bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and localization of the putative ‘link’ component in rat small-intestinal mucin
Authors: Fahim R E F , Specian R D , Forstner G G , Forstner J F
Published: August 2015

Rat intestinal mucin is polymerized by a putative ‘link’ component of Mr 118,000 that can be released from the native mucin by thiol reduction [Fahim, Forstner & Forstner (1983) Biochem. J. 209, 117-124]. To confirm that this component is an integral part of the mucin and independent of the mucin purification technique, rat mucin was purified in the present study by three independent techniques. In all cases, the 118,000-Mr component was released after reduction. The 118 kDa band was electroeluted from SDS/polyacrylamide gels and its composition shown to resemble closely that of the link component of human intestinal mucin [Mantle, Forstner & Forstner (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 345-354]. Carbohydrates were present, including significant (10 mol/100 mol) amounts of mannose, suggesting the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides. Monospecific antibodies prepared against the rat 118,000-Mr component established its tissue localization in intestinal goblet cells. Mucins subjected to SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and Western blots using the same antibody, established that the link components of rat and human intestinal mucin are similar antigenically. Brief exposure (10 min) of native rat mucin to trypsin or Pronase (enzyme/mucin protein, 1:500, w/w) also released a 118,000-Mr component that reacted with the monospecific antibody. Thus the 118,000-Mr component is an integral part of the mucin and, although linked to large glycopeptides by disulphide bonds, this component also has proteinase-sensitive peptide bonds, presumably at terminal locations such that brief treatment with proteinases releases the molecule in a reasonably intact form. Under physiological conditions, therefore, one might expect that, after mucin is secreted into the intestinal lumen, luminal proteinases would rapidly remove the link component, thereby causing the mucin to depolymerize.
The multiplicity of combinations of myosin light chains and heavy chains in histochemically typed single fibres. Rabbit soleus muscle
Authors: Staron R S , Pette D
Published: August 2015

1. Six adult rabbit soleus muscles were analysed by isolating histochemically identified fibre pieces from freeze-dried serial cross-sections. 2. By the use of this method, four fibre types (I, IC, IIC and IIA) were identified and analysed micro-electrophoretically. 3. Type I fibres contained the slow myosin heavy chain HCI and the slow myosin light chains LC1s and LC2s. 4. Type IIA fibres contained the fast myosin HCIIa with the fast light chains and, in addition, either LC1s or both LC1s and LC2s. 5. The C fibres (IC and IIC) represented intermediate populations between types I and IIC (IC) and between IC and IIA (IIC). They contained varied ratios of HCI/HCIIa with both sets of fast and slow light chains. With regard to myosin composition and isoforms of other myofibrillar proteins (M- and C-proteins, alpha-tropomyosin, troponin I), IC fibres resembled type I and IIC fibres resembled type IIA. 6. The presence of various myosin light and heavy chains within a specific fibre suggests a multiplicity of isomyosins. Without consideration of LC1sa and LC1sb differences, at least 54 possible isomyosins can be derived: type I fibres contain one isomyosin, types IC and IIC 54 possible isomyosins, and type IIA up to 18.
Ferrous-salt-promoted damage to deoxyribose and benzoate. The increased effectiveness of hydroxyl-radical scavengers in the presence of EDTA
Authors: Gutteridge J M C
Published: August 2015

Hydroxyl radicals (OH.) in free solution react with scavengers at rates predictable from their known second-order rate constants. However, when OH. radicals are produced in biological systems by metal-ion-dependent Fenton-type reactions scavengers do not always appear to conform to these established rate constants. The detector molecules deoxyribose and benzoate were used to study damage by OH. involving a hydrogen-abstraction reaction and an aromatic hydroxylation. In the presence of EDTA the rate constant for the reaction of scavengers with OH. was generally higher than in the absence of EDTA. This radiomimetic effect of EDTA can be explained by the removal of iron from the detector molecule, where it brings about a site-specific reaction, by EDTA allowing more OH. radicals to escape into free solution to react with added scavengers. The deoxyribose assay, although chemically complex, in the presence of EDTA appears to give a simple and cheap method of obtaining rate constants for OH. reactions that compare well with those obtained by using pulse radiolysis.
The interaction in vivo of transferrin and asialotransferrin with liver cells
Authors: van Berkel T J C , Dekker C J , Kruijt J K , van Eijk H G
Published: August 2015

Rat transferrin or asialotransferrin doubly radiolabelled with 59Fe and 125I was injected into rats. A determination of extrahepatic and hepatic uptake indicated that asialotransferrin delivers a higher fraction of the injected 59Fe to the liver than does transferrin. In order to determine in vivo the intrahepatic recognition sites for transferrin and asialotransferrin, the liver was subfractionated into parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells by a low-temperature cell isolation procedure. High-affinity recognition of transferrin (competed for by an excess of unlabelled transferrin) is exerted by parenchymal cells as well as endothelial and Kupffer cells with a 10-fold higher association (expressed per mg of cell protein) to the latter cell types. In all three cell types iron delivery occurs, as concluded from the increase in cellular 59Fe/125I ratio at prolonged circulation times of transferrin. It can be calculated that parenchymal cells are responsible for 50-60% of the interaction of transferrin with the liver, 20-30% is associated with endothelial cells and about 20% with Kupffer cells. For asialotransferrin a higher fraction of the injected dose becomes associated with parenchymal cells as well as with endothelial and Kupffer cells. Competition experiments in vivo with various sugars indicated that the increased interaction of asialotransferrin with parenchymal cells is specifically inhibited by N-acetylgalactosamine whereas mannan specifically inhibits the increased interaction of asialotransferrin with endothelial and Kupffer cells. Recognition of asialotransferrin by galactose receptors from parenchymal cells or mannose receptors from endothelial and Kupffer cells is coupled to active 59Fe delivery to the cells. It is concluded that, as well as parenchymal cells, liver endothelial and Kupffer cells are also quantitatively important intrahepatic sites for transferrin and asialotransferrin metabolism, an interaction exerted by multiple recognition sites on the various cell types.
Membrane protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase in rabbit kidney. Proteolysis activates the enzyme and generates soluble catalytic fragments
Authors: Rotenberg S A , Brautigan D L
Published: August 2015

