Biomedical subjects

J D Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to J D Roberts.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1982

Studies of the binding interactions of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) with amines and nucleosides by nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance.

The 15N chemical shifts and couplings have been measured for several platinum(II)-amine complexes. The 15N chemical shift changes found on coordination of azine-type nitrogens to platinum appear to be related to those that occur on protonation of the same nitrogens. Both the 15N chemical shifts and the one-bond 15N-195Pt coupling constants depend on the nature of the cis and trans ligands. cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] ("cis-platinum") forms a complex with cytidine through N3. Guanosine becomes bound to platinum of cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] at N7 and at least one other nitrogen. Adenosine appears to bind cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] to at least some degree through N1, N3, N7, and the 6' -NH2.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1982

Nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance of arsanilazotyrosine-248 carboxypeptidase A and its complex with beta-phenylpropionate. Structure and dynamics in solution.

Nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance has been used to study the structure of arsanilazocarboxypeptidase A and its complex with the inhibitor beta-phenylpropionate. Derivatives selectively enriched with 15N were prepared to facilitate observation of the 15N resonances. The results are consistent with the conclusions reached previously from absorption spectroscopic studies and, in addition, provide new information regarding the properties of the azoenzyme and its inhibitor complex. Direct evidence has been obtained for formation of an intramolecular complex between the catalytically essential zinc ion and azoTyr-248, and it has been possible to estimate the degree of complexation. Moreover, the zinc complex involves the distal (N beta) nitrogen of the azo linkage, whereas a model compound, tetrazolyl-N-acetyltyrosine, complexes to zinc through the proximal (N alpha) nitrogen. The 15N NMR spectra give specific information regarding the intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the azoenzyme. The free azophenol form of the azoenzyme, like that of the model compound arsanilazo-N-acetyltyrosine, exists predominantly with the tyrosine phenolic proton intramolecularly hydrogen bonded to N beta of the azo linkage to form a six-membered ring structure. A similar hydrogen bond is also present in the apoazoenzyme and in the azoenzyme-Gly + L-Tyr) complex, but not in the complex between the azoenzyme and beta-phenylpropionate. In the latter complex, there appears to be a new and strong hydrogen bond between the phenolic proton of Tyr-248 and the carboxylate group of enzyme-bound beta-phenylpropionate. Thus, azoenzyme-bound beta-phenylpropionate, but not azoenzyme-bound Gly + L-Tyr, is apparently able to compete effectively with, and displace, the azo nitrogen as the hydrogen-bond acceptor of the phenolic proton of Tyr-248.

Arsanilic Acid↗

PubMed1982

Characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid repair synthesis in permeable human fibroblasts.

We have extended our permeable cell system for measuring DNA excision repair [Roberts, J. D., & Lieberman, M. W. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 4499-4505] so that steps of the repair process, beginning with incision and extending at least through the "rearrangement" of repaired nucleosomes which follows repair synthesis, all take place in permeable cells. In the revised protocol, human fibroblasts are made permeable, damaged with UV or chemicals in suspension, and incubated with a reaction mix containing ATP and the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, one of which is labeled with 32P. By reducing the exogenous dNTP concentration to 3 microM and including 15 mM KCl in the reaction mixture, we have greatly reduced background incorporation in undamaged cells without significantly reducing repair synthesis. This permits us to measure repair synthesis without separating it from replicative synthesis by isopycnic centrifugation. Repair synthesis in this system is very similar to that occurring in intact cells: in response to DNA damage, nucleotides are incorporated into DNA of parental density (when analyzed by the BrdUrd density shift technique), incorporation increases with increasing DNA damage, synthesis is dependent on the presence of all four dNTPs, and the system accurately reflects the genetic UV repair deficiency of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells. Furthermore, as has been observed in intact cells, repair-incorporated nucleotides in these permeable cells are initially overrepresented in staphylococcal nuclease sensitive regions of chromatin and are subsequently redistributed to give a nearly uniform distribution between nuclease-sensitive and -resistant regions. The UV dose curve of permeable cells differs somewhat from that of intact cells; however, the dose differs somewhat from that of intact cells; however, the dose curve for permeable cells treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea is very similar to that of intact cells. Repair synthesis in UV-damaged, permeable normal and XP cells is stimulated by addition of Micrococcus luteus UV endonuclease, indicating that the damaged DNA is accessible to exogenous repair enzymes and suggesting that incision, or an obligatory preincision step, is rate limiting for excision repair in these permeable cells. Repair synthesis in this system is inhibited by aphidicolin, but not by high levels of dideoxy-TTP, suggesting involvement of DNA polymerase alpha in excision repair. Novobiocin is also inhibitory alpha and the HeLa cell type II DNA topoisomerase.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

PubMed1982

15N NMR study of a mixture of uniformly labeled tRNAs.

