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Biomedical subjects

R J Matthews

Publications and source records attributed to R J Matthews.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of hematopoietic intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatases: description of a phosphatase containing an SH2 domain and another enriched in proline-, glutamic acid-, serine-, and threonine-rich sequences.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) are a family of enzymes important in cellular regulation. Characterization of two cDNAs encoding intracellular PTPases expressed primarily in hematopoietic tissues and cell lines has revealed proteins that are potential regulators of signal transduction. One of these, SHP (Src homology region 2 [SH2]-domain phosphatase), possesses two tandem SH2 domains at the amino terminus of the molecule. SH2 domains have previously been described in proteins implicated in signal transduction, and SHP may be one of a family of nonreceptor PTPases that can act as direct antagonists to the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases. The SH2 domains of SHP preferentially bind a 15,000-Mr protein expressed by LSTRA cells. LSTRA cells were shown to express SHP protein by immunoprecipitation, thus demonstrating a potential physiological interaction. The other PTPase, PEP (proline-, glutamic acid-, serine-, and threonine-rich [PEST]-domain phosphatase), is distinguished by virtue of a large carboxy-terminal domain of approximately 500 amino acids that is rich in PEST residues. PEST sequences are found in proteins that are rapidly degraded. Both proteins have been expressed by in vitro transcription and translation and in bacterial expression systems, and both have been demonstrated to have PTPase activity. These two additional members of the PTPase family accentuate the variety of PTPase structures and indicate the potential diversity of function for intracellular tyrosine phosphatases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Do changes in transcardiac impedance modulation correlate with haemodynamic status?

Implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators have the ability to revert a variety of arrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm. For correct operation, such devices require accurate arrhythmia classification. Arrhythmia classification by these devices could be improved with the addition of a suitable haemodynamic sensor. This study investigated the use of transcardiac impedance for haemodynamic sensing. Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, electro-mechanical dissociation and five rates of ventricular pacing, each having a different associated level of haemodynamic compromise, were induced in each of seven mongrel dogs. The amplitude responses of the modulations of transcardiac impedance were compared with those of arterial pulse pressure (an established measure of haemodynamic status), and changes in cycle length. The correlation coefficient for changes in transcardiac impedance modulation amplitude and arterial pulse pressure was found to be 0.89. For transcardiac impedance modulation amplitude and cycle length, the correlation coefficient was 0.77, and for arterial pulse pressure and cycle length, the correlation coefficient was 0.85. In the acute anaesthetised dog, changes in the amplitude of transcardiac impedance modulations were shown to reflect different levels of haemodynamic status.

Animals↗

Protein tyrosine phosphatase domains from the protochordate Styela plicata.

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is an important regulatory mechanism in cell physiology. While the protein tyrosine kinase (PTKase) family has been extensively studied, only six protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have been described. By Southern blot analysis, genomic DNA from several different phyla were found to cross-hybridize with a cDNA probe encoding the human leukocyte-common antigen (LCA; CD45) PTPase domains. To pursue this observation further, total mRNA from the protochordate Styela plicata was used as a template to copy and amplify, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, PTPase domains. Twenty-seven distinct sequences were identified that contain hallmark residues of PTPases; two of these are similar to described mammalian PTPases. Southern blot analysis indicates that at least one other Styela sequence is highly conserved in a variety of phyla. Seven of the Styela domains have significant similarity to each other, indicating a subfamily of PTPases. However, most of the sequences are disparate. A comparison of the 27 Styela sequences with the ten known PTPase domain sequences reveals that only three residues are absolutely conserved and identifies regions that are highly divergent. The data indicate that the PTPase family will be equally as large and diverse as the PTKases. The extent and diversity of the PTPase family suggests that these enzymes are, in their own right, important regulators of cell behavior.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization and expression of the human leukocyte-common antigen (CD45) gene contained in yeast artificial chromosomes.

The leukocyte-common antigen (CD45) is a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase expressed uniquely by cells of hematopoietic origin. There are multiple isoforms of CD45 that are generated by the variable use of three exons (exons 4-6). The use of the variable exons results in changes near the amino-terminus of the mature glycoprotein. The gene is located on chromosome 1 for both human and mouse in a region that is homologous between these two species. This conserved linkage group contains a number of genes of immunological interest, such as the genes for complement regulatory proteins and the FCG2 receptor. Yeast artificial chromosomes provide a vector system in which large fragments of foreign DNA can be isolated and are suited to long-range physical mapping. To this end, three yeast artificial chromosomes containing the human CD45 gene have been isolated and characterized. They overlap to span 475 kb, establishing the largest physical map for DNA within the conserved linkage group. The CD45 gene is entirely encoded within one yeast artificial chromosome clone as determined by mapping with cDNA probes. A mouse B cell line transfected with this YAC clone expressed the low-molecular-weight isoform of the protein into the cell surface. The size of the human CD45 gene was determined to be approximately 120 +/- 10 kb.

Animals↗

Identification of an additional member of the protein-tyrosine-phosphatase family: evidence for alternative splicing in the tyrosine phosphatase domain.

Protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (protein-tyrosine-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.13.48) have been implicated in the regulation of cell growth; however, to date few tyrosine phosphatases have been characterized. To identify additional family members, the cDNA for the human tyrosine phosphatase leukocyte common antigen (LCA; CD45) was used to screen, under low stringency, a mouse pre-B-cell cDNA library. Two cDNA clones were isolated and sequence analysis predicts a protein sequence of 793 amino acids. We have named the molecule LRP (LCA-related phosphatase). RNA transfer analysis indicates that the cDNAs were derived from a 3.2-kilobase mRNA. The LRP mRNA is transcribed in a wide variety of tissues. The predicted protein structure can be divided into the following structural features: a short 19-amino acid leader sequence, an exterior domain of 123 amino acids that is predicted to be highly glycosylated, a 24-amino acid membrane-spanning region, and a 627-amino acid cytoplasmic region. The cytoplasmic region contains two approximately 260-amino acid domains, each with homology to the tyrosine phosphatase family. One of the cDNA clones differed in that it had a 108-base-pair insertion that, while preserving the reading frame, would disrupt the first protein-tyrosine-phosphatase domain. Analysis of genomic DNA indicates that the insertion is due to an alternatively spliced exon. LRP appears to be evolutionarily conserved as a putative homologue has been identified in the invertebrate Styela plicata.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Constrictive pericarditis causing a positive TI-201 SPECT stress test for myocardial ischemia.

