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Deletion of GPI7, a yeast gene required for addition of a side chain to the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) core structure, affects GPI protein transport, remodeling, and cell wall integrity.

Gpi7 was isolated by screening for mutants defective in the surface expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) proteins. Gpi7 mutants are deficient in YJL062w, herein named GPI7. GPI7 is not essential, but its deletion renders cells hypersensitive to Calcofluor White, indicating cell wall fragility. Several aspects of GPI biosynthesis are disturbed in Deltagpi7. The extent of anchor remodeling, i.e. replacement of the primary lipid moiety of GPI anchors by ceramide, is significantly reduced, and the transport of GPI proteins to the Golgi is delayed. Gpi7p is a highly glycosylated integral membrane protein with 9-11 predicted transmembrane domains in the C-terminal part and a large, hydrophilic N-terminal ectodomain. The bulk of Gpi7p is located at the plasma membrane, but a small amount is found in the endoplasmic reticulum. GPI7 has homologues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, and man, but the precise biochemical function of this protein family is unknown. Based on the analysis of M4, an abnormal GPI lipid accumulating in gpi7, we propose that Gpi7p adds a side chain onto the GPI core structure. Indeed, when compared with complete GPI lipids, M4 lacks a previously unrecognized phosphodiester-linked side chain, possibly an ethanolamine phosphate. Gpi7p contains significant homology with phosphodiesterases suggesting that Gpi7p itself is the transferase adding a side chain to the alpha1,6-linked mannose of the GPI core structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori: scratch and win.

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is generally associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and, in the great majority of patients, regresses after eradication. H. pylori-negative MALT lymphoma occurs in a small minority of cases in which treatment is based on surgery or chemoradiotherapy. In the search for H. pylori based on histology and the C13 urea breath test, this report describes a case with a series of false-negative results, thus confirming the possibility of a lower detectability of H. pylori in patients with MALT gastric lymphoma and supporting the use of additional tests in evaluating such pathology, including polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, treatment with CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) is suggested as an alternative to surgery or treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in patients with truly H. pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphoma.

Adult↗

Addition of branched-chain amino acids to parenteral nutrition of stressed critically ill patients.

We compared the efficacy of a total parenteral nutrition solution supplemented with 44.6% branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to standard total parenteral nutrition (19.0% BCAA) in the support of critically ill patients. After a 4-day administration of a randomly assigned solution, amino acids were assayed from femoral venous and arterial samples. The BCAA-supplemented solution caused increases in arterial concentrations of valine, isoleucine, and leucine compared to the control solution. The femoral arteriovenous differences for these BCAA were more positive in patients given the control solution. There were no significant differences in nitrogen balance. Since previous studies showing promotion of nitrogen balance with BCAA did not use a balanced substrate for nonprotein caloric support, the lack of a significant difference in the present study may be due to effective utilization of lipid as a fuel source by both groups.

Adult↗

Comparison of two preterm formulas with or without addition of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). I: Effects on nitrogen and fat balance and body composition changes.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are included in the fat blend of several preterm formulas because of their complete absorption and rapid oxidation. The effects of two different fat blend compositions on nitrogen and fat balances and macronutrient oxidation were investigated in 28 healthy very-low-birth weight infants at 4 weeks of age. A preterm formula with a traditional corn oil/MCT blend containing 38% MCTs (MCT group) was compared to a new fat blend, designed to resemble human milk more, containing 6% MCTs (LCT group). There were no differences in nitrogen absorption or in excretion. Median nitrogen retention was 74% (MCT) vs. 71% (LCT) of intake. Fat absorption was higher (p less than 0.05) in the MCT group (88%) vs. 79% in the LCT group (median values). MCTs did not stimulate fat oxidation as measured by indirect calorimetry, so fat deposition was also higher on the MCT formula. As weight gain was not different between groups, the percentage of weight gain consisting of fat accretion was significantly (p less than 0.005) higher with the MCT formula (24% vs. 21%). On the other hand, there was no increase in percent protein accretion (both 15% of weight gain). We conclude that the existence of a slightly lower fat absorption in the healthy growing neonate fed a LCT formula compared with a MCT formula does not impair growth or nitrogen retention, but merely induces a slight decrease in the high relative fat accretion encountered in the preterm neonate.

