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Biomedical subjects

C M Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to C M Thompson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Structural determinants of substrates and inhibitors: probing glutamate transporters with 2,4-methanopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate.

Using an intramolecular [2 + 2] photocyclization, 2,4-methanopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate was prepared as a conformationally locked analogue of glutamate. This compound, in combination with two other pyrrolidine dicarboxylates, has been used to define the structural elements that differentiate substrate and nonsubstrate inhibitors of a high-affinity, sodium-dependent glutamate transporter.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1998

Isolation of partially purified P450 2D18 and characterization of activity toward the tricyclic antidepressants imipramine and desipramine.

Previous reports have shown that rat brain microsomes are capable of metabolizing tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine. Subsequent studies have shown that the protein products of several clones isolated from rat brain cDNA libraries are capable of metabolizing imipramine to both its active metabolite, desipramine, and its inactive hydroxylated metabolites. We report here the overexpression and partial purification of P450 2D18 using the baculovirus expression system and the incorporation of a C-terminal [His]4 tag. P450 2D18 was partially purified to a specific content of 4.8 nmol/mg protein and shown to be electrophoretically pure. The apparent KM values for P450 2D18 toward imipramine and desipramine were 374 and 314 microM, respectively. While apparent KM values were similar, P450 2D18 was shown to have a fivefold increased Vmax (2.2 nmol/min/nmol P450) for imipramine compared to desipramine (0.44 nmol/min/nmol P450), suggesting a primary involvement in the activation of imipramine to desipramine. We also examined the effect of the CYP2D6 inhibitor quinidine, the CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole, and the dopamine reuptake inhibitor GBR-12935 for their ability to inhibit P450 2D18-mediated metabolism of imipramine. These results, when compared with previous studies using rat brain microsomes, suggest that P450 2D18 may play an important role in the conversion of imipramine to its active metabolite desipramine in the rat brain.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗
PubMed1998

The vesicle transport protein Vps33p is an ATP-binding protein that localizes to the cytosol in an energy-dependent manner.

Molecular mechanisms of vesicle transport between the prevacuolar compartment and the vacuole in yeast or the lysosome in mammalian cells are poorly understood. To learn more about the specificity of this intercompartmental step, we have examined the subcellular localization of a SEC1 homologue, Vps33p, a protein implicated to function in transport between the prevacuolar compartment and the vacuole. Following short pulses, 80-90% of newly synthesized Vps33p cofractionated with a cytosolic enzyme marker after making permeabilized yeast cells. However, during a chase, 20-40% of Vps33p fractionated with permeabilized cell membranes in a time-dependent fashion with a half-time of approximately 40 min. Depletion of cellular ATP increased the association rate to a half-time of approximately 4 min and caused 80-90% of newly synthesized Vps33p to be associated with permeabilized cell membranes. The association of Vps33p with permeabilized cell membranes was reversible after restoring cells with glucose before permeabilization. The N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein homologue, Sec18p, a protein with known ATP binding and hydrolysis activity, displayed the same reversible energy-dependent sedimentation characteristics as Vps33p. We determined that the photosensitive analog, 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP, could bind directly to Vps33p with low affinity. Interestingly, excess unlabeled ATP could enhance photoaffinity labeling of 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP to Vps33p, suggesting cooperative binding, which was not observed with excess GTP. Importantly, we did not detect significant photolabeling after deleting amino acid regions in Vps33p that show similarity to ATP interaction motifs. We visualized these events in living yeast cells after fusing the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the C terminus of full-length Vps33p. In metabolically active cells, the fully functional Vps33p-GFP fusion protein appeared to stain throughout the cytoplasm with one or two very bright fluorescent spots near the vacuole. After depleting cellular ATP, Vps33p-GFP appeared to localize with a punctate morphology, which was also reversible upon restoring cells with glucose. Overall, these data support a model where Vps33p cycles between soluble and particulate forms in an ATP-dependent manner, which may facilitate the specificity of transport vesicle docking or targeting to the yeast lysosome/vacuole.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1998

Substituted quinolines as inhibitors of L-glutamate transport into synaptic vesicles.

