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Results for “Functional characterization”

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PubMed1988

Structural and functional characterization of the human T lymphocyte receptor for insulin-like growth factor I in vitro.

Growth factor receptors for T lymphocytes, such as interleukin 2 and insulin, are present on activated but not resting T lymphocytes. We sought to determine if insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) could act as a growth factor for human T cells and to characterize its receptor on resting and activated cells. Recombinant IGF-I induced two separate functions. It was chemotactic for and increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine into both unactivated (resting) and mitogen-activated T cells. High-affinity 125I-IGF-I binding to human T cells was saturable with an apparent Kd of 1.2 +/- .6 X 10(-10) M for binding to activated T cells and 1.2 +/- .9 X 10(-10) for unactivated T cells. The calculated binding for activated cells was 330 +/- 90 and for resting cells 45 +/- 9 high-affinity receptor sites per cell. Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I to resting or activated T cells revealed a radioligand-receptor complex of 360,000 mol wt when analyzed by SDS-PAGE without reduction and complexes of 270,000 and 135,000 mol wt upon reduction; prior incubation with excess unlabeled IGF-I prevented formation of the 125I-IGF-I receptor complex. Our data suggest that both resting and activated T lymphocytes bear functional IGF-I receptors similar to those found in other tissues. These receptors may mediate T cell growth and chemotaxis.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed2002

Biochemical and functional characterization of Rab27a mutations occurring in Griscelli syndrome patients.

Rab27a is a member of the Rab family of small GTPase proteins, and thus far is the first member to be associated with a human disease (ie, the Griscelli syndrome type 2). Mutations in the Rab27a gene cause pigment as well as cytotoxic granule transport defects, accounting for the partial albinism and severe immune disorder characteristics of this syndrome. So far, 3 Rab27a missense mutations have been identified. They open a unique opportunity to designate critical structural and functional residues of Rab proteins. We show here that the introduction of a proline residue in the alpha 4 (Ala152Pro) or beta 5 (Leu130Pro) loop, observed in 2 of these spontaneous mutants, dramatically affects both guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and guanosine diphosphate (GDP) nucleotide-binding activity of Rab27a, probably by disrupting protein folding. The third mutant, Trp73Gly, is located within an invariant hydrophobic triad at the switch interface, and was previously shown in active Rab3A to mediate rabphilin3A effector interaction. Trp73Gly is shown to display the same nucleotide-binding and GTPase characteristics as the constitutively active mutant Gln78Leu. However, in contrast to Gln78Leu, Trp73Gly mutant construct neither interacts with the Rab27a effector melanophilin nor modifies melanosome distribution and cytotoxic granule exocytosis. Substitutions introduced at the 73 position, including the leucine residue present in Ras, did not restore Rab27a protein functions. Taken together, our results characterize new critical residues of Rab proteins, and identify the Trp73 residue of Rab27a as a key position for interaction with the specific effectors of Rab27a, both in melanocytes and cytotoxic cells.

Albinism↗

PubMed1996

Functional characterization of albumin binding to the apical membrane of OK cells.

We characterized binding of albumin to the apical membrane of opossum kidney (OK) cells using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin (i.e., bovine serum albumin, BSA) as substrate. Functional analysis of binding data showed one specific binding site characterized by half-maximal binding (Michaelis constant, (Km) at 20 mg/l (300 nmol/l) and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 0.61 microgram/mg cellular protein. Excess of unlabeled albumin (BSA) inhibited binding at low concentrations of FITC-albumin completely but only partially at high concentrations. FITC-albumin binding was reversible and pH dependent. Km increased about sixfold when pH decreased from 7.4 to 5.0. The inhibitory effects of conalbumin, alpha-lactalbumin, and transferrin were significantly smaller compared with BSA. We conclude that OK cells express a high-affinity binding site for albumin on the apical membrane. This binding site is pH sensitive, binds albumin in the physiological range, and could be responsible for the effective receptor-mediated reabsorption of albumin in the proximal tubule.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Construction and functional characterization of feline foamy virus-based retroviral vectors.

Replication-competent feline foamy or spuma virus (FFV) vectors were constructed and functionally tested. The unmodified FFV vector genome expressed by the strong human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter encodes FFV particles that were replication-competent in cell cultures. Virus derived from the cloned FFV DNA replicated and persisted in experimentally infected cats similar to the FFV isolate FUV. A FFV vector partially deleted in the noncoding area of the U3 region was used to transduce the gene for the green fluorescent protein (Gfp) into cell cultures. Gfp was expressed either by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) or as C-terminal fusion protein linked to Bet that was recently shown to be essential for FFV replication. Whereas the genetic stability of the IRES-Gfp construct was comparably low, the Bet-Gfp fusion protein was detectable upon serial cell-free vector passages. However, genetic rearrangements also occurred leading to the concomitant loss of marker gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Complete functional characterization of sensory neurons by system identification.

