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D D Strong

Publications and source records attributed to D D Strong.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Inhibitory insulin-like growth factor-binding protein: cloning, complete sequence, and physiological regulation.

In this study we report the preparation of a human osteosarcoma cell cDNA library and describe the isolation and sequence determination of a clone encoding the complete sequence of a novel human insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein (hIGFBP-4). Previous work indicated that hIGFBP-4 is the predominant IGFBP expressed by human osteoblast-like cells, and that IGFBP-4 binds and inhibits the mitogenic activities of IGF-I and IGF-II. Sequence determination revealed that hIGFBP-4 is a unique gene product with significant amino- and carboxy-terminal sequence similarity to three other known IGFBPs. Identical alignment of 18 cysteines in IGFBP-4 and the three other IGFBPs is a key structural feature of this protein family. In vitro studies of human osteoblast-like cells suggest that PTH regulates the expression of hIGFBP-4 and that the PTH effect is mediated through a cAMP mechanism. hIGFBP-4 mRNA was also expressed in skin fibroblasts, and thus, this inhibitory IGFBP could be an important physiological regulator of IGF actions in bone cells and other cell types as well.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stimulation of cellular alkaline phosphatase activity and its messenger RNA level in a human osteosarcoma cell line by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) significantly stimulated cellular alkaline phosphatase activity in a human osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell line (TE-85 cells) in serum-free medium with 0.1% bovine serum albumin as the hormone carrier in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. The extent of the maximal stimulation was greater and the minimal dose that was required for stimulation was lower than those previously reported for TE-85 cells in the presence of serum. The magnitude of the stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity by 1,25(OH)2D3 varied with the cell density. Daily changes of conditioned medium, as compared with no medium changes, significantly reduced the magnitude of the stimulation, suggesting that endogenous factors secreted into culture medium could play an enhancing role. Finally, application of Northern blot analysis using an oligodeoxynucleotide probe corresponding to a unique sequence of the human bone/liver/kidney alkaline phosphatase cDNA coding region revealed that 1,25(OH)2D3 increased the alkaline phosphatase mRNA level, suggesting that the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was a result of either an increase in the rate of transcription or an increase in message stability.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Alkaline phosphatase activity from human osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2: an isoenzyme standard for quantifying skeletal alkaline phosphatase activity in serum.

Earlier we described a kinetic assay for quantifying skeletal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) isoenzyme activity in serum. The precision of the assay depends on including ALP standards for the skeletal, hepatic, intestinal, and placental isoenzymes. We wondered whether human osteosarcoma cells could provide an efficient alternative to human bone or Pagetic serum as a source of the skeletal ALP standard. ALP activities prepared from five human osteosarcoma cell lines were compared with a bone-derived ALP standard with respect to heat stability and sensitivity to chemical effectors. Two of the cell lines (SaOS-2 and TE-85) contained ALP activities that resembled the bone-derived standard. We selected SaOS-2 cells for additional evaluation (as a potential source of isoenzyme standard), because they contained 40-50 times more ALP activity than did the TE-85 cells. To include the SaOS-2 cell-derived ALP activity in the quantitative isoenzyme assay, we diluted the enzyme in a solution containing heat-inactivated (i.e., ALP-negative) human serum. Surprisingly, this dilution caused a 60-125% increase in maximum enzyme activity. In the quantitative assay of ALP isoenzyme in serum, the SaOS-2 derived ALP was indistinguishable from the serum skeletal ALP standard, with respect to the above criteria and assay variations. Evidently ALP from SaOS-2 cells is suited as a standard for measuring skeletal ALP activity in this assay.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Meningioma in the parotid region.

Meningiomas occurring ectopically in the neck are exceptional. We report two patients who presented as parotid and parapharyngeal masses and analyze them along with 27 previously reported cases. Typical patients present with parotid or parapharyngeal masses and cranial nerve palsies. Meningioma is not considered in differential diagnosis. The tumor is an extension of an unsuspected intracranial mass, occasionally with associated multiple meningiomas or other neurogenic tumors. Ectopic meningiomas should be considered in patients with parotid and parapharyngeal masses, particularly those with cranial nerve deficits; jugular foramen syndrome is most characteristic. Associated occult intracranial and temporal bone tumors and the cranial form of neurofibromatosis should be suspected. Treatment of cervical meningiomas is excision. The most important aspect of intracranial-extracranial lesions is recognition and treatment of the intracranial portion.

