Biomedical subjects

H J Yeh

Publications and source records attributed to H J Yeh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Solution structure of a trans-opened (10S)-dA adduct of (+)-(7S,8R,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene in a fully complementary DNA duplex: evidence for a major syn conformation.

Two-dimensional NMR was used to determine the solution structure of an undecanucleotide duplex, d(CGGTCACGAGG).d(CCTCGTGACCG), in which (+)-(7S,8R,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene is covalently bonded to the exocyclic N(6)() amino group of the central deoxyadenosine, dA(6), through trans addition at C10 of the epoxide (to give a 10S adduct). The present study represents the first NMR structure of a benzo[a]pyrene (10S)-dA adduct in DNA with a complementary T opposite the modified dA. Exchangeable and nonexchangeable protons of the modified duplex were assigned by the use of TOCSY (in D(2)O) and NOESY spectra (in H(2)O and D(2)O). Sequential NOEs expected for a B-type DNA conformation with typical Watson-Crick base pairing are observed along the duplex, except at the lesion site. We observed a strong intraresidue NOE cross-peak between H1' and H8 of the modified dA(6). The sugar H2' and H2' ' of dC(5) lacked NOE cross-peaks with H8 of dA(6) but showed weak interactions with H2 of dA(6) instead. In addition, the chemical shift of the H8 proton (7.51 ppm) of dA(6) appears at a higher field than that of H2 (8.48 ppm). These NOE and chemical shift data for the dA(6) base protons are typical of a syn glycosidic bond at the modified base. Restrained molecular dynamics/energy minimization calculations show that the hydrocarbon is intercalated from the major groove on the 3'-side of the modified base between base pairs A(6)-T(17) and C(7)-G(16) and confirm the syn glycosidic angle (58 degrees ) of the modified dA(6). In the syn structure, a weak A-T hydrogen bond is possible between the N3-H proton of T(17) and N7 of dA(6) (at a distance of 3.11 A), whereas N1, the usual hydrogen bonding partner for N3-H of T when dA is in the anti conformation, is 6.31 A away from this proton. The 10(S)-dA modified DNA duplex remains in a right-handed helix, which bends in the direction of the aliphatic ring of BaP at about 42 degrees from the helical axis. ROESY experiments provided evidence for interconversion between the major, syn conformer and a minor, possibly anti, conformer.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMed2000

NMR evidence for syn-anti interconversion of a trans opened (10R)-dA adduct of benzo[a]pyrene (7S,8R)-diol (9R,10S)-epoxide in a DNA duplex.

2D NMR has been used to examine the structure and dynamics of a 12-mer DNA duplex, d(T(1)A(2)G(3)T(4)C(5)A(6)A(7)G(8)G(9)G(10)C(11)A(12))-d(T(13)G(14)C( 15)C(16)C(17)T(18)T(19)G(20)A(21)C(22)T(23)A(24)), containing a 10R adduct at dA(7) that corresponds to trans addition of the N(6)-amino group of dA(7) to (-)-(7S,8R,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy-9, 10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(-)-(S,R,R,S)-BP DE-2]. This DNA duplex contains the base sequence for the major dA mutational hot spot in the HPRT gene when Chinese hamster V79 cells are given low doses of the highly carcinogenic (+)-(R,S,S,R)-BP DE-2 enantiomer. NOE data indicate that the hydrocarbon is intercalated on the 5'-side of the modified base as has been seen previously for other oligonucleotides containing BP DE-2 (10R)-dA adducts. 2D chemical exchange-only experiments indicate dynamic behavior near the intercalation site especially at the 10R adducted dA, such that this base interconverts between the normal anti conformation and a less populated syn conformation. Ab initio molecular orbital chemical shift calculations of nucleotide and dinucleotide fragments in the syn and anti conformations support these conclusions. Although this DNA duplex containing a 10R dA adduct exhibits conformational flexibility as described, it is nevertheless more conformationally stable than the corresponding 10S adducted duplex corresponding to trans opening of the carcinogenic isomer (+)-(R,S,S, R)-BP DE-2, which was too dynamic to permit NMR structure determination. UV and imino proton NMR spectral observations indicated pronounced differences between these two diastereomeric 12-mer duplexes, consistent with conformational disorder at the adduct site and/or an equilibrium with a nonintercalated orientation of the hydrocarbon in the duplex containing the 10S adduct. The existence of conformational flexibility around adducts may be related to the occurrence of multiple mutagenic outcomes resulting from a single DE adduct.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMed2000

