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Kinetic effects of quaternary lidocaine block of cardiac sodium channels: a gating current study.

The interaction of antiarrhythmic drugs with ion channels is often described within the context of the modulated receptor hypothesis, which explains the action of drugs by proposing that the binding site has a variable affinity for drugs, depending upon whether the channel is closed, open, or inactivated. Lack of direct evidence for altered gating of cardiac Na channels allowed for the suggestion of an alternative model for drug interaction with cardiac channels, which postulated a fixed affinity receptor with access limited by the conformation of the channel (guarded receptor hypothesis). We report measurement of the gating currents of Na channels in canine cardiac Purkinje cells in the absence and presence of QX-222, a quaternary derivative of lidocaine, applied intracellularly, and benzocaine, a neutral local anesthetic. These data demonstrate that the cardiac Na channel behaves as a modulated rather than a guarded receptor in that drug-bound channels gate with altered kinetics. In addition, the results suggest a new interpretation of the modulated receptor hypothesis whereby drug occupancy reduces the overall voltage-dependence of gating, preventing full movement of the voltage sensor.

Animals↗

GAT1 (GABA:Na+:Cl-) cotransport function. Kinetic studies in giant Xenopus oocyte membrane patches.

To explain cotransport function, the "alternating access" model requires that conformational changes of the empty transporter allow substrates to bind alternatively on opposite membrane sides. To test this principle for the GAT1 (GABA:Na+:Cl-) cotransporter, we have analyzed how its charge-moving partial reactions depend on substrates on both membrane sides in giant Xenopus oocyte membrane patches. (a) "Slow" charge movements, which require extracellular Na+ and probably reflect occlusion of Na+ by GAT1, were defined in three ways with similar results: by application of the high-affinity GAT1 blocker (NO-711), by application of a high concentration (120 mM) of cytoplasmic Cl-, and by removal of extracellular Na+ via pipette perfusion. (b) Three results indicate that cytoplasmic Cl- and extracellular Na+ bind to the transporter in a mutually exclusive fashion: first, cytoplasmic Cl- (5-140 mM) shifts the voltage dependence of the slow charge movement to more negative potentials, specifically by slowing its "forward" rate (i.e., extracellular Na+ occlusion); second, rapid application of cytoplasmic Cl- induces an outward current transient that requires extracellular Na+, consistent with extracellular Na+ being forced out of its binding site; third, fast charge-moving reactions, which can be monitored as a capacitance, are "immobilized" both by cytoplasmic Cl- binding and by extracellular Na+ occlusion (i.e., by the slow charge movement). (c) In the absence of extracellular Na+, three fast (submillisecond) charge movements have been identified, but no slow components. The addition of cytoplasmic Cl- suppresses two components (tau < 1 ms and 13 micros) and enables a faster component (tau < 1 micros). (d) We failed to identify charge movements of fully loaded GAT1 transporters (i.e., with all substrates on both sides). (e) Under zero-trans conditions, inward (forward) GAT1 current shows pronounced pre-steady state transients, while outward (reverse) GAT1 current does not. (f) Turnover rates for reverse GAT1 transport (33 degrees C), calculated from the ratio of steady state current magnitude to total charge movement magnitude, can exceed 60 s(-1) at positive potentials.

Algorithms↗

Long-range control of gene expression: emerging mechanisms and disruption in disease.

Transcriptional control is a major mechanism for regulating gene expression. The complex machinery required to effect this control is still emerging from functional and evolutionary analysis of genomic architecture. In addition to the promoter, many other regulatory elements are required for spatiotemporally and quantitatively correct gene expression. Enhancer and repressor elements may reside in introns or up- and downstream of the transcription unit. For some genes with highly complex expression patterns--often those that function as key developmental control genes--the cis-regulatory domain can extend long distances outside the transcription unit. Some of the earliest hints of this came from disease-associated chromosomal breaks positioned well outside the relevant gene. With the availability of wide-ranging genome sequence comparisons, strong conservation of many noncoding regions became obvious. Functional studies have shown many of these conserved sites to be transcriptional regulatory elements that sometimes reside inside unrelated neighboring genes. Such sequence-conserved elements generally harbor sites for tissue-specific DNA-binding proteins. Developmentally variable chromatin conformation can control protein access to these sites and can regulate transcription. Disruption of these finely tuned mechanisms can cause disease. Some regulatory element mutations will be associated with phenotypes distinct from any identified for coding-region mutations.

