Localization of the feline sarcoma virus fgr gene product (P70gag-actin-fgr): association with the plasma membrane and detergent-insoluble matrix.

The v-fgr oncogene codes for a unique transforming protein (P70gag-actin-fgr) that contains virus-specific determinants and cell-derived sequences for both a tyrosine-specific kinase domain and an actin domain. We examined the subcellular distribution of the v-fgr protein by immunofluorescence microscopy and various cell fractionation techniques. By immunofluorescence, the v-fgr protein was localized in a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern within transformed cells. The v-fgr protein was not detectable at substratum adhesion sites. Crude membrane preparations (P100) obtained from fgr-transformed cells contained elevated levels of P70gag-actin-fgr. Further analysis of membranes on discontinous sucrose gradients revealed that P70gag-actin-fgr cofractionated with plasma membranes. Using an alternate method of fractionation, we found that the majority of the v-fgr protein remained with the insoluble matrix obtained by treating cells with a buffer containing Triton X-100. When membranes were similarly treated with detergent, nearly all of v-fgr protein remained with the residual insoluble matrix. These results suggest that the transforming activity of P70gag-actin-fgr may be directed to subcellular cytoskeletal targets at or near the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane.     

Effect of supplementall-tyrosine on pigment production in cultures of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium

The etiologic agent of Legionnaires' disease grows on certain agar media. Cultures of this organism on supplemented Mueller-Hinton agar are characterized by the appearance of brown pigment in and around areas of bacterial growth. The major peptone source in Mueller-Hinton agar is an acid hydrolysate of casein. Legionnaires' disease bacterium also grows on a medium in which the peptone source is 0.25% yeast extract, but no pigment is produced. If the yeast extract agar is enriched withl-tyrosine, pigment formation can occur. Pigmentation of cultures of Legionnaires' disease bacterium may be mediated by a phenolo-monooxygenase, or tyrosinase.     

Biopharmaceutical studies of spirobishexahydropyrimidine.

Oral administration of spirobishexahydropyrimidine showed an increase in the activity of serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. Biological half life and other pharmacokinetic parameters showed rapid absorption and slow elimination of the drug.     

Biopharmaceutical studies of 3-substituted isatin derivatives

The metabolic fate of isatin hydrazone (Ia), isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone (Ib), isatin-3-semicarbazone (Ic), isatin-3-phenylhydrazone (Id), isatin oxime (Ie) and 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) was studied in rabbits. The compounds were administered orally in the dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. Isatin anthranilic acid, tryptophan and nicotinic acid were identified as the major metabolites excreted in urine. The 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) gave on additional metabolite, oxindole. The major metabolites were separated and identified unambiguously on thin layer silica gel plate. Metabolic pathways have been proposed to explain the biotransformation of the compounds investigated.     

Amphotropic host range of naturally occuring wild mouse leukemia viruses.

Seven murine leukemia virus field isolates (uncloned) from wild mice (Musmusculus) of four widely separated areas in southern California show an unusually wide in vitro host range. They replicate well in human, feline, canine, guinea pig, rabbit, rat, and mouse cells, whereas bovine, hamster, and avian cells are resistant. Since this host range includes that of both mouse tropic (ecotropic) and xenotropic murine leukemia viruses, they are designated as "amphotropic". No purely xenotropic virus component is detectable in these field isolates. They may represent the "wild" or ancestral viruses from which the ecotropic and xenotrophic murine leukemia virus strains of laboratory mice have been derived.     

Screening of Synthetic Isoxazolone Derivative Role in Alzheimer’s Disease: Computational and Pharmacological Approach

Neurochemical Research - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is age-dependent neurological disorder with progressive loss of cognition and memory. This multifactorial disease is characterized by...     

Subtractive Proteomics and Immuno-informatics Approaches for Multi-peptide Vaccine Prediction Against Klebsiella oxytoca and Validation Through In Silico Expression

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Klebsiella oxytoca is a gram-negative bacterium. It is opportunistic in nature and causes hospital acquired infections....     

Foliar application of ascorbic acid enhances salinity stress tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through modulation of morpho-physio-biochemical attributes,ions uptake,osmo-protectants and stress response genes expression

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal grain and is known as a halophyte (a halophyte is a salt-tolerant plant that grows in soil or waters of high salinity). We therefore conducted a pot experiment to explore plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, stomatal properties, oxidative stress and antioxidant response and their associated gene expression and absorption of ions in H. Vulgare. The soil used for this analysis was artificially spiked at different salinity concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) and different levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) were supplied to plants (0, 30 and 60 mM) shortly after germination of the seed. The results of the present study showed that plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, stomatal properties and ion uptake were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by salinity stress, whereas oxidative stress was induced in plants by generating the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells/tissues compared to plants grown in the control treatment. Initially, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and relative gene expression increased to a saline level of 100 mM, and then decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by increasing the saline level (150 mM) in the soil compared to plants grown at 0 mM of salinity. We also elucidated that negative impact of salt stress in H. vulgare plants can overcome by the exogenous application of AsA, which not only increased morpho-physiological traits but decreased oxidative stress in the plants by increasing activities of enzymatic antioxidants. We have also explained the negative effect of salt stress on H. vulgare can decrease by exogenous application of AsA, which not only improved morpho-physiological characteristics, ions accumulation in the roots and shoots of the plants, but decreased oxidative stress in plants by increasing antioxidant compounds (enzymatic and non-enzymatic). Taken together, recognizing AsA's role in nutrient uptake introduces new possibilities for agricultural use of this compound and provides a valuable basis for improving plant tolerance and adaptability to potential salinity stress adjustment.     

Association of the lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 gene with gout and non-additive interaction with alcohol consumption

Introduction

The T allele of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: rs2544390) in lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2) is associated with higher serum urate and risk of gout in Japanese individuals. SNP rs2544390 also interacts with alcohol consumption in determining hyperuricemia in this population. We investigated the association of rs2544390 with gout, and interaction with all types of alcohol consumption in European and New Zealand (NZ) Māori and Pacific subjects, and a Māori study cohort from the East Coast region of NZ’s North Island.

Methods

Rs2544390 was genotyped by Taqman®. From NZ a total of 1205 controls and 1431 gout cases clinically ascertained were used. Publicly available genotype and serum urate data were utilized from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Alcohol consumption data were obtained by consumption frequency questions in all study cohorts. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression was done using STATA.

Results

The T allele of rs2544390 was associated with increased risk of gout in the combined Māori and Pacific Island cohort (OR = 1.20, P = 0.009), and associated with gout in the European subjects, but with a protective effect (OR = 0.79, P_Unadjusted = 0.02). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with risk of gout in Māori and Pacific subjects (0.2% increased risk/g/week, P = 0.004). There was a non-additive interaction between any alcohol intake and the risk of gout in the combined Māori and Pacific cohorts (P_Interaction = 0.001), where any alcohol intake was associated with a 4.18-fold increased risk in the CC genotype group (P = 6.6x10^-5), compared with a 1.14-fold increased risk in the CT/TT genotype group (P = 0.40). These effects were not observed in European subjects.

Conclusions

Association of the T-allele with gout risk in the Māori and Pacific subjects was consistent with this allele increasing serum urate in Japanese individuals. The non-additive interaction in the Māori and Pacific subjects showed that alcohol consumption over-rides any protective effect conferred by the CC genotype. Further exploration of the mechanism underlying this interaction should generate new understanding of the biological role of alcohol in gout, in addition to strengthening the evidence base for reduction of alcohol consumption in the management of gout.