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Biomedical subjects

C L Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to C L Thompson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mapping of GABAA receptor alpha 5 and alpha 6 subunit-like immunoreactivity in rat brain.

The distribution of the alpha 5 and alpha 6 subunits of the GABAA receptor has been mapped in rat brain using affinity-purified antibodies generated against peptide sequences unique to the respective polypeptides. alpha 5 Subunit-like immunoreactivity was of low density but was distributed across several cell groups including cortical interneurones, hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurones, the anterior thalamic reticular nucleus and cerebellar Purkinje neurones. alpha 6 Subunit-like immunoreactivity was observed in high density in cerebellar granule cells. These patterns are compatible with in situ hybridisation studies and provide a further anatomical substrate for GABAA receptor heterogeneity in the CNS.

Amino Acid Sequence

Genetic monitoring of human polymorphic cancer susceptibility genes by polymerase chain reaction: application to glutathione transferase mu.

Several genes involved in the metabolism of carcinogens have been found to be polymorphic in human populations and are associated with increased risk of cancer at some sites. This study focuses on the polymorphic enzyme glutathione transferase mu (GT mu). Smokers with low lymphocyte GT mu activity are at an approximately 2-fold higher risk for lung cancer and an approximately 3-fold higher risk for stomach and colon adenocarcinomas. Recent cloning and sequencing of the GST1 gene has allowed the development of convenient genotyping methods based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GST1 polymorphism has been shown to be a deletion of the gene locus. To detect the presence or absence of the gene we amplified exons 4-5 and/or exons 6-7 of the GST1 gene by PCR. PCR amplification produced bands of 215-bp or 273-bp from individuals with one or two copies of the GST1 allele and no band if the individual was homozygously deleted (0/0). In the exon 6-7 PCR, we co-amplified a 268-bp portion of the beta-globin gene as an internal reference standard for quantitative analysis of product yield. This allowed homozygote individuals (+/+) to be distinguished from heterozygotes (+/0). We have compared the GST1 genotype to lymphocyte GT mu activity measured on trans-stilbene oxide (TSO) in the lymphocytes of 45 individuals. Low GT mu activity (< 67 pmole/min/10(7) cells) was strongly associated (24/24) with the GST1 0/0 genotype. With the exception of one individual, activities greater than 67 pmole/min/10(7) were associated with the presence of the GST1 allele (20/21). Individuals with the highest GT-TSO activity were found to be homozygous for GST1. (+/+), while heterozygotes (+/0) generally had lower activity, suggesting a gene dosage effect in lymphocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gene Deletion

Glutathione S-transferase mu in human lymphocyte and liver: role in modulating formation of carcinogen-derived DNA adducts.

Glutathione transferase (GT) activity towards trans-stilbene oxide (tSBO), benzo[a]pyrene-4,5-oxide (B[a]PO) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was measured in human liver and lymphocytes. GT-tSBO activity is catalyzed by GT mu which has polymorphic expression in human lymphocytes. Our results show that activity of GT-tSBO in lymphocytes correlates with its activity in liver (r = 0.7, P less than 0.001). GT activity towards BPO (GT-BPO) also correlated with GT-tSBO in lymphocytes and liver. However, interindividual variation of GT-BPO is less than that of GT-tSBO, suggesting that BPO may not be as specific a substrate for GT mu and therefore other GT isozymes may contribute to BPO conjugation. Conjugation of CDNB by GT was not different using cytosols from either high or low GT mu individuals. The functional significance of the GT-mu polymorphism was evaluated by measuring its effect on benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)- and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-DNA adduct formation in vitro. Human liver cytosols prepared from persons having low or high GT-tSBO activity were incubated with human liver microsomes, calf thymus DNA and B[a]P or AFB1. HPLC analysis revealed that the major B[a]P adduct was dG(N2)-7 beta, 8 alpha-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE-dG). BPDE-dG adducts were decreased equally by cytosols from either low or high conjugators. In contrast, AFB1-DNA binding was inhibited to a greater extent in high conjugators than low conjugators. HPLC analysis demonstrates that adducts formed were AFB1-FAPyr and AFB1-N7-Gua. The correlation between AFB1-DNA adduct concentrations and GT mu activity was highly significant with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.88 at P less than 0.001. These results suggest that GT mu plays an important role in detoxifying DNA reactive metabolites of AFB1 and this enzyme may be a susceptibility marker for AFB1 related liver cancer. Moreover, our data demonstrate that lymphocytes are a reliable surrogate tissue for detecting liver GT mu polymorphisms.

Adolescent

Multiple DNA adducts in lymphocytes of smokers and nonsmokers determined by 32P-postlabeling analysis.

