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Biomedical subjects

S Chen

Publications and source records attributed to S Chen.

At least 1,459 records · Page 81Linked to original sources

Photoaffinity labeling of D-(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase by (arylazido)-beta-alanyl-substituted nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

(Arylazido)-beta-alanyl-substituted nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (N3-NAD) is a photosensitive analogue of NAD capable of photoinduced nitrene generation and insertion into a nearby molecule. In the dark, N3-NAD can replace NAD as a cosubstrate for the mitochondrial D-(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH). With purified, phospholipid-reconstituted BDH and NAD as the variable substrate, the apparent Km and Vmax values were respectively 0.25 mM and 62.5 mumol min-1 (mg of protein)-1. With N3-NAD as the variable substrate, these values were respectively 0.59 mM and 5 mumol min-1 (mg of protein)-1. Photoirradiation of BDH in the presence of N3-NAD resulted in irreversible inhibition of the enzyme and incorporation into the protein of radioactivity from tritiated N3-NAD. Photoirradiation of BDH plus or minus NAD in the absence or presence of (arylazido)-beta-alanine caused little or no inhibition. The photoinhibition of BDH in the presence of N3-NAD was prevented nearly completely by addition of NADH, NAD plus beta-hydroxybutyrate, or NAD plus 2-methylmalonate and partially by addition of NAD. Moreover, the presence of NADH prevented, and prior partial modification of BDH at the NAD(H)-protectable site by N-ethylmaleimide decreased, the incorporation of radioactivity into BDH from photoirradiated [3H]N3-NAD. The above results suggest that N3-NAD can be used for photoaffinity labeling of BDH at the active site.

Affinity Labels↗

The [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange reaction of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase.

The purified mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase enzyme has been shown to catalyze a rapid [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange reaction. When the enzyme is subjected to a single freeze-thaw cycle there is a complete loss of NADH dehydrogenation without a measurable decrease in the [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange. Complete loss of the [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange follows brief exposure to ultraviolet photoirradiation. The differential sensitivity of the water exchange reaction and the dehydrogenase activity suggests a direct involvement of the enzymes flavin cofactor in the catalysis of the [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange. Arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ (A3'-0-[3-[N-4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino] propionyl]NAD+) is shown to be a potent photodependent inhibitor of the [4B-3H] NADH-H2O exchange activity following photoirradiation with visible light. This is consistent with the observed photodependent inhibition of the dehydrogenase activity by this photoprobe (Chen, S. and Guillory, R.J. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 8318-8323).

Animals↗

Plasticity of cerebellar parallel fibers following developmental deficits in synaptic number.

As demonstrated previously, a deficit in the number of cerebellar granule cells that is induced by pre-and postnatal malnutrition, results in fewer but larger synapses on Purkinje cells. Here, we report that the axons of granule cells compensate this loss by generating additional dense projections enlarging the presynaptic grids. This presynaptic response is directly related to the availability of the postsynaptic contact area of the target neurons which reaches a relatively constant amount during development.

Animals↗

4-Fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide, a selective photoaffinity label for type B monoamine oxidase.

The effects of 4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide (FNPA) on types A and B monoamine oxidase in rat brain cortex were studied using serotonin and phenylethylamine as substrates respectively. FNPA competitively inhibited the oxidative deamination of both serotonin (Ki = 3 microM) and phenylethylamine (Ki = 0.78 microM) in the dark. Upon photoirradiation in the presence of FNPA, a photodependent inhibition of type B MAO activity resulted. This photodependent inhibition was apparently irreversible since there was no recovery of activity upon washing of the photolyzed FNPA-enzyme mixture. Additional evidence for the photoinduced covalent binding of FNPA to type B MAO is that non-competitive inhibition kinetics resulted after photolysis. The specificity of the photodependent incorporation of FNPA to type B MAO was shown by the protective effect of phenylethylamine and by decreased [3H]pargyline labeling after the enzyme was photolyzed with FNPA. Under the same experimental conditions, only minimal photodependent inhibition of type A MAO by FNPA was found. The observed difference in the efficiencies of the photodependent inactivation of the two types of MAO by FNPA suggests that there is a conformational or a structural difference in the active sites of the two types of MAO. The active site of type B MAO could be characterized by utilizing FNPA as a photoaffinity labeling probe.

Affinity Labels↗

Ventricular dysrhythmias in children with Marfan's syndrome.

