Aldolase C/zebrin II expression in the neonatal rat forebrain reveals cellular heterogeneity within the subventricular zone and early astrocyte differentiation.

During late gestational and early postnatal development, proliferating cells in the subventricular zones of the lateral ventricles (SVZ) migrate into the gray and white matter of the forebrain and differentiate into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Because the cellular composition and structure of the neonatal SVZ is poorly understood, we performed a differential display PCR screen to identify genes preferentially expressed therein. One highly expressed gene encoded aldolase C. We used a specific monoclonal antibody, aldolase C/zebrin II (ALDC/ZII), in combination with markers of glial lineage and proliferation, to characterize the cells that express this gene. In the neonatal SVZ, ALDC/ZII-positive cells, which are generally polygonal and display several processes, have a nonuniform spatial distribution. They do not express vimentin, GFAP, or NG2. A subset of ALDC/ZII-positive cells incorporates bromodeoxyuridine, but progenitors identified by beta-galactosidase expression after infection with recombinant BAG virus do not show ALDC/ZII immunoreactivity. Outside of the SVZ, beta-galactosidase-positive/ALDC/ZII-positive cells have an astrocytic phenotype, suggesting that immunoreactivity was acquired after exit from the SVZ. These studies demonstrate that the neonatal SVZ is composed of different populations of cells that can be characterized by their antigenic phenotype, their proliferative capacity, and their spatial distributions. Nonrandom distributions of different cell types within the SVZ may permit the formation of microenvironments that stimulate the production of cells with specific potentials at appropriate points in development. Analysis of ALDC/ZII expression by astrocyte lineage cells in the neonatal cerebral cortex and white matter may reveal insights into the phenotype and behavior of undifferentiated astrocyte progenitors.

Allosteric sensitization of nicotinic receptors by galantamine, a new treatment strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are the only approved drug treatment for patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, the clinical potency of these drugs does not correlate well with their activity as cholinesterase inhibitors, nor is their action as short lived as would be expected from purely symptomatic treatment. A few cholinesterase inhibitors, including galantamine, produce beneficial effects even after drug treatment has been terminated. These effects assume modes of action other than mere esterase inhibition and are capable of inducing systemic changes. We have recently discovered a mechanism that could account, at least in part, for the above-mentioned unexpected properties of some cholinesterase inhibitors. We have found that a subgroup of cholinesterase inhibitors, including galantamine but excluding tacrine, directly interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These compounds, named allosterically potentiating ligands, sensitize nicotinic receptors by increasing the probability of channel opening induced by acetylcholine and nicotinic agonists and by slowing down receptor desensitization. The allosterically potentiating ligand action, which is not necessarily associated with cholinesterase inhibition, has been demonstrated by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to occur in natural murine and human neurons and in murine and human cell lines expressing various subtypes of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Galantamine is an allosterically potentiating ligand of the human alpha4/beta2 nAChR.

Galantamine (Reminyl) is a novel drug treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Originally established as a reversible inhibitor of the acetylcholine-degrading enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), galantamine also acts as an allosterically potentiating ligand (APL) on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Having previously established this second mode of action on nAChRs from murine brain, we demonstrate here the same action of galantamine on the most abundant nAChR in the human brain, the alpha4/beta2 subtype. This nAChR-sensitizing action is not a common property of all, or most, AChE inhibitors, as is shown by the absence of this effect for other therapeutically applied AChE inhibitors including tacrine, metrifonate, rivastigmine and donepezil. The possible benefits for therapy of AD of an APL action on nicotinic receptors is discussed.

Biomolecular-chemical screening: a novel screening approach for the discovery of biologically active secondary metabolites. III. New DNA-binding metabolites.

