Changes in the distribution of adenylate cyclase activity in PC 12 cells under the influence of nerve growth factor

Changes in distribution of adenylate cyclase in PC 12 cells under the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) have been studied using cytochemical methods. The adenylate cyclase activity was predominantly associated with the plasma membrane. In cell cultures without NGF the activity was revealed on the contacting surfaces of cell aggregates; single grains of reaction product were revealed on exposed cell surface only in cultures with a high cell density. One day after administration of NGF, the adenylate cyclase activity on exposed cell surface increased, and three days later the whole cell surface was covered with lead sediment. The enzyme activity was also revealed in growth cones, filopodia and microcytospheres. The role of adenydlate cyclase system in neuron-like differentiation of PC 12 cells is discussed.     

Studies of esterase 6 in Drosophila melanogaster. XVIII. Biochemical differences between the slow and fast allozymes

Most natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster are polymorphic for two major electrophoretic variants at the esterase-6 locus. The frequency of the EST 6F allozyme is greatest in populations in warmer latitudes, whereas the EST 6S allozyme is predominant in colder latitudes. Latitudinal clines in electromorph frequencies are found on three continents. Purified preparations of the allozymes have been characterized for their pH optimum, substrate specificity, organophosphate inhibition, alcohol activation, thermal stability, and kinetic parameters. These and previous analyses of the EST 6 allozymes reveal that the two variants have differences in their physical and kinetic properties that may provide a basis for the selective maintenance of the polymorphisms and an explanation of the clinal variation observed in natural populations.      

Sweat gland density and response during high-intensity exercise in athletes with spinal cord injuries

Sweat production is crucial for thermoregulation. However, sweating can be problematic for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), as they display a blunting of sudomotor and vasomotor responses below the level of the injury. Sweat gland density and eccrine gland metabolism in SCI are not well understood. Consequently, this study examined sweat lactate (S-LA) (reflective of sweat gland metabolism), active sweat gland density (SGD), and sweat output per gland (S/G) in 7 SCI athletes and 8 able-bodied (AB) controls matched for arm ergometry VO₂peak. A sweat collection device was positioned on the upper scapular and medial calf of each subject just prior to the beginning of the trial, with iodine sweat gland density patches positioned on the upper scapular and medial calf. Participants were tested on a ramp protocol (7 min per stage, 20 W increase per stage) in a common exercise environment (21±1°C, 45-65% relative humidity). An independent t-test revealed lower (p<0.05) SGD (upper scapular) for SCI (22.3 ±14.8 glands · cm⁻²) vs. AB. (41.0 ± 8.1 glands · cm⁻²). However, there was no significant difference for S/G between groups. S-LA was significantly greater (p<0.05) during the second exercise stage for SCI (11.5±10.9 mmol · l⁻¹) vs. AB (26.8±11.07 mmol · l⁻¹). These findings suggest that SCI athletes had less active sweat glands compared to the AB group, but the sweat response was similar (SLA, S/G) between AB and SCI athletes. The results suggest similar interglandular metabolic activity irrespective of overall sweat rate.     

Activation of a thioesterase specific for very-long-chain fatty acids by adrenergic agonists in perfused hearts.

We have recently described an acyl-CoA thioesterase specific for very-long-chain fatty acids, named ARTISt, that regulates steroidogenesis through the release of arachidonic acid in adrenal zona fasciculata cells. In this paper we demonstrate the presence of the protein as a 43 kDa band and its mRNA in cardiac tissue. The activity of the protein was measured using an heterologous cell-free assay in which it is recombined with adrenal microsomes and mitochondria to activate mitochondrial steroidogenesis. Isoproterenol and phenylephrine activate the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner (10(-10)-10(-6) M). Both propranolol (10(-5) M) and prazosin (10(-5) M) block the action of isoproterenol and phenylephrine respectively. Antipeptide antibodies against the serine lipase motif of the protein and the Cys residue present in the catalytic domain also block the activity of the protein. Taken together, our results confirm the presence of ARTISt in heart and provide evidence for a catecholamine-activated regulatory pathway of the enzyme in that tissue.     

Detection of Thermoactinomyces Species in Selected Agricultural Substrates from Queensland

Selected overheated substrates commercially available for public use in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia were screened for the presence of Thermoactinomyces species using an air sampler. All substrates with the exception of tea tree mulch were found to contain Thermoactinomyces species. Subsequent 16S rDNA oligonucleotide sequencing of the selected eight isolates indicated that some of these species were closely related to previously reported allergenic Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Laceyella sacchari. In view of this, the isolates were tested to determine their adhesion ability and cytotoxicity to human lung cells (calu-3 cells). The results indicated that all eight isolates were highly adherent and showed cytotoxicity to this cell line. These findings might indicate that the presence of such species in overheated agricultural materials may constitute a public health risk if storage and handling conditions are not optimal and do not meet criteria defined for sub-tropical climates.     

Interaction of Aeromonas Strains with Lactic Acid Bacteria via Caco-2 Cells

The genus Aeromonas includes some species that have now been identified as human pathogens of significant medical importance. We investigated the ability of 13 selected Aeromonas strains belonging to nine species isolated from clinical cases (n = 5), environmental waters (n = 5), and fish (n = 3) to adhere to and translocate Caco-2 cells in the absence and presence of two lactic acid bacteria (LAB), i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve. Aeromonas isolates were also assessed for their cytotoxicity, the presence of virulence genes, and hemolysin production. Among the clinical isolates, one strain of Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii and two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila carried cytotoxin (act), heat-labile toxin (alt), hemolysin (hlyA), and aerolysin (aerA) genes, were cytotoxic to Vero cells, produced hemolysin, and showed higher adherence to Caco-2 cells. In contrast, this was seen in only one environmental strain, a strain of A. veronii biovar sobria. When Aeromonas strains were coinoculated with LAB onto Caco-2 cells, their level of adhesion was reduced. However, their rate of translocation in the presence of LAB increased and was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among fish strains. We suggest that either the interaction between Aeromonas and LAB strains could have a detrimental effect on the Caco-2 cells, allowing the Aeromonas to translocate more readily, or the presence of the LAB stimulated the Aeromonas strains to produce more toxins and/or increase their translocation rate.