Distinct Cellular Localization Research Articles

Tethering RITS to a Nascent Transcript Initiates RNAi- and Heterochromatin-Dependent Gene Silencing

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the RNA-Induced Transcriptional Silencing (RITS) complex has been proposed to target the chromosome via siRNA-dependent base-pairing interactions to initiate heterochromatin formation. Here we show that tethering of the RITS subunit, Tas3, to the RNA transcript of the normally active ura4+ gene silences ura4+ expression. This silencing depends on a functional RNAi pathway, requires the heterochromatin proteins, Swi6/HP1, Clr4/Suv39h, and Sir2, and is accompanied by the generation of ura4+ siRNAs, histone H3-lysine 9 methylation, and Swi6 binding. Furthermore, the ability of the newly generated ura4+ siRNAs to silence a second ura4+ allele in trans is strongly inhibited by the conserved siRNA nuclease, Eri1. Surprisingly, silencing of tethered ura4+, or ura4+ inserted within centromeric heterochromatin, or some of the endogenous centromeric repeat promoters, is not associated with changes in RNA polymerase II occupancy. These findings support a model in which targeting of nascent transcripts by RITS mediates chromatin modifications and suggest that cotranscriptional processing events play a primary role in the silencing mechanism.

Phospholipase D1 Regulates Cell Migration in a Lipase Activity-independent Manner

Cell migration, a complex biological process, requires dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling. Phospholipase D (PLD) generates phosphatidic acid, a lipid second messenger. Although PLD activity has been proposed to play a role in cytoskeletal rearrangement, the manner in which PLD participates in the rearrangement process remains obscure. In this study, by silencing endogenous PLD isozymes using small interfering RNA in HeLa cells, we demonstrate that endogenous PLD1 is required for the normal organization of the actin cytoskeleton, and, more importantly, for cell motility. PLD1 silencing in HeLa cells resulted in dramatic changes in cellular morphology, including the accumulation of stress fibers, as well as cell elongation and flattening, which appeared to be caused by an increased number of focal adhesions, which ultimately culminated in enhanced cell-substratum interactions. Accordingly, serum-induced cell migration was profoundly inhibited by PLD1-silencing. Moreover, the augmented cell substratum interaction and retarded cell migration induced by PLD1-silencing could be restored by the adding back not only of wild type, but also of lipase-inactive PLD1 into knockdown cells. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that endogenous PLD1 is a critical factor in the organization of the actin-based cytoskeleton, with regard to cell adhesion and migration. These effects of PLD1 appear to operate in a lipase activity-independent manner. We also discuss the regulation of Src family kinases by PLD1, as related to the modulation of Pyk2 and cell migration.

Chronological expression of PAR isoforms in acute liver injury and its amelioration by PAR2 blockade in a rat model of sepsis

The liver can be injured and its functions altered by activation of the coagulation and inflammatory processes in sepsis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the pattern of protease- activated receptors (PARs) over time in a model of acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS); and whether PARs play a role in this process and exert their effects through inflammation and coagulation. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) were significantly expressed 1 h after LPS administration followed by: i) an increase in levels of tissue factor, factor VIIa, thrombin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; ii) unchanged or steady levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor; and iii) subsequent deposition of fibrin in the liver tissue, that led to the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which are associated with liver injury. The expression of all PAR isoforms (1-4) was elevated, and each isoform had a distinct cellular localization (hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, the portal triad area, and central veins) and a time-dependent pattern of expression. The immuno-reactivity of PAR2 and 4 in Kupffer cells was intense. Interestingly, PAR2 blocking peptide improved the healing of liver injuries, an effect that was associated with suppression of TNF-a elevation, and normalization of coagulation and fibrinolysis. This ultimately led to decreased fibrin formation in the injured liver. The present study reveals a distinct chronological expression and cellular localization of PARs in LPS-mediated liver injury and shows that blockade of PAR2 may play a crucial role in treating liver injury, via normalization of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways.

