Density-dependent growth inhibition of fibroblasts ectopically expressing p27(kip1).

The cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p27(kip1) is thought to be responsible for the onset and maintenance of the quiescent state. It is possible, however, that cells respond differently to p27(kip1) in different conditions, and using a BALB/c-3T3 cell line (termed p27-47) that inducibly expresses high levels of this protein, we show that the effect of p27(kip1) on cell cycle traverse is determined by cell density. We found that ectopic expression of p27(kip1) blocked the proliferation of p27-47 cells at high density but had little effect on the growth of cells at low density whether exponentially cycling or stimulated from quiescence. Regardless of cell density, the activities of cdk4 and cdk2 were markedly repressed by p27(kip1) expression, as was the cdk4-dependent dissociation of E2F4/p130 complexes. Infection of cells with SV40, a DNA tumor virus known to abrogate formation of p130- and Rb-containing complexes, allowed dense cultures to proliferate in the presence of supraphysiological amounts of p27(kip1) but did not stimulate cell cycle traverse when cultures were cotreated with the potent cdk2 inhibitor roscovitine. Our data suggest that residual levels of cyclin/cdk activity persist in p27(kip1)-expressing p27-47 cells and are sufficient for the growth of low-density cells and of high-density cells infected with SV40, and that effective disruption of p130 and/or Rb complexes is obligatory for the proliferation of high-density cultures.

The actions of human atrial natriuretic factor on hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds of the anaesthetized dog.

1. The vascular actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) have been assessed with other vasoactive agents on the hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds of the anaesthetized dog. 2. Intra-arterial bolus injections of ANF (0.1-50 nmol) caused graded increases in hepatic arterial blood flow representing a vasodilatation of relatively short duration. Vasoconstriction was never observed. 3. The maximum increase in hepatic arterial blood was the same for ANF and isoprenaline (Iso) i.e. approximately 60-70% increase over control flow. 4. On a molar basis, ANF was less potent than Iso although over the higher dose range (10(-9)-10(-7) mol) its vasodilator activity exceeded that of the endogenous vasodilator adrenaline. 5. Intraportal bolus injections (1.0-50 nmol) of ANF did not alter portal inflow resistance since no changes in portal inflow pressure occurred when the portal circuit was perfused at constant inflow volume. 6. This differential action of ANF on the hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds may provide a change in total liver blood flow in favour of the arterial component. 7. ANF, by altering hepatic haemodynamics to favour formation of trans-sinusoidal fluid exchange, may provide a temporary expansion of the extravascular fluid reservoir to buffer any increased venous pressure. However, chronically elevated plasma levels of ANF would encourage the formation of ascitic fluid.

The actions of endothelins-1 and -3 on the vascular and capsular smooth muscle of the isolated blood perfused spleen of the dog.

1. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-3 (ET-3) and noradrenaline (NA) were administered as intra-arterial bolus injections into the isolated, blood-perfused spleen of the dog to assess agonist properties and relative molar potencies on the vascular and capsular smooth muscle. 2. An initial small vasodilatation was observed occasionally at low doses (1.0-10 pmol) of ET-1. 3. ET-1, ET-3 and NA all caused graded increases in splenic arterial vascular resistance. The molar ED50 for the splenic vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 was significantly less (P less than 0.001) than that to ET-3; both peptides were significantly more potent as vasoconstrictor agents than NA. The maximum increase in splenic arterial vascular resistance was not significantly different for either ET-1, ET-3 or NA. 4. The time course of the splenic vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 was significantly (P less than 0.01) longer than that to equieffective doses of ET-3 or NA. 5. The splenic vasoconstrictor responses to ET-1 and ET-3 were accompanied by reductions in spleen volume. The rank order of molar potency in causing splenic capsular contraction was ET-1 greater than ET-3 greater than NA. The maximum reduction in splenic volume was significantly greater for NA than for either ET-1 or ET-3. The two peptides (ET-1, ET-3) were equiefficacious in contracting splenic capsular smooth muscle. 6. The high molar potency of ET-1 as a splenic arterial vasoconstrictor, over 1,700 times more potent than NA, suggests that it may play an important local role in the control of splenic haemodynamics.

A further presenilin 1 mutation in the exon 8 cluster in familial Alzheimer's disease.

Recent studies suggest that mutations in the presenilin 1 gene, which encodes a polypeptide predicted to be a multispanning membrane protein, are responsible for the majority of cases of early onset, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. Here we describe a further mutation in the presenilin 1 gene (R269G) in a family with early onset Alzheimer's disease. This mutation is in exon 8 which appears to be a favoured region for pathogenic mutations. In the presenilin protein the region coded for by this exon is likely to comprise a domain located on the membrane surface. We discuss the likely effects of the exon 8 mutations on the structure of the exon and in the pathogenesis of the disease.