Further progress towards a catalogue of all Arabidopsis genes: analysis of a set of 5000 non-redundant ESTs

Nearly 7000 Arabidopsis thaliana -expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from 10 cDNA libraries have been sequenced, of which almost 5000 non-redundant tags have been submitted to the EMBL data bank. The quality of the cDNA libraries used is analysed. Similarity searches in international protein data banks have allowed the detection of significant similarities to a wide range of proteins from many organisms. Alignment with ESTs from the rice systematic sequencing project has allowed the detection of amino acid motifs which are conserved between the two organisms, thus identifying tags to genes encoding highly conserved proteins. These genes are candidates for a common framework in genome mapping projects in different plants.     

Bevacizumab Treatment for Meningiomas in NF2: A Retrospective Analysis of 15 Patients

Bevacizumab treatment can result in tumor shrinkage of progressive vestibular schwannomas in some neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) patients but its effect on meningiomas has not been defined.To determine the clinical activity of bevacizumab against NF2-related meningiomas, we measured changes in volume of meningiomas in NF2 patients who received bevacizumab for treatment of progressive vestibular schwannomas. A radiographic response was defined as a 20% decrease in tumor size by volumetric MRI analysis. In addition, we determined the expression pattern of growth factors associated with tumor angiogenesis in paraffin-embedded tissues from 26 unrelated meningiomas. A total of 48 meningiomas in 15 NF2 patients were included in this study with a median follow up time of 18 months. A volumetric radiographic response was seen in 29% of the meningiomas (14/48). Tumor shrinkage was not durable: the median duration of response was 3.7 months and the median time to progression was 15 months. There was no significant correlation between pre-treatment growth rate and meningioma response in regression models. Tissue analysis showed no correlation between tumor microvascular density and expression of VEGF pathway components. This data suggests that, in contrast to schwannomas, activation of VEGF pathway is not the primary driver of angiogenesis in meningiomas. Our results suggest that a minority of NF2-associated meningiomas shrink during bevacizumab therapy and that these responses were of short duration. These results are comparable to previous studies of bevacizumab in sporadic meningiomas.     

IL-10 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell activation in vitro and in vivo

The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 inhibits intimal hyperplasia after stent implantation via a powerful inactivation of monocytes. We tested the hypothesis that IL-10 may also inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) activation via the inhibition of the NF-kappaB/I-kappaB system. The IL-10 receptor was detected in rat SMCs in vitro and in vivo. In LPS-stimulated rat SMCs, 1 ng/ml recombinant murine IL-10 (mIL-10) reduced I-kappaBalpha and I-kappaBbeta degradation, NF-kappaB activation, as well as the expression of the NF-kappaB-dependent gene IL-6 by 32%, 31%, 75%, and 19%, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). Similar results were obtained in vivo 6 h and 4 days after balloon abrasion of the rat aorta, a model in which intimal hyperplasia results essentially from SMC activation. Moreover, mIL-10 reduced SMC proliferation and migration in vitro (by 60% for both, P < 0.0001), resulting in reduced SMC proliferation and intimal growth 14 days after balloon abrasion of the rat aorta (by 76% and 75%, respectively; P < 0.005). In conclusion, mIL-10 has a direct inhibitory effect on SMCs in vitro and in vivo. This effect is mediated in part by NF-kappaB inactivation and may participate in the overall protective effect of IL-10 on postangioplasty restenosis.     

Antagonist action of progesterone at σ-receptors in the modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels

σ-Receptors are integral membrane proteins that have been implicated in a number of biological functions, many of which involve the modulation of ion channels. A wide range of synthetic ligands activate σ-receptors, but endogenous σ-receptor ligands have proven elusive. One endogenous ligand, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), has been shown to act as a σ-receptor agonist. Progesterone and other steroids bind σ-receptors, but the functional consequences of these interactions are unclear. Here we investigated progesterone binding to σ(1)- and σ(2)-receptors and evaluated its effect on σ-receptor-mediated modulation of voltage-gated Na(+) channels. Progesterone binds both σ-receptor subtypes in liver membranes with comparable affinities and blocks photolabeling of both subtypes in human embryonic kidney 293 cells that stably express the human cardiac Na(+) channel Na(v)1.5. Patch-clamp recording in this cell line tested Na(+) current modulation by the σ-receptor ligands ditolylguanidine, PB28, (+)SKF10047, and DMT. Progesterone inhibited the action of these ligands to varying degrees, and some of these actions were reduced by σ(1)-receptor knockdown with small interfering RNA. Progesterone inhibition of channel modulation by drugs was consistent with stronger antagonism of σ(2)-receptors. By contrast, progesterone inhibition of channel modulation by DMT was consistent with stronger antagonism of σ(1)-receptors. Progesterone binding to σ-receptors blocks σ-receptor-mediated modulation of a voltage-gated ion channel, and this novel membrane action of progesterone may be relevant to changes in brain and cardiovascular function during endocrine transitions.     

