bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
α-tocopherol consumption during low-density-lipoprotein oxidation
Authors: Jessup W , Rankin S M , De Whalley C V , Hoult J R S , Scott J , Leake D S
Published: August 2015

1. The kinetics of the depletion of alpha-tocopherol in human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured during macrophage-mediated and cell-free oxidation. The formation of oxidatively modified, high-uptake species of LDL in these systems was not detectable until all of the endogenous alpha-tocopherol had been consumed. 2. Supplementation of the alpha-tocopherol content of LDL by loading in vivo extended the duration of the lag period during which no detectable oxidative modification occurred. 3. The addition of a flavonoid (morin) prevented both alpha-tocopherol consumption and oxidative modification of LDL. 4. The alpha-tocopherol contents of LDLs from a range of individual donors could not be used to predict their relative resistance to oxidation, indicating that other endogenous antioxidants may also be present, and quantitatively significant, in human LDL.
Heterogeneity of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding sites in adrenal-cortical membranes. Characterization and validation of a radioreceptor assay
Authors: Challiss R A J , Chilvers E R , Willcocks A L , Nahorski S R
Published: August 2015

1. The characterization of a radioreceptor assay for determining Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentration in tissue extracts is described which utilizes the binding of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 to an adrenal-cortex membrane fraction. 2. Analysis of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding by isotope dilution demonstrated an apparent single population of binding sites (KD 3.65 +/- 0.18 nM, Bmax. 872 +/- 70 fmol/mg of protein). Specific binding of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was enhanced at alkaline pH values (maximum at pH 8.5), with complete loss of specific binding at pH less than 6. These binding sites displayed strict stereo- and positional specificity for Ins(1,4,5)P3, with L-Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,3,4)P3 and DL-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 causing 50% displacement of specific [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding (IC50 values) at concentrations of 14 +/- 3 microM, 3.0 +/- 0.3 microM and 0.53 +/- 0.03 microM respectively. 3. Kinetic analysis of binding data, however, revealed a high-affinity [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding site (KD 0.052 nM) in addition to the lower-affinity site (KD 2.53 nM) already demonstrated in displacement studies. 4. It is shown that the presence of the high-affinity site can be exploited to increase the sensitivity of the [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 radioreceptor assay, allowing accurate detection of 20 fmol of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in 300 microliters of tissue extract. 5. Further validation of the specificity of the above assay for Ins(1,4,5)P3 was provided by incubating tissue extracts with either a 5-phosphatase or 3-kinase preparation. It was shown that identical loss occurred of both Ins(1,4,5)P3 mass and [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, added to parallel incubations. 6. The ability of the assay to measure basal and agonist-stimulated increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentration has been demonstrated with rat cerebral cortex and bovine tracheal smooth-muscle slices and a range of cultured and isolated cell preparations.
The Escherichia coli cysG gene encodes S-adenosylmethionine-dependent uroporphyrinogen III methylase
Authors: Warren M J , Roessner C A , Santander P J , Scott A I
Published: August 2015

The Escherichia coli cysG gene was successfully subcloned and over-expressed to produce a 52 kDa protein that was purified to homogeneity. This protein was shown to catalyse the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation of uroporphyrinogen III to give a product identified as sirohydrochlorin on the basis of its absorption spectra, incorporation of 14C label from S-adenosyl[Me-14C]methionine and mass and 1H-n.m.r. spectra of its octamethyl ester. Further confirmation of the structure was obtained from a 14C-n.m.r. spectrum of the methyl ester produced by incubation of the methylase with uroporphyrinogen III, derived from [4.6-13C2]porphobilinogen, and S-adenosyl[Me-13C]methionine.
Thyroid-hormone control of state-3 respiration in isolated rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Hafner R P , Brown G C , Brand M D
Published: August 2015

Oxidative phosphorylation can be treated as two groups of reactions; those that generate protonmotive force (dicarboxylate carrier, succinate dehydrogenase and the respiratory chain) and those that consume protonmotive force (adenine nucleotide and phosphate carriers. ATP synthase and proton leak). Mitochondria from hypothyroid rats have lower rates of respiration in the presence of ADP (state 3) than euthyroid controls. We show that the kinetics of the protonmotive-force generators are unchanged in mitochondria from hypothyroid animals, but the kinetics of the protonmotive-force consumers are altered, supporting proposals that the important effects of thyroid hormone on state 3 are on the ATP synthase or the adenine nucleotide translocator.
Unique molecular species of phosphatidylcholine containing very-long-chain (C24-C38) polyenoic fatty acids in rat brain
Authors: Robinson B S , Johnson D W , Poulos A
Published: August 2015

Rat brain has been shown 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. These fatty acids are almost exclusively located in unusual molecular species of phosphatidylcholine at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone, whereas saturated, monoenoic and polyenoic fatty acids with less than 24 carbon atoms are present at the sn-2 position. Polyenoic VLCFA phosphatidylcholine in neonatal rat brain is enriched with n-6 pentaenoic and n-3 hexaenoic VLCFA with up to 36 carbon atoms, whereas the corresponding phospholipid in adult rat brain mainly contains n-6 tetraenoic and n-3 pentaenoic VLCFA with up to 38 carbon atoms. The total amount of polyenoic VLCFA associated with phosphatidylcholine is highest in the brain of immature animals. Polyenoic VLCFA phosphatidylcholine appears to be predominantly confined to nervous tissue in rats, and it is envisaged that this phospholipid is of physiological significance.
Hepoxilin A3 induces changes in cytosolic calcium, intracellular pH and membrane potential in human neutrophils
Authors: Dho S , Grinstein S , Corey E J , Su W G , Pace-Asciak C R
Published: August 2015