Identification of DNA adducts in peripheral lymphocytes could serve as a means of monitoring human exposure to potential genotoxic agents. In this study, DNA from peripheral lymphocytes of smokers and nonsmokers was examined for adducts by the P1 nuclease 32P-postlabeling technique. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) maps from both groups revealed multiple DNA adducts which ranged from no adducts for one individual to six adducts for a different individual. The total DNA adduct concentrations were approximately one adduct in 10(8)-10(10) normal nucleotides. Comparison of the adduct TLC profiles revealed individual variation in both pattern and level of DNA adducts. The type and amount of adduct was not influenced by smoking history and remained unchanged in four out of six subjects who were resampled after a 1 month interval. The capacity of lymphocytes to form BaP-derived DNA adducts after a 72 h incubation with 10(-6) M [3H]BaP was measured by both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 32P-postlabeling analysis. The in vitro adduct values detected by [3H]nucleoside concentrations on HPLC ranged from 1 to 7 fmol adduct per micrograms DNA (3.3-23.3 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides). The [3H]nucleoside values were consistent with values obtained by 32P-postlabeling of the same sample (correlation coefficient of 0.88). No relationship was apparent between the capacity of lymphocytes to form a [3H]BaP-derived adduct in vitro and the concentration of any adduct, or total adducts present in untreated lymphocytes. These results suggest that multiple DNA adducts are present in lymphocytes from nonsmokers as well as smokers, although the profile and extent of these adducts can vary among individuals. The relationship of the lymphocyte DNA adducts detected in this study to human cancer susceptibility remains to be determined.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide

Teaching home care for ventilator-dependent patients: the patients' perception.

An increasing number of ventilator-dependent patients are being transferred from hospitals to their homes. Discharge teaching has been based on health professionals' perception of what patients need to know and how they can learn best. In this study we asked ventilator-dependent patients who were living at home (N = 13) to complete a questionnaire concerning their perceptions of ideal discharge teaching. Most respondents believed that teaching should occur (1) at the bedside, (2) with one or two family members, (3) with only the team member doing the teaching, (4) for a 30-minute session, (5) using demonstration technique. Subjects thought that teaching regarding the lung disease process was less important than other content. The patients' criteria for learning mostly agree with those identified by health care professionals, and can be met easily in most settings.

Adolescent

Involvement of cytochrome P-450c in alpha-naphthoflavone metabolism by rat liver microsomes.

Metabolism of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) is increased markedly in rat liver microsomes by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), two inducers of cytochromes P-450c and P-450d (P-450c and P-450d). Although several indirect lines of evidence in the literature suggest that ANF is metabolized by P-450c, Vyas et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 258:5649-5659 (1983)] reported that ANF metabolism by 3-MC-induced rat liver microsomes was only partially inhibited by antibodies against P-450c. Our laboratory has previously reported clastogenic effects of metabolites of ANF, and in the present study we reexamined the role of P-450c in ANF metabolism by both uninduced and TCDD-induced rat liver microsomes, using monospecific polyclonal antibodies to P-450c and P-450d. ANF metabolism was inhibited to different extents in TCDD-induced microsomes by different preparations of anti-P-450c. One lot of anti-P-450c produced only 50% inhibition of ANF metabolism in TCDD-induced microsomes, whereas another lot of anti-P-450c inhibited ANF metabolism by 80%. Anti-P-450d had no effect on ANF metabolism. Neither anti-P-450c nor anti-P-450d inhibited ANF metabolism in uninduced rat liver microsomes. In a reconstituted enzyme system, purified P-450c metabolized ANF 47 and 510 times more rapidly than P-450d and P-450b, respectively. Metabolites resulting from oxidation at 7,8- or 5,6-positions (7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy-ANF, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-ANF, 5,6-oxide-ANF, and 6-hydroxy-ANF) were formed by all preparations of microsomes. An unknown toxic ANF metabolite was formed only with a reconstituted P-450c system and with 3-MC- or TCDD-induced microsomes. Our results indicate that P-450c is responsible for the majority of the metabolism of ANF in TCDD-induced microsomes, whereas other constitutive isozymes are responsible for the metabolism seen in uninduced liver microsomes. The variable inhibition of ANF metabolism with different lots of anti-P-450c probably reflects the differences in the proportion of antibodies to different epitopes important in the binding or metabolism of this substrate.

Animals

Relationships among benzo(a)pyrene metabolism, benzo(a)pyrene-diol-epoxide:DNA adduct formation, and sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes from smokers and nonsmokers.

