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Biomedical subjects

J Whittaker

Publications and source records attributed to J Whittaker.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Appalachian spring: variations on ancient gastro-entero-pancreatic themes in New World mammals.

Studies of guinea pig genomic and/or cDNA clones encoding the gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) hormones--insulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide--as well as portions of the insulin receptor, are described. Multiple clustered substitutions (localized rapid mutation acceptance) altering the biological properties of both insulin and glucagon have been revealed, but this does not appear to be the case with either pancreatic polypeptide or those regions of guinea pig insulin receptor cDNAs that have been examined thus far. These findings suggest that novel selective pressures operative in the New World environment, in which these animals evolved in isolation from Old World mammalian species, have led to altered solutions to problems related to the regulation of growth and carbohydrate metabolism.

Americas↗
PubMed1988

Expression of human epidermal growth factor precursor cDNA in transfected mouse NIH 3T3 cells.

Stable cell lines expressing the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) precursor have been prepared by transfection of mouse NIH 3T3 cells with a bovine papillomavirus-based vector in which the human kidney EGF precursor cDNA has been placed under the control of the inducible mouse metallothionein I promoter. Synthesis of the EGF precursor can be induced by culturing the cells in 5 mM butyric acid or 100 microM ZnCl2. The EGF precursor synthesized by these cells appears to be membrane associated; none is detectable in the cytoplasm. The size of the EGF precursor expressed by these cells is approximately 150-180 kDa, which is larger than expected from its amino acid sequence, suggesting that it is posttranslationally modified, presumably by glycosylation. The EGF precursor was also detected in the conditioned medium from these cells, indicating that some fraction of the EGF precursor synthesized by these transfected cells may be secreted. Preliminary data suggest that this soluble form of the EGF precursor may compete with 125I-labeled EGF for binding to the EGF receptor. These cell lines should be useful for studying the processing of the EGF precursor to EGF as well as determining the properties and possible functions of the EGF precursor itself.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Variations in mortality of the coloured white and Asian population groups in the RSA, 1978-1982. Part III. Rheumatic heart disease.

An analysis was undertaken of mortality from rheumatic heart disease in the RSA between 1978 and 1982 in whites, coloureds and Asians. This article details the age-specific mortality rates (MRs) for each group and also comparisons between groups based on age-standardised MRs. The rates for Asians and coloureds markedly exceed those for whites, particularly in the lower age groups (under 45 years).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

High-level expression of human insulin receptor cDNA in mouse NIH 3T3 cells.

In order to develop a simple, efficient system for the high-level expression of human insulin receptors in eukaryotic cells, a full-length human kidney insulin receptor cDNA was inserted into a bovine papilloma virus vector under the control of the mouse metallothionein promoter. After transfection of mouse NIH 3T3 cells with this construct, seven cell lines expressing insulin receptors were isolated; two cell lines had more than 10(6) receptors per cell. The cell line with the highest insulin binding (NIH 3T3 HIR3.5) had 6 X 10(6) receptors with a Kd of 10(-9) M. This level was not dependent on exposure to metals but could be increased further to 2 X 10(7) receptors per cell by addition of sodium butyrate to the culture medium. The alpha and beta subunits had apparent molecular weights of 147,000 and 105,000, respectively (compared to 135,000 and 95,000 in IM-9 human lymphocytes), values identical to those of the alpha and beta subunits of the insulin receptors of nontransformed NIH 3T3 cells. This size difference was due to altered carbohydrate composition, as N-glycanase digestion reduced the apparent receptor subunit size of the transfected cells and IM-9 lymphocytes to identical values. The alteration in N-linked oligosaccharide composition could not be ascribed to differences in the kinetics of posttranslational processing of the insulin receptors, which was comparable to that of other cells studied. The basal rate of glycogen synthesis in the cells overexpressing insulin receptors was increased 4- to 5-fold compared with controls. Low levels of added insulin (0.1 nM) caused a 50% increase in the rate of glycogen synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Part of the human ribosomal RNA locus stabilizes a plasmid in yeast.

