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Biomedical subjects

B M Martin

Publications and source records attributed to B M Martin.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Regional distribution of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor (alpha subunit) mRNA in rat brain.

A human cDNA clone containing the 5' coding region of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor alpha subunit was used to quantify and visualize receptor mRNA in various regions of the rat brain. Using a [32P]CTP-labelled antisense RNA probe (860 bases) prepared from the alpha subunit cDNA, multiple mRNA species were detected in Northern blots using total and poly A rat brain RNA. In all brain regions, mRNAs of 4.4 and 4.8 kb were observed, and an additional mRNA of 3.0 kb was detected in the cerebellum and hippocampus. The level of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor mRNA was highest in the cerebellum followed by the thalamus = frontal cortex = hippocampus = parietal cortex = hypothalamus much greater than pons = striatum = medulla. In situ hybridization revealed high levels of alpha subunit mRNA in cerebellar gray matter, olfactory bulb, thalamus, hippocampus/dentate gyrus, and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. These data suggest the presence of multiple GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor alpha subunit mRNAs in rat brain and demonstrate the feasibility of studying the expression of genes encoding the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor after pharmacological and/or environmental manipulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Repair of protease-damaged elastin in neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cell cultures.

The objective of this study was to investigate the elastin repair process in the rat aortic smooth muscle cell culture after proteolytic injury. Although little studied in vivo, elastin repair is thought to occur through a sequential process involving enzymatic removal (debridement) of damaged fibers followed by synthesis of tropoelastin, its subsequent processing, and eventual incorporation into new insoluble elastin. A second repair mechanism of proteolytically damaged elastin in a culture system is reported here. Repair in this system relates directly to restoration of resistance to elastin solubilization by hot alkali. As expected, severe injuries were observed with porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). Using PPE, only 6% of the elastin, relative to control, was resistant to hot alkali immediately after elastase treatment. 4 wk later, resistance to hot alkali had increased dramatically to a mean of 90%. Repair took longer after injury with 75 micrograms of PPE as compared with 50 micrograms of PPE. The limited elastic fiber proteolysis induced by either human neutrophil elastase or porcine trypsin was repaired in culture within 2 wk. Elastin that had been radiolabeled with [3H]lysine 4-5 wk before injury was converted from a hot NaOH-susceptible to a NaOH-resistant elastin fraction during recovery from PPE injury. At the same time, the frayed elastic fibers that were seen with the electron microscope immediately after PPE treatment were replaced by continuous bands of elastin that resembled those in control cultures. Restoration of NaOH resistance did not require a net increase in total cell layer elastin, suggesting that relatively little new tropoelastin incorporation into the cell layer was required for this type of repair. These results suggested a salvage repair mechanism for proteolytically damaged elastin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

HDL particle associated proteins in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid: identification and partial sequencing.

The proteins from plasma HDL particles isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography on anti-apolipoprotein A-1 affinity columns have been analysed and purified by high resolution two dimensional gel electrophoresis. Two of the lipoprotein-associated proteins found in the HDL plasma fraction, previously referred to as NA1 and NA2, have also been found in cerebrospinal fluid. After separation by 2DGE, these two proteins were transferred to PVDF membranes, stained and cut out for N-terminal sequencing. The partial sequences (11 and 13 amino acids) obtained for the two HDL particle associated proteins do not match any of those included in the December 1987 National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF) database, and there are no significant sequence similarities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of the human tyrosine hydroxylase gene: identification of 5' alternative splice sites responsible for multiple mRNAs.

A full-length genomic clone for human tyrosine hydroxylase (L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.16.2) has been isolated. A human brain genomic library constructed in EMBL3 was screened by using a rat cDNA for tyrosine hydroxylase as a probe [Brown, E. R., Coker, G. T., III, & O'Malley, K. L. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 5208-5212]. Out of one million recombinant phage, one clone was identified that hybridized to both 5' and 3' rat cDNA probes. Restriction endonuclease mapping. Southern blotting, and sequence analysis revealed that, like its rodent counterpart, the human gene is single copy, contains 13 primary exons, and spans approximately 8 kilobases (kb). In contrast to the rat gene, human tyrosine hydroxylase undergoes alternative RNA processing within intron 1, generating at least three distinct mRNAs. A comparison of the human tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylalanine hydroxylase [DiLella, A. G., Kwok, S. C. M., Ledley, F. D., Marvit, J., & Woo, S. L. C. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 743-749] genes indicates that although both probably evolved from a common ancestral gene, major changes in the size of introns have occurred since their divergence.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Signal sequence and DNA-mediated expression of human lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A.

