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L Band

Publications and source records attributed to L Band.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Constitutive expression of steel factor gene by human stromal cells.

Steel factor (SF), the ligand for c-kit, is an essential regulator of normal hematopoiesis, melanogenesis, gametogenesis, and mast-cell growth and development. Hematopoietic stromal cells are important sources of SF, because inactivation of SF in mice results in defects in the support function of hematopoietic stromal cells. To identify specific cells that produce, and factors that govern the expression of the different isoforms of SF in human hematopoiesis, we quantified levels of SF mRNA and membrane-bound protein in human stromal cells before and after exposure to recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, a cytokine known to induce the expression of a variety of hematopoietic growth factors. In addition, because stromal cells in longterm bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) are supportive of hematopoietic progenitor cell survival in vitro, while umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) and diploid fibroblasts (DF) are not, we also sought to test the hypothesis that SF gene expression would differ in cells from LTBMC when compared with EC or DF. Using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification (RT-PCR), ribonuclease protection assays (RPA), and Northern blot analysis, SF was found to be constitutively transcribed in EC, DF, and LTBMC. IL-1 alpha neither induced accumulation of SF mRNA nor altered the ratio of exon 6+ to exon 6- transcripts in these stromal cells. By Northern blot analysis, the predominant SF mRNA species was shown to be 5.6 kb; a minor population of 3.6 kb was also found. Low levels of membrane-bound SF protein were found to be constitutively expressed by all three types of stromal cells, and were not regulated by IL-1 alpha. We conclude that the unique capacity of LTBMC to support in vitro hematopoiesis, when compared with EC or DF, cannot be explained on the basis of qualitative or quantitative differences in SF gene expression in these cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

The potent opioid agonist, (+)-cis-3-methylfentanyl binds pseudoirreversibly to the opioid receptor complex in vitro and in vivo: evidence for a novel mechanism of action.

The present study demonstrates that pretreatment of rat brain membranes with (+)-cis-3-methylfentanyl [(+)-cis-MF], followed by extensive washing of the membranes, produces a wash-resistant decrease in the binding of [3H]-[D-ala2,D-leu5]enkephalin to the d binding site of the opioid receptor complex (delta cx binding site). Intravenous administration of (+)-cis-MF (50 micrograms/kg) to rats produced a pronounced catalepsy and also produced a wash-resistant masking of delta cx and mu binding sites in membranes prepared 120 min post-injection. Administration of 1 mg/kg i.v. of the opioid antagonist, 6-desoxy-6 beta-fluoronaltrexone (cycloFOXY), 100 min after the injection of (+)-cis-MF (20 min prior to the preparation of membranes) completely reversed the catatonia and restored masked delta cx binding sites to control levels. This was not observed with (+)-cycloFOXY. The implications of these and other findings for the mechanism of action of (+)-cis-MF and models of the opioid receptors are discussed.

Animals↗

Probes for narcotic receptor mediated phenomena. 17. Synthesis and evaluation of a series of trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacet amide (U50,488) related isothiocyanate derivatives as opioid receptor affinity ligands.

A series of U50,488 related isothiocyanates was synthesized from enantiomerically pure (S,S)-(+)-trans-2-pyrrolidinyl-N-methylcyclohexylamine [(+)-7] and (R,R)-(-)-trans-2-pyrrolidinyl-N-methylcyclohexylamine [(-)-7]. DCC coupling of (+)- and (-)-7 with nitrophenylacetic acids followed by catalytic hydrogenation and treatment with thiophosgene afforded a series of six isomeric aryl isothiocyanate analogues of U50,488. Similarly, DCC coupling of (+)- and (-)-7 with (+)- and (-)-N-t-Boc-protected phenylglycines afforded four isomeric alkyl isothiocyanates. Evaluation of the isothiocyanates for their capacity to produce wash-resistant inhibition of mu, delta, and kappa sites in vitro was performed using rat and guinea pig brain membranes. None of the compounds was able to irreversibly inhibit binding of [3H]bremazocine to guinea pig and rat brain membranes (depleted of functional mu and delta receptors by pretreatment with acylating agents BIT and FIT). However, (1S,2S)-trans-2-isothiocyanato-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide [(-)-1] was able to specifically and irreversibly inhibit kappa receptors labeled by [3H]-U69,593: Incubation of rat brain membranes for 60 min at 25 degrees C with 1 microM of (-)-1 resulted in a wash-resistant reduction of the binding to 11.2 +/- 2.5% of the control. Binding analysis revealed the wash-resistant reduction in [3H]-U69,593 binding by (-)-1 to be through an increase in the Kd without effect on the Bmax. (-)-1 failed to effect mu or delta binding in rat or guinea pig brain under the same conditions. The enantiomer of (-)-1, (1R,2R)-trans-2-isothiocyanato-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide [(+)-1], failed to affect kappa receptors labeled by [3H]-U69,593 under the same conditions as for (-)-1. (1S,2S)-trans-3-Isothiocyanato-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide [(-)-2] inhibited to 49.6 +/- 5.1% of the control, in a wash-resistant manner, kappa receptors labeled by [3H]-U69,593. However, (-)-2 was not as selective as (-)-1 since it also reduced [3H]DADLE (delta) binding to 82.4 +/- 8.0% of the control value. (1S,2S)-trans-4-Isothiocyanato-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)- cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide [(-)-3] exhibited selective wash-resistant inhibition of delta receptors labeled by [3H]DADLE resulting in a reduction in binding to 42.9 +/- 4.2% of control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Synthesis and evaluation of N-substituted cis-N-methyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamines as high affinity sigma receptor ligands. Identification of a new class of highly potent and selective sigma receptor probes.

