Altered Gs and adenylate cyclase activity in human GH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Gs and Gi are guanine nucleotide-binding, heterotrimer proteins that regulate the activity of adenylate cyclase, and are responsible for transferring stimulatory and inhibitory hormonal signals, respectively, from cell surface receptors to the enzyme catalytic unit. These proteins can be directly activated by agents such as GTP and analogues, fluoride and magnesium. Decreased amounts of Gs and Gi, and even the absence of Gs, have been described, whereas an altered Gs has been reported in a cultured cell line (UNC variant of S49 lymphoma cells), but has never been observed in human disease states. We have found a profoundly altered Gs protein in a group of human growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas, characterized by high secretory activity and intracellular cyclic AMP levels. In the membranes from these tumours no stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by growth hormone-releasing hormone, by GTP or by fluoride was observed. Indeed, the last two agents caused an inhibition, probably mediated by Gi. In contrast, adenylate cyclase stimulation by Mg2+ was enormously increased. This altered pattern of adenylate cyclase regulation was reproduced when a cholate extract of the tumour membranes (which contains G proteins) was reconstituted with Gs-free, cyc- S49 cell membranes. Inasmuch as secretion from somatotrophic cells is known to be a cAMP-dependent function, the alteration of Gs could be the direct cause of the high secretory activity of the tumours in which it occurs.     

GTPase inhibiting mutations activate the alpha chain of Gs and stimulate adenylyl cyclase in human pituitary tumours

A subset of growth hormone-secreting human pituitary tumours carries somatic mutations that inhibit GTPase activity of a G protein alpha chain, alpha(s). The resulting activation of adenylyl cyclase bypasses the cells' normal requirement for trophic hormone. Amino acids substituted in the putative gsp oncogene identify a domain of G protein alpha-chains required for intrinsic ability to hydrolyse GTP. This domain may serve as a built-in counter-part of the separate GTPase-activating proteins required for GTP hydrolysis by small GTP-binding proteins such as p21ras.     

Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin inhibits adenylate cyclase of sensitive yeast cells

K1 killer toxin secreted by the K1 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been well characterized. It is a simple protein of molecular weight (MW) 11,470 (ref. 3), encoded by a double-stranded, linear RNA plasmid, called M RNA, of MW 1.1-1.7 x 10(6) (refs 4-6). It is lethal to sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae which does not carry M RNA. Leakage of K+ and ATP is the first distinct response in sensitive cells, and the toxic action is thought to be due to its action as a protonophore or K+ ionophore. Recently, a further killer toxin has been found in Kluyveromyces lactis IFO 1267, and it is associated with the presence of the double-stranded linear DNA plasmids, pGK1-1 (MW 5.4 x 10(6)) and pGK1-2 (MW 8.4 x 10(6)). It has been shown, by curing pGK1-1 or deletion mapping, that the structural gene for the killer toxin and immunity-determining gene reside on the smaller plasmid. Moreover, the plasmids could be transferred from K. lactis to S. cerevisiae by protoplast fusion and protoplast transformation. As the K. lactis toxin is encoded by a DNA plasmid and has a relatively wider action spectrum than K1 killer toxin, the mode of action of the toxin is highly interesting. Here we report that K. lactis toxin inhibits adenylate cyclase in sensitive yeast cells and brings about arrest of the cells at the G1 stage.     

The ras oncogene product p21 is not a regulatory component of adenylate cyclase

Harvey (Ha-MSV) and Kirsten (Ki-MSV) murine sarcoma viruses induce tumours in animals and transform various cells in culture because of the expression of the ras oncogene product, p21 (ref. 1). Proto-oncogenes homologous with these genes are highly conserved evolutionarily and activated ras oncogenes have been detected in many human cancers. Whether c-ras oncogenes are directly responsible for human carcinogenesis is uncertain; however, it is clear that p21 mediates virus-induced transformation, although by an unknown mechanism. Epithelial and fibroblast cell lines transformed with Ha-MSV and Ki-MSV express p21 (ref. 8) and exhibit reduced adenylate cyclase activity. Like the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, Ns and Ni, which mediate stimulation and inhibition, respectively, of adenylate cyclase, p21 is a membrane-associated GTP binding protein, which exhibits GTPase activity. These similarities suggest that p21 and the adenylate cyclase regulatory proteins are related in cellular function, and that p21 depresses adenylate cyclase by inhibiting the activity of Ns or acting as Ni. We have therefore now examined the structural and functional similarities between p21 and Ns and Ni and find no evidence that p21 regulates adenylate cyclase activity by acting as one of these regulatory proteins.     

