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A H Ross

Publications and source records attributed to A H Ross.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Down-regulation of c-myc oncogene during NGF-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell lines.

There may be a close relationship between myc oncogenes and carcinogenesis of human neuroblastoma. In previous studies, we were able to induce differentiation of certain neuroblastoma cell lines with NGF. In order to study gene regulation during differentiation, N-myc and c-myc cDNA probes were hybridized with RNA extracted from different cell lines before and after NGF treatment. It was found that cell lines which expressed N-myc did not express c-myc while those with c-myc did not express N-myc except for SHEP cell line which had neither c-myc nor N-myc expression. In NGF-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells, c-myc oncogene was down-regulated in comparison with the control samples. The time course of c-myc down-regulation was concomitant with the appearance of morphological differentiation. In situ hybridization also showed remarkable reduction of c-myc oncogene expression in NGF-induced differentiated cells as compared with the untreated control cells. These results indicate that down-regulation of c-myc oncogene may be a key event during NGF-induced differentiation and over-expression of c-myc oncogene may, at least partially, be responsible for the genesis of neuroblastoma.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed1993

Purification of a 110-kDa phosphoinositide phospholipase C that is activated by G-protein beta gamma-subunits.

We report the purification from bovine brain cytosol of a 110-kDa phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC-110) that was markedly stimulated by G-protein beta gamma-subunits. The enzyme was purified approximately 2000-fold with a yield of 4%. On the basis of size and immunological cross-reactivity, PLC-110 was distinct from 150-kDa PLC-beta 1, 145-kDa PLC-gamma 1, and 85-kDa PLC-delta 1. An antiserum to a peptide corresponding to a conserved PLC Y domain sequence cross-reacted with PLC-110. PLC-110 was also recognized by two antisera selective for NH2-terminal and internal sequences in PLC-beta 3, but not by a third peptide antiserum to the COOH terminus of this enzyme, suggesting that PLC-110 is related to PLC-beta 3. Reconstitution of purified PLC-110 with beta gamma-subunits produced greater than 100-fold activation, indicating activation was observed at approximately 60 nM beta gamma and full activation at approximately 500 nM beta gamma. PLC-110 maximally hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate at 1 microM Ca2+, but showed no activity toward phosphatidylinositol at Ca2+ concentrations up to 1 mM. Concentrations of purified guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-liganded alpha q that fully activated PLC-beta 1 failed to stimulate PLC-110. This observation indicates that the site at which beta gamma interacts with PLC-110 is distinct from that at which alpha q regulates the activity of PLC-beta isozymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Association of a purine-analogue-sensitive protein kinase activity with p75 nerve growth factor receptors.

