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Biomedical subjects

E J Harris

Publications and source records attributed to E J Harris.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Uptake of safranine by cardiac mitochondria. Competition with calcium ions and dependence on anions.

Some characteristics of the energized uptake of safranine by rat heart mitochondria were studied. When monitored by changes in differential absorbance (between 524 and 554 nm) of a whole suspension in safranine-containing medium, the changes seen are not linearly related to the quantity of the safranine moving. It happens coincidentally that the changes observed are nearly linearly related to the logarithm of the ratio between the accumulated safranine and its residual concentration in the medium; this explains why the changes of absorbance have been found by other authors to be linearly related to the logarithms of the ratio of internal/external concentrations of such other cations as are permeable. The uptake process appears to compete for energy with Ca2+ uptake and vice versa. Energized safranine uptake has an anion requirement, which is seen when movement of endogenous Pi has been inhibited; the small residual safranine uptake obtained when energy is provided in the presence of mersalyl may be attributable to internal Pi. However, a limited anion-independent energized uptake of safranine, in exchange for internal K+, may be elicited in the presence of nigericin. Adding ATP to the energized system in the presence of an inhibitor of Pi movement elicits an additional uptake of safranine that is oligomycin-sensitive and that probably arises on account of generation of internal Pi by hydrolysis of the entering ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1980

Production of thiol groups and retention of calcium ions by cardiac mitochondria.

Efflux of Ca2+ from previously Ca2+-loaded heart mitochondria was measured after inhibiting respiratory activity. The efflux was increased by p-chloromercuribenzoate, methylmercuric chloride, Cu2+, Fe2+, 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole (uncoupler). 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-(2-thienylacetone and indomethacin; after such increase it could be diminished by dithiothreitol. The induced loss of the Ca2+ was accompanied by a loss of endogenous adenine nucleotide. Methylmercuric chloride was particularly effective, since it was active at ratios of about 1 nmol/mg of mitochondrial protein. The non-respiring mitochondria were found to regenerate bound thiol groups after their original complement had reacted with thiol-blocking reagent. This regeneration was diminished by the Ca2+-efflux stimulatig agents that were not themselves thiol-blocking reagents, such as thyroxine, uncoupler, trifluorothienylacetone and indomethacin. The external exposure of thiol groups was also diminished by thyroxine, uncoupler and trifluorothienylacetone. The results support the proposal made previously that the membrane is maintained in a state of low permeability by adenine nucleotide and Mg2+ being bound to thiol-dependent sites.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1979

Stimulation of mitochondrial calcium ion efflux by thiol-specific reagents and by thyroxine. The relationship to adenosine diphosphate retention and to mitochondrial permeability.

Respiring rat heart mitochondria were loaded with Ca2+ and then treated with Ruthenium Red. The factors affecting the subsequent Ca2+-efflux were studied. Addition of rotenone or antimycin led to a decline of efflux except at pH values above 7.2, provided the load was less than about 80 nmol per mg of protein. Oligomycin reversed the effect of the respiratory inhibitors. Independently of respiration, efflux was stimulated by the uncoupler trifluoromethyltetrachlorbenzimadazole, by mersalyl and by thyroid hormones. The stimulated efflux could be diminished by ADP, with Mg2+ as cofactor if efflux was rapid. With respiration in progress, efflux could be stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide and 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate). The effects of mersalyl and of thyroid hormones could be diminished with dithiothreitol. In the absence of stimulating agents, the Ca2+ efflux was proportional to the load up to some critical amount, this critical amount was decreased by the agents. Thyroxine and mersalyl caused not only loss of Ca2+, but also simultaneous, but not necessarily proportional, loss of internal adenine nucleotides. Both efflux rates were kept at a low value by bongkrekic acid added before the stimulating agent. It is concluded that Ca2+ efflux is a measure of a permeability controlled by the binding of ADP (an Mg2+) to the inner membrane, and that this in turn depends on the maintenance of certain thiol gropus in a reduced form by a reaction that uses NADH and ATP and the energy-linked transhydrogenase.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1979

Modulation of Ca2+ efflux from heart mitochondria.

