Spontaneous deletion at the B2m locus: evidence for site-specific genetic rearrangement

We have isolated 20 independent spontaneous mutants in the B2mb allele from a B2ma/b heterozygous murine cell line by immunoselection in vitro with a monoclonal antibody directed against the product of the B2mb allele. One class of mutants has undergone a deletion in the 5' end of the B2mb gene. The deletions appear to be identical in all of the independent clones, and extend an unknown distance upstream of the B2m gene from a region in the first intron. Southern blot analysis with the use of oligonucleotides to the wild type gene sequence mapped the breakpoint to within 39 base pairs. The high frequency of independent spontaneous mutants showing indistinguishable deletions suggests that the first intron of the B2m gene contains sequences that are highly susceptible to site-specific recombinations.     

Inhibition of aflatoxin-induced liver damage in ducklings by food additives

Inhibitory effects of food additives on toxicity induced by aflatoxin B₁ was conducted in 3-day-old ducklings. Aflatoxin B₁ at a dose of 5 μg/day per animal for 14 days induced severe liver damage which included necrosis, fatty changes, and biliary hyperplasia. These changes were found to be inhibited by the daily administration of turmeric (50mg), curcumin (10 mg), and ellagic acid (10 mg) in the diet. Addition of BHA-butylated hydroxy anisole (10 mg), BHT-butylated hydroxy toluene (10 mg), garlic (500 mg), and asafoetida (50 mg) inhibited necrosis and degeneration of the tissue, while biliary hyperplasia persisted. Biochemical and haematological parameters were not significantly altered under the conditions studied.     

Characterization of PTPRG in Knockdown and Phosphatase-Inactive Mutant Mice and Substrate Trapping Analysis of PTPRG in Mammalian Cells

Receptor tyrosine phosphatase gamma (PTPRG, or RPTPγ) is a mammalian receptor-like tyrosine phosphatase which is highly expressed in the nervous system as well as other tissues. Its function and biochemical characteristics remain largely unknown. We created a knockdown (KD) line of this gene in mouse by retroviral insertion that led to 98–99% reduction of RPTPγ gene expression. The knockdown mice displayed antidepressive-like behaviors in the tail-suspension test, confirming observations by Lamprianou et al. 2006. We investigated this phenotype in detail using multiple behavioral assays. To see if the antidepressive-like phenotype was due to the loss of phosphatase activity, we made a knock-in (KI) mouse in which a mutant, RPTPγ C1060S, replaced the wild type. We showed that human wild type RPTPγ protein, expressed and purified, demonstrated tyrosine phosphatase activity, and that the RPTPγ C1060S mutant was completely inactive. Phenotypic analysis showed that the KI mice also displayed some antidepressive-like phenotype. These results lead to a hypothesis that an RPTPγ inhibitor could be a potential treatment for human depressive disorders. In an effort to identify a natural substrate of RPTPγ for use in an assay for identifying inhibitors, “substrate trapping” mutants (C1060S, or D1028A) were studied in binding assays. Expressed in HEK293 cells, these mutant RPTPγs retained a phosphorylated tyrosine residue, whereas similarly expressed wild type RPTPγ did not. This suggested that wild type RPTPγ might auto-dephosphorylate which was confirmed by an in vitro dephosphorylation experiment. Using truncation and mutagenesis studies, we mapped the auto-dephosphorylation to the Y1307 residue in the D2 domain. This novel discovery provides a potential natural substrate peptide for drug screening assays, and also reveals a potential functional regulatory site for RPTPγ. Additional investigation of RPTPγ activity and regulation may lead to a better understanding of the biochemical underpinnings of human depression.     

CTL recognize different determinants from those defined serologically on Ld somatic cell mutants

Reciprocal Ld structural mutants have been isolated from a somatic cell line. Testing of allogeneic CTL clones on these mutants suggests that the majority of CTL clones recognize determinants different from those that elicit antibody production. Of 36 CTL clones tested, only three clones appeared to recognize a determinant that was related to the negatively selected serologic determinant. However, mAb blocking studies suggest that inhibition of CTL activity by anti-H-2 mAb does not necessarily reflect the fine specificity of the CTL activity.     

