Studying rod photoreceptor development in zebrafish.

The zebrafish has rapidly become a favored model vertebrate organism, well suited for studies of developmental processes using large-scale genetic screens. In particular, zebrafish morphological and behavioral genetic screens have led to the identification of genes important for development of the retinal photoreceptors. This may help clarify the genetic mechanisms underlying human photoreceptor development and dysfunction in retinal diseases. In this review, we present the advantages of zebrafish as a vertebrate model organism, summarize retinal and photoreceptor cell development in zebrafish, with emphasis on the rod photoreceptors, and describe zebrafish visual behaviors that can be used for genetic screens. We then describe some of the photoreceptor cell mutants that have been isolated in morphological and behavioral screens and discuss the limitations of current screening methods for uncovering mutations that specifically affect rod function. Finally, we present some alternative strategies to target the rod developmental pathway in zebrafish.

Proteome analysis of cultivar-specific interactions between Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii and subterranean clover cultivar Woogenellup.

Proteome analysis was used to identify proteins that are involved in the early stages of nodulation between the subterranean clover cultivar Woogenellup and the Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strains ANU843 and ANU794. Strain ANU843 induces nitrogen-fixing nodules whereas strain ANU794 forms aberrant nodules on the roots of cv. Woogenellup that fail to develop beyond an early stage. Our aim was to identify proteins that might be involved in the early stages of nodulation over a 48 h period and to identify proteins that are differentially displayed during the interactions between the host and the two microbes. Proteome maps from control Woogenellup roots and inoculated roots were generated and compared at 24 and 48 h post inoculation. Over 1500 spots were resolved on all gels. Of the 16 protein spots that were differentally displayed or developmentally regulated, 10 were assigned putative identities. These included an alpha-fucosidase, several ethylene-induced proteins, a Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, a hypothetical 16.5 kDa protein, tubulin alpha-chain, chaperonin 21 precursor and triosephosphate isomerase. Of the 22 constitutively expressed proteins spots examined, eight spots were assigned putative protein homologies through N-terminal sequencing and included several pathogenesis and stress-related proteins. The result may suggest that ethylene levels are upregulated during the early stages of infection but that this does not result in the induction of common pathogenesis-related proteins. The specific induction of alpha-fucosidase by ANU794 may be important in the nodulation failure phenotype of strain ANU794.

Methylation of class II trans-activator promoter IV: a novel mechanism of MHC class II gene control.

Inhibition of class II trans-activator (CIITA) expression prevents embryonic trophoblast cells from up-regulating MHC class II genes in response to IFN-gamma. This is thought to be one mechanism of maternal tolerance to the fetal allograft. The CIITA gene is regulated by four distinct promoters; promoter III directs constitutive (B cell) expression, and promoter IV regulates IFN-gamma-inducible expression. Using in vivo genomic footprinting, promoter-reporter analysis, Southern blot analysis, and RT-PCR, we have examined the cause of CIITA silencing in a trophoblast-derived cell line. We report here that methylation of promoter IV DNA at CpG sites in Jar cells prevents promoter occupancy and IFN-gamma-inducible transcription. The inhibition of CpG methylation in Jar cells by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restores IFN-gamma inducibility to CIITA. This is the first description of an epigenetic mechanism involved in regulation of CIITA and MHC class II gene expression.

Genetic fingerprinting of grape plant (Vitis vinifera) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and dynamic size-sieving capillary electrophoresis.

Dynamic size-sieving capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (DSCE-LIF) was combined with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to demonstrate the feasibility of the genetic analysis of grape plant varieties and clones within a variety. Parameters of the genomic DNA extraction process, as well as those of the RAPD analysis, were optimized specifically for this application. Polymorphic DNA fragments were generated for four different grape plant varieties including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Relative to slab gel electrophoresis (SGE) with ethidium bromide staining, DSCE-LIF provided superior separation efficiency and detection limits in the analysis of DNA polymorphic bands. Optimal DSCE-LIF analyses were achieved using a 10-fold RAPD sample dilution, hydrodynamic sample injection, and 100 ng/mL of YO-PRO-1 DNA intercalator in the dynamic size-sieving buffer solution. In addition, the reproducibility of both the DSCE-LIF and RAPD analyses were demonstrated.

