Biomedical subjects

C E Hart

Publications and source records attributed to C E Hart.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Different effects of homo- and heterodimers of platelet-derived growth factor A and B chains on human and mouse fibroblasts.

Binding sites for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) differ in their selectivity for the AA, AB and BB forms of PDGF. Human fibroblasts bind BB well and AA poorly, whereas Swiss 3T3 cells bind more similar quantities of each ligand. We found that AA PDGF was weakly mitogenic for human fibroblasts, but strongly mitogenic for 3T3 cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of human fibroblast receptors was stimulated most by BB and least by AA, whereas the phosphorylation of 3T3 cell receptors was stimulated more uniformly by the three dimers. The receptor polypeptides that were phosphorylated were very similar. We suggest that phosphorylation of the receptor is proportional to the number of binding sites available for each ligand. Tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of other cell proteins was also proportional to receptor phosphorylation. In contrast, protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent serine and tyrosine phosphorylations were stimulated maximally by low level occupancy of PDGF binding sites, and phosphorylation of p36 required high occupancy. These data raise the possibility that differences in biological potency of AA, AB and BB forms of PDGF may be due simply to differences in the numbers of binding sites, rather than to different biochemical functions of their receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Two classes of PDGF receptor recognize different isoforms of PDGF.

Previous studies involving platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) have been based on the premise that a single cell-surface receptor binds all three isoforms of PDGF (AA, BB, and AB). It is now shown that two populations of PDGF receptor exist and can be distinguished by their ligand binding specificity. The B receptor binds only the BB dimer, whereas the A/B receptor binds AA, BB, and AB dimers. Human dermal fibroblasts appear to express seven times as much B receptor as A/B receptor. The B receptor is responsible for most PDGF receptor phosphorylation.

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed1988

Distribution of protein kinase C immunoreactivity in rat retina.

A polyclonal antiserum to protein kinase C has been used to study the distribution of the enzyme antigenic sites in rat retina. The results indicate that the kinase is concentrated in photoreceptor outer segments as well as in the outer and inner plexiform layers. In identified components of retinal neuronal circuits, the kinase immunoreactivity is present in photoreceptor presynaptic terminals, in bipolar cell dendrites and axons, and probably in bipolar cell presynaptic terminals impinging on retinal ganglion cell dendrites. Thus, protein kinase C is positioned to play a role in specialized compartments of photoreceptor membrane and at both pre- and postsynaptic levels in the function of retinal neuronal circuits. Label in the nucleus is observed in retinal ganglion cells, but not bipolar or horizontal cells and probably not in amacrine cells. A role for protein kinase C in neuronal function at the level of the cell nucleus is therefore not likely to be universal, but to be determined by the particular properties of individual neuronal types.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Cloning and expression of a cDNA coding for the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor: evidence for more than one receptor class.

The complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding the human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor is presented. The cDNA contains an open reading frame that codes for a protein of 1106 amino acids. Comparison to the mouse PDGF receptor reveals an overall amino acid sequence identity of 86%. This sequence identity rises to 98% in the cytoplasmic split tyrosine kinase domain. RNA blot hybridization analysis of poly(A)+ RNA from human dermal fibroblasts detects a major (approximately 5.7 kb) and a minor (approximately 4.8 kb) transcript using the cDNA as a probe. Baby hamster kidney cells, transfected with an expression vector containing the receptor cDNA, express an approximately equal to 190-kDa cell surface protein that is recognized by an anti-human PDGF receptor antibody. The recombinant PDGF receptor is functional in the transfected baby hamster kidney cells as demonstrated by ligand-induced phosphorylation of the receptor. Binding properties of the recombinant PDGF receptor were also assessed with pure preparations of BB and AB isoforms of PDGF (i.e., PDGF dimers composed of two B chains or an A and a B chain). Unlike human dermal fibroblasts, which bind both isoforms with high affinity, the transfected baby hamster kidney cells bind only the BB isoform of PDGF with high affinity. This observation is consistent with the existence of more than one PDGF receptor class.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Synthesis, phosphorylation, and degradation of multiple forms of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor studied using a monoclonal antibody.

