Genomic Basis of a Polyagglutinating Isolate of Neisseria meningitidis

Containment strategies for outbreaks of invasive Neisseria meningitidis disease are informed by serogroup assays that characterize the polysaccharide capsule. We sought to uncover the genomic basis of conflicting serogroup assay results for an isolate ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917) from a patient with acute meningococcal disease. To this end, we characterized the complete genome sequence of the {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917 isolate and performed a variety of comparative sequence analyses against N. meningitidis reference genome sequences of known serogroups. Multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome sequence comparison revealed that {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917 is a member of the ST-11 sequence group, which is most often associated with serogroup C. However, sequence similarity comparisons and phylogenetic analysis showed that the serogroup diagnostic capsule polymerase gene (synD) of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917 belongs to serogroup B. These results suggest that a capsule-switching event occurred based on homologous recombination at or around the capsule locus of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917. Detailed analysis of this locus uncovered the locations of recombination breakpoints in the {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M16917","term_id":"167250","term_text":"M16917"}}M16917 genome sequence, which led to the introduction of an ∼2-kb serogroup B sequence cassette into the serogroup C genomic background. Since there is no currently available vaccine for serogroup B strains of N. meningitidis, this kind capsule-switching event could have public health relevance as a vaccine escape mutant.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
SOUTH AMERICA: Los Principios de la Civilizacion en la Sierra Peruana. M ax U hle .
SOUTH AMERICA: Origines Centroamericanos. M ax U hle . ( Ibid
SOUTH AMERICA: Influencias Mayas en el Alto Ecuador. M ax U hle . ( Ibid
SOUTH AMERICA: Los Principios de las Antiguas Civilizaciones Peruanas. M ax U hle .
SOUTH AMERICA: Fundamentos Etnicos y Arqueología de Arica y Tacna. M ax U hle .
Civilizaciones Mayoides de la Costa Pacifica de Sudamérica. M ax U hle . ( Ibid.     

Model of aquaporin-4 supramolecular assembly in orthogonal arrays based on heterotetrameric association of M1-M23 isoforms

Tetramers of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels form supramolecular assemblies in cell membranes called orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). We previously reported evidence that a short (M23) AQP4 isoform produced by alternative splicing forms OAPs by an intermolecular N-terminus interaction, whereas the full-length (M1) AQP4 isoform does not by itself form OAPs but can coassemble with M23 in OAPs as heterotetramers. Here, we developed a model to predict number distributions of OAP size, shape, and composition as a function M23:M1 molar ratio. Model specifications included: random tetrameric assembly of M1 with M23; intertetramer associations between M23 and M23, but not between M1 and M23 or M1; and a free energy constraint limiting OAP size. Model predictions were tested by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of AQP4-green-fluorescent protein chimeras and native gel electrophoresis of cells expressing different M23:M1 ratios. Experimentally validated model predictions included: 1), greatly increased OAP size with increasing M23:M1 ratio; 2), marked heterogeneity in OAP size at fixed M23:M1, with increased M23 fraction in larger OAPs; and 3), preferential M1 localization at the periphery of OAPs. The model was also applied to test predictions about binding to AQP4 OAPs of a pathogenic AQP4 autoantibody found in the neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease neuromyelitis optica. Our model of AQP4 OAPs links a molecular-level interaction of AQP4 with its supramolecular assembly in cell membranes.     

Molecular weight determination of methyl esters of mycolic acids using thermospray mass spectrometry.