The effects of hepoxilin A3 (HxA3), a 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), intracellular pH (pHi), transmembrane potential and right-angle light scattering in human neutrophils were investigated. A rapid, transient elevation of [Ca2+]i was observed with HxA3 which was dependent on the concentration used. The effect of HxA3 on [Ca2+]i was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting involvement of receptors coupled to GTP-binding proteins. Experiments in Ca2(+)-free medium and using intracellular Ca2+ chelators indicated that HxA3 mobilized Ca2+ from intracellular stores. At similar concentrations, HxA3 altered pHi, producing an initial acidification followed by an alkalinization. The initial acidification was decreased in cells loaded with a Ca2+ chelator. In the presence of N-ethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)amino amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiport, HxA3 induced a greater acidification but failed to elicit the recovery phase, suggesting that the latter is due to activation of the antiport. HxA3 also depolarized the membrane potential, although this effect was small. A decrease in right-angle light scattering, qualitatively similar to that observed with chemotactic peptides, was seen with HxA3, indicating that the 12-lipoxygenase metabolite can induce shape changes in neutrophils. At the concentrations used for the above effects, HxA3 was unable to generate a respiratory burst. These findings suggest that hepoxilins, which are formed by stimulated neutrophils, may have a role as messengers in neutrophil activation.
The inhibition of insulin action and glucose metabolism by porcine growth hormone in porcine adipocytes is not the result of any decrease in insulin binding or insulin receptor kinase activity
Authors: Magri K A , Adamo M , Leroith D , Etherton T D
Published: August 2015

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of porcine growth hormone (pGH) on glucose transport, to establish which lipogenic enzymes were affected by pGH, and to determine if changes in insulin binding or insulin receptor kinase activity contributed to the diminished insulin responsiveness of adipocytes from pigs treated with pGH. Pigs were treated with pGH daily (70 micrograms/kg body wt.) for 7 days. pGH treatment reduced the basal (non-insulin-stimulated) glucose transport rate by 62% and the insulin-stimulated transport rate by 47%. The decline in glucose transport rate was paralleled by a 64% decrease in fatty acid synthesis. The reduction in the lipogenic rate was associated with a marked decline in the activity of several lipogenic enzymes: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (50% decrease), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (11% decrease), malic enzyme (62% decrease) and fatty acid synthase (activity not detectable after pGH treatment). The pGH-dependent decline in insulin responsiveness was not associated with any change in the binding of insulin to intact adipocytes or to plasma membrane preparations. The insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity of the wheat-germ agglutinin-purified receptors from pGH-treated adipocytes was not different from that in control adipocytes, except when high concentrations of insulin were employed. These findings establish that pGH elicits a number of metabolic effects in porcine adipocytes which collectively diminish the rate of lipid synthesis, and thereby contribute to the decrease in lipid deposition observed in pGH-treated pigs. Furthermore, the pGH-dependent impairment in insulin action appears to be mediated at some location distal to the receptor kinase step or in other signal pathway(s) which mediate the biological effects of insulin that are not dependent on activation of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity.
Manganese and calcium efflux kinetics in brain mitochondria. Relevance to manganese toxicity
Authors: Gavin C E , Gunter K K , Gunter T E
Published: August 2015

Manganese shares the uniport mechanism of mitochondrial calcium influx, accumulates in mitochondria and is cleared only very slowly from brain. Using dual-label isotope techniques, we have investigated both Mn2+ and Ca2+ mitochondrial efflux kinetics. We report that (1) there is no significant Na(+)-dependent Mn2+ efflux from brain mitochondria; (2) Mn2+ inhibits both Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent Ca2+ efflux in brain, in a mode that appears to be primarily competitive and with apparent Ki values of 5.1 and 7.9 nmol/mg respectively; and (3) Ca2+ does not appear to inhibit Mn2+ efflux from brain mitochondria. Findings (1) and (2) suggest the possibility of mitochondrial accumulation of both Mn2+ and Ca2+ in Mn2(+)-intoxicated brain.
Endothelin stimulates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and DNA synthesis in brain capillary endothelial cells
Authors: Vigne P , Marsault R , Breittmayer J P , Frelin C
Published: August 2015

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a novel vasoconstricting and cardiotonic peptide that is synthesized by the vascular endothelium. Bovine aortic endothelial cells which secrete ET in vitro lack membrane receptor sites for the peptide. Endothelial cells from rat brain microvessels that do not secrete ET in vitro express large amounts of high-affinity receptors for 125I-labelled ET-1 (Kd 0.8 nM). The ET receptor is recognized by sarafotoxin S6b and the different ET peptides with the following order of potency: ET-1 (Kd 0.5 nM) approximately equal to ET-2 (Kd 0.7 nM) greater than sarafotoxin S6b (Kd 27 nM) greater than ET-3 (Kd 450 nM). This structure-activity relationship is different from those found in vascular smooth muscle cells, renal cells and cardiac cells. ET-1 stimulates DNA synthesis in brain capillary endothelial cells. It is more potent than basic fibroblast growth factor. The action of ET on endothelial cells from microvessels involves phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. These observations suggest that brain endothelial cells might be an important target for ET.
Actin polymerization in neutrophils is triggered without a requirement for a rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+
Authors: al-Mohanna F A , Hallett M B
Published: August 2015

