Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Singh

Publications and source records attributed to I Singh.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Expression of antioxidant enzymes in rat kidney during ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The effect of ischemia-reperfusion on activity, protein and m-RNA levels of catalase, copper-zinc and manganese containing superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidase, the enzymes that are involved in free radical detoxification was studied in rat kidney. Ischemia alone did not alter either the activities or protein levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. However, catalase activity was found to be inhibited to 82% of control. The inhibition of catalase was due to the inactivation of the enzyme as there was no significant change in enzyme protein level. Reperfusion following ischemia, however, led to a significant decrease in both the activities as well as the protein levels of all the antioxidant enzymes. The observed overall decrease in total superoxide dismutase activity was the net effect of a decrease in copper-zinc superoxide dismutase while manganese superoxide dismutase activity was found to be increased following reperfusion. This observed increase manganese superoxide dismutase activity was the result of its increased protein level. The mRNA levels for catalase, superoxide dismutases, and glutathione peroxidase were observed to be increased (100-145% of controls) following ischemia; reperfusion of ischemic kidneys, however, resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of mRNAs coding for all the enzymes except manganese superoxide dismutase which remained high. These results suggest that in tissue, the down regulation of the antioxidant enzyme system could be responsible for the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Visualization of multiple imidazoline/guanidinium-receptive sites.

Compounds with an imidazoline or guanidinium moiety elicit a variety of stimulatory and inhibitory cell responses in both central and peripheral tissues. Many of these effects are mediated by interaction with alpha-adrenergic receptors, but these molecules also selectively recognize other membrane-bound proteins with high affinity. We used a functionalized derivative of the imidazoline molecule cirazoline to visualize the imidazoline/guanidinium-receptive site (IGRS). 2-[3-Aminophenoxy]methyl imidazoline was radioiodinated and subsequently converted to the arylazide to generate the photoaffinity adduct 2-[3-azido-4-[125I]iodophenoxy]methyl imidazoline ([125I]AZIPI). Both 2-[3-amino-4-[125I]iodophenoxy]methyl imidazoline and [125I]AZIPI exhibited saturable high affinity binding in rat liver membrane preparations (Ki = 2-5 nM). In rat liver mitochondrial membranes, [125I]AZIPI photoincorporates into two peptides with apparent molecular weights of approximately 55,000 and approximately 61,000 as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The labeling of these two species is blocked by various competing ligands (10 microM) with a potency order expected for an IGRS. The photolabeling of both peptides is blocked by the imidazolines cirazoline and idazoxan or by the guanidinium guanabenz, but it is not altered by the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist rauwolscine or by the adrenergic receptor agonist epinephrine. Photoincorporation of [125I]AZIPI is minimally inhibited by the imidazoline clonidine or by the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin. However, the guanidinium ligand amiloride exhibits higher affinity for the M(r) = 61,000 peptide as compared with the M(r) = 55,000 peptide, suggesting that the two labeled species differ in their ligand recognition properties. An additional IGRS was identified by photolabeling in membranes prepared from PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells. In PC-12 membranes, [125I]AZIPI photolabels a major M(r) = approximately 61,000 peptide; the photoincorporation is blocked by cirazoline, guanabenz, and amiloride but not by idazoxan (competing ligands = 10 microM). These data indicate the existence of at least three subtypes of IGRS that differ in their ligand recognition properties, their apparent molecular weight, and their tissue distribution.

Affinity Labels↗

Phytanic acid alpha-oxidation. Differential subcellular localization in rat and human tissues and its inhibition by nycodenz.

