Detection of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus RNA in BALB/c Tumor Cell Lines of Nonviral Etiologies

A complementary DNA (cDNA) probe to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) RNA was synthesized using calf thymus DNA oligonucleotides as a random primer. This probe was then used to study the expression of MMTV RNA in cell lines from BALB/c tumors induced in vivo either spontaneously or in response to viral, chemical, or hormonal stimuli. The cDNA had a length of approximately 400 to 500 nucleotides and specifically hybridized to MMTV RNA and BALB/c lactating mammary gland RNA, but not to Moloney leukemia virus RNA. Calf thymus DNA-primed cDNA could protect 50% of iodinated MMTV RNA from S1 nuclease digestion at cDNA-RNA ratios of 1:1 and 90% of labeled viral RNA at ratios of 10:1. Thermal denaturation of MMTV RNA-cDNA hybrids yielded a T(m) of 88.5 degrees C, indicative of a well-base-paired duplex. Screening of mouse mammary tumor cells for MMTV sequences revealed that three out of five lines of BALB/c origin had undetectable levels of viral RNA (相似文献   

Control of the carcinogenic potential of 99mTechnetium by the immunologic hormone lymphotoxin

Summary Immunologic prevention of the carcinogenicity of the diagnostic gamma-emitting radionuclide ^99mTechnetium (^99mTc) by lymphotoxin was evaluated using an in vivo-in vitro assay of carcinogenesis. Pregnant Syrian golden hamsters received 125–2,300 Ci ^99mTc/kg body weight by injection, and 7 days later colonies of morphologically transformed cells were quantitated in vitro. The transformation frequency increased directly with the radionuclide concentration, and cells derived from transformed colonies produced tumors in athymic nude mice. The total absorbed ^99mTc dose was 0.20 rad following injection of 250 Ci ^99mTc/kg hamster body weight; this compares with an exposure of 0.13 rad following injection of 143 Ci ^99mTc/kg body weight in humans. Intravenous injection of purified hamster lymphotoxin immediately after ^99mTc caused a dose-dependent reduction in the transformation frequency. Transformation was essentially completely prevented (97%) by injection of 8,000 U of lymphotoxin. Thus, the immune system, through the action of lymphotoxin, has the potential to prevent carcinogenesis induced by gamma-radiation from ^99mTc. This emphasizes the importance of considering the recipient's immune and other homeostatic mechanisms as part of a complete diagnostic or therapeutic gamma-radiation regimen.     

Novel shuttle plasmid vehicles for Escherichia-Streptococcus transgeneric cloning

A novel plasmid vector that is able to replicate both in Escherichia coli and in Streptococcus sanguis is described. This 9.2-kb plasmid, designated pVA856, carries Cm^r, Tc^r and Em^r determinants that are expressed in E. coli. Only the Em^r determinant is expressed in S. sanguis. Both the Cm^r and the Tc^r of pVA856 may be insertionally inactivated. This plasmid affords several different cleavage-ligation strategies for cloning in E. coli followed by subsequent introduction of chimeras in to S. sanguis. In addition, we have modified a previously described E. coli-S. sanguis shuttle plasmid [pVA838; Macrina et al., Gene 19 (1982) 345–353], so that it is unable to replicate in S. sanguis. The utility of such a plasmid for cloning and selecting sequences enabling autonomous replication in S. sanguis is demonstrated.     

An Improved Technique for Sequential R-, Q- and C-Banding of Bone Marrow Chromosomes

A procedure for the sequential staining of metaphase cells to provide R-banding, Q-banding and C-banding of chromosomes is described. The combined techniques allow more precise identification of marker chromosomes and more accurate definition of breakpoints in the consistent chromosome translocations that are associated with certain human malignancies.     

