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Biomedical subjects

C Briand

Publications and source records attributed to C Briand.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effects of spirogermanium on the in vitro assembly and disassembly of brain microtubules.

The inhibition of microtubule proteins (MTP) assembly by Spirogermanium (SP, 1.25-100 microM) has been studied. Assembly at 37 degrees C was monitored by turbidity measurements and electron microscopy. For SP in 1:1 protein-drug ratio the inhibition of assembly was 50%. Addition of 12.5 microM SP to microtubules induced spontaneous disassembly. SP had less effect on the assembly of pure tubulin (tubulin 6S). Complete inhibition of assembly induced by glycerol and Mg2+ was found with 250 microM and the ratio of SP to tubulin to obtain 50% inhibition was higher than with MTP.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

A novel fluorometric assay for quantitative analysis of dihydrofolate reductase activity in biological samples.

In an effort to study the level of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), the main molecular target of antifolate drugs, in healthy and malignant tissues of human origin, a new and convenient fluorometric enzymatic assay has been developed. The technique measures the overall decrease in fluorescence emission at 454 nm (lambda ex = 342 nm) due to the contributions from coenzyme oxidation and substrate reduction. This technique was developed by using an enzyme purified from beef liver. All criteria of quality were checked: sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity made it suitable for low activity measurements. It was successfully applied to human tissue crude extracts.

Animals↗

Influence of time and chloride ions on the interaction of cisplatin with human albumin in-vitro.

The interaction of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cisplatin) with human serum albumin (HSA), dissolved in phosphate buffer with or without sodium chloride (0.1 M) has been examined at pH 7.4 and mu = 0.154. Equal volumes of cisplatin and HSA solutions were incubated at 37 degrees C for various times and filterable platinum concentrations versus time measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Binding kinetics differed depending on the buffer solutions used and on the time elapsing between cisplatin dissolution and outset of incubation with HSA. Experimental data were fitted to a theoretical equation used to calculate the number of nucleophilic sites per HSA molecule. Titrations of the HSA sulphydryl group content before and after incubation with a cisplatin solution were made, from which it was shown that the lone SH-group of the HSA macromolecule is involved in cisplatin binding. We also studied HSA's sensitivity towards denaturing agents when it was complexed with cisplatin. This sensitivity was decreased upon cisplatin binding. Also, the binding capacities of HSA and the HSA-Pt(II) complex to both tryptophan and warfarin were compared to determine the possible influence of cisplatin upon the binding to HSA of other drugs; this influence was negligible.

Chlorides↗

In vitro mechanism study of microtubule assembly inhibition by cis-dichlorodiammine-platinum(II).

The inhibitions of microtubule protein (MTP) and tubulin 6S polymerizations by cis-dichlorodiammine-platinum(II) (CDDP) have been investigated by turbidity measurements and electron microscopy. For 2.5 X 10(-4) M CDDP after 40 min contact time at 27 degrees, the inhibition was 60% for MTP (1.2 mg/ml) and nearly 90% for tubulin 6S (1.2 mg/ml). Microtubules were not present after a 1 hr contact time at 27 degrees with 2.5 X 10(-4) M CDDP. Free sulfhydryl group determinations with 5,5'-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB) showed that 20.10 (+/- 0.05) sulfhydryl groups were found per tubulin dimer. In the presence of excess CDDP, this number was reduced to 17.74 (+/- 0.05) after a 1 hr contact time at 27 degrees. By using CDDP-tubulin dialysis assays, the CDDP-tubulin complex formation was found to be an irreversible reaction through a covalent binding at the sulfhydryl group sites. By the DEAE filter paper method, CDDP was shown to slightly decrease vinca-alkaloid and colchicine bindings to tubulin likely by inducing a conformational change of the protein.

Animals↗

pH-Stat titration method for dihydrofolate reductase activity measurements: application to determination of substrate Michaelis constant and antifolate inhibition constant.

A pH-Stat titration method was developed for measuring dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity; this method permits detection of very low DHFR activities corresponding to 100 pmol of substrate reduced per minute. This value is about ten times lower than those observed using the classical spectrophotometric method. This sensitivity makes it possible to measure the DHFR in crude tissue extracts. With beef liver DHFR, Michaelis constants for the cofactor NADPH and the natural substrate determined by this method were 1.9 +/- 0.3 X 10(-5) and 8.5 +/- 0.5 X 10(-7) M, respectively. The inhibition constant of methotrexate, a competitive inhibitor of dihydrofolate, was 3.4 +/- 1.3 X 10(-11) M.

Animals↗

Action of vinca alkaloides on calcium movements through mitochondrial membrane.

