scholarly journals The characterization of a protein–polysaccharide isolated from Kurloff cells of the guinea pig

1970 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 783-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Dean ◽  
Helen Muir
Keyword(s):  
Chondroitin Sulphate ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
Oestrogen Treatment ◽  
Molar Ratios ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Cell Induction ◽  
Toxic Constituent

Kurloff cells of guinea pigs increase in number and accumulate in the spleen on oestrogen treatment. Because they contain metachromatic inclusions and are considered to be lymphocytes they were examined as a possible model for mucopolysaccharidoses like Hurler's syndrome, where some lymphocytes are also metachromatic. Oestrogen treatment produced a large increase in a glycosaminoglycan resembling chondroitin 4-sulphate in chemical analysis, chromatographic behaviour and i.r. spectrum but with an additional strong band at 805cm−1. Material isolated without proteolysis behaved on gel chromatography as a multiple-chain protein–polysaccharide whose molecular size was decreased by proteolysis. It contained xylose and galactose in molar proportions with serine, compatible with the presence of the same linkage region as in cartilage chondroitin 4-sulphate proteins and which likewise underwent alkaline β-elimination. Kurloff glycosaminoglycan chains were significantly longer than chondroitin sulphate chains of cartilage protein–polysaccharides as assessed by gel chromatography and the molar ratios of galactosamine to xylose or to serine. Kurloff cells thus contain intact rather than partially degraded protein–polysaccharide and hence are not analogous to Hurler cells, and their electron micrographs were also different. The purified Kurloff protein–polysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan isolated here has been shown by Marshall, Swettenham, Vernon-Roberts & Revell (1970) to be toxic specifically to macrophages at extremely low concentrations in vitro, unlike chondroitin sulphate of protein–polysaccharides from cartilage. The toxic constituent may account for the i.r.-absorption band at 805cm−1. Although active incorporation of [35S]sulphate occurs at early stages of Kurloff-cell induction (Marshall et al. 1970), the fully developed Kurloff cell studied here showed very low incorporation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the inclusions are specialized for the storage of the toxic material.

Molecular Size Distribution of Fibrinogen Derivatives Formed in Vitro and in Vivo: a Chromatographic Study

1976 ◽  
Vol 36 (01) ◽  
pp. 014-026 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B Donati ◽  
R Verhaeghe ◽  
D. E Culasso ◽  
J Vermylen
Keyword(s):  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
Chromatographic Study ◽  
Elution Volume ◽  
Human Fibrinogen ◽  
Elution Pattern

SummaryUsing gel chromatography, fibrinogen derivatives present in purified systems or in biological fluids were separated and partially characterized. Eight groups of fibrinogen derivatives could be separated by gel filtration through 6% agarose in large columns, four with an elution volume smaller and four groups with an elution volume larger than that of fibrinogen. Careful calibration of the column allowed estimation of the diffusion coefficients of some of the derivatives and, thus, comparison with derivatives previously identified. Three, rather than two, groups of intermediate derivatives were observed during the degradation of human fibrinogen by plasmin in vitro or in vivo. One of these had a marked tendency to polymerize.A rather distinct difference in elution pattern was found between plasma obtained during streptokinase administration and from patients with intravascular coagulation.

scholarly journals Enzymatic tracers in the study of vascular permeability.

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1120-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Simionescu
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Permeability ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Molecular Shape ◽  
Enzyme Concentration ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
Microvascular Endothelium ◽  
Tracer Solution ◽  
Molecular Radius

Elucidation of the ultrastructural basis of vascular permeability was aided by the development of cytochemical techniques for visualizing the distribution, within the vessel wall, of intravenously injected peroxidatic enzymes of varying molecular size. Tracer enzymes available range from 10 A (hemeoctapeptide) to 52 A (catalase) effective molecular radius. The use of enzymatic probe molecules assumes a thorough characterization of: (a) the molecular charge (isoelectric point of the native enzyme, and when feasible, its polyanionic and polycationic derivatives; (b) effective molecular radius (ae); (c) peroxidase activity (to detect by spectrophotometry of DAB-oxidizing activity, the optimal pH, temperature, and enzyme concentration to be employed in the cytochemical procedure). Molecular shape and state of dispersion of the enzymatic probes should be determined by gel chromatography and spectrophotometry of both the tracer solution and aliquots of blood plasma collected after i.v. injection of the tracer. Conditions required for the probe administration include: (a) the investigation of potential side effects (tests for toxicity and vascular leakage) and (b) estimation of the tracer volume and concentration which does not affect significantly the blood volume and osmotic pressure. Determination in vitro of the crosslinking of tracer molecules induced by the aldehyde fixative to be employed, also gives an indication on potential diffusion artifacts. Based on the information thus obtained, the design of the cytochemical procedure should also take into account the possible use of methods for enhancing the peroxidatic reaction product: nitrogenous ligands (imidazole, diaminopyrimidine, histidine) or polyphenolic mordants (galloylglucoses). The usefulness of peroxidatic tracers in the investigation of vascular permeability is exemplified by some results obtained on the microvascular endothelium in vivo (trasncytosis, intercellular pathway, etc.), and on endothelial cells isolated from heart microvasculature.

