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Biomedical subjects

A Sutton

Publications and source records attributed to A Sutton.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The SIT4 protein phosphatase functions in late G1 for progression into S phase.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains containing temperature-sensitive mutations in the SIT4 protein phosphatase arrest in late G1 at the nonpermissive temperature. Order-of-function analysis shows that SIT4 is required in late G1 for progression into S phase. While the levels of SIT4 do not change in the cell cycle, SIT4 associates with two high-molecular-weight phosphoproteins in a cell-cycle-dependent fashion. In addition, we have identified a polymorphic gene, SSD1, that in some versions can suppress the lethality due to a deletion of SIT4 and can also partially suppress the phenotypic defects due to a null mutation in BCY1. The SSD1 protein is implicated in G1 control and has a region of similarity to the dis3 protein of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We have also identified a gene, PPH2alpha, that in high copy number can partially suppress the growth defect of sit4 strains. The PPH2 alpha gene encodes a predicted protein that is 80% identical to the catalytic domain of mammalian type 2A protein phosphatases but also has an acidic amino-terminal extension not present in other phosphatases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rat brain NADPH-dependent diaphorase. A possible relationship to cytochrome P450 reductase.

An enzyme (NADPH-dependent diaphorase) present in rat brain microsomes has been solubilised and shown to utilise both nitrobluetetrazolium and cytochrome c as electron acceptors, when reduced by NADPH. The kinetics of the enzyme have been determined using cytochrome c (Km = 1.3 microM), NADPH (Km = 1.4 microM) and the Vmax (4.7 nmol/min/mg solubilised microsome protein). The subunit Mr is approximately 73,000 D and that of the native enzyme is 170,000-180,000 D, indicating that the enzyme is probably a dimer. Evidence is also provided to show that the enzyme is a flavoprotein, and that it has equimolar amounts of FAD and FMN with respect to the subunit concentration. It seems a possibility that the rat brain diaphorase enzyme may be cytochrome P450 reductase, EC 1.6.2.4.

Animals↗

Combined enzymatic assay of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid.

We present here a combined, quantitative enzymatic procedure for determining amniotic fluid phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine and relate these findings to the assessment of fetal lung maturity. Under the assay conditions described phospholipase C specifically hydrolyses phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) but not sphingomyelin, precluding the need for removal of sphingomyelin prior to analysis. Solvent extraction of the phospholipids from the amniotic fluid is, however, employed to avoid spurious elevation of PG and PC results by endogenous glycerol and choline. Of 45 amniocentesis fluids examined, 28 yielded detectable PG concentrations (greater than 0.5 mumol/l) and all but three of these exhibited PC concentrations in excess of 10 mumol/l. One case of respiratory distress occurred in an infant of 29 wk gestation with severe intrauterine growth retardation. Of the remaining 17 fluids in which PG was undetected enzymatically (less than or equal to 0.5 mumol/l), 14 also contained PC concentrations less than or equal to 10 mumol/l and all six cases of true respiratory distress syndrome came from within this sub-group. Strong correlations between the PC concentration and the lecithin:sphingomyelin ratio, r = 0.85 (p less than 0.001) and the PC and PG concentrations, r = 0.96 (p less than 0.001) were also found.

Amniocentesis↗

Capsular antibodies induce type-specific phagocytosis of capsulated Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Capsular types 5 and 8, which account for about 70% of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the blood of patients, resisted in vitro phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Antisera and monoclonal antibody to type 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides (CPS) induced type-specific in vitro phagocytosis of capsulated organisms by PMN. Antibodies directed against the O-acetyl moiety of the type 8 CPS were more effective in inducing phagocytosis of type 8 organisms by PMN. Either type-specific antiserum or monoclonal antibody reactive with the native O-acetylated type 8 CPS was most effective in inducing in vitro phagocytosis of type 8 organisms by PMN. These results provide further evidence that CPS of S. aureus are associated with host immunity to this organism.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Synthesis and physicochemical and immunological characterization of pneumococcus type 12F polysaccharide-diphtheria toxoid conjugates.

