Developmentally regulated extrachromosomal circular DNA formation in the mesozoan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicyema japonicum</Emphasis>

The dicyemid mesozoans are simple multicellular parasites with a long cylindrical axial cell surrounded by a single outer layer of 20 to 30 ciliated peripheral somatic cells. Their larval development proceeds within the axial cell. Here we demonstrate the appearance of extrachromosomal circular DNAs and their fate during early embryogenesis in Dicyema japonicum. These DNAs are highly heterogeneous in sequence, suggesting that they consist of unique--not repetitive--elements. Potential open reading frames were not evident in the elements, so these DNAs are unlikely to have a protein-encoding function. In situ hybridization revealed that the circular DNA elements were restricted to the early embryonic larvae and gradually faded out as larvae approached maturity. Furthermore Southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction analysis using a high molecular weight DNA as a template provided evidence that the extrachromosomal DNA circles are originally present in chromosomes. These observations suggest DNA elimination--or selective replication--of the elements from chromosomes during early embryogenesis in dicyemid mesozoans.     

Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha triggers formation of functional tight junctions and establishment of polarized epithelial morphology in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells

F9 murine embryonal carcinoma cells provide an attractive system for facilitating molecular mechanisms for epithelial morphogenesis, since they have the capability of differentiating into polarized epithelial cells bearing an apical junctional complexes. We previously showed that a specific retinoid X receptor-retinoic acid receptor heterodimer transduced retinoid signals for biogenesis of functional tight junctions in F9 cells (Exp. Cell Res. 263, (2001) 163). In the present study we generated F9 cells expressing doxycycline-inducible hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha, a nuclear receptor. We herein show that induction of HNF-4alpha initiates differentiation of F9 cells to polarized epithelial cells, in which tight-junction proteins occludin, claudin-6, claudin-7, and ZO-1 are concentrated at the apical-most regions of lateral membranes. Expression of occludin, claudin-6, and claudin-7 was induced in the cells by doxycycline treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner, in terms of the amount of HNF-4alpha. In contrast, expression levels of ZO-1, ZO-2, E-cadherin, and beta-catenin were not altered by HNF-4alpha. We also demonstrate, by analysis of diffusion of labeled sphingomyelin, that the fence function of tight junctions is achieved by induction of HNF-4alpha. These findings indicate that HNF-4alpha triggers de novo formation of functional tight junctions and establishment of epithelial cell polarity.     

Isoproterenol produces a rapid increase in sialidase activity in rat heart tissue and cardiomyocyte-derived H9c2 cells in culture

The effects of isoproterenol on sialidase activity in rat cardiomyocytes were examined. Administration of isoproterenol to rats (0.2 or 2 mg/kg body weight) produced an increase in sialidase activity in total membrane fraction of heart tissue within 120 min (121+/-13% of the control at 120 min after administration of 0.2 mg isoproterenol/kg, n=5, P<0.05). Sialidase activity in cardiomyocyte-derived H9c2 cells was also increased by treatment with isoproterenol (10 microM) for 60 min. The effect of isoproterenol on sialidase activity was amplified by the addition of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Sialidase activity in H9c2 cells was elevated by treatment with dibutyryl cAMP plus IBMX without isoproterenol. The content of N-acetylneuraminic acid in cells decreased by 22% after treatment with isoproterenol plus IBMX. These results suggest that sialidase activity in rat cardiomyocytes is regulated by beta-adrenergic stimulators via a cAMP-dependent process. The increased activity of sialidase may account for the reduction of sialic acid content of cells.     

Synthesis and localization of the Salmonella SPI-1 type III secretion needle complex proteins PrgI and PrgJ

An essential component of type III secretion systems (TTSS) is a supramolecular structure termed the needle complex. In Salmonella enterica, at least four proteins make up this structure: InvG, PrgH, PrgK, and PrgI. Another protein, PrgJ, is thought to play a role in the assembly of this structure, but its function is poorly understood. We have analyzed the expression and localization of PrgJ and the needle protein PrgI in different S. enterica serovar Typhimurium mutant strains. We found that the levels of PrgI and PrgJ were significantly reduced in a TTSS-deficient invA mutant strain and that the decreased levels were due to protein instability. In addition, we found that PrgJ, although associated with the needle complex in wild-type S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, was absent from needle complexes obtained from an invJ mutant strain, which exhibits very long needle substructures. We suggest that PrgJ is involved in capping the needle substructure of the needle complex.     

Molecular cloning of a novel transmembrane protein MOLT expressed by mature oligodendrocytes

A novel oligodendrocyte (OL)-specific cDNA was isolated from brain capillary endothelial cells and characterized. The cDNA encodes a protein of 1099 amino acids that contains a signal peptide and a transmembrane domain. The protein was expressed in mature OLs in vivo and in vitro cell cultures and was thus designated as mature OL transmembrane protein (MOLT). RT-PCR analysis showed that MOLT mRNA was expressed in brain, lung, pancreas, and testis. A polyclonal antibody raised against a part of the mouse MOLT reacted specifically with multipolar OLs possessing radially oriented processes that penetrated into the gray matter. More cells were detected in the white matter, and these had longitudinally oriented processes. In a rat OL lineage culture system, oligodendrocyte precursor cells did not initially produce MOLT mRNA and protein, but when they begun to differentiate into mature OLs, they started expressing MOLT. Consequently, MOLT may function as OLs become mature and may serve as a cell-surface marker for OL differentiation.     

