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Biomedical subjects

T Subramanian

Publications and source records attributed to T Subramanian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) corepressor complex induced by E1A and modulation of E1A transcriptional activity by CtBP2.

The N-terminal region of adenovirus E1A interacts with histone acetyl transferases (HATs) such as p300, P/CAF, and GCN5. The C-terminal region interacts with the transcriptional corepressors CtBP1 and CtBP2. The functional significance of co-recruitment of HATs and CtBPs by E1A is not well understood. In this study, we have shown that E1A enhanced acetylation of CtBP2 by recruitment of p300 to the CtBP2 complex. Additionally, E1A also displaced the histone methyltransferase G9a and the E-box repressor ZEB from the CtBP2 complex through the C-terminal CtBP-binding domain. A transcriptional activation function encoded by the E1A N-terminal region was efficiently inhibited by CtBP2 but not by a mutant with an N-terminal deletion or by a mutant deficient in interaction with E1A. Two isoforms of CtBP1 (CtBP1-L and CtBP1-S) poorly inhibited transcriptional activity of the E1A N-terminal region. Thus, the N-terminal domain of CtBP2 may contribute a unique transcriptional regulatory activity of CtBP2. Our results provide new insights by which CtBP might modulate the biochemical activities of E1A.

Acetylation↗

Anatomically discrete functional effects of adenoviral clostridial light chain gene-based synaptic inhibition in the midbrain.

The gene for the Light Chain fragment of Tetanus Toxin (LC) induces synaptic inhibition by preventing the release of synaptic vesicles. The present experiment applied this approach within the rat midbrain in order to demonstrate that LC gene expression can achieve functionally and anatomically discrete effects within a sensitive brain structure. The deep layers of the superior colliculus/deep mesencephalic nucleus (dSC/DpMe) that are located in the rostral midbrain has been implicated in fear-induced increase of the acoustic startle reflex (fear potentiated startle) but exists in close proximity to neural structures important for a variety of critical functions. The dSC/DpMe of adult rats was injected bilaterally with adenoviral vectors for LC, green fluorescent protein, or vehicle. Synaptobrevin was depleted in brain regions of adenoviral LC expression. LC gene expression in the dSC/DpMe inhibited the increase in startle amplitude seen with the control viral infection, and blocked context-dependent potentiation of startle induced by fear conditioning. Although LC gene expression reduced the absolute amount of cue-specific fear potentiated startle, it did not decrease percent potentiated startle to a cue, nor did it reduce fear-induced contextual freezing, nonspecific locomotor activity, or general health, indicating that its effects were functionally and anatomically specific. Thus, vector-driven LC expression inhibits the function of deep brain nuclei without altering the function of surrounding structures supporting its application to therapeutic neuromodulation.

Adenoviridae↗

Genetic identification of adenovirus type 5 genes that influence viral spread.

The mechanisms that control cell-to-cell spread of human adenoviruses (Ad) are not well understood. Two early viral proteins, E1B-19K and E3-ADP, appear to have opposing effects since viral mutants that are individually deficient in E1B-19K produce large plaques (G. Chinnadurai, Cell 33:759-766, 1983), while mutants deficient in E3-ADP produce small plaques (A. E. Tollefson et al., J. Virol. 70:2296-2306, 1996) on infected cell monolayers. We have used a genetic strategy to identify different viral genes that influence adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) spread in an epithelial cancer cell line. An Ad5 mutant (dl327; lacking most of the E3 region) with the restricted-spread (small-plaque) phenotype was randomly mutagenized with UV, and 27 large-plaque (lp) mutants were isolated. A combination of analyses of viral proteins and genomic DNA sequences have indicated that 23 mutants contained lesions in the E1B region affecting either 19K or both 19K and 55K proteins. Four other lp mutants contained lesions in early regions E1A and E4, in the early L1 region that codes for the i-leader protein, and in late regions that code for the viral structural proteins, penton base, and fiber. Our results suggest that the requirement of E3-ADP for Ad spread could be readily compensated for by abrogation of the functions of E1B-19K and provide genetic evidence that these two viral proteins influence viral spread in opposing manners. In addition to E1B and E3 proteins, other early and late proteins that regulate viral replication and infectivity also influence lateral viral spread. Our studies have identified novel mutations that could be exploited in designing efficient oncolytic Ad vectors.

