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Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells resulted in a sustained increase in cellular diacylglycerol (DG) content in the absence of inositol-lipid hydrolysis. In the presence of non-cytotoxic concentrations of butan-1-ol, EGF stimulated the formation of phosphatidylbutanol, indicating that the EGF receptor was able to couple to the activation of phospholipase D (PLD). EGF-stimulated release of choline from Swiss 3T3 cells suggested that the major substrate for this PLD was phosphatidylcholine. Unlike bombesin-stimulated PLD activity, the response to EGF was not inhibited by a selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (Ro-31-8220), suggesting that it was not dependent on PKC activation. Pre-treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with the EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG18 selectively inhibited EGF-stimulated PLD activity; bombesin-stimulated PLD activity was unaffected. Butan-1-ol inhibited phorbol ester- and bombesin-stimulated DG formation suggesting a role for a coupled PLD/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase pathway; in contrast, EGF-stimulated DG formation was unaffected.

When Rat-1 cells bearing the ts LA29 mutant of Rous sarcoma virus (Rat1 LA29) are shifted from restrictive to permissive temperature, the pp60v-Src tyrosine kinase is activated and there is an increase in the cellular level of sn1,2-diacylglycerol (DRG) within 30 min which is not accompanied by increased inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. Temperature shift also increases the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), as determined by an increase in the generation of water soluble choline metabolites. Transphosphatidylation studies have shown that this occurs at least in part via a phospholipase D (PLD) catalysed pathway.

The cromakalim-like KCOs relax airways smooth muscle by an action that is associated with the opening of plasmalemmal K(+)-channels. The K(+)-channel involved may be analogous to the ATP-sensitive K(+)-channel identified in pancreatic beta-cells. It is unlikely to be open under normal circumstances and plays little role in determining the strong outward rectifying behaviour of the plasmalemma of the airways smooth muscle cell. K(+)-channel opening may cause relaxation of the airways smooth muscle cell by mechanisms additional to inhibition of Ca2+ influx through L-type VOCs. The cromakalim-like KCOs have bronchodilator activity in vivo and can depress NANC excitatory neuroeffector transmission in the lung at concentrations smaller than those required to relax airways smooth muscle. The mechanism of action of cromakalim in alleviating nocturnal asthma may not involve direct relaxation of airways smooth muscle. It is possible that cromakalim may instead act to inhibit the mechanisms underlying airway hyper-reactivity.

Addition of the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells resulted in a sustained increase in sn-1,2-diradylglycerol (DG) mass and [3H]DG in [3H]palmitate-labelled cells where phosphatidylcholine was the major labelled phospholipid. This occurred in the absence of inositol phosphate accumulation. In [3H]palmitate-labelled cells both bombesin and PMA stimulated the formation of phosphatidylbutanol ([3H]PtdBut) in the presence of 0.3% (v/v) butan-1-ol. The kinetics of [3H]PtdBut formation were consistent with phospholipase D (PLD) activation preceding sustained DG formation. The inclusion of butan-1-ol inhibited 70% of PMA-stimulated DG formation but only 30% of the bombesin response. The ability of bombesin and PMA to stimulate the accumulation of [3H]PtdBut was completely abolished in Swiss 3T3 cells which had been pre-treated with 400 nM-PMA for 48 h to down-regulate protein kinase C activity. PMA-stimulated [3H]PtdBut formation was inhibited by 90% by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (10 microM), but bombesin-stimulated PtdBut accumulation was inhibited by at most 50% by the same concentration of inhibitor. Cyclic AMP-elevating agents, i.e. forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, did not inhibit bombesin stimulation of PLD activity. Bombesin-stimulated PLD activity was inhibited by 50% by buffering of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration to 150 nM, but combination of this treatment with Ro-31-8220 addition was less than additive. Ionophore A23187 alone was able to stimulate PLD activity, but this response was inhibited 50% by Ro-31-8220. Thapsigargin was unable to stimulate PLD activity and had no modulatory effect upon bombesin-stimulated PLD activity at any agonist concentration. The results are discussed in terms of the role of PLD in DG generation and the regulation of PLD activity both by bombesin and by PMA.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass formation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with a lag time of some 30 s. The response was biphasic, with the second phase being sustained over time. PDGF also stimulated the formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 with a similar lag time to the DAG response, suggesting that DAG is derived from PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis at this time point. PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, as measured by the formation of water-soluble choline metabolites and phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) accumulation, was by a phospholipase D (PLD)-catalysed pathway which was kinetically downstream of initial PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis. Accumulation of PtdBut increased up to 15 min, suggesting that PLD activity is not rapidly densitized in response to PDGF. The kinetics of PtdCho hydrolysis closely paralleled the second phase of DAG formation, strongly suggesting that during prolonged stimulation periods PtdCho is a major source of DAG in these cells. However, since PtdIns(4,5)P2 breakdown was also prolonged, PDGF-stimulated DAG may be derived from both phospholipids. Down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC), by pre-treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, abolished both [3H]choline and [3H]PtdBut formation, suggesting that PLD-catalysed PtdCho hydrolysis may be dependent on PKC activation, supporting its dependence on prior PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis.

