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Biomedical subjects

M Wilchek

Publications and source records attributed to M Wilchek.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Fluorescence labeling of cell surface glycoconjugates with Lucifer yellow CH.

Lucifer yellow CH, a fluorescent hydrazide, reacted with cell surface glycoconjugates on murine thymocytes oxidized with NaIO4 or galactose oxidase. Surface labeling was monitored by fluorescence microscopy, spectrophotometry and by flow microfluorometry. No labeling was detected in unoxidized cells and fluorescence was reduced by neuraminidase and by trypsin. Lucifer yellow CH derivatives of gangliosides also were prepared and incorporated into the surface membranes of thymocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Grafting of triggering site onto lymphocytes; distribution of grafted dinitrophenyl groups on cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Quantitative investigation of membrane-bound sialoglycoconjugates on lymphocyte surface was performed by chemical modification of the sialic acid residues with radioactive N4-dinitrophenyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid hydrazide (DNP-DABH). This labeled both glycoproteins and glycolipids with concomitant preservation of the mitogenic activity by multivalent hapten binding protein (anti-DNP antibody). Under conditions where maximum stimulation of thymocytes occurred radioactive DNP-DABH labeled 1.1 X 10(7) glycolipids molecules/cell but, only 3 X 10(6) glycoproteins molecules/cell. When B lymphocytes, which do not undergo DNP-mediated stimulation were used, glycolipids labeling could not be detected. Major differences between stimulation committed and non-committed DNP-modified lymphocytes was the amount of ligand attached to the cell surface sialoglycolipids (gangliosides).

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Mode of transport and possible mechanism of action of L-phenylalanine benzyl ester as an anti-sickling agent.

L-Phenylalanine benzyl ester (Phe-Bz) and a number of ester analogues prevent sickling of erythrocytes from sickle cell disease patients. The compounds tested exhibit anti-sickling activity in the concentration range 0.5-3.0 mM. A general feature of these compounds is the presence of two aromatic rings in their molecular structure. The anti-sickling agents rapidly enter the erythrocyte and are hydrolysed to their component molecules. Incubation of human erythrocytes with 3.0 mM L-phenylalanine for 30 min at 37 degrees C results in accumulation of 2.0 mmol L-phenylanine/l cells, while incubation of erythrocytes with 3.0 mM Phe-Bz under similar conditions results in the production of 4.0 mmol L-phenylalanine/l cells and an equivalent amount of benzyl alcohol. Both L-phenylalanine and benzyl alcohol are inhibitors of the gelation of deoxyhaemoglobin S (deoxy-HbS) in vitro. Moreover, Phe-Bz and related anti-sickling agents fluidize the lipid bilayer of the erythrocyte membrane, inhibiting several transport systems, including those for L-phenylalanine, uridine and sulphate ions, as well as the Na+ pump and the Na+/K+ cotransporter, but increasing the passive influx and efflux of both cations and anions. The accumulation of Phe-Bz hydrolysis products within the erythrocyte together with the effects of Phe-Bz on cation permeability result in the influx of water causing the cell to swell. Thus, treatment of erythrocytes with 3.0 mM Phe-Bz at 37 degrees C for 30 min causes an increase in mean cell volume of 14.8%, decreasing the mean intracellular haemoglobin concentration from 34 to 29.6 g%. The increase in cell volume caused by Phe-Bz and its analogues together with the direct effects of their hydrolysis products on HbS probably act in concert to bring about the anti-sickling effect.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1982

Identification by affinity labeling of potential sites in 23-S rRNA interacting with the 3' end of tRNA.

