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J Dudhia

Publications and source records attributed to J Dudhia.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Human link protein gene: structure and transcription pattern in chondrocytes.

We have examined the genomic organization and the transcription unit for the human link protein gene from genomic clones and RNA prepared from human cartilage over a wide age range. Five exons cover the gene which is greater than 60 kbp. Primer extension and S1 nuclease protection analysis revealed transcription initiation to be 315 bases upstream from the translation initiation codon in RNA derived from cartilage samples ranging from fetal to 53 years of age. The first exon size therefore is 289 bp and examination of the 5' flanking sequence indicated a lack of a TATA box in close proximity to the transcription start, although a TATAA-like motif (TCTAA) was present at -75 bp. Such a sequence at a similar distance can serve as a promoter in the chicken link protein gene. The large first exon of 289 bp is similar to that of the chicken but contrasts with that described previously for human (96 bp) and rat (62 bp). We also analysed human link protein mRNA by PCR for the presence of an alternatively spliced exon that is present in rat mRNA in low abundance, but could not detect such transcripts. Equine and porcine mRNA contained this spliced form but the results suggested that this was expressed as a rare transcript.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The structure, function and turnover of aggrecan, the large aggregating proteoglycan from cartilage.

Aggrecan, the large aggregating proteoglycan from cartilage contains chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate attached to a multidomain protein core. It aggregates by binding to hyaluronan and this is further stabilised by a separate globular link protein. There are two structurally related N-terminal globular domains, G1 and G2, of which only G1 and not G2 is involved in aggregation. The interglobular domain joining G1 and G2 contains proteinase sensitive sequences which appear to be the key site for cleavage during aggrecan turnover. Much of the keratan sulphate and all of the chondroitin sulphate is attached to the long extended glycosaminoglycan attachment region. The function of the C-terminal G3 domain is unknown. It contains a mammalian type C lectin and complement regulatory protein motifs. These may have interactive properties that contribute to matrix organisation. There is also an alternatively spliced form with an epidermal growth factor-like motif. The carbohydrate composition of aggrecan varies with cartilage source, development and age and is heterogeneous in each sample. There is evidence of a close control of chondroitin sulphate synthesis that determines chain length and disaccharide composition and which change during development and in pathology. Monoclonal antibodies that recognise specific sequences within chondroitin sulphate chains enable some of these changes in fine structure to be detected. Progressive digestion of chains with chondroitinase AC II has provided evidence of a pattern of sulphation, with 6-sulphated disaccharides more abundant towards the protein core, although the disaccharide next to the linkage region is predominantly non-sulphated.

Aggrecans↗
PubMed1989

Immunoglobulin fold and tandem repeat structures in proteoglycan N-terminal domains and link protein.

Detailed primary sequence and secondary structure analyses are reported for the hyaluronate binding region (G1 domain) and link protein of proteoglycan aggregates. These are based on six full or partial sequences from the chicken, pig, human, rat and bovine proteins. Determinations of a full pig and a partial human link protein sequence are reported in the Appendix. Five sequences at the N terminus in both proteins were compared with the structures of 11 variable immunoglobulin (Ig) fold domains for which crystal structures are available. Despite only modest sequence homology, a clear alignment could be proposed. Analysis of this shows that the equivalents of the first and second hypervariable segments are now significantly longer, and both proteins have N-terminal extensions that are up to 23 residues in length. Secondary structure predictions showed that these sequences could be identified with available crystal structures for the variable Ig fold. However the hydrophobic residues involved in interactions between the light and heavy chains in Igs are replaced by hydrophilic charged groups in both proteins. These results imply that both proteins are members of the Ig superfamily, but exhibit structural differences distinct from other members of this superfamily for which crystal structures are known. The proteoglycan tandem repeat (PTR) is a repeat of 99 residues that is found twice in the amino acid sequence of link protein and the proteoglycan G1 domain adjacent to the Ig fold, and also twice in the proteoglycan G2 domain. A total of 16 PTRs was available for analysis. Compositional analyses show that these are positively charged if these originate from link protein, and negatively charged if from the G1 or G2 domains. The 16 Robson secondary structure predictions for the PTRs were averaged to improve the statistics of the prediction, and checked by comparison with Chou-Fasman calculations. A strong alpha-helix prediction was found at residues 13 to 25, and several beta-strands were predicted. The overall content is 18% alpha-helix and 28% beta-sheet, with 44% of the remaining sequence being predicted as turns. These analyses show that both the proteoglycan G1 domain and link protein are constructed from two distinct globular components, which may provide the two functional roles of these proteins in proteoglycan aggregation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Prolonged expression of differentiated phenotype by chondrocytes cultured at low density on a composite substrate of collagen and agarose that restricts cell spreading.

The dedifferentiation of chondrocytes in culture is frequently associated with transition from a rounded to a spread morphology. A number of culture methods which prevent cell spreading have been described; however, all have disadvantages that limit their widespread use. In this paper we describe a new technique which allows prolonged cultivation of attached chondrocytes at low density while inhibiting spreading: the cells are grown on a composite substrate of agarose and collagen. By varying the ratio of agarose to collagen in the gel, the degree of spreading can be varied. The cultures are suitable for ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analysis and for studies of the synthesis and secretion of macromolecules. In order to determine whether the differentiated phenotype was maintained on composite gels, we compared the levels of messenger RNAs for cartilage-specific proteoglycan, link protein, alpha 1 (II) and alpha 1 (I) collagens in chondrocytes grown at low density on composite gels or at high or low density on tissue culture plastic for up to 21 days. The rate of decline in the level of mRNAs encoding the cartilage-specific products and the rate of increase in the level of alpha 1 (I) collagen mRNA were slower in the composite cultures than in the cultures on plastic. This culture technique may, therefore, prolong expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes relative to cultivation on plastic and will be useful for further studies on the role of cell shape in regulating differentiated gene expression.

Animals↗