Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II-binding proteins in human serum and urine. Their relation to the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor.

Human serum and urine contain polypeptides which bind mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) and crossreact with antibodies against the M6P/IGF II receptor. These polypeptides are considered to be fragments of the M6P/IGF II receptor. The major Mr approx. 205,000 fragment in serum and urine is about 10 kDa smaller in size than the membrane-associated receptor and is accompanied by minor forms with Mr values ranging from 104,000 to 180,000. The presence of receptor fragments in biological fluids indicates that shedding is one of the mechanisms contributing to the turnover of the M6P/IGF II receptor and that receptor fragments are part of the heterogenous group of serum proteins whic bind IGF II.     

Interactions ofCandida albicans with bacteria and salivary molecules in oral biofilms

The yeastCandida albicans coaggregates with a variety of streptococcal species, an interaction that may promote oral colonization by yeast cells.C. albicans andCandida tropicalis are the yeasts most frequently isolated from the human oral cavity and our data demonstrate that both these species bind toStreptococcus gordonii NCTC 7869 while two otherCandida species (Candida krusei andCandida kefyr) do not. Adherence ofC. albicans was greatest when the yeast had been grown at 30° C to mid-exponential growth phase. For 21 strains ofC. albicans there was a positive correlation between the ability to adhere toS. gordonii and adherence to experimental salivary pellicle. Whole saliva either stimulated or slightly inhibited adherence ofC. albicans toS. gordonii depending on the streptococcal growth conditions. The results suggest that the major salivary adhesins and coaggregation adhesins ofC. albicans are co-expressed.     

Willow seedlings from photooxidized seeds accelerate cotyledon death and anticipate first leaf emergence: a histological and biochemical study following germination

In willow seeds, photooxidative damage is mainly restricted to the outer cotyledonary tissues, significantly reducing normal germination. Here we analyzed the damage generated in cotyledonary tissues and investigated whether the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in seedlings from photooxidized seeds can affect the morphogenetic capacity of the shoot apical meristem. Seeds were photooxidized under different light intensities and the evolution of the damage during seedling growth was studied by light and transmission electron microscopies. The level of lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant capacity were measured following the time course of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activities, and the effect of photooxidative stress on the genesis of new leaf primordia and lateral roots was examined. Early and active endocytosis and autophagy, changes in chloroplast morphology, as well as the accumulation and diffusion of ROS all play important roles in the early cell death observed in cotyledonary tissues. Following germination, seedlings from photooxidized seeds anticipated the emergence of first leaves, which complemented the altered functionality of the damaged cotyledons.     

Gas exchange and carbon metabolism in two Prosopis species (Fabaceae) from semiarid habitats: effects of elevated CO2, N supply, and N source

Predicting future plant and ecosystem responses to elevated CO(2) also requires an understanding of the role of other factors, especially soil nitrogen. This is particularly challenging for global aridlands where total N and the relative amounts of nitrate and ammonia vary both spatially and seasonally. We measured gas exchange and primary and secondary C metabolites in seedlings of two dominant aridland shrub species (Prosopis flexuosa [S America] and P. glandulosa [N America]) grown at ambient (350 ppm) or elevated (650 ppm) CO(2) and nitrogen at two levels (low [0.8 mM] and high [8.0 mM]) and at either 1 : 1 or 3 : 1 nitrate to ammonia. Whereas elevated CO(2) increased assimilation rate, water use efficiency, and primary carbon metabolites in both species, these increases were strongly contingent upon nitrogen availability. Elevated CO(2) did not increase secondary metabolites (i.e., phenolics). For these important aridland species, the effects of elevated CO(2) are strongly influenced by nitrogen availability and to a lesser extent by the relative amounts of nitrate and ammonia supplied, which underscores the importance of both the amount and chemical composition of soil nitrogen in mediating the potential responses of seedling growth and establishment of aridland plants under future CO(2)-enriched atmospheres.     

