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Biomedical subjects

J W Hunt

Publications and source records attributed to J W Hunt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Rapid-mixing studies of the mechanisms of chemical radiosensitization and protection in mammalial cells.

A continuous flow, rapid-mixing system has been constructed to measure the degree of radiosensitization or protection observable after incubation of Chinese hamster ovary cells at room temperature for periods from about 5 to 1000 ms with a number of radiation modifiers. In agreement with Adams et al. (1975) full sensitization by oxygen is obtained in only a few tens of milliseconds. Misonidazole (10 mM) sensitizes at very nearly the steady-state level (E.R. approximately 2.3) in about 300 ms. Similarly near maximum sensitization by 10 mM metronidazole is seen within the same period. For large effects to be observed in such short times makes unlikely the involvement of any biochemical modification of either the drug or cells. Radioprotection by 1 M dimethyl suplhoxide reaches about 80% of the equilibrium control value within 850 ms. However, if its mode of action involves scavenging of hydroxyl radicals in competition with cellular components, the necessity for very high concentrations in the immediate region of the cellular target would be expected to require longer diffusion times. Cysteamine (10 mM) shows no evidence of its substantial protective ability even after 850 ms incubation. This molecule, which alone in this group exists as an ion in neutral solution, may encounter considerable difficulty in entering the cells.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1975

Puridication and properties of an intracellular ribonuclease from Candida lipolytica.

1. A ribonuclease (RNAase CL) (EC 3.1.4.23, ribonucleate 3'-oligonucleotide hydrolase) was extracted by EDTA/acetate buffer, pH 5.6 from acetonedried cells of Candida lipolytica and purified 1350-fold by acetone and (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. 2. RNAase CL is an acidic protein having an isoelectric point of 4.2, and an approximate molecular weight of 32 000. 3. Optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme were 6.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively. It is stable at neutral pH up to 50 degrees C. At 64 degrees C for 30 min, 95, 49 and 64% inactivation of the enzyme occurred at pH values 4.2, 6.6 and 10.0, respectively. 4. RNAase CL inhibited by Zn2+ and Cu2+, sulfhydryl reactants and by high concentration of salts, but not by chelating agents. 5. RNAase CL degraded ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, polyadenylic acid, polycytidylic acid and polyuridylic acid into acid-soluble nucleotides. Among the synthetic homopolymers, polycytidylic acid was most rapidly degraded. Polyguanylic acid and duplexes of synthetic homopolymers were less sensitive. DNA was not attacked. Specificity studies showed that RNAase CL preferentially cleaves pC-purine bonds. 6. Digestion of poly (C) by RNAase CL resulted in the liberation of cyclic 2',3'-CPM from the start of the reaction with no observable formation of intermediate oligonucleotides. This suggests that the enzyme depolymerizes by an exonucleolytic mechanism.

Acetone↗