This study investigated the structure-activity relationships and kinetic properties of a library of kynurenate analogues as inhibitors of 3H-L-glutamate transport into rat forebrain synaptic vesicles. The lack of inhibitory activity observed with the majority of the monocyclic pyridine derivatives suggested that the second aromatic ring of the quinoline-based compounds played a significant role in binding to the transporter. A total of two kynurenate derivatives, xanthurenate and 7-chloro-kynurenate, differing only in the carbocyclic ring substituents, were identified as potent competitive inhibitors, exhibiting Ki values of 0.19 and 0.59 mM, respectively. The Km value for L-glutamate was found to be 2.46 mM. Parallel experiments demonstrated that while none of the kynurenate analogues tested effectively inhibited the synaptosomal transport of 3H-D-aspartate, some cross-reactivity was observed with the EAA ionotropic receptors. Molecular modeling studies were carried out with the identified inhibitors and glutamate in an attempt to preliminarily define the pharmacophore of the vesicular transporter. It is hypothesized that the ability of the kynurenate analogues to bind to the transporter may be tied to the capacity of the quinoline carbocyclic ring to mimic the negative charge of the gamma-carboxylate of glutamate. A total of two low energy solution conformers of glutamate were identified that exhibited marked functional group overlap with the most potent inhibitor, xanthurenate. These results help to further refine the pharmacological specificity of the glutamate binding site on the vesicular transporter and identify a series of inhibitors with which to investigate transporter function.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Minimum protective serum concentrations of pneumococcal anti-capsular antibodies in infant rats.

Infant rats were passively immunized to determine the protective capacity of pneumococcal anticapsular antibodies. Animal-passaged strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6b, 7f, 9v, 14, 18c, 19f, and 23f were used as challenge inocula (1-1500 cfu) in a model of pulmonary infection that resulted in bacteremia, meningitis, and death. From untreated control animals, histologic sections of lung demonstrated infiltrative pneumonia and lung homogenate cultures grew S. pneumoniae at concentrations of 10(3)-10(8) cfu per gram of lung tissue. A type-specific anti-capsular antibody serum concentration of 0.1-1.15 microg/mL resulted in a statistically significant reduction in mortality compared with the reduction in untreated controls, except for serotype 14, which required 2.32 microg/mL for a significant reduction in mortality. The serum antibody level that provided 50% reduction in mortality ranged from 0.1-3.5 microg/mL for all serotypes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Anticapsular polysaccharide antibodies and nasopharyngeal colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae in infant rats.

To evaluate the effect of passive immunization with anticapsular antibodies on nasopharyngeal carriage, two models of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization were developed in infant rats. In a direct inoculation model, 3- to 4-day-old infant rats were intranasally inoculated with 2 x 10(5) cfu of S. pneumoniae type 3 or 6 x 10(3) cfu of S. pneumoniae type 23F. In an intralitter transmission model, 2 infant rats were intranasally inoculated with 10(3) cfu of pneumococcus type 3 or type 19F and placed in a cage containing 10 infant rats. Pretreatment with bacterial polysaccharide immune globulin led to a significant reduction in colonization of contact animals with S. pneumoniae type 3 or 19F in the intralitter transmission model (P < .05). No effect of immune globulin could be demonstrated in the direct inoculation model. These results indicate that systemic anticapsular antibodies conferred significant protection against nasopharyngeal acquisition by intralitter spread of S. pneumoniae type 3 and 19F.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1997

Protein expression, characterization, and regulation of CYP4F4 and CYP4F5 cloned from rat brain.

