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Biomedical subjects

L C Dickinson

Publications and source records attributed to L C Dickinson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phospholipid identification and quantification of membrane vesicle subfractions by 31P-1H two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance.

An approach to the direct quantification of phospholipids from two-dimensional 31P-1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with isotropic proton mixing has been developed as a general method for phospholipid analysis of minor membrane vesicle subfractions. Membrane vesicles were subfractionated by sedimentation to density equilibrium in a sucrose gradient, and a modified Folch method was employed to extract their phospholipids. The coefficient for the NMR detection efficiency of each phospholipid and the relative mole percentage of the phospholipids present in the membrane vesicles were calculated. We demonstrate low detection limits such that relative concentrations of phospholipids in membrane subfractions may be determined even in the submicromolar range.

Animals↗

Mobility characterization of waxy corn starch using wide-line (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance.

The molecular mobility of waxy corn starch was studied by using wide-line (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A suite of NMR techniques was used to measure relaxation times (i.e., T(2), T(2), and T(1)) and to characterize water and solid (starch) mobility of waxy corn starch. It was observed that the spectrum of each sample includes a complex broad proton component upon which is superimposed a narrow proton component over water activity (a(w)) ranges from 0.33 to 0.97 (i.e., 10.-25.6% water content) at 25 degrees C. Line shape analysis and relaxation times of both broad and narrow components show that T(2) and T(2) values decrease (i.e., decreasing mobility) with increasing solid concentration and show a "break point" in a concentration range between 19.8 and 21.9% water content. The T(1) shows a "T(1) minimum" in the same concentration range. Starch samples change from the glassy to viscous rubbery state in this same concentration range. This demonstrates that wide-line (1)H NMR relaxation times (i.e., T(2), T(2), and T(1)) may be useful as indicators of glass transition for starch samples in the solid state. The results demonstrate that wide-line (1)H NMR spectroscopy is able to separate modes and quantitate the magnitude of molecular mobility in complex systems.

Hydrogen↗

Molecular characterization around a glassy transition of starch using (1)H cross-relaxation nuclear magnetic resonance.

The aim of this work was to characterize the glassy-rubbery transition in starch gels using molecular (NMR) techniques. Proton cross-relaxation ((1)H CR) NMR spectra of gelatinized starch ( approximately 50% mc) were obtained by cooling stepwise from 20 to -30 degrees C. A significant line broadening was observed in the CR spectra between 0 and -10 degrees C. Deconvolution of the spectra into its component curves (broad and narrow) yielded a peak amplitude, width at half-height, and peak area for each curve. Between 0 and -10 degrees C (temperatures around T(g)), a significant line width change in the broad component (rigid solid) was apparent. These observed qualitative changes may be evidence of a glassy-rubbery transition at a molecular (short-range) level which are strengthened by a similar transition temperature range found previously with (13)C CP-MAS and DMA tan delta(T) measurements. However, the increase in the relative quantity of rigid protons observed by (1)H CR NMR spectra could also be attributed to ice. The (1)H CR NMR method showed its potential application for probing solid components in gels using a simple and economical NMR spectrometer, without the need for a solid-state instrument.

Crystallization↗

Identification of hydrazine in commercial preparations of carnosine and its influence on carnosine's antioxidative properties.

Commercial preparations of synthetic carnosine are commonly used by researchers to investigate carnosine's biological functions and potential applications. Our studies on the interaction of synthetic carnosine and aldehydic lipid oxidation products have led to the detection and structural identification of hydrazine, a strong reducing agent. The concentrations of hydrazine in various sources of commercial carnosine were in the range of 0.01-0.20% (w/w). The levels of contaminating hydrazine in commercial carnosine were capable of interfering with the analyses of headspace aldehydes, malonaldehyde, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Since hydrazine can potentially interfere with lipid oxidation reactions and measurement of lipid oxidation products, it will be necessary to use purified carnosine to reevaluate carnosine's biological and chemical properties.

Aldehydes↗

Quantification of training in obstetrical ultrasound: a study of family practice residents.

