Polyoma virus defective DNAs. I. Physical maps of a related set of defective molecules (D76, D91, D92).

Three related polyoma virus species, designated D92 (92% the size of full-length polyoma virus DNA), D91 (91%) and D76 (76%) have been analysed and their structures compared with that of polyoma virus A2 DNA. Three independent methods (restriction endonuclease cleavage, depurination fingerprinting and DNA-DNA hybridization) were used in the analysis.The defective DNAs appear to be: (1) entirely composed of viral sequences (no host DNA sequences were detected): (2) made up in part of long continuous sequences of DNA which appear identical to sequences of A2 DNA (D92 contains continuous sequences from 1 to 72 map units on the physical map of A2 DNA; that is, it contains the entire late region and part of the early region of the viral DNA. D91 and D76 contain those same sequences except for a 1% deletion around 18 map units): (3) made up in part of rearranged viral sequences.Several interesting features were noted about the rearranged sequences present in the defective DNAs. Sequences from the region around 67 map units were found linked to other (non-contiguous) regions of the DNA. Sequences from about 72 map units were linked to sequences from about 1 map unit. Multiple copies of sequences from 67 to 72 map units (from around the origin of DNA replication) were found (4 copies in D91 and D92, and 2 copies in D76).     

Influence of free fatty acid anion on the binding of warfarin to cytoplasmic proteins from rat liver

In vitro binding studies have shown that warfarin binds strongly to both ligandins (Y) and Z protein obtained from rat liver cytosol with dissociation constants of 11.7 and 10.1 μM respectively. Increasing concentrations of oleate ion significantly increased the dissociation constant of warfarin with either protein, whereas laurate ion showed the same behavior only with Z protein. On the other hand, the binding of warfarin to liver cytoplasmic proteins in vivo was decreased in 72-h-pre-fasted rats, although such fasting failed to produce any increase in the in vivo levels of the cytoplasmic free fatty acids (FFA). However, based on the results of the in vitro binding study, it is suggested that changes in the composition of hepatic cytoplasmic free fatty acids as a result of fasting could reduce the in vivo binding of warfarin to Y and Z proteins and hence could lead to an increase of unbound warfarin in liver cytosol.     

Radical mechanism of aminopyrine oxidation by cumene hydroperoxide catalyzed by purified liver microsomal cytochrome P-450

Under identical experimental conditions, purified preparations of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and beef heart metmyoglobin were equally effective at stimulating the oxidation of aminopyrine to a free radical species by cumene hydroperoxide. Mannitol had no effect on radical levels produced with either hemeprotein-hydroperoxide system; however, specific ligands of the two hemeproteins, substrates of cytochrome P-450, and phospholipid affected the two systems quite differently. Only the metmyo-globindependent oxidation of aminopyrine was significantly inhibited by fluoride and cyanide. Metyrapone, a specific ligand of cytochrome P-450, and benzphetamine, which was N-demethylated by cumene hydroperoxide only in the presence of cytochrome P-450, inhibited only the cytochrome P-450-stimulated oxidation of aminopyrine. Moreover, only with the solubilized liver hemeprotein was aminopyrine radical generation markedly stimulated by phospholipid. Similar properties of aminopyrine N-demethylation and radical formation by the cytochrome P-450-cumene hydroperoxide system have strongly implicated the radical as a requisite intermediate in product formation. Micromolar concentrations of metyrapone caused parallel inhibition, by at least 50%, of both radical generation and formaldehyde production. These results support a radical pathway of N-demethylation proposed for other hemeprotein-hydroperoxide systems (B. W. Griffin and P. L. Ting, 1978, Biochemistry, 17, 2206–2211), in which the substrate undergoes two successive one-electron abstractions, followed by hydrolysis of the iminium cation intermediate. Thus, for this class of substrates, the experimental data are consistent with the oxygen atom of the product arising from H₂O and not directly from the hydroperoxide, which has been previously proposed as a general mechanism for cytochrome P-450 peroxidatic activities.     

Effects of DCPA,EPTC, and Chlorpropham on Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne hapla to Alfalfa

Treatments wilh the herbicides chlorpropham (isopropyl m-chlorocarbinilate), DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate), and El''TC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate), alone or in combination with Meloidogyne hapla Chilwood, significantly reduced the growth of both nemalode-resistant ''Nev Syn XX'' atttt susceptible ''Ranger" alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) seedlings. M. hapla infection of both alfalfas was reduced by all herbicides because of fewer available infective courts in the treated plants. EPTC, however, reduced resistance to M. hapla, as indicated by increased galling of ''Nev Syn XX'' plants.     

Requirement for the C-terminal region of middle T-antigen in cellular transformation by polyoma virus

Deletions of polyoma virus DNA around the region that codes for the C-terminus of the viral middle T-antigen were created using a transforming fragment (BamH I/EcoR I) of viral DNA cloned in the plasmid vector pAT153. These species were recloned and assayed for their ability to transform Rat-1 cells in culture. Our results showed that whereas the DNA sequence between the presumed translational termination codon for the viral middle T-antigen and the single viral EcoR I site could be removed with no apparent effect on transformation, the removal of the termination codon itself or any amino acid coding sequences of this protein caused a drastic decrease in the transforming ability of the DNA. Transfection of Rat-1 cells with plasmids that contained viral DNA with deletions which corresponded to the last fourteen or more amino acids of the middle T-antigen never gave rise to cellular transformation.     

Role of gonadal hormones in development of the sexual phenotypes

Summary Male and female embryos develop in an identical fashion during the initial portion of gestation. If the indifferent gonad differentiates into an ovary (or if no gonad is present), a female phenotype is formed. Male phenotypic differentiation, however, requires the presence of an endocrinologically active testis. Two secretion of the fetal testis, Müllerian inhibiting substance and testosterone, are responsible for male development. Studies of single gene mutations that interfere with androgen action indicate that testosterone itself is responsible for virilization of the Wolffian duct system into the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle, whereas the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone induces development of the prostate and male external genitalia. Thus, impairment of dihydrotestosterone formation results in a characteristic phenotype consisting of predominantly female external genitalia but normally virilized Wolffian ducts. The molecular mechanisms by which testosterone and dihydrotestosterone act during fetal development appear to involve the same high affinity receptor, a protein that transports both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone to the nucleus of target cells. When this receptor is either absent, deficient, or structurally abnormal, the actions of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are impaired, and the resulting developmental anomalies involve both internal and external genital structures.The original work described in this review was supported by grant AM 03892 from the National Institutes of Health