bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aboral changes in d-glucose transport by human intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles
Authors: Bluett M K , Abumrad N N , Arab N , Ghishan F K
Published: August 2015

D-Glucose transport was investigated in isolated brush-border membrane vesicles from human small intestine. Characteristics of D-glucose transport from the jejunum were compared with that in the mid and terminal ileum. Jejunal and mid-ileal D-glucose transport was Na+-dependent and electrogenic. The transient overshoot of jejunal D-glucose transport was significantly greater than corresponding values in mid-ileum. The terminal ileum did not exhibit Na+-dependent D-glucose transport, but did exhibit Na+-dependent taurocholate transport. Na+-glucose co-transport activity as measured by tracer-exchange experiments was greatest in the jejunum, and diminished aborally. We conclude that D-glucose transport in man is Na+-dependent and electrogenic in the proximal intestine and directly related to the activity of D-glucose-Na+ transporters present in the brush-border membranes. D-Glucose transport in the terminal ileum resembles colonic transport of D-glucose.
Oxidation of reduced Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase by molecular oxygen. A kinetic study
Authors: Viglino P , Scarpa M , Coin F , Rotilio G , Rigo A
Published: August 2015

The rate of oxidation of reduced bovine Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase [ECu(I)] by molecular O2 was studied by magnetic-resonance techniques and was found to be low under physiological conditions. The analysis of the kinetic data and of the experiments carried out in the presence of tetranitromethane confirms that O2.- is a product of the oxidation process. At [ECu(I)]/([ECu(I)] + [ECu(II)]) greater than 0.5 the O2.- produced reacts mainly with ECu(I), increasing the oxidation rate of the enzyme, whereas at [ECu(I)]/([ECu(I)] + [ECu(II)]) less than 0.5 it reacts mainly with ECu(II), decreasing the oxidation rate, the kinetics, at constant O2 concentration, being an apparent second-order process. The oxidation rate increased linearly with both O2 and OH- concentration, indicating that only a deprotonated form of the ECu(I) reacts with O2.-.
Application of high-performance liquid chromatography to the purification and characterization of ribosomal protein L3 from trichodermin-resistant yeast mutants
Authors: Threadgill G J , Conrad R C , Changchien L M , Cannon M , Craven G R
Published: August 2015

A new h.p.l.c. cation-exchange method has been used to separate proteins from 60S ribosomal subunits prepared from strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae sensitive or resistant to trichodermin. Ribosomal protein L3 was identified in column eluates by one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and purified further by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. The protein was cleaved with CNBr and the products were analysed, again by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. A marked difference was observed in the peptide profiles between preparations from trichodermin-sensitive and trichodermin-resistant yeast strains. These results provide the first direct demonstration that, in yeast, mutationally induced resistance to trichodermin can alter the covalent structure of ribosomal protein L3. They convincingly demonstrate the potential of the experimental technique for the rapid and preparative separation of a selected yeast ribosomal protein and its subsequent characterization.
Excretion of laccase by sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells. Effects of a copper deficiency
Authors: Bligny R , Gaillard J , Douce R
Published: August 2015

Copper-deprived sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) cells do not excrete molecules of active laccase in their culture medium. In the range of 2-100 micrograms of copper initially present per litre of nutrient solution, the total laccase activity measured in the cell suspensions at the end of the exponential phase of growth was closely proportional to the amount of added copper. However, copper-deprived cells excreted the laccase apoprotein (laccase without copper) at the same rate as copper-supplied cells excreted the active, copper-containing, laccase. When the culture medium was initially supplied with limiting amounts of copper, the active laccase was excreted until all copper molecules were metabolized. Thereafter, the laccase apoprotein was excreted. Consequently, at the end of the exponential phase of growth, the cell supernatants contained a mixture of apoprotein and copper-containing laccase. After purification and concentration, this mixture of copper-containing laccase (blue) and laccase apoprotein (slightly yellow) showed a yellow-green colour. Under copper-limiting culture conditions an equivalent decrease of Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 Cu2+ was observed. Addition of copper to copper-deficient enzyme solutions does not result in a recovery of the enzyme activity. However, when added to copper-deficient sycamore-cell suspensions, copper induced a recovery of the excretion of active enzyme, at a normal rate, within about 10 h. The first molecules of active laccase were excreted after 3-4 h.
Oxidative decarboxylation of 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate by branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex
Authors: Jones S M A , Yeaman S J
Published: August 2015

Highly purified branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex (BCOADC) oxidizes 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate and 2-oxobutyrate, with Km values of 67 microM and 18 microM respectively. The Vmax. for oxidation of these substrates is 27% and 53% respectively of that for 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate. Highly purified pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) oxidizes 2-oxobutyrate (Km 100 microM; Vmax. 49% of that for pyruvate) but not 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate, whereas 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex will not utilize either 2-oxo acid as substrate. BCOADC kinase is inhibited by both 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate and 2-oxobutyrate, with half-maximal inhibition by 45 microM and 50 microM respectively. Phosphorylation of BCOADC in isolated adipocytes is inhibited by both 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate and 2-oxobutyrate, consistent with their inhibitory action of BCOADC kinase. Phosphorylation of PDC is decreased by 2-oxobutyrate, but not by 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate.
Use of toluene-permeabilized mitochondria to study the regulation of adipose tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase in situ. Further evidence that insulin acts through stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase
Authors: Thomas A P , Denton R M
Published: August 2015

