Norepinephrine-induced expression of cytokines in isolated biventricular working rat hearts

Whereas ATP consumption increases with neural activity and is buffered by phosphocreatine (PCr), it is not known whether PCr synthesis by ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK) supports energy metabolism in all neurons. To explore the possibility that uMtCK expression in neurons is modulated by activity and during development, we used immunocytochemistry to detect uMtCK-containing mitochondria. In the adult brain, subsets of neurons including layer Va pyramidal cells, most thalamic nuclei, cerebellar Purkinje cells, olfactory mitral cells and hippocampal interneurons strongly express uMtCK. uMtCK is transiently expressed by a larger group of neurons at birth. Neurons in all cortical layers express uMtCK at birth (P0), but uMtCK is restricted to layer Va by P12. uMtCK is detected in cerebellar Purkinje cells at birth, but localization to dendrites is only observed after P5 and is maximal on P14. Hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons contain uMtCK-positive mitochondria at birth, but this pattern becomes progressively restricted to interneurons. Seizures induced uMtCK expression in cortical layers II–III and CA1 pyramidal neurons. In the cortex, but not in CA1, blockade of seizures prevented the induction of uMtCK. These findings support the concept that uMtCK expression in neurons is (1) developmentally regulated in post-natal life, (2) constitutively restricted in the adult brain, and (3) regulated by activity in the cortex and hippocampus. This implies that mitochondrial synthesis of PCr is restricted to those neurons that express uMtCK and may contribute to protect these cells during periods of increased energy demands.     

Differential cytokine expression in myocytes and non-myocytes after myocardial infarction in rats

The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are increased after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Moreover, serum IL-6 level is elevated after MI, but has also been associated with heart failure. In the present study, heart function was monitored in a rat model of chronic MI. Cytokine expression in the infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium as well as in hearts of sham-operated controls was measured by the ribonuclease-protection assay. To identify the cells contributing to the increased cytokine expression, we further analyzed myocytes and non-myocytes isolated in the acute phase as well as during congestive heart failure (CHF) after MI. There was a strong induction in cytokine expression in the myocytes of the infarct area 6 h after MI. In the non-infarcted myocardium, cytokine expression increased only slightly in the non-myocytes after 6 h. This was not different from sham-operated controls and may, therefore, be induced by stress and catecholamines. In CHF, however, cytokine expression level in myocytes was normal. It increased slightly but significantly in the non-myocytes 4 and 8 weeks after MI. In conclusion, we suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines, produced by the ischemic myocytes may be involved in the initiation of wound healing of the necrotic area, whereas the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines in CHF, if any, seems not to be crucial.     

Regulation of norepinephrine-induced proliferation in cardiac fibroblasts by interleukin-6 and p42/p44 mitogen activated protein kinase

Norepinephrine (NE) is involved in many cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure. We have recently reported that NE had a comitogenic effect in isolated cardiac fibroblasts, and that it activated p42/p44 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). This study was designed to characterize a possible mechanism involved in the proliferative effect of NE. Isolated rat cardiac fibroblasts were exposed to NE (10M) for up to 8 h, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression was measured by Ribonuclease Protection Assay and Western blotting. The activity of p42/p44^MAPK was analyzed by Western blotting. Cell number was assessed by use of a Coulter Counter. IL-6/GAPDH mRNA was increased by NE in a time-dependent manner reaching 23 fold stimulation after 1 h compared to untreated samples. Immunoreactivity to IL-6 was not found in controls. After 16h of exposure to NE, IL-6 protein was detected. It further increased up to 48 h. The effect of NE on IL-6 mRNA was abolished by the -adrenoceptor blockers propranolol, metoprolol (₁) and ICI 118.551 (₂), but not by the -adrenoceptor blockers prazosin (₁) and yohimbine (₂). The MAPK-inhibitor PD98059 suppressed the NE-induced MAPK activation in a concentration-dependent fashion after 5 min, attenuated the NE-induced IL-6 expression after 2 h, and suppressed the proliferative effect of NE from 53 to 18% after 48 h. Recombinant IL-6 caused an increase in proliferation by 31% after 48 h. Simultaneous application of the IL-6 antibody reduced the NE-induced proliferation to 34%, and completely prevented the IL-6 induced effect. These results suggest that NE induces proliferation of rat cardiac fibroblasts in part by increasing the expression of IL-6 through regulation of MAPK.     

