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Biomedical subjects

A Shiels

Publications and source records attributed to A Shiels.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Localisation of the gene for the major intrinsic protein of eye-lens-fibre cell membranes to mouse chromosome 10 by in situ hybridisation.

The gene encoding the major intrinsic protein (Mip) of eye-lens-fibre cell membranes has been assigned to region D1 of mouse Chromosome 10 by in situ hybridisation of a cDNA for rat MIP to G-banded metaphase chromosomes. The mouse Mip gene maps within or near to a segment homoeologous with human chromosome 12q and may be linked to the Cat locus at the distal end of mouse Chromosome 10.

Animals

Immunochemical comparison of the major intrinsic protein of eye-lens fibre cell membranes in mice with hereditary cataracts.

Expression of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) of eye-lens fibre cell membranes was compared in normal (DBA), cataractous (CAT, LOP, NCT) and chimaeric (CBA-LOP) mice at different stages of development using immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting techniques. MIP of apparent molecular mass 26 kDa was detected in extracts of adult DBA, LOP and CBA-LOP lenses, but only low molecular mass (less than 26 kDa) immunoreactive proteins were detected in similar extracts from adult CAT and NCT lenses. The corresponding MIP distribution patterns confirmed the highly organised fibre-cell histology in embryonic DBA and adult CBA-LOP lenses and also highlighted the severe fibre-cell degeneration in the LOP lens. In contrast, however, no immunoreactive MIP was detected in situ in embryonic CAT and NCT lenses. These results suggest that a structural alteration of MIP occurs during embryonic lens development in the cataractous CAT (dominant) and NCT (recessive) mutant mice.

Animals

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with the gene for the major intrinsic protein of eye-lens fibre cell membranes in mice with hereditary cataracts.

Cloned cDNAs coding for eye-lens fibre cell-membrane proteins, MIP and MP70, were used to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in genomic DNA from inbred mice with autosomally inherited cataracts. Whereas distinct RFLPs associated with the MIP gene were identified in the Cba Cat and Nct mutants, no such genetic variation was associated with the MP70 gene. RFLPs associated with the mouse MIP gene may provide informative DNA markers in gene linkage studies of murine hereditary cataracts.

Animals

Identification of an enhancer-like element upstream from a cell cycle dependent human H4 histone gene.

We have identified a segment of DNA in the region 6,500 nucleotides upstream from a cell-cycle-dependent human H4 histone gene (pF0108A) which exhibits properties of an enhancer element. This distal element is not required for cap site initiation from the F0108A H4 histone gene. When the enhancer element is present in the genome as a stable integrated sequence, either in its natural upstream location or in a construct where the element is moved just upstream from the proximal promoter sequences, a 25-fold increase in the level of human H4 histone RNAs is observed. This increased level of mRNA reflects an increase in the rate of transcription. The enhancer effect is also observed when the distal element is inserted in inverse orientation with respect to this gene. In addition, the far upstream element can increase expression of a prokaryotic chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene under control of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promotor, indicating that the ability to influence transcription is not confined to the gene with which it is normally associated. The ability of the histone gene distal enhancer element to function in both mouse and human cells indicates that transacting regulatory factors encoded by either the human or murine genome are capable of mediating the functional properties of this element, further supporting the cross-species compatibility of regulatory sequences and molecules that influence transcription of human histone genes.

Acetyltransferases

Enhancer-facilitated expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes using human histone gene 5' regulatory sequences.

We examined the structural and functional properties of a human H3 histone gene promoter. The complete nucleotide sequence of an H3 structural gene and 515 nucleotides of 5' and 100 nucleotides of 3' flanking sequences were determined. The upstream region of this cell cycle dependent H3 histone gene, designated pST519, contains consensus sequences typical of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II. To address promoter function directly, we determined the capability of the 5' flanking sequences to direct the transcription of two genes which are not functionally or structurally related. Fusion genes were constructed using the 5' flanking sequences of this human H3 histone gene and either human beta-globin or bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) coding sequences. Both of these fusion genes were expressed when transfected into HeLa cells. Under control of the pST519 histone gene promoter, a beta-globin mRNA transcript was initiated at the appropriate H3 (bp) enhancer, inserted upstream from the histone promoter in both fusion constructs, increased levels of beta-globin and CAT expression. Expression of the pST519 H3 histone gene in COS cells in the absence of the SV40 72-bp enhancer confirmed that the sequences required for promoting transcription reside within the 750-bp 5' flanking sequences and that the exogenous enhancer facilitates, but is not a prerequisite for, transcription. Enhancer-facilitated expression of a cell cycle dependent human H4 histone gene was also observed following transfection into mouse L cells and indicates that the regulatory sequences of human histone genes and transcription factors of mouse cells are compatible.

