Construction of reporter yeasts for mouse aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand activity

Aryl hydrocarbons such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and polyaromatic hydrocarbons bind to the cellular aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in the initial step of their metabolism. The activation of intracellular signaling subsequent to the AhR binding is highly correlated with the toxicity and carcinogenicity of these chemicals. We produced Saccharomyces cerevisiae coexpressing mouse AhR and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt) protein in accordance with Miller III's method for constructing yeasts with human Ahr and Arnt [Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 160 (1998) 297]. Ligand treatment induced a dose-dependent increase in beta-galactosidase activity from a reporter plasmid in the yeast. Then, we compared activities of several ligands in yeast having the mouse Ahr/Arnt genes with those in yeast having the human genes, both of which have the same genetic background. There was no significant difference in the EC50 values of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone between the mouse and human genes. However, indirubin, which was recently found in human urine as a potent AhR ligand [J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 31475], had a 35-140 times higher EC50 value in the yeast with human genes than mouse genes. This difference might reflect species-specificity between mouse and human AhR/Arnt.     

Kinetic and site-directed mutagenesis studies of prevotella intermedia acid phosphatase

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to examine the roles of the conserved histidine, arginine and cysteine residues in acid phosphatase from Prevotella intermedia (PiACP). The replacement of histidine and arginine residues resulted in the elimination of the PiACP activity while the cysteine mutants retained activity. These results suggest that the histidine and arginine residues are essential for catalysis.     

Quantitative genetic variation in CD19 expression correlates with autoimmunity

Signaling thresholds influence the balance between humoral immunity and autoimmunity. Cell surface CD19 regulates intrinsic and Ag receptor-induced B lymphocyte signaling thresholds, and transgenic mice that overexpress CD19 by 3-fold generate spontaneous autoantibodies in a genetic background not associated with autoimmunity. To quantify the extent that genetically determined differences in expression of a single cell surface molecule can influence autoantibody production, we have assessed autoimmunity in a C57BL/6-transgenic mouse line with subtle 15-29% increases in CD19 cell surface expression (CD19 transgenic). Antinuclear Abs, especially anti-spindle pole Abs, rheumatoid factor, and autoantibodies for ssDNA, dsDNA, and histone were produced in these transgenic mice, but not littermate controls. This demonstrates that small changes in CD19 expression can induce autoantibody production. Remarkably, similar changes in CD19 expression were found on B cells from patients with systemic sclerosis, a multisystem disorder of connective tissue with autoantibody production. CD19 density on blood B cells from systemic sclerosis patients was significantly ( approximately 20%) higher compared with normal individuals, whereas CD20, CD22, and CD40 expression were normal. These results suggest that modest changes in the expression or function of regulatory molecules such as CD19 may shift the balance between tolerance and immunity to autoimmunity. Thereby autoimmune disease may result from a collection of subtle multigenic alterations that could include incremental density changes in cell surface signaling molecules.     

HMB-45 staining for cytology of primary melanoma of the vagina. A case report

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma in the vagina is very rare, but its diagnosis is usually easy if a melanin pigment is present. With cytodiagnosis, however, it is difficult to differentiate amelanotic melanoma or scantily pigmented melanoma from other conditions. In the present case, monoclonal antibody HMB-45, the efficacy of which has been established in histologic studies, was used in the cytodiagnosis of amelanotic melanoma in the vagina. CASE: A woman, aged 78 years, presented with a brownish, nodular tumor, diameter 3 cm, in the vagina. Scraping smears with Papanicolaou staining showed nonepithelial malignant cells without granules suggesting melanin. Smears stained with HMB-45 showed positive immunoreactivity. The diagnosis underwent histologic confirmation of amelanotic melanoma on the initial biopsy. CONCLUSION: Cytodiagnosis was made with HMB-45, which proved very effective in the differential cytodiagnosis of amelanotic melanoma and scantily pigmented melanoma, particularly because it obviated the need for tissue invasion.     

Synthesis,in vitro and in vivo studies of Gd-DTPA-XDA-D1-Glc(OH) complex as a new potential MRI contrast agent

A new type of dendritic molecules Gd-DTPA-XDA-D1-Glc(OH), which work as a functionalized ligand coordinating gadolinium(III) ion at the center of their frameworks with two glucose moieties on the molecular surfaces, were readily synthesized with high yield. The structures were established by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral studies. Its bio-distribution patterns were evaluated on rats.     

High-yield production of short chain length poly(ε-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lysine) consisting of 5–20 residues by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aureofaciens</Emphasis>, and its antimicrobial activity

Poly(ε-l-lysine) (ε-PL) is a naturally-occurring l-lysine homopolymer having antimicrobial activity. A newly-isolated strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens produced a short chain length ε-PL consisting of 5–20 residues at the highest production level of 4.5 g l^–1. This ε-PL had different spectra in terms of antimicrobial activity from the ε-PL that is now used as a food preservative. The high productivity was based on multiple metabolic pathways for l-lysine synthesis, and a great flux from l-lysine to ε-PL. The usefulness of this new ε-PL and its producing strain was discussed.