Effects of ionic valency of interacting metal elements in ion uptake by carrot (Daucas carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

Interaction of elements in the course of element uptake by carrot (Daucas carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) exerted by the addition of elements, such as Rb, Zn, and Al, was investigated. For the purpose of precise evaluation of uptake behavior, the simultaneous determination of absorption of Na, Be, Sr, Mn, Co, Zn, Ce, Pm, and Gd was conducted by the multitracer technique. For root uptakes, Al exhibited its influence on the uptake of essential elements and on the uptake of toxic or unbeneficial ones, presumably as a result of the large electric valency that caused cell membrane disintegrity. On the other hand, Zn as a divalent cation only affected the uptake of essential and beneficial elements. Rubidium, which is a monovalent cation, did not exhibit any effect on the uptake of other ions. Concerning shoot uptakes, inhibition by Zn and Al, but not by Rb, was observed for the uptake of Sr, Mn, Co, and Zn. From the present investigation, it is suggested that there exists an interaction between added ions and the elements taken into plants and that the degree of interaction increases in the increasing order of ionic valency: M+ (Rb), M2+ (Zn), and M3+ (Al).     

Development of lateral line organs in leptocephali of the freshwater eel Anguilla japonica (Teleostei,Anguilliformes)

A study of the ontogeny of the lateral line system in leptocephali of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica reveals the existence of three morphologically different types of lateral line organs. Type I is a novel sensory organ with hair cells bearing a single kinocilium, lacking stereocilia, distributed mainly on the head of larvae, and morphologically different from typical superficial neuromasts of the lateral line system. Its developmental sequence suggests that it may be a presumptive canal neuromast. Type II is an ordinary superficial neuromast, common in other teleost larvae, which includes presumptive canal neuromasts that first appear on the trunk and accessory superficial neuromasts that later appear on the head and trunk. Type III is a very unusual neuromast located just behind the orbit, close to the otic vesicle, with radially oriented hair cells, suggesting that these serve as multiple axes of sensitivity for mechanical stimuli. The behavior of larval eels suggests that the radially oriented neuromasts may act as the sole mechanosensory organ until the ordinary superficial neuromasts develop. The finding that larval eels possess a well-developed mechanosensory system suggests the possibility that they are also capable of perceiving weak environmental mechanical stimuli, like other teleost larvae.     

Mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release: sensitivity to cyclosporin A and calcium

The opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) pores, which results in a cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive and Ca(2+)-dependent dissipation of the membrane potential (delta psi) and swelling (classical MPT), has been postulated to play an important role in the release of cytochrome c (Cyt.c) and also in apoptotic cell death. Recently, it has been reported that CsA-insensitive or Ca(2+)-independent MPT can be classified as non-classic MPT. Therefore, we studied the effects of apoptosis-inducing agents on mitochondrial functions with respect to their CsA-sensitivity and Ca(2+)-dependency. CsA-sensitive mitochondrial swelling, depolarization, and the release of Ca2+ and Cyt.c were induced by low concentrations of arachidonic acid, triiodothyronine (T3), or 6-hydroxdopamine but not by valinomycin and high concentrations of the fatty acid or T3. Fe2+/ADP and 2,2,-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) induced swelling of mitochondria and the release of Ca2+ and Cyt.c were not coupled with depolarization or CsA-sensitivity while dibucaine-induced swelling occurred without depolarization, Cyt.c-release or by a CsA-sensitive mechanism. A protonophoric FCCP and SF-6847 induced depolarization and Ca(2+)-release occurred in a CsA-insensitive manner and failed to stimulate the release of Cyt.c. These results indicate that ambient conditions of mitochondria can greatly influence the state of membrane stability and that Cyt.c release may occur not only via a CsA-sensitive MPT but also by way of a CsA-insensitive membrane deterioration.     

Mevastatin,an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase,induces apoptosis,differentiation and Rap1 expression in HL-60 cells

It has been reported that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. One inhibitor which induces apoptosis is mevastatin. However, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction is not well understood so the effects of mevastatin on various functions of HL-60 cells were investigated. We confirmed that mevastatin activated caspase-3 by release of cytochrome c (Cyt. c) from mitochondria through a membrane permeability transition mechanism and also induced typical fragmentation and ladder formation of DNA in HL-60 cells. These effects were inhibited by mevalonate, a metabolic intermediate of cholesterol biosynthesis. Mevalonate and geranylgeraniol (GGOH) inhibited DNA fragmentation whereas farnesol (FOH) did not. Mevastatin also induced cell differentiation to monocytic cells via a mevalonate inhibitable mechanism. Furthermore, mevastatin decreased the amount of an isoprenylated membrane bound Rap1 small GTPase concomitant with an increase in cytosolic Rap1 which occurred before apoptosis and differentiation. On the contrary, both mevastatin and geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), which competes with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, induced membrane depolarization of isolated mitochondria without swelling and Cyt. c release. These results suggest that mevastatin-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells might be caused indirectly by activation of the caspase cascade through the modulation of mitochondrial functions and that some relationship between a certain small GTPase molecule, such as Rap1, and mevastatin-induced apoptosis may exist.