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Activation of nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides and bacterial genomic DNA: binding, specificity and identification of unique immunostimulatory motifs.

We have analyzed the effects of synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (sODNs) and bacterial DNA (bDNA) on the in vitro activation of NCC. Teleost NCC recognition of DNA appeared to differ from that which occurs in higher vertebrates. NCC contain at least two different receptor specificities for DNA. Both oligodeoxyguanosine 20-mers (dG20) and 5'-TGCTGCTTGTGCTTGTGCTT-3' (4GC-2T) bound specifically to NCC. The existence of different receptor specificities was indicated by reciprocal cold target inhibition experiments. dG20 competed with 4GC-2T binding but sODNs composed of GpC or CpG nests did not compete with recognition by NCC of the dG20. ODN binding by NCC primarily depended on the presence of GpC or CpG nests with a preference for -G- serving as the anchor nucleotide. Secondarily, and similar to models of ODN activation in mammals, palindrome sequences of pu-pu-CpG-py-py activated NCC cytotoxicity. Additional analysis of the requirements for ODN activation indicated that guanosine could not substitute for adenosine as a purine spacer and that CpG motifs containing flanking thymidine (i.e.-GTCpGTT-) augmented the activity of the sODN containing this flanking base. Other evidence for the participation of both G and C in the recognition of specific nucleotides by NCC was that poly-dC20, dA20 or dT20 had no activating properties. Methylation of all cytosine nucleotides within an ODN abrogated activation. A canonical ODN motif of 5'-C/AT/AGCTT-3' can now be suggested for teleosts. Additional studies were done to examine the effects of in vitro treatment of NCC with bDNA. bDNA from three different disease isolates of Streptococcus iniae activated NCC cytotoxicity. Treatment of the bDNA with DNase abrogated the enhancement of cytotoxicity. Also, treatment of NCC with eukaryotic DNA had no effects on cytotoxicity. These studies suggested that NCC recognize bacterial nonmethylated DNA. The consequences of these interactions may be increased innate and acquired anti-bacterial immunity.

Animals↗

Detection of three rare frameshift mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene in an African-American (CF444delA), an Italian (CF2522insC), and a Soviet (CF3821delT).

We have identified three new frameshift mutations in the CFTR gene in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The first one involves the deletion of an adenine nucleotide in exon 4 in an African-American patient (CF444delA), the second involves the insertion of a cytosine nucleotide in exon 13 in an Italian patient (CF2522insC), and the third results from the deletion of a thymidine nucleotide in exon 19 in a Soviet patient (CF3821delT). Each mutation is predicted to result in premature termination of the CFTR protein.

Adult↗

Structure of an unusually stable RNA hairpin.

The structure of a very common RNA hairpin, 5'GGAC(UUCG)GUCC, has been determined in solution by NMR spectroscopy. The loop sequence, UUCG, occurs exceptionally often in ribosomal and other RNAs, and may serve as a nucleation site for RNA folding and as a protein recognition site. Reverse transcriptase cannot read through this loop, although it normally transcribes RNA secondary structure motifs. A hairpin with that loop displays unusually high thermodynamic stability; its stability decreases when conserved nucleotides are mutated. The three-dimensional structure for the hairpin was derived from interproton distances and scalar coupling constants determined by NMR using distance geometry, followed by restrained energy minimization. The structure was well-defined despite the conservative use of interproton distances, by constraining the backbone conformation by means of scalar coupling measurements. A mismatch G.U base pair, with syn-guanosine, closes the stem. This hairpin has a loop of only two nucleotides; both adopt C2'-endo sugar pucker. A sharp turn in the phosphodiester backbone is stabilized by a specific cytosine-phosphate contact, probably a hydrogen bond, and by stacking of the cytosine nucleotide on the G.U base pair. The structural features of the loop can explain the unusual thermodynamic stability of this hairpin and its sensitivity to mutations of loop nucleotides.

Base Sequence↗

De novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides; emerging interfaces with signal transduction pathways.

The de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides provides essential precursors for multiple growth-related events in higher eukaryotes. Assembled from ATP, bicarbonate and glutamine, the uracil and cytosine nucleotides are fuel for the synthesis of RNA, DNA, phospholipids, UDP sugars and glycogen. Over the past 2 decades considerable progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms by which cellular pyrimidines are modulated to meet the needs of the cell. Recent studies demonstrate that CAD, a rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidines, is regulated through reversible phosphorylation, Myc-dependent transcriptional changes and caspase-mediated degradation. These studies point to increasing evidence for cooperation between key cell signaling pathways and basic elements of cellular metabolism, and suggest that these events have the potential to determine distinct cellular fates, including growth, differentiation and death. This review highlights some of the recent advances in the regulation of pyrimidine synthesis by growth-factor-stimulated signaling pathways.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Cardioprotection by orotic acid: metabolism and mechanism of action.

