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J K Young

Publications and source records attributed to J K Young.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Chemical shift mapping of shikimate-3-phosphate binding to the isolated N-terminal domain of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase.

To facilitate evaluation of enzyme-ligand complexes in solution, we have isolated the 26-kDa N-terminal domain of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase for analysis by NMR spectroscopy. The isolated domain is capable of binding the substrate shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P), and this letter reports the localization of the S3P binding site using chemical shift mapping. Based on the NMR data, we propose that Ser23, Arg27, Ser197, and Tyr200 are directly involved in S3P binding. We also describe changes in the observed nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) that are consistent with a partial conformational change in the N-terminal domain upon S3P binding.

3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase↗
PubMed2001

Shikimate-3-phosphate binds to the isolated N-terminal domain of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase.

5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase catalyzes the transfer of the enolpyruvyl moiety from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P). Mutagenesis and X-ray crystallography data suggest that the active site of the enzyme is in the cleft between its two globular domains; however, they have not defined which residues are responsible for substrate binding and catalysis. Here we attempt to establish the binding of the substrate S3P to the isolated N-terminal domain of EPSP synthase using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Our experimental results indicate that there is a saturable and stable conformational change in the isolated N-terminal domain upon S3P binding and that the chemical environment of the S3P phosphorus when bound to the isolated domain is very similar to that of S3P bound to EPSP synthase. We also conclude that most of the free energy of S3P binding to EPSP synthase is contributed by the N-terminal domain.

3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase↗
PubMed2000

The brain response to 2-deoxy glucose is blocked by a glial drug.

Two brain regions - the basomedial hypothalamus and area postrema (AP) - react to changes in circulating glucose levels by altering feeding behavior and the secretion of pituitary and non-pituitary hormones. The precise identity of cells responding to glucose in these regions is uncertain. The recent detection of high-capacity glucose transporter proteins in astrocytes in these areas has suggested that astrocytes may play a role in glucose sensing by the brain. To test this hypothesis, rats were injected with either saline or methionine sulfoximine (MS), a compound that produces alterations in carbohydrate and glutamate metabolism in astrocytes. Eighteen hours later, rats were injected with either saline or 2-deoxy glucose (2-DG) and brain sections were stained to demonstrate 2-DG-activated neurons immunoreactive for Fos protein. MS-treated rats showed a 70% reduction in numbers of Fos+ neurons in the AP region (p<0.05). Also, specialized, Gomori+ astrocytes were particularly abundant in both glucose sensitive regions and showed a distribution identical to that reported for high-capacity glucose transporter proteins. These data suggest that specialized astrocytes influence the glucose-sensing function of the brain.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Improving the environment of mice by using synthetic gauze pads.

We conducted a study to evaluate the use of synthetic gauze pads for improving the environment of mice. To evaluate differences in clinical and pathology parameters, we used two treatment groups of mice, which were housed with or without gauze pads. The mice were assigned to the study at 5 to 7 weeks of age, and the study lasted 1 year. The mice were housed individually in stainless-steel ventilated cages with wire-mesh floors. Clinical observations, body weights, and food consumption were recorded frequently during the study. A complete necropsy, with histopathologic evaluation of tissues and collection of blood for clinical pathology, was performed at completion of the study. The mice with gauze pads preferred to rest on them. In addition, these mice showed a statistically significant reduction in food consumption, but their body weights and weight gains did not differ from those of animals without gauze pads. Synthetic gauze pads provide an improved environment for mice housed in cages with wire floors and may produce reduced food consumption. Gauze pads in the cages of mice do not seem to influence body weight gain, clinical signs, clinical pathology, or morphologic pathology.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1999

Evidence for polar cytoplasm/nuage in rat oocytes.