Contribution of the different planktonic microbial assemblages to ETS activity in the Ligurian frontal area: north-west Mediterranean Sea

Spatial and size distribution of micro-organisms and their ETSactivity has been investigated in Ligurian Sea surface watersalong the Nice-Calvi transect across frontal areas from 18 to37 km offshore (TOMOFRONT 1 and 2 cruises, April 1988 and April-May1989 respectively). Aplastidic and plastidic nanoflagellatesand aplastidic picoflagellates were present in numbers closeto 0.25 x 10⁴ cells ml^–1, whereas plastidic picoflagellatesaccounted for about half this number. Correlations have beenevidenced between plastidic and aplastidic micro-organisms withinthe same size group, suggesting that they belong to a well-definedecosystem. The highest correlation between total ETS activityand abundance of the considered size groups was observed fornanoflagellates (r = 0.94, n = 22, and r = 0.90, n = 22 foraplastidic and plastidic cells respectively). The importanceof the role of nanoflagellates in surface waters, with respectto the overall ETS activity, was supported by results from sizefractionation which assigned to the 3–10 µm sizerange a 73.3% contribution to overall ETS activity. Resultsemphasize analysing global ETS activity of natural samples inorder to derive relationships between the different populationspresent in the sampled water. It is suggested that couplingflow cytometry to the ETS approach should be very helpful inthat respect.     

The HLA-D system: At least two loci and four distinct phenotypic traits per haplotype. Introduction to component typing in families and population by primed lymphocyte typing

Using a number of intrafamilial PLTs raised against identical HLA haplotypes it has been possible to construct a model in an informative family defining the HLA-D region as a genetic system. This system consists of at least two regions separated by a recombination between HLA-D and GLO. In relation to the site of recombination, a minimum of one centromeric and three telomeric components can be identified per haplotype.—Fourteen PLTs raised and defined within the family were subsequently tested in a Caucasian population (n=84) and in 13 unrelated, complete families.—It is concluded that the hypothetical model proposed for the HLA-D region as a genetic system of linked loci, coding at the cell surface for associated but distinct components (at least four per haplotype), allows for typing of the components of the HLA-D system of any given haplotype. Serological typing of HLA-D components should, in the near future, provide a more convenient way of establishing component phenotypes than the present use of primed lymphocyte typing reagents. Among the components isolated, some have a high association with the classic alleles defined either by homozygous typing cells or DR serology. Others form the basis of cross-reactivity but their presence does not interfere with standard typing. Others, however, seem by their mere presence to be responsible for false assignments.—The concept of HLA-D as a genetic system clarifies many of the inconsistencies observed with a one-locus system.Research scientists from INSERM.Research Fellow from the Danish Medical Research Council.Central Blood Bank — Marseille     

Tubers from potato lines expressing a tomato Kunitz protease inhibitor are substantially equivalent to parental and transgenic controls

Recombinant protease inhibitors represent useful tools for the development of insect‐resistant transgenic crops, but questions have been raised in recent years about the impact of these proteins on endogenous proteases and chemical composition of derived food products. In this study, we performed a detailed compositional analysis of tubers from potato lines expressing the broad‐spectrum inhibitor of Ser and Asp proteases, tomato cathepsin D inhibitor (SlCDI), to detect possible unintended effects on tuber composition. A compositional analysis of key nutrients and toxic chemicals was carried out with tubers of SlCDI‐expressing and control (comparator) lines, followed by a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) proteomic profiling of total and allergenic proteins to detect eventual effects at the proteome level. No significant differences were observed among control and SlCDI‐expressing lines for most chemicals assayed, in line with the very low abundance of SlCDI in tubers. Likewise, proteins detected after 2‐DE showed no quantitative variation among the lines, except for a few proteins in some control and test lines, independent of slcdi transgene expression. Components of the patatin storage protein complex and Kunitz protease inhibitors immunodetected after 2‐DE showed unaltered deposition patterns in SlCDI‐expressing lines, clearly suggesting a null impact of slcdi on the intrinsic allergenic potential of potato tubers. These data suggest, overall, a null impact of slcdi expression on tuber composition and substantial equivalence between comparator and SlCDI‐expressing tubers despite reported effects on leaf protein catabolism. They also illustrate the usefulness of proteomics as a tool to assess the authenticity of foods derived from novel‐generation transgenic plants.     