The pyrimidine base, orotic acid (OA), improves the function of recently infarcted hearts subjected to global ischemia but its mechanism of action is unclear. Our aims were to examine (i) in normal rats, the effect of OA on pyrimidine levels in plasma, liver and heart; (ii) in rats with normal or infarcted hearts, the effect of OA on adenine nucleotide metabolism and mechanical function, before and after global ischemia. To investigate the metabolism of OA, normal rats received 100 mg/kg OA, and changes in plasma and tissue concentrations of pyrimidines were examined. The effects of OA were also studied in rats receiving OA for 2 days after coronary ligation or sham operations, and plasma and tissue pyrimidine concentrations examined. Their hearts were isolated and perfused, then subjected to 30 min of global ischemia. Mechanical function and adenine nucleotide content were assessed pre- and post-ischemia. In normal, unoperated rats, administration of 100 mg/kg OA significantly increased hepatic uracil and cytosine nucleotide concentrations, then increased plasma uridine (+124%) and cytidine (+55%), and transiently increased myocardial uracil nucleotides (+21%). Infarction significantly reduced recovery of cardiac work after global ischemia (sham=62%; infarct=26%; P<0.05), and OA treatment in infarcted hearts increased post-ischemic work by 192% (P<0.05), but not in shams. Pre-ischemic ATP was reduced in the surviving myocardium of infarcted hearts from 21.7+/-0.8 to 14.7+/-0. 7 micromol/g dry weight (P<0.001) and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) from 30.3+/-0.8 to 22.4+/-1.1 micromol/g dry weight (P<0.001). OA treatment prevented these reductions in infarcted hearts (ATP 20. 7+/-0.5; TAN, 29.1+/-0.6 micromol/g dry weight). We conclude that OA protects the infarcted heart against global ischemia by enhancing hepatic release of pyrimidine nucleosides into the plasma, which then prevent depletion of adenine nucleotides in the surviving myocardium.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Abnormal nucleotide pattern in the eosinophils of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated with eosinophilia.

In this article we present a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with eosinophilia, in which the eosinophilia preceded a meningeal and bone-marrow relapse of ALL. We analysed the purine and pyrimidine nucleotide content of the eosinophils (92% pure) and compared the nucleotide pattern with that of eosinophils from healthy donors and from patients with eosinophilia not associated with leukemia. The ratios of purine:pyrimidine and of uracil:cytosine nucleotides were decreased compared with those in eosinophils from healthy donors and from patients with eosinophilia with other aetiologies. The total nucleotide concentration was increased, especially the concentration of UDP-sugars and pyrimidine nucleotides. The decrease in these ratios and the increase in concentration of the nucleotides and the UDP-sugars were also detected in leukemic cells of patients with ALL (de Korte et al., Leukemia Res. 10, 389-396 (1986) compared to normal lymphocytes. We suggest a malignant character of the eosinophils in our patient with ALL associated with eosinophilia, in contrast with the non-malignant state suggested previously for these cells.

Adult↗

Mechanism of cardioprotective effect of orotic acid.

The pyrimidine base, orotic acid (OA), markedly improves the function of recently infarcted hearts subjected to global ischemia. The mechanism of cardiac action of OA is unclear, but it has been proposed that OA acts by correcting a relative deficiency of nucleotide precursors required for RNA synthesis in the stressed myocardium or by improving myocardial energy supply. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of OA by (1) determining whether a high dose of OA can raise the concentration of pyrimidine metabolites in plasma, liver, and heart; (2) examining the effects of OA on adenine nucleotide (AN) concentrations in normal and infarcted hearts, before and after global ischemia; and (3) determining the effect of uridine, an important metabolite of OA, on myocardial energy metabolism. Three studies were performed: (1) The time course of changes in tissue and plasma concentrations of pyrimidine compounds was examined in unoperated rats after the administration of 100 mg/kg OA. (2) Rats were given OA (30 mg/kg/d) for 2 days after experimental infarction, and tissue and plasma pyrimidine concentrations were examined; the hearts were removed for perfusion in the isolated working rat heart model (37 degrees C), subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia, and recovery of function was assessed. AN content was assessed in the noninfarcted myocardium before and after ischemia. Isolated hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of hypoxic perfusion and the effect of adding 17 microM uridine to the perfusate was examined. Study 1 showed that OA administration produced an increase in hepatic uridine and cytidine, followed by increased plasma uridine and cytidine (cytidine, +55%, P < 0.001; uridine, +124%, P = 0.011). Myocardial uracil nucleotides increased temporarily after 4 hours (+21%, P < 0.01). In infarcted hearts after 2 days of OA administration, there were no significant changes in myocardial uracil or cytosine nucleotides or total RNA. Infarction significantly reduced functional recovery after global ischemia (sham = 62%; infarct = 26% of preischemic level; P < 0.05). OA improved the recovery of preischemic function by 133% (P < 0.05) in infarcted, but not sham-operated, hearts. Preischemic ATP and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) were decreased in the surviving myocardium of infarcted hearts (ATP reduced from 21.7 +/- 0.8 to 14.7 +/- 0.7 mumol/g dry wt, P < 0.001; TAN decreased from 30.3 +/- 0.8 to 22.4 +/- 1.1 mumol/g dry wt, P < 0.001). OA treatment prevented these reductions. Study 3 showed that uridine improved myocardial ATP and TAN levels, and decreased purine loss in hypoxic hearts. The increased AN levels were accompanied by evidence of enhancement of anerobic glycolysis. We conclude: (1) That OA acts on the heart via the liver by increasing the availability of plasma uridine and cytidine. (2) Uridine is capable of increasing myocardial ATP production by stimulating anerobic glycolysis. (3) OA treatment improves tolerance to global ischemia in infarcted but not normal hearts by preventing depletion of AN in the surviving myocardium.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Substrate specificity of human nucleoside-diphosphate kinase revealed by transient kinetic analysis.

