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Biomedical subjects

H Kaplan

Publications and source records attributed to H Kaplan.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Unmasking of histone amino groups in chromatin at high pH.

The reactivity of the amino groups of histones in chromatin towards acetic anhydride was determined as a function of pH. In the pH range 7-10 the vast majority of amino groups in all five histones are buried. However, at higher pH values some of the histone amino groups become exposed, and the higher the lysine:arginine ratio for the histone the greater was the degree of unmasking observed. At pH 11.8 histone I appears to be completely dissociated, histones IIB1 and IIb2 have approx. 55% of the amino groups unmasked, and histones III and IV have approx. 25% of the amino groups unmasked.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1976

The effect of immunotherapy on humoral and cellular responses in ragweed hayfever.

The effect of specific immunotherapy on several in vitro responses to ragweed antigen E has been evaluated in 17 atopic patients with ragweed hayfever. The methods employed were leukocyte histamine release, measurement of specific IgE anti-ragweed antibody and specific IgG anti-ragweed antibody, lymphocyte proliferation, and the production of two lymphocyte mediators (migration inhibitory factor and mitogenic factor). The duration of treatment and symptom improvement were also recorded for comparison. Immunotherapy was associated with a decrease in leukocyte sensitivity for histamine release to ragweed antigen E in a majority of the patients. In addition, there was a significant decrease in IgE anti-ragweed antibody and a significant increase in IgG anti-ragweed antibody. Immunotherapy also resulted in a significant decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness to ragweed antigen E as measured by proliferation and the production of mediators. Symptomatic improvement was best correlated with the presence of IgG anti-ragweed antibody responses. The production of this antibody was also associated with a decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness. The results of this study indicate that specific immunotherapy in ragweed-sensitive patients induces alterations in immunologic reactivity to ragweed antigen in vitro. This response is antigen specific, includes elements of both humoral and cellular immunity, and may account for the clinical improvement that is often observed in patients who undergo this form of therapy.

DNA Replication↗
PubMed1975

A competitive labeling method for the determination of the chemical properties of solitary functional groups in proteins.

The properties of the functional groups in a protein can be used as built-in-probes of the structure of the protein. We have developed a general procedure whereby the ionization constant and chemical reactivity of solitary functional groups in proteins may be determined. The method may be applied to the side chain of histidine, tyrosine, lysine, and cysteine, as well as to the amino terminus of the protein. The method, which is an extension of the competitive labeling technique using [3H]- and [14C]1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (N2ph-F) in a double-labeling procedure, is rapid and sensitive. Advantage is taken of the fact that after acid hydrolysis of a dinitrophenylated protein, a derivative is obtained which must be derived from a unique position in the protein. The method has been applied to the solitary histidine residue of lysozyme, alpha-lytic protease, and Streptomyces griseus (S.G.) trypsin, as well as to the amino terminus of the latter protein. The following parameters were obtained for reaction with N2ph-F at 20 degrees C in 0.1 N KCl: the histidine of hen egg-white lysozyme, pKa of 6.4 and second-order velocity constant of 0.188 M-1 min-1; the histidine of alpha-lytic protease, pKa of 6.5 and second-order velocity constant of 0.0235 M-1 min-1; the histidine of S.G. trypsin, pKa of 6.5 and second-order velocity constant of 0.0328 M-1 min-1; the valyl amino terminus of S.G. trypsin, pKa of 8.1 and second-order velocity constant of 0.403 M-1 min-1. In addition, the results obtained provide clues as to the microenvironments of these functional groups, and indicate that the proteins studied undergo pH-dependent conformational changes which affect the microenvironment, and hence the chemical reactivity of these groups.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1975

A chemical approach to the fine structure of biomolecular complexes: the amino terminal region of the 50S ribosomal "A" protein from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

An experimental approach and methodology are described for determining the reactive properties and ionization constants of individual functional groups of proteins within biomolecular complexes. The ionization constants and reactivities of the methionyl-l amino terminus and the lysyl-3 residue of the alanine rich 50S ribosomal "A" protein from Bacillus stearothermophilus have been determined by an extension of the competitive labeling technique used by H. Kaplan, K. J. Stevenson, and B. S. Hartley ((1971), Biochem. J. 124, 289-299). This approach employs (1-14C)- and (3H)acetic anhydride in a double-labeling procedure. In 0.1 M KCl-0.02 M Mg2+-0.05 M Veronal at 10 degrees the methionyl-l amino terminus has a pKa of 7.5 and is exposed on the surface of the ribosome. The lysyl-3 has a pKa of 10 and is also exposed to solvent at the surface of the 50S subunit. Based on a linear free energy relationship (Bronsted plot) obtained with a series of standard amines the methionyl amino terminus has a substantially higher reactivity than expected from its ionization constant. The lysyl epsilon-amino group has the expected reactivity. The abnormally high reactivity of the methionyl amino terminus can only be accounted for by a specific interaction with other functional groups in the ribosome. These data support the proposal that the charged state of this residue is important in the structure and function of the "A" protein at the surface of the ribosome.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1975

Properties of the histidine residues of indole-chymotrypsin. Implications for the activation process and catalytic mechanism.

