Stabilization of P450 2B4 by its association with P450 1A2 revealed by high-pressure spectroscopy

We studied the effect of intermolecular interactions between cytochromes P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) and 2B4 (CYP2B4) on the barotropic inactivation of the ferrous carbonyl complexes of the hemoproteins. When taken separately, these hemoproteins reveal quite distinct barotropic behavior. While the 2B4(Fe(2+))-CO complex is very sensitive to hydrostatic pressures and undergoes P450 --> P420 transition at rather low pressures (P(1/2) = 297 MPa, DeltaV(0) = -61 ml/mol), the 1A2(Fe(2+))-CO is extremely resistant to barotropic inactivation. Only about 8% of the 1A2 was exposed to pressure-induced P450 --> P420 transition (P(1/2) = 420 MPa, DeltaV(0) = -28 ml/mol). The formation of the mixed oligomers of 2B4 and 1A2 was found to have a dramatic effect on the barotropic behavior of 2B4. In the heterooligomers of 1A2 and 2B4, the 2B4 hemoprotein appears to be largely protected from barotropic inactivation. In 1:1 mixed oligomers no more than 25% of the total P450 content undergoes P450 --> P420 inactivation with the molar reaction volume value (DeltaV(0) = -26 ml/mol) similar to those found for pure 1A2. Moreover, interactions between 1A2 and 2B4 results in a displacement of the Soret band of the ferrous carbonyl complex of CYP2B4 to shorter wavelength (from 451.3 to 448.4 nm) and largely strengthens the dependence of the Soret band wavenumber on hydrostatic pressure below 200 MPa. This effect suggests an important hydration of the CYP2B4 heme moiety in response to the interactions with CYP1A2. We discuss these results in terms of the hypothesis that the heterooligomerization of cytochromes P450 in microsomes plays an important role in the control of the activity and coupling of the microsomal monooxygenase.     

Crystallization and preliminary diffraction data for iso-1-cytochrome c from yeast

Deep red crystals of the electron transfer protein, iso-1-cytochrome c from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), have been obtained from a 90% saturated solution of (NH4)2SO4 containing 2 mg protein/ml, 0.1 M-sodium phosphate and adjusted to pH 6.7. The space group is P4(1)2(1)2 (or P4(3)2(1)2) with a = b = 36.4 A, c = 136.8 A and Z = 8. Crystals are stable for at least ten days in the X-ray beam and diffract to better than 2.0 A resolution. Comparable and morphologically similar crystal forms of three iso-1-cytochrome c mutants at Phe87, a pivotal residue in the electron transport chain, have also been obtained.     

Prostaglandin-sensitive adenylate cyclase of a murine macrophage-like cell line (P388D1): II. Isolation and partial characterization of PGE2-binding proteins

Properties of prostaglandin (PG) E2 binding sites of a murine macrophage cell line (P388D1) were investigated. The specific binding of [3H]-PGE2 to intact P388D1 cells at 4 degrees C in the presence of cytochalasin D (10 micrograms/ml) approached saturation at concentration greater than 7.5 X 10(-9) M, and could be displaced most effectively by unlabeled PGE2 and less effectively by unlabeled PGI2. The Scatchard analysis of the binding data clearly indicated the heterogeneity with respect to the PGE2 binding affinity and showed the presence of about 3.9 fmol/10(8) cells of the high affinity sites (KD = 1.1 X 10(-9) M) and about 24 fmol/10(8) cells of the low affinity sites (KD = 2 X 10(-8) M). PGE2-binding proteins were isolated from the detergent lysate of the radiolabeled P388D1 cells by affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4B coupled to PGE2. The affinity-isolated materials were further purified by successive use of Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and isoelectric focusing in the presence of dithiothreitol (1 mM) and Triton X-100 (0.5%). The final step yielded about 0.25% of the original radioactivity, which sharply focused as a single peak at pH near 6.5. The electrofocused PGE2-binding proteins migrated as a single band with a m.w. of 95,000 during SDS-PAGE. The electrofocused PGE2-binding proteins bound specifically to [3H]-PGE2 but showed again the heterogeneity with respect to their affinity.     