Rat epididymal-adipose-tissue mitochondria were made selectively permeable to small molecules without the loss of matrix enzymes by treating the mitochondria with toluene under controlled conditions. With this preparation the entire pyruvate dehydrogenase system was shown to be retained within the mitochondrial matrix and to retain its normal catalytic activity. By using dilute suspensions of these permeabilized mitochondria maintained in the cuvette of a spectrophotometer, it was possible to monitor changes of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity continuously while the activities of the interconverting kinase and phosphatase could be independently manipulated. Permeabilized mitochondria were prepared from control and insulin-treated adipose tissue, and the properties of both the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase and the phosphatase were compared in situ. No difference in kinase activity was detected, but increases in phosphatase activity were observed in permeabilized mitochondria from insulin-treated tissue. Further studies showed that the main effect of insulin treatment was a decrease in the apparent Ka of the phosphatase for Mg2+, in agreement with earlier studies with mitochondria made permeable to Mg2+ by using the ionophore A23187 [Thomas, Diggle & Denton (1986) Biochem. J. 238, 83-91]. No effects of spermine were detected, although spermine diminishes the Ka of purified phosphatase preparations for Mg2+. Since effects of insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase activity are not evident in mitochondrial extracts, it is concluded that insulin may act by altering some high-Mr component which interacts with the pyruvate dehydrogenase system within intact or permeabilized mitochondria, but not when the mitochondrial membranes are disrupted.
Growth hormone regulation of the expression of differentiation-dependent genes in preadipocyte Ob1771 cells
Authors: Doglio A , Dani C , Grimaldi P , Ailhaud G
Published: August 2015

The adipose conversion of Ob1771 preadipocytes, during exposure to medium containing bovine serum and supplemented with growth hormone, is accompanied by the acquisition of phenotypic markers and the increased accumulation of specific mRNAs. The expression of lipoprotein lipase, and that of unidentified pOb24 and pGH3 mRNAs, are early events which are independent of growth hormone supplementation. By contrast, the late expression of mRNAs encoding for glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and p422 protein (a myelin-P2 homologue) and that of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity require the presence of growth hormone. The abundance of beta-actin mRNA does not change during differentiation. Runoff transcription by nuclei isolated from untreated or growth hormone-treated cells reveal little or no change in the rates of transcription of pOb24, pGH3 and beta-actin mRNAs. By contrast, the transcription rate of the p422 gene increases markedly (greater than 6-fold) in nuclei of growth hormone-treated cells. However, the p422 mRNA is more abundant than would be predicted by its nuclear transcription alone, suggesting, in Ob1771 cells exposed to growth hormone, that there is a post-transcriptional level of control. These results indicate that the permissive role of growth hormone during adipose cell differentiation is related to terminal events only and that its effects can be seen both at the protein and mRNA level. These results strongly suggest that an increased rate of specific transcription is primarily responsible for the accumulation of mRNAs during exposure to growth hormone.
Absence of monoacylglycerol pathway for triacylglycerol synthesis in goat mammary gland
Authors: Hansen H O , Jensen S S , Knudsen J
Published: August 2015

Both subcellular fractions of lactating goat mammary gland and dispersed lactating goat mammary-gland cells were able to incorporate [U-3H]2-O-hexadecylglycerol into monoalkyl-monoacylglycerol. However, the incorporation of [U-3H]2-O-hexadecylglycerol into monoalkyl-monoacylglycerol by dispersed cells was not accompanied by incorporation of fatty acid synthesized de novo or added radiolabelled fatty acid. The result therefore shows that an active monoacylglycerol pathway does not exist in goat mammary gland.
Properties of signal-sequence peptides at an air-water interface
Authors: Fidelio G D , Austen B M , Chapman D , Lucy J A
Published: August 2015

The surface behaviour of three signal-sequence polypeptides (the pretrypsinogen 2 signal sequence, a synthetic consensus signal sequence and the putative signal sequence of ovalbumin) were studied at an air-water interface. It was found that the surface stabilities of the spread polypeptide films were higher than those of polypeptides and proteins previously investigated (including melittin and membrane proteins), and that the signal peptides had a much lower affinity for the interface than had other peptides and proteins. The observed molecular areas of the signal-sequence peptides indicated that the molecules have a considerable degree of secondary structure at the surface interface.
α-thrombin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of 43,000- and 41,000-Mr proteins is independent of cytoplasmic alkalinization in quiescent fibroblasts
Authors: Kohno M , Pouysségur J
Published: August 2015

Incubation of quiescent Chinese-hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) with alpha-thrombin, a potent mitogen for the cells, was found to stimulate the rapid phosphorylation of two 43,000-Mr and two 41,000-Mr proteins at tyrosine, threonine and/or serine, and two 63,000-Mr proteins at serine. Insulin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are weak mitogens for cells; insulin and TPA did not stimulate the phosphorylation of those proteins significantly, whereas EGF stimulated their phosphorylation to the same extent as did alpha-thrombin. We analysed alpha-thrombin-induced protein phosphorylation at different external pH values in CCL39 and in the mutant derivative PS120, which lacks Na+/H+-antiport activity. We showed that cytoplasmic alkalinization, a common and early response to mitogens, is not required to trigger phosphorylation of 63,000-, 43,000- and 41,000-Mr proteins, either at tyrosine or serine and threonine residues. This finding contrasts with the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, which takes place only at permissive pH for reinitiation of DNA synthesis. These results, demonstrating that phosphorylation of 63,000-, 43,000- and 41,000-Mr proteins and cytoplasmic alkalinization are not coupled, reinforce the idea that the site of action of intracellular pH controlling the commitment of G0/G1-phase-arrested cells to DNA synthesis might be restricted to mitogen-stimulated S6 phosphorylation.
Purification and characterization of the phosphate/hydroxyl ion antiport protein from rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Gibb G M , Reid G P , Lindsay J G
Published: August 2015

