Mechanism of neutrophil activation by NAF, a novel monocyte-derived peptide agonist

The rise in cytosolic free Ca2+, shape change, superoxide formation, and granule exocytosis induced in human neutrophils by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and by a newly discovered activating peptide, neutrophil-activating factor, termed NAF, were compared. NAF was effective in the concentration range of 0.1-10 nM and was 10- to 100-fold more potent than fMLP. In qualitative terms, the single responses to either stimulus were remarkably similar: they showed virtually identical onset and initial kinetics, and were all inhibited by pretreatment of the neutrophils with Bordetella pertussis toxin. In addition, the respiratory burst elicited by either stimulus was inhibited by 17-hydroxywortmannin and staurosporine. Two conclusions are drawn from these results: 1) neutrophil activation by NAF (as by fMLP) is dependent on a GTP-binding protein and on protein kinase C; 2) a similar, or even identical, mechanism of signal transduction must be assumed on stimulation of human neutrophils with NAF, fMLP, and other chemotactic agonists. Human monocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets did not show cytosolic free Ca2+ changes when exposed to NAF, which suggests that NAF is selective for the neutrophils.     

Inequalities in women's health: looking at mortality differentials using an alternative approach

Data obtained from follow up of the 1971 census sample in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys longitudinal study of England and Wales were used to look at women''s mortality differentials at ages 15-59. Women were grouped by combining information on marital state, own occupation, husband''s occupation (if married), economic activity, and indicators of household wealth (housing tenure and access to a car). Large groups were found with considerable differences in mortality. High mortality was associated with working in manual occupations and living in rented housing with no car in the household. In contrast, low mortality was associated with non-manual occupations and living in owner occupied housing with a car. Among married housewives and single women these extreme groups contributed 44% of expected deaths, the disadvantaged group experiencing death rates two and a half times that of the advantaged group. Smaller differences were found among married women with an occupational class.These findings are further evidence of the “health divide” in England and Wales and show that accurately to reflect the relation between a woman''s life circumstances and mortality it is necessary to utilise other measures than those based solely on occupation.     

The localization of calcium release by inositol trisphosphate in Limulus photoreceptors and its control by negative feedback

Microvillar photoreceptors of invertebrates exhibit a light-induced rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium (Cai) that results in part from release of calcium from an intracellular compartment. This light-induced release of calcium appears to result from a cascade of reactions that involve rhodopsin, a GTP-binding protein and a phospholipase-C which releases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) from the plasma membrane; the Ins(1,4,5)P3 acts to release calcium from smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In the ventral photoreceptor of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus not all of the endoplasmic reticulum is subject to calcium release by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Only endoplasmic reticulum in the light-sensitive region of the cell is competent to release calcium in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3. The release of calcium by Ins(1,4,5)P3 in ventral photoreceptors appears to be subject to feedback inhibition through elevated Cai. We suggest that this feedback inhibition contributes to sensory adaptation in the photoreceptor and may account for oscillatory membrane responses sometimes observed with large injections of Ins(1,4,5)P3.     

A unique anther-mucilage in the pollination biology of Tylosema esculentum

Summary Tylosema esculentum, a perennial geophyte bearing yellow distylous flowers in racemes, maintains a high degree of outbreeding through reciprocal herkogamy. In addition, a viscous liquid, the anther-mucilage, is produced by the anther connective tissue and released concurrently with the pollen. The polysaccharide- and lipid-rich mucilage, which is functional in the shedding and transfer of pollen, is available for more than 1 day due to the gradual solidification of the mucilage. The assimilation of the pollen with the liquid substance significantly affects the pollination biology of T. esculentum. This is the first report on the unique phenomenon of wet pollen in the Caesalpiniaceae.     

Distribution of laminin and types IV and III collagen in fetal,infant and adult human spleens

Summary The immunohistochemical distribution of the basement membrane (BM) proteins, laminin and type IV collagen, and interstitial type III collagen was investigated in 12 fetal spleens at the 15th–38th gestational weeks (g.w.) and in spleens of 8 infants from term to 4 years. The results were compared with the distribution of the same proteins in adult human spleen. BM proteins were found to be abundantly present in the red pulp of all spleens during the whole of development. The content of type III collagen gradually decreased with advancing age and, in adult spleen, there were only occasional positively staining fibers in Billroth's cords. This finding indicates that the composition of reticular fibers in the red pulp of spleen is different from the reticular fibers elsewhere in lymphoreticular tissue. Early signs of ring fiber formation in the walls of venous sinuses were detectable at the 15th–19th g.w., although their more complete development occurred relatively late from the 36th g.w. onwards. Ring fibers contained both laminin and type IV collagen in all the investigated spleens. They never stained for type III collagen. The developing white pulp was positive for BM proteins, but showed no staining for type III collagen at the 15th g.w. At later ages, the white pulp stained similarly for both BM proteins and type III collagen.     

Identification of a deletion in the LDL receptor gene A Finnish type of mutation

A cDNA probe for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene was used to screen DNA samples from 52 unrelated Finnish patients with the heterozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and 51 healthy controls. Southern blot analysis using the restriction enzyme PvuII revealed an abnormal 11 kb (kilo base-pair) restriction fragment in 16 (31%) of the patients but none of the controls. A more detailed restriction enzyme analysis of the DNA from patients revealed a mutation which apparently is due to an 8 kb deletion extending from intron 15 to exon 18 of the LDL receptor gene. Co-segregation of FH with the mutated gene was demonstrated in three families. These data are consistent with a ‘founder gene effect’ and support the assumption that recombinant DNA methods may have great impact on the diagnostics of FH in genetically homogeneous populations.     

Circular dichroism of platelet factor 4

The circular dichroism of platelet factor 4 was investigated and it was found to contain 15% alpha-helix, 25% beta-structure, and the rest of the molecule in unordered conformation. In the presence of heparin, no change in the circular dichroism was observed, suggesting no significant changes in the secondary structure of platelet factor 4 when heparin binds. The CD spectrum of platelet factor 4 was also investigated in the presence of increasing concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride. A two-state transition was observed with midpoints at 0.125 and 2.0 M guanidine hydrochloride. Based on gel filtration studies, the first unfolding transition was correlated with the dissociation of the tetrameric structure. This first unfolding domain was not observed in the presence of heparin, suggesting that heparin stabilizes the tetrameric structure. The second unfolding transition corresponds to the disruption of the overall secondary structure which is generally observed with most proteins. It is concluded that a relatively weak force of attraction holds the tetrameric structure of platelet factor 4 and the dissociation of the subunits is accompanied by loss of some helical secondary structure.     

Contribution to the ecology ofMarsilea quadrifolia L.

Data are presented on the aboveground and underground biomass of the speciesMarsilea quadrifolia and on the water regime and soil conditions in a habitat of this species in Central Europe (Czechoslovakia).