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Biomedical subjects

P Berg

Publications and source records attributed to P Berg.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Selection for animal cells that express the Escherichia coli gene coding for xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Cultured monkey (TC7) and mouse (3T6) cells synthesize an Excherichia coli enzyme, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT; 5-phospho-alpha-D-ribose-1-diphosphate:xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.22), after transfection with DNA vectors carrying the corresponding bacterial gene, Ecogpt. In contrast to mammalian cells, which do not efficiently use xanthine for purine nucleotide synthesis, cells that produce E. coli XGPRT can synthesize GMP from xanthine via XMP. After transfection with vector-Ecogpt DNAs, surviving cells producing XGPRT can be selectively grown with xanthine as the sole precursor for guanine nucleotide formation in a medium containing inhibitors (aminopterin and mycophenolic acid) that block de novo purine nucleotide synthesis. Cells transformed for Ecogpt arise with a frequency of 10(-4) to 10(-5); they appear to be genetically stable in as much as there is no discernible decrease in XGPRT formation or loss on their ability to grow in selective medium after propagation in nonselective medium. Although several of the vector-gpt DNAs can replicate in monkey and mouse cells, none of the transformants contain autonomously replicating vector-gpt DNA. Rather, the gpt transformants contain one to five copies of the transfecting DNA associated with, and most probably integrated into, cellular DNA sequences. In several transformants, vector-coded gene products for which there was no selection are also synthesized. This suggests that recombinant DNAs containing Ecogpt as a selective marker can be useful for cotransformation of nonselectable genes.

Animals↗

Differential diagnosis of marital and sexual distress: a multidimensional approach.

Although recent literature has emphasized the inappropriateness of short-term sexual dysfunction therapy for couples with severe marital discord, few objective measures for successfully screening couples have previously been described. The present study utilizes an objective multidimensional measure of marital interaction and sexual functioning in a comparison of couples presenting marital disruption as their primary concern with couples having sexual distress as their chief complaint. The Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) was found to differentiate between these two treatment groups along several dimensions. Results are discussed in terms of the potential use of the MSI as a screening device in treatment decisions and in assessing the nature and extent of marital complaints.

Behavior Therapy↗

Factors governing the expression of a bacterial gene in mammalian cells.

Cultured monkey kidney cells transfected with simian virus 40 (SV40)-pBR322-derived deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vectors containing the Escherichia coli gene (Ecogpt, or gpt) coding for the enzyme xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT) synthesize the bacterial enzyme. This paper describes the structure of the messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA's) formed during the expression of gpt and an unexpected feature of the nucleotide sequence in the gpt DNA segment. Analyses of the gpt-specific mRNA's produced during infection of CV1 cells indicate that in addition to the mRNA's expected on the basis of known simian virus 40 RNA splicing patterns, there is a novel SV40-gpt hybrid mRNA. The novel mRNA contains an SV40 leader segment spliced to RNA sequences transcribed from the bacterial DNA segment. The sequence of the 5'-proximal 345 nucleotides of the gpt DNA segment indicates that the only open translation phase begins with an AUG about 200 nucleotides from the end of the gpt DNA. Two additional AUGs as well as translation terminator codons in all three phases precede the XGPRT initiator codon. Deletion of the two that are upstream of the putative start codon increases the level of XGPRT production in transfected cells; deletion of sequences that contain the proposed XGPRT initiator AUG abolishes enzyme production. Based on the location of the XGPRT coding sequence in the recombinants and the structure of the mRNA's, we infer that the bacterial enzyme can be translated from an initiator AUG that is 400 to 800 nucleotides from the 5' terminus of the mRNA and preceded by two to six AUG triplets.

Animals↗

Expression of the mouse dihydrofolate reductase complementary deoxyribonucleic acid in simian virus 40 vectors.

A mouse complementary deoxyribonucleic acid segment coding for the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase has been cloned in two general classes of vectors containing simian virus 40 deoxyribonucleic acid: (i) those that can be propagated as virions in permissive cells and (ii) those that can be introduced into and maintained stably in various mammalian cells. Both types of vectors express the mouse dihydrofolate reductase by using signals supplied by simian virus 40 deoxyribonucleic acid sequences. Moreover, plasmid vectors carrying the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid segment can complement Chinese hamster ovary cells lacking dihydrofolate reductase.

Animals↗

Construction and characterization of SV40 recombinants with beta-globin cDNA substitutions in their early regions.

A cDNA segment coding for rabbit beta-globin has been inserted at different locations in the early region of simian virus 40 (SV40). The inserted sequences in these recombinants are transcribed from the SV40 early region promoter, and the primary transcripts are processed to mature mRNAs using viral intervening sequences and the early region polyadenylation site. After infection with various recombinants, beta-globin polypeptide is synthesized only when the beta-globin translation initiation codon is the first AUG in the messenger RNA sequence. When the early region transcripts contain the beta-globin cDNA sequence 3-proximal to the small t antigen coding sequence, beta-globin synthesis is not detectable. However, these recombinants produce small t antigen and abbreviated forms of large T antigen.