The phosphate transport protein was purified from rat liver mitochondria by extraction in an 8% (v/v) Triton X-100 buffer followed by adsorption chromatography on hydroxyapatite and Celite. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (10%, w/v) demonstrated that the purified polypeptide was apparently homogeneous when stained with Coomassie Blue and had a subunit Mr of 34,000. However, lectin overlay analysis of this gel with 125I-labelled concanavalin A demonstrated the presence of several low- and high-Mr glycoprotein contaminants. To overcome this problem, mitochondria were pre-extracted with a 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 buffer as an additional step in the purification of phosphate transport protein. SDS/polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (14-20%, w/v) of the hydroxyapatite and Celite eluates revealed one major band of Mr 34,000 when stained with Coomassie Blue. The known thiol group sensitivity of the phosphate transporter was employed to characterize the isolated polypeptide further. Labelling studies with N-[2-3H]ethylmaleimide showed that only the 34,000-Mr band was labelled in both the hydroxyapatite and Celite fractions, when purified from rat liver mitochondria. Further confirmation of its identity has been provided with an antiserum directed against the 34,000-Mr protein. Specific partial inhibition of phosphate uptake, as measured by iso-osmotic swelling in the presence of (NH4)2HPO4, was achieved when mitoplasts (mitochondria minus outer membrane) were incubated with this antiserum. Finally, amino acid analysis of the rat liver mitochondrial phosphate/hydroxyl ion antiport protein indicates that it is similar in composition to the equivalent protein isolated from ox heart.
Structural comparison of two esterases from Drosophila mojavensis isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography
Authors: Pen J , Van Beeumen J , Beintema J J
Published: August 2015

Antibodies raised against esterase-4 and esterase-5 from Drosophila mojavensis were coupled to Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B to prepare high-efficiency immunomatrices used for their purification. Final purification was achieved by anion-exchange h.p.l.c., in the case of esterase-5 followed by gel-filtration h.p.l.c. The resultant esterase preparations were homogeneous, as judged by gel-filtration h.p.l.c., SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. Esterase-4 and esterase-5 are the products of a duplicated gene. They are differently localized in the insect's body and expressed in different periods during development. Although both enzymes exhibit little immunological cross-reactivity, their amino acid compositions show few significant differences and their N-terminal sequences are largely identical, which clearly show their common origin.
Fluorescence technique for comparative studies of substrate-binding subsites in serine proteinases. Application to subtilisins
Authors: Genov N C , Boteva R N
Published: August 2015

A fluorescence technique for comparative studies of substrate-binding subsites in serine proteinases is described. It consists of: selective labelling of the corresponding subsites with a fluorescent group by using N alpha-dansyl(5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonyl)ated peptide chloromethanes containing different numbers of amino acid residues, and probing the immediate environment of the subsites by quenching experiments using ionic and neutral quenchers. Intramolecular distances between the subsites and particular chromophores can be also determined. The technique is of general applicability to all serine proteinases. The above mentioned approach was applied to two proteinases: subtilisin Novo and mesentericopeptidase. It was concluded that the substrate-binding site of mesentericopeptidase is considerably more polar than that of subtilisin Novo. Intramolecular distances between the labelled subsites and tryptophan residues in the two proteinases were determined.
The determination of specificity constants in enzyme-catalysed reactions
Authors: Crompton I E , Waley S G
Published: August 2015

A convenient and accurate procedure for determining the kinetic parameter Vmax./Km is described. This avoids the error in the usual method of taking the observed first-order rate constant of an enzymic reaction at low substrate concentration as Vmax./Km. A series of reactions is used in which the initial concentration of substrate is below Km (e.g. from 5% to 50% of Km). Measurements are taken over the same extent of reaction (e.g. 70%) for each member of the series, and treated as if the kinetics were truly first-order. The reciprocal of the observed first-order rate constant is then plotted against the initial concentration of substrate: the reciprocal of the ordinate intercept is Vmax./Km. The procedure, as well as being applicable to simple reactions, is shown to be valid when there is competitive inhibition by the product, or when the reaction is reversible, or when there is competitive or mixed inhibition. The hydrolysis of cephalosporin C by a beta-lactamase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is used to illustrate the method.
Distribution of the integral membrane protein NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase in rat liver cells, studied with a quantitative radioimmunoblotting assay
Authors: Borgese N , Pietrini G
Published: August 2015