A scheme for the synthesis and purification of conjugates, composed of the type 12F capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn12F) and diphtheria toxoid, is described. The scheme is a modification of that described previously for the Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi, a linear homopolymer of N-acetylgalactoseaminouronic acid (S. C. Szu, A. L. Stone, J. D. Robbins, R. Schneerson, and J. B. Robbins, J. Exp. Med. 166:1510-1524, 1986). Pn12F is a branched-chain copolymer composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit containing an aminouronic acid, N-acetylmannoseaminouronic acid (K. Leontein, B. Lindberg, and J. Lonngren, Can. J. Chem. 59:2081-2085, 1981). Sulfhydryl groups were introduced into Pn12F by forming an amide bond between cystamine and carboxyl groups of N-acetylmannoseaminouronic acid in the presence of a carbodiimide. The disulfide moiety of cystamine was reduced to form the cysteamine derivative of Pn12F which was, in turn, covalently bound to diphtheria toxoid by using the heterobifunctional linker N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridylthio)propionate. Unbound, high-molecular-weight Pn12F was removed from the conjugate by hydrophobic interaction chromatography through octyl Sepharose by using n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as the eluent. In young outbred mice, Pn12F did not elicit detectable serum antibodies. Pn12F-diphtheria toxoid, in contrast, elicited antibodies after two injections and had T-cell-dependent properties as evidenced by a response to priming and by its ability to elicit booster responses. This scheme seems applicable to the synthesis of conjugates with other capsular polysaccharides containing aminouronic acids. Clinical evaluation of Pn12F-diphtheria toxoid conjugates in healthy and in immunocompromised hosts is planned.

Animals↗

Conductive education.

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Activities of Daily Living↗

Cholecystokinin release and biliopancreatic secretion in response to selective perfusion of the duodenal loop with aminoacids in man.

The aim of this study was to measure the role of the duodenal loop in biliopancreatic secretion in man by infusing various stimuli at the ampulla of Vater and collecting duodenal contents at the ligament of Treitz, above an occluding balloon. Perfusion at 10 ml/min of a first mixture of aminoacids - phenylalanine (47.2 mmol), methionine (38.2 mmol), tryptophan (11 mmol), valine (61.6 mmol) - increased cholecystokinin (CCK) plasma concentrations and duodenal bile salt output (p less than 0.005) as compared with a control electrolyte solution, but did not change pancreatic enzyme secretion significantly; duodenal infusion of another aminoacid mixture - arginine (32.4 mmol), histidine (14.1 mmol), leucine (36 mmol), isoleucine (21.5 mmol), lysine (31 mmol), threonine (23 mmol) - did not change CCK plasma concentrations, bile salt or pancreatic enzyme output. The respective role of duodenal distension and endogenous CCK was investigated by perfusing the first aminoacid solution and the control solution at 2, 5, and 10 ml/min. Changing the perfusion rate of control solution from 2 to 5 ml/min led to a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in pancreatic secretion with no further increase at 10 ml/min. Bile salt output was not influenced by the perfusion rate of control solution. During the perfusion of the aminoacid solution, despite a stepwise increase in CCK release, the only significant change in pancreatic secretion was an increase of lipase output (p less than 0.05) when the infusion rate was raised from 2 to 5 ml/min. Our results suggest that duodenal CCK release (1) depends on the nature of aminoacids (2) has predominant role in the regulation of pancreatic secretion at low perfusion rate but is less effective when superimposed on a mechanical stimulus caused by duodenal distension (3) is a major stimulus for gall bladder contraction which is not influenced by duodenal distension.

Adult↗

Purification, properties, and genetic location of Escherichia coli cytidine 5'-monophosphate N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase.

N-Acetylneuraminic acid cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.43) (CMP-NeuAc synthetase) catalyzes the formation of cytidine monophosphate N-acetylneuraminic acid. We have purified CMP-NeuAc synthetase from an Escherichia coli O18:K1 cytoplasmic fraction to apparent homogeneity by ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on CDP-ethanolamine linked to agarose. The enzyme has a specific activity of 2.1 mumol/mg/min and migrates as a single protein and activity band on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has a requirement for Mg2+ or Mn2+ and exhibits optimal activity between pH 9.0 and 10. The apparent Michaelis constants for the CTP and NeuAc are 0.31 and 4 mM, respectively. The CTP analogues 5-mercuri-CTP and CTP-2',3'-dialdehyde are inhibitors. The purified CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase has a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gene encoding CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase is located on a 3.3-kilobase HindIII fragment. The purified enzyme appears to be identical to the 50,000 Mr polypeptide encoded by this gene based on insertion mutations that result in the loss of detectable enzymatic activity. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified protein was used to locate the start codon for the CMP-NeuAc synthetase gene. Both the enzyme and the 50,000 Mr polypeptide have the same NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. Antibodies prepared to a peptide derived from the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence bind to purified CMP-NeuAc synthetase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Light-dependent accumulation and localization of photosystem II proteins in maize.

