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PubMed1982

Receptor-mediated catabolism and tissue uptake of human low density lipoprotein in the cholesterol-fed, atherosclerotic rabbit.

The LDL receptor pathway, which was delineated in cultured cells, is now known to operate in vivo. In this study we have measured the plasma clearances and tissue uptakes of native and chemically modified (1,2-cyclohexanedione-treated or reductively methylated) LDL in rabbits in order to determine the response of the pathway to a high-cholesterol diet. 1 week on the diet increased circulating LDL and suppressed its receptor-mediated plasma clearance and uptake into all tissues. The fractional catabolic rate of the lipoprotein via the receptor-independent route also fell. Continuation of the feeding program for 12 weeks accentuated these changes and virtually eliminated receptor uptake into all tissues so that the plasma decay curves of native and cyclohexanedione-treated LDL were superimposable. Lipoprotein assimilation by the aorta, however, did not follow this general trend. This tissue, after 12 weeks, was variably infiltrated by atheromatous deposits and the appearance of these lesions was associated with a substantial increase in the relative uptakes of both native and chemically modified (cyclohexanedione-treated and reductively methylated) LDL. We concluded (a) that expansion of tissue cholesterol pools virtually abolishes LDL receptor activity in rabbits; and (b) that LDL assimilation (both apparently receptor-mediated and receptor-independent) paradoxically increases at sites where the aorta is affected by atheromatous lesions.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Combined high-performance liquid chromatography/32P-postlabeling assay of N7-methyldeoxyguanosine.

A highly sensitive and specific assay for the detection of N7-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (N7methyldG) has been developed by combining high-performance liquid chromatography, 32P-postlabeling, and nucleotide chromatography. Separation of normal nucleotides and adducts by high-performance liquid chromatography and then combining a portion of 2'-deoxyguanosine to the N7methyldG allows for quantitation using an internal standard. The directly determined molar ratio is not subject to errors in digestion, variable ATP-specific activity, or assumptions in relative adduct-labeling efficiency. The detection limit was one N7methyldG adduct in 10(7) unmodified 2'-deoxyguanosine bases. N7methyldG adducts have been detected in 5 human lung samples in which O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine adducts had been previously determined. The mean ratio of N7methyldG to O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine was determined to be approximately 10. The current assay complements the high-performance liquid chromatography/32P-postlabeling assay for O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine and increases the detection sensitivity of DNA methylated by exogenous alkylating agents.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

AMPA-induced Ca(2+) influx in cultured rat cortical nonpyramidal neurones: pharmacological characterization using fura-2 microfluorimetry.

Immunocytochemical and Co(2+) uptake studies revealed that in primary cultures of rat cortical neurones, the majority of neurones are gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunopositive and can express Ca(2+)-permeable alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. By fura-2 microfluorimetry, it was shown that the stimulation with the selective agonist (S)-AMPA (0.3-300 microM) induced a concentration-dependent but cell-variable increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) (EC(50) value 7.4 microM) in more than 80% of the medium-sized multipolar neurones studied. The AMPA-induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) seems to be due to Ca(2+) entry through AMPA receptor channels, because the response was abolished in Ca(2+)-free solution and by AMPA receptor selective antagonists, but was not significantly influenced by cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of the endoplasmatic Ca(2+)-ATPase, by selective N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists, as well as the Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin and the majority of tested Ca(2+) channel blockers. In conclusion, the results indicate that the cerebral cortical neurones in culture represent mostly GABAergic interneurone-like cells and the majority of them possess Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors, important for intracellular signal transduction and neuronal plasticity.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

PubMed1994

Cerebral blood flow is reduced by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester during delayed hypoperfusion in cats.

