Immunohistochemical localization of nuclear 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine receptor proteins in rat tissues studied with antiserum against C-ERB A/T3 receptor.

We have previously raised an anti-c-erb A peptide antibody (designated 4B II) which immunoprecipitated in vitro transcription/translation products of c-erb A alpha 1 and beta. 4B II could recognize nuclear T3 receptor (NT3R) without distinction between difference in species and tissues. Using 4B II, we studied immunohistochemical localization of NT3R proteins in various tissues of the rat. Cryostat sections (4-6 microns) of selected rat tissues were incubated with 4B II at 4C overnight, followed by fluorescein-isothyocianate-conjugated anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G for 60 min at 25 C. The cellular localization of fluorescence in all tissues examined was exclusively nuclear. Under the same conditions, control sections stained with antiserum which had previously absorbed with c-erb A peptide or inactive serum showed no specific staining. In the brain the large nuclei, supposed to be neuronal, were strongly stained in the cerebral cortex and the granular layer of the cerebellum. In the kidney, cells in the glomerulus, the distal, but not the proximal, tubules, and the collecting ducts exhibited nuclear staining. Nuclear fluorescence was observed homogeneously in the heart and liver, but the intensity was much weaker in the latter. Less intense fluorescence was seen in the testis and spleen, although specific immunostaining was clearly observed in the nuclei of spermatocytes, Leydig cells, and the heads of the sperms in the testis, and many lymphocytes in the spleen. Nuclei of follicular cells of the thyroid exhibited very strong fluorescence, suggesting existence of plenty of NT3R proteins. The anterior pituitary showed strong immunostaining in most nuclei, and clear nuclear fluorescence was also detected in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. The present study showed that NT3R distributes selectively in certain types of cells in many tissues and that the content of NT3R proteins seems to correlate with the concentration of c-erb A mRNA alpha 1 and beta among many organs.

Sequence similarity of calreticulin with a Ca2(+)-binding protein that co-purifies with an Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store in HL-60 cells.

HL-60 cells possess a 60 kDa Ca2(+)-binding protein that is contained in a discrete subcellular compartment, referred to as calciosomes. Subcellular fractionation studies have suggested that, in HL-60 cells, this intracellular compartment is an Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store. In order to investigate the structural relationship of the 60 kDa Ca2(+)-binding protein of HL-60 cells to other Ca2(+)-binding proteins, we have purified the protein by ammonium sulphate extraction, acid precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose and phenyl-Sepharose column chromatography. The N-terminal sequence of the protein shows 93% identity with rabbit muscle calreticulin, a recently cloned sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-binding protein. No amino acid sequence similarity with calsequestrin was found, although the purified protein cross-reacted with anti-calsequestrin antibodies. The calreticulin-related protein of HL-60 cells might play a role as an intravesicular Ca2(+)-binding protein of an Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store.

Swimming causes myosin adaptations in the rat cardiac isograft.

To investigate the contributions of humoral and hemodynamic factors to cardiac adaptations associated with chronic exercise, female Fischer 344 rats were subjected to chronic swimming, infrarenal cardiac transplantation, or both. Swimming resulted in hypertrophy (11-12%) of the in situ hearts in both the unoperated and operated animals compared with the matched sedentary controls. The cardiac isograft exhibited atrophy (32-35%), which was not attenuated by swimming. The cardiac isograft was also associated with a decrease in the percent of V1 myosin isoenzyme, which was attenuated by swimming (45 +/- 5% versus 66 +/- 6%). Swimming also increased the percent of this isomyosin in the in situ hearts of operated rats. These data suggest that hemodynamic load and/or neural innervation are necessary for hypertrophy associated with chronic conditioning by swimming, whereas myosin isoenzyme control is significantly mediated by humoral factors.

Mechanism of cytokine inhibition of beta-adrenergic agonist stimulation of cyclic AMP in rat cardiac myocytes. Impairment of signal transduction.

