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Biomedical subjects

P Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to P Taylor.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Cardiovascular and behavioral responses to nicotinic agents administered intrathecally.

We have examined the role of the spinal nicotinic receptors in mediating cardiovascular and behavioral responses in conscious rats. Intrathecal administration of nicotinic agonists to the lumbosacral region of the spinal cord caused a dose-dependent increase in systolic blood pressure, heart rate and a nociceptive (behavioral) response. The order of potencies for the pressor response was l-nicotine > or = cytisine > N-methylcarbamylcholine > or = dimethylphenylpiperazinium > d-nicotine. However, cytisine was the most potent in producing the heart rate increase and nociceptive response. Unlike the other agonists, cytisine also exhibited marked desensitization of the three responses upon repeated administration. The effects of nicotine were antagonized in a dose-dependent fashion by mecamylamine, hexamethonium, alpha-lobeline, dihydro-beta-erythroidine and methyllycaconitine. By contrast, cytisine-induced responses were blocked effectively by mecamylamine and methyllycaconitine, but not by alpha-lobeline or dihydro-beta-erythroidine. However, when alpha-lobeline or dihydro-beta-erythroidine antagonism of the pressor response to cytisine was monitored during the initial minute following intrathecal administration, both antagonists significantly inhibited the response. The competitive ganglionic blocker, trimethaphan, or the elapid alpha-toxin, alpha-bungarotoxin, when administered intrathecally, had no effect on nicotine- or cytisine-elicited responses. The cardiovascular responses to intrathecal nicotine and cytisine have two components. The first is likely mediated through direct sympathetic output and desensitizes rapidly to cytisine, the second is coupled indirectly to the nociceptive response and shows a diminished capacity for rapid desensitization. Agonist and antagonist specificities indicate that the spinal nicotinic receptor differs from those in ganglia and those characterized in brain to date. Although antagonist specificity of the blockade of nicotine and cytisine elicited responses differ, this may be due to the unique desensitization capacity of cytisine rather than an action mediated by distinct receptor subtypes.

Aconitine↗

Ligand specificity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat spinal cord: studies with nicotine and cytisine.

Administration of nicotinic agonists to the spinal cord leads to a variety of cardiovascular and behavioral responses. The discrete localization of afferent and efferent fibers presents a system in which occupation of nicotinic receptor subtypes might be correlated with specific pharmacologic responses. To this end, we examined [3H]cytisine and [3H]nicotine binding to membranes isolated from regions of the rat spinal cord. [3H]Cytisine showed saturable, noncooperative (nH congruent to 1) binding to a single-class of sites with a Kd of 0.44 +/- 0.01 nM and total saturable sites of 19.9 +/- 0.9 fmol/mg of protein. [3H]Cytisine binding to membranes from intermediolateral cell column and dorsal and ventral sections of the lumbosacral regions each revealed a single class of binding sites with virtually identical Kd values. However, the dorsal sections of the lumbar spinal cord contained a higher number of total binding sites than ventral lumbar or intermediolateral sections. The rank order potencies of the nicotinic agonists competing for [3H]cytisine binding was cytisine > I-nicotine > N-methylcarbamylcholine > dimethylphenylpiperazinium > acetylcholine > d-nicotine > carbamylcholine. Competitive antagonists also competed with high affinities (Ki as low as nanomolar) with the order of potencies being alpha-lobeline > or = dihydro-beta-erythroidine >> methyllycaconitine, whereas the channel blockers, mecamylamine and hexamethonium, only competed at concentrations > or = 100 microM. Competitive ganglionic blockers such as d-tubocurarine or trimethaphan and neurotoxins such as alpha-bungarotoxin, alpha-cobratoxin or neuronal bungarotoxin had weak affinities for cytisine sites. Similar to [3H]cytisine, [3H]nicotine also revealed a saturable single class of binding sites, but of lower affinity. The rank order of Ki values of the agonists, antagonists and neurotoxins for competing with [3H]nicotine binding was similar to the order for [3H]cytisine. Nicotinic receptors in the spinal cord membrane show a specificity for both agonists and antagonists that differ from neuronal receptors in the ganglia or the regions of the brain characterized to date. These findings, when correlated with the pharmacological responses documented in the comparison article suggests that the spinal nicotinic receptors may define a new member of the neuronal nicotinic receptor family.