In many organisms oocytes contain dark-staining material, termed nuage, that is concentrated at one pole of the oocyte cytoplasm and that influences the further development of the oocyte after fertilization. In mammalian oocytes, ultrastructural studies have detected small patches of nuage-like material, but thus far no nuage-rich zone of polar cytoplasm has been reported. Here, we report that when large sections of rat ovary embedded in methacrylate resin are stained with toluidine blue and surveyed, many oocytes contain a narrow, sharply defined, basophilic zone of polar cytoplasm that appears analogous to the polar cytoplasm of Xenopus and other non-mammalian species. This basophilic polar cytoplasm was common in multilaminar follicles and was not visible in smaller, primordial follicles. In one out of five oocytes stimulated with hCG to complete the first meiotic division, a relatively faint region of cortical basophilia was detectable. Further studies will be needed to ascertain if this nuage-like material has an influence upon the development of oocytes similar to that seen in non-mammalian species.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Interaction of peptides with sequences from the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein heptad repeat regions.

Typical of many viral fusion proteins, the sequence of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) fusion protein has several heptad repeat regions. One, HR1, is located just carboxyl terminal to the fusion peptide, while the other, HR2, is located adjacent to the transmembrane domain. The structure and function of a synthetic peptide with a sequence from the region of the NDV HR1 region (amino acids 150 to 173) were characterized. The peptide inhibited fusion with a half-maximal concentration of approximately 2 microM; however, inhibition was observed only if the peptide was added prior to protease activation of the fusion protein. This inhibition was virus specific since the peptide had minimal effect on fusion directed by the Sendai virus glycoproteins. To explore the mechanism of action, the potential HR1 peptide interaction with a previously characterized fusion inhibitory peptide with a sequence from the HR2 domain (J. K. Young, R. P. Hicks, G. E. Wright, and T. G. Morrison, Virology 238:291-304, 1997) was characterized. The results demonstrated an interaction between the two peptides both functionally and directly. First, while the individual peptides each inhibit fusion, equimolar mixtures of the two peptides had minimal effect on fusion, suggesting that the two peptides form a complex preventing their interaction with a target protein. Second, an HR2 peptide covalently linked with biotin was found to bind specifically to HR1 peptide in a Western blot. The structure of the HR1 peptide was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and found to be an alpha helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Membrane-induced secondary structures of neuropeptides: a comparison of the solution conformations adopted by agonists and antagonists of the mammalian tachykinin NK1 receptor.

We present what we believe to be the first documented example of an inducement of distinctly different secondary structure types onto agonists and antagonists selective for the same G-coupled protein receptor using the same membrane-model matrix wherein the induced structures are consistent with those suggested to be biologically active by extensive analogue studies and conventional binding assays. 1H NMR chemical shift assignments for the mammalian NK1 receptor-selective agonists alpha-neurokinin (NKA) and beta-neurokinin (NKB) as well as the mammalian NK1 receptor-selective antagonists [d-Pro2,d-Phe7,d-Trp9]SP and [d-Arg1, d-Pro2,d-Phe7,d-His9]SP have been determined at 600 MHz in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles. The SDS micelle system simulates the membrane-interface environment the peptide experiences when in the proximity of the membrane-embedded receptor, allowing for conformational studies that are a rough approximation of in vivo conditions. Two-dimensional NMR techniques were used to assign proton resonances, and interproton distances were estimated from the observed nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs). The experimental distances were used as constraints in a molecular dynamics and simulated annealing protocol using the modeling package DISCOVER to generate three-dimensional structures of the two agonists and two antagonists when present in a membrane-model environment to determine possible prebinding ligand conformations. It was determined that (1) NKA is helical from residues 6 to 9, with an extended N-terminus; (2) NKB is helical from residues 4 to 10, with an extended N-terminus; (3) [d-Pro2,d-Phe7,d-Trp9]SP has poorly defined helical properties in the midregion and a beta-turn structure in the C-terminus (residues 6-9); and (4) [d-Arg1,d-Pro2, d-Phe7,d-His9]SP has a helical structure in the midregion (residues 4-6) and a well-defined beta-turn structure in the C-terminus (residues 6-10). Attempts have been made to correlate the observed conformational differences between the agonists and antagonists to their binding potencies and biological activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