In the present study, benzo(a)pyrene (BP) metabolism, DNA adduct formation, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, and sister chromatid exchange induction by BP were compared in human lymphocytes prepared from whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers following an in vitro incubation with BP. There was an approximate 7- to 10-fold variation in all parameters measured. To determine the source of this variation, participants were resampled, the assays were repeated, and all the data were analyzed to assess (a) smoking-related effects, (b) differences in multiple samples from the same individual, and (c) intraindividual, experimental, and interindividual variation. No smoking-related effects were observed except for baseline sister chromatid exchange frequency. The variation observed for BP-related DNA adducts and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was primarily due to interindividual variation. For example, in vitro formation of DNA adducts did not change when samples were obtained at different times from the same individual and were not influenced significantly by culture conditions. No significant correlation existed between DNA adduct formation and BP metabolism [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.27] for either the total population or when segregated based on smoking status. Furthermore, no correlation was seen between DNA adducts and sister chromatid exchange induction by BP. Our studies have compared a number of commonly used lymphocyte markers and conclude that it is difficult to predict changes in one marker based on changes in another. However, in vitro formation, of PB-derived DNA adducts is consistent over time for individuals.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide

Fine structure mapping of five temperature-sensitive mutants in the 22- and 147-kilodalton subunits of vaccinia virus DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

We have mapped the temperature-sensitive (ts) lesions of three mutants, ts51, ts53, and ts65, and two other mutants, ts7 and ts20, to regions on the vaccinia virus genome that encode the 147- and 22-kilodalton subunits of the viral DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively. Plasmid and bacteriophage clones from the HindIII J region and the region spanning the HindIII J-H junction were used in marker rescue experiments to map the mutations. Sequence analysis of the region encoding the 22-kilodalton subunit in the wild-type, ts7, and ts20 viruses revealed a single base change in the mutants compared with that in the wild-type virus. The identification of these RNA polymerase mutants provides us with tools to understand transcription and its regulation in vaccinia virus.

Amino Acid Sequence

Detailed phenotypic characterization of five temperature-sensitive mutants in the 22- and 147-kilodalton subunits of vaccinia virus DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

We have carried out detailed phenotypic characterization of five temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vaccinia virus, the ts lesions of which have previously been mapped to two different subunits of the viral RNA polymerase. We have also attempted to determine the mechanism of temperature sensitivity in these mutants. Phenotypic characterization of each of the mutants showed that at the nonpermissive temperature, all five mutants exhibited normal levels of early viral mRNA and protein synthesis, but for an extended period of time, all mutants accumulated normal levels of DNA in abnormally large pools in the cell cytoplasm; all mutants were defective in the synthesis of late viral mRNA and proteins and in viral morphogenesis. In an attempt to address the mechanism of temperature sensitivity in these mutants, we measured the effect of a temperature shift on the ability of the mutants to direct late viral protein synthesis. If infected cells were shifted down from a nonpermissive temperature late during infection, late protein synthesis was initiated after a lag period of 1 to 2 h. If infected cells were shifted up from a permissive temperature early during infection, late protein synthesis continued to be defective. If infected cells were shifted up to the nonpermissive temperature after late protein synthesis had commenced, late protein synthesis was maintained at the nonpermissive temperature at the level observed when the temperature was shifted up. We interpret these results to mean that once a functional RNA polymerase has been assembled at the permissive temperature during a mutant infection, it remains functional at the nonpermissive temperature, but that the ts mutants are defective in the assembly of a newly synthesized RNA polymerase at the nonpermissive temperature. This interpretation implies that the virion RNA polymerase is responsible for early viral transcription and that a newly synthesized RNA polymerase transcribes late viral genes.

Blotting, Northern

Modulation of ppp(A2'p)nA-dependent RNase by a temperature-sensitive mutant of vaccinia virus.

Activation of the ppp(A2'p)nA (2-5A)-dependent RNase was investigated during the abortive infection of BSC40 cells by a temperature-sensitive mutant of vaccinia virus, ts22. At the nonpermissive temperature, ts22 has an abortive late phenotype. At the onset of late-viral-gene expression, viral mRNA is degraded and rRNA is cleaved into discrete fragments in the absence of prior interferon treatment (R. F. Pacha and R. C. Condit, J. Virol. 56:395-403, 1985). Concomitant with rRNA cleavage, an increase in 2-5A occurred late during infection. Discrete 18S- and 28S-rRNA degradation products from BSC40 cells infected with ts22 at the nonpermissive temperature comigrated in denaturing agarose gels with rRNA cleaved fragments produced by the activation of 2-5A-dependent RNase in uninfected cells transfected with exogenous 2-5A. An increase in 2-5A levels and a similar discrete and characteristic degradation of rRNA were observed in BSC40 cells infected with wild-type vaccinia virus in the presence of isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone. The results show that the ts22 lesion and the action of isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone may affect the same pathway, leading to the activation of latent 2-5A-dependent RNase and resulting in indiscriminate RNA degradation and inhibition of viral replication.

Adenine Nucleotides

Distribution and lateral mobility of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on nerve cells.

