Inheritance of male hybrid sterility in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora, Soricidae)

Two geographic races of the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus) were crossed and intercrossed in the laboratory. Many cases of male sterility were detected among the hybrids. Segregation analysis of the pedigree data showed that the inheritance of male sterility in interracial hybrids of S. murinus can be described within the framework of monogene polyallele model with sterility of a single allele combination. This model is similar if not identical to that proposed by Dobzhansky and Muller.     

The A326S mutant of Gialpha1 as an approximation of the receptor-bound state

Agonist-bound heptahelical receptors activate heterotrimeric G proteins by catalyzing exchange of GDP for GTP on their alpha subunits. In search of an approximation of the receptor-alpha subunit complex, we have considered the properties of A326S Gialpha1, a mutation discovered originally in Gsalpha (Iiri, T., Herzmark, P., Nakamoto, J. M., Van Dop, C., and Bourne, H. R. (1994) Nature 371, 164-168) that mimics the effect of receptor on nucleotide exchange. The mutation accelerates dissociation of GDP from the alphai1beta1gamma2 heterotrimer by 250-fold. Nevertheless, affinity of mutant Gialpha1 for GTPgammaS is high in the presence of Mg2+, and the mutation has no effect on the intrinsic GTPase activity of the alpha subunit. The mutation also uncouples two activities of betagamma: stabilization of the GDP-bound alpha subunit (which is retained) and retardation of GDP dissociation from the heterotrimer (which is lost). For wild-type and mutant Gialpha1, beta gamma prevents irreversible inactivation of the alpha subunit at 30 degreesC. However, the mutation accelerates irreversible inactivation of alpha at 37 degreesC despite the presence of beta gamma. Structurally, the mutation weakens affinity for GTPgammaS by steric crowding: a 2-fold increase in the number of close contacts between the protein and the purine ring of the nucleotide. By contrast, we observe no differences in structure at the GDP binding site between wild-type heterotrimers and those containing A326S Gialpha1. However, the GDP binding site is only partially occupied in crystals of G protein heterotrimers containing A326S Gialpha1. In contrast to original speculations about the structural correlates of receptor-catalyzed nucleotide exchange, rapid dissociation of GDP can be observed in the absence of substantial structural alteration of a Galpha subunit in the GDP-bound state.     

Novel approaches to the discovery of antimicrobial agents

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cost-effectiveness of prenatal carrier screening for cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A cost-benefit equation was developed that was based on the hypothesis that the cost of prenatal diagnosis required to diagnose and prevent one case of cystic fibrosis should be equal to or less than the lifetime cost generated from the birth of a neonate with cystic fibrosis. The formula was adjusted because a woman's positive or negative carrier status remains unchanged, thus eliminating the need for testing in subsequent pregnancies. The formula was manipulated to identify the optimal cost per screening test, as well as the net cost savings per prenatally diagnosed case of cystic fibrosis for various racial or ethnic groups. Sensitivity analyses included some key assumptions regarding the cost per screening test ($50-150), patient screening acceptance rates (25-100%), and therapeutic abortion rates (50-100%). RESULTS: Assuming therapeutic abortion rates of 50-100%, the net savings per prenatally diagnosed case of cystic fibrosis are $58,369-$382,369 among whites. Given the previously reported patient screening acceptance rates of 50-78%, the overall annual cost savings in the United States for whites are $161-251 million. However, the screening program was not found to be cost-effective for blacks, Asians, or Hispanics. CONCLUSION: Under most assumptions and sensitivity analyses, a prenatal cystic fibrosis-carrier screening program appears to be cost-effective.     

The role of oncostatin M in animal and human connective tissue collagen turnover and its localization within the rheumatoid joint

OBJECTIVE: To study the interaction of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and oncostatin M (OSM) in promoting cartilage collagen destruction. METHODS: Bovine, porcine, and human cartilage and human chondrocytes were studied in culture. The levels of collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1]) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) were measured by bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of OSM in rheumatoid synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: When combined with OSM, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha released proteoglycan and collagen from cartilage. OSM was the only member of the IL-6 family to have this effect. Human tendon also responded to IL-1alpha and OSM. OSM increased the production of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 but when combined with IL-1alpha, synergistically promoted MMP-1 production in human chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. High levels of OSM were found in human rheumatoid synovial fluids, and confocal microscopy showed that OSM was produced by macrophages in rheumatoid synovial tissue. CONCLUSION: These results highlight an important new mechanism by which there is irreversible loss of collagen from cartilage.     

Mortality in a cohort of men expressing the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis of a lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases among men expressing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. We designed a mortality study based on death certificates from January 1, 1982 through December 31, 1992 in a cohort of G6PD-deficient men. Cohort members were 1,756 men, identified as expressing the G6PD-deficient phenotype during a 1981 population screening of the G6PD polymorphism. The setting was the island of Sardinia, Italy. Outcome measures were cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), which were computed as 100 times the observed/expected ratio, with the general Sardinian male population as the reference. Deaths from all causes were significantly less than expected due to decreased SMRs for ischemic heart disease (SMR, 28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10 to 62), cerebrovascular disease (SMR, 22; 95% CI, 6 to 55), and liver cirrhosis (SMR, 12; 95% CI, 0 to 66), which explained 95.6% of the deficit in total mortality. All cancer mortality was close to the expectation, with a significant increase in the SMR for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR, 545; 95% CI, 147 to 1,395). A decrease in mortality from cardiovascular diseases was one of the study hypotheses, based on an earlier human report and experimental evidence. However, selection bias is also a likely explanation. Further analytic studies are warranted to confirm whether subjects expressing the G6PD-deficient phenotype are protected against ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. This cohort study is consistent with more recent case-control studies in rejecting the hypothesis of a decreased cancer risk among G6PD-deficient subjects. The observed increase in mortality from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and decrease in mortality from liver cirrhosis were not previously reported.     

