Showing papers by "Medical Research Council published in 1994"

Defects in the kidney and enteric nervous system of mice lacking the tyrosine kinase receptor Ret

Abstract: Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell-surface molecules that transduce signals for cell growth and differentiation. The RTK encoded by the c-ret proto-oncogene is rearranged and constitutively activated in a large proportion of thyroid papillary carcinomas, and germ-line point mutations in c-ret seem to be responsible for the dominantly inherited cancer syndromes multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and B. The gene is expressed in the developing central and peripheral nervous systems (sensory, autonomic and enteric ganglia) and the excretory system (Wolffian duct and ureteric bud epithelium) of mice, indicating that it may play a role in normal development. Here we show that mice homozygous for a targeted mutation in c-ret develop to term, but die soon after birth, showing renal agenesis or severe dysgenesis, and lacking enteric neurons throughout the digestive tract. Ret is thus an essential component of a signalling pathway required for renal organogenesis and enteric neurogenesis.

Variation in the TNF-alpha promoter region associated with susceptibility to cerebral malaria.

Abstract: Tumour-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is believed to have an important role in the pathogenesis of severe infectious disease and fatal cerebral malaria is associated with high circulating levels of this cytokine. In a large case-control study in Gambian children we find that homozygotes for the TNF2 allele, a variant of the TNF-alpha gene promoter region, have a relative risk of 7 for death or severe neurological sequelae due to cerebral malaria. Although the TNF2 allele is in linkage disequilibrium with several neighbouring HLA alleles, we show that this disease association is independent of HLA class I and class II variation. These data suggest that regulatory polymorphisms of cytokine genes can affect the outcome of severe infection. The maintenance of the TNF2 allele at a gene frequency of 0.16 in The Gambia implies that the increased risk of cerebral malaria in homozygotes is counterbalanced by some biological advantage.

Initial events in the cellular effects of ionizing radiations: clustered damage in DNA.

Abstract: General correlations are found between the detailed spatial and temporal nature of the initial physical features of radiation insult and the likelihood of final biological consequences. These persist despite the chain of physical, chemical and biological processes that eliminate the vast majority of the early damage. Details of the initial conditions should provide guidance to critical features of the most relevant early biological damage and subsequent repair. Ionizing radiations produce many hundreds of different simple chemical products in DNA and also multitudes of possible clustered combinations. The simple products, including single-strand breaks, tend to correlate poorly with biological effectiveness. Even for initial double-strand breaks, as a broad class, there is apparently little or no increase in yield with increasing ionization density, in contrast with the large rise in relative biological effectiveness for cellular effects. Track structure analysis has revealed that clustered DNA damage of ...

Structural mechanisms for domain movements in proteins.

Abstract: We survey all the known instances of domain movements in proteins for which there is crystallographic evidence for the movement. We explain these domain movements in terms of the repertoire of low-energy conformation changes that are known to occur in proteins. We first describe the basic elements of this repertoire, hinge and shear motions, and then show how the elements of the repertoire can be combined to produce domain movements. We emphasize that the elements used in particular proteins are determined mainly by the structure of the interfaces between the domains.

A Language and Program for Complex Bayesian Modelling

Abstract: Gibbs sampling has enormous potential for analysing complex data sets However, routine use of Gibbs sampling has been hampered by the lack of general purpose software for its implementation Until now all applications have involved writing one-off computer code in low or intermediate level languages such as C or Fortran We describe some general purpose software that we are currently developing for implementing Gibbs sampling: BUGS (Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling) The BUGS system comprises three components: first, a natural language for specifying complex models; second, an 'expert system' for deciding appropriate methods for obtaining samples required by the Gibbs sampler; third, a sampling module containing numerical routines to perform the sampling S objects are used for data input and output BUGS is written in Modula-2 and runs under both DOS and UNIX

Interactions among members of the Bcl-2 protein family analyzed with a yeast two-hybrid system

