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Biomedical subjects

L Cook

Publications and source records attributed to L Cook.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Isolation of rat liver microsomal short-chain beta-ketoacyl-coenzyme A reductase and trans-2-enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase: evidence for more than one hydratase.

An enzyme preparation (IIIB) isolated from liver microsomes of untreated male rats was found to contain two activities--short-chain trans-2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase. The hydratase was purified more than 1000-fold, while the reductase activity was purified over 600-fold. Employing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a single band with a molecular weight of 76,000 was observed. Although attempts to separate these two activities have failed, it remains to be established whether the final preparation contains a single enzyme with two activities or two separate enzymes. The hydratase was most active toward crotonyl-CoA, followed by trans-2-hexenoyl-CoA (6:1) and -octenoyl-CoA (8:1); the enzyme was essentially inactive toward substrates containing more than eight carbon atoms. The Vmax for crotonyl-CoA was 2117 mumol/min/mg protein, while the Km was 59 microM. Using acetoacetyl-CoA as substrate, the Vmax for the beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase was over 60 mumol/min/mg protein and the Km was 37 microM; the Vmax for beta-ketopalmitoyl-CoA was only 15% of that observed with acetoacetyl-CoA, although the Km was 6 microM. During the course of purification, a second short-chain hydratase was discovered (fraction IVA); unlike IIIB, this fraction catalyzed the hydration of 4:1, 6:1, and 8:1 at similar rates. The partially purified preparation yielded maximal activity with 8:1 CoA (apparent Vmax 35 mumol/min/mg), followed by 6:1 CoA, 4:1 CoA, and 10:1 CoA; longer chain CoA's were relatively poor substrates, with trans-2-hexadecenoyl CoA about 0.1 as active as 8:1 CoA. On SDS-gels, fraction IVA contained four bands, all of which were below 60,000 Mr. Proteases, such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and subtilisin, were found to completely inactivate both enzyme fractions.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Antinociceptive profiles of mu and kappa opioid agonists in a rat tooth pulp stimulation procedure.

The purpose of the study was to develop a tooth pulp stimulation procedure in the awake, freely moving rat and to then quantitatively assess the analgesic effects of compounds reported to act on mu and/or kappa receptors. The mu receptor agonists produce a biphasic (primary and secondary slope) dose-response curve (DRC) whereas kappa agonist and mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics produce single-slope DRCs. The primary slopes calculated from the mu agonist biphasic DRC are steeper than the slopes calculated for the other types of opioid analgesics. The rank order of analgesic potency for the mu agonist analgesics is oxymorphone greater than morphine = methadone greater than meperidine. The rank order analgesic potency for the kappa agonist analgesics is tifluadom greater than ethylketocyclazocine greater than U50488H and for the mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics, butorphanol greater than nalbuphine greater than pentazocine. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and zomepirac, are also effective analgesics in this test procedure; but the DRC slopes for these compounds are lower than all opioid analgesics tested. The opioid antagonist naloxone produces no significant changes in threshold responses. Naloxone did reverse the threshold increases produced by morphine and ethylketocyclazocine but not aspirin. This study demonstrates that the electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp in the rat can be used as an assay for evaluation of opioid and nonopioid analgesics. When minimal effective dose values of each analgesic are plotted as a function of the clinical analgesic dose a high correlation is observed.

Analgesics↗

Assay of human erythrocyte pyrimidine and deoxypyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase by isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

We report a rapid and reproducible assay for activity of human erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase and deoxypyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase. The nucleotides CMP, UMP, dUMP, dCMP or dTMP are individually incubated 30 min at 37 degrees C with erythrocyte hemolysate and 4 mM magnesium chloride in Tris, pH 7.5. Data are provided for standardization of the reaction with each substrate. Individual nucleoside products are assayed in less than 10 min by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography at 280 nm with 0-14% methanol in 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate. This is the first report of a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay system which allows quantitation of the activity of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase isozymes using five individual pyrimidine and deoxypyrimidine nucleotides as the substrates.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Coronary artery spasm after abrupt withdrawal of nitroglycerin in rabbits.