Purine analogues are protein kinase inhibitors, and they block with varying potency and specificity certain of the biological actions of nerve growth factor (NGF). The analogue 6-thioguanine (6-TG) has been shown to inhibit with high specificity protein kinase N (PKN), a serine/threonine protein kinase activated by NGF in several cellular systems. In the present work, immunoprecipitates of p75 NGF receptors from PC12 cells (+/-NGF treatment) were assayed for protein kinase activity using the substrate myelin basic protein under phosphorylating conditions optimal for PKN and in the presence or absence of purine analogues. An NGF-inducible activity was detected, and approximately 80% was inhibited by purine analogues. This activity was maximally stimulated by NGF within 5-10 min, partially decreased by 60 min, and returned to basal levels after 15 h of NGF treatment. The analogue 6-TG inhibited the NGF-inducible p75-associated kinase activity with an IC50 in the range of 15-35 microM. In mutant PC12 nnr-5 cells that lack the Trk NGF receptor, the purine-analogue-sensitive p75-associated kinase activity was not inducible by NFG. In normal PC12 cells, cyclic AMP analogues and epidermal growth factor failed to induce the same activity. Application of either 2-aminopurine or 6-TG to intact cells only slightly inhibit the NGF-dependent induction of the purine-analogue-inhibited p75-associated kinase activity. This activity shares many similarities but also displays some significant differences with cytosolic PKN. Our findings therefore indicate the association of a purine-analogue-sensitive protein kinase with p75 NGF receptors.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of transdermal and oral sequential gestagen in combination with transdermal estradiol: effects on bleeding patterns and endometrial histology.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively the effect on bleeding patterns, transformation of the endometrium, and rate of endometrial hyperplasia of transdermal norethisterone acetate when administered sequentially in combination with transdermal estradiol (E2), and to compare it to a regimen using oral medroxyprogesterone acetate. METHODS: Two hundred eighteen women were randomized to receive either transdermal E2 0.05 mg/day for 14 days followed by transdermal E2 0.05 mg/day plus transdermal norethisterone acetate 0.25 mg/day for 14 days, or transdermal E2 0.05 mg/day for 25 days with the addition of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg/day on days 16-25, followed by a 3-day treatment-free period. Treatment was planned for 13 cycles of 28 days. The subjects kept daily bleeding diaries, and endometrial biopsies were taken before and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: The mean duration of bleeding (regular) induced by the gestagen was 7.33 days in the transdermal gestagen-treated group, which was 1.54 days longer than in the oral gestagen-treated group (P = .0001). The mean cycle day of onset was 25.74. Bleeding was spotting or light in the transdermal group in 77% of the days in which bleeding occurred. When comparing the two groups, there were no differences in the overall mean cycle day of onset or in the intensity of gestagen-induced bleeding. Breakthrough (irregular) bleeding episodes occurred in 42% of the transdermal subjects, lasted a mean of 4.18 days, and were spotting or light in 87% of the days when they occurred. There were no differences between the treatment groups. There was only one case (1.3%) of confirmed simple hyperplasia and five cases of failure of gestagenic transformation of the endometrium in 77 women treated for a mean of 367 days with transdermal gestagen. CONCLUSION: A transdermal system delivering a combination of E2 and norethisterone acetate for 14 days in sequence with E2 delivered transdermally for 14 days produced bleeding patterns that are clinically acceptable and comparable to those produced by oral medroxyprogesterone acetate given in sequence with E2 delivered transdermally for 25 days. The use of the combination system was not associated with a significant risk of endometrial hyperplasia.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1992

Catalysis of serine and tyrosine autophosphorylation by the human insulin receptor.

The protein kinase activity of human insulin receptors purified from Sf9 insect cells after infection with a recombinant baculovirus was evaluated. The following experimental observations led to the unexpected conclusion that this receptor protein catalyzes both serine and tyrosine autophosphorylation at significant stoichiometries. (i) Phosphorylation of lectin-purified insulin receptors with [gamma-32P]ATP resulted in rapid receptor tyrosine phosphorylation (7 mol of P per high-affinity binding site) and the delayed onset of insulin-stimulated receptor serine phosphorylation (about 7% of total phosphorylation). The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (hydroxy-2-naphthalenylmethyl)phosphonic acid (HNMPA), which has no effect on protein kinase C or cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities, inhibited both the receptor serine and tyrosine phosphorylation. (ii) Phosphorylation of a synthetic peptide substrate composed of insulin receptor residues 1290-1319 on serines-1305/1306 by partially purified insulin receptors was also inhibited by HNMPA. (iii) Insulin receptors sequentially affinity-purified on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin and immobilized insulin showed no apparent contaminant proteins on silver-stained SDS/polyacrylamide gels yet catalyzed autophosphorylation on receptor serine and tyrosine residues when incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. These results suggest that the catalytic site of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase also recognizes receptor serine residues as substrates for the phosphotransfer reaction. Furthermore, insulin-stimulated receptor serine phosphorylation in intact cells may occur in part by an autophosphorylation mechanism subsequent to tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Spectroscopic and chemical studies of the interaction between nerve growth factor (NGF) and the extracellular domain of the low affinity NGF receptor.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) interacts with a cell surface receptor on responsive neurons to initiate a series of cellular events leading to neuronal survival and/or differentiation. The first step in this process is the binding of NGF to a low affinity and/or a high affinity receptor. In the present report, we have studied the conformation and stability of recombinant receptor extracellular domain (RED) from the human low affinity receptor and the structural basis of its interaction with NGF. Circular dichroism (CD) studies indicate that the RED is primarily random coil in nature with little regular secondary structure. Thermal stability studies have shown that this irregular conformation is a specific structure that can undergo a reversible two-state thermal denaturation with a concomitant fluorescent and CD change. During heating at 100 degrees C for 15 min, the structure of RED is sufficiently unfolded for a reducing agent, dithiothreitol, to inactivate the receptor toward NGF binding and cross-linking. The complex formation between the RED and NGF has been examined by differential CD measurements, and we have shown that a small, reproducible change in conformation occurs in RED or NGF upon interaction. These results are interpreted in terms of the initiation of NGF cell surface binding and possible modes of signal transduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Structural domains of the extracellular domain of human nerve growth factor receptor detected by partial proteolysis.