We have used a mobile mouse VL30 genetic element together with retroviral helper cells to efficiently transmit and express chimeric foreign gene sequences in murine and human cells. The construct comprised a cDNA copy of retrotransposon NVL3, an internal promoter [rat cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, EC 4.1.1.32)] and an expressed bacterial neomycin resistance gene. Thirty to sixty thousand colony forming units/ml (CFU/ml) were recovered from the supernatant of mass cultured psi2 helper cells transfected with the recombinant retrotransposon plasmid DNA. RNA was expressed from both the VL30 long terminal repeat and from the internal PEPCK promoter, resulting in a G418 drug resistance phenotype in recipient cells. Integrated VL30 DNA sequences transduced from psi2 or PA317 retroviral helper cells failed to regenerate detectable replication competent virus. Human and rodent recipient cells transduced by the retrotransposons appeared to bear intact vector sequences after two rounds of transmission by helper cells.

1. A study has been made, in guinea-pig isolated trachealis, of the effects of charybdotoxin in modulating (a) the activity of large conductance K(+)-channels, (b) the spontaneous electrical activity of intact cells and (c) the mechanical effects of some bronchodilator drugs. 2. Single smooth muscle cells were isolated from guinea-pig trachealis by enzymic digestion and were studied by the patch clamp recording technique. Recordings were made from outside-out plasmalemmal patches when the medium bathing the external surface of the patches contained 1.2 mM Ca2+ and 6 mM K+ while that bathing the cytosolic surface contained 0.1 microM Ca2+ and 140 mM K+. Charybdotoxin (100 nM), applied to the external surface of patches held at 0 mV, abolished the unitary currents associated with the opening of large conductance K(+)-channels. 3. Opened segments of guinea-pig trachea were used for the simultaneous recording of membrane potential and tension changes. In these experiments charybdotoxin (100 nM) caused the conversion of spontaneous electrical slow waves into spike-like action potentials. This effect was accompanied by a very small reduction in resting membrane potential. 4. Tissue bath recording showed that charybdotoxin (100 nM) increased the spontaneous mechanical tone of the tissue, antagonized (2.8 fold in each case) the relaxant actions of isoprenaline and theophylline but did not antagonize the relaxant actions of cromakalim or RP 49356. 5. It is concluded that charybdotoxin is an effective inhibitor of large conductance K(+)-channels in guinea-pig trachealis cells. The ability of charybdotoxin to convert spontaneous slow waves into spike-like action potentials suggests that the large, charybdotoxin-sensitive, K+-channels play an important role in determining the strong outward rectifying behaviour of the cells. The ability of charybdotoxin to antagonize isoprenaline and theophylline, but not to antagonize cromakalim and RP 49356, suggests that opening of the large conductance, charybdotoxin-sensitive K+-channel is implicated in the action of the former but not the latter pair of bronchodilator drugs.

