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Biomedical subjects

R Benarous

Publications and source records attributed to R Benarous.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Identification of major Trypanosoma cruzi antigenic determinants in chronic Chagas' heart disease.

To identify Trypanosoma cruzi target antigens in overt Chagas' heart disease, a parasite lambda gt11 cDNA library was screened with the serum of a patient with a severe chagasic heart involvement (JL). Using a phage dot array immunoassay, 5 highly antigenic clones, JL1, JL5, JL7, JL8, and JL9, were probed with sera from clinically characterized T. cruzi infected subjects. The correlation of cloned T. cruzi antigen recognition with the clinical status of the subjects led to the identification of a recombinant antigen, JL5, that reacted predominantly with sera from patients with Chagas' heart disease. The antigenic determinant of the JL5 recombinant was a small 35 amino acid peptide. The nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence, together with other experimental data, allowed identification as the C-terminal portion of a T. cruzi P ribosomal protein. The C-terminal undecapeptide in JL5, EDDDMGFGLFD, was highly homologous to the same region of the human P protein SD(D/E)DMGFGLFD. The latter sequence has been identified as the P protein epitope in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Positive SLE sera reacted with the JL5 recombinant phage, suggesting that the T. cruzi P protein might induce antibodies with a similar specificity to that of P antibodies in SLE.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Recovery of functional DNA inserts by electroendosmotic elution during gel electrophoresis.

In contrast to all previous preparative electrophoresis apparatus which used a pump, electroendosmotic elution uses bound electrical charges at the end of the separating gel to generate a buffer flow. The electroendosmotic flow increased with increasing currents and decreasing buffer concentrations: its exact characteristics for the built apparatus were determined. The electroendosmotic device was able to separate two DNA fragments differing in size by only 5% with a recovery over 95%. As demonstrated in practical examples of recovery and uses of DNA inserts, up to 10 micrograms of DNA per band can be loaded at a time. The recovered DNA can be used directly for nick-translation, ligation... without further treatment. The performances of the method are expected to improve still further if the charge density and pores of the electroendosmotic medium can be "made-to-order" to provide a better flow profile of the eluting buffer.

Buffers↗
PubMed1988

Cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetase of Neurospora crassa is not specified by the leu-5 locus.

We generated a lambda gt11 Neurospora crassa cDNA library and screened the library for the cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetase (cyto LeuRS) clones using cyto LeuRS specific antibody. Two clones, lambda NCLRSC1 and lambda NCLRSC2, were obtained which have inserts of approximately 2 kbp and approximately 1.3 kbp, and which overlap by about 0.6 kbp. The following lines of evidence indicate that lambda NCLRSC1 and lambda NCLRSC2 encode parts of cyto LeuRS. (1) Antibodies affinity purified using either of the fusion proteins encoded by lambda NCLRSC1 or lambda NCLRSC2 inhibit cyto LeuRS activity. Thus, the fusion protein and cyto LeuRS share immunological determinants. (2) The same antibodies also react with an approximately 115-kDa protein, which comigrates with purified cyto LeuRS, in immunoblots of total N. crassa proteins. We used the cDNA clones to probe a N. crassa genomic DNA library and isolated two genomic DNA clones. Partial sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA clones shows a methionine initiated open reading frame, which includes a stretch of amino acid residues that are highly conserved and that are at the ATP binding site in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Using the cloned DNA as probe, we show that the cyto LeuRS mRNA is approximately 3900 nucleotides long. Finally, we have used restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping to show that the cyto LeuRS gene resides on the far right of linkage group II and not on linkage group V where the leu-5 mutation, which was previously reported to specify cyto LeuRS, is located.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Study of a growth hormone-regulated protein secreted by rat hepatocytes: cDNA cloning, anti-protease activity and regulation of its synthesis by various hormones.