The intracellular localization of the post-translationally inserted integral membrane protein, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, was investigated, using a quantitative radioimmunoblotting method to determine its concentration in rat liver subcellular fractions. Subcellular fractions enriched in rough or smooth microsomes, Golgi, lysosomes, plasma membrane and mitochondrial inner or outer membranes were characterized by marker enzyme analysis and electron microscopy. Reductase levels were determined both with the NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity assay, and by radioimmunoblotting, and the results of the two methods were compared. When measured as antigen, the reductase was relatively less concentrated in microsomal subfractions, and more concentrated in fractions containing outer mitochondrial membranes, lysosomes and plasma membrane than when measured as enzyme activity. Rough and smooth microsomes had 4-5-fold lower concentrations, on a phospholipid basis than did mitochondrial outer membranes. Fractions containing Golgi, lysosomes and plasma membrane had approximately 14-, approximately 16, and approximately 9-fold lower concentrations of antigen than did mitochondrial outer membranes, respectively, and much of the antigen in these fractions could be accounted for by cross-contamination. No enzyme activity or antigen was detected in mitochondrial inner membranes. Our results indicate that the enzyme activity data do not precisely reflect the true enzyme localization, and show an extremely uneven distribution of reductase among different cellular membranes.
Oxygenase properties of the (4-hydroxybenzoyl)methanol-cleavage enzyme from an Alcaligenes sp
Authors: Hopper D J
Published: August 2015

Studies using H2(18)O and 18O2 demonstrated that, in the cleavage of (4-hydroxybenzoyl)methanol to 4-hydroxybenzoic and formic acids by an enzyme from an Alicaligenes sp., oxygen is incorporated into both products from dioxygen and not from water. The enzyme is, therefore, an oxygenase.
Influence of Ca2+ on the structure of reptilase-derived and thrombin-derived fibrin gels
Authors: Carr M E , Gabriel D A , McDonagh J
Published: August 2015

The effects of Ca2+ ion on the structure of thrombin-derived and reptilase-derived fibrin gels formed at various ionic strengths were studied turbidimetrically. For both enzymes clotting times were shorter, final gel turbidities were higher and fibre mass/length ratios were increased as the ionic strength was lowered. The addition of 5 mM-Ca2+ augmented each of these effects for any given ionic strength. In the thrombin system, Ca2+ increased the final gel turbidity from 0.04 to 0.26 A632.8 at ionic strength 0.15. Under identical conditions in the reptilase system, the final gel turbidity increased from 0.03 A632.8 in the absence of Ca2+ to 0.345 A632.8 in the presence of 5 mM-Ca2+. In the thrombin system, fibre mass/length ratios increased from 0.4 × 10(12) to 6.9 × 10(12) Da/cm in the absence of Ca2+, and from 4.4 × 10(12) to 7.9 × 10(12) Da/cm in the presence of Ca2+, as the ionic strengths were decreased from 0.15 to 0.08 and to 0.11 respectively. In the reptilase system, the mass/length ratios increased from 0.9 × 10(12) to 5.8 × 10(12) Da/cm in the absence of Ca2+, and from 4.8 × 10(12) to 8.7 × 10(12) Da/cm in the presence of Ca2+, as the ionic strengths were decreased from 0.15 to 0.08 and to 0.10 respectively. At ionic strengths below 0.10, the presence of 5 mM-Ca2+ caused precipitation and macroscopic aggregation of fibrinogen upon the addition of either enzyme. In the presence of 5 mM-Ca2+, the fibres composing thrombin-induced and reptilase-induced gels were virtually identical.
IMP production and energy metabolism during exercise in rats in relation to age
Authors: Westra H G , De Haan A , van Doorn J E , de Haan E J
Published: August 2015

IMP production in and force exerted by rat quadriceps muscle in situ during various types of exercise were examined in relation to age. During continuous isometric exercise with constant stimulation time, the amount of IMP was linearly and inversely related to the age of the animals; a higher IMP concentration was found in intermittent isometric and dynamic exercise. No relationship was found between the total AMP deaminase activity and age. Exercise influenced neither the total activity nor the activity in the soluble fraction. From the results it is concluded that: the IMP concentration is linearly related to the free intracellular ATP4-/ADP3- ratio and the free AMP2- concentration; older animals are better able to maintain a high intramuscular ATP4-/ADP3- ratio and a low AMP2- concentration; IMP is produced in particular under conditions when the muscle has to work under extreme stress. IMP possibly exerts a feed-back control on the contraction system.
[γ-32P]ATP as a tracer of the fragmentation of Ca-f-actin
Authors: Grazi E , Trombetta G
Published: August 2015

[gamma-32P]ATP-G-actin was polymerized in 4 mM-CaCl2, and the distribution of the radioactive nucleotide among the oligomeric and the polymeric species was studied. The results obtained are best explained by assuming spontaneous fragmentation.
Characterization of specific V1a vasopressin-binding sites on a rat mammary-tumour-cell line
Authors: Guillon G , Kirk C J , Balestre M N
Published: August 2015

WRK 1, a cloned cell line derived from a rat mammary tumour, carries specific vasopressin-binding sites. Specific binding of 2-tyrosine-3H-labelled [8-lysine]vasopressin ([3H]vasopressin) was time-dependent, saturable and reversible. Scatchard-plot analysis of hormone binding indicated the presence of a single class of receptors with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 12.7 +/- 0.2 nM. The maximal binding capacity was 75 +/- 6 fmol/10(6) cells, which corresponds to approx. 45,000 sites per cell. Oxytocin and a highly potent oxytocin analogue were able to inhibit completely [3H]vasopressin binding, but, in this respect, they were far less potent than vasopressin. This clearly demonstrates the vasopressinergic nature of this receptor. Pharmacological studies using a series of 14 vasopressin or oxytocin analogues indicated that the ligand selectivity of the vasopressin receptor found on WRK 1 cells resembles that of the rat hepatocyte. This signifies that this vasopressin receptor is of the V1a subtype. This conclusion was confirmed by the observation that vasopressin did not influence the production of intracellular cyclic AMP in WRK 1 cells.
The effect of fatty acids and starvation on the metabolism of gluconeogenic precursors by isolated sheep liver cells
Authors: Lomax M A , Donaldson I A , Pogson C I
Published: August 2015

