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A Edelman

Publications and source records attributed to A Edelman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Use of a beta-lactamase fusion vector to investigate the organization of penicillin-binding protein 1B in the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli.

The coding region for the mature form of TEM beta-lactamase was fused to random positions within the coding region of the penicillin-binding protein 1B (PBP 1B) gene and the nucleotide sequences across the fusion junctions of 100 in-frame fusions were determined. All fusion proteins that contained at least the NH2-terminal 94 residues of PBP 1B provided individual cells of E. coli with substantial levels of ampicillin resistance, suggesting that the beta-lactamase moiety had been translocated to the periplasm. Fusion proteins that contained less than or equal to 63 residues of PBP 1B possessed beta-lactamase activity, but could not protect single cells of E. coli from ampicillin, indicating that the beta-lactamase moiety of these fusion proteins remained in the cytoplasm. The beta-lactamase fusion approach suggested a model for the organization of PBP 1B in which the protein is embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane by a single hydrophobic transmembrane segment (residues 64-87), with a short NH2-terminal domain (residues 1-63), and the remainder of the polypeptide (residues 88-844) exposed on the periplasmic side of the cytoplasmic membrane. The proposed model for the organization of PBP 1B was supported by experiments which showed that the protein was completely digested by proteinase K added from the periplasmic side of the cytoplasmic membrane but was only slightly reduced in size by protease attack from the cytoplasmic side of the membrane.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Comparative studies of membrane potentials of rat osteoblasts in situ and in primary culture.

The aim of the present study was to compare the membrane potential, Vm, of rat calvarium osteoblasts in situ and during primary culture using electrophysiological techniques. For osteoblasts studied in situ the Vm (mean +/- S.D.) was found to be -42.0 +/- 10 mV, n = 32. Comparable values (-46.8 +/- 9.n, n = 152) were found for cultured osteoblasts during the first week. Thereafter when cells began to form multilayers an increase in Vm negativity was observed (-58.6 +/- 12.8, n = 82). The Vm of osteoblasts in situ and during the first week of culture were highly dependent on the Na+ diffusion potential and slightly influenced by the increase in extracellular [K+]. In contrast, the more negative Vm of the cells cultured 2 weeks were highly dependent on the K+ diffusion potential and were not influenced by changes in external [Na+]. Parathyroid hormone (bPTH(1-34], 240 nM, in the external solution, induced a rapid membrane depolarization in situ (+10.2 +/- 5.0, n = 18) as it does in cultured cells. Additional investigation on the possible effects of Ca2+ and PO4(2-) (since, in situ, mineralized matrix prevents such an approach) showed that low external [Ca2+] only slightly hyperpolarizes the membrane, whereas cell Vm was highly sensitive to changes in external [PO4(2-)].

Animals↗

Mechanisms of 1,25(OH)2D3-induced rapid changes of membrane potential in proximal tubule: role of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels.

Eleven different secosteroids or steroids (10(-10) to 10(-8) M) were acutely and reversibly introduced in solutions delivered to the lumen of single proximal tubules of the amphibian Necturus kidney while recording basolateral cell membrane potential Vm. Seven of these molecules (1,25(OH)2D3, 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 5,6-trans-25(OH)D3, 19-diol-cholesterol, estradiol and testosterone) resulted in changes of Vm (delta Vm) occurring in a few seconds, the largest delta Vm being observed with 1,25(OH)2D3, +6.5 +/- 0.75 mV (n = 19); these seven (seco)steroids, but not the four inactive sterols (vitamin D3, cholesterol, 1 alpha D3 and aldosterone) possess a hydroxyl group on at least one carbon of the C17 to C25 lateral chain of the sterol ring. The delta Vm effect was present in Na+-free or Cl-free media, but it was abolished in HCO3-free media. Depolarization of cell membrane potential by addition of glucose, 11 mM, in luminal perfusion fluid abolished the 1,25(OH)2D3-evoked delta Vm effect, suggesting dependence of the latter on the absolute value of membrane potential. Barium, a blocking agent of K+ conductances, suppressed the 1,25(OH)2D3-evoked delta Vm effect, even when the proper effects of barium of cell membrane potential were canceled by current clamp. Pretreatment with quinine, a putative blocker of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels also abolished the 1,25(OH)2D3-evoked depolarization. Such observations are consistent with the presence of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels at the apical cell membrane of the proximal tubule, these channels being inactivated by 1,25(OH)2D3 and probably by other (seco)steroids.