We tested the hypothesis that decreased tonic release of nitric oxide (NO) or a NO-containing compound, during postischemic delayed hypoperfusion, would result in an impaired response of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to NO synthase inhibition. We measured CBF (microspheres), cerebral oxygen consumption, and physiological variables in 30 halothane-anesthetized cats. In 12 animals, complete cerebral ischemia (verified by midischemic CBF measurement) was produced for 12 min by brachiocephalic and left subclavian artery occlusion with hemorrhagic hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure = 40 mmHg). Steady-state hypoperfusion was present by 120 min of reperfusion (30 +/- 4% of baseline). Nonischemic animals (n = 12) were submitted to the same surgical procedures and anesthetic duration. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg iv) or saline was administered 160 min after baseline measurements, equivalent to 140 min of reperfusion for animals treated with ischemia (n = 6 in each group). Blood pressure was controlled (aortic ligature) so that there was no change following L-NAME administration both in the ischemic and nonischemic groups. L-NAME reduced CBF during reperfusion in ischemic animals (from 37 +/- 2 to 24 +/- 2 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1) and in nonischemic animals (from 122 +/- 15 to 68 +/- 8 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1) with no change in cerebral oxygen consumption. In six additional cats, administration of L-arginine (250 mg/kg iv) reversed the effect of L-NAME. We conclude that tonic NO-mediated cerebral vasodilation occurs following transient global ischemia despite delayed hypoperfusion.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Sequential order of target-recognizing domains in multispecific DNA-methyltransferases.

In the multispecific DNA(cytosine-5)-methyltransferases (Mtases) of Bacillus subtilis phages SPR and phi 3T the domains responsible for recognition of DNA methylation targets CCA/TGG, CCGG, GGCC (SPR) and GCNGC, GGCC (phi 3T) represent contiguous sequences of approximately 50 amino acids each. These domains are tandemly arranged and do not overlap. They are part of a 'variable' segment within the enzymes which is flanked by 'conserved' amino acids, which are very similar amongst bacterial monospecific and the multispecific Mtases studied here. These results follow from a mutational analysis of the SPR and phi 3T Mtase genes. They further support our concept of a modular enzyme organization, according to which variability of type II Mtases with respect to target recognition is achieved by a combination of the same enzyme core with a variety of target-recognizing domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Can ataxin-2 be down-regulated by allele-specific de novo DNA methylation in SCA2 patients?

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion within the coding region of the ataxin-2 gene. Affected individuals typically have between 34 and 57 CAG repeats. Signs of the disorder generally begin in adulthood and include progressive ataxia, dysarthria, tremor, hyporeflexia, and slow saccades. As with other trinucleotide repeat disorders, SCA2 exhibits an inverse correlation between the size of the CAG repeat and the age at onset of clinically detectable disease, with neonatal cases of SCA2 being reported in individuals harboring over 200 CAG repeats. However, a wide range of age at onset is typically observed, especially in individuals with < 40 CAG repeats. CAG repeat number alone explains approximately 25-80% of the variability. In this paper, we hypothesize that the level of mutant ataxin-2 protein in affected cells contributes to these differences. One of the mechanisms that might influence this protein levels is de novo DNA methylation, which would specifically target the allele with the expanded CAG repeat leading to transcriptional silencing. Consequently, the symptoms of SCA2 would occur later in the patient's life history. Our postulations, as well as those previously reported to account for the phenotype of SCA2, are discussed.

Alleles↗

PubMed2003

DNA methylation maintains allele-specific KIR gene expression in human natural killer cells.

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) bind self-major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, allowing natural killer (NK) cells to recognize aberrant cells that have down-regulated class I. NK cells express variable numbers and combinations of highly homologous clonally restricted KIR genes, but uniformly express KIR2DL4. We show that NK clones express both 2DL4 alleles and either one or both alleles of the clonally restricted KIR 3DL1 and 3DL2 genes. Despite allele-independent expression, 3DL1 alleles differed in the core promoter by only one or two nucleotides. Allele-specific 3DL1 gene expression correlated with promoter and 5' gene DNA hypomethylation in NK cells in vitro and in vivo. The DNA methylase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, induced KIR DNA hypomethylation and heterogeneous expression of multiple KIR genes. Thus, NK cells use DNA methylation to maintain clonally restricted expression of highly homologous KIR genes and alleles.

