X-linked dominant inheritance of partial phosphorylase kinase deficiency in mice

A new mouse strain, the V strain, with a partial deficiency of phosphorylase kinase has been established. The deficiency is caused by an X-linked dominant gene (Phk ^c ). Muscle extracts of homozygous and heterozygous females and hemizygous males have about 25% of the activity found in extracts of normal (C3H/HeHan) mice. This dominant phosphorylase kinase deficiency of the new V strain is different from that of the I-strain mice with the X-linked recessive deficiency of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase. The muscle extracts of V-strain and normal mice contain the same phosphorylase phosphatase activity of about 1 U/mg. Heart and liver extracts from V mice contained about 50% and 66%, respectively, of the phosphorylase kinase activity compared to that found in the same organs from the normal mice. The glycogen content of the skeletal muscle of the V strain was normal, i.e., 0.9 mg/g. Phosphorylase kinase was purified from the skeletal muscle of the V strain by (a) hydrophobic chromatography on methylamine Sepharose, (b) ammonium sulfate precipitation, and (c) gel filtration of Sepharose 4B. The enzyme has a similar structure to the normal murine and rabbit skeletal muscle enzyme, except that the proportion of the subunits differs. The molar ratio of the subunits of the V strain mice is (+)::=0.54:1:1.169, in comparison with that of the rabbit (+)::=1.1:1.0:1.0 and that of normal murine enzyme 0.9:1.0:0.7.This work was supported by the Minister für Wissenschaft und Forschung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, West Germany and of the Fonds der Chemie, West Germany, and forms part of the md thesis of A. Vrbica.     

Peptide and amino acid glycation: new insights into the Maillard reaction.

Nonenzymatic glycation of proteins, peptides and other macromolecules (the Maillard reaction) has been implicated in a number of pathologies, most clearly in diabetes mellitus. but also in the normal processes of aging and neurodegenerative amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's. In the early stage, glycation results in the formation of Amadori-modified proteins. In the later stages, advanced glycation end products (AGE) are irreversibly formed from Amadori products leading to the formation of reactive intermediates, crosslinking of proteins, and the formation of brown and fluorescent polymeric materials. Although, the glycation of structural proteins has been attributed a key role in the complications of diabetes, recent attention has been devoted to the physiological significance of glycated peptide hormones. This review focuses on the physico-chemical properties of the Amadori compounds of bioactive peptides of endogenous and exogenous origin, such as Leu-enkephalin and morphiceptin, investigated under different conditions as well as on novel pathways in the Maillard reaction observed from investigating intramolecular events in ester-linked glycopeptides.     

Sexuality and Genetic Identity in the Agaricus Section Arvenses

Twelve wild collections and one commercial strain were used to characterize breeding systems and to develop molecular identities in the Arvenses section of the genus Agaricus, which includes the “horse mushroom” A. arvensis. Two morphotypes were identified based on macro- and micromorphological features. However, not all collections could be delimited by conventional taxonomic characters. Sequencing of the small subunit intergenic spacer (ITS) region (368 to 370 bp) of the rRNA genes clearly resolved the 13 collections into two clusters consistent with the identified morphotypes. Single-spore progenies and mating type testers were established and used to test intra- and interstock compatibility. The two compatibility groups identified were consistent with ITS clusters. Compatibility group I stocks readily interbred within the constraints of a unifactorial heterothallic system with a multiallelic mating type factor. Compatibility group II had a more restricted breeding pattern, and interactions were difficult to predict on the basis of mating type. Morphological data, ITS sequences, and the ability to interbreed suggest that these collections are part of a complex of interrelated species. Single-spore, homokaryotic isolates from both compatibility groups were able to fruit in compost culture, and two of the collections may represent natural homokaryotic fruiting. We conclude that species from the section Arvenses have versatile unifactorial heterothallic life cycles that permit both interbreeding and homokaryotic fruiting.     

Sponge non-metastatic Group I Nme gene/protein - structure and function is conserved from sponges to humans

Background  

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases NDPK are evolutionarily conserved enzymes present in Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya, with human Nme1 the most studied representative of the family and the first identified metastasis suppressor. Sponges (Porifera) are simple metazoans without tissues, closest to the common ancestor of all animals. They changed little during evolution and probably provide the best insight into the metazoan ancestor's genomic features. Recent studies show that sponges have a wide repertoire of genes many of which are involved in diseases in more complex metazoans. The original function of those genes and the way it has evolved in the animal lineage is largely unknown. Here we report new results on the metastasis suppressor gene/protein homolog from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula, NmeGp1Sd. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of the sponge Group I Nme gene and protein, and compare it to its human homolog in order to elucidate the evolution of the structure and function of Nme.     

