Akt Activation Emulates Chk1 Inhibition and Bcl2 Overexpression and Abrogates G2 Cell Cycle Checkpoint by Inhibiting BRCA1 Foci

Akt is perhaps the most frequently activated oncoprotein in human cancers. Overriding cell cycle checkpoint in combination with the inhibition of apoptosis are two principal requirements for predisposition to cancer. Here we show that the activation of Akt is sufficient to promote these two principal processes, by inhibiting Chk1 activation with concomitant inhibition of apoptosis. These activities of Akt cannot be recapitulated by the knockdown of Chk1 alone or by overexpression of Bcl2. Rather the combination of Chk1 knockdown and Bcl2 overexpression is required to recapitulate Akt activities. Akt was shown to directly phosphorylate Chk1. However, we found that Chk1 mutants in the Akt phosphorylation sites behave like wild-type Chk1 in mediating G2 arrest, suggesting that the phosphorylation of Chk1 by Akt is either dispensable for Chk1 activity or insufficient by itself to exert an effect on Chk1 activity. Here we report a new mechanism by which Akt affects G2 cell cycle arrest. We show that Akt inhibits BRCA1 function that induces G2 cell cycle arrest. Akt prevents the translocation of BRCA1 to DNA damage foci and, thereby, inhibiting the activation of Chk1 following DNA damage.     

Assignment of the prealbumin (PALB) gene (familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy) to human chromosome region 18q11.2–q12.1

Summary The assignment of the human prealbumin (PALB) gene to chromosome region 18q11–q12.1 has been achieved using a human genomic probe in the study of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. Because familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy was reported previously to be due to a mutation in prealbumin, it can be inferred that the gene for this disorder also maps to 18q11.2–q12.1.     

Regulation of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis in Streptomyces fradiae,a producer of tylosin

Synthesis of threonine dehydratase in Streptomyces fradiae was positively influenced by valine and negatively by isoleucine. However, these two amino acids had no effect on the activity of this enzyme. Synthesis of threonine dehydratase in -aminobutyrate resistant mutants of S. fradiae was pronouncedly less sensitive to the positive effect of valine and this change in regulation led to valine overproduction. Synthesis of acetohydroxy acid synthase is regulated in a similar manner to that of threonine dehydratase, however a lower level of expression was detected in -aminobutyrate resistant mutants. And again, no effect of branched-chain amino acids on acetohydroxy acid synthase activity was observed. It follows that in S. fradiae synthesis of threonine dehydratase is the main regulatory mechanism governing production and the mutual ratio of synthesized valine and isoleucine.Abbreviations -AB -aminobutyrate - AHAS acetohydroxy acid synthase - -KB -ketobutyrate - MNNG N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine - TD threonine dehydratase - Trans. B. transaminase of branched-chain amino acids - VDH valine dehydrogenase     

Molecular analysis of a reciprocal translocation t(5;11)(q11;p13) in a WAGR patient

Summary Most patients with the complex association aniridia — predisposition to Wilms' tumor (WAGR syndrome) present with a de novo constitutional deletion of band 11p13. We report a patient with WAGR syndrome and a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 5 and 11 t(5;11)(q11;p13). High resolution banding cytogenetic analysis and molecular characterization using 11p13 DNA markers showed a tiny deletion encompassing the gene for CAT but sparing the gene for FSHB. This suggests that syndromes associated with apparently balanced translocations may be due to undetectable loss of material at the breakpoint(s) rather than to breakage in the gene itself.     

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase of cultured rat mesangial cells

Because adenosine plays a role in the regulation of glomerular filtration rate and of the release of renin, we examined the possibility of a local source for this mediator. We found that rat cultured glomerular mesangial cells converted 5'-AMP into adenosine. The properties of the enzyme involved in the reaction were those of an ecto-5' nucleotidase: (1) the products of the reaction were generated in the extracellular fluid although no 5'-nucleotidase was released by the cells into the medium; (2) identical activities were found for cultured cells in situ and sonicated cells; (3) the diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid which is a nonpenetrating reagent inhibited up to 75% of the enzyme activity. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of intact cells obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Apparent Km for 5'-AMP was 0.32 mM. 5'-UMP was a strictly competitive inhibitor. ADP exerted a very powerful inhibitory effect and behaved also as a competitive inhibitor. ATP was inhibitory both by increasing Km and by decreasing Vmax. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase was active in the absence of divalent cations. However, Mg2+, Ca2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ were stimulatory. Zn2+ and Cu2+ suppressed the activity. Concanavalin A, a plant lectin, was markedly inhibitory, suggesting that a glycoprotein moiety was necessary to express enzyme activity. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was not modified during phagocytosis of serum-treated zymosan by mesangial cells. Rat cultured glomerular epithelial cells exhibited a 5'-nucleotidase activity which was 4 times lower than that of the mesangial cells in primary culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)