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S L Lowe

Publications and source records attributed to S L Lowe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Brownian dynamics simulations of glycolytic enzyme subsets with F-actin.

Previous Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations identified specific basic residues on fructose-1,6-bisphophate aldolase (aldolase) (I. V. Ouporov et al., Biophysical Journal, 1999, Vol. 76, pp. 17-27) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (I. V. Ouporov et al., Journal of Molecular Recognition, 2001, Vol. 14, pp. 29-41) involved in binding F-actin, and suggested that the quaternary structure of the enzymes may be important. Herein, BD simulations of F-actin binding by enzyme dimers or peptides matching particular sequences of the enzyme and the intact enzyme triose phosphate isomerase (TIM) are compared. BD confirms the experimental observation that TIM has little affinity for F-actin. For aldolase, the critical residues identified by BD are found in surface grooves, formed by subunits A/D and B/C, where they face like residues of the neighboring subunit enhancing their electrostatic potentials. BD simulations between F-actin and aldolase A/D dimers give results similar to the native tetramer. Aldolase A/B dimers form complexes involving residues that are buried in the native structure and are energetically weaker; these results support the importance of quaternary structure for aldolase. GAPDH, however, placed the critical residues on the corners of the tetramer so there is no enhancement of the electrostatic potential between the subunits. Simulations using GAPDH dimers composed of either S/H or G/H subunits show reduced binding energetics compared to the tetramer, but for both dimers, the sets of residues involved in binding are similar to those found for the native tetramer. BD simulations using either aldolase or GAPDH peptides that bind F-actin experimentally show complex formation. The GAPDH peptide bound to the same F-actin domain as did the intact tetramer; however, unlike the tetramer, the aldolase peptide lacked specificity for binding a single F-actin domain.

Actins↗

Dipole interaction model predicted pi-pi* circular dichroism of cyclo(L-Pro)3 using structures created by semi-empirical, ab initio, and molecular mechanics methods.

Cyclo(l-Pro)3 (CP3) is a synthetic peptide created to model cis and torsionally strained peptide bonds that also exhibits a strong distinctive UV circular dichroic (CD) spectrum. Circular dichroic spectra were computed for the amide pi-pi* transition using the dipole interaction model for various conformations of the peptide. Conformations of CP3 were created initially from crystal data, and followed by energy minimizations via molecular mechanics using the cvff force field; the effects of additional geometric optimizations by semi-empirical and ab initio quantum mechanics were investigated. The CD spectra for each conformation were calculated using a variety of different parameters, and each result was compared with the published experimental spectrum [Deber, C.M., Scatturin, A., Vaidya, V.M. & Blout, E.R. (1970) Small cyclic proline peptides: UV absorption and CD. In: Peptides: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Proceedings of the First American Peptide Symposium (Weinstein, B., ed.), Marcel Dekker, New York pp. 163-173]. Herein, two distinct conformations, a C3 symmetric and an asymmetric form, gave CD predictions that separately did not resemble the experimental spectrum. Energy differences were predicted at various theoretical levels, including MP2 and density functional theory. When the predicted CD spectra for each conformation were multiplied by Boltzmann weighting factors created using heats of formation determined by the AM1 optimizations, the weighted composite CD spectrum created did resemble experiment for the pi-pi* transition indicating that both conformations may exist simultaneously in solution.

Circular Dichroism↗

Prostate-specific expression of Bax delivered by an adenoviral vector induces apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

In prostate carcinoma, overexpression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 has been found to be associated with resistance to therapies including radiation and androgen ablation. Restoring the balance of Bcl-2 family members may result in the induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells previously resistant to treatment. To accomplish this, a strategy involving overexpression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax was executed. The use of cytotoxic genes such as Bax require selective expression of the gene. In this study, we examined the ability of selective expression of Bax protein directed by a prostate-specific promoter to induce apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma. A second-generation adenoviral vector was constructed with the modified prostate-specific probasin promoter, ARR2PB, directing expression of an HA-tagged Bax gene and a green fluorescent protein reporter translated from an internal ribosome entry site (ARR2PB.Bax.GFP). ARR2PB promoter activity is tightly regulated and highly prostate specific and is responsive to androgens and glucocorticoids. The prostate-specific promoter-Bax-GFP transgene cassette was inserted into a cloning site near the right inverted terminal repeat of the adenoviral vector to retain specificity of the promoter. LNCaP cells infected with Ad/ARR(2)PB.Bax.GFP showed high levels of Bax expression 48 h after infection resulting in an 85% reduction in cell viability. Importantly, LNCaP cells stably transfected to overexpress Bcl-2 showed similar patterns of cell death when infected with Ad/ARR(2)PB.Bax.GFP, an 82% reduction in cell viability seen 48 h after infection. Apoptosis was confirmed by measuring caspase activation and using the TUNEL assay. Tissue specificity was evaluated using A549 cells (lung adenocarcinoma), SK-Hep-1 (liver cancer) cells, and Hela (cervical cancer) cells which did not show detectable expression of virally delivered Bax protein or any increase in cell death. Systemic administration of Ad/ARR2PB. Bax.GFP in nude mice revealed no toxicity in liver, lung, kidney, or spleen. This study shows that infection with the second-generation adenovirus, ARR2PB.Bax.GFP, results in highly specific cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells, and that consequent overexpression of Bax in prostate carcinoma, even in the context of high levels of Bcl-2 protein, resulted in apoptosis. These results suggest that a second-generation adenovirus-mediated, prostate-specific Bax gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Adenoviridae↗