The use of a linear free-energy relationship shows that both histidine residues of alpha-chymotrypsin and chymotrypsinogen are super-reactive toward 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The binding of indole to the specificity site of alpha-chymotrypsin causes both histidine residues to become less reactive. On the basis of these results and those from X-ray-crystallographic studies, the following conclusions are made. (1) The super-reactivity of the catalytic-site histidine-57 is due to charge transfer from aspartic acid-102 by means of hydrogen bonding. (2) The aspartic acid-102-histidine-57-serine-195 'charge-relay' system is not complete in the zymogen or native enzyme and only on binding of a suitable substrate or ligand to the specificity site of the enzyme is the charge transfer to serine-195 completed. (3) The lack of substantial enzymic activity in the zymogen is due to the absence of a completed specificity site, and therefore it cannot bind suitable substrates or ligands to induce completion of the charge-relay system.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1975

Carboxyl-terminal sequences of procaryotic ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and Halobacterium cutirubrum.

The carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequences of two ribosomal proteins, Escherichia coli L12 and E. coli S4, and the proteins believed to be their equivalents from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Halobacterium cutirubrum, were determined. These proteins are known to be required for peptide chain termination (L12) and in ribosome assembly (S4). The carboxyl-terminal sequences obtained suggest that the E. coli and B. stearothermophilus proteins have retained structural homology in this region, whereas the H. cutirubrum proteins have not.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1975

Chronic eosinophilic leukemia complicated by epidural myeloblastoma.

Epidural myeloblastoma, which compressed the spinal cord, was the first evidence for chronic granulocytic leukemia, eosinophilic type, Ph chromosome negative. This manifestation was preceded by 3 years follow-up of a patient with persistent eosinophilia of 60% mature eosinophils. The only clues for the diagnosis of leukemia were splenomegaly and high serum vitamin B12, most of which was bound to transcobalamin I. The latter finding presents a useful diagnostic criterium in myeloproliferative disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1974

Reactivity of the active-centre lysine residue of rabbit muscle aldolase.

The method of competitive labelling with [(3)H]acetic anhydride as the labelling reagent was used to determine the properties of the active-centre lysine residue of rabbit muscle aldolase. This residue is much less reactive than a normal exposed lysine residue towards this reagent, and its reactive properties did not parallel the pH-activity profile for aldolase. At higher pH values it became reactive, but this was shown to be due to disruption of the enzyme structure. The binding of the competitive inhibitor phosphate did not alter the reactive properties. It is concluded that the active-centre lysine has an apparent pK(a) greater than 11.5 and probably is made nucleophilic during the catalytic process, perhaps by proton abstraction.

Acetates↗
PubMed1974

Cell-mediated immune response of ragweed-sensitive patients to ragweed antigen E. In vitro lymphocyte transformation and elaboration of lymphocyte mediators.

The in vivo and in vitro responses to ragweed antigen E were evaluated in 28 untreated atopic patients with ragweed hayfever. The methods employed included direct skin testing, measurement of total serum IgE, measurement of specific IgE anti-ragweed antibodies, leukocyte histamine release, lymphocyte transformation, and release of lymphocyte mediators (migration inhibitory factor and mitogenic factor). The patients could be divided into sensitive and insensitive groups on the basis of their in vitro reactivity to antigen E. 20 patients in the sensitive group had statistically higher levels of total serum IgE, higher levels of specific IgE anti-ragweed antibodies, and greater leukocyte sensitivity as measured by antigen-induced histamine release than did eight patients in the insensitive group. Lymphocytes from sensitive patients produced greater amounts of migration inhibitory factor and mitogenic factor when challenged by antigen E than did lymphocytes from insensitive patients. A possible role for the lymphocyte in this allergic disease is discussed. The results of this study indicate that the immune response to ragweed antigen is complex and involves components of both immediate and delayed hypersensitivity.

Adolescent↗