Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to A Paterson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Concentration of enzyme-dependent activation of PLC-beta 1 and PLC-beta 2 by G alpha 11 and beta gamma-subunits.

Differential regulation of PLC-beta 1 and -beta 2 by the G-protein alpha-subunit, G alpha 11, and by G-protein beta gamma-subunits was studied utilizing recombinant PLC-beta 1 and -beta 2. Rat PLC-beta 1 and human PLC-beta 2 were purified after recombinant baculovirus-mediated expression in Sf9 cells. The catalytic properties of the purified recombinant isoenzymes were directly compared to PLC-beta 1 purified from bovine brain and PLC-beta 2 partially purified from HL60 polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The recombinant isoenzymes were indistinguishable from the native isoenzymes with respect to dependence of reaction velocity on bulk PtdIns(4,5)P2 substrate concentration, pH, and free Ca2+ concentration. Marked AlF(4-)-dependent activation was observed upon reconstitution of rPLC-beta 1 with the G-protein alpha-subunit, G alpha 11. Activation occurred with a concentration dependence on G alpha 11 for activation and elevation in reaction velocity that was similar to that of native PLC-beta 1. In contrast, G alpha 11 promoted only a small elevation in the catalytic rate of recombinant PLC-beta 2, which was also typical of the native isoenzyme. Maximal reaction rates with respect to PLC-beta isoenzyme concentration were achieved and indicated that rPLC-beta 2 required 10-fold greater concentrations of both G alpha 11 and of rPLC-beta 2 for activation than did rPLC-beta 1. rPLC-beta 1 and rPLC-beta 2 were also differentially regulated by beta gamma-subunits. This differential activation was not the result of different concentration dependencies on beta gamma-subunit for activation, but rather, the result of the greater degree to which the catalytic rate of PLC-beta 2 was elevated by beta gamma-subunits when compared to PLC-beta 1.

Animals↗

Modulation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels by different human dopamine D4 receptor variants.

To investigate whether polymorphic forms of the human dopamine D4 receptor have different functional characteristics, we have stably expressed cDNAs of the D4.2, D4.4, and D4.7 isoforms in several cell lines. Chinese hamster ovary CHO-K1 cell lines expressing D4 receptor variants displayed pharmacological profiles that were in close agreement with previous data from transiently expressed D4 receptors in COS-7 cells. Dopamine stimulation of the D4 receptors resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. The potency of dopamine to inhibit cAMP formation was about twofold reduced for D4.7 (EC50 of approximately 37 nM) compared with the D4.2 and D4.4 variants (EC50 of approximately 16 nM). Antagonists block the dopamine-mediated inhibition of cAMP formation with a rank order of potency of emonapride > haloperidol = clozapine >> raclopride. There was no obvious correlation between the efficacy of inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels and the D4 subtypes. Dopamine could completely reverse prostaglandin E2-stimulated cAMP levels for all three D4 receptor variants. Deletion of the repeat sequence does not affect functional activity of the receptor. The data presented indicate that the polymorphic repeat sequence causes only small changes in the ability of the D4 receptor to block cAMP production in CHO cells.

Animals↗

Regulation of endothelin-1- and lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (pp125fak) in Rat-1 fibroblasts.

The characteristics of protein tyrosine phosphorylation were examined in Rat-1 fibroblasts in response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and 1-oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Both agonists stimulated the biphasic tyrosine phosphorylation of at least three major proteins of approx. 120 kDa (pp116, pp120 and pp130) and two of 80 kDa (pp80 and pp70). Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that the pp120 protein corresponded to the recently described focal adhesion protein kinase pp125fak. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, alone or in combination with the calcium ionophore A23187, also stimulated the phosphorylation of pp125fak but to a smaller extent than LPA or ET-1. Removal of both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ did not significantly reduce LPA- and ET-1-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125fak. In cells where protein kinase C activity was down-regulated or inhibited, ET-1-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125fak was reduced to a greater extent than phosphorylation in response to LPA. In addition, ET-1-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of pp80 was decreased by 50-70% in response to protein kinase C inhibition at both 2 and 60 min whereas LPA-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of this protein was only reduced at 2 min. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp42 and pp44 forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase in response to both ET-1 and LPA but reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125fak only in response to LPA. These results indicate agonist-specific differences in the regulation of pathways mediating the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125fak and other target proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HLA expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

