Porcine diacylglycerol kinase sequence has zinc finger and E-F hand motifs

Cell stimulation causes diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) to convert the second messenger diacylglycerol into phosphatidate, thus initiating the resynthesis of phosphatidylinositols and attenuating protein kinase C activity. Of the DGK isoforms so far reported, only porcine DGK from lymphocytes has been characterized in detail. Here we report the isolation and sequencing of complementary DNA clones that together cover the entire region encoding porcine DGK (relative molecular mass 80,000 (80K)). The deduced primary structure of this DGK contains the putative ATP-binding sites, two cysteine-rich zinc finger-like sequences similar to those found in protein kinase C, and two E-F hand motifs, typical of Ca2(+)-binding proteins like calmodulin. Indeed, we find that the activity of this DGK isoform is enhanced by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ in the presence of deoxycholate or sphingosine. These properties of 80K DGK indicate that its action is probably linked with both of the second messengers diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.     

Dopamine-induced relaxation in human pulmonary arteries

Dose-dependent relaxations were induced by dopamine in human pulmonary arteries that had been contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha without alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. The dopamine-induced relaxation was inhibited by haloperidol and fluphenazine, but not by domperidone, suggesting that this relaxation was mediated via DA1 receptors.     

牙鲆贫血症病毒分离株的特性

用CHSE－214细胞，从患贫血症的牙鲆肾脏组织分离出一株病毒。电镜揭示为无囊膜、6面体、粒子直径约60nm；理化特性表明：病毒复制不受IUdR、BVdU的影响，对氯仿、乙醚不敏感性，热（60℃，30min）、酸（pH3．0，3h）中稳定；可被抗IPNV－Sp、Ab和VR－299株血清中和，其中抗Sp株血清的ND50为1:2560;病毒能在5～30℃增殖，最适为15～25℃；在盐度0．8～2．0％的培养液中，生长无明显差别；在16种鲑科和非鲑科鱼类细胞上，15℃培养1～4d出现CPE；感染细胞丫啶橙染色显示为黄绿色；用BirnavirusYAV株引物，PCR检出该病毒。结果提示该病毒株应属dsRNA的Birnavirus。     

Scavenger receptor family proteins: roles for atherosclerosis, host defence and disorders of the central nervous system

In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the scavenger receptor family of proteins including class A (type I and II macrophage scavenger receptors, MARCO), class B (CD36, scavenger receptor class BI), mucinlike (CD68/macrosialin, dSR-CI) and endothelial (LOX-1) receptors. Two motifs have been identified as ligand-binding domains a charged collagen structure of type I and II receptors, and an immunodominant domain of CD36. These structures can recognize a wide range of negatively charged macromolecules, including oxidized low-density lipoproteins, damaged or apoptotic cells, and pathogenic microorganisms. After binding, these ligands can be either internalized by endocytosis or phagocytosis, or remain at the cell surface and mediate adhesion or lipid transfer through caveolae. Under physiological conditions, scavenger receptors serve to scavenge or clean up cellular debris and other related materials, and they play a role in host defence. In pathological states, they mediate the recruitment, activation and transformation of macrophages and other cells which may be related to the development of atherosclerosis and to disorders caused by the accumulation of denatured materials, such as Alzheimer's disease. Received 17 September 1997; received after revision 16 March 1998; accepted 17 March 1998     

Synthesis and some characteristics of [13C]-specially enriched tetragastrin and the related compound

[13C]-enriched tetragastrin and the related compound were synthesized in solution. Conversion of S-[13C]methylated tetragastrin to the enriched tetragastrin gave 10.5 ppm upfield chemical shift of Cepsilon resonance. The potency of the synthetic tetragastrin to stimulate gastric acid secretion was virtually identical with that of pentagastrin (ICI).     

Plasma adenosine concentrations are elevated in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

We measured plasma levels of adenosine in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) to examine the potential role of adenosine in cardiovascular regulation in this type of hypertension. Plasma adenosine concentrations were significantly higher in DS than in DR. The NaCl content in the diet did not affect plasma adenosine concentration in either DS or DR. Significant positive correlation was found between adenosine concentrations and systolic blood pressure when the data for DS and DR were analyzed together. These results suggest that adenosine may play an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension in DS.     

