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A Matter

Publications and source records attributed to A Matter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Cellular and in vivo characterization of the MCR rat mammary tumor model.

The slowly growing, transplantable MCR-83 rat mammary tumor is estrogen-dependent and non-metastasizing. A rapidly growing, estrogen-independent, metastasizing subline (MCR-86) was subsequently isolated in vivo. We have established and characterized cell lines from both MCR rat mammary tumors. MCR cell lines and tumors were studied in vivo and in vitro. Analysis of DNA from tumors and cell lines showed that mutations had not occurred in codons 12, 13 and 61 of the Ha-ras and Ki-ras genes. Additionally, dominant transforming activity could not be detected by DNA transfection using NIH 3T3 focus-forming assay. No gene amplification was detected for either the EGF-receptor or c-erbB-2 genes. Differences in the tyrosine phosphorylation patterns were found between the 2 MCR cell lines. Addition of serum to starved cells resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 120-kDa protein, which was elevated in the MCR-86. The lack of ras activation in the MCR tumors differentiates this model from the widely studied, chemically induced rodent mammary tumors. In addition, the differences in the cellular phosphotyrosine patterns between MCR-83 and MCR-86 suggests the occurrence of alterations in signalling pathways that involve tyrosine protein kinases.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

New S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase inhibitors with potent antitumor activity.

Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) has been studied clinically as an antitumor and antileukemic agent and is recognized as a potent but nonspecific inhibitor of the key polyamine biosynthetic enzyme, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC). A series of four SAMDC inhibitors with structural features similar to MGBG have been found to have improved potency and specificity toward the target enzyme, SAMDC. Relative to MGBG, the new derivatives were much more effective in inhibiting partially purified preparations of SAMDC (50% inhibitory concentration, 10 to 100 nM), much less effective at inhibiting diamine oxidase, and inactive toward ornithine decarboxylase. The inhibitors varied relative to MGBG in their ability to compete with spermidine for uptake, with two being similar and two being less effective. Against L1210 leukemic cells and T24 bladder carcinoma cells, the compounds were slightly less effective than MGBG at inhibiting cell growth, with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 1 to 10 microM as compared with 0.5 and 1.1 microM, respectively, for MGBG. Under 50% growth-inhibitory conditions, the inhibitors decreased SAMDC activity, increased ornithine decarboxylase activity and putrescine pools, and markedly depleted spermidine and spermine pools of L1210 cells. At the same time, mitochondrial integrity as assessed by whole-cell pyruvate oxidation and mitochondrial DNA content was not affected as it was with MGBG. At doses less than one tenth that of the maximally tolerated dose, all of the new inhibitors strongly suppressed the growth of B16 melanoma in vivo with minimal weight loss or toxicity. At doses less than one sixth the maximally tolerated dose, they effectively inhibited the growth of T24 human bladder carcinoma xenografts. In these same systems, MGBG showed only marginal antitumor activity. These studies identify two potent and efficacious inhibitors of SAMDC as potential antitumor agents and reaffirm the importance of SAMDC as a target in anticancer drug discovery.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis B virus polymerase gene: expression of the long open reading frame using the baculovirus expression system.

A recombinant baculovirus was constructed containing a copy of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome which was inserted to produce an in-frame fusion of the precore (pre-C) coding region with the first 11 amino acids of the polyhedrin gene. The recombinant baculovirus expressed the 25K pre-C protein and two novel proteins, of approximately 93K and 72K. Both the 93K and 72K proteins are recognized by an anti-polymerase monoclonal antibody. Northern blot analysis of the mRNA produced during infection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells by the HBV recombinant baculovirus detected only one HBV mRNA species, suggesting that the three HBV-specific proteins expressed are translated from the same mRNA. No larger fusion proteins cross-reacting with either anti-core or polymerase antibodies were detected. These findings suggest that the two proteins encoded within the HBV polymerase gene are not produced via a core-polymerase fusion intermediate but by internal binding of ribosomes. These results are the first clear demonstration of efficient expression of two bona fide unprocessed polymerase proteins in a 1:1 ratio from an unspliced pre-C mRNA-like transcript. With the successful expression of the polymerase gene in insect cells it is now possible to produce large amounts of these proteins, allowing a more detailed structural and functional analysis of these proteins.

Baculoviridae↗
PubMed1990

Cytogenetics of breast cancer.

