Molecular cloning,expression analysis and chromosome localization of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tpt1</Emphasis> gene coding for the pig translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP)

This work describes the cloning and structural analysis of a Tpt1 cDNA coding for the porcine translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) molecule and its expression in porcine cells and tissues. Pig Tpt1 cDNA is 842-pb long that displays typical features of translationally controlled mRNAs, including a 5′-UTR containing a 5′-terminal oligopyrimidine tract (5′-TOP), and a 3′-UTR with a high CG-content and one AU rich element (ARE). Both 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR are highly conserved when they are compared with those of other mammals. The pig Tpt1 cDNA contains a 516-b open reading frame that encodes a predicted TCTP protein composed of 172 amino acids that exhibits extensive conservation compared with TCTP sequences from other species and a common structural feature with all the other TCTP proteins analyzed in mammals. Expression analysis demonstrated that Tpt1 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed in normal porcine tissues and cells, showing a higher expression in spleen, lymph nodes and lung, and a lower one in skin and heart. The pig Tpt1 gene localizes on the porcine chromosome 11, region p11.     

Glutamate receptors of the A5 region modulate cardiovascular responses evoked from the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and perifornical area

To assess the possible function of glutamate in the interaction between the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus-perifornical area (DMH-PeF) and the A5 pontine region (A5), cardiovascular and respiratory changes were studied in response to electrical stimulation of the DMH-PeF (1 ms pulses, 30–50 μA given at 100 Hz for 5 s) before and after the microinjection of kynurenic acid (non-specific glutamate receptor antagonist; 50 nl, 5 nmol), MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist; 50 nl, 50 nmol), CNQX (non-NMDA receptor antagonist; 50 nl, 50 nmol) or MCPG (metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist; 50 nl, 5 nmol) within the A5 region. DMH-PeF electrical stimulation elicited a pressor (p <?0.001) and tachycardic response (p <?0.001) which was accompanied by an inspiratory facilitation characterised by an increase in respiratory rate (p <?0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (p <?0.01). Kynurenic acid within the A5 region decreased the tachycardia (p <?0.001) and the intensity of the blood pressure response (p <?0.001) to DMH-PeF stimulation. After the microinjection of MK-801 and CNQX into the A5 region, the magnitude of the tachycardia and the pressor response were decreased (p <?0.05 and p <?0.01; p <?0.001 and p <?0.05, respectively). After MCPG microinjection into the A5 region, a decrease in the tachycardia (p <?0.001) with no changes in the pressor response was observed during DMH-PeF stimulation. The respiratory response elicited by DMH-PeF stimulation was not changed after the microinjection of kynurenic acid, MK-801, CNQX or MCPG within the A5 region. These results suggest that A5 region glutamate receptors play a role in the cardiovascular response elicited from the DMH-PeF. The possible mechanisms involved in these interactions are discussed.     

Acetaldehyde detoxification mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster adults involving aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes

The mechanism of acetaldehyde detoxification in Drosophila melanogaster adults has been studied by comparing physiological in vitro and in vivo data. ADH⁺ and ADH⁻ flies, both lacking aldehyde dehydrogenase activity from ADH (ALDH^ADH, ALDH (ALDH) or both enzymes were exposed to acetaldehyde or ethanol, and the toxicity and internal accumulation of both compounds were determined. Acetaldehyde was extremely lethal for flies whose ALDH activity had been inhibited by cyanamide, though acetaldehyde was effectively detoxified by flies whose ALDH^ADH activity had been inhibited by acetone. After exposure to acetaldehyde, both acetaldehyde and ethanol rapidly accumulated in flies lacking ALDH activity, but not in flies lacking ALDH^ADH activity. However, ethanol but not acetaldehyde quickly accumulated in flies lacking ALDH activity after exposure to ethanol. Our results provide in vivo evidence that, as opposed to larvae, in D. melanogaster adults acetaldehyde is mainly oxidized into acetate by means of ALDH enzymes. However, the reducing activity of the ADH enzyme, which transforms acetaldehyde into ethanol, also plays an essential role in the detoxification of acetaldehyde. Differences in ALDH activity might be important to explain the differences in ethanol tolerance found in natural populations.     

Genetic markers in the blood of Spanish goat breeds

Biochemical variation of four genetic markers (Hb, Al, Tf, 'X' protein) in the blood of four Spanish goat breeds was analysed with starch gel electrophoresis. The frequencies at all of these loci have been calculated for the Spanish goats and compared with some of the goat breeds studied so far by other authors.     

Genetic polymorphism in Spanish Merino sheep

A Spanish Merino sheep population is characterized, for the first time, according to its frequencies for a total of nine polymorphic loci: three blood group factor systems, A, B and C, and the following red cell or serum polymorphisms: haemoglobin (Hb), carbonic anhydrase (CA), 'X protein', transferrin (Tf), arylesterase (EsA) and albumin (Al). Another locus, amylase (Am), did not show polymorphism.     

GALR2 and Y1R agonists intranasal infusion enhanced adult ventral hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant-like effects involving BDNF actions

Dysregulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is linked to major depressive disorder (MDD), with more than 300 million people diagnosed and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accumulating evidence for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) interaction was shown in various limbic system regions at molecular-, cellular-, and behavioral-specific levels. The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the proliferating role of GAL2 receptor (GALR2) and Y1R agonists interaction upon intranasal infusion in the ventral hippocampus. We studied their hippocampal proliferating actions using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on neuroblasts or stem cells and the expression of the brain-derived neurothrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, we studied the formation of Y1R–GALR2 heteroreceptor complexes and analyzed morphological changes in hippocampal neuronal cells. Finally, the functional outcome of the NPY and GAL interaction on the ventral hippocampus was evaluated in the forced swimming test. We demonstrated that the intranasal infusion of GALR2 and the Y1R agonists promotes neuroblasts proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the ventral hippocampus and the induction of the neurotrophic factor BDNF. These effects were mediated by the increased formation of Y1R–GALR2 heteroreceptor complexes, which may mediate the neurites outgrowth observed on neuronal hippocampal cells. Importantly, BDNF action was found necessary for the antidepressant-like effects after GALR2 and the Y1R agonists intranasal administration. Our data may suggest the translational development of new heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores acting on Y1R–GALR2 heterocomplexes in the ventral hippocampus for the novel therapy of MDD or depressive-affecting diseases.