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G Magnusson

Publications and source records attributed to G Magnusson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Analysis of polyomavirus enhancer-effect on DNA replication and early gene expression.

The polyomavirus enhancer is located adjacent to the origin of DNA replication and the transcriptional promoters. It has a cis-acting essential function in the initiation of both viral DNA synthesis and early transcription. The enhancer is activated by the binding of protein factors to specific sites in DNA. Mutants with deletions of the A- or the B-segment of the enhancer were constructed. In mouse 3T6 cells, the transcription of the viral early region was significantly decreased by deletion of the A-segment, but not by deletion of the B-segment. In contrast, the two deletions had a similar, moderately negative effect on viral DNA synthesis. However, the presence of DNA with a wild-type enhancer in doubly transfected cells resulted in very strong interference with the replication, but not with the transcription, of deletion mutant DNA. DNA of the deletion mutants were subjected to site-directed mutagenesis of the remaining enhancer segment. Three non-viable mutants were isolated. All three had base-pair changes in the A-segment affecting immediately adjacent binding sites of cellular protein factors. The mutants had lost the enhancer activity on the early promoter, but only one of them with multiple base substitutions had lost the capacity of DNA replication. Together, the results suggest that different aspects of enhancer function determine the activity in initiation of transcription and replication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Estimation of technetium 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine plasma clearance by use of one single plasma sample.

Recent studies have shown that technetium 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG-3) is a suitable replacement for iodine 131 or 123 hippurate in gamma-camera renography. Also, the determination of its clearance is of value, since it correlates well with that of hippurate and thus may be an indirect measure of renal plasma flow. In order to simplify the clearance method we developed formulas for the estimation of plasma clearance of MAG-3 based on a single plasma sample and compared them with the multiple sample method based on 7 plasma samples. The correlation to effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) (according to Tauxe's method, using iodine 123 hippurate), which ranged from 75 to 654 ml/min per 1.73 m2, was determined in these patients. Using the developed regression equations the error of estimate for the simplified clearance method was acceptably low (18-14 ml/min), when the single plasma sample was taken 44-64 min post-injection. Formulas for different sampling times at 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 and 64 min are given, and we recommend 60 min as optimal, with an error of estimate of 15.5 ml/min. The correlation between the MAG-3 clearances and ERPF was high (r = 0.90). Since normal values for MAG-3 clearance are not yet available, transformation to estimated ERPF values by the regression equation (ERPF = 1.86 x CMAG-3 + 4.6) could be of clinical value in order to compare it with the normal values for ERPF given in the literature.

Humans↗

Reduced Polyomavirus DNA replication as a consequence of a late-region deletion that results in early mRNA instability.

A Polyomavirus mutant with a 504 base pair deletion downstream of the polyadenylation signal for the early genes was constructed in vitro. This mutant showed a reduced synthesis of viral DNA. In cotransfection experiments, this defect was complemented by the presence of a wild-type genome. To define the sequences involved in the determination of this phenotype, a set of viral mutants was constructed. The properties of these mutants suggested that the deletion of a short DNA segment located 35 base pairs downstream of the early polyadenylation site affected the stability of early mRNA. The boundaries of the deletion were within the late coding sequences. However, the truncated form of the major capsid protein VP1 expressed by the mutant, did not influence the formation of early mRNA and the synthesis of viral DNA.

Base Sequence↗

Enhancer effect of bovine papillomavirus E2 protein in replication of polyomavirus DNA.

In polyomavirus, both transcription from the early promoter and viral DNA replication initiated at the origin of DNA replication is controlled by binding of proteins to the enhancer region. We have developed a simple model system to study the role of an enhancer binding factor in the initiation of polyomavirus DNA replication. A reporter plasmid was constructed which has the enhancer region replaced by two binding sites for a transcription factor, the E2 protein encoded by bovine papillomavirus type 1. Co-transfection of COP 5 cells which express polyomavirus large T-antigen, with the reporter plasmid and an E2 expression plasmid, resulted in E2-dependent stimulation of replication of the reporter plasmid. The activity of several E2 mutants was also analysed. Mutant proteins with decreased activity in transcriptional trans-activation, resulting from impaired DNA binding or other defects, were found to have quantitatively similar reductions of activity in viral DNA replication. The results suggest that the E2 protein activates transcription and polyomavirus DNA replication by similar mechanism(s).

