The search for a marsupial XIC reveals a break with vertebrate synteny

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) evolved in mammals to deal with X-chromosome dosage imbalance between the XX female and the XY male. In eutherian mammals, random XCI of the soma requires a master regulatory locus known as the ‘X-inactivation center’ (XIC/Xic), wherein lies the noncoding XIST/Xist silencer RNA and its regulatory antisense Tsix gene. By contrast, marsupial XCI is imprinted to occur on the paternal X chromosome. To determine whether marsupials and eutherians share the XIC-driven mechanism, we search for the sequence equivalents in the genome of the South American opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Positional cloning and bioinformatic analysis reveal several interesting findings. First, protein-coding genes that flank the eutherian XIC are well-conserved in M. domestica, as well as in chicken, frog, and pufferfish. However, in M. domestica we fail to identify any recognizable XIST or TSIX equivalents. Moreover, cytogenetic mapping shows a surprising break in synteny with eutherian mammals and other vertebrates. Therefore, during the evolution of the marsupial X chromosome, one or more rearrangements broke up an otherwise evolutionarily conserved block of vertebrate genes. The failure to find XIST/TSIX in M. domestica may suggest that the ancestral XIC is too divergent to allow for detection by current methods. Alternatively, the XIC may have arisen relatively late in mammalian evolution, possibly in eutherians with the emergence of random XCI. The latter argues that marsupial XCI does not require XIST and opens the search for alternative mechanisms of dosage compensation.     

Use of post-mortem human synaptosomes for studies of metabolism and transmitter amino acid release

Synaptosomes have been prepared from human brain obtained at autopsies carried out up to 24 h postmortem (p.m.). They showed generally good retention of morphology, as well as accumulation of tissue potassium and linear rates of oxygen uptake. In response to veratrine depolarization they showed increased respiration rate, decreased tissue potassium content and the specific release of transmitter amino acids. Regression analysis indicated that metabolically and functionally active preparations may be obtained up to ca. 25 h p.m. Preparations obtained from patients dying with brain injury were inactive.     

Intraaxonaler transport von Ethidium-Bromid-sensitiven RNS- und niedermolekularen 3H-Uridin-Verbindungen im tractus opticus von teleosteern

Zusammenfassung Am Sehtrakt von Carassius carassius und Scardinius erythrophthalmus wurde die axonale Ausbreitungsweise hoch- und niedermolekularer 3H-Uridin-Verbindungen untersucht. Dabei wurde nach intraocularer Injektion des Tracers für TCE-resistente Verbindungen eine intraaxonale Transportgeschwindigkeit von 2–4 mm/d bestimmt, für TCE-lösliche Verbindungen eine von ca. 30–50 mm/d. Durch Applikation des spezifisch mitochondrialen RNS-Synthese-Hemmers Ethidium-Bromid konnte die Einbaurate von 3H-Uridin in hochmolekulare RNS um 70–80% erniedrigt werden, was dafür spricht, daß die langsam im Axoplasma wandernden Mitochondrien einen Großteil der axonalen RNS synthetisieren.In der TCE-löslichen Fraktion konnten durch dünnschichtchromatographische Analyse noch nach 8d p. i. 3H-Uridin und 3H-UDPG nachgewiesen werden. Dieser Befund wird hinsichtlich eines transneuronalen Stoffübertritts von Uridin und der möglichen Bedeutung des UDPG-Transportes im Nervengewebe diskutiert.

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Intraaxonal transport of ethidium-bromide-sensitive RNA- and lowmolecular 3H-uridine-compounds in the optic tract of teleost

Summary In the optic system of teleosts (Carassius carassius and Scardinius erythrophthalmus) the axonal flow of high and low molecular 3H-uridine-compounds was investigated. After injection of the tracer into one eyeball and TCA-extraction of the samples a transport-rate of 2–4 mm/d was demonstrated. By the specific inhibitor of mitochondrial RNA-synthesis, Ethidium-Bromide, the amount of axonal radioactivity could be reduced to 20–30% of the control. This indicates the mitochondria as being the site of synthesis most of axonal RNA. Considering the TCA-soluble 3H-uridine-compounds, an intraaxonal flow also could be demonstrated, with a transport-rate of 30–50 mm/d, 16 times higher as the one of RNA. The analysis by thin layer chromatography indicated the existence of 3H-uridine and 3H-UDPG in the axonal fraction of TCA-soluble compounds still after an incorporation time of 8d. The possibility of a transneuronal convection of uridine and the function of UDPG-transport in the axon are discussed.

Frau Prof. Dr. H. Kersten (Erlangen) danke ich für die Überlassung einer Probe Ethidium-Bromid.     

Metabolism of lymphocytes in mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The pattern of metabolic processes in lymphocytes of mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma depended on the stage of tumor growth.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 11, pp. 563–566, November, 2004     

Influence of dietary protein level on protein self-selection and plasma and brain amino acid concentrations

Control of protein intake was studied in young rats that were allowed to choose between either protein-free and 55% casein diets or 15% and 55% casein diets. Animals on the protein-free vs. 55% casein regimen exhibited a lower weight gain, a lower cumulative energy intake and a greater cumulative total protein intake during the 13-day study compared to rats selecting between 15% and 55% casein. The daily average proportion of total food selected as casein by animals choosing between protein-free and 55% casein diets increased from 15% to 38% during the course of the study. In contrast, rats choosing between 15% and 55% casein chose 18-22% of total food as protein throughout the entire study. Long-term protein intake or protein selection did not correlate significantly with whole-brain contents of 5-HT or 5-HIAA. Our results suggest that protein intake is not regulated at a constant proportion of total calories, but is controlled between a minimum level that will support rapid growth and a maximum that, if exceeded, would require the animal to undergo substantial metabolic adaptation. The mechanism controlling protein selection may involve diet-induced changes in the brain content of total free indispensable amino acids.     

Isolation and RNA-binding analysis of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenases from Kluyveromyces lactis and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Krebs cycle NAD⁺-isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idh) binds to the 5-UTRs of all mitochondrial mRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We hypothesize that this leader-binding activity plays a role in translational regulation, thereby linking mitochondrial biogenesis to the need for respiratory function. Analysis of effects of leader binding on mitochondrial translation is complicated by the involvement of the enzyme in mitochondrial metabolism. We have therefore searched for an Idh altered in RNA binding, but retaining full enzyme activity. Idh from Kluyveromyces lactis and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was partially purified and examined for the ability to bind Cox2 mRNA. Sch. pombe Idh, like the S. cerevisiae enzyme, has high affinity for both its own, K. lactis and S. cerevisiaeCOX2 leaders. In contrast, Idh purified from K. lactis shows only low affinity for all mRNAs tested. To determine what distinguishes K. lactis Idh from S. cerevisiae Idh, genes encoding the two subunits of Idh in K. lactis were cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparison revealed high levels of similarity throughout the proteins, in particular in regions involved in enzyme activity, co-factor and regulator binding. Non-conserved residues between the subunits from the two yeasts are candidates for involvement in the interaction with RNA. Received: 19 January 2000 / 24 March 2000