Synthesis and central nervous system actions of thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogs containing a 1-substituted 2-oxoimidazolidine moiety

A series of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogs in which the pyroglutamic acid residue was replaced by (S)-2-oxoimidazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (Oic-OH) and the related derivatives was prepared, and the central nervous system (CNS) actions were examined. Of these, 1-benzyl-Oic-His-Pro-NH2 (2c) showed the most potent activities, which were 1.5-8 times greater than those of TRH. Moreover, the thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing activity of 2c was about 1/16 times weaker than that of TRH.     

Detection of specific antibodies against fimbriae and membrane proteins from the oral anaerobe Bacteroides gingivalis in patients with periodontal diseases

Sera from a number of patients with periodontal diseases were shown to have specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against fimbriae and membrane proteins of Bacteroides gingivalis, a suspected pathogen, by using Western blottin analysis. The sera had a strong tendency to react with fimbriae, or exactly oligomeric structures of fimbriae with a native beta-structure rich-conformation. However, the sera did not react with fimbrilin, a constituent protein of fimbriae, which is denatured by sodium dodecyl sulfate.     

Use of an epitope-tagged cDNA library to isolate cDNAs encoding proteins with nuclear localization potential

We have combined epitope tagging with an expression cDNA library in order to isolate cDNAs encoding nuclear proteins. This system allows us to detect proteins expressed from the cDNA library by using antibodies against the epitope tag. As a tag, we used the 85-aa N-terminal peptide of the SV40 T antigen which lacks the nuclear localization signal (NLS). A strong expression vector, pEF204 [Kim et al., Gene 91 (1990) 217–223], was modified into an epitope-tagging vector, pTkim, by putting the tag-coding region and a cDNA cloning site immediately after its promoter. From cDNA libraries constructed using pTkim, we isolated eight cDNA clones whose tagged proteins were localized within the nuclei. From partial sequence analysis, two cDNAs were shown to code for the ribosomal (r-) proteins, simian L44 and human L21, and the others were shown to be new. Furthermore, six cDNAs including those encoding the r-proteins could direct a non-karyophilic T antigen [Fischer-Fantuzzi et al. Virology 153 (1986) 87–95] into nuclei, showing that they have NLSs. These results indicate that this system is useful for isolating new cDNAs which code for nuclear proteins.     

Lipid composition and cholesterol esterification in serum lipoprotein fraction of the horse, Equus caballus.

1. Changes in lipid components of lipoproteins during incubation of horse serum at 37 degrees C were investigated. In non-incubated serum, cholesterol and lecithin existed predominantly in alpha-lipoprotein or in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Lysolecithin was mainly associated with the fraction with density above 1.21. 2. When serum was separated into alpha- and beta-lipoproteins by the heparin precipitation method after 1 hr incubation, the decrease in alpha-lipoprotein free cholesterol and lecithin was about four times that in beta-lipoprotein counterparts. 3. When serum lipoproteins were separated by ultracentrifugation, the decrease in each lipoprotein free cholesterol was closely paralleled with that in lecithin. 4. HDL appeared to be a preferential substrate for the lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase reaction. 5. Disc electrophoretic patterns indicated significant differences in the composition of horse serum lipoproteins from those of human and rat.     

Effects of alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienols on blood pressure and linoleic acid metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

Both alpha-tocopherol and a 1:1.7 mixture of alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienols at a 0.2% dietary level significantly depressed the age-related increase in the systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) after 3 weeks of feeding. The aortic production of prostacyclin was increased 1.5 times both by alpha-tocopherol and a tocotrienol mixture, suggesting a possible relevance to their hypotensive effect. These vitamins did not influence the delta 6- and delta 5-desaturase activities of liver microsomes, but fatty acid profiles of the liver phospholipids predicted a reduction of linoleic acid desaturation. These effects were in general more clear with tocotrienols than with alpha-tocopherol. Platelet aggregation by 5 microM ADP remained uninfluenced. Thus, tocotrienols may have effects on various lipid parameters somewhat different from those of alpha-tocopherol.     

Adjustment errors of feedback guided human forearm movements elicited by random position signal sequences

The effects of visual and auditory relevant feedback on human forearm movements elicited by random position signal sequences were examined. We observed the adjustment error sequences when the arm moved briskly and accurately to the target position. As the results, the mean adjustment errors for each speed (clock interval) of random position signal sequence are different in the left-right target positions, and also different in the flexion-extension movements. In faster speed (1s), the adjustment errors are approximately flat as compared with those in other speeds, on the other hand, in moderate speed (2s) or slower speed (3s), these indicate a upward tendency from left to right positions, and also indicate a upward tendency from flexion to extension movements. However, in the reaction times, the moving times, and the adjusting times, there are no significant differences for the left-right target positions and for the flexion-extension movements.     

Cloning of the Promoter Regions of Mouse TGF-{beta} Receptor Genes by Inverse PCR with Highly Overlapped Primers

In order to isolate promoters of mouse TGF-ß receptorgenes, we used inverse PCR with highly overlapped primers correspondingto the 5' sequence of the receptor cDNAs. Nested primer setsonly covered a 30- to 40-base region of the sequences. HinfI-digestedand self-ligated mouse genomic DNA was used as a PCR template.Only one band for each receptor was seen after PCR. The amplifiedDNA fragments could direct luciferase production when the luciferasecoding sequence was ligated after the fragments. The sequenceof the fragment which correspond to the type II receptor showedpartial homology with the promoter region of the human TGF-ßtype II receptor. Thus, the inverse PCR with highly overlappedprimers could be an easy way to isolate the promoter regionsof many genes.