Human chorionic somatomammotropin and growth hormone gene expression in rat pituitary tumour cells is dependent on proximal promoter sequences.

Human placental chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS-A or hCS-B) and pituitary growth hormone (hGH-N) are related by structure and function. The hCS-A gene is expressed in rat pituitary tumour (GC) cells after gene transfer. Deletion of hCS-A 5'-flanking DNA reveals repressor activity upstream of nucleotide -132, and a region essential for expression in GC cells between nucleotides -94 and -61. The sequences in this region differ from the equivalent hGH-N gene DNA by one nucleotide, and include the binding site (-92 to -65) for a pituitary-specific factor (GHF-1), required for hGH-N expression in GC cells. Exchange of hGH-N with hCS-A gene DNA in this region maintains expression in GC cells. By contrast, modification of these sequences blocks expression. These data indicate that proximal promoter sequences, equivalent to those bound by GHF-1 on the hGH-N gene, are required for hCS-A expression in GC cells.     

Extensive changes in cytokeratin expression patterns in pathologically affected human gingiva

The stratified squamous epithelium of the oral gingiva and the hard palate is characterized by a tissue architecture and a cytoskeletal composition similar to, although not identical with, that of the epidermis and fundamentally different from that of the adjacent non-masticatory oral mucosa. Using immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for individual cytokeratins, in situ hybridization and Northern blots of RNA with riboprobes specific for individual cytokeratin mRNAs, and gel electrophoresis of cytoskeletal proteins of microdissected biopsy tissue samples, we show changes in the pattern of expression of cytokeratins and their corresponding mRNAs in pathologically altered oral gingiva. Besides a frequently, although not consistently, observed increase in the number of cells producing cytokeratins 4 and 13 (which are normally found as abundant components in the sulcular epithelium and the alveolar mucosa but not in the oral gingiva) and a reduction in the number of cells producing cytokeratins 1, 10 and 11, the most extensive change was noted for cytokeratin 19, a frequent cytokeratin in diverse one-layered and complex epithelia. While in normal oral gingiva cytokeratin 19 is restricted to certain, sparsely scattered cells of --or near--the basal cell layer, probably neuroendocrine (Merkel) cells, in altered tissue of inflamed samples it can appear in larger regions of the basal cell layer(s) and, in apparently more advanced stages, also in a variable number of suprabasal cells. Specifically, our in situ hybridization experiments show that this altered suprabasal cytokeratin 19 expression is more extended at the mRNA than at the protein level, indicating that cytokeratin 19 mRNA synthesis may be a relatively early event during the alteration. These changes in cytokeratin expression under an external pathological influence are discussed in relation to other factors known to contribute to the expression of certain cytokeratins and with respect to changes occurring during dysplasia and malignant transformation of oral epithelia.     

Linkage analysis of the Duffy blood group marker with several chromosome 1 genes in an extended pedigree with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Summary We have recently demonstrated tight linkage of the Duffy blood group marker to the -spectrin gene in an extended pedigree with Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy. To determine a more precise location of the Duffy blood group locus on the chromosome 1 map we have tested several more chromosome 1 genes for linkage with this marker. We found suggestive linkage with the antithrombin III and apolipoprotein A2 genes and conclusive linkage with the gene coding for -nerve growth factor.     

The gene coding for the p68 calcium-binding protein is localised to bands q32–q34 of human chromosome 5, and to mouse chromosome 11

Summary The gene encoding a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, TIMP, has previously been shown to be X-linked in both the human and mouse genomes. We have used a series of somatic cell hybrids segregating translocation and deletion X chromosomes to map the TIMP gene on the human X chromosome. In combination with previous data, the gene can be assigned to Xp11.23Xp11.4. Genetic linkage analyses demonstrate that TIMP is linked to the more distal ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) locus at a distance of about 22 centimorgans. The data are consistent with the conclusion that TIMP maps to a conserved synteny and linkage group on the proximal short arm of the human X chromosome and on the pericentric region of the mouse X chromosome, including loci for synapsin-1, a member of the raf oncogene family, OTC, and TIMP.     

IL9 maps to mouse chromosome 13 and human chromosome 5

Mouse and human cDNA clones encoding the T-cell and mast cell growth factor P40, now designated IL-9, were used to identify DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in sets of somatic cell hybrids and between inbred strains of mice and interspecific backcross progeny. Segregation of mouse and human chromosomes among somatic cell hybrids indicated a location on mouse chromosome 13 and human chromosome 5. RFLPs were identified among inbred strains of mice. Analysis of chromosome 13 alleles for Tcrg, Dhfr, and Il-9 in an interspecific cross between Mus musculus and NFS/N or C58/J mice indicates that IL-9 is distal to Tcrg and Proximal to Dhfr.     