We have developed a monoclonal antibody, designated PR7212 (IgG1), which specifically recognizes the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) of primate cells. The antibody recognizes an extracellular epitope of the receptor, demonstrated by its ability to bind to intact cells. Using this antibody, we have detected three forms of PDGFR of approximately 180, 164, and 130 kDa. All three of the forms were detected by Western blot analysis of human dermal fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitates of 32P-labeled membrane extracts of human dermal fibroblasts demonstrate that phosphorylation of all three forms of the receptor is stimulated by PDGF. In addition, several smaller molecules were detected, ranging in size from 113 to 49 kDa, which are also phosphorylated in response to PDGF addition. These smaller molecules may be either PDGFR kinase substrates or partially degraded PDGFR. Only the 180- and the 164-kDa forms of the receptor are detectable from immunoprecipitates of soluble extracts of 35S-metabolically labeled cells. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrate that the 164-kDa form is a precursor of the 180-kDa molecule. After PDGF binding at 37 degrees C, the 180-kDa form disappears from the cell surface in parallel with a decrease in 125I-PDGF binding, providing evidence that occupation results in internalization of PDGFR rather than inactivation.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Role of carbohydrate in the function of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

cDNA clones for the human hematopoietic regulator granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) were isolated from a lamba gt11 cDNA library prepared from RNA of COS cells transiently expressing the gene for hGM-CSF. As the RNA was a rich source of hGM-CSF mRNA, approximately 0.1% of the clones of this library contained hGM-CSF sequences. All of the clones analyzed were full length and were correctly processed. When subcloned into an expression vector and transfected into COS cells, the cDNA clones direct the synthesis of higher levels of the growth factor than the gene from which they were derived. The cDNA for native hGM-CSF was used to generate structural mutants which lack N-linked carbohydrate, O-linked carbohydrate, or both. Although the mutant proteins had differing specific activities, the nonglycosylated forms reproduce many, if not all, of the physiologic functions of authentic hGM-CSF. The role of carbohydrate in the secretion and function of hGM-CSF is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Subcellular compartmentalization of phosphorylated neurofilament polypeptides in neurons.

Immunocytochemistry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis have been used to study the distribution of phosphorylated forms of neurofilament antigens in rat brain. Immunostaining of tissue with an antisera produced against phosphatase-sensitive domains of the 200-kilodalton (kd) neurofilament polypeptide showed that phosphorylated forms of this polypeptide were present in virtually all axons and certain somata and dendrites of neurons in different brain regions. Immunoblots of whole brain homogenate or a neurofilament preparation from rat revealed that the affinity-purified anti-200-kd sera used to immunostain tissue labeled the neurofilament-associated 200-kd band in a phosphatase-sensitive manner. Fine structural analysis of this immunoreactivity in tissue showed that whenever the labeled organelle could be identified, it was a microtubule. In contrast, immunoblot analysis of twice-cycled microtubules from porcine brain revealed that microtubules in vitro did not possess the 200-kd antigen that was observed in situ. The results suggest that our antibody recognizes a phosphorylated domain on the neurofilament involved in cross-linking neurofilaments and microtubules, and that in vivo, phosphorylated epitopes of the 200-kd neurofilament polypeptide are capable of associating with microtubules.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Characterization of a cDNA coding for human factor VII.

Factor VII is a precursor to a serine protease that is present in mammalian plasma. In its activated form, it participates in blood coagulation by activating factor X and/or factor IX in the presence of tissue factor and calcium. Clones coding for factor VII were obtained from two cDNA libraries prepared from poly(A) RNA from human liver and Hep G2 cells. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNAs indicates that factor VII is synthesized with a prepro-leader sequence of 60 or 38 amino acids. The mature protein that circulates in plasma is a single-chain polypeptide composed of 406 amino acids. The amino acid sequence analysis of the protein and the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNAs indicate that factor VII is converted to factor VIIa by the cleavage of a single internal bond between arginine and isoleucine. This results in the formation of a light chain (152 amino acids) and a heavy chain (254 amino acids) that are held together by a disulfide bond. The light chain contains a gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain and two potential epidermal growth factor domains, while the heavy chain contains the serine protease portion of the molecule. Factor VII shows a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with the other vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1986

Calcium and proton buffering and diffusion in isolated cytoplasm from Myxicola axons.

