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The fine regulation of NF-kappaB activity is crucial for both resting and stimulated cells and relies on complex balance between multiple activators and inhibitors. We report here that c-mip, a recently identified pleckstrin homology (PH) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-domain-containing protein, inactivates GSKbeta and interacts with RelA, a key member of the NF-kappaB family. We show that c-mip inhibits the degradation of I-kappaBalpha and impedes the dissociation of the NF-kappaB/I-kappaBalpha complexes. C-mip acts downstream signaling of classical NF-kappaB pathway and may represent one of the missing links in the control of NF-kappaB activity.

We have cloned the rat homologue of the ring-H2 protein Goliath involved in Drosophila development. The rat Goliath mRNA (1.85 kb) was translated as a major ubiquitous protein species of 28-kDa and three larger isoforms (50, 46, and 36 kDa) expressed mainly in liver, lung, stomach, heart, and thymus and barely detectable in other tissues (kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, testis, intestine, and spleen). By immunohistochemistry on rat testis sections, we localized the protein in interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules. In tubules, Goliath was expressed mainly in postmeiotic germ cells and to a much lesser extent in Sertoli cells. In the interstitium, Goliath was exclusively present in Leydig cells. Using a series of immunolabeling, cellular fractionation, and electron microscopy experiments, we established that Goliath is present in mitochondria of the R2C Leydig cell line. Using short-term hypophysectomized animals, we showed that Goliath is regulated by LH/hCG in Leydig cells but not in germ cells. This regulation in Leydig cells concerned only the 50-kDa isoform. This report is the first description of a differential regulation of the Goliath protein between germ cells and Leydig cells.

Clinical and experimental observations suggest that Lipoid Nephrosis (Minimal change nephrotic syndrome) results from T cell dysfunction due to still unknown mechanisms. By subtractive screening library, we identified 84 transcripts, of which twelve match with proteins of yet unknown function and thirty are unknown clones. Among the 42 known transcripts, at least 18 are closely involved in the TCR-mediated complex signaling cascade. This includes genes encoding components of the T cell receptor and proteins associated with the cytoskeleton scaffold, as well as transcription factors such as NF-kappa B and c-maf. During the relapse phase, we have found significant alterations of the NF-kappa B/I kappa Ba regulatory pathway, whereas very low levels of IL12R beta 2 mRNA were detected suggesting that T cell activation evolves toward a Th2 phenotype. We have shown that c-maf is highly induced, shuttling between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment during the relapse and the remission phases, respectively. Contrasting with the nuclear expression of c-maf, low IL4 levels were detected in relapse. This suggests that the downstream target gene of c-maf in Lipoid Nephrosis, is not IL4 and provides new directions in research leading to identify the target gene, possibly an unknown Th2 cytokine, which might play a critical role in the pathophysiology of this disease. Thus, the combination of subtractive cloning and differential screening constitutes an efficient approach to identify genes likely to be involved in the pathophysiology of MCNS.

Minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is a renal disease characterized by heavy glomerular proteinuria and increased production of cytokines by immune cells. Because of the central role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the regulation of cytokine expression, its activity during the relapse and remission phases of steroid-sensitive MCNS was analyzed. During relapse, nuclear extracts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells displayed high levels of NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, consisting primarily of p50/RelA (p65) complexes. NF-kappaB p65 and IkappaBalpha proteins were barely detected or not detected in cytosolic fractions during relapse, in contrast to remission. The lack of expression of IkappaBalpha protein was associated with downregulation of IkappaBalpha mRNA and increases in the levels of the mRNA encoding the proteasome alpha2 subunit proteolytic pathway. In addition, inhibition of proteasome activity induced cytosolic accumulation of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha and significant reductions in the NF-kappaB binding activity in nuclear extracts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients experiencing relapses. These results suggest that alterations in the NF-kappaB/IkappaBalpha regulatory feedback loop may contribute to the immunologic abnormalities that occur in steroidsensitive MCNS.

In testis, several RNA binding proteins have been shown to play a role in the translational regulation of specific transcripts. The human protein TRBP (TAR RNA binding protein) is the homologue of the mouse Prbp (Prm-1 RNA binding protein) involved in the protamine mRNA translational delay. TRBP is known to activate the HIV-1 long terminal repeat but this protein has never been investigated during spermatogenesis. The aim of this work was to analyse the TRBP expression in human testis. By Northern blot analysis, we demonstrated a major 1.5 kb transcript present at a high level in human testis and, to a lesser extent, in some other tissues. In-situ hybridization revealed that this transcript was present only in elongating spermatids. Antibodies raised against a 27 amino acid TRBP-specific peptide revealed a single protein of 43 kDa expressed in the cytoplasm of elongated spermatids. At the ultrastructural level, quantitative analysis of both TRBP mRNA and protein, using electron microscopy in-situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, showed that TRBP is expressed mainly in spermatids at steps 3-4 of spermiogenesis. These results are in agreement with the probable role of TRBP in the control of human protamine mRNA translation.