Studies conducted in our laboratory have demonstrated that activated immune cells produce a soluble inhibitor(s) of cardiac myocyte contractile and cyclic AMP (cAMP) responses to beta-adrenergic stimulation. To examine the mechanism of this effect, metabolic assays were conducted on cultured rat cardiac myocytes incubated in the presence and absence of supernatants harvested from rat activated splenocyte cultures. Intracellular cAMP accumulation in response to isoproterenol was inhibited by up to 74% in a dose-dependent fashion by conditioned media containing soluble cytokines from activated immune cells. By use of myocyte cultures in which contaminating nonmyocyte proliferation was inhibited by nonlethal irradiation, this phenomenon was shown to be independent of mitogenic effects. Isobutylmethylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, did not ablate cytokine-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation. Parameters of beta-adrenergic receptor binding and affinity were also unaffected. cAMP suppression was maintained after cholera toxin stimulation of cAMP production via stimulatory G protein ADP-ribosylation. cAMP inhibition was not apparent when cells were stimulated with forskolin, a direct adenylate cyclase activator. Importantly, pertussis toxin treatment significantly ablated cytokine-induced cAMP inhibition. Thus, interference with agonist-occupied beta-adrenergic receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase to produce cAMP and subsequent contractile responses is induced by a factor(s) elaborated by activated immune cells. This interference occurs at the level of signal transduction across the membrane, can be overridden by pertussis toxin, and may involve changes in the coupling of the stimulatory/inhibitory G proteins to adenylate cyclase. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of cytokine-induced myocyte dysfunction and may have important pathophysiological ramifications in immune-mediated myocardial diseases.

Calcium overload in human giant cell myocarditis.

Myocardial calcium overload was observed in a patient with giant cell myocarditis. The myocardial calcium content estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry amounted to 120 mEq/kg dry weight, and the von Kossa stain disclosed multiple foci with patchy calcifications of myocardial fibres. Cytochemical examination of the ultrastructural calcium localisation using the phosphate-pyroantimonate method showed considerable variation in the subcellular calcium distribution. In normal myocytes calcium precipitates were confined to the inner leaflet of the sarcolemma, T-tubules, intercalated disks, and sporadically to mitochondria. In contrast, extensive calcification of mitochondria and loss of sarcolemmal calcium was evident in necrotic myocytes. A number of grossly normal myocytes also showed an increase of calcium precipitates in slightly swollen mitochondria. These findings suggest that myocardial calcium overload in this case started in viable myocytes and was not merely a secondary phenomenon occurring after cell death.

Effect of repetitive brief episodes of cardiac ischemia on 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the cat.

Angina is characterized by brief periods of ischemia followed by reperfusion; the cumulative effect of these episodes on energetics of the myocardium has not been fully elucidated. This study used an in vivo feline model for the assessment of high-energy phosphate compounds during brief sequential periods of ischemia and reperfusion. Nine adult, open-chest, anesthetized cats were prepared with a reversible occluder around the proximal left anterior descending artery and a 1.2-cm-inside diameter coil sutured on the myocardial surface in the distribution of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Levels of PCr, Pi, and ATP (beta-phosphate signal) were measured by 31P MRS in a GE CSI 2-T NMR spectrometer/imager. Measurements were obtained during a control period and during three successive occlusion-deocclusion periods of roughly 12 and 20 min' duration, respectively. The last deocclusion period was observed for 60 min. Electron microscopy was performed in two animals. PCr declined (P less than 0.01) rapidly following each occlusion to 51 +/- 5.2% (occlusion 1), 53 +/- 5.8% (occlusion 2), and 48 +/- 5.7% (occlusion 3) of the control value by 6 min. Pi rose (P less than 0.01) with the three sequential occlusions to 253 +/- 46, 288 +/- 57, and 277 +/- 46%, respectively. PCr and Pi returned to baseline promptly with reperfusion, while ATP showed a gradual decline throughout the experiment, decreasing to 77 +/- 7.2% of control at the end of the last reperfusion (P less than 0.05). Although PCr returned to baseline during reperfusion, ATP did not, suggesting a reduction in the nucleotide pool. These findings indicate that the repeated episodes of ischemia, which are insufficient to produce necrosis, can have an effect on myocardial high-energy phosphate metabolism as evidenced by mild depletion of ATP.

