Evaluation of urinary trans-3′-hydroxycotinine as a biomarker of children's environmental tobacco smoke exposure

Abstract

The utility of urinary trans-3′-hydroxy cotinine (3HC) as a biomarker of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure was investigated in comparison with urinary cotinine (COT), the sum (3HC?+?COT), and ratio of the two nicotine metabolites (3HC/COT). Participants were 150 ETS exposed children (aged 1–44 months) and their parents. Child urine samples were collected during 3weekly baseline assessments and at interviews administered 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after baseline. Findings indicate that 3HC and COT can be measured reliably (rho?=?0.96, 0.88) and show equivalent levels of repeated measures stability (rho?=?0.71, 0.75). COT, 3HC, and 3HC?+?COT showed equally strong associations with air nicotine levels, reported ETS contamination, and reported ETS exposure (r=0.60–0.70). The intraclass correlations of 3HC/COT were lower than those for COT or 3HC. Older children had a higher 3HC/COT ratio than younger children (3.5 versus 2.2), and non-Hispanic White children had a higher ratio than African-American children (3.2 versus 1.9). These findings suggest that COT, 3HC, and 3HC?+?COT are approximately equivalent and equally strong biomarkers of ETS exposure in children. Moreover, 3HC/COT may provide a useful indicator to investigate age- and race-related differences in the metabolism of COT and 3HC.     

Cloning and expression of the 3′ portion of the T4 denV gene as a lacZ fusion gene

Polyclonal antibodies have been raised against endonuclease V from the bacteriophage T4. This rabbit serum, from which endemic E. coli antibodies have been removed, reacts with a single protein from T4-infected E. coli with a molecular weight of 16078 dalton. It was confirmed that these antibodies were directed against endonuclease V through the inhibition of the pyrimidine dimer specific nicking activity of endonuclease V in an in vitro nicking assay. A phage λgt11 T4 dC DNA library was screened for phage which produced a β-galactosidase-endonuclease V fusion protein. Immunopositive clones were detected at a frequency of 0.25 % of the plaques in the library. Restriction enzyme analyses of the DNA from 45 of these phage showed that all contained a 1.8 kb T4 EcoRI fragment which had been inserted within λgt11 in a single orientation. Western analysis of proteins which were produced from an induction of lysogens made from these phage reveals a single fusion protein band with a molecular weight slightly larger than native β-galactosidase.     

Developmental regulatory elements in the 5′ flanking DNA of the Drosophila choline acetyltransferase gene

Summary Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, EC 2.3.1.6) catalyzes the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and is an essential factor for neurons to be cholinergic. We have analyzed regulation of the Drosophila ChAT gene during development by examining the -galactosidase expression pattern in transformed lines carrying different lengths of 5 flanking DNA fused to a lacZ reporter gene. The largest fragment tested, 7.4 kb, resulted in the most extensive expression pattern in embryonic and larval nervous system and likely reflects all the cis-regulatory elements necessary for ChAT expression. We also found that 5 flanking DNA located between 3.3 kb and 1.2 kb is essential for the reporter gene expression in most of the segmentally arranged embryonic sensory neurons as well as other distinct cells in the CNS. The existence of negative regulatory elements was suggested by the observation that differentiating photoreceptor cells in eye imaginal discs showed the reporter gene expression in several 1.2 kb and 3.3 kb transformants but not in 7.4 kb transformants. Furthermore, we have fused the 5 flanking DNA fragments to a wild type ChAT cDNA and used these constructs to transform Drosophila with a Cha mutant background. Surprisingly, even though different amounts of 5 flanking DNA resulted in different spatial expression patterns, all of the positively expressing cDNA transformed lines were rescued from lethality. Our results suggest that developmental expression of the ChAT gene is regulated both positively and negatively by the combined action of several elements located in the 7.4 kb upstream region, and that the more distal 5 flanking DNA is not necessary for embryonic survival and development to adult flies. Correspondence to: P.M. Salvaterra     

A high efficiency gene disruption strategy using a positive–negative split selection marker and electroporation for Fusarium oxysporum

