FISH-mapping of a 100-kb terminal 22q13 deletion

Both cytogenetically visible and cryptic deletions of the terminal region of chromosome 22q are associated with a clinical phenotype including mental retardation, delay in expressive speech development, hypotonia, normal to accelerated growth and minor facial dysmorphic features. The genes responsible for the development of the phenotype have not yet been identified, but a distal localization is probable, since the cytogenetically visible and the cryptic deletions show a similar pattern of symptoms. We report a 33-year-old woman with a submicroscopic 22q13 deletion, mild mental retardation, speech delay, autistic symptoms and mild facial dysmorphic features. The deletion was mapped by FISH using cosmid probes from terminal 22q13, and the size of the deletion was estimated to be 100 kb. Three genes are affected by the deletion in this patient. ACR and RABL2B are deleted and proSAP2 is disrupted. This observation, together with recently published data, supports the notion that proSAP2 is the most important contributor to the 22q13 deletion phenotype.     

The calcium sensor protein visinin-like protein-1 modulates the surface expression and agonist sensitivity of the alpha 4beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The calcium sensor protein visinin-like protein-1 (VILIP-1) was isolated from a brain cDNA yeast two-hybrid library using the large cytoplasmic domain of the alpha4 subunit as a bait. VILIP-1 is a myristoylated calcium sensor protein that contains three functional calcium binding EF-hand motifs. The alpha4 subunit residues 302-339 were found to be essential for the interaction with VILIP-1. VILIP-1 coimmunopurified with detergent-solubilized recombinant alpha4beta2 acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) expressed in tsA201 cells and with native alpha4 AChRs isolated from brain. Coexpression of VILIP-1 with recombinant alpha4beta2 AChRs up-regulated their surface expression levels approximately 2-fold and increased their agonist sensitivity to acetylcholine approximately 3-fold. The modulation of the recombinant alpha4beta2 AChRs by VILIP-1 was attenuated in VILIP-1 mutants that lacked the ability to be myristoylated or to bind calcium. Collectively, these results suggest that VILIP-1 represents a novel modulator of alpha4beta2 AChRs that increases their surface expression levels and agonist sensitivity in response to changes in the intracellular levels of calcium.     

Cross-Reactions between the Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Responses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected African and European Patients

The great variability of protein sequences from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) isolates represents a major obstacle to the development of an effective vaccine against this virus. The surface protein (Env), which is the predominant target of neutralizing antibodies, is particularly variable. Here we examine the impact of variability among different HIV-1 subtypes (clades) on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activities, the other major component of the antiviral immune response. CTLs are produced not only against Env but also against other structural proteins, as well as some regulatory proteins. The genetic subtypes of HIV-1 were determined for Env and Gag from several patients infected either in France or in Africa. The cross-reactivities of the CTLs were tested with target cells expressing selected proteins from HIV-1 isolates of clade A or B or from HIV type 2 isolates. All African patients were infected with viruses belonging to clade A for Env and for Gag, except for one patient who was infected with a clade A Env-clade G Gag recombinant virus. All patients infected in France were infected with clade B viruses. The CTL responses obtained from all the African and all the French individuals tested showed frequent cross-reactions with proteins of the heterologous clade. Epitopes conserved between the viruses of clades A and B appeared especially frequent in Gag p24, Gag p18, integrase, and the central region of Nef. Cross-reactivity also existed among Gag epitopes of clades A, B, and G, as shown by the results for the patient infected with the clade A Env-clade G Gag recombinant virus. These results show that CTLs raised against viral antigens from different clades are able to cross-react, emphasizing the possibility of obtaining cross-immunizations for this part of the immune response in vaccinated individuals.     