CREB regulates MHC class II expression in a CIITA-dependent manner.

The X2 box of MHC class II promoters is homologous to TRE/CRE elements and is required for expression of MHC class II genes. The X2 box-specific DNA binding activity, X2BP, was purified to homogeneity, sequenced, and identified as CREB. Transient transactivation experiments showed that CREB can cooperate with CIITA to enhance activation of transcription from MHC class II promoters in a dose-dependent manner. Binding of CREB to the class II promoter in vivo was demonstrated by a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Additionally, ICER, a dominant inhibitor of CREB function, was found to repress class II expression. These results demonstrate that CREB binds to the X2 box in vivo and cooperates with CIITA to direct MHC class II expression.

MHC class II gene silencing in trophoblast cells is caused by inhibition of CIITA expression.

PROBLEM: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule expression is specifically suppressed on fetal trophoblasts, even in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma, a potent inducer of MHC class II genes. The suppression of class II induction has been suggested to play a role in preventing rejection of the fetal allograft. The mechanism of this suppression is unknown. METHOD OF STUDY: Human trophoblast cell lines were examined for expression of MHC class II transcription factors and for activity of the IFN-gamma signaling pathway. Additionally, trophoblast cells were transfected with a vector expressing the class II transactivator, CIITA, and assayed for class II expression. RESULTS: The MHC class II transcription factors RFX and X2BP and the IFN-gamma signaling pathway components are expressed constitutively and are functional in trophoblasts. However, CIITA expression was absent in trophoblasts and could not be induced by IFN-gamma. Transfection of CIITA into trophoblast cells resulted in derepression of class II gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of induction of MHC class II genes in response to IFN-gamma in trophoblast cells is caused neither by the absence of factors that bind class II promoters, nor by a lesion in the IFN-gamma signaling pathway, but results from a specific inhibition of the CIITA gene.

No ergogenic effect of ginseng ingestion.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ginseng extract ingestion on physiological responses to intense exercise. Subjects performed a control ride (CN) on a cycle ergometer, followed by placebo (PL) and ginseng (GS) treatments. Ginseng was ingested as 8 or 16 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days prior to trial GS. Venous blood was sampled for FFA, lactate, and glucose analyses. Due to similar findings for both dose groups, the subjects were considered as one group. Lactate, FFA, VO2, VE, and RPE increased significantly from 10 through 40 min. RER increased during the first 10 min of exercise and then remained stable, with no intertrial differences. Glucose did not vary significantly from 0 to 40 min or among treatments. RPE was significantly greater and time to exhaustion was significantly less during trial CN than PL or GS, while PL and GS trials were similar. The data indicated that with 1 week of pretreatment there is no ergogenic effect of ingesting the ginseng saponin extract.

Functional analysis of a mosquito gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor gene promoter.

A single point mutation in the insect gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR)-encoding gene (Rdl) confers high levels of resistance to cyclodienes in Drosophila and other insects. We were interested in studying the promoter of this gene for two reasons. Firstly, to define the elements underlying Rdl expression. Secondly, to identify the minimum set of regulatory elements necessary for construction of a functional Rdl minigene. Such an insecticide-resistance-associated minigene should form a strong selectable marker for use in the genetic transformation of non-drosophilid pest insects, such as mosquitoes. Here, we report the identification of the region containing the rdl promoter, via transient expression of a luc reporter gene following micro-injection into embryos of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Promoter activity is contained within a 2.53-kb fragment immediately upstream from the rdl start codon. Primer extension shows three closely linked sites for transcript initiation within this region and sequence analysis reveals anumber of putative consensus regulatory sequences shared by other genes expressed in the nervous system. The implications for construction of a functional minigene and the identification of cis-acting control elements underlying ion-channel gene regulation are discussed.

