Functional expression in vitro of bovine visual rhodopsin

1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Zozulya ◽  
V.V. Gurevich ◽  
T.A. Zvyaga ◽  
E.P. Shirokova ◽  
I.L. Dumler ◽  
...  
Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (8) ◽  
pp. 2871-2877 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Takenaka ◽  
K Nagafuji ◽  
M Harada ◽  
S Mizuno ◽  
T Miyamoto ◽  
...  

Fas antigen (Fas Ag; CD95) is a cell surface molecule that can mediate apoptosis. Bcl-2 is a cytoplasmic molecule that prolongs cellular survival by inhibiting apoptosis. To investigate the role of both molecules in hematopoiesis, we evaluated the expression of Fas Ag and Bcl-2 on CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells expanded in vitro. CD34+ cells isolated from bone marrow were cultured in iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 1% bovine serum albumin, 50 ng/mL stem cell factor, 50 ng/mL interleukin-3 (IL-3), 50 ng/mL IL-6, 100 ng/mL granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and 3 U/mL erythropoietin for 7 days. Colony-forming unit of granulocytes/macrophages (CFU-GM) and burst-forming unit of erythroids (BFU-E) were expanded 6.9-fold and 8.8-fold in number at day 5 of culture, respectively. Freshly isolated CD34+ cells did not express Fas Ag, whereas approximately half of them expressed Bcl-2. CD34+ cells cultured with hematopoietic growth factors gradually became positive for Fas Ag and rapidly lost Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, apoptosis was induced in the cultured CD34+ population when anti-Fan antibody (IgM; 1 microgram/mL) was added, as shown by significant decrease in the number of viable cells, morphologic changes, induction of DNA fragmentation, and significant decrease in the number of clonogenic progenitor cells including CFU. GM and BFU-E. These results indicate that functional expression of Fas Ag is induced on CD34+ cells expanded in vitro in the presence of hematopoietic growth factors. Induction of Fas Ag and downregulation of Bcl-2 may be expressed as part of the differentiation program of hematopoietic cells and may be involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis.


Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Russell G. Foster ◽  
Steven Hughes ◽  
Stuart N. Peirson

Light around twilight provides the primary entrainment signal for circadian rhythms. Here we review the mechanisms and responses of the mouse and human circadian systems to light. Both utilize a network of photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) expressing the photopigment melanopsin (OPN4). In both species action spectra and functional expression of OPN4 in vitro show that melanopsin has a λmax close to 480 nm. Anatomical findings demonstrate that there are multiple pRGC sub-types, with some evidence in mice, but little in humans, regarding their roles in regulating physiology and behavior. Studies in mice, non-human primates and humans, show that rods and cones project to and can modulate the light responses of pRGCs. Such an integration of signals enables the rods to detect dim light, the cones to detect higher light intensities and the integration of intermittent light exposure, whilst melanopsin measures bright light over extended periods of time. Although photoreceptor mechanisms are similar, sensitivity thresholds differ markedly between mice and humans. Mice can entrain to light at approximately 1 lux for a few minutes, whilst humans require light at high irradiance (>100’s lux) and of a long duration (>30 min). The basis for this difference remains unclear. As our retinal light exposure is highly dynamic, and because photoreceptor interactions are complex and difficult to model, attempts to develop evidence-based lighting to enhance human circadian entrainment are very challenging. A way forward will be to define human circadian responses to artificial and natural light in the “real world” where light intensity, duration, spectral quality, time of day, light history and age can each be assessed.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wladyslaw Sulowicz ◽  
Zygmunt Hanicki ◽  
Wojciech Uracz ◽  
Barbara Hajto ◽  
Irena Ruggiero ◽  
...  

To investigate the biological activity of peritoneal macrophages, cells isolated from dialysate of 30 patients with end-stage kidney disease treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis and from ascites of 6 patients with cardiac insufficiency (relative control group) were added to autologous, phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte cultures. Macrophages of dialyzed patients induced a dose-dependent increase in autologous lymphocyte proliferation, whereas macrophages obtained from control subjects exerted a suppressive effect on those cultures. The enhanced lymphocyte proliferation by macrophages from dialyzed patients was corroborated by the increased metabolic activity of macrophages as evaluated by the increased nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test and increased functional expression of Fc receptors (FcR). The subpopulation of macrophages from patients with HLA -DR antigens as determined by HB55 monoclonal antibody, inhibited Iymphoproliferation in vitro. We conclude that peritoneal macrophages from dialyzed patients represent a heterogenous population of cells with different phenotypic and functional characteristics.


