bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An enzyme with properties similar to those of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase S is expressed in the promyelocytic cell line HL-60
Authors: Emiliani C , Beccari T , Tabilio A , Orlacchio A , Hosseini R , Stirling J L
Published: August 2015

Extracts of the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 contain a form of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase that is not retained on columns of benzeneboronate-agarose (‘phenylboronate-agarose’) and has a pI value lower than that of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A. It is clearly distinct from beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A in its behaviour on DEAE-cellulose columns, and it requires a higher concentration of salt for its elution. This ‘extra’ form has a higher ratio of activity towards 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-N-acetylglucosaminide 6-sulphate and 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-N-acetylglucosaminide than has beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A and is less stable when heated at 50 degrees C. It has a pH optimum of 4.5 and is therefore not beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase C. Anti-(human beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase alpha-subunit) serum precipitated both beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A and the ‘extra’ form, whereas an anti-(beta-subunit) serum precipitated beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A but not the ‘extra’ form. Western blotting and immunodetection of polypeptides derived from the ‘extra’ form revealed a band corresponding in size to mature alpha-subunits. On the basis of this and of its behaviour on isoelectric focusing, chromatofocusing and its kinetic properties, we conclude that the ‘extra’ form is composed of alpha-subunits and resembles beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase S, the residual form in Sandhoff's disease.
Wound-induced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber discs. Significance of glycosylation and immunolocalization of enzyme subunits
Authors: Shaw N M , Bolwell G P , Smith C
Published: August 2015

1. Excised discs of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber were incubated with [3H]fucose and extracts were prepared and incubated with an antibody to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Analysis of the resulting immunoprecipitated proteins by SDS/PAGE showed [3H]mannose- and [3H]fucose-labelled bands with Mr values corresponding to those of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase subunits. 2. When potato discs were incubated with [3H]sugars in the presence of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-linked protein glycosylation, incorporation of radioactivity from [3H]mannose into the immunoprecipitated enzyme subunits was virtually eliminated, whereas that from [3H]fucose was only marginally inhibited. 3. Tunicamycin reduced the level of extractable phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity induced in excised potato tuber discs. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Vmax value of the enzyme in crude extracts from tunicamycin-treated tissue was reduced, whereas the apparent Km values were unaffected. 4. Immunoprecipitation of the enzyme labelled in vivo with [35S]methionine showed that tunicamycin did not inhibit the synthesis of the enzyme protein per se, nor did it increase the degradation of the enzyme protein. 5. Immunoprecipitation of the enzyme labelled in vitro with [14C]nitromethane showed that tunicamycin did not affect the introduction of the dehydroalanine residue into the active site. 6. These results are consistent with the following hypothesis: tunicamycin inhibits the N-linked glycosylation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase which, in turn, results in imperfect folding of the enzyme protein. The orientation of the active site is changed in such a way that the affinity of the enzyme for its substrate is unaffected, whereas the catalytic activity of the enzyme is reduced. 7. Both optical- and electron-microscopic immunolocalization studies with antibody to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase showed increased deposition of silver granules in cells in sections of potato discs in which induction of the enzyme was allowed to occur compared with cells from newly wounded tissue. The enzyme was located in the cytoplasm, and was possibly membrane-associated.
Release of hyaluronate from eukaryotic cells
Authors: Prehm P
Published: August 2015

The mechanism of hyaluronate shedding from eukaryotic cell lines was analysed. All cell lines shed identical sizes of hyaluronate as were retained on the surface. They differed in the amount of hyaluronate synthesized and in the proportions of hyaluronate which were released and retained. A method was developed which could discriminate between shedding due to intramolecular degradation and that due to dissociation as intact macromolecules. This method was applied to B6 and SV3T3 cells in order to study the mechanism of hyaluronate release in more detail. The cells were pulse-labelled to form hyaluronate chains with labelled and unlabelled segments, and the sizes of labelled hyaluronate released into the medium during the pulse extension period were determined by gel filtration. B6 cells released identical sizes of hyaluronate at all labelled segment lengths, indicating that no intramolecular degradation occurred. When chain elongation was blocked by periodate-oxidized UDP-glucuronic acid, hyaluronate release was simultaneously inhibited. These results indicated that B6 cells dissociated hyaluronate as an intact macromolecule. In contrast, SV3T3 cells released hyaluronate of varying molecular mass distributions during extension of the labelled segment, suggesting partial degradation. Exogenous hyaluronate added to SV3T3 cultures was also degraded. This degradation could be prevented by the presence of radical scavengers such as superoxide dismutase and tocopherol. Degradation of endogenous hyaluronate could be inhibited by salicylate. These results led to the conclusion that SV3T3 cells released hyaluronate not only by dissociation, but also by radical-induced degradation.
Differences in the cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes involved in the 2-hydroxylation of oestradiol and 17 α-ethinyloestradiol. Relative activities of rat and human liver enzymes
Authors: Ball S E , Forrester L M , Wolf C R , Back D J
Published: August 2015

