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R A Saavedra

Publications and source records attributed to R A Saavedra.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Sequence similarities of myelin basic protein promoters from mouse and shark: implications for the control of gene expression in myelinating cells.

To better understand the cell type-specific and coordinated regulation of the myelin protein genes, we cloned and sequenced the shark myelin basic protein (MBP) promoter. An alignment of the shark sequence with the corresponding mouse sequence showed striking similarities. These similarities, together with the results from expression experiments, define two major regions (A and B) within the MBP promoter. Region A is located immediately 5' to the transcription initiation sites and includes five sequences thought to be cis-acting domains. These domains include two boxes of 13 and 12 nucleotides, respectively, separated from each other by 10 nucleotides, an MBP enhancer, and GC, CCAAT, and TATA boxes. Region A also contains a putative exon that codes for 35 amino acids of an unidentified polypeptide. Region B, which is located adjacent to the 5' end of region A, contains two boxes that are 10 and 11 nucleotides long, respectively, and are identical in mouse and shark. We have previously cloned and sequenced the shark glycoprotein zero (P0) promoter. A comparison between the sequences of the rat and shark P0 promoters shows three conserved regions in addition to CCAAT and TATA boxes. The shark P0 promoter is active in the CNS and PNS, and contains a sequence of 13 nucleotides that is located at -159 from the initiation of transcription and is similar to that of the MBP enhancer. The mammalian P0 promoter is active exclusively in the adult PNS and contains a sequence similar to that of the MBP enhancer located adjacent to the 3' side of the transcription initiation site. Sequence similarities and differences between the promoters of the mammalian and shark myelin protein genes will help to identify the basis for the cell type-specific and coordinated expression of these genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Myelin P0-glycoprotein: predicted structure and interactions of extracellular domain.

Protein zero (P0), a transmembrane glycoprotein, accounts for over 50% of the total protein in PNS myelin. The extracellular domain of P0 (P0-ED) is similar to the immunoglobulin variable domain, carrying one acceptor sequence for N-linked glycosylation. The x-ray diffraction analysis of PNS myelin has demonstrated reversible transitions that depend on pH and ionic strength, resulting in three distinct structures characterized by widths of about 36 A, 50 A (native), and 90 A between the extracellular surfaces of the membranes. In the current work, we considered the constraints imposed by these x-ray diffraction data on the orientation of P0-ED, and we propose how this immunoglobulin-like domain could be accommodated in the variable widths of the extracellular space between myelin membranes. The modeling made use of the finding that beta-strand predictions for P0-ED are virtually superimposable with those of the VH domain of the phosphocholine-binding immunoglobulin M603 of mouse, which has a similar number of residues as P0-ED and a structure that has been solved crystallographically. The dimensions of P0-ED from the space-filling model, developed using PC-based molecular modeling software, were found to be 44 A x 25 A x 23 A. On the assumption that neither the shape nor the orientation of P0-ED changes appreciably, then the different widths at the extracellular apposition would easily accommodate P0-ED from apposed membranes if the molecules were oriented so that the beta-strands were approximately perpendicular to the membrane surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Molecular and cellular basis of genetic resistance to bacterial infection: the role of the early T-lymphocyte activation-1/osteopontin gene.

The realization that soluble mediators of immune function, termed cytokines, can interact with nonimmunological cells has led to new insights into the role of the immune system in regulating cell growth and differentiation of other organ systems. The additional finding that dysregulation of these interactions can lead to a variety of clinical disorders has opened the possibility of new forms of therapy. A recent example of this aspect of cytokine biology comes from studies of a protein designated early T-lymphocyte activation-1/osteopontin (Eta-1/Op), which may play an essential role in immune resistance to certain bacterial and viral pathogens. Analysis of the structure of this protein has revealed that it is almost identical to several proteins associated with neoplasia and bone structure/function. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of our current knowledge regarding the structure and function of Eta-1/Op and the potential relationship of this gene to several clinical disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Phylogenetically conserved amino acids of MBP and P0 from amphibian myelin.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) and P0 glycoprotein are major structural proteins of myelin. In adult frog, MBP is found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS), while P0 is found exclusively in the PNS. To assess the phylogenetic conservation of these proteins, MBP and P0 were isolated from adult bull-frog. A cyanogen bromide cleavage peptide of MBP (8-26), and the amino-terminal region (1-20) and an endoproteinase Lys-C peptide (67-79) of P0 were sequenced and compared to those of other vertebrate species. Residues that were conserved among other vertebrate species were found also to be conserved in frog: MBP--Ala18, Ser19, Thr20, Asp22; P0--Ile1, Val3, Thr5, Val13, Gly14, Ser15, Val17, Leu19, Trp72, Val73, Gly74, Lys79. These residues are located within or adjacent to regions that have been postulated to form beta strands and to be essential to the folding and function of these proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Cloning of the shark Po promoter using a genomic walking technique based on the polymerase chain reaction.

