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M T Beck

Publications and source records attributed to M T Beck.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

In vivo studies of the anti-tumor effects of a human prolactin antagonist, hPRL-G129R.

Previously we demonstrated that a mutated human prolactin (hPRL) with a single amino acid substitution at position 129 (hPRL-G129R) was able to inhibit human breast cancer cell proliferation via the induction of apoptosis. In this study, we report the in vivo anti-tumor effects of hPRL-G129R in nude mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts (T-47D and MCF-7). In an effort to prolong the half-life of the proteins, hPRL or hPRL-G129R were formulated with either growth factor reduced Matrigel or into slow-releasing pellets (custom made 5 mg/5 day release). Initially, nude mice inoculated (s.c.) with T-47D human breast cancer cells were treated with either hPRL or hPRL-G129R formulated with Matrigel. At the end of the 7-week study, it was found that hPRL significantly stimulated the in vivo growth of T-47D xenografts (mean tumor volume, 202 +/- 62 mm(3) as compared to 124 +/- 31 mm(3) in control mice), whereas hPRL-G129R inhibited the tumor growth (mean tumor volume, 79+/-32 mm3). The inhibitory effects of hPRL-G129R were further confirmed in a second experiment using nude mice bearing MCF-7 human breast cancer xenografts and treated with slow-releasing pellets containing hPRL-G129R. Based on these results, we believe that hPRL-G129R can be used to improve the outcome of human breast cancer treatment in the near future.

Animals↗

Combination of PCR subtraction and cDNA microarray for differential gene expression profiling.

PCR subtraction hybridization has been used effectively to enrich and single out differentially expressed genes. However identification of these genes by means of cloning and sequencing individual cDNAs is a tedious and lengthy process. In this report, an attempt has been made to combine the use of PCR select cDNA subtraction hybridization and cDNA microarrays to identify differentially expressed genes using a nonradioactive chemiluminescent detection method. mRNA from human prolactin (hPRL) or human prolactin antagonist (hPRL-G129R) treated and non-treated breast cancer cells was isolated, and cDNAs were synthesized and used for the PCR subtraction to enrich the differentially expressed genes in the treated cells. The PCR-amplified and subtracted cDNA pools were purified and labeled using the digoxigenin method. Labeled cDNAs were hybridized to a human apoptosis cDNA microarray membrane and identified by chemiluminescence. The results suggest that the strategy of combining all three methods will allow for a more efficient, nonradioactive way of identifying differentially expressed genes in target cells.

Biotechnology↗

Calculated distribution of various inorganic phosphate constituents in body fluids, based on the principles of complex equilibria.

The distribution of inorganic phosphate ions in body fluids is calculated by equilibrium studies. Equations of partial mol fractions of each complex species are calculated with known stability constants, measured pH and electrolyte concentrations. We present these results in serum and urine in health, and in some diseases, with characteristic pH values and electrolyte concentrations. Distribution of various inorganic phosphate complexes, similar to total and ionized calcium, may be of practical importance.

Acidosis↗

Selective reactions of nucleobases under biological conditions.

Pentacyanonitrosylferrate/II/ complex reacts under biological conditions (pH= 7.5, T= 25-40 degrees C, dilute solution) selectively with nucleobases. The reaction with adenine and guanine probably leads to nitrosation. A new compound formed in the reaction with adenine is prepared; both this compound and the pentacyanonitrosylferrate/II/ inhibits the multiplication of Escherichia coli.

Adenine↗