Adenovirus E1B Proteins↗

Acetylation by p300 regulates nuclear localization and function of the transcriptional corepressor CtBP2.

CtBP family members, CtBP1 and CtBP2, are unique transcriptional regulators that adapt a metabolic enzyme fold, and their activities are regulated by NAD(H)-binding. CtBP1 is both cytoplasmic and nuclear, and its subcellular localization is regulated by sumoylation, phosphorylation, and binding to a PDZ protein. In contrast, we showed that CtBP2 is exclusively nuclear. CtBP1 and CtBP2 are highly similar, but differ at the N-terminal 20 amino acid region. Substitution of the N-terminal domain of CtBP1 with the corresponding CtBP2 domain confers a dominant nuclear localization pattern to CtBP1. The N-terminal domain of CtBP2 contains three Lys residues. Our results show that these Lys residues are acetylated by the nuclear acetylase p300. Although all three Lys residues of CtBP2 (Lys-6, Lys-8, and Lys-10) appear to be acetylated, acetylation of Lys-10 is critical for nuclear localization. CtBP2 with a single amino acid substitution at Lys-10 (K10R) is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic localization of the K10R mutant is correlated with enhanced nuclear export that is inhibited by leptomycin B. Furthermore, lack of acetylation at Lys-10 renders CtBP2 to be more efficient in repression of the E-cadherin promoter. Our studies have revealed the important roles of acetylation in regulating subcellular localization and transcriptional activity of CtBP2.

Acetylation↗

Mitochondrial localization of p53 during adenovirus infection and regulation of its activity by E1B-19K.

Recent results have revealed that the p53 tumor suppressor protein possesses a direct transcription-independent apoptotic activity. During apoptosis induced by genotoxic stress, a small fraction of p53 is targeted to mitochondria where it initiates apoptosis by causing mitochondrial dysfunction. In adenovirus-infected cells, the expression of E1A protein enhances the accumulation of p53 during early phases of infection and during late times after infection, it is targeted for degradation by the combined action of E1B-55K and E4-orf6 proteins. The functional significance of E1A-mediated accumulation of p53 during early phases of viral replication is not known. Our studies with isogenic epithelial cell lines that differ only on the status of p53 indicate that Ad infection induces apoptosis by p53-dependent and -independent pathways and both pathways are suppressed by E1B-19K. We show that during early phase of Ad infection, a fraction of p53 is targeted to the mitochondria. In virus infected cells, a large fraction of the viral antiapoptosis protein E1B-19K is also localized in mitochondria during early and late phases of infection. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis has revealed that p53 and E1B-19K form a complex in mitochondria. The interaction of 19K involves two noncontiguous regions located around amino-acid residues 14-15 and 123-124. On p53, the mutations within the DNA-binding domain reduce interaction with E1B-19K. Our studies also suggest that 19K may additionally complex with the multidomain mitochondrial proapoptotic protein BAK, thereby reducing the level of p53 interaction with BAK. We suggest that p53-induced apoptosis may be important for efficient cell lysis and viral spread and that E1B-19K may neutralize the apoptotic activity of p53 at multiple levels.

Adenoviridae↗

Pro-apoptotic activity of transiently expressed BCL-2 occurs independent of BAX and BAK.

