Processing of an endogenous protein can generate MHC class II-restricted T cell determinants distinct from those derived from exogenous antigen.

Class II MHC molecules on the surface of an APC present immunogenic peptides derived mainly from exogenous proteins to CD4+ T cells. During its transport to the cell surface, class II molecules intersect the endocytic pathway where they acquire peptides derived from endocytosed proteins. However, class II-restricted presentation of endogenously derived peptides can also occur. The current studies were undertaken to examine the ability of different types of APC to generate and present four different T cell determinants derived from an endogenous, nonsecreted, truncated form of hen-egg white lysozyme (HEL[1-80]-Kk). This was compared with the ability of these APC to generate the same determinants from exogenous HEL. All the peptides derived from endogenous HEL[1-80]-Kk tested, were presented by B cells to HEL-specific T cell hybridomas with an efficiency similar to presentation of the same determinants from exogenous HEL. In contrast, an I-Ak-bearing rat fibroblast was unable to generate the HEL peptide 25-43 from exogenous HEL, but could efficiently produce it from endogenous HEL[1-80]-Kk. The results indicate first, that peptides derived from an endogenous Ag can be presented by MHC class II molecules with an efficiency comparable to that of the presentation of the exogenous Ag. Second, that Ag-presenting B cells can generate the same repertoire of antigenic peptides from endogenous Ag as those generated from the exogenous protein. And third, that in contrast to B cells, certain "nonprofessional" APC can generate, from an endogenous protein, T cell determinants distinct from those generated after endocytosis of the exogenous protein. These results suggest that processing of exogenous and endogenous Ag by different APC take place in different intracellular compartments.     

Differentiation between thermophilic Campylobacter species by species-specific antibodies

P.L. GRIFFITHS. G.S. MORENO AND R.W. A. PARK. 1992. The four species of thermophilic camplyobacters, Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. upsaliensis and C. lari , are difficult to distinguish from each other because of their lack of reactivity in many conventional biochemical and physiological tests. Those tests which do discriminate sometimes give discordant results. Species-specific antibody preparations (APs), capable of discriminating between the thermophilic campylobacter species by dot-ELISA, were raised by inoculation of mice with partially purified membrane protein. The APs produced were absorbed with cells of cross-reactive species and tested by dot-ELISA against reference and natural strains, the identities of which were confirmed by DNA/DNA hybridization. The results showed that such APs could be useful as an alternative to DNA/DNA hybridization for rapid species identification, for example in epidemiological surveys. Western blotting experiments with the APs showed that the specificity of the antibodies was not due to a single antigen.     

Increased susceptibility of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase to proteolytic degradation caused by oxidative treatments

The susceptibility of the chloroplastic enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase to proteolysis by trypsin, chymotrypsin, proteinase K, and papain is enhanced by oxidative treatments including spontaneous oxidation of cysteines. Proteinases exhibit a high specificity for the oxidized inactive form of the carboxylase, cleaving its large subunit. Treatment of the inactive enzyme with dithiothreitol results in partial recovery of both carboxylase activity and resistance to proteolysis. This behavior may explain the specific degradation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase that occurs in vivo during leaf senescence.     

Gene ompR and regulation of microcin 17 and colicin e2 syntheses.

The production of microcin 17 is controlled by plasmid pRYC17. Chromosomal mutants unable to produce a normal amount of microcin were isolated in Escherichia coli. One of the mutations maps in the ompR locus, indicating that an active OmpR product is required for the synthesis of microcin 17. The same conclusion was obtained for the synthesis of colicin E2. Therefore, two new functions of the regulatory gene ompR have been revealed.     

Operation of the glucose-fatty acid cycle after glycogenolysis induced by treatment with nicotinic acid.

The intramembranous segment of glycophorin A has been localized to a 35-amino acid peptide. This has been isolated by a new procedure in which acid-insoluble peptides of a tryptic digest of detergent-purified glycophorin A are fractionated by countercurrent distribution. Amino acid sequence analyses, using both manual and automatic Edman degradation techniques, indicate that this peptide has a unique sequence in contrast to earlier work (J. P. Segrest, I. Kahane, R. L. Jackson, and V. T. Marchesi, 1973, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 49, 964–969). Ambiguities at three positions have been resolved, and sequencing errors at two additional positions have been corrected. One segment of this peptide has an uninterrupted stretch of 22 uncharged amino acids, and it is likely that this is the part which spans the lipid bilayer of the membrane. The complete 35-residue peptide has an apparent molecular weight in the 6000–8000 range, when analyzed on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, suggesting that it forms dimers under these conditions. This result is consistent with our earlier proposal that intact glycophorin A molecules exist as dimers in sodium dodecyl sulfate which are stabilized by noncovalent associations between hydrophobic segments of their polypeptide chains.     

Neuronal and mixed neuronal glial tumors associated to epilepsy. A heterogeneous and related group of tumours

The group of brain tumors with mature components encompasses several pathological entities including: the ganglioneuroma; the gangliocytoma; the ganglioglioma; the desmoplastic ganglioglioma; the neurocitoma and a group of glioneuronal hamartomatous tumorous lesions, such as meningoangiomatosis. The dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor is characterized by the presence of multiple cortical nodules made up of small, oligo-like cells and a myxoid pattern rich in mucopolysaccharides. Mature neuronal cells are frequently detected throughout the tumor. Most of them are associated with microhamartias in the adjacent brain and pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The excellent prognosis of the majority of these tumors and the potential for malignant transformation of the glial component in the ganglioglioma are the two most remarkable findings. Histological signs of anaplasia and greater mitotic and proliferative activities are associated with local recurrences. Atypical neurocytomas occur only exceptionally. Treatment choices are surgical resectioning and, in those cases presenting greater proliferative activity and cytological atypia, postoperative radiotherapy may be recommended. This paper reviews this heterogeneous group of neoplasms and hamartomatous lesions, pointing out presumable transitions among the different types of mixed neuronal and glial brain tumors. A single term of "mixed neuronal-glial tumors" is defended, distinguishing different subgroups of tumors, depending on the predominant cellular component.     

Large-Scale Patterns of Quercus ilex, Quercus suber, and Quercus pyrenaica Regeneration in Central-Western Spain

In Central-Western Spain, forests and woodlands composed of Quercus sp. support outstanding levels of biodiversity, but there is increasing concern about their long-term persistence due to a lack of regeneration. We hypothesize that this regenerative lack is operating on a large geographic scale; that there are differences in the abundance of regeneration between three oak species; that oak regeneration is governed mainly by forest management and structure; and that shrubs act as important physical protectors of seedlings and saplings. We analyzed whether densities of oak seedlings and saplings in several size classes were related to stand-structure, understory, and physiographic variables potentially affecting regeneration. Data collected at a regional level (1 km × 1 km grid) by the Spanish Forest Inventory were evaluated from 2,816 plots. Results revealed that regeneration failure was common for all size categories, from small seedlings to large saplings, and for the three oak species studied, especially the evergreens. Of the Quercus ilex, Q. suber, and Q. pyrenaica plots studied, 49%, 62%, and 20% were lacking any small seedlings, and 82%, 96%, and 56% did not have any large saplings, respectively. Regeneration was positively correlated with tree cover and density, especially of small and medium-sized trees, and negatively correlated with the presence of large trees, indicating that regeneration failure is mostly associated with more open, uniform, and/or aged woodlands. Regeneration densities of Q. ilex and Q. suber were positively correlated with all understory variables, suggesting that the presence of pioneer shrubs represent a major safe site for early tree recruitment, independent from specific shrub species.