Gicerin,a cell adhesion molecule,promotes the metastasis of lymphoma cells of the chicken

Gicerin is an immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecule purified from chicken gizzards. This molecule displays an adhesive interaction with a laminin-like protein as well as with gicerin itself. Gicerin appears in embryonic tissues and plays a role in chick development through its cell adhesive properties. An increase in gicerin expression is found in some sporadic tumors of the chicken. To elucidate the possible role of gicerin in tumor progression in chickens, we introduced gicerin cDNA into an endogenous gicerin negative lymphoma MDCC-MSB1 cell line, and subsequently analyzed them for changes in their metastatic potentials. After intravenous implantation of the gicerin transfectants into chickens, the metastatic potential to the lung, liver and kidney was enhanced compared with parental MDCC-MSB1 cells. Self-aggregation activity was increased in gicerin transfectants. In addition, adhesive and migratory activities of the gicerin transfectants to the gicerin ligands were enhanced in vitro. These findings indicate that gicerin can contribute to the malignancy and metastatic properties of lymphoma.This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 13760210), and a grant for Scientific Research on Priority Areas "Cancer" (No. 12215133), from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan, grants from the Uehara Memorial Foundation and Senri Life Science and a Grant-in-Aid for Advanced Scientific Research from Osaka Prefecture University     

In vivo visualization of subendocardial arteriolar response in renovascular hypertensive hearts

Time-sequential responses to endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilators and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were studied in the subendocardial arterioles (Endo) of canine renovascular hypertension (HT) compared with subepicardial arterioles (Epi; both <120 microm) by charge-coupled device intravital microscope. Vascular responses to acetylcholine, papaverine, and cilazaprilat were compared between normotensive (NT) and HT dogs [4 wk and 12 wk of HT (4wHT and 12wHT)]. The acetylcholine-induced vasodilation of Endo in both 4wHT and 12wHT was smaller than that of NT (both P < 0.01 vs. 4wHT and 12wHT), and that of Epi was smaller than that of NT only in 12wHT (P < 0.05). The papaverine-induced vasodilation of Endo, but not Epi, was impaired only in 12wHT (both P < 0.01 vs. NT and 4wHT). Vasodilation by cilazaprilat remained unchanged at 4wHT and 12wHT in both Epi and Endo. In conclusion, at the early stage, the endothelium-dependent response of Endo was impaired, whereas at the later stage, the endothelium-dependent and -independent responses of Endo and the endothelium-dependent response of Epi were impaired. However, the vasodilatory responses to the ACE inhibitor were maintained in both Endo and Epi of HT.     

True hermaphroditism with 46,X,+22p/46,XY and gonadal mosaicism detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

A Japanese girl was diagnosed as true hermaphroditism with 46,X,+mar/46,XY and the marker chromosome was determined on the short arm of chromosome 22 without alpha-satellite by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY) methods. At birth, she showed intersexual external genitalia, urethral-vaginal fistula and right inguinal hernia. The right gonad was revealed as an ovotestis, and the left was as an undifferentiated testis. The gonadal mosaicism was demonstrated directly in gonadal tissue by interphase FISH.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel RING-B-box-coiled-coil protein with apoptotic function

We have identified a novel RING-B-box-coiled-coil (RBCC) protein (MAIR for macrophage-derived apoptosis-inducing RBCC protein) that consists of an N-terminal RING finger, followed by a B-box zinc finger, a coiled-coil domain, and a B30.2 domain. MAIR mRNA was expressed widely in mouse tissues and was induced by macrophage colony-stimulating factor in murine peritoneal and bone marrow macrophages. MAIR protein initially showed a granular distribution predominantly in the cytoplasm. The addition of zinc to transfectants containing MAIR cDNA as part of a heavy metal-inducible vector caused apoptosis of the cells characterized by cell fragmentation; a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential; activation of caspase-7, -8, and -9, but not caspase-3; and DNA degradation. We also found that the RING finger and coiled-coil domains were required for MAIR activity by analysis with deletion mutants.     