Transient expression of a promoter-reporter construct in differentiated adult salivary glands and embryos of the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Vector-borne pathogens develop in close association with specific tissues in their insect hosts. Efforts are being made to characterize insect genes that are expressed in tissues that have important roles in pathogen propagation. Successful transfection and expression of exogenous genes in terminally differentiated tissues of insects has previously proven difficult. Here we report a method that should allow the analysis of genes that are expressed in adult tissues and organs. Transient expression assays have been developed using the salivary glands of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which can now be used to analyze salivary gland-specific promoter sequences. A liposome-based transfection reagent was used to transfect cultured adult salivary glands with a DNA construct carrying the luciferase reporter gene under the control of the Drosophila melanogaster heat shock 70 promoter. Luciferase activity was detected in glands 18-20 hr post-transfection. This assay can now be used to determine the regulatory activity of other putative promoter sequences from salivary gland-specific genes. Alternatively, the assay may be used to study the effect of recombinant gene expression on parasite invasion and development. In addition, transient expression of gene constructs in embryos is shown to be a powerful tool for analyzing genes that are expressed at this stage of the mosquito life cycle.

FLP-mediated recombination in the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

The activity of a yeast recombinase, FLP, on specific target DNA sequences, FRT, has been demonstrated in embryos of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti. In a series of experiments, plasmids containing the FLP recombinase under control of a heterologous heat-shock gene promoter were co-injected with target plasmids containing FRT sites into preblastoderm stage mosquito embryos. FLP-mediated recombination was detected between (i) tandem repeats of FRT sites leading to the excision of specific DNA sequences and (ii) FRT sites located on separate plasmids resulting in the formation of heterodimeric or higher order multimeric plasmids. In addition to FRT sites originally isolated from the yeast 2 microns plasmid, a number of synthetic FRT sites were also used. The synthetic sites were fully functional as target sites for recombination and gave results similar to those derived from the yeast 2 microns plasmid. This successful demonstration of yeast FLP recombinase activity in the mosquito embryo suggests a possible future application of this system in establishing transformed lines of mosquitoes for use in vector control strategies and basic studies.

Intracellular calcium transients and arrhythmia in isolated heart cells.

Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevation may mediate cardiac arrhythmias. However, direct measurement of the rapid alterations of [Ca2+]i on a beat-to-beat basis using fast temporal resolution and without signal averaging in the spontaneously beating in vivo heart is lacking. Furthermore, data from an isolated spontaneously beating myocyte preparation that develops arrhythmia similar to that in the in vivo heart are unavailable. We measured rapid changes of [Ca2+]i with fast temporal resolution in isolated spontaneously beating neonatal rat ventricular myocytes with cell-to-cell communication and characterized the interrelation between [Ca2+]i and arrhythmia. An elevated extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o) concentration of 10.8 mM induced premature beats, a rapid beating rate (tachyarrhythmia), and chaotic or fibrillatory beating activity in a small group of myocytes. [Ca2+]i levels during systole increased from the nanomolar to micromolar concentration range before arrhythmia development. Spontaneous oscillations of [Ca2+]i during diastole could evoke a spontaneous tachyarrhythmia. In the presence of [Ca2+]i elevation, a spontaneous tachyarrhythmia could induce severe [Ca2+]i overload. Reduction of [Ca2+]i with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid AM (5 microM) in the presence of 10.8 mM [Ca2+]o reversed the arrhythmia. In single ventricular myocytes superfused with 10.8 mM [Ca2+]o, oscillations of membrane potential characteristic of transient inward current occurred that were prevented by ryanodine (0.1 microM), an inhibitor of Ca2+ flux across the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This study characterizes 1) an isolated multicellular myocyte model of arrhythmia similar to that evident in in vivo hearts, 2) elevation of [Ca2+]i with systolic [Ca2+]i levels of 1-3 microM and diastolic [Ca2+]i oscillations before the initiation of arrhythmia, 3) tachyarrhythmia as a cause of severe [Ca2+]i overload, which may be important in the perpetuation and degeneration of arrhythmias, and 4) reversal of arrhythmia with reduction of [Ca2+]i. The results in the isolated myocyte model may have relevance to the generation and perpetuation of certain cardiac arrhythmias associated with calcium overload.

Retinal blood flow during hyperglycemia. A laser Doppler velocimetry study.

