scholarly journals Large variations in the proteolytic formation of a chromogranin A-derived peptide (GE-25) in neuroendocrine tissues

1995 ◽  
Vol 310 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kirchmair ◽  
B Leitner ◽  
R Fischer-Colbrie ◽  
J Marksteiner ◽  
R Hogue-Angeletti ◽  
...  

We have established a radioimmunoassay for GE-25, a peptide present in the C-terminal end of the primary amino acid sequence of chromogranin A where it is flanked by typical proteolytic cleavage sites. Gel-filtration HPLC was used to characterize the molecular sizes of the immunoreactive molecules. The antiserum recognized not only the free peptide but also larger precursors including the proprotein chromogranin A. The tissues with the highest levels of GE-25 immunoreactivity were in decreasing order: the adrenal medulla, the three lobes of the pituitary gland, intestinal mucosa, pancreas and various brain regions. In adrenal medulla and parathyroid gland most of the immunoreactivity was found to be present as intact chromogranin A and some intermediate-sized peptides, without significant amounts of the free peptide. In anterior pituitary, and even more so in intestine, a shift to smaller peptides was seen. In the posterior and intermediate pituitary and in pancreas the predominant immunoreactive material was apparently represented by the free peptide GE-25. In reverse-phase chromatography this peptide eluted exactly like the synthetic standard, which allows a tentative identification as GE-25. In brain tissue the processing of chromogranin A was intermediate, with significant amounts of immunoreactivity corresponding to GE-25 as well as precursor proteins being present. We suggest that in those organs (endocrine pancreas, intermediate and posterior pituitary) where the major hormones are proteolytically processed there is also a concomitant proteolysis of further susceptible peptides. Since GE-25 is apparently formed in vivo and is well conserved between species it seems a good candidate for having specific physiological functions.

1969 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M.P Paulssen ◽  
A.C.M.G.B Wouterlood ◽  
H.L.M.A Scheffers

SummaryFactor VIII can be isolated from plasma proteins, including fibrinogen by chromatography on agarose. The best results were obtained with Sepharose 6B. Large scale preparation is also possible when cryoprecipitate is separated by chromatography. In most fractions containing factor VIII a turbidity is observed which may be due to the presence of chylomicrons.The purified factor VIII was active in vivo as well as in vitro.


1977 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 073-080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Gjesdal ◽  
Duncan S. Pepper

SummaryHuman platelet factor 4 (PF-4) showed a reaction of complete identity with PF-4 from Macaca mulatta when tested against rabbit anti-human-PF-4. Such immunoglobulin was used for quantitative precipitation of in vivo labelled PF-4 in monkey serum. The results suggest that the active protein had an intra-platelet half-life of about 21 hours. In vitro 125I-labelled human PF-4 was injected intravenously into two monkeys and isolated by immuno-precipita-tion from platelet-poor plasma and from platelets disrupted after gel-filtration. Plasma PF-4 was found to have a half-life of 7 to 11 hours. Some of the labelled PF-4 was associated with platelets and this fraction had a rapid initial disappearance rate and a subsequent half-life close to that of plasma PF-4. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that granular PF-4 belongs to a separate compartment, whereas membrane-bound PF-4 and plasma PF-4 may interchange.


1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 658-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Korninger ◽  
J M Stassen ◽  
D Collen

SummaryThe turnover of highly purified human extrinsic plasminogen activator (EPA) (one- and two-chain form) was studied in rabbits. Following intravenous injection, EPA-activity declined rapidly. The disappearance rate of EPA from the plasma could adequately be described by a single exponential term with a t ½ of approximately 2 min for both the one-chain and two-chain forms of EPA.The clearance and organ distribution of EPA was studied by using 125I-labeled preparations. Following intravenous injection of 125I-1abeled EPA the radioactivity disappeared rapidly from the plasma also with a t ½ of approximately 2 min down to a level of 15 to 20 percent, followed by a small rise of blood radioactivity. Gel filtration of serial samples revealed that the secondary increase of the radioactivity was due to the reappearance of radioactive breakdown products in the blood. Measurement of the organ distribution of 125I at different time intervals revealed that EPA was rapidly accumulated in the liver, followed by a release of degradation products in the blood.Experimental hepatectomy markedly prolonged the half-life of EPA in the blood. Blocking the active site histidine of EPA had no effect on the half-life of EPA in blood nor on the gel filtration patterns of 125I in serial plasma samples.It is concluded that human EPA is rapidly removed from the blood of rabbits by clearance and degradation in the liver. Recognition by the liver does not require a functional active site in the enzyme. Neutralization in plasma by protease inhibitors does not represent a significant pathway of EPA inactivation in vivo.


