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PubMed1993

Radio-label and mass determinations of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate formation in rat cerebral cortical slices: differential effects of myo-inositol.

To investigate the effects of increasing concentrations of myo-inositol (inositol) on receptor stimulated [3H]inositol polyphosphate formation in the absence of lithium, slices of rat cerebral cortex were incubated with various concentrations of [3H]inositol (1 to 30 microM). Carbachol stimulated formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) increased several fold when the inositol concentration was increased reaching a plateau at approximately 12 microM inositol. Time course studies revealed that in the presence of low concentrations of inositol (1 microM), [3H]InsP3 and [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation in response to carbachol stimulation increased slowly over a 10 to 20 min time period, whereas in the presence of 4 and 12 microM inositol, carbachol stimulated [3H]InsP3 and [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation was rapid and essentially complete within 3 to 5 min after carbachol addition. Although the carbachol dose response in 12 microM inositol had a much greater maximal efficacy, there was no change in potency. Similar to the effects of carbachol on [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation from prelabeled phosphoinositides, muscarinic receptor stimulation increased Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 mass formation by seven fold. Furthermore, Li+ (8 mM) completely inhibited carbachol stimulated increases in Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 mass formation. In contrast to the effects of increasing inositol on carbachol stimulated formation of radiolabeled inositol phosphates, increasing inositol had no effect upon mass formation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. These results show that when measuring inositol polyphosphate formation by the radiolabeling technique in the absence of Li+, increasing the inositol concentration greatly increases the stimulated component of [3H]InsP3 and [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation. However, this inositol induced increase in agonist stimulated Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation is not reflected as an increase in mass formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Studies on Hg(II)-induced H2O2 formation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro in rat kidney mitochondria.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the principal actions underlying mercury-induced oxidative stress in the kidney. Mitochondria from kidneys of rats treated with HgCl2 (1.5 mg/kg i.p.) demonstrated a 2-fold increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation for up to 6 hr following Hg(II) treatment using succinate as the electron transport chain substrate. No increase in H2O2 formation was observed when NAD-linked substrates (malate/glutamate) were used, suggesting that Hg(II) affects H2O2 formation principally at the ubiquinone-cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in vivo. Together with increased H2O2 formation, mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) content was depleted by more than 50% following Hg(II) treatment, whereas formation of thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARS), indicative of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, was increased by 68%. Studies in vivo revealed a significant concentration-related depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane following the addition of Hg(II) to mitochondria isolated from kidneys of untreated rats. This effect was accompanied by significantly increased H2O2 formation, GSH depletion and TBARS formation linked to both NADH dehydrogenase (rotenone-inhibited) and ubiquinone-cytochrome b (antimycin-inhibited) regions of the electron transport chain. Oxidation of pyridine nucleotides (NAD[P]H) was also observed in mitochondria incubated with Hg(II) in vitro. In further studies in vitro, the potential role of Ca2+ in Hg(II)-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress was investigated. Ca2+ alone (30-400 nmol/mg protein) produced no increase in H2O2 and only a slight increase in TBARS formation when incubated with kidney mitochondria isolated from untreated rats. However, Ca2+ significantly increased H2O2 and TBARS formation elicited by Hg(II) at the ubiquinone-cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, whereas TBARS formation was decreased significantly when the Ca2+ uptake inhibitors, ruthenium red or [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid (EGTA), were included with Hg(II) in the reaction mixtures. These findings support the view that Hg(II) causes depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane with consequent increased H2O2 formation. These events, coupled with Hg(II)-mediated GSH depletion and pyridine nucleotide oxidation, create an oxidant stress condition characterized by increased susceptibility of mitochondrial membranes to iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (TBARS formation). Since increased H2O2 formation, GSH depletion and lipid peroxidation were also observed in vivo following Hg(II) treatment, these events may underlie oxidative tissue damage caused by mercury compounds. Moreover, Hg(II)-induced alterations in mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis may exacerbate Hg(II)-induced oxidative stress in kidney cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

End-to-end vs interior loop formation kinetics in unfolded polypeptide chains.