Most protein phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PPT-phosphatases) have been recovered from the cytosol of various cell types and tissues. The present study explores the properties of PPT-phosphatases in rabbit kidney membranes prepared by centrifugation at 100,000 g. More of the total activity was recovered in membranes from fresh (45%) compared with frozen-and-thawed (36%) tissue. However, extracts of fresh tissue had only 15-30% as much total PPT-phosphatase activity. Up to 3-fold activation of cytosolic and membrane PPT-phosphatases occurred during preparation, an effect most evident when fresh tissue was homogenized in buffers containing multiple proteinase inhibitors. These inhibitors apparently block some, but not all, digestion of proteins that mask PPT-phosphatase activity. Incubation of membranes prepared from fresh tissue with added trypsin, papain or thermolysin in each case caused activation of PPT-phosphatase as well as generation of a soluble catalytic fragment. The fragment also was generated by the action of endogenous proteinases during repeated centrifugation and was isolated from these supernatants by DEAE-Sepharose, Zn2+-affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. The fragment had Mr approx. 33,000, had a neutral pH optimum, was inhibited by 50% by 100 microM-vanadate, and was insensitive to the alkaline-phosphatase inhibitors EDTA and levamisole. Although the chromatographic behaviour and lability of the fragment were distinct from those of the predominant cytosolic PPT-phosphatase, some cytosolic PPT-phosphatases exhibited properties consistent with the suggestion that they are fragments derived by proteolysis of PPT-phosphatases in membranes. Localization of PPT-phosphatases in plasma membranes would facilitate reaction with receptor/kinases in vivo.
Cyclic AMP-regulating agents inhibit endotoxin-mediated cartilage degradation
Authors: Bednar M S , Hubbard J R , Steinberg J J , Broner F A , Sledge C B
Published: August 2015

The influence of cyclic AMP on cartilage degradation was investigated by using phosphodiesterase inhibitors [theophylline and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)], forskolin (which activates the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase) and cyclic AMP analogues (dibutyryl and 8-bromo). Breakdown was assessed by quantification of proteoglycans released into the media of 8-day bovine nasal-septum cartilage cultures. Theophylline (1-20 mM), IBMX (0.01-2 mM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.1-2 mM) had little or no influence on the rate of proteoglycan release from unstimulated (no-endotoxin) cartilages. A small but detectable increase in breakdown was observed with 8-bromo cyclic AMP (0.5-2 mM) and forskolin (50-75 micrograms/ml). To examine potential inhibitory influences of these agents, the cyclic AMP modulators were added to cultures simultaneously treated with Salmonella typhosa endotoxin (12-25 micrograms/ml), a potent stimulator of cartilage degradation. The 3-4-fold stimulation of breakdown by endotoxin was strikingly inhibited by all three classes of cyclic AMP regulators. Optimal inhibition was found at 10-20 mM-theophylline, 1-2 mM-IBMX, 50-75 micrograms of forskolin/ml, 2 mM-dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 2 mM-8-bromo cyclic AMP. Inhibition was shown to be reversible, indicating that cartilages were viable after treatment. Sepharose CL-2B chromatography of proteoglycan products released from treated cartilages showed that the endotoxin-stimulated shift to lower average Mr was significantly prevented by cyclic AMP analogues and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Together, these results show that agents which increase cyclic AMP inhibit both quantitative and qualitative aspects of endotoxin-mediated cartilage degradation.
The vanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacter chroococcum. Purification and properties of the VFe protein
Authors: Eady R R , Robson R L , Richardson T H , Miller R W , Hawkins M
Published: August 2015

1. Nitrogenase activity of a strain of Azotobacter chroococcum lacking the structural genes for conventional nitrogenase (nifHDK) was separated into two components: an Fe-containing protein and a vanadoprotein. 2. The larger protein was purified to homogeneity by the criterion of electrophoresis of 10% (w/v) acrylamide gels in the presence of SDS. Two types of subunit, of Mr 50,000 and 55,000, were present in equal amounts. 3. The protein had an Mr of 210,000 and contained 2 V atoms, 23 Fe atoms and 20 acid-labile sulphide groups per molecule. The Mo content was less than 0.06 g-atom/mol. All the common amino acids were present, with a predominance of acidic residues. Ultracentrifugal analysis gave a maximum sedimentation coefficient of 9.7 S and a symmetrical boundary at 5 mg of protein X ml-1; dissociation occurred at lower concentrations. The specific activities (nmol of product/min per mg of protein), when assayed under optimum conditions with the complementary Fe protein from this strain, were 1348 for H2 evolution, 350 for NH3 formation and 608 for acetylene reduction. Activity was O2-labile, with a t1/2 of 40 s in air. At low temperatures the dithionite-reduced protein showed e.p.r. signals at g = 5.6, 4.35, 3.77 and 1.93, consistent with an S = 3/2 ground state with an additional S = 1/2 centre giving rise to the feature at g = 1.93. The u.v. spectra of dithionite-reduced and thionine-oxidized protein were very similar. Oxidation resulted in a general increase in absorbance in the visible region. The shoulder at 380 nm in the spectrum of reduced protein was replaced with shoulders near 330 nm and 420 nm on oxidation.
Chemical synthesis and growth-promoting activity of all-trans-retinyl β-d-glucuronide
Authors: Barua A B , Olson J A
Published: August 2015