Based on the chemical screening technique, biomolecular-chemical screening has been developed which makes use of two-dimensional TLC analysis of microbial extracts and combines thin-layer chromatography (RP-18) with binding studies towards DNA. In the first dimension the metabolites of the crude microbial extract are separated, and in the second dimension binding properties towards DNA are analysed. An initial screening program with 500 microbial extracts prepared by solid-phase extraction with XAD-16 resin resulted in 17 samples which contained metabolites with significant DNA-binding behavior. Fermentation, isolation and structural characterization led to already known metabolites [phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylate (1), phencomycin (2), 11-carboxy-menoxymycin B (3), soyasaponine I (4), and (8S)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)-cyclohexanone (5)], as well as to new secondary metabolites. Fermentation of the producing organisms of the new DNA-binding metabolites, ent-8,8adihydro-ramulosin (6). (2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-(1,3-pentadienyl)-piperidine (7), (5R)-dihydro-5-pentyl-4'-methyl-4'-hydroxy-2(3H)-furanone (8), and seco-4,23-hydroxyoleane-12-en-22-one-3-carboxylic acid (9), as well as isolation, structural characterization, and physico-chemical properties are reported.

Biomolecular-chemical screening: a novel screening approach for the discovery of biologically active secondary metabolites. I. Screening strategy and validation.

Chemical screening using thin-layer chromatography and various staining reagents offers the opportunity to visualize an almost complete picture of a microbial secondary metabolite pattern (metabolic finger-print). A thorough application of this strategy resulted in a number of biologically active new secondary metabolites, although the screening strategy is per se not correlated to any biological activity. In the present paper we report on a novel approach called biomolecular-chemical screening which combines the chemical screening strategy with binding studies of biological relevance. Making use of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and subsequent staining, biomolecular-chemical screening allows to examine binding properties of low molecular weight metabolites to certain bio-macromolecules. The screening strategy itself, as well as independent validation of the results using DNA as selected bio-macromolecule are presented. The biomolecular-chemical screening method is useful to screen binding behaviour towards DNA of both, pure metabolites by one-dimensional TLC, and crude extracts by two-dimensional TLC. Investigation of pure secondary metabolites as well as screening of crude microbial extracts and new secondary metabolites obtained with this screening strategy are presented in accompanying papers.

Biomolecular-chemical screening: a novel screening approach for the discovery of biologically active secondary metabolites. II. Application studies with pure metabolites.

The novel screening strategy called "biomolecular-chemical screening" combines the advantages of the chemical screening approach--the analysis of the chromatographic and chemical behaviour of secondary metabolites on TLC plates--with binding studies of these molecules with bio-macromolecules like DNA. This approach was advantageously used to detect the interaction of pure compounds with DNA. In order to prove the reliability of the biomolecular-chemical screening and to examine DNA-binding properties, 470 pure secondary metabolites were analysed by this method. Besides the confirmation of already known binders with the TLC-based method, for a number of natural products DNA-binding properties were discovered for the first time. In consequence, binding of pure compounds can be measured by 1D TLC in a reliable and easy manner, in which DNA is applied together with the test compound at the starting spot. Analysis is performed via differences in Rf-values in comparison to a reference chromatogram without DNA.

Interactions between glial progenitors and blood vessels during early postnatal corticogenesis: blood vessel contact represents an early stage of astrocyte differentiation.

The post-neurogenic period in the mammalian neocortex is characterized by the growth of astrocyte and oligodendrocyte populations and their incorporation into the network of the developing central nervous system (CNS). Many of these glial cells originate as progenitors in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and then migrate into white and gray matter before differentiating. What determines the specific cellular fate of progenitors in vivo is not known, however. In examining the early stages of gliogenesis from progenitors in the SVZ, we noted that interactions with cortical blood vessels took place at what appeared to be an early stage of glial differentiation. We have examined in more detail the interactions of progenitors with blood vessels in the early postnatal rat neocortex after labeling progenitors in vivo with a LacZ-encoding retrovirus. These early interactions are accompanied by an increase in intermediate filament expression, consistent with astrocytic differentiation. Because astrocytes interact with blood vessels and pia, we suggest that such contact represents an early stage in astrocytic differentiation. Furthermore, since angiogenesis and astrogenesis occur over a similar period, the growth of blood vessels may even play a role in the selection of astrocytic fate by a progenitor. As vessel growth slows, fewer progenitors may be directed toward an astrocyte fate, allowing more to differentiate into oligodendrocytes, perhaps explaining the shift from astrocyte genesis to oligodendrocyte genesis during early postnatal cortical development.

Label-free monitoring of DNA-ligand interactions.