Stimulation of rat neutrophils with the peptide fMetLeuPhe caused (i) the appearance of a 40 kDa protein in the Triton-X-100-insoluble cytoskeleton, (ii) the disappearance of DNAase inhibition from the cytosol and (iii) the appearance of N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)phallacidin (NBD-phallacidin) binding sites. All three observations were consistent with a rapid and transient assembly of polymerized actin, peaking at approximately 5 s and returning to near resting levels within 40 s. By experimentally depleting the cells of Ca2+ and increasing the cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering capacity, the peptide-induced Ca2+ transient was reduced from a peak of 900 nM to 250 nM, without inhibiting actin polymerization, and this peak was sustained for at least 2 min. A further dissociation between the triggering of actin polymerization and peptide-induced Ca2+ elevation and oxidase activation was demonstrated at low concentrations of peptide (1-100 pM), actin polymerization being triggered without an elevation in Ca2+ or activation of the oxidase. Two other agents which induced actin polymerization, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and latex beads, failed to elevate cytoplasmic Ca2+. It was therefore concluded that neither Ca2+ nor those intracellular messengers which act with Ca2+ to trigger the neutrophil oxidase are responsible for triggering actin polymerization in neutrophils.
Department of Physiology, Box 642, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, U.S.A
Authors: Shuttleworth T J
Published: August 2015

Currently, most models describing receptor-activated Ca2+ entry in exocrine cells invoke a pathway for the entry of extracellular Ca2+ directly linking the agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools with the plasma membrane. In the avian nasal gland, a model exocrine ion-secreting tissue, we have found that Ca2+ entry during refilling of the intracellular pools following termination of receptor activation (by atropine) occurs via the cytoplasm and not directly into the empty pools. Under appropriate conditions this can be demonstrated as a transient increase in [Ca2+]i (intracellular Ca2+ concn.) seen on restoration of normal extracellular Ca2+ concentrations after atropine to stimulated cells whose intracellular stores have been prevented from refilling by incubation in a low-extracellular-Ca2+ medium. The magnitude of these [Ca2+]i transients decays with time, but with a time course markedly slower than for the corresponding decrease in intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3. Further experiments have revealed that Ca2+ entry into the cytoplasm during the initial stimulation phase is also direct and not via the intracellular pools. Thus the initial rates of increase in [Ca2+]i during stimulation are always faster in conditions where both Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release occur (i.e. they are additive). These differences could not be explained by any effects of extracellular Ca2+ on the initial increases in intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 after addition of carbachol. These data are therefore inconsistent with the current models in which the rate of Ca2+ entry through the agonist-sensitive pools cannot exceed the rate of Ca2+ release. It appears therefore that Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release must occur via separate pathways operating in parallel, and not in series as previously predicted.
Menstrual-cycle-dependent expression of keratan sulphate in human endometrium
Authors: Hoadley M E , Seif M W , Aplin J D
Published: August 2015

Immunochemical methods have been used to detect and characterize two classes of polypeptide-associated keratan sulphate (KS) in epithelial secretions from human endometrium. Monoclonal antibody D9B1 binds to a hormonally regulated sialylated epitope associated with KS in a high relative molecular mass (250,000-350,000) component that bands as a doublet in SDS/PAGE. These KS chain(s) are sensitive to keratanase, endo-beta-galactosidase and N-glycanase. A second, more highly sulphated, type of KS is also present, that is resistant to all three enzymes. This can be detected using monoclonal antibody 5D4. It is present throughout the menstrual cycle and is associated principally with a component of Mr 140,000. Thus secretory KS contributes to the environment of the implanting embryo, may be used as a molecular index of endometrial function and could be important in the establishment of pregnancy.
Artificially imposed electrical potentials drive l-glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles of bovine cerebral cortex
Authors: Shioi J , Ueda T
Published: August 2015

L-Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. MgATP-dependent glutamate uptake and H(+)-pumping ATPase activity were reported in highly purified synaptic vesicles [Naito & Ueda (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 696-699; Shioi, Naito & Ueda (1989) Biochem. J. 258, 499-504], and it is hypothesized that an electrochemical H+ gradient across the vesicle membrane, the so-called protonmotive force, elicits the neurotransmitter uptake. An inside-positive diffusion potential across the vesicle membrane was established with valinomycin plus Rb+. This artificial electrical potential promoted the uptake of glutamate, but not aspartate, in the synaptic vesicles prepared from bovine cerebral cortex. The uptake was inhibited by the protonmotive-force dissipators carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoro-methoxyphenylhydrazone or nigericin, and was enhanced by concomitant imposition of a pH jump (alkalinization) in the external medium. Subcellular and subvesicular distributions showed the uptake system to be predominantly associated with small synaptic vesicles. The results support the hypothesis that glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles is coupled with a H+ efflux down the electrochemical potential gradient, which is generated by H(+)-pumping ATPase.
Shedding of hyaluronate synthase from streptococci
Authors: Mausolf A , Jungmann J , Robenek H , Prehm P
Published: August 2015

