Phylogenetic relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> (Bacillaceae: Bacillales) strains based on a comparison of SSU rRNA sequences and genome profiling

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner has previously been classified via the serological identification of flagellar antigens. However, the phylogenetic relationships among strains of B. thuringiensis cannot be investigated by serotyping. Furthermore, high levels of homology have been found in gene sequences among various strains, complicating the determination of their evolutionary relationships. In order to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within B. thuringiensis, we analyzed 40 strains belonging to typical serotypes using two approaches: an analysis of small subunit (SSU) rRNA sequences and genome profiling (GP) based on temperature gradient gel electrophoresis of random PCR products. The SSU rRNA analysis resulted in all 40 strains forming a single cluster with Bacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland. The distances among the subclusters were too small to further classify the strains. On the other hand, the phylogenetic analysis based on GP resulted in three clusters of B. thuringiensis strains. These results suggest that GP is a better method for the determination of phylogenetic relationships within B. thuringiensis.     

Facilitated Hyperpolarization Signaling in Vascular Smooth Muscle-overexpressing TRIC-A Channels

The TRIC channel subtypes, namely TRIC-A and TRIC-B, are intracellular monovalent cation-specific channels and likely mediate counterion movements to support efficient Ca²⁺ release from the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contain both TRIC subtypes and two Ca²⁺ release mechanisms; incidental opening of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) generates local Ca²⁺ sparks to induce hyperpolarization and relaxation, whereas agonist-induced activation of inositol trisphosphate receptors produces global Ca²⁺ transients causing contraction. Tric-a knock-out mice develop hypertension due to insufficient RyR-mediated Ca²⁺ sparks in VSMCs. Here we describe transgenic mice overexpressing TRIC-A channels under the control of a smooth muscle cell-specific promoter. The transgenic mice developed congenital hypotension. In Tric-a-overexpressing VSMCs from the transgenic mice, the resting membrane potential decreased because RyR-mediated Ca²⁺ sparks were facilitated and cell surface Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels were hyperactivated. Under such hyperpolarized conditions, L-type Ca²⁺ channels were inactivated, and thus, the resting intracellular Ca²⁺ levels were reduced in Tric-a-overexpressing VSMCs. Moreover, Tric-a overexpression impaired inositol trisphosphate-sensitive stores to diminish agonist-induced Ca²⁺ signaling in VSMCs. These altered features likely reduced vascular tonus leading to the hypotensive phenotype. Our Tric-a-transgenic mice together with Tric-a knock-out mice indicate that TRIC-A channel density in VSMCs is responsible for controlling basal blood pressure at the whole-animal level.     

Random mutagenesis using degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotides

An efficient method for random mutagenesis was applied to a 75-bp target sequence. The mutational changes in the target region are introduced by the technique of oligodeoxyribonucleotide(oligo)-directed, site-specific mutagenesis using mixtures of degenerate oligos. These are designed in such a way that they carry with a high probability randomly distributed substitutions, which are introduced into the oligos by utilizing appropriate concentrations of all four nucleotide precursors during each chain elongation step. These mixtures of degenerate oligos were hybridized to the appropriate M13-hybrid ss-template and then extended in vitro using PolIk. In order to avoid any bias artificially created by the Escherichia coli mismatch repair system, homoduplex molecules were synthesized in vitro according to the method of Taylor et al. [Nucleic Acids Res. 13 (1985) 8765-8785]. After transformation of the appropriate E. coli host, M13 plaques were randomly analysed by DNA sequencing. Using appropriate preparations of template DNA and oligos we attained mutagenesis efficiencies in the range of 20-50%. The analysis of 85 different mutants revealed that the distribution of the mutations is random and that all expected substitutions occur with about the same probability.     

Comparison of the regional distribution of calspectin (nonerythroid spectrin or fodrin), alpha-actinin, vinculin nonerythroid protein 4.1, and calpactin in normal and avian sarcoma virus- or Rous sarcoma virus-induced transformed cells

With fluorescence and interference reflection microscopy (IRM), we compared the regional distribution of calspectin, its interacting proteins (nonerythroid protein 4.1 and calpactin), alpha-actinin, and vinculin in NRK cells and their avian sarcoma virus (ASV)- or temperature-sensitive (ts) Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed cells. The localization of these cytoskeletal proteins was determined with the specific antibodies. In NRK cells, alpha-actinin and vinculin were concentrated at adhesion plaques. By contrast, calspectin was distributed throughout the cytoplasm, but not concentrated at adhesion plaques. In ASV- and ts RSV-transformed cells, all three cytoskeletal proteins were concentrated at dot structures representing cellular feet. Nonerythroid protein 4.1 and calpactin were diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm of NRK cells and their transformed counterparts. In the case of calpactin, a part of this protein was excluded near regions of the terminal ends of stress fibers. These two proteins did not show the restricted location at the dot structures of transformed cells. From these findings, it is apparent that the accumulation of calspectin into dot structures is a specific event for cell transformation induced by the src protein.     

Human serum deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) polymorphism: pattern similarities among isozymes from serum, urine, kidney, liver, and pancreas.

