Biomedical subjects

R N Swanson

Publications and source records attributed to R N Swanson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Combinatorial gene expression using multiple episomal vectors.

Episomal vectors offer a powerful alternative to integrative recombination for transgene expression in mammalian cells. In this study, various combinations of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the G protein subunit G(i2)alpha, were stably expressed from separate episomal vectors in 293-EBNA (293E) cells. Each episome did not adversely affect the others, as gauged by episomal copy number, steady-state mRNA levels and the presence of functional receptors and G protein. Cell lines expressing genes from multiple autonomously replicating vectors were stable just two weeks after transfection, and remained stable in continuous culture for at least 5months. Co-expression of supplementary G(i2)alpha with receptor amplifies the magnitude of signal transduction thereby permitting the development of more sensitive high throughput functional assays. Given these results, combinatorial transfection is the strategy of choice for generating stable cell lines expressing multiple genes for the study of signal-transduction pathways or the evaluation of receptor ligands.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of ampicillin and sulbactam in pediatric patients.

Intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam is effective in the treatment of various infections in adults, but little is known about the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ampicillin-sulbactam in children. The objective of this study was to determine the PK of ampicillin and sulbactam in pediatric patients with intra-abdominal infection, skin and/or skin structure infection, or periorbital-preseptal and facial cellulitis. Intravenous ampicillin and sulbactam (2:1), 40 to 80 mg/kg of body weight, were given every 6 h for 2 to 6 days to 28 pediatric patients. The ages ranged from 1 to 6 years for 10 patients, 6.1 to 10 years for 9 patients, and 10.1 to 12 years for 9 patients. Multiple blood samples were obtained and analyzed for ampicillin and sulbactam in plasma and serum by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean maximum concentration of drug in serum ranged from 177 to 200 micrograms/ml for ampicillin and 82 to 102 micrograms/ml for sulbactam in the three age groups. The mean total clearance, steady-state distribution volume, and half-life were 4.76 ml/min/kg, 0.32 liter/kg, and 0.77 h, respectively, for ampicillin and 4.95 ml/min/kg, 0.34 liter/kg, and 0.81 h, respectively, for sulbactam. Dose or gender did not affect the PK of ampicillin or sulbactam. The PK of ampicillin and sulbactam in these patients were comparable to those reported in adults. The combination was well tolerated in pediatric patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The yeast BDF1 gene encodes a transcription factor involved in the expression of a broad class of genes including snRNAs.

While screening for genes that affect the synthesis of yeast snRNPs, we identified a thermosensitive mutant that abolishes the production of a reporter snRNA at the non-permissive temperature. This mutant defines a new gene, named BDF1. In a bdf1-1 strain, the reporter snRNA synthesized before the temperature shift remains stable at the non-permissive temperature. This demonstrates that the BDF1 gene affects the synthesis rather than the stability of the reporter snRNA and suggests that the BDF1 gene encodes a transcription factor. BDF1 is present in single copy on yeast chromosome XII, and is important for normal vegetative growth but not essential for cell viability. bdf1 null mutants share common phenotypes with several mutants affecting general transcription and are defective in snRNA production. BDF1 encodes a protein of 687 amino-acids containing two copies of the bromodomain, a motif also present in other transcription factors as well as a new conserved domain, the ET domain, also present in Drosophila and human proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Complex synthetic chemical libraries indexed with molecular tags.