System identification is a growing approach to sensory neurophysiology that facilitates the development of quantitative functional models of sensory processing. This approach provides a clear set of guidelines for combining experimental data with other knowledge about sensory function to obtain a description that optimally predicts the way that neurons process sensory information. This prediction paradigm provides an objective method for evaluating and comparing computational models. In this chapter we review many of the system identification algorithms that have been used in sensory neurophysiology, and we show how they can be viewed as variants of a single statistical inference problem. We then review many of the practical issues that arise when applying these methods to neurophysiological experiments: stimulus selection, behavioral control, model visualization, and validation. Finally we discuss several problems to which system identification has been applied recently, including one important long-term goal of sensory neuroscience: developing models of sensory systems that accurately predict neuronal responses under completely natural conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Two small lymphocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood. II. Functional characterization in vitro.

Two small lymphocyte subpopulations from human peripheral blood were produced by rosette sedimentation procedures, and tested for in vitro functions by stimulation with mitogens, PPD and allogeneic lymphocytes, and for effector capacities in ADCC. The non-T, non-Fc subpopulation had previously been found to be a SmIg+ fraction which did not aquire new surface markers during unstimulated culture, did not respond to mitogens, PPD or allogeneic cells but were potent MLC stimulators. In addition, they were poor ADCC effector cells. The non-T, non-B ('Null') cells, which showed varying surface marker profiles from donor to donor, were able to respond to mitogens and PPD, but were weak MLC responders. Potent ADCC effector capacity was, however, found to be exhibited by this subpopulation.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗

PubMed2006

Distribution and functional characterization of equilibrative nucleoside transporter-4, a novel cardiac adenosine transporter activated at acidic pH.

Adenosine plays multiple roles in the efficient functioning of the heart by regulating coronary blood flow, cardiac pacemaking, and contractility. Previous studies have implicated the equilibrative nucleoside transporter family member equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (ENT1) in the regulation of cardiac adenosine levels. We report here that a second member of this family, ENT4, is also abundant in the heart, in particular in the plasma membranes of ventricular myocytes and vascular endothelial cells but, unlike ENT1, is virtually absent from the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. Originally described as a monoamine/organic cation transporter, we found that both human and mouse ENT4 exhibited a novel, pH-dependent adenosine transport activity optimal at acidic pH (apparent K(m) values 0.78 and 0.13 mmol/L, respectively, at pH 5.5) and absent at pH 7.4. In contrast, serotonin transport by ENT4 was relatively insensitive to pH. ENT4-mediated nucleoside transport was adenosine selective, sodium independent and only weakly inhibited by the classical inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transport, dipyridamole, dilazep, and nitrobenzylthioinosine. We hypothesize that ENT4, in addition to playing roles in cardiac serotonin transport, contributes to the regulation of extracellular adenosine concentrations, in particular under the acidotic conditions associated with ischemia.

Acids↗

PubMed2004

Functional characterization of contractile vacuole isolated from Amoeba proteus.

Contractile vacuoles (CVs) released from cells of Amoeba proteus were used to analyze its function in vitro. When CV was transferred to a hypertonic medium, its volume decreased within 10 sec. When it was subsequently returned to its original medium, it quickly started swelling. However, it ruptured before recovering its initial volume. These results suggested that the CV membrane is semi-permeable and that the fluid is collected by the osmotic gradient in vivo. The water permeability of membrane of isolated CV was calculated from the rate of osmotic volume change to be 0.94 microm/sec . OsM. This high value suggested that CV membrane is equipped with water channel. CV contracted (or burst) quickly upon addition of 1 mM ATP. Contraction was induced by ATP, but not by other nucleotides, GTP, ITP, ADP, or the analogues of ATP, AMP-PNP and ATPgammaS. It was suggested that the contraction of isolated CV was caused by increase in the tension of its membrane by ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2004

Establishment of an efficient BAC transgenesis protocol and its application to functional characterization of the mouse Brachyury locus.

