Stimulatory effect of vanadate on hyaluronic acid synthesis in mesothelial cells from rabbit pericardium

Vanadate dose-dependently stimulated the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into glycosaminoglycan, especially hyaluronic acid, in mesothelial cells from rabbit pericardium. The activity of hyaluronic acid synthase in the mesothelial cells treated with 50 microM vanadate for 0.5-1 h was stimulated to a level about 2 times over that of the control. Neither DNA synthesis nor protein synthesis in the mesothelial cells under the same experimental conditions was affected. The enhancement of the activity of hyaluronic acid synthase in the mesothelial cells treated with vanadate (50 microM) was not inhibited by the addition of cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml). These results suggest that vanadate stimulates the hyaluronic acid synthesis by activation of hyaluronic acid synthase in mesothelial cells from rabbit pericardium.     

Theoretical bases for karyotype evolution. II. The fusion burst in man and mouse

As a theoretical standard for evaluating the high incidence of centric fusion in man and mouse, the relative probabilities of occurrence of reciprocal translocation (Tr), inversion (In) and centric fusion (Fu) were estimated based on the random-contact-and-exchange model. It was shown by this model that centric fusion was extremely rare (Fu = 0.0002, In = 0.0521 and Tr = 0.9477 for a human haploid karyotype). On the other hand, the occurrence rate of centric fusion in human newborn babies and European feral mice was about 500-1,000 times higher than the theoretically expected values, which is termed here the "fusion burst". We suggest that the fusion burst may be induced by the physical proximity of telomeres on the nuclear membrane, and the exchange of DNA strands by errors of telomere replication mechanisms. The cytogenetical significance of the fusion burst is discussed with regard to the minimum interaction hypothesis proposed by Imai et al. (1986). We suggest two closely linked possibilities that (1) the fusion burst in man and mouse can theoretically be placed in karyotype evolution as a transitional phase in the main stream of the fission-inversion cycle, and (2) it may be accelerated by some unknown (mutagenic) factors other than ionizing radiation.     

Evidence of selective feeding on larvaceans by the pelagic copepod Candacia bipinnata (Calanoida: Candaciidae)

Gut contents of Candacia bipinnata collected from the InlandSea of Japan and the neighbouring sea revealed that these pelagiccalanoid copepods feed selectively on larvaceans.     

Soluble IL-2 receptor in AIDS. Correlation of its serum level with the classification of HIV-induced diseases and its characterization

By using a fluorescence sandwich ELISA, elevated IL-2R levels were detected in the sera from both HIV-infected hemophiliacs and other HIV-infected patients. The serum IL-2R levels were reflective of the classification of HIV-induced diseases by the Centers for Disease Control. Moreover, the IL-2R levels were negatively correlated most prominently with CD4 cell counts, with lymphocyte counts, and with a decrease in the CD4-CD8 ratio but not with either WBC counts or B cell counts. As striking elevations of serum IL-2R were noted in AIDS patients with group IVD infection, the serum IL-2R was purified sequentially by using size-exclusion HPLC, high-pressure chromatofocusing, and H48 affinity HPLC. The isoelectric point values of IL-2R were separated into 4.2 and 3.8, whereas the Mr was determined to be only 45 kDa by immunoprecipitation with H48 antibody followed by SDS-PAGE. However, production of cellular and supernatant IL-2R was not elevated in PBMC of patients with AIDS or in any of the 19 HIV-I- or HIV-II-infected cell line cells. In contrast, PBMC from patients with adult T cell leukemia and cell line cells that expressed human T cell lymphotropic virus -I or -II produced soluble IL-2R, constitutively. The mechanisms by which serum levels of IL-2R might be elevated in HIV-infected patients are discussed in comparison with that in adult T cell leukemia patients.     

A tubular configuration of the granular endoplasmic reticulum forming a raft-like parallel array in the pinealocytes of two species of Japanese moles (Mogera kobeae and M. wogura)

Summary Ten or more straight tubules, each of which consists of a double unit membrane of granular endoplasmic reticulum with a cylindrical profile, are joined side by side in a raft-like configuration in the cytoplasm of the pinealocytes of Japanese moles. They measure about 60 nm and 100 nm in their inner and outer diameters, respectively, and are often partially connected to unspecialized granular endoplasmic reticulum. Cisterns held between the inner and outer unit membranes with cylindrical profiles vary from 15 nm to 30 nm in width. Ensheathed portions of the cytoplasm are contiguous with cytoplasm outside the tubular units. The inner unit membranes of the tubules bear fewer ribosomal particles than the outer ones.     

