scholarly journals Role of the tubulin-microtubule system in lymphocyte activation

1977 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sherline ◽  
GR Mundy

The role of the tubulin-microtubule system was examined in human peripheral blood leukocytes after activation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Soluble tubulin and microtubules were measured with a [(3)H]colchicine-binding assay. It was found that the tubulin content of PHA-activated lymphocytes was consistently increased relative to total protein content after 36 h of culture. There was no increase in the proportion of total tubulin synthesis which was present as microtubules at 36 h. Nevertheless, as a result of increased tubulin synthesis, there was a two-to three-fold increase in total microtubular mass. Colchicine, which disrupts microtubles, was used to assess the role of microtubule assembly in the sequence of events which follow lymphocyte activation, namely lymphokine release, protein synthesis, RNA synthesis, and DNA synthesis. Colchicine consistently inhibited DNA synthesis but did not inhibit release of the lymphokine, osteoclast activating factor (OAF). Protein and RNA syntheses were inhibited much less than DNA synthesis. The fact that some effects of PHA on lymphocytes appear to require intact microtubules and at least one does not suggest that the microtubule dependent step in PHA-stimulated lymphocyte activation occurs at a stage after propagation of the signal from the membrane to the cell interior.

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1083
Author(s):  
Adhirath Sikand ◽  
Malgorzata Jaszczur ◽  
Linda B. Bloom ◽  
Roger Woodgate ◽  
Michael M. Cox ◽  
...  

In the mid 1970s, Miroslav Radman and Evelyn Witkin proposed that Escherichia coli must encode a specialized error-prone DNA polymerase (pol) to account for the 100-fold increase in mutations accompanying induction of the SOS regulon. By the late 1980s, genetic studies showed that SOS mutagenesis required the presence of two “UV mutagenesis” genes, umuC and umuD, along with recA. Guided by the genetics, decades of biochemical studies have defined the predicted error-prone DNA polymerase as an activated complex of these three gene products, assembled as a mutasome, pol V Mut = UmuD’2C-RecA-ATP. Here, we explore the role of the β-sliding processivity clamp on the efficiency of pol V Mut-catalyzed DNA synthesis on undamaged DNA and during translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). Primer elongation efficiencies and TLS were strongly enhanced in the presence of β. The results suggest that β may have two stabilizing roles: its canonical role in tethering the pol at a primer-3’-terminus, and a possible second role in inhibiting pol V Mut’s ATPase to reduce the rate of mutasome-DNA dissociation. The identification of umuC, umuD, and recA homologs in numerous strains of pathogenic bacteria and plasmids will ensure the long and productive continuation of the genetic and biochemical journey initiated by Radman and Witkin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashin Ghaffari ◽  
John H. Richburg

Abstract Exposure to the chemotherapeutic agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(ii) (cDDP) is well known to instigate acute and prolonged testicular injury in male patients. Many investigators have hypothesized that cDDP-induced dysfunction of Sertoli cells (SCs) may, in part, account for the cDDP-induced lasting testicular injury. Nevertheless, the relative contribution of cDDP-induced SC injury versus direct effects on germ cells (GCs) to the pathogenesis of GC loss remains to be elucidated. The expression of the copper transporter 1 (CTR1) protein in cells directly corresponds with cDDP uptake and its cellular toxicity. Therefore, to discern the role of SCs in the pathogenic mechanism, mice were developed with a SC-specific disruption of the Ctr1 gene (SCΔCtr1) as a strategy to prevent their exposure to cDDP. Adult mice at postnatal day (PND) 60 were treated with 5 mg kg−1 cDDP and then testis collected at 48 hours. A two-fold increase in GC-apoptosis occurred in the testis of cDDP-treated wildtype (WT) mice as compared to saline-treated WT mice. In contrast, cDDP-treated SCΔCtr1 mice exhibited only a half-fold increase in GC-apoptosis as compared to the saline-treated SCΔCtr1 mice. This reduced incidence of GC apoptosis in the SCΔCtr1 mice corresponded to a significantly lower level of platinum within the testis. Taken together, these findings reveal that the uptake of cDDP by CTR1 in SCs accounts for the accumulation of cDDP in the testis and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenic sequence of events leading to the loss of germ cells via apoptosis.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 731-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. I. Moraru ◽  
Mioara Manciulea ◽  
Anca Cǎlugǎru ◽  
Gr. Ghyka ◽  
L. M. Popescu

A novel approach was used to assess the role of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the mitogenic action of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (ConA). The treatment of human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) with monospecific antibodies against phospholipase C (PLC) produced a dose-dependent inhibition (up to 100%) of PHA (10 μg/ml) or ConA (25 μg/ml) proliferative effects. Thus, the activation of membrane-bound PLC is a sine-qua-non condition for lectin-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes. The key-role of PLC versus protein kinase C (PKC) is stressed by the fact that the inhibition of PKC with Hidaka's compound H-7 (40 μM) produced only a partial blockade (about 25%) of lectin mitogenic effect.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (51) ◽  
pp. e2116559118
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Shay ◽  
Robert Nshimiyimana ◽  
Bengt Samuelsson ◽  
Nicos A. Petasis ◽  
Jesper Z. Haeggström ◽  
...  

