bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms involved in intracellular calcium mobilization in isolated rat islets of Langerhans
Authors: Morgan N G , Rumford G M , Montague W
Published: August 2015

1. The rate of 45Ca2+ efflux from prelabelled rat islets of Langerhans was stimulated by carbachol in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Significant stimulation occurred in the presence of 0.2 microM-carbachol; the response was half-maximal at 3-5 microM and was maximal at 20 microM. 3. Stimulation of 45Ca2+ efflux by carbachol was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and was enhanced in Ca2+-depleted medium. 4. Stimulation of 45Ca2+ efflux by 5 microM-carbachol occurred independently of any change in [3H]arachidonic acid release in prelabelled islets, and probably reflected generation of inositol trisphosphate in the cells. 5. The amphipathic peptide melittin failed to increase islet-cell 45Ca2+ efflux at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml, and caused only a modest increase at 10 micrograms/ml. 6. Despite its failure to increase 45Ca2+ efflux, melittin at 1 microgram/ml caused a marked enhancement of 3H release from islets that had been prelabelled with [3H]arachidonic acid. 7. The stimulation of 3H efflux caused by melittin correlated with a dose-dependent increase in the unesterified [3H]arachidonic acid content of prelabelled islets and with a corresponding decrease in the extent of labelling of islet phospholipids. 8. Combined addition of melittin (1 microgram/ml) and 5 microM-carbachol to perifused islets failed to augment 45Ca2+ efflux relative to that elicited by carbachol alone. 9. The data indicate that melittin promotes an increase in arachidonic acid availability in intact rat islets. They do not, however, support the proposal that this can either directly reproduce or subsequently modify the extent of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization induced by agents that cause an increase in inositol trisphosphate.
Calmodulin activates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase activity in pig aortic smooth muscle
Authors: Yamaguchi K , Hirata M , Kuriyama H
Published: August 2015

The effects of calmodulin (CaM) on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 3-kinase activity in pig aortic smooth muscle were examined. The cytosol fraction of muscle cells, containing 1.2-2.0 micrograms of CaM/mg of cytosol protein (thus 0.12-0.2%, w/w), showed a Ca2+-dependent InsP3 3-kinase activity, and there was no further activation by exogenous addition of CaM purified from dog brain. (NH4)2SO4 fractionation of the cytosol fraction revealed that a 20-60%-satd.-(NH4)2SO4 fraction was rich in the enzyme activity, and the activity without exogenous CaM was still dependent on Ca2+, although the CaM content in this fraction was minute (0.013-0.016%, w/w). The kinase activity observed in the absence of exogenous CaM became insensitive to Ca2+ when a 20-60%-satd.-(NH4)2SO4 fraction was applied to a DEAE-cellulose column, but exogenous addition of CaM increased the enzyme activity from 80-120 to 450 pmol/min per mg of protein, with addition of 10 microM free Ca2+. A fraction separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography was applied to a CaM affinity column. The kinase activity was retained on the column in the presence of Ca2+, and was eluted by lowering the free Ca2+ concentration by adding EGTA. These results directly show that CaM activates InsP3 3-kinase activity and the enzyme becomes sensitive to Ca2+.
Graphical and statistical analysis of hyperbolic tight-binding inhibition
Authors: Baici A
Published: August 2015

Equations are described for the analysis of enzyme-catalysed reactions in the presence of hyperbolic tight-binding inhibitors using both graphical and non-linear-regression methods. The general character of the equations allows the interpretation of several other kinetic mechanisms. As an example, the tight-binding hyperbolic non-competitive inhibition of human leucocyte elastase by a polysulphated glycosaminoglycan is analysed.
The stimulation by sodium fluoride of plasma-membrane Ca2+ inflow in isolated hepatocytes. Evidence that a GTP-binding regulatory protein is involved in the hormonal stimulation of Ca2+ inflow
Authors: Hughes B P , Barritt G J
Published: August 2015

1. In isolated hepatocytes NaF increased the rate of 45Ca2+ exchange, the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (monitored by using quin2), and the activity of glycogen phosphorylase a in a Ca2+-dependent manner. 2. In cells previously incubated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+(Ca2+o), NaF caused a pronounced enhancement in the increases in the activity of glycogen phosphorylase and in [Ca2+]i observed when Ca2+ was subsequently added. The effect of NaF on glycogen phosphorylase activity was inhibited by verapamil and deferoxamine, and was potentiated by AlCl3. 3. The actions of NaF were associated with (a) increases in [3H]inositol polyphosphates, which were slower in onset and about half the magnitude of those induced by vasopressin, in hepatocytes labelled with [3H]inositol, and (b) enhanced rates of O2 utilization and decreased concentrations of ATP. The latter effects were not potentiated by AlCl3. 4. Preincubation of hepatocytes with vasopressin in the absence of added Ca2+o for times up to 30 min did not diminish the ability of a subsequent addition of extracellular Ca2+ to activate glycogen phosphorylase. 5. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate had little effect on 45Ca2+ exchange and did not enhance the activation by Ca2+o of phosphorylase in hepatocytes incubated in the absence of Ca2+o. 6. On the basis of the observation that AlF4- activates GTP-binding regulatory proteins [Sternweiss & Gilman (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 4888-4891], it is concluded that the present results provide evidence for the function of a GTP-binding regulatory protein in the mechanism by which hormones stimulate plasma-membrane Ca2+ inflow in the liver cell, and indicate that an increase in [Ca2+]i and the activation of protein kinase C are not part of this mechanism.
Different sites of inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase by malonyl-CoA, and by acetyl-CoA and CoA, in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Zierz S , Engel A G
Published: August 2015

The inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT, EC 2.3.1.21) by malonyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA and free CoA was studied in sonicated skeletal-muscle homogenates from normal human subjects and from five patients with a mutant CPT [Zierz & Engel (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 149, 207-214]. (1) Malonyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA and CoA were competitive inhibitors of CPT with palmitoyl-CoA. (2) Acetyl-CoA and CoA inhibited normal and mutant CPT to the same degree, whereas malonyl-CoA inhibited mutant CPT more than normal CPT. (3) Triton X-100 abolished the inhibition of normal CPT by malonyl-CoA, but not by acetyl-CoA or CoA. Triton X-100 by itself caused loss of activity of the mutant CPT. (4) In the concentration range 0.1-0.4 mM, the inhibitory effects of any two of the three inhibitors were synergistic. (5) The inhibitory constants (Ki) for acetyl-CoA and CoA were close to 45 microM. The Ki for malonyl-CoA was 200-fold lower, or 0.22 microM. Addition of 40 microM-acetyl-CoA or CoA resulted in a 3-fold increase in the Ki for acetyl-CoA. Addition of 20 microM-CoA resulted in a 3-fold increase in the Ki for acetyl-CoA. (6) The findings indicate that acetyl-CoA and CoA can inhibit CPT at the catalytic site or a nearby site which is different from that at which malonyl-CoA inhibits CPT. (7) The fact that small changes in the concentration of acetyl-CoA and CoA can antagonize the inhibitory effect of malonyl-CoA suggests that these compounds could modulate the inhibition of CPT by malonyl-CoA.
Stimulation of the respiration rate of rat liver mitochondria by sub-micromolar concentrations of extramitochondrial Ca2+
Authors: Johnston J D , Brand M D
Published: August 2015

1. The respiration rate of rat liver mitochondria was stimulated by up to 70% when the extramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration was raised from 103 to 820 nM. This occurred when pyruvate, 2-oxoglutarate, or threo-(Ds)-isocitrate was employed as substrate, but not when succinate was used. 2. Ruthenium Red prevented the stimulation of mitochondrial respiration by extramitochondrial Ca2+, showing that the effect required Ca2+ uptake into the mitochondrial matrix. 3. Starvation of rats for 48 h abolished the stimulation of mitochondrial respiration by extramitochondrial Ca2+ when pyruvate was used as substrate, but did not affect the stimulation of 2-oxoglutarate oxidation by extramitochondrial Ca2+. 4. Our findings are in accord with proposals that oxidative metabolism in liver mitochondria may be stimulated by Ca2+ activation of intramitochondrial dehydrogenases.
Isolation and partial characterization of a vitamin K-dependent carboxylase from bovine aortae
Authors: Van Haarlem L J M , Ulrich M M W , Hemker H C , Soute B A M , Vermeer C
Published: August 2015

Vitamin K-dependent carboxylase activity has been demonstrated in the crude microsomal fraction of the intima of bovine aortae. The procedure for the isolation of vessel wall carboxylase is a slight modification of the general preparation procedure for tissue microsomes. The highest activity of the non-hepatic enzyme was observed at 25 degrees C and hardly any NADH-dependent vitamin K reductase could be demonstrated. The optimal reaction conditions for both vessel wall as well as liver carboxylase were similar: 0.1 M-NaCl/0.05 M-Tris/HCl, pH 7.4, containing 8 mM-dithiothreitol, 0.4% 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulphonic acid (CHAPS), 0.4 mM-vitamin K hydroquinone and 2 M-(NH4)2SO4. Warfarin inhibits the hepatic and non-hepatic carboxylase/reductase enzyme complex more or less to a similar degree. We have measured the apparent Km values for the following substrates: Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu (‘FLEEL’), decarboxylated osteocalcin, decarboxylated fragment 13-29 from descarboxyprothrombin and decarboxylated sperm 4-carboxyglutamic acid-containing (Gla-)protein. The results obtained demonstrated that liver and vessel wall carboxylase may be regarded as isoenzymes with different substrate specificities. The newly discovered enzyme is the first vitamin K-dependent carboxylase which shows an absolute substrate specificity: FLEEL and decarboxylated osteocalcin were good substrates for vessel wall carboxylase, but decarboxylated fragment 13-29 and decarboxylated sperm Gla-protein were not carboxylated at all.
Surface areas of 1-palmitoyl phosphatidylcholines and their interactions with cholesterol
Authors: Evans R W , Williams M A , Tinoco J
Published: August 2015

