Protein kinase C in IL- 2 signal transduction

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), secreted principally by activated helper T-cells, plays a pivotal role in the generation and regulation of the immune response. The various biologic functions of IL-2 have been the focus of intensive study over the years and have been well worked out. By contrast, an understanding of the intracellular signals coupled to the IL-2 receptor and responsible for mediating IL-2 effects in T-cells is far less developed, and the role that protein kinase C (PKC) may play in the various cellular responses to IL-2 receptor activation is unclear. In this article we will discuss IL-2, its receptors, and IL-2 signal transduction in relation to the physiological roles PKC activation may play in IL-2-mediated activation of T-cells and other hematopoietic cells.     

L-tryptophan injection fails to alter nutrient selection by rats

Nutritional studies on rats given a choice between two diets differing in protein content have led to the proposal that brain 5-HT content regulates protein intake [2]. Pharmacologic studies under similar conditions of dietary self-selection suggest that brain 5-HT controls carbohydrate intake [41]. We tested the effect of elevating brain 5-HT via tryptophan injection (100 mg/kg) on short-term food intake and selection by rats choosing between two diets differing in protein and carbohydrate content. Under these conditions neither total food intake nor protein and carbohydrate selection were affected despite increases of 50% in brain concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA. The effect of Trp administration was selective to serotonin metabolism as brain concentrations of NE, DA and DOPAC were not affected. These results suggest that alterations in brain 5-HT content which may occur following meal ingestion may not be of physiological importance in regulating nutrient intake and selection.     

中国版纳猪MHCI类P1分子全长的原核表达与纯化

目的：获得原核表达的中国版纳猪ＳＬＡＩ类Ｐ１蛋白质分子。方法：ＰＣＲ扩增去信号肽的ＳＬＡＩ类Ｐ１ｃＤＮＡ序列，亚克隆至ｐＧＥＭＴ载体，测序。将亚克隆的Ｐ１　ｃＤＮＡ片段插入表达载体ｐＥＴ４２ｂ（＋），构建重组表达质粒ｐＥＴ－４２ｂ（＋）／ｓｌａ－ｐｌ，转化Ｅ·ｃｏｌｉ表达菌 ＢＬ２１－ＣｏｄｏｎＰｌｕｓ（ＤＥ３）－ＲＩＬ，ＩＰＴＧ诱导 Ｐ１－８ ｘ ｈｉｓ融合蛋白表达，经包涵体洗涤，８ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ尿素变性溶解，Ｎｉ２＋亲和层析，梯度透析后，定量保存。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ、ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ－ｂｌｏｔｔｉｎｇ鉴定目的蛋白的表达与纯化。结果：目的蛋白（分子量３９．５ ｋＤ）表达量占细菌总蛋白 １５％，每升表达菌获得纯度９５％的目的蛋白 ４０ ｍｇ～６０ｍｇ。结论：成功建立猪 ＳＬＡ分子全长原核表达、纯化体系，为建立间接识别猪移植抗原ＳＬＡＩ类分子的人Ｔ细胞系及表位分析打下基础。     

PKC在成年大鼠脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强的诱导和维持中的作用

目的：探讨蛋白激酶C (PKC) 在大鼠脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强（LTP）的诱导和维持中的作用。方法： 细胞外记录技术在脊髓腰膨大部记录背角浅层神经元C-纤维诱发电位。 结果：(1) PKC的选择性抑制剂chelerythrine（200 μmol/L）或G 6983（100 μmol/L）对脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位的基础电位没有影响，但可完全阻断脊髓背角LTP的诱导。(2) Chelerythrine或G 6983呈时间依赖性翻转脊髓背角LTP。在LTP 诱导后15 min，脊髓局部给予chelerythrine（200 μmol/L）后，LTP逐渐降低，于给药后70 min降至对照水平；而G 6983（100 μmol/L）产生同chelerythrine相似的效应，在用药后110 min，LTP降至对照水平。但同样浓度的chelerythrine或G 6983在LTP 诱导后3 h，均不能翻转业已建立的LTP。结论： PKC参与脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位LTP的诱导和早期维持，而不影响晚期LTP的维持。     

类金刚石薄膜蛋白吸附与碳相成分关系的定量分析研究

运用灰色系统理论中的 T型关联度分析方法 ,对类金刚石 (DL C)薄膜、富石墨相 DL C薄膜和富金刚石相 DL C薄膜三种 DL C薄膜进行了碳相成分对其白蛋白 (HSA)、纤维蛋白原 (HFG)、免疫球蛋白 (Ig G)三种血浆蛋白吸附量影响的定量分析研究。合理地解释了三种材料蛋白吸附量随碳相成分变化的实验结果 ,并得出如下重要的分析结论 :(1)石墨和 C- H相对 HSA的吸附影响较大 ,随着二者的增加 ,HSA的吸附量下降 ;(2 )与 HFG吸附有较强关联的碳相成分是 DL C相和 C- O相 ,前者呈负相关 ,后者为正相关 ;(3)各碳相成分对 Ig G的吸附均有性质不尽相同的影响 ,但程度有限 ,且彼此间相差不大 ;(4 ) DL C碳相具有增强 HSA吸附、抑制 HFG、Ig G吸附的双重功效 ,其对 DL C薄膜血液相容性的影响远较其它碳相成分更为重要。     

