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Biomedical subjects

W J Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to W J Thompson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

A novel cyclic GMP stimulated phosphodiesterase from rat brain.

A cDNA clone for cyclic GMP Stimulated Phosphodiesterase (cGSPDE; PDE2) was isolated from a rat brain cDNA library. The cDNA has an open reading frame which encodes a protein of 928 amino acids of which 829 are identical with the reported bovine adrenal gland cGSPDE cDNA (Sonnenburg, W.K., Mullaney, P.J., and Beavo, J.A. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 17655-17661). Although the overall homology of these two cDNAs is high, they are distinctly different in their 5' ends, with the N-terminal 37 amino acids of the rat brain protein showing no homology with the N-terminal end of the bovine adrenal protein. Hydrophilicity plots show that in contrast to the bovine adrenal cGSPDE, the N-terminal end of the rat brain cGSPDE is highly hydrophobic. Isolation and analysis of a genomic clone for cGSPDE from a rat genomic library shows the presence of an exon/intron junction at the Gln39 codon. The cGSPDE cDNA we have isolated and that of Sonnenburg et al. represent alternatively spliced mRNA products from the same gene, with the brain isoform designed to be targeted to membranes.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1994

Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells.

Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (cGPK) activity was determined in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMVEC) using cGMP-stimulated phosphorylation of BPDEtide and histone F2B substrates in the presence of PKI [peptide inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK)]. RPMVEC cGPK activity was localized to the 100,000 x g cytosolic fraction. The EC50 for cGMP activation in the presence of PKI was 0.16 microM and H-89 inhibition under similar conditions showed an IC50 value of 0.16 microM. Anion-exchange chromatography of RPMVEC and rat lung cytosolic fractions showed separation of the cGMP-dependent from the cGMP-independent protein kinase activity and similar elution conductivities. Further, Western blots of RPMVEC active DEAE-Trisacryl fractions showed immunoreactivity using bovine Type I cGPK antiserum. Preliminary studies reveal six potential substrates phosphorylated by cGPK in RPMVEC. These studies describe an endothelial cell (EC) cGMP-receptor, cGPK, in addition to cGMP-activated (Type II) phosphodiesterase (PDE).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The development of cyclic sulfolanes as novel and high-affinity P2 ligands for HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

Design and synthesis of a novel series of protease inhibitors incorporating conformationally constrained cyclic ligands for the S2-substrate binding site of HIV-1 protease is described. We recently reported urethanes of 3-tetrahydrofuranyl as P2 ligands for HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Subsequently, we have found that the urethane of 3(S)-hydroxysulfolane further increased the in vitro potency of these inhibitors. Furthermore, introduction of a small 2-alkyl group cis to the 3-hydroxyl group of either heterocyclic system further enhanced enzyme affinity. The cis-2-isopropyl group thus far offered optimum enhancement of the inhibitory properties. This led to the discovery of inhibitor 43 (IC50 3.5 nM, CIC95 50 +/- 14 nM) of comparable in vitro antiviral potency to the current clinical candidate 1 (Ro 31-8959) but of reduced molecular weight due to the exclusion of the P3 quinoline ligand. Also, it has been demonstrated that the octahydropyrindene derivative 34 is an effective replacement of the P1' decahydroisoquinoline derivative.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1994

Differential neural regulation of a neuromuscular junction-associated antigen in muscle fibers and Schwann cells.

Monoclonal antibodies 3G2 and 4E2 recognize a postsynaptic component of rat neuromuscular junctions. In contrast to many other postsynaptic junctional antigens, expression of this antigen is nerve-dependent: immunoreactivity disappears from junctions following denervation and returns upon reinnervation (Astrow et al., 1992 J. Neurosci. 12:1602-1615). Here we show that the epitope is also expressed by Schwann cells and that this expression is also neurally regulated. Weak mAb 3G2/4E2 immunoreactivity was found in myelinating Schwann cells but was not detected in either nonmyelinating Schwann cells or in terminal Schwann cells at the neuromuscular junction. Following axotomy, immunoreactivity increased in myelinating Schwann cells, and nonmyelinating and terminal Schwann cells became immunopositive. Moreover, the immunoreactivity in terminal Schwann cells revealed their extensive sprouting in response to denervation (Reynolds and Woolf, 1992, J. Neurocytol. 21: 50-66). After nerve regeneration, mAb 3G2/4E2 immunoreactivity in all Schwann cells returned towards normal: it disappeared from terminal Schwann cells, returned to low levels in myelinating Schwann cells, and decreased in nonmyelinating Schwann cells. Immunoblots of axotomized nerve and cultured muscle fibers revealed the same set of immunoreactive bands. Therefore, Schwann cells and muscle fibers share the expression of an epitope that is under neural control, but is regulated differently at each site. In Schwann cells, the presence of the nerve suppresses expression of the epitope, whereas in muscle fibers, the nerve terminal promotes this expression. The differential regulation of mAb 3G2/4E2 immunoreactivity in terminal Schwann cells and muscle fibers suggests that the epitope may be involved in interactions between nerve terminals and these cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Contractile properties and myosin phenotype of single motor units from neonatal rats.