1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 612-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Schmitz-Huebner ◽  
L Balleisen ◽  
F Asbeck ◽  
J van de Loo

SummaryHigh and low molecular weight heparin fractions obtained by gel filtration chromatography of sodium mucosal heparin were injected subcutaneously into six healthy volunteers and compared with the unfractionated substance in a cross-over trial. Equal doses of 5,000 U were administered twice daily over a period of three days and heparin activity was repeatedly controlled before and 2, 4, 8 hrs after injection by means of the APTT, the anti-Xa clotting test and a chromogenic substrate assay. In addition, the in vivo effect of subcutaneously administered fractionated heparin on platelet function was examined on three of the volunteers. The results show that s.c. injections of the low molecular weight fraction induced markedly higher anti-Xa activity than injections of the other preparations. At the same time, APTT results did not significantly differ. Unfractionated heparin and the high molecular weight fraction enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation and collagen-mediated MDA production, while the low molecular weight fraction hardly affected these assays, but potently inhibited thrombin-induced MDA production. All heparin preparations stimulated the release of platelet Factor 4 in plasma. During the three-day treatment periods, no side-effects and no significant changes in the response to heparin injections were detected.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sarah Jarrin ◽  
Abrar Hakami ◽  
Ben Newland ◽  
Eilís Dowd

Despite decades of research and billions in global investment, there remains no preventative or curative treatment for any neurodegenerative condition, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Arguably, the most promising approach for neuroprotection and neurorestoration in PD is using growth factors which can promote the growth and survival of degenerating neurons. However, although neurotrophin therapy may seem like the ideal approach for neurodegenerative disease, the use of growth factors as drugs presents major challenges because of their protein structure which creates serious hurdles related to accessing the brain and specific targeting of affected brain regions. To address these challenges, several different delivery systems have been developed, and two major approaches—direct infusion of the growth factor protein into the target brain region and in vivo gene therapy—have progressed to clinical trials in patients with PD. In addition to these clinically evaluated approaches, a range of other delivery methods are in various degrees of development, each with their own unique potential. This review will give a short overview of some of these alternative delivery systems, with a focus on ex vivo gene therapy and biomaterial-aided protein and gene delivery, and will provide some perspectives on their potential for clinical development and translation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody L. Call ◽  
Dwight E. Bergles

ABSTRACTAxons in the cerebral cortex show a broad range of myelin coverage. Oligodendrocytes establish this pattern by selecting a cohort of axons for myelination; however, the distribution of myelin on distinct neurons and extent of internode replacement after demyelination remain to be defined. Here we show that myelination patterns of seven distinct neuron subtypes in somatosensory cortex are influenced by both axon diameter and neuronal identity. Preference for myelination of parvalbumin interneurons was preserved between cortical areas with varying myelin density, suggesting that regional differences in myelin abundance arises through local control of oligodendrogenesis. By imaging loss and regeneration of myelin sheaths in vivo we show that myelin distribution on individual axons was altered but overall myelin content on distinct neuron subtypes was restored. Our findings suggest that local changes in myelination are tolerated, allowing regenerated oligodendrocytes to restore myelin content on distinct neurons through opportunistic selection of axons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Goutal ◽  
Martine Guillermier ◽  
Guillaume Becker ◽  
Mylène Gaudin ◽  
Yann Bramoullé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the Synaptic Vesicle glycoprotein (SV) 2A is a new tool to quantify synaptic density. [18F]UCB-H was one of the first promising SV2A-ligands to be labelled and used in vivo in rodent and human, while limited information on its pharmacokinetic properties is available in the non-human primate. Here, we evaluate the reliability of the three most commonly used modelling approaches for [18F]UCB-H in the non-human cynomolgus primate, adding the coupled fit of the non-displaceable distribution volume (VND) as an alternative approach to improve unstable fit. The results are discussed in the light of the current state of SV2A PET ligands. Results [18F]UCB-H pharmacokinetic data was optimally fitted with a two-compartment model (2TCM), although the model did not always converge (large total volume of distribution (VT) or large uncertainty of the estimate). 2TCM with coupled fit K1/k2 across brain regions stabilized the quantification, and confirmed a lower specific signal of [18F]UCB-H compared to the newest SV2A-ligands. However, the measures of VND and the influx parameter (K1) are similar to what has been reported for other SV2A ligands. These data were reinforced by displacement studies using [19F]UCB-H, demonstrating only 50% displacement of the total [18F]UCB-H signal at maximal occupancy of SV2A. As previously demonstrated in clinical studies, the graphical method of Logan provided a more robust estimate of VT with only a small bias compared to 2TCM. Conclusions Modeling issues with a 2TCM due to a slow component have previously been reported for other SV2A ligands with low specific binding, or after blocking of specific binding. As all SV2A ligands share chemical structural similarities, we hypothesize that this slow binding component is common for all SV2A ligands, but only hampers quantification when specific binding is low.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2098150
Author(s):  
June van Aalst ◽  
Jenny Ceccarini ◽  
Stefan Sunaert ◽  
Patrick Dupont ◽  
Michel Koole ◽  
...  

