Interaction of the heart-specific LIM domain protein, FHL2, with DNA-binding nuclear protein, hNP220

Using a yeast two-hybrid library screen, we have identified that the heart specific FHL2 protein, four-and-a-half LIM protein 2, interacted with human DNA-binding nuclear protein, hNP220. Domain studies by the yeast two-hybrid interaction assay revealed that the second LIM domain together with the third and the fourth LIM domains of FHL2 were responsible to the binding with hNP220. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-FHL2 and blue fluorescent protein (BFP)-hNP220 fusion proteins co-expressed in the same cell, we demonstrated a direct interaction between FHL2 and hNP220 in individual nucleus by two-fusion Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay. Besides, Western blot analysis using affinity-purified anti-FHL2 antipeptide antibodies confirmed a 32-kDa protein of FHL2 in heart only. Virtually no expression of FHL2 protein was detected in brain, liver, lung, kidney, testis, skeletal muscle, and spleen. Moreover, the expression of FHL2 protein was also detectable in the human diseased heart tissues. Our results imply that FHL2 protein can shuttle between cytoplasm and nucleus and may act as a molecular adapter to form a multicomplex with hNP220 in the nucleus, thus we speculate that FHL2 may be particularly important for heart muscle differentiation and the maintenance of the heart phenotype.     

Indole-3-acetic acid metabolism in Lemna gibba undergoes dynamic changes in response to growth temperature

Auxin is the mobile signal controlling the rate of growth and specific aspects of the development of plants. It has been known for over a century that auxins act as the messenger linking plant development to specific environmental changes. An often overlooked aspect of how this is accomplished is the effect of the environment on metabolism of the major plant auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We have studied the metabolism of IAA in relation to one environmental variable, growth temperature. The model system used was an inbred line of the aquatic monocot Lemna gibba G-3, 3F7-11 grown at temperatures ranging from 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C. IAA levels, the rate of IAA turnover, and the patterns of label incorporation from IAA precursors were measured using stable isotope-mass spectrometric techniques and were evaluated relative to growth at the experimental temperatures. IAA levels exhibited unusually high variability in plants grown at 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Turnover rates were quite rapid throughout the range of experimental temperatures except at 25 degrees C, where IAA turnover was notably slower. These results suggest that a transition occurred over these temperatures for some aspect of IAA metabolism. Analysis of [(15)N]anthranilate and [(2)H(5)]tryptophan (Trp) incorporation into IAA showed that Trp-dependent biosynthesis predominated at 15 degrees C; however, Trp-independent biosynthesis of IAA was the major route to IAA at 30 degrees C. The effects of growth temperature on auxin levels have been reported previously, but no prior studies correlated these effects with which pathway becomes the primary one for IAA production.     

Molecular analysis of gene expression in the developing pontocerebellar projection system

As an approach toward understanding the molecular mechanisms of neuronal differentiation, we utilized DNA microarrays to elucidate global patterns of gene expression during pontocerebellar development. Through this analysis, we identified groups of genes specific to neuronal precursor cells, associated with axon outgrowth, and regulated in response to contact with synaptic target cells. In the cerebellum, we identified a phase of granule cell differentiation that is independent of interactions with other cerebellar cell types. Analysis of pontine gene expression revealed that distinct programs of gene expression, correlated with axon outgrowth and synapse formation, can be decoupled and are likely influenced by different cells in the cerebellar target environment. Our approach provides insight into the genetic programs underlying the differentiation of specific cell types in the pontocerebellar projection system.     

Lipid peroxide-induced redox imbalance differentially mediates CaCo-2 cell proliferation and growth arrest

Dietary oxidants like lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) can perturb cellular glutathione/glutathione disulphide (GSH/GSSG) status and disrupt mucosal turnover. This study examines the effect of LOOH on GSH/GSSG balance and phase transitions in the human colon cancer CaCo-2 cell. LOOH at 1 or 5 micro m were noncytotoxic, but disrupted cellular GSH/GSSG and stimulated proliferative activity at 6 h that paralleled increases in ornithine decarboxylase activity, thymidine incorporation, expression of cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4, phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein, and cell progression from G0/G1 to S. At 24 h, LOOH-induced sustained GSH/GSSG imbalance mediated growth arrest at G0/G1 that correlated with suppression of proliferative activity and enhanced oxidative DNA damage. LOOH-induced cell transitions were effectively blocked by N-acetylcysteine. Collectively, the study shows that subtoxic LOOH levels induce CaCo-2 GSH/GSSG imbalance that elicits time-dependent cell proliferation followed by growth arrest. These results provide insights into the mechanism of hydroperoxide-induced disruption of mucosal turnover with implications for understanding oxidant-mediated genesis of gut pathology.     