All-trans-retinol reacts with methyl (2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-bromo-1-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyran)uronate in the presence of Ag2CO3 to give the triacetate methyl ester of retinyl beta-glucuronide. Hydrolysis of this ester with sodium methylate in methanol gives retinyl beta-D-glucuronide in about 15% yield. The water-soluble retinyl beta-D-glucuronide was characterized by u.v.-visible, n.m.r. and mass spectra, by elemental analysis and by its susceptibility to hydrolysis by bacterial beta-glucuronidase. Retinyl beta-glucuronide, when administered intraperitoneally in saline (0.9% NaCl), supports well the growth of vitamin A-deficient rats.
Collagen synthesis by cell lines derived from Mov-13 mouse embryos which have a lethal mutation in the collagen α 1(I) gene
Authors: Dziadek M , Timpl R , Jaenisch R
Published: August 2015

Mouse embryos homozygous for the Mov-13 mutation produce no collagen I, owing to transcriptional blockage of the collagen alpha 1(I) gene by a retroviral insert. Fibroblast-like cell lines derived from these embryos were compared with similar lines derived from heterozygous and wild-type embryos with respect to the total amounts, and types, of collagen synthesized. Total collagen synthesized by either cloned or uncloned cell lines correlated with their genotype, demonstrating no compensation for absence of collagen I production by an increase in synthesis of other collagen types. Procollagen alpha 2(I) chains were not detected in the homozygous cell lines, demonstrating that these chains do not form homotrimers, nor do they form heterotrimers with alpha-chains of other collagen types. Procollagen III levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay and found to be similar in all cell lines.
Proteolytic processing of chromogranin A in purified insulin granules. Formation of a 20 kDa N-terminal fragment (betagranin) by the concerted action of a Ca2+-dependent endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase H (EC 3.4.17.10)
Authors: Hutton J C , Davidson H W , Peshavaria M
Published: August 2015

The nature and subcellular localization of the enzymic activities responsible for the production of the 20 kDa protein betagranin from its 100 kDa chromogranin-A-like precursor was investigated in transplantable insulinoma tissue. [35S]Methionine-labelled precursor was converted by lysed insulin-secretory granules into betagranin and one or more proteins of 47 kDa, via intermediates in the 60-65 kDa range. Lysosome-enriched fractions also processed the precursor, but not into the peptides found in vivo; other fractions, including those enriched in Golgi, were inactive. Conversion of the precursor by granules was quantitative and the products were stable. Inhibitor studies showed that processing occurred by initial endoproteolytic cleavage at sites marked by pairs of basic amino acids, followed by removal of these by carboxypeptidase H. The endopeptidase activity appeared to be a novel metalloenzyme, with a markedly acidic pH optimum (4.8-5). It was inhibited by alanyl-L-lysyl-L-arginyl chloromethane (K0.5 = 1.3 microM), but to a much lesser extent by inhibitor analogues of processing sites defined by single or unpaired basic amino acid residues, e.g. alanyl-L-norleucyl-L-arginylchloromethane (K0.5 greater than 100 microM), leupeptin (K0.5 = 150 microM) and antipain (K0.5 = 40 microM). p-Chloromercuribenzoate (K0.5 = 13 microM), Hg2+ (K0.5 = 16 microM), Zn2+ (K0.5 = 0.8 mM) and vanadate (K0.5 = 7 microM) also abolished activity, as did various anions (SCN- greater than I- greater than Cl- greater than SO4(2-). Group-specific inhibitors of serine, thiol and acidic endopeptidases were without effect. EDTA and CDTA (1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetra-acetic acid), but not 1,10-phenanthroline, abolished endoproteolytic activity. Several bivalent cations could restore activity after EDTA or CDTA inhibition, including Ca2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Sr2+; however, the ion of physiological importance appeared to be Ca2+ (K0.5 = 8 microM). The properties of the granule endopeptidase and its subcellular localization suggested that it is of importance in processing chromogranin A in the pancreatic beta-cell.
An activator of protein kinase C (phorbol dibutyrate) attenuates atrial-natriuretic-factor-stimulated cyclic GMP accumulation in smooth-muscle cells
Authors: Nambi P , Whitman M , Aiyar N , Stassen F , Crooke S T
Published: August 2015

