Mutational analysis of the human DNA polymerase alpha. The most conserved region in alpha-like DNA polymerases is involved in metal-specific catalysis

Five site-directed mutations were introduced at the most conserved amino acids in region I (YGDTDS) of the human DNA polymerase alpha catalytic subunit. Mutant proteins were expressed in the baculovirus system by an improved method and purified by a rapid one-step purification in high yield and high specific activity. The Asp1004 to Asn mutation produced a protein with no detectable polymerase activity while other mutations gave activities from 1 to 20% of the wild type polymerase activity. Steady state kinetic analysis of the active mutants indicates that none of the mutations caused a change in Km(dNTP) or KD(DNA), but all active mutants showed a decrease in kcat. Thus, the effect of these conserved mutations is manifest in altered rates of catalysis. Two mutations, Asp1002 to Asn and Thr1003 to Ser, caused the enzyme to utilize Mn2+ more effectively in catalysis than Mg2+, suggesting that these amino acids are involved in metal binding. Rates of catalysis by the D1002N and T1003S mutants, as well as Y1000F mutant were improved 80-, 30-, and 70-fold, respectively, on homopolymer templates when Mn2+ replaced Mg2+ as the activator metal. The results from these mutational studies suggest that this highly conserved region binds the metal which is essential for catalysis. The Asp1002 may participate directly in chelating the metal. Results from the T1003S mutant suggest that the beta-methyl group of the threonine side chain might be locked in a hydrophobic pocket preventing free rotation around the C alpha-C beta bond, thus positioning the Thr1003 hydroxyl group to form a crucial bond with the metal ion. In addition, D1002N and T1003S displayed a 20-fold resistance to aphidicolin compared to the wild type polymerase alpha, and all of the active mutants displayed altered sensitivity to butylphenyl-dGTP. Models of the involvement of region I in catalysis and aphidicolin interaction are proposed. The mutational studies presented in this report will serve as a prototype for the functional role of region I in catalysis for all alpha-like DNA polymerases.

Initiation of simian virus 40 DNA replication requires the interaction of a specific domain of human DNA polymerase alpha with large T antigen

Initiation of cell-free simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication requires the interaction of DNA polymerase alpha/primase with a preinitiation complex containing the viral T antigen and cellular proteins, replication protein A, and topoisomerase I or II. To further understand the molecular mechanisms of the transition from preinitiation to initiation, the intermolecular interaction between human DNA polymerase alpha and T antigen was investigated. We have demonstrated that the human DNA polymerase alpha catalytic polypeptide is able to associate with SV40 large T antigen directly under physiological conditions. A physical association between these two proteins was detected by coimmunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibodies from insect cells coinfected with recombinant baculoviruses. A domain of human polymerase alpha physically interacting with T antigen was identified within the amino-terminal region from residues 195 to 313. This domain of human polymerase alpha was able to form a nonproductive complex with T antigen, causing inhibition of the SV40 DNA replication in vitro. Kinetics of the inhibition indicated that this polymerase domain can inhibit viral replication only during the preinitiation stage. Extra molecules of T antigen could partially overcome the inhibition only prior to initiation complex formation. The data support the conclusion that initiation of SV40 DNA replication requires the physical interaction of T antigen in the preinitiation complex with the amino-terminal domain of human polymerase alpha from amino acid residues 195 to 313.

Cell cycle expression of two replicative DNA polymerases alpha and delta from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have investigated the expression of two Schizosaccharomyces pombe replicative DNA polymerases alpha and delta during the cell cycle. The pol alpha+ and pol delta+ genes encoding DNA polymerases alpha and delta were isolated from S. pombe. Both pol alpha+ and pol delta+ genes are single copy genes in haploid cells and are essential for cell viability. In contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologs, the steady-state transcripts of both S. pombe pol alpha+ and pol delta+ genes were present throughout the cell cycle. Sequence analysis of the pol alpha+ and pol delta+ genes did not reveal the Mlu I motifs in their upstream sequences that are involved in cell cycle-dependent transcription of S. cerevisiae DNA synthesis genes as well as the S. pombe cdc22+ gene at the G1/S boundary. However, five near-match Mlu I motifs were found in the upstream region of the pol alpha+ gene. S. pombe DNA polymerases alpha and delta proteins were also expressed constantly throughout the cell cycle. In addition, the enzymatic activity of the S. pombe DNA polymerase alpha measured by in vitro assay was detected at all stages of the cell cycle. Thus, these S. pombe replicative DNA polymerases, like that of S. pombe cdc17+ gene, are expressed throughout the cell cycle at the transcriptional and protein level. These results indicate that S. pombe has at least two regulatory modes for the expression of genes involved in DNA replication and DNA precursor synthesis.

