Transcriptional suppression of CTP:phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase by 25-hydroxycholesterol is mediated by nuclear factor-Y and Yin Yang 1.

Pcyt2 (CTP:phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase) is the rate-limiting enzyme in mammalian PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) biosynthesis. Previously, we reported that Pcyt2 mRNA levels increased in several types of cells after serum starvation, an effect that could be suppressed by supplementation with low-density lipoprotein or 25-HC (25-hydroxycholesterol). Transcription of Hmgcr, which encodes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, is also suppressed by 25-HC in the same dose-dependent manner. Nevertheless, a sterol-regulatory element was not detected in the Pcyt2 promoter region. The important element for transcriptional control of Pcyt2 by 25-HC (1.25 µM) was determined to reside between -56 and -36 on the basis of analysis with several Pcyt2 promoter deletion-luciferase reporters in NIH 3T3 cells. Using the yeast one-hybrid system, we found that NF-Y (nuclear factor-Y) binds at C(-37)CAAT(-41) and YY1 (Yin Yang1) binds at C(-42)AT(-40) in the Pcyt2 promoter. Endogenous NF-Y and YY1 bind clearly and competitively to these sites and are important for basal Pcyt2 transcription. Moreover, NF-Y binds to the Hmgcr promoter at C(-14)CA(-12) in gel-shift analysis, and suppression of the basal luciferase activity of the Hmgcr promoter-reporter construct (-30/+61) by 25-HC was abolished when C(-14)CA(-12) was mutated. Furthermore, transcriptional suppression of Pcyt2 by 25-HC was reduced following knockdown targeting of NF-YA or YY1. ChIP analysis revealed that 25-HC inhibited the interaction between NF-Y and RNA polymerase II on the Pcyt2 and Hmgcr promoters. On the basis of these results, we conclude that NF-Y and YY1 are important for the basal transcription of Pcyt2 and that NF-Y is involved in the inhibitory effects of 25-HC on Pcyt2 transcription.

Identification of alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactants leaching from an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber as novel inhibitors of calcineurin activity.

Calcineurin (CN) is a Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase and plays important role in several cellular functions in both higher and lower eukaryotes. Here we report inhibition of CN by linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. The clue to the finding was obtained while identifying the inhibitory material leaching from acrylonitrile butadiene rubber used for packing. Using standard dodecylbenzene sulfonate (C12-LAS), we obtained strong inhibition of CN with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 9.3 µM, whereas analogs such as p-octylbenzene sulfonate and SDS hardly or only slightly affected CN activity. Three alkaline phosphatases, derived from shrimp, bacteria, and calf-intestine, which exhibit similar enzymatic activities to CN, were not inhibited by C12-LAS at concentrations of up to 100 µM. Furthermore, C12-LAS did not inhibit Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent myosin light chain kinase activity when tested at concentrations of up to 36 µM. The results indicate that C12-LAS is a potent selective inhibitor of CN activity.

Electrochemical assay of concanavalin A-ovalbumin binding on magnetic beads.

To monitor protein-glycoprotein interactions on magnetic beads, the present study developed an electrochemical assay of the binding between concanavalin A (ConA) and ovalbumin (OVA). The system was a powerful model that could be used to evaluate cell junctions. ConA with an electroactive daunomycin was immobilized on 6 different sizes of magnetic beads (diameter: 1.0-8.9 µm) through a cross-linking agent. Six sizes of OVA-beads (diameter: 1.0-8.9 µm) were also prepared using a similar method. The binding was evaluated using an oxidation peak of ConA with daunomycin because ConA recognized OVA with α-mannose residues. When binding took place on the beads' surface, the peak current was decreased due to the electroactive moieties being covered with OVA. When ConA/daunomycin-OVA binding was evaluated, the change of the peak current obtained by the beads (diameter: 8.9 µm) modified with ConA and daunomycin was the greatest in the presence of OVA-modified beads (diameter: 2.5 µm). In contrast, particle agglomeration was observed for the smallest beads (diameter: 1.0 µm) with ConA/daunomycin and OVA. The results suggested that ConA-OVA binding depended on the size of beads. Thus, this method could be applied to measure protein-glycoprotein interactions on the cell surface.

Biological activities of novel derivatives of DIF-1 isolated from Dictyostelium.