The subcellular site of oxidation of [1-14C]phytanic acid to pristanic acid and CO2 was examined by measurement of the release of 14CO2 in different organelles from human and rat tissues prepared by isopycnic density gradient centrifugation in Nycodenz. The activity of phytanic acid oxidation in human tissues (liver and cultured skin fibroblasts) paralleled that of the peroxisomal marker catalase. We also observed that Nycodenz (commonly used gradient material for isolation of subcellular organelles) has a strong inhibitory effect on the alpha-oxidation of phytanic acid. This inhibition is reversible and can be decreased or eliminated by dialysis of isolated organelles against isotonic solution. The dialysis of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial, and peroxisomal fractions from human liver and cultured skin fibroblasts for 2 h against isotonic solution increased the specific activity of phytanic acid oxidation by 1.3-, 1.3-, and 5-21-fold, respectively, after removal of Nycodenz as compared with nondialyzed samples. After dialysis, the rate of oxidation of phytanic acid in peroxisomes from human liver and cultured skin fibroblasts was 4-26 times higher than that in mitochondria and 43-130 times than that in the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that, in human tissues, phytanic acid is oxidized to pristanic acid in peroxisomes. On the other hand, the oxidation of phytanic acid in rat liver paralleled the distribution of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome-c oxidase. The 18-fold higher rate of oxidation in dialyzed mitochondria (198.6 +/- 4.20 pmol/h/mg of protein) than in peroxisomes (11.0 +/- 0.5 pmol/h/mg of protein) demonstrates that, in rodents, phytanic acid is oxidized in mitochondria. 2-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxiran-2-carboxylic acid, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, inhibits the oxidation of phytanic acid in rat tissues (liver and cultured skin fibroblasts), whereas it has no effect on the oxidation of phytanic acid in human tissues (liver and cultured skin fibroblasts). The higher specific activity of phytanic acid oxidation in peroxisomes compared with that in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum from human tissues and the inhibition of phytanic acid oxidation by 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxiran-2-carboxylic acid in rat tissues (but not human tissues) demonstrate clearly that, in human tissues, phytanic acid is predominantly oxidized in peroxisomes.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Identification of phytanoyl-CoA ligase as a distinct acyl-CoA ligase in peroxisomes from cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Phytanic acid accumulates in excessive amounts in Refsum disease, a rare neurological disorder, due to a defect in its alpha-oxidation enzyme system in peroxisomes. The activation of phytanic acid to phytanoyl-CoA by phytanoyl-CoA ligase is a prerequisite for its alpha-oxidation. The studies described in this manuscript report that phytanoyl-CoA ligase in peroxisomes is an enzyme distinct from the previously reported acyl-CoA ligases.

Animals↗

Peroxisomal disorders. Neurodevelopmental and biochemical aspects.

The peroxisomal disorders represent a group of inherited metabolic disorders that derive from defects of peroxisomal biogenesis and/or from dysfunction of single or multiple peroxisomal enzymes. Because peroxisomes are involved in the metabolism of lipids critical to the functioning of the nervous system, many of the peroxisomal disorders manifest with significant degrees of progressive psychomotor dysfunction. These disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the infant with hypotonia and psychomotor delay (especially if accompanied by facial dysmorphisms, hepatomegaly, cataracts and/or retinitis, calcific stippling, short limbs, or combinations of these features), in the school-aged child with progressive neurologic dysfunction, and in adults with slowly progressive motor dysfunction. Current knowledge of peroxisomal biochemical and enzymatic processes permits precise identification of particular disorders within the peroxisomal disorder grouping. An effort should be made to identify the specific peroxisomal disorder to provide a precise explanation for neurodevelopmental deficits, to potentially prevent recurrence through genetic counseling, and to provide appropriate therapies when available.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase↗

Thioridazine induces lipid peroxidation in myelin of rat brain.

In this study, the oxidative effect of the commonly used phenothiazine, thioridazine, on brain tissue has been investigated. Thioridazine (0.1 and 0.5%) supplemented in pellet diet (w/w), produced a significant increase (P < 0.001) in levels of myelin lipid peroxide, after 3 weeks of treatment. Besides myelin, there was a 2-fold increase in the mitochondrial lipid peroxides, as a result of treatment with thioridazine. However, these elevated levels of lipid peroxides returned to normal after withdrawal of thioridazine for 2 weeks. Myelin-associated enzyme activities of Na+,K(+)-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase became inhibited by 20-25%, but CNPase activity was unaffected. Studies of in vitro lipid peroxidation on purified myelin from untreated rats suggested that extensive lipid peroxidation of myelin in thioridazine-treated rats could underlie inhibition of the myelin enzymes. Morphological studies revealed little or no structural alterations in myelin, produced by thioridazine. These studies suggest that thioridazine induces a reversible lipid peroxidation in myelin, that could result in functional alterations of the myelin-associated enzymes, during use of this drug.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

Myiasis in children: the Indian perspective.

A retrospective analysis of 94 cases of childhood myiasis admitted over a 6-year period is presented. Children formed 37.9% of all cases of myiasis. More than 50% of the children were less than 5 years of age and most (96.8%) belonged to a rural background. Of the 94 cases, 81 (86.16%) were of aural, 11 (11.7%) of nasal and 2 (2.12%) of ocular myiasis. The peak incidence was seen from September to October. The main symptoms in aural myiasis were passage of worms (81.48%), discharge (44.44%) and pain (41.97%). In nasal myiasis epistaxis (100%), foul smell (100%) passage of worms (90.9%) and pain (72.72%) were the prime presenting symptoms. All patients were treated with chloroform and turpentine oil in the ratio 1:4 which was followed by manual removal of the maggots and were made maggot-free in 2-3 days. No complications were seen.

Adolescent↗

Bovine lens multicatalytic proteinase complex.