BCL-2 suppresses apoptosis induced by a wide variety of stimuli in multiple cell types. Most of the in vitro studies that have examined the activity of BCL-2 have employed stable cell lines that ectopically express BCL-2. We have reported that BCL-2 is expressed at high levels in the absence of the 5'- and 3'-UTRs of the Bcl-2 gene and transient high level of expression results in potent cell death (Uhlmann et al., [1998]: JBC 278:17926-17932). Expression of BCL-2 under the transcriptional control of the cognate 5'- and 3'-UTRs express lower levels of BCL-2 and does not cause cell death. Our present results suggest that in contrast to BCL-2, transient expression of BCL-xL does not induce cell death and coexpression of BCL-xL with the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 does not suppress cell death. The pro-apoptotic activity of BCL-2 appears to involve activation of the cytochrome c/caspase 9/caspase 3 pathway. Elevated levels of BCL-2 expression results in N-terminal cleavage of BCL-2 at a novel site different from a previously identified caspase cleavage site at Asp 34 by a non-caspase protease. Transient expression of a BCL-2 mutant lacking aa 51-85 within the loop region induces efficient cell death and N-terminal cleavage of BCL-2 while a different deletion mutant lacking aa 30-91 induces reduced levels of cell death in the absence of BCL-2 cleavage suggesting that N-terminal processing of BCL-2 may be an amplification event in BCL-2-mediated cell death. Overexpression of BCL-2 in a Bax-null human colon cancer cell line (HCT116Bax-/-) induces efficient cell death. The pro-apoptotic activity of BCL-2 is also observed in a Bax-null cells in which BAK expression is inhibited by stable RNAi expression. Our results suggest that BCL-2 contains an intrinsic pro-apoptotic activity and can induce apoptosis independent of BAX and BAK under specific conditions.

Apoptosis↗

Association of class I histone deacetylases with transcriptional corepressor CtBP.

The C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) family proteins are transcriptional regulators that are conserved from worm to human. They function as corepressors of a wide array of DNA-binding transcriptional repressors. The mammalian CtBPs appear to mediate transcriptional repression in a histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent or -independent manner, depending on the context of the promoter. To identify the components of the CtBP corepressor complex, we isolated CtBP-containing protein complexes from the nuclear extracts prepared from HeLa cells infected with adenovirus vectors that expresses hCtBP1. Western blot analysis of these complexes suggests that hCtBP1 associates with class I HDACs, HDAC-1, HDAC-2 and HDAC-3. Some of these HDACs also interact with the Drosophila CtBP homolog, dCtBP. The CtBP protein complex exhibits significant HDAC activity in vitro suggesting that association of CtBP with HDACs may be functionally relevant.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Stereotaxic intrastriatal implantation of human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells attached to gelatin microcarriers: a potential new cell therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells are dopaminergic support cells in the neural retina. Stereotaxic intrastriatal implantation of hRPE cells attached to gelatin microcarriers (Spheramine) in rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease (PD) produces long term amelioration of motor and behavioral deficits, with histological and PET evidence of cell survival without immunosuppression. Long-term safety in cynomologous monkeys has also been demonstrated. Six H&Y stage III/IV PD patients were enrolled in a one-year, open-label, single center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Spheramine (approximately 325,000 cells) implanted in the most affected post-commissural putamen. All patients tolerated the implantation of Spheramine well and demonstrated improvement. At 6, 9, and 12 months post-operatively, the mean UPDRS-Motor score "off", the primary outcome measure, improved 33%, (n = 6), 42% (n = 6), and 48% (n = 3), respectively. No "off-state" dyskinesias have been observed. Based on these preliminary results, Spheramine appears to show promise in treating late stage PD patients.

Animals↗

Requirement of BAX for efficient adenovirus-induced apoptosis.

