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Biomedical subjects

I Pastan

Publications and source records attributed to I Pastan.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Guanylate cyclase activity in Escherichia coli mutants defective in adenylate cyclase.

Guanylate cyclase, which catalyzes the synthesis of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate, has been assayed in several strains of Escherichia coli. They include wild-type cells and mutants defective in adenylate cyclase, which is responsible for the synthesis of adenosine 3',5'-phosphate. Our results demonstrate that adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase are two different enzymes in E. coli and suggest that the gene that encodes adenylate cyclase also plays a regulatory role in the synthesis of guanylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Intracellular localization of actin in cultured fibroblasts by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.

Antibodies to skeletal muscle actin were produced in rabbits and purified by affinity chromatography. Direct labeling of SDS-PAGE gels of whole cell homogenates from mouse fibroblast cells showed that actin was the only protein detected by these antibodies. Using this immunospecific reagent, we localized actin in cultured fibroblasts using the EGS fixation-permeabilization procedure with the ferritin bridge labeling technique. Swiss 3T3-4 mouse fibroblasts were chosen as an example of highly adherent untransformed cells with prominent microfilament bundles, and L929 mouse fibroblasts were chosen as an example of poorly adherent, rounded, transformed cells with prominent microvilli. Using these two cell types, we have characterized the intracellular distribution of action. Actin was only detected in locations in which morphologically recognizable 60 A microfilaments were found. By both fluorescence and electron microscopy, actin was found in surface ruffles, microvilli, microfilament bundles, the microfilament mat, and the leading lamellae of Swiss 3T3 and L929 cells. In addition, actin was found surrounding micropinosomes and macropinosomes. On the other hand, there was no actin detected around the base of coated pits. Morphometric quantitation showed that almost all the actin was localized in microfilamentous structures. Our results suggest that actin has an important role in cell motility and adhesion, and in the endocytosis of pinosomes, but that actin may not be involved in intracellular processes such as saltatory motion of intracellular organelles.

Actins↗

Mechanism of cyclic AMP effect on nutrient transport in Chinese hamster ovary cells. A genetic approach.

The effect of 8-bromo cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) on sugar and amino acid transport was investigated in wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in mutants selected for resistance to cAMP inhibition of cell growth. In wild type cells, both 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport were decreased in cells treated for 24 h with 8-Br-cAMP; kinetic analysis indicated that a decrease in Vmax, without a significant change in Km, accounted for the lower transport capacity of 8-Br-cAMP treated cells. Among the different transport systems contributing to amino acid entry, "alanine" preferring transport system (system A) appeared to be specifically affected. The sensitivity of transport processes to 8-Br-cAMP was tested in three cAMP-resistant cell lines. When tested for their capacity to phosphorylate histones in crude extracts, one strain had apparently normal amounts of protein kinase activity, one strain had a decreased enzyme sensitivity to cAMP, and one strain had little or no enzyme activity. In all three mutants, no effect of 8-Br-cAMP on 3-O-methyl glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport could be observed, regardless of the level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. These data do not indicate whether the effect of cAMP on nutrient transport in CHO cells is the cause or consequence of growth inhibition. However, they support the conclusion that, in CHO cells, the presence of a normally functioning cAMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be necessary but may not be sufficient to observe the effects of cAMP on nutrient transport as well as cell shape and cell growth.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Regulation of transglutaminase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

We have investigated the regulation of transglutaminase activity (epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine crosslinking enzyme) in Chinese hamster ovary cells in culture. We report that transglutaminase activity increases several-fold in CHO cells at maximum density in suspension culture. This increase cannot be explained by the presence of soluble regulators of the enzyme activity or the appearance of a new enzyme activity with a different affinity for substrate, but appears to be due to an increase in total enzyme activity. Treatment of CHO cells at low cell density with 8-bromo cyclic AMP results in a small increase (20--70%) in transglutaminase activity. By studying CHO mutants which have altered or absent cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinases, we have demonstrated that the effect of cyclic AMP on transglutaminase activity at low cell density is mediated by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase. However, the protein kinase mutants show normal increases in transglutaminase activity at high cell density, indicating that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase does not mediate density-dependent changes in transglutaminase activity.

Animals↗

Sequence rearrangement and duplication of double stranded fibronectin cDNA probably occurring during cDNA synthesis by AMV reverse transcriptase and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I.

Two cloned cDNAs derived from the mRNA for cell fibronectin have been sequenced, providing evidence that transcription with AMV reverse transcriptase or Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I may not always result in double stranded cDNA that is exactly homologous with its mRNA template. Instead, the sequences of these cloned cDNAs are consistent with the duplication and rearrangement of sequences during synthesis of double stranded cDNA.