2- and 8-azido photoaffinity probes. 1. Enzymatic synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of 2- and 8-azido photoprobes of 2-5A and photolabeling of 2-5A binding proteins

The 2- and 8-azido trimer 5'-triphosphate photoprobes of 2-5A have been enzymatically synthesized from [gamma-32P]2-azidoATP and [alpha-32P]8-azidoATP by 2-5A synthetase from rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Identification and structural determination of the 2- and 8-azido adenylate trimer 5'-triphosphates were accomplished by enzymatic hydrolyses with T2 RNase, snake venom phosphodiesterase, and bacterial alkaline phosphatase. Hydrolysis products were identified by HPLC and PEI-cellulose TLC analyses. The 8-azido photoprobe of 2-5A displaces p3A4[32P]pCp from RNase L with affinity equivalent to p3A3 (IC50 = 2 X 10(-9) M in radiobinding assays). The 8-azido photoprobe also activates RNase L to hydrolyze poly(U) [32P]pCp 50% at 7 X 10(-9) M in core-cellulose assays. The 2- and 8-azido photoprobes and authentic p3A3 activate RNase L to cleave 28S and 18S rRNA to specific cleavage products at 10(-9) M in rRNA cleavage assays. The nucleotide binding site(s) of RNase L and/or other 2-5A binding proteins in extracts of interferon-treated L929 cells were investigated by photoaffinity labeling. Dramatically different photolabeling patterns were observed with the 2- and 8-azido photoprobes. The [gamma-32P]2-azido adenylate trimer 5'-triphosphate photolabels only one polypeptide with a molecular weight of 185,000 as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis, whereas the [alpha-32P]8-azido adenylate trimer 5'-triphosphate covalently photolabels six polypeptides with molecular weights of 46,000, 63,000, 80,000, 89,000, 109,000, and 158,000. Evidence that the photolabeling by 2- and 8-azido 2-5A photoprobes was highly specific for the p3A3 allosteric binding site was obtained as follows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Close synchrony of ovulation in superstimulated heifers that have a downregulated anterior pituitary gland and are induced to ovulate with exogenous LH

The synchrony of ovulation was examined in superstimulated heifers that had a downregulated pituitary gland and which were induced to ovulate by injection of exogenous LH. The pituitary was downregulated and desensitized to GnRH by treatment with the GnRH agonist deslorelin. Nulliparous heifers (3.5 yr old) at random stages of the estrous cycle were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, and on Day -7 received the following treatments: Group 1 (control, n = 8), 1 norgestomet ear implant; Group 2 (GnRH agonist, n = 8); Group 3 (GnRH agonist-LH protocol, n = 8), 2 deslorelin ear implants. Ovarian follicle growth in all heifers was superstimulated with twice-daily intramuscular injections of FSH (Folltropin-V): Day O, 40 mg (80 mg total dose); Day 1, 30 mg; Day 2; 20 mg; Day 3, 10 mg. On Day 2, all heifers were given a luteolytic dose of PGF (7 A.M.), Norgestomet implants were removed from heifers in Group 1 (6 P.M.). Heifers in Group 3 were given an injection of 25 mg, i.m. porcine LH (Lutropin) on Day 4 (4 P.M.). Ovarian follicle status was monitored at 8-h intervals from Day 3 (8 A.M.) to Day 6 (4 P.M.) using an Aloka Echo Camera and 7.5 MHz transducer. Heifers in Groups 2 and 3 exhibited estrus earlier (P < 0.05) than heifers in Group 1. Heifers in Group 2 did not have a preovulatory LH surge and they did not ovulate. Individual control heifers in Group 1 ovulated between 12 A.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. Heifers with deslorelin implants and injected with LH in Group 3 ovulated between 4 P.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. It was confirmed that superstimulated heifers with GnRH agonist implants can be induced to ovulate with LH. It was also demonstrated that ovulation is closely synchronized after injection of LH. Thus, a single, fixed-time insemination schedule could be used in a GnRH agonist-LH superovulation protocol, with significant practical and economic advantages for superovulation and embryo transfer programs.     

