Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D E Mahony

Publications and source records attributed to D E Mahony.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Bile salt 3 alpha- and 12 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from Eubacterium lentum and related organisms.

Thirty-two strains of Eubacterium lentum and phenotypically similar anaerobic gram-positive bacilli were screened for intracellular bile salt 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDHase) activities. These organisms were categorized into four groups: (A) those containing 12alpha-HSDHase only (10 strains), (B) those containing 3alpha- and 12alpha-HSDHase (13 strains), (C) those containing 3alpha-HSDHase only (2 strains), and (D) those devoid of any measurable HSDHase activity (7 strains). Of the respective four groups, 9/10, 13/13, 0/2, and 0/7 were like the neotype strain of E. lentum (ATCC 25559) in that they produced H(2)S in a triple sugar iron agar butt, reduced nitrate to nitrite, and weakly decomposed hydrogen peroxide. The other strains were variable for nitrate reduction and activity on hydrogen peroxide, but all the organisms in the first three categories (with one exception) were H(2)S producers (triple sugar iron agar butt) and all (with one exception) were designated E. lentum, whereas the organisms of category B were non-H(2)S producers (triple sugar iron agar butt). Five of these seven were not stimulated by arginine and are designated "phenotypically similar organisms." Thin-layer chromatography of extracted spent bacterial medium of four representative strains from each group grown in the presence of cholate revealed the presence of (A) 12-oxo product, (B) 12-oxo and 3-oxo products, (C) 3-oxo product, and (D) the absence of any of these products. The 12alpha-HSDHase of category B organisms was unstable unless 10(-3) M dithioerythritol was added to the buffer. With the exception of 3 out of 32 strains, there was a positive correlation between the production of measurable amounts of 12alpha-HSDHase and H(2)S production. Growth curves and the effect of arginine on growth and the production of 3alpha- and 12alpha-HSDHase were examined in representative strains of categories A, B, and C. Both enzymes were shown to bind onto a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-Sepharose column and could be eluted by high-ionic-strength buffer, resulting in approximately 25-fold and 18-fold purification, respectively. Molecular weight estimations by Sephadex G-200 gave values of 205,000 and 125,000 for the 3alpha- and 12alpha-HSDHase, respectively. Purified 12alpha-HSDHase was investigated with respect to pH requirement, substrate specificity, and enzyme kinetics.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1979

12alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Clostridium group P strain C48-50 ATCC No. 29733: partial purification and characterization.

The growth of Clostridium group P strain C48-50 [an anaerobe that contains 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (12alpha-HSDH) in the absence of other dehydrogenases active upon bile salts] is greatly enhanced by the addition of 2.0% d-fructose or d-glucose to the growth medium. Other sugars were less effective. The production of NADP-dependent 12alpha-HSDH paralleled the growth of the organism which was optimal at 72 hr. Growth (and enzyme production) were suppressed by the addition of bile salt to the medium; the order of suppression was deoxycholate > chenodeoxycholate >> cholate; 1 mM of either of the dihydroxy-bile salts inhibited 96% of the growth and 100% of the enzyme production. Kinetic studies on cell-free preparations of 12alpha-HSDH revealed a pH optimum of 7.8 with greater linearity of NADP evolution with time occurring only at more alkaline pH values (9-10). Lineweaver-Burke plots revealed Michaelis constant (K(m)) values in the range of 3-5 x 10(-4) M for deoxycholate and its glycine and taurine conjugates, while higher values were found for cholate and conjugates (K(m) value for taurocholate was 3 x 10(-3) M). Although there was no activity with NAD, 12alpha-HSDH was shown to bind onto both NAD- and NADP-Sepharose columns, with stronger binding on the latter. The enzyme was purified 20-fold by NAD-Sepharose chromatography. The molecular weight was estimated at 100,000 by Sephadex G-200 and a series of molecular weight markers. Substrate specificity studies showed that a variety of bile salts containing 12alpha-OH groups reacted; notably, the 3alpha-sulfates of cholate and deoxycholate were nonsubstrates.-Macdonald, I. A., J. F. Jellett and D. E. Mahony. 12alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Clostridium Group P strain C48-50 #29733: partial purification and characterization.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1978

Synthesis and quantitative structure-activity relationships of antibacterial 1-(substituted benzhydryl)-4-(5-nitro-2-furfurylideneamino) piperazines.

