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Biomedical subjects

J C Martin

Publications and source records attributed to J C Martin.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

9-[(1,3-Dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine: a new potent and selective antiherpes agent.

The synthesis of a new acyclic analogue of deoxyguanosine, 9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine (DHPG, 1), is described starting from epichlorohydrin via condensation of 2-O-(acetoxymethyl)-1,3-di-O-benzylglycerol (5) with N2,9-diacetylguanine (6). In vitro studies indicate that DHPG is a potent and broad-acting (herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus) antiherpetic agent. In vivo studies indicate its lack of toxicity [LD50 (mice) = 1-2 g/kg, ip] and its superiority over acyclovir [oral ED50 = 7 (mg/kg)/day vs. 550 (mg/kg)/day in HSV-2 infected mice].

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1983

Left-handed Z-DNA helices in polymers, restriction fragments, and recombinant plasmids.

Studies on DNA polymers, restriction fragments, and recombinant plasmids have revealed the following: A) A family of left-handed DNA conformations exists for (dC-dG)n.(dC-dG)n. The observation of a particular conformation is dependent on the salt, the salt concentration and dehydrating agent. B) In sodium acetate solutions, (dC-dG)n.(dC-dG)n forms left-handed, psi(+)-condensed structures as detected by Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism. C) (dT-dG)n.(dC-dA)n undergoes a right-to-left-handed transition only when reacted with AAF and at high salt concentrations. D) Transitions observed for polymer DNAs also are observed for restriction fragments containing both (dC-dG).(dC-dG) and (dT-dG).(dC-dA) sequences, but the transitions in the fragments generally require higher salt concentrations than observed for the polymers. E) Studies with recombinant plasmids containing (dC-dG) sequences from 10 to 58 bp in length demonstrate that left-handed Z-DNA segments can exist contiguous to B-DNA segments. F) Negative supercoil density (sigma less than or equal to -0.072) is sufficient to convert the (dC-dG) regions in those plasmids into left-handed structures under physiological ionic conditions (200 mM NaCl). G) The favorable free energy contribution of methylation in stabilizing the Z form in fragments and plasmids is approximately offset by the unfavorable free energy contributions of the B/Z junctions. H) Sl and BAL 31 nucleases recognize aberrant structural features at the confluence of the B and Z regions. I) Detailed mapping of Sl nuclease cleavage on supercoiled plasmids shows that the nuclease sensitive regions extend over at least five to ten bp. J) Even though the (dT-dG)n.(dC-dA)n polymer requires base modification and high salt conditions to undergo the R----L transition, supercoiling (sigma less than or equal to -0.07) can supply enough energy to allow a plasmid containing the intervening sequence of a human fetal globin gene with (dT-dG).(dC-dA) sequences to undergo a R----L transition.

DNA↗
PubMed1983

Anti-herpesvirus activity of the acyclic nucleoside 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine.

The antiherpetic effects of a novel purine acyclic nucleoside, 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG), were compared with those of acyclovir in cell cultures and in mice. The modes of action of DHPG and acyclovir were similar in that herpes thymidine kinase phosphorylated each compound, and both agents selectively inhibited viral over host cell DNA synthesis. In 50% plaque reduction assays in Vero cells, the drugs inhibited herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 thymidine kinase-positive strains at 0.2 to 2.4 microM. DHPG was markedly more active than acyclovir against human cytomegalovirus (50% inhibitory doses were 7 and 95 microM, respectively). Each nucleoside inhibited uninfected cell macromolecule synthesis and cell proliferation at concentrations far above those required to inhibit herpes simplex virus replication. Although the two compounds had many similarities in their behavior in vitro, the important difference was the superior performance of DHPG against herpesvirus-induced encephalitis and vaginitis in vivo. Thus, mortality in mice infected with herpesvirus type 2 was reduced 50% by daily doses of 7 to 10 mg of DHPG/kg, whereas an equally effective daily dose of acyclovir was approximately 500 mg/kg. DHPG at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg was also superior to acyclovir at 100 mg/kg per day in its inhibition of herpetic vaginal lesions in mice.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1983

Erysipelas.

Erysipelas is a superficial cellulitis that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues. There is also prominent lymphatic involvement. Group A streptococci are the usual cause of this painful infection, but the responsible organisms cannot always be cultured from the fiery red, edematous, sometimes vesicular rash. A fulminating case developed in the left leg of a man whose veins had been harvested four months earlier for coronary artery bypass surgery.

Erysipelas↗
PubMed1982

Heterogeneity of HLA-A,B, Ia-like, and melanoma-associated antigen expression by human melanoma cell lines analyzed with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry.

With the use of monoclonal antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, human melanoma cell lines (Colo 38, M-16, and M-21) were examined for the quantitative level of expression of HLA-A,B antigens, Ia-like antigens, and two human melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) referred to as 280K and 94K MAAs. Each of the melanoma cell lines examined showed tremendous heterogeneity with regard to antigen expression. A detailed study of the heterogeneity of the four antigens listed revealed that variation in cell size could, in part, account for the large differences in antigen expression observed. Cell surface density of HLA-A,B antigens, Ia-like antigens, and the 280K and 94K MAAs remained relatively constant over a wide range of cell sizes that were examined, with the exception that small melanoma cells showed a slightly lower mean surface density of MAA expression than did large cells. A novel method was used to detect the expression of the two MAAs as a function of the Colo 38 cell cycle using dual-laser beam flow cytometry. The results of these experiments show that both the 280K MAA and the 94K MAA are differentially expressed during various stages of the cell cycle, with each antigen being maximally detected during G2 + M.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