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a lipophilic signal molecule (chlorinated alkylphenone) that induces stalk cell differentiation in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. In addition, DIF-1 and its derivatives have been shown to possess anti-leukemic activity and glucose consumption-promoting activity in vitro in mammalian cells. In this study, to assess the chemical structure-effect relationship of DIF-1, we synthesized eight derivatives of DIF-1 and investigated their stalk cell-inducing activity in Dictyostelium cells and pharmacological activities in mammalian cells. Of the derivatives, two amide derivatives of DIF-1, whose hydrophobic indexes are close to that of DIF-1, induced stalk cell differentiation as strongly as DIF-1 in Dictyostelium cells. It was also found that some derivatives suppressed cell growth in human K562 leukemia cells and promoted glucose consumption in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. These results give us valuable information as to the chemical structure-effect relationship of DIF-1.

Myosin-Va regulates exocytosis through the submicromolar Ca2+-dependent binding of syntaxin-1A.

Myosin-Va is an actin-based processive motor that conveys intracellular cargoes. Synaptic vesicles are one of the most important cargoes for myosin-Va, but the role of mammalian myosin-Va in secretion is less clear than for its yeast homologue, Myo2p. In the current studies, we show that myosin-Va on synaptic vesicles interacts with syntaxin-1A, a t-SNARE involved in exocytosis, at or above 0.3 microM Ca2+. Interference with formation of the syntaxin-1A-myosin-Va complex reduces the exocytotic frequency in chromaffin cells. Surprisingly, the syntaxin-1A-binding site was not in the tail of myosin-Va but rather in the neck, a region that contains calmodulin-binding IQ-motifs. Furthermore, we found that syntaxin-1A binding by myosin-Va in the presence of Ca2+ depends on the release of calmodulin from the myosin-Va neck, allowing syntaxin-1A to occupy the vacant IQ-motif. Using an anti-myosin-Va neck antibody, which blocks this binding, we demonstrated that the step most important for the antibody's inhibitory activity is the late sustained phase, which is involved in supplying readily releasable vesicles. Our results demonstrate that the interaction between myosin-Va and syntaxin-1A is involved in exocytosis and suggest that the myosin-Va neck contributes not only to the large step size but also to the regulation of exocytosis by Ca2+.

Dictyostelium differentiation-inducing factor-1 induces glucose transporter 1 translocation and promotes glucose uptake in mammalian cells.

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a signal molecule that induces stalk cell formation in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, while DIF-1 and its analogs have been shown to possess antiproliferative activity in vitro in mammalian tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DIF-1 and its analogs on normal (nontransformed) mammalian cells. Without affecting the cell morphology and cell number, DIF-1 at micromolar levels dose-dependently promoted the glucose uptake in confluent 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, which was not inhibited with wortmannin or LY294002 (inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase). DIF-1 affected neither the expression level of glucose transporter 1 nor the activities of four key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, such as hexokinase, fluctose 6-phosphate kinase, pyruvate kinase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Most importantly, stimulation with DIF-1 was found to induce the translocation of glucose transporter 1 from intracellular vesicles to the plasma membranes in the cells. In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, DIF-1 induced the translocation of glucose trasporter 1 (but not of glucose transporter 4) and promoted glucose uptake, which was not inhibited with wortmannin. These results indicate that DIF-1 induces glucose transporter 1 translocation and thereby promotes glucose uptake, at least in part, via a inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt-independent pathway in mammalian cells. Furthermore, analogs of DIF-1 that possess stronger antitumor activity than DIF-1 were less effective in promoting glucose consumption, suggesting that the mechanism of the action of DIF-1 for stimulating glucose uptake should be different from that for suppressing tumor cell growth.

Anti-leukemic activities of Dictyostelium secondary metabolites: a novel aromatic metabolite, 4-methyl-5-n-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol, isolated from Dictyostelium mucoroides suppresses cell growth in human leukemia K562 and HL-60 cells.