The ocular lens grows by laying down new cells on top of old in a differentiation process that results in loss of protein-synthesizing capacity, but preservation of the cells themselves for the lifetime of the organism. The transparency and refractive index of the lens depend on protein integrity and longevity, yet proteolysis is needed for normal growth and development. Therefore, control of proteolysis must be stringent. Here we review the structural features and major proteolytic enzymes of the lens and the properties of the bovine lens multicatalytic proteinase complex, including native and SDS-PAGE patterns, and activation and inhibition by cations, amphiphilic molecules and temperature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evaluation of physical evidence in a burn case.

A young lady was alleged to have died due to accidental burns from a kerosene pressure stove. The dying declaration read that the deceased caught fire accidentally. Evaluation of physical evidence present at the site of the incident, the dying declaration and examination of the body refuted accidental burning from the stove. It proved to be a case of suicide with assistance from the accused due to delivery of insufficient dowry. The accused was convicted on the basis of the physical evidence collected from the scene and evaluated by the forensic experts.

Accidents, Home↗

Pseudo infantile Refsum's disease: catalase-deficient peroxisomal particles with partial deficiency of plasmalogen synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids.

Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, and infantile Refsum's disease are genetic disorders characterized by the virtual absence of catalase-positive peroxisomes and a general impairment of peroxisomal functions. Recent studies in these three disorders have provided morphologic evidence of peroxisomal "ghosts" of density 1.10 g/cm3 that contain membrane proteins but lack a majority of the matrix enzyme activities. We report here the biochemical studies in a female infant with clinical features of infantile Refsum's disease whose liver and fibroblasts contained cytosolic catalase but no catalase-positive peroxisomes. Oxidation of phytanic and pipecolic acids was severely impaired, whereas oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity were only partially decreased. Immunoblot analysis showed that the three peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes (acyl-CoA oxidase, enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase) were detectable in liver tissues. The 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase was of the mature form (41 kD), in contrast with other peroxisomal disorders with multiple enzyme deficiencies. The majority of these peroxisomal enzyme activities were associated with two subcellular membrane vesicle fractions lacking catalase: one had the density of normal peroxisomes (1.17 g/cm3), the other, yet undescribed, a lower density (1.137 g/cm3). This suggests that peroxisomes (density = 1.17 g/cm3) and structures with lower density (density = 1.137 g/cm3) found in this patient's cultured skin fibroblasts, although lacking catalase, contained functional peroxisomal enzymes. This distinguishes this disorder from other disorders of peroxisome biogenesis.

Acatalasia↗

Refsum disease: a defect in the alpha-oxidation of phytanic acid in peroxisomes.

The oxidation of phytanic acid to pristanic acid was previously demonstrated to be deficient in monolayer cultures of skin fibroblasts (Herndon et al. 1969. J. Clin. Invest. 48: 1017-1032). However, identification of subcellular organelle with deficient enzyme activity has not been established. To define the subcellular organelle with deficient enzyme activity in the catabolism of phytanic acid, we measured the oxidation of [1-14C] phytanic acid to 14CO2 and pristanic acid in different subcellular organelles isolated from cultured skin fibroblasts from control and Refsum patients. The rates of oxidation of phytanic acid in peroxisomes, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum were 37.1 +/- 2.65, 1.9 +/- 0.3, and 0.4 +/- 0.07 pmol/h per mg protein, respectively, from control fibroblasts. The phytanic acid oxidation activity in mitochondria (2.04 +/- 0.7 pmol/h per mg protein) and endoplasmic reticulum (0.43 +/- 0.2 pmol/h per mg protein) from Refsum fibroblasts was similar to control fibroblasts. However, phytanic acid oxidation in peroxisomes from Refsum fibroblasts was not detected at all the protein concentrations tested. On the other hand, the peroxisomes from Refsum fibroblasts had normal rates of activation and oxidation of palmitic and lignoceric acids, suggesting that the peroxisomes isolated from Refsum fibroblasts were metabolically active. The phytanoyl-CoA ligase, the first enzyme in the alpha-oxidation pathway, had activity similar to that in peroxisomes from control (9.86 +/- 0.09 nmol/h per mg protein) and Refsum (10.25 +/- 0.31 nmol/h per mg protein) fibroblasts. The data described here clearly demonstrate that pathognomonic accumulation of phytanic acid in patients with Refsum disease is due to the deficient activity of peroxisomal alpha-oxidation enzyme system.

Cells, Cultured↗

Phytanic acid alpha-oxidation in human cultured skin fibroblasts.

