Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP-7) Influences Tendon-Bone Integration In Vitro

IntroductionSuccessful graft ingrowth following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is governed by complex biological processes at the tendon-bone interface. The aim of this study was to investigate in an in vitro study the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) on tendon-bone integration.ResultsIn both models, positive effects of BMP-7 on ALP enzyme activity were observed (p<0.001). Additionally, similar results were noted for LDH activity and lactate concentration. BMP-7 stimulation led to a significant increase in OCN expression. Whereas the effects of BMP-7 on tendon monoculture peaked during an early phase of the experiment (p<0.001), the cocultures showed a maximal increase during the later stages (p<0.001). The histological analysis showed a stimulating effect of BMP-7 on extracellular matrix formation. Organized ossification zones and calcium carbonate-like structures were only observed in the BMP-stimulated cell cultures.DiscussionThis study showed the positive effects of BMP-7 on the biological process of tendon-bone integration in vitro. Histological signs of improved mineralization were paralleled by increased rates of osteoblast-specific protein levels in primary bovine osteoblasts and fibroblasts.ConclusionOur findings indicated a role for BMP-7 as an adjuvant therapeutic agent in the treatment of ligamentous injuries, and they emphasized the importance of the transdifferentiation process of tendinous fibroblasts at the tendon-bone interface.     

Within- and between-species patterns of allocation to pulp and seed in vertebrate dispersed plants

Non-uniform scaling of pulp and seed mass has been shown to alter dispersal probabilities in vertebrate dispersed species. Since dispersal in tropical forests is strongly linked to establishment success, processes determining allocation to pulp and seed are likely to impact on parental fitness, and therefore should be under the control of natural selection. In this study I examine size-dependent dry mass allocation pattern to pulp and seed mass both among and within 20 fruit-producing plant species of tropical rainforest in northeast Queensland, Australia. Reduced major axis analyses using mean values for each species showed significant isometry, indicating that at the community level, plant species that employ vertebrates as a means of seed dispersal tend to allocate an equivalent mean relative proportion of the overall dry weight investment in fruit to pulp. However, identical analyses conducted for each species separately revealed that relationships within individual species do not reflect the inter-specific relationship. These results imply two influences on dry mass allocation to fruit components; the first (within-species allometry) determines how fruits vary within each species. The second (between-species allometry) operates in a similar manner across species to produce equal ratios of mean pulp and seed mass independent of within-species allometries.     

Cell adhesion molecule in the hexactinellid Aphrocallistes vastus

Abstract. The Hexactinellida sponge Aphrocallistes vastus contains a soluble aggregation factor (AF) whose purification has been described in this communication. It is characterized by a S°_20.w value of 37 and a buoyant density of 1.45 g/cm³. The AF is a glycoporteinaceous particle composed of three major protein species; no core structure could be visualized. In the presence of Ca²⁺, the AF causes secondary aggregation of single cells. The aggregation process is temperature, pH, and ionic strength independent within a broad range. Evidence is presented indicating that two (or more) AF molecules are required for the establishment of a stable cell: cell interaction. In contrast to the AFs from demosponges, the hexactinellid AF functions species-unspecifically.     

Partial characterization of protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of low molecular weight proteins in purified preparations of pigeon heart sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum

Pigeon heart microsomes contain three minor size protein kinase substrates of minimal molecular weights of 22 000, 15 000, and 11 500, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When the microsomes were partially loaded with calcium oxalate and subjected to rate zonal and isopynic centrifugations in sucrose density gradient columns, the 22 000 and the 15 000 dalton proteins settled in the heaviest fraction, which was composed mainly of vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticular membranes; the 11 500 dalton protein was concentrated in the lightest fractions, which consisted chiefly of vesicles of sarcolemmal origin. During incubation of the membrane fractions with Mg[γ-³²P]ATP significant amounts of ³²P were incorporated into all these proteins. Incorporation of ³²P into the 15 000 dalton protein was moderately and ³²P incorporation into the 22 000 dalton protein was markedly enhanced in the presence of exogenous soluble cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and cyclic AMP. The phosphorylation of the three proteins was virtually unaffected by CA²⁺ concentrations up to 0.1 mM and by ethyleneglycol-bis(β-aminoethylether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid in the absence of added Ca²⁺.Phosphorylation of the 22 000 and the 11 500 dalton proteins occurred mainly at serine residues. In the 15 000 dalton protein threonine residues were the main site of endogenous phosphorylation. Nearly equal amounts of [³²P]-phosphate were incorporated into threonine and serine residues of this protein when phosphorylation was supported by exogenous cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and cyclic AMP.The 15 000 dalton protein could be removed from its membrane attachment by extraction with an acidic chloroform/methanol mixture. This step opens the way for the purification of this membrane-bound protein kinase substrate.