It has previously been shown that DIF-1, a differentiation-inducing factor of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, possesses antitumor activities in mammalian tumor cells and that neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells can be induced with furanodictines (FDs), aminosugar analogs found in D. discoideum, or dictyoglucosamines (DGs), N-acetyl glucosamine derivatives (DG-A from D. purpureum and DG-B from D. discoideum). Thus, cellular slime molds are attractive natural resources that may provide valuable lead compounds to be utilized in the field of pharmacology and medicine. In this study, we have isolated a novel aromatic compound, 4-methyl-5-n-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol (MPBD), from fruiting bodies of the cellular slime mold D. mucoroides and assessed the in vitro antiproliferative activities of MPBD, FDs, and DGs in human leukemia K562 and HL-60 cells. MPBD at 20-80 microM dose-dependently suppressed cell growth in both K562 and HL-60 cells. While FDs at 10-80 microM did not affect cell growth, DGs at 10-40 microM dose-dependently suppressed cell growth in the cells. Although we failed to find the roles of FDs and DGs in the original organisms, MPBD at 5-20 microM was found to promote stalk cell formation in D. discoideum. The present results indicate that MPBD, DGs or their derivatives may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancer and confirm our expectations regarding cellular slime molds as drug resources.

Calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE1) is a pharmacological target of differentiation-inducing factor-1, an antitumor agent isolated from Dictyostelium.

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum is a potent antiproliferative agent that induces growth arrest and differentiation in mammalian cells in vitro. However, the specific target molecule(s) of DIF-1 has not been identified. In this study, we have tried to identify the target molecule(s) of DIF-1 in mammalian cells, examining the effects of DIF-1 and its analogs on the activity of some candidate enzymes. DIF-1 at 10-40 micro M dose-dependently suppressed cell growth and increased the intracellular cyclic AMP concentration in K562 leukemia cells. It was then found that DIF-1 at 0.5-20 micro M inhibited the calmodulin (CaM)-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE1) in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic analysis revealed that DIF-1 acted as a competitive inhibitor of PDE1 versus the substrate cyclic AMP. Because DIF-1 did not significantly affect the activity of other PDEs or CaM-dependent enzymes and, in addition, an isomer of DIF-1 was a less potent inhibitor, we have concluded that PDE1 is a pharmacological and specific target of DIF-1.

Regulation of exocytosis through Ca2+/ATP-dependent binding of autophosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-activated protein kinase II to syntaxin 1A.

Syntaxin 1A/HPC-1 is a key component of the exocytotic molecular machinery, namely, the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (SNAP) receptor mechanism. Although >10 syntaxin-binding proteins have been identified, they cannot completely explain the regulation of exocytosis. Thus, novel proteins may interact with syntaxin. Because exocytosis requires both Ca2+ and ATP, we searched for Ca2+/ATP-dependent syntaxin-binding proteins from the rat brain and discovered Ca2+/calmodulin-activated protein kinase II (CaMKII)-alpha. At Ca2+ concentrations of >10(-6) m, only autophosphorylated CaMKII bound to syntaxin. Bound CaMKII was released from syntaxin by EGTA or by phosphatase, indicating that the binding is reversible. CaMKII bound to the linker domain of syntaxin, unlike any other known syntaxin-binding proteins. CaMKII-syntaxin complexes were also detected in synaptosomes by immunoprecipitation, and when reconstituted in vitro, they recruited larger amounts of synaptotagmin and SNAP-25 than syntaxin alone. The microinjected CaMKII-binding domain of syntaxin specifically affected exocytosis in chromaffin cells and in neurons. These results indicate that the Ca2+/ATP-dependent binding of CaMKII to syntaxin is an important process in the regulation of exocytosis.

Structural requirements of Dictyostelium differentiation-inducing factors for their stalk-cell-inducing activity in Dictyostelium cells and anti-proliferative activity in K562 human leukemic cells.

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a lipophilic signal molecule (chlorinated alkylphenone) that induces stalk-cell differentiation in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. It has also been shown that DIF-1 and its derivative (DIF-3) suppress cell growth in mammalian tumor cells. In the present study, in order to assess the chemical structure-effect relationship of DIF derivatives and to develop useful agents for the study of both Dictyostelium development and cancer biology, we synthesized 28 analogues of DIF-1 and DIF-3 and investigated their stalk-cell-inducing activity in Dictyostelium HM44 cells (mutant strain) and anti-proliferative activity in human leukemia K562 cells. HM44 cells are defective in endogenous DIF-1 production and should be suitable for the assay for stalk-cell-inducing activity of DIF analogues. DIF-1 and some of its derivatives at nanomolar levels were good stalk-cell inducers in HM44 cells, whereas DIF-3 and some DIF-3 derivatives at micromolar levels were potent anti-proliferative agents in K562 cells. We also tried to search for antagonistic molecules against DIF-1 and DIF-3 but failed to find such molecules from the analogues used here. The present findings would give us hints for identifying the target molecule(s) of DIFs and also for developing novel anti-cancer drugs.