Animals↗

Induction of apoptotic nuclei by interferon-gamma and by predesquamin in cultured keratinocytes.

Predesquamin is a glycoprotein found in the transition layer and the lower stratum corneum of human epidermis. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the synthesis of predesquamin by keratinocytes in culture. We now show ultrastructurally that exogenous addition of either predesquamin or IFN-gamma to cultured keratinocytes induces apoptotic nuclei with condensed chromatin. Degradation of cellular DNA is also evident as a ladder pattern in an agarose gel. After incubation with both predesquamin and IFN-gamma (but not either alone), the mobility of plasmid DNA in a gel shows retardation specific for guanine residues. This binding to the DNA may impart to it a conformational change that facilitates access by endogenous cellular nucleases. In epidermal cells cultured with IFN-gamma supplementation, we also show by RT-PCR that there is an upregulation of the genes c-myc, p53, gadd45, dsRNA-activated protein kinase, and 2'-5'-oligo(A)-dependent RNase, which have all been implicated in apoptosis in other cell types. These results are pertinent to the mechanism of occurrence of apoptosis in the epidermis in vivo, where predesquamin and IFN-gamma are endogenous. Programmed cell death is an inherent step in the terminal differentiation and desquamation of the epidermis.

Apoptosis↗

Competitive binding of fatty acids and the fluorescent probe 1-8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate to bovine beta-lactoglobulin.

The use of spectroscopy in the study of fatty acids binding to bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) appears to be a difficult task, as these acid compounds, assumed as the protein natural ligands, do not exhibit favorable optical response such as, for example, absorption or fluorescence. Therefore, the BLG fatty-acid equilibrium has been tackled by exploiting the competition between fatty acids and ANS, a widely used fluorescent hydrophobic probe, whose binding sites on the protein have been characterized recently. Two lifetime decays of the ANS-BLG complex have been found; the longer one has been attributed to the internal binding site and the shorter one to the external site. At increasing fatty acids concentration, the fractional weight associated with ANS bound to the internal site drops, in agreement with a model describing the competition of the dye with fatty acids, whereas the external site occupancy appears to be unaffected by the fatty acids binding to BLG. This model is supported by docking studies. An estimate of the acid-binding affinities for BLG has been obtained by implementing the fitting of the bound ANS intensities with a competitive binding model. A relevant dependence has been found upon the solution pH, in the range from 6 to 8, which correlates with the calyx accessibility modulated by the conformation of the EF loop. Fatty acids with longer aliphatic chains (palmitate and laurate) are found to display larger affinities for the protein and the interaction free energy nicely correlates with the number of contacts inside the protein calyx, in agreement with docking simulations.

Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates↗

Interaction of serine acetyltransferase with O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase active site: evidence from fluorescence spectroscopy.

Serine acetyltransferase is a key enzyme in the sulfur assimilation pathway of bacteria and plants, and is known to form a bienzyme complex with O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, the last enzyme in the cysteine biosynthetic pathway. The biological function of the complex and the mechanism of reciprocal regulation of the constituent enzymes are still poorly understood. In this work the effect of complex formation on the O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase active site has been investigated exploiting the fluorescence properties of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, which are sensitive to the cofactor microenvironment and to conformational changes within the protein matrix. The results indicate that both serine acetyltransferase and its C-terminal decapeptide bind to the alpha-carboxyl subsite of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, triggering a transition from an open to a closed conformation. This finding suggests that serine acetyltransferase can inhibit O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalytic activity with a double mechanism, the competition with O-acetylserine for binding to the enzyme active site and the stabilization of a closed conformation that is less accessible to the natural substrate.

