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Biomedical subjects

H Ahmad

Publications and source records attributed to H Ahmad.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Glutathione S-transferases of human lung: characterization and evaluation of the protective role of the alpha-class isozymes against lipid peroxidation.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes of human lung have been purified, characterized, quantitated, and, based on their structural and immunological profiles, identified with their respective classes. The tau-, mu-, and alpha-class GSTs represented 94, 3, and 3% activities of total human lung GSTs toward CDNB, respectively, and 60, 10, and 30% of total GST protein, respectively. Both the mu- and the alpha-class GSTs of human lung exhibited heterogeneity. The two mu-class GSTs of human lung had pI values of 6.5 and 6.25 and were differentially expressed in humans. Significant differences were seen between the kinetic properties of these two isozymes and also between the lung and liver mu-class GSTs. The alpha-class GST isozymes of lung resolved into three peaks during isoelectric focusing corresponding to pI values of 9.2, 8.95, and 8.8. All three alpha-class GSTs isozymes had blocked N-termini and were immunologically similar to human liver alpha-class GSTs. Peptide fingerprints generated by SV-8 protease digestion and CNBr cleavage indicated minor structural differences between the liver and the lung alpha-class GSTs. The three alpha-class GSTs of lung expressed glutathione peroxidase activities toward the hydroperoxides of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol, with Km values in the range of 22 to 87 microM and Vmax values in the range of 67-120 mol/mol/min, indicating the involvement of the alpha-class GSTs in the protection mechanisms against peroxidation. All three classes of lung GSTs expressed activities toward leukotriene A4 methyl ester and epoxy stearic acid but the mu-class GSTs had relatively higher activities toward these substrates.

Blotting, Western↗

t-butylated hydroxytoluene enhances intracellular levels of glutathione and related enzymes of rat lens in vitro organ culture.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of t-butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and related enzymes in rat ocular tissues. GSH levels were significantly enhanced when 1 microM BHT was included in the medium of rat lens cultures. BHT had a dose-dependent effect on GSH levels of lenses in cultures. Inclusion of 10 microM BHT in the culture medium resulted in a twofold increase in GSH levels of the lens within 24 hr. Increased gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity concomitant with the increased amount of [35S]methionine incorporation in GSH strongly suggested that BHT caused enhanced levels of GSH in lenses by increasing de novo biosynthesis. A significant increase was also observed in glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels of lenses in culture containing BHT in the medium. Present studies also demonstrated that rat lens expresses only the mu and pi class GST isoenzymes and both these classes of isoenzymes were elevated by BHT. Oral administration of BHT to rats also resulted in enhanced in vivo levels of GSH in lens, retina and cornea. In addition, a significant in vivo increase in the levels of GST, GSH-peroxidase, GSH-reductase, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed in the lens, retina, and cornea of BHT-fed rats.

Animals↗

Evaluation of therapies in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori associated non-ulcer dyspepsia.