Transgenesis using large DNA such as YAC or BAC has extended the range of applications in functional genomics. Here we describe an efficient BAC transgenesis protocol using a simple BAC DNA preparation method adopted from YAC DNA purification methods. This method allowed us to isolate BAC DNA from small scale culture of BAC-containing cells in sufficient quantity and purity for microinjection. More than 40 founders have been produced with linearized BAC DNA prepared by this method, and 85% of them contained intact BAC transgenes. In contrast, when circular BAC DNA was injected, an approximately three-fold reduction of transgene integration rate was observed and fewer intact transgene integrations were obtained. A line of transgenic mice carrying a 170-kb BAC clone generated in this way successfully rescued tail and embryonic lethality phenotypes of the mouse Brachyury (T) mutants, further demonstrating the utility of this method in functional analysis of the mouse genome.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Morphological and functional characterization of beta TC-6 cells--an insulin-secreting cell line derived from transgenic mice.

Morphological analysis of hormone content and functional assessment of hormone secretion were conducted in beta TC-6 cells, an insulin-secreting cell line derived from transgenic mice expressing the large T-antigen of simian virus 40 (SV40) in pancreatic beta-cells. We observed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy that beta TC-6 cells contain abundant insulin and small amounts of glucagon and somatostatin (SRIF). Glucagon usually co-localized with insulin, whereas cells containing SRIF did not contain insulin or glucagon. Static incubation and perifusion experiments demonstrated that beta TC-6 cells at passage 30-45 secrete insulin in response to glucose. In static incubations, maximal stimulation was achieved for glucose concentrations > 2.8 mmol/l glucose, and the half-maximal effect was observed at 0.5 mmol/l. Maximal stimulation was four times greater than HIT-T15 cells at passage 72-81, although HIT cells had a greater response over their basal levels. The magnitude of the insulin response to glucose in perifusion was 1,734 +/- 384 pmol.l-1. min and was 4.6-fold greater in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Low amounts of glucagon were released in response to amino acids. Epinephrine (EPI), and to a lesser extent SRIF, inhibited phasic glucose-induced insulin secretion. A major portion of these inhibitory effects was mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive substrates. Immunoblots detected the presence of the G-proteins Gi alpha 2, Gi alpha 3, and Go alpha 2. These results indicate that beta TC-6 cells are a glucose-responsive cell line in which insulin exocytosis is physiologically regulated by EPI and SRIF through Gi/Go-mediated mechanisms.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed2005

Functional characterization of serum-free cultured rat hepatocytes for downstream transplantation applications.

Although ex vivo culture of hepatocytes is known to impair functionality, it may still be considered as desirable to propagate or manipulate them in culture prior to transplantation into the host liver. The aim of this study was to clarify whether rat hepatocytes cultured over different periods of time proliferate and retain their hepatocyte-specific functions following transplantation into the recipient liver. Rat hepatocytes were cultured under serum-free conditions in the presence of hepatocyte and epidermal growth factors. Cells derived from wild-type donor livers were transplanted into the livers of CD26-deficient rats. Cell proliferation and the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers were determined before and after transplantation. Cell number increased threefold over a culture period of 10 days. The expression of connexin 32 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase declined over time, indicating the loss of hepatocyte-specific functions. Hepatocytes cultured over 4 or 7 days and then transplanted proliferated in the host parenchyma. The transplanted cells expressed connexin 32, cytokeratin 18, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, indicating the differentiated phenotype. The loss of hepatocyte-specific functions during culture may be restored after transplantation, suggesting that the proper physiological environment is required to maintain the differentiated phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Regulation of the murine Fc epsilon RII (CD23) gene. Functional characterization of an IL-4 enhancer element.

The murine B cell IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RII, CD23) has been implicated in various functions including IgE regulation, Ag presentation, and B cell differentiation/activation. We have undertaken a series of studies to identify promoter sequences that are important for the constitutive and IL-4-induced expression of the murine Fc epsilon RII in M12.4.5 B lymphoma cells. By use of RNase protection analysis it was established that murine splenic B cells and M12.4.5 cells predominantly express the Fc epsilon RIIa form and that this receptor subtype accounts for the vast majority of IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RII mRNA in B cells. A 101-bp segment of the murine Fc epsilon RII proximal promoter coupled to a heterologous SV40 promoter was found to impart IL-4 inducibility in reporter assays. Removal of either 10 bp from the 5' end or 17 bp from the 3' end of this 101-bp fragment substantially reduced the IL-4 response. Both of these terminal deletions removed sequences that share homology with established IL-4 response elements of MHC class II and Ig (gamma 1 and epsilon) heavy chain genes. In addition, near the center of this 101-bp fragment lies a sequence that is highly homologous with NF-kappa B/LPS response elements previously identified upstream of the A alpha gene. DNA fragments containing this sequence together with one of the putative IL-4 response elements were able to impart a small LPS/IL-4 response in M12.4.5 cells. These results suggest that IL-4 and LPS induction of murine B cell Fc epsilon RII expression is mediated by a complex of transcription factors.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Binding and functional characterization of the cardioselective muscarinic antagonist methoctramine.

