Cloning of Choriocarcinoma Cells Shows That Invasion Correlates with Expression and Activation of Gelatinase A

Implantation and placental development are dependent upon trophoblast invasion of the endometrium. While the villous trophoblast does not display invasive behavior, the extravillous cytotrophoblast is highly invasive. By cloning BeWo choriocarcinoma cells, we have isolated two distinct clones that share similarities with villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts. When cultured at the surface of a type I collagen gel, BeWo MC-1 cells were not invasive, whereas BeWo MC-2 cells rapidly invaded this matrix. When injected subcutaneously in nude mice, BeWo MC-1 cells developed a localized tumor and BeWo MC-2 cells developed larger tumors with micrometastases. Gelatinase A expression and minute amounts of gelatinase B were detected in the parental cell line and in both clones. However, the parental and the BeWo MC-2 cells secreted 5- to 10-fold more gelatinase A than the BeWo MC-1 cells. Laminin and matrigel stimulated the production of gelatinase A in BeWo MC-2 cells. Type I collagen promoted the conversion of the 72-kDa progelatinase A in an active enzyme only in parental BeWo and in BeWo MC-2 cells. These clones provide an interesting model for studying the complex mechanisms regulating implantation as well as the controlled invasiveness during implantation compared to tumor invasion.     

Life-history variations of the Lesser Sheathbill Chionis minor in contrasting habitats

From 1987 until 1995, life-history traits of the Lesser Sheathbill Chionis minor in the Kerguelen Archipelago were compared with those at other localities, where this species breeds in seabird colonies. At Kerguelen Island only, some pairs breed on shores free of penguin and cormorant colonies. Moreover, pairs, including nonbreeders, and solitary individuals maintain territories all the year round. Site and mate changes were not linked, and all divorces were permanent. Fidelity rates were similar in all localities and so were the annual survival rates of adults. The survival rate of immature individuals was highest at Kerguelen Island, where sheathbills laid smaller clutches, produced fewer fledglings and had lower breeding success than in the other islands. At Kerguelen Island, pairs breeding on shores had similar clutch sizes but fledged fewer offspring than those breeding in seabird colonies. Further, the proportion of vacant territories and nonbreeders was higher on shores. Kerguelen sheathbills devoted less time to food acquisition than those on Marion Island, being exceptionally kleptoparasitic, and spent a smaller part of their foraging time exploiting seabird colonies. Their diet was mainly algae. The differences on Kerguelen Island as compared with other localities were caused by the presence of an extensive intertidal zone on the former, which reduced competition, making many more sites suitable and the environment more predictable. These life-history and behavioural traits are discussed in relation to life-history theory. As differences were also found, although less extensive, within the Kerguelen Archipelago, we suggest that some traits represent an adaptive response to external constraints and that the life-history strategy of the Lesser Sheathbill is particularly opportunistic.     

NMDA excitotoxicity and free radical generation in rat brain homogenates: Application of a chemiluminescence assay

NMDA, the specific agonist of glutamate gated ion channels permeable to calcium, is implicated as a causal factor in the pathogenesis of several neurobiological disorders such as stroke, seizures, ischemia, and chronic neurodegenerative disease. On the other hand, evidence on the roles of oxidative mechanisms involved in NMDA-induced neurotoxicity is accumulating. In this study, we have used chemiluminescence measurements as an easy, rapid and sensitive assay to investigate the effects of NMDA and oxidative stress on brain cell vulnerability. Rat brain homogenates were incubated with increasing concentrations of glutamate and NMDA. Production of reactive oxygen species was followed by single photon emission measurements using the specific enhancers luminol and lucigenin. Increases in emission were observed at excitotoxic concentrations of glutamate and NMDA. Other parameters of oxidative stress such as diene conjugates, TBARS and carbonyl groups were also investigated. Our results indicated that chemiluminescence measurements may be used to study involvement of oxidative stress in neurotoxicity.     

Transformation of the extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus via a self-spreading vector

Abstract The comparative chromosomal locations of polymeric β-fructosidase SUC genes have been determined by Southern blot hybridization with the SUC2 probe in 91 different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Most of the strains exhibited a single SUC2 gene, but in some strains two or three SUC genes were found. All Suc⁻ strains carried a silent suc2⁰ sequence. The accumulation of SUC genes was observed in populations derived from sources containing sucrose and seems to be absent in strains from sources promoting the MEL gene.     

