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Increase by tri-iodothyronine of endothelin-1, fibronectin and von Willebrand factor in cultured endothelial cells.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with elevated plasma levels of endothelium-derived proteins such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibronectin (FN) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). This study was designed to characterize the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon at the cellular level. vWF, FN and ET-1 secretion and mRNA expression were measured in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to tri-iodothyronine (T3) for 13 +/- 1 days, using ELISA, Western blot, RIA and Northern blot analysis respectively. Exposure of HUVECs to T3 significantly increased vWF secretion (50 ng T3/ml: 117 +/- 5%, P < 0.01; 100 ng T3/ml: 127 +/- 26%, P < 0.01) as well as vWF mRNA expression (50 ng/ml: 116 +/- 13%, P < 0.001; 100 ng/ml: 136 +/- 30%, P < 0.002) (results are means +/- S.D. analysed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test). FN secretion was significantly affected by 50 (145 +/- 42% of control, P < 0.05) and 100 (116.8 +/- 16% of control, P < 0.05) ng T3/ml, and FN mRNA expression by 50 ng T3/ml (123 +/- 20%, P < 0.05). Long-term incubation with T3 increased both ET-1 secretion (25 ng/ml: 124 +/- 25%, P < 0.001; 50 ng/ml: 165 +/- 53%, P < 0.05; 100 ng/ml: 116 +/- 17%, P < 0.05) and prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression (25 ng/ml: 112 +/- 16%, P < 0.05; 50 ng/ml: 134 +/- 43%, P < 0.02; 100 ng/ml: 120 +/- 20%, P < 0.02). Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms epsilon and beta II were not significantly affected by T3, whereas PKC alpha was increased in whole cell lysates and in membrane fractions of cells incubated with 100 but not 50 ng T3/ml. Prepro-ET-1 mRNA stability, cell numbers and proliferation, measured by [3H]thymidine assays, remained unaffected in HUVECs after exposure to T3. These data indicate thyroid hormone-induced upregulation of mRNA expression and protein synthesis of vWF, FN and ET-1, by PKC alpha-, beta II- and epsilon-independent pathways, explaining, at least in part, increased plasma concentrations of endothelial proteins and peptides in the hyperthyroid state.

Blotting, Northern↗

Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding a functional p34cdc2 homologue from Zea mays.

We describe the isolation of cDNA clones encoding a p34cdc2 homologue from a higher plant, Zea mays (maize). A full-length cDNA clone, cdc2ZmA, was isolated, sequenced, and shown to complement a cdc28 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the maize p34cdc2 protein with other homologues showed that it was 64% identical to human p34cdc2 and 63% identical to Schizosaccharomyces pombe and S. cerevisiae p34cdc2 proteins. Studies of expression of the maize cdc2 gene(s) by Northern blot analysis indicated a correlation between the abundance of cdc2 mRNA and the proliferative state of the tissue. Southern blot analysis, as well as isolation of another cDNA clone, cdc2ZmB, which is 96% identical to cdc2ZmA, indicates that maize has multiple cdc2 genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo transcription of rDNA spacers in Drosophila.

The sequence-nonhomologous rDNA spacers of D. melanogaster and D. virilis exhibit remarkably similar organizations and transcription capabilities. In spacers of both species, tandemly repeated sequences are present upstream of the beginning of the pre-rRNA coding region, and the repeats are capable of transcriptional activity. Short, nuclear transcripts homologous to the spacer repeats have been identified by S1 nuclease protection experiments and by northern blot analyses. Although spacer transcripts are rare in steady state RNA populations, the presence of multiple promoter elements may suggest a regulatory role for rDNA spacers.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning and gene expression of chicken osteopontin. Expression of osteopontin mRNA in chondrocytes is enhanced by trypsin treatment of cells.

A cDNA clone, pCP15, specific for the chicken 66-kDa major bone phosphoprotein (osteopontin), was isolated from a subtracted library enriched in DNAs coding for mRNAs expressed in chicken differentiating chondrocytes. Northern blot analysis of RNAs extracted from several chick embryo tissues and organs, confirm and extend the observation that osteopontin mRNA expression is not restricted to tissues involved in phosphate metabolism. Osteopontin mRNA was detected in sternal resting chondrocytes at higher levels than in hypertrophic chondrocytes; therefore osteopontin gene transcription occurs in chondrocytes at many stages of differentiation. The steady state level of osteopontin mRNA was enhanced by trypsin treatment of cultured cells. An increased level of osteopontin mRNA in quail chondrocytes constitutively expressing v-myc oncogene is also shown.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Presence of functional NMDA receptors in a human neuroblastoma cell line.

