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S Harrington

Publications and source records attributed to S Harrington.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase--V. Acycloadenosine derivatives as inhibitors of the enzyme.

Various adenosine acyclonucleoside derivatives were tested as inhibitors of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MeSAdo) phosphorylase, an enzyme involved in the salvage of adenine and methionine from MeSAdo. The 2-halogenated derivatives of acyloadenosine [9-(2-hydroxyethoxy-methyl)adenine], including the chloro-, bromo- and iodo-congeners, all inhibited murine Sarcoma 180 (S180) MeSAdo phosphorylase, with Ki values in the range of 10(-6) to 10(-5) M. Halogenated derivatives of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)adenine, which more closely resemble the natural substrate, were substantially more potent inhibitors of the enzyme, with Ki values in the range of 2-7 x 10(-7) M. 5'-Methylthio and 5'-halogenated analogs of 2'-deoxy-1',2'-seco-adenosine were weak inhibitors, with Ki values of 10(-4) M or greater. 9-[(1-Hydroxy-3-iodo-2-proxy)methyl]adenine. (HIPA), the derivative with the lowest Ki values among these analogs, was a competitive inhibitor of S180 MeSAdo phosphorylase. In preliminary studies, HIPA inhibited MeSAdo phosphorylase in intact HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, as it limited the incorporation of [8-14C]MeSAdo into cellular adenine nucleotide pools. In addition, 9-(phosphonoalkyl)adenines, representing potential multisubstrate inhibitors of MeSADo phosphorylase, were synthesized. Of these the heptyl derivative was the most potent inhibitor, with a Ki of 1.5 x 10(-5) M at low (3.5 mM) phosphate concentrations. The inhibitory effects of these analogs could be ablated at high phosphate concentrations (50 mM), suggesting that they interact with the phosphate binding site on the enzyme. Some of these novel MeSAdo phosphorylase inhibitors may have a role in cancer chemotherapy as potentiators of agents that block purine de novo synthesis, e.g. antifolates and 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside.

Adenine↗

Isolation and analysis of nuclear bodies from estrogen-stimulated chick liver.

The target cells of most steroid hormones contain prominent structures termed nuclear bodies (NB). Estrogen (ES) responsive tissues have very distinctive NB, whose development has been associated with both the level of ES receptors and their retention times in nuclei. It has been suggested that these NB may be large-scale ES binding centers at transcriptionally hyperstimulated sites. We examined the formation of NB in ES-stimulated rooster liver, after primary induction of vitellogenesis and during subsequent decay of this response. Distinct NB appear 6 h postinduction, initially as compact spheroids with ring-like profiles and later on as more complex morphotypes. Nuclei average 15-17 NB each at peak induction (24-48 h), but this declines again gradually as the hormonal response abates. This transient pattern is paralleled closely by the [3H]ES binding capacity of nuclei in vitro and the calculated number of specific hormone receptors present. There is no direct numerical correspondence, however, between the NB and the ES receptors, either on a one-to-one basis or as some simple ratio. Hence any links between ES binding activity in nuclei and the NB must be both complex and indirect. Nuclear bodies were isolated following lysis of nuclei by sonication and separation of subfractions on discontinuous sucrose gradients. The resultant NB-enriched fraction consisted primarily of protein, with traces of DNA and RNA. Analysis of proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a complex pattern of polypeptides, some apparently unique and probably NB-derived.

Animals↗

Causes of the liability insurance crisis.

In this article the reasons for recent dramatic premium increases for liability insurance are explored by examination of available data on industry premiums, losses, and expenses. The suggestions that the premium increases were primarily caused by collusion among insurers, cyclical behavior, or systematic errors in forecasting losses are rejected. Instead, the evidence indicates that the jump in liability insurance premiums is most plausibly due to the growth in the discounted value of expected liability losses.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Use of Dacron as an alternative carrier for evaluating oxidizing sterilants in the AOAC sporicidal test.

The AOAC sporicidal method (966.04) recommends the use of porcelain penicylinders and black waxed silk sutures as carriers for demonstrating the sporicidal activity of sterilants. However, the silk carriers are not suitable for evaluating the sporicidal efficacy of oxidizing agents, and an inert polyester material (Dacron) is recommended as an alternative. Dacron provides an equivalent microbial and physical challenge to silk. Microbiologically, both materials demonstrated similar HCI resistance, which is required by the AOAC test, as well as equivalent spore loading and spore wash-off. Electron microscopy showed that both materials present the same braided microstructure, providing an equivalent physical challenge to the test sterilant. Dacron was more consistent than silk, and did not require extraction prior to spore loading. The extraction method for black waxed silk was variable and incomplete, which may compromise the activity of oxidizing sterilants and add to method variability. Silk was also structurally altered in the presence of oxidizing sterilants and increased sterilant degradation. Dacron did not affect the sterilant and was inert in the presence of oxidizing agents. Dacron sutures are proposed as inert alternatives to silk for evaluating the sporicidal efficacy of oxidizing agents.

Hydrochloric Acid↗