Recent advances and controversies concerning adnexal neoplasms. This article reviews the diagnostic clinical and histologic features of a group of adnexal tumors, including papillary eccrine adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, Merkel's cell carcinoma, aggressive digital papillary adenoma (and adenocarcinoma), Bowen's disease, intraepidermal epithelioma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma and related tumors, and subcutaneous trichoepithelioma. These are adnexal tumors either often not recognized, because of their rarity, or the origin, biologic potential, and classification of which have been controversial.


In vitro susceptibility and synergy studies of Aspergillus species to conventional and new agents. In vitro susceptibility data using a macrodilution broth method on greater than 100 isolates of Aspergillus spp. are presented. For amphotericin B (Amp B) (n = 105), 67% had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml, and 90% had MICs less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml; for 5-fluorocytosine [flucytosine (5FC) (n = 60), 35% had MICs less than or equal to 12.5 micrograms/ml; for miconazole (MCL) (n = 18), 39% had MICs less than or equal to 5 micrograms/ml; for ketoconazole (KTZ) four (13%) of 32 isolates had an MIC less than or equal to 3.1 micrograms/ml; for itraconazole (ITZ) (n = 88), 97% had MICs less than or equal to 6.3 micrograms/ml; and for saperconazole (SAP) (n = 20), 90% had MICs less than or equal to 3.1 micrograms/ml. Of Amp B minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) (n = 25), 76% were less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml; 5% of ketoconazole (n = 20) and no flucytosine (n = 38) MFCs were less than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml; for itraconazole (n = 60), 70% had MFCs less than or equal to 6.3 micrograms/ml, and for saperconazole (n = 20), 75% had MFCs less than or equal to 3.1 micrograms/ml. Drug interaction studies were also performed. For Amp B and rifampin 36 (92%) of 39 showed synergy, for Amp B and flucytosine six (23%) of 26 showed synergy and another six (23%) showed antagonism; 13 (50%) were indifferent. In five Amp B-itraconazole combination studies, synergy and indifference were seen in two each and an additive effect was observed in one. The published literature on in vitro testing methodology and results for Aspergillus spp. is also reviewed, and recommendations for the clinical use of in vitro susceptibility testing are made.


[Thrombosis prevention in outpatients with lower limb injuries]. The antithrombotic effect of a low molecular weight heparin was examined in a prospective randomized trial of 204 outpatients (121 men, 83 women, mean age 34.7 [16-76] years) who required immobilization with a plaster cast because of injury to the lower limb. Subjects in group I (n = 99) received a daily subcutaneous injection (36 mg) of heparin fragment calcium throughout their period in plaster (mean of 15.6 [7-66] days), while group II subjects (n = 105, mean period in plaster 15.7 [7-41] days) acted as untreated controls. Thrombosis was diagnosed by compression sonography, and positive findings were confirmed by phlebography. Thrombosis occurred in 24 patients altogether, 6 in group I (6.1%) and 18 in group II (17.1%) (P less than 0.05). While patients with thromboses had a mean of 1.96 risk factors overall, those in group I had a mean of 2.6 risk factors. Patients without thrombosis had a mean of 1.24 risk factors. The rate of thrombosis was higher in patients with fractures (4 out of 27 in group I; 10 out of 35 in group II) than in those with ligament and soft-tissue injuries (2 out of 72 in group I; 8 out of 70 in group II). The severity of trauma is apparently an important thrombogenic factor.--General thrombo-prophylaxis seems advisable for surgical outpatients requiring immobilisation treatment with a plaster cast.


[Herpes simplex-associated exacerbation of Crohn's disease. Successful treatment with acyclovir]. Seven years ago, a now 25-year-old man was found to have Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum as well as of the transverse and sigmoid colon. Despite treatment with both corticosteroids and mesalazine the disease progressed and led to almost complete stenosis of the lumen of the sigmoid colon so that surgical intervention was planned. But because immunohistological examination of the small and large intestinal mucosa had demonstrated herpes simplex virus (HSV I + II) DNA, additional treatment with acyclovir appeared worth-while. The morphological and clinical findings indeed changed decisively, obviating surgery. If a virus infection is found to be a pathogenetic co-factor in a case of Crohn's disease, a therapeutic trial with a suitable antiviral agent seems reasonable.


A comparative laser-flash absorption spectroscopy study of algal plastocyanin and cytochrome c552 photooxidation by photosystem I particles from spinach. Laser-flash kinetic absorption spectroscopy has been used to compare the rate constants for electron transfer from reduced plastocyanin and cytochrome c552, obtained from the green alga Monoraphidium braunii, to photooxidized P700 (P700+) in photosystem I (PSI) particles from spinach Sigmoidal protein concentration dependence for the observed electron-transfer rate constants are obtained for both proteins. In the absence of added salts, the P700+ reduction rate increases as the pH decreases from approximately 8 to 5.5, then decreases to pH 3.5, this effect being more pronounced with cytochrome c552 than with plastocyanin. At neutral pH, plastocyanin is a more efficient electron donor to P700+ than cytochrome c552, whereas at pH 5.5, which is closer to physiological conditions, the two redox proteins react with approximately equal rate constants. In the presence of increasing concentrations of added salts, the P700+ reduction rate constants for both proteins increase at pH greater than 5.5, but decrease at pH less than 4. At neutral pH, the observed rate constants for both algal proteins have a biphasic dependence on sodium chloride concentration, increasing in a parallel manner with increasing salt concentration, reaching a maximum value at 50 mM NaCl, then decreasing. A similar biphasic dependence is obtained with magnesium chloride, but in this case the maximum value is reached at salt concentrations ten times smaller, suggesting a specific role for the divalent cations in the electron-transfer reaction.


Incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells by synthetic lipopeptides. Partial inhibition by pertussis toxin of enhanced superoxide formation. In human neutrophils, the synthetic lipopeptide, N-palmitoyl-S-[2,3- bis(palmitoyloxy-(2RS)-propyl]-(R)-cysteinyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-( S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine [Pam3CysSer(Lys)4], activates NADPH-oxidase catalyzed superoxide (O2-) formation through pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms (Seifert, R., Schultz, G., Richter-Freund, M., Metzger, J., Wiesmüller, K.-H., Jung, G., Bessler, W. G. & Hauschildt, S. (1990) Biochem. J. 267, 795-802). We studied the effects of lipopeptides on differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 enhanced phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced O2- formation (presumably through the expression of components of NADPH oxidase) in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 100 ng/ml and a maximum at 1 microgram/ml. The effect of the lipopeptide was evident after 24 h and reached a plateau after 48 h. (2S,6S)-2-Palmitoylamino-6,7- bis(palmitoyloxy)heptanoyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-(S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine enhanced O2- formation as well. The effects of Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 were potentiated by dibutyryl cAMP, dimethyl sulfoxide, retinoic acid, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, interferon-gamma and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha. Pertussis toxin, but not its B-oligomer, partially inhibited enhanced O2- formation induced by Pam3CysSer(Lys)4. O2- formation induced by arachidonic acid and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane were more sensitive to inhibition by pertussis toxin than O2- formation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Enhanced O2- formation induced by dibutyryl cAMP was not affected by pertussis toxin. Unlike ATP, histamine, prostaglandin E1 and the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not increase cytosolic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Histamine but not lipopeptides stimulated high-affinity GTPase of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins in membranes of undifferentiated HL-60 cells. In Pam3CysSer(Lys)4-differentiated HL-60 cells, the responsiveness to the [Ca2+]i-increasing agonists, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, C5a and leukotriene B4, was increased, whilst the responsiveness to prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol was decreased. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not inhibit proliferation of HL-60 cells but decreased transferrin receptor expression and increased C3bi receptor expression. Pertussis toxin did not affect proliferation and expression of transferrin and C3bi receptors. Dibutyryl cAMP was considerably more effective than Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 at inducing alterations in the above parameters. Our results suggest that (a) Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 cells through a mechanism which does not depend on a rise in [Ca2+]i and is different from that of other differentiation-inducing substances and (b) the mechanism by which Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces differentiation involves pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms.


Subunits VIIa,b,c of human cytochrome c oxidase. Identification of both 'heart-type' and 'liver-type' isoforms of subunit VIIa in human heart. The N-terminal amino acid sequences and the electrophoretic mobilities of the subunits VIIa, VIIb and VIIc of cytochrome c oxidase purified from human heart were investigated and compared with those from human skeletal muscle and from bovine heart. In purified human heart cytochrome c oxidase, both so-called 'heart-type' and 'liver-type' isoforms of subunit VIIa were found. The first 30 residues of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of these 'heart-type' and 'liver-type' subunits VIIa showed nine differences. The two isoforms of subunit VIIa in human heart were present in almost equal amounts, in contrast to the situation in skeletal muscle, where the 'heart-type' subunit VIIa was predominant. Therefore, our results imply that in human heart a cytochrome c oxidase isoform pattern is present that differs from that found in skeletal muscle. Subunits VIIb and VIIc purified from human heart oxidase proved to be very similar to their bovine heart counterparts. Our direct demonstration of the presence of subunit VIIb, the sequence of which has only recently been identified in the bovine heart enzyme, suggests that human cytochrome c oxidase also contains 13 subunits. We found no evidence for the presence of different isoforms of subunit VIIc in cytochrome c oxidase from human heart and skeletal muscle. We observed clear differences in the electrophoretic mobility of the subunits VIIa,b,c between bovine and human cytochrome c oxidase. On Tricine/glycerol/SDS/polyacrylamide gels the 'heart-type' and 'liver-type' subunits VIIa present in human heart cytochrome c oxidase migrated with almost the same electrophoretic mobility. Subunit VIIb migrated only slightly faster than subunit VIIa, whereas VIIc proved to have the highest electrophoretic mobility on Tricine/SDS/glycerol/polyacrylamide gels. Our findings may have implications for the elucidation of certain tissue-specific cytochrome c oxidase deficiencies in man.


