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Biomedical subjects

H T Smith

Publications and source records attributed to H T Smith.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Activation-induced ubiquitination of the T cell antigen receptor.

The zeta subunit of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) exists primarily as a disulfide-linked homodimer. This receptor subunit is important in TCR-mediated signal transduction and is a substrate for a TCR-activated protein tyrosine kinase. The zeta chain was found to undergo ubiquitination in response to receptor engagement. This posttranslational modification occurred in normal T cells and tumor lines. Both nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated zeta molecules were modified, and at least one other TCR subunit, CD3 delta, was also ubiquitinated after activation of the receptor. These findings suggest an expanded role for ubiquitination in transmembrane receptor function.

Animals

Overexpression of three ubiquitin genes in mouse epidermal tumors is associated with enhanced cellular proliferation and stress.

A mouse ubiquitin clone that recognizes multiple transcripts overexpressed in murine tumors compared to normal epidermis was isolated by differential screening of complementary DNA libraries from mouse squamous cell carcinomas. Coding region probes detected five ubiquitin transcripts. Oligonucleotides were designed for unique parts of three mouse ubiquitin gene complementary DNA clones. The overexpressed transcripts at 2.4, 2.8, 6.4, and 7.8 kilobases (kb) were detected by an oligonucleotide specific for a mouse UbC polyubiquitin clone. A 1.2-kb UbB overexpressed transcript was detected by an oligonucleotide for a mouse four-unit polyubiquitin, and a 0.7-kb UbA overexpressed transcript was recognized by an oligonucleotide for the mouse ubiquitin carboxyl-extension protein of 52 amino acids. All three classes of transcripts were induced in mouse skin by the hyperproliferative agent ethylphenyl propionate and by the tumor promoting agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate. Heat shock of cultured keratinocytes induced both the 6.4- and 7.8-kb transcripts recognized by the UbC-specific oligonucleotide. Consistent with the overexpression of the ubiquitin transcripts, the level of free ubiquitin protein, as determined by Western analysis, was elevated in the tumors and proliferating epidermis as compared to normal epidermis. Our results indicate that the overexpression of ubiquitin genes could be related to a sustained state of proliferation and stress in the tumors compared to the normal resting epidermis.

Alkynes

Abnormal phosphorylation of tau precedes ubiquitination in neurofibrillary pathology of Alzheimer disease.

On tissue sections of Alzheimer brain, 4 antibodies to tau immunolabel not only neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques and neuropil threads but also the tangle-free cytoplasm of a subset of hippocampal and cortical neurons we believe to be at a stage of alteration preceding the formation of paired helical filaments (PHF). Pretreatment of tissue sections with alkaline phosphatase leads to an increase in staining intensity and in number of immunoreactive lesions with antibodies directed to an amino terminal and to a mid-region of the tau molecule. The diffuse neuronal staining could not be observed with any of 7 monoclonal antibodies recognizing ubiquitin. We conclude (1) that abnormal phosphorylation of tau occurs prior to its incorporation into PHF and leads to its accumulation in the nerve cell body and (2) that ubiquitin is seen associated only when a neurofibrillary tangle is already formed.

Aged

Electrolytes in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of hypertension.

The data regarding the value of manipulating electrolytes in hypertension are controversial. It appears there are subsets of hypertensive patients who respond with lowering of blood pressure in conjunction with changes in intake of sodium, potassium, and calcium. The information regarding phosphorus and magnesium is less convincing. This paper examines current reports regarding these electrolytes and their role in the pathophysiology and treatment of essential hypertension.

Calcium, Dietary

Trace determination of chlorpheniramine in plasma by GLC using a nitrogen-phosphorous (N-P) detector.

A fast, sensitive and specific method for the determination of chlorpheniramine in plasma is described. The drug was extracted with diethylether, back extracted in hydrochloric acid and reextracted in diethylether. The extract was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in isopropyl alcohol. The isopropyl alcoholic solution was gas chromatographed without any derivatization and the detection was carried out using a nitrogen sensitive detector. The mean recovery of chlorpheniramine was found to be 96% and a drug level as low as 0.5 ng/ml can be accurately measured.

Animals

Effect of specific lysine modification on the reduction of cytochrome c by succinate-cytochrome c reductase.

The reduction of cytochrome c by succinate-cytochrome c reductase was studied at very low cytochrome c concentrations where the reaction between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c was rate limiting. The rate constant for the reaction was found to be independent of ionic strength up to 0.1 M chloride, and to decrease rapidly at higher ionic strength, suggesting that the interaction between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c was primarily electrostatic. The reaction rates of cytochrome c derivatives modified at single lysine residues to form trifluoroacetylated or trifluoromethylphenylcarbamylated cytochromes c were studied to determine the role of individual lysines in the reaction. None of the modifications affected the reaction at low ionic strength, but at higher ionic strength the reaction rate was substantially decreased by modification of those lysines surrounding the heme crevice, lysine-8, -13, -27, -72, and -79. Modification of lysine-22, -25, -55, -99, and -100 had no effect on the rate. These results indicate that the binding site on cytochrome c for cytochrome c1 overlaps considerably with that for cytochrome oxidase, suggesting that cytochrome c might undergo some type of rotational diffusion during the electron-transport process.

