Point mutations in the upstream region of the α-galactosidase A gene exon 6 in an atypical variant of Fabry disease

Summary Single point mutations in the upstream region of exon 6 of the -galactosidase A gene were found in two Japanese cases of the cardiac form of Fabry disease; ³⁰¹ArgGln (⁹⁰²GA) in a case that has already been published and ²⁷⁹GlnGlu (⁸³⁵CG) in a new case. They both expressed markedly low, but significant, amounts of residual activity in COS-1 cells. In contrast, two unrelated cases with classic Fabry disease were found to have different point mutations, which showed a complete loss of enzyme activity in a transient expression assay; ³²⁸GlyArg (⁹⁸²GA) in the downstream region of exon 6 in one case and two combined mutations, ⁶⁶GluGln (¹⁹⁶GC)/¹¹²ArgCys (³³⁴CT), in exon 2 in the other. We conclude, on the basis of the results recorded in this study and those in previous reports, that the pathogenesis of atypical Fabry disease is closely associated with point mutations in the upstream region of exon 6 of the -galactosidase A gene.     

Inhibition of ATPase Activity in Pea Plasma Membranes In Situ by a Suppressor from a Pea Pathogen, Mycosphaerella pinodes

A pathogenic fungus of pea, Mycosphaerella pinodes, secretesa so-called "suppressor" in its pycnospore germination fluid.The suppressor blocks the defense responses and induces localsusceptibility (accessibility) in pea plants to agents thatare not pathogenic in pea. The suppressor nonspecifically inhibitsthe ATPase activity in plasma membranes prepared from pea, soybean,kidney bean, cowpea and barley plants. However, cytochemicalstudies by electron microscopy indicate that the suppressorspecifically inhibits the ATPase in pea cell membranes, butnot in those of four other plant species tested. That is, thespecificity of the suppressor appears at the cell and/or tissuelevel, but is not evident in vitro. Furthermore, the inhibitoryeffect of the suppressor is temporary because the ATPase activityrecovers 9 h after the treatment. A similar effect was observedafter inoculation with M. pinodes but not with a nonpathogenof pea, M. ligulicola. The role of the suppressor in host-parasitespecificity is discussed. (Received April 9, 1991; Accepted August 6, 1991)     

Clerodane diterpenoids from the roots of Portulaca pilosa

Three trans-clerodane diterpenoids, pilosanol A, B and C, the last compound being a glucoside, have been isolated from the roots of Portulaca pilosa. They show a marked contrast in skeletal type with the constituents of aerial part. Evolutionary changes in the biosynthetic abilities of Portulaca species is discussed.     

Microsurgical toenail transfer to the hand

Free nonvascularized toenail grafts have been used to reconstruct congenital or traumatic nail defects of the thumb or finger. Unfortunately, these transfers often result in deformity or atrophy. To avoid these undesirable results, microsurgical free vascularized toenail transfer was performed in 10 patients, 3 for congenital nail absence and 7 for traumatic nail defects. Patient age averaged 17 years (range 2 to 32 years). In contrast with previous reports, the whole big or second toenail complex without pulp was used in reconstruction. All 10 nails were successfully transferred with complete survival. No digits required reexploration. There were no donor- or recipient-site problems. Follow-up averaged 3 years, with a range of 14 months to 5 years and 4 months. Appropriate nail growth occurred in the congenital patients. No atrophy of the nail complex was found as long as sufficient bony support was present (9 of 10 cases). Whole free vascularized toenail transfers for reconstruction of congenital and traumatic nailbed defects achieve excellent aesthetic results while maintaining normal hand function.     

Sensitive detection of viral antigens with a new method, "laser magnet immunoassay".

A new method, "laser magnet immunoassay" (LMIA), has been developed for sensitive detection of viral antigens. Target viruses captured on microbeads were made to react with antibodies labeled with magnetite particles. In a magnetic field, magnetically labeled antigens dispersed in water were attracted to and concentrated at one point on the surface, resulting in the lifting up of a small surface area. A laser beam which was incident on the point reflected, making an interference fringe. The intensity of the fringe indicates the amount of the magnetite conjugated with antigen. A very low concentration of antigens, such as 5 particles of influenza virus and 0.1 pg/ml of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen in human serum, could be detected by this method. Application of this method to diagnoses of viral diseases in early stages is discussed.     