Body Composition↗

Comparison of two preterm formulas with or without addition of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). II: Effects on mineral balance.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are included in the fat blend of several preterm formulas because of their complete absorption and rapid oxidation. The effects of two different fat blend compositions on calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) balances and plasma levels and on plasma levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] were investigated in 28 healthy very-low-birth weight infants at 4 weeks of age. A preterm formula with a traditional corn oil/MCT blend containing 38% MCTs (MCT group) was compared to a new fat blend, designed to resemble human milk more, containing 6% MCTs (LCT group). There was a higher absorption of Ca in the MCT group (73% vs. 60%. p less than 0.005), and an equal absorption of P (both 92%). The excretion of Ca correlated with the excretion of fat (p less than 0.00005). The LCT group showed a higher median PTH level (MCT: 2.1 pmol/L, LCT: 4.7 pmol/L, p less than 0.01) and a higher urinary P excretion (p less than 0.001). Mg absorption was also lower with LCT, but retention of Mg exceeded intrauterine values in both groups. Mineral plasma levels were in the normal range in both groups. AP was not different between groups and in the upper part of the reference range, whereas 1,25-(OH)2D levels were above the normal range and also not different between groups. We conclude that with the LCT formula, Ca absorption is slightly lower than with the MCT formula, whereas P absorption is unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium↗

Effect of addition of new oligosaccharide chains to the globular head of influenza A/H2N2 virus haemagglutinin on the intracellular transport and biological activities of the molecule.

The haemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A/H2N2 virus possesses six antigenic sites (I-A to I-D, II-A and II-B), and sites I-A, I-B and I-C are located in the regions corresponding to sites A, B and D on the H3 HA. We demonstrated previously that most escape mutants selected by mAbs to site I-A, I-B or I-C had acquired a new oligosaccharide at position 160, 187 or 131, respectively, but this has never occurred during circulation of A/H2N2 virus in humans. Here, to examine whether the H2 HA has the potential to gain two new oligosaccharides on its tip, 31 double escape mutants were isolated by using a single escape mutant with an oligosaccharide at position 160, 187 or 131 as a parental virus and a mAb to an antigenic site different from that to which the mAb used for selection of the parental virus was directed as a selecting antibody, but there were no mutants with two new oligosaccharides. Glycosylation-site HA mutants containing one to three oligosaccharides at positions 160, 187 and 131 were also constructed and their intracellular transport and biological activities were analysed. The results showed that all of the mutant HAs were transported to the cell surface but exhibited a decrease in both receptor-binding and cell-fusing activities. Thus, influenza A/H2N2 virus may have failed to increase the number of oligosaccharides on the HA because, if this happens, the biological activities of the HA are reduced, decreasing the ability of the virus to replicate in humans.

Animals↗

Water molecules in the crystal structure of tricyclic acyclovir.

The biologically important molecule tricyclic acyclovir, presented here as 3-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-methyl-3H-imidazolo[1,2-a]purin-9(5H)-one dihydrate, C11H13N5O3*2H2O, shows conformational flexibility, which is observed in the solid state as two symmetrically independent molecules with different side-chain conformations. Additionally, one of these molecules exhibits side-chain disorder, such that there are three different conformations in the crystal. Water molecules found in the crystal form (H2O)8 clusters which are located between molecules of tricyclic acyclovir. The complex hydrogen-bond network formed between water and tricyclic acyclovir in the solid state may be related to the solvation of the molecules in solution.

Acyclovir↗

Effects of growth temperature on fatty acid and alk-1-enyl group compositions of Veillonella parvula and Megasphaera elsdenii phospholipids.