1-Benzhydryl -4- (5-nitro-2-furfurylideneamino) piperazine and 11 substituted analogs were prepared and examined for in vitro antimicrobial activity. The compounds were active against Bacillus cereus 7, Bacillus megaterium 122, Bacillus subtilis 104, Clostridium perfringens 13, and the tetracycline-resistant Clostridium perfringens 37. Regression analyses on the antibacterial activity data based on the Hansch approach, using pi, pi2, and sigma parameters, yielded several statistically significant correlation equations. 1-Benzhydryl-4-(5-nitro-2-furfurylideneamino) piperazine stopped the protein and DNA syntheses in C. perfringens 13, as indicated by precipitable radioactivity. The compound, however, showed no effect on the cell wall synthesis in the bacteria.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1978

Effect of pH on bile salt degradation by mixed fecal cultures.

Stoll specimens from 3 healthy volunteers were cultured under an-aerobic conditions in brain heart infusion broth with and without the addition of cholate, deoxycholate of chenodeoxycholate. The initial pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.5, 6.3, 7.3 (unadjusted), 8.0, and 9.0. Cell-free extracts prepared from the resulting bacterial growth contained increased levels of NAD- and NADP-dependent 3alpha-, 7alpha-, and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductases when the initial pH was 8.0 or 9.0 and depressed levels of these activities when the initial pH was 5.5 or 6.3 (as compared to control values obtained at 7.3). At pH 5,5 all activities except NAD-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase were absent. A powerful selective effect was imposed on NAD-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase when deoxycholate or chenodeoxycholate were incorporated into or chenodeoxycholate were incorporated into the medium. Thin-layer chromatography of either extracts of cholate-containing, acidified spent bacterial medium showed alkaline or neutral (optimal at pH 8). The precent hydroxyl group estimations at the 3alpha-, 7alpha-, and 12alpha-positions revealed an increase in disappearance of OH groups at all three positions with increasing initial pH value. The order of extent of bioconversion was 7alpha-OH greater than 3alpha-OH; at pH 8 AND 9, approximately 90% 7alpha-OH bioconversion was observed. Spent bacterial media and a number of commercial secondary bile salts were all negative in the Ames' assay for mutagenicity.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1978

Synthesis and quantitative structure--activity relationships of some antibacterial 3-formylrifamycin SV N-(4-substituted phenyl)piperazinoacethydrazones.

A series of 14 3-formylrifamycin SV N-(4-substituted phenyl)piperazinoacethydrazones has been synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. The compounds were found active against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium phlei, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis but not as active as rifampin. The compounds also exhibited significant activity against Clostridium perfringens and in this bacterial system some were more active than rifampin. The QSAR showed that the activity against B. subtilis depended only on lipophilicity, and the regression equation was linear. A parabolic relationship between the antibacterial activity and lipophilicity of the compounds was found in Staph. aureus. Additionally, the activity was dependent upon the electronic and steric effects of the phenyl substituents. The sensitivity of M. phlei to the compounds was found to correlate well with a linear combination of hydrophobic, electronic, and steric parameters. No statistically significant correlation was possible between the physicochemical parameters studied and the activity of the compounds against C. perfringens and M. tuberculosis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1978

Fecal hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventists, control subjects, and bowel cancer patients.