Using partial proteolytic cleavage, the nerve growth factor (NGF) binding site and the epitopes for two anti-NGF receptor (NGFR) monoclonal antibodies were localized on the recombinant extracellular domain (RED) of the NGFR. The RED was prepared in the baculovirus-insect cell system and was purified by immunoaffinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The four cysteine-rich repeat domains and some additional C-terminal sequences were resistant to proteolysis with papain or proteinase K. The Mr 32,000 papain-resistant fragment (P32) and the Mr 30,000 proteinase K-resistant fragment (K30) share the same N terminus as the intact RED and have C termini in the vicinity of residue 170. Even though P32 and K30 have the same N terminus and probably differ by only a small number of amino acids at the C terminus, P32, but not K30, binds 125I-NGF. As judged by Western blot analysis, two anti-NGFR antibodies (ME20.4 and NGFR5) bind to P32 but have a lesser affinity for K30. Since antibody ME20.4 inhibits NGF binding but antibody NGFR5 does not, these antibodies bind to distinct epitopes. However, these epitopes apparently are closely spaced since these antibodies compete with each other for binding to biotinylated RED. NGF, but not the control protein cytochrome c, protects RED from papain digestion. Therefore, the P32 C terminus is important for the expression of the NGF binding site and the antibody-defined epitopes, even though the NGF binding site and antibody-defined epitopes probably are not encoded by the P32 C terminus. These data suggest that complex interactions occur between different regions of the RED, and that optimum NGF binding requires the integrity of multiple RED domains, including a short sequence to the C terminus of residue 170.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Neuronal differentiation triggered by blocking cell proliferation.

Treatment of the neuroblastoma cell line SHSY5Y with nerve growth factor (NGF) resulted in limited neurite extension, but proliferation continued. However, SHSY5Y cells treated with NGF and a pulse of the DNA polymerase alpha and delta inhibitor aphidicolin showed dramatic neuronal differentiation. Few differentiated cells were observed immediately following the NGF-aphidicolin treatment; however, continued treatment of the cells with NGF in the ensuing week resulted in extension of long neurites (> 400 microns). Neurite extension was not observed for cells treated with aphidicolin alone. Hence, aphidicolin and NGF act synergistically to induce differentiation of SHSY5Y cells. If maintained in NGF, the differentiated cells were stable for at least 1 month and displayed many neuronal characteristics. They were mitotically inactive, and, in contrast to control or NGF-treated cells, the differentiated cells required NGF for survival. The cells expressed multiple microtubule-associated proteins (MAP), including MAP 1A, MAP 1B, and tau. There was expression of synaptic vesicle antigens synaptophysin and SV2, but not synapsin Ia/b or synapsin IIa/b. Both hydroxyurea and thymidine, which inhibit synthesis of nucleotides, act synergistically with NGF to induce differentiation of SHSY5Y cells. Since aphidicolin, hydroxyurea, and thymidine are chemically unrelated, we conclude that these drugs enhance NGF-induced differentiation by blocking cell proliferation and not through an unrelated side effect. The model suggested by these studies is that differentiation is triggered by two simultaneous signals: NGF and cessation of cell proliferation.

Aphidicolin↗
PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of two G-proteins that activate the beta 1 isozyme of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. Identification as members of the Gq class.

