Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.21.64 (proteinase K)
 4,071 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for the detection of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was developed. PBMC from both blood samples and cultures were digested by proteinase K in a lysis buffer, and after heat inactivation of the proteinase, the resultant material was used in a two step amplification protocol using nested sets of primers. Two independent amplifications, from the gag and pol genes respectively, were performed in each tube. The PCR was positive for six of 14 samples from FIV seropositive adult cats, while all 36 samples from seronegative cats were negative. In comparison with an antigen-capturing ELISA procedure, the PCR detected FIV infection in PBMC cultures on average two days earlier.
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PMID:Detection of feline immunodeficiency virus by a nested polymerase chain reaction. 131 23

A simple, sensitive, and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is described. We have improved all three PCR steps: sample preparation, DNA amplification, and detection of the amplified product. Some of the improvements have been described previously, but they have never been combined into a complete PCR protocol. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were lysed directly in a buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, Triton X-100, and proteinase K. This crude cell lysate was amplified in a two-step PCR, first with outer primers and then with inner primers nested within the first primers. The PCR product was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. Thus, we avoided conventional DNA extraction as well as hybridization for the detection of the PCR product. The samples were analyzed with four sets of nested primers (JA4 through JA7, JA9 through JA12, JA13 through JA16, and JA17 through JA20) designed to amplify HIV-1 gag, env gp120, env gp41, and pol sequences, respectively. We were able to amplify HIV-1 sequences in all samples from 90 HIV-1-seropositive individuals with mostly mild symptoms. Of these individuals, 24 were negative in HIV-1 isolation and 9 were selected because they were infected by African and Haitian HIV-1 strains. Eighty-five (94%) individuals were positive with at least three of four primer sets. Samples from 26 healthy blood donors, as well as cells infected in vitro with human immunodeficiency virus type 2 and human T-cell leukemia virus type I, were negative in PCR, thus demonstrating the specificity of the amplification.
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PMID:Simple, sensitive, and specific detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in clinical specimens by polymerase chain reaction with nested primers. 238 Mar 80

The vif gene of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV) encodes a late gene product that is essential for viral infectivity in natural target cells. Virions produced in the absence of Vif are abnormal in their ultrastructural morphology and are severely impaired in the ability to complete proviral DNA synthesis upon entry into new target cells. Because previous studies failed to detect Vif protein in virus particles, Vif is believed to influence virus infectivity indirectly, by affecting virion assembly, release, and/or maturation. In this report, we reexamined the possibility that Vif is a virion-associated protein. Utilizing high-titer Vif-specific antibodies, a sensitive immunoblot technique, and highly concentrated virus preparations, we detected a 23-kDa Vif-reactive protein in wild-type HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and a 27-kDa Vif-reactive protein in wild-type SIVSM virions. Neither protein was present in virions derived from vif-deficient HIV-1 and SIVSM proviral constructs. Vif protein content was similar among different strains of HIV-1 and was independent of the cell type (permissive or nonpermissive) used to produce the virus. To determine the subvirion localization of Vif, HIV-1 virions were treated with proteinase K or Triton X-100 to remove virion surface proteins and the viral membrane, respectively, purified through sucrose, and analyzed by immunoblot analysis. Vif protein content was not affected by the removal of external surface proteins or by the removal of the viral membrane and submembrane p17Gag matrix protein. Instead, Vif colocalized with viral core structures which sedimented at a density of 1.25 g/ml on linear sucrose gradients (enveloped HIV-1 particles sediment at a density of 1.17 g/ml). Finally, the amount of Vif protein packaged into virions was estimated to be on the order of 1 molecule of Vif for every 20 to 30 molecules of p24Gag, or between 60 and 100 molecules of Vif per particle. These results indicate that Vif represents an integral component of HIV and SIV particles and raise the possibility that it plays a direct role in early replication events.
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PMID:The Vif protein of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses is packaged into virions and associates with viral core structures. 749 71

We have developed a rapid, pseudohomogeneous assay for the detection of PCR amplicons, based on the use of electrochemiluminescence generated from a Tris-bipyridine ruthenium(II) label. PCR amplification of highly conserved human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gag gene sequences was performed with SK38 and SK39 primers, the latter of which was 5' biotinylated. Post-PCR reaction mixtures were combined with 10(12) copies of the SK19 probe-Tris-bipyridine ruthenium(II) conjugate, denatured by heating at 100 degrees C for 5 min, and hybridized at 55 degrees C for an additional 15 min. Hybridization to the biotinylated strand of the amplified DNA was determined by the addition of streptavidin-conjugated magnetic particles and analyzed by using an Origen-1 electrochemiluminescence analyzer. Our results demonstrated a sensitivity of fewer than five copies of HIV-1 (pre-PCR), by using either purified plasmid DNA containing one complete copy of the HIV-1 cDNA genome or lysed, proteinase K-treated 8E5 cells as the starting material. In an evaluation of actual clinical specimens (peripheral blood monocytes from both healthy and HIV-1-infected children), the electrochemiluminescent detection assay correlated 100% with both our standard method (solution hybridization with a radiolabeled probe followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [PAGE] and autoradiography) and a commercial method (Roche Amplicor). The electrochemiluminescent method was substantially easier to perform than either the PAGE or microtiter plate assays and was considerable faster to perform than either of these alternative formats.
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PMID:Detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA by PCR using an electrochemiluminescence-tagged probe. 755 44

