Purification of acid ribonucleases from bovine spleen

Two acid RNases were purified from bovine spleen by means of ammonium sulfate fractionation, chromatographies on-phospho-cellulose, heparin-Sepharose CL-6B, poly G-Sepharose, and 2', 5'-ADP-Sepharose, and gel filtration on Toyopearl HW 55F. Both purified preparations were homogeneous as judged by disc electrophoresis at pH 4.3. They were designated as RNase BSP1 and RNase BSP2 in the order of elution from a phospho-cellulose column. RNase BSP2 was immunologically indistinguishable from RNase K2 from bovine kidney. RNase BSP1 was a typical pyrimidine base-specific, uridylic acid-preferential RNase and had very sharp pH optimum at 6.5. RNase BSP1 thus obtained was a glycoprotein giving two major bands on SDS-slap electrophoresis. Although the apparent molecular weight of RNase BSP1 was distributed in the range of 27,000-20,000, it decreased to about 17,000-18,000 after endoglycosidase F digestion. The N-terminal amino acid sequence up to the 20th amino acid had no homology to those of RNase K2 and RNase A.     

Distribution of two urinary ribonuclease-like enzymes in human organs and body fluids

In order to determine the distribution of two human urinary RNase (RNase Us and RNase UL)-like enzymes in human tissues and body fluids, enzyme immunoassay systems were established using rabbit anti-RNase sera. The sensitivity of the assay systems was of similar order to that of radioimmunoassay systems previously reported. In the enzyme immunoassay, the cross reactivities of anti-RNase UL serum towards RNase Us, bovine kidney RNase K2, bovine RNase A, and bovine seminal RNase Vs were less than 1%. The cross reactivity of anti-RNase Us-serum towards RNase UL was less than 0.5% and cross reactivities were minimal for RNase A, RNase K2, and RNase Vs. The RNase levels in human organs and body fluids were measured by enzyme immunoassay. In milk, semen and saliva, only RNase UL-like enzyme was found. Both RNase Us- and RNase UL-like enzymes were found in kidney, stomach, and pancreas and the RNase Us/RNase UL ratios were 0.49, 1.35, and 0.34, respectively. In lung, liver, spleen, and leukocytes, most of the RNase activity was accounted for by RNase Us-like enzyme. The activity of RNase Us-like enzyme was especially high in lung, spleen, and leukocytes. The crude extracts of several tissues and body fluids were separated by phosphocellulose column chromatography and the contents of the two urinary RNase-like enzymes were determined by enzyme immunoassay. In stomach, kidney, pancreas, and serum, both enzymes were present in multiple forms. In spleen and lung, both the major RNase (RNase Us) and minor RNase (RNase UL) existed in two forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transient expression in electroporated pea protoplasts: Elicitor responsiveness of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase promoter

Summary High yields of viable pea protoplasts were produced from suspension cultured cells and the conditions for the optimum transient expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene fused to the CaMV 35S promoter after electroporation were investigated. Conditions for elicitor induction of a member of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene family in pea was also investigated using a chimeric gene carrying 480 bp of the putative promoter region of gPAL1 connected to bacterial cat gene and nos terminator. CAT activity was considerably induced by the treatment with fungal elicitor (>100 g/ml glucose equivalent) isolated from Mycosphaerella pinodes, a pea pathogen.Abbreviations CAT chloramphenicol acetyltransferase - PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase - CM acetylated chloramphenicol - GSH reduced glutathione - NOS nopaline synthase - ES electroporation solution - CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - GUS -glucuronidase - CHS chalcone synthase - 2,4-D 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid Present address: Research Institute, Takasago Perfumery Inc, 5-31-36, Kamata, Minato, Tokyo, 144, Japan Toso Inc, 4560 Oaza-Tomita, Shin-nanyo, Yamaguchi, 746, Japan Central Laboratory of Green Complex, Kasetsert University, Kamphaensaen, Nakohn Pathom, Thailand     

Ca2+ Regulation of Outward Rectifying K+ Channel in the Plasma Membrane of Tobacco Cultured Cells in Suspension: a Role of the K +Channel in Mitigation of Salt-Stress Effects by External Ca2+

The patch-clamp technique was used to study effect of the Ca²⁺on K⁺ channels in the plasma membrane of protoplasts isolatedfrom tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. Bright Yellow) culturedcells in suspension. The outward rectifying whole-cell K⁺ currentswere not affected by in-tracellular Ca²⁺, but they were reducedwith increasing extracellular Ca²⁺. Neither extracellular norintracellular Ca²⁺ affected the permeability ratios (p_K+/P_Na+)of the plasma membrane. These results suggest that the inhibitionof outward-rectifying K⁺ channels by extracellular Ca²⁺may partiallycontribute towards the mitigation of detrimental effects ofsalinity on growth by extracellular Ca²⁺. (Received January 19, 1998; Accepted July 30, 1998)     

Distribution of serine proteinase inhibitor, clade B, member 6 (Serpinb6) in the adult mouse brain

