Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.7.48 (transcriptase)
9,479 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in the elimination of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex of the human brain. Genetic variation in the COMT gene (MIM 116790) has been associated with altered prefrontal cortex function and higher risk for schizophrenia, but the specific alleles and their functional implications have been controversial. We analyzed the effects of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within COMT on mRNA expression levels (using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis), protein levels (using Western blot analysis), and enzyme activity (using catechol methylation) in a large sample (n = 108) of postmortem human prefrontal cortex tissue, which predominantly expresses the -membrane-bound isoform. A common coding SNP, Val158Met (rs4680), significantly affected protein abundance and enzyme activity but not mRNA expression levels, suggesting that differences in protein integrity account for the difference in enzyme activity between alleles. A SNP in intron 1 (rs737865) and a SNP in the 3' flanking region (rs165599)--both of which have been reported to contribute to allelic expression differences and to be associated with schizophrenia as part of a haplotype with Val--had no effect on mRNA expression levels, protein immunoreactivity, or enzyme activity. In lymphocytes from 47 subjects, we confirmed a similar effect on enzyme activity in samples with the Val/Met genotype but no effect in samples with the intron 1 or 3' SNPs. Separate analyses revealed that the subject's sex, as well as the presence of a SNP in the P2 promoter region (rs2097603), had small effects on COMT enzyme activity. Using site-directed mutagenesis of mouse COMT cDNA, followed by in vitro translation, we found that the conversion of Leu at the homologous position into Met or Val progressively and significantly diminished enzyme activity. Thus, although we cannot exclude a more complex genetic basis for functional effects of COMT, Val is a predominant factor that determines higher COMT activity in the prefrontal cortex, which presumably leads to lower synaptic dopamine levels and relatively deleterious prefrontal function.
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PMID:Functional analysis of genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT): effects on mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity in postmortem human brain. 1545 4

Analysis of the genome sequence of the small hyperthermophilic archaeal parasite Nanoarchaeum equitans has not revealed genes encoding the glutamate, histidine, tryptophan and initiator methionine transfer RNA species. Here we develop a computational approach to genome analysis that searches for widely separated genes encoding tRNA halves that, on the basis of structural prediction, could form intact tRNA molecules. A search of the N. equitans genome reveals nine genes that encode tRNA halves; together they account for the missing tRNA genes. The tRNA sequences are split after the anticodon-adjacent position 37, the normal location of tRNA introns. The terminal sequences can be accommodated in an intervening sequence that includes a 12-14-nucleotide GC-rich RNA duplex between the end of the 5' tRNA half and the beginning of the 3' tRNA half. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and aminoacylation experiments of N. equitans tRNA demonstrated maturation to full-size tRNA and acceptor activity of the tRNA(His) and tRNA(Glu) species predicted in silico. As the joining mechanism possibly involves tRNA trans-splicing, the presence of an intron might have been required for early tRNA synthesis.
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PMID:Nanoarchaeum equitans creates functional tRNAs from separate genes for their 5'- and 3'-halves. 1569 44

Liver regeneration depends on timely restoration of cellular mass while orchestrating structural matrix remodeling. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) are known to regulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and, more recently, the processing of growth factors and cytokines. We have previously demonstrated that TIMP-1 inhibits preneoplastic hepatocyte proliferation by attenuating growth factor bioavailability. In the present study, we examined the role of TIMP-1 in de novo hepatocyte cell division during liver regeneration. Comprehensive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses of regenerating livers revealed significant inductions in the messenger RNA of TIMP-1, TIMP-3, TIMP-4, MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, MMP-14, and MMP-24, while MMP-15 expression was significantly reduced. Induction of TIMP-1 occurred during the peak of hepatocyte DNA synthesis. Studies using genetically altered mice revealed that TIMP-1 loss of function accelerated hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This finding was demonstrated by earlier expression of cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and phosphorylated histone H3, which mark the G(1)-S, S, and M phase, respectively. Conversely, TIMP-1 gain of function delayed cell cycle progression. MMP activity was increased in the absence of Timp-1. Examination of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and its receptor Met, both of which provide a mitogenic signal for hepatocyte division, showed increased HGF activity in Timp-1(-/-)-regenerating livers. HGF is released from the ECM and is proteolytically processed to its active form. Active HGF was elevated in Timp-1(-/-) mice, leading to increased immunostaining of phosphorylated Met as well as activation of a downstream effector, p38. In conclusion, TIMP-1 is a novel negative regulator of HGF activity during liver regeneration.
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PMID:Metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-1 affects hepatocyte cell cycle via HGF activation in murine liver regeneration. 1572 41