This study was done to determine how rapidly physicians in training could become competent in performing obstetrical ultrasound for the purposes of routine evaluations (i.e., the standard examination as defined by AIUM). The scan measurements and results of organ surveys of 12 family medicine residents were compared with the results obtained by faculty members experienced in obstetrical ultrasound. Residents rapidly became proficient in biometry. The mean menstrual age calculated from BPD, AC, HC, and FL differed from faculty values by 0.381 weeks after residents had performed 40 supervised scans. Organ survey success rates demonstrated similar high concordance between resident and faculty scans.

Faculty, Medical↗

Kinetic and physical properties of Co2+ enolase.

The activation of yeast enolase by cobaltous ion in 0.1 M KCl is characterized by an activation constant of 1 microM and an inhibition constant of 18 microM. Measurements of binding of Co2+ to the apoenzyme show that a maximum of four Co2+ ions are bound per dimer in the presence or absence of substrate although binding is far tighter in the presence of substrate. Ultraviolet spectral titrations show evidence for a conformational change due exclusively to the binding of the first two ions of Co2+. Both visible and EPR spectra confirm that the environment of the first pair of cobalt ions ("conformational sites") is markedly different from that of the second pair in the "catalytic" sites. Cobalt at the conformational site appears to be a tetragonally distorted octahedral complex while the second pair of metal ions appears to be in a more regular tetrahedral symmetry. Addition of either Mg2+ or substrate to the enzyme with only one pair of cobalt ions per dimer causes striking changes in the metal ion environment. The conformational metal sites appear sufficiently shielded from solvent to be inaccessible to oxidation by H2O2, in contrast to the second pair of cobaltous ions whose ready oxidation by H2O2 inactivates the enzyme. Comparison of kinetic and binding data suggests that only one site of the dimeric enzyme can be active, since activity requires more than two metals bound per dimer and inactivation results from the binding of the fourth ion per dimer.

Cobalt↗

Electron paramagnetic resonance crystallography of bacterial catalase: g-Contour mapping method of analysis.

Single crystals of bacterial catalase from Micrococcus luteus have been examined by EPR at 77 K. X-ray perfect crystals gave a set of four prominent resonances in all three orthogonal planes which yielded eight heme direction cosine matrices to an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees as expected for the P4(2)2(1)2 space group and unit cell parameters previously determined. These matrices are related by D4 symmetry operation of the space group. There were additional weaker resonances only resolved in two or even one plane. A method of g-contour mapping was devised to solve for the orientations of hemes that give rise to these weaker resonances. Three additional sets of heme orientations, also following D4 symmetry, were determined. All of the above sites have the same principal g values, 2.0, 5.4, and 6.6. The EPR crystallographic results imply that several conformational substates may be trapped at 77 K.

Catalase↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the phenylalanine residues of eukaryotic cytochrome c.

The resonances of Phe 82 and Phe 10 in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of horse cytochrome c are reassigned using nuclear Overhauser enhancements. The reassignments provide new information about the oxidation state linked conformation change of cytochrome c. The region of the protein now known to be affected by the change extends to the part of the protein close to Phe 10.

Animals↗

EPR of Cu+2 binding to apo-yeast enolase.

We have studied the electron paramagnetic resonance (epr) spectra of complexes of apo-yeast enolase with 65Cu+2 in the presence and absence of substrate and magnesium ion. An unusual epr spectrum with large g parallel, large g and A rhombicity and very narrow line-widths (10 G) is seen for the first two 65Cu+2 bound in the presence of substrate 2-phosphoglycerate (2PGA). the epr parameters, consistent with rhombic and tetragonal distortion of an octahedral geometry of the coordination sphere of the Cu+2 are g = (2.123, 2.042, 2.405) and A = (2.58, 4.19, 12.0) mK. The high g parallel and absence of super-hyperfine splitting are strong evidence for absence of nitrogen ligands. In the presence of Mg+2 and 2PGA, the Cu+2-enolase solutions exhibit a complex epr spectrum reflecting exchange and dipolar interaction between the first two Cu+2 ions bound. The spectra of Cu+2 plus enolase in the presence and absence of Mg+2 without 2PGA are distinct but not unambiguous, each reflecting at least two inequivalent binding sites. In addition to providing information on the geometry and location of the divalent cation binding sites, the data show unequivocally that imidazole residues, previously found to have a role in catalysis, do not participate in Cu+2 binding. Although Cu+2 does not activate the enzyme, direct binding measurements show that Cu+2 competes stoichiometrically with the activating ion, Mg+2. A reinterpretation of earlier Mn+2 enolase studies is proposed to reconcile the Cu+2 and Mn+2 data.

