Research review: DNA polymerases as molecular markers of the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes

Hepatocyte regeneration has been widely investigated, with the mitotic index and the incorporation of [³H]thymidine being used as regeneration markers. We focused on the induction of DNA replication enzymes, particularly DNA polymerases (pol) α, δ, and ε. Using rat models, we have shown that the activity of pol α in crude liver extract well represents the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes. Using pol α as an indicator, we analyzed liver regeneration in rat models under various conditions: obstructive jaundice, external or internal biliary drainage, and the obstruction of portal vein branches. It has been revealed that the ligation of the common bile duct alone induces a certain amount of hepatocyte proliferation. It was striking that external biliary drainage suppressed regeneration capacity in cholestatic rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The strong regeneration in nonligated lobes induced by portal branch ligation was similar to the liver regeneration seen after partial hepatectomy with respect to the induction of DNA polymerases. Taken together, the aspects of DNA replication, particularly the induction of DNA polymerases, may contribute to shedding new light on the regeneration of human liver. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research and for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan, and by grants from the Uehara Memorial Foundation     

Intrafamilial heterogeneous clinical presentation of the mitochondrial 3243 MELAS mutation; molecular investigations among four generations

We have identified the A3243G heteroplasmic point mutation in mitochondrial DNA from a female patient with headache as the main clinical feature. The mitochondrial origin of her disease was only suspected because of her brother with MELAS syndrome. Morphological and biochemical studies failed to reveal mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction in her muscle which contained 65% of mutated mitochondrial DNA molecules. Molecular studies performed among four generations (in the blood of seven subjects) showed the variable transmission of mutated molecules and pointed out the difficulty in giving genetic counsel.     

Chronic modifications of lung and heart development in glucocorticoid-treated newborn rats exposed to hyperoxia or room air

We assessed the mechanics and morphology of the lung in 165 rats treated neonatally with either room air (RA), O₂, RA + steroids, or O₂, + steroids. Newborn Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to these groups. O₂,-exposure (0.96-1.0 FiO₂ lasted 5 days, and dexamethasone treatment consisted of eight daily S.C. injections of drug or buffer in successive doses of 0.5,0.4.0.3,0.2,0.1, 0.1. 0.1. and 0.1 mg/kg. At 58 days, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVP) was measured. At 60 days, all rats were sacrificed for obtaining lung weight and DNA, saline pressure-volume (P-V) curves, and morphometry. We weighed right ventricles (RV) and left ventricles + septa (LV). Hyperoxia alone did not, but steroid decreased survival rate to 79.4% (95.3% in RA rats, P < 0.02). Only 21 of 40 (52%) O₂ + steroids rats survived, less than in both RA groups (P < 0.001). RV weight, RVP and muscularization of alveolar duct arteries were significantly increased in O₂ vs. RA rats. In RA + steroids rats, weight of the LV was decreased but RV, RVP, and lung vasculature were not affected. These effects were additive in the O₂ + steroid group. Wet lung weights and DNA were increased for RA + steroid rats over all others. O₂ and steroids shifted the P-V curve to the left and O₂+ steroids still further. Maximal lung volume increased significantly with RA + steroids and still further in O₂ + steroids but not in O₂ alone. O₂ and steroids significantly increased the mean linear intercept and O₂ + steroids even more so. In O₂- and steroid-treated rats, the parenchymal air space increased. In conclusion, both neonatal hyperoxia and steroid administration caused aberrations in the growth of lung and connective tissue. The effects of the two were additive. The vascular system, maximal lung volume, and DNA responded differently, presumably by different modes of action. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1993; 16:81–88. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

RENIN GENE POLYMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH ALDOSTERONE RESPONSIVENESS TO THE RENINANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH ALDOSTERONE-PRODUCING ADENOMAS

1. Aldosterone levels in patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas may be responsive or unresponsive to the renin-angiotensin system, with the former often previously misdiagnosed as bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. 2. In tumours from patients in the responsive subgroup, renin mRNA is expressed in greater amounts than in tumours from patients in the unresponsive subgroup, or in normal adrenals. 3. We compared the frequency of four renin gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood DNA from the two subgroups and found significant associations between BglI, TaqI and HinfI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and aldosterone responsiveness. 4. Allelic variation in the constitutive renin gene was associated with a specific cause of hypertension.     

