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Biomedical subjects

S J Cook

Publications and source records attributed to S J Cook.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

v-Src induces elevated levels of diglyceride by stimulation of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis.

When Rat-1 cells bearing the ts LA29 mutant of Rous sarcoma virus (Rat1 LA29) are shifted from restrictive to permissive temperature, the pp60v-Src tyrosine kinase is activated and there is an increase in the cellular level of sn1,2-diacylglycerol (DRG) within 30 min which is not accompanied by increased inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. Temperature shift also increases the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), as determined by an increase in the generation of water soluble choline metabolites. Transphosphatidylation studies have shown that this occurs at least in part via a phospholipase D (PLD) catalysed pathway.

Animals↗

Potassium channel activators and bronchial asthma.

The cromakalim-like KCOs relax airways smooth muscle by an action that is associated with the opening of plasmalemmal K(+)-channels. The K(+)-channel involved may be analogous to the ATP-sensitive K(+)-channel identified in pancreatic beta-cells. It is unlikely to be open under normal circumstances and plays little role in determining the strong outward rectifying behaviour of the plasmalemma of the airways smooth muscle cell. K(+)-channel opening may cause relaxation of the airways smooth muscle cell by mechanisms additional to inhibition of Ca2+ influx through L-type VOCs. The cromakalim-like KCOs have bronchodilator activity in vivo and can depress NANC excitatory neuroeffector transmission in the lung at concentrations smaller than those required to relax airways smooth muscle. The mechanism of action of cromakalim in alleviating nocturnal asthma may not involve direct relaxation of airways smooth muscle. It is possible that cromakalim may instead act to inhibit the mechanisms underlying airway hyper-reactivity.

Animals↗

A nonradioactive micro-assay for released reverse transcriptase activity of a lentivirus.

A nonradioactive micro-assay procedure for detection of released reverse transcriptase activity from cells infected with equine infectious anemia virus is described. This procedure utilizes biotinylated-dUTP in conjunction with a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Detection of alkaline phosphatase is by autoradiography of the chemiluminescence produced during enzymatic dephosphorylation of Lumi Phos 530. This method, as with reverse transcriptase micro-assays employing 32P-labeled nucleotides, is suited to the processing of numerous samples, while having the advantages of safety and stability normally associated with nonradioactive methods of detection. Sensitivity is comparable to a reverse transcriptase micro-assay using 32P-dTTP.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

The regulation of phospholipase D activity and its role in sn-1,2-diradylglycerol formation in bombesin- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells.

Addition of the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells resulted in a sustained increase in sn-1,2-diradylglycerol (DG) mass and [3H]DG in [3H]palmitate-labelled cells where phosphatidylcholine was the major labelled phospholipid. This occurred in the absence of inositol phosphate accumulation. In [3H]palmitate-labelled cells both bombesin and PMA stimulated the formation of phosphatidylbutanol ([3H]PtdBut) in the presence of 0.3% (v/v) butan-1-ol. The kinetics of [3H]PtdBut formation were consistent with phospholipase D (PLD) activation preceding sustained DG formation. The inclusion of butan-1-ol inhibited 70% of PMA-stimulated DG formation but only 30% of the bombesin response. The ability of bombesin and PMA to stimulate the accumulation of [3H]PtdBut was completely abolished in Swiss 3T3 cells which had been pre-treated with 400 nM-PMA for 48 h to down-regulate protein kinase C activity. PMA-stimulated [3H]PtdBut formation was inhibited by 90% by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (10 microM), but bombesin-stimulated PtdBut accumulation was inhibited by at most 50% by the same concentration of inhibitor. Cyclic AMP-elevating agents, i.e. forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, did not inhibit bombesin stimulation of PLD activity. Bombesin-stimulated PLD activity was inhibited by 50% by buffering of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration to 150 nM, but combination of this treatment with Ro-31-8220 addition was less than additive. Ionophore A23187 alone was able to stimulate PLD activity, but this response was inhibited 50% by Ro-31-8220. Thapsigargin was unable to stimulate PLD activity and had no modulatory effect upon bombesin-stimulated PLD activity at any agonist concentration. The results are discussed in terms of the role of PLD in DG generation and the regulation of PLD activity both by bombesin and by PMA.

