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C H Barton

Publications and source records attributed to C H Barton.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A threshold effect of the major isoforms of NCAM on neurite outgrowth.

Interactions between recognition molecules on the surface of neuronal growth cones and guidance cues present in the local cellular environment are thought to account for the growth of neurites in the highly stereospecific manner that contributes to correct target cell innervation. In vitro assays have been used to identify candidate molecular components of this system, either directly by demonstrating their ability to promote neurite outgrowth, or indirectly by the ability of specific antibodies to inhibit neurite outgrowth. The role of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in pathway finding is not fully understood. Some immunological studies support a positive role; others do not, and it has been reported that purified NCAM does not support neurite outgrowth. We have previously shown that an arbitrary biochemical index of neurite outgrowth, the relative level of immunoreactive neurofilament protein, is increased when human and rat dorsal root ganglion neurons are cultured on monolayers of cells expressing transfected human NCAM. But, the complexity of growth precluded a simple morphological analysis and we did not determine the 'dose-response' relationship between NCAM expression and neuronal response. Here, we report on the morphology of rat cerebellar neurons cultured on monolayers of 3T3 cells transfected with complementary DNAs encoding all of the main NCAM isoforms found in cells such as astrocytes, Schwann cells and skeletal muscle. The data indicate that both transmembrane and glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linked NCAM isoforms are potent substrates for neurite extension. A critical threshold value of NCAM expression is required for increased neurite outgrowth. Above this threshold, small increases in NCAM induce substantial increases in neurite outgrowth.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

N-cadherin gene maps to human chromosome 18 and is not linked to the E-cadherin gene.

cDNA clones encoding the human N-cadherin cell adhesion molecule have been isolated from an embryonic muscle library by screening with an oligonucleotide probe complementary to the chick brain sequence and chick brain cDNA probe lambda N2. Comparison of the predicted protein sequences revealed greater than 91% homology between chick brain, mouse brain, and human muscle N-cadherin cDNAs over the 748 amino acids of the mature, processed protein. A single polyadenylation site in the chick clone was also present and duplicated in the human muscle sequence. Immediately 3' of the recognition site in chick a poly(A) tail ensued; however, in human an additional 800 bp of 3' untranslated sequence followed. Northern analysis identified a number of major N-cadherin mRNAs. These were of 5.2, 4.3, and 4.0 kb in C6 glioma, 4.3 and 4.0 kb in human foetal muscle cultures, and 4.3 kb in human embryonic brain and mouse brain with minor bands of 5.2 kb in human muscle and embryonic brain. Southern analysis of a panel of somatic cell hybrids allowed the human N-cadherin gene to be mapped to chromosome 18. This is distinct from the E-cadherin locus on chromosome 16. Therefore, it is likely that the cadherins have evolved from a common precursor gene that has undergone duplication and migration to other chromosomal locations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Unmasking N-CAM.

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Animals↗
PubMed1989

Neuronal process outgrowth of human sensory neurons on monolayers of cells transfected with cDNAs for five human N-CAM isoforms.

Full length cDNAs for a variety of human N-CAM isoforms have been transfected into mouse L-cells and/or 3T3 cells. Three independent clones of each cell line that were shown to express human N-CAM were tested for their ability to support the morphological differentiation of sensory neurons. The cell surface expression of N-CAM isoforms, linked to the membrane directly by an integral transmembrane spanning domain or indirectly via covalent attachment to a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol moiety, were consistently found to be associated with a significant increase in the morphological differentiation of both human and rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Modification of the extracellular structure of both classes of N-CAM, consequent to the expression of a glycosylated 37-amino acid sequence normally found expressed exclusively in muscle N-CAM isoforms did not obviously affect the ability of transfected cells to support increased neuronal differentiation. 3T3 cells that were transfected with a full length cDNA encoding a secreted N-CAM isoform, and that have previously been shown to secrete N-CAM into the growth media rather than link it to the membrane did not significantly differ from control cells in their ability to support neuronal differentiation. These data provide direct evidence for both transmembrane and lipid-linked N-CAM isoforms being components of the regulatory machinery that determines neuronal morphology and process outgrowth.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Intercellular adhesion mediated by human muscle neural cell adhesion molecule: effects of alternative exon use.

Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts were permanently transfected with cDNAs encoding isoforms of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) present in human skeletal muscle and brain. Parental and transfected cells were then used in a range of adhesion assays. In the absence of external shear forces, transfection with cDNAs encoding either transmembrane or glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked N-CAM species significantly increased the intercellular adhesiveness of 3T3 cells in suspension. Transfection of a cDNA encoding a secreted N-CAM isoform was without effect on adhesion. Cells transfected with cDNAs containing or lacking the muscle-specific domain 1 sequence, a four-exon group spliced into the muscle but not the brain GPI-linked N-CAM species, were equally adhesive in the assays used. We also demonstrate that N-CAM-mediated intercellular adhesiveness is inhibited by 0.2 mg/ml heparin; but, at higher concentrations, reduced adhesion of parental cells was also seen. Coaggregation of fluorescently labeled and unlabeled cell populations was performed and measured by comparing their distribution within aggregates with distributions that assume nonspecific (random) aggregation. These studies demonstrate that random aggregation occurs between transfected cells expressing the transmembrane and GPI-linked N-CAM species and between parental cells and those expressing the secreted N-CAM isoform. Other combinations of these populations tested exhibited partial adhesive specificity, indicating homophilic binding between surface-bound N-CAM. Thus, the approach exploited here allows for a full analysis of the requirements, characteristics, and specificities of the adhesive behavior of individual N-CAM isoforms.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Alternative splicing of the neural cell adhesion molecule gene generates variant extracellular domain structure in skeletal muscle and brain.

Myotube mRNA isoforms of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) contain a novel sequence block termed muscle-specific domain 1 (MSD1), which is inserted within the extracellular coding region. Here, we report a characterization of the genomic organization of MSD1 and its pattern of expression within cellular N-CAM RNA and polypeptide species. S1 nuclease protection analyses and sequence analysis of an N-CAM human genomic clone containing MSD1 sequences indicated that MSD1 is comprised of three discrete exons of 15, 48, and 42 bp, designated MSD1a, MSD1b, and MSD1c, respectively. Although the MSD1a exon was present in a small proportion of mRNAs from both brain and muscle cells, the entire MSD1 sequence occurred predominantly in mRNAs from differentiated myotube cells. In addition, antiserum raised to a synthetic, MSD1b-encoded peptide sequence was found to stain the cell surface of human skeletal myotubes in culture, whereas myoblasts, fibroblasts, and neural cells were negative. MSD1a, MSD1b, and MSD1c sequences thus arise collectively in N-CAM mRNA and polypeptide isoforms as a result of muscle tissue-specific and developmentally regulated alternative mRNA splicing events. In addition, the occurrence of brain and muscle mRNAs containing only MSD1a indicate that alternative splicing may occur within the MSD region itself to generate further diversity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Tissue specific O-linked glycosylation of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM).

We have shown previously that the predominant N-CAM isoform in skeletal muscle myotubes contains as a result of alternative splicing a novel domain (MSD1) in its extracellular region. Here we show that this region represents a site for O-linked carbohydrate attachment. The lipid tailed N-CAM in myotubes was found to bind peanut lectin while the transmembrane isoform from myoblasts lacking MSD1 did not. In addition, N-CAM from a variety of neural sources failed to bind the lectin. Analysis of 3T3 fibroblasts transfected with various N-CAM cDNAs, showed that peanut lectin binding was correlated specifically with the expression of the MSD1 region. The oligosaccharides isolated from a purified preparation of myotube N-CAM were shown to contain an O-linked oligosaccharide whose core structure was a sialylated version of Gal beta 1----3GalNac which is the structure recognized specifically by peanut lectin. These data provide the first evidence for the expression of O-linked carbohydrate on any N-CAM isoform and more specifically target this oligosaccharide to the MSD1 region of myotube N-CAM.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1989

Effects of cyclosporine on magnesium metabolism in rats.

