Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S H Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to S H Wilson.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Sternomastoid muscle function and fatigue in normal subjects and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Four normal subjects and 5 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (mean FEV1, 1.03 L) had frequency:force curves of their sternomastoid muscle measured before and 5 min after a 12-min walk on a flat treadmill, a progressive exercise test (normal subjects only), and a 10-min period of sustained maximal voluntary ventilation (SMVV). Before each test, all subjects had a normal frequency:force curve, and the ratio of the force response at 20 Hz to that at 50 Hz was normal. After SMVV, all the normal subjects and 4 of the 5 patients developed a greater than 15% fall in 20:50 ratio, and this was taken to indicate the presence of low frequency fatigue (LFF). During SMVV, all the subjects achieved minute ventilation greater than 70% of predicted maximal breathing capacity (MBC). During the 12-min walk, all the patients exceeded 70% MBC, and 4 developed LFF. The normal subjects performing progressive exercise also exceeded 70% MBC, and all showed LFF. The 12-min walk did not cause LFF in the normal subjects, but no subject reached 70% of MBC. Despite the presence of LFF in the sternomastoid muscle, the patients were all able to walk the same distance during a second 12-min walk. In both the normal and patient groups, the ventilatory response to CO2 was not changed by the presence of LFF. There were no changes in maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures or spirometry with LFF. High, sustained levels of minute ventilation cause sternomastoid LFF, but the clinical significance of this phenomenon is not yet certain.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity in the radiation survival curves and biochemical properties of human lung cancer cell lines.

Human lung cancers of distinct histology exhibit different responses to radiation therapy in vivo. For examination of the basis of this phenomenon, the radiation survival curves and levels of relevant enzymes were determined in 16 lung cancer cell lines derived from tumors of different histology. These included lines from 5 adenocarcinomas, 7 small cell tumors, 3 variant small cell tumors, and 1 large cell tumor. These findings were compared to those obtained with the use of a normal skin fibroblast cell line. Whether cloned in liquid culture or soft agarose, cell lines had similar radiation survival curves. These curves were consistent with the apparent in vivo radiation responsiveness of the tumors. Although considerable heterogeneity in radiation survival curves was observed among the cell lines, cells from large cell lines and small variant lines had pronounced shoulders and extrapolation numbers (n) from 5.6 to 14. In contrast, cells from small cell lines and adenocarcinoma cell lines were more "sensitive" (-n values of 1-3.3). In these cell lines, levels of DNA polymerase beta, glutathione (GSH), GSH transferase, GSH reductase (NAD(P)H), gamma-glutamyltransferase did not correlate with radiation parameters of sensitivity. DNA polymerase beta and GSH levels were, however, higher than those in a line of normal skin fibroblasts. These cell lines may be useful in identifying the basis of the variable responsiveness of human lung cancer cells to ionizing radiation.

Cell Line↗

DNA polymerase and simian virus 40 infection of resting monkey cells: induction of aphidicolin resistant alpha-polymerase.

Tightly confluent monkey cell lines BSC-1 and CV-1 held in stale medium for several days exhibited an extremely low level of thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA. Yet, these cells contained a level of alpha-polymerase equal to about 15% of the level in rapidly dividing cells, and they still were capable of supporting replication of SV40 DNA. SV40 infection and culture in stale medium resulted in a four-fold induction of alpha-polymerase in CV-1 cells, whereas no change in alpha-polymerase level was observed in BSC-1 cells. Characterization of alpha-polymerase partially purified from infected CV-1 cells revealed that 80-90% of the enzyme activity was aphidicolin resistant. SV40 DNA replication in resting CV-1 cells, however, was aphidicolin sensitive. SV40 infection of resting CV-1 cells may induce an aphidicolin-resistant enzyme or lead to a modified alpha-polymerase species.

Animals↗

Anomalous electrophoretic migration of oligodeoxynucleotides with terminal -OH groups: applications for DNA exonuclease characterization.

Oligodeoxynucleotides with a terminal -OH group on both the 5' and 3' ends migrate anomalously in 23% polyacrylamide-7 M urea gels. This migration anomaly can be exploited to characterize nuclease digestion products. Thus, using specific substrates and the methods described, several types of DNA exonuclease activity can be readily distinguished.

Animals↗

Improved conditions for activity gel analysis of DNA polymerase catalytic polypeptides.

