Ion channels selectively permeable to chloride ions regulate cell functions as diverse as excitability and control of cell volume. Using expression cloning techniques, a complementary DNA from an epithelial cell line has been isolated, sequenced and its putative structure examined by site-directed mutagenesis. This cDNA, encoding a 235-amino-acid protein, gave rise to a chloride-selective outward current when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The expressed, outwardly rectifying chloride current was calcium-insensitive and was blocked by nucleotides applied to the cell surface. Mutation of a putative nucleotide-binding site resulted in loss of nucleotide block but incurred dependence on extracellular calcium concentration. The unusual sequence of this putative channel protein suggests a new class of ion channels not related to other previously cloned chloride channels.

Chemical synthesis of DNA sequences provides a powerful tool for modifying genes and for studying gene function, structure and expression. Here, we report a simple, high-fidelity and cost-effective PCR-based two-step DNA synthesis (PTDS) method for synthesis of long segments of DNA. The method involves two steps. (i) Synthesis of individual fragments of the DNA of interest: ten to twelve 60mer oligonucleotides with 20 bp overlap are mixed and a PCR reaction is carried out with high-fidelity DNA polymerase Pfu to produce DNA fragments that are approximately 500 bp in length. (ii) Synthesis of the entire sequence of the DNA of interest: five to ten PCR products from the first step are combined and used as the template for a second PCR reaction using high-fidelity DNA polymerase pyrobest, with the two outermost oligonucleotides as primers. Compared with the previously published methods, the PTDS method is rapid (5-7 days) and suitable for synthesizing long segments of DNA (5-6 kb) with high G + C contents, repetitive sequences or complex secondary structures. Thus, the PTDS method provides an alternative tool for synthesizing and assembling long genes with complex structures. Using the newly developed PTDS method, we have successfully obtained several genes of interest with sizes ranging from 1.0 to 5.4 kb.

In a human neutrophil cDNA library, an orphan Gprotein-coupled receptor, HNFAG09, with 37% nucleotide identity to the C5a receptor (C5a-R, CD88) was identified. A novel feature of this gene, unlike C5a-R and other G-protein-coupled receptors, is the presence of an extraordinarily large predicted extracellular loop comprised of in excess of 160 amino acid residues between transmembrane domains 4 and 5. Northern blot analysis revealed that expression of mRNA for this receptor in human tissues, while similar, was distinct from C5a-R expression. Although there were differences in expression, transcripts for both receptors were detected in tissues throughout the body and the central nervous system. Mammalian cells stably expressing HNFAG09 specifically bound 125 I-C3a and responded to a C3a carboxyl-terminal analogue synthetic peptide and to human C3a but not to rC5a with a robust calcium mobilization response. HNFAG09 encodes the human anaphylatoxin C3a receptor.

Memory consolidation has been suggested to be protein synthesis-dependent. Recent data indicate that BDNF-induced dendritic protein synthesis is a key event in memory formation through activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. BDNF also activates calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease, which has been shown to play a critical role in learning and memory. This study was therefore directed at testing the hypothesis that calpain activity is required for BDNF-stimulated local protein synthesis, and at identifying the underlying molecular mechanism. In rat hippocampal slices, cortical synaptoneurosomes, and cultured neurons, BDNF-induced mTOR pathway activation and protein translation were blocked by calpain inhibition. BDNF treatment rapidly reduced levels of hamartin and tuberin, negative regulators of mTOR, in a calpain-dependent manner. Treatment of brain homogenates with purified calpain-1 and calpain-2 truncated both proteins. BDNF treatment increased phosphorylation of both Akt and ERK, but only the effect on Akt was blocked by calpain inhibition. Levels of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten), a phosphatase that inactivates Akt, were decreased following BDNF treatment, and calpain inhibition reversed this effect. Calpain-2 but not calpain-1 treatment of brain homogenates resulted in PTEN degradation. In cultured cortical neurons, knock-down of calpain-2 but not calpain-1 by siRNA completely suppressed the effect of BDNF on mTOR activation. Our results reveal a critical role for calpain-2 in BDNF-induced mTOR signaling and dendritic protein synthesis via PTEN, hamartin and tuberin degradation. This mechanism therefore provides a link between proteolysis and protein synthesis that might contribute to synaptic plasticity.

Background and objectives: Epidemiologic studies have attributed adverse health effects to air pollution; however, controversy remains regarding the relationship between ambient oxidants [ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)] and mortality, especially in Asia. We conducted a four-city time-series study to investigate acute effects of O3 and NO2 in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of southern China, using data from 2006 through 2008.Methods: We used generalized linear models with Poisson regression incorporating natural spline functions to analyze acute mortality in association with O3 and NO2, with PM10 (particulate matter ≤ 10 μm in diameter) included as a major confounder. Effect estimates were determined for individual cities and for the four cities as a whole. We stratified the analysis according to high- and low- exposure periods for O3.Results: We found consistent positive associations between ambient oxidants and daily mortality across the PRD cities. Overall, 10-μg/m3 increases in average O3 and NO2 concentrations over the previous 2 days were associated with 0.81% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63%, 1.00%] and 1.95% (95% CI: 1.62%, 2.29%) increases in total mortality, respectively, with stronger estimated effects for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. After adjusting for PM10, estimated effects of O3 on total and cardiovascular mortality were stronger for exposure during high-exposure months (September through November), whereas respiratory mortality was associated with O3 exposure during nonpeak exposure months only.Conclusions: Our findings suggest significant acute mortality effects of O3 and NO2 in the PRD and strengthen the rationale for further limiting the ambient pollution levels in the area.