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Y Boulanger

Publications and source records attributed to Y Boulanger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Nuclear magnetic resonance monitoring of sodium in biological tissues.

In recent year, the 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique has been applied to the study of biological tissues. The advantages of this method are noninvasiveness and good sensitivity. The resonances of the intra- and extra-cellular sodium can be separated by the addition of shift reagents to the extracellular compartment. The method has been mostly applied to cell suspensions, kidney tubules, glands, and small organs. Owing to line-broadening effects, the NMR visibility of the intracellular sodium is reduced to 40% in most cases but can be lower or higher. Time-dependent measurements are possible with adequate life-supporting equipment, allowing the determination of transport parameters. 23Na relaxation times are short in tissues (below 50 ms) and highly dependent on the medium composition. The application of the 23Na NMR technique to intact organs can be hampered by the difficulty of getting a good distribution of the shift reagent in the extracellular milieu. A summary of the studies performed is presented with specific examples to illustrate typical applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Metabolic effects of acetate on the heart.

The effects of various substrates (15 mM glucose, 5 mM glucose, 20 mM acetate, or a combination of these substrates) on the coronary blood flow and on the energetic status of myocytes were studied in isolated perfused rat hearts. We demonstrate that low level glucose (5 mM) or high concentration of acetate (20 mM) leads to a simultaneous fall in tissue ATP, rise in tissue adenosine, and significant increment in coronary blood flow. The latter effect is especially marked with 20 mM acetate. Dipyridamole (10(-6) M) does not enhance the vasodilatation induced by acetate. The provision of 15 mM glucose together with 20 mM acetate fully prevents these changes, indicating that the vasodilatation induced by acetate is probably mediated by metabolic changes. The evidence supports the concept that a redistribution of blood flow together with a fall in tissue ATP may explain some of the adverse effects of acetate dialysis in man, and suggests that the provision of glucose may alleviate these changes.

Acetates↗
PubMed1988

Structure and expression of the genes encoding the alpha and beta subunits of yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

The two genes FRS1 and FRS2 encoding, respectively, the large (alpha) and small (beta) subunits of cytoplasmic phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from bakers' yeast have been cloned and sequenced. The derived protein primary structures are confirmed by peptide sequences evenly distributed along the reading frames. These predict a subunit Mr of 67,347 for alpha and 57,433 for beta, in good agreement with earlier determinations carried out on the purified protein. These subunit sequences have been compared to those of Escherichia coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase as well as to the small beta subunit of the corresponding yeast mitochondrial enzyme; limited but significant homology was found between the two alpha subunits on the one hand and between the three beta subunits on the other hand. The results suggest that these three enzymes, from E. coli, yeast cytoplasm, and yeast mitochondria, have strongly diverged from one another. The initiation sites of transcription have been determined for both yeast genes. Their 5'-upstream regions show no sequence similarities that would have indicated a coordinate control of gene expression at the transcriptional level. Measurements of steady-state levels of FRS-mRNAs in overproducing strains indicate that there is no restriction in mRNA synthesis. Therefore the control of gene expression, leading to a balanced synthesis of alpha and beta subunits, is likely to occur at the translational level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Properties of N-terminal truncated yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and structural characteristics of the cleaved domain.

Cytoplasmic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a dimer made up of identical subunits of Mr 64,000 as shown by biochemical and crystallographic analyses. Previous studies have emphasized the high sensitivity of the amino-terminal region (residues 1-32) to proteolytic enzymes. This work reports the results of limited tryptic or chymotryptic digestion of the purified enzyme which gives rise to a truncated species that has lost the first 50-64 residues with full retention of both the activity and the dimeric structure. In contrast the larger tryptic fragment is distinguished from the whole enzyme by its weaker retention on heparin-substituted agarose gels. The cleaved N-terminal part presents peculiar structural features, such as a high content in lysine residues arranged in a palindromic fashion. The properties of the trypsin-modified enzyme and of the cleaved amino-terminal region are discussed in relation to the known structural characteristics of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and of other eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
PubMed1988

gamma-L-glutamyl-L-aspartate induces specific deficits in long-term memory and inhibits [3H]glutamate binding on hippocampal membranes.

gamma-L-Glutamyl-L-aspartic acid (gamma-LGLA) has been isolated from Datura stramonium; its structure has been determined and it was then synthesized. In male Swiss mice intraperitoneal administration of the natural peptide (125 nmol/kg) or of the synthetic peptide (25-2500 nmol/kg) 24 h after acquisition of a Y-maze avoidance task induced a dose-dependent deficit in retention performance 48 h later. gamma-LGLA had no effect on locomotor activity or emotional reactivity at the doses used. Separate or simultaneous administration of aspartate or glutamate (each at 250 nmol/kg) had no effect on learning retention, indicating that deficit induced by gamma-LGLA was specific to the peptide. gamma-LGLA impaired learning acquisition in a time-dependent manner when administered from 3 min to 24 h post-training, but had no effect when administered 3 days following acquisition. gamma-LGLA administered just after the training session did not affect retention performance during the first 3 h, but suppressed the retention improvement observed in control animals from 6 to 24 h after acquisition; this deficit was still evident 7 days after the treatment. gamma-LGLA partially inhibited L-[3H]glutamate binding on crude hippocampal or striatal membrane preparations; this inhibition was not observed on cerebellar membrane preparations. These results suggest a specific action of gamma-LGLA on excitatory amino acid systems which may be responsible for its effects on learning retention.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1988

