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Biomedical subjects

J A Mello

Publications and source records attributed to J A Mello.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The ins and outs of nucleosome assembly.

De novo nucleosome assembly coupled to DNA replication and repair in vitro involves the histone chaperone chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1). Recent studies support a model in which CAF-1 can be targeted to newly synthesized DNA through a direct interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and can act synergistically with a newly identified histone chaperone. Insights have also been obtained into mechanisms by which this CAF-1-dependent pathway can establish a repressed chromatin state.

Acetylation↗
PubMed2000

Multiple pathways of recombination define cellular responses to cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is a DNA-damaging drug used for treatment of testicular tumors. The toxicity of cisplatin probably results from its ability to form DNA adducts that inhibit polymerases. Blocked replication represents a particular challenge for tumor cells, which are committed to unremitting division. Recombination provides a mechanism by which replication can proceed despite the presence of lesions and therefore could be significant for managing cisplatin toxicity. RESULTS: Recombination-deficient Escherichia coli mutants were strikingly sensitive to cisplatin when compared with the parental strain. Our data identified both daughter-strand gap and double-strand break recombination pathways as critical for survival following treatment with cisplatin. Although it is established that nucleotide excision repair (NER) significantly protects against cisplatin toxicity, most recombination-deficient strains were as sensitive to the drug as the NER-deficient uvrA mutant. Recombination/NER deficient double mutants were more sensitive to cisplatin than the corresponding single mutants, suggesting that recombination and NER pathways play independent roles in countering cisplatin toxicity. Cisplatin was a potent recombinogen in comparison with the trans isomer and canonical alkylating agents. Mitomycin C, which like cisplatin, forms DNA cross-links, was also recombinogenic at minimally toxic doses. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that all of the major recombination pathways are critical for E. coli survival following treatment with cisplatin. Moreover, recombination pathways act independently of NER and are of equal importance to NER as genoprotective systems against cisplatin toxicity. Taken together, these results shed new light on how cells survive and succumb to this widely used anticancer drug.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Substrate specificity of ultraviolet DNA endonuclease (UVDE/Uve1p) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe ultraviolet DNA endonuclease (UVDE or Uve1p) has been shown to cleave 5' to UV light-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PP). This endonuclease is believed to function in the initial step in an alternative excision repair pathway for the removal of DNA damage caused by exposure to UV light. An active truncated form of this protein, Delta228-Uve1p, has been successfully overexpressed, affinity purified and partially characterized. In the present study we present data from a detailed substrate specificity trial. We have determined that the substrate range of Uve1p is much greater than was originally believed. We demonstrate that this DNA damage repair protein is capable of recognizing an array of UV-induced DNA photoproducts (cis-syn-, trans-syn I- and trans-syn II CPDs, 6-4PP and Dewar isomers) that cause varying degrees of distortion in a duplex DNA molecule. We also demonstrate that Uve1p recognizes non-UV-induced DNA damage, such as platinum-DNA GG diadducts, uracil, dihydrouracil and abasic sites. This is the first time that a single DNA repair endonuclease with the ability to recognize such a diverse range of lesions has been described. This study suggests that Uve1p and the alternative excision repair pathway may participate broadly in the repair of DNA damage.

DNA Adducts↗
PubMed1996

The mismatch-repair protein hMSH2 binds selectively to DNA adducts of the anticancer drug cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: The antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP or cisplatin) exerts its cytotoxic effects through the formation of covalent DNA adducts. A family of proteins possessing a common HMG box motif that binds specifically to cisplatin DNA adducts has been previously suggested to be important in the clinical efficacy of the drug. RESULTS: We have shown that the human mismatch-repair protein, hMSH2, also binds specifically to DNA containing cisplatin adducts and displays selectivity for the DNA adducts of therapeutically active platinum complexes. Moreover, hMSH2 is overexpressed in testicular and ovarian tissue; tumors in these tissues are most effectively treated by cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a role for hMSH2 in mediating cisplatin toxicity. Supporting this view, previous studies in Escherichia coli dam- strains demonstrate that mutations in mismatch-repair proteins confer resistance to cisplatin toxicity. Mismatch-repair deficiency is also correlated with tolerance to O6-methylguanine, a cytotoxic DNA lesion formed by methylating agents. A current model ascribes O6-methylguanine toxicity to unsuccessful attempts at repair of this lesion by mismatch-repair proteins, resulting in a futile cycle of incision and synthesis, leading ultimately to lethal DNA-strand breaks. We propose that mismatch repair may contribute to cisplatin toxicity by a similar mechanism. Alternatively, hMSH2 may shield cisplatin adducts from repair, allowing adducts to persist, thus enhancing lethality.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1995

DNA adducts of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and its trans isomer inhibit RNA polymerase II differentially in vivo.

The effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) and trans-DDP adducts on mammalian transcription in vivo have been investigated. A plasmid containing the beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) reporter gene was modified with either of the two platinum compounds and transfected into human or hamster cell lines. A 2-3 fold higher level of transcription was observed in both cell lines from plasmids containing trans-DDP adducts as compared to plasmids modified by cis-DDP. This difference in transcriptional activity was not decreased in human and rodent nucleotide excision repair deficient cell lines, indicating that more efficient excision repair of the trans-DDP adducts was not the cause of its lower ability to block transcription in this assay. For this conclusion to be valid, it is assumed that trans-DDP adducts are repaired primarily by the nucleotide excision repair pathway, as is the case with the adducts of cis-DDP. The possibility that trans-DDP adducts are preferentially bypassed by RNA polymerase was examined by monitoring the elongation of beta-gal mRNA on damaged templates in vivo. Nascent beta-gal mRNA transcripts were recovered from excision repair deficient xeroderma pigmentosum A cells transfected with platinated plasmids, and the extent of RNA synthesis was measured by using ribonuclease protection. Fourfold more trans-DDP than cis-DDP adducts were required to inhibit transcription elongation by 63%. RNA polymerase II bypassed cis- and trans-DDP DNA adducts with efficiencies of 0-16% and 60-70%, respectively. These data provide insight into the differential toxicity of the two platinum isomers.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Getting to know about AIDS.

Through an extensive AIDS education program, Sun Life Insurance prepared its employees for the possibility of AIDS cases within the company. Its focus was on disseminating accurate information, keeping employees up to date, and dealing with AIDS victims compassionately.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Physicochemical studies of biologically active peptides by low-temperature reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

The high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of biologically active peptides containing 1-prolyl residues is demonstrated. Rapid isomer interconversion between cis- and trans-isomeric forms at the prolyl peptide bond is shown to produce classical secondary equilibrium effects in the peak shapes. By operating the column at temperatures in the range -15 degrees C to 5 degrees C it is possible to obtain normal separations of the various isomeric forms. The use of low column temperatures makes physicochemical studies possible, e.g., the effect of pH on isomer composition in free solution as reported here for morphiceptin.

Analgesics↗