Inhibition of G1 phase cyclin dependent kinases by transforming growth factor β1

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) inhibits epithelial cell proliferation late in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We examined the effect of TGFβ1 on known late G1 cell cycle regulators in an attempt to determine the molecular mechanism of growth inhibition by this physiological inhibitor. The results demonstrate the TGFβ1 inhibits the late G1 and S phase specific histone H1 kinase activity of p33^cdk2. This inhibitiion is not dur to TGFβ1's effect on p33^cdk2 synthesis, but rather due to its negative effect on the late G1 phosphorylation of p33^cdk2. It is also shown that TGFβ1 inhibits both late G1 cyclin A and cyclin E associated histon H1 kinase activities. The inhibitor has no effects on the synthesis of cyclin E but to inhibit the synthesis of cyclin A protein in a cell cycle dependent manner. If TGFβ1 is added to cells which have progressed futher than 8 hours into G1, then it is without inhibitory effect on cyclin A synthesis. These effect on TGFβ1 on late G1 cell cycle regulators correlate well with its inhibitory effects on cellular growth and suggest that these G1 cyclin dependent kinases might serve as targets for TGFβ1-mediated growth arrest.     

Magnesium-deficiency potentiates free radical production associated with postischemic injury to rat hearts: Vitamin E affords protection

Preexisting magnesium deficiency may alter the susceptibility of rat hearts to postischemic oxidative injury (free radicals). This was examined in rats maintained for 3 weeks on a magnesium-deficient (Mg-D) diet with or without concurrent vitamin E treatment (1.2 mg/day, SC). Magnesium-sufficient (Mg-S) rats received the same diet supplemented with 100 mmol Mg/kg feed. Following sacrifice, isolated working hearts were subjected to 30-, 40-, or 60-min global ischemia and 30-min reperfusion. Postischemic production of free radicals was monitored using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and spin trapping with -phenyl-N-tert butylnitrone (PBN, 3 mM final); preischemic and postischemic effluent samples were collected and then extracted with toluene. PBN/alkoxyl adduct(s) (PBN/RO·; _H = 1.93 G,_N = 13.63 G) were the dominant signals detected in untreated Mg-S and Mg-D postischemic hearts, with comparably higher signal intensities observed for the Mg-D group following any ischemic duration. Time courses of postischemic PBN/RO· detection were biphasic for both groups (maxima: 2–4 and 8.5–12.5 min), and linear relationships between the extent of PBN/RO· production and the severity of both mechanical dysfunction and tissue injury were determined. Following each duration of ischemia, Mg-D hearts displayed greater levels of total PBN adduct production (1.7 –2.0 times higher) and lower recovery of cardiac function (42–48% less) than Mg-S hearts. Pretreating Mg-D rats with vitamin E prior to imposing 40-min ischemia/reperfusion, led to a 49% reduction in total PBN/RO· production, a 55% lower LDH release and a 2.2-fold improvement in functional recovery, compared to untreated Mg-D hearts. These data suggest that magnesium deficiency predisposes postischemic hearts to enhanced oxidative injury and functional loss, and that antioxidants may offer significant protection against pro-oxidant influence(s) of magnesium deficiency.     

The molecular genetics of Alzheimer's disease

The major pathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the abnormal deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the brain. In some early onset cases, the disease develops because of mutations in the gene coding for β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP). However, the majority of AD families in the early onset subgroup are linked to a locus on chromosome 14. The genetic analysis and age of onset correlates of both the βAPP gene and the chromosome 14 locus are discussed. We speculate on the mechanisms by which the βAPP mutations cause the disease and discuss recent advances in βAPP processing that may be relevant to the pathogenesis of the late-onset (common) form of the disease. In addition, we review the association of theAPOE locus with late-onset familial and nonfamilial disease. Further work is required to establish the effects of this locus on disease occurrence, age of onset, and progression. The molecular pathology of ApoE in relation to AD development and the identification of the chromosome 14 gene will greatly contribute to a general pathogenic model of AD, and will clarify the role of βAPP and its derivatives.     

Guanine nucleotide regulatory protein alterations in young Milan hypertensive strain rats

Vascular smooth muscle cell membranes from prehypertensive rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) were used to examine adenylyl cyclase activity and its regulation by guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins). Basal adenylyl cyclase activity was similar in MHS and Milan normontensive strain (MNS) membranes. Forsokolin (10^?4 M) produced a significantly greater stimulatory response in MHS membranes, but this was not observed with NaF (10^?2 M). Isoporterenol (10^?4 M) caused a significantly decreased stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in MHS membranes, while prostaglandin E₁ (10^?5 M) produced similar responses in the two strains. G_i function and GTP responses, as observed by biphasic effects of GTP on isoproterenol-stimulated membranes, were similar in both strains. The levels of G_i2α and G_qα/G₁₁α were similar in the two strains, while the levels of G_sα (44 and 42 kDa forms) and the β-subunit were significantly reduced by ～20% in MHS membranes. The α-subunit of G_i3 was dramatically reduced by ～80% in MHS membranes. The affinities of β-adrenergic receptors for the antagonist, cyanophindolol, were similar in the two strains; however, the number of β-adrenoceptors was substantially reduced in MHS membranes. These findings may be of relevance to altered vascular reactivity and transmembrane ion distribution observed in the MHS.     

