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Biomedical subjects

J Ramachandran

Publications and source records attributed to J Ramachandran.

133 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The structural and functional interrelationships of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

Molecular cloning of the genes encoding the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has shown that receptor subtypes classified on the basis of pharmacological properties are related polypeptides encoded by distinct genes. These studies have also revealed the existence of novel muscarinic receptor subtypes. Functional analysis of each of the subtypes expressed in mammalian cells indicates that the different subtypes activate distinct biochemical pathways, a finding that explains the tissue-specific physiological response elicited by the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A prolactin-inhibiting factor within the precursor for human gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

The cloned complementary DNA sequence encoding the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) precursor protein was used to construct an expression vector for the bacterial synthesis of the 56-amino acid GnRH-associated peptide (GAP). GAP was found to be a potent inhibitor of prolactin secretion and to stimulate the release of gonadotropins in rat pituitary cell cultures. Active immunization with peptides corresponding to GAP sequences led to greatly increased prolactin secretion in rabbits.

Animals↗

Sequence and functional expression of the GABA A receptor shows a ligand-gated receptor super-family.

Amino-acid sequences derived from complementary DNAs encoding the alpha- and beta-subunits of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor from bovine brain show homology with other ligand-gated receptor subunits, suggesting that there is a super-family of ion-channel-containing receptors. Co-expression of the in vitro-generated alpha-subunit and beta-subunit RNAs in Xenopus oocytes produces a functional receptor and ion channel with the pharmacological properties characteristic of the GABAA receptor.

Animals↗

Corticotropin receptors, cyclic AMP and steroidogenesis.

The detection and characterization of the physiologically relevant receptors for corticotropin (ACTH) in rat adrenocortical cells is described. By the use of a radioligand with full biological potency and high specific radioactivity (1800 +/- 75 Ci/mmol), a single class of receptors with an apparent Kd of 1.41 +/- 0.21 nM was detected and the number of sites was estimated to be 3840 +/- 1045 per cell. The binding curve was superimposable on the concentration-response curve for cAMP but dissociated from that for steroidogenesis. These data are best explained by the receptor-reserve model in which occupancy of a small fraction of the receptors is sufficient for inducing maximal steroidogenesis.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Determination of disulfide bridge pattern in omega-conopeptides.

Synthetic versions of seven naturally occurring omega-conopeptides were subjected to structural analyses in order to determine their disulfide bridge pattern. The method applied in this study uses a combination of amino-acid composition and peptide sequence analysis of various peptide fragments generated by different enzymatic digestions. A temperature modification in the Edman degradation cycles of a protein sequencer allowed the unambiguous detection of the cleavage of cystine residues. The appearance of the cystine residues in particular cycles of the sequence analysis was characteristic of one or several of the theoretically possible 15 isomers. In the case of multiple choices, possible isomers were further eliminated by the amino-acid and sequence analysis of peptide fragments generated by the enzymatic digestion. All synthetic peptides, SNX-111, -157, -159, -183, -185, -230 and -231, were found to have the same disulfide bridge pattern as determined for the naturally occurring omega-conopeptide G-VI-A, i.e. disulfide bridges between the half-cystines 1-16, 8-20 and 15-25 (using the amino-acid numbering of SNX-111).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Population growth and distribution versus agricultural change: an analysis of the Warli tribal community in Dahanu and Talaseri Talukas of Thane district (Maharashtra).

The authors examine the relationship between population growth and agricultural change using a village-level study of the Warli tribal community in Maharashtra, India. "This paper tries to highlight the relationship that exists between the two factors and the relative changes in the structural character of the two factors. It also focuses on the complications brought about by the juxtaposition of a market economy of the nontribals on the subsistence peasant agriculture of the Warli tribals. Methodology is empirical. Suitable statistical aids have been used on available census material [for the years 1901-1971], substantiated with fieldwork."

Agriculture↗