PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M E Bradley

Publications and source records attributed to M E Bradley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prions affect the appearance of other prions: the story of [PIN(+)].

Prions are self-propagating protein conformations. Recent research brought insight into prion propagation, but how they first appear is unknown. We previously established that the yeast non-Mendelian trait [PIN(+)] is required for the de novo appearance of the [PSI(+)] prion. Here, we show that the presence of prions formed by Rnq1 or Ure2 is sufficient to make cells [PIN(+)]. Thus, [PIN(+)] can be caused by more than one prion. Furthermore, an unbiased functional screen for [PIN(+)] prions uncovered the known prion gene, URE2, the proposed prion gene, NEW1, and nine novel candidate prion genes all carrying prion domains. Importantly, the de novo appearance of Rnq1::GFP prion aggregates also requires the presence of other prions, suggesting the existence of a general mechanism by which the appearance of prions is enhanced by heterologous prion aggregates.

Fungal Proteins↗

ATP stimulated cyclic AMP formation in bovine chromaffin cells is enhanced by neuropeptide Y.

ATP increases cAMP formation in bovine chromaffin cells, EC(50) = 7.1 x 10(-6) M. NPY, EC(50) = 4.1 x 10(-8) M, increases the efficacy of ATP (1.5-2 fold). Inclusion of the selective Y1 receptor antagonist 1229U91 produced a decrease in NPY potency (EC(50) = 2.7 x 10(-7) M). PTX pretreatment did not abolish either the effect of ATP nor the enhancement by NPY. NPY could also enhance the ability of angiotensin and bradykinin to increase cAMP formation. The selective phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122, and the selective protein kinase C inhibitors, bisindolylmaleimide I and RO-31-8425, were effective inhibitors of the enhancing effect of NPY.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Molecular and pharmacological characterization of muscarinic receptor subtypes in a rat parotid gland cell line: comparison with native parotid gland.

The molecular and pharmacological characteristics of muscarinic receptor subtypes in the rat parotid acinar cell line, PAR-C5, were determined and compared with native rat parotid glands to evaluate the PAR-C5 cell line as a model to study receptor-mediated secretion. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) identified mRNAs for M(3), M(4), and M(5) receptor subtypes in both PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands. Specific [N-methyl-(3)H]scopolamine binding in PAR-C5 and parotid membranes was to a single class of sites with mean K(D) values of 0.38 and 0.64 nM, respectively. Binding affinities (K(I) values) of muscarinic receptor subtype-selective drugs were obtained in side-by-side experiments comparing PAR-C5 cells with parotid glands. Nonlinear regression analysis indicated that competition binding curves for drugs in PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands fit best to a one-site binding model. K(I) values (nM) in PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands, respectively, for atropine (1.0, 2.1), darifenacin (1.2, 2.0), 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) (2.9, 2.4), tripitramine (220, 180), pirenzepine (320, 720), and methoctramine (1400, 1700) were consistent with their known affinities at the M(3) receptor subtype. Affinities (K(B) values) of muscarinic receptor subtype-selective drugs for blocking methacholine-stimulated Ca(2+) mobilization were determined to show which subtype mediates Ca(2+)-dependent secretion in Fura-2-loaded PAR-C5 cells. K(B) values (nM) for atropine (0.44), 4-DAMP (0.38), pirenzepine (140), and methoctramine (320) for blocking Ca(2+) responses correlated well with their known affinities at the M(3) receptor (r(2) = 0.99). These results show that at the level of mRNA, receptor protein and function, PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands are similar, establishing PAR-C5 cells as an important model for muscarinic receptor-mediated secretion.

Animals↗

Purine nucleoside-dependent inhibition of cellular proliferation in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells.