The use of Fas Ligand, TRAIL and Bax in gene therapy of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Treatment options for confined disease are generally successful in prolonging life but long-term cures (10-15 years) are elusive for the majority of patients. The prognosis for advanced extra-capsular prostate cancer is grim. However, we are now entering the era of gene therapy options for treatment of prostate cancer. The human genome project coupled with genomics and protemics are providing information that will lead to selection of genes for treatment of prostate cancer. The problem is the science of delivery lags behind knowledge of gene function. Thus, it is important to develop therapies that do not require delivery to 100% of tumor cells but which nevertheless kills the entire cancer by virtue of the bystander effect or other means. This review covers the use, in gene therapy, of apoptotic inducing molecules such as Fas Ligand, and TRAIL which are believed to induce bystander killing activity and Bax which also may function in a similar way.

Adenoviridae↗

cDNA characterization and chromosomal mapping of human golgi SNARE GS27 and GS28 to chromosome 17.

Transport of proteins along the exocytotic pathway is primarily achieved by vesicular intermediates. Two proteins, Golgi SNAREs of 27 kDa, GS27, and of 28 kDa, GS28 (HGMW-approved nomenclature GOSR2 and GOSR1, respectively), are important trafficking membrane proteins between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi and between Golgi subcompartments. Here, we present the human GS27 and GS28 cDNA sequences. They encode predicted proteins of 212 and 250 amino acids, respectively. Chromosomal mapping analyses reveal that human GS27 is located on chromosome 17q21 and GS28 on approximately 17q11. The chromosomal location of GS27 near a locus implicated in familial essential hypertension and its known function in trafficking indicate that it is a potential candidate gene for this disease.

Chromosome Mapping↗

GS32, a novel Golgi SNARE of 32 kDa, interacts preferentially with syntaxin 6.

Syntaxin 1, synaptobrevins or vesicle-associated membrane proteins, and the synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) are key molecules involved in the docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. We report here the molecular, cell biological, and biochemical characterization of a 32-kDa protein homologous to both SNAP-25 (20% amino acid sequence identity) and the recently identified SNAP-23 (19% amino acid sequence identity). Northern blot analysis shows that the mRNA for this protein is widely expressed. Polyclonal antibodies against this protein detect a 32-kDa protein present in both cytosol and membrane fractions. The membrane-bound form of this protein is revealed to be primarily localized to the Golgi apparatus by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, a finding that is further established by electron microscopy immunogold labeling showing that this protein is present in tubular-vesicular structures of the Golgi apparatus. Biochemical characterizations establish that this protein behaves like a SNAP receptor and is thus named Golgi SNARE of 32 kDa (GS32). GS32 in the Golgi extract is preferentially retained by the immobilized GST-syntaxin 6 fusion protein. The coimmunoprecipitation of syntaxin 6 but not syntaxin 5 or GS28 from the Golgi extract by antibodies against GS32 further sustains the preferential interaction of GS32 with Golgi syntaxin 6.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A SNARE involved in protein transport through the Golgi apparatus.