Acetyltransferases↗

Clotting factor VII during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium.

During pregnancy the activity of coagulation factor VII in plasma increases up to 248% (SEM 16) (n = 18) at 40 weeks even when all precautions to avoid cold activation are taken. This increase is at all times during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium entirely due to the presence in vivo of what is most likely a phospholipid-factor VII complex. This complex is sensitive to phospholipase C, so that treatment with the enzyme reduces the activity of pregnant plasma down to that of non-pregnant controls. When present in the complex factor VII has a higher specific activity and an altered conformation with a more accessible active site as demonstrated by increased susceptibility to inactivation by diisopropylfluorophosphate. Factors II and X are increased to 136% (SEM 4) and 171% (SEM 6) (n = 18) without being sensitive to phospholipase C. The increase during pregnancy and the decrease after delivery of the phospholipase-sensitive factor VII activity have been followed.

Adult↗

MI-QSAR models for prediction of corneal permeability of organic compounds.

AIM: To derive a theoretical model for the prediction of corneal permeability of miscellaneous organic compounds in drug design. METHODS: A training set of 28 structurally diverse compounds was used to build up the membrane-interaction quantitative structure-activity relationship (MI-QSAR) models. Intermolecular and intramolecular solute descriptors were computed using molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry. The QSAR models were optimized using multidimensional linear regression fitting and a stepwise method. A test set of 8 compounds was evaluated using the models as part of a validation process. RESULTS: Significant MI-QSAR models (R=0.976, S=0.1301, F=70.957) of corneal permeability of organic compounds were constructed. Corneal permeability was found to depend upon the sum of net atomic charges of hydrogen atoms attached to the heteroatoms (N, O), the sum of the absolute values of the net atomic charges of oxygen and nitrogen atoms, the principal moment of inertia (X), the Connolly accessible area and the conformational flexibility of the solute-membrane complex. CONCLUSION: The MI-QSAR models indicated that the corneal permeability of organic molecules was not only influenced by the organic solutes themselves, but also related to the properties of the solute-membrane complex, that is, the interactions of the molecule with the phospholipid-rich regions of cellular membranes.

Animals↗

Theory and modeling of stereoselective organic reactions.

Theoretical investigations of the transition structures of additions and cycloadditions reveal details about the geometries of bond-forming processes that are not directly accessible by experiment. The conformational analysis of transition states has been developed from theoretical generalizations about the preferred angle of attack by reagents on multiple bonds and predictions of conformations with respect to partially formed bonds. Qualitative rules for the prediction of the stereochemistries of organic reactions have been devised, and semi-empirical computational models have also been developed to predict the stereoselectivities of reactions of large organic molecules, such as nucleophilic additions to carbonyls, electrophilic hydroborations and cycloadditions, and intramolecular radical additions and cycloadditions.

Chemistry, Organic↗

The phytotoxin albicidin is a novel inhibitor of DNA gyrase.

Xanthomonas albilineans produces a family of polyketide-peptide compounds called albicidins which are highly potent antibiotics and phytotoxins as a result of their inhibition of prokaryotic DNA replication. Here we show that albicidin is a potent inhibitor of the supercoiling activity of bacterial and plant DNA gyrases, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (40 to 50 nM) less than those of most coumarins and quinolones. Albicidin blocks the religation of the cleaved DNA intermediate during the gyrase catalytic sequence and also inhibits the relaxation of supercoiled DNA by gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Unlike the coumarins, albicidin does not inhibit the ATPase activity of gyrase. In contrast to the quinolones, the albicidin concentration required to stabilize the gyrase cleavage complex increases 100-fold in the absence of ATP. The slow peptide poisons microcin B17 and CcdB also access ATP-dependent conformations of gyrase to block religation, but in contrast to albicidin, they do not inhibit supercoiling under routine assay conditions. Some mutations in gyrA, known to confer high-level resistance to quinolones or CcdB, confer low-level resistance or hypersensitivity to albicidin in Escherichia coli. Within the albicidin biosynthesis region in X. albilineans is a gene encoding a pentapeptide repeat protein designated AlbG that binds to E. coli DNA gyrase and that confers a sixfold increase in the level of resistance to albicidin in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that DNA gyrase is the molecular target of albicidin and that X. albilineans encodes a gyrase-interacting protein for self-protection. The novel features of the gyrase-albicidin interaction indicate the potential for the development of new antibacterial drugs.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cell-induced conformational change in poliovirus: externalization of the amino terminus of VP1 is responsible for liposome binding.

