Inositol trisphosphate isomers, but not inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, induce calcium influx in Xenopus laevis oocytes

To investigate the mechanisms by which inositol phosphates regulate cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c), we injected Xenopus oocytes with inositol phosphates and measured Ca2+-activated Cl- currents as an assay of [Ca2+]c. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) injection (0.1-10.0 pmol) induced an initial transient Cl- current (I1) followed by a second more prolonged Cl- current (I2). Both currents were Ca2+-dependent, but the source of Ca2+ was different. Release of intracellular Ca2+ stores produced I1, whereas influx of extracellular Ca2+ produced I2; Ca2+-free bathing media and inorganic calcium channel blockers (Mn2+, Co2+) did not alter I1 but completely and reversibly inhibited I2. Injection of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) (0.2-10.0 pmol) generated a Ca2+-dependent Cl- current with superimposed current oscillations that resulted from release of intracellular Ca2+, not Ca2+ influx. Injection of the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (10.0 pmol), or the synthetic inositol trisphosphate isomer, inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate (1.0-10.0 pmol), mimicked the effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3, stimulating an I1 resulting from release of intracellular Ca2+ and an I2 resulting from influx of extracellular Ca2+. The results indicate that several inositol trisphosphate isomers stimulate both release of intracellular Ca2+ and influx of extracellular Ca2+. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 also stimulated release of intracellular Ca2+, but it was neither sufficient nor required for Ca2+ influx.     

Oligo-riboprobes

Summary In situ hybridisation detection of mRNAs using riboprobes has become a widely used technique. However, the identification of cells producing closely-related yet distinct mRNAs is difficult with the usual size probes. More-over, it is not always easy to obtain the required cDNA essential for cRNA probe synthesis. To avoid these problems, we have used synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides to generate short, single stranded RNA probes (oligo-riboprobes). These probes can be labelled to very high (10⁹ cpm/g) specific activity and can be prepared for any published nucleotide sequence. We have used these probes to localise (preprotachykinin) PPT mRNA producing neurons in rat hypothalamus and bowel. The results were compared to that obtained with cRNA probes generated from preprotachykinin cDNA.     

The influence of peripheral nerve graft's predegeneration stage on the regrowth of hippocampal injured neurites and concomitant changes in submicrosomal fraction proteins of grafts.

The present work has a twofold aim: 1. To ascertain whether the stimulative influence of peripheral nerve grafts on injured hippocampal neurons depends on the time lapse after transection and; 2. To examine whether the mentioned effect runs parallel to the time-dependent changes of proteins contents and composition in the submicrosomal fraction from transected rat sciatic nerves. Fluorescence microscope examination revealed that FITC-HRP labeled cells extending their neurites into the implanted peripheral nerve segments were particularly numerous among the hippocampal neurons when 7- and 35-day-old predegenegated distal stumps were used as grafts. Discontinuous SDS-slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of submicrosomal fraction proteins obtained from distal stumps of rat sciatic nerves was performed at the 7, 14, 21 and 35 days after transection. Among the obtained protein fractions the most interesting seem to be the ones of 47 and 54 kDa, which reached maximal levels at the 7th day and the 50 kDa fraction with a maximum at the 35th experimental day. It is possible that the growth promoting power of the employed grafts depends on the presence of proper proteins.     

Serial studies of autologous antibody reactivity to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Summary In previous studies we evaluated the incidence and specificity of autologous antibody reactivity against squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We were able to demonstrate that autologous antibody reactivity is present in native sera but was usually of too low a titer to allow further analysis. Dissociation of immune complexes by acidification and ultrafiltration of serum augmented autologous antibody reactivity in nine out of nine autologous systems tested. Native antibody and antibody derived from immune complexes produced by the host and reactive with autologous tumor cells may be directed against physiologically relevant antigens. Therefore, correlations of antibody titers with clinical course may provide insight into the nature of the host response to cancer. In the present analysis, serological studies of six patients with SCCHN were performed with serum samples obtained over many months. Results of serial serological assays were correlated to tumor progression and clinical course. Fluctuations in autologous antibody reactivity were noted over time. In four cases, rises in autologous antibody titers preceded the clinical diagnosis of recurrence by several months. Drops in autologous antibody reactivity were noted in two cases following surgery or radiation therapy. In two cases of long-term survivors, no correlation between antibody reactivity and clinical course was noted. Specificity analysis of the six autologous systems demonstrated reactivity against autologous and allogeneic SCCHN as well as melanoma cell lines. These sera did not react with glioma, neuroblastoma, renal cell, breast, bladder and colon carcinoma cell lines nor with fetal calf serum, pooled lymphocytes, red blood cells and platelets. Autologous serial serological studies may provide a means by which to evaluate the host/tumor relationship in patients with SCCHN.     

A simple model relating photoinhibitory fluorescence quenching in chloroplasts to a population of altered Photosystem II reaction centers

A model is presented describing the relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and photoinhibition of Photosystem (PS) II-dependent electron transport in chloroplasts. The model is based on the hypothesis that excess light creates a population of inhibited PS II units in the thylakoids. Those units are supposed to posses photochemically inactive reaction centers which convert excitation energy to heat and thereby quench variable fluorescence. If predominant photoinhibition of PS II and cooperativity in energy transfer between inhibited and active units are presumed, a quasi-linear correlation between PS II activity and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, F_VF_M, is obtained. However, the simulation does not result in an inherent linearity of the relationship between quantum yield of PS II and F_VF_M ratio. The model is used to fit experimental data on photoinhibited isolated chloroplasts. Results are discussed in view of current hypotheses of photoinhibition.Abbreviations F_M maximum total fluorescence - F₀ initial fluorescence - F_V maximum variable fluorescence - PS Photosystem - Q_A, Q_B primary and secondary electron acceptors of Photosystem II     

Organization of the biosynthesis genes for the peptide antibiotic gramicidin S.