Human phagocytes have key functions in the resolution of inflammation. Here, we assessed the role of the proposed 4S,5S-epoxy-resolvin intermediate in the biosynthesis of both resolvin D3 and resolvin D4. We found that human neutrophils converted this synthetic intermediate to resolvin D3 and resolvin D4. M2 macrophages transformed this labile epoxide intermediate to resolvin D4 and a previously unknown cysteinyl-resolvin isomer without appreciable amounts of resolvin D3. M2 macrophages play critical roles in the resolution of inflammation and in wound healing. Human M2 macrophages also converted leukotriene A4 to lipoxins. The cysteinyl-resolvin isomer significantly accelerated tissue regeneration of surgically injured planaria. In a model of human granuloma formation, the cysteinyl-resolvin isomer significantly inhibited granuloma development by human peripheral blood leukocytes. Together, these results provide evidence for a human cell type–specific role of 4S,5S-epoxy-resolvin in the biosynthesis of resolvin D3 by neutrophils, resolvin D4 by both M2 macrophages and neutrophils, and a unique cysteinyl-resolvin isomer produced by M2 macrophages that carries potent biological activities in granuloma formation and tissue regeneration.


1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Levi ◽  
Jan Paul de Boer ◽  
Dorina Roem ◽  
Jan Wouter ten Cate ◽  
C Erik Hack

SummaryInfusion of desamino-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) results in an increase in plasma plasminogen activator activity. Whether this increase results in the generation of plasmin in vivo has never been established.A novel sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the measurement of the complex between plasmin and its main inhibitor α2 antiplasmin (PAP complex) was developed using monoclonal antibodies preferentially reacting with complexed and inactivated α2-antiplasmin and monoclonal antibodies against plasmin. The assay was validated in healthy volunteers and in patients with an activated fibrinolytic system.Infusion of DDAVP in a randomized placebo controlled crossover study resulted in all volunteers in a 6.6-fold increase in PAP complex, which was maximal between 15 and 30 min after the start of the infusion. Hereafter, plasma levels of PAP complex decreased with an apparent half-life of disappearance of about 120 min. Infusion of DDAVP did not induce generation of thrombin, as measured by plasma levels of prothrombin fragment F1+2 and thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complex.We conclude that the increase in plasminogen activator activity upon the infusion of DDAVP results in the in vivo generation of plasmin, in the absence of coagulation activation. Studying the DDAVP induced increase in PAP complex of patients with thromboembolic disease and a defective plasminogen activator response upon DDAVP may provide more insight into the role of the fibrinolytic system in the pathogenesis of thrombosis.


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 341-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Furihata ◽  
M. Yamashita ◽  
N. Kinae ◽  
T. Matsushima

MX is a strong direct acting mutagen on Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and is present in chlorinated tap water which contains organic compounds. MX was administered orally to 7-week-old male F344 rats, and its geno-toxicity in the pyloric mucosa of stomach was examined by analysis of DNA single strand scissions by the alkaline elution method. The effect of MX on cell proliferation was examined by assays of the inductions of replicative DNA synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase. MX at closes of 20-48 mg/kg body weight induced DNA single strand scissions dose-dependently (p<0.02) in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach 2 h after its administration. Moreover at doses of 10-60 mg/kg body weight, it induced up to 21-fold increase in replicative DNA synthesis (p<0.01) 16 h after its administration. At doses of 10-60 mg/kg body weight, it induced up to 100-fold increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity with a maximum 16 h after its administration. These results suggest that MX is genotoxic and induces cell proliferation in the glandular stomach of rats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Arjun Sharma ◽  
Pravir Kumar ◽  
Rashmi K. Ambasta

Background: Silencing of several genes is critical for cancer therapy. These genes may be apoptotic gene, cell proliferation gene, DNA synthesis gene, etc. The two subunits of Ribonucleotide Reductase (RR), RRM1 and RRM2, are critical for DNA synthesis. Hence, targeting the blockage of DNA synthesis at tumor site can be a smart mode of cancer therapy. Specific targeting of blockage of RRM2 is done effectively by SiRNA. The drawbacks of siRNA delivery in the body include the poor uptake by all kinds of cells, questionable stability under physiological condition, non-target effect and ability to trigger the immune response. These obstacles may be overcome by target delivery of siRNA at the tumor site. This review presents a holistic overview regarding the role of RRM2 in controlling cancer progression. The nanoparticles are more effective due to specific characteristics like cell membrane penetration capacity, less toxicity, etc. RRM2 have been found to be elevated in different types of cancer and identified as the prognostic and predictive marker of the disease. Reductase RRM1 and RRM2 regulate the protein and gene expression of E2F, which is critical for protein expression and progression of cell cycle and cancer. The knockdown of RRM2 leads to apoptosis via Bcl2 in cancer. Both Bcl2 and E2F are critical in the progression of cancer, hence a gene that can affect both in regulating DNA replication is essential for cancer therapy. Aim: The aim of the review is to identify the related gene whose silencing may inhibit cancer progression. Conclusion: In this review, we illuminate the critical link between RRM-E2F, RRM-Bcl2, RRM-HDAC for the therapy of cancer. Altogether, this review presents an overview of all types of SiRNA targeted for cancer therapy with special emphasis on RRM2 for controlling the tumor progression.


2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552098277
Author(s):  
Madhu Kharel ◽  
Alpha Pokharel ◽  
Krishna P Sapkota ◽  
Prasant V Shahi ◽  
Pratisha Shakya ◽  
...  

Evidence-based decision-making is less common in low- and middle-income countries where the research capacity remains low. Nepal, a lower-middle-income country in Asia, is not an exception. We conducted a rapid review to identify the trend of health research in Nepal and found more than seven-fold increase in the number of published health-related articles between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of articles with Nepalese researchers as the first authors has also risen over the years, though they are still only in two-thirds of the articles in 2018.


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