The apparent molecular size of native alpha-crystallin B in non-lenticular tissues.

The apparent molecular size of the native alpha-crystallin B in cytosol preparations from rat heart, brain and retina was determined by gel permeation chromatography, detecting the protein by immunochemical assay (ELISA), using an alpha-crystallin specific antiserum. Native alpha-crystallin from cytosol preparations of rat lens cortex was used as a reference. alpha-Crystallin B present in all three cytosol preparations from non-lenticular tissues eluted in a single symmetrical peak, with the same elution volume as alpha-crystallin from lens cortex cytosol preparations, corresponding to an apparent average molecular size of 0.8 x 10(6) Da. No other species could be detected. The results indicate that the alpha-crystallin aggregates characterized by an apparent average molecular mass of 0.8 x 10(6) Da, and considered to be the native, physiological form of the protein in the lens, are indeed not specific to lens tissue. Furthermore, the size of these alpha-crystallin aggregates is independent of their polypeptide composition. Aggregates found in the lens, composed of alpha A and alpha B polypeptides and their respective phosphorylated forms alpha Ap and alpha Bp, are similar in size to those found in heart, brain and retina, containing the alpha B but not the alpha A polypeptide.

Subunits of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase show differential and distinct expression patterns during germ cell differentiation: alternative polyadenylation in germ cells gives rise to unique smaller-sized mRNA species.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKAs) are believed to be involved in the regulation of essential spermatozoal functions, such as motility, epididymal maturation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. In this study, we document the presence of significant mRNA levels for 5 different PKA subunits (RI alpha, RI beta, RII alpha, RII beta, and C alpha) in germ cells and demonstrate differential expression patterns for these subunits during spermatogenesis. Messenger RNAs for RI (RI alpha and RI beta) and C alpha appear to be induced at premeiotic germ cell stages, whereas mRNAs for RII (RII alpha and RII beta) are first expressed at haploid stages. The individual PKA subunits may convey specific functions in developing germ cells and mature sperm. The present study, furthermore, demonstrates the presence of unique smaller-sized mRNAs in germ cells compared with somatic cells. Specific, truncated forms of RI alpha, RII alpha, RII beta, and C alpha mRNAs appear to be selected in the germ cells. Our data suggest this to be due to the use of alternative polyadenylation site signals. The selection of shorter mRNA species, with higher stability, may be essential for the delayed translation observed in spermatids. This may ensure certain levels of mRNA for translation at late spermatid stages, after cessation of transcription.

Hydroxyethyl starch macromolecules reduce myocardial reperfusion injury.

We assessed the value of a fraction of hydroxyethyl starch (HES Pz) in reducing the myocardial reperfusion injury in a canine open-chest model in which 1 hour of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion was followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Three treatment infusions (5% of blood volume) were compared: Ringer's lactate, serum albumin, and HES Pz (70% of the macromolecules between 100,000 and 1,000,000 d). When compared with Ringer's lactate and albumin, HES Pz significantly reduced the ratio of 24-hour infarct size to pretreatment area at risk (3% vs 19% and 16%, respectively) and myocardial water content (0.5% vs 3% and 1%). Potassium content differences between injured and normal myocardium were significantly less in the infarct regions of animals receiving HES Pz. In the canine model, HES Pz reduced 1-hour myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury significantly.

High-resolution three-dimensional structure of horse heart cytochrome c.

