A MAP kinase is activated late in plant mitosis and becomes localized to the plane of cell division.

In eukaryotes, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are part of signaling modules that transmit diverse stimuli, such as mitogens, developmental cues, or various stresses. Here, we report a novel alfalfa MAPK, Medicago MAP kinase 3 (MMK3). Using an MMK3-specific antibody, we detected the MMK3 protein and its associated activity only in dividing cells. The MMK3 protein could be found during all stages of the cell cycle, but its protein kinase activity was transient in mitosis and correlated with the timing of phragmoplast formation. Depolymerization of microtubules by short treatments with the drug amiprophosmethyl during anaphase and telophase abolished MMK3 activity, indicating that intact microtubules are required for MMK3 activation. During anaphase, MMK3 was found to be concentrated in between the segregating chromosomes; later, it localized at the midplane of cell division in the phragmoplast. As the phragmoplast microtubules were redistributed from the center to the periphery during telophase, MMK3 still localized to the whole plane of division; thus, phragmoplast microtubules are not required to keep MMK3 at this location. Together, these data strongly support a role for MMK3 in the regulation of plant cytokinesis.

Characterization of site-directed antisera against endothelin-converting enzymes.

Site-directed antisera have been developed against the two endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) isoforms cloned to date in humans, ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta. Antisera were raised in rabbits against synthetic peptides corresponding to the deduced amino acid sequences that differ between ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta. Antisera were highly selective for their corresponding antigen (titer 1 x 10(4)) and did not detect ET-1 or big ET-1. Furthermore, no detectable crossreactivity was observed between the different site-specific antisera and the other immunizing peptides, suggesting that the antisera would be selective for ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta. Standard displacement curves have been developed to determine the levels of immunoreactive ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta in solubilized microsomal fractions of human tissue. In conclusion, we have described the first production and characterization of site-directed antisera raised against ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta capable of discriminating between the two ECE-1 isoforms. Furthermore, using these antisera, we have found that ECE-1 alpha appears to be the predominant isoform in human tissue.

Chromatin complexes as aperiodic microcrystalline arrays that regulate genome organisation and expression.

The current understanding of chromatin-mediated repression in Metazoa stems largely from work on two systems in Drosophila: heterochromatin-induced position-effect variegation and repression of the homeotic genes by the Polycomb-group of genes. A common feature of these two systems is the cooperative assembly of multimeric complexes which can epigenetically silence gene activity. Moreover, both older and more recent work has suggested that these complexes can themselves associate to give rise to larger complexes: The specificity of the association is likely to be determined by complementarity of the structural components of the complexes. Here, we aim to accommodate these, and other, features of chromatin-mediated repression in a single hypothesis, namely the crystallisation hypothesis. This hypothesis views the nucleus as being an environment that favours the formation of chromatin complexes which behave as aperiodic microcrystalline arrays constructed through the cooperative assembly of different types of lattice unit. The lattice units possess regions of structural complementarity that allow interactions between complexes. Aperiodicity confers specificity on the complexes and is a key feature of the model which, we suggest, provides a gene with a "chromosomal address." The chromosomal address allows the side-by-side alignment of homologous chromosomal regions, a properly that may be important in a variety of biologically relevant situations. Aperiodicity is also a feature of the hypothesis that is directly testable.

Wounding Induces the Rapid and Transient Activation of a Specific MAP Kinase Pathway.

Mechanical injury in plants induces responses that are involved not only in healing but also in defense against a potential pathogen. To understand the intracellular signaling mechanism of wounding, we have investigated the involvement of protein kinases. Using specific antibodies, we showed that wounding alfalfa leaves specifically induces the transient activation of the p44MMK4 kinase, which belongs to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Whereas activation of the MMK4 pathway is a post-translational process and was not blocked by [alpha]-amanitin and cycloheximide, inactivation depends on de novo transcription and translation of a protein factor(s). After wound-induced activation, the MMK4 pathway was subject to a refractory period of 25 min, during which time restimulation was not possible, indicating that the inactivation mechanism is only transiently active. After activation of the p44MMK4 kinase by wounding, transcript levels of the MMK4 gene increased, suggesting that the MMK4 gene may be a direct target of the MMK4 pathway. In contrast, transcripts of the wound-inducible MsWIP gene, encoding a putative proteinase inhibitor, were detected only several hours after wounding. Abscisic acid, methyl jasmonic acid, and electrical activity are known to mediate wound signaling in plants. However, none of these factors was able to activate the p44MMK4 kinase in the absence of wounding, suggesting that the MMK4 pathway acts independently of these signals.