Rat thoracic aortic smooth-muscle cells (A-10; A.T.C.C. CRL 1476) displays a high density of vasopressin and atrial-natriuretic-factor (ANF) receptors and a low density of beta-adrenergic receptors. ANF stimulates cGMP (cyclic GMP) accumulation in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Pretreatment of these cells with phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu), a known activator of protein kinase C, attenuated ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation without affecting basal cGMP concentrations. This effect was concentration-dependent and was observed as early as 2 min after treatment. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate (alpha PDD), which does not activate protein kinase C, did not inhibit the cGMP accumulation. PDBu pretreatment did not affect the density and affinity of ANF receptors. These data suggest that PDBu, presumably via activation of protein kinase C, might stimulate phosphorylation of a key regulatory protein in the ANF/cGMP pathway.
Fractionation of heparin-derived oligosaccharides by gradient polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis
Authors: Rice K G , Rottink M K , Linhardt R J
Published: August 2015

Heparin-derived oligosaccharides, prepared by using flavobacterial heparinase, having a high degree of heterogeneity (sequence variability) were resolved into sharp well-defined bands by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The use of a stacking gel and a high-density-pore-gradient resolving gel was primarily responsible for the success of this separation. Low-Mr standards of known structure and having a degree of polymerization (dp) 2-6 were used to establish that the separation on gradient PAGE was primarily dependent on molecular size. High-Mr oligosaccharides (dp 8-20) were prepared using strong-anion-exchange h.p.l.c. and were used to help characterize the gradient PAGE separation. Kinetic profiles were obtained for the depolymerization of heparin and heparan sulphate with heparinase and heparitinase respectively. The utility of this approach in sequencing oligosaccharides derived from glycosaminoglycans is discussed.
Peptide substrates for chymosin (rennin). Interaction sites in κ-casein-related sequences located outside the (103-108)-hexapeptide region that fits into the enzyme's active-site cleft
Authors: Visser S , Slangen C J , van Rooijen P J
Published: August 2015

The role of individual amino acid residues in the 98-102 and 111-112 regions of bovine kappa-casein in its interaction with the milk-clotting enzyme chymosin (rennin) was investigated. to this end the tryptic 98-112 fragment of kappa-casein was modified in its N- and/or C-terminal part by chemical (guanidation, ethoxyformylation, repeated Edman degradation) and enzymic (carboxypeptidase) treatments. Further, use was made of short synthetic kappa-casein analogues in which His-102 had been replaced by Pro or Lys. All peptides and their derivatives were tested comparatively at various pH values for their ability to act as chymosin substrates via specific cleavage of the peptide bond at position 105-106. The results indicate that in the alternating 98-102 sequence (His-Pro-His-Pro-His) the His as well as the Pro residues contribute to the substrate activity with no predominant role of any one of these groups. Another interaction site is formed by the Lys residue at position 111 of the substrate. A model of the enzyme-substrate complex is proposed. Herein the 103-108 fragment of the substrate, to be accommodated within the enzyme's active-site cleft, is brought into position by electrostatic binding (via His-98, His-100, His-102 and Lys-111) near the entrance of the cleft. These interactions are strongly supported by Pro residues at positions 99, 101, 109 and 110 of the substrate, which act as stabilizers of the proper conformation of the substrate in the enzyme-substrate complex.
Fibrin assembly after fibrinopeptide A release in model systems and human plasma studied with magnetic birefringence
Authors: Torbet J
Published: August 2015

Magnetically induced birefringence was used to monitor fibrin polymerization after the release of the small negatively charged A fibrinopeptides from human fibrinogen by the action of the snake-venom-derived enzymes reptilase and ancrod. A range of conditions was investigated. Fibrin polymerization in solutions of purified fibrinogen shows a distinct break near the gelation point. On addition of Ca2+ or albumin the lag period is shortened, fibre thickness is increased and the break in assembly almost vanishes, probably because both of these additives promote lateral aggregation. There are minor differences in the kinetics, depending on the venom enzyme used. The kinetics of fibrin assembly in model systems containing either Ca2+ or albumin and in human plasma with a largely dormant coagulation cascade are very similar. Therefore in the latter condition there is no significant alteration in the assembly process due to interaction between fibrin or the venom enzymes and any of the plasma proteins. When the cascade is activated, the polymerization progress curves have a character that resembles a combination of the reactions observed when the venom enzymes and endogenously generated thrombin separately induce coagulation, except for a region near gelation where, paradoxically, polymerization appears to be slower on activation. The low-angle neutron-diffraction patterns from oriented gels made with thrombin or reptilase are identical. Therefore at low resolution the packing of the monomers within fibres is the same when fibrinopeptide A only or both fibrinopeptides A and B are removed.
The identification of specific Rhesus-polypeptide-blood-group-ABH-active-glycoprotein complexes in the human red-cell membrane
Authors: Moore S , Green C
Published: August 2015

1. RhD,c and E immune complexes isolated from 3H- and 125I-surface-radiolabelled and unlabelled intact human red cells were analysed by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 2. Apparent Mr values of 31,900 for RhD polypeptide and 33,100 for Rhc,E polypeptide were obtained under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. Glycosylation of RhD,c and E polypeptides was not detected. 3. RhD,c and E immune complexes also contain a glycoprotein component. RhD glycoprotein (apparent Mr 45,000-100,000) is distinct from Rhc,E glycoprotein(s) (apparent Mr 35,000-65,000). Rh (Rhesus) glycoprotein carbohydrate moieties are susceptible to endo-beta-galactosidase digestion and carry blood-group-ABH determinants. This suggests the presence of polylactosaminoglycan-type structures. 4. Rh glycoproteins are not present in Rh immune complexes as a result of non-specific adsorption of membrane glycoproteins during the membrane-solubilization phase of immune-complex isolation because RhD immune complexes isolated from a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of Acde/cde and OcDE/cDE red cells do not contain blood-group-A-active glycoprotein. 5. Blood-group-A immune complexes isolated from group-A red cells of the appropriate Rh phenotypes contain the 31,900- and 33,100-apparent-Mr Rh polypeptides. 6. It was concluded from the above evidence that non-covalent Rh-glycoprotein-Rh-polypeptide complexes exist in the native red-cell membrane. 7. The 31,900- and 33,100-apparent-Mr Rh polypeptides are absent from blood-group-A immune complexes isolated from regulator type Rhnull cells (donor A.L.), but are replaced by a 33,800-apparent-Mr Rhnull-specific polypeptide (Rhnull polypeptide). It is suggested that Rhnull polypeptide is an aberrant product of the Rh gene complex.
Down-regulation of protein kinase C is due to an increased rate of degradation
Authors: Young S , Parker P J , Ullrich A , Stabel S
Published: August 2015

