AFM studies of DNA structures on mica in the presence of alkaline earth metal ions

As counterions of DNA on mica, Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) were used for clarifying whether DNA molecules equilibrate or are trapped on mica surface. End to end distance and contour lengths were determined from statistical analysis of AFM data. It was revealed that DNA molecules can equilibrate on mica when Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Sr(2+) are counterions. When Ba(2+) is present, significantly crossovered DNA molecules indicate that it is most difficult for DNA to equilibrate on mica and the trapping degree is different under different preparation conditions. In the presence of ethanol, using AFM we have also observed the dependence of B-A conformational transition on counterion identities. The four alkaline earth metal ions cause the B-A transition in different degrees, in which Sr(2+) induces the greatest structural transition.     

Liposome-delivered superoxide dismutase prevents nitric oxide-dependent motor neuron death induced by trophic factor withdrawal

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis prevents rat embryonic motor neurons from undergoing apoptosis when initially cultured without brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Using an improved cell culture medium, we found that the partial withdrawal of trophic support even weeks after motor neurons had differentiated into a mature phenotype still induced apoptosis through a process dependent upon nitric oxide. However, nitric oxide itself was not directly toxic to motor neurons. To investigate whether intracellular superoxide contributed to nitric oxide-dependent apoptosis, we developed a novel method using pH-sensitive liposomes to deliver Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase intracellularly into motor neurons. Intracellular superoxide dismutase prevented motor neuron apoptosis from trophic factor withdrawal, whereas empty liposomes, inactivated superoxide dismutase in liposomes or extracellular superoxide dismutase did not. Neither hydrogen peroxide nor nitrite added separately or in combination affected motor neuron survival. Our results suggest that a partial reduction in trophic support induced motor neuron apoptosis by a process requiring the endogenous production of both nitric oxide and superoxide, irrespective of the extent of motor neuron maturation in culture.     

CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ type 1 cytotoxic T cells both play a crucial role in the full development of contact hypersensitivity

The role of CD4(+) vs CD8(+) T cells in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) remains controversial. In this study, we used gene knockout (KO) mice deficient in CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells to directly address this issue. Mice lacking either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells demonstrated depressed CHS responses to dinitrofluorobenzene and oxazolone compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice. The depression of CHS was more significant in CD8 KO mice than in CD4 KO mice. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of either CD8(+) T cells from CD4 KO mice or CD4(+) T cells from CD8 KO mice virtually abolished CHS responses. Lymph node cells (LNCs) from hapten-sensitized CD4 and CD8 KO mice showed a decreased capacity for transferring CHS. In vitro depletion of either CD4(+) T cells from CD8 KO LNCs or CD8(+) T cells from CD4 KO LNCs resulted in a complete loss of CHS transfer. LNCs from CD4 and CD8 KO mice produced significant amounts of IFN-gamma, indicating that both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells are able to secrete IFN-gamma. LNCs from CD8, but not CD4, KO mice were able to produce IL-4 and IL-10, suggesting that IL-4 and IL-10 are mainly derived from CD4(+) T cells. Intracellular cytokine staining of LNCs confirmed that IFN-gamma-positive cells consisted of CD4(+) (Th1) and CD8(+) (type 1 cytotoxic T) T cells, whereas IL-10-positive cells were exclusively CD4(+) (Th2) T cells. Collectively, these results suggest that both CD4(+) Th1 and CD8(+) type 1 cytotoxic T cells are crucial effector cells in CHS responses to dinitrofluorobenzene and oxazolone in C57BL/6 mice.     