The Fusarium oxysporum species complex consists of fungal pathogens that cause serial vascular wilt disease on more than 100 cultivated species throughout the world. Gene function analysis is rapidly becoming more and more important as the whole-genome sequences of various F. oxysporum strains are being completed. Gene-disruption techniques are a common molecular tool for studying gene function, yet are often a limiting step in gene function identification. In this study we have developed a F. oxysporum high-efficiency gene-disruption strategy based on split-marker homologous recombination cassettes with dual selection and electroporation transformation. The method was efficiently used to delete three RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) genes. The gene-disruption cassettes of three genes can be constructed simultaneously within a short time using this technique. The optimal condition for electroporation is 10 μF capacitance, 300 Ω resistance, 4 kV/cm field strength, with 1 μg of DNA (gene-disruption cassettes). Under these optimal conditions, we were able to obtain 95 transformants per μg DNA. And after positive–negative selection, the transformants were efficiently screened by PCR, screening efficiency averaged 85%: 90% (RdRP₁), 85% (RdRP₂) and 77% (RdRP₃). This gene-disruption strategy should pave the way for high throughout genetic analysis in F. oxysporum.     

Enrichment and efficient screening of ES cells containing a targeted mutation: the use of DT‐A gene with the polyadenylation signal as a negative selection maker

Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells via homologous recombination can occur at very low frequency. In order to enrich homologous recombinants before screening, a negative selection marker, such as thymidine kinase (TK) and diphtheria toxin A fragment (DTA), has been commonly used. In this study, we developed a negative selection marker using DTA gene with polyadenylation signal and it was designated DTApA. To determine the difference in targeting efficiency of the negative selections, we constructed three different targeting vectors for each negative selection (first, TK at the 3 end, second, TK at both the 5 and 3 ends <2 X TK>, and third, DTApA at the 5 end of the homologous sequences). Gene targeting experiments using these constructs clearly showed that negative selection using DTApA was more efficient than that using TK for homologous recombination and that negative selection using DTApA was as efficient as that using 2 X TK. Considering the fact that the use of DTApA is more convenient for construction of targeting vectors than that of 2 X TK, DTApA is an efficient negative selection marker.In addition, we examined long and accurate PCR (LAPCR) for screening gene targeted clones. The use of LAPCR with genomic DNAs from ES cell clones facilitated simple detection of homologous recombinants, suggesting that the screening with LAPCR is compatible with the use of longer homologous sequences of both arms in vector design. Our results indicate that the use of DTApA for negative selection together with the application of LAPCR for screening ensures efficient and timesaving screening for homologous recombinants.     

Is the evolution of inaccurate mimicry a result of selection by a suite of predators? A case study using myrmecomorphic spiders

Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the evolution of inaccurate mimicry. Here we investigated the novel hypothesis that inaccurate mimicry (in color and shape) is maintained by opposing selective pressures from a suite of different predators: model-aversive visually oriented predators and model- and mimic-specialized predators indifferent to mimetic cues. We hypothesize that spiders resembling ants in color and shape escape predators that typically avoid ants but fall prey to ant-eating predators. We tested whether inaccurate myrmecomorphic spiders are perceived as their models by two types of predators and whether they can escape from these predators. We found that model-specialized (ant-eating) predators captured mimics significantly less frequently than their ant models, because mimics changed their behavior by fleeing predatory attacks. The fastest escape was found in less accurate mimics, indicating a negative association between visual resemblance and effectiveness of defenses. In trials with spider-eating predators, mimics were not captured more frequently than their models. The quality of defensive mechanisms appears to result from opposing selection forces exerted by the predator complex: mimics are more accurate (in color and shape) in microhabitats dominated by model-aversive predators and less accurate in microhabitats with model- and mimic-specialized predators.     

Identification of lipocalin-2 as a PKCδ phosphorylation substrate in neutrophils

Background

PKCδ expressed in neutrophils is implicated in promoting reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke. To understand the molecular and cellular actions of PKCδ, we employed a chemical-genetics approach to identify PKCδ substrates in neutrophils.

