Microfluidic separation of magnetic nanoparticles on an ordered array of magnetized micropillars.

Microfluidic separation of magnetic particles is based on their capture by magnetized microcollectors while the suspending fluid flows past the microcollectors inside a microchannel. Separation of nanoparticles is often challenging because of strong Brownian motion. Low capture efficiency of nanoparticles limits their applications in bioanalysis. However, at some conditions, magnetic nanoparticles may undergo field-induced aggregation that amplifies the magnetic attractive force proportionally to the aggregate volume and considerably increases nanoparticle capture efficiency. In this paper, we have demonstrated the role of such aggregation on an efficient capture of magnetic nanoparticles (about 80 nm in diameter) in a microfluidic channel equipped with a nickel micropillar array. This array was magnetized by an external uniform magnetic field, of intensity as low as 6-10 kA/m, and experiments were carried out at flow rates ranging between 0.3 and 30 µL/min. Nanoparticle capture is shown to be mostly governed by the Mason number Ma, while the dipolar coupling parameter α does not exhibit a clear effect in the studied range, 1.4 < α < 4.5. The capture efficiency Λ shows a strongly decreasing Mason number behavior, Λ∝Ma^{-1.78} within the range 32 ≤ Ma ≤ 3250. We have proposed a simple theoretical model which considers destructible nanoparticle chains and gives the scaling behavior, Λ∝Ma^{-1.7}, close to the experimental findings.

A modern ionotropic glutamate receptor with a K(+) selectivity signature sequence.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and gates non-selective cation channels. The origins of glutamate receptors are not well understood as they differ structurally and functionally from simple bacterial ligand-gated ion channels. Here we report the discovery of an ionotropic glutamate receptor that combines the typical eukaryotic domain architecture with the 'TXVGYG' signature sequence of the selectivity filter found in K(+) channels. This receptor exhibits functional properties intermediate between bacterial and eukaryotic glutamate-gated ion channels, suggesting a link in the evolution of ionotropic glutamate receptors.

A novel Xenopus oocyte expression system based on cytoplasmic coinjection of T7-driven plasmids and purified T7-RNA polymerase.

The Xenopus laevis South African frog oocyte is a well suited and widely used system for protein biochemistry and functional studies. So far, two methods are commonly in use for the expression of exogenous proteins in this system. Investigators have the choice between cytoplasmic injections of in vitro synthesized cRNA or nuclear injections of cDNA. Here, we describe a new method for ion channel expression in oocytes, which consists of a coinjection of T7-driven cDNA and T7-RNA polymerase directly into the cytoplasm. This technique uses very limited amounts of purified enzyme and is also applicable to SP6 polymerase. Commercially available polymerases can also conveniently substitute for self-purified enzymes. The technique can be used for electrophysiological and biochemical analysis. In particular, high level expressions have been achieved for potassium (Shaker B, Kv1.2 and Kv1.3) and sodium (P mu 1.2) channels, and we also demonstrate efficient metabolic labeling of the calcium channel auxiliary beta 3 subunit. The properties of the channels expressed by this technique are indistinguishable from those of the channels expressed by classical methods. Expression of multi-subunit proteins was also achieved illustrating that the technique can be used for structure-function analyses. Moreover, this novel expression technique avoids many drawbacks of the two former techniques. It clearly bypasses the costly and time-consuming step of cRNA synthesis in vitro, prevents delicate cRNA manipulation and is easier to perform and more reliable than nuclear injection. Finally, it does not affect cell survival rate. These data indicate that the T7-RNA polymerase expression technique could be widely used in the future for the expression of exogenous proteins in the Xenopus oocyte system.

Alterations of medial preoptic area neurons following pregnancy and pregnancy-like steroidal treatment in the rat.