We examined the effects of purines and the pyrimidine UTP on cellular proliferation in the human astrocytoma cell line 1321N1. Treatment of cultured cells with 100 microM ATP or 2-chloroadenosine (2-CA) resulted in significant reductions in cell numbers after 2 days, whereas adenosine (ADO) exhibited a slower time course of inhibition of cell growth. Treatment with 100 microM UTP had no effect on cell numbers. 2-Chloroadenosine but neither ATP nor ADO resulted in an increase in cell death rates. A significant portion of the inhibitory response to ATP, ADO, or 2-CA was sensitive to the purine nucleoside transport inhibitor S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioguanosine, suggesting that uptake into cells was required for the inhibitory response. At least the majority of the observed responses to purines was not mediated by P1 (adenosine) receptors, because effects of ATP, ADO, or 2-CA were not affected by treatment of cells with the P1 receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline. The absence of any known P2 (nucleotide) receptors in 1321N1 cells, coupled with the failure of the relatively stable ATP analog adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) to alter cell growth rates, suggests that ATP acts indirectly to inhibit proliferation via one or more metabolic products. Although intracellular effects of purine nucleosides should be taken into account in future studies using 1321N1 cells, our findings also suggest 1321N1 cells as an excellent model for intracellular actions of nucleosides.

2-Chloroadenosine↗

Dependence and independence of [PSI(+)] and [PIN(+)]: a two-prion system in yeast?

The [PSI(+)] prion can be induced by overproduction of the complete Sup35 protein, but only in strains carrying the non-Mendelian [PIN(+)] determinant. Here we demonstrate that just as [psi (-)] strains can exist as [PIN(+)] and [pin(-)] variants, [PSI(+)] can also exist in the presence or absence of [PIN(+)]. [PSI(+)] and [PIN(+)] tend to be cured together, but can be lost separately. [PSI(+)]-related phenotypes are not affected by [PIN(+)]. Thus, [PIN(+)] is required for the de novo formation of [PSI(+)], not for [PSI(+)] propagation. Although [PSI(+)] induction is shown to require [PIN(+)] even when the only overexpressed region of Sup35p is the prion domain, two altered prion domain fragments circumventing the [PIN(+)] requirement are characterized. Finally, in strains cured of [PIN(+)], prolonged incubation facilitates the reappearance of [PIN(+)]. Newly appearing [PIN(+)] elements are often unstable but become stable in some mitotic progeny. Such reversibility of curing, together with our previous demonstration that the inheritance of [PIN(+)] is non-Mendelian, supports the hypothesis that [PIN(+)] is a prion. Models for [PIN(+)] action, which explain these findings, are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The PNM2 mutation in the prion protein domain of SUP35 has distinct effects on different variants of the [PSI+] prion in yeast.

We have previously described different variants of the yeast prion [PSI+] that can be obtained and maintained in the same genetic background. These [PSI+] variants, which differ in the efficiency of nonsense suppression, mitotic stability and the efficiency of curing by GuHCl, may correspond to different [PSI+] prion conformations of Sup35p or to different types of prion aggregates. Here we investigate the effects of overexpressing a mutant allele of SUP35 and find different effects on weak and strong [PSI+] variants: the suppressor phenotype of weak [PSI+] factors is increased, whereas the suppressor effect of strong [PSI+] factors is reduced. The SUP35 mutation used was originally described as a "Psi no more" mutation (PNM2) because it caused loss of [PSI+]. However, none of the [PSI+] variants in the strains used in our study were cured by PNM2. Indeed, when overexpressed, PNM2 induced the de novo appearance of both weak and strong [PSI+] variants with approximately the same efficiency as the overexpressed wild-type SUP35 allele. Our data suggest that the change in the region of oligopeptide repeats in the Sup35p N-terminus due to the PNM2 mutation modifies, but does not impair, the function of the prion domain of Sup35p.

Alleles↗

Molecular diversity of K(V) alpha- and beta-subunit expression in canine gastrointestinal smooth muscles.