Veillonella parvula ATCC 10790, an anaerobic gram-negative coccus, contains diacyl and alk-1-enyl acyl (plasmalogen) forms of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. We studied the effect of growth temperature on the lipid composition of this strain. There was a small increase in the phosphatidylethanolamine content but no change in the content of plasmalogens at the lower growth temperatures tested. The total acyl chains and the plasmalogen acyl chains contained between 73 and 80% mono-unsaturated fatty acids at all growth temperatures. The plasmalogen alk-1-enyl chains were significantly more unsaturated in cells grown at 30 and 25 degrees C than in cells grown at 37 degrees C. Differential scanning calorimetry of the hydrated phospholipids showed lower phase transition temperatures for the lipids from the cells grown at the lower temperatures. In Megasphaera elsdenii lipids, which are similar in composition to the lipids of V. parvula, the proportion of phosphatidylethanolamine also increased slightly at lower growth temperatures, with no significant change in the content of plasmalogens. M. elsdenii contained cyclopropane fatty acyl and alk-1-enyl chains in addition to the mono-unsaturated and saturated chains previously reported. As cells entered the stationary phase of growth at 30 and 42.5 degrees C, there was a reciprocal increase in the proportion of cyclopropane acyl chains and decrease in the unsaturated moieties. The total proportion of cyclopropane and unsaturated acyl and alk-1-enyl chains was more than 65% at all growth temperatures studied, and there was no discernible increase in the sum of these moieties at the lower growth temperatures.

Fatty Acids↗

Human organ-specific autoimmune disease. Molecular cloning and expression of an autoantibody gene repertoire for a major autoantigen reveals an antigenic immunodominant region and restricted immunoglobulin gene usage in the target organ.

The most common organ-specific autoimmune disease in humans involves the thyroid. Autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) are present in the sera of virtually all patients with active disease. We report the molecular cloning of the genes for 30 high-affinity, IgG-class human autoantibodies to TPO from thyroid-infiltrating B cells. Analysis of the putative germline genes used for the TPO human autoantibodies suggests the use of only five different H and L chain combinations involving four H chains and three L chains. In addition, the same combination of H and L chains was found in multiple patients. The F(ab) proteins expressed by these genes define two major, closely associated domains (A and B) in an immunodominant region on TPO. These A and B domains contain the binding sites of approximately 80% of IgG-class TPO autoantibodies in the sera of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. The present information permits analysis, not previously possible, of the relationship between autoantibody H and L chain genes and the antigenic domains on an autoantigen. Our data, obtained using target organ-derived autoantibodies, indicate that there is restriction in H and L chain usage in relation to the interaction with specific antigenic domains in human, organ-specific autoimmune disease.

Antibody Affinity↗

Characterization of the ribonucleic acid primers and the deoxyribonucleic acid product synthesized by the DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7.

The DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein of phage T7, in the presence of helix-destabilizing protein (DNA binding protein), catalyze DNA synthesis on duplex templates. As has been previously shown (Kolodner, R. D., and Richardson, C. C. (1978) 4. Biol. Chem. 253, 574-584), in the absence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates DNA synthesis is initiated at nicks, and all of the newly synthesized DNA is covalently attached to the template. In this paper we characterize the DNA synthesized in the presence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphophates and show that, in contrast, the major portion of the newly synthesized DNA is not attached to the template, having an average chain length of 5000 to 6000 nucleotides. In addition, each chain of newly synthesized DNA is terminated at its 5'-end by a covalently attached tetranucleotide RNA primer whose sequence is predominantly pppApCpCpC and pppApCpCpA. The results of isotope transfer experiments are in agreement with the number of initiation events determined by the incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP and indicate that each of the four deoxyribonucleotides is present at the RNA-DNA junction.

DNA Helicases↗

In vitro phosphorylation of human complement factor C3 by protein kinase A and protein kinase C. Effects on the classical and alternative pathways.

Complement factor C3, recently found to contain covalently bound phosphate, was phosphorylated in vitro by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) and Ca2(+)-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). Both protein kinases phosphorylated the same serine residue(s) located in the C3a portion of the alpha-chain. In addition, protein kinase C phosphorylated the beta-chain to a lesser extent. Protein kinase A gave a maximal incorporation of 1 mol of phosphate/mol of C3 while that value with protein kinase C was 1.5 mol of phosphate/mol of C3. The velocity in pmol of [32P]phosphate/(min x unit kinase) was 20 times higher for protein kinase C than for protein kinase A although a 10 times lower ratio of protein kinase to C3 was used in the former case. The apparent Km for C3 was 2.6 microM when protein kinase C was used. The phosphorylated C3 was found to be more resistant to partial degradation by trypsin than unphosphorylated C3. It was also found that phosphorylation of C3 in the C3a portion of the alpha-chain inhibited both the classical and alternative complement activation pathways on an approximately stoichiometric basis.