Stress signaling in plants: a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is activated by cold and drought.

Yeast and animals use mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades to mediate stress and extracellular signals. We have tested whether MAP kinases are involved in mediating environmental stress responses in plants. Using specific peptide antibodies that were raised against different alfalfa MAP kinases, we found exclusive activation of p44MMK4 kinase in drought- and cold-treated plants. p44MMK4 kinase was transiently activated by these treatments and was correlated with a shift in the electrophoretic mobility of the p44MMK4 protein. Although transcript levels of the MMK4 gene accumulated after drought and cold treatment, no changes in p44MMK4 steady state protein levels were observed, indicating a posttranslational activation mechanism. Extreme temperatures, drought, and salt stress are considered to be different forms of osmotic stress. However, high salt concentrations or heat shock did not induce activation of p44MMK4, indicating the existence of distinct mechanisms to mediate different stresses in alfalfa. Stress adaptation in plants is mediated by abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent and ABA-independent processes. Although ABA rapidly induced the transcription of an ABA-inducible marker gene, MMK4 transcript levels did not increase and p44MMK4 kinase was not activated. These data indicate that the MMK4 kinase pathway mediates drought and cold signaling independently of ABA.

Immunocytochemical mapping of a C-terminus anti-peptide antibody to the GABA receptor subunit, RDL in the nervous system in Drosophila melanogaster.

An antibody raised against a peptide based on the C-terminal derived amino acid sequence from a cloned Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) gene, Rdl (resistant to dieldrin), was used to investigate localization of a GABA receptor subunit in adult male D. melanogaster. Many regions in the brain and thoracic ganglia were stained with this antibody. For example, staining was detected in the medulla, lobula and lobular plate optic neurpiles. Also stained were the antennal lobe glomeruli, the ellipsoid body of the central complex and the mushroom bodies. These results suggest possible roles for an RDL-like GABA receptor subunit in the processing of olfactory, visual and mechanosensory information in the nervous system of D. melanogaster.

Binding of gelatinases A and B to type-I collagen and other matrix components.

Matrix sequestration of matrix metalloproteinases may be important for the facilitation of remodelling events and the migration of cells through the extracellular matrix. Using an ELISA technique we studied the ability of pro and active forms of gelatinases A and B (GLA and GLB) to bind to matrix components and the contribution made by the different enzyme domains. Pro and active forms of GLA and GLB bound to type-I and type-IV collagens, gelatin and laminin films. Binding to collagens occurred exclusively via the N-terminal portion of the molecule in both of the gelatinases; deletion of the fibronectin-like domain in GLA abolished binding. Fibronectin was shown to compete with GLA, confirming that binding occurs through this domain. GLA and GLB competed for binding to collagen type I, whereas collagenase and stromelysin bound to different sites and could be co-localized with the gelatinases. We conclude that gelatinases have different binding specificities from those previously documented for stromelysin and collagenase, which bind through their C-terminal domains to collagen fibrils.

Localization in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster of a C-terminus anti-peptide antibody to a cloned Drosophila muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.

Localization in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster of a cloned Drosophila muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) was investigated using a polyclonal antiserum raised against a peptide corresponding to the predicted receptor carboxyl terminal domain. Immunocytochemical studies on fly sections indicated that the product of the Dm1 mAChR gene was localized in the antennal lobes and in other regions of the brain and thoracic nervous system. Intense staining in the glomeruli of the antennal lobes, the region of the nervous system containing terminals of antennal olfactory sensory neurones and mechanosensory neurones, indicates possible roles for this mAChR gene product in the processing of olfactory and mechanosensory signals in the fly. The staining of a discrete group of neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis of the brain indicates a possible new role for this mAChR in the regulation of neurosecretion. Very little staining is detected in the thoracic nervous system.

Aromatase-immunoreactivity is localised specifically in neurones in the developing mouse hypothalamus and cortex.