Animals↗

Complications in aphakic eyes after vitreous loss.

In our 114 patients with vitreous loss during a cataract operation there were 21 cases (18.4%) which resulted in severe after-effects leading to the conclusion that vitreous loss during a cataract operation provokes a more frequent development of postoperative complications. Therefore a careful surgical procedure with exact repositioning of the vitreous-free anterior chamber, as well as regular and careful follow-up examinations are required. At our hospital we regularly carry our a three-mirror-contact lens examination after four weeks to enable us to perform a preventive treatment of the retina if necessary. In the event of incarceration of the vitreous with traction, a vitrectomy must be considered. As far as initial maculopathies are concerned we observed in a few cases a positive effect that parabulbar cortisone prevented further development of the disease. Finally, we would recommend regular IOP controls in order to recognize secondary glaucoma at an early stage.

Adolescent↗

Introduction of liposome-encapsulated SV40 DNA into cells.

DNA, isolated from Simian virus 40 (SV40), has been encapsulated in large (0.4-micrometer diameter) unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The procedure used for liposome preparation encapsulated the SV40 DNA at high efficiency (30 to 50% entrapment) and did not alter the physical or biological properties of the DNA molecules. The biological activity of the liposome-entrapped viral DNA was determined by plaque assays on a permissive monkey cell line. The infectivity of liposome-entrapped SV40 DNA was enhanced at least 100-fold over that of free naked DNA. Importantly, the infectivity of vesicle-entrapped DNA was resistant to DNase digestion, dependent on the amount of DNA encapsulated per vesicle and on the vesicle lipid composition. Liposomes composed of phosphatidylserine were the most efficient for delivery of DNA to cells (1.8 x 10(3) plaque-forming units/micrograms of DNA). Following the incubation of DNA-containing liposomes with cells, their infectivity could be enhanced an additional 10- to 200-fold by exposing the cells to high concentrations of polyethylene glycol or glycerol. Under these conditions the infectivity of liposome-encapsulated SV40 DNA (3 x 10(5) plaque-forming units/microgram) was comparable with values reported using the calcium phosphate method. In addition to providing a sensitive assay for monitoring and optimizing the delivery of vesicle contents to cells, the liposome-mediated delivery of nucleic acids may have potential for increasing the efficiency of DNA delivery to cells and for extending the number of cell types which can be transformed or transfected.

Animals↗

Expression of a bacterial gene in mammalian cells.

Transfection of cultured monkey kidney cells with recombinant DNA constructed with a cloned Escherichia coli gene that codes for xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and several different SV40 DNA-based vectors, results in the synthesis of readily measurable quantities of the bacterial enzyme. Moreover, the physiological defect in purine nucleotide synthesis characteristic of human Lesch-Nyhan cells can be overcome by the introduction of the bacterial gene into these cells.

Animals↗

The effects of scopolamine and ancillary analgesics upon the fetal heart rate recording.

Sixty-two fetal heart rate/uterine contraction recordings were examined prior to and following the administration of analgesia. Two groups, identified according to the receipt or absence of scopolamine, were evaluated concerning modification of baseline variability, beat-to-beat variability and fetal heart rate deceleration patterns. Scopolamine was found to be capable of eliciting fetal tachycardia, decreased beat-to-beat and baseline variability and decreased fetal heart rate decelerations. The mean one-minute Apgar scores for the two groups did not differ from each other nor from that of a control group that had not received any analgesia during labor.

Female↗

Synthesis of rabbit beta-globin in cultured monkey kidney cells following infection with a SV40 beta-globin recombinant genome.

Rabbit beta-globin complementary DNA (cDNA) has been inserted into SV40 DNA in place of the gene coding for the virus' major capsid protein, VP1. The recombinant genome, SVGT5-RabetaG, multiplies efficiently in CV1 monkey kidney cell cultures and is transcribed to yield cytoplasmic, polyadenylated hybrid mRNAs containing the beta-globin coding sequence. Cells propagating SVGT5-RabetaG produce substantial quantities of rabbit beta-globin polypeptide.

Animals↗

Mutational alterations within the simian virus 40 leader segment generate altered 16S and 19S mRNA's.

