Mapping and characterization of a novel human myc-like (MYCLK1) sequence.

The myc family of proto-oncogenes consists of several members that possess regions of sequence homology and some have known similarities in structure and function. We have isolated an 8.8-kb EcoRI fragment from a human genomic library by hybridization to a 28-base oligonucleotide probe derived from a region of the second exon of MYC, which is highly conserved in the myc gene family. Sequence analysis of this myc-like (MYCLK1) DNA fragment has revealed the existence of a region with 85% homology to the 28-base oligonucleotide probe. An open reading frame of 207 nucleotides containing the region of homology was found. We have mapped MYCLK1 to human chromosome 7 at band p15 by chromosome in situ hybridization; this site is distinct from the map location of previously characterized myc genes. Whether MYCLK1 represents a new functional member of the myc family of proto-oncogenes remains to be determined.     

The octanoylated energy regulating hormone ghrelin: An expanded view of ghrelin’s biological interactions and avenues for controlling ghrelin signaling

Ghrelin is a small peptide hormone that requires a unique post-translational modification, serine octanoylation, to bind and activate the GHS-R1a receptor. Initially demonstrated to stimulate hunger and appetite, ghrelin-dependent signaling is implicated in a variety of neurological and physiological processes influencing diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and Prader-Willi syndrome. In addition to its cognate receptor, recent studies have revealed ghrelin interacts with a range of binding partners within the bloodstream. Defining the scope of ghrelin’s interactions within the body, understanding how these interactions work in concert to modulate ghrelin signaling, and developing molecular tools for controlling ghrelin signaling are essential for exploiting ghrelin for therapeutic effect. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding the biological effects of ghrelin signaling, outline binding partners that control ghrelin trafficking and stability in circulation, and summarize the current landscape of inhibitors targeting ghrelin octanoylation.     

Lesions of the Basal Forebrain Cholinergic System in Mice Disrupt Idiothetic Navigation

Loss of integrity of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is a consistent feature of Alzheimer’s disease, and measurement of basal forebrain degeneration by magnetic resonance imaging is emerging as a sensitive diagnostic marker for prodromal disease. It is also known that Alzheimer’s disease patients perform poorly on both real space and computerized cued (allothetic) or uncued (idiothetic) recall navigation tasks. Although the hippocampus is required for allothetic navigation, lesions of this region only mildly affect idiothetic navigation. Here we tested the hypothesis that the cholinergic medial septo-hippocampal circuit is important for idiothetic navigation. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons were selectively lesioned in mice using the toxin saporin conjugated to a basal forebrain cholinergic neuronal marker, the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Control animals were able to learn and remember spatial information when tested on a modified version of the passive place avoidance test where all extramaze cues were removed, and animals had to rely on idiothetic signals. However, the exploratory behaviour of mice with cholinergic basal forebrain lesions was highly disorganized during this test. By contrast, the lesioned animals performed no differently from controls in tasks involving contextual fear conditioning and spatial working memory (Y maze), and displayed no deficits in potentially confounding behaviours such as motor performance, anxiety, or disturbed sleep/wake cycles. These data suggest that the basal forebrain cholinergic system plays a specific role in idiothetic navigation, a modality that is impaired early in Alzheimer’s disease.     

Insulin-stimulated hexose transport and glucose oxidation in rat adipocytes is inhibited by sphingosine at a step after insulin binding

Spingosine, a naturally occurring inhibitor of protein kinase C, has recently been shown to have potent bioregulatory effects on a variety of cellular processes involving signal transduction mechanisms. In the present studies, we have investigated its effects on activation by insulin of hexose transport and glucose oxidation in isolated rat adipocytes. Preincubation of cells with this long-chain base blocked both the marked activation of these processes by insulin and the smaller activation by phorbol myristate acetate. Inhibition of both insulin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate activation showed the same sphingosine concentration dependence, suggesting a common locus of action. The effectiveness of sphingosine was inversely proportional to the lipid content in the incubation (which was a function of both the age of the animal and the number of cells used) presumably due to dilution of the lipophilic long-chain base into the cellular triglycerides. Sphingosine did not affect either insulin binding to its receptor or the half-maximal concentration of the hormone required to activate hexose transport, but reduced the maximal responses. Thus, the inhibition was at a step distal to the binding of insulin to its receptor. Basal transport activity was not inhibited, suggesting a locus of action prior to the glucose transporter. The inhibitor was also effective when added following activation by insulin of hexose transport and resulted in a rapid reversal of activation (t 1/2 for inhibition was 2-4 min.). Sphingosine and its analogs showed a parallel potency for inhibition both of isolated protein kinase C and of insulin activation in adipocytes, consistent with an essential role for protein kinase C in the activation of hexose transport by insulin.     

Fickean and Non-Fickean Water Desorption During Vacuum Drying of <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. bulgaricus</Emphasis>

The recovery of Lactobacillus bulgaricus was studied in correlation to the kinetics of cell drying. When bacteria were dehydrated at 30 °C, either in the presence or the absence of sucrose, the drying kinetics corresponds to a Fickean diffusion in correspondence with a short lag time. In contrast, when the bacteria were dehydrated at 70 °C in the absence of sugar, the kinetics corresponds to an anomalous diffusion, and the lag time is four to five times higher than that at 30 °C. However, when drying at 70 °C was carried out in the presence of sucrose, drying kinetics turned into a Fickean process parallel to a substantial decrease in the lag time. The pattern of water desorption was correlated with the critical water activity. When the drying kinetics corresponds to a Fickean diffusion, the lag time started to increase at 0.7 water activity, but when the cells were dried at 70 °C, the damage started at 0.5 water activity. This observation indicates that the drying rate affects the pattern of water desorption, and it can change the value of critical water activity. These results put into relevance that the cell recovery is due to the drying history and that the recovery increase produced by sucrose can be related to the maintenance of kinetic barriers for water desorption.     

The osmotic concentration of parietal muscle of the hagfish Myxine glutinosa L., including estimates of free and bound constituents

The principal osmotic constituents of plasma and of muscle before and after ultracentrifugation have been determined. By analysing the muscle fluid and centrifuged muscle and determining their extracellular fluid (inulin space), ion-binding in the cells was estimated at Na 26%, K 0.3%, Ca 93%, Mg 24%, Cl 21% and P 10%. Muscle fluid was 4.9% (2.7-7.4%) hyperosmotic to plasma. This is discussed in relation to calculated osmolality of muscle and plasma.