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Biomedical subjects

R M Payne

Publications and source records attributed to R M Payne.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Structural characterization and tissue-specific expression of the mRNAs encoding isoenzymes from two rat mitochondrial creatine kinase genes.

Creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes play prominent roles in energy transduction. Mitochondrial CK (MtCK) reversibly catalyzes the transfer of high energy phosphate to creatine and exists, in the human, as two isoenzymes encoded by separate genes. We report here the cDNA sequences of the two isoenzymes of MtCK in the rat. Rat sarcomeric MtCK has 87% nucleotide identity in the 1257 bp coding region and 82% in the 154 bp 3' untranslated region as compared with human sarcomeric MtCK. Rat ubiquitous MtCK has 92% nucleotide identity over the 1254 bp coding region with human ubiquitous MtCK and 81% identity of the 148 by 3' untranslated region. Nucleotide identity between the rat sarcomeric and ubiquitous MtCK coding regions is 70%, with no conservation of their 3' untranslated regions. Thus, MtCK sequence is conserved in a tissue-specific, rather than species-specific, manner. Conservation of the 3' untranslated regions is highly unusual and suggests a regulatory function for this region. The NH2-terminal transit peptide sequences share 82% amino acid homology between rat and human sarcomeric MtCKs and 92% homology between rat and human ubiquitous MtCKs, but have only 41% homology to each other. This tissue-specific conservation of the transit peptides suggests receptor specificity in mitochondrial uptake. Rat sarcomeric MtCK mRNA is expressed only in skeletal muscle and heart, but rat ubiquitous MtCK mRNA is expressed in many tissues, with highest levels in brain, gut and kidney. Ubiquitous MtCK mRNA levels are dramatically regulated in uterus and placenta during pregnancy. Coexpression of sarcomeric and ubiquitous MtCK with their cytosolic counterparts, MCK and BCK, respectively, supports the creatine phosphate shuttle hypothesis and suggests that expression of these genes is coordinately regulated.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mitochondrial ultrastructural and molecular changes induced by zidovudine in rat hearts.

Zidovudine (azidothymidine (AZT)) inhibits human immunodeficiency virus replication, prolongs survival, and delays progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We determined AZT-induced molecular and ultrastructural changes in the rat heart. Rats (3 per group) were given drinking water with or without AZT (0.2 to 1.0 mg/ml; 29 to 102 mg/kg/day). After 21, 35, or 49 days, hearts were glutaraldehyde-fixed by abdominal aortic perfusion, processed, and examined by transmission electron microscopy. In parallel, myocardial RNA was extracted from hearts (AZT dose: 1 mg/ml; 35 days) and subjected to Northern analysis using cDNA probes for: alpha c-actin, troponin C, mitochondrial creatine kinase and malate dehydrogenase, a portion of the mitochondrial genome containing cytochrome b coding region (pMM26), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Results showed marked and widespread cardiac mitochondrial swelling with fractured and disrupted cristae after 35 days of 1 mg/ml AZT. After a 14-day recovery, these ultrastructural defects did not reverse. Changes were not present in myocardium after 21 days of AZT nor after 35 days of lower dose AZT (0.2 mg/ml). Mitochondrial cytochrome b mRNA expression was depressed in AZT-treated rat hearts (35 days; 1 mg/ml AZT). mRNAs encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, alpha c-actin, troponin C, mitochondrial creatine kinase, malate dehydrogenase, and mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs remained unchanged. AZT disrupts cardiac mitochondrial ultrastructure and expression of mitochondrial cytochrome b mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The mechanism of AZT cardiotoxicity may relate to inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication (at the level of DNA polymerase gamma) as postulated by others.

Animals

Management and follow-up of arterial thrombosis in the neonatal period.

The management and follow-up of 12 patients with major aortic thrombus formation occurring in the neonatal period between 1982 and 1987 are reported. Umbilical arterial catheters were inserted in 8 of the 12 patients before thrombus formation. Two patients had congenital thrombi. Hypertension, oliguria, hematuria, and elevated blood creatinine concentration were found at the time of diagnosis of the thrombus; nine of the patients had a patent ductus arteriosus. Supportive care was instituted in seven patients who were hemodynamically stable. Five of the patients had congestive heart failure, shock, or both, and were treated with surgical thrombectomy. Thrombolytic therapy was not used in either group. The five surgically treated patients and six of seven medically treated patients survived. Ultrasound examination suggested resolution of the thrombus in all survivors in 6 to 30 days. Sequelae from thrombus formation were present in all patients at the time of discharge and included hypertension in 9 of the 11 survivors and decreased renal function in six of them. Follow-up at 1 to 3 years revealed normal blood pressure, good growth, and good renal function in 10 of the survivors.

Anticoagulants

Coccidioidal pericarditis.

A 26-year-old man developed coccidioidomycosis which resulted in myocarditis associated with congestive heart failure. A pericardial effusion developed and progressed to constrictive pericarditis. A pericardiectomy was performed and revealed that the pericarditis was due to Coccidioides immitis. The patient was subsequently treated with amphotericin B and showed marked improvement.

Adult