Adolescent↗

Complementary DNA sequence of lamprey fibrinogen beta chain.

The cDNA sequence of the beta chain of lamprey fibrinogen has been determined. To that end, an oligonucleotide probe was synthesized that corresponded to an amino acid sequence from the carboxy-terminal region of the lamprey fibrinogen beta chain. The insert actually began with residue 3 of the fibrin beta chain; it ran through to a terminator codon following the carboxy-terminal residue at position 443 and then continued for an additional 606 nucleotides of noncoding sequence to its 3' end. The inferred amino acid sequence was verified by comparison with assorted cyanogen bromide fragments isolated from the beta-chain protein, including two carbohydrate-containing peptides that corresponded to segments containing the carbohydrate-attachment consensus sequence. Overall, the lamprey chain is 49% identical with the beta chain from human fibrinogen. This is the same degree of resemblance as was found for the lamprey and human gamma chains. Moreover, the principal regions of conservation are the same in both the beta and gamma chains. Differences and similarities in the physiological behavior of the two fibrinogens are assessed in terms of the observed amino acid replacements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lamprey fibrinogen gamma chain: cloning, cDNA sequencing, and general characterization.

A cDNA library from lamprey liver was constructed in pBR322 and screened with a synthetic mixed oligonucleotide probe, the sequence of which was based on a partial amino acid sequence of the lamprey fibrinogen gamma chain determined by conventional procedures. Among the positive clones was one containing a 600-base insert that covered the carboxy-terminal third of the chain and another with a 1950-base insert that stretched more than full length. The two inserts were sequenced by the Maxam-Gilbert procedure. The DNA sequencing was corroborated by reference to the amino acid sequences of five cyanogen bromide peptides that compose the carboxy-terminal 130 amino acids, as well as to a number of tryptic peptides from elsewhere in the molecule. The clone with the smaller insert (6G) contained 594 nucleotides (not counting G and C tails), 435 of which are coding and correspond to residues 264-408 of the gamma chain. The remaining 159 nucleotides included the terminator codon followed by a noncoding segment. The larger clone (2E) coded for 408 amino acids that could be readily aligned with the 411-residue human gamma chain. A 24-residue signal peptide adjacent to the proposed amino terminal was also inferred. The amino acid sequence of the fibrinogen gamma chain has been differentially conserved during evolution, the lamprey and human sequences being more than 70% identical in certain key regions but dropping to less than 25% in other sections, including the segment thought to be a part of the "coiled coils". Overall, the resemblance amounts to 50% identity. Of the 10 cysteines found in mammalian chains, 9 are at identical positions, but the tenth, which in mammalian fibrinogens is a part of the interdimeric bridging, is absent in the lamprey.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibodies against synthetic peptides reveal that the unidentified reading frame A6L, overlapping the ATPase 6 gene, is expressed in human mitochondria.

Antibodies prepared against chemically synthesized peptides predicted from the DNA sequence have been used to detect human mitochondrial gene products. In particular, antibodies directed against either the NH2-terminal decapeptide or the COOH-terminal undecapeptide of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) were both very effective in immunoprecipitating the previously identified COII polypeptide from an SDS lysate of mitochondria from HeLa cells. Similarly, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal nonapeptide of the putative polypeptide encoded in the unidentified reading frame A6L, which overlaps the ATPase 6 gene, immunoprecipitated specifically a component (#25) of the HeLa cell mitochondrial translation products; antibodies directed against the NH2-terminal octapeptide also precipitated protein 25, although less efficiently. The size of protein 25, as estimated from its electrophoretic mobility, is compatible with its being the unidentified reading frame A6L product. Furthermore, a fingerprinting analysis of this protein after trypsin digestion has given results consistent with this identification.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Identification of the polypeptides encoded in the ATPase 6 gene and in the unassigned reading frames 1 and 3 of human mtDNA.

