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EphA family gene expression in the developing mouse neocortex: regional patterns reveal intrinsic programs and extrinsic influence.

Parcellation of the mammalian cerebral cortex into distinct areas is essential for proper cortical function; however, the developmental program that results in the genesis of distinct areas is not fully understood. We examined the expression of members of the EphA family-the EphA receptor tyrosine kinases and the ephrin-A ligands-within the developing mouse cerebral cortex, with the aim of characterizing this component of the molecular landscape during cortical parcellation. We found that specific embryonic zones, such as the ventricular, subventricular, intermediate, subplate, and marginal zones, as well as the cortical plate, were positive for particular EphA genes early in corticogenesis (E12-E15). Along with this zone-selective expression, several genes (EphA3, EphA4, EphA5) were evenly expressed along the axes of the developing cortex, whereas one family member (EphA7) was expressed in a distinct anteroposterior pattern. Later in corticogenesis (E16-E18), other EphA family members became selectively expressed, but only within the cortical plate: EphA6 was present posteriorly, and ephrin-A5 was expressed within a middle region. At birth, patterning of EphA gene expression was striking. Thus, we found that the expression of a single EphA gene or a combination of family members can define distinct embryonic zones and anteroposterior regions of the neocortex during development. To examine whether cellular context affects the patterning of EphA expression, we examined gene expression in embryonic cortical cells grown in vitro, such that all cellular contacts are lacking, and in Mash-1 mutant mice, in which thalamocortical connections do not form. We found that the expression patterns of most EphA family members remained stable in these scenarios, whereas the pattern of ephrin-A5 was altered. Taken together, this work provides a comprehensive picture of EphA family expression during mouse corticogenesis and demonstrates that most EphA expression profiles are cell intrinsically based, whereas ephrin-A5 is plastically regulated.

Afferent Pathways↗

The fate of aflatoxins during the production of "Ogiri", a West African fermented melon seed condiment from artificially contaminated seeds.

Twenty-six market samples and four laboratory-prepared samples of "ogiri" were screened for aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins were not detected in any of the samples. The fermented product (ogiri) was prepared with Aspergillus flavus-contaminated melon seeds. Losses of 64.7% aflatoxin B1 and 82.9% aflatoxin G1 were observed at the end of the third day of fermentation of the ground melon seeds. The samples were completely detoxified at the fourth day of fermentation. Increase in pH of the mash from 6.2 to 7.2 was observed during fermentation.

Aflatoxins↗

Human medulloblastoma cell line DEV is a potent tool to screen for factors influencing differentiation of neural stem cells.

The aim of our study was to investigate whether a human neural cell line could be used as a reliable screening tool to examine the functional conservation, in humans, of transcription factors involved in neuronal or glial specification in other species. Gain-of-function experiments were performed on DEV cells, a cell line derived from a human medulloblastoma. Genes encoding nine different transcription factors were tested for their influence on the process of specification of human DEV cells towards a neuronal or glial fate. In a first series of experiments, DEV cells were transfected with murine genes encoding transcription factors known to be involved in the neuronal differentiation cascade. Neurogenins-1, -2, and -3; Mash-1; and NeuroD increased the differentiation of DEV cells towards a neuronal phenotype by a factor of 2-3.5. In a second series of experiments, we tested transcription factors involved in invertebrate glial specification. In the embryonic Drosophila CNS, the development of most glial cells depends on the master regulatory gene glial cell missing (gcm). Expression of gcm in DEV cells induced a twofold increase of astrocytic and a sixfold increase of oligodendroglial cell types. Interestingly, expression of tramtrack69, which is required in all Drosophila glial cells, resulted in a fourfold increase of only the oligodendrocyte phenotype. Expression of the related tramtrack88 protein, which is not expressed in the fly glia, or the C. elegans lin26 protein showed no effect. These results show that the Drosophila transcription factor genes tested can conserve their function upon transfection into the human DEV cells, qualifying this cell line as a screening tool to analyze the mechanisms of neuronal and glial specification.