Isolated liver cells prepared from fed sheep synthesize glucose from propionate at twice the rate observed with cells from starved animals. Addition of palmitate or palmitate + carnitine to incubations of liver cells from starved animals inhibited the rate of glucose synthesis with lactate as a precursor, but had little effect when propionate and pyruvate were substrates. Liver cells from fed and starved sheep synthesized lactate and pyruvate when incubated with propionate. Fatty acids inhibited this formation of lactate and pyruvate from propionate. It is proposed that the different responses of gluconeogenic precursors to fatty acids can be explained by the effect of reducing equivalents on the transport of carbon atoms across the mitochondrial membrane.
Effects of insulin and prior exercise on prostaglandin release from perfused rat muscle Evidence that prostaglandins do not mediate changes in glucose uptake
Authors: Zorzano A , Balon T W , Jakubowski J A , Goodman M N , Deykin D , Ruderman N B
Published: August 2015

Prostaglandin generation and its inter-relation to the metabolic effects of insulin and prior exercise were examined in perfused muscle of fed rats. During a 60 min perfusion of the rat hindquarter, a substantial release of the prostaglandins PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and 6-oxoPGF1 alpha was observed. Blood cells present in the perfusate released these substances in negligible amounts indicating the prostaglandins were produced by the hindquarter. Addition of insulin to the perfusate increased both glucose uptake and the generation of PGE2 and 6-oxoPGF1 alpha. At 30 min after intense treadmill exercise, glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) uptake by the hindquarter were increased in the absence of added insulin, but prostaglandin release was not increased. Insulin further increased glucose and AIB uptake; however, in contrast with its effects in non-exercised rats, insulin no longer stimulated prostaglandin generation. Indomethacin (10 microM) added to the perfusate inhibited the release of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 by 90% and the release of 6-oxoPGF1 alpha by 54%. It had no effect on the stimulation of glucose uptake by either insulin or prior exercise. The data indicate that insulin increases prostaglandin synthesis by perfused rat muscle, and that prior exercise blocks this effect. They suggest that under the conditions studied prostaglandins do not mediate the effects of insulin or prior exercise on glucose uptake.
The egasyn gene affects the processing of oligosaccharides of lysosomal β-glucuronidase in liver
Authors: Swank R T , Pfister K , Miller D , Chapman V
Published: August 2015

The accumulation of the relatively large amounts of beta-glucuronidase in microsomal fractions of normal mice depends on formation of complexes with the protein egasyn. Unexpectedly, it was found that the egasyn gene also affects the processing of beta-glucuronidase, which is segregated to lysosomes. In egasyn-positive mice lysosomal beta-glucuronidase from liver has a mean pI of 5.9 with a minor proportion at pI 5.4, whereas in egasyn-negative mice the proportion of the two lysosomal forms is reversed. Combined experiments measuring susceptibility to neuraminidase and to endoglycosidase H and specific binding to Ricinus communis lectin-agarose columns showed that the alterations in isoelectric point were associated with a decrease in complex oligosaccharides of lysosomal beta-glucuronidase in egasyn-positive mice. Since this alteration occurs not only in a congenic strain carrying the Eg0 gene but also in several other inbred strains that are homozygous for this gene, it is considered to be a genuine effect of the Eg gene rather than other genes that might regulate oligosaccharide processing. Also, the alteration is likely to be a result of direct physical interaction of the egasyn protein and lysosomal beta-glucuronidase, since a second lysosomal enzyme, beta-galactosidase, which does not form complexes with egasyn, is unaffected. The results suggest a model in which egasyn not only causes accumulation of beta-glucuronidase in the microsomal compartment but also acts upon the precursor to lysosomal beta-glucuronidase to alter its interaction with trans-Golgi-apparatus processing enzymes.
Free-radical-mediated fragmentation of monoamine oxidase in the mitochondrial membrane Roles for lipid radicals
Authors: Dean R T , Thomas S M , Garner A
Published: August 2015

A flux of hydroxyl radicals generated by gamma-irradiation can fragment monoamine oxidase in the membrane of submitochondrial particles. This fragmentation can be inhibited by mannitol and in addition is more extensive in monoamine oxidase preparations that have been depleted of lipid. This latter observation is consistent with the higher yields of fragmentation induced by hydroxyl radicals in soluble proteins in the absence of added lipids. In the absence of oxygen, gamma-irradiation of submitochondrial particles leads to cross-linking reactions. A flux of hydroperoxyl radicals also causes fragmentation, whereas one of superoxide is virtually inactive in this respect. The irradiation of submitochondrial particles leads in addition to the accumulation of products of lipid peroxidation. When these irradiated preparations are exposed to ferrous or cupric salts a further fragmentation of monoamine oxidase ensues, especially at acid pH. These transition-metal-catalysed reactions do not occur with irradiated preparations depleted of lipid, and the post-irradiation protein modifications are concomitant with further lipid peroxidation. The data indicate roles for lipid radicals in both fragmentation and cross-linking reactions of proteins in biological membranes. These reactions may have an important bearing on control of protein activity and of protein turnover in membranes.
Physical properties of chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate proteoglycans from bovine aorta
Authors: Kapoor R , Phelps C F , Wight T N
Published: August 2015