Two primary isolates of A/equine/H3N8 viruses were obtained in embryonated hens' eggs and in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Viruses isolated in MDCK cells were significantly more sensitive as antigens in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. This sensitivity appeared to be primarily linked to the extent of cleavage of the haemagglutinin molecule.

The stimulated hydrolysis of inositol lipids and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) by bombesin, [Arg8]vasopressin ([Arg8]Vp) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was analysed in Swiss 3T3 cells pre-labelled to isotopic equilibrium with either [methyl-3H]choline, myo-[2-3H]inositol or [9,10 (n)-3H]palmitic acid. All three agonists activated the phospholipase D-catalysed hydrolysis of PtdCho as determined by the release of [3H]choline (Cho) and the formation of [3H]phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut). The release of [3H]choline by each agonist exhibited similar sensitivity to prolonged pre-exposure to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The release of [3H]choline exhibited the same dose dependency as the production of total inositol phosphates for each mitogen suggesting that the two responses might be mediated through identical receptors. Acute pre-treatment with TPA allowed the dissociation of inositol lipid hydrolysis from PtdCho breakdown, since it inhibited inositol phosphate accumulation but stimulated choline generation. The loss of mitogen stimulated choline release in cells pre-treated with the phorbol ester for 48 h was not due to loss of stimulated inositol phosphate production which was reproducibly enhanced in these 'down-regulated' cells.

Association of foreign DNA with chicken sperm cells was investigated using a 32P-oligolabelled plasmid preparation. Significant, although low, levels of trichloroacetic acid precipitable radioactivity became rapidly associated with viable sperm cells, in contrast to the situation with formaldehyde-fixed cells. However, analysis by Southern blotting and hybridization of sperm cells incubated with an unlabelled plasmid preparation followed by deoxyribonuclease 1 treatment, demonstrated associated foreign DNA was completely susceptible to nuclease degradation, whereas chromosomal DNA was not affected.

We report a case of carcinoid, diagnosed histochemically and biochemically, which was associated with grossly elevated serum prostatic acid phosphatase and normal serum prostate specific antigen.

Two specific and selective assays were used to measure changes in the mass of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells. The results demonstrate that the increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 was extremely rapid, but transient, returning to basal levels by 30 s. In contrast, the increase in sn-1,2-diacylglycerol was biphasic: the first phase mirrored the transient Ins(1,4,5)P3 response, whereas the second phase was sustained and occurred in the absence of elevated Ins(1,4,5)P3. The possible source of the second phase of diacylglycerol is discussed.

A cognitive-developmental analysis of parental reasoning on child-rearing issues is presented and applied in two controlled studies of parents of abused or neglected children. Significant differences in parental awareness were found between urban parents and their controls; this relationship is sustained in a rural sample, controlling for child handicap as well as for other familial characteristics.

A technique was developed to separate six androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, and androsterone) by high performance liquid chromatography prior to quantitation by specific radioimmunoassay systems. Methanol:water (60:40 v:v) was used as the solvent system with a C18 reversed-phase column. The method was verified and used to quantitate the androgens in serum from adult rams bled every 20 minutes for 6 hours and yearling bulls bled every 30 minutes for 8 hours. Concentrations of all 6 androgens varied in an episodic manner with testosterone being the dominant androgen.

Plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone and delta 5-androstenediol were measured in several women throughout pregnancy. The levels of both dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate decreased while those of delta 5-androstenediol did not. The levels of binding of the latter steroid to plasma proteins increased.

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Bacillus subtilis phage PBS2 has been confirmed to contain uracil instead of thymine. PBS2 phage infection of wild-type cells or DNA polymerase-deficient cells results in an increase in the specific activity of DNA polymerase. This induction of DNA polymerase activity is prevented by actinomycin D and chloramphenicol. In contrast to the major B. subtilis DNA polymerase, which prefers deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) to deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP), the DNA polymerase in crude extracts of PBS2-infected cells is equally active whether dTTP or dUTP is employed. This phage-induced polymerase may be responsible for the synthesis of uracil-containing DNA during PBS2 phage infection.