A comparison of calcium binding inCallinectes sapidus premolt and postmolt cuticle homogenates: Implications for regulation of biomineralization

Cuticle tissue homogenates (CTHs) fromCallinectes sapidus premolt cuticle bound approximately 367% more Ca²⁺ ions than did those from the postmolt cuticle. ThepH-stat assay which was used to comparein vitro CaCO₃ nucleation times confirmed that the premolt CTHs had greater inhibitory activity than did the postmolt CTHs. This inhibitory activity was indicated by CaCO₃ nucleation times in excess of control values. Premolt nucleation times exceeded those of postmolt samples by approximately 340%. A positive correlation was observed between Ca²⁺ binding and calcification inhibitory activity for both premolt and postmolt CTHs. Heat pretreatment of CTHs at 70°C for a 24-hr period had no significant effect on their Ca²⁺ binding. However, this heat pretreatment decreased their calcification inhibitory activity. Pretreatment of CTHs with Ca²⁺ diminished their calcification inhibitory activity. These results are consistent with a mechanism for inhibition of biocalcification by these proteins which involves their initial reversible binding to nascent calcite nuclei growth steps and kinks, rather than theirin vivo interaction with free Ca²⁺ ions in solution.     

A cell-based reporter assay for the identification of protein kinase C activators and inhibitors

Transmission of extra cellular signals across biological membranes results in the generation of lipid metabolites which in turn influence specific cellular events such as cell growth or differentiation. Many of these lipid messengers can activate protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes of which one function is to perpetuate the extracellular signals to the nucleus by phosphorylating other targets proteins. We have engineered mammalian cell lines to identify and evaluate activators and inhibitors of PKC-dependent and independent signal transduction pathways. The A31 mouse fibroblast cell line, has been stably transfected with a construct containing a triplet repeat of the TPA response element (TRE) upstream of a thymidine kinase promoter fused to the human growth hormone (hGH) gene. A31 cells containing this reporter construct exhibit significant increases in hGH secretion following stimulation by phorbol esters or other mitogens. The levels of hGH secretion are modulated in this system using different pharmacological agents. We demonstrate that this assay can be used to identify specific and general inhibitors as well as activators of the signal transduction pathway mediated by PKC isozymes. (Mol Cell Biochem141: 129–134, 1994)     

Oscillatory reaction-diffusion equations on rings

We study the behavior of traveling waves in - systems on both homogeneous and inhomogeneous rings. The stability regions in parameter space of - waves were previously known [15, 19]; the results are extended here. We show the existence of Hopf bifurcations of traveling waves and the stability of the limit cycles born at the Hopf bifurcation for some parameter ranges. Using a Lindstedt-type perturbation scheme, we formally construct periodic solutions of the - system near a Hopf bifurcation and show that the periodic solutions superimposed on the original traveling wave have the effect of altering its overall frequency and amplitude. We also study the - system on an annulus ofvariable width, which does not possess reflection symmetry about any axis. We formally construct traveling waves on this variable-width annulus by a perturbation scheme, and find that perturbing the width of the annulus alters the amplitude and frequency of traveling waves on the domain by a small (order ²) amount. For typical parameter values, we find that the speed, frequency, and stability are unaffected by the direction of travel of the wave on the annulus, despite the rotationally asymmetric inhomogeneity. This indicates that the - system on a variable-width domain cannot account for directional preferences of traveling waves in biological systems.     

Unidirectional waves on rings: Models for chiral preference of circumnutating plants

Twining plants exhibit a striking oscillation of their stems in their quest for a support. The oscillations, called circumnutation, have periods generally of 1–5 hr, and virtually all species have a preferred direction of twining. I seek to explain these chiral asymmetries in plant behavior by hypothesizing a chiral asymmetry in plant anatomy. Such asymmetries already exist, for example, in phyllotaxis. I explore wave phenomena on asymmetric but isotropic rings, and seek systems which will only support (stable) waves in one direction around the ring, and not in the other. Simulations indicate that (1) oscillatory reaction-diffusion systems do not support unidirectional waves on rings; (2) excitable reaction-diffusion systems do support unidirectional waves on rings; and (3) unidirectional phase-locking (discrete unidirectional waves) occurs in rings of coupled oscillators. Thus, chiral asymmetries of circumnutating plants cannot be explained by continuum oscillator phenomena, but can be explained by general discrete oscillators, or excitable phenomena on the continuum.     

