Intra- and extracellular regulation of activity and processing of legumain by cystatin E/M

Legumain, an asparaginyl endopeptidase, is up-regulated in tumour and tumour-associated cells, and is linked to the processing of cathepsin B, L, and proMMP-2. Although legumain is mainly localized to the endosomal/lysosomal compartments, legumain has been reported to be localized extracellularly in the tumour microenvironment and associated with extracellular matrix and cell surfaces. The most potent endogenous inhibitor of legumain is cystatin E/M, which is a secreted protein synthesised with an export signal. Therefore, we investigated the cellular interplay between legumain and cystatin E/M. As a cell model, HEK293 cells were transfected with legumain cDNA, cystatin E/M cDNA, or both, and over-expressing monoclonal cell lines were selected (termed M38L, M4C, and M3CL, respectively). Secretion of prolegumain from M38L cells was inhibited by treatment with brefeldin A, whereas bafilomycin A1 enhanced the secretion. Cellular processing of prolegumain to the 46 and 36 kDa enzymatically active forms was reduced by treatment with either substance alone. M38L cells showed increased, but M4C cells decreased, cathepsin L processing suggesting a crucial involvement of legumain activity. Furthermore, we observed internalization of cystatin E/M and subsequently decreased intracellular legumain activity. Also, prolegumain was shown to internalize followed by increased intracellular legumain processing and activation. In addition, in M4C cells incomplete processing of the internalized prolegumain was observed, as well as nuclear localized cystatin E/M. Furthermore, auto-activation of secreted prolegumain was inhibited by cystatin E/M, which for the first time shows a regulatory role of cystatin E/M in controlling both intra- and extracellular legumain activity.     

Prime-boost vaccination with rBCG/rAd35 enhances CD8⁺ cytolytic T-cell responses in lesions from Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected primates

To prevent the global spread of tuberculosis (TB) infection, a novel vaccine that triggers potent and long-lived immunity is urgently required. A plasmid-based vaccine has been developed to enhance activation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I–restricted CD8+ cytolytic T cells using a recombinant Bacille Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) expressing a pore-forming toxin and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens Ag85A, 85B and TB10.4 followed by a booster with a nonreplicating adenovirus 35 (rAd35) vaccine vector encoding the same Mtb antigens. Here, the capacity of the rBCG/rAd35 vaccine to induce protective and biologically relevant CD8⁺ T-cell responses in a nonhuman primate model of TB was investigated. After prime/boost immunizations and challenge with virulent Mtb in rhesus macaques, quantification of immune responses at the single-cell level in cryopreserved tissue specimen from infected organs was performed using in situ computerized image analysis as a technological platform. Significantly elevated levels of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells as well as cells expressing interleukin (IL)-7, perforin and granulysin were found in TB lung lesions and spleen from rBCG/rAd35-vaccinated animals compared with BCG/rAd35-vaccinated or unvaccinated animals. The local increase in CD8⁺ cytolytic T cells correlated with reduced expression of the Mtb antigen MPT64 and also with prolonged survival after the challenge. Our observations suggest that a protective immune response in rBCG/rAd35-vaccinated nonhuman primates was associated with enhanced MHC class I antigen presentation and activation of CD8+ effector T-cell responses at the local site of infection in Mtb-challenged animals.     

Global solar radiation as the factor controlling induction of diapause in the pod midge (Dasyneura brassicae Winn.)

In this paper we examine the hypothesis that diapause induction in the polyvoltine pod midge Dasyneura brassicae Winn. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is controlled by cumulative global solar radiation during the larval stage. The correlation between field observations of relative diapause for 3 years and four environmental factors (daylength, temperature, cumulative daylight time, and cumulative global solar radiation) was investigated. The cumulative global solar radiation during the larval stage clearly showed the strongest correlation with the observed relative diapause. It was estimated that larvae which cumulated less than 71.1 kWh m⁻² entered diapause. Compared to former theories on diapause induction in insects, this hypothesis explains how temperature and light can function together and, furthermore, it removes the requirement for biological clock involvement in diapause induction in insects. Received: 21 December 1996 / Accepted: 26 February 1997     

Does nociceptin play a role in pain disorders in man?

Nociceptin-immunoreactive cellbodies were detected in the human trigeminal ganglion, while no such fibers were identified in the temporal artery or in dermal tissue from the neck region. In four healthy subjects receiving nociceptin into the temporal muscle in an open labeled design no pain was detected. In 10 healthy subjects who received 200pmol of nociceptin into tender non-dominant trapezius muscles in a placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced, and double-blinded design local tenderness increased (P=0.025) while no pain was noted. Thus, the action of nociceptin should be searched for in the trigeminal ganglion and/or in the central nervous system (CNS).     

The Gene Encoding the Catalytic Subunit Cα of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase (Locus PRKACA) Localizes to Human Chromosome Region 19p13.1

We have determined the chromosomal localization of the gene for the catalytic subunit Cα of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (locus PRKACA) to human chromosome 19 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis of two different somatic cell hybrid mapping panels. In addition, PCR analysis of a chromosome 19 mapping panel revealed the presence of a human Cα-specific amplification product only in cell lines containing the region 19p13.1 to 19q12. Finally, two-color fluorescencein situhybridization to metaphase chromosomes using the human Cα cDNA and human chromosome 19 inter-Alu-PCR product as probes localized the human Cα gene to chromosome region 19p13.1.     

Defective serotonin transport mechanism in platelets from endogenously depressed patients

The 5-HT uptake kinetics in platelets from ten depressed patients were studied with a highly reproducible method which detects specific changes in the platelet 5-HT transport. The six patients with endogenous depression had a disturbed 5-HT-uptake. A passive diffusion of 5-HT predominated over the active 5-HT-transport. This disturbance was not found in the four non-endogenously depressed patients or in the fifty normal controls. These findings suggest that platelets from endogenously depressed patients may have abnormal physical membrane characteristics.     

Human monocyte cytotoxic factor mediates cytolysis of WEHI 164 cells

Human monocytes can be activated to release a 40,000-Da cytostatic protein factor (CF). In this report we have investigated the cytolytic activity of CF on WEHI 164 cells which are sensitive to monocyte-mediated cytolysis. Monocyte supernatants containing CF induced cytolysis of murine WEHI 164 sarcoma cells, as determined in a 51Cr-release assay. Preincubation of WEHI 164 cells with actinomycin D enhanced cytolysis induced by supernatants containing CF, suggesting that CF may be involved in drug-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The cytolytic activity was profoundly inhibited by a rabbit antiserum raised against purified CF, indicating that the cytolytic activity in the supernatants was in fact mediated by CF. These results indicate that CF may be an important effector molecule in monocyte-mediated cytostatic and cytolytic reactions.