Chromosome counts were performed on 1,100 cells from 17 malignant breast carcinomas and on 168 cells of four normal tissue samples after amethopterin treatment and G-banding. Karyotypes were established from 216 cells of 11 tumor-derived cultures and from 47 cells of four nonmalignant tissue-derived cultures. Karyotypes of cells from nonmalignant samples showed a normal diploid chromosomal constitution with no consistent loss or gain of a specific chromosome. Structural chromosomal abnormalities were not observed. Tumor-derived cultures could be distinguished from normal cultures on the basis of a significantly increased incidence of numerical changes and structural chromosomal aberrations. In nine of 11 tumor-derived cultures, numerically normal cells were shown to be pseudodiploid, with frequencies ranging to 43% (mean, 13.2%) of the diploid cells. In agreement with previous reports, cytogenetic analyses showed predominantly diploid cells. Clonal numerical changes of chromosomes 17, 18, 20, and 21 could be detected in three tumor samples. Clonal structural abnormalities could be observed in two of 11 analyzed tumours. A t(6;12)(p21;p13) and an enlarged chromosome 7 (7q+) were found in a patient with invasive ductal carcinoma. An inversion of chromosome 7 [inv(7)(q11.2q32)] was observed in one case, also diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma. The significance of these findings in relation to clinical data is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

An E. coli expression system for the rapid purification and characterization of a v-abl tyrosine protein kinase.

A bacterial expression vector containing a segment of the v-abl gene from Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) was constructed such that the gag region of v-abl was replaced by a sequence encoding the IgG-binding domain of the S. aureus protein A. pabl HP, a fusion protein encoded by this vector was rapidly purified to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography on IgG-Affigel and Mono Q FPLC. The Km of the pabl HP kinase for ATP varied with [Val5]-angiotensin II concentration and was 21.2 microM at saturating concentrations of [Val5]-angiotensin II. The Km for [Val5]-angiotensin II at saturating concentrations of ATP was 3.8 mM. The turnover number, at 20 degrees C, was 62 mumol min-1 mumol-1. Initial rate studies support a ternary complex kinetic mechanism for phosphoryl transferase. The substrate specificity of the pabl HP kinase was further characterized using synthetic peptides. This expression system, which enables the rapid purification of recombinant v-abl kinase is suitable for the comparative enzymological study of mutant v-abl enzymes generated by site-directed mutagenesis.

Abelson murine leukemia virus↗
PubMed1989

A derivative of staurosporine (CGP 41 251) shows selectivity for protein kinase C inhibition and in vitro anti-proliferative as well as in vivo anti-tumor activity.

Analogues of staurosporine were synthesized and their ability to inhibit protein kinases was examined. Staurosporine is a potent but non-selective inhibitor of in vitro protein kinase C(PKC) activity (IC50 6.0 nM). The derivative CGP 41 251 had reduced PKC activity with an IC50 of 50 nM but showed a high degree of selectivity when assayed for inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (IC50 2.4 microM), S6 kinase (IC50 5.0 microM) and tyrosine-kinase-specific activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (IC50 3.0 microM). Staurosporine and CGP 41 251 exerted growth inhibition in the human bladder carcinoma line T-24, human promyelocytic leukemia line HL-60 and bovine corneal endothelial cells at concentrations which correlated well with in vitro PKC inhibition. In addition, both compounds inhibited the release of H2O2 from human monocytes pre-treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate at non-toxic concentrations. In vivo anti-tumor activity was examined in T-24 human bladder carcinoma xenografts in athymic nude mice. Tumor growth inhibition tests revealed significant anti-tumor activity (2p less than 0.001) at 1/10 of the maximum tolerated doses for both compounds. By contrast, a closely related derivative of staurosporine (CGP 42 700) was inactive at concentrations of over 100 microM in all in vitro enzyme and anti-proliferative assays as well as in animal tumor models. Our data suggest an association between PKC inhibition and anti-proliferative and anti-tumor activity.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1989

CGP 6809, a sugar-containing nitrosourea derivative: pharmacological and physicochemical properties.

CGP 6809 is a water-soluble nitrosourea derivative with quite distinct chemical and biological properties as compared with the well-known representatives of this class of compounds. It is related to the antibiotic streptozotocin, from which it is distinguished in the structure of the sugar moiety and the position of the methylnitrosourea residue. CGP 6809 possesses practically the same alkylating potential as streptozotocin; however, its carbamoylating activity is comparable with that of CCNU. In contrast to other nitrosourea derivatives, CGP 6809 showed relatively little activity in murine leukemias but was markedly active in solid transplantable melanomas (Harding-Passay, B16), in the 11095 prostate carcinoma, and in a substrain of Yoshida hepatoma (AH 7974) resistant to BCNU and CCNU. In the Ehrlich and Yoshida ascitic tumors complete responses were seen with no toxic death. Dose-dependent activity was found in the human lung carcinoma MBA 9812 and almost complete growth inhibition was achieved in the human melanoma WM 47 by both the oral and parenteral routes of administration. However, mammary tumor lines (Ca 755, 2661/61, R-3230AC), the Guerin-T8 uterus epithelioma, and the Rous sarcoma/S-R proved to be relatively refractory to this drug. This was also the case for the Lewis lung carcinoma implanted i.m. or s.c. However, development of lung metastases was markedly inhibited. Combination therapy using CGP 6809 with cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, or chlorambucil in the same model led to partial responses of the primary tumor as well as almost total eradication of lung metastases.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1989

Antiviral activity of a novel recombinant human interferon-alpha B/D hybrid.