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Loss of DNA-binding and new transcriptional trans-activation function in polyomavirus large T-antigen with mutation of zinc finger motif.

A putative zinc finger in polyomavirus large T-antigen was investigated. We were unable to demonstrate unequivocally a requirement for zinc in specific DNA-binding using the chelating agent 1, 10-phenanthroline. An involvement of the putative zinc finger in specific DNA-binding was nevertheless suggested by the properties of a mutant protein with a cys----ser replacement in the finger motif. Probably as a result of the defective DNA-binding, the mutant protein had lost its activity in initiation of viral DNA-replication and in negative regulation of viral early transcription. However, the trans-activation of the viral late promoter was normal. The analysis also revealed a previously unrecognized activity of large T-antigen. The mutant protein trans-activated the viral early promoter. In the wild-type protein this activity is probably concealed by the separate, negative regulatory function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A viable mouse polyomavirus mutant without immortalizing or transforming activities.

The polyomavirus mutant, dl1041, has a 375-base pair deletion. It removes most of the sequences that are unique to rodent polyomaviruses and encodes part of the large and middle T-antigens. The mutant was conditionally viable, although both the immortalizing and transforming functions of the T-antigens produced by this mutant were found to be defective. However, the dl1041 mutant was found to be capable of DNA replication in rapidly growing mouse 3T6 cells. In contrast, dl1041 DNA synthesis could not be detected in serum-deprived mouse 3T3 cells. In these cells, the low efficiency of dl1041 DNA replication could be attributed to deficiencies in both large and middle T-antigen, suggesting a link between the mitogenic and oncogenic activities of these proteins. Transfection of growing mouse 3T6 cells with dl1041 DNA resulted in the formation of infectious virus, demonstrating that the dl1041 mutant is able to complete an infection cycle. The ability to activate the viral late promoter in trans was retained by the dl1041 mutant large T-antigen, suggesting that immortalization and trans-activation of the late promoter represent two distinct activities of the protein. An essential element of the immortalizing activity in the large T-antigen polypeptide chain appeared to be in a segment consisting of amino acid residues 136-184, since the dl1041 deletion abolished the activity and the 184 amino acid residue N-terminal dl1354 fragment of large T-antigen retained the activity.

Animals↗

The WHO principles for registering causes of death: suggestions for improvement.

In the ongoing 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, the WHO's rules for registering causes of death are revised. Previous studies have shown that deficiencies in the WHO's rules and basic concepts for registering causes of death impair the quality of cause-of-death statistics. The purpose of the present paper is to elucidate some of these shortcomings and to make suggestions for improvement. Also, the purpose of the WHO's definition of 'the underlying cause of death' is discussed, and a modification suggested. Suggestions are also made for new definitions of the four basic WHO concepts, 'causes of death', 'the underlying cause of death', 'direct cause' and 'contributory conditions'. At the end an account is given of the proposals made within the WHO for changes in the rules for registering causes of death.

Cause of Death↗

Frequency of emergency department attendances as a predictor of mortality: nine-year follow-up of a population-based cohort.

Heavy users of the services of emergency departments (EDs) have in previous studies been found to have psychological, social, economic and other difficulties besides their more or less acute medical problems. In order to establish whether mortality is associated with high ED use, a nine-year follow-up study was conducted of a 10 per cent population sample (n = 17,000), selected from the catchment area of Huddinge Hospital, Sweden. ED visits were found to predict nine-year mortality in the cohort. The group of individuals who had made four or more ED visits during a period of 15 months prior to follow-up (heavy ED users) had a two-fold excess mortality (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 1.9-2.1), those who had made one to three ED visits (moderate ED users) had a slightly elevated mortality (standardized mortality ratio SMR = 1.1, 95 per cent CI = 1.0-1.3), while the SMR of the non-users was 0.9 (95 per cent CI = 0.8-1.0). The three predominant causes of death in the cohort were diseases in the circulatory system, tumours and violent death. Heavy ED users had elevated mortality in all diagnoses, the most important excess mortality being from violent death, comprising suicide, probable suicide and alcohol/drug abuse, with an SMR of 6.3 (95 per cent CI = 6.0-6.7). The excess mortality from these causes of the heavy ED users accounted for more than one-third of their total excess mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Preparation and calculated conformations of the 2'-, 3'-, 4'-, and 6'-deoxy, 3'-O-methyl, 4'-epi, and 4'- and 6'-deoxy-fluoro derivatives of methyl 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (methyl beta-D-galabioside).

