The actin binding domain of ACF7 binds directly to the tetratricopeptide repeat domains of rapsyn.

Formation of the neuromuscular junction requires the release of agrin from the presynaptic terminal of motor neurons. Clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic sarcolemma is initiated by agrin-dependent activation of the muscle-specific kinase. While the postsynaptic scaffolding protein rapsyn is vital for high density AChR aggregation, little is known about the mechanism through which AChRs are immobilized on the postsynaptic membrane. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies of rat skeletal muscle have suggested that AChRs are anchored to a membrane-associated cytoskeleton that contains spectrin-like proteins and is thus similar to that of the human erythrocyte [Bloch RJ, Bezakova G, Ursitti JA, Zhou D, Pumplin DW (1997) A membrane skeleton that clusters nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in muscle. Soc Gen Physiol Ser 52:177-195]. We are studying a protein of the spectrin superfamily, ACF7 (also known as MACF), as a postsynaptic cytoskeletal component of the neuromuscular junction. ACF7 has multiple cytoskeleton-binding domains, including an N-terminal actin-binding domain that, we postulate, may interact with rapsyn, the scaffolding protein that binds directly to AChRs. To test this hypothesis, we co-expressed fragments of these molecules in cultured fibroblasts and assessed their co-distribution and interaction using confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation. We demonstrate that the actin-binding domain of ACF7 specifically interacts with the tetratricopeptide repeat domains of rapsyn. Furthermore, we show using surface plasmon resonance and blot overlay that the actin-binding domain of ACF7 binds directly to rapsyn. These results suggest that, in mammalian skeletal muscle, AChRs are immobilized in the membrane through rapsyn-mediated anchoring to an ACF7-containing network that in turn is linked to the actin cytoskeleton.

The tetratricopeptide repeat domains of rapsyn bind directly to cytoplasmic sequences of the muscle-specific kinase.

Clustering of acetylcholine receptors at the developing vertebrate neuromuscular junction is initiated by neural agrin, which stimulates the activity of the muscle-specific kinase (MuSK). Acetylcholine receptor clustering is also dependent on the postsynaptic scaffolding protein, rapsyn, which binds to acetylcholine receptors. Here, we address the possibility that MuSK and rapsyn bind directly to each other by coexpressing sequences of the cytoplasmic domain of MuSK with rapsyn in COS-7 cells and assaying for codistribution and biochemical interaction. Sequences constituting the bulk of the kinase domain can interact with rapsyn. This interaction is mediated by the tetratricopeptide repeat domains, but not the coiled coil or zinc finger domains, of rapsyn. This interaction does not require tyrosine phosphorylation of the MuSK sequences. Binding is direct, as indicated by blot overlay and surface plasmon resonance experiments. The sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of MuSK that most effectively codistributes with rapsyn confers the ability of an otherwise inactive receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA, to associate with rapsyn. Our results support a model in which the tetratricopeptide repeat domains of rapsyn bind directly to the cytoplasmic portion of MuSK, which could thereby serve as an initial scaffold for the clustering of acetylcholine receptors.

Modulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) metabolism by the synthetic "C" nucleoside analogs, tiazofurin and selenazofurin. A new strategy for cancer chemotherapy.

Tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide) and selenazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide) are synthetic "C" nucleosides whose antineoplastic activity depends on their conversion to tiazofurin-adenine dinucleotide and selenazofurin-adenine dinucleotide which are analogs of NAD. The present study was conducted to determine whether these nucleoside analogs and their dinucleotide derivatives interfere with NAD metabolism and in particular with the NAD-dependent enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Incubation of L1210 cells with 10 microM tiazofurin or selenazofurin resulted in inhibition of cell growth, reduction of cellular NAD content, and interference with NAD synthesis. Using [14C]nicotinamide to study the uptake of nicotinamide and its conversion to NAD, we showed that the analogs interfere with NAD synthesis, apparently by blocking formation of nicotinamide mononucleotide. The analogs also serve as weak inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is an NAD-utilizing, chromatin-bound enzyme, whose function is required for normal DNA repair processes. Continuous incubation of L1210 cells in tiazofurin or selenazofurin resulted in progressive and synergistic potentiation of the cytotoxic effects of DNA-damaging agents, such as 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. These studies provide a basis for designing chemotherapy combinations in which tiazofurin or selenazofurin are used to modulate NAD and poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism to synergistically potentiate the effects of DNA strand-disrupting agents.

Treatment of obesity in three rural primary care practices.

The experience of three rural primary care practices in treating obesity is described. Treatment alternatives utilized include behavior modification with a balanced deficit diet, use of the protein-sparing modified fast in a group setting, and use of this technique in conjunction with behavior modification on an individual basis. The results of these three case studies are evaluated by an index approach as well as the traditional mean pounds lost. Although treatment of obesity is often avoided because of reported low success rates, this study demonstrates that a family physician has more success than previously reported, with one of the sites showing maintenance of weight loss in 84 percent of a selected group of its patients.