The antimitotic drugs Vinblastine and Vincristine partially counteract the decoupling effect of both calcium ionophore and Ca2+ on mitochondria. The partial restoration of respiratory control is mainly due to an action on oxidative rate in state 4. In the same manner the P/O ratio is partially restorated. Moreover Vinca alkaloides decrease both the calcium uptake rate and its amount into mitochondria during aerobiosis and slacken the calcium efflux. These results may be explained by a non specific effect of Vinca alkaloides on mitochondrial membrane and might lead to a change in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. Recently, calcium influx blockers (calcium antagonists) have appeared to enhance the cytotoxicity of Vinca alkaloides and to circumvent the Vincristine resistance of some tumor cells (Takashi Tsuruo et al. 1981, 1983). Besides, ruthenium red is a membrane inorganic dye known to bind and inhibit some calcium carriers (mitochondrial carrier, ATP ase calcium dependent from sarcoplasmic reticulum and erythrocyte). This dye has proved to increase the Vinblastine cell accumulation and its toxicity on cells culture (Wilberding C. 1984). So calcium might be involved in the therapeutic activity of Vinca alkaloides. Therefore, in order to investigate this possible implication we studied the effect of these drugs on calcium movements in mitochondria.

Animals↗

Interaction of methotrexate metabolites with beef liver dihydrofolate reductase-I. Binary complex study.

In order to explain the difference of inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) by methotrexate (MTX) and its metabolites 7-hydroxymethotrexate [7OH (MTX)] and polyglutamate derivatives [MTX (G1) and MTX (G2)], direct determinations of binding parameters to beef liver DHFR were performed. Association constants are calculated by fluorescence titrations and thermodynamic parameters by microcalorimetric measurements. The parameters of interaction are nearly identical for MTX and polyglutamate derivatives but are different for MTX and 7OH (MTX). For this last derivative electrostatic forces are less predominant and a larger modification of its conformation appears in the enzyme during the complex formation.

Animals↗

Fluorescence study of human beta 2 microglobulin.

A fluorescence study human beta 2 microglobulin showed the existence of two types of Trp residues, one quite exposed to the solvent, the other buried in a hydrophobic environment. The change in excitation wavelength made obvious the existence of a Tyr to Trp energy transfer mechanism. Treatment by urea or guanidine chlorhydrate brought about quite different results. With the former denaturing agent, some Trp residues remained buried; with the latter, the protein was completely unfolded, as proved by iodide quenching. pH variations could not unfold beta 2m enough to convert all Trp residues to exposed ones. When heated, beta 2m supported a transition that began at 50 degrees (melting temperature 63 degrees) and was not reversible. All these results suggest a rather compact conformation as in a globular protein.

Beta-Globulins↗

Study of the interaction between human serum albumin and some cephalosporins.

Dialysis and microcalorimetric methods were used to calculate the binding parameters of some cephalosporins to human serum albumin (HSA) and to study the nature of the interactions involved in the binding process. Dialysis results agree with microcalorimetric data for cephapirin, cephradin, cefamandole, and cefazolin. Binding forces seem to be principally electrostatic. The parts of the drug molecule involved in HSA drug binding have been identified by high-resolution NMR. The major binding site for cephalosporins with high HSA affinity is thought to be the electron-rich heterocyle fixed on the methylene at position 3. Four classes of cephalosporin have been defined: (a) very weak affinity for HSA (cephalexin, cephradin); (b) moderate affinity (cephapirin, cefoxitin, and cefotaxime) in which binding to the protein involves the heterocycle substituent of the acetamide chain carbon atom; (c) strongly binding (cefamandole), in which binding to HSA is by means of the methyltetrazole ring; and, finally (d), cefazolin, with two classes of binding sites for protein, showing strong and moderate affinity.

Calorimetry↗

Modification of human serum albumin binding of methotrexate by folinic acid and certain drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.

The binding of methotrexate (MTX) and citrovorum factor (CF) to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated. The affinity constant for MTX was 820 M-1, with 2 binding sites, and for CF 2340 M-1, with 1.5 binding sites. MTX and CF, which are used together in high dose therapy, compete for HSA binding. Competition for HSA binding between MTX and adriamycin, bleomycin and cyclophosphamide, drugs often used in association with MTX in cancer chemotherapy, was also demonstrated. The clinical importance of such competition depends on the drug/protein concentration ratio which is extremely variable.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Microcalorimetric method to determine competitive binding. Action of a psychotropic drug (dipotassium chlorazepate) on L-tryptophan . human serum albumin complex.

A mathematical treatment and an original microcalorimetric method are developed to verify an eventual competitive binding between any two substances for the same macromolecule. To apply this method, a competitive binding of L-tryptophan and one benzodiazepin (dipotassium chlorazepate) for human serum albumin is perfectly demonstrated. The association constants and the enthalpy variations are equal to 14 000 +/- 2000 M-1 and --6.6 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol for human serum albumin . tryptophan complex and 13 000 +/- 1000 M-1 and --10.0 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol for human serum albumin . chlorazepate complex. In all cases the stoichiometry is equal to one. The binding of tryptophan to human serum albumin is partially stereospecific; the association constant and the enthalpy variation for D-tryptophan complex are equal, respectively, to 1000 +/- 200 M-1 and --2.6 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