A teenager with Marfan's syndrome required resuscitation and was found to have multiform premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardia. Of 24 children with Marfan's syndrome, eight (33.3%) were found to have ventricular dysrhythmias, including three with ventricular tachycardia. Six of these eight patients had mitral valve prolapse, and five had prolonged QT or QTU intervals corrected for heart rate. However, only two patients had severe mitral regurgitation, five had only mild heart disease, and one had no detectable heart lesion. The role of mitral valve prolapse and/or delayed repolarization in the development of ventricular dysrhythmia was explored. Delayed repolarization, especially when combined with mitral valve prolapse, is associated with occurrence of ventricular dysrhythmia. Serious ventricular dysrhythmia can occur in children with Marfan's syndrome with or without substantial valve disease, and the dysrhythmia appears to progress with age.

Adolescent↗

Studies of the ferricyanide reductase activities of the mitochondrial reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-ubiquinone reductase (complex I) utilizing arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ and arylazido-beta-alanyl NADP+.

The NADH and NADPH ferricyanide reductase activities present in mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase preparations have been studied utilizing two photoaffinity pyridine nucleotide analogues: arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ (A3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl]NAD+) and arylazido-beta-alanyl NADP+ (N3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-3-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl]NADP+). For the NADH-K3Fe(CN)6 reductase activity, arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ was found to be, in the dark, a competitive inhibitor with respect to both NADH and K3Fe(CN)6 with Ki,app values of 9.7 and 15.5 microM, respectively. In comparison the NADP+ analogue exhibited weak noncompetitive inhibitor activity for this reaction against both substrates. Upon photoirradiation arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ inhibited NADH-K3Fe(CN)6 reductase up to 70% in the presence of a 25-fold molar excess of analogue over the enzyme concentration. This photodependent inhibition could be prevented by the presence, during irradiation, of the natural substrate NADH. In contrast complex kinetic results were obtained with studies of the effects of the pyridine nucleotide analogues of NADPH-K3Fe(CN)6 reductase activity in the dark. Photoirradiation of either analogue in the presence of the enzyme complex resulted in an activation of NADPH-dependent activity. The possibility that the NADPH-K3Fe(CN)6 reductase activity of complex I represents a summation of the combined ferricyanide reductase activity of the NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase and NADH oxidoreductase is suggested.

Animals↗

Compensation in the number of presynaptic dense projections and synaptic vesicles in remaining parallel fibres following cerebellar lesions.

Our previous investigations demonstrated an increase in the size of remaining synaptic sites as an intermediate or possible alternative to sprouting plasticity. The total amount of postsynaptic contact area remained relatively constant for each target neuron even though there was a marked decrease in the number of sites on these neurons. In addition, enlarged boutons containing numerous synaptic vesicles were positioned adjacent to enlarged postsynaptic sites. The question posed by this study was to determine whether dense projections, parts of the presynaptic grids of the remaining parallel fibres, spread to cover the enlarged postsynaptic sites, or if the number of these densities increased on each site to maintain the structural organization of the presynaptic grid. In addition, the number of synaptic vesicles per bouton was quantitated to determine whether they compensated by increasing their number in relationship to the increased area of the presynaptic grid. The number of parallel fibre synapses on Purkinje cells was reduced by transection of a narrow bundle of parallel fibres accompanied by a small lesion undercutting the molecular layer to destroy granule cells contributing to this bundle. The number of presynaptic dense projections was quantitated in control and lesioned preparations (using ethanolic acid staining) in order to determine their correlation to the area of each site. In addition, the average number of synaptic vesicles in boutons was compared to the average size of boutons and the average contact area of the synaptic sites. At 3 to 7 days following partial deafferentation of Purkinje cells in adult rats, the density of dense projections of parallel fibre synapses on Purkinje cell spines remained uniform. This occurred throughout a range of reduction in the number of synapses in conjunction with a reciprocal increase in the size of sites. The finding of a uniform density of these projections and an increase in the size implies that each granule cell axon must gain dense projections. In addition, the remaining presynaptic boutons had a uniform density of synaptic vesicles even though the volume of the boutons and the area of the synaptic contact doubled. Thus, the number of synaptic vesicles gained in proportion to the total enlargement of the contact site and the bouton size. These results strongly suggest that deficits or losses in synaptic connections of parallel fibre on Purkinje cell spines produces a compensation in the total number of synaptic vesicles and presynaptic dense projections of the remaining boutons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

The biosynthesis of the histidine-rich protein of Plasmodium lophurae and the cloning of its gene in Escherichia coli.

