Recent genetic and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that alpha(2)-containing GABA(A) receptors mediate the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines, setting a new strategy in developing novel, non-sedative anxiolytic agents. In this study we show that stereoisomers of 3-acetoxy-4'-methoxyflavan are positive modulators of recombinant alpha(1,2,3,5)beta(2)gamma(2L) and alpha(1)beta(2) GABA(...

We have developed a technique to diagnose the alpha- and beta-thalassemia (thal) syndromes using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify cDNA copies of circulating erythroid cell messenger RNA (mRNA) so as to quantitate the relative amounts of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-globin mRNA contained therein. Quantitation, performed by scintillation counting of 32P-dCTP incorporated into specific globin ...

In vertebrates, the glycolytic enzyme enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) is present as homodimers and heterodimers formed from three distinct subunits of identical molecular weight, alpha, beta, and gamma. We report the cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the beta subunit of murine muscle-specific enolase. The corresponding amino acid sequence shows greater than 80% homology with the beta subunit from...

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) synthesis was studied in fetal baboons, Papio cynocephalus, to determine the normal pattern of hemoglobin production during fetal development. Fetuses ranging from 53 to 180 days gestation (term gestation 184 days) were used. Erythroid cells were incubated with 3H-L-leucine, and the rates of globin chain synthesis and the distribution of radioac...

Reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the separation of the alpha, beta, (A)gamma and (G)gamma chains from human blood samples. The alpha and beta chains were normally eluted close together, but their separation was improved by coupling 2 or 3 columns in series, or by increasing the temperature of the columns. This method has been applied for the determination o...

In vivo evidence suggests that T-cell-derived gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) can directly inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, IFN-gamma is a weak inhibitor of HSV-1 replication in vitro. We have found that IFN-gamma synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-alpha and -beta) to potently inhibit HSV-1 replication in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of Vero cells with eit...

The GABA(A) receptor mutation gamma(2)R43Q causes absence epilepsy in humans. Homology modeling suggests that gamma(2)Arg43, gamma(2)Glu178, and beta(2)Arg117 participate in a salt-bridge network linking the gamma(2) and beta(2) subunits. Here we show that several mutations at these locations exert similar long-distance effects on other intersubunit interfaces involved in GABA and benzodiazepin...

Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway promotes the development of several cancers and is an attractive target for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been reported to antagonize beta-catenin function, but their mechanism of action is not known. We demonstrate here that interference with beta-catenin function by NSAIDs does not corr...

We investigated the ability of cyclosporin A (CsA) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) to modulate the production of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta and IFN-gamma by unseparated, nonadherent, and adherent PBMC. Treatment of unseparated PBMC with CsA resulted in a significant dose-dependent inhibition of all three cytokines ranging from greater than 90% inhibition for IFN-gamma and TNF-beta, t...

Solutions of alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, and technical grade endosulfan (70alpha:30beta) were added to modular estuarine mesocosms; the kinetics and degradation products from each mesocosm are reported. The persistent product endosulfan sulfate was generated in all cases; however, its yield was approximately a factor of three higher from alpha-endosulfan relative to beta-endosulfan. Beta...