{"title":"Effect of chronic excess of tumour necrosis factor-alpha on contractile proteins in rat skeletal muscle.","authors":"I R Cheema, C Hermann, S Postell, P Barnes","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effect of chronic tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) treatment on the synthesis of specific myofibrillar proteins such as heavy chain myosin, light chain myosin and G-actin in rat diaphragm were evaluated. Muscles (diaphragm) from control and experimental groups (TNF-alpha i.v. at 50 microg/kg body wt for 5 days) were incubated in the presence of 35S-methionine for 2 h. Myofibrillar protein extracts were prepared and protein was electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels. Heavy chain myosin, light chain myosin and G-actin were identified by Western blot analysis using specific monoclonal antibodies. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) followed by Western blot analysis revealed two types of heavy chain myosin (206 and 212 kD), all four types of light chain myosin (15, 16.5, 18 and 20 kD) and a single type of G-actin (42 kD). Chronic TNF-alpha treatment produced a significant decline in the synthesis of all types of myofibrillar proteins, namely heavy chain myosin, light chain myosin and G-actin. TNF-alpha impaired peptide-chain initiation in diaphragm muscle which was reversed by the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) therapy of TNF-alpha treated rats. These findings indicate a significant role for TNF-alpha in the translational regulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"103 404","pages":"169-76"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21911726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chromosome evolution involving Robertsonian rearrangements in Xyrichthys fish (Labridae, Perciformes).","authors":"K Ueno, A Takai","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Three Xyrichthys fish (Labridae, Perciformes), X. pavo, X. dea, and X. twistii, were cytogenetically studied. X. pavo and X. dea had 2n = 44 chromosomes, which were all acrocentric. X. twistii had 2n = 22 chromosomes consisting of eighteen meta- and submetacentric and four acrocentric chromosomes. The cellular DNA contents of X. pavo and X. twistii measured using flow cytometry were nearly equal. These results suggest that the karyotype of X. twistii evolved by decreasing the number of chromosomes by fusion events, probably Robertsonian fusion. Cytogenetic relationships among the three species were surmized on the basis of features on the karyotypes and the NOR locations. A large gap in the chromosome number between 2n = 44 and 2n = 22 is an interesting feature related to the process of chromosome evolution.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"103 402","pages":"7-15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21862264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The sequestration of hydroxyl ions by CO2 in liquid water: the physiological implications and the second function of carbonic anhydrase.","authors":"W F Widdas, G F Baker","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The pH changes due to bubbling CO2 through water produced anomalies which were more readily explained by an hypothesis based on electrostatic attractions between the molecules. The present studies have suggested that an hexagonal array of six carbon dioxide molecules could bind and sequester a hydroxyl anion. The binding energy of the complex is estimated to be comparable with that of a covalent compound and its dissociation may only occur at the water interface with air or at the water/hydrophobic protein interface in a protein cleft. The physiological importance lies in the consequential release of an equal number of free hydrogen ions (H3O+) and the disruption of the normal action of buffer systems in regulating the cytoplasmic pH. The counteraction of this sequestration reaction and the acid-base disturbances which result, form the second important function of carbonic anhydrase isoforms, the mechanisms of which are briefly discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"103 402","pages":"39-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21862267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extracellular matrix effects on a neuroblastoma cell line.","authors":"M Hahn, T Glass, J Koke","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cells of various lines assume similar shapes when grown attached to substrates like coverslips. In contrast, cells cultured in a collagen and/or laminin matrix often assume a relatively normal morphology in comparison with their in situ counterparts. During investigations of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, an attempt was made to identify culture conditions which would cause the cells to assume a more regular shape. SH-SY5Y cells cultured on bare coverslips, on coverslips coated with rat-tail collagen, and in approximately 1 mm thick gels containing extracellular matrix components were compared. Striking differences were apparent when comparing the gel-cultured cells with cells cultured on coverslips. Cells grown in the gel formed ganglia-like clusters which generated bundles of neurites which targeted other 'ganglia'. The same cells grown on coverslips, whether or not they were collagen-coated, appeared unaware of the presence of other cells, and did not cluster, nor did they generate neurites.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"102 399","pages":"7-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21667782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P M Zeis, M Tzaki, L Nakopoulou, P Nicolaidou, E Kavazarakis, A Messaritaki, M Moustaki, M P Zeis, D Gourgiotis