Mitogen-activated-protein-kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins, microtubule-associated protein 2 and microtubule-associated protein 4, induces an alteration in their function. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase which is generally activated by stimulation with various growth factors and phorbol esters, utilizes microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 2 as a good substrate in vitro. We have found that MAPK-catalyzed phosphorylation of MAP2 resulted in a significant loss in its ability to induce tubulin polymerization. The chymotryptic fragments, containing a microtubule-binding domain of MAP2, were phosphorylated by MAPK and the ability of the fragments to induce tubulin polymerization was also greatly decreased by the phosphorylation, suggesting that phosphorylation of the microtubule-binding domain is important for functional alteration of MAP2. In addition to MAP2, a 190-kDa heat-stable MAP (MAP4) found in various tissues and cells, was a good substrate for MAPK in vitro. Phosphorylation of MAP4 inactivated tubulin polymerization. We examined the effect of phosphorylation of MAP2 and MAP4 on the dynamics of microtubules nucleated by purified centrosomes in vitro. The data showed that MAPK-catalyzed phosphorylation of MAP2 and MAP4 reduced their ability to increase the apparent elongation rate and the number of microtubules nucleated by the centrosome. Thus, MAPK is capable of phosphorylating MAPs and negatively regulating their microtubule-stabilizing function.


Novel excision products of T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangements and developmental stage specificity implied by the frequency of nucleotide insertions at signal joints. We have cloned circular DNA excised by T cell receptor (TcR) gamma 1, gamma 2 and gamma 3 gene rearrangements in fetal and adult mouse thymocytes. Circular DNA contained a signal joint reciprocal to the genomic V-J coding joint. Although signal joints without nucleotide insertions are common in immunoglobulin (Ig) and TcR gene rearrangements, the signal joint of gamma found in adult thymocytes contained non-germ-line element (N) insertions at high frequency, while no insertions were found in fetal thymocytes. Thus developmental stage specificity of TcR gamma gene rearrangements is faithfully reflected on the signal joint of excision products. In addition, examination of gamma gene excision products revealed circular DNA products of TcR gamma-alpha transrearrangements, but no evidence of V gamma gene replacement in a rearranged segment.


Differences between T helper cell type I (Th1) and Th2 cell lines in signalling pathways for induction of contact-dependent T cell help. B cells get help in the antibody response by presenting antigen to helper T (Th) cells. Upon antigen recognition, T cells produce lymphokines that act as growth and differentiation factors for B cells, but resting B cells require additional helper signals that depend on cell contact with an activated Th cell. Like lymphokine secretion, contact help must be induced by antigen recognition or antigen receptor cross-linking in continuous Th cell lines. In the mouse, most CD4+ T cell lines can be classified into one of two stable differentiation states, Th1 or Th2, which produce different lymphokines and have different effector functions, activation requirements and cytoplasmic signalling mechanisms. This report demonstrates additional differences between Th1 and Th2 cell lines in the signalling pathways leading from the T cell antigen receptor to the induction of Th functions. In a system dependent on antigen presentation by B cells, B cell proliferation driven by Th2 cells but not Th1 cells was blocked by acute treatment with phorbol esters. Further experiments showed that phorbol esters blocked the induction of both contact help and lymphokine production in Th2 cells but not in Th1 cells. However, depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) activity by prolonged treatment of T cells with high concentrations of phorbol esters blocked induction of contact help and lymphokine production in Th1 cells but not in Th2 cells. These findings support the hypothesis that Th2 cells use a signalling pathway that is independent of PKC and that PKC activation can block this pathway. Since contact help and lymphokine secretion are affected in parallel, this difference between Th1 and Th2 cells probably reflects early events in the signalling pathway. Contact help and lymphokine production could be dissociated with cholera toxin and other cAMP agonists, but this dissociation could be explained by non-cAMP-related effects of cholera toxin on induction of contact help in Th2 cells, and by the direct effect of cAMP agonists on interleukin 2 gene transcription in Th1 cells reported by other laboratories.


Schistosoma mansoni: characterization of phosphoinositide response. Signal transduction pathways may have important regulatory roles in cellular events in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. The presence of the phosphoinositide response in S. mansoni was examined by radiolabeling intact worms with 20 muCi of [3H]myoinositol for 24 hr and stimulating parasites with 25 mM NaF and 10 microM AlCl3 in the presence of 10 mM LiCl. Total inositol phosphates were increased within 2 min and maximal accumulation was achieved after 30 min. Similar results were seen with the non-hydrolyzable GTP analogues GTP gamma S and GppNHp while only minimal changes were detected with GMP. Neomycin inhibited NaF-induced inositol phosphate production. NaF stimulated a significant 3.6-fold increase of inositol phosphates in females compared to males. These data suggest that stimulation of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins activates phospholipase C resulting in production of inositol phosphates in S. mansoni.


Trypanosoma cruzi: alteration of cAMP metabolism following infection of human endothelial cells. We have previously reported that Trypanosoma cruzi infection of endothelial cells results in alterations in the metabolism of Ca2+, inositol triphosphate (IP3), and prostacycline (PGI2). In this report, we demonstrate that infection also alters the metabolism of cAMP. Infection of endothelial cells does not significantly alter beta-adrenergic receptor density or affinity, adenylate cyclase activity, and whole-cell cAMP levels. However, incubation of infected endothelial cells with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) resulted in less than a 60% increase in cell cAMP in contrast to the greater than a 100% increase observed in uninfected endothelial cells under otherwise identical reaction conditions. Infected endothelial cells demonstrated a twofold increase in phosphodiesterase activity when measured directly. Moreover, homogenates prepared from infected endothelial cells previously incubated with isoproterenol for 20 min showed little or no change in PDE activity. In contrast, homogenates prepared from uninfected endothelial cells treated under otherwise identical reaction conditions showed a 5.7-fold increase in PDE activity. In the presence of IBMX, isoproterenol-dependent stimulation of cAMP levels in infected endothelial cells reached a maximum level at 5 min of incubation, and thereafter rapidly declined. In contrast, cAMP levels in uninfected endothelial cells reached a maximum at 2 min of incubation, and thereafter remained elevated throughout the duration of the incubation. Infection-associated changes in isoproterenol dependent stimulation of cAMP accumulation appear to relate, in part, to changes in PDE activity.


Conformational study of cyclo[D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu], an endothelin-A receptor-selective antagonist. The conformation of cyclo[D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu], (BQ123), an endothelin-A receptor-selective antagonist, has been studied in 20% acetonitrile in water by CD and NMR spectroscopy. CD studies showed the peptide adopted a similar, constrained conformation in both water alone and 20% acetonitrile in water. NMR spectra showed the proline residue to be in the trans conformation and 2 of the NH protons to exchange slowly with the solvent, indicating hydrogen bonding. Structural constraints derived from the NMR spectra were used to define the conformation in molecular dynamics simulations. A single backbone conformation is observed for the cycle, comprising a beta type II turn and a gamma' turn.


Opioid peptides derived from wheat gluten: their isolation and characterization. Four opioid peptides were isolated from the enzymatic digest of wheat gluten. Their structures were Gly-Tyr-Tyr-Pro-Thr, Gly-Tyr-Tyr-Pro,Tyr-Gly-Gly-Trp-Leu and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Trp, which were named gluten exorphins A5, A4, B5 and B4, respectively. The gluten exorphin A5 sequence was found at 15 sites in the primary structure of the high molecular weight glutenin and was highly specific for delta-receptors. The structure-activity relationships of gluten exorphins A were unique in that the presence of Gly at their N-termini increased their activities. Gluten exorphin B5, which corresponds to [Trp4,Leu5]enkephalin, showed the most potent activity among these peptides. Its IC50 values were 0.05 microM and 0.017 microM, respectively, on the GPI and the MVD assays.


Effect of glucagon on insulin receptor phosphorylation in intact liver cells. Evidence is presented that incubation of rat liver cells with glucagon leads to an increase in the phosphorylation of specific serine residues within insulin receptors, particularly in the presence of insulin. However, no changes in either the tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptors or the tyrosine kinase activity towards a synthetic peptide substrate was detected.


Ca(2+)-dependent ubiquitination of calmodulin in yeast. Recently we were able to show that calmodulin from vertebrates, plants (spinach) and the mold Neurospora crassa can be covalently conjugated to ubiquitin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner by ubiquityl-calmodulin synthetase (uCaM-synthetase) from mammalian sources [R. Ziegenhagen and H.P. Jennissen (1990) FEBS Lett. 273, 253-256]. It was therefore of high interest to investigate whether this covalent modification of calmodulin also occurs in one of the simplest eukaryotes, the unicellular Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast calmodulin was therefore purified from bakers yeast. In contrast to calmodulin from spinach and N. crassa it does not activate phosphorylase kinase. Crude yeast uCaM-synthetase conjugated ubiquitin Ca(2+)-dependently to yeast and mammalian (bovine) calmodulin. Yeast calmodulin was also a substrate for mammalian (reticulocyte) uCaM-synthetase. As estimated from autoradiograms the monoubiquitination product (first-order conjugate) of yeast calmodulin has an apparent molecular mass of ca. 23-26 kDa and the second-order conjugate an apparent molecular mass of ca. 28-32 kDa. Two to three ubiquitin molecules can be incorporated per yeast calmodulin. Experiments with methylated ubiquitin in the heterologous reticulocyte system indicate that, as with vertebrate calmodulins, only one lysine residue of yeast calmodulin reacts with ubiquitin so that the incorporation of multiple ubiquitin molecules will lead to a polyubiquitin chain. These results also indicate that the ability of coupling ubiquitin to calmodulin was acquired at a very early stage in evolution.


Interaction of ACTH, beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in relation to the corticosteroid production of isolated rat adrenocortical zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa cells. The combined effects of ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and alpha-MSH were studied on the corticosteroidogenesis of isolated rat adrenocortical zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa cells. beta-EP potentiated the effects of ACTH and alpha-MSH on the zona fasciculata corticosterone production but inhibited those on the zona glomerulosa aldosterone production. beta-EP did not affect the combined action of 4 x 10(-11) M ACTH and 5 x 10(-9) M alpha-MSH on the zona fasciculata or the zona glomerulosa cells, but it inhibited the stimulatory action of the combination of 1.6 x 10(-10) M ACTH and 10(-9) M alpha-MSH on the zona glomerulosa aldosterone production. An interaction of ACTH, beta-EP and alpha-MSH in relation to the zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa corticosteroid production was found.


