverse etiologies. The molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders include a variety of responses such as changes in nitric oxide- (NO) dependent cell signaling and increased apoptosis. An interesting aspect that has received little or no attention is the role mitochondria may play in the vascular changes that occur in both atherosclerosis and hypertension. With the changing perspective of the organelle from simply a role in metabolism to a contributor to signal transduction pathways, the role of mitochondria in cells with relatively low energy demands such as the endothelium has become important to understand. In this context, the definition of the NO-cytochrome c oxidase signaling pathway and the influence this has on cytochrome c release is particularly important in understanding apoptotic mechanisms involving the mitochondrion. This review examines the role of compromised mitochondrial function in a variety of vascular pathologies and the modulation of these effects by NO. The interaction of NO with the various mitochondrial respiratory complexes and the role NO plays in modulating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in these systems will be discussed.     

Biochemical regulation of breast cancer cell expression of S1P2 (Edg-5) and S1P3 (Edg-3) G protein-coupled receptors for sphingosine 1-phosphate

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) transduce signals to many functions of normal cells. Most human cancer cells upregulate S1P and LPA GPCRs, in patterns distinctive for each type of tumor. The findings that 1-alpha, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D(3) (VD3) and all-trans retinoic acid (RA) differentially alter expression of the predominant S1P(3) (Edg-3) R and S1P(2) (Edg-5) R in human breast cancer cells (BCCs) permitted analyses of their individual activities, despite a lack of selective pharmacological probes. S1P-evoked increases in [Ca(2+)](i) in S1P(3) R-predominant BCCs were suppressed by concentrations of VD3 and RA which decreased expression of S1P(3) Rs, despite RA-induced increases in S1P(2) Rs. S1P-elicited chemokinetic migration of S1P(3) R-predominant BCCs across a type IV collagen-coated micropore filter also was inhibited by concentrations of VD3 and RA which decreased expression of S1P(3) Rs. The RA-induced increase in expression of S1P(2) Rs did not prevent suppression by RA of S1P-elicited chemokinesis, which appears to be mediated by S1P(3) Rs, but instead exposed S1P(2) R-mediated inhibition of epidermal growth factor-stimulated chemotaxis of BCCs. In contrast, expression of the predominant LPA(2) Rs, LPA-evoked increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and LPA-stimulated chemokinetic migration were suppressed concomitantly by RA but not VD3. Thus two structurally-homologous S1P Rs of BCCs differ in coupling to [Ca(2+)](i) signaling and have opposite effects on protein growth factor-stimulated chemotaxis.     

Apoptosis in yeasts

Although yeasts lack some elements of the complex apoptotic machinery of metazoan cells, recent studies show that many features of apoptosis, including a caspase-like activity, can be induced in these organisms by DNA damage and other apoptotic triggers. These remarkable findings provide a compelling argument for increased efforts to bring the powerful genetic approaches available to yeast researchers more directly to bear on questions related to apoptosis and its induction or inhibition by drugs. Yeasts may provide a particularly useful model for understanding connections between DNA damage, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Here we summarize these recent findings and explore their implications, particularly for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for treating cancer.     

Phosphorylation of serine 51 in initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2 alpha) promotes complex formation between eIF2 alpha(P) and eIF2B and causes inhibition in the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF2B

Phosphorylation of serine 51 residue on the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) inhibits the guanine nucleotide exchange (GNE) activity of eIF2B, presumably, by forming a tight complex with eIF2B. Inhibition of the GNE activity of eIF2B leads to impairment in eIF2 recycling and protein synthesis. We have partially purified the wild-type (wt) and mutants of eIF2alpha in which the serine 51 residue was replaced with alanine (51A mutant) or aspartic acid (51D mutant) in the baculovirus system. Analysis of these mutants has provided novel insight into the role of 51 serine in the interaction between eIF2 and eIF2B. Neither mutant was phosphorylated in vitro. Both mutants decreased eIF2alpha phosphorylation occurring in hemin and poly(IC)-treated reticulocyte lysates due to the activation of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). However, addition of 51D, but not 51A mutant eIF2alpha protein promoted inhibition of the GNE activity of eIF2B in hemin-supplemented rabbit reticulocyte lysates in which relatively little or no endogenous eIF2alpha phosphorylation occurred. The 51D mutant enhanced the inhibition in GNE activity of eIF2B that occurred in hemin and poly(IC)-treated reticulocyte lysates where PKR is active. Our results show that the increased interaction between eIF2 and eIF2B protein, occurring in reticulocyte lysates due to increased eIF2alpha phosphorylation, is decreased significantly by the addition of mutant 51A protein but not 51D. Consistent with the idea that mutant 51D protein behaves like a phosphorylated eIF2alpha, addition of this partially purified recombinant subunit, but not 51A or wt eIF2alpha, increases the interaction between eIF2 and 2B proteins in actively translating hemin-supplemented lysates. These findings support the idea that phosphorylation of the serine 51 residue in eIF2alpha promotes complex formation between eIF2alpha(P) and eIF2B and thereby inhibits the GNE activity of eIF2B.     