Animals

Use of specific lysine modifications to locate the reaction site of cytochrome c with cytochrome oxidase.

The reaction of cytochrome c with trifluoromethylphenyl isocyanate was carried out under conditions which led to the modification of a small number of the 19 lysines. Extensive ion-exchange chromatography was used to separate and purify six different derivatives, each modified at a single lysine residue, lysines 8, 13, 27, 72, 79, and 100, respectively. The only modifications which affected the activity of cytochrome c with cytochrome oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) were those of lysines immediately surrounding the heme crevice, lysines 13, 27, 72, and 79, and also lysine 8 at the top of the heme crevice. In each case, the modified cytochrome c had the same maximum velocity as that of native cytochrome c, but an increased Michaelis constant for high affinity phase of the reaction. This supports the hypothesis that the cytochrome oxidase reaction site is located in the heme crevice region, and the highly conserved lysine residues surrounding the heme crevice are important in the binding.

Binding Sites

Effective patient scheduling.

Patient appointments and scheduling of patients and physicians are the first step in any health-care delivery system. This paper deals with the conventional method usually found in preprinted appointment books, and the "wave" method. A method of testing this system is any practice environment is described, together with the comparative benefits of the wave method over the conventional method of scheduling. This paper also exemplifies one kind of research that can be accomplished in the private, ambulatory sector of medicine.

Appointments and Schedules

An enzyme kinetics and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance study of selectively trifluoroacetylated cytochrome c derivatives.

The reaction of cytochrome c with ethyl thioltrifluoroacetate was carried out under conditions which led to the selective trifluoroacetylation of a small number of the 19 lysines. The mixture of derivatives was separated by ion-exchange chromatography and four different derivatives with well-resolved 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained. Peptide mapping techniques indicated that one of these derivatives contained a single trifluoroacetyl group at lysine 22, and another derivative was singly labeled at lysine 25. The trifluoroacetylated lysine 22 derivative was fully active toward both succinate-cytochrome c reductase (EC 1.3.99.1) and cytochrome oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) white the trifluoroacetylated lysine 25 derivative was fully active toward the reductase, but had a threefold greater Michaelis constant in the cytochrome oxidase reactin. This supports the hypothesis that the cytochrome oxidase binding site is located in the heme cervice region, and that Lys-25 is important in the binding. 19FNMR spectra of the cytochrome c derivatives bound to phospholipid vesicles were obtained. The reasonably narrow line widths (35-65 Hz) and good sensitivity of the trifluoroacetyl resonances indicated that they might be useful probes for the interaction of cytochrome c with intact mitochondria.

Arginine

Combining medical information with a business data system.

The School of Primary Medical Care at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is presently developing and implementing a computerized clinical data system that incorporates data from the Family Practice Center and the community hospital. The system can be used for the problem-oriented medical record, business and billing, the teaching program, community medicine research, and the evaluation of medical students and family practice residents. This paper discusses plans for the total system and the present degree of implementation.

Alabama

Disposition of fluvastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-COA reductase, in mouse, rat, dog, and monkey.

The physiological disposition of fluvastatin, a potent inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and thus cholesterol synthesis, has been studied in the mouse, rat, dog, and monkey using 14C- or 3H-labeled drug. Oral doses of fluvastatin were absorbed at a moderate to rapid rate. The extent of absorption was dose-independent and was essentially complete in all four species studied. However, the drug was subject to extensive presystemic hepatic extraction followed by direct excretion via the bile, thus minimizing the systemic burden and yielding high liver/peripheral tissue concentration gradients for fluvastatin and its metabolites. Only at high doses far exceeding the intended human daily dose of ca 0.6 mg kg-1 did fluvastatin bioavailability approach unity, apparently due to saturation of the first-pass effect. Dose-normalized blood levels of fluvastatin and total radioactivity were higher in the dog than in the other species, suggesting a smaller distribution volume in the former. Fluvastatin was partially metabolized before excretion, the extent of metabolism being smallest in the dog and greatest in the mouse. The half-life of intact fluvastatin ranged from 1-2h in the monkey to 4-7h in the dog. Regardless of the dose or dose route, the administered radioactivity was recovered predominantly in feces, with the renal route accounting for less than 8 per cent of the dose. No tissue retention of radioactivity was observed, and material balance was essentially achieved within 96h after dosing.

Administration, Oral