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L W Slice

Publications and source records attributed to L W Slice.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Gastrin-releasing peptide-induced expression of prostaglandin synthase-2 in Swiss 3T3 cells.

Prostaglandins, produced in response to mitogens and cytokines, are potent modulators of gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology. We investigated modulation of Prostaglandin synthase 2 (PGS-2) expression by the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor in Swiss 3T3 cells. PGS-2 mRNA expression in Swiss 3T3 cells was determined by Northern blot analysis. PGS-2 protein expression in Swiss 3T3 cells was measured by Western blot analysis. GRP caused a transient induction of PGS-2 mRNA in Swiss 3T3 cells that resulted in GRP-dependent expression of PGS-2 protein. Transcriptional activation of PGS-2 by GRP was independent of de novo protein synthesis and was not affected by pertussis toxin. Comparison of signaling pathways used by PMA or EGF to those used by GRP showed that PGS-2 induction by GRP increased under conditions that inhibit PKC activity. Dexamethasone, which blocks PMA and EGF induction of PGS-2, also inhibited GRP-induced accumulation of PGS-2 mRNA. These results show that PGS-2 expression in Swiss 3T3 cells is not only controlled by PKC and receptor tyrosine kinase pathways but also by G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathways.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Direct observation of endocytosis of gastrin releasing peptide and its receptor.

Endocytosis of the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) may regulate cellular responses to GRP. We observed endocytosis in transfected epithelial cells by confocal microscopy using cyanine 3-GRP (cyanine 3.18-labeled gastrin releasing peptide) and GRP-R antibodies. At 4 degrees C, cy3-GRP and GRP-R were confined to the plasma membrane. After 5 min at 37 degrees C, ligand and receptor were internalized into early endosomes with fluorescein isothiocyanate-transferrin. After 10 min, cy3-GRP and GRP-R were in perinuclear vesicles, and at 60 min cy3-GRP was in large, central vesicles, while GRP-R was at the cell surface. We quantified surface GRP-R using an antibody to an extracellular epitope and an 125I-labeled secondary antibody. After exposure to GRP, there was a loss and subsequent recovery of surface GRP-R. Recovery was unaffected by cycloheximide, and thus independent of new protein synthesis, but was attenuated by acidotropic agents, and therefore required endosomal acidification. Internalization of 125I-GRP, assessed using an acid wash, was maximal after 10-20 min, and was clathrin-mediated since it was inhibited by hyperosmolar sucrose and phenylarsine oxide. Thus, GRP and its receptor are rapidly internalized into early endosomes and then dissociate in an acidified compartment. GRP is probably degraded whereas the GRP-R recycles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Y2 receptors decrease human pancreatic cancer growth and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.

BACKGROUND: Peptide YY (PYY), a 36 amino acid enteric hormone, is known to decrease pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function. Previous studies with BIM-43004-1, a modified PYY(22-36) Y2 receptor agonist, have revealed diminished mitochondrial activity in pretreated pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. We investigated the effects of both PYY and BIM-43004-1 on pancreatic cancer growth in vivo. METHODS: The 100,000 to 150,000 human pancreatic cancer cells, Mia PaCa-2, were orthotopically transplanted into 48 male athymic mice. After 1 week animals were treated with either PYY or BIM-43004-1 at 200 pmol/kg/hr via miniosmotic pumps for 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Paired controls received saline solution. At death tumor size and mass were measured. Receptor binding studies and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were measured in vitro. RESULTS: All mice had significant human cancer growth within the pancreas by histologic sections at 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Tumor mass was decreased by 60.5% in BIM-43004-1 treated mice and 27.1% in PYY treated mice. Receptor binding studies revealed binding of [125I]-BIM-43004-1 and displacement of ligand on competitive addition of nonradioactive BIM-43004-1. K dissociation constant of 4.5 nmol and 27,000 receptors per cell were quantitated by receptor binding studies. In BIM-43004-1 treated pancreatic cells a 52.5% decrease in intracellular cAMP levels was noted, whereas a 15.3% decrease was seen in PYY treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: BIM-43004-1, a novel Y2 synthetic agonist, specifically binds to human pancreatic cancer cells, decreases intracellular cAMP levels, and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Adjuvant hormonal treatment with this Y2 receptor analog may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The conserved NPXnY motif present in the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor is not a general sequestration sequence.

