Biomedical subjects

W J Welch

Publications and source records attributed to W J Welch.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Identification, characterization, and purification of two mammalian stress proteins present in mitochondria, grp 75, a member of the hsp 70 family and hsp 58, a homolog of the bacterial groEL protein.

We describe the identification, characterization, and purification of two members of the mammalian stress protein family, both of which are shown to be components of the mitochondria. The first, with an apparent mass of 58,000 daltons, is a constitutive protein whose synthesis increases in cells exposed to elevated temperatures and/or amino acid analogs and is therefore referred to as heat shock protein hsp 58 (hsp 58). The second, with an apparent mass of 75,000 daltons, is also a constitutive protein whose synthesis is increased in cells following glucose deprivation or exposure to either a calcium ionophore or 2-deoxyglucose and therefore represents a member of the so-called glucose-regulated proteins (grp 75). In cells treated with the potassium ionophore, nonactin, both hsp 58 and grp 75 were observed to accumulate in precursor form. Since nonactin has been reported to specifically inhibit the processing of cytoplasmic precursor proteins destined for the mitochondria, we investigated whether mature hsp 58 and grp 75 were components of the mitochondria. Mitochondria were isolated from rat liver and shown to contain both hsp 58 and grp 75. Indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies specific to either hsp 58 or grp 75 confirmed their presence within mitochondria. Proteolytic digestion experiments with intact mitochondria indicated that both proteins were not accessible to external proteolytic attack, suggesting that they are not exposed on the cytoplasmic face of the outer membrane. Based on a variety of biochemical and immunological criteria, grp 75 is shown to be a member of the hsp 70 family of stress proteins, while hsp 58 represents the mammalian equivalent of the bacterial groEL protein. Procedures for the purification of both hsp 58 and grp 75 are presented. The possible biochemical role of these two mitochondrial stress proteins is discussed in relation to the known biochemical function of their related stress protein counterparts.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor increase phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein. Effects in fibroblasts, Hep G2 and U937 cells.

Interleukin 1 alpha and tumour necrosis factor-alpha stimulated phosphorylation of three 27 kDa phosphoproteins in MRC-5 fibroblasts which was sustained for up to 2 h after adding the cytokines. All three phosphoproteins were immunoprecipitated by a specific antiserum to the small mammalian heat shock protein, hsp 27. The three phosphoproteins from stimulated or control cells contained phosphoserine but not phosphothreonine or phosphotyrosine. Similar increases in phosphorylation of immunoprecipitable 27 kDa proteins were seen in U937 cells stimulated by TNF alpha and Hep G2 cells stimulated by IL1 alpha.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Activation primes human B lymphocytes to respond to heat shock.

Crosslinkage of the B cell antigen receptor by anti-mu beads or SAC results in the selective induction of hsp70. We have observed that activated cells, having enhanced expression of hsp70, survive lethal stimuli much better than their unactivated counterparts. These results are in accordance with the proposal that hsp70 is essential for cells to survive lethal environmental stresses. Moreover, the activation event itself primes B cells thereby enabling them to increase the expression of both hsp70 mRNA and protein. This is the first demonstration that triggering of B cells via crosslinkage of sIg is accompanied by the induction of thermotolerance without the need for a prior sublethal heat treatment.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed1989

Induction of stress protein HSP70 in nerve cells after status epilepticus in the rat.

The accumulation of the stress protein HSP70 was found to be an excellent marker for prolonged seizure related metabolic activity of neurons. After kainic acid (KA) induced status epilepticus we observed HSP70 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA4 and CA1 sectors, the subiculum, the basolateral and the lateral nuclei of the amygdala, the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, the caudal part of the striatum, the claustrum and in neurons of certain neocortical areas. HSP70-positive nerve cells appeared normal in conventional histological stains. Conversely, degenerating neurons (e.g. in the hippocampal CA3 sector) remained unlabeled.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Possible involvement of the 90-kDa heat shock protein in the regulation of protein synthesis.