1985 ◽  
Vol 162 (4) ◽  
pp. 1161-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Minato ◽  
T Amagai ◽  
J Yodoi ◽  
T Diamanstein ◽  
S Kano

Using cloned lines with the morphology of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) from BALB/c mice, we studied the exact requirements for proliferation and their functional characteristics, as well as their regulation. Although these cloned LGL lines were interleukin 2 (IL-2) dependent for growth, experiments using human recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2), known to be active on murine cells, indicated that IL-2 was a necessary but not sufficient factor. Coexistance of normal macrophages in addition to rIL-2 was found to support continuous proliferation of cloned LGL in vitro. This role of macrophages could be replaced by partially purified IL-1 derived from macrophage-conditioned medium. An IL-2 binding assay using 125I-rIL-2 suggested that the role of normal macrophages was to selectively induce and/or maintain high affinity IL-2 receptors (IL-2R) (Kd, 0.2-0.5 nM) without affecting low affinity ones (Kd, 10-30 nM). Functional studies indicated that most of the LGL clones killed various combinations of representative groups of natural killer (NK)-susceptible target cells, including leukemic cells (YAC-1, RL male 1), virus-infected cells (HeLa-measles, HeLa-herpes simplex virus), and normal bone marrow cells (BMC), whereas none of them affected any of NK-resistant target cells, including uninfected HeLa cells. Some of these clones also suppressed in vitro hematopoiesis. Such characteristic cytotoxic spectra, as well as serological phenotypes (Thy-1+, Lyt-1-2-, asialo GM1-positive, T200+, TdT-, Fc receptor-positive) indicated that these LGL clones exactly represent endogenous NK cells, rather than a variety of anomalous killer cells generated in various culture conditions. Although there was significant heterogeneity of cytotoxic spectrum among LGL clones, no clonotypic distribution of specificities was observed. Normal macrophages were found to modulate the functional expression of LGL clones. They augmented the cytotoxic potential of the clones against leukemic and virus-infected targets, but suppressed intrinsic reactivity against normal BMC. Similarly, LGL clones maintained with macrophages showed much less suppressive effect on in vitro hematopoiesis. The present observations on the interaction of cloned LGL and normal macrophages provide a basic explanation for the mechanisms by which the immediate responsiveness to IL-2 of the NK effector system, without exogenous stimulation, and the functional selectivity toward abnormal rather than normal cells, are actively maintained in vivo.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 472-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Tjwa ◽  
Lieve Moons ◽  
Koen Theunissen ◽  
Rute Moura ◽  
Francesco Blasi ◽  
...  

Abstract We previously identified the plasmin protease family as a critical determinant of the mobilization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC/HPC), but the role of the urokinase receptor uPAR remained unclear. uPAR is a membrane-anchored glycoprotein, which not only localizes its ligand urokinase (uPA) to the cell surface via its GPI-anchor but also regulates β1-integrin dependent cell adhesion and migration. Following 5-FU myeloablation or G-CSF treatment, mice lacking uPAR (uPAR−/−) had impaired hematopoietic recovery and HSC/HPC mobilization as compared to wild type (WT) mice. However, this phenotype was not mimicked in mice lacking uPA, suggesting a role of uPAR in mobilization independent of uPA-mediated proteolysis. The impaired mobilization in uPAR−/− mice was reversed upon pre-transplantation with WT BM cells (BMC), suggesting functional expression of uPAR on transplantable BMCs. Conversely, loss or inhibition of uPAR on transplanted BMCs impaired homing to the BM but not to the spleen, and compromised survival of myeloablated WT recipients. In vitro experiments revealed that loss or inhibition of uPAR impaired BMC adhesion to stromal cells and fibronectin. Anti-α4-β1 antibodies blocked adhesion of WT but not uPAR−/− BMCs. Thus, uPAR appears to regulate BM homing and α4-β1 dependent retention of transplantable BMCs, possibly HSC/HPCs. If uPAR mediates retention of HSC/HPCs, then this signal should be inactivated upon mobilization. Indeed, in 5-FU or G-CSF-treated WT mice, we found increased uPAR cleavage, and elevated levels of soluble uPAR (suPAR) in BM plasma. These processes failed to occur in mice lacking plasminogen, suggesting that plasmin cleaves uPAR during mobilization. Cleavage of uPAR appeared critical as the inactivation of the retention signals membrane-bound Kit ligand and SDF-1α was normal in uPAR−/− mice. Moreover, the generated suPAR may also affect the BM, as administration of recombinant suPAR in WT mice enhanced hematopoietic recovery and HSC/HPC mobilization after 5-FU or G-CSF. In vitro and transplantation experiments revealed that suPAR blocked α4-β1 dependent adhesion. Thus, in steady state, membrane-anchored uPAR appears to function as a BM retention signal for transplantable BMCs, possibly HSC/HPCs. In conditions of mobilization, the uPAR retention signal is cleaved, which weakens α4-β1 dependent adhesion and allows mobilization out of the BM. Soluble uPAR may then additionally amplify mobilization, in part by further attenuating α4-β1 dependent adhesion to the BM. Currently, we are investigating the role of uPAR on subsets of HSC/HPCs, and in the different BM niches. We are also performing long-term competitive repopulation experiments to further delineate the therapeutic potential of uPAR.