The glycosyl chlorides of the 3-O-methyl (6) and 4-deoxy-4-fluoro (8) O-benzylated derivatives of D-galactopyranose and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose were condensed with methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside to give, after deprotection, the 3'-O-methyl (23), 4'-deoxy-4'-fluoro (25), and 4'-epi (27) derivatives, respectively, of methyl beta-D-galabioside (1). The glycosyl fluorides of 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D-fucopyranose and the 3-deoxy (12) and 4-deoxy (16) O-benzylated derivatives of D-galactopyranose were condensed with methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (21), to give, after deprotection, the 6'-deoxy (31), 3'-deoxy (34), and 4'-deoxy (37) derivatives of 1, respectively. The 2'-deoxy (41) derivative of 1 was prepared by N-iodosuccinimide-induced condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-galactal and 21 followed by deprotection. Treatment of methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta -D- galactopyranoside with Et2NSF3 (DAST), followed by deprotection, provided the 6'-deoxy-6'-fluoro (46) derivative of 1. Molecular mechanics calculations yielded conformations for 23, 25, 27, 31, 34, 37, 41, and 46 with small deviations from the calculated conformation for 1 (phi H/psi H: -40 degrees/-6 degrees).

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

The PapG adhesin of uropathogenic Escherichia coli contains separate regions for receptor binding and for the incorporation into the pilus.

Most uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli produce heteropolymeric organelles, known as P pili, that bind to the globoseries of glycolipids present in the urinary tract. The formation of a P pilus is the result of a family of related proteins being coordinately assembled into the structure in a defined order with the adhesin located exclusively at the tip. The preassembled digalactoside alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-galactopyranose-binding adhesin was purified to homogeneity from the periplasmic space in a complex with the periplasmic assembly protein PapD by affinity chromatography to alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-galactopyranose-Sepharose. A receptor-binding domain was mapped to the amino-terminal half of the adhesin. The interaction of PapD with PapG, which was required for the incorporation of the adhesin into the pilus, was found to protect PapG from proteolytic cleavages and enhanced the processing of the PapG signal peptide. A preassembly domain necessary for forming a complex with PapD was mapped to the carboxyl terminus of PapG.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Mutational analysis of polyomavirus small-T-antigen functions in productive infection and in transformation.

The function of polyomavirus small T antigen in productive infection and in transformation was studied. Transfection of permissive mouse cells with mixtures of mutants that express only one type of T antigen showed that small T antigen increased large-T-antigen-dependent viral DNA synthesis approximately 10-fold. Under the same conditions, small T antigen was also essential for the formation of infectious virus particles. To analyze these activities of small T antigen, mutants producing protein with single amino acid replacements were constructed. Two mutants, bc1073 and bc1075, were characterized. Although both mutations led to the substitution of amino acid residues of more than one T antigen, the phenotype of both mutants was associated with alterations of the small T antigen. Both mutant proteins had lost their activity in the maturation of infectious virus particles. The bc1075 but not the bc1073 small T antigen had also lost its ability to stimulate viral DNA synthesis in mouse 3T6 cells. Finally, both mutants retained a third activity of small T antigen: to confer on rat cells also expressing middle T antigen the ability to grow efficiently in semisolid medium. The phenotypes of the mutants in these three assays suggest that small T antigen has at least three separate functions.

Animals↗

Synthetic receptor analogues: the conformation of methyl 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (methyl beta-D-galabioside) and related derivatives, determined by n.m.r. and computational methods.

The conformations of galabiose and its methyl and ethyl beta-glycosides as well as the 3-deoxy, 3-O-methyl, 3-deoxy-3-C-methyl, 3-deoxy-3-C-ethyl, and 6-deoxy analogues were investigated by n.m.r. (1H, 13C, n.O.e.) and computational (HSEA) methods. A good correlation was found between the computational data and the n.m.r. data for aqueous solutions. The conformations in aqueous solution were similar, whereas crystalline galabiose or methyl beta-D-galabioside in solution in methyl sulfoxide adopted different conformations that showed intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O-5'. . . O-3 and O-2'. . . O-6, respectively).