Chemosensory proteins from the proboscis of mamestra brassicae

Soluble, low molecular weight proteins were immunodetected in proboscis extracts of Mamestra brassicae males by Western blot, using antibodies raised against the general odorant-binding protein of the moth Antheraea polyphemus. The same antibodies weakly labelled the sensillum lymph and subcuticular space of sensilla styloconica on ultrathin sections of the proboscis. The morphology of sensilla styloconica is described. The immunodetected proteins yielded several N-terminal sequences, three of which showed strong affinity for tritiated analogues of pheromonal compounds of M. brassicae in binding assays. The cDNAs coding for these sequences were cloned and it was shown that the new proteins are related to the OS-D protein of DROSOPHILA: They are named chemosensory proteins (CSP-MBRA:A1-CSP-MBRA:A5 and CSP-MBRA:B1 and CSP-MBRA:B2) and may have an odorant-binding protein-like function. A common localization in both olfaction and taste organs suggests a physiological role depending on the cellular environment.     

Profilin plays a role in cell elongation, cell shape maintenance, and flowering in Arabidopsis

Profilin (PFN) is an ubiquitous, low-M(r), actin-binding protein involved in the organization of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotes including higher plants. PFNs are encoded by a multigene family in Arabidopsis. We have analyzed in vivo functions of Arabidopsis PFN by generating transgenic plants carrying a 35S-PFN-1 or 35S-antisense PFN-1 transgene. Etiolated seedlings underexpressing PFN (PFN-U) displayed an overall dwarf phenotype with short hypocotyls whose lengths were 20% to 25% that of wild type (WT) at low temperatures. Light-grown PFN-U plants were smaller in stature and flowered early. Compared with equivalent cells in WT, most cells in PFN-U hypocotyls and roots were shorter, but more isodiametric, and microscopic observations of etiolated PFN-U hypocotyls revealed a rough epidermal surface. In contrast, light-grown seedlings overexpressing PFN had longer roots and root hair although etiolated seedlings overexpressing PFN were either the same size or slightly longer than WT seedlings. Transgenic seedlings harboring a PFN-1-GUS transgene directed expression in root and root hair and in a ring of cells at the elongating zone of the root tip. As the seedlings matured PFN-1-GUS was mainly expressed in the vascular bundles of cotyledons and leaves. Our results show that Arabidopsis PFNs play a role in cell elongation, cell shape maintenance, polarized growth of root hair, and unexpectedly, in determination of flowering time.     

Greenhouse and field evaluations of transgenic canola against diamondback moth, shape Plutella xylostella, and corn earworm, shape Helicoverpa zea

Canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars Oscar and Westar, engineered with a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cryIA(c) gene, were evaluated for resistance to lepidopterous pests, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Plutellidae) and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Noctuidae) in greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse preference assays conducted at vegetative and flowering plant stages, transgenic plants recorded very low levels of damage. A 100% diamondback moth mortality and 90% corn earworm mortality were obtained on transgenic plants in greenhouse antibiosis assays. The surviving corn earworm larvae on transgenic plants had reduced head capsule width and body weight. Mortality of diamondback moth and corn earworm were 100% and 95%, respectively, at different growth stages (seedling, vegetative, bolting, and flowering) on the transgenic plants in greenhouse tests. In field tests conducted during 1995–1997, plots were artificially infested with neonates of diamondback moth or corn earworm or left for natural infestation. Transgenic plants in all the treatments were highly resistant to diamondback moth and corn earworm larvae and had very low levels of defoliation. Plots infested with diamondback moth larvae had greater damage in both seasons as compared with corn earworm infested plots and plots under natural infestation. After exposure to defoliators, transgenic plants usually had higher final plant stand and produced more pods and seeds than non-transgenic plants. Diamondback moth injury caused the most pronounced difference in plant stand and pod and seed number between transgenic and non-transgenic plants. Our results suggest that transgenic canola could be used for effective management of diamondback moth and corn earworm on canola.     

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of groundnut (arachis hypogaea L.): An assessment of factors affecting regeneration of transgenic plants

Transgenic groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants were produced efficiently by inoculating different explants withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring a binary vector pBM21 containinguidA (GUS) andnptll (neomycin phosphotransferase) genes. Genetic transformation frequency was found to be high with cotyledonary node explants followed by 4 d cocultivation. This method required 3 days of precultivation period before cocultivation withAgrobacterium. A concentration of 75 mg/l kanamycin sulfate was added to regeneration medium in order to select transformed shoots. Shoot regeneration occurred within 4 weeks; excised shoots were rooted on MS medium containing 50 mg/I kanamycin sulfate before transferring to soil. The expression of GUS gene (uidA gene) in the regenerated plants was verified by histochemical and fluorimetric assays. The presence ofuidA andnptll genes in the putative transgenic lines was confirmed by PCR analysis. Insertion of thenptll gene in the nuclear genome of transgenic plants was verified by genomic Southern hybridization analysis. Factors affecting transformation efficiency are discussed.     

Influence of growth regulators on plant regeneration from epicotyl and hypocotyl cultures of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars. Explants cultured on media with auxins and in combination with cytokinin produced high frequency of callus. After four weeks, callus from these cultures was transferred to medium with cytokinin and reduced auxin, shoot buds regenerated from the cultures. A high rate of shoot bud regeneration was observed on medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA. Among the different auxins tested, NAA was found to be most effective, producing the highest frequency of shoot buds per responding cultures. Of the two explants tested, epicotyl was found to be best for high frequency shoot bud regeneration. Multiple shoots arose on MS medium supplemented with BAP or kinetin (1.0–5.0 mg/L) plus IBA (1.0 mg/L), with maximum production occurring at 5.0 mg/L. The elongated shoots developed rootsin vitro upon transfer to MS medium supplemented with NAA or IBA (0.5–2.0 mg/L) and kinetin (0.5 mg/L) for 15 days.In vitro produced plantlets, were transferred to soil and placed in a glasshouse developed successfully, matured, and set seeds.