Hyaluronate synthase was shed into the culture medium from growing streptococci (group C) together with nascent hyaluronate. The mechanism of solubilization was analysed using isolated protoplast membranes. Solubilization increased when membranes were suspended in larger volumes, but it was temperature-independent and was not inhibited by protease inhibitors. Increased hyaluronate chain length enhanced solubilization. The soluble synthase could re-integrate into Streptococcal membranes in a saturable manner. The soluble synthase behaved like an integral membrane protein, although it was not integrated into phospholipid vesicles. In sucrose velocity centrifugation the synthase had a higher sedimentation rate in detergent-free solution, indicating that it existed in an aggregated state.
Evidence for presence of peptide α-amidating activity in pancreatic islets from newborn rats
Authors: Zhou A , Thorn N A
Published: August 2015

The peptide alpha-amidating activity of a homogenate of pancreatic islets from 5-7-day-old rats was investigated, using as substrate a glycine-extended tripeptide (D-Tyr-Val-Gly). The islet homogenates had a marked amidating activity, with a Km of 57 microM, a Vmax. of 185 pmol/h per mg and a pH optimum of 7.0. This activity was dependent on the presence of ascorbic acid (in the reduced form) and Cu2+, the optimum concentrations being 4 mM and 40 microM respectively. On fractionation of the homogenate, the highest specific activity was found in the soluble fraction. Exocrine pancreatic tissue showed very low levels of amidating activity.
Distribution of hepatic glutaminase activity and mRNA in perivenous and periportal rat hepatocytes
Authors: Watford M , Smith E M
Published: August 2015

Perivenous and periportal hepatocytes were isolated by the digitonin/collagenase perfusion technique. The specific activity of phosphate-activated glutaminase was 2.33-fold higher in periportal cells than in perivenous cells. Similarly, the relative abundance of glutaminase mRNA was 2.6-fold higher in samples from periportal cells. The distribution of glutaminase activity and mRNA was compared with those for glutamine synthetase (predominantly perivenous) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (predominantly periportal). The results suggest that phosphate-activated glutaminase is predominantly expressed in the periportal zone of the liver acinus.
Thapsigargin, but not caffeine, blocks the ability of thyrotropin-releasing hormone to release Ca2+ from an intracellular store in GH4C1 pituitary cells
Authors: Law G J , Pachter J A , Thastrup O , Hanley M R , Dannies P S
Published: August 2015

Thapsigargin stimulates an increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]c) in, and 45Ca2+ efflux from, a clone of GH4C1 pituitary cells. This increase in [Ca2+]c was followed by a lower sustained elevation of [Ca2+]c, which required the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and was not inhibited by a Ca2(+)-channel blocker, nimodipine. Thapsigargin had no effect on inositol phosphate generation. We used thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to mobilize Ca2+ from an InsP3-sensitive store. Pretreatment with thapsigargin blocked the ability of TRH to cause a transient increase in both [Ca2+]c and 45Ca2+ efflux. The block of TRH-induced Ca2+ mobilization was not caused by a block at the receptor level, because TRH stimulation of InsP3 was not affected by thapsigargin. Rundown of the TRH-releasable store by Ca2(+)-induced Ca2+ release does not appear to account for the action of thapsigargin on the TRH-induced spike in [Ca2+]c, because BAY K 8644, which causes a sustained rise in [Ca2+]c, did not block Ca2+ release caused by TRH. In addition, caffeine, which releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores in other cell types, caused an increase in [Ca2+]c in GH4C1 cells, but had no effect on a subsequent spike in [Ca2+]c induced by TRH or thapsigargin. TRH caused a substantial decrease in the amount of intracellular Ca2+ released by thapsigargin. We conclude that in GH4C1 cells thapsigargin actively discharges an InsP3-releasable pool of Ca2+ and that this mechanism alone causes the block of the TRH-induced increase in [Ca2+]c.
Mouse phenylalanine hydroxylase. Homology and divergence from human phenylalanine hydroxylase
Authors: Ledley F D , Grenett H E , Dunbar B S , Woo S L C
Published: August 2015

The laboratory mouse represents an important model for the study of phenylalanine metabolism and the pathochemistry of phenylketonuria, yet mouse phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) has not been extensively studied. We report the cloning and sequencing of a mouse PAH cDNA, the expression of enzymic activity from the mouse PAH cDNA clone and the identification of mouse PAH and human PAH by two-dimensional PAGE of liver samples. These data confirm the expected homology of mouse PAH and human PAH and suggest differences in the primary sequence and the phosphorylation state of the two enzymes.
Assessment of procollagen processing defects by fibroblasts cultured in the presence of dextran sulphate
Authors: Bateman J F , Golub S B
Published: August 2015