二甲亚砜对人表皮的核酸和蛋白质合成的影响

用体外培养的人的伪表皮作为模型，进行药物毒理学作用的研究，观察了二甲亚砜（ＤＭＳＯ）在不同浓度和不同接触时间条件下，对人的伪表皮细胞脱氧核糖核酸（ＤＮＡ）、核糖核酸（ＲＮＡ）和蛋白质合成的影响：随着接触时间的延长，ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成均受抑制。低浓度条件下（１％），ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成增加；在１５～５０％浓度下，ＤＮＡ和蛋白质合成抑制，而ＲＮＡ合成仍增加；在高浓度条件下（７０％～１００％），ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成均明显抑制。     

DNA probe technology: implications for service planning in Britain

For certain genetic conditions DNA testing identifies carriers and determines the risk status of foetuses, thus helping parents to make more informed prenatal decisions. Data, collected from three genetic centres in England and Wales from August 1986 to July 1990, are used to describe trends in demand for DNA testing, the impact of DNA tests on carrier risk assessment, and the use of DNA tests in relation to pregnancy outcome. Altogether the data include 23,388 subjects and 681 pregnancies in 8738 families divided into five cohorts by year of entry and referral. The most frequent gene disorders referred to the genetic centres are currently being tested or will soon be tested. For these disorders the initial high level of activity has declined and may have reached steady state. Demand for DNA services is high for cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, intermediate for Huntington's disease, and low for adult polycystic kidney disease, phenylketonuria and tuberous sclerosis. Based on these findings we suggest that demand for DNA tests will be high in serious, untreatable and slow progressing conditions with early onset; intermediate for conditions affecting intellect and neurological integrity with later onset; and low for treatable, late-onset conditions, or those for which there is evidence of heterogeneity, and variable penetrance. It would be helpful to assess the extent to which this view of demand is confirmed when the new disorders being DNA tested are considered and for the pattern of activity of DNA testing for some types of cancer. Since no DNA centre could offer a fully comprehensive testing service, it is recommended that a structure is created to audit overall activity, assist in policy formulation, and influence supraregional service organisation, in order that the spread of DNA services be planned as effectively as possible. This structure would facilitate monitoring of the evolution of contract specifications agreed by commissioners and providers on a regional basis.     

PUVA治疗诱导皮肤线粒体DNA 4977 bp缺失突变累积的研究

为探讨线粒体DNA(mitochondrialDNA,mtDNA)4977bp缺失突变与皮肤光老化之间的关系,采用三条引物PCR的方法检测长波紫外线光化学疗法(PUVA)治疗的银屑病患者背部非皮损区皮肤mtDNA4977bp缺失突变的累积。结果发现,在PUVA治疗期间3～21天、治疗后1～6个月和治疗后6个月以上的各组活检标本中,发生4977bp缺失突变的mtDNA占总mtDNA比例分别为0.06,0.12和0.19,和未经PUVA治疗的对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。表明线粒体DNA4977bp缺失突变累积与皮肤光老化密切相关,可能作为衡量皮肤紫外线损伤程度的分子生物学标志。     

癌胚抗原DNA疫苗对大肠癌特异性细胞免疫的激活效果

目的检测以质粒pIRES为载体构建的带有全序列癌胚抗原(CEA)基因的核苷酸疫苗对机体特异性抗肿瘤免疫反应的激活效果。方法将CEA基因片段连接于真核表达质粒pIRES中,用肌肉注射方法接种核酸疫苗;检测CEA在小鼠肌肉组织中的表达情况及其对小鼠脾细胞CEA特异性细胞免疫反应的激活效果。结果小鼠经肌肉注射质粒后,免疫组化证实该核酸疫苗可在体内有效表达CEA;分子免疫检测显示注射后小鼠特异性淋巴细胞增值反应明显并且伴有自然杀伤细胞NK活性显著增高。结论实验所构建的核酸疫苗pIRESCEA可在体外及小鼠体内高效表达并表现出良好的细胞免疫原性。     

Epstein-Barr virus DNA in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin''s disease is frequently associated with CR2 (EBV receptor) expression

We studied 44 cases of Hodgkin's disease for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, its localization and the expression of the EBV receptor on the tumour cells. EBV DNA was found in 52% (16/31) of the Hodgkin's lymphomas using the polymerase chain reaction. With a very sensitive non-radioactive DNA in situ hybridization technique in combination with immunohistochemistry for CD 30 or CD 15 antigens, EBV DNA was localized to Reed-Sternberg cells and its mononuclear variants. The relationship between the presence of EBV DNA and the expression of the EBV-receptor CR2 (CD 21) on Reed-Sternberg cells was studied using the same techniques and two different monoclonal anti-CD 21 antibodies. CR2 could be detected on a substantial number of the Reed-Sternberg cells in EBV DNA positive Hodgkin's lymphomas (9/12; 75%), whereas in EBV negative cases positivity with anti-CD 21 was rare (1/13; 8%). The results indicate that CR2 expression on Reed-Sternberg cells and the presence of EBV DNA sequences are frequently associated in Hodgkin's lymphomas.