The metabolism of oestradiol and 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol to their 2-hydroxy derivatives is an important determinant in their biological effects. In this work, we have investigated which rat or human cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes are involved in catalysing these reactions. Oestradiol 2-hydroxylation was catalysed by a wide variety of rat cytochrome P-450s from gene families P450IA, P450IIB, P450IIC and P450IIIA. Interestingly, 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol, which only differs structurally from oestradiol at a position distant from the site of oxidation, was metabolized predominantly by members of the P450IIC gene subfamily. In order to establish which enzymes are responsible for the oxidation of these substrates in man, antibodies to rat liver cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes were used to inhibit these reactions in a panel of human liver microsomal fractions. Also, possible correlations between the proteins recognized by the antibodies and the 2-hydroxylation rate were determined. These experiments provide evidence that 2-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol in man is catalysed by cytochromes from the P450IIC, P450IIE and P450IIIA gene families. In contrast, the major proteins involved in oestradiol metabolism are from the P450IA gene family, although members of the P450IIC and P450IIE gene families may also play a role. These data demonstrate that the differences in the capacity of rat P-450s to metabolize these substrates are also present in the comparable enzymes involved in man, and that a variety of factors will determine the rate of disposition of these compounds in man.
Transcriptional regulation of rat liver protein disulphide-isomerase gene by insulin and in diabetes
Authors: Nieto A , Mira E , Castaño J G
Published: August 2015

The mRNA encoding for rat protein disulphide-isomerase (PDI) increases 3-fold in the liver of diabetic rats and is accompanied by similar changes at the protein level. Long treatment (for 3 days) of diabetic rats with insulin reverses this effect of diabetes both at the mRNA and protein levels. The higher expression of rat PDI mRNA in diabetes is due to an increase in the transcriptional rate of the gene, and insulin treatment of diabetic animals produces within 30 min a decrease in the level of transcription of PDI gene, as judged by nuclear run-on transcription experiments performed in vivo. These results clearly show a role for insulin in the regulation of transcription of the gene encoding this multifunctional protein in rat liver.
Sustained increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol precedes DNA synthesis in epidermal-growth-factor-stimulated fibroblasts. Evidence for stimulated phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis
Authors: Wright T M , Shin H S , Raben D M
Published: August 2015

A property common to many growth factors is that they must be present for several hours before the commitment to DNA synthesis and cell division occurs. The intracellular signals that are relevant during this period are poorly defined. We examined the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol in IIC9 fibroblasts after stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF), and found that the mass of this lipid remained elevated for at least four hours. The concentration-dependence of EGF-stimulated 1,2-diacylglycerol production and [3H]thymidine incorporation were similar. Studies of phospholipid metabolism strongly suggested that phosphatidylcholine was the source of the 1,2-diacylglycerol generated in response to EGF. EGF did not stimulate the hydrolysis of other phospholipids, including the phosphoinositides, nor did it increase synthesis de novo of 1,2-diacylglycerol. This pattern of sustained 1,2-diacylglycerol formation from phosphatidylcholine may be important in the mitogenic signalling of EGF and potentially other growth factors.
Purification and characterization of pig kidney aminopeptidase P. A glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored ectoenzyme
Authors: Hooper N M , Hryszko J , Turner A J
Published: August 2015

Aminopeptidase P (EC 3.4.11.9) was solubilized from pig kidney membranes with bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and then purified by a combination of anion-exchange and hydrophobic-interaction chromatographies. Contaminating peptidase activities were removed by selective affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was apparently homogeneous on SDS/PAGE with an Mr of 91,000. Enzymic deglycosylation revealed that aminopeptidase P is a glycoprotein, with up to 25% by weight of the protein being due to the presence of N-linked sugars. The phospholipase-solubilized aminopeptidase P was recognized by an antiserum to the cross-reacting determinant (CRD) characteristic of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor. This recognition was abolished by mild acid treatment or deamination with HNO2, indicating that the CRD was due exclusively to the inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate ring epitope generated by the action of PI-PLC. The activity of aminopeptidase P was inhibited by chelating agents and was stimulated by Mn2+ or Co2+ ions, confirming the metallo-enzyme nature of this peptidase. Selective inhibitors of other aminopeptidases (actinonin, amastatin, bestatin and puromycin) had little or no inhibitory effect.
Metabolism of hexacosatetraenoic acid (C26:4,n-6) in immature rat brain
Authors: Robinson B S , Johnson D W , Poulos A
Published: August 2015

Rat brain was recently found to contain polyenoic very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) belonging to the n-3 and n-6 series with four, five and six double bonds and even-carbon chain lengths from 24 to 38 [Robinson, Johnson & Poulos (1990) Biochem. J. 265, 763-767]. In the present paper, the metabolism in vivo of hexacosatetraenoic acid (C26:4,n-6) was studied in neonatal rat brain. Rats were injected intracerebrally with [1-14C]C26:4,n-6 and the labelled metabolites were examined after 4 h. Radioactivity was detected mainly in non-esterified fatty acids, with smaller amounts in other neutral lipids and phospholipids. Radiolabelled fatty acid products included C28-36 tetraenoic and C26-28 pentaenoic VLCFA formed by elongation and desaturation of the substrate, and C14-24 saturated, C16-24 monoenoic, C18-24 dienoic, C18-22 trienoic and C20-24 tetraenoic fatty acids formed from released [1-14C]acetate either by synthesis de novo or by elongation of endogenous fatty acids. The data suggest that polyenoic VLCFA are synthesized in brain from shorter-chain precursor fatty acids and undergo beta-oxidation.
Immunochemical quantification of cytochrome P450IA and IIB subfamilies in the livers of metyrapone-treated rats. Relevance to the ability of metyrapone to prevent the loss of cytochrome P-450 in rat hepatocyte culture
Authors: Shean K , Paine A J
Published: August 2015