Lipoolygosaccharide indirectly enhances inflammatory lesions in lungs as a primary infection site by non-encapsulated and type B Haemophilus influenzae through production of cytokines

We investigated the role of cytokines in differences in histopathologic changes in the lung between bronchopneumonia caused by non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strain 770235f(0)b(0)and systemic disease caused by type b H. influenzae strain 770235f(0)b(+). Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-(IL)-6 and IL-1 beta levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples of mice infected with strain 770235f(0)b(0)were higher than in those infected with strain 770235f(0)b(+)until 24 h post-infection. Serum IL-6 rapidly increased in strain 770235f(0)b(0)infection after 72 h post-infection. Serum TNF-alpha level in strain 770235f(0)b(0)infection appeared earlier than in strain 770235f(0)b(+)infection. IL-1 beta production in strain 770235f(0)b(+)infection was later than in strain 770235f(0)b(0)infection. Moreover, a biphasic concentration pattern of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was noted in BALF of mice with strain 770235f(0)b(0)infection.     

Thermally stable and hydrogen peroxide tolerant manganese peroxidase (MnP) from Lenzites betulinus

A thermally stable and hydrogen peroxide tolerant manganese peroxidase (MnP) was purified from the culture medium of Lenzites betulinus by ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and isoelectric focusing chromatography. The MnP purified from L. betulinus (L-MnP) has a molecular mass of 40 kDa and its isoelectric point was determined to be 6.2. The first 19 amino acids at the N-terminal end of the L-MnP sequence were found to exhibit 74% identity with those of a Phlebia radiata MnP. L-MnP was proved to have the highest hydrogen peroxide tolerance among MnPs reported so far. It retained more than 60% of the initial activity after thermal treatment at 60°C for 60 min, and also retained more than 60% of the initial activity after exposure to 10 mM hydrogen peroxide for 5 min at 37°C.     

Dicyema shorti n. sp. (phylum Dicyemida) from Octopus burryi (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) in the Gulf of Mexico

Nematogens and vermiform embryos of a new species of Dicyema are described from an octopus collected off Veracruz, Mexico. Dicyema shorti n. sp. is a small dicyemid species that rarely exceeds 500 microm in length. It is further characterized by the presence of 18 peripheral cells in the vermiform stages, a conical-shape calotte, and an axial cell that extends to the base of the propolar cells. Other stages in the life cycle of the parasite are not known. This is the first dicyemid to be described from Octopus burryi Voss. 1950, and also from both the southern Gulf of Mexico and the country of Mexico.     

Dicyemennea canadensis n. sp. (phylum Dicyemida) from Bathypolypus arcticus (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Octopoda)

Dicyemennea canadensis n. sp. is described from a bathyal octopus collected off Canada in the Bay of Fundy. The dicyemid is a small species that rarely exceeds 600 microm in length. The vermiform stages are further characterized as having 17-23 peripheral cells, a conical-shaped calotte, an axial cell that extends to the base of the propoplar cells, and no abortive axial cells. Infusoriform embryos consist of 37 cells. There is 1 nucleus in each urn cell, and refringent bodies are absent. This is the first dicyemid to be described from the cephalopod Bathypolypus arcticus (Prosch. 1847), and the first dicyemid reported from Canada. In addition, it is the first species of Dicyemennea from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean to be described.     

Incorporation and accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid from the medium by Pichia methanolica HA-32

Yeast species were screened for the incorporation and accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with a yeast-malt medium containing 0.5% free fatty acid prepared from fish oil (DHA, 28% of total fatty acids in fish oil). The most suitable strain was Pichia methanolica HA-32. The optimum cultivation conditions for the accumulation of lipids and incorporation of DHA were as follows: 5% glucose, 20% yeast extract, and 3% free fatty acid in the medium, at pH 6.0 and with incubated at 25 degrees C for 3 days. Under these conditions, about 200 mg of total lipids and 60 mg of DHA were recovered from 1 g of dry cells. The accumulation of DHA in cells increased in conjunction with the amount of yeast extract added to the medium. Vitamin B groups and minerals also had an effect on the accumulation of DHA. Choline and K2HPO4, which caused browning of the medium, promoted the accumulation of DHA in cells.     

Thalictrum minus cell cultures and ABC-like transporter

Cultured Thalictrum minus cells produce a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, berberine, in the presence of benzyladenine, and excrete it into the culture medium. T. minus cells excluded berberine, even if berberine was exogenously added to the medium, without benzyladenine treatment. Similarly, T. minus cells excluded a heterocyclic dye (neutral red) and calcein AM, which is used as a fluorescent probe to detect the drug efflux pump activity by ABC transporters. The addition of several inhibitors of P-glycoprotein, a representative ABC transporter, induced the accumulation in of both berberine and calcein AM ATP-dependent manner. The expression of P-glycoprotein-like ABC transporter genes was also demonstrated. The involvement of ABC transporter in the secretion of berberine in T. minus cells is discussed.