Cell-free extracts were prepared from mixed fecal anaerobic bacteria grown from stools of 14 vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventists, 16 omnivorous control subjects, and eight patients recently diagnosed with cancer of the large bowel. Preparations were assayed for NAD- and NADP-dependent 3alpha-, 7alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases with bile salts and androsterone as substrates (eight substrate-cofactor combinations were tested). A significant intergroup difference was observed in the amounts of NAD- and NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase produced: bowel cancer patients exceeded controls, and controls exceeded Seventh-Day Adventists. Other enzyme activity comparisons were not significant. The pH values of the stools were significantly higher in cancer patients compared to Seventh-Day Adventists; values were 7.03 +/- 0.60 and 6.46 +/- 0.58 respectively. The pH value for controls was 6.66 +/- 0.62. A plot of pH value versus NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase tended to separate the cancer patients from the other groups. Comparative data suggest that much of the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase active against bile salt is also active against androsterone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Comparative study of ten bacteriocins of Clostridium perfringens.

Bacteriocins of Clostridium perfringens were prepared by ammonium sulfate precipitation of supernatant broth from 10 bacteriocinogenic strains. These bacteriocins were compared with respect to their ability to produce spheroplasts in a sensitive indicator strain; their inducibility; sensitivity to pH, proteolytic enzymes, and boiling; and their effect on macromolecular synthesis. Two bacteriocins were stable over a wide range of pH values and resisted boiling, and three bacteriocins were resistant to trypsin. Five bacteriocins shut down DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; three bacteriocins had varying effects on DNA and RNA synthesis; and two bacteriocins had little effect on macromolecular synthesis. Antiserum prepared against one bacteriocin highly neutralized three bacteriocins with partial neutralization of five others; two bacteriocins were unaffected. Mutant strains selected for resistance to bacteriocin 28 also demonstrated coresistance to two other closely related bacteriocins and partial resistance to five others.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed1978

Bacteriocin typing of Clostridium perfringens in human feces.

Three hundred and ninety-nine isolates of Clostridium perfringens from enriched stool specimens of 51 individuals (about eight colonies per person) were typed by bacteriocins. Forty-nine percent of these persons carried more than one bacteriocin type in their stool, and some had three or four different stains as determined by bacteriocin typing. Weekly stool specimens obtained from seven positive volunteers over a period of 5 weeks were screened for C. perfringens, and several colonies from each person were typed. This survey demonstrated that the number of types fluctuated with time, several types could be carried simultaneously, and the isolation of the organism was variable. Nine new bacteriocin types of C. perfringens were isolated in this study.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed1977

NAD-dependent 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities from Eubacterium lentum ATCC no. 25559.

Eubacterium lentum (ATCC No. 25559) was shown to contain 3alpha-and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases both of which were NAD-dependent and active against conjugated and unconjugated bile salts. In addition, the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was active against members of the Androstan series containing a 3alpha-hydroxyl group regardless of the stereo-orientation of the 5-H-. No measurable activity against 7alpha-, 7beta-, 11beta-, or 17beta-hydroxyl groups was demonstrated. The growth of E. lentum and the production of 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were greatly enhanced by the addition of L-, D- or DL-arginine to the medium. Yields of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were optimal in the range of 0.50-0.75% arginine; however, the growth of the organisms was further enhanced at arginine concentrations greater than 0.75%. The 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was heat labile and could be selectively inactivated by heating at 50 degrees C for 45 min. Both the heated enzyme preparation (containing only 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) and the unheated enzyme preparation (containing 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases) were useful in the spectrophotometric quantification of bile salts. The optimal pH values for 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were 11.3 and 10.2, respectively. Kinetic studies have Km estimates of 2.10(-5) M and 1.0.10(-4) M with 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoyl glycine and 7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate for the two respective enzymes.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1977

Bile salt degradation by nonfermentative clostridia.