Methyl esters of normal fatty acids, corynomycolate and corynomycolenate were used as model compounds for thermospray mass spectrometric procedures for molecular weight determination of the related nocardial mycolic acids. By using ammonium acetate at the positive ion generator, in both cases, a family of ions was produced. The following members were found and corresponded to the adducts: (1) M + H; M + NH4 and M + H + NH4 for methyl esters of normal fatty acids, whereas M + H, M + 2H and M + H + NH4 were the adducts most frequently observed with methyl corynomycolates. The methyl esters of C40-C48 mycolic acids from Rhodococcus rhodochrous exhibited prominent peaks corresponding to adducts M + H + NH4 whereas those corresponding to M + 2H showed slightly lower intensities. The structure M + H had no significant representatives with this subclass of mycolic acids. A similar pattern was observed with methyl esters of C50-C54 mycolic acids from Nocardia asteroides GUH-2. Ion peaks C50-C54 representing adducts M + 2H and M + H + NH4 prevailed in the mass spectrum. In this case, the intensities of peaks corresponding to M + 2H were slightly higher than those of the M + H + NH4. Essentially three main species of nocardomycolic acids were detected: (1) monounsaturated C50:1, C52:1 and C54:1; (2) diunsaturated C50:2, C52:2 and C54:2 and (3) triunsaturated C52:3 and C54:3 mycolic acids. The most abundant mycolic acid was C52:2 followed in decreasing abundance by C52:1, C54:2, C50:2, C52:3 and C54:3 mycolic acids.     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
T he R umen E cosystem : T he M icrobial M etabolism and its R egulation (1990). Edited by S. Hoshino, R. Onodera, H. Minato & H. Itabashi.
M olecular B iological M ethods for B acillus : M odern M icrobiological M ethods (1990). Edited by C.R. Harwood & S.M. Cutting.
B acillus subtilis : M olecular B iology and I ndustrial A pplication (1989). Edited by B. Maruo & H. Yoshikawa.
M olecular P arasitology (1990). By J.E. Hyde.
F undamental V irology (1990). Second edition. Edited by B.N. Fields, D.M. Knipe, R.M. Chanock, M.S. Hirsch, J.L. Melnick & T.P. Monath.     

Structural analysis of a unique hybrid-type ganglioside with isoglobo-, neolacto-, and ganglio-core from the gills of the Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

Monosialosyl gangliosides from the gills of the Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, have been prepared by solvent extraction and DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The unknown acidic glycolipids (M14 and M15) with slower mobility than GM1a on thin-layer chromatography were separated by Iatrobeads column chromatography and were characterized by compositional analysis, methylation analysis, chemical, and enzymatic degradation, negative-ion LSIMS, and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both M14 and M15 contained a same oligosaccharide core with isoglobo-, neolacto-, and ganglio-series as follows: [carbohydrate structure: see text]. The only difference between M14 and M15 was in fatty acid acylation. Analysis of the fatty acids indicated a predominance of C24:1 fatty acid in M14 and shorter chain saturated fatty acids, C14:0 and C16:0, in M15.     

Spatial and temporal variation in pheromone composition of ant foraging trails

Many social insects use pheromones to communicate and coordinatetheir activities. Investigation of intraspecific differencesin pheromone use is a new area of social insect research. Forexample, interindividual variation in alarm pheromone contenthas been found in physical castes of polymorphic ants. Manyant species use multiple trail pheromones. Here we present novelresearch into trail pheromone variations between behavioralsubcastes of pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis. Monomoriumpharaonis is attracted to trail pheromones found in its poisonglands (monomorines) and Dufour's glands (faranal). We showthat the most abundant monomorines, I (M1) and III (M3), canbe readily detected in pheromone trails. A behaviorally distinctsubcaste known as "pathfinder" foragers can relocate long-livedpheromone trails. Chemical analysis showed that pathfinder foragershad low M3:M1 ratios (mean 3.09 ± 1.53, range 1.03–7.10).Nonpathfinder foragers had significantly greater M3:M1 ratios(38.3 ± 60.0, range 3.54–289). We found that M3:M1ratio did not differ between foragers of different age but wascorrelated with behavioral subcaste at all ages. The relativeabundance of M3:M1 on foraging trails ranged from 3.03–41.3over time during pheromone trail build-up. M3:M1 ratio alsovaried spatially throughout trail networks, being lowest ontrail sections closest to a food source (M3:M1 = 1.9–3.61)and highest near the nest (M3:M1 = 67–267). Our resultsindicate a functional role for differences in pheromone trailcomposition, whereby pathfinder foragers might preferentiallymark sections of pheromone trail networks for future exploration.     

Characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis fatty acid synthase I (fas1) gene

Unlike most other bacteria, mycobacteria make fatty acids with the multidomain enzyme eukaryote-like fatty acid synthase I (FASI). Previous studies have demonstrated that the tuberculosis drug pyrazinamide and 5-chloro-pyrazinamide target FASI activity. Biochemical studies have revealed that in addition to C(16:0), Mycobacterium tuberculosis FASI synthesizes C(26:0) fatty acid, while the Mycobacterium smegmatis enzyme makes C(24:0) fatty acid. In order to express M. tuberculosis FASI in a rapidly growing Mycobacterium and to characterize the M. tuberculosis FASI in vivo, we constructed an M. smegmatis Deltafas1 strain which contained the M. tuberculosis fas1 homologue. The M. smegmatis Deltafas1 (attB::M. tuberculosis fas1) strain grew more slowly than the parental M. smegmatis strain and was more susceptible to 5-chloro-pyrazinamide. Surprisingly, while the M. smegmatis Deltafas1 (attB::M. tuberculosis fas1) strain produced C(26:0), it predominantly produced C(24:0). These results suggest that the fatty acid elongation that produces C(24:0) or C(26:0) in vivo is due to a complex interaction among FASI, FabH, and FASII and possibly other systems and is not solely due to FASI elongation, as previously suggested by in vitro studies.     

BUCHBESPRECHUNGEN

Book reviewed in this article:
J arman , M artha V.: Impala Social Behavior: Territory, Hierarchy, Mating and the Use of Space. "Fortschritte der Verhaltensforschung - Advances in Ethology", Beihefte Z. Tierpsychologie, H. 21.
Handbook of Sensory Physiology. Ed. Board: H. A utrum , R. J ung , W. R. L oewenstein , D. M. M ackay and H.-L. T eüber . Vol. 7. Part 6: Comparative Physiology and Evolution of Vision in Invertebrates. A. Invertebrate Photoreceptors. By H. A utrum , M. F. B ennet , B. D iehn , K. H amdorf , M. H eisenberg , M. J arvilehto , P. K unze , R. M enzel , W. H. M iller , A. W. S nyder , D. G. S tavenga and M. Y oshida . Ed. by H. A utrum . Berlin, Heidelberg, New York:
Leitfaden für das zoologische Praktikum. Begründet von W. K ükenthal . Überarbeitet von M. R enner . 18., überarb. Auflage.     

Scale-bearing chrysophytes from tropical Northeast India

This is the first publication describing scale-bearing Chrysophyceae from India by means of electron microscopy. Twenty seven such taxa are described from samples for ponds, rivers and thermal springs. Twenty of these are Mallomonas spp.: M. akrokomos, M. bronchartiana, M. caudata, M. ceylanica, M. costata, M. crassisquanta, M. cyathellata var. cyathellata, M. cyathellata var. chilensis, M. cyathellata var. kenyana, M. guttata, M. heterospina, M. mangofera f. mangofera, M. mangofera f. foveata, M. mangoferea I. reticulata, M. matvienkoae I. matvienkoae, M. mat-vienkoae var. grandis, M. morrisonensis, M. peronoides, M. portae-ferreae , and M. tasmanica . Three are Synura taxa: S. curtispina, S. petersenii f. petersenii , and S. petersenii I. kufferathii . Two are Spiniferomonas species: S. coronacircumspina and S. enigmata. Paraphysomonas and Chrysosphaerella were each represented by one species: P. vestita and C. longispina . The water bodies from which these samples were taken were mostly eutrophic and nutrient rich. The majority of the taxa were obtained during the summer months when water temperatures were high. This contradicts the widely held belief that silica-scaled chrysophytes are mainly found in cold oligotrophic and mesotrophic waters. Mallomonas portae-ferreae and one unidentified species of Mallomonas were recorded also from thermal springs having water temperatures up to 50°C.     