Investigation of the TCA cycle and the glyoxylate shunt in Escherichia coli BL21 and JM109 using (13)C-NMR/MS.

Acetate accumulation is a common problem observed in aerobic high cell density Escherichia coli cultures. A previous report has hypothesized that the glyoxylate shunt is active in a low acetate producer, E. coli BL21, and inactive in a high acetate producer, JM109. To further investigate this hypothesis, we now develop a model for the incorporation of (13)C from uniformly labeled glucose into key TCA cycle intermediates. The (13)C isotopomer distributions of oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA are first determined using NMR and MS techniques. These distributions are next validated by predicting the NMR spectrum of glutamate. Under steady state isotopic conditions, and with knowledge of the full isotopomer distributions of oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA, the flux ratios through the TCA cycle and the glycoxylate shunt are obtained with respect to the flux through the PPC anaplerotic shunt. We conclude that in BL21, the glyoxylate shunt is active at 22% of the flux through the TCA cycle, and is inactive in JM109. Further, in BL21, the flux through the TCA cycle equals the flux through the PPC shunt, while in JM109 the TCA cycle flux is only third of the flux through the PPC shunt.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

PubMed1999

A dominant-negative pleiotrophin mutant introduced by homologous recombination leads to germ-cell apoptosis in male mice.

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is an 18-kDa heparin-binding secretory growth/differentiation factor for different cell types. Its gene is differentially expressed in both mesenchyme and central nervous system during development and highly expressed in a number of different human tumors. Recently, a PTN mutant was found to act as a dominant-negative effector of PTN signaling. We have now used homologous recombination to introduce the dominant-negative PTN mutant into embryonic stem cells to generate chimeric mice. All highly chimeric male mice with germinal epithelium exclusively derived from embryonic stem cells with the heterologous PTN mutation were sterile. Their testes were uniformly atrophic, and the spermatocytes were strikingly apoptotic at all stages of development. The results support a central role of PTN signaling in normal spermatogenesis and suggest that interruption of PTN signaling may lead to sterility in males.

Alleles↗

PubMed1998

Upregulation of pleiotrophin gene expression in developing microvasculature, macrophages, and astrocytes after acute ischemic brain injury.

