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N Razon

Publications and source records attributed to N Razon.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Expression of cholinesterase gene(s) in human brain tissues: translational evidence for multiple mRNA species.

To resolve the origin(s) of the molecular heterogeneity of human nervous system cholinesterases (ChEs), we used Xenopus oocytes, which produce biologically active ChE when microinjected with unfractionated brain mRNA. The RNA was prepared from primary gliomas, meningiomas and embryonic brain, each of which expresses ChE activity with distinct substrate specificities and molecular forms. Sucrose gradient fractionation of DMSO-denatured mRNA from these sources revealed three size classes of ChE-inducing mRNAs, sedimenting at approximately 32S, 20S and 9S. The amounts of these different classes of ChE-inducing mRNAs varied between the three tissue sources examined. To distinguish between ChEs produced in oocytes and having different substrate specificities, their activity was determined in the presence of selective inhibitors. Both 'true' (acetylcholine hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) and 'pseudo' (acylcholine acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.8) multimeric cholinesterase activities were found in the mRNA-injected oocytes. Moreover, human brain mRNAs inducing 'true' and 'pseudo' ChE activities had different size distribution, indicating that different mRNAs might be translated into various types of ChEs. These findings imply that the heterogeneity of ChEs in the human nervous system is not limited to the post-translational level, but extends to the level of mRNA.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1984

Characterization of activities and forms of cholinesterases in human primary brain tumors.

The activities and molecular forms of cholinesterases were studied in a collection of primary brain tumors consisting of primarily gliomas and meningiomas, together with samples of forebrain taken postmortem from patients suffering from diseases unrelated to the nervous system. Both types of tumors, as well as normal forebrain, contained substantial amounts of cholinesterase activity and some gliomas contained exceptionally high levels. In both normal forebrain and meningiomas, acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase; EC 3.1.1.7) accounted for almost all the cholinesterase activity, but in almost all gliomas elevated pseudocholinesterase (acylcholine acylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.8) could be detected. The cholinesterase activity of both normal forebrain and gliomas migrated on sucrose gradients as a major component of 10-11 S together with a minor component of 4-5 S. In meningiomas a light (4.5 S) form was the principal component.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1984

Expression of muscarinic binding sites in primary human brain tumors.

The expression of muscarinic binding sites was examined in a collection of primary brain tumors of different cellular origins and various degrees of dedifferentiation, as compared to control specimens. Eleven gliogenous tumors were examined, all of which contained substantial amounts of muscarinic binding sites. Most of the other tumor types examined did not display detectable binding of [3H]N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate ([3H]4NMPB). Scatchard analysis indicated the existence of homogeneous antagonist sites in both normal forebrain and glioblastoma multiforme, with Kd values of 1.2 nM and 0.9 nM, respectively. The density of muscarinic binding sites varied between tumors from different patients, and also between specimens prelevated from different areas of the same tumor. This variability, as well as the average density of binding sites, appeared to be larger in highly malignant tumors than in less malignant ones. In contrast, the density of muscarinic receptors from control specimens was invariably high, but within the same order of magnitude. To test whether the muscarinic binding activity in the brain tumors is correlated to other cholinoceptive properties, cholinesterase activity was also examined. Individual data for density of [3H]4NMPB binding sites were then plotted against corresponding values of cholinesterase activity. The pattern of distribution of these values was clearly different in tumor specimens, when compared to that observed in samples derived from non-malignant brain. Our observations indicate that human brain cells of gliogenous origin are capable of expressing muscarinic binding sites, and that, if a correlation exists between muscarinic receptors and cholinesterase levels in gliogenous tumors, it differs from that of non-malignant brain tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in human brain tumors.

The expression of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) was determined in 29 samples of brain tumors from 22 patients. Primary gliogenous tumors, of various degrees of cancer, five meningiomas, and two neuroblastomas were examined. Tissue samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after the operation and stored at -70 degrees until use. Cerebral tissue samples from 11 patients who died from diseases not related to the central nervous system served as controls. Immunoprecipitation of functional EGF-R-kinase complexes revealed high levels of EGF-R in all of the brain tumors of nonneuronal origin that were examined. The level of EGF-R varied between tumors from different patients and also between specimens prelevated from different areas of the same tumor. In contrast, the levels of EGF-R from control specimens were invariably low. The biochemical properties of EGF-R in brain tumor specimens were found to be indistinguishable from those of the well-characterized EGF-R from the A-431 cell line, derived from human epidermoid carcinomas. Human brain EGF-R displays a molecular weight of 170,000 by polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. It is phosphorylated mainly in tyrosine residues and shows a 2-dimensional phosphopeptide map similar to that obtained with the phosphorylated EGF-R from membranes of A-431 cells. Our observations suggest that induction of EGF-R expression may accompany the malignant transformation of human brain cells of nonneuronal origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Carbon dioxide laser surgery of basal meningiomas.

This preliminary report summarizes our results with laser surgery in patients with basal meningiomas (8 basilar and 1 intraventricular extending also into the third ventricle). Illustrative preoperative and postoperative CT scans are included. The advantages and limitations of this surgical technique are discussed briefly.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Amplification, enhanced expression and possible rearrangement of EGF receptor gene in primary human brain tumours of glial origin.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), through interaction with specific cell surface receptors, generates a pleiotropic response that, by a poorly defined mechanism, can induce proliferation of target cells. Subversion of the EGF mitogenic signal through expression of a truncated receptor may be involved in transformation by the avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) oncogene v-erb-B, suggesting that similar EGF receptor defects may be found in human neoplasias. Overexpression of EGF receptors has been reported on the epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431, in various primary brain tumours and in squamous carcinomas. In A431 cells the receptor gene is amplified. Here we show that 4 of 10 primary brain tumours of glial origin which express levels of EGF receptors that are higher than normal also have amplified EGF receptor genes. Amplified receptor genes were not detected in the other brain tumours examined. Further analysis of EGF receptor defects may show that such altered expression and amplification is a particular feature of certain human tumours.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidural haematoma: computerized tomography (CT) parameters in 19 patients.

Between the years 1984 to 1989, 624 urgent brain CT examinations were performed for head-trauma patients in the Tel-Aviv Medical Center. In 19 patients, epidural haematomas were diagnosed. Different radiological parameters were discussed such as homogeneity of the haematoma, midline shift, ventricular collapse, obliteration of the peri-mesencephalic cistern and the presence of additional brain damage.

Adolescent↗