Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.49 (reverse transcriptase)
31,746 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

HIV-1 samples from six patients undergoing diverse anti-HIV therapies possessed the E138A mutation in their reverse transcriptase (RT) genome. Patients were receiving the following therapies: TIBO monotherapy (one patient); zidovudine plus didanosine combination therapy (one); zidovudine monotherapy (one); sequential therapy with zidovudine, then stavudine and finally zalcitabine plus didanosine (one); and two were drug naive. E138K, not E138A, is a known TSAO-specific resistance mutation, emerging under selective pressure in vitro. Our phenotypic data on the patient isolates, confirmed by data on an E138A mutant acquired through in vitro mutagenesis, indicated that an alanine substitution for glutamate at codon 138 of the HIV-1 RT renders the virus TSAO resistant, confirming the importance of this amino acid residue in the activity of TSAO derivatives. In addition, we have demonstrated through phenotypic analysis of the E138A and A98S mutants (after in vitro mutagenesis) that the mutation A98S, found in one of these patients, could be partially responsible for the phenotypic reversal of TSAO resistance. This reversal could be explained by the restoration of a hydrogen bond between 98S and the main-chain residue L349, which compensates for the loss of the E138-G99 main-chain hydrogen bond. As TSAO derivatives have not been used in the clinical setting, the presence of the E138A mutation at a frequency of 6.7% in our study of 90 TSAO-inexperienced HIV-seropositive individuals implies that 138A of the RT must be a natural variant and that the mutant virus is replication competent. Our observations suggest that the E138A mutation may likely arise in patients under the selective pressure of TSAO or related compounds that show a decreased antiviral potency toward the E138A variant.
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PMID:Presence of 2',5'-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3'-spiro-5"-(4"-amino-1",2"-oxath iole-2",2"-dioxide) (TSAO)-resistant virus strains in TSAO-inexperienced HIV patients. 1087 8

The modulation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazol-propionate (AMPA) receptor-mediated currents by cyclothiazide was investigated in acutely isolated cells from rat striatum with whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Single-cell reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify medium spiny and giant aspiny neurons and to determine their AMPA receptor subunit composition mostly in separate experiments. After pretreatment with cyclothiazide, kainate-induced AMPA responses were more strongly potentiated in medium spiny than in giant aspiny neurons; cyclothiazide induced a ninefold leftward shift in the kainate concentration-response curve for medium spiny neurons (not giant aspiny neurons). The EC50s for the cyclothiazide potentiation did not differ substantially between medium spiny neurons and giant aspiny neurons. The recovery of kainate-activated currents from modulation by cyclothiazide was slower for medium spiny neurons than for giant aspiny neurons. Medium spiny neurons expressed GluR-A, GluR-B and GluR-C, but not GluR-D subunits in both flip and flop splice variants. All giant aspiny neurons expressed GluR-A and GluR-D, exclusively in the flop form, half of them also expressed GluR-B and GluR-C. This is in keeping with slow and fast desensitization kinetics in medium spiny neurons and giant aspiny neurons, respectively, and differences in cyclothiazide modulation. The rate of cyclothiazide dissociation from the AMPA receptor, activated by glutamate, was approximately 90 times slower in medium spiny neurons than in giant aspiny neurons. In giant aspiny neurons (not medium spiny neurons) this rate was strongly dependent on the presence of an agonist; 1 mM glutamate increased it 30-fold. Thus, two major cell groups in the striatum display distinct AMPA receptor compositions carrying specific properties of glutamate responses. Excitatory transmission will thus be differentially affected by cyclothiazide-type compounds.
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PMID:Differential modulation of AMPA receptors by cyclothiazide in two types of striatal neurons. 1097 30

