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Biomedical subjects

H Wajcman

Publications and source records attributed to H Wajcman.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Primary structure of the cytoplasmic domain of human erythrocyte protein band 3. Comparison with its sequence in the mouse.

We report here the peptide profile of the human cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein (CDB-3). The peptide alignment was designed allowing for maximal homology with the murine protein whose sequence was deduced from cDNA analysis by Kopito and Lodish (Kopito, R.R., Anderson, M. and Lodish, H.F. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 8035-8040). In the human protein, part of the amino acid sequence has been determined by Kaul et al. (Kaul, R.K., Murthy, P.S.N., Reddy, A.G., Steck. T.L. and Kohler, H. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7981-7990). We have sequenced most of the fragment not described by these author. The homology with the murine protein is high (90%), except in a few peptides where it is only 50%. The actual miniaturization of the techniques allows for the determination of a clear peptide profile of human CDB-3 starting from 10 ml blood samples. Our characterization of the peptide profile of membrane proteins is the first step towards the identification of genetic mutations, which have to be looked for in hemolytic anemia when the presence of an abnormal membrane protein is suspected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hemoglobin Athens-Georgia [alpha 2 beta 2 40(C6)Arg----Lys] in association with beta 0-thalassemia in Tunisia.

We describe an Hb Athens-Georgia (Hb A-Ga)/beta 0-thalassemia compound heterozygosity, found in a Tunisian patient. Oxygen binding studies of red cell suspensions of this patient, containing approximately 95% Hb A-Ga, revealed an almost normal oxygen affinity. Nevertheless, dilute solutions of Hb A-Ga showed an increased overall oxygen affinity and decreased heme-heme interaction. This could be explained by a tetrameric hemoglobin with normal oxygen binding properties but with increased dissociation into monomers or dimers, as a consequence of a structural abnormality within the alpha 1 beta 2 interface. Such an interpretation would explain the increased oxygen affinity reported in previous studies performed on heterozygous Hb A/Hb A-Ga patients.

Hemoglobins, Abnormal↗

Hemoglobin Villejuif [beta 123(H1) Thr----Ile]: a new variant found in coincidence with polycythemia vera.

A new abnormal hemoglobin, Hb Villejuif [beta 123(H1) Thr----Ile] has been discovered during the exploration of a polycythemia in a 87-year-old patient of French origin. The isoelectric focusing of the lysate revealed the presence of a variant hemoglobin with an isoelectric point very close to that of HbA. The oxygen binding properties of the patient's red blood cells being normal, it was clear that the polycythemia was not a consequence of the presence of this hemoglobin. In fact, the red blood cell morphology and the involvement of the other blood cell lines, demonstrating excessive hemopoiesis, led to the diagnosis of polycythemia vera.

Aged↗

Isoelectric focusing of tryptic peptides from hemoglobin subunits by immobilized pH gradients.

The technique of isoelectric focusing on immobilized pH gradients (IPG) has been applied to the analysis of tryptic digests of alpha- and beta-chains of human hemoglobin. Using peptides purified by RP-HPLC as a reference, it was possible to create a peptide map in the single IEF dimension. Unfortunately, it was not possible to find experimental conditions (medium for migration and staining) which would allow the detection of peptides of less than 10-12 residues. Almost all the bands visible on the gel could be assigned to known peptides. In order to obtain these results the IPG runs were performed in 8 M urea containing 0.5% carrier ampholytes and the gel stained with colloidal Coomassie brilliant blue G-250, in the presence of a high-salt concentration and at acidic pH.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Hb Fontainebleau [alpha 21(B2)Ala----pro], a new silent mutant hemoglobin.

Hb Fontainebleau [alpha 21(B2)Ala----Pro] was found in a family of Italian origin. This new variant has electrophoretic properties identical to those of Hb A with the exception of isoelectrofocusing in which it migrates like Hb A1c. The introduction of a prolyl residue at the beginning of the B helix in the alpha chain does not lead to a change in the stability or oxygen binding properties of the hemoglobin molecule.

