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Biomedical subjects

A Vandermeers

Publications and source records attributed to A Vandermeers.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Evidence that helodermin, a newly extracted peptide from Gila monster venom, is a member of the secretin/VIP/PHI family of peptides with an original pattern of biological properties.

Helodermin, a newly isolated peptide from the venom of Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) was shown to stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity of rat pancreatic membranes as efficiently as secretin and VIP. It also increased cyclic AMP levels and inhibited [125I]VIP binding in rat pancreatic acini. Finally, helodermin activated adenylate cyclase in membranes from rat heart, rat brain, and human heart, showing properties analogous yet distinct from those of secretin, VIP and PHI.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Pancreatic secretory factor (PSF), a protein from Gila monster venom stimulating enzyme secretion from rat pancreatic acini.

Pancreatic secretory factor (PSF), a 17.5-kDa protein purified from the venom of Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), stimulated amylase secretion from dispersed rat pancreatic acini more efficiently than CCK-8, bombesin, carbachol and secretin, and without increasing 45Ca2+ efflux and cyclic AMP levels. The secretory action was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium and was additive to the secretion induced by agents acting via cyclic AMP or via Ca2+ efflux.

Amylases↗

Purification and kinetic properties of two soluble forms of calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from rat pancreas.

The calmodulin-dependent cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) activity of rat pancreas was purified 280-fold by affinity chromatography on calmodulin-Sepharose 4B. It then accounted for 15% of the total cytosol cyclic GMP nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity, in the presence of Ca2+, and represented a minor component of proteins specifically adsorbed by the column. This activity was resolved on a DEAE-Sephacel column into two fractions, termed PI and PII, on the basis of their order of emergence. After this step, PI and PII were purified 5650- and 3700-fold respectively. The molecular weight of PI was 175 000 and that of PII was 116 000, by polyacrylamide-gradient-gel electrophoresis. Both forms of phosphodiesterase could hydrolyse cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, although PII displayed a higher affinity toward cyclic GMP than toward cyclic AMP. PI and PII exhibited negative homotropic kinetics in the absence of calmodulin. Upon addition of calmodulin, both enzymes displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and a 5-9-fold increase in maximal velocity, at physiological concentrations of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP. When a pancreatic extract freshly purified by affinity chromatography was immediately analysed by high-performance gel-permeation chromatography on a TSK gel G3000 SW column, PII represented as much as 78% of the eluted activity. This percentage decreased to 52% when the sample was stored at 0 degrees C for 20 h before analysis, suggesting that PII, possibly predominant in vivo, was converted into the heavier PI form upon storage.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Evidence for the existence of actomyosin ATPase in the rat pancreas. Isolation and biochemical characterization.

In a crude extract of rat pancreas, myosin was associated with a protein having the same electrophoretic mobility as actin. This myosin was purified after dissociation of the actomyosin complex with KI-ATP. On sodium dodecylsulfate/acrylamide gel electrophoresis, the isolated pancreatic myosin showed a major component of approximately 200 kDa, and two smaller components with apparent molecular weight of 22 and 15 kDa, respectively. This purified myosin exhibited high ATPase activity in the presence of K+ + EDTA or Ca2+ and very little activity in the presence of Mg2+. (K+ + EDTA)-ATPase activity showed one pH optimum at 8.0, while Ca2+-ATPase activity showed two pH optima at 6.0 and 9.0, respectively. (K+ + EDTA)-stimulated enzyme activity was specific for ATP whereas Ca2+-stimulated activity showed low specificity for nucleoside triphosphates.

Actomyosin↗

The activation of brain adenylate cyclase and brain cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase by seven calmodulin derivatives.

1. A comparison has been made of the ability of seven calmodulin derivatives to displace 125I-labeled calmodulin and to activate adenylate cyclase in a brain particulate fraction. The activation of brain-soluble cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase by the same calmodulin derivatives was examined in parallel. 2. In general, the dose for half-maximal inhibition of 125I-labeled calmodulin binding and the apparent Km of adenylate cyclase activation were comparable in brain membranes. These concentrations were 20--40-times higher than the corresponding apparent Km values of activation of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase. 3. Modifying the single histidine residue or both tyrosine residues exerted no influence on the biological properties of calmodulin. The carboxymethylation of two methionine residues or the amidation of several carboxyl groups reduced the activation properties of calmodulin on adenylate cyclase and cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Altering seven lysine or four arginine residues resulted in two proteins whose activation properties on adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase had been modified in a way suggesting that lysine and arginine residues play distinct roles in the interaction of native calmodulin with each enzyme.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Calmodulin activation of adenylate cyclase in pancreatic islets.

Pancreatic islets contain calmodulin. The protein binds to a particulate fraction derived from the islets and stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in this subcellular fraction, both phenomena being activated by ionized calcium. A calcium-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase by endogenous calmodulin may contribute to the accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate evoked by insulin releasing agents in the islet cells.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Lack of adaptation of pancreatic colipase in rats and mice.

A new automated potentiometric method for the determination of colipase was developed, taking advantage of the reactivation of purified lipase, in the presence of bile salt and at pH 6.5. High-fat and high-starch diets induced an opposite regulation of lipase and amylase in the rat pancreas. At the same time, the level of colipase was not influenced by nutrition. During fasting and in alloxan diabetes, the specific activity of lipase almost doubled, that of amylase decreased sharply, and colipase was not affected in the rat pancreas. In obese-hyperglycemic mice, suffering from obesity, hyperinsulinism, and moderate diabetes, there was also no regulation of pancreatic colipase. Thus, at variance with a number of hydrolases, there was no dietary or hormonal adaptation of colipase. However, this was probably without any bearing on intraluminal lipolysis. Indeed, comparison of lipase and colipase activities in pancreas and in small intestine suggests that colipase concentration is not a limiting factor of intraluminal lipolysis. The molecular mechanism of this assumption is discussed on the basis of in vitro studies.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Exocrine pancreas: evidence for topographic partition of secretory function.

The pattern of amylase, lipase, and chymotrpsinogen content found in pancreatic exocrine tissue surrounding the islets of Langerhans (periinsular halos) differs from that of the rest, or teleinsular part, of the pancreas. Such a topographic partition of secretory function may play a role in the regulation of pancreatic juice composition.

Amylases↗

Pancreatic secretion of total protein and of three hydrolases collected in healthy subjects via duodenoscopic cannulation. Effects of secretin, pancreozymin, and caerulein.

Pancreatic secretion of total protein and of three types of hydrolases (amylase, lipase, and thymotrypsinogen(s) was determined in human subjects free of gastrointestinal disease. Pure pancreatic juice was collected by canulation of Wirsung's duct under duodenoscopy. Rapid intravenous injection of pancreozymin (1 Crick-Harper-Raper U per kg) stimulated secretion of total protein and hydrolases within 1 min. This stimulation was of short duration and had a half-life of 70 to 100 sec. Rapid intravenous injection of caerulein (20) ng per kg) induced a similar response. Parallel variations in total protein, amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsinogen(s) were observed in the three experiments where complete enzyme analyses were performed.

Adult↗