Acidosis facilitates spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in rat myocardium

Previous studies have shown that acidosis increases myoplasmic [Ca2+] (Cai). We have investigated whether this facilitates spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and its functional sequelae. In unstimulated rat papillary muscles, exposure to an acid solution (produced by increasing the [CO2] of the perfusate from 5 to 20%) caused a rapid increase in the mean tissue Cai, as measured by the photoprotein aequorin. This was paralleled by an increase in spontaneous microscopic tissue motion caused by localized Ca2+ myofilament interactions, as monitored in fluctuations in the intensity of laser light scattered by the muscle. In regularly stimulated muscles, acidosis increased the size of the Ca2+ transient associated with each contraction and caused the appearance of Cai oscillations in the diastolic period. In unstimulated single myocytes, acidosis depolarized the resting membrane potential by approximately 5 mV and enhanced the frequency of spontaneous contractile waves. The small sarcolemmal depolarization associated with each contractile wave increased and occasionally initiated spontaneous action potentials. In regularly stimulated myocytes, acidosis caused de novo spontaneous contractile waves between twitches; these waves were associated with a decrease in the amplitude of the subsequent stimulated twitch. Ryanodine (2 microM) abolished all evidence of spontaneous Ca2+ release during acidosis, markedly reduced the acidosis-induced increase in aequorin light, and reduced resting tension. We conclude that acidosis increases the likelihood for the occurrence of spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, which can cause spontaneous action potentials, increase resting tension, and negatively affect twitch tension.     

Effects of a juvenile hormone analogue on the eggs, post-embryonic development, metamorphosis and diapause induction of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The effect of a juvenile hormone analogue, S-71639, was tested on the eggs, four larval instars and adults of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, by topical application or after treatment of the foodplant. The last larval instar is very sensitive to S-71639. Treatment of this instar delayed the onset of pupation and prevented adult emergence. Treated animals showed severe abnormalities, but they were not immediately killed at the doses used in this study. Treatment of larvae also interfered with the photoperiodic induction of diapause. Adults, kept under diapausing conditions, started to lay eggs after treatment with S-71639. The ovicidal effect of the compound was rather weak. The implications for practical use of S-71639 in control of the Colorado potato beetle are being discussed.

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Résumé L'effet d'un analogue de l'hormone juvénile, S-71639, a été testé sur les oeufs, les quatre stades larvaires et les adultes du doryphore, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, par application topique ou après traitement de la plante-hôte. Le dernier stade larvaire est très sensible au S-71639. Le traitement de ce stade retarde le début de la métamorphose et empêche l'émergence adulte. Les animaux traités montrent de graves anomalies, mais ne sont pas immédiatement tués par les doses utilisées dans cette étude. Le traitement des larves perturbe aussi l'induction photopériodique de la diapause. Les adultes placés dans des conditions de diapause, commencent à pondre après traitement au S-71639. L'effet ovicide de la substance est plutôt faible. Les implications pour l'utilisation pratique du S-71639 dans la lutte contre le doryphore sont discutées.

     

Eicosanoids in breast cancer patients before and after mastectomy.

In 19 patients with a malignant breast tumor, tumor tissue and blood were taken to determine the eicosanoid profile and platelet aggregation. Values were compared with those of patients with benign tumors (n = 4), or undergoing a mammary reduction (n = 7). Postoperatively, blood was taken as well in order to compare pre- and postoperative values. Eicosanoids were measured in peripheral blood monocytes and mammary tissue by means of HPLC; furthermore, TXA2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and PGE2 were determined by RIA. Differences in pre- and postoperative values of cancer patients were seen in plasma RIA values: PGE2 and 6-k-PGF1 alpha were significantly higher preoperatively when compared with postoperatively, however, such differences were seen in the control groups as well. Compared to benign tumor or mammary reduction test material the eicosanoid profile of tissue obtained from malignant mammary tumors showed important differences. Except for PGF2 alpha, HHT and 15-HETE no detectable quantities of eicosanoids were found in the non-tumor material, whereas in the malignant tumor material substantial quantities of a number of eicosanoid metabolites were present. Statistically significant correlations could be established between patient/histopathology data and the results of the platelet aggregation assays, e.g. between menopausal status and ADP aggregation; oestrogen receptor (+/-) and collagen and arachidonic acid aggregation, inflammatory cell infiltration score and arachidonic acid aggregation and fibrosis score and ADP aggregation. The results show that eicosanoid synthesis in material from mammary cancer patients is different from that in benign mammary tissue. The implications, in particular, in relation to future prognosis of the patient, remain obscure.     