Copper↗

Electron paramagnetic resonance crystallography of 17O-enriched oxycobaltomyoglobin: stereoelectronic structure of the cobalt dioxygen system.

An electron paramagnetic resonance crystallographic study was made on oxycobaltomyoglobin with the dioxygen ligand enriched to 19.1% in (17)O. There are two spectroscopically distinct cobalt dioxygen species. The less abundant species, II (40%), has nonequivalent oxygen atoms with superhyperfine tensors (O)A(alpha) = (5, -67.5, 22.4)G and (O)A(beta) = (5.4, -83.3, 30.3)G. Together with the previously reported (59)Co hyperfine tensor [Chien, J. C. W. & Dickinson, L. C. (1972) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 69, 2783-2787], the orbital spin densities are found to be O(alpha)(p(eta)) = 0.48, O(alpha)(p(zeta)) = -0.11, O(beta)(p(eta)) = 0.74, O(beta)(p(zeta)) = -0.16, Co(d(xz)) = -0.01, Co(d(yz)) = 0.06 for a total electron density of 1.01. The O-O axis is directed toward His-E7, suggesting a possible hydrogen bonding interaction which may contribute to the nonequivalency of the oxygen atoms; its projection approximately bisects N(1)-Fe-N(2). The z axis of the (Co)A tensor is tilted at an angle of 28 degrees from the heme normal, resulting in a Co-O-O angle of 120 degrees . The more abundant species, I (60%), has equivalent oxygen atoms with (O)A(gamma) = (12, -72.5, 20)G and orbital spin densities of O(gamma)(p(eta)) = 0.54, O(gamma)(p(zeta)) = -0.05, Co(d(xz)) = -0.02, Co(d(yz)) = 0.09 for a total spin density of 1.10. Although the direction cosines for this molecule cannot be precisely determined, the projection of its O-O axis approximately bisects N(2)-Fe-N(3) and is parallel to the imidazole ring of His-F8. Increase of temperature changes g, (Co)A, and (O)A values, with the largest effect seen with (O)A. This temperature dependence indicates averaging of the two bond structures which are stabilized at 77 K.

Animals↗

Impaired growth in hyperkinetic children receiving pemoline.

Decreased longitudinal growth was observed in 24 hyperkinetic children receiving pemoline therapy. Mean height velocity was 3.67 +/- 0.25 cm/year during therapy but 5.35 +/- 0.42 cm/year after treatment had been discontinued (P less than 0.01). There appeared to be an inverse relationship between growth velocity and drug dosage. All patients receiving less than the median dose of 3.72 mg/kg grew 4 cm/year or more, while seven of 12 patients receiving more than this dose grew at a slower rate. Body weight, basal and stimulated growth hormone values, and plasma somatomedin concentrations were not significantly altered by pemoline treatment, suggesting that this drug may have a direct effect on cartilage metabolism.

Body Height↗

Alterations in cartilage metabolism by neurostimulant drugs.

Suppression of growth without significant alterations in hormonal patterns has been demonstrated for the neurostimulant drug pemoline. Comparison of the in vitro effect of pemoline, methylphenidate, and methamphetamine on somatomedin-stimulated sulfate uptake by cartilage showed all three drugs to be inhibitory. Sulfate uptake by cartilage can be directly related to growth and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Assay of two of the enzymes involved in the glycosaminoglycan biosynthetic pathway showed that methamphetamine and methylphenidate caused a marked depression of xylosyl- and galactosyltransferase enzyme activity. These data suggest an interference with cartilage metabolism as one possible mechanism for the growth retardation observed in children on neurostimulant drug therapy.

Animals↗

Reduction of methemoglobin by cobaltocytochrome c catalyzed by mediators.

