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PubMed1994

Mutagenesis of the conserved aspartic acid 443, glutamic acid 478, asparagine 494, and aspartic acid 498 residues in the ribonuclease H domain of p66/p51 human immunodeficiency virus type I reverse transcriptase. Expression and biochemical analysis.

The effects of point mutations of the conserved Asp443, Glu478, Asn494, and Asp498 residues in the RNase H domain of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) have been analyzed. The mutants fell into two classes: (i) functional RT, but not detectable ribonuclease H activity, and (ii) uncharacterizable phenotype due to protein instability in the context of the RT/protease Escherichia coli co-expression system (Mizrahi, V., Lazarus, G. M., Miles, L. M., Meyers, C. A., and Debouck, C. (1989) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 273, 347-358). The only mutation in the former class was D443A, whereas those in the latter included D443E, E478D, E478Q, D498E, D443A/D498N, D443E/D498N, D443Q/D498N, N494A, N494D, and N494Q. The results were interpreted in terms of the x-ray crystal structure of the HIV-1 RNase H domain (Davies, J. F., II, Hostomaska, Z., Hostomsky, Z., Jordan, S. R., and Matthews, D. A. (1991) Science 252, 88-95) and a general acid-general base hydrolysis mechanism (Katayanagi, K., Okumura, M., and Morikawa, K. (1993) Proteins Struct. Funct. Genet. 17, 337-346). The data suggested that structural perturbations within the RNase H domain interfered with maturation of the pol precursor by HIV-1 protease. Analysis of selected D443/D498 double mutants suggested that the destabilization caused by the D498N mutation could be suppressed by the formation of a new hydrogen bond between Asn498 and Asn443.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Cadmium perturbs calcium homeostasis in rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) cells; a possible role for protein kinase C.

The mechanism of the toxic effects of Cd2+ on bone cell function is not completely understood at this time. This study was designed to characterize the effect of Cd2+ on Ca2+ metabolism in ROS 17/2.8 cells. Cells were labeled with (45)Ca (1.87 mM Ca) for 20 h in the presence of 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 microM Cd2+ and kinetic parameters were determined from (45)Ca efflux curves. Three kinetic compartments described the intracellular metabolism of (45)Ca. Cd2+ (0.01 microM) caused an approximate 9 x increase in Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane and a decrease in the most rapidly exchanging intracellular Ca2+ compartment (S1). However, there was no change in total cell Ca2+, indicating an increased cycling of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. Flux between S1 and the intermediate Ca2+ compartment (S2) was also increased and S2 increased significantly. All Cd2+ induced changes in Ca2+ homeostasis were obliterated by concurrent treatment with 0.1 microM calphostin C (CC), a potent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. This data suggests that Cd2+ perturbs Ca2+ metabolism via a PKC dependent process.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Time squared: repeated measures on phylogenies.

Studies of gene expression profiles in response to external perturbation generate repeated measures data that generally follow nonlinear curves. To explore the evolution of such profiles across a gene family, we introduce phylogenetic repeated measures (PR) models. These models draw strength from 2 forms of correlation in the data. Through gene duplication, the family's evolutionary relatedness induces the first form. The second is the correlation across time points within taxonic units, individual genes in this example. We borrow a Brownian diffusion process along a given phylogenetic tree to account for the relatedness and co-opt a repeated measures framework to model the latter. Through simulation studies, we demonstrate that repeated measures models outperform the previously available approaches that consider the longitudinal observations or their differences as independent and identically distributed by using deviance information criteria as Bayesian model selection tools; PR models that borrow phylogenetic information also perform better than nonphylogenetic repeated measures models when appropriate. We then analyze the evolution of gene expression in the yeast kinase family using splines to estimate nonlinear behavior across 3 perturbation experiments. Again, the PR models outperform previous approaches and afford the prediction of ancestral expression profiles. To demonstrate PR model applicability more generally, we conclude with a short examination of variation in brain development across 4 primate species.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Polyamine-mediated conformational perturbations in DNA alter the binding of estrogen receptor to poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and a plasmid containing the estrogen response element.

