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K Zinn

Publications and source records attributed to K Zinn.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Drosophila protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Seven protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) genes have been identified in the fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster. Four of these genes encode receptor-linked PTPases (R-PTPs) that are expressed on central nervous system axons in the embryo. Each axonal R-PTP has an extracellular domain that is homologous to vertebrate adhesion molecules and to identified mammalian R-PTPs. Two non-receptor PTPase genes have been isolated to date. One of these, corkscrew (csw), encodes an SH2 domain-containing PTPase that appears to be a homolog of mammalian PTP1D. Genetic evidence indicates that the csw PTPase is involved in the transduction of signals from receptor tyrosine kinases to their down-stream targets, which include Ras proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Receptors that couple to 2 classes of G proteins increase cAMP and activate CFTR expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a Cl- channel activated by phosphorylation, was expressed in Xenopus oocytes along with various combinations of several other components of the cAMP signalling pathway. Activation of the coexpressed beta 2 adrenergic receptor increased cAMP and led to CFTR activation. The activation of CFTR (1) requires only short (15 s) exposure to isoproterenol, (2) occurs for agonist concentrations 100-1000 fold lower than those that produce cAMP increases detectable by a radioimmunoassay, (3) requires injection of only 5 pg of receptor cRNA per oocyte, and (4) can be increased further by coexpression of cRNA for adenylyl cyclase type II or III or for Gs alpha. In addition, CFTR activation and cAMP increases by beta 2 activation were enhanced by activation of the coexpressed 5HT1A receptor, which is thought to couple to Gi. The additional activation by the 5HT1A receptor was enhanced by coexpression of adenylyl cyclase type II but not with type III and may proceed via the beta gamma subunits of a G protein. The sensitivity of the assay system is also demonstrated by responses to vasoactive intestinal peptide and to pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in oocytes injected with cerebral cortex mRNA.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1992

Dynamic expression of the cell adhesion molecule fasciclin I during embryonic development in Drosophila.

A number of different cell surface glycoproteins expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) have been identified in insects and shown to mediate cell adhesion in tissue culture systems. The fasciclin I protein is expressed on a subset of CNS axon pathways in both grasshopper and Drosophila. It consists of four homologous 150-amino acid domains which are unrelated to other sequences in the current databases, and is tethered to the cell surface by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage. In this paper we examine in detail the expression of fasciclin I mRNA and protein during Drosophila embryonic development. We find that fasciclin I is expressed in several distinct patterns at different stages of development. In blastoderm embryos it is briefly localized in a graded pattern. During the germ band extended period its expression evolves through two distinct phases. Fasciclin I mRNA and protein are initially localized in a 14-stripe pattern which corresponds to segmentally repeated patches of neuroepithelial cells and neuroblasts. Expression then becomes confined to CNS and peripheral sensory (PNS) neurons. Fasciclin I is expressed on all PNS neurons, and this expression is stably maintained for several hours. In the CNS, fasciclin I is initially expressed on all commissural axons, but then becomes restricted to specific axon bundles. The early commissural expression pattern is not observed in grasshopper embryos, but the later bundle-specific pattern is very similar to that seen in grasshopper. The existence of an initial phase of expression on all commissural bundles helps to explain the loss-of-commissures phenotype of embryos lacking expression of both fasciclin I and of the D-abl tyrosine kinase. Fasciclin I is also expressed in several nonneural tissues in the embryo.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Alternative splicing of micro-exons creates multiple forms of the insect cell adhesion molecule fasciclin I.

Fasciclin I is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule in insects that is dynamically expressed on a subset of axon pathways in the embryonic nervous system, and on a variety of other cells and tissues during development. The fasciclin I protein consists of four homologous 150 amino acid domains. In this article, we describe the complete sequence of the Drosophila fasciclin I (fasI) gene. The gene consists of 15 exons and is distributed over 14 kilobases of DNA. We examine the structure and temporal expression pattern of multiple fasciclin I mRNAs that differ in the lengths of their 3' untranslated regions. We also show that a highly conserved sequence at the end of the second domain can be altered by the addition of three or six amino acids that are encoded by two alternatively spliced 9 base pair (bp) micro-exons. In grasshopper fasciclin I mRNAs, there are 9 bp and 6 bp insertions at the same position. The first of these insertions is identical in sequence to the first fly micro-exon. The grasshopper insertions are not found together in the same mRNA, so grasshopper fasciclin I species differ by the addition of three or two extra amino acids to the second domain. The alternatively spliced mRNAs are differentially expressed during embryogenesis, and all three of them are present in nerve cord preparations. We suggest that the amino acids inserted by alternative micro-exon splicing may alter the binding specificity of fasciclin I.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Three receptor-linked protein-tyrosine phosphatases are selectively expressed on central nervous system axons in the Drosophila embryo.