The purpose of the present study was to establish a rat retinal ganglion cell line by transformation of rat retinal cells. For this investigation, retinal cells were isolated from postnatal day 1 (PN1) rats and transformed with the psi2 E1A virus. In order to isolate retinal ganglion cells (RGC), single cell clones were chosen at random from the transformed cells. Expression of Thy-1 (a marker for RGC), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a positive marker for Muller cells), HPC-1/syntaxin (a marker for amacrine cells), 8A1 (a marker for horizontal and ganglion cells) and neurotrophins was studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. One of the retinal cell clones, designated RGC-5, was positive for Thy-1, Brn-3C, Neuritin, NMDA receptor, GABA-B receptor, and synaptophysin expression and negative for GFAP, HPC-1, and 8A1, suggesting that it represented a putative RGC clone. The results of RT-PCR analysis were confirmed by immunocytochemistry for Thy-1 and GFAP. Upon further characterization by immunoblotting, the RGC-5 clone was positive for Thy-1, negative for GFAP, 8A1 and syntaxin. RGC 5 cells were also positive for the expression of neurotrophins and their cognate receptors. To establish the physiological relevance of RGC-5, the effects of serum/trophic factor deprivation and glutamate toxicity were analyzed to determine if these cells would undergo apoptosis. The protective effects of neurotrophins on RGC-5 after serum deprivation was also investigated. Apoptosis was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluoresceinated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Serum deprivation resulted in apoptosis and supplementation with both BDNF and NT-4 in the growth media, protected the RGC-5 cells from undergoing apoptosis. On differentiation with succinyl concanavalin A (sConA), RGC-5 cells became sensitive to glutamate toxicity, which could be reversed by inclusion of ciplizone (MK801). In conclusion, a transformed rat retinal cell line, RGC-5, has certain characteristics of retinal ganglion cells based on Thy-1 and Brn-3C expression and its sensitivity to glutamate excitotoxicity and neurotrophin withdrawal. These cells may be valuable in understanding of retinal ganglion cell biology and physiology including in vitro manipulations in experimental models of glaucoma.
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PMID:Characterization of a transformed rat retinal ganglion cell line. 2431 44

Penicillium species are prevalent indoor airborne fungi that have been identified as causative agents of human extrinsic bronchial asthma. In the preparation of standardized diagnostic reagents, it is imperative to define the allergens of these ubiquitous fungi. Results from our previous study on P. oxalicum suggest that the 34-kd major immunoglobulin E-reacting component of this prevalent Penicillium species is probably a vacuolar serine protease. The purpose of the present study was to define this major P. oxalicum allergen (Pen o 18) through cDNA cloning and immunologic characterization. The cDNA of Pen o 18 was isolated through a combination of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification cDNA ends reactions. The primers used in these reactions were constructed according to the internal amino acid sequences of Pen o 18 and the conserved amino acid sequences of fungal serine proteases. Our results showed that a 1897-bp cDNA with an open reading frame of 503 residues was isolated for the proenzyme of Pen o 18. The encoded protein has a 16-residue signal peptide and a 119-residue prosequence. On maturation, the protein has an N-terminal glutamate that is the 136th residue encoded by the cDNA. Apparently the precursor also undergoes C-terminal processing with the cleavage of about 47 amino acids. The cDNA for Pen c 18 (the vacuolar serine protease allergen from P. citrinum ) was also isolated for comparison. Contrary to a previous report, the C-terminal region of Pen c 18 is similar to that of Pen o 18. Recombinant proteins (rPen o 18 and rPen c 18) with the putative mature N-termini and a his-tag were obtained by expressing the corresponding cDNAs in Escherichia coli. Serum samples from 7 asthmatic patients with immunoglobulin E reactivity to the 34-kd component of P. oxalicum also react to his-tagged recombinant Pen o 18. The presence of immunoglobulin E cross-reactivity between rPen o 18 and rPen c 18 was detected by immunoblot inhibition. Two monoclonal antibodies (PCM39 and FUM20) against fungal serine proteases react with rPen o 18, rPen c 18, and the 35/34-kd components in the corresponding crude fungal extracts. These components also react with immunoglobulin E antibodies in serum samples from asthmatic patients. In conclusion, results obtained confirm that the 34-kd major allergen of P. oxalicum is a vacuolar serine protease. The cDNAs of Pen o 18 and Pen c 18 encode precursor molecules that appear to undergo both N-terminal and C-terminal processing. Constructs beginning with mature N-terminal can be expressed in E. coli to produce recombinant polypeptides that are reactive to monoclonal antibodies or immunoglobulin E antibodies in serum samples from asthmatic patients. Results obtained may provide useful information and materials for preparation of standardized diagnostic reagents in clinical mold allergy.
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PMID:cDNA cloning and immunologic characterization of Pen o 18, the vacuolar serine protease major allergen of Penicillium oxalicum. 1117 68

