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T Ny

Publications and source records attributed to T Ny.

88 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

The fibrinolytic system of the vascular wall.

The vascular endothelium produces both PAs and a PAI. The activities of these components in the circulation must be regulated precisely to ensure that normal vascular homeostasis is not compromised. The blood contains a number of molecules that may function in this way by either promoting or inhibiting the synthesis, release and/or activity of the PAs and PAI. It is clear that the regulation of this system is considerably more complex than previously thought. For example, the initiation of fibrin dissolution is influenced by a number of additional factors including fibrin itself, pro-activators, PAI, platelet components (including the PAI), and possibly by APC generated at the endothelial cell surface. Despite the many recent advances discussed above, little is known about the temporal control of the events leading to plasminogen activation during thrombus formation and dissolution. Obviously, such information must be obtained before more effective treatments of abnormal vascular fibrinolytic activity can be developed. In this chapter, we have described a number of reagents and assays that should aid in the quantification of the PAs and the PAI in plasma. Eventual utilization of these assays in a clinical setting may be valuable for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of abnormalities of the vascular fibrinolytic system.

Blood Vessels↗

The structure of the human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene: correlation of intron and exon structures to functional and structural domains.

A genomic clone carrying the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene was isolated from a cosmid library, and the gene structure was elucidated by restriction mapping, Southern blotting, and DNA sequencing. The cosmid contained all the coding parts of the mRNA, except for the first 58 bases in the 5' end of the mRNA, and had a total length of greater than 20 kilobases. It was separated into at least 14 exons by at least 13 introns, and the exons seemed to code for structural or functional domains. Thus, the signal peptide, the propeptide, and the domains of the heavy chain, including the regions homologous to growth factors, and to the "finger" structure of fibronectin, are all encoded by separate exons. In addition, the two kringle regions of t-PA were both coded for by two exons and were cleaved by introns at identical positions. The region coding for the light chain, comprising the serine protease part of the molecule was split by four introns, revealing a gene organization similar to other serine proteases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Novel cluster of alpha-interferon gene sequences in a placental cosmid DNA library.

A human cosmid library was constructed and probed with a human alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) cDNA clone. One clone giving a strong hybridizing signal was isolated and characterized. The cosmid DNA insert represents a section of the human genome containing three regions of IFN-alpha-like sequences. The DNA was characterized with restriction endonuclease mapping, thereby allowing comparison to similar linkage groups reported recently and determination of homologous regions on the known physical map. The three IFN-alpha-like sequences were analyzed by a partial sequence analysis. Mapping and sequence data establish this section as a not-yet-described cluster of IFN-alpha sequences in the human genome; however, a part of the section matches to some degree to a previously described genomic region. The region described here could represent genetic polymorphism or a duplicated segment.

Base Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a melanoma cell plasminogen activator.

The plasminogen activator from a human melanoma cell line was purified with immunoadsorption as a major step. The cells were cultured in the presence of aprotinin in order to avoid proteolysis. A three-step purification involved adsorption on antibodies to porcine tissue plasminogen activator before chromatographies on arginine-Sepharose and Sephadex G-150. All solvents contained Tween-80 (0.01%) and, except for the last step, aprotinin. The final product had a specific activity of about 220000 IU/mg measured against the WHO urokinase standard. The activator obtained has an apparent Mr of 72000 and consists of single-chain molecules. Evidence was obtained that four different types of activator variants occur. First and known previously, the one-chain form can be proteolytically cleaved into a two-chain form. Secondly, both the one-chain and two-chain molecules exhibit two forms with molecular weight differences of about 3000 (possibly due to carbohydrate differences). Thirdly, the one-chain preparations contain two variants, each constituting about 50% of the material and differing in length by three N-terminal amino acids. Finally, a possible positional microheterogeneity was detected. Digestion with plasmin yields the two-chain form with disulfide-bonded polypeptide chains, 'A' and 'B' (from the N-terminal and C-terminal parts, respectively). At the same time, the variability of the original N terminus is removed. The A chain keeps the two Mr variants (now about 40000 and 37000, respectively). The B chain (Mr about 33000) contains the active site of the molecule, as demonstrated by labelling with [3H]diisopropyl phosphofluoridate, and is homologous to the enzymatically active chains of thrombin, plasmin and other serine proteases. In contrast to these enzymes, the plasminogen activator is enzymatically active in the one-chain form. A speculative explanation for this activity may possibly be the presence of an epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue at a position close to the bond cleaved in the two-chain form.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insect immunity. Isolation of cDNA clones corresponding to attacins and immune protein P4 from Hyalophora cecropia.

