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Biomedical subjects

K Kristiansen

Publications and source records attributed to K Kristiansen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Saccharomyces carlsbergensis contains two functional genes encoding the acyl-CoA binding protein, one similar to the ACB1 gene from S. cerevisiae and one identical to the ACB1 gene from S. monacensis.

Saccharomyces carlsbergensis is an amphiploid, and it has previously been suggested that the genomes of S. carlsbergensis originate from S. cerevisiae and S. monacensis. We have cloned the ACB1 genes encoding the acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) from S. carlsbergensis, S. cerevisiae and S. monacensis. Two genes were found in S. carlsbergensis and named ACB1 type 1 and type 2, respectively. The type 1 gene is identical to the S. cerevisiae ACB1 gene except for three substitutions, one single base pair deletion and one double base pair insertion, all located in the promoter region. The type 2 gene is completely identical to the S. monacensis ACB1 gene. These findings substantiate the notion that S. carlsbergensis is a hybrid between S. cerevisiae and S. monacensis. Both ACB1 type 1 and type 2 are actively transcribed in S. carlsbergensis and transcription is initiated at sites identical to those used for transcriptional initiation of the ACB1 genes in S. cerevisiae and S. monacensis, respectively. Two polyadenylation sites, spaced 225 bp apart, are present in the S. cerevisiae ACB1 gene. The upstream polyadenylation site is used exclusively during exponential growth, whereas both sites are utilized during later stages of growth.

Base Sequence↗

A common W556S mutation in the LDL receptor gene of Danish patients with familial hypercholesterolemia encodes a transport-defective protein.

In a group of unrelated Danish patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) we recently reported two common low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mutations, W23X and W66G, accounting for 30% of the cases. In this study, we describe another common LDL receptor mutation, a G to C transition at cDNA position 1730 in exon 12, causing a tryptophan to serine substitution in amino acid position 556 (W556S). In the Danish patients, the W556S mutation was present in 12% of 65 possible mutant alleles. The pathogenicity of the W556S mutation, which is located in one of the five conserved motifs Tyr-Trp-Thr-Asp in the epidermal growth factor homology region, was studied in transfected COS-7 cells expressing normal and mutant LDL receptor cDNAs. Results obtained by immunofluorescence flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, as well as by immunoprecipitation, were compatible with complete retention of the mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. The transport-defective W556S mutation and the W23X and W66G mutations seem to account for about 40% of the LDL receptor defects in Danish families with FH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of protein kinase C activators and staurosporine on protein kinase activity, cell survival, and proliferation in Tetrahymena thermophila.

Autocrine factors prevent cell death in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, a unicellular eukaryote, in a chemically defined medium. At certain growth conditions these factors are released at a sufficient concentration by > 500 cells ml-1 to support cell survival and proliferation. The protein kinase C activators phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or 1-oleyl 2-acetate glycerol (OAG) when added to 250 cells ml-1 supported cell survival and proliferation. In the presence of the serine and threonine kinase inhibitor staurosporine the cells died both at 250 cells ml-1 in cultures supplemented with either PMA or OAG, or at 2,500 cells ml-1. At 500 cells ml-1 PMA induced the in vivo phosphorylation of at least six proteins. The myelin basic protein fragment 4-14 was phosphorylated in vitro in crude extracts of a culture of 250,000 cells ml-1. Both the in vivo and the in vitro phosphorylation were inhibited by staurosporine.

Animals↗

Regulatory elements in the promoter region of the rat gene encoding the acyl-CoA-binding protein.

Acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) is an ubiquitously expressed 10-kDa protein which is present in high amounts in cells involved in solute transport or secretion. Rat ACBP is encoded by a gene containing the typical hallmarks of a housekeeping gene. Analysis of the promoter region of the rat ACBP gene by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed specific binding of proteins from rat liver nuclear extracts to potential recognition sequences of NF-1/CTF, Sp1, AP-1, C/EBP and HNF-3. In addition, specific binding to a DR-1 type element was observed. By using in vitro translated peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) and a retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), we demonstrated that this DR-1 element was capable of binding PPARalpha/RXRalpha, PPARdelta/RXRalpha and PPARgamma2/RXRalpha heterodimers. The PPARgamma2/RXRalpha heterodimer appeared to have the highest affinity for the ACBP DR-1 element. Addition of peroxisome proliferators (PP) to H4IIEC3 rat hepatoma cells led to an increase in the ACBP mRNA level, indicating that the DR-1 element could be a functional peroxisome proliferator responsive element (PPRE). Analysis of the ACBP promoter by transient transfection showed that deletion of the region containing the DR-1 element reduced transcriptional activity, and further indicated that three AP-2 sites and one NF-1/CTF site in the proximal promoter are of importance for basal promoter activity.

