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Biomedical subjects

J Marsh

Publications and source records attributed to J Marsh.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Psychological functioning of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study.

Assessed school-age youth repeatedly over the first 6 years of their insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) to determine self-perceived psychological adjustment. After the first year of IDDM, Ss exhibited a mild increase in depressive symptoms. Anxiety decreased for boys but increased for girls over the duration of IDDM. In contrast, self-esteem remained stable regardless of rehospitalizations or degree of metabolic control. Ss' adjustment shortly after IDDM onset, as reflected by levels of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem, were predictors of later adjustment. In general, Ss found the implications of IDDM more upsetting and the regimen more difficult with time, and girls were more upset by their illness than boys. The degree to which children were upset by the implications and management of IDDM varied as a function of their anxiety and depression.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Brief inhalation of asbestos compromises superoxide production in cells from bronchoalveolar lavage.

Production of superoxide (O-.2) was measured in alveolar macrophages (AM) exposed to asbestos in vitro and in cells obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of rats inhaling asbestos. Steady state levels of O-.2 released by AM in vitro were dose and time dependent in response to crocidolite, chrysotile, and opsonized zymosan, a particulate used to trigger O-.2 generation. In contrast, an inhalation exposure for 1 h to crocidolite or for 6 days to either crocidolite or chrysotile asbestos resulted in a decreased production of O-.2 by BAL cells. Likewise, BAL cells from rats inhaling chrysotile for 1 h or crocidolite for 9 days exhibited a diminished capacity to secrete O-.2 when challenged with the particulate opsonized zymosan. Diminished generation of O-.2 by asbestos occurred in BAL cell populations containing either significantly increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes (6- and 9-day exposures) or 99% AM (1-h exposure). Thus, these novel observations suggest that short-term inhalation of asbestos compromises the ability of BAL cells to produce O-.2 in the presence or absence of an additional phagocytic stimulus.

Administration, Inhalation↗

IgM secreted by human T lymphoma virus-I-infected and transformed human B cell clones recognize a 66-kilodalton host-encoded protein.

It has previously been determined that transformed human B cells may be infected by and retain integrated human T cell lymphotropic virus, type I (HTLV-I). Although HTLV-I is primarily associated with transformation of human T lymphocytes, immortalized B cell populations have arisen after cocultivation of normal B cells and irradiated HTLV-I-infected T cells. To test whether HTLV-I infection might be involved in this B cell transformation process, we characterized five independent HTLV-I-infected and -immortalized human B cell clones. All five clones contained clonal HTLV-I integrations, expressed cell surface IgM, and secreted IgM in quantities varying from 0.1 to 4.0 micrograms/ml. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cell lysates failed to detect synthesis of HTLV-I gag, env, or tat gene products, and cellular RNA dot blot analysis detected varying levels of HTLV-I gene transcripts in only three of the five clones. The secreted IgM from culture supernatants were affinity purified, and were found to selectively immunoprecipitate an acidic protein (isoelectric point = 5.0) of 66,000 m.w. (p66) from purified radioiodinated HTLV-I virions. This p66 copurified with metabolically labelled HTLV-I-infected B cell IgM from HKA-3 cells. Although HTLV-I RNA transcripts were present at low levels, the absence of HTLV-I proteins in HKA-3 cells made it unlikely that p66 was related to the major HTLV-I envelope glycoprotein, gp62. Anti-idiotypic mAb directed against the IgM produced by one B cell clone (HKA-3), as well as purified HTLV-I virions (containing p66), stimulated HKA-3 cell proliferation. Preincubating the anti-Id antibody or HTLV-I with excess HKA-3 IgM abolished the binding of either to HKA-3 cells. These data suggest that HTLV-I infected cells produce a cellular protein (p66), which is incorporated into and copurifies with HTLV-I virions, and which in at least one case (HKA-3) may act as a mitogenic stimulus, potentially contributing to the HTLV-I mediated transformation process.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Gene synthesis, expression, and processing of human ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins.

In order to study 1) the mechanisms responsible for generating free ubiquitin monomer and 2) the function of ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins in eukaryotes, we have developed a system for expression of human ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. When expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the intact ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins were rapidly processed to free ubiquitin monomer and extension protein. Furthermore, expression in this host conferred a slow growth phenotype mediated by the extension protein. Expression in Escherichia coli did not result in processing of the fusion proteins. However, when the expressed fusion proteins were purified from E. coli and incubated with a rabbit reticulocyte extract, the proteins were rapidly processed to free ubiquitin monomer and extension protein. These results show that human ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins are processed to ubiquitin and extension protein when expressed in eukaryotic but not prokaryotic cells and that pre- and co-translational events are not necessary for their processing. Establishment of this system will allow for large scale purification of these proteins which will aid future studies on the function and structure of ubiquitin carboxyl extension proteins, as well as the mechanisms responsible for their processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ubiquitin function studied by disulfide engineering.

