YADD mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase are resistant to lamivudine triphosphate (3TCTP) in vitro.

When human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is selected for resistance to 3TC, the methionine normally present at position 184 is replaced by valine or isoleucine. Position 184 is the X of the conserved YXDD motif; positions 185 and 186 form part of the triad of aspartic acids at the polymerase active site. Structural and biochemical analysis of 3TC-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) led to a model in which a beta-branched amino acid at position 184 would act as a steric gate. Normal deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) could still be incorporated; the oxathiolane ring of 3TCTP would clash with the beta branch of the amino acid at position 184. This model can also explain 3TC resistance in feline immunodeficiency virus and human hepatitis B virus. However, it has been reported (14) that murine leukemia viruses (MLVs) with valine (the amino acid present in the wild type), isoleucine, alanine, serine, or methionine at the X position of the YXDD motif are all resistant to 3TC. We prepared purified wild-type MLV RT and mutant MLV RTs with methionine, isoleucine, and alanine at the X position. The behavior of these RTs was compared to those of wild-type HIV-1 RT and of HIV-1 RT with alanine at the X position. If alanine is present at the X position, both MLV RT and HIV-1 RT are relatively resistant to 3TCTP in vitro. However, the mutant enzymes were impaired relative to their wild-type counterparts; there appears to be steric hindrance for both 3TCTP and normal dNTPs.

The basic loop of the RNase H domain of MLV RT is important both for RNase H and for polymerase activity.

Escherichia coli RNase H has a basic extension that is involved in binding nucleic acid substrates. This basic extension is present in the RNase H of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (MLV RT), but has been deleted from the RNase H of HIV-1 RT. Previous work showed that removing the basic loop from MLV RT (the mutant is called DeltaC) blocked viral replication; however, DeltaC MLV RT retained RNase H activity in an in situ gel assay. We prepared recombinant DeltaC MLV RT and compared its activity to wild-type MLV RT. The DeltaC mutant is impaired in both polymerase and RNase H activity; the pattern of defects suggests that the basic loop is involved in the binding of MLV RT to a heteropolymeric template-primer.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase by the Fab fragment of a specific monoclonal antibody suggests that different multimerization states are required for different enzymatic functions.

We have characterized a murine monoclonal antibody (MAb 35), which was raised against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integration protein (IN), and the corresponding Fab 35. Although MAb 35 does not inhibit HIV-1 IN, Fab 35 does. MAb 35 (and Fab 35) binds to an epitope in the C-terminal region of HIV-1 IN. Fab 35 inhibits 3'-end processing, strand transfer, and disintegration; however, DNA binding is not affected. The available data suggest that Fab 35 inhibits enzymatic activities of IN by interfering with the ability of IN to form multimers that are enzymatically active. This implies that the C-terminal region of HIV-1 IN participates in interactions that are essential for the multimerization of IN. Titration of the various IN-mediated enzymatic activities suggests that different degrees of multimerization are required for different activities of HIV-1 IN.

Comparison of cell adhesion molecule expression in cutaneous leucocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis.

AIMS: To compare the expression of the cell adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), ELAM-1 (E-selectin), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in cutaneous leucocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on early lesional skin biopsy specimens of leucocytoclastic vasculitis (n = 14), lymphocytic vasculitis (n = 10), non-lesional skin (n = 12), and normal skin (n = 5). A standard immunoperoxidase technique was used to detect expression of ICAM-1, E-selectin, VCAM-1, and the cell markers CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, von Willebrand factor, CD3, CD68, and neutrophil elastase (NP57). RESULTS: Basal keratinocyte intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was expressed in eight (80%) cases of lymphocytic and in only one (7%) case of leucocytoclastic vasculitis, and not in non-lesional skin or control biopsy specimens from normal subjects. E-selectin was expressed on vascular endothelium in eight (57%) cases of leucocytoclastic and in seven (70%) cases of lymphocytic vasculitis. Endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression was seen in three (21%) biopsy specimens of leucocytoclastic and five (50%) of lymphocytic vasculitis. There were increased numbers of cells in the dermal infiltrate stained for NP57, CD11b, and CD11c in leucocytoclastic compared with lymphocytic vasculitis (p < 0.001, p = 0.013, p = 0.009, respectively); immunoreactive positive cells for CD3 and CD11a were increased in lymphocytic compared with leucocytoclastic vasculitis (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate that upregulation of adhesion molecule expression occurs in both leucocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis. The different patterns of adhesion molecule expression in the two groups of vasculitis may reflect differences in the local release of cytokines. In particular, detection of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression by keratinocytes in lymphocytic vasculitis is consistent with an active role for mediators derived from T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of the lesion.

