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Biomedical subjects

A Jakob

Publications and source records attributed to A Jakob.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Vasopressin stimulation of vanadate-sensitive Na+ transport by liver plasma membrane vesicles. Evidence for regulation via phospholipase C and protein kinase C activities.

The rate of vanadate-sensitive 22Na+ uptake by isolated liver membrane vesicles, reflecting transport by Na+/K(+)-ATPase, was measured to study the role played by phospholipase C and protein kinase C in the regulation of this process by vasopressin. Na+ uptake was enhanced 2-3-fold by 100 nM [Arg8]vasopressin and the hormone effect was mimicked by 0.1 microM inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate as well as by 1.0 microM myo-inositol. The stimulation by vasopressin was potentiated by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Bacillus thuringiensis (5-10 mU/ml). No effect of the bacterial enzyme was observed in the absence of the hormone. Phorbol myristate acetate (0.5-1 microM) suppressed the stimulation by vasopressin but had no effect in the absence of the hormone. High concentrations of bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (50-100 mU/ml) also antagonized the hormone stimulation. Staurosporine (50-100 nM) prevented the antagonistic effect of bacterial phospholipase C (50 mU/ml) and EGTA (1 mM) partially protected the hormonal stimulation in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate. Our results suggest that the stimulatory effect of vasopressin on Na+ transport is mediated by phospholipase C and products derived from the inositol moiety of membrane phospholipids. Membrane-associated protein kinase C appears to be at least partially responsible for the desensitization to stimulation by vasopressin.

Animals

Mechanistic studies of 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonate-8-phosphate synthase from Escherichia coli.

The anomeric specificity and the steady-state kinetic mechanism of homogeneous 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonate-8-phosphate (KDO8P) synthase were investigated. The open-chain 4-deoxy analogue of arabinose-5-phosphate (Ara5P), which is structurally prohibited from undergoing ring closure, was synthesized and tested as a substrate for the synthase. It was found that the analogue functions as a substrate with a similar kcat value to that of the original substrate. The kcat/Km value for the natural substrate is seven-times greater than that of the 4-deoxy analogue. However, taking into account the 9.5% and approximately 1% concentrations of the aldehyde forms of the 4-deoxy analogue and Ara5P in solution, then the 'true' Km values must be in the range 31.5 microM and 0.26 microM, respectively, requiring about a 3 kcal/mol contribution to the binding energy by the 4-hydroxyl group of Ara5P. The data provides evidence that the enzyme acts upon the acyclic form of the natural substrate. The steady-state kinetic study of KDO8P synthase was analyzed via inhibition using the products KDO8P and inorganic phosphate, and D-ribose-5-phosphate as a dead-end inhibitor. First, intersecting lines in double-reciprocal plots of initial-velocity data at substrate concentrations in the micromolar range suggest a sequential mechanism for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The inhibition by D-ribose-5-phosphate is competitive for Ara5P and uncompetitive for phosphoenolpyruvate (P-pyruvate). These inhibition patterns are consistent with the model wherein P-pyruvate binding precedes that of Ara5P binding. Furthermore, this order of substrate binding was supported by the observations that KDO8P is a competitive inhibitor for P-pyruvate binding, supporting the concept that KDO8P and P-pyruvate bind to the same enzyme form, and noncompetitively with respect to Ara5P. In addition, the inhibition by inorganic phosphate is noncompetitive with respect to both P-pyruvate and Ara5P, suggesting an apparent ordered release of products such that Pi first, followed by KDO8P. In conclusion, these data suggest a steady-state kinetic mechanism for KDO8P synthase where P-pyruvate binding precedes that of Ara5P, followed by the ordered release of inorganic phosphate and KDO8P.

Aldehyde-Lyases

Effect of hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone replacement on the level of protein kinase C and protein kinase A in rat liver.

We investigated the influence of the thyroid hormone status on the levels of protein kinases C (PKC) and A (PKA) in the soluble fraction of rat liver. The immunodetectable PKC level in hypothyroid liver was elevated 7.7-fold, whereas the phorbol-ester binding capacity and the immunodetectable alpha-PKC level were increased 2.4- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Conversely, in hypothyroid livers the abundance of the regulatory type I and the catalytic subunits of PKA were lowered to 42% of the euthyroid level as determined by immunoblotting and by measuring the substrate specific phosphorylation rate of PKA. These changes in the PKC and PKA levels were reversible upon treatment with 0.5 microgram T4/100 g body weight for 2-21 days. The thyroid state dependent alterations in hepatic PKC and PKA levels may be responsible for the known changes in the response of hepatocytes to other hormonal stimuli in hypothyroidism.

