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Biomedical subjects

K Olden

Publications and source records attributed to K Olden.

106 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Levels of translatable mRNAs for cell surface protein, collagen precursors, and two membrane proteins are altered in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts.

Transformation of chick embryo fibroblasts by Rous sarcoma virus results in decreased amounts of a major cell surface protein and of collagen. To determine the mechanism accounting for the decreased production of these proteins, we have measured the relative amounts of functional mRNAs for these and other transformation-sensitive proteins. Total cellular RNAs extracted from normal cells and from cells transformed by the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus were translated in a cell-free system derived from wheat germ. Analysis of the in vitro translation products of RNAs from normal and transformed chick embryo fibroblasts shows a 5-fold reduction in the translatable mRNA for cell surface protein and a 10-fold reduction in translatable mRNA for two collagen precursors. In addition, increases in functional mRNA are observed for myosin and for two membrane polypeptides with molecular weights of 95,000 and 78,000; the latter two proteins increase on transformation, but the increases are in large part secondary to the depletion of glucose from the medium of transformed cells. Our data suggest that some of the major cellular changes induced by oncogenic viruses are due to changes in the activity of specific cellular genes.

Actins↗

Cell surface myosin in cultured fibroblasts.

The surface components of L-929 mouse fibroblast cells in monolayer culture have been labeled with 125I by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination procedure. One of the membrane proteins iodinated has been shown to be myosin as follows: it has the same electrophoretic mobility (molecular weight 200,000 daltons) as myosin heavy chain on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gels and the labeled myosin is specifically precipitated by fibroblast myosin antiserum from a preparation of purified plasma membrane that have been solubilized by treatment with 1% Triton X-100. One other 125I-labeled membranes protein (molecular weight 210, 000 daltons) is precipitated along with myosin; the latter does not combine directly with antimyosin antibody. This was determined by reacting polyacrylamide gels containing the separated membrane proteins with fibroblast myosin antiserum; myosin was the only membrane protein reacting with the antibody as determined by two separate methods. Membrane myosin is not labeled when the cells are grown in 14C-D-glucosamine or treated with galactose oxidase and potassium borotritide. Thus membrane myosin is probably not a glycoprotein.

Cell Membrane↗

D-Alanine-requiring cell wall mutant of Escherichia coli.

A mutant of Escherichia coli is described whose cells show a spherical or irregular morphology, associated with leakage of beta-galactosidase and other intracellular proteins. The expression of the morphologic abnormality is most marked when the mutant is grown in rich media and is suppressed by D-alamine, D-serine, D-glutamate, or glycine supplementation. D-Alanine is the most effective amino acid supplement, half maximally supressing this anomalous property at a concentration of 75 mug/ml, as measured by the reduction in beta-galactosidase released from the cells. The mutant is more sensitive to penicillin G, D-methionine, and D-valine and it is relatively resistant to lysozyme. These phenotypic abnormalities are likewise corrected by the above supplementations. The relative rates of peptidoglycan synthesis in mutant and parent, grown under restrictive conditions, were measured both in vivo and in vitro by rates of incorporation of L-[14-D]alanine and uridine-5'-diphosphate-N-acetyl-D-[1-15C-A1-glucosamine, respectively. There is not metabolic block in the biosynthesis of uridine-5'-diphosphate-N-acetyl-muramyl-pentapeptide as shown by enzymic analysis and the lack of accumulation of uridine-5'-diphosphate-N-acetylmuramyl-peptide precursors. These preliminary studies suggest that the mutant possesses a defect in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan although the exact lesion has not yet been established.

Alanine↗

Heterogeneity of membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli and their subfractionation with antibody to ATPase.

The energy-transducing, Mg-Ca activated ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) of E. coli is located on the inner surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. Antibody to purified ATPase has now been used to demonstrate that membrane vesicles as ordinarily prepared by the lysozyme-EDTA method consist of two distinct populations. About half the vesicles are everted, and thus readily agglutinated by antibody to ATPase, while half are right-side out. NADH oxidase (reduced NAD:O(2) oxidoreductase EC 1.6.99.3) activity is associated almost entirely with everted vesicles, while the ability to concentrate proline is a property of the right-side out vesicles. The results explain the failure of previous workers to observe the energization of membrane vesicles by oxidation of NADH.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The 503-nm pigment of Escherichia coli B: characterization and nutritional conditions affecting its accumulation.