Abstract: Interactions of the Bcl-2 protein with itself and other members of the Bcl-2 family, including Bcl-X-L, Bcl-X-S, Mcl-1, and Bax, were explored with a yeast two-hybrid system. Fusion proteins were created by linking Bcl-2 family proteins to a LexA DNA-binding domain or a B42 trans-activation domain. Protein-protein interactions were examined by expression of these fusion proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae having a lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene under control of a LexA-dependent operator. This approach gave evidence for Bcl-2 protein homodimerization. Bcl-2 also interacted with Bcl-X-L and Mcl-1 and with the dominant inhibitors Bax and Bcl-X-S. Bcl-X-L displayed the same pattern of combinatorial interactions with Bcl-2 family proteins as Bcl-2. Use of deletion mutants of Bcl-2 suggested that Bcl-2 homodimerization involves interactions between two distinct regions within the Bcl-2 protein, since a LexA protein containing Bcl-2 amino acids 83-218 mediated functional interactions with a B42 fusion protein containing Bcl-2 amino acids 1-81 but did not complement a B42 fusion protein containing Bcl-2 amino acids 83-218. In contrast to LexA/Bcl-2 fusion proteins, expression of a LexA/Bax protein was lethal to yeast. This cytotoxicity could be abrogated by B42 fusion proteins containing Bcl-2, Bcl-X-L, or Mcl-1 but not those containing Bcl-X-S (an alternatively spliced form of Bcl-X that lacks a well-conserved 63-amino acid region). The findings suggest a model whereby Bax and Bcl-X-S differentially regulate Bcl-2 function, and indicate that requirements for Bcl-2/Bax heterodimerization may be different from those for Bcl-2/Bcl-2 homodimerization.

Bayesian Approaches to Randomized Trials

Abstract: Statistical issues in conducting randomized trials include the choice of a sample size, whether to stop a trial early and the appropriate analysis and interpretation of the trial results. At each of these stages, evidence external to the trial is useful, but generally such evidence is introduced in an unstructured and informal manner. We argue that a Bayesian approach allows a formal basis for using external evidence and in addition provides a rational way for dealing with issues such as the ethics of randomization, trials to show treatment equivalence, the monitoring of accumulating data and the prediction of the consequences of continuing a study

Isoform-specific interactions of apolipoprotein E with microtubule-associated protein tau: implications for Alzheimer disease

Abstract: The apolipoprotein E (apoE) type 4 allele (APOE4) is a susceptibility gene for late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer disease. ApoE is found in some neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons, one of the major pathologic hallmarks of the disease. Neurofibrillary tangles contain paired helical filaments formed from hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau. In vitro, tau binds avidly to apoE3, but not to apoE4, forming a bimolecular complex. Tau phosphorylated with a brain extract does not bind either isoform. ApoE3 binds to the microtubule-binding repeat region of tau, which is also the region that is thought to cause self-assembly into the paired helical filament. Binding studies with fragments of ApoE demonstrate that the tau-binding region of apoE3 corresponds to its receptor-binding domain and is distinct from the region that binds lipoprotein particles or beta/A4 peptide. Isoform-specific interactions of apoE with tau may regulate intraneuronal tau metabolism in Alzheimer disease and alter the rate of formation of paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles.

Immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptors in the rat testis: evidence for stage-dependent expression and regulation by androgens.

Abstract: Androgens are essential for the maintenance of normal spermatogenesis in the rat. We assessed the sites, developmental pattern, and hormonal control of androgen receptors (AR) in the rat testis. Adult male rats were studied after 1) no treatment; 2) ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS), which eradicates Leydig cells and endogenous testosterone (T); 3) EDS plus T replacement beginning at the time of EDS administration; or 4) methoxyacetic acid, which leads to the loss of specific germ cell types. Testes were also obtained from normal immature rats (aged 5, 14, 16, 21, 28, 31, 35, 38, and 45 days). After microwave antigen retrieval, immunohistochemistry was performed using a rabbit polyclonal antibody (Novocastra) raised against a peptide unique to the N-terminal region of the AR and detection with biotinylated swine antirabbit immunoglobulin G, avidin-biotin complex/alkaline phosphatase, and nitroblue tetrazolium salt (NBT)/5 bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate (BCIP) substrate. In adults, nuclear immunostaining of Sertoli cells (SC) increased progressively in intensity from stages II through VII of the spermatogenic cycle, and then declined precipitously during stage VIII to become barely detectable in stages IX-XIII. Prominent AR immunostaining was also evident in peritubular myoid cells, arterioles, and interstitial cells; staining in these cells did not vary with the stage of the cycle of the adjacent tubules. EDS caused a severe loss of AR immunostaining in all cell types. Replacement of T in EDS-treated animals resulted in a pattern of AR immunostaining comparable to that in controls, although staining intensity was reduced. Methoxyacetic acid administration did not affect the pattern of AR staining. In immature rats, peritubular myoid cell immunostaining was prominent from day 5; SC staining was detectable on day 5, increased in intensity with age, and became stage dependent between days 21-35. The following conclusions were reached. 1) Immunohistochemically detectable AR expression in SC occurs predominantly in stages II-VII of the spermatogenic cycle, with highest levels at stage VII. 2) AR immunostaining is also prominent in peritubular myoid cells, arterioles, and Leydig cells (but not in germ cells), but is unrelated to the stage of adjacent tubules. 3) Endogenous T and/or its metabolites control the expression of AR in the testis. 4) AR immunostaining is detectable by day 5 of age and becomes stage specific in SC between days 21-35.