Infection of human epithelial cells with adenoviruses induces an apoptosis paradigm that is efficiently suppressed by the expression of viral E1B-19K protein, which is a functional homolog of the cellular antiapoptosis protein BCL-2. The mechanisms of adenovirus (Ad)-induced apoptosis appear to involve the cellular BCL-2 family proapoptotic proteins. Recent genetic studies with fibroblasts derived from mutant mouse embryos indicate that a class of the BCL-2 family proapoptotic proteins (designated BH-123 or multidomain proteins) such as BAX and BAK constitutes an essential component of the core apoptosis machinery in animal cells. We have examined the role of BAX in Ad-induced apoptosis in human epithelial cells using two colon cancer cell lines, HCT116Bax (Bax(+/-)) and HCT116BaxKO (Bax(-/-)) (L. Zhang, J. Yu, B. H. Park, K. W. Kinzler, and B. Vogelstein, Science 290:989-992, 2000). Infection of Bax(+/-) cells with an Ad type 2 mutant (dl250) defective in expression of the E1B-19K protein resulted in enhanced cytopathic effect, large plaques on cell monolayers, fragmentation of cellular DNA, and enhanced cell death. These mutant phenotypes were not efficiently expressed in Bax(-/-) cells, suggesting that BAX is essential for Ad-induced apoptosis. Infection of Bax(+/-) cells with dl250 induced increased levels of an N-terminally processed form of BAX. Cells infected with the 19K mutant also contained enhanced levels of truncated BAX in membrane-inserted form. Our results suggest that at least a part of the mechanism utilized by E1B-19K to suppress apoptosis during Ad infection may involve modulation of the activities of BAX.

Adenovirus E1B Proteins↗

Complications of gamma knife surgery for Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Many medical centers throughout the world offer radiosurgery with the gamma knife (GK) for pallidotomy and thalamotomy as a safe and effective alternative to radiofrequency ablative surgery and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease (PD). The reported incidence of significant complications varies considerably, and the long-term complication rate remains unknown. DESIGN: We describe 8 patients seen during an 8-month period referred for complications of GK surgery for PD. RESULTS: Of the 8 patients, 1 died as a result of complications, including dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. Other complications included hemiplegia, homonymous visual field deficit, hand weakness, dysarthria, hypophonia, aphasia, arm and face numbness, and pseudobulbar laughter. In all patients, lesions were significantly off target. CONCLUSIONS: The 8 patients with PD seen in referral at our center for complications of GK surgery highlight a spectrum of potential problems associated with this procedure. These include lesion accuracy and size and the delayed development of neurological complications secondary to radiation necrosis. Gamma knife surgery may have a higher complication rate than has been previously appreciated due to delayed onset and underreporting. We believe that the risk-benefit ratio of the GK will require further scrutiny when considering pallidotomy or thalamotomy in patients with PD. Physicians using this technique should carefully follow up patients postoperatively for delayed complications, and fully inform patients of these potential risks.

Aged↗

Anesthetic protocol: propofol use in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) during magnetic resonance imaging with stereotactic head frame application.

Magnetic resonance image (MRI) guidance is often necessary for accurate targeting for stereotactic intracranial surgery in animals used for experimental research studies. The magnetic field created by the MR imaging equipment, logistics of the use of stereotactic head frame in confined space and the need to limit movement of the subject during the imaging creates unique challenges. We demonstrate in this study the usefulness of intravenous propofol to anesthetize adult Rhesus monkeys to obtain high resolution 3D MR images immediately followed by conversion to inhalation anesthesia and stereotactic intracranial surgery with the head frame 'in situ.' There was minimal morbidity with achieving a high degree of precision for the stereotactic targeting.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

Cell transplantation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Cell transplantation is an experimental therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders. Several open-label research trials have shown clinically meaningful improvement in parkinsonian signs and symptoms after striatal transplantation of allogeneic fetal ventral mesencephalic (FVM) tissue. However, ethical concerns, variability in surgical techniques, and reports of unusual late complications in a few patients in a clinical trial have limited the use of allogeneic FVM tissue to a few research centers. Research into alternative cell sources such as porcine FVM and allogeneic retinal pigment epithelial cells has shown promising results in preclinical trials, and they are currently being tested in clinical trials. Novel strategies to improve cell survival and to avoid immune rejection of transplants show promising results in preclinical trials. This article focuses on these recent advances and compares the potential clinical utility of these emerging cell therapies for the treatment of advanced PD.