Physiological routes from intra-uterine seminal contents to advancement of ovulation

Whole boar semen or seminal plasma has been demonstrated to advance the time of ovulation in gilts. As a means of clarifying this influence, the contribution of uterine lymphatics and their white cell populations has been examined. After duct visualisation with Evan's blue, lymph was sampled from a mesometrial vessel in eight pre-ovulatory gilts whose uterine lumen was infused simultaneously with whole semen in one ligated horn and saline in the contralateral ligated horn. Lymph was collected from cannulated vessels for periods of up to four hours under general anaesthesia. Thereafter, mesometrial lymph nodes, utero-tubal junction and uterine wall tissues were sampled. The proportion of nucleated cells in the sampled lymph increased towards the end of the collection period, but erythrocytes were found in all instances preventing a meaningful differentiation and identification of leukocytes. Prominent uterine lymph nodes were present in the mesometrium on both sides of the reproductive tract in 7 of 10 gilts. Differences in cellular contents were demonstrated between the side of the tract infused with semen and that infused with saline control. Two of 4 gilts had lower values for CD4 (Cluster Differentiation) and 3 of 6 gilts higher values for MHC II (Major Histocompatibility Complex) markers on the side challenged with semen. In contrast, values remained constant for CD8 but ranged widely for CD18. Immunohistochemical analysis of uterine tissue samples for MHC II+ cells revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the control and semen-treated ligated portions of the horns, as well as between the tissue sample of uterine wall and that from the utero-tubal junction, but there were no significant differences for CD4+ cells. It therefore remains plausible that semen-induced cytokines in the uterine lymph undergo counter-current transfer to the ipsilateral ovary and accelerate the final maturation of pre-ovulatory Graafian follicles.     

Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor: distinct binding sites for mannose 6-phosphate and insulin-like growth factor II

Pentamannosyl phosphate substituted bovine serum albumin (PMP-BSA) and insulin like growth factor II (IGF II) bind specifically to immobilized mannose 6-phosphate/insulin like growth factor II receptor. An excess of IGF II inhibited binding of PMP-BSA by less than or equal to 20%, and an excess of PMP-BSA inhibited binding of IGF II by less than or equal to 10%. Polyclonal antibodies against the receptor purified from human liver inhibited preferentially the binding of PMP-BSA, and a monocloncal antibody 2C2 inhibited only the binding of IGF II to the receptor. Similar results were obtained for binding of PMP-BSA and IGF II to human skin fibroblasts. These results suggest that the binding sites for mannose 6-phosphate and IGF II reside in different portions of the receptor.     

Autocatalytic Loop,Amplification and Diffusion: A Mathematical and Computational Model of Cell Polarization in Neural Chemotaxis

The chemotactic response of cells to graded fields of chemical cues is a complex process that requires the coordination of several intracellular activities. Fundamental steps to obtain a front vs. back differentiation in the cell are the localized distribution of internal molecules and the amplification of the external signal. The goal of this work is to develop a mathematical and computational model for the quantitative study of such phenomena in the context of axon chemotactic pathfinding in neural development. In order to perform turning decisions, axons develop front-back polarization in their distal structure, the growth cone. Starting from the recent experimental findings of the biased redistribution of receptors on the growth cone membrane, driven by the interaction with the cytoskeleton, we propose a model to investigate the significance of this process. Our main contribution is to quantitatively demonstrate that the autocatalytic loop involving receptors, cytoplasmic species and cytoskeleton is adequate to give rise to the chemotactic behavior of neural cells. We assess the fact that spatial bias in receptors is a precursory key event for chemotactic response, establishing the necessity of a tight link between upstream gradient sensing and downstream cytoskeleton dynamics. We analyze further crosslinked effects and, among others, the contribution to polarization of internal enzymatic reactions, which entail the production of molecules with a one-to-more factor. The model shows that the enzymatic efficiency of such reactions must overcome a threshold in order to give rise to a sufficient amplification, another fundamental precursory step for obtaining polarization. Eventually, we address the characteristic behavior of the attraction/repulsion of axons subjected to the same cue, providing a quantitative indicator of the parameters which more critically determine this nontrivial chemotactic response.     

Proteomic profile of culture filtrate from the Brazilian vaccine strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium bovis</Emphasis> BCG Moreau compared to <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. bovis</Emphasis> BCG Pasteur

Background  

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is currently the only available vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and comprises a heterogeneous family of sub-strains with genotypic and phenotypic differences. The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that the characterization of BCG sub-strains, both on genomic and proteomic levels, is crucial for a better comprehension of the vaccine. In addition, these studies can contribute in the development of a more efficient vaccine against TB. Here, we combine two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry to analyse the proteomic profile of culture filtrate proteins (CFPs) from M. bovis BCG Moreau, the Brazilian vaccine strain, comparing it to that of BCG Pasteur. CFPs are considered of great importance given their dominant immunogenicity and role in pathogenesis, being available for interaction with host cells since early infection.