The heme-sensitive eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2 alpha kinase regulates translational activity in reticulocytes by phosphorylation of the smallest subunit of eukaryotic peptide initiation factor 2, eIF-2. Highly purified preparations of the kinase contain an abundant 90-kDa polypeptide which appears to modulate the activity of the enzyme. The physical properties and structural characteristics of the reticulocyte 90-kDa peptide are similar to those of the 90-kDa heat shock protein (hsp 90) from HeLa and other mammalian cells. The reticulocyte and HeLa cell proteins are shown to be immunologically cross-reactive. A direct comparison of the two proteins by one-dimensional peptide mapping of large peptides generated by limited proteolysis and by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis of tryptic peptides indicates that they represent the same protein species. Like the 90-kDa reticulocyte protein, HeLa cell hsp 90 causes increased eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation by the heme-sensitive kinase and is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in the reticulocyte lysate system. A potential mechanism for the latter inhibition is inferred. These results implicate hsp 90 in the regulation of protein synthesis via its interaction with and perhaps regulation of the heme-sensitive kinase and phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Enhancement of sympathetic nerve activity by single premature ventricular beats in humans.

This is the first systematic study of the effects of ventricular premature beats on sympathetic nerve activity in humans. Microneurographic techniques were used to record efferent sympathetic activity from the peroneal nerve, and an intracardiac electrode catheter was used to introduce ventricular premature beats after every 6 to 10 sinus heartbeats. Studies were performed in eight patients, aged 22 to 74 years (mean 57), undergoing cardiac electrophysiologic studies. Three patients did not have apparent heart disease and five had coronary artery disease. During sinus rhythm, 19 to 93% (mean 42%) of heartbeats were followed by a pulse-synchronous burst of sympathetic activity. Provoked ventricular premature beats had obvious effects on this activity. Premature beats with coupling intervals less than 80% of sinus cycle length were consistently followed by a burst of sympathetic activity, and this activity was greater in amplitude, duration and area (all p less than 0.05) than were burst of such activity during sinus rhythm. The magnitude of this burst of activity increased as the coupling interval of the ventricular premature beat decreased (p less than 0.0001). In contrast, postextrasystolic beats were followed by nearly complete neural silence. These effects were seen in all patients regardless of baseline burst incidence and the presence or absence of heart disease. Total nerve activity per 10 heartbeats was 6,520 +/- 770 U during ventricular extrastimulation and 5,720 +/- 440 U during normal sinus rhythm (difference not significant). It is concluded that single ventricular premature beats provoke fluxes of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in humans, comprising surges of sympathetic activity larger than those occurring during sinus rhythm, followed by neural silence.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Cell cycle-dependent association of HSP70 with specific cellular proteins.

In asynchronous populations of HeLa cells maintained at control or heat shock temperatures, HSP70 levels and its subcellular distribution exhibit substantial heterogeneity as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence with HSP70-specific monoclonal antibodies. Of particular interest is a subpopulation of cells in which the characteristic nuclear accumulation and nucleolar association of HSP70 is not detected after heat shock treatment. This apparent variation in the heat shock response is not observed when synchronized cells are examined. In this study, we demonstrate that three monoclonal antibodies to HSP70, in particular, do not detect nucleolar-localized HSP70 in heat-shocked G2 cells. This is not due to an inability of G2 cells to respond to heat shock as measured by increased HSP70 mRNA and protein synthesis, or due to a lack of accumulation of HSP70 after heat shock in G2. Rather the epitopes recognized by the various antibodies appear to be inaccessible, perhaps due to the association of HSP70 with other proteins. Non-denaturing immunoprecipitations with these HSP70-specific antibodies suggest that HSP70 may interact with other cellular proteins in a cell cycle-dependent manner.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Modulation of vimentin containing intermediate filament distribution and phosphorylation in living fibroblasts by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Microinjection of the purified catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) into living rat embryo fibroblasts leads to dramatic changes in vimentin intermediate filament (IF) organization, involving the collapse of the filaments into tight bundles. In some cell types, this rearrangement of the IF proceeds further, leading to an apparent loss of filament integrity, resulting in a punctate staining pattern throughout the cytoplasm. Both these types of IF rearrangement are fully reversible, and similar to structural changes previously described for IF during mitosis. As shown by electron microscopy, in rat embryo fibroblasts these changes in IF structure do not involve the loss of the 10-nM filament structure but instead correspond to the bundling together of 25 or more individual filaments. Metabolic pulse labeling of injected cells reveals that accompanying these changes in IF organization is a dramatic increase in vimentin phosphorylation which appears maximal when the IF are fully rearranged. However, this increase in IF phosphorylation is not accompanied by any significant increase in soluble vimentin. Analysis of the sites of phosphorylation on vimentin from injected cells by either V8 protease cleavage, or two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping, revealed increased de novo phosphorylation of two vimentin phosphopeptides after microinjection of A-kinase. These data strongly suggest that the site-specific phosphorylation of vimentin by A-kinase is responsible for the dynamic changes in IF organization observed after injection of the kinase into living cells, and may be involved in similar rearrangement of the IF previously described during mitosis or after heat shock.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Pericardial repair of endocardial defect following regional endocardial resection for ventricular tachycardia.