Acute and Chronic Effects of Ethanol on Transbilayer Membrane Domains

Alcohols, including ethanol, have a specific effect on transbilayer and lateral membrane domains. Recent evidence has shown that alcohols in vitro have a greater effect on fluidity of one leaflet as compared to the other. The present study examined effects of chronic ethanol consumption on fluidity of synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) exofacial and cytofacial leaflets using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) labeling and differential polarized fluorometry of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Mice were administered ethanol or a control liquid diet for 3 weeks. Animals were killed and SPM prepared. The exofacial leaflet of SPM was significantly more fluid than the cytofacial leaflet in both groups, as indicated by limiting anisotropy of DPH. However, differences between the two leaflets were much smaller in the ethanol-treated group. Ethanol at concentrations seen clinically had a greater effect in vitro on the more fluid exofacial leaflet. This asymmetric effect of ethanol was significantly diminished in the exofacial leaflet of the ethanol-treated mice. Chronic ethanol consumption has a specific effect on membranes. Membrane functions that may be regulated by asymmetry of fluidity and lipid distribution may be altered by chronic ethanol consumption.     

ATP-Evoked Ca2+ Mobilisation and Prostanoid Release from Astrocytes: P2-Purinergic Receptors Linked to Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis

Astrocyte cultures prelabelled with either [3H]inositol or 45Ca2+ were exposed to ATP and its hydrolysis products. ATP and ADP, but not AMP and adenosine, produced increases in the accumulation of intracellular 3H-labelled inositol phosphates (IP), efflux of 45Ca2+, and release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Whereas ATP-stimulated 3H-IP accumulation was unaffected, its ability to promote TXA2 release was markedly reduced by mepacrine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). ATP-evoked 3H-IP production was also spared following treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. We conclude that ATP-induced phosphoinositide (PPI) breakdown and 45 Ca2+ mobilisation occurred in parallel with, if not preceded, the release of TXA2. Following depletion of intracellular Ca2+ with a brief preexposure to ATP in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the release of TXA2 in response to a subsequent ATP challenge was greatly reduced when compared with control. These results suggest that mobilisation of cytosolic Ca2+ may be the stimulus for PLA2 activation and, thus, TXA2 release. Stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors also caused PPI breakdown and 45 Ca2+ efflux but not TXA2 release. The effects of ATP and noradrenaline (NA) on 3H-IP accumulation were additive, but their combined ability to increase 45Ca2+ efflux was not. Interestingly, in the presence of NA, ATP-stimulated TXA2 release was reduced. Our data provide evidence that functional P2-purinergic receptors are present on astrocytes and that ATP is the first physiologically relevant stimulus found to initiate prostanoid release from these cells.     

An analytical model of joint contact

The stress distribution in the region of contact between a layered elastic sphere and a layered elastic cavity is determined using an analytical model to stimulate contact of articulating joints. The purpose is to use the solution to analyze the effects of cartilage thickness and stiffness, bone stiffness and joint curvature on the resulting stress field, and investigate the possibility of cracking of the material due to tensile and shear stresses. Vertical cracking of cartilage as well as horizontal splitting at the cartilage-calcified cartilage interface has been observed in osteoarthritic joints. The current results indicate that for a given system (material properties mu and nu constant), the stress distribution is a function of the ratio of contact radius to layer thickness (a/h), and while tensile stresses are seen to occur only when a/h is small, tensile strain is observed for all a/h values. Significant shear stresses are observed at the cartilage-bone interface. Softening of cartilage results in an increase in a/h, and a decrease in maximum normal stress. Cartilage thinning increases a/h and the maximum contact stress, while thickening has the opposite effect. A reduction in the indenting radius reduces a/h and increases the maximum normal stress. Bone softening is seen to have negligible effect on the resulting contact parameters and stress distribution.     

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from watermelon: sequence of cDNA clones and primary structure of the higher-plant precursor protein

The isolation and sequence of a cDNA clone encoding the complete mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) of watermelon cotyledons is presented. Taking advantage of the polymerase chain reaction technology partial cDNA clones from the central part, the 3 part and the 5 part of the mRNA were obtained with oligonucleotides based on directly determined amino acid sequences. Subsequently, two complete cDNA clones for mMDH were synthesized with a sense primer corresponding to the nucleotide sequence of the amino terminal end of pre-mMDH and two antisense primers corresponding to the major alternative adenylation sites found in the mRNA.The amino acid residues for substrate and cofactor binding identified by X-ray crystallography for pig heart cytoplasmic MDH are conserved in the 320 amino acid long mature higher-plant mMDH. A presequence of 27 amino acids is present at the amino terminal end of the precursor protein.     

Scanning electron microscopic observation of the pretarsal suckers of the honey-bee ectoparasite,Varroa jacobsoni (Gamasida: Dermanyssina)

The pretarsus of the female miteVarroa jacobsoni Oudemans (1904) consists of two main parts, a cuticular basal stalk and an extrudable, membranous ambulacral pad, the caruncle. The caruncle, when fully extruded and expanded, becomes a bilobed sucker, and when deflated, the entire caruncle is retracted into the basal stalk. The basal stalk of the pretarsus with the sucker fully retracted into it resembles an inverted cone with its narrow portion attached to the apex of the tarsus. The basal stalk consists of three large plates; two lateral and one median. The proximal end of each lateral plate bears a sclerotized claw-like structure which functions to support the expanded caruncle. The median plate possesses a long, narrow ridge process connecting the basal stalk with the caruncle, and functions to control retraction and protraction of the caruncle. The morphology and function of the basal stalk suggest that the claw-like structure are the ungues; the median plate is the unguifer, and the median ridge is the tendon of the retractor/depressor muscles of the pretarsus. The significance of the pretarsal suckers to the control of the mite is also discussed.