Neurotrophic Factors Prevent Ceramide-Induced Apoptosis Downstream of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation in PC12 Cells

Abstract: Neurotrophic factors prevent apoptosis of PC12 cells in serum-free medium. The present study determines whether neurotrophic factors can prevent ceramide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and investigates the role that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation may play in this system. Ceramide-induced apoptosis was inhibited by nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide, 4-(8-chlorophenylthio)cyclic AMP, and the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala- dl -Asp fluoromethyl ketone (zVAD-FMK). It was surprising that inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and/or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase did not markedly block the protective effects exerted by neurotrophic factors against ceramide-induced apoptosis, suggesting that neurotrophic factors can promote survival independently of these signaling pathways. Treatment of PC12 cells with ceramide resulted in a time-dependent increase in JNK activity. However, neither neurotrophic factors nor zVAD-FMK attenuated ceramide-stimulated JNK activation. Further experiments indicated that ceramide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells requires new protein synthesis, and that nerve growth factor and zVAD-FMK can prevent apoptosis after JNK activity has been detected. These results indicate that ceramide-induced JNK activation is an early event and may be required for the expression of essential components of the apoptotic machinery. It is anticipated that neurotrophic factors inhibit ceramide-induced apoptosis by affecting signaling events downstream of JNK activation.     

Interauterine Transfusion: 101 Consecutive Cases treated at Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital

Intrauterine transfusion was performed or attempted in 101 cases during a period of four and a half years. After exclusion of six cases, for reasons detailed in the text, 95 cases are considered in detail. Intrauterine transfusion was successfully performed in 93 of these, with a mean of 2·8 transfusions each. Forty-four babies (46·3%) survived and all but one are so far developing normally.     

A molecular and biochemical analysis of the structure of the cyanogenic beta-glucosidase (linamarase) from cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranz).

The cyanogenic beta-glucosidase (linamarase) of cassava is responsible for the first step in the sequential break-down of two related cyanoglucosides. Hydrolysis of these cyanoglucosides occurs following tissue damage and leads to the production of hydrocyanic acid. This mechanism is widely regarded as a defense mechanism against predation. A linamarase cDNA clone (pCAS5) was isolated from a cotyledon cDNA library using a white clover beta-glucosidase heterologous probe. The nucleotide and derived amino acid sequence is reported and five putative N-asparagine glycosylation sites are identified. Concanavalin A affinity chromatography and endoglycosidase H digestion demonstrate that linamarase from cassava is glycosylated, having high-mannose-type N-asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. Consistent with this structure and the extracellular location of the active enzyme is the identification of an N-terminal signal peptide on the deduced amino acid sequence of pCAS5.