Twelve complementary DNA clones for human lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A were isolated from an Okayama-Berg library constructed from SV40-transformed human fibroblasts. The identity of these clones was confirmed by complete colinearity of the nucleotide-deduced amino acid sequence with that determined by direct chemical sequencing of human placental alpha-galactosidase A. Hybridization of the alpha-galactosidase A cDNA to genomic DNA from individuals with varying numbers of X chromosomes as well as from interspecies somatic-cell hybrids showed only a single locus in the genome at Xq 13.1-Xq 22. One cDNA clone (pcD-AG210) contained the complete coding sequence for both the signal peptide and mature alpha-galactosidase A. The signal peptide of 31 amino acids contains the expected hydrophobic domains consisting of Leu-Gly-Cys-Ala-Leu-Ala-Leu and Phe-Leu-Ala-Leu-Val and has Ala at the signal peptidase cleavage site. Twelve out of fifteen G residues flanking the 5' end of the cDNA in pcD-AG210 were removed and the truncated fragment was ligated into the original vector. This construct, pcD-AG502, encoded enzymatically active human alpha-galactosidase A in monkey COS cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Localization of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) mRNA in human brain.

In situ hybridization with biotinylated DNA and RNA probes derived from the 3' untranslated region of human neuron-specific or gamma gamma-enolase (NSE) permits histochemical detection of NSE mRNA in autopsy samples of human brain. In both aged controls and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, NSE probe hybridized with variable intensity to nerve cells in visual cortex and cerebellum, but not to glial or liver cells. These results provide evidence that NSE mRNA is expressed in neurons in human brain tissue, pattern of NSE mRNA expression in unaffected brain regions in AD is qualitatively normal, and NSE mRNA expression may vary widely among different classes of neurons.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A mutation in the human glucocerebrosidase gene in neuronopathic Gaucher's disease.

To search for a genetic marker for type 2 Gaucher's disease (acute neuronopathic form), we compared the nucleotide sequence of a cloned glucocerebrosidase gene from a patient with Gaucher's disease with a normal gene. We found only a single base substitution (T----C) in exon X. This mutation results in the substitution of proline for leucine in position number 444 and produces a new cleavage site for the NciI restriction endonuclease. We analyzed NciI enzymatic digests of genomic DNA from 20 patients with type 1, 5 with type 2, and 11 with type 3 Gaucher's disease, and 29 normal controls for a restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP). Four of 5 patients with type 2 disease and all 11 with type 3 disease had at least one allele with the mutation. Two of 5 patients with type 2 disease and 7 of 11 with type 3 were homozygous for this mutation. Only 4 of 20 patients with type 1 Gaucher's disease had the mutant allele and were heterozygous for it. None of the 29 normal controls had the mutant allele. The high frequency of this mutation (444leucine----proline) in patients with neuronopathic Gaucher's disease, detectable by the NciI RFLP, may be of value in the identification of patients who will have the neurologic sequelae of Gaucher's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

CD4 receptor binding peptides that block HIV infectivity cause human monocyte chemotaxis. Relationship to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

The octapeptide Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr (peptide T) and two structural analogs are potent agonists of human monocyte chemotaxis, evincing identical rank potency orders as was previously shown for their inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope binding and T cell infectivity. Chemotactic activity could be inhibited by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), but not other mononuclear cell Mabs. The core peptide required for chemotactic activity is a pentapeptide related to the sequence Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr. Homologous pentapeptides, identified by computer search, were detected in several other non-HIV-related viruses as well as the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). The CD4 molecule, therefore, appears to be a recognition molecule for a small signal peptide ligand whose active sequence is a homolog of peptide T and which may be the neuropeptide VIP.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1986

Biochemical characterization of the phospholipase A2 purified from the venom of the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum horridum Wiegmann).