The binding estrogen receptor (ER) to the upstream regions of estrogen-responsive genes, the estrogen response elements (ERE), is of fundamental importance in the regulation of gene expression by estradiol. Multiple cell-specific factors affect ER-ERE binding and modulate the responses of estradiol. We studied the role of polyamines in the recognition of ER, a ligand-activated transcription factor, with a left-handed Z-DNA forming polynucleotide as well as with a plasmid containing ERE. Polyamines are cellular organic cations with multiple functions in cell growth and differentiation. Polyamines induce Z-DNA conformation in alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences. To understand the role of polyamine-induced DNA conformational transition in ER-DNA interaction, we studied the binding of partially purified rabbit uterine ER to poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC). The induction of Z-DNA in the polynucleotide was monitored by circular dichroism and ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements. Binding of ER to poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) increased from 15% to approx. 50-60% in the presence of 7.5 mM putrescine, 0.5 mM spermidine or 0.25 mM spermine. Maximal binding of ER to the polynucleotide was observed near the midpoint of the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of the polynucleotide. N1-acetyl spermidine and N1-acetyl spermine facilitated the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition and the binding of ER although they were less effective than the unacetylated analog. Co(NH3)6(3+), a trivalent inorganic cation, also provoked the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of the polynucleotide and increased its binding to ER. At higher polyamine concentrations, there was an inhibition of ER binding to the polynucleotide. In the presence of polyamines, the binding of ER to a plasmid containing ERE was 2-3-fold higher than that to a control plasmid devoid of ERE. Polyamine-induced facilitation of ER-ERE binding was also confirmed by gel mobility shift assay. Our data indicate that conformational perturbations, similar to that of the early stages of B-DNA to Z-DNA transition, are important in the recognition of ER and ERE.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Thy-1 involvement in neurite outgrowth: perturbation by antibodies, phospholipase C, and mutation.

Thy-1 is a major cell surface protein anchored in the plasma membrane of neurons and lymphocytes by a covalent glyco-phosphatidyl-inositide linkage. Despite thorough characterization of the molecule's physicochemical properties, its biological function remains elusive. In this study we demonstrate that (i) monoclonal antibodies directed against Thy-1 are capable of enhancing neurite outgrowth from sympathetic neurons in culture, as well as stimulating the initiation of neurite sprouting from cultured adrenal chromaffin cells and PC12 cells. This effect is not observed with monovalent, Fab antibody fragments. Treatment with intact antibodies also results in the shedding of Thy-1 into the culture medium. (ii) Treatment of chromaffin cells with phosphatidyl-inositol-specific phospholipase C also results in an induction of neurite sprouting. The lipase effect can be blocked by preincubating the cells with monovalent anti-Thy-1 Fab fragments, indicating that the outgrowth stimulation is specifically due to removal of Thy-1. (iii) An entirely different approach to elucidating the function of Thy-1 involves mutagenesis of PC12 cells. Selection for Thy-1-deficient mutants revealed that cells lacking Thy-1 sprout neurites spontaneously at a very high frequency. A novel role for Thy-1 is proposed wherein the results of the mutant cell studies are compatible with the antibody and lipase data. Each of the perturbations can be viewed as releasing an inhibition that Thy-1 normally exerts on neurite outgrowth. We suggest that Thy-1 normally acts to stabilize neuronal membranes and processes, possibly through homophilic interactions.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2004

Co-expression of MG29 and ryanodine receptor leads to apoptotic cell death: effect mediated by intracellular Ca2+ release.

Perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis has been shown to regulate the process of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our previous studies show that mitsugumin 29 (MG29), a synaptophysin-related protein localized in the triad junction of skeletal muscle, serves an essential role in muscle Ca2+ signaling by regulating the process of store-operated Ca2+ entry. Here we report a functional interaction between MG29 and the ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca2+ release channel. The purified MG29 protein enhances activity of the RyR/Ca2+ release channel incorporated into the lipid bilayer membrane. Co-expression of MG29 and RyR in Chinese hamster ovary cells leads to apoptotic cell death resulting from depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, despite neither protein expression alone exhibits any significant effect on cell viability. In transient expression studies, the presence of RyR in the endoplasmic reticulum leads to retention of MG29 from the plasma membrane into the intracellular organelles. This functional interaction between MG29 and RyR could have important implications in the Ca2+ signaling processes of muscle cells. Our data also show that perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis can serve as a key signal in the initiation of apoptosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1998

Increased sensitivity to mitochondrial toxin-induced apoptosis in neural cells expressing mutant presenilin-1 is linked to perturbed calcium homeostasis and enhanced oxyradical production.