Protein affinity chromatography reveals cell cycle dependent association of cellular factors with human DNA polymerase alpha

DNA polymerase alpha/primase (Pol alpha) is the key replication enzyme in eukaryotic cells. This enzyme synthesizes and elongates short RNA primers at an unwound origin of replication. Pol alpha was used as an affinity ligand to identify cellular replication factors interacting with it. Protein complexes between Pol alpha and cellular factors were analyzed by co-immunoprecipitations with monoclonal antibodies directed against Pol alpha and by protein affinity chromatography of cell extracts derived from pure G1- and S-phase cell populations on Pol alpha affinity columns. Co-immunoprecipitations resulted in the identification of a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 46 kDa. For Pol alpha affinity chromatography, the ligand was purified from insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus encoding the catalytic subunit (p180) of Pol alpha (Copeland and Wang, 1991). With 5 x 10(8) infected Sf9 cells, a rapid one step purification protocol was used which yielded in five hours 0.6 mg pure enzyme with a specific activity of 140,000 units/mg. The G1- and S-phase cell populations were generated by block, release and counterflow centrifugal elutriation of exponentially growing human MANCA cells. Starting with 2 x 10(9) non synchronous cells, 5 x 10(8) G1-phase cells were isolated. Chromatography of cell extracts derived from G1- or S-phase cells on Pol alpha affinity columns resulted in identifying several polypeptides in the range of 40-70 kDa. Some of these polypeptides are more abundant in eluates derived from S-phase extracts than from G1-phase extracts.

Photoreactive 111In-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: a new heterobifunctional reagent for antibody labeling

The compound of interest, N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoylaminomethyl-111In-acetylacetone-alpha-cycl odextrin (CD) (V) was synthesized by the selective tosylation of alpha-CD to form 6-tosyl-6-deoxy-CD, which was then reacted with NaN3 to form 6-azido-6-deoxy-CD (II). This was followed by catalytic hydrogenation to yield III. Compound III and 111In-acetylacetone were mixed to form an inclusion complex, which was then reacted with N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide to yield compound V. Anti-melanoma MAbTP41.2 was added to compound V, followed by immediate photoreactivation labeling by u.v. light at 320 nm. The final product VI was purified from a Sephadex G-50 column. 111In-DTPA-MAbTP41.2 was also prepared as a control. Immunoreactivity via the cell-binding assay of VI was 87%, compared with 57% by the BADTPA method. Biodistribution in non-tumor rats yielded a liver concentration in %ID/g of 3.5, 1.7 and 1.0 for compound VI, compared to the 5.5, 5.2 and 3.1 for the BADTPA compound, at 4, 24 and 48 h post-injection, respectively.

Imaging of cardiac transplantation rejection in primates using two new antimyosin agents

Indium-111-labeled monoclonal antimyosin Fab has been used to image myocardial infarction, myocarditis and cardiac transplant rejection with localization in myocytes that have suffered irreversible loss of cell membrane integrity. Technical factors potentially limiting clinical usefulness of 111In antimyosin include dosimetry (72 hr half-life of 111In), slow blood clearance of antibody proteins delaying optimal imaging to 24 to 48 hr postinjection and nontarget organ uptake. Therefore, two new antimyosin imaging agents experimentally shown to potentially improve dosimetry, shorten time from injection to imaging or decrease nonspecific cell binding were evaluated in a primate cardiac transplant model. The two agents evaluated were polylysine 111In-antimyosin (0.023 mg Fab modified with a 3.3 kd polymer of polylysine and labeled with 111In) and 99mTc-antimyosin (0.5 mg Fab' antimyosin labeled using the RP-1 ligand technique). A total of eight baboons were studied: three with heterotopic (cervical) xenographs, three with orthotopic allographs and two control animals. Each animal was injected first with 12-23 mCi of 99mTc-RP-1 antimyosin and 5-16 hr after completion of imaging, was injected with 0.72-1.88 mCi of 111In-polylysine antimyosin (PIs) and reimaged 12-48 hr later. The imaging results were compared to the histology of the animals. Biexponential curves were fit to the blood sample data and rate constants were determined and expressed as T1/2 values. There were no significant differences between the two agents in either the early fast components or the late slow components. On planar imaging, there was blood-pool activity at 10-12 hr postinjection of both agents, but by 16-24 hr postinjection, blood pool was negligible on the 111In-PIs scans. Both agents were concentrated in the rejected cardiac tissue. The slow blood-pool clearance combined with the 6 hr half-life of 99mTc-RP-1 AMA make this agent less promising for detection of diffuse myocardial uptake than 111In Fab modified with polylysine.