Exposure of the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor to agonists causes a rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated mobilization of intracellular calcium. Homologous desensitization occurs by uncoupling the G-proteins from the receptor and by ligand induced internalization. The molecular determinants of desensitization of the GRP receptor are not well known. The importance of tyrosine 324 which is located in a highly conserved NPX2-3 Y motif of the GRP receptor was investigated. Kirsten murine sarcoma virus-transformed rat kidney (KNRK) cells were transfected with expression vectors encoding either the wild type or the mutant (tyrosine 324 to alanine 324) rat GRP receptor. The wild type and mutant GRP receptors were expressed at a high level in the KNRK cells, 2.0 x 10(6) and 0.5 x 10(6) receptors per cell, respectively. The wild type and mutant GRP receptors bound GRP with the same affinity (Kd = 6-7 nM). KNRK cells expressing the wild type or mutant GRP receptor had similar [Ca2+]i, dose response to GRP. KNRK cells expressing the GRP receptor rapidly internalized bound 125I-GRP at 37 degree C. Internalization was inhibited at 4 degrees C and by 0.45 m sucrose. The internalization of bound 125I-GRP by the mutant GRP receptor was identical to the wild type receptor. Fluorescent microscopy was used to directly observe the GRP receptor expressed on the surface of the KNRK cells and to visualize its ligand induced internalization. There was no difference in the pattern of internalization between the wild type and mutant GRP receptors expressed in KNRK cells. Therefore, the highly conserved tyrosine 324 does not have a role in GRP binding, receptor-G-protein interaction, or initial events of ligand induced receptor internalization. The NPXnY motif is not a general sequestration sequence for seven transmembrane G-protein linked receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The novel metallothionein genes of Caenorhabditis elegans. Structural organization and inducible, cell-specific expression.

Two genes (mtl-1 and mtl-2) that encode the novel metallothioneins (MTs) of Caenorhabditis elegans (CeMTs) were cloned and characterized. Both genes contain a single intron that interrupts codon 6 and short 3'-untranslated regions. However, their promotor regions are distinctively non-homologous. The mtl-2 promoter contains a TATAA box and a single putative metal regulatory element. These elements are absent in the mtl-1 promoter. Nevertheless, both CeMT1 and CeMT2 mRNAs are induced by cadmium and contain precisely initiated, 5'-untranslated sequences. The inducibility and cell type specificity of metallothionein gene expression were investigated in transgenic C. elegans that carry the lacZ (beta-galactosidase) reporter gene under the control of an mtl-1 or mtl-2 promoter sequence. Upon treatment of transgenic C. elegans with cadmium or heat stress, the mtl-2:lacZ fusion gene is abundantly and exclusively expressed in the intestinal cells of larvae and adult animals. Expression is not detected in the absence of metal or heat shock. In contrast, an mtl-1:lacZ construct is constitutively expressed in the pharynx and induced by cadmium and heat shock in the intestinal cells of C. elegans larvae. The metal-inducible expression of the mtl-1:lacZ gene is attenuated in adult transgenic nematodes. Thus, the activity of each mtl promoter is modulated by metals as well as developmental and environmental factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of recombinant HIV-1 Tat and its interaction with TAR RNA.

Recombinant HIV-1 Tat (Tat 1-86) has been purified from the cytoplasmic fraction of Escherichia coli without the use of protein denaturants or chaotropic agents. Chloroquine-mediated uptake of the purified protein into cells resulted in transactivation of the HIV LTR promoter. Tat retains 1.64 mol of Zn2+/mol of protein by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Circular dichroism measurements indicated that the structure of recombinant Tat contains 15-20% alpha-helix. Filter binding assays showed that Tat binds to a 63-nucleotide target TAR RNA with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 10 nM at 25 degrees C, 0.05 M ionic strength, pH 7.5, in a 1:1 Tat-TAR RNA stoichiometry. Nonelectrostatic interactions provide the principal source of free energy of association. While the pH optimum occurs over a wide H+ concentration, the salt dependence of Kd indicates formation of a single ion pair. UV-induced protein-RNA cross-linking produced a labeled Tat-TAR RNA adduct, indicating that direct contact occurred between the Tat protein and TAR RNA.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1992

Discovery and characterization of an HIV-1 Tat antagonist.