Preclinical and postmortem studies have suggested that regional synaptic density and glucose consumption (CMRGlc) are strongly related. However, the relation between synaptic density and cerebral glucose metabolism in the human brain has not directly been assessed in vivo. Using [11C]UCB-J binding to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 A (SV2A) as indicator for synaptic density and [18F]FDG for measuring cerebral glucose consumption, we studied twenty healthy female subjects (age 29.6 ± 9.9 yrs) who underwent a single-day dual-tracer protocol (GE Signa PET-MR). Global measures of absolute and relative CMRGlc and specific binding of [11C]UCB-J were indeed highly significantly correlated ( r > 0.47, p < 0.001). However, regional differences in relative [18F]FDG and [11C]UCB-J uptake were observed, with up to 19% higher [11C]UCB-J uptake in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and up to 17% higher glucose metabolism in frontal and motor-related areas and thalamus. This pattern has a considerable overlap with the brain regions showing different levels of aerobic glycolysis. Regionally varying energy demands of inhibitory and excitatory synapses at rest may also contribute to this difference. Being unaffected by astroglial and/or microglial energy demands, changes in synaptic density in the MTL may therefore be more sensitive to early detection of pathological conditions compared to changes in glucose metabolism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason L. He ◽  
Georg Oeltzschner ◽  
Mark Mikkelsen ◽  
Alyssa Deronda ◽  
Ashley D. Harris ◽  
...  

AbstractIndividuals on the autism spectrum are often reported as being hyper- and/or hyporeactive to sensory input. These sensory symptoms were one of the key observations that led to the development of the altered excitation-inhibition (E-I) model of autism, which posits that an increase ratio of excitatory to inhibitory signaling may explain certain phenotypical expressions of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While there has been strong support for the altered E-I model of autism, much of the evidence has come from animal models. With regard to in-vivo human studies, evidence for altered E-I balance in ASD come from studies adopting magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Spectral-edited MRS can be used to provide measures of the levels of GABA + (GABA + macromolecules) and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) in specific brain regions as proxy markers of inhibition and excitation respectively. In the current study, we found region-specific elevations of Glx in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) in ASD. There were no group differences of GABA+ in either the SM1 or thalamus. Higher levels of Glx were associated with more parent reported difficulties of sensory hyper- and hyporeactivity, as well as reduced feed-forward inhibition during tactile perception in children with ASD. Critically, the finding of elevated Glx provides strong empirical support for increased excitation in ASD. Our results also provide a clear link between Glx and the sensory symptoms of ASD at both behavioral and perceptual levels.


Author(s):  
Erik Nutma ◽  
Kelly Ceyzériat ◽  
Sandra Amor ◽  
Stergios Tsartsalis ◽  
Philippe Millet ◽  
...  

AbstractThe 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a highly conserved protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. TSPO binding, as measured with positron emission tomography (PET), is considered an in vivo marker of neuroinflammation. Indeed, TSPO expression is altered in neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and neuropsychiatric diseases. In PET studies, the TSPO signal is often viewed as a marker of microglial cell activity. However, there is little evidence in support of a microglia-specific TSPO expression. This review describes the cellular sources and functions of TSPO in animal models of disease and human studies, in health, and in central nervous system diseases. A discussion of methods of analysis and of quantification of TSPO is also presented. Overall, it appears that the alterations of TSPO binding, their cellular underpinnings, and the functional significance of such alterations depend on many factors, notably the pathology or the animal model under study, the disease stage, and the involved brain regions. Thus, further studies are needed to fully determine how changes in TSPO binding occur at the cellular level with the ultimate goal of revealing potential therapeutic pathways.


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