The culture of skin fibroblasts in the presence of 0.01% (w/v) dextran sulphate results in complete proteolytic processing of procollagen to collagen. Processing occurs predominantly via a pN-collagen intermediate, suggesting that C-propeptide cleavage occurs early during the processing pathway. The processed collagen is associated with the cell-layer fraction. This method of inducing procollagen processing was evaluated for use in detecting procollagen processing abnormalities in heritable connective-tissue diseases. Abnormal type I procollagen processing was clearly demonstrated in two cases with known defects of pN-propeptide cleavage. In one, the cleavage deficiency was due to diminished N-proteinase activity (dermatosparaxis) and in the other case (Ehler's-Danlos syndrome type VIIA) the cleavage site was deleted. In a case of osteogenesis imperfecta (type II) the slow electrophoretic migration of type I collagen alpha-chains due to over-modification of lysine was readily demonstrated. Inefficient procollagen processing was also evident in this patient, as had been previously reported [de Wet, Pihlanjaniemi, Myers, Kelly & Prockop (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7721-7728]. Thus this method of culture in the presence of dextran sulphate provides a simple and rapid procedure for the detection of procollagen processing defects and electrophoretic abnormalities.
Identification, purification, and localization of tissue kallikrein in rat heart
Authors: Xiong W , Chen L M , Woodley-Miller C , Simson J A V , Chao J
Published: August 2015

A tissue kallikrein has been isolated from rat heart extracts by DEAE-Sepharose and aprotinin-affinity column chromatography. The purified cardiac enzyme has both N-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester esterolytic and kinin-releasing activities, and displays parallelism with standard curves in a kallikrein radioimmunoassay, indicating it to have immunological identity with tissue kallikrein. The enzyme is inhibited by aprotinin, antipain, leupeptin and by high concentrations of soybean trypsin inhibitor, but stimulated by lima-bean or ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor and low concentrations of soybean trypsin inhibitor. By using a specific monoclonal antibody to tissue kallikrein in Western blot as well as active-site labelling with [14C]di-isopropyl fluorophosphate, the cardiac enzyme was identified as a protein of 38 kDa, a molecular mass identical with that of tissue kallikrein. Immunocytochemistry at the electron-microscopic level localized this enzyme to the sarcoplasmic reticulum and granules of rat atrial myocytes. Two cardiac kallikrein precursors, (38 and 40 kDa) were identified from the translation in vitro of heart mRNA by immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labelled cell-free translation products. Kallikrein mRNA in the rat heart was also demonstrated by dot-blot analysis using a tissue kallikrein cDNA probe. These results indicate that the tissue kallikrein gene is expressed in the rat heart and that the purified enzyme is indistinguishable from tissue kallikrein with respect to enzymic and immunological characteristics.
Differential expression of human placental growth-hormone variant and chorionic somatomammotropin in culture
Authors: Nickel B E , Kardami E , Cattini P A
Published: August 2015

Regulation of human placental growth-hormone variant (hGH-V) in the presence of its own promoter has been studied. At term, 10-20% of placental mRNA is specific for chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS-A and -B) compared with 0.05% hGH-V, yet these genes show more than 90% sequence similarity at the nucleotide level. By using stable gene transfer of intact hGH-V and hCS-A genes into rat pituitary (GC) cells, synthesis and release of hGH-V and hCS are detected. This suggests that hGH-V as well as hCS is secreted during pregnancy. The hCS-A mRNA level is higher than that observed from the hGH-V gene in stably transfected GC cells. Also, a hybrid gene containing hGH-V 5′-flanking DNA was less active than a hybrid hCS-A gene containing equivalent sequences after transient transfection of these cells. This correlates with the binding of a known transcription factor to a proximal region (-97/-66) of the hCS-A promoter, and not the equivalent hGH-V gene sequences. These results indicate that differential expression of hGH-V and hCS in GC cells is related, in part, to the strength of their respective promoters, and suggest a similar mechanism may exist in the placenta.
Methylation of chick UbI and UbII polyubiquitin genes and their differential expression during spermatogenesis
Authors: Rocamora N , Agell N
Published: August 2015

Northern analysis demonstrated that levels of ubiquitin transcript increased during the chicken testis maturation process, in agreement with the previously published increase of ubiquitin during this differentiation process. Specific probes for four different ubiquitin genes (two polyubiquitins, UbI and UbII, and two ubiquitin-fusion genes, UbCep52 and UbCep80) allowed us to analyse the expression of each individual gene. UbI polyubiquitin gene was expressed in all the tissues tested, and its transcript was the most abundant ubiquitin RNA in all of them. Unspliced UbI transcript, already detected in stressed chicken-embryo fibroblast, was also present in immature testis and reticulocytes. UbII, a chicken polyubiquitin gene not previously found expressed and not heat-shock-inducible, was specifically stimulated during the testis maturation process. Two minor ubiquitin fusion transcripts of 0.6 and 0.7 kb, corresponding to UbCep52 and UbCep80 respectively, were also found in chicken testis. Although differentially expressed, it was found that UbI and UbII chicken polyubiquitin genes had an HTF (‘HpaII tiny fragments’) island (CpG-rich and constitutively unmethylated region) in their 5′ proximal non-coding region. In addition, we demonstrated the coexistence of 3′ and/or 5′ relatively distal methylated sites together with these 5′ proximal HTF islands in both chicken polyubiquitin genes. 3′ and 5′ distal UbI CCGG sites were specifically hypermethylated in mature testis, whereas a 3′ distal UbII CCGG site was found to be about 50% methylated in all DNAs tested.
Flow cytometry resonance energy transfer suggests an association between low-affinity interleukin 2 binding sites and HLA class I molecules
Authors: Harel-Bellan A , Krief P , Rimsky L , Farrar W L , Mishal Z
Published: August 2015

