Norepinephrine triggers Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of 5-hydroxytryptamine from rat pinealocytes in culture

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a precursor and a putative modulator for melatonin synthesis in mammalian pinealocytes. 5-HT is present in organelles distinct from l-glutamate-containing synaptic-like microvesicles as well as in the cytoplasm of pinealocytes, and is secreted upon stimulation by norepinephrine (NE) to enhance serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity via the 5-HT2 receptor. However, the mechanism underlying the secretion of 5-HT from pinealocytes is unknown. In this study, we show that NE-evoked release of 5-HT is largely dependent on Ca2+ in rat pinealocytes in culture. Omission of Ca2+ from the medium and incubation of pineal cells with EGTA-tetraacetoxymethyl-ester inhibited by 59 and 97% the NE-evoked 5-HT release, respectively. Phenylephrine also triggered the Ca2+-dependent release of 5-HT, which was blocked by phentolamine, an alpha antagonist, but not by propranolol, a beta antagonist. Botulinum neurotoxin type E cleaved 25 kDa synaptosomal-associated protein and inhibited by 50% of the NE-evoked 5-HT release. Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of vacuolar H+-ATPase, and reserpine and tetrabenazine, inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter, all decreased the storage of vesicular 5-HT followed by inhibition of the NE-evoked 5-HT release. Agents that trigger L-glutamte exocytosis such as acetylcholine did not trigger any Ca2+-dependent 5-HT release. Vice versa neither NE nor phenylephrine caused synaptic-like microvesicle-mediated l-glutamate exocytosis. These results indicated that upon stimulation of a adrenoceptors pinealocytes secrete 5-HT through a Ca2+-dependent exocytotic mechanism, which is distinct from the exocytosis of synaptic-like microvesicles.     

Diabetes is not a potent inducer of neuronal cell death in mouse sensory ganglia,but it enhances neurite regeneration in vitro

We examined the effects of diabetes on the morphological features and regenerative capabilities of adult mouse nodose ganglia (NG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). By light and electron microscopy, no apoptotic cell death was detected in the ganglia obtained from either streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic or normal C57BL/6J mice in vivo. Neurite regeneration from transected nerve terminals of NG and DRG explants in culture at normal (10 mM) and high (30 mM) glucose concentrations was significantly enhanced in the diabetic mice. Chromatolytic changes (i.e. swelling and migration of the nucleus to an eccentric position in the neurons, and a loss of Nissl substance in the neuronal perikarya) and apoptotic cell death (less than one-fifth of the neurons) in the cultured ganglia were present, but neither hyperglycemia in vivo nor high glucose conditions in vitro altered the morphological features of the ganglia or the ratios of apoptotic cells at 3 days in culture. By semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, the mRNA expressions of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in DRG from both mice were down-regulated at 1 day in culture. The expression in diabetic DRG, but not in control DRG, was significantly up-regulated at later stages (3 and 7 days) in culture. In summary, hyperglycemia is unlikely to induce cell death in the sensory ganglia, but enhances the regenerative capability of vagal and spinal sensory nerves in vitro. The up-regulation of CNTF mRNA expression during the culture of diabetic DRG may play a role in the enhanced neurite regeneration.     

Filamentous bacteriophages of vibrios are integrated into the dif-like site of the host chromosome

The dif site is located in the replication terminus region of bacterial chromosomes, having a function of resolving dimeric chromosomes formed during replication. We demonstrate that filamentous bacteriophages of vibrios, such as f237 (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and CTXphi (V. cholerae), are integrated into the dif-like site of host chromosome.     

Structural change of ribosomes during apoptosis: degradation and externalization of ribosomal proteins in doxorubicin-treated Jurkat cells

Changes in the amount and localization of human ribosomal proteins during apoptosis were determined. When total lysates of Jurkat cells undergoing apoptosis induced by doxorubicin were analyzed by Western blotting, degradation of three ribosomal proteins, S18, L5, and L14, was detected at 48 h after the induction of apoptosis. Decreases in the amounts of these three ribosomal proteins were also observed in ribosome-enriched fractions. These changes were partly abolished by the addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Moreover, formation of the 80S ribosome complex appeared to be inhibited at 48 h after apoptosis induction. On the other hand, the rate of protein synthesis, assessed by measuring the incorporation of [35S]Met into bulk proteins, decreased as early as 12 h after the addition of doxorubicin. These results indicate that changes in the amount of ribosomal proteins and the overall structure of ribosomes in apoptosing cells occur after protein synthesis declines. Finally, analyses by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting showed that six ribosomal proteins, S15, P0, L5, L6, L36a, and L41, were relocalized and expressed at the cell surface during apoptosis. The above results collectively indicate that ribosomes are structurally altered in apoptotic cells following inactivation of protein synthesis.     

