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Anti-metastatic activity of hapten-modified autologous tumor cell vaccine in an animal tumor model.

We used mice from which the primary 410.4 mammary carcinoma had been surgically excised to assess the anti-metastatic activity of low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) followed by vaccination with dinitrophenyl (DNP)-modified, irradiated, autologous tumor cells (ATC) admixed with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Our studies revealed that CY treatment of mice followed by vaccination with DNP-modified. irradiated, ATC admixed with BCG improved the relapse-free survival compared to the survival of mice receiving either CY followed by vaccination with unmodified, irradiated, ATC admixed with BCG, or saline (control group). In addition, our studies demonstrated the importance of CY administration in eliciting the therapeutic effect of DNP-modified ATC vaccine against metastatic disease. The therapeutic effect of CY followed by DNP-modified ATC vaccine was abrogated by depletion of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cells, illustrating the importance of both T-cell subsets for the anti-metastatic effect of this therapeutic protocol. In addition, neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (mAb), or neutralizing anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mAb reduced the relapse-free survival of mice treated with CY followed by DNP-modified ATC vaccine, indicating the importance of both cytokines for the realization of the anti-metastatic effect of this therapeutic protocol. Since the therapeutic protocol used in our studies was similar to that employed by Berd et al. as postsurgical adjuvant therapy in cancer patients and yielded a comparable anti-metastatic effect, the information obtained from the current studies with our clinically relevant experimental tumor model is expected to shed light on the mechanism(s) by which the anti-metastatic effect of this post-surgical adjuvant therapy is realized in cancer patients.

Animals↗

Enhanced induction of human WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes with a 9-mer WT1 peptide modified at HLA-A*2402-binding residues.

The Wilms' tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in most types of leukemias and various kinds of solid tumors, including lung and breast cancer, and participates in leukemogenesis and tumorigenesis. WT1 protein has been reported to be a promising tumor antigen in mouse and human. In the present study, a single amino-acid substitution, M-->Y, was introduced into the first anchor motif at position 2 of the natural immunogenic HLA-A*2402-restricted 9-mer WT1 peptide (CMTWNQMNL; a.a. 235-243). This substitution increased the binding affinity of the 9-mer WT1 peptide to HLA-A*2402 molecules from 1.82 x 10(-5) to 6.40 x 10(-7) M. As expected from the increased binding affinity, the modified 9-mer WT1 peptide (CYTWNQMNL) elicited WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) more effectively than the natural 9-mer WT1 peptide from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HLA-A*2402-positive healthy volunteers. CTL induced by the modified 9-mer WT1 peptide killed the natural 9-mer WT1 peptide-pulsed CIR-A*2402 cells, primary leukemia cells with endogenous WT1 expression and lung cancer cell lines in a WT1-specific HLA-A*2402-restricted manner. These results showed that this modified 9-mer WT1 peptide was more immunogenic for the induction of WT1-specific CTL than the natural 9-mer WT1 peptide, and that CTL induced by the modified 9-mer WT1 peptide could effectively recognize and kill tumor cells with endogenous WT1 expression. Therefore, cancer immunotherapy using this modified 9-mer WT1 peptide should provide efficacious treatment for HLA-A*2402-positive patients with leukemias and solid tumors.

HLA-A Antigens↗

Active specific immunotherapy with hapten-modified autologous melanoma cell vaccine.

We have developed a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy-an autologous whole-cell vaccine modified with the hapten dinitrophenyl (DNP). This approach elicits significant inflammatory responses in metastatic sites and some objective tumor responses. Post-surgical adjuvant immunotherapy with DNP-modified melanoma vaccine in a setting of micrometastatic disease produces significant survival prolongation in stage III melanoma patients. Histologically, the inflammatory responses of the tumor consist of infiltration by lymphocytes, the majority of which are CD8+, HLA-DR+ T cells. T cells from these lesions tend to have mRNA for interferon gamma. T cell receptor analysis suggests that the tumor-infiltrating T cells are clonally expanded. DNP-modified vaccine also induces T cells in the peripheral blood, which respond to DNP-modified autologous cells in a hapten-specific, MHC-restricted manner. Moreover, a T cell line generated from these lymphocytes responded to only a single HPLC fraction of MHC-associated, DNP-modified tumor peptides. Since inflammatory responses in metastases were not consistently associated with dramatic tumor regression, we considered the possibility of immunosuppression at the tumor site. We found that mRNA for the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is expressed in most metastatic melanoma tissues and subsequently demonstrated that IL-10 protein is produced by melanoma cells. Thus the efficacy of DNP vaccine could be further enhanced by inhibition of IL-10 production or binding. Finally, we expect these results obtained with melanoma to be applicable to other human cancers.