15N NMR spectra were taken of 15N-enriched tRNA extracted from bakers yeast; ammonium sulfate was used as a nitrogen source. The increase in the degree of denaturation of tRNA, which occurs with increase in temperature from 30 degrees C to 70 degrees C, resulted in no large changes in 15N chemical shifts at acidic and neutral pH but quite pronounced changes in proton-15N nuclear Overhauser effects.

Hydrogen Bonding↗

PubMed1982

Initiation of bacteriophage lambda DNA replication in vitro with purified lambda replication proteins.

We have developed a soluble enzyme system that replicates exogenously added plasmid DNA (lambda dv) bearing the replication origin of the bacteriophage lambda chromosome. The system contains pure phage lambda O and P replication proteins and a partially purified mixture of Escherichia coli replication proteins [the enzyme system of Fuller, R.S., Kaguni, J.M. & Kornberg, A. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 7370-7374). The features of lambda dv replication in this system closely resemble the known characteristics of phage lambda DNA replication in vivo. The system (i) depends completely on exogenously supplied DNA, (ii) specifically replicates supercoiled plasmid DNA that contains a lambda replication origin, (iii) depends on both the lambda O protein and the lambda P protein, (iv) depends on RNA polymerase, (v) depends on host replication proteins (e.g., primase, dnaB protein, and several others that function in the priming of DNA synthesis in E. coli) as judged by antibody inhibitions, and (vi) replicates as much as 32% of added lambda dv plasmid DNA through a single complete round to generate catenated daughter molecules. Furthermore, replication of lambda dv DNA in vitro requires DNA gyrase and an ATP-regenerating system. It is notable that addition of lambda O and P proteins to the mixture of E. coli replication proteins inhibits replication of plasmids bearing the origin of the E. coli chromosome. Exploitation of this enzyme system should allow a detailed investigation of the biochemical mechanisms involved in bacteriophage lambda DNA replication and its regulation.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

PubMed1982

Subarachnoid-pleural fistula in traumatic paraplegia.

Subarachnoid-pleural fistulas caused persistent pleural effusion in 2 patients with traumatic paraplegia. The fistulas were diagnosed by myelography and radioisotope scan. Most of the previously reported cases of this rare entity have been treated by operative closure of the fistula. Both of the reported patients recovered: one underwent insertion of chest tubes to promote drainage and the other had no specific therapy. The authors believe conservative treatment should be attempted before surgery is considered.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1981

Comparative functional histopathology of human breast carcinoma xenografts.

A series of xenografts of human breast carcinomas has been established and serially transplanted in immune-suppressed mice. Certain structural and functional features of the original human tumours, including carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen, continue to be expressed by the resulting xenografts. Stromal responses such as elastosis and oestrogen-receptor activity were lost by the xenografts. No metastases were detected in tumour-bearing mice. This study suggests that xenografts may have some value in experimental pathology as one type of model of human breast carcinoma.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Catalytic mechanism of serine proteases: reexamination of the pH dependence of the histidyl 1J13C2-H coupling constant in the catalytic triad of alpha-lytic protease.

L-Histidine, 90% 13C enriched at the C2 position, was incorporated into the catalytic triad of alpha-lytic protease (EC 3.4.21.12) with the aid of histidine-requiring mutant of Lysobacter enzymogenes (ATC 29487), and the pH dependence of the coupling constant between this carbon atom and its directly bonded proton was reinvestigated. The high degree of specific 13C isotopic enrichment attainable with the auxotroph permits direct observation and measurement of this coupling constant in proton-coupled 13C NMR spectra at 67.89 MHz and at 15.1 MHz. In contrast to the earlier study, the present study indicate that this coupling constant does respond to a microscopic ionization with pKa near 7.0; moreover, the magnitude of the values of 1JC-H observed are in accord with those expected for titration of the histidyl residue. We conclude that the original measurement must be in error and that this coupling constant now also supports a histidyl residue that titrates more or less normally as a component of the catalytic triad of serine proteases.