Eicosanoid synthesis by alveolar macrophages in rats with malignant mammary tumors: differences in rats treated with and without carrageenan implants

Eicosanoid synthesis by alveolar macrophages (AM), harvested from tumor bearing animals, was measured after tumor inoculation in rats treated with or without carrageenan (carra), an immunomodulating agent. After incubation of the cells with [14]C-arachidonic acid and the Ca-ionophore A23187, samples were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). From the HPLC profiles the lypoxygenase products, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), 15-HETE, and leukotriene-B4 (LTB4) were determined as well as the cyclooxygenase products, prostaglandin (PG)E2, PGF2 alpha and TXB2. After tumor inoculation AM-synthesis of lipoxygenase products tended to increase to values twice those of the base line values, whereas cyclooxygenase products showed subnormal values. In the non treated animals, 10 days after tumor inoculation, statistically significant increases in 12- and 15-HETE, LTB4 and PGE2 were observed when compared with carra treated animals. Later measurements did not show these differences in AM metabolism. AM metabolism was (negatively) correlated with the number of macrophages, which was particularly evident in the correlation with 12-HETE synthesis.     

The Na+,K+,2Cl- -cotransport system in HeLa cells and HeLa cell mutants exhibiting an altered efflux pathway

We have investigated the characteristics of a transport system in HeLa cells, which turned out to be very similar to a previously described Na+, K+, 2Cl- -cotransport system. For further understanding about the physiological role of the cotransporter, we have mutagenized HeLa cells and selected progeny cells for growth in low potassium (0.2 mM) medium. The selected HeLa cells (LK1) exhibited alterations in the Na+,K+,2Cl- -cotransport system. LK1 cells showed a remarkable reduction of 86Rb+ efflux via the cotransporter when compared to the parental HeLa cells. In contrast, bumetanide-sensitive potassium influx, measured by 86Rb+ uptake, was increased in the LK1 cells (increase in Vmax). Km values of the cotransporter in HeLa cells and LK1 mutants revealed similar properties for 86Rb+ and 22Na+ uptake. In addition, (3H)-bumetanide binding studies were carried out on intact HeLa cells; 1.7 pmol/mg protein (3H)-bumetanide was specifically bound to HeLa parental cells, which could be calculated to a number of 103,000 binding sites/cell. LK1 cells present, 1.44 pmol/mg protein, specifically bound (3H)-bumetanide and, respectively, 137,000 binding sites/cell. The LK1 cells also exhibited an increase in the number of (3H)-ouabain binding sites as well as an increase in the activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase, expressed as a function of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. Furthermore, LK1 cells were different in the concentrations of intracellular Na+ (increases) and K+ (decreases) when compared to the HeLa parental cells. When grown in low K+ medium (0.2 mM K+), protein content and cell volume were increased in the LK1 cells, while the DNA content was not significantly different between both cell lines.     

Small-spored Alternaria spp. (section Alternaria) are common pathogens on wild tomato species

The wild relatives of modern tomato crops are native to South America. These plants occur in habitats as different as the Andes and the Atacama Desert and are, to some degree, all susceptible to fungal pathogens of the genus Alternaria. Alternaria is a large genus. On tomatoes, several species cause early blight, leaf spots and other diseases. We collected Alternaria-like infection lesions from the leaves of eight wild tomato species from Chile and Peru. Using molecular barcoding markers, we characterized the pathogens. The infection lesions were caused predominantly by small-spored species of Alternaria of the section Alternaria, like A. alternata, but also by Stemphylium spp., Alternaria spp. from the section Ulocladioides and other related species. Morphological observations and an infection assay confirmed this. Comparative genetic diversity analyses show a larger diversity in this wild system than in studies of cultivated Solanum species. As A. alternata has been reported to be an increasing problem in cultivated tomatoes, investigating the evolutionary potential of this pathogen is not only interesting to scientists studying wild plant pathosystems. It could also inform crop protection and breeding programs to be aware of potential epidemics caused by species still confined to South America.     