The effect of different rates of glucose infusion on the retinal circulation was studied in Gottingen breed minipigs. Seven minipigs were made hyperglycemic rapidly with an intravenous bolus injection of 50% dextrose, after which a slow dextrose infusion maintained hyperglycemia for 60 minutes. Seven minipigs were more gradually made hyperglycemic over 60 minutes with a slow intravenous infusion of 50% dextrose, and a further seven had a control infusion of urea of equal volume and osmolality over 60 minutes. Retinal blood flow (RBF) was determined from the maximum (centerline) velocity of the blood (Vmax) (determined by bidirectional laser doppler velocimetry) and the vessel diameter (D) (determined from monochromatic fundus photographs). Measurements were made in a single temporal retinal vein of each animal at baseline, during, and after each of the infusions. Plasma glucose rose from 6.1 +/- 0.5-25.3 +/- 1.5 mM (mean +/- standard error) during the bolus infusion and from 6.4 +/- 0.7-22.0 +/- 0.7 mM during the slow infusion. The bolus and the slow glucose infusions both produced large increases in RBF (63% and 62%, respectively) which were mainly attributable to increases in Vmax. The urea infusion had no significant effect on RBF, Vmax, or D. The ocular perfusion pressure rose slowly and was significantly elevated after 60 minutes of slow glucose infusion but not after the urea infusion.

Free radicals alter ionic calcium levels and membrane phospholipids in cultured rat ventricular myocytes.

Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in damage to membrane phospholipids leading to alterations in membrane function. The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in intracellular ionic calcium (Ca2+) levels and Ca2+ transients, cellular morphology, conjugated diene levels, arachidonate release, and lactate dehydrogenase release resulting from the exposure of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes to a xanthine oxidase catalyzed free radical generating system capable of producing superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. The ability of alpha-tocopherol to prevent alterations due to free radical exposure was investigated. For measurements of Ca2+, myocytes grown on coverslips for 3-4 days were loaded with fura-2/AM and studied by microspectrofluorometry. Control myocytes superfused with a physiological buffer or buffer containing purine and iron-loaded transferrin exhibited Ca2+ transients associated with spontaneous contractions. For control, buffer perfused myocytes (n = 4), the fura-2 340/380 ratios were 0.5 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- S.E.) and 1.6 +/- 0.03 at the minimum and maximum, respectively, of the Ca2+ transient, after 1 h of perfusion. Exposure to the free radical generating solution (n = 14) altered intracellular Ca2+. The 340/380 minimum ratio was 639% of the control value after approximately 30-70 mins with cessation of normal Ca2+ transients. Bleb development was associated with increased Ca2+. Myocytes reperfused with control medium continued to exhibit an elevated minimum fura-2 ratio at 687% of control. Myocytes pretreated with 10 microM alpha-tocopherol (n = 13) for 18-24 h and exposed to free radicals did not exhibit increases in intracellular Ca2+, having a minimum 340/380 ratio of 0.5 +/- 0.1 after 60-90 mins, and although myocytes often ceased contracting, they resumed spontaneous Ca2+ transients with control medium reperfusion and also maintained normal structure. Exposure of myocyte cultures to free radical generating solutions resulted in increased levels of conjugated dienes and increased release of [3H]arachidonate and lactate dehydrogenase compared to control values after 1 h. alpha-Tocopherol treatment attenuated the increase in conjugated diene levels, and the release of [3H]arachidonate and lactate dehydrogenase. Thus, free radicals alter intracellular Ca2+, conjugated dienes and membrane structure indicating their ability to induce altered ionic homeostasis in association with myocardial membrane damage. alpha-Tocopherol decreased free radical mediated injury.

Fluoride rapidly and transiently raises intracellular calcium in human osteoblasts.

