Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “OROTIC ACID”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,243 records · Page 69Linked to original sources

Localization of nucleic acids in hepatocyte nucleoli of rats upon D-galactosamine-induced block of transcription.

The precise localization of DNA and RNA within rat hepatocyte nucleoli during the process of D-galactosamine-induced nucleolar segregation has been studied by using sensitive methods for their detection: osmium-ammine staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase reaction for DNA, and immunoelectron microscopy with anti-RNA antibodies, RNase-gold, and autoradiography with tritiated orotic acid for RNA. The blocking of transcription was followed by the disappearance of intranucleolar condensed chromatin. Agglomerates of thin extended DNA filaments were found to change their location to the nucleolar periphery and to coalesce with each other. At the last stage of nucleolar segregation they were concentrated at the pole of the nucleolar fibrillar remnant while the rest of the nucleolus did not contain any DNA. No DNA was found in the dense fibrillar component of both intact and treated hepatocyte nucleoli. During the process of nucleolar segregation the bulk of the nucleolar RNA was found within the so-called spherical bodies. This RNA appeared to be synthesized shortly before or even after drug administration. The results obtained are in agreement with the hypothesis that the fibrillar centers are the site of nucleolar transcription. They also show that uncompleted molecules of pre-rRNA whose synthesis has been blocked are segregated from the rest of nucleolar RNA species into the spherical bodies.

Animals↗

Production of vitamins, coenzymes and related biochemicals by biotechnological processes.

Vitamins and related biofactors belong to those few chemicals with a direct positive appeal to people. There is indeed a large need for extra vitamins, other than those derived from plant and animal food sources, due to unbalanced food habits or processing, food shortage or disease. Added vitamins are now either prepared chemically or biotechnologically via fermentation or bioconversion processes. Several vitamins and related biofactors are now only or mainly produced chemically (vitamin A, cholecalciferol (D3), tocopherol (E), vitamin K2, thiamine (B1), niacin (PP or B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (H or B8), folic acid (B9) or via extraction processes (beta-carotene or provitamin A, provitamin D3, tocopherol, vitamin F-group). However, for several of these compounds microbiological or algal methods also exist or are rapidly emerging. Others are produced practically exclusively via fermentation (ergosterol or provitamin D2, riboflavin (B2), cyanocobalamin (B12), orotic acid (B13), vitamin F-group, ATP, nucleosides, coenzymes, etc. or via microalgal culture (beta-carotene, E, F). Both chemical and microbial processes are run industrially for vitamin B2 while vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is produced via a combination of chemical reactions and fermentation processes. A survey is given here of the current state of vitamin production, with emphasis on developments and strategies for improved biotechnological production and its significance, as compared to existing chemical processes. The screening or construction of vitamin hyperproducing microbial strains is a difficult task; pathway elucidation and metabolic (de)regulation need further study; r-DNA technology has only recently been introduced; improved fermentation processes and immobilised biocatalysts bioconversions for the synthesis of chiral vitamin compounds or intermediates or derivatives are gaining importance; the recovery and purification of these vitamin compounds from their fermentation broths remains equally complex.

Biotechnology↗

Influence of age, sex, lactational state and exogenous growth hormone on erythrocyte UMP synthase in dairy cattle.

UMP synthase activity was determined in erythrocytes of Holstein cattle to assess differences attributable to age, sex, lactational state, and exogenous growth hormone. Newborns had 80% more UMP synthase activity per ml erythrocytes than mature cattle. Males had 10% more UMP synthase activity than females of the same age. Lactating and non-lactating mature females did not differ in UMP synthase activity. Over the first six weeks of life, the decrease in UMP synthase activity was less pronounced in calves partially deficient for the enzyme. Ten daily injections of growth hormone altered neither UMP synthase activity in erythrocytes nor orotic acid concentrations in milk and urine.

Aging↗

Capillary isotachophoretic determination of flufenamic, mefenamic, niflumic and tolfenamic acid in pharmaceuticals.

