High-Throughput Nonlinear Optical Microscopy

High-resolution microscopy methods based on different nonlinear optical (NLO) contrast mechanisms are finding numerous applications in biology and medicine. While the basic implementations of these microscopy methods are relatively mature, an important direction of continuing technological innovation lies in improving the throughput of these systems. Throughput improvement is expected to be important for studying fast kinetic processes, for enabling clinical diagnosis and treatment, and for extending the field of image informatics. This review will provide an overview of the fundamental limitations on NLO microscopy throughput. We will further cover several important classes of high-throughput NLO microscope designs with discussions on their strengths and weaknesses and their key biomedical applications. Finally, this review will close with a perspective of potential future technological improvements in this field.     

Genetic analysis of human B cell hybridomas expressing a cross-reactive idiotype

We have examined the genetic basis for the expression of a human cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) commonly found on monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factors. The CRI was identified with a monoclonal antibody (17.109) and has been localized previously to the kappa-variable region. By using the human lymphoblastoid cell line WI-L2-729-HF2, and mononuclear cells from several sources, a panel of hybridomas was generated that produced 17.109 CRI-positive Ig. A recently cloned human germ-line V kappa III gene, Humkv305, served as a probe to identify genes which were rearranged and expressed in 17.109 CRI-positive and -negative hybridomas. This probe, when hybridized to human genomic DNA under stringent conditions, identified only two to five germ-line bands. In 10 separate 17.109 CRI-positive hybridoma clones, an additional rearranged V kappa band was identified. The probe did not anneal to rearranged V kappa bands in hybridoma clones that produced kappa-chains lacking the CRI. RNA dot-blot studies provided evidence for expression of genes hybridizing to the Humkv305 probe. The results indicate that the 17.109 CRI is a serologic marker for a single V kappa gene, or a small family of closely related V kappa genes, which is identified by the Humkv305 probe.     

Beta 2 (Oriental) human liver alcohol dehydrogenases do not exhibit subunit interaction: oxidation of cyclohexanol by homo- and heterodimers

The steady-state kinetics of isozymes of human liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) containing the beta 2 (Oriental) subunit were investigated in order to confirm the supposition [Fong, W.P., & Keung, W. M. (1987) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)] that the subunits of such heterodimeric ADHs act independently and noncooperatively. The ADH isozymes alpha beta 2, beta 2 beta 2, beta 2 gamma 1, and beta 2 gamma 2 as well as gamma 1 gamma 1 were purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, 4-[3-[N-(6-aminocaproyl)amino]propyl]pyrazole--Sepharose, and CM-cellulose. Their kinetics were studied at pH 9.0 with cyclohexanol since this substrate permits maximal differentiation between activities of the heterodimeric subunits. Oxidation of cyclohexanol by the homodimers beta 2 beta 2 and gamma 1 gamma 1 follows conventional Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The values of Km and kcat determined for beta 2 beta 2 and gamma 1 gamma 1 are 0.11 M and 260 min-1 and 79 microM and 45 min-1, respectively, indicating that beta 2 beta 2, like the previously studied beta 1 beta 1, has an unusually low binding affinity for cyclohexanol compared to that of the ADH isozymes formed by the combination of alpha, gamma 1, and gamma 2 chains. Cyclohexanol oxidation by the heterodimers alpha beta 2, beta 2 gamma 1, and beta 2 gamma 2 follows biphasic kinetics which can be fully accounted for by the individual subunits, one exhibiting a high and the other a low substrate-binding affinity. Eadie-Hofstee plots resolve the biphasic kinetics into two linear components, each of which yields a set of kinetic parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nutrition and muscle potassium: differential effect in rat slow and fast muscles

The effects of malnutrition on intracellular K+ activity, (alpha K)i, and membrane potential, Em, were measured by means of double-barrelled K+-selective microlectrodes in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the rat. (alpha K)i and Em were measured in vivo in normal anaesthetized animals and in rats subjected to one of two diet restrictions: a 2-day fast or a long-term hypocaloric diet. In the soleus muscle, (alpha K)i fell by similar amounts in both 2-day fasted and long-term hypocalorically fed rats, while Em depolarized significantly only in hypocalorically fed rats. In the gastrocnemius muscle, neither the 2-day fast nor the hypocaloric diet affected (alpha K)i or Em. It is suggested that the selective loss of K+ from the soleus muscle may be related to its activity pattern.     

Analysis of mutation in human cells by using an Epstein-Barr virus shuttle system.

We developed highly sensitive shuttle vector systems for detection of mutations formed in human cells using autonomously replicating derivatives of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV vectors carrying the bacterial lacI gene as the target for mutation were established in human cells and later returned to Escherichia coli for rapid detection and analysis of lacI mutations. The majority of the clonal cell lines created by establishment of the lacI-EBV vector show spontaneous LacI- frequencies of less than 10(-5) and are suitable for studies of induced mutation. The ability to isolate clonal lines represents a major advantage of the EBV vectors over transiently replicating shuttle vectors (such as those derived from simian virus 40) for the study of mutation. The DNA sequence changes were determined for 61 lacI mutations induced by exposure of one of the cell lines to N-nitroso-N-methylurea. A total of 33 of 34 lacI nonsense mutations and 26 of 27 missense mutations involve G X C to A X T transitions. These data provide support for the mutational theory of cancer.     

Abscisic Acid ELISA: Organic Acid Interference

Consideration must be exercised in determination of buffers and solutions used when carrying out enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A commercial monoclonal antibody kit for abscisic acid (Idetek, Inc.) gives significant false-positives with tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The organic acids or contaminants interfered with ELISA assays for ABA as indicated by deviations in the slopes of standard curves of ABA in the organic acids. The interference, in the case of α-ketoglutarate, was caused by a contaminant. Of the organic buffers tested—Tris, Tricine, and Hepes—only Hepes showed false-positive ABA. In addition, we present data indicating the presence of ABA in commercial mannitol and provide a simple procedure for removal of the ABA.     

Forskolin stimulation of pepsinogen secretion from frog esophageal mucosa is partly mediated by intrinsic cholinergic neurons

Forskolin was found to stimulate pepsinogen secretion from frog esophageal mucosa. The stimulation was dose-dependent and was accompanied with a great increase in tissue cAMP content. The response to forskolin mimicked the action of bethanechol and was not additive with bethanechol. The stimulatory effect of forskolin was inhibited by 50% in the presence of either atropine or tetrodotoxin. On the other hand, incubation in a calcium-free medium not only reduced the response to forskolin by 45% but also eliminated the influence of atropine and tetrodotoxin. These results indicate that forskolin may stimulate pepsinogen secretion from the frog esophageal mucosa via activating adenylate cyclase, and part of its effect may arise from eliciting acetylcholine release from the intrinsic neurons.