Novel roles of neuropeptide processing enzymes: EC3.4.24.15 in the neurome.

Neuropeptide processing metalloenzymes, such as angiotensin converting enzyme, neprilysin, endothelin converting enzyme, neurolysin, and EC3.4.24.15 (EP24.15), are central to the formation and degradation of bioactive peptides. We present EP24.15 as a paradigm for novel functions ascribed to these enzymes in the neurome. Although the neurome typically encompasses proteomes of the brain and central nervous system, exciting new roles of these neuropeptidases have been demonstrated in other organ systems. We discuss the involvement of EP24.15 with clinical sequelae involving the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; LHRH) analogs that act as enzyme inhibitors, in vascular physiology (blood pressure regulation), and in the hematologic system (immune surveillance). Hemodynamic forces, such as cyclic strain and shear stress, on vascular cells, induce an increase in EP24.15 transcription, suggesting that neuropeptidase-mediated hydrolysis of pressor/depressor peptides is likely regulated by changes in hemodynamic force and blood pressure. Lastly, EP24.15 regulates surface expression of major histocompatibility complex Class I proteins in vivo, suggesting that EP24.15 may play an important role in maintenance of immune privilege in sites of increased endogenous expression. In these extraneural systems, regulation of both neuropeptide and other peptide substrates by neuropeptidases indicates that the influence of these enzymes may be more global than was anticipated previously, and suggests that their attributed role as neuropeptidases underestimates their physiologic actions in the neural system.

WISP genes are members of the connective tissue growth factor family that are up-regulated in wnt-1-transformed cells and aberrantly expressed in human colon tumors.

Wnt family members are critical to many developmental processes, and components of the Wnt signaling pathway have been linked to tumorigenesis in familial and sporadic colon carcinomas. Here we report the identification of two genes, WISP-1 and WISP-2, that are up-regulated in the mouse mammary epithelial cell line C57MG transformed by Wnt-1, but not by Wnt-4. Together with a third related gene, WISP-3, these proteins define a subfamily of the connective tissue growth factor family. Two distinct systems demonstrated WISP induction to be associated with the expression of Wnt-1. These included (i) C57MG cells infected with a Wnt-1 retroviral vector or expressing Wnt-1 under the control of a tetracyline repressible promoter, and (ii) Wnt-1 transgenic mice. The WISP-1 gene was localized to human chromosome 8q24.1-8q24.3. WISP-1 genomic DNA was amplified in colon cancer cell lines and in human colon tumors and its RNA overexpressed (2- to >30-fold) in 84% of the tumors examined compared with patient-matched normal mucosa. WISP-3 mapped to chromosome 6q22-6q23 and also was overexpressed (4- to >40-fold) in 63% of the colon tumors analyzed. In contrast, WISP-2 mapped to human chromosome 20q12-20q13 and its DNA was amplified, but RNA expression was reduced (2- to >30-fold) in 79% of the tumors. These results suggest that the WISP genes may be downstream of Wnt-1 signaling and that aberrant levels of WISP expression in colon cancer may play a role in colon tumorigenesis.

In vivo effects of cardiotrophin-1.

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a recently discovered cytokine that was isolated based on its ability to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro. In this study, the effects of chronic administration of CT-1 to mice (0.5 or 2 microg by intraperitoneal injection, twice a day for 14 days) were determined. A dose-dependent increase in both the heart weight and ventricular weight to body ratios was observed in the treated groups. The body weights of the animals were unaffected. These results indicate that CT-1 can induce cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. CT-1 was not specific for the heart, however. It stimulated the growth of the liver, kidney, and spleen, and caused atrophy of the thymus. CT-1 administration also increased the platelet counts by 70%, with no change in mean platelet volume. Red blood cell counts were increased in the treated animals, and there was a concomitant increase in haemoglobin concentration. Thus, CT-1 has a broad spectrum of biological activities in vivo. This observation is consistent with previous in-vitro findings showing that the mRNA for CT-1 is expressed in several tissues, and that CT-1 can function through binding to the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor and signalling through the gp130 pathway.

The tumour-suppressor gene patched encodes a candidate receptor for Sonic hedgehog.