The conformational search for favorable intramolecular interactions during protein folding is limited by intrachain diffusion processes. Recent studies on the dynamics of loop formation in unfolded polypeptide chains have focused on loops involving residues near the chain ends. During protein folding, however, most contacts are formed between residues in the interior of the chain. We compared the kinetics of end-to-end loop formation (type I loops) to the formation of end-to-interior (type II loops) and interior-to-interior loops (type III loops) using triplet-triplet energy transfer from xanthone to naphthylalanine. The results show that formation of type II and type III loops is slower compared to type I loops of the same size and amino acid sequence. The rate constant for type II loop formation decreases with increasing overall chain dimensions up to a limiting value, at which loop formation is about 2.5-fold slower for type II loops compared to type I loops. Comparing type II loops of different loop size and amino acid sequence shows that the ratio of loop dimension over total chain dimension determines the rate constant for loop formation. Formation of type III loops is 1.7-fold slower than formation of type II loops, indicating that local chain motions are strongly coupled to motions of other chain segments which leads to faster dynamics toward the chain ends. Our results show that differences in the kinetics of formation of type I, type II, and type III loops are mainly caused by differences in internal flexibility at the different positions in the polypeptide chain. Interactions of the polypeptide chain with the solvent contribute to the kinetics of loop formation, which are strongly viscosity-dependent. However, the observed differences in the kinetics of formation of type I, type II, and type III loops are not due to the increased number of peptide-solvent interactions in type II and type III loops compared to type I loops as indicated by identical viscosity dependencies for the kinetics of formation of the different types of loops.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1978

Involvement of microtubules in cytopathic effects of animal viruses: early proteins of adenovirus and herpesvirus inhibit formation of microtubular paracrystals in HeLa-S3 cells.

In order to examine the involvement of microtubules in the virus-induced cytopathic effect (c.p.e.), the effect of virus infection on the formation of microtubular paracrystals (PC) induced by 10 microgram/ml of vinblastine sulphate in HeLa-S3 cells was examined by phase-contrast microscopy. In poliovirus-infected cells, c.p.e. (cell rounding) and the inhibition of PC formation proceeded in parallel, starting 4 h post-infection. In Sendai virus-infected cells, however, PC formation was not inhibited even 24 h post-infection when most infected cells clearly showed c.p.e. (syncytial formation). In adenovirus-infected cells, the inhibition of PC formation was observed 9 h before the appearance of c.p.e. Cytosine arabinoside (ara C) did not block the inhibition of PC formation in infected cells, but blocked the appearance of late c.p.e. (nuclear alteration). Cycloheximide blocked both the inhibition of PC formation and the induction of late c.p.e. These results suggest that an early protein synthesized de novo by adenovirus is required for direct or indirect inhibition of the microtubular PC formation. Furthermore, on ultraviolet (u.v.) inactivation of adenovirus both activities (induction of early c.p.e. shown by shrinkage of cytoplasm, and inhibition of PC formation) followed the same inactivation curve and were inactivated at a slower rate than viral infectivity and the activity leading to late c.p.e. The u.v. light sensitive target responsible for the induction of early c.p.e. and the inhibition of PC formation is about 20% of that for infectivity and is in accord with the genome size of the early functioning virus genes. In herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells, the inhibition of PC formation, the appearance of c.p.e. (cell rounding and disappearance of nucleoli) and the synthesis of V antigen proceeded in parallel. These three functions of HSV were not blocked in infected cells even when the de novo synthesis of virus DNA was inhibited by ara C or phosphonoacetic acid (PAA), whereas these three functions were blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that a protein coded by the input virus genome early after infection inhibits the microtubular PC formation and is responsible for c.p.e. From the u.v. inactivation curve of HSV, it was confirmed that only one-tenth of virus genome was responsible for both activities (induction of c.p.e. and inhibition of PC formation).

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1986

Regulation of progesterone formation by human placental cells in culture.