Bovine aortic chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate proteoglycans (PG-25, PG-35 and PG-50) were differentially precipitated with ethanol and analysed by a variety of chemical and physical techniques. The glycosaminoglycan chains of PG-25 and PG-35 contained a mixture of glucuronic acid and iduronic acid, whereas the uronic acid component of PG-50 was primarily glucuronic acid. In addition, various amounts of oligosaccharides containing small amounts of mannose, a galactose/hexosamine ratio of 1:1 and an absence of uronic acid were covalently linked to the core protein of all proteoglycans. The weight-average Mr (Mw) values of the proteoglycans determined by light-scattering in 4 M-guanidinium chloride were 1.3 × 10(6) (PG-25), 0.30 × 10(6) (PG-35) and 0.88 × 10(6) (PG-50). The s0 values of the proteoglycans were distributed between 7 and 8 S, and the reduced viscosities, eta sp./c, of all proteoglycans were dependent on the shear rate and polymer concentration. Electron microscopy of spread molecules revealed that PG-25 contained small structural units that appeared to self-associate into large aggregates, whereas PG-35 and PG-50 appeared mainly as monomers consisting of a core with various numbers of side projections. Hyaluronic acid-proteoglycan complexes occurred only with a small proportion of the molecules present in PG-35, and their formation could be inhibited by oligosaccharides. These results suggest the presence in the aorta of subspecies of chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate proteoglycans, which show large variations in their physicochemical and inter- and intra-molecular association properties.
Biosynthesis of intestinal microvillar proteins Processing of N-linked carbohydrate is not required for surface expression
Authors: Danielsen E M , Cowell G M
Published: August 2015

Castanospermine, an inhibitor of glucosidase I, the initial enzyme in the trimming of N-linked carbohydrate, was used to study the importance of carbohydrate processing in the biosynthesis of microvillar enzymes in organ-cultured pig intestinal explants. For aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2), aminopeptidase A (EC 3.4.11.7), sucrase-isomaltase (EC 3.2.1.48-10) and maltase-glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.20), castanospermine caused the formation of novel transient forms of higher Mr than corresponding controls, indicating a blocked removal of glucose residues. For the first three enzymes, the ‘mature’ (Golgi-processed) forms were similar in size to or slightly smaller than corresponding controls and were, as shown for aminopeptidase N, endoglycosidase-H-sensitive, evidence of a blocked attachment of complex sugars. Maltase-glucoamylase did not undergo conversion into a ‘mature’ form, suggesting that, unlike other microvillar enzymes, it does not receive post-translational O-linked carbohydrate. Castanospermine suppressed the synthesis of the four enzymes, but did not block their transport to the microvillar membrane, showing that processing of N-linked carbohydrate is not required for microvillar expression. The proteinase inhibitor leupeptin partially restored the suppressed synthesis, indicating that the majority of the wrongly processed enzymes, probably because of conformational instability, become degraded soon after synthesis rather than being transported to the microvillar membrane.
[3H]dipyridamole binding to nucleoside transporters from guinea-pig and rat lung
Authors: Shi M M , Young J D
Published: August 2015

Membranes from guinea-pig lung exhibited high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole, a potent inhibitor of nucleoside transport. Binding (apparent KD 2 nM) was inhibited by the nucleoside-transport inhibitors nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), dilazep and lidoflazine and by the transported nucleosides uridine and adenosine. In contrast, there was no detectable high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole to lung membranes from the rat, a species whose nucleoside transporters exhibit a low sensitivity to dipyridamole inhibition. Bmax. values for high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole and [3H]NBMPR to guinea-pig membranes were similar, suggesting that these structurally unrelated ligands bind to the NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside transporter with the same stoichiometry.
Valine metabolism Gluconeogenesis from 3-hydroxyisobutyrate
Authors: Letto J , Brosnan M E , Brosnan J T
Published: August 2015

During valine catabolism in muscle both 2-oxoisovalerate and 3-hydroxyisobutyrate can be released into the circulation. 3-Hydroxyisobutyrate is a good gluconeogenic substrate in isolated cortical tubules and hepatocytes. The maximal rate of gluconeogenesis from 3-hydroxyisobutyrate was greater than from 2-oxoisovalerate. We propose that 3-hydroxyisobutyrate is an inter-organ metabolite by which the gluconeogenic potential of valine, whose catabolism has been initiated in muscle, may be conserved.
Comparative study of iron mobilization from haemosiderin, ferritin and iron(III) precipitates by chelators
Authors: Kontoghiorghes G J , Chambers S , Hoffbrand A V
Published: August 2015

