Generation of PCR-based DNA fragments for specific detection of Streptomyces saraceticus N45.

Streptomyces saraceticus strain N45, a saprophytic Gram-positive bacteria, has been shown to harbor high chitinase activity. Due to its potential use in biological control, the cloning of chitinase genes and the development of methods to quickly and precisely detect its presence have become necessary. In this study, PCR-based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PCR strategies were used to amplify random DNA fragments from the genome of S. saraceticus N45. Three amplified DNA fragments, 417, 523 and 655 bp in length, were further isolated, subcloned and sequenced. Nest primers were designed from terminal ends of these three fragments and used for further PCR reactions. A single specific band was produced from the genomic DNA of S. saraceticus N45 for each nest primer pair. These three single bands were S. saraceticus N45 specific and were not amplified from other species of Streptomyces or bacteria, such as Ralstonia solanacearum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Through detection of the coexistence of these three fragments in PCR reaction using DNA or bacterial cells directly, the presence of S. saraceticus N45 can be confirmed. Further Southern analysis indicated that these three DNA fragments were specifically present in the S. saraceticus N45 genome in a single copy manner, and therefore, that they can potentially be used as markers for identification of S. saraceticus N45.

Analysis of intracardiac electrograms showing monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) initiation and its relation to various clinical factors was studied by reviewing intracardiac electrograms from patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Events were divided into (1) sudden onset without preceding ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), (2) extrasystolic onset with VPCs, or (3) paced, depending on the type and morphology of the last 5 beats before initiation of VT. Prematurity index, sinus rate, cycle length, and presence of short-long-short sequence for each episode was noted. A total of 268 episodes of VT among 52 patients were analyzed. Extrasystolic initiation was the most frequent pattern (177; 66%) followed by sudden onset (75; 28%) and paced (16; 6%). Among extrasystolic onset, 99 episodes (56%) were due to multiple VPCs and 149 episodes (84%) had different VPC morphology than the subsequent VT. Among pacing-induced VT, 13 of 16 episodes were due to inappropriate pacing due to undersensing of prior R waves. Sudden-onset episodes were slower (mean cycle length 383+/-97 ms) than extrasystolic (mean cycle length 336+/-88 ms, p = 0.002) and paced (mean cycle length 313+/-85 ms, p = 0.01) onset. Patients in the sudden-onset group had better left ventricular ejection fraction (33+/-15%) than the extrasystolic (29+/-11%, p<0.001) and paced (28+/-14%, p<0.01) groups. Extrasystolic onset with multiple, late coupled VPCs was the most common pattern of VT initiation and was associated with lower ejection fraction. Sudden-onset initiation was more common with better preserved systolic function.

Phosphorylation of purified estradiol-liganded estrogen receptor by casein kinase II increases estrogen response element binding but does not alter ligand stability.

The estrogen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor that binds to specific DNA sequences, estrogen response elements. Recent studies have characterized the location of tyrosine and serine residues in the estrogen receptor that are phosphorylated either by purified protein kinases in vitro or in response to ligand and DNA binding in vivo. Here we examined how phosphorylation of purified bovine uterine estrogen receptor in vitro by casein kinase II impacts estrogen receptor-estrogen response element binding and 17 beta-estradiol ligand binding stability. Our results show that phosphorylation doubles estrogen receptor-estrogen response element binding, but does not affect estradiol binding stability. These finding suggest that phosphorylation by casein kinase II on serine residues within the A/B domain results in intramolecular interactions affecting the DNA binding domain but not the ligand binding domain of the estrogen receptor.

Photodynamic effect of methionine-riboflavin mixture on rabbit red blood cells.

