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Modifications of alkaline microgel electrophoresis for sensitive detection of DNA damage.

The alkaline microgel electrophoresis technique was modified to achieve a substantial increase in sensitivity for the detection of radiation-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes. This increased sensitivity was achieved through: (1) the addition of free radical scavengers to the electrophoresis solution to reduce DNA damage generated during alkaline unwinding and electrophoresis; (2) the modification of the electrophoresis unit to achieve a more uniform electric field; (3) the use of YOYO-1, a DNA dye, producing fluorescence 500-fold more intense than ethidium bromide; and (4) the introduction of an image analysis system for the quantitation of DNA migration. In addition to increasing sensitivity, these modifications have increased the speed with which observations can be quantified, and improved reproducibility from experiment to experiment. In human lymphocytes, these modifications have resulted in an increased sensitivity of several fold, allowing the detection of DNA damage in the range of 50 mGy. This increased sensitivity for the detection of DNA damage should extend the utility of this technique.

Benzoxazoles↗

Recruitment of Eph receptors into signaling clusters does not require ephrin contact.

Eph receptors and their cell membrane-bound ephrin ligands regulate cell positioning and thereby establish or stabilize patterns of cellular organization. Although it is recognized that ephrin clustering is essential for Eph function, mechanisms that relay information of ephrin density into cell biological responses are poorly understood. We demonstrate by confocal time-lapse and fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy that within minutes of binding ephrin-A5-coated beads, EphA3 receptors assemble into large clusters. While remaining positioned around the site of ephrin contact, Eph clusters exceed the size of the interacting ephrin surface severalfold. EphA3 mutants with compromised ephrin-binding capacity, which alone are incapable of cluster formation or phosphorylation, are recruited effectively and become phosphorylated when coexpressed with a functional receptor. Our findings reveal consecutive initiation of ephrin-facilitated Eph clustering and cluster propagation, the latter of which is independent of ephrin contacts and cytosolic Eph signaling functions but involves direct Eph-Eph interactions.

Cell Line↗

Pharmacological properties and functional role of Kslow current in mouse pancreatic beta-cells: SK channels contribute to Kslow tail current and modulate insulin secretion.

The pharmacological properties of slow Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current (K(slow)) were investigated in mouse pancreatic beta-cells and islets to understand how K(slow) contributes to the control of islet bursting, [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, and insulin secretion. K(slow) was insensitive to apamin or the K(ATP) channel inhibitor tolbutamide, but UCL 1684, a potent and selective nonpeptide SK channel blocker reduced the amplitude of K(slow) tail current in voltage-clamped mouse beta-cells. K(slow) was also selectively and reversibly inhibited by the class III antiarrythmic agent azimilide (AZ). In isolated beta-cells or islets, pharmacologic inhibition of K(slow) by UCL 1684 or AZ depolarized beta-cell silent phase potential, increased action potential firing, raised [Ca(2+)](i), and enhanced glucose-dependent insulin secretion. AZ inhibition of K(slow) also supported mediation by SK, rather than cardiac-like slow delayed rectifier channels since bath application of AZ to HEK 293 cells expressing SK3 cDNA reduced SK current. Further, AZ-sensitive K(slow) current was extant in beta-cells from KCNQ1 or KCNE1 null mice lacking cardiac slow delayed rectifier currents. These results strongly support a functional role for SK channel-mediated K(slow) current in beta-cells, and suggest that drugs that target SK channels may represent a new approach for increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion. The apamin insensitivity of beta-cell SK current suggests that beta-cells express a unique SK splice variant or a novel heteromultimer consisting of different SK subunits.

Alkanes↗

Solvent drag measurement of transcellular and basolateral membrane NaCl reflection coefficient in kidney proximal tubule.

