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Biomedical subjects

A Gödecke

Publications and source records attributed to A Gödecke.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Recombination of nonreplicative RNA precursors of Sindbis virus in infected cells overexpressing murine-inducible nitric oxide synthase.

The Sindbis virus-based SINrep5 expression system is one of the most efficient vectors for gene transfer leading to fast and high expression of the gene of interest. This system was used to transfect vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells using murine inducible nitric oxide synthase (miNOS) as a reporter gene. Infection of both cell types leads to high expression levels of miNOS. In addition, the harvested supernatant of these infected cells was used for further rounds of infections, demonstrating that recombination of the parental RNA with the helper RNA takes place and results in the production of infectious particles. As shown by RT-PCR, after recombination the miNOS gene is located in between the nonstructural and structural viral genes. This study demonstrates that despite claims in other publications, the Sindbis virus-based SINrep5 expression system leads to recombination and is thus not a safe system for in vitro and in vivo applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Coronary hemodynamics in endothelial NO synthase knockout mice.

For the specific analysis of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) function in the coronary vasculature, we generated a mouse homozygous for a defective eNOS gene (eNOS-/-). Western blot as well as immunohistochemical staining revealed the absence of eNOS protein in eNOS-/- mice. Aortic endothelial cells derived from eNOS-/- mice displayed only background levels of NOx formation compared with wild-type (WT) cells (88 versus 1990 pmol NOx x h-1/mg protein-1). eNOS-/- mice were hypertensive (mean arterial pressure, 135 +/- 15 versus 107 +/- 8 mm Hg in WT) without the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary hemodynamics, analyzed in Langendorff-perfused hearts, showed no differences either in basal coronary flow or in maximal and repayment flow of reactive hyperemia. Acute NOS inhibition with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in WT hearts substantially reduced basal flow and reactive hyperemia. The coronary response to acetylcholine (ACh) (500 nmol/L) was biphasic: An initial vasoconstriction (flow, -35%) in WT hearts was followed by sustained vasodilation (+190%). L-NAME significantly reduced vasodilation in WT hearts (+125%) but did not alter the initial vasoconstriction. In eNOS-/- hearts, the initial vasoconstriction was augmented (-70%), whereas the ACh-induced vasodilation was not affected. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase with diclofenac converted the ACh-induced vasodilation into vasoconstriction (-49% decrease of basal flow). This effect was even more pronounced in eNOS-/- hearts (-71%). Our results demonstrate that (1) acute inhibition of eNOS reveals a role for NO in setting the basal coronary vascular tone as well as participation in reactive hyperemia and the response to ACh; (2) chronic inhibition of NO formation in eNOS-/- mutant mice induces no changes in basal coronary flow and reactive hyperemia, suggesting the activation of important compensatory mechanisms; and (3) prostaglandins are the main mediators of the ACh-induced vasodilation in both WT and eNOS-/- mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide synthase-expressing neurons are area-specifically distributed within the cerebral cortex of the rat.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase produces nitric oxide, a radical involved in neurotransmission as well as in cytotoxicity during stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. In the adult Wistar rat neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons are inhomogenously distributed along defined cortical areas, with highest densities (18 cells/mm2) in cingular area 1, piriform cortex, frontal motor area Fr 2 and in the medial visual association area Oc 2MM. A medium packing density of neuronal nitric oxide synthase neurons (10/mm2) characterizes primary sensory areas, whereas retrosplenial cortices contain lowest cell numbers (3-5/mm2). The data suggest that functions of certain cortical areas are more dependent on intracortically produced nitric oxide than others, and that cortical injury may cause more severe nitric oxide related cytotoxicity in areas with higher numbers of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cloning of the rat P2u receptor and its potential role in coronary vasodilation.

We cloned and sequenced the cDNA as well as the genomic DNA of the P2u receptor gene from the rat. The coding region of the gene is not interrupted by introns. P2u is expressed in a variety of rat organs with pronounced differences of expression intensities. Highest expression was found in liver and testis, while no expression could be detected in the brain. High P2u expression was found in primary microvascular endothelial cells from the rat heart, but not in cardiac myocytes. By in situ analysis, we localized P2u expression in epithelial cells of esophagus and bronchi. Functional analysis revealed that, in isolated perfused rat hearts, the P2u ligands UTP and ATP induce a pronounced vasodilation of coronary blood vessels. In contrast, UMP and uridine, the degradative products of UTP, act as potent vasoconstrictors. Our experiments suggest that, in the rat heart, endothelial P2u receptors are involved in the ATP/UTP-mediated vasodilation of coronary blood vessels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

[Fatal soccer injury as an unfortunate sequela of collision].

The tragic death of a 26-year old hobby soccer player is described, who had a collision with the opposing goalie and suffered from a fracture of the left lateral process of the atlas, an extensive subarachnoid haemorrhage, tamponade of the third and fourth cerebral ventricles, bleeding into both lateral cerebral ventricles, infratentorial and supratentorial cerebral oedema. Furthermore, a survey of the literature concerning acute death in soccer is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Endotoxin-induced contractile dysfunction in guinea pig hearts is not mediated by nitric oxide.

