Linkage relationships of the gene for apolipoprotein CII with loci on chromosome 19

Two common restriction fragment length polymorphisms detected with cloned gene probes for apolipoprotein CII (apo CII) have been used to study the inheritance of the gene in families segregating for loci on chromosome 19. Lod scores for APOC2 with the gene for complement component 3 (C3) exclude close linkage and give a maximum at a male recombination fraction of 0.25-0.30. Lod scores for APOC2 and FHC, the gene causing familial hypercholesterolaemia, are negative in males and suggest the genes may not be linked. However, it appears that APOC2 may be closely linked to the blood group loci Lutheran (Lu) and Secretor (Se), and probably less closely linked to Lewis (Le). These data are consistent with the gene order: FHC-----C3-----(Lu, Se, APOC2)     

Binding properties of various metals to blood components and serum proteins: a multitracer study.

The binding affinity of various trace elements to blood components and the pH-dependence of the binding affinity of the elements to serum proteins were examined using the radioactive multitracer technique. The binding affinity of 13 elements (Be, V, Mn, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ce, Eu, Gd, Tm, Yb, and Lu) was simultaneously determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The blood drawn from rats was separated into plasma, corpuscles, and erythrocyte ghosts. It was found that Be, Sr, Mn, and Zn bind highly to the plasma proteins. V and Se were highly bound to the corpuscles, and Se to the erythrocyte ghosts as well. Similar binding percentages of rare earth elements (Ce, Eu, Gd, Tm, Yb, and Lu) were found for each of the blood components, with the highest percentages being observed for plasma proteins. Albumin, beta-globulin, gamma-globulin, apotransferrin, and holotransferrin were examined in the study on the affinity of individual serum proteins. The pH dependence of the affinity of metal ions to the serum proteins in the pH range of 6.4-8.5 was examined using ultrafiltration and gamma-ray spectrometry. Each element showed a characteristic binding affinity to each serum protein, depending on pH. The results are discussed in terms of the chelating ability of metal ions and the nature of the serum proteins.     

桑树内生拮抗细菌Burkholderia cepacia Lu10-1的分离鉴定及其内生定殖

[目的]对从健康桑树叶片中分离到的一株内生拮抗细菌Lu10-1进行鉴定,并探讨该菌株在桑树体内的定殖.[方法]通过形态观察、生理生化指标测定及16S rRNA基因序列同源性分析,结合recA基因特异引物PCR检测法对菌株Lu10-1进行分类学鉴定;以抗利福平(Rif)和氨苄青霉素(Amp)双抗药性为标记,采用浸种、浸根、涂叶和针刺等方法接种,测定Lu10-1菌株在桑树体内的定殖.[结果]结果表明,菌株Lu10-1属于伯克霍尔德氏菌属(Burkholderia),与亲缘关系较近菌株B.cepacia(X80284)的同源性达98%,该菌株的16S rDNA序列已在GenBank中注册,登录号为EF546394;Lu10-1菌株浸种接种后,菌株在桑苗组织中的数量总体上呈现下降趋势,到第20天后菌量趋于稳定;细菌浸根接种后,菌株在茎叶部定殖的菌量均呈现出"先增后降"的趋势.[结论]内生拮抗细菌Lu10-1归属于洋葱伯克霍尔德氏菌基因型Ⅰ(Burkholderia cepacia genomovar Ⅰ);该菌株可在桑树体内长期定殖并传导,且在定殖过程中菌株的拮抗性能未改变;为将该菌株导入桑树体内进行病害的生物防治提供了理论依据.     

缓释砂硒对绿甘蓝富硒作用及生长的影响

砂硒因沙子具有透气保水的特性,同时硒释放相对缓慢,能提供稳定的硒来源,是比较理想的富硒蔬果培养基质。为了探讨缓释砂硒对绿甘蓝富硒作用和生长的影响,该研究设置对照组(CK),实验组缓释砂硒(CT)、鸡粪和砂硒1∶1混合(CT1)、鸡粪和砂硒1∶2混合(CT2)和鸡粪(CT3) 5个处理。结果表明:CT、CT1和CT2处理的绿甘蓝硒含量比CK分别增加45%、61%和64%,逐步回归分析表明绿甘蓝硒含量和土壤硒含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05); CT2处理的效果最好,绿甘蓝的产量增加45%,叶片厚度增加22.78%,水分利用效率提高56.66%。土壤锰含量和硒含量共同解释了绿甘蓝生物量变化的72%,而土壤锌含量解释绿甘蓝水分利用效率变化的66%。这表明砂硒添加后,通过增加土壤硒含量提高绿甘蓝硒含量,砂硒和鸡粪配比更有效地提高了绿甘蓝硒含量并促进其生长。     