Voltage-activated K(+) (K(V)) channels play an important role in regulating the membrane potential in excitable cells. In gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles, these channels are particularly important in modulating spontaneous electrical activities. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular components that may be responsible for the K(V) currents found in the canine GI tract. In this report, we have examined the qualitative expression of eighteen different K(V) channel genes in canine GI smooth muscle cells at the transcriptional level using RT-PCR analysis. Our results demonstrate the expression of K(V)1.4, K(V)1.5, K(V)1.6, K(V)2.2, and K(V)4.3 transcripts in all regions of the GI tract examined. Transcripts encoding K(V)1.2, K(V)beta1.1, and K(V)beta1.2 subunits were differentially expressed. K(V)1.1, K(V)1.3, K(V)2.1, K(V)3.1, K(V)3.2, K(V)3.4, K(V)4.1, K(V)4.2, and K(V)beta2.1 transcripts were not detected in any GI smooth muscle cells. We have also determined the protein expression for a subset of these K(V) channel subunits using specific antibodies by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that K(V)1.2, K(V)1.4, K(V)1.5, and K(V)2.2 are expressed at the protein level in GI tissues and smooth muscle cells. K(V)2.1 was not detected in any regions of the GI tract examined. These results suggest that the wide array of electrical activity found in different regions of the canine GI tract may be due in part to the differential expression of K(V) channel subunits.

Animals↗

Chemotactic, mitogenic, and angiogenic actions of UTP on vascular endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells express receptors for ATP and UTP, and both UTP and ATP elicit endothelial release of vasoactive compounds such as prostacyclin and nitric oxide; however, the distinction between purine and pyrimidine nucleotide signaling is not known. We hypothesized that UTP plays a more important role in endothelial mitogenesis and chemotaxis than does ATP and that UTP is angiogenic. In cultured endothelial cells from guinea pig cardiac vasculature (CEC), both UTP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significant mitogenic and chemotactic factors; in contrast, ATP demonstrated no significant chemotaxis in CEC. In chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAM), UTP and VEGF treatments produced statistically significant increases in CAM vascularity compared with controls. These findings are the first evidence of chemotactic or angiogenic effects of pyrimidines; they suggest a role for pyrimidine nucleotides that is distinct from those assumed by purine nucleotides and provide for the possibility that UTP serves as an extracellular signal for processes such as endothelial repair and angiogenesis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Influence of promoter potency on the transcriptional effects of YY1, SRF and Msx-1 in transient transfection analysis.

Potent viral promoters/enhancers are often used to achieve high level expression of ectopic genes in transient transfection analysis. By using a GAL4-responsive transcription assay system, we show that the use of potent eukaryotic expression vectors can lead to biased transcriptional effects. Three functionally diverse transcription factors, YY1, SRF and Msx-1, were examined and each was found to exhibit a strong transrepression function in the context of the DNA binding domain of GAL4 when expressed from the cytomegalovirus (pCMV) or simian virus 40 (pSV) promoters/enhancers. An internal 15 amino acid domain of YY1 mediating transrepression in the viral promoter setting was identified. This GAL4-mediated transcriptional repression could, however, be completely relieved by using the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase promoter (pADH) to drive gene expression, which is approximately 100-fold weaker than canonical pCMV and pSV in cultured mammalian cells. In addition, low level expression achieved with the pADH vector unveiled the intrinsic transactivation functions of YY1 and SRF previously not observed with the GAL4 assay system. Our results highlight a potential pitfall in conventional pCMV- and pSV-based transfection assays and suggest that the use of a low level expression system may be preferable in most transcriptional analysis.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Proteolytic regulation of the zinc finger transcription factor YY1, a repressor of muscle-restricted gene expression.

