Investigations of receptor-mediated phagocytosis by hormone-induced (imprinted)Tetrahymena pyriformis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis byTetrahvmena pyriformis was studied using tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-labeled concanavalin A (TRITC-Con A) with fluorescence and confocal microscopy. In the presence of insulin, or 24 h after insulin pretreatment (hormonal imprinting), the binding and uptake of TRITC-Con A increased when compared to controls, owing to the binding of TRITC-Con A to sugar oligomers of insulin recptors. Mannose inhibited the binding of Con A, thus demonstrating the specificity of binding. Histamine, a phagocytosis-promoting factor in mammals andTetrahymena, and galactose, did not influence the uptake of TRITC-Con A.     

Differential use of an in-frame translation initiation codon regulates human mu opioid receptor (OPRM1)

The pharmacological effects of morphine and morphine-like drugs are mediated primarily through the μ opioid receptor. Here we show that differential use of an in-frame translational start codon in the 5′-untranslated region of the OPRM1 generates different translational products in vivo and in vitro. The 5′-end of the OPRM1 gene is necessary for initiating the alternate form and for subsequent degradation of the protein. Initiation of OPRM1 at the upstream site decreases the initiation at the main AUG site. However, alternative initiation of the long form of OPRM1 produces a protein with a short half-life, resulting from degradation mediated by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Reporter and degradation assays showed that mutations of this long form at the second and third lysines reduce ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation, stabilizing the protein. The data suggest that MOP expression is controlled in part by initiation of the long form of MOP at the alternate site.     

Hashish VI1: Conversion of (-)-Δ 1(6)-Tetrahydrocannabinol to (-)-Δ 1(7)-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Stability of (-)-Δ 1 and (-)-Δ 1(6)-Tetrahydrocannabinols

Zusammenfassung Die Synthese von (—)-¹⁽⁷⁾-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) auf (—)-¹⁽⁶⁾ wird beschrieben. Das Hauptprodukt der oxidativen Zerstörung von (—)-¹-THC ist Cannabinol. Beschleunigte Versuche der Luftoxidation von (—)-¹-THC und (—)-¹⁽⁶⁾-THC haben gezeigt, dass das letztere beständiger ist. Dieser Unterschied kann mit der Reaktivität des C₃-benzylisch-allylischen Wasserstoffes in (—)-¹-THC erklärt werden.     

A human calcitonin-like molecule in the ultimobranchial body of the amphibia (Rana pipiens)

Summary As assessed by radioimmunoassay, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), frog ultimobranchial calcitonin was found to be similar to synthetic human calcitonin but completely different from synthetic salmon calcitonin.Acknowledgments. This work was supported in parts by grants from the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Spanish Ministry of Universities and Egyptian Ministry of High Education.     

One-sided Simultaneous Prediction Intervals for AR(1) and MA(1) Processes with Exponential Innovations

This paper is concerned with the determination of simultaneous confidence regions for some types of time series models. We derive recursive formulas which allow the determination of the probability for an AR(1) stationary process based on exponential inputs to lie under any sequence of constants during N steps. Also, probabilities of the same form are derived for an MA(1) process, based on an exponentially distributed white noise. Numerical results are obtained and comparison of prediction regions for different values of ϕ or θ is made. The results show how the use of the correlation structure of the models can reduce the confidence regions area. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CD23 (the low-affinity IgE receptor) as a C-type lectin: a multidomain and multifunctional molecule

This review, regards the low-affinity receptor CD23 as a C-type lectin and compares it with other C-type lectins and C-type lectin-like receptors. C-type lectins such as the asialoglycoprotein receptor, as well as the dendritic cell immunoreceptor and the dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin on dendritic cell lectin, possess amino acid sequences which interact with Ca⁺⁺ and sugar, and many of them possess an endocytosis signal sequence that includes tyrosine or serine in the cytoplasmic region. In contrast, natural killer receptors lack the Ca⁺⁺ and sugar-binding amino acids but conserve homologous cysteines in the form of C-type lectin, and possess an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif in the cytoplasmic region which inhibits killer activity when they recognize the self major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecule. Since human CD23a form has a similar amino acid sequence, the possibility that this sequence is an endocytosis signal or an ITIM is discussed. The function of the reverse RGD and RGD-binding inhibitory peptide in human CD23 from the point of view of the relation between a C-type lectin and MHC class II molecules is also considered. Received 21 May 2001; received after revision 28 November 2001; accepted 29 November 2001     

