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Anxiety-like behavior in transgenic mice with brain expression of neuropeptide Y.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), one of the most abundant peptide transmitters in the mammalian brain, is assumed to play an important role in behavior and its disorders. To understand the long-term modulation of neuronal functions by NPY, we raised transgenic mice created with a novel central nervous system (CNS) neuron-specific expression vector of human Thy- gene fragment linked to mouse NPY cDNA. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated transgene-derived NPY expression in neurons (e.g., in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus) in the transgenic mice. The modest increase of NPY protein in the brain was demonstrated by semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis and by radioreceptor assay (115% in transgenic mice compared to control littermates). Double-staining experiments indicated colocalization of the transgene-derived NPY message and NPY protein in the same neurons, such as in the arcuate nucleus. The transgenic mice displayed behavioral signs of anxiety and hypertrophy of adrenal zona fasciculata cells, but no change in food intake was observed. The anxiety-like behavior of transgenic mice was reversed, at least in part, by administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) antagonists, alpha-helical CRF9-41, into the third cerebral ventricle. These results suggest that NPY has a role in anxiety and behavioral responses to stress partly via the CRF neuronal system. This genetic model may provide a unique opportunity to study human anxiety and emotional disorders.

Animals

Extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in rat oligodendrocytes: expression and potential role in regulation of cellular proliferation and an outward K+ channel.

A G protein-coupled, extracellular calcium (Ca(0)2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) cloned from parathyroid, kidney, and brain plays crucial roles in systemic calcium metabolism. In brain, the CaR is located in nerve terminals as well as in fiber tracts, where it may be expressed in glia. Moreover, there is Ca2+- and K+-dependent communication between axons and oligodendroglia. To investigate further the potential role of the CaR in oligodendroglia, we studied expression of CaR mRNA and protein as well as the effects of CaR agonists on cellular proliferation and Ca2+-activated K+ channel activity in immature rat oligodendrocytes in primary culture. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of CaR transcripts from oligodendrocytes revealed >99% sequence identity with the rat kidney CaR. Northern analysis demonstrated 7.5 and 4.1 kb transcripts in oligodendrocytes, similar to those in rat parathyroid and kidney, while Western analysis and immunocytochemistry with CaR-specific antisera showed the presence of CaR protein. Immunocytochemically, the CaR was colocalized with galactocerebroside in the cultured oligodendrocytes. Raising Ca(0)2+ from 1.8 to 4.8 mM or addition of the polycationic CaR agonist neomycin (300 microM) modestly but significantly increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation into oligodendrocytes. Elevating Ca(0)2+ from 0.75 to 3.0 mM or addition of 100 microM neomycin also produced 2-2.5-fold increases in the open state probability (Po) of an outward K+ channel with a unitary conductance of 88+/-5 pS. Taken together, our data show that the CaR is expressed in immature oligodendrocytes and may be functionally linked to cellular proliferation and an outward K+ channel potentially contributing to local ionic homeostasis in the vicinity of oligodendroglia.

Animals

Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2): a sensitive marker of seizure-related brain damage.

We have assessed the efficacy of MAP-2 immunohistochemistry as a marker of seizure-related brain damage and its suitability for quantitation of the damage using densitometric and morphometric image analysis. Seizures were produced in rats by administration of 1.5 LD50 soman, an irreversible AChE inhibitor. Our results demonstrate that neuronal damage, assessed using hematoxylin and eosin, and cresyl violet staining, was colocalized on adjacent serial sections with clearly demarcated reductions in MAP-2 staining. The most severely damaged brain regions were devoid of MAP-2 staining. Reductions in MAP-2 immunostaining were found to be exceptionally well suited for quantitation using densitometric and morphometric image analysis. This study represents the first demonstration of seizure-induced excitotoxic alterations in MAP-2.

Animals

GABA and glycine frequently colocalize in terminals on cat spinal motoneurons.

In this ultrastructural study the colocalization of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glycine in terminals within cat lumbar motoneuronal cell groups was investigated and the frequency of this colocalization was determined. For this purpose the post-embedding immunogold technique was applied on serial sections, using antibodies directed against either GABA or glycine. Analysis of all labelled terminals in a random area of cat motoneuronal cell groups showed that 25 +/- 5% were labelled for GABA only, 29 +/- 6% were labelled for glycine only and 46 +/- 9% were labelled for both GABA and glycine, meaning that nearly two out of every three GABA-labelled terminals were also labelled for glycine and vice versa. Based on these results and on other data suggesting a high frequency of colocalization, it is concluded that in cat motoneuronal cell groups colocalization of GABA and glycine is the rule rather than the exception.