Diapausing pupae of the Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) respond to an injection of live bacteria by the selective synthesis of certain types of RNA and immune proteins (designated P1-P9). The in vitro translation products of RNA from both injured and infected pupae showed specific patterns with a defined number of extra bands. Some proteins characteristic of the normal RNA were reduced in the immune RNA translation products. Antibody reaction was used to show the selective synthesis of immune proteins P4 and P5 with mRNA from pupae subjected to injury or infection. The protein synthesized in vitro, which cross-reacted with P5 antibodies, is most likely a precursor of the attacins described in the preceding paper. A cDNA clone bank was prepared and two clones were isolated and shown to contain 750 bp corresponding to P4 and 250 bp of attacin information. These clones were used to estimate the sizes of the mRNAs by Northern blotting and to estimate, by RNA/DNA hybridization, the levels of P4 and P5 mRNA. In vivo incorporation of [35S]methionine into attacins and P4 during different conditions was compared with the levels of the corresponding mRNA.

Animals↗

Isolation of cDNA sequences coding for a part of human tissue plasminogen activator.

We have isolated a cDNA sequence coding for a part of human tissue plasminogen activator. mRNA coding for tissue plasminogen activator was partially purified, copied into double-stranded cDNA, and cloned into Escherichia coli. Two sets of partially overlapping oligodeoxynucleotide mixtures corresponding to all possible coding sequences for a known portion of the tissue plasminogen activator gene were prepared. One set was used as a probe to screen cDNA containing bacterial clones and both were used as probes in hybridization against purified plasmid DNA. Of 4,200 bacterial clones examined, 1 carried a plasmid that hybridized to both sets of oligonucleotides. This plasmid contained a 370-base-pair cDNA insert, which was shown by nucleotide sequence analysis to code for the cleavage site region in the one-chain form of the human tissue plasminogen activator.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Growth-state independent induction of specific proteins in Swiss 3T3 cells by interferon.

The early effects of interferon (IFN) on the pattern of protein synthesis in Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts were investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of 35S-methionine labeled cell extracts. IFN induced within 4 h the synthesis of three proteins with molecular weights of 48, 49, and 50 kD. An increase in the rate of synthesis of a 31 kD protein was also found. These changes were observed after IFN treatment of exponentially growing cells, density-inhibited cells, serum-starved cells, and serum-stimulated quiescent cells. The same protein patterns were obtained from cells treated with IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. The IFN response was blocked by the addition of actinomycin D, implying de novo transcription of the corresponding species of messenger RNA.

Animals↗

Interferon-specific effects on protein synthesis in P3HR-1 cells.

The effect of interferon (IFN) on protein synthesis was studied in the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line P3HR-1 by [35S]methionine labelling of the cells, followed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of cell extracts. De novo synthesis of three proteins (mol. wts. 33 000, 62 000, and 98 000, respectively) and alterations in the rate of synthesis for a small number of additional proteins were observed during the first 12 h of treatment, while the rate of overall protein synthesis was unaffected. Treatment of P3HR-1 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or hydrocortisone (HC), which induce similar changes in cell cycle distribution as does IFN, did not induce comparable changes in the rates of protein synthesis. Thus, the effects were specific for IFN and not induced by the change in cell cycle distribution per se, i.e., accumulation in G0. Treatment of cells with 2'-5' pA core did not mimic the effect of IFN at the translational level. A substrain of P3HR-1 cells, selected for resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of IFN, lacked six proteins found in the wild-type. The 62 000 mol. wt. protein was induced in this substrain as well as in native P3HR-1 cells on addition of IFN. The resistant substrain still developed an anti-viral effect in response to IFN. Thus, it seems as if the anti-proliferative and anti-viral effects of IFN, at least in some cells are mediated by different intracellular molecular mechanisms.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

Rapid induction of seven proteins in human lymphocytes by interferon; correlation to natural killer cell activity.