In a study of mouse DNA polymerase catalytic polypeptides using activity gel analysis, it was found that the sensitivity of detection of purified enzymes is markedly increased by addition of a heterogeneous mixture of proteins to the enzyme sample prior to electrophoresis (Karawya E., and Wilson, S.H. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13,129-13,134). This modification and the use of a micromolar level of [32P]dNTP substrate are the basis of an improved activity gel assay for DNA polymerase catalytic polypeptides. This modified assay is several orders of magnitude more sensitive than the original procedure (Spanos, A., Sedgwick, S.G., Yarranton, G.T., Hubscher, U., and Banks, G.R. (1981) Nucl. Acids Res. 9, 1825-1839), and it enables measurement of two reference enzymes, calf beta-polymerase and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I large fragment, in the picogram range. Further, it was found that it is essential to survey different lots of sodium dodecyl sulfate to identify those which enable high enzyme activity signals after renaturation.

Animals↗

Blood lactate and respiratory muscle fatigue in patients with chronic airways obstruction.

Blood lactate concentrations were measured in five patients with chronic airways obstruction after 10 minutes' sustained maximal voluntary ventilation (SMVV) with end-tidal carbon dioxide tension kept constant and after a 12-minute walk. No patient showed a significant rise in blood lactate after SMVV but all showed evidence of low-frequency fatigue of the sternomastoid muscle. After a 12-minute walk three patients showed a significant rise in blood lactate and two of them also had evidence of low-frequency fatigue of the sternomastoid muscle. The absence of a rise in blood lactate after SMVV may be due to the fact that in patients with chronic airways obstruction ventilation is limited by airflow obstruction to a level where only a small muscle mass is used, or where the aerobic capacity of the respiratory muscles is not exceeded.

Aged↗

Studies on catalytic subunits of mouse myeloma alpha-polymerase.

Activity gel analysis has been used to identify mouse myeloma polypeptides with DNA polymerase activity. Proteins in a crude homogenate of mouse myeloma were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was soaked from the gel, and polypeptides were allowed to renature in situ; then the intact gel was incubated in a DNA polymerase reaction mixture in order to localize DNA polymerases (Spanos, A., Sedgwick, S. G., Yarranton, G. T., Hübscher, U., and Banks, G. R. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 1825-1839). This activity gel analysis revealed that the homogenate contains a Mr = 40,000 polypeptide with strong DNA polymerase activity; from its Mr and catalytic properties this enzyme was identified as beta-polymerase. The homogenate also contains two additional DNA polymerase activities giving relatively strong bands at Mr = approximately 76,000 and approximately 120,000, respectively. Results on the catalytic properties of both of these enzymes suggest that they are alpha-polymerases. Further evidence for the existence of a Mr approximately 120,000 alpha-polymerase catalytic polypeptide came from the observation that a purified preparation of one of the recognized species of mouse myeloma alpha-polymerase is composed of a Mr = approximately 120,000 polypeptide, as revealed by Coomassie blue staining after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 3 M urea. This purified enzyme does not contain polypeptides in the Mr = 40,000 to 70,000 range, and is capable of producing a strong band at Mr = 120,000 in the activity gel assay.

Animals↗

Studies on the mechanism of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I large fragment. Chain termination and modulation by polynucleotides.

Homopolymer replication systems and measurement of precise product chain length have been used to elucidate two new points about the mechanism of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I large fragment: chain termination as a function of product chain length is multiphasic, and polynucleotides exert a secondary effect in the mechanism of this enzyme. During replication of (dT)800 or (dA)800 with short oligonucleotides as primer, DNA polymerase I large fragment was processive, catalyzing hundreds of dNMP incorporations during each cycle of binding to the template-primer, incorporation, and termination. Our observations indicated, however, that polynucleotides could terminate chain elongation and that this effect probably occurred through interaction at a secondary binding site on the enzyme. Thus, in the presence of higher levels of template-primer, early termination occurred and the relatively short product molecules could be resolved by gel electrophoresis. Incubation conditions were adjusted so that the number of product molecules at each chain length was equal to the actual number of termination events, and, therefore, the statistical chance for termination as a function of product chain length could be calculated. These termination probability values depended upon specific incubation conditions, such as dNTP level and whether the primer was a ribo- or deoxyribonucleotide, and interestingly, the values changed as the chain length of the product increased. For the first 5 to 10 dMP residues added to the primer, termination probability declined with each dNMP addition, but then remained constant for the addition of the next 20 to 40 dNMP residues. These results are discussed in the context of a kinetic model representing two stages of synthesis during the formation of each product molecule.