Eight strains of nonfermentative clostridia were characterized on the basis of their intracellular nicotine adenine dinucleotide- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDH) content, ability to deconjugate taurocholate, growth characteristics, and metabolic products, including utilization of lactate and pyruvate. Two cultures of Clostridium sporosphaeroides (representing one strain obtained from two different sources), one strain of Clostridium irregularis, four strains of an unnamed species (Clostridium group SPH-1), and one strain of an unnamed species (Clostridium group P) were studied. Both cultures of C. sporosphaeroides contained low amounts of 7alpha-HSDH; C. irregularis contained only a low amount of 3alpha-HSDH. All four strains of Clostridium SPH-1 contained both 12alpha- and 7alpha-HSDH in the ratio of approximately 10:1. The strain of Clostridium group P contained only 12alpha-HSDH and was devoid of any other bile salt oxidoreductases. The enzyme preparation from Clostridium group P was useful in spectrophotometric quantitative studies of 12alpha-OH groups. Correlation of bile salt degradative activities with other phenotypic tests for characterization of and differentiation among such organisms is discussed.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1977

Stable L-forms of Clostridium perfringens: growth, toxin production, and pathogenicity.

Growth and toxin production of stable L-forms of Clostridium perfringens grown in a mini-fermentor were monitored. A gradual but steady increment in viable count occurred over a 7-h period, followed by death. The peak of viability preceded the optical density peak by 3 h. Theta, alpha, kappa, and lambda toxins were measured, with theta toxin appearing first in the culture supernate. Growth of the parent bacillus form of C. perfringens was compared under similar conditions. Toxin levels achieved by the bacillus culture exceeded those of the L-form culture four- to eightfold; however, based upon viable count, the L-form organism produced 8 to 16 times as much toxin as did the bacillus. The amounts of extracellular toxin produced by both forms were similar when related to cell protein rather than cell number. Guinea pig inoculation showed that the L-form of C. perfringens did not produce gas gangrene, although it was not entirely without effect. Both guinea pig and human sera were inhibitory to these L-forms, a fact attributable to a heat-liable component in the sera, most likely complement.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

3alpha-, 7alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities from Clostridium perfringens.

25 strains of Clostridium perfringens were screened for hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity; 19 contained NADP-dependent 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and eight contained NAD-dependent 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase active against conjugated and unconjugated bile salts. All strains containing 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase also contained 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase although 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was invariably in lesser quantity than the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. In addition, 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was evident only when 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate was substrate but notably absent when 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate was substrate. The oxidation product 12alpha-hydroxy-3, 7-diketo-5beta-cholanoate is rapidly further degraded to an unknown compound devoid of either 3alpha- or 7alpha-OH groups. Group specificity of these enzymes was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography studies of the oxidation products. These enzyme systems appear to be constitutive rather than inducible. In contrast to C. perfringens. Clostridium paraputrificum (five strains tested) contained no measurable hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. pH studies of the C. perfringens enzymes revealed a sharp pH optimum at pH 11.3 and 10.5 for the 3alpha-OH- and 12alpha-OH-oriented activities, respectively. Kinetic studies gave Km estimates of approx. 5 X 10(-5) and 8 X 10(-4) M with 3alpha, 7a-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate and 3alpha, 12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate as substrates for two respective enzymes. 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was active against 3alpha-OH-containing steroids such as androsterone regardless of the sterochemistry of the 5H (Both A/B cis and A/B trans steroides were substrates). There was no activity against 3beta-OH-containing steroids. The 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, although differing in cofactor requirements cannot be distinguished by their appearance in the growth curve, their mobility on disc gel electrophoresis, elution volume on passage through Sephadex G-200 or heat inactivation studies.

Androsterone↗
PubMed1976

Behavior of 3alpha- and 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases on chenodeoxycholate substituted Sepharose.

Chenodeoxycholate (3alpha-, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate) was linked to Sepharose 4B by an ethylenediamine bridge. When 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase preparations were applied to a column of covalently linked chenodeoxycholate, both enzymes were retarded at pH 6.7; the 7alpha-OH oriented enzyme more than the 3alpha-OH enzyme. Approximately forty-fold purification of 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was achieved in one step. Although no significant purification of 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase occurred, the background value in the fluorometric enzymatic estimation of bile acids by eluted 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was markedly reduced. Molecular weight estimation by Sephadex G-200 gave the values of 47,000 for 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 105,000 for 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid↗
PubMed1976

Stable L-forms of Clostridium perfringens and their growth on glass surfaces.