Upon attachment to susceptible cells, poliovirus and a number of other picornaviruses undergo conformational transitions which result in changes in antigenicity, increased protease sensitivity, the loss of the internal capsid protein VP4, and a loss of the ability to attach to cells. These conformationally altered particles have been characterized by using a number of sequence-specific probes, including two proteases, a panel of antiviral monoclonal antibodies, and a panel of antisera against synthetic peptides which correspond to sequences from the capsid protein VP1. With these probes, cell-altered virus is clearly distinguishable from native and heat-inactivated virions. The probes also demonstrate that the cell-induced conformational change alters the accessibility of several regions of the virus. In particular, the amino terminus of VP1, which is entirely internal in the native virion, becomes externalized. Unlike native and heat-inactivated virus, cell-altered virions are able to attach to liposomes. The exposed amino terminus of VP1 is shown to be responsible for liposome attachment. We propose that during infection the amino terminus of VP1 inserts into endosomal membranes and thus plays a role in the mechanism of cell entry.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determinants of neutralization resistance in the envelope glycoproteins of a simian-human immunodeficiency virus passaged in vivo.

In vivo passage of a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV-89.6) generated a virus, SHIV-89.6P, that exhibited increased resistance to some neutralizing antibodies (G. B. Karlsson et al., J. Exp. Med. 188:1159-1171, 1998). Here we examine the range of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibodies to which the passaged virus became resistant and identify envelope glycoprotein determinants of antibody resistance. Compared with the envelope glycoproteins derived from the parental SHIV-89.6, the envelope glycoproteins of the passaged virus were resistant to antibodies directed against the gp120 V3 variable loop and the CD4 binding site. By contrast, both viral envelope glycoproteins were equally sensitive to neutralization by two antibodies, 2G12 and 2F5, that recognize poorly immunogenic structures on gp120 and gp41, respectively. Changes in the V2 and V3 variable loops of gp120 were necessary and sufficient for full resistance to the IgG1b12 antibody, which is directed against the CD4 binding site. Changes in the V3 loop specified complete resistance to a V3 loop-directed antibody, while changes in the V1/V2 loops conferred partial resistance to this antibody. The epitopes of the neutralizing antibodies were not disrupted by the resistance-associated changes. These results indicate that in vivo selection occurs for HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins with variable loop conformations that restrict the access of antibodies to immunogenic neutralization epitopes.

