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In vivo and in vitro reactions of toluene diisocyanate isomers with guinea pig hemoglobin.

Guinea pig hemoglobin (Hb) adducts of 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,4- and 2,6-TDI) were individually prepared, each at a Hb tetramer to diisocyanate ratio of 1:1, and compared with adducts of Hb from animals exposed to 1 ppm 2,4-TDI vapor. Each Hb sample was subjected to C4 HPLC chain/heme separation with UV detection. Survey of the LC fractions using an antiserum prepared to a heterologous TDI-protein indicated a difference in chain specificity and product types formed in vitro by the two isomers. Ionspray mass spectrometry (MS) revealed the chemistry of the adduction products. Carbamoylated products, formed from adduction by one TDI molecule (with one isocyanato group hydrolyzed to an amino group), were detected by MS with 2,4-TDI on each chain and with 2,6-TDI on the beta chain. Additionally, a quasi-molecular ion of a bis carbamoylation adduct was noted by MS in the in vitro 2,4-TDI-Hb adduct in the form of TDI-cross-linked alpha and beta chains. Ionspray MS analysis of the Hb isolated from guinea pigs exposed in vivo to 2,4-TDI indicated carbamoylation products with both the alpha and beta chains in which one of the two original isocyanato groups had been hydrolyzed to the amine. We also found evidence of an amine-nitroso adduct on the alpha chain in the in vivo sample. These results indicate that at least one of the isocyanato moieties (or a masked derivative) of 2,4-TDI survived passage through the lung, into the serum, and through the erythrocyte membrane to form adducts with Hb that were stable to dialysis, gel filtration, and reversed phase HPLC separation under acidic conditions. The presence of an apparent amine-nitroso adduct indicated in vivo formation of 2,4-diaminotoluene, a recognized animal carcinogen.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Structure-activity relationships in the induction of mammary gland neoplasia in male rats with substituted aminopyrazoles.

In toxicity studies with a potential antipsychotic agent, N-(4-[2-fluorobenzoyl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2-([3- (2-methyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]amino)-acetamide(Z)-2-butenedioate (1:2) (FP-1), mammary gland neoplasia in male rats was induced within 13 weeks. Tumor induction by the parent compound (FP-1) and structural analogs was also explored. Rats were given 50 mg/kg/day of FP-1 or the diethyl glycine analog, FP-2. Other experimental groups received the FP nucleus, a benzoylpyrazolylacetamide, or the FP side chains alone or administered concurrently with the nucleus. Most animals survived the 13 weeks without significant clinical effects. Clinically detectable, gross subcutaneous mammary nodules developed only in rats given FP-1 or the FP nucleus coadministered with the FP-1 side chain. Additional mammary gland neoplasms were found at necropsy or on histopathologic examination of mammary glands from rats receiving FP-1, FP-2, and the FP nucleus. The neoplastic effect was not influenced by the structure of the side chains. Since these substituted aminopyrazoles are novel chemicals, the mechanism for this neoplastic effect is not yet clearly established; however, the proliferating effect resides in the nucleus of this series of compounds and is likely related to alteration of DNA in target mammary tissue.

Animals↗

Ribosome inactivation by the toxic lectins abrin and ricin. Kinetics of the enzymic activity of the toxin A-chains.

A sensitive test system for toxin-treated ribosomes was worked out by treating rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes with abrin A-chain, ricin A-chain or ricinus agglutinin A-chain, adding neutralizing amounts of specific antitoxins and testing for polyphenylalanine-synthesizing activity in a system where the concentration of elongation factors and ribosomes were varied. The strongest inhibition was obtained in the presence of low concentrations of elongation factor (EF-2). The activity of the ribosomes decreased with time of incubation with the toxin A-chains. Addition of anti-toxins stopped further inactivation. In systems containing untreated and toxin-treated ribosomes the ability to polymerize phenylalanine was proportional to the concentration of untreated ribosomes. There was a linear relationship between toxin A-chain concentration and the number of ribosomes inactivated per minute. The inactivation rate increased with temperature, and the estimated activation energy was 10.6 kcal (44.3 kJ). Linewaver-Burk plots of the data obtained by incubating various ribosome concentrations with toxins indicated a molecular activity of about 1500 ribosomes/minute for abrin and ricin A-chains and 100 ribosomes/minute for ricinus agglutinin A-chain. The apparent Michaelis constant was 0.1-0.2 muM for all three A-chains. The activity of the A-chains in the intact cell is discussed.

