Nucleolar localization of SmMAK16 protein from Schistosoma mansoni is regulated by three distinct signals that function independent of pH or phosphorylation status.

SmMAK16 from the trematode Schistosoma mansoni is a protein that is known to localize in the nucleolus. Recent findings show that SmMAK16 is involved in 60S ribosomal subunit synthesis. Although the SmMAK16 protein contains putative nuclear localization signals (NLS), little is known about their precise function, redundancy or regulation. The goal of the current study was to identify and characterize the presence and functional regulation of the localization signals in SmMAK16. The SmMAK16 coding sequence and specific fragments were individually cloned in-frame into the pEGFP-C2 expression vector to encode Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) fusion proteins. Constructs were individually transfected into COS-7 cells and fluorescent microscopy used to determine the cellular location and thus the presence of signals regulating nuclear and nucleolar localization. SmMAK16 was found to contain two NLSs and one nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). One of the signals contains a sequence identical to an established nucleolar detention signal that reportedly functions only under acidic cellular conditions. The localization of the SmMAK16-GFP constructs was analyzed under acidic conditions; however, altering pH did not influence the localization of SmMAK16. It has been previously reported that casein kinase 2 (CK2) can phosphorylate SmMAK16 at serines adjacent to one of the NLSs. One of these CK2 sites and the adjacent NLS are conserved with that of the SV40 Large T Antigen (LTA) and phosphorylation of this site in the SV40 LTA regulates the kinetics of the NLS. To discover if kinetic regulation also occurs in SmMAK16, mutant and wild type SmMAK16-GFP proteins were purified and injected into individual COS-7 cells. No difference in the rate of transport was found between wt and mutant SmMAK16 proteins. Therefore, SmMAK16 localizes to the nucleolus using three separate signals, two NLSs and one NoLS, however, these signals appear to function independently of pH and phosphorylation by CK2.

[A 25-year-old patient with colonic pseudo-obstruction, hyponatremia, hypertension, and diffuse pain]. / Eine 25-jährige Patientin mit Pseudoobstruktion des Kolons, Hyponatriämie, hypertensiver Entgleisung und diffusem Schmerzsyndrom.

CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old hypertensive patient presented to the Emergency Department with constipation and diffuse pain which had been increasing for 10 days. She had consulted several doctors before, but neither various analgesics nor metoclopramide had been beneficial. Blood analysis showed hyponatremia. A megacolon and polyneuropathy were found. Shortly after admission, she developed generalized seizures while hyponatremia increased compatible with SIADH (syndrome of inadequate ADH secretion). Urine examination revealed a markedly elevated excretion of porphyrins. Since porphobilinogen deaminase activity was clearly decreased, diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria could be confirmed. CONCLUSION: This case shows how definite diagnosis of this illness is often delayed because of its rarity and the variety of its possible symptoms and signs. This delay leads to a high risk of aggravating the disease by prescribing porphyrinogenic drugs.

Effect of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on macro- and microcirculation in a model of rat endotoxic shock.

Treatment of hemodynamic instability in septic shock often demands the administration of vasopressor agents, although these may have deleterious effects on microcirculatory homeostasis. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic approach, as NO formation may be excessively increased in sepsis. To compare the effects of epinephrine titration, non-selective NOS inhibition by L-NMMA and selective inhibition of inducible NOS (iNOS) by 1400W on hemodynamics and on the regulation of microcirculation in a rat model of endotoxic shock, we intravenously injected endotoxin (LPS) or saline to male Wistar rats and after 2 hours randomized LPS treated rats into four different groups that received either saline, norepinephrine, L-NMMA or 1400W (n = 6 per group). Three hours after LPS administration, rats presented with severe systemic arterial hypotension (64 +/- 3 vs. 115 +/- 4 mmHg, p < 0.001), unresponsiveness to volume treatment, lactate acidosis and a marked increase in plasmatic nitrite and nitrate levels (15 +/- 8 vs. 263 +/- 47 microM, p < 0.001). Measurement of the tissue oxygenation in the ileum mucosal layer by the Erlangen micro-lightguide spectrophotometer (EMPHO) technique demonstrated marked heterogeneity of hemoglobin saturation, with appearance of low oxygenated areas. Norepinephrine, usually stabilizing blood pressure (99 +/- 7 vs. 67 +/- 4 mmHg 60 min after infusion, p < 0.01), increased lactate formation (7.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.5 mM, p < 0.001) and drastically increased low oxygenated regions in the ileum mucosal layer. L-NMMA similarly increased blood pressure (92 +/- 6 vs. 67 +/- 4 mmHg 60 min after infusion, p < 0.05), but did not enhance lactate acidosis. However, some further deterioration of mucosa oxygenation was again noted. 1400W forwarded stabilization of blood pressure (88 +/- 5 vs. 67 +/- 4 mmHg 60 min after injection, p < 0.05), reduced plasmatic nitrite and nitrate levels similar to L-NMMA, without an aggravation of lactate acidosis. In addition, mucosal oxygenation did not deteriorate in response to this agent. Thereby, we conclude that in a rat model of endotoxic shock selective iNOS inhibitors are superior to non-specific NOS inhibitors and in particular to norepinephrine for the treatment of macro- and microcirculatory abnormalities in experimental septic shock.