Differentiation-inducing factor-1-induced growth arrest of K562 leukemia cells involves the reduction of ERK1/2 activity.

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a signal molecule that induces stalk cell differentiation in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. In addition, DIF-1 is a potent antileukemic agent that induces growth arrest in K562 cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of DIF-1 in K562 cells in the light of cell-cycle regulators such as cyclins, retinoblastoma protein (pRb), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. DIF-1 down-regulated cyclins D/E and a phosphorylated form of pRb (p-pRb), and thereby induced G(1) arrest of the cell cycle. DIF-1 inactivated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a biphasic manner but did not affect the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 MAPK. The MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibitor, U0126, which has been shown to induce growth arrest, inactivated ERK and down-regulated cyclins D and E. Although DIF-1 activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt pathway, neither wortmannin nor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002; PI-3K inhibitors) cancelled DIF-1-induced growth arrest. The present results suggest that ERK inactivation may be involved in DIF-1-induced growth arrest and that PI-3K activity is not required for DIF-1-induced growth arrest in K562 cells.

DIF-1, an anti-tumor substance found in Dictyostelium discoideum, inhibits progesterone-induced oocyte maturation in Xenopus laevis.

Differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1; 1-(3,5-dichloro-2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)hexan-1-one) is a putative morphogen that induces stalk-cell formation in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. DIF-1 has previously been shown to suppress cell growth in mammalian cells. In this study, we examined the effects of DIF-1 on the progesterone-induced germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus laevis, which is thought to be mediated by a decrease in intracellular cAMP and the subsequent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and maturation-promoting factor, a complex of cdc2 and cyclin B, which regulates germinal vesicle breakdown. DIF-1 at 10-40 microM inhibited progesterone-induced germinal vesicle breakdown in de-folliculated oocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Progesterone-induced cdc2 activation, MAPK activation, and c-Mos accumulation were inhibited by DIF-1. Furthermore, DIF-1 was found to inhibit the progesterone-induced cAMP decrease in the oocytes. These results indicate that DIF-1 inhibits progesterone-induced germinal vesicle breakdown possibly by blocking the progesterone-induced decrease in [cAMP](i) and the subsequent events in Xenopus oocytes.

Manganese promotes phorbol ester-induced interleukin-2 production via AP-1 activation in Jurkat T-cells.

Mn²âº is a minor nutrient, but is essential for numerous enzymatic activities and thus, for many cellular functions. However, its physiological roles and toxicity remain to be elucidated. In this study, we assessed the pharmacological potential and toxicity of Mn²âº in the immune system by examining the effects of Mn²âº on interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by Jurkat T-cells. Mn²âº at 0.1-1 mM did not significantly induce IL-2 production, whereas phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 1 µM slightly induced IL-2 production. Interestingly, Mn²âº at 0.3-0.7 mM promoted PMA-induced IL-2 production in a dose-dependent manner. A reporter gene assay revealed that Mn²âº promoted the activity of AP-1 (activator protein-1, a complex of c-Fos and c-Jun) in the presence of PMA. Western blot analysis showed that Mn²âº promoted the activation of JNK2 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2) and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), which are both activators of AP-1, and upregulated the production of c-Fos and c-Jun within 4h in the presence of PMA. These results suggest that Mn²âº promotes PMA-induced IL-2 production by inducing the production and activation of AP-1, at least in part.

Electrochemically monitoring the binding of concanavalin A and ovalbumin.

To evaluate protein-protein interactions, a new voltammetric method was developed using a protein labeled with an electroactive compound. Concanavalin A (ConA), which is a lectin, recognizes α-mannose residues. Because the ConA was to be bound to ovalbumin (OVA), which has a high-mannose sugar chain, ConA labeled with daunomycin was prepared as the probe to monitor the binding. The binding to OVA was caused by the label modification of the ConA. As a result, the electrode response of the labeled ConA decreased as the OVA concentration increased. The electrode response of the labeled ConA was linearly over the range of 1.5×10(-10) and 1.5×10(-9)M OVA. The relative standard deviation of 1.5×10(-8)M labeled ConA and 1.5×10(-10)M OVA was 6.9% (n=5). The labeled ConA-OVA binding could then be conveniently monitored based on the change in response. In contrast, interactions between the labeled ConA and a protein with no specific sugar chain also were investigated. Incubation scarcely influenced the peak current of the labeled ConA. When several concentrations of OVA were added to a serum, good recovery determined it. Consequently, this method could be applied to the measurement of protein-protein interactions.

