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:3.2.1.23 (beta-galactosidase)
14,648 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Tat is a virally expressed regulatory protein involved in the replication of HIV-1, the etiological agent of AIDS. To investigate the effect of tat inhibition on HIV replication, we constructed a retroviral vector to express an anti-tat hammerhead ribozyme as part of the 3' untranslated region of beta-galactosidase transcripts. Initial testing of this vector in tat-expressing COS-7 cells reduced tat activity by 85-95% as measured by tat-dependent CAT assays. Amphotropic and HIV-pseudotyped retroviral particles generated with this vector were used in HIV challenge experiments to determine the ability of this reagent to control HIV replication. CD4(+) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) stably transduced with this vector were subsequently challenged with HIV. These cells were able to resist HIV infection for up to 20 days as measured by cell death and reverse transcriptase activity. These data yield proof of principle that a pseudotyped retroviral vector can target and deliver a protective ribozyme to CD4(+) cells.
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PMID:Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an anti-tat hammerhead ribozyme. 953 87

Poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) is a water-soluble cationic polymer, which is able to bind to DNA by electrostatic interactions. At a polymer/plasmid ratio above 2 (w/w) positively charged complexes were formed with a size around 0.2 microm. The transfection efficiency of polymer/plasmid complexes was evaluated in cell culture (COS-7 and OVCAR-3 cells) using a pCMV-lacZ plasmid, encoding for beta-galactosidase, as a reporter gene. The optimal transfection efficiency was found at a PDMAEMA/plasmid ratio of 3-5 (w/w). Under these conditions 3-6% of the cells were actually transfected. Like other cationic polymers, PDMAEMA is slightly cytotoxic. This activity was partially masked by complexing the polymer with DNA. A pronounced effect of the molecular weight of the polymer on the transfection efficiency was observed. An increasing molecular weight resulted in an increasing number of transfected cells. Dynamic light scattering experiments showed that high molecular weight polymers (Mw>300 kDa) were able to condense DNA effectively (particle size 0.15-0.20 microm). In contrast, when plasmid was incubated with low molecular weight PDMAEMA, large complexes were formed (size 0.5-1.0 microm). Copolymers of DMAEMA with methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate (triEGMA) or N-vinyl-pyrrolidone (NVP) also acted as transfection agents. A copolymer with 20 mol % of MMA showed a reduced transfection efficiency and a substantial increased cytotoxicity compared with a homopolymer of the same molecular weight. A copolymer with triEGMA (48 mol %) showed both a reduced transfection efficiency and a reduced cytotoxicity, whereas a copolymer with NVP (54 mol %) showed an increased transfection efficiency and a decreased cytotoxicity as compared to a DMAEMA homopolymer.
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PMID:2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate based (co)polymers as gene transfer agents. 974 22

Lack of permissive and productive cell cultures for the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has hindered the study of virus-neutralizing antibodies and infection. We developed a cell-free system generating infectious HPV16 pseudovirions. HPV16 L1/L2 capsids, which had been self-assembled in insect cells (Sf9) expressing virion proteins L1 and L2, were disassembled with 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), a reducing agent, and reassembled by removal of 2-ME in the presence of a beta-galactosidase expression plasmid. Plasmid DNA purified together with the reassembled capsids was resistant to DNase I digestion. The reassembled pseudovirions mediated DNA transfer to COS-1 cells, as monitored by induced beta-galactosidase activity. Transfer was inhibited by anti-HPV16 L1 antiserum but not by antisera against L1s of HPV6 and HPV18. Construction in vitro of HPV pseudovirions containing marker plasmids would be potentially useful in developing methods to assay virus-neutralizing antibodies and to transfer exogenous genes to HPV-susceptible cells.
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PMID:In vitro construction of pseudovirions of human papillomavirus type 16: incorporation of plasmid DNA into reassembled L1/L2 capsids. 981 79

A plasmid DNA encoding bacterial beta-galactosidase gene was encapsulated in poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. Plasmid DNA extracted from PLGA microspheres retained both structural and functional integrity as evidenced by its restriction endonuclease digestion pattern and its ability to transfect COS-1 cells in vitro. PLGA microspheres protected plasmid DNA from digestion by deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) in vitro. The encapsulation efficiency of plasmid DNA and its release rate depended on the molecular mass of PLGA. Lastly, J-774A macrophages phagocytosed PLGA microspheres loaded with plasmid DNA. Co-encapsulated monophosphoryl lipid A increased the rate of phagocytosis. These results suggest that biodegradable PLGA microspheres can deliver intact and functional plasmid DNA at controlled rates. Thus, PLGA microspheres may be used to jointly deliver genes and other biologically active molecules, e.g., immunomodulators, to antigen presenting cells.
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PMID:Encapsulation of plasmid DNA in biodegradable poly(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres as a novel approach for immunogene delivery. 986 34

