Isolation and characterization of delta-subspecies of protein kinase C from rat brain.

The delta-subspecies of protein kinase C (delta PKC) was purified to near homogeneity from the Triton X-100 extract of the rat brain particulate fraction by successive chromatographies on S-Sepharose fast flow, phenyl 5PW, heparin 5PW, hydroxyapatite, and Mono Q columns. The purified enzyme was a doublet with molecular masses of 78 and 76 kDa on SDS/PAGE. The doublet proteins were separated partially by Mono Q column chromatography; both were recognized by the antibodies raised against synthetic oligopeptides, parts of the deduced amino acid sequence of the rat delta PKC. Protein phosphatase 2A treatment suggested that the 78-kDa protein was a phosphorylated form of the 76-kDa protein. To confirm the structural and genetic identity of the doublet proteins, delta PKC was expressed in COS 7 cells by transfecting its cDNA-constructed plasmid and was purified for comparison. This recombinant enzyme was also a doublet. The enzymes isolated from the brain and COS 7 cells showed identical reactivities with delta PKC-specific antibodies, chromatographic behaviors, and V8 protease peptide mappings. In addition, these two enzyme preparations were indistinguishable from each other in their responses to phosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol, phorbol esters, free fatty acids, Ca2+, and enzyme inhibitors. Comparison was also made between the enzymologic properties of delta PKC and alpha PKC, which were distinctly different from each other.     

Experimental venous thrombi: MRI characteristics with histopathological correlation

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRI characteristics of venous thrombus over set time thresholds with histopathological correlation in a porcine model. Methods: Inferior vena cava thrombi were induced in 12 pigs. MRI was performed in three pigs 2 h, 1 day, 3 days and 2 weeks after thrombus induction. Results: The MRI characteristics were analysed in correlation with histopathological findings. The thrombi after 2 hours, which consisted of red blood cells (RBCs), showed isointensity on T(1 )weighted images (T(1)WIs) and hyperintensity on both T(2 )weighted images (T(2)WIs) and diffusion-weighted images (DWIs). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was 1.93 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1). The thrombi after Day 1, which consisted of RBCs and migrating neutrophils at the periphery, showed isointensity on T(1)WIs, slight hyperintensity on T(2)WIs and hypointensity on DWIs. The mean ADC value was 1.62 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) [corrected]. The thrombi after Day 3, which consisted of RBCs and peripheral inflammatory cells including macrophages, showed isointensity with peripheral hyperintense regions on T(1)WIs and hypointensity on both T(2)WIs and DWIs. The mean ADC value was 1.67 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1). After 2 weeks, the thrombi, which revealed RBC lysis surrounded by granulation tissues, showed isointensity on T(1)WIs and hyperintensity on T(2)WIs and DWIs. The mean ADC value was 2.48 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1). Conclusion: The temporal MRI characteristics seemed to be related to chemical and physical changes in RBC and organisation of granulation tissues. Free radicals generated by macrophages might also be related to some extent.