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H Dale

Publications and source records attributed to H Dale.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Genome sequence of Halobacterium species NRC-1.

We report the complete sequence of an extreme halophile, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1, harboring a dynamic 2,571,010-bp genome containing 91 insertion sequences representing 12 families and organized into a large chromosome and 2 related minichromosomes. The Halobacterium NRC-1 genome codes for 2,630 predicted proteins, 36% of which are unrelated to any previously reported. Analysis of the genome sequence shows the presence of pathways for uptake and utilization of amino acids, active sodium-proton antiporter and potassium uptake systems, sophisticated photosensory and signal transduction pathways, and DNA replication, transcription, and translation systems resembling more complex eukaryotic organisms. Whole proteome comparisons show the definite archaeal nature of this halophile with additional similarities to the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and other bacteria. The ease of culturing Halobacterium and the availability of methods for its genetic manipulation in the laboratory, including construction of gene knockouts and replacements, indicate this halophile can serve as an excellent model system among the archaea.

Biological Evolution↗

Ordered membrane insertion of an archaeal opsin in vivo.

The prevailing model of polytopic membrane protein insertion is based largely on the in vitro analysis of polypeptide chains trapped during insertion by arresting translation. To test this model under conditions of active translation in vivo, we have used a kinetic assay to determine the order and timing with which transmembrane segments of bacterioopsin (BO) are inserted into the membrane of the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum. BO is the apoprotein of bacteriorhodopsin, a structurally well characterized protein containing seven transmembrane alpha-helices (A-G) with an N-out, C-in topology. H. salinarum strains were constructed that express mutant BO containing a C-terminal His-tag and a single cysteine in one of the four extracellular domains of the protein. Cysteine translocation during BO translation was monitored by pulse-chase radiolabeling and rapid derivatization with a membrane-impermeant, sulfhydryl-specific gel-shift reagent. The results show that the N-terminal domain, the BC loop, and the FG loop are translocated in order from the N terminus to the C terminus. Translocation of the DE loop could not be examined because cysteine mutants in this region did not yield a gel shift. The translocation order was confirmed by applying the assay to mutant proteins containing two cysteines in separate extracellular domains. Comparison of the translocation results with in vivo measurements of BO elongation indicated that the N-terminal domain and the BC loop are translocated cotranslationally, whereas the FG loop is translocated posttranslationally. Together, these results support a sequential, cotranslational model of archaeal polytopic membrane protein insertion in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Membrane insertion kinetics of a protein domain in vivo. The bacterioopsin n terminus inserts co-translationally.

The pathway by which segments of a polytopic membrane protein are inserted into the membrane has not been resolved in vivo. We have developed an in vivo kinetic assay to examine the insertion pathway of the polytopic protein bacterioopsin, the apoprotein of Halobacterium salinarum bacteriorhodopsin. Strains were constructed that express the bacteriorhodopsin mutants I4C:H(6) and T5C:H(6), which carry a unique Cys in the N-terminal extracellular domain and a polyhistidine tag at the C terminus. Translocation of the N-terminal domain was detected using a membrane-impermeant gel shift reagent to derivatize the Cys residue of nascent radiolabeled molecules. Derivatization was assessed by gel electrophoresis of the fully elongated radiolabeled population. The time required to translocate and fully derivatize the Cys residues of I4C:H(6) and T5C:H(6) is 46 +/- 9 and 61 +/- 6 s, respectively. This is significantly shorter than the elongation times of the proteins, which are 114 +/- 26 and 169 +/- 16 s, respectively. These results establish that translocation of the bacterioopsin N terminus and insertion of the first transmembrane segment occur co-translationally and confirm the use of the assay to monitor the kinetics of polytopic membrane protein insertion in vivo.

Apoproteins↗

Computer-controlled infusion of ORG 21465, a water soluble steroid i.v. anaesthetic agent, into human volunteers.

ORG 21465 has been found to possess anaesthetic properties in humans and its pharmacokinetics are known. We performed this study to confirm the characteristics associated with its administration and to define its pharmacodynamic profile, in particular to explore the relationship between sedation, anaesthesia, excitation and plasma drug concentrations. A water soluble preparation of ORG 21465 was administered to six male volunteers as a series of three 15-min computer-controlled, pharmacokinetic model-driven infusions targeting three exponentially increasing plasma concentrations: 0.5, 1 and 2 micrograms ml-1. The clinical characteristics of the resultant sedation and anaesthesia were observed. Plasma concentrations of ORG 21465 were measured during and for 500 min after the infusions and the EEG recorded. A sigmoid e-max effect compartment pharmacodynamic model was fitted to the plasma concentrations and an EEG derivative (spectral edge frequency (SEF)). Anaesthesia with ORG 21465 was associated with involuntary movements in all subjects. A steady state concentration of 1180 ng ml-1 depressed SEF by 50%, the Hill factor describing the sigmoid nature of the concentration-response curve was 1.42 and the equilibration rate constant of the biophase was 0.112 min-1. Anaesthesia with ORG 21465 was found to be unsatisfactory because of involuntary movements and slow equilibration with the biophase.

Adult↗

Substance abuse.

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Adolescent↗

A field survey of fat mobilization and liver function of dairy cows during early lactation. Relationship to energy balance, appetite and ketosis.

NEFA, total lipids, bilirubin, GOT, acetoacetate and glucose in blood plasma of cows were measured during early lactation. Feeding and yield were also recorded. NEFA and bilirubin values showed a gradual decrease with advancing lactation, while total lipids rose gradually during the first months of lactation. GOT showed no definite trend during early lactation. Acetoacetate values were at maximum 21--30 days post partum and glucose values were high at partus and low during the first weeks of lactation. NEFA were negatively correlated to energy balance during the first month of lactation. Total lipids, bilirubin and GOT seemed not to be dependent on energy balance in cows with normal appetite. NEFA, bilirubin and GOT were significantly elevated in cows with reduced appetite. NEFA were positively correlated to bilirubin, GOT and acetoacetate and negatively correlated to glucose. The correlation coefficients were higher during the first month of lactation than during the second and third month. Cows contracting clinical ketosis showed high values of NEFA a long time before any clinical symptoms appeared. Significantly increased values of acetoacetate occurred only the last days before treatment when plasma glucose had reached low values.

Acetoacetates↗