Similarity of Structural Features and Evolution of Satellite DNAs from Palorus subdepressus (Coleoptera) and Related Species

A novel highly abundant satellite DNA comprising 20% of the genome has been characterized in Palorus subdepressus (Insecta, Coleoptera). The 72-bp-long monomer sequence is composed of two copies of T₂A₅T octanucleotide alternating with 22-nucleotide-long elements of an inverted repeat. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of monomer sequence variants into two clades. Two types of variants are prevalently organized in an alternating pattern, thus showing a tendency to generate a new complex repeating unit 144 bp in length. Fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed even distribution of the satellite in the region of pericentric heterochromatin of all 20 chromosomes. P. subdepressus satellite sequence is clearly species specific, lacking similarity even with the satellite from congeneric species P. ratzeburgii. However, on the basis of similarity in predicted tertiary structure induced by intrinsic DNA curvature and in repeat length, P. subdepressus satellite can be classified into the same group with satellites from related tenebrionid species P. ratzeburgii, Tenebrio molitor, and T. obscurus. It can be reasonably inferred that repetitive sequences of different origin evolve under constraints to adopt and conserve particular features. Obtained results suggest that the higher-order structure and repeat length, but not the nucleotide sequence itself, are maintained through evolution of these species. Received: 23 April 1997 / Accepted: 11 July 1997     

Protective mechanisms during ischemic tolerance in skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to test specific mechanisms of protection afforded the rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle during ischemic tolerance. Two days following five cycles of 10 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion, heme oxygenase (HO) and calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activities were increased 2- and 2.5-fold (p <.05), respectively. Interestingly, calcium-independent NOS (iNOS) activity was completely downregulated (p <.05). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were increased 2-fold (p <.05), while glutathione peroxidase activity remained unchanged from non-preconditioned controls. Using intravital microscopy combined with chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP), a selective HO inhibitor, and l-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, the roles of HO and cNOS were evaluated. Ischemic tolerance in the EDL muscle, 48 h after the preconditioning stimulus, was characterized by complete protection from both microvascular perfusion deficits and tissue injury after a 2-h period of ischemia. Removal of NOS activity completely removed the benefit afforded microvascular perfusion, while inhibition of HO activity prevented the parenchymal protection. These data suggest that ischemic tolerance within skeletal muscle is associated with the upregulation of specific cytoprotective proteins and that the benefits afforded by cNOS and HO activity are spatially discrete to the microvasculature and parenchyma, respectively.     

Stress related changes of cell surface hydrophilicity in Bacillus subtilis

The changes of cell surface hydrophilicity in Bacillus subtilis were analyzed in response to oxygen-limitation, heat shock, salt stress, pH-shock, phosphate- and carbon-limitation. Although cell surface hydrophilicity varied during growth phases, an increase of surface hydrophilicity was observed under several of these stress conditions. An observed drop in intracellular GTP and/or ATP may be an element of the signal transduction pathway leading to an increase in surface hydrophilicity in response to environmental stresses. Attachment of cells to soil particles under salt stress conditions is strongly influenced by the degS/degU two-component system, which thereby provides a mechanism for the bacteria to escape from the hostile environment.     

Methylation detection oligonucleotide microarray analysis: a high-resolution method for detection of CpG island methylation

Methylation of CpG islands associated with genes can affect the expression of the proximal gene, and methylation of non-associated CpG islands correlates to genomic instability. This epigenetic modification has been shown to be important in many pathologies, from development and disease to cancer. We report the development of a novel high-resolution microarray that detects the methylation status of over 25 000 CpG islands in the human genome. Experiments were performed to demonstrate low system noise in the methodology and that the array probes have a high signal to noise ratio. Methylation measurements between different cell lines were validated demonstrating the accuracy of measurement. We then identified alterations in CpG islands, both those associated with gene promoters, as well as non-promoter-associated islands in a set of breast and ovarian tumors. We demonstrate that this methodology accurately identifies methylation profiles in cancer and in principle it can differentiate any CpG methylation alterations and can be adapted to analyze other species.     

Response surface optimization of effective medium constituents for the production of alkaline protease from a newly isolated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Optimization of the fermentation medium for maximum alkaline protease production was carried out with a new strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (B-2). Replacing the protein source/inducer (albumin in place of casein) brought about significant increase in yield after 48 hr of inoculation. Three most effective medium constituents identified by initial screening method of Plackett-Burman were albumin, (NH4)2SO4 and glucose. Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used in the design of the experiment and in the analysis of the results. Optimum levels of the effective medium constituents were albumin (6.586%); (NH4)2SO4, 0.164%; and glucose, 6.72%. The alkaline protease production increased from 533460 to 793492 Ul(-1).     

