Lipopolysaccharide-induced reductions in cellular coupling correlate with tyrosine phosphorylation of connexin 43

We have previously shown in cultured rat microvascular endothelial cells (RMEC) that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent reduction in cellular coupling. We hypothesized that connexin 43 (Cx43) becomes phosphorylated following exposure to LPS. Cx43 was immunoprecipitated from control and LPS-treated RMEC monolayers. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx43, detected by immunoblot, was found only in the LPS treatment. To verify these results, Cx43 was radiolabeled with [(32)P]-orthophosphate. Radiolabeled Cx43 exhibited a slight increase in phosphorylation in response to LPS; phosphoamino acid analysis displayed equivalent amounts of phosphoserine in control and LPS treatments, but detected phosphotyrosine only in the LPS treatment. The PTK inhibitors PP-2 (10 nM) and geldanamycin (200 nM) were found to block the response to LPS in terms of Cx43 tyrosine phosphorylation and cellular coupling. The phosphatase inhibitor BpV (1 microM) accentuated the effect of LPS, while the putative phosphatase activator C(6)-ceramide prevented it. When measuring cell communication, phosphatase inhibition also blocked the reversal of the LPS response following LPS washout. We conclude that Cx43 is tyrosine phosphorylated following exposure to LPS and suggest that the LPS-induced increase in intercellular resistance may be mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation of this connexin. Altering tyrosine kinase and phosphatase activities can modulate the LPS-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx43 and reductions in cellular coupling.     

Biclustering microarray data by Gibbs sampling

MOTIVATION: Gibbs sampling has become a method of choice for the discovery of noisy patterns, known as motifs, in DNA and protein sequences. Because handling noise in microarray data presents similar challenges, we have adapted this strategy to the biclustering of discretized microarray data. RESULTS: In contrast with standard clustering that reveals genes that behave similarly over all the conditions, biclustering groups genes over only a subset of conditions for which those genes have a sharp probability distribution. We have opted for a simple probabilistic model of the biclusters because it has the key advantage of providing a transparent probabilistic interpretation of the biclusters in the form of an easily interpretable fingerprint. Furthermore, Gibbs sampling does not suffer from the problem of local minima that often characterizes Expectation-Maximization. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on two synthetic data sets as well as a data set from leukemia patients.     

Lack of quinine-evoked activity in rat trigeminal subnucleus caudalis

Conflicting reports exist regarding the ability of quinine to activate neurons in the trigeminal system. We used the complementary approaches of single-unit electrophysiology and c-fos immunohistochemistry to investigate whether quinine (100 mM) activates chemonociceptive cells in the brainstem trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc). In electrophysiological experiments, 38 units responded to noxious mechanical, thermal and chemical (200 mM pentanoic acid) stimuli applied to the tongue with an increase in firing rate; none responded to lingual quinine whether the quinine was presented before or after application of pentanoic acid. In the c-fos immunohistochemical experiment, both quinine and water elicited equivalent levels of fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in dorsomedial Vc that were significantly lower than the level of FLI evoked by pentanoic acid. These data collectively indicate that quinine does not elicit activity in chemonociceptive Vc neurons.     

Optical tweezers in biology and medicine

Optical trapping techniques provide unique means to manipulate biological particles such as virus, living cells and subcellular organelles. Another area of interest is the measurement of mechanical (elastic) properties of cell membranes, long strands of single DNA molecule, and filamentous proteins. One of the most attractive applications is the study of single motor molecules. With optical tweezers traps, one can measure the forces generated by single motor molecules such as kinesin and myosin, in the piconewton range and, for the first time, resolve their detailed stepping motion.     

Identification of Arabidopsis rat mutants

Limited knowledge currently exists regarding the roles of plant genes and proteins in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation process. To understand the host contribution to transformation, we carried out root-based transformation assays to identify Arabidopsis mutants that are resistant to Agrobacterium transformation (rat mutants). To date, we have identified 126 rat mutants by screening libraries of T-DNA insertion mutants and by using various “reverse genetic” approaches. These mutants disrupt expression of genes of numerous categories, including chromatin structural and remodeling genes, and genes encoding proteins implicated in nuclear targeting, cell wall structure and metabolism, cytoskeleton structure and function, and signal transduction. Here, we present an update on the identification and characterization of these rat mutants.     

Asymmetric loading of Kar9 onto spindle poles and microtubules ensures proper spindle alignment

Spindle alignment is the process in which the two spindle poles are directed toward preselected and opposite cell ends. In budding yeast, the APC-related molecule Kar9 is required for proper alignment of the spindle with the mother-bud axis. We find that Kar9 localizes to the prospective daughter cell spindle pole. Kar9 is transferred from the pole to cytoplasmic microtubules, which are then guided in a myosin-dependent manner to the bud. Clb4/Cdc28 kinase phosphorylates Kar9 and accumulates on the pole destined to the mother cell. Mutations that block phosphorylation at Cdc28 consensus sites result in localization of Kar9 to both poles and target them both to the bud. Thus, Clb4/Cdc28 prevents Kar9 loading on the mother bound pole. In turn, asymmetric distribution of Kar9 ensures that only one pole orients toward the bud. Our results indicate that Cdk1-dependent spindle asymmetry ensures proper alignment of the mitotic spindle with the cell division axis.     

Microphytobenthos assemblage mapping by spatial visible-infrared remote sensing in a shellfish ecosystem

The aim of this work is to assess the use of (SPOT) multispectral visible infrared remote sensing to study microphytobentos assemblages in a shellfish ecosystem (Bay of Bourgneuf, France). SPOT satellite images (acquired at low tide in spring or autumn between 1986 and 1998) were calibrated using in situ radiometric data, and the normalised vegetation index (NDVI) obtained from these images showed microphytobenthos on bay mudflats. Proliferation was mainly along a north-south strip, essentially localised around the +2 m isobath and covering a surface area of 19 to 25% of the total mudflat area studied (420 to 550 ha). Three factors seem to be responsible for the spatial structure of the assemblages: bathymetry, nutrient input from the Falleron River and its channel, and the location of oyster-farming areas. Although spatial and spectral resolutions of multispectral remote sensing data have certain limitations, this approach opens up a new field of application for hyperspectral remote sensing, particularly for synoptic mapping of biomass distribution.     

Heterologous protein production and delivery systems for Lactococcus lactis

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), widely used in the food industry, are present in the intestine of most animals, including humans. The potential use of these bacteria as live vehicles for the production and delivery of heterologous proteins of vaccinal, medical or technological interest has therefore been extensively investigated. Lactococcus lactis, a LAB species, is a potential candidate for the production of biologically useful proteins. Several delivery systems have been developed to target heterologous proteins to a specific cell location (i.e., cytoplasm, cell wall or extracellular medium). A promising application of L. lactis is its use as an antigen delivery vehicle, for the development of live mucosal vaccines. The expression of heterologous proteins and antigens as well as the various delivery systems developed in L. lactis, and its use as an oral vaccine carrier are discussed.