Expression of mRNAs Encoding Subunits of the NMDA Receptor in Developing Rat Brain

Abstract: Developmental changes in the levels of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit mRNAs were identified in rat brain using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays. Pronounced increases in the levels of mRNAs encoding NR1 and NR2A were seen in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum between postnatal days 7 and 20. In cortex and hippocampus, the expression of NR2B mRNA was high in neonatal rats and remained relatively constant over time. In contrast, in cerebellum, the level of NR2B mRNA was highest at postnatal day 1 and declined to undetectable levels by postnatal day 28. NR2C mRNA was not detectable in cerebellum before postnatal day 11, after which it increased to reach adult levels by postnatal day 28. In cortex, the expression of NR2A and NR2B mRNAs corresponds to the previously described developmental profile of NMDA receptor subtypes having low and high affinities for ifenprodil, i.e., a delayed expression of NR2A correlating with the late expression of low-affinity ifenprodil sites. In cortex and hippocampus, the predominant splice variants of NR1 were those without the 5' insert and with or without both 3' inserts. In cerebellum, however, the major NR1 variants were those containing the 5' insert and lacking both 3' inserts. The results show that the expression of NR1 splice variants and NR2 subunits is differentially regulated in various brain regions during development. Changes in subunit expression are likely to underlie some of the changes in the functional and pharmacological properties of NMDA receptors that occur during development.     

Characteristics of Root Plasma Membrane ATPase and H+- extrusion in a K+- deficit Tolerant Rice Variety

The characteristics of root plasma membrane ATPase (PM-ATPase) of "Weiyou 49", a K+ -deficit tolerant rice (Oryza sativa L. ) variety and of "Yuanyou 1", a K+ -deficit non-tolerant rice variety, had some similarities:Their optimum pH value were both about 6.0; Their activities reached the maximum at ATP concentration of 3 mmol/L; Km was 0.85 mmol/L and external K+ stimulated their activities. However, when [K+ ] was less than or equal to 50 mmol/L in the medium, the increasing of K + stimulated the activity of the PM-ATPase of "Weiyou 49" much more than that of "Yuanyou 1". When [K+ ] was between 100 to 200 mmol/L, the difference of the PM-AT- Pase activities decreased between the two rice varieties caused by K + stimulation. The basic H + extrusion of the two varieties had no apparent difference, but the H + extrusion stimulated by K + was different. The H+ extrusion of "Weiyou 49" was relatively more sensitive to external K+ . The experiment using inhibitors showed that there were close relationship between the PM-ATPase activi- ties stimulated by K+ and K+ uptake in the two varieties. The inhibition of PM-ATPase activity and H+ -extrusion stimulated by K+ reduced the K+ uptake of the root segments in both varieties. So the possible reason for "Weiyou 49" growing well in the low external K+ was that its PM-ATPase and H+ extrusion was more sensitive to external K+ , especially when [K+ ] was low.     

表油菜素内酯对cAMP在植物体内分在和对质膜ATPase活性的影响

植物材料经ｅｐｉＢＲ处理后,ｃＡＭＰ的水平明显提高,比对照增加１～３倍,其变化的时间进程有６ｈ的滞后期。小麦根系质膜ＡＴＰａｓｅ与ｅｎｉＢＲ一起温育,质膜ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性未表现提高,反而明显下降;当ｅｐｉＢＲ浓度提高到２×１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,质膜ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性降低过半。在此反应系统中加入５×１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＩＡＡ后,质膜ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性明显提高,并超过了单独使用ＩＡＡ处理的材料。放射自显影表明,油菜素甾酮主要分布在绿豆幼苗上胚轴近真对端１ｃｍ处及黄瓜幼苗生长锥和子叶基部,均为形态生长旺盛的部位。     

细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成对自絮凝酵母质膜ATP酶响应酒精刺激的影响及其与菌体耐酒精的关系