A PCR assay for the diagnosis of leishmaniosis was developed by using primers that were selected from the sequence of the small-subunit rRNA gene. The assay was optimized for routine diagnostic use. Processing of the clinical samples is rapid and simple (lysis of erythrocytes in Tris-EDTA buffer, digestion with proteinase K directly in PCR buffer, and no further purification steps). Furthermore, an internal control is included in every specimen in order to detect the presence of PCR inhibitors. The PCR was compared with diagnostic in vitro cultivation of promastigote stages for the detection of Leishmania spp. in clinical specimens from humans and dogs with a tentative diagnosis of leishmaniosis. PCR and cultivation gave identical results with all but 1 of the 95 specimens from humans. The PCR result in this case was false negative, possibly because of unequal apportionment of this sample. With 10 skin biopsies from six patients with cutaneous leishmaniosis, the sensitivity was 60%. For six human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with visceral leishmaniosis, all bone marrow biopsies and 7 of 11 whole blood samples (after isolation of leukocytes by Ficoll-Paque) were positive in both tests. PCR detected one more case with the use of 500 microliters of whole blood with direct lysis of the erythrocytes in Tris-EDTA buffer. With dog lymph node aspirates, the sensitivity was 100% (16 of 16 samples) for both methods; furthermore, PCR was positive for 5 of 13 whole blood samples from dogs with leishmaniosis. The specificity of the PCR was 100% (70 specimens from patients without leishmaniosis). This PCR assay proved to be feasible as a routine diagnostic test, being reliable and faster than in vitro cultivation.
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PMID:PCR and in vitro cultivation for detection of Leishmania spp. in diagnostic samples from humans and dogs. 761 19

The type I membrane protein calnexin functions as a molecular chaperone for secretory glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum with ATP and Ca2+ as two of the cofactors involved in substrate binding. Protease protection experiments with intact canine rough microsomes showed that amino acid residues 1-462 of calnexin are located within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression using the baculovirus Sf9 insect cell system of a recombinant truncated calnexin corresponding to residues 1-462 (calnexin delta TMC) revealed an association in vivo with a coexpressed secretory glycoprotein substrate, human immunodeficiency virus type I gp120. For the in vitro characterization of calnexin delta TMC, we purified this secreted form to homogeneity from the medium of Sf9 cells. We demonstrate that the properties of the purified calnexin delta TMC correspond to those of full-length calnexin in canine microsomes with at least one intramolecular disulfide bond and binding to 45Ca2+. Calnexin delta TMC underwent a marked and reversible conformational change following Ca2+ binding as measured by its resistance to proteinase K digestion of a 60-kDa fragment and also by the change from an oligomeric form of calnexin delta TMC to a monomeric form. We also found that calnexin bound Mg-ATP leading to a conformational change from a monomeric to an oligomeric form that coincided as with markedly increased proteinase sensitivity. Our results identify the luminal domain of calnexin as responsible for binding substrates, Ca2+, and Mg-ATP. Because Ca2+ and ATP are required in vivo for the maintenance of calnexin-substrate interactions, conformational changes in the luminal domain of calnexin induced by Ca2+ and Mg-ATP are relevant to the in vivo function of calnexin as a molecular chaperone.
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PMID:Conformational changes induced in the endoplasmic reticulum luminal domain of calnexin by Mg-ATP and Ca2+. 762 14

Murine CD4+ cells are resistant to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry and to fusion with cells expressing HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Env). The role of human-specific factors in Env/CD4-mediated fusion is shown by the ability of transient cell hybrids formed between CD4+ murine cells and human HeLa cells to fuse with Env+ cells. Fusion events were observed when other human cells, including erythrocytes, were substituted for HeLa cells in the hybrids. Experiments with erythrocyte ghosts showed that the factors allowing Env/CD4-mediated fusion are located in the plasma membrane. These factors were fully active after extensive digestion of erythrocytes with proteinase K or pronase. Nonprotein components of human plasma membranes, possibly glycolipids, could therefore be required for Env/CD4-mediated fusion and virus entry.
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PMID:Proteinase-resistant factors in human erythrocyte membranes mediate CD4-dependent fusion with cells expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins. 781 77