The NaCl reflection coefficient in proximal tubule has important implications for the mechanisms of near isosmotic volume reabsorption. A new fluorescence method was developed and applied to measure the transepithelial (sigma NaClTE) and basolateral membrane (sigma NaClcl) NaCl reflection coefficients in the isolated proximal straight tubule from rabbit kidney. For sigma NaClTE measurement, tubules were perfused with buffers containing 0 Cl, the Cl-sensitive fluorescent indicator 6-methoxy-N-[3-sulfopropyl] quinolinium and a Cl-insensitive indicator fluorescein sulfonate, and bathed in buffers of differing cryoscopic osmolalities containing NaCl. The transepithelial Cl gradient along the length of the tubule was measured in the steady state by a quantitative ratio imaging technique. A mathematical model based on the Kedem-Katchalsky equations was developed to calculate the axial profile of [Cl] from tubule geometry, lumen flow, water (Pf) and NaCl (PNaCl) permeabilities, and sigma NaClTE. A fit of experimental results to the model gave PNaCl = (2.25 +/- 0.2) x 10(-5) cm/s and sigma NaClTE = 0.98 +/- 0.03 at 23 degrees C. For measurement of sigma NaClbl, tubule cells were loaded with SPQ in the absence of Cl. NaCl solvent drag was measured from the time course of NaCl influx in response to rapid (less than 1 s) Cl addition to the bath solution. With bath-to-cell cryoscopic osmotic gradients of 0, -60, and +30 mosmol, initial Cl influx was 1.23, 1.10, and 1.25 mM/s; a fit to a mathematical model gave sigma NaClbl = 0.97 +/- 0.04. These results indicate absence of NaCl solvent drag in rabbit proximal tubule. The implications of these findings for water and NaCl movement in proximal tubule are evaluated.

Animals↗

Cultivation of Tropheryma whipplei from cerebrospinal fluid.

Whipple disease (WD) is a systemic disorder caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Since the recognition of a bacterial etiology in 1961, many attempts have been made to cultivate this bacterium in vitro. It was eventually isolated, in 2000, from an infected heart valve, in coculture with human fibroblasts. Here we report the isolation of 2 new strains of T. whipplei from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 2 patients with intestinal WD but no neurological signs or symptoms. One culture-positive specimen was obtained before treatment; the other was obtained 12 months after discontinuation of therapy, at a time of intestinal remission. In both cases, 15 passages of the cultures were completed over 17 months. Bacterial growth was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which suggested a generation time of 4 days. Staining with YO-PRO nucleic-acid dye showed characteristic rod-shaped bacteria arranged in chains. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with a T. whipplei-specific oligonucleotide probe, a broad-range bacterial probe, and a nonspecific nucleic-acid stain indicated that all visible bacteria were T. whipplei. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed both intracellular and extracellular bacteria. This first isolation of T. whipplei from CSF provides clear evidence of viable bacteria in the central nervous system in individuals with WD, even after prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Actinomycetales↗

Specific triplex binding capacity of mixed base sequence duplex nucleic acids used for single-nucleotide polymorphism detection.

Specific base recognition and binding between native double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and complementary single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of mixed base sequence is presented. Third-strand binding, facilitated and stabilized by a DNA intercalator, YOYO-1, occurs within 5 min at room temperature. This triplex binding capability has been used to develop a homogeneous assay that accurately detects 1-, 2-, or 3-bp mutations or deletions in the dsDNA target. Every type of 1-bp mismatch can be identified. The assay can reliably distinguish homozygous from heterozygous polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified genomic dsDNA, thus providing a highly sensitive clinical diagnostic assay.

Base Pairing↗

Induction of a cAMP-stimulated chloride secretion in regenerating poorly differentiated airway epithelial cells by adenovirus-mediated CFTR gene transfer.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), the airway epithelium is in the process of injury and regeneration. In the context of the CF gene therapy, we previously reported that regenerating poorly differentiated (PD) cells of human airway epithelium represent preferential cell targets for recombinant adenoviral gene vectors. To define whether PD non-CF and CF epithelial cells possess a functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) chloride channel, we analyzed the CFTR expression and the regulation of chloride secretion under cyclic (c)AMP stimulation in these regenerating PD epithelial cells of non-CF and CF airway tissue. Moreover, we studied the effects of CFTR gene transfer mediated by a replication-defective adenovirus containing the wild-type CFTR gene (AdCFTR) on CFTR expression and on cAMP-stimulated chloride secretion. Distribution of the CFTR protein was evaluated in regenerating PD airway cells by light fluorescence microscopy and scanning laser confocal microscopy. The cAMP-mediated regulation of cell membrane chloride secretion was investigated using the whole-cell patch clamp and SPQ (6-methoxy-N-[3-sulfopropyl]quinolinium) techniques. Compared with the absence of CFTR expression and cAMP-regulated chloride secretion in nontransduced regenerating PD cells of either non-CF or CF origin, transduction with AdCFTR induces a CFTR expression and a cAMP-regulated stimulation of the cell membrane chloride secretion in the regenerating PD cells. These results suggest that, out of the context of CF, remodeled and poorly differentiated airway epithelium may present abnormalities in ion transport. Moreover, our data suggest that, in the context of CF gene therapy, adenoviral vectors can be efficient in correcting, at least partially, the chloride secretion defect in the remodeled CF airway epithelium.

