Physiological and developmental implications of motor unit anatomy

There is increasing evidence that the architectural design and arrangement of the fibers within a motor unit have important physiological and developmental ramifications. Limited data, however, are available to directly address this issue. In the present study the physiological properties of one motor unit in each of seven cat tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were determined. Each of these units then was repetitively stimulated to deplete the glycogen in all muscle fibers within the unit. Subsequently, the length, type of ending, and spatial distribution of fibers sampled from these physiologically and histochemically typed motor units were determined. Four fast fatigable (FF), one fast, fatigue resistant (FR), and two slow (S) motor units (MU) were studied. The samples consisted of all those glycogen-depleted fibers (9-27) contained within a single fascicle or a circumscribed area of each of the motor unit territories. The mean fiber lengths for the two slow motor units were 35.9 and 45.5 mm. The mean fiber lengths for the fast motor unit samples ranged from 8.8 to 48.5 mm. Some fibers of both the fast and slow units reached lengths of 58 mm. Most of the fibers in the slow units extended the entire distance between the proximal and distal musculotendinous planes, had relatively constant cross-sectional areas, and terminated at the tendon as blunt endings. In contrast, the majority of the fibers in the fast units terminated intrafascicularly at one end, and the cross-sectional area decreased progressively along their lengths, that is, showed a tapering pattern for a significant proportion of their lengths. Therefore, the force generated by units that end midfascicularly would appear to be transmitted to connective tissue elements and/or adjacent fibers. All fibers of a fast unit within a fascicle were located at approximately the same proximo-distal location. Thus, developmentally the selection of muscle fibers by a motoneuron would seem to be influenced by their spatial distribution. The architectural complexities of motor units also have clear implications for the mechanical interactions of active and inactive motor units. For example, the tension capabilities of a motor unit may be influenced not only by the spatial arrangement of its own fibers, but also by the level of activation of neighboring motor units.     

A mechanism for maintaining an up-to-date GenBank(R)database via Usenet

In this paper, we describe an automated system for distributingupdates to the GenBank nucleic acid sequence database, usingthe Usenet news system as the underlying transport mechanism.Our system allows new loci to be distributed as soon as thesequences are available, over existing networks, using existingUsenet software and infrastructure currently available on awide range of computer systems.     

Cell-type-specific localization of transforming growth factor-beta 2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the hamster ovary: differential regulation by follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Cell-type-specific localization and gonadotropin regulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) in the hamster ovary were evaluated immunohistochemically under three conditions: (1) during the estrous cycle (Day 1 = estrus; Day 4 = proestrus); (2) after the blockade of periovulatory gonadotropin surges by phenobarbital, and (3) after FSH and/or LH treatment of long-term hypophysectomized hamsters. Ovarian TGF-beta 1 activity was primarily localized in theca and interstitial cells. The activity increased moderately but significantly after the preovulatory LH surge and reached a peak at 0900 h, Day 2 h; oocytes showed considerable activity. TGF-beta 1 immunoreactivity subsequently fell to low levels in theca-interstitial cells through 0900 h, Day 4. Significant TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivity appeared after the surge, mainly in the granulosa cells of both preantral and antral follicles; a few interstitial cells surrounding preantral follicles showed discrete staining. TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivity in granulosa cells and in interstitial cells next to preantral follicles reached a peak at 0900 h, Day 1, and persisted up to 0900 h, Day 2; oocytes showed no staining. Phenobarbital treatment blocked the appearance of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivities at 1600 h, Day 4; however, a rebound in immunoreactivities was observed with the onset of the surge after a 1-day delay. Replacement of LH to long-term hypophysectomized hamsters resulted in a marked increase in TGF-beta 1 immunoreactivity in the interstitial cells, but FSH, although it induced follicular development, did not influence ovarian TGF-beta 1 activity. Treatment with FSH, however, induced a massive increase in TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivity in the granulosa cells of newly developed antral and preantral follicles but not in the interstitial cells; LH, on the other hand, had no significant effect on TGF-beta 2 activity. Treatment with FSH and LH combined resulted in a dramatic increase in TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivity in granulosa and interstitial cells and in TGF-beta 1 in theca and interstitial cells comparable to their peak activity in intact animals. Western analyses substantiated the presence of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 in the hamster ovary and the specificity of immunolocalization. These studies, therefore, provide critical evidence that TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 in the hamster ovary are expressed in specific cell types and that their expression is differentially regulated by LH and FSH, respectively.     

Studies of the association and conformational properties of metal-free insulin in alkaline sodium chloride solutions by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR.

One- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy have been employed to probe the association and subsequent conformational changes of metal-free insulin in sodium chloride solution at pH 9 and 9.4. These studies establish that the proton resonances of His(B5) and His(B10) are useful signatures of aggregation and conformation. Changes in chemical shifts and areas of resonances due to the C2 protons of His(B10) and His(B5) and transfer of magnetization experiments served to identify the association as the assembly of tetramer from dimers under our experimental conditions (pH 9.4, [insulin] greater than 1 mM, [NaCl] = 0.1 M). Sodium chloride also alters the equilibrium distribution of species in favor of a tetrameric species. The association equilibrium constant was estimated from area measurements to be approximately 5 x 10(3) M-1 at pH 9.4, 26 +/- 0.1 degrees C, and 0.1 M sodium chloride. Under conditions of 0.1 M sodium chloride concentration, nuclear Overhauser effect experiments in the one- and two-dimensional modes revealed an operative nuclear Overhauser effect between the His(B5) C2 protons and the 2,6 ring protons of a Tyr residue provisionally assigned as Tyr(B16). We conclude that this interaction is a diagnostic signature of a conformational transition whereupon an extended chain from residues B1 to B9 (T-state) is transformed into an alpha-helix (R-state) thus bringing the rings of His(B5) and Tyr(B16) from adjacent subunits across the monomer-monomer interface into van der Waals contact. This conformational flexibility is an added consideration to the discussion of the relevant structure of insulin for receptor binding.     

