Formation of 20-oxoleukotriene B4 by an alcohol dehydrogenase isolated from human neutrophils

When 20-hydroxyleukotriene B4 (20-OH-LTB4) is incubated at pH 10.5 in the presence of NAD+ with an alcohol dehydrogenase isolated from human neutrophils, a polar product is formed as detected on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The product is identified as 20-oxo-LTB4 (20-CHO-LTB4) on the basis of its co-elution with the authentic compound on HPLC, ultraviolet spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The 20-CHO-LTB4-forming activity requires NAD+, but NADP+ scarcely replaces NAD+. The apparent Km for 20-OH-LTB4 is 83 microM and the Vmax is 2.04 mumol/min per mg of protein. The activity is inhibited by omega-hydroxy fatty acids such as 12-hydroxylauric acid, 16-hydroxypalmitic acid and 12(S), 20-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, but not by 4-methylpyrazole. At pH 7.0 with NADH, the purified dehydrogenase catalyzes the reverse reaction, the reduction of 20-CHO-LTB4 to 20-OH-LTB4.     

Fine mapping of the MLK-3 gene within 11q13 and its exclusion as the MEN1 susceptibility gene

MLK-3 kinase is a widely expressed serine/ threonine kinase that bears multiple protein interaction domains and regulates signals mediated by the stress-responsive pathway. Thus, MLK-3 signaling affects numerous cellular processes, raising the possibility that MLK-3 might play a role in oncogenesis. In this report, we describe the fine mapping of the MLK-3 gene within the 11q13.1 chromosomal region. By integrating data from somatic cell hybrids and double color fluorescence in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes and DNA fibers, MLK-3 has been assigned approximately 1 Mb telomeric of PYGM, close to the D11S546 locus. Since the MEN1 susceptibility locus is also located within the 11q13.1 region, we have carried out Southern and Northern blot analyses, as well as protein truncation assays to establish whether abnormalities in MLK-3 lead to the development of this familial cancer syndrome. Our observations exclude MLK-3 as the MEN1 gene. Received: 25 September 1996 / Revised: 16 December 1996     

Recombinant expression,purification, and characterization of an acyl-CoA binding protein from Aspergillus oryzae

Biotechnology Letters - To characterize biochemically the lipid metabolism-regulating acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) from the industrially-important fungus Aspergillus oryzae. A full-length cDNA...     

A Microarray-Based Analysis Reveals that a Short Photoperiod Promotes Hair Growth in the Arbas Cashmere Goat

Many animals exhibit different behaviors in different seasons. The photoperiod can have effects on migration, breeding, fur growth, and other processes. The cyclic growth of the fur and feathers of some species of mammals and birds, respectively, is stimulated by the photoperiod as a result of hormone-dependent regulation of the nervous system. To further examine this phenomenon, we evaluated the Arbas Cashmere goat (Capra hircus), a species that is often used in this type of research. The goats were exposed to an experimentally controlled short photoperiod to study the regulation of cyclic cashmere growth. Exposure to a short photoperiod extended the anagen phase of the Cashmere goat hair follicle to increase cashmere production. Assessments of tissue sections indicated that the short photoperiod significantly induced cashmere growth. This conclusion was supported by a comparison of the differences in gene expression between the short photoperiod and natural conditions using gene chip technology. Using the gene chip data, we identified genes that showed altered expression under the short photoperiod compared to natural conditions, and these genes were found to be involved in the biological processes of hair follicle growth, structural composition of the hair follicle, and the morphogenesis of the surrounding skin appendages. Knowledge about differences in the expression of these genes as well as their functions and periodic regulation patterns increases our understanding of Cashmere goat hair follicle growth. This study also provides preliminary data that may be useful for the development of an artificial method to improve cashmere production by controlling the light cycle, which has practical significance for livestock breeding.