Many cases of autosomal dominant early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) result from mutations in the gene encoding presenilin-1 (PS-1). PS-1 is an integral membrane protein expressed ubiquitously in neurons throughout the brain in which it is located primarily in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although the pathogenic mechanism of PS-1 mutations is unknown, recent findings suggest that PS mutations render neurons vulnerable to apoptosis. Because increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial alterations contribute to neuronal death in AD, we tested the hypothesis that PS-1 mutations sensitize neurons to mitochondrial failure. PC12 cell lines expressing a PS-1 mutation (L286V) exhibited increased sensitivity to apoptosis induced by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) and malonate, inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase, compared with control cell lines and lines overexpressing wild-type PS-1. The apoptosis-enhancing action of mutant PS-1 was prevented by antioxidants (propyl gallate and glutathione), zVAD-fmk, and cyclosporin A, indicating requirements of reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspases, and mitochondrial permeability transition in the cell death process. 3-NP induced a rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i, which was followed by caspase activation, accumulation of ROS, and decreases in mitochondrial reducing potential and transmembrane potential in cells expressing mutant PS-1. The calcium chelator BAPTA AM and agents that block calcium release from ER and influx through voltage-dependent channels prevented mitochondrial ROS accumulation and membrane depolarization and apoptosis. Our data suggest that by perturbing subcellular calcium homeostasis presenilin mutations sensitize neurons to mitochondria-based forms of apoptosis that involve oxidative stress.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition in traumatic brain injury: in vitro and in vivo effects.

The authors provide the first in vitro and in vivo evidence that perturbations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal-transduction pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. In primary rat cortical cultures, mechanical trauma induced a rapid and selective phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 kinase, whereas there was no detectable change in the c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Treatment with PD98059, which inhibits MAPK/ERK 1/2, the upstream activator of ERK, significantly increased cell survival in vitro. The p38 kinase and JNK inhibitor SB203580 had no protective effect. Similar results were obtained in vivo using a controlled cortical impact model of traumatic injury in mouse brain. Rapid and selective upregulation occurred in ERK and p38 pathways with no detectable changes in JNK. Confocal immunohistochemistry showed that phospho-ERK colocalized with the neuronal nuclei marker but not the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein. Inhibition of the ERK pathway with PD98059 resulted in a significant reduction of cortical lesion volumes 7 days after trauma. The p38 kinase and JNK inhibitor SB203580 had no detectable beneficial effect. These data indicate that critical perturbations in MAPK pathways mediate cerebral damage after acute injury, and further suggest that ERK is a novel therapeutic target in traumatic brain injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of ion gradients on H+ transport mediated by human MDR 1 protein.

In the previous paper we presented a variety of data consistent with significant perturbations in 9.3 yeast plasma membrane ion transport upon overexpression of the hu MDR 1 protein. Thus, in this paper, we compare formation of DeltapH for inside-out yeast plasma membrane vesicles (ISOV) prepared from control 9.3/pVT versus 9.3/hu MDR 1 yeast. Since MDR 1 ATPase activity has a broader, more alkaline pH profile relative to endogenous yeast H+ ATPase activity, we analyzed H+ pumping at pH >/= 8.0 in detail in order to selectively amplify hu MDR 1 contributions to H+ movement over those of the endogenous yeast H+ ATPase. We observed: (1) imposition of a Cl- gradient oriented outside to in enhances acidification for 9.3/pVT ISOV (as expected), but decreases acidification for 9.3/hu MDR 1 ISOV; (2) imposition of a Cl- gradient oriented inside to out decreases acidification for 9.3/pVT ISOV (as expected) but enhances acidification for 9.3/hu MDR 1 ISOV; (3) a Na+ gradient oriented in the same direction as the Cl- gradient amplifies the effects due to hu MDR 1 when both gradients are oriented inside to out, but not outside to in. The data are most easily explained by interesting Na+, Cl-, and ATP-dependent H+ transport mediated by hu MDR 1 protein as previously suggested [Hoffman and Roepe (1997) Biochemistry 36, 11153-11168]. These data may help to resolve a variety of conflicting reports in the literature regarding ion transport mediated by hu MDR 1 and have implications for the physiology of a number of polarized epithelia in which hu MDR 1 is endogenously expressed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Increased concentrations of 3,4-didehydroretinol and retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABPII) in human squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma but not in basal cell carcinoma of the skin.

