Compilation and analysis of Escherichia coli promoter DNA sequences.

The DNA sequence of 168 promoter regions (-50 to +10) for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase were compiled. The complete listing was divided into two groups depending upon whether or not the promoter had been defined by genetic (promoter mutations) or biochemical (5' end determination) criteria. A consensus promoter sequence based on homologies among 112 well-defined promoters was determined that was in substantial agreement with previous compilations. In addition, we have tabulated 98 promoter mutations. Nearly all of the altered base pairs in the mutants conform to the following general rule: down-mutations decrease homology and up-mutations increase homology to the consensus sequence.     

Human alveolar macrophage fibronectin: synthesis, secretion, and ultrastructural localization during gelatin-coated latex particle binding

Human pulmonary alveolar macrophages synthesized and secreted several characteristic high molecular weight proteins for at least 7 d in vitro. Immunoprecipitates of medium and cell lysates from metabolically labeled cultures with specific anti-human plasma fibronectin IgG contained one major labeled polypeptide of molecular weight 440,000 (unreduced) or 220,000 (reduced). An identical polypeptide in conditioned medium from radiolabeled macrophages bound specifically to gelatin-Sepharose, demonstrating that alveolar macrophages synthesized and secreted a molecule immunologically and functionally similar to fibronectin. Fibronectin was the major newly synthesized and secreted polypeptide of freshly harvested alveolar macrophages. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that newly synthesized fibronectin was rapidly secreted into medium, approximately 50 percent appearing by 1 h and 80 percent by 8 h. Immunoperoxidase staining using antifibronectin F(ab’)(2)-peroxidase conjugates revealed the majority of immunoreactive fibronectin to be intracellular, localized to endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. No extracellular matrix fibronectin was visualized, and cell surface staining was rarely seen, usually appearing only at sites where cells were closely apposed and not at sites of macrophage-substrate attachment. Similar immunostaining of fibroblast cultures revealed cell surface-associated fibrillar fibronectin. Ultrastructural localization of fibronectin during binding and phagocytosis of gelatin-coated and plain latex particles revealed fibronectin only on gelatin-latex beads and at their cell binding sites. Neigher plain latex beads nor their cell membrane binding sites stained for fibronectin. These results demonstrate that fibronectin is a major product of human alveolar macrophages, is rapidly secreted, and is localized at cell membrane binding sites for gelatin-coated particles. In view of the known binding properties of fibronectin, it may serve as an endogenous opsonic factor promoting the binding of staphylococcus, denatured collagen, fibrin, or other macromolecules to macrophages in the lower respiratory tract.     

High rates of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation from starch ingested during prolonged exercise.

This study compared the gastric emptying and oxidation of two 15% carbohydrate (CHO) solutions: a 22-chain-length glucose polymer (GP) and soluble starch (SS). Six endurance-trained subjects ingested 1,200 ml of either GP or SS while cycling for 90 min at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Whereas the calculated total CHO oxidation (GP 266.8 +/- 41.9 g; SS 263.6 +/- 28.9 g) and the volume emptied from the stomach (GP 813 +/- 130 ml; SS 919 +/- 116 ml) were similar, the appearance of the 14C label in plasma occurred more rapidly from ingested SS than from GP (P less than 0.001). This resulted in a significantly greater rate of SS oxidation than that from GP (SS 105.9 +/- 21.9 g, GP 49.6 +/- 10.2 g; P less than 0.001). Exogenous CHO oxidation from GP accounted for 19% of total CHO oxidation, whereas the corresponding value for SS was 40%. This study suggests that the oxidation of SS and GP solutions ingested during exercise at 70% VO2max is not limited by gastric emptying. Rather, it appears to be either the rate of digestion or absorption of these solutions that determines their utilization.     

Phylogenetic screening of the human genome: identification of differentially hybridizing repetitive sequence families

The phi-screen, a method of phylogenetic screening, can be employed to detect repetitive sequence families that differentially hybridize between closely related species. Such differences may involve sequence divergence or variations in copy number, including total presence versus absence of a family of repeated DNA. We present the results of a phi-screen comparing the human genome to that of the prosimian, Galago crassicaudatus. Three human repetitive families that are divergent or not present in galago have been detected. One of these families is described in detail; it is similar among the anthropoids but is present in a lower copy number and/or divergent form in prosimians. The family is clearly related to the transposon-like human element (THE) described by Paulson et al. (1985). THEs have long terminal repeats reminiscent of retroviruses but are unique in that they have no sequence similarity to known mammalian retroviruses. The sequence of a solo long terminal repeat, found unassociated with THE internal sequence, is presented. This family member, THE p2, is bordered by a 5-bp target-site repeat and is interrupted by the insertion of an Alu element. A solo THE element sequenced by Wiginton et al. (1986) contains an insertion of Alu at precisely the same position as does THE p2.      

DNA divergence in and around the alcohol dehydrogenase locus in five closely related species of Hawaiian Drosophila

The alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) region from five planitibia subgroup species of Hawaiian picture-wing Drosophila has been cloned. A total of 15 kb of DNA in and around the Adh gene has been compared among the five species. Genetic distances were calculated to determine evolutionary relationships. These distances agree with previous distances determined by protein polymorphism and DNA hybridization techniques and can be interpreted in terms of specific island colonization and speciation (founder) events over the past 5 Myr. Examination of the restriction maps of the cloned Adh region from the five species shows many instances of small deletions, insertion of a transposable element in D. heteroneura, and the existence of a highly variable region on the 3' side of the Adh gene. Clustering relationships and rates of DNA change are calculated and compared with the relationship found for other species of Drosophila.      

Monoclonal antibodies mimic insulin activation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase without activation of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. Studies in cells transfected with normal and mutant human insulin receptors

The effects of species-specific monoclonal antibodies to the human insulin receptor on ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation were studied in rodent cell lines transfected with human insulin receptors. First, Swiss mouse 3T3 fibroblasts expressing normal human insulin receptors (3T3/HIR cells) were studied. Three monoclonal antibodies, MA-5, MA-20, and MA-51, activated S6 kinase in these cells but had no effects in untransfected 3T3 cells. Both insulin and MA-5, the most potent antibody, activated S6 kinase in a similar time- and dose-dependent manner. To measure S6 phosphorylation in vivo, 3T3/HIR cells were preincubated with [32P]Pi and treated with insulin and MA-5. Both agents increased S6 phosphorylation, and their tryptic phosphopeptide maps were similar. MA-5 and the other monoclonal antibodies, unlike insulin, failed to stimulate insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity either in vitro or in vivo. Moreover, unlike insulin, they failed to increase the tyrosine phosphorylation of the endogenous cytoplasmic protein, pp 185. Next, HTC rat hepatoma cells, expressing a human insulin receptor mutant that had three key tyrosine autophosphorylation sites in the beta-subunit changed to phenylalanines (HTC-IR-F3 cells), were studied. In this cell line but not in untransfected HTC cells, monoclonal antibodies activated S6 kinase without stimulating either insulin receptor autophosphorylation or the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp 185. These data indicate, therefore, that monoclonal antibodies can activate S6 kinase and then increase S6 phosphorylation. Moreover, they suggest that activation of receptor tyrosine kinase and subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins may not be crucial for activation of S6 kinase by the insulin receptor.