Escherichia coli B was shown to contain a pigment with a single symmetrical absorption band at 503 nm, which cannot be attributed to a cytochrome. The absorption of tetrahydroporphyrin in vitro closely resembled that of P-503 in intact cells. The compounds which rendered P-503 colorless, such as cyanide, azide, hydrazine, thiocyanate, hydroxylamine, dithionite, sulfite, and methylcyanide, also rendered tetrahydroporphyrin colorless. The pigment was present when the cells were grown aerobically or anaerobically in glucose minimal medium, or aerobically in either lactate or succinate minimal medium, but the pigment was not found in cells grown in complex media or in minimal media supplemented with methionine. A model is presented to suggest the involvement of methionine in the conversion of coproporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin. A variety of evidence suggesting that the 503-nm chromophore is in kinetic equilibrium with flavoprotein is discussed. However, it is not a participant in main line respiration, as its rate of reduction upon exhaustion of oxygen was too slow, and the rate of respiration in resting-cell suspensions was independent of P-503 concentration.

Aerobiosis↗

An assessment of the effects of swainsonine on survival of mice injected with B16-F10 melanoma cells.

Systemic administration of swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid, inhibits the experimental metastasis of B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. This activity can be attributed primarily to swainsonine-mediated enhancement of host natural killer cell activity. As one next step towards investigating the potential therapeutic utility of this drug, its efficacy in enhancing host survival in the same B16-F10 model system has been assessed. In studies employing intravenously injected tumor cells, pretreatment of mice with swainsonine-containing drinking water provided a reproducible protective effect for the host. This prolongation of survival was substantially enhanced when swainsonine was administered in combination with either of two other immunomodulators, polyinosinic: cytidylic acid (poly-IC) or interleukin-2. In studies in which combinations of these agents were administered after intravenous injection of tumor cells, or after subcutaneous implantation, a greatly reduced effect on host survival was observed. However, when used in combination with cyclophosphamide (to block the effects of suppressor T cells), swainsonine did increase mean survival time. The implications of these results for the use of swainsonine in treatment of metastatic or localized disease, together with its potential mechanism(s) of action, are discussed.

Alkaloids↗

Differential effects of 1-deoxynojirimycin on the intracellular transport of secretory glycoproteins of human hepatoma cells in culture.

To investigate our earlier hypothesis that carbohydrates play a regulatory role in the intracellular transport of secretory glycoproteins, we used 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), and inhibitor of glucosidase I and II of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), to modify the structure of N-linked glycan moieties of secretory glycoproteins of human hepatoma (Hep G2) cells in culture. Using a pulse-chase protocol, we found that treatment of Hep G2 cultures with 1.25 mM DNJ markedly reduced the rate of secretion of alpha 1-protease inhibitor, ceruloplasmin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin, but had no effect on the export of fibronectin, alpha-fetoprotein and transferrin, nor on albumin which lacks carbohydrate. For example, 50% of newly synthesized alpha 1-protease inhibitor, the glycoprotein most dramatically affected, was secreted by 27 min in control cultures versus 110 min in DNJ-treated cultures. Percoll gradient cell fractionation analyses revealed that DNJ inhibited transport of the affected secretory glycoproteins in the RER segment of the ER/Golgi pathway. For example, 50% of newly synthesized alpha 1-protease inhibitor was lost from the RER fraction by 10 min in untreated cells, but 70 min was required for the transport of a similar amount of protein in DNJ-treated cells. DNJ treatment also inhibited the rate at which the N-linked glycan moieties of the affected glycoproteins became resistant to endo H in the Golgi. Since the glycan moiety of secreted forms of the affected glycoproteins were fully processed to the complex structure, suggesting escape from DNJ inhibition, we concluded that removal of terminal glucose residues from the glycan chain of secretory glycoproteins is required for their transport from the RER to the Golgi. We suggest that the oligosaccharide moieties on alpha 1-protease inhibitor, ceruloplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin form part of the binding site for a receptor which regulates transport of these glycoproteins.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

Functional peptide-polyurethane conjugates with extended circulatory half-lives.

Peptides containing the RGD sequence were covalently attached to an isocyanate-containing polyurethane prepolymer and the biological properties of the complexes were evaluated. For the pentapeptide H2N-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-OH (single-letter code, YRGDS), polymer conjugation lead to an increased half-life in the blood circulation of mice to > 10 h. The effect of covalent attachment of polymer on biological activity was examined in a related peptide, H2N-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Cys- OH (GRGDSPAC). Inhibition of B16-F10 melanoma cell attachment and spreading on plates coated with fibronectin by an RGD-containing peptide and polymer-conjugated GRGDSPAC was observed to occur at similar concentrations. We conclude that the conjugation of peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp motif to this polymer resolves previous problems of their rapid loss from the circulation, while still allowing retention of full biological inhibitory activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Irritable bowel syndrome. A survey of nurses' knowledge.