In humans, five distinct mRNAs code for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Their coding regions are identical and their 5' untranslated regions exhibit both common and type-specific sequences. To elucidate the mecanisms that generate these different mRNAs, we cloned and determined the structure of the 5' region of the human GGT gene. The common regions of the 5' UTR are encoded by five exons, localized within a 2.4-kb region of the genomic DNA. Three of them are separated only by intron-donor or intron-acceptor sites at their boundaries. Alternative splicing of these exons may determine the unique pattern of the different GGT mRNA 5' UTRs in a tissue-specific manner. In addition, we have isolated a genomic fragment containing the most distal 5' sequences of the major GGT mRNA in HepG2 cells. Primer extension analysis revealed one major transcription initiation site while 5' RACE indicated that one more distal initiation site could be present. In the putative promoter sequence neither classical TATA or CAAT boxes were found. However, sites for AP1, AP2, CREB, GRE and SP1 transcription factors were identified. Chimeric plasmids, containing this genomic region fused to the luciferase gene, were transiently expressed in three cell lines of different origin: HeLa cells, ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells and V79 lung fibroblasts. The significant promoter activities obtained indicate a transcription start within this region. However, differences in the level of expression were found between the different cell lines used. These data suggest that the human GGT gene employs regulatory sequences and alternative splicing, and gene expression may therefore be regulated in tissue specific and cell-type-specific manners.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme located at the external surface of epithelial cells. It initiates extracellular glutathione (GSH) breakdown, provides cells with a local cysteine supply and contributes to maintain intracellular GSH level. GGT expression, highly sensitive to oxidative stress, is a part of the cell antioxidant defense mechanisms. We describe recent advances in GGT gene structure and expression knowledge and put emphasis on the complex transcriptional organization of that gene and its conservation among different species. GGT gene structure has been elucidated in rat and mouse where a single gene is transcribed from multiple promoters into several transcripts which finally yield a unique polypeptidic chain. Analysis of rat, mouse, human and pig cDNA and gene sequences reveals a large conservation of the transcriptional organization of that gene. This complex structure provides flexibility in GGT expression controlled at the promoter level, through multiple regulatory sites, and at RNA level by alternate 5' untranslated sequences which may create a diversity in the stability and translational efficiency of the different transcripts. In conclusion, transcription of the GGT gene from several promoters offers multiple DNA and RNA targets for various oxidative stimuli and contributes to a broad antioxidant cell defense through GGT induction and subsequent cysteine supply from extracellular glutathione.

Inactivation of germ-cell-specific molecules essential for the production of functional spermatozoa could lead to attractive new means for male contraception. The mouse protein MSY2 is the mammalian homologue of a class of Xenopus DNA/RNA-binding proteins needed for the transcription of testis-specific genes and for translational repression (masking) of paternal mRNAs. In this report, we describe the human homologue for MSY2, Contrin. Sequence analysis of Contrin cDNAs predicts a protein highly similar to its mouse and Xenopus germ-cell Y-box protein homologues with a cold shock domain and four basic/aromatic islands. Contrin is highly basic and is rich in the amino acids arginine and proline. It contains seven putative casein kinase 2 phosphorylation sites and three putative protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, suggesting that Contrin could be highly phosphorylated in vivo. The predicted protein sequence contains two nuclear localization signals, consistent with its predicted role of shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm. Contrin maps to human chromosome 17p11.2-13.1. By the criteria of northern and western blotting, Contrin appears to be testis specific and distinct from other mammalian Y-box-binding proteins. We predict that inactivation of Contrin function in mammalian germ cells would prevent the formation of functional male gametes.

We have identified a cDNA encoding a 212 amino acid protein (Nm23-H5) with 27-31% identity to the human members of the nm23/nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase gene family. The nm23-H5 gene is located on chromosome 5q23-31 and is transcribed as one main transcript of 1.1 kb which is highly and specifically expressed in testis, in the spermatogonia and early spermatocytes. Nm23-H5 possesses most of the residues conserved among NDP kinases plus an additional COOH-terminus end of 55 amino acids unique to this protein. However, under usual assay conditions, Nm23-H5 expressed in Escherichia coli did not exhibit NDP kinase activity. These results suggest that Nm23-H5 is specifically involved in early stages of spermatogenesis.