The phorbol-ester-induced loss of protein kinase C that has been documented in many cell types appears to be a critical event in the generation of a cellular refractory state. We have investigated here the synthesis and degradation of the protein kinase C polypeptide in order to determine why its steady-state amounts are depleted in response to phorbol esters. These results indicate that depletion is due to an increased rate of degradation, with no change either in mRNA amounts or in rates of polypeptide synthesis.
The behaviour of leucine aminopeptidase towards thionopeptides
Authors: Beattie R E , Elmore D T , Williams C H , Guthrie D J S
Published: August 2015

Thionoleucine S-anilide (Leut-anilide), Leut-Gly-OEt and Leut-Phe-OMe were synthesized and shown to be competitive inhibitors of leucine aminopeptidase from pig kidney. The kinetics of inhibition were determined in the presence of leucine 4-methylcoumarin-7-amide as substrate. Although the compounds showed only moderate inhibitory potency, it was found that all were resistant to hydrolysis by the enzyme, in contrast with the reported behaviour of some thionopeptide analogues of substrates for other Zn2+-peptidases such as carboxypeptidase A and angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Hepatic uptake of amino acids at mid-lactation in the rat
Authors: Casado J , Pastor-Anglada M , Remesar X
Published: August 2015

Hepatic availability and uptake of amino acids were measured in fed virgin and 15-day-lactating rats. Lactation did not induce any change in total amino acid availability (expressed per 100 g body wt.). Virgin rats showed a nil hepatic balance, and lactation induced a high net uptake. The high drainage of amino acids by mammary gland does not affect hepatic availability.
Prevention of peroxisomal proliferation by carnitine palmitoyltransferase inhibitors in cultured rat hepatocytes and in vivo
Authors: Hertz R , Bar–Tana J
Published: August 2015

1. The induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation activities by bezafibrate in cultured rat hepatocytes and in the rat in vivo was prevented by inhibitors of carnitine acyltransferase, e.g. 2-bromopalmitate, 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate or 2-tetradecylglycidic acid. 2. The prevention of peroxisomal proliferation by carnitine palmitoyltransferase inhibitors could not be accounted for by inhibition of mitochondrial beta-oxidation, since 2-bromo-octanoate, acting as an inhibitor of beta-oxidation, did not prevent the induction of peroxisomal activities in cultured rat hepatocytes. 3. The putative role of the acylcarnitine derivative of bezafibrate was analysed by studying the formation of bezafibroylcarnitine with bezafibroyl-CoA as substrate. However, no bezafibroylcarnitine formation was demonstrated in the presence of rat liver preparations capable of catalysing transfer to carnitine of medium- or long-chain fatty acids. 4. The prevention of peroxisomal proliferation by carnitine acyltransferase inhibitors may help in dissecting the causal relationship between the multiple effects mediated by peroxisomal proliferators.
Redox state and lactate accumulation in human skeletal muscle during dynamic exercise
Authors: Sahlin K , Katz A , Henriksson J
Published: August 2015

The relationship between the redox state and lactate accumulation in contracting human skeletal muscle was investigated. Ten men performed bicycle exercise for 10 min at 40 and 75% of maximal oxygen uptake [VO2(max.)], and to fatigue (4.8 +/- 0.6 min; mean +/- S.E.M.) at 100% VO2(max.). Biopsies from the quadriceps femoris muscle were analysed for NADH, high-energy phosphates and glycolytic intermediates. Muscle NADH was 0.20 +/- 0.02 mmol/kg dry wt. of muscle at rest, and decreased to 0.12 +/- 0.01 (P less than 0.01) after exercise at 40% VO2(max.), but no change occurred in the [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio. These data, together with previous results on isolated cyanide-poisoned soleus muscle, where NADH increased while [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio was unchanged [Sahlin & Katz (1986) Biochem. J. 239, 245-248], suggest that the observed changes in muscle NADH occurred within the mitochondria. After exercise at 75 and 100% VO2(max.), muscle NADH increased above the value at rest to 0.27 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.05) and 0.32 +/- 0.04 (P less than 0.001) mmol/kg respectively. Muscle lactate was unchanged after exercise at 40% VO2(max.), but increased substantially at the higher work loads. At 40% VO2(max.), phosphocreatine decreased by 11% compared with the values at rest, and decreased further at the higher work loads. The decrease in phosphocreatine reflects increased ADP and Pi. It is concluded that muscle NADH decreases during low-intensity exercise, but increases above the value at rest during high-intensity exercise. The increase in muscle NADH is consistent with the hypothesis that the accelerated lactate production during submaximal exercise is due to a limited availability of O2 in the contracting muscle. It is suggested that the increases in NADH, ADP and Pi are metabolic adaptations, which primarily serve to activate the aerobic ATP production, and that the increased anaerobic energy production (phosphocreatine breakdown and lactate formation) is a consequence of these changes.
Protein kinase C-mediated negative-feedback inhibition of unstimulated and bombesin-stimulated polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in Swiss-mouse 3T3 cells
Authors: Brown K D , Blakeley D M , Hamon M H , Laurie M S , Corps A N
Published: August 2015