Daytime rest behavior of the Welsh pony (Equus caballus) mare and foal

Upright and recumbent rest of 15 Welsh pony foals and their mothers was studied over a 2 year period. During their first week of life, the foals spent 32% of the time in recumbent rest. Subsequently, the percentage of time spent in recumbent rest decreased, but was still greater than for the foal's mother by Week 21, when the foals spent 6.5% of their time in recumbent rest. Adults spent little time in recumbent rest. Foals rested upright only 3.5% of the time during their first week of life. Mares rested upright more than foals did to Week 13, at which time peak values for time spent in upright rest occurred for both mares (32.5%) and foals (23%). Subsequently, mares and foals spent equal, but decreasing, amounts of time resting upright. The total time spent resting by the foals decreased gradually, and was characterized by a transition from recumbent rest to upright rest. Foals were more likely to be resting, either recumbent or upright, if their mother was resting upright. During the late spring, summer, and early autumn, mares and foals were most likely to be resting upright between 09:00 and 17:00 h.     

α-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone inhibits free radical release in brain concussion

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity. The pathogenesis of the underlying brain dysfunction is poorly understood. Recent data have suggested that oxygen free radicals play a key role in the primary and secondary processes of acute TBI. We report direct electron spin resonance (ESR) evidence of hydroxyl (·OH) radical generation in closed-head injury of rats. Moderate brain concussion was produced by controlled and reproducible mechanical, fixed, closed-head injury. A cortical cup was placed over one cerebral hemisphere within 20 min of the concussion, perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) containing the spin trap agent pyridyl-N-oxide-tert-butyl nitrone (POBN, 100 mM), and superfusate samples collected at 10 min intervals for a duration up to 130 min post brain trauma. In addition, POBN was administered systematically (50 mg/kg body wt.) 10 min pretrauma and 20 min posttrauma to improve our ability to detect free radicals. ESR analysis of the superfusate samples revealed six line spectra (α_N = 15.4 and α^β_H = 2.5 G) characteristic of POBN-OH radical adducts, the intensity of which peaked 40 min posttrauma. The signal was undetectable after 120 min. Administration of α-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN), a spin adduct forming agent systemically (100 mg/kg body wt. IP 10 min prior to concussion) alone or along with topical PBN (100 mM PBN in aCSF),6significantly (P< 0.001) attenuated the ESR signal, suggesting its possible role in the treatment of TBI.     

Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) in Moroccan Jews: Demonstration of a founder effect by extended haplotype analysis

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease causing attacks of fever and serositis. The FMF gene (designated “MEF”) is on 16p, with the gene order 16cen–D16S80–MEF–D16S94–D16S283–D16S291–16pter. Here we report the association of FMF susceptibility with alleles at D16S94, D16S283, and D16S291 among 31 non-Ashkenazi Jewish families (14 Moroccan, 17 non-Moroccan). We observed highly significant associations at D16S283 and D16S291 among the Moroccan families. For the non-Moroccans, only the allelic association at D16S94 approached statistical significance. Haplotype analysis showed that 18/25 Moroccan FMF chromosomes, versus 0/21 noncarrier chromosomes, bore a specific haplotype for D16S94–D16S283–D16S291. Among non-Moroccans this haplotype was present in 6/26 FMF chromosomes versus 1/28 controls. Both groups of families are largely descended from Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition. The strong haplotype association seen among the Moroccans is most likely a founder effect, given the recent origin and genetic isolation of the Moroccan Jewish community. The lower haplotype frequency among non-Moroccan carriers may reflect differences both in history and in population genetics.