Using flow cytometry energy transfer we have studied the sterical proximity of interleukin 2 receptors and the heavy chain of the major histocompatibility complex at the surface of normal lymphocytes. Our data suggest that class I molecules may be part of a low-affinity interleukin 2 receptor multimolecular complex, where the MHC class I heavy chain is in close proximity to the actual interleukin 2 binding site, in contrast to the light chain (beta 2-microglobulin).
Heterogeneity of human serum amyloid A protein. Five different variants from one individual demonstrated by cDNA sequence analysis
Authors: Steinkasserer A , Weiss E H , Schwaeble W , Linke R P
Published: August 2015

Serum amyloid A (SAA), a chemically polymorphic protein, is the most sensitive marker protein of the acute phase and the precursor of reactive amyloidosis, which is characterized by deposits of amyloid A protein (AA). We investigated the variability of the SAA gene family in one individual by sequencing 11 SAA-specific clones from an acute-phase-liver cDNA library. At least five different SAA variants were deduced from six different cDNAs. The 3′ untranslated gene segments fall into two groups, based on nucleotide sequence and variability in length. Various nucleotide and amino acid substitutions were found predominantly in the 3′ portion. Some of these substitutions are unique and increase the number of SAA variants in one individual to at least five. Moreover, genomic DNA of four individuals was examined by analysis of restriction-fragment length polymorphism. Besides two conserved strongly labelled bands, additional polymorphic bands were observed, indicating isotypic and/or allotypic SAA variations. Finally, three different mRNA species were detected by Northern-blot analysis, a finding that might be of relevance for the stability of SAA transcripts.
Immunological localization of ribosomes in striated rat muscle. Evidence for myofibrillar association and ontological changes in the subsarcolemmal:myofibrillar distribution
Authors: Horne Z , Hesketh J
Published: August 2015

Ribosome distribution in skeletal-muscle fibres was investigated immunohistochemically by using polyclonal antibodies raised against large-ribosomal-subunit proteins isolated from rat liver. Immunoblot analysis showed the antibodies to recognize five major proteins of the large subunit; these were identified as L4, L6, L7, L15 and L17 by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Immunohistochemistry of frozen rat skeletal-muscle sections showed staining of both the subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar cytoplasm. A distinct banding pattern was observed, and when peroxidase and phase-contrast images of the same field were compared by image analysis the anti-ribosome staining was found to correspond to the A-bands. These results suggest that a proportion of muscle ribosomes are present in the myofibrillar cytoplasm in a regular fashion, possibly associated with myosin. Densitometric analysis of the peroxidase immunostaining showed that the ratio of myofibrillar to sub-sarcolemmal ribosomal material was lower in muscle from 51-day-old rats compared with those from 14-day-old animals.
Expression of the CD15 differentiation antigen (3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine, LeX) on putative neutrophil adhesion molecules CR3 and NCA-160
Authors: Stocks S C , Albrechtsen M , Kerr M A
Published: August 2015

The expression of the carbohydrate antigen 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine (CD15, LeX) on human neutrophil glycoproteins has been studied by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting by using monoclonal antibody MC2. The antigen is expressed on membrane glycoproteins of approximate molecular mass 165 and 105 kDa. These glycoproteins include the complement receptor and adhesion molecule, CR3, in which the β-chain (CD18, 105 kDa) shows much greater expression than the alpha-chain (CD11b, 165 kDa). Most of the 165 kDa CD15 antigen is accounted for by expression on the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-related molecule NCA160. Other members of this family, NCA95, NCA90 and NCA55, which are also found in neutrophils, do not express the CD15 antigen. There is a marked increase in the surface expression of CD15, CR3 and the antigen recognized by anti-CEA antibodies upon activation of neutrophils by the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine.
The insulin A and B chains contain structural information for the formation of the native molecule. Studies with protein disulphide-isomerase
Authors: Tang J G , Tsou C L
Published: August 2015

It has been shown previously [Tang, Wang & Tsou (1988) Biochem. J. 255, 451-455] that, under appropriate conditions, native insulin can be obtained from scrambled insulin or the S-sulphonates of the chains with a yield of 25-30%, together with reaction products containing the separated A and B chains. The native hormone is by far the predominant product among the isomers containing both chains. It is now shown that the presence of added C peptide has no appreciable effect on the yield of native insulin. At higher temperatures the content of the native hormone decreases whereas those of the separated chains increase, and in no case was scrambled insulin containing both chains the predominant product in the absence of denaturants. Both the scrambling and the unscrambling reactions give similar h.p.l.c. profiles for the products. Under similar conditions cross-linked insulin with native disulphide linkages can be obtained from the scrambled molecule or from the S-sulphonate derivative with yields of 50% and 75% respectively at 4 degrees C, and with a dilute solution of the hexa-S-sulphonate yields better than 90% can be obtained. The regenerated product is shown to have the native disulphide bridges by treatment with CNBr to give insulin and by the identity of the h.p.l.c. profile of its peptic hydrolysate with that for cross-linked insulin. It appears that the insulin A and B chains contain sufficient information for the formation of the native molecule and that the role of the connecting C peptide is to bring and to keep the two chains together.
Photolabelling of mutant forms of the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin with NAD+
Authors: Cieplak W , Locht C , Mar V L , Burnette W N , Keith J M
Published: August 2015