Blood donations are routinely screened by multiple serologic assays for antigens/antibodies associated with infection by blood-borne viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1 and HIV-2), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I and HTLV-II). A direct detection of these viruses would be more effective for the prevention of transfusion-transmitted infections than the indirect measurement of the variable host immune response to these agents. Because the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for viral gene amplification offers the most sensitive and direct means of detecting viruses in blood, we have developed a nonisotopic PCR procedure for the detection of HBV, chosen as a prototype. The problems, common to previously described PCR methods, of nucleic acid extraction and inhibition of the PCR by plasma proteins were overcome by isolation of HBV from plasma by means of 450-microns polystyrene beads covalently coated with monoclonal antibody to the Pre-S1 region of the viral envelope protein. Detergent lysis and proteinase K digestion of the immunocaptured virions isolated from plasma released the HBV DNA. A modified PCR-amplification protocol, incorporating digoxigenin-labeled dUTP in the amplified gene products followed by hybridization with a specific biotinylated oligonucleotide probe bound to streptavidin-coated 2.8-microns magnetic beads, allowed flow cytometric analyses of HBV-specific PCR products by means of antibodies to digoxigenin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The endpoint serial dilutions of pedigreed human plasma samples containing chimpanzee infectious dose (CID50) of 10(7) for adw and CID50 of 10(7.5) for the ayw subtypes were compared in repeated testing of PCR products by our immunoreactive bead (PCR-IRB) assay. HBV DNA was consistently detected in a 5 x 10(-10) dilution of each sample. In testing 20 coded specimens of blood donors, with or without serologic markers of HBV infection, the PCR-IRB was specific and more sensitive than the PCR analyses by slot blot hybridization with radioactive probe. The PCR-IRB assay can be adapted for simultaneous detection of multiple blood-borne viruses by an automated flow cytometric analysis system.
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PMID:Detection of hepatitis B virus in plasma using flow cytometric analyses of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA incorporating digoxigenin-11-dUTP. 842 89

We studied the role of proteases in apoptosis using a cell-free system prepared from a human leukemia cell line. HL60 cells are p53 null and extremely sensitive to a variety of apoptotic stimuli including DNA damage induced by the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin. We measured DNA fragmentation induced in isolated nuclei by cytosolic extracts using a filter elution assay. Cytosol from camptothecin-treated HL60 cells induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in nuclei from untreated cells. This fragmentation was suppressed by serine protease inhibitors. Serine proteases (trypsin, endoproteinase Glu-C, chymotrypsin A, and proteinase K) and papain by themselves induced DNA fragmentation in naive nuclei. This effect was enhanced in the presence of cytosol from untreated cells. Cysteine protease inhibitors (E-64, leupeptin, Ac-YVAD-CHO [ICE inhibitor]) did not affect camptothecin-induced DNA fragmentation. The apopain/Yama inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, and the proteasome inhibitor, MG-132, were also inactive both in the cell-free system and in whole cells. Interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) or human immunodeficiency virus protease failed to induce DNA fragmentation in naive nuclei. Together, these results suggest that DNA damage activates serine protease(s) which in turn activate(s) nuclear endonuclease(s) during apoptosis in HL60 cells.
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PMID:DNA fragmentation induced by protease activation in p53-null human leukemia HL60 cells undergoing apoptosis following treatment with the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin: cell-free system studies. 880 33

The ability of Hymenolepis nana oncosphere extract to induce eosinophil chemotactic response was examined in vitro and in vivo. The extract showed a chemotactic activity specific for eosinophils but not for neutrophils. Partially purified eosinophil chemotactic factors (ECFs) from the oncosphere extract showed apparent molecular mass from 5.5 to 9.6kDa and 30 to 40kDa. These were resistant to heating and proteinase K digestion but sensitive to periodate oxidation. Peritoneal injection of the crude extract or partially purified ECFs to mice resulted in a preferential eosinophil infiltration. The chemotactic activity for eosinophils was not separable from the adhesion molecule expression or oxygen radical-inducing activity by means of chromatography or chemical treatments. Furthermore, histological examination demonstrated a marked tissue eosinophilia around H. nana larvae in the intestinal lamina propria of both humoral and cell-mediated immunodeficiency mice. The present findings suggest that H. nana oncosphere-derived molecules facilitate in vivo the intestinal eosinophilia during the infection.
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PMID:Enhancement of intestinal eosinophilia during Hymenolepis nana infection in mice. 896 Jan 97


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