The contribution of thymine-thymine interactions to the stability of folded dimeric quadruplexes.

The loop of four thymines in the sodium form of the dimeric folded quadruplex [d(G3T4G3)]2 assumes a well-defined structure in which hydrogen bonding between the thymine bases appears to contribute to the stability and final conformation of the quadruplex. We have investigated the importance of the loop interactions by systematically replacing each thymine in the loop with a cytosine. The quadruplexes formed by d(G3CT3G3), d(G3TCT2G3), d(G3T2CTG3) and d(G3T3CG3) in the presence of 150 mM Na+ were studied by gel mobility, circular dichroism and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The major species formed by d(G3CT3G3), d(G3TCT2G3) and d(G3T3CG3) at 1 mM strand concentration at neutral pH is a dimeric folded quadruplex. d(G3T2CTG3) has anomalous behaviour and associates into a greater percentage of linear four-stranded quadruplex than the other three oligonucleotides at neutral pH and at the same concentration. The linear four-stranded quadruplex has a greater tendency to oligomerize to larger ill-defined structures, as demonstrated by broad 1H NMR resonances. At pH 4, when the cytosine is protonated, there is a greater tendency for each of the oligonucleotides to form some four-stranded linear quadruplex, except for d(G3T2CTG3), which has the reverse tendency. The experimental results are discussed in terms of hydrogen bonding within the thymine loop.     

Stimulation effect of Dnmt3L on the DNA methylation activity of Dnmt3a2

Quantification of DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3a2, and Dnmt3L in isolated male gonocytes in day 16.5 embryos confirmed that not Dnmt3a but Dnmt3a2 and Dnmt3L were the major Dnmt3s. The expression level of Dnmt3L constituted 5- to 10-fold molar excess compared to that of Dnmt3a2. The stimulation property of the DNA methylation activity of Dnmt3a2 with Dnmt3L towards substrate DNA in naked or nucleosomes was similar to that of Dnmt3a. However, the DNA methylation activity of not Dnmt3a but Dnmt3a2 was severely inhibited at the physiological salt concentration. Interestingly, the activity of Dnmt3a2 was significantly detected in the presence of Dnmt3L even at the physiological salt concentration. This indicates that Dnmt3a2 functions only in the presence of Dnmt3L in male gonocytes, and may explain why Dnmt3L is required specifically in mouse gonocytes for DNA methylation.     

潮霉素抗性3T3细胞的建立和鉴定

目的　建立具有潮霉素 (hygromycin)抗性的 3T3细胞系 ,用于转染目的基因 (pTRE Ins human)的ES阳性细胞克隆筛选的饲养层。方法　通过脂质体转染的方法 ,将含有潮霉素B磷酸转移酶基因的质粒pHyg导入 3T3细胞中 ,利用潮霉素的药物选择特性 ,对转染细胞进行压力筛选 ,并对其进行PCR鉴定。结果　经 5 0 0 μg ml的潮霉素压力筛选后 ,获得了抗性细胞克隆。抗性 3T3细胞的形态和生长速度与正常 3T3细胞没有差异 ,特异性核苷酸引物检测抗性细胞基因组DNA ,可以扩增出对应的核苷酸片段。结论　成功地培育了潮霉素抗性的 3T3细胞 ,为进行目的基因 (pTRE Ins human)转染ES细胞的阳性细胞克隆筛选奠定了基础。     

Loss of density-dependent regulation of multiplication of BALB-3T3 cells chemically transformed in vitro

Balb/3T3 cells show density-dependent regulation of multiplication with the final cell density depending on serum concentration in the media. Chemically transformed Balb/3T3 cells (Balb/3T3-D) pile up on each other, multiply to a high cell density, but have decreased DNA synthesis at very high cell densities. Balb/3T3-D cells require less serum for multiplication compared with original Balb/3T3 cells. A rat serum fraction and a bovine β-globulin fraction stimulate the multiplication of Balb/3T3 cells but only slightly stimulate Balb/3T3-D cells indicating different serum factors stimulate growth of these two cell types. The multiplication properties of Balb/3T3-D cells are very similar to those of SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells, however, these properties were brought about by a single treatment by a chemical carcinogen, without an exogenous virus. The transformation altered the contact of cells to one another, indicating a permanent chemical change in the membrane structure.     