研究揭示细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成与质膜ATP酶在酵母菌耐酒精中的一种新颖关系。实验表明,细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成特点对生长于未添加酒精条件下的自絮凝颗粒酵母质膜ATP酶活性没有影响,但却明显影响生长于添加酒精(1％～10％,V／V)条件下的菌体质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性：预培养于添加0．6mmol／L棕榈酸、亚油酸、或亚麻酸条件下的菌体的质膜ATP酶的最大激活水平分别为各自酶的基态水平(未激活)的3．6、1．5和1．2倍,而对照组(预培养于未添加脂肪酸条件下的菌体)的相应值为2．3倍,酶产生上述最大激活水平时的酒精浓度分别为7％、6％、6％、和7％(V/V)。酶激活后米氏常数Km、最适pH和对钒酸钠(质膜ATP酶特异性抑制剂)的敏感性等性质不变,但最大反应速度υmax明显增加。实验表明,细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成特点对提高菌体的耐酒精能力越有利,则其质膜ATP酶被酒精激活的幅度越大,说明菌体耐酒精能力的提高与其质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性的增加密切相关。细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成会影响酵母菌质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性是观察到的新的实验现象。     

Manipulation of Plasma Membrane Fatty Acid Composition of Fetal Rat Brain Cells Grown in a Serum-Free Denned Medium

Modifications of plasma membrane acyl-linked phospholipid fatty acid composition were produced by supplementing the culture medium with essential fatty acids. The plasma membrane fraction was purified by Percoll gradient centrifugation from dissociated fetal rat brain cells grown in a serum-free culture medium. Both the concentration dependence and the time course of the modifications were examined. Supplementation of the medium with essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, linolenic acid (18:3 omega 3) or linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6), produced incorporation of the elongated and desaturated products of omega 3 or omega 6 class, respectively, i.e., the incorporation was class specific. Within each class, the most unsaturated and elongated members, i.e., terminal members, were preferentially incorporated until they reached a maximum concentration within 6-7 days. At higher concentrations of supplemented fatty acids, additional class specific incorporation in plasma membrane was produced by an increase in the concentration of intermediate members. At the same time, the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids declined and that of saturated fatty acids remained unchanged. The modifications in fatty acid composition were reversible, with the time course similar to that of incorporation. The total plasma membrane phospholipid and sterol contents did not change with alterations of fatty acid composition, but did change with time in culture. This preparation should prove useful for investigating the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain cell functions, including neuronal excitability.     

Alternative Splicing,Expression and Cellular Localization of Calneuron-1 in the Rat and Human Brain

Calneuron-1 and -2 are members of the neuronal calcium-binding protein family (nCaBP). They are transmembrane Calmodulin-like EF-hand Ca²⁺-sensors, and a function in the control of Golgi-to-plasma membrane vesicle trafficking has been assigned to both proteins. In this paper, we describe the distribution of Calneuron-1 in rat and human brains. We show that Calneuron-1 is ubiquitously expressed in all brain regions examined. The protein is most abundant in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and principal neurons of the cortex and limbic brain whereas no expression in glial cells is apparent. In addition, we identify two novel splice isoforms of Calneuron-1 with extended N-termini. These isoforms are particular abundant in the cerebellum. Taken together, these data set grounds for a better understanding of the cellular function of Calneurons.     

Localization and Quantification of Plasma Membrane Aquaporin Expression in Maize Primary Root: A Clue to Understanding their Role as Cellular Plumbers