The potential for abrupt withdrawal of nitroglycerin (NTG) to create coronary artery spasm was assessed in New Zealand white rabbits. In the control setting, electrocardiograms were taken from 7 anesthetized rabbits. The administration of intravenous ergonovine did not provoke ST-segment shifts or arrhythmias. Two inches of topical NTG (2%) was applied 3 times daily to a shaved area on the back of each rabbit over a 6-week period. Forty hours after abrupt withdrawal of NTG, intravenous ergonovine and indomethacin were given. Six of 7 rabbits had electrocardiographic changes: ventricular tachycardia in 2, ventricular fibrillation in 1, and significant (1 mm or more) ST-segment shifts in 5 rabbits. Three rabbits died. Sixty-four hours after NTG administration the remaining 4 rabbits were reexamined. One had baseline electrocardiographic evidence of severe myocardial ischemia. Repeat ergonovine and indomethacin testing in the others revealed ventricular tachycardia progressing to asystole in 1, premature ventricular complexes in 1, and ST-segment elevation in another. Two of the remaining 4 rabbits died. Eighty-two hours after NTG administration the remaining 2 rabbits were found dead in their cages. Nitroblue tetrazolium studies revealed extensive myocardial infarction in both animals. Additional studies were performed in 10 normal rabbits. Neither ergonovine nor indomethacin induced ST-segment shifts or arrhythmias in this control population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Solubilization and purification of hepatic microsomal trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase: evidence for the existence of a second long-chain enoyl-CoA reductase.

The present study describes the solubilization and purification of a NADPH-specific trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase from rat liver microsomes. The final preparation was purified to near homogeneity and had a minimal molecular weight of 51,000 +/- 2,000, as judged by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme specifically used NADPH, as cofactor, and was chromatographically (2',5'-ADP-agarose) separated from another trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase which utilized either NADH or NADPH as cofactor. The NADPH-specific trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase catalyzed the reduction of trans-2-enoyl-CoAs from 4 to 16 carbon units. The Km values for crotonyl-CoA, trans-2-hexenoyl-CoA, and trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA were 20, 0.5, and 1.0 microM, while the Km value for NADPH was 10 microM. Although N-ethylmaleimide, heat treatment, and limited proteolysis with trypsin affected the reduction of short-chain (C4) and long-chain (C16) substrates equally, and in spite of the fact that a single protein band was observed on SDS-gels, at the present time one cannot state unequivocally that the purified preparation contained only one reductase. trans-2-Hexenoyl-CoA, for example, did not inhibit the reduction of trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA to palmitoyl-CoA and trans-2-decenoyl-CoA to decanoyl-CoA whereas it strongly inhibited the conversion of crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA. The potential implications of this finding are discussed. Finally, the reductase preparation was shown not to contain either heme, nonheme iron, or a flavin prosthetic group.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Hepatic microsomal short-chain beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase distinct from the fatty acid elongation component: substrate specificity of the membrane-extracted enzyme.

The ability of 0.4 M KCl to extract over 80% of a short-chain beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase from rat hepatic endoplasmic reticulum, while more than 80% of the long-chain beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase component of the fatty acid chain elongation system remains intact, confirms the existence of more than one hepatic microsomal dehydrase. Following extraction from the microsomal membrane, the short-chain dehydrase undergoes, at least, a two-fold activation. Employing even-numbered trans-2-enoyl-CoA substrates ranging in carbon chain length from 4 to 16, the highest dehydrase specific activity of 16 mumol min-1 mg protein-1 was obtained with trans-2-hexenoyl-CoA; crotonyl-CoA was the second most active substrate, followed by 8 greater than 10 greater than 12 greater than 14 greater than 16. The specific activity of the short-chain dehydrase with trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA (C-16) was only 3% of that observed with the trans-2-hexenoyl-CoA. With crotonyl-CoA or beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA as substrates, HPLC was employed to identify the products, beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, of the hydration reaction, or crotonyl-CoA, of the reverse dehydration reaction. It was also observed that the short-chain dehydrase catalyzed the formation of both D(-) and L(+) stereoisomers of beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. The equilibrium constant for the dehydrase-catalyzed reaction determined at pH 7.4 and 35 degrees C, was calculated to be 6.38 X 10(-2) M-1, while the standard free energy change was -775 cal/mol, results similar to those obtained with crystalline crotonase. Finally, based on membrane fraction marker enzymes, substrate specificity, and heat lability of the dehydrase, it was concluded that the microsomal membrane contains a short-chain beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase which is separate from the mitochondrial crotonase.

Acetyltransferases↗

Antinociceptive profiles of opioid peptide agonists in a rat tooth pulp stimulation procedure.