Statistical analysis of morphometrically analyzed outlines of cells in culture. Comparison of populations of normal and polyomavirus-transformed FR 3T3 fibroblasts

The correspondence analysis method was used to statistically characterize the morphologies of populations of normal (nontransformed; N.3T3) and polyomavirus-transformed (Py.3T3) Fisher rat 3T3 fibroblasts in culture, based on morphologic parameters calculated according to a previously described morphometric method. With this statistical method, each cell is considered as a vector in a space defined by an arrangement of the calculated morphologic parameters. The N.3T3 cells and the Py.3T3 have two distinct morphologic aspects in culture: they have either a smooth or a multipolar outline. The normal cell population contained twice as many cells with smooth outlines (46%) as did the transformed one (23%). Moreover, the cells with smooth outlines in the two strains could be classified into three homologous subpopulations that were present in significantly different proportions in the N.3T3 cells versus the Py.3T3 cells. In addition, morphologic differences were observed among the cells with multipolar outlines in these two strains, due to differences in the morphologies, size, number and distribution of the cytoplasmic expansions along the cell outline.     

Biotransformation of bufadienolides by cell suspension cultures of Saussurea involucrata

The biotransformation of three bioactive bufadienolides, namely, bufotalin (1), telocinobufagin (2), and gamabufotalin (3) by cell suspension cultures of Saussurea involucrata yielded 11 products. Bufotalin yielded 3-epi-bufotalin (1a), 3-epi-desacetylbufotalin (1b), 3-epi-bufotalin 3-O-β-D-glucoside (1c), 1β-hydroxybufotalin (1d), and 5β-hydroxybufotalin (1e); telocinobufagin yielded 3-dehydroscillarenin (2a), 3-dehydrobufalin (2b), and 3-epi-telocinobufagin (2c); and gamabufotalin yielded 3-epi-gamabufotalin (3a), 3-dehydrogamabufotalin (3b), and 3-dehydro-Δ1-gamabufotalin (3c), respectively. Among these 11 products, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 3a and 3c are previously unreported. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic analyses and mass spectrometry. Most metabolites showed significant cytotoxic activities against human hepatoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In addition, the time course for the biotransformation of 3 was investigated.     

Preparation of an alloantiserum to murine C3 and demonstration of multiple alleles.

An antiserum was produced in C3H/He mice that can recognize the antigenic variations of murine C3. The alloantiserum is directed to the gene product of one of the alleles (C3-1a allele) of the C3-1 locus that controls genetic variations of murine C3 and is linked to H-2. The antiserum formed a single precipitin line in the Ouchterlony test with sera obtained from mice that carry the C3-1a/a or C3-1a/b genotype, but it did not react with sera from mice that do not have C3 coded for by the C3-1a allele. By the use of the alloantiserum, we detected a new C3 allotype (C3-1 CC) in SWR/J mice. The C3-1 CC is distinct from the other two allotypes on the basis of antigenicity and isoelectric point (pI). Therefore, at least three alleles have been identified for the C3-1 locus.     

