A cDNA for the human "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) was isolated from a liver cDNA library. The 851-nucleotide probe hybridized with a approximately 1 kb mRNA in Northern blots of RNA extracted from various human tissues and cell lines. The human PBR probe was hybridized to DNA from a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel to determine that the gene maps to chromosome 22. With a regional mapping panel for chromosome 22, we localized the gene within band 22q13.31. The ligand-binding properties of the receptor expressed from the cDNA were examined in transient expression experiments and compared to the endogenous human PBR. The PBR ligand [3H]PK 11195 had high affinity for the expressed receptor in COS-1 cells, but the affinities of a pair of isoquinoline propanamide enantiomers differed remarkably in expressed and endogenous human PBR. These findings reveal that the host cell and/or post-translational modification may have an important influence on PBR function.

Base Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing and fluoridefree dentifrice on the gingiva of dogs.

The effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing or fluoridefree dentifrice on gingivitis induced by a soft diet was studied in four dogs. Changes in the gingival status were recorded at different stages of the experiment by the gingival indexes, which are a reflection of the external appearance, and by the amount of gingival fluid that is influenced by the pocket depth. The two factors appeared to be directly related although the range of the gingival index was much narrower than that of the amount of gingival fluid. No evident retardation in the improvement of the gingival condition occurred after brushing the teeth with a dentifrice that contained fluoride as compared with using a fluoridefree dentifrice or saline.

Animals↗