Catalysis↗

PubMed1981

15N NMR studies of nitrogen metabolism in intact mycelia of Neurospora crassa.

Suspensions of intact mycelia of Neurospora crassa grown in medium containing 15NH4Cl have been found to give well-resolved 15N nuclear magnetic resonance spectra for metabolites that play crucial roles in intermediary nitrogen metabolism. These include the amide nitrogen of glutamine, the alpha-amino nitrogens of glutamate and other amino acids, the guanidino nitrogens of arginine, the ureido nitrogen of citrulline, the side-chain nitrogens of ornithine or lysine, or both, and uridine diphosphates. The turnover time of glutamine in vivo was estimated to be less than 1 hr by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with tracer methodologies. Applications of these techniques to the study of nitrogen metabolism are discussed.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1980

Substituent effects on the nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 shieldings of some N-arylguanidinium chlorides.

The (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts of five N-arylguanidinium chlorides carrying polar substituents, ranging in character from 4-methoxy to 4-nitro groups, have been determined by NMR spectroscopy at the natural-abundance level of (13)C and (15)N in dimethyl sulfoxide solution. Comparison of the (13)C shifts of these salts with those of monosubstituted benzenes shows that the guanidinium group induces an average downfield shift of -5.8 ppm of the resonance of the aryl carbon to which it is attached (C1), an average upfield shift of +4.2 ppm for C2 and C6, and a small upfield shift of +1.9 ppm for C4. The shifts of C3 and C5 are small and erratic relative to the corresponding carbons in monosubstituted benzenes. The (15)N resonances of the guanidinium nitrogens are quite sensitive to electric effects resulting from substitution of polar groups at C4. The (15)N shift of the [unk]NAr nitrogen relative to that of the salts suggests that the predominant tautomer for N-arylguanidines is (H(2)N)(2)C[unk]NAr. The (15)N shifts of the (NH(2))(2) nitrogens correlate rather well with sigma(p) (-) parameters, whereas the shifts of the -NHAr nitrogens seem to correlate only with R values derived from the sigma(p) (-) substituent constants.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1980

Self-association and base pairing of guanosine, cytidine, adenosine, and uridine in dimethyl sulfoxide solution measured by 15N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The self-association of guanosine, cytidine, and adenosine and base pairing between guanosine, cytidine, adenosine, and uridine in dimethyl sulfoxide have been investigated by the variation of their 15N NMR chemical shifts with concentration and temperature. Guanosine, cytidine, and adenosine all showed evidence of self-association by hydrogen bonding. In guanosine/cytidine mixtures, a hydrogen-bonded dimer is formed; however, no base pairing could be detected with adenosine/cytidine or adenosine/uridine mixtures.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1980

Benzoate catalysis in the hydrolysis of endo-5-[4'(5')imidazolyl]-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-endo- 2-yl trans-cinnamate: Implications for the charge-transfer mechanism of catalysis by serine proteases.

The acceleration, by a factor of 2500, of the hydrolysis of endo-5-[4'(5')imidazolyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-endo- 2-yl trans-cinnamate by 0.5 M sodium benzoate in 42 mol% dioxane in water can be explained without resort to operation of a "charge-relay" mechanism similar to that often postulated to account for the enzymatic activity of serine proteases. The degree of ionization of 4-methylimidazole and of sodium benzoate in 42 mol% dioxane in water at 60 degrees C have been measured by NMR spectroscopy.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1980

Subarachnoid-pleural fistula.

This is the tenth case report of a subarchnoid-pleural fistula. One of the authors (H. T. L.) reported the first case in 1959. This case reconfirms the value of myelography in making the diagnosis and localizing the surgical target. In addition, it demonstrates the usefullness of the Risa-131 scanning techniques for this condition. The use of methyl methacrylate plastic adhesive for closure of such a fistula has not been previously reported.

Adult↗

PubMed1979