Primary structure of the variable region of an amyloidogenic Bence Jones protein NIG-77

The complete amino acid sequence of the variable region of a Bence Jones protein NIG-77 from an individual with myeloma-associated systemic amyloidosis has been determined. This protein represents a complete light chain consisting of 216 residues and it has a sequence characteristic of V lambda I subgroup, which is closely homologous to that of another amyloidogenic V lambda I Bence Jones protein NIG-51, differing by 20 of 111 residues (82% homology). In contrast, it differs by 29 residues (74% homology) to that of non-amyloidogenic V lambda I light chain NIG-64. This finding shows that, in accordance with our previous report(1), the V lambda I-related light chains can further be divided into two distinct subsubgroups, V lambda I-1 and V lambda I-2, and the latter property seems to be more prone in association with the amyloid process.     

Pharmacological characteristics of four giant neurons identified in the cerebral ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac)

Two giant neurons, d-RCDN (dorsal-right cerebral distinct neuron) and d-LCDN (dorsal left cerebral distinct neuron), with a diameter of about 100 microns, were found symmetrically on the dorsal surface of the cerebral ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). They showed spontaneous spike discharges at a stable frequency. Two giant neurons, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neuron) and v-LCDN (ventral-left cerebral distinct neuron), (diameter, approx. 150 microns) were identified on the ventral surface of the same ganglia. No spontaneous spike discharges were evident. Both d-RCDN and d-LCDN were equally inhibited by dopamine, octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine. Acetylcholine sometimes showed inhibitory effects, but they were not so stable. No substance having excitatory effects on the neurons was found. Both v-RCDN and v-LCDN were equally excited by octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABA and acetylcholine and inhibited by dopamine and beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid.     

Molecular phylogeny of parabasalids inferred from small subunit rRNA sequences, with emphasis on the Hypermastigea

Small subunit rRNA gene sequences were identified without cultivation from parabasalid symbionts of termites belonging to the hypermastigid orders Trichonymphida (the genera Hoplonympha, Staurojoenina, Teranympha, and Eucomonympha) and Spirotrichonymphida (Spirotrichonymphella), and from four yet-unidentified parabasalid symbionts of the termite Incisitermes minor. All these new sequences were analyzed by Bayesian, likelihood, and parsimony methods in a broad phylogeny including all identified parabasalid sequences available in databases and some as yet unidentified sequences probably derived from hypermastigids. A salient point of our study focused on hypermastigids was the polyphyly of this class. We also noted a clear dichotomy between Trichonymphida and the other parabasalid taxa. However, this hypermastigid order was apparently polyphyletic, probably reflecting its morphological diversity. Among Trichonymphida, Teranympha (Teranymphidae) grouped together with the members of the family Eucomonymphidae, suggesting that its family status is ambiguous. The monophyletic lineage composed by Spirotrichonymphida exhibited a narrower branching pattern than Trichonymphida. The root of parabasalids was examined but could not be discerned accurately.     

Comprehensive Structural Analysis of the Genome of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

With the aim of establishing the basic knowledge and resourcesneeded for applied genetics, we investigated the genome structureof red clover Trifolium pratense L. by a combination of cytological,genomic and genetic approaches. The deduced genome size was440 Mb, as estimated by measuring the nuclear DNA content byflow cytometry. Seven chromosomes could be distinguished bymicroscopic observation of DAPI stained prometaphase chromosomesand fluorescence in situ hybridization using 28S and 5S rDNAprobes and bacterial artificial chromosome probes containingmicrosatellite markers with known positions on a genetic linkagemap. The average GC content of the genomes of chloroplast, mitochondrionand nucleus were shown to be 33.8, 42.9 and 34.2%, respectively,by the analysis of 1.4 Mb of random genomic sequences. A totalof 26 356 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were grouped into9339 non-redundant sequences were collected, and 78% of theESTs showed sequence similarity to registered genes, mainlyof Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. To facilitate basic and appliedgenetics in red clover, we generated a high-density geneticlinkage map with gene-associated microsatellite markers. A totalof 7159 primer pairs were designed to amplify simple sequencerepeats (SSRs) identified in four different types of libraries.Based on sequence similarity, 82% of the SSRs were likely tobe associated with genes. Polymorphism was examined using twoparent plants, HR and R130, and 10 F₁ progeny by agarose gelelectrophoresis, followed by genotyping for the primer pairsshowing polymorphisms using 188 F₁ plants from the mapping population.The selected 1305 microsatellite markers as well as the previouslydeveloped 167 restriction fragment length polymorphism markerswere subjected to linkage analysis. A total of 1434 loci detectedby 1399 markers were successfully mapped onto seven linkagegroups totaling 868.7 cM in length; 405 loci (28%) were bi-parental,611 (43%) were specific to HR and 418 (29%) were specific toR130. Each genetic linkage group was linked to a correspondingchromosome by FISH analysis using seven microsatellite markersspecific to each of the linkage groups as probes. Transferabilityof the developed microsatellite markers to other germplasmswas confirmed by testing 268 selected markers on 88 red clovergermplasms. Macrosynteny at the segmental level was observedbetween the genomes of red clover and two model legumes, Lotusjaponicus and Medicago truncatula, strongly suggesting thatthe genome information for the model legumes is transferableto red clover for genetic investigations and experimental breeding.     