The impact of migration on the marriage structure in Fontanigorda

Until World War II the economic activity of the inhabitants of the commune of Fontanigorda (Genova — Italy) was based on subsistence farming and temporary migration. Migration to France in search of work absorbed the excess active male population: the isonymy study shows that the migrants were recruited from all the families of the commune. After having left for Marseilles or the mine at St. Maime (in the Alps of Upper Provence), these young migrants returned to their home town to marry. This behaviour maintained a high degree of consanguinity, obscured by a false exogamy, at least until the turn of the century. After this period, lifelong migration completely modified the pattern of marriage structure bacause migration to France became definitive.     

Continuity,Collapse or Metamorphosis? Demographic anthropology and the study of change within human populations.Foreword

this first paper introduces the topic of the volume, outcomes of a symposium organised at the 13th ICAES held in Mexico in August 1993. It briefly reminds of the convergence between anthropology and demography up to date and stresses on the need of real transdisciplinary work in this challenging domain. The aim of the symposium was to make a contribution on the central theme chosen by the congress — the cultural and biological dimensions of global change — while examining the place of demographic anthropology in the study of change. The papers presented at the symposium have been organised in three parts which form the present volume: the composition of population, the choice of spouse and mobility, the reproduction and dynamics of populations. The basic mechanisms of change are considered through examples at the level of local populations. This also leads to question the definitions of human groups and to make a “declaration” stressing on the importance of individual heterogeneity and the arbitrariness and reductive nature of any grouping of individuals, stating therefore the misapprehension of the most recent scientific work inherent to the rationale of programs of “ethnic cleasing”. Translated from the french by prof. Derek F. Roberts     

Genomic organization of a mouse MHC class II region including theH2-M andLmp2 loci

The region encompassing theMa, Mb1, Mb2, andLmp2 genes of the mouse class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was sequenced. Since this region contains clusters of genes required for efficient class I and class II antigen presentation, it was interesting to search for putative additional genes in the 21 kilobase gap between theMb1 andLmp2 genes. Computer predictions of coding regions and CpG islands, exon trapping experiments, and cross-species comparison with the corresponding human sequence indicate that no additional functional gene is present in that stretch. However, computer analysis revealed the possible existence of an alternative 3 exon forMb1. Except for the fact that the mouse MHC contains twoMb genes, the genomic organization of theH2-M loci was found to be almost identical to the organization of the humanHLA-DM genes. The promoter regions of theMa andMb genes also resemble classical class II promoters, containing typical S, X, and Y boxes. Like the human genes, the threeH2-M genes displayed very limited polymorphism when we compared the cDNA sequences from six haplotypes. Finally, comparison ofDMB withMb1 andMb2, both at the genomic level and in their coding regions, suggests that theMb gene was recently duplicated, probably only in certain rodents.     

Initial increase and subsequent loss of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons of mouse islets transplanted to the kidney

Collagenase-isolated pancreatic islets from C57BL/6J mice were cultured overnight and transplanted under the kidney capsule of non-diabetic syngeneic hosts. Cryostat sections of grafts and fresh islets were stained for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactivity (VIP-LI). Immediately after isolation, as well as 2-5 days after transplantation, VIP-LI- and AChE-positive nerve cell bodies were clearly seen in the periphery of the islets. Grafts 3-5 days old exhibited a transient and marked increase in VIP-LI nerve cell bodies and fibers. Seven days after transplantation VIP-LI nerve structures began to decrease in number and after 26-52 weeks they were no longer detectable. In contrast, AChE-positive nerve cell bodies and fibers, which showed a relatively constant pattern of distribution, were observed throughout the entire observation period. Restaining experiments demonstrated the coexistence of VIP-LI and AChE activity in the neurons. It is concluded that the grafts were extensively equipped with an intrinsic VIP-ergic and AChE-positive innervation. The initial, transient enhancement of VIP-LI expression probably reflects an adaptation of the neuro-insular complex to the preganglionic denervation, or to the ectopic environment, or both.     

Seasonal variations in sterol composition of Delesseria sanguinea (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta)

On Normandy coasts, the red alga Delesseria sanguinea perennates by its stipe; fronds grow in January and disappear in June. Seasonal variations in sterol composition in relation to the biology of D. sanguinea are reported. Sterols in cellular membranes are free or conjugated by esterification with fatty acids, heterosides or lipid complexes like phospholipids. Both kinds of sterols were analyzed by GC-MS. The major sterol (80%) found in fronds was cholesterol whereas in stipes, cholesterol was also the major sterol in spring, but in September, an important reduction in cholesterol yield was noted with proportional increase in sitosterol content. It appears that cholesterol is synthesized in fronds in spring, then transferred to the stipe, which loses an important amount of cholesterol with loss of the blades.