We describe the isolation of seven different protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) cDNAs from Drosophila embryos, three of which are primarily expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS-specific PTPases include the previously sequenced DLAR, as well as two novel PTPases (denoted DPTP10D and DPTP99A), which have extracellular domains consisting of multiple fibronectin type III repeats. Each of the Drosophila sequences is most closely related to a different human PTPase. The three PTPase mRNAs are expressed in different patterns of cells in the ventral nerve cord, and all three proteins are restricted to axons. DLAR and DPTP99A are apparently expressed on most or all axons, while DPTP10D is primarily localized to the anterior commissure and its junctions with the longitudinal tracts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Genetic analysis of a Drosophila neural cell adhesion molecule: interaction of fasciclin I and Abelson tyrosine kinase mutations.

Drosophila fasciclin I is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule expressed in the developing embryo on the surface of a subset of fasciculating CNS axons, all PNS axons, and some nonneuronal cells. We have identified protein-null mutations in the fasciclin I (fas I) gene, and show that these mutants are viable and do not display gross defects in nervous system morphogenesis. The Drosophila Abelson (abl) proto-oncogene homolog encodes a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is expressed during embryogenesis primarily in developing CNS axons; abl mutants show no gross defects in CNS morphogenesis. However, embryos doubly mutant for fas I and abl display major defects in CNS axon pathways, particularly in the commissural tracts where expression of these two proteins normally overlaps. The double mutant shows a clear defect in growth cone guidance; for example, the RP1 growth cone (normally fas I positive) does not follow its normal path across the commissure.

Alleles↗
PubMed1988

Sequence analysis and neuronal expression of fasciclin I in grasshopper and Drosophila.

The fasciclin I, II, and III glycoproteins are expressed on different subsets of axon bundles (fascicles) in insect embryos and are thus candidates for surface recognition molecules involved in growth cone guidance. Here we present the sequence of grasshopper fasciclin I and the identification and sequence of the Drosophila fasciclin I homolog. In both species, fasciclin I appears to be an extrinsic membrane protein with a signal sequence but no transmembrane region; the protein comprises four homologous domains of approximately 150 amino acids each. Antibodies against Drosophila fasciclin I reveal that it is expressed on the surface of a subset of commissural axon pathways in the embryonic central nervous system and on all sensory axon pathways in the peripheral nervous system. This pattern of expression is similar to that in grasshopper.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

2-Aminopurine selectively inhibits the induction of beta-interferon, c-fos, and c-myc gene expression.

The protein kinase inhibitor 2-aminopurine (2AP) blocks the induction of the human beta-interferon gene by virus or poly(I)-poly(C) at the level of transcription. This inhibition is specific, since 2AP does not inhibit induction of either the hsp70 heat-shock gene by high temperature or the metallothionein gene by cadmium or dexamethasone. However, 2AP does block the induction of the c-fos and c-myc proto-oncogenes by serum growth factors or virus, suggesting that a protein kinase may be involved in the regulation of these genes, as well as of the beta-interferon gene. However, different factors must be required for the induction of these three genes, since they are not coordinately regulated by the same inducers in most of the cell lines examined.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMed1988

Characterization and cloning of fasciclin I and fasciclin II glycoproteins in the grasshopper.

Monoclonal antibodies were previously used to identify two glycoproteins, called fasciclin I and II (70 and 95 kDa, respectively), which are expressed on different subsets of axon fascicles in the grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) embryo. Here the monoclonal antibodies were used to purify these two membrane-associated glycoproteins for further characterization. Fasciclin II appears to be an integral membrane protein, whereas fasciclin I is an extrinsic membrane protein. The amino acid sequences of the amino terminus and fragments of both proteins were determined. Using synthetic oligonucleotide probes and antibody screening, we isolated genomic and cDNA clones. Partial DNA sequences of these clones indicate that they encode fasciclins I and II.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Detection of factors that interact with the human beta-interferon regulatory region in vivo by DNAase I footprinting.