Animals

Enzymatic properties of phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase C from rat liver and phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase D from rat serum.

Using phosphatidylinositol-glycan (PtdIns-glycan) anchored acetylcholinesterase from bovine erythrocytes as substrate, we found PtdIns-glycan-anchor-degrading activity in rat liver and serum [corrected]. The hepatic enzyme was only soluble in detergents, whereas the serum enzyme occurs as soluble, slightly amphiphilic protein. Using 3-trifluoromethyl-3-(m- [125I]iodophenyl)diazirine-labelled acetylcholinesterase as substrate, we showed that the hepatic anchor-degrading enzyme had a cleavage specificity of a phospholipase C, whereas the serum enzyme was a phospholipase D. Both enzyme exhibited maximal activity in slightly acidic conditions and at low ionic strength. They had a high affinity for the PtdIns-glycan anchor of the substrate (Km = 0.1 microM and 0.16 microM, respectively). Both hepatic PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipase C and serum PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipase D gave a large increase in activity between 0.1-10 microM Ca2+, indicating that PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipases are only marginally active at physiological intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. The enzymes were inhibited by heavy metal chelating agents such as 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridyl but not by the corresponding Fe2+ complexes or non-chelating analogues, indicating that they both require a heavy metal ion for the expression of catalytic activity in addition to Ca2+. Another interesting property of PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipases is their inactivation by bicarbonate and cyanate. The inactivation was time- and pH-dependent and could be reversed by dialysis. These observations are in agreement with a covalent modification of the enzymes by carbamoylation.

Acetylcholinesterase

Vasopressin, insulin and peroxide(s) of vanadate (pervanadate) influence Na+ transport mediated by (Na+, K+)ATPase or Na+/H+ exchanger of rat liver plasma membrane vesicles.

Uptake of 22Na+ by liver plasma membrane vesicles, reflecting Na+ transport by (Na+, K+)ATPase or Na+/H+ exchange was studied. Membrane vesicles were isolated from rat liver homogenates or from freshly prepared rat hepatocytes incubated in the presence of [Arg8]vasopressin or pervanadate and insulin. The ATP dependence of (Na+, K+)ATPase-mediated transport was determined from initial velocities of vanadate-sensitive uptake of 22Na+, the Na(+)-dependence of Na+/H+ exchange from initial velocities of amiloride-sensitive uptake. By studying vanadate-sensitive Na+ transport, high-affinity binding sites for ATP with an apparent Km(ATP) of 15 +/- 1 microM were observed at low concentrations of Na+ (1 mM) and K+ (1mM). At 90 mM Na+ and 60 mM K+ the apparent Km(ATP) was 103 +/- 25 microM. Vesiculation of membranes and loading of the vesicles prepared from liver homogenates in the presence of vasopressin increased the maximal velocities of vanadate-sensitive transport by 3.8-fold and 1.9-fold in the presence of low and high concentrations of Na+ and K+, respectively. The apparent Km(ATP) was shifted to 62 +/- 7 microM and 76 +/- 10 microM by vasopressin at low and high ion concentrations, respectively, indicating that the hormone reduced the influence of Na+ and K+ on ATP binding. In vesicles isolated from hepatocytes preincubated with 10 nM vasopression the hormone effect was conserved. Initial velocities of Na+ uptake (at high ion concentrations and 1 mM ATP) were increased 1.6-1.7-fold above control, after incubation of the cells with vasopressin or by affinity labelling of the cells with a photoreactive analogue of the hormone. The velocity of amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport was enhanced by incubating hepatocytes in the presence of 10 nM insulin (1.6-fold) or 0.3 mM pervanadate generated by mixing vanadate plus H2O2 (13-fold). The apparent Km(Na+) of Na+/H+ exchange was increased by pervanadate from 5.9 mM to 17.2 mM. Vesiculation and incubation of isolated membranes in the presence of pervanadate had no effect on the velocity of amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport. The results show that hormone receptor-mediated effects on (Na+, K+)ATPase and Na+/H+ exchange are conserved during the isolation of liver plasma membrane vesicles. Stable modifications of the transport systems or their membrane environment rather than ionic or metabolic responses requiring cell integrity appear to be involved in this regulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation causes Mg2+ release from perfused rat liver.

