Biomedical subjects

S Worland

Publications and source records attributed to S Worland.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Rapid multiserotype detection of human rhinoviruses on optically coated silicon surfaces.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 immunologically distinct serotypes of human rhinoviruses (HRV) have been discovered, making detection of surface exposed capsid antigens impractical. However, the non-structural protein 3C protease (3Cpro) is essential for viral replication and is relatively highly conserved among serotypes, making it a potential target for diagnostic testing. The thin film biosensor is an assay platform that can be formatted into a sensitive immunoassay for viral proteins in clinical specimens. The technology utilizes an optically coated silicon surface to convert specific molecular binding events into visual color changes by altering the reflective properties of light through molecular thin films. OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid test for detection of HRV by developing broadly serotype reactive antibodies to 3Cpro and utilizing them in the thin film biosensor format. STUDY DESIGN: Polyclonal antibodies to 3Cpro were purified and incorporated into the thin film assay. The in vitro sensitivity, specificity and multiserotype cross-reactivity of the 3Cpro assay were tested. Nasal washes from naturally infected individuals were also tested to verify that 3Cpro was detectable in clinical specimens. RESULTS: The 3Cpro assay is a 28-min, non-instrumented room temperature test with a visual limit of detection of 12 pM (picomolar) 3Cpro. In terms of viral titer, as few as 1000 TCID(50) equivalents of HRV2 were detectable. The assay detected 45/52 (87%) of the HRV serotypes tested but showed no cross-reactivity to common respiratory viruses or bacteria. The thin film assay detected 3Cpro in HRV-infected cell culture supernatants coincident with first appearance of cytopathic effect. Data are also presented demonstrating 3Cpro detection from clinical samples collected from HRV-infected individuals. The assay detected 3Cpro in expelled nasal secretions from a symptomatic individual on the first day of illness. In addition, 9/11 (82%) concentrated nasal wash specimens from HRV infected children were positive in the 3Cpro test. CONCLUSION: We have described a novel, sensitive thin film biosensor for rapid detection of HRV 3Cpro. This test may be suitable for the point of care setting, where rapid HRV diagnostic test results could contribute to clinical decisions regarding appropriate antibiotic or antiviral therapy.

3C Viral Proteases↗

PubMed1998

Structure and functional relationships in human pur H.

1. The human pur H (ATIC) gene encoding a bifunctional protein, hPurH, which carries the penultimate and final enzymatic activities of the purine nucleotide synthesis pathway, AICARFT & IMPCH, has been cloned and sequenced. The gene product, hPurH has been overexpressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity and crystallized. 2. The human pur H gene lies on chromosome 2, between band q34 and q35. There is at least one intron of 278 bp near the 5' end. 3. Truncation mutant studies demonstrate two non-overlapping functional domains in the protein arranged as indicated in Figure 5. The existence of a linker or interaction region between the catalytic domains remains to be established. 4. Cleland-type kinetic inhibition experiments indicate that the AICARFT reaction is of the ordered, sequential type with the reduced folate cofactor binding first. 5. The reaction has a broad pH optimum in the alkaline range, with a maximum at about pH 8.2. 6. Preliminary transient phase kinetic studies show the presence of a "burst" indicating that a late step in the reaction sequence is rate limiting. 7. A PurH crystal structure is that of a dimer, with a putative single binding site for the reduced folate cofactor formed using elements from each of the monomer subunits. Probable binding sites for AICAR and FAICAR can be identified on each monomer. 8. Equilibrium sedimentation studies show hPurH apoprotein to be a monomer:dimer equilibrium mixture with a kD of 0.55 uM. 9. The crystal structure has permitted identification of a number of candidate amino acid residues likely to be involved in catalysis and/or substrate binding. Among these, we have thus far completed studies on two, Lysine 265 and Histidine 266. These appear to be critically involved in the AICARFT reaction, although whether their role(s) are in catalysis or binding remains to be determined.

Aminoimidazole Carboxamide↗

PubMed1995

Characterization of the DNA-binding activity of HIV-1 integrase using a filter binding assay.

Based on the selective binding of proteins and DNA to distinct filter materials a double-layered dot blot radio assay was developed to evaluate the binding of DNA to HIV-1 integrase. In this assay the DNA-binding was found to be independent of Mn2+ concentration, inhibited by concentrations of Mg2+ above 5 mM, abolished by zinc chelation and inhibited by monoclonal antibodies reacting with either the N-terminal or C-terminal regions of integrase. Atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed the molar ratio between integrase and zinc to be close to 1. It is concluded that both the N-terminal and the C-terminal regions of integrase are involved in DNA-binding and that the reported double-layered dot blot radio assay is well suited for further characterization of the integrase.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Isolation of high-affinity RNA ligands to HIV-1 integrase from a random pool.

We were able to isolate high-affinity RNAs from a random pool that binds to integrase protein from the human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 using the procedure now known as SELEX. Generally, the RNAs fell into three different classes in binding buffer containing 250 mM NaCl: group I class of molecules binds integrase with a dissociation constant (Kd) on the order of 10 nM, group II molecules had a Kd of about 80 nM, and group III about 800 nM. The RNA with the highest affinity from the group I class of molecules, designated P5, was characterized using computer modeling, chemical and enzymatic probing, and deletion analysis. Our secondary structure model for this RNA suggests interactions between looped-out fixed nucleotides and nucleotides from the randomized region; a GNRA tetraloop is also in the structure. We showed that our integrase was able to process a U5 mimic in vitro. P5 competes effectively for binding with the double-stranded DNA mimic of U5 at 180 mM NaCl concentration.

Base Sequence↗