Isolation and structure of a pseudopeptide gamma-L-glutamyl-L-aspartic acid from Datura stramonium that impairs learning retention in mice.

Datura stramonium contains a compound that impairs learning retention in mice. It has been purified to homogeneity and its structure has been established as that of a gamma-L-glutamyl-L-aspartate. The biological activity of this pseudodipeptide has been found to be identical with that of the corresponding synthetic one. It has also been compared to those of various synthetic di- and tripeptides containing L- and/or D-enantiomers of the constitutive amino acids. The results show that the activity is associated with a peptidic structure containing only one type of enantiomer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Characterization and metabolism of canine proximal tubules, thick ascending limbs, and collecting ducts in suspension.

Preparations of distinct nephron segments were obtained from dog kidneys by collagenase treatment. Four morphologically different tissues were isolated: glomeruli, proximal tubules, thick ascending limbs, and papillary collecting ducts. Each segment possessed a characteristic assay of membrane-bound and cytoplasmic enzymes. Specific metabolic characteristics also were found: gluconeogenesis and ammoniagenesis in proximal tubules, glycolytic aerobic metabolism in thick ascending limbs, and glycolytic anaerobic metabolism in papillary collecting ducts. The assay of Na+ -K+ ATPase, H+ -ATPase, and Ca2+ -ATPase activities in these nephron segments demonstrated a specific enrichment of Na+ -K+ ATPase in thick ascending limbs, and of H+ -ATPase in proximal tubules and papillary collecting ducts. Tubular respiration in the absence or presence of ouabain, 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or furosemide demonstrated that the respiration of each segment could be correlated to the activity of specific ion motive ATPases. Furthermore, a tight coupling between ion transport, ATP turnover, and substrate oxidation was demonstrated. These isolated tubular structures are thus viable and capable of transepithelial transport. Our preparation provides large amounts of defined population of tubules and are thus useful for the study of biochemical and functional heterogeneity along the nephron.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1988

Biochemical characterization and osmolytes in papillary collecting ducts from pig and dog kidneys.

Papillary collecting duct tubules were prepared in gram quantities from the papillae of dog and pig kidneys. Measurements of substrate and oxygen utilizations by these tubules under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions showed the potential for both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Oxygen is not necessary to maintain a normal adenosine 5'-triphosphate concentration, but oxidative phosphorylation contributes to more than 65% of the metabolism under aerobic conditions in the two species. Both phosphorus-31 and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra recorded from extracts of dog cortex, red medulla, and papilla showed a clear gradient from cortex to papilla for osmolytes, such as glycerophosphorylcholine, sorbitol, inositol, betaine, and sugar phosphates. Other molecules identified in the spectra included glucose, sorbitol, mannitol, lactate, glutamine, alanine, threonine, and adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Conventional biochemical measurements supported these findings. An increase in osmolality from 300 to 600 mosmol/kg H2O for 120 min did not increase the glycerophosphorylcholine and sorbitol concentrations of dog papillary collecting ducts in vitro, but a small effect of a 24-h dehydration was detected in vivo.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1987

Cloning and characterization of the yeast methionyl-tRNA synthetase mutation mes1.

The chromosomal mes 1 mutation appears to elevate the Km of methionine for yeast methionyl-tRNA synthetase. The mutation was cloned on a multicopy plasmid by gap repair of a plasmid bearing the wild type MES1 gene for a fragment corresponding to the mes 1 mutation. DNA sequencing established that the mutation consists of a single conversion of guanine into adenine which results in the replacement of a glycine by an aspartic acid at position 502. This causes the enzyme to be labile and inactive in vitro and to show a requirement for high concentrations of methionine in vivo. The mutation is in the COOH-terminal domain of the mononucleotide binding fold of the yeast enzyme and suggests participation of this region in the binding of the amino acid residue.