Animals↗

Synthesis, biodistribution, and primate imaging of fluorine-18 labeled 2beta-carbo-1'-fluoro-2-propoxy-3beta-(4-chlorophenyl)tr opanes. Ligands for the imaging of dopamine transporters by positron emission tomography.

2beta-(R)-Carbo-1-fluoro-2-propoxy-3beta-(4-chlorophenyl) tro pane ((R)-FIPCT, R-6) and 2beta-(S)-carbo-1-fluoro-2-propoxy-3beta-(4-chlorophenyl) tro pane ((S)-FIPCT, S-6) were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for dopamine transporter (DAT) selectivity and specificity. High specific activity [(18)F](R)-FIPCT and [(18)F](S)-FIPCT were synthesized in 5% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected to end of bombardment (EOB)) by preparation of the precursors 2beta-carbo-R-1-mesyloxy-2-propoxy-3beta-(4-chlorop hen yl)tropane (R-12) and 2beta-carbo-S-1-mesyloxy-2-propoxy-3beta-(4-chlorop hen yl)tropane (S-12) followed by treatment with no carrier-added potassium[(18)F]fluoride and kyrptofix K222 in acetonitrile. Competition binding in cells stably expressing the transfected human DAT and serotonin transporter (SERT) labeled by [(3)H]WIN 35428 and [(3)H]citalopram, respectively, demonstrated the following order of DAT affinity (K(i) in nM): GBR 12909 (0.36) > CIT (0.48) > (S)-FIPCT (0.67) >> (R)-FIPCT (3.2). The affinity of (S)-FIPCT and (R)-FIPCT for SERT was 127- and 20-fold lower, respectively, than for DAT. In vivo biodistribution studies were performed in male rats and demonstrated that the brain uptake of [(18)F](R)-FIPCT and [(18)F](S)-FIPCT were selective and specific for DAT rich regions (caudate and putamen). PET brain imaging studies in monkeys demonstrated high [(18)F](R)-FIPCT and [(18)F](S)-FIPCT uptake in the caudate and putamen which resulted in caudate-to-cerebellum and putamen-to-cerebellum ratios of 2.5-3.5 at 115 min. [(18)F](R)-FIPCT uptake in the caudate/putamen achieved transient equilibrium at 75 min. In an imaging experiment with [(18)F](S)-FIPCT in a rhesus monkey with its left hemisphere lesioned with MPTP, radioactivity was reduced to background in the caudate and putamen of the lesioned hemisphere. The high specific activity one-step radiolabeling preparation and high specificity and selectivity of [(18)F](R)-FIPCT and [(18)F](S)-FIPCT for DAT indicate [(18)F](R)-FIPCT and [(18)F](S)-FIPCT are potential radioligands for mapping brain DAT in humans using PET.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a novel solubilized formulation of ibuprofen in the treatment of migraine headache: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study.

A total of 729 migraine sufferers with moderate to severe baseline pain evaluated a single 200, 400 or 600 mg dose of a new liquigel formulation of ibuprofen over 8 h. Ibuprofen liquigels were significantly superior to placebo for cumulative headache response (pain reduced to mild or none) from 0.5 (600 mg) or 1 h (200 and 400 mg) to 8 h. At 2 h, respective headache response rates for ibuprofen 200, 400 and 600 mg and placebo were 64%, 72%, 72% and 50%. All three doses were also significantly superior to placebo for 2-h pain-free (25%, 28%, 29% and 13%, respectively) and for proportions with mild or no limitation of activity (2-8 h). Ibuprofen liquigels were generally superior to placebo for reducing photophobia, phonophobia, or nausea (1-4 h) and for global evaluation. All doses were well tolerated. These data demonstrate that ibuprofen liquigels relieve the pain, ancillary symptoms, and limitation of activity, of migraine.