Bombesin-related peptides stimulate a rapid increase in polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in Swiss-mouse 3T3 cells. These peptides generate an increase in the efflux of 45Ca2+ from pre-labelled cells, a response consistent with an inositol trisphosphate-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. The bombesin-stimulated release of cellular 45Ca2+ is inhibited by tumour-promoting phorbol esters (e.g. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, TPA). Although there are several possible sites of action at which this effect might occur, our results indicate that TPA induces an uncoupling of bombesin-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) without decreasing cellular binding of bombesin. In cultured cells, protein kinase C can be down-modulated by a prolonged incubation of the cells with phorbol esters. Such pretreatment greatly decreased the inhibitory effect of TPA on bombesin-stimulated PIP2 hydrolysis, suggesting that this action of the phorbol ester is mediated via protein kinase C. Since diacylglycerol is an endogenous activator of protein kinase C and a direct product of PIP2 hydrolysis, these results suggest that protein kinase C inhibition of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis may function as a negative-feedback pathway. Cells in which protein kinase C has been down-modulated show elevated basal and bombesin-stimulated production of inositol phosphates, providing evidence that such a feedback loop limits polyphosphoinositide turnover in both unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated cells.
Isolation and characterization of a mannose-specific endocytosis receptor from rabbit alveolar macrophages
Authors: Lennartz M R , Wileman T E , Stahl P D
Published: August 2015

Rabbit alveolar macrophages express a plasma-membrane receptor that recognizes glycoprotein ligands bearing terminal mannose, fucose or N-acetylglucosamine residues. Macrophage membranes were washed extensively with buffers containing high salt and mannose or EDTA to remove endogenously bound ligand, before Triton X-100 extraction. The extracts were chromatographed on mannose-Sepharose. Elution with mannose, followed by dialysis and a second mannose-Sepharose step with EDTA elution, produced a preparation that migrated as single protein band of Mr 175,000 on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The purified protein binds mannose-BSA (bovine serum albumin) with a dissociation constant of 1.9 × 10(-8) M. Ligand binding is Ca2+ and pH-dependent, with maximal binding at neutral pH and low binding below pH 6.0. The binding of 125I-mannose-BSA is inhibited by ligands bearing high-mannose oligosaccharides, such as mannan or beta-glucuronidase, as well as the monosaccharides mannose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine. Galactose, galactosylated BSA, glucose and mannose 6-phosphate are non-inhibitory. Amino acid compositional analyses indicate that the receptor contains high concentrations of aspartate/asparagine and glutamate/glutamine, and low amounts of methionine. The carbohydrate composition was studied by lectin overlays of electrophoretically transferred receptor, and the results indicate the presence of N-linked complex and O-linked sialylated oligosaccharides. A protein of Mr 175,000 was immunoprecipitated from radio-iodinated macrophage membranes with an antibody generated against purified rabbit lung mannose receptor.
Purification, characterization and cellular localization of 5′-nucleotidase from Torpedo electric organ
Authors: Grondal E J M , Zimmermann H
Published: August 2015

5′-Nucleotidase was isolated from the electric organ of the electric ray Torpedo marmorata after solubilization in Triton X-100 and deoxycholate by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and AMP-Sepharose. The purified enzyme has a Km for AMP of 38 microM, with a maximal velocity of 31 units/mg of protein. Of the purine and pyrimidine mononucleotides, AMP is hydrolysed most effectively. beta-Glycerophosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate and p-nitrophenyl phosphate are not substrates for the enzyme. Adenosine 5′-[alpha, beta-methylene]diphosphate, ADP and ATP are competitive inhibitors in this order of potency. Concanavalin A inhibits enzyme activity in a non-competitive manner. Whereas Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ activate enzyme activity in the millimolar range, Hg2+, and in particular Pb2+ and Zn2+, inhibit enzyme activity. On SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis the enzyme has an apparent Mr of 62000, whereas that of the native deoxycholate-enzyme complex is 131000. An antiserum raised against the native enzyme inhibits enzyme activity. Inhibition studies suggest the presence of tissue-specific variants of the enzyme. By immunohistochemical analysis the enzyme can be localized to the ramifications of nerve terminals in the electric organ.
Purification and characterization of glutathione reductase encoded by a cloned and over-expressed gene in Escherichia coli
Authors: Scrutton N S , Berry A , Perham R N
Published: August 2015