Determination of the backbone torsion angle ɛ in nucleic acids

Summary The multiplet structure of cross peaks in double-quantum-filtered COSY NMR spectra is analysed for those resonances that include passive heteronuclear couplings. Interestingly, the cross peak involving the sugar-ring protons H2 and H3 in nucleic acids display an E.COSY-type appearance exclusively when the backbone torsion angle (C4-C3-O3-P) adopts a gauche(-) conformation. This observation allows an unambiguous analysis of the conformation around , without the knowledge of ³J_cp coupling constants.     

鲑鱼生长激素基因分泌型表达质粒的构建

生长激素(GH)是动物垂体前叶分泌的一种多肽类激素.应用分子重组及PCR等技术,构建了一种鲑鱼生长激素基因分泌型表达质粒pOsGH153,使编码鲑鱼生长激素成熟肽的序列克隆在大肠杆菌分泌型表达载体PIN-Ⅲ-ompA内,直接位于编码大肠杆菌外膜蛋白A信号肽序列的下游,在Lpp-Lac杂合启动子控制下,经IPTG诱导,分子量约23 000的鲑鱼生长激素在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达,该产物具有天然鲑鱼生长激素的免疫活性,直接分泌到细胞周质,而信号肽被自动剪除.     

A novel transposon-like structure carries the genes for pyocin AP41, a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriocin with a DNase domain homology to E2 group colicins

Summary The genetic determinant for pyocin AP41, a bacteriocin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has been cloned. The determinant is located on the chromosome flanked by a pair of inverted repeats, forming a transposon-like structure (TnAP41). TnAP41 possesses some features characteristic of the Tn3 family of transposons. Based on a comparison with the structure of the corresponding region of the chromosome of a nonproducer strain, we propose that P. aeruginosa has acquired pyocinogeny by the transposition of TnAP41 into the chromosome. The determinant comprises two ORFs encoding the protein subunits responsible for the killing action (the large component) and immunity (the small component). Amino acid sequences of the C-terminus of the large component (the deoxyribonuclease domain) and the immunity protein show remarkable homology to those of E2 group colicins, suggesting that these bacteriocins, which are produced by distantly related species, have originated from a common ancestor.     

Fed-batch cultivation of recombinant escherichia coli JM103 and production of the fusion protein SPA::EcoRI in a 60-L working volume airlift tower loop reactor

SPA::EcoRI fusion protein was produced by Escherichia coli JM103 carrying the multicopy expression plasmid pMTC48, the multicopy repressor plasmid pRK248, and the multicopy protection plasmid pEcoR4 in a 60-L working volume airlift tower loop reactor on M9 minimal medium with glucose. Cell mass concentration, total cell count, number of colony-forming units, specific growth rate, yield coefficient, and metabolite (acetate, pyruvate, succinate, lactate, ethanol) concentrations were monitored during the growth phase and gene expression. Gene expression was induced by temperature shift or chemically by isopropyl-thiogalactosidase in the airlift tower loop reactor (ALTR) at constant cultivation time and in a small stirred tank reactor at different cultivation times. During induction, the cultivation medium was supplemented with concentrated Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. The intracellular enzyme activity was evaluated as a function of the time after the start of the induction. It was found that the reduction of the glucose concentration and increase of the dissolved oxygen concentration reduced the acetate produced and increased the intracellular enzyme activity. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Purification and partial characterisation of and α-tocopherol-binding protein from rabbit heart cytosol

An -tocopherol-binding protein has been isolated and purified from rabbit heart cytosol. The purified protein had an apparent molecular mass of 14,200, as derived from SDS-PAGE. The content of the protein in rabbit heart was around 11.8 g per g of tissue. The binding of -tocopherol to the purified protein was rapid, reversible, and saturable. Neither nor tocopherol could displace the bound -tocopherol from the protein, suggesting a high specificity for -tocopherol. -Tocopherol-binding protein did not bind oleate. Transfer of -tocopherol from liposomes to mitochodria was stimulated 8-fold in the presence of the binding protein, suggesting that this protein may be involved in the intracellular transport of -tocopherol in the heart.     

戊型肝炎病毒中国XT—179株全基因组Cdna克隆及其核苷酸和氨基酸序列分析

本文报道对中国新疆东部一起戊型肝炎流行高峰期间,由ＨＥ患者烘便中分离到的型肝炎病毒中国ＸＴ－１７９株进行全基因ｃＤＮＡ克隆、核苷酸和氨基酸序列测定及分析结果。所阐明的ＨＥＶ－ＸＴ－１７９株基因组全序列由７１９４个核苷酸和３＇端的多聚腺嘌呤核苷酸尾组成。四种核苷酸的含量腺嘌呤（Ａ）为１７．０％,胞嘧啶（Ｃ）为３１．９％,鸟嘌呤（Ｇ）为２６．０,尿嘧啶（Ｕ）为２５．１％。Ｇ＋Ｃ含量为５７．９％。全基因