The decreased contraction amplitude of isolated cardiac myocytes from guinea pigs exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was reported to be partially reversed by nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) [Brady, et al., Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 32): H1963-H1966, 1992]. We have tested the potential involvement of NO formation in LPS-induced cardiac depression in the intact heart. Isolated perfused hearts of LPS-treated guinea pigs (4 mg/kg 4 h before organ removal) displayed a greatly decreased left ventricular pressure (LVP) when compared with untreated controls (48 +/- 11 vs. 93 +/- 18 mmHg, n = 6 hearts each), whereas heart rate and coronary flow were similar. Perfusion of LPS-treated hearts with L-NMMA or L-NAME (100 microM each) at constant flow did not increase LVP (50 +/- 14 and 44 +/- 11, respectively, vs. 52 +/- 14 mmHg). However, coronary resistance increased significantly. There was no difference between LPS-treated and control hearts in venous adenosine release (104 +/- 58 vs. 133 +/- 86 pmol.min-1.g-1). Measurement of the activities of the induced (iNOS) and constitutive forms of NOS revealed that there was no difference in total NOS activity (237 +/- 82 vs. 181 +/- 97 fmol.min-1.mg protein-1. There was no measurable induction of iNOS in the LPS-treated hearts either. Finally, cardiac energy status was studied by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. There was no difference between LPS-treated and control hearts in myocardial ATP, creatine phosphate, pH, and free ADP (59 +/- 20 vs. 50 +/- 27 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1991

Coregulation of the Kluyveromyces lactis lactose permease and beta-galactosidase genes is achieved by interaction of multiple LAC9 binding sites in a 2.6 kbp divergent promoter.

The coregulated genes LAC4 and LAC12 encoding beta-galactosidase and lactose permease, respectively, are responsible for the ability of the milk yeast Kluyveromyces lactis to utilise lactose. They are divergently transcribed and separated by an unusually large intergenic region of 2.6 kbp. Mapping of the upstream border of the beta-galactosidase gene (LAC4) promoter by introduction of mutations at the chromosomal locus showed that LAC4 and LAC12 share the same upstream activation sites (UAS). The UASs represent binding sites for the trans-activator LAC9, a K. lactis homologue of GAL4, conforming to the consensus sequence 5'-CGG(N5)A/T(N5)CCG-3'. Two binding sites are located in front of each of the genes at almost symmetrical positions. beta-galactosidase activity measurements as well as quantitation of LAC4 and LAC12 mRNA levels demonstrated that all four sites are required for full induction. LAC4 proximal and a LAC12 proximal sites cooperate in activating transcription of both genes. These sites are more than 1.7 kbp apart and the distal site is located more than 2.3 kbp upstream of the respective start of transcription. Thus, the distance between interacting sites is larger than in any of the well characterised yeast promoters. The contribution to gene activation differs for individual binding sites and correlates with the relative affinity of LAC9 for these sites in vitro suggesting that LAC9 binding is a rate limiting step for LAC promoter function.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Transient and locally restricted expression of the ros1 protooncogene during mouse development.

The ros1 gene was detected originally by virtue of its transforming potential; the cDNA of the human protooncogene was isolated from a tumor cell line expressing the gene ectopically. It encodes a receptor-type tyrosine specific protein kinase which is closely related to sevenless in Drosophila. Here we report the novel and remarkable in vivo expression pattern of c-ros1, which was determined in the mouse. By a combination of RNase protection and in situ hybridization, we find transient c-ros1 expression during development in the kidney, intestine and lung, coinciding with major morphogenetic and differentiation events in these organs. This temporally restricted nature of expression is unusual for tyrosine kinase receptors and suggests a role for ros1 during development. Furthermore, in kidney development c-ros1 transcripts are confined to subgroups of ureter cells known to be involved directly in inductive interactions between ureter epithelium and metanephric mesenchyme. Thus, this study implicates for the first time a tyrosine kinase receptor in mesenchymal epithelial interactions and suggests a molecular basis for these important inductive events in development.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A mutation in the Zn-finger of the GAL4 homolog LAC9 results in glucose repression of its target genes.

The transcriptional activator LAC9, a GAL4 homolog of Kluyveromyces lactis which mediates lactose and galactose-dependent activation of genes involved in the utilization of these sugars can also confer glucose repression to those genes. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of LAC9-2, an allele which encodes a glucose-sensitive activator in contrast to the one previously cloned. A single amino acid exchange of leu-104 to tryptophan is responsible for the glucose-insensitive phenotype. The mutation is located within the Zn-finger-like DNA binding domain which is highly conserved between LAC9 and GAL4. Glucose repression is also eliminated by duplication of the LAC9-2 allele. The data indicate that LAC9 is a limiting factor for beta-galactosidase gene expression under all growth conditions and that glucose reduces the activity of the activator.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Biosynthesis of the peroxisomal dihydroxyacetone synthase from Hansenula polymorpha in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces growth but not proliferation of peroxisomes.

The DAS gene of Hansenula polymorpha was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of different promoters. The heterologously synthesized dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS), a peroxisomal enzyme in H. polymorpha, shows enzymatic activity in baker's yeast. The enzyme was imported into the peroxisomes of S. cerevisiae not only under the appropriate physiological conditions for peroxisome proliferation (oleic acid media), but also in glucose-grown cells where it induced the enlargement of the few peroxisomes present. This growth process was not accompanied by an increase in the number of microbodies, which suggests a separate control mechanism for peroxisomal proliferation.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