There is a marked increase in the maternal behavior displayed by a female rat following pregnancy-due primarily to exposure to the gonadal hormones progesterone and estradiol (P and E(2), respectively). We examined Golgi-Cox silver-stained, Vibratome-sectioned neurons visualized and traced using computerized microscopy and image analysis. In Part One, we examined the hormonal-neural concomitants in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), an area of the brain that regulates maternal behavior, by comparing cell body size (area in microm(2); also referred to as soma and perikaryon) in the mPOA and cortex of five groups (n = 4-6/group) of ovariectomized (OVX-minus), diestrous, sequential P and E(2)-treated (P+E(2)), late-pregnant, and lactating rats; for Part Two, we examined a subset of mPOA neurons, which were traced in their entirety, from these same subjects. In Part One, whereas there was no difference between OVX-minus and diestrous females, both had smaller somal areas compared to OVX+P+E(2)-treated and late-pregnant females. The area of the soma returned to diestrous/OVX-minus levels in the lactating females. We found no change among the five groups in area of cell body in cortical neurons, which generally lack steroid receptors. In Part Two, which included a more detailed morphometric analysis of mPOA neurons, we examined several additional measures of dendritic structure, including number of proximal dendritic branches (the largest proximal dendrite was defined as the one with the largest diameter leaving the soma); cumulative length of the largest proximal dendrite; area of the cell body; number of basal dendrites; cumulative basal dendritic length; number of basal dendritic branches; and branch-point (distance from cell body to first branch of largest proximal dendrite). Again, we found similar effects on cell body size as in Part One, together with effects on number of basal dendritic branches and cumulative basal dendritic length in pregnant and P+E(2)-treated groups compared to OVX, diestrous, and lactating. An increase in somal area denotes increased cellular activity, and stimulatory effects on additional neuronal variables represents modifications in information processing capacity. Pregnancy and its attendant hormonal exposure, therefore, may stimulate neurons in the mPOA, which then contribute (in an as yet undetermined manner) to the display of maternal behavior. During the postpartum lactational period, when cues from pups primarily maintain maternal attention, the neuronal soma appears to return to a pre-pregnancy, non-hormonally dependent state, whereas other aspects of the dendrite remain altered. Collectively, these data demonstrate a striking plasticity in the brains of females that may be reflected in modifications in behavior.

Distinct properties and differential beta subunit regulation of two C-terminal isoforms of the P/Q-type Ca(2+)-channel alpha(1A) subunit.

Two C-terminal splice variants (BI-1 and BI-2, now termed Ca(v)2.1a and Ca(v)2.1b) of the neuronal voltage-gated P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel alpha(1A) pore-forming subunit have been cloned (Mori et al., 1991, Nature, 350, 398-402). BI-1 and BI-2 code for proteins of 2273 and 2424 amino acids, respectively, and differ only by their extreme carboxyl-termini sequences. Here, we show that, in Xenopus oocytes, the two isoforms direct the expression of channels with different properties. Electrophysiological analysis showed that BI-1 and BI-2 have peak Ba(2+) currents (I(Ba)) at a potential of +30 and +20 mV, respectively. The different C-terminal sequence (amino acids 2229-2273) of BI-1 caused a shift in steady-state inactivation by +10 mV and decreased the proportion of fast component of current inactivation twofold. Likewise, the biophysical changes in I(Ba) caused by coexpression of the beta(4) auxiliary subunit were substantially different in BI-1- and BI-2-containing channels in comparison to those induced by beta(3). Several of these differences in beta regulation were abolished by deleting the carboxyl-terminal splicing region. By creating a series of GST fusion proteins, we identified two locations in the C-terminal (Leu2090-Gly2229 for BI-1 and BI-2, and Arg2230-Pro2424 for BI-2 only) that determine the differential interaction of beta(4) with the distinct alpha(1A) isoforms. These interactions appear to favour the binding of beta(4) to the AID site, and also the plasma membrane expression of BI-2. These results demonstrate that the final segment of the C-terminal affects alpha(1A) channel gating, interaction and regulation with/by the beta subunits. The data will have several implications for the understanding of the biophysical effects of many channelopathies in which the carboxyl-termini of alpha(1A) and beta(4) are affected.

Parameters affecting in vitro oxidation/folding of maurotoxin, a four-disulphide-bridged scorpion toxin.