Synthetic simulation of nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. A dual role of alkylthiol esters in peptide synthesis

Summary Coupling of peptide alkylthiol esters with amino acid derivatives in the presence of pivalic acid or 2-hydroxypyridine proceeds without racemization. A dual role of alkylthiol esters as protective and reactive functions in peptide synthesis was well proved.     

Induction of specific differentiation by samples of proteins and nucleoproteins in the isolated ectoderm ofTriturus-gastrulae

Zusammenfassung Ein Präparat von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenleber induziert im isolierten Ektoderm der jungen Gastrula vonTriturus pyrrhogaster archenzephale und deuterenzephale Strukturen. Die Induktionsfähigkeit des Präparates bleibt unverändert nach der Reinigung durch Ultrazentrifugierung oder nach der Entfernung von Ribonukleinsäure mit Ribonuklease. Anderseits kann die Behandlung des Präparates mit Pepsin und Trypsin die Induktionsfähigkeit progressiv und weitgehend inaktivieren. Mit Präparaten von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenniere werden spino-caudale oder deuterenzephale, aber keine archenzephalen Differenzierungen im Ektoderm ausgelöst. Die Induktion der rumpfmesodermalen Strukturen im Ektoderm durch das Meerschweinchenknochenmark ist mit dem bei pH 4,7 ausfällbaren Anteil der überstehenden Flüssigkeit nach der Ultrazentrifugierung des Extraktes verbunden, und nicht mit der Mikrosomenfraktion, wie das in der Leber und Niere der Fall ist. Die qualitative Veränderung der induktiven Fähigkeiten, die das Knochenmark während der progressiven Hitzebehandlung erfährt, wird analysiert und ihre theoretische Bedeutung kurz diskutiert.     

Genome sequencing and analysis of Aspergillus oryzae

The genome of Aspergillus oryzae, a fungus important for the production of traditional fermented foods and beverages in Japan, has been sequenced. The ability to secrete large amounts of proteins and the development of a transformation system have facilitated the use of A. oryzae in modern biotechnology. Although both A. oryzae and Aspergillus flavus belong to the section Flavi of the subgenus Circumdati of Aspergillus, A. oryzae, unlike A. flavus, does not produce aflatoxin, and its long history of use in the food industry has proved its safety. Here we show that the 37-megabase (Mb) genome of A. oryzae contains 12,074 genes and is expanded by 7-9 Mb in comparison with the genomes of Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Comparison of the three aspergilli species revealed the presence of syntenic blocks and A. oryzae-specific blocks (lacking synteny with A. nidulans and A. fumigatus) in a mosaic manner throughout the genome of A. oryzae. The blocks of A. oryzae-specific sequence are enriched for genes involved in metabolism, particularly those for the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Specific expansion of genes for secretory hydrolytic enzymes, amino acid metabolism and amino acid/sugar uptake transporters supports the idea that A. oryzae is an ideal microorganism for fermentation.     

Morphogenetic effects of centrifugation on the isolated ectoderm and whole embryo of some anurans

Zusammenfassung Zentrifugierung der Froschkeime gerade vor oder am ersten Anfang der Gastrulation bringt bekanntlich ein sekundäres axiales System an der ventralen oder lateralen Flanke der Embryonen hervor. Um die Annahme zu prüfen, dass diese spino-kaudalen Gebilde aus dem präsumptiven Ektoderm durch eine direkte Wirkung der Zentrifugierung hervorgehen, wurde isoliertes, präsumptives Ektoderm unter den genau kontrollierten Bedingungen zentrifugiert und gezüchtet. Die Isolate differenzierten Epidermis und Haftdrüsenzellen, aber kein axiales Gewebe. Subzytolytische Behandlung des isolierten, präsumptiven Ektoderms der jungen Gastrulae brachte unorganisierte Neuralgewebe oder archenkephale Gebilde, aber kein spino-kaudales Gewebe hervor. Also gaben die beiden Versuchsreihen keine Unterstützung für die oben genannte Annahme.

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Supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Scientific Research Found of the Ministry of Education, and the Asahi Grant for Scientific Research.