Complete genomes of three isolates of Potato virus S (PVS) were cloned and sequenced. The PVS ORF-1 was characterized for the first time. It encodes a putative replication protein (RPT) that shares the highest homology (about 52%) with that of Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV). ORF-1 motifs, characteristic for carlaviruses were found for methyltransferase (MTR), helicase (HEL) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The complete sequence of PVS genome enabled to develop an immunocapture RT-PCR probing of the PVS genome. Using this system, the sequence variability of 11 genome zones was examined for 34 PVS isolates including 15 PVS-CS variants that caused a systemic infection in Chenopodium quinoa. A broad variability between PVS isolates and diverse sequence variants was found. cDNA fragments covering the coat protein (CP) leader and CP-coding region (approx. 420 bp) were pooled for PVS-O and Chenopodium-systemic PVS isolates (PVS-CS) and corresponding cDNA libraries were screened for sequence variants. Both cDNA pools differred mainly in the 5'-end of the CP gene. Methionine at the position 17 in combination with serine at the position 34 were frequently associated with the CS character of PVS. In general, hydrophobic and polar amino acids were characteristic for the positions 17 and 34, respectively in PVS-CS isolates. Genome probing and evolutionary distances suggested that the PVS-CS isolates analyzed were close to the ordinary European isolates of ordinary strain of PVS (PVS-O) but distant to the original Andean strain of PVS (PVS-A).
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PMID:Complete nucleotide sequence and molecular probing of potato virus S genome. 1617 17

CD163 is the monocyte/macrophage-specific receptor for haptoglobin-hemoglobin (Hp-Hb) complexes. The cytoplasmic tail of human CD163 exists as a short tail variant and two long tail variants. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that all three CD163 variants are substantially expressed in blood, liver, and spleen, and the short tail variant is the predominant mRNA species. Using cell transfectants in which cDNA encoding the CD163 variants was inserted at the same site in the genome, we evaluated the expression and endocytic properties of the tail variants. Ligand uptake analysis showed that cells expressing the CD163 short tail variant exhibited a higher capacity for ligand endocytosis than cells expressing the CD163 long tail variants. The difference in endocytic activity was explained by confocal microscopic analysis, showing marked deviations in subcellular distribution. Surface expression was far most pronounced for the CD163 short tail variant, whereas the long tail variants were most abundant in the Golgi region/endosomes. Mutational change of a putative signal for endocytosis (Tyr-Arg-Glu-Met), present in a common part of the cytoplasmic tail of the variants, almost completely inactivated the endocytic activity of the short tail variant. In conclusion, the three physiological tail variants of CD163 may contribute to Hp-Hb endocytosis by means of the common ligand-binding region and endocytic signal. However, the high mRNA expression level and relatively high endocytic capacity of the short tail variant suggest that it accounts for the majority of Hp-Hb uptake from the circulation, whereas the long tail variants may have yet-unknown intracellular roles.
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PMID:The macrophage scavenger receptor CD163: endocytic properties of cytoplasmic tail variants. 1643 90