We have used a DNAase I genomic footprinting procedure to detect interactions between cellular factors and the regulatory sequences of the human beta-interferon gene. Prior to induction with poly(I)-poly(C), factors that bind to DNA are detected in one region located between -94 and -167 from the mRNA cap site, and in another region located between -68 and -38. After induction these factors dissociate and another factor binds to a region located between -77 and -64. Correlation of these footprints with the effects of deletions in the regulatory region of the beta-interferon gene (accompanying paper) suggest that the factors that bind prior to induction are repressor molecules, while the component that binds after induction is a transcription factor. Dissociation of the repressor molecules from the DNA after induction may allow the transcription factor to bind to and activate the beta-interferon promoter. Thus, the beta-interferon gene may be controlled by a negative regulatory mechanism.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Activation of the human beta-interferon gene requires an interferon-inducible factor.

beta-Interferon (beta-IFN) gene expression can be induced by poly(I)-poly(C) or virus, but there is considerable variation in the extent of induction between different cell lines. We characterized two poorly inducible human cell lines, HeLa and 143 thymidine kinase negative (143 tk-), to define cellular factors involved in the activation of the beta-IFN gene. We show that the deficiency in beta-IFN induction in these cells can be complemented by fusion to highly inducible mouse cells. We conclude that the human cells are deficient in a trans-acting factor required for B-IFN gene activation. The level of induction of the beta-IFN gene in HeLa and 143 tk- cells can also be increased by priming with IFN before induction. If IFN priming is carried out in the presence of cycloheximide, a approximately 200-fold increase in induction is observed. We conclude that activation of the beta-IFN gene requires an IFN-inducible factor that is only expressed at low levels in unprimed HeLa and 143 tk- cells.

Cell Fusion↗
PubMed1985

Human beta-interferon gene expression is regulated by an inducible enhancer element.

We have localized the regulatory sequence required for viral or poly(I)-poly(C) activation of human beta-interferon gene expression to a region located between -37 and -77 from the mRNA cap site. This sequence has the characteristics of an inducible enhancer element: it can act upstream or downstream of the beta-interferon gene regardless of its orientation, and at distances up to approximately 1 kilobase from its normal location. Moreover, this element can confer inducibility on a heterologous promoter. Further analysis has identified a minimal regulatory element of 14 base pairs within this enhancer. Sequences closely related to this element are present five times within the 5'-flanking regions of both the alpha- and beta-interferon genes. The number of these minimal regulatory elements required for maximal beta-interferon gene expression appears to differ in different cell lines.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Efficient in vitro synthesis of biologically active RNA and RNA hybridization probes from plasmids containing a bacteriophage SP6 promoter.

A simple and efficient method for synthesizing pure single stranded RNAs of virtually any structure is described. This in vitro transcription system is based on the unusually specific RNA synthesis by bacteriophage SP6 RNA polymerase which initiates transcription exclusively at an SP6 promoter. We have constructed convenient cloning vectors that contain an SP6 promoter immediately upstream from a polylinker sequence. Using these SP6 vectors, optimal conditions have been established for in vitro RNA synthesis. The advantages and uses of SP6 derived RNAs as probes for nucleic acid blot and solution hybridizations are demonstrated. We show that single stranded RNA probes of a high specific activity are easy to prepare and can significantly increase the sensitivity of nucleic acid hybridization methods. Furthermore, the SP6 transcription system can be used to prepare RNA substrates for studies on RNA processing (1,5,9) and translation (see accompanying paper).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Identification of two distinct regulatory regions adjacent to the human beta-interferon gene.