Morphology of the surface of normal and virus transformed cells in vitro]

The cell surface morphology of two cell lines--from the mink lung (Mv1Lu) and from the Kirsten sarcoma virus transformed derivate (Ki-Mv1Lu)--was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Marked differences are seen in cell morphology of these two lines at high cell densities. Mv1Lu cells at high densities had uniform flat polygonal shape with microvilli at their surface. A marked diversity in cell morphology was characteristic of Ki-Mv1Lu cells at comparable cell densities: variation in shape, in thickness degrees, and in the expression of cell surface ultrastructure (microvilli, blebs, filopodia). No dependence of Ki-Mv1Lu cell morphology from cell densities was observed. At low cell densities of Mv1Lu cells, cells with the morphology differing from the typical pattern of confluent Mv1Lu cells were seen. Morphological diversity of these cells was comparable with that of Ki-Mv1Lu cells. Nothing has been found in cell surface morphology that could be absolutely specific for transformed cells only.     

Abundance of Lutzomyia ovallesi but not Lu. gomezi (Diptera: Psychodidae) correlated with cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence in north-central Venezuela

In north-central Venezuela Lutzomyia gomezi and Lu. ovallesi are the main endophilic/anthropophilic species of phlebotomine sandflies implicated as vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Lutzomyia ovallesi has been found infected with Leishmania braziliensis (1.2%) and less often with Le. mexicana (0.07%), while Le. braziliensis infections have also been found in Lu. gomezi (0.47%). We investigated population densities of these sandflies using two sampling methods with four series of collections between January 1991 and March 1995 at El Ingenio, Miranda State. All-night outdoor collections from a Shannon trap were correlated with indoor collections from CDC light–traps by linear regression, which proved to be statistically significant for both species. Estimated numbers of female sandflies per house per night were found to be proportional to monthly precipitation (i.e. rainfall), with a lag time of seven months for Lu. ovallesi and of six months for Lu. gomezi . Predominance of Lu. ovallesi over Lu. gomezi ( c. 10 :1 ) was observed throughout the year, with the number of infected females estimated as 0.043 ± 0.047 Lu. ovallesi and 0.0085 ± 0.0124 Lu. gomezi per CDC trap per house per night (ratio ∼ 5:1). The mean rate of new CL cases per house per year and sandfly abundance were correlated by linear regression, showing a statistically significant relationship for Lu. ovallesi but not for Lu. gomezi . The negative intercept indicated that, on average, the CDC trap density exceeds 800 Lu. ovallesi females/house/year before new CL cases occur at El Ingenio.     

Selenium Content in Blood Fractions and Liver of Beef Heifers Is Greater with a Mix of Inorganic/Organic or Organic Versus Inorganic Supplemental Selenium but the Time Required for Maximal Assimilation Is Tissue-Specific

