Adenovirus-mediated hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer prevents lethal liver failure in rats

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has a potent antiapoptotic effect on hepatocytes in D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. Here, we report that adenovirus mediated HGF gene transfer into liver prevents liver failure and reduces mortality of rats treated with d-GalN/LPS. Fisher 344 rats, which were given intraperitoneal injections of pAxCAHGF 48 h before, were treated with D-GalN/LPS. Serum ALT in the HGF group at 6 and 12 h after D-GalN/LPS was decreased to 1/6 and 1/12 of the control group (P < 0.01, each). Concomitant reduction of apoptotic cells were also observed. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that a survival rate in the HGF group was improved, compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05). Caspase-3 activity in the HGF group decreased, compared to that in the control group, especially at 12 h (P < 0.05), although it maintained a high level in the control group. Expression of Bcl-xL and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) was induced in liver by HGF gene transfer. These data suggest that HGF exerts an antiapoptotic effect through dual induction of Bcl-xL and Cox-2, which suppresses caspase-3 activity.     

Correlated gene expression between beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase V and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V in human cancer cell lines

Since our previous study showed that the gene expression level of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GalT) V is only increased in mouse NIH3T3 transformant and that beta-1,4-GalT V preferentially galactosylates the GlcNAcbeta1 --> 6Man branch of oligosaccharides [Shirane et al. (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 265, 434-438], whether its gene expression is correlated with malignant transformation was investigated. Northern blot analysis of beta-1, 4-GalTs I, II, III, IV, V, and VI and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAcT)V in human cancer cell lines showed that the gene expression levels of beta-1,4-GalT V but not other beta-1,4-GalTs are strongly correlated with those of GlcNAcT V whose activity was shown to increase by malignant transformation. These results indicate that beta-1,4-GalT V is involved in the galactosylation of highly branched oligosaccharides characteristic of malignantly transformed cells.     

The alpha-ketoisocaproate catabolism in human and rat livers

Catabolism of alpha-ketoisocaproate in liver is mediated by cytosolic alpha-ketoisocaproate dioxygenase (KICD) and mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC). The latter is believed to be involved in the main pathway of the KIC catabolism. In the present study, we measured the activities of KICD and BCKDC in human and rat livers. The KICD activity in human liver was 0.9 mU/g tissue, which was 14.2% of the total activity of BCKDC, and that in rat liver was 4.2 mU/g tissue, which was only 1.0% of the total activity, suggesting that KICD in human liver plays a relatively important role in the alpha-ketoisocaproate catabolism. The KICD activity in human liver was significantly increased by cirrhosis. In rat liver, the enzyme activity was markedly increased by physical training and streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but not by feeding of a diet rich in branched-chain amino acids, although BCKDC activity was increased by feeding of the diet.     

In vivo gene gun-mediated DNA delivery into rodent brain tissue

Various types of gene transfer into live tissues have been tried. However, in vivo gene transfer into brain tissue or neuronal cells without virus vector has required a great effort. Particle-mediated gene transfer into live brain tissue was thought to be impossible because of its fragility and the mechanical problem of a previous type of gene gun. In addition, particle-mediated DNA transfer into monolayer-cultured cells without mechanical damage has been difficult. We successfully transferred DNA into rodent live brain tissue and also into monolayer-cultured cells without mechanical damage by using a new type of gene gun and also confirmed gene expression in the brain. This new method represents another variation of gene transfer into the brain.     

Nonlinkage of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II loci in bony fishes

 In tetrapods, the functional (classical) class I and class II B loci of the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) are tightly linked in a single chromosomal region. In an earlier study, we demonstrated that in the zebrafish, Danio rerio, order Cypriniformes, the two classes are present on different chromosomes. Here, we show that the situation is similar in the stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, order Gasterosteiformes, the common guppy, Poecilia reticulata, order Cyprinodontiformes, and the cichlid fish Oreochromis niloticus, order Perciformes. These data, together with unpublished results from other laboratories suggest that in all Euteleostei, the classical class I and class II B loci are in separate linkage groups, and that in at least some of these taxa, the class II loci are in two different groups. Since Euteleostei are at least as numerous as tetrapods, in approximately one-half of jawed vertebrates, the class I and class II regions are not linked. Received: 30 August 1999 / Revised: 20 October 1999     

