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W Gerok

Publications and source records attributed to W Gerok.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Mechanism of the calcium pump in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver: phosphoproteins as reaction intermediates.

Microsomal fractions, highly enriched with endoplasmic reticulum of rat and human liver exhibit Ca2+ uptake catalyzed by a Ca2+-pumping ATPase. The mechanism of Ca2+-translocation involves: (i) reversible Ca2+-dependent formation of an acyl-phosphoenzyme intermediate (Mr 116,000 to 118,000) with bound Ca2+, which in the reversed reaction can transphosphorylate its Pi to ADP to re-synthesize ATP; (ii) reversible transition of the ADP-reactive phosphoenzyme into an isomer without bound Ca2+, not further reactive to ADP; (iii) hydrolytic cleavage, stimulated by Mg2+, K+, and ATP of the ADP-unreactive phosphoenzyme with liberation of Pi. By analogy to a mechanism proposed for the Ca2+ pump of sarcoplasmic reticulum, the translocation of Ca2+ to and dissociation from the inner side of the membrane is suggested to occur by a conformational change, coupled with a decrease in Ca2+-affinity of the phosphoenzyme during its transition into the ADP-unreactive isomer. With CaATP as the effective substrate the reactions proceed normally but at a considerably slower rate.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The histoautoradiographic localization of taurocholate in rat liver after bile duct ligation. Evidence for ongoing secretion and reabsorption processes.

To determine whether in complete obstructive cholestasis taurocholate is taken up by hepatocytes and if so whether it is secreted into bile, tritium-labelled taurocholate was localized by histoautoradiography on cryoslices from normal rat livers and from those after bile duct ligation. In non-cholestatic livers the hepatocytes of acinar zones 1 as well as the lumina and the epithelia of bile ductules and ducts became intensely labelled directly after injection of [3H]taurocholate into a mesenterial vein. Four hours and 4 days after bile duct ligation, hepatocytes of all three acinar zones became labelled, but in contrast to the normal state, pericanalicular concentration of silver grains was not observed, not even within 5 min. Fifteen days after bile duct obstruction, cryoslices taken 2 min after injection of [3H]taurocholate exhibited an intense silver grain labelling of all acinar zones, with the highest density at bile canalicular areas of the liver cell plates as well as the proliferated bile ductules and bile ducts. The biliary epithelium of small bile ductules and ducts of non-cholestatic and of bile duct-obstructed livers were also covered with silver grains; the epithelium of larger ducts exhibited significant labelling predominantly at the lateral sites of the cells. The biliary epithelium of the common bile duct was not significantly labelled. The results indicate that in complete obstructive cholestasis (a) taurocholate continues to be taken up from blood by hepatocytes and secreted into bile, but in terms of varying duration of obstruction, (b) all acinar zones are involved in bile salt transport, (c) in the initial phase (4 h and 4 days respectively after bile duct obstruction) hepatocytes fail to concentrate taurocholate at the canalicular site, (d) in a consecutive phase, in which bile ductules and ducts proliferate (demonstrated for a 15-day cholestasis), the taurocholate concentration at the canalicular site of hepatocytes is re-established and biliary secretion seems to be enhanced, (e) the biliary epithelium of bile ductules and ducts may play a significant role in the reabsorption and/or regurgitation of bile salts from bile to blood. Reabsorption/regurgitation of biliary constituents may also be operative in the non-cholestatic state but may become significantly enhanced with bile ductular proliferation.

Animals↗

Percutaneous recanalization and dilatation of a thrombotically occluded superior vena cava in a patient with a peritoneovenous shunt.

A superior vena cava syndrome developed in a patient with liver cirrhosis 6 months after implantation of a peritoneovenous shunt. Local fibrinolytic therapy resulted only in a transient improvement of clinical symptoms. Persistent patency of the superior vena cava and shunt function was regained only after percutaneous recanalization and balloon dilatation of the thrombotically occluded caval vein.

Angiography↗

The molecular biology of hepatitis B virus.

Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or related hepadnaviruses is associated with a wide spectrum of liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this article we review the current state of knowledge about the structure, genetic organization and life cycle of HBV. The mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and HCC development remain poorly understood, but new approaches may soon begin to shed light on these areas.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Duck hepatitis B virus: cloning and subcloning of the viral genome.

In the course of studies on the biology of hepadnavirus infections, duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA was isolated from the serum of a German Pekin duck. Viral DNA was cloned in E. coli using pBR 322 DNA as a vector. The cloned DHBV DNA F 1-6 was characterised by restriction enzyme analyses. DHBV DNA F 1-6 was subcloned in both orientations in plasmid pSP 65 to produce strand-specific RNA probes. These probes specifically identified asymmetrically replicating nascent minus-strand DHBV DNA species or plus-strand viral RNA transcripts.

Animals↗

[Sonography in acute pancreatitis--diagnosis, assessment of etiology and evaluating prognosis].