The unloaded shortening velocity (Vus), twitch time to peak force (TTP), and myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition of motor units from soleus muscles of neonatal rats (7-8 and 16-18 days) were compared. The Vus range was from 2.2 to 7.1 fiber lengths (fl).s-1 and was unchanged from 7-8 to 16-18 days. TTP shifted from 7-8 (range, 66-120) to 16-18 days (range, 41-95). MHC-specific antibody staining of motor units revealed a correlation between MHC and Vus of individual motor units. Slowest motor units contained type I MHC. Intermediate Vus motor units contained both embryonic, neonatal, and/or type IIa MHCs. Fastest motor units contained neonatal and/or type IIa MHCs. These findings demonstrate that an individual motor unit of a neonatal muscle contains a nonrandom distribution of fiber types. The range of myosins present within the motor units of the soleus translates into a range of possible Vus.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Reversal of pulmonary capillary ischemia-reperfusion injury by rolipram, a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

Isoproterenol (ISO) and forskolin, agents that increase adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) via adenylyl cyclase activation, reverse lung injury associated with increased microvascular permeability. We studied the role of rolipram, a relatively isozyme-selective cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, in reversing increased capillary permeability due to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), a form of oxidant injury in the lung, by using the isolated perfused rat lung model. Rolipram (2 microM) administered after 45 min of ischemia and 45 min of reperfusion reduced I/R-increased permeability as measured by the capillary filtration coefficient to control lung values. Computer image analysis of air space edema and perivascular cuffing, as well as wet-to-dry weight ratios, confirms the permeability reversal by rolipram administration. Rolipram inhibition of cAMP PDE in the lung was assessed by using [3H]adenine prelabeling adapted for the whole lung and perfusate [3H]cAMP accumulation. Rolipram failed to increase perfusate cAMP alone but dramatically increased perfusate cAMP above ISO alone. Dose-response relationships of ISO or rolipram show a close correlation of the half-maximal effective dose (ED50) for injury reversal and perfusate cAMP production. The combination of rolipram and ISO produced synergistic reversal of I/R injury. We conclude that reversal of I/R-induced increased microvascular permeability can be achieved with rolipram and that the mechanism of action of rolipram is probably through PDE isozyme-selective inhibition. The similarity of the ED50 values for cAMP efflux and reversal of permeability increases also supports a close coupling between cAMP accumulation and endothelial cell permeability.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1994

Measurement of insulin wastage in five Ontario hospitals.

This study was designed to determine the extent of insulin wastage and the extrapolated cost of wastage for Ontario hospitals. The five hospitals in the study were chosen to include differences in patient mix and drug distribution systems. Beginning and ending inventories of all insulin types were taken spanning a six-week period. The quantity of insulin dispensed and wasted during this time period was recorded. Partial vials were measured using a calibrated scale. Wastage was calculated as insulin discarded divided by the amount of insulin used in the time period. Insulin wastage averaged 34.1%. This was equivalent to up to $8,000 a year for the largest hospital surveyed and translates to an estimated cost of $360,000 a year in all Ontario hospitals. Therefore, hospitals should estimate their insulin wastage and seek ways to reduce it. The pharmaceutical industry should be encouraged to develop cost-effective insulin delivery systems.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1993

Potent HIV protease inhibitors: the development of tetrahydrofuranylglycines as novel P2-ligands and pyrazine amides as P3-ligands.

