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N C Andrews

Publications and source records attributed to N C Andrews.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Enhanced expression of interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor subunits in murine hematopoietic cells stimulated with hematopoietic growth factors.

AIC2A and AIC2B are closely related genes encoding components of the receptors for murine interleukin-3 (IL-3) (AIC2A) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-5 (AIC2B). We have studied the parallel regulation of expression of these genes in erythroid and myeloid progenitor cell lines. AIC2A and AIC2B transcription was transiently induced in these cells in response to a variety of hematopoietic growth factors, including erythropoietin (EPO), monocyte-CSF, IL-3, GM-CSF, and stem cell factor (SCF or kit ligand). Run-on assays established that the increase occurred mainly at the transcriptional level. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that the increase in messenger RNA expression resulted in augmented synthesis of both AIC2A and AIC2B proteins, and binding studies further showed these proteins to be functional. We observed a fourfold increase in low-affinity IL-3 sites in an erythroid precursor cell line stimulated with EPO, and a threefold increase in GM-CSF high-affinity sites in a myeloid cell line stimulated with IL-3. In addition, we showed that the increase in the IL-3 receptor chain AIC2A in the erythroid precursor cell line correlated with the ability of IL-3 to exert a cooperative effect with EPO in the induction of beta-globin in these cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

In vivo footprinting of the human alpha-globin locus upstream regulatory element by guanine and adenine ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction.

A major regulatory element required for expression of the human alpha-globin genes is located 40 kb upstream of the embryonic zeta-globin gene. To understand how this and other locus control region (LCR) elements contribute to high-level expression in erythroid cells, we have performed high-resolution, in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting. In addition, we have modified the dimethyl sulfate-based ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction in vivo footprinting procedure to permit the assessment of interactions at guanine and adenine residues, rather than guanines alone. In vivo footprinting of the human alpha-LCR element carried on chromosome 16 in a mouse erythroleukemia cell environment revealed protein occupancy at GATA-1, AP-1/NF-E2, and CACC/GGTGG motifs, specific differences compared with in vitro protein binding, and distinct changes in one region upon dimethyl sulfoxide-induced cellular maturation. No protein contacts were detected in nonexpressing hepatoma cells. In addition, we have demonstrated that two AP-1 motifs in the alpha-LCR element which are occupied in vivo bind purified mouse NF-E2 protein in vitro. Our data suggest that three proteins, GATA-1, NF-E2, and unknown CACC/GGTGG factors, are minimally required as DNA-binding proteins for the function of LCR-like elements. The juxtaposition and interaction of these factors with each other, and with accessory proteins not directly in contact with DNA, are likely to account for the relative position independence of the upstream globin regulatory elements.

Adenine↗
PubMed1990

Positive and negative elements regulate human interleukin 3 expression.

The human interleukin 3 (IL-3) promoter is comprised of several cis-acting DNA sequences that modulate T-cell expression of IL-3. These are located within 315 nucleotides upstream of the mRNA start site. Transient expression of reporter genes linked to serially deleted sequences of the IL-3 promoter has allowed mapping of two activator sequences and an interposed repressor sequence. The proximal regulatory region is specific to IL-3 and prerequisite for efficient transcription. Its effect is enhanced by a second, more distal activating sequence consisting of an AP-1 binding site. Between the two activators lies a transcriptional silencer, which is a potent repressor in the absence of the AP-1 site. DNA-nuclear protein binding experiments demonstrate specific complex formation within each of these functional regions. Thus, both positive and negative regulatory elements appear to control expression of the human IL-3 gene in activated T cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Purification of a terminal uridylyltransferase that acts as host factor in the in vitro poliovirus replicase reaction.

Poliovirus RNA polymerase requires a host factor to initiate RNA synthesis in vitro. The host factor was previously purified to near homogeneity from HeLa cells but was not assigned an enzymatic activity. This report describes the purification of a terminal uridylyltransferase that can act as host factor. By all criteria examined it is identical to the factor purified previously. It has the same molecular weight (68,000), chromatographic properties, and cellular localization. We present evidence that terminal uridylyltransferase can add uridine residues to the 3' poly(A) end of virion RNA and that these anneal back to the poly(A) and form a hairpin primer for polymerase.

HeLa Cells↗
PubMed1985

Poliovirus replicase stimulation by terminal uridylyl transferase.

In an in vitro poliovirus replication system, purified viral polymerase, plus sense virion RNA, and a host factor have been previously shown to be necessary for the transcription of minus strands. We have found that a partially purified eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) fraction from rabbit reticulocytes can replace HeLa host factor in the replicase reaction. This enzyme preparation contains eIF-2 and two other major proteins. In addition to eIF-2 activity, which does not appear to play a role in the replicase reaction, we find that the fraction contains terminal uridylyl transferase activity. The enzyme adds UMP moieties to the 3' end of primer RNA molecules. The number of UMP residues added depends on the primer. Although long tails of heterogeneous lengths (50 to 100 nucleotides) can be polymerized on the 3' end of oligo(U), a poly(A) primer accepts only four U's. The terminal uridylyl transferase activity requires only UTP, Mg2+, a sulfhydryl reagent, and an RNA primer for activity. It is partially associated with ribosomes. We provide preliminary evidence that it may be responsible for host factor-like activity. We present a model for minus strand synthesis by poliovirus replicase, based on the hypothesis that a terminal uridylyl transferase can participate in initiation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1975

Yoshi 864 (NSC 102627) 1-propanol, 3, 3'-iminodi-dimethanesulfonate (ester) hydrochloride: a phase 1 study.

Yoshi 864 was given i.v. push daily times 5 with 6 weeks' followup. Dose escalation was from 0.25 mg/kg to 2.7 mg/kg. Toxicity and effectiveness were first seen at 1.5 mg/kg. Twenty-five courses were given to 16 patients at or above this level. In 16 of 22 courses, exclusive of CML, thrombopenia and/or leukopenia occurred. Mean platelet and WBC nadirs occurred on day 24 and 29 with recovery taking 1-2 weeks and 2-3 weeks respectively. Hb fell in 11 courses. At 2.7 mg/kg, nausea and vomiting lasting 6-12 days occurred in 3 of 7 courses; during 5 coures patients slept 20 hours a day, and 1 was comatose for 2 days. Two patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 1 with an unknown primary responded. Both patients with CML had clinical remissions. It is recommended that a cooperative Phase II Study in a broad spectrum of human solid tumors including lymphomas and chronic myelocytic leukemia be undertaken at a dose level of 2 mg/kg.

Alkylating Agents↗