Animals↗

Poly(ethylene oxide)-modified poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles as a pH-sensitive system for tumor-targeted delivery of hydrophobic drugs: part 3. Therapeutic efficacy and safety studies in ovarian cancer xenograft model.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy and lack of systemic toxicity of paclitaxel when administered in pH-sensitive poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-modified poly(beta-amino ester) (PbAE) nanoparticles in mice bearing human ovarian adenocarcinoma (SKOV-3) xenograft. METHODS: Paclitaxel-encapsulated PEO-modified PbAE (PEO-PbAE) nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent displacement method. PEO-modified poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) (PEO-PCL) nanoparticles were used as a non pH-responsive control formulation. Efficacy studies were conducted in SKOV-3 tumor-bearing athymic (Nu/Nu) mice at an equivalent paclitaxel dose of 20 mg/kg with the control and nanoparticle formulations. Safety of the drug when administered in the control and nanoparticle formulation was determined from blood cell counts and changes in body weight of the animals. RESULTS: The formulated paclitaxel-containing PEO-PbAE and PEO-PCL nanoparticles had a particle size in the range of 100-200 nm and a surface charge of + 39.0 and - 30.8 mV, respectively. After intravenous administration of paclitaxel in these formulations, the tumor growth was inhibited significantly. Both of the formulated nanoparticles tested have shown improved therapeutic efficacy as compared to the paclitaxel aqueous solution. Additionally, significantly lower toxicity profile of paclitaxel was observed with PEO-modified nanoparticles as compared to the aqueous solution formulation CONCLUSION: PEO-modified PbAE nanoparticles are a unique pH-sensitive drug delivery system that elicits enhanced efficacy and safety profile in solid tumor therapy.

Animals↗

Use of the modified three-point Dixon technique in obtaining T1-weighted contrast-enhanced fat-saturated images on an open magnet.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the modified three-point Dixon technique as a method for obtaining fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous gadolinium administration using an open MR imaging scanner. A preliminary experiment using an oil/gadolinium phantom was performed on a 0.35-T open magnet and an advanced 1.5-T unit. Fat saturation was achieved at 1.5 T using a frequency selective presaturation technique and a modified three-point Dixon technique on the low-field scanner. The modified three-point Dixon sequence was then evaluated in ten patients undergoing MRI examinations of the spine with gadolinium enhancement to determine image characteristics and diagnostic potential. The phantom study demonstrated a homogenous suppression of signal from oil and a good distinction between fat and a gadolinium chelate on the 0.35-T unit comparable to that on the 1.5-T scanner. By applying the modified three-point Dixon technique on the open-magnet, the distinction between fat and gadolinium dimeglumine was rated as very good in 139 and good in 17 axial slices in a total of 156 images. No image was rated as difficult or not possible. Motion artifacts that hampered the reading were detected in the lower cervical spine due to respiratory movement in four (3% of all) images. The modified three-point Dixon technique provides the combination of gadolinium enhancement with fat saturation on an open magnet. Early clinical applications appear promising.

Adipose Tissue↗

Modified cryopreservation and xenotransplantation of human parathyroid tissue.

INTRODUCTION: A modified cryopreservation technique for human parathyroid tissue was compared with the standard method using a programmed freezer. METHODS: Total parathyroidectomy was performed in three groups of 6-week-old Rowett nude rats. Group I (control) underwent no transplantation of parathyroid tissue (n=9). After 10 days, the rats of groups II (n=15) and III (n=15) underwent xenotransplantation of 20 mg cryopreserved human parathyroid tissue, which had been stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C for 1-22 months prior to xenotransplantation. The parathyroid tissue was derived from 15 parathyroidectomized patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. Two tissue samples were obtained from every patient. One sample from every patient was cryopreserved by means of the technique of programmed cryopreservation: programmed freezing of human parathyroid tissue at a controlled rate of -1 degrees C/min to -80 degrees C prior to transfer to liquid nitrogen (group II). The second sample from every patient was cryopreserved by means of a modified cryopreservation technique: immediate placement of human parathyroid tissue in a freezer at -20 degrees C and transfer to liquid nitrogen after 2 h (group III). Calcium and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations in serum were determined over a period of 60 days. Furthermore, individual differences in the calcium concentrations were assessed for each rat on the basis of the calcium levels recorded preoperatively and at day 60. RESULTS: All animals in the control group developed hypocalcemia. Serum calcium concentrations returned to normal levels 60 days after xenotransplantation of parathyroid tissue, which had been cryopreserved using the modified technique (group III) in 12 of 15 rats (80%). At day 60, serum calcium had normalized in 10 of 15 rats (67%) after xenotransplantation of parathyroid tissue cryopreserved using programmed freezing (group II). After modified cryopreservation (group III), the median individual difference in the calcium concentrations was -0.16 mmol/l after programmed freezing (group II). At the end of the study, a median level of human intact parathyroid hormone of 3.5 pg/ml and 2.4 pg/ml was estimated for groups II and III, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference of the individual differences in the calcium concentrations or of the levels of human intact parathyroid hormone between groups II and III. CONCLUSION: Human parathyroid tissue was successfully xenografted in the present experimental study. The results obtained after cryopreservation using the described modified technique were equivalent to those recorded after controlled freezing in a programmed freezer. The simplified cryopreservation technique therefore appears to be suitable for human parathyroid tissue.