Multiple Delivery of siRNA against Endoglin into Murine Mammary Adenocarcinoma Prevents Angiogenesis and Delays Tumor Growth

Endoglin is a transforming growth factor-β (TGF- β) co-receptor that participates in the activation of a signaling pathway that mediates endothelial cell proliferation and migration in angiogenic tumor vasculature. Therefore, silencing of endoglin expression is an attractive approach for antiangiogenic therapy of tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules against endoglin in vitro and in vivo. Therapeutic potential in vitro was assessed in human and murine endothelial cells (HMEC-1, 2H11) by determining endoglin expression level, cell proliferation and tube formation. In vivo, the therapeutic potential of siRNA molecules was evaluated in TS/A mammary adenocarcinoma growing in BALB/c mice. Results of our study showed that siRNA molecules against endoglin have a good antiangiogenic therapeutic potential in vitro, as expression of endoglin mRNA and protein levels in mouse and human microvascular endothelial cells after lipofection were efficiently reduced, which resulted in the inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation. In vivo, silencing of endoglin with triple electrotransfer of siRNA molecules into TS/A mammary adenocarcinoma also significantly reduced the mRNA levels, number of tumor blood vessels and the growth of tumors. The obtained results demonstrate that silencing of endoglin is a promising antiangiogenic therapy of tumors that could not be used as single treatment, but as an adjunct to the established cytotoxic treatment approaches.     

Extensive polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex DRA gene in Balkan donkeys: perspectives on selection and genealogy

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains genes important for immune response in mammals, and these genes exhibit high polymorphism and diversity. The DRA gene, a member of the MHC class II family, is highly conserved across a large number of mammalian species, but it displays exceptionally rich sequence variations in Equidae members. We analyzed allelic polymorphism of the DRA locus in 248 donkeys sampled across the Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro). Five known alleles and two new alleles were identified. The new allele Eqas‐DRA*0601 was found to carry a synonymous mutation, and new allele Eqas‐DRA*0701, a non‐synonymous mutation. We further analyzed the historical selection and allele genealogy at the DRA locus in equids. Signals of positive selection obtained by various tests were ambiguous. A conservative conclusion is that DRA polymorphism occurred relatively recently and that positive selection has been acting on the DRA locus for a relatively brief period.     

The amide III vibrational circular dichroism band as a probe to detect conformational preferences of alanine dipeptide in water

The conformational preferences of blocked alanine dipeptide (ADP), Ac‐Ala‐NHMe, in aqueous solution were studied using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT calculations of three most representative conformations of ADP surrounded by six explicit water molecules immersed in a dielectric continuum have proven high sensitivity of amide III VCD band shape that is characteristic for each conformation of the peptide backbone. The polyproline II (P_II) and α_R conformation of ADP are associated with a positive VCD band while β conformation has a negative VCD band in amide III region. Knowing this spectral characteristic of each conformation allows us to assign the experimental amide III VCD spectrum of ADP. Moreover, the amide III region of the VCD spectrum was used to determine the relative populations of conformations of ADP in water. Based on the interpretation of the amide III region of VCD spectrum we have shown that dominant conformation of ADP in water is P_II which is stabilized by hydrogen bonded water molecules between CO and NH groups on the peptide backbone. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 814–818, 2014.     

Temporomandibular joint disorder in a patient with multiple sclerosis--review of literature with a clinical report

Temporomandibular disorders are a form of musculoskeletal disorders, which reduce the function of stomatognathic system and they are related to some other diseases causing painful conditions and disorders of oral function. The aim of this paper is to describe a one year follow up clinical case of a female patient with comorbid multiple sclerosis and a relatively rare form of articular disc disorder. Primary clinical diagnostics encompassed manual methods of TMJ examination. Definite diagnosis included radiologic examination. Clinical hyperextensive condyle position was palpated bilaterally and subsequently confirmed by a functional panoramic radiograph of TMJ. The anterior displacement of disc with reduction was diagnosed by magnetic resonance and in the right joint there was a disc displacement upon excursive movement. From relevant literature, the relationship of a number of diseases that can be related to functional disorder of the orofacial system, such as multiple sclerosis, has been described from many aspects. Also, apart from the standard classification of one form of anterior displacement of the disc, made primarily by magnetic resonance, cases of disc displacement upon excursive mandibular movement can rarely be found in literature.     

Species‐specific microsatellite loci for the European squid (Loligo vulgaris)

A microsatellite dinucleotide‐enriched library was obtained from the European squid (Loligo vulgaris) and five species‐specific dinucleotide markers were optimized. These markers are highly polymorphic with average expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.706 to 0.927 and allele number ranging from 7 to 17. This set of primers is suitable for population genetic studies.