Deficient Ganglioside Biosynthesis: a novel human sphingolipidosis.

An unusual lipid storage disese is chracterized by the accumulation of hematoside (Gms3) in the patient's liver and brain. In contrast to the other sphingoliidoses, the accumulation of Gm3 is not the result of a defective catabolic reaction, but is the first disorder caused by deficiency in ganglioside biosynthesis to be described in man.

Cerebral sponginess and GM3 gangliosidosis; ultrastructure and probable pathogenesis.

Extensive multifocal vacuolation of the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, cerebellum, optic nerves and spinal cord were demonstrated in a 3 1/2 month-old infant. This co-existed with marked increases in cerebral and hepatic ganglioside GM3 (hematoside), absence of its higher homologues (GM1 and GM2) and absence of tissue N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase. Ultrastructurally, there are major abnormalities in myelin and astroglia. The absence of identifiable "storage" material is believed to correlate with an enzymatic defect involved in ganglioside anabolism. A familial occurrence of this disorder is strongly suggested by the clinical history.

Modulation of the cytosolic androgen receptor in striated muscle by sex steroids.

We studied the influence of orchiectomy (GDX) and steroid administration on the level of cytosolic androgen receptor in rat levator ani muscle and rat skeletal muscles (tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus). Androgen receptor binding to muscle cytosol was measured using [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) as ligand, a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled R1881 to assess nonspecific binding, and a 500-fold molar excess of triamcinolone acetonide to prevent binding to glucocorticoid and progestin receptors. Bound and free ligand were separated by column chromatography with Sephadex G-75. In levator ani muscles from intact animals (controls), maximum R1881 binding (Bmax), determined by Scatchard analysis, was 2.5 fmol/mg protein (Kd = 0.68 nM). Thirty days after GDX, Bmax increased to 500% of the control value, with no significant change in Kd (0.96 nM). Using saturating levels of R1881, Bmax was increased to 280% of the control value 12 h post-GDX, 600% at 14 days, 478% at 30 days, and 133% at 44 days. The increase in receptor binding was blocked by cycloheximide. Administration of Silastic capsules containing testosterone propionate 30 days post-GDX resulted in R1881 binding at the control level at 44 days. Surprisingly, administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) 30 days post-GDX resulted in increased (480%) R1881 binding. Thus, E2 may cause induction of the cytosolic androgen receptor in levator ani muscle from GDX rats; alternatively, the rate of receptor degradation may be altered. R1881 binding by skeletal muscle cytosol was increased 139% at 12 h, 212% on day 14, 220% on day 30, and 158% on day 44 with respect to the control value. Administration of testosterone propionate at 30 days caused R1881 binding to return to the control value by day 44, whereas E2 was without influence. The differences in response of levator ani and skeletal muscle receptors may account for the differential effects of sex steroids on these muscle types.

Aromatization of androgens to estrogens mediates increased activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat levator ani muscle.

Administration of testosterone propionate to immature male rats caused a 50% increase in the specific activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, in the levator ani muscle. This effect appears to be mediated by conversion of testosterone to estradiol because of the following results: 1) the effect was not mimicked by the nonaromatizable androgens fluoxymesterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone; 2) it was mimicked by 17 beta-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol; 3) it was blocked by an estrogen antagonist but not by an androgen antagonist; 4) the inactive steroid 17 alpha-estradiol was without effect on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase; and 5) the effect of testosterone was blocked by an inhibitor of androgen aromatase. These results demonstrate a direct effect of estrogen on striated muscle.

Androgens enhance in vivo 2-deoxyglucose uptake by rat striated muscle.

Testosterone propionate causes a striking increase in in vivo uptake of 2-deoxyglucose by the levator ani muscle of immature male rats. Autoradiography showed the labeled 2-deoxyglucose to be uniformly distributed over the entire muscle. Liquid scintillation counting of whole muscles allowed quantification of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. After a single sc injection of testosterone propionate, no enhancement of 2-deoxyglucose uptake could be seen before 3.5 h, at which time uptake was increased 2-fold; maximum enhancement (4-fold) was attained at 12 h. 2-Deoxyglucose uptake remained elevated at twice the control value at 72 h. Muscle weight did not increase until sometime after 24 h; by 39 h, it was 50% greater than the control value; by 72 h, wet weight was double the control value. The effect of testosterone propionate probably is mediated by specific androgen receptors, since the administration of either 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone or fluoxymesterone, potent androgens, caused severalfold increases in 2-deoxyglucose uptake in the levator ani muscle, while administration of 17 beta-estradiol, corticosterone, and etiocholanolone, an inactive metabolite of testosterone, did not. Furthermore, the effect of testosterone propionate was blocked by simultaneous administration of an androgen antagonist, cyproterone acetate. Testosterone propionate also enhanced uptake of 2-deoxyglucose in the bulbocavernosus (253% over control) and extensor digitorum longus muscles (150% over control), but not in the biceps brachii or soleus. Increased glucose uptake may be an important early step in the anabolic response of muscle to androgens.