This randomised double blind placebo controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), ampicillin and their combination in the treatment of Helicobacter Pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and assessed if elimination of this organism is associated with improvement of gastritis and the symptoms. Forty-eight NUD patients with H. pylori and histologic gastritis were randomly allocated to one of the three regimens for 28 days. Symptoms were assessed before and after treatment. Forty-three patients completed the trial. Repeat endoscopy within 48 hours of completing treatment showed suppression of H. pylori in 6 of 7 patients (85.7%) on combined therapy and one of 8 patients (12.5%) on CBS therapy (p = 0.0205). There was no suppression of the bacteria in patients treated with ampicillin. Repeat endoscopy performed 2 weeks after completing treatment showed suppression of H. pylori in 3 of 7 patients (42.9%) on combined therapy and none in the other two groups. Patients on combined therapy who had suppression of H. pylori, 48 hours or 2 weeks after completing treatment were noted to have historical improvement of their gastritis (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.05 respectively). This was also associated with improvement of symptoms in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Purification and characterization of glutathione S-transferases from rat pancreas.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) of rat pancreas have been characterized and their interrelationship with fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES) has been studied. Seven GST isozymes with pI values of 9.2, 8.15, 7.8, 7.0, 6.3, 5.9 and 5.4 have been isolated and designated as rat pancreas GST suffixed by their pI values. Structural, immunological and kinetic properties of these isozymes indicated that GST 9.2 belonged to the alpha class, GST 7.8, 7.0, 6.3 and 5.9 belonged to the mu class, whereas GST 8.15 and 5.4 belong to pi class. The N-terminal sequences and pI values of the mu class isozymes suggested that rat GST subunits 3, 4 and 6 may be expressed in pancreas. N-Terminal sequences of both the pi class isozymes, GST 8.15 and 5.4, were similar to that of GST-P, but there were significant differences in the substrate specificities of these two enzymes. Results of peptide finger print studies also indicated minor structural differences between these two isozymes. None of the GST isozymes of rat pancreas expressed FAEES activity. Rat pancreas had a significant amount of FAEES activity, but it segregated independently during the purification of GST indicating that these two activities are expressed by different proteins and are not related as suggested previously.

Acyltransferases↗

Characterization of a novel glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme from mouse lung and liver having structural similarity to rat glutathione S-transferase 8-8.

In mouse lung, glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) isoenzymes belonging to the three major known classes, Alpha, Mu and Pi, have been previously characterized, along with an isoenzyme (pI 5.7) that could not be identified with the Alpha, Mu or Pi classes of GSTs. In the present studies we have demonstrated that this isoenzyme is also expressed in liver. Its structural, kinetic, and immunological properties have been determined and compared with those of the three classes of GSTs. GST 5.7 has a subunit molecular mass of 23 kDa, which is intermediate between that of the previously characterized Alpha (25 kDa) and Pi (22.5 kDa) class GST subunits of mouse lung. Comparison of peptide maps of GST 5.7 with those representative of Alpha, Mu and Pi class GST isoenzymes of mouse lung showed that it had a distinct peptide fragmentation pattern. Kinetic and immunological properties of GST 5.7 were also distinct from other mouse GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha, Mu or Pi classes. N-Terminal amino-acid-sequence analysis of a 6 kDa fragment generated by CNBr digestion of mouse lung GST 5.7 revealed a 15-residue sequence that was distinct from sequences of known Alpha, Mu and Pi class mouse GSTs. The sequence, however, matched with the sequence of rat GST 8-8 between amino acid residues 106 and 120 with a 73% identity. The 6 kDa and 12 kDa fragments generated by CNBr digestion of mouse liver GST 5.7 also gave sequences which matched with those of rat GST 8-8 between positions 106 and 120 and 167 and 186, with a high degree of identity. These studies suggest that mouse GST 5.7 structurally corresponds to rat GST 8-8 and belongs to the Alpha class.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Independent segregation of glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase from pancreas and other human tissues.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes of human pancreas were purified, characterized and evaluated for their possible role in the metabolism of ethanol. Human pancreas has at least two GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha class (pI 8.8 and 8.1), one belonging to the Mu class (pI 6.4) and one belonging to the Pi class (pI 4.9). During the purification of GSTs from pancreas as well as from heart, liver, lung, brain and muscle, the fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES) activity was monitored in order to evaluate the role of GSTs in metabolism of ethanol, as suggested in earlier studies. Both t.l.c. and h.p.l.c. were used to identify ethyl oleate in reaction mixtures to monitor FAEES activity. During the purification of GSTs with the use of affinity chromatography on GSH linked to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B, FAEES and GST activities from each of these tissues segregated independently. Purified GST isoenzymes from these tissues did not exhibit any FAEES activity. Antibodies raised against Pi-class GST, as expected, immunoprecipitated most of the GST activity of brain and heart without precipitating FAEES activity. These results suggest that human GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha, Mu and Pi classes do not express FAEES activity. The independent segregation of GST and FAEES activities was further demonstrated by monitoring GST activity during the purification of FAEES from pancreas. It was found that purified FAEES had no GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a number of other electrophilic substrates. Results of these studies demonstrate that FAEES and GSTs are distinct proteins.