Acetyltransferases

Enhancer-facilitated expression of a human H4 histone gene.

Cultured mammalian cells were transfected with a recombinant human H4 histone gene. S1 nuclease mapping of cellular RNAs from transfected cells revealed: (i) correct initiation of transcription at the cap site, with some transcripts originating from other sites in the 5' flanking region of this H4 gene; (ii) cis-linkage of an SV-40 transcriptional enhancer element upstream of the H4 5'-flanking region resulted in about a 50-fold increase in the level of correctly initiated H4 mRNA and (iii) in a heterologous murine system stability of human H4 mRNAs was apparently sensitive to inhibition of DNA-synthesis by hydroxyurea. Our results suggest that certain sequences required for the initiation of a human H4 histone gene transcript reside within the 210 nucleotides immediately upstream from the cap site and that the level of expression is influenced by the introduction of an enhancer element.

Animals

Radioimmunoassay of carbonic anhydrase III in rat tissues.

A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for the rat carbonic anhydrase III isoenzyme was developed. High concentrations of carbonic anhydrase III were detected in soleus muscle and male liver. Female liver and other skeletal muscles contained significantly lower concentrations, and only trace amounts were found in heart, prostate, kidney, brain, plasma, urine and, possibly, erythrocytes.

Animals

Novel inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II and III by carbamoyl phosphate.

Carbamoyl phosphate has been shown to inhibit carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes CA I, CA II and CA III. This physiologically important molecule is the most potent, naturally occurring inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase yet found. It is also unique, among carbonic anhydrase inhibitors discovered hitherto, in that it inhibits the 3 isozymes with equal effect, despite their strikingly different properties. The results imply the participation of carbonic anhydrase in the regulation of substrate availability for the urea cycle.

Animals

Hormonal control of carbonic anhydrase III.

Using radioimmunoassay, the concentration of carbonic anhydrase III (CA III) in the livers of adult male rats was found to be approximately 30 times greater than that observed in mature females. Castration of male rats led to a marked reduction in liver CA III concentrations that could be partially restored to control levels by testosterone replacement. Administration of testosterone to ovariectomized female rats induced about a 5-fold increase in liver CA III concentration. Immunoprecipitational analysis of the products of liver mRNA translation in vitro with antiserum specific for CA III showed that hormonal control of the levels of CA III in rat liver is mediated by changes in the amount of translatable CA III mRNA. Marked changes in liver CA III concentrations were also observed in developing and aging male rats. Different control mechanisms appear to operate in mouse and man.

Aging

Sexual differentiation of rat liver carbonic anhydrase III.

Using radioimmunoassay, the concentration of carbonic anhydrase III in the livers of adult male rats was found to be approx. 30-times greater than that observed in mature females. Castration of male rats led to a marked reduction in liver carbonic anhydrase III concentrations which could be partially restored to control levels by testosterone replacement. Administration of testosterone to ovariectomised female rats induced about a 5-fold increase in liver carbonic anhydrase III concentration. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the products of liver mRNA translation in vitro with antiserum specific for carbonic anhydrase III showed that hormonal control of the levels of carbonic anhydrase III in liver is mediated by changes in the amount of translatable carbonic anhydrase III mRNA. Marked changes in liver carbonic anhydrase III concentrations were also observed in developing and ageing male rats.

Age Factors

Androgen-linked control of rat liver carbonic anhydrase III.

The concentration of carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII) in male rat liver was found to be 30 times greater than that in the female. Castration of male rats led to marked reduction in liver CAIII concentrations which could be partially restored to control levels by testosterone replacement. Marked developmental and senescence changes in liver CAIII were also observed in male rats.

Aging

Synthesis of rat muscle carbonic anhydrase III in a cell-free translation system.

Carbonic anhydrase III (CA III) was identified in the products of rat soleus muscle RNA translation in vitro by both a radioimmunoassay and a specific immunoprecipitation technique followed by SDS--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the precipitated antigen. The primary translation product has the same Mr-value as the native isoenzyme. CA III mRNA was found to represent approximately 0.55% of the total mRNA present in rat soleus muscle.

Animals