Regional endocardial resection is the accepted surgical treatment for sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. In patients requiring extensive endocardial resection, or with large aneurysms involving the interventricular septum, the resulting defect may result in weakened myocardium and, ultimately, ventricular septal defect or ventricular rupture. A new approach for repair of the resulting defect is proposed using an autogenous pericardial patch sutured to normal endocardium and included in the aneurysm repair. This technique was performed in six patients undergoing surgery for drug refractory ventricular tachycardia. All patients had large anterior left ventricular aneurysms with endocardial scar extending onto the septum. The large endocardial defect left after endocardial resection and aneurysmectomy was repaired with a pericardial patch. No intraoperative complications (e.g., suture line bleeding) were observed as a result of this technique. All patients are alive, and five of the six patients no longer have inducible ventricular tachycardia. An improvement in congestive heart failure symptoms at 1-9 months of follow-up was noted following surgery. We conclude that the pericardium can be safely used to cover endocardial defects resulting from regional endocardial resection for sustained ventricular tachycardia.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Binding of heat shock proteins to the avian progesterone receptor.

The protein composition of the avian progesterone receptor was analyzed by immune isolation of receptor complexes and gel electrophoresis of the isolated proteins. Nonactivated cytosol receptor was isolated in association with the 90-kilodalton (kDa) heat shock protein, hsp90, as has been described previously. A 70-kDa protein was also observed and was shown by Western immunoblotting to react with an antibody specific to the 70-kDa heat shock protein. Thus, two progesterone receptor-associated proteins are identical, or closely related, to heat shock proteins. When the two progesterone receptor species, A and B, were isolated separately in the absence of hormone, both were obtained in association with hsp90 and the 70-kDa protein. However, activated receptor isolated from oviduct nuclear extracts was associated with the 70-kDa protein, but not with hsp90. A hormone-dependent dissociation of hsp90 from the cytosolic form of the receptor complex was observed within the first hour of in vivo progesterone treatment, which could explain the lack of hsp90 in nuclear receptor complexes. In a cell-free system, hsp90 binding to receptor was stabilized by molybdate but disrupted by high salt. These treatments, however, did not alter the binding of the 70-kDa protein to receptor. Association of the 70-kDa protein with the receptor could be disrupted by the addition of ATP at elevated temperatures (23 degrees C). The receptor-associated 70-kDa protein is an ATP-binding protein, as demonstrated by its affinity labeling with azido[32P]ATP. These results indicate that the two receptor-associated proteins interact with the progesterone receptor by different mechanisms and that they are likely to affect the structure or function of the receptor in different ways.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1989

Effect of salt deprivation on blood pressure in rats.

In most cases blood pressure (BP) is directly related to NaCl intake. In some studies, BP is increased by low salt intake. The effect of Na and Cl deprivation or selective Na deprivation on BP in the normotensive Sprague-Dawley rat was investigated. In study 1, rats were uninephrectomized and fed low NaCl, normal NaCl, or low Na-normal Cl for 3 wk. BP was higher (P less than 0.05) in rats fed low NaCl and low Na-normal Cl than normal NaCl. Plasma renin activity was stimulated by low NaCl intake but was not different between the other two groups. After captopril treatment, BP was lower in the low NaCl group (73.1 +/- 3.6 mmHg) than in the normal-NaCl (99.2 +/- 6.7 mmHg) or low Na-normal Cl (92.0 +/- 6.7 mmHg) groups. In study 2, intact rats (n = 8 per group) were fed low (less than 0.01%), normal (1%), or high NaCl (4%) for 1 wk. BP and heart rate were higher in the low-NaCl group (P less than 0.05) than in the other two groups. Plasma volumes were not different among the groups. In study 3, two groups of eight rats were given either low NaCl or 2% NaCl for 2 wk. BP (131.4 +/- 3.6 mmHg) and heart rate (402 +/- 11 beats/min) were higher in the low-NaCl group than in the 2% NaCl group (121.1 +/- 3.2 mmHg and 369 +/- 9 beats/min, respectively). In the normotensive Sprague-Dawley rat, low NaCl intake elevated BP when compared with normal or high NaCl intake. Part of the increase in the uninephrectomized, Cl-supplemented group is not dependent on the renin-angiotensin system.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Intrarenal vasoconstriction during hyperchloremia: role of thromboxane.