Assembly of contractile and cytoskeletal elements in developing smooth muscle cells. Specific developmental changes in smooth muscle were studied in gizzards obtained from 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, 18-, and 20-day chick embryos and from 1- and 7-day posthatch chicks. Myoblasts were actively replicating in tissue from 6-day embryos. Cytoplasmic dense bodies (CDBs) first appeared at Embryonic Day 8 (E8) and were recognized as patches of increased electron density that consisted of actin filaments (AFs), intermediate filaments (IFs), and cross-connecting filaments (CCFs). Although the assembly of CDBs was not synchronized within a cell, the number, size, and electron density of CDBs increased as age increased. Membrane-associated dense bodies (MADBs) also could be recognized at E8. The number and size of MADBs increased as age increased, especially after E16. Filaments with the diameter of thick filaments first appeared at E12. Smooth muscle cells were able to divide as late as E20. The axial intermediate filament bundle (IFB) could first be identified in 1-day posthatch cells and became larger and more prominent in 7-day posthatch cells. Immunogold labeling of 1- and 7-day posthatch cells with anti-desmin showed that the IFB contained desmin IFs. The developmental events during this 23-day period were classified into seven stages, based primarily on the appearance and the growth of contractile and cytoskeletal elements. These stages are myoblast proliferation, dense body appearance, thick filament appearance, dense body growth, muscle cell replication, IFB appearance, and appearance of adult type cells. Smooth muscle cells in each stage express similar developmental characteristics. The mechanism of assembly of myofilaments and cytoskeletal elements in smooth muscle in vivo indicates that myofilaments (AFs and thick filaments) and filament attachment sites (CDBs and MADBs) are assembled before the axial IFB, a major cytoskeletal element.


Regulation of M-phase progression in Chaetopterus oocytes by protein kinase C. We have examined the presence of protein kinase C in oocytes of Chaetopterus pergamentaceus and its role in the initiation of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). First, we demonstrated that the oocytes contain a phospholipid- and calcium-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). Since PKC is the primary intracellular receptor for phorbol esters, we tested the ability of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) to induce GVBD and compared several critical events and processes involved in GVBD induced by PDBu to those induced normally (by seawater). Seawater and 100-200 nM PDBu induced chromosome condensation, spindle formation, and spindle migration over a similar time course. Both treatments induced similar alterations in the SDS-PAGE pattern of newly synthesized proteins. The synthesis of polypeptides of approximately 46 and 54 kDa increased specifically. Both treatments increased oocyte protein phosphorylation, especially of proteins of 22, 32, 46, 55, 64, and 84 kDa. Both treatments resulted in the activation of an M-phase-specific histone H1 kinase activity, which demonstrates the appearance of maturation-promoting factor. Staurosporine, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, blocked GVBD and the activation of M-phase-specific H1 kinase, whereas HA1004, which preferentially antagonizes protein kinase A, had no effect. The results of this study demonstrate that protein kinase C can activate a wide spectrum of essential biochemical and morphological processes involved in GVBD. Further, these studies suggest that protein kinase C elicits GVBD by activating maturation-promoting factor and support the hypothesis that protein kinase C plays an essential role in oocyte maturation in this species.


Coordinate pretranslational control of cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunit expression during development in the water mold Blastocladiella emersonii. The aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii provides a system for studying the regulation of expression of regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Blastocladiella cells contain a single PKA with properties very similar to type II kinases of mammalian tissues. During development cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and its associated cAMP-binding activity change drastically. We have previously shown that the increase in cAMP-binding activity during sporulation is due to de novo synthesis of R subunit and to an increase in the translatable mRNA coding for R (Marques et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 178, 803, 1989). In the present work we have continued these studies to investigate the mechanism by which the changes in the level of kinase activity take place. The C subunit of Blastocladiella has been purified; antiserum has been raised against it and used to determine amounts of C subunit throughout the fungus' life cycle. A sharp increase in C subunit content occurs during sporulation and peaks at the zoospore stage. Northern blot analyses, using Blastocladiella C and R cDNA probes, have shown that the levels of C and R mRNAs parallel their intracellular protein concentrations. These results indicate a coordinate pretranslational control for C and R subunit expression during differentiation in Blastocladiella.


Acquisition of a transcriptionally permissive state during the 1-cell stage of mouse embryogenesis. Zygotic gene transcription initiates during the 2-cell stage of mouse embryogenesis. To learn more of the nature and timing of events leading up to transcriptional activation, we evaluated the ability of enucleated 1-cell-stage embryos to support transcription of the 2-cell-stage-specific gene(s) encoding the 70,000-Da transcription-requiring complex (TRC). Nuclei were transplanted from transcriptionally inhibited alpha-amanitin or N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H8)-treated 2-cell-stage embryos to either late or early enucleated 1-cell-stage recipients. Expression of the TRC gene(s) was much greater following transfer to late 1-cell than early 1-cell-stage recipients. In addition, treatment of early 1-cell-stage recipients with N6-monobutyryl cyclic AMP following transplantation of a nucleus from an H8-treated donor increased the rate of TRC synthesis to a value similar to that observed for late 1-cell-stage recipients. These results indicate that during the first cell cycle and prior to initiation of zygotic gene expression, the embryonic cytoplasm undergoes a transition from a transcriptionally nonpermissive to permissive state.


Coping styles, psychopathology and intellectual performance in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Thirty-eight patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were compared with 19 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) for differences in illness-related variables, coping styles, psychiatric symptomatology, and intellectual performance. Patients with FAP had significantly less education, longer time since recent surgery, less psychiatric illness, and evidence of less preoccupation with their illness, as compared with UC patients. FAP patients with a positive family history (N = 28) scored significantly lower on both verbal and performance intellectual tests, even when taking education into account, compared with FAP patients without a family history (N = 9). The relevance of these findings to the ongoing monitoring and surveillance of patients with FAP is discussed.


Amino acids necessary for DNA contact and dimerization imply novel motifs in the papillomavirus E2 trans-activator. The bovine papillomavirus E2 protein regulates viral transcription by binding as a dimer to the DNA sequence ACCGN4CGGT. The dimerization and DNA-binding properties are localized within its carboxy-terminal 85 amino acids (325-410). Utilizing random mutagenesis coupled with phenotypic selection in yeast, functionally important amino acids in the DNA-binding domain were identified. Four trans-activation defective point mutants within a short segment (amino acids 337-344) were DNA binding defective but dimeric. The mutation of a conserved tryptophan to serine also eliminated DNA binding, but loss of dimerization was implicated because addition of dimeric monoclonal antibody complemented this defect. A simple assay for E2 dimerization was developed using UV irradiation to produce an interchain cross-link within a dimer. No heterodimeric complexes were formed when pools of E2 of varying lengths were mixed, and only proteins with tryptophan at position 360 could be UV cross-linked. Peptide mapping of irradiated E2 protein localized the cross-link to an 18-amino-acid region bracketing this tryptophan. Substitutions for this tryptophan demonstrated the requirement for a hydrophobic residue at this position, but surprisingly, even alanine was functional. Replacement of this tryptophan with three polar amino acids or glycine eliminated DNA-binding activity, but addition of dimeric monoclonal antibody restored this function. The amino acids that were identified as being involved in DNA contact and dimerization imply that these functions are mediated by novel binding motifs.


Ty3 integrates within the region of RNA polymerase III transcription initiation. Over 190 independent insertions into target plasmids of the retrovirus-like element Ty3 were recovered and mapped. Ty3 was shown to insert upstream of tRNA, 5S, and U6 genes, all of which are transcribed by RNA polymerase III. Integration sites were within 1-4 nucleotides of the position of transcription initiation, even for one mutant gene where the polymerase III initiation site was shifted to a completely new context. Mutagenesis of a SUP2 tRNA gene target showed that integration required functional promoter elements but that it did not correlate in a simple way with target transcription. This is the first report directly linking a discrete genomic function with preferential insertion of a retrotransposon.


Uterine mullerian adenosarcoma following adenomyoma in a woman on tamoxifen therapy. The clinical and pathologic findings in a 53-year-old woman who developed a uterine adenosarcoma following an adenomyoma are described. During the interval between the diagnosis of adenomyoma and the subsequent diagnosis of adenosarcoma, the patient developed breast carcinoma and received adjuvant chemotherapy that included tamoxifen. The possible stimulatory effects of this drug upon the patient's pre-existing adenomyoma are discussed in view of reports of tamoxifen-associated endometrial carcinoma and uterine sarcomas developing in the setting of estrogen excess.


Human papillomavirus DNA in women without and with cytological abnormalities: results of a 5-year follow-up study. To determine the prevalence of HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 in a population without cytological or histological abnormalities, the cervical smears of women attending three clinics in Germany were screened over the past 5 years. The filter in situ hybridization method was used throughout. A total of 20,161 smears, taken from 11,667 women, were tested. When the results of only the first examination are considered, 8.8% (950/10,778) of women with normal cytology were positive for HPV DNA. If we divide the latter into age groups, 11% (852 HPV positive/7716) were below the age of 55 years and 3.2% (98 HPV positive/3062) were above this age. When the samples from patients who had undergone at least two examinations and remained cytologically negative during the 5-year period were examined (total, 2709 women), the HPV DNA positively increased to 34.7% (640/1862) for the sexually active age groups and to 9.0% (76/847) for those above 55 years of age. This study reveals that, although papillomaviral production is most pronounced in younger women, these infections are quite common in all age groups. During the period of investigation, 19 (0.65%) patients, who were diagnosed as cytologically negative at the first examination, progressed to carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma. Of these, 63.2% revealed a detectable HPV infection during the study period. The progression of HPV-positive women from normal cytology to CIN or cancer occurred at an annual frequency of 0.082%. With an infected lifespan of 45 years assumed, this results in a lifetime risk of 3.7%.


Epinephrine and the genesis of hypertension. Several lines of evidence suggest a psychophysiological link between stress, adrenomedullary activation, and the genesis of hypertension. Experimental data support four important concepts: 1) epinephrine stimulates prejunctional beta 2-adrenergic receptors that facilitate norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve endings; 2) epinephrine can be converted into a cotransmitter by neuronal uptake and on subsequent release augment the simultaneous discharge of norepinephrine; 3) exogenous epinephrine can induce sustained hypertension in rats; and 4) there is a period of critical sensitivity to endogenous epinephrine in a genetic model of rat hypertension. Plasma epinephrine concentrations are elevated in many young subjects with borderline or mild hypertension. The hypothesis that intermittent surges in epinephrine could initiate or promote the development of primary hypertension by amplifying peripheral neurotransmission, both directly (facilitative effect) and indirectly (cotransmitter action), is supported by reports that hemodynamic and noradrenergic responses to sympathetic activation can be augmented by increases in endogenous epinephrine or by its local or systemic (up to 30 ng/kg/min) infusion. Such responses have been documented in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects and can be blocked by propranolol. Although the weight of evidence (mostly indirect) indicates that epinephrine can augment norepinephrine release in humans, the epinephrine hypothesis, itself, remains unproven. Expression of hypertension by this mechanism may be restricted to a specific epinephrine-sensitive subset of individuals with a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure.