Animals↗

Prostaglandin E1 binding and adenylate cyclase activation in normal and transformed fibroblasts.

The binding of [3H]prostaglandin E1 to membranes of clones of normal rat kidney fibroblasts (NRK cells) has been measured. Cell lines that responded to prostaglandin E1, such as NRK and NRK transformed with Schmitt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus (SR-NRK cells), have a high affinity prostaglandin E1 binding site. Murine-sarcoma-virus-transformed lines of NRK cells are unresponsive to prostaglandin E1 and have reduced prostaglandin E1 binding Exposure of cells to prostaglandin E1 results both in decreased prostaglandin E1 responsiveness and reduced prostaglandin E1 binding. Activation of adenylate cyclase is correlated to binding of prostaglandin E1 to receptors in both NRK and SR-NRK cell membranes. Mathematical models suggest that GTP decreases the affinity of hormone for its receptor while increasing the catalytic efficiency of adenylate cyclase, and that aggregates of occupied receptors may play an important role in the activation of adenylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Isolation and characterization of genomic DNA coding for alpha 2 type I collagen.

We have isolated and characterized a segment of the chick alpha 2 collagen gene by screening a library of chick genomic fragments using as hybridization probe an alpha 2 collagen cDNA clone. Several clones were isolated and one of them, lambda gCOL 204, was used for further studies. The DNA of lambda gCOL 204 hybridizes to a unique species of mRNA the size of alpha 2 collagen mRNA. This mRNA can be translated into a unique polypeptide which comigrates in SDS-gel electrophoresis with pro-alpha 2 collagen. Electron microscopic analysis by R-loop technique indicates that lambda gCOL 204 contains 7Kb of the alpha 2 collagen gene. This 7 Kb piece constitutes the 3' end of the gene. The same clone also contains 9 Kb of DNA that is immediately adjacent to the 3' end of the alpha 2 collagen gene. The cloned segment of the alpha 2 collagen gene is interrupted by 8 intervening sequences of various lengths. The coding sequences for collagen in this clone add up to approximately 1,800 bp, which correspond to about 1/3 of alpha 2 collagen mRNA. DNA sequence analysis of a small coding segment of lambda g COL 204 reveals a characteristic collagen type sequence which encodes for an amino acid sequence identical to a sequence found in calf alpha 2 collagen. The sequence of this region of the protein has not yet been determined for the chick alpha 2 collagen.

Animals↗

Self-association of chicken gizzard filamin and heavy merofilamin.

Filamin is a high molecular weight (subunit Mr 250 000) actin-binding protein isolated from smooth muscle. The protein forms a gel when mixed with solutions of F-actin. A proteolytic fragment of filamin, heavy merofilamin (subunit Mr 240 000), generated by the action of Ca2+-activated protease binds to actin but does not produce gelation. We have studied the self-association properties of filamin and heavy merofilamin by direct examination in the electron microscope and by equilibrium sedimentation distribution studies in the ultracentrifuge. Filamin self-associates reversibly to form dimers; the free energy of dimerization is approximately 7 kcal/mol. Further association to form tetramer and multimer appears to be irreversible. Warming of filamin solutions accelerates aggregation. Heavy merofilamin does not appear to self-associate but is entirely monomeric. These studies suggest that filamin produces gelation of F-actin by binding to actin and then self-associating to cross-link actin filaments into a gel.

Animals↗

Construction of a recombinant bacterial plasmid containing pro-alpha 1(I) collagen DNA sequences.

A partially purified mRNA preparation enriched for chick collagen messenger RNA activity was used as template for the synthesis of double stranded cDNA. The cDNA was ligated into the HindIII site of the plasmid vector pBR322 and used to transform Escherichia coli x1776. One plasmid with an 800-base pair insert was shown to contain DNA sequences corresponding to Type I pro-alpha 1 collagen.

Animals↗

Dansylcadaverine inhibits internalization of 125I-epidermal growth factor in BALB 3T3 cells.

The binding and internalization of 125I-epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) was studied in cultures of BALB 3T3 cells using a novel method that involved removal of cell-surface hormone by treatment with acetic acid under conditions that did not remove internalized hormone. In control cultures, 125I-EGF initially bound to its receptor on the plasma membrane and then was rapidly internalized. After 30 min, only 15% of the cell-bound hormone remained on the surface. In contrast, cultures treated with dansylcadaverine retained 82% of the cell-bound hormone on the cell surface. We propose that dansylcadaverine inhibits EGF internalization by preventing it from clustering in clathrin-coated pits.

Animals↗

Isolation of multiple classes of mutants of CHO cells resistant to cyclic AMP.

