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Biomedical subjects

C Reissner

Publications and source records attributed to C Reissner.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Caldendrins in the inner retina.

Caldendrin is the first member of a novel family of Ca2+-binding proteins (CaBPs). Its unique two-domain structure is composed of a calmodulin-homologous teminus and an unrelated N-terminal part. The latter is thought to mediate the tight association of caldendrin with the subsynaptic cytoskeleton. Caldendrin is expressed in forebrain regions with a laminar cytoarchitecture as well as in the inner retina where it is localized to OFF cone bipolar and a subset of amacrine and ganlion cells. In addition, caldendrin is prominently present in processes and synapses of the inner plexiform layer. Thus, caldendrin-immunoreactivity is displayed by ubpopulations of most retinal cell classes, with the exception of glial cells. Caldendrin is most likely involved in dendritic Ca2+-signaling, one of the functions of its close relative, calmodulin. However, several lines of evidence suggest that due to its unique properties caldendrin might not merely substitute for calmodulin. t is speculated that either the specific enrichment in cellular micro-compartments like the postsynaptic cytomatrix, the unique two-domain structure or the altered distribution of surface charges renders caldendrin specific for distinct binding partners or certain Ca2+-triggered signaling events.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intramolecular interactions regulate SAP97 binding to GKAP.

Membrane-associated guanylate kinase homologs (MAGUKs) are multidomain proteins found to be central organizers of cellular junctions. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanisms that regulate the interaction of the MAGUK SAP97 with its GUK domain binding partner GKAP (GUK-associated protein). The GKAP-GUK interaction is regulated by a series of intramolecular interactions. Specifically, the association of the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain and sequences situated between the SH3 and GUK domains with the GUK domain was found to interfere with GKAP binding. In contrast, N-terminal sequences that precede the first PDZ domain in SAP97, facilitated GKAP binding via its association with the SH3 domain. Utilizing crystal structure data available for PDZ, SH3 and GUK domains, molecular models of SAP97 were generated. These models revealed that SAP97 can exist in a compact U-shaped conformation in which the N-terminal domain folds back and interacts with the SH3 and GUK domains. These models support the biochemical data and provide new insights into how intramolecular interactions may regulate the association of SAP97 with its binding partners.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Effects of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and cytokines on the expression of MHC antigens, complement receptors and other antigens on human blood monocytes and U937 cells: role in cell differentiation, activation and phagocytosis.

The effect of calcitriol/1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, alone and in combination with cytokines, on the expression of various antigens (Ag) on human peripheral blood monocytes and U937 cells was studied by flow cytometry. Both constitutive and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, HLA-DP and HLA-DQ Ag expression on monocytes was significantly down-regulated by calcitriol, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The effects of calcitriol were concentration dependent and reached maximal inhibitory levels after 3-5 days. Modulation of HLA-DR by calcitriol and IFN-gamma at the protein level correlated with the amount of mRNA specific for the HLA-DR alpha-chain, as judged by Northern blot analysis. The basal as well as IL-4, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta-driven levels of HLA-ABC Ag were significantly diminished by calcitriol. On U937 cells calcitriol markedly induced CD11a and CD11b expression and weakly up-regulated CD11c whereas on monocytes, constitutive CD11a, CD11b and CD11c expression was significantly down-regulated by calcitriol. The expression of CD14 Ag was strongly induced on U937 cells but only modestly on monocytes. Both the basal level of CD71 and IL-4, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha-driven expression was diminished on calcitriol-treated U937 cells. In addition, calcitriol suppressed the expression of CD71 Ag on monocytes. The ability of monocytes to phagocytize opsonized Escherichia coli was diminished by calcitriol. Our results demonstrate that calcitriol, alone or in combination with cytokines, modulates expression of MHC, CD11b, CD11c, CD14 and CD71 Ag on both monocytes and U937 cells, and impairs the phagocytic property of monocytes.

Antigens, CD↗

A high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of glycosaminoglycans in human blood.

A method is described for the determination of plasma and serum glycosaminoglycans, which can be used in any laboratory equipped with an HPLC system. It is based on the sequential application of chondroitinases AC and ABC and separation of the resulting disaccharides by high-performance liquid chromatography. All reagents are commercially available. This simple and rapid separation yields an accurate quantification and an exact distribution pattern. The determination of glycosaminoglycan disaccharides is linear between 7 and 7000 mumol/l with coefficients of variation between 3.0 and 7.7% for serum and between 2 and 14% for plasma. The recovery of the assay ranged from 93 to 106% for different concentrations of glycosaminoglycan disaccharides. This HPLC method may therefore be considered as a candidate reference method.

Adolescent↗