Maurotoxin (MTX) is a 34-mer scorpion toxin cross-linked by four disulphide bridges that acts on various K(+) channel subtypes. MTX adopts a disulphide bridge organization of the type C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C4 and C7-C8, and folds according to the common alpha/beta scaffold reported for other known scorpion toxins. Here we have investigated the process and kinetics of the in vitro oxidation/folding of reduced synthetic L-MTX (L-sMTX, where L-MTX contains only L-amino acid residues). During the oxidation/folding of reduced L-sMTX, the oxidation intermediates were blocked by iodoacetamide alkylation of free cysteine residues, and analysed by MS. The L-sMTX intermediates appeared sequentially over time from the least (intermediates with one disulphide bridge) to the most oxidized species (native-like, four-disulphide-bridged L-sMTX). The mathematical formulation of the diffusion-collision model being inadequate to accurately describe the kinetics of oxidation/folding of L-sMTX, we have formulated a derived mathematical description that better fits the experimental data. Using this mathematical description, we have compared for the first time the oxidation/folding of L-sMTX with that of D-sMTX, its stereoisomer that contains only D-amino acid residues. Several experimental parameters, likely to affect the oxidation/folding process, were studied further; these included temperature, pH, ionic strength, redox potential and concentration of reduced toxin. We also assessed the effects of some cellular enzymes, peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) and protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), on the folding pathways of reduced L-sMTX and D-sMTX. All the parameters tested affect the oxidative folding of sMTX, and the kinetics of this process were indistinguishable for L-sMTX and D-sMTX, except when stereospecific enzymes were used. The most efficient conditions were found to be: 50 mM Tris/HCl/1.4 mM EDTA, pH 7.5, supplemented by 0.5 mM PPIase and 50 units/ml PDI for 0.1 mM reduced compound. These data represent the first report of potent stereoselective effects of cellular enzymes on the oxidation/folding of a scorpion toxin.

Disulfide bridge reorganization induced by proline mutations in maurotoxin.

Maurotoxin (MTX) is a 34-residue toxin that has been isolated from the venom of the chactidae scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, and characterized. Together with Pi1 and HsTx1, MTX belongs to a family of short-chain four-disulfide-bridged scorpion toxins acting on potassium channels. However, contrary to other members of this family, MTX exhibits an uncommon disulfide bridge organization of the type C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C4 and C7-C8, versus C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C7 and C4-C8 for both Pi1 and HsTx1. Here, we report that the substitution of MTX proline residues located at positions 12 and/or 20, adjacent to C3 (Cys(13)) and C4 (Cys(19)), results in conventional Pi1- and HsTx1-like arrangement of the half-cystine pairings. In this case, this novel disulfide bridge arrangement is without obvious incidence on the overall three-dimensional structure of the toxin. Pharmacological assays of this structural analog, [A(12),A(20)]MTX, reveal that the blocking activities on Shaker B and rat Kv1.2 channels remain potent whereas the peptide becomes inactive on rat Kv1.3. These data indicate, for the first time, that discrete point mutations in MTX can result in a marked reorganization of the half-cystine pairings, accompanied with a novel pharmacological profile for the analog.

Maurotoxin versus Pi1/HsTx1 scorpion toxins. Toward new insights in the understanding of their distinct disulfide bridge patterns.

Maurotoxin (MTX) is a scorpion toxin acting on several K(+) channel subtypes. It is a 34-residue peptide cross-linked by four disulfide bridges that are in an "uncommon" arrangement of the type C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C4, and C7-C8 (versus C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C7, and C4-C8 for Pi1 or HsTx1, two MTX-related scorpion toxins). We report here that a single mutation in MTX, in either position 15 or 33, resulted in a shift from the MTX toward the Pi1/HsTx1 disulfide bridge pattern. This shift is accompanied by structural and pharmacological changes of the peptide without altering the general alpha/beta scaffold of scorpion toxins.

Synthesis, 1H NMR structure, and activity of a three-disulfide-bridged maurotoxin analog designed to restore the consensus motif of scorpion toxins.

