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D K Ghosh

Publications and source records attributed to D K Ghosh.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes in visceral leishmaniasis.

Lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes was studied in kala-azar patients having a considerable degree of anemia. Enhanced formation of oxidative metabolic products was observed in the erythrocytes of these patients. Decreased activities of the protective enzymes suggest impairment of the defense mechanism against peroxidative threat. These may contribute to some extent to the shortened lifespan of red cells in visceral leishmaniasis.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of the reductase domain of rat neuronal nitric oxide synthase generated in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Calmodulin response is complete within the reductase domain itself.

Rat neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) is comprised of a flavin-containing reductase domain and a heme-containing oxygenase domain. Calmodulin binding to nNOS increases the rate of electron transfer from NADPH into its flavins, triggers electron transfer from flavins to the heme, activates NO synthesis, and increases reduction of artificial electron acceptors such as cytochrome c. To investigate what role the reductase domain plays in calmodulin's activation of these functions, we overexpressed a form of the nNOS reductase domain (amino acids 724-1429) in the yeast Pichia pastoris that for the first time exhibits a complete calmodulin response. The reductase domain was purified by 2',5'-ADP affinity chromatography yielding 25 mg of pure protein per liter of culture. It contained 1 FAD and 0.8 FMN per molecule. Most of the protein as isolated contained an air-stable flavin semiquinone radical that was sensitive to FeCN6 oxidation. Anaerobic titration of the FeCN6-oxidized reductase domain with NADPH indicated the flavin semiquinone re-formed after addition of 1-electron equivalent and the flavins could accept up to 3 electrons from NADPH. Calmodulin binding to the recombinant reductase protein increased its rate of NADPH-dependent flavin reduction and its rate of electron transfer to cytochrome c, FeCN6, or dichlorophenolindophenol to fully match the rate increases achieved when calmodulin bound to native full-length nNOS. Calmodulin's activation of the reductase protein was associated with an increase in domain tryptophan and flavin fluorescence. We conclude that many of calmodulin's actions on native nNOS can be fully accounted for through its interaction with the nNOS reductase domain itself.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

High-level expression of mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase in Escherichia coli requires coexpression with calmodulin.

We report a method to generate and purify large quantities of fully active mouse iNOS from E. coli, and show that calmodulin coexpression is essential to generate the active iNOS. E. coli were transformed with a plasmid containing mouse iNOS with a six-histidine tag on its N-terminus or were cotransformed with piNOS and a distinct plasmid that contained human calmodulin. Protein expression was induced by IPTG followed by culture at room temperature. Coexpression with calmodulin enabled production of active iNOS (20 mg/L culture), of which half could be recovered in pure form by sequential metal chelate and 2', 5' ADP Sepharose chromatography. The calmodulin-replete iNOS was dimeric, contained normal quantities of heme, flavins, and tightly bound calmodulin, and had high NO synthesis activity (0.7 - 1.2 mumol NO/min per mg). In contrast, calmodulin-deficient iNOS was monomeric, devoid of flavins and heme, and had no NO synthesis activity. We conclude that calmodulin is essential to fold and stabilize mouse iNOS.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Heme iron reduction and catalysis by a nitric oxide synthase heterodimer containing one reductase and two oxygenase domains.

Inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) is comprised of an oxygenase domain containing heme, tetrahydrobiopterin, the substrate binding site, and a reductase domain containing FAD, FMN, calmodulin, and the NADPH binding site. Enzyme activity requires a dimeric interaction between two oxygenase domains with the reductase domains attached as monomeric extensions. To understand how dimerization activates iNOS, we synthesized an iNOS heterodimer comprised of one full-length subunit and one histidine-tagged subunit that was missing its reductase domain. The heterodimer was purified using nickel-Sepharose and 2',5'-ADP affinity chromatography. The heterodimer catalyzed NADPH-dependent NO synthesis from L-arginine at a rate of 52 +/- 6 nmol of NO/min/nmol of heme, which is half the rate of purified iNOS homodimer. Heterodimer NO synthesis was associated with reduction of only half of its heme iron by NADPH, in contrast with near complete heme iron reduction in an iNOS homodimer. Full-length iNOS monomer preparations could not synthesize NO nor catalyze NADPH-dependent heme iron reduction. Thus, dimerization activates NO synthesis by enabling electrons to transfer between the reductase and oxygenase domains. Although a single reductase domain can reduce only one of two hemes in a dimer, this supports NO synthesis from L-arginine.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Domains of macrophage N(O) synthase have divergent roles in forming and stabilizing the active dimeric enzyme.