Data are presented that provide convincing evidence for the expression of structurally normal and functional NMDA receptors by acetylcholine-producing human LA-N-2 neuroblastoma cells in culture. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by cloning and DNA sequencing, revealed the presence in these cells of mRNA representing the key subunit, NMDAR1, of the receptor. This mRNA was further demonstrated by Northern analysis to be the same size as that described for human neurons. The neutral red cytotoxicity assay was utilized to examine the influence on these neuroblastoma cells of a 48-h incubation with either L-glutamic acid or the specific NMDA agonist N-phthalamoyl-L-glutamic acid (NPG). Cell cytotoxicity was shown by this assay to be increased through incubation with glutamate at 1 and 10 mM by 27 and 37%, and through incubation with NPG at 0.1 and 1 mM by 28 and 46%. A possible mechanism of these toxic effects was further evaluated using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and the specific NMDA agonists (+/-)1-aminocyclobutane-cis-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACDA) and NPG. Using this procedure, a voltage-dependent tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward sodium current was found to be increased (x 1.5) by L-glutamic acid and by both NMDA agonists in the presence of glycine. Another voltage-gated inward current, probably carried by calcium ions, was increased three- to fourfold. Hence, these glutamate activities observed in human LA-N-2 neuroblastoma cells appear to occur through the activation of functional NMDA receptors in much the same way as reported for neurons, and both glutamate and NMDA agonists can be toxic to these neuroblastoma cells. Our findings, therefore, suggest this cell line will provide a model suitable for investigating the mechanisms of NMDA-related long-term potentiation (LTP) in neurons and of the NMDA-related neurotoxic effects of glutamate in disease states that involve a reduction in cholinergic function.

Blotting, Northern↗

Overexpression of Gi-proteins precedes the development of DOCA-salt-induced hypertension: relationship with adenylyl cyclase.

OBJECTIVE: In the present studies, we have investigated if aorta, like heart from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats, (HR) also exhibit enhanced expression of G-protein levels and if these alterations occur before or after the development of blood pressure. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats treated with DOCA-salt or vehicle for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks were used for these studies. The levels of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3) and G beta proteins were determined by immunoblotting, whereas the levels of Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 and adenylyl cyclase type V enzyme mRNA were determined by Northern-blotting techniques. RESULTS: The blood pressure was significantly increased in DOCA-salt-treated rats as compared to sham-operated rats after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment; whereas no change in blood pressure was observed after 1 week of treatment (prehypertensive state). However, the levels of Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3 and G beta proteins and Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 mRNA were significantly enhanced in hearts and aorta from DOCA-salt treated rats after 1 week of treatment and remained elevated up to 4 weeks of treatment. In addition, the Gi-mediated inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase by Angiotensin II (Ang II) and C-ANF4-23 were also greater in DOCA-salt-treated rats as compared to sham-operated rats after 1 week and longer periods of treatments (2 to 4 weeks). On the other hand, the levels of Gs alpha were not altered up to 2 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment but significantly decreased in rats treated for 3 and 4 weeks. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of guanine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), isoproterenol and forskolin on adenylyl cyclase were decreased in both hearts and aorta from DOCA-salt-treated rats after 1 to 4 weeks of treatment as compared to sham-operated rats. The mRNA levels of adenylyl cyclase, type V enzyme in hearts from DOCA-salt treated rats were significantly decreased after 3 and 4 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment but not in rats treated for 1 or 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the enhanced expression of Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 precedes the development of blood pressure in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. It can thus be suggested that the increased levels of Gi proteins and resulting decreased levels of cAMP may be one of the factors that contribute to the impaired cardiac contractility and increased vascular tone in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Environmental factors associated with Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii seropositivity in free-ranging coyotes from northern California.

Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii is a newly recognized pathogen of domestic dogs and humans. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are considered an important reservoir of this bacterium in the western United States, but its vectors are still unknown. Our objective was to identify environmental factors associated with Bartonella antibody prevalence in 239 coyotes from northern California, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, associations were evaluated between B. v. berkhoffii and two pathogens with known vectors and habitat requirements, Dirofilaria immitis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Overall, B. v. berkhoffii seroprevalence was 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.3%, 33.7%) and Bartonella seropositive coyotes were more likely than seronegative coyotes to be positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Odds ratio = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.8, 5.9) and Dirofilaria immitis (Odds ratio = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2, 3.8). The most likely geographic clusters of Bartonella and Dirofilaria overlapped. Bartonella seropositivity was associated with higher precipitation (p = 0.003) and proximity to the coast (p = 0.007) in univariate analysis. The association with precipitation varied with season, based on a logistic regression model.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum↗

The expression of human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptors in human endometrial and myometrial blood vessels.