Adenoviridae↗

Regulation of Cl/HCO3 exchange in gastric parietal cells.

Microspectrofluorimetry of the fluorescent indicators 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)carboxyfluorescein and 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-quinolinium was used to measure intracellular pH (pHi), intracellular Cl (Cli), and transmembrane fluxes of HCO3 and Cl in single parietal cells (PC) in isolated rabbit gastric glands incubated in HCO3/CO2-buffered solutions. Steady-state pHi was 7.2 in both resting (50 microM cimetidine) and stimulated (100 microM histamine) PCs. Transmembrane anion (HCO3 or Cl) flux rates during Cl removal from or readdition to the perfusate were the same in resting and stimulated PCs. These rates increased at alkaline pHi, though this pHi dependence was small in the physiological range. Maximum velocity (Vmax) for Cl influx or HCO3 efflux was 80-110 mM/min at pHi 7.6-7.8, and the Km for extracellular concentrations of Cl (Clo) was 25 mM; in the physiological range (pHi 7.1-7.3), Vmax for anion fluxes was approximately 50 mM/min. Steady-state Cli in the unstimulated PC was 62 +/- 5 mM, but on histamine stimulation, Cli decreased rapidly to 25 mM and then increased back to a steady-state level of 44 mM. HCO3 fluxes due to Cl removal or readdition were completely blocked by 0.5 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (H2DIDS), but Cl fluxes were only inhibited by 80%. H2DIDS did not inhibit the decrease in Cli that occurred with histamine treatment. Diphenylamine carboxylate (0.5 mM) inhibited Cl flux by only 50% and caused no additional inhibition of Cl flux when used in conjunction with H2DIDS. Transmembrane anion fluxes during solution Cl removal or readdition occurred 80% through the anion exchanger at the basal membrane and 20% through other pathway(s), presumably the Cl channel in the apical membrane. We conclude that the increase in transport activity via the Cl/HCO3 exchanger that occurs during histamine-induced increases in HCl secretion is due mostly to the decrease in Cli. In the resting cell with Cli = 62 mM, Clo = 120 mM, pHi = 7.2, and extracellular pH = 7.4, the anion exchanger is poised near its thermodynamic equilibrium. During histamine stimulation Cli drops from 62 mM to 44 mM, the thermodynamic equilibrium of the anion exchanger at the basolateral membrane is disturbed, and the anion exchanger then exchanges cellular HCO3 for extracellular Cl. Cli serves a crucial regulatory role in stimulus-secretion coupling in the PC.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Expression of cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha, in MAM acetate and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone-induced colon carcinogenesis of rats.

The expression of cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha, was examined by means of a reverse transcription followed by PCR (RT-PCR) in rat colon carcinogenesis. Forty male F344 rats were used and divided into four groups. At the start of the experiment, 20 rats were treated with methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate (25 mg/kg body wt, one time, i.p.) and divided into two groups; group 1 was exposed to 1% 1-hydroxyanthraquinone (1-HAQ) and group 2 was fed a basal diet during the experiment (40 weeks). Other rats were also divided into two groups; group 3 was exposed to 1% 1-HAQ as group 1, and group 4 was used as control. Tumor incidence (100%) and multiplicity (5.00 +/- 2.05) in group 1 were significantly greater than those in group 2 (20% and 0.2 +/- 0.42) and group 3 (10% and 0.10 +/- 0.32) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01 respectively). RT-PCR technique with RNA was applied to the tissues from colon neoplasms and mucosa in each group. Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha in the colon neoplasms was much stronger than that in the colon mucosa of each group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively). The expression of TNF-alpha was more remarkable in the colon mucosa of group 1 than that in corresponding tissue of groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.01). The expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha were more increased in the colon mucosa of groups 1, 2 and 3 than that in group 4 as control (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). The results indicate that TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha may act as growth factors in rat colon carcinogenesis by MAM acetate and 1-HAQ. In addition, the synergistic effect of 1-HAQ with MAM acetate in colon carcinogenesis might be related to biological effects of the cytokines expressed in the inflammatory condition generated by 1-HAQ.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Simultaneous collection of topographic and fluorescent images of barley chromosomes by scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy.