Nurses in a variety of clinical settings are often involved in educating and managing patients with irritable bowel syndrome, though their knowledge and perceptions of irritable bowel syndrome are not well known. A national survey was undertaken as a part of a larger study of patients and healthcare providers to determine nurses' knowledge of irritable bowel syndrome, including diagnosis, etiology, disease impact, management, beliefs, and attitudes regarding irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, the nurses' perceptions of the effect of irritable bowel syndrome on the patient's lifestyle and the severity of symptoms were compared to those of irritable bowel syndrome patients. One hundred practicing registered nurses were randomly selected and then interviewed by telephone using a questionnaire. A random-digit dialing method was used to identify and recruit 1,014 women with irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of registered nurses interviewed (75%) felt that nurses played a moderate-to-major role in counseling patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Only 13%, however, were aware of the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of nurse subjects felt the current therapies for irritable bowel syndrome had limited effectiveness varying from 6-21% depending on the symptom being treated. Almost half of the nurses felt they had an important role in management of irritable bowel syndrome and that both they and their patients needed more education about irritable bowel syndrome. There was close agreement between the nurses and the patients with regard to the impact of irritable bowel syndrome. With increased public attention on irritable bowel syndrome as a common problem affecting women, there is a need for nurses working in a variety of settings to have increased knowledge regarding the syndrome. In this article, recommendations are made regarding how to increase nurses' knowledge about this common health problem.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

"Environmental justice": the central role of research in establishing a credible scientific foundation for informed decision making.

Although much of the evidence is anecdotal and circumstantial, there are mounting concerns that environmental health risks are borne disproportionately by members of the population who are poor and nonwhite. We examine the central role of environmental health research in defining the dimensions of the problem, understanding its causes, and identifying solutions. Environmental health sciences, including epidemiology, exposure analysis. pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and surveillance monitoring, must be employed to determine the extent to which society has achieved "equity" and "justice" in safeguarding the health and safety of its citizens. By improving our ability to identify, evaluate, prevent, and/or reduce risks for all members of society, environmental health research can contribute directly to fair and equitable protection for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

Decision Making↗

Inhibition of growth of subcutaneous xenografts and metastasis of human breast carcinoma by swainsonine: modulation of tumor cell HLA class I antigens and host immune effector mechanisms.

Swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid, can decrease the organ colonization potential of metastatic murine tumor cells by augmentation of host immune effector mechanisms. In this report the above findings were extended by the demonstration that systemic administration of swainsonine strongly suppressed the growth of human breast carcinoma subcutaneous xenografts and experimentally induced lung metastases. This inhibition was not due to a direct effect of swainsonine on cell growth. However swainsonine treatment of tumor cells resulted in enhanced expression of HLA Class I antigens, and HLA class I mRNA. Swainsonine was a potent immunodulator as evidenced by the increased (a) cytotoxicity of splenocytes and macrophages, and, (b) proliferative potential of splenocytes and bone marrow cells. These data suggest that swainsonine-induced inhibition of tumor growth and metastases may be mediated via activation of host effector cells and/or alteration of tumor cell antigenicity.

Alkaloids↗

A preliminary pharmacokinetic evaluation of the antimetastatic immunomodulator swainsonine: clinical and toxic implications.

The pharmacokinetics of swainsonine (SW) was investigated in mice after intravenous administration of 3 micrograms/ml. The time course of SW blood levels followed a three-compartment open pharmacokinetic model which consisted of biphasic distribution, and a rapid elimination phase (terminal half-life, 31.6 min). After completion of the distribution, SW was widely distributed to the extravascular space (Vss, 22ml; Vd, 33ml). Free fractions of this substance were indistinguishable from unity, indicating little or no protein binding. The rate-limiting step in the elimination of SW from the body appears to be the slow return from the deep compartment into the central one. Accordingly, SW blood levels may be low and yet significant amounts of this agent may be present in different body organs and tissues. A comparison of SW tissue levels indicates that the highest amounts appeared in the bladder, kidney, and thymus, (3.8 0.5, and 2.2 nmoles/g wet wt) with the lowest levels consistently appearing in the brain (< 0.1 nmoles/g wet wt). Hence, this study suggest that: 1) SW has high affinity for the thymus, which is in part consistent with its previously published immunomodulatory action; 2) SW should be infused for at least 2 1/2 hrs for its concentration to approach a plateau (this is based on the short half-life of SW and its time to steady state); and 3) CNS toxicity may be dose-limiting and not be present at SW levels preventing metastasis.

Animals↗