Publications by authors named "Taunia D Lee"

Background & Aims: Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) catalyzes S-adenosylmethionine biosynthesis. Two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A) encode for the catalytic subunit of MAT, while a third gene (MAT2beta) encodes for a regulatory subunit that modulates the activity of MAT2A-encoded isoenzyme. We uncovered multiple splicing variants while characterizing its 5'-flanking region.

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GSH synthesis occurs through a two-step enzymatic reaction driven by GCL (glutamate-cysteine ligase; made up of catalytic and modifying subunits) and GSS (glutathione synthetase). In humans, oxidative stress regulates GCL expression in an antioxidant response element-dependent manner via Nrf2 [NFE (nuclear factor erythroid)-related factor 2]. In the rat, GSS and GCL are regulated co-ordinately by oxidative stress, and induction of GSS further increases GSH synthetic capacity.

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Two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A) encode for the essential enzyme methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT). MAT1A is silenced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and absence of MAT1A leads to spontaneous development of HCC in mice. Here we investigated the role of methylation in regulating MAT1A expression.

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Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is an essential enzyme because it catalyzes the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the principal biological methyl donor. Of the two genes that encode MAT, MAT1A is mainly expressed in adult liver and MAT2A is expressed in all extrahepatic tissues. Mice lacking MAT1A have reduced hepatic SAMe content and spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma.

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Background: Abnormal methionine metabolism occurs in animals fed ethanol and in end-stage cirrhotic patients. Expected consequences of these abnormalities include reduced hepatic S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione (GSH) levels, impaired transmethylation, and reduced homocysteine catabolism, resulting in the often-observed hyperhomocystinemia in cirrhotic patients. These parameters have not been examined simultaneously in patients with less advanced alcoholic liver disease.

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Two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A) encode for methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), an essential cellular enzyme responsible for S-adenosylmethionine biosynthesis. MAT1A is expressed mostly in the liver, whereas MAT2A is widely distributed. We showed a switch from MAT1A to MAT2A expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which facilitates cancer cell growth.

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Cationic antimicrobial protein of molecular weight 37 kDa (CAP37) is a multifunctional inflammatory mediator that was originally isolated from human neutrophils and described to possess bactericidal and monocyte-activating functions. More recently its expression in endothelial and epithelial cells in response to inflammatory mediators and its ability to activate endothelial cells and alter permeability has been demonstrated. We hypothesize that CAP37 facilitates the process of transendothelial migration not only because of its potential to act as a chemoattractant but also through its ability to promote leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium by modulating adhesion molecule expression on the endothelium.

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GSH synthesis occurs via two enzymatic steps catalyzed by glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL, made up of two subunits) and GSH synthetase (GS). Recently, we described coordinate induction of GCL subunits and GS. To study GS transcriptional regulation, we have cloned and characterized a 2.

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Purpose: CAP37 is a polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-derived inflammatory protein with potent antibiotic and chemotactic activity. To further investigate the biological significance of CAP37 in infection and inflammation, a well-characterized in vivo rabbit model of bacterial keratitis was selected to study its contribution to host defenses.

Methods: One hundred colony-forming units of log phase Staphylococcus aureus was injected intrastromally.

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Cationic antimicrobial protein of 37 kd (CAP37), originally isolated from human neutrophils, is an important multifunctional inflammatory mediator. Here we describe its localization within the vascular endothelium associated with atherosclerotic plaques. Evidence from in vitro immunocytochemical, Northern blot, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicates that CAP37 is induced in endothelial cells in response to inflammatory mediators.

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