Polyclonal antibodies to the major beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (P450IA) and to the major phenobarbitone (PB)-inducible form (P450IIB) have been used to quantify the contribution of these subfamilies to the total amount of cytochrome P-450 in rat livers and rat hepatocyte cultures treated with PB, BNF and metyrapone for 24 and 72 h. The P450IA and IIB subfamilies were not detectable (less than 5 pmol/mg of microsomal protein) in the livers of control rats, but administration of BNF resulted in the P450IA subfamily comprising more than 80% of the total hepatic cytochrome P-450. Administration of PB and metyrapone to rats did not elevate the level of this subfamily but elevated the levels of the P450IIB subfamily to 60% and 30% respectively of the total. Thus metyrapone is a ‘PB-like’ inducer. However, in contrast with their effects in vivo, treatment with PB and metyrapone of rat hepatocytes did not elevate the proportion of the P450IIB subfamily relative to that in untreated cells but rather, like BNF, increased the P450IA subfamily. This would account for the ability of metyrapone to produce in hepatocyte culture, like BNF, a pronounced induction of ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase activity, but it does not account for why of all inducers studied only metyrapone can maintain the total cytochrome P-450 content of cultured hepatocytes, or the activity of ethylmorphine N-demethylase. This activity is generally considered to be associated with the P450IIB subfamily, but the lack of effect of metyrapone on this subfamily in hepatocyte culture must suggest that metyrapone is able to prevent the loss of the total amount of the cytochrome by increasing the expression of other cytochromes P-450.
Apparent equilibrium constant and mass-action ratio for sucrose-phosphate synthase in seeds of Pisum sativum
Authors: Lunn J E , ap Rees T
Published: August 2015

The aim of this work was to use preparations from germinating seeds of Pisum sativum to determine the apparent equilibrium constant of the reaction catalysed by sucrose-phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) and to compare this with the mass-action ratio of the reaction in the seeds. The apparent equilibrium constant ranged from 5.3 at 0.25 mM-MgCl2, pH 7.0, to 62 at 10 mM-MgCl2, pH 7.5. The sucrose phosphate content of the seeds, 23 nmol/g fresh wt., was determined by separating sucrose phosphate from sucrose by ion-exchange chromatography and then measuring the sucrose released by alkaline phosphatase. Comparison of equilibrium constants and mass-action ratios in the cotyledons of 38 h-germinated seeds showed that the reactions catalysed by glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphoglucomutase and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase are close to equilibrium, and those catalysed by sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose phosphatase are considerably displaced from equilibrium in vivo.
Effects of tissue compression on the hyaluronate-binding properties of newly synthesized proteoglycans in cartilage explants
Authors: Sah R L Y , Grodzinsky A J , Plaas A H K , Sandy J D
Published: August 2015

The effects of tissue compression on the hyaluronate-binding properties of newly synthesized proteoglycans in calf cartilage explants were examined. Pulse-chase experiments showed that conversion of low-affinity monomers to the high-affinity form (that is, to a form capable of forming aggregates with 1.6% hyaluronate on Sephacryl S-1000) occurred with a t1/2 of about 5.7 h in free-swelling discs at pH 7.45. Static compression during chase (in pH 7.45 medium) slowed the conversion, as did incubation in acidic medium (without compression). Both effects were dose-dependent. For example, the t1/2 for conversion was increased to about 11 h by either (1) compression from a thickness of 1.25 mm to 0.5 mm or (2) medium acidification from pH 7.45 to 6.99. Oscillatory compression of 2% amplitude at 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 cycles/s during chase did not, however, affect the conversion. Changes in the hyaluronate-binding affinity of [35S]proteoglycans in these experiments were accompanied by no marked change in the high percentage (approximately 80%) of monomers which could form aggregates with excess hyaluronate and link protein. Since static tissue compression would result in an increased matrix proteoglycan concentration and thereby a lower intra-tissue pH [Gray, Pizzanelli, Grodzinsky & Lee (1988) J. Orthop. Res. 6, 777-792], it seems likely that matrix pH may influence proteoglycan aggregate assembly by an effect on the hyaluronate-binding affinity of proteoglycan monomer. Such a pH mechanism might have a physiological role, promoting proteoglycan deposition in regions of low proteoglycan concentration.
Partial purification and properties of an AMP-specific soluble 5′-nucleotidase from pigeon heart
Authors: Skladanowski A C , Newby A C
Published: August 2015

A soluble 5′-nucleotidase was purified 200-fold from pigeon heart. The enzyme (1) had an apparent molecular mass close to 150 kDa, (2) had a neutral pH optimum and hydrolysed a wide range of nucleoside 5′-monophosphates with a 15-fold preference for AMP over IMP, (3) at near-physiological concentrations of AMP was activated by ADP but not by ATP, (4) was inhibited by high Mg2+ concentration and high ionic strength, (5) was weakly inhibited by p-nitrophenol phosphate and Pi, and (6) was non-competitively inhibited more potently by 5′-deoxy-5′-isobutylthioinosine than by 5′-deoxy-5′-isobutylthioadenosine, but not by [alpha, beta-methylene]ADP. The data show that the enzyme is distinct from the ecto-5′-nucleotidase and from the previously purified IMP-specific 5′-nucleotidase. They also predict that the enzyme is activated during ATP catabolism and hence will generate a more-than-linear increase in the adenosine-formation rate in response to an increase in cytosolic AMP concentration.
Characterization of the human N-CAM promoter
Authors: Barton C H , Mann D A , Walsh F S
Published: August 2015