We report on the label- and isotope-free monitoring of DNA interactions with low-molecular-weight ligands. An optical technique based on interference at thin layers was used to monitor in real time binding of ligands at DNA which was immobilized by Coulomb interactions at a positively charged surface. Approximately 2 ng DNA/m2 was irreversibly bound to the surface, which remained stable over several days. This result was confirmed by characterization of the layer using spectroscopic ellipsometry. During incubation of immobilized DNA with a variety of intercalators and other DNA-binding compounds in a flow system, interactions were monitored by reflectometric interference spectroscopy. Binding effects between 10 and 400 pg/ mm2 were detected unambiguously. Nonspecific binding effects were excluded by using a negatively charged reference surface. Variation of intercalator concentration allowed the characterization of interaction with respect to kinetics and thermodynamics by the evaluation of binding rate and equilibrium coverage. The affinity constants were determined in the range between 10(5) and 10(6) M-1, in good agreement to those obtained by homogeneous phase assays. Association rate constants between 10(3) and 10(5) M-1 s-1 and dissociation rate constants between 10(-1) and 10(-2) s-1 were determined by evaluation of the binding curves. Both the fast and simple test format and a universal applicability make the new technique described attractive for detecting and characterizing interaction of low-molecular-weight molecules with DNA.

Lipohexin, a new inhibitor of prolyl endopeptidase from Moeszia lindtneri (HKI-0054) and Paecilomyces sp. (HKI-0055; HKI-0096). I. Screening, isolation and structure elucidation.

Lipohexin was isolated as a novel lipohexapeptide (I) (C39H68N6O9) from three fungal strains, Moeszia lindtneri HKI-0054, Paecilomyces sp. HKI-0055 and Paecilomyces sp. HKI-0096. The structure was elucidated by detailed mass spectrometric and NMR experiments. The proline-containing peptide displays moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and inhibits competitively the prolyl endopeptidase from human placenta.

Lipohexin, a new inhibitor of prolyl endopeptidase from Moeszia lindtneri (HKI-0054) and Paecilomyces sp. (HKI-0055; HKI-0096). II. Inhibitory activities and specificity.

The new proline-containing lipohexapeptide lipohexin (I) isolated from three fungal strains, Moeszia lindtneri (HKI-0054) and Paecilomyces sp. (HKI-0055 and HKI-0096) is a competitive inhibitor of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) from human placenta with IC50 of 3.5 microM. Specificity of lipohexin (I) is indicated by the much weaker inhibitory activity against bacterial prolyl endopeptidase from Flavobacterium meningosepticum (IC50 25 microM). No effect of lipohexin (I) was found on the activity of mechanistically related proteases such as proline specific proteases and other serine proteases.

Fate determination and migration of progenitors in the postnatal mammalian CNS.

Using replication-deficient retrovirus to transfer marker genes into immature cells, we have characterized spatial and temporal patterns of glial progenitor migration and differentiation in the early postnatal rat forebrain and cerebellum, and interneuron differentiation in the cerebellum. Progenitors do not migrate randomly, but follow discrete paths, largely confined to a coronal plane in forebrain and a sagittal plane in cerebellum. Radial glia provide one substrate for migration. In vitro studies suggest that radial glia contribute a permissive pathway along which progenitors in an immature, migratory state. Local environmental cues that progenitors encounter during migration may influence fate decisions substantially. Not all progenitors differentiate; some remain in an immature, proliferative state in which they do not complete differentiation, but can be induced to do so by pathological conditions.

Specific binding of low molecular weight ligands with direct optical detection.

The characterization of low molecular weight ligand interaction with receptor molecules is of importance for the investigation of biological processes and for drug research. We report on the investigation of the binding of low molecular weight ligands to immobilized receptors by label-free detection. Reflectometric interference spectroscopy, an optical transducer which allows the monitoring of a few picograms per square millimetre changes in surface coverage, was used to study two model systems. In both cases detection of the binding event was successful. High affinity binding of biotin to immobilized streptavidin was clearly detectable at receptor surface concentrations as low as 1-2 x 10(10) binding sites/mm2. Linear correlation between the receptor surface concentration and the response to biotin binding was observed. Using immobilized DNA, we investigated the binding of common intercalators with respect to kinetics and thermodynamics by evaluation of the association and the dissociation part of the binding curve. Bi-exponential increase and decrease of intercalator loading was observed, indicating complex interaction kinetics. The four structurally different intercalators showed significant distinction in binding kinetics and equilibrium signals. Improvement of experimental parameters is required to obtain more reliable kinetic data.