Combinatorial methods of chemical synthesis allow the creation of molecular libraries having immense diversity. The utility of such libraries is dependent upon identifying the structures of the molecules so prepared. We describe the construction of a peptide combinatorial library, having 117,649 different members, synthesized on beads and indexed with inert chemical tags. These tags are used as a binary code to record the reaction history of each bead. The code can be read directly from a single bead by electron capture capillary gas chromatography. We demonstrate the correct selection of members of the library on the basis of binding to a monoclonal antibody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

On the subunit composition, stoichiometry, and phosphorylation of the yeast transcription factor TFIIIC/tau.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor IIIC/tau is a multisubunit DNA-binding protein that plays key roles in tRNA and 5 S rRNA gene activation. Subunit composition, stoichiometry, and in vivo phosphorylation of TFIIIC/tau factor were investigated using factor prepared from strains carrying modified forms of TFC1, the gene encoding the 95-kDa TFIIIC/tau subunit (tau 95). Using an epitope-tagged TFC1 as well as a TFC1-lacZ fusion, TFIIIC was shown to contain a single 95-kDa subunit, which was localized by electron microscopy into tau A, the A block-binding domain of TFIIIC/tau. Three 35S-labeled polypeptides (at 138, 131, and 91 kDa) coimmunoprecipitated with a tau 95-beta-galactosidase fusion protein. The coprecipitation of the 91-kDa polypeptide makes it a likely subunit of the factor. Immunoprecipitation from 32P-labeled extracts revealed that three of the subunits (138, 131, and 95 kDa), but not the 91-kDa component, are phosphorylated in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

TFC3: gene encoding the B-block binding subunit of the yeast transcription factor IIIC.

Yeast transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) is a multisubunit protein complex that interacts with two control elements of class III promoters called the A and B blocks. Here we describe the gene encoding the 138-kDa subunit (tau 138), which is involved in B-block binding. From the DNA sequence, the open reading frame, interrupted by an intron with an unusual 3' splice acceptor site, is in agreement with all the microsequencing data for peptides within tau 138. TFC3 is a single-copy gene located on chromosome I; it is essential for cell viability as shown by a gene disruption experiment. Epitope-tagging of the TFC3 gene product and DNA binding experiments are consistent with the presence of one copy of tau 138 in TFIIIC-DNA complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of quinolones with selective activity against gram-positive organisms.

A series of quinolones were prepared which contained oximes or substituted oximes as replacements for the amine substituents normally found on the pyrrolidine or piperidine fragments of quinolone antibacterial agents. These substituents led to compounds that had selective activity against Gram-positive organisms. These compounds showed in vivo activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Only compound 29 had in vivo activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed1991

Isolation of TFC1, a gene encoding one of two DNA-binding subunits of yeast transcription factor tau (TFIIIC).

Transcription factor TFIIIC mediates tRNA and 5S RNA gene activation by binding to intragenic promoter elements. The factor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also called tau, is a large, multisubunit protein (550-650 kDa) containing two polypeptides that interact directly with DNA encoding tRNA (tDNA). We have obtained peptide sequences from the 95-kDa DNA-binding subunit (tau 95) and cloned the corresponding gene, called TFC1. The gene encodes a polypeptide of calculated Mr 73,500. However, when TFC1 was transcribed and translated in vitro, the gene product comigrated with tau 95 in SDS/polyacrylamide gels. A fusion protein expressed in bacteria was able to prevent the binding of anti-tau 95 antibodies to tau-tDNA complexes. The TFC1 gene is present in single copy on yeast chromosome II and is essential for growth. Spores containing a disrupted gene germinate but only proceed through a few cell divisions before ceasing to grow. The TFC1-encoded protein contains a potential helix-turn-helix structure and an acidic carboxyl-terminal domain, a feature characteristic of some DNA-binding proteins and transcriptional regulators.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Synthesis, antibacterial activities, and pharmacological properties of enantiomers of temafloxacin hydrochloride.

Temafloxacin hydrochloride [(+/-)-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-6-fluoro-1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)- 1,4-dihydro- 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid hydrochloride] is a potent member of the 4-pyridone-3-carboxylic acid class of antibacterial agents and is currently under clinical development as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. It is a racemate having a chiral center at the C3 of the 7-piperazin-1-yl group. The two enantiomers were synthesized and tested for their antibacterial activities. Although no difference in in vitro antibacterial activities was observed, a minor difference in in vivo antibacterial activities was observed. However, they both exhibited similar pharmacological profiles.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed1991

Antipneumococcal activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and temafloxacin in an experimental mouse pneumonia model at various stages of the disease.