Maurotoxin (MTX) is a 34-residue toxin that has been isolated from the venom of the chactidae scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus. The toxin displays an exceptionally wide range of pharmacological activity since it binds onto small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and also blocks Kv channels (Shaker, Kv1.2 and Kv1.3). MTX possesses 53-68% sequence identity with HsTx1 and Pi1, two other K(+) channel short chain scorpion toxins cross-linked by four disulfide bridges. These three toxins differ from other K(+)/Cl(-)/Na(+) channel scorpion toxins cross-linked by either three or four disulfide bridges by the presence of an extra half-cystine residue in the middle of a consensus sequence generally associated with the formation of an alpha/beta scaffold (an alpha-helix connected to an antiparallel beta-sheet by two disulfide bridges). Because MTX exhibits an uncommon disulfide bridge organization among known scorpion toxins (C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C4, and C7-C8 instead of C1-C4, C2-C5, and C3-C6 for three-disulfide-bridged toxins or C1-C5, C2-C6, C3-C7, and C4-C8 for four-disulfide-bridged toxins), we designed and chemically synthesized an MTX analog with three instead of four disulfide bridges ([Abu(19),Abu(34)]MTX) and in which the entire consensus motif of scorpion toxins was restored by the substitution of the two half-cystines in positions 19 and 34 (corresponding to C4 and C8) by two isosteric alpha-aminobutyrate (Abu) derivatives. The three-dimensional structure of [Abu(19), Abu(34)]MTX in solution was solved by (1)H NMR. This analog adopts the alpha/beta scaffold with now conventional half-cystine pairings connecting C1-C5, C2-C6, and C3-C7 (with C4 and C8 replaced by Abu derivatives). This novel arrangement in half-cystine pairings that concerns the last disulfide bridge results mainly in a reorientation of the alpha-helix regarding the beta-sheet structure. In vivo, [Abu(19),Abu(34)]MTX remains lethal in mice as assessed by intracerebroventricular injection of the peptide (LD(50) value of 0. 25 microg/mouse). The structural variations are also accompanied by changes in the pharmacological selectivity of the peptide, suggesting that the organization pattern of disulfide bridges should affect the three-dimensional presentation of certain key residues critical to the blockage of K(+) channel subtypes.

Activity-stress induces atrophy of apical dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in male rats.

Recently, researchers have demonstrated the damaging effect of restraint-stress on hippocampal neurons. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a more chronic stressor, i.e., activity-stress (A-S), would also result in hippocampal dendritic atrophy. When activity-stress (n = 6) rats showed evidence of the criteria "stress symptoms" (after an average of 6 days), they were sacrificed and their brains were quickly removed, blocked, and placed in Golgi-Cox solution. Food-yoked control animals (n = 6) were sacrificed on the following day. Serial coronal sections (150 um) of the rostral hippocampus were cut so that the CA3 and CAI areas could be analyzed. Stressed short-shaft neurons were significantly shorter and had fewer branch points in CA1 and CA3 neurons than the control neurons. A similar nonsignificant trend was observed in long-shaft neurons. These data suggest that a short period of chronic stress (6 days as opposed to 21 days in prior studies) induces neuronal atrophy in the hippocampus.

Opiate disruption of maternal behavior: morphine reduces, and naloxone restores, c-fos activity in the medial preoptic area of lactating rats.

Morphine significantly impairs maternal behavior; naloxone, an opiate antagonist, restores it. Maternal behavior is associated with c-fos expression, an immediate early gene product, in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) of females. In two experiments, the effects of morphine-alone and morphine plus naloxone on the expression of c-fos were examined. On postpartum day 5, females were injected with morphine or saline (experiment 1), and morphine + naloxone or morphine + saline (experiment 2) and placed back in the home-cage, separated from their pups by a wire-mesh partition. A separate group in experiment 1 was injected but not exposed to pups. Processing for c-fos immunohistochemistry commenced, and c-fos positive cells in a proscribed portion of mPOA were counted. Morphine-treated females had fewer c-fos cells in mPOA compared to saline-treated females, and the presence of pups accounted for a significant increase in c-fos-expressing neurons, whereas in females not exposed to pups, morphine treatment did not significantly reduce baseline c-fos expression (experiment 1). Furthermore, naloxone mitigated the effect as morphine + naloxone-treated females expressed more c-fos cells compared to morphine + saline females (experiment 2). Morphine-treated females, therefore, may exhibit reductions in maternal behavior because of relative opiate-induced inactivation of areas of the brain devoted to the regulation of maternal behavior.

Self-motion perception: assessment by computer-generated animations.