Nutritional value of meat: the influence of nutrition and physical activity on vitamin B12 concentrations in ruminant tissues

An important nutritional characteristic of ruminant meat is its high content in vitamin B12. The variability of these contents is not known. Three studies were been set up in order to test the influence of the animal species (2 studies on Charolais steers slaughtered at 30-32 months of age, n = 24 and n = 30 and a third one on lambs slaughtered at 4.5 months of age, n = 21), of the nature of the diet (grass vs. maize silage, lucerne or concentrate diets) and of physical activity (without or with walking) on the vitamin B12 contents of different muscle types (rather oxidative (Rectus Abdominis, RA), intermediate (Longissimus Dorsi, LD), or glycolytic (Semi Tendinosus, ST)) and on the liver. The animals were supplemented in macro and trace minerals according to usual feeding practices in France in order to theoretically avoid any risk of deficiency. For this reason, cobalt allowances, which are necessary for the ruminal synthesis of vitamin B12, could differ among treatments. The results indicate the following: (1) cobalt allowances varied widely among treatments, from (sub-)deficient to plethoric allowances, influencing vitamin B12 contents of the liver, and muscles (only in case of deficiency), (2) the effects of dietary treatments or of physical exercise were essentially related to differences in cobalt allowances, (3) the oxidative type muscle (RA) showed contents which were double those in glycolytic type muscle (RA 10.8 vs. ST 5.0 ng.g(-1)) and (4) vitamin B12 contents of raw muscles were lower than the values indicated in tables of feed composition for humans for cooked meat (0.5 to 1 vs. 2 to 3 microg.100 g(-1)).     

Progesterone metabolism in bovine endometrial cells and the effect of metabolites on the responsiveness of the cells to OT-stimulation of PGF2alpha

Oxytocin receptor (OTR) expression is suppressed by progesterone (P4) during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and then it increases at the time of luteolysis, but its regulation is still not completely understood. The objective of this work was to characterize P4 metabolism by endometrial cells in vitro and determine if metabolites were able to modify prostaglandin secretion in response to oxytocin (OT). Endometrial epithelial and stromal cells were incubated with 3H-P4 or 3H-pregnenolone (P5) for 6 or 24 h. Metabolites in the medium were separated by HPLC. The results showed that P4 and P5 were converted to two major polar metabolites and a less polar metabolite that was identified as 5alpha- or 5beta-pregnanedione by LC/MS. Progesterone metabolism was similar in both stromal and epithelial cells. To determine if 5alpha- or 5beta-pregnanedione were able to modify PGF(2)alpha synthesis, cells were cultured with P4, 5alpha- or 5beta-pregnanedione (100 ng ml(-1)) for 48 h and then each group of cells was incubated for a further 4-6 h with or without OT (200 ng ml(-1)). Results showed that only P4 caused significant (P<0.001) increase in basal, but not OT-stimulated, PGF(2)alpha synthesis. OT binding assays showed no significant effect of progesterone or its metabolites on OTR concentration. In conclusion, bovine endometrial cells are able to metabolize pregnenolone and progesterone but neither 5alpha- nor 5beta-pregnanedione altered prostaglandin synthesis or OTR number in endometrial epithelial cells. These data suggest that 5-pregnanediones do not play a role in the regulation OT-stimulated PGF(2)alpha secretion during the bovine estrous cycle.     

Beta-glucosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of indican from leaves of Polygonum tinctorium

In this article, a HPLC method to identify and quantify the dyes and the indigo precursors produced in Polygonum tinctorium is described. Using this technique, indican has been positively identified in extracts of P. tinctorium. Our work with two cultivars of P. tinctorium has confirmed that the quantity of indican is dependent on the cultivars, harvest period, and age of the leaves. Two enzymes, Novozym 188 (cellobiase) and Novarom G (beta-glucosidase), are compared on the basis of their activities to hydrolyze the indican at several pH values. We observed that Novarom G is more active than Novozym 188 whatever the pH and that optimum pH of both enzymes for indican hydrolysis is 3. Liberated indoxyl can be oxidized in alkaline media and transformed into indigo and indirubin.