Prekeratin expression of simple epithelia in the cells of long-term cultured epithelial lines of the rat liver

Prekeratin of simple epithelia with m.m. 55 kD (PK55) was found in all the studied tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic liver epithelial cell lines of the IAR series by means of indirect immunofluorescent methods in combination with corresponding monoclonal antibodies. The most prominent expression was observed in some tumorigenic cell lines. Expression of PK55 was reversible--the cells lost prekeratin in low density cultures. It has been found that the synthesis of prekeratins with m.m. 49 kD (PK49) and 40 kD (PK40) began on reaching higher cell densities than those needed for PK55 synthesis in IAR6-7 line. The PK40 appeared in cells spread on the substratum, while the PK49 was observed in upper poorly spread cells of ridges in multilayered dense cultures. Thus, the synthesis of prekeratins is not constitutive at least for some types of epithelial cells. Specific cell-to-cell interactions are presumably needed for each particular prekeratin synthesis induction.     

Changes in the prekeratin set and in the intracellular distribution of intermediate filaments during the embryonic development of the liver in the rat

Monoclonals against three individual proteins of the epithelial intermediate filaments, prekeratins (PK40, PK49, PK55), were used for immunofluorescence studies of the cryostat sections of the rat embryonic liver. The dynamics of expression and intracellular distribution of prekeratins reflects that of morphological rearrangement of the liver. The development of the system of liver beams was accompanied by changes in the expression and intracellular distribution of PK49 and PK55 and the development of the system of bile ducts by changes in all three PKs. From day 20-21 of embryogenesis all three PKs are expressed in cholangiocytes, while PK49 and PK55 in hepatocytes only.     

信息素信号通路基因在斑玉蕈生长发育过程中的差异表达

为了更清楚地了解斑玉蕈菌丝成熟、原基形成和子实体发育的过程,本研究对不同菌丝培养时期的栽培瓶进行出菇实验,并对其不同培养时期和生长发育关键时期的信息素通路基因进行差异表达分析,以期揭示信息素信号通路基因参与调节斑玉蕈菌丝的生长、子实体形成和发育的作用。研究结果表明：斑玉蕈菌丝培养40-80d过程中,子实体产量呈上升的趋势,说明菌丝的成熟程度对产量会产生重要影响。对斑玉蕈基因组中的信息素信号通路基因进行分析鉴定共获得了8个关键基因。信息素通路基因差异表达分析表明：在菌丝培养40-80d过程中,大部分信息素信号通路基因在第60天时表达量最高,其中ste20、cdc24和ste12上调了4-20倍,而在第80天出现下降。从菌丝恢复到扭结形成原基和子实体发育的过程中,大多数基因在原基时期表达量最高,其中ste20、cdc24、ste11和ste12表达量上调最为显著,在子实体成熟期这些基因表达量下降。因此,这说明在菌丝营养生长过程中,在第60天菌丝细胞增殖生长最为旺盛,而在第80天菌丝细胞基本停止生长,菌丝也逐渐达到成熟。同时,在菌丝生殖生长过程中,斑玉蕈持续地上调信息素通路基因表达使菌丝细胞不断地分裂增殖,从而使新生的菌丝扭结形成原基,其中ste3、ste20、cdc24、ste11和ste12基因可能对斑玉蕈菌丝细胞的分裂增殖和诱导子实体形成起到关键的作用。     

Characteristics of ceruloplasmin synthesis in mammalian embryogenesis. 2. The yolk sac as the site of the primary expression of the ceruloplasmin gene in rats

It was shown that the omphaloid placenta and, first of all, visceral wall of yolk sac is the site of primary synthesis of ceruloplasmin (CP), whereas the activation of CP synthesis in the liver cells is secondary and is revealed from the 12th day of embryo-genesis. The CP synthesis in the yolk sac cells proved by selective CP localization in the cells of the yolk sac visceral wall and, first of all, in the cells of visceral endoderm on sections stained by the method of indirect immunofluorescence and using the reaction of soluble peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. A specific CP-mRNA has been revealed in the yolk sac cells which is actively translated in the polyribosomes isolated from the yolk sac and in the cell-free translation system from the rabbit reticulocytes. on the 14th day of embryogenesis CP amounts to ca. 4% of all polypeptides secreted by the yolk sac cells. As the embryogenesis proceeds, the relative rate of CP synthesis progressively decreases in the yolk sac and increases in the liver cells. CP synthesized by the yolk sac cells has a molecular mass of ca. 122 kD. Possible causes of differences between the "embryonic" and "adult" rat CPs are discussed. A suggestion has been put forward that the time of activation of CP synthesis coincides with the yolk sac formation (8-9th days of embryogenesis) and the cells of visceral endoderm are the site of primary expression of the CP gene.     

