The Gla domain of factor IXa binds to factor VIIIa in the tenase complex

During blood coagulation factor IXa binds to factor VIIIa on phospholipid membranes to form an enzymatic complex, the tenase complex. To test whether there is a protein-protein contact site between the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain of factor IXa and factor VIIIa, we demonstrated that an antibody to the Gla domain of factor IXa inhibited factor VIIIa-dependent factor IXa activity, suggesting an interaction of the factor IXa Gla domain with factor VIIIa. To study this interaction, we synthesized three analogs of the factor IXa Gla domain (FIX1-47) with Phe-9, Phe-25, or Val-46 replaced, respectively, with benzoylphenylalanine (BPA), a photoactivatable cross-linking reagent. These factor IX Gla domain analogs maintain native tertiary structure, as demonstrated by calcium-induced fluorescence quenching and phospholipid binding studies. In the absence of phospholipid membranes, FIX1-47 was able to inhibit factor IXa activity. This inhibition is dependent on the presence of factor VIIIa, suggesting a contact site between the factor IXa Gla domain and factor VIIIa. To demonstrate a direct interaction we did cross-linking experiments with FIX1-479BPA, FIX1-4725BPA, and FIX1-4746BPA. Covalent cross-linking to factor VIIIa was observed primarily with FIX1-4725BPA and to a much lesser degree with FIX1-4746BPA. Immunoprecipitation experiments with an antibody to the C2 domain of factor VIIIa indicate that the factor IX Gla domain cross-links to the A3-C1-C2 domain of factor VIIIa. These results suggest that the factor IXa Gla domain contacts factor VIIIa in the tenase complex through a contact site that includes phenylalanine 25 and perhaps valine 46.     

Mek2 is dispensable for mouse growth and development

MEK is a dual-specificity kinase that activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase upon agonist binding to receptors. The ERK/MAP kinase cascade is involved in cell fate determination in many organisms. In mammals, this pathway is proposed to regulate cell growth and differentiation. Genetic studies have shown that although a single Mek gene is present in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and Xenopus laevis, two Mek homologs, Mek1 and Mek2, are present in the mammalian cascade. The inactivation of the Mek1 gene leads to embryonic lethality and has revealed the unique role played by Mek1 during embryogenesis. To investigate the biological function of the second homolog, we have generated mice deficient in Mek2 function. Mek2 mutant mice are viable and fertile, and they do not present flagrant morphological alteration. Although several components of the ERK/MAP kinase cascade have been implicated in thymocyte development, no such involvement was observed for MEK2, which appears to be nonessential for thymocyte differentiation and T-cell-receptor-induced proliferation and apoptosis. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that MEK2 is not necessary for the normal development of the embryo and T-cell lineages, suggesting that the loss of MEK2 can be compensated for by MEK1.     

New Strategies to Prolong the In Vivo Life Span of Iron-Based Contrast Agents for MRI

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles have been developed as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Iron oxide nanoparticles, that become superparamagnetic if the core particle diameter is ^~ 30nm or less, present R1 and R2 relaxivities which are much higher than those of conventional paramagnetic gadolinium chelates. Generally, these magnetic particles are coated with biocompatible polymers that prevent the agglomeration of the colloidal suspension and improve their blood distribution profile. In spite of their potential as MRI blood contrast agents, the biomedical application of iron oxide nanoparticles is still limited because of their intravascular half-life of only few hours; such nanoparticles are rapidly cleared from the bloodstream by macrophages of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES). To increase the life span of these MRI contrast agents in the bloodstream we proposed the encapsulation of SPIO nanoparticles in red blood cells (RBCs) through the transient opening of cell membrane pores. We have recently reported results obtained by applying our loading procedure to several SPIO nanoparticles with different chemical physical characteristics such as size and coating agent. In the current investigation we showed that the life span of iron-based contrast agents in the mice bloodstream was prolonged to 12 days after the intravenous injection of murine SPIO-loaded RBCs. Furthermore, we developed an animal model that implicates the pretreatment of animals with clodronate to induce a transient suppression of tissue macrophages, followed by the injection of human SPIO-loaded RBCs which make it possible to encapsulate nanoparticle concentrations (5.3-16.7mM Fe) higher than murine SPIO-loaded RBCs (1.4-3.55mM Fe). The data showed that, when human RBCs are used as more capable SPIO nanoparticle containers combined with a depletion of tissue macrophages, Fe concentration in animal blood is 2-3 times higher than iron concentration obtained by the use of murine SPIO-loaded RBCs.     

