c-Raf/MEK/ERK pathway controls protein kinase C-mediated p70S6K activation in adult cardiac muscle cells

p70S6 kinase (S6K1) plays a pivotal role in hypertrophic cardiac growth via ribosomal biogenesis. In pressure-overloaded myocardium, we show S6K1 activation accompanied by activation of protein kinase C (PKC), c-Raf, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). To explore the importance of the c-Raf/MAPK kinase (MEK)/MAPK pathway, we stimulated adult feline cardiomyocytes with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), insulin, or forskolin to activate PKC, phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, or protein kinase A (PKA), respectively. These treatments resulted in S6K1 activation with Thr-389 phosphorylation as well as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6 protein phosphorylation. Thr-421/Ser-424 phosphorylation of S6K1 was observed predominantly in TPA-treated cells. Dominant negative c-Raf expression or a MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) treatment showed a profound blocking effect only on the TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of S6K1 and mTOR. Whereas p38 MAPK inhibitors exhibited only partial effect, MAPK-phosphatase-3 expression significantly blocked the TPA-stimulated S6K1 and mTOR phosphorylation. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin blocked the Thr-389 but not the Thr-421/Ser-424 phosphorylation of S6K1. Therefore, during PKC activation, the c-Raf/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway mediates both the Thr-421/Ser-424 and the Thr-389 phosphorylation in an mTOR-independent and -dependent manner, respectively. Together, our in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that the PKC/c-Raf/MEK/ERK pathway plays a major role in the S6K1 activation in hypertrophic cardiac growth.     

Characterization of multiple-antimicrobial-resistant salmonella serovars isolated from retail meats

A total of 133 Salmonella isolates recovered from retail meats purchased in the United States and the People's Republic of China were assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility, the presence of integrons and antimicrobial resistance genes, and horizontal transfer of characterized antimicrobial resistance determinants via conjugation. Seventy-three (82%) of these Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. Resistance to the following antibiotics was common among the United States isolates: tetracycline (68% of the isolates were resistant), streptomycin (61%), sulfamethoxazole (42%), and ampicillin (29%). Eight Salmonella isolates (6%) were resistant to ceftriaxone. Fourteen isolates (11%) from the People's Republic of China were resistant to nalidixic acid and displayed decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. A total of 19 different antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in 30 multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates. The bla(CMY-2) gene, encoding a class A AmpC beta-lactamase, was detected in all 10 Salmonella isolates resistant to extended-spectrum beta-lactams. Resistance to ampicillin was most often associated with a TEM-1 family beta-lactamase gene. Six aminoglycoside resistance genes, aadA1, aadA2, aacC2, Kn, aph(3)-IIa, and aac(3)-IVa, were commonly present in the Salmonella isolates. Sixteen (54%) of 30 Salmonella isolates tested had integrons ranging in size from 0.75 to 2.7 kb. Conjugation studies demonstrated that there was plasmid-mediated transfer of genes encoding CMY-2 and TEM-1-like beta-lactamases. These data indicate that Salmonella isolates recovered from retail raw meats are commonly resistant to multiple antimicrobials, including those used for treating salmonellosis, such as ceftriaxone. Genes conferring antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella are often carried on integrons and plasmids and could be transmitted through conjugation. These mobile DNA elements have likely played an important role in transmission and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance determinants among Salmonella strains.     

Involvement of endopeptidase 24.15 in the inactivation of bradykinin by rat brain slices

The effect of peptidase inhibitors on the degradation of [3H]-bradykinin by rat hypothalamic slices was studied using HPLC to separate and identify the products. The degradation appears to be mainly mediated by an enzyme which cleaves the peptide at the Phe5-Ser6 bond and is inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, dynorphin(1-13) and carboxyphenylethyl-Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate. This suggest the involvement of a membrane bound variant of the soluble metalloendopeptidase (EC3.4.24.15) isolated from rat brain which degrades neurotensin, angiotensin and other neuropeptides as well as bradykinin.     