We report here the detection of a Cat Eye Syndrome (CES) in a woman who does not exhibit the related phenotype, due to intensive surgery. The analysis of her karyotype reveals a small supernumerary bisatellited chromosome likely to correspond to a fragment of chromosome 13, 15, 21 or 22 on banding analysis. Southern blot of genomic DNA of this patient and her parents hybridized with probes specific of these chromosomes, revealed a DNA amplification of the 22q11 region for the patient, likely to correspond to a CES.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT; EC 2.3.2.2) is a membrane-associated enzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of glutathione and in the transpeptidation of amino acids; changes in GGT activity may reflect preneoplastic or toxic conditions in the liver or kidney. In contrast to the rat, in which GGT is represented by a single gene, at least four GGT genomic sequences have been identified in man and two of these have been localized to two distinct regions of chromosome 22. To characterize this gene/pseudogene family further, we have used somatic cell hybrids to map GGT by hybridization with probes from a human kidney GGT cDNA clone and by amplification of 3' GGT sequence by PCR. We clearly map three GGT loci to chromosome 22: two loci between the centromere and the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene and one locus telomeric to the BCR gene. In addition, we have been able to identify GGT-related sequences on chromosomes 18, 19, and 20.

We have determined the chromosomal location of the human genes coding for the alpha 3 and beta 3 subunits of soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC-S). The study was performed by in situ hybridization of human metaphase spreads with two human cDNA probes, containing the coding sequences of the GC-S alpha 3 and beta 3 subunits, respectively. Each probe gave a strong specific signal on chromosome 4 at the 4q31.3-4q33 region, with the maximal signal in the 4q32 band. The colocalization of both genes in 4q32 represents an interesting feature for the coordinated regulation of expression of both GC-S subunits.

The methylation status of the rat gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) gene was investigated during liver development and hepatocarcinogenesis. The analysis with the restriction enzymes MspI/HpaII revealed that, during ontogeny, there is a progressive methylation of the GGT gene that coincides with a progressive decrease in GGT activity. Thus, there is an inverse correlation between methylation and expression of the GGT gene, suggesting a role for DNA methylation in the regulation of the gene during normal differentiation. The methylation patterns of the GGT gene in liver tumours induced by aflatoxin B1 exhibit heterogeneity. Nevertheless, a band of 5.7 kb was observed in all the DNA samples from aflatoxin B1-induced tumours which was not present in control liver DNA. The specificity of the DNA methylation changes was assessed using nafenopin, which induces hepatic tumours without elevation of GGT activity. We conclude that, during hepatocarcinogenesis, there is a modification of the DNA methylation pattern of the GGT gene, but there is no simple correlation with GGT activity. In no case was the GGT gene methylation in hepatocarcinogenesis found to be equivalent to the pattern observed in fetal liver. Thus if methylation is involved in the regulation of GGT gene transcription, the mechanisms must be different in fetal liver and hepatocarcinoma.

We used an in situ hybridization technique using single-stranded RNA probes to study the expression pattern of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in rat liver and kidney during development. The results were compared to those obtained with an immunoperoxidase technique and with Northern blot analysis of GGT mRNA. In the kidney, northern blot revealed a 20-fold increase of GGT mRNA between day 18 of gestation and adulthood. Protein and mRNA localization clearly identified the proximal tubules as the site of synthesis of GGT. In the liver, the expression was lower than in the kidney and Northern blot showed a dramatic decrease of expression after birth. Using immunohistochemistry, the protein was detected within parenchymal cells in embryo and hepatocyte membranes and bile ducts in adults. Using in situ hybridization, GGT mRNA was only detected on days 1 and 2 after birth and exclusively in hepatocytes. Immunoperoxidase may be more sensitive than in situ hybridization to study the expression of minor liver protein such as GGT. However, the study of GGT expression using in situ hybridization is possible in cases of increased expression such as alcoholism, cholestasis, and carcinogenesis.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is involved in the extraction of plasma glutathione in the postglomerular compartment of the kidney. The enzyme is distributed in the proximal tubule associated with the apical brush border. Using in situ hybridization with 35S-labeled anti-sense and sense RNA GGT probes on rat kidney cryostat sections, the present study demonstrates that GGT mRNA transcripts are detected in proximal tubules localized in the inner cortex, outer medulla, and medullary rays of the cortex. Such a distribution suggests that the GGT gene is mainly expressed in the more distal part of the proximal tubule, i.e., the pars recta. As a control, in situ hybridization has also been performed using a 35S-labeled beta-actin anti-sense RNA probe showing a diffuse pattern of distribution of beta-actin RNA transcripts particularly in the outer cortex. This highly sensitive method using single strand asymetric RNA probes, with a markedly reduced nonspecific binding is promising for the study of gene expression patterns in the kidney in order to clarify their heterogeneity in the various segments of the nephron.