Disulfide engineering was used to probe the role of conformational mobility in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Six genes that encode cysteine-containing mutants of ubiquitin were constructed, expressed in Escherichia coli and the proteins purified. Single cysteine-containing mutants and a 4/14 disulfide were active in degradation of a substrate protein in vitro, while the 4/66 disulfide, which cross-links the NH2- and COOH-terminal strands of the protein, was only 20-30% active. The solution structure of the 4/66 mutant was solved: the disulfide is left-handed with no perturbations in the backbone from that of wild type ubiquitin. The results suggest that conformational mobility is required for the activity of ubiquitin in signaling proteolysis.

Computer Simulation↗

GLQ223: an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus replication in acutely and chronically infected cells of lymphocyte and mononuclear phagocyte lineage.

GLQ223 is a highly purified, formulated preparation of trichosanthin, a 26-kDa plant-derived ribosome-inactivating protein with potent inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. The compound produced concentration-dependent inhibition of HIV replication in acutely infected cultures of T-lymphoblastoid cells (VB cell line). Treatment with GLQ223 selectively reduced levels of detectable viral proteins compared to total cellular protein synthesis and produced a selective decrease in levels of viral RNA relative to total cellular RNA in acutely infected cells. Substantial inhibition of viral replication was observed at concentrations of GLQ223 that showed little inhibition of parallel uninfected cultures. Selective anti-HIV activity was also observed in cultures of primary monocyte/macrophages chronically infected with HIV in vitro. When freshly drawn blood samples from HIV-infected patients were treated with a single 3-hr exposure to GLQ223. HIV replication was blocked for at least 5 days in subsequently cultured monocyte/macrophages, without further treatment. The anti-HIV activity of GLQ223 in both acutely and chronically infected cells and its activity in cells of both lymphoid and mononuclear phagocytic lineage make it an interesting candidate as a potential therapeutic agent in HIV infection and AIDS.

Antigens, Viral↗

Late onset bone marrow failure associated with proximal fusion of radius and ulna: a new syndrome.

Members of two unrelated families, one from England and the other from Portugal, presented with aplastic anaemia. Both families had clinical and laboratory features in common. The proposita presented with progressive bone marrow failure in adult life involving all three haemopoietic cell lines. In both families individuals with bone marrow failure also had proximal fusion of the radius and ulna bilaterally which segregates as an autosomal dominant trait. No cytogenetic defect was identified in myeloid or lymphoid cells, sampled from the marrow and peripheral blood. Proximal fusion of the radius and ulna is uncommon and its co-existance with late onset bone marrow failure may indicate an association. Growth failure, non-skeletal congenital malformations and cytogenetic abnormalities were absent suggesting that this syndrome is distinct from Fanconi's anaemia. The onset in adult life of generalized bone marrow failure involving all three haemopoietic cell lines associated with proximal fusion of the radius and ulna also makes this syndrome distinct from the thrombocytopenia with absent radii (TAR) syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Family functioning and metabolic control of school-aged children with IDDM.

The relationship of two aspects of family life to metabolic control were examined as part of a longitudinal study of school-aged children with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Glycosylated hemoglobin level was the primary index of metabolic control; weight-adjusted insulin dosage served as an indirect index. Neither the quality of family life nor aspects of the parents' marriage predicted the child's metabolic control over the next 3-4 mo, and they were also unrelated to concurrent weight-adjusted insulin dosage. Longitudinal data spanning a 6-yr period of the child's diabetes also failed to reveal an association between aspects of family life and metabolic control. The significance of the findings are discussed in light of the sample's characteristics and possible methodological constraints.

Adult↗

Ubiquitin-metallothionein fusion protein expression in yeast. A genetic approach for analysis of ubiquitin functions.

We have established a Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic system that expresses the fusion protein ubiquitin-metallothionein. We have evaluated the effects of amino-terminal ubiquitination of metallothionein on the stability and function of metallothionein. The fusion protein of wild type ubiquitin and metallothionein was rapidly processed in vivo to release free ubiquitin and metallothionein. Site-directed mutants of ubiquitin-metallothionein expressed in yeast were used to study the specificity of the (alpha-NH2-ubiquitin) protein endopeptidases. The data suggest that amino-terminal ubiquitination is not a signal for the proteolysis of yeast metallothionein in yeast. We have also discovered that expression of selected ubiquitin mutants blocked the growth of yeast. The data suggest that in addition to its function as a proteolytic signal, ubiquitination of proteins plays multiple roles in the cell.

