Influence of gender and the endocrine environment on the distribution of androgen receptors in the lacrimal gland

Androgens are known to regulate both the structure and function of lacrimal tissue in a variety of species. To explore the endocrine basis for this hormone action, the following study was designed to: (1) determine the cellular distribution of androgen receptors in the lacrimal gland; and (2) examine the influence of gender and the endocrine environment on the glandular content of these binding sites. Lacrimal glands were obtained from intact, castrated, hypophysectomized, diabetic or sham-operated male or female adult rats, mice or hamsters, as well as from orchiectomized rats exposed to placebo compounds or physiological levels of testosterone. The cellular location of androgen receptors was evaluated by utilizing an immunoperoxidase protocol, in which a purified rabbit polyclonal antibody to the rat androgen receptor was used as the first antibody. Our findings with lacrimal glands showed that: (1) androgen receptors are located almost exclusively in nuclei of epithelial cells; (2) the cellular distribution or intranuclear density of these binding sites is far more extensive in glands of males, as compared to females; (3) orchiectomy or hypophysectomy, but not sham-surgery or diabetes, lead to a dramatic reduction in the immunocytochemical expression of androgen receptors; and (4) testosterone administration to orchiectomized rats induces a marked increase in androgen receptor content, relative to that in placebo-exposed glands. Our results also reveal that a 10 kb androgen receptor mRNA exists in the rat lacrimal gland. Overall, these findings demonstrate that gender and the endocrine system may significantly influence the distribution of androgen binding sites in rat lacrimal tissue. Moreover, our results show that androgens up-regulate their own lacrimal gland receptors.     

Role of the strictly conserved tryptophan-25 residue in the stabilization of the structure and in the ligand binding properties of the kringle 2 domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator

The involvement of the strictly conserved tryptophan-25 (W25) residue in the structural stability and omega-amino acid ligand binding properties of the recombinant (r) kringle 2 (K2) domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) has been investigated. Two conservative mutants were constructed and expressed that contained W25-->F and W25-->Y substitutions. The binding (dissociation) constants (Kd) for three ligands, viz., 6-aminohexanoic acid (EACA), 7-aminoheptanoic acid (7-AHpA), and L-lysine (Lys), to these polypeptides were determined by intrinsic fluorescence titrations. In the case of r-[K2tPA/W25F], the Kd values for these ligands were found to be 37, 16, and 89 microM for EACA, 7-AHpA, and Lys, respectively. For r-[K2tPA/W25Y], the Kd values for these same ligands were 64, 9, and 115 microM, respectively. The wild-type (wt) kringle domain possessed Kd values of 43, 6, and 85 microM for EACA, 7-AHpA, and Lys, respectively. The effect of these mutations on the stability of the r-[K2tPA] domain has been examined by differential scanning colorimetry. The temperature of maximum heat capacity (Tm) of wt-r-[K2tPA] (75.6 degrees C) was dramatically reduced to 50.8 and 58.0 degrees C for r-[K2tPA/W25F] and r-[K2tPA/W25Y], respectively. In the presence of EACA, the Tm values were increased to 86.1, 61.7, and 68.7 degrees C, respectively, indicating that EACA does interact with the r-[K2tPA] mutants and stabilizes their native conformations, similar to the case with wt-r-[K2tPA].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by mutation of a "hot spot" in the alpha-tropomyosin gene

OBJECTIVES: We studied the clinical and genetic features of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) caused by an Asp175Asn mutation in the alpha-tropomyosin gene in affected subjects from three unrelated families. BACKGROUND: Correlation of genotype and phenotype has provided important information in FHC caused by beta-cardiac myosin and cardiac troponin T mutations. Comparable analyses of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by alpha-tropomyosin mutations have been hampered by the rarity of these genetic defects. METHODS: The haplotypes of three kindreds with FHC due to an alpha-tropomyosin gene mutation, Asp175Asn, were analyzed. The cardiac histopathologic findings of this mutation are reported. Distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy in affected members was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography, and patient survival rates were compared. RESULTS: Genetic studies defined unique haplotypes in the three families, demonstrating that independent mutations caused the disease in each. The Asp175Asn mutation caused cardiac histopathologic findings of myocyte hypertrophy, disarray and replacement fibrosis. The severity and distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy varied considerably in affected members from the three families (mean maximal wall thickness +/- SD: 24 +/- 4.5 mm in anterior septum of Family DT; 15 +/- 2.7 mm in anterior septum and free wall of Family DB; 18 +/- 2.1 mm in posterior septum of Family MI), but survival was comparable and favorable. CONCLUSIONS: Nucleotide residue 579 in the alpha-tropomyosin gene may have increased susceptibility to mutation. On cardiac histopathologic study, defects in this sarcomere thin filament component are indistinguishable from other genetic etiologies of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The Asp175Asn mutation can elicit different morphologic responses, suggesting that the hypertrophic phenotype is modulated not by genetic etiologic factors alone. In contrast, prognosis reflected genotype; near normal life expectancy is found in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by the alpha-tropomyosin mutation Asp175Asn.     

Adverse reactions to insulin

The prevalence of allergic reactions to insuline has decreased during the last few years. Probably this is due to the use of the newly-developed recombinant human insuline. At present, adverse reactions to insuline occur in 5-10% of patients on therapy with insuline. Adverse reactions may be local (more frequent) or systemic (rare). Insuline resistance consists in a different type of immunological reaction. Diagnosis of allergy to insuline is based on clinical history and cutaneous and serological tests. Treatment depends upon the severity of the reaction. When insuline is indispensable despite a previous allergic reaction, a desensitization protocol may be implemented.