Regulation of IL-2 production in Jurkat cells by Dictyostelium-derived factors.

AIMS: Differentiation-inducing factors (DIFs) are chlorinated alkylphenones found in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. DIF derivatives exhibit antiproliferative activities and promote glucose consumption in mammalian cells in vitro. In this study, we assessed the ability of DIFs to regulate the immune system and investigated their mechanisms of action. MAIN METHODS: We examined the effects of 30 DIF derivatives on concanavalin A-induced IL-2 production (CIIP) in Jurkat T-cells. We also examined the effects of some DIF derivatives on the activity of AP-1 (activator protein-1), NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells), and NFkappaB (nuclear factor kappa B), which are transcription factors required for CIIP. KEY FINDINGS: Of the derivatives tested, some compounds suppressed CIIP as well as the known immunosuppressants cyclosporine A and FK506. A reporter gene assay revealed that 4 DIF derivatives tested suppressed CIIP, at least in part, by inhibiting the activity of AP-1, NFAT, and/or NFkappaB. Unlike cyclosporine A and FK506, the DIF derivatives had little effect on concanavalin A-induced interferon-gamma production in Jurkat cells. SIGNIFICANCE: The present results suggest that DIF derivatives could be developed as novel immunosuppressive drugs.

Pharmacological evidence that stalk cell differentiation involves increases in the intracellular Ca(2+) and H(+) concentrations in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Differentiation-inducing factors (DIFs) are required for stalk cell formation in Dictyostelium discoideum. In the present study, in order to support our hypothesis that DIFs may function via increases in [Ca(2+)](c) and [H(+)](c), we investigated the combined effects of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO, a [H(+)](c)-increasing agent), thapsigargin (Tg) and BHQ ([Ca(2+)](c)-increasing agents) on in vitro stalk cell formation in several strains. DMO, in combination with Tg or BHQ, induced stalk cell formation in a DIF-deficient mutant HM44. Although the rates of stalk cell induction by the drugs were low in the presence of cerulenin (an inhibitor of endogenous DIF production) in HM44 and V12M2 (a wild-type strain), the drugs succeeded in inducing sufficient stalk cell formation when a small amount of DIF-1 was supplied. Furthermore, co-addition of DMO, BHQ and a small amount of DIF-1 also induced sufficient stalk cell formation in AX-4 (an axenic strain) and HM1030 (dmtA(-)) but not in CT15 (dimA(-)). The drugs suppressed spore formation and promoted stalk cell formation in both HM18 (a sporogenous mutant) and 8-bromo-cAMP-stimulated V12M2. The present results suggest that DIFs function, at least in part, via increases in [Ca(2+)](c) and [H(+)](c) in D. discoideum.

Identification of genes affecting lipid content using transposon mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Genes involved in lipid accumulation were identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using transposon insertion mutagenesis. Five ORFs, such as SNF2, IRA2, PRE9, PHO90, and SPT21 were found from the analysis of the insertion sites in transposon insertion mutants with higher lipid content. Since these ORFs are not directly involved in storage lipid biosynthesis, we speculate that they are involved in carbon fluxes into storage lipids in response to nutrient conditions. Lipid analysis of disruptants of these ORFs indicated that the Deltasnf2, and Deltaira2 disruptants had significantly higher lipid content. Cultivation in a nitrogen-limited medium increased the lipid content in all disruptants, among which the Deltapre9 disruptant was the most sensitive to nitrogen limitation. We then focused on the Deltasnf2 disruptant due to its higher lipid content and its function as a regulator of phospholipid synthesis. Lipid class analysis indicated that triacylglycerol and free fatty acids contributed to the increase in total lipids of the Deltasnf2 disruptant. The addition of exogenous fatty acids was not so effective at increasing the lipid content in the Deltasnf2 disruptant as it was in the wild type. It should be noticed that exogenous free linoleic acid was much higher in the Deltasnf2 disruptant than in the wild type, as in the case of endogenous free fatty acids. In addition, the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids into cells increased in the disruptant, suggesting that fatty acid transporters were regulated by SNF2. The results suggest that metabolic fluxes into storage lipids, which are activated in the Deltasnf2 disruptant, is repressed by the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids. They provide new insight into the biosynthesis of storage lipids in yeast.