Animals

Noradrenergic and peptidergic nerves in the synovial membrane of the Sprague-Dawley rat.

This immunohistochemical study of nerves in the synovial tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated the occurrence of 4 neuropeptides and 2 enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of catecholamines. Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide were colocalized in fibers that terminated as varicosal endings in the synoviocyte layer. Similarly, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase, which reflect the presence of noradrenaline, were colocalized with neuropeptide Y. These fibers were predominantly found adjacent to and within blood vessel walls. Immunoreactivity to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was seen in varicose nerve terminals in the synoviocyte layer. Many were localized in vessel walls. There is accumulating evidence of an involvement of substance P and noradrenaline in the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint disease and nociception. The role of these colocalized neuropeptides, namely, calcitonin gene-related peptide and neuropeptide Y, in the pathophysiology of such conditions warrants further analysis.

Animals

Expression of VAMP-2-like protein in kidney collecting duct intracellular vesicles. Colocalization with Aquaporin-2 water channels.

Body water balance is controlled by vasopressin, which regulates Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channels in kidney collecting duct cells by vesicular trafficking between intracellular vesicles and the plasma membrane. To examine the molecular apparatus involved in vesicle trafficking and vasopressin regulation of AQP2 in collecting duct cells, we tested if targeting proteins expressed in the synaptic vesicles, namely vesicle-associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (VAMP1 and 2), are expressed in kidney collecting duct. Immunoblotting revealed specific labeling of VAMP2 (18-kD band) but not VAMP1 in membrane fractions prepared from kidney inner medulla. Controls using preadsorbed antibody or preimmune serum were negative. Bands of identical molecular size were detected in immunoblots of brain membrane vesicles and purified synaptic vesicles. VAMP2 in kidney membranes was cleaved by tetanus toxin, revealing a tetanus toxin-sensitive VAMP homologue. Similarly, tetanus toxin cleaved VAMP2 in synaptic vesicles. In kidney inner medulla, VAMP2 was predominantly expressed in the membrane fraction enriched for intracellular vesicles, with little or no VAMP2 in the plasma membrane enriched fraction. This was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using semithin cryosections, which showed mainly vesicular labeling in collecting duct principal cells, with no labeling of intercalated cells. VAMP2 immunolabeling colocalized with AQP2 labeling in intracellular vesicles, as determined by immunoelectron microscopy after double immunolabeling of isolated vesicles. Quantitative analysis of 1,310 vesicles revealed a highly significant association of both AQP2 and VAMP2 in the same vesicles (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the presence of AQP2 in vesicles immunoisolated with anti-VAMP2 antibodies was confirmed by immunoblotting. In conclusion, VAMP2, a component of the neuronal SNARE complex, is expressed in vesicles carrying AQP2, suggesting a role in vasopressin-regulated vesicle trafficking of AQP2 water channels.

Animals

Characterization and chemoproteomic profiling of protein O-GlcNAcylation in SOD1-G93A mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease. Protein O-linked &#x3b2;-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification has been found to affect the processing of several important proteins implicated in ALS. However, the overall level and cellular localization of O-GlcNAc during ALS progression are incompletely understood, and large-scale profiling of O-GlcNAcylation sites in this context remains unexplored. METHODS: By using immunostaining analysis and chemoenzymatic labeling-based quantitative chemoproteomics, we assayed O-GlcNAcylation dynamics of lumbar spinal cords from SOD-G93A mice and their non-transgenic (NTG) littermates, the most widely used animal model for studying ALS pathogenesis. RESULTS: We discovered that the global O-GlcNAcylation was significantly reduced at the disease end stage. Correlatively, a great increase of OGA was observed. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis showed a higher proportion of O-GlcNAc-positive neurons in the NTG group, while O-GlcNAc colocalization with astrocytes/microglia was elevated in SOD1-G93A mice. Moreover, we reported the identification of 568 high-confidence O-GlcNAc sites from end-stage SOD1-G93A and NTG mice. Of the 568 sites, 226-many of which occurred on neuronal function and structure-related proteins-were found to be dynamically regulated. CONCLUSION: These data provide a valuable resource for dissecting the functional role of O-GlcNAcylation in ALS and shed light on promising therapeutic avenues for ALS. The chemoenzymatic labeling-based chemoproteomic approach is applicable for probing O-GlcNAc dynamics in various pathological processes.