GHR-P63 ('growth hormone-regulated protein of 63,000 daltons') is an acidic glycoprotein secreted by rat hepatocytes whose synthesis is abolished upon hypophysectomy. The sequence of its mRNA including the entire coding and 3' untranslated regions was determined from a nearly full-length lambda gt11-cDNA clone. The sequence contained two ATGs in frame giving rise to two overlapping coding regions which could encode precursor polypeptides of 416 and 406 amino acid residues (MrS = 46549 and 45371). These potential translation initiation codons appeared to be functional both in vitro and in intact cells since two precursors of the correct size were immunoprecipitated as products of mRNA translation. The unglycosylated precursors were converted into intermediate intracellular forms of about 56,000 daltons containing N-linked oligosaccharide side chains and thereafter into the secretory form of approximately equal to 63,000 daltons. Strong sequence homologies, both at the nucleotide and the amino acid levels were found between GHR-P63 and several serum protease inhibitors, more particularly mouse contrapsin and human alpha 1-antichymotrypsin. In agreement with sequence data, GHR-P63 purified from rat blood by affinity chromatography was found to carry an anti-trypsin activity. GHR-P63 mRNA, virtually undetectable in hepatocytes from hypophysectomized rats, could be hormonally re-induced to subnormal levels both in vivo by treating animals with hormones and in vitro by incubating the defective cells with hormones. Growth hormone was absolutely required but had a weak effect when used alone. Glucocorticoids which had no effect per se, strongly potentiated the action of growth hormone. Nuclear run-off experiments suggest that hormones regulated GHR-P63 mRNA levels by acting mostly, if not exclusively, on gene transcription.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding the heavy chain of human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (I alpha TI): unambiguous evidence for multipolypeptide chain structure of I alpha TI.

Human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (I alpha TI) is a plasma glycoprotein of Mr 180,000, which has been described as a single polypeptide chain. Recently, however, we proposed that I alpha TI might be composed of a heavy (H) chain (Mr = 95,000) and a light (L) chain (Mr = 40,000) synthesized by two separate mRNAs. In the present study we have characterized cDNAs for the H chain of I alpha TI. These cDNAs collectively covered two sequences (977 and 1450 base pairs in length) with single open reading frames. The deduced amino acid sequences were highly homologous to each other and well matched with partial amino acid sequences obtained from purified serum I alpha TI. RNA blot analyses of liver RNAs with H- or L-chain cDNAs as probes clearly identified two distinct mRNAs of 3.3 and 1.3 kilobases, which corresponded to H or L chain, respectively. Poly(A)+ RNAs hybrid-selected with H-chain cDNAs coded for polypeptide chains of Mr 90,000-95,000. These results unambiguously establish that I alpha TI is made of multipolypeptides, possibly including one H and two L chains. The H chain contains potential calcium-binding sites and also regions homologous to the proposed reactive site for thiol-proteinase inhibitors. These data indicate that I alpha TI is a complex, multifunctional protein. mRNAs for both the H and L chains were found only in liver.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1986

Cloning and expression of cDNA for anti-müllerian hormone.

Messenger RNA, prepared from fetal bovine testicular tissue, was used to construct a cDNA library in lambda gt11 phage. The library was screened with an antibody probe directed against bovine anti-Müllerian hormone and three positive clones were isolated. Cross-hybridizing cDNA inserts carried by clones 4 and 5 (1.2 and 0.08 kilobases long, respectively) code for a fragment of authentic anti-Müllerian hormone, as shown by the ability of the anti-epitope antibodies eluted from fusion protein 4 to bind strongly to anti-Müllerian hormone on immunoblots and by the capacity of anti-epitope antibodies 4 and 5 to precipitate radioiodinated bovine anti-Müllerian hormone. A probe prepared from insert 4 hybridizes with an mRNA present only in tissues that are known producers of anti-Müllerian hormone, such as the fetal testis and adult ovarian follicles. The amount of specific mRNA in tissues of males and females is related to the rate of their anti-Müllerian hormone production. The 2.1-kilobase size of this mRNA species is large enough to code for the Mr 62,000 anti-Müllerian hormone polypeptide chain. Insert 4 also hybridizes with an mRNA of similar size in human and rat fetal testicular tissue. The third isolated clone, clone 8, which does not cross-hybridize with the others, carries a cDNA insert coding for a ubiquitous protein, smaller than anti-Müllerian hormone, with which it apparently shares an epitope.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cloning and sequence analysis of rabbit progesterone-receptor complementary DNA.