Granulomatous pleuritis caused by Francisella tularensis: possible confusion with tuberculous pleuritis.

Granulomatous pleuritis, diagnosed by pleural biopsy, is rarely caused by disease processes other than tuberculosis. We present a case of granulomatous pleuritis caused by Francisella tularensis that occurred in a 55-yr-old male sheep shearer with an exudative, lymphocytic, pleural effusion. Confirmation of the diagnosis was made by elevated serum agglutination titers against F. tularensis and detection of the organism in a pleural biopsy specimen by the glucose oxidase immunoenzyme technique. We conclude that F. tularensis, not previously described as a cause of granulomatous pleuritis, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of granulomas found in pleural biopsy specimens.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase mediates the suicide response to massive DNA damage: studies in normal and DNA-repair defective cells.

Treatment of cells with DNA damaging agents results in a dose dependent decrease in NAD+ and ATP pool sizes. The decrease in NAD+ is associated with the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the decrease in ATP is consequent to the fall in NAD+. Depletion of both NAD+ and ATP can be blocked or retarded by inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Both the stimulation of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis and the effect of enzyme inhibitors have been confirmed in intact cells by using enzymatic cycling techniques to measure the disappearance of NAD+ and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure fluctuations in polymer levels. As a consequence of the depletion of NAD+ and ATP pools, cells exhibit a marked impairment in their ability to conduct all energy dependent functions. Thus cells treated with high levels of DNA damaging agents exhibit severe suppression of DNA replication and repair, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis. The use of inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase to prevent the depletion of NAD+ and ATP partially restores the cells' ability to conduct DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. This preservation of the NAD+ and ATP pools accounts for the recent observations that inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) stimulate the level of DNA repair synthesis in cells treated with high levels of DNA damaging agents. We have also examined cells from patients with several of the disorders of DNA repair and have found that cells from patients with Fanconi's anemia have lower than normal NAD+ levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synergistic antileukemic effect of 6-aminonicotinamide and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea on L1210 cells in vitro and in vivo.

A series of nicotinamide analogs were evaluated for their ability to inhibit L1210 cell poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerase, and also for their ability to potentiate the cytocidal effects of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), nitrogen mustard, and gamma-irradiation. In L1210 cells growing in culture and in vivo. In vitro, nicotinamide, 5-methylnicotinamide, 6-aminonicotinamide, and benzamide effectively inhibited L1210 cell poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymerase; 1-methylnicotinamide, nicotinic acid, and benzoic acid did not. In culture, 6-aminonicotinamide potentiated the cytocidal effect of BCNU; however, it did not significantly potentiate the effects of nitrogen mustard or gamma-irradiation in vivo, both 6-aminonicotinamide and nicotinamide potentiated the cytocidal effect of BCNU; however, the concentrations of nicotinamide required for this effect were 10- to 20-fold higher than those of 6-aminonicotinamide. None of the analogs significantly potentiated the in vivo effect of nitrogen mustard or gamma-irradiation. Treatment of L1210-bearing mice with varying combinations of BCNU and 6-aminonicotinamide produced a synergistic increase in life span; in some cases, the combination led to the production of long term disease-free survivors.

Activation of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase by SV 40 minichromosomes: effects of deoxyribonucleic acid damage and histone H1.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a chromosomal enzyme that is completely dependent on added DNA for activity. The ability of DNA molecules to activate the polymerase appears to be enhanced by the presence of DNA damage. In the present study, we used SV 40 DNA and SV 40 minichromosomes to determine whether different types of DNA damage and different chromosomal components affect stimulation of polymerase activity. Treatment of SV 40 minichromosomes with agents or conditions that induced single-strand breaks increased their ability to stimulate poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. This stimulation was enhanced by addition of histone H1 at a ratio of 1 microgram of histone H1 to 1 microgram of DNA. Higher ratios of histone H1 to DNA suppressed the ability of SV 40 minichromosomes containing single-strand breaks to stimulate enzyme activity. Treatment of SV 40 minichromosomes or SV 40 DNA with HaeIII restriction endonuclease to produce double-strand breaks markedly stimulated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity. The stimulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase by double-strand breaks occurred in the absence of histone H1 and was further enhanced by adding histone H1 up to ratios of 2 to 1 relative to DNA. At higher ratios of histone H1 to DNA, the presence of the histone continued to enhance the poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis stimulated by double-strand breaks.

Duodenal ulcer in rural Haiti I. Clinical features. II. Gastric secretory studies.

I. In a study of 100 duodenal ulcer patients in rural Haiti, pyloric obstruction was present initially in nine per cent, but later developed in an additional 20 per cent. This high incidence of obstruction is similar to that observed in other tropicla populations in Africa and India. II. Standardized tests for basal and stimulated acid secretion in a small group of duodenal ulcer patients in rural Haiti were not elevated. The implication of the study is that either the test must be modified for different populations or the role of acid secretion in the pathogenesis of the disease questioned.