The S1 subunit of pertussis toxin catalyses the hydrolysis of NAD+ (NAD+ glycohydrolysis) and the NAD(+)-dependent ADP-ribosylation of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins. Recently, the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin was shown to be photolabelled by using radiolabelled NAD+ and u.v.; the primary labelled residue was Glu-129, thereby implicating this residue in the binding of NAD+. Studies from various laboratories have shown that the N-terminal portion of the S1 subunit, which shows sequence similarity to cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin, is important to the maintenance of both glycohydrolase and transferase activity. In the present study the photolabelling technique was applied to the analysis of a series of recombinant-derived S1 molecules that possessed deletions or substitutions near the N-terminus of the S1 molecule. The results revealed a positive correlation between the extent of photolabelling with NAD+ and the magnitude of specific NAD+ glycohydrolase activity exhibited by the mutants. Enzyme kinetic analyses of the N-terminal mutants also identified a mutant with substantially reduced activity, a depressed photolabelling efficiency and a markedly increased Km for NAD+. The results support a direct role for the N-terminal region of the S1 subunit in the binding of NAD+, thereby providing a rationale for the effect of mutations in this region on enzymic activity.
Conversion of 19-oxo[2β-2H]androgens into oestrogens by human placental aromatase. An unexpected stereochemical outcome
Authors: Cole P A , Robinson C H
Published: August 2015

Aromatase is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens into oestrogens via sequential oxidations at the 19-methyl group. Despite intensive investigation, the mechanism of the third step, conversion of the 19-aldehydes into oestrogens, has remained unsolved. We have previously found that a pre-enolized 19-al derivative undergoes smooth aromatization in non-enzymic model studies, but the role of enolization by the enzyme in transformations of 19-oxoandrogens has not been previously investigated. The compounds 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]testosterone and 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione have now been synthesized. Exposure of either of these compounds to microsomal aromatase, in the absence of NADPH, for an extended period led to no significant 2H loss or epimerization at C-2, leaving open the importance of an active-site base. However, in the presence of NADPH there was an unexpected substrate-dependent difference in the stereoselectivity of H loss at C-2 in the enzyme-induced aromatization of 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]-testosterone versus 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione. The aromatization results for 17 beta-ol derivative 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]-testosterone correspond to about 1.2:1 2 beta-H/2 alpha-H loss from unlabelled 19-oxotestosterone. In contrast, aromatization results for 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione correspond to at least 11:1 2 beta-H/2 alpha-H loss from unlabelled 19-oxoandrostenedione. This substrate-dependent stereoselectivity implies a direct role for an enzyme active-site base in 2-H removal. Furthermore, these results argue against the proposal that 2 beta-hydroxylation is the obligatory third step in aromatase action.
Evidence for reverse cholesterol transport in vivo from liver endothelial cells to parenchymal cells and bile by high-density lipoprotein
Authors: Bakkeren H F , Kuipers F , Vonk R J , Van Berkel T J C
Published: August 2015

Acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL), biologically labelled in the cholesterol moiety of cholesteryl oleate, was injected into control and oestrogen-treated rats. The serum clearance, the distribution among the various lipoproteins, the hepatic localization and the biliary secretion of the [3H]cholesterol moiety were determined at various times after injection. In order to monitor the intrahepatic metabolism of the cholesterol esters of acetyl-LDL in vivo, the liver was subdivided into parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells by a low-temperature cell-isolation procedure. In both control and oestrogen-treated rats, acetyl-LDL is rapidly cleared from the circulation, mainly by the liver endothelial cells. Subsequently, the cholesterol esters are hydrolysed, and within 1 h after injection, about 60% of the cell- associated cholesterol is released. The [3H]cholesterol is mainly recovered in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) range of the serum of control rats, while low levels of radioactivity are detected in serum of oestrogen-treated rats. In control rats cholesterol is transported from endothelial cells to parenchymal cells (reverse cholesterol transport), where it is converted into bile acids and secreted into bile. The data thus provide evidence that HDL can serve as acceptors for cholesterol from endothelial cells in vivo, whereby efficient delivery to the parenchymal cells and bile is assured. In oestrogen-treated rats the radioactivity from the endothelial cells is released with similar kinetics as in control rats. However, only a small percentage of radioactivity is found in the HDL fraction and an increased uptake of radioactivity in Kupffer cells is observed. The secretion of radioactivity into bile is greatly delayed in oestrogen-treated rats. It is concluded that, in the absence of extracellular lipoproteins, endothelial cells can still release cholesterol, although for efficient transport to liver parenchymal cells and bile, HDL is indispensable.
Mechanisms of 2′-deoxyguanosine toxicity in mouse T-lymphoma cells with purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency and resistance to inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase by dGTP
Authors: Duan D S , Nagashima T , Hoshino T , Waldman F , Pawlak K , Sadee W
Published: August 2015