In contrast with the complex series of splicing choices that generate the various membrane-associated isoforms of the neural cell-adhesion molecule alternative splicing of 5′ exons does not contribute to additional molecular diversity. A single regulatory unit in genomic DNA, mapping to a 5 kb restriction-endonuclease-HindIII fragment, controls the expression of all major RNA size classes. DNA sequence analysis of a 2 kb fragment spanning the two major identified transcriptional initiation sites (194 and 188 bp from the ATG codon) and translation start codon indicates that the regulatory unit does not possess classical TATA or CCAAT motifs. The region of the putative promoter exhibits a GC-rich content and a high frequency of the dinucleotide CpG, both characteristics of a HTF(HpaII tiny fragments)-island. Introduction of deletion-mutant chimaeric-gene constructs into human and rodent N-CAM-expressing cell lines defines an active promoter region of 467 bp (-144 to -611 bp from the ATG codon). This region of genomic DNA contains consensus sites for the interaction of known transcriptional factors.
Collagen fibrils in vitro grow from pointed tips in the C- to N-terminal direction
Authors: Kadler K E , Hojima Y , Prockop D J
Published: August 2015

Growth of collagen fibrils was examined in a system in which collagen monomers are generated by specific enzymic cleavage of type IpCcollagen with procollagen C-proteinase. Fibrils formed at 37 degrees C had highly tapered and symmetrical pointed tips. The pattern of cross-striations in the pointed tips indicated that all the molecules were oriented so that the N-termini were directed towards the tip. At 29 degrees C and 32 degrees C, the fibrils formed were thicker. One end of fibrils formed at 29 degrees C was blunt, and the other was pointed. Growth of the fibrils was exclusively from pointed tips. Occasionally a spear-like projection appeared at a blunted end. The spear-like projection then became a new pointed tip for growth in the opposite direction. The results suggested a model for fibril growth with at least three distinct binding sites for monomers. In the model, the pointed tip is the site with the highest affinity for the binding of monomers and most probably defines the critical concentration for fibril assembly. The main shaft of the fibril is a site with very low affinity for binding. The blunted end defines a low-affinity binding site where monomers can bind in opposite orientation to produce growth from a new pointed end.
Kinase activity associated with caldesmon is Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II
Authors: Scott-Woo G C , Sutherland C , Walsh M P
Published: August 2015

The relationship of the kinase which co-purifies with caldesmon to Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II) was investigated by studying the phosphorylation of bovine brain synapsin I, as well-characterized substrate of CaM-kinase II. Synapsin I is a very good substrate (Km = 90 nM) of the co-purifying kinase, which phosphorylates two sites in synapsin I, both of which are distinct from the single site phosphorylated by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase. Phosphorylation of synapsin I is Ca2(+)- and calmodulin-dependent: half-maximal activation occurs at 0.13 microM-Ca2+ and maximal activity at 0.4 microM-Ca2+. Phosphorylation of the co-purifying kinase slightly enhances the rate, but does not alter the stoichiometry, of subsequent synapsin I phosphorylation; it does, however, circumvent the requirement for Ca2+ and calmodulin. The properties of this kinase therefore closely resemble those of CaM-kinase II, and we conclude that it is probably a smooth-muscle isoenzyme of CaM-kinase II.
Human N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphatase biosynthesis and maturation in normal, Maroteaux-Lamy and multiple-sulphatase-deficient fibroblasts
Authors: Taylor J A , Gibson G J , Brooks D A , Hopwood J J
Published: August 2015

The biosynthesis and maturation of N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphatase (4-sulphatase) was studied in normal fibroblasts and in fibroblasts from patients with either mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI; Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) or multiple sulphatase deficiency (MSD). Fibroblasts were incubated in culture medium containing [3H]leucine or [35S]methionine, and radiolabelled 4-sulphatase was isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography using 4-sulphatase-specific monoclonal antibodies. In normal fibroblasts a precursor of 66 kDa, detected intracellularly after 3 h and in NH4Cl-induced secretions, was processed intracellularly, within an additional 3 h, to a polypeptide of 57 kDa composed of disulphide-linked polypeptides of 43 kDa and 8 kDa. All fibroblast lines obtained from MPS VI patients, exhibiting clinical characteristics ranging from no clearly recognized symptoms to the severe classical phenotype, incorporated radioactivity into immune-purified 4-sulphatase at a rate less than 10% of that seen in normal fibroblasts. Maturation of the residual 4-sulphatase showed, variously, features which may be indicative of delayed intracellular transport, decreased intracellular stability, failure of lysosomal targetting or resistance to enzyme processing. Although some features of the residual enzyme synthesis and maturation were consistent with the patient's clinical phenotype, this was infrequent. The maturation of 4-sulphatase in fibroblasts from MSD patients was indistinguishable from that in normal fibroblasts, and the half-life of 4-sulphatase in these fibroblasts, determined after a 24 h pulse and prolonged chase, was only slightly less than that in normal fibroblasts.
Modulation by interferons of the expression of monocyte complement genes
Authors: Lappin D F , Birnie G D , Whaley K
Published: August 2015