Alleles↗

PubMed1997

Interpatient variability: genetic predisposition and other genetic factors.

Polymorphisms and other genetic factors related to enzymes metabolizing drugs and xenobiotic chemicals are well known. This article focuses on selected molecular mechanisms and introduces some of the clinical implications arising from genetically determined interpatient variability or expression in some of these enzymes. Selected are the polymorphic enzymes of cytochromes P-450 (CYP) as examples of phase I enzymes and methyl transferases, n-acetyl transferases, and glutathione-s-transferases as examples of phase II enzymes. The polymorphism surrounding arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase induction is briefly described. Phase I enzymatic reactions are predominantly oxidative, whereas phase II reactions often couple with the byproducts of phase I. Overall, in poor metabolizers, whether phase I or phase II, there is limited metabolism in most patients unless another major metabolic pathway involving other enzymes exists. Drug metabolism also depends on whether the parent compound is a prodrug that forms an active metabolite, and poor metabolizers under this condition will form only trace amounts of an active compound. Therefore, the clinical significance of genetic polymorphisms and other genetic factors may be related to substrate, metabolite, or the major elimination pathway.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

PubMed1975

Apomorphine-induced rotation in normal rats and interaction with unilateral caudate lesions.

Apomorphine (i.p.) induced rotational behavior (i.e. circling) in normal unoperated rats. This rotation increased with increasing dose up to 10.0 mg/kg, after which the dose-response curve appeared to plateau. Although there was large variability among rats, rotation for each rat was consistent in both direction and magnitude from week to week. Rotation was not antagonized by alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine. When rats with unilateral lesions of the caudate nucleus were tested with apomorphine, postoperative rotation was significantly influenced by the direction of preoperative rotation; rats rotated more postoperatively if the lesion was made ipsilateral rather than contralateral to their preoperative direction of rotation. These results suggest that there is a bilateral asymmetry of dopaminergic receptors in the nigro-striatal pathways of normal rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Purification and characterization of calmodulin (lysine 115) N-methyltransferase from Paramecium tetraurelia.

Calmodulin (lysine 115) N-methyltransferase was purified from the cytosolic fraction of Paramecium tetraurelia by sequential dialysis, cellulose phosphate chromatography, Reactive Red 120 agarose chromatography, and calmodulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The enzyme was purified 6800-fold with a 15% yield. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme invariably revealed a major protein of 37 kDa that was reproducibly obtained and minor proteins of 35 and 28 kDa that were sometimes obtained in variable yields. The enzyme formed a mixture of mono-, di-, and trimethyllysine residues at lysine 115 of calmodulin in vitro, had a Km for the methyl donor, S-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet), of about 1 microM and a pH optimum of about 7.5. The purified enzyme had an absolute requirement for the reductant DTT for activity, whereas the enzyme in crude fractions did not. The enzyme is a monomer with an estimated molecular mass of 33 kDa. Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ stimulated calmodulin N-methyltransferase activity but Zn2+ did not. Calmodulin N-methyltransferase was inhibited by its reaction product S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH), but not by sinefungin and tubercidin. The calmodulin antagonists calmidazolium and mellitin were inhibitory but W7 was not. The enzyme was not stimulated by Triton X-100 nor by NaCl. Only calmodulins with an unmethylated lysine at residue 115, including cam2 calmodulin, were substrates. Histones and calcium-binding proteins from Paramecium other than calmodulin did not act as substrates for the purified calmodulin N-methyltransferase and no other substrates in the cytosolic fraction were observed.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Spectrally resolved velocity exchange spectroscopy of two-phase flow.

