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Involvement of a Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase component downstream to the gibberellin-binding phosphoprotein, RuBisCO activase, in rice.

Previously, we reported the identification of a gibberellin (GA)-binding protein in rice using ligand binding assay that was homologous to RuBisCO activase (Komatsu et al., FEBS Lett. 384, 167-171, 1996). Here, we provide an evidence for the involvement of protein kinases components downstream to the GA-binding phosphoprotein, RuBisCO activase in rice. Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase activity was studied in subcellular fractions of leaf sheath from transgenic rice containing sense and antisense constructs of RuBisCO activase. In-gel kinase assay using histone III-S as a substrate showed constitutive induction of a 46- and 48-kDa Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase activity in the sense transgenic plants. Kinase activities of these proteins were significantly reduced in the presence of uniconazole, a potent GA biosynthesis inhibitor, but one of them was strongly promoted by GA(3) treatment in transgenic plants carrying a smaller subunit of RuBisCO activase (OsrcaA1) compared to the larger subunit OsrcaA2. Also, in vitro phosphorylation studies using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel showed changes in the degree of phosphorylation of several proteins in OsrcaA1- and OsrcaA2-sense transgenic rice. These studies suggest the presence of two independent cytosolic Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase signaling components downstream to the GA-binding protein in rice suggesting their role in GA signaling.

Calcium↗

Mechanical abnormalities in the rat ischemic heart failure model which lie downstream to cAMP production.

OBJECTIVE: We previously showed diminished inotropic responses to isoproterenol in uninfarcted posterior papillary muscles of rats with anterior wall infarcts comprising > or = 30% of the left ventricle. We have also shown that this occurs in the absence of beta-receptor downregulation. Our objective was to show a mechanical defect in the rat infarct model which is secondary to cellular defects downstream to cAMP production. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were infarcted via coronary ligation. After 3 weeks, the uninfarcted papillary muscle was placed in a muscle bath and exposed to increasing concentrations of dibutyryl cAMP while contracting isometrically at 28 degrees C. RESULTS: The large infarct group showed evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy which was manifested by an increased right ventricular mass. No differences were found in baseline measurements of developed tension (DT); rate of tension development (dT/dt); rate of relaxation (-dT/dt); time to peak tension (TPT); and relaxation time (t1/2R). When these muscles were stimulated with dibutyryl cAMP, the large infarct group had a reduced inotropic response as measured by +dT/dt and TPT. No consistent abnormalities were noted in relaxation. The findings are similar to those we noted previously with isoproterenol stimulation. CONCLUSION: The impaired response to beta stimulation in uninfarcted myocardium from rats with large myocardial infarctions is due to cellular defects which lie downstream to cAMP production.

Animals↗

Protein tyrosine kinase is downstream of protein kinase C for ischemic preconditioning's anti-infarct effect in the rabbit heart.

The present study tested the hypothesis that one or more tyrosine kinase(s) are downstream of protein kinase C (PKC) in the signal transduction pathway responsible for the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning (PC). Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. Infarction in control hearts was 32.9+/-1.8%. Ischemic PC with 5-min ischemia/10-min reperfusion reduced infarct size to 11.5+/-1.5% (P<0.05). Infusion of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein (50 microM) or lavendustin A (0.5 microM), alone did not affect the level of infarction. When infused around the 5-min PC ischemia genistein failed to block protection (13.7+/-1.0%). However, when present at the onset of the 30-min ischemia both genistein and lavendustin A completely aborted protection (31.4+/-2.0 and 28.1+/-1.5%, respectively). Activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 0.05 nmol) was as protective is ischemic PC (14.9+/-3.0%; P<0. 05). Similar to PC, PMA-induced protection was completely prevented by both genistein and lavendustin A. Conversely, anisomycin (50 ng/ml), an activator of MAP kinase kinases (dual tyrosine and threonine kinases), was very protective (7.5+/-1.6%; P<0.05) and this protection was still present when PKC was inhibited by 5 microM chelerythrine (12.1+/-1.6%; P<0.05). In conclusion, activation of a tyrosine kinase during the long ischemia appears to be required for cardioprotection in the rabbit heart. Furthermore, the ability of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to block PMA-induced protection in conjunction with the failure of PKC inhibition to prevent anisomycin-induced protection suggests that the tyrosine kinase is downstream of PKC and that the tyrosine kinase may be a MAP kinase kinase.

Alkaloids↗

The hemagglutinin cleavability of a virulent avian influenza virus by subtilisin-like endoproteases is influenced by the amino acid immediately downstream of the cleavage site.