Autism: An Introduction to Psychological Theory

Abstract: Autism is a fascinating yet perplexing disorder that continues to intrigue researchers and clinicians studying brain and behavior. In this lucid and elegant book, Francesca Happe provides a concise overview of current psychological theory and research that synthesizes the established work on the biological foundations, cognitive characteristics, and behavioral manifestations of this disorder. She focuses her discussion on the cognitive approaches that deal with both thought and feeling--those hypotheses that link brain to action, deepen our understanding of the autistic person's view of the world, and offer better approaches to effectively managing the behavior of people with autism struggling to live in our world. The book reviews the latest research into the communication, socialization, and imagination impairments in autism, and further distinguishes the levels of severity in the spectrum of autistic disorders. Happe also includes a discussion of the talented few--high-functioning autistic individuals with Asperger's syndrome--and of the many childhood behavioral disorders, unrelated to autism, that manifest autistic-like symptoms. Autism is an important and much-needed contribution to the literature. It will be valued by parents and teachers of autistic children as well as by students and researchers interested in disorders of language and communication.

HSV-1 IE protein Vmw110 causes redistribution of PML.

Abstract: Herpes simplex virus immediate-early protein Vmw110 is required for fully efficient viral gene expression and reactivation from latency. At early times of viral infection, Vmw110 localizes to discrete nuclear structures (known as ND10, PODs or Kr bodies) which contain several cellular proteins, including PML. Interestingly, the unregulated growth of promyelocytic leukaemia cells is correlated with disruption of the normal state of ND10. In this paper we show that: (i) Vmw110 affects the distribution of PML in the cell; (ii) Vmw110 proteins lacking a functional RING finger zinc-binding domain cause the production of striking abnormal cytoplasmic and nuclear structures, some of which contain PML and other ND10 antigens; (iii) a mutant form of Vmw110 which is confined to the cytoplasm appears to result in cytoplasmic PML in some cells; (iv) normal interaction with the nuclear structures requires the C-terminal portion of Vmw110; (v) the C-terminal portion of Vmw110, when linked to a heterologous protein, disrupts the normal distribution of PML. The results suggest that, in normal cells, the PML protein migrates between nucleus and cytoplasm. These observations present an unexpected link between processes involved in the control of cell growth and viral infection and latency.

A fivefold reduction in the incidence of recurrent ankle sprains in soccer players using the Sport-Stirrup orthosis.

Abstract: A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a semi-rigid ankle orthosis (Sport-Stirrup) on the incidence of ankle sprains in soccer players during 1 playing season. Senior soccer players were divided into 2 groups: players with previous ankle sprains (N = 258) and players without such history (N = 246). The players in these groups were each randomly allocated to either a semi-rigid orthosis or a control group at the start of the playing season. All subsequent injuries during the season and the total number of playing hours were documented. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of ankle sprains (injuries/1000 playing hours) by ankles in the orthosis group with previous sprains (0.14) compared with the nonbraced group with previous sprains (0.86). The incidence of ankle sprains was significantly higher in the nonbraced group with previous sprains (0.86) compared with the nonbraced group without previous sprains (0.46). Thus, in this study, a semirigid orthosis significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent ankle sprains in soccer players with previous history of ankle sprains.

Vitamin Requirements for the Treatment of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Humans

Abstract: We have previously shown that a modest vitamin supplement containing folic acid, vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 is effective in reducing elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations. The effect of supplementation of the individual vitamins on moderate hyperhomocysteinemia has now been investigated in a placebo-controlled study. One hundred men with hyperhomocysteinemia were randomly assigned to five groups and treated with a daily dose of placebo, folic acid (0.65 mg), vitamin B-12 (0.4 mg), vitamin B-6 (10 mg) or a combination of the three vitamins for 6 wk. Folic acid supplementation reduced plasma homocysteine concentrations by 41.7% (P < 0.001), whereas the daily vitamin B-12 supplement lowered homocysteine concentrations by 14.8% (P < 0.01). The daily pyridoxine dose did not reduce significantly plasma homocysteine concentrations. The combination of the three vitamins reduced circulating homocysteine concentrations by 49.8%, which was not significantly different (P = 0.48) from the reduction achieved by folate supplementation alone. Our results indicate that folate deficiency may be an important cause of hyperhomocysteinemia in the general population.