We examined the effect of fluoride (F) on intracellular ionic calcium [Ca2+]i in normal human osteoblasts maintained in culture. Cells were grown on glass coverslips to near-confluency and loaded with the Ca-sensitive dye, fura-2AM. Fluorescence changes were monitored in single cells using an inverted microscope coupled by fiberoptic to a microspectrofluorometer. The addition of F (100 ng/mL) to the medium promoted a rapid and significant increase in free [Ca2+]i from a resting level of 245 +/- 36 SE nM to a peak concentration of 440 +/- 51 nM (p less than 0.04). This increase in [Ca2+]i began at 10-20 s after addition of F and was maximal by 30 s. Intracellular [Ca2+]i levels then returned to near resting values by 60-80 s after F addition. This response was evident with as little as 25 ng/ml of fluoride and was dose dependent up to 500 ng/ml. At concentrations greater than 500 ng/ml, there appeared to be an attenuation of the rise in [Ca2+]i. The observed rise in [Ca2+]i was dependent on extracellular calcium since lowering extracellular calcium concentration or incubation with calcium channel blockers abolished the response. This observation supports a role of increased [Ca2+]i as one of the initial events of fluoride on action osteoblasts.

Relationship between calcium loading and impaired energy metabolism during Na+, K+ pump inhibition and metabolic inhibition in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

This study tested the hypothesis that the initiating mechanism is a major determinant of the response to calcium (Ca) accumulation in myocardium. Cultured neonatal rat ventriculocytes were exposed to Na+, K+ pump inhibition with 1 mM ouabain and metabolic inhibition with 20 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose and 1 mM cyanide (DOG-CN) for up to 2 h. Microspectrofluorometry of myocytes loaded with fura-2 showed that ouabain resulted in a relatively rapid increase in [Ca2+]i up to 2-3 microM (two to threefold above peak systolic level) and that DOG-CN produced an initial decrease and then a relatively slow increase in [Ca2+]i up to peak systolic level. Electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPMA) showed prominent increases in Na and Ca and decreases in K and Mg in cytoplasm and mitochondria with both interventions, although the increases in Ca were greater with ouabain than DOG-CN. ATP was reduced by 58% after 1 and 2 h of ouabain and by 70 and 90% after 1 and 2 h of DOG-CN, respectively. Thus, ouabain produced greater calcium accumulation and less ATP reduction than DOG-CN. Upon return to normal medium for 30 min, myocytes showed recovery of most electrolyte alterations and resumption of normal Ca2+ transients after 1 h exposure to either ouabain or DOG-CN; however, recovery was less after 2 h of either treatment, with elevated [Ca2+]i maintained in many myocytes. We conclude that the severity of myocyte injury is influenced by the magnitude and duration of both ATP reduction and calcium accumulation.

Genetic transformation of the mosquito Aedes aegypti by micro-injection of DNA.

We report the successful introduction of heterologous DNA sequences into embryos of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) by microinjection. The injected DNA carried P transposable element sequences, derived from and known to facilitate transformation in Drosophila melanogaster. Two plasmids, one of which carried a dominant selectable marker, were introduced into the posterior of embryos prior to pole cell formation and subsequently taken up into the germ line of transformed individuals. Stable transfer of the selectable marker (G418 resistance) was demonstrated over two generations. The precise nature of these putative P mediated integration events is currently being investigated. However, the results presented here establish the technique of DNA transformation for the genetic manipulation of Aedes aegypti.

Proximal-tubule-like epithelium in Bowman's capsule in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Changes with age.

Kidneys were samples from male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY) in four groups. Renal tissues were examined in 64 rats: 6 SHR and 6 WKY rats 8 and 16 weeks of age and 10 SHR and 10 WKY rats 32 and 64 weeks of age. Tissue samples were fixed, processed, and stained by routine histologic procedures. The parietal layer of Bowman's capsule in 100-115 renal corpuscles from right to left kidney sections was classified as squamous or cuboidal epithelium. The cuboidal epithelium was similar in structure to that of the proximal tubule. Quantitative information from right and left kidneys was pooled, because the data did not differ significantly. The percentages of renal corpuscles with proximal tubule-like epithelium present at the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule in the SHR was 13%, 35%, 44%, and 81% at 8, 16, 32, and 64 weeks, respectively. In WKY rats the values were 4%, 0.5%, 5%, and 13% at 8, 16, 32, and 64 weeks, respectively. The increase in the percentage of renal corpuscles with proximal tubule-like epithelium in SHR Bowman's capsules suggest an association between this tissue and hypertension. The modified layer of Bowman's capsule may be a response to an increase in blood pressure, may have some role in the etiology of hypertension, or may be irrelevant to hypertension.