Animals↗

Kanamycin-resistant vectors that are analogues of plasmids pUC8, pUC9, pEMBL8 and pEMBL9.

Analogues of the cloning vectors pUC8, pUC9, pEMBL8 +/- and pEMBL9 +/- that have kanamycin resistance (KmR) instead of ampicillin resistance (ApR) as the selectable marker have been developed. HindIII and SmaI sites within the KmR gene have been removed so that all of the cloning sites in the multi-linker region of these plasmids may be used except the AccI site.

Ampicillin↗

Short-term effects of PTH on cultured rat osteoblasts: changes in membrane potential.

The introduction of parathyroid hormone [bPTH (1-34)], 10(-8) M, into the medium of cultured rat osteoblasts results in rapid (less than 1 min) depolarization of the osteoblast membranes. Conventional and pH-sensitive microelectrodes were used to assess the mechanism underlying this change. PTH depolarized cell membrane independently of steady-state membrane potential (Vm). Blocking K+ conductance (Ba2+) and Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance (quinine) depolarized Vm by +13.1 +/- 4.6 (n = 6) and +14.8 +/- 6.7 mV (n = 6), respectively, and both abolished the effect of PTH on Vm. The rate of depolarization was reduced in low-Ca2+ medium. PTH inhibited low Na+-induced cell hyperpolarization, but intracellular pH was not altered by hormone addition. PTH-induced depolarization occurred even when the Na+-K+ pump was blocked with ouabain. A second slower response was seen in cells having a Vm lower than -60 mV, with an increase in negativity 5-15 min after hormone application. The results indicate that PTH rapidly modifies Vm by changes of K+ conductance, which may be the first step in hormonal stimulus-response coupling, and induces delayed, long-term changes in cell status.

Animals↗

The nucleotide sequences of the ponA and ponB genes encoding penicillin-binding protein 1A and 1B of Escherichia coli K12.

Penicillin-binding proteins 1A and 1B of Escherichia coli are the major peptidoglycan transglycosylase-transpeptidases that catalyse the polymerisation and insertion of peptidoglycan precursors into the bacterial cell wall during cell elongation. The nucleotide sequence of a 2764-base-pair fragment of DNA that contained the ponA gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 1A, was determined. The sequence predicted that penicillin-binding protein 1A had a relative molecular mass of 93 500 (850 amino acids). The amino-terminus of the protein had the features of a signal peptide but it is not known if this peptide is removed during insertion of the protein into the cytoplasmic membrane. The nucleotide sequence of a 2758-base-pair fragment of DNA that contained the ponB gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 1B, was also determined. Penicillin-binding protein 1B consists of two major components which were shown to result from the use of alternative sites for the initiation of translation. The large and small forms of penicillin-binding protein 1B were predicted to have relative molecular masses of 94 100 and 88 800 (844 and 799 amino acids). The amino acid sequences of penicillin-binding proteins 1A and 1B could be aligned if two large gaps were introduced into the latter sequence and the two proteins then showed about 30% identity. The amino acid sequences of the proteins showed no extensive similarity to the sequences of penicillin-binding proteins 3 or 5, or to the class A or class C beta-lactamases. Two short regions of amino acid similarity were, however, found between penicillin-binding proteins 1A and 1B and the other penicillin-binding proteins and beta-lactamases. One of these included the predicted active-site serine residue which was located towards the middle of the sequences of penicillin-binding proteins 1A, 1B and 3, within the conserved sequence Gly-Ser-Xaa-Xaa-Lys-Pro. The other region was 19-40 residues to the amino-terminal side of the active-site serine and may be part of a conserved penicillin-binding site in these proteins.

