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G Sudlow

Publications and source records attributed to G Sudlow.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Large-scale chromatin unfolding and remodeling induced by VP16 acidic activation domain.

Analysis of the relationship between transcriptional activators and chromatin organization has focused largely on lower levels of chromatin structure. Here we describe striking remodeling of large-scale chromatin structure induced by a strong transcriptional activator. A VP16-lac repressor fusion protein targeted the VP16 acidic activation domain to chromosome regions containing lac operator repeats. Targeting was accompanied by increased transcription, localized histone hyperacetylation, and recruitment of at least three different histone acetyltransferases. Observed effects on large-scale chromatin structure included unfolding of a 90-Mbp heterochromatic chromosome arm into an extended 25-40-micrometers chromonema fiber, remodeling of this fiber into a novel subnuclear domain, and propagation of large-scale chromatin unfolding over hundreds of kilobase pairs. These changes in large-scale chromatin structure occurred even with inhibition of ongoing transcription by alpha-amanitin. Our results suggest a functional link between recruitment of the transcriptional machinery and changes in large-scale chromatin structure. Based on the observed long-range propagation of changes in large-scale chromatin structure, we suggest a possible rationale for the observed clustering of housekeeping genes within Mbp-sized chromosome bands.

Acetylation↗

Interphase cell cycle dynamics of a late-replicating, heterochromatic homogeneously staining region: precise choreography of condensation/decondensation and nuclear positioning.

Recently we described a new method for in situ localization of specific DNA sequences, based on lac operator/repressor recognition (Robinett, C.C., A. Straight, G. Li, C. Willhelm, G. Sudlow, A. Murray, and A.S. Belmont. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 135:1685-1700). We have applied this methodology to visualize the cell cycle dynamics of an approximately 90 Mbp, late-replicating, heterochromatic homogeneously staining region (HSR) in CHO cells, combining immunostaining with direct in vivo observations. Between anaphase and early G1, the HSR extends approximately twofold to a linear, approximately 0.3-mum-diam chromatid, and then recondenses to a compact mass adjacent to the nuclear envelope. No further changes in HSR conformation or position are seen through mid-S phase. However, HSR DNA replication is preceded by a decondensation and movement of the HSR into the nuclear interior 4-6 h into S phase. During DNA replication the HSR resolves into linear chromatids and then recondenses into a compact mass; this is followed by a third extension of the HSR during G2/ prophase. Surprisingly, compaction of the HSR is extremely high at all stages of interphase. Preliminary ultrastructural analysis of the HSR suggests at least three levels of large-scale chromatin organization above the 30-nm fiber.

Animals↗

In vivo localization of DNA sequences and visualization of large-scale chromatin organization using lac operator/repressor recognition.

We report a new method for in situ localization of DNA sequences that allows excellent preservation of nuclear and chromosomal ultrastructure and direct, in vivo observations. 256 direct repeats of the lac operator were added to vector constructs used for transfection and served as a tag for labeling by lac repressor. This system was first characterized by visualization of chromosome homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) produced by gene amplification using a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression vector with methotrexate selection. Using electron microscopy, most HSRs showed approximately 100-nm fibers, as described previously for the bulk, large-scale chromatin organization in these cells, and by light microscopy, distinct, large-scale chromatin fibers could be traced in vivo up to 5 microns in length. Subsequent experiments demonstrated the potential for more general applications of this labeling technology. Single and multiple copies of the integrated vector could be detected in living CHO cells before gene amplification, and detection of a single 256 lac operator repeat and its stability during mitosis was demonstrated by its targeted insertion into budding yeast cells by homologous recombination. In both CHO cells and yeast, use of the green fluorescent protein-lac repressor protein allowed extended, in vivo observations of the operator-tagged chromosomal DNA. Future applications of this technology should facilitate structural, functional, and genetic analysis of chromatin organization, chromosome dynamics, and nuclear architecture.

Anaphase↗

Reduction of nitroheterocyclic compounds by mammalian tissues in vivo.

