Immunocytochemical localization of secretory acetylcholinesterase of the parasitic nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Various parasitic nematodes secrete acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In this study, the localization of AChE in the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and the secretory forms of AChE in culture fluid were examined. A thiocholine method revealed that AChE activity was localized in the subventral glands, which have a secretory and excretory function via a duct connected to the excretory pore. By electron microscopy, AChE activity was found mainly in the matrix of secretory granules, and sometimes in the Golgi apparatus in the subventral gland cells. These results show that nematode AChE is produced and stored in the subventral glands. Monoclonal antibodies against AChE of human erythrocytes or electric rays also bound to the nematode subventral gland, suggesting immuno-cross-reactivity of AChE among these species. When AChE activity in the nematode excretory-secretory product was examined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with the thiocholine method, intense activity was demonstrated as a single band at 74kDa. Immunoblot analysis showed specific recognition of this molecule by IgE and IgG1 antibodies, but not by IgG2a antibody, in nematode-infected rat sera. These results indicate that the nematode AChE molecule produced in and secreted from the subventral glands is antigenic for the production of IgE/IgG1 in host animals.     

Phylogenetic relationship of medicinally importantCnidium officinale and Japanese Apiaceae based onrbcL sequences

Cnidium officinale Makino is important medicinally and economically, but its origin is uncertain. The phylogenetic relationship ofC. officinale is provided from the analyses based on the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxgenase gene (rbcL) sequences of 41 species which represent the 34 genera of Aplaceae, the four genera of Araliaceae, and one genus each of Pittosporaceae, Cornaceae, and Caprifoliaceae. The strict consensus tree obtained supports a close relationship ofC. officinale to the Chinese members ofLigusticum, especially toL. chuanxiong. Additionally, the tree shows (1) polyphyly of the genusLigusticum and (2) monophyly of the subfamily Apioideae. Within Apioideae, we recognized some groups in our phylogenetic tree. The grouping is discordant in several respects with the traditional tribal divisions based mainly on fruit morphology.     

Intraspecific variability of Brachionus plicatilis

An extensive study of frontal margins of the lorica of Brachionus plicatilis was undertaken in an attempt to define its variability within this species. Specimens from mass cultures and from the natural environment were examined.     

Syntheses of α and γ-BHC Alkylthio Analogs

Meso-(1245/36)-1,2,4,5,6-pentachloro-3-methylthiocyclohexane, and (124/356)-1,2,4,5,6-pentachloro-3-methylthio and ethylthiocyclohexanes were prepared from (1234/56)-1,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2,3-epoxycyclohexane (α-BTC cis-epoxide).     

Using microparticle labeling and counting for attomole-level detection in heterogeneous immunoassay.

A new heterogeneous "sandwich" immunoassay utilizing microparticles as labels to realize high sensitivity is described. In this method, antibody fixed on the microparticles reacts with antigen previously trapped on a microplate surface, which makes the antigen molecules visible and countable with an inverted optical microscope. The method is highly sensitive because the reacted single microparticle, therefore single antigen molecule, can be detected. The sensitivity depends both on the reaction efficiency of the immunoreaction and on nonspecific adsorption of the microparticles on the microplate surface. Therefore, the protocol for preparing microparticle having antibody on the surface and a microplate having capture antibody was investigated to realize high sensitivity. Carboxylated microparticles of 0.76 microns in diameter were conjugated with affinity-purified antibody using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide. It was determined that 1 g microparticles had 880 micrograms antibody (approximately 1100 antibody molecules per 1 microparticle). The immunoreaction efficiency reached 18% at 1 x 10(-13) mol/liter antigen concentration. The lower detection limit was 3.1 x 10(-14) mol/liter (1.6 amol) using human alpha-fetoprotein as a model antigen.     

Simultaneous Determination of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolites in Hprt-Deficient Cell Lines

Genetic mutations in the purine salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), are known to cause Lesch–Nyhan syndrome and Kelley–Seegmiller syndrome. In patients, purine metabolism is different from that of normal persons. We have previously developed a method for simultaneously determining the concentration of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides. This system was applied to determine the concentrations of nucleosides and nucleotides in HPRT-deficient cell lines. The amount of inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) was different in Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, Kelley–Seegmiller syndrome, and control cell lines. The difference in the amount of IMP confirmed the mutation of the enzyme.     

Phylogenetic relationships within Echinococcus and Taenia tapeworms (Cestoda: Taeniidae): an inference from nuclear protein-coding genes

The family Taeniidae of tapeworms is composed of two genera, Echinococcus and Taenia, which obligately parasitize mammals including humans. Inferring phylogeny via molecular markers is the only way to trace back their evolutionary histories. However, molecular dating approaches are lacking so far. Here we established new markers from nuclear protein-coding genes for RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) and DNA polymerase delta (pold). Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses of the concatenated gene sequences allowed us to reconstruct phylogenetic trees for taeniid parasites. The tree topologies clearly demonstrated that Taenia is paraphyletic and that the clade of Echinococcus oligarthrus and Echinococcusvogeli is sister to all other members of Echinococcus. Both species are endemic in Central and South America, and their definitive hosts originated from carnivores that immigrated from North America after the formation of the Panamanian land bridge about 3 million years ago (Ma). A time-calibrated phylogeny was estimated by a Bayesian relaxed-clock method based on the assumption that the most recent common ancestor of E. oligarthrus and E. vogeli existed during the late Pliocene (3.0 Ma). The results suggest that a clade of Taenia including human-pathogenic species diversified primarily in the late Miocene (11.2 Ma), whereas Echinococcus started to diversify later, in the end of the Miocene (5.8 Ma). Close genetic relationships among the members of Echinococcus imply that the genus is a young group in which speciation and global radiation occurred rapidly.     

Synthesis of novel alpha-C-glycosylamino acids and reverse regioselectivity in Larock's heteroannulation for the synthesis of the indole nucleus

An alpha-C-iodoethynylglucose derivative was coupled with an L-serine-derived zinc-copper reagent to give alpha-C-glucosylpropargyl glycine, which underwent palladium catalyzed-heteroannulation with o-iodoaniline to give not alpha-C-glucosyl-tryptophan but alpha-C-glucosyl-iso-tryptophan. This is the first observation of complete reverse regioselectivity to Larock's proposal.