Retinoids are biologic response modifiers that are present in normal skin and may possibly be perturbed in carcinogenesis. To examine this possibility in human skin, we analyzed vitamin A and cytosolic retinoid binding proteins (cellular retinol binding protein and cellular retinoic acid binding protein [CRABP]) in a total of 38 non-melanoma skin tumors and 25 healthy skin samples using high performance liquid chromatography, radioligand electrophoresis, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The mean +/- SEM retinol concentration was normal in basal cell carcinoma (0.60 +/- 0.10 microM) and seborrheic keratosis (0.47 +/- 0.07 microM), but increased in keratoacanthoma (1.60 +/- 0.41 microM) and squamous cell carcinoma (1.17 +/- 0.28 microM) (p < 0.05 for both). Also, the concentrations of 3,4-didehydroretinol, a major vitamin A metabolite produced in human skin, were markedly elevated (6-7 times normal) in keratoacanthoma and squamous cell cancer. All types of tumors showed moderately increased levels of cellular retinol binding protein. In addition, keratoacanthoma and squamous cell cancer showed markedly increased levels (6-7 times normal) of CRABPII protein. Transcriptional activity of the CRABPII gene was demonstrated in both normal and neoplastic epidermis, but clear CRABPI mRNA expression was found only in basal cell carcinoma. The data indicate that characteristic perturbations of the vitamin A and retinoid binding protein levels occur in squamous cell-derived skin tumors, but whether these reflect intrinsic errors in retinoid metabolism or are secondary to abnormal cellular differentiation is unknown.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Evidence of QTL on 15q21 for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study (NHLBI FHS).

A genome-wide linkage scan was conducted to identify regions potentially having quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. We found suggestive evidence of a QTL (lod score (LOD)=1.75, p=0.00224, and q=0.07649) influencing the variation of plasma levels of age- and sex-adjusted HDL-cholesterol on chromosome 15q21 at marker D15S659 in the NHLBI FHS data. Owing to the perturbations to lipid profiles associated with diabetes, the analysis was repeated excluding diabetic subjects from the sample. The lod score increased from 1.75 to 2.71 (p=0.00021, q=0.05392) at the same chromosome 15 location, despite the reduction in sample size. This finding indicates that the inclusion of diabetic subjects in the analysis may confound the presence of a QTL for HDL-cholesterol on 15q21. Because of the known effects of important covariates such as metabolic variables and lifestyle habits that may interact with a putative QTL, we also analyzed HDL-cholesterol with a progressive adjustment. When body mass index, smoking, and habitual alcohol intake were added to age- and sex-adjustment, we found strong evidence for linkage in the complete sample (LOD=4.77, p=0.0000013, and q=0.00016) as well as in the non-diabetic sub-sample (LOD=4.52, p=0.0000025, and q=0.00026) on chromosome 15q21 (between D15S659 and D15S195 markers). These results suggest that there are multiple pathways and factors involving genetic and environmental effects influencing HDL-cholesterol levels, and by taking some of these known factors into account, we obtained strong evidence of a QTL influencing HDL-cholesterol levels. While this putative QTL may also have an effect in diabetes, our data suggest a more pronounced role in non-diabetics. A prominent candidate gene residing within the linkage region on 15q21 is hepatic lipase (HL), which has a major role in lipoprotein metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Perturbation of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel function by volatile organic solvents.