Animals↗

Structure of the rat gene encoding the multifunctional acyl-CoA-binding protein: conservation of intron 1 sequences in rodents and man. Addendum.

The entire gene encoding the rat acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP), and intron 1 of the mouse and human ACBP genes were sequenced and analyzed. A CpG island has been maintained in human ACBP which, in contrast to the rodent ACBP genes, is subject to alternative splicing. Analysis of the rat intron 2 and 3 sequences identified a number of potential alternative splice donor and splice acceptor sites. However, RNase protection analysis revealed no alternatively spliced transcripts in RNA from various rat tissues. Several repetitive elements belonging to the ID, B1 and B2 families are present in introns 2 and 3.

Alternative Splicing↗

Disruption of the gene encoding the acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACB1) perturbs acyl-CoA metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The ACB1 gene encoding the acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) was disrupted in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The disruption did not affect the growth rate on glucose but reduced the growth rate on ethanol slightly. Although the growth rate of the acb1-disrupted cells was unaffected or only slightly affected, the acb1-disrupted strain was unable to compete with wild type cells when grown in mixed culture. The acyl-CoA level in the disrupted cells was increased from 1.5- to 2.5-fold during exponential growth. The increase in the acyl-CoA level was caused solely by an increase in de novo synthesized stearoyl-CoA. Experiments with purified yeast fatty acid synthetase show that it will synthesize long chain acyl-CoAs in the absence of acyl-CoA-binding protein. The addition of ACBP to the incubation medium resulted in a dramatic decrease in the chain length of the synthesized acyl-CoA esters. Despite the fact that the stearoyl-CoA concentration was increased 7-fold and the Delta9-desaturase mRNA level was increased 3-fold, the synthesis of oleic acid was unchanged in the acb1-disrupted strain. The results strongly indicate that ACBP in yeast is involved in the transport of newly synthesized acyl-CoA esters from the fatty acid synthetase to acyl-CoA-consuming processes.

Acetic Acid↗

Molecular modeling of serotonin, ketanserin, ritanserin and their 5-HT2C receptor interactions.

Molecular modeling techniques were used to build a three-dimensional model of the rat 5-HT2C receptor, which was used to examine receptor interactions for protonated forms of serotonin, ketanserin and ritanserin. Molecular dynamics simulations which were started with the fluoro benzene moiety of ketanserin and ritanserin oriented towards the cytoplasmic side of the receptor model, produced the strongest antagonist-receptor interactions. The fluoro bezene ring(s) of the antagonists interacted strongly with aromatic residues in the receptor model, which predicts slightly different orientations and ligand-receptor interactions of ketanserin and ritanserin at a putative binding site. The model suggests that Asn333 (transmembrane helix 6) is involved in a hydrogen-bonding interaction with ketanserin, but not with ritanserin. The model also also suggests that the position corresponding to Cys362 (transmembrane helix 7) may be an important determinant for specifying 5-HT2A receptor selectivity in ketanserin binding.

Animals↗

A database of mutants and effects of site-directed mutagenesis experiments on G protein-coupled receptors.