Human DNA polymerases alpha and beta are able to incorporate anti-HIV deoxynucleotides into DNA

Deoxynucleoside analogs, AZT and/or ddN, are the therapeutic agents currently utilized to inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase. The effects of their anabolic products, AZT-triphosphate (AZT-TP) and ddCTP on human cellular DNA metabolic processes were studied using highly purified, structurally and enzymatically defined forms of the two major human host DNA polymerases, alpha and beta, and compared to those of the reverse transcriptase purified from HIV viron. Human DNA polymerase alpha during processive DNA synthesis is able to incorporate AZT-monophosphate (AZT-MP) but not ddCMP into DNA, causing chain termination. During its initial encounter with a primer terminus, polymerase alpha is able to incorporate both AZT-MP and ddCMP into DNA chains. Polymerase beta is able to incorporate AZT-MP and ddCMP into DNA, causing chain termination in both modes of DNA synthesis. Steady state kinetic analyses demonstrate that polymerase alpha inserts one AZT-MP molecule into DNA for every 2500 dTMP molecules incorporated. Polymerase beta incorporates ddCMP with efficiency nearly equal to that of dCMP. HIV reverse transcriptase prefers to incorporate AZT-MP and ddCMP rather than dTMP and dCMP, respectively. The findings described here raise the concern that the capability of the two major host DNA polymerases to incorporate AZT-MP or ddCMP into DNA might cause adverse side effects on human DNA metabolism and mutation in the genomes of patients under long term continuous treatment with AZT and ddC.

Short-term retinoic acid treatment increases in vivo, but decreases in vitro, epidermal transglutaminase-K enzyme activity and immunoreactivity

Epidermal transglutaminase-K is believed to catalyze the covalent linking of loricrin and involucrin to form cross-linked (CE) envelopes. In normal skin, transglutaminase-K is expressed as a band immediately below the stratum corneum, whereas in psoriasis and healing skin its expression is considerably expanded throughout the suprabasal layers. We have investigated whether the hyperproliferative state induced by short-term application of topical retinoic acid is similarly characterized by an increase in transglutaminase-K enzyme activity and immunoreactivity. Retinoic acid (0.1% cream) or vehicle were applied to human skin and occluded for 4 d. Skin biopsies were obtained for measurement of transglutaminase-K and transglutaminase-C activity and immunoreactivity. For comparison, cultured normal human keratinocytes were incubated for 4 d in the presence of 1 microM retinoic acid and the subsequent transglutaminase-K activity and immunoreactivity measured. Transglutaminase-K activity was increased 2.8 times in retinoic acid compared to vehicle-treated skin (p less than 0.005, n = 12) whereas there was no significant difference in transglutaminase-C activity. However, transglutaminase-K mRNA levels were not significantly different between retinoic acid- and vehicle-treated skin. In vehicle-treated skin, transglutaminase-K immunoreactivity was limited to a narrow, substratum corneal band, but was considerably expanded in a diffuse suprabasal pattern in retinoic acid-treated epidermis. In contrast, transglutaminase-K immunostaining was decreased and its enzymatic activity reduced sixfold in retinoic acid-treated keratinocytes (p less than 0.01, n = 4). These results demonstrate that retinoic acid treatment in vivo, in contrast to in vitro, leads to not only increased transglutaminase-K protein expression but also increased enzymatic activity in the absence of detectable increases in mRNA levels. These data, taken with the previously reported lack of in vivo modulation of the differentiation markers keratins 1 and 10 by retinoic acid, indicate that certain aspects of keratinocyte terminal differentiation that are altered in vitro by retinoic acid do not occur in vivo in human skin.

