Sequence analysis of 193.4 and 83.9 kbp of mouse and chicken genomic DNAs containing the entire Prkdc (DNA-PKcs) gene

The catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase plays critical roles in nonhomologous end joining in repair of DNA double-strand breaks and V(D)J recombination. In addition to the SCID phenotype, it has been suggested that the molecule contributes to the polymorphic variations in radiosensitivity and susceptibility to cancer in mouse strains. Here we show the nucleotide sequence of approximately 193-kbp and 84-kbp genomic regions encoding the entire Prkdc gene (also known as DNA-PKcs) in the mouse and chicken, respectively. A large retroposon was found in intron 51 in the mouse but not in the human or chicken. Comparative analyses of the genome strongly suggested that the region contains only two genes for Prkdc and Mcm4; however, several conserved sequences and cis elements were also predicted.     

Causal relationship between the loss of RUNX3 expression and gastric cancer

Runx3/Pebp2alphaC null mouse gastric mucosa exhibits hyperplasias due to stimulated proliferation and suppressed apoptosis in epithelial cells, and the cells are resistant to growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing action of TGF-beta, indicating that Runx3 is a major growth regulator of gastric epithelial cells. Between 45% and 60% of human gastric cancer cells do not significantly express RUNX3 due to hemizygous deletion and hypermethylation of the RUNX3 promoter region. Tumorigenicity of human gastric cancer cell lines in nude mice was inversely related to their level of RUNX3 expression, and a mutation (R122C) occurring within the conserved Runt domain abolished the tumor-suppressive effect of RUNX3, suggesting that a lack of RUNX3 function is causally related to the genesis and progression of human gastric cancer.     

Extracellular polysaccharides of Rhodococcus rhodochrous S-2 stimulate the degradation of aromatic components in crude oil by indigenous marine bacteria

Rhodococcus rhodochrous S-2 produces extracellular polysaccharides (S-2 EPS) containing D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-glucuronic acid, and lipids, which is important to the tolerance of this strain to an aromatic fraction of (AF) Arabian light crude oil (N. Iwabuchi, N. Sunairi, H. Anzai, M. Nakajima, and S. Harayama, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66:5073-5077, 2000). In the present study, we examined the effects of S-2 EPS on the growth of indigenous marine bacteria on AF. Indigenous bacteria did not grow significantly in seawater containing AF even when nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron nutrients were supplemented. The addition of S-2 EPS to seawater containing nutrients and AF resulted in the emulsification of AF, promotion of the growth of indigenous bacteria, and enhancement of the degradation of AF by the bacteria. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses show that addition of S-2 EPS to the seawater containing nutrients and AF changed the composition of the bacterial populations in the seawater and that bacteria closely related to the genus Cycloclasticus became the major population. These results suggest that Cycloclasticus was responsible for the degradation of hydrocarbons in AF. The effects of 15 synthetic surfactants on the degradation of AF by indigenous marine bacteria were also examined, but enhancement of the degradation of AF was not significant. S-2 EPS was hence the most effective of the surfactants tested in promoting the biodegradation of AF and may thus be an attractive agent to use in the bioremediation of oil-contaminated marine environments.     

IL-15-dependent activation-induced cell death-resistant Th1 type CD8 alpha beta+NK1.1+ T cells for the development of small intestinal inflammation

To clarify the role of IL-15 at local sites, we engineered a transgenic (Tg) mouse (T3(b)-IL-15 Tg) to overexpress human IL-15 preferentially in intestinal epithelial cells by the use of T3(b)-promoter. Although IL-15 was expressed in the entire small intestine (SI) and large intestines of the Tg mice, localized inflammation developed in the proximal SI only. Histopathologic study revealed reduced villus length, marked infiltration of lymphocytes, and vacuolar degeneration of the villus epithelium, beginning at approximately 3-4 mo of age. The numbers of CD8(+) T cells, especially CD8alphabeta(+) T cells expressing NK1.1, were dramatically increased in the lamina propria of the involved SI. The severity of inflammation corresponded to increased numbers of CD8alphabeta(+)NK1.1(+) T cells and levels of production of the Th1-type cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Locally overexpressed IL-15 was accompanied by increased resistance of CD8alphabeta(+) NK1.1(+) T cells to activation-induced cell death. Our results suggest that chronic inflammation in the SI in this murine model is mediated by dysregulation of epithelial cell-derived IL-15. The model may contribute to understanding the role of CD8(+) T cells in human Crohn's disease involving the SI.     