Water movement across root tissues occurs by parallel apoplastic, symplastic, and transcellular pathways that the plant can control to a certain extent. Because water channels or aquaporins (AQPs) play an important role in regulating water flow, studies on AQP mRNA and protein expression in different root tissues are essential. Here, we quantified and localized the expression of Zea mays plasma membrane AQPs (ZmPIPs) in primary root tip using in situ and quantitative RT-PCR and immunodetection approaches. All ZmPIP genes except ZmPIP2;7 were expressed in primary roots. Expression was found to be dependent on the developmental stage of the root, with, in general, an increase in expression towards the elongation and mature zones. Two genes, ZmPIP1;5 and ZmPIP2;5, showed the greatest increase in expression (up to 11- and 17-fold, respectively) in the mature zone, where they accounted for 50% of the total expressed ZmPIPs. The immunocytochemical localization of ZmPIP2;1 and ZmPIP2;5 in the exodermis and endodermis indicated that they are involved in root radial water movement. In addition, we detected a polar localization of ZmPIP2;5 to the external periclinal side of epidermal cells in root apices, suggesting an important role in water uptake from the root surface. Finally, protoplast swelling assays showed that root cells display a variable, but globally low, osmotic water permeability coefficient (P _f < 10 μm/s). However, the presence of a population of cells with a higher P _f (up to 26 μm/s) in mature zone of the root might be correlated with the increased expression of several ZmPIP genes.     

Expression of a Plasma Membrane Proteolipid During Differentiation of Neuronal and Glial Cells in Primary Culture

Plasma membrane proteolipid protein (PM-PLP) synthesis was examined in embryonic rat neurons and neonatal rat glial cells during differentiation in culture. Glial cultures were treated with 1 mM N6, O2, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) following confluency to induce differentiation, which resulted in the elaboration of long cellular processes. However, no changes in the biosynthetic level of PM-PLP was observed during the differentiation of these cells. Neurons differentiated spontaneously in culture, forming cellular aggregates immediately following plating and elaborating a network of neurites over 7 days. The differentiation of neurons was accompanied by a seven-fold increase in PM-PLP synthesis with increases in biosynthetic increase in PM-PLP synthesis with increases in biosynthetic rate observed between days 1 and 3 and between days 3 and 7 in culture. Ultrastructural examination of neurons indicated that the Golgi apparatus was also developing during this period of time, with an increase in both the number of lamellae and generation of vesicles. The transport of PM-PLP to the plasma membrane was therefore examined in neurons at day 7 in culture by pulse labeling experiments with monensin and colchicine. Monensin (1 microM) was found to inhibit the appearance of radiolabeled PM-PLP in the plasma membrane by 63%, indicating that a functional Golgi apparatus is required for transport of PM-PLP to its target membrane. Colchicine (125 microM) also inhibited the appearance of newly synthesized PM-PLP in the plasma membrane by greater than 40%, suggesting that microtubules may also be required for PM-PLP transport to the plasma membrane.     

从人和动物血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱探讨脂质代谢实验模型动物选取

目的比较大鼠、家兔和人血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱的异同,为脂质代谢模型动物的选取提供可靠依据。方法采用氯仿-甲醇快速提取大鼠、家兔和人血浆及细胞膜中的脂肪,并用碱法甲基化,经薄层层析纯化的甲基酯用100 mm×0.25 mm气相色谱毛细管柱测定脂肪酸组成。结果血浆中总MUFA、9c18：1、9c12c18：2 n-6和α-18：3 n-3等脂肪酸含量较高;而红细胞膜中总PUFA、AA、22：4n-6、DPA和DHA等脂肪酸含量较高;人和大鼠16：0、18：0、18：1、α-18：3n-3、AA、EPA、DHA、MUFA、n-3PUFA和n-6/n-3值均较为接近,但和家兔存在显著差异。结论与家兔相比,大鼠和人血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱较接近,因此,在选取脂质代谢实验动物时,应优先考虑大鼠为模型动物,以得到与人体实际更接近的结果。     

Alternative Pathways for Association and Dissociation of the Calmodulin-binding Domain of Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase Isoform 4b (PMCA4b)