The antimuscarinic properties of the newly synthetized polymethylene tetramine derivative, methoctramine, were investigated in binding and functional assays. Methoctramine displaced the specific binding of [3H]-N-methylscopolamine [( 3H]NMS) and [3H] pirenzepine from membranes of rat tissues with the following order of affinities: heart = cerebellum greater than cortex greater than submandibular glands, the ratio of the affinities of the compound for the heart and the glands amounting to about 130. Computer fits of binding curves generated in cardiac and cortical membranes were compatible with an interaction at one binding site, whereas those in submandibular glands and cerebellum had slopes significantly lower than 1. Experiments performed in cardiac membranes to investigate the effect of methoctramine on the dissociation kinetics of [3H]-NMS showed that concentrations of compound up to 1 microM did not affect the dissociation of [3H]-NMS elicited by an excess of NMS. At greater concentrations (10-100 microM), methoctramine dose dependently inhibited [3H]-NMS dissociation, thus revealing an allosteric interaction. In in vitro functional assays, methoctramine displayed more than 100 times greater affinity for the muscarinic receptors mediating negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in guinea pig atria than for those responsible for tracheal contraction. Similarly, the compound was a more potent antagonist of the bradycardial response to bethanechol than of the bladder tonus increase, saliva secretion and hypotension induced by the muscarinic agonist in anesthetized cats. Finally, in the pithed rat, methoctramine preferentially inhibited cardiac M2 (vagal bradycardia) over ganglionic M1 (McN-A-343-induced hypertension) responses. The evidence appears to characterize methoctramine as being the most selective M2 muscarinic antagonist described to date.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Morphological and functional characterization of an in vitro blood-brain barrier model.

Cell culture models have been extensively used for studies of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. However, several in vitro models fail to reproduce some, if not most, of the physiological and morphological properties of in situ brain microvascular endothelial cells. We have recently developed a dynamic, tridimensional BBB model where endothelial cells exposed to intraluminal flow form a barrier to ions and proteins following prolonged co-culturing with glia. We have further characterized this cell culture model to determine whether these barrier properties were due to expression of a BBB phenotype. Endothelial cells of human, bovine or rodent origin were used. When co-cultured with glia, intraluminally grown endothelial cells developed features similar to in vivo endothelial cells, including tight junctional contacts at interdigitating processes and a high transendothelial resistance. This in vitro BBB was characterized by the expression of an abluminal, ouabain-sensitive Na/K pump, and thus favored passage of potassium ions towards the lumen while preventing K+ extravasation. Similarly, the in vitro BBB prevented the passage of blood-brain barrier-impermeant drugs (such as morphine, sucrose and mannitol) while allowing extraluminal accumulation of lipophylic substances such as theophylline. Finally, expression of stereo-selective transporters for Aspartate was revealed by tracer studies. We conclude that the in vitro dynamic BBB model may become an useful tool for the studies of BBB-function and for the testing of drug passage across the brain endothelial monolayer.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Biochemical and functional characterization of PKS11, a novel Arabidopsis protein kinase.

The Arabidopsis SOS2 (Salt Overly Sensitive 2)-like protein kinases (PKS) are novel protein kinases that contain an SNF1-like catalytic domain with a putative activation loop and a regulatory domain with an FISL motif that binds calcium sensors. Very little biochemical and functional information is currently available on this family of kinases. Here we report on the expression of the PKS11 gene, activation and characterization of the gene product, and transgenic evaluation of its function in plants. PKS11 transcript was preferentially expressed in roots of Arabidopsis plants. Recombinant glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of PKS11 was inactive in substrate phosphorylation. However, the kinase can be highly activated by a threonine 161 to aspartate substitution (designated PKS11T161D) in the putative activation loop. Interestingly, PKS11 can also be activated by substitution of either a serine or tyrosine with aspartate within the activation loop. Deletion of the FISL motif also resulted in a slight activation of PKS11. PKS11T161D displayed an uncommon preference for Mn(2+) over Mg(2+) for substrate phosphorylation and autophosphorylation. The optimal pH and temperature values of PKS11T161D were determined to be 7.5 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The activated kinase showed substrate specificity, high affinity, and catalytic efficiency for a peptide substrate p3 and for ATP. AMP or ADP at concentrations from 10 microm to 1 mm did not activate PKS11T161D. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing PKS11T161D were more resistant to high concentrations of glucose, suggesting the involvement of this protein kinase in sugar signaling in plants. These results provide insights into the function as well as regulation and biochemical properties of the PKS protein kinase.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Functional characterization of an epidermal growth factor receptor/RET chimera.