SC5 mAb Represents a Unique Tool for the Detection of Extracellular Vimentin as a Specific Marker of Sézary Cells

Circulating malignant Sézary lymphocytes result from a clonal proliferation of memory/activated CD4(+)CD45RO(+) T lymphocytes primarily involving the skin. Recently, the CD158k/KIR3DL2 cell surface receptor has been identified to phenotypically characterize these cells. We previously described a mAb termed SC5 that identifies an unknown early activation cell membrane molecule. It is expressed selectively by T lymphocytes isolated from healthy individuals upon activation, and by circulating Sézary syndrome lymphocytes. In addition, we found that SC5 mAb was reactive with all resting T lymphocytes once permeabilized, indicating that SC5 mAb-reactive molecule might present distinct cellular localization according to the T cell activation status. In this study, we show for the first time that SC5 mAb recognizes the intermediate filament protein vimentin when exported to the extracellular side of the plasma membrane of viable Sézary malignant cells. We demonstrate that SC5 mAb is unique as it reacts with both viable malignant lymphocytes and apoptotic T cells. As vimentin is also detected rapidly at the cell membrane surface after normal T lymphocyte activation, it suggests that its extracellular detection on Sézary cells could be a consequence of their constitutive activation status. Finally, as a probable outcome of vimentin cell surface expression, autoantibodies against vimentin were found in the sera of Sézary syndrome patients.

Two Discrete Promoters Regulate the Alternatively Spliced Human Interferon Regulatory Factor-5 Isoforms: MULTIPLE ISOFORMS WITH DISTINCT CELL TYPE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION, LOCALIZATION, REGULATION, AND FUNCTION

Interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF-5) is a mediator of virus-induced immune activation and type I interferon (IFN) gene regulation. In human primary plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), IRF-5 is transcribed into four distinct alternatively spliced isoforms (V1, V2, V3, and V4), whereas in human primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells two additional new isoforms (V5 and V6) were identified. The IRF-5 V1, V2, and V3 transcripts have different noncoding first exons and distinct insertion/deletion patterns in exon 6. Here we showed that V1 and V3 have distinct transcription start sites and are regulated by two discrete promoters. The V1 promoter (P-V1) is constitutively active, contains an IRF-E consensus-binding site, and is further stimulated in virus-infected cells by IRF family members. In contrast, endogenous V3 transcripts were up-regulated by type I IFNs, and the V3 promoter (P-V3) contains an IFN-stimulated responsive element-binding site that confers responsiveness to IFN through binding of the ISGF3 complex. In addition to V5 and V6, we have identified three more alternatively spliced IRF-5 isoforms (V7, V8, and V9); V5 and V6 were expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and in immortalized B and T cell malignancies, whereas expression of V7, V8, and V9 transcripts were detected only in human cancers. The results of this study demonstrated the existence of multiple IRF-5 spliced isoforms with distinct cell type-specific expression, cellular localization, differential regulation, and dissimilar functions in virus-mediated type I IFN gene induction.

Localization of Myosin Phosphatase Target Subunit and its Mutants

Transient transfection of NIH3T3 cells with various constructs of myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1) and GFP showed distinct cellular localizations. Constructs containing the N-terminal nuclear localization signals (NLS), i.e. full-length MYPT1 and N-terminal MYPT1 fragments, were concentrated in the nucleus. Full-length chicken and human MYPT1-GFP showed discrete nuclear foci. Deletion of the N-terminal NLS or use of central or C-terminal MYPT1 fragments did not show unique nuclear distributions (C-terminal NLS are present). Transient transfection of NIH3T3 cells (in the presence of serum) with full-length MYPT1-GFP caused a marked decrease in number of attached cells, an apparent block in the cell cycle prior to M phase and signs of increased apoptosis. Under conditions of serum starvation the unique nuclear localization of MYPT1-GFP was not found and there was no marked decrease in the number of attached cells (after 48 h). Stable transfection of HEK 293 cells with GFP-MYPT1 was obtained. MYPT1 and its N-terminal mutants bound to retinoblastoma protein (Rb), raising the possibility that Rb is implicated in the effects caused by overexpression of MYPT1.