A nucleotide regulatory site for somatostatin inhibition of adenylate cyclase in S49 lymphoma cells

The cyc- variants of S49 lymphoma cells have served as powerful tools for studying the components and mechanisms of hormone-induced adenylate cyclase stimulation, as these cells are deficient in the guanine nucleotide regulatory site (Ns) mediating hormone, guanine nucleotide, cholera toxin and fluoride-induced stimulations of the enzyme. Because of this deficiency, membranes of these cells have been used for reconstitution of the system by inserting the coupling component derived from other cell types. The hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase is not only stimulated by hormones but can also be inhibited by a wide variety of hormones and neurotransmitters, and there is some evidence that hormonal inhibition may be mediated by a distinct guanine nucleotide regulatory site. Studies in cyc- cells lacking a functional Ns may therefore answer this unresolved, important question. We have recently observed that stable GTP analogues can inhibit cyc- adenylate cyclase stimulated by purified, preactivated Ns or forskolin, which can activate adenylate cyclase even in the absence of a functional Ns (ref. 10). The data indicated that these Ns-deficient cells contain an inhibitory guanine nucleotide site, Ni. To strengthen this concept, we investigated whether the cyc- adenylate cyclase can be inhibited by a hormone. We report here that somatostatin decreases cyclic AMP levels in cyc- cells, inhibits the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase and causes a concomitant increase in a high affinity GTPase activity in cyc- membranes. The data strongly suggest that both the hormone- and guanine nucleotide-induced adenylate cyclase inhibitions in cyc- cells are mediated by Ni and that the mechanisms of activation and inactivation of Ni are similar to those established for Ns.     

Differential regulation of PI hydrolysis and adenylyl cyclase by muscarinic receptor subtypes

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), like many other neurotransmitter and hormone receptors, transduce agonist signals by activating G proteins to regulate ion channel activity and the generation of second messengers via the phosphoinositide (PI) and adenylyl cyclase systems. Human mAChRs are a family of at least four gene products which have distinct primary structures, ligand-binding properties and patterns of tissue-specific expression. To examine the question of whether functional differences exist between multiple receptor subtypes, we have investigated the ability of each subtype to regulate PI hydrolysis and adenylyl cyclase when expressed individually in a cell lacking endogenous mAChRs. We show that the HM2 and HM3 mAChRs efficiently inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity but poorly activate PI hydrolysis. In contrast, the HM1 and HM4 mAChRs strongly activate PI hydrolysis, but do not inhibit adenylyl cyclase, and in fact can substantially elevate cAMP levels. Interestingly, the subtypes that we find to be functionally similar are also more similar in sequence. Our results indicate that the different receptor subtypes are functionally specialized.     

Molecular mechanisms of receptor desensitization using the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system as a model

Desensitization, the tendency of biological responses to wane over time despite the continuous presence of a stimulus of constant intensity, is observed in organisms as diverse as bacteria and mammals. Recently, new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena have emerged from the study of the receptors coupled to the ubiquitous second messenger-generating system adenylate cyclase. These mechanisms involve sequestration or down-regulation of the receptors from the cell surface as well as functionally significant covalent modifications of the receptors and/or guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins.     

Transcritption regulation of soybean ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene by external factors

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene (rbcS) is present with multi-gene family in plant genome. In Glycine max, the rbcS polypeptide (EC4.1.1.39) is encoded by a gene family containing 4-8 members. Three full-length rbcS cDNA clones were isolated and characterized from soybean seedlings, and both of their nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed high similarity. Differential accumulation of the rbcS mRNA was observed among roots, hypocotyls, cotyledons, epicotyls and leaves. The rbcS genes were up-regulated by various external factors such as salicylic acid (SA), salt stress and drought stress. The expression level of rbcS genes after being treated by 2.0 mmol/L SA and 0.4% NaCl, respectively, is 2.5-3.0-fold as high as that of control sample. Moreover, soybean rbcS mRNA was accumulated with diurnal variation but easily influenced by light and low temperature.     

凡纳滨对虾G蛋白Gαs基因的克隆和功能鉴定

寻找并克隆凡纳滨对虾G蛋白α亚基基因,为对虾的生理调控研究提供理论基础.通过简并PCR和RACE技术获得目的基因的全长cDNA序列.将该基因的编码序列克隆到pCMV5表达载体,通过免疫共沉淀实验和胞内cAMP浓度的测定鉴定该基因表达产物的功能.用半定量RT-PCR和Western blotting确定该基因的表达产物在对虾身体各部位的分布.克隆到凡纳滨对虾的G蛋白短式剪切模式Gαs亚基基因,将其表达产物命名为pvGαs-s.pvGαs-s的序列和功能与其它物种的Gαs具有高度保守性.它在对虾身体各部位存在普遍分布,尤其在脑神经和腮中大量表达,在触角、眼等部位也有适量分布.说明pvGαs-s在对虾生命活动中的重要性,为研究对虾的生理调控奠定了理论基础.     