In the present study, a culture system of human placental cells was established to examine the role of estrogen and androgen in progesterone (P4) formation. Normal human placentae were obtained at term, and cells were dispersed in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (5 ml/g tissue) containing 0.1% collagenase, 0.1% hyaluronidase, 0.01% deoxyribonuclease, and 1% fetal bovine serum for 2 h at 37 C. Dispersed placental cells (10(6) cells/ml) were placed in medium 199 with modified Earle's salts (pH 7.4) containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 12.5 mM HEPES buffer, 26 mM NaHCO3, and 40 micrograms/ml Gentamycin-SO4 and incubated for 72 h at 37 C and 5% CO2 in air to allow cell attachment. Medium was then changed (time zero), and P4 formation was studied thereafter. Culture of placental cells for 96 h resulted in linear increases in P4 and estradiol (E2) formation, indicating the maintenance of cell viability and steroidogenic function. Mean +/- SE P4 formation at 48 h was 246 +/- 16 pg/micrograms DNA. To assess the role of estrogen on P4 formation, placental cells were incubated for a period of 48 h with various amounts (10(-7)-10(-4)M) of the antiestrogen ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25), the aromatase inhibitor 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA), and/or E2. Both MER-25 and 4-OHA resulted in a dose-dependent decline (P less than 0.01) in P4 formation (greater than 80% decline at 10(-4)M MER-25 or 4-OHA). The marked reduction in P4 formation caused by 4-OHA alone was reversed by concomitant addition of E2; however, E2 alone had no effect. To assess the role of androgens on P4 formation, cells were incubated for 48 h with increasing amounts (10(-7)-10(-4)M) of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), or dihydrotestosterone. Although the formation of E2 was enhanced by DHA, formation of P4 was not affected by the aromatizable androgens DHA or androstenedione or the nonaromatizable dihydrotestosterone. The decline in P4 formation by human placental cells in culture elicited by MER-25 or 4-OHA supports the hypothesis of a regulatory role for estrogen in placental P4 formation during human pregnancy. The lack of effect of exogenous estrogen suggests that the action of estrogen on P4 formation may be permissive.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed2005

VEGF improves, whereas sFlt1 inhibits, BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing through modulation of angiogenesis.

UNLABELLED: We studied the interaction between VEGF and BMP2 during bone formation and bone healing. Results indicate that VEGF antagonist inhibited BMP2-elicited bone formation, whereas the delivery of exogenous VEGF enhanced BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing through modulation of angiogenesis. INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is closely associated with bone formation during normal bone development and is important for the bone formation elicited by BMP4. However, it remains unknown whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) also interacts with other BMPs, especially BMP2, in bone formation and bone healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, mouse muscle-derived stem cells were transduced to express BMP2, VEGF, or VEGF antagonist (sFlt1). We studied the angiogenic process during endochondral bone formation elicited by BMP2, a prototypical osteogenic BMP. Using radiographic and histologic analyses, we also evaluated the interaction between VEGF and BMP2 during bone formation and bone healing. RESULTS: Our results indicate that BMP2-elicited bone formation comprises two phases of angiogenesis, with an early phase occurring before the appearance of hypertrophic cartilage, followed by a late phase coupled with the appearance of hypertrophic cartilage. Our finding that the administration of sFlt1, a specific antagonist of VEGF, significantly inhibited BMP2-induced bone formation and the associated angiogenesis indicates that endogenous VEGF activity is important for bone formation. Furthermore, we found that the delivery of exogenous VEGF enhanced BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing by improving angiogenesis, which in turn led to accelerated cartilage resorption and enhanced mineralized bone formation. Our findings also indicate that the ratio between VEGF and BMP2 influences their synergistic interaction, with a higher proportion of VEGF leading to decreased synergism. Our study also revealed unique VEGF-BMP2 interactions that differ from the VEGF-BMP4 interactions that we have described previously. CONCLUSIONS: This study, along with previously published work, shows that VEGF interacts synergistically with both BMP4 and BMP2 but elicits substantially different effects with these two BMPs.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carbonate petrography, kerogen distribution, and carbon and oxygen isotope variations in an early Proterozoic transition from limestone to iron-formation deposition, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa.