The protein Sonic hedgehog (Shh) controls patterning and growth during vertebrate development. Here we demonstrate that it binds Patched (vPtc), which has been identified as a tumour-suppressor protein in basal cell carcinoma, with high affinity. We show that Ptc can form a physical complex with a newly cloned vertebrate homologue of the Drosophila protein Smoothened (vSmo), and that vSmo is coexpressed with vPtc in many tissues but does not bind Shh directly. These findings, combined with available genetic evidence from Drosophila, support the hypothesis that Ptc is a receptor for Shh, and that vSmo could be a signalling component that is linked to Ptc.

Cardiotrophin-1, a cytokine present in embryonic muscle, supports long-term survival of spinal motoneurons.

The muscle-derived factors required for survival of embryonic motoneurons are not clearly identified. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a cytokine related to ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), is expressed at high levels in embryonic limb bud and is secreted by differentiated myotubes. In vitro, CT-1 kept 43% of purified E14 rat motoneurons alive for 2 weeks (EC50 = 20 pM). In vivo, CT-1 protected neonatal sciatic motoneurons against the effects of axotomy. CT-1 action on motoneurons was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC), suggesting that CT-1 may act through a GPI-linked component. Since no binding of CT-1 to CNTFR alpha was detected, CT-1 may use a novel cytokine receptor alpha subunit. CT-1 may be important in normal motoneuron development and as a potential tool for slowing motoneuron degeneration in human diseases.

Human cardiotrophin-1: protein and gene structure, biological and binding activities, and chromosomal localization.

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a new member of the interleukin-6 cytokine family that was identified from a mouse embryoid body cDNA library by expression cloning. Mouse CT-1 induces features of hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and binds to and activates the leukaemia inhibitory factor/gp130 receptor complex. In this work we report the isolation and characterization of cDNA and genomic clones encoding human CT-1. These clones encode a 201 amino acid protein that is 80% identical to the mouse protein. Human CT-1 produced by transfection of the cDNA clones into mammalian cells induces the hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Human and mouse CT-1 bind to the leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor on both human and mouse cell lines indicating a lack of species specificity. No binding to the human oncostatin M specific receptor was detected. A 1.7 kb CT-1 mRNA is expressed in adult human heart, skeletal muscle, ovary, colon, prostate and testis and in fetal kidney and lung. The coding region of CT-1 is contained on three exons and is located on human chromosome 16p11.1-16p11.2.

Cardiotrophin-1. Biological activities and binding to the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor/gp130 signaling complex.

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a newly isolated cytokine that was identified based on its ability to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. It is a member of the family of cytokines that includes interleukins-6 and -11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor, and oncostatin M. These cytokines induce a pleiotropic set of growth and differentiation activities via receptors that use a common signaling subunit, gp130. In this work we determine the activity of CT-1 in six in vitro biological assays and examine the composition of its cell surface receptor. We find that CT-1 is inactive in stimulating the growth of the hybridoma cell line, B9 and inhibits the growth of the mouse myeloid leukemia cell line, M1. CT-1 induces a phenotypic switch in rat sympathetic neurons and promotes the survival of rat dopaminergic and chick ciliary neurons. CT-1 also inhibits the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. CT-1 and LIF cross-compete for binding to M1 cells, Kd [CT-1] approximately 0.7 nM, and this binding is inhibited by an anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody. Both ligands can be specifically cross-linked to a protein on M1 cells with the mobility of the LIF receptor (approximately 200 kDa). In addition, CT-1 binds directly to a purified, soluble form of the LIF receptor in solution (Kd approximately 2 nM). These data show that CT-1 has a wide range of hematopoietic, neuronal, and developmental activities and that it can act via the LIF receptor and the gp130 signaling subunit.

Tumor reactive cis-aconitylated monoclonal antibodies coupled to daunorubicin through a peptide spacer are unable to kill tumor cells.

