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M L Tremblay

Publications and source records attributed to M L Tremblay.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Animal model of Gaucher's disease from targeted disruption of the mouse glucocerebrosidase gene.

Gaucher's disease is the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder in humans and results from an autosomally inherited deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (beta-D-glucosyl-N-acylsphingosine glucohydrolase), which is responsible for degrading the sphingolipid glucocerebroside. An animal model for Gaucher's disease would be important for investigating its phenotypic diversity and pathogenesis and for evaluating therapeutic approaches. A naturally occurring canine model has been reported but not propagated. Attempts to mimic the disease in animals by inhibiting glucocerebrosidase have been inadequate. Here we generate an animal model for Gaucher's disease by creating a null allele in embryonic stem cells through gene targeting and using these genetically modified cells to establish a mouse strain carrying the mutation. Mice homozygous for this mutation have less than 4% of normal glucocerebrosidase activity, die within twenty-four hours of birth and store glucocerebroside in lysosomes of cells of the reticuloendothelial system.

Animals↗

Cloning and characterization of a mouse cDNA encoding a cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine-phosphatase.

A mouse cDNA encoding a non-receptor-type phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTP; EC 3.1.3.48) has been isolated. The 1570-base-pair cDNA contains a single open reading frame that predicts a 382-amino acid protein with Mr 44,640. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are homologous to those of a previously described human T-cell PTP [Cool, D. E., Tonks, N. K., Charbonneau, H., Walsh, K. A., Fischer, E. H. & Krebs, E. G. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 5257-5261]; however, the mouse and human 3' sequences diverge and predict markedly different protein carboxyl termini. The mouse PTP gene is expressed as a 1.9-kilobase message in several stages of murine embryonic development and in a variety of adult tissues. An additional 1.3-kilobase message was found to be expressed specifically in testes. Finally, we report the isolation of a human T-cell PTP cDNA containing a 3' end sequence homologous to the mouse PTP.

Age Factors↗

Analysis of phosphorylation sites in the exon 1 region of E1A proteins of human adenovirus type 5.

Early region 1A (E1A) of human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) produces five mRNAs that encode proteins of 55, 171, 217, 243, and 289 residues. We have shown previously that the major products of 289 and 243 residues are phosphorylated at a minimum of three sites of which one, Ser-89, is located in the amino terminal half of the protein. In the present report we show that these E1A proteins are also phosphorylated at a second site in this region located at Ser-96. The 171 and 217 residue E1A species were also tentatively identified and, as predicted, neither contained the Ser-89 or Ser-96 sites but both appeared to be phosphorylated at the same sites as 289R and 243R toward the carboxy terminus. Studies with mutants in which Ser-89 or Ser-96 were converted to alanine residues indicated that phosphorylation of Ser-89 but not Ser-96 induces the major shift in gel mobility of E1A products. However, neither site appears to be of major importance in the regulation of E1A-mediated transactivation or transformation.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Mapping of a phosphorylation site in the 176R (19 kDa) early region 1B protein of human adenovirus type 5.

The 176-residue (176R) early region 1B (E1B) protein of human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) was shown to be phosphorylated at serine in lytically infected KB cells at a level estimated to be about one phosphate group per 28 176R molecules. Through the analysis of peptides generated by cleavage with cyanogen bromide and Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease the phosphorylation site was mapped to Ser-164. Using site-directed mutagenesis, a mutant was produced in which the codon for Ser-164 was changed to that of asparagine while leaving the coding sequence for the overlapping 496R protein unchanged. This virus, which replicated well on human KB cells, produced normal levels of 176R, but in an unphosphorylated form. The mutant transformed baby rat kidney cells in cooperation with E1A at an efficiency about one-half that obtained with wt E1B. These data therefore gave little indication that phosphorylation is essential for the function of 176R.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Phosphorylation at serine 89 induces a shift in gel mobility but has little effect on the function of adenovirus type 5 E1A proteins.

Phosphorylation at serine 89 was shown to be the major cause of the shift in gel migration of the 289R and 243R early region 1A (E1A) proteins of human adenovirus type 5. However, conversion of Ser-89 to alanine by site-directed mutagenesis did not abolish E1A transactivating or transforming activities, suggesting that phosphorylation at this site is not necessary for these E1A functions.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Identification of the phosphorylation sites in early region 1A proteins of adenovirus type 5 by amino acid sequencing of peptide fragments.

We have mapped the positions of three of the phosphorylation sites on the 289 and 243 residue (289R and 243R) early region 1A (E1A) proteins of human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). These proteins, which play roles in both transcriptional control and oncogenic transformation, have identical sequences except for the presence in 289R of 46 additional internal amino acids. Phosphorylation was detected exclusively at serine residues. E1A proteins purified from [35S]methionine- or [32P]orthophosphate-labeled Ad5-infected cells were digested with trypsin, and two phosphopeptides were isolated by reverse-phase chromatography and subjected to automated Edman degradation. The major species was shown to contain a single phosphorylation site at Ser-219. The second phosphopeptide was shown to contain at least one phosphorylation site at Ser-231. A third phosphorylated tryptic peptide could not be eluted from the column but was isolated using an E1A-specific rat monoclonal antibody. Following subcleavage by Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease, this peptide was shown to contain at least one phosphorylation site at Ser-89. The present data indicate that both the 289R and 243R E1A proteins are phosphorylated at the same sites, at least one in the amino terminal half of the molecule, and at least two toward the carboxyl terminus.

Adenoviridae↗

Acylation of the 176R (19-kilodalton) early region 1B protein of human adenovirus type 5.