1-Palmitoyl phosphatidylcholines (1-palmitoyl PCs), in which the 2-position was occupied respectively by C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C14:1, n-7, C16:0, C16:1, n-7, C18:0, C18:1(t), n-9, C18:1, n-9, C18:2, n-6, C18:3, N-3, C18:3, n-6, C18:3(5t,9,12), C22:0, C22:1, n-9, C22:2, n-6, C22:3, n-3, C22:4, n-6, C22:5, n-6 or C22:6, n-3 fatty acids, were studied as monolayer films at the air/water interface. Results for molecular area indicated that the areas of the PC (phosphatidylcholine) did not continuously decrease as the length of one chain increased. For series of saturated, monoenoic and dienoic 1-palmitoyl PCs the smallest molecular area was occupied by the PC containing a 20-carbon acid at the 2-position. In the 18-carbon series, introduction of the first and third cis double bonds caused a large increase in molecular area, but in the 22-carbon series the first and second cis double bonds produced large increases in molecular area. Molecules containing three or more cis double bonds varied little in molecular area, regardless of chain length (18-22 carbon atoms). The influence of a trans double bond was intermediate between that of a saturated and a cis double bond. The 18- and 22-carbon series of PCs were studied in mixed monolayers with cholesterol and desmosterol. Condensation of molecular areas occurred in all sterol PC mixed films, and similar results were obtained with cholesterol and desmosterol. Condensation of PC containing a cis or trans double bond within 10 carbon atoms of the carboxy group initially increased with increasing surface pressure. Condensation of other PCs decreased as surface pressure increased. All cis- or trans-unsaturated PCs condensed maximally in mixtures of approximately equimolar ratios with sterols, but saturated PCs condensed to the greatest extent in mixtures that contained about 30 mol% sterol.
Evidence for histidyl and carboxy groups at the active site of the human placental Na+-H+ exchanger
Authors: Ganapathy V , Balkovetz D F , Ganapathy M E , Mahesh V B , Devoe L D , Leibach F H
Published: August 2015

The Na+-H+ exchanger of the human placental brush-border membrane was inhibited by pretreatment of the membrane vesicles with a histidyl-group-specific reagent, diethyl pyrocarbonate and with a carboxy-group-specific reagent, N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline. In both cases the inhibition was irreversible and non-competitive in nature. But, if the membrane vesicles were treated with these reagents in the presence of amiloride, cimetidine or clonidine, there was no inhibition. Since amiloride, cimetidine and clonidine all interact with the active site of the exchanger in a mutually exclusive manner, the findings provide evidence for the presence of essential histidyl and carboxy groups at or near the active site of the human placental Na+-H+ exchanger. This conclusion was further substantiated by the findings that Rose Bengal-catalysed photo-oxidation of histidine residues as well as covalent modification of carboxy residues with NN′-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide irreversibly inhibited the Na+-H+ exchanger and that amiloride protected the exchanger from inhibition caused by NN′-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide.
Differential control of proto-oncogene c-myc and c-fos expression in lymphocytes and fibroblasts
Authors: McNerney R , Darling D , Johnstone A
Published: August 2015

In lymphocytes stimulated with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, an inhibitor of the enzyme ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) completely blocks the proliferative response and the increase in expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc without affecting c-fos significantly. Conversely, in fibroblasts the serum-induced growth is not affected by the ADPRT inhibitor, and both oncogenes are dramatically super-induced. Hence there are differences between lymphocyte and fibroblast early responses to mitogenic stimulation and also between regulation of c-fos and c-myc gene expression.
Detection of 23-27 kDa GTP-binding proteins in platelets and other cells
Authors: Bhullar R P , Haslam R J
Published: August 2015

Membrane proteins from rabbit and human platelets were separated by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and the resolved polypeptides blotted on nitrocellulose. A family of GTP-binding proteins, termed Gn proteins, was detected by incubation of these blots with [alpha-32P]GTP in the presence of Mg2+. A major Gn protein with a molecular mass of 27 kDa (Gn27) and lesser amounts of 23, 24 and 25 kDa Gn proteins were observed in platelet membranes; much smaller amounts were in the platelet soluble fraction. Binding of [alpha-32P]GTP by platelet Gn proteins was blocked by GDP, GTP or guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, but not by GMP or adenosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate. Rabbit and human red-cell membranes contained only Gn27. When rat tissues were analysed for Gn proteins, the largest amounts were found in brain, which contained two membrane-bound forms (Gn27 and Gn26) and a soluble form (Gn26).
Stimulation by glucose of gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from starved rats
Authors: Rigoulet M , Leverve X M , Plomp P J A M , Meijer A J
Published: August 2015

Control properties of the gluconeogenic pathway in hepatocytes isolated from starved rats were studied in the presence of glucose. The following observations were made. (1) Glucose stimulated the rate of glucose production from 20 mM-glycerol, from a mixture of 20 mM-lactate and 2 mM-pyruvate, or from pyruvate alone; no stimulation was observed with 20 mM-alanine or 20 mM-dihydroxyacetone. Maximal stimulation was obtained between 2 and 5 mM-glucose, depending on the conditions. At concentrations above 6 mM, gluconeogenesis declined again, so that at 10 mM-glucose the glucose production rate became equal to that in its absence. (2) With glycerol, stimulation of gluconeogenesis by glucose was accompanied by oxidation of cytosolic NADH and reduction of mitochondrial NAD+ and was insensitive to the transaminase inhibitor amino-oxyacetate; this indicated that glucose accelerated the rate of transport of cytosolic reducing equivalents to the mitochondria via the glycerol 1-phosphate shuttle. (3) With lactate plus pyruvate (10:1) as substrates, stimulation of gluconeogenesis by glucose was almost additive to that obtained with glucagon. From an analysis of the effect of glucose on the curves relating gluconeogenic flux and the steady-state intracellular concentrations of gluconeogenic intermediates under various conditions, in the absence and presence of glucagon, it was concluded that addition of glucose stimulated both phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate carboxylase activity.
Purification and initial characterization of an enzyme with deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase and hydroxylase activities
Authors: Baldwin J E , Adlington R M , Coates J B , Crabbe M J C , Crouch N P , Keeping J W , Knight G C , Schofield C J , Ting H H , Vallejo C A , Thorniley M , Abraham E P
Published: August 2015

Deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase (expandase) from Cephalosporium acremonium (Acremonium chrysogenum) was purified to near homogeneity as judged by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The enzyme (Mr about 40,000) exhibited a pH optimum around 7.5. It required 2-oxoglutarate (Km 0.04 mM), Fe2+ and O2 as cofactors, and ascorbate and dithiothreitol were necessary for maximum activity. It was stable for over 4 weeks at −70 degrees C in the presence of 1 mM-dithiothreitol. Activity was inhibited by the thiol-quenching reagent N-ethylmaleimide, the metal-ion-chelating reagent bathophenanthroline, and NH4HCO3. The highly purified enzyme also showed deacetoxycephalosporin C hydroxylase (deacetylcephalosporin C synthetase) activity, indicating that both expandase and hydroxylase activities are properties of a single protein. These activities could not be separated by ion-exchange, dye-ligand, gel-filtration or hydrophobic chromatography. A beta-sulphoxide and a 3 beta-methylene hydroxy analogue of penicillin N were synthesized to test as potential intermediates in the ring-expansion reaction, Neither compound was a substrate for the enzyme. A synthetic analogue in which the 3 beta-methyl group and the 2-hydrogen atom of penicillin N were replaced by a cyclopropane ring was not a substrate but was a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme.
Stimulation by d-glucose of mitochondrial oxidative events in islet cells
Authors: Sener A , Malaisse W J
Published: August 2015

D-Glucose catabolism was examined in rat pancreatic islets and tumoral insulin-producing cells (RINm5F line) exposed to D-[5-3H]glucose, D-[3,4-14C]glucose or D-[6-14C]glucose. In normal islets, a rise in D-glucose concentration from 2.8 to 16.7 mM augmented (i) the transfer of NADH, presumably via the glycerol phosphate shuttle, into the mitochondria, (ii) the decarboxylation of pyruvate and (iii) the oxidation of acetyl residues, even when the flow rates were expressed relative to the total rate of D-glucose utilization. Islet cells are thus organized to favour those mitochondrial oxidative events yielding the major fraction of the energy derived from the catabolism of D-glucose. In tumoral islet cells of the RINm5F line, all three oxidative mitochondrial processes, when expressed relative to the overall rate of D-glucose utilization, occurred at a low rate and failed to increase in response to the rise in D-glucose concentration. These findings emphasize the importance of distal regulatory processes in the control of D-glucose catabolism in normal islet cells, and document the perturbation of such processes in a model of dysfunction for this fuel-sensor organ.
Complement factor H-binding protein of Raji cells and tonsil B lymphocytes
Authors: Erdei A , Sim R B
Published: August 2015

Several reports have indicated that Factor H has specific effects on certain cell populations, suggesting that Factor H receptors may exist. Lambris & Ross [(1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1400-1411] purified a protein from Raji B-lymphoblastoid cell culture supernatants, using Factor H-Sepharose affinity chromatography. This species appeared to consist of two disulphide-linked components each of Mr 50,000, with an additional 50,000-Mr chain attached non-covalently. The existence of cell-surface Factor H-binding proteins has now been re-investigated with 125I surface-labelled Raji and tonsil B cells. Non-ionic-detergent extracts of the cells, in 0.1% Nonidet P40/10 mM-sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, were incubated with Factor H-Sepharose in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. After the beads had been washed, bound components were eluted with 50 mM-NaCl. A single radioactive species was eluted from the resin, which migrates identically with Factor H (apparent Mr 170,000) in SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Biosynthetic radiolabelling studies confirmed that this species was synthesized by Raji cells. Examination of culture supernatants from biosynthetically radiolabelled Raji cells showed again the presence of a single soluble species that bound to Factor H-Sepharose, but this species was of lower Mr (approx. 105,000) than the membrane-derived protein. The soluble form may be produced by proteolysis of the membrane form, or may be of separate origin. The similarity in size of the cell-surface protein to Factor H was initially confusing, but it is distinct from cell-surface Factor H on the basis of three criteria: (1) it is not recognized by anti-)2 anti-(Factor H); (2) it does not bind to Zn2+-chelate resin, whereas Factor H does; (3) cell-surface Factor H present on U937 cells does not bind to Factor H-Sepharose.
Insulin reverses effects of starvation on the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in cultured hepatocytes
Authors: Marchington D R , Kerbey A L , Jones A E , Randle P J
Published: August 2015

In tissue culture of hepatocytes, insulin (0.1-1 munits/ml for 4 h) reversed completely the effects of starvation of rats to decrease the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex and to increase the activities of PDH kinase and PDH kinase activator protein. It had no effect in hepatocytes from fed rats. Significant effects of insulin were detected with 0.01 munit/ml after 4 h, and in 1-2 h with 1 munit/ml.
Potential intercellular futile cycling of carbohydrates in diabetes
Authors: Kleckner N W , Kizaki Z , Thurman R G
Published: August 2015