Whether or not alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors are non-identical binding sites on the same protein is still an open question. We investigated the effects of sulfhydryl reagents and dithiothreitol on the binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol and [3H]dihydroergocryptine to beta- and alpha-adrenoreceptors of rat liver plasma membranes. Dithiothreitol inhibited the binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to the beta-adrenoreceptor, whereas it had no effect on the specific binding of [3H]dihydroergocryptine to the alpha-adrenoreceptor. In contrast, mersalyl, a mercurial SH reagent, readily blocked the alpha-adrenoreceptor and, although to a lesser extent the beta-adrenoreceptor. The interaction of mersalyl with the alpha-adrenoreceptors was almost instantaneous. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions, the inactivation of the beta-adrenoreceptors was much slower (t 1/2 : 7 min). Finally, a marked difference in the accessibility of the SH groups to mersalyl was observed between the alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors. The presence of 15 microM (-)-epinephrine or 1.5 microM phentolamine was sufficient to prevent the blockade of the alpha-adrenoreceptor by mersalyl, but inactivation of the beta-adrenoreceptor by mersalyl was not modified by 500 microM (-)-epinephrine and was only slightly decreased by 50 microM (-)-propranolol. Thus, the alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors from rat liver plasma membranes exhibited biochemical differences which may be interpreted in favor of their molecular individuality.

1 Labetalol (AH 5158A) inhibited the adrenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat liver and heart. This drug had no effect on basal or guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-activated adenylate cyclase activities. 2 Labetalol displaced the binding of the specific ligands [3H]-dihydroergocryptine and (-)-[3H]-dihydroalprenolol from their respective alpha and beta-adrenoceptors in rat heart and liver. The affinity of labetalol was 10 fold higher for the beta- than for the alpha-adrenoceptor. It appeared to be 10 to 100 times less potent than phentolamine in blocking alpha-adrenoceptors and 5 to 10 times less potent than propranolol in blocking beta-receptors. 3 It is concluded that labetalol exerts its dual alpha- and beta-antagonism by acting directly on the plasma membranes, where it binds competitively to alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors.

gamma-Glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) was assayed in the serum and liver biopsies of children affected with either progressive idiopathic cholestasis (PIC, Byler's disease), or other types of cholestatic (biliary atresia, cholestasis of various origins) and non-cholestatic diseases. The mean liver gamma-GT activity was increased significantly only in PIC and biliary atresia. In contrast, the serum gamma-GT activity, raised in children with evident damage to the main bile ducts or to the interlobular bile ducts, was normal in children with PIC. Although the mechanism for such a discrepancy between high liver and normal serum gamma-GT activities in PIC is still speculative, this peculiarity could prove to be of use in leading to a better understanding of the disease.

Adrenergic receptors exist as two subtypes, alpha, and beta, in various tissues. In rat liver, catecholamines exert the same effect on glycogenolysis and neoglucogenesis via either alpha or beta control. In this review we report on the modification in the balance between alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors induced as the result of adrenalectomy and extrahepatic cholestasis. Following adrenalectomy, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat liver, measured using specific radioligands, increases two-fold, with no change in the alpha-adrenoreceptors. In extrahepatic cholestasis we measured a fourfold increase in the number of beta-sites and a two- to threefold decrease in the number of alpha-sites. Moreover, this modification in the balance between alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors was concomitant with the apparition of a mixed beta- and alpha-adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis in cholestatic rats, whereas this process is purely or almost purely alpha-adrenergic in normal rats.

RMI 12330 A, (N,-(cis-2-phenylcyclopentyl) azacyclotridecan-2-imine hydrochloride), has been reported to inhibit choleratoxin-induced intestinal hypersecretion, presumably via an inhibition of mucosal adenylate cyclase (ATP:pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1). We report here that the adenylate cyclase activity of a rat liver plasma membrane preparation was inhibited by concentrations of RMI 12330 A ranging from 10 muM to 5mM. Similar effects were observed when the adenylate cyclase preparation was assayed in the presence of 10 mM NaF, 0.1 muM glucagon or 1 muM (--)-epinephrine plus 10 muM GTP. The effect of RMI 12330 A was not due to the inhibition of the regenerating system present in the incubation medium, since the effect was preserved in its absence. The inhibition brought about by RMI 12330 A was due to a decrease in the maximal velocity of the reaction; the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate remained unmodified. The inhibition was immediate and irreversible, even after several washes of the membranes previously preincubated with the drug. Complete inhibition of cyclase was obtained at a concentration of 370 nmol of RMI 12330 A per mg of membrane protein. The drug acted with a similar dose-response curve upon intact as well as detergent-dispersed cyclase preparations.