Abrin↗

Photomodulation of conformational states. Synthesis of cyclic peptides with backbone-azobenzene moieties.

The search for photoresponsive conformational transitions accompanied by changes in physicochemical and biological properties led us to the design of small cyclic peptides containing azobenzene moieties in the backbone. For this purpose, (4-aminomethyl)phenylazobenzoic acid (H-AMPB-OH) and (4-amino)phenylazobenzoic acid (H-APB-OH) were synthesized and used to cyclize a bis-cysteinyl-octapeptide giving monocyclic derivatives in which additional conformational restriction could be introduced by conversion to bicyclic structures with a disulphide bridge. While synthesis with H-AMPB-OH proceeded smoothly on a chlorotrityl-resin with Fmoc/tBu chemistry, the poor nucleophilicity of the arylamino group of H-APB-OH required special chemistry for satisfactory incorporation into the peptide chain. Additional difficulties were encountered in the reductive cleavage of the S-tert-butylthio group from the cysteine residues since concomitant reduction of the azobenzene moiety took place at competing rates. This difficulty was eventually bypassed by using the S-trityl protection. Side-chain cyclization of the APB-peptide proved to be difficult, suggesting that restricted conformational freedom was already present in the monocyclic form, a fact that was fully confirmed by NMR structural analysis. Conversely, the methylene spacer in the AMPB moiety introduced sufficient flexibility for facile and quantitative side-chain cyclization to the bicyclic form. Both of the monocyclic peptides and both of the bicyclic peptides are photoresponsive molecules which undergo cis/trans isomerization reversibly.

Azo Compounds↗

Characterization and molecular cloning of a proenzyme form of a ribosome-inactivating protein from maize. Novel mechanism of proenzyme activation by proteolytic removal of a 2.8-kilodalton internal peptide segment.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a widely distributed family of plant enzymes that are remarkably potent catalytic inactivators of eukaryotic protein synthesis. All RIPs described to date, including the A-chain of the plant cytotoxin ricin, are polypeptides of 25-32 kDa and share significant amino acid sequence homologies. We have characterized and cloned an RIP from maize (Zea mays). In contrast to previously described RIPs, we have found that maize RIP is synthesized and stored in the kernel as a 34-kDa inactive precursor (isoelectric point = 6.5). During germination, this neutral precursor is converted into a basic, active form (isoelectric point greater than 9) by limited proteolysis, which removes 25 amino acids (2.8 kDa) of net charge -6 from the center of the polypeptide chain. Additional processing also occurs at the amino and carboxyl termini of the polypeptide. The sequence of the internal processed region is unique and it is equivalent to an insertion centered around Thr-156 in the amino acid sequence of ricin toxin A-chain, i.e. in the center of the enzymatically active domain. The generation of an active enzyme by removal of a large amino acid segment from the middle of a precursor polypeptide chain represents a novel mechanism of proenzyme activation that is distinct from more conventional activation mechanisms involving NH2-terminal proteolytic processing. A two-chain active RIP (comprised of 16.5- and 8.5-kDa fragments that remain tightly associated) is produced from this processing event.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus synthesize a dermatan sulfate enriched in 4-O- and 6-O-disulfated galactosamine units.

Unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus are surrounded by a gelatinous layer rich in sulfated fucan. Shortly after fertilization this polysaccharide disappears, but 24 h later the embryos synthesize high amounts of dermatan sulfate concomitantly with the mesenchyme blastula-early gastrula stage when the larval gut is forming. This glycosaminoglycan has the same backbone structure [4-alpha-L-IdoA-1-->3-beta-D-GalNAc-1](n) as the mammalian counterpart but possesses a different sulfation pattern. It has a high content of 4-O- and 6-O-disulfated galactosamine units. In addition, chains of this dermatan sulfate are considerable longer than those of vertebrate tissues. Adult sea urchin tissues contain high concentrations of sulfated polysaccharides, but dermatan sulfate is restricted to the adult body wall where it accounts for approximately 20% of the total sulfated polysaccharides. In addition, sulfation at the 4-O-position decreases markedly in the dermatan sulfate from adult sea urchin when compared with the glycan from larvae. Overall, these results demonstrate the occurrence of dermatan sulfates with unique sulfation patterns in this marine invertebrate. The physiological implication of these oversulfated dermatan sulfates is unclear. One hypothesis is that interactions between components of the extracellular matrix in marine invertebrates occur at higher salt concentrations than in vertebrates and therefore require glycosaminoglycans with increased charge density.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

An analysis of the structure of the antigen receptor on a pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell hybrid.

