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Biomedical subjects

M B Davis

Publications and source records attributed to M B Davis.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effects of aspirin on pathways of ion permeation in Necturus antrum: role of nutrient HCO3.

Intracellular microelectrodes were used to evaluate electrical properties of the cell membranes in Necturus antral mucosa during exposure to luminal acid alone (pH 4) or to 5 mmol/L aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)] in the presence of luminal acid. When nutrient solutions were buffered by HCO3- (pH 7.3), ASA moderately depolarized and increased the resistances of both cell membranes. When nutrient solutions were buffered by HEPES (pH 7.3), ASA induced even greater depolarizations of the cell membranes. In addition, resistance of the apical membrane did not increase and resistance of the basolateral membrane decreased. The changes in basolateral membrane resistance were observed when tissues were exposed to 5 mmol/L salicylate but not during exposure to luminal acid alone or to acidified luminal solutions containing 5 mmol/L acetate, a small and permeable organic acid. Electron microscopy confirmed that these initial electrophysiological changes precede alterations in cell morphology. The findings suggest that nutrient HCO3- attenuates changes in membrane potentials caused by ASA. Loss of nutrient HCO3- seems to accelerate alterations in basolateral membrane resistance caused by ASA and its salicylate moiety.

Acetates↗

Evidence against an X-linked locus close to DXS7 determining visual loss susceptibility in British and Italian families with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is associated with mutations of mtDNA, but two features of LHON pedigrees are not explicable solely on the basis of mitochondrial inheritance. There is a large excess of affected males, and not all males at risk develop the disease. These observations could be explained by the existence of an X-linked visual loss susceptibility gene. This hypothesis was supported by linkage studies in Finland, placing the susceptibility locus at DXS7, with a maximum lod score of 2.48 at a recombination fraction of 0. Linkage studies in 1 Italian and 12 British families with LHON, analyzed either together or separately depending on the associated mtDNA mutation, have excluded the presence of such a locus from an interval of about 30 cM around DXS7 in these kindreds, with a total lod score of -26.51 at a recombination fraction of 0.

Base Sequence↗

Prenatal diagnosis of mitochondrial DNA8993 T----G disease.

We have previously described a family with a neurological syndrome comprising neurogenic muscle weakness, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa, and variable sensory neuropathy, seizures, and mental retardation or dementia. This is associated with a heteroplasmic point mutation of mtDNA at bp 8993. The mother of a severely affected child underwent prenatal diagnosis in two further pregnancies. Analysis of chorionic villus samples showed a higher proportion of mutant mtDNA on both occasions, and this was reflected in the majority of fetal tissues, including brain and muscle. Prenatal diagnosis is a rational approach to the prevention of severe diseases caused by point mutations of mtDNA but is currently hampered by incomplete knowledge concerning the proportion of mutant mtDNA: its relationship to disease severity, how it may change during fetal and postnatal development, and its tissue distribution.

Child, Preschool↗

Irish (Donegal) amyloidosis is associated with the transthyretinALA60 (Appalachian) variant.

A cluster of cases of late onset amyloidosis, presenting chiefly with peripheral neuropathy and cardiac failure, has been described in Donegal, north-west Ireland. Molecular genetic and protein analyses show that two new patients from the same region have a mutation in the transthyretin gene previously reported in a family with an Irish ancestor from the Appalachian region of the United States.

Aged↗

Linkage analysis in adenomatous polyposis coli: the use of four closely linked DNA probes in 20 UK families.

Linkage analysis was carried out on 20 unselected UK families segregating for adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) using four closely linked DNA probes. Significant lod scores were obtained between APC and three markers: pi 227 (D5S37) theta = 0.16; C11p11 (D5S71) theta = 0.10; and YN5.48 (D5S81) theta = 0.00. The fourth, ECB27 (D5S98), gave low lod scores. The APC gene showed linkage with at least one of the probes used in all families, which is in agreement with previous publications. Combined lod scores are now sufficiently high to allow the use of these probes in presymptomatic diagnosis. Despite the fact that 61% of persons at risk were informative for at least one DNA marker, only 15% were informative with flanking probes. One prenatal diagnosis was performed where the initial request had been for sterilisation.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Presymptomatic detection or exclusion of prion protein gene defects in families with inherited prion diseases.

The identification of defects in the prion protein (PrP) gene in families with inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome allows presymptomatic diagnosis or exclusion of these disorders in subjects at risk. After counseling, PrP gene analysis was performed in three such individuals: two from families with a 144-bp insert and one with a point mutation at codon 102 in the PrP gene. The presence of a PrP gene defect was confirmed in one and excluded in two. Despite the potential problems of using PrP gene analysis in genetic prediction - specifically, uncertainty about penetrance and, generally, problems of presymptomatic testing in any inherited late-onset neurodegenerative disorder - we conclude that it has a role to play in improved genetic counseling for families with inherited prion diseases.

Adult↗

A genetic analysis of the alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase locus in Drosophila melanogaster.

The gene for alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase, the nuclear encoded mitochondrial enzyme of the alpha-glycerophosphate cycle (alpha GP); has been mapped in Drosophila melanogaster. Several interstitial deficiencies in region 50c-53AB of chromosome 2R were used to localize the structural gene to 52D2-5. In addition, mutations of alpha GPO were generated; alpha GPO mutants are viable yet flightless. Interactions of alpha GPO with alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha GPDH), the cytoplasmic enzyme of the alpha GP cycle, were investigated through the synthesis of a series of alpha GPDHnull-alpha GPOnull double mutants. Of the six double null mutants constructed, four alpha GPDH-alpha GPO double nulls are viable and flightless. Two double mutants, however, exhibit an allelic-dependent synthetic lethal phenotype.