Interferons-alpha, -beta and -gamma (IFNs-alpha, -beta and -gamma) stimulated the synthesis of the second complement component (C2), Factor B (B) and C1 inhibitor (C1-inh) by human monocytes in vitro. The degree of increase of the secretion rates of C2, B and C1-inh was dose-dependent and proportional to increases in the abundances of their respective mRNAs. IFN-gamma was the most effective at stimulating monocyte C1-inh synthesis, whereas IFN-alpha and IFN-beta were marginally more effective at stimulating monocyte C2 and B synthesis. Kinetic studies showed that the effect of the IFNs was rapid, with maximum stimulation occurring within 1-2 h for all three proteins. After the removal of IFNs from cultures the C1-inh mRNA abundance remained elevated for over 24 h in IFN-gamma-treated monocytes but returned to control levels within 8 h in IFN-alpha-treated and IFN-beta-treated monocytes. The abundances of C2 mRNA and B mRNA also returned to basal values within 8 h after removal of any of the three cytokines from the cultures. Both IFN-alpha and IFN-beta acted synergistically with IFN-gamma to stimulate synthesis of C1-inh and B. This synergistic effect only occurred when the cytokines were present in the cultures simultaneously. The effects of IFN-gamma plus IFN-alpha or IFN-beta on C2 synthesis appeared to be additive rather than synergistic. IFN-gamma inhibited synthesis of C3 by monocytes, but IFN-alpha and IFN-beta had no effect on the synthesis of this protein. Furthermore, none of the three cytokines had any effect on the expression of actin mRNA in monocytes.
Phenylalanine as substrate for tyrosine hydroxylase in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Fukami M H , Haavik J , Flatmark T
Published: August 2015

Incubation of bovine chromaffin cells with L-[14C]phenylalanine resulted in label accumulation in catecholamines at about 30% of the rate seen with L-tyrosine as precursor. Studies with purified tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.2) showed that the enzyme catalysed the hydroxylation of L-phenylalanine first to L-p-tyrosine and then to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). No evidence for a significant involvement of an L-m-tyrosine intermediate in DOPA formation was found.
The CD11c antigen couples concanavalin A binding to generation of superoxide anion in human phagocytes
Authors: Lacal P M , Balsinde J , Cabañas C , Bernabeu C , Sánchez-Madrid F , Mollinedo F
Published: August 2015

We have found that an anti-CD11c monoclonal antibody (MAb) inhibits the respiratory burst induced in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-differentiated U937 cells as well as in human peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils upon cell stimulation with concanavalin A. The MAb had no effect, however, when the added stimulus was fMet-Leu-Phe or PMA. Flow cytometry analyses indicated that concanavalin A was able to interact with CD11c. The anti-CD11c MAb inhibited significantly concanavalin A binding to differentiated U937 cells, and concanavalin A blocked binding of anti-CD11c MAb to the cells. Binding of labelled concanavalin A to membrane proteins which were separated by PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose paper indicated that proteins with apparent molecular masses similar to those of CD11c (150 kDa) and CD18 (95 kDa) molecules were the main concanavalin A-binding proteins in differentiated U937 cells as well as in mature neutrophils. Similar experiments carried out in the presence of the anti-CD11c MAb showed a specific and significant inhibition of concanavalin A binding to the CD11c molecule. These results indicate that concanavalin A binds to the CD11c molecule and this binding is responsible for the concanavalin A-induced respiratory burst in PMA-differentiated U937 cells as well as in human mature monocytes and neutrophils.
Intermediate filaments in smooth muscle from pregnant and non-pregnant human uterus
Authors: Leoni P , Carli F , Halliday D
Published: August 2015

The intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin from pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscle and smooth-muscle cells in culture were analysed using SDS/PAGE. The desmin content in uterine muscle increases dramatically during pregnancy, whereas vimentin remains unchanged or changes very little. When muscle cells are kept in culture, a considerable increase in vimentin content is observed as compared with vimentin in freshly isolated non-pregnant uterine tissue. Our results strengthen the view that vimentin and desmin filaments have independent function and turnover, and point to a predominantly structural role for desmin filaments.
Isolation of four forms of acetone-induced cytochrome P-450 in chicken liver by h.p.l.c. and their enzymic characterization
Authors: Sinclair J F , Wood S , Lambrecht L , Gorman N , Mende-Mueller L , Smith L , Hunt J , Sinclair P
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize the forms of cytochrome P-450 induced in chicken liver by acetone or ethanol. Using high performance liquid ion-exchange chromatography, we were able to isolate at least four different forms of cytochrome P-450 which were induced by acetone in chicken liver. All four forms of cytochrome P-450 proved to be distinct proteins, as indicated by their N-terminal amino acid sequences and their reconstituted catalytic activities. Two of these forms, also induced by glutethimide in chicken embryo liver, appeared to be cytochromes P450IIH1 and P450IIH2. Both of these cytochromes P-450 have identical catalytic activities towards benzphetamine demethylation. However, they differ in their abilities to hydroxylate p-nitrophenol and to convert acetaminophen into a metabolite that forms a covalent adduct with glutathione at the 3-position. Another form of cytochrome P-450 induced by acetone is highly active in the hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol and in the conversion of acetaminophen to a reactive metabolite, similar to reactions catalysed by mammalian cytochrome P450IIE. Yet the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this form has only 30-33% similarity with cytochrome P450IIE purified from rat, rabbit and human livers. A fourth form of cytochrome P-450 was identified whose N-terminal amino acid sequence and enzymic activities do not correspond to any mammalian cytochromes P-450 reported to be induced by acetone or ethanol.
Comparative study on glucocerebrosidase in spleens from patients with Gaucher disease
Authors: Aerts J M F G , Donker-Koopman W E , Brul S , Van Weely S , Sa Miranda M C , Barranger J A , Tager J M , Schram A W
Published: August 2015