Death, injury and revival of chemically treated Bacillus subtilis spores

The resistance of spores of Bacillus subtilis NCTC 10073 to glutaraldehyde, sodium hypochlorite and povidone-iodine was compared. Revival of treated spores was examined by use of defined germination media and conditions, protein denaturing agents, ultrasonics and heat. Revival, obtained after treatment with each of the three chemical agents, originated under different sets of conditions and was of two recognizably distinct types. The results, including the evidence of electron microscopy, are discussed in terms of chemical-spore reactivity and the implications on their use and suitability as chemical sterilizers.     

Raised Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone, Pyroglutamylamino Peptidase, and Proline Endopeptidase Are Present in the Spinal Cord of Wobbler Mice but Not in Human Motor Neurone Disease

The Wobbler mouse (wr) is a mutant that exhibits loss of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord and brainstem and subsequent muscle wasting, particularly of the forelimbs and neck. The wr mice, 2-3 months of age, were found to have increased levels of immunoreactive-thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (ir-TRH) in the spinal cord and pons and medulla, but not in other CNS areas. This increase was observed in dorsal and ventral cord and at cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels and was confirmed by HPLC to be authentic TRH. The levels of immunoreactive-somatostatin, -neurotensin, and -substance P were not raised in the CNS of wr mice. The activities of two peptidases capable of degrading TRH, pyroglutamylaminopeptidase (PGAP, EC 3.4.11.8) and proline endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), and the level of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were also raised in the spinal cord of 2-3-month-old wr mice although the activities of alanine aminopeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase and the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine were not. Increased spinal cord levels of ir-TRH and PGAP and PEP activities were not observed in the 1-month-old wr mice. In addition, a pilot study using spinal cord obtained at autopsy from three patients with motor neurone disease and 12 control subjects indicated no increase in spinal cord ir-TRH, PGAP, or PEP in human motor neurone disease.     

Glyconeogenic and oxidative lactate utilization in skeletal muscle.

In this article we present a synthesis of recent information concerning the fate of lactate in skeletal muscle. This is important since lactate is continuously produced by skeletal muscle at rest and at all levels of exercise. Therefore, the disposal of lactate as an 'intermediary' metabolite is discussed. The two primary fates of lactate in skeletal muscle are (1) oxidation and (2) glycogen synthesis (glyconeogenesis). From recent evidence it seems relatively clear that glycogen formation in muscle is primarily dependent on glucose, although in fast twitch muscles a considerable proportion of lactate can account for muscle glycogen formation, especially immediately after exercise when circulating lactate levels are elevated. Exactly how lactate is converted to glycogen is not known yet, but an extramitochondrial pathway that is divergent from the hepatic gluconeogenic pathway seems likely. Oxidation of lactate is quantitatively the most important means of disposing of lactate, whether in exercising or nonexercising muscle. The lactate gradient between muscle and blood may be an important factor dictating whether lactate is taken up or released by muscle, independent of whether the muscle is active or not. Finally a novel role for epinephrine is considered that may be important for the mitochondrial oxidation of lactate.     

Production of inositol phosphates in BALB/C 3T3 cells stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor

When quiescent 3T3 fibroblast cells were pre-labelled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor there was a stimulation of the hydrolysis of membrane lipids and the rapid production of [3H]inositol polyphosphates. Rapid and transient peaks of isomers of inositol phosphates with the chromatographic properties of inositol trisphosphates and inositol tetrakisphosphates were detectable by anion-exchange HPLC between 5 and 10 s after stimulation. These data suggest that upon stimulation the receptor for fibroblast growth factor is coupled to a phosphoinositidase C and that one of its signal-transducing pathways involves hydrolysis of inositol lipids and the production of inositol polyphosphates, some of which may act as intracellular signals mediating the cellular response. Chronic stimulation with basic fibroblast growth factor is associated with desensitization of the inositol lipid signaling pathway.