To determine whether nitro group reduction occurs in mammalian tissues, metronidazole (0.021, 0.064 and 10 mg/kg), misonidazole (0.015 mg/kg) and nitrofurazone (0.13 mg/kg), respectively, were administered to germfree rats. A reduced metabolite [1-(2-aminoimidazol-1-yl)-3-methoxypropan-2-ol] and two of its hydrolysis products, urea and (2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropyl)-guanidine, were found in the urines of germfree rats that received misonidazole. When nitrofurazone was administered, a reduced metabolite, 4-cyano-2-oxobutyraldehyde semicarbazone, was detected in the urines. However, acetamide and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamic acid, fragmentation products from the reduction of metronidazole, were not found in significant concentrations in the urine when germfree rats received metronidazole. Apparently metronidazole is reduced so much more slowly than misonidazole and nitrofurazone in the tissues of germfree rats that its reductive metabolites are not detectable. This observation may be explained by the one-electron reduction potentials (E1 7) of these drugs, that of metronidazole (E1 7 = -486 mV) being lower than those of either misonidazole (E1 7 = -389 mV) or nitrofurazone (E1 7 = -257 mV). Under these circumstances, metronidazole reduction is not detected, either because its radical anion forms more slowly than that of the other nitroheterocyclic compounds or because its radical anion interacts more rapidly with oxygen to restore the parent compound.

Acetamides↗

Modification of the Hemoccult slide test for occult blood in gastric juice.

The Hemoccult slide test is used frequently to test for the presence of occult blood in samples of gastric juice obtained from critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of this test to determine the presence of blood in human gastric juice at various pH values. Gastric aspirates were collected from 10 patients who had nasogastric tubes and were receiving nothing by mouth. These aspirates were adjusted to a range of pH values varying from 1 to 8. The aspirates were then tested by the Hemoccult slide method. The tests were repeated after (1) addition of whole blood and (2) subsequent addition of antacid. False negative results were found when the pH was below 2 and false positive results were found when the pH was between 2 to 4. When 3 drops of aspirate were added to 1 ml of a 0.2 M borate buffer at pH 8.6, and the Hemoccult slide test was performed on the resulting mixture, false negative and false positive reactions were eliminated. We conclude that the addition of the gastric juice sample to a borate buffer before performing the Hemoccult slide test makes this a reliable method of determining the presence or absence of occult blood.

Color↗

The fatty acid content and drug binding characteristics of commercial albumin preparations.

The fatty acid contents of thirteen commercial preparations of human albumin were found to be in the range 0.03 to 9 mol of fatty acid/mol albumin. Marked differences were found between the preparations in the binding of the fluorescent probes, 5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonamide (DNSA) and dansylsarcosine. The displacement of these probes by ibuprofen and phenylbutazone also showed marked differences between preparations. The differences between the commercial albumin samples correlated well with their fatty acid contents and were abolished by treatment with charcoal. They were similar to the changes observed when oleic acid was added to fatty acid free albumin. The source and fatty acid content of commercial albumin preparations should be considered when comparing studies of the binding of drugs to human albumin.

Fatty Acids↗

The effects of allopurinol and clofibrate on the elimination of coumarin anticoagulants in man.

The effects of chronic treatment with allopurinol and clofibrate on the elimination from plasma of warfarin and dicoumarol were examined in man. In addition, the binding of warfarin to human serum proteins was measured with and without clofibrate and its metabolite chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (CPIB), both present in therapeutic concentrations. Treatment with allopurinol and clofibrate did not alter the rate of elimination of warfarin from plasma. In addition, clofibrate and CPIB caused no significant displacement of warfarin from serum proteins. This evidence supports the conclusion that the clinically significant potentiation of warfarin activity by clofibrate in man is due to an interaction at the receptor site. In contrast, treatment with allopurinol resulted in significant prolongation of the plasma half-life of dicoumarol in one of three subjects. These data are consistent with inhibition of the metabolism of dicoumarol by allopurinol in some individuals.

Adult↗