Acyltransferases↗

Production of auto-anti-idiotype antibody during the normal immune response. X. Response to TNP-Ficoll in the chicken.

The spontaneous production of auto-anti-idiotype (Id) was demonstrated after injection of chickens with trinitrophenylated Ficoll (TNP-F) by: (a) the presence of hapten-augmentable plaque-forming cells (PFC), (b) the ability of serum and of hapten eluates from immune spleen cells to cause hapten-reversible inhibition of anti-TNP plaque formation, and (c) an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tests for anti-Id using the ELISA and hapten-reversible inhibition of PFC correlated very well. As in the mouse, the incidence of hapten-augmentable PFC was reduced by thymectomy and increased by the transfer of TNP-F-immune spleen cells. Hapten-augmentable PFC were also observed during the immune response of chickens to p-azobenzene arsonate-conjugated Brucella abortus.

Animals↗

Vitamin D metabolite effects on membrane potential and potassium intracellular activity in rabbit cartilage.

In rabbit cartilage growth plates, the membrane potential, Vm, and potassium intracellular activities, alpha iK, were determined in order to study the effects of long-term (48 h) and short-term (1-2 min) exposures to vitamin D metabolites. Results are as follows: (i) in proliferative cells, Vm was -55.6 +/- 0.2 mV, n = 30, and alpha ik = 50.8 +/- 4.2 mM, n = 22; (ii) in hypertrophic cells, Vm was -35.5 +/- 0.8 mV, n = 88, and alpha iK = 85.1 +/- 5.4 mM, n = 20; (iii) Vm (-44.0 +/- 1.0 mV, n = 33) and alpha iK (114.7 +/- 8.7 mM, n = 14) were increased in metatarsal hypertrophic cells incubated with 10(-10)M of 1,25(OH)2D3 but were unaffected by the presence of 24,25(OH)2D3; (iv) an hyperpolarization of Vm was observed after short-term exposure of the hypertrophic cells to 10(-10)M of 1,25(OH)2D3 (-2.2 +/- 0.2 mV, n = 34) and 24,25(OH)2D3 (-2.2 +/- 0.7 mV, n = 17) but not to 25(OH)D3 (+0.3 +/- 0.8 mV, n = 10).

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

[Transport of chlorine in the proximal tubule. Its effects on water-electrolyte absorption].

Several studies in rat kidney have established that an appreciable fraction of proximal absorption is passive in nature and occurs across the highly conductive paracellular pathway. Passive absorption is generally ascribed to the transepithelial Cl- distribution, luminal Cl- activity (alpha lCl) being higher than plasma Cl- activity (alpha pCl). The inequality alpha lCl greater than alpha pCl generates a transepithelial diffusion potential, lumen positive, which taken together with the chemical potential differences of Cl- and Na+ across the epithelium gives rise to transepithelial electrochemical potential differences for Cl- and Na+ favoring their absorption. The alpha lCl greater than alpha pCl distribution is traditionally ascribed to preferential bicarbonate absorption. We argue that HCO3- absorption alone cannot generate a non equilibrium transepithelial Cl- distribution. Other mechanisms are necessary. Our measurements in amphibian proximal tubule demonstrate that the intracellular Cl- activity, alpha cCl, is higher than the theoretical value predicted for equilibrium. This distribution is the result of two basolateral coupled transport processes (Cl-/HCO3- exchange and Cl-/Na+ cotransport). It contributes to the exit of Cl- from cell to lumen (by passive diffusion and K+/Cl- cotransport), yielding alpha lCl values higher than the theoretical value for equilibrium with regard to plasma. Thus, a small transcellular flux of Cl- (without solvent) proceeds from interstitium to lumen. It compensates the dissipative tendency of a much higher paracellular Cl- absorptive flux (in association with water) on the transepithelial Cl- gradient. The result is a steady-state luminal Cl- distribution above equilibrium, along the major part of the proximal tubule.

Animals↗

[Effect of niflumic acid on the non-acid transport of chlorides in the gastric mucosa of amphibians].