We have analyzed the structure of the late cytoplasmic RNAs made after infection with wild-type simian virus 40 and a set of viable mutants, four of which have deletions and one an insertion within the nucleotide sequence specifying the leader segment of the 16S and 19S mRNA's. The principal findings are: (i) simian virus 40 16S and 19S mRNA's made during infections with wild-type virnds and possibly in the nucleotide sequence comprising the "leader" segments. (II) "Spliced" 16S and 19S mRNA's are made during infections with each of the mutants although, in some cases, the ratio of 19S to 16S mRNA species is reduced. (iii) The deletion or insertion of nucleotides within the DNA segment defined by map position 0.70 to 0.75 causes striking alterations in the types of leader structures in the late mRNAs. (iv) Many of the late RNA leader segments produced after infection with the mutants appear to be multiply spliced, i.e., instead of the major 200- to 205-nucleotide-long leader segment present in wild-type 16S mRNA, the RNAs produced by several of the deletion mutants have leaders with whort discontiguous segments.

DNA, Viral↗

Nucleotide sequence analysis of two simian virus 40 mutants with deletions in the late region of the genome.

Two mutants of simian virus 40, dl-1261 and dl-1262, have deletions that map between coordinated 0.90 and 0.95 (Cole et al., J. Virol 24:277--294, 1977). Both affect the structure of the two minor proteins VP2 and VP3. The precise location and size of the deletions have now been determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. Mutant dl-1261 is deleted of 54 base pairs, is temperature sensitive for the protein defined by the D complementation group, and promotes the synthesis of shorter VP2 and VP3 polypeptides. Mutant dl-1262 is viable irrespective of temperature and has a deletion of 36 base pairs, 23 of which overlap the deletion in dl-1261. Since these mutants produce normal VP1, the deleted regions probably have no function in the splicing of precursor RNA to the VP1 mRNA.

Base Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence deletions within the coding region for small-t antigen of simian virus 40.

Simian virus 40 early mutants with deletions mapping in the 0.53-0.60 region have been sequenced by the Maxam and Gilbert approach. All these deletions effect the small-t gene. The size of the shortened small-t-related polypeptides produced by several of the mutants has been compared with the molecular weight as deduced from the nucleotide sequence. There was good agreement for the mutants dl890, dl891, and dl2102. For dl2121 and dl2122 the small-t-related protein was considerably larger than expected. It is possible to explain this result on the basis of the nucleotide sequence: the normal splicing event of the small-t mRNA still occurs, but as the deletion shifts the reading frame, translation of the small-t-related polypeptide continues beyond the small-t splice, but in a different reading frame than large-T. Mutants dl883, dl884, and dl2112 have lost one of the small-t splicing boundaries, and no (or minute amonts of) small-t-related protein has been observed in mutant-infected cells. The possible relationship between splicing and transport of polyadenylic acid-containing mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in vertebrae cells is discussed.

Antigens, Viral↗

Simian virus 40 mutants with deletions at the 3' end of the early region are defective in adenovirus helper function.

Coinfection of monkey cells with simian virus 40 (SV40) and adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) increased the Ad2 yield 1,000-fold over that obtained by Ad2 infection alone of monkey cells (A. S. Rabson, G. T. O'Conor, I. K. Berezesky, and F. J. Paul, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 116:187-190, 1964). The ability of viable mutants of SV40 that contain deletions at various sites in the viral DNA to enhance Ad2 growth in monkey cells was examined. Only those mutants with deletions near the 3' end of the early region were deficient in providing this helper function. Mutants dl1265, lacking 39 base pairs at map position 0.18, and dl1263, lacking 33 base pairs at map position 0.20 (H. van Heuverswyn, C. Cole, P. Berg, and W. Fiers, J. Virol. 30:936-941, 1979), were approximately 4 and 30% as effective as wild-type SV40, respectively. The extent of enhancement of Ad2 yield depended on the multiplicity of infection by SV40, but not by Ad2 (at a multiplicity of infection of </=50), as well as on the relative times of infection by Ad2 and SV40. Increasing the SV40 multiplicity of infection or infecting cells with SV40 wild type or mutants prior to Ad2 infection increased the Ad2 yield dramatically. The T antigens of wild-type SV40, dl1263, and dl1265 were examined. We attempt to correlate defects in helper function, alterations in the T antigen structure, and the DNA sequence of the mutants as determined by van Heuverswyn et al. (J. Virol. 30:936-941, 1979).

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Nucleotide sequence analysis of two simian virus 40 mutants with deletions in the region coding for the carboxyl terminus of the T antigen.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of two simian virus 40 early mutants dl1263 and dl1265, which lack a DNA segment around map positions 0.21 and 0.18, respectively (C. Cole, T. Landers, S. Goff, S. MAnteuil-Brutlag, and P. Berg, J. Virol. 24:277--294, 1977), revealed in-phase deletions of 33 nucleotide pairs for dl1263 and 39 nucleotide paris for dl1265. The 33-base-pair deletion in dl1263 does not correspond to an apparent shortening by 6,000 daltons observed for the mutant T antigen. In dl1265 the normal termination signal as well as most of the proline-rich terminal tryptic peptide has been removed, and the carboxyl terminus of the mutant T antigen is a series of three cysteine residues.

Antigens, Viral↗