Molecular biology of the calcium antagonist receptor. The calcium channel plays a key role in controlling many physiological processes in the body. Drugs that block the calcium channel have proven clinically effective for the treatment of a multitude of cardiovascular disorders. The elucidation of the precise mechanism of action of these drugs involves cloning the calcium channels on which they act. Genetic manipulation of these cloned channels is beginning to reveal the binding sites for the calcium channel blocking drugs and may lead to the development of more specific agents.


Identification of a genetic locus essential for capsule sialylation in type III group B streptococci. The type III capsular polysaccharide of group B streptococci (GBS) consists of a linear backbone with short side chains ending in residues of N-acetylneuraminic acid, or sialic acid. The presence of sialic acid on the surface of the organism inhibits activation of the alternative pathway of complement and is thought to be an important element in the virulence function of the capsule. We showed previously that a mutant strain of GBS that expressed a sialic acid-deficient, or asialo, form of the type III polysaccharide was avirulent, supporting a virulence function for capsular sialic acid. We now report the derivation of an asialo capsule mutant from a highly encapsulated wild-type strain of type III GBS, strain COH1, by insertional mutagenesis with transposon Tn916 delta E. In contrast to the wild-type strain, the asialo mutant strain COH1-11 was sensitive to phagocytic killing by human leukocytes in vitro and was relatively avirulent in a neonatal rat model of GBS infection. The asialo mutant accumulated free intracellular sialic acid, suggesting a defect subsequent to sialic acid synthesis in the biosynthetic pathway leading to capsule sialylation. The specific biosynthetic defect in mutant strain COH1-11 was found to be in the activation of free sialic acid to CMP-sialic acid: CMP-sialic acid synthetase activity was present in the wild-type strain COH1 but was not detected in the asialo mutant strain COH1-11. One of the two transposon insertions in the asialo mutant COH1-11 mapped to the same chromosomal location as one of the two Tn916 insertions in the previously reported asialo mutant COH31-21, identifying this site as a genetic locus necessary for expression of CMP-sialic acid synthetase activity. These studies demonstrate that the enzymatic synthesis of CMP-sialic acid by GBS is an essential step in sialylation of the type III capsular polysaccharide.


Insertion sequence IS1016 and absence of Haemophilus capsulation genes in the Brazilian purpuric fever clone of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius. Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF) strains of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius form a clone of organisms distinct from more innocuous, conjunctivitis-associated isolates. There has been controversy over whether the virulence of BPF strains might derive from the presence of a polysaccharide capsule analogous to that found in conventional invasive H. influenzae, a controversy fuelled by the observation (G. M. Carlone, L. Gorelkin, L. L. Gheesling, A. L. Erwin, S. K. Hoiseth, M. H. O. Mulks, S. P. Connor, R. S. Weyant, J. Myrick, L. Rubin, R. S. Mumford III, E. H. White, R. J. Arko, B. Swaminathan, L. M. Graves, L. W. Mayer, M. K. Robinson, S. P. Caudill, and the Brazilian Purpuric Fever Study Group, J. Clin, Microbiol. 27:609-614, 1989) that a capsulation DNA probe from H. influenzae type b hybridized uniquely to BPF strains. In this work, the basis for this hybridization has been established as the possession by BPF strains, but not by non-BPF strains, of the Haemophilus insertion element IS1016. Although IS1016 is associated with the capsulation locus in some Haemophilus spp., a Southern hybridization study suggests that in BPF strains there are no capsulation genes.


Molecular cloning of the recA gene and construction of a recA strain of Francisella novicida. A gene locus that is functionally analogous to the recA gene of Escherichia coli was molecularly cloned from Francisella novicida. The cloned gene was found to suppress the sensitivity of an E. coli strain to DNA-damaging agents and to support genetic recombination in E. coli. After transposon mutagenesis, the recA-like gene locus was returned to F. novicida and a UV-sensitive F. novicida strain was isolated. In contrast to the wild-type strain, this UV-sensitive strain could not be transformed with chromosomal DNA.


Role of superoxide dismutase in resistance of Porphyromonas gingivalis to killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Porphyromonas gingivalis in which the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was induced by nitrate or by aeration was rendered resistant to killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. SOD purified from either anaerobically maintained or aerated cells also inhibited bacterial killing when added exogenously, and no difference between the effects of the two SODs was observed. These results suggest that SOD may form part of a defense mechanism that helps protect P. gingivalis against killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.


Detection of human papillomavirus DNA sequences in tongue squamous-cell carcinoma utilizing the polymerase chain reaction method. Twenty-four cases of tongue squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) were analyzed for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the dot-blot hybridization technique. HPV DNAs were detected in 8 cases. One specimen histopathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated grade-III SCC contained both HPV-16 and HPV-18 DNA, and 7 other cases contained HPV-16 DNA.


Spontaneous metastatic potential of rat hepatocarcinoma cells after cell fusion or DNA transfection. Eight LF x ICIG cell hybrid clones, isolated upon fusion of normal ICIG-7 human fibroblasts with tumorigenic, non-metastatic LF Cl.2A cells derived from a DAB-induced rat hepatocarcinoma, were studied. They were all highly tumorigenic and were capable of developing spontaneous lung metastases in syngeneic animals. All the hybrids were characterized by a rapid loss of human chromosomes. However, in long-term culture, they all revealed a persistence of human genetic information as assessed by Southern blotting. In hybrid lines in which human chromosomes were still visible, the most recurrent were numbers 7 and 9. Neither chromosome 7, previously reported to bear some of the genes controlling metastasis in human X mouse T-cell hybrids, nor chromosome 9 appeared to be correlated with the metastatic potential of LF X ICIG hybrids. The same conclusion applied (1) to a human 3.3-kb EcoRI DNA fragment which was amplified (approx. 10-fold) only in metastases induced by one out of 3 metastatic hybrids tested; (2) to the transcription level of c-Ha-ras and c-Ki-ras genes which was enhanced (approx. 4-fold) in metastatic and non-metastatic lines as well. Co-transfection of LF Cl.2A cells with pHSG 272 selectable marker DNA and genomic DNA from normal ICIG-7 human cells or from a hybrid-induced metastasis, reproducibly gave rise to geneticin-resistant transfectants capable of producing spontaneous lung metastases. Neither transfectants nor transfectant-induced metastases harbored detectable human DNA sequences but all harbored pHSG 272 DNA. These results again call for caution in gene transfer studies of the metastatic process.


Local growth of a Burkitt's lymphoma versus disseminated invasive growth of the autologous EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid cells and their somatic cell hybrids in SCID mice. Specific host-graft interactions, as well as intrinsic properties of transferred cell, determine tumorigenicity in xenogeneic systems. We compared the growth characteristics of human B-lymphoid cell lines in SCID mice with the well characterized growth pattern in nude mice and observed striking differences in malignancy in the respective hosts. Two cell lines derived from the same individual, the Epstein-Barr-virus(EBV)-positive Burkitt's lymphoma BL 60 (BL) and the autologous EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell line IARC 277 (LCL) were used. In addition, we tested somatic cell hybrids (HYB) of both cell lines, which despite the LCL-like differentiation phenotype show the de-regulated c-myc expression pattern of the parental BL line, assumed to be a critical factor in BL pathogenesis. Subcutaneously (s.c.) injected BL cells produced local progressively growing tumor masses at the injection site without distant metastases in both nude and SCID mice. Although both mouse strains possess the same genetic background (BALB/c) and differ only in the B-cell sub-set, the growth patterns of the LCL and hybrids were completely different. In contrast to the regressive behaviour of LCL and hybrids in nude mice, these lines show invasive and disseminated progressive growth in SCID mice. Peripheral lymph nodes an thymic tissue were preferentially colonized, whereas mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (Peyer's patches and appendix) and spleen were not infiltrated. The preferential migration of lymphocytes to certain tissues is termed homing in a syngeneic system and mediated by homing receptors and vascular addressins. The "homing" of LCL and hybrids into lymphoid SCID mouse tissue suggests a strong interaction with the endothelial cells of the host. Detailed phenotypic analysis of BL, LCL and 3 different hybrids was performed using an antibody panel against differentiation and adhesion markers. Overall dominance of the LCL phenotype was observed in the hybrids, as indicated by cytology, tumor growth, dissemination and the pattern of surface-marker expression. The c-myc activation in hybrids does not appear to influence growth behavior.


Ouabain-sensitive Na-K ATPase response in the rabbit iris-ciliary body after lensectomy-vitrectomy. We studied ouabain-sensitive Na-K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities in the iris-ciliary body of rabbit eyes after lensectomy-vitrectomy. Changes in enzyme activities were quantitatively investigated in the plasma membrane of iris-ciliary body at 0 or 7 hours and at days 1, 3, 7, and 14. The specific activity of Na-K ATPase rose to significantly higher levels than the control value at 7 hours following surgery, but returned to the baseline value after 7 days. In addition, we evaluated enzyme activities after lensectomy-vitrectomy during which SF6 or silicone oil was injected. The specific activity of Na-K ATPase following the injection of SF6 or silicone oil was significantly higher than the control value at 7 hours and did not return to the normal value even after 14 days. Consensual reaction, demonstrated by increased Na-K ATPase activity, also was found in the contralateral unoperated eyes of SF6- and silicone oil-injected rabbits. The increased Na-K ATPase activity in the iris-ciliary body after experimental surgery may play an important role in restoring swollen tissues.