The monoclonal antibody A2B4-2 has been shown to bind to the antigen receptor on the cloned pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell hybrid, 2B4. Initial immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis with this clonotypic antibody demonstrated that the antigen receptor on this cell had a m.w. of 85,000 to 90,000. Under reducing conditions, the receptor protein appeared as two bands of 45,000 to 50,000 and 40,000 to 44,000 on an SDS-PAGE gel. In this paper the antigen receptor on this T cell hybrid is further characterized. The molecule is shown to be a heterodimer that exists in two different forms on the cell surface. Receptor molecules with an apparent m.w. of 84,000 and 86,000 were isolated by immunoprecipitation and separation on polyacrylamide gradient gels. After reduction, the individual alpha- and beta-chains were separated by isoelectric focusing. In both forms of the receptor, the acidic alpha-chain had an apparent m.w. of 42,000 to 44,000. This alpha-chain associated with one of two forms of beta-chain. One beta-chain had a m.w. of 42,000 to 44,000, with a pI range of 7.5 to 7.9, and the alternate form of the beta-chain, beta', had a m.w. of 46,000 to 48,000 and a more acidic pI range of 6.5 to 7.5. The results of this investigation indicate that under reducing conditions on SDS-PAGE gels, the original upper 45,000 to 50,000 m.w. band represented beta'-chains alone, whereas the lower 40,000 to 44,000 m.w. band represented a mixture of alpha- and beta-chains. Additional data are presented to indicate that this heterodimeric protein has intrachain as well as interchain disulfide bonds. This conclusion was reached from the characteristic pattern of protein migration on SDS-PAGE gels in the presence of a reducing agent concentration gradient. Thus, both chains of the antigen receptor must have intrachain disulfide bonds and may have similar domain structures.

Animals↗

Interface relaxation in electrophoretic deposition of polymer chains: effects of segmental dynamics, molecular weight, and field.

Using different segmental dynamics and relaxation, characteristics of the interface growth is examined in an electrophoretic deposition of polymer chains on a three (2+1)-dimensional discrete lattice with a Monte Carlo simulation. Incorporation of faster modes such as crankshaft and reptation movements along with the relatively slow kink-jump dynamics seems crucial in relaxing the interface width. As the continuously released polymer chains are driven (via segmental movements) and deposited, the interface width W grows with the number of time steps t, W proportional, variant t(beta), (beta approximately 0.4-0.8), which is followed by its saturation to a steady-state value W(s). Stopping the release of additional chains after saturation while continuing the segmental movements relaxes the saturated width to an equilibrium value (W(s)-->W(r)). Scaling of the relaxed interface width W(r) with the driving field E, W(r) proportional, variant E(-1/2) remains similar to that of the steady-state W(s) width. In contrast to monotonic increase of the steady-state width W(s), the relaxed interface width W(r) is found to decay (possibly as a stretched exponential) with the molecular weight.

Journal Article↗

The mRNAs for the three chains of human collagen type XI are widely distributed but not necessarily co-expressed: implications for homotrimeric, heterotrimeric and heterotypic collagen molecules.