Distribution and function of muscarinic receptor subtypes in the ovine submandibular gland.

The effects of muscarinic receptor antagonists on responses to electrical stimulation of the chorda-lingual nerve were determined in pentobarbitone-anesthetized sheep and correlated to the morphology of tissue specimens. Stimulation at 2 Hz continuously, or in bursts of 1 s at 20 Hz every 10 s, for 10 min induced similar submandibular fluid responses (19 +/- 3 vs. 21 +/- 3 microl x min(-1) x g gland(-1)), whereas vasodilatation was greater during stimulation in bursts (-52 +/- 4 vs. -43 +/- 5%; P < 0.01). Continuous stimulation at 8 Hz induced substantially greater responses (66 +/- 9 microl x min(-1) x g gland(-1) and -77 +/- 3%). While atropine (0.5 mg/kg iv) abolished the secretory response at 2 and 20 Hz (1:10 s), a small response persisted at 8 Hz (<5%). The "M1-selective" antagonist pirenzepine (40 microg/kg iv) reduced the fluid response at all frequencies tested (P < 0.05-0.01), most conspicuously at 2 Hz (reduced by 69%). Methoctramine ("M2/M4-selective"; 100 microg/kg iv; n = 5) had no effect on fluid or the vascular responses but increased the protein output at 2 (+90%, P < 0.05) and 8 Hz (+45%, P < 0.05). The immunoblotting showed distinct bands for muscarinic M1, M3, M4, and M5 receptors, and immunohistochemistry showed muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors to occur in the parenchyma. Thus muscarinic M1 receptors contribute to the secretory response to parasympathetic stimulation but have little effect on the vasodilatation in the ovine submandibular gland. Increased transmitter release caused by blockade of neuronal inhibitory receptors of the M4 subtype would explain the increase in protein output.     

Chemical replacement of P1' arginine residue at the first reactive site of peanut protease inhibitor B-III

The contribution of the P1' residue at the first reactive site of peanut protease inhibitor B-III to the inhibition was analyzed by replacement of the P1' Arg(11) with other amino acids (Arg, Ser, Ala, Leu, Phe, Asp) after selective modification of the second reactive site. The Arg derivative had the same trypsin inhibitory activity as the native inhibitor (Ki = 2 X 10(-9) M). The Ser derivative inhibited more weakly (Ki = 2 X 10(-8) M). The Ala and Leu derivatives inhibited trypsin very weakly (Ki = 2 X 10(-7) M and 4 X 10(-7) M, respectively), and the Phe and Asp derivatives not at all. These results suggest that the P1' arginine residue is best for inhibitory activity at the first reactive site of B-III, although it has been suggested that a P1' serine residue at the reactive site is best for inhibitory activity of Bowman-Birk type inhibitors.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray investigation of lipoxygenase 1 from soybeans

Soybean lipoxygenase 1 has been crystallized by the vapor diffusion method in 8-10% polyethylene glycol (average Mr 3400), 0.2 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.2-5.6, at a protein concentration of 6-12 mg/ml. Microseeding was employed to obtain growth of large single crystals. The crystals, which diffract to at least 2.2-A spacings, are monoclinic and of space group P2(1). Cell constants are: a = 95.4, b = 94.2, and c = 50.4 A and beta = 91.4 degrees. The calculated value of Vm (2.41 A3/Da) is consistent with the probable presence of one molecule of lipoxygenase/crystallographic asymmetric unit (Z = 2).     

Peptide helices with pendant cycloalkane rings. Characterization of conformations of 1-aminocyclooctane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac8c) residues in peptides.