A phospholipase A2 was isolated from the venom of the mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum horridum) by phenyl-Sepharose chromatography followed by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and two additional steps on ion exchange resins (DE-32 cellulose). The affinity chromatographic method (PC-Sepharose 4B) reported for the isolation of other phospholipases [Rock, Ch. O., & Snyder, F. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 2564-2566; King, T. P., Alagon, A. C., Kwan, J., Sobotka, A. K., & Lichteinstein, L. M. (1983) Mol. Immunol. 20, 297-308; King, T. P., Kochoumian, L., & Joslyn, A. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 230, 1-12] was uneffective for the separation of this enzyme. The monomeric form of the Heloderma phospholipase has an apparent Mr of 18 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 19 060 as calculated from amino acid analysis. It also contains on the order of 7% carbohydrates per mole of enzyme. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was shown to be very different from that of phospholipases isolated from mammalian pancreas and crotalids and elapids snake venoms. The first 39 amino acid residues at the N-terminal region have 56% homology with bee venom phospholipase but differ from the bee phospholipase in that its isoelectric point is acidic (pI = 4.5), instead of basic, and it has approximately 50 amino acid residues more in the molecule. The specificity of the enzyme is mainly A2 type with possible residual B-type activity. The enzymatic activity is Ca2+-dependent. Half-cystine alignment of the Heloderma phospholipase sequence with those of other known phospholipases shows the lack of an octadecapeptide at the N-terminal region, the existence of an extra hexapeptide at positions 42-47, and an exact correspondence of Heloderma Gly-12, Gly-14, His-36, and Asp-37 with Gly-30, Gly-32, His-48, and Asp-49 from other phospholipases shown to be important for Ca2+ binding (( Dijkstra, B. W., Drenth, J., Kalk, K. H., & Vandermaalen, P. J. (1978) J. Mol. Biol. 124, 53-60 )).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA containing the complete coding sequence for human lysosomal glucocerebrosidase.

Complementary DNA clones for human glucocerebrosidase were isolated from a human hepatoma library in lambda gt11. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 1805-base pair cDNA insert has been determined. In addition to 5' and 3' untranslated regions (51 and 206 base pairs, respectively), the cDNA insert contains 1548 base pairs that completely encode human glucocerebrosidase. All possible N-linked glycosylation sites are identified. Examination of the 19 amino acids of the leader polypeptide beginning with the ATG at position 52 revealed a hydrophobic core and a carboxyl-terminal glycine at the peptidase cleavage site, features consistent with the leader sequences described for other human translocated proteins. The Mr of 57,000 calculated from the 516 amino acids deduced from cDNA sequence is in good agreement with that identified by immunoprecipitation following in vitro translation of human placental mRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Scorpion toxins from Centruroides noxius and Tityus serrulatus. Primary structures and sequence comparison by metric analysis.

The complete primary structures of toxin II-14 from the Mexican scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann and toxin gamma from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus Lutz and Mello have been determined. Cleavage of toxin gamma after Met-6 with CNBr produced the 55-residue peptide 7-61, which maintained the four disulphide bonds but was not toxic to mice at a dose 3 times the lethal dose of native toxin gamma. Pairwise comparison by metric analysis of segment 1-50 of toxin gamma and the corresponding segments from two other South American scorpion toxins, five North American scorpion toxins, nine North African scorpion toxins and one Central Asian scorpion toxin showed that the three Brazilian toxins are intermediate between the North American and North African toxins. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that the South American and African continents were joined by a land connection in the distant past.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Isolation of cDNA clones for human beta-glucocerebrosidase using the lambda gt11 expression system.

Two cDNA clones (lambda GC-1 and lambda GC-2) for human beta-glucocerebrosidase [EC 3.2.1.45] have been isolated from a human hepatoma library in lambda gt11 by immunological screening using monospecific polyclonal antibody for beta-glucocerebrosidase. Restriction endonuclease mapping indicates that these clones are probably identical in size, each with a 1900 bp insert. The 50 kDa size of the insert-encoded polypeptide produced by these clones in fusion with beta-galactosidase of lambda gt11 in E. coli BNN103 is consistent with the size of the nascent form of beta-glucocerebrosidase. These fusion proteins are shown by Western blotting to react with antibody to beta-glucocerebrosidase. Amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the insert ir pGC-1 is identical to known amino acid sequence of beta-glucocerebrosidase, and thus, confirms that the clones are specific for beta-glucocerebrosidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

The sites of neurotoxicity in alpha-cobratoxin.