Nucleoside-diphosphate kinases (NDKs) catalyze the transfer of gamma-phosphoryl groups from NTPs via an active site histidine to NDPs using a ping-pong mechanism. We have used the change of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence that occurs upon phosphorylation of NDK to measure the rates of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation with a range of nucleotides and nucleotide analogues. For natural nucleotides, the rates of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation were linearly dependent upon nucleotide concentration until they became too fast to measure. The second order rate constants for phosphorylation by natural NTPs varied between 0.7 and 13 x 10(6) M-1 s-1. Dephosphorylation by NDPs was 2-3-fold faster than the corresponding phosphorylation reaction, and dephosphorylation by dNDPs was 3-4-fold slower than the equivalent NDPs. In all cases, second order rate constants were highest for guanine followed by adenine and lowest for cytosine nucleotides. NDK also catalyzes the transfer of thiophosphate from adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATPgammaS) and guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) to NDP, but at (1)/(1000) of the equivalent phosphoryl transfer rates. In this case, the observed rate constants of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation were hyperbolically dependent on nucleotide concentration. Thiophosphorylation by ATPgammaS and GTPgammaS occurred with kmax of 2.8 and 1.35 s-1 and Kd of 145 and 36 muM respectively. For dethiophosphorylation by a range of NDPs, kmax was in the range of 5-30 s-1, whereas Kd varied between 0.16 and 3.3 mM. Guanine had the lowest Kd values, and cytosine had the highest. The data are consistent with fast reversible binding of the nucleotide followed by the rate-limiting phosphoryl transfer. Thiophosphates change only the rate of the phosphoryl transfer step, whereas both events are influenced by the base. Modification at the 2'-hydroxyl of ribose has only a small effect, while the overall rate of phosphoryl transfer is reduced 1000-fold by modification at the 3'-ribose.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Pyrimidine, purine and nitrogen control of cytosine deaminase synthesis in Escherichia coli K 12. Involvement of the glnLG and purR genes in the regulation of codA expression.

Cytosine deaminase, encoded by the codA gene in Escherichia coli catalyzes the deamination of cytosine to uracil and ammonia. Regulation of codA expression was studied by determining the level of cytosine deaminase in E. coli K12 grown in various defined media. Addition of either pyrimidine or purine nucleobases to the growth medium caused repressed enzyme levels, whereas growth on a poor nitrogen source such as proline resulted in derepression of cytosine deaminase synthesis. Derepression of codA expression was induced by starvation for either uracil or cytosine nucleotides. Nitrogen control was found to be mediated by the glnLG gene products, and purine repression required a functional purR gene product. Studies with strains harbouring multiple mutations affecting both pyrimidine, purine and nitrogen control revealed that the overall regulation of cytosine deaminase synthesis by the different metabolites is cumulative.

Culture Media↗

Imbalance in the ribonucleotide pools of lymphoid cells from acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

The intracellular purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotide concentrations were determined in the lymphoid cells from peripheral blood and/or bone-marrow of 29 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as in the mononuclear cells from peripheral blood of 12 patients with ALL in remission. The lymphoid cells of ALL patients showed an imbalance in the nucleotide pool compared with normal lymphocytes, whereas the nucleotide pool of mononuclear cells from patients with ALL in remission had normal values. The imbalance in the lymphoid cells from ALL patients involved decreased ratios of purine:pyrimidine, adenine:guanine and uracil:cytosine nucleotides, and an increased amount, together with a changed composition, of the UDP sugars. When compared with tonsil-derived B lymphocytes and thymocytes, ALL lymphoid cells have an increased amount (absolute and relative) and a change composition of the UDP sugars. Significant differences were found between the mean values for the immunologically defined subgroups of ALL and between the mean values for patients with a high or a low percentage of blast cells. However, individual patients cannot be classified according to their nucleotide pattern, because of the overlapping ranges. The results of this study may be useful for the design of new therapeutic regimens.