The possibility that Mg2+ mobilization is stimulated in perfused liver by alpha 1-adrenergic agonists was studied by measuring Mg2+ release in response to 0.5 and 20 microM phenylephrine. During preperfusion exogenous Mg2+ was added to the medium to give 1.2 mM. 5 min before starting the addition of phenylephrine the infusion of exogenous Mg2+ was stopped. Mg2+ in the perfusate leaving the liver was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analysis of the Mg2+ decay curves with two exponential models indicated that phenylephrine caused dose-dependent Mg2+ release from perfused rat livers.

Animals

Enhancement of the antiproliferative effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and nitrogen mustard by inhibitors of protein kinase C.

Quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) has been shown to inhibit a variety of enzymes including the calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in vivo and in vitro. We show that this compound synergistically enhances the antiproliferative activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) and nitrogen mustard. Quercetin does not affect the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links introduced by cis-DDP. Long-term exposure to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which reduces total protein kinase C activity, also amplifies the growth-inhibitory effect of cis-DDP and acts synergistically with quercetin. A synergism is also observed if tamoxifen or staurosporine are combined with cis-DDP. For both drugs the dose-effect curves for the inhibition of protein kinase C closely resemble the dose-effect curves for the antiproliferative activities. Although alternative mechanisms cannot be definitively excluded, the effects of quercetin, TPA, tamoxifen and staurosporine may result from the inhibition of protein kinase C.

Alkaloids

The hepatic response to Ca2+ is inhibited by Mg2+ and enhanced by phenylephrine or ouabain.

Net hepatic Ca2+ efflux, K+ uptake and glycogen breakdown in response to the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine were studied. Rat livers were perfused with CO2/bicarbonate-buffered solutions containing 10 microM Ca2+ and different amounts of Mg2+. K+-free medium and/or ouabain were used to block (Na+ + K+)-ATPase-dependent K+ uptake. In some experiments a sharp increase in extracellular Ca2+ concentrations was produced by infusing CaCl2 into the medium entering the liver. Perfusion with K+-free medium and ouabain enhanced the phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ efflux and diminished the glycogenolytic response, indicating a dissociation of Ca2+ release and glycogenolysis. Exogenous Ca2+ had practically no effect if livers were perfused with regular medium containing 1.2 mM Mg2+. In the presence of phenylephrine and if extracellular Mg2+ concentrations were lowered by omitting Mg2+ from the medium or by preperfusion with EGTA, exogenous Ca2+ was glycogenolytically effective and also produced a transient K+ uptake. Increased extracellular concentrations of Mg2+ inhibited the effects of exogenous Ca2+. In the presence of phenylephrine, higher concentrations of Mg2+ were needed than in the absence of alpha 1-adrenergic agonist to achieve a similar degree of inhibition. In one respect ouabain effects were comparable to those of phenylephrine: the glycoside also increased the metabolic response to exogenous Ca2+ and diminished the sensitivity towards Mg2+. Phenylephrine and ouabain may both enhance the permeability of plasma membranes for Ca2+.

Animals

alpha-Adrenergic stimulation of glycolysis and Na+, K+-transport in perfused rat liver.

Interactions between alpha-adrenergic-induced lactate production, respiration and K+ uptake of perfused rat livers were investigated. Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport by cyanide had no effect on K+ uptake, decreased phenylephrine-induced lactate production by 60% and suppressed extra O2 consumption by more than 90%. Ouabain did not affect alpha-adrenergic-induced respiration but inhibited K+ uptake and extra lactate production. Effects of ouabain and K+-free medium on lactate production were additive and independent of cyanide, indicating that they were mediated by extramitochondrial mechanisms. Extra ATP utilized for K+ uptake in response to phenylephrine was apparently of glycolytic rather than mitochondrial origin. We propose that alpha-adrenergic-induced lactate production is secondary to an enhanced operation of the plasma membrane (Na+,K+)-ATPase.