In cartilage collagen type XI exists as heterotrimeric molecules composed of alpha 1(XI), alpha 2(XI) and alpha 3(XI) subunits. Messenger RNAs for some of the alpha chains of collagen type XI have also been found in non-chondrogenic tissues but the chain composition of the molecule in these sites is not known. Some non-chondrogenic tissues also contain heterotrimers containing collagen alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(XI) chains. We have explored the possibility that collagen type XI could exist in differing trimeric forms in non-chondrogenic tissues and aimed to predict the subunit composition of this collagen in those tissues. The distribution and relative levels of expression of collagen alpha 1(XI), alpha 2(XI) and alpha 3(XI)/alpha 1(II) mRNAs in different human fetal tissues were studied. Expression of mRNAs for all three genes of collagen type XI is not restricted to cartilage but is widespread. However, in some non-chondrogenic tissues, the mRNAs for all three alpha chains of collagen type XI were not co-expressed, but collagen alpha 1(XI) and alpha 2(XI) mRNAs were found either singly or without collagen alpha 3(XI) transcripts. Collagen type XI may therefore exist as homotrimers and/or heterotrimers composed of two collagen alpha(XI) chains in some tissues. The distribution of mRNAs for collagen alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(I) were also studied. Co-expression of collagen type XI, alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(I) mRNAs was found for many tissues. These findings have implications for the possibility of additional chain associations for collagen types XI and V in cross-type heterotrimers within heterotypic fibrils.

Cartilage↗

Protein-folding landscapes in multichain systems.

Computational studies of proteins have significantly improved our understanding of protein folding. These studies are normally carried out by using chains in isolation. However, in many systems of practical interest, proteins fold in the presence of other molecules. To obtain insight into folding in such situations, we compare the thermodynamics of folding for a Miyazawa-Jernigan model 64-mer in isolation to results obtained in the presence of additional chains. The melting temperature falls as the chain concentration increases. In multichain systems, free-energy landscapes for folding show an increased preference for misfolded states. Misfolding is accompanied by an increase in interprotein interactions; however, near the folding temperature, the transition from folded chains to misfolded and associated chains is entropically driven. A majority of the most probable interprotein contacts are also native contacts, suggesting that native topology plays a role in early stages of aggregation.

Amino Acids↗

Ig light chain variability in DNP(494)-KLH immunised sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): evidence for intra-molecular induced suppression.

The coding sequence of the sea bass light chain was obtained by sequential anchored PCR on a head kidney cDNA library of a DNP(494)-KLH immunised sea bass. The cDNA sequence obtained codes for a leader peptide of 21aa and a mature IgL chain of 223aa. Both the amino acid sequence comparisons and neighbour-joining trees showed that the IgL chain of sea bass obtained is of the L1/G type. To study the variability of the light chain, additional PCRs on the cDNA library and cDNA from pooled head kidneys were performed. Multiple alignment of unique sequences (N=17) could be performed without introducing gaps, and showed extremely low variability in CDR1, and no variability in CDR2 or CDR3. A possible explanation for this low variability of the IgL1 chain might be the enhanced expression of monospecific anti-DNP antibodies. The isolation and characterisation of partial genomic and cDNA IgL sequences, which showed normal variability, corroborate this explanation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Leukotriene receptor antagonists. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of alkoxyacetophenone derivatives.

A series of derivatives of 2,4-dihydroxy-3-propylacetophenone(1) were prepared and examined for their ability to block leukotriene D4 (LTD4) induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. Straight-chain carboxylic acids where the carboxyl group was separated from the acetophenone moiety by varying numbers of methylenes were evaluated, and maximum activity was obtained with the pentamethylene acid (6). Examination of ring substitution showed that the 2-propyl-3-hydroxy-4-acetyl substitution pattern was required for maximum LTD4 antagonist activity. Additional chain terminal groups were examined, and the acidic 5-tetrazolyl group separated from the acetophenone moiety by four to seven methylenes (26, 23, 27, 28) gave excellent in vitro and in vivo activities. Compound 26 (LY171883) had the best balance of in vitro and in vivo activity. It lacked bronchospastic activity at the doses administered and has been chosen for clinical evaluation.

Acetophenones↗

Structural determination of zinc dithiophosphates in lubricating oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact and electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization.

Pentafluorobenzyl ester derivatives were used to identify zinc dialkyldithiophosphates and diaryldithiophosphates antiwear engine oil additives by GC-electron impact ionization (EI) MS and GC-electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization (ECNCI) MS analysis. GC-EI-MS of the dialkyldithiophosphate-pentafluorobenzyl derivatives afforded characteristic fragment ions corresponding to the cleavage of one and two alkyl radicals. In most cases, information was only obtained on one alkyl chain. Additional and complete information was obtained with retention time indices using synthetic derivatives and with GC-ECNCI-MS analysis. ECNCI afforded characteristic dithiophosphate anions which allowed the determination of the total number of carbon atoms in the alkyl radicals. The diastereoisomer mixtures of 2-hydroxy-sec.-alkyl radicals were completely separated on GC analysis.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

Studies on IgM polymerization: reassociation to non-covalently and covalently linked Fc5mu fragments.

