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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Stability of CII is a key element in the cold stress response of bacteriophage lambda infection.

Bacteria are known to adapt to environmental changes such as temperature fluctuations. It was found that temperature affects the lysis-lysogeny decision of lambda such that at body temperature (37 degrees C) the phage can select between the lytic and lysogenic pathways, while at ambient temperature (20 degrees C) the lytic pathway is blocked. This temperature-dependent discriminatory developmental pathway is governed mainly by the phage CII activity as a transcriptional activator. Mutations in cII or point mutations at the pRE promoter lead to an over-1,000-fold increase in mature-phage production at low temperature while mutations in cI cause a smaller increase in phage production. Interference with CII activity can restore lytic growth at low temperature. We found that at low temperature the stability of CII in vivo is greatly increased. It was also found that phage DNA replication is blocked at 20 degrees C but can be restored by supplying O and P in trans. It is proposed that CII hampers transcription of the rightward pR promoter, thus reducing the levels of the lambda O and P proteins, which are necessary for phage DNA replication. Our results implicate CII itself or host proteins affecting CII stability as a "molecular thermometer".

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Whole-cell properties of temperature-sensitive neurons in rat hypothalamic slices.

Hypothalamic temperature-sensitive neurons have a pivotal role in body temperature regulation. To study their thermal transduction mechanism, we made nystatin-perforated patch-clamp recordings from warm-responsive (WR) and cold-responsive (CR) neurons in rat hypothalamic slices after blocking synaptic transmission in low Ca2+ high Mg2+ solution. Warming depolarized the WR neurons and increased their firing frequency, whereas the same procedure suppressed firing in CR neurons. Warming increased the voltage-gated sodium and potassium currents and the input conductance in both types of neuron. The warm-activated current in WR neurons had a reversal potential that was significantly more positive than that of CR neurons. We suggest that the different thermosensitivity of resting ionic conductances underlie the differential behaviours of WR and CR neurons.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Evaluation of the onset and duration of response to cold air inhalation challenge in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Cold air inhalation challenge (CAIC) for the evaluation of bronchial reactivity has been proposed as a physical agent alternative to chemical agent challenges (methacholine or histamine), especially suitable for the occupational environment. The present investigation describes and evaluates a method for performing cold air inhalation challenge in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), a species shown to be useful in animal modeling studies of occupational asthma. Six adult male anesthetized monkeys were ventilated by changes in external pressure while breathing cold air (-25 degrees C to -30 degrees C). Pulmonary function testing was performed at 10, 25, 40 and 55 min post-challenge. Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in average pulmonary flow resistance (RL) and decreases in dynamic compliance (CL dyn) were observed, with maximum impairment occurring at 25 min post-challenge, with a trend towards a return to baseline values at 55 min post-challenge. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 0.5 s/forced vital capacity (FEV0.5/FVC) and forced expiratory flow at 50% forced vital capacity (FEF50) showed the same general pattern of reduction as seen with RL; however, these results were not statistically significant, most probably owing to individual monkey variability and the small number of monkeys (N = 6) used. A repeat challenge at 25 min after a primary challenge yielded increased RL in one monkey, suggesting that no absolute refractory period is present from CAIC. Results of these studies demonstrate that CAIC causes bronchoconstriction in monkeys and may be useful in further animal modeling studies designed to determine the asthmogenic/airway irritant potential of occupational toxicants.

Air↗

Effects of body morphology and mass on thermal responses to cold water: revisited.

Seven male volunteers were divided into two groups based on body morphology and mass. The large body mass (LM) group (n = 4) was 21.2 kg heavier and 0.32 m2.kg-1 smaller in surface area-to-mass ratio (P < 0.05) than the small body mass (SM) group (n = 3). Both groups were similar in total body fat and regional skinfold thicknesses. All subjects were immersed to the first thoracic vertebrae for 120 min in stirred water at 18 degrees C. Overall, tissue insulation was similar (P > 0.05) between the SM and LM groups across time. Perceptual ratings of thermal sensation increased (P < 0.05) across time. Therefore, as cold water immersion progressed, tissue insulation was similar and thermal sensation increased (P < 0.05) in males matched for subcutaneous fat and total fat but differing in body mass and morphology.

Analysis of Variance↗

Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase: identification and expression of two mutations responsible for cold- and heat-sensitive phenotypes.

AceIJ29 and AceIJ40 are cold- and heat-sensitive variants of the gene coding for acetylcholinesterase in Drosophila melanogaster. In the homozygous condition, these mutations are lethal when animals are raised at restrictive temperatures, i.e., below 23 degrees C for AceIJ29 or above 25 degrees C for AceIJ40. The coding regions of the gene in these mutants were sequenced and mutations changing Ser374 to Phe in AceIJ29 and Pro75 to Leu in AceIJ40 were found. Acetylcholinesterases bearing these mutations were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and we found that these mutations decrease the secretion rate of the protein most probably by affecting its folding. This phenomenon is exacerbated at restrictive temperatures decreasing the amount of secreted acetylcholinesterase below the lethality threshold. In parallel, the substitution of the conserved Asp248 by an Asn residue completely inhibits the activity of the enzyme and its secretion, preventing the correct folding of the protein in a non-conditional manner.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Thermoregulatory responses to cold during a 7-week acclimatization process in rabbits.