Whole bone marrow transplantation induces angiogenesis following acute ischemia

Several recent studies have shown that purified subsets of bone marrow (BM) cells can differentiate into endothelial, cardiac, and other cell types. During coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, sternal BM is routinely discarded. To determine if this BM can be used to induce angiogenesis and augment perfusion of the cardiac tissues after CABG, a simplified and more practical approach of using whole BM extract was tried to determine whether it would be adequate for the induction of BM-derived angiogenesis in experimental acute limb ischemia. BM was prepared from FVB/N-TgN(TIE2 lacZ)182 Sato (Tie2-lacZ) or B6.129S7-Gtrosa 26 (Rosa 26) mice that express beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) in endothelial cells and most adult tissues, respectively. Acute limb ischemia was induced in either C57BL6/J or FVB/N mice by double ligation of the left femoral artery just distal to the profunda femoral artery branch. Occlusion of the ligated artery was verified by angiography. The study group (n = 31) received an intramuscular injection of 50 micro l containing 1 x 10(6) BM cells, 5 mm proximal to the site of ligation. Experimental controls (n = 21) had an intramuscular injection of 50 micro l of saline. Angiogenesis in the mice was assessed by histological analysis. BM-derived beta-gal(+) cells were observed to aggregate in the vicinity of the ligated artery and not in the injected musculature BM-derived endothelial cells were incorporated within capillaries and small size blood vessels near the site of ligation. Generation of BM-derived blood vessels in experimental acute limb ischemia does not require purification of specific subset of cells. The elimination of cell purification will enhance the ease of using BM transplantation in generating blood vessels.     

Attaching histidine-tagged peptides and proteins to lipid-based carriers through use of metal-ion-chelating lipids

The therapeutic potential of selected peptides and proteins is enormous, with applications ranging from use as therapeutic vaccines, as modulators of intracellular signaling pathways and as highly selective agents capable of recognizing unique extracellular targets. We have been pursuing development of hybrid lipid-based carrier formulations designed to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of peptides selected for their ability to act in a complementary fashion with the carrier system. In this regard, it is critical to have simple and versatile methods to promote and control the binding of diverse peptides to a broad range of carrier formulations. As demonstrated here, recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides containing poly-histidine residues (4 to 10) can be specifically bound to liposomes containing a metal-ion-chelating lipid, DOGS-NTA-Ni. The potential of this approach is demonstrated using two functional peptides, AntpHD-Cw3 (applications for vaccine production) and AHNP (specificity for Her-2 expressing cells).     

Autoantibody to DNA binding protein B as a novel serologic marker in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a systemic disease that is characterized by tissue fibrosis, small-vessel vasculopathy, and an autoimmune response associated with autoantibodies. We performed serological analysis of cDNA expression library (SEREX) to identify autoantibodies associated with systemic sclerosis. We identified 4 clones that react with sera of patients with SSc but not with those of healthy donors. These clones are phosphoglycerate mutase, centromere autoantigen C, U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, and DNA binding protein B (dbpB). We chose to study autoantibody to DNA binding protein B. Immunoreactivity against recombinant dbpB was detected in 40.5% (15/37) of patients with SSc, 14.6% (6/41) of patents with systemic lupus erythematosus, 6.7% (1/15) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 0% (0/12) of patients with Sjogren syndrome, and 5.9% (1/17) of patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis. The frequency of anti-dbpB was significantly higher in the SSc patients (15/37, 40.5%) compared to the healthy controls (3/41, 7.3%, p=0.0005 by chi(2) test). Eleven patients (11/20, 55%) with the diffuse cutaneous type of SSc had anti-dbpB and 4 patients (4/17, 23.5%) with the limited cutaneous type had anti-dbpB. The presence of anti-dbpB was significantly associated with the diffuse cutaneous type (p=0.00003 by chi(2) test). This is the first report to suggest that autoantibody to dbpB can be used as a serologic marker of systemic sclerosis.     

Assessment of membrane protection by traditional Chinese medicines using a flow cytometric technique: preliminary findings

In this preliminary study, we used a 'living cell' flow-cytometric approach to membrane protection by four traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Cells were incubated, separately, for 30 min with aqueous extracts (1.5% w/v) of lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum), ginger (Zingiber officianale), ginseng (Panax ginseng), and green tea (Camellia sinensis). Membranes were labelled with a fluorescent probe, cells were then incubated with cumene hydroperoxide, and site-specific oxidation induced by iron/ascorbate. Oxidation of membrane lipids quenches fluorescence. Forward-scatter fluorescence was measured at timed intervals after initiation of oxidation. Results indicate that lingzhi and ginger contain antioxidant component(s) that act within the cell membrane and slow lipid peroxidation in situ. Results demonstrate also that this living cell model is a useful biomonitoring tool to help determine molecular aspects of putative health effects of TCMs.