Casein kinase 2 inactivation by Mg2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ ions

In order to elucidate the relationship between hypertension and hypertrophy in the production of heat shock proteins, we studied the induction of the HSP72 synthesis by the heart and gracilis muscles of normo (WKY) and hypertensive (SHR) rats subjected to hyperthermia (42°C±0.5 for 15 min). Two age groups were investigated in each strain: young (2 months, with developing cardiac hypertrophy) and old (18 months, with fully developed chronic cardiac hypertrophy). The gracilis muscle never developed hypertrophy, independently of hypertension or aging. 72 kDa inducible protein was determined by Western blot analysis using a specific monoclonal antibody. We also used a commercial standard, loaded on each blot, to quantitate densitometrically the signal.The heart of young SHR responds to heat shock more than their normotensive age-matched control (298.8±24.7% vs 88.3 ±8.5%, p<0.001). This response is not maintained during aging as we did not find any significant difference between normo-and hypertensive old rats after exposure to hyperthermia (43.6±5.3% vs 65.3±10.4%).Unlike the heart, the gracilis muscle shows a basal spontaneous HSP72 synthesis in both the SHR (71.4±10.8%) and WKY (40.6±11.7%) animals. There was a significant increase in HSP72 synthesis in the gracilis muscle of young SHR with respect to their control (186.2±18.7% vs 115.8±9.9%, p<0.02) which was maintained also during aging (171.9±17.3% vs 95.2±10.5%, p<0.01).In conclusion, these data show that hypertension results in an increased synthesis of HSP72 both in cardiac and gracilis muscle in response to heat shock. This abnormal response is attenuated by aging in the heart but not in the gracilis muscle. Thus, the abnormality seems to be independent from hypertrophy and linked to genetic determination of the disease.     

Solution conformation and dynamics of a tetrasaccharide related to the LewisX antigen deduced by NMR relaxation measurements

¹H-NMR cross-relaxation rates and nonselectivelongitudinal relaxation times have been obtained at two magnetic fields (7.0and 11.8 T) and at a variety of temperatures for the branchedtetrasaccharide methyl3-O--N-acetyl-galactosaminyl--galactopyranosyl-(14)[3-O--fucosyl]-glucopyranoside (1), an inhibitor of astrocyte growth. Inaddition, ¹³C-NMR relaxation data have also been recorded atboth fields. The ¹H-NMR relaxation data have been interpretedusing different motional models to obtain proton–proton correlationtimes. The results indicate that the GalNAc and Fuc rings display moreextensive local motion than the two inner Glc and Gal moieties, since thosepresent significantly shorter local correlation times. The¹³C-NMR relaxation parameters have been interpreted in termsof the Lipari–Szabo model-free approach. Thus, order parameters andinternal motion correlation times have been deduced. As obtained for the¹H-NMR relaxation data, the two outer residues possess smallerorder parameters than the two inner rings. Internal correlation times are inthe order of 100 ps. The hydroxymethyl groups have also different behaviour,with the exocyclic carbon on the glucopyranoside unit showing the highestS². Molecular dynamics simulations using a solvated systemhave also been performed and internal motion correlation functions have beendeduced from these calculations. Order parameters and interproton distanceshave been compared to those inferred from the NMR measurements. The obtainedresults are in fair agreement with the experimental data.     

Structural modifications of oxidized insulin B-chain induced by glycerol addition

H-NMR studies of the bovine insulin S-sulfonatedB-chain are reported in H₂O/D₂O (9/1) and inglycerol-d₅ (5 M) using two-dimensional NMRspectroscopy. The first results show that the oxidizedinsulin B-chain secondary structure differs from thatof native insulin by a loss of the -helixbetween the two disulfide bridges and that theglycerol favours the structuring of the peptide.     

Differential effects of five types of antipathogenic plant peptides on model membranes

The effects of five antipathogenic plant peptides, wheat α-thionin, potato PTH1 defensin, barley LTP2 lipid transfer protein, and potato tuber DL1 and DL2 defensins, have been tested against phospholipid vesicles (liposomes). Wheat thionin very actively induces aggregation and leakage of negatively charged vesicles. LTP2 displays the same activities, although to a limited extent. Under certain conditions PTH1 and DL2 induce vesicle aggregation, but not leakage. Potato defensin DL1 failed to show any effect on liposomes. The same peptides have been assayed against a plant pathogenic bacterium, both the membrane-active and -inactive compounds having efficient antibacterial action.     