The present study investigated the applicability of scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM) to observations of YOYO-1 stained barley chromosomes. Using this technique, topographic and fluorescent images in the same portion were obtained simultaneously, thus enabling the precise analysis of fluorescent structures in relation to the morphology of chromosomes. In YOYO-1 stained chromosomes, the fluorescent intensity roughly reflected the local amount and/or density of DNA in chromosomes. R-banding of chromosomes stained with YOYO-1 and methyl green was also observed clearly as bright spots of various sizes by this microscope. Thus, the SNOM/AFM is expected to become a useful tool for analysing the structure and function of chromosomes more precisely than before.

Benzoxazoles↗

Stable fluorescent complexes of double-stranded DNA with bis-intercalating asymmetric cyanine dyes: properties and applications.

The synthesis, proof of structure, and the absorption and fluorescence properties of two new unsymmetrical cyanine dyes, thiazole orange dimer (TOTO; 1,1'-(4,4,7,7-tetramethyl-4,7- diazaundecamethylene)-bis-4-[3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-(benzo-1,3-thiaz ole)-2- methylidene]-quinolinium tetraiodide) and oxazole yellow dimer (YOYO; an analogue of TOTO with a benzo-1,3-oxazole in place of the benzo-1,3-thiazole) are reported. TOTO and YOYO are virtually non-fluorescent in solution, but form highly fluorescent complexes with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), up to a maximum dye to DNA bp ratio of 1:4, with greater than 1000-fold fluorescence enhancement. The dsDNA-TOTO (lambda max 513 nm; lambda maxF 532 nm) and dsDNA-YOYO (lambda max 489 nm; lambda maxF 509 nm) complexes are completely stable to electrophoresis on agarose and acrylamide gels. Mixtures of restriction fragments pre-labeled with ethidium dimer (EthD; lambda maxF 616 nm) and those pre-labeled with either TOTO or YOYO were separated by electrophoresis. Laser excitation at 488 nm and simultaneous confocal fluorescence detection at 620-750 nm (dsDNA-EthD emission) and 500-565 nm (dsDNA-TOTO or dsDNA-YOYO emission) allowed sensitive detection, quantitation, and accurate sizing of restriction fragments ranging from 600 to 24,000 bp. The limit of detection of dsDNA-TOTO and YOYO complexes with a laser-excited confocal fluorescence gel scanner for a band 5-mm wide on a 1-mm thick agarose gel was 4 picograms, about 500-fold lower than attainable by conventional staining with ethidium bromide.

Benzoxazoles↗

Double bands in DNA gel electrophoresis caused by bis-intercalating dyes.

Many bis-intercalating dyes used for fluorescence detection of DNA in electrophoresis have been reported to give band-splitting and band-broadening, which results in poor resolution and a decreased detection sensitivity. We have studied the dimeric dye YOYO-1, and to some extent also TOTO-1 and EthD-1, and found that in complex with DNA these dyes give rise to two components with different electrophoretic mobilities. Electrophoresis experiments and spectroscopic measurements on the two components show that they differ in that the DNA molecules have different amounts of dye bound. Our results exclude that the extra bands are caused by intermolecular cross-linking. Incubation of the samples for increasing times before electrophoresis makes the bands move closer and closer to each other as the dye molecules become more homogeneously distributed among the DNA molecules. Finally, the two bands merge into one at an intermediate position. This equilibration process is extremely slow at room temperature (days), and is therefore not a practical method to eliminate band-splitting in routine analysis. However, we find that if the temperature is raised to 50 degrees C, the dye-DNA complexes equilibrate completely in only 2 h.

Bacteriophage T7↗

Interaction of dimeric intercalating dyes with single-stranded DNA.