Alkaloids↗

The role of glutamate-199 in the aging of cholinesterase.

Aging of organophosphate-conjugated acetylcholinesterase results from the loss of an alkoxy group with concomitant stabilization of the conjugate to spontaneous or nucleophile-induced deacylation. We have examined the kinetics of aging in a pinacolylmethylphosphonofluoridate (soman)-inhibited mutant enzyme in which the glutamate (E199) located at the amino-terminal to the active-site serine (S200) was converted to glutamine (Q). For wild type enzyme, the soman-acetylcholinesterase conjugate aged immediately, giving rise to a form of enzyme resistant to reactivation by oximes. In contrast, the E199Q mutant enzyme was largely resistant to aging and could be reactivated by oximes. Since the pH dependence for aging was not altered appreciably, the primary influence of the loss of charge appears to be on the intrinsic rate of aging. The negative charge on E199 likely imparts an inductive effect on the conjugated organophosphate to facilitate removal of the alkoxy group.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Three distinct domains in the cholinesterase molecule confer selectivity for acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.

By examining inhibitor interactions with single and multiple site-specific mutants of mouse acetylcholinesterase, we have identified three distinct domains in the cholinesterase structure that are responsible for conferring selectivity for acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. The first domain is the most obvious; it defines the constraints on the acyl pocket dimensions where the side chains of F295 and F297 primarily outline this region in acetylcholinesterase. Replacement of these phenylalanine side chains with the aliphatic residues found in butyrylcholinesterase allows for the catalysis of larger substrates and accommodates butyrylcholinesterase-selective alkyl phosphates such as isoOMPA. Also, elements of substrate activation characteristic of butyrylcholinesterase are evident in the F297I mutant. Substitution of tyrosines for F295 and F297 further alters the catalytic constants. The second domain is found near the lip of the active center gorge defined by two tyrosines, Y72 and Y124, and by W286; this region appears to be critical for the selectivity of bisquaternary inhibitors, such as BW284C51. The third domain defines the site of choline binding. Herein, in addition to conserved E202 and W86, a critical tyrosine, Y337, found only in the acetylcholinesterases is responsible for sterically occluding the binding site for substituted tricyclic inhibitors such as ethopropazine. Analysis of a series of substituted acridines and phenothiazines defines the groups on the ligand and amino acid side chains in this site governing binding selectivity. Each of the three domains is defined by a cluster of aromatic residues. The two domains stabilizing the quaternary ammonium moieties each contain a negative charge, which contributes to the stabilization energy of the respective complexes.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in screen-detected breast carcinoma: an immunohistological study.

This study was aimed at comparing screen-detected and symptomatic breast carcinomas with regard to the prevalence of positive immunostaining for c-erb-B-2 oncoprotein. Paraffin sections of 81 breast carcinomas detected through the National Screening Programme were examined for the over-expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein using the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique and 2 different specific antibodies: 21N and 4D5. Twenty-one other carcinomas detected in symptomatic patients were similarly examined for comparison. The screen-detected lesions were of 2 types: palpable and impalpable which required needle localization prior to surgical removal. Of the 81 screen-detected tumours, only 8 were c-erbB-2 positive, compared with 5 out of 21 non-screen-detected tumours. When only invasive carcinomas were considered, 5 out of 63 screen-detected cases were positive, compared with 5 out of 15 symptomatic cases. Four out of the 5 screen-detected positive invasive carcinomas were clinically palpable. Our results show an obvious trend towards a lower prevalence of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein over-expression in screen-detected carcinomas. As this over-expression is thought to be associated with increased tumour aggressiveness, the findings suggest a low prevalence of aggressive tumours in screen-detected lesions, particularly impalpable invasive carcinomas, identified so far.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Validation of 1989 Tennessee birth certificates using maternal and newborn hospital records.