The cytokine-inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is a flavin-containing hemeprotein that must dimerize to generate NO. Trypsin cleaves the dimeric enzyme into an oxygenase domain fragment that remains dimeric, contains heme and H4biopterin, and binds L-arginine and a reductase domain fragment that is monomeric, binds NADPH, FAD, FMN, and catalyzes the reduction of cytochrome c [Ghosh, D. K. & Stuehr, D. J. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 801-807]. The current study investigates the isolated oxygenase and reductase domains of iNOS to understand how they form and stabilize the active dimeric enzyme. The dimeric oxygenase domain dissociated into folded, heme-containing monomers when incubated with 2-5 M urea, whereas the reductase domain unfolded under these conditions and lost its ability to catalyze NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reduction. Spectral analysis of the dissociation reaction showed that it caused structural changes within the oxygenase domain and exposed the distal side of the heme to solvent, enabling it to bind dithiothreitol as a sixth ligand. Importantly, the oxygenase domain monomers could reassociate into a dimeric form even in the absence of the reductase domain. The reaction required L-arginine and H4biopterin and completely reversed the structural changes in heme pocket and protein structure that occurred upon dissociating the original dimer. Together, this confirms that the oxygenase domain contains all of the determinants needed for subunit dimerization and indicates that the dimeric structure greatly affects the heme and protein environment in the oxygenase domain.

Enzyme Stability↗
PubMed1996

Volatilization of mercury by resting mercury-resistant bacterial cells.

The mercuric ion reduction system encoded by the Hg2+ inducible mer operon confers bacterial resistance to mercuric ion. The mer A gene product which is a FAD-containing enzyme catalyzes the reduction of Hg2+ to volatile elemental mercury with the help of intracellular thiols and NADPH as a cofactor (Schottel 1974; Summers and Silver 1978; Fox and Walsh 1982; Misra 1992). Our earlier studies have shown that growing cells of different mercury-resistant bacteria reduce Hg2+ compounds to Hg(O) (Ray et al. 1989; Pahan et al. 1990a; Gachhui et al. 1989). We have also shown the effect of thiol compounds and flavins on mercury-degrading enzyme activities in mercury-resistant bacteria (Pahan et al. 1990b). Here we report that resting cells of mercury-resistant bacteria survive in a buffer system for several hours, synthesize inducible mercury-degrading enzymes and volatilize mercury from a mercury-containing buffer system. We know of no information regarding studies of mercury-degrading enzymes in resting mercury-resistant bacterial cells.

Azotobacter↗
PubMed1995

Reconstitution of the second step in NO synthesis using the isolated oxygenase and reductase domains of macrophage NO synthase.

Inducible macrophage NO synthase (iNOS) is a homodimer of 130 kDa subunits. Trypsinolysis of iNOS inactivates its NO synthesis activity and cleaves the enzyme into a dimeric oxygenase fragment that contains heme, tetrahydrobiopterin, and the substrate binding site and a monomeric reductase fragment that contains FAD, FMN, calmodulin, and the binding site for NADPH [Ghosh, D. I., & Stuehr, D. H. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 801-807]. In this paper, we describe the reconstitution of NO synthesis activity utilizing the isolated oxygenase and reductase domains of iNOS. Mixing the domains at various ratios showed that NO was not produced from L-arginine but could be formed from the reaction intermediate N omega-hydroxy-L-arginine (L-NOHA). The apparent Km with L-NOHA in the reconstituted system was 100 microM versus 19 microM for native iNOS. D-NOHA was not a substrate. Maximum specific activity (per heme) occurred at an oxygenase to reductase molar ratio of 4:1, with higher ratios causing some inhibition. Reconstitution of activity was associated with electron transfer between the domain fragments and led to an incomplete reduction of the oxygenase domain heme iron. L-NOHA, but not L-arginine, increased NADPH consumption in the reconstituted system. Between 2.5 and 3.0 NADPH were consumed per NO formed from L-NOHA, considerably higher than the stoichiometry obtained with native iNOS (0.5 NADPH oxidized per NO formed), indicating an uncoupled electron transfer between the domain fragments. Thus, the isolated iNOS reductase and oxygenase domains each retain their separate catalytic functions but interact to catalyze only the second step of NO synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arginine↗
PubMed1995

Lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes during anemia of the hamsters infected with Leishmania donovani.

