A novel mutation A1270G of the EDA1 gene causing Tyr343Cys substitution in ectodysplasin-A in a family with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia

The structure of the EDA1 gene was investigated in a patient with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Sequence analysis revealed a novel A1270G transition in exon 9 of the EDA1 gene in the patient and his uncle, whereas the patient's mother and grandmother were heterozygotes. This mutation resulted in Tyr343Cys substitution in the extracellular domain of the EDA1 gene product - ectodysplasin-A. The additional Cys343 was located between Cys332 and Cys346 and formed with Cys352 a cluster of four closely situated residues that could potentially form disulfide bonds. This mutation might affect the tertiary structure of the receptor-binding domain of ectodysplasin-A and precipitate the clinical symptoms of anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.     

Structure and serological characterization of the O-antigen of Proteus mirabilis O18 with a phosphocholine-containing oligosaccharide phosphate repeating unit

A phosphorylated, choline-containing polysaccharide was obtained by O-deacylation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Proteus mirabilis O18 by treatment with aqueous 12% ammonia, whereas hydrolysis with dilute acetic acid resulted in depolymerisation of the polysaccharide chain by the glycosyl phosphate linkage. Treatment of the O-deacylated LPS with aqueous 48% hydrofluoric acid cleaved the glycosyl phosphate group but, unexpectedly, did not affect the choline phosphate group. The polysaccharide and the derived oligosaccharides were studied by NMR spectroscopy, including 2D 1H,1H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, 1H,13C HMQC and HMQC-TOSCY experiments, along with chemical methods, and the following structure of the pentasaccharide phosphate repeating unit was established: [carbohydrate structure in text] Where ChoP=Phosphocoline Immunochemical studies of the LPS, O-deacylated LPS and partially dephosphorylated pentasaccharide using rabbit polyclonal anti-P. mirabilis O18 serum showed the importance of the glycosyl phosphate group in manifesting the serological specificity of the O18-antigen.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of sulfate esters of fructose and its isopropylidene derivatives. Part 1: 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose 1-sulfate and 4,5-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose 1-sulfate

2,3:4,5-Di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose 1-sulfate have been synthesized by treatment of 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose with pyridine-sulfur trioxide complex. Direct hydrolysis of the isopropylidene group at C-4, C-5 gave 2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose 1-sulfate. The crystal and molecular structures of ammonium (1a) and potassium (1b) salts of diisopropylidene derivative and ammonium (2) salt of monoisopropylidene derivative were determined by X-ray crystallography. Data for 1a and 1b were collected in 120 K and in 150 K for 2. All salts crystallized in P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group. There are three independent anions in asymmetric unit in 1b. Pyranose rings in the diisopropylidene derivative salts studied adopt 2S(0) twist boat conformation, whereas in the monoisopropylidene exists in a slightly distorted chair conformation (4C(1)). A staggered conformation is preferred by the sulfate group as indicated by values of C-(ester)-S-O(terminal) torsion angles: -173.2(4) degrees in 1a, 175.1(6) degrees in anion A of 1b, 170.8(6) degrees in anion C of 1b and 177.9(2) degrees in 2. However, strong interactions such as potassium-oxygen and H-bonds may affect the geometry: in anion B of 1b the value of the torsion angle is 139.4(6) degrees.     

Purinergic regulation of glucose and glutamine synthesis in isolated rabbit kidney-cortex tubules

The effects of extracellular purinergic agonists and their breakdown products on glucose and glutamine synthesis in rabbit kidney-cortex tubules incubated with aspartate + glycerol or alanine + glycerol + octanoate were investigated. A rapid extracellular degradation of ATP was accompanied by an accumulation of AMP, inosine, and hypoxanthine. Extracellular ATP and its breakdown products accelerated glucose synthesis in renal tubules, while ammonium released from adenine-containing compounds enhanced glutamine synthesis and diminished the degree of gluconeogenesis stimulation. In contrast to AMP and inosine, ATP evoked calcium signals, while both ATP and inosine decreased intracellular cAMP content and accelerated the flux through fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase as concluded from changes in gluconeogenic intermediates. Since (i) the activity of partially purified renal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was increased upon protein phosphatase-1 treatment and decreased following treatment of previously dephosphorylated enzyme with protein kinase A catalytic subunit and (ii) both 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and 8-(4-chlorophenyltio)-cAMP inhibited renal glucose synthesis, it seems likely that in rabbit renal tubules ATP and inosine stimulate gluconeogenesis via cAMP decrease, which favors the appearance of a more active, dephosphorylated form of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, a key gluconeogenic enzyme.     

Changes in the cellular behaviour of human colonic cell line Caco-2 in response to butyrate treatment

Gut-derived adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells were treated with sodium butyrate (NaB) at physiologically relevant concentrations. We characterized its effects on proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion to the solid support and interleukin-8 secretion. Differentiation was determined by brush border alkaline phosphatase activity. Apoptosis was assessed by acridine orange and Hoechst stains. Differentiation and apoptosis were analyzed in both adherent and floating cell populations. The transformed Caco-2 cells did not retain their malignant phenotype in the presence of NaB. They appeared to undergo a change in the phenotype induced by NaB, as indicated by reduced proliferation, enhanced differentiation, stimulation of apoptosis leading to decreased viability of cells, and stimulation of interleukin-8 secretion. Considering all the above facts and data, we postulate that Caco-2 cells cultured in NaB supplemented medium could regain the phenotypic characteristics of the phenotype of the parent cell from which originated the Caco-2 line.     