Two lambda gt11 clones containing fragments of cDNA encoding the rabbit progesterone receptor were isolated with the aid of monoclonal and monospecific polyclonal antireceptor antibodies. RNA gel blot analysis showed that the corresponding mRNA was approximately equal to 5900 nucleotides in size and present in the uterus, where its concentration was increased by estrogen treatment, and in the vagina. This mRNA was not detected in liver, in spleen, in intestine, and in kidney where the receptor protein is known to be absent or present in very small concentration. Cross-hybridizing clones were isolated from a lambda 10 library. The DNA was sequenced, and the primary structure of the progesterone receptor was deduced. It consists of 930 amino acids and contains a basic, cysteine-rich region (residues 568-645) with extensive homology to the glucocorticoid and estrogen receptors and the v-erbA oncogene protein. This region is followed by a C-terminal domain that is similar in size to the corresponding domains of the other steroid receptors and v-erbA and shows striking amino acid homology with the glucocorticoid receptor and significant homology with the estrogen receptor. In contrast, the region extending from the cysteine-rich segment toward the N terminus differed in size and amino acid sequence from that of the other receptors and v-erbA. This region had a high proline content in the progesterone receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Immunological screening of standard cDNA libraries in pBR322 vectors: detection of human fibrinogen and prothrombin cDNA clones.

The in situ immunological detection of antigens encoded by cDNA inserted into the PstI site of pBR322 plasmids was optimized. It was found that sensitivity of the detection was dramatically increased by in situ amplification of the recombinant plasmids on chloramphenicol-containing medium followed by a brief incubation without chloramphenicol during which protein synthesis resumes. In addition, several modifications of the previously described methods which permit total suppression of background and false positives are described. These techniques allowed easy detection of cDNA clones for human B beta- and gamma-fibrinogen and -prothrombin using a human liver double-stranded cDNA recombinant plasmid library in pBR322 vectors.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1980

Interaction of prothrombin and its fragments with monolayers containing phosphatidylserine. 1. Binding of prothrombin and its fragment I to phosphatidylserine-containing monolayers.

The adsorption isotherms of prothrombin and its fragment I on phosphatidylserine monolayers and on mixed monolayers of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine were determined by measuring surface radioactivity emanating from the tritium-labeled absorbed proteins at 0.1 N NaCl and between 0 and 10 mM Ca2+. The proteins were absorbed from very dilute solutions, about 10 times more than in previous investigations on bilayer vesicles. The binding constants as obtained from the Scatchard plots were between 3 X 10(6) and 3 X 10(8) mol/L, depending on the experimental conditions. These values are between 2 and 50 times larger, respectively, than the binding constants obtained on bilayer vesicles. Prothrombin absorbs appreciably also in the absence of Ca2+. The significance of these results is discussed.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1976

Isolation of preliminary characterization of a vitamin K dependent peptide from human prothrombin.

A peptide containing the vitamin K dependent Ca2+ binding region of human prothrombin has been isolated by adsorption of the tryptic digest of the native protein on barium citrate. Its aminoacid composition has been determined. The N- and C-terminal residues have been characterized. The obtained results are showing some slight differences with the corresponding bovine peptide. Since they were not strictly identical for two different preparations, the eventuality of a molecular heterogeneity is discussed.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1976

Ca++ binding properties of human prothrombin.

The binding of Ca++ to human prothrombin has been investigated by equilibrium dialysis. The protein exhibited a positive cooperativity phenomenon for the first three Ca++ bound. Eleven to twelve Ca++ binding sites have been found. They could be differentiated in terms of two classes of sites with respect to their Ca++ affinity: 5 strong binding sites (log Kassoc = 3.9) and 7 weak binding sites (log Kassoc = 2.9). We attempted to determine the Hill coefficient of the strong binding sites responsible for cooperativity. Results have been compared to data previously reported for bovine prothrombin.

Animals↗