Soybean-derived phosphatidylinositol inhibits in vivo low concentrations of amyloid beta protein-induced degeneration of hippocampal neurons in V337M human tau-expressing mice

In our previous reports using primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons, pathophysiological concentrations (< or =10 nM) of amyloid beta proteins (Abetas) showed neurotoxicity via a phosphatidylinositol metabolism disorder, and soybean-derived phosphatidylinositol protected the neurons against the Abeta's neurotoxicity. In the present study, such a neurotoxic effect of Abeta and a neuroprotective effect of phosphatidylinositol were examined in vivo using transgenic mice expressing V337 M human tau. Intrahippocampal CA1 injection of 1.5 mul of 100 nM or 1 microM Abeta25-35 increased the number of degenerating neurons with an apoptotic feature in bilateral hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions in 1 month, demonstrating an in vivo neurotoxic effect of Abeta at lower concentrations after diffusion. Intrahippocampal co-injection or intracerebroventricular administration of 1.5 microl of 500 nM phosphatidylinositol prevented the Abeta25-35-induced neuronal degeneration in all the hippocampal regions, while co-injection of another acidic phospholipid, phosphatidylserine (1.5 microl, 500 nM) with Abeta25-35 showed no protective effects. Thus, exogenously applied phosphatidylinositol appeared to minimize the toxic effects of Abeta in vivo. These results suggest that soybean-derived phosphatidylinositol may be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

A mathematical model for indirectly transmitted diseases

We consider a mathematical model for the indirect transmission via a contaminated environment of a microparasite between two spatially distributed host populations having non-coincident spatial domains. The parasite is benign in a first population and lethal in the second one. Global existence results are given for the resulting reaction-diffusion system coupled with an ordinary differential equation. Then, invasion and persistence of the parasite are studied. A simplified model for the transmission of a hantavirus from bank vole to human populations is then analysed.     

Action of divergicin M35, a class IIa bacteriocin, on liposomes and Listeria

AIMS: The mode of action of divergicin M35, a class IIa bacteriocin, was studied against Listeria monocytogenes with sensitive (DivS) and resistant (DivM) phenotypes, as well as on synthetic phospholipid liposomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Divergicin-induced release of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) from zwitterionic (DMPC) and anionic (DMPC/DMPG, 4:1) liposomes, divergicin binding to liposomes, intracellular ATP concentration, cation efflux, cell affinity for hydrocarbons and cell lysis were measured and cell damage was visualized by fluorescence imaging and transmission electron microscopy. Divergicin M35 at 5 microg ml(-1) induced DPH efflux from anionic and zwitterionic liposomes at rates of about 2.58% and 1.61% per minute, respectively. DPH efflux rate from anionic liposomes was reduced by about 1.83% and 2.1% per minute in the presence of Li+ and Ca2+, respectively. Binding affinity of divergicin M35 to anionic and zwitterionic liposomes was about 86% and 63%, respectively. Intracellular ATP decreased in the sensitive and the resistant strains by 96.7% and 72.8%, respectively after 20 min of exposure to 5 microg ml(-1) divergicin M35. Lysis of the sensitive strain reached 57% in 18 h at a concentration of 5 microg ml(-1) when compared with the lysis of the divergicin-resistant strain (38.8%). The K+ and Na+ efflux from the divergicin-sensitive strain reached 87% and 80% of the total ion content within 5 min of exposure. This strain also showed higher affinity for hydrocarbons. CONCLUSIONS: The cell death of listerial strains upon addition of divergicin M35 could result from ATP depletion, K+ and Na+ efflux, and bacteriolysis. This triple biological effect was attenuated in the DivM strain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study contributed to the understanding of the mode of action of divergicin M35, a pediocin-like bacteriocin.     