Certain benzeneacetamides [(-)- and (+)-cis-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide] were recently reported to be potent sigma receptor ligands. In order to determine whether efficacy for the sigma receptor could be improved, a series of compounds related to the benzeneacetamides, N-substituted cis-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-N-methylcyclohexylamines, were synthesized and their structure-activity requirements were determined. The compounds were synthesized by starting with the previously reported (+/-)-, 1S,2R-(+)-, and 1R,2S-(-)-cis-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-N-methylcyclohexylamines. Analysis of sigma ([3H](+)-3-PPP), kappa ([3H]bremazocine and [3H]U69,593), dopamine-d2 ([3H](-)-sulpiride), and phencyclidine (PCP) ([3H]TCP) receptor binding in guinea pig brain revealed a number of highly potent and selective sigma receptor ligands. Notably, 1S,2R-cis-(-)-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-(2-naphthyl) acetamide [(-)-29] (Ki = 8.66 +/- 0.35 nM), (+/-)-cis-2-amino-4,5-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl] benzeneacetamide [(+/-)-17] (Ki = 11 +/- 3 nM), 1S,2R-(-)-cis-N-methyl-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl ) cyclohexylamine [(-)-44] (Ki = 1.3 +/- 0.3 nM), and 1R,2S-(+)-cis-N-methyl-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl ) cyclohexylamine. [(+)-44] (Ki = 6 +/- 3 nM) exhibited very high affinity at sigma receptors, by displacement of [3H]-(+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [( 3H]-(+)-3-PPP). These compounds showed insignificant affinity for kappa, dopamine, or PCP receptors, making them valuable tools for the study of sigma receptors. Furthermore, these compounds also exhibited enantioselectivity ranging from 5-fold for (+)- and (-)-44 to 160-fold for (+)- and (-)-29. Several other compounds showed equivalent selectivity but displayed lower sigma receptor affinity.

Animals↗

Interleukin-1 stimulation stabilizes GM-CSF mRNA in human vascular endothelial cells: preliminary studies on the role of the 3' AU rich motif.

To date, the notion that the AU rich motif in the 3' UT of GM-CSF mRNA can function as an IL-1 response element has not been adequately examined. We suspect that it must play some role because virtually all IL-1 inducible gene have AU rich 3' untranslated regions. Thus, we will continue to address these technical problems so that the hypothesis can be more clearly tested. Nonetheless, we can state with reasonable certainty that: 1) IL-1 induces expression of GM-CSF in EC by inducing accumulation of mRNA, 2) the GM-CSF gene is constitutively transcribed but the half life of the mRNA is short, 3) IL-1 induced mRNA accumulation results from stabilization of the transcript, 4) although most IL-1 responsive genes have AU-rich domains in their 3' untranslated regions, it is not yet clear that these AU-rich regions are sufficient to function as an IL-1 response element, and 5) murine L cells cannot be used for studies on the molecular biology of cytokine induction by IL-1.

Animals↗

Purification of recombinant human tissue factor.

Tissue factor (TF) is a 263 amino acid membrane-bound procoagulant protein that serves as a cofactor for the serine protease factor VII (fVII). Recombinant human TF (rTF) produced in both human kidney 293 cells and Escherichia coli has been immunoaffinity purified by using a TF-specific monoclonal antibody. Recombinant TF produced in 293 cells is glycosylated and migrates on reducing SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 45K. Some interchain disulfide-bonded rTF dimers are observed under nonreducing conditions. The E. coli produced rTF has a molecular weight of 33K and 35K, with the 33K band missing nine amino acids at the carboxy terminus. Although the E. coli produced rTF does not contain any carbohydrate, it is fully functional in both a chromogenic assay and a one-stage prothrombin time assay. A variant has been constructed wherein the cytoplasmic cysteine (residue 245) has been mutagenized to a serine residue. The amount of disulfide-linked aggregates is dramatically reduced following immunoaffinity purification of this four-cysteine variant (C2455), which is active in the chromogenic and prothrombin time assays.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of an affinity ligand ('UPHIT') for in vivo acylation of the kappa-opioid receptor.