The present study undertook to investigate the biological significance of human leucocyte antigen expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and to elucidate the role of potential modulating agents on human leucocyte antigen expression. These studies used several hepatic tumour-derived cell lines as in vitro model systems. The cell lines included PLC/PRF/5 (Alexander cell line), Hep3B, HepG2, TONG PHC, HA22T/VGH, HA59T/VGH and Mahlavu. The cell lines K562 and Raji were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. K562, a B lymphoid-derived cell line, was shown to express negligible amounts of human leucocyte antigens, while Raji, an erythromyeloid-derived cell line, expressed both class I and class II human leucocyte antigens as well as their respective invariant chains, beta 2-microglobulin and Ii. Using an ELISA, experiments performed on these cell lines confirmed the natural expression of class I and class II antigens by the HA22T/VGH and HA59T/VGH cell lines, whereas PLC/PRF/5 displayed class II surface antigens only. The effects of modulating agents such as interferon-gamma sodium butyrate and clofazimine on human leucocyte antigen expression were investigated using the HA22T/VGH, HA59T/VGH and TONG PHC cell lines. These agents increased class II and class II human leucocyte antigen expression on HA22T/VGH and TONG PHC cells, but had no effect on the HA59T/VGH cell line. The results suggest a potential use for these agents as modulators of human leucocyte antigen expression by human heptocellular cell lines.

Butyrates↗

Managing meningitis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Desmoplastic fibroma of the maxillary alveolus.

Desmoplastic fibroma is an uncommon tumour of bone and has only exceptionally been reported in the jaws. This case report describes only the second example of a desmoplastic fibroma which involved the maxillary alveolus.

Adult↗

Characterization of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in the brain of a marsupial, Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus).

1. Specific high affinity binding of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin was detected in the brain of the pouch young of a marsupial, Bennett's wallaby. 2. Binding was rapid, stable, saturable and reversible. 3. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of high affinity binding sites with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 68 +/- 13 pM, a maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) of 0.7 +/- 0.1 fmol/mg protein and a Hill coefficient (nH) of 1.12 +/- 0.10. 4. Specific binding was inhibited by GTP (1 mM) indicating that the melatonin receptor is coupled to a guanine nucleotide binding protein, and by melatonin and closely related analogues with a potency order identical to that reported previously in the brain of eutherian mammals, birds and a reptile. 5. These studies suggest that the melatonin receptor is well-conserved through evolution.

Animals↗

The contribution of charge to affinity at functional (M3) muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig ileum assessed from the effects of the carbon analogue of 4-DAMP methiodide.

1. 4-Diphenylacetoxy-1:1-dimethyl cyclohexane (carbo-4-DAMP) is the carbon analogue of 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) methiodide. The compounds differ only in that the quaternary nitrogen atom in 4-DAMP methiodide is replaced by a quaternary carbon atom, which is uncharged. 2. Carbo-4-DAMP appears to act competitively at functional (M3) muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig ileum. Estimates of log affinity constant are 6.0 at 30 degrees C and 5.9 at 37 degrees C, i.e. the compound has 0.1% of the affinity of 4-DAMP methobromide. 3. The absence of charge makes little difference to the conformation as determined by X-ray crystallography. The bond lengths and angles are very similar, though the bonds in the cyclohexane ring of carbo-4-DAMP are consistently slightly longer than those in the piperidinium ring of 4-DAMP methiodide, and the presence of the charge slightly reduces the space between molecules. 4. The difference between the affinities of 4-DAMP methobromide and carbo-4-DAMP indicates that the contribution of coulombic forces to the binding between 4-DAMP methiodide and muscarinic (M3) receptors is at least 17 kJ mol-1 (4.1 kcal mol-1) at 37 degrees C. How much this is an underestimate depends upon how much hydrophobic binding is greater with the uncharged compound.