Very echogenic amniotic fluid: ultrasonography-amniocentesis correlation.

Very echogenic amniotic fluid has been variably attributed to meconium, blood, or vernix caseosa. However, most previous reports have been case reports, and most cases have not had proof by amniocentesis. In a larger series of patients with proof by amniocentesis, we sought to determine the relative frequency of these substances as causes of very echogenic amniotic fluid. We retrospectively identified obstetric sonograms in which the amniotic fluid was homogeneously filled with innumerable echogenic particles. The cause of the increased echogenicity was determined by fluid appearance at amniocentesis. Of 86 cases identified, immediate proof by amniocentesis was available in 19 patients for whom the gestational age ranged from 32.8 to 39.4 weeks. Vernix was present in 18 (95%) patients and meconium in one (5%) patient. Very echogenic amniotic fluid in the third trimester is most often due to vernix and infrequently due to meconium. This sonographic finding is not a reliable indicator of meconium or blood in amniotic fluid and should not typically alter antenatal management.

The catalytic properties of the reverse transcriptase of the lentivirus equine infectious anemia virus.

The reverse transcriptase (RT) of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) shares sequence similarity with the RTs of other lentiviruses, particularly with the RTs of human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively), the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is a 41-42% sequence identity between EIAV RT and both HIV RTs (which have 61% sequence identity to each other). We have compared the enzymic properties of EIAV RT with those of HIV-1 RT. Several aspects of the activities of EIAV RT differ from the corresponding activities of HIV-1 RT. There are significant differences in the inhibition of the DNA polymerase activities by the deoxynucleoside triphosphate analogs, 3'-azido-2,3'-dideoxythymidine triphosphate, dideoxyTTP and dideoxyGTP and by the nonnucleoside inhibitor, tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-jk-1,4]benzodiazepin-2-(1H)-one and thione; in the dependence of DNA polymerase and RNase H activities on pH; in the inhibition of the DNA polymerase activities by the thiol-specific reagent N-ethylmaleimide; in the specific DNA polymerase activity; in the inhibition of the ribonuclease H activity by the zinc chelator orthophenanthroline. However, there are several cases in which EIAV RT and HIV-1 RT are more similar than was previously found for HIV-1 RT and HIV-2 RT. These include the Km values for the DNA polymerase activities, the heat stability of the DNA polymerase functions and the specific activity of the RNase H function.

The early bactericidal activity of rifabutin in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis measured by sputum viable counts: a new method of drug assessment.

The activity of rifabutin and rifampicin against rapidly growing, extra-cellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cavity walls was measured by counting colony-forming units (cfu) in the sputum of 74 patients with newly diagnosed, severe pulmonary tuberculosis during the first 2 days of daily chemotherapy. The fall in counts, (log10 cfu/mL sputum/day), was termed the early bactericidal activity (EBA). The EBA, a highly reproducible measure within groups of 10-13 patients, was -0.015 for a low EBA reference group (who received no chemotherapy) and 0.495 for a high EBA reference group (who received 300 mg isoniazid daily). The EBAs in patients receiving 300 and 600 mg rifabutin were 0.014 and 0.075, and for those taking 150, 300 and 600 mg rifampicin 0.021, 0.150 and 0.204, respectively. Weight-for-weight, the ratio rifabutin to rifampicin producing the same EBA was estimated to be 2.73 (95% confidence limits 1.96-3.78). Determination of the EBA is a rapid and economical method of comparing the potency in human lesions of drugs of the same type before embarking on a conventional clinical trial.

