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J M Conlon

Publications and source records attributed to J M Conlon.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Comparison of non-biospecific effects in immunoaffinity chromatography using cyanogen bromide and bifunctional oxirane as immobilising agents.

Polypeptide antigen, glucagon, antibodies to glucagon and non-immune globulins were immobilised on agarose using CNBr and a bifunctional oxirane. Irrespective of the ligand immolilised, positively charged groups introduced to conjugates by CNBr caused electrostatic interactions with impurities and soluble biospecific ligands. Solvents required for elution of bound antibodies and antigens were more strongly deforming when immunoaffinity conjugates were prepared with CNBr than with the oxirane. This is attributed to compound affinity resulting from reinforcement of biospecific by non-biospecific interactions. Strongly deforming solvents were still required for oxirane conjugates, however, when antibodies had high affinity for antigen.

Antibodies↗

Avoidance of strongly chaotropic eluents for immunoaffinity chromatography by chemical modification of immobilized ligand.

The need for chaotropic eluents in immunoaffinity chromatography is a consequence of the high affinities of antibodies towards their antigens. This affinity is decreased and elution of antiglucagon antibodies from a column of immobilized glucagon can be achieved under mild conditions when the steric complementarity to the antibody binding site is perturbed by selective chemical modification of the hormone. The effects of reaction with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide, tetranitromethane and hydrogen peroxide have been studied. Conversely, treatment of immobilized antibodies with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide facilitates the elution of glucagon during immunoaffinity chromatography. The general implications of these results are discussed.

Animals↗

Neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide: storage and release by carcinoid tumors.

An antiserum directed against the COOH-terminal region of neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide that shows only 0.5% reactivity with neuropeptide K has been used in radioimmunoassay to study the posttranslation processing of human beta-preprotachykinin. A primary midgut carcinoid tumor contained high concentration of substance P (2970 pmol/g), neurokinin A (3660 pmol/g) and neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide (3430 pmol/g) but only a very low concentration (less than 5 pmol/g) of intact neuropeptide K. Neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide was also detected in extracts of metastatic tumor tissue from four patients with midgut carcinoid tumors. The amino acid sequence of tumor neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide was identical to that predicted from the nucleotide sequence of a human beta-preprotachykinin cDNA. The fasting plasma concentration of neuropeptide K-(1-24)-peptide was elevated in a patient with the carcinoid syndrome (821 fmol/ml compared with less than 18 fmol/ml in healthy subjects) and rose approximately 2-fold after intravenous pentagastrin. The study has demonstrated that the Lys25-Arg26 bond in neuropeptide K (corresponding to Lys96-Arg97 in the precursor) is an important processing site in human beta-preprotachykinin.

Aged↗

Synthesis of alpha- and beta-calcitonin gene-related peptide by a human pheochromocytoma.

One histologically verified human pheochromocytoma, out of a total of nine such tumors examined, contained calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity (151 pmol/g wet weight) that was localized to a scattered population of tumor cells. The immunoreactivity was resolved by high performance ion-exchange chromatography into two components with the retention times of human alpha-CGRP and beta-CGRP in the approximate ratio 1:2. No pheochromocytoma in this series contained calcitonin-like immunoreactivity. In contrast, two neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas contained calcitonin-like immunoreactivity (190 pmol/g and 125 pmol/g) but no CGRP-like immunoreactivity was detected. These results indicate a degree of tissue selectivity in the processing of the primary transcripts of the calcitonin/CGRP genes in human tumors.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Neurokinin B in a human pheochromocytoma measured with a specific radioimmunoassay.

An N-terminally directed antiserum to neurokinin B was raised in rabbits using an immunogen prepared by coupling the free-SH group of neurokinin B extended from its C-terminus by a cysteine residue (NKB-Cys) to an -NH2 group on human serum albumin using a heterobifunctional cross-linking reagent. In radioimmunoassay with 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labelled NKB-Cys as tracer, the antiserum showed no cross-reactivity with other tachykinins. An extract of a human pheochromocytoma, previously shown to contain peptides derived from preprotachykinin A, contained NKB-LI (13 pmol/g wet weight). The retention time of tumor neurokinin on reversed-phase HPLC was the same as that of synthetic neurokinin B. Peptides with the retention times of substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin A (3-10)-peptide and neuropeptide K were also identified in the tumor extract. NKB-LI was not detected in extracts of a further nine pheochromocytomas or in five carcinoid tumors that expressed the preprotachykinin A gene.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Urotensin I and its N-terminal flanking peptide from the flounder, Platichthys flesus.