Differences in kainate receptor involvement in hippocampal mossy fibre long-term potentiation depending on slice orientation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a well-established experimental model used to investigate the synaptic basis of learning and memory. LTP at mossy fibre - CA3 synapses in the hippocampus is unusual because it is normally N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent. Instead it seems that the trigger for mossy fibre LTP involves kainate receptors (KARs). Although it is generally accepted that pre-synaptic KARs play an essential role in frequency facilitation and LTP, their subunit composition remains a matter of significant controversy. We have reported previously that both frequency facilitation and LTP can be blocked by selective antagonism of GluK1 (formerly GluR5/Glu(K5))-containing KARs, but other groups have failed to reproduce this effect. Moreover, data from receptor knockout and mRNA expression studies argue against a major role of GluK1, supporting a more central role for GluK2 (formerly GluR6/Glu(K6)). A potential reason underlying the controversy in the pharmacological experiments may reside in differences in the preparations used. Here we show differences in pharmacological sensitivity of synaptic plasticity at mossy fibre - CA3 synapses depend critically on slice orientation. In transverse slices, LTP of fEPSPs was invariably resistant to GluK1-selective antagonists whereas in parasagittal slices LTP was consistently blocked by GluK1-selective antagonists. In addition, there were pronounced differences in the magnitude of frequency facilitation and the sensitivity to the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist DCG-IV. Using anterograde labelling of granule cells we show that slices of both orientations possess intact mossy fibres and both large and small presynaptic boutons. Transverse slices have denser fibre tracts but a smaller proportion of giant mossy fibre boutons. These results further demonstrate a considerable heterogeneity in the functional properties of the mossy fibre projection.     

Inhibition of forebrain μ-opioid receptor signaling by low concentrations of rimonabant does not require cannabinoid receptors and directly involves μ-opioid receptors

Increasing number of publications shows that cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1)) specific compounds might act in a CB(1) independent manner, including rimonabant, a potent CB(1) receptor antagonist. Opioids, cannabinoids and their receptors are well known for their overlapping pharmacological properties. We have previously reported a prominent decrease in μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity when animals were acutely treated with the putative endocannabinoid noladin ether (NE). In this study, we clarified whether the decreased MOR activation caused by NE could be reversed by rimonabant in CB(1) receptor deficient mice. In functional [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays, we have elucidated that 0.1mg/kg of intraperitoneal (i.p.) rimonabant treatment prior to that of NE treatment caused further attenuation on the maximal stimulation of Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-(NMe)Phe-Gly-ol (DAMGO), which is a highly specific MOR agonist. Similar inhibitory effects were observed when rimonabant was injected i.p. alone and when it was directly applied to forebrain membranes. These findings are cannabinoid receptor independent as rimonabant caused inhibition in both CB(1) single knockout and CB(1)/CB(2) double knockout mice. In radioligand competition binding assays we highlighted that rimonabant fails to displace effectively [(3)H]DAMGO from MOR in low concentrations and is highly unspecific on the receptor at high concentrations in CB(1) knockout forebrain and in their wild-type controls. Surprisingly, docking computational studies showed a favorable binding position of rimonabant to the inactive conformational state of MOR, indicating that rimonabant might behave as an antagonist at MOR. These findings were confirmed by radioligand competition binding assays in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with MOR, where a higher affinity binding site was measured in the displacement of the tritiated opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. However, based on our in vivo data we suggest that other, yet unidentified mechanisms are additionally involved in the observed effects.     

Probing the role of structural features of mouse PrP in yeast by expression as Sup35-PrP fusions

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a tractable model organism in which both to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of disease-associated protein misfolding and to map the cellular responses to potentially toxic misfolded proteins. Specific targets have included proteins which in certain disease states form amyloids and lead to neurodegeneration. Such studies are greatly facilitated by the extensive ‘toolbox’ available to the yeast researcher that provides a range of cell engineering options. Consequently, a number of assays at the cell and molecular level have been set up to report on specific protein misfolding events associated with endogenous or heterologous proteins. One major target is the mammalian prion protein PrP because we know little about what specific sequence and/or structural feature(s) of PrP are important for its conversion to the infectious prion form, PrP^Sc. Here, using a study of the expression in yeast of fusion proteins comprising the yeast prion protein Sup35 fused to various regions of mouse PrP protein, we show how PrP sequences can direct the formation of non-transmissible amyloids and focus in particular on the role of the mouse octarepeat region. Through this study we illustrate the benefits and limitations of yeast-based models for protein misfolding disorders.     