Fc5mu fragments were purified from a trypsin digest of native IgM by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Fc5mu fragments in sodium dodecyl sulphate disclosed a major and a minor band with molecules of 320,000 and 285,000 daltons, respectively. The mu chain fragments showed a molecular weight of 34,500. After reduction of the Fc5mu fragments to free mu chain fragments and J chain removal of the reducing agent by dialysis for 24 h under nitrogen in the presence of Zn ions gave non-covalently linked Fc5mu fragments. This shows that the non-covalent interactions operating between the mu chains of non-covalently linked native IgM are present in the C-terminal part of the mu chains. Additional dialysis in the presence of Zn and Cu ions resulted in the formation of covalently linked Fc5mu fragments.

Alkylation↗

Incidence of three cross-reactive idiotypes on human rheumatoid factor paraproteins.

The basis for rheumatoid factor (RF) production in autoimmune or lymphoproliferative diseases cannot be understood without defining the molecular factors that dictate RF structure and specificity. Recently three different mAb (6B6.6, 17.109, and G6) have been developed that define cross-reactive idiotypes (CRI) on intact L or H chains of human monoclonal RF cryoglobulins. However, the true incidence of these CRI among RF and their relationship to each other have not been delineated. In the present experiments, a panel of 163 randomly selected IgM paraproteins was evaluated for the expression of the two kappa L chain CRI, 6B6.6 and 17.109, and the H chain CRI, G6. Among the paraproteins with kappa L chains, 14% expressed the 17.109 CRI, and 9% expressed the 6B6.6 CRI. Both ELISA and Western immunoblotting experiments showed that the two L chain CRI were mutually exclusive. Anti-IgG activity was documented in 22 of the IgM-kappa paraproteins, among which mAb 6B6.6 reacted with 7 (32%) and mAb 17.109 with 6 (27%). Both CRI were expressed exclusively by L chains within the kappaIII variable gene subgroup. Although 17.109 CRI+ paraproteins had kappaIIIb L chains, none of the 6B6.6 CRI+ paraproteins possessed L chains with this kappa sub-subgroup specific Ag. The G6 CRI was found predominantly among RF paraproteins and was frequently yet not exclusively associated with the 17.109 CRI+ L chains. Additional experiments were performed on a panel of normal adult human sera and documented the presence of 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI on a small percentage (0.1 to 2.0%) of IgM from most individuals. These data indicate that 1) the mAb 6B6.6 and 17.109 identify two major and distinct CRI among IgM-RF paraproteins, 2) both CRI are associated exclusively with kappaIII L chains, 3) kappaIIIb and kappaIII non-b L chains are equally prevalent among IgM-RF, 4) the G6 H chain CRI is frequently associated with 17.109 CRI+ L chains, but not with 6B6.6 CRI+ L chains, and 5) although the ability to make 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI+ kappa L chains is common in humans, these CRI are present in low concentrations in normal IgM.

Adolescent↗

Oxidation of free amino acids and amino acid residues in proteins by radiolysis and by metal-catalyzed reactions.