The Velocity EXchange SpectroscopY (VEXSY) technique, which provides a means to correlate macroscopic molecular displacements measured during two intervals separated by a variable mixing period, has been applied for the first time to a system of two-phase flow. The chemical shift difference between water and methyl protons has been exploited to simultaneously determine the probability of displacements, or propagator, of both components in a water/silicone oil mixture flowing through a glass bead pack. The joint two-time probability densities as well as the conditional probabilities of velocities show a clearly distinct dispersion behaviour of both fluids which is a consequence of the different wetting properties of the fluids with respect to the glass surface of the bead pack.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Sulfhydryl modification of the yeast Wbp1p inhibits oligosaccharyl transferase activity.

Chemical labeling of the multimeric Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyl transferase indicates that the 48 kDa Wbp1p subunit is an integral component of the catalytically active enzyme. The enzyme was purified following chromatography on concanavalin A agarose, heparin agarose, Q-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite media. The enzyme activity copurified with a tetrameric complex of polypeptide subunits. Two of the subunits have been identified as the yeast proteins Wbp1p and Swp1p by amino-terminal residue sequencing. A third subunit was identified as a variably glycosylated polypeptide near 64 kDa; preliminary amino acid sequencing showed no identity to known yeast proteins. Modification of a cysteine residue by the reagent methyl methanethiolsulfonate (MMTS) caused time-dependent and concentration-dependent inactivation of the enzyme. To identify the modified subunit of the transferase complex, the labeling reagent S-[(N-biotinoylamino)ethyl] methanethiolsulfonate (BMTS) was synthesized. Like MMTS, BMTS inactivated the oligosaccharyl transferase in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, incubation with the substrate (dolichylpyrophosphoryl)-N,N'-diacetylchitobiose [Dol-PP(GlcNAc)2] protected the enzyme from BMTS inactivation. When the purified enzyme complex was incubated with BMTS, Wbp1p alone was specifically labeled, thereby associating this subunit with catalysis and the binding of the dolichylpyrophosphoryl oligosaccharide substrate in the transferase reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Clonality studies in acute myeloid leukemia.

The study of X-chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIPs) to determine tumor clonality was established by Fialkow using G6PD protein isoenzymes but was limited by the low frequency of heterozygotes. Analysis was extended to most females with the demonstration of differential DNA methylation patterns on active and inactive X-chromosome alleles and uses Southern blotting or PCR of either restriction enzyme polymorphisms, eg PGK, HPRT, or variable number tandem repeat sequences, eg M27beta, HUMARA. More recently RNA polymorphisms have been reported enabling direct analysis of expressed transcripts from the two alleles. Interpretation of clonality requires knowledge of an individual's constitutive XCIP as skewing (>75% expression of one allele) occurs in a significant proportion of hematologically normal females, probably due to the stem cell pool size at the time of Lyonization. Furthermore, acquired skewing occurs with increasing age. For myeloid disorders in the young, T lymphocytes serve as a suitable control XCIP, but interpretation of imbalanced XCIPs in the elderly can be difficult. In AML, XCIPs at presentation are consistent with a clonal disorder whereas in remission comparison with normal controls suggests that true clonal remission is infrequent. Sequential analysis of samples may be helpful in some patients in order to determine evolving clonal populations.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1974

Amino acid sequence of the smaller basic protein from rat brain myelin.

1. The complete amino acid sequence of the smaller basic protein from rat brain myelin was determined. This protein differs from myelin basic proteins of other species in having a deletion of a polypeptide of 40 amino acid residues from the centre of the molecule. 2. A detailed comparison is made of the constant and variable regions in a group of myelin basic proteins from six species. 3. An arginine residue in the rat protein was found to be partially methylated. The ratio of methylated to unmethylated arginine at this position differed from that found for the human basic protein. 4. Three tryptic peptides were isolated in more than one form. The differences between the two forms of each peptide are discussed in relation to the electrophoretic heterogeneity of myelin basic proteins, which is known to occur at alkaline pH values. 5. Detailed evidence for the amino acid sequence of the protein has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50029 at the British Library (Lending Division) (formerly the National Lending Library for Science and Technology), Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem. J. (1973) 131, 5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1981

Comparison of MAO, D beta H, and COMT activities in chronic schizophrenics selected on the basis of nailfold capillary pattern.

