Neuropsychological performance predicts decision-making abilities in Chinese older persons with mild or very mild dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of the 4 decision-making abilities (Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning, and Expressing a Choice) and neuropsychological performance in patients with very mild and mild dementia. METHODS: Chinese subjects were recruited from local social centres and residential hostels for elderly people in Hong Kong. Clinical diagnosis was made by experienced geriatric psychiatrists. A battery of neuropsychological tests that assesses general cognitive abilities, verbal memory, executive function, concept formation, and auditory and visual attention, was administered. Mental capacity to consent to treatment was assessed using the Chinese version of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool - Treatment. RESULTS: Fifty participants with very mild or mild dementia were compared with 42 cognitively intact subjects. After controlling for the effects of age and education, stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that the 4 decision-making abilities correlated with different neuropsychological test performances, which predicted 45% of the common variance for Understanding, 39% for Appreciation, 20% for Reasoning, and 30% for Expressing a Choice. The Reasoning score was only predicted by the Category Verbal Fluency Test (ß = 0.4, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Neuropsychological test performance differentially predicted different decision-making abilities in older patients with mild or very mild dementia.

The performance of three vacuum-mixing cement guns--a comparison of the fatigue properties of simplex P cement.

We tested three commercially available cement-mixing systems (Howmedica, Summit and Stryker). After mixing the cement was allowed to cure in metal moulds under standard conditions. Sixty-nine cement blocks were produced. The fatigue behavior of the blocks was tested until failure. A wide scattering of results was observed in all the three systems. Uneven mixing of the polymer and monomer was observed in the Howmedica system. A significantly stronger cement (P=0.018) was produced with the Stryker system.

Human HtrA, an evolutionarily conserved serine protease identified as a differentially expressed gene product in osteoarthritic cartilage.

The human homologue of the Escherichia coli htrA gene product was identified by the differential display analysis of transcripts expressed in osteoarthritic cartilage. This transcript was identified previously as being repressed in SV40-transformed fibroblasts (Zumbrunn, J., and Trueb, B. (1996) FEBS Lett. 398, 187-192). Levels of HtrA mRNA were elevated approximately 7-fold in cartilage from individuals with osteoarthritis compared with nonarthritic controls. Differential expression of human HtrA protein was confirmed by an immunoblot analysis of cartilage extracts. Human HtrA protein expressed in heterologous systems was secreted and exhibited endoproteolytic activity, including autocatalytic cleavage. Conversion by mutagenesis of the putative active site serine 328 to alanine eliminated the enzymatic activity. Serine 328 was also found to be required for the formation of a stable complex with alpha1-antitrypsin. We have determined that the HtrA gene is highly conserved among mammalian species: the amino acid sequences encoded by HtrA cDNA clones from cow, rabbit, and guinea pig are 98% identical to human. In E. coli, a functional htrA gene product is required for cell survival after heat shock or oxidative stress; its role appears to be the degradation of denatured proteins. We propose that mammalian HtrA, with the addition of a new functionality during evolution, i.e. a mac25 homology domain, plays an important role in cell growth regulation.

An enhanced immune response in mice lacking the transcription factor NFAT1.

Transcription factors of the NFAT family are thought to play a major role in regulating the expression of cytokine genes and other inducible genes during the immune response. The role of NFAT1 was investigated by targeted disruption of the NFAT1 gene. Unexpectedly, cells from NFAT1 -/- mice showed increased primary responses to Leishmania major and mounted increased secondary responses to ovalbumin in vitro. In an in vivo model of allergic inflammation, the accumulation of eosinophils and levels of serum immunoglobulin E were increased in NFAT1 -/- mice. These results suggest that NFAT1 exerts a negative regulatory influence on the immune response.

Regulation of c-fos expression in transgenic mice requires multiple interdependent transcription control elements.

Transcription control regions of eukaryotic genes contain multiple sequence elements proposed to function independently to regulate transcription. We developed transgenic mice carrying fos-lacZ fusion genes with clustered point mutations in each of several distinct regulatory sequences: the sis-inducible element, the serum response element, the fos AP-1 site, and the calcium/cAMP response element. Analysis of Fos-lacZ expression in the CNS and in cultured cells demonstrated that all of the regulatory elements tested were required in concert for tissue- and stimulus-specific regulation of the c-fos promoter. This implies that the regulation of c-fos expression requires the concerted action of multiple control elements that direct the assembly of an interdependent transcription complex.

Targeted disruption of NMDA receptor 1 gene abolishes NMDA response and results in neonatal death.