DNA Polymerase I↗

Structural homology among calf thymus alpha-polymerase polypeptides.

A sample of highly purified calf thymus alpha-polymerase contained an abundant 118,000 Mr polypeptide as well as five lower molecular weight polypeptides in the range of 54,000- to 64,000-Mr. This 118,000-Mr polypeptide was capable of DNA polymerase activity, as revealed by in situ assay after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Tryptic peptide mapping indicated that the 118,000-Mr polypeptide shared extensive primary structure homology with 57,000-, 58,000- and 64,000-Mr polypeptides and some limited homology with 54,000- and 56,000-Mr polypeptides. This is the first evidence that lower and higher Mr polypeptides of purified calf thymus alpha-polymerase share sequence homology; these results are interpreted in the context of a model that predicts the existence of a common precursor with molecular weight greater than 140,000.

Animals↗

Studies on the mechanism of DNA polymerase alpha. Nascent chain elongation, steady state kinetics, and the initiation phase of DNA synthesis.

A detailed study of the mechanism of nascent chain elongation and of steady state kinetics of purified mouse DNA polymerase alpha has been conducted. Polymerization was examined using a model replication system of poly(dT) as template, oligo(rA) as primer, and dATP as nucleotide substrate, and the probability of chain termination was determined by measurement of the precise chainlength of the products. Reactions were conducted under conditions where products were not utilized as primer. Product chainlength analysis indicated that alpha-polymerase acted in a processive fashion, elongating the primer by the stepwise addition of up to 20 dAMP residues before dissociating. The probability of termination after each dAMP addition depended upon the chainlength of the product and upon the presence of several agents; spermine, spermidine, putrescine, nalidixic acid, or PPi caused a marked increase in termination after the first dAMP addition, and conversely, mouse helix destabilizing protein-1 caused the enzyme to continue extending the same product chain until 18 to approximately 35 dAMP residues had been added. From these and other data, it is concluded that the kinetic mechanisms of termination after the first dAMP addition and after subsequent dAMP additions are different. With this information on how alpha-polymerase elongates a nascent primer(dA)n molecule, a kinetic model and appropriate steady state rate equations were obtained for analysis of substrate initial velocity data and termination probabilities. The substrate kinetic patterns and PPi product inhibition results were consistent with the ordered Ter Ter mechanism Bi Uni Uni Bi Ping Pong proposed in the model, and the model also permits a rational explanation for the differences in termination probability and for the fact that substrate initial velocity plots were linear even though multiple residues of dATP combined with the enzyme during each catalytic cycle. In addition, the results suggest that a rate-limiting step in the steady state occurs at the transition between initiation and elongation, and that higher levels of template.primer increase the rate of this step. This secondary effect of template.primer is discussed in relation to other polymer-forming enzymes, and various kinetic mechanisms which require the presence of two template.primer-binding sites, effector and catalytic, are discussed for their fit to the experimental data.

DNA Polymerase II↗

Studies on the structure of mouse helix-destabilizing protein-1. DNA binding and controlled proteolysis with trypsin.

A mouse helix-destabilizing protein (HD protein-1) has been purified and characterized, and controlled tryptic digestion has been used to generate two large fragments of this protein and to study structural changes accompanying DNA binding. HD protein-1, a DNA-binding protein that has higher affinity for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-cellulose than for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-cellulose and is resistant to a dextran sulfate elution from ssDNA-cellulose, was purified from mouse myeloma by the method described by Herrick and Alberts (Herrick, G., and Alberts, B. M. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 2124-2132). HD protein-1 was heterogeneous with regard to apparent molecular weight (range of Mr = 24,000 to 33,000), but individual Mr species shared extensive primary structure homology as revealed by tryptic peptide mapping. The predominant species of this protein, Mr = 27,000, was resolved from other species and obtained in nearly homogeneous form by preparative isoelectric focusing. Mouse HD protein-1 was capable of lowering the Tm of poly[d(A-T)] by 25 degrees C, indicating that it is a helix-destabilizing protein. Sedimentation boundary analysis revealed that binding to ssDNA was noncooperative and that the binding site covered about 6 nucleotide residues. There was a 35% increase in the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the protein in the presence of ssDNA, suggesting that structural change accompanies binding. Subcellular localization studies indicated that 75% of mouse HD protein-1 is nuclear, but not chromatin-associated, and primary structure analysis indicated that HD protein-1 is distinct from high mobility group proteins 1 and 2, histones, and P8 protein. Tryptic hydrolysis of HD protein-1 produced discrete, large fragments whose apparent molecular weights ranged from 19,000 to 24,000, and whose relative abundance was changed by the presence of ssDNA during the digestion. Thus, a Mr = 22,000 fragment (22 HDP*) predominated in the absence of ssDNA, and a Mr = 19,000, fragment (19 HDP*) predominated in the presence of ssDNA. Poly(dT) and denatured calf thymus DNA were more effective than were other polynucleotides tested in promoting accumulation of 19 HDP*; (dT)8 was as effective as were longer molecules of (dT)n, but (dT)4 and (dT)6 were much less effective, indicating that the binding site involved in 19 HDP* accumulation covered between 6 and 8 residues of (dT)n. Both 19 HDP* and 22 HDP* have the same COOH-terminal end and the same affinity for ssDNA-cellulose as does the native HD protein-1, indicating that a Mr = 8,000 sequence at the NH2-terminal end of HD protein-1 is not required for binding to ssDNA. Even though 22 HDP* retained the ability to bind to ssDNA, it could not be converted to 19 HDP* by further trypsin digestion.