Reoxygenation following hypoxia stimulates lipid peroxidation and phosphatidylinositol breakdown in kidney cortical slices.

Reoxygenation of hypoxic (120 min at 37 degrees) rabbit kidney cortical slices in vitro resulted in a rapid increase in lipid peroxidation and phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. No changes in phosphatidylinositol breakdown occurred during hypoxia or upon reoxygenation in the absence of calcium. Incubation of renal slices with carbon tetrachloride resulted in increased lipid peroxidation but had no effect on phosphatidylinositol breakdown. It is concluded that altered intracellular calcium homeostasis during reoxygenation is involved in mediating increased phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis through activation of a specific phospholipase C, but that oxidative stress per se does not have a significant effect on the inositol phosphate secondary messenger response in this model system.

Objective outcome criteria in trials of anti-parkinsonian therapy in the elderly: sensitivity, specificity and reliability of measures of brady- and hypo-kinesia.

1. We compare the sensitivity and specificity of chosen outcome criteria in a placebo-controlled, randomised cross-over study of the efficacy of maintenance therapy with the levodopa/carbidopa combination (Sinemet Plus) alone. Patients were characterised by having idiopathic Parkinsonism with no overt fluctuations in control in relation to individual doses of medication. 2. The effect of omission of a morning dose of maintenance therapy on simple timed tests of mobility and manual dexterity, and on distance/time parameters of gait was studied in fourteen patients (aged 64 to 88 years). Measurements made 2, 4 and 6 h after morning active and placebo treatments were standardised by taking the pre-treatment measurement on that day as baseline. 3. In a linear model, which allowed for the structure of the study, neither the total time taken by each patient to get up from a chair, walk an individually set distance, turn, return to and sit in the chair, nor the rate of progress at fastening the same set of buttons, was sensitive to the treatment effect. 4. Three of the gait parameters, free walking speed, mean stride length and mean double support time, were sensitive to the treatment effect. Correction for the speed of each walk, caused some reduction in the sensitivity of stride length to treatment effect, but that of double support time remained. Speed, and double support time or stride length, appeared to be complementary in defining the treatment effect. 5. The linear modelling revealed the complexity of the treatment effect. Although active treatment, by comparison with placebo, increased free walking speed (P = 0.019), the more levodopa found in the plasma following treatment, (P = 0.0005) and the greater the increment in the concentration of its peripheral metabolite, 3-O-methyldopa (P = 0.006), the less the beneficial effect. This model may reflect reduced uptake into the brain and/or an adverse effect of parent drug or a metabolite. 6. The specificity of free walking speed for the treatment effect was good, as was that of mean stride length, after it had been corrected for speed of each walk, and of mean double support time, after correction for speed and incorporation of the change in lying blood pressure accompanying treatment into the model. 7. The measurements of gait parameters were ranked according to reliability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Determinants of gait in the elderly parkinsonian on maintenance levodopa/carbidopa therapy.