A series of protease inhibitors bearing constrained unnatural amino acids at the P2-position and novel heterocycles at the P3-position of compound 1 (Ro 31-8959) were synthesized, and their in vitro enzyme inhibitory and antiviral activities were evaluated. Replacement of P2-asparagine of compound 1 with (2S,3'R)-tetrahydrofuranylglycine resulted in improvement in enzyme inhibitory as well as antiviral potencies (compound 23). Interestingly, incorporation of (2S,3'S)-tetrahydrofuranylglycine at the P2-position proved to be less effective. The resulting compound 24 was 100-fold less potent than the 2S,3R-isomer (compound 23). This stereochemical preference indicated a hydrogen-bonding interaction between the tetrahydrofuranyl oxygen and the residues of the S2-region of the enzyme active site. Furthermore, replacement of P3-quinolinoyl ligand of 1 with various novel heterocycles resulted in potent inhibitors of HIV proteases. Of particular interest, compound 2 with (2S,3'R)-tetrahydrofuranylglycine at P2 and pyrazine derivative at P3 is one of the most potent inhibitors of HIV-1 (IC50 value 0.07 nM) and HIV-2 (IC50 value 0.18 nM) proteases. Another important result in this series is the identification of compound 27 in which the P2-P3-amide carbonyl has been removed. The resulting compound 27 has exhibited improvement in antiviral potency while retaining the enzyme inhibitory potency similar to compound 1.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1993

Discrete and integral fourier transforms: analytical examples.

Analytical examples of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) help in understanding relations between the DFT and the Fourier integral transform (FIT). Such examples enable one to estimate the errors involved when one transform is approximated by the other, and they suggest how such approximation errors might be reduced. We present mathematical and numerical analyses of the time-to-frequency DFT of the complex exponential function and of the frequency-to-time inverse DFT of the relaxation function. The FITs of these functions are exact inverses, and so they serve to clarify the effects of aliasing and truncation on the DFT.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Sulfonylmethanesulfonamide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase.

A series of sulfonylmethanesulfonamide derivatives is described, which are inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase (CA). The most potent of these is the racemic fluoro sulfone 9, which inhibits carbon dioxide hydration catalyzed by human CA II (CA-II) with an IC50 of 3 nM. Binding competition studies versus dansylamide indicate that the enantiomers of 9 have different affinities for CA-II, with equilibrium dissociation constants of 3.6 and 0.6 nM. QSAR analysis suggests that the key factors involved in achieving high affinity in this series are sulfonamide acidity, hydrophobicity, and minimization of steric demands at the carbon atom adjacent to the sulfonamide group.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effect of nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase products on vascular resistance in dog and rat lungs.

Pulmonary vascular resistance decreases with increased cardiac output. Because nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin are potent vasodilators that are released with increased shear stress, their roles in the control of pulmonary vascular pressure were evaluated using isolated blood-perfused rat and dog lungs. Lungs were perfused with an initial arteriovenous pressure gradient (Ppa-Ppv) of 15 cmH2O; Ppa and Ppv were increased by the same amount, and the flow was measured. In rat lung (n = 6), the NO synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) decreased pulmonary blood flow by approximately 50% at the same pressure (P < 0.05), whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (n = 6) had no effect. In dog lungs (n = 6), indomethacin decreased pulmonary blood flow by approximately 50% at the same pressure gradient (P < 0.05), whereas L-NAME (n = 6) had no effect. Furthermore, the flow increase that occurs as venous and arterial pressures are elevated together (so that Ppa-Ppv is constant) was inhibited by L-NAME in rat lungs and by indomethacin in dog lungs (P < 0.05 for each). Plasma guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) rose with increased absolute pressure in rat lung [from 71 +/- 17 to 274 +/- 104 pM (P < 0.05)], and this increase was blocked by L-NAME. Plasma cGMP was unchanged in dog lung, but the ratio of prostacyclin to thromboxane tended to be higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis and antiviral activity of a series of HIV-1 protease inhibitors with functionality tethered to the P1 or P1' phenyl substituents: X-ray crystal structure assisted design.