Acyltransferases↗

The anionic conjugates of bilirubin and bile acids stimulate ATP hydrolysis by S-(dinitrophenyl)glutathione ATPase of human erythrocyte.

These studies demonstrate that bilirubin-ditaurate (an analog of bilirubin-diglucuronide), lithocholic acid 3-O-sulfate, and lithocholic acid 3-O-glucuronide, which are believed to be transported from liver into bile through an active transport process stimulate ATP hydrolysis by purified dinitrophenylglutathione ATPase of human erythrocytes. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for these substrates are similar to those for dinitrophenylglutathione indicating the transport mechanisms for bilirubin conjugates, and anionic bile acid-conjugates from hepatocytes to bile and transport of GSH-conjugates from erythrocytes may be mediated by similar mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Purification and characterization of an ATPase from human liver which catalyzes ATP hydrolysis in the presence of the conjugates of bilirubin bile acids and glutathione.

An ATPase has been purified from the membrane fraction of human liver which catalyzes ATP in the presence of bilirubin ditaurate, lithocholic acid 3-O-sulfate and lithocholic acid 3-O-glucuronide as well as dinitrophenylglutathione and other glutathione conjugates. Its subunit Mr value (38,000) and immunological properties are similar to dinitrophenylglutathione ATPase of human erythrocytes. Kinetic constants of the enzyme for the conjugates of glutathione, bile acids and bilirubin are comparable indicating that this ATPase may mediate active transport of all these anionic conjugates in liver.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Purification and characterization of human muscle glutathione S-transferases: evidence that glutathione S-transferase zeta corresponds to a locus distinct from GST1, GST2, and GST3.

Human muscle glutathione S-transferase isozyme, GST zeta (pI 5.2) has been purified by three different methods using immunoaffinity chromatography, DEAE cellulose chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. GST zeta prepared by any of the three methods does not recognize antibodies raised against the alpha, mu, or pi class glutathione S-transferases of human tissues. GST zeta has a blocked N-terminus and its peptide fingerprints also indicate it to be distinct from the alpha, mu, or pi class isozymes. As compared to GSTs of alpha, mu, and pi classes, GST zeta displays higher activities toward t-stilbene oxide and Leukotriene A4 methyl ester. GST zeta also expresses GSH-peroxidase activity toward hydrogen peroxide. The Kms of GST zeta for CDNB and GSH were comparable to those reported for other human GSTs but its Vmax for CDNB, 7620 mol/mol/min, was found to be considerably higher than that reported for other human GSTs. The kinetics of inhibition of GST zeta by hematin, bile acids, and other inhibitors also indicate that it was distinct from the three classes of GST isozymes. These studies suggest that GST zeta corresponds to a locus distinct from GST1, GST2, and GST3 and probably corresponds to the GST4 locus as suggested previously by Laisney et al. (1984, Human Genet. 68, 221-227). The results of peptide fingerprints and kinetic analysis indicate that as compared to the pi and alpha class isozymes, GST zeta has more structural and functional similarities with the mu class isozymes. Besides GST zeta several other GST isozymes belonging to pi and mu class have also been characterized in muscle. The pi class GST isozymes of muscle have considerable charge heterogeneity among them despite identical N-terminal sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of bovine lens glutathione S-transferases by hematin, bilirubin, and bromosulfophthalein.

