Biomedical subjects

W T Butler

Publications and source records attributed to W T Butler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Dentin sialoprotein: biosynthesis and developmental appearance in rat tooth germs in comparison with amelogenins, osteocalcin and collagen type-I.

A non-collagenous protein, extracted from rat incisor dentin, is a dentin sialoprotein (DSP). We examined immunohistochemically the developmental appearance and tissue distribution of DSP in 1 to 3-day-old rat molar and incisor tooth germs. The earliest staining for DSP was observed in newly differentiated odontoblasts. In more advanced stages, immunostaining for DSP gradually increased in pre-dentin, odontoblasts and dentin, and appeared in many cells of the dental papilla. In early stages of development before the breakdown of the dental basement membrane, pre-ameloblasts were also positive for DSP. This staining disappeared from the ameloblast cell body soon after deposition of the first layer of mineralized dentin. Radiolabelling of tooth matrix proteins with 14C-serine in vitro followed by immunoprecipitation and fluorography confirmed that DSP was synthesized by tooth-forming cells. The immunolocalization for DSP was different from that of either collagen type-I, osteocalcin or the amelogenins. Whereas collagen type-I and osteocalcin were restricted to the mesenchymal dental tissues, the amelogenins were detectable in both epithelial and mesenchymal dental cells and tissues at the epithelio-mesenchymal interface at early stages of development, prior to the onset of dentin mineralization. We conclude that DSP is expressed in and secreted by odontoblasts and some dental papilla cells from early stages of dentinogenesis onwards, i.e. later than type-I collagen, but before deposition of the first layer of mineralized dentin. In pre-mineralizing stages, some of the matrix proteins may be endocytosed from the pre-dentin by both cell types involved in the epithelio-mesenchymal interaction.

Amelogenin↗

PubMed1993

Osteopontin-hydroxyapatite interactions in vitro: inhibition of hydroxyapatite formation and growth in a gelatin-gel.

Osteopontin is a phosphorylated bone matrix sialoprotein, postulated to play a regulatory role in biomineralization. The effects of a crude preparation of rat bone osteopontin and a more highly purified bovine bone osteopontin were evaluated using a gel diffusion system to measure effects of 0.1-100 micrograms/ml of this matrix protein on hydroxyapatite formation and crystal proliferation. Bovine osteopontin at concentrations greater than 25 micrograms/ml inhibited both hydroxyapatite formation and growth in a dose-dependent manner. Osteopontin at concentrations lower than 25 micrograms/ml had no detectable effect on the amount of mineral accumulated in experiments with and without pre-formed hydroxyapatite seed crystals either when initial mineral deposition was assessed at 3.5 days, or when mineral formation and growth were assessed at 5 days. There was a statistically significant dose-dependent decrease in crystal length at all concentrations tested. The rat osteopontin preparation had similar inhibitory abilities. Partial dephosphorylation of bovine osteopontin with alkaline phosphatase removed its inhibitory ability, and reduced its ability to bind calcium. The affinity of bovine osteopontin for hydroxyapatite was determined based on a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with values of K (binding affinity) and N (number of binding sites) being 0.026 ml/microgram and 1084 micrograms/m2, respectively. The data suggest that, in this system, osteopontin is an effective inhibitor of hydroxyapatite formation and growth due to its affinity for the hydroxyapatite crystals. In this system, osteopontin, distinct from other phosphoproteins which both promote and inhibit hydroxyapatite deposition, did not enhance mineral formation at any concentration tested.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Differences in composition of cell-attachment sialoproteins between dentin and bone.

Matrices of dentin and bone were compared with respect to the content of cell-attachment sialoproteins. The levels of two sialoproteins, osteopontin (OPN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP), were determined in dentin and bone by immunochemical procedures. Polyclonal antibodies against bovine BSP and an antibody against the amino-terminal decapeptide of rat OPN were used. The relative levels of OPN and BSP in dentin were less than one-tenth of the levels in bone. The differences between dentin and bone levels of OPN and BSP were thus larger than those for osteonectin or bone Gla protein in the two tissues. The scarcity of the cell-attachment proteins in dentin may reflect the metabolic inactivity of dentin.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Evidence for the formation of a complex between osteopontin and osteocalcin.