Blockade of glucocorticoid receptor binding and inhibition of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in the rat by RU38486, a potent glucocorticoid antagonist.

Glucocorticoid hormones cause marked muscular atrophy, the mechanism of which is unknown. We employed a potent glucocorticoid antagonist, RU38486 [11 beta-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-(prop-1-ynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one], to determine whether intracellular glucocorticoid receptors are involved. RU38486 was shown to be an effective blocker of glucocorticoid receptor binding in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, this compound significantly blocked the loss of body and muscle weight caused by injection of dexamethasone. These data indicate that intracellular glucocorticoid receptors are important in the etiology of steroid myopathy. Studies with glucocorticoid antagonists may lead to the design of specific therapeutic modalities for the treatment of both endogenously and exogenously produced steroid myopathies.

Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated induction of glutamine synthetase in skeletal muscle cells in vitro.

We studied the regulation by glucocorticoids of glutamine synthetase in L6 muscle cells in culture. Glutamine synthetase activity was strikingly enhanced by dexamethasone. The dexamethasone-mediated induction of glutamine synthetase activity was blocked by RU38486 [11 beta-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-(prop-1-ynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one], a glucocorticoid antagonist, indicating the involvement of intracellular glucocorticoid receptors in the induction process. RU38486 alone was without effect. Northern blot analysis revealed that dexamethasone-mediated enhancement of glutamine synthetase activity involves increased levels of glutamine synthetase mRNA. Increased enzyme activity was specific for glucocorticoids; other steroid hormones were essentially without effect. The induction of glutamine synthetase was selective, in that glutaminase activity was not induced by dexamethasone treatment of L6 cells. Thus, glucocorticoids regulate the expression of glutamine synthetase mRNA in cultured muscle cells via interaction with intracellular receptors. Such regulation may be relevant to control of glutamine production by muscle.

GM3 gangliosidosis: a novel human sphingolipodystrophy.

A male infant of nonconsanguinous Jewish parents had clinical features of pseudo-Hurler's syndrome. A maternal uncle with similar features had previously died at 21/2 months of age. Following death at 3 1/2 months of age, analysis of the patient's brain and liver revealed increased amounts of ganglioside GM3, a virtual absence of higher ganglioside homologues (GM3, GM1, GD1a, and GT1) and a deficiency of the biosynthetic enzyme, UDP-Gal NAc:GM3 N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase. Since the biochemical findings denote a novel state of ganglioside deficiency, clinical findings emphasizing points of distinction from other causes of pseudo-Hurler's syndrome are presented.

Alterations in protein synthesis in rat liver cells by in vitro and in vivo exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Alterations in protein synthesis in rat liver cells were examined following in vitro and in vivo exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Primary cultured rat liver parenchymal cells were exposed to 1 nM TCDD for 23 and 47 hr. Synthesis of two proteins with molecular weights (Mr) of 26,000 and 39,000 (designated 26k-P and 39k-P, respectively), other than cytochrome P450, was increased markedly in the cells. These proteins did not have the same antigens as cytochromes P450IA1 and P450IA2. Synthesis of three proteins with Mrs of 24,000, 25,000 and 29,000, respectively, was decreased by TCDD. TCDD was administered to rats at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg body weight. The amount of five proteins (two proteins with Mr of 26,000, one of 36,000 and two of 39,000) was increased in TCDD-treated rat liver. However, the proteins increased in vivo by TCDD were distinguishable from 26k-P and 39k-P by two dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Androgen-estrogen synergy in rat levator ani muscle: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

The effects of castration and hormone administration on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the rat levator ani muscle were studied. Castration caused a decrease in enzyme activity and in wet weight of the levator ani muscle. Chronic administration of testosterone propionate increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the levator ani muscle of castrated rats; the magnitude of the recovery of enzyme activity was related to the length of time of exposure to testosterone propionate after castration as well as to the length of time the animals were castrated. The longer the period of castration before exposure to testosterone propionate, the greater the effect. This result may be related to previously reported castration-mediated increases in androgen receptor binding in muscle. Dihydrotestosterone was less effective than testosterone propionate in enhancing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the levator ani muscle from castrated rats; estradiol-17 beta alone was ineffective. Combined treatment with estradiol-17 beta and dihydrotestosterone, however, was as effective as testosterone alone. Thus, androgens and estrogens may exert synergistic effects on levator ani muscle.