Animals

Effects of ethacrynic acid on the alpha-adrenergic control ov hepatic glycogenolysis.

Ethacrynic acid (ECA) was used to study the relationship between ion transport and alpha-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis in perfused rat livers. ECA alone enhanced glycogenolysis and produced a massive loss of K+ from the liver. These effects were partially blocked by dithioerythritol. ECA suppressed the metabolic responses to phenylephrine and the alpha-adrenergic redistribution of ions. Ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-insensitive ATPase of isolated liver plasma membranes were inhibited and binding of [3H]epinephrine to alpha-adrenergic sites was decreased by ECA. It is concluded that in liver ECA acts at three different sites by blocking SH groups: active ion transport across the plasma membrane, alpha-adrenoreceptors, and phosphorylase phosphatase.

Animals

Ca2+, K+ redistributions and alpha-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis in perfused rat livers.

1. The alpha-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis was investigated in isolated rat livers perfused in a non-recirculating system. Net uptake and/or release of Ca2+, K+ and H+ by the liver (measured by ion-selective electrodes) were correlated with the glycogenolytic effects of phenylephrine. Uptake and retention of 45Ca by the mitochondria of perfused livers were studied to obtain information on the role played by exchangeable mitochondrial calcium in alpha-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis. 2. Between 1 and 5 min after starting the addition of phenylephrine a net release of Ca2+ was observed, this was paralleled by an uptake of K+. Production rates of glucose and lactate from endogenous glycogen started to increase at the same time. During the following minutes K+ was released. 2 mM EGTA and a high concentration of Mg2+ strongly diminished the ionic and metabolic responses to phenylephrine, 0.2 mM EGTA was less effective. 3. High concentrations of K+ prevented the metabolic response to phenylephrine but had no effect on the release of Ca2+ into the extracellular medium. Tetracaine activated glycogenolysis and suppressed all the effects of the alpha-adrenergic agonist. 4. Experiments with 45Ca provided no evidence for an alpha-adrenergic release of Ca2+ from the exchangeable mitochondrial pool. Incorporation of 45Ca into the mitochondria of perfused livers was enhanced by phenylephrine. 5. We propose that the alpha-adrenergic release of Ca2+ from a pool located close to the surface of the cell is capable of triggering the glycogenolytic response.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

[Increased epidemic incidence of hepatitis B in a district hospital].

It is reported on an epidemic of hepatitis B of 29 patients in a district hospital. Due to diagnostic errors in importation and a more frequent appearance of diseases of hepatitis B in the surgical department and the 2nd medical department, in which above all diabetics are treated, took place. The average age of the patients was 55 years. In all patients the clinical course was to be regarded as severe. 4 of 29 patients died. In all patients the hepatitis B disease showed a pronounced jaundice with high transaminases, particularly the SGOT and LAP were clearly increased. Also the duration of the presence was longer than in hepatitis A as well as the transition into chronic hepatitis was more frequent. By diagnostic information of the physicians and the other medical staff as well as improved measures of desinfection the epidemic could be restricted.

Adolescent

Interactions of glucagon and fructose in the control of glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver.

By measuring the specific radioactivity of glucose released from isolated perfused livers of normal, fed rats in the presence of [U-14C]fructose, the gluconeogenetic and glycogenolytic contributions to glucose production were estimated. After 20 min of perfusion with 4 mM fructose, glycogenolysis was inhibited by 40% in the absence and by 70% in the presence of glucagon (3 nM). Glucagon decreased the release of lactate plus pyruvate and enhanced glucose formation from fructose without affecting its uptake. Glycerol (4 mM) and xylitol (3 mM) had qualitatively similar, but smaller effects on glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis. The glucagon-mediated phosphorylase b to a conversion was not altered by fructose, indicating that glycogenolysis was decreased as a consequence of an inhibition of phosphorylase a. During the first minutes after the addition of fructose, decreased ATP/AMP ratios and tissue Pi levels correlated with a transient increase of phosphorylase a activity. It was concluded that the effects of fructose on the control of hepatic glycogenolysis and glucose production were the result of a complex interplay between a transient b to a conversion of phosphorylase and an inhibition of the a-form of the enzyme, possibly by fructose 1-phosphate and other phosphorylated metabolites.

Animals