Uninucleate trophozoites and schizonts of Plasmodium lophurae were labeled metabolically with [3H]proline. Analysis of labeled parasites indicated that the histidine-rich protein (HRP) was the major polypeptide synthesized by both developmental stages; in trophozoites it represented a larger proportion of total labeled polypeptides. Polyadenylated RNA was prepared from trophozoites and translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system in the presence of [3H]histidine. As compared to the approx. 50 kDa mature protein, in the cell-free system HRP was synthesized as an approx. 58 kDa precursor polypeptide. Size-selected, polyadenylated RNA was used to construct a complementary double-stranded DNA library in pBR322 and plasmids containing HRP sequences were identified by hybridization with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe.

Animals↗

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by phenyl azides.

We had previously shown that 4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide (FNPA) is a competitive inhibitor of both types of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the dark, but it is a preferential photoaffinity label for only the type B MAO (MAO-B). Recently we synthesized a number of arylazido compounds with structures related to FNPA and determined the effects of these compounds on the two types of MAO in rat brain cortex. We found that the fluoro group of FNPA was not required for the inhibition of MAO activities because neither the presence nor the position of the fluoro group affected its inhibition of MAO. On the other hand, both the nitro and the azido groups of FNPA were shown to be important for FNPA inactivation of two types of MAO. The inhibitory potency was significantly lower for compounds without either group. Furthermore, we found that all nitrophenyl azide isomers except 2-nitrophenyl azide were photodependent inhibitors of MAO-B. Under the same experimental conditions none of the compounds photoinactivated MAO-A. On the basis of these findings, mechanisms for FNPA inhibition of the two types of MAO are discussed.

Aniline Compounds↗

Two integrated partial repeats of simian virus 40 together code for a super-T antigen.

We determined that the coding sequence for a 100-kilodalton super-T antigen found in Simian virus 40 mouse transformants spanned two separate partial repeats of the viral genome. The downstream repeat contained a complete Simian virus 40 large-T-antigen gene, whereas the upstream repeat was a truncated copy of the same gene. When the repeats were separated by subcloning, the capacity to code for the super-T antigen was lost. A small insertion or deletion in the origin-control region which preceded the second repeat could also destroy the ability to code for the 100-kilodalton protein. Our data suggest that differential splicing between parts of two gene copies was responsible for the additional molecular weight of this super-T antigen.

Animals↗

Right heart catheterization in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with lung cancer.

The right heart catheterization and lung function data of 637 consecutive patients with lung cancer evaluated preoperatively were analysed retrospectively, in order to review our past experience, and to examine, whether a subgroup of patients could be identified, in whom invasive haemodynamic measurements were dispensable due to a predictable normal result. 95 patients (14.9%) had precapillary pulmonary hypertension, 44 (6.9%) already at rest, 51 (8.0%) on exercise only. In contrast, 276 patients (43.3%) had pulmonary hypertension secondary to abnormal left ventricular function, 67 (10.6%) at rest, 209 (32.8%) on exercise only. In order to characterize a subgroup of patients, in whom precapillary pulmonary hypertension is very unlikely to be present, and in whom, therefore, right heart catheterization could be regarded as dispensable, a discriminant analysis was performed. By these means a discriminant function using FEV1, PaO2, DLCO - both on exercise - and RV/TLC as discriminant variables was obtained which can provide a qualitative prediction of precapillary pulmonary hypertension with a high sensitivity (at least 95%) and an acceptable specificity (approximately 50%). The usefulness of such a prediction was verified in a subsequent group of 71 patients. Precapillary pulmonary hypertension was correctly predicted in all cases; the specificity was 55%. It is concluded, that right heart catheterization has its value in the pre-operative evaluation of candidates for pulmonary resection due to a high prevalence of compromised haemodynamics, and that patients with a negligible risk of having precapillary pulmonary hypertension can be identified by means of non-invasive functional measurements.

Adult↗

Effective multimodality treatment for advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the female genital tract.

Fifteen patients with advanced or recurrent squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and urethra were treated with simultaneous combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil infusion and mitomycin C) and radiotherapy (3,000 rad for a period of three weeks). Three to four weeks after completion of radiotherapy, 13 of 15 patients achieved partial or complete tumor shrinkage. Nine of 15 patients are alive, eight of whom (at a median follow-up time of 24 months) have no evidence of disease. The longest survival time was 45 + months. There was minimal toxicity associated with this therapy. The results of this pilot study suggest that the simultaneous administration of radiation and chemotherapy is an effective method of treatment of advanced female genital tract carcinoma.

Adult↗

Hb F-Tokyo or alpha 2G gamma 2 34(B16)Val----Ile, a silent gamma chain variant detected by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Hb F-Tokyo with a Valine----Isoleucine replacement at position gamma 34(B16) is a G gamma chain variant which was discovered by reverse phase chromatography as this method permitted the nearly complete separation of the three types of gamma chain. The chemical characterization was greatly facilitated by the use of a larger, preparative, HPLC column which allowed the isolation of sufficient quantities of the different gamma chains.