The distribution and mobility of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors has been examined on living nerve cells by fluorescence digital imaging and fluorescence photobleach recovery with 2 novel fluorescent derivatives of the benzodiazepines Ro7-1986 and 1012S. These fluorescent derivatives retain their high affinity for the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex with Ks of 79 and 85 nM, respectively. Digital fluorescence imaging of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on rat spinal cord neurons maintained in culture reveal that, even in the absence of observable synaptic contact, GABA/benzodiazepine receptors are localized on the cell body in clusters of very high density. Receptor density on processes is lower than on cell bodies, although occasional areas of intense fluorescence were observed. Fluorescence photobleach recovery measurements show that 70% of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on the cell body and greater than 85% on the processes of rat spinal cord neurons are immobile. In comparison, voltage-gated sodium channels are diffusely distributed and very mobile on the cell body (D = 10(-9) cm2/sec). The results suggest that even in the absence of nerve-nerve cell contact, there are specific mechanisms that segregate GABA/benzodiazepine receptors to the neuronal cell body and control their lateral mobility.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan

Cytogenetic and chemical detection of human exposure to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons.

Peripheral lymphocytes from Taiwanese women (n = 35) exposed to polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and from matched controls (n = 24) were assessed for the levels of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) after a 72-hour incubation of whole blood in the presence or absence of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) and for chromosome aberrations after 48 hours of incubation. Serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were measured for all individuals, and serum levels of several polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured for 12 exposed individuals by gas chromatography-mass spectometry. Blood concentrations of total PCBs in the exposed population averaged approximately 15 ppb, whereas mean PCDF values were 14 ppt. Major PCB congeners detected were 2,2' 4,4', 5,5'-hexa CB and 2,2'3,4,4',5-hexa CB. PCDFs detected were primarily 1,2,3,4,7,8,-hexachlorodibenzofuran (10.8 ppt) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (2.7 ppt). Average SCE frequencies were 7.61 for controls and 7.30 for exposed individuals when assays were conducted in the absence of ANF, whereas respective values were 8.85 and 10.75 in the presence of ANF. Differences in the level of ANF-induced SCEs between the two populations were highly significant (P less than .001). Moreover, the ANF-induced SCEs were highly correlated with the serum concentrations of total PCBs and of several PCB congeners (P less than .001). Increases in ANF-induced SCEs appeared to be linear up to a PCB concentration of approximately 30 ppb. Chromosome aberration frequencies were similar in control and exposed populations. These studies demonstrate that in vivo exposure to PCBs and PCDFs result in an enhanced sensitivity of lymphocytes to the SCE-causing actions of ANF.

Benzoflavones

Metabolic activation of alpha-naphthoflavone by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin-induced rat liver microsomes.

Previous studies in our laboratory had demonstrated that addition of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) to lymphocytes from smokers or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)s-exposed individuals caused an increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency whereas lymphocytes from controls were relatively unaffected. In order to investigate the mechanism responsible, metabolism of ANF by uninduced and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD)-induced microsomes was studied as a function of microsomal protein concentration and incubation time. Nonpolar metabolites were analyzed and the amount of conjugated (polar) and protein-bound metabolites determined. The initial ANF-metabolism rate was 10-fold higher in TCDD-induced microsomes (4.9 +/- 0.6 nmol/min per mg TCDD-induced microsomal protein vs. 0.5 +/- 0.2 nmol/min per mg uninduced microsomal protein) than in uninduced microsomes. Moreover, uninduced microsomes no longer metabolize ANF after 30-40 min while TCDD-induced microsomes metabolize ANF for longer than 2 h or until all the ANF is gone. In addition to the metabolites formed by uninduced microsomes [7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy-ANF (7,8-dihydrodiol); 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-ANF (5,6-dihydrodiol); 5,6-oxide-ANF and 6-hydroxy-ANF], TCDD-induced microsomes from unidentified metabolites. When TCDD-induced microsomes and 40 microM ANF were added to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, we found a correlation between the concentration of 5,6-oxide-ANF and clastogenicity to CHO cells. However, purified 5,6-oxide-ANF did not induce SCEs in CHO cells in the absence or presence of TCDD-induced microsomes. However, a minor metabolite (identified as the 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxy-ANF by acid dehydration) formed with TCDD-induced microsomes produces clastogenicity in CHO cells. These data indicate that a minor metabolite of ANF is a potent clastogen which suggests that this metabolite may be responsible for the ANF-mediated increases in SCE frequency in lymphocytes from smokers or PCB-exposed individuals.

Animals

Marker rescue mapping of vaccinia virus temperature-sensitive mutants using overlapping cosmid clones representing the entire virus genome.

A set of 11 overlapping cosmid clones of wild type (wt) vaccinia virus DNA was constructed. The clones together span almost the entire vaccinia virus genome. The clones were used to map temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vaccinia virus by marker rescue. Map positions were obtained for mutants representing 29 of 32 complementation groups tested.

Chromosome Mapping