Most yeast plasmids--particularly those containing chromosomal replicators (ARS)--are unstable and do not segregate equally to mother and daughter cells unless they contain centromeric sequences. We have screened a fraction of the human genome for sequences that stabilize YRp7, a plasmid containing ARS1. We selected a fraction which we hoped would be enriched in human centromeric sequences--the DNA attached to the nucleoskeleton. We obtained one human sequence that partially stabilized a yeast plasmid and, surprisingly, it contained sequences homologous to those coding for the 3' end of 18s rRNA, the transcribed spacer and 5' end of 28s rRNA. This sequence did not show any ARS activity nor did it increase the copy number of the plasmid and so probably improved partition of the plasmid between mother and daughter cells. It had no homology to yeast centromeres.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1986

Effects of monensin on insulin interactions with isolated hepatocytes. Evidence for inhibition of receptor recycling and insulin degradation.

Recent evidence suggests that, during endocytosis, receptors for many polypeptide ligands are spared degradation and are recycled to the plasma membrane for re-utilization. The univalent ionophore monensin was shown to inhibit membrane recycling. We therefore examined its effects on insulin interactions with isolated rat hepatocytes to characterize further receptor endocytosis and recycling in these cells. At 10 degrees C, in the absence of endocytosis, no change in insulin binding was observed. However, at 37 degrees C a concentration-dependent decrease in 125I-insulin binding was seen in the presence of insulin; this reached a maximum of 60% at 1 nM-insulin. Competitive binding studies showed this to be due to a 50-60% decrease in cell-surface insulin-receptor concentration, although the total cellular receptor concentration remained unchanged, suggesting that monensin causes the intracellular sequestration of receptors. Time-course studies of the processing of 2.5 nM-insulin showed that monensin produced a 50-60% decrease in surface binding, accompanied by a similar decrease in internalization and total inhibition of insulin degradation. When hepatocytes with 125I-insulin prebound to their surface receptors at 10 degrees C were warmed to 37 degrees C, monensin had no effect on internalization, but caused marked impairment of intracellular insulin degradation. It is concluded that monensin inhibits receptor recycling and cellular insulin degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of antibody-mediated crosslinking of insulin on its bioactivity and receptor binding.

Precipitating anti-insulin antibodies or anti-insulin IgG/anti-IgG complexes bind insulin in a highly aggregated form and thus should preferably be capable of inducing receptor aggregation, which has recently been suggested to be a precondition for insulin bioactivity. We, therefore, studied the influence of antibody-mediated crosslinking of insulin on the glucose conversion into CO2 in rat fat cells and glycogen synthesis in rat liver cells. As far as possible receptor-bound insulin was measured in parallel. Insulin bound to antibodies with low insulin precipitating capacity had no or little bioactivity and receptor reactivity on fat cells. The bioactivity, however, could be restored in part by addition of a second antibody. On liver cells, second antibody-mediated crosslinking of insulin-antibody complexes resulted in an enhancement of receptor reactivity, and insulin bioactivity of such crosslinked immune complexes was demonstrable. An insulin-precipitating antiserum was shown to form insulin-antibody complexes with significant bioactivity in fat cells which correlated with their receptor binding. In each case antibodies had no or little effect in the absence of insulin. Our data suggest that insulin neutralization by antibodies can be compensated by crosslinking the insulin-antibody complexes or by formation of big complexes precipitating by themselves. This is probably due to the induction of receptor aggregation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Insulin-stimulated receptor phosphorylation appears normal in cultured Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocyte cell lines derived from patients with extreme insulin resistance.

Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the insulin receptor was studied in cultured B-lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus. In studies with cell lines derived from six normal subjects, insulin (10(-7) M) caused an average increase of approximately 200% in 32P incorporation into the 95K subunit of the insulin receptor. Phosphorylation was rapid (detectable within 1-2 min) and reached a maximum level by 15 min. Dose-response curves for receptor occupancy and phosphorylation were nearly superimposable, indicating few or absent spare receptors for this response to insulin. These data suggest that insulin receptor phosphorylation is an early response to insulin in cultured lymphocytes transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. We studied insulin receptor phosphorylation in cell lines derived from nine patients with clinical syndromes associated with extreme insulin resistance, all of whom had normal [125I] insulin binding. While the magnitude of insulin's stimulation varied widely among the individual cell lines, no significant differences were found between cell lines from normal subjects and those from patients with extreme insulin resistance.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1984

Erythrocyte sodium content, sodium transport, ouabain binding capacity and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in lean and obese subjects.

Erythrocyte sodium content, sodium transport (ouabain-sensitive efflux rate of sodium, and ouabain-sensitive efflux rate constant of sodium) 3H ouabain binding capacity and sodium-potassium-activated ouabain-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) activity were measured in 18 lean subjects and 25 obese subjects. The mean erythrocyte sodium content, sodium transport and ouabain binding capacity of obese subjects were the same as in lean subjects. There was no relationship between obesity index (wt/ht2) and sodium transport. We conclude that erythrocyte sodium transport in most obese patients is normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Insulin stimulated phosphorylation of its own receptor. Activation of a tyrosine-specific protein kinase that is tightly associated with the receptor.

In solubilized, (wheat germ) lectin-purified preparations of rat liver membranes, insulin stimulated the incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into tyrosine residues of insulin receptor, casein, and histones. Despite the presence of both protein kinase and phosphatase activities in these preparations, no decrease in the 32P content of receptors (preincubated with or without insulin (0.5-100 nM)) was detected whether 32P incorporation was terminated by excess ATP, ATP + Mn2+, EDTA, or phosphatase inhibitors. Similarly, there was no decrease in the 32P content of phosphoreceptors incubated for up to 60 min with fresh receptor preparations in the presence or absence of insulin. Dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor to 20% of original 32P content only occurred when alkaline phosphatase was added to the preparations. It is concluded that endogenous receptor phosphatase(s) are either missing or inactive in these preparations, and consequently, insulin stimulates phosphorylation of its own receptor by activating a protein kinase. The kinase activity is tightly associated with the receptor itself; insulin also stimulated the phosphorylation of both receptor subunits in purified insulin-receptor complexes that had been immunoprecipitated by anti-insulin antibodies. However, the phosphorylating machinery is much more sensitive to heat inactivation than the binding function (90% less 32P incorporation versus 15% less binding during 60-min incubation at 37 degrees C), suggesting that the kinase is not associated exclusively with the insulin-binding domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Changes in erythrocyte sodium, sodium transport and 3H ouabain binding capacity during digoxin administration in the pig.

Time course of the changes in erythrocyte sodium content, sodium transport, 3H ouabain binding capacity and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were measured for 14 weeks, in 6 young pigs treated with digoxin and in 6 control pigs. After one week of treatment the erythrocyte sodium content increased from 5.4 mmol/kg cells to 6.9 mmol/kg cells and the efflux rate constant of sodium decreased. With prolonged treatment the erythrocyte sodium content returned to normal and the 3H ouabain binding capacity increased by week 5. The plasma digoxin concentration decreased from 1.1 ng/ml at week 5 to 0.6 ng/ml at week 8 probably due to the decline in dose (microgram/kg) of digoxin with age. The efflux rate constant of sodium and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were higher towards the end of treatment. It is concluded that with prolonged administration of digoxin there is an increase in erythrocyte sodium pump units.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Characteristics of sodium transport in pig (Sus scrofa) erythrocytes.