Chondrosarcoma of the trachea. A case report and literature review

The cytologic presentation of a case of chondrosarcoma of the trachea in a 72-year-old man is described. A mass detected on routine chest roentgenogram and defined by CT scan was used to make a touch imprint smear during partial tumor resection. The cytologic findings included round or polygonal cells with occasional binucleation, round hyperchromatic nuclei and prominent nucleoli, present in an amorphous pink-violet or light-blue background containing fragments of chondroid tissue. The histopathology was interpreted as a low-grade chondrosarcoma. Cartilaginous tumors of the trachea should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper airway obstruction.     

High propeller twist and unusual hydrogen bonding patterns from the MD simulation of (dG)6.(dC)6

A molecular dynamics (MD) study of (dG)6.(dC)6 including counter ions and 292 water molecules was made. The hydrogen bonding pattern and propeller twist angles for the mini-helix are reported as averages for times spanning 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 ps. The propeller twist angles range from 18 degrees to 38 degrees. Bifurcated and interstrand neighboring base (twisted) hydrogen bonding patterns were found.     

Phospholipase A2 in macrophage plasma membrane releases arachidonic acid from phosphatidylinositol

A high level of arachidonic acid release from [2-14C]arachidonylphosphatidylinositol (PI) was observed at neutral pH (6.0-7.0) in the presence of purified plasma membranes of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. This activity was at least 10-fold higher than that with arachidonylphosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as substrate. The accumulation of [14C]diacylglycerol and [14C]phosphatidic acid was not detected at any time, and arachidonic acid release from [14C]arachidonyldiacylglycerol was not detectable either. The data suggest that arachidonic acid release from PI may not occur via the phospholipase C pathway. In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility that arachidonic acid release from PI at neutral pH in the macrophage plasma membrane is dependent on the action of phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) -like activity. The maximum arachidonic acid release was dependent upon both pH and substrate. Particularly, the activity of arachidonic acid release from PI at neutral pH was very high compared with that from PC or PE. We suggest that phosphatidylinositol phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.52) may play an important role in providing arachidonic acid for subsequent metabolic activity in the macrophages.     

Alpha-interferon treatment for adult T cell leukemia: low levels of circulating alpha-interferon and it's clinical effectiveness

We describe a patient with adult T cell Leukemia to whom alpha-interferon therapy was highly effective. Although a combination chemotherapy (ACVP) first introduced was effective in reducing total leukocyte counts, the percentage of leukemic cells relative to total leukocyte counts was decreased first after the institution of alpha-interferon therapy. The patient is now under complete remission for four years. It was noted in this patient that circulating alpha-interferon, measured by a sensitive radioimmunoassay, was consistently low as compared with the value found in the age-, sex-matched healthy control (p less than 0.001). Since adult T cell leukemia is pathogenetically related to the retrovirus infection, low levels of circulating alpha-interferon of the patient may be important from both pathogenetic and therapeutic standpoints. Alpha-interferon therapy may be an useful additive for the chemotherapy of adult T cell leukemia.     

IL-4, but not IL-5, can act synergistically with B cell activating factor (BCAF) to induce proliferation of resting B cells

B cell activating factor (BCAF) was initially identified in the supernatant of the murine T helper cell clone 52-3 (52-3 SN) because of its ability to promote activation and proliferation of resting B cells in the absence of any other costimulus. In this paper, we show that 52-3 T helper cells also secrete IL-4 and IL-5 and we have analyzed the influence of these two lymphokines on B cell proliferation induced by BCAF-containing 52-3 SN. Using the neutralizing anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody 11B11, we observed partial inhibition of B cell proliferation. 52-3 SN free of IL-4 prepared using an immunoabsorbent column was still able to induce significant B cell proliferation. Although recombinant IL-4 alone does not induce B cell proliferation, it increased the proliferation induced by IL-4-free 52-3 SN. Kinetic studies showed that IL-4 is required at the start of B cell cultures in order to exert optimal synergistic effects. In contrast, anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody NC17 did not affect the B cell proliferative activity of 52-3 SN whether or not IL-4 was present. When 52-3 SN was tested on dextran-sulfate-activated B cells, IL-5 and BCAF activities were detected but only the IL-5 activity was neutralized by monoclonal antibody NC17. These results demonstrate that (i) BCAF-containing SN can induce proliferation of resting B cells independently of IL-4 and IL-5, and (ii) IL-4, but not IL-5, can act synergistically with BCAF to induce B cell proliferation.