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Biomedical subjects

S Chen

Publications and source records attributed to S Chen.

At least 1,549 records · Page 86Linked to original sources

Red cell uridine monophosphate kinase: effects of red cell aging on the activity of two UMPK gene products.

We have previously reported that uridine monophosphate kinase (UMPK) is genetically polymorphic in man, and that the UMPK2 gene product has less activity than that of UMPK1 when measured in normal red cells. In this paper we present evidence that the activity of UMPK, like that of many other enzymes, declines during red cell aging, and that the lower activity of UMPK 2, as compared with UMPK 1, is best explained by its more rapid catabolism.

Erythrocyte Aging↗

Chaotropic anions and the surface potential of bilayer membranes.

The chaotropic anions perchlorate and thiocyanate adsorb to artificial phospholipid membranes. The negative electrostatic potential they produce at the surface of the membranes was measured by two independent techniques. The conductance produced by neutral carriers of cations and anions was measured to estimate changes in the surface potentials of planar black lipid films and the electrophoretic mobility of phospholipid vesicles was used to monitor changes in the zeta potentials of spherical bilayer membranes. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with the two techniques. The results, moreover, agreed with the change in surface potential produced by these anions at an air water interface, as measured directly with an ionizing electrode (Randles, J. E. B. (1957) Discuss. Faraday Soc. 24, 194-199). The results obtained with artificial bilayers may explain the observation (Wieth, J. O. (1970) J. Physiol. 207, 581-609) that thiocyanate increases the sodium or potassium and decreases the sulfate permeability of erythrocyte membranes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Odontogenic myxoma. A clinical and ultrastructural study.

The odontogenic myxoma is an uncommon neoplasm of the jaws that is believed to arise from the primitive, mesenchymal portion of the tooth germ. This study surveys nine cases of odontogenic myxoma of the jaws. Analysis of the clinical material revealed that the myxoma occurred most frequently in the posterior regions of the mandible and will recur if initial therapy is too conservative. The average age of the patients in this series was 26.5 years. Five cases involved females and four involved males. Electron microscope findings revealed that the tumor cells are probably responsible for the secretion of the myxomatous intercellular material of the neoplasm.

Adolescent↗

Genetic analysis of the cell surface: association of human chromosome 5 with sensitivity to diphtheria toxin in mouse-human somatic cell hybrids.

Diphtheria toxin inhibits protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells by catalyzing inactivation of elongation factor 2. The 10,000-fold greater sensitivity in vitro to diphtheria toxin of human cells as compared to mouse cells seems to be attributable to a difference at the level of the cell membrane. Mouse-human cell hybrids are as sensitive to diphtheria toxin as human cells. We have shown that the sensitivity of the hybrid cells is due to a gene or genes located on human chromosome 5. Mouse-human hybrid cells in which chromosome 5 is present are as sensitive to the toxin as human cells, which hybrids without chromosome 5 are as resistant as mouse cells. Entry of toxin into cells seems to be a two-step process involvin, (1) binding of toxin to the cell surface and (2) endocytotic uptake of toxin. The difference in sensitivity between human and mouse cells and between hybrid cells with and without chromosome 5 does not appear to be due to a difference in endocytotic activity and may be due to presence or absence of toxin-specific receptor.

Animals↗

The spectrum of colitis associated with lincomycin and clindamycin therapy.

Ten cases of protracted diarrheal illness after the oral administration of lincomycin or clindamycin in standard dosages were observed in previously healthy subjects. An abrupt onset of diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis was observed one to 12 days after discontinuation of the drug. Proctoscopic examination revealed erythematous friable mucosa covered with small raised, yellowish-white plaques that were sometimes confluent. Barium contrast studies of the colon demonstrated irregular shaggy mucosa, ulcerations, cobblestone appearance, and thumb printing. Rectal bipsy showed acute inflammation with pseudomembranes with focal or superficial ulcerations. All patients had a protracted course but recovered with supportive management. Follow-up barium enemas and proctoscopy were done on all patients and were normal. A history of diarrhea, fever, and mucosal changes seen on proctoscopy in a patient who has recently received one of these antibiotics should raise the possibility of colitis associated with clindamycin and lincomycin therapy.

Adult↗

Somatic cell genetic analysis of the interferon system.

Current advances in the use of somatic cell hybrid systems have enhanced the value of these systems for studying eukaryotic cell functions. We have reviewed the use of somatic cells to investigate the human interferon system. It has been shown that interspecific heterokaryons and hybrid cells can produce interferon(s) of both parental types and may be protected from viral challenge by interferon(s) from either parent. Using mouse-human hybrid cells we have assigned a human gene(s) responsible for regulating interferon to chromosome 21 and genes involved in the production of human interferon to chromosomes 2 and 5. Our data also suggest possible assignment of a locus involved in control of interferon production to chromosome 16. Suggested further uses of the somatic cell system for interferon studies include study of the subunit structure of interferons and the development of hybrid lines that produce human interferon at high levels (interferon/somatic cell hybrids/human gene assignment.

Animals↗

Protection of glutamate dehydrogenase by nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide against reversible inactivation by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as a sensitive indicator of conformational change induced by substrates and substrate analogues.

1. The steady residual activity of ox liver glutamate dehydrogenase at equilibrium with the reversible inactivator pyridoxal 5'-phosphate was measured in the presence and absence of various protecting agents. 2. NAD(+) (up to 15mm) and its 3-acetylpyridine analogue (up to 5mm) both failed to protect, in contrast with NADH. 3. Partial protection was given by glutarate and by succinate. Adipate and pentanoate were much less effective. 4. Correspondingly, whereas succinate and glutarate were both shown to be strong inhibitors of the catalytic reaction, competitive with glutamate, adipate was only weakly competitive, and the still weaker inhibition by pentanoate was non-competitive. 5. When the enzyme was saturated with glutarate, NAD(+) became a good, although still partial, protecting agent. In the absence of protection, 1.8mm-pyridoxal 5'-phosphate decreased enzyme activity to 9%, in the presence of 150mm-glutarate to 29%, and with glutarate and 1mm-NAD(+) only to 73%. 6. 2-Oxoglutarate also promoted protection by NAD(+), but neither pentanoate nor succinate did so. The finding with succinate is remarkable in view of findings 3 and 4 above. 7. It seems possible that substrates or analogues possessing the glutarate structure promote a conformational change that alters the mode of NAD(+) binding. This may explain why glutamate is a much better substrate than norvaline or aspartate and why negative interactions in coenzyme binding occur only in the formation of ternary complexes with glutamate or its analogues.

Animals↗