Animals

Integrative post-GWAS analysis prioritizes immune regulatory pathways and candidate effector signals in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a complex polygenic architecture, but translating genome-wide association signals into biologically interpretable candidates remains challenging. We applied an integrative post-GWAS framework to refine SLE-associated loci and prioritize candidate regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: European-ancestry SLE GWAS summary statistics from FinnGen and Bentham et al. were meta-analysed, comprising 8417 cases and 354,277 controls. After quality filtering, 6,782,131 SNPs were retained. Downstream analyses included LAVA regional prioritization, Bayesian colocalization with GTEx v8 whole-blood and spleen eQTLs, independent replication in the Juli&#xe0; et al. Spanish cohort, pathway enrichment, bivariate LAVA cross-trait local genetic correlation, and therapeutic annotation. RESULTS: The discovery meta-analysis identified 46 genome-wide significant SLE-associated loci, including putative novel signals requiring database/literature qualification. LAVA identified 14 candidate index variants across 12 high-confidence regions, of which nine index variants were retained as the primary prioritized set based on LAVA support and/or convergent regulatory evidence. The strongest association mapped to the chr6p21.3/MHC region (rs389884), where four genes showed colocalization support, including CLIC1 in whole blood and C4A in spleen. Because the chr6p21.3/MHC rs389884 region lead variant was unavailable for replication and no suitable proxy was identified, this signal was interpreted as an emerging candidate for functional validation rather than a replicated causal signal. Seven available variants replicated with concordant effects. An exploratory Roadmap immune chromatin-state overlap analysis placed 15 of 45 non-MHC lead variants (33.3%) directly, and 34 of 45 (75.6%) within &#xb1;10&#x202f;kb, in active immune enhancer/promoter states. Pathway analyses highlighted type I interferon, JAK-STAT signaling, cytokine regulation, and antigen presentation, while bivariate LAVA analyses supported shared local genetic architecture with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and Sj&#xf6;gren syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This integrative post-GWAS analysis refines SLE association signals into biologically interpretable candidate regions and supports interferon and JAK-STAT signaling as central genetically supported pathways in SLE.

CLIC1

Potential mitochondria-associated pathogenic genes in sepsis: a multi-omics Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of sepsis. However, human genetic evidence linking mitochondria-related genes to sepsis susceptibility remains limited. This study aimed to identify mitochondria-related genes associated with sepsis risk using a multi-omics Mendelian randomization framework. METHODS: Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) was applied using sepsis genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from the UK Biobank and FinnGen databases. Expression, methylation, single-cell, and protein quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were used as genetic instruments. Colocalization analyses were conducted to evaluate whether SMR associations were driven by shared genetic variants. Expression of prioritized candidate genes was further examined in clinical septic samples, and correlations with disease severity (SOFA scores) were assessed. RESULTS: SMR analysis prioritized 13 mitochondria-related genes associated with sepsis risk. Immune cell-specific eQTL analysis suggested that genetically predicted SURF1 expression in memory B cells and na&#xef;ve T cells was associated with sepsis risk. Differential expression of 12 candidate genes was confirmed in septic patients by qPCR, and PPOX expression showed a negative correlation with SOFA scores. Integration of mQTL and eQTL data supported a regulatory relationship between methylation at cg06661924 and AK4 expression. Increased genetically predicted AK4 expression was associated with higher sepsis risk (OR&#xa0;=&#xa0;1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.42). Protein-level analysis identified DUT as a potential sepsis-associated candidate, with consistent evidence across streptococcal and pneumococcal septicemia subtypes. Subtype analyses also suggested heterogeneous genetic signals across different sepsis subtypes. CONCLUSION: This study prioritized several mitochondria-related genes associated with sepsis susceptibility based on human genetic evidence. These findings provide candidate targets for further mechanistic and translational investigation.