The in vivo gastric mucosa actively transport Cl- (serosa to mucosa) and it has been shown that the e.m.f. generated by the epithelium, as well as the short circuit current are both manifestations of the same phenomenon: the Cl- movement. Also, it has been postulated the presence of a Cl- - HCO-3 exchange in the gastric epithelium probably located on different cell types. The addition of niflumic acid (10(-4) M in the serosal solution) resulted in a decline towards zero of both transepithelial p.d. and Isc. The mechanism of the niflumic acid action is postulated to be a blockage of the Cl- - HCO-3 exchange, similarly to the SITS action mechanism.

Animals↗

Genome-independent effects of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3 on membrane potential.

Cell membrane potential, Vm, was monitored in rabbit hypertrophic cartilage metatarsals, amphibian proximal tubule and muscle cells during application of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3, 25-hydroxy vitamin D-3 or cholesterol (10(-10) M). 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D-3 elicited quick variations of Vm (in less than 1 min) in proximal tubular cells (whether injected in the lumen or in peritubular capillaries) and in cartilage. The precursor 25-hydroxy vitamin D-3 and cholesterol produced a small shift of Vm in proximal tubule only when applied from the luminal side, but this change was significantly smaller than that observed with 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3. Muscle cells were unresponsive to both metabolites and cholesterol. It is concluded that rapid effects of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3 on Vm, in target cells, are specific, most likely due to permeability changes and not related to nuclear protein synthesis; they may contribute to early modulation of cell function.

Animals↗

Peculiarities of the Na+/D-glucose cotransport system in Necturus renal tubules.

The effects of D-glucose addition to a glucose-free luminal perfusate were investigated in the proximal tubule of Necturus kidney, by electrophysiological techniques. The main findings are: (1) In the presence of sodium, D-glucose produces 10.5 mV +/- 1.1 (S.E.) depolarization. (2) Phlorizin reduces the magnitude of this response to 2.1 +/- 0.1 mV. (3) The glucose-evoked depolarization, delta VG, does not alter the intracellular K+ activity nor is it affected by peritubular addition of ouabain. (4) Isosmotic reduction of Na+ concentration in luminal perfusate from 95 to 2 mmol/l (choline or Li+ substituting for Na+) does not change the magnitude of delta VG; complete removal of sodium from the lumen lowers the value of delta VG (3.2 +/- 0.2 mV) but the response is not abolished. This observation suggests that the D-glucose carrier of renal tubules in Necturus is poorly specific with regard to the cotransported cation species.

Animals↗

Organization and subcloning of the dacA-rodA-pbpA cluster of cell shape genes in Escherichia coli.

The transducing bacteriophage lambda pBS10 carries a small cluster of Escherichia coli penicillin-binding protein/cell shape genes, including pbpA, rodA, and dacA. Deletion mapping and subcloning showed that these genes, and the gene for a cytoplasmic membrane protein of molecular weight 54,000, are located within a 5.6-kilobase region and are probably contiguous. The dacA gene, which codes for penicillin-binding protein 5, was cloned on a 1.5-kilobase fragment into a low-copy-number plasmid vector, but insertion into high-copy-number plasmids produced deleterious effects on bacterial growth, and the plasmids could not be stably maintained. The direction of transcription of dacA was determined. The rodA gene was cloned on a 1.6-kilobase fragment into both low- and high-copy-number plasmids, and the identification of its gene product is described in the accompanying paper (Stoker et al., J. Bacteriol. 155:854-859). The pbpA gene, which codes for penicillin-binding protein 2, was cloned on a 3.7-kilobase fragment in low-copy-number plasmids, but insertion of the fragment into high-copy-number plasmids resulted in deleterious effects on bacterial growth, and the plasmids could not be stably maintained.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Chloride distribution in the proximal convoluted tubule of Necturus kidney.