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Gene Duplication of β-Fructofuranosidase Confer Lepidopteran Insects Metabolic Benefits

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a potentially critical source of material for ecological adaptation and the evolution of novel genetic traits. However, reports on posttransfer duplication in organism genomes are lacking, and the evolutionary advantages conferred on the recipient are generally poorly understood. Sucrase plays an important role in insect physiological growth and development. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of insect β-fructofuranosidase transferred from bacteria via HGT. We found that posttransfer duplications of β-fructofuranosidase were widespread in Lepidoptera and sporadic occurrences of β-fructofuranosidase were found in Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. β-fructofuranosidase genes often undergo modifications, such as gene duplication, differential gene loss, and changes in mutation rates. Lepidopteran β-fructofuranosidase gene (SUC) clusters showed marked divergence in gene expression patterns and enzymatic properties in Bombyx mori (moth) and Papilio xuthus (butterfly). We generated SUC1 mutations in B. mori using CRISPR/Cas9 to thoroughly examine the physiological function of SUC. BmSUC1 mutant larvae were viable but displayed delayed growth and reduced sucrase activities that included susceptibility to the sugar mimic alkaloid found in high concentrations in mulberry. BmSUC1 served as a critical sucrase and supported metabolic homeostasis in the larval midgut and silk gland, suggesting that gene transfer of β-fructofuranosidase enhanced the digestive and metabolic adaptation of lepidopteran insects. These findings highlight not only the universal function of β-fructofuranosidase with a link to the maintenance of carbohydrate metabolism but also an underexplored function in the silk gland. This study expands our knowledge of posttransfer duplication and subsequent functional diversification in the adaptive evolution and lineage-specific adaptation of organisms.     

Physical fitness of children aged 5 and 6 years

Maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2 max) of 85 healthy kindergarten children, 46 boys and 39 girls, aged 5 and 6 years, was determined by means of track running. Their physique, skinfold thickness, grip and back muscle strength, and performances of 25 m-run, 50 m-run, standing broad jump, and 5 min-endurance run were also measured. Skinfold thickness of girls was significantly larger than that of boys. Boys were significantly superior to girls in all the motor performances. The Vo2 max per unit of body weight was 49.46 ml/kg/min for boys and 46.30 ml/kg/min for girls, the sex difference being significant at the 0.001 level. The correlation coefficient between Vo2 max per kg body weight and 5 min-endurance run performance was 0.417 for boys and 0.049 for girls, while that between absolute Vo2 max and body weight was 0.899 for boys and 0.563 for girls. The regression equation of the absolute value of Vo2 max (liter/min) on body weight (kg) was: Y=0.051X-0.025 for boys and Y=0.024 + 0.408 for girls, the regression coefficient of boys being twice as large as that of girls. It appears that at ages 5-6 sex differences are exhibited ont only in muscle strength and agility but also in endurance run and aerobic work capacity.     

2-Cyano-3,10-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid anhydride. A novel and highly potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent

2-Cyano-3,10-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid anhydride (CDDO anhydride) has been synthesized, which is the first example of an oleanane triterpenoid anhydride. CDDO anhydride shows potency similar to or higher than the corresponding acid (CDDO) in various in vitro and in vivo assays related to inflammation and carcinogenesis. Notably, preliminary phamacokinetics studies show that CDDO anhydride levels are higher than CDDO levels in mouse tissues and blood. Further evaluation of CDDO anhydride is in progress.     

Respiration and Carbohydrate Metabolism of Potato Tuber. Part I

The activity of tyrosinase, isolated from potatoes is suppressed in the presence of redox dyes and the composed dehydrogenase systems. The oxygen uptake of potato tuber increases, but after being cut into slices the dehydrogenase activity of tuber decreases in the lapse of time. This increase in oxygen uptake is caused by tyrosinase. Accordingly, tyrosinase does not seem to play the role as a terminal oxidase in the electron transferring systems.     

Protective Effects of Ca2+ on Cell Membrane Damage by Polygodial in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We report here the expression of a bacterial sphingomyelinase in mammalian cells as a functionally active form. A chimeric Pseudomonas sphingomyelinase fused with the lysosomal sorting motif of lysosomal acid phosphatase was sorted to lysosomes in mammalian cells. As expected, the chimeric SMase hydrolyzed sphingomyelin in vivo to produce ceramide, part of which was converted to glucosylceramide.