Die Mureintypen in der Gattung Microbacterium

Zusammenfassung Die quantitative Aminosäurezusammensetzung des Mureins von M. flavum, M. thermosphactum, M. lacticum und M. liquefaciens wurder untersucht. Das Murein von M. flavum und M. thermosphactum weist folgende Molverhältnisse auf (auf- bzw. abgerundete Zahlen): DAP:Glu:Ala=1:1:1,5-1,7. Außerdem konnten 1,8 Mol Ammoniak pro Mol Glutaminsäure gefunden werden, was für ein Vorliegen von Glu und DAP als Amid spricht. Für das Murein von M. lacticum und M. liquifaciens ergeben sich folgende auf- bzw. abgerundete Molverhältnisse: M. lacticum: Hyg + Glu:Gly:L-Lys:D-Ala=1:2:2:1; M. liquefaciens: Hyg + Glu:Gly:hsr:D-Orn:D-Ala=1:2:1:1:1. Die Aminosäuresequenz des Mureins von M. liquefaciens konnte durch die Analyse der in den sauren Partialhydrolysaten der Zellwände auftretenden Peptide bestimmt werden. Das Murein von M. liquefaciens weist eine ähnliche Aminosäuresequenz wie das Murein von M. lacticum auf. Das an die Muraminsäure gebundene Tetrapeptid zeigt die Sequenz: Gly-Hyg(Glu)-Hsr-D-Ala. Die an der Quervernetzung beteiligte Interpeptidbrücke N-Gly-D-Orn ist mit seinem Glycinende an die -Carboxylgruppe der Hyg (Glu) und mit der -Aminogruppe des D-Orn an das D-Ala einer benachbarten Peptiduntereinheit gebunden. Die Primärstruktur des Mureins von M. flavum und M. thermosphactum dagegen gleicht der des Mureins von Corynebacterium diphtheriae, wie aufgrund der quantitativen Aminosäurezusammensetzung und der Fingerprints von Partialhydrolysaten gefolgert werden konnte. M. flavum und M. thermosphactum unterscheiden sich aber nicht nur in ihrem Mureinaufbau, sondern auch in ihrer Morphologie und bestimmten physiologischen Merkmalen von M. lacticum und M. liquefaciens. Sie gleichen mehr den menschen- und tierpathogenen Corynebakterien und sollen daher aus der Gattung Microbacterium eliminiert werden. M. lacticum und M. liquefaciens zeigen dagegen eine weitgehende Ähnlichkeit mit bestimmten pflanzenpathogenen Corynebakterien.

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The murein types of the genus Microbacterium

Summary The quantitative amino acid composition of the murein of M. flavum, M. thermosphactum, M. lacticum and M. liquefaciens was determined. The murein of M. flavum and M. thermosphactum contains DAP, Blu and Ala at a molar ratio of about 1:1:1,5-1,7. In addition, 1,8 moles of ammonia were found per mole of glutamic acid, indicating, that both DAP and Glu are present as amides. The murein of M. lacticum and M. liquefaciens showed the following molar ratios. M. lacticum: Hyg¹+Glu:Gly:L-Lys:D-Ala=1:2:2:1; M. liquefaciens: Hyg+Glu:Gly:Hsr: D-Orn:D-Ala=1:2:1:1:1. The amino acid sequence of the murein of M. liquefaciens was determined by analysing the various peptides from acid partial hydrolysates of the cell walls. The murein of M. liquefaciens resembles the murein of M. lacticum. The tetrapeptide bound to the muramic acid has the sequence: Gly-Hyg(Glu)-Hsr-D-Ala. The cross-linkage is performed in the same way as in M. lacticum. The interpeptide bridge N-Gly-D-Orn is bound by its glycine end to the -carboxyl group of Hyg(Glu) and by the -amino group of D-Orn to D-Ala of an adjacent peptide subunit. The primary structure of the murein of M. flavum and M. thermosphactum is similar to that of the murein of Corynebacterium diphtheriae as has been shown by the quantitative amino acid composition and the fingerprints of the partial hydrolysates of the cell walls. M. flavum and M. thermosphactum can be distinguished from M. lacticum and M. liquefaciens not only by murein type but also in morphology and certain physiological characteristics. They are closely related to the human and animal pathogenic corynebacteria and should be removed from the genus Microbacterium. M. lacticum and M. liquefaciens, on the other hand, differ significantly from human and animal pathogenic corynebacteria and show greatest similarity to certain plant pathogenic corynebacteria.

