Biomedical subjects

M Bartlet-Jones

Publications and source records attributed to M Bartlet-Jones.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Binding of inositol phosphate to DNA-PK and stimulation of double-strand break repair.

In mammalian cells, double-strand breaks in DNA can be repaired by nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), a process dependent upon Ku70/80, DNA-PKcs, XRCC4, and DNA ligase IV. Starting with HeLa cell-free extracts, which promote NHEJ in a reaction dependent upon all of these proteins, we have purified a novel factor that stimulates DNA end-joining in vitro. Using a combination of phosphorus NMR, mass spectroscopy, and strong anion exchange chromatography, we identify this factor as inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6). Purified IP6 is bound by DNA-PK and specifically stimulates DNA-PK-dependent end-joining in vitro. The involvement of inositol phosphate in DNA-PK-dependent NHEJ is of particular interest since the catalytic domain of DNA-PKcs is similar to that found in the phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI 3)-kinase family.

Cell Fractionation↗

PubMed1999

Dual specificity antibodies using a double-stranded oligonucleotide bridge.

The covalent conjugation of oligonucleotides to antibody Fab' fragments was optimized by using oligonucleotides modified with a hexaethylene linker arm bearing three amino groups. One oligonucleotide was coupled to antibody of one specificity and a complementary oligonucleotide to antibody of a second specificity. The antibodies were then allowed to hybridize by base pairing of the complementary nucleotide sequences and the generation of bispecific antibody was analyzed on SDS-PAGE and confirmed using BIAcore analysis. The strategy of complementary oligonucleotide-linked bispecific molecules is not limited to antibodies but is applicable to linking any two molecules of different characteristics.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Peptide ladder sequencing by mass spectrometry using a novel, volatile degradation reagent.

A conceptually novel approach to protein sequencing involves the generation of ragged-end polypeptide chains followed by mass spectroscopic analysis of the resulting nested set of fragments. We report here on the synthesis and development of a volatile isothiocyanate (trifluoroethylisothiocyanate) that allows the identification of several consecutive residues starting with a few picomoles of peptide. The nested set of peptides is generated simply by adding equal aliquots of starting peptide each cycle and driving both the coupling and cleavage reactions to completion. No additional reagents are required to act as chain terminators and retention of the peptide terminal amine allows for subsequent modification with quaternary ammonium alkyl NHS esters to improve sensitivity. Complex washing procedures are not required each cycle, as reagents and by-products are efficiently removed under vacuum, eliminating extractive loss. Multiple peptide samples can be processed simultaneously, with each degradation cycle completed in 35-40 min. The inherent simplicity of the process should allow for easy automation and permit rapid processing of samples in parallel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