Synthesis of platelet-activating factor by polymorphonuclear neutrophils stimulated with interleukin-8.

Human interleukin-8 (IL-8) was evaluated for its capability to induce the synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). IL-8 promotes in a dose-dependent fashion (1-100 ng/ml) a rapid synthesis of PAF, which is only partially released. The synthesis of PAF is preceded by the activation of acetyl-CoA: 1-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyl-transferase, suggesting that IL-8 activates the "remodeling pathway" of PAF synthesis. By thin layer chromatography and reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography, we demonstrated that PAF synthesized by human PMN stimulated with IL-8 is heterogeneous: the 2-acetylated phospholipids having the biological and physicochemical characteristics of PAF include the 1-O-alkyl form, which is produced in large extent (51%), and the 1-acyl form (20%). The analysis of the individual molecular species of radyl chain indicated nine peaks, 16:0 and 18:0 being the predominant forms. These results identify PAF as a direct product of IL-8 stimulation in PMN.     

Transformation of Acidiphilium by electroporation and conjugation.

Two techniques, electroporation and conjugation, have been used to introduce the RK2-based broad-host-range plasmids pRK415 and pLAFR3 into strains of the bacterial genus Acidiphilium. Using electroporation, cells were also transformed with a series of chimeric plasmids constructed by cloning cryptic Acidiphilium plasmids into the Escherichia coli vector pBR328. Various parameters affecting electroporation were investigated. Transformation efficiency varied widely with different recipient strains. Growth at an elevated temperature (37 degrees C) prior to electroporation increased transformation efficiency 10-fold compared with growth at 32 degrees C. For three strains tested, optimum transformation efficiency was obtained with field strengths of 10-15 kV/cm. Transformation efficiency increased linearly with increasing DNA concentration up to 10 micrograms/mL. Transformation efficiencies in these experiments ranged up to 10(4) transformants/micrograms DNA. Mobilization of pRK415 and pLAFR3 from E. coli strain S17.1 into several Acidiphilium strains was achieved following incubation for 3 h on nutrient agar medium (pH 7.0). Conjugation frequencies in the range of 10(-5)-10(-9) per recipient cell were obtained. Conjugation frequency was also dependent on recipient strain.     

N-acetylcysteine and glutathione as inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor production.

TNF is a major mediator in the pathogenesis of endotoxic shock, and its inhibition has a protective effect in various animal models of sepsis or endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) toxicity. LPS treatment also induces an oxidative damage mediated by increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and a precursor of the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) and was reported to protect against LPS toxicity and LPS-induced pulmonary edema. In this study we investigated the effect of NAC on TNF production and LPS lethality in mice. The results indicated that oral administration of NAC protects against LPS toxicity and inhibits the increase in serum TNF levels in LPS-treated mice. The inhibition was not confined to the released form of TNF, since NAC also inhibited LPS-induced spleen-associated TNF. On the other hand, the inhibitor of GSH synthesis, DL-buthionine-(SR)-sulfoximine (BSO), had the opposite effect of potentiating LPS-induced TNF production, and this was associated with a decrease in liver GSH levels. Repletion of liver GSH with NAC reversed this effect. NAC was also active in inhibiting TNF production and hepatotoxicity in mice treated with LPS in association with a sensitizing dose of Actinomycin D. These data indicate that GSH can be an endogenous modulator of TNF production in vivo. On the other hand, NAC pretreatment did not inhibit other effects of LPS, particularly induction of serum IL-6, spleen IL-1 alpha, and corticosterone, in the same experimental model, suggesting that the observed effect could be specific for TNF.     

Cytochemical Ca2+ Distribution in Activated Discoglossus pictus Eggs: A Gradient in the Predetermined Site of Fertilization

The K-pyroantimonate/OsO₄ (PA) cytochemical method coupled with EGTA and X-ray microanalytical controls has been used to localize Ca²⁺ at egg activation in Discoglossus pictus eggs. The results show that: 1) the PA method is able to selectively localize Ca²⁺ pools mobilized by activating stimuli; 2) the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) elements located in the animal dimple region, i.e. in the predetermined site of fertilization, are the first egg components labeled by precipitates; 3) a decreasing gradient of precipitates is present from the center beyond the boundaries of the dimple region; 4) precipitates are lacking in the remainder of the egg even at late times after activation.
The possibilities are discussed that a) SER is the major Ca²⁺-releasing store at activation in Discoglossus , and b) the observed gradient of pyroantimonate-detected Ca²⁺ reflects an ionic Ca²⁺ gradient.     

Sensory rhodopsin I: Receptor activation and signal relay

Recent progress is summarized on the mechanism of phototransduction by sensory rhodopsin I (SR-I), a phototaxis receptor inHalobacterium halobium. Two aspects are emphasized: (i)The coupling of retinal isomerization to protein conformational changes. Retinal analogs have been used to probe chromophore-apoprotein interactions during the receptor activation process. One of the most important results is the finding of a steric trigger deriving from the interaction of residues on the protein with a methyl group near the isomerizing bond of the retinal (at carbon 13). Recent work on molecular genetic methods to further probe structure/function includes the synthesis and expression of an SR-I apoprotein gene designed for residue replacements by cassette mutagenesis, and transformation of anH. halobium mutant lacking all retinylidene proteins known in this species to SR-I⁺ and bacteriorhodopsin (BR)⁺. (ii)The relay of the SR-I signal to a post-receptor component. A carboxylmethylated protein (MPP-I) associated with SR-I and found in theH. halobium membrane exhibits homology with the signaling domain of eubacterial chemotaxis transducers (e.g.,Escherichia coli Tar, Tsr, and Trg proteins), suggesting a model based on SR-I MPP-I signal relay.     

Kiwifruit micropropagation through callus shoot-bud induction

Summary A profitable system for the establishment of morphogenic callus cultures and indirect shoot induction and development was accomplished from nodal shoot segments obtained from adult and micropropagated plants of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa [Chev.] Liang and Ferguson, var.deliciosa) cv. “Hayward”. The effects of medium composition, cytokinin levels, dilution of salts, and type of callus derived from the cultured primary explants were studied. Medium composition as well as type of callus greatly affected organogenic responses.     

c-fos and c-myc expression in human endothelial cells as a function of different culture conditions

Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HEC) could be induced to express c-fos and c-myc mRNA by either serum or ECGS (endothelial cell growth supplement). Neither agonist separately could support HEC proliferation but the combination did. Expression of c-fos and c-myc mRNA in the presence of both serum and ECGS was similar to that observed after each of the two stimuli was introduced separately. c-fos and c-myc expression in cultured HEC, even if related, is not necessarily accompanied by stimulation of cell growth.     

Peripheral nervous control of cold-induced reduction in the respiratory quotient of the rat

Cold-exposed rats show a reduction in the respiratory quotient which is indicative of a relative shift from carbohydrates to lipids as substrates for oxidative metabolism. In the present study, the effects of food deprivation and cold exposure on the respiratory quotient were observed. In addition, the involvement of the three main branches of the peripheral nervous system (sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic) was investigated by means of synaptic blockade with propranolol, atropine, and quinine, respectively. Both propranolol and quinine blocked the cold-induced decrease in respiratory quotient and increase in heat production, whereas atropine had only minor and very brief effects. It is concluded that both the sympathetic and somatic branches are involved in the metabolic changes associated with cold-induced thermogenesis and that the increase in metabolic heat production involves a shift from carbohydrate to lipid utilization irrespective of which of the two branches is activated.