A pentapeptide, Boc-Leu-Ac8c-Ala-Leu-Ac8c-OMe 1, an octapeptide, Boc-Leu-Ac8c-Ala-Leu-Ac8c-Ala-Leu-Ac8c-OMe 2 and a tripeptide, Boc-Aib-Ac8c-Aib-OMe 3 containing the 1-aminocyclooctane-1-carboxylic acid residue (Ac8c) were synthesized and conformationally characterized by x-ray diffraction studies in the crystal state. Peptides 1 and 2 were also studied by NMR in CDC13 solution. Peptide 1 adopts a purely 3(10)-helical conformation in crystals, stabilized by three intramolecular 1 <-- 4 hydrogen bonds. Peptide 2 in crystals is largely 3(10)-helical with distortion in the backbone at the N-terminus by the insertion of a water molecule between Ac8c (2) CO and Ala (6) NH groups. Peptide 3 forms a C10-ring structure, i.e. a type III (III') beta- turn conformation stabilized by an intramolecular 1 <-- 4 hydrogen bond. Five cyclooctane rings assume boat-chair conformations, whereas the sixth [Ac8c(8) in 2] is appreciably distorted, resembling a chiral intermediate in the pseudorotational pathway from the boat-chair to the twisted boat-chair conformation. Internal bond angles of the cyclooctane rings are appreciably distorted from the tetrahedral value, a characteristic feature of the cyclooctane ring. Peptide 1 crystallized in the space group P212121 with a = 11.900(4) A, b = 18.728(6) A, c = 20.471(3) A and Z = 4. The final R1 and wR2 values are 0.0753 and 0.2107, respectively, for 3901 observed reflections [Fo > or = 3 sigma (Fo)]. Peptide 2 crystallized in space group P21 with a = 12.961(5) A, b = 17.710(10) A, c = 15.101(7) A, beta = 108.45(4) degrees and Z = 2. The final R1 and wR2 values are 0.0906 and 0.1832, respectively, for 2743 observed reflections [Fo > or = 3sigma (Fo)]. 1H-NMR studies on both the peptides strongly suggest the persistence of 3(10)-helical conformations in solution. Peptide 3 crystallized in the space group P21/n, with a = 10.018(1) A, b = 20.725(1) A, c = 12.915(1) A and Z = 4. The final R1 and wR2 values are 0.0411 and 0.1105, respectively, for 3634 observed reflections [Fo > or = 4sigma (Fo)].     

Photo-initiated ion formation from octaethyl-porphyrin and its zinc chelate as a model for electron transfer in reaction centers.

Ion formation from the reaction of triplet (T) and ground state (P) octaethyl-porphyrin (OEP) and zinc octaethyl porphyrin (ZnOEP) and the corresponding cross-reactions have been measured in dry acetonitrile. A uniquely sensitive and fast conductance apparatus and a pulsed dye laser allowed the measurements to be made at the necessarily very low concentrations of T. The hemogeneous reaction of T (ZnOEP) and P (ZnOEP) occurs with rat constant k(1) = 2.0 x 10(8) M(-1)s(-1) and an ion yield of 67%. The similar homogeneous reaction of OEP has k(2) = 1.3 x 10(8)M(-1)s(-1) but an ion yield of only 3%. The cross-reaction of T (OEP) with P (ZnOEP) has k(3) = 1.5 x 10(8) M(-1)s(-1) and an ion yield of 27%, while the inverse cross-reaction of T (ZnOEP) with P (OEP) has k(4) = 3 x 10(8) M(-1)s(-1) and an ion yield of 20%. Thus, the rate constants are only slightly affected but the yields are sensitive to the porphyrin. The possible formation of the heterogeneous ions ZnOEP+ + OEP-, thermodynamically favored by 0.3 V over the homogeneous ions, has little influence on the observed yields. The data are explained by electron transfer and Coulomb field-electon spin-controlled escape of the initial ion-pair.     