Effect of sex hormones on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat levator ani muscle.

We studied the influence of sex hormones using the hormone-sensitive levator ani muscle as a model tissue and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as an indicator of hormone action. Injection of testosterone or estradiol cause a 50% increase in the specific activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The effect was dose-dependent, and was maximal at a dose of 2.5mg/100g body weight. Estradiol increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as early as 8 h after injection, while testosterone required 12 h. Injection of estradiol on 2 successive days increased enzyme activity by 80%. The effect of estradiol was abolished by actinomycin D, suggesting enzyme induction. The results indicate a direct effect of estrogen on striated muscle.

Deletions of proximal 15q and non-classical Prader-Willi syndrome phenotypes.

A deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 (usually involving bands 15q11-q12) has been seen in approximately 50% of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patients [Ledbetter et al, 1982]. However, 14 patients with non-PWS (or atypical PWS) phenotype with 15q deletion indicate great clinical variability. A deletion was found in a propositus with a de novo translocation [45,XY, -15, -22, +rec(15;22) (22pter----22q13.2::15q14----15qter)], who had anomalies not normally observed in PWS patients. Activities of several enzymes mapped to the involved chromosomes were studied in the patient and control individuals. A 50% decrease in the level of arylsulfatase-A confirmed a small deletion in 22q(22q13.2----qter), and additional studies localized more precisely the loci for alpha-mannosidase (cytoplasmic) and beta-galactosidase.

Neural control of muscle.

Cholinergic innervation regulates the physiological and biochemical properties of skeletal muscle. The mechanisms that appear to be involved in this regulation include soluble, neurally-derived polypeptides, transmitter-evoked muscle activity and the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, itself. Despite extensive research, the interacting neural mechanisms that control such macromolecules as acetylcholinesterase, the acetylcholine receptor and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase remain unclear. It may be that more simplified in vitro model systems coupled with recent dramatic advances in the molecular biology of neurally-regulated proteins will begin to allow researchers to unravel the mechanisms controlling the expression and maintenance of these macromolecules.

Testosterone and muscle hypertrophy in female rats.

The effects of chronic treatment with testosterone propionate on compensatory muscle hypertrophy secondary to synergist removal were studied in female rats. Synergist removal resulted in a significant (2-fold) increase in muscle wet weight, with no changes in protein concentration. As reported previously, oxidation of [2-14C]pyruvate to 14CO2 was significantly decreased in hypertrophic muscles. In addition, malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were significantly decreased in overloaded muscles on a wet weight basis but not on the basis of noncollagen protein. These data suggest that specific metabolic adaptations may occur in response to overload of muscle. Administration of testosterone propionate in subcutaneously implanted Silastic capsules resulted in a 20-fold increase in serum testosterone levels. This treatment had no effect on body weight, muscle weight, pyruvate oxidation, or malate and lactate dehydrogenase activities in both control and hypertrophic muscles, although there was an effect on the noncollagen protein content of overloaded muscles. These results do not support the hypothesis that androgens, in conjunction with weight-bearing exercise in female subjects, are effective in increasing muscle mass or function in female subjects.

Regulation of viral and cellular genes in a human neuroblastoma cell line latently infected with herpes simplex virus type 2.

A latent state of the herpes simplex virus type 2 genome was established in a human neuroblastoma cell line (SMS-KCNR) to initiate studies on the mechanism by which host cells interact and regulate latent viral genes. To establish viral latency, it was necessary to prevent virus replication by briefly exposing the infected cells to antiherpetic acycloguanosine (20 microM) and human interferon (120 U/ml). Subsequently however, these cells could be propagated without any antiherpetic agents and almost 60% of the cell population contained viral genome. While these cells did not produce any infectious virus, immunoblot analysis revealed two intracellular polypeptides with molecular weights of 87.5 kDa and 67 kDa, respectively, that interacted with hyperimmune anti-HSV2 rabbit serum. Two cellular enzymes, acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase, involved in metabolism of neurotransmitters were expressed at a higher level in the latently infected cells than in the mock-infected control cells. Infectious HSV-2 could be reactivated from these cells only after the cells had undergone massive morphological differentiation and maturation to flat cell types by extensive treatment with 20 micron bromodeoxyuridine.