Expression of polypeptide segments of the human complement component C3 in E. coli: genetic and immunological characterization of cDNA clones specific for the alpha-chain of C3

The third component of complement C3 and its fragments have a central role in a variety of host defense mechanisms. The identification of functionally relevant C3 domains is important because of the marked functional versatility of the C3 molecule. Several human C3 cDNA clones from a human liver cDNA library were isolated and characterized. A bacterial expression vector system was used to express cDNA clones that were identified by an immunological screening procedure. The C3 cDNA clones produced in E. coli the hybrid proteins consisting of cro-beta-galactosidase and polypeptide segments of human C3, as revealed by Western blotting with antisera to human C3. The C3 moiety of the hybrid proteins had a m.w. of up to 46.000. Polyclonal antibodies against the C3 segments expressed by one of the C3 cDNA clones (ReC3-1) have been raised in mice and rabbit, and in addition, a monoclonal antibody was produced. The antisera and the monoclonal antibody reacted in Western blotting analysis selectively with the alpha-chain, but not the beta-chain of human C3. Restriction mapping of the different cDNA clones was performed, and revealed that the different clones were partially overlapping. The ReC3-1 cDNA clone included a 0.7 kb noncoding region at the 3' terminal end of the C3 cDNA. One of the restriction sites (Hind III) identified in the ReC3-1 cDNA clone was not present in the recently published sequence of human C3 cDNA. This difference in nucleotide sequence provides direct evidence for C3 polymorphism at the DNA level. The combination of immunologic procedures with recombinant DNA methodology should facilitate additional analysis of the structure-function relationship of the C3 molecule.     

Distribution of the four flagellar (H) antigenic subserotypes of Bacillus thuringiensis H serotype 3 in Japan

A total of 302 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis flagellar (H) serotype 3, collected from sericultural environments and soils of the three main islands (Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) of Japan, were examined for their H antigenic subserotypes. Of these strains, 259 (85.8%) were identified as the H subserotype 3a : 3c (subsp. alesti ), 16 (5.3%) were referable to the subserotype 3a : 3b : 3c (subsp. kurstaki ), 26 (8.6%) belonged to the subserotype 3a : 3d : 3e (subsp. fukuokaensis ) and one strain (0.3%) was the subserotype 3a : 3d (subsp. sumiyoshiensis ). The subserotypes 3a : 3c and 3a : 3b : 3c were present in sericultural environments only; the former was distributed in Honshu and Shikoku Islands but not in Kyushu Island, and the latter was distributed in Honshu and Kyushu Islands but not in Shikoku Island. The subserotype 3a : 3d : 3e, mainly found in soils but occasionally in sericultural environments, was distributed in the three main islands. It also appeared that the subserotype 3a : 3d : 3e, a recently described subserotype, was distributed in Japan more widely than the globally disseminated subserotype 3a : 3b : 3c. The results clearly showed geographical and ecological differences in the distribution of subserotypes.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and kinetic studies of glyceride prodrugs of diclofenac

The prodrugs (glyceride derivatives) 3a and 3b of diclofenac were prepared by reacting 1, 2, 3-trihydroxy propane-1,3-dipalmitate/stearate with the acid chloride of diclofenac as potential prodrugs to reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with them. These prodrugs were evaluated for their ulcerogenicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. It was found that the prodrugs were significantly less irritating to the gastric mucosa as indicated by severity index of 0.86, 0.78 compared to 1.6 of diclofenac. The prodrugs 3a and 3b showed better anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity than the parent drugs. The hydrolysis of prodrugs 3a and 3b were studied at pH 3, 4, 5 and 7.4. The HPLC analysis showed that the prodrugs were resistant to hydrolysis at pH 3, 4 and 5 indicating that they did not hydrolyze in acidic environment, whereas at pH 7.4 the prodrugs readily released the parent drug in significant quantities. The plasma levels of diclofenac were also analyzed by HPLC in rats after single oral dose of the prodrugs. The results indicated that the parent drugs were readily released. The concentration of diclofenac during the study was found higher in animals treated with prodrugs 3a and 3b compared with animals treated with diclofenac. The concentration of diclofenac was found to be 38.59, 33.6 and 30.36 microg/ml in animals treated with prodrugs 3a, 3b and diclofenac respectively. In conclusion, all these studies indicated that the glyceride prodrugs of diclofenac might be considered as potential biolabile prodrugs of diclofenac.     