The Histone Deacetylase 9 Gene Is Regulated by Multiple Promoters and Expresses Lymphoid-Specific Isoforms.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) perform key functions in transcriptional regulation by modifying the core histones of the nucleosome as well as non-histone targets. We have previously cloned and characterized HDAC9, a member of the Class IIa HDAC family, which also contains HDACs 4,5 and 7. These are characterized by the presence of a common N-terminal region, which mediates direct interactions with transcription factors such as BCL-6 or MEF2. The HDAC9 gene encodes multiple protein isoforms some of which display distinct cellular localization patterns and biological activities. The transcribed region of HDAC9 is very large, spanning more than 900 kilobases, with approximately 50% of these sequences being non-coding. Consistent with its size as well as the multiplicity and structural complexity of expressed HDAC9 isoforms, we report that HDAC9 expression is under the control of three independent promoter regions, one of which possesses a CpG island. This is in contrast to other HDAC genes thus far identified, each of which appears to possess a single CpG island-containing promoter. Transcripts initiating from the individual HDAC9 promoters are differentially expressed and encode specific HDAC9 isoforms. A comparison of the human and mouse HDAC9 genes reveals some important differences in both regulatory regions and coding sequences. Specifically, the human HDAC9 gene can express from its second promoter, which is not present in the mouse gene, hematopoietic-specific transcripts (i.e. only found in the lymph node, spleen and lymphocytes in normal tissue) that encode isoforms containing previously unidentified N-terminal sequences. In normal B cells, HDAC9 mRNA transcripts are initiated from the second and proximal promoters and stimulation of these cells with IL2, α-CD40 MoAb, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain 1, or arsenic trioxide had no appreciable affect on HDAC9 expression. However, due to a potentially abnormal differential promoter usage and alternative splicing, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patient B-cells displayed HDAC9 isoform expression pattern that was dramatically distinct from that observed in normal B-cells. Specifically, there was significant expression from the distal (CpG island containing) promoter, which is not utilised in normal B cells, and overexpression from the second and proximal promoters. With regard to alternative splicing, the CLL patient cells lacked exon7, which contains a nuclear localization signal and exon12, which contains a site of sumoylation - a modification linked to deacetylase activity. Moreover, these changes were specific for full-length HDAC9, and not the MITR isoform that lacks catalytic domain. Stimulation of CLL patient B-cells with SAC/IL-2 caused a switch in promoter usage leading to the change in isoform specific expression to a pattern that is identical to that of normal B-cells. These results suggest that deregulation of HDAC9 expression may play a role in B-cell development and the pathogenesis of B-cell neoplasms. Given the need for development of better therapies for indolent B-cell malignancies such as CLL, the finding that HDAC9 expression in cancer cells is modulated by SAC/IL-2 points to a possible combinatorial therapy with HDAC inhibitors, which have been shown to induce apoptosis in CLL cells.

Cellular expression of murine Ym1 and Ym2, chitinase family proteins, as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Ym is one of the chitinase family proteins, which are widely distributed in mammalian bodies and can bind glycosaminoglycans such as heparin/heparan sulfate. Ym1 is a macrophage protein produced in parasitic infections, while its isoform, Ym2, is upregulated in lung under allergic conditions. In the present study, we revealed the distinct cellular expression of Ym1 and Ym2 in normal mice by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Ym1 was principally expressed in the lung, spleen, and bone marrow, while Ym2 was found in the stomach. Ym1-expressing cells in the lung were alveolar macrophages, and the immunoreactivity for Ym1 was localized in rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the spleen, Ym1-expressing cells gathered in the red pulp and were electron microscopically identified as immature neutrophils. In the bone marrow, immature neutrophils were intensely immunoreactive, but lost this immunoreactivity with maturation. Moreover, needle-shaped crystals in the cytoplasm of macrophages, which formed erythroblastic islands, also showed intense Ym1 immunoreactivity. Ym2 expression was restricted to the stratified squamous epithelium in the junctional region between forestomach and glandular stomach. The function of Ym1 and Ym2 is still unclear; however, the distinct cellular localization under normal conditions suggests their important roles in hematopoiesis, tissue remodeling, or immune responses as an endogenous lectin.

Characterization of three functional high-affinity ammonium transporters in Lotus japonicus with differential transcriptional regulation and spatial expression.

Ammonium is a primary source of nitrogen for plants. In legume plants ammonium can also be obtained by symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and NH(4)(+) is also a regulator of early and late symbiotic interaction steps. Ammonium transporters are likely to play important roles in the control of nodule formation as well as in nitrogen assimilation. Two new genes, LjAMT1;2 and LjAMT1;3, were cloned from Lotus japonicus. Both were able to complement the growth defect of a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ammonium transport mutant. Measurement of [(14)C]methylammonium uptake rates and competition experiments revealed that each transporter had a high affinity for NH(4)(+). The K(i) for ammonium was 1.7, 3, and 15 microm for LjAMT1;1, 1;2, and 1;3, respectively. Real-time PCR revealed higher expression of LjAMT1;1, 1;2, and 1;3 genes in leaves than in roots and nodule, with expression levels decreasing in the order LjAMT1;1 > 1;2 > 1;3 except in flowers, in which LjAMT1;3 was expressed at higher level than in leaves, and LjAMT1;1 showed the lowest level of expression. Expression of LjAMT1;1 and 1;2 in roots was induced by nitrogen deprivation. Expression of LjAMT1;1 was repressed in leaves exposed to elevated CO(2) concentrations, which also suppress photorespiration. Tissue and cellular localization of LjAMT1 genes expression, using promoter-beta-glucuronidase and in situ RNA hybridization approaches, revealed distinct cellular spatial localization in different organs, including nodules, suggesting differential roles in the nitrogen metabolism of these organs.