Visceral leishmaniasis has been found to be associated with severe anemia and premature lysis of erythrocytes. Peroxidative damage of red cells has been noted in several hemolytic anemias. Present study shows enhanced formation of methemoglobin in hamsters infected with Leishmania donovani. Increased formation of malonyldialdehyde and diene conjugate has been noted in the erythrocytes of the infected animals with the progress of anemia. Results showed decreased activities of protective enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase against peroxidative attack. An increase in the membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and a decrease in membrane fluidity of erythrocytes were observed under the diseased condition. Densitometric scan after SDS-PAGE of red cell membrane of the infected animals revealed significant degradation of band 3 and band 4.1 proteins. The results suggest that alteration in the membrane may lead to reduced life span of the red cells in experimental visceral leishmaniasis.

Anemia↗
PubMed1995

Macrophage NO synthase: characterization of isolated oxygenase and reductase domains reveals a head-to-head subunit interaction.

Macrophage NO synthase (NOS) is a dimeric enzyme comprising two identical 130 kDa subunits and contains iron protoporphyrin IX (heme), tetrahydrobiopterin, FAD, FMN, and calmodulin. We have carried out limited proteolysis to locate the domains involved in prosthetic group binding and subunit interaction. Trypsin cleaved the subunits of dimeric macrophage NOS at a single locus, splitting the enzyme into two fragments whose denatured molecular masses were 56 and 74 kDa. The smaller fragments remained dimeric in their native form (112 kDa), contained heme and tetrahydrobiopterin, and could bind L-arginine, CO, or imidazole. In contrast, the larger fragments were monomeric in their native form, contained FAD, FMN, and CAM, and bound NADPH. Although neither purified fragment alone or in combination catalyzed NO synthesis from L-arginine, the flavin-containing fragment did catalyze cytochrome c reduction at a rate that was equivalent to that of native dimeric NOS. These results indicate that trypsin cuts macrophage NOS into two domains that can exist and function independently of one another. The domain that binds heme, H4biopterin, and substrate is also responsible for maintaining the NOS dimeric structure, while the domain containing FAD, FMN, and CAM is not required for subunit interaction. This suggests a structural model for macrophage NOS in which the subunits align in a head-to-head manner, with the oxygenase domains interacting to form a dimer and the reductase domains existing as independent extensions.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1995

Elevated 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentrations and alteration of structural integrity in the erythrocytes of Indian cases of visceral leishmaniasis.

The visceral leishmaniasis (VL) known as kala-azar in India is characterized by severe anaemia. The anaemia seems to be the result, at least in part, of the relatively short life-time of the erythrocytes, which have weakened cell membranes, possibly because of elevated concentrations of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). There is a negative correlation (r = 0.91; P < 0.01) between erythrocytic 2,3-DPG concentrations and the blood concentration of haemoglobin, and the erythrocytes from infected patients display higher osmotic fragility than those from uninfected controls. Spectrofluorometry, using 1,6-diphenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene as a probe, indicated that fluorescence depolarization and microviscosity are also higher in the erythrocytic membranes from VL cases than in those from the controls. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio is also relatively high in the membranes from the VL cases and there is degradation of the skeletal components and the major integral protein (band 3). The enhanced concentration of 2,3-DPG may be related to the altered structural integrity of the erythrocytes and this may lead to anisocytosis and the reduction in the erythrocytic half life.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗
PubMed1994

Immunoblotting identifies an antigen recognized by anti gp63 in the immune complexes of Indian kala-azar patient sera.

In SDS-PAGE the immune complexes (IC) of kala-azar patient sera showed intense bands at 55 kDa and 20 kDa corresponding to heavy and light chains of immunoglobulins. In immunoblot experiment, kala-azar and normal IC after treatment with patient sera showed multiple bands of which the band at 55 kDa was most prominent in kala-azar IC. It is known that in kala-azar sera antihuman IgG is present, so the heavy band at 55 kDa region may be due to higher amount of IgG and/or other antigen(s) present at that region. Immunoblot experiments of kala-azar IC with anti gp63 also developed a major band at 55 kDa. It suggests that the antigen (55 kDa) and gp63 have common antigenic epitope (s). Normal IC did not react with anti gp63 indicating absence of this antigen in normal IC. Antigenic similarity between the IC antigen (55 kDa) and gp63 indicated that the former antigen may have been processed from gp63. In summary, identification of a parasite antigen (55 kDa) in IC of kala-azar patients sera may be useful in developing a serodiagnostic assay for visceral leishmaniasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Experimental visceral leishmaniasis: role of trans-aconitic acid in combined chemotherapy.