Amino Acids↗

The reaction mechanism of the mitochondrial pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase. A study utilizing arylazido-pyridine nucleotide analogues.

The addition of a purified mitochondrial pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase enzyme preparation to complex I (NADH-CoQ reductase) results in a significant increase in the NADPH-AcPyAD+ transhydrogenase activity of the complex without influencing the NADH-AcPyAD+ transhydrogenase activity. When subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of complex I, the purified transhydrogenase enzyme preparation was found to co-migrate with the Mr = 130,000 (130K) subunit of the NADH-CoQ reductase. Loss of the NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase activity of complex I following limited tryptic digestion was associated with a corresponding loss of the 130K subunit from the complex. These results suggest that the 130K subunit of complex I is the specific peptide responsible for the catalysis of the NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase activity observed in complex I. Studies have been carried out testing the influence of photoaffinity pyridine nucleotide probes on the NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase activity catalyzed at three levels of resolution, i.e. a homogeneous transhydrogenase preparation, a partially resolved membrane preparation (complex I), and an intact mitochondrial membrane preparation (EDTA particles). Such studies have revealed arylazido-beta-alanyl NADP+ (N3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl)NADP+) to be a potent inhibitor and an active site-directed reagent for NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenation at all three levels of resolution. On the other hand, arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ (A3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-amino]propionyl)NAD+ does not produce a significant degree of inhibition of NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase activities prior to or following photoirradiation. Nevertheless, the NAD+ analogue has been found to specifically label, covalently, the transhydrogenase protein following photoirradiation of an enzyme-analogue mixture. Arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ can as well function as a substrate during transhydrogenation by virtue of being able to accept a hydride ion from NADPH. An interpretation of the observed nucleotide photoprobe specificity for interaction at the active site for transhydrogenation is advanced. In this interpretation, an ordered binding of substrate involves an initial NADP(H) (or NADP+ photoprobe) interaction with a hydrophobic region at the transhydrogenation site. This initial reactivity is followed by a positioning of NAD(H) (or the NAD+ photoprobe analogue) above or periphery to the NADP(H) nucleotide present at the active site region. Supportive evidence for this model for transhydrogenation is presented and discussed.

Affinity Labels↗

Preparative-scale isolation and purification of procaryotic and eucaryotic ribosomal 5 S RNA: Bacillus subtilis, Neurospora crassa, and wheat germ.

Ribosomal 5 S RNA from three different organisms has been isolated in high yield and purity. Without prior isolation of ribosomes, a presoak in buffer followed by phenol extraction, DE-32 ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-75 gel-permeation chromatography yields at least 5-10 mg of electrophoretically homogeneous 5 S RNA from 100 g of cells. Ribonuclease activity is eliminated by various combinations of low temperature, sodium dodecyl sulfate, phenol, and bentonite. High-molecular-weight contaminants are suppressed by either 65 degrees C heat treatment or lowered sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration. For the eucaryotes, 5.8 S RNA contamination is reduced either by low temperature in the initial solubilization or by postponing 65 degrees C heat treatment until after the phenol extraction step.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Identification of the NADH-NAD+ transhydrogenase peptide of the mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase (Complex I). A photodependent labeling study utilizing arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+.

Incubation of Complex I (NADH-CoQ reductase) of ox heart mitochondria at 4 degrees C in the presence of 0.5 M NaClO4 followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation of the solubilized proteins results in the isolation of a resolved preparation still capable of catalyzing NADH-NAD+ transhydrogenation but having only low levels of NADH dehydrogenase activity. A number of NAD(H) analogues, including the photoaffinity probes, arylazido-beta-alanyl NAD+ (A3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl]NAD+ and arylazido-beta-alanyl AcPyAD+ (A3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl]AcPyAD+ can be utilized as substrates for transhydrogenation in this preparation. A further incubation (10 min) of the resolved NADH-NAD+ transhydrogenase in the presence of 0.5 M NaClO4, but now at 30 degrees C, results in the complete loss of this transhydrogenase activity. Photoaffinity labeling experiments utilizing arylazido-[3-3H]beta-alanyl NAD+ and arylazido-[3-3H]beta-alanyl AcPyAD+ with the resolved NADH-NAD+ transhydrogenase preparation prior to and following NaClO4 (30 degrees C) treatment indicates that the 42,000 molecular weight component of Complex I is the pyridine nucleotide binding site responsible for the major NADH-NAD+ (DD) transhydrogenase activity of Complex I.

Animals↗