Ion-selective electrodes recorded the pH (7.49 +/- 0.05, n = 8) and pCa (6.72 +/- 0.03, n = 40) in samples (approximately 1 microliter) of isolated Myxicola axoplasm mounted within 760-micron diameter plastic tubes. We determined the interactions between Ca2+ and H+ on axoplasmic buffers by microinjecting CaCl2 or HCl into the axoplasmic samples at a distance 75-125 micron from the tips of the electrodes (distance = r). When axoplasmic pH was lowered 0.97 +/- 0.095 from its resting value (measured at r = 125 micron) by injecting 4 nmol HCl, pCa dropped 0.30 +/- 0.05 (n = 6). When expressed in units of concentration, these data show that a HCl injection of approximately 4 mmol/l axoplasm increased H+ and Ca2+ activity by approximately 0.3 microM. Lowering axoplasmic pCa 2.20 +/- 0.43 (r = 75 micron) (n = 3) by injecting 40 pmol CaCl2 had only a small effect on pH. In other experiments, two Ca2+ electrodes measured the Ca2+ activity 125 and 375 micron from the site of CaCl2 injection. Evidence of Ca2+ buffering was obtained when the Ca2+ activity at these two locations was below that expected for simple Ca2+ diffusion away from the injection site. Centrifuged axoplasm (100,000 g) taken from the bottom of the centrifuge tube had a somewhat greater Ca2+ buffering capacity than that taken from the top of the tube. Electron microscopic studies of the centrifuged axoplasm showed a greater concentration of mitochondria and other axoplasmic vesicles in the bottom of the centrifuge tube. Ruthenium red (20-40 micrograms/ml) greatly reduced Ca2+ buffering. The mitochondrial inhibitors CN (2 mM) and oligomycin (a mixture of oligomycin A, B, and C, 5 micrograms/ml) also reduced Ca2+ buffering but were not as effective as ruthenium red. Axoplasm in which ATP and mitochondrial substrates were removed by dialysis was unable to lower free Ca2+ when the concentration of this ion was elevated to approximately 10 microM. In the presence of oligomycin to block mitochondrial ATPase, and with Mg2+ -ATP as the only source of energy, axoplasm lowered Ca2+ activity slowly; with succinate as the only metabolic substrate, axoplasm rapidly lowered the Ca2+ activity from approximately 10 microM to below 1 microM.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Analysis of the carbohydrate composition of axonally transported glycoconjugates in sciatic nerve.

Glycosidase enzyme digestion in combination with postembedding lectin cytochemistry was used to study the carbohydrate composition of axonally transported glycoproteins. A cold block procedure for the interruption of axonal transport was employed to increase selectively the population of anterograde moving components on the proximal side of the transport block. Electron-microscopic observations revealed that a cold block applied to the sciatic nerve of an anesthetized rat produced an increase in axonal smooth membrane vesicles at a site directly proximal to the cold block. Postembedding lectin cytochemistry of the sciatic nerve demonstrated a substantial increase in concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and succinylated WGA binding sites in axons directly proximal to the cold block. Endoglycosidase H (endo H) digestion prior to lectin cytochemistry characterized a large population of the axonally transported Con A binding sites as polymannose and/or hybrid N-linked oligosaccharides (endo H-susceptible). A distinct population of neuraminidase-resistant WGA binding sites was also found in axons directly proximal to the transport block. The concomitant increase in smooth membrane vesicles and lectin binding sites in axons at the transport block supports the hypothesis that a system(s) of smooth membrane inside the axon is involved in the transport of glycoproteins from the cell soma to their cell surface destinations. Results of glycosidase digestions and lectin cytochemistry experiments suggest that many of the axonally transported glycoprotein carbohydrates are polymannose and/or hybrid N-linked oligosaccharides. This observation is especially interesting in relation to our previous reports, which indicated that most lectin binding sites on the neuronal cell surface are composed of complex oligosaccharides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1985

A comparative study of the intracellular lectin binding sites of neurons in culture with neurons in situ.

The cytochemical properties of intracellular membrane systems which are likely to be subcellular sites of glycoprotein oligosaccharide synthesis and trafficking have been compared in cultured neuroblastoma cells (as a potential model system) and in Purkinje neurons of rat cerebellum. In aldehyde-fixed N18 cells, permeabilized with Triton X-100, concanavalin A (Con A) binding sites were found in the somata, neurites, and growth cones. Con A binding sites in growth cones appeared as a fine, membranous network. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding sites were restricted to the perinuclear region of the soma and to the distal tips of growing neurites. As shown previously, Purkinje cell somata and presynaptic terminals also contain Con A binding sites. In this study, WGA and succinylated WGA binding sites were observed in the presynaptic terminals of Purkinje cells. Neuraminidase enzyme digestion prior to lectin labeling removed or greatly reduced WGA binding in the neuropil of the deep nucleus but not in presynaptic terminals of Purkinje cells. Succinylated WGA binding sites were not affected by neuraminidase digestion. Neuraminidase digestion also exposed Ricinis communis agglutinin I binding sites in the neuropil and in synaptic terminals of Purkinje cells. These results in combination with previous studies of intracellular lectin cytochemistry of neurons in the central nervous system demonstrate the similarity of these cells to neuroblastoma cells in their intracellular lectin binding characteristics. Results of the lectin cytochemical studies after neuraminidase digestion of presynaptic terminals support the possibility that neurons may use a post- or extra-Golgi system for the addition of peripheral sugars to the oligosaccharides of certain glycoproteins destined for the cell surface.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Endoglycosidase H digestion of neuronal intracellular lectin-binding sites.