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a heparin-binding, 18 kDa secretory protein that functions to induce mitogenesis, angiogenesis, differentiation, and transformation in vitro. PTN gene (Ptn) expression is highly regulated during development and is highest at sites in which mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and differentiation are active. In striking contrast, with the exception of the neuron, the Ptn gene is only minimally expressed in adults. We now demonstrate that Ptn gene expression is strikingly upregulated within 3 d in OX42-positive macrophages, astrocytes, and endothelial cells in areas of developing neovasculature after focal cerebral ischemia in adult rat. Ptn gene expression remains upregulated in these same cells and sites 7 and 14 d after ischemic injury. However, expression of the Ptn gene is significantly decreased in cortical neurons 6 and 24 hr after injury and is undetectable in degenerating neurons at day 3. Neurons in contralateral cortex continue to express Ptn in levels equal to control, uninjured brain. It is suggested that PTN may have a vital role in neovascular formation in postischemic brain and that postischemic brain is an important model in which to analyze sequential gene expression in developing neovasculature. In contrast, Ptn gene expression in injured neurons destined not to recover is strikingly reduced, and potentially its absence may contribute to the failure of the neuron to survive.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Solution structure of the minor conformer of a DNA duplex containing a dG mismatch opposite a benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide/dA adduct: glycosidic rotation from syn to anti at the modified deoxyadenosine.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants whose metabolism in mammals results in deleterious cell transformation. Covalent modification of DNA by diol epoxides metabolically formed from PAHs such a benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) provides a mechanism for the genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of PAHs. We had previously reported NMR evidence for a minor conformer of the duplex d(G1G2T3C4A5*C6G7A8G9).d(C10T11C12G13G14G15A16C17C18) containing a dG14 mismatch opposite a dA5* residue modified at the exocyclic amino group by trans addition to (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a] pyrene [Yeh, H.J.C., Sayer, J.M., Liu, X., Altieri, A.S., Byrd, R.A., Lashman, M.K., Yagi, H., Schurer, E.J., Gorenstein, D.G., & Jerina, D.M. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 13570-13581]. In the present work, we describe the structure of this minor conformer (ca. 17% of the total conformer population). This represents the first structural determination of a minor conformer of a carcinogen-lesion DNA adduct. Two-dimensional NOESY, ROESY, TOCSY, and exchange-only spectra at 750 MHz allowed nearly complete sequential assignment of both conformers. In the minor conformer, the adducted base assumes an anti-glycosidic torsion angle whereas in the major conformer it assumes an unusual syn-glycosidic torsion angle. The aromatic hydrocarbon in the minor conformer is intercalated between dG13 and dG14, preserving the energetically favorable stacking interactions found in the major conformer. The major structural differences between the two conformers appear to be near the lesion site as evidenced by the large chemical shift differences between major and minor conformer protons near the lesion site; away from this site, the chemical shifts of the major and minor conformer protons are nearly identical. Because any of the conformations of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-modified DNA may contribute to tumorigenic activity, structural determination of all conformations is essential for the elucidation of the mechanism of cell transformation initiated by covalent modification of DNA by PAHs.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMed1997

Architecture of the yeast cell wall. Beta(1-->6)-glucan interconnects mannoprotein, beta(1-->)3-glucan, and chitin.

In a previous study (Kollár, R., Petráková, E., Ashwell, G., Robbins, P. W., and Cabib, E. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1170-1178), the linkage region between chitin and beta(1-->3)-glucan was solubilized and isolated in the form of oligosaccharides, after digestion of yeast cell walls with beta(1-->3)-glucanase, reduction with borotritide, and subsequent incubation with chitinase. In addition to the oligosaccharides, the solubilized fraction contained tritium-labeled high molecular weight material. We have now investigated the nature of this material and found that it represents areas in which all four structural components of the cell wall, beta(1-->3)-glucan, beta(1-->6)-glucan, chitin, and mannoprotein are linked together. Mannoprotein, with a protein moiety about 100 kDa in apparent size, is attached to beta(1-->6)-glucan through a remnant of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor containing five alpha-linked mannosyl residues. The beta(1-->6)-glucan has some beta(1-->3)-linked branches, and it is to these branches that the reducing terminus of chitin chains appears to be attached in a beta(1-->4) or beta(1-->2) linkage. Finally, the reducing end of beta(1-->6)-glucan is connected to the nonreducing terminal glucose of beta(1-->3)-glucan through a linkage that remains to be established. A fraction of the isolated material has three of the main components but lacks mannoprotein. From these results and previous findings on the linkage between mannoproteins and beta(1-->6)-glucan, it is concluded that the latter polysaccharide has a central role in the organization of the yeast cell wall. The possible mechanism of synthesis and physiological significance of the cross-links is discussed.

Amidohydrolases↗

PubMed1996

Localization of pleiotrophin and its mRNA in subpopulations of neurons and their corresponding axonal tracts suggests important roles in neural-glial interactions during development and in maturity.