In eukaryotic cells, the Golgi apparatus receives newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and delivers them after covalent modification to their destination in the cell. These proteins move from the inside (cis) face to the plasma-membrane side (trans) of the Golgi, through a stack of cisternae, towards the trans-Golgi network (TGN), but very little is known about how proteins are moved through the Golgi compartments. In a model known as the maturation model, no special transport process was considered necessary, with protein movement along the Golgi being achieved by maturation of the cisternae. Alternatively, proteins could be transported by vesicles or membrane tubules. Although little is known about membrane-tubule-mediated transport, the molecular mechanism for vesicle-mediated transport is quite well understood, occurring through docking of SNAREs on the vesicle with those on the target membrane. We have now identified a protein of relative molecular mass 27K which is associated with the Golgi apparatus. The cytoplasmic domain of this protein or antibodies raised against it quantitatively inhibit transport in vitro from the ER to the trans-Golgi/TGN, acting at a stage between the cis/medial- and the trans-Golgi/TGN. This protein, which behaves like a SNARE and has been named GS27 (for Golgi SNARE of 27K), is identical to membrin, a protein implicated earlier in ER-to-Golgi transport. Our results suggest that protein movement from medial- to the trans-Golgi/TGN depends on SNARE-mediated vesicular transport.

Animals↗

The right to refuse treatment is not a right to be killed.

It is widely accepted now that a patient's right to refuse treatment extends to circumstances in which the exercise of that right may lead to the patient's death. However, it is also often effectively assumed, without argument, that this implies a patient's right to request another agent to intervene so as to bring about his or her death, in a way which would render that agent guilty of murder in the absence of such a request. But the right to refuse treatment can, logically, have no such implication, and the mistaken supposition that it does conflates a right to die with a right to be killed. Confusion over this issue is brought out by an examination of conflicting opinion concerning the permissible termination of ventilation for mentally competent patients. A wider lesson may be drawn regarding the need for the ethical assessment of new forms of life-sustaining medical technology.

Ethics, Medical↗

The mammalian ARF-like protein 1 (Arl1) is associated with the Golgi complex.

A rat cDNA clone was isolated which encodes a protein displaying characteristics of a ras-like small GTPase. The deduced amino acid sequence shows the highest amino acid identity (79%) with the Drosophila ARF-like protein 1 (dArl1) among all the known members of the ras-like small GTPase superfamily. The encoded protein was tentatively named rat Arl1 (rArl1). Northern blotting analysis revealed that the rArl1 gene is ubiquitously expressed in rat tissues. Recombinant rArl1 fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST) to create GST-rArl1 binds GTP-gamma-S in a dose-dependent manner. Polyclonal antibodies raised against two unique rArl1 peptides recognized a 22 kDa protein in total NRK cell lysate. Immunofluorescence microscopy of NRK cells revealed discrete perinuclear labelling that could be competed out by GST-rArl1 but not GST. Examination of 8 additional cell lines revealed a similar labelling, suggesting that the antigen recognised by the antibodies is conserved and widely-expressed. Co-localization experiments in NRK cells with antibodies to mannosidase II and a newly identified cis-Golgi protein, p28, showed that rArl1 is localized to the Golgi complex. When cells were treated with nocodazole, the Golgi complex marked by mannosidase II and p28 was fragmented into punctate structures scattered throughout the cell, in which rArl1 was colocalized. Treatment with brefeldin A (BFA) resulted in the redistribution of rArl1 and mannosidase II into the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum, respectively. The kinetics of the redistribution of rArl1 in response to BFA differ from those of ARF and beta-COP, two components of non-clathrin coated vesicles.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗

Effect of psychotropic drugs on excitatory amino acids in patients undergoing psychosurgery for depression.

Samples of ventricular CSF were taken from 52 consecutive patients admitted for psychosurgery for intractable depression. Concentrations of asparagine, aspartate, glutamine, glutamic acid, and serine were determined. Glutamate and aspartate concentrations, implicated in excitotoxic brain damage, were not affected by various types of psychotropic drug treatment. Serine, a modulator of glutamate responses, was significantly elevated in samples from subjects receiving antidepressants. These subjects responded poorly to the operation. Psychotropic drugs are unlikely to be neurotoxic. Nevertheless, antidepressants may influence excitatory neurotransmission.

Adult↗

Terminal coma affects messenger RNA detection in post mortem human temporal cortex.

In situ hybridization histochemistry has been used to study the amount of M1 muscarinic receptor mRNA in temporal cortex from subjects with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, where the duration of terminal coma was known. Total polyadenylated mRNA and glutamate decarboxylase activity were also measured. Both muscarinic receptor mRNA and enzyme activity showed a significant decline with increasing duration of terminal coma, but were not related to diagnosis. Polyadenylated mRNA signal did not show an association with coma. These data indicate the need to consider the nature of the terminal illness in post mortem studies of mRNA as well as for neurochemical research.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Characterisation of the glycine modulatory site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-ionophore complex in human brain.