The photodynamic effect of methionine-riboflavin mixture (MR) on membranous system of living cells was examined using rabbit red blood cells (RBCs) as an assay system. Evident increases of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substances, which reflected presumably the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the peroxidation of membrane lipid, were detected from tested MR-RBCs system shortly after light exposure. Moreover, there was a paralleled increase of leakage of hemoglobin and other cellular proteins from the treated cells which indicated the substantial damages on the membrane function. At pHs ranged from 4.0 to 8.0, the rate of MDA production of RBCs in MR appeared to increase with the decrease of pH. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was also noted that the extent of protein leakage from MR-treated RBCs and the associated protein degredation were both greatest at pH around 4.0-5.0. This strongly supported our previous view on the participation of Haber-Weiss reaction and hydroxyl radicals in the biological damages of the studied MR reaction system. The lethal effect of MR on living cells was clearly shown by evidence obtained from scanning electron microscopy which indicated that tested RBCs in MR were severely deformed very shortly after illumination. It seemed apparent that the strong biocidal activity of MR was due in great part to the peroxidation of membrane lipid and the destruction of cellular protein molecules.

Enhancement of binding of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist PN200-110 to human myometrial sarcolemma by the heterologous calcium antagonist diltiazem.

Binding of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist PN200-110 was studied in human myometrial membranes. PN200-110 bound reversibly and with high affinity to membrane fragments. The highest concentration of binding sites was found in the sarcolemma. The benzothiazepine calcium antagonist diltiazem stimulated PN200-110 binding by increasing the amount bound at equilibrium. Kinetic studies detected a fast and slow rate of dissociation in the presence of diltiazem.

Binding of the calcium antagonist [3H] nitrendipine to human myometrial plasmalemma.

Membrane fragments were prepared from nonpregnant human myometrium and fractionated by differential and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Reversible high-affinity binding sites of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nitrendipine were identified in highest density in that membrane fraction most enriched in markers for plasmalemma. In determinations done on several preparations, the equilibrium dissociation constant for nitrendipine at 37 degrees C was found to be 0.3 to 0.8 nM and was the same for each fraction. The maximum binding capacity was found to be 400-500 fmol/mg protein in the plasmalemma fraction.

Platelet-derived growth factor promotes human peripheral monocyte activation.

Like in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN), the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) purified to homogeneity is capable of inducing monocyte activation responses as evaluated by generation of superoxide anion (O-.2) from membrane-associated oxidase system, release of granule enzymes, and enhanced cell adherence and cell aggregation. Superoxide anion release was maximized at 10 ng/mL PDGF and was comparable to that induced by 10(-7) mol/L formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The potency of PDGF to induce this response in monocytes was of the same magnitude as that observed in PMNs. Similarly, lysozyme release and monocyte adherence were also increased in a dose-dependent manner and achieved maximal responses at 40 ng/mL concentration of PDGF. The PDGF concentration required to achieve maximal monocyte aggregation was two-fold (60 ng/mL) of that found for PMNs. In contrast to PMNs, a positive correlation (gamma = .93; P less than .01) was observed between the increases of PDGF concentration and beta-glucuronidase release. These findings indicate that PDGF can induce the full sequence of cell activation events in human monocytes similar to human PMNs.

Platelet-derived growth factor promotes polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has several well defined important biologic activities. Platelet-derived growth factor is the major mitogen in human serum for cells of mesenchymal origins; it is a potent chemoattractant protein for human monocytes, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells; and has been implicated in transformation by simian sarcoma virus and perhaps in transformation by other agents as well. In this article, PDGF has been shown to stimulate activation of human peripheral blood neutrophils defined by loss of membrane associated calcium as reflected by loss of chlortetracycline fluorescence, release of superoxide anion and specific granule enzymes, and enhanced neutrophil adherence and aggregation. These responses occurred in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations of PDGF between 10 ng/mL (0.4 nmol/L) and 40 ng/mL (1.5 nmol/L) and were comparable to effects obtained with optimal concentrations of fMLP and C5a. Degranulation induced by PDGF was selective for secondary (specific) granules and not primary (azurophil) granules. Platelet-derived growth factor thus is ideally suited for a pivotal role in attracting inflammatory cells locally and initiating neutrophil activation at sites of blood vessel injury. Platelet-derived growth factor or a closely related protein also may play an important role in attracting and activating neutrophils in association with inflammatory tumors.