scholarly journals Degradation of heparin in mouse mastocytoma tissue

1971 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 1119-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sören Ögren ◽  
Ulf Lindahl
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Potassium Chloride ◽  
Chondroitin Sulphate ◽  
Cetylpyridinium Chloride ◽  
Supernatant Fraction ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
Neutral Sugar ◽  
Pulse Labelling

1. Heparin was prepared from mouse mastocytoma tissue by mild procedures, including extraction of mast-cell granules with 2m-potassium chloride, precipitation of the extracted polysaccharide with cetylpyridinium chloride from 0.8m-potassium chloride and finally digestion of the isolated material with testicular hyaluronidase. The resulting product (fraction GEH) represented approx. 40% of the total heparin content of the tissue. 2. Fraction GEH was fractionated by gel chromatography on Sepharose 4B into three subfractions, with average molecular weights (¯Mw) of approx. 60000–70000 (highly polydisperse material), 26000 and 9000 respectively. Treatment of each of the subfractions with alkali or with papain did not affect their behaviour on gel chromatography. Amino acid and neutral sugar analyses indicated that the two low-molecular-weight fractions consisted largely of single polysaccharide chains lacking the carbohydrate–protein linkage region. It was suggested that these heparin molecules had been degraded by an endopolysaccharidase. 3. Pulse labelling in vivo of mastocytoma heparin with [35S]sulphate showed initial labelling of large molecules followed by a progressive shift of radioactivity toward fractions of lower molecular weight. Further, heparin-depolymerizing activity was demonstrated by incubating 35S-labelled heparin in vitro with a mastocytoma 10000g-supernatant fraction. Appreciable degradation of the polysaccharide occurred, as demonstrated by gel chromatography. In contrast, no depolymerization was observed on subjecting 14C-labelled chondroitin sulphate to the same procedure.

Kinetics of Various 99mTc-Sn-Pyrophosphate Compounds in the Rat

1977 ◽  
Vol 16 (04) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Schümichen ◽  
B. Mackenbrock ◽  
G. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Normal Saline ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Compound A ◽  
Short Half Life ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
In Vitro Stability

SummaryThe bone-seeking 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate compound (compound A) was diluted both in vitro and in vivo and proved to be unstable both in vitro and in vivo. However, stability was much better in vivo than in vitro and thus the in vitro stability of compound A after dilution in various mediums could be followed up by a consecutive evaluation of the in vivo distribution in the rat. After dilution in neutral normal saline compound A is metastable and after a short half-life it is transformed into the other 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate compound A is metastable and after a short half-life in bone but in the kidneys. After dilution in normal saline of low pH and in buffering solutions the stability of compound A is increased. In human plasma compound A is relatively stable but not in plasma water. When compound B is formed in a buffering solution, uptake in the kidneys and excretion in urine is lowered and blood concentration increased.It is assumed that the association of protons to compound A will increase its stability at low concentrations while that to compound B will lead to a strong protein bond in plasma. It is concluded that compound A will not be stable in vivo because of a lack of stability in the extravascular space, and that the protein bond in plasma will be a measure of its in vivo stability.

scholarly journals In Bacillus subtilis, the Sirtuin Protein Deacetylase, Encoded by the srtN Gene (Formerly yhdZ), and Functions Encoded by the acuABC Genes Control the Activity of Acetyl Coenzyme A Synthetase

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (6) ◽  
pp. 1749-1755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Gardner ◽  
Jorge C. Escalante-Semerena
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Coenzyme A ◽  
Acetyl Coenzyme A ◽  
Acetyl Coenzyme ◽  
New Information ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Protein Deacetylase