Sequence analyses have been undertaken on the 5' termini of the RNA species synthesized in vitro at 22 degrees C by Spring viremia of carp virion (SVCV)-associated transcriptase by using virus grown in mammalian BHK-21 cells. SVCV product RNA was synthesized in the absence or presence of low (0.56 muM) or high (0.8 mM) concentrations of added S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). Two major sequences obtained in the absence (or in low concentrations) of SAM have been shown to be GpppAp and GpppAmpAp(C). A minor sequence detected when a low concentration of [(3)H]SAM was added to reaction mixtures was 7mGpppAmpAp. Larger quantities of the 7mGpppAmpAp(C) sequence, in addition to the GpppAmpAp(C) sequence, were obtained when high concentrations of SAM were used, and under these conditions no GpppAp sequences were detected. It has further been shown that with low concentrations of [(3)H]SAM the principle in vitro methylation of adenosine in SVCV product RNA occurred at the 2'-O-ribose position; no methylation at the N(6)-adenosine position and no internal product RNA methylation were detected. Comparison of the SVCV results to the published data on the 5'-terminal structures of the in vitro or in vivo mRNA species of vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana and vesicular stomatitis virus New Jersey suggests that the 5' sequences of transcript RNA of different rhabdoviruses may have been conserved.
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PMID:5'-terminal sequences of spring viremia of carp virus RNA synthesized in vitro. 1678 78

The early methionine (Em) proteins are members of the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) group of proteins that have been considered to be embryo specific. The ability of a 646-bp wheat Em promoter to control green fluorescent protein (gfp) expression was investigated in transgenic barley and rice. Seeds of transgenic plants expressed gfp in the developing embryo but also in the aleurone layer. The 646-bp Em promoter also directed strong gfp expression in cells comprising the junction between the endosperm transfer cells and cells of the aleurone layer. Em-gfp expression in transgenic barley showed differences in spatial and temporal control when compared with that observed in transgenic rice. Em-gfp expression was also detected in mature aleurone cells of transgenic barley and rice with and without abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results indicated the presence of Em and Em-homologous transcript in embryo, aleurone and endosperm tissues of wheat and of barley and rice, respectively. These results suggest that Em proteins may be expressed in both the embryo and aleurone during seed development, possibly providing protection against desiccation in these two tissues that survive seed drying. They may also have a similar role in these tissues during germination. The Em promoter from wheat may be useful in the expression of novel genes in cereal grains, as an embryo- and aleurone-specific promoter complementing other available endosperm- and pericarp-specific promoters to collectively increase the expression of transgenes in seeds.
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PMID:The wheat Em promoter drives reporter gene expression in embryo and aleurone tissue of transgenic barley and rice. 1717 30

The N-formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are a family of G-protein coupled receptors that respond to proinflammatory N-formylated bacterial peptides (e.g., formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, fMLF) and, thus, contribute to the host response to bacterial infection. Paradoxically, a growing body of evidence suggests that some members of this receptor family may also be targets for certain anti-inflammatory molecules, including annexin A1 (ANXA1), which is an important mediator of glucocorticoid (GC) action. To explore further the potential role of FPRs in mediating ANXA1 actions, we have focused on the pituitary gland, where ANXA1 has a well-defined role as a cell-cell mediator of the inhibitory effects of GCs on the secretion of corticotrophin (ACTH), and used molecular, genetic, and pharmacological approaches to address the question in well-established rodent models. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis identified mRNAs for four FPR family members in the mouse anterior pituitary gland, Fpr-rs1, Fpr-rs2, Fpr-rs6, and Fpr-rs7. Functional studies confirmed that, like dexamethasone, ANXA1 and two ANXA1-derived peptides (ANXA1(1-188) and ANXA1(Ac2-26)) inhibit the evoked release of ACTH from rodent anterior pituitary tissue in vitro. Fpr1 gene deletion failed to modify the pituitary responses to dexamethasone or ANXA1(Ac2-26). However, lipoxin A4 (LXA4, 0.02-2 microM, a lipid mediator with high affinity for Fpr-rs1) mimicked the inhibitory effects of ANXA1 on ACTH release as also did fMLF in high (1-100 microM) but not lower (10-100 nM) concentrations. Additionally, a nonselective FPR antagonist (Boc1, 100 microM) overcame the effects of dexamethasone, ANXA1(1-188), ANXA1(Ac2-26), fMLF, and LXA4 on ACTH release, although at a lower concentration (50 microM), it was without effect. Together, the results suggest that the actions of ANXA1 in the pituitary gland are independent of Fpr1 but may involve other FPR family members, in particular, Fpr-rs1 or a closely related receptor. They thus provide the first evidence for a role of the FPR family in the regulation of neuroendocrine function.
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PMID:Formyl peptide receptors and the regulation of ACTH secretion: targets for annexin A1, lipoxins, and bacterial peptides. 1721 41