[3H]Glycine binding and glycine modulation of [3H]MK-801 binding have been used to study the glycine allosteric site associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex in postmortem human brain. The effect of glycine on [3H]MK-801 binding appeared sensitive to duration of terminal coma, and possibly postmortem delay. Thirty percent of the binding occurred in a subfraction of brain tissue and did not show enhancement by glycine and glutamic acid. [3H]Glycine binding to a subfraction free from this component was studied and showed high specific binding. KD and Bmax values showed considerable intersubject variability which did not appear to be due to demographic features or to tissue content of amino acids with an affinity for this site. The pharmacological characteristics of binding in this subfraction and a correlation between Bmax values and the maximal enhancement of [3H]MK-801 binding by glycine are consistent with [3H]glycine binding occurring to an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex associated site. Further support for this is provided by a significantly lower Bmax value for [3H]glycine binding in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and reduced glycine enhancement of [3H]MK-801 binding. However, the effect of perimortem factors makes it difficult to confidently attribute this solely to a disease-related change in the receptor. The possible role of the glycine allosteric site in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders is discussed.

Aged↗

Ante mortem cerebral amino acid concentrations indicate selective degeneration of glutamate-enriched neurons in Alzheimer's disease.

There is little information about major constituents of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. In the case of amino acids most of the previous data are contradictory. These have been interpreted in an anatomic and neurotransmitter as well as a metabolic context. To help clarify this, the contents of 14 amino acids and ethanolamine were determined in samples of neocortex from diagnostic craniotomies of 15 demented patients (10 with Alzheimer's disease) and other neurosurgical procedures (57 patients, 18 with intractable depression). A comprehensive survey of the effects of possible complicating factors on the concentrations of amino acids showed that artefacts were few; this was in contrast to a post mortem series of brains (16 with Alzheimer's disease and 16 controls; six regions assayed). We have used the ante mortem data to provide the basis for an accurate comparison of amino acid values between Alzheimer and control samples. In Alzheimer's disease, the mean contents of many amino acids were slightly higher (sum of the increases of those significantly affected was 15 nmol/mg protein) whereas glutamate content alone was significantly reduced (by 16 nmol/mg protein). This was not a feature of depression or a group of patients with other dementias. Glutamate content of Alzheimer samples was related to pyramidal neuron density in cortical layer III. These alterations were detected relatively early during the course of Alzheimer's disease and are considered to be due to loss of corticocortical glutamatergic association pathways.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Influence of tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine on excitatory amino acid release.

Alzheimer's disease may be associated with an early and clinically relevant degeneration of some cortical excitatory amino acid-releasing neurons. Tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (tacrine) might be an effective drug for the treatment of the disease. Various pharmacological paradigms (in rats) related to amino acid release are shown here to be modified both in vivo and in vitro by the drug. These effects are only observed with high concentrations, so it is unlikely that tacrine acts through amino acid release in humans.

Amino Acids↗

Clinical correlations of the neurobiological changes of aging.

Increasing age is associated with increased risk of developing both dementia and depression; both conditions appear to be associated with structural changes in the cerebral cortex. In depression, there was evidence for regional alterations in cortical neurons either as a result of the disease or its treatment. In Alzheimer's disease, a key change is likely to be either shrinkage or loss of corticocortical pyramidal neurones which probably use glutamate as their transmitter. The putative pathogenic role of glutamate and energy metabolism, as well as an approach to treatment of symptoms are outlined.

Aged↗

Brain amino acid concentrations and Ca2+-dependent release in intractable depression assessed antemortem.

The concentrations of 3 putative neurotransmitters (glutamate, aspartate and gamma-aminobutyrate), 4 related amino acids and 5 non-transmitter-related amino acids have been measured in neurosurgical samples (frontal cortex) from patients with intractable depression and controls. In addition, the glutamate receptor agonist 2-amino-4-sulpho-butanoic acid (homocysteic acid) has been identified in human brain and measured in these samples. There were no changes in the concentrations of amino acids in depressed patients compared to control with the exception of aspartic and homocysteic acids which were elevated in a sub-group of patients with depression compared to control. The Ca2+-dependent release (K+-stimulated) of putative neurotransmitters has been demonstrated for the first time from brain tissue of depressed patients. Glutamate release was unaltered from the control value. Aspartate values showed unexplained variability but it's release and that of gamma-aminobutyrate were elevated in some depressed subjects. These results do not support the hypothesis of reduced amino acid function in depressive illness.

Aged↗