Local formation of oestrogens from androgens by aromatase cytochrome P-450 within brain cells is crucial for the sexual differentiation of the mammalian CNS. Aromatase activity has been detected in several brain regions of the developing rodent brain. In the present study, we used a mouse-specific, peptide-generated, polyclonal aromatase antibody to determine whether neurones and/or glial cells in the developing brain are involved in androgen aromatization and if aromatase-immunoreactive (Arom-IR) cells exhibit a sex-specific distribution and regional-specific morphological characteristics. For these experiments, gender-specific cell cultures were prepared from embryonic day 15 mouse hypothalamus and cortex. Specificity of the immunoreaction was confirmed by Western-blot analysis and by inhibition of aromatase activity using tissue homogenates from mouse ovaries and male newborn hypothalamus and from male hypothalamic cultures with known aromatase activity, respectively. Arom-IR cells were found in both hypothalamic and cortical cultures. Double-labeling experiments revealed that Arom-IR cells co-stained only for the neuronal marker MAP II, but never for glial markers. Therefore aromatase immunoreactivity is specifically neuronal. Regional differences in the morphology of Arom-IR neurones were observed between both brain regions. In hypothalamic cultures, IR-neurones represented a heterologous population of phenotypes (magnocellular, small bipolar and multipolar neurones with long processes showing varicose-like structures or without processes). Cortical Arom-IR neurones were always oval in shape with short or no IR-processes. Sexual dimorphisms in numbers of Arom-IR neurones were found in the hypothalamus with significantly higher cell numbers in male cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aromatase-immunoreactive neurons in the adult female chicken brain detected using a specific antibody.

Estrogen formation in the brain catalysed by the cytochrome P450arom is required for the control of estrogen-dependent neural mechanisms regulating reproductive behaviour. A polyclonal antibody was raised against a 15-amino acid fragment of the chicken ovarian P450arom protein, to localise aromatase-immunoreactive (AR-IR) cells in the adult female chicken brain. Specificity of antibody reaction was established by Western blot and by inhibition of aromatase activity in homogenates of chicken ovarian follicles determined by a radiometric assay. The AR-IR material in the brain was localised in the perikarya and some of their adjacent cytoplasmatic processes. Intense immunoreactivity was observed in the preoptic region as well as in other hypothalamic nuclei. AR-IR cells were also found in extrahypothalamic areas; in particular, in the area entorhinalis and hippocampus. These results confirm histologically that aromatization of testosterone in the adult female chicken brain occurs in preoptic nuclei closely associated with the regulation of reproductive behaviour. The mapping of AR-IR cells in the female chicken brain now allows study of its regulation under different physiological and environmental conditions, and its relation to classic target areas expressing estrogen receptors.

The porcine insulin-like growth factor-I gene: characterization and expression of alternate transcription sites.

Genomic DNA encoding the 5' region of the porcine IGF-I gene was cloned and sequenced and shown to be highly homologous to that of man, rats and sheep. Two leader exons (exons 1 and 2), which are alternately spliced to exon 3 (encoding part of the mature IGF-I molecule), were identified by RNase protection analysis. In both cases, transcription initiates upstream from exons 1 and 2 at multiple dispersed start sites to yield two distinct IGF-I mRNA transcript classes (1 and 2) which differ in the precursor peptides predicted from their individual leader sequences. The expression of class 1 and 2 transcripts was measured in liver and muscle RNA from two groups of 2-month-old pigs whose energy status had been manipulated within physiological limits to produce marked differences in plasma IGF-I levels and growth rates. For this purpose, RNase protection probes were developed that contained the individual leader exons 1 and 2 linked separately to the common exon 3, so that class-specific and total IGF-I gene expression could be determined in a single assay. At normal plasma IGF-I concentrations (200 ng/ml), class 1 and 2 transcripts comprised 81 and 19% respectively of total liver IGF-I mRNA, while at a lower plasma concentration (90 ng/ml) the corresponding values were 95 and 5% respectively. Although both classes of transcript declined with the decrease in plasma IGF-I, the relative drop in levels of class 2 transcripts (84%) was substantially greater than that of class 1 (54%). In longissimus dorsi, cardiac and soleus muscles IGF-I mRNA was predominantly of class 1 and did not change in response to decreased plasma IGF-I. This suggests that liver-derived endocrine IGF-I has an important function in the regulation of muscle growth and that class 2 IGF-I transcripts are more sensitive to conditions that promote optimal growth.

Sequencing of a Clostridium thermocellum gene (cipA) encoding the cellulosomal SL-protein reveals an unusual degree of internal homology.