Regulated proteolysis has been postulated to be critical for proper control of cell functions. Muscle development, in particular, involves a great deal of structural adaptation and remodeling mediated by proteases. The transcription factor YY1 represses muscle-restricted expression of the sarcomeric alpha-actin genes. Consistent with this repressor function of YY1, the nuclear regulator is down-regulated at the protein level during skeletal as well as cardiac muscle cell differentiation. However, the YY1 message remains relatively unaltered throughout the myoblast-myotube transition, implicating a post-translational regulatory mechanism. We show that YY1 can be a substrate for cleavage by the calcium-activated neutral protease calpain II (m-calpain) and the 26 S proteasome. The calcium ionophore A23187 destabilized YY1 in cultured myoblasts, and the decrease in YY1 protein levels could be prevented by calpain inhibitor II and calpeptin. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin resulted in the stabilization of YY1 protein, which is consistent with the finding that YY1 is readily polyubiquitinated in reticulocyte lysates. We further show that proteolytic targeting by calpain II and the proteasome involves different structural elements of YY1. This study thus illustrates two proteolytic pathways through which the transcriptional regulator can be differentially targeted under different cell growth conditions.

Animals↗

Overexpression of the SUP45 gene encoding a Sup35p-binding protein inhibits the induction of the de novo appearance of the [PSI+] prion.

[PSI+], a non-Mendelian element found in some strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is presumed to be the manifestation of a self-propagating prion conformation of eRF3 (Sup35p). Translation termination factor eRF3 enhances the activity of release factor eRF1 (Sup45p). As predicted by the prion model, overproduction of Sup35p induces the de novo appearance of [PSI+]. However, another non-Mendelian determinant, [PIN+], is required for this induction. We now show that SUP45 overexpression inhibits the induction of [PSI+] by Sup35p overproduction in [PIN+] strains, but has no effect on the propagation of [PSI+] or on the [PIN] status of the cells. We also show that SUP45 overexpression counteracts the growth inhibition usually associated with overexpression of SUP35 in [PSI+] strains. We argue that excess Sup45p inhibits [PSI+] seed formation. Because Sup45p complexes with Sup35p, we hypothesize that excess Sup45p may sequester Sup35p, thereby reducing the opportunity for Sup35p conformational flips and/or self-interactions leading to prion formation. This in vivo yeast result is reminiscent of the in vitro finding by investigators of Alzheimer disease that apolipoprotein E inhibits amyloid nucleation, but does not reduce seeded growth of amyloid.

Fungal Proteins↗

Surveillance of cryptococcosis in Alabama, 1992-1994.

PURPOSE: Although cryptococcosis is a significant opportunistic infection among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is conflicting information on rates of cryptococcosis among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Precise state-wide epidemiologic data for cryptococcosis are not available in Alabama. METHODS: We conducted an active laboratory and hospital medical record-based surveillance for cryptococcosis in Alabama from October 1, 1992 to September 30, 1994. A case of cryptococcosis was defined as a patient's initial episode of cryptococcal disease and based on either a positive culture for C. neoformans from any normally sterile site, a positive latex agglutination serologic test for cryptococcal antigen in CSF or serum, or histopathologic findings consistent with C. neoformans. RESULTS: Over the two year period, 153 cases were identified. The diagnosis was based on positive culture (37%), positive antigen (24%), positive autopsy culture (2%), and histopathologic findings (4%). Further, 33% of the total cases were diagnosed from combined positive culture, antigen, or histopathology. Of the total 153 cases, 55% were in HIV-positive patients and 44% were in HIV-negative individuals and one case (1%) had an unknown HIV status. The overall annual incidence rate of cryptococcosis was 1.89 cases per 100,000 population. The incidence was 1638.7 per 100,000 in the HIV-positive population and 0.84 per 100,000 in the HIV-negative population. CONCLUSION: The first Alabama statewide active surveillance system for cryptococcosis confirms previous observations that rates of cryptococcosis are consistently higher in HIV-infected individuals than in their HIV-negative counterparts. In Alabama, cryptococcosis occurs more commonly in urban residents and in men. Cryptococcosis in HIV-positive persons is more likely to occur in the 20 to 44 year age group, whereas cryptococcosis in HIV-negative persons is more likely to occur in those greater than 45 years old.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Chemical hypoxia triggers apoptosis of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes: modulation by calcium-regulated proteases and protein kinases.