Tautomerism of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone: evidence for its enantioselective biosynthesis

Chiral natural flavor compounds exhibit characteristic enantiomeric excesses due to stereoselective, enzymatically catalyzed reactions during biogenesis. Although the enzymatic formation of the strawberry key flavor compound 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF; Furaneol(R)) is anticipated, the naturally occurring compound is racemic. As racemization due to keto-enol-tautomerism of HDMF could account for this observation, HDMF was investigated by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy tracing the exchange of the proton bound to the furanone-ring at C2 with deuteron from the medium (D(2)O). In addition, the racemization rate of HDMF was directly determined by cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis of enantiomerically enriched HDMF stored at different pH values. Tautomerism and the racemization rate of HDMF was lowest at pH values between 4 and 5. However, tautomerism and thus racemization was catalyzed under stronger acidic conditions (pH 2) and especially at pH values greater than 7, the value published for plant cell cytosol. Approximately 50% of the protons at C2 were exchanged with deuteron within 1 h at pH 7.2. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the enzymatic formation of HDMF, incubation experiments with Zygosaccharomyces rouxii as well as strawberry protein extract were carried out under slightly acidic conditions (pH 5), the most suitable pH value for studies on the enantiomeric ratio of HDMF. In both experiments the formation of enantiomerically enriched HDMF could be demonstrated for the first time, whereas incubation experiments under neutral conditions resulted in the detection of racemic HDMF.     

Absolute configuration of (-)-2,6-dimethyl-10-(p-tolyl)-2,6(E)-undecadiene from Cistus monspeliensis

(-)-2,6-Dimethyl-10-(p-tolyl)-2,6(E)-undecadiene (1) is a major constituent in the essential oil of Cistus monspeliensis, an aromatic shrub common in Mediterranian countries. 1 was isolated by column chromatography, subjected to ozonolyses, and the absolute configuration was determined by enantioselective gas chromatographic correlation with the ozonolysis product of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon ar-curcumene with known absolute configuration.     

Histochemistry of glycoconjugates in the nasolabial skin of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) with special reference to glandular structures

The histochemistry of glycoconjugates in the nasolabial skin of the Japanese serow ( Capricornis crispus ) was studied by light microscopic histochemical methods, particularly lectin histochemistry. The eccrine glands present exhibited neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with different saccharide residues (alpha-L-fucose, beta-D-galactose, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, alpha-D-galactose and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid) especially in the cells of the secretory acini, the free surface of the collecting duct cells also showed distinct positive reactions with most of the histochemical methods. The thick epidermis of the nasolabial skin contained smaller amounts of glycoproteins. The results obtained are discussed with regard to possible functions of the glandular secretions. This substance mixture may particularly improve water retention on the skin surface, and protect against physical damage as well as microbial contamination. There seem to be no basic differences of muzzle functions between wild and domesticated bovine species.     

Parasitic worms: strategies of host finding, recognition and invasion

Many parasitic worms enter their hosts by active invasion. Their transmission success is often based on a mass production of invasive stages. However, most stages show a highly specific host-finding behaviour. Information on host-finding mechanisms is available mainly for trematode miracidia and cercariae and for nematode hookworms. The larvae find and recognise their hosts, in some cases even with species specificity, via complex sequences of behavioural patterns with which they successively respond to various environmental and host cues. There is often a surprisingly high diversity of host-recognition strategies. Each parasite species finds and enters its host using a different series of cues. For example, different species of schistosomes enter the human skin using different recognition sequences. The various recognition strategies may reflect adaptations to distinct ecological conditions of transmission. Another question is how, after invasion, parasitic worms find their complex paths through their host's tissues to their often very specific microhabitats. Recent data show that the migrating parasite stages can follow local chemical gradients of skin and blood compounds, but their long-distance navigation within the host body still remains puzzling.

The high complexity, specificity and diversity of host-recognition strategies suggest that host finding and host recognition are important determinants in the evolution of parasite life cycles.     