The relative influence of age and weight on the reproductive behaviour of male grey seals Halichoerus grypus

The breeding behaviour of male grey seals Halichoerus grypus of known age and weight was studied on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Branded males ranged in age from 8 to 16 years and although there was a positive relationship between age and weight, there was a large overlap between age classes. In general, there was an increase in length of tenure and rates of copulation with increasing male age but this was less marked among males between the ages of 13 and 16 years. Compared to older ones, males of 8 and 12 years were observed at more sites, travelled more extensively around the breeding colony, were transient more frequently and were unable to lie as close to females. There was no correlation between male body weight and either length of tenure or rates of copulation when males of age 8 (the smallest males) were excluded from the analysis. Most agonistic behaviour was made by larger, older males towards smaller, younger ones and appeared to be responsible for the short length of tenure and low reproductive rates of young bulls.     

Toxicity of sewage-contaminated sediment cores to Macrocystis pyrifera (Laminariales,Phaeophyta) gametophytes determined by digital image analysis

Macrocystis pyrifera gametophytes were exposed in batch culture to varying mass concentrations of buried, sewage-contaminated, historically discharged sediment that had been sampled from two sites off Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. Significant gametophytic vegetative growth inhibition was detected in six days, using digital image analysis at sediment loadings ranging from 0.15 to 14.5 g in 500 mL nutrient-enriched seawater. Inhibition declined at low sediment loadings and increased at high loadings as cultures aged. Sediments corresponding to the historic emissions peak taken 2 km from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant outfall inhibited vegetative growth more than did sediments sampled 13 km distant. Analysis showed elevated aqueous Cd(II), Cr(II) and p,p-DDE concentrations in high sediment-loading culture medium. Inhibition by Zn(II) alone was observed at similar concentrations in other experiments, but synergism or antagonism by other toxicants remains possible.     

An improved detection system applied to the study of serum lipoproteins after single-step density gradient ultracentrifugation

Starting from a single-spin ultracentrifugation procedure described previously (Foreman et al., J. Lipid Res. 18, 759, 1977), we have improved the system for detection of the fractions eluted from the gradient by monitoring them continuously at 280 nm. A graphic display readily permits assessment of the distribution of the lipoproteins and their quantification with the aid of a computer program. By the use of appropriate factors, one can convert absorbance readings into actual lipoprotein values which correspond well (±7% for low-density lipoproteins and ±5% for high-density lipoproteins) to those obtained by means of chemical analyses. The examples provided indicate the versatility of the method and its sensitivity (down to 0.1 ml of serum).     

Age-related motor and catecholomine alterations in mice on levodopa supplemented diet

Old mice reared on regular diet show reduced motor activity, decreased basal adenylate cyclase, and increased MAO activities compared to adults. Brain DDC and COMT activities, DA, NE levels and DA-stimulated adenylate cyclase remained unchanged. By contrast, mice fed levodopa for life did not develop decreased motor activity with aging, lived about 50% longer, had slightly elevated whole brain DA and NE levels and failed to develop the expected rise in MAO activity with aging. Levodopa did not alter the number of dopaminergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors or the adenylate cyclase activity in the striatum during aging. On levodopa, hepatic and renal DA, dopa, and HVA increased but the latter two returned to basal levels by mid life. In liver, DDC was unchanged but MAO tended to be higher in levodopa-fed mice. Thus, motor impairment is an age-related phenomenon in mice associated with selective alterations in brain dopaminergic systems, which may be prevented by dietary levodopa. Extracerebral tissues, through possibly adaptive metabolic mechanisms, play a significant role in regulating brain catecholamines during chronic administration of large doses of levodopa.     

Fucose in the surface deposits of axenic and field grown roots ofZea mays L.

Summary The location of materials containing terminal fucose residues on the surface of axenic and field grown roots of corn has been determined.Binding patterns of FITC-labelled,Lotus purpureus Moench lectin indicate the presence of the fucose residues in the cell walls and mucilage of the peripheral region of the root cap. During development, fucose residues also appear in the outer periclinal walls and overlying mucilage of columnar epidermal cells. Surface material rich in these residues persists between the mature root hairs but is not found on their surface. Fucose-rich mucilage is present on the exposed surface of aerial roots and at the point where they enter the soil. No lectin binding residues are indicated elsewhere in the roots.