Antibodies prepared against chemically synthesized peptides predicted from the DNA sequence have been used to identify the polypeptides encoded in the ATPase 6 gene and in unidentified reading frames (URFs) 1 and 3 of human mtDNA. In particular, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal nonapeptide of the putative polypeptide encoded in the ATPase 6 reading frame immunoprecipitated specifically component 17 of the HeLa cell mitochondrial translation products, the reaction being inhibited by the specific peptide. Similarly, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal undecapeptide of the putative URF1 product or against the COOH-terminal heptapeptide of the presumptive URF3 product were effective in immunoprecipitating specifically component 12 or, respectively, component 24 of the mitochondrial translation products. The sizes of proteins 17, 12, and 24, as estimated from their electrophoretic mobilities, are compatible with their being the products of the ATPase 6 gene, URF1, and URF3, respectively.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

gamma and alpha chains of human fibrinogen possess sites reactive with human platelet receptors.

Fibrinogen, a clottable plasma protein, agglutinates both prokaryotic cells (e.g., staphylococci) and eukaryotic cell fragments (e.g., platelets) through interaction with specific receptors. To identify the region of the fibrinogen molecule responsible for its interaction with human platelets, we prepared polypeptide chain subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) of human fibrinogen by reduction and carboxymethylation. A mixture of the chains induced aggregation (clumping) of human platelets separated from plasma proteins and treated with ADP. When individual chains of fibrinogen were tested, gamma-chain multimers caused platelet aggregation at a molar concentration comparable with that of intact human fibrinogen. The beta chain remained inactive, and the alpha chain was 1/4th to 1/5th as reactive as the gamma chain. Monospecific antibody fragments against the gamma chain inhibited binding of 125I-labeled fibrinogen to the human platelet receptor and blocked aggregation of platelets induced by ADP in the presence of fibrinogen or gamma-chain multimers. These results indicate that the gamma chain of human fibrinogen bears the main site for interaction with the platelet receptor.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Shadow-cast electron microscopy of fibrinogen with antibody fragments bound to specific regions.

Specimens of human fibrinogen mixed with Fab fragments of antibodies that were specific for various portions of the fibrinogen molecule were tungsten shadow-cast and examined by electron microscopy. Typical trinodular fibrinogen molecules were observed when Fab fragments were omitted or when fragments from nonimmune sera were used. In the experimental fibrinogen-Fab preparations, a significant number of molecules were found with an extra nodule. In the case of Fab fragments from antibodies directed to fragment E, the additional nodule was attached to the central sphere of the fibrinogen molecule. Similarly, anti-fragment D preparations yielded molecules that were derivatized on the terminal spheres. Fragments from antibodies raised against a cyanogen bromide fragment of fibrinogen alpha chains (residues 241-476) also led to exclusive derivatization of the terminal domains, although in these cases the additional material was often separated discretely from the terminal sphere by a gap. These experiments confirm longstanding notions that the central domain of a trinodular fibrinogen molecule corresponds to the plasmin-derived fragment E and that the terminal spheres correspond to fragments D. Moreover, the carboxy-terminal two-thirds of alpha chains protrude from the extremities of the molecule, as had been inferred on the basis of indirect biochemical data.

Antibody Specificity↗

Identification and characterization of a brain-specific antigen enriched in neonatal brain. II. Antigenic stability, species cross-reactivity and tumor cell association.

NABSA is a brain-specific antigen enriched in neonatal brain. Microcomplement fixation was used to determine the extent of serological stability of NABSA towards heat denaturation and freeze-thaw denaturation. NABSA antigenic activity was progressively lost from neonatal and adult brain solutions incubated at temperatures above 40 degrees C. All activity was lost above 65 degrees C. Dilute solutions of NABSA were stable at 8 degrees C for at least two weeks and could be frozen and thawed in Tris.phosphate buffer at concentrations above 2 mg/ml with little loss of activity. NABSA was found in every vertebrate species tested. An unusually close structural similarity (a frequent characteristic of both brain-specific antigens and fetal antigens) was demonstrated by serological methods among the mammalian and avian NABSAs. NABSA was detected by microcomplement fixation analysis in 4 out of 16 rat and murine neural clonal tumor cell lines. There was no clear limitation of NABSA to a particular class of neural cell (as defined by the phenotypes of these tumor cell classes) or to rapidly dividing or stationary phase cells. NABSA may be a brain-specific oncofetal antigen (OFA-associated), since it is present in tumor cells of the nervous system and high levels are found in immature brain.

Animals↗

Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen. Complete sequence of the largest cyanogen bromide fragment.

