Characterization of β-D-xyloside-initiated glycosaminoglycan synthesized by human skin fibroblasts in the presence of tunicamycin

Human skin fibroblasts were incubated with a fluorogenic xyloside, 4-methylumbelliferyl--D-xyloside (Xyl-MU), in the presence or absence of tunicamycin. The xyloside-initiated glycosaminoglycans (GAG-MUs) were isolated from the culture medium, and their structures characterized. When the cells were incubated with Xyl-MU in the presence of 0.2 g ml–1 tunicamycin, the synthesis of GAG-MU was increased about three fold, compared with the control value in the absence of tunicamycin (cells exposed to Xyl-MU alone). The structures of GAG-MUs synthesized in the presence or absence of tunicamycin were compared by HPLC analysis using gel-filtration and ion-exchange columns, enzymatic digestion, and unsaturated disaccharide composition analysis. The data indicated that cells incubated with tunicamycin produced more undersulfated and shorter GAG-MUs than cells without tynicamycin. These results suggest that tunicamycin inhibits the elongation and sulfation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains and that, as a result, GAG-MUs with shorter chains and undersulfated residues, but possessing a large number of GAG chains, are synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin.     

Isoforms of Na,K-ATPase inArtemia salina: II. Tissue distribution and kinetic characterization

Summary To characterize the molecular properties conveyed by the isoforms of the subunit of Na,K-ATPase, the two major transepithelial transporting organs in the brine shrimp (Artemia salina), the salt glands and intestines, were isolated in pure form. The isoforms were quantified by ATP-sensitive fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeling. The salt gland enzyme exhibits only the 1 isoform, whereas the intestinal enzyme exhibits both the 1 and the 2 isoforms. After 32 hours of development, Na,K-ATPase activity [in mol P_i/mg protein/hr (1u)] in whole homogenates was 32±6 in the salt glands and 12±3 in the intestinal preparations (mean±sem). The apparent half-maximal activation constants (K _1/2) of the salt gland enzyme as compared to the intestinal enzyme were 3.7±0.6mm vs. 23.5±4mm (P<0.01) for Na⁺, 16.6±2.2mm vs. 8.29±1.5mm for K⁺ (P<0.01), and 0.87±0.8mm vs. 0.79±1.1mm for ATP (NS). The apparentK _i's for ouabain inhibition were 1.1×10^–4 m vs. 2×10^–5 m, respectively. Treatment of whole homogenates with deoxycholic acid (DOC) produced a maximal Na,K-ATPase activation of 46% in the salt gland as compared to 23% in the intestinal enzyme. Similar differences were found with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The two distinct forms of Na,K-ATPase isolated from the brine shrimp differed markedly in three kinetic parameters as well as in detergent sensitivity. The differences inK _1/2 for Na⁺ and K⁺ are more marked than those reported for the mammalian Na,K-ATPase isoforms. These differences may be attributed to the relative abundances of the subunit isoforms; other potential determinants (e.g. differences in membrane lipids), however, have not been investigated.During the tenure of an Educational Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates Visiting Associate Professorship.     

Antimicrobial peptides from the skins of North American frogs

North America is home to anuran species belonging to the families Bufonidae, Eleutherodactylidae, Hylidae, Leiopelmatidae, Ranidae, and Scaphiopodidae but antimicrobial peptides have been identified only in skin secretions and/or skin extracts of frogs belonging to the Leiopelmatidae (“tailed frogs”) and Ranidae (“true frogs”). Eight structurally-related cationic α-helical peptides with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, termed ascaphins, have been isolated from specimens of Ascaphus truei (Leiopelmatidae) occupying a coastal range. Characterization of orthologous antimicrobial peptides from Ascaphus specimens occupying an inland range supports the proposal that this population should be regarded as a separate species A. montanus. Ascaphin-8 shows potential for development into a therapeutically valuable anti-infective agent. Peptides belonging to the brevinin-1, esculentin-1, esculentin-2, palustrin-1, palustrin-2, ranacyclin, ranatuerin-1, ranatuerin-2, and temporin families have been isolated from North American ranids. It is proposed that “ranalexins” represent brevinin-1 peptides that have undergone a four amino acid residue internal deletion. Current taxonomic recommendations divide North American frogs from the family Ranidae into two genera: Lithobates and Rana. Cladistic analysis based upon the amino acid sequences of the brevinin-1 peptides provides strong support for this assignment.     

Bicarbonate and chloride secretion in Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells

Serous cells are the predominant site of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator expression in the airways, and they make a significant contribution to the volume, composition, and consistency of the submucosal gland secretions. We have employed the human airway serous cell line Calu-3 as a model system to investigate the mechanisms of serous cell anion secretion. Forskolin-stimulated Calu-3 cells secrete HCO-3 by a Cl-offdependent, serosal Na+-dependent, serosal bumetanide-insensitive, and serosal 4,4'-dinitrostilben-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS)-sensitive, electrogenic mechanism as judged by transepithelial currents, isotopic fluxes, and the results of ion substitution, pharmacology, and pH studies. Similar studies revealed that stimulation of Calu-3 cells with 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO), an activator of basolateral membrane Ca2+-activated K+ channels, reduced HCO-3 secretion and caused the secretion of Cl- by a bumetanide-sensitive, electrogenic mechanism. Nystatin permeabilization of Calu-3 monolayers demonstrated 1-EBIO activated a charybdotoxin- and clotrimazole- inhibited basolateral membrane K+ current. Patch-clamp studies confirmed the presence of an intermediate conductance inwardly rectified K+ channel with this pharmacological profile. We propose that hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane voltage elicits a switch from HCO-3 secretion to Cl- secretion because the uptake of HCO-3 across the basolateral membrane is mediated by a 4,4 '-dinitrostilben-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS)-sensitive Na+:HCO-3 cotransporter. Since the stoichiometry reported for Na+:HCO-3 cotransport is 1:2 or 1:3, hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane potential by 1-EBIO would inhibit HCO-3 entry and favor the secretion of Cl-. Therefore, differential regulation of the basolateral membrane K+ conductance by secretory agonists could provide a means of stimulating HCO-3 and Cl- secretion. In this context, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator could serve as both a HCO-3 and a Cl- channel, mediating the apical membrane exit of either anion depending on basolateral membrane anion entry mechanisms and the driving forces that prevail. If these results with Calu-3 cells accurately reflect the transport properties of native submucosal gland serous cells, then HCO-3 secretion in the human airways warrants greater attention.     

