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Biomedical subjects

J Pohl

Publications and source records attributed to J Pohl.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Human microvascular endothelial cells adhere to thrombospondin-1 via an RGD/CSVTCG domain independent mechanism.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), 450-kDa glycoprotein secreted by platelets and endothelial cells at sites of tissue injury or inflammation, plays an important role in angiogenesis, inflammation, and vascular occlusive skin diseases. Many of the physiologic and pathologic activities of TSP-1 are dependent upon its interactions with endothelial cells. To better understand the basis of these activities, we examined the mechanisms mediating the binding of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) to immobilized TSP-1. HDMEC bound to but did not spread on TSP-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) which recognize two purported TSP-1 binding proteins, CS36 and the alphav integrin chain, or TSP-1-derived peptides CGRGDS and CSVTCG, alone or in combination with heparin, did not inhibit HDMEC adhesion to immobilized TSP-1. Furthermore, CSVTCG-ovalbumin conjugates failed to support HDMEC adhesion. Although RGD-containing peptides immobilized on plastic wells supported HDMEC binding, they also induced cell spreading not characteristic of cell binding to TSP-1 and binding was inhibited by free RGD peptide. Two MoAbs against different domains of TSP-1 (A 4.1 and C 6.1) failed to block HDMEC binding to TSP-1, but both MoAbs inhibited G361 human melanoma cell binding to TSP-1 by 60%. Acid treatment of TSP-1 almost completely abrogated its ability to support HDMEC binding, while acid treatment inhibited G361 binding by 50%. However, either antibody completely abrogated G-361 cell binding to acid-treated TSP-1. These data demonstrate that HDMEC bind to immobilized TSP-1 in an RGD- and CSVTCG-independent manner via an acid labile epitope(s) which recognized via a receptor or receptors distinct from CD36 or alphavbeta3 integrin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Bactericidal activity of a synthetic peptide (CG 117-136) of human lysosomal cathepsin G is dependent on arginine content.

The importance of individual amino acids in mediating the broad-spectrum bactericidal action of a 20-mer amphipathic, cationic peptide (CG 117-136) of human lysosomal cathepsin G was determined by using a single amino acid replacement strategy. This strategy revealed an important role for arginine because loss of any of the four arginine residues in CG 117-136 due to substitution with alanine, citrulline, or lysine residues resulted in a reduction of its bactericidal activity against both Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33593. However, the replacement of a single alanine residue in CG 117-136 with arginine, but not glutamic acid, enhanced the activity of CG 117-136 against both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The importance of certain bulky, nonpolar amino acids for the bactericidal activity of CG 117-136 was also evident, since their substitutions by alanine diminished bactericidal activity. Accordingly, contributions of hydrophobic amino acids and structural considerations of the guanidinium side chain of arginine are major determinants in the broad-spectrum antimicrobial action of CG 117-136.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of elevated head position in bed in therapy of gastroesophageal reflux].

In a randomized multicentric trial the effect of sleeping with the bed-head raised was studied in inpatients with reflux symptoms. All patients underwent an endoscopic and pH-metric examination. As a result from the diagnostic procedures three groups were formed: group 1 - refluxlike dyspepsia (endoscopic and pH-metric examination normal), group 2 - reflux disease without esophagitis (endoscopy normal, pH-metric examination abnormal), group 3 - refluxesophagitis (endoscopy abnormal). All patients were randomly assigned to either sleeping with horizontal bed-head or having the bed-head raised (15 cm). Furthermore, the patients in group 3 were put on treatment with omeprazole (20 mg twice a day) those in group 2 were treated with a procinetic drug (cisapride 30 mg). The patients in group 1 had no drug therapy. However, antacids were allowed in all patients. For a two-week-period reflux symptoms and use of antacids were registered. No difference was seen in the symptom-score or use of antacids. Also sub-group analysis (sex, age, body-mass-index, severity of esophagitis and nocturnal reflux) did not reveal any impact of sleeping with the bed-head raised on reflux symptoms or use of antacids.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cloning of a new member of the TGF-beta family: a putative new activin beta C chain.

The complete amino acid sequence of a new member of the TGF-beta superfamily has been determined through initial degenerate PCR, subsequent cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the human cDNA. Amino acid homology comparison among members of this superfamily suggests it to be a new member of the activin/inhibin subgroup. The proposed mature part of the precursor shows 53% amino acid identity to the activin beta B and 51% identity to the activin beta A chain whereas beta A and beta B show an identity of 64% to each other.