Calorimetry↗

Synthetic receptor analogues: preparation and calculated conformations of the 2-deoxy, 6-O-methyl, 6-deoxy, and 6-deoxy-6-fluoro derivatives of methyl 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (methyl beta-D-galabioside).

The 2-deoxy (7), 6-O-methyl (15), 6-deoxy (22), and 6-deoxy-6-fluoro (31) derivatives of methyl beta-D-galabioside (1) have been synthesised. Thus, 7 was prepared by xanthate reduction using tributyltin hydride, whereas 22 was obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of a 6-deoxy-6-iodogalabioside. Regioselective monofluorination of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside with Et2NSF3 and subsequent alpha-D-galactosylation provided 31. Molecular mechanics calculations yielded similar conformations for 1, 7, 15, 22, and 31 with differences in phi H and psi H of less than 5 degrees. No indications of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, as displayed by 1 in the crystal, were found for 7, 15, 22, or 31.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Pigmentation of kidneys and lymph nodes of mesocolon in rats fed diets containing the laxative danthron.

The tumor-promoting activity of the anthraquinone laxative danthron was studied by giving 3 groups of male rats a single subcutaneous injection of the colon tumor-inducing agent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). After 1 week, the animals were fed diets containing 0, 600 or 2400 ppm of danthron for 26 weeks. Two other groups of rats were included in the study; one received no treatment while the other was given danthron only. Altogether 9 tumors were observed among animals given DMA with or without danthron. The incidence of colon tumors was higher in animals receiving DMH and danthron than in those given DMH only (5/60 vs. 0/30), but this difference was not statistically significant. The kidneys and lymph nodes of mesocolon were enlarged and showed a yellowish-red and brown discoloration, respectively. The pigment mostly displayed a PAS-positive reaction but contained no lipid as determined by several staining procedures. The available evidence suggests that the pigment is drug-derived.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

Glucocorticoids facilitate the stable transformation of embryonal rat fibroblasts by a polyomavirus large tumor antigen-deficient mutant.

The addition of glucocorticoids to the growth medium could substitute for the expression of the polyomavirus large tumor antigen in the transformation of rat fibroblasts in vitro. After transfection with a large tumor antigen-deficient mutant of polyomavirus, pbc1051, high-frequency permanent transformation was observed, if the cells were grown in medium containing dexamethasone. Growth of pbc1051-transfected rat fibroblasts was strictly dependent on the presence of glucocorticoids during the initial phase of transformation. In the second phase, the growth of pbc1051-transfected cells was stimulated by dexamethasone, but the hormone was not essential for growth. After approximately 10 weeks in culture, pbc1051-transfected cells had progressed to hormone independent growth. Rat embryo cells transfected with wild-type polyomavirus DNA had the second phase in which growth was stimulated by glucocorticoid, and after this phase growth was steroid independent. Addition of glucocorticoids to rat fibroblasts transfected with a plasmid encoding only the middle-sized tumor antigen resulted in only a weak stimulation of growth. In contrast, embryo cells transfected with a plasmid containing the human homologue of the cellular T24 Ha-ras gene linked to murine sarcoma virus and simian virus 40 enhancers could be efficiently established as cell lines in medium supplemented with glucocorticoids. The data suggest that, in the transformation of primary rodent cells by polyomavirus, the activity of large tumor antigen can be substituted for by stimulating normal cellular functions with dexamethasone.

Animals↗

Access to primary health care in urban Iceland.

The accessibility by telephone of primary health care was studied in Reykjavik and its surrounding municipalities. Comparison was also made between community run health centres and private practices. About 60% of the total population of Iceland live within the study area. The study used medical secretaries as patient substitutes. During the prescribed telephone time, all "patients" were able to make telephone contact with their practice facilities, and 80% reached their doctor within 10 min. The waiting time for non-acute appointments was never more than three days. The study did not detect any difference in accessibility between community run health centres and privately owned GP practices.

Appointments and Schedules↗