We have devised a zymogram method with high sensitivity and resolution for investigating molecular heterogeneity and genetic polymorphism of deoxyribonuclease I. A combination technique of polyacrylamide-gel isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis and the newly developed zymogram method have led to the discovery of genetic polymorphism of human serum DNase I. Family studies showed that the three common phenotypes--DNASE1 1, DNASE1 1-2, and DNASE1 2--and the other five relatively rare phenotypes--DNASE1 1-3, DNASE1 2-3, DNASE1 2-4, and DNASE1 3-4--represent homozygosity or heterozygosity for four autosomal codominant alleles, DNASE1 *1, DNASE1 *2, DNASE1 *3, and DNASE1 *4. The frequencies of DNASE1 *1, DNASE1 *2, DNASE1 *3, and DNASE1 *4 calculated in a Japanese population were .5517, .4358, .0104, and .0021, respectively. Moreover, it was found that urine and extracts of kidney, liver, and pancreas, as well as serum, can be used for DNase I phenotyping.     

Strength of translation initiation signal sequence of mRNA as studied by quantification method: effect of nucleotide substitutions upon translation efficiency in rat preproinsulin mRNA.

Concerning the translation initiation signals in vertebrate mRNAs, both the ATG initiation codon and the sequences flanking the initiation codon are required to direct the position of initiation. A consensus sequence for the signal, (GCC)GCC(A or G)CCATGG, has been proposed, but actual initiation sequences differ from it to a greater or lesser degree. In the present report, the translation initiation signal sequences of rat preproinsulin and its mutant mRNAs were analyzed using a quantification method proposed previously. In this method, each 16 nt sequence in the mRNA was characterized by its sample score, which shows strength of the signal. So far, Kozak has constructed a number of preproinsulin mutant mRNAs in which nucleotides flanking the ATG codon are systematically varied, and measured the translation initiation efficiency in terms of the proinsulin product. Her experimental results were well understood on the basis of the strength of the translation initiation signal sequence.     

Simple method of designing a bilobed flap

In the present study, we devised a new method of designing bilobed flaps. This method makes the flap easy to draw and has the merits of diffusing the tension on the flap and minimizing the dog-ear. We used this flap in 16 patients with face and head skin defects and obtained good results.     

A single amino acid substitution of Leu130Ile in snake DNases I contributes to the acquisition of thermal stability.

We purified pancreatic deoxyribonucleases I (DNases I) from three snakes, Elaphe quadrivirgata, Elaphe climacophora and Agkistrodon blomhoffii, and cloned their cDNAs. Each mature snake DNase I protein comprised 262 amino acids. Wild-type snake DNases I with Leu130 were more thermally unstable than wild-type mammalian and avian DNases I with Ile130. After substitution of Leu130Ile, the thermal stabilities of the snake enzymes were higher than those of their wild-type counterparts and similar to mammalian wild-type enzyme levels. Conversely, substituting Ile130Leu of mammalian DNases I made them more thermally unstable than their wild-type counterparts. Therefore, a single amino acid substitution, Leu130Ile, might be involved in an evolutionally critical change in the thermal stabilities of vertebrate DNases I. Amphibian DNases I have a Ser205 insertion in a Ca2+-binding site of mammalian and avian enzymes that reduces their thermal stabilities [Takeshita, H., Yasuda, T., Iida, R., Nakajima, T., Mori, S., Mogi, K., Kaneko, Y. & Kishi, K. (2001) Biochem. J.357, 473-480]. Thus, it is plausible that the thermally stable wild-type DNases I of the higher vertebrates, such as mammals and birds, have been generated by a single Leu130Ile substitution of reptilian enzymes through molecular evolution following Ser205 deletion from amphibian enzymes. This mechanism may reflect one of the evolutionary changes from cold-blooded to warm-blooded vertebrates.     

TNF-alpha and IL-4 regulate expression of IL-13 receptor alpha2 on human fibroblasts

Two interleukin 13 receptors (IL-13Rs) have been identified as IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-13Ralpha2. IL-13Ralpha1 is composed of a heterodimer consisting of IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Ralpha) as a signaling subunit. In contrast, IL-13Ralpha2 is known as a decoy receptor for IL-13. In this study, we investigated the expression of IL-13Rs on human fibroblasts. IL-13Ralpha2 was significantly up-regulated after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or IL-4. In contrast, IL-13Ralpha1 was constitutively detectable and was not up-regulated. After the induction of IL-13alpha2 by IL-4, STAT6 phosphorylation through IL-13Ralpha1 by IL-13 was inhibited. We also detected large intracellular pools of IL-13Ralpha2 in fibroblasts quantitatively. Furthermore, mobilization of the IL-13Ralpha2 protein stores from the cytoplasm to the cell surface was prevented by an inhibitor of protein transport, brefeldin-A. These results indicate that TNF-alpha and IL-4 synergistically up-regulate the expression of IL-13Ralpha2 decoy receptor on human fibroblasts by inducing gene expression and mobilizing intracellular receptors, and thus may down-regulate the IL-13 signaling.     

Three-dimensional and surface structures of rat filiform papillae

The three-dimensional and surface structures of the simple conical papillae of the rat tongue have been demonstrated with scanning electron microscopy. The papillary projection was organized into the anterior, posterior and central core cell populations, whereas the basal region of the papilla which consisted of circularly arranged cells showed no differentiation into three autonomic cell populations. It is considered that the anterior and posterior cell populations around the central core tend to be mutually attached at the bilateral sides, and that the posterior and core cell contacts are rather close than the anterior one. The anterior papillary cells showed relatively smooth surface with little micropits and without microridges. The reticular microridges on the basal cell surface of the posterior papillary cells appear to later develop the micropits and linear microridges on the tip cell surface. These suggest that the anterior cell surface is more highly keratinized than the posterior one. The microridges or micropits on the outer cell surface and the microprojections on the inner cell surface organizing filiform papilla are considered to be the structures for the purpose of cell adhesion.