Myocardial infarctions and stroke arise primarily as a result of hypoxia/ischemia-induced cell injury. However, the molecular mechanism of cardiac cell death due to hypoxia has not been elucidated. We showed here that chemical hypoxia induced by 1 mM azide triggered apoptosis of isolated neonatal rat ventricular cardiac myocytes but had no effect on cardiac fibroblasts. The azide-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis could be characterized by a reversible initiation phase (0-46 h after azide exposure) during which cytosolic ATP levels remained little affected. This was followed by an irreversible execution phase (12-18 h) exhibiting prominent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, cell membrane leakage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased calpain messenger RNA. Blocking extracellular calcium influx or intracellular calcium release was each effective in suppressing myocyte apoptosis. Cell death was also found to be mediated by calcium sensitive signal transduction events based on the use of specific antagonists. Consistent with the induction of calpain expression during apoptosis, blocking de novo protein synthesis and calpain activity inhibited cell death. These regulatory features coupled with the ease of the cell system suggest that the myocyte apoptosis model described here should be useful in the study of events leading to the demise of the myocardium.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide regulation of monkey myometrial contractility.

1. We evaluated the effect of the nitric oxide (NO) donor CysNO (S-nitroso-L-cysteine) and endogenous NO upon spontaneous contractility in non-pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. We also assessed the role of intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate ([cyclic GMP]i) as a second messenger for NO in monkey uterine smooth muscle. 2. CysNO reduced spontaneous contractility by 84% (P < 0.05) at maximal concentrations, and significantly elevated [cyclic GMP]i (P < 0.05). However, increases in [cyclic GMP]i were not required for CysNO-induced relaxations; CysNO inhibited contractile activity despite the complete inhibition of guanylyl cyclase by methylene blue or LY83,583. 3. Analogues of cyclic GMP had no significant effect upon spontaneous contractile activity. L-arginine produced a 62% reduction in spontaneous activity (P < 0.05) while D-arginine had no effect. The competitive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) not only blocked L-arginine-induced relaxations, but also significantly increased spontaneous contractile activity when added alone (P < 0.05); the inactive D-enantiomer of NOARG had no such effect. 4. While both endogenous NO and the NO donor CysNO relax monkey myometrium, this effect is not causally related to CysNO-induced elevations in [cyclic GMP]i. The failure of cyclic GMP analogues to alter monkey uterine smooth muscle tension also argues against a role for [cyclic GMP]i in the regulation of uterine contractility. Not only do these findings argue for the existence of a functionally-relevant NOS in the monkey uterus, but increases in contractile activity seen in the presence of NOS inhibitors suggest a role for NO in the moment-to-moment regulation of contractile activity in this organ.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide relaxes human myometrium by a cGMP-independent mechanism.

The role of intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate concentration ([cGMP]i) in nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxations in the uterus has become controversial. We found the NO donor S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CysNO) to potently (IC50 = 30 nM) inhibit spontaneous contractions in the nonpregnant human myometrium. CysNO treatment increased [cGMP]i significantly (P < 0.001), and this increase was blocked by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors methylene blue (10 microM) or LY-83583 (1 microM); however, pretreatment with these guanylyl cyclase inhibitors failed to block CysNO-mediated relaxations. Intracellular cAMP concentrations were not altered by treatment of tissues with 10 microM CysNO. Incubation with the cGMP analogs 8-bromo-cGMP or beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-cGMP did not significantly affect spontaneous contractility. Pretreatment of tissues with charybdotoxin [a calcium-dependent potassium channel (BK) blocker] completely reversed CysNO-induced relaxations. We conclude that NO is a potent inhibitor of spontaneous contractile activity in the nonpregnant human uterus and that, although guanylyl cyclase and BK activities are increased by NO, increases in [cGMP]i are not required for NO-induced relaxations in this tissue.

Aminoquinolines↗

Yeast two-hybrid cloning of a novel zinc finger protein that interacts with the multifunctional transcription factor YY1.