We studied the oxidation of [1-14C]phytanic acid, 3-methyl substituted fatty acid, to pristanic acid and 14CO2 in human skin fibroblasts. The specific activity for alpha-oxidation of phytanic acid in peroxisomes was 29- and 124-fold higher than mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. This finding demonstrates for the first time the presence of fatty acid alpha-oxidation enzyme system in peroxisomes.

Cell Fractionation↗

Transport of fatty acids into human and rat peroxisomes. Differential transport of palmitic and lignoceric acids and its implication to X-adrenoleukodystrophy.

The different topology of palmitoyl-CoA ligase (on the cytoplasmic surface) and of lignoceroyl-CoA ligase (on the luminal surface) in peroxisomal membranes suggests that these fatty acids may be transported in different form through the peroxisomal membrane (Lazo, O., Contreras, M., and Singh, I. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 3981-3986), and this differential transport may account for deficient oxidation of lignoceric acid in X-adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) (Singh, I., Moser, A. B., Goldfisher, S., and Moser, H. W. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 4203-4207). To define the transport mechanism for these fatty acids through the peroxisomal membrane and its possible implication to lignoceric acid metabolism in X-ALD, we examined cofactors and energy requirements for the transport of palmitic and lignoceric acids in isolated peroxisomes from rat liver and peroxisomes isolated from X-ALD and control fibroblasts. The similar rates of transport of palmitoyl-CoA (87.6 +/- 6.3 nmol/h/mg protein) and palmitic acid in the fatty acid activating conditions (83.4 +/- 5.1 nmol/h/mg protein) and lack of transport of palmitic acid (4% of palmitoyl-CoA transport) when ATP and/or CoASH were removed or substituted by alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine-5'-triphosphate (AMPCPOP) and/or desulfoCoA-agarose from assay medium clearly demonstrate that transport of palmitic acid requires prior synthesis of palmitoyl-CoA by palmitoyl-CoA ligase on the cytoplasmic surface of peroxisomes. The 10-fold higher rate of transport of lignoceric acid (5.3 +/- 0.6 nmol/h/mg protein) as compared with lignoceroyl-CoA (0.41 +/- 0.11 nmol/h/mg protein) and lack of inhibition of transport of lignoceric acid when ATP and/or CoASH were removed or substituted with AMPCPOP or desulfoCoA-agarose suggest that lignoceric acid is transported through the peroxisomal membrane as such. Moreover, the lack of effect of removal of ATP or substitution with AMPOPCP (a nonhydrolyzable substrate) demonstrates that the translocation of palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceric acid across peroxisomal membrane does not require energy. The transport, activation, and oxidation of palmitic acid are normal in peroxisomes from X-ALD. The deficient lignoceroyl-CoA ligase (13% of control) and oxidation of lignoceric acid (10% of control) as compared with normal transport of lignoceric acid into peroxisomes from X-ALD clearly demonstrates that pathogenomonic accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (greater than C22) in X-ALD is due to the deficiency of peroxisomal lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Ischemia-reperfusion injury: biochemical alterations in peroxisomes of rat kidney.

Exogenously supplied catalase, a peroxisomal enzyme, has been found to be of therapeutic value in ischemic injury. Therefore, we examined the effect of ischemic-reperfusion injury on the structure and function of kidney peroxisomes. Ischemic injury changed the density of peroxisomes from 1.21 g/cm3 (peak I) to a lighter density of 1.14 g/cm3 (peak II). The number of peroxisomes moving from the normal density population (peak I) to a lower density population (peak II) increased with an increase in ischemic injury. Latency experiments indicated both populations of peroxisomes to be of intact peroxisomes. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins demonstrated that after 90 min of ischemia a significant number of matrix proteins were lost in the peak II population, suggesting that functions of these peroxisomes may be severally affected. Reperfusion following ischemic injury resulted in loss of peroxisomal matrix proteins in both peaks I and II, suggesting that peroxisomal functions may be drastically compromised. This change in peroxisomal functions is reflected by a significant decrease in peroxisomal catalase activity (35%) and beta-oxidation of lignoceric acid (43%) observed following 90 min of ischemia. The decrease in catalase activity was more pronounced in reperfused kidneys even after a shorter term of ischemic injury. Reperfusion restored the normal peroxisomal beta-oxidation in kidneys exposed up to 60 min of ischemia. However, 90 min of ischemia was irreversible as there was a further decrease in beta-oxidation upon reperfusion. The decrease in catalase activity during ischemia alone was due to the formation of an inactive complex, whereas during reperfusion, following 90 min of ischemia, inactivation and proteolysis or decreased synthesis of catalase contributed equally toward the injury. The observed changes in the structure and function of peroxisomes as a result of ischemic-reperfusion injury and the ubiquitous distribution of peroxisomes underlines the importance of this organelle in the pathophysiology of vascular injury in general.

Animals↗