     

The synthesis and properties of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing N6-methoxyadenine.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing N6-methoxyadenine (M) have been synthesized. The order of stability of duplexes consisting of synthesized oligodeoxyribonucleotides, 5'd(CCTGGTAXCAGGTCC)3'-5'd(GGACCTGNTACCAGG)3' (X = M, A, G. N = A, G, T, C), was M: A (Tm = 52 degrees C) greater than M: T (50 degrees C) greater than M: G (48 degrees C) greater than M: C (46 degrees C) observed by thermal denaturation in a buffer of 0.01 M Na cacodylate, and 0.1 M NaCl at pH 7.0. The Tms are within a range of 6 degrees of difference, which is smaller than those of Tms of the duplexes containing A:N pairs (11 degrees) and G:N pairs (11 degrees). DNA replication study on a template-primer system, 5'd(32p-CAGCTTTCGC)3' 3'd(GTCGAAAGCGMAGTCG)5', showed that TTP and dCTP were incorporated into DNA strands at a site opposite to M by Klenow DNA polymerase, but dATP and dGTP were not.     

Interaction between muscarinic receptor subtype signal transduction pathways mediating bladder contraction

M(3) muscarinic receptors mediate cholinergic-induced contraction in most smooth muscles. However, in the denervated rat bladder, M(2) receptors participate in contraction because M(3)-selective antagonists [para-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-diphenidol (p-F-HHSiD) and 4-DAMP] have low affinities. However, the affinity of the M(2)-selective antagonist methoctramine in the denervated bladder is consistent with M(3) receptor mediating contraction. It is possible that two pathways interact to mediate contraction: one mediated by the M(2) receptor and one by the M(3) receptor. To determine whether an interaction exists, the inhibitory potencies of combinations of methoctramine and p-F-HHSiD for reversing cholinergic contractions were measured. In normal bladders, all combinations gave additive effects. In denervated bladders, synergistic effects were seen with the 10:1 and 1:1 (methoctramine:p-F-HHSiD wt/wt) combinations. After application of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin to normal tissue, the 10:1 and 1:1 ratios became synergistic, mimicking denervated tissue. Thus in normal bladders both M(2) and M(3) receptors can induce contraction. In the denervated bladder, the M(2) and the M(3) receptors interact in a facilitatory manner to mediate contraction.     

耻垢分枝杆菌中LprO蛋白过表达促进巨噬细胞凋亡

摘要 目的：探究分枝杆菌脂蛋白LprO对分枝杆菌-巨噬细胞相互作用的影响。方法：使用在线网站分析耻垢分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. smeg）LprO蛋白的CD4⁺T、CD8⁺T以及细胞毒性T细胞（Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, CTL）抗原表位数量,评估LprO蛋白的免疫原性。构建lprO过表达的重组耻垢分枝杆菌M. smeg::pMV261-lprO,以转入空载质粒pMV261的M. smeg::pMV261菌株作为对照,分析过表达lprO对M. smeg菌株以及细菌-巨噬细胞互作的影响。结果：LprO蛋白中预测的CD4⁺T、CD8⁺T以及CD8⁺CTL细胞表位数与Ag85A蛋白相当,具有较好的研究潜力。经实时荧光定量PCR（Quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR）验证,M. smeg::pMV261-lprO菌株中,lprO表达量显著高于对照菌株,过表达菌株构建成功。lprO过表达不改变M. smeg菌落形态、细菌形态、细菌体外生长能力和巨噬细胞内生长能力。细菌侵染巨噬细胞Raw264.7,流式细胞技术检测显示,M. smeg::pMV261-lprO在细胞侵染前期能显著促进巨噬细胞凋亡。结论：分枝杆菌LprO蛋白可能具备与Ag85A蛋白相当的T细胞表位数,能在激起宿主的免疫反应中发挥较为重要的作用。在M. smeg中过表达LprO后能诱导侵染前期的巨噬细胞凋亡,参与细菌-宿主相互作用。综上,LprO蛋白或许有作为新型疫苗成分或药物靶标的潜力。     

Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare chromatotypes defined by curvilinear gradient HPLC of mycolic acids

Seventy-nine strains of Mycobacterium avium complex bacteria (MAC), previously characterized by genetic probe analysis, were assayed using two methods of reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that employed curvilinear gradients. Although different in column length and cycle time, the methods produced equivalent results, yielding seven distinct chromatographic patterns (chromatotypes) of M. avium and M. intracellulare based on the ratio of mycolate concentrations in the late vs. the middle of three peak clusters (L:M ratio). The M. avium strains (n = 36) were assigned to chromatotypes 1 through 4 (L:M ratios less than 3), and the M. intracellulare strains (n = 25) to chromatotypes 5 through 7 (L:M ratios greater than 4). Of 18 Mycobacterium 'X' strains, seven resembled M. avium, seven others resembled M. intracellulare, and four were intermediate between M. avium and M. intracellulare.     

The MtsA subunit of the methylthiol:coenzyme M methyltransferase of Methanosarcina barkeri catalyses both half-reactions of corrinoid-dependent dimethylsulfide: coenzyme M methyl transfer

Methanogenesis from dimethylsulfide requires the intermediate methylation of coenzyme M. This reaction is catalyzed by a methylthiol:coenzyme M methyltransferase composed of two polypeptides, MtsA (a methylcobalamin:coenzyme M methyltransferase) and MtsB (homologous to a class of corrinoid proteins involved in methanogenesis). Recombinant MtsA was purified and found to be a homodimer that bound one zinc atom per polypeptide, but no corrinoid cofactor. MtsA is an active methylcobalamin:coenzyme M methyltransferase, but also methylates cob(I)alamin with dimethylsulfide, yielding equimolar methylcobalamin and methanethiol in an endergonic reaction with a K(eq) of 5 x 10(-)(4). MtsA and cob(I)alamin mediate dimethylsulfide:coenzyme M methyl transfer in the complete absence of MtsB. Dimethylsulfide inhibited methylcobalamin:coenzyme methyl transfer by MtsA. Inhibition by dimethylsulfide was mixed with respect to methylcobalamin, but competitive with coenzyme M. MtbA, a MtsA homolog participating in coenzyme M methylation with methylamines, was not inhibited by dimethylsulfide and did not catalyze detectable dimethylsulfide:cob(I)alamin methyl transfer. These results are most consistent with a model for the native methylthiol:coenzyme M methyltransferase in which MtsA mediates the methylation of corrinoid bound to MtsB with dimethylsulfide and subsequently demethylates MtsB-bound corrinoid with coenzyme M, possibly employing elements of the same methyltransferase active site for both reactions.     

Pharmacological characteristics of three silent giant neurons, v-LPSN, v-1-VOrN and v-VLN, identified on the ventral surface in the left parietal and the visceral ganglia of the suboesophageal ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac)

