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Biomedical subjects

A Townsend

Publications and source records attributed to A Townsend.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Use of synthetic peptides of influenza nucleoprotein to define epitopes recognized by class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

The conserved epitopes of influenza nucleoprotein (NP) recognized by class I MHC-restricted CTL from CBA (H-2k) and C57BL/10 (H-2b) mice have been defined in vitro with synthetic peptides 50-63 and 365-379, respectively. Two Db-restricted clones were described that recognize different epitopes on peptide 365-379. Finally, the recognition of complete NP was shown to be approximately 200-fold less efficient than peptide in the cytotoxicity assay. These phenomena are closely related to results with class II-restricted T cells and they strengthen the hypothesis that influenza proteins are degraded in the infected cell before recognition by class I-restricted CTL.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Metabolism of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine and incorporation into DNA of human T-lymphoblastic cells (Molt-4).

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine (ara-5-aza-Cyd) had potent cytotoxicity against human T-type lymphoblastic cells in culture. When Molt-4 cells were exposed to ara-5-aza-Cyd for 24 h, clonogenic survival was reduced by 50 and 98% at initial concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-6) M, respectively, compared to 3 X 10(-8) and 10(-6) M, respectively, for the same effect with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). The analogue is chemically unstable, with a t1/2 of 12 h at 37 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline. ara-5-aza-Cyd is not significantly deaminated by human Cyd-deoxycytidine (dCyd) deaminase, in contrast to ara-C. It is phosphorylated by human cytoplasmic dCyd kinase, with a Km of 55 microM and a relative Vmax of 310% compared to dCyd. The primary metabolite (70%) in Molt-4 cells was identified as ara-5-aza-Cyd triphosphate. Thymidine but not uridine or amino acid incorporation was inhibited by ara-5-aza-Cyd. ara-5-aza-Cyd was incorporated in a dose-dependent manner into DNA, but not RNA, primarily in internucleotide linkage as the original compound. Incorporation into the cellular methanol-insoluble fraction was 3- to 5-fold higher at 8 h than was ara-C incorporation. ara-5-aza-Cyd may have a unique activity against tumor cells resistant to ara-C, particularly where high Cyd-dCyd deaminase activity is a factor. The mode of action, like that of ara-C, is probably mediated through its incorporation into DNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize a fragment of influenza virus matrix protein in association with HLA-A2.

Both human and murine cytotoxic T cells (CTL) elicited in response to infection with influenza A viruses have been shown to be specific for internal viral proteins, such as the matrix and nucleoprotein. Individual CTL epitopes have been identified in the nucleoprotein by successfully substituting short synthetic peptides for the intact virus in the preparation of target cells in cytotoxicity assays. The defined peptide epitopes have each been recognized by CTL in association with individual class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, H-2Db, H-2Kk, H-2Kd (Taylor, P. et al., unpublished data) and HLA-B37. A logical strategy to investigate the molecular details of the interaction between antigen and MHC class I proteins would be to define an epitope recognized by the MHC class I molecule HLA-A2. This is because the amino-acid sequence is known, several variants of A2 have been characterized and the protein has been purified and crystallized. Here we describe a peptide derived from the influenza matrix protein that is recognized by human CTL in association with the HLA-A2 molecule.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sequences encoded in the class II region of the MHC related to the 'ABC' superfamily of transporters.

Class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) bind and present peptides derived from the degradation of intracellular, often cytoplasmic, proteins, whereas class II molecules usually present proteins from the extracellular environment. It is not known how peptides derived from cytoplasmic proteins cross a membrane before presentation at the cell surface. But certain mutations in the MHC can prevent presentation of antigens with class I molecules. In addition, mutations possibly in the MHC can affect presentation by class II molecules. Here we report the finding of a new gene in the MHC that might have a role in antigen presentation and which is related to the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily of transporters. This superfamily includes the human multidrug-resistance protein, and a series of transporters from bacteria and eukaryotic cells capable of transporting a range of substrates, including peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