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Biomedical subjects

A Levitzki

Publications and source records attributed to A Levitzki.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Preparation and characterization of hormone-sensitive, resealed erythrocyte ghosts.

A method for preparing resealed turkey erythrocyte ghosts is described which utilizes hypotonic lysis and resealing following restoration of isotonicity. The resealed ghosts are isolated above 55% sucrose. The resealed ghosts are shown to be capable of maintaining high intracellular K+ concentrations in the presence of a low K+ extracellular environment. When ATP and an ATP-regenerating system are included during the resealing stage, (R)-(-)-epinephrine- and NaF-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, which is linear for 20 min, can be demonstrated. The concentration of (R)-(-)-epinephrine producing a half-maximal response in resealed ghosts is 1.0 +/- 0.4 X 10(-6) M. This is the same as that for (R)-(-)-epinephrine in the intact erythrocyte. The resealed ghosts are impermeable to Ca2+, but Ca2+ inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation is noted if the divalent cation ionophore. A-23187, is present or if Ca2+ is included during the resealing stage.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Synergistic activation of adenylate cyclase by guanylyl imidophosphate and epinephrine.

A kinetic analysis of the synergistic activation of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase by 1-catecholamines and guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) is described. We have found that the role of the catecholamine hormone is to facilitate the activation of the enzyme by the guanyl nucleotide according to the following mechanism: R-E+G=R-EG R-EG+H=HR-EG leads to HR-E''G where R is the receptor, E the enzyme, G the guanyl nucleotide effector, and H the hormone. The binding steps are fast and reversible but the conversion of the inactive enzyme E to its active stable form (E'') occurs with a rate constant of k=0.7 min-1. This step is essentially irreversible in the presence of high Gpp(NH)p concentrations. In the absence of beta-agonist (1-catecholamine) and at low free Mg2+ concentrations, the activation of the enzyme is insignificant. At high Mg2+ concentration the conversion of E to E'' occurs slowly in the absence of hormone, probably by another pathway. Thus, the presence of a guanyl nucleotide at the allosteric site is obligatory but not sufficient to induce the conversion of the inactive enzyme to its active form. The process of enzyme activation requires both Gpp(NH)p and hormone and under these conditions is essentially irreversible. The permanently active enzyme is stable in the absence of hormone and Gpp(NH)p and its high catalytic activity is stable for many hours. However, hormone and ATP induce a conversion of the high activity to the low activity form. Thus, it seems that both the process of enzyme activation by Gpp(NH)p and its reversal are hormone dependent. Both processes are blocked by the beta-blocker propranolol.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1976

Identity and properties of the chloride effector binding site in hog pancreatic alpha-amylase.

The Cl- activated alpha-amylase from mammalian sources has been shown previously to possess one Cl- binding site per molecule (Levitzki, A., and Steer, M.L. (1974), Eur. J. Biochem. 41, 171). Upon binding of the Cl- effector the kcat of the amylolytic reaction is increased 30-fold whereas the affinity toward the substrate remains unchanged. In the study presented here we have identified the Cl- binding site as a single epsilon-amino group of lysine. The pK of the unique amino group was found to be 9.1, significantly lower than the pH of a free epsilon-amino group of lysine. This epsilon-NH2 group can be blocked by a 2, 4-dinitrophenyl group upon treating the enzyme with 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene at pH 7.9. The dinitrophenylamylase is devoid of Cl- binding capacity but retains its substrate binding capacity. The dinitrophenylamylase also possesses the basal amylolytic activity characteristic of the unmodified Cl- free enzyme, indicating that the catalytic machinery of the enzyme is not affected by dinitrophenylation. alpha-Limit dextrins and maltose which bind to the active site protect the enzyme against dinitrophenylation at lea-st as effectively as the Cl- effector. These observations indicate that the Cl- binding lysyl residue is close to the active site and, upon binding, the Cl- effector induces an enhancement in the catalytic efficiency.

Amylases↗
PubMed1976

The regulatory control of beta-receptor dependent adenylate cyclase.

The characteristics of the beta-receptor in turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase were studied using both kinetics of enzyme activation and direct binding measurement of the beta-agonists and antagonists to the beta-receptor. The regulatory ligands Gpp(NH)p and Ca2+ do not have any direct effect on the beta-receptor, but modulate the enzyme activity through the interaction with specific regulatory sites.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1976

Affinity label for beta-adrenergic receptor in turkey erythrocytes.

The compound N-[2-hydroxy-3-(1-naphthoxy)-propyl]-N'-bromoacetylethylenediamine (NHNP-NBE) was found to label covalently the beta-adrenergic receptor in turkey erythrocytes. The compound inhibits irreversibly 1-epinephrine-dependent adenylate cyclase activity [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] in the whole turkey erythrocyte as well as in the erythrocyte membranes possessing the beta-receptor. The affinity label blocks, also irreversibly, the specific [3H] propranolol binding, whereas other bromoacetyl compounds tested have no effect on binding, even at high concentrations, which cause enzyme inactivation. 1-Epinephrine and propranolol offer protection against the affinity label in whole turkey erythrocytes as well as in membranes prepared from these cells. The potential usefulness of an irreversible beta-antagonist is discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1975

The control of adenylate cyclase by calcium in turkey erythrocyte ghosts.

The adenylate cyclase of turkey erythrocytes is inhibited by low concentrations of calcium. Calcium binds to the enzyme system so tightly that the enzyme can compete with ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N, N1-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for the metal. The calcium binding site is shown to be distinct from the magnesium binding sites required for activity. Thus Ca2+ functions as a negative allosteric effector. Calcium decreases dramatically the V max of the catecholamine-stimulated activity without affecting the affinity for the hormone or for the substrate ATP. The cooperativity in the response toward Mg2+ dependence (Hill coefficient, nH equals 3) is also unaffected by Ca2+ where as the S0.5 (concentration yielding one-half V max) for Mg2+ is affected only slightly. The Ca2+ effect is cooperative (nH equals 2) and therefore brought about by a cluster of Ca2+ binding sites. Mn2+ can substitute for Mg2+ as the enzyme activator but the Mn2+-activated enzyme is no longer inhibited by Ca2+. The possible physiological significance of the Ca2+ effect is discussed.

Acetates↗