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Biomedical subjects

E M Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to E M Ryan.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Cytotoxic properties of salivary oxidants.

Salivary peroxidase and to a lesser extent myeloperoxidase are present in significant concentrations in saliva and catalyze the oxidation of thiocyanate anion (SCN-) by H2O2 to yield the potent oxidants hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) and its conjugate base hypothiocyanite anion (OSCN-). The objective of this study was to characterize the cytotoxic potential of peroxidase-generated HOSCN/OSCN- toward human erythrocytes. We found that HOSCN/OSCN- (0.25 mM) generated by the peroxidase-H2O2-SCN- system caused significant hemolysis at pH 6.0 but not at pH 6.5, 7.0, or 7.4. Erythrocyte hemoglobin (OxyHb) was oxidized to methemoglobin (MetHb) at all pH values tested; however, the rate of MetHb formation was dramatically increased at low pH and was not affected by inosine hexaphosphate, suggesting that hemoglobin was oxidized primarily by HOSCN. Concurrent with oxidation of hemoglobin (Hb), there was a pH-dependent consumption of HOSCN/OSCN- with more of the oxidant consumed at pH 6.0 compared with pH 6.5, 7.0, or 7.4. The enhanced oxidation of Hb at acidic pH was not due simply to increased membrane permeability by the uncharged species (HOSCN), since both erythrocyte lysate Hb and purified Hb were oxidized to the same extent at low pH as were intact erythrocytes. It is concluded that both OSCN- and HOSCN enter human erythrocytes where the protonated oxidant (HOSCN) mediates hemolysis and oxidizes OxyHb to MetHb, whereas both HOSCN and OSCN- oxidize glutathione (GSH). These data suggest that the extracellular pH may play an important role in modulating the cytotoxic properties of salivary oxidants.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed1967

Heat inactivation of the relaxing site of actomyosin: prevention and reversal with dithiothreitol.

Adenosine triphosphate and magnesium (MgATP) inhibit contraction by binding to a specific relaxing site on natural actomyosin gel. This inhibitory control site is distinct from the active sites where MgATP causes contraction. In high concentrations of MgATP, calcium triggers contraction by releasing the protein from substrate inhibition, allowing the contractile reactions to occur. Heating the protein for 5 minutes at 43 degrees C selectively inactivates the relaxing site. After this treatment, actomyosin with MgATP contracts as well without calcium as with it. That this effect of heat is prevented and reversed by dithiothreitol (an agent that reduces disulfide bonds) indicates that the structure of the relaxing site depends on certain labile sulfhydryl groups, which may be those of tropomyosin. When these are oxidized to disulfide bonds, the site loses its activity; when the disulfide bonds are reduced, the site regains its activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1967

The contractile and control sites of natural actomyosin.

The various contractile and control sites of natural actomyosin gel were studied by comparing the kinetics of ATP hydrolysis with those of gel contraction, measured as an increase in turbidity. Contraction of actomyosin gel seems to require the cooperative reaction of ATP (with Mg) at two different sites. One of these sites catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP and most probably contributes the driving force for contraction; the binding of ATP to the other site appears to break certain links that retard movement of the gel components. At limiting concentrations of ATP, the rate of contraction seems to depend on the rate of breaking these links as well as on the rate of ATP hydrolysis. But when both sites are saturated, the rate of contraction appears to be limited only by the rate of ATP hydrolysis. In addition to these two contractile sites, there are also two different control sites. At one, the relaxing site, the binding of ATP with Mg inhibits ATP hydrolysis and gel contraction. At the other, the binding of calcium activates contraction by overcoming the inhibitory action of Mg and ATP at the relaxing site. This control system-inhibition by substrate and disinhibition by calcium-can be selectively inactivated by heat and reactivated by dithiothreitol, a disulfide-reducing agent. These observations on the isolated contractile system are discussed in relation to the contraction and relaxation of muscle.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Covalent linkage of ruthenium polypyridyl compounds to poly(L-lysine), albumins, and immunoglobulin G.

A series of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes has been covalently bound to poly(L-lysine), bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, ovalbumin, and immunoglobulin G using different binding methods. The conjugation ratios and the luminescence properties of the bioconjugates are reported. All conjugates show nonsingle-exponential decay curves. Quenching of the emission by oxygen has been studied.

Albumins↗