The effect of 3T3 fibroblasts on the expression of anchorage independence and cornification of oral keratinocytes

This study examined the effect of 3T3 fibroblasts on the expression of anchorage independence and the degree of cornification in early cultures of three carcinoma-derived epithelial cell lines (R59, R63a, R63b) and in one cell line derived from non-malignant dysplastic epithelium where there was no evidence of invasion (R66a). The epithelial cell lines originated from the palatal (R63a, R66a) and the lingual (R59, R63b) mucosa of rats that had been painted with the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide. In the absence of 3T3 fibroblasts, progressive culture resulted in an increase in the colony forming efficiency (CFE) of R63a, R63b and R59 and a decrease in the percentage of cornified cells in all cell lines. 3T3 fibroblasts caused a decrease in the CFE and the degree of cornification in the 3T3-dependent cell line (R63a), particularly at the lower passages, but these parameters remained essentially unchanged by 3T3 fibroblasts in the 3T3-independent cell lines (R59, R63b). 3T3 fibroblasts did not influence the cornification of R66a and this cell line remained anchorage dependent throughout the study. The results suggest that in malignant cell lines characterised by being independent of 3T3 fibroblasts (R63b, R59) the CFE was inversely correlated to the degree of cornification. However, in the malignant cell line showing a greater dependence on support (R63a) the relationship between CFE and cornification was unclear because these parameters may have been modulated by the presence of 3T3 fibroblasts. The cell line from dysplastic non-invasive tissue (R66a) differed from its malignant counterparts in the fact that CFE and cornification were unaffected by 3T3 fibroblasts despite previous studies showing a dependence on mesenchymal support.     

Metabolism of 4-pentenoic acid and inhibition of thiolase by metabolites of 4-pentenoic acid

The metabolism of 4-pentenoic acid, a hypoglycemic agent and inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, has been studied in rat heart mitochondria. Confirmed was the conversion of 4-pentenoic acid to 2,4-pentadienoyl coenzyme A (CoA), which either is directly degraded via beta-oxidation or is first reduced in a NADPH-dependent reaction before it is further degraded by beta-oxidation. At pH 6.9, the NADPH-dependent reduction of 2,4-pentadienoyl-CoA proceeds 10 times faster than its degradation by beta-oxidation. At pH 7.8, this ratio is only 2 to 1. The direct beta-oxidation of 2,4-pentadienoyl-CoA leads to the formation of 3-keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA, which is highly reactive and spontaneously converts to another 3-ketoacyl-CoA derivative (compound X). 3-Keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA is a poor substrate of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (EC 2.3..1.16) whereas compound X is not measurably acted upon by this enzyme. The effects of several metabolites of 4-pentenoic acid on the activity of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase were studied. 3,4-Pentadienoyl-CoA is a weak inhibitor of this enzyme that is protected against the inhibition by acetoacetyl-CoA. The most effective inhibitor of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase was found to be 3-keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA, which inhibits the enzyme in both a reversible and irreversible manner. The reversible inhibition is possibly a consequence of the inhibitor being a poor substrate of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. It is concluded that 4-pentenoic acid is metabolized in mitochondria by two pathways. The minor yields 3-keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA, which acts both as a reversible and as a irreversible inhibitor of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase and consequently of fatty acid oxidation.     

Cloning and study of the expression of a novel cry1Ia-type gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki

AIMS: Cloning and expression of a new cry1Ia-type gene of Bacillus thuringiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR amplification, using gene cry1I-specific primers revealed the presence of such a gene in the strain BNS3 of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. The cloning and sequencing from BNS3 of the cry1Ia-type gene, called crybns3-3, showed an open reading frame of 2160-bp, encoding a protein of 719 amino acid residues. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences similarity analysis revealed that the crybns3-3 is a new cry1Ia-type gene, presenting several differences from the cry1Ia-type genes. The study of the expression of crybns3-3 by Northern blot and RT-PCR showed that it was transcribed. The expression of crybns3-3 under the control of BtI and BtII promoters revealed that Crybns3-3 would co-crystallize with the endogenous delta-endotoxins. CONCLUSIONS: crybns3-3 is a novel cry1Ia gene isolated from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain BNS3. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The characteristics of crybns3-3 indicate that it is a new cry1Ia-type gene. Amino acid residue substitutions presented in Crybns3-3 could be exploited for both toxicity and specificity studies. Crybns3-3 would interact and co-crystallize at least partially with the endogenous delta-endotoxins of BNS3, and then participate in the formation of the parasporal crystal inclusions.     