Protein-protein interactions are crucial to biological functions. Consequently, designing drugs to control protein-protein interactions is receiving increasing attention. Protein structures can associate in different ways. Analysis of the structures of protein-protein complexes using amino acid sequence order-independent multiple structural comparison algorithms, led us to conclude that the amino acids Trp, Met, and Phe are important for protein-protein interactions. Hence, in principle, drug design targeting the Trp/Met/Phe should modulate protein functions effectively. Several clusters of the Trp/Met/Phe residues are involved in the p53 protein-protein interactions. The best example in this regard is the Phe19/Trp23 of p53, which binds to transcriptional factors and to the MDM2 protein. In the HIV related proteins, the Trp/Met/Phe residues have roles in the dimerization of the transcriptase (p51/p66) and in cell-fusion processes, including the gp120-CD4 interaction and the gp41 six-helix bundle formation. Trp/Met/Phe residues are preferred in 'normal' functional protein-protein interactions and they also appear to be exploited in amyloid formation, especially the phenylalanine. Comparison of binding propensity and amyloid formation preference reveals that apart from Lysine, Isoleucine is the least structurally conserved in protein binding sites and has a high propensity in sequences forming amyloids. Thus, this may suggest that nature tends to avoid Ile conservation in protein-protein interaction to avoid amyloid formation. In this regards, Trp/Met/Phe as well as Ile may be targeted to modulate protein-protein interaction.
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PMID:Trp/Met/Phe hot spots in protein-protein interactions: potential targets in drug design. 1750 33

The aim of this study was to explore whether (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) is suitable to elucidate multidrug resistance and prediction of potentiation of antitumor agents by second-generation MDR1 inhibitors (PSC833, MS-209) in malignant brain tumors in rat. Malignant tumor cells (RG2 and C6 gliomas, Walker 256 carcinoma) were incubated with low dose vincristine (VCR) to induce multidrug resistance. MTT assay demonstrated a significant increase of surviving fractions in VCR-resistant sublines compared to those of drug-naive cells. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction revealed higher expression of MDR1 mRNA in VCR-resistant cells than drug-naive cells in each line. Volume distribution (V(d)) of (99m)Tc-MIBI was negatively correlated with MDR1 mRNA expression among drug-naive and VCR-resistant cells. MDR1 inhibitors decreased surviving fractions and increased V(d) of (99m)Tc-MIBI significantly in VCR-resistant sublines, whereas MDR1 mRNA expression was unchanged. These findings indicate that (99m)Tc-MIBI efflux was functionally suppressed by MDR1 inhibitors. Autoradiographic images of (99m)Tc-MIBI revealed higher uptake in drug-naive cells at basal ganglia compared with VCR-resistant cells at the opposite basal ganglia of rats. Oral administration of the second-generation MDR1 inhibitors significantly increased (99m)Tc-MIBI accumulation of both tumors. Therapeutic effects of VCR with or without the MDR1 inhibitors were also evaluated autoradiographically using (14)C-methyl-L-methionine ((14)C-Met) and MIB-5 index. (14)C-Met uptake and MIB-5 index of both tumors treated with VCR following the MDR1 inhibitor treatment significantly decreased compared with tumors treated with VCR alone. Analysis of (99m)Tc-MIBI accumulation is considered informative for detecting MDR1-mediated drug resistance and for monitoring the therapeutic effects of MDR1 inhibitors in malignant brain tumors.
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PMID:(99m)Tc-MIBI imaging for prediction of therapeutic effects of second-generation MDR1 inhibitors in malignant brain tumors. 1770 55


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