We hypothesize that the mechanisms governing bone formation and remodeling involve the assembly of some of the components of the extracellular matrix into supramolecular complexes. We have examined the associations of osteopontin (OPN) with other proteins isolated from demineralized rat long bones. Three ligand binding techniques were used to demonstrate the formation of complexes between osteopontin and osteocalcin (OCN). Using gel overlay assays, the binding between soluble 125I-OPN and OCN immobilized in acrylamide gels was visualized. Competition for 125I-OPN-OCN complexes was demonstrated when unlabeled OCN-enriched bone extract was included in gel overlay solutions. Also, gel overlay assays showed 125I-OCN binding to OPN. Saturable binding was shown in solid-phase filter binding assays, which yielded an equilibrium binding constant of moderately high affinity (approximately 10(-8) M). Specificity of OPN-OCN complex formation was confirmed by measuring binding in the presence of unlabeled OPN and OCN versus a bone-localized serum protein, alpha 2HS-glycoprotein. Finally, the formation of soluble complexes were demonstrated in a modified Hummel-Dreyer gel filtration assay. These results indicate that OPN and OCN form complexes in vitro. The possible functions of OPN-OCN complexes in osteoclast recruitment and attachment are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Improved binding of acidic bone matrix proteins to cationized filters during solid phase assays.

A number of commercially available matrix filter supports have been designed for the immobilization of proteins following either electrotransfer from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels or direct application during dot blotting assays. These matrices differ with respect to chemical composition, charge, pore size, and degree of hydrophobicity. It follows that the properties of the protein(s) of interest will greatly influence the degree to which they interact with and ultimately bind to various filters. Acidic bone proteins contain diverse post-translational modifications that influence their interactions with solid phase matrices such as those used in immunoblotting (Western or dot blotting) or ion binding (overlay) procedures. This communication describes the results of a study comparing binding of various mixtures of non-collagenous acidic bone matrix phosphoproteins as well as purified osteopontin and osteocalcin to various filters including nitrocellulose and cationized paper or nylon. Based on our findings, we recommend the use of cationized filters for solid phase assays requiring the binding of these acidic macromolecules to background supports.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Isolation, characterization and immunolocalization of a 53-kDal dentin sialoprotein (DSP).

We isolated a sialic-rich protein from rat dentin extracts and have named it dentin sialoprotein, DSP (formerly called 95K glycoprotein). DSP is rich in aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and serine, but contains no cysteine or phosphate. The 30% carbohydrate content includes about 9% sialic acid and indicates that several N-glycosides and O-glycosides are present. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis gave a M(r) of 52,570. Based on this molecular weight we calculated that DSP contains about 350-amino acids and 75 monosaccharides. With automated Edman degradation the sequence of the first 8-amino acids was shown to be: Ile-Pro-Val-Pro-Gln-Leu-Val-Pro. The initial 3 residues of this sequence are identical to the first 3 in human osteopontin (OPN) and are closely similar to the Leu-Pro-Val sequences of OPN from other species, as well as at the beginning of bone acidic glycoprotein-75 (BAG-75). On Western immunoblots, purified polyclonal antibodies reacted only with DSP in dentin extracts and with none of the proteins from bone. Similarly, immunolocalization experiments showed the presence of DSP in dentin but not in enamel or alveolar bone. Along with immunohistochemical localization data reported elsewhere, these observations suggest that DSP may be an important marker for cells in the odontoblast lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Academic medicine's season of accountability and social responsibility.

The author declares that academic medicine has entered a new and stormy "season" of accountability and social responsibility, due to public concerns about the overall health care system. He reviews earlier seasons, identifying paramount issues or activities that dominated the specific eras the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has responded to since the twentieth century began. He recommends how the AAMC can achieve several near-term solutions to pressing demands of the current season, such as the needs to manage academic medical centers more efficiently and to restore public confidence in the integrity of biomedical research. Next, he focuses on proposals for academic medicine to provide leadership, through the AAMC, in two major areas: preparing more generalist physicians, and assuring greater access to health care for those who live in underserved urban and rural areas. He describes models of existing, successful programs. The author concludes by proposing to create a "National System of Regional Medical Care." He urges the AAMC to continue its leadership by designating a task force to examine how such a regional system could be established within this decade.