Neural regulation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat muscle: effect of denervation and reinnervation.

We tested the hypothesis that glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle is under neural control by studying changes in G6PD activity in EDL muscles following nerve crush-induced denervation and reinnervation. Changes in G6PD were correlated with choline acetyltransferase activity, as well as with neurological function, muscle weights, and muscle isometric twitch tension. The data show a dramatic increase in G6PD following denervation. The gradual recovery of enzyme activity toward normal levels correlates with the return of functional synaptogenesis manifested by the return of neurological function, choline acetyltransferase, and muscle twitch tension. We conclude, therefore, that muscle G6PD is under neural control. G6PD activity provides a facial biochemical indicator of muscle reinnervation.

Neural regulation of muscle acetylcholinsterase: effects of batrachotoxin and 6-aminonicotinamide.

Batrachotoxin (BTX), which causes increased Na+ permeability and blocks axoplasmic transport, or 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), which causes neuronal damage, was injected into the subarachnoid space of rat lumbar spinal cord. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was measured in homogenates of the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle and the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) muscle 10 days after injection. Both drug treatments significantly decreased AChE in EDL and SOL. Correlative electrophysiological measurements were made in intact EDL and SOL after injection of BTX or 6-AN. The results support the hypothesis that AChE in muscle is neurotrophically controlled.

Receptor-mediated uptake of labeled transferrin by embryonic chicken dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture.

Transferrin is a growth-promoting plasma protein which is known to occur within developing neurons. Since little information exists on the process by which transferrin is internalized by neurons, we studied this process using dissociated embryonic chicken dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture. Cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons were incubated in the presence of 3.75 nM (125)I-transferrin at 37°C, the cultures were extensively washed, the neurons were solubilized in a Triton-containing buffer and internalized (125)I-transferrin was quantified with a gamma counter. (125)I-transferrin was internalized in a linear fashion for at least 60 min, and this uptake was abolished by the presence of 1.25 µM unlabeled transferrin. No competition for the uptake of (125)I-transferrin was observed in the presence of 1.25 µM ovalbumin, cytochrome c, hemoglobin, insulin, horseradish peroxidase, aldolase or the carboxyl-terminal fragment ('half-site') of transferrin. By contrast, uptake was inhibited by approximately 50% in the presence of the ammo-terminal fragment ('half-site') of transferrin (1.25 µM) or in the presence of concanavalin A (1.25 µM). The binding of transferrin conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate to neurons at 4°C and its subsequent internalization at 37°C was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy of unfixed cells following incubation of the neurons in the presence of the fluorescently labeled protein. Furthermore, the transferrin receptors were visualized immunocytochemically on the surface membranes of dorsal root ganglion neurons using rabbit antibodies directed against transferrin receptors from chicken reticulocytes. From these data, we conclude that transferrin is internalized by neurons via receptor-mediated endocytosis, and suggest that this protein may serve an important role in the development and survival of dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Co-expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamic acid decarboxylase in dopamine differentiation factor-treated striatal neurons in culture.

We have previously shown that dopamine differentiation factors (DDF) can stimulate the novel expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the phenotypically plastic neurons of the embryonic mouse striatum (Du et al., J. Neurosci., 14 (1994) 7688-7694; Du and Iacovitti, J. Neurosci., 15 (1995) 5420-5427). The present study sought to determine whether TH induction required down-regulation of an existing GABAergic trait in striatal neurons or whether enzymes of both neurotransmitter systems were simultaneously expressed. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that, following treatment with DDFs, TH and the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) were co-expressed in the same neurons. Moreover, GAD enzyme activity was not affected by the dramatic increase in TH. Thus, the induction of a novel neurotransmitter phenotype in brain neurons does not appear to occur at the expense of the existing phenotype.

Evaluation of the endogenous glucocorticoid hypothesis of denervation atrophy.

We studied the effects of oral administration of RU38486, a potent and selective glucocorticoid antagonist, on muscle weight, non-collagen protein content, and selected enzyme activities (choline acetyltransferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutamine synthetase) following denervation of rat skeletal muscle. Neither decreases in muscle weight, protein content, and choline acetyltransferase activity, nor increases in the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase were affected by RU38486. These data do not support the hypothesis that denervation atrophy results from enhanced sensitivity of muscle to endogenous glucocorticoids.