In Gaucher disease (glucosylceramide lipidosis), deficiency of glucocerebrosidase causes pathological storage of glucosylceramide, particularly in the spleen. A comparative biochemical and immunological analysis has therefore been made of glucocerebrosidase in spleens from normal subjects (n = 4) and from Gaucher disease patients with non-neuronopathic (n = 5) and neuronopathic (n = 5) phenotypes. The spleens from all Gaucher disease patients showed markedly decreased glucocerebrosidase activity. Discrimination of different phenotypes of Gaucher disease was not possible on the basis of the level of residual enzyme activity, or by measurements, using the immunopurified enzyme, of kinetic constants, pI or molecular mass forms. A severe decrease was found in the specific activity of glucocerebrosidase purified to homogeneity from the spleen of a patient with the non-neuronopathic phenotype of Gaucher disease, as compared with that of the enzyme purified from the spleen of a normal subject. This finding was confirmed by an immunological method developed for accurate assessment of the relative enzyme activity per molecule of glucocerebrosidase protein. The method revealed that the residual enzyme in the spleens of all investigated patients with a non-neuronopathic course of Gaucher disease had a more than 7-fold decreased activity of glucocerebrosidase (measured in the presence of taurocholate) per molecule of enzyme, and that the concentration of glucocerebrosidase molecules in the spleens of these patients was near normal. Observations made with immunoblotting experiments were consistent with these findings. In contrast, in the spleens of patients with neuronopathic phenotypes of Gaucher disease, the concentration of glucocerebrosidase molecules was severely decreased.
The mechanism of the quinone reductase reaction of pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase
Authors: Vienozinskis J , Butkus A , Cenas N , Kulys J
Published: August 2015

The relationship between the NADH:lipoamide reductase and NADH:quinone reductase reactions of pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.4.3) was investigated. At pH 7.0 the catalytic constant of the quinone reductase reaction (kcat.) is 70 s-1 and the rate constant of the active-centre reduction by NADH (kcat./Km) is 9.2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1. These constants are almost an order lower than those for the lipoamide reductase reaction. The maximal quinone reductase activity is observed at pH 6.0-5.5. The use of [4(S)-2H]NADH as substrate decreases kcat./Km for the lipoamide reductase reaction and both kcat. and kcat./Km for the quinone reductase reaction. The kcat./Km values for quinones in this case are decreased 1.85-3.0-fold. NAD+ is a more effective inhibitor in the quinone reductase reaction than in the lipoamide reductase reaction. The pattern of inhibition reflects the shift of the reaction equilibrium. Various forms of the four-electron-reduced enzyme are believed to reduce quinones. Simple and ‘hybrid ping-pong’ mechanisms of this reaction are discussed. The logarithms of kcat./Km for quinones are hyperbolically dependent on their single-electron reduction potentials (E1(7]. A three-step mechanism for a mixed one-electron and two-electron reduction of quinones by lipoamide dehydrogenase is proposed.
Activation of permeabilized HL60 cells by vanadate. Evidence for divergent signalling pathways
Authors: Trudel S , Downey G P , Grinstein S , Pâquet M R
Published: August 2015

The possible role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the activation of granulocytic HL60 cells was examined using vanadate, a phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. Treatment of permeabilized cells with micromolar concentrations of vanadate resulted in a substantial accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, detected by immunoblotting. At comparable concentrations, vanadate was also found to elicit an NADPH-dependent burst of oxygen utilization. Actin assembly, studied using 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-phallacidin, was similarly stimulated by vanadate, though considerably higher concentrations were required to observe this effect. In contrast with these responses, the secretion of lysozyme was not stimulated by vanadate, nor did vanadate affect calcium-induced secretion. Therefore, accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins is associated with stimulation of some, but not all, of the responses characteristic of granulocytic cell activation. This indicates that the effects of vanadate are selective and suggests divergence of the signalling pathways leading to the individual effectors.
Immunological analysis of acetyl-CoA carboxylase mass, tissue distribution and subunit composition
Authors: Iverson A J , Bianchi A , Nordlund A C , Witters L A
Published: August 2015