Ro 5-3335, 7-chloro-5-(2-pyrryl)-3H-1,4-benzo-diazepin-2-(H)-one, has been shown to inhibit gene expression controlled by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) LTR promoter. The inhibition was specific for the viral transcriptional transactivator Tat. The compound did not inhibit the basal activity of the HIV-1 LTR or the activity of promoters not responsive to Tat. Consistent with its mode of action, Ro 5-3335 inhibited HIV-1 replication (IC50 = 0.1-1 microM) by reducing viral RNA synthesis in acutely, as well as chronically, infected cells in vitro. The compound was active against HIV-1 and HIV-2, and AZT-resistant clinical isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of HIV replication in acute and chronic infections in vitro by a Tat antagonist.

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) trans-activator Tat is an attractive target for the development of antiviral drugs because inhibition of Tat would arrest the virus at an early stage. The drug Ro 5-3335 [7-chloro-5-(2-pyrryl)-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2(H)-one], inhibited gene expression by HIV-1 at the level of transcriptional trans-activation by Tat. The compound did not inhibit the basal activity of the promoter. Both Tat and its target sequence TAR were required for the observed inhibitory activity. Ro 5-3335 reduced the amount of cell-associated viral RNA and antigen in acutely, as well as in chronically infected cells in vitro (median inhibition concentration 0.1 to 1 micromolar). Effective inhibition of viral replication was also observed 24 hours after cells were transfected with infectious recombinant HIV-1 DNA. The compound was active against both HIV-1 and HIV-2 and against 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT)-resistant clinical isolates.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1990

Purification, characterization, and cDNA cloning of a novel metallothionein-like, cadmium-binding protein from Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans adapted for survival in high concentrations of Cd(II) express a heavy metal binding protein designated C. elegans metallothionein-like protein or MT-Ce. This protein was purified to homogeneity and characterized. MT-Ce binds 6 mol of Cd(II)/mol protein. The sequence of 39 amino-terminal residues in MT-Ce was determined. A radiolabeled 41-mer oligonucleotide, designed from the partial MT-Ce sequence, was used in conjunction with sucrose gradient centrifugation to obtain size-fractionated poly(A+) RNA enriched in MT-Ce sequences. Subsequently, cloned cDNAs, corresponding to MT-Ce mRNA sequences, were isolated from a lambda ZapII cDNA library prepared from the enriched template mRNA. cDNA and protein sequence analysis revealed that MT-Ce comprises 62 amino acid residues and has a predicted Mr of 6462. Seventeen of the 18 Cys residues in the nematode cadmium-binding protein are included in Cys-X-Cys and X-Cys-Cys-X motifs that are characteristic of mammalian metallothioneins (MTs). However, the resemblance of MT-Ce to mammalian MTs is superficial. The amino acid sequence of MT-Ce is unique, and neither its putative alpha and beta domains nor its Cys residues can be readily aligned with the corresponding regions of other eukaryotic MTs. This suggests that MT-Ce is an example of convergent evolution. The MT-Ce mRNA level in nematodes that were selected and grown with Cd(II) concentrations that are lethal for wild-type worms, was 55-fold higher than the level of MT-Ce mRNA in wild-type C. elegans. Comparison of the sequences of MT-Ce cDNAs revealed the occurrence of two types of MT-Ce mRNA. Each contains an identical coding region, but the cDNAs diverge markedly in their 5'-untranslated regions. This suggests the possibilities of regulation by alternative splicing and/or the presence of multiple MT-Ce genes encoding a single protein, but controlled by different regulatory elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Protein N-myristoylation in Escherichia coli: reconstitution of a eukaryotic protein modification in bacteria.

