Distinct response of Medicago suspension cultures and roots to Nod factors and chitin oligomers in the elicitation of defense-related responses

The induction of plant defense-related responses by chitin oligomers and the Rhizobium meliloti lipo-chito-oligosaccharide nodulation signals (Nod factors) in Medicago cell cultures and roots was investigated by following the expression of genes encoding enzymes of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway, such as chalcone synthase, chalcone reductase, isoflavone reductase, as well as genes encoding a pathogenesis-related protein and a peroxidase. In suspension-cultured cells, all genes except the peroxidase gene were induced by both the R. meliloti Nod factor NodRm-IV(C16:2,S) and chitin oligomers with a minimum of three sugar residues. However, activation of these genes was not elicited by the symbiotically inactive, desulfated NodRm-IV(C16:2). Moreover, the cells were more sensitive to the chitin oligosaccharides than to the Nod factor. Analysis of flavonoids in Medicago microcallus cultures revealed differences between cells treated with N -acetyl-chitotetraose and those treated with Nod factor and demonstrated increased production of the phytoalexin medicarpin in the presence of Nod factor. In Medicago roots, none of the tested genes was activated by the N -acetylchitotetraose, whereas the Nod factor at micro-molar concentration enhanced transient expression of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic genes. The differential responses to Nod factors and chitin oligomers suggest that Medicago cells possess distinct perception systems for these related molecules.     

Biochemistry and pharmacology of 7α-substituted androstenediones as aromatase inhibitors

The inhibition of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for converting androgens to estrogens, is therapeutically useful for the endocrine treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Research by our laboratory has focused on developing competitive and irreversible steroidal aromatase inhibitors, with an emphasis on synthesis and biochemistry of 7α-substituted androstenediones. Numerous 7α-thiosubstituted androst-4-ene-3,17-diones are potent competitive inhibitors, and several 1,4-diene analogs, such as 7α-(4′-aminophenylthio)-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (7α-APTADD), have demonstrated effective enzyme-activated irreversible inhibition of aromatase in microsomal enzyme assays. One focus of current research is to examine the effectiveness and biochemical pharmacology of 7α-APTADD in vivo. In the hormone-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary carcinoma model system, 7α-APTADD at a 50 mg/kg/day dose caused an initial decrease in mean tumor volume during the first week, and tumor volume remained unchanged throughout the remaining 5-week treatment period. This agent lowers serum estradiol levels and inhibits ovarian aromatase activity. A second research area has focused on the synthesis of more metabolically stable inhibitors by replacing the thioether linkage at the 7α position with a carbon-carbon linkage. Several 7α-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-diones were synthesized by 1,6-conjugate additions of appropriate organocuprates to a protected androst-4,6-diene or by 1,4-conjugate additions to a seco-A-ring steroid intermediate. These compounds were all potent inhibitors of aromatase with apparent K_is ranging between 13 and 19 nM. Extension of the research on these 7α-arylaliphatic androgens includes the introduction of a C₁---C₂ double bond in the A-ring to provide enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors. The desired 7α-arylaliphatic androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-diones were obtained from their corresponding 7α-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-diones by oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). These inhibitors demonstrated enzyme-mediated inactivation of aromatase with apparent k_inacts ranging from 4.4 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.90 x 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The best inactivator of the series was 7α-phenpropylandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, which exhibited a T_1/2 of 6.08 min. Aromatase inhibition was also observed in MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cell cultures and in JAr human choriocarcinoma cell cultures, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 64-328 nM. The 7α-arylaliphatic androgens thus demonstrate potent inhibition of aromatase in both microsomal incubations and in choriocarcinoma cell lines expressing aromatase enzymatic activity. Additionally, the results from these studies provide further evidence for the presence of a hydrophobic binding pocket existing near the 7α-position of the steroid in the active site of aromatase. The size of the 7α-substituent influences optimal binding of steroidal inhibitors to the active site and affects the extent of enzyme-mediated inactivation observed with androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione analogs.     

Uptake of Ga-67 into rat cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum. Comparison with Fe-59.

Transferrin and transferrin receptors play an important role in the transport of iron into the brain. To determine whether gallium enters the brain by the same mechanism, uptakes of Ga and 59Fe have been compared under controlled conditions. Rates of gallium penetration into brain (K) were four times slower than those for 59Fe. Kin for Ga when infused with citrate were 0.88 ± 0.24 and 0.94 ± 0.39 x 10 ml gh for cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum, respectively. When infused as the transferrin complex, Ga uptake into the brain was not different from that when infused with citrate. The presence of the anti-transferrin receptor antibody OX-26 significantly reduced uptake of Fe by 60% and 64% into cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum, respectively. By contrast, pretreatment of rats with OX-26 enhanced the uptake of Ga into brain, particularly when infused with citrate; mean increases in uptake of Ga were 120% and 144% for cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum, respectively. Purified Ga-transferrin was also taken up into both brain regions examined in the presence of OX-26. These results indicate that the transport of non-transferrin bound gallium is an important mechanism for gallium uptake into brain.     

