The role of the cysteine-rich region of the β2 integrin subunit in the leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, αLβ2, CD11a/CD18) heterodimer formation and ligand binding

The cysteine-rich region (CRR) of the β2 integrin subunit was replaced by that of β1 to give the chimera β2NV1. β2NV1 can combine with αL to form a variant leukocyte-function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 on COS cell surface, suggesting that the specificity of the β2 interaction with αL does not lie in the CRR. Unlike those expressing wild-type LFA-1, COS cells expressing αLβ2NV1 are constitutively active in intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 adhesion. These results suggest that activation of LFA-1 involves the release of an intramolecular constraint, which is maintained, in part, by the authentic β2 CRR.     

Structure of Haze Forming Proteins in White Wines: Vitis vinifera Thaumatin-Like Proteins

Grape thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) play roles in plant-pathogen interactions and can cause protein haze in white wine unless removed prior to bottling. Different isoforms of TLPs have different hazing potential and aggregation behavior. Here we present the elucidation of the molecular structures of three grape TLPs that display different hazing potential. The three TLPs have very similar structures despite belonging to two different classes (F2/4JRU is a thaumatin-like protein while I/4L5H and H2/4MBT are VVTL1), and having different unfolding temperatures (56 vs. 62°C), with protein F2/4JRU being heat unstable and forming haze, while I/4L5H does not. These differences in properties are attributable to the conformation of a single loop and the amino acid composition of its flanking regions.     

On the mechanism by which dopamine inhibits prolactin release in the anterior pituitary

An $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ perfusion system was used to assess the effects of chloride channel blockers, dopamine (DA) receptor agonists and antagonists, and GABA receptor agonists and antagonists on prolactin release from the mouse anterior pituitary. Dopamine and muscimol inhibited prolactin release ($\text{IC}{}_{50}{}^1\text{= 6 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?8}}\text{M and}\text{10}{}^{\mathrm{?5}}\text{M}$ respectively). The GABA receptor antagonist bicuculline blocked the inhibition of prolactin release by muscimol but not dopamine. The dopamine receptor antagonist chlorpromazine blocked the dopamine- but not muscimol-induced inhibition of prolactin release. Haloperidol, however, reversed both the muscimol and dopamine induced inhibition of prolactin release. Furthermore, the chloride channel blocker picrotoxinin blocked the inhibition of prolactin release elicited by both dopamine and muscimol. These later results suggest that the anterior pituitary dopamine receptor which mediates the inhibition of prolactin release may be coupled to a picrotoxinin sensitive chloride ionophore and that haloperidol may affect the function of both DA and GABA receptors in the anterior pituitary.     

Phencyclidine-induced depressions of cerebellar purkinje neurons

Local administration of phencyclidine (PCP) by pressure ejection elicited a dose-dependent slowing of the spontaneous discharge of cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Ketamine also depressed firing and was much less potent than PCP. Effects of both PCP and ketamine were antagonized by local or parenteral administration of antipsychotic drugs. The similarities between the electrophysiological and behavioral actions of phencyclidine suggest that alterations in neuronal discharge may underlie its psychotomimetic properties.     

Attachment of blastocysts to lens capsule: A model system for trophoblast-epithelial cell interaction on a natural basement membrane

Summary The bovine lens capsule has previously been shown to provide an optimal surface for the examination of epithelial cell interaction with a basement membrane. This native substrate has been used to investigate some initial aspects of attachment of mouse blastocysts and trophoblastic cellular outgrowth. Mouse blastocysts were presented to the cell-free humoral side of the anterior lens capsule, incubated for 72 h, and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Blastocysts hatch and attach from their zonae pellucidae by 30 h. Trophoblastic cells proliferate rapidly in a coronal direction, display extensive surface microvilli, and advance by the extension of numerous filipodia, many of which terminate with bulbous projections. These projections were shown by transmission electron microscopy to contain numerous vacuoles and polysomes. To simulate further the initial blastocyst-uterine interaction, a suspension of lens epithelial cells was introduced to the capsule and permitted to form a monolayer prior to the addition of the blastocysts. At 72 h the monolayer of lens cells remained intact. We observed that: a) lens cells appear to recede from the advancing trophoblastic cells, and b) trophoblastic cells extend beneath the monolayer of lens cells and thereby dislodge the cells from the lens capsule substrate. No infiltration of the capsule by the advancing trophoblastic cells was observed. The lens capsule appears to offer a promising system for the study of trophoblast-epithelial cell interaction on a natural basement membrane.