Crystallization of a soluble form of the Kex1p serine carboxypeptidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A soluble form of the killer factor and prohormone-processing carboxypeptidase, "Kex1 delta p," from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been crystallized in 17-22% poly(enthylene glycol) methyl ether (average M(r) = 5,000), 100 mM ammonium acetate, 5% glycerol, pH 6.5, at 20 degrees C. A native data set (2.8 A resolution) and four derivative data sets (3.0-3.2 A resolution) were collected at the Photon Factory (lambda = 1.0 A). The crystals belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a =56.6 A, b = 84.0 A, c = 111.8 A. Freezing a Kex1 delta p crystal has facilitated the collection of a 2.4-A data set using a rotating anode source (lambda = 1.5418 A). Molecular replacement models have been built based on the structures of wheat serine carboxypeptidase (CPDW-II; Liao DI et al., 1992, Biochemistry 31:9796-9812) and yeast carboxypeptidase Y.     

Hypermethylation of the Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) gene in gallbladder cancer

The tumor suppressor gene Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is highly methylated in a wide range of human sporadic tumors. The current study investigated the hypermethylation of RASSF1A, the expression of RASSF1A protein, and the correlation between these and the clinicopathological features of gallbladder (GB) cancer in Korean patients. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors and non-neoplastic GB tissues (22 carcinomas, 8 adenomas, 26 normal epithelia) were collected from patients who had undergone surgical resection. The methylation status of two regions of the RASSF1A CpG island was determined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and the expression of RASSF1A protein was examined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. The K-RAS mutation was analyzed by direct sequencing. Methylation of the RASSF1A promoter (region 1) was detected in 22.7% (5/22) of carcinomas, 12.5% (1/8) of adenomas, and 0% (0/26) of normal gallbladder epithelia (P = 0.025). Methylation of the first exon (region 2) was found in 36.4% (8/22) of carcinomas, 25.0% (2/8) of adenomas, and 8.0% (2/26) of normal gallbladder epithelia (P = 0.038). K-RAS mutations were present in 4.5% (1/22) of carcinomas and 25% (2/8) of adenomas. RASSF1A methylaton was not associated with clinicopathological factors or K-ras mutation. Reduction or loss of RASSF1A expression was observed in most methylated adenocarcinomas. Three RASSF1A-expressing human biliary tract cancer cell lines examined contained unmethylated promoters and exons 1. These results suggest that downregulation of RASSF1A expression by DNA hypermethylation may be involved in GB carcinogenesis.     

杨属派间核型比较研究

对杨属五派代表种的核型进行了分析,各代表种核型公式如下:欧洲山杨(白杨派)2n=2x=38=21m(2SAT)+4sm+13st(1SAT);小叶杨(青杨派)2n=2x=38=1M+26m(1SAT)+8sm(1SAT)+1st+2t(1SAT);大叶杨(大叶杨派)2n=2x=38=2M+22m+8sm+6st;胡杨(胡杨派)2n=2x=38=2M+23m+3sm+10st(2SAT);箭杆杨(黑杨派)2n=2x=38=3M+29m(2SAT)+5sm+1st。杨属派间核型差异主要表现在中部与次中部着丝点(M,m)和近端部与端部着丝点(st,t)染色体数目上。白杨派和胡杨派具较多的st、t染色体,核型不对称系数比其它派高。按Stebbins理论白杨派和胡杨派属进化类型。     

Reaction of (bromoacetamido)nucleoside affinity labels with ribonuclease A: evidence for steric control of reaction specificity and alkylation rate