Reduced hepatic accumulation of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies with indium-111-thioether-poly-L-lysine-DTPA-monoclonal antibody-TP41.2F(ab')2

In an attempt to improve bifunctional chelate labelling of Mab, we investigated the use of a polyamino acid backbone for multiple DTPA substitutions. Poly-L-lysine (PL) (3.8 Kd, n = 25) was partially acetylated with MADTPA to yield 11 moles of DPTA per mole of PL. The average numbers of DTPA on PL were directly quantified with MADTPA-C-14. The remaining epsilon amino groups on PL-DTPA (I) were measured with TNBS reagent. A selective maleimide derivatization of (I) with S-SMPB yielded (II), which contains 2.3 moles of maleimide groups per mole of (I). The sulfhydryl activation of Mab-TP41.2F(ab')2 with 2-Iminothiolane hydrochloride produced (III), containing 1.3 moles of sulfhydryl groups per mole of Mab. Compounds (II) and (III) were combined to form a single thioether-spaced chain linkage of Mab-PL-DTPA (IV), which was subsequently chelated with 111In to yield (V), which was the compound of interest. Indium-111-PL-DTPA (VI) and 111In-DTPA-MabTP41.2F(ab')2 (VII) also were prepared for control studies. Direct cell binding assay revealed the mean immunoreactivity of (V) to be 79.4% and that of (VII) to be 39.5%. In a biodistribution study on melanoma tumor-bearing athymic mice at 4, 24, and 48 hr postinjection, the tumor/blood and tumor/liver ratios at 48 hr were 11.6 and 1.2 for (V), compared to 3.7 and 0.13, respectively, with (VII). Thus, the PL configuration for radiolabeled antibodies seems to result in decreased hepatic accumulation and retained tumor activity. The findings suggest that further studies of this new compound are warranted.

A photonumeric scale for the assessment of cutaneous photodamage

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN

The assessment of the severity of cutaneous photodamage and its response to treatment is an impractical consideration for most practitioners without extensive experience or recourse to high-quality, standardized, baseline photographs. To address this problem, a nine-point photonumeric standard scale was developed using photographs of subjects representing grades of photodamage from none to severe. This scale was formally tested in a side-by-side comparison with a conventional and widely used written descriptive scale. A panel of seven graders used both scales to score two sets of 25 photographs of photodamaged individuals, and the intergrader agreement and repeatability for the scales were calculated.

RESULTS

The photonumeric scale demonstrated significantly greater agreement between graders than did the descriptive scale (chance-corrected agreements of 0.31 and 0.11, respectively, P less than .0001) with no significant difference in repeatability between the two methods.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the photonumeric standard scale is superior to existing methodology in the accurate assessment of cutaneous photodamage and would be a useful adjunct to studies of the efficacy of skin repair agents for this indication.

Catalytic subunit of human DNA polymerase alpha overproduced from baculovirus-infected insect cells. Structural and enzymological characterization

The human DNA polymerase alpha catalytic polypeptide has been functionally overexpressed by a recombinant baculovirus in insect cells at greater than 1000-fold higher levels than that found in cultured normal human cells. The recombinant polymerase alpha protein is translated from its natural translation start codon under the control of the baculovirus polyhedron promoter producing a protein of 180 kDa, identical in size to that isolated from cultured human cells. This recombinant polymerase alpha is phosphorylated and reactive to a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against the native polymerase alpha-primase complex and to polyclonal antisera against N- and C-terminal peptides of the polymerase alpha catalytic polypeptide. The recombinant enzyme was immunopurified from insect cells as a single polypeptide. The single subunit recombinant polymerase alpha has no detectable 3'-5' exonuclease activity. The Km for primer-template and dNTP, reactivity to inhibitors, N2-(p-n-butylphenyl)-dGTP (BuPdGTP) and aphidicolin, thermosensitivity, and DNA synthetic processivity and fidelity of the recombinant polymerase alpha are identical to that observed with the four-subunit polymerase alpha-primase complex immunopurified from cultured human cells. These results strongly suggest that the presence of the other subunits, (the p70 and the two primase subunits, p48 and p58), does not influence kinetic parameters of polymerase alpha catalysis, sensitivity to inhibitors, or DNA synthetic fidelity and processivity.