The Histone Deacetylase 9 Gene Encodes Multiple Protein Isoforms

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) perform an important function in transcriptional regulation by modifying the core histones of the nucleosome. We have now fully characterized a new member of the Class II HDAC family, HDAC9. The enzyme contains a conserved deacetylase domain, represses reporter activity when recruited to a promoter, and utilizes histones H3 and H4 as substrates in vitro and in vivo. HDAC9 is expressed in a tissue-specific pattern that partially overlaps that of HDAC4. Within the human hematopoietic system, expression of HDAC9 is biased toward cells of monocytic and lymphoid lineages. The HDAC9 gene encodes multiple protein isoforms, some of which display distinct cellular localization patterns. For example, full-length HDAC9 is localized in the nucleus, but the isoform lacking the region encoded by exon 7 is in the cytoplasm. HDAC9 interacts and co-localizes in vivo with a number of transcriptional repressors and co-repressors, including TEL and N-CoR, whose functions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. These results suggest that HDAC9 plays a role in hematopoiesis; its deregulated expression may be associated with some human cancers.

Citron Kinase Is a Cell Cycle-dependent, Nuclear Protein Required for G2/M Transition of Hepatocytes

Citron Kinase (Citron-K) is a cell cycle-dependent protein regulating the G(2)/M transition in hepatocytes. Synchronization studies demonstrated that expression of the Citron-K protein starts at the late S and/or the early G(2) phase after that of cyclin B1. Expression of Citron-K is developmentally regulated. Levels of Citron-K mRNA and protein are highest in embryonic liver and gradually decrease after birth. Citron-K exists in interphase nuclei and begins to disperse into the cytoplasm at prophase. It concentrates at the cleavage furrow and midbody during anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis, implicating a role in the control of cytokinesis. However, studies with knockouts show that Citron-K is not essential for cytokinesis in hepatocytes. Instead, loss of Citron-K causes a significant increase of G(2) tetraploid nuclei in one-week-old rat and mouse liver. In addition, Citron-K deficiency triggers apoptosis in a small subset of embryonic liver cells. In summary, our data demonstrate that Citron-K has a distinct cell cycle-dependent expression pattern and cellular localization as a downstream target of Rho-GTPase and functions in the control of G(2)/M transition in the hepatocyte cell cycle.

Roles and regulation of glutamate transporters in the central nervous system.

1. Glutamate transporters (also known as excitatory amino acid transporters or EAAT) are solely responsible for the removal of the excitatory neurotransmitter l-glutamate (Glu) from the extracellular space and, thus, permit normal transmission, as well as preventing cell death due to the excessive activation of Glu receptors. 2. Five subtypes of glutamate transporter (EAAT1-5) exist, possessing distinct pharmacology, cellular localization and modulatory mechanisms. 3. Experimental inhibition of EAAT activity in vitro and in vivo results in increased extracellular concentrations of Glu and in neuronal death via excitotoxicity, highlighting the importance of EAAT in normal excitatory neurotransmission. 4. Dysfunction of EAAT may contribute to the pathology of both acute neuronal injury and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, so correction of EAAT function under these conditions may provide a valuable therapeutic strategy. 5. The present review describes basic pharmacological studies that allow new insights into EAAT function and suggest possible strategies for the therapeutic modulation of EAAT.