To study the regulation of the human beta-interferon (beta-IFN) gene by poly(I)-poly(C), we analyzed the expression of deletion mutants of the cloned gene introduced into mouse cells on a new bovine papilloma virus (BPV) vector. In stable cell lines transformed by a BPV-IFN plasmid containing the beta-IFN structural gene with 210 bp of DNA to the 5' side of its mRNA cap site (denoted -210), human beta-IFN mRNA is induced approximately 400-fold by poly(I)-poly(C), and reproducible levels of expression are observed for independent cell lines. Our studies indicate that there are two distinct regulatory regions adjacent to the gene, located between -77 and -19, and between -210 and -107. The -77 to -19 region is required for constitutive and induced IFN gene expression, and both are drastically reduced by deletion to -73. When sequences between -210 and -107 are deleted, the constitutive level of IFN gene expression is increased 5- to 10-fold, while induced expression is essentially unaffected. Deletion of the -210 to -107 region also alters the kinetics of induction of the gene.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1982

Regulated expression of an extrachromosomal human beta-interferon gene in mouse cells.

Beta(fibroblast)-interferon mRNA and protein are induced by the synthetic double-stranded RNA poly(I) X poly(C) in cultured human fibroblasts. To study the mechanism of this induction, we have isolated a human beta-interferon gene and inserted it in a vector plasmid containing DNA of the bovine papilloma virus. After removal of bacterial plasmid sequences, the bovine papilloma virus-beta-interferon recombinant was used to morphologically transform mouse fibroblasts. Analysis of DNA from the transformed cell lines indicated that this recombinant is propagated as a stable multicopy extrachromosomal element. Human beta-interferon mRNA and protein are inducible by poly(I) X poly(C) in all of these cell lines, and the mRNA is indistinguishable from beta-interferon mRNA synthesized by induced human cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A study of the vanadate-trapped state of the (Na,K)-ATPase. Evidence against interacting nucleotide site models.

The state of the Na+- and K+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase ((Na,K)-ATPase) which binds vanadate was investigated by taking advantage of the slow rate of vanadate release (koff = 0.32/h at 25 degrees C and 0.045/h at 4 degrees C). Vanadate release from the enzyme could be accelerated approximately 2-fold by addition of K+ and 50-fold by addition of Na+. The K+ effect saturated hyperbolically with a K1/2 of 0.5 mM, while the Na+ effect had a sigmoidal activation curve and K1/2 of 250 mM. These results indicate that either Na+ or K+ can equilibrate with the vanadate-"trapped" enzyme prior to vanadate release. In the presence of vanadate, a saturable Mn2+ binding site could be detected with a dissociation constant of 120 nM. When 54Mn2+ was added during incubation of the enzyme with vanadate, 1 mol of 54Mn2+ could be trapped/mol of vanadate trapped and the two metals dissociated in parallel. This result indicates a single divalent cation site is involved in stabilizing vanadate (and probably phosphate) binding. Addition of 1 to 4 mM of ATP to the vanadate-trapped enzyme had no affect on the rate of vanadate release. Also, the high affinity ATP site could not be detected in equilibrium-binding studies with the vanadate-trapped enzyme. Since kinetic experiments indicate that vanadate binding is competitive with the low affinity ATP site (Cantley, L. C., Jr., Cantley, L. G., and Josephson, L. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 7361--7368) and the high affinity ATP site is absent on vanadate-trapped enzyme, it appears unlikely that ATP can occupy either a high or low affinity site on the vanadate-trapped enzyme. We show that nonlinear Lineweaver-Burk plots for ATP hydrolysis can be explained by a single hydrolysis site which exhibits a low affinity for ATP prior to the rate-limiting E2 to E1 conformational change, but a high affinity for ATP following the conformational change.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Humoral and cell-mediated immune reactions in chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis (author's transl)].

The humoral and cell mediated immune response was investigated in 90 patients suffering from chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis. In 10-20% of the patients the serum IgG and IgM was increased, in 5-10% the levels were decreased. The values were compared with those of a control group of 35 normal healthy volunteers. Of 55 patients with staphylococcal infection only 25 had a positive antistaphylolysin titer. Eleven out of 25 patients with staphylococcal osteomyelitis showed a positive in vitro lymphocyte transformation after stimulation with alpha-staphylolysin (mean transformation rate 5.4 equal to or less than 0.9). The phytohemagglutinin and the pokeweed-mitogen response were normal. A comparison of the immunological reactivity of the patients and the clinical severity of the disease showed that patients with established delayed-type hypersensitivity phenomena suffered a significantly worse clinical course of the disease.

Antibody Formation↗