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Biomedical subjects

E Moran

Publications and source records attributed to E Moran.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Analysis of E1A-mediated growth regulation functions: binding of the 300-kilodalton cellular product correlates with E1A enhancer repression function and DNA synthesis-inducing activity.

Adenovirus E1A transforming function requires two distinct regions of the protein. Transforming activity is closely linked with the presence of a region designated conserved domain 2 and the ability of this region to bind the product of the cellular retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene. We have investigated the biological properties of the second transforming region of E1A, which is located near the N terminus. Transformation-defective mutants containing deletions in the N terminus (deletion of residues between amino acids 2 and 36) were deficient in the ability to induce DNA synthesis and repress insulin enhancer-stimulated activity. The function of the N-terminal region correlated closely with binding of the 300-kilodalton E1A-associated protein and not with binding of the retinoblastoma protein. These results indicate that transformation by E1A is mediated by two functionally independent regions of the protein which interact with different specific cellular proteins and suggest that the 300-kilodalton E1A-associated protein plays a major role in E1A-mediated cell growth control mechanisms.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

A region of SV40 large T antigen can substitute for a transforming domain of the adenovirus E1A products.

SV40 large T antigen contains a small region of amino acid sequence, conserved among the papovaviruses, that shows considerable similarity to conserved domain 2 of the adenovirus E1A oncogene, a domain which plays an important role in the E1A transforming functions. To learn whether the analogous SV40 T antigen sequences could substitute functionally for E1A domain 2, a chimaeric gene was constructed, coding for T antigen amino acid residues 101 to 118 in place of E1A domain 2. The resulting product showed much of the activity of the wild-type E1A products. It induced proliferation of primary BRK cells and cooperated with the ras oncogene to transform these cells fully. In addition, the chimaeric protein coprecipitated two cellular proteins whose specific binding to the E1A products depends on the presence of domain 2. The activity of the chimaeric product suggests that a similar functional unit exists in the transforming proteins of both SV40 and adenovirus, and that these proteins may exert their cell growth regulating effects through similar mechanisms.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Synthesis of p34, the mammalian homolog of the yeast cdc2+/CDC28 protein kinase, is stimulated during adenovirus-induced proliferation of primary baby rat kidney cells.

The homolog of the cdc2+/CDC28+ encoded protein kinases has previously been identified in HeLa cells by immunological methods. Here we have studied the distribution and synthesis of this 34 kd protein in rat tissues and cell lines. p34 was found in a variety of organs, including some such as brain that are not highly active in cell division. Kidney has very low levels of p34. However, proliferative activation of baby rat kidney cells with adenovirus caused rapid induction of p34 synthesis. Induction was dependent on the E1A gene of the virus but not E1B, and was not prevented by inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea. Increased synthesis of p34 is due, at least in part, to an increase in abundance of translatable p34 mRNA. These data are consistent with the possibility that p34 plays a role in cell division in higher vertebrates.

Adenoviridae↗

Different functional domains of the adenovirus E1A gene are involved in regulation of host cell cycle products.

We have analyzed the cell cycle effects that different domains of the adenovirus E1A proteins have on quiescent primary BRK cells. Studies with deletion mutants that in combination removed all but the N-terminal 85 amino acids common to both the 12S and 13S proteins suggest that this region may be sufficient for the induction of synthesis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the stimulation of DNA synthesis. A second domain also common to the N-terminal exon of the 12S and 13S proteins was required for the induction of mitosis and stimulation of proliferation of primary BRK cells. A virus containing a mutation in this region was still able to stimulate DNA synthesis efficiently. A third domain, unique to the 13S protein, was required for the accelerated activation of the cellular thymidylate synthase gene in a manner similar to the 13S-dependent stimulation of adenovirus early region genes.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Lytic and transforming functions of individual products of the adenovirus E1A gene.