Selenium (Se) content of feedstuffs is dependent on the Se level of the soil. Even though Se in grass and forage crops is primarily present in organic forms, Se is commonly supplemented in cattle diets in an inorganic (sodium selenite) form in geographic regions where Se soil concentrations are low. The purpose of this study was to answer two important questions about inorganic (ISe) vs organic (OSe) forms of dietary supplementation of Se (3?mg/day) to growing beef heifers (0.5?kg/day): (1) what would the effect of supplementing Se with an equal blend of ISe:OSe (Mix) have on Se tissue concentrations and (2) how long does it take for the greater assimilation with OSE to occur and stabilize? A long-term (224?day) Se dietary supplementation trial was conducted with serial sampling performed (days?28, 56, 112, and 224) to determine the length of time required to achieve Se supplement (OSE, Mix, and ISe)-dependent changes in Se assimilation in blood fractions and liver tissue. Forty maturing Angus heifers were fed a corn silage-based diet for 98?days with no Se supplementation, and then a cracked corn/cottonseed hull-based diet (basal diet) without Se supplementation for 74?days. Liver biopsies were taken for Se analysis, and heifers were fed the same diet for another 14?days. Heifers were assigned (n?=?10) to one of four Se treatment groups such that basal liver Se contents were stratified among groups, and then fed enough of the basal diet (0.08?mg Se per day) and a mineral-vitamin mix that provided 0.16 (control) or 3.0?mg Se per day in ISe (sodium selenite), OSe (Sel-Plex(?)), or Mix (1:1 ISe:OSe) form to support 0.5?kg/day growth for 224?days. More Se was found in whole blood, red blood cells, serum, and liver of Mix and OSe heifers than ISe heifers, and all were greater than control. Se content either increased until day?56 then was stable (liver and plasma), or was stable until day?56 (whole blood) or day?112 (red blood cells) and then increased steadily through day?224, for all supplemental Se treatments. These data indicate that a 1:1 mix (1.5?mg Se:1.5?mg Se) of supplemental ISe and OSe is equal to 3?mg/day OSe supplementation and greater than 3?mg/day ISe supplementation. The data also indicate that Se levels stabilized in liver and plasma by 56 to 112?days whereas whole blood and red blood cell concentrations were still increasing through 224?days of supplementation, regardless of the form of supplemental Se.     

Lu/BCAM Adhesion Glycoprotein Is a Receptor for Escherichia coli Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1)

The Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1) is a protein toxin which is a major virulence factor of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Here, we identified the Lutheran (Lu) adhesion glycoprotein/basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM) as cellular receptor for CNF1 by co-precipitation of cell surface molecules with tagged toxin. The CNF1-Lu/BCAM interaction was verified by direct protein-protein interaction analysis and competition studies. These studies revealed amino acids 720 to 1014 of CNF1 as the binding site for Lu/BCAM. We suggest two cell interaction sites in CNF1: first the N-terminus, which binds to p37LRP as postulated before. Binding of CNF1 to p37LRP seems to be crucial for the toxin''s action. However, it is not sufficient for the binding of CNF1 to the cell surface. A region directly adjacent to the catalytic domain is a high affinity interaction site for Lu/BCAM. We found Lu/BCAM to be essential for the binding of CNF1 to cells. Cells deficient in Lu/BCAM but expressing p37LRP could not bind labeled CNF1. Therefore, we conclude that LRP and Lu/BCAM are both required for toxin action but with different functions.     

Differential protein expression due to Se deficiency and Se toxicity in rat liver

There is a U-shaped dose-response between selenium (Se) status and health outcomes, but underlying metabolic processes are unclear. This study aims to identify candidate proteins in liver regulated by dietary Se, ranging from deficiency to toxic. Male rats (n=4) were fed graded Se concentrations as selenite for 28 days. Bulk Se analysis was performed by ICP-MS on both soluble and insoluble fractions. Soluble fraction samples were chromatographically separated for identification of selenocompounds by SEC-ICP-MS and protein quantification by LC-MS/MS. Bioinformatics analysis compared low-Se (0 and 0.08 µg Se g⁻¹) and high-Se (0.8, 2 and 5 µg Se g⁻¹) with adequate-Se (0.24 µg Se g⁻¹) diets. Major breakpoints for Se were seen at 0.8 and 2 µg Se g⁻¹ in the insoluble and soluble fractions, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase 1 protein abundance reached a plateau at ≥0.08 µg Se g⁻¹diet; Se bound to selenium binding protein 2 was observed with 2 and 5 µg Se g⁻¹ Se. The extreme diets presented the highest number of differentially expressed (P value <0.05, FC ≥1.2) proteins in comparison to the adequate-Se diet (0 µg Se g⁻¹: 45 proteins; 5 µg Se g⁻¹: 59 proteins); 13 proteins were commonly affected in 0 and 5 µg Se g⁻¹ treatments. Network analysis revealed that the metabolism of glutathione, xenobiotics and amino acids were enriched in both 0 and 5 µg Se g⁻¹ diets, indicating a U-shape effect of Se. This similarity is likely due to down-stream effects of lack of essential selenoproteins in Se deficiency and due to toxic effects of Se that exceeds the capacity to cope with excess Se.     