A derivative of tRNAPhe carrying at its 3' end a photolyzable group was chemically synthesized by coupling p-azidobenzoylglycylhydrazide to periodate-oxidized tRNA. The reaction converts the 3'-terminal ribofuranoside residue into a six-membered ring. The binding of p-azidobenzoylglycylhydrazide-tRNA to 70-S ribosomes resembles the binding of Phe-tRNA in its requirement for poly(U) and Mg2+ dependence. Irradiation at wavelengths greater than 300 nm of complexes of p-azidobenzoylglycylhydrazide-tRNA and 70-S ribosomes results in the covalent binding of approximately 20% of the reversibly bound tRNA to the ribosomes. The labeling occurs predominantly at a single site in 23-S rRNA within the sequence included in the 18-S fragment. To identify the modified sequence, an RNase A digest of 23-S rRNA was fractionated on a hydrophobic matrix (Porapak Q) and adsorbed and non-adsorbed fractions were compared by fingerprint analysis. A relatively intense spot was observed in the expected region in the fingerprint of the adsorbed fraction. The presence of an unusual nucleotide in the sequence of this oligonucleotide was demonstrated by a mobility-shift analysis of a partial nuclease P1 digest. The sequence derived is G*-A-A-G-C (the asterisk denoting the site of modification). Sequences at six positions in the 23-S rRNA are compatible with the sequence of the oligonucleotide determined. Of the six positions five are located within nucleotides 1467-1887. This region of approximately 400 nucleotides is likely to include the sequence interacting with the 3' end of tRNA and possibly forming part of the peptidyl-transferase center.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1982

A novel approach for the topographical localization of glycolipids on the cell surface.

In this study we have developed a prototype system for distinguishing between the topographical distribution of glycolipids versus glycoproteins on the ultrastructural level. Direct modification of membrane-based sialic acids with biotin groups labels both glycolipids and glycoproteins. In this case, subsequent ultrastructural localization of biotinylated sites would not discern between these two classes of glycoconjugate in an unambiguous manner. When biotinylated cells are fixed prior to interaction with ferritin-conjugated avidin, the mean distance of marker molecules from the membrane bilayer is 8.0 nm. In contrast, if the cells are allowed to cap through the action of ferritin-avidin conjugates on unfixed cells, the average distance (13.0 nm) of the marker molecules appears even more distant from the membrane on the capped portion of the cell (uropod), whereas those on the head region are positioned in close proximity to the bilayer (3.7 nm). In order to exclusively label cell surface glycolipids on the ultrastructural level, bovine brain gangliosides were biotinylated in vitro and the haptenized gangliosides were incorporated into intact cells. In this case, marker molecules denoting the incorporated gangliosides were found in relatively close juxtaposition to the membrane surface, in a manner strikingly similar to the labeling pattern of the head region on capped cells. These results support the concept that, in the native state, the carbohydrate portion of glycolipids is positioned closer to the membrane bilayer than that of glycoproteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Membrane sialoglycolipids emerging as possible signal transducers for lymphocyte stimulation.

Biotin hydrazide was attached covalently to the aldehyde groups produced by periodate oxidation of bovine brain gangliosides. These modified gangliosides were incorporated into mature rat thymocytes by incubation of the biotinyl gangliosides in the culture medium containing these cells. Avidin, which binds strongly to biotin, agglutinated and stimulated DNA synthesis in thymocytes containing the incorporated biotin-tagged gangliosides. Avidin has no mitogenic effect on normal thymocytes or on cells that incorporate unmodified gangliosides. With fluoresceinated avidin, the incorporated biotinyl gangliosides are shown to be laterally redistributed into patches and caps. These results imply that gangliosides may be involved in transmembrane communication during lymphocyte stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Antisickling activity of amino acid benzyl esters.

The sickling of homozygous sickel cells upon deoxygenation is inhibited in the presence of 3 mM L-phenylalanine benzyl ester (Phe-OBzl) or benzyl esters of other aromatic or hydrophobic amino acids. Phe-OBzl was found to permeate into erythrocytes rapidly, and the deoxygenated cells maintained considerable flexibility as measured by their ability to pass through 3-micron pores. The osmotic fragility of the cells was unchanged and the oxygen dissociation curve was shifted slightly from a 50% saturation values of 28.5 mm Hg to 31.0 mm Hg. At lower concentrations of Phe-OBzl some antisickling activity was seen. The Phe-OBzl antisickling activity may involve both binding to deoxyhemoglobin S and modification of the erythrocyte membrane. This class of compounds has considerable potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

Amino Acids↗