Light and electron microscopical immunocytochemistry of 5'-nucleotidase in rat cerebellum

5'-Nucleotidase in nervous tissue has so far not been localised at the ultrastructural level using immunocytochemical techniques. We have now applied monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum raised against this ecto-enzyme and describe the distribution of 5'-nucleotidase antigenicity in rat cerebellum both at the light and electron microscopic levels. Within all cerebellar layers, 5'-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was found on plasma membranes of glial elements, i.e. Bergmann glial cell processes crossing the molecular layer, astrocytic end-feet around blood vessels and glial cell extensions surrounding single Purkinje cells. In the granular layer, 5'-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was present on glial membranes interposed between granule cells. Neuronal cells or processes were devoid of immunoreactivity. The immunocytochemical results were compared with conventional 5'-nucleotidase histochemistry. Both techniques showed the same ecto-localisation of the enzyme and favour the view of 5'-nucleotidase being predominantly situated at glial plasma membranes.     

Ten-Year-Replicated Circadian Profiles for 36 Physiological, Serological and Urinary Variables in Healthy Men

At 3-hr intervals over a 24-hr span, 36 systemic, serologic and urinary variables were examined in 7 men in their mid 20's in the Spring of 1969, and again in the same 7 men in the Spring of 1979 under a similar chronobiologic protocol, using the same chemical and numerical analytical procedures. The variables examined for rhythms by cosinor were: vital signs--blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure), heart rate, intraocular pressure (left and right), oral temperature; serum components--albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, total bilirubin, calcium, carbon dioxide, chlorides, bilirubin, cholesterol, globulin, glucose, potassium, sodium, sodium/potassium ratio, transaminase, triglycerides, total protein, urea nitrogen; and urine components--calcium, calcium/magnesium ratio, creatinine, magnesium, pH, potassium, sodium, sodium/potassium ratio, urea clearance, urea nitrogen, volume and zinc. Although all subjects appeared clinically healthy in 1969 and in 1979, certain inter-study differences were observed in a number of rhythm parameters of different variables. Statistically significant increases in mesor for the group as a whole were observed for serum Ca, cholesterol, Cl, CO2, K, Na, and while statistically significant mesor decreases for a group as a whole were noted in serum glucose and transaminase. Statistically significant increases in amplitude for the group as a whole were observed in serum chloride and urinary Na/K ratio, while statistically significant decreases were observed in amplitude for blood pressure, heart rate, serum albumin, A/G ratio, globulin, glucose, protein, sodium and transaminase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid stimulates migration of human retinal microvessel endothelium in vitro and neovascularization in vivo

We evaluated 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a major arachidonic acid product of vascular endothelium and leukocytes, for its effect on neovascularization. In a modified Boyden chamber assay, 15-HETE (10⁻⁷ M) sitmulated human retinal microvessel endothelial cell migration by 42 ± 10% (mean ± S.E.M., p<0.01). 12-HETE, a major arachidonic acid metabolite of platelets, had no such effect. Further studies in the rabbit corneal pocket assay revealed that 15-HETE stimulated neovascularization . Concentrations at which the effects were observed are within the range generated by several cell types and are achievable in human serum. 15-HETE stimulation of human endothelial cell migration and neovascularization suggests that it may play a role in vasoproliferative disorders.     

A marine Mesorhizobium sp. produces structurally novel long-chain N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones

Our study focused on a Mesorhizobium sp. that is phylogenetically affiliated by 16S rRNA gene sequence to other marine and saline bacteria of this genus. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry investigations of the extract obtained from solid-phase extraction of cultures of this bacterium indicated the presence of several N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), with chain lengths of C(10) to C(16). Chromatographic separation of the active bacterial extract yielded extraordinarily large amounts of two unprecedented acylated homoserine lactones, 5-cis-3-oxo-C(12)-homoserine lactone (5-cis-3-oxo-C(12)-HSL) (compound 1) and 5-cis-C(12)-HSL (compound 2). Quorum-sensing activity of compounds 1 and 2 was shown in two different biosensor systems [Escherichia coli MT102(pSB403) and Pseudomonas putida F117(pKR-C12)]. Furthermore, it was shown that both compounds can restore protease and pyoverdin production of an AHL-deficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 lasI rhlI double mutant, suggesting that these signal molecules maybe used for intergenus signaling. In conclusion, these data indicate that the quorum-sensing activity of compounds 1 and 2 is modulated by the chain length and functional groups of the acyl moiety. Additionally, compound 1 showed antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.     

Molecular mechanisms of seed dormancy

Seed dormancy is an important component of plant fitness that causes a delay of germination until the arrival of a favourable growth season. Dormancy is a complex trait that is determined by genetic factors with a substantial environmental influence. Several of the tissues comprising a seed contribute to its final dormancy level. The roles of the plant hormones abscisic acid and gibberellin in the regulation of dormancy and germination have long been recognized. The last decade saw the identification of several additional factors that influence dormancy including dormancy-specific genes, chromatin factors and non-enzymatic processes. This review gives an overview of our present understanding of the mechanisms that control seed dormancy at the molecular level, with an emphasis on new insights. The various regulators that are involved in the induction and release of dormancy, the influence of environmental factors and the conservation of seed dormancy mechanisms between plant species are discussed. Finally, expected future directions in seed dormancy research are considered.