The caudal spinal cord region of teleost fish terminates in a neurosecretory organ, the urophysis. Two peptides have been purified to homogeneity from an extract of the urophysis of a teleost fish, the flounder. The primary structure of one peptide, Ser-Glu-Asp-Pro-Pro-Met-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu10-Thr-Phe-His-Met-Leu-Arg- Asn-Met-Ile- His20-Met-Ala-Lys-Met-Glu-Gly-Glu-Arg-Glu-Gln30-Ala-Gln-Ile- Asn-Arg-Asn-Leu-Leu - Asp-Glu40-Val, indicates identity with urotensin I. By analogy with other urotensins, the COOH-terminal residue is probably alpha-amidated. A second peptide was present in the extract in a concentration that was approximately equimolar with that of urotensin I. The amino acid composition of this peptide indicated a total of approximately 65 residues. The amino acid sequence of a fragment produced by digestion with trypsin was established as: Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Gly5-Asp-Ser-Ala-Ala-Ser10-Asp-Leu-Leu-Gly-Asp1 5-Asn-Ile-Leu- Arg. This sequence shows partial homology to carp prepro-urotensin I(41-59)-peptide as deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA. It is concluded that the second peptide probably represents the N-terminal flanking peptide of pro-urotensin I which, it has previously been suggested, may function as a urotensin-binding peptide (urophysin) analogous to the neurophysins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the C-terminal flanking peptide of human beta-preprotachykinin.

The nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding the common biosynthetic precursor of substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide K (beta-preprotachykinin) predicts that, in the human, the precursor contains a C-terminal flanking peptide of 19 amino acid residues [beta-preprotachykinin(111-129)-peptide]. Using an antiserum raised against synthetic human beta-preprotachykinin(117-126)-peptide in radioimmunoassay, we have demonstrated that an extract of a human neuroendocrine tumor of the adrenal medulla contained approximately equimolar concentrations of C-terminal preprotachykinin immunoreactivity (C-PPT-IR), substance P and neurokinin A. The C-terminal preprotachykinin flanking peptide was purified to homogeneity and its primary structure was determined. The amino acid sequence of the peptide, Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Val-Ala-Tyr-Glu-Arg-Ser-Ala-Met-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Glu, indicates identity with beta-preprotachykinin(111-126)-peptide. The data suggest that the C-terminal flanking peptide, like the tachykinins, is packed into secretory storage vesicles but the Arg127-Arg128-Arg129 residues in human beta-preprotachykinin are removed from the peptide by the action of endogenous processing enzyme(s).

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Isolation and structural characterization of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin from the turtle, Pseudemys scripta.

The chelonians occupy an important position in phylogeny representing a very early branching from the ancestral reptile stock. Hormonal polypeptides in an extract of the pancreas of the red-eared turtle were purified to homogeneity by reversed phase HPLC and their primary structures were determined. Turtle insulin is identical to chicken insulin. Turtle glucagon differs from chicken glucagon by the substitution of a serine by a threonine residue at position 16 and from mammalian glucagon by an additional substitution of an asparagine by a serine residue at position 28. Turtle pancreatic somatostatin is identical to mammalian somatostatin-14. The crocodilians are phylogenetically much closer to the birds than are the chelonians. Alligator insulin, however, contains three amino acid substitutions relative to chicken insulin. Thus, caution is required when inferring phylogenetic relationships based upon a comparison of amino acid sequences of homologous peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neuropeptide Y-related peptides from the pancreas of a teleostean (eel), holostean (bowfin) and elasmobranch (skate) fish.

Homologous peptides belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family were isolated from the pancreas of a teleostean fish, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), an holostean fish, the bowfin (Amia calva) and an elasmobranch fish, the skate (Raja rhina), and their primary structures were determined. The peptides show stronger homology to neuropeptide Y, particularly in their COOH-terminal regions, than to peptide YY or pancreatic polypeptide and contain an alpha-amidated COOH-terminal tyrosine residue. The skate peptide Tyr-Pro-Pro-Lys-Pro-Glu-Asn-Pro-Gly-Asp10-Asp-Ala-Ala-Pro-Glu-Glu- Leu-Ala-Lys- Tyr20-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Ile-Thr-Arg- Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2 represents the first member of the PP family to be isolated from a cartilaginous fish. The primary structure of the pancreatic PP family peptide has been more strongly conserved among the phylogenetically more ancient holostean and elasmobranch fishes than among the teleosts. A comparison of the primary structures of all PP family peptides supports the hypothesis and evolution has acted to conserve features of tertiiary structure in the molecules (e.g., the polyproline- and alpha-helices) rather than individual amino acid residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Binding sites for tachykinin peptides in the brain and stomach of the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula.