Animals↗

Role of multiple trans-acting regulators in modifying the effect of the retrotransposon copia on host gene expression in Drosophila.

We have examined the combinatorial effect of five trans-acting modifiers of white apricot, a copia retrotransposon-induced allele of the white eye-color gene. Quantitation of steady-state levels of copia transcripts for various modifier combinations at different developmental stages using northern analysis reveals nonadditivity and epistasis. Interestingly, extensive overexpression of copia transcripts caused by the modifier Ufo is altered up to twofold in level when Ufo is combined with either of the modifiers Mow or Wow. In general, double combinations do not elevate the level of copia transcripts more than twofold. The role of suppressor mutations in modifying the effect of transposable elements on host gene expression is discussed.

Animals↗

Segmented polyurethane modified by photopolymerization and cross-linking with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer for blood-contacting surfaces of ventricular assist devices.

To improve the biocompatibility of pulsatile ventricular assist devices (VADs), the blood-contacting surface of the segmented polyurethane (SPU) diaphragm employed in an electromechanical VAD was modified by introducing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) units into its surface and forming an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure, which contained independently cross-linked MPC polymer and SPU. The SPU diaphragm modified with an IPN structure was then assembled into a target test pump and underwent continuous pump operation at 37 degrees C for 2 weeks in a simulated systemic circulation using a mock circulatory loop. The surface characteristics of the pump diaphragm after 2 weeks of pump operation were then analyzed with an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and gold-colloid-labeled immunoassay. The XPS surface analysis of the IPN-modified SPU indicated the firm anchoring of MPC units even after 2 weeks of pump operation (the phosphor : carbon ratio was reduced by only 0.09%). The IPN-modified diaphragm prevented protein adsorption as well as cell adhesion in comparison to the unmodified SPU surface. This result thus validated that (1) the IPN structure could firmly secure MPC units to the SPU surface even in a high-mechanical-stress and high-shear environment, (2) the antithrombogenic power of MPC units remained unchanged after 2 weeks of continuous exposure to a high-shear environment, and (3) the IPN modified SPU cross-linked with MPC could be a powerful antithrombogenic surface for blood pumps used for chronic circulatory support of cardiac patients.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Poly(ethylene oxide)-modified poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles as a pH-sensitive system for tumor-targeted delivery of hydrophobic drugs: part 2. In vivo distribution and tumor localization studies.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the biodistribution profiles and tumor localization potential of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-modified poly(beta-amino ester) (PbAE) as a novel, pH-sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticulate system for tumor-targeted drug delivery. METHODS: The biodistribution studies of PEO-modified PbAE and PEO-modified poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), a non-pH-sensitive polymer, nanoparticle systems were carried out in normal mice using 111indium-oxine [111In] as a lipophilic radiolabel encapsulated within the polymeric matrix, and the distribution of the nanoparticles was studied in plasma and all the vital organs following intravenous administration. Solid tumors were developed on nude mice using human ovarian carcinoma xenograft (SKOV-3) and the change in concentrations of tritium [3H]-labeled paclitaxel encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles was examined in blood, tumor mass, and liver. RESULTS: Study in normal mice with a gamma-emitting isotope [111In] provided a thorough biodistribution analysis of the PEO-modified nanoparticulate carrier systems, whereas 3H-paclitaxel was useful to understand the change in concentration and tumor localization of anticancer compound directly in major sites of distribution. Both PEO-PbAE and PEO-PCL nanoparticles showed long systemic circulating properties by virtue of surface modification with PEO-containing triblock block copolymer (Pluronic stabilizer. Although the PCL nanoparticles showed higher uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, the PbAE nanoparticles effectively delivered the encapsulated payload into the tumor mass. CONCLUSIONS: PEO-modified PbAE nanoparticles showed considerable passive tumor targeting potential in early stages of biodistribution via the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) mechanism. This prompts a detailed biodistribution profiling of the nanocarrier for prolonged periods to provide conclusive evidence for superiority of the delivery system.