The transition zone comprises Campbellrand microbialaminated (replacing "cryptalgalaminate") limestone and shale, with minor dolomite, conformably overlain by the Kuruman Iron Formation of which the basal part is characterized by siderite-rich microbanded iron-formation with minor magnetite and some hematite-containing units. The iron-formation contains subordinate intraclastic and microbialaminated siderite mesobands and was deposited in deeper water than the limestones. The sequence is virtually unaltered with diagenetic mineral assemblages reflecting a temperature interval of about 110 degrees to 170 degrees C and pressures of 2 kbars. Carbonate minerals in the different rock types are represented by primary micritic precipitates (now recrystallized to microsparite), early precompactional sparry cements and concretions, deep burial limpid euhedral sparites, and spar cements precipitated from metamorphic fluids in close contact with diabase sills. Paragenetic pathways of the carbonate minerals are broadly similar in all lithofacies with kerogen intimately associated with them. Kerogen occurs as pigmentation in carbonate crystals, as reworked organic detritus in clastic-textured carbonate units, and as segregations of kerogen pigment around late diagenetic carbonate crystals. Locally kerogen may also be replaced by carbonate spar. Carbon isotope compositions of the carbonate minerals and kerogen are dependent on their mode of occurrence and on the composition of the dominant carbonate species in a specific lithofacies. Integration of sedimentary, petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic results makes it possible to distinguish between depositional, early diagenetic, deep burial, and metamorphic effects on the isotopic compositions of the carbonate minerals and the kerogen in the sequence. Major conclusions are that deep burial thermal decarboxylation led to 13C depletion in euhedral ferroan sparites and 13C enrichment in kerogen (organic carbon). Metamorphic sparites are most depleted in 13C. Carbonates in oxide-rich iron-formations are more depleted in 13C than those in siderite-rich iron-formation whereas the kerogens in oxide banded iron-formations (BIF) are more enriched. This implies that the siderite-rich iron-formations were not derived from oxide-rich iron-formation through reduction of ferric iron by organic matter. Organic matter oxidation by ferric iron did, however, decrease the abundance of kerogen in oxide-rich iron-formation and led to the formation of isotopically very light sparry carbonates. Siderite and calcmicrosparite both represent recrystallized primary micritic precipitates but differ in their 13C composition, with the siderites depleted in 13C by 4.6 per mil on average relative to calcmicrosparite. This means that the siderites were precipitated from water with dissolved inorganic carbon depleted in 13C by about 9 per mil relative to that from which the limestones precipitated. This implies an ocean system stratified with regard to total carbonate, with the deeper water, from which siderite-rich iron-formation formed, depleted in 13C. Iron-formations were deposited in areas of very low organic matter supply. Depletion of 13C may, therefore, derive not from degradation of organic matter but from hydrothermal activity, a conclusion which is supported by 18O composition of the carbonate minerals and trace element and rare earth element (REE) compositions of the iron-formations.

Calcium Carbonate↗
PubMed1987

A standardized format for sequence data exchange.

At present there is no agreement upon a standard format for the presentation of sequence data; each of the major sequence databases has adopted their own format. As a result, efforts to pool these data and to develop software to manipulate the data have been hampered. A significant amount of software development time must be invested to handle the incompatibilities among these formats before software to solve biologically interesting problems can be implemented. In principle, the development of a standard format by the database distributors would be the best solution. However, because the databases have invested years of effort in the development of procedures specifically tailored to their own format, they are reluctant to change. Insisting that they convert to a new format would place an extreme burden on the already overtaxed resources of these groups. Furthermore, for certain specialized applications it is more efficient to present the data in nonstandard formats. An alternative solution is presented here. Rather than develop a single standard format for all sequence data, a standardized exchange format has been developed. This format was designed to serve as a common interface between the major formats currently in use. Data can be easily converted to and from it without significant loss of information. This alleviates difficulties inherent in dealing with multiple formats while preserving the local formats of the various databases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The role of human glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in the formation of glutathione conjugates of the alkylating cytostatic drug thiotepa.