Upregulation of BiP and CHOP by the unfolded-protein response is independent of presenilin expression

Presenilin 1 (PS1), a polytopic membrane protein, has a critical role in the trafficking and proteolysis of a selected set of transmembrane proteins. The vast majority of individuals affected with early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) carry missense mutations in PS1. Two studies have suggested that loss of PS1 function, or expression of FAD-linked PS1 variants, compromises the mammalian unfolded-protein response (UPR), and we sought to evaluate the potential role of PS1 in the mammalian UPR. Here we show that that neither the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced accumulation of BiP and CHOP messenger RNA, nor the activation of ER stress kinases IRE1alpha and PERK, is compromised in cells lacking both PS1 and PS2 or in cells expressing FAD-linked PS1 variants. We also show that the levels of BiP are not significantly different in the brains of individuals with sporadic Alzheimer's disease or PS1-mediated FAD to levels in control brains. Our findings provide evidence that neither loss of PS1 and PS2 function, nor expression of PS1 variants, has a discernable impact on ER stress-mediated induction of the several established 'readouts' of the UPR pathway.     

Synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotide bearing 2'-S-alkyl residue and its effect on the duplex stability

2'-Deoxy-2'-S-hexyluridine derivative was synthesized from 2,2'-anhydrouridine and 1-hexanethiol and incorporated into an oligodeoxyribonucleotide. The thermal stability of the duplexes formed by the 2'-S-hexyl modified ODN with either the complementary DNA or RNA strand was decreased compared to the unmodified counterparts.     

Co-localization of receptor and transducer proteins in the glycosphingolipid-enriched, low density, detergent-insoluble membrane fraction of sea urchin sperm

The low density, detergent-insoluble membrane fraction (LD-DIM), where gangliosides are likely to be highly enriched, was prepared from sperm of two sea urchin species, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Immunoblotting showed the presence in the LD-DIM of two receptors for egg ligands, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, and four proteins which may be involved in signal transduction. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that at least three proteins, the speract receptor, the 63[emsp4 ]kDa GPI-anchored protein and the subunit of a heterotrimeric Gs protein, are localized in the LD-DIM. This suggests that the LD-DIM fraction may be a membrane microdomain for speract–speract receptor interaction, as well as the subsequent signal transduction pathway involved in induction of sperm respiration, motility and possibly the acrosome reaction.     

Nucleation of Astral-shaped Microtubules from Latex Beads Conjugated with MTOG Proteins

A model system for the formation of astral-shaped microtubules (Mts) consisting of Latex beads (diameter of 0.2 mum), a protein fraction (p51) comprised of MTOGs (microtubule-organizing granules) and tubulin was established. The Latex beads were first incubated with p51 in the presence of GTP at 0 degrees C, then the purified tubulin dimer fraction was added, resulting in the formation of an aster-like structure observed by dark-field microscopy. On preincubation of the Latex beads with GDP instead of GTP, the asters did not form. Unhydrolyzable GTP analogues such as GTP-gammaS and GMP-PNP promoted aster formation as did GTP as observed by dark-field microscopy. Polylysine, as representative of basic polymers capable of binding to the surface of the Latex beads, promoted spontaneous Mt assembly, and eventually an aster-like structure without Latex beads in the center formed. Further analyses made by measuring the optical density of the aster-forming system produced the following results. 1) preincubation of the Latex beads with GTP or GMP-PNP supported Mt assembly from the beads showing profiles typical for a sitedirected assembly without the lag phase. 2) GTP-gammaS and GDP inhibited the turbidity increase of the system, causing a decrease in both the initial velocity and the level of steady state of Mt assembly. 3) Anti-p51 monoclonal antibody (HP1) substantially inhibited the aster formation, while anti-gamma-tubulin antibody only slightly inhibited assembly.