The early effects of interferon (IFN) on the synthesis of protein in human nylon wool-nonadherent lymphocytes have been stimulated by use of two-dimensional electrophoresis. IFN-alpha or -beta as well as Escherichia coli-produced IFN-alpha 2 induced the rapid formation of seven proteins (Mr 80, 75, 62, 53, 38, 36, and 33 kD). At least five proteins were expressed within 2 hr of incubation with IFN. The synthesis of the seven proteins seemed to require rapid transcription of new RNA, because actinomycin D markedly inhibited their formation only when added less than 30 min after IFN. A good correlation was found between the ability of actinomycin D to inhibit both the formation of new proteins and the augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity. Screening of a panel of 10 hematopoietic and two anchorage-dependent cell lines revealed that p62 and p38 were induced in most cell lines, whereas p80 and p33 were preferentially induced in lymphoid cell lines. Three proteins could not be induced by IFN in any of the 12 cell lines, and thus could represent molecules mediating differentiated functions, possibly involved in NK cell function.

Blood Proteins↗

Non-coordinate regulation of enzymes involved in transfer RNA metabolism in Escherichia coli.

During different steady state growth conditions in Escherichia coli the level of the three tRNA-modifying enzymes, the tRNA(m5Urd)-, tRNA(m1Guo)- and tRNA(mam5s2Urd)methyltransferase and of five aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the leucyl-, valyl-, isoleucyl-, arginyl- and threonyl-tRNA-synthetase, has been determined. It is shown that those two classes of tRNA affecting enzymes are not coordinately regulated and that even within these two groups of enzymes the constituents are regulated independently of each other. Furthermore it is demonstrated that none of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and only one of the three tRNA-methyltransferases, the tRNA(m5Urd)methyltransferase, is under control of the relA+-gene.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Growth rate-dependent regulation of transfer ribonucleic acid (5-methyluridine) methyltransferase in Escherichia coli B/r.

Enzymes catalyzing the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl-l-methionine to a precursor transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) and forming 5-methyluridine (m(5)U), 1-methylguanine (m(1)G), or 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thio-uridine (mam(5)s(2)U) are denoted tRNA(m(5)U)-(EC 2.1.1.35), tRNA(m(1)G)-(EC 2.1.1.31), and tRNA(mam(5)s(2)U)methyltransferase. We have studied the regulation of these tRNA biosynthetic enzymes in Escherichia coli under various physiological conditions and in bacterial mutants known to affect the regulation of components of the translational apparatus. Such studies have revealed that tRNA(m(5)U)-methyltransferase increases with the growth rate in the same fashion as stable RNA, whereas the activity of two other tRNA methyltransferases remains constant in relation to the growth rate. Thus, these tRNA biosynthetic enzymes were not coordinately regulated. Regulation of both tRNA(m(5)U)methyltransferase and stable RNA was similar during shift-up and shift-down experiments. This enzyme showed a stringent regulation in relA(+) strain (T. Ny and G. R. Björk, J. Bacteriol. 130:635-641, 1977) but also in two temperature-sensitive mutants, fusA and fusB, known to influence the accumulation of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate and RNA synthesis at nonpermissive temperatures. The tRNA(m(5)U)methyltransferase showed a gene dose effect when its structural gene, trmA, was carried on a plasmid or on lambda transducing phages. Although the regulation of tRNA-(m(5)U)methyltransferase was surprisingly coupled to that of stable RNA, this enzyme was expressed at a much lower level.

Escherichia coli↗

Cloning and restriction mapping of the trmA gene coding for transfer ribonucleic acid (5-methyluridine)-methyltransferase in Escherichia coli K-12.

