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Biomedical subjects

I Pastan

Publications and source records attributed to I Pastan.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

The collagen gene: evidence for its evolutinary assembly by amplification of a DNA segment containing an exon of 54 bp.

We have determined the size and sequence of 8 exons in the gene that specifies chick type 1 alpha 2 collagen. These 8 exons represent three different segments of the gene, but all encode information for the helical portion of the protein. Seven exons have a length of 54 bp, and the 8th has a size of 99 bp. The sequences within these exons vary except for th glycine codons, which occur every third triplet. Each exon begins with a glycine codon and ends with a triplet that precedes a glycine codon. The size and the sequences of the introns do not show any homology except at their ends. Of 7 introns examined the first six bases at the 5' end of 5 of these are identical. The sequences at the 3' end of the introns also show homologies. Our results imply that the ancestral gene for collagen arose by multiple duplications of a single genetic unit containing a 54 bp condig segment. The sequences within these exons drifted by successive point mutations and in some cases by additions or deletions of 9 bp or multiples of 9 bp.

Animals↗

Unusual features in the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone derived from the common region of avian sarcoma virus messenger RNA.

We have constructed a recombinant plasmid containing a 700-base pair (bp) cDNA copy of the common region present at the 3' end of Schmidt-Ruppin avian sarcoma virus (ASV) 21S mRNA. The cDNA was inserted into plasmid pBR322 at the Pst I site by the G-C tailing method. A restriction map of the cloned insert from a recombinant plasmid pSRI indicates that it corresponds to the 3' end of the ASV genome. R-loop analysis with ASV genomic RNA indicates that the insert is colinear with the ASV genome over most of its length. The sequence of 331 bp at the 3' end of the DNA insert was determined and shows that the insert contains extra sequences not found at the 3' end of ASV genomic RNA. Following the terminally redundant sequence of 20 bp that has been found at the extreme 3' end of genomic RNA is a sequence of 79 bp that is almost identical to that located immediately next to the 20-bp repeat at the 5' end of ASV genomic RNA. This is followed by 18 bp of unique sequence, possibly of host origin. The structure of the clone suggests that ASV mRNA may differ from genomic RNA at its 3' end and that 21S mRNA is transcribed from integrated ASV DNA and contains at its 3' end sequences derived both from the 5' end of the ASV genome and from host DNA adjacent to the site of integration. The presence of termination codons in all three reading frames suggests that the common region probably does not contain coding sequences. However, the presence of sequences that resemble probable promoter sites supports the possibility that this region may be involved in the regulation of transcription.

Alpharetrovirus↗

Isolation and characterization of overlapping genomic clones covering the chicken alpha 2 (type I) collagen gene.

A series of overlapping recombinant clones, which cover the alpha 2 (type I) collagen gene, have been isolated by stepwise screening of two libraries of chicken genomic DNA fragments. The first genomic clone was isolated by using a cloned cDNA containing alpha 2 collagen DNA sequences as hybridization probe. The other clones were obtained by a sequence of screenings using defined fragments of the successive genomic clones as hybridization probes. Several types of experiments indicated that the DNA of these clones are truly overlapping and span 55 kilobase pairs of contiguous DNA sequences in the chicken genome. Sequence analysis of small DNA segments of some of these clones confirm that they contain coding sequences which specify alpha 2 collagen. Electron microscopic analysis of hybrids between type I alpha 2 collagen mRNA and the overlapping genomic clones indicates that the chicken alpha 2 collagen gene has a length of at least 37 kilobases, about 7.4 times longer than the corresponding translatable cytoplasmic mRNA. The coding information for alpha 2 collagen is distributed in more than 50 coding sequences which are interrupted by intervening sequences of various sizes. The structure of the gene implies that the conversion of precursor RNA to mature mRNA for alpha 2 collagen includes at least 50 splicing events.

Animals↗

Evidence for participation of transglutaminase in receptor-mediated endocytosis.