An approach for measuring in vivo cerebral redox states using the oxidative conversion of dihydropyridine to pyridinium ion and the metabolic trapping principle

This study was undertaken to develop radiopharmaceuticals for measuring in vivo cerebral redox states. Based on the oxidative conversion of dihydropyridine to pyridinium ion and the metabolic trapping principle, five N-[(14)C]methyl-3 or 3,5-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines with different oxidation rates were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as a prototype of radiotracers for measuring in vivo cerebral redox states. When these tracers were injected into mice, they crossed the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and became trapped in the brain depending on their oxidation rates, while the corresponding oxidized forms hardly crossed the BBB. Furthermore, a significant increase in the radioactivity trapped in the brain was observed following injection of N-[(14)C]methyl-3-acetyl-1,4-dihydropyridine to mice pretreated with diethylmaleate that depletes glutathione in the brain. These findings suggested that an approach based on the oxidative conversion of dihydropyridine to the pyridinium ion and the metabolic trapping principle would be useful for measuring in vivo cerebral redox states.     

Establishment and characterization of human glioblastoma cell line (HUBT-n)

We succeeded in primary culture of 3 in 4 cases of glioblastomas. The long-term passage cultures were not done from the primary cultures of original tumor, but glioblastoma cell line (HUBT-n) was established from a xenograft of nude mouse. This line grew well without interruption for 4 years and was subcultivated over 120 times. The cells were spindle like or round in shape and neoplastic and pleomorphic features contained glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein and grew multilayering without contact inhibition. A bough-shaped long projection was noted from a small cell. One of the characteristics of the HUBT-n cells was existence of well developed intermediate filaments in their cytoplasm. The cells proliferated rapidly, and the population doubling time was about 32 hours. The chromosome number showed a narrow distribution of diploid range. Abnormal constitution was observed in all cells by G-band karyotyping. The culture cells were easily transplanted into the subcutis of nude mouse and produced the tumor resembling the original tumor.     

Close correlation of streptococcal DNase B (sdaB) alleles with emm genotypes in Streptococcus pyogenes

DNase B is a major nuclease and a possible virulence factor in Streptococcus pyogenes. The allelic diversity of streptococcal DNase B (sdaB) gene was investigated in 83 strains with 14 emm genotypes. Of the 15 alleles identified, 11 alleles carried only synonymous nucleotide substitutions. On the other hand, 4 alleles had a non-synonymous substitution other than synonymous substitutions, resulting in the substitution of a single amino acid. The distribution of each allele was generally emm genotype-specific. Only sdaB7 was found in both emm2 and emm4. The promoter region was highly conserved and DNase B protein was similarly expressed in all alleles.     

Chronopharmacology of morphine in mice

Dosing-time-dependent changes in the effect and toxicity of morphine were examined in mice housed under alternating 12 h light (07:00 to 19:00 h) and dark (19:00 to 07:00 h) cycles. Morphine (0.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) in animals to assess its beneficial effect (i.e., protection against the kaolin-induced, bradykinin-mediated, writhing reaction) and its toxicity (i.e., alteration of the hepatic enzymes of aspartate aminotransferase [AST] alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and glutathione [GSH] in separate experiments). The magnitude of the analgesic effect of morphine depended on dosing time, with minimum effect at 02:00 h and maximum effect at 14:00 h. The serum hepatic enzyme levels of AST and ALT increased after dosing morphine (100 mg/kg) at 02:00 and 14:00 h. Time courses of these enzymes did not differ between the two trials. However, hepatic GSH, which is involved in the detoxification of chemical compounds, significantly decreased after i.p. morphine injection at 02:00 but not at 14:00 h. Overall, the results suggest that the analgesic effect of morphine is greater after dosing during the resting than during the activity phase of mice that have been induced with bradykinin-mediated pain. Drug-induced hepatic damage as inferred by GSH alteration, however, may be greater after dosing during the active phase.     

Continuous hydrogen production by the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1

The hydrogen (H2) production potential of the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 was evaluated at 85 degrees C. In batch cultivation using a complex medium supplemented with elemental sulfur (S0), evolution of H2S and CO2 was observed in the gas phase. When S0 was omitted and pyruvate or starch was added in the medium, the cells produced H2 at high levels instead of H2S. As the level of H2 appeared to correlate with the specific growth rate, analysis in continuous cultures was performed to develop a continuous H2 production system. In a steady-state condition at a dilution rate of 0.2 h-1, a continuous H2 production rate (per gram dry weight, gdw) of 24.9 and 14.0 mmol gdw-1 h-1 was observed in media supplemented with pyruvate and starch, respectively. In both cultivations, a high accumulation of acetate and alanine was found as metabolites. When the dilution rates were elevated in the medium with pyruvate, steady-state growth was observed up to 0.8 h-1, and a maximum H2 production rate of 59.6 mmol gdw-1 h-1 was obtained. Based on the experimental results along with data of the entire genome sequence, the metabolic pathway of the strain relating to starch and pyruvate degradation is discussed.     

Spatial distribution of bacterial phylotypes in the gut of the termite Reticulitermes speratus and the bacterial community colonizing the gut epithelium

The bacterial community colonizing the gut wall of the termite Reticulitermes speratus was characterized without cultivation. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes after fractionation of the gut revealed that the bacterial composition on the gut wall was diverse and significantly different from that able to move unconfined in the gut fluid or physically associated with the gut protists. Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant on the gut wall, but Spirochaetes and the Termite group 1 phylum, abundant in the gut lumen, were relatively rare. A sequence-specific probe enabled the in situ detection of a rod-shaped Actinobacteria member, abundantly colonizing the gut paunch epithelium.