The mechanisms underlying the acute neurophysiological and behavioral effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain to be elucidated. However, the function of neuronal ion channels is perturbed by VOCs. The present study examined effects of toluene (TOL), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PERC) on whole-cell calcium current (ICa) in nerve growth factor-differentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. All three VOCs affected ICa in a reversible, concentration-dependent manner. At +10-mV test potentials, VOCs inhibited ICa, whereas at test potentials of -20 and -10 mV, they potentiated it. The order of potency for inhibition (IC50) was PERC (270 microM) > TOL (720 microM) > TCE (1525 microM). VOCs also changed ICa inactivation kinetics from a single- to double-exponential function. Voltage-ramp experiments suggested that VOCs shifted ICa activation in a hyperpolarizing direction; this was confirmed by calculating the half-maximal voltage of activation (V1/2, act) in the absence and presence of VOCs using the Boltzman equation. V(1/2, act) was shifted from approximately -2 mV in control to -11, -12, and -16 mV by TOL, TCE, and PERC, respectively. Similarly, VOCs shifted the half-maximal voltage of steady-state inactivation (V1/2, inact) from approximately -16 mV in control to -32, -35, and -20 mV in the presence of TOL, TCE, and PERC, respectively. Inhibition of ICa by TOL was confirmed in primary cultures of cortical neurons, where 827 microM TOL inhibited current by 61%. These data demonstrate that VOCs perturb voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel function in neurons, an effect that could contribute to the acute neurotoxicity of these compounds.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Modulation of endothelial function by hypoxia: perturbation of barrier and anticoagulant function, and induction of a novel factor X activator.

Exposure of the vessel wall to hypoxemia is a central feature of ischemic cardiovascular disease. This led us to examine the perturbation of endothelial cell properties under hypoxia. An atmosphere of pO2 of 12 mmHg is not lethal to the endothelial cells for up to five days, but barrier function was impaired. Increased passage of macromolecule tracers were observed in time- and dose-dependent manner and electron microscopy demonstrated small gaps (0.5-1.0 micron) between cells. Expression of the anticoagulant cofactor thrombomodulin was also perturbed: thrombomodulin activity and antigen decreased in parallel. Northern blots showed almost complete suppression of thrombomodulin in hypoxic culture. Furthermore, synthesis of other proteins, such as fibronectin, was slightly enhanced under hypoxia. In addition to the suppression of these anticoagulant cofactor, hypoxic endothelial cell displayed a noval procoagulant activity distinct from tissue factor. Further study revealed that hypoxic endothelial cultures directly activated Factor X, as assessed by functional assays and SDS-PAGE. In addition to this no activation of Factor IX or prothrombin was observed. The hypoxia-induced Factor X activator was membrane-associated, required calcium to form Factor Xa, was inhibited by HgCl2 but not by PMSF, and had Km approximately 25 micrograms/ml. Co-incubation of hypoxic cultures with cycloheximide prevented the expression of this activity, suggesting that protein synthesis is required for its expression. These functional perturbations of endothelial cells were reversible following reoxygenation. These data indicate that hypoxia imposes a selective perturbation on endothelial cell function, suggesting the possible contribution of hypoxemia to vascular dysfunction in ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Inferring gene networks from steady-state response to single-gene perturbations.

Inferring gene networks from gene expression data is an important step in understanding the molecular machinery of life. Three methods for establishing and quantifying causal relationships between genes based on steady-state measurements in single-gene perturbation experiments have recently been proposed: the regulatory strength method, the local regulatory strength method, and Gardner's method. The theoretical basis of these methods is presented here in a thorough and consistent fashion. In principle, for the same data set all three methods would generate identical networks, but they would quantify the strengths of connections in different ways. The regulatory strength method is shown here to be topology-dependent. It adopts the format of the data collected in gene expression microarray experiments and therefore can be immediately used with this technology. The regulatory strengths obtained by this method can also be used to compute local regulatory strengths. In contrast, Gardner's method requires both measurements of mRNA concentrations and measurements of the applied rate perturbations, which is not usually part of a standard microarray experimental protocol. The results generated by Gardner's method and by the two regulatory strengths methods differ only by scaling constants, but Gardner's method requires more measurements. On the other hand, the explicit use of rate perturbations in Gardner's approach allows one to address new questions with this method, like what perturbations caused given responses of the system. Results of the application of the three techniques to real experimental data are presented and discussed. The comparative analysis presented in this paper can be helpful for identifying an appropriate technique for inferring genetic networks and for interpreting the results of its application to experimental data.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Calcium exchange and structural changes during the photosynthetic oxygen evolving cycle.