Morphology of the submandibular lymph nodes of white rats adapting to alpine conditions

A field experiment has been performed in white noninbred rats in order to study morphometrically structural reconstructions and cellular composition characteristics in the submandibular lymph nodes on the 1st, 3d, 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th and 50th days after lifting them to the altitude of 3,375 m above sea-level. The data obtained demonstrate a stable increase in small lymphocytes contents during the days of the observations; they are accompanied with an increasing specific area of the folliculi and a decreasing area of the cortical plateau. An essential decrease in the plasmic cells and dividing cells contents noted during the whole experiment is regarded to demonstrate an inhibition of the organism's immune reactivity at hypoxic hypoxia. Certain time periods are revealed which are accompanied, during the adaptation period to the high-mountain conditions, with general reactions of definite cell types and the lymph node structures: the 1st-7th days; the 14th-30th days; the 45th day and more. According to the character of the cell reactions in the experiment performed, it is possible to arrange the main structures of the submandibular lymph nodes in the following order: folliculi, cortical plateau, sinuses, medullary cords.     

Mechanism of the antiulcerogenic effect of IL-11 on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of interleukin-11 (IL-11) on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced in male Wistar rats by applying acetic acid to the fundus of the stomach. Recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11 100 microg/kg/twice daily, subcutaneously) was administered starting on the 2nd day before ulcer induction up through the 7th day after ulcer induction. Control rats were injected with bovine serum albumin. At 12 hours and 7 days after ulcer induction, the animals were sacrificed, and the ulcer index, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, and IL-11alpha receptor expression in the gastric tissues were studied. The ulcer index of the rhIL-11-treated rats was significantly lower than that of the control rats at the 7th day. The expression of PCNA as evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, was enhanced in both the mucosal proliferative zone and proper muscle layer of the rhIL-11-treated rats in comparison with that in the control rats. IL-11alpha receptor expression was observed in the mucosal neck cells of the rhIL-11-treated rats and control rats. These findings suggest that IL-11 accelerates ulcer healing by inducing the proliferation of mucosal and muscular cells.     

牛脑Ca~(2+)/CaM依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ的纯化和鉴定

通过一系列层析法,首次从牛脑纯化得到胶凝电泳匀一的Ca~(2+)/CaM PKⅡ。凝胶过滤法测定全酶分子量为550kD,SDS-PAGE法测定亚基分子量为55kD,推测牛脑Ca~(2+)/CaM PK Ⅱ由十个相同的亚基组成。该酶活性绝对依赖于Ca~(2+)和CaM,以63kD PDE同工酶为底物,其AC_(50)分别为0.85μmol/L和0.18μmol/L;以酪蛋白为底物,其AC_(50)分别为0.22μmol/L和0.06μmol/L。牛脑Ca~(2+)/CaM PK Ⅱ旣能催化63kD PDE同工酶等多种蛋白或酶磷酸化,又能进行自身磷酸化。该酶催化63kD PDE同工酶最大磷酸参入量为1mol/mol亚基。磷酸化型63kD PDE同工酶的Ca~(2+)的AC_(50)高于非磷酸化型。     

Connexin 40 expression in bovine and rat retinas

Retinal neurons are extensively coupled through gap junction intercellular channels, but few connexin subtypes have been identified in mammalian retinal neurons. Based on previous findings that retinal gap junctional coupling is modulated by both dopamine and nitric oxide, presumably through connexin phosphorylation, we examined whether the connexin phosphoprotein subtype, connexin 40 (Cx40), was expressed in mammalian retinas. Immunostaining of rat and bovine retinas using Cx40-specific antibodies from two independent sources showed punctate staining between cells in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and a sublayer of cells within the inner nuclear layer (INL). In addition, sparse punctate staining was detected in the ganglion cell/axon fiber layers (GCL/AFL). No punctate staining was observed in the outer (OS) or inner segment (IS) layers, and rarely in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) or inner plexiform layer (IPL). Double immunostaining of bovine retinas with antibodies to G(o), which stains bipolar cells, and to Cx40, showed little overlap, suggesting these bipolar cells do not express Cx40. Western blot analysis of alkaline-extracted bovine retinal membranes revealed Cx40 immunopositive bands of about 40 kD (monomer) and 80 kD (dimer). In both locations (monomer and dimer), the bands appeared as doublets, and their immunoreactivity was abolished when the antibody was pre-adsorbed with immunogenic Cx40 peptide. The doublet at 40 kD co-migrated with an immunopositive doublet present in heart membranes. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase altered the banding pattern of Cx40. The results suggest that the connexin phosphoprotein subtype, Cx40, is expressed within the neural layers of the mammalian retina.     