Genetic analysis of Raf1, Mdm2, c-Myc, Cdc25a and Cdc25b proto-oncogenes in 2',3'-dideoxycytidine- and 1,3-butadiene-induced lymphomas in B6C3F1 mice

We have previously identified activation of ras proto-oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes including p53, p16(INK4a) and p15(INK4b) in 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC)- and/or 1,3-butadiene (BD)-induced lymphomas derived from B6C3F1 (C57BL/6xC3H/He) mice, indicating that alterations of ras signaling pathway, p53 and pRb growth control pathways are important in the development of these chemically induced lymphomas. However, there is still a subset of tumors that displayed no changes in these genes. Thus, we investigated whether the Raf1, Mdm2, c-Myc, Cdc25a and Cdc25b proto-oncogenes, which are implicated in the ras or p53 or pRb pathways, are alternative oncogenic target genes. Analyses of gross genomic alterations by Southern blots failed to reveal rearrangement or amplification in any of the tumors examined. Frequent point mutations on the substrate binding domain of the Raf1 gene has been reported in 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced murine lymphomas and lung tumors, along with a conspicuous lack of ras mutations [U. Naumann, I. Eisenmann-Tappe, U.R. Rapp, The role of raf kinases in development and growth of tumors, Recent Results Cancer Res., 143 (1997) 237-244]. To investigate whether Raf1 mutation is involved in our set of tumor especially those without ras mutations, the PCR-based single-strand conformation analyses (SSCA) and direct DNA sequencing were employed. No mutations but four genetic polymorphisms between C57BL/6 and C3H/He were found, with two of them reported as point mutations previously (op. cit.). The polymorphisms were utilized for allelic loss study of Raf1 locus. Losses of heterozygosity were found in six of 31 BD-induced lymphomas. These results indicate that genetic alterations of c-Myc, Cdc25, Raf1 and Mdm2 proto-oncogenes may not be involved in the development of ddC- and BD-induced lymphomas and the inactivation of tumor suppressor gene(s) located close to Raf1 gene might be important in the development of a subset of BD-induced lymphomas.     

AMPA受体与谷氨酸在大鼠三叉神经尾侧亚核内分布的免疫组织化学研究

本文用免疫组织化学ＡＢＣ法调查了４种ＡＭＰＡ受体亚单位（ＧｌｕＲ１、２／３、４）和谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）在大鼠三叉神经尾侧亚核（Ｖｃ）内的分布及其匹配关系。我们发现,ＧｌｕＲ１和２／３免疫阳性胞体和纤维密集分布于Ｖｃ的Ⅱ层和Ⅲ层外侧部,在Ｖｃ的其余各层呈散在性分布。ＧｌｕＲ４免疫阳性胞体和纤维在Ｖｃ各层均无分布。Ｇｌｕ免疫阳性胞体分布于Ｖｃ各层,尤以浅层（Ⅰ、Ⅱ层）密集,Ｇｌｕ免疫阳性纤维及终末结构主要分布于Ｖｃ浅层。结果表明,Ｇｌｕ免疫阳性纤维及终末样结构与ＡＭＰＡ受体免疫阳性胞体和纤维在Ｖｃ浅层的分布总体上是相互匹配的,但ＡＭＰＡ受体各亚单位在Ｖｃ内的分布存在明显的差异。本文提示,Ｖｃ内的Ｇｌｕ可能通过作用于不同的ＡＭＰＡ受体亚单位而发挥其多种生理功能     

Enhancement of erythromycin A production with feeding available nitrogen sources in erythromycin biosynthesis phase

Effects of feeding different available nitrogen sources from 80 h in erythromycin biosynthesis phase on the erythromycin A (Er-A) production were investigated in 50 l fermenter. Feeding corn steep liquor and yeast extract, the Er-A production was enhanced, while the biotransformation from erythromycin C (Er-C) to Er-A had no increase. When ammonium sulphate was fed at high feeding rate, the maximal Er-A production and ratio of Er-A to Er-C were 7953 U/ml and 98.18:1 at 184 h, respectively, which were higher than that of the control (6742 U/ml and 5.47:1). The feeding ammonium sulphate process was successfully scaled up from 50 l to 25 m³ fermenter. The maximal Er-A production reached 7938 U/ml at 203 h, which was enhanced by 22.1% compared with the control (6501 U/ml at 192 h). The ratio of Er-A to Er-C was 24.05:1, which was higher than that of the control (4.77:1).