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Biomedical subjects

J C Venter

Publications and source records attributed to J C Venter.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Monoclonal antibodies to surface antigens of rabbit type II pneumocytes.

Techniques for the production of monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens of type II pneumocytes are reported. Using these techniques, over 200 hybridomas were produced from spleen cell fusions of 8 mice. Of these, 25 expressed activity toward the type II pneumocyte cell surface. Many antibodies cross-reacted with a variety of cells and membranes from other organs and species, suggesting that these antibodies were ubiquitous to membrane antigens. Most of the antibodies cross-reacted strongly with dog lung membranes, suggesting the existence of common mammalian lung determinants. Five hybridomas produced supernatant antibody with considerable specificity for type II pneumocytes. Ascites fluid antibody was produced to these 5 hybridomas. Immunofluorescent staining of type II pneumocyte cell surfaces could be demonstrated with all 5 of these antibodies. This initial study demonstrates the feasibility of producing monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens of the type II pneumocyte.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor structure.

The structure of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor was investigated by comparing polypeptides identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the size of the intact receptor in cell membranes as determined by target size analysis. The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor from rat liver membranes affinity-labeled with [3H]phenoxybenzamine, a covalent affinity reagent, appeared as a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 85,000 daltons (Da) on NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gels. In the absence of protease inhibitors, smaller peptides of 58-62 kDa and 40-45 kDa, specifically labeled with [3H]phenoxybenzamine, were also apparent on NaDodSO4 gels. In order to determine whether the 85-kDa protein represented all or only a portion of the alpha 1-receptor, radiation inactivation (target size analysis) was undertaken. Radiation-induced receptor inactivation was measured by the loss of specific [3H]phenoxybenzamine and [3H]prazosin binding and by the loss of affinity-labeled alpha 1-adrenergic receptors on NaDodSO4 gels. Target size analysis of rat liver alpha 1-receptors indicated that the intact membrane-bound receptor has an average molecular mass of 160,000 Da. These data suggest that the intact alpha-receptor may exist in the membrane as a dimer of two 85,000-Da subunits. The structure of the alpha 1-receptor was further studied by limited proteolysis of the 85-kDa protein isolated from NaDodSO4 gels. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain produce smaller peptides similar to those produced during membrane isolation in the absence of protease inhibition. Limited proteolysis of the membrane-bound receptor produces water-soluble peptides, the largest of which is 45,000 Da. This peptide contains the ligand-binding domain and protrudes from the membrane into the extracellular space.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Molecular properties of the slow inward calcium channel. Molecular weight determinations by radiation inactivation and covalent affinity labeling.

The slow inward calcium channel, identified by physiologic and pharmacologic responses and [3H]nitrendipine-specific binding, has been characterized by radiation inactivation and covalent affinity labeling. Target size analysis of guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle membranes indicates a molecular weight of 278,000 for the calcium channel. An affinity label analog of nifedipine and nitrendipine, 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-dicarbomethoxy-4-(2-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine, was found to inhibit the calcium channel by a covalent interaction with a protein subunit (Mr = 45,000) of the calcium channel.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1983

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor structure. Receptor size, membrane orientation, and absence of major phylogenetic structural diversity.

The structure of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor was investigated by comparing polypeptides identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the size of the intact receptor in cell membranes as determined by target size analysis. Muscarinic receptors from human, dog, and rat brain, rat and dog cardiac muscle, and guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle labeled with [3H] propylbenzilylcholine mustard, a covalent affinity reagent, appeared as single polypeptides with molecular weights of 80,000 on NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gels. NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gels of ileum smooth muscle muscarinic receptor also consistently displayed smaller peptides of 64, 52, 42, 36, 23, and 18 kDa. In order to determine whether the 80-kDa protein represented all or only a portion of the muscarinic receptor, target size analysis was undertaken. Radiation-induced receptor inactivation was measured by loss of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate specific binding and by loss of [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard-labeled receptor protein on NaDodSO4 gels. Target size analysis of rat and human brain, canine heart, and guinea pig ileum smooth muscle muscarinic receptors all indicated that the intact membrane-bound receptor has an average molecular mass of 80,000 daltons. These data demonstrate that the protein isolated on NaDodSO4 gels represents the intact receptor molecule. The question of whether structurally distinct receptors exist in different tissues and species was answered, in part, by limited proteolysis studies of the 80-kDa protein isolated from the above tissues. Trypsin and papain produce peptides of 64, 52, 42, 36, 23, and 18 kDa from all receptors studied, indicating a lack of major structural diversity and the absence of multiple structural forms of the muscarinic receptor. Limited proteolysis of the membrane-bound receptor produces a major peptide of 42,000 daltons and minor peptides of 36, 23, and 18 kDa, all of which contain the ligand binding site and protrude from the membrane into the extracellular space.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Autoantibodies and monoclonal antibodies in the purification and molecular characterization of neurotransmitter receptors.

