Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “GLUTAMIC 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 1,261 records · Page 70Linked to original sources

Copolymers of glutamic acid and tyrosine are potent inhibitors of oocyte casein kinase II.

Polypeptides rich in glutamic acid are strong inhibitors purified from isolated nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes of casein kinase II. The presence of tyrosine in these peptides greatly enhances their inhibitory capacity. Using casein as a substrate, copolyglu:tyr (4:1) has an I50 value of 20 nM, 250 fold lower than that of polyglutamic acid which is 5 microM. A similar large difference is observed when a synthetic peptide is used as substrate. The inhibition of copolyglu:tyr is competitive with casein and can be completely reversed by high ionic strength. The relative inhibitory capacity of the polypeptides tested, in descending order, is copolyglu:tyr (4:1) greater than copolyglu:tyr (1:1) greater than polyglu greater than copolyglu:phe (4:1) greater than copolyglu:ala (6:4) greater than copolyglu:leu (4:1). The high affinity for tyrosine-containing acid peptides is shared by rat liver and yeast casein kinase II so that it seems to be a general property of these enzymes.

Animals↗

Polyelectrolytic aspects of the titration curve. pH-induced conformational transition of poly(L-glutamic acid): the semi-flexible model.

The cooperative conformational transition of poly(L-glutamic acid) induced by pH is monitored by the titration curves from literature. The polyelectrolytic approach described in the preceding article (A. Cesàro, S. Paoletti and J.C. Benegas, Biophys. Chem. 39 (1991) 1) is used to fit the experimental curves under various conditions of ionic strength and temperature, with the sole assumption that each polymeric state is characterized by a proper conformational flexibility. The helix-coil transition of the system becomes molecularly defined by the balance between the non-ionic conformational energy and the repulsive electrostatic energy of the two forms. Implications of the results of the theoretical model on the energetics of the cooperative order-disorder transition are discussed.

Journal Article↗

Biodegradable cystamine spacer facilitates the clearance of Gd(III) chelates in poly(glutamic acid) Gd-DO3A conjugates for contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA)-cystamine-[gadolinium (Gd)-DO3A] was prepared in high yield with a high Gd-DO3A conjugation efficiency. Approximately 55% of the carboxylic groups in PGA were loaded with Gd-DO3A via cystamine as the spacer. Cystamine can be readily cleaved by endogenous thiols to release the Gd(III) chelates from the conjugate facilitating Gd(III) excretion after the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The contrast-enhanced MRI with PGA-cystamine-(Gd-DO3A) was investigated in mice bearing MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma xenografts. PGA-1,6-hexanediamine-(Gd-DO3A), a paramagnetic polymer conjugate of a nondegradable spacer, was used as a control. Both conjugates resulted in similar contrast enhancement in the heart, vasculature, liver and kidneys in the first hour post injection. More substantial signal intensity reduction was observed for PGA-cystamine-(Gd-DO3A) in these organs than PGA-1,6-hexanediamine-(Gd-DO3A) due to release of the Gd chelates from PGA-cystamine-(Gd-DO3A) after the cleavage of the disulfide spacer by the endogenous thiols. Both conjugates resulted in similar tumor enhancement with approximately 70% increased signal intensity in the tumor periphery and 10-40% increased signal intensity in tumor interstitium. No cross-reaction was observed between PGA-cystamine-(Gd-DO3A) and human serum albumin, a plasma protein containing a cysteine residue. PGA-cystamine-(Gd-DO3A) resulted in significantly lower Gd(III) tissue retention than PGA-1,6-hexanediamine-(Gd-DO3A) 10 days after the injection in the mice (P<.05). The conjugation of Gd(III) chelates to biomedical copolymers via the degradable disulfide spacer resulted in significant contrast enhancement in the blood pool and tumor tissue but minimal long-term Gd(III) tissue retention.

Absorbable Implants↗

Effect of additives on gelation and tissue adhesion of gelatin-poly(L-glutamic acid) mixture.

Gelation and tissue adhesion of mixtures of gelatin and poly (L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) aqueous solution were investigated in the presence of additives following the addition of a water-soluble carbodiimide (WSC) that induced chemical cross linking between gelatin and PLGA. To prevent spontaneous gelation of the mixed solution through physical cross linking between gelatin molecules at room temperature, additives were added to the mixed solution. Among the additives studied, starch and urea were effective in preventing the spontaneous physical gelation. The mixed gelatin and PLGA solution set to a cross-linked hydrogel within scores of second by WSC addition, irrespective of the presence of urea, whereas the viscosity of the solution with added starch was too high to measure the gelation time. The cross-linked gelatin-PLGA hydrogels with and without urea showed higher bonding strength to soft tissues than fibrin glue. This was in marked contrast to gelatin-PLGA hydrogels with soluble starch. Irrespective of the presence of urea, the gelatin-PLGA hydrogels gradually biodegraded in the back subcutis of mice over 3 months and no severe inflammatory response to the hydrogels was observed. These findings indicate that urea is promising as an additive to prevent spontaneous physical gelation of the mixed gelatin and PLGA aqueous solution without changing the characteristics of WSC-induced cross linking and tissue adhesion of the formed hydrogel.