Copper↗

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) versus immunosuppression for the treatment of severe aplastic anaemia (SAA): a report of the EBMT SAA working party.

This is an analysis of 509 patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) treated in Europe between 1981 and 1986; 218 patients were treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from HLA identical sibling donors and 291 with immunosuppressive therapy (IS) with antilymphocyte globulin (ALG). The overall actuarial survival was 63% after BMT and 61% after IS therapy at 6 years. All patients fulfilled the criteria of SAA; however, most patients with a neutrophil count of less than 0.2 x 10(9)/l also had infections and haemorrhages. Therefore a further subclassification was defined by pretreatment peripheral blood neutrophil count: very severe aplastic anaemia (vSAA) (less than 0.2 x 10(9)/l neutrophils) and moderately severe aplastic anaemia (mSAA) (0.2-0.5 x 10(9)/l neutrophils). A Cox regression analysis showed that the only significant pre-treatment variables were a low neutrophil count (P = 0.001) and increasing age (P = 0.05). Thus it seemed reasonable to analyse survival data after combined stratification for neutrophils (vSAA versus mSAA) and age (cut off at 20 years). BMT was superior to IS in patients with vSAA under 20 years of age (64% v. 38%; P = 0.01). IS was superior to BMT in patients with mSAA aged 20 or more (82% v. 62%; P = 0.002). The two treatments gave comparable results in young patients with mSAA (BMT = 58%, IS = 62%; P = 0.1), and in older patients with vSAA (BMT = 44%, IS = 43%; P = 0.06). Overall 75/218 and 87/291 patients, given BMT or IS respectively, died. The major cause of failure in BMT patients was graft rejection (n = 22) or problems associated with graft-versus-host disease. For ALG patients the major problem was persistence of the aplasia with haemorrhage (n = 32) or infections (n = 46). This study indicates that over 60% of patients with SAA can be successfully treated with either BMT or IS. Overall survival does not differ in the two groups, though significant differences emerge after stratification for severity of the aplasia and age.

Adolescent↗

First-trimester diagnosis of metachromatic leucodystrophy.

Two pregnancies at risk for late infantile metachromatic leucodystrophy were monitored by assaying arylsulphatase A at 0 degrees C in homogenates of chorionic villi. In one, the very low activity recorded indicated the fetus to be affected, and this was confirmed by demonstration of low arylsulphatase A activity in cultured villi and cultured fetal fibroblasts after termination. In the other pregnancy, normal activity was found in the villi and the pregnancy is continuing. This simple chromogenic assay appears to be reliable for first-trimester diagnosis of metachromatic leucodystrophy. However, there is a probability of mis-diagnosis if the standard assay at 37 degrees C is used.

Adult↗

Expression and accurate processing of yeast penta-ubiquitin in Escherichia coli.

An expression vector (pSJyub-5) was constructed which contained five repeats of the "yeast ubiquitin gene" regulated by a heat-inducible lambda PL promoter. The vector, when expressed in Escherichia coli, produced a penta-ubiquitin of approximately 42 kDa. Purified penta-ubiquitin was found to be as active as the human mono-ubiquitin in the in vitro ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic assay of the reticulocyte lysate, indicating that the expressed gene product was recognized by the enzymes involved in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway. The inability of penta-ubiquitin to act as a substrate in the pyrophosphate exchange reaction with the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 suggested that it had a carboxyl-terminal Asn, in agreement with the nucleotide sequence. In E. coli, the expressed penta-ubiquitin was processed correctly to mono-ubiquitin. The fidelity of processing in E. coli was confirmed by the following observations. The amino acid compositions of the processed mono-ubiquitin and human ubiquitin were similar. The 1H NMR spectrum of peaks representing amide hydrogens of the carboxyl-terminal Arg-74, Gly-75, and Gly-76 of the processed mono-ubiquitin was identical with that of human ubiquitin. The immunoreactivity of processed mono-ubiquitin and human ubiquitin against polyclonal antibodies that recognized epitope(s) only on the carboxyl terminus of ubiquitin were similar. The human and processed mono-ubiquitin were equally active in degrading 125I-bovine serum albumin in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent in vitro proteolytic assay with reticulocyte lysates. In the pyrophosphate exchange assay with isolated ubiquitin activating enzyme E1, they were also equally reactive, confirming that the expressed and processed ubiquitin contained an intact carboxyl-terminal Gly-76. Purified penta-ubiquitin should prove to be a useful substrate for identifying and isolating processing enzyme(s) involved in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway.

Amino Acids↗

Gene synthesis, expression, structures, and functional activities of site-specific mutants of ubiquitin.