Anionic capillary isotachophoresis (ITP) with conductimetric detection has been used for determining selected non-steroid anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs of the phenamate group, namely tolfenamic (I), flufenamic (II), mefenamic (III) and niflumic (IV) acid. Initially the pKa values (proton lost) of I-IV were determined as 5.11, 4.91, 5.39 and 4.31, respectively, by the UV spectrophotometry in aqueous 50% (w/w) methanol. The optimised ITP electrolyte system consisted of 10 mM HCl + 20 mM imidazole (pH 7.1) as the leading electrolyte and 10 mM 5,5'-diethylbarbituric acid (pH 7.5) as the terminating electrolyte. The driving and detection currents were 100 microA (for 450 s) and 30 microA, respectively (a single analysis took about 20 min). Under such conditions the effective mobilities of I-IV varied between 23.6 and 24.6 m2 V(-1) s(-1) (evaluated with orotic acid as the mobility standard). The calibration graphs relating the ITP zone length to the concentration of the analytes were rectilinear (r = 0.9987-0.9999) in the range 10-100 mg l(-1) of the drug standard. The R.S.D.s were 0.96-1.55% (n = 6) when determining 50 mg l(-1) of the analytes in pure test solutions. The method has been applied to the assay of the phenamates in six commercial mass-produced pharmaceutical preparations (Mobilisin gel and ointment, Lysalgo capsules, Nifluril cream, Niflugel gel, and Clotam capsules). According to the validation procedure based on the standard addition technique the recoveries were 98.4-104.3% of the drug and the R.S.D. values were 1.25-3.32% (n = 6).

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Comparison of effects of long-chain and medium-chain triglyceride emulsions during hepatic regeneration in rats.

We examined the effect of long-chain triglyceride (LCT) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) emulsions on hepatic regeneration. After approximately 70% hepatectomy, Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained for 96 hours on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (250 kcal/kg per day; nonprotein calories-nitrogen 160:1) with LCT or MCT as 30% of nonprotein calories. There were no significant differences in the body weight, cumulative nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, or changes in the energy stores between the two groups; but the fatty acid composition of the phospholipid fraction of the regenerating liver differed significantly between the LCT and the MCT groups. The extent of hepatic regeneration by weight was 88.7 +/- 10.5% in the MCT group and 99.1 +/- 10.6% in the LCT group by 96 hours after hepatectomy. Furthermore, the incorporation of 3H-orotic acid into DNA and RNA of regenerating liver cells in the LCT group was higher than in the MCT group 24 hours after hepatectomy. These observations indicate that essential fatty acids--components of the cell membrane and precursors as functional mediators--are very important to hepatic regeneration.

Animals↗

Ribonucleic acid synthesis in regenerating liver of irradiated adrenalectomized rats.

The effect of whole-body irradiation on RNA synthesis in regenerating and non-growing livers was studied in intact and adrenalectomized rats. The animals were divided into four sub-groups: (1) control; (2) irradiation only; (3) partially-hepatectomized; and (4) irradiated partially-hepatectomized. Newly-synthesized RNA was determined by 30 or 40 min uptake of (6-14C) orotic acid. Both nuclear and polyribosomal RNA synthesis in regenerating livers of adrenalectomized rats were depressed below their control levels, regardless of whether irradiation was 2 hours before or 2 hours after partial hepatectomy. Specific radioactivity values of regenerating livers of adrenal intact and adrenalectomized rats were elevated above those of the non-growing livers from irradiated and unirradiated rats.

Adrenal Glands↗

Development of an integrative DNA transformation system for the yeast Candida tropicalis.

We developed the alkane and fatty-acid utilizing yeast Candida tropicalis as a host for DNA transformations. The system is based on an auxotrophic mutant host of C. tropicalis which is defective in orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase (ura3). The ura3 host was isolated by mutagenesis and a double-selection procedure that combined nystatin enrichment selection and 5-fluoro-orotic acid resistance selection. As a selectable marker, we isolated and characterized the C. tropicalis URA3 gene. Plasmid vectors that contained the C. tropicalis URA3 gene transformed the C. tropicalis mutant host at a frequency of 10(3) to 10(4) transformants per micrograms of plasmid DNA. Vectors that contained the Saccharomyces cerevisiae URA3 gene could not transform C. tropicalis. DNA transfer was accomplished by modified versions of either spheroplast generation (CaCl2-polyethylene glycol)-fusion or cation (LiCl) procedures developed for S. cerevisiae. Plasmid vectors that had been cut within the C. tropicalis URA3 fragment integrated by homologous recombination at the URA3 locus.

Candida↗

The cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin inhibits pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis and alters cholesterol distribution in mice.

The hepatotoxin Cylindrospermopsin, a sulfated-guanidinium alkaloid with substituted dioxypyrimidine (uracil) moiety, was isolated from several cyanobacteria species. Our previous studies on the toxicity of cylindrospermopsin and its derivatives suggested that the uracil moiety is crucial for the toxicity and that such toxicity could partly stem from competitive binding of the toxin to a catalytic site(s) involved in the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides (i.e., uridine). In the present study we demonstrated that cylindrospermopsin inhibited in a noncompetitive manner the in vitro activity of uridine monophosphate (UMP) synthase complex (responsible for the conversion of orotic acid to UMP) in a cell free liver extract from mice, with an inhibition constant, KI, of 10 microM. Exposure of mice to cylindrospermopsin at subacute concentrations, via drinking water, only slightly affected the in vitro activity of UMP synthase. The typical metabolic disorder associated with the inhibition of UMP synthase activity, known as "orotic aciduria," was not observed under these conditions, but other anomalous metabolic responses related to cholesterol metabolism were developed.