The Na+,K+,2Cl−-cotransport system in HeLa cells: Aspects of its physiological regulation

We have previously reported on the biochemical properties of a Na⁺,K⁺,2Cl^?-cotransport in HeLa cells and here we deal with aspects of its physiological regulation. Na⁺,K⁺,2Cl^?-cotransport in HeLa cells was studied by ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx and ⁸⁶Rb⁺/²²Na⁺ efflux measurements. The effects of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), isoproterenol, and amino acids on ⁸⁶Rb⁺ flux, mediated by the bumet-anide-sensitive Na⁺, K⁺, 2Cl^?-cotransport system and the ouabain-sensitive Na⁺/K⁺-pump, were investigated. ANP reduced bumetanide-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx under isotonic as well as under hypertonic conditions. Similar decrease of bumetanide-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx was observed in the presence of 8-bromo-cGMP, while neither isoproterenol as a β-receptor agonist nor 8-bromo-cAMP-could alter bumetanide-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx. Furthermore, efflux of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ and ²²Na⁺ was greatly reduced in the presence of bumetanide and ANP. Together with our recent findings, showing functionally active, high affinity receptors for ANP on HeLa cells (Kort and Koch, Biochim. Biophys. Res. Commun. 168:148–154, 1990), this study indicates that ANP participates in the regulation of the Na⁺, K⁺, 2Cl^?-cotransport system in HeLa cells. Further measurements revealed that amino acids as present in the growth medium (Joklik's minimal essential medium) and the amino acid derivative α-methyl-aminoisobutyric acid (metAlB, 1 and 5 mM, respectively) also reduced Na⁺, K⁺, 2Cl^?-cotransport-mediated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake and diminished the stimulatory effect of hypertonicity on the cotransporter. In addition, the Na⁺/K⁺-pump was markedly stimulated in the presence of amino acids, while neither ANP and 8-Br-cGMP nor isoproterenol and 8-Br-cAMP had a significant effect on the activity of the Na⁺/K⁺-pump.     

Lysis of bacterioids in the vicinity of the host cell nucleus in an ineffective (fix-) root nodule of soybean (Glycine max)

In nodules of Glycine max cv. Mandarin infected with a nod ⁺fix^- mutant of Rhizobium japonicum (RH 31-Marburg), lysis of bacteroids was observed 20 d after infection, but occurred in the region around the host cell nucleus, where lytic compartments were formed. Bacteroids, and peribacteroid membranes in other parts of the host cell remained stable until senescence (40d after infection). With two other nod⁺ fix^- mutants of R. japonicum either stable bacteroids and peribacteroid membranes were observed throughout the cell (strain 61-A-165) or a rapid degeneration of bacteroids without an apparent lysis (strain USDA 24) occurred. The size distribution of RH 31-Marburg-infected nodules exhibited only two maxima compared with four in wild-type nodules and nodule leghaemoglobin content was found to be reduced to about one half that of the wild type. The RH 31-Marburg-nodule type is discussed in relation to the stability of the bacteroids and the peribacteroid membrane system in soybean.     

Improved assay conditions for measurement of corpus allatum activity in vitro in the adult Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Assay conditions for the short-term, radiochemical, in vitro determination of the spontaneous rate of juvenile biosynthesis by isolated corpora allata from Leptinotarsa decemlineata have been further improved, permitting the measurement of juvenile hormone biosynthesis by individual pairs of corpora allata. The final incubation product has been identified as juvenile hormone III with the aid of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and juvenile hormone esterase degradation. Using the new assay conditions, the activities of adult corpora allata during maturation were found to be significantly higher in reproductive, long-day animals than in pre-diapause, short-day beetles. During diapause no activity was detectable, whereas corpora allata from post-diapause beetles were reactivated totally after 5 days. Simultaneous determination of the in vitro rates of juvenile hormone biosynthesis and corpus allatum volumes revealed no clear correlation although the results suggest that the volume may be indicative of the maximal capacity for juvenile hormone production. Corpora allata from a population of beetles did not display any synchronous diurnal rhythmicity.