The role of leucine residues in the structure and function of a leucine zipper peptide inhibitor of paramyxovirus (NDV) fusion.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in paramyxovirus-induced cell fusion, the function and structure of synthetic peptide analogs of the sequence from the leucine zipper region (heptad repeat region 2) of the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein (F) were characterized. As previously reported (Young et al., Virology, 238, 291), a peptide with the sequence ALDKLEESNSKLDKVNVKLT (amino acids 478-497 of the F protein) inhibited syncytia formation after transfection of Cos cells with the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and F protein cDNAs. A peptide analog which had an alanine residue in place of the first leucine residue in the zipper motif (ALDKAEESNSKLDKVNVKLT) retained inhibitory activity but less than the original peptide. Further loss in activity was observed in a peptide in which two of the leucine residues were replaced with alanine (ALDKAEESNSKADKVNVKLT), and a peptide which had all leucine residues in the zipper motif replaced with alanine (ALDKAEESNSKADKVNVKLT) had no inhibitory activity. The three-dimensional conformations of these peptides in aqueous solution were determined through the use of nuclear magnetic spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Results showed that while the wild-type peptide formed a helix with properties between an alpha-helix and a 3(10) helix with leucine residues aligned along one face of the helix, progressive substitution of leucine residues with alanine resulted in the progressive loss of helical structure. The results suggest that alterations of leucine residues in the zipper motif disrupt secondary structure of the peptide and that this structure is critical to the inhibitory activity of the peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Systematic mutation screening of the estrogen receptor beta gene in probands of different weight extremes: identification of several genetic variants.

Estrogens are known to have an inhibitory effect on food intake in rodents and primates. Decreased estrogen levels that are found for instance in menopausal woman and in ovarectomized rodents result in body weight gain. Estrogen can act both in the periphery and in the central nervous system via at least two different estrogen receptors (alpha and beta). We systematically screened the coding region and part of the 5' and 3'regions of the estrogen receptor beta gene (ER beta) in 96 extremely obese children and adolescents, 50 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 28 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 25 healthy underweight individuals. We detected five different sequence variants in the ER beta: a) A 21 bp deletion (codons 238 to 244) was detected in two obese probands and an underweight individual. b) An 846G-->A transition leading to a nonconservative amino acid substitution (G-250-S) was found in two obese male probands. Both a) and b) were located within the flexible hinge region between DNA and ligand binding domain. c) For a 1082G-->A polymorphism we found suggestive evidence for an association between the more common 1082G-allele and anorexia nervosa (nominal p=0.04). d) One silent mutation (1421T-->C) was found solely in two obese probands. e) A common variant is located in the 3' nontranslated region at position 1730(A-->G). We did not detect association of this polymorphism to any of the analyzed phenotypes. We conclude that the ER beta harbors several different mutations and polymorphisms, none of which can readily be associated with the phenotypes under study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of a peptide inhibitor of paramyxovirus (NDV) fusion using biological assays, NMR, and molecular modeling.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in paramyxovirus-induced cell fusion, the function and structure of a peptide with a 20-amino-acid sequence from the leucine zipper region (heptad repeat region 2) of the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein (F) were characterized. A peptide with the sequence ALDKLEESNSKLDKVNVKLT (amino acids 478-497 of the F protein) was found to inhibit syncytia formation after virus infection and after transfection of Cos cells with the HN (hemagglutinin-neuraminidase) and F protein cDNAs. Using an F protein gene that requires addition of exogenous trypsin for cleavage, it was shown that the peptide exerted its inhibitory effect prior to cleavage. The three-dimensional conformation of the peptide in aqueous solution was determined through the use of NMR and molecular modeling. Results showed that the peptide formed a helix with properties between an alpha-helix and a 3(10)-helix and that leucine residues aligned along one face of the helix. Side chain salt bridges and hydrogen bonds likely contributed to the stability of the peptide secondary structure. Analysis of the aqueous solution conformation of the peptide suggested mechanisms for specificity of interaction with the intact F protein.

Amides↗
PubMed1997

Structural studies by 1H NMR of a prototypic alpha-helical peptide (LYQELQKLTQTLK) and homologs in trifluoroethanol/water and on sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles.