Diabetes was induced by treating rats with alloxan, and was confirmed by blood glucose values greater than 250 mg/dl. In perfused livers from both normal and diabetic rats, basal rates of O2 uptake were similar (120-130 mumol/h per g). In livers from diabetic rats, basal rates of glucose output of 60 mumol/h per g declined to around 20 mumol/h per g during 1 h of perfusion. Basal glucose production was abolished by pretreatment with an inhibitor of glycogen synthesis, galactosamine (1.5 g/kg), injected 3 h before perfusion. The subsequent infusion of lactate (2 mM) increased O2 uptake and glucose production about 40-50 mumol/h per g in both groups; however, the average maximal increase in glucose output was nearly twice as high in livers from normal (33 mumol/h per g) as from diabetic (18 mumol/h per g) rats. Rates of lactate uptake were also about 50% lower in livers from diabetic than from normal rats, yet rates of ketone-body formation were similar. Miniature O2 electrodes placed on periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule were employed to measure local rates of O2 uptake before, during and after infusion of lactate by stopping the flow of perfusate through the liver and measuring the decrease in local [O2]. Local rates of glucose production were calculated from the extra O2 consumed and the known stoichiometry between O2 uptake and glucose production from lactate. In livers from normal rats, glucose was synthesized predominantly in periportal regions of the liver lobule; however, glucose was produced exclusively in periportal regions in livers from diabetic rats. In pericentral regions, O2 uptake increased slightly in livers from normal rats, but declined significantly by 10 mumol/h per g in livers from diabetic rats. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that gluconeogenesis from lactate occurs exclusively in periportal regions of the liver lobule in livers from diabetic rats. A portion of this glucose is metabolized back to lactate in pericentral areas, leading to increased rates of glycolytic ATP production, thereby decreasing the demands for O2. This production of glucose from lactate in periportal regions, followed by conversion of glucose back into lactate in pericentral areas, raises the possibility of intercellular futile cycling, stimulated by diabetes.
Identification and purification from bovine brain of a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein distinct from Gs, Gi and Go
Authors: Waldo G L , Evans T , Fraser E D , Northup J K , Martin M W , Harden T K
Published: August 2015

A guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) was purified from cholate extracts of bovine brain membranes by sequential DEAE-Sephacel, Ultrogel AcA-34, heptylamine-Sepharose and Sephadex G-150 chromatography. Guanosine 5′-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate (GTP[35S])-binding activity copurified with a 25,000 Da peptide and a 35,000-36,000 Da protein doublet. Neither pertussis toxin nor cholera toxin catalysed the ADP-ribosylation of a protein associated with the GTP[35S]-binding activity. Photoaffinity labelling of the purified protein with 8-azido[gamma-32P]GTP indicated that the GTP-binding site resides on the 25,000 Da protein. The 35,000-36,000 Da protein doublet was electrophoretically indistinguishable from the beta-subunits of other GTP-binding proteins, and the 36,000 Da protein was recognized by antiserum to oligomeric Gt. The purified protein specifically bound 17.2 nmol of GTP[35S]/mg of protein. The Kd of the binding site for radioligand was approx. 15 nM. The brain GTP-binding protein co-migrated during SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with a GTP-binding protein, named Gp, purified from human placenta [Evans, Brown, Fraser & Northup (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 7052-7059], and cross-reacted with antiserum raised against the placental protein, but not with antiserum raised to brain Go. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the brain and placental GTP-binding proteins in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease yielded identical peptide maps.
The mechanism by which adenosine decreases gluconeogenesis from lactate in isolated rat hepatocytes
Authors: Lavoinne A , Buc H A , Claeyssens S , Pinosa M , Matray F
Published: August 2015

Incubation of hepatocytes from 24 h-starved rats in the presence of 0.5 mM-adenosine decreased gluconeogenesis from lactate, but not from alanine. The inhibition of gluconeogenesis was associated with a stimulation of ketone-body production and an inhibition of pyruvate oxidation. These metabolic changes were suppressed in the presence of iodotubercidin (an inhibitor of adenosine kinase), but were reinforced in the presence of deoxycoformycin (an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase); 2-chloroadenosine induced no change in gluconeogenesis from lactate. These data indicate that the inhibition of gluconeogenesis by adenosine probably results from its conversion into adenine nucleotides. In the presence of lactate or pyruvate, but not with alanine or asparagine, this conversion resulted in a decrease in the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio in both mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments. Adenosine decreased the Pi concentration with all gluconeogenic substrates.
Influence of the gut microflora on protein synthesis in tissues and in the whole body of chicks
Authors: Muramatsu T , Takasu O , Furuse M , Tasaki I , Okumura J
Published: August 2015

1. The influence of the gut microflora on protein synthesis in individual tissues and in the whole body of young chicks was investigated by the large-dose injection of [3H]phenylalanine. 2. Growth of germ-free chicks was significantly better than that of conventional controls. Wet weights of liver, spleen, duodenum, jejunum + ileum and caeca were heavier in conventional birds than in germ-free counterparts. 3. Fractional rates of protein synthesis were higher in jejunum + ileum and whole body of conventional birds than in those of germ-free birds. Amounts of protein synthesized were larger in liver, jejunum + ileum and caeca in the presence of the gut microflora. 4. When tissues were classified into gut + liver and the remainder of the carcass, in the presence of the gut microflora an enhanced protein synthesis in fractional and absolute rate was found in the gut + liver, which is in direct contact or in close association with micro-organisms, whereas virtually no effect of the gut micro-organisms was detected in the remainder of the carcass. 5. The contribution of protein synthesis of gut + liver to that of the whole body was larger in conventional chicks than in germ-free birds, whereas the reverse was true for the remainder of the carcass.
Depletion of arachidonic acid from GH3 cells. Effects on inositol phospholipid turnover and cellular activation
Authors: Dudley D T , Macfarlane D E , Spector A A
Published: August 2015