Amino Acids↗

Fasting and postprandial lipid response to the consumption of modified milk fats by guinea pigs.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of three modified milk fats with different melting profiles on fasting and postprandial lipid responses and on fecal fat content in guinea pigs. We hypothesized that the consumption of modified milk fat with a high m.p. results in reduced fasting and postprandial lipid responses compared with that of modified milk fat fractions with lower m.p. To test this hypothesis, male Hartley guinea pigs were fed isoenergetic diets containing 110 g of fat/kg, either from one of the three modified milk fats with high (HMF), medium (MMF), or low melting profiles (LMF), or from one of the two reference fats as whole milk fat (MF) or a fat blend similar to that of nonhydrogenated soft margarine (MA) for 28 d. Food intake (P < 0.05) and body weight gain (P < 0.05) were reduced in the animals fed the HMF diet compared with the other groups. In the fasting state, plasma LDL cholesterol was highest in animals fed the LMF diet, intermediary in those fed the MMF and MF diets, and lowest in those fed the HMF and MA diets (P< 0.05). Postprandially, the areas under the 0- to 3-h curves for the changes in plasma TG were lower in the HMF group than in the MA- and LMF-fed guinea pigs (P< 0.05). The fecal fat content was higher (P< 0.05) in the HMF group compared to the other milk fat groups. The present results suggest that modified milk fats can impact food intake, body weight gain, fasting cholesterolemia, and postprandial triglyceridemia, and these changes may be attributed to an altered fat absorption.

Animals↗

Enzyme immunoassay of the receptors for modified low density lipoprotein.

Mouse macrophages (line J 774) were incubated with monospecific goat anti-low density lipoprotein antibodies, which were conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (AB-HRP). Addition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) modified by treatment with malondialdehyde to cultures of these cells resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the amount of cell-associated enzyme activity. The concentration curve was hyperbolic with half-saturation of modified LDL at a concentration of about 3 micrograms/ml. This effect was completely blocked by polyinosinic acid and was not observed in experiments with human fibroblasts, which do not exhibit high affinity binding sites that recognize chemically modified LDL. Our data indicate that receptor-mediated endocytosis of AB-HRP in the presence of native or modified LDL may be used as very simple, efficient, and sensitive assay for investigation of the scavenger receptors for modified LDL.

Animals↗

The Hancock modified-orifice porcine bioprosthetic valve: 1976-1988.

The Hancock modified-orifice porcine valve was fabricated as a result of documented obstruction of the Hancock standard porcine valve in small sizes related to the retained muscle bar of the right coronary cusp. We implanted the first clinical Hancock modified-orifice valve in 1976, and have used this valve for aortic valve replacement to the present time. This analysis compares and contrasts the clinical performance of 401 Hancock standard and 385 Hancock modified-orifice valves over a period of 10 years. Statistical significance in actuarial curves at 120 months was noted in long-term survival and thromboemboli. There was a slightly smaller amount of structural valve degeneration and incidence of reoperation with the modified-orifice valve compared with the standard valve. The Hancock modified-orifice valve has proven to be a satisfactory aortic valve replacement device, and its complex fabrication has withstood the test of time.