Protein N-myristoylation refers to the covalent attachment of a myristoyl group (C14:0), via amide linkage, to the NH2-terminal glycine residue of certain cellular and viral proteins. Myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) catalyzes this cotranslational modification. We have developed a system for studying the substrate requirements and biological effects of protein N-myristoylation as well as NMT structure-activity relationships. Expression of the yeast NMT1 gene in Escherichia coli, a bacterium that has no endogenous NMT activity, results in production of the intact 53-kDa NMT polypeptide as well as a truncated polypeptide derived from proteolytic removal of its NH2-terminal 39 amino acids. Each E. coli-synthesized NMT species has fatty acid and peptide substrate specificities that are indistinguishable from those of NMT recovered from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting that the NH2-terminal domain of this enzyme is not required for its catalytic activity. By using a dual plasmid system, N-myristoylation of a mammalian protein was reconstituted in E. coli by simultaneous expression of the yeast NMT1 gene and a murine cDNA encoding the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A). The fatty acid specificity of N-myristoylation was preserved in this system: [9,10(n)-3H]myristate but not [9,10(n)3H]palmitate was efficiently linked to Gly-1 of the C subunit. [13,14(n)-3H]10-Propoxydecanoic acid, a heteroatom-containing analog of myristic acid with reduced hydrophobicity but similar chain length, was an effective alternative substrate for NMT that also could be incorporated into the C subunit of PK-A. Such analogs have recently been shown to inhibit replication of certain retroviruses that depend upon linkage of a myristoyl group to their gag polyprotein precursors (e.g., the Pr55gag of human immunodeficiency virus type 1). A major advantage of the bacterial system over eukaryotic systems is the absence of endogenous NMT and substrates, providing a more straightforward way of preparing myristoylated, analog-substituted, and nonmyristoylated forms of a given protein for comparison of their structural and functional properties. The system should facilitate screening of enzyme inhibitors as well as alternative NMT fatty acid substrates for their ability to be incorporated into a specific target protein. Our experimental system may prove useful for recapitulating other eukaryotic protein modifications in E. coli so that structure-activity relationships of modifying enzymes and their substrates can be more readily assessed.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1989

Expression of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Escherichia coli.

A cDNA clone for the catalytic subunit of murine cAMP-dependent protein kinase was placed into two expression vectors, pLWS-3 and pLSW-4. For pLWS-3, the entire coding region of the catalytic subunit was inserted into the NdeI site of pT7-7 under the control of the T7 promoter. pLWS-4 contains a polycistronic transcript under control of the lac UV5 promoter encoding for the type I regulatory subunit followed by the catalytic subunit. Significant expression was achieved with pLWS-4 in Escherichia coli 222 and JM101; however, the catalytic subunit was produced in an insoluble form. In the case of the catalytic subunit produced in E. coli BL21(DE3) by pLWS-3, the catalytic subunit accounted for approximately 30% of the total bacterial protein. Up to 5 mg of this catalytic subunit per liter of culture was in the soluble extract. Solubility was improved substantially when induction was carried out at 30 degrees C instead of 37 degrees C. This recombinant catalytic subunit was purified by phosphocellulose chromatography, followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration. A Mr of 38,000 was estimated based on size exclusion chromatography and on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The recombinant protein had a free alpha-amino-terminal Gly in contrast to the mammalian enzyme which is myristylated at the amino-terminal glycine. The lack of acylation did not significantly alter the activity of the enzyme. The specific activity of 19 mumol/min/mg is comparable to the mammalian enzyme. The Km values for Kemptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) (43 microM) and MgATP (18.5 microM also were comparable. The absence of the acyl group also did not prevent holoenzyme formation. Holoenzyme activation by cAMP was indistinguishable for holoenzyme made with mammalian catalytic subunit and recombinant catalytic subunit. The recombinant enzyme was more sensitive than the mammalian enzyme to heat denaturation at 49 degrees C. The t1/2 for the recombinant catalytic subunit was 0.7 min in contrast to 3.9 min for the mammalian enzyme. This difference in stability may be attributable to the lack of the acyl group. The recombinant enzyme was particularly sensitive to heat denaturation in the presence of low concentrations (0.01%) of Triton X-100.

Animals↗