Influence of diets supplemented with vitamins C and E on pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) blood parameters

This study evaluated the influence of diets supplemented with 500, 800, 1200 mg kg^− 1 of vitamin C (ascorbic acid or AA) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol or α-T) on the physiological responses of pirarucu fed for 2 months. Weight and mortality were not affected by dietary vitamin type or their concentrations. Significant increase (p < 0.05) on the red blood cells count was obtained on treatments with 800 and 1200 mg AA kg^− 1 and on the hemoglobin concentration on treatment with 500 mg α-T kg^− 1 relatively to control. Mean corpuscular volume presented a significant decrease (p < 0.05) on treatment with 800 and 1200 mg AA kg⁻¹ when compared to control. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was significantly high (p < 0.05) on treatment with 500 mg α-T kg^− 1. Only in vitamin C treatments, we noticed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of leucocytes relative to control. All fish in the vitamin-supplemented treatments, except 500 mg AA kg^− 1, had high total protein values compared to control. Fish treated with 800 or 1200 mg α-T kg^− 1 also showed increases in plasma glucose concentrations. Our results suggest that 800 and 1200 mg AA kg^− 1 are probably the most suitable concentrations for pirarucu diets, although high vitamin E diets are not necessary for quantitative leucocyte increases for this species.     

Protein kinase A-mediated serine 35 phosphorylation dissociates histone H1.4 from mitotic chromosome

Global histone H1 phosphorylation correlates with cell cycle progression. However, the function of site-specific H1 variant phosphorylation remains unclear. Our mass spectrometry analysis revealed a novel N-terminal phosphorylation of the major H1 variant H1.4 at serine 35 (H1.4S35ph), which accumulates at mitosis immediately after H3 phosphorylation at serine 10. Protein kinase A (PKA) was found to be a kinase for H1.4S35. Importantly, Ser-35-phosphorylated H1.4 dissociates from mitotic chromatin. Moreover, H1.4S35A substitution mutant cannot efficiently rescue the mitotic defect following H1.4 depletion, and inhibition of PKA activity increases the mitotic chromatin compaction depending on H1.4. Our results not only indicate that PKA-mediated H1.4S35 phosphorylation dissociates H1.4 from mitotic chromatin but also suggest that this phosphorylation is necessary for specific mitotic functions.     

Exposure to moderate air pollution during late pregnancy and cord blood cytokine secretion in healthy neonates

Background/Objectives

Ambient air pollution can alter cytokine concentrations as shown in vitro and following short-term exposure to high air pollution levels in vivo. Exposure to pollution during late pregnancy has been shown to affect fetal lymphocytic immunophenotypes. However, effects of prenatal exposure to moderate levels of air pollutants on cytokine regulation in cord blood of healthy infants are unknown.

Methods

In a birth cohort of 265 healthy term-born neonates, we assessed maternal exposure to particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or less (PM₁₀), as well as to indoor air pollution during the last trimester, specifically the last 21, 14, 7, 3 and 1 days of pregnancy. As a proxy for traffic-related air pollution, we determined the distance of mothers'' homes to major roads. We measured cytokine and chemokine levels (MCP-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ß, TNF-α and GM-CSF) in cord blood serum using LUMINEX technology. Their association with pollution levels was assessed using regression analysis, adjusted for possible confounders.

Results

Mean (95%-CI) PM₁₀ exposure for the last 7 days of pregnancy was 18.3 (10.3–38.4 µg/m³). PM₁₀ exposure during the last 3 days of pregnancy was significantly associated with reduced IL-10 and during the last 3 months of pregnancy with increased IL-1ß levels in cord blood after adjustment for relevant confounders. Maternal smoking was associated with reduced IL-6 levels. For the other cytokines no association was found.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that even naturally occurring prenatal exposure to moderate amounts of indoor and outdoor air pollution may lead to changes in cord blood cytokine levels in a population based cohort.     