By tethering of a polar hydrophilic group to the P1 or P1' substituent of a Phe-based hydroxyethylene isostere, the antiviral potency of a series of HIV protease inhibitors was improved. The optimum enhancement of anti-HIV activity was observed with the 4-morpholinylethoxy substituent. The substituent effect is consistent with a model derived from inhibitor docked in the crystal structure of the native enzyme. An X-ray crystal structure of the inhibited enzyme determined to 2.25 A verifies the modeling predictions.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1992

HIV-1 protease inhibitors based on hydroxyethylene dipeptide isosteres: an investigation into the role of the P1' side chain on structure-activity.

A systematic investigation was undertaken to determine the role of the P1' sidechain in a series of hydroxyethylene isostere based inhibitors of HIV-1 protease. Substitution and homologation of the benzyl P1' side chain of the Phe-Phe isostere based pseudo peptides 1 (L-682,679) and 2 (L-685,434) with various heteroalkyl groups leads to a series of extremely potent inhibitors of the enzyme. Several examples of the most potent inhibitors were very effective in an ex vivo cell based viral spread assay using human H9 T-lymphocytes and the IIIb isolate of HIV-1. Compound 19 is 120 times more potent than 1 and 16 times more potent than 2 in inhibiting the spread of infection in this assay.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1992

Differential regulation of chromogranin B/secretogranin I and secretogranin II by forskolin in PC12 cells.

The factors which regulate the expression of the granin family of secretory proteins have yet to be completely described. The present study investigated the effects of forskolin (FSK), an activator of adenylate cyclase, on the regulation of chromogranin B/secretogranin I (CgB) and secretogranin II (SgII) mRNA levels in rat PC12 cells. PC12 cells were treated with 10 microM FSK for time points up to 48 h and were harvested for cAMP determination, RNA isolation and Northern blot analysis, or fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunocytochemistry. Cellular cAMP levels peaked after two h of FSK treatment and remained elevated for 48 h. Chromogranin B mRNA increased with FSK treatment, reaching a maximum of 7-fold above control after 24 h, while the level of SgII mRNA decreased to a level of 65 +/- 10% of control after 48 h. The effects of FSK on CgB mRNA appear to be mediated by cAMP, as 8-bromo-cAMP (500 microM) resulted in a 2.8-fold increase in CgB mRNA, and H-89 (30 microM), a selective inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, reduced the FSK-mediated response. The level of CgB was also increased in FSK-treated cells, as evidenced by immunofluorescent analysis which showed a more intense staining in PC12 cells treated with FSK for 48 h than in untreated cells. The intensity of SgII staining was diminished by FSK treatment, most likely a result of a decreased rate of synthesis as well as an increase in the release of SgII. This study demonstrated that the mRNA and protein levels of CgB and SgII are differentially regulated by cAMP in PC12 cells.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed1992

Reversal of increased microvascular permeability associated with ischemia-reperfusion: role of cAMP.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is a form of oxidant injury known to increase microvascular permeability in the lung. Agents that increase adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels have been shown to have beneficial effects in several models of oxidant lung injury associated with increased microvascular permeability. We investigated the role of adenylate cyclase activation with isoproterenol (ISO) or forskolin (FSK) in reversing the increased microvascular permeability associated with IR. ISO or FSK administered after 45 min of ischemia and 46 min of reperfusion caused a reduction in the capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc) from 1.25 +/- 0.13 to 0.53 +/- 0.08 and 0.55 +/- 0.10 ml.min-1.cmH2O-1.100 g tissue-1, respectively, at 90 min of reperfusion. This reduction in Kfc was accompanied by a rise in perfusate cAMP levels from 16.5 +/- 4.9 and 31.2 +/- 11.9 pmol/ml at 45 min of reperfusion to 444.2 +/- 147.8 and 276.1 +/- 91.0 pmol/ml at 105 min of reperfusion in lungs treated with ISO or FSK, respectively, at 46 min of reperfusion. Dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), a membrane-permeable cAMP analogue, mimicked the permeability effect by reducing Kfc to 0.67 +/- 0.15 at 90 min of reperfusion. Significant hemodynamic changes occurred but were small and cannot explain the observed effect on Kfc. Photomicrographs from lungs treated with ISO or FSK revealed a reversal of the morphological manifestations of increased microvascular permeability. We conclude that the increased microvascular permeability associated with IR can be reversed by ISO, FSK, and DBcAMP and that cAMP produced by the lung contributes to the observed reversal.

Animals↗