Many viral membrane glycoproteins are post-translationally processed by intracellular endoproteases such as subtilisin-like proteases. These proteases recognize a cleavage site sequence comprising basic amino acids positioned upstream of the cleavage site of the viral proteins. Here, we mutated the glycine residue immediately downstream of the cleavage site (P1) of hemagglutinin (HA) from a virulent avian influenza virus, A/turkey/Ontario/7732/66 (H5N9) (R-R-R-K-K-R/G), to examine the effect of this mutation on its clevability. Substitution of Gly with Ile, Leu, Val, or Pro, but not Ala, Asp, Phe, His, Ser, or Thr, resulted in substantial reduction of HA cleavage by endogenous endoproteases in CV-1 cells and by vaccinia-expressed PC6 and, albeit to a lesser extent, furin. We conclude that HA cleavage by subtilisin-like proteases is influenced by the downstream P1 amino acid in the absence of upstream cleavage site sequence alterations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tandem placement of a coronavirus promoter results in enhanced mRNA synthesis from the downstream-most initiation site.

Insertion of the 17-nucleotide promoter region for the bovine coronavirus N gene as part of a 27-nucleotide cassette into the open reading frame of a cloned synthetic defective-interfering (DI) RNA resulted in synthesis of subDI RNA transcripts from the replicating DI RNA genome. Duplicating and triplicating the promoter sequence in tandem caused a progressive increase in the efficiency of subgenomic mRNA synthesis despite a concurrent decrease in the rate of DI RNA accumulation that was not specific to the promoter sequences being added. Although initiation of transcription (leader fusion) occurred at each of the three promoter sites in the tandem construct, almost all of the transcripts were found as a product of the most downstream (3'-most on the genome) promoter. These results show that enhancement of subgenomic mRNA synthesis is a property that can reside within sequence situated near the promoter. A possible role for the plus strand in the downstream promoter choice is suggested.

Animals↗

TNFalpha cooperates with the protein kinase A pathway to synergistically increase HIV-1 LTR transcription via downstream TRE-like cAMP response elements.

Activating protein-1 (AP-1) binding TPA responsive elements (TRE) are located downstream of the transcription initiation site in the U5 region of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). These downstream sequence elements, termed DSE, can bind both AP-1 and CREB/ATF transcription factors. Recently, we demonstrated that the DSE are also cAMP-responsive elements (CRE), since they mediated activation signals elicited by cholera toxin (Ctx), a potent activator of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signal transduction pathway. In the present study, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 DSE can mediate the transcriptional synergy elicited by the combination of Ctx and TNFalpha. Ctx combined with TNFalpha or IL-1beta to produce a synergistic increase in p24 antigen production in U1 promonocytic cells. Transfection studies of LTR reporter constructs indicated that mutation of the DSE sites abrogated the LTR-mediated synergy induced by Ctx and TNFalpha, whereas the synergy induced by Ctx and IL-1beta was unaffected, suggesting TNFalpha and IL-1beta cooperate differently with the cAMP/PKA activation pathway to induce HIV-1 expression in U1 cells. Because the DSE are also TRE sites, we assessed the effect of the agonist combinations on AP-1-dependent transcription. TNFalpha as well as IL-1beta cooperated with Ctx to produce a synergistic activation of AP-1-mediated transcription. These data indicate that the TRE-like cAMP-responsive DSE sites within the 5'-untranslated leader can mediate the transcriptional cooperativity between TNFalpha and the cAMP/PKA pathway. Since the DSE and TRE sites cannot bind CREB/ATF homodimers, we propose a mechanism in which the HIV-1 DSE bind heterodimers composed of both AP-1 and CREB/ATF proteins.

Cell Line↗

Activation of the N-myc2 oncogene by woodchuck hepatitis virus integration in the linked downstream b3n locus in woodchuck hepatocellular carcinoma.

In the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV)/woodchuck model for hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, frequent activation of N-myc oncogenes by WHV integration has been firmly established. N-myc2, the most frequently affected gene, was reported to be activated by WHV insertion either in the proximity of the gene or in a distant uncoding locus, win. We previously reported that a WHV integration cloned from a liver tumor was located in a chromosomal locus already described by others as the site of WHV integration in another hepatocellular carcinoma. On this basis, the locus, named b3n, was defined as a recurrent site of WHV integration. A scaffold or matrix attachment region (S/MAR) element was subsequently shown to be located in this locus approximately 1 kb from the WHV insertion sites. S/MARs are genetic elements involved both in structural and functional organization of chromosomal DNA and in stimulation of gene expression. In the present work, we investigated the possibility that an N-myc gene might be affected by integration in b3n. Analysis of a liver tumor harboring WHV integration in this locus showed N-myc2 overexpression. By restriction analysis, the b3n locus was shown to be located downstream of N-myc2, so the known sites of viral insertion in b3n were approximately 11 kb downstream of the N-myc2 promoter. Although these data support that WHV insertion in b3n activates N-myc2, the mechanisms previously described to be involved in N-myc2 activation do not appear to properly account for activation in this subset of WHV integrations. Available data suggest that activation of N-myc2 by WHV integration in b3n might be mediated by the S/MAR located near the WHV insertion.