We have adapted rat pituitary GH3 cells to grow in delipidated culture medium. In response, esterfied linoleic acid and arachidonic acid become essentially undetectable, whereas eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid accumulates and oleic acid increases markedly. These changes occur in all phospholipid classes, but are particularly pronounced in inositol phospholipids, where the usual stearate/arachidonate profile is replaced with oleate/eicosatrienoate (n − 9) and stearate/eicosatrienoate (n − 9). Incubation of arachidonate-depleted cells with 10 microM-arachidonic acid for only 24 h results in extensive remodelling of phospholipid fatty acids, such that close-to-normal compositions and arachidonic acid content are achieved for the inositol phospholipids. In comparison studies with arachidonic acid-depleted or -repleted cells, it was found that the arachidonate content does not affect thyrotropin-releasing-hormone (TRH)-stimulated responses measured at long time points, including [32P]Pi labelling of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid, stimulation of protein phosphorylation, and basal or TRH-stimulated prolactin release. However, transient events such as stimulated breakdown of inositol phospholipids and an initial rise in diacylglycerol are enhanced by the presence of arachidonate. These results show that arachidonic acid itself is not required for operation of the phosphatidylinositol cycle and is not an obligatory intermediate in TRH-mediated GH3 cell activation. It is possible that any structural or functional role of arachidonic acid in these processes is largely met by replacement with eicosatrienoate (n − 9). However, since arachidonate in inositol phospholipids facilitates their hydrolysis upon stimulation by TRH, arachidonic acid apparently may have a specific role in the recognition of these lipids by phospholipase C.
Methionine metabolism by rat muscle and other tissues. Occurrence of a new carnitine intermediate
Authors: Scislowski P W D , Hokland B M , Davis-van Thienen W I A , Bremer J , Davis E J
Published: August 2015

Perfused rat hindquarter preparations were shown to incorporate radioactivity from [U-14C]methionine into citrate-cycle intermediates, lactate, alanine, glutamate, glutamine and CO2. During perfusion, large amounts of methionine were also oxidized to methionine sulphoxide. The capacity for transamination of methionine or its oxo analogue, 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate, by muscle extracts was demonstrated. Rat skeletal muscle, heart, liver and kidney mitochondria, when incubated with the latter plus radiolabelled carnitine, formed a newly identified carnitine derivative, 3-methylthiopropionylcarnitine. It is concluded that the capacity for oxidation of methionine by a trans-sulphuration-independent pathway occurs in several mammalian tissues. The extent of inter-organ handling of intermediates in this pathway(s) is discussed.
Toxic effects of ozone on murine L929 fibroblasts. Damage to DNA
Authors: Van der Zee J , Van Beek E , Dubbelman T M A R , Van Steveninck J
Published: August 2015

Damage to DNA caused by exposure of L929 fibroblasts to ozone was reflected by the generation of strand breaks, DNA inter-strand cross-links and DNA-protein cross-links. Addition of propan-2-ol, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, did not affect the formation of strand breaks. In model experiments it appeared that both purines and pyrimidines were involved in DNA inter-strand and DNA-protein cross-links.
Regulation by vitamin E of phosphatidylcholine metabolism in rat heart
Authors: Cao Y Z , O K , Choy P C , Chan A C
Published: August 2015

Lysophosphatidylcholine is the major lysophospholipid in mammalian tissues and has been shown to be cytolytic at high concentrations. In the present study we demonstrated that the level of lysophosphatidylcholine was significantly increased in the heart of rats fed with a vitamin E-deficient diet. Moreover, the cardiac lysophosphatidylcholine level was decreased in rats fed with a high vitamin E diet. The alterations in cardiac lysophosphatidylcholine level by dietary vitamin E were attributed to the changes in the activity of cardiac phospholipase A. Dietary vitamin E affected both phospholipase A1 and A2 in the same manner, but had no effect on the other major enzymes which are responsible for the metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholine. Kinetic studies revealed that the inhibition of enzyme activity by vitamin E was essentially non-competitive. The accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine in the rat heart may be one of the underlying biochemical causes of the observed cardiac dysfunctions produced during vitamin E deficiency.
Stimulation of uric acid release from the perfused rat liver by platelet activating factor or potassium
Authors: Hill C E , Olson M S
Published: August 2015

The stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis by platelet activating factor (AGEPC) or increased perfusate potassium concentration ([K+]o), but not phenylephrine, causes a transient increase in uric acid release into the effluent perfusate of perfused rat livers. Uric acid was identified in chromatograms of perfusate samples using reversed-phase h.p.l.c., which show a peak which co-elutes with authentic uric acid, and by the fact that the A293 of perfusate samples decreases in the presence of uricase. Uric acid release is dose-dependent with respect to both AGEPC and [K+]o, and is blocked completely by prior exposure of the perfused liver to 5 mM-allopurinol, a specific inhibitor of xanthine oxidase (XOD). Allopurinol inhibits the increase in portal vein pressure induced by AGEPC, increased [K+]o or phenylephrine; the inhibitory effect increases with increasing concentrations of the agents. Also, allopurinol inhibits the second phase of O2 uptake and glucose release characteristic of concentrations of AGEPC or increased [K+]o equal to or greater than their reported half-maximal concentration for glucose release. The ratio of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) to XOD activity in extracts of freeze-clamped perfused livers is not affected by treatment of the livers with AGEPC or increased [K+]o. The results suggest that uric acid production may be an indicator of ischaemia within localized hepatic sinusoids, and that allopurinol partially protects the hepatocyte from the effects of AGEPC or increased [K+]o by inhibiting XOD-dependent superoxide production. We propose that the second phase of the glycogenolytic response to these agents results from ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion. Activation of XOD in vivo and hence O2-derived free radical production may be involved in the response of the liver to vasoactive agonists under a variety of pathophysiological conditions.
Relative effects of S-adenosylmethionine depletion on nucleic acid methylation and polyamine biosynthesis
Authors: Kramer D L , Sufrin J R , Porter C W
Published: August 2015