The goal of this research is more precise description of adaptation to sensory rearrangements, including microgravity, by development of improved procedures for assessing spatial orientation perception. Thirty-six subjects reported perceived self-motion following exposure to complex inertial-visual motion. Twelve subjects were assigned to each of 3 perceptual reporting procedures: (a) animation movie selection, (b) written report selection and (c) verbal report generation. The question addressed was: do reports produced by these procedures differ with respect to complexity and reliability? Following repeated (within-day and across-day) exposures to 4 different "motion profiles," subjects either (a) selected movies presented on a laptop computer, or (b) selected written descriptions from a booklet, or (c) generated self-motion verbal descriptions that corresponded most closely with their motion experience. One "complexity" and 2 reliability "scores" were calculated. Contrary to expectations, reliability and complexity scores were essentially equivalent for the animation movie selection and written report selection procedures. Verbal report generation subjects exhibited less complexity than did subjects in the other conditions and their reports were often ambiguous. The results suggest that, when selecting from carefully written descriptions and following appropriate training, people may be better able to describe their self-motion experience with words than is usually believed.

Physical examination during space flight.

OBJECTIVE: To develop techniques for conducting a physical examination in microgravity and to describe and document the physiologic changes noted with use of a modified basic physical examination. DESIGN: On the basis of data gathered from physical examinations on KC-135 flights, three physical variables were assessed serially in astronauts during two shuttle missions (of 8- and 10-day duration, respectively). Preflight, in-flight, and postflight examinations were conducted by trained physician-astronauts or flight surgeons, who used this modified examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five male and two female crewmembers participated in the "hands-on" physical examination of all physiologic systems except the genitourinary system. Level of edema, intensity of bowel sounds, and peripheral reflexes were assessed and graded. RESULTS: This investigation identified unique elements of a physical examination performed during space flight that will assist in the development of standard methods for conducting examinations of astronauts in weightlessness. In addition, demonstrable changes induced by microgravity were noted in most physiologic systems examined. CONCLUSION: The data support the hypothesis that the microgravity examination differs from that conducted on earth or in a 1g environment. In addition, alterations in the physiologic response can be detected with use of hands-on technique. These data are invaluable in the development of optimal medical care for humans in space.

Residue Glu-91 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ferredoxin is essential for electron transfer to ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase.

The [2Fe-2S] soluble ferredoxin from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was mutated by site directed mutagenesis, using PCR and the expression plasmid pET-Fd as a template. The recombinant mutated proteins were purified to homogeneity and tested in the activation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase, a light dependent reaction in which ferredoxin thioredoxin reductase (FTR) and thioredoxin are involved. The mutation of residue Glu-91 (E92 in spinach, E94 in Anabaena) alone, either to Gln (E91Q) or to Lys (E91K), was found to completely abolish the reaction of the enzyme light activation. On the other hand, the mutants (E92Q) or (E92K) were as efficient as the wild type ferredoxin in this reaction whereas the double mutants (E91Q/E92Q) or (E91K/E92K) had no activity. In addition, a triple mutant (D25A/E28Q/E29Q) was also found to be inactive for this redox dependent light activation. All these mutations had much weaker effects on the ferredoxin/ferredoxin NADP reductase interaction as measured by the cytochrome c reduction assay. These results indicate that there is a recognition site for FTR in the C terminus part of ferredoxin, but also that a core of negatively charged residues in the alpha1 helix of ferredoxin might be important in the general process of light activation.

Facilitation of adaptation and acute tolerance to stressful sensory input by doxepin and scopolamine plus amphetamine.

This work characterizes a new methodologic and pharmacologic approach to control terrestrial and space motion sickness (SMS). The experimental design allowed separate evaluation of drug action on susceptibility and adaptability, and used repeated measures to approximate the chronic stressful motion of microgravity. Daily exposure to cross-coupled angular acceleration for 5 consecutive days demonstrated that the efficacy of doxepin and scopolamine plus amphetamine in the prevention of autonomic system dysfunction was not only apparent on the first test day (P < .01), but was also evident in the substantially enhanced resistance developed over the 5-day test period (P < .01) as compared with placebo. This indicates that daily use of these medications does not diminish therapeutic efficacy (tolerance). The efficacy of doxepin was anticipated because it possesses pharmacologic properties similar to those of established anti-motion sickness drugs. Comparable efficacy after doxepin loading for 4 hours, 3 days, or 21 days suggests a mechanism distinct from its antidepressant effects, possibly related to its potent antihistaminergic actions. Use of doxepin has operational significance to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in comparison with current preparations of scopolamine plus amphetamine, because of doxepin's minimal impact on cognitive performance, and most importantly, its favorable pharmacokinetic profile, particularly its long half-life.