The 1.94 A resolution three-dimensional structure of oxidized horse heart cytochrome c has been elucidated and refined to a final R-factor of 0.17. This has allowed for a detailed assessment of the structural features of this protein, including the presence of secondary structure, hydrogen-bonding patterns and heme geometry. A comprehensive analysis of the structural differences between horse heart cytochrome c and those other eukaryotic cytochromes c for which high-resolution structures are available (yeast iso-1, tuna, rice) has also been completed. Significant conformational differences between these proteins occur in three regions and primarily involve residues 22 to 27, 41 to 43 and 56 to 57. The first of these variable regions is part of a surface beta-loop, whilst the latter two are located together adjacent to the heme group. This study also demonstrates that, in horse cytochrome c, the side-chain of Phe82 is positioned in a co-planar fashion next to the heme in a conformation comparable to that found in other cytochromes c. The positioning of this residue does not therefore appear to be oxidation-state-dependent. In total, five water molecules occupy conserved positions in the structures of horse heart, yeast iso-1, tuna and rice cytochromes c. Three of these are on the surface of the protein, serving to stabilize local polypeptide chain conformations. The remaining two are internally located. One of these mediates a charged interaction between the invariant residue Arg38 and a nearby heme propionate. The other is more centrally buried near the heme iron atom and is hydrogen bonded to the conserved residues Asn52, Tyr67 and Thr78. It is shown that this latter water molecule shifts in a consistent manner upon change in oxidation state if cytochrome c structures from various sources are compared. The conservation of this structural feature and its close proximity to the heme iron atom strongly implicate this internal water molecule as having a functional role in the mechanism of action of cytochrome c.

Sexual and age variations of organ iron content in Shaver chickens.

1. Haematological values and iron content in liver, spleen, kidneys and intestine were determined in Shaver chickens of both sexes at 4, 8, 13 and 18 weeks and in females at 24 weeks (the beginning of the laying period). 2. The haematocrit decreased significantly in laying compared with non-laying females and the haemoglobin concentration was similar to that in the prelaying state. Plasma iron in laying females increased to four times the basal value at 13 weeks. 3. Females of 13 and 18 weeks (prelaying state) stored more iron than males at the same age. A simultaneous liver and spleen mobilisation of stored iron and increased intestinal iron accumulation took place in the laying process. The haematological variables examined were minimally altered. 4. The iron contents of both heart and kidneys were influenced by age and followed a linear trend, except that in the heart of females where a quadratic response was observed.

High-resolution study of the three-dimensional structure of horse heart metmyoglobin.

The three-dimensional structure of horse heart metmyoglobin has been refined to a final R-factor of 15.5% for all observed data in the 6.0 to 1.9 A resolution range. The final model consists of 1242 non-hydrogen protein atoms, 154 water molecules and one sulfate ion. This structure has nearly ideal bonding and bond angle geometry. A Luzzati plot of the variation in R-factor with resolution yields an estimated mean co-ordinate error of 0.18 A. An extensive analysis of the pattern of hydrogen bonds formed in horse heart metmyoglobin has been completed. Over 80% of the polypeptide chain is involved in eight helical segments, of which seven are composed mainly of alpha-helical (3.6(13))-type hydrogen bonds; the remaining helix is composed entirely of 3(10) hydrogen bonds. Altogether, of 102 hydrogen bonds between main-chain atoms only six are not involved in helical structures, and four of these six occur within beta-turns. The majority of water molecules in horse heart metmyoglobin are found in solvent networks that range in size from two to 35 members. The size of water molecule networks can be rationalized on the basis of three factors: the number of hydrogen bonds to the protein surface, the presence of charged side-chain atoms, and the ability to bridge to neighboring molecules in the crystal lattice. Bridging water networks form the dominant intermolecular interactions. The backbone conformation of horse heart metmyoglobin is very similar to sperm whale metmyoglobin, with significant differences in secondary structure occurring only near residues 119 and 120, where residues 120 to 123 in sperm whale form a distorted type I reverse turn and the horse heart protein has a type II turn at residues 119 to 122. Nearly all of the hydrogen bonds between main-chain atoms (occurring mainly in helical regions) are common to both proteins, and more than half of the hydrogen bonds involving side-chain atoms observed in horse heart are also found in sperm whale metmyoglobin. Unlike sperm whale metmyoglobin, the heme iron atom in horse heart metmyoglobin is not significantly displaced from the plane of the heme group.

Phosphate metabolite imaging and concentration measurements in human heart by nuclear magnetic resonance.