Treatment of cultured L1210 cells with 1 mM-L-2-amino-4-methoxy-cis-but-3-enoic acid (L-cisAMB), a methionine-analogue inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) synthetase (EC 2.5.1.6), produced a rapid and near-total depletion of AdoMet by 4 h. After this, the pools recovered to 60% of control by 48 h, apparently because of an increase in AdoMet synthetase activity. Both AdoMet depletion and the accompanying increase in synthetase activity were substantially enhanced by lowering methionine concentrations in the media from 100 microM to 30 microM, the minimal concentration that supports cell growth at control values. During a 4 h incubation in media containing 30 microM-methionine, 1-5 mM-L-cisAMB depleted cellular AdoMet to undetectable values, and inhibited nucleic acid methylation by 44-72% and RNA methylation by 60-87%. Under these same treatment conditions, putrescine pools increased by about 3-fold, whereas spermidine pools decreased by only 20% and spermine pools remained the same. Pool changes were accompanied by a 2-4-fold increase in ornithine decarboxylase activities and AdoMet activities. Thus the rapid depletion of AdoMet pools by L-cisAMB results immediately in a decrease in methyl-transfer reactions involving nucleic acids, whereas, by contrast, biosynthesis of higher polyamines appears to be minimally affected, owing to compensatory increases in key enzyme activities.
Differential effect of iodination of ovotransferrin and its two half-molecule domains on binding to transferrin receptors on chick embryo red blood cells
Authors: Mason A B , Brown S A
Published: August 2015

Iodination of the C-terminal half-molecule domain of ovotransferrin (OTF) causes a significant reduction in binding to transferrin receptors on chick reticulocytes when compared to the binding observed with holo-OTF or the N-terminal half-molecule domain. (In such studies binding of iodinated half-molecule is measured in the presence of equimolar unlabelled complementary half-molecule). In particular iodination of the C-terminal half-molecule domain by the solid-phase reagent Iodogen resulted in half the binding found when ICl was used. The iodinated N-terminal half-molecule domain labelled by either Iodogen or ICl showed consistently higher binding than was observed with the C-terminal half-molecule or Fe2OTF. Although the molecular basis for the reduced binding of these proteins relative to the N-terminal half-molecule has not been definitively established, the implication is that there is a Tyr in the C-terminal domain which is involved in receptor recognition and binding. Addition of one or more bulky iodine atoms to the Tyr interferes with the interaction. Tryptic peptide maps of unlabelled holo-OTF and half-molecule domains and of the half-molecule domains labelled by both ICl and Iodogen are presented. The maps indicate limited access of the tyrosine residues to iodination especially in the C-terminal half-molecule domain. Equilibrium binding experiments have been carried out to compare the Kd (the apparent dissociation constant for the interaction between OTF and the transferrin receptors on chick-embryo red blood cells) with the Bmax, (binding at infinite free-ligand concentration) for Fe2OTF labelled using ICl, Iodogen, Enzymobeads and Chloramine-T. The effect of labelling Fe2OTF by Bolton-Hunter reagent has also been assessed. These studies show that ICl appears to be the reagent of choice for labelling Fe2OTF and its half-molecule domains.
Peroxisomal β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids possessing different extents of unsaturation
Authors: Hovik R , Osmundsen H
Published: August 2015

Rates of peroxisomal beta-oxidation were measured as fatty acyl-CoA-dependent NAD+ reduction, by using solubilized peroxisomal fractions isolated from livers of rats treated with clofibrate. Medium- to long-chain saturated fatty acyl-CoA esters as well as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acyl-CoA esters were used. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation shows optimal specificity towards long-chain polyunsaturated acyl-CoA esters. Eicosa-8,11,14-trienoyl-CoA, eicosa-11,14,17-trienoyl-CoA and docosa-7,10,13,16-tetraenoyl-CoA all gave Vmax. values of about 150% of that obtained with palmitoyl-CoA. The Km values obtained with these fatty acyl-CoA esters were 17 +/- 6, 13 +/- 4 and 22 +/- 3 microM respectively, which are in the same range as the value for palmitoyl-CoA (13.8 +/- 1 microM). Myristoyl-CoA gave the higher Vmax. (110% of the palmitoyl-CoA value) of the saturated fatty acyl-CoAs tested. Substrate inhibition was mostly observed with acyl-CoA esters giving Vmax. values higher than 50% of that given by palmitoyl-CoA.
Purification and characterization of glucosidase I involved in N-linked glycoprotein processing in bovine mammary gland
Authors: Shailubhai K , Pratta M A , Vijay I K
Published: August 2015