Adult↗

Electrophysiological localization of the substantia nigra in the parkinsonian nonhuman primate.

During ablative surgery and implantation of deep-brain stimulators for the treatment of movement disorders, electrophysiological techniques are often used for localization of subcortical targets. New restorative therapies for Parkinson disease, aimed at delivering drugs or cells to the substantia nigra (SN), are becoming available. Therefore, precise surgical approaches to the dopaminergic cell-containing region of the SN are required to avoid damage to nearby structures such as the corticospinal tract and subthalamic nucleus. In a study conducted in nonhuman primates, the authors evaluated the utility and accuracy of electrophysiological techniques in localizing the SN. Three adult rhesus monkeys were used as hosts for intranigral cell transplants. The monkeys were rendered hemiparkinsonian by intracarotid injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. With the aid of stereotactic guidance, chronic recording chambers were placed on the skull of each monkey and directed at the SN. In each monkey, 20 to 40 trajectories were explored with a microelectrode. Spontaneous and movement-related single-unit activities were recorded in the SN, pars reticulata, subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus, striatum, thalamus, and red nucleus. Motor and ocular responses to microstimulation in the subthalamic area were noted. Using the electrophysiological and stereotactic information that was obtained, three-dimensional maps of the nigral complex were constructed to infer the location of the SN pars compacta. The maps were subsequently used to guide intranigral placement of fetal dopaminergic cells. Accurate delivery was verified by histological analysis. Based on the characteristic electrophysiological properties of the SN and surrounding structures in the parkinsonian state, microelectrode recording techniques may be used to ensure accurate placement of cell transplantation in the intranigral region.

Animals↗

Modulation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis by Bcl-2.

We have investigated the role of mitochondrial Ca(2+) (Ca(m)) homeostasis in cell survival. Disruption of Ca(m) homeostasis via depletion of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) store was the earliest event that occurred during staurosporine-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). The decrease of Ca(m) preceded activation of the caspase cascade and DNA fragmentation. Overexpression of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 led to increased Ca(m) load, increased mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), and inhibition of staurosporine-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, ectopic expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bik led to decreased Ca(m) load and decreased DeltaPsi(m). Inhibition of calcium uptake into mitochondria by ruthenium red induced a dose-dependent apoptosis as determined by nuclear staining and DNA ladder assay. Similarly, reducing the Ca(m) load by lowering the extracellular calcium concentration also led to apoptosis. We suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2 is related to its ability to maintain a threshold level of Ca(m) and DeltaPsi(m) while the pro-apoptotic protein Bik has the opposite effect. Furthermore, both ER and mitochondrial Ca(2+) stores are important, and the depletion of either one will result in apoptosis. Thus, our results, for the first time, provide evidence that the maintenance of Ca(m) homeostasis is essential for cell survival.

Calcium↗

Binding of CtIP to the BRCT repeats of BRCA1 involved in the transcription regulation of p21 is disrupted upon DNA damage.

Mutations in BRCA1 are responsible for nearly all of the hereditary ovarian and breast cancers, and about half of those in breast cancer-only kindreds. The ability of BRCA1 to transactivate the p21 promoter can be inactivated by mutation of the conserved BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) repeats. To explore the mechanisms of this BRCA1 function, the BRCT repeats were used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen. A known protein, CtIP, a co-repressor with CtBP, was found. CtIP interacts specifically with the BRCT repeats of BRCA1, both in vitro and in vivo, and tumor-derived mutations in this region abolished these interactions. The association of BRCA1 with CtIP was also abrogated in cells treated with DNA-damaging agents including UV, gamma-irradiation, and adriamycin, a response correlated with BRCA1 phosphorylation. The transactivation of the p21 promoter by BRCA1 was diminished by expression of exogenous CtIP and CtBP. These results suggest that the binding of the BRCT repeats of BRCA1 to CtIP/CtBP is critical in mediating transcriptional regulation of p21 in response to DNA damage.

BRCA1 Protein↗