In order to investigate the binding affinities of ocular lens glutathione S-transferases for non-substrate ligands we have studied the inhibition of bovine lens GSTs by physiological ligands, hematin, bilirubin and the xenobiotic bromosulfophthalein. Hematin was found to be a strong inhibitor as compared to bromosulfophthalein and bilirubin for the two lens isoenzymes, GST 7.4 and GST 5.6, both of which belong to the mu class of GSTs. Except for the competitive inhibition of GST 5.6 by hematin both the isoenzymes were inhibited non-competitively by these compounds. These results indicate binding of these non-substrate ligands to lens GSTs and suggest that similar to the extra ocular GST, the lens GSTs also play a role in the detoxification of hydrophobic compounds through non-catalytic binding.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of dinitrophenylglutathione ATPase of human erythrocytes and its expression in other tissues.

S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione (Dnp-SG) ATPase of human erythrocytes has been purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography. In reduced denaturing gels, the subunit Mr value of Dnp-SG ATPase was found to be 38,000. Dinitrophenyl glutathione (Dnp-SG) stimulated the hydrolysis of ATP by the purified enzyme whereas oxidized glutathione (GSSG) did not, indicating that Dnp-SG and GSSG are transported from the erythrocytes by different transporters. Results of Western blot analysis using the antibodies against Dnp-SG ATPase subunits indicated that the enzyme was expressed in human liver, lung, placenta and pancreas.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Characterization of a novel alpha-class anionic glutathione S-transferase isozyme from human liver.

A novel, alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme has been isolated from human liver using glutathione (GSH) affinity chromatography, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and immunoaffinity chromatography. The isozyme is a dimer of approximately 25,000 Mr with blocked N termini. Structural, kinetic, and immunological properties of this enzyme indicate that it belongs to the alpha class of GSTs. Noticeable differences between the properties of this enzyme and the other alpha-class GSTs of human liver are its anionic nature (pI 5.0), GSH peroxidase activity toward hydrogen peroxide, and relatively higher GSH conjugating activities toward CDNB and epoxide substrates as compared to other alpha-class GSTs. Results of these studies indicate that anionic GST omega characterized previously (Y. C. Awasthi, D. D. Dao, and R. P. Saneto, 1980, Biochem. J. 191, 1-10) from human liver is a mixture of GST pi and a novel alpha-class GST. We have, therefore, reassigned the name GST omega to this new alpha-class anionic GST of human liver.

Blotting, Western↗

Primary and secondary structural analyses of glutathione S-transferase pi from human placenta.

The primary structure of glutathione S-transferase (GST) pi from a single human placenta was determined. The structure was established by chemical characterization of tryptic and cyanogen bromide peptides as well as automated sequence analysis of the intact enzyme. The structural analysis indicated that the protein is comprised of 209 amino acid residues and gave no evidence of post-translational modifications. The amino acid sequence differed from that of the deduced amino acid sequence determined by nucleotide sequence analysis of a cDNA clone (Kano, T., Sakai, M., and Muramatsu, M., 1987, Cancer Res. 47, 5626-5630) at position 104 which contained both valine and isoleucine whereas the deduced sequence from nucleotide sequence analysis identified only isoleucine at this position. These results demonstrated that in the one individual placenta studied at least two GST pi genes are coexpressed, probably as a result of allelomorphism. Computer assisted consensus sequence evaluation identified a hydrophobic region in GST pi (residues 155-181) that was predicted to be either a buried transmembrane helical region or a signal sequence region. The significance of this hydrophobic region was interpreted in relation to the mode of action of the enzyme especially in regard to the potential involvement of a histidine in the active site mechanism. A comparison of the chemical similarity of five known human GST complete enzyme structures, one of pi, one of mu, two of alpha, and one microsomal, gave evidence that all five enzymes have evolved by a divergent evolutionary process after gene duplication, with the microsomal enzyme representing the most divergent form.

Alleles↗

Stimulation of a human erythrocyte membrane ATPase by glutathione conjugates.