Fifty consecutive patients suffering from acute pancreatitis were studied prospectively with regard to the role of ultrasound (US) in diagnosis, in detection of a biliary origin, and in initial assessment of prognosis. In six patients the pancreas could not be visualised, whereas in 19 only partial examination was possible. In 34% no diagnostic abnormalities were found. US was superior to computed tomography (CT) in respect to the detection of small amounts of ascites, but less suitable than CT for the detection of necrosis. Compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography US was of little help in detecting bile duct stones. Neither a lethal outcome nor a severe course could be predicted with sufficient accuracy. The positive predictive value for the presence of necrosis was 33% and the negative predictive value 67%. The data demonstrate a limited role of US in diagnosis and staging in acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Analysis of cysteinyl leukotrienes in human urine: enhanced excretion in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.

The cysteinyl leukotrienes, comprising leukotriene C4 and its metabolites, are biologically most active mediators, eliminated from the blood circulation by the liver and the kidneys. The urine of normal subjects and of patients with hepatic and/or renal failure was analysed for endogenous cysteinyl leukotrienes. The leukotriene metabolites were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and subsequently quantified by radioimmunoassay. Leukotriene E4 was detected in all urine samples analysed. Its mean concentration increased from 0.3 nmol l-1 in healthy subjects to 0.8 nmol l-1 in patients with liver cirrhosis. In patients with hepatorenal syndrome leukotriene E4 averaged 7.8 nmol l-1; in addition, N-acetyl-leukotriene E4 was detected in an average amount of 1.5 nmol l-1. The mean leukotriene E4/creatinine ratio in urine increased from 0.02 in healthy subjects to 0.11 in patients with liver cirrhosis and to 1.2 mumol leukotriene E4 mol-1 creatinine in patients with hepatorenal syndrome. These results indicate that cysteinyl leukotrienes may play an important role in the mediator network responsible for the development of the hepatorenal syndrome in patients with severe liver disease.

Adolescent↗

[Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in hospitalized patients and in galactosamine hepatitis of the rat: Activity and lectin affinity chromatography in serum and hepatic plasma membranes].

The activity of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was studied in the sera of 378 hospitalized patients. The mean activity of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was elevated significantly in patients with neoplasmata and hepatitis, but not in patients with liver cirrhosis. Significant correlations (p less than 0.001) existed with gamma-glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase. A significant correlation with lactate dehydrogenase existed only in patients with neoplasmata. Principal component analysis, performed with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, revealed correlations between the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and between alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase, but neither dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV nor lactate dehydrogenase showed any correlation with either of these two groups. In lectin affinity chromatography with concanavalin A and wheat germ lectin sepharose, serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV from liver cirrhosis patients showed the same binding pattern as that from healthy subjects. The activity and glycosylation of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in serum and hepatic plasma membranes was investigated in rats, following the induction of hepatitis with galactosamine. In the serum, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity was elevated as early as 6 h after galactosamine injection, and the elevated activity persisted until the 7th day. At the same time dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity was also elevated in the hepatic plasma membrane. Ninety eight percent of hepatic dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV bound to concanavalin A as well as to wheat germ lectin and this value was unchanged during hepatitis. In the serum of control rats, 90% of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV bound to concanavalin A but only 39% to wheat germ lectin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Stimulation of thromboxane release by extracellular UTP and ATP from perfused rat liver. Role of icosanoids in mediating the nucleotide responses.

1. In isolated perfused rat liver, infusion of UTP (20 microM) led to a transient, about sevenfold stimulation of thromboxane release (determined as thromboxane B2), which did not parallel the time course of the UTP-induced stimulation of glucose release. An increased thromboxane release was also observed after infusion of ATP (20 microM). Although the maximal increase of portal pressure following ATP was much smaller than with UTP (4.2 vs 11.5 cm H2O), the peak thromboxane release was similar with both nucleotides. 2. Indomethacin (10 microM) inhibited the UTP-induced stimulation of thromboxane release and decreased the UTP-induced maximal increase of glucose output and of portal pressure by about 30%. The thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist BM 13.177 (20 microM) completely blocked the pressure and glucose response to the thromboxane A2 analogue U-46619 (200 nM) and decreased the ATP- and UTP-induced stimulation of glucose output by about 25%, whereas the maximal increase of portal pressure was inhibited by about 50% and 30%, respectively. BM 13.177 and indomethacin inhibited the initial nucleotide-induced overshoot of portal pressure increase, but had no effect on the steady-state pressure increase which is obtained about 5 min after addition of ATP or UTP. 3. The leukotriene D4/E4 receptor antagonist LY 171883 (50 microM) inhibited not only the glucose and pressure response of perfused rat liver to leukotriene D4, but also to leukotriene C4 by about 90%. This suggests that leukotriene D4 (not C4) is the active metabolite in perfused liver and the effects of leukotriene C4 are probably due to its rapid conversion to leukotriene D4. LY 171883 also inhibited the response to the thromboxane A2 analogue U-46619 by 75-80%, whereas the response of perfused liver to leukotriene C4 was not affected by the thromboxane receptor antagonist BM 13.177 (20 microM). The glucose and pressure responses of the liver to extracellular UTP were inhibited by LY 171883 and by BM 13.177 by about 30%. This suggests that the inhibitory action of LY 171883 was due to a thromboxane receptor antagonistic side-effect and that peptide leukotrienes do not play a major role in mediating the UTP response. 4. In isolated rat hepatocytes extracellular UTP (20 microM), ATP (20 microM), cyclic AMP (50 microM) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (3 microM) increased glycogen phosphorylase a activity by more than 100%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acetophenones↗