A recombinant bacteriophage containing the intact Bacillus brevis gene for gramicidin S synthetase 1, grsA, and the 5' end of the gramicidin S synthetase 2 gene, grsB, was identified by screening an EMBL3 library with anti-GrsA antibodies. This clone, EMBL315, has a 14-kilobase (kb) insert that hybridizes to the previously isolated 3.9-kb fragment of the grsB gene, which encodes the 155-kilodalton ornithine-activating domain of gramicidin S synthetase 2. Deletion and subcloning experiments with the 14-kb insert located the grsA structural gene and its putative promoter on a 4.5-kb PvuII fragment which encoded the full-length 120-kilodalton protein in Escherichia coli. In addition, hybridization analysis revealed that the 5' end of the grsB gene is located approximately 3 kb from the grsA structural gene. Furthermore, these studies indicated that grsA and grsB are transcribed in opposite orientations.     

Activation of 2-5A-dependent RNase by analogs of 2-5A (5'-O-triphosphoryladenylyl(2'----5')adenylyl(2'----5')adenosine ) using 2',5'-tetraadenylate (core)-cellulose

A variety of 2-5A (px(A2'p)nA; x = 2 or 3, n greater than or equal to 2) analogs were assayed for their abilities to activate murine 2-5A-dependent RNase (subsequently "the nuclease") using a recently developed method. This technique consists of immobilizing and partially purifying the nuclease using core-cellulose [A2'p)3A-cellulose) and then monitoring the breakdown of poly(U)-3'-[32P]Cp into acid-soluble fragments. Several 5'-adenosinecapped analogs of 2-5A (containing a tetra-, tri-, or diphosphate) were analyzed, and it was found that reducing the number of phosphoryl groups between the 5' to 5'-diadenosine linkages resulted in a progressive loss of activity. Because A5' pppp(A2'p)3A was a potent activator of the nuclease yet stable during the assay these results suggested that a free 5'-phosphoryl group may not be required for the activation of the nuclease. A number of 8-bromoadenosine-substituted analogs of 2-5A were also studied. Curiously, the brominations decreased the activities of the 5'-di- and triphosphorylated molecules while substantially increasing the activities of the 5'-monophosphorylated species. The results indicated that a tri- or diphosphate moiety on the 5'-end of 2-5A or the presence of ATP is not absolutely required for the nuclease to be active. Furthermore, the ATP analog, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, did not inhibit the activity of the nuclease. Finally, a 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage isomer of 2-5A and a 3'-deoxy (cordycepin) analog of 2-5A were tested, and both were found to be completely without activity.     

Apolipoprotein changes associated with the plasma lipid-regulating activity of gemfibrozil in cholesterol-fed rats

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a new plasma lipid-regulating drug that decreases very low and low density lipoprotein (VLD/LDL) and increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations in man. The present experiments tested the effects of gemfibrozil on plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in rats fed high fat/high cholesterol diets. Compared to chow-fed rats, cholesterol feeding for 2 weeks (20% olive oil/2% cholesterol) produced the expected increases in VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) while lowering plasma HDL. This was documented by using three methods of lipoprotein isolation: sequential ultracentrifugation, density gradient ultracentrifugation, and agarose gel filtration. Gemfibrozil gavaged at 50 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks during cholesterol feeding prevented these changes such that lipoprotein patterns were similar to those in chow-fed animals. Whole plasma apoE and apoA-I concentrations were decreased and apoB increased due to cholesterol feeding as determined by electroimmunoassay, but again gemfibrozil treatment prevented these diet-induced alterations. Gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of the total d less than 1.21 g/ml lipoprotein fractions reflected the changes in apolipoprotein concentrations and further demonstrated a greater increase of apoBl compared to apoBh in cholesterol-fed rats. Gemfibrozil lowered the concentration of both apoB variants and prevented the shift of apoE from HDL to lower density lipoproteins. Changes in the distribution of apoE were confirmed using agarose gel column chromatography followed by electroimmunoassay. These methods also revealed a shift of apoA-IV from HDL to the d greater than 1.21 g/ml, lipoprotein-free fraction with gemfibrozil treatment when blood was taken from fasted or postabsorptive animals. Since it was also noted that in chow-fed rats more apoA-IV was present in the d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction in the postabsorptive or fed state compared to fasted animals, it could be postulated that the shift of apoA-IV into this fraction in gemfibrozil-treated rats is related to an accelerated clearance of chylomicrons. It is concluded that gemfibrozil largely prevents the accumulation of abnormal lipoproteins in this model of dyslipoproteinemia, and that apoE may play a critical role in this normalization process.     

Translation efficiency of zein mRNA is reduced by hybrid formation between the 5'- and 3'-untranslated region

The secondary structure of zein mRNA affects its translation potential. Here we show that in a cell-free system the translation efficiency of zein mRNA containing inverted repeats in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions is reduced. This translational block is released after deletion of the 3'-inverted repeat. We conclude that the translational block is caused by hybrid formation between the two inverted repeats. The translational efficiency of zein mRNAs, is also affected by varying the length or the primary structure of the 5'-untranslated region.