Soluble Collagen VI Induces Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Paxillin and Focal Adhesion Kinase and Activates the MAP Kinase Erk2 in Fibroblasts

Signals from the extracellular matrix can modulate cellular differentiation and gene expression. We have shown previously that in contrast to other extracellular matrix molecules pepsin-solubilized collagen VI (CVI) can stimulate DNA synthesis of various mesenchymal cell types, apparently independent of integrin-mediated signal transduction. In order to further elucidate collagen VI-induced signaling events, we exposed mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells to soluble CVI. CVI induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins that associate with focal adhesions, such as paxillin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and p130CAS. Furthermore, it activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase, erk2. Kinetic analysis showed that these phosphorylations were transient, reaching a maximum after 5 min for transformed HT1080 cells and 30 min for 3T3 fibroblasts. These effects were partly inhibited by a beta1-integrin function blocking antibody and by single chains of CVI. Our results indicate that soluble fragments of native collagen VI, a ubiquitous component of the interstitial extracellular matrix, can mediate stimulation of DNA synthesis via tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, FAK, p130CAS, and erk2 in the absence of classical growth factors. Thus, CVI may serve as a matrix-derived sensor that allows for rapid reconstitution of a tissue defect by activating nearby mesenchymal cells.     

Multimodal approach to explore the pathogenicity of BARD1, ARG 658 CYS,and ILE 738 VAL mutants

BARD1–BRCA1 complex plays an important role in DNA damage repair, apoptosis, chromatin remodeling, and other important processes required for cell survival. BRCA1 and BARD1 heterodimer possess E3 ligase activity and is involved in genome maintenance, by functioning in surveillance for DNA damage, thereby regulating multiple pathways including tumor suppression. BRCT domains are evolutionary conserved domains present in different proteins such as BRCA1, BARD1, XRCC, and MDC1 regulating damage response and cell-cycle control through protein–protein interactions. Nonetheless, the role of BARD1BRCT in the recruitment of DNA repair mechanism and structural integrity with BRCA1 complex is still implicit. To explicate the role of BARD1BRCT in the DNA repair mechanism, in silico, in vitro, and biophysical approach were applied to characterize BARD1 BRCT wild-type and Arg658Cys and Ile738Val mutants. However, no drastic secondary and tertiary structural changes in the mutant proteins were observed. Thermal and chemical denaturation studies revealed that mutants Arg658Cys and Ile738Val have a decrease in T_m and ?G than the wild type. In silico studies of BARD1 BRCT (568-777) and mutant protein indicate loss in structural compactness on the Ile738Val mutant. Comparative studies of wild-type and mutants will thus be helpful in understanding the basic role of BARD1BRCT in DNA damage repair.     

Plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidants status in workers exposed to nickel

The objectives were to investigate the plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidants status in workers exposed to nickel. The study groups comprised 69 nickel plating workers and 50 office workers residing in the same city, but away from the place of work of the study group subjects, considered as control group. Urinary nickel concentration was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidants were measured by spectrophotmetric methods. The plasma lipid peroxidation level was significantly increased in nickel-platers and their helpers as compared with controls. Erythrocyte antioxidants were significantly decreased in the nickel-platers compared with the controls. The level of plasma lipid peroxidation was positively and erythrocyte antioxidants were negatively and significantly correlated with the urine nickel levels. Multiple regression analysis assessed the oxidative stress associated with nickel and other potential confounding factors such as body mass index, the consumption of green vegetables, coffee, tea, smoking and alcohol consumption. Analysis showed that the lifestyle confounding factors: the consumption of green vegetables, smoking and alcohol, were not significantly associated with oxidative stress. The exposure to nickel, body mass index and coffee consumption were significantly associated with oxidative stress. The results show that the increased plasma lipid peroxidation and decreased erythrocyte antioxidants levels observed in nickel-exposed workers could be used as biomarkers of oxidative stress.