The analgesic activity of the prototypic opioid peptides for the mu (D-Ala2-Me-Phen4-Gly-ol5-enkephalin [DAGO]) kappa (Dynorphin 1-13), delta (D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin [DADLE]), or epsilon (beta-endorphin) receptor was assessed in a rat tooth pulp stimulation procedure. All opioid peptides tested and the opioid alkaloid U50, 488H (kappa receptor agonist) significantly elevated response thresholds. The rank order of potency based on the Minimum Effective Dose values was beta-endorphin greater than DAGO = dynorphin A (1-13) amide greater than DADLE greater than dynorphin A (1-13) greater than U50,488H. Based on absolute magnitude, the rank order of dose response slopes was DAGO greater than U50,488H greater than dynorphin A (1-13) amide greater than beta-endorphin greater than DADLE. Dynorphin A (1-13) produced the shallowest dose response slope and the magnitude of response threshold was the lowest for all compounds tested. Finally, the general conclusion that mu agonists are effective against noxious stimuli derived from thermal, chemical, and mechanical is extended by our data to include electrical sources derived from tooth pulp stimulation; kappa agonists are effective against noxious stimuli derived from chemical, mechanical, and electrical sources (tooth pulp stimulation) and delta agonists are effective analgesics against thermal, chemical and electrical stimuli (tooth pulp stimulation).

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Rat hepatic microsomal acetoacetyl-CoA reductase. A beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase distinct from the long chain beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase component of the microsomal fatty acid chain elongation system.

The present study provides evidence for a new rat liver microsomal enzyme, a short chain beta-ketoacyl (acetoacetyl)-CoA reductase, which is separate from the long chain beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase component of the microsomal fatty acid chain elongation system. This microsomal reductase converts acetoacetyl-CoA to beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA at a rate of 70 nmol/min/mg of protein; the enzyme has a specific requirement for NADH and appears to obtain electrons directly from the reduced pyridine nucleotide without the intervention of cytochrome b5 and its flavoprotein reductase. The apparent Km of the enzyme of the acetoacetyl-CoA was 21 microM and for the cofactor, 18 microM. The pH optimum was broad, ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. The product formed is the D-isomer of beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. High carbohydrate fat-free diet resulted in a small but significant (35%) increase in microsomal acetoacetyl-CoA reductase activity. The cytosol also contains this enzyme activity, measuring approximately 57% of that found in the microsomes. The mitochondrial activity which is 20-25% higher than the microsomal activity appears to be due to L-beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase which converts acetoacetyl-CoA to L-beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. The microsomal acetoacetyl-CoA reductase activity was extracted from the microsomal membrane by 0.4 M KCl, resulting in an 8- to 10-fold purification; in addition, the long chain fatty acid elongation system was unaffected by this extraction procedure. Employing beta- hydroxyhexanoyl -CoA as a substrate, evidence is also provided for a separate dehydratase which acts on short chain substrates. Lastly, the liver microsomes had no detectable acetoacetyl-CoA synthetase or acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase activities. Hence, the possible involvement of the rat hepatic microsomal short chain beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase, short chain beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase, and the previously reported short chain trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase in the hepatic utilization of acetoacetyl-CoA and in the synthesis of butyryl-CoA for hepatic lipogenesis is discussed.

Acetoacetates↗

Sigma opiates and certain antipsychotic drugs mutually inhibit (+)-[3H] SKF 10,047 and [3H]haloperidol binding in guinea pig brain membranes.

The relationship between binding of antipsychotic drugs and sigma psychotomimetic opiates to binding sites for the sigma agonist (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 (N-allylnormetazocine) and to dopamine D2 sites was investigated. In guinea pig brain membranes, (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 bound to a single class of sites with a Kd of 4 X 10(-8) M and a Bmax of 333 fmol/mg of protein. This binding was different from mu, kappa, or delta opiate receptor binding. It was inhibited by opiates that produce psychotomimetic activities but not by opiates that lack such activities. Some antipsychotic drugs inhibited (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 binding with high to moderate affinities in the following order of potency: haloperidol greater than perphenazine greater than fluphenazine greater than acetophenazine greater than trifluoperazine greater than molindone greater than or equal to pimozide greater than or equal to thioridazine greater than or equal to chlorpromazine greater than or equal to triflupromazine. However, there were other antipsychotic drugs such as spiperone and clozapine that showed low affinity for the (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 binding sites. Affinities of antipsychotic drugs for (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 binding sites did not correlate with those for [3H]spiperone (dopamine D2) sites. [3H]-Haloperidol binding in whole brain membranes was also inhibited by the sigma opiates pentazocine, cyclazocine, and (+)-SKF 10,047. In the striatum, about half of the saturable [3H]haloperidol binding was to [3H]spiperone (D2) sites and the other half was to sites similar to (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 binding sites.

Animals↗

Site of participation of cytochrome b5 in hepatic microsomal fatty acid chain elongation. Electron input in the first reduction step.