Content of non-mercury-associated selenium in human tissues

Recent studies have shown that at a higher mercury (Hg) burden, the molar ratio of selenium (Se) and Hg in tissues tends to approximate 1:1 by the formation of biologically largely inert adducts. From the toxicological standpoint, this trapping of free Hg is welcome. However, this binding of Se to Hg reduces the portion of Se in tissues, which is available for the formation of essential selenoenzymes like glutathione peroxidase, type I deiodase, and so forth and could result in a relative deficiency of Se. Therefore, we tried to determine the concentration of non-Hg-associated Se in several human tissues. As there is no proved trace method for the speciation of non-Hg-bound and Hg-bound Se in tissues, the total concentrations of Hg and Se were determined and the portion of non-Hg-associated Se was calculated by the difference of the molar concentrations of Se and Hg. For this investigation, the following tissues were obtained by autopsy from 133 adults: kidney cortex, thyroid gland, liver, spleen, cerebrum cortex, and pituitary gland. In no case was an occupational Hg burden known. The results confirm the assumption of a 1:1 association of Hg and Se in human tissues. The mean concentration of non-Hg-bound Se was calculated to 576 μg/kg in the kidney cortex, 363 μg/kg in the thyroid gland, 308 μg/kg in the liver, 205 μg/kg in the spleen, 111 μg/kg in the cerebrum cortex, and 545 μg/kg in the pituitary gland. In none of the cases under investigation in any tissue was the molar Se/He ratio below 1. This means that a total deficiency of non-Hg-bound Se could not be seen in this normal population, even at a higher Hg burden. Nevertheless, at a suboptimal Se supply like in Germany, any reduction of the part of Se, which is available for the formation of essential seleno-enzymes, should be avoided. Therefore, any additional Hg burden such as from dental amalgam should to be considered critically. The different distribution of Hg and Se in the body confirms that there is a controlled hierarchy in the Se supply of different organs, which tries to prevent a Se deficiency in organs with essential seleno-enzymes like the thyroid gland even under an suboptimal Se supply.     

Coordination chemistry of lanthanide catecholates

The solution complexation chemistry of Eu(III) and Lu(III) with several monocatecholates [1,2- dihydroxy(3,5-disulfo)benzene (tiron); 4-nitrocatechol (n-cat); catechol; 5-sulfo-2,3-dihydroxy-N,N- dimethylbenzamide (DMBS)], and a tetracatecholate (3,4,3-LICAMS) has been investigated using potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. These two trivalent lanthanides form complexes of the same composition with those of Lu(III) more stable. At pH 8 only 1:1 complexes of Eu(III) and Lu(III)with tiron are formed, regardless of the amount of excess ligand present. Complexes of Eu(III) with catechol of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 are formed at pH 8.0, 10.0 and 12.0, respectively. The octadentate ligand 3,4,3-LICAMS and the simple catechols 4-nitrocatechol and DMBS form complexes with 1.5 catechol groups per Eu(III) or Lu(III). The formation constants of these complexes have been determined. Discussion of these differences in catecholate coordination chemistry with lanthanides, as well as comparison of these results with those obtained for trivalent and tetravalent transition metals and actinides, are presented.     

Selenium potentiates the anticancer effect of cisplatin against oxidative stress and calcium ion signaling-induced intracellular toxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells: involvement of the TRPV1 channel

Background: In breast cancers, calcium signaling is a main cause of proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Although previous studies have implicated the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) cation channel, the synergistic inhibition effects of selenium (Se) and cisplatin in cancer and the suppression of ongoing apoptosis have not yet been investigated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This study investigates the anticancer properties of Se through TRPV1 channel activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line cultures when given alone or in combination with cisplatin. Materials: The MCF-7 cells were divided into four groups: the control group, the Se-treated group (200?nM), the cisplatin-treated group (40?μM) and the Se?+?cisplatin-treated group. Results: The intracellular free calcium ion concentration and current densities increased with TRPV1 channel activator capsaicin (0.01?mM), but they decreased with the TRPV1 blocker capsazepine (0.1?mM), Se, cisplatin, and Se?+?cisplatin incubations. However, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, apoptosis, and the caspase 3, and caspase 9 values increased in the Se-treated group and the cisplatin-treated group, although Western blot (procaspase 3 and 9) results and the cell viability levels decreased with the Se and Se?+?cisplatin treatments. Apoptosis and caspase-3 were further increased with the Se?+?cisplatin treatment. Intracellular reactive oxygen species production increased with the cisplatin treatment, but not with the Se treatment. Conclusion: This study’s results report, for the first time, that at a cellular level, Se and cisplatin interact on the same intracellular toxic cascade, and the combination of these two drugs can result in a remarkable anticancer effect through modulation of the TRPV1.     