L-forms of Clostridium perfringens were induced in brain heart infusion broth containing 10% sucrose and 2 units of penicillin. After a few hours of growth, spheroplasts, granules, and elongated bacilli were apparent. At 24-h intervals, serial subcultures were made in the above medium which resulted in a culture composed entirely of spheroplasts (or protoplasts) and granules. Upon the withdrawal of penicillin these L-form cultures grew well and, after 100 passages, there was no reversion to the bacillary form. Sucrose could also be withdrawn from the medium. The effects of centrifugation, osmotic stabilizer, ultraviolet light, temperature, pH, and lyophilization upon stable L-forms were examined. L-forms were found to attach to the walls of culture tubes during trowth and sheets of L-form growth were obtained on cover slips in Leighton tubes and on the sides of medicine bottles.

Agar↗
PubMed1975

NAD- and NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from bacteroides fragilis.

Twenty strains of Bacteroides fragilis were screened for hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity in cell-free preparations. Eighteen strains were shown to contain NAD-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Sixteen of the strains containing the NAD-dependent enzyme also contained NADP-depedent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, but invariably in lesser amounts. A strain particulary rich in both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities was selected for further study. Measurement of activity as a function of pH revealed a fairly sharp optimal activity range of 9.5--10.0 for the NAD-dependent enzyme and a broad flat optimal range of 7.0--9.0 for the NADP-dependent enzyme. Michaelis constants for trihydroxy-bile acids for the NAD-dependent enzyme were in the range of 0.32--0.34 mM, whereas dihydroxy-bile acids gave a Km of 0.1 mM. Thin-layer chromatography studies on the oxidation product of 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid (chenodeoxycholic acid) by the dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3alpha-hydroxy, 7-keto-5beta-cholanoic acid. Similarly the oxidation product of chenodeoxycholic acid by both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and commercially available 3alpha-hy-droxysteroid dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3,7-diketo-5beta-cholanoic acid. Neither of these two oxidation products could be distinguished from those by the Escherichia coli dehydrogenase oxidation previously reported. Disc-gel electrophoresis of a cell-free lyophilized preparation indicated one active band for NAD-dependent activity of mobility similar to that for the NADP-dependent E. coli enzyme. The NADP-dependent dehydrogenase was unstable and rapidly lost activity after polyacylamide disc-gel electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, freezing on refrigeration at 4 degrees C. No 3 alpha- or 12alpha-oriented oxidoreductase activity was demonstrated in any of the strains examined.

Bacteroides↗
PubMed1975

Convenient non-chromatographic assays for the microbial deconjugation and 7alpha-OH bioconversion of taurocholate.

We described two convenient assay methods to estimate bile acid deconjugation and bile acid bioconversion at the 7alpha-OH position by individual microorganisms grown in media containing taurocholic acid. The methods are based on (i) a selective chemical assay for taurine conjugates previously described and (ii) the use of a cell-free preparation of 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli to directly quantify 7alpha-OH groups. These non-chromatographic approaches have been applied to the study of three model strains of intestinal organisms, E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Clostridium perfringens, grown in standard media in the presence of purified tritiated taurocholate. Assay results were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography solvent systems designed to separate conjugated from unconjugated bile acid and unmodified cholic acid nucleus from 7alpha-OH bioconversion product(s) (primarily 3alpha, 12alpha dihydroxy, 7-keto-cholanoic acid). In addition, 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was demonstrated in cell-free extracts of all three organisms. Of the three organisms, only C. perfringens was demonstrated to (i) deconjugate taurocholic acid, (ii) contain 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, (iii) convert cholic acid into at least five labeled metabolites visible on thin-layer chromatography, and (iv) catalyze significant tritium exchange with water in the medium.

Bacteroides fragilis↗