Trophic factors are being increasingly recognized as important contributors to growth, differentiation, and maintenance of viability within the mammalian nervous system during development. Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted 18-kDa heparin binding protein that stimulates mitogenesis and angiogenesis and neurite and glial process outgrowth guidance activities in vitro. We localized the sites and time course of expression of the Ptn gene and its protein product in developing and adult mouse nervous system. Expression of the Ptn gene was first observed at embryo day 8.5 (E8.5). At E12.5, transcripts of the Ptn gene were localized in developing neuroepithelium at sites of active cell division in the spinal cord and brain. At E15.5, transcripts were found in the somata of some but not all neurons and glia whereas in the adult its pattern of expression was nearly exclusively restricted to the brain. The PTN protein was found almost entirely in association with the axonal tracts during development and in adults. Furthermore, as opposed to the finding of PTN in both central and peripheral nervous systems during development, PTN was not expressed beyond the exit where axonal tracts become the peripheral nervous system in adults. At all sites and times examined, the somata that contained Ptn transcripts corresponded with the axonal tracts that contained the PTN protein. The results establish that Ptn is expressed in early development at sites of active mitogenesis in developing neuroepithelium and later in both glial cells and neurons at sites of neuronal and glial process formation in developing axonal tracts. The findings establish a correspondence in the localization of PTN within the nervous system at sites of normal developmental processes that correlate with the functional activities of PTN previously described in vitro.

Aging↗

PubMed1996

A new secotrinervitane diterpene isolated from soldiers of the Madagascan termite species, Nasutitermes canaliculatus.

Reported herein is the X-ray crystallographic structure of a novel 10-oxygenated secotrinervitane diterpene, 3 alpha, 10 alpha-diacetoxy-7,16-secotrinervita-7,11,15(17)-triene (4), from soldiers of the endemic Madagascan termite Nasutitermes canaliculatus, which was compared with an energy-minimized structure obtained by computer molecular modeling. We also report 1H- and 13C-NMR and MS data for this new diterpene.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A 1,4-disubstituted quinolizidine from a Madagascan mantelline frog (Mantella).

A major alkaloid, 217A, in skin extracts of a mantelline frog (Mantella baroni) was isolated by HPLC and the structure defined by 1H-NMR spectral analysis as (1R,4S,10S)- or (1R,4R,10R)- 1-methyl-4-(Z)-(1-pent-2-en-4-ynyl) quinolizidine (1). Four other alkaloids-207I (2), 231A (3), 233A (4), and 235E' (5)-detected in frog skin extracts are proposed to be 1,4-disubstituted quinolizidines based on diagnostic mass and FTIR spectra.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Identification and characterization of human metabolites of CAI [5-amino-1-1(4'-chlorobenzoyl-3,5-dichlorobenzyl)-1,2,3-triazole- 4-carboxamide).

The calcium influx inhibitor and cytostatic agent, 5-amino-1-1(4'-chlorobenzoyl-3,5-dichlorobenzyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide (CAI), is in phase I clinical trial for patients with refractory cancer. Additional chromatography peaks were observed during HPLC analysis of patient samples. Identification and characterization of physiological metabolites were undertaken using HPLC techniques developed for their purification from blood, pleural fluid, and urine samples. A hydrophobic metabolite, M1, was purified and functionally characterized. Structural analysis of the purified compound indicated that it is a 3,5-dichloro-4(p-chlorobenzoyl)-benzoic acid. Quantitative analysis of M1 concentration during CAI administration indicated that the rise in M1 concentration lagged behind that of CAI and persisted after CAI was no longer detectable. No clear relationship between CAI or M1 and either toxicity or efficacy was observed. Chromatography of patient blood and urine samples under conditions favoring hydrophilic metabolite detection suggested the presence of a glucuronide compound; this was also indicated by sample treatment with beta-glucuronidase. Attempts at purification did not yield a compound stable for structural analysis. The benzophenone metabolite, M1, was nonfunctional in assays of calcium influx inhibition or proliferation. No pharmacodynamic associations were observed for these metabolites, nor was there pharmacological activity of the M1 as an individual agent. These data suggest that CAI is processed into triazole and benzophenone moieties by phase I metabolism, and these metabolites or the parent compound may be conjugated for excretion by glucuronidation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1995

NMR solution structure of a nonanucleotide duplex with a dG mismatch opposite a 10S adduct derived from trans addition of a deoxyadenosine N6-amino group to (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene: an unusual syn glycosidic torsion angle at the modified dA.