Results

We recently generated knock-in mice endogenously expressing analog-specific PKCδ (AS-PKCδ) that can utilize ATP analogs as phosphate donors. Using neutrophils isolated from the knock-in mice, we identified several PKCδ substrates, one of which was lipocalin-2 (LCN2), which is an iron-binding protein that can trigger apoptosis by reducing intracellular iron concentrations. We found that PKCδ phosphorylated LCN2 at T115 and this phosphorylation was reduced in Prkcd^−/− mice. PKCδ colocalized with LCN2 in resting and stimulated neutrophils. LCN2 release from neutrophils after cerebral ischemia was reduced in PKCδ null mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that PKCδ phosphorylates LCN2 and mediates its release from neutrophils during ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Non-phenotypic selection of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-directed mutation at a predicted hotspot site

The striking mutational specificity of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) exhibited in the lacI gene in Escherichia coli allows comment on the phenotypic consequences of mutation at specific sequences that are not recovered after MNNG mutagenesis. We predict that the I⁺ phenotype is maintained when such silent positions are substituted by amino acids whose codons are generated by the MNNG-directed G:C → A:T transition. We chose the mutationally silent Gly200 codon (an MNNG hotspot motif sequence) to test this prediction. Through MNNG mutagenesis we have generated, identified and isolated a G:C → A:T transition at position 627 (5′-GG-C3′) under non-selective conditions which creates the Gly200→Asp substitution. The I⁺ phenotype is retained for this altered repressor.     

Lead Optimization of N 6-Cyclopentyl-3′-amido-3′-deoxyxylofuranosyladenines as Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists

Abstract

Strategies toward the further lead optimization of N ⁶-cyclopentyl-3′-amido-3′-deoxyxylofuranosyladenosines as adenosine A₁ receptor antagonists including the synthesis of the 5′-deoxy-analogues and a practical method for parallel amidation are presented.     

Simultaneous amplification of exons 18 to 21 of the EGFR gene using 5′ tailed primers and a two-stage protocol

Objective: Reduction of non-specific amplification and achievement of efficient amplification of multiple gene fragments under the same reaction condition is the basic goal of PCR diagnosis; however, this is often difficult. This study was conducted to establish a highly specific and effective amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene's exons, 18–21, simultaneously. Methods: The 5′-tailed primers were synthesized by adding 10 to 20 bp of a non-specific sequence to the 5′-terminus of sequence-specific primers (tailless primers). The two-stage protocol consisted of 5–10 cycles of a conventional 3-step cycling, which was then followed by 30–35 cycles of two-step cycling. The exons 18–21 of EGFR gene were amplified in 28 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using an optimized PCR that combined 5′ tailed primers with a two-stage protocol. Results: The 5′ tailed primers exhibited a wider range of suitable annealing temperatures, similar range of primer concentration, similar sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, as well as a reduced, non-specific amplification compared with the corresponding tailless primers. The amplification of exons 18–21 of EGFR gene in NSCLC patients revealed that a combination of 5′ tailed primers with two-stage protocol (optimized PCR) had a similar PCR success rate (P = 0.873) but had significantly reduced non-specific amplification (P <0.001) compared to conventional PCR. Conclusion: 5′ tailed primers exhibited a wider range of suitable annealing temperatures and improved specificity compared with conventional PCR primers. An optimized PCR was established with 5′ tailed primers and a two-stage protocol to amplify exons 18–21 of the EGFR gene in NSCLC patients.     

5′-Regulatory region of Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA gene 6b directs organ-specific,wound-inducible and auxin-inducible expression in transgenic tobacco

The regulatory activity of a 826 bp DNA fragment located upstream of the pTiBo542 TL-DNA gene 6b coding region was analysed in transgenic tobacco, using -glucuronidase (gus) as a reporter gene. The region was shown to drive organ-specific, wound- and auxin-inducible expression of the reporter, the effect being dependent on the type and concentration of auxin.     