The RET (recombined in transfection) gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase homolog involved in innervation of the gut and renal development. A chimeric epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/RET receptor was constructed which contained the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the EGF receptor fused to the intracellular domain of RET. This construct was expressed in NIH 3T3 cells, and the functional properties of the receptor were characterized and compared with those of the wild type EGF receptor. Whereas the EGF receptor exhibited both high and low affinity binding sites for 125I-EGF, the EGFR/RET chimera exhibited only low affinity binding of 125I-EGF. The chimera was able to internalize EGF more rapidly than the wild type EGF receptor and recycled to the cell surface at twice the rate of the EGF receptor. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that EGF stimulated the degradation of the wild type EGF receptor but had no effect on the rate of degradation of the EGFR/RET receptor. The combination of increased recycling and decreased degradation resulted in the relatively inefficient down-regulation of the EGFR/RET chimera. Incubation of cells expressing the wild type EGF receptor with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate led to a reduction in 125I-EGF binding and a loss in EGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation. However, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment had only a limited effect on EGF binding and EGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity in cells expressing EGFR/RET chimeras. These findings suggest that the ret tyrosine kinase is not regulated by many of the common mechanisms used to terminate signaling via growth factor receptors. Such persistent activation of the Ret tyrosine kinase may be relevant to the physiological function of Ret in cells that normally express this growth factor receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2006

Identification and functional characterization of ClC-2 chloride channels in trabecular meshwork cells.

In the eye, trabecular meshwork (TM) cell volume may be an important determinant of aqueous humor outflow. Among their functions, ClC-2 chloride channels are thought to be involved in regulation of cellular volume and intracellular [Cl(-)]. We characterized the properties and modulation of an inwardly rectifying chloride current activated in these cells. Patch-clamp recordings revealed inwardly rectifying chloride currents activated by membrane hyperpolarization in primary cultures of both bovine (BTM) and human (HTM) TM cells. Electrophysiological properties and anion permeability sequence (Cl(-)>Br(-)>I(-)>F(-)) were in agreement with previous data for ClC-2 in other cells. The currents were blocked by Cd(2+) and enhanced by extracellular acidification, 8Br-cAMP and cell swelling, while extracellular alkalinization decreased them. RT-PCR experiments using total RNA revealed the molecular expression of ClC-2 channels. Previously we reported the involvement of swelling-activated chloride channels (Cl(swell)) and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)) in cell volume and outflow facility regulation. However, in the present analysis, cell volume experiments in calcein-loaded cells and outflow facility studies performed in bovine anterior segments revealed that ClC-2 channels do not make a significant contribution to the recovery of cellular volume or to the regulation of the outflow facility. Nevertheless, ClC-2 modulation by different stimuli may contribute to intracellular [Cl(-)] regulation and other cellular functions yet to be determined in the TM.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed2003

TOK homologue in Neurospora crassa: first cloning and functional characterization of an ion channel in a filamentous fungus.

In contrast to animal and plant cells, very little is known of ion channel function in fungal physiology. The life cycle of most fungi depends on the "filamentous" polarized growth of hyphal cells; however, no ion channels have been cloned from filamentous fungi and comparatively few preliminary recordings of ion channel activity have been made. In an attempt to gain an insight into the role of ion channels in fungal hyphal physiology, a homolog of the yeast K(+) channel (ScTOK1) was cloned from the filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa. The patch clamp technique was used to investigate the biophysical properties of the N. crassa K(+) channel (NcTOKA) after heterologous expression of NcTOKA in yeast. NcTOKA mediated mainly time-dependent outward whole-cell currents, and the reversal potential of these currents indicated that it conducted K(+) efflux. NcTOKA channel gating was sensitive to extracellular K(+) such that channel activation was dependent on the reversal potential for K(+). However, expression of NcTOKA was able to overcome the K(+) auxotrophy of a yeast mutant missing the K(+) uptake transporters TRK1 and TRK2, suggesting that NcTOKA also mediated K(+) influx. Consistent with this, close inspection of NcTOKA-mediated currents revealed small inward K(+) currents at potentials negative of E(K). NcTOKA single-channel activity was characterized by rapid flickering between the open and closed states with a unitary conductance of 16 pS. NcTOKA was effectively blocked by extracellular Ca(2+), verapamil, quinine, and TEA(+) but was insensitive to Cs(+), 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide. The physiological significance of NcTOKA is discussed in the context of its biophysical properties.

Cation Transport Proteins↗