A nonanucleotide, d(G1G2T3C4[BaP]A5C6G7A8G9), in which (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (7-hydroxyl group and epoxide oxygen are trans) is covalently bonded to the exocyclic N6-amino group of deoxyadenosine (dA5) through trans addition at C10 of the epoxide (to give a 10S adduct) has been synthesized. The solution structure of the duplex, d(G1G2T3C4[BaP]A5C6G7A8G9).d(C10T11C12G13G14G15A16C17C18+ ++), containing a dG mismatch opposite the modified dA (designated 10S-[BaP]dA.dG 9-mer duplex) has been investigated using a combination of 1D and 2D (including COSY, PECOSY, TOCSY, NOESY, and indirect detection of 1H-31P HETCOR) NMR spectroscopies. The NMR results together with restrained molecular dynamics/energy minimization calculations show that the modified dA5 adopts a syn glycosidic torsion angle whereas all other nucleotide residues adopt anti glycosidic torsion angles. The sugar ring of dA5 is in the C3'-endo conformation, and the sugar rings of the other residues are in the C2'-endo conformation. The hydrocarbon attached at dA5 orients toward the 3' end of the modified strand (i.e., dC6 direction) and intercalates between and parallel to bases of dG13 and dG14 of the complementary strand directly opposite dC6 and dA5, respectively. The edge of the hydrocarbon bearing H11 and H12 is positioned between the imino protons of dG13 and dG14 in the interior of the duplex, whereas H4 and H5 at the opposite edge are positioned near the sugar H1' and H2" protons of dG13 and facing the exterior of the duplex. The mismatched AG base pair is stabilized by dAsyn-dGanti base pairing in which the imino proton and the O6 of dG14 are hydrogen bonded to N7- and the single N6-amino proton, respectively, of the modified dA5. The modified DNA duplex remains in a right-handed helix, which bends at the site of intercalation about 20 to 30 degrees away from the helical axis and toward the direction of the modified strand.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMed1995

Nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of an undecanucleotide duplex with a complementary thymidine base opposite a 10R adduct derived from trans addition of a deoxyadenosine N6-amino group to (-)-(7R,8S,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy- 9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene.

The solution structure of a modified undecamer duplex containing (-)-(7R,8S,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a] pyrene covalently bonded through trans ring opening at C10 of the epoxide by the N6-amino group of deoxyadenosine (dA) was studied. This diol epoxide 1 diastereomer has the benzylic 7-hydroxyl group and the epoxide oxygen cis. The modified nucleotide residue has R chirality at C10 of the hydrocarbon (10R adduct). The undecamer duplex d(C1G2G3T4C5A*6C7G8A9G10G11).d(C12C13T14C15G16T17G18A19C2 0C21G22) has a complementary T opposite the modified dA (dA*6 is the modified dA). Exchangeable and nonexchangeable proton assignments were made using 2D TOCSY, NOESY, and water/NOESY NMR spectroscopy. The hybrid complete relaxation matrix program MORASS was used to generate NOESY distance constraints for iterative refinement using distance-restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The refined structure showed the hydrocarbon intercalated from the major groove between dA*6-T17 and dC5-dG18 base pairs. The modified dA*6 was in the normal anti configuration and showed Watson-Crick base pairing to T17 opposite. The chemical shifts of the hydrocarbon protons and the unusual shifts of sugar protons were accounted for by the intercalated orientation of the hydrocarbon.

Base Composition↗

PubMed1995

NMR solution structure of a nonanucleotide duplex with a dG mismatch opposite a 10R adduct derived from trans addition of a deoxyadenosine N6-amino group to (-)-(7S,8R,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene.