Activation of the lectin complement pathway by H-ficolin (Hakata antigen)

Ficolins are a group of proteins which consist of a collagen-like domain and a fibrinogen-like domain. In human serum, there are two types of ficolins named L-ficolin/P35 and H-ficolin (Hakata Ag), both of which have lectin activity. We recently demonstrated that L-ficolin/P35 is associated with mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases (MASP) 1 and 2 and small MBL-associated protein (sMAP), and that the complex activates the lectin pathway. In this study, we report the characterization of H-ficolin in terms of its ability to activate complement. Western blotting analysis showed the presence of MASP-1, MASP-2, MASP-3, and sMAP in H-ficolin preparations isolated from Cohn Fraction III. The MASPs in the preparations had proteolytic activities against C4, C2, and C3 in the fluid phase. When H-ficolin preparations were bound to anti-H-ficolin Ab which had been coated on ELISA plates, they activated C4, although no C4 activation was noted when anti-MBL and anti-L-ficolin/P35 were used. H-ficolin binds to PSA, a polysaccharide produced by Aerococcus viridans. C4 was activated by H-ficolin preparations bound to PSA which had been coated on ELISA plates. These results indicate that H-ficolin is a second ficolin which is associated with MASPs and sMAP, and which activates the lectin pathway.     

Fast compaction of alpha-lactalbumin during folding studied by stopped-flow X-ray scattering

To monitor the fast compaction process during protein folding, we have used a stopped-flow small-angle X-ray scattering technique combined with a two-dimensional charge-coupled device-based X-ray detector that makes it possible to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of data dramatically, and measured the kinetic refolding reaction of alpha-lactalbumin. The results clearly show that the radius of gyration and the overall shape of the kinetic folding intermediate of alpha-lactalbumin are the same as those of the molten globule state observed at equilibrium. Thus, the identity between the kinetic folding intermediate and the equilibrium molten globule state is firmly established. The present results also suggest that the folding intermediate is more hydrated than the native state and that the hydrated water molecules are dehydrated when specific side-chain packing is formed during the change from the molten globule to the native state.     

Role of tryptophan residues in the recognition of mutagenic oxidized nucleotides by human antimutator MTH1 protein

The human MTH1 antimutator protein hydrolyzes mutagenic oxidized nucleotides, and thus prevents their incorporation into DNA and any subsequent mutation. We have examined its great selectivity for oxidized nucleotides by analyzing the structure of the protein and its interaction with nucleotides, as reflected in the fluorescence of its tryptophan residues. The binding of nucleotides decreased the intensity of MTH1 protein fluorescence and red-shifted the emission peak, indicating that at least one tryptophan residue is close to the binding site. Oxidized nucleotides (2-OH-dATP and 8-oxo-dGTP) produced a larger decrease in fluorescence intensity than did unoxidized nucleotides, and MTH1 protein had a much higher binding affinity for oxidized nucleotides. Deconvolution of protein fluorescence by comparison of its quenching by positively (Cs(+)) and negatively (I(-)) charged ions indicated that the MTH1 tryptophan residues are in two different environments. One class of tryptophan residues is exposed to solvent but in a negatively charged environment; the other class is partially buried. While the binding of unoxidized nucleotides quenches the fluorescence of only class 1 tryptophan residue(s), the binding of oxidized nucleotides quenched that of class 2 tryptophan residue(s) as well. This suggests that selectivity is due to additional contact between the protein and the oxidized nucleotide. Mutation analysis indicated that the tryptophan residue at position 117, which is in a negative environment, is in contact with nucleotides. The negatively charged residues in the binding site probably correlate with the finding that nucleotide binding requires metal ions and depends upon their nature. Positively charged metal ions probably act by neutralizing the negatively charged nucleotide phosphate groups. (c) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.     

Developmental alteration of nerve injury induced glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) receptor expression is crucial for the determination of injured motoneuron fate

Axotomy-induced neuronal death occurs in neonatal motoneurons, but not in adult rat. Here we demonstrated that during the course of postnatal development, nerve injury induced down-regulation of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) receptor GFRalpha1 in axotomized hypoglossal motoneurons of rat are gradually converted to the adult up-regulation pattern of response. The compensatory expression of GFRalpha1 specifically in the injured motoneurons of neonates by adenovirus succeeded in rescuing the injured neurons without an application of growth factors. To the contrary, the nuclear antisense RNA for GFRalpha1 expression accelerates the axotomy-induced neuronal death in pups. These findings suggest that the receptor expression response after nerve injury is critical for the determination of injured motoneuron fate.