Establishment of introduced antagonistic bacteria in the rhizosphere of transgenic potatoes and their effect on the bacterial community

In a field release experiment, rifampicin resistant mutants of two antagonistic plant-associated bacteria were used for seed tuber inoculation of transgenic T4 lysozyme expressing potatoes, transgenic control potatoes and non-transgenic parental potatoes. The T4 lysozyme tolerant Pseudomonas putida QC14-3-8 was originally isolated from the tuber surface (geocaulosphere) of T4 lysozyme producing plants and showed in vitro antibacterial activity to the bacterial pathogen Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica. The T4 lysozyme sensitive Serratia grimesii L16-3-3 was originally isolated from the rhizosphere of parental potatoes and showed in vitro antagonism toward the plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. The establishment of the inoculated bacteria in the rhizosphere and geocaulosphere of the different plant lines was monitored over one growing season to assess the effect of T4 lysozyme produced by transgenic potato plants on the survival of both inoculants. Both introduced isolates were able to colonize the rhizo- and geocaulosphere of transgenic plants and non-transgenic parental plants, and established in the rhizosphere at levels of ca. log(10) 5 colony forming units g(-1) fresh weight of root. During flowering of plants, significantly more colony counts of the T4 lysozyme tolerant P. putida were recovered from transgenic T4 lysozyme plants than from the transgenic control and the parental line. At this time, the highest level of T4 lysozyme (% of total soluble protein) was detected. Effects of the inoculants on the indigenous microbial community were monitored by analysis of PCR-amplified fragments of the 16S rRNA genes of the whole bacterial community after separation by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). At any sampling time, the DGGE pattern of rhizosphere and geocaulosphere communities did not show differences between the inoculated and non-inoculated potatoes. Neither of the introduced strains became a dominant member of the bacterial community. This work was the first approach to assess the establishment of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and potential biocontrol agents on transgenic plants.     

Interaction of RecBCD Enzyme with DNA at Double-Strand Breaks Produced in UV-Irradiated Escherichia coli: Requirement for DNA End Processing

The RecBCD enzyme has a powerful duplex DNA exonuclease activity in vivo. We found that this activity decreased strongly when cells were irradiated with UV light (135 J/m²). The activity decrease was seen by an increase in survival of phage T4 2⁻ of about 200-fold (phage T4 2⁻ has defective duplex DNA end-protecting gene 2 protein). The activity decrease depended on excision repair proficiency of the cells and a postirradiation incubation. During this time, chromosome fragmentation occurred as demonstrated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In accord with previous observations, it was concluded that the RecBCD enzyme is silenced during interaction with duplex DNA fragments containing Chi nucleotide sequences. The silencing was suppressed by induction or permanent derepression of the SOS system or by the overproduction of single-strand DNA binding protein (from a plasmid with ssb⁺) which is known to inhibit degradation of chromosomal DNA by cellular DNases. Further, mutations in xonA, recJ, and sbcCD, particularly in the recJ sbcCD and xonA recJ sbcCD combinations, impeded RecBCD silencing. The findings suggest that the DNA fragments had single-stranded tails of a length which prevents loading of RecBCD. It is concluded that in wild-type cells the tails are effectively removed by single-strand-specific DNases including exonuclease I, RecJ DNase, and SbcCD DNase. By this, tailed DNA ends are processed to entry sites for RecBCD. It is proposed that end blunting functions to direct DNA ends into the RecABCD pathway. This pathway specifically activates Chi-containing regions for recombination and recombinational repair.     

Highly Congruent Molecular Support for a Diverse Superordinal Clade of Endemic African Mammals

A solution to higher level mammalian phylogeny is going to depend on the congruent establishment of superordinal groupings followed by a linking together of these clades. We present congruent and convincing evidence from four disparate nuclear protein coding genes and from a tandem alignment of the 12S–16S mitochondrial region, for a superordinal clade of endemic African mammals that includes elephant shrews, aardvarks, golden mole, elephants, sirenians, and hyraxes. Because of strong support for golden mole as part of this clade, the Insectivora are rendered paraphyletic or polyphyletic, with constrained monophyly of the insectivores judged significantly worse in the vast majority of tests. Branching arrangement within this clade remains highly uncertain; however, a tandem alignment of the protein coding genes suggests elephant shrew is the earliest African lineage. None of the individual data sets or combinations of data sets support the widely held view of a mirorder Tethytheria (Sirenia/Proboscidea), although only a tandem alignment of protein coding and mitochondrial loci significantly rejects this association. The majority of the data sets and analyses provide strong support for Caviomorpha as part of a monophyletic Rodentia.