Plasma membranes from bovine liver contain a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity that is activated by guanine nucleotides. The G-proteins involved retained their ability to activate bovine brain PLC-beta 1 in a guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S)-dependent manner following extraction from the membranes with cholate and reconstitution with phospholipids. This reconstitution assay was used to purify the G-proteins by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose, DEAE-Sephacel, octyl-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, Mono Q, and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. Gel electrophoresis showed that two alpha-subunits with molecular mass of 42 and 43 kDa were isolated to a high degree of purity, together with a beta-subunit. Neither alpha-subunit was a substrate for pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. Gel filtration of the final activity indicated an apparent molecular mass of 95 kDa, suggesting the presence of an alpha beta gamma heterotrimer. Immunological data revealed that the 42- and 43-kDa proteins were related to alpha-subunits of the Gq class recently purified from brain (Pang, I.-H., and Sternweis, P. C. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18707-18712) and identified by molecular cloning (Strathmann, M., and Simon, M. I. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 87, 9113-9117). The activation of PLC-beta 1 by the purified G-protein preparation was specific for nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotides, the efficacy decreasing in order GTP gamma S greater than guanylimidodiphosphate greater than guanylyl(beta,gamma-methylene)-diphosphonate. Half-maximal activation required 4 microM GTP gamma S suggesting that the affinity of the G-proteins for GTP analogues is low. The GTP gamma S-dependent activation of PLC-beta 1 required millimolar Mg2+ and was inhibited by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) and by excess beta gamma-subunits. Aluminum fluoride also activated PLC-beta 1 in the presence of the G-proteins. The G-proteins were inactive toward PLC-gamma 1 or PLC-delta 1. In summary, these findings identify two G-protein activators of PLC-beta 1 that have the properties of heterotrimeric G-proteins and are members of the Gq class.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1991

Nerve growth factor receptors are preaggregated and immobile on responsive cells.

It has been hypothesized that signal transduction occurs by ligand-induced receptor clustering and immobilization. For many peptide receptors, cross-linking by anti-receptor antibodies is sufficient for receptor activation. This is not, however, the case for nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). Using fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), we have analyzed the distribution and diffusibility of NGFR on a series of cell lines. We have found the following: (1) Cells expressing high-affinity responsive NGFR's display clustered NGFR's even in the absence of ligand. In contrast, NGFR's in nonresponsive cell lines are diffusely distributed. (2) Receptors on responsive cell lines are largely nondiffusing while most receptors on nonresponsive cell lines are relatively free to diffuse. (3) NGF does not greatly alter the distribution or diffusion properties of the NGFR on either nonresponsive or responsive cell lines. Thus, NGFR is preclustered and immobile on responsive cells, which suggests that immobilization of NGFR prior to ligand binding is required for signal transduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of two neuroblastoma cell lines expressing recombinant nerve growth factor receptors.

In earlier studies, a 75,000-dalton glycoprotein (gp75) has been identified as a component of both low- and high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors (NGFRs). Using an amphoteric expression vector, we have introduced the cDNA encoding the human gp75 into two neuroblastoma cell lines. SHEP is a human neuroblastoma cell line that lacks most neuronal characteristics and does not express NGFRs. The transformant line SHEP/NGFR expressed a single affinity class of NGF binding sites, did not display NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene expression, and did not efficiently internalize NGF. LAN5 is a neuroblastoma cell line with neuronal characteristics, including expression of neurofilament and display of short neurites. This cell line expresses a small number of high-affinity NGFRs but no detectable low-affinity sites. The transformant line LAN5/NGFR expressed both high- and low-affinity NGFRs, displayed NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene, and efficiently internalized NGF. The number of high-affinity NGF binding sites was nearly the same for LAN5 and LAN5/NGFR, a finding suggesting that there is a limiting number of some separately coded factor or subunit that is required for high-affinity NGFRs. Because NGF induction of fos oncogene expression correlated with expression of high-affinity NGFRs, the putative second factor may also limit NGF responsiveness.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1991