A group of six rabbits reared at +20 degrees C ambient temperature was adapted to moderate cold by housing for seven weeks at +10 degrees C. Rectal and skin temperatures, metabolic heat production and respiratory evaporative heat loss were recorded continuously over 1 h for each animal on 3 days per week in the climatic chamber. There was no significant change either of rectal or of ear skin temperature during the acclimatization process. On the other hand, metabolic heat production was progressively reduced (20% in the 7th week). Slight changes of mean skin temperature and respiratory evaporative heat loss could not account for compensation. Therefore it must be concluded that both adaptive improvement of peripheral insulation and reduction of heat production were achieved during the acclimatization process. Both processes together ensure that deviations of core temperature are minimal. The possible origin of the functional adaptive effects is discussed. The results are in full agreement both with former neurophysiological results and with system-theoretical considerations of adaptive processes.

Acclimatization↗

Development of endothermy in a Tasmanian marsupial, Bettongia gaimardi and its response to cold and noradrenaline.

Marsupials at birth are ectothermic and gradually attain the ability to change their metabolic heat production during pouch life. How this process occurs in the bettong has been measured on 13 pouch young from week 1 until 3 weeks after pouch vacation (week 18). Oxygen consumption was measured at 35 degrees C (pouch temperature) and at 22 degrees C. The results at 35 degrees C showed an increase in metabolic rate from week 1 until week 12 when there was a decrease to near adult levels after pouch vacation. At 22 degrees C young bettongs had a lower metabolic rate (compared with measurements made at 35 degrees C) until week 9 after which there was an increase above measurements made at 35 degrees C. Noradrenaline had little effect until week 10 after which the metabolic rate (although measured at 35 degrees C) paralleled the levels measured at 22 degrees C. The free thyroxine level was low in early pouch life, increased to a peak at week 12 then decreased. Thermal conductance increased until week 10 after which it decreased, reaching values similar to those of adult bettongs by week 20. The results indicate that non-shivering thermogenesis occurs in this macropodoid marsupial. This phenomenon may be a phylogenetic difference between macropodid and non-macropodid marsupials as also suggested by Nicol et al. (1997).

Age Factors↗

Differential gene expression in the brain of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) in response to cold acclimation.

Aquatic ectotherms can adapt to a wide range of temperature changes, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie this adaptability are not well understood. We identified genes that are differentially expressed in the catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) brain using a cDNA microarray approach to gain an initial understanding of adaptation to low temperature. Among 660 genes analyzed, 61 were differentially expressed when compared at 12 degrees C and 24 degrees C. Gene induction was rapid, occurring within 2 h of the temperature shift. The major categories of differentially expressed genes included (1) genes for chaperones such as Hsp70 and Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein; (2) genes for transcription factors and gene products involved in signal transduction pathways such as zinc-finger proteins, calmodulin kinase inhibitor, the nuclear autoantigen SG2NA, interferon regulatory factor 3, and inorganic pyrophosphatase; (3) genes involved in lipid metabolism such as TB2 and acyl CoA binding protein; and (4) genes involved in the translational machinery such as ribosomal proteins. Some genes were induced transiently, whereas others were induced in an enduring fashion. Several genes, primarily ribosomal protein genes, were down regulated, indicating reduced metabolic activities after extended incubation at the low temperature. Thus channel catfish respond to low temperature by adjusting expression of a large number of genes. The rapid induction of proteins involved in signal transductions and chaperones suggests that both de novo synthesis of cold-induced proteins and modification of existing proteins are required for adaptation and tolerance of catfish to low environmental temperature.

Acclimatization↗

Sciatic nerve monoaminergic system response to cold acclimatization in Muscovy duckling.

The effect of cold acclimatization on the monoamines in duckling sciatic nerve was studied. In thermoneutral (TN) ducklings, the high dopamine (DA) to norepinephrine (NE) ratios in the right (R, 0.14) or in the left (L, 0.20) sciatic nerves at 6 weeks of age suggests the presence of non-precursor specific dopaminergic pools. DA, DOPAC (3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) levels and the ratio DA to NE were similar in cold-acclimated (CA) and TN ducklings sciatic nerves. Moreover, serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) remained unchanged in the sciatic nerve, indicating that this system is not affected with cold exposure. The contents of NE were higher (R = +44.46%; L = +43.73%) in sciatic nerve of CA than in TN ducklings. The results indicate that noradrenergic systems in the ducklings sciatic nerve are markedly affected by cold exposure. Interestingly, chronic exposure to cold failed to alter the dopaminergic and the serotonergic system in duckling sciatic nerve.

Acclimatization↗

Fatty acid synthesis and ketone body utilization by brown adipose tissue of the rat. Response to cold or nutritional state?

The effects of cold adaptation (exposure to 2-4 degrees C for 2-3 weeks) on the incorporation of 3H from 3H2O and of D-3-hydroxy [3- 14C]butyrate into fatty acid in vivo in interscapular brown adipose tissue of the rat were examined. Fatty acid synthesis, measured with 3H2O, was increased in brown adipose tissue of cold-adapted rats pair-fed ad libitum but not in cold-adapted rats pair-fed to the same food intake as rats maintained at 18-20 degrees C. Incorporation of D-3-hydroxybutyrate into fatty acid was increased in brown adipose tissue of cold-adapted rats, both when rats were fed ad libitum and when they were deprived of food for 48 h. Ketone bodies may be an important substrate for brown adipose tissue in the cold-adapted rat.

Acclimatization↗