Adolescent↗

Hb Luxembourg [alpha 24(B5) Tyr----His]: a new unstable variant.

Hb Luxembourg [alpha 24(B5)Tyr----His] was found in association with mild hemolytic anemia and increased indirect bilirubinemia in a family originating from the Netherlands. The slight instability of this variant may be the consequence of an indirect effect of the substitution on the alpha 1 beta 1 contact since position alpha 24 (B5) is internal and in contact with several residues involved in this interface.

Adolescent↗

Increased oxygen affinity with normal heterotropic effects in hemoglobin Loire [alpha 88(F9)Ala----Ser].

Increased homotropic allosteric effect, while maintaining normal heterotropic effects, was observed in hemoglobin Loire. The oxygen binding curves, at equilibrium, and the kinetic measurements demonstrated that the substitution of alpha 88(F9) Ala for a Ser results in increased oxygen affinity and decreased n50 value. The function of the residues involved in the Bohr effect or in the regulation by 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate is not altered. The effects of bezafibrate, which binds specifically to the alpha chains, was similar to that observed in Hb A. The functional properties of Hb Loire may be explained by a slight displacement of some key residues of the C-terminal region of the alpha chain destabilizing the T structure.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

Investigation of the tetramer-dimer equilibrium in haemoglobin solutions by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography on a diol column.

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography on a diol grafted column was applied to study the tetramer-dimer equilibrium in haemoglobin solution. Human haemoglobin A, isolated alpha A and beta A subunits and haemoglobin variants with structural modifications located at the interface between subunits were used as models. The elution volume of the subunits was found to deviate strongly from that expected from only a gel permeation mechanism and therefore ionic interactions are likely to participate in the protein retention. Experimental results and computer simulation indicate that the individual elution bands corresponding to the discrete components (tetramer, dimer, monomer) can be resolved under certain conditions. In general both the equilibrium and kinetic interconversion parameters must be considered. Single tetramer elution bands were observed from haemoglobin in the concentration range measurable, although the influence of dimers could be seen in the shape and shift of the profile. beta Chains showed resolved peaks for the tetramer-dimer forms.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Asymptomatic association of hemoglobin Dunn (alpha 6[A4]Asp----Asn) and hemoglobin O-Arab (beta 121[GH4]Glu----Lys) in a Moroccan man.

We report on the association of Hb Dunn (alpha 6[A4]Asp----Asn) and Hb O-Arab (beta 121 [GH4]Glu----Lys) in a healthy Moroccan man. Hb Dunn had the same electrophoretic properties as Hb G-Philadelphia, but its percentage was lower. Its identification was based on sequence determination of the alpha T1 peptide. Bgl II and Eco RI mapping showed the presence of four alpha-genes. Hb O-Arab was easily recognized through its electrophoretic properties and was confirmed by the suppression of the Eco RI site located in exon 3 of the beta-gene. The percentages of the various hemoglobins showed that the doubly mutated hemoglobin Dunn/O-Arab has a normal stability and suggested that the Dunn mutation is carried by the alpha 1-gene. In cord blood [propositus's son], the output of the alpha Dunn gene was found equivalent to that existing in the adult.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Hemoglobin J Guantanamo [alpha 2 beta 2 128 (H6) Ala----Asp] in association with hemoglobin C and alpha-thalassemia in a family from Benin.

Hemoglobin J (HbJ), Guantanamo, which had been described but once in the literature, was found in a family originating from Benin; this second case was found to be in association with hemoglobin C (HbC) and alpha-thalassemia. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedures and microsequencing were used for characterization of the aminoacid substitution. The main hematological disorder, in relation with the instability of Hb J Guantanamo, seems to be a worsening of the rheological properties of the red blood cells (RBC), as demonstrated by ektacytometric studies. Oxygen-binding properties of the RBC were almost normal, but a slight decrease in cooperativity and lowered Bohr and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) effects were observed for pure stripped Hb J Guantanamo. The expression of the electrophoretic charge difference was partly masked, as is often observed when the structural abnormality is situated in or near a contact area.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Occurrence of hereditary spherocytosis and beta thalassaemia in the same family: globin chain synthesis and visco diffractometric studies.