The present study provides strong evidence for the involvement of rat liver microsomal cytochrome b5 in the first reduction step of fatty acid chain elongation. The rate of reoxidation of NADH-reduced microsomal cytochrome b5 was markedly stimulated (up to 3-fold) by the addition of increasing concentrations of beta-ketohexadecanoyl-CoA (1-8 microM). A quantitative analysis of product formation, the effect of cyanide, and anaerobiosis completely exclude the possibility that desaturase activity accounted for the beta-ketohexadecanoyl-CoA-induced stimulation of the cytochrome b5 reoxidation rate. Using liver microsomes from untreated rats, the beta-keto substrate was found to stimulate the rate of reoxidation of cytochrome b5 by 30%. However, when liver microsomes from fat-free diet rats were employed the stimulation was more than 3-fold, suggesting that the beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase is inducible by a high carbohydrate, fat-free diet. This study also provides evidence for the noninvolvement of cytochrome b5 in the terminal reaction step (second reduction step of chain elongation), which is catalyzed by the trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase. Although trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA significantly stimulated the NADH-reduced cytochrome b5 reoxidation rate under aerobic conditions, it did not have any stimulatory effect under anaerobic conditions. One interpretation of these results is that the trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA is substrate for the microsomal delta 9 desaturase system. Consistent with this conclusion was the fact that the trans-2-hexadecenoyl-CoA inhibited the liver microsomal delta 9 desaturation of stearoyl-CoA to oleoyl-CoA.

Animals↗

Biochemical properties of short- and long-chain rat liver microsomal trans-2-enoyl coenzyme A reductase.

This study describes the biochemical properties of the rat hepatic microsomal NADPH-specific short-chain enoyl CoA reductase and NAD(P)H-dependent long-chain enoyl CoA reductase. Of the substrates tested, crotonyl CoA and trans-2-hexenoyl CoA are reduced by the short-chain reductase only in the presence of NADPH. The trans-2-octenoyl CoA and trans-2-decenoyl CoA appear to undergo reduction to octanoate and decanoate, respectively, catalyzed by both enzymes; 64% conversion of the C8:1 is catalyzed by the short-chain reductase, while 36% conversion is catalyzed by the long-chain enzyme. For the C10:1 substrate, 45% is converted by the short-chain reductase, while 55% is reduced by the long-chain reductase. trans-2-Hexadecenoyl CoA is a substrate for the long-chain enoyl CoA reductase only. Reduction of C4 and C6 enoyl CoA's was unaffected by bovine serum albumin (BSA), whereas BSA markedly stimulated the conversion of C10 and C16 enoyl CoA's to their respective saturated product. Reduction rates as a function of microsomal protein concentration, incubation time, pH, and cofactors are reported including the apparent Km and Vmax for substrates and cofactors. In general, the apparent Km's for the substrates ranged from 19 to 125 microM. The apparent Vmax for the short-chain enoyl CoA reductase was greatest with trans-2-hexenoyl CoA, having a turnover of 65 nmol/min/mg microsomal protein, while the apparent Vmax for the long-chain enzyme was greatest with trans-2-hexadecenoyl CoA, having a turnover of 55 nmol/min/mg microsomal protein. With respect to electron input, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, either alone, mixed with phospholipid, or incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, possessed no enoyl CoA reductase activity. Cytochrome c did not affect the NADPH-dependent conversion of the trans-2-enoyl CoA. In addition, anti-NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase IgG did not inhibit the reduction of trans-2-hexadecenoyl CoA in hepatic microsomes. Finally, the NADPH-specific short-chain and NAD(P)H-dependent long-chain enoyl CoA reductases were solubilized and completely separated from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by employing DE-52 column chromatography. These studies demonstrate the noninvolvement of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in either the short-chain (13) or long-chain enoyl CoA reductase system. Thus, the role of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in the microsomal elongation of fatty acids appears to be at the level of the first reduction step.

Animals↗

Kinetic evidence for two separate trans-2-enoyl CoA reductases in rat hepatic microsomes: NADPH-specific short chain- and NAD(P)H-dependent long chain-reductase.

The rat hepatic microsomal conversion of crotonyl- and hexenoyl CoA to butyrate and hexanoate was supported only by NADPH, while both NADH and NADPH were effective cofactors in the conversion of trans-2-hexadecenoyl CoA to palmitate. Experiments using mixtures of long- and short-chain enoyl-CoA substrates and competition experiments support the conclusion that microsomes contain 2 distinct enoyl CoA reductases, (1) a long chain enoyl CoA reductase capable of accepting reducing equivalents from either NADH or NADPH, and (2) a NADPH-specific short chain enoyl CoA reductase.