Early patterns of migration, morphogenesis, and intermediate filament expression of subventricular zone cells in the postnatal rat forebrain.

Recent studies using retroviral labeling of subventricular zone (SVZ) progenitors in vivo in neonatal rats have directly demonstrated the generation of both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes from these progenitors. In the present study, we used a recombinant retroviral vector encoding beta-galactosidase, and analyzed brains within the first week after retroviral injection to trace the early routes that SVZ cells take as they migrate into white matter and cortex and characterized the early morphological and antigenic changes that accompanied their differentiation. SVZ cells follow specifically definable migratory routes as they colonize the cortex and subcortical white matter. Glial progenitors do not populate the cortex in a systematic, laminar fashion, as do neuroblasts. The abundance of labeled progenitors in radial arrangements and the close apposition of many immature cells to vimentin+ radial glial processes, suggest that glial progenitors migrate along radial glia. Labeled SVZ cells, which displayed a simple, unipolar or bipolar morphology, lacked detectable vimentin and nestin intermediate filaments. Similarly, beta-galactosidase-positive cells in white matter lacked these filaments. In contrast, labeled, multipolar cells in the cortex, and a few of the immature-appearing cortical cells expressed nestin and vimentin. At these early time points, GFAP was not detected in beta-galactosidase-labeled cells. Multipolar cells in cortex frequently displayed processes extending toward and contacting blood vessels. These observations suggest that the expression of nestin and vimentin occurs after progenitors emigrate from the SVZ and that filament expression and contact with blood vessels represent an early stage of astrocyte differentiation.

NEP: a novel receptor-like tyrosine kinase expressed in proliferating neuroepithelia.

We have isolated a murine cDNA, nep, which encodes a novel receptor-like protein tyrosine kinase. The kinase region of NEP protein bears 50% amino acid sequence identity to the neurotrophin receptors (TRKs). While the intracytoplasmic portion of NEP also contains a short kinase insert region and C-terminal tail reminiscent of the TRK proteins, the putative extracellular domain of NEP is unrelated to any known proteins. The nep gene is strongly expressed within proliferating neuroepithelia of mouse embryos, commencing at the early somite stage (embryonic day 8.0) and persisting in the proliferative ventricular zones of the brain and spinal cord, suggesting that one function of NEP kinase is to signal proliferation of neuroepithelial cells in response to an as yet unknown ligand. The nep gene is also expressed in embryonic sensory ganglia, striated muscle and epidermis, as well as in several adult tissues, including the ventricle linings and glia subpopulations in the brain.

Elevated expression of an exogenous c-myc gene is insufficient for transformation and tumorigenic conversion of established fibroblasts.

Two established rat fibroblast lines, differing only by their number of generations in culture, show dramatically different responses to the elevated c-myc expression delivered by an efficient murine c-myc retrovirus vector. Thus, a late passage (60 generation) FR3T3 line acquires a transformed and tumorigenic phenotype upon introduction of this activated c-myc gene as indicated by its altered morphology, high efficiency of focus formation, soft agar clonability, saturation density in monolayer culture, and short latency of tumorigenicity in syngeneic hosts. Remarkably, none of these characteristics, except for an increased refractility in monolayers and an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent agar clonability, were observed in a variety of early passage (10 generation) FR3T3 c-myc clones. BALB/c A31 fibroblasts transfected with this c-myc retroviral vector behaved essentially the same as the FR3T3 early line except for their inability to grow in suspension in response to EGF. However, transformation and tumorigenic conversion of each of these three fibroblast lines was achieved by an activated ras oncogene. Hence, elevated c-myc expression is insufficient for transformation of established fibroblasts but depends upon other acquired cooperating functions which are not necessary for ras induced transformation. We also demonstrate that endogenous c-myc expression remains unaffected even in clones expressing a 100-fold excess of exogenous c-myc RNAs demonstrating that c-myc autoregulation is not operative in these cells.