It is known that two proteins of the cellulosomal complex of Clostridium thermocellum (SL and SS) together degrade crystalline cellulose. SL is a glycoprotein of 210,000 Da which enhances the binding to cellulose and the activity of SS, an endoglucanase of 83,000 Da. We have previously reported the cloning of a DNA fragment encoding the N-terminal end of the SL protein using antibodies raised against the native protein. A chromosomal walking approach using an EcoRI and a Bam HI-Sau3A gene library allowed us to isolate the C-terminal end of the gene. Sequencing of both fragments revealed the existence of a leader peptide as has been found in cellulases of the same organism. This leader sequence is followed by a stretch of 14 amino acids that is identical to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the native secreted protein. The open reading frame (ORF) of this gene encodes a protein of 196,800 Da and is followed by a hairpin loop that could be involved in transcription termination. Within the open reading frame (ORF), we found nine internal repeated elements (IREs) of about 500 nucleotides each. Seven of these sequences displayed 98-100% homology and were located adjacent to each other within the structural gene without intervening regions. The remaining two, located on the N-terminal end of the gene, showed a significantly lower homology. Bearing in mind the inherent instability of reiterated regions, we confirmed the authenticity of our clones by Southern blot analysis using chromosomal C. thermocellum DNA and ruled out the possibility of rearrangements during the cloning and sequencing process. The sequenced gene is designated cipA and the encoded SL protein CipA.

Gene sequence and properties of CelI, a family E endoglucanase from Clostridium thermocellum.

The Clostridium thermocellum celI gene, coding for endoglucanase I (CelI), consists of an open reading frame (ORF) of 2640 nucleotides and codes for a protein of M(r) 98531. The ORF was confirmed as celI by comparing the N-terminal sequence of purified recombinant CelI with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence. CelI hydrolysed lichenan and carboxymethylcellulose, but was principally active against barley beta-glucan. It exhibited significant sequence identity with subfamily E2 endoglucanases, and by analogy with others in this group contains a catalytic domain of around 500 residues located in the N-terminal half of the protein. The C-terminal region of CelI was highly homologous with the cellulose-binding domain of the non-catalytic cellulosome subunit, S1. A repeated segment, previously shown to be highly conserved in xylanase Z and in other endoglucanases from C. thermocellum, was absent from CelI. Antiserum raised against purified recombinant CelI cross-reacted with proteins contained in the cellulosomes of two strains of C. thermocellu, suggesting that CelI is either a component of the cellulosome or is homologous to other cellulosome proteins. A second gene, located upstream of celI, consisted of an ORF of 1671 nucleotides, coding for a protein of M(r) 61042. Based on its homology with the Escherichia coli tar gene product, the polypeptide encoded by the second gene is tentatively identified as a sensory transducer.

The role of conserved tryptophan residues in the interaction of a bacterial cellulose binding domain with its ligand.

The five conserved tryptophan residues in the cellulose binding domain of xylanase A from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa were replaced with alanine and phenylalanine. The mutated domains were fused to mature alkaline phosphatase, and the capacity of the hybrid proteins to bind cellulose was assessed. Alanine substitution of the tryptophan residues, in general, resulted in a significant decrease in the capacity of the cellulose binding domains to bind cellulose. Mutant domains containing phenylalanine substitution retained some affinity for cellulose. The C-terminal proximal tryptophan did not play an important role in ligand binding, while Trp13, Trp34 and Trp38 were essential for the cellulose binding domain to retain cellulose binding capacity. Data presented in this study suggest major differences in the mechanism of cellulose attachment between Pseudomonas and Cellulomonas cellulose binding domains.

Localization of immunoreactive endothelin and proendothelin in the human lung.

The endothelins are a family of three 21-amino-acid peptides: endothelin-1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3. They are powerfully vasoactive, causing both contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. They are also active in the lung causing long lasting bronchoconstriction. Antibodies were raised in rabbits against the C-terminal heptapeptide of endothelin-1 (endothelin-1(15-21)) and to portions of the C-terminus of the human proendothelin-1(31-38), proendothelin-2(31-37) and proendothelin-3(31-41 amide) and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine their titre and cross-reactivity. We used these antibodies to determine the localization of mature endothelin in the adult human lung and to determine the distribution of each of the three proendothelins. Mature endothelin immunoreactivity was present in airway epithelia and submucosal glands throughout the lung. In the airway epithelia immunoreactive proendothelin-1 and proendothelin-3 were detected, while immunoreactivity of all three isoforms was present in submucosal glands. Quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography was used to locate specific endothelin binding sites. The rank order for density of endothelin binding site occurrence was: lung parenchyma greater than airway smooth muscle greater than airway epithelia. If immunoreactive endothelin is released onto these sites in vivo, endothelin may act as a paracrine mediator in the human lung.

Endothelin-like immunoreactivity in human endometrium.