The role of thromboxane (Tx) in chloride-induced renal vasoconstriction was studied in Munich-Wistar rats. Hyperchloremia (induced by changing an intra-aortic, super-renal infusion of 1.2 M Na acetate to 1.2 M NaCl) reduced the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by 31 +/- 3% (P less than 0.001; n = 27), and the clearance of p-aminohippurate (CPAH) by 36 +/- 4% (P less than 0.01). The Tx synthetase antagonists (25 mg/kg) UK-38,485 or OKY-046 prevented these changes. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg) also prevented Cl-induced changes in GFR and CPAH and blunted (P less than 0.05) the Cl-induced increase in renal vascular resistance (RVR, vehicle +55 +/- 11%, n = 8, indomethacin +27 +/- 7%, n = 6). Hyperchloremia reduced the hydraulic pressures (mmHg) in the outer cortical efferent arteriolar star vessels (PEA, 23.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 17.9 +/- 0.9; P less than 0.01) and proximal tubules (PT, 21.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 15.8 +/- 1.4; P less than 0.01) but not in the glomerular capillaries (PGC, 47.0 +/- 2.5 vs. 49.5 +/- 2.2; NS). Therefore the hydraulic pressure drop across the glomerular capillaries (PGC - PT) increased (24.9 +/- 2.8 vs. 34.6 +/- 2.9; P less than 0.02). UK-38,485 prevented significant Cl-induced changes in these pressures. The calculated resistances of the afferent and efferent arterioles both increased during hyperchloremia (+56 +/- 19%; P less than 0.05 and +195 +/- 66%; P less than 0.01, respectively) but were blunted after UK-38,485 (+23 +/- 8 and +21 +/- 10%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Modulation of renin by thromboxane: studies with thromboxane synthase inhibitor, receptor antagonists, and mimetic.

The regulation of plasma renin activity (PRA) by thromboxane (Tx) A2 was studied in anesthetized rats by measuring PRA before and after administration of drugs that block cyclooxygenase (CO) (indomethacin [INDO], 5 mg/kg), thromboxane synthase (TS) (UK 38485 [UK], 100 mg/kg), or Tx receptors (SQ 29548 [SQ], 8 mg/kg or L 641953 [L], 50 mg/kg) or that activate Tx receptors (U 46619 [U], 10 ng.kg-1.min-1). PRA (ng ANG I.ml-1.h-1) was unaffected by vehicle; it was reduced by INDO (25 +/- 2 to 13 +/- 3, n = 13, P less than 0.001) but was increased by UK (24 +/- 3 to 50 +/- 6, n = 18, P less than 0.005), SQ (27 +/- 4 to 44 +/- 7, n = 6, P less than 0.05), and L (32 +/- 4 to 51 +/- 7, n = 10, P less than 0.05). U reduced PRA in each rat (17 +/- 3 to 10 +/- 3, n = 6, P less than 0.005). UK caused dose-dependent stimulation of PRA (mean effective dose 50 mg/kg) and inhibition of TxB2 excretion (mean inhibitory dose 15 mg/kg). After INDO, SQ no longer changed PRA (-1 +/- 10, n = 7). Prolonged administration of SQ for 4-6 days (20 mg.kg-1.day-1 ip) did not change Na+ or K+ balances, blood pressure, renal hemodynamics, or urine flow. However, SQ stimulated PRA (P less than 0.007) independent of prior salt intake. In conclusion in anesthetized rats 1) PRA is stimulated by products of CO but inhibited by products of TS and by a Tx mimetic; 2) stimulation of PRA by SQ depends on ongoing PG and Tx synthesis; 3) rise in PRA with Tx antagonists is not closely related to changes in salt balance, blood pressure, or renal hemodynamics.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

PubMed1988

Heat shock is lethal to fibroblasts microinjected with antibodies against hsp70.