A nonanucleotide in which (-)-(7S,8R,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy- 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (7-hydroxy group and epoxide oxygen are trans) is covalently bonded to the exocyclic N6-amino group of deoxyadenosine through trans addition at C10 of the epoxide (10R adduct) has been synthesized. The modified oligonucleotide d(GGTCA*CGAG) was incorporated into the duplex d(GGTCA*CGAG).d(CTCGGGACC), containing a dG mismatch opposite the modified base (dA*). Proton assignments for the solution structure of the duplex containing the 10R adduct were made using 2D TOCSY and NOESY NMR spectra. The complete hybrid relaxation matrix program, MORASS2.0, was used to generate NOESY distance constraints for iterative refinement using distance-restrained molecular dynamics calculations with AMBER4.0. The iteratively refined structure showed the hydrocarbon intercalated from the major groove immediately below the dC4-dG15 base pair and oriented toward the 5'-end of the modified strand. The modified dA is in an anti configuration, with the dG of the GA mismatch turned out into the major groove. Chemical shifts of the hydrocarbon protons and unusual chemical shifts of sugar protons were accounted for by this orientation of the adduct. The information available currently provides the foundation for the rational explanation of observed benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) structures and predictions for other BaP dG and dA adducts.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

A new subclass of alkaloids from a dendrobatid poison frog: a structure for deoxypumiliotoxin 251H.

Deoxypumiliotoxin 251H [4], representing a new subclass of the pumiliotoxin-A class of alkaloids, has been isolated from a dendrobatid frog, Epipedobates tricolor. The structure, elucidated by nmr, gc-Ftir, and mass spectral analyses, is proposed to be an 8-methyl-6-(5-hydroxy-2-methylhexylidene)-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan e. The absolute stereochemistry and the relative configuration of the hydroxyl group are unknown.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1994

Assay of the antiangiogenic compound TNP-470, and one of its metabolites, AGM-1883, by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in plasma.

This paper describes a reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the isolation, detection, and quantification of TNP-470 (I) and one of its active metabolites, AGM-1883 (II), from plasma. These compounds are initially extracted from plasma with an organic solvent and then separated from one another on a C18 column. Those fractions eluting from the C18 column and containing either I or II are then derivatized through their epoxide moieties with sodium 8-quinolinethiolate (SQT). This derivatization produces fluorescent species that are isolated and quantified by a second reversed-phase HPLC analysis. The assay yields a lower limit of reliable quantification of 2.5 ng/ml and is linear to a concentration at least as high as 160 ng/ml. The inter-assay percent coefficient of variation is less than 18%.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1993

Developmental expression of the platelet-derived growth factor alpha-receptor gene in mammalian central nervous system.

We recently reported that the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain gene is highly expressed in neurons of embryonic and adult mouse central nervous system and suggested that its secretion by neurons may support development and maintenance of glia. We have now analyzed the levels and sites of expression of the cognate PDGF alpha-receptor gene in brain and spinal cord of embryonic and adult mice by in situ hybridization. The predominant cell populations in both gray and white matter expressing transcripts of the PDGF alpha-receptor gene are glial cells or their precursors. Transcripts consistently were not detected in neurons. Expression of the PDGF alpha-receptor gene was first observed at embryonic day 15, increased through postnatal day 14, and fell to lower levels in adults. Expression of the alpha-receptor gene corresponds in temporal sequence to the developmental period of glial migration and proliferation and to the expression of PDGF A by neurons. The results indicate that glia but not neurons have the potential to respond to PDGF A and suggest that neurons influence glial cell development through paracrine regulation.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

A new class of alkaloids from a dendrobatid poison frog: a structure for alkaloid 251F.

Alkaloids of a new class are present in skin extracts of the dendrobatid poison frog, Minyobates bombetes, of Colombia. The structure of the major alkaloid of this class, 251F, has been determined as a trimethylcyclopenta[b]quinolizidinemethanol 1 by nmr, gc-Ft-ir, and ms studies including ms-ms. At least nine congeners of 251F were detected in these extracts.

Alkaloids↗