Animals↗

Intracellular cysteines of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulate channel gating.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily, is a cAMP-activated chloride channel. CFTR contains two transmembrane domains (TMDs), two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), and a regulatory (R) domain. We found that whole-cell CFTR-dependent Cl- currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes were sensitive to HgCl(2), suggesting that modification of endogenous cysteines alters channel activity. To understand better this phenomenon, site-directed mutagenesis was employed to generate both individual cysteine replacements and a version of the molecule with no cysteines in the hydrophobic sector. Each mutant displayed a forskolin/IBMX-activated Cl(-) conductance similar to wild type, indicating that none of the cysteines located within the TMDs is essential. Subsequent single-channel analysis of inside-out patches excised from HEK293 cells expressing either cysteine-less or wild-type CFTR showed that intracellular application of a membrane impermeant sulphydryl reagent, p-chloromercuribenzosulfonate (PCMBS), significantly reduced open probability without affecting ion selectivity or conductance. The cysteine-less molecule also acquired a voltage-dependent sensitivity to extracellular PCMBS not observed in the wild type, perhaps due to a more flexible conformation that allowed PCMBS access to the intracellular surface. Together, these experiments suggest that endogenous intracellular cysteines, located primarily within the NBDs and/or R domain, influence channel gating.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Defining three dimensional chromatin structures of pediatric and adolescent B cells using primary B cell and EBV-immortalized B cell reference genomes.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Knowledge of the 3D genome is essential to elucidate genetic mechanisms driving autoimmune diseases. The 3D genome is distinct for each cell type, and it is uncertain whether cell lines faithfully recapitulate the 3D architecture of primary human cells or whether developmental aspects of the pediatric immune system require use of pediatric samples. We undertook a systematic analysis of B cells and B cell lines to compare 3D genomic features encompassing risk loci for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus (SLE), and type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: We isolated B cells from four healthy individuals, ages 9-17. HiChIP was performed using a CTCF antibody, and CTCF peaks were called within each sample separately. Peaks observed in all four samples were identified. CTCF loops were called within the pediatric samples using three CTCF peak datasets: 1) self-called CTCF consensus peaks called within the pediatric samples, 2) ENCODE's publicly available GM12878 CTCF ChIP-seq peaks, and 3) ENCODE's primary B cell CTCF ChIP-seq peaks from two adult females. Differential looping was assessed within the pediatric samples and each of the three peak datasets. RESULTS: The number of consensus peaks called in the pediatric samples was similar to that identified in ENCODE's GM12878 and primary B cell datasets. We observed&#x2009;<&#x2009;1% of loops that demonstrated significantly differential looping between peaks called within the pediatric samples themselves and when called using ENCODE GM12878 peaks. Significant looping differences were even fewer when comparing loops of the pediatric called peaks to those of the ENCODE primary B cell peaks. When querying loops found in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or systemic lupus erythematosus risk haplotypes, we observed significant differences in only 2.2%, 1.0%, and 1.3% loops, respectively, when comparing peaks called within the pediatric samples and ENCODE GM12878 dataset. The differences were even less apparent when comparing loops called with the pediatric vs ENCODE adult primary B cell peak datasets. CONCLUSION: The 3D chromatin architecture in B cells is similar across pediatric, adult, and EBV-transformed cell lines. This conservation of 3D structure includes regions encompassing autoimmune risk haplotypes. Thus, even for pediatric autoimmune diseases, publicly available adult B cell and cell line datasets may be sufficient for assessing effects exerted in the 3D genomic space.

Humans↗

Hypermethylation at 45S rDNA promoter in cancers.

The ribosomal genes (rDNA genes) encode 47S rRNA which accounts for up to 80% of all cellular RNA. At any given time, no more than 50% of rDNA genes are actively transcribed, and the other half is silent by forming heterochromatin structures through DNA methylation. In cancer cells, upregulation of ribosome biogenesis has been recognized as a hallmark feature, thus, the reduced methylation of rDNA promoter has been thought to support conformational changes of chromatin accessibility and the subsequent increase in rDNA transcription. However, an increase in the heterochromatin state through rDNA hypermethylation can be a protective mechanism teetering on the brink of a threshold where cancer cells rarely successfully proliferate. Hence, clarifying hypo- or hypermethylation of rDNA will unravel its additional cellular functions, including organization of genome architecture and regulation of gene expression, in response to growth signaling, cellular stressors, and carcinogenesis. Using the bisulfite-based quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) method after ensuring unbiased amplification and complete bisulfite conversion of the minuscule DNA amount of 1 ng, we established that the rDNA promoter was significantly hypermethylated in 107 breast, 65 lung, and 135 colon tumour tissue samples (46.81%, 51.02% and 96.60%, respectively) as compared with their corresponding adjacent normal samples (26.84%, 38.26% and 77.52%, respectively; p < 0.0001). An excessive DNA input of 1 &#x3bc;g resulted in double-stranded rDNA remaining unconverted even after bisulfite conversion, hence the dramatic drop in the single-stranded DNA that strictly required for bisulfite conversion, and leading to an underestimation of rDNA promoter methylation, in other words, a faulty hypomethylation status of the rDNA promoter. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that an increase in rDNA methylation is a natural pathway protecting rDNA repeats that are extremely sensitive to DNA damage in cancer cells.