Amino Acids↗

Comparative studies on monotypic IgMlambda and IgGkappa from an individual patient. I. Evidence for shared VH idiotypic determinants.

A comparative idiotypic antigenic analysis of an IgMlambda and an IgGkappa paraprotein obtained from sera of an individual patient, Br, revealed the presence of very similar idiotypic determinants associated with the VH regions of the Br mu- and gamma-chains. In addition, the IgGkappa protein expressed light (L) chain-associated idiotypic determinants which were not evident on the IgMlambda protein or its isolated L chains. Extensive tests of specificity revealed that the shared VH idiotypic determinants were not present in large weight amounts of heterologous nonspecific IgM and IgG, nor on Ig molecules contained in a large number of normal and myeloma sera.

Animals↗

Structures of the asparagine-linked sugar chains of human chorionic gonadotropin produced in choriocarcinoma. Appearance of triantennary sugar chains and unique biantennary sugar chains.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) highly purified from urine of the patient with choriocarcinoma contains four asparagine-linked sugar chains in one molecule. The sugar chains were quantitatively liberated as radioactive oligosaccharides from polypeptide portion by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation and NaB3H4 reduction. The structures of these sugar chains were determined by the combination of sequential glycosidase digestion, periodate oxidation, and methylation analysis. As compared with the sugar chains of normal urinary and placental hCG reported previously, they include several prominent structural differences. More than 97% of the sugar chains of choriocarcinoma hCG was free from sialic acid, while the sugar chains of normal hCG were mostly sialylated. Choriocarcinoma hCG contains unusual biantennary complex-type sugar chains in addition to regular tri-, bi-, and monoantennary sugar chains. These sugar chains have two outer chains linked at the C-2 and C-4 positions of the same alpha-mannosyl residue of the trimannosyl core. Since normal hCG does not contain any triantennary sugar chains, occurrence of Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4Man alpha 1 leads to group is another characteristic feature of the sugar chains of choriocarcinoma hCG. The evidence that the monoantennary sugar chain of Man alpha 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(Fuc alpha 1 leads to 6)GlcNAc leads to Asn is not found in normal hCG and the sum total of fucosylated sugar chains is 50%, which is twice as much as normal hCG, indicated that fucosylation is also modified in choriocarcinoma tissue.

Adult↗

Induction of the synthesis of an additional family of long-chain dolichols in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effect of starvation and ageing.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W303 synthesizes in the early logarithmic phase of growth dolichols of 14-18 isoprene residues. The analysis of the polyisoprenoids present in the stationary phase revealed an additional family which proved to be also dolichols but of 19-24 isoprene residues, constituting 39% of the total dolichols. The transfer of early logarithmic phase cells to a starvation medium lacking glucose or nitrogen resulted in the synthesis of the longer chain dolichols. The additional family of dolichols represented 13.8% and 10.3% of total dolichols in the glucose and nitrogen deficient media, respectively. The level of dolichols in yeast cells increased with the age of the cultures. Since both families of dolichols are present in stationary phase cells we postulate that the longer chain dolichols may be responsible for the physico-chemical changes in cellular membranes allowing yeast cells to adapt to nutrient deficient conditions to maintain long-term viability.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Pharmacological and toxicological testing of the enantiomers of two chiral fomocaine alkylmorpholine derivatives in comparison to their in vitro interactions on drug metabolism in rats.