Animals↗

Production of thermozymocidin (myriocin) by the pyrenomycete Melanconis flavovirens.

Submerged culture of the pyrenomycete Melanconis flavovirens produces a strongly active antifungal antibiotic. The antibiotic was isolated from the culture mash. In purified compound the physico-chemical characteristics, including 1H NMR spectrum, were estimated. The antibiotic was found to be identical with thermozymocidin (myriocin) as confirmed by comparison with synthetically prepared thermozymocidin.

Amino Alcohols↗

Vitamin A deficiency leads to increased cell proliferation in olfactory epithelium of mature rats.

We have shown previously that vitamin A deficiency (VAD) leads to the decreased expression of gene products that are specifically synthesized by mature neurons in the olfactory epithelium (OE) of adult rats. These results support the hypothesis that retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, is required for neurogenesis and neuron replacement in vivo. VAD does not cause gross degeneration of the OE, raising the question: what types of cells continue to populate VAD OE? In this study, we compared the cell densities of VAD and VA-sufficient (VAS) OE and investigated whether cell proliferation is upregulated in VAD OE. The results show that (1) total cell number in VAD and VAS OE are comparable; (2) localized areas of hyperplasia are present in the basal regions of VAD, but not VAS, OE; (3) there is a substantial increase in the number of PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) positive cells in the basal region of VAD OE relative to VAS OE; and (4) there is a relative increase in the levels of mRNA encoding the transcription factor, MASH I, in VAD OE. We conclude that reduced availability of vitamin A derivatives, such as retinoic acid, leads to a loss of control over proliferation, hyperplasia, and increased numbers of pro-neural cells in vivo.

Animals↗

A laboratory yeast strain suitable for spirit production.

Yeast strains of the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae currently in use for the production of consumable alcohols such as beer, wine and spirits are genetically largely undefined. This prevents the use of standard genetic manipulations, such as crossings and tetrad analysis, for strain improvement. Furthermore, it complicates the application of the majority of modern methods developed in yeast molecular biology. Here we used two haploid laboratory strains with suitable auxotrophic markers for the construction of a genetically well defined, prototrophic diploid production strain. This strain was tested for its fermentative and sensory performances in comparison to commercially available yeasts. Three different fruit mashes (cherries, plums and pears) were fermented in a 90 kg scale. These were then subjected to distillation and used for the production of spirits with a final ethanol content of 40% (v/v). Fermentation parameters assayed included growth, sugar utilization, ethanol production and generation of volatile compounds, higher alcohols and glycerol. The spirits were also tested for their sensory performances and the data obtained statistically consolidated. Our results clearly demonstrate that this laboratory strain does not display any disadvantage compared with commercial yeasts in spirit production for any of the parameters tested, yet it offers the potential to apply both classical breeding and modern molecular genetic techniques for adjusting yeast physiology to special production schemes.

Alcoholic Beverages↗

Changes in olfactory responsiveness by the domestic chick after early exposure to odorants.

There is increasing evidence that odorants are important in the formation of attachments by the domestic chick, Gallus gallus domesticus. We investigated whether early exposure to nonaversive odorants altered the responses of 1-day-old chicks to a number of odorants from naturalistic sources, including feathers and faeces of adult chickens, wood litter and food (chick starter mash). The odorants were delivered by dynamic olfactometry, in which air containing different concentrations of each odorant was presented separately to individually housed chicks together with a small, coloured bead at which they could peck. When tested with a faecal odorant, but not the other odorants, control chicks, incubated and reared under standard conditions, shook their heads more but their pecking responses did not vary for any of the odorants tested. Chicks that had been exposed to a moist-food odorant from embryonic day 20 to 18 h posthatching and tested with odorants from either moist or dry food pecked less than controls but shook their heads the same amount. Early exposure to the moist-food odorant did not affect responses to the odorants of feathers or faeces. Chicks apparently learn about their olfactory environment during the later part of incubation and in the early posthatching period and the memory formed alters behaviour on day 1 posthatching. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

Human achaete-scute homologue 1 (HASH-1) is downregulated in differentiating neuroblastoma cells.