Changes in the mass and subunit structure of liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) accompany altered nutrition in vivo. Enzyme activity in different tissues and cell lines is also, in part, determined by variations in both total mass and ACC isoenzyme composition. ACC isoenzyme mass and hetero/homo-isoenzyme association were quantified by three sandwich e.l.i.s.a. assays, i.e. an avidin-based assay that measured total isoenzyme mass and two antibody-sandwich assays which measure polypeptide association. Results from the avidin-based assay reveal that the two major isoenzymes, of molecular mass 265 kDa (ACC 265) and 280 kDa (ACC 280), are present in markedly variable concentration in several rat and mouse tissues and in cell lines of rat and mouse origin. Hepatic ACC mass has been reported to be distributed between mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions and to undergo only a change in subcellular distribution without alteration in total mass on induction/repression of activity in vivo [Roman-Lopez, Shriver, Joseph & Alfred (1989) Biochem. J. 260, 927-930]. However, in the present study, immunoblotting and e.l.i.s.a. analysis reveals that, in rat liver, the mass of both isoenzymes is predominantly cytosolic in distribution, is markedly diminished on fasting and rises 6-8-fold on refeeding of a high-carbohydrate diet. These data support the results of several other investigations of hepatic ACC mass, and are consistent with known nutritionally altered changes in ACC mRNA content. By the two antibody-sandwich e.l.i.s.a. assays, isoenzyme complexes either composed of both ACC 280 and 265 or with multiple copies of ACC 265 are detectable in rat liver enzyme; their concentration varies independently of total ACC mass with the nutritional state of the rat, being lowest in fasting and highest on fasting/refeeding. E.l.i.s.a. analysis, applicable to crude tissue/cell extracts, provides a simple, sensitive and quantitative measurement of ACC mass and subunit composition. Its use may permit needed quantitative insight into the role of variable total ACC and isoenzyme mass and of alterations in ACC subunit composition that occur in vivo or in isolated cells in response to a variety of hormonal and nutritional influences.
Uptake and binding of radiolabelled phenylarsine oxide in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Frost S C , Schwalbe M S
Published: August 2015

Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a trivalent arsenical, has been shown to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, implicating vicinal dithiols in signal transmission [Frost & Lane (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2646-2652]. To assist in the direct identification of a PAO-binding protein which might be involved in this process, we have synthesized [3H]acetylaminophenylarsine oxide [(3H]APAO) from the amino derivative of phenylarsine oxide (NPAO). To assess the inhibitory effect of the product, a dual-labelling experiment was performed which showed that [3H]APAO inhibited insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy[1-14C]glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with a Ki of 21 microM, identical with that of the parent compound, NPAO. Further characterization revealed that over a wide concentration range, uptake of the labelled arsine oxide was linear. Although the dithiol reagent 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (DMP) reversed PAO-induced inhibition of transport, it had no effect on the uptake of [3H]APAO. In a simple fractionation experiment approx. 50% of the radioactivity was associated with the cytosolic fraction and 50% with the total membrane fraction. Identification of radiolabelled proteins by non-reducing SDS/PAGE revealed fraction-specific binding, although many proteins were observed. Covalent modification was time-dependent and could be reversed by addition of DMP. These data further support a role for vicinal dithiols in insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Additionally, the probe described may offer a new means with which to identify the inhibitory protein or, more globally, to investigate mechanisms of action of vicinal dithiol-containing proteins.
Inhibition of pro-oxidant-induced mitochondrial pyridine nucleotide hydrolysis and calcium release by 4-hydroxynonenal
Authors: Richter C , Meier P
Published: August 2015

Intra- and extra-mitochondrial Ca2+ participates in vital cellular processes. This work investigates the influence of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) on pro-oxidant-induced Ca2+ release from rat liver mitochondria. Ca2+ movements across the mitochondrial inner membrane, the pyridine nucleotide redox state and pyridine (nicotinamide) nucleotide hydrolysis were analysed. HNE did not influence Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria, but inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner Ca2+ release induced by t-butylhydroperoxide (tbh). Total inhibition was achieved with about 50 microM-HNE. Ca2+ release induced by the pro-oxidant alloxan was also inhibited by HNE. Oxidation of pyridine nucleotides, induced by tbh through the concerted action of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and the energy-linked transhydrogenase, was not affected by up to 50 microM-HNE. In contrast, HNE inhibited pyridine nucleotide hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. The data suggest that HNE toxicity may be in part attributed to an impaired intramitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis.
Prostaglandin E2 does not regulate total or myofibrillar protein breakdown in incubated skeletal muscle from normal or septic rats
Authors: Hasselgren P O , Zamir O , James J H , Fischer J E
Published: August 2015

The role of prostaglandins in the regulation of muscle protein breakdown is controversial. We examined the influence of arachidonic acid (5 microM), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (2.8 microM) and the prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitor indomethacin (3 microM) on total and myofibrillar protein breakdown in rat extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles incubated under different conditions in vitro. In other experiments, the effects of indomethacin, administered in vivo to septic rats (3 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously twice after induction of sepsis by caecal ligation and puncture) on plasma levels and muscle release of PGE2 and on total and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates were determined. Total and myofibrillar proteolysis was assessed by measuring production by incubated muscles of tyrosine and 3-methylhistidine respectively. Arachidonic acid or PGE2 added during incubation of muscles from normal rats did not affect total or myofibrillar protein degradation under a variety of different conditions in vitro. Indomethacin inhibited muscle PGE2 production by incubated muscles from septic rats, but did not lower proteolytic rates. Administration in vivo of indomethacin did not affect total or myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown, despite effective plasma levels of indomethacin with decreased plasma PGE2 levels and inhibition of muscle PGE2 release. The present results suggest that protein breakdown in skeletal muscle of normal or septic rats is not regulated by PGE2 or other prostaglandins.
The organization of open complexes between Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and DNA fragments carrying promoters either with or without consensus −35 region sequences
Authors: Chan B , Spassky A , Busby S
Published: August 2015

