Human cytomegalovirus maturational proteinase: expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and enzymatic characterization by using peptide substrate mimics of natural cleavage sites.

The proteolytic processing of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) assembly protein, resulting in truncation of its C terminus, is an essential step in virion maturation. The proteinase responsible for this cleavage is the amino-terminal half of the protein encoded by the UL80a open reading fame. We have obtained high expression levels of this 256-amino-acid HCMV proteinase, assemblin, in Escherichia coli. In addition to the 28-kDa proteinase, a 15-kDa protein comprising the first 143 amino acids and a 13-kDa protein comprising the last 113 amino acids of the 28-kDa HCMV proteinase were present. Both the 28-kDa proteinase and the 15-kDa protein were purified by a two-step chromatographic procedure utilizing anion exchange in urea and dithiothreitol and size exclusion in NaSCN and dithiothreitol. Activation of the purified 28-kDa proteinase required denaturation in urea as well as complete reduction of all five cysteine residues in the molecule. Removal of the urea by dialysis with retention of the reducing agent yielded an active proteinase. Addition of glycerol to 50% enhanced the activity. The HCMV proteinase cleaved the peptides RGVVNASSRLAK and SYVKASVSPE, which are mimics of the maturational (M)- and release (R)-site sequences, respectively, in the UL80a-encoded protein. The cleavage site in the peptides was at the same Ala-Ser scissile bond as observed in the UL80a protein. The Km value for the cleavage of RGVVNASSRLAK (M-site mimic) by the proteinase was similar to that for SYVKASVSPE (R-site mimic), but the turnover (kcat) of the M-site peptide mimic substrate by the proteinase was six to eight times faster. The peptide homologs of the herpes simplex virus type 1 M- and R-site sequences in the UL26-encoded protein were also cleaved by the HCMV proteinase, although at rates slower than those for the HCMV substrates. The HCMV proteinase was inhibited by Zn2+ and by alkylating agents, but only at very high inhibitor concentrations. The purified 15-kDa protein, subjected to the same activation conditions as the 28-kDa proteinase, had no enzymatic activity against the HCMV M- and R-site peptide substrates.     

Alpha-neo-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in the cat brain stem

This paper examines the distribution of fibers and cell bodies containing alpha-neo-endorphin in the cat brain stem by using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. A high or moderate density of immunoreactive cell bodies was found in the superior central nucleus, nucleus incertus, dorsal tegmental nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid body, and in the laminar spinal trigeminal nucleus, whereas a low density of such perikarya was observed in the inferior colliculus, nucleus praepositus hypoglossi, dorsal nucleus of the raphe, nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus, and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. The highest density of immunoreactive fibers was found in the substantia nigra, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, nucleus coeruleus, lateral tegmental field, marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum, and in the inferior and medial vestibular nuclei. These results indicate that alpha-neo-endorphin is widely distributed in the cat brain stem and suggest that the peptide could play an important role in several physiological functions, e.g., those involved in respiratory, cardiovascular, auditory, and motor mechanisms.     

Environmental,geographical and time-related impacts on avian malaria infections in native and introduced populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), a globally invasive species

Aim

The increasing spread of vector-borne diseases has resulted in severe health concerns for humans, domestic animals and wildlife, with changes in land use and the introduction of invasive species being among the main possible causes for this increase. We explored several ecological drivers potentially affecting the local prevalence and richness of avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows (Passer domesticus) populations.

Location

Global.

Time period

2002–2019.

Major taxa studied

Avian Plasmodium parasites in house sparrows.

Methods

We analysed data from 2,220 samples from 69 localities across all continents, except Antarctica. The influence of environment (urbanization index and human density), geography (altitude, latitude, hemisphere) and time (bird breeding season and years since introduction) were analysed using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) and random forests.

