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Biomedical subjects

B S Grant

Publications and source records attributed to B S Grant.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Changes in caveolin subtype protein expression in aging rat organs.

It is now accepted that caveolin plays a key role in signal transduction by directly binding to and regulating the function of molecules involved in transmembrane signaling, such as ras, suggesting that the amount of caveolin within cells may be an important factor in determining the cellular signaling. We investigated the ontogenic changes in the protein amount of caveolin subtypes, as well as ras protein expression in various organs (the heart, lungs, and muscles) obtained from aging rats (neonates, young and old adults). Our results demonstrated that caveolin protein expression changed ontogenically in a subtype-dependent manner. In lungs, for example, caveolin-1 expression changed in an opposite manner to caveolin-3 expression, while in the heart caveolin-1 and -3 changed in parallel. Ras expression showed an ontogenic increase in lungs and a decrease in muscles, which were both parallel to caveolin-1 expression. Our results suggest that the regulation of transmembrane signaling by caveolin may differ among developmental stages and caveolin subtypes.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Immunodetection of adenylyl cyclase protein in tissues.

Immunodetection of the adenylyl cyclase isoforms has been difficult in tissues because of its low quantity of protein expression. We have developed a one-step cellular protein purification method that enables a simple immunodetection of the adenylyl cyclase isoforms. The type I isoform was detected exclusively in the brain. The type III isoform was detected in the brain and lungs. Further, the protein expression of type III adenylyl cyclase in lungs changed ontogenically and was the lowest in neonates. Thus, the comparison of the amount of certain adenylyl cyclase isoforms protein in each tissue is now feasible using our method.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2000

Frequency of insularia during the decline in melanics in the peppered moth Biston betularia in Britain.

Over the last three decades the frequency of the dark melanic form carbonaria of the peppered moth Biston betularia has declined in Britain. Data have been examined which show the intermediate phenotype insularia, controlled by alleles at the same locus, to have increased or remained level in frequency. Phenotype frequency of insularia does not always track allele frequency accurately because it is recessive to its alternative when carbonaria is common but dominant to the alternative when typical is common. It is shown that if insularia fitness lies between that of carbonaria and typical, and melanics replace typicals or vice versa, there will be a rise and fall in insularia allele frequency during a transitory period. The path followed is strongly affected by initial gene frequencies. During the high melanic period in Britain, differences in insularia frequency between localities may have been influenced by history of arrival of the novel morphs as well as by local selective conditions.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Microsatellite marker of interferon-gamma receptor 1 gene correlates with infection following major trauma.

BACKGROUND: This study hypothesizes that predicted polymorphism of the interferon-gamma receptor 1 gene may play an important role in infection after trauma as supported by microsatellite analysis. METHODS: DNA was extracted from the peripheral leukocytes of 38 trauma patients with Injury Severity Scores greater than 16. D6S471, a microsatellite marker on chromosome 6 near interferon-gamma receptor 1, was amplified with polymerase chain reaction, and genotypes were determined. RESULTS: The mean Injury Severity Score was 32, and 63% of patients (24 of 38) developed major infection. Three alleles and 5 genotypes were identified for D6S471. Twenty-six percent of patients (10 of 38) had genotype AA, all of whom developed major infection (P =.004). Genotype BB accounted for 57% of the uninfected population (8 of 14) but only 21% of the infected group (P =.028). Allele A had a frequency of 33%, of which 22 alleles (88%) were found in infected patients (P =.001). In addition, allele B accounted for 61% of the uninfected group (17 of 28) but only 23% (11 of 48) of the infected group (P =.001). Allele C demonstrated no correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Microsatellite polymorphism correlates strongly with infection. These findings portend polymorphism in the receptor itself and thereby represent a genetic basis for the development of infection. We suggest this identifies a high-risk group who could benefit from more specific therapy that may have the potential to overcome this receptor insufficiency.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recent history of melanism in American peppered moths.

Industrial melanism in peppered moths has been studied most intensively in Britain. The first melanic phenotype (effectively solid black) was recorded near Manchester in 1848. By 1895 about 98% of the specimens near Manchester were melanic, and this once rare phenotype had spread across regions of the country blackened by industrial soot. In rural, unpolluted regions, well away from industrial centers, the pale phenotype (peppered with white and black scales) remained the predominant form. During the latter half of the 20th century, following legislation designed to improve air quality, melanics began to decline in frequency and are now rare where once they had been common. Similar evolutionary changes have occurred elsewhere, but records from outside Britain are fragmentary. We have extended previous surveys of American peppered moth populations and present a composite picture of the recent decline in melanism in northern industrial states-Michigan and Pennsylvania-where melanic phenotypes decreased from more than 90% in 1959 to 6% by 2001. We contrast these changes to the near absence of melanism in a southern state-Virginia-during that same period. As in Britain, the decline in melanism in American peppered moths followed clean air legislation.

Animals↗