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Biomedical subjects

S Eisenberg

Publications and source records attributed to S Eisenberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

At least three distinct proteins are necessary for the reconstitution of a specific multiprotein complex at a eukaryotic chromosomal origin of replication.

We have reconstituted in vitro a multistage assembly of a protein complex that specifically recognizes a yeast genomic origin of replication, the autonomously replicating sequence ARS121. The first step in the assembly was the interaction of the known origin-binding factor OBF1 and another factor, OBF2, with the ARS121 origin of replication to form the OBF1-OBF2-origin complex. This complex was the substrate for the ATP-dependent binding of a third DNA-binding activity, the core binding factor, CBF. Binding of CBF to the origin, identified by the retarded mobility of the origin DNA fragment in agarose gels, required, in addition to ATP and the OBF1-OBF2-origin complex, a functional essential core nucleotide sequence. ARS121 DNA containing mutations in the core, which inactivate the origin in vivo, did not sustain stable CBF binding, whereas ARS121 DNA mutated outside the boundaries of the essential core, which has normal origin function, bound CBF as wild type. This tight, direct correlation between the ability of the origin to bind CBF and its function as an origin of replication in vivo strongly suggest that the multiprotein complex reconstituted in vitro has a key role in the initiation of DNA replication.

Base Sequence

Triacylglycerol and phospholipid hydrolysis in human plasma lipoproteins: role of lipoprotein and hepatic lipase.

To explore the interactions of triacylglycerol and phospholipid hydrolysis in lipoprotein conversions and remodeling, we compared the activities of lipoprotein and hepatic lipases on human VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL2. Triacylglycerol and phospholipid hydrolysis by each enzyme were measured concomitantly in each lipoprotein class by measuring hydrolysis of [14C]triolein and [3H]dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine incorporated into each lipoprotein by lipid transfer processes. Hepatic lipase was 2-3 times more efficient than lipoprotein lipase at hydrolyzing phospholipid both in absolute terms and in relation to triacylglycerol hydrolysis in all lipoproteins. The relationship between phospholipid hydrolysis and triacylglycerol hydrolysis was generally linear until half of particle triacylglycerol was hydrolyzed. For either enzyme acting on a single lipoprotein fraction, the degree of phosphohydrolysis closely correlated with triacylglycerol hydrolysis and was largely independent of the kinetics of hydrolysis, suggesting that triacylglycerol removed from a lipoprotein core is an important determinant of phospholipid removal via hydrolysis by the lipase. Phospholipid hydrolysis relative to triacylglycerol hydrolysis was most efficient in VLDL followed in descending order by IDL, HDL, and LDL. Even with hepatic lipase, phospholipid hydrolysis could not deplete VLDL and IDL of sufficient phospholipid molecules to account for the loss of surface phospholipid that accompanies triacylglycerol hydrolysis and decreasing core volume as LDL is formed (or for conversion of HDL2 to HDL3). Thus, shedding of whole phospholipid molecules, presumably in liposomal-like particles, must be a major mechanism for losing excess surface lipid as large lipoprotein particles are converted to smaller particles. Also, this shedding phenomenon, like phospholipid hydrolysis, is closely related to the hydrolysis of lipoprotein triacylglycerol.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine

Effects of cholestyramine on lipoprotein levels and metabolism in Syrian hamsters.

Oral administration of cholestyramine to adult male hamsters not only induced a marked decrease in plasma concentrations of cholesterol and LDL but had a similar lowering effect on plasma triacyglycerol and VLDL concentrations. The hypotriglyceridaemic effects of resin administration were not due to an increase in lipoprotein lipase, as post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activities were unchanged, but rather to a 35% decrease in VLDL synthesis. Measurement of the disappearance rate of apolipoprotein B from VLDL after i.v. injection of 125I-labelled hamster or human VLDL into control and cholestyramine-fed recipient animals showed a 2-times lower T1/2 in the drug-treated animals. The fraction of VLDL apolipoprotein B, recovered at any time after injection in the LDL, was equal or higher in cholestyramine-fed animals as compared to controls. These data indicate that the lowering in plasma LDL by cholestyramine in male hamsters is due not only to LDL receptor up-regulation but also to a lower rate of VLDL synthesis. No indications were found for a decreased efficiency of VLDL to LDL conversion in cholestyramine-fed animals.