Improvement by affinity chromatography on antiidiotypic monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of immunoreactivity and in vivo targeting of radiolabelled anti-HMW-MAA MAb TP61.5 in nude mice bearing human melanoma lesions

The human high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigen (HMW-MAA) represents a useful marker for immunoscintigraphy in patients with melanoma. Since injection of a radiolabelled anti-HMW-MAA monoclonal antibody (MAb) visualizes only about 60% of melanoma lesions, approaches are being developed to increase the sensitivity of immunoscintigraphy. One of them aims at improving the immunoreactivity of radiolabelled anti-HMW-MAA MAbs, since this approach may improve the targeting of radiolabelled MAbs to melanoma lesions. We have previously shown that affinity chromatography on insolubilized anti-idiotypic MAbs is a useful method for purifying immunoreactive anti-HMW-MAA MAb TP61.5 from 125I-labelled MAb preparations and that not all the anti-idiotypic MAbs are useful for this purpose. Since the increasing number of available anti-idiotypic MAbs is likely to facilitate the application of this procedure in many antigenic systems, we have now tested criteria to select anti-idiotypic MAbs suitable for the purification procedure. Furthermore, we have investigated the effect of the increase in immunoreactivity of 125I-MAb TP61.5 on its in vivo targeting to human melanoma lesions transplanted into nude mice. Among the 3 anti-idiotypic MAbs tested, the most effective in purifying immunoreactive MAb TP61.5 molecules following radiolabelling is MAb TK7-110, with which 125I-MAb TP61.5 displays an immunoreactivity similar to that displayed with melanoma cells. This parameter may represent a useful criterion to identify anti-idiotypic MAbs suitable for the purification procedure, if the present results are confirmed with a large number of anti-idiotypic MAbs in different antigenic systems. We have also shown that an incubation time for up to 4 hr of 125I-MAb TP61.5 with insolubilized MAb TK7-110 is the most effective in increasing immunoreactivity and in recovering immunoreactive MAb applied to the affinity matrix. The increase in the immunoreactive fraction of 125I-MAb TP61.5 significantly increases its specific localization in human melanoma lesions transplanted into nude mice. These results suggest that purification of radiolabelled immunoreactive anti-HMW-MAA MAb TP61.5 by affinity chromatography using anti-idiotypic MAb TK7-110 represents a useful approach to increasing the sensitivity of immunoscintigraphy in patients with melanoma.

Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of human DNA polymerase alpha

The expression of DNA polymerase alpha, a principal chromosome replication enzyme, is constitutive during the cell cycle. We show in this report that DNA polymerase alpha catalytic polypeptide p180 is phosphorylated throughout the cell cycle and is hyperphosphorylated in G2/M phase. The p70 subunit is phosphorylated only in G2/M phase. This cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation is due to cell cycle-dependent kinase(s) and not to phosphatase(s). In vitro evidence indicates the involvement of p34cdc2 kinase in the mitotic phosphorylation of DNA polymerase alpha. Tryptic phosphopeptide maps demonstrate that peptides phosphorylated in vitro are identical to those phosphorylated in vivo. DNA polymerase alpha from mitotic cells is found to have lower affinity for single-stranded DNA than does polymerase alpha from G1/S phase cells. These results imply that the mitotic phosphorylation of polymerase alpha may affect its physical interaction with other replicative proteins and/or with DNA at the replication fork.

Migration patterns of dendritic cells in the rat: comparison of the effects of gamma and UV-B irradiation on the migration of dendritic cells and Lymphocytes

To further define the underlying mechanisms of immune suppression induced by UV-B irradiation, we have examined the kinetics of homing patterns of in vitro UV-B-irradiated and gamma-irradiated-thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) compared to dendritic cells (DC). Our findings show that 111In-oxine-labeled TDL specifically home to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and bone marrow with subsequent recirculation of a large number of cells from the spleen to lymph nodes. In contrast, DC preferentially migrate to the spleen and liver with a relatively insignificant distribution to lymph nodes and an absence of subsequent recirculation. Splenectomy prior to cell injection significantly diverts the spleen-seeking DC to the liver but not to the lymph nodes, while the homing of TDL to lymph nodes is significantly increased. In vitro exposure of 111In-oxine labeled TDL to gamma irradiation does not significantly impair immediate homing to lymphoid tissues but inhibits cell recirculation between 3 and 24 hr. In contrast, gamma irradiation does not affect the tissue distribution of labeled DC, suggesting that DC are more radioresistant to gamma irradiation than TDL. Unlike the findings in animals injected with gamma-irradiated cells, UV-B irradiation virtually abolished the homing of TDL to lymph nodes and significantly reduced the homing of the spleen-seeking DC to the splenic compartment while a large number of cells were sequestered in the liver. The results of in vitro cell binding assay show that TDL, unlike DC, have the capacity to bind to high endothelial venules (HEV) within lymph node frozen sections while gamma and UV-B irradiation significantly inhibit the binding of TDL to lymph node HEV. These findings suggest that: (i) DC, unlike TDL, are unable to recirculate from blood to lymph nodes through HEV; (ii) although gamma irradiation impairs TDL recirculation, it does not affect DC tissue distribution; and (iii) UV-B irradiation impairs both TDL and DC migration patterns. We conclude that the lack of capacity of irradiated TDL to home to lymph nodes is due to damage to cell surface homing receptors and that the failure of DC to home to the lymph node microenvironment is related to the absence of HEV homing receptors on their cell surface.