The 1H NMR-determined structure and dynamics of a synthetic, amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide, PH-1.0 (LYQELQKLTQTLK), and several homologs were compared in 50% trifluoroethanol-d2 (TFE-d2)/H20 and in sodium dodecyl-d25 sulfate (SDS-d25) micelles. The peptides were designed to test the influence on secondary structure of placement of favored and disfavored residues relative to a "longitudinal, hydrophobic strip-of-helix" defined by the repeating leucines. PH-1.0 was highly ordered as an alpha-helix in 50% TFE-d2/H20 and in SDS-d25 micelles. Homologs PH-1.1, in which L1 was replaced by T, and PH-1,4, in which L12 was replaced by T. were found to be partially helical in both media. Calculated structures in SDS-d25 revealed that the helix of PH-1.1 was slightly disordered at the N-terminus, but that of PH-1.4 was completely disordered at the C-terminus. Examination of distributions of hydrophobic residues in protein structures revealed that, when [symbol: see text] = LIVFM and [symbol: see text] = nonLIVFM, the pattern [symbol: see text] is favored and [symbol: see text] is disfavored in alpha-helices. Several analogs of PH-1.0 incorporating these patterns were studied. Peptide PH-1.12 (LYQELQKLLQTLK) retained alpha-helical structure in both 50% TFE-d2/H20 and in SDS-d25 micelles. However, although PH-1.13 (LYQELQKLTLTLK) was fully helical in 50% TFE, it was helical only through residue 6 in SDS micelles. Two homologs containing an additional loop of the helix and repeats of favored (PH-5.0, NYLQTLLETLKTLLQK) or suppressed LL patterns (PH-5.11, NYLQTLETLKLTQK) gave similar results, i.e. the latter peptide was helical only through residue 6 in SDS micelles. The degree of local order in these SDS micelle-adsorbed peptides correlates to placement of hydrophobic residues in motifs which are favored or disfavored in proteins in general and in alpha-helices specifically.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Immunoreactivity for brain-fatty acid binding protein in gomori-positive astrocytes.

Gomori-positive (GP) astrocytes are a subset of brain astrocytes with highly stained cytoplasmic granules that arise from the degradation of mitochondria. The GP granules of these astrocytes are most prominent in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, but can also be detected in the olfactory bulbs, hippocampus, habenula, and other selected brain regions. The cause and functional effects of this mitochondrial pathology in these glia are not yet known with certainty. In other tissues, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with elevations in cytoplasmic lipids and lipid-binding proteins, due to impaired mitochondrial oxidation of lipids. To see if GP astrocytic mitochondrial pathology is also associated with an elevation in lipid binding proteins, rat brain sections were stained for brain fatty acid binding protein (B-FABP), using immunocytochemistry. Astrocytes immunoreactive for B-FABP were much more abundant in brain regions enriched in GP astrocytes than in other brain regions. Semi-thin sections revealed that astrocytic B-FABP immunoreactivity was often, but not always, associated with GP cytoplasmic granules. These data suggest that GP astrocytes have an unusual lipid metabolism, which may relate to degenerative processes occurring in the selected brain regions that contain GP astrocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Naturally occurring Tyzzer's disease in a puppy.

A naturally occurring case of Tyzzer's disease due to infection with Bacillus piliformis in a wolf-dog hybrid resulted in widely disseminated lesions, including severe myocarditis, hepatitis, enterocolitis, intestinal leiomyositis, and adrenal cortical adenitis. Previously reported lesions for canine Tyzzer's disease have been limited to hepatic necrosis and a necrotizing enterocolitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Immunoreactivity for diazepam binding inhibitor in Gomori-positive astrocytes.

A polypeptide termed diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), capable of binding to receptor sites on glial mitochondria, is known to be present in glial cells and is particularly abundant in areas near circumventricular organs of the brain such as the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. DBI appears to stimulate steroid synthesis and/or transport in glial mitochondria. The arcuate nucleus also contains large numbers of specialized glia, termed Gomori-positive astrocytes, that are estrogen-sensitive and which possess highly stained, heme-containing cytoplasmic granules. This study was performed to determine if these Gomori-positive astrocytes are immunoreactive for DBI. A rabbit antibody to DBI, but not pre-immune serum, stained Gomori-positive glia and suggests that these glia are partly responsible for the high levels of DBI in circumventricular organs. DBI in these glia may be related to functional responses of the hypothalamus to steroid hormones.

Animals↗