Arguments based on biocultural diversity to cease abandonment of traditional agricultural systems: Lessons from Poland

Biodiversity and Conservation - The Polish rural cultural landscape is inherently linked to a special, centuries-old system that combines agricultural tradition and biodiversity. One of such...     

8-[2-(4-Aryl-1-piperazinyl)ethyl]-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ones: Dual-acting 5-HT1 receptor antagonists and serotonin reuptake inhibitors—Part II

8-[2-(4-Aryl-1-piperazinyl)ethyl]-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ones have been identified as highly potent 5-HT_1A/B/D receptor antagonists with and without additional SerT activity and a high degree of selectivity over hERG potassium channels. Modulation of the different target activities gave compounds with a range of profiles suitable for further in vivo characterization.     

Adamts5, the gene encoding a proteoglycan-degrading metalloprotease,is expressed by specific cell lineages during mouse embryonic development and in adult tissues

The secreted metalloprotease ADAMTS5 is implicated in destruction of the cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan in arthritis, but its physiological functions are unknown. Its expression profile during embryogenesis and in adult tissues is therefore of considerable interest. β-Galactosidase (β-gal) histochemistry, enabled by a LacZ cassette inserted in the Adamts5 locus, and validated by in situ hybridization with an Adamts5 cRNA probe and ADAMTS5 immunohistochemistry, was used to profile Adamts5 expression during mouse embryogenesis and in adult mouse tissues. Embryonic expression was scarce prior to 11.5 days of gestation (E11.5) and noted only in the floor plate of the developing brain at E9.5. After E11.5 there was continued expression in brain, especially in the choroid plexus, peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglia, cranial nerve ganglia, spinal and cranial nerves, and neural plexuses of the gut. In addition to nerves, developing limbs have Adamts5 expression in skeletal muscle (from E13.5), tendons (from E16.5), and inter-digital mesenchyme of the developing autopod (E13.5–15.5). In adult tissues, there is constitutive Adamts5 expression in arterial smooth muscle cells, mesothelium lining the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural cavities, smooth muscle cells in bronchi and pancreatic ducts, glomerular mesangial cells in the kidney, dorsal root ganglia, and in Schwann cells of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Expression of Adamts5 during neuromuscular development and in smooth muscle cells coincides with the broadly distributed proteoglycan versican, an ADAMTS5 substrate. These observations suggest the major contexts in which developmental and physiological roles could be sought for this protease.     

The effects of ACTH, phytoestrogens and estrogens on corticosterone secretion by gander adrenocortical cells in breeding and nonbreeding seasons

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ACTH, phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, biochanin A and coumestrol), and animal estrogens (estradiol and estrone) on corticosterone secretion by isolated adrenocortical cells of the ganders in breeding (April) and nonbreeding seasons (July). ACTH stimulated corticosterone output in the breeding season. In July (photorefractoriness and postbreeding molt) ACTH had no effect on corticosterone production. Coumestrol reduced corticosterone secretion by the cells obtained in nonbreeding season. Other examined phytoestrogens did not affect corticosterone production. Estrogens showed differentiated effects. Estradiol stimulated the corticosterone output in breeding season; estrone inhibited corticosterone release in July. The season can probably affect sensitivity of isolated gander adrenal cells, especially to ACTH. It seems that goose adrenocortical cells, in contrast to the mammalian cells, can be weakly sensitive to phytoestrogens.     

The DcMaster Transposon Display maps polymorphic insertion sites in the carrot (Daucus carota L.) genome

DcMaster is a family of PIF/Harbinger-like class II transposable elements identified in carrot. We present a modified Transposon Display molecular marker system allowing amplification of genomic regions containing DcMaster elements. We scored 77 DcMaster Transposon Display (DcMTD) amplicons, of which 54 (70%) were segregating in the F₂ progeny from the cross between wild and cultivated carrot. Segregating amplicons were incorporated into a previously developed molecular linkage map of carrot. Twenty-eight markers were attributed to the wild parent, 23 originated from the cultivated parent, and three markers remained unlinked. The markers were evenly distributed among the nine linkage groups. However, differences in the distribution pattern of DcMaster insertion sites in the genomes of the wild and cultivated parent were observed. Specificity of the obtained amplicons was confirmed by sequencing and three putative DcMaster subfamilies, differing in the sequence of their terminal inverted repeats, were revealed.