[Transcriptional regulation macronuclear protein-coding genes in stichotrichous ciliates].

The concept of transcriptional regulation and base promoter structure of genes in eukaryotic organisms rests on two approaches--the experimental (using different methods of directional mutagenesis) and the comparative molecular (comparison of nucleotide sequences in promoter regions of different genes). Investigation of ciliates has led researchers to the conclusion that the protein-coding genes of these organisms lack the classical eukaryotic regulatory elements in the promoter region. This conclusion is based mainly on the usage of the comparative approach, while experimental investigations of such genes are practically absent so far. In the present paper, the comparative molecular analysis of the promoter regions of genes and analysis of the functional role of tubulin, cathepsin and Hsp 70 5'-uncoding areas was performed using new experimental data obtained during investigation of Stylonychia lemnae alpha-tubulin gene. We suggest a new classification of mechanism of transcriptional regulation of protein-coding genes in stichotrichous ciliates.

[Stylonychia lemnae as a model organism for studies of macronuclear minichromosomes of the ciliates].

The unique structural and functional organization of macronuclear (somatic nucleus) genome of the spirotrichous ciliates, exemplified by Stylonychia lemnae, has been reviewed. Data on the architecture of S. lemnae nuclear apparatus at interphase and during vegetative cell division, conjugation or autogamy are summarized. Special attention being paid to the structural and functional peculiarities of short macronuclear minichromosomes known to contain protein-coding regions, 5'- and 3'-flanking nontranslated regions, and telomeres. A hypothesis, previously put forward, according to which in the spirotrichous ciliates the telomeres themselves may serve as starting points of replication in minichromosomes, has now received its further substantiation. The recent experimental data, which confirm that 5'-nontranscribed DNA leader sequence of alpha1- and alpha2-tubulin-encoding minichromosomes display at least several regulatory elements typical for eukaryote promoter (TATA-box, CAAT-box, transcriptional initiator), are discussed. Up to now, there is no confirmation with regard to a possible existence in the spirotrichous minichromosomes of specific regulatory sequences capable of controlling both replication and transcription processes.

Effect of hyperapo B LDL on cholesterol esterification in THP-1 macrophages.

Hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapo B), a common disorder associated with coronary artery disease, is characterized by an increased number of small, dense, low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. The cellular mechanisms responsible for early atherosclerosis in hyperapo B are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that hyperapo B LDL may be preferentially metabolized through an LDL receptor independent pathway promoting the accumulation of cellular cholesteryl ester (CE). THP-1 macrophages have little inducible LDL receptor activity after differentiation with phorbol esters and are, therefore, suitable for assessing non-LDL receptor mediated uptake of lipoproteins. LDL isolated from hyperapo B donors was found to have significantly lower total cholesterol to protein ratio (P = 0.03), higher average density (P = 0.0001) and smaller particle diameter (P = 0.016) compared with normal (control) LDL. LDL (250 micrograms lipoprotein-protein/ml) from normal (n = 11) and hyperapo B (n = 18) subjects were incubated for 24 h with THP-1 macrophages. The mean (S.D.) CE accumulation was 6.2 (3.6) for the normal and 6.4 (2.6) for the hyperapo B LDL (P = 0.84). CE accumulation in cells incubated with malondialdehyde modified (MDA) LDL, or without added lipoprotein, was 18.2 (2.0) and 0.6 (0.7), respectively. CE mass accumulation was significantly correlated with time (6-48 h) of incubation and concentration (100-500 micrograms/ml) of LDL protein (P < 0.05); no differences were observed between normal and hyperapo B LDL. Similarly, when the major LDL species was isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation, mean (S.D.) CE was similar for the normal and hyperapo B LDL (8.7 (1.2) vs. 6.9 (1.5)). There were no differences in the mean (S.D.) incorporation of [14C]oleate into CE (nmol/mg cell protein per 6 h) in THP-1 macrophages incubated with normal or hyperapo B LDL (0.238 (0.045) vs. 0.211 (0.046)); results were comparable in human monocyte-derived (HMD) macrophages (0.298 (0.037) vs. 0.258 (0.022)). Also, mean (S.D.) cellular uptake and degradation (ng 125I/mg cell protein per h) in THP macrophages of normal and hyperapo B LDL were similar (uptake: 18 (14) vs. 12 (6.0); degradation: 58 (32) vs. 44 (8)). In summary: (1) hyperapo B LDL did not stimulate the accumulation of cellular CE via LDL receptor independent pathways in THP-1 macrophages, (2) normal and hyperapo B LDL stimulation of CE synthesis is similar in THP-1 and HMD macrophages and (3) no differences in cellular uptake and degradation of normal and hyperapo B LDL were observed in THP macrophages.

Diabetic postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins increase esterified cholesterol accumulation in THP-1 macrophages.

The risk of cardiovascular disease is increased in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), although the mechanism remains unclear. To assess whether diabetic postprandial triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein (TGRLP) subfractions (Sf > 400, 100-400, and 20-100) isolated from non-obese, normolipidemic IDDM subjects (n = 14) are potentially more atherogenic than lipoproteins from normal controls (n = 13), we measured cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis and esterified cholesterol (EC) mass accumulation in THP-1 macrophages incubated with postprandial TGRLP. Diabetic Sf > 400 and Sf 100-400 but not Sf 20-100 significantly increased the mean (+/- SE) rate (pmol/mg cell protein/24 h) of CE synthesis in THP-1 macrophages compared with normal controls (Sf > 400, 673 +/- 26 v 301 +/- 64, P < .025; Sf 100-400, 560 +/- 27 v 298 +/- 39, P < .0005; Sf 20-100, 743 +/- 51 v 831 +/- 45). As well, all three diabetic TGRLP increased the mass of EC (microgram EC/mg cell protein/48 h) as compared with normal controls (Sf > 400, 4.9 +/- 0.61 v 2.9 +/- 0.50, P < .025; Sf 100-400, 5.7 +/- 0.91 v 3.4 +/- 0.34, P < .05; Sf 20-100, 5.4 +/- 0.7 v 3.2 +/- 0.52, P < .05). This effect is sustained for at least 7 hours postprandially and is greater than that of fasting Sf 100-400 (P < .03) and Sf 20-100 (P < .05) and similar to malondealdehyde low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL). To assess the mechanisms involved, the chemical composition and cellular degradation of diabetic and control lipoproteins were compared. Postprandial diabetic Sf 100-400 had abnormal composition (phospholipid to protein ratio, 1.86 +/- 0.14 v 1.5 +/- 0.13, P < .05) and in preliminary experiments demonstrated increased cell association (mean +/- SD at 6 hours, 126 +/- 34.3 v 57 +/- 4.2) and degradation (584 +/- 141 v 254 +/- 13) compared with that of normal controls, and may account for the observed increase in EC accumulation. In summary, postprandial diabetic Sf > 400 and Sf 100-400 TGRLP increase CE synthesis and Sf > 400, Sf 100-400, and Sf 20-100 lipoproteins increase EC accumulation in human macrophages compared with normal control lipoproteins. Diabetic Sf 100-400 lipoproteins have abnormal composition and seem to have increased cellular association and degradation compared with normal lipoproteins. Our findings suggest a role for postprandial TGRLP in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease among subjects with IDDM.