ABSTRACT This report provides in vivo evidence for the posttranslational control of the acetyl coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) synthetase (AcsA) enzyme of Bacillus subtilis by the acuA and acuC gene products. In addition, both in vivo and in vitro data presented support the conclusion that the yhdZ gene of B. subtilis encodes a NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase homologous to the yeast Sir2 protein (also known as sirtuin). On the basis of this new information, a change in gene nomenclature, from yhdZ to srtN (for sirtuin), is proposed to reflect the activity associated with the YdhZ protein. In vivo control of B. subtilis AcsA function required the combined activities of AcuC and SrtN. Inactivation of acuC or srtN resulted in slower growth and cell yield under low-acetate conditions than those of the wild-type strain, and the acuC srtN strain grew under low-acetate conditions as poorly as the acsA strain. Our interpretation of the latter result was that both deacetylases (AcuC and SrtN) are needed to maintain AcsA as active (i.e., deacetylated) so the cell can grow with low concentrations of acetate. Growth of an acuA acuC srtN strain on acetate was improved over that of the acuA + acuC srtN strain, indicating that the AcuA acetyltransferase enzyme modifies (i.e., inactivates) AcsA in vivo, a result consistent with previously reported in vitro evidence that AcsA is a substrate of AcuA.

Aerobic resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis to metronidazole induced in vitro

Parasitology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tachezy ◽  
J. Kulda ◽  
E. Tomková
Keyword(s):  
Parent Strain ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Percent Concentration ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Pyruvate Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase

SUMMARYAerobic resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis to metronidazole was induced in vitro by anaerobic cultivation of drug-susceptible trichomonads with low concentrations of the drug (2–3 μg/ml) for 50 days. Minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) for metronidazole of the resistant derivatives were high in aerobic susceptibility assays (MLC = 216–261.5 μg/ml) but low in anaerobic assays (MLC = 4.2–6.3 μg/ml), surpassing MLC values of their parent strain approximately 50-fold and 3-fold under aerobiosis and anaerobiosis, respectively. Sensitivity to metronidazole under anaerobic conditions and activity of the hydrogenosomal enzyme pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase indicated that the resistance was of the aerobic type. Dependence of the resistance manifestation on O2 was further confirmed by susceptibility assays in vitro performed in defined gas mixtures of different oxygen content (1–20%). Five percent concentration of O2 proved to be the threshold required for resistance demonstration and the MLC values further increased with increasing O2 concentrations. The in vitro-induced resistance was also demonstrated in vivo by subcutaneous mouse assay. The dose of metronidazole needed to cure 50% of infected mice (DC50) was 223 mg/kg × 3 for resistant derivative MR-3a but 6.6 mg/kg × 3 only for its drug-susceptible parent strain. The metronidazole – resistant strains developed in this study correspond by their properties to drug-resistant T. vaginalis strains isolated from patients refractory to treatment, and promise to be a useful tool in the study of 5-nitroimidazole aerobic resistance.

scholarly journals The Whisking Rhythm Generator: A Novel Mammalian Network for the Generation of Movement

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 2148-2158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan P. Cramer ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Asaf Keller
Keyword(s):  
Firing Rate ◽  
Serotonin Receptor ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Rhythm Generator ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Rhythmic Firing ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
Cortical Inputs

Using the rat vibrissa system, we provide evidence for a novel mechanism for the generation of movement. Like other central pattern generators (CPGs) that underlie many movements, the rhythm generator for whisking can operate without cortical inputs or sensory feedback. However, unlike conventional mammalian CPGs, vibrissa motoneurons (vMNs) actively participate in the rhythmogenesis by converting tonic serotonergic inputs into the patterned motor output responsible for movement of the vibrissae. We find that, in vitro, a serotonin receptor agonist, α-Me-5HT, facilitates a persistent inward current (PIC) and evokes rhythmic firing in vMNs. Within each motoneuron, increasing the concentration of α-Me-5HT significantly increases the both the magnitude of the PIC and the motoneuron's firing rate. Riluzole, which selectively suppresses the Na+ component of PICs at low concentrations, causes a reduction in both of these phenomena. The magnitude of this reduction is directly correlated with the concentration of riluzole. The joint effects of riluzole on PIC magnitude and firing rate in vMNs suggest that the two are causally related. In vivo we find that the tonic activity of putative serotonergic premotoneurons is positively correlated with the frequency of whisking evoked by cortical stimulation. Taken together, these results support the hypothesized novel mammalian mechanism for movement generation in the vibrissa motor system where vMNs actively participate in the rhythmogenesis in response to tonic drive from serotonergic premotoneurons.

