Solubilization and partial characterization of the sex hormone-binding globulin receptor from human prostate

The sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) receptor was solubilized from the membranes of human prostate glands with the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonic acid). The binding activity of the soluble receptor was measured by allowing it to bind to 125I-SHBG and precipitating the complex with polyethylene glycol-8000. The binding activity was stable for at least 4 months at -20 degrees C and had a half-life of 23 days at 4 degrees C. Like the membrane-bound receptor, Scatchard analysis revealed two sets of binding sites for the soluble one. At equilibrium (24 h), the high affinity site had an association constant (KA) of 6.8 x 10(8) M-1 and a binding capacity of 1.4 pmol/mg protein, whereas the low affinity site had a KA of 4.7 x 10(6) M-1 and a binding capacity of 43 pmol/mg protein. At 37 degrees C, the association rate constant (k1) was 8.37 x 10(5) M-1 min-1 and the dissociation rate constant (k2) was 3.43 x 10(-4) min-1. The soluble receptor was retarded on Sepharose CL-6B and had an apparent Mr = 167,000.     

Synthesis of single-stranded plasmid pT181 DNA in vitro. Initiation and termination of DNA replication

The origin of replication of plasmid pT181 is nicked by the plasmid-encoded RepC protein. The free 3'-hydroxyl end at the nick is presumably used as primer for leading strand DNA synthesis. In vitro replication of pT181 was found to generate single-stranded DNA in addition to the supercoiled, double-stranded DNA. The single-stranded DNA was circular and corresponded to the pT181 leading strand. Recombinant plasmids were constructed that contain two pT181 origins of replication in either direct or inverted orientation. In vitro replication of the plasmid carrying two origins in direct orientation was shown to generate circular, single-stranded DNA that corresponded to initiation of replication at one origin sequence and termination at the other origin. These results demonstrate that the origin of pT181 leading strand DNA replication also serves as the site for termination of replication. Interestingly, the presence of two origins in inverted orientation resulted in initiation of replication at one origin and stalling of the replisome at the other origin. These results suggest that RepC can reinitiate replication at the second origin by nicking partially replicated, relaxed DNA. These data are consistent with the replication of pT181 by a rolling circle mechanism and indicate that single-stranded DNA is an intermediate in pT181 replication.     

Identification and localization of 3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase and 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate hydrolase genes of Pseudomonas putida and expression in Escherichia coli

The bphC and bphD genes of Pseudomonas putida involved in the catabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls or biphenyl were identified, localized, and studied for expression in Escherichia coli. This was achieved by cloning a 2.4-kilobase (kb) DNA fragment of recombinant cosmid pOH101 into HindIII site of pUC plasmids downstream of a lacZ promoter and measuring the enzyme activities of 3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase (3-PDase; a product of bphC) and the meta-cleavage product 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate hydrolase (a product of bphD). The amount of 3-PDase produced in E. coli was about 20 times higher than that of the enzyme produced by the parent, P. putida. Determination of expression of the bphC and bphD genes through their own promoter sequences or by using the lacZ promoter of pUC plasmids was done by cloning the DNA that encodes bphC and bphD genes in a HindIII site of a promoter selection vector (pKK232-8) upstream of the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). The recombinant plasmid (pAW787) constructed by inserting the 2.4-kb DNA in pKK232-8 expressed both 3-PDase and CAT activities. Another hybrid construct (pAW786) in which the DNA insert was cloned in the opposite orientation lacked CAT activity but produced normal amounts of 3-PDase activity. On the basis of these results, we suggest that the bphC and bphD genes were expressed by using promoter sequences that are independent of the promoter that expresses CAT activity in E. coli. The locations of the bphC and bphD genes were determined by insertional inactivation of the open reading frames of structural genes bphC and bphD by Tn5 mutagenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of Lernaeocera branchialis (Crustacea: Copepoda) on growth rate of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Influence of Lernaeocera branchialis, a hematophagous copepod, on the growth rate of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, was investigated in fish of various sizes. Initially, it appeared that growth, over a 16-mo period, was reduced when single or multiple infections were present. We then examined growth rate by comparing food consumption, weight gain, food conversion efficiency, and condition (k) factor over a 2-mo period and subsequently over a 4 wk in control and experimentally infected fish. Total body weight and length of each fish, controls and infected were determined before and after feeding known weights of food. Adults infected with young parasites consumed more food and gained more weight than controls, especially in the first month, but food conversion efficiency and k-factor were greater than those of controls after 2 mo, but food efficiency was still lower than in controls. In 2 groups of young infected fish, all values were consistently lower than those of uninfected fish of comparable size during the 2-mo period. Three additional trials on immature cod confirmed that infected fish consumed less food and exhibited less growth than infected controls. Our results suggest that only adult cod infected with immature parasites compensate for the infections by increasing food consumption, thus resulting in a transitory weight gain. Additionally, parasites that have completed their reproductive activities still produce subtle effects in the form of low food conversion efficiency in their hosts.     