A hybrid plasmid from the Clarke and Carbon collection has been isolated. This plasmid carries the trmA gene of E. coli, which is necessary for the formation of 5-methyluridine (m5U,ribothymidine) present in all transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) chains of the organism so far sequenced. A restriction map of the argCBH-trmA regions is presented. By using cloning in vitro, the trmA gene was located on a 2.9-kilobase pair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment. These results and comparison with lambda dargECBH transducing phages established the gene order: argECBH trmA bfe in the 88-min region of the E. coli chromosomal map. Plasmids carrying this 2.9-kilobase pair DNA fragment overproduce the enzyme tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.35) 20 to 40 times. When this 2.9-kilobase pair chromosomal DNA fragment was expressed in a minicell system, a polypeptide of a molecular weight of 42,000 was synthesized. This polypeptide was tentatively identified as the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase. These results support the earlier suggestion that the trmA gene is the structural gene for the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Stringent regulation of the synthesis of a transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthetic enzyme: transfer ribonucleic acid(m5U)methyltransferase from Escherichia coli.

This paper describes the regulation of a transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) biosynthetic enzyme, the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.35). This enzyme catalyzes the formation of 5-methyluridine (m5U, ribothymidine) in all tRNA chains of Escherichia coli. Partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal can be imposed by shifting strains carrying a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA ligase from a permissive to a semipermissive temperature. By using two such strains differing only in the allelic state of the relA gene, it was possible to show the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase to be stringently regulated. Upon partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal, the differential rate of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase synthesis was found to decrease in a strain with stringent RNA control (relA+), whereas it increased in the strain carrying the relA allele. This increase of accumulation of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase activity required protein synthesis. Thus, when tRNA is partially uncharged in the cell, the relA gene product influences the expression of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase gene.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Localization and distribution of tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators and their inhibitors Type 1 and 2 in human and rhesus monkey fetal membranes.

Fetal membranes consist of 10 distinct layers including components of amnion, chorion and decidua, the latter being of maternal origin. They form mechanically integrated sheets capable of retaining amniotic fluid and play an essential role in protecting fetal growth and development in the pregnant uterus. The extracellular matrix, substrate for plasminogen activators (PAs), is an important supportive framework of the fetal membranes. Fetal membranes from women with preterm premature rupture of membranes may differ in their protease activity compared with normal membranes. To identify the presence of PAs and their inhibitors (PAI) and their possible role in the process of fetal membrane rupture, this study investigated the distribution and localization of both protein and mRNA for tissue (t) and urokinase (u) PA and their inhibitors type 1 (PAI-1) and type 2 (PAI-2) in amniochorion of human and rhesus monkey using conventional and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the distribution and localization of mRNAs for tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were similar in the fetal membranes of human and rhesus monkey; no obvious species difference was observed. Evidence of tPA mRNA was detected in amniotic epithelium, trophoblast cells and nearly all cells of the decidual layer. Strong expression of uPA mRNA was noted in the decidual cells which increased in intensity as the abscission point was approached. Weak staining in chorion laeve trophoblast was also detected. In situ hybridization experiments showed PAI-1 mRNA to be concentrated mainly in the decidual cells, some of which were interposed into the maternal-facing edge of the chorion laeve. Maximal labelling of the decidua occurred towards the zone of abscission. Weak expression of PAI-1 mRNA was also noted in some cells of the chorion laeve. The distribution of PAI-2 mRNA in amniochorion was also concentrated in the cells of the decidual layer, maximum expression of the mRNA was in the level of abscission. No detectable amount of mRNAs for tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was found in the fibroblast, reticular and spongy layers. Distribution of the proteins of tPA, uPA and PAI-1 in the fetal membranes of these two species was consistent with the distribution of their mRNA. Anti-PAI-2 immunofluorescence was found to be strongly concentrated in the amniotic epithelium, but PAI-2 mRNA was negative in this layer, suggesting that the epithelium-associated PAI-2 is not of epithelial origin. These findings suggest that a local fibrinolysis in fetal membranes generated by precisely balanced expression of PAs and their inhibitors via paracrine or autocrine mechanisms may play an essential role in fetal membrane development, maturation and in membrane rupture. Following an analysis of the distribution and synthesis of activators and inhibitors it was found that they may play a role in abscission during the third stage of labour.

Adult↗