Differences in signal transduction pathways by which platelet-derived and fibroblast growth factors activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase in differentiating oligodendrocytes

Treatment of cultured rat oligodendroglial progenitors with either platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) activated extracellular signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2). Activation was transient in response to PDGF, whereas it was greater and more prolonged in response to FGF-2. ERK2 activation by PDGF was preceded by a very rapid, robust and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor. Although there was consistently more activation of ERK2 in response to FGF-2 than to PDGF, immunostaining of FGF receptors 1 (FGFR1) and 2 (FGFR2) and their tyrosine phosphorylation in progenitors was very weak, and both receptors were up-regulated during differentiation to oligodendrocytes. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the FGF receptors was maximal from 15 to 60 min of treatment and was sustained for many hours. Binding of radioiodinated FGF-2 to FGFR1 was predominant in progenitors, whereas binding to FGFR2 was predominant in oligodendrocytes. ERK2 activation by PDGF was more sensitive to inhibition of tyrosine kinases, whereas ERK2 activation by FGF-2 was relatively more sensitive to inhibitors of protein kinase C. These differences in signal transduction pathways probably contribute to the different cellular responses of oligodendroglial lineage cells to PDGF and FGF-2, respectively.     

Identification of proteolytic bacteria from the Arctic Chukchi Sea expedition cruise and characterization of cold-active proteases

Following collection of seawater samples during an Arctic Chukchi Sea expedition cruise of the Korean icebreaker Araon in 2012, a total of 15,696 bacteria were randomly isolated from Marine Broth 2216 agar plates. Of these, 2,526 (16%) showed proteolytic activity and were identified as mainly Alteromonas (31%), Staphylococcus (27%), and Pseudoalteromonas (14%). Among the proteolytic strains, seven were selected based on their significant ability to grow and produce a halo on skim milk plates at low temperatures (<5°C) owing to cold-active proteases. These strains were affiliated with the genus Pseudoalteromonas and were divided into three groups based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA genes. Profiling cell membrane fatty acids confirmed the 16S rRNA-based differentiation and revealed the accordance between the two analyses. Seven genes for serine protease precursors were amplified from the corresponding strains, and based on sequence similarities, these genes were divided into three groups that were identical to those identified by the 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis. Three protease genes from the representative strains of each group were composed of 2,127–2,130 bp, encoding 708–709 amino acids, and these genes yielded products with calculated molecular weights of approximately 72.3–72.8 kDa. Amino acid sequence analysis suggested that the precursors are members of the subtilase serine endo- and exo-peptidase clan and contain four domains (signal peptide, N-terminal prosequence, catalytic domain, and two pre-peptidase C-terminal domains). Upon expression in E. coli, each recombinant protease exhibited proteolytic activity on zymogram gels.     

Opioids, feeding, and anorexias

This review summarizes recent work that focuses on the role of endogenous opioids (EOs) and opiate receptors in the control of food intake. Although the anorexic effect of opiate antagonists are now well accepted, the exact EO, site(s), and mechanism(s) of action remain to be established. However, accumulating evidence suggests that dynorphin, an endogenous ligand for kappa-type opiate receptors, is an important regulator (stimulant) of appetite. The roles of other EOs, such as beta-endorphin, are less clear. EOs appear to be involved in maintaining normal feeding behavior and are likely responsible for the overconsumption of fat in genetically obese and stressed subjects. Opiate antagonists block overconsumption of palatable foods, thus offering a promising approach to weight reduction for some overweight individuals. Anorexias may follow from a deficiency of kappa-type opioid activity, and surprisingly, can also result from excess opioid activity. Indeed, opiate antagonists of the mu type (naloxone) can enhance eating and weight gain in certain anorexic conditions. Therefore, it appears that excess opioid agonist activity may result in hyperphagia or anorexia (depending on the opiate receptor type). Finally, opiate antagonists may help normalize both types of pathological feeding states.     

Development of a high-copy-number plasmid via adaptive laboratory evolution of Corynebacterium glutamicum

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Beyond its traditional role as an L-amino acid producer, Corynebacterium glutamicum has recently received significant attention regarding its use in the...     

Electrical Impedance Myography to Detect the Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation in Wild Type and Mdx Mice

Objective

Tools to better evaluate the impact of therapy on nerve and muscle disease are needed. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is sensitive to neuromuscular disease progression as well as to therapeutic interventions including myostatin inhibition and antisense oligonucleotide-based treatments. Whether the technique identifies the impact of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is unknown.

Methods

Ten wild-type (wt) C57B6 mice and 10 dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice underwent 2 weeks of 20 min/day EMS on left gastrocnemius and sham stimulation on the right gastrocnemius. Multifrequency EIM data and limb girth were obtained before and at the conclusion of the protocol. Muscle weight, in situ force measurements, and muscle fiber histology were also assessed at the conclusion of the study.

Results

At the time of sacrifice, muscle weight was greater on the EMS-treated side than on the sham-stimulated side (p = 0.018 for wt and p = 0.007 for mdx). Similarly, in wt animals, EIM parameters changed significantly compared to baseline (resistance (p = 0.009), reactance (p = 0.0003) and phase (p = 0.002); these changes were due in part to reductions in the EIM values on the EMS-treated side and elevations on the sham-simulated side. Mdx animals showed analogous but non-significant changes (p = 0.083, p = 0.064, and p = 0.57 for resistance, reactance and phase, respectively). Maximal isometric force trended higher on the stimulated side in wt animals only (p = 0.06). Myofiber sizes in wt animals were also larger on the stimulated side than on the sham-stimulated side (p = 0.034); no significant difference was found in the mdx mice (p = 0.79).

Conclusion

EIM is sensitive to stimulation-induced muscle alterations in wt animals; similar trends are also present in mdx mice. The mechanisms by which these EIM changes develop, however, remains uncertain. Possible explanations include longer-term trophic effects and shorter-term osmotic effects.