Animals

Effects of diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins--the Jerusalem Nutrition Study. II. Monounsaturated fatty acids vs carbohydrates.

Seventeen male Yeshiva students were randomly allocated to a crossover study with two 12-wk dietary periods of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) vs a carbohydrate (CHO)-rich diet while concentrations of saturated (SFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids were kept similar. Total plasma cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly by approximately 7.7% and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 14.4% on the MUFA diet, whereas on the CHO diet no significant change in cholesterol concentrations occurred, in contrast to that predicted by the equations of Keys and Hegsted. Concentrations of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) did not change significantly on either diet. On the MUFA diet there was a significantly lower proneness to peroxidation of plasma and LDL lipids and less extensive metabolism of conditioned LDL by peritoneal macrophages. We conclude that dietary MUFAs lower TC and LDL-C concentrations, independently of other dietary fatty acids and in addition may reduce the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative stress.

Adult

Lipoprotein lipase enhances binding of lipoproteins to heparan sulfate on cell surfaces and extracellular matrix.

Lipoprotein lipase enhances binding at 4 degrees C of human plasma lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL, intermediate density lipoprotein, LDL, and HDL3) to cultured fibroblasts and hepG-2 cells and to extracellular matrix. Heparinase treatment of cells and matrix reduces the lipoprotein lipase enhanced binding by 90-95%. Lipoprotein lipase causes only a minimal effect on the binding of lipoproteins to heparan sulfate deficient mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells while it promotes binding to wild type cells that is abolished after heparinase treatment. With 125I-LDL, lipoprotein lipase also enhances uptake and proteolytic degradation at 37 degrees C by normal human skin fibroblasts but has no effect in heparinase-treated normal cells or in LDL receptor-negative fibroblasts. These observations prove that lipoprotein lipase causes, predominantly, binding of lipoproteins to heparan sulfate at cell surfaces and in extracellular matrix rather than to receptors. This interaction brings the lipoproteins into close proximity with cell surfaces and may promote metabolic events that occur at the cell surface, including facilitated transfer to cellular receptors.

Animals

Methylation changes in the apolipoprotein AI gene during embryonic development of the mouse.

We report here a detailed study of developmental changes in the methylation status of specific sites in a single-copy tissue-specific gene, from the germ cell through the early embryo to adult tissues. Two sites at the 5' end of the mouse apolipoprotein AI gene were unmethylated in the ovulated unfertilized oocytes and methylated in the sperm. In contrast, a third site, located upstream of the gene, was methylated and a CpG island within the gene was unmethylated in both oocyte and sperm. The methylated sites, regardless of maternal or paternal origin, underwent demethylation in the early embryo (8-16 cells) and stayed unmethylated through the late blastocyst stage. During gastrulation, non-CpG island sites underwent methylation, followed by gradual demethylation at specific sites in tissues parallel to expression of the gene (liver and intestine). The formation of the mature tissue-specific methylation pattern of the apolipoprotein AI gene, therefore, involves the following three major events: (i) erasure of the germ-cell methylation pattern (at the 8- to 16-cell stage), (ii) formation of a new methylation pattern by de novo methylation of non-CpG island sites (during gastrulation), and (iii) tissue-specific demethylation associated with the onset of expression of the gene.

Aging

Methylation patterns of the human apoA-I/C-III/A-IV gene cluster in adult and embryonic tissues suggest dynamic changes in methylation during development.