To assess the mechanism(s) by which intraluminal chloride concentration is raised above equilibrium values, intracellular Cl- activity (alpha iCl) was studied in the proximal tubule of Necturus kidney. Paired measurements of cell membrane PD (VBL) and Cl-selective electrode PD (VBLCl) were performed in single tubules, during reversible shifts of peritubular or luminal fluid composition. Steady-state alpha iCl was estimated at 14.6 +/- 0.6 mmol/liter, a figure substantially higher than that predicted for passive distribution. To determine the site of the uphill Cl- transport into the cell, an inhibitor of anion transport (SITS) was added to the perfusion fluid. Introduction of SITS in peritubular perfusate decreased alpha iCl, whereas addition of the drug in luminal fluid slightly increased alpha iCl; both results are consistent with basolateral membrane uphill Cl- transport from interstitium to the cell. TMA+ for Na+ substitutions in either luminal or peritubular perfusate had no effect on alpha iCl. Removal of bicarbonate from peritubular fluid, at constant pH (a situation increasing HCO3- outflux), resulted in an increase of alpha iCl, presumably related to enhanced Cl- cell influx: we infer that Cl- is exchanged against HCO3- at the basolateral membrane. The following mechanism is suggested to account for the rise in luminal Cl- concentration above equilibrium values: intracellular CO2 hydration gives rise to cell HCO3- concentrations above equilibrium. The passive exit of HCO3- at the basolateral membrane energizes an uphill entry of Cl- into the cell. The resulting increase of alpha iCl, above equilibrium, generates downhill Cl- diffusion from cell to lumen. As a result, luminal Cl- concentration also increases.

Animals↗

Conductive properties of the proximal tubule in Necturus kidney.

The electrical properties of the proximal tubule of the in vivo Necturus kidney were investigated by injecting current (as rectangular waves) into the lumen or into the epithelium of single tubules and by studying the resulting changes of transepithelial (VL) and/or cell membrane potential (VC) at various distances from the source. In some experiments paired measurements of VL and VC were performed at two abscissas x and x'. The luminal length constant of about 1,030 micrometer was shown to provide a good estimate of the transepithelial resistance, specific resistance (RTE = 420 omega.cm2) and/or per unit length (rTE = 1.3 x 10(4) omega.cm). The apparent intraepithelial length constant was subject to distortions arising from concomitant current spread in the lumen. The resistances of luminal membrane (rL), basolateral membrane (rB), and shunt pathway (rS) were estimated by two independent methods at 3.5 x 10(4), 1.2 x 10(4), and 1.7 x 10(4) omega.cm, respectively. The corresponding specific resistances were close to 1,200, 600, and 600 omega.cm2. There are two main conclusions of this study. (a) The resistances of cell membranes and shunt pathway are of the same order of magnitude. The figure of the shunt resistance is at variance with the notion that the proximal tubule of Necturus is a leaky epithelium. (b) A rigorous assessment of the conductive properties of concentric cylindrical double cables (such as renal tubules) requires that electrical interactions arising from one cable to another be taken into account. Appropriate equations were developed to deal with this problem.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic regulation of tight-junction permeability: effect of plant cytokinins.

The significance of the "leaky" tight junction might be understood better if cells of the epithelial monolayer possessed mechanisms to regulate molecular flow through the junction. To test this possibility, Necturus gallbladder, a representative leaky epithelium, was studied before, during, and after mucosal exposure to plant cytokinins and two other microfilament-active drugs, cytochalasin B and phalloidin. Concomitant with morphological changes in microfilaments, cytokinins induced rapid reversible increases in transepithelial resistance and potential difference (PD) and decreases in NaCl dilution potentials, with no change in the ratio of relative cell membrane resistances. Cytochalasin B (0.2-1.2 microM) and phalloidin (0.6-12.7 microM) caused similar changes in transepithelial resistance and PD. When the intramembranous structure of tight junctions was studied by freeze fracture, peak cytokinin-induced increments in transepithelial resistance were associated with more disorder in the strand meshwork resulting in a small increase in tight junction depth, but there was no evidence of de novo strand assembly. These studies suggest that permeability of the tight junction of Necturus gallbladder is subject to rapid reversible modulation, possibly under cytoskeletal control.

Animals↗