Structural comparison of alanine-substituted analogues of the calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37. Importance of the C-terminal segment for antagonistic activity.

Replacement of specific residues of the antagonistic fragment human calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 (hCGRP 8-37) by alanine residues produces good antagonists to CGRP1 receptors when the replacement is made at positions 17 and 20 but a poor antagonist when the replacement is made at position 21. The solution structures of hCGRP 8-37 and of the three alanine analogues have been determined by two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Following the complete assignment of the NMR spectra, a comparison of the chemical shifts and of the temperature dependence of the amide chemical shifts showed that these parameters differed for [Ala17]-hCGRP 8-37 and [Ala20]-hCGRP 8-37 relative to hCGRP 8-37 in the N-terminal and central segments but not in the C-terminal segment (residues 31-37). In the case of [Ala21]-hCGRP 8-37, differences were observed all along the chain. Molecular modeling calculations were performed by distance geometry, simulated annealing and energy minimization using NOE distance constraints. Molecular models showed a structural homology between [Ala17]-hCGRP 8-37, [Ala20]-hCGRP 8-37 and hCGRP 8-37 in the C-terminal segment Asn31-Phe37 as well as hydrogen bonding between Val28 and Asn31. These structural similarities are not observed with [Ala21]-hCGRP 8-37. Therefore, the structure of the C-terminal segment of hCGRP 8-37 appears to be critical for antagonistic activity at CGRP1 receptors.

Hypothalamic dysfunction following whole-brain irradiation.

The authors describe 15 cases with evidence of hypothalamic dysfunction 2 to 9 years following megavoltage whole-brain x-irradiation for primary glial neoplasm. The patients received 4000 to 5000 rads in 180- to 200-rad fractions. Dysfunction occurred in the absence of computerized tomography-delineated radiation necrosis or hypothalamic invasion by tumor, and antedated the onset of dementia. Fourteen patients displayed symptoms reflecting disturbances of personality, libido, thirst, appetite, or sleep. Hyperprolactinemia (with prolactin levels up to 70 ng/ml) was present in all of the nine patients so tested. Of seven patients tested with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, one demonstrated an abnormal pituitary gland response consistent with a hypothalamic disorder. Seven patients developed cognitive abnormalities. Computerized tomography scans performed a median of 4 years after tumor diagnosis revealed no hypothalamic tumor or diminished density of the hypothalamus. Cortical atrophy was present in 50% of cases and third ventricular dilatation in 58%. Hypothalamic dysfunction, heralded by endocrine, behavioral, and cognitive impairment, represents a common, subtle form of radiation damage.

Keyhole aqueduct syndrome.

Communicating syringes confined to the brain stem are extraordinarily rare. Two patients, presenting with signs and symptoms of cerebellar dysfunction, later developed evidence of brain-stem disease with dysarthria, nystagmus, deafness, and internuclear ophthalmoplegia. The condition of both patients had been diagnosed clinically as multiple sclerosis, but at autopsy they had a striking keyhole-shaped syrinx in the midbrain and upper pons, which communicated with the aqueduct and fourth ventricle without associated syringomyelia. In addition, both patients had marked atrophy and gliosis of the cerebellum, one with extension of the syrinx into cerebellar folia. The unique character of these lesions coupled with the similarity of the clinical features of the cases prompted us to name this disorder--"keyhole aqueduct syndrome."

Translocation t(3;20) associated with thrombocythemia in Ph-positive CML.

A patient with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome positive chronic myelocytic leukemia is described who also developed an abnormality of chromosome #3, i.e., t(3;20)(p21;p13), in blast crisis. This abnormality may be connected with the advent thrombocythemia. The disease was a thrombopenia in the initial phase.

The visualization of myosatellite cells in normal and denervated muscle: a new light microscopic staining technique.

A new light microscopic staining technique allows the visualization of satellite cells on the surface of myofibers. Either prior to or during fixation, whole frog sartorius muscles are bathed in an acidic buffered solution containing lead nitrate and subsequently exposed to ammonium sulfide. The staining of the satellite cells resulting from this procedure reveals their positions, and the outlines of their cell processes which occasionally branch. Electron microscopy shows that the staining is due to lead deposits localized between apposing membranes of satellite cells and associated myofibers. Prior exposure to N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM) does not alter the formation of the lead deposits on the satellite cell, but reduces the amount of Pb deposits on the muscle surface and connective tissue. This technique has been applied to determine the effects of denervation on the satellite cells of frog sartorius muscles. Four weeks after denervation, the number of satellite cells is essentially the same in both denervated muscles and the intact muscles of the contralateral side. However, denervation results in a subpopulation of satellite cells with altered shapes. They have elongated cytoplasmic processes which often branch. It is suggested that these supernumerary cytoplasmic processes represent an intermediate phase in the transition of satellite cells to myoblasts.