An ATP-dependent transport process for S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione (Dnp-SG) mediated by a novel ATPase designated as Dnp-SG ATPase has been demonstrated in human erythrocytes (LaBelle et al., FEBS Lett. 228, 53-51, 1988). In order to investigate whether the Dnp-SG ATPase system represents a generalized mechanism for the transport of xenobiotic conjugates of glutathione (GSH), stimulation of this ATPase by different GSH conjugates was studied in membrane vesicles prepared from human erythrocytes. Kinetic parameters for several GSH conjugates including S-(methyl)glutathione, S-(n-propyl)glutathione, S-(n-pentyl)glutathione, S-(n-decyl)glutathione, S-(p-chlorophenacyl)glutathione, S-(p-nitrobenzyl)glutathione, and the GSH conjugate of 9,10-epoxystearic acid were determined in order to evaluate their affinity for Dnp-SG ATPase. These studies reveal that all these conjugates stimulated Dnp-SG ATPase of human erythrocyte membrane. The apparent Km values of Dnp-SG ATPase for different conjugates were found to be in the range of 0.26-0.66 mM with Vmax values ranging from 0.55 to 4.44 nmol/min/mg protein. The results of these studies indicate that erythrocyte membrane Dnp-SG ATPase represents a generalized mechanism for the transport of GSH conjugates formed with xenobiotics as well as with the endogenously generated electrophilic compounds such as epoxystearic acid. It is suggested that Dnp-SG ATPase in conjunction with GSH and GSH S-transferase may play an important role in the protection of erythrocytes from exogenous as well as endogenous electrophilic toxicants.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Glutathione S-transferases and glutathione peroxidases in doxorubicin-resistant murine leukemic P388 cells.

Energy-dependent rapid drug efflux is believed to be a major factor in cellular resistance to doxorubicin (DOX). However, several recent studies have demonstrated that cellular DOX retention alone does not always correlate with its cytotoxicity and suggest that mechanisms other than rapid drug efflux may also be important. In the present study, we have compared glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST), selenium-dependent GSH peroxidase and selenium-independent GSH peroxidase II activities in DOX-sensitive (P388/S) and resistant (P388/R) mouse leukemic cells. The GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (EA) was markedly higher in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. Purification of GST by GSH-affinity chromatography from an equal number of P388/S and P388/R cells revealed an increased amount of GST protein in P388/R cells. Immunological studies indicated that alpha and pi type GST isoenzymes were 1.27- and 2.2-fold higher, respectively, in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. Selenium-dependent GSH peroxidase activity was similar in both the cell lines, whereas selenium-independent GSH peroxidase II activity was approximately 1.36-fold higher in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. These results suggest that increased GSH peroxidase II activity in P388/R cells may contribute to cellular DOX resistance by enhancing free radical detoxification in this cell line.

Animals↗

Glutathione and glutathione S-transferases in a human plasma cell line resistant to melphalan.

We report the development of a melphalan-resistant HS-Sultan human plasma cell line. The melphalan-resistant [MEL(R)] cell line was 16.7-fold more resistant to melphalan in vitro than the parent cell line [MEL(S)]. The wild type and MEL(R) HS-Sultan cell lines formed localized plasmacytomas when injected into nude mice. A dose-response effect of melphalan against the drug-sensitive plasmacytomas was present in vivo. A dose of 10 mg/kg of melphalan, which caused a 90% regression of MEL(S) plasmacytomas, had no effect on the MEL(R) plasmacytomas in vivo. In contrast to previous reports, there was no increase in the levels of glutathione (GSH) in the MEL(S) and MEL(R) plasmacytomas, suggesting that the association of elevated glutathione levels and melphalan resistance may not be common to all drug-resistant lines. In the MEL(R) plasmacytomas, there was a 1.5-fold induction of a pi type glutathione S-transferase (GST) as evidenced by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and Western blotting. This GST isoenzyme was purified and, although immunochemically similar to the pi type isoenzymes induced in other drug-resistant cell lines, was noted to have different functional characteristics. These data suggest that, depending on cell type and the drug studied, functionally different GST isoenzymes may be induced and they could be of importance in the development of drug resistance.

Animals↗