Human papillomavirus DNA in tissues and ocular surface swabs of patients with conjunctival epithelial neoplasia. DNA from human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 has been recently identified in conjunctival epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma. In other body sites, HPV 16 is thought to play a role in the development of dysplastic lesions. To further explore the relationship between HPV and conjunctival neoplasia, we examined paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 42 biopsies or excisions from 38 patients whose lesions ranged from mild dysplasia to infiltrating squamous carcinoma of the conjunctiva. We also examined limbal swabs from six patients with dysplasia or carcinoma, five of whom also had tissue samples available for study. HPV 16 DNA was present in 37 (88.1%) tissue samples, including duplicate samples from four patients. Five (83.3%) of six patients who had conjunctival swabs had HPV 16 DNA present in the swabs, including two patients whose lesions had been excised one and eight years before swabs were done. We conclude there is a high prevalence of HPV 16 DNA in conjunctival epithelial neoplasia, suggesting that the development of neoplasia is related somehow to the presence of this virus. However, based on its presence in clinically uninvolved eyes and on the persistence of infection many years after successful eradication of the lesions, HPV apparently does not act alone in the development of conjunctival epithelial neoplasia.


Ultrastructural localization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the exorbital lacrimal gland of rat. Ultrastructural localization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the exorbital lacrimal gland of rat was investigated quantitatively by protein A-gold technique. Na+, K(+)-ATPase was purified from the rat kidney, and anti-holo Na+, K(+)-ATPase antibody was obtained from the rabbit by injecting the purified enzyme. A specific antibody against the alpha-subunit of Na+, K(+)-ATPase was affinity purified. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the antibody bound specifically to the alpha-subunit of Na+, K(+)-ATPase of the lacrimal gland. Rats were fixed by perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde containing 1% glutaraldehyde, and the lacrimal glands were embedded in LR White resin. Ultrathin sections were incubated with affinity purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, and then with protein A-gold complex. The sections were observed under an electron microscope. Light microscopy with silver enhancement procedure revealed that Na+, K(+)-ATPase was located mainly on the basal region of the cells of intralobular and interlobular ducts. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopic analysis showed that gold particles were found on the basolateral surfaces of the interlobular and intralobular ducts cells and on the basolateral surface of the acinar cells, whereas no significant binding was observed on any part of the apical surfaces of these cells. Labeling density of gold particles was highest on the basolateral surface of the interlobular duct cells, secondarily highest on the basolateral surface of the intralobular duct cells, and lowest on the basolateral surface of the acinar cells. The distribution pattern of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the acinar cells and the duct cells suggest that this enzyme may play an important role in primary secretion and in determining the composition of electrolytes in the final secretion, respectively.


Redistribution and reduction of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein during ocular coronavirus infection. Inoculation of the neurotropic coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus strain JHM intravitreally or into the anterior chamber causes acute infection of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural retina. Weeks later, many retinas have foci of moderate to severe atrophy. The effect of coronavirus infection (after intravitreal inoculation) was examined on interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), the glycolipoprotein in the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) thought to transport retinoids between the photoreceptors and the RPE. Changes in IRBP distribution accompanied virus-associated retinal pathology, including photoreceptor loss and RPE abnormalities. Immunohistochemistry on days 3 and 6 showed that IRBP had diffused into the neural retina away from the IPM. The IRBP became localized abnormally in the same areas as virus-induced lesions, shown by staining adjacent sections with a monoclonal antibody specific for the viral nucleocapsid protein. Moreover, the level of IRBP in isolated retinas, measured in an immunoslot-blot assay, decreased significantly by day 3 and remained low through day 23. This decrease was confirmed in eyecups isolated on day 6. It may be caused in part by loss of photoreceptors and diffusion of IRBP through the retina into the vitreous. These studies show that a virus may induce an acute, limited infection in the retina that can be cleared by the host. However, the infection initiated a series of events resulting in long-term reduction and redistribution of a critical photoreceptor protein.


Immunohistopathologic findings in herpes simplex virus chorioretinitis in the von Szily model. After anterior chamber inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), some mice have a characteristic pattern of ocular disease, including ipsilateral anterior uveitis, relative sparing of the ipsilateral retina, and necrotizing contralateral chorioretinitis. It was reported previously that susceptibility to the contralateral chorioretinitis is associated with the Igh-1 locus; congenic mice differing at this locus have different rates of contralateral disease. The immunohistopathologic findings of this model in Igh-1 disparate congenic mice are reported after examining immune cell populations (CD4, CD8, Thy 1.2, Ia, Mac, and immunoglobulin G cells) in both ipsilateral and contralateral eyes and the recruitment kinetics of these cell types in various ocular tissues. In both HSV-susceptible BALB/c and HSV-resistant C.B-17 mice, the ipsilateral eye undergoes early cellular infiltration, and the contralateral retina is devoid of cells until day 10 postinoculation. In BALB/c mice, a late dramatic rise develops in Mac and Ia cells in the ipsilateral and contralateral choroid (P less than 0.005) compared with C.B-17 mice. The C.B-17 mice have an earlier, mild cellular infiltration of the uveal tract in the ipsilateral eye, abrogation of the late Mac and Ia cellular recruitment in the ipsilateral choroid, and an absent contralateral response. These strain-specific immunohistopathologic differences help to explain Igh-1-linked HSV retinitis patterns in this model.


Quantitative and qualitative differences in guanine nucleotide binding protein activation by formyl peptide and leukotriene B4 receptors. Formyl peptides and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) stimulate disparate neutrophil functional responses and second messenger generation. The hypothesis that differences in receptor-guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G protein) interaction account for the disparate responses was examined using HL-60 granulocyte plasma membranes. The quantity of receptor-coupled G proteins was determined by guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) equilibrium binding in the presence or absence of f-Met-Leu-Phe and/or LTB4. About one-third of the total GTP gamma S binding sites were coupled to f-Met-Leu-Phe receptors, to LTB4 receptors, and to receptors when both ligands were added simultaneously. The dissociation constant of GTP gamma S-binding sites in the presence of LTB4 was significantly greater than that in the presence of f-Met-Leu-Phe. f-Met-Leu-Phe shifted the GDP dose-inhibition curve for GTP gamma S binding further to the right than did LTB4. The apparent initial rate of GTP hydrolysis and GTP gamma S binding stimulated by f-Met-Leu-Phe was significantly greater than that stimulated by LTB4. There were significantly more formyl peptide receptors than LTB4 receptors, however, formyl peptide and LTB4 receptor density did not differ under GTP gamma S binding assay conditions. The rate of GTP hydrolysis stimulated by LTB4 was not increased in membranes containing twice the LTB4 receptor density. We conclude that formyl peptide receptors stimulate more rapid activation of a common pool of G proteins than LTB4 receptors because of a significantly reduced affinity of formyl peptide receptor-activated G proteins for GDP.


Identification of mitochondrial proteins in membrane preparations from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Preparations enriched in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii thylakoids have proven useful in the study of photosynthesis. Many of their polypeptides however remain unidentified. We report here on three of those, h1 (34 kDa), h2 (11 kDa), and P3 (63 kDa). h1, h2, and P3 are present in all tested mutants of C. reinhardtii lacking either one or several of the photosynthetic chain complexes or depleted in thylakoid membranes. h2 is an ascorbate-reducible, soluble c550-type cytochrome encoded in the nucleus. It cross-reacts immunologically with mitochondrial cytochromes c from various sources and contains a hexapeptide encoded in C. reinhardtii cytochrome c cDNA. P3, a nuclear-encoded peripheral protein, cross-reacts with various ATP synthase beta subunits. Its N-terminal sequence is encoded in C. reinhardtii mitochondrial beta subunit cDNA. h1 behaves as an integral hemoprotein; it is absent in a mitochondrial mutant that carries a deletion in apocytochrome b gene. We conclude that C. reinhardtii mitochondrial membranes copurify with thylakoid membranes. h1 is part of the cytochrome bc1 complex, h2 is cytochrome c, and P3 is the beta subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase.


Studies on the assembly and stability of the metal-thiolate clusters of metallothionein in dimethyl sulfoxide. Solvent perturbation studies in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) have been carried out on rabbit liver metallothionein (MT) in an effort to learn more about the factors stabilizing the three-dimensional structure and the mechanism of cluster formation. As indicated by the electronic absorption spectra of Co7-metallothionein, the reconstituted protein preserves its structural integrity in this solvent. Minor spectral differences between water and Me2SO were fully reversible. The titration of apoMT with cobalt(II) in Me2SO, followed by UV-visible-near-infrared electronic absorption, circular dichroism, magnetic circular dichroism, and EPR spectroscopy, indicate that the protein can refold in this solvent. A comparison with the previous titration data in water reveals that the first four titration steps in both solvents are identical, indicating a thermodynamically controlled folding process. However, the reversed order of the cluster completion between Me2SO and water may suggest the involvement of a kinetically controlled folding process in the last three titration steps. A new cluster form developed with approximately nine Co(II) equivalents.


Purified I kappa B-beta is inactivated upon dephosphorylation. In uninduced cells, the NF-kappa B transcription factor resides in the cytoplasm in complex with an inhibitory protein, I kappa B. I kappa B is a specific inhibitor of DNA binding and apparently prevents nuclear uptake of NF-kappa B. Stimulation of cells, for instance with the cytokine tumor necrosis factor, releases I kappa B and allows nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappa B to regulatory DNA sequences in many genes. We recently reported on the purification of a major form of I kappa B, referred to as I kappa B-alpha, with a molecular size of 37 kDa. Here, we purified and characterized I kappa B-beta, a chromatographically distinct second form of I kappa B. I kappa B-beta has a size of 43 kDa and, as I kappa B-alpha, an acidic isoelectric point between 4.8 and 5.0. Both forms of I kappa B were inactivated by a treatment with protein kinases A and C in vitro. In contrast to I kappa B-alpha, I kappa B-beta lost its inhibiting activity upon a treatment with phosphatase. Phosphatase treatment also released active NF-kappa B from its inactive complex with I kappa B-beta suggesting that the activation of NF-kappa B in intact cells might not only rely on phosphate transfer onto I kappa B but also on phosphate removal from one form of I kappa B.