The mammalian achaete-scute homologue, MASH-1, is crucial for early development of the sympathetic nervous system and is transiently expressed in sympathetic neuroblasts during embryogenesis. Here we report that the human homologue (HASH-1) was expressed in all analyzed cell lines (6/6) derived from the sympathetic nervous system tumor neuroblastoma. The majority of small-cell lung carcinoma (4/5) cell lines tested expressed HASH-1, while other nonneuronal/non-neuroendocrine cell lines were negative. Induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells resulted in HASH-1 downregulation. This occurred concomitant with induction of neurite outgrowth and expression of the neuronal marker genes GAP-43 and neuropeptide Y. Constitutive expression of exogenous HASH-1 did not alter the capacity of the neuroblastoma cells to differentiate in response to differentiation-inducing agents. It is concluded that moderate HASH-1 expression does not compromise the capacity of these cells to differentiate.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins↗

HASH-1 and E2-2 are expressed in human neuroblastoma cells and form a functional complex.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor mammalian achaete-scute homolog-1 (MASH-1 in mouse and HASH-1 in human) is essential for proper development of olfactory and most peripheral autonomic neurons, and for the formation of distinct neuronal circuits within the central nervous system. We have previously shown that HASH-1 is expressed in neuroblastoma tumors and cell lines, and in this study we have used the yeast two-hybrid system to isolate HASH-1 interacting proteins from a human neuroblastoma cDNA library. Two of the isolated clones contained cDNA from the E2-2 gene (also known as ITF2/SEF2-1). We show that E2-2 interacts with HASH-1 in both yeast and mammalian cells. The HASH-1/E2-2 complex binds an E-box (CACCTG) in vitro, and transactivates an E-box containing reporter construct in vivo. Furthermore, E2-2 seems to be one of the major HASH-1 interacting proteins in extracts from neuroblastoma cells. In conclusion, E2-2 forms a functional complex with HASH-1, and might therefore be involved in the development of specific parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcriptio↗

A role of N-cadherin in neuronal differentiation of embryonic carcinoma P19 cells.

N-cadherin is one of the important molecules for cell to cell interaction in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In this report, we have shown that N-cadherin mRNA and protein were increased rapidly in retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal differentiation of embryonic carcinoma P19 cells. To explore possible roles for N-cadherin during this process, N-cadherin-overexpressing P19 cell lines were established. These transfected cells could differentiate into neurofilament-expressing neurons in the absence of RA. RT-PCR revealed that the expression patterns of development-related genes, such as Oct-3/4, nestin, Notch-1, and Mash-1 were similar between the transfected P19 cells and the RA-induced wild-type P19 cells during their neuronal differentiation. On the contrary, the Wnt-1 gene was up-regulated in the N-cadherin-overexpressing P19 cells, but could not be detected in the wild-type P19 cells. These results suggest N-cadherin may play a role in neuronal differentiation of P19 cells, possibly through the Wnt-1 signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Regulated expression of Wnt family members during neuroectodermal differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells: overexpression of Wnt-1 perturbs normal differentiation-specific properties.