An expression vector, pKGR, for the gor gene from Escherichia coli encoding glutathione reductase was constructed by subcloning of an AvaII fragment of the Clarke & Carbon bank plasmid pGR [Greer & Perham (1986) Biochemistry 25, 2736-2742] into the plasmid pKK223-3. The expression of glutathione reductase from the plasmid pKGR was found to have been successfully placed under the control of the tac promoter. Transformation of E. coli cells with this plasmid resulted in 100-200-fold increase in glutathione reductase activity in cell-free extracts. A rapid purification procedure for the enzyme, based on affinity chromatography on Procion Red HE-7B-CL-Sepharose 4B, was developed. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, and all its properties were consistent with the DNA sequence of the gene [Greer & Perham (1986) Biochemistry 25, 2736-2742] and with those previously reported for E. coli glutathione reductase [Mata, Pinto & Lopez-Barea (1984) Z. Naturforsch. C. Biosci. 39, 908-915]. These experiments have enabled an investigation of the protein chemical and mechanistic properties of the enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis.
Phosphorylation of partially purified 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase from rat spleen
Authors: Gomez-Cambronero J , Mato J M , Vivanco F , Sanchez-Crespo M
Published: August 2015

A new improved method for purification of the enzyme 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) from rat spleen is described. The catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the presence of MgATP stimulated about 3-fold the activity of this partially purified enzyme activity. When [gamma-32P]ATP was included in the assay mixture, the analysis of phosphoprotein products by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and autoradiography showed the incorporation of [32P]phosphate into a single protein band of about 30 kDa. Analysis of the phosphorylated amino acids indicated that the phosphate was incorporated into a serine residue. Activation of the acetylation reaction by the protein kinase was reversible. The reversal of the activation was coincident with the loss of the [32P]phosphate incorporated into the 30 kDa protein band, which suggests that the acetyltransferase is regulated by a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanism dependent on cyclic AMP.
Evidence for the presence of a reversible Ca2+-dependent pore activated by oxidative stress in heart mitochondria
Authors: Crompton M , Costi A , Hayat L
Published: August 2015

Rat heart mitochondria became permeabilized to sucrose when incubated with 100 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein in the presence of Pi. Ca2+ chelation with EGTA restored impermeability to sucrose, which became entrapped in the matrix space. t-Butylhydroperoxide markedly promoted permeabilization in the presence of Ca2+ but not in its absence, and Ca2+-plus-t-butylhydroperoxide-induced permeabilization was reversed by EGTA. The data suggest that Ca2+ and oxidative stress synergistically promote the reversible opening of an inner membrane pore.
Translocation of sugars into rat liver lysosomes. Evidence against a common carrier for d-glucose and d-ribose
Authors: Bird S J , Forster S , Lloyd J B
Published: August 2015

A conflict exists in the literature concerning the mode of translocation of D-glucose and D-ribose across the lysosome membrane. The more rapid net uptake of ribose, when measured by the osmotic-protection technique, has been attributed either to its smaller size and lower hydrogen-bonding capacity, or to a lower affinity for a transport system shared by both sugars. The latency of acid beta-hexosaminidase in isolated rat liver lysosomes was measured after preincubation for periods up to 1 h in various solutions containing glucose and/or ribose, and in some cases sucrose. After confirmation of the superior osmotic protection afforded by glucose (than by ribose), it was shown that a solution 0.125 M in both glucose and ribose provided protection intermediate between that given by 0.25 M-glucose and that given by 0.25 M-ribose. This result is inconsistent with the common-carrier hypothesis.
The use of monoclonal antibodies to distinguish several chemically modified forms of human α1-proteinase inhibitor
Authors: Zhu X J , Chan S K
Published: August 2015

The purpose of our investigation was to obtain monoclonal antibodies that could distinguish three forms of α 1-proteinase inhibitor (α 1-PI): native α 1-PI, N-chlorosuccinimide-oxidized α 1-PI (Ox-α 1-PI) and proteolytically modified α 1-PI (α 1-PI). Three specific monoclonal antibodies were characterized as to their binding properties. By using the Bio-Dot assay, it was found that all three forms of α 1-PI were capable of binding to antibody 6D4-6-18, that only Ox-α 1-PI, but not native α 1-PI or α 1-PI, could bind to antibody 6C7-5, and that α 1-PI and a complex between α 1-PI and trypsin uniquely were not able to bind to antibody 5C12-8-7. Thus it was concluded that it is possible to use monoclonal antibodies with different epitopic specificities to distinguish two chemically modified forms of α 1-PI from the native protein.
Chemical modification of human α1-proteinase inhibitor by tetranitromethane. Structure-function relationship
Authors: Mierzwa S , Chan S K
Published: August 2015

Nitration of tyrosine residues of α 1-proteinase inhibitor (α 1-PI) by tetranitromethane yielded a product that maintained its inhibitory activity against trypsin but lost most of its inhibitory activity against elastase. Chemical analysis of the product showed that four out of the six tyrosine residues in α 1-PI had been nitrated to various degrees: Tyr-38 and Tyr-297 were not nitrated, whereas Tyr-138, Tyr-160, Tyr-187 and Tyr-244 were nitrated to extents in the range 40-80%. We interpreted these data to mean that modification of these tyrosine residues decreased the association constant between α 1-PI and the proteinases and that the decrease differs from one proteinase to the other. When either α 1-PI-trypsin or α 1-PI-elastase complex was nitrated, nitration took place only to a very slight extent at these latter four tyrosine residues. On the other hand, Tyr-38 and Tyr-297 underwent nitration to about 20%. We concluded that Tyr-138, Tyr-160, Tyr-187 and Tyr-244 were located on the surface of α 1-PI that interacts with either trypsin or elastase in the formation of complexes, and were therefore protected from nitration.
Characterization of a monoclonal antibody that probes the functional domains of the glucocorticoid receptor
Authors: Robertson N M , Kusmik W F , Grove B F , Miller-Diener A , Webb M L , Litwack G
Published: August 2015