A database system and computer programs for storage and retrieval of information about guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) -coupled receptor mutants and associated biological effects have been developed. Mutation data on the receptors were collected from the literature and a database of mutants and effects of mutations was developed. The G protein-coupled receptor, family A, point mutation database (GRAP) provides detailed information on ligand-binding and signal transduction properties of more than 2130 receptor mutants. The amino acid sequences of receptors for which mutation experiments have been reported were aligned, and from this alignment mutation data may be retrieved. Alternatively, a search form allowing detailed specification of which mutants to retrieve may be used, for example, to search for specific amino acid substitutions, substitutions in specific protein domains or reported biological effects. Furthermore, ligand and bibliographic oriented queries may be performed. GRAP is available on the Internet (URL: http://www-grap.fagmed.uit.no/GRAP/+ +homepage.html) using the World-Wide Web system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phenotypic presentation of the FH-Cincinnati type 5 low density lipoprotein receptor mutation.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease of lipid metabolism that in most families is caused by mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Though more than 150 mutations are known, the clinical picture associated with most of these is not known. Genetic FH diagnosis may soon become routine in the setting of genetic counselling, and therefore thorough information on the phenotype-genotype relationship of different mutations is now important. In this study, index patients from each of 14 Danish FH families were screened for mutations in exon 2 of the LDLR gene using a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based mutation screening assay. A deviating DGGE pattern identified two index patients, where subsequent sequencing revealed heterozygosity for the FH Cincinnati type 5 Trp23-to-Stop LDLR mutation. Data from three generations of the families allowed the first clinical and biochemical description of this mutation. Evidence that genetic analysis adds independent diagnostic information compared to traditional clinical/biochemical FH diagnosis was documented by demonstrating the presence of the FH Cincinnati mutation in a family member with a completely normal lipid profile. By comparison to non-FH family members, it was documented that carrier status for the FH Cincinnati mutation is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, genetic analysis may improve diagnostic precision and help to define more precisely which of the members of FH families are in need of preventive interventions and may aid in establishing phenotype-genotype relationships allowing more refined genetic counselling in FH.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of human very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase cDNA, chromosomal assignment of the gene and identification in four patients of nine different mutations within the VLCAD gene.

Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is one of four straight-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACD) enzymes, which are all nuclear encoded mitochondrial flavoproteins catalyzing the initial step in fatty acid beta-oxidation. We have used the very fast, Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) based strategy to obtain the sequence of cDNAs encoding human VLCAD from placenta and fibroblasts. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequence of human VLCAD with those of the other human ACD enzymes revealed extensive sequence homology. Moreover, human VLCAD and human acyl-CoA oxidase showed extensive sequence homology corroborating the notion that these genes are evolutionarily related. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from hybrid cell lines was used to localize the VLCAD gene to human chromosome 17p11.2-p11.13105. Using Northern and Western blot analysis to investigate the tissue specific distribution of VLCAD mRNA and protein in several human tissues we showed that VLCAD is most abundant in heart and skeletal muscle. This agrees well with the fact that cardiac and muscle symptoms are characteristic for patients with VLCAD deficiency. Northern blot analysis and sequencing of cloned PCR amplified VLCAD cDNA from four unrelated patients with VLCAD deficiency showed that VLCAD mRNA was undetectable in one patient and that the other three have mutations in both VLCAD alleles. Western blot analysis of patient fibroblasts showed that the identified mutations result in severely reduced amounts of VLCAD protein. None of the patients harbored identical mutations suggesting that the mutational heterogeneity in VLCAD deficiency is large.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain↗

Transcription in vitro of Tetrahymena class II and class III genes.

A method for preparation of transcriptionally active nuclear extracts from the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila is described. Cells were lysed in the presence of gum arabic, and nuclei were further purified in the presence of Ficoll 400. Highly concentrated nuclear extracts were prepared by ultracentrifugation of nuclei in a buffer containing potassium glutamate and spermidine. These extracts supported accurate transcription initiation of T. thermophila class II and III genes. Using the histone H3-II gene as a template, we demonstrated that physiologically induced changes in transcriptional activity in vivo were reflected in the transcriptional activity of the nuclear extract in vitro. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays, five conserved sequence elements in the upstream region of the histone H3-II gene were shown specifically to bind proteins in extracts from exponentially growing as well as from starved cells, and by UV cross-linking we further characterized the specific binding of two proteins to an oligonucleotide containing a conserved CCAAT box motif. Transcription competition experiments showed that addition of this oligonucleotide decreased transcription significantly. Competition with oligonucleotides corresponding to the two proximal conserved sequence elements almost completely abolished transcription of the H3-II gene suggesting that binding of transacting factors to these elements is crucial for initiation of transcription.