Genetic diversity and admixture patterns in Indian populations

The clinical, biochemical and genetic features of a Cypriot origin male of non-consanguineous parents due to 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD-3) deficiency are presented. The patient, currently a 10 old male, was referred to our clinic because of ambiguous genitalia at birth. Gonads were palpable in the inguinal canal bilaterally and no Müllerian structures identified on pelvic ultrasound. Chromosomal analysis showed an apparently normal male 46,XY karyotype. Diagnosis of 17β-HSD-3 deficiency in the newborn was suspected based on biochemical findings, following human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation test. Sequence analysis and real time PCR along with MLPA identified the patient with a novel 11.96 kb duplication that spans exons 3-10 of the HSD17B3 gene and extends from intron 2 to intron 10 in compound heterozygosity with the known p.R80Q missense mutation leading to 17β-HSD-3. In conclusion, 17β-HSD-3 deficiency was diagnosed in this patient based on endocrinologic evaluation and confirmed with genetic analysis of the HSD17B3 gene. The novel large duplication spanning exons 3-10 of the HSD17B3 gene that we report here in compound heterozygosity with the known p.R80Q leads to 17β-HSD-3 deficiency presenting as 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development. Following diagnosis and appropriate genetic counselling, the patient was raised a boy and successfully underwent surgical correction of crytptorchidism and hypospadias.     

Protective effects of sodium orthovanadate in diabetic reticulocytes and ageing red blood cells of Wistar rats

The reticulocytes and the ageing red blood cells (RBCs) namely young (Y), middle-aged (M) and old RBCs (O) of female Wistar rats from different groups such as control animals (C), controls treated with vanadate (C + V), alloxan-induced diabetic (D), diabetic-treated with insulin (D + I) and vanadate (D + V), were fractionated on a percoll/BSA gradient. The following enzymes were measured-hexokinase (HK), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), alanine aminotransferase ΜlaAT), aspartate aminotransferase ΜsAT) and arginase in the hemolysates of all the RBCs fractions. Decreases in the activity of HK and AsAT by about 70%, arginase and GSH-Px by 30% in old RBCs were observed in comparison to reticulocytes of control animals. Increases in the activity of GSSG-R by 86%, AlaAT by more than 400% and GST by 70% were observed in old RBCs in comparison to reticulocytes of control animals. Alloxan diabetic animals showed a further decrease in the activities of HK in Y RBCs by 37%, M RBCs by 39% and O RBCs by 32%, GSH-Px activity in Y RBCs by 13%, M RBCs by 20% and O RBCs by 33% and GST activity in Y RBCs by 14%, M RBCs by 42% and O RBCs by 60% in comparison to their corresponding cells of control animals. An increase in the activity of all the enzymes studied was also observed in reticulocytes of diabetic animals in comparison to reticulocytes of controls. The GSSG-R activity was found to be increased in Y RBCs by 49%, M RBCs by 67% and O RBCs by 64% as compared to the corresponding age-matched cells of control animals. The activity of arginase also decreased in Y RBCs by about10%, M RBCs by 20% and O RBCs by 30% in comparison to the age-matched cells of control animals. A decrease in the activity of AsAT in Y and M RBCs by 30%, and O RBCs by 25% was observed in diabetic animals in comparison to the agematched cells of control animals. The activity of AlaAT was found to be decreased by more than 10% in Y and M RBCs and 25% in O RBCs of diabetic animals in comparison to the age-matched cells of control animals. Insulin administration to diabetic animals reversed the altered enzyme activity to control values. Vanadate treatment also reversed the enzyme levels except for that of GST in old cells     

1,4-Rearrangement of 7-(2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxyhex-2-enopyranosyl)theophylline derivatives

Treatment of 7-2(-acetamido-2,3-dideoxyhex-2-enopyranosyl)theophylline derivatives with boron trifluoride etherate in boiling methanol led to the isolation of 7-(methyl 2-acetamido-2,3,4-trideoxyhex-2-enopyranosid-4-yl)theophylline derivatives. Some mechanistic features of this 1,4-rearrangement followed by solvolysis are discussed, and a rationalization of the formation of the C-4′ derivatives in the fusion reaction of 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-arabino-hex-l-enitol with theophylline is offered.