Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus expresses an active superoxide dismutase.

The entomopoxvirus from Amsacta moorei serves as the prototype of the group B entomopoxviruses. One of the interesting genes found in Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus (AmEPV) is a superoxide dismutase (sod) (open reading frame AMV255). Superoxide dismutases (SODs) catalyze the conversion of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Many vertebrate poxviruses contain a sod gene, but to date, none have been demonstrated to be active. There are three families of SODs, characterized by their metal ion-binding partners, Fe, Mn, or Cu and Zn. Poxvirus enzymes belong to the Cu-Zn SOD family. Unlike inactive vertebrate poxvirus SODs, AMVSOD contains all the amino acids necessary for function. We expressed and purified a 6X-His-tagged version of the AMVSOD in Escherichia coli. The recombinant AMVSOD demonstrates superoxide dismutase activity both in an in situ gel assay and by stopped flow spectrophotometry. The k(cat)/K(m) for AMVSOD is 4 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1). In infected cells, the AMVSOD protein behaves as a dimer and is catalytically active; however, disruption of the gene in AMEPV has little or no effect on growth of the virus in cell culture. An analysis of mRNA expression indicates that AMVsod is expressed late during infection of Lymantria dispar (Ld652) cells and produces a discrete nonpolydisperse transcript. Characterization of protein expression with a monoclonal antibody generated against AMVSOD confirms that the AMVSOD protein can be classified as a late, postreplicative gene. Therefore, AMVSOD is the first example of an active poxvirus SOD.

CD14-dependent lipopolysaccharide-induced beta-defensin-2 expression in human tracheobronchial epithelium.

The induction of host antimicrobial molecules following binding of pathogen components to pattern recognition receptors such as CD14 and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is a key feature of innate immunity. The human airway epithelium is an important environmental interface, but LPS recognition pathways have not been determined. We hypothesized that LPS would trigger beta-defensin (hBD2) mRNA in human tracheobronchial epithelial (hTBE) cells through a CD14-dependent mechanism, ultimately activating NF-kappa B. An average 3-fold increase in hBD2 mRNA occurs 24 h after LPS challenge of hTBE cells. For the first time, we demonstrate the presence of CD14 mRNA and cell surface protein in hTBE cells and show that CD14 neutralization abolishes LPS induction of hBD2 mRNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate TLR mRNA in hTBE cells and NF-kappa B activation following LPS. Thus, LPS induction of hBD2 in hTBE cells requires CD14, which may complex with a TLR to ultimately activate NF-kappa B.

Drosophila dumpy is a gigantic extracellular protein required to maintain tension at epidermal-cuticle attachment sites.

BACKGROUND: Growth and morphogenesis during development depend both on patterning genes, which assign positional information, and on genes that regulate mechanical forces. The dumpy gene of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an example of the latter class, with mutant phenotypes affecting size and shape of the limbs, thoracic cuticle, trachea and mouthparts. RESULTS: The genetically complex dumpy locus was found to span over 100 kb and encode a gigantic 2.5 MDa extracellular matrix protein. Dumpy represents an extreme form of modular protein evolution, containing 308 epidermal growth factor (EGF) modules, interspersed with a new module class, DPY, and terminating in a crosslinking zona pellucida domain and membrane anchor sequence. We determined the three-dimensional structure of the DPY module by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and found that it forms a disulphide-stabilised beta sheet motif, capable of linking end-to-end with EGF modules to form a fibre. Consistent with its cuticle phenotypes, dumpy is expressed at several sites of cuticle-epidermal cell attachment, including the trachea and the muscle tendon cells, which mediate anchorage of the muscles to the cuticle. CONCLUSIONS: The dumpy gene encodes a gigantic extracellular molecule that we predict to be a membrane-anchored fibre of almost a micrometer in length. Insertion and crosslinking of this fibre within the cuticle may provide a strong anchor for the underlying tissue, allowing it to maintain mechanical tension at sites under stress. This would explain its contribution to tissue morphogenesis through its regulation of mechanical properties.

Tissue-specific expression of a Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel is controlled by multiple upstream regulatory elements.

The electrical properties of a cell are produced by the complement of ion channels that it expresses. To understand how ion-channel gene expression is regulated, we are studying the tissue-specific regulation of the slowpoke (slo) Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel gene. This gene is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system, in midgut and tracheal cells, and in the musculature of Drosophila melanogaster. The entire transcriptional control region has been cloned previously and shown to reproduce the tissue and developmental expression pattern of the endogenous gene. Here we demonstrate that s/o has at least four promoters distributed over approximately 4.5 kb of DNA. Promoter C1 and C1c display a TATA box-like sequence at the appropriate distance from the transcription start site. Promoters C1b and C2, however, are TATA-less promoters. C1, C1b, and C1c transcripts differ in their leader sequence but share a common translation start site. C2 transcripts incorporate a new translation start site that appends 17 amino acids to the N terminus of the encoded protein. Deletion analysis was used to identify sequences important for tissue-specific expression. We used a transgenic in vivo expression system in which all tissues and developmental stages can be assayed easily. Six nested deletions were transformed into Drosophila, and the expression pattern was determined using a lacZ reporter in both dissected tissues and sectioned animals. We have identified different sequences required for expression in the CNS, midgut, tracheal cells, and muscle.

Tissue-specific expression of a Drosophila calcium-activated potassium channel.

The Drosophila slowpoke (slo) gene encodes a subunit of a CAK channel homologous to the vertebrate BK channel. We have examined slo expression throughout development. It is expressed in muscle cells, neurons of the CNS and PNS, mushroom bodies, a limited number of cells in embryonic and larval midgut and in epithelial-derived tracheal cells. The promoter has been cloned and shown to direct expression in the same pattern as the endogenous gene in both neural and epithelial-derived cells. During pupariation and embryogenesis, slo is expressed in muscles many hours prior to the appearance of functional channels.

Diethylbenzene inhalation-induced electrophysiological deficits in peripheral nerves and changes in brainstem auditory evoked potentials in rats.

Motor and sensory conduction velocities (MCV and SCV), amplitude of the sensory action potential (ASAP) of the tail nerve and parameters of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after prolonged inhalation exposure to a commercial isomer mixture of diethylbenzene (DEB mixture) containing 6% 1,2-DEB. The MCV, SCV and ASAP were studied in one control group (10 rats) and three groups of 12 rats exposed to 500, 700 or 900 ppm DEB mixture for 6 h daily, 5 days per week, for 18 weeks. Rats used for recording BAEP (one control group and two other groups of 15 rats) were exposed to 600 and 800 ppm DEB mixture. The exposure time was the same. Rats exposed to DEB mixture exhibited a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in MCV, SCV and ASAP and a time- and concentration-dependent increase of both the peak latencies of all BAEP components and the interpeak (I-V) differences.

Alteration of brainstem auditory evoked potentials in diethylbenzene and diacetylbenzene-treated rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated either with 1,2-diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB) or its putative active metabolite, 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB). Experimental rats and appropriate controls were examined electrophysiologically for brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). Oral administration of 1,2-DEB (75 or 100 mg kg-1 once a day, 4 days a week, for 8 weeks) and intraperitoneal injection of 1,2-DAB (10 or 15 mg kg-1 once a day, 4 days a week, for 8 weeks) produced time- and dose-dependent increases in the peak latencies of all BAEP components as well as in interpeak (I-V) differences, and a decrease in the amplitudes of all the components. The absolute and interpeak latencies recovered partially during an 8-week (1,2-DEB) or a 10-week (1,2-DAB) recovery period, whereas there were long-lasting decreases in peak amplitudes.