The calmodulin (CaM)-binding domain of isoform 4b of the plasma membrane Ca(2+) -ATPase (PMCA) pump is represented by peptide C28. CaM binds to either PMCA or C28 by a mechanism in which the primary anchor residue Trp-1093 binds to the C-terminal lobe of the extended CaM molecule, followed by collapse of CaM with the N-terminal lobe binding to the secondary anchor Phe-1110 (Juranic, N., Atanasova, E., Filoteo, A. G., Macura, S., Prendergast, F. G., Penniston, J. T., and Strehler, E. E. (2010) J. Biol. Chem. 285, 4015-4024). This is a relatively rapid reaction, with an apparent half-time of ～1 s. The dissociation of CaM from PMCA4b or C28 is much slower, with an overall half-time of ～10 min. Using targeted molecular dynamics, we now show that dissociation of Ca(2+)-CaM from C28 may occur by a pathway in which Trp-1093, although deeply embedded in a pocket in the C-terminal lobe of CaM, leaves first. The dissociation begins by relatively rapid release of Trp-1093, followed by very slow release of Phe-1110, removal of C28, and return of CaM to its conformation in the free state. Fluorescence measurements and molecular dynamics calculations concur in showing that this alternative path of release of the PMCA4b CaM-binding domain is quite different from that of binding. The intermediate of dissociation with exposed Trp-1093 has a long lifetime (minutes) and may keep the PMCA primed for activation.     

Cold Acclimation in Plants: Relationship Between the Lipid Composition and the Cryostability of the Plasma Membrane

Received 23 March 1999/ Accepted in revised form 9 April 1999     

Age-Related Changes of GABA-Activated Chloride Channel Properties in Brain Cortex Synaptic Plasma Membrane: Evidence for Phospholipase Involvement

Abstract: Brain aging decreases binding of tert -butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS), a specific ligand for Cl⁻ channels, but has no effect on Cl⁻ influx. Detailed studies on the kinetics of TBPS dissociation allowed the characterization of Cl⁻ channel properties. Aging lowers, exclusively in the presence of GABA agonist, muscimol, the half-life of the fast phase of TBPS dissociation, indicating an opening time of receptor-dependent Cl⁻ channels shorter than that in adult brain. The half-life of the slow phase of TBPS dissociation is significantly lower in aged brain in the presence and absence of muscimol. These results suggest a sustained Cl⁻ current, including also the other channel(s) not connected with GABA_A receptor activation. The analysis of biphasic TBPS dissociation demonstrates a lowered number of binding sites resulted in the reduction of the number of Cl⁻ channels in the "open" state. This may explain an observed decrease of TBPS binding in aged brain. One of the possible factors involved in modification of GABA_A receptor behavior during aging may be arachidonic acid or diacylglycerol, known to be accumulated in aged brain. The action of these compounds on the Cl⁻ channel, observed in this study, correlates well with the effect of aging.     

Regulation of factors controlling angiogenesis in liver development: a role for PEDF in the formation and maintenance of normal vasculature

PEDF and VEGF are important inhibitors and promoters of angiogenesis, and the ratio between the two is an important indicator in many neovascular diseases. In mouse liver PEDF and VEGF(165) were co-expressed at very early stages of liver development and their expression increased as liver embryogenesis progressed, suggesting that PEDF and VEGF are both crucial to vasculogenesis as well. VEGF(189) only appears at the P0 stage in liver organogenesis and is maintained at high levels thereafter. PEDF and the two VEGF isoforms are synthesized by fresh and cultured hepatocytes. Expression of VEGF(121) and overexpression of VEGF(165) were only seen in HepG2, a well-characterized hepatocellular carcinoma line. The results suggest that hepatic vascular architecture is under the control of both PEDF and VEGF, and that VEGF(165) and VEGF(189) have distinct functions in normal vascular development of the liver. The VEGF isoforms 121 and 189 may be key regulators of increased vascularity and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the most common malignant tumors, and may be of prognostic significance for this tumor.     