Functional Divergence between Histone Deacetylases in Fission Yeast by Distinct Cellular Localization and In Vivo Specificity

Functional Divergence between Histone Deacetylases in Fission Yeast by Distinct Cellular Localization and In Vivo Specificity

Functional divergence between histone deacetylases in fission yeast by distinct cellular localization and in vivo specificity.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are important for gene regulation and the maintenance of heterochromatin in eukaryotes. Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as a model system to investigate the functional divergence within this conserved enzyme family. S. pombe has three HDACs encoded by the hda1(+), clr3(+), and clr6(+) genes. Strains mutated in these genes have previously been shown to display strikingly different phenotypes when assayed for viability, chromosome loss, and silencing. Here, conserved differences in the substrate binding pocket identify Clr6 and Hda1 as class I HDACs, while Clr3 belongs in the class II family. Furthermore, these HDACs were shown to have strikingly different subcellular localization patterns. Hda1 was localized to the cytoplasm, while most of Clr3 resided throughout the nucleus. Finally, Clr6 was localized exclusively on the chromosomes in a spotted pattern. Interestingly, Clr3, the only HDAC present in the nucleolus, was required for ribosomal DNA (rDNA) silencing. Clr3 presumably acts directly on heterochromatin, since it colocalized with the centromere, mating-type region, and rDNA as visualized by in situ hybridization. In addition, Clr3 could be cross-linked to mat3 in chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Western analysis of bulk histone preparations indicated that Hda1 (class I) had a generally low level of activity in vivo and Clr6 (class I) had a high level of activity and broad in vivo substrate specificity, whereas Clr3 (class II) displayed its main activity on acetylated lysine 14 of histone H3. Thus, the distinct functions of the S. pombe HDACs are likely explained by their distinct cellular localization and their different in vivo specificities.

In vitro and in vivo hepatic transport of the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent B22956/1: role of MRP proteins

The molecular mechanisms of the hepatic transport of B22956/1, a new gadolinium complex from the class of intravascular contrast agents for MRI, which undergoes extensive biliary elimination, were studied. Biliary and urinary elimination of B22956/1 were measured in normal and in mutant MRP2 lacking rats (TR −); cellular trafficking of the compound was assessed in wild and MRP1 or MRP2 transfected MDCKII cells. Eight hours after IV injection of B22956/1, 90±8% of the dose was recovered in the bile of normal rats. By contrast, in TR − rats, the biliary excretion was significantly lower (14±3%) while 55±9% of the compound was found in urine. In vitro, the cellular accumulation of B22956/1 was significantly lower in both MRP1 and MRP2 transfected cells as compared to wild type MDCKII cells, and the cellular efflux was prevented by the MRP inhibitor MK571, indicating the involvement of both MRP2 and MRP1 in the transport of B22956/1. Due to the distinct cellular localization of the proteins, MRP2 accounts for the biliary and urinary excretion of the compound, while MRP1 prevents cellular accumulation of the MRI agent. B22956/1 may be useful in clinical conditions where a defective biliary transport is present.

Differential localization in cells of myosin II heavy chain kinases during cytokinesis and polarized migration

BackgroundCortical myosin-II filaments in Dictyostelium discoideum display enrichment in the posterior of the cell during cell migration and in the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Filament assembly in turn is regulated by phosphorylation in the tail region of the myosin heavy chain (MHC). Early studies have revealed one enzyme, MHCK-A, which participates in filament assembly control, and two other structurally related enzymes, MHCK-B and -C. In this report we evaluate the biochemical properties of MHCK-C, and using fluorescence microscopy in living cells we examine the localization of GFP-labeled MHCK-A, -B, and -C in relation to GFP-myosin-II localization.ResultsBiochemical analysis indicates that MHCK-C can phosphorylate MHC with concomitant disassembly of myosin II filaments. In living cells, GFP-MHCK-A displayed frequent enrichment in the anterior of polarized migrating cells, and in the polar region but not the furrow during cytokinesis. GFP-MHCK-B generally displayed a homogeneous distribution. In migrating cells GFP-MHCK-C displayed posterior enrichment similar to that of myosin II, but did not localize with myosin II to the furrow during the early stage of cytokinesis. At the late stage of cytokinesis, GFP-MHCK-C became strongly enriched in the cleavage furrow, remaining there through completion of division.ConclusionMHCK-A, -B, and -C display distinct cellular localization patterns suggesting different cellular functions and regulation for each MHCK isoform. The strong localization of MHCK-C to the cleavage furrow in the late stages of cell division may reflect a mechanism by which the cell regulates the progressive removal of myosin II as furrowing progresses.

Distinct cellular localization and regulation of endothelin-1 and endothelin-converting enzyme-1 expression in the bovine corpus luteum: implications for luteolysis.