In vitro studies have suggested that the NMDA receptor consists of an essential subunit, NR1, and various modulatory NR2 subunits. To test this hypothesis directly in vivo, we generated mice carrying a disrupted NR1 allele. NMDA-inducible increases in intracellular calcium and membrane currents were abolished in neurons from homozygous null mutants (NR1-/-). Thus, NR1 has a unique role, which cannot be substituted by any other subunit, in determining the activity of the endogenous NMDA receptor. A concomitant reduction in levels of NR2B but not NR2A occurred in NR1-/- mice, demonstrating that there is an interdependence of subunit expression. NR1-/- mice died 8-15 hr after birth, indicating a vital neonatal function for the NMDA receptor. Although the NMDA receptor has been implicated in several aspects of neurodevelopment, overall neuroanatomy of NR1-/- mice appeared normal. Pathological evidence suggested that respiratory failure was the ultimate cause of death.

Fos is a preferential target of glucocorticoid receptor inhibition of AP-1 activity in vitro.

Several regulatory interactions between the AP-1 and the nuclear hormone receptor families of transcription factors have been reported. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these interactions remain unknown, and models derived from transient-transfection experiments are contradictory. We have investigated the effect of the purified glucocorticoid receptor (GR) DNA-binding domain (GR residues 440 to 533 [GR440-533]) on DNA binding and transcription activation by Fos-Jun heterodimers and Jun homodimers. GR440-533 differentially inhibited DNA binding and transcription activation by Fos-Jun heterodimers. Inhibition of Jun homodimers required a 10-fold-higher concentration of GR440-533. An excess of Fos monomers protected Fos-Jun heterodimers from inhibition by GR440-533. Surprisingly, regions outside the leucine zipper and basic region were required for GR inhibition of Fos and Jun DNA binding. The region of GR440-533 required for inhibition of Fos-Jun DNA binding was localized to the zinc finger DNA-binding domain. However, inhibition of Fos-Jun DNA binding was independent of DNA binding by GR440-533. GR440-533 also differentially inhibited Fos-Jun heterodimer binding to the proliferin plfG element. Differential inhibition of DNA binding by different AP-1 family complexes provides a potential mechanism for the diverse interactions between nuclear hormone receptors and AP-1 family proteins at different promoters and in different cell types.

A fos-lac Z transgenic mouse that can be used for neuroanatomic mapping.

Cellular immediate-early genes are rapidly induced by a diverse range of agents and conditions. Since many cIE genes encode known or potential transcription factors, they are believed to couple extracellular stimuli to long-lasting alterations in cellular phenotype through the regulation of gene transcription. In addition, the localization of the products of cIE genes has been used as a method for determining the cellular sites of action of particular agents in the nervous system. However, the methods of analysis are tedious, and the results may be ambiguous because of cross-reaction of reagents with related proteins. To further the utility of this approach, a bacterial gene encoding beta-galactosidase (lac Z) has been fused, in frame, into the fourth exon of c-fos, and this fos-lac Z fusion gene has been introduced into the germ line of mice. We have analyzed the expression of beta-galactosidase (under the control of the c-fos promoter) in the developing and adult nervous systems of these transgenic mice. As far as can be determined, the constitutive and stimulated expression of the transgene accurately reflects the expression of cognate c-fos in both cultured cells and the intact animal. This study has also revealed novel sites of constitutive and induced expression of c-fos that were overlooked using conventional analysis. In particular, constitutive expression of c-fos is associated with cells that are entering terminal differentiation and are destined to die. In addition, induced expression of the transgene in adult brain mirrors the pattern of neurotoxicity elicited by kainic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Jun is phosphorylated by several protein kinases at the same sites that are modified in serum-stimulated fibroblasts.

c-jun is a member of the family of immediate-early genes whose expression is induced by factors such as serum stimulation, phorbol ester, and differentiation signals. Here we show that increased Jun synthesis after serum stimulation is accompanied by a concomitant increase in phosphorylation. Several serine-threonine kinases were evaluated for their ability to phosphorylate Jun in vitro. p34cdc2, protein kinase C, casein kinase II, and pp44mapk phosphorylated Jun efficiently, whereas cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and glycogen synthase kinase III did not. The sites phosphorylated by p34cdc2 were similar to those phosphorylated in vivo after serum induction. The major sites of phosphorylation were mapped to serines 63, 73, and 246. Phosphorylation of full-length Jun with several kinases did not affect the DNA-binding activity of Jun homodimers or Fos-Jun heterodimers. Comparison of the DNA binding and in vitro transcription properties of wild-type and mutated proteins containing either alanine or aspartic acid residues in place of Ser-63, -73, and -246 revealed only minor differences among homodimeric complexes and no differences among Fos-Jun heterodimers. Thus, phosphorylation of Jun did not produce a significant change in dimerization, DNA-binding, or in vitro transcription activity. The regulatory role of phosphorylation in the modulation of Jun function is likely to be considerably more complex than previously suggested.

fos-lacZ transgenic mice: mapping sites of gene induction in the central nervous system.