Activins↗
PubMed1995

Isolation and identification of a protoheme IX derivative released during autolytic cleavage of human myeloperoxidase.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a functionally important component of the normal human neutrophil host defense system. This enzyme possesses a dimeric structure composed of two heavy-subunit/light-subunit protomers, with a heme-like prosthetic group covalently linked to each heavy subunit. Although MPO exhibits unusual spectral and enzymatic properties, the nature of the prosthetic group and its mode of linkage with the apoenzyme have not been determined. In an earlier report (K.L. Taylor, J. Pohl, and J.M. Kinkade, Jr. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 25282-25288), characterization of the autolytic cleavage of MPO led to the proposal that the prosthetic group was covalently linked to the apoenzyme via a methionyl sulfonium bond with Met409. In the present study, we have demonstrated that autolytic cleavage of MPO, followed by protease digestion under nonreducing conditions, effects the release of a macrocycle with visible and Raman spectral properties consistent with that of a protoheme IX derivative. Mass spectrometric analysis, in conjunction with metabolic labeling studies and recent X-ray crystallographic data, have led to the structural assignment of this macrocycle as 1,5-dihydroxymethyl-3,8-dimethyl-4-vinyl-2-(2'-methylthio) ethenylporphine-6,7-dipropionic acid-iron complex. Based on the mechanism of methionyl sulfonium bond cleavage, this structure is consistent with our earlier proposal that the MPO prosthetic group is covalently linked to the enzyme via a methionyl sulfonium bond and suggests that this linkage occurs through a peripheral vinyl substituent.

Autolysis↗
PubMed1995

Trophic and protective effects of growth/differentiation factor 5, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, on midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) is a novel member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of multifunctional cytokines. We show here that GDF5 is expresed in the developing CNS including the mesencephalon and acts as a neurotrophic, survival promoting molecule for rat dopaminergic midbrain neurons, which degenerate in Parkinson's disease. Recombinant human GDF5 supports dopaminergic neurons, dissected at embryonic day (E) 14 and cultured for 8 days under serum-free conditions, to almost the same extent as TGF-beta 3, and is as effective as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), two established trophic factors for midbrain dopaminergic neurons. In contrast to TGF-beta and GDNF, GDF5 augments numbers of astroglial cells in the cultures, suggesting that it may act indirectly and through pathways different from those triggered by TGF-beta and GDNF. GDF5 also protects dopaminergic neurons against the toxicity of N-methylpyridinium ion (MPP+), which selectively damages dopaminergic neurons through mechanisms currently debated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). GDF5 may therefore now be tested in animal models of PD and might become useful in the treatment of PD.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed1995

D-19575--a sugar-linked isophosphoramide mustard derivative exploiting transmembrane glucose transport.

D-19575 is a glucose derivative of ifosfamide mustard with a broad spectrum of antitumor activity in animal models. In comparison with ifosfamide, D-19575 is less toxic and is better tolerated by tumor-bearing animals, achieving a better therapeutic efficacy. D-19575 is directly cytotoxic in vitro--in contrast to ifosfamide--and it is possible to modulate this cytotoxicity by inhibition of transmembrane glucose transporters. Correspondingly, renal reabsorption of filtered D-19575 could be blocked by pre- and cotreatment with phlorizin, resulting in a higher urinary excretion of the unchanged drug. The toxicity to white blood cells, colony-forming units (CFU-C), and spleen-cell colony-forming units (CFU-S) is considerably lower for D-19575 as compared with ifosfamide. In conclusion, D-19575 is a new alkylating cytotoxic agent with increased antitumor selectivity, probably caused by an active transmembrane transport mechanism.

Absorption↗
PubMed1995

Synthesis and antitumor activity of two ifosfamide analogs with a five-membered ring.

Two ifosfamide (CAS 3778-73-2) analogs with a five-membered ring, i.e. the oxazaphospholidine derivatives 6 and 7, were synthesized and their cytotoxic activity in vitro, acute toxicity and antitumor activity in vivo determined in comparison with the oxazaphorinane ifosfamide 1. The observed low biological activity gives evidence that both, the six-membered oxazaphosphorinane ring and the two N-2-chloroethyl-side chains are necessary for the generation of the ultimate alkylator, i.e. the ifosfamide mustard 5.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Chemical and biological evaluation of hydrolysis products of cyclophosphamide.