We have chemically modified groups of amino acids in the sequence of alpha-cobratoxin and have studied the derivatives as to their affinity of binding to the acetylcholine receptor protein from Torpedo marmorata. (i) The toxin derivatives which were fully modified at lysine (penta-epsilon-N,N-dimethyl lysine; penta-epsilon-N-acetyl lysine), arginine (penta-N7,N8-(1,2-dihydroxycyclohex-1,2-ylene arginine), and tyrosine (mononitrotyrosine) all had significant remaining toxicity and affinity of binding. (ii) The "extra" disulfide of alpha-cobratoxin was selectively reduced and alkylated. Depending on the charge, size, and hydrophobicity of the attached groups, derivatives were obtained that bound to the acetylcholine receptor with higher (di-S-carboxyamidomethyl), about equal (di-S-pyridylethyl), or lower (di-iodoacetaminoethylnaphthylamine-5-sulfonic acid) affinity than the unmodified toxin. (iii) A fully reduced and carbamidomethylated derivative of alpha-cobratoxin obtained by repeating the procedure for selective reduction six times still bound with appreciable affinity (KD approximately 3 X 10(-6) M) to the acetylcholine receptor. We conclude that neither a single positively charged residue nor tyrosine nor the integrity of the disulfides is absolutely essential for toxicity. Furthermore, the single tyrosine and the area around the extra disulfide do not participate in the binding to the receptor. Together with previous findings on this interaction, this suggests a multipoint attachment of toxin and receptor involving several locally separate structural elements of the toxin.

Acylation↗
PubMed1983

Stimulation of human monocyte/macrophage-derived growth factor (MDGF) production by plasma fibronectin.

Culture supernatants from human peripheral blood monocytes, isolated free of platelet contamination and cultured in the absence of serum, stimulate DNA synthesis and cell growth in Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts and bovine aortic smooth-muscle cells. Monocytes cultured in serum-free medium for 24 hours with plasma fibronectin, added as either a surface-attached or soluble molecule, secrete significantly increased amounts of growth-promoting activity. Fibronectin also stimulates an increase in intracellular growth factor content and in protein synthesis by monocytes. Both the enhanced growth-promoting activity and protein synthesis are inhibited by cycloheximide. Thus, fibronectin-monocyte interactions may influence the production of growth-promoting activity by monocytes and contribute to fibroblast and smooth-muscle replication in wound healing, chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1981

Stimulation of nonlymphoid mesenchymal cell proliferation by a macrophage-derived growth factor.

Cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages secrete a growth-promoting activity that stimulates 3 types of nonlymphoid mesenchymal cells in vitro: fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle, and vascular endothelium. Production of this macrophage-derived growth factor (MDGF) is directly related to the number of viable macrophages and their time in culture, and is independent of platelet- or plasma-derived serum growth factors. Treatment of cultured macrophages with latex, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, or phorbol myristate acetate results in increased growth factor activity. Preliminary biochemical characterization of MDGF indicates that it is a heat labile (100 degrees C, 2 min), non-dialyzable protein, which contains at least 1 essential disulfide bond. Growth-promoting activity is not adsorbed by CM-Sephadex chromatography, under conditions that effectively remove platelet-derived growth factor(s). Serine protease activity is not required for the action of MDGF. Secretion of macrophage-derived growth factor may be relevant to the function of mononuclear phagocytes in several pathologic processes, including the neovascularization and fibroplasia of wound healing, smooth muscle hyperplasia in atherosclerosis, and proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Binding and internalization of 125I thrombin in chick embryo fibroblasts: possible role in mitogenesis.

Human alpha thrombin acts as a mitogen for cultures of resting chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) in serum free medium. The use of 125I-labeled thrombin shows that thrombin specifically binds to CEF and that after a lag of approximately 30 to 60 minutes it can not be removed by subsequent exposure to trypsin. The entry of 125I thrombin into the trypsin-insensitive domain is not inhibited to any great extent by excess unlabelled thrombin. The cell-associated thrombin retains its native molecular weight and its catalytic activity toward synthetic amide substrates. It appears to be located in the crude nuclear fraction of homogenized CEF cells. The association of thrombin with CEF is specific, since the non-mitogenic serine protease chymotrypsin is internalized to a much lesser extent than thrombin. The data are discussed in terms of a possible intracellular site for thrombin's mitogenic action.

Cell Nucleus↗