{"title":"DNA degradation in the kidney of folic acid-treated guinea pigs.","authors":"P M Zeis, M Tzaki, L Nakopoulou, P Nicolaidou, E Kavazarakis, A Messaritaki, M Moustaki, M P Zeis, D Gourgiotis","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous investigators agree on the increased DNA synthesis and destruction of tissues caused by folic acid (FA) administered parenterally. This study aims to clarify whether DNA degradation due to the destruction of cells and nuclei precedes DNA synthesis following FA administration. Forty guinea pigs were divided into four groups: group 1, contained 10 controls; in group 2, ten animals received intraperitoneally 300 mg/kg of body wt FA; in group 3, ten animals received FA and 12 h later frusemide intramuscularly in a dose of 7 mg/kg body wt; and finally in group 4, ten animals received frusemide as in group 3. FA produced necrosis of the epithelial cells of the convoluted tubules as the detection of the beta-aminoisobutyric acid end product of DNA and thymine catabolism indicated. Frusemide administered in group 3 had a favourable effect on the acute renal failure induced by FA.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"102 400","pages":"107-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21728157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nature and distribution of constitutive heterochromatin and NOR location in the grasshopper Phaeoparia megacephala (Romaleidae: Orthoptera).","authors":"L G Pereira, M J de Souza","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The constitutive heterochromatin (CH) of Phaeoparia megacephala was studied using C-banding and fluorochrome staining (CMA3, DAPI and acridine orange). The nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) were identified with silver staining. The chromosome complement of this species was 2n = 23, XO in males, and 2n = 24, XX in females. The CH was pericentromeric in all chromosomes. L1, L2, L3 and X chromosomes showed large blocks of CH, while the medium and small chromosomes had small blocks. The staining procedure with acridine orange revealed the same pattern. All the pericentromeric regions showed small blocks of CMA3-positive constitutive heterochromatin (GC-rich regions), while only part of the large C-band positive chromosome segments (L1, L2, L3 and X) were CMA3 positive. This character demonstrates an uncommon heterogeneity of constitutive heterochromatin in P. megacephala. The fluorochrome DAPI did not reveal DAPI-positive regions (AT-rich regions). Silver staining revealed only one pair of medium chromosomes with NOR.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"103 403","pages":"111-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21902998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Karyotypic characterization and constitutive heterochromatin in the grasshopper Stiphra robusta (Orthoptera proscopiidae).","authors":"M J de Souza, R de C de Moura","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conventional analysis, C-banding, silver nitrate and base specific fluorochrome staining with chromomycin A3 (CMA3) were used to analyse the meiotic chromosomes of the grasshopper Stiphra robusta. Diploid numbers of 2n = 19 in the males and 2n = 20 in the females were observed. The chromosome complement comprised a graded series of uniarmed chromosomes, and the X chromosome was medium sized. The nucleolar organizer regions, restricted to the bivalent chromosomes 6, 7 and 8, were CMA3 positive.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"101 398","pages":"137-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21605263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The sequestration of hydroxyl ions by C2 in liquid water: useful physiological roles for a reversible complex formation in the presence of protein catalysts.","authors":"W F Widdas, G F Baker","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A second function of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms has already been proposed. This involves the dispersal of complexes in which six carbon dioxide molecules sequester a hydroxyl ion when the gas reacts with liquid water. The semi-catalytic reaction does not require the formation of bicarbonate as an essential corollary. This function is, therefore, a likely activity of carbonic anhydrase related proteins that have recently been discovered and which lack the active zinc site essential for the hydration of carbon dioxide. Re-examination of possible functions for the complex of six CO2 molecules with a hydroxyl anion have brought to light several circumstances where the presence of fully reversible complexes could have physiological advantages. A catalytic synthesis and dissolution of the complexes could thus be the important function for the carbonic anhydrase-related proteins (CA-RP) molecules as well as of some CA isoforms. The possible mechanisms for this extended second catalytic function and examples are briefly discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"103 404","pages":"177-92"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21912713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methorchiasis in the residents of Novosibirsk area, Russia.","authors":"V G Kuznetsova, V A Naumov, G F Belov","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infection with Methorchis bilis was recognized for the first time in the residents of Novosibirsk area (Russia). During a serological survey (37 patients in toto), it was possible to demonstrate that 48.5% of the serum samples tested possessed antibodies to Opisthorchis felineus antigens, 37.8% to both Opisthorchis felineus and Methorchis bilis antigens, and 13.5% to Methorchis bilis antigens only.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"102 399","pages":"33-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21667784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of pH and inorganic carbon concentration on growth, glycerol production, photosynthesis and dark respiration of Dunaliella salina.","authors":"A Thakur, H D Kumar, S M Cowsik","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The growth of Dunaliella salina was studied with respect to pH and varying concentrations of NaHCO3 in the medium. The growth rate, photosynthesis and dark respiration were maximal at pH 8 and 4 mM NaHCO3 in the medium. Photosystem I of the Hill reaction was affected more by inorganic carbon concentration than photosystem II.</p>","PeriodicalId":11078,"journal":{"name":"Cytobios","volume":"102 400","pages":"69-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21727004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}