Humans

Activation of oriLyt, the lytic origin of DNA replication of Epstein-Barr virus, by BZLF1.

oriLyt, the cis-acting element of the lytic origin of DNA replication of Epstein-Barr virus, is activated by the viral transactivator BZLF1 which belongs to the extended bZIP class of transcription factors. Seven binding sites for BZLF1, so-called ZRE sites, are located within oriLyt. By mutational analysis of individual ZRE sites, we found that lytic DNA replication is dependent on only four of these sites which colocate with the promoter of the BHLF1 gene. The remaining three ZRE sites distal to the BHLF1 promoter were dispensable for DNA replication and did not contribute to long-range transcriptional activation of this promoter by BZLF1. This finding indicated that a similar set of ZRE sites is involved in DNA replication and transcriptional activation. To determine the function of BZLF1 in DNA replication, BZLF1 mutants with successive deletions in the transactivation domain were analyzed in replication assays. Unexpectedly, most BZLF1 mutants which failed to support DNA replication were found to be equally defective in transcriptional activation. Therefore, similar trans-acting domains of BZLF1 are involved both in replication and in transcription.

Binding Sites

The autoantigen La/SSB is a calmodulin-binding protein.

The work reported here has been directed to the identification of new nuclear calmodulin-binding proteins. To achieve this goal, nuclei from rat hepatocytes were purified and a fraction enriched in DNA- and RNA-binding proteins was extracted using DNase I and RNase A. Calmodulin-binding proteins present in this nuclear subfraction were purified by chromatography using first a DEAE-Sephacel column and subsequently a calmodulin-Sepharose column. Four major polypeptides of 118, 107, 48 and 45 kDa were found to bind to the calmodulin column in a Ca(2+)-dependent way. [125I]-calmodulin overlay analysis confirmed that the proteins of 118, 48 and 45 kDa are calmodulin-binding proteins. These proteins bind single-stranded and also double-stranded DNA. A partial amino acid sequence obtained from the 48 kDa protein revealed a 100% identity with the La/SSB protein, an autoantigen implicated in several autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis and experiments of binding to poly(U), also supports the identity of p48 as La/SSB. CaM and La/SSB protein colocalize in the heterochromatinic regions within the nucleus of rat hepatocytes. Preincubation of La/SSB with calmodulin in the presence of Ca2+ resulted in an increase in the binding of ssDNA to La/SSB, suggesting that calmodulin can play a role in the regulation of the association of La/SSB with DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence

Increased transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) immunoreactivity is independently associated with chronic injury in both consequential and primary radiation enteropathy.

PURPOSE: Radiation enteropathy is characterized by sustained increase in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) immunoreactivity and connective tissue mast cell (CTMC) hyperplasia that may be responsible for progressive fibrosis and lead to clinical complications. We examined to what extent these chronic molecular and cellular phenomena are associated with acute mucosal breakdown (consequential injury) and/or direct (primary) radiation injury in late-responding compartments. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Rat small intestine was exposed to 50.4 Gy x-irradiation given either over 18 days (2.8 Gy daily or 5.6 Gy every other day) or 9 days (2.8 Gy twice daily or 5.6 Gy daily). Intestinal complications were recorded and groups of animals were euthanized at 2 and 26 weeks to assess subacute and chronic injury. Histopathologic changes were assessed with a radiation injury scoring system (RIS), total TGF-beta immunoreactivity was quantified with computerized image analysis, and CTMC hyperplasia was assessed in toluidine blue-stained sections. RESULTS: TGF-beta immunoreactivity and CTMC hyperplasia colocalized in areas of injury and were highly significantly correlated. Increased fraction size and decreased overall treatment time were associated with increased RIS (p < 0.01 and p < 0.00001), increased TGF-beta immunoreactivity (p = 0.01 andp < 0.001), and degree of CTMC hyperplasia (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001). Postradiation CTMC numbers increased across treatment groups from 2 to 26 weeks (p < 0.01). TGF-beta immunoreactivity was independently associated with chronic intestinal wall fibrosis (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This in vivo study supports in vitro evidence linking increased TGF-beta immunoreactivity and mast cell hyperplasia and strongly suggests their involvement in the molecular pathogenesis of both primary and consequential radiation enteropathy.

Animals

Resistance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to glutamatergic neurotoxicity.