Four new bromoacetamido pyrimidine nucleosides have been synthesized and are affinity labels for the active site of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A). All bind reversibly to the enzyme and react covalently with it, resulting in inactivation. The binding constants Kb and the first-order decomposition rate constants k3 have been determined for each derivative. They are the following: 3'-(bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxyuridine, Kb = 0.062 M, k3 = 3.3 X 10(-4) s-1; 2'-(bromoacetamido)-2'-deoxyxylofuranosyluracil, Kb = 0.18 M, k3 = 1700 X 10(-4) s-1; 3'-(bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxyarabinofuranosyluracil, Kb = 0.038 M, k3 = 6.6 X 10(-4) s-1; and 3'-(bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxythymidine, Kb = 0.094 M, k3 = 2.7 X 10(-4) s-1. 3'-(Bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxyuridine reacts exclusively with the histidine-119 residue, giving 70% of a monoalkylated product substituted at N-1, 14% of a monoalkylated derivative substituted at N-3, and 16% of a dialkylated species substituted at both N-1 and N-3. Both 2'-(bromoacetamido)-2'-deoxyxylofuranosyluracil and 3'-(bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxyarabinofuranosyluracil react with absolute specificity at N-3 of the histidine-12 residue. 3'-(Bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxythymidine alkylates histidines-12 and -119. The major product formed in 57% yield is substituted at N-3 of histidine-12. A monoalkylated derivative, 8% yield, is substituted at N-1 of histidine-119. A disubstituted species is formed in 14% yield and is alkylated at both N-3 of histidine-12 and N-1 of histidine-119. A specific interaction of the "down" 2'-OH group, unique to 3'-(bromoacetamido)-3'-deoxyuridine, serves to orient the 3'-bromoacetamido residue close to the imidazole ring of histidine-119. The 2'-OH group of 3',5'-dinucleoside phosphate substrates may serve a similar role in the catalytic mechanism, allowing histidine-119 to protonate the leaving group in the transphosphorylation step. (Bromoacetamido)nucleosides are bound in the active site of RNase A in a variety of distinct conformations which are responsible for the different specificities and alkylation rates.     

四种云杉的核型分析

首次报道了中国珍稀濒危保护植物长叶云杉 ( P. smithiana ( Wall.) Boiss.)和康定云杉 ( P. likian-gensis( Franch.) Pritz.var.montigena( Mast.) Cheng ex Chen)及我国特产的青海云杉 ( P.crassif oliaKom.)和林芝云杉 ( P.likiangensis( Franch.) Pritz.var.linzhiensis Cheng et L.K.Fu)的核型。它们的核型公式都是 K( 2 n) =2 4 =2 2 m+2 sm (林芝云杉有 1条 B染色体 ) ,染色体相对长度组成分别为 2 n=1 4 M2 +8M1 +2 S,2 L+1 2 M2 +6M1 +4S,2 L +1 0 M2 +1 0 M1 +2 S,和 2 L+1 2 M2 +6M1 +4S.均为 2 A (除青海云杉 1 A外 )核型类型。     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of NADPH: azodicarbonyl/quinone oxidoreductase, a plant zeta-crystallin

Arabidopsis thaliana P1 protein was crystallized using the hanging drop vapor-diffusion method in 0.1 M piperazine-1, 4-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) buffer, containing 14% polyethylene glycol 6000 and 0.2 M magnesium acetate at pH 6.5 and 20 degrees C. The crystals are orthorhombic and belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions of a=49.8, b=122.4 and c=149. 9 A. The diffraction data up to 2.9 A were collected by a multiwire area detector.     

三种龟类动物的细胞遗传研究

本文以外周血淋巴细胞为材料,首次报道马来闭壳龟和地龟的核型,Ｇ带,Ｃ带和Ａｇ－ＮＯＲｓ,以及平胸龟的Ｇ带和Ｃ带,发现平胸龟的核型与前人报道的有差异。研究结果表明：平胸龟２ｎ＝５４（１４Ｍ＋４ＳＴ＋８Ｔ＋２８ｍ）,Ｎ．Ｆ．＝７２,７＋６＋１４。Ａ组Ｎｏ．６ｑ ｐｅｒ有一次缢痕。Ａｇ－ＮＯＲｓ位于Ａ组的Ｎｏ．７ ｑ ｔｅｒ。其全部染色体的着丝粒区均显示阳性Ｃ带,并且Ａ组的Ｎｏ．７整条异染色质化;马来闭     

Concomitant changes in progesterone catabolic enzymes, cytochrome P450 2C and 3A, with plasma insulin concentrations in ewes supplemented with sodium acetate or sodium propionate

Progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy, and several authors have suggested that low peripheral concentrations of progesterone may be responsible for high rates of embryonic loss. The primary organ involved in the catabolism of progesterone is the liver, and cytochrome P450 2C and 3A sub-families account for a large proportion of this catabolism. Elucidating a mechanism to decrease progesterone catabolism, thereby increasing embryonic and uterine exposure to progesterone, seems a logical approach to ameliorate high rates of embryonic loss. The objectives of the current experiment were to determine the pattern of insulin secretion after supplementing feed with either sodium acetate or sodium propionate and to determine any association between the differential patterns of insulin secretion with the hepatic activity of cytochrome P450 2C and 3A and progesterone clearance. Sixteen ovariectomized ewes were fed 3 kg/day for 10 days of a diet consisting of 50% corn silage, 38% triticale haylage, 12% soybean meal and 600 ml of 3.5 M sodium acetate (energy control; n = 8) or 2.0 M sodium propionate (gluconeogenic substrate; n = 8). Equal portions of the ration (1 kg as-fed basis along with 200 ml of 3.5 M sodium acetate or 2.0 M sodium propionate) were offered three times daily at 0600, 1400 and 2200 h. Concentrations of insulin in plasma were determined immediately before feeding and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min after feeding. Progesterone clearance from peripheral circulation (ng/ml per min) was measured by giving a 5 mg injection of progesterone into the left jugular vein and collecting blood via the right jugular vein at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min afterwards. Liver biopsies were taken 1 h after feeding to determine cytochrome P450 2C and 3A activities. Insulin concentrations in ewes supplemented with sodium propionate were elevated at 15, 30 and 60 min after feeding compared to the sodium acetate group. Cytochrome P450 2C and 3A activities were decreased 1 h after feeding in the sodium propionate-treated ewes relative to sodium acetate. Insulin appears to down-regulate cytochrome P450 activity, which could be used to decrease the catabolism of progesterone during early gestation, thereby increasing peripheral concentrations of progesterone and, consequently, embryonic exposure to progesterone.     

Analysis of CYP1A1 exon 7 polymorphisms by PCR-SSCP in a Brazilian population and description of two novel gene variations

CYP1A1 polymorphisms have been associated with a higher risk to develop lung cancer, particularly in Japanese. The type and the frequency of the polymorphisms can vary according to the ethnicity. In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequency of CYP1A1(*)2B and (*)4, and to look for other possible polymorphisms that may happen in exon 7 in individuals from Rio de Janeiro, an ethnic mixed population from Brazil. We developed a PCR-SSCP method for screening the genomic polymorphic region from 2289 to 2645 bp. Seven different migration patterns were found among 405 individuals, 130 healthy blood donors and 275 outpatients from Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto located in Rio de Janeiro. Five of the migration patterns corresponded to the genotypes: (*)1/(*)1 (the wild type); (*)1/(*)2B; (*)1/(*)4, (*)2B/(*)4 (heterozygous polymorphic) and (*)2B/(*)2B (homozygous polymorphic). Two other patterns corresponded to gene alterations not yet published: a C > T transition localized at the position 2461, and a C > T transition localized at position 2445. The genotype frequencies of the studied polymorphisms were: for CYP1A1(*)2B - 83.7% to (*)1/(*)1, 15.1% to (*)1/(*)2B and 1.2% to (*)2B/(*)2B; for CYP1A1(*)4 - 93.1% to (*)1/(*)1, 6.9% to (*)1/(*)4. The distribution of CYP1A1(*)2B and (*)4 genotypes combined were similar between white and non-white individuals. However, when the non-white individuals were stratified between blacks and mulattos, and then compared with white, black individuals showed a higher frequency of the wild type genotype (P = 0.008) and a lower frequency of genotype (*)1/(*)4 (P = 0.026). Additionally, when black and mulatto individuals were compared, blacks had a higher frequency of the wild type genotype (P = 0.008) and a lower frequency of the(*)1/(*)2B genotype (P = 0.0008), showing a different ethnic distribution of CYP1A1 polymorphisms.     

三裂叶豚草和普通豚草的染色体核型研究

本文对产自中国东北地区和南昌市的三裂叶豚草和普通豚草进行了染色体观察与核型分析,两种豚草的染色体数目分别为２ｎ＝２４和２ｎ＝３６,与前人的报导一致,染色体核型未见到报导。