Association and dissociation kinetics of colicin E3 and immunity protein 3: convergence of theory and experiment

The rapid binding of cytotoxic colicin E3 by its cognate immunity protein Im3 is essential in safeguarding the producing cell. The X-ray structure of the E3/Im3 complex shows that the Im3 molecule interfaces with both the C-terminal ribonuclease (RNase) domain and the N-terminal translocation domain of E3. The association and dissociation rates of the RNase domain and Im3 show drastically different sensitivities to ionic strength, as previously rationalized for electrostatically enhanced diffusion-limited protein-protein associations. Relative to binding to the RNase domain, binding to full-length E3 shows a comparable association rate but a significantly lower dissociation rate. This outcome is just what was anticipated by a theory for the binding of two linked domains to a protein. The E3/Im3 system thus provides a powerful paradigm for the interplay of theory and experiment.     

The displacement of copper by iron at the specific binding sites of ovotransferrin

We have examined the kinetics and mechanism by which iron can displace copper at the specific metal-binding sites of ovotransferrin. Fe2+ was added to Cu2+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-) in the presence of NaHCO3 and ambient O2. The reaction has been followed by standard and stopped-flow spectrophotometry, EPR spectroscopy and analysis of chromogen-reactive Fe2+. The reaction is best described as triphasic. An initial jump in absorbance takes place in the first 2 s. In the next minute there is a further increase in absorbance and shift in the spectral maximum from 440 to 446 nm. The third phase is complex. The bulk of the spectrophotometric change, a decrease in absorbance with a shift to a maximum of 453 nm, lasts approx. 3 min. Minor spectral and EPR changes, however, take place over the next several hours. Chromogenic analysis of Fe2+ indicates that approx. 1 min is required to oxidize the Fe2+. EPR spectra reveal the formation of an Fe3+-ovotransferrin complex within the first 20 s; however, this lacks the characteristic doublet of specific Fe3+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-). The simultaneous presence of specific Cu2+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-) and Fe3+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-) signals suggests a period in which the protein specifically binds both metal ions perhaps resulting from a differential reactivity of the two metal-binding sites. The addition of Cu(NO3)2 to Fe3+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-) resulted in a complex with specific Fe3+ and non-specific Cu2+. The EPR spectrum of this complex and the final product of our displacement reaction were virtually identical. Distinct parallels in reaction of Cu2+-ovotransferrin-CO3(2-) with Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2, Fe(NO3)3 and Fe3+-nitrilotriacetic acid were observed. A reaction sequence involving the binding and oxidation of non-specific Fe2+ followed by Cu2+ displacement by Fe3+ at the specific sites and binding of non-specific Cu2+ is suggested.     

The cytoplasmic expression of CD3 antigens in normal and malignant cells of the T lymphoid lineage