The heteroaromatic chelators 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one, maltol, mimosine and 2,4-dihydroxypyridine-N-oxide, have been shown to mobilize iron from human spleen haemosiderin, ferritin and also from iron(III) precipitates, all containing equal amounts of iron, at physiological pH. In the case of almost every chelator, the least-solubilized polynuclear iron form was ferritin, whereas haemosiderin was more soluble and the iron(III) precipitate the most soluble of all. Most of the chelators were more efficient than desferrioxamine at releasing iron from ferritin, but less efficient in the removal of iron from the other two polynuclear iron forms. It is suggested that the chelator differences in iron mobilization may be related to variations in the chelator molecular structure, the protein structure, iron forms and in the mechanism of iron release.
Cytosolic ratios of free [NADPH]/[NADP+] and [NADH]/[NAD+] in mouse pancreatic islets, and nutrient-induced insulin secretion
Authors: Hedeskov C J , Capito K , Thams P
Published: August 2015

When the extracellular concentration of glucose was raised from 3 mM to 7 mM (the concentration interval in which beta-cell depolarization and the major decrease in K+ permeability occur), the cytosolic free [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratio in mouse pancreatic islets increased by 29.5%. When glucose was increased to 20 mM, a 117% increase was observed. Glucose had no effect on the cytosolic free [NADH]/[NAD+] ratio. Neither the cytosolic free [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratio nor the corresponding [NADH]/[NAD+] ratio was affected when the islets were incubated with 20 mM-fructose or with 3 mM-glucose + 20 mM-fructose, although the last-mentioned condition stimulated insulin release. The insulin secretagogue leucine (10 mM) stimulated insulin secretion, but lowered the cytosolic free [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratio; 10 mM-leucine + 10 mM-glutamine stimulated insulin release and significantly enhanced both the [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratio and the [NADH]/[NAD+] ratio. It is concluded that the cytosolic free [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratio may be involved in coupling beta-cell glucose metabolism to beta-cell depolarization and ensuing insulin secretion, but it may not be the sole or major coupling factor in nutrient-induced stimulation of insulin secretion.
Relationship between RNA polymerase I activity and ornithine decarboxylase in rat liver tissues
Authors: Urata M , Suzuki N , Hosoya T
Published: August 2015

In order to examine the relationship between RNA polymerase I and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), three lines of experiments were performed, with the following results. The glucocorticoid-induced increase of RNA polymerase I in rat liver nuclei was not abolished by administration of inhibitors of ODC synthesis and activity, namely 1,3-diaminopropane and 2-difluoromethylornithine respectively. Anti-ODC antibody did not cross-react with RNA polymerase I solubilized from rat liver nucleoli, indicating the absence of a common protein sequence in these enzymes. The ODC preparation which was treated with transglutaminase in the presence of putrescine could not stimulate the activity of RNA polymerase I in nuclei of liver and prostate. All these results suggest that the increases in ODC protein or activity are not a prerequisite to the increase in RNA polymerase I after hormonal or physiological stimuli, but rather that the increases in both enzymes are separate responses to the primary stimuli.
Catecholamine activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in white adipose tissue of the rat in vivo
Authors: Kilgour E , Vernon R G
Published: August 2015

Intraperitoneal injections of noradrenaline or adrenaline into rats increased the proportion of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the active state in white adipose tissue; this effect of catecholamines was also apparent in streptozotocin-diabetic rats, showing that it was not due to an increase in serum insulin concentration. The catecholamine-induced increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase of white adipose tissue in vivo was completely blocked by prior injection of either the beta-antagonist propranolol or the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin. Cervical dislocation of conscious rats increased pyruvate dehydrogenase activity of white adipose tissue, which was prevented by prior injection of propranolol. Adrenaline (30 nM) activated pyruvate dehydrogenase in white adipocytes in vitro; the maximum effect of adrenaline required activation of both alpha 1- and beta-receptors. The results show that catecholamines activate pyruvate dehydrogenase of white adipose tissue both in vivo and in vitro and that this effect is mediated by a combination of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors.
Adrenergic regulation of formation of inositol phosphates in rat submandibular acini
Authors: Doughney C , Dormer R L , McPherson M A
Published: August 2015

Formation of inositol phosphates in response to adrenergic secretagogues was studied in rat submandibular acini labelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. Noradrenaline rapidly (within 5 s) increased radioactivity incorporated into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol tetrakisphosphate, with less rapid (within 1 min) increases in inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate being observed. Inositol polyphosphate formation was less sensitive to noradrenaline than was stimulation of mucin secretion and was mediated by stimulation of alpha- but not beta-adrenergic receptors. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, which is a potent stimulator of mucin secretion [McPherson & Dormer (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 473-481] did not increase formation of inositol mono-, bis- or polyphosphates during a 15 min incubation. The results suggest that inositol phosphates do not mediate beta-adrenergic stimulation of mucin secretion in rat submandibular acini. In addition, rat submandibular acinar cells contain a Ca2+ pool which can be mobilized by isoproterenol [McPherson & Dormer (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 473-481], without involvement of inositol polyphosphates as second messengers.
Characterization of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase. Use of bromoacyl derivatives and antibodies
Authors: Brady P S , Dunker A K , Brady L J
Published: August 2015