We report evidence that the enzyme transglutaminase (glutaminyl-peptide gamma-glutamyltransferase; R-glutaminyl-peptide:amine gamma-glutamyltransferase, EC2.3.2.13) participates in receptor-mediated endocytosis. Clustering and internalization of rhodamine-labeled alpha 2-macroglobulin (R alpha 2 M) in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells is inhibited by a wide spectrum of compounds that inhibit transglutaminases, including that from NRK cells. The pattern of clustering inhibition resembles the pattern of transglutaminase inhibition as follows: (i) The most potent transglutaminase inhibitors are dansylcadaverine and the transglutaminase-directed affinity label N-benzyloxy-carbonyl-5-diazo-4-oxonorvaline p-nitrophenyl ester; these were also the most potent inhibitors of clustering and internalization of R alpha 2M. (ii) The inhibition of clustering of R alpha 2M occurs in the same concentration range as that required for transglutaminase inhibition. (iii) Linear primary amines are more effective blockers than the iso-chain primary amines. (iv) The transglutaminase affinity label N-benzyloxycarbonyl-5-diazo-4-oxonorvaline p-nitrophenyl ester irreversibly inhibits a significant fraction of the NRK transglutaminase and the clustering and internalization of R alpha 2M. A closely related compound, N-trifluoroacetyl-6-diazo-5-oxonorleucine ethyl ester, does not significantly inhibit transglutaminase or clustering and internalization. (v) Clustering and internalization is inhibited 10-fold more effectively by the heptapeptide Ac-Gly2-LLeu-LLys-Gly3 than by the heptapeptides Ac-Gly2-LLeu-DLys-Gly3 or AcGly3-DLys-DLeu-Gly2. This is the pattern of stereospecificity for the inhibition of purified transglutaminases.

Affinity Labels↗

Molecular mechanism for the capture and excision of the transforming gene of avian sarcoma virus as suggested by analysis of recombinant clones.

Structural analysis of two cDNA clones, derived from reverse transcripts of avian sarcoma virus 21S mRNA's, reveals unusual features in the organization and expression of the integrated avian sarcoma virus (ASV) proviral DNA and predicts a mechanism for recombination events that will lead to either the capture or the excision of the transforming gene of this virus. The latter is supported by our observation that there is an extensive homologous region on either side of the transforming gene that will allow site-specific deletion or integration to occur. Comparison of the clone derived from the src-specific 21S mRNA coding for the transforming gene product to that derived from the env-specific 21S mRNA coding for the envelope glycoprotein show that the common c region present at the 3' terminus of the ASV genome is 326 bases long. Within this c region are nucleotide sequences that may play key roles in the life cycle of this virus. These regulatory sequences include (i) probable promoter sites for the initiation of transcription, (ii) a polyadenylation signal, and (iii) a sequence that is complementary to the 3' termini of both the env and the src regions, which will allow the generation of transformation-defective deletions.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗

Ultrastructural localization of tubulin in cultured fibroblasts.

Antibodies to barin tubulin were created in rabbits and used to localize tubulin in cultured fibroblasts. Cells were fixed and permeabilized using the EGS procedure (Willingham et al: J Cell Biol 79:256a, 1978). Tubulin was localized and quantified using a ferritin-bridge labeling method. Antibody localization was generally confined to morphologically identifiable microtubules, with a smaller concentration in a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. Following treatment with colchicine, morphologically identifiable microtubules disappeared and the amount of diffuse localization in the cytosol increased. However, a significant concentration of tubulin was found associated with the microfilament mat under the plasma membrane after colchicine treatment, whereas in untreated cells, very little tubulin was found in the microfilament mat. These results demonstrate that tubulin is a component of microtubules and that colchicine treatment results in an association of this tubulin with microfilaments.

Animals↗

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of alpha 2-macroglobulin in cultured fibroblasts.

Alpha 2-macroglobulin is internalized into cultured fibroblasts by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This ligand binds initially to diffusely distributed receptors on the cell surface which cluster rapidly into bristle-coated pits. Within a few minutes at 37 degrees C, these complexes are internalized into uncoated cytoplasmic vesicles, called receptosomes, which move about in the cell by saltatory motion. These vesicles interact with the Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosome system in the cell to deliver the ligand to newly formed lysosomes within 30--60 min.