To distinguish the individual roles of the 13S, 12S, and 9S adenovirus E1A gene products, we isolated the corresponding cDNA clones and recombined them into both plasmids and viruses. Only the expected E1A mRNA products were made from the corresponding 12S and 13S viruses. The 9S mRNA was detected when the 9S virus was coinfected with the 13S virus but not when either virus was infected alone. The 13S virus formed plaques equally well in 293 cells, HeLa cells, and A549 cells, a human lung oat cell carcinoma line. Plaque titers of the 12S virus were much reduced in HeLa and A549 cells compared with 293 cells, although the 12S virus is multiplicity-dependent leaky in both HeLa and A549 cells. A549 cells were significantly more permissive than HeLa cells for growth of the 12S virus. In A549 cells even at low multiplicities of infection the final yield of 12S virus eventually approached the maximum yield from 293 cells. Expression from the adenovirus early region 2 and early region 3 promoters in HeLa cells was activated in the presence of a 13S cDNA E1A region but not in the presence of a 12S E1A cDNA region. Although defective for lytic growth in HeLa cells, the 12S virus immortalized BRK cells at very high efficiency, whereas infection of these cells with 13S virus, as with wild-type E1A virus, resulted mainly in cell death. The 13S product does have an immortalization function, however, revealed in the absence of adenovirus lytic functions when a plasmid containing the E1A 13S cDNA region was transfected into BRK cells. The 9S virus failed to immortalize infected BRK cells or to interfere with focus formation when coinfected with the 12S virus.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Identification of separate domains in the adenovirus E1A gene for immortalization activity and the activation of virus early genes.

The transformation and early adenovirus gene transactivation functions of the E1A region were analyzed with deletion and point mutations. Deletion of amino acids from position 86 through 120 had little effect on the lytic or transforming functions of the E1A products, while deletion of amino acids from position 121 through 150 significantly impaired both functions. The sensitivity of the transformation function to alterations in the region from amino acid position 121 to 150 was further indicated by the impairment of transforming activity resulting from single amino acid substitutions at positions 124 and 135. Interestingly, conversion of a cysteine residue at position 124 to glycine severely impaired the transformation function without affecting the early adenovirus gene activating functions. Single amino acid substitutions in a different region of the E1A gene had the converse effect. All the mutants produced polypeptides of sufficient stability to be detected by Western immunoblot analysis. The single amino acid substitutions at positions 124 and 135, although impairing the transformation functions, did not detectably alter the formation of the higher-apparent-molecular-weight forms of the E1A products.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

Chemical industry voluntary test program for phthalate esters: health effects studies.

The Chemical Manufacturers' Association voluntary test program on phthalate esters is described, and the results of certain key aspects of the program are presented. Representative phthalate esters were chosen for genotoxicity testing and peroxisome proliferation screening, and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and its initial metabolic products were tested in the genotoxicity battery. A comparative metabolism study was performed with DEHP in the mouse, rat, and cynomologus monkey, together with a study of the metabolism of DEHP in the rodent at several dose levels, and after prolonged feeding. A standard test for peroxisome proliferation in the rat, employing 21 days of feeding and several end points is described, based on DEHP as a reference compound. DEHP is shown to be nongenotoxic in the test battery, and its initial major metabolites are also nongenotoxic. A nonlinear dose response with respect to the beta-oxidation of DEHP in the rodent is demonstrated. Quantitative differences exist between the mouse and rat, and the cynomologus monkey with respect to the beta-oxidation of DEHP, beta-oxidation being a much less used pathway in the monkey. The significance of these results in interpreting the hepatocellular carcinogenesis of DEHP in the Fischer 344 rat is discussed.

Animals↗

The effect of intravenous hyperalimentation on the dietary intake of patients with small cell lung cancer. A randomized trial.

In a randomized trial of 119 patients with small cell cancer of the lung, the effects of a 30-day course of central intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) on dietary intake were evaluated. All patients underwent the same aggressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy; 57 patients received IVH and 62 served as controls. Median caloric intake prior to antineoplastic therapy was less than 1.2 times basal energy expenditure, below the maximum necessary to maintain weight. While receiving IVH, patients had increased caloric and protein intake. Once the IVH was stopped, oral intake was transiently depressed and thereafter similar to control patients. Baseline nutritional parameters, age, sex, and immediate toxicity from chemotherapy did not predict subsequent caloric insufficiency. Direct estimation of dietary intake is likely the most valuable measure in selecting patients who will need adjunctive nutritional support.

Adult↗

Acute soman effects in the juvenile baboon: effects on a match-to-sample discrimination task and on total blood acetylcholinesterase.