Aged↗

Lateral tunnel suture line variation reduces atrial flutter after the modified Fontan operation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial flutter (AFL) is a common postoperative sequela of the modified Fontan operation, or total cavopulmonary connection. We hypothesized that injury to the crista terminalis (CT) by the lateral tunnel suture line contributes to the development of AFL in this setting. This study was designed to determine the effects of alteration of the lateral tunnel suture line, relative to the CT, on the inducibility of AFL in an acute canine model of the modified Fontan operation. METHODS: Adult mongrel dogs (n = 25) underwent a median sternotomy and normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. In groups 1, 2, and 3, through a right atriotomy, a suture line was placed to simulate the lateral tunnel of the modified Fontan operation (n = 20). The lateral aspect of the suture line ran along the CT in group (n = 10), 5 mm medial to the CT in group 2 (n = 5), and 10 mm anterior to the CT, incorporated into the atriotomy closure, in group 3 (n = 5). In group 4 (n = 5), only the lateral portion of the suture line, along the CT, was placed. Form-fitting 253-point unipolar endocardial mapping electrodes were inserted in the left and right atria via bilateral ventriculotomies. Induction of AFL was then attempted using atrial burst pacing. If sustained AFL could not be induced, isoproterenol was administered and the pacing protocol repeated. Endocardial activation sequence maps of spontaneous rhythm and AFT were constructed. RESULTS: Under baseline conditions, after placement of the suture line, sustained AFL could reproducibly be induced in 8/10 dogs in group 1, 0/5 dogs in group 2, 0/5 dogs in group 3, and 5/5 dogs in group 4 (p < 0.001). After isoproterenol administration, sustained AFL was reproducibly inducible in the remaining 2 dogs in group 1, 4/5 dogs in group 2, and 0/5 dogs in group 3 (p = 0.01). The mean cycle length of AFL was 189 +/- 25 ms in group 1, 136 +/- 8 ms in group 2, and 182 +/- 20 ms in group 4 (p < 0.001). Atrial activation sequence maps, during sinus rhythm, demonstrated a line of conduction block along the lateral portion of the suture line in all cases in groups 1 and 4 and in only those cases in group 2 in which sustained AFL was inducible. During AFL this block facilitated unidirectional conduction, permitting propagation of the reentrant wavefront. Mean conduction velocity along the CT during sinus rhythm was 0.63 +/- 0.10 m/s in group 1, 1.04 +/- 0.17 m/s in group 2, 1.01 +/- 0.12 m/s in group 3, and 0.44 +/- 0.13 m/s in group 4 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In an acute canine model of the modified Fontan operation, conduction block imposed by the lateral tunnel suture line is an essential component of the AFL circuit. The inducibility of AFL is increased by suture line placement along the CT. Slow conduction, resulting from injury to the CT, promotes this increased inducibility. Avoidance of the CT may reduce the incidence of AFL in children undergoing the modified Fontan operation.

Animals↗

Modified cation activation of the (Na+K)-ATPase following treatment with thimerosal.

Treatment of the Na,K-ATPase enzyme, isolated from canine renal outer medulla, with thimerosal (ethylmercurithiosalicylate) resulted in significant inhibition of the overall Na,K-ATPase with only slight, if any, inhibition of the Na-ATPase and ATP:ADP exchange activities. The K-stimulated PNPPase activity was stimulated [see G. R. Henderson and A. Askari (1977) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 182, 221-226]. Examination of the Na dependence of the ATPase and ATP:ADP exchange activities revealed an Na-independent, ouabain-sensitive activity that was inhibited by Na in the range 0-10 mM. At greater than or equal to 10 mM concentration of Na the treated and modified enzymes showed similar activities. The apparent affinity of the modified enzyme for ATP in the presence of 100 mM Na was the same as that of the untreated enzyme (0.2-0.3 microM). In the absence of Na, the modified enzyme hydrolyzed ATP with a relatively low affinity (about 120 microM). The enhancement of p-nitrophenylphosphatase (PNPPase) activity measured in the presence of K ions was due to the appearance of K-independent, ouabain-sensitive PNPP activity. The modification was without major affect on the apparent affinity of the enzyme for K ions in the PNPPase activity. Treatment of the thimerosal-modified enzyme with dithiothreitol removed (or greatly reduced) the cation-independent, ouabain-sensitive activities and the Na,K-ATPase activity returned. Modification of a set of enzyme -SH groups in the Na,K-ATPase enzyme made it able to hydrolyze ATP in the absence of Na ions and PNPP in the absence of K ions. The -SH groups modified by thimerosal are evidently critical to the major dephosphoenzyme conformational changes but are not involved in the major transport conformational change between phosphoenzymes.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

New substrate specificity of modified porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase.