Human DNA polymerase alpha gene: sequences controlling expression in cycling and serum-stimulated cells

We have investigated the DNA polymerase alpha promoter sequence requirements for the expression of a heterologous gene in actively cycling cells and following serum addition to serum-deprived cells. An 11.4-kb genomic clone that spans the 5' end of this gene and includes 1.62 kb of sequence upstream from the translation start site was isolated. The transcription start site was mapped at 46 +/- 1 nucleotides upstream from the translation start site. The upstream sequence is GC rich and lacks a TATA sequence but has a CCAAT sequence on the opposite strand. Analysis of a set of deletion constructs in transient transfection assays demonstrated that efficient expression of the reporter in cycling cells requires 248 bp of sequence upstream from the cap site. Clustered within these 248 nucleotides are sequences similar to consensus sequences for Sp1-, Ap1-, Ap2-, and E2F-binding sites. The CCAAT sequence and the potential E2F- and Ap1-binding sites are shown to be protected from DNase I digestion by partially purified nuclear proteins. The DNA polymerase alpha promoter can confer upon the reporter an appropriate, late response to serum addition. No single sequence element could be shown to confer serum inducibility. Rather, multiple sequence elements appear to mediate the full serum response.

Physical mapping of the genes for three components of the mouse DNA replication complex: polymerase alpha to the X chromosome, primase p49 subunit to chromosome 10, and primase p58 subunit to chromosome 1

DNA polymerase alpha and primase are two key enzymatic components of the eukaryotic DNA replication complex. In situ hybridization of cloned cDNAs for mouse DNA polymerase alpha and for the two subunits of mouse primase has been utilized to physically map these genes in the mouse genome. The DNA polymerase alpha gene (Pola) was mapped to the mouse X chromosome in region C-D. The gene encoding the p58 subunit of primase (Prim2) was located to mouse chromosome 1 in region A5-B and the p49 subunit gene (Prim1) was found to be on mouse chromosome 10 in the distal part of band D that is close to the telomere. Current knowledge of mouse and human conserved chromosomal regions along with the findings presented here lead to predictions of where the genes for the DNA primase subunits may be found in the human genome: the p58 subunit gene may be on human chromosome 2 and the p49 subunit gene on human chromosome 12. The mapping of Pola to region C-D of the mouse X chromosome adds a new marker in a conserved region between the mouse X chromosome and region Xp21-22.1 of the human X chromosome.

Rapid localization of indium-111-labeled inhibited recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a rabbit thrombosis model

The thrombus localizing properties of indium-111-recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (111In-rt-PA) have been investigated in an effort to achieve prompt and accurate detection of thrombi. Unlike previous studies with rt-PA, the active plasminogen catalytic site was permanently inhibited with peptides of chloromethyl ketone so that the radiotracer binds to fibrin without causing fibrinolysis. Thrombi were created in the external jugular vein of 14 male New Zealand white rabbits followed by injection of 111In-rt-PA. The agent cleared rapidly in vivo with a half-time of 4.6 min. The thrombus: blood ratio in nonheparinized rabbits (n = 7) was 6.39 +/- 0.86. The ratio in heparinized rabbits (n = 4) was 3.11 +/- 0.23. Thrombi were clearly visible in the planar images of both groups 1 hr postinjection. The combination of rapid thrombus localization and positive images, especially in the presence of anticoagulation, suggests that further work is warranted with rt-PA thrombus imaging.