Remodeling of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein. De- and reglycosylation of dipeptidyl peptidase IV.

The present paper demonstrates the terminal de- and reglycosylation of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). Cultured hepatocytes were used in pulse-chase experiments with [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine as markers for terminal carbohydrates, [3H]D-mannose as marker of a core-sugar, and [35S]L-methionine for labeling the protein backbone. Membrane DPP IV was immunoprecipitated with a polyclonal antibody which bound selectively at 4 degrees C to the cell-surface glycoprotein. The times of maximal labeling of hepatocyte plasma membrane DPP IV were 6-9 min for [3H]L-fucose, 20 min for [3H]D-mannose, and 25 min for [35S]L-methionine. When antibodies were bound to cell-surface DPP IV at 4 degrees C, the immune complex remained stable for more than 1 h after rewarming to 37 degrees C, despite ongoing metabolic and membrane transport processes. This was shown by pulse labeling with [35S]L-methionine at 37 degrees C, followed by cooling to 4 degrees C, and addition of antibody against plasma membrane DPP IV. During rewarming, the radioactivity in the complex remained constant. In a similar experiment with [3H]L-fucose, the radioactivity in the immune complex declined rapidly, indicating a defucosylation of the plasma membrane glycoprotein. Using the same experimental design with [3H]D-mannose, the radioactivity in the immune complex remained constant, showing that the core-sugar D-mannose is not cleaved from the membrane glycoprotein. Terminal reglycosylation (refucosylation and resialylation) was demonstrated as follows. Hepatocytes were maintained at 37 degrees C in a medium supplemented with tunicamycin in order to block the de novo synthesis of N-glycosidically bound carbohydrate chains. At 4 degrees C the antibody against DPP IV bound only to cell surface glycoprotein. During the rewarming period at 37 degrees C, radioactivity from [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine became incorporated into the immune complex. This indicates a fucosylation and sialylation of the glycoprotein originally present at the cell surface. The mechanisms whereby terminal de- and reglycosylation of plasma membrane glycoproteins may occur during membrane recycling are discussed.

Animals↗

[Hans Popper].

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Austria↗

Involvement of various organs in the initial plasma clearance of differently glycosylated rat liver secretory proteins.

The initial plasma clearance and organ distribution of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin carrying different types of oligosaccharide, side chains was studied in rats. The differently glycosylated proteins were synthesized by rat hepatocytes in culture in the presence of tunicamycin (unglycosylated form), swainsonine (hybrid type), or 1-deoxymannojirimycin (high-mannose type). Deglycosylated glycoproteins (Asn-GlcNAc) were obtained by endoglucosaminidase H treatment of high-mannose-type glycoproteins. Ten minutes after intravenous injection 3% of complex type, 26% of hybrid type, 84% of high-mannose type. 64% of unglycosylated and 80% of deglycosylated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein disappeared from the plasma. The respective values for alpha 2-macroglobulin were 26%, 42%, 59% and 67%. When the clearance of total hepatic secretory proteins was examined, major differences between glycosylated and unglycosylated (glyco)proteins were found, particularly in the case of low-molecular-mass polypeptides. Whereas complex-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin showed no accumulation in various organs, hybrid-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin were present in spleen and liver. High-mannose-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin also accumulated mainly in spleen and liver. Spleen had the highest specific activity; liver, due to its larger organ mass, represented the major organ for the uptake of high-mannose-type glycoproteins. Competition experiments with mannan and GlcNAc-bovine-serum-albumin showed a mannose/GlcNAc receptor-mediated removal. Whereas unglycosylated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was taken up by the kidney, unglycosylated alpha 2-macroglobulin was found in the spleen. Deglycosylated glycoproteins (Asn-GlcNAc) were removed from the plasma via two different mechanisms: firstly, clearance by the kidney similar to the unglycosylated glycoproteins; secondly, clearance by a mannose/GlcNAc receptor-mediated uptake mainly into the spleen. We conclude that N-linked oligosaccharide side chains are important for the plasma survival of hepatic secretory glycoproteins and that unphysiologically glycosylated forms are cleared by different mechanisms.

Animals↗