Animals↗

Reverse micellar extraction for downstream processing of proteins/enzymes.

New developments in the area of downstream processing are, hopefully, to fulfill the promises of modern biotechnology. The traditional separation processes such as chromatography or electrophoresis can become prohibitively expensive unless the product is of high value. Hence, there is a need to develop efficient and cost-effective downstream processing methods. Reverse micellar extraction is one such potential and a promising liquid-liquid extraction technique, which has received immense attention for isolation and purification of proteins/enzymes in the recent times. This technique is easy to scale-up and offers continuous operation. This review, besides briefly considering important physico-chemical and biological aspects, highlights the engineering aspects including mass transfer, mathematical modeling, and technology development. It also discusses recent developments in reverse micellar extraction such as affinity based separations, enzymatic reactions in reverse micelles coupled with membrane processes, reverse micellar extraction in hollow fibers, etc. Special emphasis has been given to some recent applications of this technique.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Light-regulated expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana ferredoxin gene requires sequences upstream and downstream of the transcription initiation site.

The effect of light on the expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana ferredoxin gene (fedA) was studied in mature tobacco plants. In light-treated leaves of tobacco plants transformed with a full-length ferredoxin gene, fedA-specific mRNA levels were more than twenty fold higher than in dark-treated controls. This indicates that all components for regulation of the Arabidopsis ferredoxin gene are present in tobacco. To identify light-regulatory elements in the fedA gene, we have tested a set of chimeric genes containing various parts of the fedA gene for light-dependent expression in mature tobacco plants. A fedA promoter-GUS fusion gene was not light-responsive, indicating that the 5'-upstream promoter region is not sufficient for light regulation. Fusion genes in which different transcribed regions of the fedA gene were expressed from the CaMV 35S promoter showed only limited light regulation, if any at all. This indicates that, like the fedA upstream region, the region downstream of the transcription start site is also not sufficient for full light regulation. The combined results suggest that for full light-regulated expression of the fedA gene, both the promoter region and sequences downstream of the transcription start site are required.

Arabidopsis↗

The functional stability of the lacZ transcript is sensitive towards sequence alterations immediately downstream of the ribosome binding site.

Various synthetic DNA sequences were inserted downstream of the fourth codon of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene on plasmids containing a hybrid lacZ-galK operon. Several different sequences, one as short as 10 bp, reduced the functional stability of the lacZ message three- to fourfold, whereas others had little or no effect. Introduction of synthetic sequences into a plasmid containing the intact lac operon resulted in similar reductions of mRNA stability. The sequence alterations also reduced the translational efficiency and transcription through lacZ as monitored by measurements of galactokinase synthesis from the downstream galK gene. There was no correlation between the average translational frequency and the stability of the lacZ message indicating that some of the inserted sequences reduced mRNA stability directly and not as a consequence of their effect on translation. The reduction of transcription through the lacZ gene correlated with the reduction of translation in agreement with current models of transcriptional polarity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Deletion mapping of highly conserved transcribed sequence downstream from APRT locus.

To investigate the nature of DNA sequence rearrangements occurring in a highly malignant human colorectal carcinoma cell line (SW620) exhibiting a high level of chromosome instability, we characterized the molecular basis of deletions eliminating APRT. Deletions in SW620 resembled those in a variety of cell lines. They were joined at regions of little similarity through mono-, di-, or trinucleotide repeats. Breakpoint regions were rich in di- and trinucleotide repeats that might constitute pause sites for the replication complex. Deletions ranged in size from 1.8 to approximately 70 kb and were "directional" in that they eliminated sequences upstream of APRT but not downstream. Analysis of downstream sequences suggested that this pattern of deletion was due to the presence of another gene. Transcripts from these two genes converged but did not overlap. Given that this gene was not deleted in any hamster or human mutants, it appears essential for cell viability. This organization has important consequences for the pattern of mutation and repair of this region.

Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase↗

Sequence divergence in a family of variant surface glycoprotein genes from trypanosomes: coding region hypervariability and downstream recombinogenic repeats.