We describe here a detailed analysis of the methylation patterns of the apoC-III and apoA-IV genes in adult and embryonic tissues. Together with previously reported data on the human apoA-I gene (4), the results presented here constitute a comprehensive study on the methylation pattern of the apoA-I/C-III/A-IV gene cluster. The two genes (apoC-III and apoA-IV) display tissue-specific methylation patterns that correlate with their activity. This gene-specific methylation pattern indicates that the apoA-I/C-III/A-IV gene cluster is not one entity with respect to methylation. The cluster is almost entirely methylated in tissues that do not express any of the genes; however, individual gene regions are unmethylated in the tissue of expression. A comparison of the observed methylation patterns in adult tissues with those in embryonic tissues suggests that the mature tissue-specific methylation patterns are a result of an interplay between demethylation and de novo methylation events in the embryo. These changes in DNA methylation include demethylation in the early embryo followed by de novo methylation at later stages. A second round of tissue-specific demethylation and methylation de novo occurs in the late embryo as well. Evidence presented here supports the idea that CpG islands are protected in general from methylation de novo by a built-in signal and not by CpG density per se.

Adult

Analysis of the interactions of functional domains of a nuclear origin of replication from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have determined that ARS121 is an efficient origin of replication on chromosome X of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This origin is comprised of at least three distinct functional domains. One of these domains is the ARS121 core sequence (approximately 35 bp-long), which is essential for origin activity. This essential core contains an 11 bp sequence resembling (2 bp mismatch) the ARS consensus. Another important domain is an enhancer of DNA replication, which binds the OBF1 protein. The third domain, ATR (A/T-rich, approximately 72 bp), is auxiliary and works in either orientation, but only when located 3' to the essential core. When fused to the ARS121 core both the enhancer and the ATR domain act synergistically to enhance the activity of the origin. Furthermore, when fused to the essential core sequences of heterologous ARSs, ARS1 and ARS307, the auxiliary domains also appeared to stimulate synergistically origin function. These results suggest that (i) in order to elicit maximal origin activity all three domains have to interact and (ii) activation of the essential core sequences at different origins of replication may share a common mechanism.

Base Sequence

Effects of exogenous apo E-3 and of cholesterol-enriched meals on the cellular metabolism of human chylomicrons and their remnants.

The effects of exogenous apo E-3 and of cholesterol-enriched meals on the binding, cell association and proteolytic degradation of human chylomicrons and their remnants were determined in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Chylomicrons were prepared from plasma of normolipemic humans 4 h after a fat meal with normal or high cholesterol content. Remnants were obtained after incubation of chylomicrons with lipoprotein lipase in vitro. Cellular metabolism of chylomicrons was minimal, less than 10% that of LDL. Exogenous apo E-2 enhanced chylomicron metabolism by 3-4-fold. The cellular metabolism of remnants was 2.5-3.5-fold higher as compared to intact chylomicrons but their response to exogenous apo E-3 was considerably lower. The cellular metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants obtained from subjects eating cholesterol-enriched fat meal was the highest either without or with added exogenous apo E-3. Yet, even in the preparation that exhibits the highest metabolic activity (apo E-3 enriched remnants from cholesterol-enriched meals) the absolute proteolytic degradation was about two-thirds that of LDL. We conclude that although LDL-receptors take up and degrade chylomicron remnants, the rate of catabolism of remnants by this route can not explain the rapid and complete remnant removal process as observed in vivo.

Adult

Mechanisms of inhibition by apolipoprotein C of apolipoprotein E-dependent cellular metabolism of human triglyceride-rich lipoproteins through the low density lipoprotein receptor pathway.

The mechanism of inhibition by apolipoprotein C of the uptake and degradation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from human plasma via the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor pathway was investigated in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) density subfractions and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) with or without added exogenous recombinant apolipoprotein E-3 were used. Total and individual (C-I, C-II, C-III-1, and C-III-2) apoC molecules effectively inhibited apoE-3-mediated cell metabolism of the lipoproteins through the LDL receptor, with apoC-I being most effective. When the incubation was carried out with different amounts of exogenous apoE-3 and exogenous apoC, it was shown that the ratio of apoE-3 to apoC determined the uptake and degradation of VLDL. Excess apoE-3 overcame, at least in part, the inhibition by apoC. ApoC, in contrast, did not affect LDL metabolism. Neither apoA-I nor apoA-II, two apoproteins that do not readily associate with VLDL, had any effect on VLDL cell metabolism. The inhibition of VLDL and IDL metabolism cannot be fully explained by interference of association of exogenous apoE-3 with or displacement of endogenous apoE from the lipoproteins. IDL is a lipoprotein that contains both apoB-100 and apoE. By using monoclonal antibodies 4G3 and 1D7, which specifically block cell interaction by apoB-100 and apoE, respectively, it was possible to assess the effects of apoC on either apoprotein. ApoC dramatically depressed the interaction of IDL with the fibroblast receptor through apoE, but had only a moderate effect on apoB-100. The study thus demonstrates that apoC inhibits predominantly the apoE-3-dependent interaction of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins with the LDL receptor in cultured fibroblasts and that the mechanism of inhibition reflects association of apoC with the lipoproteins and specific concentration-dependent effects on apoE-3 at the lipoprotein surface.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

