Crop uptake and leaching of 15N applied in ruminant slurry with selectively labelled faeces and urine fractions

Two animal slurries either labelled with ¹⁵N in the urine or in the faeces fraction, were produced by feeding a sheep with unlabelled and ¹⁵N-labelled hay and collecting faeces and urine separately. The slurries were applied (12 g total N ^-2) to a coarse sand and a sandy loam soil confined in lysimeters and growing spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L). Reference lysimeters without slurry were supplied with¹⁵ NH₄ ¹⁵NO³ corresponding to the inorganic N applied with the slurries (6 g N m^-2). In the second year, all lysimeters received unlabelled mineral fertilizer (6 g N m^-2) and grew spring barley. N harvested in the two crops (grain + straw) and the loss of nitrate by leaching were determined. ¹⁵N in the urine fraction was less available for crop uptake than mineral fertilizer ¹⁵N. The first barley crop on the sandy loam removed 49% of the ¹⁵N applied in mineral fertilizer and 36% of that applied with urine. The availability of fertilizer ¹⁵N (36%) and urine¹⁵ N (32%) differed less on the coarse sand. Of the¹⁵ N added with the faeces fraction, 12–14% was taken up by the barley crop on the two soils. N mineralized from faeces compensated for the reduced availability of urine N providing a similar or higher crop N uptake in manured lysimeters compared with mineral fertilized ones.About half of the total N uptake in the first crop originated from the N applied either as slurry or mineral fertilizer. The remaining N was derived from the soil N pool. Substantially smaller but similar proportions of¹⁵ N from faeces, urine and fertilizer were found in the second crop. The similar recoveries indicated a slow mineralization rate of the residual faeces N since more faeces was left in the soil after the first crop.More N was lost by leaching from manured lysimeters but as a percentage of N applied, losses were similar to those from mineral fertilizer. During the first and second winter, 3–5% and 1–3%, respectively, of the ¹⁵N in slurry and mineral fertilizer was leached as nitrate. Thus slurry N applied in spring just before sowing did not appear to be more prone to loss by nitrate leaching than N given in mineral fertilizer. Slurry N accounted for a higher proportion of the N leached, however, because more N was added in this treatment.     

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Represses Integrin- and Vitronectin-Mediated Cell Migration Independently of Its Function as an Inhibitor of Plasminogen Activation

Cell migration involves the integrins, their extracellular matrix ligands, and pericellular proteolytic enzyme systems. We have studied the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in cell migration, using human amnion WISH cells and human epidermoid carcinoma HEp-2 cells in an assay measuring migration from microcarrier beads and a modified Boyden-chamber assay. Active, but not latent or reactive center-cleaved, PAI-1 inhibited migration. A PAI-1 mutant without ability to inhibit plasminogen activation was as active as wild-type PAI-1 as a migration inhibitor, showing that inhibition of plasminogen activation was not involved. PAI-1 specifically interfered with integrin- and vitronectin-mediated migration: Migration onto vitronectin-coated but not onto fibronectin-coated surfaces was inhibited by PAI-1, a cyclic RGD peptide inhibited migration, and both cell lines expressed vitronectin-binding α_v-integrins. In addition, active PAI-1, but not latent or reactive center-cleaved PAI-1, inhibited vitronectin binding to integrins in anin vitrobinding assay, without affecting binding of fibronectin. Monoclonal antibodies against the urokinase receptor, another vitronectin binding protein, did not affect cell migration in the beads assay, while some inhibitory effect was observed in the Boyden-chamber assay. We conclude that PAI-1, independently of its role as a proteinase inhibitor, inhibits cell migration by competing for vitronectin binding to integrins, while the interference of PAI-1 with binding of vitronectin to the urokinase receptor may play a secondary role. These data define a novel function for the serpin PAI-1, enabling it to regulate cell migration over vitronectin-rich extracellular matrix in the body.     

Importance of the amino-acid composition of the shutter region of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 for its transitions to latent and substrate forms.