Alleles↗
PubMed1987

The microheterogeneity of the crystallizable yeast cytoplasmic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

Yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase is a dimeric enzyme (alpha 2, Mr 125,000) which can be crystallized either alone or complexed with tRNAAsp. When analyzed by electrophoretic methods, the pure enzyme presents structural heterogeneities even when recovered from crystals. Up to three enzyme populations could be identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and more than ten by isoelectric focusing. They have similar molecular masses and mainly differ in their charge. All are fully active. This microheterogeneity is also revealed by ion-exchange chromatography and chromatofocusing. Several levels of heterogeneity have been defined. A first type, which is reversible, is linked to redox effects and/or to conformational states of the protein. A second one, revealed by immunological methods, is generated by partial and differential proteolysis occurring during enzyme purification from yeast cells harvested in growth phase. As demonstrated by end-group analysis, the fragmentation concerns exclusively the N-terminal end of the enzyme. The main cleavage points are Gln-19, Val-20 and Gly-26. Six minor cuts are observed between positions 14 and 33. The present data are discussed in the perspective of the crystallographic studies on aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Covalent aspartylation of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from bakers' yeast by its cognate aspartyl adenylate: identification of the labeled residues.

Aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from bakers' yeast gives an unstable complex with the cognate adenylate, which reacts after dissociation with amino acid side chains of the protein. This leads to a covalent incorporation of aspartic acid into aspartyl-tRNA synthetase via amide or ester bonds formed between the alpha-carboxyl group of activated aspartic acid and accessible lysines, serines, and threonines. This property is used to label the peptides at the surface of the enzyme. The main labeled residues have been identified, and their location in the primary structure is discussed in relation to structural properties of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1987

Comparative effect of ANF and various diuretics on isolated nephron segments.

The effect of the synthetic form of ANF 0.1 to 10 microgram/ml (peptide 101-126), a diuretic and natriuretic peptide isolated from rat heart atria, on the metabolism of dog and rat kidney tubules was studied in vitro and compared to that of furosemide (0.1 to 1 mM), hydrochlorothiazide (0.5 mM) or amiloride (0.1 mM). In order to pinpoint eventual site(s) of ANF action along the nephron, proximal tubules, thick ascending limbs and papillary collecting ducts were isolated from dog kidneys as well as proximal tubules from rat kidneys. The substrate uptake (O2, lactate, glutamine, glucose) and production of metabolites (glutamate, ammonium, alanine, glucose) by these nephron segments were measured in absence or presence of the diuretic agents or the vehicle for ANF (acetate 1 mM). The total ATP turnover and the contribution of identified metabolic pathways for this turnover was calculated. It was expected that a molecule with diuretic properties reducing the permeability of cell membranes to NaCl would secondarily reduce the Na-K-ATPase activity, and therefore the oxygen and substrate utilization by affected cells. It was shown: that each nephron segment used presented the expected specific metabolic characteristics; that furosemide markedly inhibits the oxidative metabolism of thick ascending limbs; that acetate (the vehicle used for ANF) displaces the oxidation of glutamine and lactate in nephron segments with aerobic metabolism; that ANF had no effect on the metabolism of the studied segments despite the presence of specific c'GMP-generating receptors in the distal nephron. It is concluded that ANF must exert its natriuretic effect by a mechanism different from that of classical diuretics.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1987

NMR monitoring of intracellular sodium in dog and rabbit kidney-tubules.

23Na-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to monitor intra- and extracellular sodium in suspensions of dog cortical tubules, rabbit cortical tubules, and dog thick ascending limbs. The NMR visibility of the intracellular sodium was determined by comparing the NMR and flame photometry results and by redistributing the sodium ions between the intra- and extracellular compartments using the ionophore nystatin (influx) or sodium substitution for choline in the extracellular fluid (efflux). The intracellular sodium visibility was approximately 30% for the total sodium and 58% for the transportable sodium. Addition of sodium to sodium-depleted homogenates of dog renal cortex also showed a loss of visibility. The values of the relaxation times T1 and T2 were determined but could not be correlated with the visibility measurements. The intracellular sodium concentration in dog cortical tubules incubated in optimal biochemical conditions was estimated at 51 mM and was dependent on the extracellular sodium concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A 2H-NMR study on the interactions of the local anesthetic tetracaine with membranes containing phosphatidylserine.

The interaction of the local anesthetic tetracaine with phosphatidylserine-containing model membranes has been studied by 2H-NMR. Charged tetracaine exhibited an unusually large partition coefficient into multilamellar dispersions of phosphatidylserine. The 2H-NMR spectra consisted of a Pake doublet and a narrow line, with the former corresponding to tetracaine in the bilayer and the latter to tetracaine free in solution. A strong pH dependence of the quadrupole splittings indicated different membrane locations for charged and uncharged tetracaine. In equimolar mixtures of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine the partition coefficients and 2H-NMR spectra were much more like those observed in neat phosphatidylcholine than in neat phosphatidylserine. Dilution studies at pH 5.5 indicated that in phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine mixtures tetracaine experiences a three-site exchange similar to that found earlier for tetracaine in phosphatidylcholine. Tetracaine is in fast exchange between sites weakly bound to membrane and free in solution, and in slow exchange with a strongly bound site in the membrane.

Deuterium↗