PSII catalyzes the oxidation of water and reduction of plastoquinone in oxygenic photosynthesis. PSII contains an oxygen-evolving complex, which is located on the lumenal side of the PSII reaction center and which contains manganese, calcium, and chloride. Four sequential photooxidation reactions are required to generate oxygen. This process produces five Sn-states, where n refers to the number of oxidizing equivalents stored. Calcium is required for oxygen production. Strontium is the only divalent cation that replaces calcium and maintains activity. In our previous FT-IR work, we assessed the effect of strontium substitution on substrate-limited PSII preparations, which were inhibited at the S3 to S0 transition. In this work, we report reaction-induced FT-IR studies of hydrated PSII preparations, which undergo the full S-state cycle. The observed difference FT-IR spectra reflect long-lived photoinduced conformational changes in the oxygen-evolving complex; strontium exchange identifies vibrational bands sensitive to substitutions at the calcium site. During the S1' to S2' transition, the data are consistent with an electrostatic or structural perturbation of the calcium site. During the S3' to S0' and S0' to S1' transitions, the data are consistent with a perturbation of a hydrogen bonding network, which contains calcium, water, and peptide carbonyl groups. To explain our data, persistent shifts in divalent cation coordination must occur when strontium is substituted for calcium. A modified S-state model is proposed to explain these results and results in the literature.

Calcium↗
PubMed2001

The wound healing response after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy: elusive control of biological variability and effect on custom laser vision correction.

Biological diversity in the wound healing response is thought to be a major factor limiting the predictability of the outcome of refractive surgical procedures such as laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. Corneal wound healing is critical to the success of topography-linked or wave front-linked excimer laser ablation to optimize visual performance. This is because of the importance of retaining subtle features of custom ablation and the tendency of epithelial hyperplasia and stromal remodeling to obscure these features following either procedure. The corneal wound healing response is exceedingly complex. Keratocyte apoptosis, which occurs in response to epithelial injury, is the earliest observable event in the wound healing cascades and is therefore an excellent target for pharmacological intervention. Alterations of surgical technique can be designed to limit keratocyte apoptosis and the subsequent events in corneal wound healing. Abnormalities of the cascades could contribute to the pathogenesis of corneal diseases. For example, recent data have suggested that perturbation of the keratocyte apoptosis/mitosis balance could underlie the development of keratoconus in a proportion of patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Stability of myosin heavy chain isoforms in selectively denervated adult rat muscle spindles.

BACKGROUND: Rat intrafusal fibers consist of multiple isoforms of myosin heavy chains (MHCs) whose expression involves complex interactions among motor neurons, sensory neurons, and muscle cells during spindle development. Little is known about the roles of sensory and motor innervation in regulating and maintaining expression of MHC isoforms in adult rat muscle spindles. METHODS: MHC expression was investigated in deafferented or deefferented adult rat muscle spindles by reacting transverse sections of spindles with a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for different MHC isoforms. RESULTS: Deefferentation or deafferentation did not alter the number of intrafusal fibers expressing most MHC isoforms. However, the numbers of fibers expressing two MHC isoforms were altered in deefferented muscle spindles. Nuclear bag1 fibers ceased to express alpha-cardiac MHC and upregulated embryonic MHC after ablation of motor innervation. Likewise, bag2 and chain fibers downregulated avian neonatal/fast MHC following deafferentation, but chain fibers upregulated type 2A MHC and became more extrafusal-like in their pattern of MHC expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that (1) perturbations in spindle sensory and motor nerve supplies produce less severe alterations in MHC expression in mature intrafusal fibers than do similar lesions in developing intrafusal fibers and (2) MHC expression in intrafusal fibers reflects a combination of inductive and suppressive effects of motor and sensory neurons.

Animals↗