The reduction of methemoglobin by cobaltocytochrome c (Cocyt c) has been measured using nine mediators of different half-reduction potentials, Em, 7. The rate increases with the increase of Em, 7 for the mediator but dropped precipitously when it becomes more positive than the Em, 7 for the methemoglobin/hemoglobin couple. The reaction is most efficient with phenzaine methosulfate, therefore it was studied in detail. The reaction is first order in the concentrations of Cocyt c and phenazine methosulfate. The average second-order rate constant for Cocyt c + phenazine methosulfate (M) k1 leads to Cocyt c+ M-. is 2.9 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 at 25 degrees C, 0.1 M phosphate pH 7.0. There is a slight negative temperature dependence of k1 at low temperature; at higher temperatures the process has deltaH not equal to approximately 27 kJ mol-1 and deltaS not equal to approxmately - 75 J mol-1 K-1. The effect of anions reflects the dependence of Em, 7 for the methemoglobin/hemoglobin couple with various anions. There is no significant effect on k1 by the addition of inositol hexakisphosphate. The variation of k1 with pH is complicated. The experimental rate constants are compared with values calculated with the theory of nonadiabatic multiphonon process of electron tunneling.

Azides↗

Ferricytochrome c oxidation of cobaltocytochrome c. Comparison of experiments with electron-transfer theories.

Electron transfer from cobaltocytochrome c to ferricytochrome c has been studied by stopped-flow kinetics. The second-order rate constant at pH 7.0, 0.1 ionic strenght, 0.2 M phosphate, and 25 degrees C is 8.3 x 103 M-1 s-1. The activation parameters obtained from measurements made between 20 and 50 degrees C are deltaHnot equal to = 2.3 kcal mol-1 and deltaSnot equal to = -33 eu. The rate constant is not significantly dependent on ionic strength; it is also relatively independent of pH between the pK values for conformation transitions. The rate diminishes at pH greater than 12. The self-exchange reaction of cobalt cytochrome c was investigated with pulsed Fourier transform 1H NMR. The rate is too slow on the 1H NMR scale; it is estimated to be less than 133 M-1 s-1. These results together with the self-exchange rates of iron cytochrome c [Gupta, R.K., Koenig, S. H., and Redfield, A. G. (1972), J. Magn. Reson. 7, 66] were analyzed by theories of Jortner and Hopfield. The theories predict the self-exchange of Cocyt c to be too slow for 1H NMR determination. The rate constant calculated by the nonadiabatic multiphonon electron-tunneling theory for the Fecyt c-Fecyt c+ and Cocyt c-Fecyt c+ electron transfers are in good agreement with experiments.

Animals↗

Manganese cytochrome c. Structure and properties.

Oxidized and reduced manganese cytochromes c, Mn Cyt c+ and Mn Cyt c, have been synthesized. Mn Cyt c+ and Fe Cyt c+ have identical electrophoretic and ion exchange mobilities. Mn Cyt c+ does not bind F-, CN-, or N3- ions; Mn Cyt c does not bind CO or O2. Mn Cyt c is very rapidly autooxidized by O2 even at -50 degrees. The manganese ion is readily dissociated from Mn Cyt c at acidic pH values. Both Mn Cyt c and Mn Cyt c+ are high spin complexes with 3d5 S = 5/2 and 3d4 S = 2 electronic configurations, respectively. The epr spectrum of Mn Cyt c is rhombic with (formula: see text). Both oxidized and reduced Mn Cyt c react with NO; the former reaction is reversible and the product has the following epr spectral parameters: (formula: see text). There is no superhyperfine interaction observable with the NO ligand, and the unpaired electron density is estimated to be mostly in the metal ion d xy orbital. The structure is best formulated as Mn Cyt c (NO)+. The half-reduction potential of Mn Cyt c is + 60 +/- 40 mV. It is neither oxidized by cytochrome oxidase nor reduced by NADH, NADPH, or succinate cytochrome reductase. These physical, chemical, and enzymic properties of manganese cytochromes c suggest a five-coordinate metalloporphyrin prosthetic group with the manganese ion situated significantly out-of-plane toward the side of His-18.

Cytochrome c Group↗