A group of 17 white male chronic schizophrenic subjects were divided on the basis of plexus visualization score (PVS). High and low PVS subjects were compared to each other and to low PVS controls on measures of platelet monamine oxidase (MAO), rbc catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT), and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H). There were no differences between high and low PVS subjects on any biochemical variable. Schizophrenic subjects had lower platelet MAO activity than controls. Platelet MAO and rbc COMT were significantly correlated in schizophrenic subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2025

Transposable elements drive evolution and perturb gene expression in Brassica rapa and B. oleracea.

Transposable elements (TEs) significantly influence genomic diversity and gene regulation in plants. Brassica rapa and B. oleracea, with their distinct domestication histories, offer excellent models to explore TE dynamics. Here, we developed a refined TE classification method and systematically analyzed TEs across 12 B. rapa and B. oleracea genomes, identifying 1878 TE families. Approximately half (49.5%) of these TE families were shared between the two species, reflecting a common evolutionary origin, whereas species-specific expansions, particularly among long-terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, underscore their roles in genomic differentiation. We notably characterized a heat-responsive Ty1-copia family (Copia0035) in B. oleracea roots, distinguished by low GC content and the absence of CG and CHG methylation motifs, sharing regulatory similarities with the Arabidopsis heat-induced ONSEN element. Syntenic analyses of gene-TE associations highlighted significant intraspecies TE insertion variability, with more accession-specific insertions in B. rapa and more conserved insertions, often associated with distinct morphotypes in B. oleracea. Gene ontology enrichment indicated TE involvement in developmental, reproductive, and stress response pathways. Transcriptome analysis across diverse accessions revealed that genes proximal to TEs, particularly those regulating floral development and flowering time, exhibit increased expression variability. These findings advance our understanding of TE-mediated genome evolution in Brassica species and underscore their potential utility in breeding and genome engineering strategies for crop improvement.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

PubMed2004

Epigenetic regulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression.

The enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11 beta HSD2) is selectively expressed in aldosterone target tissues, where it confers aldosterone selectivity for the mineralocorticoid receptor by inactivating 11 beta-hydroxyglucocorticoids. Variable activity of 11 beta HSD2 is relevant for blood pressure control and hypertension. The present investigation aimed to elucidate whether an epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation, accounts for the rigorous control of expression of the gene encoding 11 beta HSD2, HSD11B2. CpG islands covering the promoter and exon 1 of HSD11B2 were found to be densely methylated in tissues and cell lines with low expression but not those with high expression of HSD11B2. Demethylation induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and procainamide enhanced the transcription and activity of the 11 beta HSD2 enzyme in human cells in vitro and in rats in vivo. Methylation of HSD11B2 promoter-luciferase constructs decreased transcriptional activity. Methylation of recognition sequences of transcription factors, including those for Sp1/Sp3, Arnt, and nuclear factor 1 (NF1) diminished their DNA-binding activity. Herein NF1 was identified as a strong HSD11B2 stimulatory factor. The effect of NF1 was dependent on the position of CpGs and the combination of CpGs methylated. A methylated-CpG-binding protein complex 1 transcriptional repression interacted directly with the methylated HSD11B2 promoter. These results indicate a role for DNA methylation in HSD11B2 gene repression and suggest an epigenetic mechanism affecting this gene causally linked with hypertension.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Direct current conductivity studies on poly(3-methyl thiophene).

The direct current (DC) conductivity of poly(3-methyl thiophene) was measured in the temperature range of 77-300 K. The observed DC conductivity data were analyzed in the light of Mott's variable range hopping model. Different Mott's parameters such as characteristic temperature (T0), average hopping distance (R), average hopping energy (W), and density of states at the Fermi level (N [E(F)]) were evaluated. By taking the inverse of the coefficient of exponential decay of the localized states involved in the hopping process as 0.5 nm, a realistic value of density of states at the Fermi level (N [E(F)]) was obtained that agrees well with the values reported earlier for other conjugated polymers.

Chlorides↗