The efficacy of temafloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae in an experimental murine pneumonia model was compared with that of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Erythromycin and amoxicillin were used as reference agents. Subcutaneous administration of antibiotics every 12 h for 3 days was initiated at various times after infection. The cumulative survival rates of mice treated with temafloxacin at 50 mg/kg were 100%, 92%, 81%, and 50% with treatment beginning 18, 48, 72, and 96 h after infection, respectively. The activity of temafloxacin at 50 mg/kg was not significantly different from that of erythromycin and amoxicillin but was superior to that of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The maximum cumulative survival rates of mice treated with ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin at 100 mg/kg were 67% and 50%, respectively, with treatment beginning 18 h after infection. Treatment with ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin at 50 mg/kg 18 h after infection did not significantly increase survival rates compared with those of untreated controls.

Amoxicillin↗

PubMed1991

Activity of temafloxacin against respiratory pathogens.

The activity of the quinolone temafloxacin against respiratory pathogens was compared with those of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. MICs for 90% of strains tested indicated that temafloxacin was at least two- to fourfold more potent than the other two quinolones against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. Temafloxacin had potency equal to that of ciprofloxacin and was twofold more active than ofloxacin against Streptococcus pyogenes. Moraxella catarrhalis, and Bordetella pertussis. Against Haemophilus influenzae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, temafloxacin was four- and twofold less potent than ciprofloxacin, respectively. When administered orally in mouse protection tests against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and S. pyogenes, temafloxacin was at least eight times more potent than ciprofloxacin and was two to four times more active than ofloxacin. Against H. influenzae, temafloxacin was as active as ofloxacin and was two times less active than ciprofloxacin following oral administration in mice. In treating L. pneumophila in guinea pigs and H. influenzae otitis media in gerbils, temafloxacin and ofloxacin were more effective than ciprofloxacin. Against S. pneumoniae otitis media in gerbils, temafloxacin and ciprofloxacin were more active than ofloxacin. Following subcutaneous administration in mice, temafloxacin achieved higher lung levels than ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin did.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

In vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of a new series of 9-deoxo-12-deoxy-9,12-epoxyerythromycin A derivatives.

Analogs of 9-deoxo-12-deoxy-9,12-epoxyerythromycin A with an epimeric hydroxy, amino, or ketone substitution at the 11 position of the macrolide ring and an amino or epimeric hydroxy substitution at the 4" position of the cladinose sugar were synthesized in an attempt to produce acid-stable derivatives of erythromycin with improved bioavailability and activity against gram-negative bacteria. These modifications produced compounds with in vitro activities which were generally similar to that of erythromycin. In mice, however, selected analogs were more active than was erythromycin against staphylococci, streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and Legionella pneumophila. In mice, the 11-keto (A-63881), 11-epiamino (A-69334), 11-epiamino-4"-amino (A-71671), and 11-epiamino-4"-epiamino (A-73020) analogs achieved peak concentrations in serum and lung, serum half-lives, and/or areas under the serum curve which were greater than those of erythromycin. Improved pharmacokinetics, as compared with those of erythromycin, may explain the increased in vivo antibacterial activities of these compounds.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of tiacumicins B and C against Clostridium difficile.