Mechanisms of antagonistic action of internal Ca2+ on serotonin-induced potentiation of Ca2+ currents in Helix neurones

The influence of internal Ca²⁺ ions has been investigated during intracellular perfusion of isolated neurones from pedal ganglia of Helix pomatia in which serotonin (5-HT) induces a cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate-(cAMP)-dependent enhancement of high-threshold Ca²⁺ current (I _Ca). Internal free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) was varied between 0.01 and 10 M by addition of Ca²⁺-EGTA [ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate] buffer. Elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i depressed the 5-HT effect. The dose/ effect curve for the Ca²⁺ blockade had a biphasic character and could be described by the sum of two Langmuir's isotherms for tetramolecular binding with dissociation constants K _d1=0.063 M and K _d2=1 M. Addition of calmodulin (CM) antagonists (50 M trifluoperazine or 50 M chlorpromazine), phosphodiesterase (PDE) antagonists [100 M isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) or 5 mM theophylline] and protein phosphatase antagonists [2 M okadaic acid (OA)] in the perfusion solution caused anticalcium action and modified the Ca²⁺ binding isotherm. Using the effect of OA and IBMX, two components of the total Ca²⁺ inhibition were separated and evaluated. In the presence of one of these blockers tetramolecular curves with K _d1=0.04 M and K _d2=0.69 M were obtained describing the activation of the retained unblocked enzyme — PDE or calcineurin (CN) correspondingly. The sum of these isotherms gave a biphasic curve similar to that in control. Leupeptin (100 M), a blocker of Ca²⁺-dependent proteases did not influence the amplitude of 5-HT effect, indicating that channel proteolysis is not involved in the depression. Our findings show that the molecular mechanism of Ca²⁺-induced suppression of the cAMP-dependent upregulation of Ca²⁺ channels is due to involvement of two Ca²⁺-CM-dependent enzymes: PDE reducing the cAMP level, and CN causing channel dephosphorylation. No other processes are involved in the investigated phenomenon at a Ca²⁺ concentration of less than or equal to 10 M.     

Effects of Crowding on the Thermal Stability of Heterogeneous Protein Solutions

Crowding can substantially affect the transition of a protein between its native (N) and unfolded (U) states via volume exclusion effects. Also, it influences considerably the aggregation (A) of unfolded proteins. To examine the details, we developed an approach for computing the kinetic rates of the process N ↔ U → A in which the concentration of the protein is explicitly taken into account. We then compute the relative change with temperature of the protein denaturation for various fractional volume occupancies and partition of proteins in solution. The analysis indicates that, in protein solutions in which the average distance between proteins is comparable with the radius of gyration of an unfolded protein, steric effects increase the stability of the proteins which are in compact, native states. In heterogeneous protein solutions containing various types of proteins with different thermal stabilities, the unfolding of the most thermolabile proteins will increase the stability of the other proteins. The results shed light on the way proteins change the thermal stability of a cell as they unfold and aggregate. This study may be valuable in questions related to the dynamics of thermal injuries.     

A comparative study of the somato-axonal flow of protein in the feline hypoglossal and vagus nerves

Summary After ³H-lysine was applied to the X^th and XII^th cranial nuclei, radioactive protein synthesized in the nerve cell bodies of the hypoglossal and vagus nerves moved down the axons of these fibers at maximal rates of 6.3±1.2 and 16±3 mm per day, respectively. The distribution of radiolabeled protein at various periods indicated that other proteinaceous components moved at slower velocities.     

Serum protein concentration and oncotic pressure relationship in the rat

Summary A formula relating oncotic pressure torat serum protein concentration was derived and found to be in complete agreement with the Landis-Pappenheimer formula derived from measurements onhuman plasma.This study was supported by the Danish Medical Research Council and Johan and Hanne Weimann's legacy.     

Evaluation and standardization of polymerized ragweed extracts by chromatography,radioimmunoassay inhibition,and end point cutaneous titration

The standardization procedures for polymerized ragweed (PRW) must evaluate activity of PRW with assessments that differ from those used for standard unmodified extracts. This is because PRW allergens are different from conventional ragweed extracts in that they are much greater in average molecular weight and much lower in allergenicity for equivalent immunogenicity. We have evaluated seven samples of PRW for three parameters: allergenicity as determined by cutaneous end point titration, molecular weight distribution as determined by Sephadex G-200 chromatography, and availability of antigen E (AgE) determinants as measured by the ability of an extract to inhibit AgE binding to antibody by using a modification of the Farr technique. The skin test titers and molecular weight profiles provide information as to the safety of a PRW preparation and antigen-binding inhibitory activity gives information about allergenicity and immunogenicity. Appropriate limits may be set for each of these parameters to standardize PRW for clinical use.