Molecular mechanisms of transforming growth factor-beta signaling

The present experiments examined the effects of posttraining intrahippocampal injections of the degradative enzyme-resistant methylcarbamyl analog of the bioactive phospholipid platelet-activating factor (mc-PAF) and the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists BN52021 and BN 50730 on memory in male Long-Evans rats trained in a hidden platform version of the Morris water maze. Following an eight-trial training session, rats received a unilateral intrahippocampal injection of mc-PAF (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 microgram/0.5 microliter), lyso-PAF (1.0 microgram/0.5 microliter), the cell surface PAF receptor antagonist BN 52021 (0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 micrigram/0.5 microliter/, the intracellular PAF receptor antagonist BN 50730 (2.0, 5.0, or 10.0 microgram/0.5 microliter), or vehicle (50% DMSO in 0.9% saline; 0.5 microliter). On a retention test conducted 24 h after training, the escape latencies of rats administered mc-PAF (1.0 or 2.0 microgram) were significantly lower than those of the vehicle-injected controls, demonstrating a memory-enhancing effect of mc-PAF. Injections of lyso-PAF, a structurally similar metabolite of PAF, had no influence on memory, indicating that the memory-enhancing effect of mc-PAF is not caused by membrane perturbation by the phospholipid. The retention test escape latencies of rats administered BN 52021 (0.5 microgram) and BN 50730 (5.0 or 10 microgram) were significantly higher than those of the controls, indicating a memory impairing effect of both PAF antagonists. When mc-PAF, BN 52021, or BN 50730 was administered 2 h posttraining, no effect on retention was observed, indicating a time-dependent effect of the neuroactive substances on memory storage. The findings suggest a role for endogenous PAF in hippocampal-dependent memory processes.     

Fibronectin fragments modulate human retinal capillary cell proliferation and migration

Capillary morphogenesis involves cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Proteases elaborated by capillary cells modify the extracellular matrix (ECM) to facilitate capillary tube formation. Previously, we detected the presence of fibronectin fragments (Fn-f) associated with the proform of matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) in conditioned medium of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). Association of this fragment to latent MMP-2 prevented autocatalytic activation of MMP-2, suggesting a modulatory role of Fn-f in MMP-2 activation. In this report, we examined the potential role of Fn-f on two processes involved in angiogenesis, proliferation and migration of vascular cells. The effects of Fn-f on proliferation were determined by DNA synthesis and cell counts. Their effects on migration were assessed using modified Boyden chambers. Seven Fn-f were tested on vascular cell migration and/or proliferation. Three Fn-f induced migration. Fn-f of 30-kDa and 120-kDa size positively affected proliferation of microvascular cells but not macrovascular cells. A 45-kDa gelatin binding fragment of Fn inhibited HREC proliferation but stimulated pericyte and smooth muscle cell proliferation. The potency of these fragments exceeded that of the known angiogenic growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), on HREC migration. ECM components such as fibronectin may influence capillary morphogenesis by the generation of fragments that can modulate proliferation, migration, and protease activation. In the setting of diabetes, excess Fn is generated and is available for degradation. Thus, the production of Fn-f may be specifically relevant to the angiogenesis observed in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.     

A new class of tobacco chitinases homologous to bacterial exo-chitinases displays antifungal activity

A novel chitinase gene of tobacco was isolated and characterized by DNA sequence analysis of a genomic clone and a cDNA clone. Comparative sequence analysis of both clones showed an identity of 94%. The proteins encoded by these sequences do not correspond to any of the previously characterized plant chitinases of classes I-IV and are designated as class V chitinases. Comparison of the chitinase class V peptide sequence with sequences in the Swiss Protein databank revealed significant sequence similarity with bacterial exo-chitinases from Bacillus circulans, Serratia marcescens and Streptomyces plicatus. It was demonstrated that class V chitinase gene expression is induced after treatment of tobacco with different forms of stress, like TMV-infection, ethylene treatment, wounding or ultraviolet irradiation. Two related chitinase class V proteins of 41 and 43 kDa were purified from Samsun NN tobacco leaves inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus. The proteins were purified by Chelating Superose chromatography and gel filtration. In vitro assays demonstrated that class V chitinases have endo-chitinase activity and exhibit antifungal activity toward Trichoderma viride and Alternaria radicina. In addition, it was shown that class V chitinase acts synergistically with tobacco class I beta-1,3-glucanase against Fusarium solani germlings.     

Testicular lymphoma: a population-based study of incidence, clinicopathological correlations and prognosis. The Danish Lymphoma Study Group, LYFO

In a Danish population-based non-Hodgkin's lymphoma registry, 2687 newly diagnosed patients were registered from 1983 to 1992. 39 had testicular involvement (TL) (incidence 0.26/10(5)/year). Median age was 71 years. 24 cases had localised and 15 had disseminated disease. Histologically, all cases were diffuse (65% diffuse centroblastic type). Of the 27 tested, 11% were of T- and 89% of B-immunophenotype. In localised cases, where surgery was supplemented by combination chemotherapy (CCT), the relapse rate was 15.4%. The relapse rate for cases with localised disease treated with other regimens (orchiectomy and/or radiotherapy) was 63.6% (P < 0.05). Median relapse-free survival was 28 and 14 months, respectively. Overall 5-year survival for all cases was 17%. Adverse prognostic factors at the univariate level were stage IV, constitutional symptoms, serum lactic dehydrogenase elevation and performance score (WHO 3-4). It is suggested that the treatment of stage IE/IIE TL should include early CCT and CNS prophylaxis.