In membranes of dogfish brain and stomach, two binding sites for tachykinins were identified. One site specifically bound [125I]-Bolton-Hunter substance P (BH-SP) and the rank potency of tachykinins to compete for BH-SP binding revealed similarities with the rank potency of an NK1 receptor. The pharmacology of the other site, which specifically bound [125I]-Bolton-Hunter scyliorhinin II (BH-Scy II), did not resemble any of the mammalian tachykinin receptors. The rank potency to inhibit BH-Scy II binding to this second site was: scyliorhinin II approximately scyliorhinin I greater than eledoisin approximately substance P approximately neurokinin A greater than phyllomedusin approximately physalaemin greater than [Sar9Met(O2)11]substance P. Neurokinin B and senktide did not displace BH-Scy II binding. In addition, nucleotide analogues inhibited BH-SP binding but not BH-Scy II binding. Our binding data suggest the existence of a mammalian-like NK1 receptor and of a nonmammalian tachykinin receptor in the dogfish.

Adenylyl Imidodiphosphate↗

Primary structure and pharmacological activity of a nonapeptide related to neuromedin U isolated from chicken intestine.

An extract of chicken intestine contained neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity (36 pmol/g wet tissue weight). The primary structure of the predominant molecular form (NMU-9), comprising 94% of the total immunoreactivity, was established as: Gly-Tyr-Phe-Phe-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg- Asn-NH2. This sequence differs from that of pig neuromedin U-8 (NMU-8) by the substitution of Leu3 by Phe and, like the corresponding peptide from the guinea pig, is extended from the NH2-terminus by a Gly residue. A minor component of neuromedin U comprised 25 amino acid residues. An extract of chicken whole brain contained much less NMU-like immunoreactivity (1.5 pmol/g) and the nonpeptide was the only molecular form detected. Synthetic chicken NMU-9 produced a concentration-dependent contraction of smooth muscle from the rat uterus and its effect was unchanged in the presence of tetrodotoxin, atropine and indomethacin. The potency of chicken NMU-9 (EC50 360 +/- 60 nM; mean +/- S.E., n = 6) was approximately 8-fold less than that of pig NMU-8 (EC50 46 +/- 8 nM) but the maximum contraction produced by both agonists was not significantly different.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation, structural characterization and pharmacological activity of dog neuromedin U.

The neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity in an extract of dog small intestine was resolved by reversed-phase HPLC into two molecular forms. The primary structure of the larger form (NMU-25) was established as: Phe-Arg-Leu-Asp-Glu-Glu-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro10-Ile-Ala-Ser-Gln-Val-Arg- Arg-Gln-Phe- Leu20-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Asn-NH2. This sequence shows five substitutions relative to pig neuromedin U-25. The primary structure of the second peptide (NMU-8) was established as: pGlu-Phe-Leu-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Asn-NH2. The sequence contains the substitution pGlu for Tyr1 compared with pig neuromedin U-8. The potency of synthetic dog NMU-8 in contracting smooth muscle from the rat uterus (EC50 10 +/- 2 nM; mean +/- S.E., n = 6) was not significantly different from the corresponding potency of pig NMU-8 (EC50 16 +/- 5 nM) but the maximum response produced by the dog peptide was greater (58%; p less than 0.05) than that produced by pig NMU-8.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and primary structure of gastrin-releasing peptide from a teleost fish, the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Immunohistochemical studies have established that fish gastrointestinal tissues contain peptides with gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)/bombesin-like immunoreactivity, but the molecular nature of this material is unclear. In this study, the most abundant peptide that was immunoreactive towards an antiserum raised against pig GRP was isolated in pure form from an extract of the stomach of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The primary structure of the peptide was established as: Ser-Glu-Asn-Thr-Gly-Ala-Ile-Gly-Lys-Val10- Phe-Pro-Arg-Gly-Asn-His-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly20-His-Leu-Met-NH2. Although this amino acid sequence is shorter than those of mammalian GRPs by four residues, the COOH-terminal dodecapeptide is identical to the corresponding region in pig GRP. The data indicate, therefore, that the predominant molecular form of GRP in the stomach of a teleost fish is structurally more similar to mammalian GRP than to the amphibian skin peptide, bombesin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural characterization of neuropeptide Y from the brain of the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula.

