The viral killer system in yeast: from molecular biology to application

Since the initial discovery of the yeast killer system almost 40 years ago, intensive studies have substantially strengthened our knowledge in many areas of biology and provided deeper insights into basic aspects of eukaryotic cell biology as well as into virus-host cell interactions and general yeast virology. Analysis of killer toxin structure, synthesis and secretion has fostered understanding of essential cellular mechanisms such as post-translational prepro-protein processing in the secretory pathway. Furthermore, investigation of the receptor-mediated mode of toxin action proved to be an effective means for dissecting the molecular structure and in vivo assembly of yeast and fungal cell walls, providing important insights relevant to combating infections by human pathogenic yeasts. Besides their general importance in understanding eukaryotic cell biology, killer yeasts, killer toxins and killer viruses are also becoming increasingly interesting with respect to possible applications in biomedicine and gene technology. This review will try to address all these aspects.     

Locally Synthesized Phosphatidylcholine, but Not Protein, Undergoes Rapid Retrograde Axonal Transport in the Rat Sciatic Nerve

Abstract: Retrograde axonal transport of phosphatidylcholine in the sciatic nerve has been demonstrated only after injection of lipid precursors into the cell body region. We now report, however, that after microinjection (1 μl) of [methyl-³H]choline chloride into the rat sciatic nerve (35-40 mm distal to the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia), time-dependent accumulation of ³H-labeled material occurred in dorsal root ganglia ipsilateral, but not contralateral, to the injection site. The level of radioactivity in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia was minimal at 2 h after isotope injection but was significantly increased at 7, 24, 48, and 72 h after intraneural isotope injection (n = 3–8 per time point); at these time points, all of the radiolabel in the chloroform/methanol extract of the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia was present in phosphatidylcholine. The radioactivity in the water-soluble fraction did not show a time-dependent accumulation in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia as compared with the contralateral DRGs, ruling out transport or diffusion of precursor molecules. In addition, colchicine injection into the sciatic nerve proximal to the isotope injection site prevented the accumulation of radiolabel in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia. Therefore, this time-dependent accumulation of radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia is most likely due to retrograde axonal transport of locally synthesized phospholipid material. Moreover, 24 h after injection of both [³H]choline and [³⁵S]-methionine into the sciatic nerve, the ipsilateral/contralateral ratio of radiolabel was 11.7 for ³H but only 1.1 for ³⁵S. indicating that only locally synthesized choline phospholipids, but not protein, were retrogradely transported.     

Chemically defined collateral projections from the pons to the central nucleus of the amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in the rat

Triple fluorescence labelling was employed to reveal the distribution of chemically identified neurons within the pontine laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus which supply branching collateral input to the central nucleus of the amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The chemical identity of neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus was revealed by immunocytochemical detection of choline-acetyltransferase or substance P; in the dorsal raphe nucleus, the chemical content of the neurons was revealed with antibody recognizing serotonin. The projections were defined by injections of two retrograde tracers, rhodamine-and fluorescein-labelled latex microspheres, in the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus, respectively. Neurons projecting to both the central nucleus of the amygdala and the paraventricular nucleus were distributed primarily within the caudal extensions of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus. Approximately 11% and 7% of the labelled cells in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus projected via branching collaterals to the paraventricular nucleus and central nucleus of the amygdala. About half of these neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus were cholinergic, and one-third were substance-P-ergic; in the dorsal raphe nucleus, approximately half of the neurons containing both retrograde tracers were serotonergic. These results indicate that pontine neurons may simultaneously transmit signals to the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus and that several different neuroactive substances are found in the neurons participating in these pathways. This coordinated signalling may lead to synchronized responses of the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus for the maintenance of homeostasis. Interactions between different neuroactive substances at the target site may serve to modulate the responses of individual neurons.     

Demonstration of substance P in aortic nerve afferent fibers by combined use of fluorescent retrograde neuronal labeling and immunocytochemistry

Combined use of the intraaxonal retrograde transport of the fluorescent marker ‘true blue’ with substance P (SP) immunocytochemistry has been used to trace the nodose ganglion projections of SP-containing neurons of the aortic depressor nerve. It has been found that (1) SP immunoreactive (SP-I) cell bodies are clearly demonstrable in clusters in the rostral part of the nodose ganglion without the aid of colchicine pretreatment; (2) ‘true blue’ is retrogradely transported to the nodose ganglion following its application to the central cut end of the aortic nerve; (3) ‘true blue’ fluorescence and SP fluorescent immunoreactivity can be visualized in the same tissue section and certain cell bodies in the nodose ganglia contain both SP-I and retrogradely transported ‘true blue’. These results indicate that the aortic nerve which projects from the aortic arch baro- and/or chemoreceptors to brainstem vasomotor centers contains SP-I afferent fibers which emanate from the nodose ganglion.     