In the brain, Serpinb6 was identified as an endogenous inhibitor of neuropsin, a member of the S1 (clan SA) family of serine proteases [J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 14562]. In the present study, we investigated the localization of Serpinb6 in the adult mouse brain using in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Region-specific patterns of expression were observed and two characteristics were recognized. First, the forebrain limbic area that expressed neuropsin mRNA contained Serpinb6 mRNA at moderate levels but not the lateral septum. On the other hand, Serpinb6 mRNA was also expressed moderately in the substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area system, whose fibers projected to the lateral septum. Additionally, Serpinb6 protein was detected in the lateral septum. Together, it was suggested that the expression of neuropsin in the brain is regulated entirely by Serpinb6. Second, Serpinb6 mRNA and the protein were strongly expressed in most somatic and visceral motoneurons among cranial nerve nuclei. This suggests that another serine protease is regulated by Serpinb6 in motoneurons and/or fibers.     

Identification of DELE,a novel DAP3-binding protein which is crucial for death receptor-mediated apoptosis induction

Death associated protein 3 (DAP3) is known to be a highly conserved protein, and is responsible for regulating apoptosis induced by various stimuli. To understand the molecular mechanism of how DAP3 induces apoptosis, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening, and identified a novel DAP3-binding protein termed death ligand signal enhancer (DELE). In this report, we show that DELE actually binds to DAP3 in mammalian cells. We found that the cells stably expressing DELE are susceptible to apoptosis induction by the stimulation of TNF-α and TRAIL. In addition, knockdown of DELE expression rescued the HeLa cells from apoptosis induction by these stimuli. Moreover, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 induced by stimulation of TNF-α, anti-Fas or TRAIL was significantly inhibited by the knockdown of DELE expression. These results demonstrated the biological significance of DELE for apoptosis signal mediated by death receptors.     

Osteogenic differentiation of human dental papilla mesenchymal cells

We isolated dental papilla from impacted human molar and proliferated adherent fibroblastic cells after collagenase treatment of the papilla. The cells were negative for hematopoietic markers but positive for CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105, and CD166. When the cells were further cultured in the presence of beta-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone for 14 days, mineralized areas together with osteogenic differentiation evidenced by high alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin contents were observed. The differentiation was confirmed at both protein and gene expression levels. The cells can also be cryopreserved and, after thawing, could show in vivo bone-forming capability. These results indicate that mesenchymal type cells localize in dental papilla and that the cells can be culture expanded/utilized for bone tissue engineering.     

Depression of p53-independent Akt survival signals in human oral cancer cells bearing mutated p53 gene after exposure to high-LET radiation

Although mutations and deletions in the p53 tumor suppressor gene lead to resistance to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, high-LET radiation efficiently induces cell lethality and apoptosis regardless of the p53 gene status in cancer cells. Recently, it has been suggested that the induction of p53-independent apoptosis takes place through the activation of Caspase-9 which results in the cleavage of Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This study was designed to examine if high-LET radiation depresses serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) and Akt-related proteins. Human gingival cancer cells (Ca9-22 cells) harboring a mutated p53 (mp53) gene were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays or Fe-ion beams. The cellular contents of Akt-related proteins participating in cell survival signaling were analyzed with Western Blotting 1, 2, 3 and 6h after irradiation. Cell cycle distributions after irradiation were assayed with flow cytometric analysis. Akt-related protein levels decreased when cells were irradiated with high-LET radiation. High-LET radiation increased G(2)/M phase arrests and suppressed the progression of the cell cycle much more efficiently when compared to low-LET radiation. These results suggest that high-LET radiation enhances apoptosis through the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and suppresses cell growth by suppressing Akt-related signaling, even in mp53 bearing cancer cells.     

Ability of the Met Kinase Inhibitor Crizotinib and New Generation EGFR Inhibitors to Overcome Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors

Purpose

Although EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) have shown dramatic effects against EGFR mutant lung cancer, patients ultimately develop resistance by multiple mechanisms. We therefore assessed the ability of combined treatment with the Met inhibitor crizotinib and new generation EGFR-TKIs to overcome resistance to first-generation EGFR-TKIs.

Experimental Design

Lung cancer cell lines made resistant to EGFR-TKIs by the gatekeeper EGFR-T790M mutation, Met amplification, and HGF overexpression and mice with tumors induced by these cells were treated with crizotinib and a new generation EGFR-TKI.

Results

The new generation EGFR-TKI inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells containing the gatekeeper EGFR-T790M mutation, but did not inhibit the growth of cells with Met amplification or HGF overexpression. In contrast, combined therapy with crizotinib plus afatinib or WZ4002 was effective against all three types of cells, inhibiting EGFR and Met phosphorylation and their downstream molecules. Crizotinib combined with afatinib or WZ4002 potently inhibited the growth of mouse tumors induced by these lung cancer cell lines. However, the combination of high dose crizotinib and afatinib, but not WZ4002, triggered severe adverse events.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the dual blockade of mutant EGFR and Met by crizotinib and a new generation EGFR-TKI may be promising for overcoming resistance to reversible EGFR-TKIs but careful assessment is warranted clinically.