Tiacumicins B and C are members of a novel group of 18-membered macrolide antibiotics with in vitro activity against Clostridium difficile. The MICs against 15 strains of C. difficile were 0.12 to 0.25 microgram/ml for tiacumicin B, 0.25 to 1 microgram/ml for tiacumicin C, and 0.5 to 1 microgram/ml for vancomycin. The resistance frequency for both compounds against C. difficile was less than 2.8 x 10(-8) at four and eight times the MIC. The in vivo activities of the tiacumicins against two strains of C. difficile were compared with that of vancomycin in a hamster model of antibiotic-associated colitis. Oral therapy with 0.2, 1, or 5 mg of tiacumicin B or C per kg of body weight protected 100% of clindamycin-treated hamsters exposed to C. difficile ATCC 9689. Oral treatment with identical doses of vancomycin produced a prolonged, dose-dependent survival of hamsters, but it did not prevent the development of fatal colitis at doses of up to 5 mg/kg. When clindamycin-treated animals were exposed to another strain of C. difficile, both tiacumicin B and vancomycin were protective at 5 mg/kg, but not at lower doses. Tiacumicin C was not tested in vivo against the second strain of C. difficile. No tiacumicin B or C was detected in the sera of hamsters treated with single oral doses of 25 mg/kg, while antibiotic levels in the ceca of these hamsters reached 248 micrograms/ml and 285 mg/ml for tiacumicins B and C, respectively. The tiacumicins demonstrated in vitro and in vivo potencies against C. difficile and achieved high concentrations in the cecum, but not the serum, of hamsters after oral administration.

Aminoglycosides↗

PubMed1990

Enhancement of the in vitro and in vivo activities of clarithromycin against Haemophilus influenzae by 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin, its major metabolite in humans.

MICs of clarithromycin and its major human metabolite, 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin, for Haemophilus influenzae in combination were reduced two- to fourfold compared with the MICs of each compound alone. Serum reduced the MICs of the parent compound and metabolite two- to fourfold compared with the MICs in medium without serum. In serum spiked with clinically relevant concentrations of clarithromycin and 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin at a fixed ratio of 4:1, 15 of 16 strains (94%) were inhibited and killed by combinations containing 1.2 and 0.3 micrograms/ml, respectively. In time kill experiments, the combination of parent compound and metabolite at one-fourth and one-half of their individual MICs, respectively, reduced bacterial counts by greater than 5 log CFU. The postantibiotic effect of clarithromycin combined with 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin was twice that of clarithromycin when tested alone. When orally administered to gerbils with H. influenzae otitis media, the 14-hydroxy metabolite was significantly more active than clarithromycin in reducing bacterial counts from the middle ear. The in vivo activity of the two compounds in combination was synergistic or additive, depending on the level of H. influenzae present at the time treatment was initiated. Significant reductions in bacterial counts and increases in cure rates were observed when clarithromycin at 50 or 100 mg/kg of body weight was combined with 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin at 12 mg/kg or higher. Results from in vitro and in vivo combinations suggest that routine susceptibility tests and animal efficacy studies with clarithromycin alone may underestimate its potential efficacy against H. influenzae.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Synthesis and biological properties of A-71497: a prodrug of tosufloxacin.

Tosufloxacin (5, A-61827 tosylate or T-3262) is currently under product development by both Abbott Laboratories and Toyama Chemical Co. Its registration as antibacterial agent has been approved in Japan. It has been found to be extremely effective in treating several bacterial infections. However, due to its inherent low water solubility, the development of an intravenous formulation will be extremely difficult and may preclude its parenteral use. In search of a more water-soluble analog of tosufloxacin for parenteral use, the 3-formyl derivative of tosulfoxacin, A-71497 (13), was synthesized for evaluation. It was found to produce high plasma levels of tosufloxacin upon both oral and subcutaneous administration to mice. High plasma levels of tosufloxacin were also obtained when 13 was administered both orally and intravenously to dogs. It possesses increased water solubility and makes the development of intravenous formulation possible. The chemical synthesis as well as biological properties of A-71497 (13) are described.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed1989

Structural basis for misaminoacylation by mutant E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes.