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of salivary gland diagnosed on submandibular gland cytology: A case report and review of the literature

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of the salivary glands has morphological shares molecular similarities to secretory carcinoma of the breast. Here, we report a 46‐year‐old woman who presented with a right submandibular gland mass. Fine needle aspiration differential diagnosis included oncocytosis, oncocytoma, acinic cell carcinoma and mammary analogue secretory carcinoma. We also review the current literature regarding clinical presentation and diagnostic workup of this entity.     

Global DNA methylation (LINE-1) associated with exposure to arsenic-contaminated environment and with type of arsenical skin lesions in Thailand

The effects of chronic arsenic exposure mode on DNA methylation and skin lesion type are unclear. These relationships were investigated in an arsenic-contaminated area of southern Thailand. Cases with arsenical skin lesions (n = 131) and lesion-free controls (n = 163) were selected from an arsenic-contaminated sub-district, as well as 105 controls from a non-contaminated area. Type and severity of skin lesions and salivary global DNA methylation (LINE-1) were determined. Arsenic exposure was characterized as occupational, domestic and current (toe-nail arsenic). Associations were explored using logistic regression. Cases and controls had lower LINE-1 methylation and higher toenail arsenic than external controls (74.65% and 74.61% vs 76.05%, p < 0.001 for each). Cases were more likely to have been exposed domestically (OR_total 1.76, 95% ci 1.00, 3.11; and 2.22, 95% ci 1.22, 4.03; P_trend = 0.005 for exposure <36 and ≥36 years). More severe spotty hyperpigmentation was related to higher LINE-1 methylation (P_trend=0.006). LINE-1 methylation was positively associated with toenail arsenic only among non-symptomatic exposed subjects (OR 1.31, 95% ci 1.06, 1.64; p = 0.014). Exposure to an arsenic-contaminated environment results in global DNA hypomethylation. However, among symptomatic subjects, increased global DNA methylation was associated with increased severity of spotty hyperpigmentation.     

Autofluorescence imaging for recurrence detection in skin cancer postoperative scars

This clinical study is a first attempt to use autofluorescence for recurrence diagnosis of skin cancer in postoperative scars. The proposed diagnostic parameter is based on a reduction in scar autofluorescence, evaluated in the green spectral channel. The validity of the method has been tested on 110 postoperative scars from 56 patients suspected of non‐melanoma skin cancer, with eight patients (13 scars) available for the repeated examination. The recurrence diagnosis within a scar has been made after two subsequent autofluorescence check‐ups, representing the temporal difference between the scar autofluorescence amplitudes as a vector. The recognition of recurrence has been discussed to represent the significant deviations from the value of vector angle θ. This new autofluorescence‐based method can be easily integrated into the postoperative monitoring of surgical scars and can help diagnose the recurrence of skin cancer from the early stage of scar development.     

Production of Erythritol by n-Alkane-grown Yeasts

In the course of study on citric acid fermentation by Candida zeylanoides, in which n-alkane (a mixture of C–12 to C–15) was used as the sole source of carbon, we found that a polyol-like substance was accumulated when the medium-pH fell down to below 4.0. This was isolated in crystalline forms and identified as meso-erythritol. Comparing erythritol production among fifty yeast strains, Candida zeylanoides, particularly its glycerol-requiring mutant KY 6166, was found to be an excellent producer.

Erythritol production was also observed with ethanol or acetic acid as the sole carbon source but not with glucose. An efficient condition for large production of erythritol was to keep the medium-pH at low level (2.5 to 4.0) and the concentration of NaCl or KCl at high level (1 to 3%). Under conditions established in this work, more than 55 mg/ml of erythritol was successfully produced in 120 hr incubation in 300-ml flasks, which corresponded to 55% of the alkane used.     

A histochemical study of the secretions of reproductive glands and of the egg envelopes of Achatina fulica (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora)

Histochemical investigations of the secretions of reproductive glands—albumen gland, apical uterus, basal uterus and prostate gland—indicate the presence of galactogen in the albumen gland, acid mucopolysaccharide in the apical uterus, and lipoprotein in the basal uterus and prostate gland of A. fulica. The proteinaceous secretions produced by the glands do differ in their terminal reactive sites. Intense alkaline phosphatase reaction is found in albumen gland and apical uterus; carbonic anhydrase activity could be detected mainly in the uterine glands. The cyclical secretory activity of the reproductive glands has been studied preparatory to egg-laying and in the spent phase. Histochemical characteristics of the egg envelopes—albumen, shell membrane and egg-shell—suggest a possible sequential deposition of glandular products during the descent of eggs through the repv. ductive tract. The factors contributing to the stability and resistant nature of the egg envelopes, and the possible role of nutritive materials contained in reproductive gland secretions in the development of the embryo (even while the eggs are inside the uterus), are discussed.