Ligation of the diiron site of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase. An electron nuclear double resonance study. Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy is used to probe the coordination of the mixed valence (Fe(II).Fe(III)) diiron cluster of the methane monooxygenase hydroxylase component (MMOH-) isolated from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. ENDOR resonances are observed along the principal axis directions g1 = 1.94 and g3 = 1.76 from at least nine different protons and two different nitrogens. The nitrogens are strongly coupled and appear to be directly coordinated to the cluster irons. The ratio of their superhyperfine coupling constants is roughly 4:7, which equals the ratio of the spin expectation values of the Fe(II) and Fe(III) in the ground state and suggests that at least one nitrogen is coordinated to each iron of the mixed valence cluster. Moreover, the superhyperfine and quadrupole coupling constants assigned to the Fe(III) site (AN = 13.6 MHz, PN = 0.7 MHz) are comparable with those observed for semimethemerythrin sulfide (AN = 12.1 MHz, PN = 0.7 MHz), for which the nitrogen ligands are histidines. At least three of the coupled protons exchange slowly when MMOH- is incubated in D2O, and 2H ENDOR resonances are subsequently observed. These observations are also consistent with histidine ligation of the iron cluster. On addition of the inhibitor dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) to MMOH- the EPR spectrum sharpens and shifts dramatically. Only one set of 14N ENDOR resonances is observed with frequencies equal to those assigned to the Fe(III)-histidine resonances of uncomplexed MMOH- suggesting that the nitrogen coordination to the Fe(II) site is altered or possibly lost in the presence of Me2SO. 2H ENDOR resonances are observed in the presence of d6-Me2SO indicating that the inhibitor Me2SO binds near or possibly to the diiron cluster. In contrast, no 2H ENDOR resonances are observed from d4-methanol upon addition to MMOH-. Thus, the changes observed in the EPR spectrum of MMOH- upon addition of methanol may result from binding to a site away from the diiron cluster or from bulk solvent effects on the protein structure.


Characterization of a novel g' = 2.95 EPR signal from the binuclear center of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. The oxidized binuclear heme a3/CuB center of slow forms of bovine cytochrome oxidase exhibits a characteristic EPR signal at g' = 12. Following the (rapid) dithionite reduction of heme a and CuA, an additional EPR signal becomes apparent at g' = 2.95. As electrons enter the binuclear center this signal decays at the same slow rate as the g' = 12 signal. In the fully oxidized slow enzyme the small g' = 2.95 signal is usually masked by the g = 3 heme a signal, but it is readily detectable at low temperatures and high microwave powers. It is present in both the intrinsic and formate-ligated slow enzymes, but not in any form of fast preparation. The g' = 2.95 signal has similar temperature dependence and microwave power saturation characteristics to the g' = 12 signal. We conclude that the signal arises from the same population of binuclear centers responsible for the g' = 12 signal. The appearance of a signal at g' = 2.95 in X-band EPR is consistent with, but does not prove, the model of Hagen where the g' = 12 signal arises from a ferryl heme a3, with CuB cuprous and EPR-silent (Hagen, W. R. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 708, 82-98).


Cytochrome c binding affects the conformation of cytochrome a in cytochrome c oxidase. Second derivative absorption spectroscopy has been used to assess the effects of complex formation between cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase on the conformation of the cytochrome a cofactor. When ferrocytochrome c is complexed to the cyanide-inhibited reduced or mixed valence enzyme, the conformation of ferrocytochrome a is affected. The second derivative spectrum of these enzyme forms displays two electronic transitions at 443 and 451 nm before complex formation, but only the 443-nm transition after cytochrome c is bound. This effect is not induced by poly-L-lysine, a homopolypeptide which is known to bind to the cytochrome c binding domain of cytochrome c oxidase. The effect is limited to cyanide-inhibited forms of the enzyme; no effect was observed for the fully reduced unliganded or fully reduced carbon monoxide-inhibited enzyme. The spectral signatures of these changes and the fact that they are exclusively associated with the cyanide-inhibited enzyme are both reminiscent of the effects of low pH on the conformation of cytochrome a (Ishibe, N., Lynch, S., and Copeland, R. A. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 23916-23920). These results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of communication between the cytochrome c binding site, cytochrome a, and the oxygen binding site within the cytochrome c oxidase molecule.


Receptor-mediated internalization of bradykinin. DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells process internalized bradykinin via multiple degradative pathways. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of internalization in the action of the peptide autacoid bradykinin (BK). At 4 degrees C [3H]BK binds to an apparently single class of B2 kinin receptors on DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells (C. M. Munoz, S. Cotecchia, and L. M. F. Leeb-Lundberg, manuscript submitted). At this temperature the [3H]BK binding was confined exclusively to the cell surface. On the other hand, at 37 degrees C the B2 receptor-specific cell surface [3H]BK binding was rapidly followed by a receptor-specific internalization of [3H]BK (t1/2 approximately 9 min). The internalization reached a steady-state level after 30-40 min that was 80-100% of the level of specifically bound [3H]BK on the cell surface at 4 degrees C, and this level was maintained for greater than or equal to 2 h. Internalized [3H]BK was routed via at least two intracellular degradative pathways which were distinguished primarily based on subcellular localization but also on a small but significant difference in the rate of [3H]BK degradation. One pathway was localized in a plasma membrane-enriched fraction and had a relatively high degradative capacity. Another pathway was localized in a microsomal fraction and had a relatively low degradative capacity. The internalized [3H]BK activity was rapidly released into the media (t1/2 approximately 24 min). Following a single round of internalization, the released activity consisted almost exclusively of small [3H]BK fragments (less than [3H]BK(1-5)). In contrast, at steady-state [3H]BK represented 30-40% of the released activity. While chloroquine (100 microM) did not alter the rate of [3H]BK internalization or release or the intracellular distribution of [3H]BK, this agent significantly decreased the rate of [3H]BK degradation in both pathways. In all, these results show that B2 kinin receptor-mediated internalization of BK is a process integral to the interaction of BK with DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells and may be a mechanism for terminating BK actions by rapidly removing extracellular free and receptor-bound BK and accessing various intracellular BK degradative pathways.


Recombinant Gq alpha. Mutational activation and coupling to receptors and phospholipase C. Gq mediates hormonal stimulation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). We mutated the alpha subunit of Gq (alpha q) to replace arginine 183 with cysteine. Mutations that substitute cysteine for the corresponding arginine residues of alpha s and alpha i2 constitutively activate their respective effector pathways, creating the gsp and gip2 oncogenes. Transient expression of alpha q-R183C in COS-7 and HEK-293 cells constitutively activates PI-PLC, but wild type (WT) alpha q does not. This suggests that the mutated arginines in alpha s, alpha i2, and alpha q share a common function in regulating the active state of these proteins and that the alpha q gene may serve as a target for oncogenic mutations in human tumors. In an attempt to develop an assay for receptor stimulation of recombinant alpha q, we co-expressed receptors with alpha q-WT. We found that the alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulates PI-PLC activation in HEK-293 cells in a fashion that depends completely on co-expression of alpha q-WT. These findings create an experimental model, similar to that provided for alpha s by S49 cyc- cells, that should make it possible to analyze receptor and effector coupling by mutant alpha q against a null background.


Activation of NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. A lower Km when the enzyme is activated in situ. The NADPH oxidase is a multicomponent enzyme system that produces the reduced oxygen species essential for bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Study of the oxidase has typically been carried out in cell-free systems in which Km values of 20-150 microM NADPH have been reported. However, when compared with affinities reported for other flavoprotein dehydrogenases and when considering the cellular concentration of NADPH/NADP+ of approximately 35 microM, the reported affinity of the oxidase for NADPH appears low. To investigate this apparent discrepancy we have studied the kinetics of NADPH oxidase activation in situ in human PMN permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. alpha-Toxin permeabilization of human PMN did not initiate NADPH oxidase activation at physiologic concentrations of NADPH. If permeabilized cells were stimulated with 1 microM formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, 10 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), 0.5 mM Ca2+, 5 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B in the presence of varying concentrations of NADPH, we were able to demonstrate activation of the oxidase complex as shown by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. In this system we determined that the Km for oxidase activation was 4-7 microM NADPH, a 4-10-fold decrease from reported values. The oxidase was the enzyme being studied as shown by the absence of enzymatic activity in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. In addition, if the enzyme was initially activated in permeabilized cells, the cells homogenized, and the Km for the oxidase determined in a cell-free system, the observed Km reverted to previously reported values (36 microM). These results indicate that NADPH oxidase, studied in situ, has a significantly higher substrate affinity than that observed in isolated membranes and, moreover, indicate that substrate affinity is optimal for catalysis at reported concentrations of cytosolic NADPH.


Regulation of formyl peptide receptor expression and its mRNA levels during differentiation of HL-60 cells. When incubated with N6-2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP), HL-60 cells expressed formyl peptide receptor (FPR) (as assessed by ligand binding) and FPR transcripts in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. Experiments using dbcAMP analogs modified at either the C-6 or C-8 position indicated that the process was mediated by a protein kinase A type I, and protein kinase A type I activity was isolated from undifferentiated HL-60 cells by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography. Forskolin mimicked the effects of dbcAMP. Forskolin and dbcAMP-dependent expression of FPR and FPR transcript was inhibited by staurosporine. Retinoic acid (but not retinal or retinol) was capable of inhibiting dbcAMP-dependent expression of FPR mRNA half-life. Dexamethasone enhanced the effects of dbcAMP and blocked the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on expression of FPR and FPR transcripts. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) alone (1.5-15 nM) failed to induce HL-60 to express FPR and FPR transcripts. Low concentrations (1.5 nM) of PMA enhanced the ability of dbcAMP to induce HL-60 cells to express FPR and FPR transcript, whereas high (15 nM) concentrations of PMA inhibited dbcAMP effects. These results indicate that expression of FPR and FPR transcripts by HL-60 cells can be up- and down-regulated by agents that induce HL-60 cells to differentiate and that a "cross-talk" effect exists between protein kinase A and protein kinase C that modulates FPR gene transcription (and receptor expression) by these cells.


The DNA helicase and adenosine triphosphatase activities of yeast Rad3 protein are inhibited by DNA damage. A potential mechanism for damage-specific recognition. Purified Rad3 protein from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase and also acts as a DNA helicase on partially duplex DNA. In this study we show that the DNA helicase activity is inhibited when a partially duplex circular DNA substrate is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Inhibition of DNA helicase activity is sensitive to the particular strand of the duplex region which carries the damage. Inhibition is retained if the single-stranded circle is irradiated prior to annealing to an unirradiated oligonucleotide, but not if a UV-irradiated oligonucleotide is annealed to unirradiated circular single-stranded DNA. UV irradiation of single-stranded DNA or deoxyribonucleotide homopolymers also inhibits the ability of these polynucleotides to support the hydrolysis of ATP by Rad3 protein. UV radiation damage apparently blocks translocation of Rad3 protein and results in the formation of stable Rad3 protein-UV-irradiated DNA complexes. As a consequence, Rad3 protein remains sequestered on DNA, presumably at sites of base damage. The sensitivity of Rad3 protein to the presence of DNA damage on the strand along which it translocates provides a potential mechanism for damage recognition during nucleotide excision repair and may explain the absolute requirement for Rad3 protein for damage-specific incision of DNA in yeast.