Anti-CD3 (T3) Ab reacting with different proportions of thymocytes (anti-CD3a: UCHT1, anti-CD3b: T10B9, and anti-CD3c: OKT3) were tested for cytoplasmic (cCD3) and membrane (mCD3) expression in the bone marrow, thymus, and blood in man and selected primates. The expression of cCD3a and cCD3c in the perinuclear and Golgi area of large, BrdU-incorporating, strongly TdT+ thymic blasts probably represents one of the earliest signs of T cell commitment, because these blast cells are CD1-, CD4-, CD8-, and mCD3-. The cCD3+, TdT+ cells are normally restricted to the thymus and are absent among the TdT+ cells of bone marrow. The anti-CD3b Ab used, T10B9, co-caps and co-modulates with the other anti-CD3 Ab and is a T cell-specific reagent at a membrane level but does not bind to perinuclear cCD3. Instead, this reagent cross-reacts with a filamentous cytoplasmic network in non-T cells in man and in primates S. oedipus and M. rhesus despite their T cell negativity for mCD3. The characteristics of all T-ALL cases studied: cCD3+, CD7+ along with nuclear TdT+ suggest lineage fidelity to early thymic blasts. As a marked contrast, cCD3 is absent in common ALL and in AML, including cases that concomitantly express CD7 and myeloid antigens. Thus, the cCD3, TdT combination provides a very sensitive assay for residual T-ALL blasts outside the normal thymus.     

Biosynthesis of heparin. O-sulfation of the antithrombin-binding region

The antithrombin-binding region in heparin is a pentasaccharide sequence with the predominant structure GlcNAc(6-OSO3)-GlcA-GlcNSO3(3,6-di-OSO3)-IdoA -(2-OSO3)-GlcNSO3(6-OSO3) (where GlcA and IdoA represent D-glucuronic and L-iduronic acid, respectively), in which the 3-O-sulfate residue on the internal glucosaminyl unit is a marker group for this particular region of the polysaccharide molecule. A heparin octasaccharide which contained the above pentasaccharide sequence was N/O-desulfated and re-N-sulfated and was then incubated with adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phospho[35S]sulfate in the presence of a microsomal fraction from mouse mastocytoma tissue. Fractionation of the resulting 35S-labeled octasaccharide on antithrombin-Sepharose yielded a high affinity fraction that accounted for approximately 2% of the total incorporated label. Structural analysis of this fraction indicated that the internal glucosamine unit of the pentasaccharide sequence was 3-O-35S-sulfated, whereas both adjacent glucosamine units carried 6-O-[35S]sulfate groups. In contrast, the fractions with low affinity for antithrombin (approximately 98% of incorporated 35S) showed no consistent O-35S sulfation pattern and essentially lacked glucosaminyl 3-O-[35S]sulfate groups. It is suggested that the 3-O-sulfation reaction concludes the formation of the antithrombin-binding region. This proposal was corroborated in a similar experiment using a synthetic pentasaccharide with the structure GlcNSO3(6-OSO3)-GlcA-GlcNSO3(6-OSO3)-Id oA (2-OSO3)-GlcNSO3(6-OSO3) as sulfate acceptor. This molecule corresponds to a functional antithrombin-binding region but for the lack of a 3-O-sulfate group at the internal glucosamine unit. The 35S-labeled pentasaccharide recovered after incubation bound with high affinity to antithrombin-Sepharose and contained a 3-O-[35S]sulfate group at the internal glucosamine residue as the only detectable labeled component. The use of this pentasaccharide substrate along with the affinity matrix provides a highly specific assay for the 3-O-sulfotransferase.     

The purification and properties of the scaffolding protein of bacteriophage lambda.

The Nu3 gene of bacteriophage lambda resides within a cluster of genes that specify structural components of the bacteriophage head. Previous experiments indicate that the Nu3 gene product (gpNu3) is associated with immature proheads but is not detectable in mature proheads or bacteriophage particles, hence its classification as a scaffolding protein. The Nu3 gene has been cloned and overexpressed, and its protein product has been purified. The purified protein is biologically active, as demonstrated by its ability to complement a gpNu3-deficient extract in an in vitro assembly reaction. The sequence of the amino terminus of the protein indicates that translation of Nu3 starts at nucleotide position 5,342 on the standard lambda DNA sequence, yielding a protein with a calculated Mr of 13,396. A combination of gel exclusion chromatography and velocity sedimentation gradient data indicates that gpNu3 possesses an unusually elongated shape.