DNS access analysis and autonomous realization of Internet

长期以来世界各国都希望打破互联网的垄断控制权,这就需要研究解决互联网的自治问题.通过中国国内互联网域名访问行为测量、分析,论证了拥有自主根域名服务器的必要性.并结合互联网现实,构造出自主自治的可扩展域名体系和层次结构,并提供自治网络系统内/间的域名解释机制,以及实现互联网经分治而自治的改造和实现方法.分析表明,互联网自治技术可以有效地提高互联网域名访问的安全性.     

Programmable and autonomous computing machine made of biomolecules.

Devices that convert information from one form into another according to a definite procedure are known as automata. One such hypothetical device is the universal Turing machine, which stimulated work leading to the development of modern computers. The Turing machine and its special cases, including finite automata, operate by scanning a data tape, whose striking analogy to information-encoding biopolymers inspired several designs for molecular DNA computers. Laboratory-scale computing using DNA and human-assisted protocols has been demonstrated, but the realization of computing devices operating autonomously on the molecular scale remains rare. Here we describe a programmable finite automaton comprising DNA and DNA-manipulating enzymes that solves computational problems autonomously. The automaton's hardware consists of a restriction nuclease and ligase, the software and input are encoded by double-stranded DNA, and programming amounts to choosing appropriate software molecules. Upon mixing solutions containing these components, the automaton processes the input molecule via a cascade of restriction, hybridization and ligation cycles, producing a detectable output molecule that encodes the automaton's final state, and thus the computational result. In our implementation 1012 automata sharing the same software run independently and in parallel on inputs (which could, in principle, be distinct) in 120 microl solution at room temperature at a combined rate of 109 transitions per second with a transition fidelity greater than 99.8%, consuming less than 10-10 W.     

考虑年龄异质性的自动驾驶接受度建模与分析

为深入解读公众对于自动驾驶技术的态度,进一步推动自动驾驶技术的应用,将计划行为理论引入技术接受模型,构建不同年龄群组的自动驾驶技术接受度扩展模型,利用结构方程模型全面揭示自动驾驶技术接受度影响机制的年龄差异性.以中国城市居民为例,进行了自动驾驶技术接受度分析,结果表明:不同年龄群组在自动驾驶技术接受度及其影响因素方面存...     

室外智能机器人的局部规划与导航控制方法

本文介绍一种室外移动机器人（ＡＬＶ）的局部规划与导航控制的新方法。用于ＡＬＶ的导航的基于超声阵列的时变势场法是王田苗、张钹于１９９２年提出的。本文深入分析了势场法应用于ＡＬＶ所遇到的问题，并采用了模糊控制的解决方法。这里还进一步介绍了一种基于势场－神经网络模糊控制的局部规划与导航方法。针对校园道路网和ＴＨＭＲ－Ⅲ（ＴｓｉｎｇｈｕａＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙＭｏｂｉｌｅＲｏｂｏｔ，Ｍｏｄｅｌ３）的具体任务目标，应用该方法进行了ＡＬＶ的避障、道路跟踪、漫游等的导航控制实验。实验表明，该方法具有较好的控制品质，具有良好的灵活性和鲁棒性。     

试析文化因素对英语学习者自主的干扰与对策

学习者自主近年来在我国教育界尤其是大学中受到欢迎并得到了应用.但是在应用的过程中,出现了一些阻碍学习自主性充分发挥的问题.从文化的角度剖析了我国大学英语学习者自主过程中受到的干扰,并初步探讨了解决的方法.     

高职高专学生英语自主学习能力的现状调查与分析

通过描述性统计和定量分析，对高职高专非英语专业对口招生的学生英语自主学习能力的现状作了调查和探讨。结果表明，高职高专非英语专业对口招生的学生自主学习英语能力总体较强，但在自觉决定学习内容以及与人合作学习上还存在着差距。文章在调查分析的基础上，对大学英语教学还提了一些建议。     

地理学自主探究实习模式及平台系统研究

地理野外实习是地理教学必不可少的组成部分。传统实习模式是以理论验证型和认知型实习为主,不利于学生创新能力培养。提出一种基于空间信息技术的新型的探究自主实习模式,构建探究自主实习平台系统,实现了实习者自定计划,自主决定实习时间、地点及方式,自主选择实习内容。实践应用表明该实习模式及平台系统能够提高学生的能动性及创新能力,有效提高实习效率及实习质量,具有重要的应用推广价值。