Basic mechanisms that underlie the oxygen free radical-promoted oxidation of free amino acids and amino acid residues of proteins are derived from radiolysis studies. Results of these studies indicate that the most common pathway for the oxidation of simple aliphatic amino acids involves the hydroxyl radical-mediated abstraction of a hydrogen atom to form a carbon-centered radical at the alpha-position of the amino acid or amino acid residue in the polypeptide chain. Addition of O2 to the carbon-centered radicals leads to formation of peroxy radical derivatives, which upon decomposition lead to production of NH3 and alpha-ketoacids, or to production of NH3, CO2, and aldehydes or carboxylic acids containing one less carbon atom. As the number of carbon atoms in the amino acid is increased, hydrogen abstraction at other positions in the carbon chain becomes more important and leads either to the formation of hydroxy derivatives, or to amino acid cross-linked products as a consequence of carbon-centered radical recombination processes. alpha-Hydrogen abstraction plays a minor role in the oxidation of aromatic amino acids by radiolysis. Instead, the aromatic ring is the primary site of attack leading to hydroxy derivatives, to ring scission, and in the case of tyrosine to the formation of Tyr-Tyr cross-linked dimers. The basic pattern for the oxidation of amino acids by metal ion-catalyzed reactions (Fenton chemistry) is similar to the alpha-hydrogen abstraction pathway. But unlike the case of oxidation by radiolysis, this Fenton pathway is the major mechanism for the oxidation of all aliphatic amino acids, regardless of chain length, as well as for the oxidation of aromatic amino acids. Curiously, the Fe(III)-catalyzed oxidation of free amino acids is almost completely dependent upon the presence of bicarbonate ion, and is greatly stimulated by iron chelators at chelator/Fe(III) ratios less than 1.0, and is inhibited at chelator/Fe(III) ratios greater than 1.0. It is deduced that the most active catalytic complex is composed of two equivalents of HCO3-, an amino acid, and at least one equivalent of iron; however, two forms of iron, an iron-chelate and another form, must somehow be involved. In contrast to the situation with radiolysis, the aromatic rings of aromatic amino acids are only minor targets for metal-catalyzed reactions. All amino acid residues in proteins are subject to attack by hydroxyl radicals generated by ionizing radiation; however, the aromatic amino acids and sulfur-containing amino acids are most sensitive to oxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

Dissecting the binding energy epitope of a high-affinity variant of human growth hormone: cooperative and additive effects from combining mutations from independently selected phage display mutagenesis libraries.

Phage display mutagenesis is a widely used approach to engineering novel protein properties and is especially powerful in probing structure-function relationships in molecular recognition processes. The relative contributions of additive and cooperative binding forces and the influence of conformational diversity in producing a novel protein-protein interface is investigated using as a model an ultra-high-affinity receptor binding variant of human growth hormone (hGHv) that has been previously affinity matured. The modular aspect of how the mutations were grouped in the phage display libraries and combined allowed for a systematic probing of the inherent functional cross-talk between the different secondary structure elements that make up the remodeled hGHv binding surface. We performed an alanine scanning analyses of 35 hGHv residues and determined the kinetics of each variant by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). This analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the additive and cooperative binding forces existing among the selected residues in each library module, and the binding advantage of these residues is maximized over the original wild-type residue when in the context of the other mutations in the library. The degree to which residues in a particular mutagenesis library display binding cooperativity characteristics is generally correlated with the conformational plasticity of the polypeptide chain. Additionally, these cooperativity effects change when the mutations from one library are combined with the mutations from one or several of the other separate libraries. This supports the idea that significant functional cross-talk exists between the combined library modules that can affect the binding energetics of individual residues over a large distance.

Epitopes↗

A preliminary investigation of the biomechanical and perceptual influence of chain resistance on the performance of the snatch.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of chains to a barbell during the performance of the snatch would invoke differences in execution compared with lifting a conventional barbell without chains. Additionally, subjects were asked whether they perceived that the addition of chains had effects on their performance, and, if so, what those effects were. Four male and 3 female competitive weightlifters who regularly used chains as part of their training programs participated in the study. They were compared lifting 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) using conventional barbells with 80% of 1RM, 5% of which was accounted for by chains. The same procedure was used with 85% of 1RM. Variables examined included maximum vertical displacement of the bar, maximum bar velocity, rate of force production of the bar, and vertical ground reaction forces for the first pull, unweighting, and second pull phases of the lift. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the chain vs. no-chain conditions at either 80% or 85% of 1RM. In contrast, 100% of the subjects stated that they perceived that the addition of chains made them work harder during the snatch. They suggested that the chains forced them to pull harder throughout the lift and that oscillation of the chains required their shoulders, abdominals, and back to work harder to stabilize the bar in the catch phase. Although statistical results indicate that chains have no influence on the snatch technique, chains may have a psychological impact and possibly invoke a physiological training response by increasing strength of muscles required to stabilize the bar during the catch phase if used over time.

Adolescent↗