Muscle-restricted transcription of sarcomeric actin genes is negatively controlled by the zinc finger protein YY1, which is down-regulated at the protein level during myogenic differentiation. To identify cellular proteins that might mediate the function/stability of YY1 in muscle cells, we screened an adult human muscle cDNA library using the yeast two-hybrid cloning system. We report the isolation and characterization of a novel protein termed YAF2 (YY1- associated factor 2) that interacts with YY1. The YAF2 cDNA encodes a 180 amino acid basic protein (pI 10.5) containing a single N-terminal C2-X10-C2 zinc finger. Lysine clusters are present that may function as a nuclear localization signal. Domain mapping analysis shows that the first and second zinc fingers of YY1 are targeted for YAF2 protein interaction. In contrast to the down-regulation of YY1, YAF2 message levels increase during in vitro differentiation of both rat skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. YAF2 appears to have a promyogenic regulatory role, since overexpression of YAF2 in C2 myoblasts stimulates myogenic promoter activity normally restricted by YY1. Co-transfection of YY1 reverses the stimulatory effect of YAF2. YAF2 also greatly potentiates proteolytic cleavage of YY1 by the calcium- activated protease m-calpain. The isolation of YAF2 may help in understanding the mechanisms through which inhibitors of myogenic transcription may be antagonized or eliminated by proteolysis during muscle development.

Actins↗

Genetic and environmental factors affecting the de novo appearance of the [PSI+] prion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

It has previously been shown that yeast prion [PSI+] is cured by GuHCl, although reports on reversibility of curing were contradictory. Here we show that GuHCl treatment of both [PSI+] and [psi-] yeast strains results in two classes of [psi-] derivatives: Pin+, in which [PSI+] can be reinduced by Sup35p overproduction, and Pin-, in which overexpression of the complete SUP35 gene does not lead to the [PSI+] appearance. However, in both Pin+ and Pin- derivatives [PSI+] is reinduced by overproduction of a short Sup35p N-terminal fragment, thus, in principle, [PSI+] curing remains reversible in both cases. Neither suppression nor growth inhibition caused by SUP35 overexpression in Pin+ [psi-] derivatives are observed in Pin- [psi-] derivatives. Genetic analyses show that the Pin+ phenotype is determined by a non-Mendelian factor, which, unlike the [PSI+] prion, is independent of the Sup35p N-terminal domain. A Pin- [psi-] derivative was also generated by transient inactivation of the heat shock protein, Hsp104, while [PSI+] curing by Hsp104 overproduction resulted exclusively in Pin+ [psi-] derivatives. We hypothesize that in addition to the [PSI+] prion-determining domain in the Sup35p N-terminus, there is another self-propagating conformational determinant in the C-proximal part of Sup35p and that this second prion is responsible for the Pin+ phenotype.

Fungal Proteins↗

Analysis of events associated with serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in C3H/Sol8 muscle satellite cells.

Satellite cells are the source of new muscle fibers in postnatal skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Regulation of satellite cell survival is of fundamental importance in maintaining normal muscle function. Here we describe and characterize a tissue culture model of satellite cell apoptosis. Kinetic studies indicate that serum deprivation triggers a set of sequential events: early cell death, transient cell cycle traverse, and delayed cell death. The satellite cell death occurs by apoptosis based on the internucleosomal DNA laddering, in situ DNA end-labeling, and the requirements for de novo protein synthesis and extracellular calcium influx. The transient period of cell cycle progression (7-11 h after serum withdrawal) is accompanied by temporal induction of members of the immediate early gene family, such as c-myc, c-fos, and SRF, and appears to precede the delayed phase of cell death. Satellite cell apoptosis can be suppressed by several growth factors and by blocking the activity of calpain, a calcium-regulated protease. The late phase of apoptosis is marked by selective activation of ubiquitin-mediated protein conjugation and degradation. This study defines several control points where satellite cell apoptosis may be genetically or pharmacologically intervened.

Animals↗