Oxidative stress and apoptosis in metal ion-induced carcinogenesis

Epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to certain metals causes carcinogenesis. The mechanisms of metal-induced carcinogenesis have been pursued in chemical, biochemical, cellular, and animal models. Significant evidence has accumulated that oxidative stress may be a common pathway in cellular responses to exposure to different metals. For example, in the last few years evidence in support of a correlation between the generation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, tumor promotion, and arsenic exposure has strengthened. This article summarizes the current literature on metal-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis, and their relation to metal-mediated carcinogenesis, concentrating on arsenic and chromium.     

Glomerular basement membrane. Identification of a fourth chain, alpha 4, of type IV collagen

The noncollagenous domain hexamer of collagen IV from bovine glomerular basement membrane was further investigated to determine the types of collagen chain from which subunits M2*b and M3 are derived. M2*b was shown to be a shorter form, containing 9 fewer residues, of M2*a which was previously established as the noncollagenous domain of a third chain, alpha 3, of collagen IV (Saus, J., Wieslander, J., Langeveld, J.P.M., Quinones, S., and Hudson, B.G. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 13374-13380). M3 was identified as the noncollagenous domain of a fourth chain, alpha 4, of type IV collagen, on the basis of additional sequence data together with previous findings. A comparison of the collagenous-noncollagenous junction regions of alpha 3(IV) and alpha 4(IV) chains with those of classical alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains reveals structural information which provides a potential strategy for molecular cloning of these novel chains. The results further reveal the complexity of electrophoresis patterns of the hexamer and potential ambiguities in using one-dimensional patterns to determine whether molecular defects of collagen IV occur in pathological processes affecting basement membranes.     

BILL-CLAPPERING DISPLAY IN THE COMMON HERON ARDEA CINEREA

Bill-clappering is shown to be a normal feature of the early phases of the breeding cycle in the Common Heron Ardea cinerea and the circumstances of its occurrence are described.
Possible origins of this behaviour and its probable function are suggested.
An attempt is made to show the development of Ciconiiform display from the integration of more simple patterns. The significance of bill-clappering in the Common Heron appears to lie in the fact that it suggests an ancestral type of behaviour from which the complex display of the White Stork has evolved.