Animals↗

Partial purification and characterization of the messenger RNA for cell fibronectin.

Fibronectin mRNA has been partially purified by guanidine extraction, oligo-(dT)-cellulose chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. We obtain a fraction which programs a wheat germ in vitro translation system to synthesize a polypeptide species which co-electrophoreses with fibronectin in SDS-polyacrylamide gels and which is immunoprecipitated with affinity purified fibronectin-specific IgG. Analysis of this RNA fraction by methyl mercury hydroxide-agarose gel electrophoresis reveals the presence of a band accounting for 30 percent to 50 percent of the ethidium bromide-staining material in the fraction. The RNA of this band has an estimated molecular weight of about 3 million daltons and is greatly reduced in the corresponding RNA fraction from RSV transformed CEF. This RNA has been tentatively identified as fibronectin mRNA.

Animals↗

Use of recombinant plasmids to characterize collagen RNAs in normal and transformed chick embryo fibroblasts.

Two recombinant plasmids containing chick collagen DNA sequences have been used to characterize messenger RNAs for pro-alpha1 (type I) and pro-alpha2 collagen. Poly(A)-containing RNA from chick embryo calvaria and long bones, tissues which are very active in collagen synthesis, were electrophoresed on agarose gels containing methylmercuric hydroxide and transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper; these covalently bound RNAs were hybridized to 32P-labeled pro-alpha1 or pro-alpha2 collagen DNA sequences derived from the recombinant plasmids. The pro-alpha1 collagen probe identified two RNAs, a major species of 5000 bases and a minor species of 7100 bases; the pro-alpha2 collagen probe hybridized to a major species very similar in size to the pro-alpha1 mRNA, about 5200 bases, and a minor species of 5700 bases. It is possible that the 7100 and 5700 base RNAs represent precursors of pro-alpha1 and pro-alpha2 collagen mRNA, respectively. When similar hybridization experiments were performed with RNA from chick embryo fibroblasts, both the pro-alpha1 and pro-alpha2 collagen mRNAs were observed, as well as their corresponding larger species. With RNAs from fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus, however, the levels of all RNA species which hybridized with the pro-alpha1 and pro-alpha2 collagen DNA probes were significantly reduced.

Animals↗

A calcium requirement for movement of cultured cells.

When calcium is removed from culture medium, motility of cultured cells is decreased. The effect is rapid, reversible and pronounced. Decreased motility is observed with normal mouse Balb/c 3T3 cells, mouse L929 cells, rat kidney fibroblasts and chick embryo fibroblasts. The calcium dependence of movement can be observed both with individual cells and with the movement of the margin of a monolayer into a wound. Magnesium will not substitute for calcium to maintain motility. Strontium will substitute, but is not as effective as calcium for maintaining cell movement. Low concentrations of the divalent cation ionophore A23187 (0.5-1 micron) partially reverse the reduced migration observed at low calcium concentrations. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that movement of non-muscle cells occurs through mechanisms similar to those important in the contraction of muscle.

Animals↗

Effect of cell density on energy-dependent calcium uptake by Balb/c 3T3 membranes is independent of protein synthesis and attachment to substratum.

Membranes isolated from subconfluent cultures of Balb/c 3T3 cells have low energy-dependent calcium uptake activity. Replating confluent cells at low density results in a prompt fall of energy-dependent calcium uptake by membrane fractions. The level to which uptake activity falls is a function of the density at which the cells are plated (Moore and Pastan, '77b). To determine if regulation of energy-dependent uptake of calcium by membrane fractions is dependent upon attachment to a substrate and to further characterize conditions that regulate the process, we examined calcium uptake activity of membranes isolated from cells in suspension. With cells in suspension energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of isolated membranes falls promptly if cells are diluted to a low density (less than 10(5) cells/ml) and is a function of cell density. When cells in suspension at low cell densities are concentrated to high cell densities (greater than 2 x 10(6) cells/ml), calcium uptake activity of the isolated membrane fraction is increased as a function of cell density. These changes of membrane calcium uptake activity occur promptly and do not require protein synthesis.

Animals↗