The combination of immunological advances with membrane receptor research has promoted rapid progress in the molecular characterization of neurotransmitter receptor molecules. We have to date produced monoclonal antibodies to beta 1-, beta 2-, and alpha 1-adrenergic, D2-dopaminergic, and muscarinic receptors. In addition we have discovered that some allergic respiratory disease patients possess circulating autoantibodies to beta 2-adrenergic receptors. These antireceptor antibodies in conjunction with specific receptor affinity reagents have allowed us to isolate, purify, and begin to characterize alpha- and beta-adrenergic, dopaminergic, and muscarinic receptors. For example, immunoprecipitation of turkey erythrocyte beta 1 receptors with monoclonal antibodies yields a single polypeptide Mr 65--70 K. In contrast, purification of beta 2-adrenergic receptors using either autoantibodies or monoclonal antibodies yields a receptor species with a subunit of Mr 55--59 K. Autoantibodies to beta 2 receptors demonstrate a 50--100% homology among beta 2 receptors from humans to rats, whereas monoclonal antibody FV-104 recognizes a determinant in the ligand binding site of all beta 1 and beta 2 receptors tested to date. These data suggest that beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors may have evolved from a common ancestor, perhaps by gene duplication.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Molecular size of the canine and human brain D2 dopamine receptor as determined by radiation inactivation.

Target-size analysis (radiation inactivation) has been utilized for determination of the molecular size of the striatal D2 dopamine receptor of both canine and human membranes. The dog and human receptors were found to have a molecular size of 123,000 daltons. The identity of molecular size values is consistent with available pharmacological and biochemical evidence supporting D2 dopamine receptor identity in canine and human tissues. These data suggest that the canine receptor may be a valid model for molecular and structural investigation of the human D2 dopamine receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

beta-Adrenergic receptor isolation and characterization with immobilized drugs and monoclonal antibodies.

Immobilized catecholamines have played an important role in the localization of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors to the plasma membrane of effector cells, and in elucidating mechanisms of beta receptor activation of cardiac muscle. An extension of immobilized drug and affinity chromatography procedures has been developed by utilizing receptor-specific monoclonal antibodies. Structurally different beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors have been purified with a single monoclonal antibody affinity column, where the antibody is specific for an epitope in the ligand-binding site of both beta 1 and beta 2 receptors. Specificity was increased by elution of receptors from the monoclonal antibody affinity columns with low concentrations of beta-receptor antagonists. These studies indicate that the turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenergic receptor is most likely a monomer with a molecular weight of 65,000-70,000. beta 2-Adrenergic receptors have a primary subunit of 55,000-58,000 daltons, with the intact receptor in membranes having a molecular weight of 109,000, which suggests that the beta 2-adrenergic receptor is most likely a dimer of either two identical subunits or a binding subunit and an unidentified second subunit.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Purification and molecular characterization of neurotransmitter receptors.

These data indicate a number of similarities between the neurotransmitter receptors of different pharmacological classes. We are pursuing the hypothesis that the neurotransmitter receptors may have evolved from one another and contain constant regions (eg, adenylate cyclase and calcium channel interaction sites) and variable regions (eg, neurotransmitter- or hormone-binding sites). It is clear that monoclonal antibodies are keys to this end.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Atopy, autonomic function and beta-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies.

Atopic individuals (with asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic eczema) have impaired sensitivity to beta-adrenergic agents. After the finding of antibodies to the beta-adrenergic receptor in the serum of a subject with allergic rhinitis, coded sera from atopic and control subjects were assayed for immunoglobulins that inhibited the specific binding of 125I-labelled hydroxybenzylpindolol to beta-receptors in mammalian lung membranes. Antibodies were present in nine of 60 subjects: 3/19 normal control subjects, 1/9 pre-allergic, 4/17 asthma, 0/8 allergic rhinitis, and 1/7 cystic fibrosis patients. Antibodies of the IgG class in these sera were also demonstrated by indirect precipitation of solubilized lung beta-receptors. The autonomic sensitivity of the nine antibody-positive subjects (Ab+) was compared with that of antibody-negative subjects (Ab-). The Ab+ subjects required 15.0 +/- 1.9 ng isoprenaline (isoproterenol) kg-1 min-1 i.v. to increase pulse pressure by at least 22 mmHg (Ab-, 7.7 +/- 0.4; n = 20; P less than 0.001), and 12.4 +/- 1.8 ng isoprenaline kg-1 min-1 i.v. to increase plasma cyclic AMP concentrations by 50% (Ab-, 8.08 +/- 0.62; n = 13; P less than 0.02). Ab+ subjects required 2.06 +/- 0.3% phenylephrine to dilate their pupils (Ab-, 2.55 +/- 0.08; n = 57; P less than 0.05) and 0.61 +/- 0.08% carbachol to constrict their pupils (Ab-, 0.78 +/- 0.03%; n = 57; P less than 0.05). A role for autoantibodies as beta-receptor antagonists was further supported by showing that human lung cells (VA-13 line) cultured in the presence of globulins from Ab+ subjects had a markedly impaired cyclic AMP response to isoprenaline. These results suggest that autoantibodies to beta-receptors play a pathogenetic role in asthma and related disorders. They have important implications for the concept of autoimmunity.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1982

Autonomic nervous system abnormalities and allergy.

Abnormal autonomic nervous system responsiveness may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic diseases. Therefore, we measured alpha- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic responsiveness in allergic subjects. Allergic asthmatic subjects had an abnormal adrenergic (alpha = hyperresponsive; beta = hyporesponsive) and cholinergic (hyperresponsive) profile. However, subjects with allergic rhinitis and preallergic subjects (those with positive allergen skin tests without any disease manifestation) had equivalent beta-adrenergic and cholinergic abnormalities. Thus, all allergic subjects showed abnormal beta-adrenergic hyporeactivity and cholinergic hypersensitivity whereas allergic asthma was singularly associated with excessive alpha-adrenergic responsiveness. Autoantibodies against beta-receptors were found predominantly in subjects with beta-adrenergic hyporeactivity. The presence of these autoantibodies and the physiologic abnormalities associated with their presence suggests a causitive relationship.

Adult↗