A transgenic mouse line containing a fos-lacZ fusion gene was derived in which beta-galactosidase activity identified cell populations expressing fos either constitutively or after stimulation. Seizures and light pulses induced nuclear lacZ activity in defined populations of neurons in vivo, and an array of neurotransmitters, including glutamate, induced the transgene in primary brain cultures. In unstimulated mice, the major sites of fos-lacZ expression were skin, hair follicle, and bone. fos-lacZ mice provide a new avenue for activity mapping studies based on gene expression.

Studies of reflexogenic effects of capsaicin and neuropeptides on neural afferents in the dog parietal pericardium.

Stimulation of neural afferents in the parietal pericardium of anaesthetized, open-chest dogs by local application of capsaicin (0.1-100 micrograms) consistently induced dose-related pressor effects and tachycardia, whereas the application (0.1-1 microgram) of neuropeptides substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) had no cardiovascular effect. Capsaicin-induced reflex responses were not affected by vagotomy, but were abolished by bilateral sectioning of the upper thoracic (T1-T4) white rami communicantes and stellectomy. Capsaicin-induced reflex tachycardia could also be abolished by a beta-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol (0.5 mg/kg, IV), while ganglionic blockade with pentolinium (0.5 mg/kg, IV) eliminated both the tachycardia and pressor effects. Intravenous treatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin (5 mg/kg) or aspirin (100 mg/kg) had no effect on reflex pressor and heart rate responses to pericardial capsaicin. Also local treatment of the pericardium with either indomethacin (1 microgram/ml) or dual cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW755C (10 micrograms/ml) failed to affect the responses to capsaicin. We conclude that (i) capsaicin-sensitive afferents which are present in the dog pericardium have a spinal origin and can initiate sympathetically-mediated reflex cardiovascular changes; (ii) the reflexogenic action of capsaicin on pericardial afferents does not depend on local production of eicosanoids; (iii) neuropeptides appear to be without reflexogenic effects on neural afferents in the dog parietal pericardium.

Regulation of a fos-lacZ fusion gene: a paradigm for quantitative analysis of stimulus-transcription coupling.

Expression of the c-fos protooncogene is induced by a great variety of extracellular stimuli. A fos-lacZ fusion gene has been constructed that recapitulates this regulation. The fos-lacZ gene was introduced into B104 neuroblastoma cells for use in a quantitative assay for stimulus-transcription coupling. Both alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists, dibutyryl cAMP, and phorbol ester induced beta-galactosidase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the interactions of receptors with agonists and antagonists, as well as intracellular second messenger-mediated signaling events, can be analyzed quantitatively. This approach represents a prototypic method for investigating stimulus-response coupling based upon gene expression.

Transcriptional regulation by Fos and Jun in vitro: interaction among multiple activator and regulatory domains.

The proteins encoded by the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun (Fos and Jun, respectively) form a heterodimeric complex that regulates transcription by interacting with the DNA-regulatory element known as the activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding site. Fos and Jun are members of a family of related transcription factors that dimerize via a leucine zipper structure and interact with DNA through a bipartite domain formed between regions of each protein that are rich in basic amino acids. Here we have defined other domains in the Fos-Jun heterodimer that contribute to transcriptional function in vitro. Although DNA-binding specificity is mediated by the leucine zipper and basic regions, Jun also contains a proline- and glutamine-rich region that functions as an ancillary DNA-binding domain but does not contribute directly to transcriptional activation. Transcriptional stimulation in vitro was associated with two regions in Fos and a single N-terminal activation domain in Jun. These activator regions were capable of operating independently; however, they appear to function cooperatively in the heterodimeric complex. The activity of these domains was modulated by inhibitory regions in Fos and Jun that repressed transcription in vitro. In the context of the heterodimer, the Jun activation domain was the major contributor to transcriptional stimulation and the inhibitory regions in Fos were the major contributors to transcriptional repression in vitro. Potentially, the inhibitory domains could serve a regulatory function in vivo. Thus, transcriptional regulation by the Fos-Jun heterodimer results from a complex integration of multiple activator and regulatory domains.

A ubiquitous nuclear protein stimulates the DNA-binding activity of fos and jun indirectly.