The insulin receptor catalyzes the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1

Our previous studies revealed that insulin stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin in 3T3L1 adipocytes. To explore the mechanisms involved in this event, we evaluated the association of the insulin receptor with caveolin. The receptor was detected in a Triton-insoluble low density fraction, co-sedimenting with caveolin and flotillin on sucrose density gradients. We also detected the receptor in caveolin-enriched rosette structures by immunohistochemical analysis of plasma membrane sheets from 3T3L1 adipocytes. Insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of caveolin-1 on Tyr(14). This effect of the hormone was not blocked by overexpression of mutant forms of the Cbl-associated protein that block the translocation of phospho-Cbl to the caveolin-enriched, lipid raft microdomains. Moreover, this phosphorylation event was also unaffected by inhibitors of the MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways. Although previous studies demonstrated that the Src family kinase Fyn was highly enriched in caveolae, an inhibitor of this kinase had no effect on insulin-stimulated caveolin phosphorylation. Interestingly, overexpression of a mutant form of caveolin that failed to interact with the insulin receptor did not undergo phosphorylation. Taken together, these data indicate that the insulin receptor directly catalyzes the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin.     

Photosynthetic control of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase in Vallisneria leaves. I. Regulation of activity during light-induced membrane hyperpolarization

In mesophyll cells of the aquatic angiosperm Vallisneria gigantea Graebner, red, blue, or blue plus far-red light induced a typical membrane hyperpolarization, whereas far-red light alone had little effect. Both N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, a potent inhibitor of H+-ATPase, and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an uncoupler, produced a considerable membrane depolarization in the dark-adapted cells and a complete suppression of the light-induced hyperpolarization. Although 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport, did not affect the membrane potential in darkness, it completely inhibited the light-induced membrane hyperpolarization. In vivo illumination of the leaves with red light caused a substantial decrease in the Km for ATP, not only of the vanadate-sensitive ATP-hydrolyzing activity in leaf homogenate, but also of the ATP-dependent H+-transporting activity in plasma membrane (PM) vesicles isolated from the leaves by aqueous polymer two-phase partitioning methods. The effects of red light were negated by the presence of DCMU during illumination. In vivo illumination with far-red light had no effect on the Km for ATP of H+-transporting activity. These results strongly suggest that an electrogenic component in the membrane potential of the mesophyll cell is generated by the PM H+-ATPase, and that photosynthesis-dependent modulation of the enzymatic activity of the PM H+-ATPase is involved in the light-induced membrane hyperpolarization.     

Behavioral seasonality in Mahale chimpanzees

To analyze how the chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, change their grouping pattern, activity budget, travel speed, and travel distance within an annual cycle, I divided 1-year data into four periods. The Mahale chimpanzees have the behavioral flexibility to adapt to various climates and exhibited at least three behavioral seasons. In the early wet season, chimpanzees formed a few, large parties, and spent much time feeding on insects and animal meat. In the early and late dry seasons, chimpanzees maintained party sizes as large as in the early wet season, and traveled distances similar to the early wet season, but spent the most time feeding and traveling within the year. By contrast, in the late wet season chimpanzee parties broke up into more numerous, small groups, and traveled slowly over shorter distances. Although time spent feeding and traveling were the same as that in the early wet season, time spent feeding on terrestrial herbaceous vegetation (THV) was the highest in the year. The results suggest that chimpanzees travel longer, faster, and farther in seasons when they form large parties.     

Deodorizing effects of tea catechins on amines and ammonia

Deodorizing effects of tea catechins on amines were examined under alkaline conditions to eliminate the neutralization reaction. They showed deodorizing activity on ethylamine, but none on dimethylamine or trimethylamine. Deodorizing activity on ethylamine was found to be in the order of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate > gallic acid > (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) > (-)-epicatechin gallate > ethyl gallate > (+)-catechin = (-)-epicatechin. Further, reaction products of EGC with methylamine, ethylamine, and ammonia were detected by HPLC, indicating that a deodorizing reaction other than neutralization occurs. From structural analysis of the reaction product with the methylamine isolated as a peracetylated derivative, the product was presumed to be methylamine substituted EGC, in which the hydroxyl group of EGC at the 4' position is replaced by the methylamino group. The same replacement reaction took place in the case of ethylamine and ammonia.     

Degradation pathways of trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane by Mycobacterium sp. TA27

We analyzed the kinetics and metabolic pathways of trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane degradation by the ethane-utilizing Mycobacterium sp. TA27. The apparent Vmax and Km of trichloroethylene were 9.8 nmol min(-1) mg of cells(-1) and 61.9 microM, respectively. The apparent Vmax and Km of 1,1,1-trichloroethane were 0.11 nmol min(-1) mg of cells(-1) and 3.1 microM, respectively. 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid, chloral, and dichloroacetic acid were detected as metabolites of trichloroethylene. 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid, and dichloroacetic acid were also detected as metabolites of 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The amounts of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid, chloral, and dichloroacetic acid derived from the degradation of 3.60 micromol trichloroethylene were 0.16 micromol (4.4%), 0.11 micromol (3.1%), 0.02 micromol (0.6%), and 0.02 micromol (0.6%), respectively. The amounts of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid derived from the degradation of 1.73 micromol 1,1,1-trichloroethane were 1.48 micromol (85.5%), 0.22 micromol (12.7%), and 0.02 micromol (1.2%), respectively. More than 90% of theoretical total chloride was released in trichloroethylene degradation. Chloral and 2,2,2-trichloroethanol were transformed into each other, and were finally converted to trichloroacetic acid, and dichloroacetic acid. Trichloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid were not degraded by strain TA27.     

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.