31P NMR spectroscopy was used to study the products of the decomposition of cyclophosphamide (1) in buffered solutions at pH's ranging between 1.2 and 8.6 at 20 degrees C and at pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C. At pH 1.2, 1 undergoes a rapid breakdown (t1/2 = 1.4 days) of the two P-N bonds, giving compounds 2 [HN(CH2CH2Cl)2] and 3 [H2N(CH2)3OP(O)(OH)2] as hydrochlorides. No intermediates were detected. At pH's between 5.4 and 8.6, hydrolysis of 1 during 17 days leads to the sole and previously unknown nine-membered ring compound 13. 13 results from the intramolecular alkylation of 1 giving the bicyclic compound 7 followed by the exothermal hydrolytic breakdown of the P-N bond of its six-membered ring. At pH 2.2 and 3.4, the two hydrolytic pathways coexist since, beside compounds 2 and 3, the hydrochloride of compound 9 [Cl(CH2)2NH(CH2)2NH(CH2)3OP(O)(OH)2] is formed, resulting from the acid-catalyzed breakdown of the P-N bond in the nine-membered ring compound 13. At pH 2.2, the presence of chloride ion affected neither the stability of 1 nor the contribution of the two competing hydrolytic pathways. At pH's ranging from 3.4 to 8.6, there is little degradation of 1 since more than 95% of initial 1 was still present after 7 days at 20 degrees C. Under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C) after 6 days, 45% of 1 is hydrolyzed (t1/2 = 6.6 days), leading essentially (30% of initial 1) to the nine-membered ring compound 13. The rate of hydrolysis of 13 and the nature of its hydrolysis products were found to depend on pH over the range 0-8.6. After a single ip injection to mice, compounds 3, 9, and 13 were less toxic than 1. They did not exhibit any direct cytotoxic efficacy on the colony-forming capacity of L1210 cells in vitro, and they had no antitumor activity in vivo against P388 leukemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and expression of recombinant human growth/differentiation factor 5.

The complete amino acid sequence of human Growth/differentiation factor 5 (huGdf5), a new member of the TGF-beta superfamily, has been determined through initial degenerate PCR and subsequent cloning and nucleotide sequencing of genomic DNA and cDNA encoding the precursor and flanking regions. The huGdf5 gene consists of only two coding exons. The protein is highly homologous to its murine equivalent, particularly the mature part which differs only by one amino acid. Expression in HuTK- cells using recombinant vaccinia virus revealed the expected processed dimeric mature protein. Antibodies against huGdf5 were raised in chicken.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Protein kinase domain of twitchin has protein kinase activity and an autoinhibitory region.

Twitchin is a 753-kDa polypeptide located in the muscle A-bands of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. It consists of multiple copies of both fibronectin III and immunoglobulin C2 domains and, near the C terminus, a protein kinase domain with greatest homology to the catalytic domains of myosin light chain kinases. We have expressed and purified from Escherichia coli twitchin's protein kinase catalytic core and flanking sequences that do not include fibronectin III and immunoglobulin C2 domains. The protein was shown to phosphorylate a model substrate and to undergo autophosphorylation. The autophosphorylation occurs at a slow rate, attaining a maximum at 3 h with a stoichiometry of about 1.0 mol of phosphate/mol of protein, probably through an intramolecular mechanism. Sequence analysis of proteolytically derived phosphopeptides revealed that autophosphorylation occurred N-terminal to the catalytic core, predominantly at Thr-5910, with possible minor sites at Ser5912 and/or Ser-5913. This portion of twitchin (residues 5890-6268) was also phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C in the absence of calcium and phosphotidylserine, but not by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. By comparing the activities of three twitchin segments, the enzyme appears to be inhibited by the 60-amino acid residues lying just C-terminal to the kinase catalytic core. Thus, like a number of other protein kinases including myosin light chain kinases, the twitchin kinase appears to be autoregulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Phosphorylation by protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of synthetic peptides derived from the linker region of human P-glycoprotein.

Specific sites in the linker region of human P-glycoprotein phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) were identified by means of a synthetic peptide substrate, PG-2, corresponding to residues 656-689 from this region of the molecule. As PG-2 has several sequences of the type recognized by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), PG-2 was also tested as a substrate for PKA. PG-2 was phosphorylated by purified PKC in a Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent manner, with a Km of 1.3 microM, and to a maximum stoichiometry of 2.9 +/- 0.1 mol of phosphate/mol of peptide. Sequence analysis of tryptic fragments of PG-2 phosphorylated by PKC identified Ser-661, Ser-667 and Ser-671 as the three sites of phosphorylation. PG-2 was also found to be phosphorylated by purified PKA in a cyclic AMP-dependent manner, with a Km of 21 microM, and to a maximum stoichiometry of 2.6 +/- 0.2 mol of phosphate/mol of peptide. Ser-667, Ser-671 and Ser-683 were phosphorylated by PKA. Truncated peptides of PG-2 were utilized to confirm that Ser-661 was PKC-specific and Ser-683 was PKA-specific. Further studies showed that PG-2 acted as a competitive substrate for the P-glycoprotein kinase present in membranes from multidrug-resistant human KB cells. The membrane kinase phosphorylated PG-2 mainly on Ser-661, Ser-667 and Ser-671. These results show that human P-glycoprotein can be phosphorylated by at least two protein kinases, stimulated by different second-messenger systems, which exhibit both overlapping and unique specificities for phosphorylation of multiple sites in the linker region of the molecule.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1994

Caldesmon and calponin phosphorylation in regulation of smooth muscle contraction.