Results

Overall, 670 sparrows (30.2%) were infected with 22 Plasmodium lineages. In native populations, parasite prevalence was positively related to urbanization index, with the highest prevalence values in areas with intermediate urbanization levels. Likewise, in introduced populations, prevalence was positively associated with urbanization index; however, higher infection occurred in areas with either extreme high or low levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, the number of parasite lineages increased with altitude and with the years elapsed since the establishment of sparrows in a new locality. Here, after a decline in the number of parasite lineages in the first 30 years, an increase from 40 years onwards was detected.

Main conclusions

Urbanization was related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced bird populations. In invaded areas, altitude and time since bird introduction were related to the number of Plasmodium lineages found to be infecting sparrows.     

Between-population variation in size-dependent reproduction and reproductive allocation in Pinguiculavulgaris (Lentibulariaceae) and its environmental correlates

Several important fitness components in herbaceous perennial plants are commonly related to plant size: flowering probability, reproductive allocation and fecundity. However, evidence for such size-dependence of fitness components is mostly anecdotal and unconnected to other life history traits. Here we report size-dependence for flowering probability and reproductive allocation in 11 populations of Pinguicula vulgaris and relate it to environmental factors. Flowering probability was size-dependent in all populations of P. vulgaris , and indicated the existence of a threshold size for reproduction. Populations at low altitudes and in wet soils showed a significantly higher threshold size for reproduction. Reproductive mass was also size-dependent in all populations. We found considerable between-population differences in the slope and the intercept of the regression between plant size and reproductive mass. This variation was weakly related to the environmental factors measured. In general, relationships between different size-dependent fitness components were low. Instead of showing a covariation of traits, in line with interpretations in terms of life history "tactics", P. vulgaris seemed to independently vary each size-dependent fitness component in each locality. In particular, no significant relationship was found between threshold size for reproduction and the slope of size-dependent reproductive allocation, as predicted by previous authors. Neither we found a significant influence of somatic cost of reproduction on size-dependent fitness components.     

Regulation of DOPA Decarboxylase Activity in Brain of Living Rat

Abstract: To test the hypothesis that l -DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) is a regulated enzyme in the synthesis of dopamine (DA), we developed a model of the cerebral uptake and metabolism of [³H]DOPA. The unidirectional blood-brain clearance of [³H]DOPA ( K ^D₁) was 0.049 ml g⁻¹ min⁻¹. The relative DDC activity ( k ^D₃) was 0.26 min⁻¹ in striatum, 0.04 min⁻¹ in hypothalamus, and 0.02 min⁻¹ in hippocampus. In striatum, 3,4-[³H]dihydroxyphenylacetic acid ([³H]DOPAC) was formed from [³H]DA with a rate constant of 0.013 min⁻¹, [³H]homovanillic acid ([³H]HVA) was formed from [³H]DOPAC at a rate constant of 0.020 min⁻¹, and [³H]HVA was eliminated from brain at a rate constant of 0.037 min⁻¹. Together, these rate constants predicted the ratios of endogenous DOPAC and HVA to DA in rat striatum. Pargyline, an inhibitor of DA catabolism, substantially reduced the contrast between striatum and cortex, in comparison with the contrast seen in autoradiograms of control rats. At 30 min and at 4 h after pargyline, k ^D₃ was reduced by 50% in striatum and olfactory tubercle but was unaffected in hypothalamus, indicating that DDC activity is reduced in specific brain regions after monoamine oxidase inhibition. Thus, DDC activity may be a regulated step in the synthesis of DA.     