Aneuploidy↗

Regional assignment of the gene coding for human sucrase-isomaltase (SI) to chromosome 3q25-26.

The gene coding for sucrase-isomaltase (SI) has recently been mapped to chromosome 3 using a cDNA probe to analyse DNA from somatic cell hybrids (Green et al. 1987). We have now used this same cDNA probe to obtain a regional localization of this gene. In situ hybridization to normal metaphase chromosomes and to chromosomes from individuals with balanced translocations suggests a regional assignment to chromosome 3q25-26.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Spontaneous and induced chromosome damage in lymphocytes of medullary thyroid carcinoma patients and their family members.

Detailed chromosome analysis failed to reveal any evidence for spontaneous chromosome instability in lymphocytes from patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN-2), whereas, with one exception, lymphocytes from MEN-2 patients were significantly more sensitive to chromosome damage by bleomycin and, to a lesser extent, MNNG than those from controls. The exceptional case suggests possible genetic heterogeneity in MEN-2.

Adult↗

Regional localization of carbonic anhydrase genes CA1 and CA3 on human chromosome 8.

The human carbonic anhydrase isozymes represent a family of homologous proteins which are important in respiratory function, fluid secretion, and maintenance of cellular acid-base homeostasis. Using somatic cell genetic techniques we have mapped two of the CA genes (CA1 and CA3) to human chromosome 8. In situ hybridization data demonstrates that both CA1 and CA3 map to the same region (q13-q22) of chromosome 8.

Animals↗

On the histochemical characterization and distribution of fast and slow muscle fibers in certain avian skeletal muscles.

Histochemical techniques based upon the pH sensitivity of myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase are used to differentiate avian skeletal muscle fibers as either fast or slow. Pars thoracica m. pectoralis (PM) of several avian species, Pars cranialis m. latissimi dorsi (LDCR) of the Japanese quail, and M. tensor propatagialis (TP) of the domestic pigeon are examined. Fast fibers predominate in the PM, and slow fibers in the LDCR. The TP shows marked internal variation in the distribution of muscle fibers. The occurrence of fast and slow muscle fibers, both intra- and inter-muscularly, is correlated with their functional adaptations.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The gene for human alpha-lactalbumin is assigned to chromosome 12q13.

A cDNA clone complementary to the mRNA encoding human alpha-lactalbumin (ALA) has been used as a probe in the analysis of DNA from panels of rodent/human somatic cell hybrids. The presence of the ALA gene correlates with the presence of chromosome 12. In situ hybridization localizes the ALA gene to 12q13.

Animals↗

Localization of PEPD to the long arm of chromosome 19.

A panel of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids containing different regions of chromosome 19 has been used to obtain a regional localization for peptidase D. The results assign PEPD to the long arm of chromosome 19, in the region cen-q13.2

Animals↗

Regional localization of a human cytochrome P-450 (CYP1) to chromosome 19q13.1-13.3.

A phenobarbitone inducible cytochrome P-450 gene family (CYP1) has recently been localized to chromosome 19q13.1-qter. We have used a human liver cDNA probe in in situ hybridization experiments to metaphase chromosomes from two balanced translocation carriers, 46,XX,t(11;19) (q13;q13.1) and 46,XX,t(7;19) (q31.3;q13.3) to obtain a more precise localization. The results suggest a regional assignment for CYP1 to chromosome 19q13.1-13.3.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Familial polyposis coli: growth characteristics of karyotypically variable cultured fibroblasts, response to epidermal growth factor and the tumour promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate.

Growth in low serum and cell saturation density was investigated in 20 skin fibroblast cultures from 17 patients with the autosomal dominant cancer prone condition, familial polyposis coli (FPC). Compared with non-fetal control cultures, the grouped FPC cultures showed significantly better growth in low serum and approximately 30% increase in saturation density. Neither of these properties was correlated with high tetraploidy or clonal rearrangement of the chromosomes. No difference in response to epidermal growth factor was demonstrable between cultures from normal and affected subjects. The tumour promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), had no differential effect on growth in high and low density cultures of FPC and normal cells in short term experiments; both cell types displayed a biphasic response to the agent at low cell density. However, in long term experiments FPC skin cultures showed growth stimulation and greater resistance to the toxic effects of TPA than normal cells. Cells from both fetal and non-fetal controls as well as from FPC subjects displayed anchorage independent growth after treatment with TPA, but in general FPC cultures from skin and colon responded to a greater extent than non-fetal controls. Marked change in tetraploidy after treatment was evident only in those FPC and control cultures which were highly chromosomally abnormal. Both groups showed a slight increase in stable and unstable chromosome rearrangements with treatment but one FPC culture became totally chromosomally abnormal and cloned in agar with high efficiency, as did one of the treated fetal controls which, however, had normal chromosomes.

Cell Adhesion↗

A cytochrome P-450 gene family mapped to human chromosome 19.

We have recently isolated a cloned cDNA coding for a cytochrome P-450 of human liver microsomal membranes, which corresponds to a major phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 of rat liver. This human cytochrome P-450 is encoded by a member of a multigene family. DNA extracted from a panel of 12 independent human-rodent somatic cell hybrids was analysed by Southern blot hybridization with the cloned cDNA. The results indicate that all components of this cytochrome P-450 gene family are located on chromosome 19. Evidence from hybrids derived from an individual carrying a balanced translocation suggests a regional localization of 19p13.2----qter. Analysis of human metaphase chromosomes by in situ hybridization localizes this cytochrome P-450 gene family further to the long arm of chromosome 19 in the region q13.1----qter. We propose the designation P450PB for this locus.

Animals↗