Education, Medical↗

PubMed1992

Developmental expression of a 53 KD dentin sialoprotein in rat tooth organs.

Rat dentin contains a major sialic acid-rich glycoprotein, DSP, with an overall composition similar to that of bone sialoproteins but whose biological role in dentinogenesis is unknown. Using polyclonal affinity-purified antibodies to rat DSP and four immunohistochemical methods of detection, we studied the cell and tissue localization of DSP and the time course of its appearance during odontoblast differentiation. DSP first appeared within young odontoblasts concomitant with early secretion of pre-dentin matrix and before the onset of mineralization but was absent in pre-odontoblasts. DSP immunostaining also localized within secretory odontoblasts and was intense in odontoblastic processes. Early pre-dentin stained positive for DSP, in contrast to more mature pre-dentin, where immunoreactivity was less intense and more restricted to odontoblastic processes. In the zone of mineralized dentin matrix, a moderate and uniform staining pattern was evident. Intense immunostaining was also seen within the cells and matrix of dental pulp during dentinogenesis. Other cells and tissues within the tooth organ and those surrounding it were non-reactive. These findings suggest that DSP is developmentally expressed in cells of the odontoblastic lineage and may be a biochemical marker of odontoblastic activity.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

Dentin extracellular matrix and dentinogenesis.

The formation of dentin involves secretion of matrix proteins by odontoblasts, prior to the deposition of apatite crystals. These matrix proteins probably play a role in transformation of predentin to dentin. The physical and chemical properties of dentin collagen, similar to those of bone, are especially adapted for binding matrix proteins and as a grid for mineral deposition. Phosphophoryns, polyanionic, and dentin-specific proteins are secreted at the mineralization front and are involved in some way in the mineralization process of circumpulpal dentin. Dentin sialoprotein is specifically made by odontoblasts and pulp cells and may be in the family of bone proteins known to promote cell attachment. Several proteins originally isolated from bone are also found in dentin and are expressed by odontoblasts. Although the mechanisms of dentinogenesis have not been elucidated, detailed studies of dentin matrix proteins should give valuable insights into this process.

Collagen↗

PubMed1992

Recent investigations on dentin specific proteins.

Several extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been isolated from dentin and shown to be synthesized by odontoblasts. Highly phosphorylated proteins (HP), the phosphophoryns, are specifically found in dentin and are synthesized only by odontoblasts. Phosphophoryns are probably involved in controlling the site and/or the rate of circumpulpal mineralization. Other moderately phosphorylated (MP) and low phosphorylated (LP) proteins have also been detected in dentin, but have not been studied extensively. A 53 kDal dentin sialoprotein (DSP) that resembles bone sialoproteins is expressed by odontoblasts and by pulp cells, but essentially by no other cell type. The function of this protein is unknown. Osteocalcin (bone Gla protein) is synthesized by osteoblasts and by odontoblasts and found in the ECM of bone and dentin. Other tissues or cells (including pulp) do not express osteocalcin. The highly specific nature of these dentin and bone ECM proteins suggests that antibody and molecular probes for the phosphoproteins, DSP and osteocalcin could be valuable in studies on the differentiation and identification of odontoblasts and their precursors. Other bone NCPs shown to be present in dentin may also prove to be important in dentinogenesis.

Dentin↗

PubMed1992

Colocalization of TGF-beta 1 and extracellular matrix proteins during rat tooth development.

Recent studies suggest that TGF-beta 1 controls events in embryogenesis via its modulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). During tooth development, histomorphogenetic and cytodifferentiation events are regulated by ECM-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. In this study, we have investigated the in vivo relationship of the localization of TGF-beta 1 to various ECM proteins, including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), fibronectin, collagens I and III and to the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, at the early and late bell stages of rat molar tooth development. We have used polyclonal antibodies specific to peptides present in the precursor and processed forms of TGF-beta 1, fibronectin and Collagens I and III and immunohistochemical methods of detection. GAGs were stained with Alcian Blue GX and alkaline phosphatase was detected with the enzyme Naphthol-AS B1. Our results indicate that both the intracellular and extracellular forms of TGF-beta 1 are expressed in a site-specific manner, and that the growth factor colocalizes with alkaline phosphatase, fibronectin, collagens I and III and GAGs during the bell stages of tooth development. These data support the hypothesis that in tooth development, the actions of TGF-beta 1 may contribute to important qualitative changes in the composition and structure of extracellular matrices.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1992

Mineral-associated adhesion proteins are linked to root formation.