Molecular basis of inherited predispositions for tumors

On the basis of literature data and own experience the authors review the current knowledge about the molecular basis of inherited predispositions for tumors. They hypothesize that in the near perspective 5-10 years studies using existing registry data/material and the latest novel technology will allow the identification of the molecular background for the majority of hereditary cancers which will have enormous practical consequences especially for the prevention of malignancies.     

Evolutionary consequences of asymmetric dispersal rates

We study the consequences of asymmetric dispersal rates (e.g., due to wind or current) for adaptive evolution in a system of two habitat patches. Asymmetric dispersal rates can lead to overcrowding of the "downstream" habitat, resulting in a source-sink population structure in the absence of intrinsic quality differences between habitats or can even cause an intrinsically better habitat to function as a sink. Source-sink population structure due to asymmetric dispersal rates has similar consequences for adaptive evolution as a source-sink structure due to habitat quality differences: natural selection tends to be biased toward the source habitat. We demonstrate this for two models of adaptive evolution: invasion of a rare allele that improves fitness in one habitat but reduces it in the other and antagonistic selection on a quantitative trait determined by five additive loci. If a habitat can sustain a population without immigration, the conditions for adaptation to that habitat are most favorable if there is little or no immigration from the other habitat; the influence of emigration depends on the magnitude of the allelic effects involved and other parameters. If, however, the population is initially unable to persist in a given habitat without immigration, our model predicts that the population will be most likely to adapt to that habitat if the dispersal rates in both directions are high. Our results highlight the general message that the effect of gene flow upon local adaptation should depend profoundly on the demographic context of selection.     

Processing of N-glycans of two yellow lupin phosphohydrolases during seed maturation and dormancy

Acid phosphatase (AP) and diphosphonucleoside phosphatase/phosphodiesterase (PPD1) were purified from yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) immature green seeds (40 days after blooming), dry seeds (40 days later) and dry seeds stored for 160 days. Both enzymes are known to differ in the type of N-glycosylation: the first has an N-glycosylation pattern typical for a vacuolar protein, while the second enzyme has a pattern typical for an extracellular or membrane-bound protein. N-Glycans were released from each of the enzyme preparations, fluorescence labeled, separated and identified by HPLC (GlycoSep N and GlycoSep H columns). Changes in the level of each N-glycan during seed maturation and dormancy were compared. The results show that N-glycan processing in the case of AP and PPD1-two proteins residing in the same plant organ, but possibly in different compartments-is not synchronized and performed not only in metabolically active maturing seeds, but also in metabolically inactive dormant seeds.     

Uterine blood supply as a main factor involved in the regulation of the estrous cycle--a new theory

The paper presents a new theory on the physiological mechanism of initiation of luteolysis, function of endometrial cells and protection of corpus luteum. This theory is based on previous studies published by the authors and their coworkers on the retrograde transfer of PGF2alpha in the uterine broad ligament vasculature during the estrous cycle, early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. The studies were focused on cyclic changes in uterine blood supply and the apoptosis of endometrial cells. Moreover, the results of many other authors are cited. The statements of the theory are as follows: 1. The initiation of luteolysis is a consequence of regressive changes in the endometrium which are due to the reduction of the uterine blood supply below the level necessary to provide for the extended needs of active endometrium. 2. During the luteal phase, both a considerable increase in uterine weight and a decrease in blood flow through the uterine artery, resulting from increasing progesterone concentration, reduce the uterine blood supply. In comparison to the volume of blood flowing to the porcine uterus during the estrus period, only 30-40% of the blood volume is determined on day 12 of the estrous cycle. The uterine weight at that time is 40-60% larger than that in the early luteal phase. Thus, due to the considerable constriction of uterine blood vessels, there is a discrepancy between the requirement for oxygen and other factors transported by blood and the possibility of supplying the uterus with these substances. After reaching the threshold of uterine blood supply level, which in pigs takes place around day 12 of the estrous cycle, regressive changes and PGF2alpha release from endometrial cells occurs. 3. Estrogens and progesterone are the major factors affecting blood flow in vessels supplying the uterus. The factors that modulate, complement and support vasodilation and vasoconstriction are: PGE2, LH, oxytocin, cytokines, neurotransmitters and other local blood flow regulators. In some animal species these modulators, especially those of embryonic origin, may be crucial for the status of uterine vasculature. 4. During early pregnancy, the action of embryo signals (estrogens, cytokines), endometrial PGE2 as well as LH results in the relaxation of the uterine artery (pigs: day 12) and, consequently, in an increase in uterine blood supply. This reaction of the maternal recognition of pregnancy effectively prevents regressive changes in well developed endometrial cells to occur. 5. Local uptake and retrograde transfer of PGF2alpha into the uterine lumen during early pregnancy protects corpus luteum from PGF2alpha luteolytic action. 6. During the period of regressive changes resulting from the limited uterine blood supply, endometrial cells restrain PGF2alpha synthesis. They are, however, still capable of releasing prostaglandin when uterine blood supply is improved after the embryo appears in the uterus. This potential capability for PGF2alpha synthesis was demonstrated in in vitro studies when endometrial cells collected during its regressive phase were incubated in medium and stimulated by LH and oxytocin. 7. Prostaglandin F2alpha pulses in venous blood flowing from the uterus do not confirm pulsatile secretion of PGF2alpha. The pulses may result from the pulsatile excretion of PGF2alpha with venous blood according to the rhythmic uterine contractions associated with oxytocin secretion. 8. The results supporting this concept are presented and discussed in due course. The critique of Bazer and Thatcher's theory on exocrine versus endocrine secretion of prostaglandin F2alpha during the estrous cycle is also depicted.