Chromostatin receptors control calcium channel activity in adrenal chromaffin cells. One of the functions of chromogranin A (CGA), the major soluble component of secretory granules in both adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and many other endocrine cell types appears to be that of a prohormone. CGA is the precursor of several peptides including pancreastatin, a 49-residue peptide, and a 20-residue peptide, chromostatin, which have been identified as biologically active peptides. Chromostatin produces a dose-dependent inhibition (ID50 of 5 nM) of the secretagogue-evoked catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells. Here we report that chromostatin potently inhibits L-type calcium currents recorded with the nystatin-perforated patch technique in cultured chromaffin cells. This inhibitory effect of chromostatin on calcium currents was not observed in experiments using the classical patch-clamp whole-cell approach which induces the leakage of cytoplasmic components. Using 125I-chromostatin, we show that chromostatin exhibits a fully reversible and saturable binding to the plasma membrane of cultured chromaffin cells. Analysis of binding experiments at equilibrium indicates the existence of one class of binding sites with a Bmax of 2.7 pmol/mg of chromaffin cell proteins and an apparent Kd of 6.5 nM. This high affinity is in good correlation with the half-maximal concentration (ID50 5 nM) of chromostatin inhibiting catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells. Specificity of the chromostatin binding was further assessed by displacement experiments with unlabeled CGA-related or -unrelated peptides. We found an excellent quantitative correlation between the affinities of the various peptides determined by binding assays and their functional potency tested on catecholamine secretion: bovine chromostatin greater than human chromostatin greater than CGA much greater than rat chromostatin, pancreastatin, CAP-14, substance P, and Leu-enkephalin. Cross-linking experiments reveal that chromostatin associates specifically with an 80-kDa plasma membrane protein. These results together with the patch-clamp experiments support the idea that chromaffin cells possess specific chromostatin receptors and that activation of such receptors leads to the inhibition of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels through an intracellular second messenger pathway.


In vitro translocation of secretory proteins possessing no charges at the mature domain takes place efficiently in a protonmotive force-dependent manner. The effect of charges existing on the mature domain of secretory proteins on the efficiency and protonmotive force dependence of translocation into everted membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli was studied. Model secretory proteins devoid of charges on the mature domain were constructed at the DNA level using proOmpF-Lpp as the starting protein. The chargeless presecretory proteins thus constructed were translocated and processed for the signal peptide much faster than proOmpF-Lpp and the rate of translocation was appreciably enhanced by imposition of the protonmotive force. Not only the membrane potential but also delta pH were effective in stimulating the rate of translocation of the chargeless proteins. The results indicate that the mature domain does not have to be charged for the secretory translocation and that the major requirement of the protonmotive force for the secretory translocation is not for the movement, including an electrophoretic one, of charged regions of the mature domain. All of the proOmpF-Lpp derivatives thus constructed were translocated efficiently into everted membrane vesicles in a SecA-dependent manner, irrespective of their size. The mature domain of the smallest one was 45 amino acid residues in length. Contrary to the views previously presented by other workers, these results suggest that there is no sharp boundary at the reported regions for the translocation of presecretory proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane or for the requirement of SecA.


In vitro association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity with the activated insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. We previously have shown that insulin treatment of cells greatly increases the activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in immunoprecipitates made with an antibody to phosphotyrosine. However, the association of PI 3-kinase activity with the activated insulin receptor is not significant under these conditions. In the present study, we have attempted to reconstitute the association of PI 3-kinase activity with the activated insulin receptor in vitro. PI 3-kinase activity does indeed associate with the autophosphorylated insulin receptor in our in vitro system. The autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor and/or its associated conformational change appear to be necessary for the association of PI 3-kinase activity with the receptor, since kinase negative receptor failed to bind PI 3-kinase activity. After binding, PI 3-kinase or its associated protein seems to be released from the activated receptor after the completion of its tyrosine phosphorylation by the receptor. Tyr960 in the juxtamembrane region of the insulin receptor beta-subunit seems to be involved in the association of PI 3-kinase activity with the receptor, but not C terminus region of the beta-subunit including two tyrosine autophosphorylation sites (Tyr1316 and Tyr1322). The in vitro assay system for the association of PI 3-kinase activity with the insulin receptor can be utilized to study the mechanism of interaction of these molecules and will be an useful method to detect other associated molecules with the insulin receptor.


Topoisomerase II plays an essential role as a swivelase in the late stage of SV40 chromosome replication in vitro. The effects of topoisomerases I and II on the replication of SV40 DNA were examined using an in vitro replication system of purified proteins that constitutes the monopolymerase system. In the presence of the two topoisomerases, two distinct nascent DNAs were formed. One product arising from the replication of the leading template strand was approximately half the size of the template DNA, whereas the other product derived from the lagging template strand consisted of short DNAs. These products were synthesized from both SV40 naked DNA and SV40 chromosomes. For the replication of SV40 naked DNA, either topoisomerase I or II maintained replication fork movement and supported complete leading strand synthesis. When SV40 chromosomes were replicated with the same proteins, reactions containing only topoisomerase I produced shorter leading strands. However, mature size DNA products accumulated in reactions supplemented with topoisomerase II, as well as in reactions containing only topoisomerase II. In the presence of crude extracts of HeLa cells, VP-16, a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase II, blocked elongation of the nascent DNA during the replication of SV40 chromosomes. These results indicate that topoisomerase II plays a crucial role as a swivelase in the late stage of SV40 chromosome replication in vitro.


ADP-ribosylation of gelsolin-actin complexes by clostridial toxins. ADP-ribosylation of the 1:1 (G-A) and 1:2 (G-A-A) gelsolin-actin complexes by Clostridium perfringens iota toxin and Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin was studied. Iota toxin ADP-ribosylated actin in the G-A complex from human platelets as effectively as skeletal muscle actin. The Km for NAD (4 microM) was identical for both substrates. C2 toxin ADP-ribosylated actin in the G-A complex with lower efficacy than nonmuscle actin from platelet cytosol. In the G-A-A complex both actin molecules were ADP-ribosylated by iota toxin. The G-A complex bound ADP-ribosylated actin (Ar) to form the G-A-Ar complex in which the weakly bound actin is ADP-ribosylated. Vice versa, ADP-ribosylated 1:1 gelsolin-actin complex (G-Ar) was able to bind unmodified actin to yield the G-Ar-A complex. ADP-ribosylation did not change the nucleation activity of either the G-Ar complex or the G-Ar-A complex. When monomeric actin was added to the G-A-Ar complex, polymerization of actin was delayed by about 10 min. According to a quantitative kinetic analysis, the delay of polymerization corresponded to the rate of dissociation of ADP-ribosylated actin from the G-A-Ar complex. This suggests that the nucleation activity of the G-A-A complex is inhibited by ADP-ribosylation of the weakly bound actin and that the inhibition can be removed by dissociation of ADP-ribosylated actin from the G-A-Ar complex.


Immunochemical characterization of the non-NMDA glutamate receptor using subunit-specific antibodies. Evidence for a hetero-oligomeric structure in rat brain. Antibodies were made to synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences specific to the glutamate receptor (GluR) subunits, GluR1-4. The specificity of the antibodies was established by Western blotting using membranes of simian kidney cells (COS-7) transfected with GluR subunit DNA. Four antibodies were found to be selective for each of the four GluR subunits, and a fifth antibody recognized both GluR2 and 3. All five antibodies immunoadsorbed Triton X-100-solubilized rat brain [3H]AMPA binding activity and labeled an Mr = 108,000 band in samples of rat brain. The structure of the Triton X-100-solubilized GluR was studied using subunit-specific antibodies covalently attached to protein A-agarose and analyzing GluR subunits bound to the antibodies by Western blotting. Each of the four subunit-specific antibodies immunoadsorbed its respective GluR subunit as well as the other three forms of GluR, showing that the detergent solubilized GluR exists as hetero-oligomers composed of two or more of the four subunits. Evidence supporting a similar structure for membrane bound GluR was obtained using synaptic membranes chemically cross-linked with dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate). GluR was immunoaffinity-purified using the GluR2 and 3-selective antibody. This antibody, covalently attached to protein A-agarose, adsorbed 55% of [3H]AMPA binding activity, and after elution with 1 M KSCN, 22-37% of the binding activity was recovered. Analysis of the purified product showed a major immunoreactive band at Mr = 108,000, and silver staining identified the same major band and no additional polypeptides. The GluR receptor complex, therefore, appears to be made up exclusively of GluR1-4. In the purified GluR preparation, in addition to the Mr = 108,000 band, three higher molecular weight immunoreactive components were also detected. These bands migrated at Mr = 325,000, 470,000, and 590,000. Similar sized proteins were seen in the cross-linked synaptic membrane sample, with the Mr = 590,000 component being substantially enriched after cross-linking. The Mr = 590,000 band is the largest component detected, and it has a size consistent with its being a pentamer of the Mr = 108,000 protein.


A regulatory cis element and a specific binding factor involved in the mitogenic control of murine ribosomal protein L32 translation. The mRNA encoding ribosomal protein L32 redistributes from untranslated subribosomal particles into polysomes after mitogenic activation of quiescent T-lymphocytes and fibroblasts. To identify the regions of the L32 mRNA which are important in regulating its cytoplasmic location we constructed a plasmid containing the murine L32 cDNA under the control of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) long terminal repeat promoter and introduced this construct into murine 3T3 fibroblasts. The mRNA transcribed from the RSV-L32 construct redistributed from subribosomal particles into polysomes in response to mitogenic activation in a manner similar to endogenous L32 mRNA. A conserved polypyrimidine region present at the 5' terminus of all ribosomal protein mRNAs is required for translational regulation of L32 mRNA since deletion of this sequence resulted in a mRNA that was not sequestered in subribosomal particles in quiescent cells. A radioactive RNA probe containing the first 34 nucleotides of the L32 5'-untranslated region, including the polypyrimidine region, specifically interacted with a protein of about 56 kDa. This protein did not bind detectably to RNA probes lacking the polypyrimidine sequence. Binding activity was similar in protein extracts made from resting and activated cells, suggesting that binding of the 56-kDa protein as measured in this assay is not regulated. This protein is a member of what may be an emerging family of polyribopyrimidine-binding proteins with diverse biochemical functions.