The serpins are of general protein chemical interest due to their ability to undergo a large conformational change consisting of the insertion of the reactive centre loop (RCL), which becomes strand 4, into the central beta sheet A. To make space for the incoming RCL, the 'shutter region' opens by the beta strands 3A and 5A sliding apart over the underlying alpha helix B. Loop insertion occurs during the formation of complexes of serpins with their target serine proteinases and during latency transition. This type of loop insertion is unique to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). We report here that amino-acid substitutions in a buried cluster of three residues forming a hydrogen bonding network in the shutter region drastically accelerate PAI-1 latency transition; that the rate was in all cases normalized by the PAI-1 binding protein vitronectin; and that substitution of an adjacent beta strand 5A Lys residue, believed to anchor beta strand 5A to other secondary structural elements, had differential effects on the rates of latency transition in the absence and the presence of vitronectin, respectively. An overlapping, but not identical set of substitutions resulted in an increased tendency to substrate behaviour of PAI-1 at reaction with its target proteinases. These findings show that vitronectin regulates the movements of the RCL through conformational changes of the shutter region and beta strand 5A, are in agreement with RCL insertion proceeding by different routes during latency transition and complex formation, and contribute to the biochemical basis for the potential use of PAI-1 as a therapeutic target in cancer and cardiovascular diseases.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 in Lewis lung carcinoma

Summary Plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1) was identified in extracts of Lewis lung carcinoma, and its immunohistochemical localization was studied together with that of urokinase-type (u-PA) and tissue-type (t-PA) plasminogen activators. All primary tumors (n=11) contained heterogeneously distributed immunoreactivity against each of the three components. Most often, areas that contained u-PA immunoreactivity also contained PAI-1 immunoreactivity. However, several areas showed a strong u-PA immunoreactivity, but no or low PAI-1 immunoreactivity. The latter staining pattern was only found in periferal areas, and usually in areas with histological signs of tissue destruction. Lung metastases always contained u-PA immunoreactivity, while PAI-1 immunoreactivity was found in most, but not all, metastases. t-PA immunoreactivity was found in a few scattered tumor cells, in primary carcinomas as well as metastases. Controls that included absorption with highly purified antigen preparations and immunoblotting, indicated that all the immunoreactivity represented genuine PAI-1, u-PA and t-PA, respectively. The results are consistent with an assumption that the plasminogen activation system, and particularly u-PA and PAI-1, plays a role in regulation of breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins during invasive growth in this carcinoma.     

Quantification of vesicular zinc in the rat brain

Summary By means of the Neo-Timm method it has recently been shown that zinc is present in a fraction of the round clear synaptic vesicles of certain boutons located primarily in telencephalic structures (Pérez-Clausell and Danscher 1985). It is believed that this zinc belongs to a fraction of the total brain zinc which is histochemically active (Frederickson and Danscher 1988) in that it can be visualized by means of e.g. the Neo-Timm and selenium methods (autometallography). The present study is based on the suggestion that the autometallographically developed zinc patterns represent a histochemical quantitative expression of this fraction of the total brain zinc. The different colours of the zinc pattern reflect local variations in the concentration of zinc containing vesicles. Large boutons with a high content of stained vesicles will show up darkly because of fusion of adjoining silver grains while smaller boutons with fewer zinc containing vesicles give rise to yellow staining of various shades. We have exploited this difference in staining pattern by applying computerized optic densitometry to light microscopic sections treated according to the Neo-Timm and the selenium methods, respectively.     

Immune Activation in the Female Genital Tract: Expression Profiles of Soluble Proteins in Women at High Risk for HIV Infection

Soluble cervicovaginal biomarkers of inflammation, immune activation and risk of HIV acquisition are needed to reliably assess the safety of new biomedical prevention strategies including vaccines and microbicides. However, a fuller understanding of expression profiles in women at high risk for HIV infection is crucial to the effective use of these potential biomarkers in Phase 3 trial settings. We have measured 45 soluble proteins and peptides in cervicovaginal lavage samples from 100 HIV negative women at high risk for HIV infection. Women were followed over one menstrual cycle to investigate modulation by hormonal contraception, menstrual cycle phase, recent sexual exposure and intravaginal practices. Women using injectable DMPA had increased concentration of several soluble proteins of the innate and adaptive immune system, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, MIP-1β, IP-10, IL-8, TGF-β, HBD4, IgA, IgG1, and IgG2. Women using combined oral contraceptives had a similar signature. There were differences in concentrations among samples from post-ovulation compared to pre-ovulation, notably increased immunoglobulins. Increased prostate-specific antigen, indicative of recent sexual exposure, was correlated with increased IL-6, MCP-1, and SLPI, and decreased GM-CSF and HBD3. The identified signature profiles may prove critical in evaluating the potential safety and impact on risk of HIV acquisition of different biomedical intervention strategies.     