Human DNA polymerase alpha catalytic polypeptide binds ConA and RCA and contains a specific labile site in the N-terminus

The catalytic polypeptide of DNA polymerase alpha is often observed in vitro as a family of phosphopolypeptides predominantly of 180 and 165 kDa derived from a single primary structure. The estimated Mr of this polypeptide deduced from the full-length cDNA is 165 kDa. Immunoblot analysis with polyclonal antibodies against peptides of the N- and C-termini of the deduced primary sequence indicates that the observed family of polypeptides from 180 kDa to lower molecular weight results from proteolytic cleavage from the N-terminus. Antibodies against the N-terminal peptide detect only the 180 kDa species suggesting that this higher molecular weight polypeptide may be the result of posttranslational modification of the 165 kDa primary translation product. The catalytic polypeptide is not only phosphorylated but is also found to react with lectins ConA and RCA. N-terminal sequencing of the isolated catalytic polypeptide from human cells and of the recombinant fusion proteins indicates that the often observed 165 kDa polypeptide is the in vitro proteolytic cleavage product of the modified 180 kDa protein at the specific site between lys123 and lys124 within the sequence -RNVKKLAVTKPNN-.

[Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension]

To investigate the relationship between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and pulmonary hemodynamic parameters in patients with chronic pulmonary artery hypertension, we measured plasma levels of renin activity, angiotensin II and aldosterone in 11 patients during right heart catheterization. All patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At rest, plasma concentration of angiotensin II positively correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.76, P less than 0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.64, P less than 0.05). During exercise, plasma level of angiotensin II increased from 70 +/- 21 to 81 +/- 24 pg/ml (P less than 0.01) and plasma renin activity from 0.66 +/- 0.54 to 1.28 +/- 1.2 ng/ml/h (P less than 0.05), whereas mean pulmonary artery pressure increased from 3.73 +/- 0.85 to 6.27 +/- 1.81 kPa (28 +/- 6.4 to 47 +/- 13.6 mmHg). Increase of angiotensin II correlated with changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.69, P less than 0.05) but not with systemic artery pressure. The results of present study suggest that angiotensin II might play a role in the development of pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Experimental study and clinical application of a single-row suturing esophagogastrostomy

A single-row suturing anastomosis (SRA) for an esophagogastrostomy was experimentally investigated in dogs. SRA not only shortened operating time, but also led to better pathological results when compared with double-row suturing anastomosis. Wide-brim suturing and equal distance between the sutures, providing increased and well-distributed blood circulation, are the key points for success of SRA. Its simplicity and safety are advantages of SRA as has been shown in 90 cases in clinical application.

Indium-111-labeled LDL: a potential agent for imaging atherosclerotic disease and lipoprotein biodistribution

Radiolabeling of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and external imaging with a gamma camera would offer a means of taking advantage of the metabolic activity of developing atherosclerotic lesions in order to noninvasively detect and determine the extent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Indium-111-(111In) labeled LDL was prepared and its purity demonstrated by agarose electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. In vitro studies with cultured human fibroblasts demonstrated significant inhibition of iodine-125-(125I) LDL binding to LDL receptors by 111In-LDL, although this was less than the inhibition produced by unlabeled LDL. Adrenal gland uptake of 111In-LDL by hypercholesterolemic rabbits was reduced by 86% compared to the level of uptake observed in normal rabbits. These results were compatible with downregulation of adrenal LDL receptors in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Uptake of 111In-LDL in the atherosclerotic proximal aorta of hypercholesterolemic rabbits was 2.5 times higher than in normal rabbits. These results suggest that 111In-LDL has the potential to be a useful agent for external imaging of atherosclerotic lesions and lipoprotein biodistribution.

[Changes of hemorrheology in COPD patients with or without cor pulmonale]

Parameters of hemorrheology such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit and red blood cell electrophoretic time were measured in 34 COPD patients with or without cor pulmonale, and the pulmonary arterial pressure was simultaneously examined. The results showed that the whole blood viscosity and hematocrit in cor pulmonale group were obviously higher than COPD group which suggested the changes of hemorrheology was much obvious in patients with cor pulmonale than those in COPD patients. Meanwhile, a statistically significant correlation was obtained between whole blood viscosity and pulmonary arterial mean pressure. Thus, we suggest blood viscosity has a certain effect on the pulmonary arterial pressure.