Endothelin-like immunoreactivity (ET-IR) was detected immunocytochemically in glandular epithelium and vascular endothelium of human endometrium and myometrium. Primary antibody was raised in rabbits against the carboxy-terminal heptapeptide of endothelin 1 (ET-1), ET-1(15-21), and compared with antibodies raised against the cyclized amino-terminal, ET-1(2-13), and commercially obtained antibodies against the whole ET-1 or ET-3 molecule. Binding was visualized using the peroxidase technique in sections counter-stained with haemalum. Staining was seen in each of 15 sections from eight women in the proliferative (five) or secretory (three) phase of the cycle. Intense staining was present in the cytoplasm of endometrial glands and vascular endothelium, and was greatest at the endometrial-myometrial junction. The pattern of staining was similar with all primary antibodies tested. The demonstration of ET-IR in endometrium suggests that the endothelins may play a role in control of the uterine vascular bed.

Properties and partial protein sequence of plant annexins.

We have examined the characteristics of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins (annexins) in maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles and tip-growing pollen tubes of Lilium longiflorum. In maize, there are three such proteins, p35, p33, and p23. Partial sequence analysis reveals that peptides from p35 and p33 have identity to members of the annexin family of animal proteins and to annexins from tomato. Interestingly, multiple sequence alignments reveal that the domain responsible for Ca(2+) binding in animal annexins is not conserved in these plant peptide sequences. Although p33 and p35 share the annexin characteristic of binding to membrane lipid, unlike annexins II and VI they do not associate with detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal proteins or with F-actin from either plants or animals. Immunoblotting with antiserum raised to p33/p35 from maize reveals that cross-reactive polypeptides of 33 to 35 kilodaltons are also present in protein extracts from pollen tubes of L. longiflorum. Immunolocalization at the light microscope level suggests that these proteins are predominantly confined to the nongranular zone at the tube tip, a region rich in secretory vesicles. Our hypothesis that plant annexins mediate exocytotic events is supported by the finding that p23, p33, and p35 bind to these secretory vesicles in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.

Effect of polymorphism of an MHC-linked transporter on the peptides assembled in a class I molecule.

Short antigenic peptides bound in the groove of class I major histocompatibility complex molecules enable T cells to detect intracellular pathogens. It has been assumed that structural features of the class I molecule alone select which peptides are bound. It is now demonstrated that a complex polymorphism in one of the major histocompatibility complex-encoded putative peptide-transporter genes is associated with an altered spectrum of bound peptides.

Purification and characterization of a new endoglucanase from Clostridium thermocellum.

An endoglucanase (1,4-beta-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4) from the thermophilic anaerobe Clostridium thermocellum was purified to apparent homogeneity without the use of denaturants. No carbohydrate is associated with the endoglucanase. A molecular mass of 76,000 Da was determined by SDS/PAGE. The optimal pH is 7.0 and the enzyme is isoelectric at pH 5.05. The enzyme has a temperature optimum of 70 degrees C and retains approx. 50% of its activity after 48 h at 60 degrees C. Hydrolysis of CM-cellulose takes place with a rapid decrease in viscosity but a slow liberation of reducing sugars, indicating an endoglucanase type of activity. The endoglucanase shows little ability to hydrolyse highly ordered cellulose. Cellobiose inhibits whereas Mg2+ and Ca2+ stimulate the activity. The enzyme is completely inactivated by 1 mM-Hg2+ and is inhibited by a thiol-blocking reagent.

Localization and endogenous concentration of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in human placenta.

The aim of this study was to investigate the localization of endothelin-like immunoreactivity (ET-IR) in human placenta, chorion and amnion and to compare the endogenous concentration of immunoreactive endothelin (ET) in these tissues before and after the onset of labour. ET-IR was detected in the endothelium of stem vessels in placental villi, as well as in decidual stromal cells in the basal maternal plate, by immunocytochemistry using primary polyclonal rabbit antibody. A specific radioimmunoassay was used to detect endogenous concentration of ET in homogenized placental tissues. The endogenous concentration of ET-IR was significantly greater in amnion than in chorion and placenta (amnion 249 +/- 13 fmol/g; chorion 190 +/- 11 fmol/g; placenta 169 +/- 14 fmol/g; means +/- S.E.M.; n = 12; P less than 0.01). No significant difference was seen before or after the onset of labour. The detection of ET-IR in placenta, chorion and amnion suggests that the ETs may play a role in the paracrine control of human uterine function.