Proteolytic modification of acidic and basic keratins during terminal differentiation of mouse and human epidermis

Keratins from the living cell layers of human and neonatal mouse epidermis (prekeratins) have been compared to those from the stratum corneum (SC keratins). Human and mouse epidermis contained four prekeratins, two of each keratin subfamily: type II basic (pI 6.5-8.5; human 68 kDa, 60.5 kDa and mouse 67 kDa, 60 kDa) and type I acidic (pI 4.7-5.7; human 57 kDa, 51 kDa and mouse 58 kDa, 53 kDa,). While all four were present in equal amounts in adult human epidermis, two (67 kDa basic, 58 kDa acidic) were more prominent in neonatal mouse epidermis. Preliminary results with cell fractions (basal, spinous and granular) indicated that quantitative differences were a function of morphology, basal cells containing the smaller member of each subfamily and granular cells the larger. Mouse stratum corneum extracts contained four keratins (three in human): type II neutral-acidic (pI 5.7-6.7; human 65 kDa and mouse 64 kDa, 62 kDa) and type I acidic (pI 4.9-5.4; human 57.5 kDa, 55 kDa and mouse 58.5 kDa, 57.5 kDa). In both species, one-dimensional and two-dimensional peptide mapping (with V8 protease and trypsin respectively) indicated that while all four prekeratins were distinct gene products, similarities existed in the type II basic and the type I acidic keratin subfamilies. A strong homology also existed between type II SC keratins and the larger basic (type II) prekeratin (human 68 kDa and mouse 67 kDa) and between type I SC keratins and the larger acidic (type I) prekeratin (human 57 kDa and mouse 58 kDa). These results indicate a precursor-product relationship within each keratin subfamily, between SC keratins and the prekeratins abundant in the adjacent granular layer. This differentiation-related keratin processing was similar in mouse and human epidermis, and may represent a widespread phenomenon amongst keratinising epithelia.     

Study of Specific Protein on Sex Differentiation of Momordica charantia

In Momordica charantia L. the soluble protein profile of flower bud at hermaphroditic stage and three early developmental stages (the 7th, 10th and 13th day after initial budding) of male and female flowers were analysed with capillary electrophoresis. Some specific proteins related to sex differentiation were detected. The 11 kD protein, which appeared at the 7th day of budding and existed through the three developmental stages of the female flowers with little change of content, might be an "essential protein" for the expression of female flower differentiation program. Similarly, the 30 kD protein might be an "essential protein" for the expression of the male flower differentiation.     

Stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphoinositide turnover, and multiple previously unidentified serine/threonine-specific protein kinases by the Pan-B-cell receptor CD40/Bp50 at discrete developmental stages of human B-cell ontogeny.

CD40/Bp50 B-cell receptor has been implicated as having an important function for the regulation of human B-cell growth and maturation as well as antigen-driven selection of tonsillar B-cells in germinal centers. The purpose of the present study was to examine the biochemical events triggered by the engagement of the CD40 receptor in human B-lineage lymphoid cells corresponding to discrete developmental stages of human B-cell ontogeny. The engagement of the CD40 receptor on pro-B-, pre-pre-B-, pre-B-, or activated mature B-cells but not on resting mature B-cells with the agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody G28-5 resulted in enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of four distinct phosphoproteins with molecular masses of 67, 72, 96, and 113 kDa and induced a rapid increase in the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Further, we have identified five electrophoretically distinct renaturable CD40-regulated serine/threonine-specific protein kinases (PK120, PK93, PK76, PK55, and PK48) that showed markedly increased in vitro activity after CD40 stimulation. Protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) abrogated the stimulation of the in vitro activity of PK120, PK93, PK55, and PK48 and attenuated the stimulation of the in vitro activity of PK76 in response to the engagement of the CD40 receptor but did not influence the enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates after CD40 stimulation. Notably, genistein and herbimycin A, two potent inhibitors of tyrosine-specific protein kinases, not only abrogated the CD40-induced enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation on the 67-, 72-, 96-, and 113-kDa substrates, but they also inhibited the CD40-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover as well as the CD40-induced increase of the in vitro activity of renaturable serine/threonine-specific protein kinases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Specific protein kinases modulated during T cell mitogenesis. Activity of a 55-kDa serine kinase is associated with growth arrest in human T cells.