We previously reported the effectiveness of trans-aconitic acid (TAA) as an antileishmanial compound. Inhibitory effects of TAA along with other antileishmanial compounds on transformation and in vitro multiplication in macrophage cultures of Leishmania donovani have been assessed. The efficacy of TAA in combined chemotherapy of experimental visceral leishmaniasis has also been evaluated along with those of commonly used antileishmanial compounds such as sodium stibogluconate, pentamidine, and allopurinol. TAA (2 mM) inhibited transformation of L. donovani amastigotes to promastigotes by 95.2%, whereas in combination with pentamidine (5 micrograms/ml), allopurinol (10 micrograms/ml), and sodium stibogluconate (50 micrograms of Sb per ml), it inhibited transformation by about 100, 99, and 98.5%, respectively. Sodium stibogluconate (20 micrograms of Sb per ml), pentamidine (2 micrograms/ml), and allopurinol (5 micrograms/ml) suppressed the amastigote burden in peritoneal macrophage cultures from BALB/c mice by 32.6, 56.1, and 46.3%, respectively. When these three drugs were used along with TAA (5 mM), the parasite loads were reduced by 100, 100, and 88.1%, respectively. TAA (5 mM) alone suppressed the amastigote burden by 59.5%. In experimental visceral leishmaniasis in hamsters (1-month model), TAA at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight per day suppressed the spleen parasite load by 73.5%, and TAA in combination with sodium stibogluconate (50 mg of Sb per kg per day), pentamidine (8 mg/kg/day), and allopurinol (15 mg/kg/day) inhibited the spleen parasite load by 98, 98.9, and 97%, respectively. Individually, these three drugs inhibited the parasite load by 35, 20, and 22%, respectively. TAA (400 mg/kg/day) inhibited the spleen parasite load by 99.8%, but an inhibitory effect of approximately 100% was noted when TAA was supplemented with an antileishmanial drug. TAA was administered in experimental animals through oral, intraperitoneal, and intramuscular routes; the intramuscular route was most effective.

Aconitic Acid↗
PubMed1993

Purification of two azoreductases from Escherichia coli K12.

Two azoreductases (I and II) were purified to homogeneity from extracts of E. coli K12. Azoreductase I was a dimer of two identical subunits of molecular weight 28000 whereas azoreductase II was a monomer of 12,000 molecular weight. Both NADH and NADPH functioned as electron donors for the azoreductases. Azoreductase I and II used Ponceau SX, Tartrazine, Amaranth and Orange II as substrates. Ponceau SX was the best substrate for both the enzymes. However, azoreductase II utilized tartrazine, amaranth and orange II less efficiently than azoreductase I.

Azo Compounds↗
PubMed1992

Purification and partial characterization of two azoreductases from Shigella dysenteriae type 1.

Two azoreductases (I and II) were purified to homogeneity from extracts of Shigella dysenteriae (type 1). Azoreductase I was a dimer of identical subunits of M(r) 28,000, whereas azoreductase II was a monomer of 11,000 M(r). Both were flavoproteins, each containing 1 mol of FMN per mol enzyme. Both NADH and NADPH functioned as electron donors for the azoreductases. Azoreductase I used Ponceau SX, Tartrazine, Amaranth and Orange II as substrates. Azoreductase II utilized all the dyes except Amaranth.

Azo Compounds↗
PubMed1992

Leishmania donovani: isolation of a concanavalin-A specific antigen and its evaluation for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

A glycoconjugate antigen of 27-39 kDa was isolated from a cell-free extract of Leishmania donovani by affinity chromatography using a Concanavalin-A sepharose-4B column and eluted with 0.5 M alpha-methylmannoside. The antigen was recognized specifically by sera from kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) patients and did not react with sera from tuberculosis, leprosy or malaria patients. The antigen may therefore be useful in developing a serodiagnostic assay for visceral leishmaniasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of bioamines on uptake of promastigotes of Leishmania donovani by hamster peritoneal macrophages.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine inhibit attachment of Leishmania donovani promastigotes to cultured hamster peritoneal macrophages. The inhibition was significant at catecholamine concentrations of 10(-4) and 10(-5) M and occurred when they were added to the cell mixtures, or after pre-treatment of either macrophages or parasites. Inhibition of attachment after pre-treatment was less marked than when the catecholamines were added to parasite-cell mixtures. Similar results were obtained with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, cholera toxin, theophylline, and cadaverine which raise intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP). Pretreatment of parasites or macrophages with the bioamines elevated the intracellular cAMP concentration. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect on the host-parasite interaction is mediated through cAMP.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Anemia in experimental visceral leishmaniasis in hamsters.

Experimental infection of hamsters with Leishmania donovani caused visceral leishmaniasis in which hematological changes occurred. The infected hamsters were anemic and reticulocyte counts were high. No significant change in the serum erythropoietin level was noted. Red cell membrane Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase activities increased. Osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes from infected animals increased. The level of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate of the red cells increased with the degree of anemia.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