Adolescent↗

Cloning of the human carnitine-acylcarnitine carrier cDNA and identification of the molecular defect in a patient.

The carnitine-acylcarnitine carrier (CAC) catalyzes the translocation of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. We cloned and sequenced the human CAC cDNA, which has an open reading frame of 903 nucleotides. Northern blot studies revealed different expression levels of CAC in various human tissues. Furthermore, mutation analysis was performed for a CAC-deficient infant. Direct sequencing of the patient's cDNA revealed a homozygous cytosine nucleotide insertion. This insertion provokes a frameshift and an extension of the open reading frame with 23 novel codons. This is the first report documenting a mutation, in the CAC cDNA, responsible for mitochondrial beta-oxidation impairment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effects of DNA methylation by Hha I methylase on the cleavage reactions by Hae II, Aha II and Ban I endonucleases.

The DNA methylated by Hha I methylase was resistant against cleavage of Hae II or Aha II endonuclease indicating that the methyl group of the C5 position of the inmost cytosine nucleotide interferes with the interaction between the enzyme and the hexameric recognition sequence. Considering that Hae II or Aha II methylase has not been isolated yet, the result explained above is a useful information for protecting a double stranded DNA from being cleaved by Hae II or Aha II endonuclease. In contrast to Hae II or Aha II endonuclease, Ban I endonuclease which also has Hha I sequence as its tetrameric core was able to cleave the same DNA normally. This result suggests that the C5 position of the inmost pyrimidine nucleotide is not an important contact point between Ban I endonuclease and its hexameric recognition sequence.

DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases↗

Distribution and HPLC study of chromium-51 binding sites in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Chinese hamster ovary cells were cultured with chromium-51 chromate to study the site of chromium interaction with cell biomolecules. After incubation, cells were homogenized and separated into nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions. Greater than 75% of the radioactivity was found in the cytosolic fraction. The supernatant from the centrifuged cell homogenate, which contained greater than 90% of the chromium radioactivity, was subjected to chromatographic investigation. The combination of anion exchange and ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that at least three different molecular species interact with chromate or its reduced derivative, Cr(III). These species are glutathione, the nucleotides cytosine triphosphate, uridine triphosphate, guanine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and adenosine diphosphate, plus an as yet unknown species of protein or peptide. Preliminary data for the specific activity of nucleoside triphosphates range from 6000 to 18,000 cpm/micrograms ribonucleoside triphosphate. The glutathione accounted for 50% of the observed radioactivity, the nucleotides for 30%, and the metalloprotein accounted for the remainder.

Animals↗

Enhanced activity of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase in rat red blood cells during erythropoiesis.

A nucleotidase that catalyzed selective hydrolysis of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotides was investigated in rat red blood cells (RBCs). The enzyme had similar catalytic properties to human pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase I (P5N-I). The P5N-I deficiency was known to be closely correlated with the human inherited disease, non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. Similar to the human P5N-I, the rat enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed 5'-(d)CMP and 5'-UMP but no reactivity was observed with any 3'-nucleotide. Molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 38 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Another subclass of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase, P5N-II, was also present in rat RBCs. This P5N-II-like enzyme, which resembled a 5'(3')-nucleotidase, preferentially hydrolyzed both 5'- and 3'- of (d)TMP or (d)UMP, but no cytosine nucleotide was hydrolyzed by the enzyme. Results from the reactivity with the antibody against rat 5'(3')-nucleotidase and estimated subunit molecular mass of the enzymes, about 26 kDa, suggested that the P5N-II-like enzyme had a similar structure to the 5'(3')-nucleotidase. The P5N-I-like activity in rat RBCs increased 5 to 6-fold at 4 days after phenylhydrazine injection, and reached a maximum at 6 to 7 days. No change in the activity of P5N-II-like nucleotidase was observed during the experimental period. The increase in rat P5N-I activity coincided with maturation of the erythrocytes.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

A new codon 31 (-C) mutant resulting in beta zero-thalassemia.

A new beta zero-thalassemia mutation, a frameshift mutation with deletion of a single cytosine nucleotide in codon 31, is described. The propositus, which is compound heterozygous for this mutation and the 17 beta A-T beta zero-thalassemia mutation, has the phenotype of severe beta-thalassemia major.

Base Sequence↗