The surface of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei spp. is covered with a dense coat consisting of a single type of glycoprotein molecule, the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). There may be as many as 1,000 genes for VSG within the genome of T. brucei, and the switch of expression from one to another is the phenomenon of antigenic variation. As an approach to understanding the evolution of VSG genes we have determined the genomic DNA sequences of the eight genes encoding the variant surface glycoprotein 117 (VSG) family. From these data we have observed a number of features concerning the relationships between these genes: (1) there is a region of high variability confined to the N-terminus of the coding sequence, and comparison of the sequences with the available X-ray diffraction crystal structures suggests that two of the most variable stretches within the N-terminal domain are present on surface-exposed loops, indicating a role for epitope selection in evolution of these genes; (2) the 29 nucleotides surrounding the splice acceptor site are absolutely conserved in all eight 117 VSG genes; (3) numerous insertion/deletion mutations are located within or immediately downstream of the C-terminal protein-coding sequences: (4) within 500 bp downstream of the insertion/deletion mutations are one or two copies of a repeat motif highly homologous to the recombinogenic 76-bp repeat sequences present upstream of many VSG basic copy genes and the expression-linked copy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pressure/flow behaviour in collapsible tube subjected to forced downstream pressure fluctuations.

An experimental investigation has been made into the pressure/flow behaviour of a collapsible tube subjected to downstream pressure fluctuations. These downstream pressure waves are observed to be transmitted upstream beyond the point of collapse. The mean flow rate is not significantly affected by the amplitude or frequency of pressure fluctuations. However, the oscillatory flow amplitude is reduced at the higher frequency. The mean flow rate also remains independent of the mean driving pressure.

Hemorheology↗

Hypoxic gas mixtures delivered by anaesthetic machines equipped with a downstream oxygen flowmeter.

The oxygen concentration of fresh gas mixtures delivered to a Bain circuit by a Boyle's anaesthetic machine equipped with leaking oxygen flowmeters was measured at the common gas outlet during free flow and during controlled ventilation of a model lung. The results demonstrate that, despite satisfactory oxygen and nitrous oxide rotameter settings, such a machine can deliver hypoxic fresh gas mixtures irrespective of whether the leaking flowmeter is mounted downstream or upstream. This selective loss of oxygen increases with the size of the leak and increases with the back pressure on the flowmeter assembly during controlled ventilation. A downstream position of the oxygen flowmeter should not be regarded as foolproof. Continuous monitoring of the oxygen concentration of fresh gas mixtures with an in-line oxygen analyzer is recommended.

Anesthesiology↗

Chromatography in the downstream processing of biotechnological products.

Chromatography techniques are essential for the isolation and purification of most of the high value products of modern biotechnology. The economically sensible and technically satisfactory downstream processing of a therapeutic protein, usually involves a number of chromatographic steps. Its development and optimization require considerable knowledge of the various physico-chemical and engineering aspects of biochemical chromatography. This review addresses the various modes of chromatography and the design of chromatographic separation processes from a biotechnologist's point of view. Strategies for optimizing the structure of the downstream process are outlined and scaling up consideration are discussed. The importance of the different chromatographic methods in research and development is estimated in an analysis of protein purification schemes recently published in the literature. Finally, examples of the application of chromatographic procedures for process scale product purification in the biotechnological industry are given.

Biotechnology↗

Hepatocyte growth factor differently influences Met-E-cadherin phosphorylation and downstream signaling pathway in two models of breast cells.

E-cadherins are implicated in cell adhesion, and also in cell signaling by associating with tyrosine kinase-receptors such as Met, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor. Using two different cellular models, i.e. MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) and MCF-10 (immortalized mammary) cells, we studied the possible mechanism(s) by which E-cadherins modulate the signaling pathways downstream of Met, leading to beta-catenin-TCF transcriptional activity. In MCF-7, but not in MCF-10 cells, E-cadherins were remarkably associated with Met. Moreover, in MCF-7 cells both co-immunoprecipitation with anti-Met antibody and co-localization were increased by 30-min HGF treatment, which caused E-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation. Also beta-catenin in the co-immunoprecipitate was phosphorylated by HGF, probably favoring TCF activation. Consistently, after HGF treatment, beta-catenin redistributed earlier in MCF-7 than in MCF-10 cells, with nuclear accumulation and activation of TOPFLASH gene reporter. Our results indicate a functional role of Met-E-cadherin interaction in MCF-7 cells through the amplification of the signaling downstream of HGF-Met triggering that involved c-Src and phosphoinositide-3-kinase activities.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Evidence that orexin-A-evoked grooming in the rat is mediated by orexin-1 (OX1) receptors, with downstream 5-HT2C receptor involvement.