Nonenzymatic and glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalyzed glutathione (GSH) conjugation has been postulated as a mechanism by which alkylating cytostatic drugs can be inactivated intracellularly. In this study, we describe studies on the glutathione-dependent biotransformation of thiotepa (tris(1-aziridinyl)phosphine sulfide), a trifunctional alkylating agent. 31P NMR studies showed that thiotepa is stable in 0.07 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 (t1/2 = 3300 min). In the presence of glutathione, the rate of disappearance of thiotepa increased greatly (t1/2 = 282 min). Both monoglutathionyl thiotepa and diglutathionyl thiotepa conjugates were identified by 31P NMR and mass spectrometry. Addition of GST A1-1 (alpha) to an incubation of thiotepa and GSH further increased the rate of disappearance of thiotepa (t1/2 = 100 min) and increased the rate of formation of monoglutathionyl thiotepa. The rate of formation of diglutathionyl thiotepa was not altered, suggesting that the formation of diglutathionyl thiotepa is not catalyzed by GST A1-1. The role of purified human GST on the formation of monoglutathionyl thiotepa was further studied by HPLC. In incubations with 0.2 mM thiotepa, 1 mM GSH, and 40 microM GST, both GST A1-1 and P1-1 enhanced the formation of the monoglutathionyl conjugate 30-35-fold above the nonenzymatic formation, while GST A2-2 and M1a-1a did not catalyze the rate of formation of this conjugate. Kms for the GST A1-1 (alpha) and P1-1 (pi) catalyzed formation of monoglutathionyl thiotepa were in the 5-7 mM range. Since the pH in tumors might be lower than in normal cells, the pH dependency of the GST P1-1 catalyzed formation of monoglutathionyl thiotepa was also studied. At all pHs tested (range, 5.5-8.5), a marked catalytic effect of both GST P1-1 and A1-1 on the formation of monoglutathionyl conjugates was noted. The role of GST on the formation of monoglutathionyl conjugates of tepa (tris(1-aziridinyl)phosphine oxide), the major metabolite formed from thiotepa, was also studied. Both GST A1-1 and P1-1 could enhance the formation of the glutathione conjugate 37-46-fold above the spontaneous levels, while GST M1a-1a and A2-2 again did not increase the rate of formation of this conjugate. The results of these studies show that the aziridine moieties in thiotepa/tepa are substrates for both GST A1-1 and P1-1. Thus, GST catalyzed glutathione conjugation of thiotepa might be an important factor in the development of drug resistance towards thiotepa.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1984

Variation of transition-state structure as a function of the nucleotide in reactions catalyzed by dehydrogenases. 2. Formate dehydrogenase.

Since hydride transfer is completely rate limiting for yeast formate dehydrogenase [Blanchard, J.S., & Cleland, W. W. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 3543], the intrinsic isotope effects on this reaction are fully expressed. Primary deuterium, 13C, and 18O isotope effects in formate and the alpha-secondary deuterium isotope effect at C-4 of the nucleotide have been measured for nucleotide substrates with redox potentials varying from -0.320 (NAD) to -0.258 V (acetylpyridine-NAD). As the redox potential gets more positive, the primary deuterium isotope effect increases from 2.2 to 3.1, the primary 13C isotope effect decreases from 1.042 to 1.036, the alpha-secondary deuterium isotope effect drops from 1.23 to 1.06, and Vmax decreases. The 18O isotope effects increase from 1.005 to 1.008 per single 18O substitution in formate (these values are dominated by the normal isotope effect on the dehydration of formate during binding; pyridinealdehyde-NAD gives an inverse value, possibly because it is not fully dehydrated during binding). These isotope effects suggest a progression toward earlier transition states as the redox potential of the nucleotide becomes more positive, with NAD having a late and acetyl-pyridine-NAD a nearly symmetrical transition state. By contrast, the I2 oxidation of formate in dimethyl sulfoxide has a very early transition state (13k = 1.0154; Dk = 2.2; 18k = 0.9938), which becomes later as the proportion of water in the solvent increases (13k = 1.0265 in 40% dimethyl sulfoxide and 1.0362 in water). alpha-secondary deuterium isotope effects with formate dehydrogenase are decreased halfway to the equilibrium isotope effect when deuterated formate is the substrate, showing that the bending motion of the secondary hydrogen is coupled to hydride transfer in the transition state and that tunneling of the two hydrogens is involved. The 15N isotope effect of 1.07 for NAD labeled at N-1 of the nicotinamide ring suggests that N-1 becomes pyramidal during the reaction. 18O fractionation factors for formate ion relative to aqueous solution are 1.0016 in sodium formate crystal, 1.0042 bound to Dowex-1, and 1.0040 as an ion pair (probably hydrated) in CHCl3. The CO2 analogue azide binds about 10(4) times better than the formate analogue nitrate to enzyme-nucleotide complexes (even though the Ki values for both and the affinity for formate vary by 2 orders of magnitude among the various nucleotides), but the ratio is not sensitive to the redox potential of the nucleotide. Thus, not the nature of the transition state but rather the shape of the initial binding pocket for formate is determining the relative affinity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2001

Methanol toxicity and formate oxidation in NEUT2 mice.