2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (8) ◽  
pp. 2425-2430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Börnke ◽  
Mohammad Hajirezaei ◽  
Uwe Sonnewald

ABSTRACT Erwinia rhapontici is able to convert sucrose into isomaltulose (palatinose, 6-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructose) and trehalulose (1-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructose) by the activity of a sucrose isomerase. These sucrose isomers cannot be metabolized by plant cells and most other organisms and therefore are possibly advantageous for the pathogen. This view is supported by the observation that in vitro yeast invertase activity can be inhibited by palatinose, thus preventing sucrose consumption. Due to the lack of genetic information, the role of sucrose isomers in pathogenicity has not been evaluated. Here we describe for the first time the cloning and characterization of the palatinose (pal) genes fromErwinia rhapontici. To this end, a 15-kb chromosomal DNA fragment containing nine complete open reading frames (ORFs) was cloned. The pal gene products of Erwinia rhapontici were shown to be homologous to proteins involved in uptake and metabolism of various sugars from other microorganisms. ThepalE, palF, palG, palH, palK, palQ, and palZgenes were oriented divergently with respect to the palRand palI genes, and sequence analysis suggested that the first set of genes constitutes an operon. Northern blot analysis of RNA extracted from bacteria grown under various conditions implies that the expression of the palI gene and the palEFGHKQZgenes is oppositely regulated at the transcriptional level. Genes involved in palatinose uptake and metabolism are down regulated by sucrose and activated by palatinose. Palatinose activation is inhibited by sucrose. Functional expression of palI andpalQ in Escherichia coli revealed sucrose isomerase and palatinase activity, respectively.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 4187-4195 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Vera ◽  
O M Rosen

We report the functional expression of two different mammalian facilitative glucose transporters in Xenopus oocytes. The RNAs encoding the rat brain and liver glucose transporters were transcribed in vitro and microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. Microinjected cells showed a marked increase in 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake as compared with controls injected with water. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose uptake increased during the 5 days after microinjection of the RNAs, and the microinjected RNAs were stable for at least 3 days. The expression of functional glucose transporters was dependent on the amount of RNA injected. The oocyte-expressed transporters could be immunoprecipitated with anti-brain and anti-liver glucose transporter-specific antibodies. Uninjected oocytes expressed an endogenous transporter that appeared to be stereospecific and inhibitable by cytochalasin B. This transporter was kinetically and immunologically distinguishable from both rat brain and liver glucose transporters. The uniqueness of this transporter was confirmed by Northern (RNA) blot analysis. The endogenous oocyte transporter was responsive to insulin and to insulinlike growth factor I. Most interestingly, both the rat brain and liver glucose transporters, which were not insulin sensitive in the tissues from which they were cloned, responded to insulin in the oocyte similarly to the endogenous oocyte transporter. These data suggest that the insulin responsiveness of a given glucose transporter depends on the type of cell in which the protein is expressed. The expression of hexose transporters in the microinjected oocytes may help to identify tissue-specific molecules involved in hormonal alterations in hexose transport activity.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1544
Author(s):  
Sonia Saib ◽  
Xavier Delavenne

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a key role in drug pharmacokinetics. These membrane transporters expressed within physiological barriers can be a source of pharmacokinetic variability. Changes in ABC transporter expression and functionality may consequently affect the disposition of substrate drugs, resulting in different drug exposure. Inflammation, present in several acute and chronic diseases, has been identified as a source of modulation in drug transporter expression leading to variability in drug response. Its regulation may be particularly dangerous for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. In this context, numerous in vitro and in vivo models have shown up- or downregulation in the expression and functionality of ABC transporters under inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, the existence of contradictory data and the lack of standardization for the models used have led to a less conclusive interpretation of these data.


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