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Biomedical subjects

D H Russell

Publications and source records attributed to D H Russell.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Retinoids increase transglutaminase activity and inhibit ornithine decarboxylase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells and in melanoma cells stimulated to differentiate.

Transglutaminase (TGase; R-glutaminyl-peptide:amine gamma-glutamyltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODCase; L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) activities were measured after the addition of retinoid analogs to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells released from quiescence and Cloudman S91 (CCL 53.1) mouse melanoma cells stimulated to differentiate with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH, melanotropin). In both cell culture lines, we detected a biphasic increase in TGase activity and a single peak of ODCase activity within 7 hr after release or stimulation. Retinoid analogs altered the expression of the initial TGase peak in both CHO and melanoma cells. Retinol increased the activity of TGase 1 hr after release in CHO cells, and the activity remained elevated until hr 4. A broad peak of TGase activity also occurred after the addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an irreversible inhibitor of ODCase, and after addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine plus retinol. In mouse melanoma cells, retinoic acid plus MSH markedly enhanced the activity of the initial TGase peak compared to MSH alone. Retinoic acid alone also increased TGase activity biphasically in these cells without the addition of MSH. These studies suggest that retinoid effects that increase TGase activity may alter the ODCase expression in proliferation and differentiation.

Animals↗

beta 2-Adrenoceptors regulate induction of myocardial ornithine decarboxylase in mice in vivo.

The pharmacological characteristics of the myocardial adrenoceptor of the mouse have been examined during embryogenesis by measuring ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) induction. 2 A four fold elevation of ODC activity was observed after isoprenaline (10 mg/kg, s.c.), and enzyme activity was increased two to three fold following adrenaline (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or terbutaline given by direct injection to the foetus (10 microgram/500 mg). 3 Pretreatment with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol (10 mg/kg), totally blocked the increase in ODC activity. 4 Elevation of myocardial ODC activity was not inhibited by metoprolol, a relatively specific beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, at a dose of 10 mg/kg. 5 Since the increase in ODC activity was blocked by a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) and enzyme activity was stimulated by terbutaline, a beta 2-agonist, we conclude that beta 2-adrenoceptors are selectively coupled to the regulation of murine cardiac ODC activity following catecholamine stimulation.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Concurrent left and right ventricular hypertrophy in dog models of right ventricular overload.

In two pressure and volume overload models of canine right ventricular hypertrophy, we have demonstrated significant hypertrophy of both the left and the right ventricles. The extent of hypertrophy was correlated positively to the extent of the increase in plasma epinephrine in both volume and pressure overload models. Attenuation or ablation of plasma epinephrine through the administration of propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, or by denervation of the adrenal medulla prevented the hypertrophy process. No hemodynamic parameter was altered consistently in a parallel manner to hypertrophy. This is the first report of concurrent right and left ventricular hypertrophy in response to pressure or volume overload of the right ventricle. These studies further implicate epinephrine as a major trophic hormone of the heart.

Animals↗

Psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey. Epidermal labeling indexes, polyamines, and histopathologic findings.

We have previously described the clinical and dermatopathologic features of a psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). This animal has been studied further in attempts to characterize its skin disease. Epidermal cell DNA synthesis was measured following the intradermal injection of tritiated thymidine. Epidermal cell labeling indexes in the involved and uninvolved skin of the affected monkey and in the skin of a normal monkey were compared. The labeling indexes in the involved skin were significantly increased as compared with uninvolved skin; they were also significantly higher than in normal skin. Epidermal polyamine assays showed increased epidermal putrescine in involved skin together with increased spermidine and an increased spermidine-spermine ratio compared with uninvolved and normal skin sites.

Animals↗

Ornithine decarboxylase from calf liver. Purification and properties.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was purified 25000-fold from calf liver to apparent homogeneity by methods developed to circumvent the lability of the enzyme. Appropriate ratios of sample protein applied to column size and/or gradient size were derived for each purification procedure (ion-exchange, gel filtration ahd hydroxylapatite chromatography, electrophoresis, and thiol affinity chromatography) to maintain enzymatic activity. The enzyme was labile to dilution at all steps of the purification; the inclusion of poly(ethylene glycol) or additional protein decreased but did not eliminate the activity loss. The purified enzyme had a Stokes radius of 3.14 and a molecular weight of 54000. The Km for ornithine was 0.12 mM, and pyridoxal phosphate was 2.0 microM; the pH optimum for the decarboxylation reaction was 7.0. Analysis by sievorptive ion-exchange chromatography indicated the presence of three ionic forms. In the presence of Tris-barbital buffer containing thioglycolic acid, the ODC preparation assumed an apparent molecular weight of 100000 and a Stokes radius of 4.5 and retained full catalytic activity.

Animals↗

Stimulation in vitro of a heparin-resistant RNA polymerase I transcription complex.

A soluble factor partially purified from calf liver increases transcription by RNA polymerase I in isolated nuclei. Addition of the factor to reactions which have reached a plateau owing to the inability to reinitiate on the endogenous chromatin template restores the initial rate of synthesis and stimulates an increased accumulation of RNA product. The RNA synthesis stimulated by factor addition is identical with that initiated in vivo in that it is resistant to heparin disruption.

