Regulatory properties of brain glutamate decarboxylase (GAD): the apoenzyme of GAD is present principally as the smaller of two molecular forms of GAD in brain

The apoenzyme of glutamate decarboxylase [enzyme without bound cofactor, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-P)] serves as a reservoir of inactive glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) that can be activated when additional GABA synthesis is required. We have investigated which of two molecular forms of GAD is present as apoenzyme in synaptosomes and in cortex, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, and cerebellum of rat brain. Endogenous glutamate apodecarboxylase (apoGAD) was labeled by incubating extracts of synaptosomes or punches of each region with 32P-pyridoxal-P, followed by reduction with NaBH4, to link covalently the 32P-pyridoxal-P to GAD. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Punches from all four brain regions and forebrain synaptosomes contained two forms of GAD with apparent Mrs of 63 and 65 kDa as identified by immunoblotting with four antiGAD sera. Punches and synaptosomes contained a major 32P-pyridoxal-P-labeled band with an apparent Mr of 63 kDa that was stained on immunoblots by the antiGAD serum 1440 and the monoclonal antibody GAD-6, and a minor labeled band at 65 kDa that was stained by the 1440, 6799, and K2 antisera. Synaptosomes contained remarkably few other strongly labeled proteins, but punches contained several other labeled bands. Three additional lines of evidence indicate that the labeled 63-kDa protein is apoGAD: (1) it was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with the GAD-1 monoclonal antibody; (2) it yielded one major labeled peptide when digested with chymotrypsin, and that peptide appeared identical in peptide-mapping experiments to the labeled active-site peptide isolated from chromatographically prepared rat brain GAD; and (3) its labeling was selectively blocked by 4-deoxypyridoxine 5'-phosphate, a competitive inhibitor of the binding of pyridoxal-P to GAD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Screening Mouse Genes Related to Blastocyst Implantation by Using PCR Subtraction

Objective To identify genes that may be related to embryo implantation Materials & Methods The PCR subtraction technique was applied at implantation and inter-plantation sites on day 4. 5 of pregnancy in mice. Two novel Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs ), EST8 and EST81 were identified; their expression in tissues was analyzed by Northern blotting, and their full-length cDNAs were synthesized by PCR.Results We found that these two novel ESTs (EST8and EST81) were noticeably expressed in implantation site in the mouse on day 4. 5 of pregnancy. EST8 was expressed at high level in livers and implantation sites of the mice, while at low level in ovaries and inter-plantation sites. EST81 was predominantly expressed in implantation site and ovary, and at low level in all other tissues. Their complete cDNAs, 1 665bp and 1 264 bp respectively, were synthesized by using PCR.Conclusion The two full-length cDNAs were responsible for embryo implantation,and their functions need to be further studied.     

Efficacy of radiology of the esophagus for evaluation of dysphagia

The efficacy of radiology in evaluating dysphagia was studied in 86 patients by comparison to endoscopic findings. In the 66 patients with endoscopic abnormalities radiology was correct in 54, for a sensitivity of 82%. Sensitivity of radiology improved to 95% if mild esophagitis was excluded. In the 20 patients with normal endoscopy, radiology was normal in 18 (90%). Thus radiology proved to be a reliable means of evaluating the esophagus in patients with dysphagia.     

ELISA法检测可溶性人类白细胞抗原—I及广东人参考值的测定

OBJECTIVE: To explore a method for quantitative detection of soluble human leukocyte antigen class I(HLA-I) antigens, with the assistance of which we attempt to define the reference value of the antigen in the population of Guangdong Province. METHODS: Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed with W6/32 monoclonal antibody serving as the solid phase antibody and beta2 microglobulin antibody as the first antibody. HRP-labeled second antibody and the substrate were added for enzyme-catalyzed coloring. On the basis of the standard curve obtained by sHLA-I standard reagent in serial dilution, the concentration of sHLA-I antigens in the samples of 60 normal subjects from the population of Guangdong province was detected. RESULTS: The sensitivity of this assay was 2.84 ng/ml with variation coefficients of 5.80% within the same batch and 9.00% between batches. The recovery rate ranged from 98.57% to 100.15%. The level of sHLA-I antigens in normal individuals was 699.54+/-360.10 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Sandwich ELISA is sensitive, specific and stable in the detection of sHLA-I.     

中南邵阳、华东南京、西南成都组织胞浆菌感染流行病学调查

目的 :组织胞浆菌是一种真菌 ,由家禽及鸟类传播 ,可引起人的深部真菌病。我们进行的流调工作 ,对掌握疾病流行情况、制定防治措施及对结核病的防治工作具有重要意义。方法 :调查对象是健康人、住院的肺结核病人、住院的非结核性肺疾患病人。使用的方法是在前臂内侧皮内注射酵母相组织胞浆菌素 (Histolyn -CYL)。同时在另一前臂做PPD皮试 (1∶1万 )。结果 :中南邵阳地区健康人组织胞浆菌素皮试阳性率2 2 .4 0 %。肺结核病人阳性率 31.6 0 %。非结核病肺部疾病阳性率 15 .85 %。华东南京地区健康人阳性率15 .10 %。肺结核病等阳性率 17.74 %。西南成都地区健康人阳性率 2 1.77%。肺结核病人阳性率 5 4 .4 4 %。结论 :组织胞浆菌感染率很高 ,与人文地理条件密切相关 ,差异很大。因此制订防治措施也应有所不同 ,应结合当地具体情况。     

On the Role of Proteasomes in Cell Biology and Proteasome Inhibition as a Novel Frontier in the Development of Immunosuppressants

The proteasome, a large protease complex in cells, is the major machinery for protein degradation. It was previously considered a humble garbage collector, performing housekeeping duties to remove misfolded or spent proteins. Until recently, the interests of immunologists in proteasomes were focused largely on its role in antigen processing. Its real importance in cell biology has only been revealed contemporarily due to the availability of relatively specific inhibitors. It has now become increasingly clear that many aspects of immune responses highly depend on proper proteasome activity. Recently, a proteasome inhibitor has been successfully used to prevent acute as well as ongoing heart allograft rejection in mice. Such inhibitors are also efficacious in treating several autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis, and probably type I diabetes, in animal models. Phase II and III clinical trials of proteasome inhibitors in treating various tumors have shown promising results, and the side-effects of these drugs are tolerable. Therefore, proteasome inhibition represents a new and promising frontier in immunosuppressant development.