Antipeptide sera were prepared in rabbits against synthetic peptides corresponding to the predicted amino and carboxy termini of the early region 1B 176R (19-kilodalton [kDa]) protein of human adenovirus type 5. Both antisera specifically immunoprecipitated the 19- and 18.5-kDa forms of the 176R protein observed previously with antitumor sera. These data suggested that both species are full-length molecules of 176 residues. To identify posttranslational modifications that could explain the formation of these multiple species and possibly their known association with membranes, studies were carried out to determine whether they are glycosylated or acylated. Neither the 19- nor the 18.5-kDa species appeared to be a glycoprotein, however, they were labeled with [3H]palmitate and [3H]myristate, indicating that both species are acylated. Thus, whereas acylation does not appear to be the cause of the multiple species, it could play a role in the membrane association of these viral proteins. The acylation of 176R was found to be unusual. The fatty acid linkage was resistant to treatment with hydroxylamine or methanol-KOH, suggesting that acylation was through an amide bond. In addition, both palmitate and myristate were present in 176R, suggesting either a lack of specificity in the acylation reaction or the existence of more than one acylation site.

Acylation↗

Role of the nuclear matrix in adenovirus maturation.

The nuclear matrix has been implicated in several important cellular processes. In this paper, we investigate the role of the nuclear matrix in adenovirus type 2 assembly. Electron microscopic examination of nuclear matrices isolated from adenovirus infected Hep-2 cells clearly reveals that late in the lytic cycle, adenovirus capsids are intimately associated with the nuclear matrix. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the viral core polypeptides V, PVII and 11 kDa were enriched in the nuclear matrix fraction. After a 3 h chase period a constant high ratio of PVII to VII prevailed in the nuclear matrix suggesting that mostly young virions and viral cores are bound to this structure. Most of the virus maturation endoproteinase activity co-purified with the nuclear matrix and the data suggest that the enzyme may be released from fragile young virions or assembly intermediates. Together these experiments suggest that the nuclear matrix is the site of adenovirus assembly and that mature virions may be released from the matrix by the viral endoproteinase.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Activation and inhibition of expression of the 72,000-Da early protein of adenovirus type 5 in mouse cells constitutively expressing an immediate early protein of herpes simplex virus type 1.

It has been previously reported that immediate early proteins of pseudorabies and cytomegalo viruses can substitute for the products of the human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) E1A gene in the activation of early Ad5 transcription. In the present report the effect of one of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate early genes, ICP4, on Ad5 early gene expression has been examined using mouse cell lines that constitutively express ICP4. These lines as well as nonproducers were infected with wild-type (wt) Ad5 or with various Ad5 E1A mutants and the levels of expression of the Ad5 E2A 72K DNA binding protein were measured by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody specific for 72K. With dl 312, which lacks E1A, some 72K expression was seen in nonproducer lines but levels were considerably higher in the producer lines. A similar result was also obtained using dl 312-infected nonproducer cells that were superinfected with HSV-1 virions. These data suggest that HSV-1 ICP4 can substitute for E1A in the activation of expression of early Ad5 proteins. With wt Ad5, 72K was also expressed at high levels in nonproducer mouse cells, however, in the ICP4 producer cell lines, a marked inhibition of 72K expression was observed and this inhibition correlated with the amount of ICP4 present. Using the E1A mutants pm 975 and hr 1, this inhibition was found to be specific for the products of the 1.1-kb E1A mRNA. These data suggest that ICP4 and E1A proteins either directly inhibit each other, or more likely, operate independently and competitively on factors required for viral gene activation.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

In vitro cleavage specificity of the adenovirus type 2 proteinase.

Two in vitro proteinase assay systems were developed and used to study the peptide bond specificity and substrate specificity of the adenovirus endoproteinase. Five adenovirus precursor proteins (PVI, PVII, PVIII, 87K, 11K), all found in the virion of the ts1 mutant grown at the nonpermissive temperature, were digested by the proteinase. All, except 11K, were cleaved to their mature counterparts. Some of the proteins, particularly the 87K terminal protein, were processed via cleavage intermediates similar to those found in vivo. The data suggest that the proteinase specifically hydrolyses Gly-Ala bonds. The high specificity for the natural substrates and the failure to cleave foreign proteins suggest that cleavage activity is determined not only by primary sequence but also by other physical features of the substrate. Enzyme activity was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate, showing that it is a serine proteinase.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Identification of human adenovirus early region 1 products by using antisera against synthetic peptides corresponding to the predicted carboxy termini.

Synthetic peptides were prepared which corresponded to the carboxy termini of the human adenovirus type 5 early region 1B (E1B) 58,000-molecular-weight (58K) protein (Tyr-Ser-Asp-Glu-Asp-Thr-Asp) and of the E1A gene products (Tyr-Gly-Lys-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro). Antisera raised against these peptides precipitated polypeptides from adenovirus type 5-infected KB cells; serum raised against the 58K carboxy terminus was active against the E1B 58K phosphoprotein, whereas serum raised against the E1A peptide immunoprecipitated four major and at least two minor polypeptides. These latter proteins migrated with apparent molecular weights of 52K, 50K, 48.5K, 45K, 37.5K, and 35K, and all were phosphoproteins. By using tryptic phosphopeptide analysis, the four major species (52K, 50K, 48.5K, and 45K) were found to be related, as would be expected if all were products of the E1A region. The ability of the antipeptide sera to precipitate these viral proteins thus confirmed that the previously proposed sequence of E1 DNA and mRNA and the reading frame of the mRNA are correct. Immunofluorescent-antibody staining with the antipeptide sera indicated that the 58K E1B protein was localized both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, especially in the perinuclear region. The E1A-specific serum also stained both discrete patches in the nucleus and diffuse areas of the cytoplasm. These data suggest that both the 58K protein and the E1A proteins may function in or around the nucleus. These highly specific antipeptide sera should allow for a more complete identification and characterization of these important viral proteins.

Adenoviruses, Human↗