We previously reported the cDNA cloning of three new forms of P450, CYP4F4, CYP4F5, and CYP4F6, from a rat brain cDNA library. In the present study, we expressed CYP4F4 and CYP4F5 in Escherichia coli using the pCWOri expression vector with a modification of their N-terminal amino acid sequences and the incorporation of a C-terminal [His]4 tag to aid in purification. CYP4F5 recombinant protein was purified to a specific content of 7.7 nmol/mg protein from the membrane fraction of E. coli and showed omega-hydroxylation activity toward leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a chemical mediator of inflammation. On the other hand, the solubilized membrane fraction of CYP4F4-expressed recombinant protein catalyzed the omega-hydroxylation of prostaglandin A1, prostaglandin E1, and 6-trans-LTB4 as well as LTB4. The effects of the peroxisome proliferator, clofibrate, on mRNA expression of CYP4F4, 4F5, and 4F6 were studied by Northern blot analysis. The expression levels of the mRNA of these CYP4Fs were shown to be reduced by clofibrate in liver.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1997

Activity-dependent changes to the brain and behavior of the honey bee, Apis mellifera (L.).

To explore the origins and possible behavioral consequences of structural plasticity in an insect brain, we have taken advantage of the following: (1) the highly compartmentalized nature of the primary antenno-sensory centers (antennal lobes) of the brain, (2) the ease with which individual compartments, or glomeruli, within the antennal-lobe neuropil can be identified, and (3) the predictability of changes to readily identifiable glomeruli in the antennal lobes of the adult worker honey bee. Treatment with the juvenile hormone analog methoprene and hive manipulation techniques are used to induce precocious foraging behavior in young worker honey bees. The impact of these treatments on the ontogeny of olfactory learning performance and on the volumes of readily identifiable glomeruli in the antennal lobes of the bee brain are examined in parallel. The study reveals that (1) significant changes in glomerular volume are activity dependent and (2) associative learning of floral odors improves with experience. Improvements in associative learning performance coincide temporally with increases in glomerular volume. This raises an important question: are changes in glomerular volume that result from shifts in behavior simply a consequence of changes in the use of peripheral sensory pathways, or are they associated with events that underlie learning and the formation of long-term memories?

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Barbiturate-induced expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat cerebellum.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is known to share some structural and functional similarities with the cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidase system. Unlike P450, it does not require a second enzyme, reductase, to transfer electrons. This characteristic is similar to P450(BM-3) of Bacillus megaterium. P450(BM-3) and certain mammalian subfamilies of P450, such as P4502B, are known to be induced by phenobarbital (PB), and these P450s share a consensus sequence called the Barbie box. Because of the similarities nNOS shares with P450(BM-3) and other mammalian P450s, we have examined whether nNOS also responds to PB treatment. We have used semi-quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, a functional assay, and immunohistochemistry in order to answer this question. These data show a threefold increase in nNOS mRNA expression, more modest nNOS protein and activity induction, and no discernible changes in localization of nNOS within the cerebellum following PB treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

High-yield expression, purification, and characterization of active, soluble Bacteroides fragilis metallo-beta-lactamase, CcrA.

The gene from Bacteroides fragilis encoding a metallo-beta-lactamase, ccrA, was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) containing the wild-type disulfide bond-catalyzing system dsb as an active, soluble enzyme in quantities exceeding 100 mg/liter using both rich and minimal media. Both the nonfusion and a glutathione S-transferase fusion enzyme lacking the periplasmic signal sequence were purified to homogeneity. Characteristics of the purified nonfusion enzyme are shown to be similar to those of the renatured enzyme previously reported. Thermal denaturation studies using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy show that CcrA undergoes a transition at approximately 50 degrees C which corresponds to the transition temperature of catalytic activity. The secondary structure of the protein and the catalytic apparatus are thus intimately linked.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Beta2-agonist induced ventricular dysrhythmias secondary to hyperexcitable conduction system in the absence of a long QT syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The use of inhaled beta 2-agonists for bronchodilation in the treatment of lower airway obstruction is accepted worldwide. These agents are used for symptomatic relief of lower airway obstruction and, as well, can be employed prophylactically in exercise-induced bronchospasm. Cardiac dysrhythmias, specifically the long QT syndrome, have been associated with cardiac events precipitated by sympathomimetics. There are reports of documented long QT syndrome in association with syncope in children; however, there are no reports of beta 2-agonist-induced syncope in the absence of long QT syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To determine predisposing cardiac factors resulting in syncope associated with inhaled beta 2-agonist use. METHOD: Case report. The index case was evaluated for cardiac pathology through non-invasive techniques, cardiac catheterization, and electrophysiologic studies. Electrophysiologic studies included provocative challenge with parenteral adrenergic agents. RESULTS: Non-invasive studies were unremarkable. There was no evidence of prolonged QT syndrome or support for vasopressor syncope. Electrophysiologic studies revealed reproducible polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. This predisposition required a ventricular stimulation program of higher intensity while on mexilitine. CONCLUSIONS: This case of syncope associated with inhaled, short-acting beta 2-agonist resulted from a hyperexcitable conduction system rather than the presence of a long QT syndrome.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1997