In 1989, the state of Tennessee adopted a new birth certificate which incorporates changes recommended by the National Center for Health Statistics in the revised US Standard Certificate of Live Birth. The data now being collected are intended to provide improved information for understanding maternal and infant health issues. To assess data quality, the authors compared information reported on the 1989 Tennessee birth certificates with the same data obtained from an ongoing case-control study in which the delivery hospital medical records of mothers and infants were reviewed by trained nurse abstractors using a structured data collection instrument. Cases (n = 1,016) were all infants born in Tennessee in 1989 with birth weights less than 1,500 g or other infants who died during the first 28 days of life. The infants were identified from linked birth-death certificate files. Control infants (n = 634) were randomly selected from the noncase population. The most reliable information obtained from birth certificates was descriptive demographic data and birth weight. The quality of information obtained from the new birth certificate checkboxes varied. Routine medical procedures were better reported on the birth certificates than relatively uncommon conditions and occurrences, even serious ones. Caution is needed in using birth certificate data for assessment of maternal medical risk factors, complications of labor and delivery, abnormal conditions of the newborn, and congenital anomalies, since sensitivity is low.

Birth Certificates↗

Tissue-specific expression and alternative mRNA processing of the mammalian acetylcholinesterase gene.

This study examines the tissue specificity and the gene products arising from alternative mRNA processing of the mammalian acetylcholinesterase gene. By splicing either alternative exons 5 or 6 in the mouse and human genes directly to the invariant exons (exons 2, 3, and 4), we show that the acetylcholinesterase species expressed by transfected recombinant DNA have the properties expected for the respective enzyme forms found in tissue. Antisense mRNA derived from these cDNAs has been employed to examine differential splicing in various tissues. In most cells, the hydrophilic form of AChE encoded by the exon 4 to exon 6 splice to form the mRNA is the predominant species. However, splicing of exon 4 to exon 5, yielding a mRNA encoding the glycophospholipid-linked form of acetylcholinesterase, is seen primarily in erythroid and to a lesser extent in AtT-20 cells. Only small amounts of this mRNA species appear in some other cells in culture. A novel third mRNA species, which arises from an extension of exon 4 without splicing to a downstream exon, is seen in mouse erythroid but not in human erythroid cells. A cDNA encoding this species when expressed in COS cells gives rise to a unique hydrophilic, secreted form of acetylcholinesterase. Transfection of a human genomic clone into mouse erythroleukemia cells does not result in the appearance of a mRNA species with an extension of exon 4 as seen with the endogenous mouse gene. Hence, differential splicing between the mouse and human genes appears intrinsic to the coding sequence and is not dependent solely on specific factors in the mouse erythroleukemia cell.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Promoter elements and transcriptional control of the mouse acetylcholinesterase gene.

The 5'-untranslated region of the mouse acetylcholinesterase gene has been characterized structurally by RNase protection, primer extension, and sequencing. Evidence has been obtained for the use of two alternative promoters in brain. Tissue-specific splicing to alternative acceptor sites in the 5'-untranslated exons occurs in brain, muscle, and erythropoietic cells. cis elements 5' of the cap site that is predominantly used in these tissues and cells have been analyzed by deletion analysis of promoter-reporter gene constructs and by site-specific mutagenesis. The cap site is found 107 base pairs (bp) 5' of the translation start site. This region is devoid of CAAT or TATA sequences; further in the 5' direction 50 and 70 bp are tandem Egr-1 sites. The putative promoter has been coupled to the open reading frame of a luciferase reporter gene. Deletion analysis shows that this region largely accounts for tissue-specific transcription seen upon transfection of neuronal and muscle cells. Mutagenesis of the Egr-1 sites results in a marked loss of reporter gene activity, further substantiating the importance of this region in the control of transcription. cis elements in the promoter differ from those found for the genes encoding the various subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and distinct differences in control of transcription are evident when the respective reporter genes are transfected into C2 muscle cells.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Amino acid residues controlling acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase specificity.

Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase have 51-54% sequence identity in mammalian species; they exhibit distinct substrate and inhibitor specificities. The crystal structure of acetylcholinesterase enables one to predict folding of related esterases as well as assign residues responsible for differences in substrate specificity. These predictions were tested by expression of esterase chimeras and site-specific mutants using mouse acetylcholinesterase as a template. Chimeras of acetylcholinesterase in which the amino-terminal 174 and the carboxyl-terminal 88 amino acids have been converted to the butyrylcholinesterase sequences still exhibit acetyl-like substrate specificity. Four nonconserved amino acids which are within the central sequence and appear to surround the acyl pocket, F295, R296, F297, and V300, have been mutated alone and in combination to the corresponding residues found in butyrylcholinesterase, L286, S287, I288, and G291. The V300 and R296 mutants slightly enhance butyrylthiocholine hydrolysis while the F295 and F297 mutants, alone and in combination, confer butyrylcholinesterase character by enhancing activity to butyrylthiocholine, and diminishing activity to acetylthiocholine. The F297 mutation eliminates substrate inhibition. F295 and F297 may form a clamp around the acetoxy methyl group. They have distinctive roles in affecting catalysis of the two acylcholines and precisely control acyl ester specificity. Comparison of the susceptibilities of the chimeras and site-specific mutants to cholinesterase-specific inhibitors isoOMPA, ethopropazine, and BW284c51 suggests that inhibitor selectivity for isoOMPA is attributable to residues limiting the size of the acyl pocket, while residues in the amino-terminal domain presumably near the lip of the gorge affect BW284c51 selectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Structure and regulation of expression of the acetylcholinesterase gene.

Acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential for the termination of the action of acetylcholine, is encoded by a single gene. Alternative mRNA processing gives rise to the expression of enzyme forms with three distinct carboxyl-termini. These structural differences govern the cellular disposition of the expressed enzyme but do not influence catalytic activity. Alternative polyadenylation signals give rise to distinct 3' non-coding regions which are likely to affect mRNA stability. Alternative splicing also occurs at the 5' end of the gene where two promoter regions can be identified. Hence, regulation of expression of the gene occurs at 3 levels, transcriptional through alternative promoters, translational by affecting mRNA stability and processing of distinct mRNAs and post-translationally by giving rise to distinct peptide chains which are processed differently. Recombinant DNA studies have also been extended to modifying protein structure through site-specific mutagenesis and studying the function of the mutant enzymes.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

A multidisciplinary investigation of a cluster of deaths on a paediatric intensive care unit.

During late December 1989 and early January 1990, a cluster of six unexplained deaths occurred on a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) among children with congenital heart disease who had undergone cardiac surgical procedures. The children were all aged three years or less. In each case death was preceded by an unexpected increase in ventilatory pressure requirement followed by the development of a similar pulmonary shadowing on chest radiography. The radiological abnormality was felt to be consistent with a pneumonitis associated with some small airway disease. The clustering of these deaths, occurring in a similar unusual manner, was felt to constitute an outbreak warranting investigation. An Incident Committee was established to plan and manage a large multidisciplinary investigation during which the unit was temporarily closed. Following extensive investigation no bacterium, virus, fungus or other pathogen, toxic agent, or any other explanation for the cluster of deaths could be found. The possibility that the cluster occurred by chance remains although this was felt to be unlikely.

Cause of Death↗

Control of acetylcholinesterase gene expression during myogenesis.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor show enhanced expression upon differentiation of C2-C12 myoblasts into myotubes. Northern blots and RNAase protection show substantial increases in the mRNAs encoding both proteins. In contrast to transcriptional control of gene expression of acetylcholine receptor subunits during differentiation, Ache mRNA levels increase through stabilization of the transcript. The transcriptional rate remains unchanged during Ache mRNA accumulation, whereas transcription rate increase for the receptor subunits. Inhibition of protein synthesis produces a dramatic superinduction of Ache mRNA in undifferentiated cells without affecting transcription rates, suggesting the presence of labile proteins that uniquely destabilize the mRNA. Hence, Ache mRNA in myoblasts shows rapid turnover, and upon differentiation, its level is increased by slowing the rate of mRNA degradation.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Congenital endplate acetylcholinesterase deficiency.

