In vitro trans-splicing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The interactions established at the 5'-splice site during spliceosome assembly are likely to be important for both precise recognition of the upstream intron boundary and for positioning this site in the active center of the spliceosome. Definition of the RNA-RNA and the RNA-protein interactions at the 5' splice site would be facilitated by the use of a small substrate amenable to modification during chemical synthesis. We describe a trans-splicing reaction performed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts in which the 5' splice site and the 3' splice site are on separate molecules. The RNA contributing the 5' splice site is only 20 nucleotides long and was synthesized chemically. The trans-splicing reaction is accurate and has the same sequence, ATP, and Mg2+ requirements as cis-splicing. We also report how deoxy substitutions around the 5'-splice site affect trans-splicing efficiency.     

Dopaminergic modulation of NMDA-induced whole cell currents in neostriatal neurons in slices: contribution of calcium conductances

The present experiments were designed to examine dopamine (DA) modulation of whole cell currents mediated by activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in visualized neostriatal neurons in slices. First, we assessed the ability of DA, D1 and D2 receptor agonists to modulate membrane currents induced by activation of NMDA receptors. The results of these experiments demonstrated that DA potentiated NMDA-induced currents in medium-sized neostriatal neurons. Potentiation of NMDA currents occurred at three different holding potentials, although it was more pronounced at -30 mV. It was mediated by D1 receptors, because it was mimicked by D1 agonists and blocked by exposure to a D1 antagonist. Activation of D2 receptors produced inconsistent effects on NMDA-induced membrane currents. Either decreases, increases, or no effects on NMDA currents occurred. Second, we examined the contributions of intrinsic, voltage-dependent conductances to DA potentiation of NMDA currents. Blockade of K+ conductances did not prevent DA enhancement of NMDA currents. However, voltage-activated Ca2+ conductances provided a major contribution to DA modulation. The dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, nifedipine, and methoxyverapamil (D-600), markedly reduced but did not totally eliminate the ability of DA to modulate NMDA currents. The D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 also enhanced Ba2+ currents in neostriatal neurons. Together, these findings provide evidence for a complex interplay between DA, NMDA receptor activation and dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ conductances in controlling responsiveness of neostriatal medium-sized neurons.     

Kinase-negative mutants of JAK1 can sustain interferon-gamma-inducible gene expression but not an antiviral state

The receptor-associated protein tyrosine kinases JAK1 and JAK2 are both required for the interferon (IFN)-gamma response. The effects of expressing kinase-negative JAK mutant proteins on signal transduction in response to IFN-gamma in wild-type cells and in mutant cells lacking either JAK1 or JAK2 have been analysed. In cells lacking endogenous JAK1 the expression of a transfected kinase-negative JAK1 can sustain substantial IFN-gamma-inducible gene expression, consistent with a structural as well as an enzymic role for JAK1. Kinase-negative JAK2, expressed in cells lacking endogenous JAK2, cannot sustain IFN-gamma-inducible gene expression, despite low level activation of STAT1 DNA binding activity. When expressed in wild-type cells, kinase-negative JAK2 acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of the IFN-gamma response. Further analysis of the JAK/STAT pathway suggests a model for the IFN-gamma response in which the initial phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK2 is mediated by JAK2, whereas phosphorylation of the IFN-gamma receptor is normally carried out by JAK1. The efficient phosphorylation of STAT 1 in the receptor-JAK complex may again depend on JAK2. Interestingly, a JAK1-dependent signal, in addition to STAT1 activation, appears to be required for the expression of the antiviral state.     

Predicting delirium in elderly patients: development and validation of a risk-stratification model

A study of determine the seroprevalence rate and clinical presentation of HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis was carried out in Jos between October 1990 and September 1991. Out of the 180 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 11(6.1%) were confirmed seropositive for HIV-1 and 2. The peak age range for both tuberculosis and HIV infection in both sexes is 20-40 years. The risk of HIV infection was associated with multiple sex partners and blood transfusion. There was no significant difference in the clinical presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis between HIV-seropositive and seronegative patients (P > 0.1). However, diarrhoea, lymphadenopathy and marked weight loss were found to be significantly associated with HIV infection (P < 0.05). The mean lymphocyte count of HIV seropositives was significantly lower than seronegatives (P < 0.01).