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP; EC 2.4.2.1) deficiency is thought to cause T-lymphocyte depletion by accumulation of dG and dGTP, resulting in feedback inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (RR; EC 1.17.4.1) and hence DNA synthesis. To test for additional toxic mechanisms of dG, we selected a double mutant of the mouse T-lymphoma S-49 cell line, dGuo-L, which is deficient in PNP and partially resistant to dGTP feedback inhibition of RR. The effects of dG on dGuo-L cells (concn. causing 50% inhibition, IC50 = 150 microM) were compared with those on the wild-type cells (IC50 = 30 microM) and the NSU-1 mutant with PNP deficiency only (IC50 = 15 microM). Fluorescence flow cytometry showed that equitoxic dG concentrations arrested wild-type and NSU-1 cells at the G1-S interface while allowing continued DNA synthesis in the S-phase, whereas the double mutant dGuo-L cells progressed through the cell cycle normally. dGuo-L cells accumulated high levels of dGTP in G1-phase, but not in S-phase cells, because of the utilization of dGTP for DNA synthesis and limited capacity to synthesize dGTP from dG. These results support the hypothesis that dG/dGTP toxicity occurs in the G1-phase or at the G1-S interface. Failure of dG to arrest the double mutant dGuo-L cells at the G1-S interface allows these cells to escape into S-phase, with an accompanying drop in dGTP levels. Thus the partial resistance of dGuo-L cells to dG toxicity may result from their shorter residence time in G1, allowing them to sustain higher dGTP levels. Hence RR inhibition by dGuo may not be the primary toxic mechanism in S-49 cells; rather, it may serve as an accessory event in dG toxicity by keeping the cells in the sensitive phase of the cell cycle. Among the possible targets of dG toxicity is RNA synthesis, which was inhibited at an early stage in dGuo-L cells.
Two linkage-region fragments isolated from skeletal keratan sulphate contain a sulphated N-acetylglucosamine residue
Authors: Dickenson J M , Huckerby T N , Nieduszynski I A
Published: August 2015

Peptido-keratan sulphate fragments were isolated from the nucleus pulposus of bovine intervertebral discs (6-year-old animals) after chondroitin ABC lyase digestion followed by digestion of A1D1 proteoglycans by diphenylcarbamoyl chloride-treated trypsin and gel-permeation chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B. Treatment of these peptido-keratan sulphate fragments with alkaline NaB3H4 yielded keratan sulphate chains with [3H]galactosaminitol end-labels, and these chains were further purified by gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and ion-exchange chromatography on a Pharmacia Mono-Q column in order to exclude any contamination with O-linked oligosaccharides. The chains were then treated with keratanase, and the digest was chromatographed on a Bio-Gel P-4 column followed by anion-exchange chromatography on a Nucleosil 5 SB column. Two oligosaccharides, each representing 18% of the recovered radiolabel, were examined by 500 MHz 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, and shown to have the following structures: [formula: see text] The structure of oligosaccharide (I) confirms the N-acetylneuraminylgalactose substitution at position 3 of N-acetylgalactosamine in the keratan sulphate-protein linkage region found by Hopwood & Robinson [(1974) Biochem. J. 141, 57-69] but additionally shows the presence of a 6-sulphated N-acetylglucosamine. Electron micro-probe analysis specifically confirmed the presence of sulphur in this sample. This sulphate ester group differentiates the keratan sulphate linkage region from similar structures derived from O-linked oligosaccharides [Lohmander, De Luca, Nilsson, Hascall, Caputo, Kimura & Heinegård (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6084-6091].
Two temporally synthesized charge subunits interact to form the five isoforms of cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum) catalase
Authors: Ni W , Trelease R N , Eising R
Published: August 2015

Five charge isoforms of tetrameric catalase were isolated from cotyledons of germinated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings. Denaturing isoelectric focusing of the individual isoforms in polyacrylamide gels indicated that isoforms A (most anodic) and E (most cathodic) consisted of one subunit of different charge, whereas isoforms B, C and D each consisted of a mixture of these two subunits. Thus the five isoforms apparently were formed through combinations of two subunits in different ratios. Labelling cotyledons in vivo with [35S]methionine at three daily intervals in the dark, and translation in vivo of polyadenylated RNA isolated from cotyledons at the same ages, revealed synthesis of two different subunits. One of the subunits was synthesized in cotyledons at all ages studied (days 1-3), whereas the other subunit was detected only at days 2 and 3. This differential expression of two catalase subunits helped explain previous results from this laboratory showing that the two anodic forms (A and B) found in maturing seeds were supplemented with three cathodic forms (C-E) after the seeds germinated. These subunit data also helped clarify our new findings that proteins of isoforms A, B and C (most active isoforms) accumulated in cotyledons of plants kept in the dark for 3 days, then gradually disappeared during the next several days, whereas isoforms D and E (least active isoforms) remained in the cells. This shift in isoform pattern occurred whether seedlings were kept in the dark or exposed to continuous light after day 3, although exposure to light enhanced this process. These sequential molecular events were responsible for the characteristic developmental changes (rise and fall) in total catalase activity. We believe that the isoform changeover is physiologically related to the changeover in glyoxysome to leaf-type-peroxisome metabolism.
Melittin stimulates liver glycogenolysis and the release of prostaglandin D2 and thromboxane B2
Authors: García-Sáinz J A , Hernández-Sotomayor S M T , Macías-Silva M
Published: August 2015

Melittin stimulates glycogenolysis and induces vasoconstriction in perfused rat liver. The effect was rapid and associated with production and release of prostaglandin D2 and thromboxane B2. Indomethacin blocked the release of these eicosanoids and the stimulation of glycogenolysis induced by melittin. Ibuprofen blocked the release of prostaglandin D2 induced by melittin and markedly attenuated that of thromboxane B2. Interestingly, the initial burst of glucose output induced by melittin was not inhibited by ibuprofen, although the duration of the glycogenolytic action of the peptide was greatly diminished.