Endplate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) consists of globular catalytic subunits attached to the basal lamina by a collagen-like tail. Different genes encode the catalytic subunit and the tail portion of the enzyme. Endplate AChE deficiency was reported previously in a single case (Engel et al., 1977, patient 1). We describe here our observations in four additional patients (patients 2-5). Three cases were sporadic; patients 2 and 3 were sisters. All had generalized weakness increased by exertion but ophthalmoparesis was not a constant feature. All had mild slowing of the pupillary light reflex; other dysautonomic features were absent. None benefited from anticholinesterase therapy. All patients had a decremental electromyogram response; in four of the five patients, single nerve stimuli evoked a repetitive response. Miniature endplate potential amplitude was reduced in patient 5 only. Endplate amplitudes and currents were prolonged but the open-time of the acetylcholine receptor ion channel was normal. In patients 1-4 the quantal content of the endplate potential was reduced due to a reduced number of readily releasable quanta. Quantitative electron microscopy revealed abnormally small nerve terminals, abnormal encasement of the presynaptic membrane by Schwann cells and degeneration of junctional folds and of organelles in the junctional sarcoplasm. Acetylcholinesterase was absent from all endplates of all patients by cytochemical and immunocytochemical criteria. Density gradient ultracentrifugation of muscle extracts from patients 1, 3, 4 and 5 revealed an absence of the collagen-tailed form of the enzyme in patients 1, 3 and 4 but not in patient 5. The kinetic properties of the residual AChE in muscle were normal. Erythrocyte AChE activity and Km values, determined in three patients, were also normal. Studies of the catalytic subunit gene of AChE in patients 2 and 3 revealed no abnormality in those exons that encode the domain to which the tail subunit binds. In patients 1-4 the molecular defect is likely to reside in the gene encoding the tail subunit of AChE, or in a protein necessary to assemble the catalytic and tail subunits. In patient 5, the absence of AChE from the endplate may be due to a faulty tail subunit, a defect in the basal lamina site that binds the tail subunit or failure of transport of the assembled asymmetric enzyme from the cell interior to the basal lamina. The cause of the weakness in these patients is not fully understood but possible mechanisms are discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Epitope mapping of form-specific and nonspecific antibodies to acetylcholinesterase.

We have mapped the epitopes to which two monoclonal antibodies against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Torpedo californica are directed. One antibody, 2C9, has equivalent affinity for both the 5.6S (amphiphilic) and 11S (hydrophilic) enzyme forms; the other, 4E7, recognizes only the amphiphilic form and has been shown previously to require an N-linked oligosaccharide residue on the protein. Isolation of cyanogen bromide peptides from the amphiphilic form and assay by a competition ELISA for 2C9 and by a direct binding ELISA for 4E7 identified the same peptide, residues 44-82, as containing epitopes against both antibodies. The epitope for 4E7 includes the oligosaccharide conjugated to Asp59, an N-linked glycosylation site not present in mouse AChE. A 20-amino-acid synthetic peptide, RFRRPEPKKPWSGVWNASTY, representing residues 44-63, was synthesized and found to inhibit completely 2C9 binding to 5.6S enzyme at molar concentrations comparable to those of the cyanogen bromide peptide. It was unreactive with 4E7. Fractionation of the synthetic peptide further localized the 2C9 epitope. Peptides RFRRPEPKKPW and KPWSGVWNASTY both reacted but less so than the entire synthetic peptide at equivalent molar concentrations, whereas the peptide RPEPKKPWSGVWNASTY was as effective as the larger synthetic peptide. The crystal structure of AChE shows the peptide to be on the surface of the molecule as part of a convex hairpin loop starting before the first alpha-helix.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Acting on delusions. II: The phenomenological correlates of acting on delusions.