DNA Methylation↗

Structure formation in short designed peptides probed by proteolytic cleavage.

The formation of local structure, in short peptides has been probed by examining cleavage patterns and rates of proteolysis of designed sequences with a high tendency to form beta-hairpin structures. Three model sequences which bear fluorescence donor and acceptor groups have been investigated: [see text]. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) provides a convenient probe for peptide cleavage. MALDI mass spectrometry has been used to probe sites of cleavage and CD spectroscopy to access the overall backbone conformation using analog sequences, which lack strongly absorbing donor and acceptor groups. The proteases trypsin, subtilisin, collagenase, elastase, proteinase K and thermolysin were used for proteolysis and the rates of cleavage determined. Peptide 3 is the most susceptible to cleavage by all the enzymes except thermolysin, which cleaves all three peptides at comparable rates. Peptides 1 and 2 are completely resistant to the action of trypsin, suggesting that beta-turn formation acts as a deterrent to proteolytic cleavage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Patterns of anti-inflammatory therapy in the post-guidelines era: a retrospective claims analysis of managed care members.

Published and widely disseminated guidelines for the care and management of asthma characterize asthma as a chronic, inflammatory disease and propose specific recommendations for therapy with inhaled anti-inflammatory medications. In a retrospective analysis of medical and pharmacy claims data of approximately 28,000 asthmatic members from five managed care settings, the dominant pattern of pharmacologic therapy that emerged was the use of bronchodilators without inhaled anti-inflammatory drug therapy. In addition, a significant proportion of asthmatic patients received no prescription drug therapy for asthma. Less than one third of asthmatic patients received any anti-inflammatory therapy and the majority of these received one or two prescriptions per year. Specialist physicians were two to three times more likely than non-specialists during a study period of 1 year to prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication, and were half as likely to have their asthmatic patients experience an emergency department or hospital event. This database analysis suggests that greater conformity with guidelines and/or access to specialist physician care for asthmatic members will lead to improved patient outcomes.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Thrombin interaction with platelet glycoprotein Ib: effect of glycocalicin on thrombin specificity.

We describe here the alteration of thrombin specificity induced by its interaction with glycocalicin. Glycocalicin is the external part of platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIb alpha) and contains binding sites for von Willebrand factor and thrombin. Taking advantage of its solubility, we have used glycocalicin in competition assays on various thrombin activities. Glycocalicin did not inhibit chromogenic substrate hydrolysis nor diisopropylfluorophosphate iPr2 (PF) incorporation, indicating that thrombin binding to GPIb does not alter access to or the conformation of the thrombin catalytic site. Glycocalicin competitively inhibited thrombin binding to fibrin (Ki = 0.1 mumol/L) and blocked fibrinogen clotting activity of thrombin. Glycocalicin also inhibited thrombin binding to thrombomodulin in a competitive manner (Ki = 3 to 5 mumol/L), but failed to prevent thrombin interaction with protein C in the absence of thrombomodulin. Previous results have indicated that GPIb binds to thrombin within the anion binding exosite masked by the carboxy-terminal hirudin peptide 54-65. The present results confirm the implication of the anion binding exosite in GPIb recognition, and further indicate that the thrombin binding site for GPIb overlaps with the thrombin binding sites for fibrin and thrombomodulin, whereas it is distinct from the thrombin binding site for protein C. Some of the structural requirements for thrombin binding to GPIb appear to be very similar to those reported for binding to its platelet receptor. However, thrombin-GPIb interaction does not appear to compete with receptor hydrolysis but rather increases the sensitivity and the rate of platelet responses elicited by the receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