The P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line represents a useful model system for analysis of neural development and differentiation processes that are difficult to study in mammalian embryos. Since many members of the Wnt family of signaling molecules are expressed in the developing as well as adult nervous system, we have examined expression of these genes in P19 cells. Analysis of the mRNA accumulation profiles for Wnt genes during retinoic acid (RA)-induced neural differentiation of P19 cells showed that nine Wnt family members were expressed in a regulated manner during this process. Most were induced by RA treatment, and some were also expressed in undifferentiated P19 cells. Since Wnt-1 is not expressed in undifferentiated P19 cells but is induced during neuroectodermal differentiation we have generated P19 cell lines that overexpress Wnt-1 in the absence of RA treatment, in order to address the role of Wnt-1 in P19 differentiation. In the presence of ectopic Wnt-1, expression of other endogenous Wnt genes, which serve as early differentiation markers in this system, were induced without RA, which is normally required for appearance of these gene products. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Wnt-1 resulted in a loss of SSEA-1 antigen expression, a marker of undifferentiated P19 cells. Similarly to the parental cell line, addition of RA to P19 cells overexpressing Wnt-1 induced the neuroectodermal pathway, but expression of cell type-specific markers such as MASH-1, HNK-1, and GAP-43 was diminished and the morphology of neuronal processes, stained with an antibody to neurofilament, was abnormal. These data suggest that Wnt-1 itself can induce some aspects of early neuroectodermal differentiation and, furthermore, that the correct timing of Wnt-1 expression is necessary for proper RA-induced expression of the neural phenotype.

Animals↗

Postmigratory enteric and sympathetic neural precursors share common, developmentally regulated, responses to BMP2.

The development of enteric and sympathetic neurons from neural crest precursor cells is regulated by signals produced by the embryonic environments to which the cells migrate. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are present in the developing embryo and act to induce neuronal differentiation and noradrenergic properties of neural crest cells. We have investigated the role of BMP2 in regulating the appearance of distinct populations of autonomic neurons from postmigratory, HNK-1-positive neural crest precursor cells. BMP2 promotes neuronal differentiation of sympathetic and enteric precursor cells isolated from E14.5 rat. The effects of BMP2 change over time, resulting in a decrease in neuron number that can be attributed to apoptotic cell death. BMP2-dependent neuron death is rescued by gut-derived factors that provide trophic support to maturing neurons, indicating that BMP2 regulates the acquisition of trophic dependence of developing peripheral neurons. In addition to regulating neuron number, BMP2 promotes both panneuronal maturation and the acquisition of an enteric phenotype, as measured by lineage-specific changes in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and MASH-1. While BMP2 is sufficient to induce neuronal differentiation and panneuronal development, these results suggest that additional factors in the environment must collaborate with BMP2 to promote the final noradrenergic phenotype of sympathetic neurons.

Animals↗

Negative regulation of selected bHLH proteins by eHAND.

The bHLH protein eHAND plays an important role in the development of extraembryonic, mesodermal, and cardiac cell lineages, presumably through heterodimerization with other HLH proteins and DNA binding. In this study, we have identified a novel transcriptional activity of eHAND. In transient transfection assays, eHAND is a potent inhibitor of activation by some but not all bHLH proteins. eHAND can prevent E-box DNA binding by these bHLH proteins. Interestingly, eHAND can also strongly inhibit transactivation activity by a MyoD approximately E47 tethered dimer, which suggests a distinct mechanism of action. eHAND also inhibits MyoD-dependent skeletal muscle cell differentiation and expression of the muscle-specific myosin heavy chain protein. In addition, we show that eHAND can repress activity of the natural p75LNGFR promoter, whose expression overlaps that of eHAND and dHAND. The inhibitory activity of eHAND may be attributed to multiple mechanisms, such as the ability to act as a corepressor, the presence of a repression domain, and its ability to sequester E proteins in an inactive complex. Based upon its inhibitory effect on bHLH proteins and cellular differentiation, we propose that eHAND may function by several mechanisms to promote placental giant cell proliferation by negatively regulating the activities of the bHLH protein MASH-2.

Animals↗

Dynamics of MASH1 expression in vitro and in vivo suggest a non-stem cell site of MASH1 action in the olfactory receptor neuron lineage.

Disruption of the mouse gene encoding the transcription factor MASH1 leads to loss of certain classes of neurons, including receptor neurons of the olfactory epithelium (OE). Here we investigate the nature of the cell type expressing MASH1 in mouse OE by manipulating olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo to alter the dynamics of neuronal production. The results indicate that MASH1 is expressed in cells of the ORN lineage, but not in ORNs themselves nor in their immediate precursors. Data on how changes in the numbers and proliferative states of MASH+ cells correlate with induced changes in overall neurogenesis strongly suggest that MASH1-expressing cells give rise to the immediate precursors of ORNs, but are not the self-renewing stem cells of the OE. The results imply that multiple progenitor stages are employed in generating ORNs and suggest that the action of MASH1 occurs predominantly at an intermediate stage.