scholarly journals Pattern of pyruvate kinase isozymes in erythroleukemia cell lines and in normal human erythroblasts

Blood ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 930-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Max-Audit ◽  
U Testa ◽  
D Kechemir ◽  
M Titeux ◽  
W Vainchenker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pyruvate Kinase ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Erythroleukemia Cell ◽  
Erythroleukemic Cell ◽  
High Level

To further investigate the erythroid nature of the two human erythroleukemia cell lines, K562 and HEL-60, and to define the ontogeny of pyruvate kinase (PK) isozymes (R, M2) in developing human erythroid cells, we have studied the isozymic alterations, if any, during differentiation of these cell lines in vitro and normoblasts isolated from fetal liver in vivo. PK activity of erythroleukemic cell lines was intermediate between that observed in leukocytes and in fetal liver erythroblasts. These cell lines contained a high level of M2-PK, but R- PK was always present, albeit at low concentrations, in all the clones or subclones we studied. Erythroblasts from fetal liver were separated according to density on a Stractan gradient. R-PK levels were nearly constant in the different fractions, whereas M2-PK levels markedly decreased as the erythroblasts became mature and almost completely disappeared in late erythroid cells. Thus, these results clearly demonstrate the erythroid origin of these cell lines.

scholarly journals Treatment with monocyte-derived partially purified GM-CSF but not G-CSF aborts the development of transplanted chloroleukemia in rats

Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1077-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Jimenez ◽  
AA Yunis
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Medium ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Rat Lung ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Macrophage Colony ◽  
Stimulating Factor

We have previously demonstrated that cultured rat chloroleukemia cells, MIA C51, will terminally differentiate to macrophages when treated with rat lung-conditioned medium in vitro and in vivo. In the present study we fractionated rat monocyte-conditioned medium by ultrafiltration according to molecular size. The fraction with molecular weight (mol wt) 30 to 50 Kd containing partially purified granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) activity caused the differentiation of C51 cells to macrophages in vitro and in diffusion chambers in vivo. Treatment of young rats with this fraction aborted the development of chloroleukemia from transplanted C51 cells. In contrast, the fraction with mol wt 10 to 30 Kd containing virtually all the G-CSF activity exhibited no differentiation activity either in vitro or in vivo. It is concluded that in this rat myelogenous leukemia model partially purified GM-CSF but not G-CSF contains the effector molecule(s) causing terminal differentiation of C51 cells and tumor cell rejection.

scholarly journals Characterization of proteins from the cytoskeleton of Giardia lamblia

1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Crossley ◽  
D.V. Holberton
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Molecular Weights

Proteins from the axonemes and disc cytoskeleton of Giardia lamblia have been examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition to tubulin and the 30 X 10(3) molecular weight disc protein, at least 18 minor components copurify with the two major proteins in Triton-insoluble structures. The most prominent minor bands have the apparent molecular weights of 110 X 10(3), 95 X 10(3) and 81 X 10(3). Protein of 30 X 10(3) molecular weight accounts for about 20% of organelle protein on gels. In continuous 25 mM-Tris-glycine buffer it migrates mostly as a close-spaced doublet of polypeptides, which are here given the name giardins. Giardia tubulin and giardin have been purified by gel filtration chromatography in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Well-separated fractions were obtained that could be further characterized. Both proteins are heterogeneous when examined by isoelectric focusing. Five tubulin chains were detected by PAGE Blue 83 dye-binding after focusing in a broad-range ampholyte gel. Giardin is slightly less acidic than tubulin. On gels it splits into four major and four minor chains with isoelectric points in the pI range from 5.8 to 6.2. The amino acid composition of the giardin fraction has been determined, and compared to Giardia tubulin and a rat brain tubulin standard. Giardins are rich in helix-forming residues, particularly leucine. They have a low content of proline and glycine; therefore they may have extensive alpha-helical regions and be rod-shaped. As integral proteins of disc microribbons, giardins in vivo associate closely with tubulin. The properties of giardins indicate that in a number of respects - molecular size, charge, stoichiometry - their structural interaction with tubulin assemblies will be different from other tubulin-accessory protein copolymers studied in vitro.

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