A peptide of the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family was isolated in pure form from the brain of an elasmobranch fish, Scyliorhinus canicula (European common dogfish). The primary structure of the peptide was established as: Tyr-Pro-Ser-Lys-Pro-Asp-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu10-Gly-Ala-Pro-Ala-Glu-Asp- Leu-Ala-Lys- Tyr20-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Ile-Thr-Arg- Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2. This sequence contains only two amino acid substitutions compared with pig neuropeptide Y (NPY) (Gly for Asp11 and Lys for Arg19), and two substitutions (Gly for Asp11 and Leu for Met17) compared with frog NPY. The amino acid sequence of NPY from dogfish brain is appreciably different from the neuropeptide Y-related peptide previously isolated from dogfish pancreas (five amino acid substitutions). The data indicate that evolutionary pressure to conserve the complete primary structure of neuropeptide Y has been very strong. It is suggested that the NPY-related peptide present in the pancreas of elasmobranch and teleost fish represents the piscine equivalent of mammalian peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Primary structure of frog PYY: implications for the molecular evolution of the pancreatic polypeptide family.

A peptide belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family was isolated in pure form from the intestine of the European green frog (Rana ridibunda). The primary structure of the peptide was established as: Tyr-Pro-Pro-Lys-Pro-Glu-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu10-Asp-Ala- Ser-Pro-Glu-Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Tyr20-Leu-Thr-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile- Asn-Leu30-Val - Thr-Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2. This amino acid sequence shows moderate structural similarity to human PYY (75% identity) but stronger similarity to the PP family peptides isolated from the pancreas of the salmon (86%) and dogfish (83%). The data suggest that the two putative duplications of an ancestral PP family gene that have given rise to PP, PYY and NPY in mammals had already taken place by the time of the appearance of the amphibia. In fish, however, only a single duplication has occurred, giving rise to NPY in nervous tissue and a PYY-related peptide in both pancreas and gut.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of peptides arising from the specific posttranslational processing of chromogranin A and chromogranin B from human pheochromocytoma tissue.

An extract of human adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma tissue was fractionated by gel permeation chromatography, and peptides of major abundance in the approximate molecular mass range 1000-4000 were purified to apparent homogeneity by reverse phase HPLC. Determination of the primary structures of four such peptides demonstrated that they were fragments of either chromogranin A or chromogranin B. The peptide WSKMDQLAKELTAE represents chromogranin A(324-337), the peptide LGELFNPYYDPLQWKSSHFE represents chromogranin B(498-517), the peptide NLARVPKLDL represents chromogranin B(568-577), and the peptide QYDRVAQLDQLLHY (isolated as the N-terminal pyroglutamyl derivative) represents chromogranin B(580-593). Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of cDNAs complementary to human chromogranin A and B messenger RNAs indicates that each of these peptide sequences is flanked by pairs or groups of basic residues, suggesting that these fragments are the products of specific posttranslational processing. In addition, a peptide identified as chromogranin B(496-517) was isolated from extract. This component represents the product of incomplete proteolytic cleavage at the Lys494-Arg495-Lys496-Arg497 processing site in chromogranin B. A minor component in the extract was identified as chromogranin B(508-517), but this component probably represents an artifact of the extraction procedure arising from the hydrolysis of the acid labile Asp507-Pro508 bond. The study has shown that chromogranin A and B in pheochromocytoma tissue function as the precursors of several small peptides that may have a regulatory role.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Localization of neurokinin B in the central nervous system of the rat.

The distribution of neurokinin B (NKB) was determined by immunocytochemistry with antisera directed toward its amino terminus. Immunoreactive perikarya were detected in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs, cortical regions, the olfactory tubercle, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the diagonal band of Broca, the nucleus accumbens, the septum, the neostriatum, several hypothalamic nuclei, the superior colliculus, the central gray, the substantia nigra, the medullary reticular formation, and the external cuneate nucleus. The distribution of NKB-containing perikarya revealed by immunocytochemistry was similar to the distribution of protachykinin B-containing cells previously visualized by in situ hybridization. Immunoreactive nerve fibers and terminals were detected in all major subdivisions of the brain. The levels of NKB measured by radioimmunoassay were highest in the hypothalamus. The distribution of NKB in the rat brain was similar to the distribution of substance P; however, there were several regions where the two distributions were clearly different.

Amino Acid Sequence↗