Comparative study of cathinone and amphetamine on brown adipose thermogenesis

The effect of cathinone and amphetamine on brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and its modification with propranolol and timolol has been studied in rats. Both cathinone and amphetamine produced significant dose dependent increases in intracapsular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and rectal temperatures. Amphetamine was found to be three times more potent as compared to cathinone, on a dose basis. Pretreatment of animals with propranolol and timolol individually inhibited cathinone and amphetamine induced hyperthermia. These findings suggest the involvement of beta adrenergic receptors in cathinone and amphetamine induced thermogenesis.     

Colloid carcinoma of the breast with concomitant metastasis and a tuberculous lesion in the axillary lymph nodes. A case report.

A 30-year-old woman presented with a lump in the left breast and left axillary lymphadenopathy that, on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), proved to be duct cell carcinoma with metastasis. Histology of the radical mastectomy specimen showed a mixed colloid carcinoma. Axillary lymph nodes revealed a variety of pathologic changes consisting of reactive hyperplasia, tuberculosis and metastasis. A combination of a tuberculous lesion and metastasis in the same lymph nodes was also found. During follow-up, after radiotherapy, the patient developed left supraclavicular and right cervical lymphadenopathy that, on FNAC, revealed a tuberculous lesion and metastasis, respectively. The rarity of this condition with double pathology is highlighted, and the reason behind the limitations of FNA in subtyping the primary malignancy and its failure to detect the tuberculous lesion in the axillary lymph node are discussed.     

Polyamines and polyamino acids regulation of cytosolic tyrosine protein (Tyr-P) kinase from human erythrocytes.

In vitro regulation of cytosolic tyrosine protein (Tyr-P) kinase from human erythrocytes by polyamines, polyamino acids, negative charged compounds or by insulin using angiotensin II or poly (Glu-Tyr)4:1 as substrates was studied. All the three polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) stimulated the Tyr-P kinase activity in a dose dependent manner. Spm stimulated Tyr-P kinase activity higher than Put and Spd whether the substrate was angiotension II or poly (Glu-Tyr)4:1. Polyamino acids (polyornithine, polyarginine, polyglutamic acid and polyaspartic acid) did not affect significantly the Tyr-P kinase phosphorylation except polylysine which significantly stimulated the Tyr-P kinase activity. Negative charged compounds (chondroitin sulfate A, B and C) and heparin inhibited the Tyr-P kinase phosphorylation while insulin did not influence the enzyme activity in the presence of either substrates.     

Sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis) hemoglobin: Primary structure and relationships to other forms

The hemoglobin of the sea snakeMicrocephalophis gracilis was purified and the primary structure of the α and β chains determined. This is the first sea snake hemoglobin structure characterized, and apparently also the first complete structure of any snake hemoglobin (an α chain of a viper was known), allowing judgments of reptilian variants. Variations between the sea snake form and other reptilian forms are large (52–65 differences for the α chains), of similar order as those between the sea snake and avian (56–65 differences) or human (58 differences) forms. Functionally, 19 residues at α/β contact areas and 7 at heme contacts are exchanged in relation to the human α and β chains. Four positions of the sea snake hemoglobin contain residues thus far unique to this form. However, all replacements appear compatible with conserved overall functional properties.