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C R Erwin

Publications and source records attributed to C R Erwin.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

A bacterial cell that synthesizes a protein containing the antigenic determinants of rat prolactin.

Bacterial minicells containing three different recombinant plasmids with rat prolactin cDNA sequences inserted at the Pst I site of pBR322 via the poly(dG):poly(dC) joining technique were examined for the expression of rat prolactin antigenic determinants. The three prolactin coding sequences were in the same orientation as the coding sequence of the ampicillin-resistance gene of pBR322. The presence of each of the three recombinant plasmids induced some prolactin synthesis by the bacteria as measured by immunoprecipitation with anti-prolactin antisera. About 10% of the protein synthesized from one of the plasmids, prl 3, precipitated with the antisera. These prolactin antigenic determinants were part of a larger fused protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Comparison of potential nuclear precursors for prolactin and growth hormone messenger RNA.

Recombinant DNA plasmids containing the coding sequence for rat prolactin or rat growth hormone have been used to investigate the presence of possible precursors for prolactin and growth hormone mRNA. Cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA was prepared from either rat pituitaries or fromthe GC pituitary cell line. RNA was electrophoresed on agarose gels containing methylmercury hydroxide and then transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper. The paper was then hybridized to prolactin or growth hormone recombinant DNA probes labeled in vitro with 32P. The prolactin probe hybridized to RNA species of 7.0, 6.4, 3.8, 1.7, and 1.0 kilobases in nuclear RNA and only to a 1.0-kilobase species in cytoplasmic RNA. Hybridization with a growth hormone probe demonstrated nuclear RNA species of 6.7, 5.6, 2.3, and 1.0 kilobases. These findings demonstrate the presence of multiple species of prolactin and growth hormone RNA which are larger larger than the mature cytoplasmic mRNAs. The large nuclear RNAs are likely precursors for prolactin and growth hormone mRNA.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of massive small bowel resection on the Bax/Bcl-w ratio and enterocyte apoptosis.

Following small bowel resection (SBR), the remnant intestine undergoes adaptation. Enterocyte proliferation is increased and counterbalanced by increased rates of apoptosis. To elucidate a mechanism for increased enterocyte apoptosis, this study tested the hypothesis that the ratio between pro-apoptotic Bax and pro-survival Bcl-w correlates with the apoptosis that occurs following SBR. Mice (C57Bl/6; n = 76) underwent a 50% proximal SBR or sham operation. After 12 hours and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days, the ileum was removed, the apoptotic index (apoptotic bodies/crypt) was recorded, and the messenger RNA and protein for Bax and Bcl-w were quantified. The apoptotic index was equivalent in the sham and SBR mice at 12 hours; however, it was significantly elevated following SBR at every other day measured. The ratio of Bax to Bcl-w messenger RNA relative to sham operation increased after SBR at 24 hours, decreased by day 3, and returned to baseline levels by 1 week. The protein ratio showed an increase by day 1, which remained elevated through day 7. An augmented ratio of Bax to Bcl-w messenger RNA and protein corresponded with the increase in enterocyte apoptosis. Alterations in the expression ratio of these genes may play a role in establishing a new homeostatic set point between proliferation and apoptosis during adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enterocyte apoptosis is increased following small bowel resection.

The intestinal mucosa is in a steady state of turnover as the rate of cellular proliferation is balanced by the rate of cell death. Although it is accepted that adaptation after small bowel resection (SBR) results in increased proliferation, its effect on apoptosis is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adaptation following SBR on rates of enterocyte apoptosis. Male ICR mice underwent either 50% proximal SBR or sham operation (bowel transection/reanastomosis). After 12 and 24 hours, and 3 and 7 days, rates of proliferation were measured in the ileum as the percentage of crypt cells incorporating bromodeoxyuridine. Apoptosis was quantiated by end labeling of DNA strand breaks and propidium iodide staining of the number of apoptotic bodies per crypt and villus. Significant increases in enterocyte proliferation (30% to 40%) as well as apoptosis (57% to 87%) occurred at all time points following SBR when compared with sham-operated mice. Adaptation following SBR increases both the rate of enterocytc proliferation and the rate of apoptosis. Understanding the pathophysiology of intestinal adaptation and therapeutic interventions designed to augment this important response will require complete characterization of their effects on both proliferation and apoptosis.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of intestinal adaptation gene expression by cDNA expression arrays.

BACKGROUND: As a tool for determining gene expression on a genomic scale, cDNA microarrays are a promising new technology that can be applied to the study of complex physiologic processes. The objective of this study was to characterize the expression of individual genes and patterns of gene expression that might provide insight into the mechanism of intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection. METHODS: Male ICR mice underwent a 50% proximal small bowel resection (SBR) or sham operation. After 3 days, the remnant ileum was harvested, weighed, and RNA extracted. Changes in gene expression were detected utilizing Clontech Atlas mouse cDNA expression arrays. Some of these changes were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) and Northern blots. RESULTS: Analysis of these cDNA arrays revealed changes in the expression of multiple genes, including those involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA synthesis, and transcriptional regulation. The patterns of expression were consistent with the increased cell proliferation and apoptosis observed during intestinal adaptation. A large number of genes not previously associated with intestinal adaptation were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This technology may facilitate the elucidation of the intricate cellular mechanisms underlying intestinal adaptation.

Adaptation, Biological↗