Effect of acute selenium restriction on whole body endogenous selenium and the selenite-exchangeable metabolic pool in the adult rat

The time course of changes in whole body endogenous selenium (Se(end)) was investigated during a short-term (7-day) selenium restriction study in the adult rat. The method of continuous feeding with a stable isotope of selenium was used to permit normal intake of selenium while distinguishing between the dietary and endogenous components of body selenium. Additionally, the effect of short-term selenium restriction on the time course of the selenite-exchangeable metabolic pool (Se-EMP) was investigated. Two groups of adult male rats were intubated with the in vivo stable isotope (74)SeO(3)(2-), then fed a Torula yeast diet (selenium <0.02 microg/g) and either deionized water (-Se group) or deionized water containing selenium as (76)SeO(3)(2-) (0.1 microg selenium/ml) (+Se group). Three animals from each group were killed at 24-hour intervals. Whole body Se(end) and the estimated size of Se-EMP (W(Se-EMP)) were determined using hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for isotopic measurements. Whole body Se(end) decreased linearly in the +Se group (Se degrees (end): 54.4 microg; Se(end) at 3 days: 49.3 +/- 2.1; Se(end) at 7 days: 45.2 +/- 2.2). The decrease was exponential for the -Se group (Se degrees (end): 54.4 microg; Se(end) at 3 days: 42.9 +/- 0.3; Se(end) at 7 days: 42.2 +/- 0.7). The value of W(Se-EMP,pl) (microg) was 19.8 +/- 0.6 at 1 day and 19.7 +/- 1.0 at 7 days for the +Se group. The corresponding values for the -Se group were 15.7 +/- 1.5 and 18.8 +/- 0.4. All respective values of W(Se-EMP,pl) for the -Se group were significantly smaller than for the +Se group (P < 0.05), with the exception of values at days 6 and 7. The value of W(Se-EMP,urine) (microg) was 2.1 +/- 0.2 at 1 day, increasing rapidly to 23.5 +/- 1.5 at 7 days for the +Se group. The corresponding values for the -Se group were 3.0 and 23.1.     

Extraordinarily high leaf selenium to sulfur ratios define 'Se-accumulator' plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) exhibit similar chemical properties. In flowering plants (angiosperms) selenate and sulfate are acquired and assimilated by common transport and metabolic pathways. It is hypothesized that most angiosperm species show little or no discrimination in the accumulation of Se and S in leaves when their roots are supplied a mixture of selenate and sulfate, but some, termed Se-accumulator plants, selectively accumulate Se in preference to S under these conditions. METHODS: This paper surveys Se and S accumulation in leaves of 39 angiosperm species, chosen to represent the range of plant Se accumulation phenotypes, grown hydroponically under identical conditions. RESULTS: The data show that, when supplied a mixture of selenate and sulfate: (1) plant species differ in both their leaf Se ([Se](leaf)) and leaf S ([S](leaf)) concentrations; (2) most angiosperms show little discrimination for the accumulation of Se and S in their leaves and, in non-accumulator plants, [Se](leaf) and [S](leaf) are highly correlated; (3) [Se](leaf) in Se-accumulator plants is significantly greater than in other angiosperms, but [S](leaf), although high, is within the range expected for angiosperms in general; and (4) the Se/S quotient in leaves of Se-accumulator plants is significantly higher than in leaves of other angiosperms. CONCLUSION: The traits of extraordinarily high [Se](leaf) and leaf Se/S quotients define the distinct elemental composition of Se-accumulator plants.     