A case of constritive pericarditis was demonstrated by a positive thallium SPECT stress test for myocardial ischemia. After pericardiectomy, the repeat thallium stress test was normal. The disappearance of the criteria for a positive test suggests that constrictive pericarditis can cause myocardial ischemia, which can be demonstrated by thallium SPECT stress testing.

Coronary Disease↗

Synthesis and biological activity of ketomethylene-containing nonapeptide analogues of snake venom angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Two ketomethylene-containing nonapeptide analogues were synthesized to determine if ketomethylene analogues of the nonapeptide venom inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) would have oral ACE inhibition activity. Both ketomethylene-containing nonapeptides 18 and 19 were potent inhibitors of rabbit lung ACE with I50s of 3.4 and 8.0 nM, respectively, compared to 340 nM for their parent nonapeptide and 450 nM for captopril. Peptide 18 was rapidly cleaved by trypsin, but 19 was reasonably stable to all enzyme degradation systems tested with maximum degradation of 50% by pepsin in 3 h. Both 18 and 19 when given iv to normotensive rats were between 3 and 10 times more potent than captopril in inhibiting an angiotensin I induced blood pressure increase. Peptide 19 showed no ACE inhibition activity in unanesthetized normotensive rats when administered orally at doses of 10 or 100 mg/kg. Experiments were conducted to determine whether 19 is adsorbed from the gastrointestinal track following oral administration. These experiments indicated that 19 is adsorbed. It is concluded that the lack of oral activity of 19 is probably due to its rapid excretion, probably into the bile.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Heterogeneity of the factor IX locus in nine hemophilia B inhibitor patients.

DNA from nine hemophilia B patients who produce anti-factor IX inhibitors (antibodies), including two brothers, was analyzed by the Southern blotting method and hybridization with factor IX cDNA, intragenomic, and 3'-flanking probes. Two inhibitor patients were shown to have total deletions of the factor IX gene. Two other inhibitor patients, the brothers, were shown to have a presumably identical complex rearrangement of the factor IX gene involving two separate deletions. The first deletion is of approximately 5.0 kb and removes exon e. The second deletion is between 9 and 29 kb and removes exons g and h but leaves exon f intact. An abnormal Taq I fragment at one end of the deletion junctions acted as a marker for the inheritance of hemophilia B in the patients' family. Five other inhibitor patients have a structurally intact factor IX gene as detected by this method. Our studies indicate that whereas large structural factor IX gene defects predispose hemophilia B patients to developing an anti-factor IX inhibitor, the development of an inhibitor can be associated with other defects of the factor IX gene.

DNA↗

Comparison of phenotypic assessment and the use of two restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the diagnosis of the carrier state in haemophilia B.

Carrier detection in haemophilia B has previously involved pedigree analysis and assessment of the coagulation phenotype. At best using these methods, carrier evaluation may be made with about 80% certainty (Orstavik et al, 1981). With isolation and cloning of the factor IX gene, DNA probes are now available to detect intragenic nucleotide changes. This study uses one such probe which detects restriction fragment length polymorphisms with the restriction endonucleases Taq 1 and Xmn 1. Seventy-eight individuals from eight haemophilia B kindred were initially evaluated for factor IXC and factor IXAg levels. DNA from these individuals was then digested with the two restriction enzymes and after Southern blotting, analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) with the radiolabelled genomic probe. Four kindred proved informative with RFLP linkage assessment. In three families evaluation was possible with both Taq 1 and Xmn 1 polymorphic markers but in the fourth pedigree only Xmn 1 was informative. Using these techniques five potential carriers have been definitively assigned as either normal or carriers of the haemophilia B gene defect. Problems of phenotypic assessment are well illustrated in pedigree 4 where polymorphic linkage positively identified a carrier whose coagulation data were normal.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Effect of structural change on acute toxicity and antiinflammatory activity in a series of imidazothiazoles and thiazolobenzimidazoles.

The effect of structural change on the biological activity of a series of imidazothiazoles and thiazolobenzimidazoles is described. It was found that compounds with polar substituents at the 2 or 3 position of the ring system are less acutely toxic while maintaining antiinflammatory activity. Other structural changes, such as the incorporation of a gem-dimethyl substituent in the 6 position, increase acute toxicity and eliminate antiinflammatory activity. The compound with the best activity/toxicity ratio contains an alkyl sulfonyl substituent on the thiazole ring. The thiazolobenzimidazole analogues are more potent than the imidazole analogues.

Animals↗

A silver primer for hospital executives.

How to estimate and recover the silver from a hospital's film developing solution and nonessential x-ray film, and how to sell it, insure it, and account for the revenue.

Accounting↗

Antihypertensive 5,6-diarylpyridazin-3-ones.

The synthesis of a series of 5,6-diarylpyridazinones is described. Some members of this series display an antihypertensive effect in both the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model and the deoxycorticosteroid (DOCA) model of hypertension. The most potent compounds in the series have halogen substituents on the 5,6-diphenyl rings, a beta-substituted alkyl group at the 2 position of the ring, and acetyl or cyano substituent at the 4 position.

Animals↗