The intracellular events which are involved in controlling the G1 to S phase transition during the eucaryotic cell cycle are important to define in order to understand the mechanisms by which mitogenic and growth arrest-inducing agents control cell growth. Because a change in protein kinase activity is associated with the initial response of cells to mitogenic stimulants and growth factors, we used a kinase renaturation assay to identify specific protein kinases which are modulated as human T cells make the G1 to S phase transition after mitogenic stimulation with lectin. We identified four protein serine/threonine kinases of 180, 97, 85, and 38 kilodaltons which are increased in activity as these cells enter S phase. A-55 kDa serine/threonine kinase (PK55) was shown to have maximal activity during G0 and its activity was reduced by 95% upon movement into S phase. PK55 is inducible in human T cells by removal of interleukin 2 and low serum incubation which arrests cells in G1 phase, indicating that it is closely associated with G1 phase growth arrest. Furthermore, a similar PK55 activity was induced upon growth arrest in HL-60 cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide and in Daudi cells treated with interferon alpha. Because the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) family has been shown to be antiproliferative to lectin stimulated T cells, we were interested in determining whether PK55 was in fact an isozyme of PK-A. Comparative analysis using a specific peptide inhibitor of PK-A activity revealed that PK55 is catalytically distinct from PK-A. This data suggest that increases in PK55 may be associated with the growth-arrested state and further that PK55 is distinct from PK-A.     

Characterization of cytokeratin patterns in the developing human tongue.

The characterization of cytokeratin (CK) in adult oral mucosa and developing teeth have been well documented in human. Cytokeratin distribution in developing oral mucosa has not yet been described. The aim of this study was to identify the expression of CK in human fetal tongue (week 10 to week 23) and to correlate the results with morphological maturation. Simple epithelial CK are expressed in all cell layers during the early stages, essentially in peridermal cells. From the 14th week, CK 18 is present only in the taste buds, making this polypeptide a reliable marker for this sensory organ. CK 4 and 13 are expressed from the 10th to the 23rd week by both ventral and dorsal lingual epithelia. Terminal differentiation keratins (CK 1, 2 and 10-11) can only be detected immunohistochemically at the 14th week in some cells on the external surface of some papillae. The number of these papillae and positive cells increase at the 19th and 23rd weeks. The terminal differentiation markers are expressed several weeks earlier than the formation of a well-distinguished keratinized layer.     

Density-dependent expression of keratins in transformed rat liver cell lines

Immunomorphological examination of the distribution of three keratins in cultured rat liver-derived epithelial cell lines of the IAR series was performed in order to find out the effects of neoplastic evolution on the expression of these epithelium-specific markers. Specific monoclonal antibodies were used to reveal various intermediate filament proteins: keratins with molecular masses of 55, 49 or 40 kD (K55, K49 or K40), and vimentin. The expression of keratins was negligible in sparse and dense cultures of non-transformed lines, which had typical epithelial morphology. The examined keratins were also absent in the sparse cultures of transformed lines, which have lost partially or completely the morphological features of epithelia. However, cells in dense cultures of most transformed lines contained numerous keratin filaments. It is suggested that the paradoxical increase of keratin expression after transformation is due to increased saturation density of transformed cultures; this high density favours the expression. As shown by the experiments with culture wounding, the effects of density are local and reversible. While K55 was present in all the cells of dense cultures, the expression of the other two keratins was dependent on the cell position within these cultures. It is suggested that the expression of the latter two keratins, besides high cell density, also requires the presence (K40) or the absence (K49) of cell-substratum contacts. Possible mechanisms of the effects of cell density on the expression of keratins are discussed.     