Amino Acids↗

Distinction between mouse DNA polymerases alpha and beta by tryptic peptide mapping.

Results presented here and in a previous paper (Tanabe et al. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 3401--3406) indicate that mouse beta-polymerase is a single polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 40,000. This polypeptide has now been analyzed by tryptic peptide mapping. Comparison of the results with identical analysis of mouse alpha-polymerase reveals that the tryptic peptides derived from the two enzymes are different. These results indicate that beta-polymerase is neither a subunit of alpha-polymerase nor a proteolytic degradation product of alpha-polymerase.

Animals↗

Mouse DNA polymerase alpha. Subunit structure and identification of a species with associated exonuclease.

Two species of alpha-polymerase with very similar catalytic properties have been purified to near homogeneity from a soluble protein fraction of mouse myeloma. Sedimentation analysis in 0.5 M salt-containing glycerol gradients indicated that both species had a native Mr of about 190,000. Each species contained nonidentical subunits with apparent molecular weights of about 47,000 and 54,000. Subunits of Mr = approximately 50,000 had been found previously in calf thymus alpha-polymerase (Holmes, A. M., Hesslewood, I. P., and Johnston, I. R. (1974) Eur. J. Biochem. 43, 487-499; (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 62, 229-235). Tryptic peptide mapping failed to reveal primary structure homology between the subunits of the two enzymes. Thus, the two alpha-polymerases are clearly different species. These two enzymes are further distinguished by the fact that one of them has associated exonuclease activities. One activity degraded single-stranded DNA to mononucleotides in the 3' leads to 5' direction and acted distributively. The other exonuclease activity also degraded single-stranded DNA to mononucleotides, but this degradation was in the 5' leads to 3' direction in a processive fashion. Both exonuclease activities co-migrated with the polymerase activity during the final purification step of polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis, which yielded the essentially homogenous alpha-polymerase, and also during sedimentation of the purified enzyme through a high salt glycerol gradient.

Animals↗

Steady-state kinetics of mouse DNA polymerase beta.

DNA polymerase beta from mouse myeloma has been purified to near homogeneity, and its properties have been examined. The enzyme did not catalyze a detectable level of dNTP turnover, pyrophosphate exchange, pyrophosphorolysis, 3'-exonuclease degradation, or 5'-exonuclease degradation. Steady-state kinetic studies point to an ordered bibi mechanism for the polymerization reaction. Metal activation, which is required for polymerization, did not alter the Km for either the dNTP or the template--primer.

Animals↗

Regulation of expression of type C virion DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) in human x mouse and human x rat hybrid cells.

Human cells from 13 different individuals were fused to mouse and rat cells producing abundant type C viral particles. The results demonstrate that incorporation of active DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) into mature type C particles is suppressed in many of the hybrid clones but not in the parental mouse cell clones. This low particle-associated DNA polymerase phenotype was a heritable trait for over 100 cell generations but reversion to a high particle-associated DNA polymerase phenotype was possible. In contrast, no evidence for suppression of viral p30 antigen was found. These results suggest that human cells contain a factor(s) capable of interfering with the normal maturation of the mouse retrovirus DNA polymerase protein; however, it was not possible to assign this function to any of 20 different human chromosomes tested. It is suggested that these somatic cell hybrids may be useful in examining individual events in retrovirus packaging and release.

Animals↗