The value of a scoring system for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome.

A numeric scoring system for the assessment of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy during the neonatal period was tested. The value of the score in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 y of age was assessed. Forty-five infants who developed hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy after birth were studied prospectively. In addition to the hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy score all but two infants had at least one cranial ultrasound examination. Thirty-five infants were evaluated at 12 months of age by full neurological examination and the Griffiths Scales of Mental Development. Five infants were assessed at an earlier stage, four who died before 6 months of age and one infant who was hospitalized at the time of the 12 month assessment. Twenty-three (58%) of the infants were normal and 17 (42%) were abnormal, 16 with cerebral palsy and one with developmental delay. The hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy score was highly predictive for outcome. The best correlation with outcome was the peak score; a peak score of 15 or higher had a positive predictive value of 92% and a negative predictive value of 82% for abnormal outcome, with a sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 96%, respectively. For the clinician working in areas where sophisticated technology is unavailable this scoring system will be useful for assessment of infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and for prognosis of neurodevelopmental outcome.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1997

Development of a model of low-inoculum Streptococcus pneumoniae intrapulmonary infection in infant rats.

We have developed a model of low-inoculum Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in infant rats. We challenged 4-day-old Sprague-Dawley pups via intraperitoneal or intrapulmonary injection of S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6b, 7f, 9v, 14, 19f, and 23f. To achieve bacteremia with low inocula, it was necessary to passage the isolates in rats. Inocula of the 10 S. pneumoniae serotypes producing bacteremia in 50% or more animals ranged from 1 to 400 CFU. Virulence was similar by intraperitoneal and intrapulmonary routes. Lung specimens from animals challenged by the intrapulmonary route grew S. pneumoniae and demonstrated histologic evidence of focal infection. Meningitis was detected in 20 to 50% of bacteremic animals, and mortality invariably followed bacteremia within 24 to 48 h. This model of intrapulmonary infection uses low inocula of S. pneumoniae and results in bacteremia, meningitis, and death in infant rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Th1-associated immune responses to beta-galactosidase expressed by a replication-defective herpes simplex virus.

The immunogenic properties of a replication-defective herpes simplex virus HD-2, containing the Escherichia coli lacZ gene under control of the HSV ICP8 early gene promoter were studied in BALB/c mice. Experiments were designed to determine if the HD-2 virus preferentially stimulated either Th1- or Th2-associated immune responses to beta-galactosidase (beta gal). Sera from mice immunized i.p. or s.c. with virus HD-2, beta gal on aluminum phosphate adjuvant, or a control ICP8 deletion mutant, d301, were assayed for total and Ag-specific IgG1 and IgG2a Abs, beta gal-driven lymphocyte proliferation, and in vitro production of the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-2. Viruses HD-2 and d301 preferentially stimulated the production of total serum IgG2a following two immunizations i.p. or a single immunization s.c., while only HD-2 virus stimulated in vivo production of beta gal-specific IgG2a serum Abs. In contrast, beta gal adsorbed on AIPO4 preferentially stimulated production of Ag-specific IgG1 serum Abs. The HD-2 virus also induced a potent cellular proliferative response to beta gal, which was still pronounced 5 wk after primary immunization. Cultured lymphocytes from HD-2-immunized mice produced IFN-gamma after 5 days in culture with soluble beta gal in an Ag- and dose-dependent fashion. These results demonstrate that replication-defective mutants of HSV can be used as vectors for eliciting Th1-associated immune responses to a heterologous Ag expressed from the viral genome.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Relative potencies of the four stereoisomers of isomalathion for inhibition of hen brain acetylcholinesterase and neurotoxic esterase in vitro.