Sensitivity to stress in the bivalve Macoma balthica from the most northern (Arctic) to the most southern (French) populations: low sensitivity in Arctic populations because of genetic adaptations?

The stress sensitivity, determined in copper exposureexperiments and in survival in air tests, and thegenetic structure, measured by means of isoenzymeelectrophoresis, were assessed in populations of theBaltic clam Macoma balthica (L.) from itssouthern to its northern distribution limit, in orderto test the hypotheses that near the distributionlimit the clams would be more stress sensitive andwould have a lower genetic variability. Thepopulations in west and north Europe show a stronggenetic resemblance. The populations in the sub-ArcticWhite Sea are genetically slightly different, and showa low stress sensitivity. The populations in theArctic Pechora Sea are genetically very distant fromthe other populations, and show the lowest stresssensitivity. Near the southern distribution limit, inagreement with the hypotheses, genetic variability islow and stress sensitivity high. On the other hand, incontrast to expectation, near the northerndistribution limit, in the populations of the PechoraSea, the genetic variability was higher, thus notreduced, and the stress sensitivity was low comparedto all other populations. Yet, it remains a questionif such is due to gradual physiologicalacclimatization (and ongoing differential selection)or to genetic adaptation.     

Targeting Determinants and Proposed Evolutionary Basis for the Sec and the Delta pH Protein Transport Systems in Chloroplast Thylakoid Membranes

Transport of proteins to the thylakoid lumen is accomplished by two precursor-specific pathways, the Sec and the unique Delta pH transport systems. Pathway selection is specified by transient lumen-targeting domains (LTDs) on precursor proteins. Here, chimeric and mutant LTDs were used to identify elements responsible for targeting specificity. The results showed that: (a) minimal signal peptide motifs consisting of charged N, hydrophobic H, and cleavage C domains were both necessary and sufficient for pathway-specific targeting; (b) exclusive targeting to the Delta pH pathway requires a twin arginine in the N domain and an H domain that is incompatible with the Sec pathway; (c) exclusive targeting to the Sec pathway is achieved by an N domain that lacks the twin arginine, although the twin arginine was completely compatible with the Sec system. A dual-targeting signal peptide, constructed by combining Delta pH and Sec domains, was used to simultaneously compare the transport capability of both pathways when confronted with different passenger proteins. Whereas Sec passengers were efficiently transported by both pathways, Delta pH passengers were arrested in translocation on the Sec pathway. This finding suggests that the Delta pH mechanism evolved to accommodate transport of proteins incompatible with the thylakoid Sec machinery.     

Coloboma Hyperactive Mutant Mice Exhibit Regional and Transmitter-Specific Deficits in Neurotransmission

Abstract: The mouse mutant coloboma ( Cm /+), which exhibits profound spontaneous hyperactivity and bears a deletion mutation on chromosome 2, including the gene encoding synaptosomal protein SNAP-25, has been proposed to model aspects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Increasing evidence suggests a crucial role for SNAP-25 in the release of both classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. In the present study, we compared the release of specific neurotransmitters in vitro from synaptosomes and slices of selected brain regions from Cm /+ mice with that of +/+ mice. The release of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) from striatum, and of arginine vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing factor from hypothalamus and amygdala is calcium-dependent. Glutamate release from and content in cortical synaptosomes of Cm /+ mice are greatly reduced, which might contribute to the learning deficits in these mutants. In dorsal striatum of Cm /+ mutants, but not ventral striatum, KCI-induced release of DA is completely blocked and that of 5-HT is significantly attenuated, suggesting that striatal DA and 5-HT deficiencies may be involved in hyperactivity. Further, although acetylcholine failed to induce hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor release from Cm /+ slices, restraint stress increased plasma corticosterone levels in Cm /+ mice to a significantly higher level than in +/+ mice, suggesting an important role for arginine vasopressin in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. These results suggest that reduced SNAP-25 expression may contribute to a region-specific and neurotransmitter-specific deficiency in neurotransmitter release.     

Cooperative Interception of Neuronal Apoptosis by BCL-2 and BAG-1 Expression: Prevention of Caspase Activation and Reduced Production of Reactive Oxygen Species

Abstract: Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells undergo synchronous apoptosis when deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF). Here we show that NGF withdrawal induces actinomycin D- and cycloheximide-sensitive caspase (ICE-like) activity. The peptide inhibitor of caspase activity, N -acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde, was more potent than acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethyl ketone in preventing NGF withdrawal-induced apoptosis, suggesting an important role for caspase-3 (CPP32)-like proteases. We observed a peak of reactive oxygen species (ROS) 6 h after NGF withdrawal. ROS appear to be required for apoptosis, because cell death is prevented by the free radical spin trap, N-tert -butyl-α-phenylnitrone, and the antioxidant, N -acetylcysteine. ROS production was blocked by actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and caspase protease inhibitors, suggesting that ROS generation is downstream of new mRNA and protein synthesis and activation of caspases. Forced expression of either BCL-2 or the BCL-2-binding protein BAG-1 blocked NGF withdrawal-induced apoptosis, activation of caspases, and ROS generation, showing that they function upstream of caspases. Coexpression of BCL-2 and BAG-1 was more protective than expression of either protein alone.