To study the structure and function of ubiquitin we have chemically synthesized a ubiquitin gene that encodes the amino acid sequence of animal ubiquitin, inserting a series of restriction enzyme sites that divide the gene into eight "mutagenesis modules." A series of site-specific mutations were constructed to selectively perturb various regions of the molecule. The mutant genes were expressed in a large quantity of Escherichia coli, and the modified proteins were purified. To determine the structural effects of the amino acid substitutions, the solution structure of ubiquitin was investigated by two-dimensional NMR and each of the mutant proteins were screened for structural perturbations. With one exception, virtually no changes were seen other than at the point of mutation. Functional studies of the mutant proteins with the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 and in the reticulocyte protein degradation assay were used to identify regions of the molecule important to ubiquitin's activity in intracellular proteolysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chemical synthesis and expression of a cassette adapted ubiquitin gene.

A gene encoding the yeast ubiquitin was chemically synthesized and expressed in yeast under regulatory control of the copper metallothionein (CUP1) promoter. The gene was assembled in a one-step ligation reaction from eight oligonucleotide fragments ranging in length from 50 to 64 nucleotides. To facilitate mutagenesis and gene fusion studies, eight unique 6-base-cutting restriction enzyme sites were placed in the reading frame which did not alter the encoded protein sequence or force the utilization of rare codons. In a copper-resistant yeast strain (CUP1r), expression of the gene was induced by copper to approximately 5% of the total yeast proteins, as determined by Coomassie-stained polyacrylamide gels. The protein, purified from yeast, reacted with ubiquitin-specific antibodies and was found to be biologically active in supporting ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation in vitro.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Establishment and characterization of Xenopus oviduct cells in primary culture.

Based on a previously established procedure for Xenopus hepatocytes, we describe tubular oviduct cells in primary culture which continue to secrete substantial quantities of egg jelly for several days, as can be visualized microscopically. Freshly isolated cells exhibited a culture shock response [A. P. Wolffe, J. F. Glover, and J. R. Tata (1984) Exp. Cell Res. 154, 581], from which they recovered by the third day in culture. This recovery was characterized by (a) the diminished synthesis of heat shock proteins hsp 70 and hsp 85, (b) the cessation of the drop in number of estrogen receptor, and (c) the enhanced rate of synthesis of cellular and secreted proteins. The oviduct estrogen receptor had the same characteristics as those in other estrogen target tissues and was present in the same amount as in adult female Xenopus hepatocytes [A. J. Perlman, A. P. Wolffe, J. Champion, and J. R. Tata (1984) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 38, 51]. Unlike the latter in primary culture [M. P. R. Tenniswood, P. F. Searle, A. P. Wolffe, and J. R. Tata (1983) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 30, 329], oviduct cell cultures did not actively metabolize either estradiol or progesterone (t1/2 approximately equal to 55 and 7 h, respectively). The successful establishment and characterization of primary cultures of both liver and oviduct cells now fulfil the conditions required for investigating the basis for tissue specificity of regulation by estrogen of Xenopus egg protein gene expression in primary cell culture.

Animals↗

Hormonal regulation of RNA synthesis and specific gene expression in Xenopus oviduct cells in primary culture.

The studies described in this report were carried out as a first step towards the elucidation of mechanisms underlying the tissue specificity of regulation of gene expression by estrogen. Using a procedure established earlier in our laboratory for primary culture of Xenopus hepatocytes, we have characterized how estradiol-17 beta and progesterone affect the rate of synthesis of total RNA and that of accumulation of two oviduct-specific mRNAs in Xenopus oviduct cells in primary culture. In cells that had recovered from 'culture shock' 3 days after they were plated out, both hormones had only a slight or no effect on the overall rate of labelling of newly synthesized RNA over 24 h. Cloned cDNA probes for two mRNAs, termed 7F and 6G and specifying as yet unknown proteins expressed in the oviduct and not in the liver, were used to quantify the two mRNAs. The levels of both mRNAs declined for the first 2 days in culture after which they were stabilized. When added to the oviduct cell cultures 3 days after they were plated out, estradiol increased the steady-state concentration (relative to total RNA) of 7F and 6G mRNAs by 3- to 7-fold after 60-80 h, but with different time-course and dose-response kinetics for the two messages. The antiestrogen tamoxifen also exerted different degrees of antagonist effect on the estrogen-induced accumulation of 7F and 6G mRNAs. Although the protein products of these two oviduct-specific mRNAs have not yet been characterized, these studies set the stage for comparing the regulation by estrogen of their genes with that of vitellogenin genes in primary cultures of Xenopus oviduct cells and hepatocytes.

Animals↗