Acetates↗

The phosphorylated ribosomal protein S7 in Tetrahymena is homologous with mammalian S4 and the phosphorylated residues are located in the C-terminal region. Structural characterization of proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

A single basic ribosomal protein, protein S7, can be multiply phosphorylated in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena. Induction of phosphorylation is highly regulated, and the phosphorylation proceeds in a strictly sequential manner. The first site to be phosphorylated is a serine residue and the second a threonine. In this paper we report the complete primary structure of Tetrahymena thermophila ribosomal protein S7 including identification of the phosphorylated serine and threonine residues. Most of the sequence information was obtained from peptides generated by in situ digestion of S7 in two-dimensional gels using an approach that combined traditional protein chemistry with mass spectrometry. T. thermophila ribosomal protein S7 has a molecular mass of 29,459 Da and contains 259 amino acid residues. Phosphorylation takes place on Ser258 and Thr248 in the C-terminal region of the protein. Alignment of T. thermophila ribosomal protein S7 with known ribosomal proteins yielded the surprising result that T. thermophila S7 is homologous, not with mammalian ribosomal protein S6, but with mammalian ribosomal protein S4. These findings clearly distinguish the pattern of phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins in Tetrahymena from all other eukaryotes analyzed to date.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic diagnosis with the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique improves diagnostic precision in familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder of lipid metabolism caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene. FH is characterized clinically by elevated LDL cholesterol level and premature coronary disease. Diagnosing FH on clinical grounds may be difficult, and previous genetic methods are too cumbersome for routine use except in the few populations with FH-founder mutations. A simple mutation screening technique based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) has been highly useful in detecting mutations in other genes, and in the present study we evaluated the diagnostic potential of this method for the diagnosis of FH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Conditions for screening exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene using the DGGE technique were established and 14 Danish FH families were examined. An index patient from 1 family had an abnormal DGGE pattern; consequently, an examination of exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene in 21 members of this patient's family was done. The DGGE pattern was seen only in patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of FH. Subsequent sequencing of exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene in these individuals revealed the presence of the French-Canadian type 4 Trp66-Gly mutation. However, in 4 of 11 cases in which a definite clinical diagnosis of FH had been made, the inheritance of the French-Canadian type 4 mutation could be rejected on the basis of genetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a simple genetic analysis based on DGGE may improve the precision of diagnosis in FH families.

Adolescent↗

7-Deaza purine bases offer a higher ion stability in the analysis of DNA by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Oligodeoxynucleotides which contain 7-deaza analogues of the normal purine nucleotides have been synthesized both enzymatically and chemically. When subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis, the modified samples offer both higher stability and increased sensitivity compared to otherwise identical unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides. In view of these observations, models for the fragmentation of oligodeoxynucleotides in MALDI-MS with positive ion detection mode are presented. Additionally, the potential use of 7-deaza purine nucleotides in the MALDI-MS analysis of DNA sequencing reactions is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Evaluation of mass spectrometric techniques for characterization of engineered proteins.

Mass spectrometric characterization of engineered proteins has been examined using bovine recombinant Acyl-CoA-Binding Protein (rACBP), [15N]-labeled rACBP, and a number of sequence variants of ACBP produced by site-directed mutagenesis. The mass spectrometric techniques include ESIMS and MALDIMS for analysis of the intact protein. Peptide maps have been obtained either by direct analysis of enzymatically derived mixtures by PDMS, ESIMS, and MALDIMS or by off- and on-line HPLC-mass spectrometry. ESIMS was found to be most accurate for analysis of intact proteins. The best sequence coverage in mapping was obtained by LC-ESIMS and by direct mixture analysis by MALDIMS. The latter technique was favorable in terms of sensitivity and speed. A general strategy for mass spectrometric characterization of engineered proteins is suggested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and quantification of a new tuliposide (tuliposide D) by HPLC in Alstroemeria.

From aqueous extracts of flowers, stems and leaves of 1 Brazilian and 15 Chilean Alstroemeria species, the content of a new tuliposide, named tuliposide D, was determined by isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), using distilled water:methanol (80:20) as mobile phase. The compound was detected by a UV-detector at 208 nm. Tuliposide D was found in almost all Alstroemeria species investigated, although in very different amounts. Most species contained relatively small amounts of tuliposide D, especially in the leaves. However, A. hookeri ssp. cummingiana, A. presliana ssp. presliana, A. pseudospathulata and A. revoluta contained large amounts of tuliposide D in all plant parts. Tuliposide D was identified as 1,6-di-(4-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanoate)-beta-D-glucopyranose by UV, FAB-MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR. The content of the allergens 6-tuliposide A and tulipalin A was also determined by RP-HPLC and the possibility that tuliposide D is a further causative agent of allergic contact dermatitis in Alstroemeria is discussed.

Allergens↗