L-arginine regulates asymmetric dimethylarginine metabolism by inhibiting dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase activity in hepatic (HepG2) cells

An increase in circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and a decreased L-arginine/ADMA ratio are associated with reduced endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production and increased risk of vascular disease. We explored relations between ADMA, L-arginine and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) in liver (HepG2) cells. DDAH is the principle enzyme for the metabolism of ADMA. HepG2 cells metabolised 44.8 nmol/h of ADMA per 3.6 × 10⁶ cells in the absence of L-arginine. The metabolism of ADMA at physiological (1μ mol/l, p < 0.01) and at pathological (100μmol/l, p < 0.01) levels was inhibited dose-dependently by L-arginine (0–400μmol/l) in cultured HepG2 cells and increased intracellular ADMA (p = 0.039). L-arginine competitively inhibited DDAH enzyme activity to 5.6 ± 2.0% of the untreated level (p < 0.01). We conclude that L-arginine regulates ADMA metabolism dose-dependently by competing for DDAH thus maintaining the metabolic balance of L-arginine and ADMA, and endothelial NO homeostasis. Received 9 June 2006; received after revision 16 July 2006; accepted 19 September 2006     

Multiple roles of the DSCR1 (Adapt78 or RCAN1) gene and its protein product Calcipressin 1 (or RCAN1) in disease

The DSCR1 (Adapt78) gene¹ is transiently induced by stresses to temporarily protect cells against further potentially lethal challenges. However, chronic expression of the DSCR1 (Adapt78) gene has now been implicated in several pathological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome and cardiac hypertrophy. Calcipressin 1 has been shown to function through direct binding and inhibition of the serine threonine protein phosphatase Calcineurin. Pharmacological inhibition of calcineurin, by the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK506, affects a wide variety of diseases. It is, therefore, likely that this endogenous calcineurin inhibitor, calcipressin 1, may also play a role in a variety of human diseases. ¹Please note that the mammalian DSCR1 gene is also called Adapt78 or RCAN1, and its protein products have been named Calcipressin1, MCIP1 and RCAN1. A proposal to adopt a single gene name of RCAN1 and a protein name RCAN1 (for Regulator of Calcineurin) has been endorsed by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, but final approval must await agreement from a majority of researchers in the field. Received 2 March 2005; received after revision 27 May 2005; accepted 19 July 2005     

Effect of imazalil (1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-propenyloxy) ethyl)-1H-imidazole) on biosynthesis of ergosterol in Penicillium expansum Link]

Imazalil is a new fungicide effective against Penicillium molds on fruits after harvest. This compound inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis in mycelia of Penicillium expansum. The accumulation of 24--methylenedithydrolanosterol, obtusifoliol and 14 alpha-methyl-delta 8, 24(28)-ergostadienol in treated fungi suggests that imazalil blocks sterol C--14 demethylation.     

(-)-(R)-1-O-Geranylgeranylglycerol from the brown alga Dilophus fasciola

Summary A novel ether lipid, (-)-(R)-1-O-geranylgeranylglycerol (1), has been isolated from the brown alga Dilophus fasciola and its structure proved by spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation.This work was supported by CNR, Rome, Italy.     

The efficacy of a novel compound, (E)-1-(4′-bromo-4-biphenylyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-dimethylaminoprop-1-ene againstTrypanosoma cruzi in mice

Summary The biological properties of a novel compound 353C with high activity againstTrypanosoma cruzi, are described. The compound was about 10 times and 20 times more effective than either benznidazole or nifurtimox respectively, in producing radical cure in mice. 353C had a long half-life and showed anti-trypanosomal properties when given to mice at weekly intervals.