Monoclonal antibodies to the rat hepatic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) were produced by using 4000-fold-purified unactivated rat hepatic GR as the immunogen in an immunization in vitro. Hybridomas were screened for anti-GR antibody production by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antibody, 3A6, described here, is an IgM (lambda). The interaction of 3A6 with the purified GR was explored by sedimentation analysis, where a shift of the 9 S GR to a form with a higher s20,w value was demonstrated. Binding specificity and sensitivity were demonstrated by protein immunoblotting. 3A6 cross-reacted with all rat tissue glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) examined, except those of the brain. Species cross-reactivity was observed with other mammalian GRs (from human CEM-C7 cells and from pig and mouse liver). Immunocytochemical localization of the GR was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence in intact fixed cells, which demonstrated intense cytoplasmic staining in the absence of pretreatment with glucocorticoids and nuclear localization when cells were pretreated with glucocorticoids. This monoclonal antibody significantly inhibited steroid binding to unoccupied receptor and DNA binding of activated steroid-receptor complexes. Furthermore, preincubation of the purified activated GR complex with 3A6 prevented phosphorylation of the GR in vitro. Thus 3A6 differs from previous monoclonal antibodies to the GR in its capacity to cross-react with the human GR and by its specificity for an epitope on or near a functional domain of the GR.
Chemically-induced formation of an inhibitor of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase in inbred mice with iron overload
Authors: Smith A G , Francis J E
Published: August 2015

An inhibitor of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.37) was demonstrated in heat-treated extracts of livers from C57BL/10ScSn mice with iron overload after a single dose (100 mg/kg; 350 mumol/kg) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Inhibition was not due to accumulated uroporphyrin since this could be removed by a SEP-PAK C18 cartridge without affecting inhibitor activity. The presence of the inhibitor could be first demonstrated 2 weeks after mice received HCB and before major elevation of hepatic porphyrin levels. Maximum inhibitory potential was reached at about 8 weeks and was still detected 25 weeks after the chemical, thus paralleling the depression of enzyme activity reported previously [Smith, Francis, Kay, Greig & Stewart (1986) Biochem. J. 238, 871-878]. The inhibitor was not detected following treatment of mice with either iron or HCB alone or after the decarboxylase activity was destroyed in vitro by the combination of uroporphyrin and light. The formation of the inhibitor by inbred mouse strains nominally Ah-responsive (C57BL/6J, C57BL/10ScSn, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, CBA/J and A/J) and Ah-nonresponsive (SWR, AKR, 129, SJL, LP and DBA/2) did not correlate fully with their reported Ah-phenotype. There was a correlation amongst the Ah-responsive strains only, with hepatic ethoxyphenoxazone de-ethylase activity induced in parallel experiments by treatment with beta-naphthoflavone. De-ethylase activity induced by HCB, however, was considerably less than that with beta-naphthoflavone, which has not been reported as porphyrogenic. Other polyhalogenated chemicals, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexachlorobiphenyl and hexabromobenzene, also caused the formation of the inhibitor of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase.
Free-radical metabolism of carbon tetrachloride in rat liver mitochondria. A study of the mechanism of activation
Authors: Tomasi A , Albano E , Banni S , Botti B , Corongiu F , Dessi M A , Iannone A , Vannini V , Dianzani M U
Published: August 2015

Alterations in liver mitochondria as consequence of rat poisoning with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) have been reported over many years, but the mechanisms responsible for causing such damage are still largely unknown. Isolated rat liver mitochondria incubated under hypoxic conditions with succinate and ADP were found able to activate CCl4 to a free-radical species identified as trichloromethyl free radical (CCl3) by e.s.r. spectroscopy coupled with the spin-trapping technique. The incubation of mitochondria in air decreased free-radical production, indicating that a reductive reaction was involved in the activation of CCl4. However, in contrast with liver microsomes (microsomal fractions), mitochondria did not require the presence of NADPH, and the process was not significantly influenced by inhibitors of cytochrome P-450. The addition of inhibitors of the respiratory chain such as antimycin A and KCN decreased free-radical formation by only 30%, whereas rotenone displayed a greater effect (approx. 84% inhibition), but only when preincubated for 15 min with mitochondria not supplemented with succinate. These findings suggest that the mitochondrial electron-transport chain is responsible for the activation of CCl4. A conjugated-diene band was observed in the lipids extracted from mitochondria incubated with CCl4 under anaerobic conditions, indicating that stimulation of lipid peroxidation was occurring as a result of the formation of free-radical species.
Homologous β-adrenergic desensitization in isolated rat hepatocytes
Authors: García-Sáinz J A , Michel B
Published: August 2015

Hepatocytes from hypothyroid rats have a marked beta-adrenergic responsiveness. Preincubation of these hepatocytes with isoprenaline induced a time-dependent and concentration-dependent desensitization of the beta-adrenergic responsiveness without altering that to glucagon (homologous desensitization). The desensitization was evidenced both in the cyclic AMP accumulation and in the stimulation of ureagenesis induced by the beta-adrenergic agonists. Under the same conditions, preincubation with glucagon induced no desensitization. Propranolol was also unable to induce desensitization, but blocked that induced by isoprenaline. Pertussis-toxin treatment did not alter the homologous beta-adrenergic desensitization induced by isoprenaline.