Comparative responses of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained by counterflow centrifugal elutriation and Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. II. Membrane potential changes, membrane receptor analysis, membrane fluidity, and analysis of the effects of the preparative techniques.

Standard preparative techniques for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes involves the sequential exposure of the PMN to dextran, Ficoll-Hypaque (FH) gradient centrifugation, and hypotonic stress. Counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE) allows isolation of PMN from whole blood without exposure to these potentially toxic substances. We have previously reported that PMN isolated by CCE release more superoxide on stimulation than do PMN isolated by standard techniques (FH PMN). In this report, we extend these observations and show that CCE and FH PMN have similar binding kinetics for the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and similar membrane fluidity. CCE PMN, however, were noted to have a more marked membrane depolarization on stimulation with FMLP than FH PMN. We show that exposure of purified CCE PMN to dextran increases their superoxide release on stimulation, as well as the available FMLP binding sites. Exposure of FH PMN to elutriation buffer increased their superoxide release on stimulation. It was also noted that both CCE and FH PMN re-exposed to FH increased available binding sites for FMLP. The possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

The mechanism of action of the antiinflammatory agents dexamethasone and Auranofin in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were treated with the antiinflammatory agents dexamethasone or Auranofin. PMN treated with dexamethasone in a dose range of 0.25-1 microM or Auranofin, 5-15 mM, were stimulated with 10(-7)M N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). These agents were shown to inhibit the functional responses of degranulation and superoxide production in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the change in electrophoretic mobility, reflecting cell surface charge, was blocked. While both agents inhibited change in the fluorescence of the calcium chelate probe chlorotetracycline (CTC), the pattern of inhibition was significantly different. Dexamethasone appeared to inhibit the CTC response during its latter phases, while Auranofin inhibited all aspects of the CTC response. Auranofin was additionally shown to significantly decrease specific binding of FMLP, as well as the number of FMLP receptors. The two agents thus appear to act by different mechanisms. Dexamethasone is shown to have an effect on membrane-bound calcium release as measured by CTC, while Auranofin interferes with receptor binding.

The comparative responses of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained by counterflow centrifugal elutriation and Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. I. Resting volume, stimulus-induced superoxide production, and primary and specific granule release.

Standard isolation techniques for the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) involve sequential exposure of cells to the nonphysiologic environments of dextran, Ficoll-Hypaque (FH) gradient centrifugation, and hypotonic conditions. It has been suggested that these may be harmful to the recovered PMN. Counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE) allows separation of human PMNs while the cells are continuously bathed in a physiologic and isotonic buffer. To investigate whether preparative technique may alter PMN activation, we compared PMNs obtained by these two methods for stimulus-induced superoxide production and release of primary and specific granule contents. Resting PMN volume was also evaluated. We observed that PMNs obtained using the CCE method were larger and released significantly more superoxide and specific granule contents than PMNs obtained by the standard FH technique. The possible origins for these differences are discussed.

Abnormal distribution of complex carbohydrates in neutrophils of a patient with lactoferrin deficiency.

Previous studies have identified patients with susceptibility to bacterial infection associated with lactoferrin deficiency in dysmorphic neutrophils containing abnormal or no secondary granules and abnormal nuclear segmentation. We have investigated the subcellular distribution of vicinal glycol-containing complex carbohydrates in marrow and blood myeloid cells of such a patient using the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) staining method and have examined the response of these neutrophils to the degranulating agents N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). As in normal specimens, immature primary granules were strongly PA-TCH-SP reactive; however, unlike normal specimens, masking of PA-TCH-SP reactivity did not occur in mature primary granules. Endoplasmic reticulum demonstrated moderately strong PA-TCH-SP staining, in contrast to absent staining of this organelle in normal promyelocytes and consistent with abnormal primary granule genesis. Small abnormal elongated granules (0.1-0.2 micron in diameter) were identified at the myelocyte state of development and were the predominant granule type in late neutrophils. These granules were identified as secondary granules on the basis of their PA-TCH-SP positivity and were differentiated from primary and tertiary granules on the basis of a lack of peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and sulfate staining. When the neutrophils were exposed to PMA, cell aggregation occurred, and the abnormal granules degranulated in a manner similar to the degranulation observed with normal secondary granules. Although PA-TCH-SP staining of the plasma membrane appeared normal, a decrease in FMLP receptors was demonstrated. Thus, a defect(s) is present in complex carbohydrate distribution and staining that involves primary and secondary granules and possibly the plasmalemma of neutrophils from this patient. This results in abnormal packaging of primary granules and synthesis of normal numbers of secondary granules that are qualitatively and morphologically abnormal, but can be recruited to degranulate with PMA.

Modulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function by cetiedil.

Cetiedil citrate monohydrate inhibits sickling of red cells and aggregation of platelets. We assessed its ability to attenuate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function. PMN aggregation in response to 2 X 10(-7) M formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP) was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by cetiedil concentrations ranging from 60 to 250 microM. Additionally, 125 microM cetiedil inhibited PMN aggregation in response to 2 X 10(-7) M FMLP, 20 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and 1 X 10(-6) M A23187 by 69% +/- 18%, 72% +/- 20%, and 65% +/- 4%, respectively. Inhibition of FMLP-induced aggregation was provided by only 5 min of incubation of the drug with the cells and was partially reversible. Cell viability was unaffected by exposure of PMN to the drug. Correspondingly, 125 microM cetiedil prevented the translocation of calcium from the PMN membrane as assessed by chlorotetracycline fluorescence. Paralleling the effect of the drug on PMN aggregation, 125 microM cetiedil inhibited release of superoxide by 55% and decreased the number of available 3H-FMLP receptors. However, its effect on release of the primary granule constituent, myeloperoxidase, was minimal (4.5% inhibition), while the effect on release of the specific granule product, lactoferrin (27% inhibition), was modest. These studies indicate that cetiedil affects PMN aggregation and superoxide release to a much greater extent than PMN degranulation. Thus, cetiedil may have potential uses in modulating inflammatory response in vivo.

Comparative studies of functional characteristics of mononuclear cell subsets and granulocytes.

Two human peripheral blood monocyte subsets and lymphocytes were isolated by counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE). The cell volumes of 303 mu3 and 380 mu3 were measured for the smaller and larger monocyte populations, respectively. Superoxide release by large monocytes exposed to opsonized zymosan was five times more active than that of the small monocytes. The production of colony stimulating activity was two-fold greater and the myeloperoxidase activity was 1.4-fold greater by the larger monocytes. Enriched fractions of cytotoxic cells responsible for natural killer (NK) activity against neuroblastoma cells were also obtained by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. Natural killer cells were obtained in larger lymphocyte fractions and had a mean cell volume of 180 mu3. Compared with the NK activity against the neuroblastoma cells, both the small and large monocytes displayed greater antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity against human erythrocytes. The larger peripheral blood monocytes aggregated in response to FMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl alanine peptide) and PAF (platelet activating factor). Unlike the granulocyte, monocyte aggregation in response to FMLP was not accompanied by degranulation nor was it potentiated by cytochalasin B. In addition, monocyte aggregation could be blocked by benoxaprofen, unlike the granulocyte. Thus, CCE provides a means of isolating subsets of monocytes and lymphocytes and obtaining large numbers of peripheral blood monocytes for functional studies.

Amino acid nutrition of the young calf. Estimation of methionine and lysine requirements.

A semipurified diet containing 14 crystalline amino acids as the sole source of nitrogen was used qualitatively and quantitatively to determine dietary needs of the young calf for lysine and methionine. Body weight gain, nitrogen balance, and concentrations of free amino acids in plasma were the criteria to assess the response of young calves to the experimental diets containing graded amounts of lysine and methionine. By these methods the methionine requirement as D-L methionine in the absence of cystine ranged from .17 to .23 g/day/kg body weight (.65 g/kg weight.75).