Polyneuronal innervation of spiny stellate neurons in cat visual cortex

Abstract: Our hypothesis was that spiny stellate neurons in layer 4 of cat visual cortex receive polyneuronal innervation. We characterised the synapses of four likely sources of innervation by three simple criteria: the type of synapse, the target (spine, dendritic shaft), and the area of the presynaptic bouton. The layer 6 pyramids had the smallest boutons and formed asymmetric synapses mainly with the dendritic shaft. The thalamic afferents had the largest boutons and formed asymmetric synapses mainly with spines. The spiny stellates had medium-sized boutons and formed asymmetric synapses mainly with spines. We used these to make a "template" to match against the boutons forming synapses with the spiny stellate dendrite. Of the asymmetric synapses, 45% could have come from layer 6 pyramidal neurons, 28% from spiny stellate neurons, and 6% from thalamic afferents. The remaining 21% of asymmetric synapses could not be accounted for without assuming some additional selectivity of the presynaptic axons. Additional asymmetric synapses may come from a variety of sources, including other cortical neurons and subcortical nuclei such as the claustrum. Of the symmetric synapses, 84% could have been provided by clutch cells, which form large boutons. The remainder, formed by small boutons, probably come from other smooth neurons in layer 4, e.g., neurogliaform and bitufted neurons. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that the spiny stellate receives polyneuronal innervation, perhaps from all the sources of boutons in layer 4. Although layer 4 is the major recipient of thalamic afferents, our results show that they form only a few percent of the synapses of layer 4 spiny stellate neurons.

Protein-protein recognition : crystal structural analysis of a barnase-barstar complex at 2.0-a resolution

Abstract: We have solved, refined, and analyzed the 2.0-a resolution crystal structure of a 1:1 complex between the bacterial ribonuclease, barnase, and a Cys-->Ala(40,82) double mutant of its intracellular polypeptide inhibitor, barstar. Barstar inhibits barnase by sterically blocking the active site with a helix and adjacent loop segment. Almost half of the 14 hydrogen bonds between barnase and barstar involve two charged residues, and a third involve one charged partner. The electrostatic contribution to the overall binding energy is considerably greater than for other protein-protein interactions. Consequently, the very high rate constant for the barnase-barstar association (10(8) s-1 M-1) is most likely due to electrostatic steering effects. The barnase active-site residue His102 is located in a pocket on the surface of barstar, and its hydrogen bonds with Asp39 and Gly31 residues of barstar are directly responsible for the pH dependence of barnase-barstar binding. There is a high degree of complementarity both of the shape and of the charge of the interacting surfaces, but neither is perfect. The surface complementarity is slightly poorer than in protease-inhibitor complexes but a little better than in antibody-antigen interactions. However, since the burial of solvent in the barnase-barstar interface improves the fit significantly by filling in the majority of gaps, as well as stabilizing unfavorable electrostatic interactions, its role seems to be more important than in other protein-protein complexes. The electrostatic interactions between barnase and barstar are very similar to those between barnase and the tetranucleotide d(CGAC). In the barnase-barstar complex, the two phosphate-binding sites in the barnase active site are occupied by Asp39 and Gly43 of barstar. However, barstar has no equivalent for a guanine base of an RNA substrate, resulting in the occupation of the guanine recognition site in the barnase-barstar complex by nine ordered water molecules. Upon barnase-barstar binding, entropy losses resulting from the immobilization of segments of the protein chain and the energetic costs of conformational changes are minimized due to the essentially preformed active site of barnase. However, a certain degree of flexibility within the barnase active site is required to allow for the structural differences between barnase-barstar binding and barnase-RNA binding. A comparison between the bound and the free barstar structure shows that the overall structural response to barnase-binding is significant. This response can be best described as outwardly oriented, rigid-body movements of the four alpha-helices of barstar, resulting in the structure of bound barstar being somewhat expanded.

Binding of influenza virus hemagglutinin to analogs of its cell-surface receptor, sialic acid: analysis by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography

Abstract: The interaction between influenza virus hemagglutinin and its cell-surface receptor, 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), was probed by the synthesis of 12 sialic acid analogs, including derivatives at the 2-carboxylate, 5-acetamido, 4-, 7-, and 9-hydroxyl, and glycosidic positions. The equilibrium dissociation constants of these analogs were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ligand modifications that reduced or abolished binding included the replacement of the 2-carboxylate with a carboxamide, the substitution of azido or N-benzyloxycarbonyl groups for the 5-acetamido group, and the replacement of the 9-hydroxyl with amino or O-acetyl moieties. Modifications having little effect on binding included the introduction of longer chains at the 4-hydroxyl position, the replacement of the acetamido methyl group with an ethyl group, and the removal of the 7-hydroxyl group. X-ray diffraction studies yielded 3 A resolution crystal structures of hemagglutinin in complex with four of the synthetic analogs [alpha-2-O-methyl-, 4-O-acetyl-alpha-2-O-methyl-, 9-amino-9-deoxy-alpha-2-O-methyl-, and alpha-2-O-(4'-benzylamidocarboxybutyl)-N-acetylneuraminic acid] and with the naturally occurring cell-surface saccharide (alpha 2-3)sialyllactose. The X-ray studies unambiguously establish the position and orientation of bound sialic acid, indicate the position of the lactose group of (alpha 2-3)sialyllactose, and suggest the location of an alpha-glycosidic chain (4'-benzylamidocarboxybutyl) that increases the binding affinity of sialic acid by a factor of about 3. Although the protein complexed with alpha-2-O-methylsialic acid contains the mutation Gly-135-->Arg near the ligand binding site, the mutation apparently does not affect the ligand's position. The X-ray studies allow us to interpret the binding affinities in terms of the crystallographic structure. The results suggest further experiments which could lead to the design of tight binding inhibitors of possible therapeutic value.

Starch intake and colorectal cancer risk: an international comparison

Abstract: Intakes of starch, non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), protein and fat have been compared with colorectal cancer incidence in 12 populations worldwide. There were strong inverse associations between starch consumption and large bowel cancer incidence (large bowel r = -0.70, colon r = -0.76). There was no significant relation with NSPs, although the association with large bowel cancer incidence was still significant when NSP was combined with resistant starch (RS) to give an estimate of fermentable carbohydrate (large bowel r = -0.52, colon r = -0.60). The relationships between starch, RS and NSPs and cancer incidence remained statistically significant after adjusting for fat and protein intakes. The strong inverse associations found here suggest a potentially important role for starch in protection against colorectal cancer and correspond with the hypothesis that fermentation in the colon is the mechanism for preventing colorectal cancer. Measures of both starch and NSPs need to be included in future epidemiological studies of diet and bowel cancer.

Recombinant binding proteins and peptides

Abstract: DNA constructs comprise a first exon sequence of nucleotides encoding a first peptide or polypeptide, a second exon sequence of nucleotides encoding a second peptide or polypeptide and a third sequence of nucleotides between the first and second sequences encoding a heterologous intron, for example that of Tetrahymena thermophila nuclear pre-rRNA, between RNA splice sites and a site-specific recombination sequence, such as loxP, within the intron, the exons together encoding a product peptide or polypeptide. Such constructs are of use in methods of production of peptides or polypeptides, transcription leading to splicing out of the intron enabling translation of a single chain product peptide or polypeptide. Isolated nucleic acid constructs consisting essentially of a sequence of nucleotides encoding a self-splicing intron with a site-specific recombination sequence within the intron, for use in creation of constructs for expression of peptides or polypeptides, are also provided.

5-Nitroindole as an universal base analogue

Abstract: 4-, 5- and 6-Nitroindole have been investigated and compared with 3-nitropyrrole as universal bases in oligodeoxynucleotides. Of these the 5-nitroindole derivative was found to be superior giving higher duplex stability, and behaving indiscriminately towards each of the four natural bases in duplex melting experiments. 3-Nitropyrrole, whilst not discriminating between the natural bases, was found to lead to considerable destabilisation of the duplexes, particularly when multiple substitutions were made, in contrast to the 5-nitroindole nucleoside.

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycaemia in children with severe malaria: pathophysiological and prognostic significance

Abstract: Serial clinical and metabolic changes were monitored in 115 Gambian children (1.5-12 years old) with severe malaria. Fifty-three children (46%) had cerebral malaria (coma score < or = 2) and 21 (18%) died. Admission geometric mean venous blood lactate concentrations were almost twice as high in fatal cases as in survivors (7.1 mmol/L vs. 3.6 mmol/L; P < 0.001) and were correlated with levels of tumour necrosis factor (r = 0.42, n = 79; P < 0.0001) and interleukin 1-alpha (r = 0.6, n = 34; P < 0.0001). Admission blood venous glucose concentrations were lower in fatal cases than survivors (3.2 mmol/L, vs. 5.8 mmol/L; P < 0.0001). Treatment with quinine was associated with significantly more episodes of post-admission hypoglycaemia when compared with artemether or chloroquine. After treatment, lactate concentrations fell rapidly in survivors but fell only slightly, or rose, in fatal cases. Plasma cytokine levels fluctuated widely after admission. Sustained hyperlactataemia (raised lactate concentrations, 4 h after admission) proved to be the best overall prognostic indicator of outcome in this series. Lactic acidosis is an important cause of death in severe malaria.