The multifunctional protein OBF1 is phosphorylated at serine and threonine residues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have purified a DNA replication enhancer-binding protein, OBF1, from yeast cells grown in a medium containing 32P-labeled orthophosphate. The purified 32P-labeled protein comigrated on polyacrylamide gels with OBF1 bands identified by immunoblotting with anti-OBF1 antibodies. Furthermore, trypsin treatment of the 32P-labeled OBF1 revealed several phosphorylated peptides, suggesting that OBF1 is multiply phosphorylated in vivo. Incubation of phosphorylated peptides with calf intestinal phosphatase liberated the radiolabel as free phosphate, indicating a phosphoester linkage. Acid hydrolysis of the tryptic peptides revealed 32P-label label comigrating with phosphoserine; some of it, however, was also identified as phosphothreonine. Using anti-OBF1 antibodies, we cloned the OBF1 gene from a lambda gt11 yeast expression library. The DNA sequence of the isolated gene and its over-expression in yeast indicated that OBF1 is identical to ABF-1 and BAF1 proteins, believed to have a role in transcriptional repression and activation. Therefore, we suggest that OBF1 is a multifunctional protein, acting in transcription and replication, and that these activities are regulated by phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence

When do children avoid backwards coreference?

This study investigated the claim that very young children avoid backwards coreference in their interpretation of sentences containing pronouns. Eighty-one children ranging in age from 3;1 to 8;0 and eight adults acted out four types of pronominal sentences. Cross-sectional data and individual response patterns reveal that children initially prefer internal coreference even when such a response is disallowed for structural reasons. Avoidance of backwards coreference appears to be a late developing phenomenon characteristic of six-year-olds. Adult response patterns, which are manifested by some very young children, emerge as the dominant pattern by age seven.

Adult

Effects of diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins--the Jerusalem Nutrition Study: high MUFAs vs high PUFAs.

Twenty-six Yeshiva students were randomly assigned to a 24-wk crossover study of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) vs polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets (50% carbohydrate, 32% fat, 18% protein) fed alternately during two 12-wk periods. Total plasma cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly by approximately 10% and approximately 16% on the MUFA and PUFA diets, respectively. Plasma triglyceride response was variable. Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased in both groups with an additional significant effect between periods. Concentrations of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol did not change significantly. LDL-receptor status in fresh monocytes, affinity of LDL towards the LDL receptor in cultured fibroblasts, zonal-centrifugation profiles, and lipoprotein composition were not significantly different between the diets. There was a significantly higher tendency toward lipid peroxidation on the PUFA diet, as ascertained by more thiobarbituric acid-reactive-substances formation on that diet. Dietary PUFA results in somewhat lower TC and LDL-C concentrations whereas with MUFA the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative stress is lower.

Binding, Competitive

Abnormal low and high density lipoproteins in homozygous beta-thalassaemia.

The levels, structure and composition of plasma lipoproteins were determined in 67 patients with homozygous beta-thalassaemia and compared to healthy or heterozygous members of the same families and to patients with either sickle cell or iron deficiency anaemia. Plasma total and LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were low in patients with homozygous beta-thalassaemia and with sickle cell anaemia. Plasma triglycerides did not differ between subjects. The low plasma and lipoprotein cholesterol was independent of age, transfusion requirements and splenectomy. Abnormal structure and composition of lipoproteins was found in homozygous beta-thalassaemia. The LDL was of higher density and was triglyceride-rich and cholesterol ester-poor. HDL separated to three populations. HDL2 was prominent (in spite of low plasma HDL cholesterol). HDL3 was of normal density and an intermediate HDL population, not found in normal subjects, was identified and designated HDL2-3. All three HDL populations were enriched with triglycerides and poor in cholesterol ester content. The modified LDL and HDL particles may then be possibly cleared rapidly from the plasma by activated monocytes and macrophages.