Although many studies provide evidence that glutamatergic pathways regulate the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, it is controversial as to whether they act directly upon GnRH neurons. The aim of the current study was to determine whether GnRH neurons are susceptible to the neurotoxic actions of specific glutamate agonists (N-methyl-D-aspartate [NMDA] and kainic acid), the rationale being that neurotoxic loss of GnRH neurons would provide evidence that the perikarya possess specific classes of glutamate receptor. Unilateral 1-microl injections of NMDA (12-120 mM), kainic acid (0.5-2.5 mM), or vehicle were stereotaxically directed at the preoptic area (mPOA)/diagonal band of Broca (dbB) in the region of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) of male adult hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). The number and appearance of GnRH neurons were determined by immunocytochemistry 3-8 days later. The morphology of GnRH neurons in the vicinity of the injection sites appeared normal after both kainic acid and NMDA treatment, and there was no significant decrease in the numbers of GnRH perikarya identified following these treatments. Both agonists caused massive cellular loss when injected directly into cortical areas and striatum. In the experimental studies, there was little neuronal loss within the mPOA or dbB after either toxin, despite clear neuronal loss in areas adjacent to the injection sites, including ventral striatum and olfactory cortex. In follow-up studies, immunocytochemical and in situ hybridisation analysis of the NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 glutamate receptor subunits confirmed their widespread distribution in regions containing GnRH perikarya, but no colocalization within GnRH neurons was observed. The susceptibility of neural areas to NMDA neurotoxicity did not correlate with any difference in the regional expression of these glutamate receptor subunits. The resistance of GnRH neurons to the neurotoxic actions of two different glutamate agonists and the failure to detect colocalisation of NMDAR1 or NMDAR2 subunits within GnRH perikarya are consistent with the notion that the effects of glutamate upon GnRH secretion are not exerted directly upon GnRH cell bodies.

Animals

Targeting of leptin to the regulated secretory pathway in pituitary AtT-20 cells.

Leptin, a key regulator of fat homeostasis, is the product of the obese gene [1-3], and is secreted from adipocytes and binds to receptor sites in the choroid plexus [4-5]. Several studies have implicated serum insulin levels in the upregulation of leptin gene expression [6-8]. It is currently not known whether leptin levels are also subject to regulation at the level of secretion. Leptin is normally produced in adipocytes, the secretory pathways of which are not well characterized. Here, we used pituitary AtT-20 cells, which serve as a model system for both regulated and constitutive secretory pathways, to examine the intracellular targeting and secretion of leptin. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis of AtT-20 cells expressing an epitope-tagged human leptin (FLAG-leptin) demonstrated that FLAG-leptin colocalized with endogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) at the tips of processes extended from these cells, where regulated secretory granules accumulate. FLAG-leptin secretion was increased in the presence of 8-Br-cAMP, which stimulates the secretion of ACTH. For FLAG-leptin, the calculated sorting index, a quantitative measure of the efficiency of protein sorting to the regulated pathway, was similar to those of other regulated secretory proteins. These results demonstrate that FLAG-leptin behaves like a regulated protein in cells with a biosynthetic regulated secretory pathway.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate

Biosynthesis and biochemical properties of the hepatitis C virus core protein.

The biosynthesis and biochemical properties of the putative nucleocapsid protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were investigated. RNA transcripts for cell-free translation were prepared from truncated form of the cDNA construct encoding the structural proteins of HCV. Processing of the translation products was dependent on microsomal membranes and signal recognition particle, suggesting that release of the 21-kDa core protein from the polyprotein precursor is mediated solely by the signal peptidase of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is achieved by the removal of a putative signal sequence of approximately 18 residues located at its C terminus. The core protein was found to bind membranes in vitro and in transfected cells, as shown by centrifugation analysis of in vitro translation products and transfected-cell lysates. Immunofluorescence of transfected cells showed that the core protein colocalized with the E2 glycoprotein as well as with a cellular ER membrane marker. The nucleocapsid protein expressed by in vitro translation in rabbit reticulocyte lysates cosedimented with the large ribosomal subunit in sucrose gradients. The ribosome binding domain was mapped to the N-terminal region of the core protein. Moreover, the same region was shown to bind RNA in vitro, suggesting that cosedimentation of core protein with ribosomes may be mediated by the RNA binding of the nucleocapsid protein of HCV. These studies indicate that the HCV core protein is a cytoplasmic protein associated with the ER membranes and possesses RNA binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Immunolocalization of CRHSP28 in exocrine digestive glands and gastrointestinal tissues of the rat.