Between the stereoisomers of amide-type local anaesthetics differences have been noticed with respect to pharmacokinetics and side effects, but not regarding local anaesthetic capacity. Therefore, only S-(-)-ropivacaine has been introduced into clinical practice and with bupivacaine both the racemate and the S-(-)-enantiomer (levobupivacaine) are available by now. Based on this background, the aim of the present study was to evaluate if there are also dissimilarities to be found both in the toxicity and in the effectiveness of the enantiomers of two newly synthesized chiral fomocaine alkylmorpholine derivatives, OW3 and OW13, with an additional C2-chain in 2- or an additional C3-chain in 3-position at the morpholine ring, respectively. For this purpose, in vitro the interaction capacity with cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated monooxygenase and oxidase functions was investigated using rat liver 9000 g supernatants or microsomes. In vivo LD50, paresis of the N. ischiadicus and surface and conduction anaesthesia (cornea, N. ischiadicus) were tested in rats. The enantiomers of both OW3 and OW13 caused a concentration dependent inhibition of all CYP-mediated model reactions investigated. With all model reactions the (-)-enantiomer of OW3 was less effective than the (+)-form, whereas the opposite was the case with OW13. Also toxicity was lower with the (-)-enantiomer of OW3 and with the (+)-form of OW13 than with the respective counterparts. With both derivatives no clear-cut dissimilarities were noticed in the local anaesthetic capacity of the enantiomers. None of the four compounds caused paresis. Thus, similar to amide-type local anaesthetics, also with the enantiomers of chiral fomocaine alkylmorpholine derivatives differences in pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity could be demonstrated.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

Intrachain disulfide bond in the core hinge region of human IgG4.

IgG is a tetrameric protein composed of two copies each of the light and heavy chains. The four-chain structure is maintained by strong noncovalent interactions between the amino-terminal half of pairs of heavy-light chains and between the carboxyl-terminal regions of the two heavy chains. In addition, interchain disulfide bonds link each heavy-light chain and also link the paired heavy chains. An engineered human IgG4 specific for human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (CDP571) is similar to human myeloma IgG4 in that it is secreted as both disulfide bonded tetramers (approximately 75% of the total amount of IgG) and as tetramers composed of nondisulfide bonded half-IgG4 (heavy chain disulfide bonded to light chain) molecules. However, when CDP571 was genetically engineered with a proline at residue 229 of the core hinge region rather than serine, CDP571 (S229P), or with an IgG1 rather than IgG4 hinge region, CDP571(gamma 1), only trace amounts of nondisulfide bonded half-IgG tetramers were observed. Trypsin digest reversephase HPLC peptide mapping studies of CDP571 and CDP571(gamma 1) with on-line electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy supplemented with Edman sequencing identified the chemical factor preventing inter-heavy chain disulfide bond formation between half-IgG molecules: the two cysteines in the IgG4 and IgG1 core hinge region (CPSCP and CPPCP, respectively) are capable of forming an intrachain disulfide bond. Conformational modeling studies on cyclic disulfide bonded CPSCP and CPPCP peptides yielded energy ranges for the low-energy conformations of 31-33 kcal/mol and 40-42 kcal/mol, respectively. In addition, higher torsion and angle bending energies were observed for the CPPCP peptide due to backbone constraints caused by the extra proline. These modeling results suggest a reason why a larger fraction of intrachain bonds are observed in IgG4 rather than IgG1 molecules: the serine in the core hinge region of IgG4 allows more hinge region flexibility than the proline of IgG1 and thus may permit formation of a stable intrachain disulfide bond more readily.

Alkylation↗

The human and murine influenza-specific B cell repertoires share a common idiotope.

We have dissected the human influenza-specific B cell repertoire by performing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) limiting dilution analysis of lymphocytes obtained from donors before and after immunization with a commercially available influenza vaccine. In addition to an analysis of precursor frequency and light chain diversity, we studied sera and culture supernatants containing human anti-influenza antibodies with a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for idiotopes identified on murine anti-PR8 and anti-X-31 antibodies. An idiotypic specificity present on the X-31-specific murine monoclonal PY206 has previously been shown to be shared by murine antibodies specific for PR8, X-31, and other influenza viruses. We observed little correlation among the following parameters: anti-viral titer, serum idiotope content, precursor frequency and immune status. More interestingly, there was a striking predominance of human influenza-specific antibodies that utilized lambda light chains. In addition, 12 of 26 human anti-influenza monoclonals strongly inhibited the binding of one of the murine anti-idiotopes to the labeled murine antibody, PY206. This is the same idiotope that is shared among murine antiinfluenza antibodies and all six individuals studied contained clones reactive with this anti-idiotope. Seven of these 12 idiotope-positive human antibodies gave partial cross-reactivity in a second anti-idiotypic system. These observations imply that a significant level of homology exists between the binding sites of human and murine influenza-specific antibodies and suggest that idiotypic manipulation of the human immune response to influenza virus may have important therapeutic implications.

Adult↗