Adolescent

Increased apo A-I and apo A-II fractional catabolic rate in patients with low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels with or without hypertriglyceridemia.

Low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels may elevate atherosclerosis risk, and often associate with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG); however, the metabolic causes of low HDL-C levels with or without HTG are poorly understood. We studied the turnover of radioiodinated HDL apolipoproteins, apo A-I and apo A-II, in 15 human subjects with low HDL-C, six with normal plasma TG levels (group 1) and nine with high TG (group 2), and compared them to 13 control subjects with normal HDL-C and TG levels (group 3). The fractional catabolic rate (FCR) was equally elevated in groups 1 and 2 vs. group 3 for both apo A-I (0.313 +/- 0.052 and 0.323 +/- 0.063 vs. 0.245 +/- 0.043 pools/d, P = 0.003) and apo A-II (0.213 +/- 0.036 and 0.239 +/- 0.037 vs. 0.185 +/- 0.031 pools/d, P = 0.006). Thus, high FCR characterized low HDL-C regardless of the presence or absence of HTG. In contrast, transport rate (TR) of apo A-I did not differ significantly among the groups and the apo A-II TR differed only between groups 2 and 3 (2.15 +/- 0.57, 2.50 +/- 0.39, and 1.83 +/- 0.48 mg/kg per d for groups 1 to 3, respectively, P = 0.016). Several HDL-related factors were similar in groups 1 and 2 but differed in group 3, as with FCR, including the ratio of lipoprotein lipase to hepatic lipase activity (LPL/HL) in post-heparin plasma, the ratio of the HDL-C to apo A-I plus apo A-II levels, and the percent of tracer in the d greater than 1.21 fraction. In linear regression analysis HDL-C levels correlated inversely with the FCR of apo A-I and apo A-II (r = -0.74, P less than 0.0001 for both). Major correlates of FCR were HDL-C/apo A-I + apo A-II, LPL/HL, and plasma TG levels. We hypothesize that lipase activity and plasma TG affect HDL composition which modulates FCR, which in turn regulates HDL-C. Thus, HTG is only one of several factors which may contribute to elevated FCR and low HDL-C. Given the relationship of altered HDL composition with high FCR and low HDL-C levels, factors affecting HDL composition may increase atherosclerosis susceptibility.

Apolipoprotein A-I

Lipolysis exposes unreactive endogenous apolipoprotein E-3 in human and rat plasma very low density lipoprotein.

Endogenous apolipoprotein E in VLDL is poorly expressed in receptor binding processes. Yet catabolism of VLDL-remnants by cellular receptors depends on functional apo E molecules. To better understand remnant catabolism phenomena, we determined the metabolism of VLDL and post-lipolysis VLDL by cultured cells. Partial lipolysis was achieved by incubation of VLDL with lipoprotein lipase in vitro (human) or recirculation (rat) in supradiaphragmatic animals. Lipolyzed VLDL exhibit metabolic activities 2-20-fold higher than control VLDL, that are saturable and dependent on the presence of LDL receptors. The ligand responsible for receptor interaction of lipolyzed VLDL (apo E or apo B-100) and its source (endogenous or transferred) was studied with monoclonal antibodies and with lipoproteins from E-3/3 and E-2/2 subjects. The data unequivocally proved that lipolysis causes exposure of unreactive endogenous apo E-3 at the VLDL surface, possibly by a change of conformation of the protein. Apo B-100 becomes biologically expressed only in lipolyzed VLDL-III. Lipolyzed VLDL, however, is less reactive to exogenous apo E-3 than control VLDL indicating that endogenous and exogenous apo E are oriented differently in VLDL. It is proposed that VLDL delivers triglycerides to tissues when apo E is unreactive but becomes a remnant after the protein becomes exposed and directs the particles from lipoprotein lipase sites to cellular receptors.

Animals