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) is fully functional in the rat early in embryogenesis, and diverse neuronal plasticity events are regulated through its activation later in postnatal development. On the other hand, systemic administration of glutamate (Glu) to rats at birth induces neuronal degeneration in glutamatergic central nervous system regions via Glu receptor activation. However, it is not known whether an increase in neonatal Glu levels modifies the gene expression of NMDA-R subunits, or if these putative changes are related to gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) neurotransmission. We measured, by means of semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, changes in gene expression of the NMDA-R subunits: NMDA-R1, NMDA-R 2A and NMDA-R 2B in cerebral cortex (CC), striatum (ST) and hippocampus (HP) in the brains of rats treated neonatally with monosodium L-glutamate (MSG). These studies were supported by histological and quantitative analysis of the glia. Our results showed histological evidence of neuronal damage, and increased glial cell number and activity were detected. This was seen mainly in the ST and HP of MSG-treated animals. Significant increases in NMDA-R1, 2A and 2B subunits gene expression was also observed in ST and HP but not in CC, where only NMDA-R 2B was increased in MSG-treated rats. Our data suggest that increases in Glu levels and activation of Glu-receptors after neonatal administration of MSG induce an increase in glial cell reactivity and important changes in NMDA-R molecular composition, with signs of neuronal damage.
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PMID:Changes in NMDA-receptor gene expression are associated with neurotoxicity induced neonatally by glutamate in the rat brain. 1131 43

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity is implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The astroglial glutamate transporter EAAT2 plays a major role in maintaining low levels of extracellular glutamate in the central nervous system. Multiple EAAT2 mRNA transcripts have been described, but those retaining intron 7 or skipping exon 9 are reported to be specific to the motor cortex, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. We sought to verify these findings using a TaqMan (Elmer Biosystems, Warrington, UK) real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay, which provides a sensitive and reliable quantitative measure of EAAT2 transcript copy ratios. We analyzed RNA extracted from frozen postmortem tissue from affected and unaffected central nervous system regions dissected from 17 sporadic ALS patients, 7 Alzheimer's disease patients, and 19 control subjects. We have demonstrated unequivocally that intron 7 retaining and exon 9 skipping variants can be detected in all individuals and in all central nervous system regions studied. The mean ratio of "variant" to "normal" transcripts did not differ significantly between patient and control groups. Although our assay could detect transcript concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid as low as 10 pg/ml, none were detected in 17 ALS and 8 control samples. We conclude that ALS is not associated with elevated levels of EAAT2 transcripts retaining intron 7 and skipping exon 9. An alternative explanation must be sought for the disturbance of glutamate homeostasis reported in ALS.
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PMID:Intron 7 retention and exon 9 skipping EAAT2 mRNA variants are not associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 1135 55

Glutamate metabolism is essential to support many facets of metabolism. The objective of this study was to determine the tissue distribution of glutamate transporters known to support the tissue metabolism of glutamate. The expression of proteins capable of high-affinity glutamate transport (system X-(AG)) by epithelia isolated from the rumen, omasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon and homogenates of liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues from wethers (n = 4; BW = 28.4 +/- 8.4 kg) and steers (n = 3; BW = 426 +/- 32.3 kg) fed forage-based diets was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. Proteins EAAC1 (62, 93 kDa) and GLT-1 (142, 188, >202 kDa) were expressed by every tissue examined. In contrast, GLAST1 (140 kDa) was expressed only by the pancreas, and EAAT4 (67 kDa) was detected only in sheep brain. To corroborate protein expression data, the presence and size of transporter mRNA in ileal, liver, and pancreatic homogenates were evaluated by Northern analysis. GLAST1 mRNA (2.4, 4.3 kb) was detected only in the pancreas, whereas EAAC1 (2.2, 2.8 kb) and GLT-1 (12.1 kb) mRNA transcripts were detected in all three tissues. The expression of EAAT4 and GLT-1 mRNA was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Sequencing of the resulting partial-length ovine GLT-1 cDNA revealed 100% identity with the rat homolog. Overall, these data demonstrate that sheep and cattle share the same pattern of system X-(AG) transporter expression, which differed among tissues and transporter isoforms. Accordingly, these data provide the fundamental knowledge to initiate research that determines whether the expression of high-affinity glutamate transporters by ruminants is sensitive to ontogenic and(or) dietary regulation.
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PMID:Molecular identification of high-affinity glutamate transporters in sheep and cattle forestomach, intestine, liver, kidney, and pancreas. 1137 55