We have raised antibodies against several major components of photosystem II. These antisera, which are directed against the apoproteins of two chlorophyll-binding proteins (CPa-1 and CPa-2), the apoprotein of light-harvesting complex II and the 33-kDa extrinsic protein of the oxygen-evolving complex, were used to examine the light regulation of photosystem II assembly in maize. The principal findings of this study are as follows. The 33-kDa protein is present in dark-grown maize and the content increases 5-10-fold upon illumination. The level of the protein is mediated at least in part by phytochrome and is independent of the accumulation of chlorophyll. In contrast, none of the three chlorophyll-binding proteins examined was detectable in leaves of maize grown in darkness or under other light regimes where chlorophyll does not accumulate. Even in the absence of photosystem II assembly, the 33-kDa protein is properly transported across the thylakoid into the lumen. However, the protein does not attach in the normal way to the inner surface of the membrane under these conditions.

Biological Transport↗

Treatment of acute bacterial peritonitis: a trial of imipenem/cilastatin against ampicillin-metronidazole-gentamicin.

Imipenem/cilastatin at a dose of 0.5 g six hourly was compared to conventional combination therapy with ampicillin 0.5 g six hourly, metronidazole 0.5 g eight hourly and gentamicin 80 mg eight hourly (with dose adjustment by trough and peak serum levels) in the treatment of severe intra-abdominal infections. All antibiotics were given intravenously. Forty-five patients entered the trial. Of the 19 evaluable patients in the imipenem/cilastatin group, 16 were clinically cured with five microbiological successes and two failures. Of 24 evaluable patients in the combination group, 22 were clinically cured with one microbiological success and one failure. One patient in each group suffered an adverse effect. Patients in the I/C group tended to be older with more women and more severe infections. The origin of peritonitis was similar. I/C did not differ from combination therapy in efficacy or safety and was comparable in cost. However, I/C was easier to administer than combination therapy and there was no need for serum concentration monitoring.

Adolescent↗

Diffuse muscular hypertrophy of esophagus.

Six cases of diffuse muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus are reported. The clinical diagnosis is often missed and may be confused with achalasia. Some clinical features that help distinguish this disease are a sensation of "grasping" any tube or instrument introduced into the esophagus, marked sustained elevation in the baseline pressure in the body of the esophagus over a longer segment, and poor response to forced pneumatic dilatation (in those cases in which achalasia is suspected). An interesting association was the relationship with diabetes mellitus in four of the six cases described.

Aged↗

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of serum antibodies elicited in adults by Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcus type 6A capsular polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugates.

Covalent binding to immunogenic proteins increases the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharides of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcus type 6A (Pn6A). Conjugates composed of Hib, Pn6A, or the cross-reacting Escherichia coli K100 covalently bound to tetanus toxoid (TT) were injected into young adult volunteers. Local reactions were common and were probably due to Arthus reactivity mediated by the preexisting antibodies reacting with the TT component of the conjugates. Fever occurred in about 10% of the volunteers after the first injection; no volunteers had fever after the second injection. Similar levels of Hib or Pn6A antibodies were elicited by either 50- or 100-micrograms doses or by concurrent injection of two different conjugates (Hib-TT and Pn6A-TT or Hib-TT and K100-TT). The Hib-TT elicited about a 180-fold increase in Hib antibodies, and the Pn6A-TT conjugate elicited about an 8-fold increase in Pn6A antibodies after one injection. Booster reactions were not elicited in adults; similar levels of antibodies in the five experimental groups suggested that the responses elicited by the conjugates were maximal. A one-way cross-reaction was noted as Pn6A conjugates elicited rises of Hib antibodies in 13 of 20 volunteers; only 4 of 59 volunteers immunized with Hib-TT had increases in Pn6A antibodies. The preimmunization Hib antibodies were composed of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG. The postimmunization sera showed an increase in all three isotypes; the elevation of the IgG was the highest of the three isotypes. Conjugate-induced antibodies to both the polysaccharide and TT exerted biological activities that have been correlated with immunity. Adsorption of the Hib-TT onto aluminium hydroxide resulted in higher levels and an earlier Hib antibody response in infant rhesus. These results encourage the evaluation of Hib and Pn6A conjugates in human children and infants.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

An avidin-biotin based ELISA for quantitation of antibody to bacterial polysaccharides.

A solid phase immunoassay utilizing avidin-biotin binding has been developed for measuring anticapsular polysaccharide antibodies. Capsular polysaccharides of Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Staphylococcus aureus types 5 and 8, and levan from Aerobacter levanicum have been biotinylated through -OH or COOH groups with retention of antigenicity. Polysaccharides were immobilized on avidin-coated microtiter wells for use in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibody. Two preparations of biotinylated S. aureus type 8 polysaccharide were equivalent as antigens in ELISA. Specificity was demonstrated by absorption of antisera, by competitive inhibition with purified antigens, and by reaction with specific monoclonal or myeloma antibodies. Reproducibility of the assay for H. influenzae type b and S. aureus type 8 antibody was demonstrated by replicate titrations of high and low level antisera.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