Expression, purification, and characterization of inactive human coagulation factor Xa (Asn322Ala419).

We have expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells a catalytically inactive form of human factor Xa (factor rXai). A recombinant precursor of human factor Xa was inactivated by two point mutations in the serine protease catalytic triad, Asp322Asn and Ser419Ala. A two-step purification to homogeneity of the secreted material involved immunoaffinity followed by heparin-agarose chromatography. Two forms were identified; a fully processed dimer (70%) and a partially processed monomer (30%). Limited N-terminal amino acid sequencing of factor rXai detected the predicted residues and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid content was 90% of human plasma control. Although devoid of measurable proteolytic activity, factor rXai competitively inhibited plasma factor Xa assembly into functional prothrombinase complexes (Ki = 3 x 10(-10) M). Factor rXai also inhibited plasma clotting in a dose-dependent manner. The possible use of recombinant catalytically inactive proteins as a general approach for pharmacological regulation of human diseases is discussed.     

Molecular Cloning of emip,a Member of the Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP) Gene Family,Preferentially Expressed in Epidermal Cells of Barley Leaves

Cloning and characterization of a barley gene named emip is reported that encodes a member of the major intrinsic protein family. A λ-unizap cDNA library synthesized from poly A⁺?mRNA of leaf epidermis was screened differentially with epidermis-versus mesophyll-derived probes. One of the clones epi 3-2 was sequenced and further analyzed. The open reading frame of the full length clone codes for a polypeptide of 288 amino acids with a molecular mass of 30,634 Da exhibiting a high degree of homology with members of the major intrinsic protein family. Hydropathy analysis predicts six potential membrane-spanning helices. mRNA levels were high in the growing zone of barley leaves and declined towards the tip of the fully expanded leaf blade. Expression was high in epidermal strips, lower in roots and very low in the leaf mesophyll. In order of decreasing response, wilting, salt shock and heat shock resulted in stimulated expression. mRNA levels remained low during slow salting up experiments. The expressional pattern suggests a role of EMIP in turgor regulation, particularly under stress.     

Size and mortality rates of Glossina pallidipes in the semi-arid zone of southwestern Kenya

Seasonal changes in the mean size of tsetse, Glossina pallidipes Austen, as indicated by wing vein length, were monitored during 1983-86 at Nguruman, southwestern Kenya. Changes in size of nulliparous females and wing fray category 1 males were shown to be correlated with the relative humidity 2 months before they were captured. Soil temperature when flies were in the pupal stage had much less effect. Size dependent mortality was demonstrated, with the mean size of flies emerging from pupae significantly less than that of field-caught flies. This mortality must occur at emergence, since there was no evidence of size-dependent mortality once the flies became available to the trap. Size was correlated with density-independent mortality acting on the parent population 2 months previously. It might therefore be possible to use size as an index of the intensity of such mortality. This could be useful when assessing the level of additional mortality required to suppress tsetse populations.     

Nuclear DNA sequences from late Pleistocene megafauna

We report the retrieval and characterization of multi- and single-copy nuclear DNA sequences from Alaskan and Siberian mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius). In addition, a nuclear copy of a mitochondrial gene was recovered. Furthermore, a 13,000-year-old ground sloth and a 33,000- year-old cave bear yielded multicopy nuclear DNA sequences. Thus, multicopy and single-copy genes can be analyzed from Pleistocene faunal remains. The results also show that under some circumstances, nucleotide sequence differences between alleles found within one individual can be distinguished from DNA sequence variation caused by postmortem DNA damage. The nuclear sequences retrieved from the mammoths suggest that mammoths were more similar to Asian elephants than to African elephants.