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NRs) are a group of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the brain and they are composed of heteromeric subunits (NR1, NR2A-D and NR3). In the neostriatum, a brain region that is associated with movement in animals, NMDA channels are known to involve in the motor control. Our previous report (Lai et al., 2000, Neuroscience 98, 493-500) has shown that a single dose of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that are specific to NR1 subunit results in blockage of the gene expression of NR1 as well as NR2A subunits in the neostriatum. In the present study, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that are specific to NR2B (ANR2B) were then employed as molecular tools to further investigate the molecular interactions of NMDA receptor subunits in the neostriatum. A single dose of ANR2B was injected unilaterally into the rat neostriatum. After one day of injection, no modification of motor behavior was found in the ANR2B-injected rats. The mRNA level of NR2B in the ANR2B-injected neostriatum was found to be decreased (-20.4%) by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, the mRNA levels of NR1, NR2A, NR2C and NR2D in the ANR2B-treated neostriatum were found to be unchanged. After two days of injection, NR2B immunoreactivity was found to decrease in the ANR2B-treated neostriatum by immunofluorescence (-35.1%). At higher magnification, NR2B immunoreactivity was found to decrease in presumed spiny neurons of the neostriatum (-23.4%). No change in NR1 immunoreactivity was observed. These results indicate that a single dose of ANR2B can successfully block the gene expression of NR2B in neurons of the neostriatum and there is less effect on NR1 and other NR2 subunits. The blockage of the gene expression of NR2B is therefore specific and the present results may provide important implications in applications of antisense in research and in clinical therapy of neurological diseases.
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PMID:Modulation of the gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B subunit in the rat neostriatum by a single dose of specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. 1155 72

The development of synthetic enzymes in the GABAergic system (GAD(67) and GAD(65)) of the rat retina was analyzed from birth to the 4th postnatal week by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by immunohistochemistry. As previously observed for GABA, immunoreactive GAD(67) profiles are seen clearly in the inner retinal layers at birth. At the end of the 1st week of postnatal life, immunolabeling is detected in amacrine and/or ganglion cells and in horizontal cells. GAD(67) immunoreactivity is transiently expressed in horizontal cells and disappears during the 3rd postnatal week. GAD(65) however does not develop until the 5th postnatal day. Immunolabeling is detected in the processes layering the inner plexiform layer (IPL) before being detected in the amacrine and/or ganglion cell bodies. The appearance of transcripts for GAD coincided with the appearance of the proteins. A transient form of mRNA transcripts of the GAD(67) gene containing an extra exon (ES-exon) is also observed which disappears progressively from birth to the 4th postnatal week. This form synthesizes a truncated, enzymatically inactive protein, which could participate in the regulation of GABA synthesis from glutamate present at high levels during retinogenesis.
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PMID:Differential expression of GAD(65) and GAD(67) during the development of the rat retina. 1170 Nov 36

A ribosome inactivating peptide, with an N-terminal sequence exhibiting pronounced similarity to that of the 6.5 kDa-arginine/glutamate-rich polypeptide from Luffa cylindrica seeds, was isolated from seeds of a closely related species, the ridge gourd Luffa acutangula. The 5.6 kDa-peptide designated luffangulin inhibited cell-free translation with an IC50 of 3.5 nM but lacked inhibitory activity toward HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. It was similar to luffaculin, the 28 kDa ribosome inactivating protein in being unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel. On CM-cellulose luffangulin and luffaculin appeared as two adjacent peaks.
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PMID:Luffangulin, a novel ribosome inactivating peptide from ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) seeds. 1185 28


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