From mutagenized Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells we have isolated, in a single step, 11 independent mutants resistant to the growth-inhibitory effects of 8-Br-cyclic AMP, cholera toxin, and methylisobutylxanthine. Two major classes and several subclasses of mutants were obtained. Mutants from all classes have a normal doubling time. None of the mutants respond to cyclic AMP treatment with increased flattening and elongation as do the parental cells. Members of the first class have an altered protein kinase activity which has either an increased Ka for cyclic AMP or an absent response to cyclic AMP. Most of those mutations which result in a protein kinase with increased Ka for cyclic AMP (6/11) are dominant in somatic cell hybrids. Those mutations which result in a protein kinase with little or no response to cyclic AMP (3/11) are recessive. Members of the second major class (2/11) have normal levels of basal and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. One is recessive and one is dominant by genetic tests. The basis for the defect in this second class of mutants has not been determined.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Localization of the src gene product of the Harvey strain of MSV to plasma membrane of transformed cells by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.

Using electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, we have investigated the intracellular location of the src protein (p21) in cells transformed by the Harvey strain of Murine Sarcoma Virus (Ha-MSV). Antibodies to p21 were derived from tumor-bearing rats inoculated with Ha-NRK cells. The distribution of p21 in intracellular sites in MDCK dog cells transformed by Ha-MSV was examined and quantified using a recently developed immunocytochemical technique. More than 95% of p21 was localized to the inner surface of the plasma membrane in these Ha-MSV-transformed cells; p21 was not exposed on the outside surface of the plasma membrane. A similar location was observed by immunofluorescence in other Ha-MSV-transformed cell lines, including cells derived from rat, mouse and mink. This finding, and the previous demonstration that p60src of avian sarcoma virus is concentrated on the inner surface of the plasma membrane, suggests that the plasma membrane is a major site of action for transforming proteins.

Animals↗

The receptosome: an intermediate organelle of receptor mediated endocytosis in cultured fibroblasts.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of specific ligands is mediated through clustering of receptor-ligand complexes in coated pits on the cell surface. Following this clustering event, the ligand is internalized into a noncoated intracellular vesicle, the receptosome, which selectively avoids fusion with lysosomes and moves toward the Golgi region of the cell by saltatory motion. Using alpha 2-macroglobulin as the ligand and electron microscopic cytochemical methods, we have shown the unusual appearance of this previously undescribed organelle and have followed the labeled ligand in these vesicles in the cytoplasm. To accomplish this, cells were incubated with immunolabeled alpha 2-macroglobulin at 4C under conditions where ligand-receptor complexes cluster into coated pits on the cell surface. Formation of the receptosome occurs between 2 and 5 min after raising the temperature of cells to 37C. These labeled receptosomes were seen to associate with many small vesicular elements in the cytoplasm, and were often found near the Golgi or GERL region after 15 min. Between 15 and 30 min a significant transfer of labeled ligand occurred from the receptosomal population to a population of small uniform lysosomes. By 60 min, all of the label was contained in these small lysosomes. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the receptosomes were not associated with clathrin, actin, myosin or tubulin. This unique, short-lived, specialized organelle selectively delivers the products of receptor-mediated endocytosis to intracellular sites.

Animals↗

Correlation between splicing sites within an intron and their sequence complementarity with U1 RNA.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of two short introns (respectively 215 and 90 nucleotides) in the chick alpha 2-collagen (type I) gene as well as parts of the adjacent exons. For one of these introns we find that the 5' end of U1 RNA is complementary not only to the two ends of the intron but also to one end of the intron and sequences inside this intron. These complementarities predict three potential internal splicing sites. By S1 mapping experiments we find three discrete RNA precursors in which different portions of this intron have been deleted. The sizes of the deleted segments are in good agreement with the location of the predicted splicing points inside the intron. The DNA sequence indicates that removal of one portion of the intron should still allow the subsequent elimination of the rest of the intron and the correct splicing of the coding segments located at each end of the intron. The new introns created by the first splicing events contain sequences at each end which are also complementary to U1 RNA. Our data indicate that in the intron which we have examined the sequences at the 3' end of the intron are removed before those at the 5' end.

Animals↗

Identification of a functional promoter in the long terminal repeat of Rous sarcoma virus.

Specific initiation of transcription of Rous sarcoma virus by RNA polymerase II was obtained in a cell-free system using cloned RSV DNA as template. The site of initiation is located in the common "C" region of the long terminal repeat (LTR), 23 bp downstream from the promoter-like sequence TATTTAAG. This finding indicates that the basic information necessary for RSV transcription lies within the viral genome.

Adenoviruses, Human↗