Animals↗

Impact of processing on food allergens.

In general, allergenic foods are resistant to processes commonly used in food manufacturing. Nearly all the causative proteins (allergens) retain their allergenicity after treatment by heat and/or proteolysis. Notable exceptions exist; for example, the allergenicity of many fresh fruits and vegetables is decreased or removed by relatively mild processes such as gentle heating or mashing. The use of proteolytic enzymes to remove allergenicity is successfully used in the production of hypoallergenic infant formulas, but this approach with other allergenic foods has resulted in only limited success. Processing effects can result in decreased or complete removal of allergenic qualities of a food, such as the removal of proteins in oilseed processing, which renders the oils hypoallergenic and safe for consumption by allergic individuals. This discussion will address the different allergenic foods and processes which can affect or decrease their allergenicity.

Allergens↗

The cockerel as an animal model for atherosclerosis research.

The chicken is a good animal model for the study of atherosclerosis research because it is: 1. Omnivorous. 2. Small and suitable for prolonged laboratory investigation. 3. Able to develop spontaneous atherosclerosis. 4. Capable of producing atherosclerosis after cholesterol feeding with elevated hypercholesterolemia. A diet of 1/4% cholesterol plus 5% cottonseed oil added to starter-grower-mash resulted in aortic atherosclerosis with a slight but significant increase in plasma cholesterol. 5. Plasma levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are similar to those in humans. 6. Lipid composition of high and low density lipoproteins as well as chylomicrons resembles those of humans. 7. Has been noted that there is no essential difference between vascular lesions seen in chickens as a result of cholesterol diet and that of atherosclerosis observed in man.

Animals↗

Industrial application of fuzzy control in bioprocesses.

In a bioprocess, for example a fermentation process, many biological reactions are always working in intracellular space and the control of such a process is very complicated. Bioprocesses have therefore been controlled by the judgment of the experts who are the skilled operators and have much experience in the control of such processes. Such experience is normally described in terms of linguistic IF-THEN rules. Fuzzy inference is a powerful tool for incorporating linguistic rules into computer control of such processes. Fuzzy control is divided into two types--direct fuzzy control of process variables, for example sugar feed rate and fermentation temperature, and indirect control via phase recognition. In bioprocess control the experts decide the value of controllable process variables such as sugar feed rate or temperature as output data from several state variables as input data. Fuzzy control is regarded as a computational algorithm in which the causal relationship between input and output data are incorporated. In Japan fuzzy control has already been applied to practical industrial processes such as production of pravastatin precursor and vitamin B2 and to the Japanese sake mashing process; these examples are reviewed. In addition, an advanced control tool developed from a study on fuzzy control, fuzzy neural networks (FNN), are introduced. FNN can involve complicated causality between input and output data in a network model. FNN have been proven to be applicable to a research in biomedicine, for example modeling of the complicated causality between electroencephalogram or gene expression profiling data and prognostic prediction. Successful results on this research will be also explained.

Algorithms↗

A simple scintigraphic method for continuous monitoring of gastric emptying.

A new and simple scintigraphic method for the measurement of gastric emptying was developed and validated. The test meal consists of 200 g potato mash mixed with 0.5 g Dowex 2X8 particles (mesh 20-50) labelled with 37 MBq (1 mCi) technetium-99m. After ingestion of the meal, sequential dynamic 15-s anteroposterior exposures in the supine position are obtained for 90 min. A second recording sequence of 20 min is added after a 30-min interval. The results can be displayed as immediate cine-replay, as time-activity diagrams and/or as activity retention values. Complicated mathematical fittings are not necessary. The method lends itself equally to the testing of in- and outpatients.

Anion Exchange Resins↗