We have cloned the putative shark promoter of protein zero (Po) using a novel application of the ligation mediated single-sided polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This method uses linker ligation and subsequent amplifications with a linker primer and multiple specific primers to generate specificity. The method allowed us to amplify approximately 305 base pairs of shark genomic DNA sequence immediately upstream from the 5' end of our full-length Po cDNA. The Po promoter was shown to be directly linked to its first exon, contain a transcription initiation start site and sequences commonly found in eukaryotic promoters. This genomic walking technique will be useful for cloning promoters, insertion sites, and other sequences of interest without the need for constructing and screening genomic libraries.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Specific-primer-directed DNA sequencing using automated fluorescence detection.

Automated fluorescence-based DNA sequence analysis offers the possibility to undertake very large scale sequencing projects. Directed strategies, such as the specific-primer-directed sequencing approach ('gene walking'), should prove useful in such projects. Described herein is a study involving the use of this approach in conjunction with automated fluorescence detection on a commercial instrument (ABI 370A DNA sequencer). This includes procedures for the rapid chemical synthesis and purification of labeled primers, the design of primer sequences that are compatible with the commercial analysis software, and automated DNA sequence analysis using such primers. A set of four fluorophore-labeled primers can be reliably synthesized in a twenty-four hour period, and greater than 300 nucleotides of analyzed new sequence obtained using this set in an additional twenty-four hours. Scale-up of these procedures to take advantage of the full capabilities of the sequencer is, at present, too slow and costly to be suitable for routine sequencing, and therefore the use of specific-primers is best suited to the closure of gaps in extended sequence produced using random cloning and sequencing strategies.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1989

The myelin proteins of the shark brain are similar to the myelin proteins of the mammalian peripheral nervous system.

The two major structural proteins in the shark CNS are similar to the structural proteins, Po and myelin basic protein (MBP), found in the mammalian peripheral nervous system (PNS). Shark Po is 46% similar to its mammalian counterpart. The extracellular domain of shark Po also appears to be organized as an immunoglobulin-like domain that mediates homotypic interactions. The intracellular domain of shark Po also is very basic and may play a role in myelin condensation analogous to that of MBP. Shark MBP is 44% similar to mammalian MBP. Both MBPs show conserved interspersed regions and are present in multiple forms that arise by alternative splicing of a single transcript. These structural analyses indicate that the complexities seen in mammalian myelin arose early during vertebrate evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Two minor determinants of myelin basic protein induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that occurs after immunization of animals with myelin basic protein (MBP). The disease is a prototype model for the study of antigen-specific T helper cell-mediated autoimmune disease. In SJL/J mice, EAE is mediated by T helper cells directed against a 40-amino acid COOH-terminal peptic fragment of mouse small MBP. To identify the minimal T cell epitopes of MBP responsible for EAE, overlapping peptides completely encompassing the epitopes within this region were synthesized. A 28-residue peptide of mouse MBP spanning residues 87-114 (pM87-114) was able to elicit both a strong T cell response and chronic relapsing disease. To better localize the T cell epitopes, shorter peptides within this region were synthesized and two overlapping peptides, pM87-98 and pM91-104, were able to induce EAE. T cell clones and bulk lymph node cell populations reactive with pM87-98 did not respond to pM91-104. However, lymph node cells reactive with pM91-104 also reacted with pM87-98, thus showing that these two peptides represent contiguous, but distinct encephalitogenic epitopes and that both these epitopes may be contained within pM87-98. In addition, pM87-114 and pM87-98 were found to be minor determinants of the total T cell response to rat and rabbit MBP. The restricted response to MBP in SJL/J mice is similar to that of the PL/J mice in that each appears to have only a single peptide region in MBP that elicits encephalitogenic T cells. However, within the region studied, there were two if not more T cell epitopes. This differs from the single encephalitogenic PL/J epitope. These findings of a single encephalitogenic peptide region with multiple T cell epitopes and the fact that encephalitogenic T cell epitopes may be subdominant have implications for the design of treatments directed at the T cell receptor-MHC-peptide epitope complex in autoimmune disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Expression of a myelin basic protein gene in transgenic shiverer mice: correction of the dysmyelinating phenotype.

