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Biomedical subjects

A Kahn

Publications and source records attributed to A Kahn.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

Cell-free translation of messenger RNAs from adult and fetal human muscle. Characterization of neosynthesized glycogen phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase and glucose phosphate isomerase.

Using a procedure of ethanol precipitation in concentrated guanidine . HCl solutions followed by chloroform/isoamylic alcohol extraction and washing in 3 M sodium acetate, we isolated high-molecular-weight cellular RNA from human fetal and adult skeletal muscle. About 500 micrograms RNA were obtained/g of fetal muscle and 50 micrograms RNA/g of adult muscle. Both RNA preparations were efficiently translated in a cell-free reticulocyte lysate system and directed synthesis of various polypeptides, one of them of Mr 200,000 probably corresponding to myosin heavy chains. Dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern of polypeptides neosynthesized using either fetal or adult RNA exhibited several differences. Three neosynthesized cytosolic muscle enzymes were purified from the translation mixtures using a micro-method of immunoaffinity chromatography; specificity of the neosynthesized polypeptides purified according to this procedure was checked by immunological competition with the corresponding unlabeled pure muscle enzymes. Successful cell-free translation of RNA from adult skeletal muscle and purification of neosynthesized human enzymes are reported for the first time. These methods, indispensable for further studies on human adult muscle gene expression, could also shed light on the mechanism of some inherited molecular diseases and tumoral or dystrophic processes.

Animals↗

Muscle phosphofructokinase deficiency in man: expression of the defect in blood cells and cultured fibroblasts.

Using specific immunoprecipitation of M-type phosphofructokinase and assay of immunoprecipitate enzyme activity, it was possible to detect some M-type enzyme in normal blood cells and fibroblasts, although this isoenzyme represents a very small part of total phosphofructokinase. White blood cells and cultured fibroblasts from a patient with hereditary muscle phosphofructokinase deficiency showed normal phosphofructokinase activity and electrophoretic pattern; direct immunoneutralization results were also normal. Nevertheless, it was possible to prove the defect in these cells using the immunoprecipitation method: no active immunoprecipitates could be obtained with anti M-type antibody. The patient's red blood cells had a reduced phosphofructokinase activity which was only neutralized by anti L-type antiserum. The purification of partially deficient red cell phosphofructokinase confirmed that this enzyme only consisted of L-type subunits while, under normal conditions, both L- and M-type subunits are observed. The possibility of detecting specific enzyme defects in apparently non-affected cells could be of practical importance, especially in prenatal diagnosis.

Adult↗

Research on molecular mechanisms of McArdle's disease (muscle glycogen phosphorylase deficiency). Use of new protein mapping and immunological techniques.

McArdle's disease is due to the lack of activity of muscle glycogen phosphorylase. We investigated the presence of an inactive protein by two techniques: (a) Bidimensional protein maps, using a modification of the original O'Farrell technique allowing location of phosphorylase. (b) Purification of enzyme from crude muscle extracts, using an immunoaffinity microchromatographic procedure. Protein maps of three patients were obtained. No protein was detected at the normal (97 K) position of phosphorylase but 70 and 60 K spots were visible. Results of enzyme purificaton by immunoaffinity were negative for one patient, whereas a small band of phosphorylase-like material was detected in the other. Our results confirm the molecular heterogeneity of the disease. We think such methods might be useful for investigating other genetic diseases.

Adolescent↗

Transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient with bacterial pneumonia.

Transtracheal aspiration was performed in 32 elderly hypoxic patients with bacterial pneumonia. No morbidity or mortality was associated with the procedure. Gram stains of the transtracheal aspirate provided rapid, accurate delineation of the etiologic pneumonic agent, and were particularly valuable in indicating mixed bacterial infections. These included 5 cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae plus Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia. The safety and value of transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient are discussed.

Humans↗

Partial proteolysis of human L-type phosphofructokinase.

L (liver) type phosphofructokinase subunits purified from human leukocytes are slightly lighter than L subunits from liver and red blood cells. A mild treatment of red blood cell L4 enzyme with subtilisin converts its subunits into forms of similar molecular weight to leukocyte enzyme. From a kinetical point of view, subtilisin-treated L4 phosphofructokinase and leukocyte enzymes are characterized by a decrease of the allosteric properties as compared to non-treated red cell L4 phosphofructokinase.

Adult↗

Prostaglandins.

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Animals↗

[Mechanisms of acute pulmonary edema during meningococcal shock in children (author;s transl)].

Meningococcic shocks may induce fatal acute pulmonary edemas. Ten children, who died in this condition, have been compared to 19 others, who during the treatment of the shock, developed right heart failure, without acute pulmonary edema (8 deaths, 11 survivals). The three groups of children could not be differentiated regarding their clinical status on admission, during the shock phase, or the treatments administered. Composition, volume and speed of administration of fluids were similar in the three groups. An increase in pulmonary capillary permeability could have occurred, and lead to the development of acute pulmonary failure, as presented by the children of the first group.

Acute Disease↗

Endogenous phosphorylation of soluble enzymes in human red cells. Cyclic 3',5'-AMP-dependent phosphorylation of phosphofructokinase without detectable regulatory effect.

ATP-depleted human red cells have been incubated in a glucose-containing medium with [32P]orthophosphate in the presence and in the absence of cyclic 3',5'-AMP and dibutyril cyclic 3',5'-AMP. Spectrin, pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and hemoglobin A1 have been purified and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein-bound radioactivity has been measured from the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels and the trichloroacetic acid-precipitated proteins. In the cytosol, the most intense phosphorylation was found for pyruvate kinase whose, in the presence of cyclic AMP, specific radioactivity was comparable to that of the membrane protein and spectrin. In the absence of cyclic nucleotides it was five times less phosphorylated. Phosphofructokinase was only phosphorylated when the red cells were incubated with cyclic nucleotides; the extent of phosphorylation was four times less than for pyruvate kinase. Hemoglobin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and a contaminant protein copurified with phosphofructokinase were not phosphorylated: the 'background' of the radioactivity found for these proteins was 100 times less than for pyruvate kinase and spectrin, and 20 times less than for phosphofructokinase (+cyclic AMP).

Cyclic AMP↗