The 5′ flanking region of a barley B hordein gene controls tissue and developmental specific CAT expression in tobacco plants

The 549 base pairs of the 5 flanking region of a barley seed storage protein (B1 hordein) gene were linked to the reporter gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT). The chimaeric gene was transferred into tobacco plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. CAT enzyme activity was detected in the seeds, but not in the leaves, of the transgenic plants. Furthermore, enzyme activity was found only in the endosperm, and only from fifteen days after pollination. In contrast, the constitutive 19S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) directed the expression of the CAT gene in the leaves as well as in both the endosperm and embryo and at all stages in seed development.     

Synthesis of 3′-O-Propargylthymidine as a Candidate Antiretroviral Agent

Abstract

3′-O-Propargylthymidinc, which may be viewed as a stnictural analogue of the potent antiretroviral agent 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT), was synthesized from 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytritylthymidine by reaction with propargyl bromide followed by gentle acidolysis. The 3′-O-propargyl derivative was tested for antiretroviral activity in SC-1 mouse fibroblasts infected with Rauscher murine leukemia virus (MuLV). No inhibition of MuLV proliferation was observed at concentrations of 3′-O-propargylthymidine from 0.001 to 100 μM. whereas the IC₅₀ against the host cells was 30 μM. By comparison, AZT had an IC₅₀ for MuLV growth of 0.01 μM and an IC₅₀ for cell growth of >100 μM. Thus, replacement of the 3′-N-N≡N group in AZT by a 3′-OCH₂C≡CH group increased cytotoxicity but decreased antiretroviral activity relative to AZT.     

Overexpression of a multifunctional β-glucosidase gene from thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus in transgenic tobacco could facilitate glucose release and its use as a reporter

The β-glucosidase, which hydrolyzes the β(1–4) glucosidic linkage of disaccharides, oligosaccharides and glucose-substituted molecules, has been used in many biotechnological applications. The current commercial source of β-glucosidase is mainly microbial fermentation. Plants have been developed as bioreactors to produce various kinds of proteins including β-glucosidase because of the potential low cost. Sulfolobus solfataricus is a thermoacidophilic archaeon that can grow optimally at high temperature, around 80 °C, and pH 2–4. We overexpressed the β-glucosidase gene from S. solfataricus in transgenic tobacco via Agrobacteria-mediated transformation. Three transgenic tobacco lines with β-glucosidase gene expression driven by the rbcS promoter were obtained, and the recombinant proteins were accumulated in chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles up to 1%, 0.6% and 0.3% of total soluble protein, respectively. By stacking the transgenes via crossing distinct transgenic events, the level of β-glucosidase in plants could further increase. The plant-expressed β-glucosidase had optimal activity at 80 °C and pH 5–6. In addition, the plant-expressed β-glucosidase showed high thermostability; on heat pre-treatment at 80 °C for 2 h, approximately 70% residual activity remained. Furthermore, wind-dried leaf tissues of transgenic plants showed good stability in short-term storage at room temperature, with β-glucosidase activity of about 80% still remaining after 1 week of storage as compared with fresh leaf. Furthermore, we demonstrated the possibility of using the archaebacterial β-glucosidase gene as a reporter in plants based on alternative β-galactosidase activity.

     

Characterization of a polymorphism in the 3′ part of the chicken vitellogenin gene

Summary An allele giving rise to a polymorphism within the 3 part of the chicken vitellogenin gene was cloned, sequenced, and compared to the previously cloned allele. The polymorphism is formed by a perfect copy of 343 bp from intron 32 in tandem array with a perfect copy of 244 bp from intron 33; this 587-bp element is inserted in a head-to-tail arrangement in intron 33. We propose a mechanism in which an unequal crossing-over resulted in a vitellogenin gene with two exons 33, one of which was subsequently deleted. Thus, intron 33 was enlarged by the tandem repeats without affecting the protein-encoding sequence of the gene. At the boundaries of the repeated elements, two short direct repeats are found that resemble the recombination signals of immunoglobulin genes. They may have had a key role in the formation of the new allele.