Earlier studies have revealed hypomagnesemia with cyclosporine treatment in renal and bone marrow transplant recipients. The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of cyclosporine on Mg metabolism in normal rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into the cyclosporine group, which was given 15 mg/kg/day cyclosporine by gastric gavage, and the control group, which received the vehicle alone. Food intake, body weight, serum concentration, urinary excretion, fecal excretion, and tissue content of Mg were determined weekly for 3 weeks. In addition, intestinal absorption of Mg was determined by using in vivo perfusion. Serum Mg concentration fell significantly after 1 week of cyclosporine treatment and remained low throughout the observation period. This was associated with reduced food intake and renal Mg conservation during the first week but normal food intake and severe renal Mg wasting thereafter. In vivo perfusion studies performed at 1 and 3 weeks showed no significant difference in intestinal absorption of Mg between the two groups, thereby excluding intestinal malabsorption as a possible culprit. Likewise, fecal Mg excretion showed no significant difference in the two groups. It was surprising that tissue Mg content (in muscle, liver, and kidney) was increased in the cyclosporine-treated group at 3 weeks. We conclude that cyclosporine administration in rats leads to a fall in serum Mg concentration primarily as a result of renal Mg wasting and possibly as a result of a shift of Mg to the tissue compartments with no discernible effect on gastrointestinal handling of Mg.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Alternative splicing generates a secreted form of N-CAM in muscle and brain.

A number of different membrane associated isoforms of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) have previously been identified. Here the structure of a novel secreted isoform of N-CAM is established by analysis of a cDNA corresponding to an N-CAM mRNA from human skeletal muscle. The mRNA incorporates a novel sequence block into the extracellular domain, which introduces an in-frame stop codon and thus prematurely terminates the coding sequence, generating a truncated N-CAM polypeptide. Analysis of genomic clones indicates that the inserted sequence is present as a discrete exon within the human N-CAM gene, and Northern analysis shows it to be associated specifically with a 5.2 kb mRNA species from skeletal muscle and brain. Stable transfectants expressing the secreted isoform accumulate it in the cytoplasm and release it to the culture medium. In contrast, cells transfected with cDNA encoding lipid-tailed N-CAM express it predominantly at the cell surface. The existence of a secreted isoform may further expand the spectrum of N-CAM function beyond its known involvement in intercellular adhesion to extracellular matrix interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

An extracellular role for calmodulin-like activity in cell proliferation.

1. Addition of extracellular pure pig brain calmodulin was found to modulate DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in K562 human leukaemic lymphocytes. At lower cell densities calmodulin significantly stimulated [3H]thymidine uptake; at higher densities it decreased it. 2. A protein biochemically indistinguishable from calmodulin was detected in the cell-conditioned media of rapidly dividing K562 cells. The concentration of calmodulin-like activity found in the conditioned media of these and a range of other normal and neoplastic cells (250-1636 ng/ml) was of the same order as would stimulate DNA synthesis in subconfluent cells. 3. Amounts of extracellular calmodulin-like activity and immunoreactivity varied during cell growth from low to high density, a peak of extracellular calmodulin preceding DNA synthesis in synchronized K562 cells. Extracellular calmodulin concentrations did not correlate with the presence of lactate dehydrogenase in the medium. 4. Inhibition of extracellular calmodulin activity by calmodulin antagonist immobilized on agarose beads, or by antibody to calmodulin, significantly decreased DNA synthesis. 5. These data strongly suggest that calmodulin or a very closely related protein can influence mitosis through an extracellular mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Increased levels of protein C activity, protein C concentration, total and free protein S in nephrotic syndrome.

Plasma protein C (PC) antigen concentration has been shown to be normal or increased in patients with proteinuria. However, the available data concerning PC anticoagulant activity in nephrotic syndrome (NS) are limited. We measured plasma PC antigen concentration. PC anticoagulant activity, total and free protein (PS) concentrations, and antithrombin III (AT-III) antigen concentration in 21 adult patients with NS. The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of normal volunteers. PC antigen concentration and its anticoagulant activity were significantly increased in the NS group when compared with the normal control group. Likewise, plasma total and free PS values were significantly higher in the NS patients than the corresponding values found in the control group. In contrast, plasma AT-III antigen concentration was significantly reduced in patients with NS. A negative correlation was found between plasma PC and AT-III levels. These observations suggest that increased plasma PC concentration and anticoagulant activity in NS may afford some protection against the thrombotic diathesis associated with antithrombin deficiency and other coagulation abnormalities in this otherwise hypercoagulable state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Complete sequence and in vitro expression of a tissue-specific phosphatidylinositol-linked N-CAM isoform from skeletal muscle.

Neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAMs) are a family of cell surface sialoglycoproteins encoded by a single copy gene. A full-length cDNA clone that encodes a nontransmembrane phosphatidylinositol (PI) linked N-CAM of Mr 125 x 10(3) has been isolated from a human skeletal muscle cDNA library. The deduced protein sequence encodes a polypeptide of 761 amino acids and is highly homologous to the N-CAM isoform in brain of Mr 120 x 10(3). The size difference between the 125 x 10(3). The size difference between the 125 x 10(3) Mr skeletal muscle form and the 120 x 10(3) Mr N-CAM form from brain is accounted for by the insertion of a block of 37 amino acids called MSD1, in the extracellular domain of the muscle form. Transient expression of the human cDNA in COS cells results in cell surface N-CAM expression via a putative covalent attachment to PI-containing phospholipid. Linked in vitro transcription and translation experiments followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-N-CAM antibodies demonstrate that the full-length clone of 761 amino acid coding potential produces a core polypeptide of Mr 110 x 10(3) which is processed by microsomal membranes to yield a 122 x 10(3) Mr species. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the cloned cDNA sequence encodes a lipid-linked, PI-specific phospholipase C releasable surface isoform of N-CAM with core glycopeptide molecular weight corresponding to the authentic muscle 125 x 10(3) Mr N-CAM isoform. This is the first direct correlation of cDNA and deduced protein sequence with a known PI-linked N-CAM isoform from skeletal muscle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Extracellular calmodulin and its association with epidermal growth factor in normal human body fluids.

In this study we describe the occurrence of a calmodulin-like protein in normal human biological fluids. Extraction of the calmodulin-like protein from breast milk, saliva, serum and urine provided an extract with enhanced calmodulin immunoreactivity which, in the case of milk and saliva, showed a protein band comigrating with authentic calmodulin (Mr 17,000) on sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, in milk, saliva and serum a major protein band of Mr 14,000-15,000 was always observed, which we speculate may be related to calmodulin, possibly as a partially degraded form. Estimates of biologically active calmodulin in most normal extracellular fluids were of the order which we have found will stimulate cell division when added to the extracellular medium of cells in culture. Levels ranged from 0.03 nmol/l in urine to 18.6 nmol/l in breast milk, and exhibited a quantitative relationship (r = 0.79, P less than 0.01) to epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in fluids. Where EGF concentrations varied from normal (increased in saliva 24 h after oral surgery and reduced in the urine of patients with renal failure) calmodulin concentrations were similarly affected. The presence of calmodulin in serum may in part be attributable to its release from platelets which are particularly rich in calmodulin. Release of calmodulin from the platelet was associated with that of EGF and other platelet products.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1987

Human muscle neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM): identification of a muscle-specific sequence in the extracellular domain.

cDNA clones encoding neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) mRNAs of 6.7, 5.2, and 4.3 kb from human skeletal muscle cells were isolated. A 6.7 kb mRNA encodes a transmembrane N-CAM isoform, present predominantly in mononucleate myoblasts, that shows sequence homology with chick brain N-CAM-140 and is down-regulated during myotube formation. In contrast, the 5.2 and 4.3 kb mRNAs encode nontransmembrane N-CAM isoforms that greatly increase during myoblast fusion. Furthermore, a discrete muscle-specific sequence domain (MSD1) was detected in the extracellular coding regions of the 5.2 and 4.3 kb mRNAs. This encodes a unique run of 37 amino acids and is not expressed in 7.2 and 6.7 kb mRNAs from human or chick brain or in the corresponding 6.7 kb muscle transcript. The MSD1 is also absent from chick and mouse brain mRNAs of 4.0 and 2.9 kb. These results show that diversity in N-CAM primary structure can be found in the extracellular domain in a tissue-specific manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Crystallization of an NADP+-dependent malic enzyme from rat liver.

Crystals of a tetrameric NADP+-dependent malic enzyme from rat liver have been grown in the presence of NADP+ using the hanging-drop method of vapour diffusion with ammonium sulphate as the precipitant. Measurement of the crystal density and calculation of the values of Vm for different numbers of polypeptide chains in the unit cell indicate that the asymmetric unit of the crystal contains a complete tetramer, allowing the application of non-crystallographic symmetry to the determination of the molecular structure of this enzyme. This structure would provide only the second example for an enzyme involved in oxidative decarboxylation, the other being 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. In addition, then, to providing an insight into the structure-function relationship in malic enzyme, the successful structure determination would permit valuable comparisons to be made between these two and other enzymes with this catalytic activity.

Animals↗