Sodium content, sodium transport (ouabain-sensitive efflux rate of sodium, oMosNa; and ouabain-sensitive efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa), [3H]ouabain binding capacity, and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were measured in erythrocytes from young pigs (Sus scrofa). The sodium content, sodium transport, and the number of sodium pumps (assessed by ouabain binding capacity) were lower in the pig compared to the human erythrocytes. The efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa was 36% and the ouabain binding capacity was 60% of those in human, suggesting the degree of activation of sodium pump units is much lower.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Short-term tests for transplacentally active carcinogens. Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in foetal brain, lung and blood-forming cells by procarbazine and cyclophosphamide.

The induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by cyclophosphamide (CP) and procarbazine (PC) in mouse granulocyte-macrophage precursor cells (GM cells) and erythroblasts from foetal liver, and cells from foetal brain and foetal lung has been measured. Agents were administered in vivo, and cells explanted into BrdUrd-containing medium for 2 cell cycles in vitro (using specific growth-promoting substances where necessary) to determine SCE frequency. Tissue and cell-type differences in responses were observed, and it is concluded that the in vivo/in vitro transplacental SCE technique is a useful indicator of genotoxic effects of agents which are potential transplacental carcinogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Efficacy of and errors in randomized multicenter trials. A review of 230 clinical trials.

An attempt was made to study the efficacy in and one of the errors of randomized multicenter clinical trials. Efficacy was defined for the present purpose as a statistically significant clinical difference between at least 2 of the treatment arms studied. The error studied was defined here as non-excluded protocol deviations found during a systematic record review. The nature (multicenter randomized trial or un-controlled pilot study) of 8 so-called "breakthrough" studies which seemed particularly important for future cancer treatment was also established. The number of yearly randomized trials seems to have increased by a factor of 10 between 1969 and 1981, as judged by the abstracts published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 23% yielded statistically significant results, which is 18% over the 5% expected chance significances. Of 174 papers and abstracts published by one group, only 18 were reviewable original studies. The corresponding figures for another group was 6 of 22. This explains why only 8 scientifically new statistical significances were found in one series of 76 original articles. The mean dose of cytostatics actually given to 192 breast cancer patients varied, as judged by a record review, between 71 and 93% of the protocol doses. These figures agree with the 15-30% of nonexcluded protocol deviations found previously. Of the 8 "breakthrough" studies, 7 were single center pilot studies without randomized controls, and only 1 was a randomized multicenter study. It is suggested that more relevant questions can be asked in multicenter randomized clinical trials if they are based on promising single center pilot results, and that record reviews should be performed so that protocol deviations can regularly be reported.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1982

The effects of metabolic acidosis in vivo on insulin binding to isolated rat adipocytes.

Insulin resistance in vivo and impaired insulin binding to isolated adipocytes are characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis in the rat. To determine the respective roles of diabetes and acidaemia in the genesis of the binding defect, insulin binding to adipocytes from alkali-treated ketoacidotic diabetic and ammonium chloride acidotic rats was studied. Reversal of the acidaemia of ketoacidotic rats by sodium bicarbonate infusion (pH 6.73 +/- 0.027 to 7.35 +/- 0.027, p less than 0.001, n = 12) increased adipocyte insulin binding (0.51 +/- 0.21% to 2 x 10(5) cells/ml, n = 6 untreated versus 1.10 +/- 0.27% to 2 x 10(5) cell, n = 6 treated, p less than 0.05). Scatchard analysis showed this to be due to an increase in insulin receptor concentration. Ammonium chloride infusion caused marked metabolic acidaemia (pH 6.72 +/- 0.04, n = 12) and insulin binding to adipocytes was markedly decreased (0.81 +/- 0.12% to 2 x 10(5) cells/ml n = 6 versus 2.40 +/- 0.22% to 2 x 10(5) cells/ml, n = 6 in controls p less than 0.02), due to a change in receptor concentration. The apparent affinity of the receptor was markedly decreased in diabetic animals compared with normal controls but was unchanged in ammonium chloride acidotic animals. Thus in diabetic ketoacidosis there is both decreased affinity and number of insulin receptors partially reversible by prolonged alkali infusion. Only changes in affinity appeared to be specific for the diabetic state.

Acidosis↗