Alkaloids↗

Alterations in tissue lipids of rats subjected to whole-body X-irradiation.

Whole-body irradiation of rats at sublethal doses leads to hepatic lipid accumulation which reaches a maximum by the sixth day; this effect on lipid metabolism does not appear to be due to accompanying inanition but due to irradiation per se. The female rats show a greater and more consistent increase in liver lipids than males and this better response of the females is not abolished by prolonged administration of testosterone to these animals. An accumulation of triglycerides accounts for almost all the increases in total liver lipids, although smaller elevations in the levels of free fatty acids and cholesterol are also seen. Free fatty acids of liver show a marked decrease on the second day following irradiation. Serum lipids do not show any appreciable changes while adipose lipids progressively decrease reaching a minimum by the sixth day. Although an insufficiency of ATP may be responsible for lipid accumulation in the irradiated rat as is the case in rats treated with ethionine or orotic acid, adenine administration, which prevents fatty infiltration due to these chemical agents, does not protect against the radiation-induced increase in liver triglycerides.

Adenine↗

Interaction of boron with components of nucleic Acid metabolism in cotton ovules cultured in vitro.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) ovules grown in a defined nutrient medium undergo normal morphogenesis, including fiber production. In identical medium lacking boron, ovules callus and accumulate brown substances. Boron deficiency-like symptoms were induced by 6-azauracil and 6-azauridine in ovules growing in boron-sufficient media. Other nucleoside base analogs either reduced or had no effect on over-all growth, but did not cause typical boron-deficient callus growth of cotton ovules. Orotic acid and uracil countered the effects of 6-azauracil. Actinomycin D, fluorodeoxyuridine, and ethidium bromide reduced not only fiber production on ovules growing in boron-sufficient media but also callusing of ovules in boron-deficient media.Similarities between symptoms of boron deficiency and 6-azauracil injury, and the ability of uracil to suppress both, suggest that boron deficiency symptoms are related to reduced activity in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. Growth inhibition by most nucleoside base analogs tested, actinomycin D, fluorodeoxyuridine, and ethidium bromide, as compared to callusing brought on by boron deficiency and 6-azauracil, indicates that boron deficiency symptoms are not related to a reduction in nucleic acid biosynthesis. Based on this information, a discussion of the possibility that boron deficiency causes reduced synthesis of UDP-glucose is presented.

Journal Article↗

Increase of serum very low density lipoproteins in rats after administration of alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane.

After enteral administration of 200 mg/kg alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) female Wistar rats develop a hyperlipemia. 48 h after administration of alpha-HCH, serum triglycerides are increased by 300%, whereas both serum cholesterol and serum total phospholipids only increase by about 45%. Serum free fatty acids are not significantly altered. Fractionation of the serum lipoproteins by ultracentrifugation shows that the hyperlipemia is due to a fivefold increase in serum very low density lipoproteins. Hepatic triglyceride secretion, calculated after i.v. injection of Triton WR 1339, is increased in animals pretreated wtih alpha-HCH. Corresponding to this observation, drugs known to diminish the triglyceride secretion of the liver, such as actinomycin D, cycloheximide; glucagon, orotic acid, CFT 1201, and CFT 1042 reduce the alpha-HCH-induced hyperlipemia. We concluded from the results that hyperlipoproteinemia after alpha-HCH is due to an increased hepatic very low density lipoprotein secretion. At the same time, the blood sugar level was decreased in fasting animals after treatment with alpha-HCH. Earlier experiments suggest that this effect is due to a decreased gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Animals↗

Cloning of the C-URA3 gene and construction of a triple auxotroph (his5, ade1, ura3) as a useful host for the genetic engineering of Candida maltosa.

