Molecular properties and intracellular localization of rat liver nuclear scaffold protein P130.

We examined the molecular basis of rat P130, a nuclear scaffold protein, and its functions. P130 comprising 845 amino acid residues possesses several functional domains and yields an electrophoretically distinctive isoform, P123, by altering its phosphorylation status in association with translocation across the nuclear membrane and from the digitonin-extractable fraction of the nucleus to the nuclear scaffold. The functional domains, NLS, NES, and zinc-finger bearing DNA-binding domains, ZF1 and ZF2, aid these translocations. P130 binds RNA through two RNA-binding domains (RB1 and RB2) similar to those of hnRNPs I and L. Microsome- and polysome-localized P130 and P123 were found in rat liver and Ac2F hepatoma cells. This localization required prior entry of P130 to the nucleus, but did not require RB1 and RB2. Thus, P130 initially purified from rat liver nuclear scaffold has the potential to play a variety of roles in biological events not only in the nuclear scaffold but also in various subcellular compartments. P130 (AB205483) is identical to matrin 3 (M63485 and BC062231), although the primary structure of rat matrin 3 has been revised, since it was first published.

A trio of risk factors for the onset of preeclampsia in the second and early third trimesters.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the biological interaction among mean blood pressure (MBP), uterine artery Doppler (UAD), and the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio for preeclampsia (PE) risk. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In 1239 pregnant women, MBP and UAD were measured at 16-23weeks of gestation, and plasma levels of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at 19-25weeks and 26-31weeks. A Cox proportional hazard model was used. Women with a low sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and either low BP or normal UAD were set as controls. The relative excess risk due to biological interaction (RERI) was calculated using the following equation: RERI=hazard ratio (HR) in women with high sFlt-1/PlGF and both high BP and abnormal UAD (group 3) - HR in women with both high BP and abnormal UAD alone (group 1) - HR in women with high sFlt-1/PlGF alone (group 2)+1. RERI⩾10 was considered to be strong. RESULTS: At 19-25weeks, the HR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 7.4 (3.1-17.4), 15.3 (4.5-52.2), and 107.0 (41.0-279), respectively, and the RERI for PE was 85.3. At 26-31weeks, the HR and 95% CI in each group were 8.3 (2.9-23.2), 7.5 (0.97-57.8), and 69.0 (18.5-256), respectively; the RERI for PE was 54.2. CONCLUSIONS: We found a trio of risk factors for the onset of PE in the second and early third trimesters: high BP, abnormal UAD, and high sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia: an unusual cause showing prolonged disseminated intravascular coagulation after placental abruption.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) caused by placental abruption usually improves rapidly after prompt delivery and adequate anti-DIC treatment. CASE: A 30-year-old nulliparous woman suffered from placental abruption at the 25th week of pregnancy, and emergent cesarean section was done immediately. She exhibited DIC, which continued even after termination of the pregnancy and anti-DIC treatment. She also showed neutropenia. We closely observed her, and at the 58th day postpartum, blast cells appeared in the peripheral blood and she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Induction chemotherapy was done successfully. The close observation after delivery enabled us to make the prompt diagnosis/treatment, leading to the complete remission. CONCLUSION: APL should be added to the list of differential diagnosis when DIC persists even after prompt delivery and appropriate anti-DIC treatment after placental abruption.