Cardiac-gated phosphorus (31P) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic imaging with surface coils resolves in three dimensions the spatial distribution of high energy phosphate metabolites in the human heart noninvasively. 31P spectra derive from 6- to 14-cm3 volumes of myocardium in the anterior left ventricle, septum, and apex, at depths of up to about 8 cm from the chest, as identified by proton (1H) NMR anatomical images acquired without moving the subject. Spectroscopic images are acquired in 9 to 21 min at 1.5 T. Metabolite concentrations are quantified with reference to a standard located outside the chest, yielding normal in vivo concentrations of phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate of about 11.0 +/- 2.7 (SD) and 6.9 +/- 1.6 mumol/g of wet heart tissue, respectively. High energy phosphate contents did not vary significantly with location in the normal myocardium, but 2,3-diphosphoglycerate signals from blood varied with subject and location.

Superior myocardial preservation with modified UW solution after prolonged ischemia in the rat heart.

Cardiac transplantation remains constrained by poor graft tolerance of prolonged cold ischemia. University of Wisconsin solution has remarkably extended ischemic preservation in pancreas, kidney, and liver transplantation. To assess its efficacy in cardiac preservation, modified University of Wisconsin solution flush and storage were tested against St. Thomas' cardioplegia flush and normal saline solution storage after six hours of ischemia at 0 degrees C in 46 isolated rat hearts. After ischemia, groups were compared before and after reperfusion. After ischemia but before reperfusion, University of Wisconsin solution hearts had significantly less tissue water (3.8%), superior tissue sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium profiles, and elevated adenosine and inosine levels, and tended toward better histological preservation. After reperfusion, University of Wisconsin solution more effectively preserved left ventricular compliance (75% versus 35% of baseline), developed pressure (71% versus 45% of baseline), histological integrity, and tissue potassium and calcium profiles than St. Thomas' solution. The University of Wisconsin solution provided superior preservation of systolic and diastolic ventricular function, tissue histology, tissue water, and tissue electrolytes than did St. Thomas' cardioplegia and normal saline solution storage in this experimental model, and might result in improved graft tolerance of ischemia in clinical cardiac transplantation.

Relations between the energy state of the myocardium and release of some products of anaerobic metabolism during underperfusion.

The relations between parameters of cellular energy and the release of succinate, alanine and creatine from isolated, isovolumic guinea pig hearts were studied during underperfusion (0.2 ml/min) with glucose or acetate. The heart work index (the product of the left ventricular pressure and the heart rate), tissue ATP and phosphocreatine contents did not depend upon the nature of the substrate when coronary flow was 19 ml/min. However, 50 min underperfusion with acetate resulted in a twofold increase in diastolic pressure, while glucose prevented the development of contracture. A more rapid ATP depletion accompanied by an increased succinate and creatine release was observed during underperfusion with acetate as compared with glucose. Succinate and alanine accumulation in myocardial effluent was related to a decrease in tissue ATP, while creatine release showed a close, inverse correlation with the tissue phosphocreatine/creatine ratio. Hyperbolic and linear relations were found between these indices for glucose- and acetate-perfused hearts, respectively. The results suggest that the determination of succinate, creatine and alanine in myocardial effluent may be used for assessment of the energy status of the ischemic heart.

Identification of dystrophin in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles.

We have identified dystrophin in highly purified sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from canine and bovine hearts using specific antibodies against the COOH-terminal region of the protein. Bovine cardiac sarcolemma contained a single immunoreactive protein band (Mr. approximately 400,000) whereas the canine cardiac membrane contained a doublet (Mr. approximately 420,000 and approximately 380,000). The higher molecular weight form of canine cardiac dystrophin was more abundant than the lower molecular weight form. These highly purified preparations of the sarcolemmal vesicles should provide a useful tool for structural and functional analysis of the interaction of dystrophin with the plasma membrane.

Cellular glutathione and the response of adult rat heart myocytes to oxidant stress.