There is a general agreement that the extracellular environment plays a critical role in controlling cell behavior. Thus, significant research efforts have focused on understanding the effects of extracellular matrix proteins on cell function. In particular we have focused on determining the role of adhesion proteins in the regulation of root formation. Using an OPN antibody, 2arN (generously provided by Drs Craig and Denhardt), the expression of OPN during root formation was determined. OPN (osteopontin) is a bone-associated adhesion protein. OPN was expressed in the dental follicle region of molars obtained from 3 day old CD-1 mice, but was not expressed in the odontoblast layer. In contrast by day 8, positive staining was noted in the odontoblast layer, as well as in the area of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath. However, at this same time point no positive labeling for 2arN was observed in the enamel organ or in the dental papillae cells. By day 15 positive staining for OPN was seen in the area of the periodontal ligament, as well as the region of primary deposition of extracellular matrix onto dentin. Also determined was the ability of fibronectin, OPN and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) to promote the attachment of dental ectomesenchymal cells, in vitro. Interestingly, these cells attached remarkable well on bacteriological dishes (control) in the absence of an adhesion protein. DSP did not increase cell attachment beyond that observed for control cells. In contrast, both fibronectin and OPN enhanced cell attachment. These studies, while preliminary indicate that OPN is expressed in a unique fashion during root development, thus suggesting a regulatory role for such adhesion proteins during root formation.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Biosynthesis of bone proteins [SPP-1 (secreted phosphoprotein-1, osteopontin), BSP (bone sialoprotein) and SPARC (osteonectin)] in association with mineralized-tissue formation by fetal-rat calvarial cells in culture.

To determine the relationship between the expression of bone proteins and the formation of mineralized-tissue matrix, the biosynthesis of non-collagenous bone proteins was studied in cultures of fetal-rat calvarial cells, which form mineralized nodules of bone-like tissue in the presence of beta-glycerophosphate. The temporal pattern of protein synthesis in both mineralizing and non-mineralizing cultures was studied by metabolic labelling with [35S]methionine, 35SO4(2-) or 32PO4(3-) over a 5-day period. After a 24 h labelling period, the culture media were harvested and the cell layers extracted sequentially with aq. 0.5 M-NH3, followed by 4 M-guanidinium chloride (GdmCl), 0.5 M-EDTA and a second extraction with 4 M-GdmCl. Protein associated with collagenous bone matrix was analysed after digestion with bacterial collagenase. On the basis of [35S]methionine labelling, the major proteins extracted from the mineralizing matrix were secreted phosphoprotein-1 (SPP-1; osteopontin), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and a 14 kDa phosphoprotein. The presence of SPP-1 and BSP in the conditioned media of both mineralizing and non-mineralizing cultures and their incorporation into the mineralizing nodules indicated that these proteins associate with preformed mineral crystals. However, some BSP was also present in GdmCl extracts and, together with a 35 kDa sulphated protein, was released from a bacterial-collagenase digestion of the tissue residue in both non-mineralizing and mineralizing cultures. Two forms of sulphated SPP-1 were identified, a highly phosphorylated 44 kDa species being the predominant form in the mineralized matrix. The BSP was more highly sulphated but less phosphorylated than SPP-1. Bone SPARC (secreted protein, acid and rich in cysteine) protein (osteonectin) was present almost entirely in the conditioned media and did not incorporate 32PO4(3-) or 35SO4(2-). The SPP-1 and the 14 kDa protein were susceptible to thrombin digestion, the 44 kDa SPP-1 being specifically cleaved into 28 and 26 kDa fragments. The fragments were labelled uniformly with [35S]methionine, but the 28 kDa fragment incorporated more 35SO4(2-), but less 32PO4(3-), than the 26 kDa fragment. These studies demonstrate that SPP-1 and BSP are the major osteoblast-derived bone proteins to bind to the bone mineral. That BSP also binds to the collagenous bone matrix indicates a potential role for this protein in linking the hydroxyapatite with collagen.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Regulation of transformation-sensitive secreted phosphoprotein (SPPI/osteopontin) expression by transforming growth factor-beta. Comparisons with expression of SPARC (secreted acidic cysteine-rich protein).

Secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI; osteopontin), a highly phosphorylated form of which has been associated with cell transformation, is one of the major phosphorylated proteins in bone. Populations of rat bone cells derived from fetal calvariae, neonatal parietal bone and a rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8) produce several forms of the protein, the major forms having apparent molecular masses of 55 and 44 kDa by SDS/PAGE on 15% (w/v) cross-linked gels and of 60 and 56 kDa on 10% gels. Northern blot analysis of SPPI mRNA using total cellular RNA revealed a single 1.5 kb mRNA species, indicating that the nascent protein chains of these phosphoproteins are identical. On treatment of the cells with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta; 1 ng/ml), the levels of SPPI mRNA and the synthesis of the 55 kDa phosphoprotein, but not of the 44 kDa phosphoprotein, were increased by 1.8-4.5-fold in the normal osteoblastic cells, the stimulation first being evident at 3 h and reaching a maximum at 12 h. In the transformed ROS 17/2.8 cells, TGF-beta did not alter significantly the SPPI mRNA level or the synthesis of either the 55 kDa or the 44 kDa SPPI over the 24 h period studied. By comparison, neither the steady-state levels of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine) mRNA nor the synthesis of SPARC protein were affected significantly by the addition of TGF-beta to any of the osteoblastic bone cells. The half-lives for SPPI and SPARC mRNAs in the osteoblastic calvarial cells were calculated to be 18 h and greater than 50 h respectively, in both the presence and the absence of TGF-beta. Since the stability of the mRNA was unchanged by TGF-beta and the increased expression of SPPI mRNA could be blocked by cycloheximide, TGF-beta appears to increase transcription of the SppI gene indirectly by stimulating the synthesis of a protein that promotes transcription. These results demonstrate that several forms of SPPI are synthesized constitutively by bone cells, and that there are clear differences in the regulation of SppI gene expression by TGF-beta in normal bone cells compared with the tumorigenic ROS 17/2.8 cells. The differential responses of normal osteoblastic cells to TGF-beta in the expression of SPPI and the selective stimulation of specific forms of the SPPI protein may be important in bone repair and remodelling.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Expression of bone matrix proteins associated with mineralized tissue formation by adult rat bone marrow cells in vitro: inductive effects of dexamethasone on the osteoblastic phenotype.

The nature and tissue distribution of non-collagenous bone proteins synthesized by adult rat bone marrow cells, induced to differentiate in the presence of dexamethasone (DEX) and beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP), was studied in vitro to determine the potential role of these proteins in bone formation. Northern hybridization analysis revealed a strong induction of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin in DEX-treated cultures, whereas the constitutive expression of secreted phosphoprotein I (SPP-1), type I collagen, SPARC, and alkaline phosphatase was stimulated 6-, 5-, 3-, and 2.5-told, respectively. Metabolic labeling of proteins showed that the sialoproteins (SPP-1 and BSP) were mostly secreted into the culture medium in the non-mineralizing (-beta-GP) cultures, but were the predominant non-collagenous proteins associated with the hydroxyapatite of the bone nodules in mineralizing cultures (+ beta-GP). Extraction of the tissue matrix with 4 M GuHCl and digestion of the demineralized tissue matrix with bacterial collagenase revealed that some BSP was also associated non-covalently and covalently with the collagenous matrix. SPP-1 was present in two distinct, 44 kDa and 55 kDa, forms in the conditioned medium of all cultures and was preferentially associated with the hydroxyapatite in the mineralizing cultures. In comparison, SPARC was abundant in culture media but could not be detected in de-mineralizing extracts of the mineralized tissue. Radiolabeling with [35SO4] demonstrated that both SPP-1 and BSP synthesized by bone cells are sulfated, and that a 35 kDa protein and some proteoglycan were covalently associated with the collagenous matrix in +DEX cultures. Labeling with [32PO4] was essentially confined to the sialoproteins; the 44 kDa SPP-1 incorporating significantly more [32PO4] than the 55 kDa SPP-1 and the BSP. These studies demonstrate that BSP and osteocalcin are only expressed in differentiated osteoblasts and that most of the major non-collagenous bone proteins associate with the bone mineral. However, some novel proteins together with some of the BSP are associated with the collagenous matrix where they can influence hydroxyapatite formation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1991

Identification of the rat bone 60K acidic glycoprotein as alpha 2HS-glycoprotein.