1. We have used gait analysis to investigate the efficacy of maintenance therapy with a levodopa/carbidopa combination in patients with idiopathic Parkinsonism, who do not have overt fluctuations in control in relation to administration of medication. 2. Fourteen patients (aged 64 to 88 years) receiving maintenance therapy with levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet Plus) entered a placebo-controlled, randomised cross-over study of the effect of omission of a morning dose of active treatment on distance/time parameters of gait. Measurements made 2, 4 and 6 h after the morning treatment were standardised by taking the pre-treatment measurement on that day as baseline. 3. The mean increase in stride length (7%) and decrease in double support time (20%) on active treatment were small but statistically significant (P less than 0.0001, in each case), there being no significant placebo effect on either gait parameter (P = 0.69 and 0.08 respectively). Neither active nor placebo treatments had any significant (P greater than 0.45 in each case) effect on the lying, standing or postural fall in mean arterial pressure, measurements being made in the same temporal relation to the treatments as was gait. 4. In a generalised linear model, after allowing for the effect (P less than 0.0001) of intrinsic variability in pre-treatment speed as well as for structure of the study, nature of treatment had an effect on stride length over the whole walk, significant at P = 0.002. 5. Pre-treatment postural fall in mean arterial pressure was nearly as significant (P = 0.003) as the nature of treatment in the context of such a model: the greater the fall, the greater the increment in stride length seen following active or placebo treatment. This was probably explained by an acquired tolerance to the fall as the day progressed. 6. The major determinant (P less than 0.0001) of the change in double support time over the whole walk, after allowing for the structure of the study, appeared to be the post treatment mean arterial standing blood pressure. The lower the pressure, the shorter the double support time, and hence, the greater the tendency to a hurried gait. 7. Nature of treatment, when added into the models described in summary points 5 and 6, had no significant effect (P greater than 0.25, in each case).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase purified from a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli.

A better understanding of the structure and biochemical properties of the replicative machinery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may be useful in the screening and design of drugs that could be used to treat AIDS. We have previously described a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli that produces HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Fermentation conditions for the large-scale growth of the bacterial strain and a protocol for the purification of an enzymatically active 66-Kd form of the RT have been developed. The purified RT has all of the appropriate enzymatic functions and properties. The recombinant protein can be substituted for the viral enzyme in structural and biochemical studies and used in screens for drugs that could inhibit HIV replication.

Steady state kinetics at high enzyme concentration. The myosin MgATPase.

The rate of ATP hydrolysis by myosin at high concentrations with an ATP-regenerating system increases linearly with increasing added ATP up to a sharp break at the equivalence point of 1 ATP/myosin active site. Theoretical modeling indicates that the data require a KM on the order of the 30 nM value predicted by the rapid kinetic work (Lymn, R. W., and Taylor, E. W. (1970) Biochemistry 7, 2975-2983). Changes in the experimental conditions are found to change the slope of the initial increase in ATPase rate, but not to change the equivalence point. Proteolytic subfragments of myosin do not exhibit a linear initial increase in rate indicating that they are not homogeneous. Purified myosin is also found to show a small additional increase in ATPase rate at much higher ATP levels with a corresponding increase in flux through a pathway with a low extent of oxygen exchange. This high Km component with low oxygen exchange is distinct from the contaminating ATPase reported previously (Sleep, J. A., Hackney, D. D., and Boyer, P. D. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 4094-4099) which is shown here to be the CaATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Catalytic consequences of oligomeric organization: kinetic evidence for "tethered" acto-heavy meromyosin at low ATP concentrations.

The influence of the supramolecular organization of myosin on its ATPase activity was investigated at a range of ATP concentrations, using as a model system subfragment 1 (S1) and heavy meromyosin (HMM), which are respectively monomeric and dimeric proteolytic fragments of myosin. At low ATP levels in the presence of a molar excess of actin, dimeric HMM showed an increased rate of ATP hydrolysis relative to that for monomeric S1. This increased ATPase for HMM was inhibited by high concentrations of ATP, which reduced the acto-HMM ATPase rate to the lower level of acto-S1. This observation is consistent with the rapid ATP hydrolysis of acto-HMM at low ATP being due to rapid product release from a "tethered" acto-HMM species, which has product bound to one head group while the other head group remains bound to actin. At high concentrations of ATP, ATP binds to both head groups, resulting in net dissociation of HMM from actin. This model is supported by 18O exchange data. Acto-HMM hydrolyzed ATP with extensive exchange of water oxygens into Pi at high ATP levels, but not at low ATP levels. Acto-S1 exhibited extensive exchange at both high and low ATP levels. This result is consistent with rapid product release from a tethered acto-HMM intermediate at low ATP.