Rtg2 protein: at the nexus of yeast longevity and aging

Firm support for the notion that metabolism and particularly mitochondrial metabolism plays a significant role in aging has been gathered in studies on yeast. As in other organisms, mitochondria contribute to aging through their propensity to generate reactive oxygen species. There is more to the involvement of mitochondria in aging than this, however. Mitochondrial dysfunction, which accumulates during aging, triggers the retrograde response, an intracellular signaling pathway that activates genes that compensate for this dysfunction. A key signaling protein in this pathway is the Rtg2 protein. Recent studies have provided evidence that this protein lies at the nexus of the four major processes that are involved in aging in yeast and in other organisms; namely, metabolism, stress resistance, chromatin-dependent gene regulation, and genome stability. The details of this central role of Rtg2 protein explain the delicate balance between longevity and aging, which ultimately must tip towards the latter. Phenomena that resemble the retrograde response appear to exist in human cells, with both common and cell type-specific gene expression changes as the output.     

Innervation of the substantia nigra

This review describes inputs to neurons in the substantia nigra and contrasts them with the action of agonists for the putative receptors through which they act. Special emphasis is placed on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) afferents. Dopamine released from the somato-dendritic compartment of dopamine neurons and endocannabinoids released from dopamine and GABA neurons serve as retrograde signals to modulate GABA release. The release may be fostered by Ca²⁺ release from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, which in turn may be influenced by the inputs.The studies summarized in this review were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR 302/TP-B1)     

Signal transduction from membrane to nucleus: The special case for neurons

Neurons have a unique problem with signal transduction from the membrane in the region of their terminals back to the cell body and nucleus. This distance may be several meters in some nerves in some species, so there is a requirement for some mechanism to stabilize the signal. This review examines two complementary mechanisms for this signal transduction, either by the retrograde axonal transport of the neurotrophic factor together with its receptor, or the transport of a stable activated second messenger molecule. Extrapolation of studies on the fibroblast signal transuction pathway, where it has been shown that G, can translocate from the membrane to the nucleus, has The alpha subunits of both G_i and G_z are retrogradely transported and G_zα or possibly the intact heterotrimeric G_z subsequently accumulates in dorsal root ganglia nuclei. Thus G_z, G_i, and potentially other G-proteins and distinct signaling molecules may provide additional signal transduction pathways to that of the neurotrophins from terminal to nucleus. Special issue dedicated to Dr. Hans Thoenen.     

尖顶距在股骨近端抗旋转髓内钉治疗股骨近端骨折中的应用

目的:探讨尖顶距在股骨近端抗旋转髓内钉治疗股骨近端骨折临床效果中的作用和意义,为骨外科手术疗效的评价提供可借鉴的方法。方法:对2006年8月-2007年10月期间在我院接受PFNA治疗的32例股骨近端骨折患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。根据AO/ASIF国际内固定研究学会标准对骨折进行分类,应用术中和术后即刻X光射线照片对骨折复位情况、远端锁定类型和股骨头内刀片位置进行记录。患者术后常规X光照片观察切出情况,用Oxford髋关节评分系统评价临床疗效。结果:研究期间共有37例PFNA植入,纳入本研究的共32例,27例获得随访。其中,3例切出(2例内侧穿孔和1例内侧塌陷)TAD小于20mm。4例植入相关股骨骨折,2例不愈合,1例复位失败。结论:PFNA是治疗股骨近端不稳定型骨折的有效装置。我们认为TAD应尽量20 mm或30 mm以避免股骨头穿透。     

5％阿莫罗芬甲涂剂治疗兔甲真菌病的疗效观察

目的 建立甲真菌病动物模型,观察局部使用5％阿莫罗芬甲涂剂治疗模型甲的疗效.方法 我们将须癣毛癣菌接种在新西兰白兔的后肢趾甲上,构建兔甲真菌病模型,感染成功后予组织病理学检查观察真菌在甲内的生长形态和方式,并外用5％阿莫罗芬甲涂剂治疗模型甲4周,用真菌学半定量培养评估其疗效.结果 在免疫抑制的情况下,须癣毛癣菌感染新西兰白兔的甲真菌病模型构建成功,接种1周后趾甲近端即出现白色、淡黄色云雾状的改变,与人甲真菌病的临床改变相似.组织学可以看到有隔分支菌丝穿入甲板,到达甲床.接种后2、4、6周,模型甲总体感染率分别为52.78％、77.78％和83.33％.外用5％阿莫罗芬甲涂剂治疗2、4周时真菌学有效率分别是22.22％和66.67％.结论 成功建立了甲真菌病的动物模型,并用此模型评估了外用抗真菌药的疗效,5％阿莫罗芬甲涂剂治疗兔甲真菌病4周的真菌学有效率为66.67％.