Recent studies of the smooth muscle contractile system indicate that Ca(2+)-dependent phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chains, modulation of phosphoprotein phosphatases, and phosphorylation of thin-filament proteins are all potential features of contractile system regulation. The thin-filament proteins caldesmon and calponin are known to inhibit actomyosin ATPase in vitro and actin sliding velocity in the in vitro motility assay. Inhibition of actomyosin ATPase is relieved by phosphorylation of caldesmon or calponin. The notion that caldesmon and calponin phosphorylation-dephosphorylation is important in the living smooth muscle cell was tested using canine tracheal smooth muscle strips labeled with 32P. We found that both caldesmon and calponin phosphorylation increased in response to stimulation with carbachol. Carbachol induced a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i in canine tracheal smooth muscle, an early transient increase in myosin phosphorylation, which decayed to 0.4 mol Pi/mol light chain, and a rapid transient increase in tissue shortening velocity. Relative changes in caldesmon phosphorylation correlate best with force development and the [Ca2+]i transient, both of which follow a similar time course. Calponin phosphorylation appears to be a rapid transient event more similar to the transient increase in unloaded shortening velocity. Our results are consistent with a potential role for both caldesmon and calponin phosphorylation in regulating smooth muscle contraction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cloning and expression of a mouse cDNA encoding p59, an immunophilin that associates with the glucocorticoid receptor.

A cDNA encoding the homologue of the rabbit immunophilin p59 was cloned from a mouse NIH-3T3 cell line library. Antibodies were generated against the N-terminal fragment of the protein produced in bacteria. Western blotting experiments suggest that homologous proteins are present in several other cell lines tested. Production of mouse p59 using recombinant vaccinia viruses resulted in a protein with the expected size of 59 kDa that can interact with the recombinant glucocorticoid receptor, as shown by co-immunoprecipitation experiments.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Synthetic bactericidal peptide based on CAP37: a 37-kDa human neutrophil granule-associated cationic antimicrobial protein chemotactic for monocytes.

CAP37 (cationic antimicrobial protein of molecular mass 37 kDa) is a multifunctional protein isolated from the granules of human neutrophils. It is antibiotic and chemotactic and binds lipopolysaccharide. A synthetic peptide, amino acid sequence NQGRHFCGGALIHARFVMTAASCFQ, based on residues 20-44 of CAP37 protein mimics its antibiotic and lipopolysaccharide binding action. Peptide 20-44, at the concentrations tested, has antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The bactericidal action of the peptide was pH dependent, with maximum activity at pH 5.0 and pH 5.5 and decreased activity at pH 7.0. Various truncations, substitutions, and other modifications in the sequence deteriorate its activity. Free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide bridge formation are required for optimum antibiotic activity, since substitution of serines for, or alkylation of, cysteine residues 26 and 42 eliminates bactericidal activity. Evidently amino acids 20-44 represent an important, perhaps principal, antibacterial domain of CAP37. This peptide should provide new insight into the mechanism of antimicrobial activity of CAP37 and may serve as a model for new, useful, synthetic antibiotics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Identification of specific sites in human P-glycoprotein phosphorylated by protein kinase C.

Phosphorylation of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) by protein kinase C occurs on apparently the same sites in vitro and in intact cells (in situ) and is implicated in modulation of Pgp function. The region of the molecule which contains the in vitro phosphorylation sites and two specific sites within this region are now determined by peptide sequencing. Membrane vesicles from multidrug-resistant human KB-V1 cells were incubated with purified protein kinase C and [gamma-32P]ATP, and Pgp (containing 1 mol of phosphate/mol of protein) was purified to apparent homogeneity. Phosphorylation occurred exclusively on serine residues. Phosphopeptides were generated by digestion with Lys-C endoproteinase or trypsin, partially purified by high performance liquid chromatography, and further purified with strategies developed for individual phosphopeptides. Sequence analysis by Edman degradation and comparison with the deduced amino acid sequence of human (mdr 1) Pgp identified serines 661 and 671, and one or more of serines 667, 675, and 683, as sites of phosphorylation. These sites are clustered in the linker region located between the two homologous halves of Pgp. Our results identify a previously undefined, phosphorylatable domain of Pgp, smaller in size but analogous in location to the R-domain of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. These data provide a basis for a better understanding of the role of phosphorylation in the mechanism of action and regulation of this important multidrug pump protein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