NEUT2 mice are deficient in cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH; EC 1.5.1.6) which catalyzes the oxidation of excess folate-linked one-carbon units in the form of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to CO(2) and tetrahydrofolate (Champion et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 11338-11342, 1994). The absence of FDH should impair the oxidation of formate via the folate-dependent pathway and as a consequence render homozygous NEUT2 mice more susceptible to methanol toxicity. Normal (CB6-F1) and NEUT2 heterozygous and homozygous mice had essentially identical LD(50) values for methanol, 6.08, 6.00, and 6.03 g/kg, respectively. Normal mice oxidized low doses of [(14)C]sodium formate (ip 5 mg/kg) to (14)CO(2) at approximately twice the rate of homozygous NEUT2 mice, indicating the presence of another formate-oxidizing system in addition to FDH. Treatment of mice with the catalase inhibitor, 3-aminotriazole (1 g/kg ip) had no effect on the rate of formate oxidation, indicating that at low concentrations formate was not oxidized peroxidatively by catalase. High doses of [(14)C]sodium formate (ip 100 mg/kg) were oxidized to (14)CO(2) at identical rates in normal and NEUT2 homozygous mice. Pretreatment with 3-aminotriazole (1 g/kg ip) in this instance resulted in a 40 and 50% decrease in formate oxidation to CO(2) in both normal and homozygous NEUT2 mice, respectively. These results indicate that mice are able to oxidize formate to CO(2) by at least three different routes: (1) folate-dependent via FDH at low levels of formate; (2) peroxidation by catalase at high levels of formate; and (3) by an unknown route(s) which appears to function at both low and high levels of formate. The implications of these observations are discussed in terms of the current hypotheses concerning methanol and formate toxicity in rodents and primates.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Formate binding near the redox-active tyrosineD in photosystem II: consequences on the properties of tyrD.

Formate and phosphate affect substantially the rate of tyrosine D (TyrD) oxidation and the stability of the radical TyrD* in Photosystem II [Hienerwadel R, Boussac A, Breton J and Berthomieu C (1996) Biochemistry 35: 15447-15460]. This observation prompted us to analyze the influence of formate and phosphate on the environment of TyrD using FTIR spectroscopy. The nu (CO) IR mode of TyrD* at 1503 cm-1 remains unchanged whatever the buffer used at pH 6 and whether formate is present or not in the sample. Similarly, the main IR mode of reduced TyrD remains at approximately 1250 cm-1 in all tested conditions. We thus conclude that formate does not modify the hydrogen-bonded interactions of TyrD and TyrD* with neighbouring D2His189 and D2Gln164. In the TyrD-state, an IR mode of formate significantly different from that observed in solution, is detected using 13C-formate, showing that formate forms a strong electrostatic interaction within PS II. The presence of formate affects also IR bands that may be assigned to an arginine side chain. Upon TyrD* formation, formate does not protonate but its binding interaction weakens. A proton uptake by Mes or phosphate buffer is detected, which is not observed when BisTris is used as a buffer. In these latter conditions, IR bands characteristic of the protonation of a carboxylate group of the protein are detected instead. The present IR data and the recent structural model of the TyrD environment proposed by Ferreira KN, Iverson TM, Maghlaoui K, Barber J and Iwata S [(2004) Science 303: 1831-1838], suggest that the proton released upon TyrD* formation is shared within a hydrogen bonding network including D2Arg294, and CP47Glu364 and that perturbation of this network by formate - possibly binding near D2Arg294 - substantially affects the properties of TyrD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

An in vivo ESR spin-trapping study: free radical generation in rats from formate intoxication--role of the Fenton reaction.

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy has been used to study free radical generation in rats with acute sodium formate poisoning. The in vivo spin-trapping technique was used with alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-t-butylnitrone (POBN), which reacts with free radical metabolites to form radical adducts, which were detected in the bile and urine samples from Fischer rats. The use of [(13)C]-sodium formate and computer simulations of the spectra identified the 12-line spectrum as arising from the POBN/carbon dioxide anion radical adduct. The identification of POBN/*CO(2)(-) radical adduct provides direct electron spin resonance spectroscopy evidence for the formation of *CO(2)(-) radicals during acute intoxication by sodium formate, suggesting a free radical metabolic pathway. To study the mechanism of free radical generation by formate, we tested several known inhibitors. Both allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and aminobenzotriazole, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, decreased free radical formation from formate, which may imply a dependence on hydrogen peroxide. In accord with this hypothesis, the catalase inhibitor 3-aminotriazole caused a significant increase in free radical formation. The iron chelator Desferal decreased the formation of free radicals up to 2-fold. Presumably, iron plays a role in the mechanism of free radical generation by formate via the Fenton reaction. The detection of formate free radical metabolites generated in vivo and the key role of the Fenton reaction in this process may be important for understanding the pathogenesis of both formate and methanol intoxication.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Engineering NADH metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: formate as an electron donor for glycerol production by anaerobic, glucose-limited chemostat cultures.