The isothiocyanate analog (1S,2S-trans-2-isothiocyanato-4,5-dichloro-N- methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide, 3a) of the highly selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, U50,488, was prepared as a potential site-directed affinity ligand for acylation of kappa-opioid receptors in vivo. The isothiocyanate (3a) which we have designated UPHIT and its enantiomer (3b) were synthesized in 3 steps starting from optically pure (1S,2S)-(+)-trans-2-pyrrolidinyl-N-methyl-cyclohexylamine (4a) and its enantiomer (4b), respectively, thus defining their absolute stereochemistry. Binding in vitro of the 1S,2S enantiomer 3a to kappa receptors labelled by [3H]U69,593 was shown to occur with an IC50 value of 25.92 +/- 0.36 nM, whereas 827.42 +/- 5.88 and 115.10 +/- 1.23 nM were obtained for the IC50 value of the 1R,2R enantiomer (3b) and (+/-)-3 respectively. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of 100 micrograms of (+/-)-3 into guinea-pig brain followed by analysis of remaining kappa-binding sites 24 h later revealed that (+/-)-3 depleted 98% of the kappa receptors that bind [3H]U69,593 and 40% of those that bind [3H]bremazocine. These preliminary data suggest exciting uses for these compounds in furthering our knowledge of the kappa-opioid receptor.

Acylation↗

Control of intracellular serine protease expression in Bacillus subtilis.

Expression of the major intracellular serine protease (ISP-1) gene of Bacillus subtilis was studied by using a translational fusion plasmid in which the isp promoter region was fused to the lacZ gene. beta-Galactosidase activity, used to measure transcription from the isp promoter, was produced immediately after the end of exponential growth, whereas intracellular protease activity was not detected until 4 h later. These results are consistent with a previous suggestion that ISP-1 initially accumulates in the cell in an enzymatically inactive form. ISP-1 activity was detected in all of the sporulation-deficient strains examined, and the amount of protease activity always corresponded to the amount of beta-galactosidase activity. These results indicate that the activation of ISP-1 is not dependent on a sporulation-specific gene product. Expression of ISP-1 is regulated by a number of mutations known to affect the expression of extracellular enzymes. In sacU(h) and sacQ(h) mutants, the expression of ISP-1 was 10-fold higher than in the wild-type strain. In catA, hpr, and scoC strains, expression of ISP was stimulated two- to threefold, whereas in sacU mutants the expression of ISP-1 was reduced to less than 10% of the wild-type level. The temporal expression and activation of ISP-1 was not affected by any of these mutations. This is the first evidence that the expression of a native intracellular protein is affected by these hyperproduction mutations.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Construction and properties of an intracellular serine protease mutant of Bacillus subtilis.

An intracellular serine protease (ISP-1) mutant of Bacillus subtilis was created by introducing a frameshift into the coding region of the cloned gene. Intracellular protease activity in the mutant was very low, yet sporulation in both nutrient broth and minimal medium was normal. The rate of bulk protein turnover in the mutant was slightly slower than that in the wild-type strain. These results suggest that the gene for ISP-1 is not essential and that ISP-1 is not the major enzyme involved in protein turnover during sporulation.

Bacillus subtilis↗

The organization and nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus subtilis hisH, tyrA and aroE genes.

The nucleotide sequence of approximately 3 kb of Bacillus subtilis DNA distal to the trp operon was determined. Three open reading frames were found and these were shown to encode the hisH, tyrA and aroE genes. Integrative plasmids were constructed to interrupt transcription through this region. These data suggest that these three genes can be transcribed from both the trp promoter preceding the trp operon and from a promoter within the trpA structural gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus subtilis tryptophan operon.

In Bacillus subtilis, tryptophan biosynthesis is one of the most thoroughly characterized biosynthetic pathways. Recombinant DNA methodology has permitted a rapid characterization of the tryptophan (trp) gene cluster at the molecular level. In this report the nucleotide sequence of the six structural genes together with the intercistronic regions and flanking regulatory regions are presented.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus subtilis trpE and trpD genes.

Several overlapping portions of the tryptophan (trp) operon of Bacillus subtilis have been cloned into plasmid pBR322. The nucleotide sequence of the region comprising the trpE and trpD genes and a portion of the trpC gene has been determined. When the deduced amino acid sequences of these genes are compared with their counterparts in Escherichia coli, several regions of striking homology are seen. The probable initiation codons for the trpE, D and C genes are each preceded by a recognizable Shine-Dalgarno sequence. The coding sequences for the trpE and trpD genes and for the trpD and trpC genes overlap slightly, leaving no intercistronic regions between the genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bacillus subtilis requires a "stringent" Shine-Dalgarno region for gene expression.

A series of plasmids was constructed differing only in the sequence of the Shine-Dalgarno region preceding the leukocyte interferon-A gene. This series of plasmids was used to test the efficiency of interferon expression in both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. In B. subtilis, interferon expression was much more sensitive to changes in the sequence of the Shine-Dalgarno region than in E. coli and it appeared to require more homology to the 3' end of 16S ribosomal RNA.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Construction of a vector for cloning promoters in Bacillus subtilis.

A versatile vector for cloning DNA fragments containing promoter activity in Bacillus subtilis was derived from plasmids pBR322, pUB110 and pC194. Selection is based on chloramphenicol resistance which is dependent upon the introduction of DNA fragments allowing expression of a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene. The plasmid contains a second selectable marker, neomycin resistance, and contains functional origins of replication for both B. subtilis and Escherichia coli.

Bacillus subtilis↗