Characterization by human autoantibody of a nuclear antigen related to the cell cycle

Using a serum from a patient with an autoimmune disease, we have recently described a novel 55 000-dalton antigen (p55) in the nucleus of several animal cells including human ones. This antigen, designated PSL, was not related to the previously defined antigens recognized by sera from patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (Sm, n-RNP, SS-B, Scl-70). We have now found that p55 is associated with chromatin structures as it is released from the nucleus of mink cell fibroblasts by saline + DNase treatments. Analysis by sucrose gradient centrifugation of the nuclear material released in these conditions indicated that p55 co-migrated with core histones. Meanwhile, p55 was absent from the residual nuclear matrices (achromatinic nuclei). Localization of p55 in synchronized cells was performed by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. P55 appeared to accumulate in the nucleus during the S phase. Finally, it was not recognized by an anti-SV40 tumor serum that specifically precipitated the protein p53, which has been recently related to cell proliferation. Thus, PSL an p53, although apparently not antigenically related, appear to be implicated in the same step of the cell cycle.     

Ontogenic development of the reactivity of macrophages to antigenic stimulation

Experiments were performed to test the ability of macrophages from newborn mice to participate in immune reactions. It was found that peritoneal cells from 4-day-old mice injected at birth with thioglycollate did not reconstitute reactivity to Shigella in adult, irradiated mice, while normal adult macrophages did.The total yield of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) was relatively low, yet the number of precursor cells of macrophages in the newborn spleen was found in significantly higher concentrations than in the adult. The number of precursor cells in the spleens of 0–3-day-old mice did not increase in response to antigenic stimulation, indicating that they too are unable at this stage to develop reactivity to immunological signals.     

Characterization of human autoantibodies specific for lamin A

We have characterized human autoimmune polyclonal antibodies reactive with lamin A, a 74 kDa peripheral protein of the nuclear envelope. Unlike other known antibodies to lamin A, the antibodies described here do not crossreact with the structurally related lamin C. These antibodies feature only chi light chains suggesting that their specificity is restricted to a limited number of epitopes. Based on the known amino acid sequence of human lamins A and C, the epitope(s) are most likely located in the 80 amino acid carboxyl tail of mature lamin A.     

Altered mRNA binding activity and decreased translational initiation in a nuclear mutant lacking translation of the chloroplast psbA mRNA.

Translational regulation has been identified as one of the key steps in chloroplast-encoded gene expression. Genetic and biochemical analysis with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has implicated nucleus-encoded factors that interact specifically with the 5' untranslated region of chloroplast mRNAs to mediate light-activated translation. F35 is a nuclear mutation in C. reinhardtii that specifically affects translation of the psbA mRNA (encoding D1, a core polypeptide of photosystem II), causing a photosynthetic deficiency in the mutant strain. The F35 mutant has reduced ribosome association of the psbA mRNA as a result of decreased translation initiation. This reduction in ribosome association correlates with a decrease in the stability of the mRNA. Binding activity of the psbA specific protein complex to the 5' untranslated region of the mRNA is diminished in F35 cells, and two members of this binding complex (RB47 and RB55) are reduced compared with the wild type. These data suggest that alteration of members of the psbA mRNA binding complex in F35 cells results in a reduction in psbA mRNA-protein complex formation, thereby causing a decrease in translation initiation of this mRNA.     

Genetic and environmental variability of adult size in some stocks of the edible snail, Helix aspersa

This paper aims at providing a better knowledge of factors determining body size (especially the importance of heredity) in Helix aspersa Müller.
A preliminary investigation of snails from Maghreb allowed us to show the importance of heredity in the variability of body size and to produce an efficient design for a subsequent reliable estimation of heritabilities. All traits measured (diameter, height and weight) were highly correlated and weight appeared to be the most convenient measure of size.
The second experiment provided 4150 snails born from known individuals among 500 wild snails. Pedigrees were recorded. Weight and diameter revealed high heritabilities (>0.4), which is relevant for commercial selection since variability of both traits was important. The design also revealed a significant non-genetic maternal effect and also that offspring from pairs where only one animal laid were bigger than offspring from pairs where both animals laid. This surprising observation has to be confirmed and its mechanisms studied.     

Prostaglandin release by normal and osteomyelitic human bones

The release of prostaglandin E (PGE) and prostacyclin (as 6-keto PGF1 alpha) by human osteomyelitic bone, compared with normal (control) bone, incubated in vitro was evaluated. Prostacyclin was the main arachidonic acid metabolite released by normal human bone, and similar quantities were released by osteomyelitic bone. However, PGE production was 5-30-fold higher in osteomyelitic bone, compared with control, thus becoming the major prostanoid in this disease. It is concluded that PGE production is probably involved in the inflammatory and/or bone resorption processes that occur in osteomyelitis.