Intravenous vs. oral rehydration: effects on subsequent exercise-heat stress

Castellani, John W., Carl M. Maresh, Lawrence E. Armstrong,Robert W. Kenefick, Deborah Riebe, Marcos Echegaray, Douglas Casa, andV. Daniel Castracane. Intravenous vs. oral rehydration: effects onsubsequent exercise-heat stress. J. Appl.Physiol. 82(3): 799-806, 1997.This studycompared the influence of intravenous vs. oral rehydration afterexercise-induced dehydration during a subsequent 90-min exercisebout. It was hypothesized that cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and hormonal variables would be the same between intravenous and oral rehydration because of similar restoration ofplasma volume (PV) and osmolality (Osmo). Eight non-heat-acclimated menreceived three experimental treatments (counterbalanced design) immediately after exercise-induced dehydration (33°C) to 4%body weight loss. Treatments were intravenous 0.45% NaCl (iv; 25 ml/kg), no fluid (NF), and oral saline (Oral; 25 ml/kg).After rehydration and rest (2 h total), subjects walked at 50% maximalO₂ consumption for up to 90 min at36°C. The following observations were made: 1) heart rate was higher(P < 0.05) in Oral vs. ivat minutes 45, 60, and75 of exercise;2) rectal temperature, sweat rate, percent change in PV, and change in plasma Osmo were similar between ivand Oral; 3) change in plasmanorepinephrine decreased less (P < 0.05) in Oral compared with iv at minute45; 4) changes in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol were similar between ivand Oral after exercise was initiated; and5) exercise time was similar betweeniv (77.4 ± 5.4 min) and Oral (84.2 ± 2.3 min). These datasuggest that after exercise-induced dehydration, iv and Oral wereequally effective as rehydration treatments. Thermoregulation, changein adrenocorticotropic hormone, and change in cortisol were notdifferent between iv and Oral after exercise began; this is likely dueto similar percent change in PV and change in Osmo.

     

β-Endorphin like immunoreactivity of brain,pituitary gland and plasma of rats submitted to postnatal protein malnutrition: Effect of behavioral training

Wistar-derived rats were raised and maintained either on a normal- (25% casein) or on a low-protein (8% casein) diet until the age of 100 to 114 days. Both diets were isocaloric and contained an adequate supply of salts and vitamins. There were gross differences in body, brain and pituitary weight between the two groups. In addition, the brain and pituitary content of β-endorphin like immunoreactivity was lower in the protein malnourished rats, and three different forms of training (50 tone-footshock shuttle avoidance trials; 50 tones alone (habituation); 50 footshocks alone) caused a depletion of brain β-endorphin like immunoreactivity in the normal, but not in the malnourished rats. Footshock stimulation caused, in addition, a pituitary decrease and a plasma increase of β-endorphin like immunoreactivity, also restricted to the normal diet group. Performance in the habituation and in the shuttle avoidance tasks was similar in the two groups, despite the different responsiveness of their brain and pituitary β-endorphin systems to training and/or stimulation. In view of the possible involvement of these systems in learning suggested by these and by previous data, it seems likely that the neurohumoral regulation of habituation and avoidance learning may be different in rats submitted to protein malnutrition when compared to controls.     

Extracellular Ca2+ and the effect of antidiuretic hormone on the water permeability of the toad urinary bladder: An example of flow-induced alteration of flow

Summary The extracellular Ca²⁺ requirement for antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulation of water permeability in the toad urinary bladder has been critically examined. The polarity of the tissue was maintained with 1mm Ca²⁺ in the mucosal bathing medium and a serosal bath nominally free of Ca²⁺. Under these condition, ADH-induced osmotic water flow was inhibited by more than 60% while enhancement of the diffusional permeability to water was unaffected. Structural studies revealed that low serosal Ca²⁺ led to parallel alterations in epithelial architecture that amounted to a significant distorition of the osmotic water pathway. Prevention of these alterations, or restoration of normal cell-cell contact showed that the reduction of serosal Ca²⁺ did not restrict hormonal action,per se, but that it resulted in a weakening of cell-cell junctions such that intercellular space distension during water flow occurred to a point where the geometric conditions for maintenance of osmotic flow were compromised. We conclude that extracellular Ca²⁺ is not a requirement for the molecular aspects of ADH action but that, in its absence, a direct measurement of ADH-induced osmotic flow proves to be an inaccurate index of the hormone-generated changes in epithelial transport characteristics. Under certain conditions the ADH-effect on the tissue's hydraulic permeability is probably best assessed by measurement of the diffusional permability to water; although accuracy in this determination is difficult, it is not as strongly dependent on tissue geometry.