The efflux of Ca2+ from rat heart mitochondria has been examined by using Ruthenium Red to inhibit active uptake after predetermined loadings with Ca2+. The efflux is proportional to the internal Ca2+ load; it is increased by Na+ applied when the mitochondria are respiring and this effect is inhibited by oligomycin. The efflux of Ca2+ is diminished by ATP and by ADP, with the latter the more effective. Both active uptake and efflux of Ca2+ are slowed by bongkrekic acid; this action has a time lag. The lower efflux found with the nucleotides and with bongkrekic acid seems to correspond to the more condensed state seen in the electron microscope when these agents are applied [Stoner & Sirak (1973) J. Cell Biol. 56, 51-64, 65-73]. The results are discussed in relation to the less-permeable state being contingent upon nucleotide binding to the membrane.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1978

Anion/calcium ion ratios and proton production in some mitochondrial calcium ion uptakes.

The uptake of Ca2+ by liver mitochondria, when phosphate movement is inhibited, occurs when Co2 is present and not in its absence. Uptake of Ca2+ to form CaCO3 yields 2H+/Ca2+. Heart mitochondria, when phosphate movement is inhibited, will take up Ca2+ with the exact equivalent of hydroxybutyrate, lactate or acetate. By providing a carrier for Cl- with tributyltin, a stoicheiometric uptake of Cl- with the Ca2+ takes place. The uptakes appear to occur without significant pH change; there appears to be no CO2-dependent uptake into heart mitochondria. Oxygenation of anaerobic heart mitochondria, in the presence of an inhibitor of phosphate movement and of generation of phosphate from internal ATP, does not yield significant change of external acidity in relation to the amount of O2 added. Use of Bromothymol Blue as an indicator of the distribution of a weak acid anion confirms that the transient nature of the response of the dye distribution to Ca2+ is connected with movement of endogenous phosphate. Bromothymol Blue accumulated in response to Ca2+ is discharged when entry of the Ca2+ (in the presence of mersalyl) is mediated with nigericin. It is concluded that Ca2+ uptakes will occur alternatively with the equivalent of anions or in exchange for endogenous K+ and that proton production is connected with the changes of ionization of phosphate (unless phosphate movement is inhibited) and in liver mitochondria with the hydration of CO2.

Acids↗
PubMed1977

The uptake and release of calcium by heart mitochondria.

The kinetics of uptake of Ca(2+) by rat heart mitochondria were studied by a spectrophotometric method with Arsenazo III indicator. The exponential rate coefficients measured with or without added phosphate increase with the amount of Ca(2+) added up to about 24mum. Evidence is given that the effect is attributable to a combination of formation of chelates at low concentrations to act as Ca(2+) buffers, with co-transport of substrate to provide more respiratory fuel. The inhibitory effect of Mg(2+) depends on the Ca(2+) concentration, so with a constant [Mg(2+)] the low concentrations of Ca(2+) are most inhibited, and the rate coefficients are still more Ca(2+)-dependent. Ca(2+) uptake is slowed by local anaesthetics such as butacaine and dibucaine, and also by propranolol and palmitoyl-CoA. After an uptake, the release of Ca(2+) was investigated. The spontaneous release involves an initially slow and small appearance of free Ca(2+) and is followed by an auto-accelerated phase. The release is accompanied by a gradual decrease in internal ATP; it is initiated by palmitoyl-CoA (reversed by carnitine), by lysophosphatidylcholine, by Na(+) salts (reversed by oligomycin) and by K(+) salts added to a K(+)-free medium containing valinomycin. The process is probably a response to an increased energy load imposed on the mitochondria by the various conditions, which include the spontaneous action of phospholipase activated by traces of Ca(2+). The problem of how much mitochondrial activity is participating in normal heart Ca(2+) turnover is discussed, and experiments showing only 7-14% exchange of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) occurring in vivo in 10 or 20min are reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Energy-dependent uptake of arsenite by rat liver mitochondria.

Uptake of arsenite by rat liver mitochondria is energy-dependent, as shown by comparing values without and with either uncoupling agent or respiratory inhibitor present. The uptake is inhibited by mersalyl and N-ethylmaleimide, which can be used as 'stopping' agents to obtain uptake kinetics. At 20 degrees C the process is nearly complete in 1 min. The relation between the quantity in the energized mitochondria and the applied concentration corresponds to at least two different modes of binding of the arsenite. Competition occurs between arsenite and other anions (for example, phosphate) for intramitochondrial accumulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Recurrent aortoduodenal fistula.

We describe the second successful repair of a recurrent aortoduodenal fistula (ADF) occurring two years following insertion of the original prosthetic and 18 months following the repair of the first ADF. The recurrent ADF developed at the site of the previous repair, fistulizing between the sutured aorta and the duodenum closed by staples. Despite the admitted technical challenges of reoperation for a third or fourth time, as in the current case, these patients can be salvaged.

Aorta, Abdominal↗