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) is a mitochondrial-inner-membrane enzyme, with activities located on both the outer and inner sides of the membrane. The inhibition of CPT by bromopalmitate derivatives was studied in intact hepatic mitochondria (representing CPT-A activity, the outer enzyme), in inverted submitochondrial vesicles (representing CPT-B, the inner enzyme), and in purified hepatic CPT. Bromopalmitoyl-CoA had an I50 (concentration giving 50% inhibition of CPT activity) of 0.63 +/- 0.08 microM in intact mitochondria and 2.44 +/- 0.86 microM in inverted vesicles. Preincubation of mitochondria with bromopalmitoyl-CoA decreased V max. for both CPT-A and CPT-B. Sonication decreased sensitivity to bromopalmitoyl-CoA, and solubilization with Triton abolished sensitivity at the concentrations used (0-10 microM). Purified CPT had a bromopalmitoyl-CoA I50 of 353 microM in aqueous buffer, 67 microM in 20% dimethyl sulphoxide, 45 microM in phosphatidylcholine liposomes and 26 microM in cardiolipin liposomes. Increasing [carnitine] at constant bromopalmitoyl-CoA concentrations or increasing [bromopalmitoyl-CoA] in the preincubation resulted in increased inhibition of purified CPT. 2-Tetradecylglycidyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA did not offer measurable protection against bromopalmitoyl-CoA inhibition of the purified CPT, suggesting a different site of interaction of bromopalmitoyl-CoA with CPT. The data suggest that the sensitivity of CPT to bromopalmitoyl-CoA may be modulated by membrane environment and assay conditions.
Protein kinase C does not phosphorylate the externalized form of the transferrin receptor
Authors: Adam M A , Johnstone R M
Published: August 2015

We have investigated the phosphorylation of transferrin receptors both in intact sheep reticulocytes and in isolated plasma membranes. Phosphorylation of the receptor in intact cells or isolated plasma membranes is stimulated by phorbol diesters, suggesting that protein kinase C may be involved. Identical [32P] phosphopeptide tryptic maps are formed in the presence and absence of phorbol diesters. Using heat-treated membranes (which are devoid of endogenous kinase activity) exogenous protein kinase C phosphorylates the same peptides as the endogenous kinase(s). During maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes, the transferrin receptor is released to the medium in vesicular form. In cells labelled with [32P]Pi, the released receptor is not labelled with 32P and the exocytosed vesicles do not phosphorylate receptor with [gamma-32P]ATP. The absence of 32P in the released receptor appears to be due to a change in the receptor, since, even in the presence of exogenous protein kinase C, the exocytosed receptor is phosphorylated to approximately 8% of the level obtained with receptors from the plasma membrane. These data suggest that during maturation and externalization the receptor is altered so that it loses its capacity to act as a substrate for exogenous protein kinase C as well as the endogenous kinase(s). This change may be a signal which segregates the receptor for externalization from the receptor pool remaining for transferrin recycling during the final stages of red cell maturation.
Pig pancreatic anhydro-elastase. Role of the serine-195 hydroxy group in the binding of inhibitors and substrate
Authors: Williams H R , Lin T Y , Navia M A , Springer J P , Hoogsteen K
Published: August 2015

The binding constants of a number of ligands were measured for pancreatic elastase (PE) and anhydro-elastase (AE) in order to assess the contribution of Ser-195 to substrate and inhibitor binding by PE. AE was purified by affinity chromatography on a column containing immobilized turkey ovomucoid inhibitor. The AE had 0.1 +/- 0.1% of the activity of the native enzyme and contained 0.8 +/- 0.06 residue of dehydroalanine per molecule. A difference electron-density map, derived from an X-ray crystallographic analysis of AE, showed that the modified residue was Ser-195. The complexing of 3-carboxypropionyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide (SAN) to the active site of AE was also demonstrated by X-ray-diffraction analysis of an AE crystal soaked overnight with substrate. The nitroanilide moiety was not observed in the difference map. AE was shown to bind turkey ovomucoid inhibitor with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.3 +/- 0.06 microM compared with 0.10 microM for PE. The Kd of the AE-SAN complex (0.2 mM) was comparable with the Michaelis constant for SAN with PE (1.0 mM). A number of inhibitors, such as elastatinal, which forms a hemiketal adduct with PE, while others such as the beta-lactams, which function as acylators of the active-site serine residue, bound AE with a lower affinity than to PE. The binding of a peptidylchloromethane (acetyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala-CH2Cl) to AE occurs without evidence for alkylation of histidine. The binding constants for benzoisothiazolinone and 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin to PE differed from their binding constants to AE by less than a factor of 4.0-fold. The contribution of the hydroxy group of Ser-195 to the binding of these inhibitors to PE in their non-covalent complexes is relatively small, even though they inactivate PE by an acylation mechanism. These results suggest that the hydroxy group on Ser-195 in PE is of secondary importance in the energetics of ligand binding, in contrast with its essential role in the catalytic properties of the enzyme.
Rapid increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and cytosolic free Ca2+ in agonist-stimulated pancreatic acini of the rat. Effect of carbachol, caerulein and secretin
Authors: Trimble E R , Bruzzone R , Meehan C J , Biden T J
Published: August 2015

We compared the time course of increases in isomers of inositol trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and Ins(1,3,4)P3] and the tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] with changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ [(Ca2+]i) in dispersed pancreatic acini of the rat. There were rapid (5s) increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in response to carbachol, caerulein and secretin, whereas Ins(1,3,4)P3 increased more slowly. All three secretagogues induced increases in [Ca2+]i, which reached a peak at 15-20 s. Our results indicate that the very rapid formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 is compatible with its second-messenger role in the initial elevation of [Ca2+]i.