Animals↗

Effect of dry season supplementation of Sanga cattle in Zambia.

Supplementation of lactating Sanga cows in central Zambia with low cost crop residues and urea-mineral licks resulted in significant increases in milk offtake (79%), total daily milk (86%), and daily liveweight gain of their calves (86%). At 1988 market prices the value of the additional milk (ZK54.00) and of liveweight of both cow and calf (ZK189.00) over the 13 weeks exceeded the estimated costs of inputs by ZK180.00.

Animal Feed↗

Interaction of imipenem with erythromycin and tetracycline assessed by microdilution checkerboard techniques.

Microdilution methodology was used to study the interaction of imipenem with erythromycin and tetracycline, a combination therapy that might be used for the treatment of serious pelvic inflammatory disease. The combination of imipenem and erythromycin showed no antagonism for Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae but was antagonistic for Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and group B streptococci; the combination of imipenem and tetracycline was antagonistic for all strains except H. influenzae. Correlation between the results of kill curves and the measurement of fractional bactericidal concentration (FBC) indices was good, although FBC indices showed less antagonism than kill curves. Fractional inhibitory concentration indices showed poor correlation, rarely showing antagonism, and indeed showed synergy in three cases. If erythromycin or tetracycline is considered necessary in addition to imipenem in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, it is probably more effective when given after the course of imipenem has been completed.

Bacteria↗

Prevalence of hepatitis C in South Africa: detection of anti-HCV in recent and stored serum.

The prevalence of anti-HCV was studied in a cohort of 2,072 South Africans. The results were compared in selected recently collected sera and in stored sera. The serum ALT and anti-HBc were also studied as surrogate markers in this population. The following groups were tested: (a) 498 urban, black blood donors (b) 500 white blood donors (c) 500 Asian blood donors (d) 216 rural hospitalized patients (e) 358 rural mineworkers. Sera found positive by the original ELISA were retested, and reproducibly positive tests in rural black men (group d) were confirmed both by recombinant immunoblot assay and by a second ELISA. An anti-HCV prevalence of 1.2%, 0.8%, and 0.6% in urban blacks, Asians, and whites was found. Antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen were found in 42.9%, 3.4%, and 1.2% of black, Asian, and white donors, respectively; 76% of donors positive for anti-HCV were anti-HBc negative. In rural African men, 17% of stored serum samples and 9.2% of recently collected serum samples were positive for anti-HCV. In this cohort 3.84% were positive by all three assays. These results suggest that the prevalence of anti-HCV in low and high-risk South African urban blood donors is comparable to high and low prevalence areas in Europe, the United States, and Japan, but indicates a relatively high degree of exposure to hepatitis C in rural African men. The reactivity of stored, frozen sera in this population requires further investigation. In South African urban blood donors, surrogate marker testing will not expedite HCV screening.

Adult↗

Cytokeratin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study.

Normal human hepatocytes express cytokeratins no. 8 and 18, whereas bile duct cells contain the same cytokeratins and, in addition, cytokeratins no. 7 and 19. This cytokeratin pattern is believed to be preserved during neoplastic transformation. Thirty-four cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (11 well differentiated, 16 moderately differentiated, 7 poorly differentiated) were studied on frozen sections using monoclonal antisera directed against individual cytokeratins no. 7, 8, 18, and 19 in an immunoperoxidase procedure. In 17 of 34 cases, tumor cells showed only reactivity with monoclonals anticytokeratin no. 8 and 18. However, 17 of 34 cases showed an aberrant pattern in that a variable number of tumor cells were stained with anticytokeratins no. 7 and/or 19 in addition to no. 8 and 18. Only three of 11 well-differentiated cases displayed an unexpected cytokeratin pattern, whereas an aberrant pattern was present in all seven of seven poorly differentiated cases. These results are in conflict with previously published data obtained by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunohistochemistry. They indicate that the cytokeratin pattern might not always be preserved during neoplastic transformation. The implication of this finding for the differential diagnosis of metastatic gastrointestinal carcinomas is discussed.

Adolescent↗