Glucosidase I, the first enzyme involved in the post-translational processing of N-linked glycoproteins, was purified to homogeneity from the lactating bovine mammary tissue. The enzyme was extracted by differential treatment of the microsomal fraction with Triton X-100 and Lubrol PX. The solubilized enzyme was subjected to affinity chromatography on Affi-Gel 102 with N-5-carboxypentyldeoxynojirimycin as ligand and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. Purified glucosidase I shows a molecular mass of 320-330 kDa by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions indicates a single band of approx. 85 kDa, indicating that the native enzyme is probably a tetrameric protein. Several criteria, including pH optimum of 6.6-7.0, specific hydrolytic action towards Glc3Man9GlcNAc2, to release the terminally alpha-1,2-linked glucosyl residue, and total lack of activity towards Glc1Man9GlcNAc2 and Glc2Man9GlcNAc2 saccharides, which are the biological substrates for processing glucosidase II, and 4-methylumbelliferyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside show the non-lysosomal origin and the processing-specific role of the purified enzyme. The enzyme does not require any metal ions for its activity. Hg2+, Ag+ and Cu2+ are potent inhibitors of the enzyme; this inhibition can be reversed by adding an excess of dithiothreitol. Among the saccharides tested, kojibiose (Glc alpha 1----2Glc) was inhibitory to the enzyme. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the enzyme in rabbit were found to be specific for glucosidase I, as revealed by Western-blot analysis and by immunoadsorption with Protein A-Sepharose. Anti-(glucosidase I) antibodies were cross-reactive towards a similar antigen in solubilized microsomal preparations from liver, mammary gland and heart from the bovine, guinea pig, rat and mouse.
Structure-activity relationships of 4-hydroxyalkenals in the conjugation catalysed by mammalian glutathione transferases
Authors: Danielson U H , Esterbauer H , Mannervik B
Published: August 2015

The substrate specificities of 15 cytosolic glutathione transferases from rat, mouse and man have been explored by use of a homologous series of 4-hydroxyalkenals, extending from 4-hydroxypentenal to 4-hydroxypentadecenal. Rat glutathione transferase 8-8 is exceptionally active with the whole range of 4-hydroxyalkenals, from C5 to C15. Rat transferase 1-1, although more than 10-fold less efficient than transferase 8-8, is the second most active transferase with the longest chain length substrates. Other enzyme forms showing high activities with these substrates are rat transferase 4-4 and human transferase mu. The specificity constants, kcat./Km, for the various enzymes have been determined with the 4-hydroxyalkenals. From these constants the incremental Gibbs free energy of binding to the enzyme has been calculated for the homologous substrates. The enzymes responded differently to changes in the length of the hydrocarbon side chain and could be divided into three groups. All glutathione transferases displayed increased binding energy in response to increased hydrophobicity of the substrate. For some of the enzymes, steric limitations of the active site appear to counteract the increase in binding strength afforded by increased chain length of the substrate. Comparison of the activities with 4-hydroxyalkenals and other activated alkenes provides information about the active-site properties of certain glutathione transferases. The results show that the ensemble of glutathione transferases in a given species may serve an important physiological role in the conjugation of the whole range of 4-hydroxyalkenals. In view of its high catalytic efficiency with all the homologues, rat glutathione transferase 8-8 appears to have evolved specifically to serve in the detoxication of these reactive compounds of oxidative metabolism.
Rat intestinal trehalase. Studies of the active site
Authors: Chen C C , Guo W J , Isselbacher K J
Published: August 2015

Rat intestinal trehalase was solubilized, purified and reconstituted into proteoliposomes. With octyl glucoside as the solubilizing detergent, the purified protein appeared as a single band on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular mass of 67 kDa. Kinetic studies indicated that the active site of this enzyme can be functionally divided into two adjacent regions, namely a binding site (with pKa 4.8) and a catalytic site (with pKa 7.2). Other findings suggested that the catalytic site contains a functional thiol group, which is sensitive to inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide, Hg2+ and iodoacetate. Substrate protection and iodoacetate labelling of the thiol group demonstrated that only a protein of 67 kDa was labelled. Furthermore, sucrose and phlorizin protected the thiol group, but Tris-like inhibitors did not. Structure-inhibition analysis of Tris-like inhibitors, the pH effect of Tris inhibition and Tris protection of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodi-imide inactivation permitted characterization and location of a separate site containing a carboxy group for Tris binding, which may also be the binding region. On the basis of these findings, a possible structure for the active site of trehalase is proposed.
Initial-rate studies of a thermophilic glucokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus
Authors: Ishikawa H , Maeda T , Hikita H
Published: August 2015

The initial rates of phosphorylation of glucose catalysed by glucokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus were measured over a wide range of glucose, MgATP2-, MgADP- and glucose 6-phosphate concentrations. The results of the effects of the inhibitors on the initial rates suggest that the reaction mechanism is essentially the ordered Bi Bi, in which glucose adds to the enzyme before MgATP2- and glucose 6-phosphate is released from the enzyme after the dissociation of MgADP-, and also suggest that the final step in which glucose 6-phosphate is released is irreversible. For many reaction schemes, the rate equations were derived on the basis of the pseudo-steady-state assumption and were used to correlate the experimental rate data. From this result, we concluded that the reaction obeys the ordered mechanism accompanied by the formation of a non-productive ternary complex, glucose-MgADP--enzyme. By using the experimental Dalziel coefficients phi i, some kinetic parameters were evaluated. The enzyme was characterized by the thermal stability and the low Michaelis constant, the values of which were 54 microM for glucose and 32 microM for MgATP2-.