Zinc ions suppress mitogen-activated interleukin-2 production in Jurkat cells.

Calcineurin (CN) is thought to play an important role in the immune system by regulating cytokine production, for example, interleukin-2 (IL-2) in T-lymphocytes. We have previously shown that physiological concentrations of Zn2+ inhibit CN activity in vitro [K. Takahashi, E. Akaishi, Y. Abe, R. Ishikawa, S. Tanaka, K. Hosaka, Y. Kubohara, Zinc inhibits calcineurin activity in vitro by competing with nickel, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 307 (2003) 64-68], in spite of the fact that Zn2+ is an essential element of the CN catalytic domain. In this study, in order to assess whether Zn2+ regulates (suppresses) CN activity in vivo and whether Zn2+ can be used as an anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive drug, we examined the effects of Zn2+ on IL-2 production induced by the mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), in Jurkat T-cells. Zn2+ at 0.2 mM suppressed ConA-induced IL-2 accumulation in the medium of an in vitro culture of Jurkat cells. Zn2+ at 0.03-0.3 mM dose-dependently suppressed ConA-induced IL-2 mRNA expression in Jurkat cells. Zn2+ also suppressed IL-2 mRNA expression induced by phorbol ester (PMA) and ionomycin. Furthermore, Zn2+ and the immunosuppressant FK506 showed an additive inhibitory effect on ConA-induced IL-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that exogenously added Zn2+ may disturb (increase) the intracellular Zn2+ concentration and inhibit CN activity, thereby suppressing IL-2 production in Jurkat cells. The present study further indicates that Zn2+ may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of T-cell related inflammation and also that Zn2+ may be utilized as a supplemental drug with FK506.

Diagnostic value of the serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is an enzyme hydrolyzing platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory mediator, but the relationship between this enzyme and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of the serum PAF-AH activity in order to differentiate ulcerative colitis (UC) from Crohn's disease (CD). The serum PAF-AH activity was measured in 57 patients with IBD (39 UC and 18 CD patients) and 13 control subjects by a spectrophotometric method. The serum PAF-AH activity was thus found to be significantly lower in patients with CD (median 265.5 U/l) than in those with UC (355 U/l) or control subjects (374 U/l). This marker at a cutoff level of 386 U/l demonstrated a sensitivity of 46%, a specificity of 100%, and a positive predictive value of 100% regarding its ability to distinguish UC from CD. Moreover, the marker responded inversely to the changes in the disease activity of IBD. These results suggest that measuring the serum PAF-AH activity is a useful diagnostic modality for making a differential diagnosis between UC and CD.

Dictyopyrones, novel alpha-pyronoids isolated from Dictyostelium spp., promote stalk cell differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Dictyopyrones A and B (DpnA and B), whose function(s) is not known, were isolated from fruiting bodies of Dictyostelium discoideum. In the present study, to assess their function(s), we examined the effects of Dpns on in vitro cell differentiation in D. discoideum monolayer cultures with cAMP. Dpns at 1-20 microM promoted stalk cell formation to some extent in the wild-type strain V12M2. Although Dpns by themselves could hardly induce stalk cell formation in a differentiation-inducing factor (DIF)-deficient strain HM44, both of them dose-dependently promoted DIF-1-dependent stalk cell formation in the strain. In the sporogenous strain HM18, Dpns at 1-20 microM suppressed spore formation and promoted stalk cell formation in a dose-dependent manner. Analogs of Dpns were less effective in affecting cell differentiation in both HM44 and HM18 cells, indicating that the activity of Dpns should be chemical structure specific. It was also shown that DpnA at 2-20 microM dose-dependently suppressed spore formation induced with 8-bromo cAMP and promoted stalk cell formation in V12M2 cells. Interestingly, it was shown by the use of RT-PCR that DpnA at 10 microM slightly promoted both prespore- and prestalk-specific gene expressions in an early phase of V12M2 and HM18 in vitro differentiation. The present results suggest that Dpns may have functions (1) to promote both prespore and prestalk cell differentiation in an early stage of development and (2) to suppress spore formation and promote stalk cell formation in a later stage of development in D. discoideum.