Hereditary spherocytosis and beta thalassaemia are rarely inherited together. We have studied a large family of Caucasian extraction in whom these two diseases segregate independently over four generations. The diagnosis rested on specialized laboratory findings and in a number of subjects on the measurement of alpha and beta globin chain synthesis. In addition, a viscometric method (osmotic gradient ektacytometry) was used to evaluate the rheological function of the erythrocytes. In patients inheriting both diseases, the results indicate that the clinical and biological expression of hereditary spherocytosis is modulated by the degree of imbalanced globin chain synthesis. The opposite properties of spherocytes (decreased surface/volume ratio, increased haemoglobin concentration) and thalassaemic red cells (increased surface/volume ratio, decreased haemoglobin concentration) may explain the antagonistic influence of each genotype.

Adolescent↗

Hemoglobin Brest [beta 127 (H5)Gln----Lys] a new unstable human hemoglobin variant located at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface with specific electrophoretic behavior.

Hb Brest [beta 127 (H5)Gln----Lys] is a new unstable variant located at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface at the same position as Hb Complutense [beta 127(H5)Gln----Glu]. In each of these, the substitution produces a distinct alteration in charge, yet both variants move with Hb A in conventional electrophoresis. This peculiar electrophoretical behavior may be due to the molecular position of the modified residue, which is deeply buried inside the tetramer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clustered somatic mutations in and around first exon of non-rearranged c-myc in Burkitt lymphoma with t(8;22) translocation.

We have examined the restriction map of the c-myc gene in 15 BL cell lines carrying the variant t(8;22) translocation in which c-myc is known to remain on chromosome 8. Using 3 restriction enzymes cutting outside the c-myc domain (EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII), we found no evidence for a c-myc/Ig lambda rearrangement in 14 BL cell lines. In the last one, BL 37, the 3' flanking region was rearranged corresponding to the already identified breakpoint located 400 pb downstream from the c-myc gene (9). Using 4 restriction enzymes cutting inside the c-myc gene (PvuII, PstI, SacI, HincII) we looked for discrete abnormalities within the gene limits, and we found in 9 BL cell lines several abolished and created sites, compatible with multiple independent somatic mutations. They are significantly clustered in the 5' non coding region, with a striking prevalence at the end of exon 1. The role of mutations in the non-coding first exon region for the deregulation of c-myc expression is discussed.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

Extended application of RP-HPLC for characterization of human hemoglobin variants.

The different steps for the structural study of a human hemoglobin, from protein isolation to amino acid analysis, can be achieved using as the only method reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. HPLC allows effective and rapid separations on microquantities of material. The miniaturization of the techniques led to a new approach involving successive enzymic hydrolysis of peptides.

Amino Acids↗

Strategy for structural characterization of haemoglobin variants.

High-performance liquid chromatography allows one to perform effective and rapid separations on microquantities of material. The miniaturization of the techniques led to new approaches involving isoelectric focusing (IEF) of immobilized pH gradient IEF for haemoglobin preparation, successive enzymic hydrolyses for isolating abnormal peptides and amino acid composition determination after precolumn derivatization.

Amino Acids↗

[Use of HPLC in different stages of characterization of abnormal hemoglobin. Application to a case of hemoglobin Grady (alpha-118 [+Glu-Phe-Thr])].

In this work the structural abnormality of Hb Grady was determined using mainly the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technology. The methods described here are now easily available in an increasing number of laboratories. A small amount of the abnormal Hb (ca. 10 mg) was isolated by isoelectric focusing and its subunits fractionated by reversed phase HPLC. After tryptic or chymotryptic digestion the peptides were isolated by HPLC. Their amino-acid compositions were also determined by HPLC procedures following a precolumn derivatization.

Adult↗