Transcription initiation at the Escherichia coli galP1 promoter does not depend on specific nucleotide sequences in the -35 region. Footprint analysis of transcriptionally competent complexes between E. coli RNA polymerase and DNA fragments carrying galP1 shows that RNA polymerase protects sequences as far upstream as -55, whereas sequences around the -35 region are exposed. In contrast, with galP1 derivatives carrying -35 region sequences resembling the consensus, RNA polymerase protects bases as far as -45, and the -35 region is fully protected. Taken together, our data suggest that the overall architecture of RNA polymerase-promoter complexes can vary according to whether or not consensus -35 region sequences are present; in the absence of these sequences, open complex formation requires distortion of the promoter DNA. However, the unwinding of promoter DNA around the transcription start is not affected by the nature of the -35 region sequence. With a galP1 derivative carrying point mutations in the spacer region that greatly reduce promoter activity, the protection of bases by RNA polymerase around the -10 sequence and transcription start site is reduced. In contrast, protection of the region upstream of -25 is unaffected by the spacer mutations, although sequences from -46 to -54 become hypersensitive to attack by potassium permanganate, indicating severe distortion or kinking of this zone. We suggest that, with this galP1 derivative, RNA polymerase is blocked in a complex that is an intermediate on the path to open complex formation.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of ovalbumin by two carbohydrate-specific receptors in rat liver cells. The intracellular transport of ovalbumin to lysosomes is faster in liver endothelial cells than in parenchymal cells
Authors: Kindberg G M , Magnusson S , Berg T , Smedsrød B
Published: August 2015

1. The uptake of ovalbumin (OVA) in rat liver parenchymal cells (PC) and non-parenchymal cells was studied in vivo and in vitro in order to compare the cellular expression of glycoprotein receptors and the kinetics of intracellular transport of ligand endocytosed by these receptors. 2. Ovalbumin was labelled with 125I or with 125I-tyramine-cellobiose (125I-TC). By using 125I-TC-OVA the labelled degradation products were trapped in the cells. 3. 125I-TC-OVA was rapidly cleared from blood mainly by receptor-mediated uptake in the liver. At 30 min after injection, 50% of the ligand was recovered in the liver. The endothelial cells (EC) and the PC were the predominant cell types responsible for uptake. 4. The uptake in PC was strongly inhibited by asialo-orosomucoid (AOM), but not by mannan, indicating that the uptake in these cells was mediated by the galactose receptor and not by the mannose receptor. This finding is compatible with the observation that a proportion of the OVA contains terminal galactose residues in the carbohydrate moiety. 5. In vitro uptake of OVA in cultured EC was saturable and inhibited by mannan, mannose, fructose, N-acetylglucosamine, EDTA or monensin, but not by galactose or AOM. The uptake of OVA in these cells was therefore mediated by the mannose receptor. 6. To label the organelles involved in endocytosis in PC and EC, 125I-TC-OVA was injected intravenously together with an excess of either AOM or mannan. In this way the labelled ligand could be directed selectively to EC or PC respectively. Subcellular fractionation of total liver in sucrose and Nycodenz gradients revealed that in EC the intracellular transport of OVA is so fast that endocytosed ligand accumulates and thus increases the density of the lysosomes. Conversely, in PC transfer of ligand is slower, with the result that accumulation of undegraded ligand in the lysosomes does not occur. These findings are interpreted to mean that in EC the rate-limiting step of handling of endocytosed ligand is intralysosomal degradation, whereas in PC the rate-limiting step is transport of ligand to the lysosomes. 7. Altogether, these findings suggest that endocytosis of OVA by the liver EC and PC is mediated by mannose and galactose receptors respectively, and that the kinetics of intracellular transport of OVA differ in the two cell types.
Measurement of the rates of acetyl-CoA hydrolysis and synthesis from acetate in rat hepatocytes and the role of these fluxes in substrate cycling
Authors: Crabtree B , Gordon M J , Christie S L
Published: August 2015

1. Acetyl-CoA hydrolysis, acetyl-CoA synthesis from acetate and several related fluxes were measured in rat hepatocytes. 2. In contrast with acetyl-CoA hydrolysis, most of the acetyl-CoA synthesis from acetate occurred in the mitochondria. 3. Acetyl-CoA hydrolysis was not significantly affected by 24 h starvation or (-)-hydroxycitrate. 4. In the cytoplasm there was a net flux of acetyl-CoA to acetate, and substrate cycling between acetate and acetyl-CoA in this compartment was very low, accounting for less than 0.1% of the total heat production by the animal. 5. A larger cycle, involving mitochondrial and cytoplasmic acetate and acetyl-CoA, may operate in fed animals, but would account for only approx 1% of total heat production. 6. It is proposed that the opposing fluxes of mitochondrial acetate utilization and cytoplasmic net acetate production may provide sensitivity, feedback and buffering, even when these fluxes are not linked to form a conventional substrate cycle.