The protooncogenes c-fos and c-jun encode nuclear proteins (fos and jun, respectively) that function cooperatively as a heterodimeric protein complex in the regulation of gene transcription. These proteins dimerize via a structural motif known as the leucine zipper and bind to activator protein-1 sites via a conserved domain that is rich in basic amino acids. Previously, we demonstrated that while fos and jun polypeptides expressed in Escherichia coli dimerize efficiently, they exhibit only a low level of DNA-binding activity. Here we show that the DNA-binding activity of fos-jun heterodimers and jun-jun homodimers is stimulated dramatically by a ubiquitous nuclear protein. This protein does not appear to participate in the DNA-protein complex, and it does not affect the specificity of the interaction with DNA. These results suggest that a nuclear protein regulates the DNA-binding activity of fos and jun indirectly.

Fos and jun cooperate in transcriptional regulation via heterologous activation domains.

The products of c-fos and c-jun (Fos and Jun) function in gene regulation by interacting with the AP-1 binding site. Here we have examined the contribution of Fos and Jun toward transcriptional activity by using Fos and Jun polypeptides purified from Escherichia coli. Fos contained a transcriptional activation domain as well as a region which exerted a negative influence on transcriptional activity in vitro. Moreover, distinct activation domains in both Fos and Jun functioned cooperatively in transcriptional stimulation. Thus, regulation of gene expression by Fos and Jun results from an integration of several functional domains in a bimolecular complex.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the L gene of vesicular stomatitis virus (New Jersey serotype): identification of conserved domains in L proteins of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the L gene of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), New Jersey serotype (Ogden strain) by primer extension dideoxy sequencing of the genomic RNA with reverse transcriptase. This analysis completes the entire genomic sequence of the VSVNJ (Ogden). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of this L protein with those reported for L proteins of Indiana serotype and Hazelhurst strain of New Jersey serotype revealed an extensive sequence similarity among all three proteins. The comparison was further extended to the L proteins of other nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses, namely the rabies virus and four members of the paramyxovirus family: measles, Newcastle disease, human parainfluenza 3, and Sendai viruses. Our findings confirmed the existence of conserved as well as unique domains in the L proteins, suggesting an evolutionary relationship among these viruses.

Expression and purification of the leucine zipper and DNA-binding domains of Fos and Jun: both Fos and Jun contact DNA directly.

The protein products of the fos and jun protooncogenes interact cooperatively in the form of a heterodimer with the activator protein 1 (AP-1) regulatory element. To characterize the properties of these proteins, we have expressed polypeptides comprised of the dimerization and DNA-binding domains of Fos and Jun in Escherichia coli. The mini-Fos (wbFos) and the mini-Jun (wbJun) proteins were purified to apparent homogeneity by using a nickel affinity chromatography procedure. Purified wbFos and wbJun associated rapidly in vitro and interacted cooperatively with the human metallothionein IIA AP-1-binding site. However, efficient DNA binding of wbJun and wbFos-wbJun complexes required an additional activity present in nuclear extracts. This activity was sensitive to alkylating agents and could be partially mimicked by the presence of reducing and stabilizing agents. DNase I footprinting experiments demonstrated that Jun homodimeric complexes and Fos-Jun heterodimeric complexes interacted with the same site on the human metallothionein IIA gene. Moreover, UV-crosslinking studies demonstrated that Fos and Jun contact DNA directly and that both proteins interacted equivalently with either strand of the AP-1-binding site.

Sensitivity to bleomycin and hydrogen peroxide of DNA repair-defective mutants in Neurospora crassa.

Mutations were induced in Neurospora which cause increased sensitivity to MMS (methyl methane-sulfonate) and other mutagens. Genetic analysis of such mus demonstrated that some of them defined new DNA repair genes (mus-21, and mus-27 to mus-30), while others represented new alleles in previously known genes. To characterize them further, and especially to identify rec- types which have not yet been found in this species, many MMS-sensitive strains were tested for cross-sensitivities to bleomycin (BLM) and to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to which some rec- of other species are hypersensitive. In Neurospora, many of the MMS-sensitive mutants were found to be cross-sensitive to BLM and frequently these were also hypersensitive to ionizing radiation. Bleomycin sensitivity was demonstrated for all alleles of 10 different genes, 4 of them new ones, with mus-27 being the most sensitive of the latter (resembling uvs-6; Koga and Schroeder, 1987, Mutation Res., 183, 139). In contrast, very few of the MMS-sensitive mutants were hypersensitive to H2O2 and, in general, results of H2O2 tests were variable and differences between strains small. However, consistent deviations from wild type were observed in a few cases (most clearly for mus-9 and mus-11) when results from treatments of germinating conidia were compared with those of non-growing ones.