Cerebellar Purkinje cells contain intracellular membrane systems that are highly enriched in concanavalin A (Con A)-binding sites and which may be involved in axonal and dendritic transport. We have attempted to characterize these Con A-binding sites in fixed slices of cerebellum by their susceptibility to endoglycosidase H (Endo H) digestion. Tissue slices labeled with Con A-peroxidase without prior Endo H digestion had moderately dense label in the molecular and granular layers with the heaviest label occurring in Purkinje cell somata. Endo H digestion of tissue slices produced little change in the pattern of Con A label in the molecular and granular layers, but the Con A label in Purkinje cell somata was removed except for small discrete patches. Electron microscopic examination of Purkinje cells from tissue slices not digested with Endo H showed Con A label in cisternal elements of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), nuclear envelope, hypolemmal cisternae, and the Golgi complex. Presynaptic terminal smooth membrane cisternae and dendritic hypolemmal cisternae of Purkinje cells were also labeled with Con A-peroxidase. Endo H digestion removed Con A-binding sites in cisternae of the ER, somal and dendritic hypolemmal membrane system, and presynaptic terminal smooth membrane profiles. Con A-binding sites in the nuclear envelope and Golgi complexes of Purkinje cells were not removed by Endo H digestion. These results present ultrastructural evidence in support of biochemical studies which report the rough ER as the site of polymannose oligosaccharide addition to nascent polypeptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Quantitative analysis of melanoma-associated antigen p97 in normal and neoplastic tissues.

We have used two highly sensitive assays to quantitate p97, a protein associated with human melanoma, in cultured cells and normal adult, fetal, and neoplastic tissues. To measure p97 at the surface of intact cells, radiolabeled Fab fragments of a monoclonal antibody specific for p97 were used in a binding assay. To measure p97 in detergent-solubilized membrane preparations, we used a novel double-determinant immunoassay that uses two monoclonal antibodies to two distinct antigenic determinants of p97. These assays revealed that although p97 is present in small amounts in normal adult tissues, it is present in much larger amounts in most melanomas, in some other tumors (both benign and malignant), and in certain fetal tissues. We conclude that monoclonal antibodies to p97 may prove to be of value for the diagnosis and therapy of melanoma.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Protein antigens of normal and malignant human cells identified by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibodies.

Spleen cells from a mouse immunized with human melanoma cells were fused with mouse myeloma cells, and somatic cell hybrids were grown in selective medium. Eight hybrids, which secreted antibodies to protein antigens of the melanoma cell line, were identified by immunoprecipitation of a 125I-labeled melanoma cell lysate followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitates and autoradiography. Seven of the eight melanoma proteins identified in this way were present at the cell surface. Two of the cell surface proteins, p80 and p97, were not detected in autologous fibroblasts.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microenvironments of photoreceptor and interphotoreceptor matrix glycoconjugates.

Enzyme-linked lectin cytochemical and biochemical analyses have been used to identify microdomains of retinal outer segments and interphotoreceptor matrix glycoconjugates. We have devised a highly reproducible trypsin digestion procedure to identify protease-resistant wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) domains on the distal tips of some photoreceptor outer segments, and on shed outer segment membrane in Xenopus laevis retina. WGA binding sites in the frog interphotoreceptor matrix were completely susceptible to trypsin digestion. In contrast, the cytochemical procedures revealed a distinct protease resistant WGA-positive microdomain in the interphotoreceptor matrix of rat (and probably human) retina at the outer segment-pigment epithelium interface. Neuraminidase digestion of sections of rat retina previously digested with trypsin essentially completely removed WGA binding sites in this microdomain. These results indicated that the protease-resistant carbohydrates were sialoglycoconjugates. A potential role for this pool of sialoglycoconjugates would be to mediate adhesion of the outer segment-pigment epithelium interface. Analysis of solubilized retina digested with trypsin and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a set of protease resistant WGA binding glycoprotein of Mr 60 kDa on nitrocellulose transblots which we hypothesize may be a component of the protease resistant microdomain at the outer segment-pigment epithelium interface of rat retina.

Animals↗