The C-URA3 gene of the n-alkane assimilating-yeast Candida maltosa was cloned by complementation of the ura3 mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The nucleotide sequence of C-URA3 and its deduced amino-acid sequence showed significant homology to those of the orotidine 5'-phosphate decarboxylases of other fungal species. To construct a useful host for genetic engineering of C. maltosa using C-URA3 as a marker, one allele of C-URA3 in a double auxotroph (his5, ade1) was disrupted by C-ADE1, and subsequently two kinds of ura3 mutants were isolated by selecting for spontaneous 5-fluoro-orotic acid (5FOA) resistance. One of the mutants was homozygous for the disruption (ura3::C-ADE1/ura3::C-ADE1); the other was heterozygous (ura3::C-ADE1/ura3). The ura3::C-ADE1 allele in the latter strain was re-substituted by C-URA3 to rescue the adenine auxotroph (his5, ade1, C-URA3/ura3). Finally, by selecting a 5FOA-resistant mutant, a triple auxotroph (his5, ade1, ura3/ura3) was isolated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nuclear synthesis of cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid in Amoeba proteus.

The enucleation technique has been applied to Amoeba proteus by several laboratories in attempts to determine whether the cytoplasm is capable of nucleus-independent ribonucleic acid synthesis. This cell is very convenient for micrurgy, but its use requires a thorough starvation period to eliminate the possibility of metabolic influence by food vacuoles and frequent washings and medium renewal to maintain asepsis. In the experiments described here, amoebae were starved for periods of 24 to 96 hours, cut into nucleated and enucleated halves, and exposed to either C-14 uracil, C-14 adenine, C-14 orotic acid, or a mixture of all three. When the starvation period was short (less than 72 hours), organisms (especially yeast cells) contained within amoeba food vacuoles frequently showed RNA synthesis in both nucleated and enucleated amoebae. When the preperiod of starvation was longer than 72 hours, food vacuole influence was apparently negligible, and a more meaningful comparison between enucleated and nucleated amoebae was possible. Nucleated cells incorporated all three precursors into RNA; enucleated cells were incapable of such incorporation. The experiments indicate a complete dependence on the nucleus for RNA synthesis. The conflict with the experimental results of others on this problem could possibly stem from differences in culture conditions, starvation treatment, or experimental conditions. For an unequivocal answer in experiments of this design, ideally the cells should be capable of growth on an entirely synthetic medium under aseptic conditions. The use of a synthetic medium (experiments with A. proteus are done under starvation conditions) would permit, moreover, a more realistic comparison of metabolic capacities of nucleated and enucleated cells.

Adenine↗

Lysinuric protein intolerance: a two-year trial of dietary supplementation therapy with citrulline and lysine.

In lysinuric protein intolerance, a disease resulting from an autosomal recessive disorder of diamino acid transport, citrulline, unlike arginine and lysine, is absorbed normally from the intestine. In 19 patients with LPI, the status after 2 years of treatment with citrulline or citrulline + lysine was compared with that during the preceding period of treatment with arginine. Administration of citrulline led to improved protein nutrition, as indicated by increases in daily protein intake, blood hemoglobin values, and plasma albumin and valine concentrations. Normal excretion of orotic acid indicated adequate urea cycle function. Seven of the nine stunted children had marked catch-up growth. Of four patients biopsied twice and having initially severe fatty degeneration of the liver, two had improved histology. However, hepato- and splenomegaly, and several biochemical abnormalities in the serum remained unchanged. Giving additional lysine did not enhance the favorable effect, but in some patients provoked abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Citrulline is the most valuable agent for treatment of LPI. Although not curative, it corrects the deficiency of the urea cycle intermediates and protects the patients from hyperammonemia and its consequences.

Adolescent↗

RNA polymerase stimulation: effect of aldosterone and other adrenocorticoids on RNA turnover in rat kidney.

The results of steroid hormone stimulation of aggregate RNA polymerase ?activity in kidney can be interpreted in terms of either template or enzyme alterations. In order to discover the effect of aldosterone on enzyme or DNA template, the RNA polymerases were purified from kidney nuclei of normal, adrenalectomized or adrenalectomized plus aldosterone treated rats and the activity was determined using different sources of DNA. It was found that the DNA from aldosterone treated rats was transcribed more efficiently than from other sources. Aldosterone does not seem to have a direct effect on the RNA polymerase. Fractionation of ([14-C]aldosterone injected) kidney chromatin revealed the presence of radioactivity in the non-histone acidic proteins and DNA, suggesting the possible binding of aldosterone or aldosterone-receptor complex to these chromatin fractions which may result in enhanced template activity. Turnover of RNA was also studied in various subcellular fractions: nuclei, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, polysomes, ribosomes and sRNA, in normal, adrenalectomized, and adrenalectomized plus adrenocortical hormone treated rat kidney, by following the loss of radioactivity after a single injection of [14-C]-orotic acid. Daily administration of aldosterone or deoxycorticosterone reversed the effects of adrenalectomy. Daily administration of corticosterone was without effect.

Adrenal Glands↗