Previous investigations on the monkey kidney COS cell line demonstrated the weak expression of fucosylated cell surface antigens and presence of endogenous fucosyltransferase activities in cell extracts. RT-PCR analyses have now revealed expression of five homologs of human fucosyltransferase genes, FUT1, FUT4, FUT5, FUT7, and FUT8, in COS cell mRNA. The enzyme in COS cell extracts acting on unsialylated Type 2 structures is closely similar in its properties to the alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase encoded by human FUT4 gene and does not resemble the product of the FUT5 gene. Although FUT1 is expressed in the COS cell mRNA, it has not been possible to demonstrate alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase activity in cell extracts but the presence of Le(y) and blood-group A antigenic determinants on the cell surface imply the formation of H-precursor structures at some stage. The most strongly expressed fucosyltransferase in the COS cells is the alpha1,6-enzyme transferring fucose to the innermost N -acetylglucosamine unit in N -glycan chains; this enzyme is similar in its properties to the product of the human FUT8 gene. The enzymes resembling the human FUT4 and FUT8 gene products both had pH optima of 7.0 and were resistant to 10 mM NEM. The incorporation of fucose into asialo-fetuin was optimal at 5.5 and was inhibited by 10 mM NEM. This result initially suggested the presence of a third fucosyltransferase expressed in the COS cells but we have now shown that triantennary N- glycans with terminal nonreducing galactose units, similar to those present in asialo-fetuin, are modified by a weak endogenous beta-galactosidase in the COS cell extracts and thereby rendered suitable substrates for the alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase.
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PMID:Expression of human alpha-l-fucosyltransferase gene homologs in monkey kidney COS cells and modification of potential fucosyltransferase acceptor substrates by an endogenous glycosidase. 994 96

The level of LH secretion is determined by both alterations in gonadotrope responsiveness and alterations in GnRH secretion. The molecular mechanisms underlying gonadotrope responsiveness are unknown, but may include G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Typically, GRKs phosphorylate the intracellular regions of seven-transmembrane receptors permitting beta-arrestin to bind, which prevents receptor activation of its G protein. Previously, we reported that heterologous expression of GRK2, -3, and -6 in GnRH receptor-expressing COS cells by complementary DNA transfection suppressed GnRH-stimulated inositol trisphosphate production, and that coexpression of GRK2 and beta-arrestin-2 was more inhibitory than either expressed alone. Here, we have investigated the effect of GRK2 on GnRH-stimulated LH secretion using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in normal pituitary gonadotropes. Pituitary cells were infected with adeno-GRK2 or adeno-beta-galactosidase constructs at a multiplicity of infection of 60 (number of viral particles per cell). Seventy-two hours later, GRK2 expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and GnRH-stimulated LH secretion (10(-7) M GnRH-A for 90 min) was assayed by RIA. Adeno-beta-galactosidase infected 96-99% of the cells based on X-Gal staining. Uninfected and adeno-beta-galactosidase-infected cells exhibited endogenous GRK immunoreactivity of about 0.5 (OD405), and LH secretion of 14.8-17.7 ng/ml. Adeno-GRK2-infected cells showed a GRK2 immunoreactivity of about 2.5 (OD405) and LH secretion of 2.5 ng/ml. Therefore, adeno-GRK2 infection resulted in a 5-fold increase in the GRK2 OD405 value, which was accompanied by an 80-85% decrease in GnRH-stimulated LH secretion. GnRH-stimulated inositol trisphosphate production by gonadotropes also was inhibited, suggesting a site of action for GRK2 at phospholipase Cbeta or earlier in the signal transduction pathway. The significance of these findings is 2-fold: 1) adenoviral-mediated gene transfer permits investigation of the regulatory role of gene products in the cell of interest, the gonadotrope, rather than in heterologous cell systems; and 2) additional, stronger evidence is provided that supports a role for GRKs in setting the responsiveness of GnRH receptor signaling.
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PMID:High efficiency method for gene transfer in normal pituitary gonadotropes: adenoviral-mediated expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 suppresses luteinizing hormone secretion. 1034 43

Studies of virus neutralization by antibody are a prerequisite for development of a prophylactic vaccine strategy against human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Using HPV16 and -6 pseudovirions capable of inducing beta-galactosidase in infected monkey COS-1 cells, we examined the neutralizing activity of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize surface epitopes in HPV16 minor capsid protein L2. Two MAbs binding to a synthetic peptide with the HPV16 L2 sequence of amino acids (aa) 108 to 120 were found to inhibit pseudoinfections with HPV16 as well as HPV6. Antisera raised by immunizing BALB/c mice with the synthetic peptide had a cross-neutralizing activity similar to that of the MAb. The data indicate that HPV16 and -6 have a common cross-neutralization epitope (located within aa 108 to 120 of L2 in HPV16), suggesting that this epitope may be shared by other genital HPVs.
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PMID:Common neutralization epitope in minor capsid protein L2 of human papillomavirus types 16 and 6. 1036 81

The murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) M44 gene product pp50 is normally present in the nuclei of virus-infected cells. During transient expression of pp50 in COS-1 cells, the phosphoprotein was readily detectable in the nuclei, indicating that it possesses a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Studies on the subcellular locations of N- and C-terminal deletion mutants of pp50 suggested that alterations in both the C terminus and the highly conserved N-terminal domains of pp50 affect nuclear localization. In particular, the C-terminal 11 amino acids of pp50, which includes a "KKQK" motif, were able to mediate the import of a beta-galactosidase fusion protein into the nucleus. The pair of lysine residues in this motif constitutes an essential element of the C-terminal NLS as mutation of this motif to AAQK directly affected the nuclear localization of either pp50 or beta-galactosidase fusion proteins containing the C-terminal portion of pp50. Furthermore our results indicated that the functionality of the C-terminal NLS is dependent on the structural integrity of the highly conserved N-terminal portion of the molecule, as deletion of amino acids 157-201 alone adversely affected nuclear localization. In the absence of a functional C-terminal NLS, the subcellular localization of pp50 is sensitive to potential conformational changes induced by mutations within the N-terminal half of the molecule. Under those circumstances, mutation of the YK residues at position 22-23 or deletion of amino acids 267-283 was sufficient to produce a protein that was impaired in nuclear import or retention.
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PMID:Sequence requirements for the nuclear localization of the murine cytomegalovirus M44 gene product pp50. 1036 88

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6) is a ubiquitous enzyme that is crucial to the metabolism of carcinogenic catechols and catecholamines. Regulation of human COMT gene expression may be important in the pathophysiology of various human disorders including estrogen-induced cancers, Parkinson's disease, depression, and hypertension. The gender difference in human COMT activity and variations in rat COMT activity during the estrous cycle led us to explore whether estrogen can regulate human COMT gene transcription. Our Northern analyses showed that physiological concentrations of 17-beta-estradiol (10(-9)-10(-7) M) could decrease human 1. 3-kilobase COMT mRNA levels in MCF-7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner through an estrogen receptor-dependent mechanism. Two DNA fragments immediately 5' to the published human COMT gene proximal and distal promoters were cloned. Sequence analyses revealed several half-palindromic estrogen response elements and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein sites. By cotransfecting COMT promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter genes with human estrogen receptor cDNA and pSV-beta-galactosidase plasmids into COS-7 cells, we showed that 17-beta-estradiol could down-regulate chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activities, and COMT promoter activities dose-dependently. Functional deletion analyses of COMT promoters also showed that this estrogenic effect was mediated by a 280 base pair fragment with two putative half-palindromic estrogen response elements in the proximal promoter and a 323-base pair fragment with two putative CCAAT/enhancer binding protein sites in the distal promoter. Our findings provide the first evidence and molecular mechanism for estrogen to inhibit COMT gene transcription, which may shed new insight into the role of estrogen in the pathophysiology of different human disorders.
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PMID:Characterization and implications of estrogenic down-regulation of human catechol-O-methyltransferase gene transcription. 1038 81

A gene encoding the Tilapia mossambica (Oreochromis mossambicus) growth hormone (tiGH) was isolated and sequenced. The gene spans 5.6 kb, including 3.7 kb of 5' and 0.2 kb of 3' flanking sequences and a 1.7-kb transcription unit comprised of six exons and five introns. The gene and the 5' flanking region contain several potential binding sites for Pit-1, a key transcription activator of mammalian GH genes. One of these (-57/-42) is highly conserved in fish GH genes. It activates transcription in pituitary cells and binds Pit-1. Transfection of luciferase reporter plasmids containing either the -3602/+19 tiGH sequence or one of its 5' deletion mutants (-2863/, -1292/, and -463/+19) resulted in strong activity in Pit-1-producing rat pituitary GC cells. A dose-dependent activation of the tiGH promoter was achieved in nonpituitary fish EPC and monkey COS cells cotransfected with a rat Pit-1 expression vector, demonstrating the crucial role played by Pit-1 as an activator of the tiGH gene. Fusion of the tiGH promoter with the beta-galactosidase gene led to transient expression specifically in the nervous system of microinjected zebrafish embryos. The activity of the tiGH promoter in GC and EPC cells was strongly repressed by extending its 3' end from +19 to +40, a sequence in which a Pit-1-binding site was identified using gel retardation assays. Point mutations of the site that suppressed Pit-1 binding in vitro restored full tiGH promoter activity. Thus, a Pit-1-binding site located in the 5' untranslated region mediates Pit-1-dependent repression of the tiGH gene.
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PMID:Structure and functional analysis of a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) growth hormone gene: activation and repression by pituitary transcription factor Pit-1. 1039 Jan 58


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