Workshop summary: Top concentration for in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays; and report from working group on toxicity measures and top concentration for in vitro cytogenetics assays (chromosome aberrations and micronucleus)

The selection of maximum concentrations for in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays was reviewed at the 5th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT), 2009. Currently, the top concentration recommended when toxicity is not limiting is 10mM or 5mg/ml, whichever is lower. The discussion was whether to reduce the limit, and if so whether the 1mM limit proposed for human pharmaceuticals was appropriate for testing other chemicals. The consensus was that there was reason to consider reducing the 10mM limit, and many, but not all, attendees favored a reduction to 1mM. Several proposals are described here for the concentration limit. The in vitro cytogenetics expert working group also discussed appropriate measures and level of cytotoxicity. Data were reviewed from a multi-laboratory trial of the in vitro micronucleus (MN) assay with multiple cell types and several types of toxicity measurements. The group agreed on a preference for toxicity measures that take cell proliferation after the beginning of treatment into account (relative increase in cell counts, relative population doubling, cytokinesis block proliferation index or replicative index), and that this applies both to in vitro MN assays and to in vitro chromosome aberration assays. Since relative cell counts (RCC) underestimate toxicity, many group members favored making a recommendation against the use of RCC as a toxicity measure for concentration selection. All 14 chemicals assayed for MN induction in the multi-laboratory trial were detected without exceeding 50% toxicity by any measure, but some were positive only at concentrations with toxicity quite close to 50%. The expert working group agreed to accept the cytotoxicity range recommended by OECD guideline 487 (55±5% toxicity at the top concentration scored). This also reinforces the original intent of the guidance for the in vitro chromosome aberration assay, where ">50%" was intended to target the range close to 50% toxicity.     

Introduction of the exopolysaccharide gene cluster from Streptococcus thermophilus Sfi6 into Lactococcus lactis MG1363: production and characterization of an altered polysaccharide

Streptococcus thermophilus Sfi6 produces an exopolysaccharide (EPS) composed of glucose, galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine in the molar ratio of 1:2:1. The genes responsible for the EPS biosynthesis have been isolated previously and found to be clustered in a 14.5 kb region encoding 13 genes. Transfer of this gene cluster into a non-EPS-producing heterologous host, Lactococcus lactis MG1363, yielded an EPS with a similar high molecular weight, but a different structure from the EPS from the native host. The structure of the recombinant EPS was determined by means of 1H homonuclear and 1H-13C heteronuclear two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and was found to be --> 3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-Galp-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1 --> as opposed to --> 3)[alpha-D-Galp-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-Glcp-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1 --> for the wild-type S. thermophilus Sfi6. Furthermore, L. lactis MG1363 (pFS101) was also lacking a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine C4-epimerase activity, which would provide UDP-GalNAc for a GalNAc incorporation into the EPS and probably caused the substitution of GalNAc by Gal in the recombinant EPS. This modification implies that (i) bacterial glycosyltransferases could potentially have multiple specificities for the donor and the acceptor sugar molecule; and (ii) the repeating unit polymerase can recognize and polymerize a repeating unit that differs in the backbone as well as in the side-chain from its native substrate.     

Tumor ablation with irreversible electroporation

We report the first successful use of irreversible electroporation for the minimally invasive treatment of aggressive cutaneous tumors implanted in mice. Irreversible electroporation is a newly developed non-thermal tissue ablation technique in which certain short duration electrical fields are used to permanently permeabilize the cell membrane, presumably through the formation of nanoscale defects in the cell membrane. Mathematical models of the electrical and thermal fields that develop during the application of the pulses were used to design an efficient treatment protocol with minimal heating of the tissue. Tumor regression was confirmed by histological studies which also revealed that it occurred as a direct result of irreversible cell membrane permeabilization. Parametric studies show that the successful outcome of the procedure is related to the applied electric field strength, the total pulse duration as well as the temporal mode of delivery of the pulses. Our best results were obtained using plate electrodes to deliver across the tumor 80 pulses of 100 micros at 0.3 Hz with an electrical field magnitude of 2500 V/cm. These conditions induced complete regression in 12 out of 13 treated tumors, (92%), in the absence of tissue heating. Irreversible electroporation is thus a new effective modality for non-thermal tumor ablation.