The aim of the study was to identify the phenomenological characteristics of those delusions which are associated with action. The sample consisted of 79 patients admitted to a general psychiatric ward, each of whom described at least one delusional belief. The variables studied included the phenomenology of the delusions, and behaviour. Two behavioural ratings were used, one derived from the subjects' own description of their behaviour and the other from information provided by informants. There was no association between delusional phenomenology and acting on a delusion when the subjects' behaviour was described by informants. When action was described by the subjects themselves, acting was associated with: being aware of evidence which supported the belief and with having actively sought out such evidence; a tendency to reduce the conviction with which a belief was held when that belief was challenged; and with feeling sad, frightened or anxious as a consequence of the delusion.

Acting Out↗

Retroviral-mediated transfer of the murine interleukin-3 gene engineered for intracellular retention results in a myeloproliferative syndrome but is associated with circulating interleukin-3 levels.

Myeloid leukemias have been shown to secrete as well as respond to cytokines such as interleukin-3 (IL-3) with an increased growth rate and may therefore become self-stimulatory through an external autocrine mechanism. In vitro evidence that IL-3 is functional within the intracellular compartment has been obtained through modification of the murine IL-3 gene to encode for the amino acids SEKDEL on the carboxyl terminus of the protein, resulting in preferential intracellular retention. The ability of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells to increase their proliferative capacity through intracellular mechanisms was investigated in vivo using retroviruses containing the wild-type or SEKDEL-modified IL-3 gene, transcriptionally regulated by the retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) or by the SV40 early promoter, in lethally irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted mice. Bone marrow cells exposed to the N2KDEL virus containing the SEKDEL-modified IL-3 gene were shown by bioassay to retain large amounts of IL-3 intracellularly, and the presence of an integrated provirus containing the SEKDEL sequences was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the spleen and bone marrow of these animals. Transduction with all four types of IL-3 viruses resulted in dramatic increases in the circulating white blood cell (WBC) count; this myeloproliferative state occurred within several weeks following bone marrow transplantation (BMT), when viruses expressing the IL-3 or modified gene were under transcriptional regulation of the viral LTR, and approximately 2 months post-BMT, when they were under control of the SV40 internal promoter. Serum levels of IL-3 were measured in transplanted animals and found to be markedly increased in each case in which WBC elevation was observed, including mice receiving marrow transduced with constructs containing the IL-3 gene modified for intracellular retention. No animals were observed in which myeloproliferation occurred without secretion. From these experiments, it seems unlikely that exclusively intracellular mechanisms are a major contributor to the development of the myeloproliferative syndrome observed in these animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of recombinant acetylcholinesterase in a baculovirus system: kinetic properties of glutamate 199 mutants.

The glycophospholipid-linked, amphiphilic form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Torpedo californica and the hydrophilic form from mouse were overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system. Recombinant baculovirus, constructed by inserting AChE cDNA's into the genome of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus adjacent to the strong polyhedron promoter, yielded recombinant enzyme varying between 0.5 and 3.8 mg/L. The recombinant enzyme was glycosylated although it migrated slightly more rapidly in SDS gel electrophoresis than enzyme purified from the electric organ of Torpedo. Kinetic properties of the recombinant DNA- and tissue-derived enzymes are identical. The detailed catalytic properties and susceptibility to inhibitors were examined for two enzyme mutations of the glutamate residue N-terminal to the active site serine. The Glu199 to Gln mutation shifted both the Km and Kss to higher substrate concentrations and resulted in a kcat of 28% of the wild type. Mutation of Glu199 to Asp also yielded a reduction in kcat but with no change in Km. Substrate inhibition normally apparent in wild-type AChE was eliminated with the Asp mutation, suggesting that substrate catalysis and substrate inhibition are not directly linked. Both mutations decreased the affinity of reversible inhibitors and reduced the rates of phosphorylation and carbamoylation; these changes were more striking with the Gln199 mutation. Decarbamoylation rates were unaffected by these mutations. Glu199 is the charged residue found deep within the active center gorge close to the site of acetylcholine binding, and our findings indicate it influences, but is not essential for, efficient catalysis.

Acetylcholinesterase↗