单纯疱疹病毒2型衣壳支架蛋白ICP35原核表达载体的构建及其表达特性分析

本研究旨在构建单纯疱疹病毒2型(herpes simplex virus type 2,HSV-2)衣壳支架蛋白ICP35的原核表达载体,并分析其在HSV-2增殖中的表达特性。以HSV-2基因组DNA为模板,采用聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)扩增HSV-2 ICP35的编码基因UL26.5,并克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a(＋),转化大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)进行诱导表达,将纯化的重组ICP35免疫家兔后获得抗体,采用免疫荧光检测ICP35在HSV-2增殖中的表达特性。结果显示,HSV-2 UL26.5基因的PCR产物大小约为1 065 bp,原核表达重组蛋白的相对分子质量约为6.3×10⁴,免疫家兔的血清抗体可特异性识别HSV-2 ICP35。免疫荧光检测结果显示,HSV-2 ICP35可在感染后8 h出现于细胞核周围,12 h表达量进一步增加并向细胞核内聚集,16 h后在细胞核、细胞质内均可检测到聚集成斑点状的衣壳支架蛋白。结果表明,HSV-2 ICP35原核表达载体的成功构建及对其在HSV-2增殖中表达特性的分析,将为研究UL26.5基因的功能、蛋白相互作用、病毒与宿主的相互作用及筛选药物靶标等奠定基础。     

Suppressors, Screens, and Genes: An Educational Primer for Use with "A Network of Genes Antagonistic to the LIN-35 Retinoblastoma Protein of Caenorhabditis elegans"

An article by Polley and Fay in this issue of GENETICS provides an excellent opportunity to introduce or reinforce concepts of reverse genetics and RNA interference, suppressor screens, synthetic phenotypes, and phenocopy. Necessary background, explanations of these concepts, and a sample approach to classroom use of the original article, including discussion questions, are provided.     

Chemical composition, intake by sheep, and in situ disappearance in cannulated cows of bermudagrass hayed at two moisture concentrations and treated with a non-viable Lactobacillus-lactic acid preservative

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is commonly used for grazing and haying in the southern USA, but hay curing can be challenging due to frequent rainfall events during spring and early summer. An existing stand of ‘Greenfield’ bermudagrass was divided into 12 plots using a randomized complete block design with a 2×2 factorial treatment arrangement to evaluate the influence of a non-viable Lactobacillus-lactic acid preservative and moisture concentration at baling on chemical composition, intake by sheep, and in situ disappearance in cattle. At time of mowing, half of the plots in each block were either spray-treated (T) or not treated (U) with 81 mL/t forage dry matter (DM) of the preservative solution. Hay was then baled at target moisture concentrations of either 174 g/kg DM (L) or 267 g/kg DM (H). Maximum temperature and heating degree days were greater (P<0.05) from H compared with L during the 42-d storage period. An interaction between spray and moisture treatments tended (P<0.10) to affect recovery of DM; recoveries for LT (0.992) differed (P<0.10) from HT (0.913), but LU and HU were intermediate between the spray-treated hays, and did not differ from either (P>0.10). Post-storage nutritive value was largely influenced by moisture treatments only. Intake and digestibility, and in situ DM disappearance of these same hays were determined using 16 wether lambs (43 ± 3.7 kg initial BW), or six ruminally cannulated cows (617 ± 3.5 kg initial BW), respectively. Dry matter intake by sheep was not affected by either treatment factor (P>0.05), but DM digestibility and digestible DM intake were greater (P<0.05) from U compared with T. The in situ immediately soluble DM portion was greater from (P<0.05) L compared with H, but the reverse was true for the potentially degradable DM fraction. The lag time tended (P<0.10) to be greater from H compared with L. Treating bermudagrass with a non-viable Lactobacillus acidophilus-lactic acid spray product at time of baling may not offset the negative effects on forage quality and digestibility of baling bermudagrass hay at excessive moisture concentrations.