Synthesis of a small group of highly conserved proteins in response to elevated temperature and other agents that induce stress is a universal feature of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Although correlative evidence suggests that these proteins play a role in enhancing survival during and after stress, there is no direct evidence to support this in mammalian cells. To assess the role of the most highly conserved heat shock protein (hsp) family during heat shock, affinity-purified monoclonal antibodies to hsp70 were introduced into fibroblasts by needle microinjection. In addition to impairing the heat-induced translocation of hsp70 proteins into the nucleus after mild heat shock treatment, injected cells were unable to survive a brief incubation at 45 degrees C. Cells injected with control antibodies survived a similar heat shock. These results indicate that functional hsp70 is required for survival of these cells during and after thermal stress.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Autoantibodies to the constitutive 73-kD member of the hsp70 family of heat shock proteins in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently contain IgM and IgG autoantibodies to the constitutively expressed 73-kD/pI 5.5 member of the hsp70 family of heat shock proteins, as determined by one-dimensional (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimensional (IEF/SDS-PAGE) immunoblotting, and by solid-phase SLE Ig immunoprecipitation experiments using hsp70 protein-specific mAbs as probes. Autoantibodies to hsp70 also were detected in a minority of sera from patients with other rheumatic or viral diseases, but not in normal sera. These data may provide additional insight into etiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms in this and related autoimmune disorders.

Autoantibodies↗

PubMed1988

Hyperthermia protects against light damage in the rat retina.

An increase in the synthesis of heat shock proteins that is induced in cells in vitro by hyperthermia or other types of metabolic stress correlates with enhanced cell survival upon further stress. To determine if a similar increase in stress tolerance could be elicited in vivo, rats were made hyperthermic, and then their retinas were tested for sensitivity to light damage. This treatment resulted in a marked decrease in photoreceptor degeneration after exposure to bright light as compared to normothermic animals. Concomitant with such protection was an increase in retinal synthesis of three heat shock proteins. Thus, a physiological rise in body temperature enhances the stress tolerance of nerve tissue, perhaps by increasing heat shock protein production.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Identity of the 19S 'prosome' particle with the large multifunctional protease complex of mammalian cells (the proteasome).

There have been many reports that eukaryotic cells contain ring-shaped 19S or 20S particles which are composed of numerous polypeptide subunits ranging in size between 25 and 35 kilodaltons. Because these particles seemed to copurify with inactive mRNA, they were assumed to function in regulating mRNA translation and hence were named 'prosomes' (for 'programmed-o-some'). A number of properties have been reported for these structures, including an association with specific RNA species or with certain heat-shock proteins and involvement in tRNA processing or aminoacyl tRNA synthesis. However, these proposed activities have not been supported by definitive evidence. During studies of the proteolytic systems in mammalian tissues, we noted many similarities between these 19S particles and the high molecular weight protease complexes that are present in most or all eukaryotic cells. This (700 kilodalton) enzyme complex, designated here as LAMP for 'large alkaline multi-functional protease', contains three distinct endoproteolytic sites which function at neutral or alkaline pH and are specific for hydrolysis of proteins, hydrophobic peptides, or basic peptides. This protease also exists in a latent form which can be activated by polylysine, fatty acids, or ATP. In this report, we show that the prosomes and these protease complexes are very similar or identical with respect to their size, polypeptide composition, immunological cross-reactivity, appearance in the electron microscope, radial symmetry of subunits, subcellular localization, and proteolytic activities. Therefore, the 'prosome' probably plays a critical role in intracellular protein breakdown, and we propose that it be renamed 'proteasome'.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Localization of 70-kDa stress protein induction in gerbil brain after ischemia.

Induction of the 70-kDa heat shock protein, hsp70, has been demonstrated in brain following experimental stroke. In the present study, hsp70 was localized in gerbil brain at intervals after transient ischemia using a monoclonal antibody specific for stress-inducible forms of hsp70-related proteins. Induced immunoreactivity was found only in neurons, primarily in hippocampus, striatum, entorhinal cortex and some neocortical regions. Notably hsp70 accumulation was minimal in hippocampal CA1 neurons which die after brief ischemic episodes, but was most pronounced in dentate granule cells and CA3 neurons which are spared. The peak of CA3 immunoreactivity occurred at 48-h recirculation, at the onset of CA1 neuron loss at 2-4 days, demonstrating that hsp70 induction is also a component of this delayed hippocampal pathophysiology rather than a direct response to the metabolic disruption of the initial ischemic episode. These results suggest that hsp70 immunocytochemistry may serve as a marker for neuronal circuitry involved in proposed excitotoxic mechanisms after ischemia and other stresses. Control animals showed immunoreactivity in ependymal cells lining the ventricles, indicating a role for hsp70 in normal functioning of these specialized cells.

Animals↗