Interleukin 4 inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis blocks interstitial collagenase and 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase production by human monocytes. Activation of human monocytes results in the production of interstitial collagenase through a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-cAMP-dependent pathway. Inasmuch as interleukin 4 (IL-4) has been shown to inhibit PGE2 synthesis by monocytes, we examined the effect of IL-4 on the production of human monocyte interstitial collagenase. Additionally, we also assessed the effect of IL-4 on the production of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) by monocytes. The inhibition of PGE2 synthesis by IL-4 resulted in decreased interstitial collagenase protein and activity that could be restored by exogenous PGE2 or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP). IL-4 also suppressed ConA-stimulated 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase protein and zymogram enzyme activity that could be reversed by exogenous PGE2 or Bt2cAMP. Moreover, indomethacin suppressed the ConA-induced production of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase. These data demonstrate that, like monocyte interstitial collagenase, the conA-inducible monocyte 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase is regulated through a PGE2-mediated cAMP-dependent pathway. In contrast to ConA stimulation, unstimulated monocytes released low levels of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase that were not affected by IL-4, PGE2, or Bt2cAMP, indicating that basal production of this enzyme is PGE2-cAMP independent. IL-4 inhibition of both collagenases was not a result of increased TIMP expression since Western analysis of 28.5-kDa TIMP-1 revealed that IL-4 did not alter the increased TIMP-1 protein in response to ConA. These data indicate that IL-4 may function in natural host regulation of connective tissue damage by monocytes.


Genetic and biochemical characterization of the trpB8 mutation of Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase. An amino acid switch at the sharp turn of the trypsin-sensitive "hinge" region diminishes substrate binding and alters solubility. The trpB8 mutation of Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase is unique in that the cells bearing this lesion are not only capable of utilizing indole for growth, but they also accumulate indole, under conditions of tryptophan limitation. The lesion was shown by DNA sequencing to be a G to C transversion at nucleotide 5528 of the trp operon, resulting in a Gly to Arg switch at codon 281. Gly-281, within the trypsin-sensitive "hinge" region, is invariant among all known beta polypeptides. The catalytic activity of the mutant beta 2(B8) protein is dramatically stimulated by alpha subunit, both in vivo and in vitro. In the absence of alpha subunit, ammonium ion effectively stimulated the activity in an apparently cooperative manner. The pH optimum for the mutant subunit was 9.8, which is 2 units higher than that of wild type. In contrast to the wild-type subunit, beta(B8) partially aggregated within cells upon overexpression. At the optimal concentration of ammonium ions (2.25 M), the beta 2(B8) mutant enzyme displayed lower affinity than wild-type enzyme toward indole and L-serine, but the Vmax was almost unchanged. The physicochemical behavior of beta 2(B8) is supported by computer graphic modeling studies. An open versus closed model of conformational change within the beta 2 protein is proposed. A plausible role for the hinge region is discussed.


Posttranscriptional regulation of the asialoglycoprotein receptor by cGMP. The human asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed by the HepG2 cell line is composed of the two homologous polypeptides H1 and H2. Transblot analysis of HepG2 cell lysates indicated that the progressive loss in the steady-state level of asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) when cells were maintained in medium supplemented with dialyzed fetal bovine serum was reversed by the addition of cell-permeant 8-bromo-cGMP. Estimates of the steady-state levels of H1- and H2-related mRNA by Northern blot analysis indicated that the reduction of ASGR was not the result of a concomitant reduction in gene transcript number. No difference in the translatability of the mRNAs derived from cells grown in medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum or its dialyzed counterpart was detected. Resolution of the mRNAs by sucrose gradient centrifugation suggests that cGMP-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of ASGR expression was due to a shift of both H1 and H2 mRNAs from the ribonucleoprotein fraction into a translationally active membrane-associated polysomal pool.


Membrane association of active 5-lipoxygenase in resting cells. Evidence for novel regulation of the enzyme in the rat alveolar macrophage. The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) catalyzes the first two steps in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to leukotrienes, substances which play pivotal roles both in normal host defense and in pathologic states of inflammation. Recent studies in granulocytic cells have shown that activation of 5-LO involves its Ca(2+)-dependent translocation from cytosol to membrane compartments. However, little information exists about the molecular regulation of 5-LO in macrophages, even though these cells comprise the resident effector cell population of most organs. We therefore examined the levels of 5-LO activity and immunoreactive protein in cytosol and membrane fractions of resident rat alveolar (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) and compared them with the well studied human neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte). In the resting state, PM resembled polymorphonuclear leukocyte in that most of their cell-free 5-LO activity, as well as protein content, were localized to the cytosol fraction. By contrast, resting AM contained most of their activity and almost half of their immunoreactive protein in the crude membrane fraction. The inability of the drug MK-886 to reverse this membrane association suggested that the 5-LO-activating protein was not the site of binding in the resting cell; however, this drug completely inhibited leukotriene B4 synthesis in ionophore A23187-stimulated AM, indicating that an interaction between 5-LO and 5-LO-activating protein was nonetheless required for product synthesis upon stimulation. Translocation of cytosolic 5-LO protein could not be convincingly demonstrated in A23187-stimulated AM, suggesting that the pool of 5-LO enzyme responsible for product formation originated in the membrane rather than the cytosol fraction of the resting cell. The AM therefore represents the first mammalian cell in which 5-LO has been recovered from the membrane fraction (a) of a resting cell and (b) in active form. These novel findings extend our understanding of the molecular regulation of 5-LO and may be of importance in designing strategies to limit inflammation in the lung and other sites.


Processing, intracellular transport, and functional expression of endogenous and exogenous alpha-beta 3 Na,K-ATPase complexes in Xenopus oocytes. The minimal functional Na,K-ATPase unit is composed of a catalytic alpha-subunit and a glycosylated beta-subunit. So far three putative beta-isoforms have been described, but only beta 1-isoforms have been identified clearly as part of a purified active enzyme complex. In this study we provide evidence that a putative beta 3-isoform might be the functional component of Xenopus oocyte Na,K-ATPase. beta 3-isoforms are expressed in the oocyte plasma membrane together with alpha-subunits, but beta 3-isoforms are synthesized to a lesser extent than alpha-subunits. The unassembled oocyte alpha-subunits accumulate in an immature trypsin-sensitive form most likely in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Injection of both beta 1- and beta 3-cRNA into oocytes abolishes the transport constraint of the oocyte alpha-subunit, renders it trypsin-resistant, and finally leads to an increased number of functional pumps at the plasma membrane. In addition, beta 3-isoforms as beta 1-isoforms depend on the concomitant synthesis of alpha-subunits to be able to leave the ER and to become fully glycosylated. Finally, alpha-beta 1 and alpha-beta 3 complexes expressed at the plasma membrane appear to have similar transport properties as assessed by ouabain binding, rubidium uptake, and electrophysiological measurements in oocytes coexpressing exogenous alpha 1- and beta 1- or beta 3-isoforms. Thus our data indicate that beta 3-isoforms have functional qualities similar to beta 1-isoforms. They can assemble and impose a structural reorganization to newly synthesized alpha-subunits which permits the exit from the ER and the expression of functional Na,K-pumps at the plasma membrane.


The insertion of monoamine oxidase A into the outer membrane of rat liver mitochondria. Human monoamine oxidase A that had been synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate translation system was capable of binding to and inserting into either rat liver mitochondria or isolated mitochondrial outer membranes. The inserted form was as resistant to proteinase K as endogenous mitochondrial monoamine oxidase A. The insertion, but not the binding, of monoamine oxidase A was prevented by depleting the reaction mixture of either ATP (with apyrase) or ubiquitin (with purified antibodies against this polypeptide). Addition of ATP or ubiquitin, respectively, to these depleted mixtures restored the insertion of the enzyme. In the absence of mitochondria, in vitro synthesized monoamine oxidase A did not catalyze its own alkylation by the mechanism-based inhibitor, [3H]clorgyline. However, both monoamine oxidase A that had been membrane-inserted in vitro and monoamine oxidase A that had been bound to the mitochondria under conditions of ATP depletion catalyzed adduct formation. Furthermore, reaction of either clorgyline or another mechanism-based inhibitor, pargyline, with the membrane-bound enzyme during ATP depletion inhibited the insertion of monoamine oxidase A when ATP was restored. These observations indicate that monoamine oxidase A acquired a catalytically active conformation on interaction with the mitochondrial outer membranes prior to its ATP and ubiquitin-dependent insertion into the membrane.


Direct evidence for cross-activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase by cAMP in pig coronary arteries. Elevation of either cAMP or cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation. Whether these effects are mediated through cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK), cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK), or both is unknown. Pig coronary arteries were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), relaxants which elevate cGMP, and with isoproterenol or forskolin, relaxants which elevate cAMP. Incubation of the arteries with 10 microM SNP produced a 3.3-fold increase in cGMP without altering cAMP; the cGK activity ratio (-cGMP/+cGMP) in these extracts was increased by 2.6-fold as determined by a newly developed assay, while the cAK activity ratio (-cAMP/+cAMP) was unchanged. The increase in cGK activity ratio by SNP was concentration-dependent and was nearly maximal at 30 s. Treatment of the tissue with 10 nM ANF also increased the cGK activity ratio (2.3-fold), but not that of cAK. 100 microM isoproterenol caused a 2.9-fold elevation of cAMP with no change in cGMP, but both cAK and cGK activity ratios were increased (2.3- and 1.6-fold, respectively). The increase in the cGK activity ratio could be mimicked by cAMP addition to control tissue extracts at the concentration measured in extracts of the isoproterenol-treated tissue. Forskolin (1 and 10 microM) also increased the cGK activity ratio (1.9- and 4.9-fold). The increases in cGK activity observed in extracts suggest that moderate elevation of either cGMP or cAMP causes intracellular cGK activation, thus producing relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.