Anaerobic Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures reoxidize the excess NADH formed in biosynthesis via glycerol production. This study investigates whether cometabolism of formate, a well-known NADH-generating substrate in aerobic cultures, can increase glycerol production in anaerobic S. cerevisiae cultures. In anaerobic, glucose-limited chemostat sultures (D=0.10 h(-1)) with molar formate-to-glucose ratios of 0 to 0.5, only a small fraction of the formate added to the cultures was consumed. To investigate whether incomplete formate consumption was by the unfavourable kinetics of yeast formate dehydrogenase (high k(M) for formate at low intracellular NAD(+) concentrations) strains were constructed in which the FDH1 and/or GPD2 genes, encoding formate dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, respectively, were overexpressed. The engineered strains consumed up to 70% of the formate added to the feed, thereby increasing glycerol yields to 0.3 mol mol(-1) glucose at a formate-to-glucose ratio of 0.34. In all strains tested, the molar ratio between formate consumption and additional glycerol production relative to a reference culture equalled one. While demonstrating that that format can be use to enhance glycerol yields in anaerobic S. cerevisiae cultures, This study also reveals kinetic constraints of yeast formate dehydrogenase as an NADH-generating system in yeast mediated reduction processes.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1994

Sulfated polysaccharides are required for collagen-induced vascular tube formation.

We have previously shown that soluble type I collagen can induce vascular tube formation when it contacts the apical side of a confluent endothelial monolayer. In this study we have examined which soluble agent(s) are required for collagen-induced tube formation. Human neonatal foreskin microvascular endothelial cells, maintained in basal medium, were preincubated with each test agent for 2 h prior to the addition of solubilised type I collagen (100 micrograms/ml). After 6 h, tube formation was quantitated using image analysis and expressed as the mean area of tube formation (mm2) per microscopic field of view. Collagen-induced tube formation did not occur in the presence of endothelial cells growth supplement, basic fibroblast growth factor, or normal pooled human serum. In contrast, the addition of heparin at 5 or 50 micrograms/ml caused extensive tube formation (0.22 +/- 0.07 and 0.30 +/- 0.12 mm2, respectively) whereas at 500 micrograms/ml little tube formation occurred (0.03 +/- 0.02 mm2). Protamine sulfate, an antagonist of heparin, inhibited collagen-induced tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. Pentosan polysulfate, dextran sulfate, heparan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate mimicked the action of heparin. Partially sulfated heparin (de-N-sulfated heparin) stimulated less tube formation compared to heparin (0.15 +/- 0.06 mm2 at 50 micrograms/ml). The nonsulfated polysaccharides, xylan and dextran, had no effect on tube formation. In summary, sulfated polysaccharides are required for collagen-induced vascular tube formation in vitro. The sulfation of these molecules appears to be vital for collagen-induced tube formation.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1991

Differential inhibition and potentiation of chemoattractant-induced superoxide formation in human neutrophils by the cell-permeant analogue of cyclic GMP, N2,2'-O-dibutyryl guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate.

Human neutrophils possess a superoxide (O2-)-forming NADPH oxidase which is activated by the chemoattractants, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe), complement C5a, platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4. We studied the roles of cAMP and cGMP in the regulation of O2- formation using the cell-permeant analogues of cyclic nucleotides, N6,2'-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) and N2,2'-O-dibutyryl guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (Bt2cGMP). Bt2cAMP inhibited O2- formation induced by these chemoattractants to similar extents. Bt2cGMP as low as 10 mumol/l significantly inhibited O2- formation induced by fMet-Leu-Phe at a submaximally effective concentration (50 nmol/l), and Bt2cGMP was more effective in diminishing O2- formation than Bt2cAMP. In contrast, Bt2cGMP did not affect O2- formation induced by fMet-Leu-Phe at a maximally effective concentration (1 mumol/l). Bt2cGMP (0.1 and 1 mmol/l) enhanced O2- formation induced by 0.1 mumol/1 C5a by 23% and 49%, respectively, and Bt2cGMP antagonized inhibition of O2- formation caused by Bt2cAMP. Bt2cGMP inhibited platelet-activating factor-induced O2- formation to a lesser extent than Bt2cAMP and had no effect on that induced by leukotriene B4. Bt2cAMP and Bt2cGMP had no effect on O2- formation induced by NAF, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, phorbol myristate acetate, A 23187 and arachidonic acid. Our data suggest that: 1. Bt2cAMP generally inhibits chemoattractant-stimulated O2- formation. 2. Bt2cGMP inhibits fMet-Leu-Phe- and platelet-activating factor-stimulated O2- formation but potentiates C5a-induced O2- formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bucladesine↗
PubMed1995