Male juvenile baboons, trained on a match-to-sample operant discrimination task, were given acute intramuscular injections of soman (methyl pinacolyl phosphonofluoridate) at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 micrograms/kg. The different doses were given in a mixed order just before a behavioral test session. Just prior to administration of each soman dose and immediately following the 2-hr behavioral test session, a sample of blood (0.5 ml) was drawn from the baboon and analyzed for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Thereafter, blood sampling was accomplished at weekly intervals and soman was administered again only when whole blood acetylcholinesterase reached at least 80% of pre-soman control level. Behavioral effects of soman included a slowing of response times, a decrease in extra inconsequential responses, a decrease in responsiveness to the visual stimuli and an increase in errors. These effects were observed when acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels fell to 25 mumoles/hr/ml blood or less. The threshold dose for behavioral effects was very close to the dose of soman which induced seizures.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

The role of specific DNA base damages in the X-ray-induced inactivation of bacteriophage PM2.

Two types of X-ray-induced base damages, alkali-labile sites and thymine ring saturation products, were quantitated in PM2 DNA irradiated in the phage capsid under oxic and anoxic conditions. The extent of formation of these base damages was compared with the number of single- and double-strand breaks and lethal hits produced under the same conditions. The individual inactivation efficiencies of alkali-labile sites and thymine ring saturation products were determined by selectively inducing each of these damages in isolated PM2 DNA by chemical means in vitro and determining the rate of biological inactivation of the treated DNA by transfection. For each lethal X-ray hit induced in oxic conditions there were 1.06 alkali-labile sites, 0.40 thymine ring saturation products, 2.09 singe-strand breaks and 0.11 double-strand breaks in the PM2 genome. In anoxic conditions, the respective number of lesions was 1.00, 0.19, 1.73 and 0.09. The individual inactivation efficiencies of thymine ring saturation products and alkali-labile sites were found to be essentially equal, 7-8 lesions per lethal event in the PM2 genome. Alkali-labile sites and thymine ring saturation products together accounted for 15-20% of the biological inactivation of X-irradiated bacteriophage PM2. The presence or absence of oxygen during irradiation did not affect the contribution to inactivation made by alkali-labile sites, but the contribution by thymine ring saturation products to inactivation was about 2-fold higher in oxic compared with anoxic conditions. With the 4 lesions measured, we have accounted for some 28-34% of the lethal events in X-irradiated PM2 phage, most of the remaining events being caused by as yet unidentified base damages.

Bacteriophages↗

Short course prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer.

Ninety-one patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were given a shortened, intensive course of prophylactic cranial irradiation consisting of 2,000 rad in five fractions. The CNS relapse rate was 21%, but in only one of 91 patients was the brain the first and only site of relapse. Acute toxicities consisting of headache (16%) and nausea and vomiting (15%) were observed. Results are compared with previous results from other studies of cranial irradiation.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Limited impact of total parenteral nutrition on nutritional status during treatment for small cell lung cancer.

During a randomized trial of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients with small cell lung cancer, we evaluated the short- and long-term effects of 4 weeks of TPN on nutritional assessment parameters. All 119 patients who were accrued to the study received the same chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocol which extended over a 1-year period: 57 patients received TPN; and 62 served as controls. At base line, patients with greater than 5% pretreatment weight loss had significantly lower levels of serum albumin, total iron-binding capacity, and creatinine/height index. TPN administration led to a significant increase in mean caloric intake and weight compared with controls (P less than 0.0001). In the short-term study, body fat, as measured by triceps skinfold thickness, was maintained, and there was a small increase in arm muscle circumference. Serum albumin and hematocrit decreased but promptly returned to pretreatment levels when TPN was stopped. There were no long-term differences in any of the nutritional assessment parameters between the two groups.

Adipose Tissue↗

I-131 total-body scan: localization of disseminated gastric adenocarcinoma. Case report and survey of the literature.

This is a case of striking radioiodine and [99mTc]pertechnetate uptake by disseminated nonthyroidal (gastric) adenocarcinoma. A 65-yr-old man was euthyroid and serum thyroglobulin concentration was normal at 11 ng/ml. Bone-marrow biopsy showed that the metastatic tumor cells were negative for thyroglobulin on immunoperoxidase stain and the secretory product was mucicarmine-positive. We estimate that radioiodine uptake in the normal thyroid gland was less than 10% of total tumor uptake. At autopsy, the stomach was the site of the primary tumor, which had the same cellular and histochemical characteristics as the metastatic lesions in bone and liver. It is emphasized that the use of pertechnetate for screening patients with gastric adenocarcinoma may be clinically useful in the early detection of metastatic lesions.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