A High-Resolution Genetic Map of the Nervous Locus on Mouse Chromosome 8

The nervous (nr) mutant mouse displays two gross recessive traits: both an exaggeration of juvenile hyperactivity and a pronounced ataxia become apparent during the third and fourth postnatal weeks. Using an intersubspecific intercross, we have established a high-resolution map of a segment of mouse Chromosome 8 that places thenrlocus in a genomic segment defined byD8Rck1on the centromeric end andD8Mit3on the telomeric end. This map position places thenrlocus within the BALB/cGr congenic region of the C3HeB/FeJ-nrstrain, confirming the accuracy of our study. We used this map position to identify and evaluate three genes—ankyrin 1, cortexin, and farnesyltransferase—as candidates for thenrgene. These three genes were eliminated from consideration but allowed us to establish the conservation of synteny between the region containing thenrlocus and a segment of the short arm of human chromosome 8 (8p21–p11.2). Finally, the incomplete penetrance of thenrphenotype led us to perform a screen for modifier loci, and we present evidence that such a nervous modifier locus may exist on mouse Chromosome 5.     

Differential regulation of antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidants.

We have demonstrated the selective induction of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) or catalase mRNA after exposure of tracheobronchial epithelial cells in vitro to different oxidant stresses. Addition of H2O2 caused a dose-dependent increase in catalase mRNA in both exponentially growing and confluent cells. A 3-fold induction of catalase mRNA was seen at a nontoxic dose of 250 microM H2O2. Increase in the steady-state mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and MnSOD were less striking. Expression of catalase, MnSOD, and GPX mRNA was highest in confluent cells. In contrast, constitutive expression of copper and zinc SOD (CuZnSOD) mRNA was greatest in dividing cells and was unaffected by H2O2 in both exponentially growing and confluent cells. MnSOD mRNA was selectively induced in confluent epithelial cells exposed to the reactive oxygen species-generating system, xanthine/xanthine oxidase, while steady-state levels of GPX, catalase, and CuZnSOD mRNA remained unchanged. The 3-fold induction of MnSOD mRNA was dose-dependent, reaching a peak at 0.2 unit/ml xanthine oxidase. MnSOD mRNA increases were seen as early as 2 h and reached maximal induction at 24 h. Immunoreactive MnSOD protein was produced in a corresponding dose- and time-dependent manner. Induction of MnSOD gene expression was prevented by addition of actinomycin D and cycloheximide. These data indicate that epithelial cells of the respiratory tract respond to different oxidant insults by selective induction of certain antioxidant enzymes. Hence, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes does not appear to be coordinately regulated in these cell types.     

Direct magnitude estimation of salt taste intensity with continuous correction for salivary adaptation

Subjects sipped and expectorated NaCl solutions, estimatingintensities by direct magnitude estimation, with and withoutinterstimulus rinsing, while saliva samples were taken priorto each tasting and analysed for sodium. Interstimulus rinsingwas seen to reduce salivary sodium concentrations and elicithigher intensity estimates. Exponents for simple psychophysicalpower functions were seen to be higher in the no-rinsing condition,confirming earlier studies. When the functions were correctedfor adaptation level and chemical activity, the trend in exponentswas reversed; this can be interpreted in terms of context effects.It was also found that power functions only produced the bestfit for approximately half the functions; parabolic functionsproduced approximately half, while a few were best fitted byexponential, linear and logarithmic functions.