hCG/human LH (hLH) receptors have recently been found in human endometrial and myometrial cells and uterine vasculature. The present study was undertaken to further corroborate the immunocytochemical evidence for the presence of vascular receptors. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses have revealed that human uterus contains a major 4.3-kilobase and a minor 2.6-kilobase hCG/hLH receptor mRNA transcript and that these transcripts are present in part in endometrial and myometrial vascular smooth muscle cells and vascular endothelial cells. Immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses have revealed that human uterus also contains a single immunoreactive receptor protein, and that this receptor protein in part is present in endometrial and myometrial vascular smooth muscle and vascular endothelium. The expression of receptor mRNA and/or immunoreactive receptor protein was higher in myometrial than in endometrial blood vessels, and higher in vessels of both uterine compartments from the secretory compared to proliferative phase, postmenopause, or pregnancy. The blood vessels in omentum, broad ligament, and parametrium did not immunostain for hCG/hLH receptors. A blood vessel seen traversing through parametrium immunostained for the receptor protein only after it entered the myometrium. The blood vessels in nontarget tissues did not immunostain, whereas those in some target tissues, but not all of them, immunostained for the receptor protein. In summary, the present study demonstrates for the first time that human endometrial and myometrial vascular smooth muscle and endothelium express hCG/hLH receptor mRNA and immunoreactive receptor protein. These findings suggest that hCG/hLH may directly regulate blood flow in human uterus and other target tissues. The reproductive state dependency of uterine vascular receptors suggests that these receptors are probably regulated by other reproductive hormones.

Blood Vessels↗

Differentiation of B15 strains of Neisseria meningitidis by DNA restriction endonuclease fingerprinting.

The restriction endonuclease fingerprinting technique was applied to meningococcal DNA in an attempt to identify individual strains of Neisseria meningitidis B15 (serogroup B, serotype 15), which causes approximately 90% of cases of meningococcal disease in northern Norway. Thirty representative strains (10 each from asymptomatic pharyngeal carriers, patients with septicemia, and patients with meningitis) were investigated with the restriction endonucleases Hind III and Eco RI. The 10 carrier strains showed a remarkable heterogeneity of fingerprints that rendered each strain easily distinguishable from the others. The 10 strains from the blood and the 10 from the cerebrospinal fluid showed similar but not identical restriction patterns. The results obtained with the two endonucleases were in perfect agreement. Our data suggest that a large number of different B15 clones are present in the population of northern Norway, but that only one single clone causes invasive meningococcal disease.

Carrier State↗

Transthyretin regulates thyroid hormone levels in the choroid plexus, but not in the brain parenchyma: study in a transthyretin-null mouse model.

Transthyretin (TTR) is the major T4-binding protein in rodents. Using a TTR-null mouse model we asked the following questions. 1) Do other T4 binding moieties replace TTR in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)? 2) Are the low whole brain total T4 levels found in this mouse model associated with hypothyroidism, e.g. increased 5'-deiodinase type 2 (D2) activity and RC3-neurogranin messenger RNA levels? 3) Which brain regions account for the decreased total whole brain T4 levels? 4) Are there changes in T3 levels in the brain? Our results show the following. 1) No other T4-binding protein replaces TTR in the CSF of the TTR-null mice. 2) D2 activity is normal in the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus, and total brain RC3-neurogranin messenger RNA levels are not altered. 3) T4 levels measured in the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus are normal. However T4 and T3 levels in the choroid plexus are only 14% and 48% of the normal values, respectively. 4) T3 levels are normal in the brain parenchyma. The data presented here suggest that TTR influences thyroid hormone levels in the choroid plexus, but not in the brain. Interference with the blood-choroid-plexus-CSF-TTR-mediated route of T4 entry into the brain caused by the absence of TTR does not produce measurable features of hypothyroidism. It thus appears that TTR is not required for T4 entry or for maintenance of the euthyroid state in the mouse brain.

Animals↗

Incidence of Vibrio vulnificus in northern New England water and shellfish.

Vibrio vulnificus, an autochthonous inhabitant of the estuarine environment, was detected in water and oysters from the Great Bay Estuary System of New Hampshire and Maine. Previously, it had not been detected north of Boston Harbor on the east coast of the United States. V. vulnificus was detected in water and shellfish samples at five out of ten sites, and only in areas that were not open to recreational shellfishing. Although samples were collected from May into December, V. vulnificus was only detected in shellfish in July and August. Water sampling began in August, and V. vulnificus persisted at one site into October.

Animals↗

State legislation on abortion after Roe v. Wade: selected constitutional issues.

Over the past three years, a great volume of legislation on abortion has been produced by state legislatures in an attempt to fill the vacuum created by the United States Supreme Court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. This Article examines several of the most common types of statutory provisions and assesses their constitutionality in light of Roe v. Wade and other applicable federal and state legal standards.

Aborted Fetus↗