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Biomedical subjects

S A Lee

Publications and source records attributed to S A Lee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

A study of Na-DNA films containing NaCl via scanning electron and tunneling microscopies.

Unoriented films of Na-DNA were prepared by dessicating a gel with different amounts of NaCl. For low salt concentrations, the resulting films were smooth and patternless. For high salt concentrations, the resulting films had visible patterns that were very similar to those recently reported by Sclavi et al. [(1994) Biopolymers, Vol. 34, pp. 1105-1113]. Scanning electron and tunneling microscopies and electron dispersive spectroscopy studies were used to study the spatial distribution of NaCl throughout these films. Two main conclusions were reached about the NaCl: (1) some NaCl is distributed throughout every film, and (2) the visible patterns observed in films with a large amount of NaCl were caused by the growth of NaCl crystals during the dehydration process.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Optical properties of CsDNA films as a function of hydration.

The refractive indices of wet-spun films of CsDNA have been measured for light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the helical axis as a function of relative humidity (RH). These data have been combined with previously published data (Biopolymers 30 (1990) 877-887) for the volume per base pair and water content as a function of RH in order to extract the optical polarizabilities. This work was motivated by the study of Weidlich et al. (Biopolymers 26 (1987) 439-453) who reported a approximately 35% increase at the A-to-B transition in the parallel and perpendicular polarizabilities of NaDNA. In contrast, a much smaller increase in the polarizabilities of CsDNA is found near the A-to-B transition: approximately 12% for the perpendicular direction and < or = 4% for the parallel direction.

Anisotropy↗
PubMed1994

Native oligomeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein elicits diverse monoclonal antibody reactivities.

We synthesized and purified a recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein, lacking the gp120/gp41 cleavage site as well as the transmembrane domain, that is secreted principally as a stable oligomer. Mice were immunized with separated monomeric and oligomeric HIV-1 Env glycoproteins to analyze the repertoire of antibody responses to the tertiary and quaternary structure of the protein. Hybridomas were generated and assayed for reactivity by immunoprecipitation of nondenatured Env protein. A total of 138 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated and cloned, 123 of which were derived from seven animals immunized with oligomeric Env. Within this group, a significant response was obtained against the gp41 ectodomain; 49 MAbs recognized epitopes in gp41, 82% of which were conformational. The influence of conformation on gp120 antigenicity was less pronounced, with 40% of the anti-gp120 MAbs binding to conformational epitopes, many of which blocked CD4 binding. Surprisingly, less than 7% of the MAbs derived from mice immunized with oligomeric Env recognized the V3 loop. In addition, MAbs to linear epitopes in the C-terminal domain of gp120 were not obtained, suggesting that this region of the protein may be partially masked in the oligomeric molecule. A total of 15 MAbs were obtained from two mice immunized with monomeric Env. Nearly half of these recognized the V3 loop, suggesting that this region may be a less predominant epitope in the context of oligomeric Env than in monomeric protein. Thus, immunization with oligomeric Env generates a large proportion of antibodies to conformational epitopes in both gp120 and gp41, many of which may be absent from monomeric Env.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Raman and infrared studies of wet-spun films of Na-hyaluronate.

Raman and infrared (IR) studies of Na-hyaluronate films have been performed as a function of relative humidity (RH) and temperature. These data show a number of vibrational modes. Certain of these modes are evident in both the Raman and IR data. Changes in the Raman spectra are observed at the order-disorder phase transition (between 84 and 90% RH) and suggest that the molecular conformation changes at the phase transition.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed1992

Elevated level of nuclear protein kinase C in multidrug-resistant MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in multidrug-resistant human breast carcinoma MCF-7/ADR cells compared to control drug-sensitive MCF-7/WT cells (R.L. Fine, J. Patel, and B.A. Chabner, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:582-586, 1988). In our present studies, immunohistochemical localization analysis using a polyclonal PKC antibody recognizing the alpha, beta, and gamma subtypes of PKC demonstrates that immunoreactivity is enhanced in MCF-7/ADR cells, with pronounced staining noted in the nuclear region. Other studies with purified nuclei isolated from MCF-7/ADR cells also show a marked increase in the intensity of immunostaining for PKC when compared to nuclei prepared from control MCF-7/WT cells. Western blot analysis of proteins extracted from purified nuclear preparations further establishes an increase in PKC enzyme protein associated with the nuclear fraction of MCF-7/ADR cells. Subcellular fractionation studies also indicate that MCF-7/ADR cells have 4-8 times higher nuclear PKC activity compared to that of control MCF-7/WT cells. MCF-7/ADR cells also possess 3-5-fold elevated cytosolic PKC activity, while a less than 2-fold increase is found in PKC activity associated with the plasma membrane fraction of MCF-7/ADR cells. Examination of these extracts with PKC isotype-specific antisera, as well as by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, reveals that nuclei prepared from MCF-7/ADR cells contain markedly elevated amounts of a slightly altered form of PKC alpha. These results suggest that elevated levels of a modified form of PKC alpha at the nucleus may play a role in modulating nuclear events to promote the development of multidrug resistance in MCF-7 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Optical and physical properties of wet-spun films of Na-hyaluronate. Evidence of a phase transition.

The refractive indices, water content, and volume of wet-spun films of Na-hyaluronate have been measured as a function of relative humidity (rh). These data are used with the Lorentz-Lorenz formula to determine the optical polarizabilities of Na-hyaluronate parallel and perpendicular to the helical axis. The analysis reveals a drop in the optical polarizabilities of approximately 20% between 80 and 88% rh, indicating a phase transition.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed1990

Counterion effects on the physical properties and the A to B transition of calf-thymus DNA films.

We report measurements of the water content and swelling of wet-spun films of Na-, K-, Rb-, and Cs-DNA as a function of relative humidity (rh). The water contents (number of water molecules per base pair of DNA) of these films are found to be quite similar, indicating that the identity of the counterion species is unimportant for the water content. Since the A to B transition for these DNAs occurs at different rhs, the corresponding water contents of the A to B transition are found to be quite different. These films swell as a function of rh in a very similar manner, implying that the changes in the intermolecular bonds in the different DNAs are similar. Dramatic changes are observed in the dimensions of the films above 84% rh for all types of DNA. Combining the water content and swelling measurements yields the dependence of the volume per base pair on water content. The volume per base pair is observed to be a nonlinear function of water content, indicating nonideal mixing of the water with the DNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of purified myosin light chain kinase on myosin light chain phosphorylation and catecholamine secretion in digitonin-permeabilized chromaffin cells.

Many non-muscle cells including chromaffin cells contain actin and myosin. The 20,000 dalton light chain subunits of myosin can be phosphorylated by a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent enzyme, myosin light chain kinase. In tissues other than striated muscle, light chain phosphorylation is required for actin-induced myosin ATPase activity. The possibility that actin and myosin are involved in catecholamine secretion was investigated by determining whether increased phosphorylation in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP of myosin light chain by myosin light chain kinase enhances secretion from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells. In the absence of exogenous myosin light chain kinase, 1 microM Ca2+ caused a 30-40% enhancement of the phosphorylation of a 20 kDa protein. This protein was identified on 2-dimensional gels as myosin light chain by its comigration with purified myosin light chain. Purified myosin light chain kinase (400 micrograms/ml) in the presence of calmodulin (10 microM) caused little or no enhancement of myosin light chain phosphorylation in the absence of Ca2+ in digitonin-treated cells. In the presence of 1 microM Ca2+, myosin light chain kinase (400 micrograms/ml) caused an approximately two-fold increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation in digitonin-treated cells in 5 min. The phosphorylation required permeabilization of the cells by digitonin and occurred within the cells rather than in the medium. Myosin light chain kinase-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain was maximal at 1 microM Ca2+. Under identical conditions to those of the phosphorylation experiments, secretion was unaltered by myosin light chain kinase. The experiments indicate that the phosphorylation of myosin light chain by myosin light chain kinase is not a limiting factor in secretion in digitonin-treated chromaffin cells and suggest that the activation of myosin is not directly involved in secretion from the cells. The experiments also demonstrate the feasibility of investigation of effects of exogenously added proteins on secretion in digitonin-treated cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1987

Lead exposure in a firing range.

We report lead exposure in four employees of a privately owned shooting range, one of whom had neurological toxicity due to lead. Increasing time worked at the range was associated with elevation of blood lead. This incident emphasizes the risk of airborne lead exposure to employees of firing ranges.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

Protein phosphorylation and secretion in digitonin-permeabilized adrenal chromaffin cells. Effects of micromolar Ca2+, phorbol esters, and diacylglycerol.

The effects of phorbol esters, dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8), and micromolar Ca2+ on protein phosphorylation and catecholamine secretion in digitonin-treated chromaffin cells were investigated. [gamma-32P]ATP was used as a substrate for phosphorylation in the permeabilized cells. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) enhanced Ca2+-dependent catecholamine secretion from digitonin-permeabilized cells. The enhancement required MgATP. Only those phorbol esters which activate protein kinase C in vitro enhanced both catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation. DiC8, which activates protein kinase C in vitro and mimics phorbol ester effects in situ, also enhanced both catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation. Preincubation of intact cells with TPA or DiC8 was necessary for maximal effects on both catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation in subsequently digitonin-treated chromaffin cells. The TPA-induced enhancement of protein phosphorylation was almost entirely Ca2+-independent, whereas DiC8-induced enhancement of protein phosphorylation was mainly Ca2+-dependent. Micromolar Ca2+ alone also enhanced the phosphorylation of a large number of proteins. Most of the proteins phosphorylated in response to TPA or potentiated by DiC8 in combination with Ca2+ were also phosphorylated by micromolar Ca2+ in the absence of exogenous protein kinase C activators. In intact cells, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) induced Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of at least 17 proteins which were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. All of the proteins phosphorylated upon incubation with 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium were phosphorylated upon incubation with micromolar Ca2+ in digitonin-treated cells. These results demonstrate that TPA- or DiC8-enhanced Ca2+-dependent catecholamine secretion is associated with enhanced protein phosphorylation which is probably mediated by protein kinase C and that activation of protein kinase C modulates catecholamine secretion from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1985

Acetic acid vapor levels associated with facial prosthetics.

The use of Silastic Medical Adhesive Type A in the fabrication of facial prostheses may cause health hazards to the patient and the operator because of acetic acid emissions. Caution must be exercised to remove acetic acid vapors from the air and unliberated acetic acid from material applied directly to the skin.

Acetates↗