Previous reports have described an Mr 60,000-64,000 glycoprotein present in guanidium chloride (GdmCl)/EDTA extracts of bovine and rat bone. We have purified this protein from the long bones of rats and have raised polyclonal antibodies to the purified protein. The 60K glycoprotein has amino acid and carbohydrate compositions that are similar to those reported for the 60-64K protein(s). Several lines of evidence indicate that the 60K bone glycoprotein is the rat homologue of human alpha 2HS-glycoprotein. First, immunochemical data demonstrated that the 60K bone glycoprotein was present in serum as well as in EDTA/GdmCl extracts of bone. Second, immunolocalization and metabolic labelling experiments showed that the 60K protein is synthesized in liver and not in bone cells, although it is sequestered in vascularized regions of bone matrix. Finally, the NH2-terminal sequence for the rat 60K bone glycoprotein was highly similar to that of the human alpha 2HS-glycoprotein A chain. A surprising finding was that small amounts of contaminating 60K/alpha 2HS-glycoprotein were found in several protein fractions purified by ion-exchange chromatography of bone EDTA/GdmCl extracts. Because this protein was found to be highly immunogenic, the presence of anti-60K antibodies in anti-sera prepared against purified bone proteins should be considered as a potential problem.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Differential regulation of the 55 and 44 kDa forms of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1, osteopontin) in normal and transformed rat bone cells by osteotropic hormones, growth factors and a tumor promoter.

Confluent cultures of rat bone cells synthesize several forms of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1, osteopontin), the major phosphorylated forms of which migrate at 55 and 44 kDa on 15% cross-linked SDS-PAGE gels and correspond to the transformation-associated proteins pp 69 and pp 62. A clonal rat calvarial cell line (RCA 11), which expressed the highest level of SPP-1, produced only the 55 kDa form of the phosphorylated protein, whereas normal rat calvarial cells enriched in osteoblastic cells (RC IV cells) produced mostly the 55 kDa form, with small amounts of the 44 kDa form. In contrast, a 44 kDa form was the major [32PO4]-labelled SPP-1 synthesized by a rat osteocarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8 cells) with lesser amounts of the 55 kDa SPP-1. When [35S]methionine was used to measure protein synthesis, only the 55 kDa SPP-1 could be clearly detected in confluent cultures of each cell population, indicating that the 55 kDa SPP-1 is the prominent form of SPP-1 synthesized by each cell population. Following treatment of the normal rat bone cells for 24 h with osteotropic hormones (vit D3, PTH and RA), growth factors (PDGF, EGF, TGF-beta), a tumor promoter (TPA) and a plant lectin (Con A), the 55 kDa [35S]methionine labelled SPP-1 was increased 1.7-8.3-fold. Similar, but generally lower responses were observed in the clonal RCA 11 cell line, whereas the ROS 17/2.8 cells were more refractory, showing only a strong response to vit D3. In general, vit D3 produced the strongest stimulation in all populations with TGF-beta producing a good response in the non-transformed cells and RA in the RC IV cells. In contrast, PTH was inhibitory in both RCA 11 and ROS 17/2.8 cells. In most, but not all, cases the alteration in SPP-1 synthesis reflected similar changes in SPP-1 mRNA and in the intensity of the [32PO4]-labelled 55 kDa SPP-1. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that bone cells produce several forms of SPP-1 which are differentially regulated in normal and transformed cells through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Baylor's program to attract minority students and others to science and medicine.

To attract minority students and others to careers in medical practice and biomedical research and to prepare them for such careers, Baylor College of Medicine conducts a variety of summer enrichment programs and other programs to improve how science is presented to students in their preprofessional years from elementary grades through college. These efforts aim to increase the number of competitive candidates for medical school, particularly those from minority groups underrepresented in medicine. They entail close collaboration between the Baylor administration and faculty from Texas public schools and two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The authors discuss the rationale for these programs and comment about the need for institutional commitments of faculty and financial support. They note that these programs are an investment in the future and that longitudinal assessment is needed to determine their ultimate success.

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