Nerve growth factor receptor expression in peripheral and central neuroectodermal tumors, other pediatric brain tumors, and during development of the adrenal gland.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is important to the survival, development, and differentiation of neurons. Its action is mediated by a specific cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein, nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). In this study, NGFR expression by human fetal and adult adrenal medullary tissue, peripheral nervous system (PNS) neuroectodermal tumors (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma), pediatric primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system (CNS), and CNS gliomas was examined by an immunohistochemical technique. Sixty-nine tumors in total were probed in this manner. Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity was confined to nerve fibers and clusters of primitive-appearing cells in the fetal adrenal, and to nerve fibers and ganglion cells of the adult adrenal medulla; adrenal chromaffin cells were negative. In PNS neuroectodermal tumors, there was NGFR expression in tumor cells of 6 of 11 neuroblastomas and 6 of 6 ganglioneuroblastomas or ganglioneuromas. Thirteen of thirty-five CNS PNETs showed NGFR positivity. In most CNS PNETs, NGFR was restricted to scattered single or small groups of cells, but two tumors with astroglial differentiation showed much more extensive immunoreactivity. Most astrocytomas (11 of 14) and all ependymomas (3 of 3) were intensely NGFR positive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

In vitro properties of human melanoma cells metastatic in nude mice.

We have developed a human melanoma metastasis model in nude mice. In this model, a human variant cell line (451-LU) was obtained that spontaneously metastasized in nude mice. This variant cell line was selected from the lung of a nude mouse after several in vivo passages of human melanoma WM164 cells previously isolated from a melanoma metastasis of a patient. The WM164 cells were not competent for metastasis in nude mice prior to this selection. We compared the phenotypes of the parental nonmetastatic cell line and the metastatic variant with respect to growth at clonal seeding densities in protein-free medium (growth factor independence), in vitro invasion through reconstructed basement membranes, secretion of proteolytic enzymes, expression of tumor-associated antigens, and chromosomal abnormalities. Metastatic 451-LU cells showed significantly increased growth factor independence when grown at clonal seeding densities as compared to the parental cells. In in vitro chemoinvasion assays, metastatic 451-LU cells were significantly more invasive than the parental cells. The metastatic variant secreted collagenase and tissue type plasminogen activator at levels 10- and 3-fold higher than the parental WM164 cells, respectively. Polyclonal antibodies to tissue type plasminogen activator significantly inhibited invasion through reconstructed basement membranes. In metastatic 451-LU cells, expression of nerve growth factor receptor was elevated, both at the protein and transcriptional level. Metastatic cells were aneuploid with a mode of 97 chromosomes, whereas the parental nonmetastatic cells had a mode of 52 chromosomes. Our studies suggest that metastatic melanoma cell variants selected in vivo show increased independence of exogenous growth factors when grown at clonal cell densities, enhanced invasiveness in vitro, greater secretion of proteolytic enzymes, and increased chromosome mode as compared to the nonmetastatic parental cells. The data further suggest that melanoma cells isolated from metastatic lesions and maintained in vitro have an unstable invasive phenotype but that metastatic variant cells can readily be selected.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Purification and characterization of the recombinant extracellular domain of human nerve growth factor receptor expressed in a baculovirus system.

To obtain the large quantities of the extracellular domain of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R) necessary for structural analyses, we produced this protein in the baculovirus expression system. A cDNA coding for the extracellular domain of the human NGF-R was first introduced into transfer vector pVL941. Recombinant baculovirus was produced by cotransfecting Spodoptera frugiperda cells with the transfer vector and DNA of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Recombinant viral plaques were selected by morphology and dot hybridization. The expression of recombinant extracellular domain (RED) was analyzed by Western blot analysis using anti-NGF-R monoclonal antibody. Insect cells infected with recombinant virus synthesized RED and secreted it into the culture supernatant. RED was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, immunoaffinity chromatography, and anion exchange chromatography yielding 4 mg of RED/liter of suspension culture. Since there was no apparent effect of endoglycosidase H or F on RED electrophoretic mobility, and since RED did not bind concanavalin A or soybean lectin, there appears to be little or no glycosylation of RED. Purified RED bound 125I-NGF as well as anti-NGF-R monoclonal antibodies. Sedimentation analysis and gel exclusion chromatography revealed that RED is an asymmetric molecule and may be a dimer.

Affinity Labels↗