Mice homozygous for the autosomal recessive mutation shiverer (shi) lack myelin basic protein (MBP) and exhibit a distinct behavioral pattern including tremors (shivering), convulsions, and early death. We have previously demonstrated that shiverer mice have a partial deletion in the gene encoding MBP. We now have introduced the wild-type MBP gene into the germ line of shiverer mice by microinjection into fertilized eggs. Transgenic shiverer mice homozygous for the introduced gene have MBP mRNA and protein levels that are approximately 25% of normal, and produce compacted myelin with major dense lines. Correct temporal and spatial expression of the MBP gene is achieved with a genomic MBP cosmid clone containing 4 kb of 5' flanking sequence and 1 kb of 3' flanking sequence. Moreover, the four different forms of MBP produced by alternative patterns of RNA splicing are present. These homozygous transgenic shiverer mice no longer shiver nor die prematurely.

Alleles↗
PubMed1987

Internal amino acid sequence analysis of proteins separated by one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after in situ protease digestion on nitrocellulose.

We have developed a general two-step method for obtaining peptide fragments for sequence analysis from picomole quantities of proteins separated by gel electrophoresis. After separation by one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins are electrophoretically transferred (electroblotted) onto nitrocellulose, the protein-containing regions are detected by reversible staining and are cut out, and each protein is digested in situ by proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin or staphylococcal V-8 protease. The resulting peptide fragments are separated by narrow-bore reverse-phase HPLC, collected, and sequenced in a gas-phase sequenator. Excellent peptide recoveries and the absence of extraneous contaminants in the separation of the peptide fragment mixture allow the generation of extensive internal sequence information from picomole amounts of protein. The method thus overcomes the problem of obtaining amino acid sequence data from N-terminally blocked proteins and provides multiple, independent stretches of sequence that can be used to generate oligonucleotide probes for molecular cloning and/or used to search sequence data bases for related proteins. This method has been successfully applied to the routine amino acid sequence analysis of a wide range of proteins isolated from one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Both DNA topoisomerases I and II relax 2 micron plasmid DNA in living yeast cells.

Measurements at various temperatures of the linking number of yeast 2 microns plasmid DNA in wild-type cells and in cells bearing mutations in the DNA topoisomerase I and II genes show that bulk 2 microns plasmid minichromosome are maintained in a relaxed state by the combined action of topoisomerases I and II. Bulk 2 microns minichromosomes are not under torsional stress in vivo and are not substrates for a putative gyrase-like topoisomerase.

DNA Topoisomerases, Type I↗
PubMed1985

LDHk in the retina of diverse vertebrate species: a possible link to the Warburg effect.

LDHk is a cancer-associated lactate dehydrogenase which is also found at high levels in normal mammalian retina. Such retinas share with most cancer tissues a dependence on aerobic glycolysis, leading to high production of lactate. However, retinas of lower vertebrate species are significantly less dependent on aerobic glycolysis. We find that retinas of species less dependent on aerobic glycolysis express significantly lower levels of an LDHk-like activity, less than or equal to the low levels seen in brains. The enzymes from lower species differ from the mammalian retinal enzyme in their pH optima and responsiveness to oxygen; but share a similar degree of inhibition by 5'-5'-dinucleoside tetraphosphates. Therefore, the expression pattern of LDHk in brain and retina of diverse vertebrate species suggests a link with the Warburg effect.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1983

A cancer-associated lactate dehydrogenase is expressed in normal retina.

An unusual isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase k, is found in high concentrations in cultured cells transformed by the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus and in many human cancer tissues. In experiments described here high levels of a lactate dehydrogenase k activity were detected in extracts of normal rodent retina. This activity had the same key properties as the human tumor isozyme, namely, a highly cathodic electrophoretic mobility and inhibition of enzymatic activity by oxygen and 5',5'-dipurinenucleoside tetraphosphates. Expression of this activity in the retina may be related to the high aerobic glycolysis characteristic of the retina, a metabolic feature shared with many tumors.

Animals↗