Chorion patterns on eggs of Lutzomyia sandflies from the Peruvian Andes

Abstract. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to depict and describe the eggs of five species of phlebotomine sandfly from the Andean region of Peru: Lutzomyia caballeroi, Lu.noguchii, Lu.peruensis, Lu.tejadai and Lu.verrucarum. Two new types of chorionic sculpturing of sandfly eggs are reported: these were named disperse (Lu.tejadai) and verrucose (Lu.noguchii). The aeropylar area of the eggs is also described for the first time for neotropical sandflies. These character states appear to vary for ecological rather than phylogenetic reasons and could be used for species identification.     

In vivo bioavailability of selenium in enriched Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms

The in vivo bioavailability of Se was investigated in enriched Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms. A bioavailability study was performed using 64 Wistar male rats separated in 8 groups and fed with different diets: without Se, with mushrooms without Se, with enriched mushrooms containing 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45 mg kg(-1) Se and a normal diet containing 0.15 mg kg(-1) of Se using sodium selenate. The experiment was performed in two periods: depletion (14 days) and repletion (21 days), according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. After five weeks, the rats were sacrificed under carbon dioxide, and blood was drawn by heart puncture. Blood plasma was separated by centrifugation. The total Se concentration in the plasma of rats fed with enriched mushrooms was higher than in rats fed with a normal diet containing sodium selenate. The plasma protein profiles were obtained using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV detectors. Aliquots of effluents (0.5 mL per minute) were collected throughout in the end of the chromatographic column. However, Se was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) only in the aliquots where proteins were detected by SEC-UV. The plasma protein profile of rats fed with different diets was similar. The highest Se concentration was observed in a peptide presenting 8 kDa. Furthermore, the higher Se concentration in this peptide was obtained for rats fed with a diet using enriched mushrooms (7 μg L(-1) Se) compared to other diets (2-5 μg L(-1) Se). These results showed that Se-enriched mushrooms can be considered as an alternative Se food source for humans, due to their high bioavailability.     

Selenium supplementation of lactating dairy cows: effects on milk production and total selenium content and speciation in blood, milk and cheese

Forty multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 16-week continuous design study to determine the effects of either selenium (Se) source, selenised yeast (SY) (derived from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060) or sodium selenite (SS), or Se inclusion rate in the form of SY in the diets of lactating dairy cows on the Se concentration and speciation in blood, milk and cheese. Cows received ad libitum a total mixed ration (TMR) with a 1 : 1 forage : concentrate ratio on a dry matter (DM) basis. There were four diets (T1 to T4), which differed only in either source or dose of Se additive. Estimated total dietary Se for T1 (no supplement), T2 (SS), T3 (SY) and T4 (SY) was 0.16, 0.30, 0.30 and 0.45 mg/kg DM, respectively. Blood and milk samples were taken at 28-day intervals and at each time point there were positive linear effects of Se in the form of SY on the Se concentration in blood and milk. At day 112, blood and milk Se values for T1 to T4 were 177, 208, 248 and 279 ± 6.6 and 24, 38, 57 and 72 ± 3.7 ng/g fresh material, respectively, and indicate improved uptake and incorporation of Se from SY. In whole blood, selenocysteine (SeCys) was the main selenised amino acid and the concentration of selenomethionine (SeMet) increased with the increasing inclusion rate of SY. In milk, there were no marked treatment effects on the SeCys content, but Se source had a marked effect on the concentration of SeMet. At day 112, replacing SS (T2) with SY (T3) increased the SeMet concentration of milk from 36 to 111 ng Se/g and its concentration increased further to 157 ng Se/g dried sample as the inclusion rate of SY increased further (T4) to provide 0.45 mg Se/kg TMR. Neither Se source nor inclusion rate affected the keeping quality of milk. At day 112, milk from T1, T2 and T3 was made into a hard cheese and Se source had a marked effect on total Se and the concentration of total Se comprised as either SeMet or SeCys. Replacing SS (T2) with SY (T3) increased total Se, SeMet and SeCys content in cheese from 180 to 340 ng Se/g, 57 to 153 ng Se/g and 52 to 92 ng Se/g dried sample, respectively. The use of SY to produce food products with enhanced Se content as a means of meeting the Se requirements is discussed.     

Interactions of cadmium and selenium in rat plasma in vivo and in vitro.

