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J Kavanagh

Publications and source records attributed to J Kavanagh.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Deviations from Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The possibility of complicated curves for simple kinetic schemes and the computer fitting of experimental data for acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase, adenosine deaminase, arylsulphatase, benzylamine oxidase, chymotrypsin, fumarase, galactose dehydrogenase, beta-galactosidase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxidase and xanthine oxidase.

The possible graph shapes for one-site/two-state and substrate-modifier models are discussed. The two-state model is a version of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model and gives a rate equation with 240 denominator terms. Discussion in terms of K and V effects is not possible. A simplified version of the mechanism can be shown to give v-versus-[S] curves that are either sigmoid or non-sigmoid. They may show substrate inhibition or no final maximum, and the double-reciprocal plots can be concave up or down. The corresponding binding model is determined by only two constants and gives a linear double-reciprocal plot. The substrate-modifier mechanism is a simple example of a mechanism where inclusion of catalytic steps leads to a genuine increase in degree of the rate equation. The v-versus-[S] curve can show such complexities as two maxima and a minimum, and the double-reciprocal plot can cross its asymptote twice, proving the rate equation to be 4:4. A simplified version is 3:3, and analysis shows that at least 18 of the 27 double-reciprocal plots that can arise with 3:3 functions are possible with this particular mechanism. Representative double-reciprocal and Scatchard plots are presented for several sets of rate-constant values. It is concluded that relatively simple mechanisms give pseudo-steady-state rate equations of high degree and considerable complexity. With extended ranges of substrate concentrations there is every reason to believe that experimental data would show the sort of deviations from Michaelis-Menten kinetics seen with calculated curves for such simple mechanisms. Narrow ranges of substrate concentration, on the other hand, would lead to inflexions and curvature being overlooked. It is not possible to discuss such deviations from Michaelis-Menten kinetics in terms of kinetic constants such as Km and V, and, in general, it is also difficult to see any simple way to explain intuitively such features as sigmoidicity, substrate inhibition, double-reciprocal convexity and decrease in degree by cancellation of common factors between numerator and denominator of rate equations. These conclusions apply with even more force when catalytic steps are included, for then the rate equations, are for multi-site mechanisms, of higher degree, allowing increasingly complex curve shapes. A number of enzymes were studied and initial-rate data were fitted by computer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Regulation of mitochondrial protein synthesis by cytoplasmic proteins.

Isolated yeast mitochondria, which synthesize identifiable polypeptides identical to those made in vivo, have been used in an invitro system to study cytoplasmic control of mitochondrial protein synthesis. It has been found that protein synthesis in isolated mitochondria is dependent on an endogenous pool of cytoplasmically synthesized proteins present within mitochondria at the time of isolation, that protein synthesis ceases apparently when this pool of proteins is depleted, and that a cytoplasmic extract can restore protein synthesis in depleted mitochondria. By use of depleted mitochondria to assay for stimulatory factors it has been found that the bulk of the stimulatory activity in the cytoplasm is of a protein nature and resides predominantly in the postpolysomal supernatant. At least one cytoplasmic stimulatory protein appears to exert a specific effect on the synthesis of subunits I-III of cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.9.3.1).

Cell-Free System↗

Pregnancy in Irish renal transplant recipients in the cyclosporine era.

BACKGROUND: The effect of renal transplantation on pregnancy in Irish women not receiving CyA has been reported previously. AIM: To examine all pregnancies occurring in Irish female renal transplant recipients since the introduction of CyA. METHODS: Using a community based approach, we identified 29 pregnancies in 19 women, aged between 16 and 45, mean age 30.3 years. RESULTS: These pregnancies ended in four miscarriages (13%), two intra-uterine deaths (6.9%) and 23 live births (79.3%). Of these live births, 73.9% were premature (< or = 36 weeks) and 65.2% were of low birth weight (< 2500 g). Admission to the neonatal intensive care was necessary in 61%, and two babies (8.7%) died in the neonatal period. Mean gestational age was 34 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2190 g. There was no change in graft function during pregnancy, with a small rise in serum creatinine post-partum (+9.64 mumol/L). The renal graft failed in three women (15.8%) by the end of the follow-up period. Compared with the precyclosporine era, the live birth rate was higher (79.3% versus 58%) with a trend towards lower birth weight and shorter gestation. CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation with CyA use is not a contraindication to pregnancy, but it is associated with increased risk, especially when the serum creatinine is > 175 mumol/L.

Adolescent↗

Secondary leukemia after treatment with paclitaxel and carboplatin in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been reported after treatment with cytotoxic alkylating agent-based chemotherapy for solid tumors. We report a patient with metastatic ovarian carcinoma treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel, who developed secondary acute erythroid leukemia. The overall survival of patients with stage III and IV ovarian cancer has increased in the past decade. Monitoring of the long-term outcome of paclitaxel- and platinum-based regimens is warranted, particularly with regard to monitoring the development of secondary MDS and/or AML. The incidence and outcome of secondary leukemia in the setting of active ovarian carcinoma is reviewed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Existent proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and ovarian cancer patients to HER-2 peptides.

Identifying target antigens for tumor-reactive T cells is important for understanding the mechanisms of tumor escape and developing novel anticancer therapies. To date, mainly CTL responses from tumor infiltrating associated lymphocytes (TIL/TAL) to peptide antigens have been investigated in ovarian cancer. In the present study, the ability of self-peptides derived from HER-2/neu proto-oncogene product (HER-2) to stimulate proliferation of PBMC from healthy donors and ovarian cancer patients has been assessed. Peptide sequences from HER-2 containing anchors for major human MHC-class II molecules have been identified. These peptides induced proliferative and cytokine responses at higher frequency in healthy donors than ovarian cancer patients. Four HER-2 peptides corresponding to positions: 396-406, 474-487, 777-789, and 884-899 were able to stimulate proliferation of a larger number of healthy donors than three other distinct HER-2 peptides 449-464, 975-987 and 1086-1098. The pattern of responses of twenty five ovarian cancer patients was different from that in healthy donors. T cell lines were developed by stimulation with peptides from PBMC of an ovarian cancer patient who showed a stable response to all four HER-2 peptides for over six months. Each T cell line was different in its ability to secrete IFN-gamma and IL-10. These results demonstrate (a) that self-peptides from HER-2 can stimulate expansion of T cells in both healthy donors and ovarian cancer patients, and (b) the ability of different peptides to stimulate secretion of different cytokines from lymphocytes of ovarian cancer patients. These results may be important for understanding the mechanisms of tolerance and autoimmunity in human cancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