Animals↗

Antiproliferative effects of retinoids related to the cell cycle-specific inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase.

The induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) during G1 phase of the cell cycle appears to be universal and essential for cell cycle progression. This induction has been demonstrated in at least 23 cell types in response to various growth stimuli. Further, specific inhibitors of ODC added to several of these cell lines resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation. The studies of the effects of retinoids to inhibit Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell growth indicate that the cells are blocked in G1 of cell cycle, and that there is a concentration-dependent inhibition of ODC induction. Retinoids only inhibit the induction of ODC activity when added in the first 2-3 hr of G1 progression. It is postulated that ODC induction is a requirement for G1 progression and that the antiproliferative properties of retinoids are related to the specific ability to inhibit this expression. Since retinoids do not dramatically alter the rate of protein synthesis, their ability to inhibit ODC may be related to their ability to inhibit messenger RNa synthesis for ODC.

Animals↗

Differential conjugation of polyamines to calf nuclear and nucleolar proteins.

Nuclei and nucleoli isolated from calf liver contain acid-precipitable putrescine, spermidine and spermine conjugates. The polyamines are released upon peptide bond hydrolysis. All of the nuclear putrescine conjugate and a major portion of the polyamine conjugates are localized within the nucleolus. Nuclei and nucleoli also contain, in proportions consistent with the nucleolar/nuclear protein ratio, the putative conjugating enzyme, transglutaminase, as well as amine acceptor substrates to which radiolabeled putrescine can be conjugated by endogenous enzyme. Extraction of the isolated organelles with saline solutions of increasing ionic strength showed a differential distribution of the polyamine derivatives: all the covalently linked putrescine was associated with the less soluble components of the chromatin residue, while the spermidine and spermine conjugates were associated with several salt-extractable protein fractions as well as tightly bound to the chromatin pellet. Mono-gamma-glutamyl putrescine was detected after proteolytic digestion of the 600 mM NaCl fraction, further suggesting the enzymatic action of transglutaminase(s) in the conjugation process.

Animals↗

Polyamines, hydrolases, (PAP, LAP, SDH, plasmin) TSH, T3, T4 and C-peptide in benign hyperplasia of the prostate.

High concentrations of polyamines have been found in the normal human prostate. The profile of these amines appeared significantly changed in benign hypertrophy of the prostate. An increase of spermine and a fall of putrescine were always found in patients with a hypertrophied prostate weighing more than 30 g. Alterations of plasmin in these tissues seemed to reflect changes in the matrix; abnormalities of thyroid and pancreatic function documented by changes in the serum levels of TSH and c-peptide which are thought to be further evidence of a mesenchymal-epithelial interaction in the pathogenesis of benign prostate hypertrophy.

C-Peptide↗

Increased nuclear conjugated polyamines and transglutaminase during liver regeneration.

The nuclear content of conjugated polyamines increased during rat liver regeneration. Conjugated polyamines isolated from the acid-precipitable fraction of nuclei required peptide bond hydrolysis for release of the parent compounds. The most striking change occurred in conjugated putrescine which fluctuated in a biphasic manner; maximal nuclear levels 12-fold and 25-fold above those of sham-operated controls were achieved at 4 and 42 hr after hepatectomy, respectively. Conjugated spermidine and spermine increased 3- and 2-fold respectively within 4 hr and remained high throughout the 48 hr studied. When expressed on the basis of mg of nuclear protein, the maximal conjugated putrescine increased 19-fold, conjugated spermidine increased 2-fold, and conjugated spermine decreased by 50%. Therefore, the spermidine and spermine conjugates may be of a more constitutive nature whereas the large changes in the nuclear conjugation of putrescine associated with the onset of growth may play a regulatory role. The nucleus also contained transglutaminase (R-glutaminyl-peptide:amine gamma-glutamyl-yltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13), an enzyme shown in vitro to conjugate polyamines covalently to proteins. The specific activity of the nuclear enzyme increased rapidly after partial hepatectomy to a level 3-fold above control at 4 hr and 7-fold above control at 42 hr. The increased conjugating activity resulted from an increase in detectable maximal velocity and not a change in affinity of the enzyme for putrescine (Km congruent to 0.4 mM). There was also a 3-fold increase at 42 hr in the number of nuclear amine acceptor sites present to which radiolabeled putrescine could be conjugated by endogenous enzyme.

Animals↗

Altered polyamine excretion in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Increased urinary levels of the polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are present in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Alterations in excretion are detectable when based on nanomoles per milligram creatinine, micromoles per 24-hour urine collection, or nanomoles per kilogram body weight per 24-hour urine collection. Evaluation of creatinine levels in spot collections of urine versus 24-hour collections suggests a more consistent urinary creatinine in spot urines from DMD patients and normals, with wider variability in 24-hour specimens. We postulate that polyamines may be useful markers to evaluate disease activity and to screen for drug efficacy, as they have proved useful in cancer patients in assessing alterations in tumor kinetic parameters.

Child↗