[3H]5-HT binding in post-mortem human cerebral cortex: methodological considerations

Summary The effects of different membrane preparations and assay conditions on [³H]5-HT binding to post-mortem human cortical tissue was studied. Optimal binding necessitated thorough removal of endogenous 5-HT and this was achieved either by hypotonic lysis or by preincubation of the membranes at 37C. Calcium chloride (4 mM) increased specific [³H]5-HT binding. The further addition of ascorbic acid (5.7 mM) or ascorbic acid and clorgyline (10 M) reduced specific [³H]5-HT binding.     

Involvement of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C in the α2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine release in rat hypothalamic slices

Summary In superfused rat hypothalamic slices prelabelled with [³H]-noradrenaline, the ₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14304 inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically-evoked release of tritium. This inhibition was antagonized by the ₂-adrenoceptor blocking agent idazoxan, which by itself increased the electrically-evoked tritium overflow. Exposure to forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, increased the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline. In the presence of forskolin (1 mol/l), both the inhibitory effect of UK 14304 and the increasing effect of idazoxan on the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline were less pronounced than in the absence of the adenylate cyclase activator. Exposure to forskolin and to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine shifted to the right the concentration-effect curve for UK 14304 in a similar manner as that observed in the presence of forskolin alone. Exposure to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.01–10 mol/l), a drug which activates protein kinase C, increased the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline. In the presence of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 and 1 mol/l), the concentration effect curve for UK 14304 on tritium overflow was significantly shifted to the right. The increasing effect of idazoxan on tritium overflow was significantly less pronounced in the presence of 1 mol/l phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate.In superfused rat hypothalamic slices prelabelled with [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine, the ₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14304 significantly inhibited the electrically-evoked release of tritium. Exposure to forskolin increased in a concentration-dependent manner [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine overflow, but did not modify the UK 14304-mediated inhibition. Exposure to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine enhanced the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine. In the presence of both forskolin (1 mol/l) and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (1 mmol/l), the concentration-response curve for UK 14304 was significantly shifted to the right. Exposure to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.01–10 mol/l) enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically-evoked overflow of [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine. In the presence of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 and 1 mol/l), UK 14304 was significantly less potent to inhibit tritium release than in the absence of the protein kinase C activator.It is concluded that both cyclic AMP and phosphoinositide turnover are involved in the modulation of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine release by presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptors in rat hypothalamic slices. However, these interactions do not represent definitive proof for a cause-effect relationship for the second messengers mediating the ₂-adrenoceptor induced inhibition of transmitter release either as autoreceptor or as heteroreceptor.Send offprint requests to S. Z. Langer at the above address     

Distribution of 2-naphthol sulphotransferase and its endogenous substrate adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulphate in human tissues

The activity of sulphotransferase towards 2-naphthol and the concentration of its endogenous substrate, adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPS), have been measured in five specimens of human liver, lung, and kidney, and the mucosa from the ileum and the ascending, descending and sigmoid colon. The activity of 2-naphthol sulphotransferase (mean nmol.min-1.mg-1 protein) was 1.82 (liver); 0.034 (kidney); 0.19 (lung); 0.64 (ileum); 0.47 (ascending colon); 0.50 (descending colon); 0.40 (sigmoid colon). The concentration of PAPS (mean nmol.g-1 wet tissue) was 22.6 (liver); 4.8 (kidney); 4.3 (lung); 12.8 (ileum); 8.1 (ascending colon); 7.5 (descending colon); 6.2 (sigmoid colon). The concentration of PAPS and the activity of 2-naphthol sulphotransferase were higher in the liver than in the extrahepatic tissues. There was significant difference between ileum and ascending colon, both the activity of sulphotransferase and the concentration of PAPS being higher in the former. 2-Naphthol sulphotransferase activity and the concentration of PAPS have consistent distribution patterns. Differences between the tissues studied were more marked for sulphotransferase than for its endogenous substrate.     

Complex Ph1 translocation in chronic myeloid leukemia

This report describes a new case of chronic myeloid leukemia with an unusual Philadelphia chromosome translocation involving chromosomes No. 4,9, and 22; t(4,9,22) (q31;q34;q11).     

Quantitative autoradiography of nicotinic [H]acetylcholine binding sites in rat brain

Quantitative autoradiography was used to localize nicotinic [³H]acetylcholine (ACh) binding sites in rat brain. High concentrations of nicotinic [³H]ACh binding sites were observed in the anterior and medial nuclei of the thalamus, the medial habenula and the superficial layer of the superior colliculus. Moderate levels of binding sites were observed in a variety of brain regions such as the frontoparietal cortex and the hippocampus. Low levels of nicotinic ACh sites occurred throughout the hypothalamus and the primary olfactory cortex.     

Genomic imprinting and its relevance to genetic diseases

Summary Genomic imprinting is a biological phenomenon determined by an evolutionally acquired, underlying system that may control harmonious development and growth in mammals. It is also relevant to some genetic disorders in man. In this article, lines of biological evidence of imprinting, characteristics of the mouse and human imprinted genes, and findings and mechanisms on the occurrence of several human imprinting disorders are reviewed.     

Effect of hypothermia on renal sodium reabsorption

Summary The relationship between sodium reabsorption and oxygen consumption was studied in an isolated rabbit kidney preparation perfused with blood at 37, 28 and 19° C. When the temperature was lowered from 37° C to 28° C and to 19°C the rate of oxygen consumption and of the maximal P.A.H. excretion (Tm P.A.H.) decreased more than that of sodium reabsorption.TheQ ₁₀ for sodium reabsorption is about 1.8, while that for maximal P.A.H. excretion is 2.5. Some hypothesis on the possible mechanisms of the lowQ ₁₀ of the Na⁺ reabsorption are forwarded.Preliminary reports have been published [Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper.43, 1019–1023 (1966) and44, 1784–1787 (1967);45, 860–862 (1969) and45, 863–865 (1969)].     

Study of the HLA system in Burkitt's lymphoma

Seventy-eight patients with Burkitt's lymphoma and seventy controls from Ghana were typed for HLA-A, B, C and DR antigens, to determine whether there is an association between the HLA system and Burkitt's lymphoma. Increased relative risk was observed in Burkitt's lymphoma patients with DR7, HLA-A1 and B12 (BW44).     

Chronic Cocaine Injections Attenuate Behavioral Response of κ-Opioid Receptors to U-50,488H Agonist

Chronic injections of cocaine (20 mg/kg daily for 10 days) increase activity and decrease anxiety in male C57Bl/6j mice in comparison with animals chronically injected with normal saline. U-50,488H (κ-opioid receptor agonist; 2.5 mg/kg) produced an anxiolytic effect in animals preinjected with normal saline and had no effect in animals chronically injected with cocaine. Presumably, chronic activation of dopaminergic systems caused by cocaine injections is paralleled by desensitization of k-opioid receptor system. __________ Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 9, pp. 305–307, September, 2005