Amino acids are general growth inhibitors of Nicotiana silvestris in tissue culture

The growth of Nicotiana silvestris in suspension culture is inhibited by all of the common protein amino acids at the millimolar level, except for L-glutamine. A defined experimental system for growth/inhibition studies has been established, and growth studies were carried out with cells that had been maintained in the exponential growth phase for at least 10 generations (EE cells). The following results were obtained after particularly detailed studies with aromatic amino acids. The onset of inhibition was preceded by a duration of normal growth rate which varied within a range of 12 to 48 h. The degree of inhibition was directly proportional to amino acid concentration and inversely related to the initial cell density of the inoculum. A slowed, but still exponential rate of growth persisted during an early phase of inhibition. Under sufficiently severe conditions, this was followed by progressive diminution of growth rate and eventual lysis. The most drastic inhibitory effects caused by aromatic amino acids were in the order: phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. When EE cells cultivated under conditions of growth inhibition were diluted into fresh medium, immediate resumption of growth at the uninhibited rate occurred and persisted. On the other hand, when growth-inhibited EE cells were diluted into medium containing the same concentration of amino acid used in the first round of growth, an initial burst of uninhibited growth lasting about 24 h was followed by a drastic, progressively declining growth rate which deteriorated to cell death and lysis. When cells in stationary phase were used as an inoculum, as is done in typical growth characterizations with suspension cultures, the sensitivity to inhibition during the subsequent exponential growth phase was several-fold greater than was the case with EE cells. Hypotheses that growth inhibition might be caused by ammonia toxicity, keto-acid toxicity, or by inhibition of nitrate utilization were ruled out. Observations that provide new insight are: (i)growth-inhibited cells undergo drastic plasmolysis, (ii) L-glutamine is an effective antagonist of amino-acid inhibitors, and (iii) growth-inhibited cells exhibit a transient restoration of normal growth rate upon dilution into fresh growth medium. These results implicate a linkage of amino acids with osmotic regulation and nitrogen metabolism.     

Preparative steps necessary for the accurate measurement of malondialdehyde by high-performance liquid chromatography.

The need for a more specific, reliable, and reproducible technique for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) has prompted modifications of currently available methods based on the formation and recovery of the complex between MDA and thiobarbituric acid (TBA). To 500 microliters of plasma or to 300 mg of liver homogenate, 2 ml of H2O and 500 microliters of 0.5% butylated hydroxytoluene in methanol were added to prevent further formation of MDA. Precipitation of proteins carried out with 200 microliters of 0.66 N H2SO4 and 150 microliters of 10% Na2WO4 (w/v) led to complete recovery of the MDA standard. Maximum formation of the MDA-TBA complex was obtained by adjusting the pH between 2.5 and 4.5 and heating the MDA-TBA mixture at 100 degrees C for 60 min. Extraction of the MDA-TBA complex was a critical step and proved complete with n-butanol at pH less than 0.75. It was then evaporated at 37 degrees C under nitrogen. The MDA-TBA complex solubilized in H2O was shown to be stable for at least 7 days. These preparative steps led to the detection of a single peak that on spectral analysis was identified as pure MDA-TBA. This procedure offers several advantages in terms of specificity, recovery, and reproducibility.     

Description of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of protein tyrosine kinase

A solid immunoassay for the detection of protein tyrosine kinases has been developed. It is based on the binding of the synthetic polypeptide poly(Glu.Na,Tyr) 4:1 to microELISA wells, where the phosphorylation reaction takes place in the presence of ATP and enzyme. The phosphorylated tyrosine residues produced in the reaction are finally detected, in the same well, by means of an ELISA using monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine antibody, peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG antibody, and substrate. The amount of protein tyrosine kinase activity present in the sample is proportional to the color at 492 nm developed in each well.     

Low-molecular-weight xylanase from Trichoderma viride.

An endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) has been isolated from a commercial preparation of Trichoderma viride. The molecular weight was 22,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the pI value was 9.3. The xylanase was a true xylanase without cellulase activity. When the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 50 residues was compared with that of a xylanase from Schizophyllum commune, strong evidence for homology was found, with more than 50% amino acid identity. T. viride xylanase also possessed extensive identity with a proposed amino-terminal consensus sequence of xylanases from bacteria.     

Embryo culture of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. to regenerate variable diosgenin yielding clones

Mature embryos of Costus speciosus were excised and cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt's (1972) nutrient medium containing auxins and cytokinins either alone or in combination. Multiple shoots were obtained when kinetin and indole-3-butyric acid were supplemented each at 0.1 mg 1^–1 concentration. Embryo-derived plantlets were multiplied through propagation of rhizomes and the propagules derived from a single embryo were designated as an embryoclone. Twenty such embryo-clones were maintained in the field. Variations in rhizome biomass yield and diosgenin contents of these embryoclones were noted. Thirty-six percent of the embryo-clones studied were high diosgenin yielding types. Diosgenin contents at the intraclonal level were uniform. The in vitro raised plants were morphologically uniform and indistinguishable from their parent.Abbreviations SH Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) medium - Kn kinetin - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - CA casaminoacids (vitamin free) - TLC thin layer chromatography