The unsymmetrical cyanine dye thiazole orange homodimer (TOTO) binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA, M13mp18 ssDNA) to form a fluorescent complex that is stable under the standard conditions of electrophoresis. The stability of this complex is indistinguishable from that of the corresponding complex of TOTO with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). To examine if TOTO exhibits any binding preference for dsDNA or ssDNA, transfer of TOTO from pre-labeled complexes to excess unlabeled DNA was assayed by gel electrophoresis. Transfer of TOTO from M13 ssDNA to unlabeled dsDNA proceeds to the same extent as that from M13 dsDNA to unlabeled dsDNA. A substantial amount of the dye is retained by both the M13 ssDNA and M13 dsDNA even when the competing dsDNA is present at a 600-fold weight excess; for both dsDNA and ssDNA, the pre-labeled complex retains approximately one TOTO per 30 bp (dsDNA) or bases (ssDNA). Rapid transfer of dye from both dsDNA and ssDNA complexes is seen at Na+ concentrations > 50 mM. Interestingly, at higher Na+ or Mg2+ concentrations, the M13 ssDNA-TOTO complex appears to be more stable to intrinsic dissociation (dissociation in the absence of competing DNA) than the complex between TOTO and M13 dsDNA. Similar results were obtained with the structurally unrelated dye ethidium homodimer. The dsDNA- and ssDNA-TOTO complexes were further examined by absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The surprising conclusion is that polycationic dyes, such as TOTO and EthD, capable of bis-intercalation, interact with dsDNA and ssDNA with very similar high affinity.

Binding Sites↗

Real-time imaging of the reorientation mechanisms of YOYO-labelled DNA molecules during 90 degrees and 120 degrees pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) techniques have been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional electrophoresis and to increase the separation to DNA chromosomes of few megabase pairs in size. Despite of the large success of these techniques, the various separation protocols employed for PFGE experiments have been determined empirically. However, a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of motion responsible for DNA separation becomes necessary for the rational optimization of these techniques. This paper shows the first clear observations of individual molecules of DNA during the reorientation process in 90 degrees PFGE and 120 degrees PFGE. Real-time visualization of the DNA dynamics during PFGE was possible with the use of an epi-illumination fluorescence microscope specifically equipped to run these experiments and by staining the DNA with YOYO-1 (1,1'-(4,4,7,7-tetramethyl-4,7-diazaundecamethylene)-bis-4-[3-meth yl -2,3-dihydro-(benzo-1,3-oxazole)-2-methyl-idene]-quinolinium tetraiodide). This dye forms a very stable, highly fluorescent complex with double-stranded DNA and dramatically improves the quality of the DNA images. The results of computer simulations used to reproduce the molecular mechanisms of motion as well as the DNA separation features are also discussed.

Benzoxazoles↗

Single- and double-strand photocleavage of DNA by YO, YOYO and TOTO.

Photocleavage of dsDNA by the fluorescent DNA stains oxazole yellow (YO), its dimer YOYO) and the dimer TOTO of thiazole orange (TO) has been investigated as a function of binding ratio. On visible illumination, both YO and YOYO cause single-strand cleavage, with an efficiency that varies with the dye/DNA binding ratio in a manner which can be rationalized in terms of free dye being an inefficient photocleavage reagent and externally bound dye being more efficient than intercalated dye. Moreover, the photocleavage mechanism changes with binding mode. Photocleavage by externally bound dye is, at least partly, oxygen dependent with scavenger studies implicating singlet oxygen as the activated oxygen intermediate. Photocleavage by intercalated dye is essentially oxygen-independent but can be inhibited by moderate concentrations of beta- mercaptoethanol--direct attack on the phosphoribose backbone is a possible mechanism. TOTO causes single-strand cleavage approximately five times less efficiently than YOYO. No direct double-strand breaks (dsb) are detected with YO or YOYO, but in both cases single-strand breaks (ssb) are observed to accumulate to eventually produce double-strand cleavage. With intercalated YO the accumulation occurs in a manner consistent with random generation of strand lesions, while with bisintercalated YOYO the yield of double-strand cleavage (per ssb) is 5-fold higher. A contributing factor is the slow dissociation of the bis-intercalated dimer, which allows for repeated strand-attack at the same binding site, but the observation that the dsb/ssb yield is considerably lower for externally bound than for bis-intercalated YOYO at low dye/DNA ratios indicates that the binding geometry and/or the cleavage mechanism are also important for the high dsb-efficiency. In fact, double-strand cleavage yields with bis-intercalated YOYO are higher than those predicted by simple models, implying a greater than statistical probability for a second cleavage event to occur adjacent to the first (i.e. to be induced by the same YOYO molecule). With TOTO the efficiency of the ssb-accumulation is comparable to that observed with YOYO.

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