Freshly isolated adult rat heart myocytes contain total glutathione and reduced glutathione (GSH) at levels quite comparable to those in intact rat heart. Total glutathione can be depleted from 11 to 1 nmol/mg protein or less by treatment with cyclohex-2-ene-1-one without effect on either cellular ATP, rod-cell morphology or the integrity of the sarcolemma. Glutathione levels and redox state are not altered significantly when the Ca-tolerant, quiescent cells are subjected to a period of anoxia followed by reoxygenation. This oxygen paradox protocol results in irreversible hypercontracture of the contractile elements into an amorphous mass in the bulk of the cells, but little loss of sarcolemmal integrity. When the myocytes are subjected to an externally applied oxidant stress by the addition of either diamide or t-butylhydroperoxide, GSH is rapidly depleted with accumulation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG. On continued aerobic incubation both of these reagents promote a slower depletion of cellular ATP and a parallel hypercontracture. Cells treated with t-butylhydroperoxide, but not those with diamide, also generate increasing amounts of thiobarbituric acid reactive species as an indication of lipid peroxidation and show a parallel loss of sarcolemmal integrity. It is concluded that respiring myocytes and those subjected to the oxygen paradox do not produce oxygen radicals in sufficient amounts to displace the GSH/GSSG redox poise and depletion of myocyte glutathione per se is not detrimental to the short term survival of the cells. In addition, aerobic myocytes subjected to external oxidant stress can be damaged irreversibly by two pathways, a hypercontracture that correlates with depletion of ATP and a loss of sarcolemmal integrity that correlates with lipid peroxidation.

Transfer of fluorescent fatty acids from liver and heart fatty acid-binding proteins to model membranes.

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are a family of 14-15 kDa proteins found in high abundance in many mammalian cell types. The physiological functions of the FABP remain unknown. It is also not known whether each FABP has a unique function, or whether all FABP function in a similar manner in their respective tissues. In this report the rate of transfer of anthroyloxy-labeled free fatty acid (ffa) from FABP to phospholipid bilayers is monitored using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. A comparison is made between heart muscle FABP and liver FABP, and the results show that the rate of ffa transfer from the heart protein is an order of magnitude greater than the rate of transfer from the liver protein. Ffa transfer rates from both liver and heart FABP are independent of acceptor concentration and composition, suggesting that, at least in the case of model membrane acceptor vesicles, the mechanism of transfer is via aqueous diffusion rather than via collision of FABP with membranes. Since the rate of ffa transfer is likely to be important to cellular ffa traffic, these studies suggest that heart FABP may function differently within the myocyte than does liver FABP within the hepatocyte.

Adult cardiac muscle cells in long-term serum-free culture: myofibrillar organization and expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms.

A culture system for adult rat cardiac muscle cells has been established without exposure of cells to serum at any step of the procedure. The methodology has been standardized and optimized to obtain better quality and high yield of cells and culture. Subsequent to enzyme perfusion, the release of myocytes from enzyme-perfused tissues was carried out in enzyme-free Joklik's medium instead of exposing cells to proteolytic enzyme(s) as done previously. Approximately 5 million cylindrical muscle cells per ventricle were obtained. The culture medium contained Eagle's minimum essential medium with Earle's salts, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin, transferrin, selenium, norepinephrine, triiodothyronine (T3), bovine serum albumin, nonessential amino acids, and ascorbic acid. The plating efficiency of the experimental cultures was comparable to that of the control cultures grown in the presence of serum. The cells in the serum-free medium contained myofibrillar and myosin isoforms characteristics of the adult myocytes. The cells underwent cellular reorganization comparable to that of the controls. The initial phase of reorganization involved the breakdown of myofibrils and extrusion of mitochondria, degraded myofibrils, and other cellular organelles. The latter phase of reorganization included myofibrillogenesis and organellogenesis resulting in the development of myofibrillar apparatus with cellular organelles. Myocytes were contractile throughout the culture period. Cardiac myocytes grown in serum-free medium expressed the predominant myosin isoform V1 similar to their counterparts in vivo. T3 is essential for the expression of isomyosin V1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)