The antiviral potential of a novel cross-species active, recombinant human interferon-alpha B/D hybrid (rHuIFN-alpha B/D), was evaluated for its efficiacy in cultured human monocytes and in several murine models of viral disease. When examined in 14-day-old human monocyte cultures, rHuIFN-alpha B/D was highly effective in preventing viral replication and cell destruction caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1/VR3). The effect observed with 100 units of this hybrid IFN was as good or higher than that observed with equivalent amounts of rHuIFN-alpha A or IFN-gamma. In addition, a single dose (5 X 10(7) U/kg) of rHuIFN-alpha B/D administered several hours after intranasal infection with HSV-1/VR3 suppressed pulmonary virus replication and prevented death due to interstitial pneumonia. Similarly, mice infected with a more aggressive strain of HSV-1 (McIntyre) were protected when this IFN preparation was administered at the time of virus infection and 1 day later. The anti-retroviral activity of rHuIFN-alpha B/D was examined in two murine leukemia retroviral models, Rauscher (RMLV) and Friend (FMLV), and a murine model of acquired immunodeficiency (LP-BM5). Treatment of RMLV or FMLV infected mice significantly prolonged mean survival times and the number of long-term FMLV survivors. These therapeutic effects were demonstrated when IFN was administered on the day of virus infection or as late as 3 days following infection. Transient reversal of the immunosuppressive effects induced by LP-BM5 infection was observed when rHuIFN-alpha B/D treatment was initiated at the time of virus infection. Moreover, when rHuIFN-alpha B/D was used together with azidothymidine (AZT), the effect of the combination was better than either drug alone.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1989

Significant differences in therapeutic responses to a human interferon-alpha B/D hybrid in Rauscher or Friend murine leukemia virus infections.

Treatment of mice infected with Rauscher (RMLV) or Friend (FMLV) murine leukemia viruses at an early stage of disease (beginning at day 0 and continuing every other day for 21 days) with 5 x 10(7) units/kg body weight of a cross-species-active recombinant human interferon-alpha B/D hybrid (rHuIFN-alpha B/D) was more effective in FMLV than in RMLV infections. In contrast, treatment with 5 x 10(7) units/kg body weight of IFN beginning as late as 15 days postinfection and continuing every other day for 21 days was more effective in RMLV than in FMLV infections. These differences were consistent with observed changes in circulating white blood cells, spleen weight, and reverse transcriptase levels. Additionally, biweekly long-term administration (beginning at day 0) of 5 x 10(6) units/kg of rHuIFN-alpha B/D (an ineffective treatment in short-term therapy) significantly prolonged the mean survival time of RMLV-infected mice, but only weakly prolonged that of FMLV-infected mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Regulation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase in human mammary tumor cells: effect of estrogen, growth factors and phorbol ester.

Growth of human mammary tumor cells ZR-75-1 is stimulated by estradiol (E2), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In these cells ribosomal protein S6 kinase is activated by EGF, IGF-I, insulin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) but not by E2. The human mammary tumor cell line MDA-MB 231, which is E2-receptor negative, has receptors for EGF, IGF-I and insulin but is unresponsive to these factors in terms of growth and S6 kinase activation. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the activation of S6 kinase by growth factors and TPA was investigated in ZR-75-1 cells. Down regulation of PKC activity by treatment with TPA for 48-h blocks the stimulation of S6 kinase by TPA but leaves the activation by EGF, IGF-I and insulin unaffected. In intact ZR-75-1 cells staurosporine blocks activation of S6 kinase by EGF and TPA, however with different IC50. The results show that S6 kinase is not activated by estradiol, that its activation by EGF, IGE-I and insulin does not depend on the presence of PKC activity and that its activation by TPA is mediated by a different (PKC-dependent) pathway.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1988

CGS 16949A, a new nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor: effects on hormone-dependent and -independent tumors in vivo.

CGS 16949A is a very potent and highly selective inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme system in vitro and of estrogen biosynthesis in vivo. These characteristics are reflected in the marked efficacy with which it affects growth of estrogen-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)antracene-induced mammary carcinomas in intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Daily p.o. treatment of tumor-bearing rats for 42 days with CGS 16949A at doses of 1.0 to 8.0 mg/kg caused almost complete regression of palpable tumors and almost totally suppressed the appearance of new tumors. A dose of about 0.1 mg/kg corresponded to the 50% effective dose, and a fully effective dose was estimated to be about 2.0 mg/kg. Eight to 10 days after cessation of treatment, tumor regrowth was observed. No unexpected side-effects were noted during the course of treatment. Tumors, which were allowed to regrow after a first treatment with CGS 16949A, were similarly efficaciously suppressed with a second treatment with CGS 16949A. Continuous long-term treatment with 2.0 mg/kg for 27 wk caused complete regression of tumors, suppressed the appearance of new tumors completely, and significantly prolonged the survival time of the tumor-bearing rats. This treatment schedule caused no major hematological or blood chemistry changes and was very well tolerated. CGS 16949A was ineffective against transplantable hormone-independent tumors such as R-3230AC mammary carcinoma, 11095 prostate carcinoma, leukemia L1210, and B16 melanoma.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1987

Anti-tumor effects of tumor necrosis factor in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.