Hydrological cycle and interannual variability of the aquatic community in a temporary saline lake (Fuente de Piedra,Southern Spain)

Fuente de Piedra is a shallow, temporary saline lake whoseseasonal behavior is strongly dependent on the annual hydrologicalbudget. In this study, we outline the characteristics of Fuente dePiedra Lake for two years that had different hydrological budgets.The high precipitations in 1989–90 caused the lake not to dry asusual, and decreased both salinity and the amplitude of changes.There were also differences in nutrient dynamics, with generallylower concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus and ammonium,whereas in the more humid year nitrate showed a distinct maximum inwinter. Winter bloom chlorophyll a concentrations were alsomuch higher in 1989–90 (>600 g l-1) but there wasalso a winter productive phase that was presumably poorly coupledwith consumption processes that predominate in spring. Planktonicassemblages were different between years. Highly halotolerantphytoplankton species (Dunaliella salina and D. viridis) became scarcer, and especially two previouslyunrecorded diatoms (Cyclotella sp. and Chaetoceros sp.)became dominant in the bloom time in the wet year. The speciesrichness of the zooplankton increased in the wet year, with newspecies appearing that were not collected during 1987–88(Branchinectella media, Daphnia mediterranea, Macrothrix sp.,Arctodiaptomus salinus, Cyclops sp., Sigara sp...).There was also a much higher development of macrophytes (Ruppiadrepanensis, Althenia orientalis, Lamprothamnium papulosum)and bird populations, especially flamingoes (Phoenicopterusruber).Important interannual variations in this sort of system pointto the need for long term studies to observe the whole range ofstates that define the lake as an entity.     

Spinalona anophtalma, n. gen. n. sp. (Anomopoda, Chydoridae) a blind epigean cladoceran from the Neovolcanic Province of Mexico

Spinalona anophtalma n. gen. n. sp. is describedon parthenogenetic and ephippial females andmales from material collected in a temporary lagoonlocated in the Neovolcanic Province from Mexico at analtitude of 2507 m above sea level. It ischaracterized by a strong armature of the antenna,postabdomen and postabdominal claw, no compound eyeor ocellus, the exopod of thoracic limb IIIwith only four setae and that of P5 with only three setae.This new taxon has no relationwith blind Alona from hypogean habitats.     

Speciation in monogonont rotifers

Monogonont rotifers are cyclical parthenogens livingin limnic habitats with considerable seasonalvariation and often with island-like features. Theoccurrence of bisexual reproduction in these organismsmakes it feasible to define fields for generecombination, i.e. biological species. In thispaper, we analyze the structure of the diversity inmonogonont rotifers using several data sets: taxonomicand intraspecific diversity as reported inidentification keys, morphological variation reportedin ecological studies, and allozyme and matingbehavior patterns. Our analysis suggests that siblingspecies may be frequent in rotifers. Monogonontrotifers seem to meet conditions for an activespeciation, which might be particularly promoted byseasonal specialization and timing of bisexualreproduction.     

Detection of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in COPD patients

Koulouris, Nickolaos G., Ioanna Dimopoulou, PäiviValta, Richard Finkelstein, Manuel G. Cosio, and J. Milic-Emili.Detection of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in COPDpatients. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(3):723-731, 1997.The negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method wasused to detect expiratory flow limitation at rest and at differentexercise levels in 4 normal subjects and 14 patients with chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This method does not requireperformance of forced expirations, nor does it require use of bodyplethysmography. It consists in applying negative pressure (5cmH₂O) at the mouth during early expiration and comparing the flow-volume curve of the ensuing expiration with that of the preceding control breath. Subjects in whomapplication of NEP does not elicit an increase in flow during part orall of the tidal expiration are considered flow limited. The fournormal subjects were not flow limited up to 90% of maximal exercisepower output(_max).Five COPD patients were flow limited at rest, 9 were flow limited atone-third _max, and 12 were flow limited at two-thirds_max. Whereasin all patients who were flow limited at rest the maximalO₂ uptake was below the normallimits, this was not the case in most of the other patients. Inconclusion, NEP provides a rapid and reliable method to detectexpiratory flow limitation at rest and during exercise.