The 28-kDa (on SDS-PAGE) Ca2+-regulated heat stable protein (CRHSP28) was recently purified as novel phosphoprotein in exocrine pancreas, since it undergoes an immediate increase in serine phosphorylation when acini are stimulated with Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. Examination of CRHSP28 protein expression in rat revealed that most was highly expressed in pancreas and other morphologically related exocrine tissues, including the parotid, lacrimal, and submandibular glands. Immunofluorescence staining in pancreas indicated that CRHSP28 was specifically concentrated in zymogen granule-rich areas in the apical cytoplasm of acinar cells. Lack of colocalization with pancreatic lipase in dual immunofluorescence studies confirmed localization of CRHSP28 to the area immediately surrounding the granules. Western analysis of pancreatic zymogen granule membrane proteins indicated CRHSP28 was not associated with the granules following their purification. A similar pattern of apical cytoplasmic secretory granule staining was noted in lacrimal and submandibular glands. CRHSP28 protein was also expressed at relatively high levels in mucosal epithelial cells of the stomach and small intestine. CRHSP28 was found in the supranuclear apical cytoplasm of cells lining the small intestinal crypts, including Paneth cells, and was abundant in the cytoplasm of goblet cells. In the stomach, strong CRHSP28 staining was seen in mucus-secreting cells in the upper portion of the gastric glands and in the apical, granule-rich cytoplasm of chief cells located in the lower portions of the glands. Dual labeling with anti-H+-K+-ATPase demonstrated a comparatively lower expression of CRHSP28 in parietal cells. Collectively, the high relative expression of CRHSP28 in various secretory cell types within the digestive system, together with its intracellular localization surrounding the acinar cell secretory granules, strongly supports a role for CRHSP28 in Ca2+-mediated exocrine secretion.

Animals

Localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid decarboxylase in the pancreas of the nonobese diabetic mouse.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), among other potential autoantigens, is thought to play a crucial role in type I diabetes, particularly in a spontaneous model of the disease, the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. In the pancreas, the presence of GAD and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the decarboxylation product of GAD and a putative neurotransmitter in the islets of Langerhans, is well documented in the beta-cells. This is particularly true in rats, in which another GABAergic structure exists near the islets, the neuronal bodies. In this study, first the GABA content was measured in isolated islets from NOD and C57BL/6 mice (controls), and a decrease was found in NOD females as their insulitis progressed. Second, for the first time in mice, confocal analysis of immunofluorescent-labeled pancreatic sections revealed near the islets neuronal structures in which GAD and neuropeptide Y were colocalized, as they are in the brain. These structures were always observed in the pancreata of both sexes of C57BL/6 mice at the various ages investigated. In NOD mice, however, these neuronal structures were only detected in young females ( < 10 weeks old) and in males until an intermediate age. Moreover, patches of T cells surrounding GAD-containing fibers were seen in the vicinity of the islets with incipient periinsulitis.

Animals

Frequent deletions within FRA7G at 7q31.2 in invasive epithelial ovarian cancer.

We previously showed that FRA7G, an aphidicolin-inducible common fragile site at 7q31.2, colocalized with the common region of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in a number of different tumors. Based on the sequence analysis of 150 Kb in the FRA7G region, we identified four new polymorphic microsatellite markers. In this article, we have used these four microsatellite markers and eight additional markers from 7q22-32 to analyze the breakage and loss of the region surrounding FRA7G in 49 invasive epithelial ovarian cancers and three borderline ovarian tumors. No allelic loss was detected in the ovarian tumors of borderline malignancy, but 71% (35/49) of the invasive tumors showed LOH at one or more loci in the region analyzed. Of the 12 markers analyzed, most of the markers exhibiting a high frequency of LOH were within FRA7G, and the highest frequency of LOH was seen with the new marker 7G14 (37%, 15/41). Breakpoint analysis in tumors with LOH demonstrated that the frequent loss of DNA sequences seen within the FRA7G region was due to frequent small interstitial deletions and not a result of loss of the whole fragile site region. These findings indicate that FRA7G does play a role in the breakage and loss of 7q sequences in invasive ovarian cancer. In addition, the newly identified markers enable us to further delineate a smallest common region of loss in invasive ovarian tumors to a 150-Kb region flanked by markers D7S486 and 7G14.

Carcinoma