Animals↗

Structural and genetic heterogeneity of the receptor mediating translocation of immunoglobulin A dimer antibodies across epithelia in the rabbit.

Secretory component (SC), synthesized as a transmembrane protein, acts as the receptor that binds IgA dimers and mediates their transepithelial transport. Cleavage of the receptor (membrane SC) apparently occurs during transport and a fragment, the secreted form, is generated, which remains tightly bound to the IgA dimer. In the rabbit, variation in the size of membrane SC is observed with both a high and a low molecular weight family, each composed either of two or of four distinct polypeptides depending on the individual rabbit. The same degree of size heterogeneity is observed for secreted SC. Part of this size heterogeneity is related to genetic polymorphism. The milk of individual rabbits typed with anti-SC-allotype sera reveals three different banding patterns. The simplest pattern, found in t61/t61 and t62/t62 homozygotes, consists of an upper and a lower doublet. Since each band of these two doublets in the t62 allotype migrates slightly faster than its counterpart in the t61 allotype, a composite pattern is observed in the heterozygotes (t61/t62). Within a given allotypic group, all SC polypeptide chains expressed the identical allotypic specificity. The 2000 to 4000 difference in molecular weight between the two forms of a doublet probably reflects differences in the number of glycosylated asparagine residues, since individual bands of a doublet show identical peptide maps. High and low molecular weight families are also structurally related to each other as shown by one-dimensional peptide maps and identical NH2- and COOH-terminal amino acid sequences. These results indicate that the 25-kDa size difference between SC from the high and low molecular weight families reflects an intramolecular deletion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pharmacological effects of Ro 22-1319: a new antipsychotic agent.

Ro 22-1319, a novel pyrroloisoquinoline compound, was identified as a potential antipsychotic agent in a rat discrete avoidance procedure that is highly specific for such agents. Results in this test are highly correlated with the clinical potency of all types of antipsychotic agents. The avoidance-blocking potency of Ro 22-1319 (0.7 mg/kg) in this procedure approached that of haloperidol (0.4 mg/kg) and was 7- and 12-times greater than that of chlorpromazine and clozapine, respectively. Ro 22-1319 exhibited similar high potency in other rat and monkey avoidance procedures, rat motor activity, and antagonism of apomorphine emesis in dogs. High potency and antipsychotic-like activity have been demonstrated in monkey EEG and in an in vivo 3H-spiroperidol binding assay. Although studies of amphetamine antagonism in rats indicate antidopaminergic activity at nigrostriatal sites, Ro 22-1319 exhibited relatively weaker cataleptogenic and antistereotypic activity than haloperidol, and had minimal activity in a rat chronic stereotypy model of receptor supersensitivity. This profile suggests that Ro 22-1319 is an efficacious antipsychotic compound, almost as potent as haloperidol, with fewer or less intense extrapyramidal effects and low potential for tardive dyskinesia.

Amphetamine↗

The induction of atrial flutter and fibrillation and the termination of atrial flutter by esophageal pacing.

In patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), it is important to assess the ventricular response during atrial flutter or fibrillation since conduction across the accessory pathway during these atrial rhythms may cause hemodynamic impairment or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. We have recently reported the effective use of an esophageal electrode in pacing the atrium. In this study we prospectively assessed the ability to induce atrial flutter and fibrillation by esophageal pacing in 23 patients with WPW or other electrophysiological abnormalities. An esophageal bipolar electrode with 29 mm interelectrode distance was positioned in the esophagus to record the most rapid and largest esophageal electrogram (mean distance of 36.6 +/- 2.9 cm (SD) from the nares). Pacing was performed at cycle lengths of 40-340 ms (mean 166 +/- 72), pulse durations of 7.0-9.9 ms, and currents of 10-25 mA. Atrial flutter alone was induced in 6 patients, fibrillation alone in 11 patients, and both arrhythmias in 5 patients. In one patient neither flutter nor fibrillation was induced by esophageal pacing, and fibrillation was induced only with difficulty using intracavitary pacing. Of the 11 patients with flutter, the arrhythmia was terminated in 8 by esophageal pacing at cycle lengths of 160-220 ms (mean 176 +/- 18 ms). All patients tolerated the procedure well with only mild to moderate discomfort. Therefore, esophageal pacing appears to offer an effective, well tolerated method of initiating atrial fibrillation and flutter and terminating atrial flutter and offers a potentially useful noninvasive method of following patients serially.

Adolescent↗