Some molecular properties of asparagine synthetase from rat liver

Asparagine synthetase purified from rat liver reveals two species (slower migrating band I and faster migrating band II) when subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions (S. Hongo and T. Sato (1981) Anal. Biochem. 114, 163-166). We have investigated some molecular properties of these species. Elution of band I from the gel and re-electrophoresis showed that band I yielded band II similar to that of the initial run. Peptide maps by limited proteolysis were very similar and amino acid compositions were also alike in the two species. L-Lysine was identified as the sole NH2-terminal amino acid in both the species. By cross-linking experiments the enzyme was shown to be a dimeric protein. When the purified enzyme was subjected to isoelectric focusing the enzyme activity and protein focused at pH 6.0 in a single peak. These results demonstrate that rat liver asparagine synthetase is composed of two identical subunits. The enzyme, inactivated by storage at -20 degrees C for about 3 months, showed aggregated forms in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and was reactivated markedly by the addition of dithiothreitol.     

A Neutralizing Anti-gH/gL Monoclonal Antibody Is Protective in the Guinea Pig Model of Congenital CMV Infection

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of congenital virus infection. Congenital HCMV infection occurs in 0.2–1% of all births, and causes birth defects and developmental abnormalities, including sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delay. Several key studies have established the guinea pig as a tractable model for the study of congenital HCMV infection and have shown that polyclonal antibodies can be protective [1]–[3]. In this study, we demonstrate that an anti-guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) glycoprotein H/glycoprotein L neutralizing monoclonal antibody protects against fetal infection and loss in the guinea pig. Furthermore, we have delineated the kinetics of GPCMV congenital infection, from maternal infection (salivary glands, seroconversion, placenta) to fetal infection (fetus and amniotic fluid). Our studies support the hypothesis that a neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting an envelope GPCMV glycoprotein can protect the fetus from infection and may shed light on the therapeutic intervention of HCMV congenital infection in humans.     

Expression and activity of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase in human gastric mucosa

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (DHEA-ST) is a key enzyme in the formation of Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and is thought to be involved in the conversion of various substances such as bile acids and cholesterol. The existence of DHEA-ST in the small intestine in addition to the adrenal gland and liver in adult humans was recently reported. As the sulfotransferases can act on toxic or potentially toxic substances to reduce their biological activity, we attempted to clarify the significance of DHEA-ST in gastrointestinal tract. We examined surgically resected human stomach for the presence of DHEA-ST and attempted to determine its possible biological significance. DHEA-ST activity ranged widely from 6 to 84 pmoles/mg protein/90 min in 7 cases. Immunoblotting revealed one single band of a 35-kDa protein corresponding to the moleculr weight of DHEA-ST. Both DHEA-ST immunoreactivity and mRNA hybridization signals were localized in parietal cells of the gastric glands. The results of our present study demonstrated that the sulfation of DHEA by DHEA-ST occurs in the gastric glands. The localization of DHEA-ST in parietal cells suggests that this enzyme is correlated to mucosal function in the human stomach in addition to detoxification of exogenous substances.     

Effect of Autogenic Training on General Improvement in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Autogenic training (AT) is a useful and comprehensive relaxation technique. However, no studies have investigated the effects of AT on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study we tested the hypothesis that AT improves symptoms of IBS. Twenty-one patients with IBS were randomly assigned to AT (n = 11, 5 male, 6 female) or control therapy (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female). AT patients were trained intensively, while the control therapy consisted of discussions about patients’ meal habits and life styles. All patients answered a question related to adequate relief (AR) of IBS symptoms and four questionnaires: Self-induced IBS Questionnaire (SIBSQ), Self-reported Depression Scale (SDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Medical Outcome Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The proportion of AR in the last AT session in the AT group (9/11, 81.8%) was significantly higher than that in the controls (3/10, 30.0%, Chi-square test, p = 0.048). Two subscales of the SF-36, i.e., social functioning and bodily pain, were significantly improved in the AT group (p < 0.05) as compared to the control group. Role emotional (p = 0.051) and general health (p = 0.068) showed a tendency for improvement in the AT group. AT may be useful in the treatment of IBS by enhancing self-control.     

Female mating status does not affect male mating behavior in the West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus

Because multiple mating by females encourages sperm competition, the assessment of female mating status before insemination is important for males in order to avoid the risk of sperm competition or to intensify sperm competition. When interacting with females before sperm transfer, males can alter their mating tactics according to the risk or intensity of sperm competition. Information on how mating systems are associated with sperm competition is essential for sterile insect technique eradication programs, which depend on successful mating of released sterile males with wild females. We tested whether males of the West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adjusted their mating behavior in response to female mating experience and/or age. As virgin/young female weevils accepted males more easily than non-virgin/old females, assessing females before insemination can be adaptive for male weevils. We found that E. postfasciatus males were unable to adjust their mating tactics in response to female mating status. Although this mating strategy would be costly for individual male weevils, the ability in males to discriminate female mating status can prevent the chance of mating with already-mated females containing the sperm of wild male(s). Therefore, the mating tactics of male E. postfasciatus are advantageous for sterile insect technique eradication programs.     

Mating disruption for control of the white grub beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) with synthetic sex pheromone in sugarcane fields

The feasibility of mating disruption with synthetic sex pheromone for the control of the white grub beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) was examined by permeating sugarcane fields with a racemic mixture of 2-butanol (rac-2B) released from polyethylene-tube dispensers on Miyako Island, Japan in 2011. An application of rac-2B released from 10,000 tube dispensers into 3,200 m² sugarcane fields significantly reduced the mating rate of feral females and catches of feral males with R2B-baited traps compared with the results from untreated sugarcane fields. The larval density for the treated fields was found to be nearly zero in the following winter when the corresponding figure for untreated fields was high (1.73 and 2.33/40 × 40 cm quadrat). These results clearly show that the mating disruption technique using rac-2B could be highly promising for the control of D. ishigakiensis in sugarcane fields.