3T3 Cells↗

Multiple sources of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in platelet-derived-growth-factor-stimulated Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Evidence for activation of phosphoinositidase C and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass formation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with a lag time of some 30 s. The response was biphasic, with the second phase being sustained over time. PDGF also stimulated the formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 with a similar lag time to the DAG response, suggesting that DAG is derived from PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis at this time point. PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, as measured by the formation of water-soluble choline metabolites and phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) accumulation, was by a phospholipase D (PLD)-catalysed pathway which was kinetically downstream of initial PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis. Accumulation of PtdBut increased up to 15 min, suggesting that PLD activity is not rapidly densitized in response to PDGF. The kinetics of PtdCho hydrolysis closely paralleled the second phase of DAG formation, strongly suggesting that during prolonged stimulation periods PtdCho is a major source of DAG in these cells. However, since PtdIns(4,5)P2 breakdown was also prolonged, PDGF-stimulated DAG may be derived from both phospholipids. Down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC), by pre-treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, abolished both [3H]choline and [3H]PtdBut formation, suggesting that PLD-catalysed PtdCho hydrolysis may be dependent on PKC activation, supporting its dependence on prior PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis.

Cell Line↗

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D is a common response to mitogens which stimulate inositol lipid hydrolysis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.

The stimulated hydrolysis of inositol lipids and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) by bombesin, [Arg8]vasopressin ([Arg8]Vp) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was analysed in Swiss 3T3 cells pre-labelled to isotopic equilibrium with either [methyl-3H]choline, myo-[2-3H]inositol or [9,10 (n)-3H]palmitic acid. All three agonists activated the phospholipase D-catalysed hydrolysis of PtdCho as determined by the release of [3H]choline (Cho) and the formation of [3H]phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut). The release of [3H]choline by each agonist exhibited similar sensitivity to prolonged pre-exposure to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The release of [3H]choline exhibited the same dose dependency as the production of total inositol phosphates for each mitogen suggesting that the two responses might be mediated through identical receptors. Acute pre-treatment with TPA allowed the dissociation of inositol lipid hydrolysis from PtdCho breakdown, since it inhibited inositol phosphate accumulation but stimulated choline generation. The loss of mitogen stimulated choline release in cells pre-treated with the phorbol ester for 48 h was not due to loss of stimulated inositol phosphate production which was reproducibly enhanced in these 'down-regulated' cells.

Arginine Vasopressin↗

Differences in sensitivity in haemagglutinin inhibition assays between A/equine/H3N8 viruses isolated in eggs and MDCK cells are linked to cleavage of the haemagglutinin molecule.

Two primary isolates of A/equine/H3N8 viruses were obtained in embryonated hens' eggs and in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Viruses isolated in MDCK cells were significantly more sensitive as antigens in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. This sensitivity appeared to be primarily linked to the extent of cleavage of the haemagglutinin molecule.

Animals↗

Retrotransposon gene engineering.

We have used a mobile mouse VL30 genetic element together with retroviral helper cells to efficiently transmit and express chimeric foreign gene sequences in murine and human cells. The construct comprised a cDNA copy of retrotransposon NVL3, an internal promoter [rat cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, EC 4.1.1.32)] and an expressed bacterial neomycin resistance gene. Thirty to sixty thousand colony forming units/ml (CFU/ml) were recovered from the supernatant of mass cultured psi2 helper cells transfected with the recombinant retrotransposon plasmid DNA. RNA was expressed from both the VL30 long terminal repeat and from the internal PEPCK promoter, resulting in a G418 drug resistance phenotype in recipient cells. Integrated VL30 DNA sequences transduced from psi2 or PA317 retroviral helper cells failed to regenerate detectable replication competent virus. Human and rodent recipient cells transduced by the retrotransposons appeared to bear intact vector sequences after two rounds of transmission by helper cells.

Animals↗

Guinea-pig isolated trachealis: the effects of charybdotoxin on mechanical activity, membrane potential changes and the activity of plasmalemmal K(+)-channels.