Near-complete <Superscript>1</Superscript>H, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Superscript>15</Superscript>N resonance assignments of dimethylsulfoxide-denatured TGFBIp FAS1-4 A546T

The transforming growth factor beta induced protein (TGFBIp) is a major protein component of the human cornea. Mutations occurring in TGFBIp may cause corneal dystrophies, which ultimately lead to loss of vision. The majority of the disease-causing mutations are located in the C-terminal domain of TGFBIp, referred as the fourth fascilin-1 (FAS1-4) domain. In the present study the FAS1-4 Ala546Thr, a mutation that causes lattice corneal dystrophy, was investigated in dimethylsulfoxide using liquid-state NMR spectroscopy, to enable H/D exchange strategies for identification of the core formed in mature fibrils. Isotope-labeled fibrillated FAS1-4 A546T was dissolved in a ternary mixture 95/4/1 v/v/v% dimethylsulfoxide/water/trifluoroacetic acid, to obtain and assign a reference 2D ¹H–¹⁵N HSQC spectrum for the H/D exchange analysis. Here, we report the near-complete assignments of backbone and aliphatic side chain ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N resonances for unfolded FAS1-4 A546T at 25 °C.     

Prostaglandin E-induced heterologous desensitization of hepatic adenylate cyclase. Consequences on the guanyl nucleotide regulatory complex

Prostaglandin E (PGE) receptor density in hepatic plasma membranes can be down-regulated by in vivo exposure to the 16,16-dimethyl analog of PGE2, and this is associated with desensitization of PGE-sensitive adenylate cyclase. These studies examined adenylate cyclase response to other agonists in membranes whose PGE receptor density was 51% decreased and whose maximal PGE-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was 31% decreased. Down-regulated membranes had a 37% decrease in their maximal response to glucagon, indicating that treatment with the PGE analog had induced both homologous and heterologous desensitization. To determine whether adenylate cyclase had been affected, stimulation with NaF, guanyl 5'-yl imidodiphosphate (GppNHp), and forskolin was examined in both intact and solubilized membranes. Intact membranes had decreased adenylate cyclase responses to all three stimulators (NaF, -41%; GppNHp, -25%; forskolin, -41%) as did solubilized membranes (NaF, -51%; GppNHp, -50%; forskolin, -50%), suggesting alterations in adenylate cyclase rather than indirect membrane effects. Cholera toxin activation and labeling were examined to more directly assess whether the guanine nucleotide (G/F) regulatory component of adenylate cyclase had been affected. Cholera toxin activation was 42% less in down-regulated membranes, and these membranes incorporated less label when the incubation was performed in the presence of [32]NAD. Solubilized G/F subunit activity from down-regulated membranes was less effective in reconstitution of adenylate cyclase activity from cyc- cell membranes than G/F activity from control membranes. These data indicate that in vivo exposure to the PGE analog causes both homologous and heterologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase as well as an apparent quantitative decrease in G/F.     

Structural organization of the human short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) is a homotetrameric mitochondrial flavoenzyme that catalyzes the initial reaction in short-chain fatty acid β-oxidation. Defects in the SCAD enzyme are associated with failure to thrive, often with neuromuscular dysfunction and elevated urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid (EMA). To define the genetic basis of SCAD deficiency and ethylmalonic aciduria in patients, we have determined the sequence of the complete coding portion of the human SCAD gene (ACADS) and all of the intron-exon boundaries. The SCAD gene is approximately 13 kb in length and consists of 10 exons. Four polymorphic sites have previously been detected by sequencing of cDNA from fibroblasts of patients excreting elevated amounts of EMA. Three of these polymorphisms (321T/C, 990C/T, 1260G/C) are silent variants, while a 625G/A polymorphism results in an amino acid replacement and has been shown to be associated with ethylmalonic aciduria. From analysis of 18 unrelated Danish families, we show that the four SCAD gene polymorphisms constitute five allelic variants of the SCAD gene, and that the 625A variant together with the less frequent variant form of the three other polymorphisms (321C, 990T, 1260C) constitutes an allelic variant with a frequency of 22% in the general Danish population. Using fluorescence in-situ hybridization, we confirm the localization of the human SCAD gene to the distal part of Chromosome (Chr) 12 and suggest that the SCAD gene is a single-copy gene. The evolutionary relationship between SCAD and five other members of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family was investigated by two independent approaches that gave similar phylogenetic trees. Received: 10 April 1997 / Accepted: 8 August 1997