75Se and 109Cd tracers were used to study the binding of Se and Cd to plasma proteins at various SeO32- doses and times upt to 24 h after the simultaneous subcutaneous administration of SeO32- markedly increased both Se and Cd plasma levels over that in control animals. Gel permeation chromatography of plasma indicated that at all times up to 24 h Cd and Se were bound in an atomic ratio of approx. 1 : 1 in 330 000 and 130 000 dalton fractions. From 4 to 24 h, Cd and Se appeared in the 420 000 dalton fraction, also with an atomic ratio of approx. 1 : 1. The 330 000 dalton molecules appeared to have a maximal binding capacity for the Cd-Se complex at a concentration of approx. 30 mumol/ml of plasma, while the 130 000 and 420 000 dalton molecules show a higher binding capacity. Studies in vitro revealed that SeO32- does not interact directly with Cd and plasma proteins. It is metabolized by erythrocytes to a form that interacts in an atomic ratio of 1 : 1 with Cd to form a protein-bound complex of 130 000 daltons.     

SPARC inhibits epithelial cell proliferation in part through stimulation of the transforming growth factor-beta-signaling system

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a multifunctional secreted protein that regulates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, leading to alterations in cell adhesion, motility, and proliferation. Although SPARC is expressed in epithelial cells, its ability to regulate epithelial cell growth remains largely unknown. We show herein that SPARC strongly inhibited DNA synthesis in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-sensitive Mv1Lu cells, whereas moderately inhibiting that in TGF-beta-insensitive Mv1Lu cells (i.e., R1B cells). Overexpression of dominant-negative Smad3 in Mv1Lu cells, which abrogated growth arrest by TGF-beta, also attenuated growth arrest stimulated by SPARC. Moreover, the extracellular calcium-binding domain of SPARC (i.e., SPARC-EC) was sufficient to inhibit Mv1Lu cell proliferation but not that of R1B cells. Similar to TGF-beta and thrombospondin-1, treatment of Mv1Lu cells with SPARC or SPARC-EC stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation and Smad2/3 nuclear translocation: the latter response to all agonists was abrogated in R1B cells or by pretreatment of Mv1Lu cells with neutralizing TGF-beta antibodies. SPARC also stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation in MB114 endothelial cells but had no effect on bone morphogenetic protein-regulated Smad1 phosphorylation in either Mv1Lu or MB114 cells. Finally, SPARC and SPARC-EC stimulated TGF-beta-responsive reporter gene expression through a TGF-beta receptor- and Smad2/3-dependent pathway in Mv1Lu cells. Collectively, our findings identify a novel mechanism whereby SPARC inhibits epithelial cell proliferation by selectively commandeering the TGF-beta signaling system, doing so through coupling of SPARC-EC to a TGF-beta receptor- and Smad2/3-dependent pathway.     

Identification of neutral genes at pollen sterility loci Sd and Se of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) with wild rice (O. rufipogon) origin

Pollen sterility is one of the main hindrances against the utilization of strong intersubspecific (indica-japonica) heterosis in rice. We looked for neutral alleles at known pollen sterility loci Sd and Se that could overcome this pollen sterility characteristic. Taichung 65, a typical japonica cultivar, and its near isogenic lines E7 and E8 for pollen sterility loci Sd and Se were employed as tester lines for crossing with 13 accessions of wild rice (O. rufipogon). Pollen fertility and genotypic segregations of the molecular markers tightly linked with Sd and Se loci were analyzed in the paired F(1)s and F(2) populations. One accession of wild rice (GZW054) had high pollen fertility in the paired F(1)s between Taichung 65 and E7 or E8. Genotypic segregations of the molecular markers tightly linked with Sd and Se loci fit the expected Mendelian ratio (1:2:1), and non-significances were shown among the mean pollen fertilities with the maternal, parental, and heterozygous genotypes of each molecular markers tightly linked with Sd and Se loci. Evidentially, it indicated that the alleles of Sd and Se loci for GZW054 did not interact with those of Taichung 65 and its near isogenic lines, and, thus were identified as neutral alleles Sd(n) and Se(n). These neutral genes could become important germplasm resources for overcoming pollen sterility in indica-japonica hybrids, making utilization of strong heterosis in such hybrids viable.