1. A study has been made, in guinea-pig isolated trachealis, of the effects of charybdotoxin in modulating (a) the activity of large conductance K(+)-channels, (b) the spontaneous electrical activity of intact cells and (c) the mechanical effects of some bronchodilator drugs. 2. Single smooth muscle cells were isolated from guinea-pig trachealis by enzymic digestion and were studied by the patch clamp recording technique. Recordings were made from outside-out plasmalemmal patches when the medium bathing the external surface of the patches contained 1.2 mM Ca2+ and 6 mM K+ while that bathing the cytosolic surface contained 0.1 microM Ca2+ and 140 mM K+. Charybdotoxin (100 nM), applied to the external surface of patches held at 0 mV, abolished the unitary currents associated with the opening of large conductance K(+)-channels. 3. Opened segments of guinea-pig trachea were used for the simultaneous recording of membrane potential and tension changes. In these experiments charybdotoxin (100 nM) caused the conversion of spontaneous electrical slow waves into spike-like action potentials. This effect was accompanied by a very small reduction in resting membrane potential. 4. Tissue bath recording showed that charybdotoxin (100 nM) increased the spontaneous mechanical tone of the tissue, antagonized (2.8 fold in each case) the relaxant actions of isoprenaline and theophylline but did not antagonize the relaxant actions of cromakalim or RP 49356. 5. It is concluded that charybdotoxin is an effective inhibitor of large conductance K(+)-channels in guinea-pig trachealis cells. The ability of charybdotoxin to convert spontaneous slow waves into spike-like action potentials suggests that the large, charybdotoxin-sensitive, K+-channels play an important role in determining the strong outward rectifying behaviour of the cells. The ability of charybdotoxin to antagonize isoprenaline and theophylline, but not to antagonize cromakalim and RP 49356, suggests that opening of the large conductance, charybdotoxin-sensitive K+-channel is implicated in the action of the former but not the latter pair of bronchodilator drugs.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Mass measurement of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

Two specific and selective assays were used to measure changes in the mass of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells. The results demonstrate that the increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 was extremely rapid, but transient, returning to basal levels by 30 s. In contrast, the increase in sn-1,2-diacylglycerol was biphasic: the first phase mirrored the transient Ins(1,4,5)P3 response, whereas the second phase was sustained and occurred in the absence of elevated Ins(1,4,5)P3. The possible source of the second phase of diacylglycerol is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Uptake and deoxyribonuclease 1 susceptibility of foreign deoxyribonucleic acid by chicken sperm cells.

Association of foreign DNA with chicken sperm cells was investigated using a 32P-oligolabelled plasmid preparation. Significant, although low, levels of trichloroacetic acid precipitable radioactivity became rapidly associated with viable sperm cells, in contrast to the situation with formaldehyde-fixed cells. However, analysis by Southern blotting and hybridization of sperm cells incubated with an unlabelled plasmid preparation followed by deoxyribonuclease 1 treatment, demonstrated associated foreign DNA was completely susceptible to nuclease degradation, whereas chromosomal DNA was not affected.

Animals↗

Analysis of the water-soluble products of phosphatidylcholine breakdown by ion-exchange chromatography. Bombesin and TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) stimulate choline generation in Swiss 3T3 cells by a common mechanism.

A method for the rapid and quantitative separation of glycerophosphocholine, choline phosphate and choline upon ion-exchange columns is described. The method has been utilized to examine the stimulation of phosphatidylcholine breakdown in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells in response to bombesin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The stimulated generation of choline is shown to precede that of choline phosphate, with no effect upon glycerophosphocholine levels; but was attenuated in cells in which protein kinase C activity was down-regulated. The results thus suggest that stimulation of the cells with either bombesin or TPA activates phospholipase D-catalysed phosphatidylcholine breakdown by a common mechanism involving the activation of protein kinase C.

Bombesin↗

Parental awareness and child abuse: a cognitive-developmental analysis of urban and rural samples.

A cognitive-developmental analysis of parental reasoning on child-rearing issues is presented and applied in two controlled studies of parents of abused or neglected children. Significant differences in parental awareness were found between urban parents and their controls; this relationship is sustained in a rural sample, controlling for child handicap as well as for other familial characteristics.

Adolescent↗