Conversion of the substrate specificity of porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA) was studied using chemical modification of His residues. Diethyl pyrocarbonate modified His residues in PPA and the activity of the modified PPA for the hydrolysis of the alpha-D-(1,4)glucoside bond in starch or oligosaccharides decreased to less than 1% of that of the native enzyme. However, the activity for the hydrolysis of the bond between p-nitrophenol and oligosaccharides in p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides was increased by chemical modification. When the modified PPA was incubated with a proteinaceous alpha-amylase inhibitor (Mr 60,000) purified from white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), it bound to the inhibitor. As a result, the remaining less than 1% hydrolytic activity of the modified PPA for starch disappeared completely but that for p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides remained unaltered. The hydrolytic activity of the native PPA for the alpha-D-(1,4)glucoside bond in oligosaccharides was stronger than that between p-nitrophenyl and oligosaccharides in p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides. Therefore, when p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides (three to five glucose residues) were used as substrates for the native PPA, the alpha-D-(1,4)glucoside bonds in the oligosaccharides were hydrolyzed. However, the modified PPA-inhibitor complex hydrolyzed only the bond between p-nitrophenol and oligosaccharides in p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides. The above results reveal that, by chemical modification with diethyl pyrocarbonate and biochemical modification with an amylase inhibitor, amylase can be converted to a new exo-type enzyme which hydrolyzes only the bond between p-nitrophenol and oligosaccharides in p-nitrophenyl oligosaccharides.

Amylases↗

Chemical modification of spinach plastocyanin using 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid: characterization of four singly-modified forms.

Chemical modification of plastocyanin was carried out using 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, which has the effect of replacing positive charges on amino groups with negatively charged carboxyl groups. Four singly-modified forms were obtained which were separated using anion exchange FPLC. The four forms were modified at the N-terminal valine and at lysines 54, 71 and 77. The rates of reaction with mammalian cytochrome c were increased for all four modified plastocyanins. In contrast, the rates of reaction with cytochrome f were inhibited for the forms modified at residues 1, 54 and 77, whereas no effect was observed for the form modified at residue 71. Modification had no effect on either the midpoint redox potential or the reaction with K3Fe(CN)6. These results are consistent with a model in which charged residues on plastocyanin located at or near the binding site for cytochrome f recognize the positively-charged binding site on cytochrome f. In contrast, charged residues located at points on plastocyanin distant from the cytochrome f binding site recognize the net negative charge on the cytochrome f molecule. Based on these considerations, Glu-68 may be within the interaction sphere of cytochrome f, suggesting that cytochrome f may donate electrons to plastocyanin at either Tyr-83 or His-87.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

S1 nuclease sensitivity to cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) modified DNAS: influence of (G+C) content and nucleotide sequence.

The sensitivity of S1 nuclease to cis- and trans-(NH3)2PtCl2 modified DNAs is examined as a function of the level of cis- and trans-(NH3)2PtCl2 bound, the % (G+C) content in DNA from different sources and the sequence dependence in poly(dG).poly(dC) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). The extent of DNA digested increases with increasing levels of either isomer and is inversely influenced by the % (G+C) content of the DNA. However, the difference in the extent of digestion between the cis-and trans-(NH3)2PtCl2 modified DNAs at equivalent levels of bound isomer follows the order, calf-thymus greater than M. lysodeikticus greater than poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). While there is virtually no difference in the digestion profiles for poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) modified with the two isomers, there is a striking difference in the extent of digestion between cis- and trans-(NH3)2PtCl2 modified poly(dG).poly(dC). These results are discussed in light of the possible modes of binding for cis-(NH3)2PtCl2, previously reported findings on modified DNA and possible implications for modifications in cellular chromatin.

Animals↗

Nuclease P1-mediated fluorescence postlabeling assay of AAF modified DNA model d(TACGTA) and calf-thymus DNA.

Fluorescence postlabeling assay for DNA damage combines enzymatic digestion of modified DNA to nucleoside monophosphates and fluorescence postlabeling. However, to facilitate the quantitative release of bulky adducts that are not readily obtained as mononucleotides, a different mechanism is essential. In order to test the application potential of nuclease P1-mediated fluorescence postlabeling to assay bulky adduct, d(TACGTA) was reacted with N-acetoxy-2-acetylamino-fluorene. The major product, characterized by nmr as AAF adduct of the guanine moiety at the C-8 position, was used as a DNA model. Nuclease P1 digestion of the modified oligomer excised the adduct in two forms (3:1) which were identified as AAF modified d(pGpT) and dpG respectively by cochromotography with authentic markers. Fluorescence postlabeling assay of AAF modified d(TACGTA) detected both forms of the excised adduct. The application of the overall procedure to assay AAF modified calf-thymus DNA demonstrated that the extension of fluorescence postlabeling technique from the mononucleotide to the dinucleotide version expands the scope of the assay.

Acetoxyacetylaminofluorene↗