The largest fragment produced by complete cyanogen bromide digestion of the alpha chain of human fibrinogen contains 236 residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 23,949. The complete amino acid sequence of the fragment was determined by the isolation of peptides generated by plasmin, trypsin (including digestion of citraconylated material), staphylococcal protease, and chymotrypsin. In addition, some key subfragmentation was achieved by selective chemical cleavage at tryptophan residues. The fragment has an unusual amino acid composition, more than half of its residues being glycine, serine, threonine, and proline. There are very few nonpolar residues, although 7 of the alpha-chain's 10 tryptophans occur in this fragment. The fragment contains 2 cysteine residues located 30 residues apart which are connected by an intrachain disulfide bond in the native molecule. The tryptophans occur with a definite periodicity that highlights a series of 13-residue homology repeats. The fragment also contains the two principal alpha-chain cross-linking sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen. Exact location of cross-linking acceptor sites.

Human fibrinogen was clotted under conditions that promote latent factor XIII activity and in the presence of a radioactive substitute cross-linking donor ([14C]glycine ethyl ester). The labeled fibrin was reduced and alkylated in the presence of 6 M guanidinium chloride. After dialysis and freeze-drying, the preparation was separated into its constituent polypeptide subunits by chromatography on (carboxymethyl)cellulose in the presence of 8 M urea. Under the incorporation conditions used, the radioactivity was limited to gamma chains (one donor molecule/chain) and alpha chains (two donor molecules/chain). The labeled alpha chains were digested with cyanogen bromide and fractionated on Sephadex G-50. All the radioactivity was found in a fragment previously designated H alpha CNI, the largest of the cyanogen bromide fragments in the alpha chain. The fragment was further fragmented by digestion with plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and/or staphylococcal protease. The incorporated radioactivity was found to reside in equal amounts at two different sites located 38 residues apart. These were determined to be positions 88 and 126 in H alpha CNI, which correspond to glutamine-328 and glutamine-366 in the alpha chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen. Overlapping sequences providing the complete sequence.

The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha chain of human fibrinogen has been determined. It contains 610 amino acid residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 66,124. The chain has 10 methionines, and fragmentation with cyanogen bromide yields 11 peptides [Doolittle, R.F., Cassman, K.G., Cottrell, B.A., Friezner, S.J., Hucko, J.T., & Takagi, T. (1977) Biochemistry 16, 1703]. The arrangement of the 11 fragments was determined by the isolation of peptide overlaps from plasmic and staphylococcal protease digests of fibrinogen and/or alpha chains. In addition, certain of the cyanogen bromide fragments, preliminary reports of whose sequences have appeared previously, have been reexamined in order to resolve several discrepancies. The alpha chain is homologous with the beta and gamma chains of fibrinogen, although a large repetitive segment of unusual composition is absent from the latter two chains. The existence of this unusual segment divides the sequence of the alpha chain into three zones of about 200 residues each that are readily distinguishable on the basis of amino acid composition alone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The amino acid sequence of the alpha-chain of human fibrinogen.

The amino acid sequence of the human fibrinogen alpha-chain reveals a structure that can be divided into three zones of unique amino acid composition. The middle of these contains the two primary alpha-chain cross-linking acceptor sites and consists of a remarkable series of internal duplications.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of a brain-specific antigen enriched in neonatal brain. I. Developmental, regional distribution and molecular weight studies.

An antiserum raised to the 20--40% ammonium sulfate cut of the soluble proteins extracted from whole neonatal rat brain has been absorbed with liver affinity columns. The absorbed antiserum recognizes a high molecular weight antigen(s) that is (i) restricted to nervous tissue, (ii) enriched in neonatal rat brain, and (iii) present from the 17th day of gestation throughout adult life. The name given to this brain-specific antigen(s) is NABSA, short for 'neonatal-associated brain-specific antigen'. NABSA is immunologically unrelated to S-100 or 14-3-2. NABSA levels in whole rat brain increased soon after birth. The specific activity of NABSA at 2--3 days postpartum reached 3--5-fold higher levels than are found in adult brain. NABSA declined to adult levels by the 10th postnatal day, well before CNS maturation was complete. Regional variations in NABSA levels were found in the rat neonate; highest activities occurred in neonatal cerebellum. Similar variations were observed in adult brain.

Age Factors↗