Endothelin-1 (ET)-1 within the corpus luteum (CL) is rapidly up-regulated during natural or PGF(2 alpha)-induced luteolysis; however, such an increase was not observed at early luteal stage, when the CL is refractory to PGF(2 alpha). The mature and active form of ET-1 is derived from the inactive intermediate peptide, big ET-1, by ET-converting enzyme (ECE)-1. This study therefore examined the developmental and cell-specific expression of ECE-1 in bovine CL. A significant, 4-fold, elevation in ECE-1 expression (mRNA and protein levels) occurred during the transition of the CL from early to midluteal phase. Analysis using in-situ hybridization and enriched luteal cell subpopulations showed that both steroidogenic and endothelial cells of the CL expressed high levels of ECE-1 mRNA; prepro ET-1 mRNA, on the other hand, was only expressed by resident endothelial cells. These data suggest that luteal parenchymal and endothelial cells may cooperate in the biosynthesis of mature bioactive ET-1. In the mature CL, ECE-1 mRNA increase occurred both in steroidogenic and endothelial cells and was accompanied by a significant rise in ET-1 peptide. However, in contrast to ECE-1, prepro ET-1 mRNA levels were similar in early and midluteal-phase CL. Low ECE-1 levels during the early luteal phase, restricting the production of active ET-1, may explain why the immature CL is able to withstand PGF(2 alpha)-induced luteolysis.

Distinct Cellular Localization and Regulation of Endothelin-1 and Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1 Expression in the Bovine Corpus Luteum: Implications for Luteolysis

Distinct Cellular Localization and Regulation of Endothelin-1 and Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1 Expression in the Bovine Corpus Luteum: Implications for Luteolysis

Hepatitis B virus X protein transactivates inducible nitric oxide synthase gene promoter through the proximal nuclear factor [kappa ]B[ndash ]binding site: Evidence that cytoplasmic location of X protein is essential for gene transactivation

Nitric oxide appears to play a central role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders. We have previously shown that there is an enhanced intrahepatic expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene during chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and that viral X protein (HBx) transcriptionally activates this cellular gene, but the molecular basis for this activation remains to be defined. We aimed to explore the involvement of different cis-acting elements of the human iNOS promoter in the HBx-mediated up-regulation as well as the effect of the intracellular distribution of the HBx on its transacting function. Cotransfection of human hepatocyte-derived cells with wild-type or mutated iNOS promoter and with an HBx expression vector showed that functional inactivation of the proximal nuclear factor [kappa ]B (NF-[kappa ]B)[ndash ]binding site of the iNOS promoter markedly reduced the HBx-mediated transcriptional activity. Mobility shift assays showed increased DNA-protein complexes comprising mainly the p50 and p65 members of NF-[kappa ]B family in the nuclear extracts from HBx-transfected cells. Transient transfection experiments with HBx-expressing plasmids containing distinct cellular localization sequences showed that cytoplasmic location of this viral protein activated the iNOS promoter but when HBx was targeted to the nucleus, the HBx-induced luciferase activity was almost completely abrogated. In conclusion, cytoplasmic location of HBx protein is essential for the transcriptional activation of the iNOS gene through the nuclear translocation of p50-p65 heterodimers. (HEPATOLOGY 2001;34:1218-1224.)

Cellular localization of type 5 and type 6 ACs in collecting duct and regulation of cAMP synthesis.

The cellular distribution of Ca(2+)-inhibitable adenylyl cyclase (AC) type 5 and type 6 mRNAs in rat outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) was performed by in situ hybridization. Kidney sections were also stained with specific antibodies against either collecting duct intercalated cells or principal cells. The localization of type 5 AC in H(+)-ATPase-, but not aquaporin-3-, positive cells demonstrated that type 5 AC mRNA is expressed only in intercalated cells. In contrast, type 6 AC mRNA was observed in both intercalated and principal cells. In microdissected OMCDs, the simultaneous superfusion of carbachol and PGE(2) elicited an additive increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, suggesting that the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of these agents occurs in different cell types. Glucagon-dependent cAMP synthesis was inhibited by both a pertussis toxin-sensitive PGE(2) pathway (63.7 +/- 4.6% inhibition, n = 5) and a Ca(2+)-dependent carbachol pathway (48.6 +/- 3.3%, n = 5). The simultaneous addition of both agents induced a cumulative inhibition of glucagon-dependent cAMP synthesis (78.2 +/- 3.3%, n = 5). The results demonstrate a distinct cellular localization of type 5 and type 6 AC mRNAs in OMCD and the functional expression of these Ca(2+)-inhibitable enzymes in intercalated cells.