The role of CD98 in astrocytic neoplasms

The high expression of CD98 was reported in some normal tissues, including blood brain barrier, activated lymphocytes, the basal layer of skin, proximal tubles of kidney, placenta, testis and a wide variety of tumors. The CD98 complex consists of an 80-85kD heavy chain (4F2hc/FRP-1) and a 40-45kD light chain. CD98hc, 4F2hc, and FRP-1 are the same glycosylated protein each other and define antigenicity of CD98. LAT1, the sodium-independent L-type amino acid transporter 1, has been identified as a light chain of the CD98 heterodimer from C6 glioma cells. LAT1 also corresponds to TA1, an oncofetal antigen that is expressed primarily in fetal tissues and cancer cells such as glioma cells. Increased LAT1 expression was found in various malignancies including human gliomas. Several studies implicated the important role of LAT1 and 4F2hc in malignant transformation and carcinogenesis. The LAT1-CD98 pathway may represent a unique therapeutic target for cancer intervention.     

Cytoskeletal reorganization in hepatocytes of the regenerating mouse liver

The intracellular pattern of prekeratin and actin filaments has been studied on sections of mouse livers regenerating after CCl4 injury. Monoclonal antibodies against one of liver prekeratins and monospecific polyclonal actin antibodies were used in the indirect immunofluorescent test. The presence of alpha-fetoprotein and bile canaliculi antigen was also monitored during regeneration. In control livers, prekeratin and actin filaments formed thick bundles adjacent to plasma membranes. The cytoplasmic prekeratin network was unmarked. In contrast to the latter, the bright well developed intracytoplasmic prekeratin network and intracytoplasmic actin fibers were identified in the perinecrotic hepatocytes by the 3d-4th day of regeneration. This rearrangement of the cytoskeleton coincided in time with the appearance of alpha-fetoprotein and the loss of the bile canaliculi antigen in the perinecrotic hepatocytes.     

Evaluation of three quinoline-carboxamide derivatives as potential radioligands for the in vivo pet imaging of neurodegeneration

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are only minimally expressed in normal brain parenchyma, where they are primarily localized in glial cells. Their basal expression rises in different neurodegenerative disorders, due to the presence of infiltrating inflammatory cells and activated microglia. [11C]PK11195, a selective PBR antagonist, has been used for the in vivo PET monitoring of neurodegeneration in clinical observations. We recently developed and labeled with carbon-11 three new carboxamide derivatives: [11C]VC193M, [11C]VC195 and [11C]VC198M. Aim of this study was to evaluate these ligands for the in vivo measuring of PBRs expression in neurodegenerations and compare their kinetic behavior with that of the reference tracer [11C]PK11195. Radioligands were evaluated in a preclinical model of Huntington's disease consisting in the monolateral striatal injection of quinolinic acid (QA). Activated microglia and astrocytic gliosis was present only within the affected striatum. A concomitant increase in radioactivity accumulation was observed for all the tracers examined (P<0.01). Among the new compounds, [11C]VC195 showed higher levels of lesioned/unlesioned striatum ratios (3.28+/-0.44), in comparison with [11C]VC193M and [11C]VC198M (2.69+/-0.53 and 1.52+/-0.36, respectively), but slightly inferior to that observed for [11C]PK11195 (3.76+/-1.41).In conclusion, the results of the study indicate that [11C]VC195 is a promising candidate for in vivo PET monitoring of neurodegenerative processes but its in vivo behavior overlap that of [11C]PK11195.     

大鼠睾丸前促甲状腺激素释放激素原及其受体的表达与发育变化

为研究促甲状腺激素释放激素（thyrotrophin-releasing hormone,TRH)及其受体（TRH receptor,TRHR)在大鼠睾丸组织中的表达规律和在生殖发育调节中的作用,依据大鼠下丘脑中的前TRH原（PreproTRH,ppTRH)和垂体中的TRH－R cDNA设计引物,采用RT－PCR法从大鼠睾丸组织中获得了ppTRH和TRH－R的cDNA克隆,测序后构建表达载体,在大肠杆菌中表达了可溶性的pTRH t TRH-R融合蛋白,利用实时动态定量RT－PCR（real time quantitative RT-PCR)法观察了ppTRH和TRH－R在不同发育阶段大鼠睾丸中的表达变化,发现在睾丸间质细胞发育的初期阶段（第8天）,没有ppTRH和TRH－R的表达,但从第15天起能观察到pp-TRH和TRH－R的表达,并且表达量在20天,35天,60天和90天逐渐增加,这些结果表明：大鼠睾丸组织能特异性表达ppTRH和TRH－R,并且表达量与发育过程相关,ppTRH和TRH－R体外表达产物的获得为后续研究其功能奠定了基础。