Diquat-dependent protein carbonyl formation. Identification of lipid-dependent and lipid-independent pathways.

In a previous report on diquat-dependent oxidative damage in rat hepatic microsomes, protein oxidation, as measured by protein carbonyl (PC) formation, was observed in addition to lipid peroxidation (LP). Both phenomena were antioxidant sensitive. Inhibition of PC formation was somewhat surprising given the proposed mechanism of metal-catalyzed protein oxidation. Studies reported here examined diquat-dependent PC formation in greater detail. In rat hepatic microsomes, diquat-dependent thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and PC formation were time and concentration dependent. In this system, LP was inhibited completely by U-74006F or U-78517G, whereas PC formation was inhibited only partially by these antioxidants. In an essentially lipid-free system consisting of purified rat hepatic cytochrome P450 reductase, BSA and an NADPH-generating system, PC formation was also observed, but was not antioxidant-sensitive. Under these conditions, minimal diquat-dependent TBARS formation was observed. The observation of relative antioxidant insensitivity is consistent with H2O2 (generated during the diquat redox cycle) catalyzing protein oxidation via a site-specific, metal-catalyzed mechanism. Thus, different pathways would appear to be involved in diquat-dependent PC formation in lipid-containing and lipid-free systems. Carbon tetrachloride induces LP following reductive activation to the trichloromethyl free radical, a pathway not directly involving H2O2 generation. In the microsomal system, CCl4 induced TBARS and PC formation, both of which were completely inhibitable by antioxidants. Taken together, these data suggest that diquat induces PC formation by lipid-dependent (antioxidant-sensitive) and lipid-independent (antioxidant-insensitive) pathways. In microsomes, both pathways contribute to diquat-dependent PC formation. Data for the lipid-independent pathway are consistent with the mechanism of metal-catalyzed protein oxidation proposed by Stadtman and colleagues (reviewed in Free Radic Biol Med 9: 315-325, 1990), while the lipid-dependent pathway is likely secondary to LP itself--via a Michael-type addition reaction between hydroxyalkenals and protein sulfhydryl groups, amino groups or other protein nucleophiles. The latter pathway is also responsible for carbon tetrachloride-dependent PC formation. Additional studies are in progress to further characterize the lipid-independent mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Inhibition of neointima formation by local delivery of estrogen receptor alpha and beta specific agonists.

OBJECTIVE: Neointima formation is the underlying mechanism of (in-stent) restenosis. 17beta-Estradiol (E2) is known to inhibit injury-induced neointima formation and post-angioplasty restenosis. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) has been demonstrated to mediate E2 anti-restenotic properties. However, the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) is not fully elucidated. In the present study, the specific role of vascular ERalpha and ERbeta in neointima formation is assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Neointima formation was induced by placement of a perivascular cuff around the femoral artery of male C57BL/6J mice. E2-eluting cuffs significantly inhibited cuff-induced neointima formation. To address the specific roles of ERalpha and ERbeta on neointima formation, the ERalpha-selective agonist 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)tris-phenol (PPT) and the ERbeta-selective agonist 2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) were applied via a drug-eluting cuff. PPT inhibited neointima formation at low but not at high concentrations. Conversely, DPN inhibited neointima formation dose dependently. To demonstrate the specificity of these responses, an ERalpha-selective antagonist, MPP, was also used in combination with E2, PPT, or DPN. While the effect of PPT on neointima formation inhibition was blocked by co-delivery of MPP, E2 and DPN could still inhibit neointima formation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that, in addition to ERalpha, specific ERbeta activation inhibits neointima formation in a mouse model of restenosis. These data reveal a yet unidentified protective role of ERbeta on neointima formation.

Animals↗