Three giant neurons, named v-LPSN, v-1-VOrN and v-VLN, were identified on the ventral surface of the left parietal ganglion and the visceral ganglion in the suboesophageal ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). They lacked the spontaneous spike discharges in the normal state. The pharmacological features of the three neurons, in relation to the principal common neurotransmitter substances and their derivatives were examined. The v-LPSN (ventral-left parietal silent neuron) (diameter: about 130 microns) is situated in the left parietal ganglion close to the visceral ganglion. The neuron was excited by histamine (the minimum effective concentration [MEC]: 3 X 10(-4) M) and inhibited slightly by acetylcholine (Ach) and its related substances. The v-1-VOrN (ventral-left-visceral oral neuron) (diameter: about 130 microns) is situated in the left and oral part of the visceral ganglion. The neuron was inhibited markedly by dopamine (DA) (MEC: 3 X 10(-4) M) and slightly by Ach and its related substances. No substance producing a marked excitation of the neuron has been found yet. The v-VLN (ventral-visceral large neuron) (diameter: about 300 microns) is found in the centre of the visceral ganglion. The neuron was excited by L-norepinephrine (MEC: 10(-4) M), DL-octopamine (MEC: 2 X 10(-4) M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (MEC: 10(-4) M) and beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (MEC: 10(-4) M) and inhibited by DA (MEC: 10(-4) M), GABA (MEC: 3 X 10(-5) M) and Ach (MEC: 10(-4) M). L-Epinephrine showed varied effects (MEC: 10(-4) M), which were either excitatory or inhibitory.     

Reconstitution of dimethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer with a discrete corrinoid protein and two methyltransferases purified from Methanosarcina barkeri

Methyl transfer from dimethylamine to coenzyme M was reconstituted in vitro for the first time using only highly purified proteins. These proteins isolated from Methanosarcina barkeri included the previously unidentified corrinoid protein MtbC, which copurified with MtbA, the methylcorrinoid:Coenzyme M methyltransferase specific for methanogenesis from methylamines. MtbC binds 1.0 mol of corrinoid cofactor/mol of 24-kDa polypeptide and stimulated dimethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer 3.4-fold in a cell extract. Purified MtbC and MtbA were used to assay and purify a dimethylamine:corrinoid methyltransferase, MtbB1. MtbB1 is a 230-kDa protein composed of 51-kDa subunits that do not possess a corrinoid prosthetic group. Purified MtbB1, MtbC, and MtbA were the sole protein requirements for in vitro dimethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer. An MtbB1:MtbC ratio of 1 was optimal for coenzyme M methylation with dimethylamine. MtbB1 methylated either corrinoid bound to MtbC or free cob(I)alamin with dimethylamine, indicating MtbB1 carries an active site for dimethylamine demethylation and corrinoid methylation. Experiments in which different proteins of the resolved monomethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer reaction replaced proteins involved in dimethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer indicated high specificity of MtbB1 and MtbC in dimethylamine:coenzyme M methyl transfer activity. These results indicate MtbB1 demethylates dimethylamine and specifically methylates the corrinoid prosthetic group of MtbC, which is subsequently demethylated by MtbA to methylate coenzyme M during methanogenesis from dimethylamine.     

Methyl-β-cyclodextrin potentiates the BITC-induced anti-cancer effect through modulation of the Akt phosphorylation in human colorectal cancer cells

ABSTRACT

Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) is an effective agent for the removal of plasma membrane cholesterol. In this study, we investigated the modulating effects of MβCD on the antiproliferation induced by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), an ITC compound mainly derived from papaya seeds. We confirmed that MβCD dose-dependently increased the cholesterol level in the medium, possibly through its removal from the plasma membrane of human colorectal cancer cells. The pretreatment with a non-toxic concentration (2.5 mM) of MβCD significantly enhanced the BITC-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction, which was counteracted by the cholesterol supplementation. Although BITC activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, MβCD dose-dependently inhibited the phosphorylation level of Akt. On the contrary, the treatment of MβCD enhanced the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases, but did not potentiate their BITC-induced phosphorylation. These results suggested that MβCD might potentiate the BITC-induced anti-cancer by cholesterol depletion and thus inhibition of the PI3K/Akt-dependent survival pathway.

Abbreviations: CDs: cyclodextrins; MβCD: methyl-β-cyclodextrin; ITCs: isothiocyanates; BITC: benzyl isothiocyanate; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PDK1: phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1; MAPK: mitogen activated protein kinase; ERK1/2: extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2; JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase; PI: propidium iodide; FBS: fatal bovine serum; TLC: thin-layer chromatography; PBS(-): phosphate-buffered saline without calcium and magnesium; MEK: MAPK/ERK kinase; PIP2: phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate; PIP3: phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate