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S T Lord

Publications and source records attributed to S T Lord.

78 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Three segments from the monkey genome that hybridize to simian virus 40 have common structural elements.

Three cloned segments that hybridize to a region of simian virus 40 (SV40) deoxyribonucleic acid including the origin of replication have been isolated from a monkey genomic library. The primary structure of one segment was previously reported (T. McCutchan and M. Singer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:95-99, 1981). We report here the sequences of the other two segments and a comparison of all three. The SV 40-hybridizing region in each segment is limited to several hundred base pairs. All of the segments contain multiple and disconnected sequences homologous to the region of SV40 directly surrounding the viral replication origin. The number and arrangement of the homologous sequences is different in the three segments. However, the segments have the following features in common: (i) each contains multiple copies of the sequence GGGCGGPuPu, which also appears six times near the origin of SV40; (ii) each contains several strong homologies to the central dyad symmetry of SV40; (iii) each contains a long internal repeat, as does the origin region of SV40. The three SV40-hybridizing segments are members of a larger family of genomic sequences that hybridize well to each other, but not necessarily to SV40.

Animals↗

Synthesis of peptide spin-labels that bind to neurophysin and their application to distance measurements within neurophysin complexes.

The synthesis of two spin-labels capable of binding to the hormone-binding site(s) of neurophysin is described. The two spin-labels are 4-(glycyl-L-phenylalanylamido)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy and S-[[[3-(2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxy)amino]carbonyl]methyl]-L-cysteinyl -L-tyrosine amide; synthesis of the former is achieved by a novel route to circumvent problems associated with nitroxide instability under standard conditions of peptide deblocking. NMR studies of the effects of binding these spin-labels on relaxation rates of individual proton resonances of neurophysin were used to calculate correlation times and distances between the bound nitroxides and the observed protons. The results indicate that residue 3 of peptides bound to the strong site of neurophysin is greater than or equal to 14 A from Tyr-49 and argue against a distance of < 5 A between the ortho ring protons of Tyr-49 and those of residue 2 of peptides bound to the strong site. Alternatively, the data suggest that the previously observed nuclear Overhauser effect between these protons reflects spin diffusion at the strong site and a contribution of uncertain magnitude from a second but very weak binding site; this second site is close to Tyr-49 and is detected by the increased relaxation rate of Tyr-49 ring protons when 4-(glycyl-L-phenylalanylamido)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy is displaced from the strong site by competing diamagnetic peptide. Additionally, the data indicate that residue 3 of bound peptides at the strong site is distant from His-80 but approximately 12 A from the amino terminus. The extended side chain of residue 1 of peptides at the strong site is calculated as less than or equal to 10 A from Tyr-49.

Animals↗

Identification and observation of alkyl proton resonances of the amino-terminal residues of bovine neurophysins. Evidence for conformational differences between neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II.

Analysis of the 220 MHz proton magnetic resonance spectra of bovine neurophysins-I and -II and of the effects of pH and succinylation of these spectra has allowed identification of the -CH3 proton resonances of the amino-terminal alanine of both proteins and of the -CH3 resonances of methionine-2 of neurophysin-II. The alanine -CH3 resonance of neurophysin-I is a sharp doublet at all pH values between 1 and 10.5 indicating relatively few restrictions on its mobility. By contrast, the -CH3 resonances of the amino-terminal alanine and methionine-2 of neurophysin-II undergo pH-dependent changes in broadening compatible with the formation of an intramolecular salt-bridge at neutral pH between the protonated alpha-amino and an unprotonated side chain carboxyl. The results suggest that differeces in the properties of the two proteins are partially mediated by conformational differences involving their amino-terminal sequences. The potential usefulness of the amino-terminal resonances as n.m.r. 'reporter' signals is additionally demonstrated by studies of the effects of spin labels on the neurophysin-I amino-terminal alanine resonance; these studies place the amino-terminus of neurophysin-I approximately 14 A from residue 3 of peptides bound to the strong neurophysin hormone-binding site.

Amino Acids↗

Slip resistance of casual footwear: implications for falls in older adults.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of falls in older people are caused by slipping. Previous occupational safety research suggests that inadequate footwear may contribute to slipping accidents; however, no studies have assessed the slip resistance of casual footwear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the slip resistance of different types of casual footwear over a range of common household surfaces. METHODS: The slip resistance of men's Oxford shoes and women's fashion shoes with different heel configurations was determined by measuring the dynamic coefficient of friction (DCoF) at heel contact (in both dry and wet conditions) on a bathroom tile, concrete, vinyl flooring and a terra cotta tile using a specially-designed piezoelectric force plate apparatus. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed significant shoe, surface, and shoe-surface interaction effects. Men's Oxford shoes exhibited higher average DCoF values than the women's fashion shoes, however, none of the shoes could be considered safe on wet surfaces. Application of a textured sole material did not improve slip resistance of any of the shoes on wet surfaces. CONCLUSION: Heel geometry influences the slip resistance of casual footwear on common household surfaces. The suboptimal performance of all of the test shoes on wet surfaces suggests that a safety standard for casual footwear is required to assist in the development of safe footwear for older people.

Accident Prevention↗