Deletions and Mutations in the Acidic Lipid-binding Region of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump: A STUDY ON DIFFERENT SPLICING VARIANTS OF ISOFORM 2*

Acidic phospholipids increase the affinity of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase pump for Ca²⁺. They interact with the C-terminal region of the pump and with a domain in the loop connecting transmembrane domains 2 and 3 (A_L region) next to site A of alternative splicing. The contribution of the two phospholipid-binding sites and the possible interference of splicing inserts at site A with the regulation of the ATPase activity of isoform 2 of the pump by phospholipids have been analyzed. The activity of the full-length z/b variant (no insert at site A), the w/b (with insert at site A), and the w/a variant, containing both the 45-amino acid A-site insert and a C-site insert that truncates the pump in the calmodulin binding domain, has been analyzed in microsomal membranes of overexpressing CHO cells. The A-site insertion did not modify the phospholipid sensitivity of the pump, but the doubly inserted w/a variant became insensitive to acidic phospholipids, even if containing the intact A_L phospholipid binding domain. Pump mutants in which 12 amino acids had been deleted, or single lysine mutations introduced, in the A_L region were studied by monitoring agonist-induced Ca²⁺ transients in overexpressing CHO cells. The 12-residue deletion completely abolished the ATPase activity of the w/a variant but only reduced that of the z/b variant, which was also affected by the single lysine substitutions in the same domain. A structural interpretation of the interplay of the pump with phospholipids, and of the mechanism of their activation, is proposed on the basis of molecular modeling studies.     

Translational Activity of mRNA Coding for Cytoskeletal Brain Proteins in Newborn and Adult Mice: A Comparative Study

Translational activity of mRNA coding for cytoskeletal brain proteins was used to determine the relative abundance of the mRNA in the brains of newborn and adult mice. mRNA was translated in a cell-free system containing rabbit reticulocyte factors. The products of translation were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and characterized by peptide map analysis. Comparison of the products of translation from newborn and from adult brain mRNA shows a 50% decrease in actin and tubulin from newborn to the adult stage. In contrast, the 70 kd neurofilament protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein show a twofold increase in the adult stage. The heat-shock protein HSP70 increases slightly (30%) whereas the brain isozyme of creatine kinase and the heat-shock protein HSP90 are three times as high in adult subjects as in newborns.     

PP-1催化亚基（PP-1c）在成体小白鼠不同组织器官中的分化表达与定位

为了确定蛋白磷酸酶-1(protein phosphatase-1)的催化亚基(PP 1c)在小白鼠不同器官组织(肌肉、卵巢、肾、胃、 脾、大脑、心、肝、肺及乳腺)中的表达模式,运用RT-PCR、Western 印迹及荧光免疫组织化学技术等实验手段进行了检测 和分析.结果表明,在mRNA水平, PP-1c在大脑中表达最高,卵巢及肺中表达次之,在肌肉、肾、心、肝中表达较低,在胃 和乳腺中表达最低;在蛋白质水平,肝中表达最高,肾、大脑、肺和乳腺中表达较高,而肌肉、卵巢、心和脾中表达相对较 低,胃中表达最低.免疫荧光组织化学实验结果显示,PP 1c的表达也具有明显的组织特异性和细胞特异性.这些结果为进一 步探讨PP 1在哺乳动物不同组织器官中的功能提供了重要的实验依据.     

The Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex: Cloning of the Rat Somatic El α Subunit and Its Coordinate Expression with the mRNAs for the E1β E2, and E3 Catalytic Subunits in Developing Rat Brain

Abstract: We report the isolation of cDNA clones encoding the somatic form of the E1α subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of rat. The deduced amino acid sequence has 99.5, 98, and 97% identity, respectively, with the orthologous proteins of mouse, human, and pig and 98.5% identity with a rat E1α sequence reported previously. The cDNAs isolated in this and earlier studies predict different E1α subunit mRNA sizes and amino acid sequences. These differences have been investigated by PCR, northern blot hybridization, and RNase protection. We have used our E1α cDNA, in conjunction with cDNA probes to the E1β, E2, and E3 catalytic subunits of rat pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and also to rat citrate synthase, to perform RNase protection assays of developing rat whole brain RNA. The results show a 2.5-fold increase in the concentration of each of the subunit mRNAs and a 1.2-fold increase in citrate synthase mRNA from late foetal stage to 5 days post partum. Thereafter, the mRNA levels remained constant. These data indicate that the respective six-and threefold increases in the amounts of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and citrate synthase found to occur in rat brain between birth and adulthood are mediated principally by translational and/or posttranslational mechanisms.