A single-site mutant of Escherichia coli glutaminyl-synthetase (D235N, GlnRS7) that incorrectly acylates in vivo the amber suppressor supF tyrosine transfer RNA (tRNA(Tyr] with glutamine has been described. Two additional mutant forms of the enzyme showing this misacylation property have now been isolated in vivo (D235G, GlnRS10; I129T, GlnRS15). All three mischarging mutant enzymes still retain a certain degree of tRNA specificity; in vivo they acylate supE glutaminyl tRNA (tRNA(Gln] and supF tRNA(Tyr) but not a number of other suppressor tRNA's. These genetic experiments define two positions in GlnRS where amino acid substitution results in a relaxed specificity of tRNA discrimination. The crystal structure of the GlnRS:tRNA(Gln) complex provides a structural basis for interpreting these data. In the wild-type enzyme Asp235 makes sequence-specific hydrogen bonds through its side chain carboxylate group with base pair G3.C70 in the minor groove of the acceptor stem of the tRNA. This observation implicates base pair 3.70 as one of the identity determinants of tRNA(Gln). Isoleucine 129 is positioned adjacent to the phosphate of nucleotide C74, which forms part of a hairpin structure adopted by the acceptor end of the complexed tRNA molecule. These results identify specific areas in the structure of the complex that are critical to accurate tRNA discrimination by GlnRS.

Acylation↗

PubMed1989

In vitro and in vivo activities of clarithromycin against Mycobacterium avium.

There is no effective therapy to treat Mycobacterium avium complex infection in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Clarithromycin (A-56268; TE-031) is a new macrolide which is twofold more active than erythromycin against most aerobic bacteria. In addition, higher levels in serum and tissue are achieved with clarithromycin than with erythromycin. In this study, clarithromycin, erythromycin, difloxacin, temafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, amikacin, and ethambutol were tested in vitro and in vivo against the M. avium complex. The MICs for 90% of strains tested were 4 micrograms/ml for clarithromycin, 64 micrograms/ml for erythromycin, 32 micrograms/ml for difloxacin, 8 micrograms/ml for temafloxacin, 4 micrograms/ml for ciprofloxacin, 4 micrograms/ml for rifampin, 32 micrograms/ml for amikacin, and 32 micrograms/ml for ethambutol. Beige mice were infected intravenously with 10(7) CFU of M. avium ATCC 25291. Treatment was started on day 6 after infection and was administered twice a day at 8-h intervals for 9 days. Clarithromycin was the most effective compound in these tests and was effective in reducing the viable bacterial counts in the spleen when it was administered subcutaneously or orally at a dose of 25 mg/kg. Amikacin was the only other compound which showed activity in vivo. The peak concentration in serum at which clarithromycin was active was approximately 1.0 microgram/ml.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Pacidamycins, a novel series of antibiotics with anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity. III. Microbiologic profile.

Pacidamycins are nucleosidyl-peptide antibiotics which have activity only against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Their MICs for other organisms such as Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, most Streptococci and other Pseudomonas species are greater than 100 micrograms/ml. These compounds had no activity against erythromycin-susceptible Streptococci. The MICs for Streptococcus pyogenes with constitutive- and inducible-type of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance were 12.5 and 25 micrograms/ml, respectively. The MICs against P. aeruginosa ranged from 8 to 64 micrograms/ml. The activity of these compounds was 1 to 2-fold less in serum than broth. Time-kill curves were performed using 4 and 8 times the MIC of pacidamycin 1. It was bactericidal against P. aeruginosa (3 log10 decrease in 4 to 6 hours). At 24 hours, resistant mutants were found in the cultures. The MICs of piperacillin and gentamicin for these mutants were the same as for the parent strain. The frequency of resistance to these compounds was less than 3.5 x 10(-6). The resistant mutants were stable after 10 transfers in antibiotic-free medium. The pacidamycins were inactive against P. aeruginosa in mouse protection test. After a single subcutaneous injection of 25 mg/kg of pacidamycin 1, the Cmax was approximately 50 micrograms/ml and the serum half-life was 0.5 hour.

Animals↗