The cholinergic toxicity of malathion is exacerbated by its isomerization product, isomalathion, which inhibits detoxifying carboxylesterases as well as target acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Previous work has shown that the four stereoisomers of isomalathion, (1R, 3R), (1R, 3S), (1S, 3R), and (1S, 3S), differ in their inhibitory potencies against either rat brain or electric eel AChE. The present study examined the relative inhibitory potencies of these stereoisomers and the totally racemic mixture (1RS, 3RS) against hen brain AChE and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) to provide new data on stereoselective inhibition of neurotoxicologically significant esterases and to assess the potential of these compounds to cause organophosphorus (OP) compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). The order of potencies against hen brain AChE was (1R, 3R) > (1R, 3S) > (1RS, 3RS) > (1S, 3R) > (1S, 3S), with a 15-fold difference between the strongest (ki = 388 mM-1 min-1; 20 min I50 = 89.3 nM) and weakest (ki = 25.6 mM-1 min-1; 20 min I50 = 1354 nM) inhibitors. Both asymmetric centers contributed substantially and interdependently to inhibitory potency, but the effect of changing the configuration at phosphorus alone was greater than changing the configuration at carbon alone. None of the isomalathions was an effective inhibitor of hen brain NTE (extrapolated 20 min I50 values were 1.2 to 29 mM), yielding NTE/ AChE I50 ratios (neuropathy target ratios, NTRs) of 1.5 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(5). NTRs of this magnitude indicate that none of the isomalathions should initiate OPIDN, even after doses greatly exceeding the LD50. Therefore, reports of OPIDN or other neuropathic sequelae associated with malathion exposures in humans cannot be explained on the basis of NTE inhibition by contaminating isomalathions.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis and 31P chemical shift identification of tripeptide active site models that represent human serum acetylcholinesterase covalently modified at serine by certain organophosphates.

Most organophosphorus (OP) insecticides impart their toxic action via inhibition of cholinesterases by reacting at an essential serine hydroxyl group. The inhibition process is dependent upon the reactivity, stereochemistry, leaving group, and the mechanism of phosphorylation and/or reactivation (or aging) inherent to the OP compound under consideration. Because a wide array of phosphorylated structures are possible following inhibition by an OP, a simple model system was sought to investigate the mechanistic details of these and related reactions. In the present study, the tripeptide N-CBZ-Glu-Ser(OH)-Ala-OEt (chosen as a truncated form of human serum cholinesterase) was chemically modified at the serine hydroxyl group by various O-methyl phosphate groups and the 31P NMR chemical shift recorded. Six tripeptides, representing (a) phosphorylation by dimethyl phosphorothionates (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(S)(OMe)2]Ala-OEt; 5), (b) phosphorylation by dimethyl phosphates (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(O)(OMe)2] Ala-Oet; 6), (c) phosphorylation by O,S-dimethyl phosphorothiolates (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(O)(OMe)(SMe)]Ala-OEt; 7), (d) aging following inhibition by dimethyl phosphorothionates (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(O)(OMe)(S-)]Ala-OEt; 8), (e) aging following inhibition by dimethyl phosphates (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(O)(OMe)(O-)]Ala-OEt; 9), and (f) phosphorylation by R/S)PSc-isomalathion stereoisomers (N-CBZ-Glu-Ser[O-P(O)(OMe)(SCH(CO2CO2Et)CH2-CO2Et)]Ala-OEt; 10) have been synthesized. Tripeptides 5 and 6 were prepared via preliminary formation of an intermediate tripeptide phosphite followed by direct conversion to 5 using S8 or to 6 with m-CPBA, respectively. Tripeptides 8 and 9 were prepared by dealkylation of 5 and 6, respectively. Tripeptides 7 and 10 were prepared by reaction of 8 with dimethyl sulfate and (R)- or (S)-diethyl (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)malate, respectively.

Acetylcholinesterase↗