RATIONALE: Orexins A and B have recently been discovered and shown to be derived from preproorexin, primarily expressed in the rat hypothalamus. Orexin-A has been ascribed a number of in vivo functions in the rat after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration, including hyperphagia, neuroendocrine modulation and, most recently, evidence for a behavioural response characterised by an increase in grooming. OBJECTIVES: Here, we have investigated the orexin-receptor subtypes involved in the grooming response to orexin-A (3 microg, ICV) in the rat. METHODS: Male rats, habituated to clear Perspex behavioural observation boxes, were pretreated with antagonists with mixed selectivity for OX1, OX2, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor subtypes prior to the administration of orexin-A and the intense grooming response elicited by this peptide assessed. RESULTS: Pretreatment of rats with a mixed OX1/5-HT2B/2C receptor antagonist 1-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3-quinolin-4-ylurea (SB-284422), revealed a significant, but incomplete, blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming. Despite the low potency of orexin-A at 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptors in vitro (pKi<5), studies were undertaken to determine whether downstream 5-HT2B or 5-HT2C receptors mediate in the grooming-elicited by orexin-A. Whilst the selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, SB-215505 (3 mg/kg, PO, 5-HT2B, pKi=8.58; OX1, pKB < 5.15) failed to effect orexin-A-induced grooming, the selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, SB-242084 (1 mg/kg, IP, 5-HT2C, pKi = 8.95; OX1, pKB < 5.1) potently antagonised the grooming response to this peptide. This suggested that the partial blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming obtained with SB-284422 might be attributable to its 5-HT2C and/or OX1 receptor blocking activity. However, complete blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming by the subsequently identified selective OX1 receptor antagonist 1-(2-methylbenzoxazol-6-yl)-3-[1,5]naphthyridin-4-yl urea hydrochloride, SB-334867-A (OX1, pKB = 7.4; OX2, pKB = 5.7), devoid of appreciable affinity for either 5-HT2B (pKi < 5.3) or 5-HT2C (pKi < 5.4) receptors, provides the first definitive evidence that a central behavioural effect of orexin-A (grooming) is mediated by OX1 receptors. CONCLUSIONS: This data suggests that orexin-A indirectly activates 5-HT2C receptors downstream from OX1 receptors to elicit grooming in the rat. The use of SB-334867-A in vivo will enable the role of OX,1 receptors within the rat central nervous system to be further characterised.

Animals↗

Toxic effects of wastewaters collected at upstream and downstream sites of a purification station in cultures of rainbow trout hepatocytes.

The toxic effects of wastewater samples, collected in December 1998, from upstream (U) and downstream (D) sites of the purification station of the town of Nice (South-East France on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea) were assessed undiluted and at various dilutions (75%, 50%, and 25% of collected water sample), on trout hepatocyte cultures treated for 48 or 72 h. Chemical contamination (PCBs, PAHs, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) was also evaluated by chemical analysis. The water samples from the upstream site were more cytotoxic than those from the downstream site. The induction of CYP1A enzyme and metallothioneins (MTs) were selected as specific indicators of exposure to organic contaminants and metals, respectively. CYP1A-related EROD activity as well as protein expression were found to be greatly induced after 72 h exposure of the hepatocytes to the undiluted water samples (U(100%) and D(100%)), but CYP1A1 mRNA was significantly overexpressed only by samples from the upstream site. Maximal MT levels were reached after 48 h of treatment with the least concentrated water samples (U(25%) and D(25%)). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were similarly increased under the same conditions. On the other hand, there was no significant glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity response. Induction of apoptosis was analyzed by using as markers both the fragmentation of the nuclear DNA into oligonucleosomal-length fragments recognized as a "DNA ladder" and the activation of DEVD (Asp-Glu-Val-Asp)-dependent protease considered as the central mediator of programmed cell death. Significant DNA cleavage was only detectable after 72-h exposure to the most concentrated water samples from upstream sites (U(75%) and U(100%)). DEVD-dependent protease activities were significantly increased, mainly in cells exposed to U(75%) and D(25%) for 72 h. In addition, pollution-related DNA damage assessed by using the Comet assay was approximatively 1.5 times greater than that of the control level with the undiluted water samples U(100%) and D(100%), after 72-h and 48-h exposure, respectively. The present study shows that such a multibiomarker-based approach could provide complementary information, for aquatic pollution monitoring, about the early biochemical effects in cells exposed to complex chemical pollution and could be considered as early warning systems to aquatic pollution.

Animals↗