The anti-tumor activity of partially purified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was analysed in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs against intradermally transplanted Meth A sarcoma. Tumors were allowed to grow until they reached an average diameter of about 8 mm. TNF was given once i.v. (16,000 units as determined on L-M cells) and the chemotherapeutic agents adriamycin (1-10 mg/kg), 5-FU (3-100 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (50-200 mg/kg) were applied once i.p. 4 hr after TNF injection. The strongest anti-tumor effects in normal BALB/c mice were observed when TNF was combined with the following doses of chemotherapeutic agents: cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg, adriamycin 5 mg/kg, 5-FU 30-100 mg/kg. The most effective combinations induced complete regressions. When TNF was combined with varying doses of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, bell-shaped dose-response curves were obtained. Experiments were repeated in Meth A sarcoma-bearing BALB/c nu/nu mice. In this case TNF combinations with cyclophosphamide and 5-FU did not induce tumor regressions. The highest dose of the chemotherapeutic agent was the most effective in drug combinations. Histological analysis revealed a potentiation of the TNF-induced necrosis by cyclophosphamide. Increased hyperemia and extravasation of erythrocytes could be found in tumors of animals treated with the drug combination.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Immunolocalization of cytoskeletal elements in human mammary epithelial cells.

The expression of cytokeratins, vimentin and actin was analysed by immunohistochemical methods in primary cultures derived from breast carcinomas and non-malignant breast tissues, in tissue sections and in permanent breast cancer cell lines. A polyclonal antibody specific for cytokeratins bound to the majority of cells in all primary cultures. Cells positive for simple-epithelial cytokeratins were less frequent in primary cultures derived from malignant tissues than in cultures derived from non-malignant tissues. Established cell lines MCF-7 and BT-20 expressed high amounts of simple-epithelial cytokeratins. All outgrowing cells in primary cultures expressed high amounts of vimentin whereas vimentin expression in established carcinoma lines was variable but generally low. When paraffin sections of the original mammary tissues were analysed, epithelial cells were devoid of vimentin as expected. Anti-actin antibody decorated fine fibres in all cells of primary cultures in contrast to the diffuse staining found in established mammary carcinoma cell lines.

Actins↗
PubMed1986

The lipophilic muramyltripeptide MTP-PE, a biological response modifier, is an activator of protein kinase C.

The lipophilic immunomodulator MTP-PE is able to activate purified protein kinase C (PKC) by substituting phosphatidyl-serine (PS) or the synthetic diacylglycerol, DiC8, in the assay system. In addition, MTP-PE inhibited [3H]-phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate ([3H]-PDBu) binding to PKC in a reconstituted receptor system as well as on intact cells (MCF-7). Furthermore, MTP-PE was also able to reduced the epidermal growth factor binding of MCF-7 cells to an extent similar to that found with DiC8 or PDBu. These data indicate that MTP-PE is able to compete for the phorbol ester binding site on PKC both in vivo and in vitro. The components of the MTP-PE molecule, MTP (muramyl-tripeptide) and PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) exerted only marginal effects on PKC activity, did not affect the phorbol ester binding of PKC and the EGF binding of intact MCF-7 cells. Our results suggest that only the complete molecule of the immunomodulator MTP-PE is able to interact with PKC.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1983

Lectin-resistant variants of mouse melanoma cells. II. In vitro characteristics.

Lectin-resistant variants of B-16 melanoma cells were selected with wheat-germ agglutinin, ricin and concanavalin A. They exhibited altered metastasizing capacity and tumorigenicity in C57BL mice. Several in vitro properties were defined and compared including homotypic adhesiveness, microfilament organization, melanin release, activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, DNA content, and karyotypes. The possible relevance of these properties in vitro for the malignant behavior displayed in vivo is discussed. The usefulness of this approach of selecting surface variants to study the problem of metastasis is also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effects of mitogens on ADCC activity and Fc receptor bearing cells.

Murine spleen cells, when activated by various mitogens (Con A, PHA, LPS, BCG) or Con-A conditioned medium show altered behavior as effector cells of antibody-mediated cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) which does not correlate with the expression of Fc-receptors (FcR) at the effector cell surface.

Animals↗