Antibody-drug conjugates containing a linkage susceptible to lysosomal hydrolases were constructed by coupling peptide-daunorubicin (DNR) derivatives to MAb. Using a modification in the method of Trouet et al, peptide derivatives of DNR containing the sequences Ala-Leu and Ala-Leu-Ala-Leu linked to drug via their carboxy terminus were prepared. Cleavage of these derivatives by lysosomal enzymes resulting in the release of free DNR was demonstrated. Human antitumor MAb were derivatized with either succinic anhydride or cis-aconitic anhydride to introduce spacer arms for coupling. Binding studies showed that MAb with a decrease of 12-20 amino groups retained greater than 70% of their immunoreactivity, a level deemed acceptable for constructing conjugates. Derivatized and native MAb were conjugated to peptide-DNR via a carbodiimide mediated reaction. None of the conjugates displayed cytotoxicity toward target tumor cell lines in vitro.

Pharmaceutical continuing-education program based on a core curriculum.

The use of a core curriculum concept in the establishment of a comprehensive continuing-education program is described. A departmental staff development committee was selected to develop a core curriculum of topics for professional continuing education. Six core curriculum areas of interest and importance were identified: cardiology; infectious disease; total parenteral nutrition, acid-base balance, and fluid and electrolytes; pharmacy management; critical-care medicine; and pharmacokinetics. Coordinators were selected from the staff to identify topics and speakers in each core curriculum area. The drug information center was assigned responsibility for logistical aspects of the program such as scheduling, evaluations, objectives, information support, and providing continuing-education credit. A survey of staff perceptions revealed a very positive view of the program. The staff rated the program highly as meeting their needs for continuing-education credit, as an employee benefit, and in covering topics related to their practice. The core curriculum concept has been shown to be a successful and effective approach to the establishment of a comprehensive continuing-education program.

In situ preparation and fate of cis-4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and aldophosphamide: 1H and 31P NMR evidence for equilibration of cis- and trans-4-hydroxycyclophosphamide with aldophosphamide and its hydrate in aqueous solution.

cis-4-Hydroxycyclophosphamide (2) and aldophosphamide (4) were generated in aqueous phosphate or cacodylate buffer by dimethyl sulfide reduction of cis-4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (8) and by sodium periodate cleavage of 3,4-dihydroxybutyl N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)phosphorodiamidate (9), respectively; the reactions of 2 and 4 were examined by 1H and 31P NMR. Within 30-60 min (pH or pD 7.0, 25 degrees C) the same pseudoequilibrium mixture was established in both reactions, with cis- and trans-4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (2 and 3), aldophosphamide (4), and its hydrate (5) present in the approximate ratio of 4:2:0.3:1. Structures of the intermediates were assigned unambiguously based upon analysis of the chemical shifts and coupling constants in the proton spectra determined in D2O buffers, and the 31P assignments followed by correlation of component ratios at equilibrium. Free energy differences of 0.4, 0.4, and 0.7 kcal/mol at 25 degrees C were estimated between 2, 3, 5, and 4, respectively, with 2 being the most stable. The aldehyde 4 reacted most rapidly with water to give hydrate 5; cyclization of 4 to 3 occurred faster than to 2, and the rate of cyclization to 2 was comparable to that for elimination to 6. Compound 5 is formed much faster than 3 from the diol cleavage, but 5 and 3 are produced at comparable rates from 2, suggesting that conversion of 2 to 3 can proceed by a mechanism other than ring opening. The rate of equilibration appears to be independent of buffer structure, indicating that bifunctional catalysis is not important in the ring-opening reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Variability in Reproduction of Four Races of Meloidogyne incognita on Two Cultivars of Soybean.

Variability in the reproduction of the four races ofMeloidogyne incognita on the soybean cuhivars Pickett 71 and Centennial was studied in growth chamber experiments. Analysis of variance in the number of eggs produced by the races 6 weeks after the plants had been inoculated with 5,000 eggs of each race revealed that the nematode race by soybean cultivar interaction was highly significant (P = 0.001). Races 1, 3, and 4 produced from about 5,000 to 15,000 eggs per root system on Pickett 71 and only from about 300 to 600 eggs per root system on Centennial. In contrast, race 2 produced about 8,000 eggs per root system on Centennial and about 1,200 eggs per root system on Pickett 71. In a second experiment, in which the plants were inoculated with 2,000 second-stage juveniles, race 1 and race 2 produced about 13,000 and 3,000 eggs per root system, respectively, on Pickett 71 and about 600 and 10,000 eggs per root system, respectively, on Centennial. The results suggest that M. incognita resistance in soybean is race-specific.