Animals↗

Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of nanoparticles based on amphiphilic poly(gamma-glutamic acid)-graft-L-phenylalanine copolymers.

Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) as the hydrophilic backbone and L-phenylalanine ethylester (L-PAE) as the hydrophobic side chain were synthesized by grafting L-PAE to gamma-PGA. The nanoparticles were prepared by a precipitation method, and about 200 nm-sized nanoparticles were obtained due to their amphiphilic properties. The hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of these gamma-PGA nanoparticles was studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and (1)H NMR measurements. The hydrolysis ratio of gamma-PGA and these hydrophobic derivatives was found to decrease upon increasing the hydrophobicity of the gamma-PGA derivates. The pH had an effect on the hydrolytic degradation of the polymer. The hydrolysis of the polymer could be accelerated by alkaline conditions. The degradation of the gamma-PGA backbone by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) resulted in a dramatic change in nanoparticle morphology. With increasing time, the gamma-PGA nanoparticles began to decrease in size and finally disappeared completely. Moreover, the gamma-PGA nanoparticles were degraded by four different enzymes (Pronase E, protease, cathepsin B and lipase) with different degradation patterns. The enzymatic degradation of the nanoparticles occurred via the hydrolysis of gamma-PGA as the main chain and L-PAE as the side chain. In the case of the enzymatic degradation of gamma-PGA nanoparticles with Pronase E, the size of the nanoparticles increased during the initial degradation stage and decreased gradually when the degradation time was extended. Nanoparticles composed of biodegradable amphiphilic gamma-PGA with reactive function groups can undergo further modification and are expected to have a variety of potential pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, such as drug and vaccine carriers.

Guanosine Triphosphate↗

Molecular Identification of the 62 kd Form of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase from the Mouse.

A series of overlapping clones coding for L-glutamic acid decarboxylase was purified from a mouse brain cDNA library, the longest of which contains a 1869 bp open reading frame and 913 bp of non-coding sequence. By comparison with the corresponding sequences from the mouse genome, it was determined that the first methionine in the longest cDNA represents the initiation codon. Expression of this cDNA in eukaryotic cells produces a 62 kd protein that is recognized by antiserum against rat GAD and which displays GAD activity commensurate with the amount of protein produced. Antibodies raised against the purified product of this cDNA recognize a 62 kd protein from mouse brain on immunoblots, specifically stain GABA-ergic neurons in brain sections, and are capable of immunoprecipitating most GAD activity from mouse brain extracts. These results provide the first definitive identification of a cDNA coding for the larger of two forms of GAD in mouse brain, and suggest that the two forms are closely related.

Journal Article↗

Physicochemical properties of cross-linked poly-gamma-glutamic acid and its flocculating activity against kaolin suspension.

Cross-linked poly-gamma-glutamic acid (C-L gamma-PGA) was prepared with gamma-PGA irradiated with gamma-ray at various kGy values. The physicochemical properties including viscosity and water absorption capacity were compared between C-L gamma-PGA and several typical flocculating agents. The viscosity of C-L gamma-PGA increased with the dose of gamma-irradiation, although the water absorption capacity of C-L gamma-PGA did not, which showed a maximum of 1005.6 ml/g at 20 kGy. Flocculating activity against kaolin suspension was not observed for any of the test compounds when used singly. However, the activity of C-L gamma-PGA markedly increased following the addition of polyaluminum chloride. The activity increased with temperature up to 80 degrees C and remained at 80 degrees C of heat pretreatment for 1 h, but did not at more than 50 degrees C of heat pretreatment for 24 h. The activity was also observed within a pH range of 4.5-10.0. Both the water absorption capacity and flocculating activity of C-L gamma-PGA decreased in parallel with increasing NaCl concentration, suggesting that the flocculating activity of C-L gamma-PGA was associated with its water absorption capacity, rather than viscosity. An investigation of the effects of various cations on the flocculating activity of C-L gamma-PGA showed that only trivalent cations had a synergistic effect. The mechanism of C-L gamma-PGA flocculating activity is discussed based on the results of preliminary experiments.

Adsorption↗

Indispensable glutamic acid residue-139 of NtpK proteolipid in the reaction of vacuolar Na(+)-translocating ATPase in Enterococcus hirae.

Enterococcus hirae vacuolar ATPase catalyzes translocation of Na+ or Li+ coupled with ATP hydrolysis. It is suggested that the glutamic acid residue (Glu139) of NtpK proteolipid subunit of this multisubunit enzyme is the binding site of these ions for translocation. Here we established a complementation system for the ntpK gene with its deletion mutant, and found that the ATPase activity disappeared upon replacement of Glu139 by aspartic acid. The side-chain length of this acidic residue of NtpK is thus important for this ATPase reaction.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Epitope-specific glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 autoantibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin preparations.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used to treat many autoimmune disorders including Stiff-Man Syndrome (SMS). SMS is a neurological disorder associated with an immune-mediated deficiency of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) due to autoantibodies against the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65). GAD65 autoantibodies are present among 1-2% of healthy individuals. It can therefore not be excluded that GAD65 autoantibodies may be present in IVIG, which is prepared from multiple blood donors. We report here that GAD65 but not IA-2 autoantibodies were present in commercial IVIG preparations. The presence of autoantibodies may affect the outcome of IVIG treatment and screening commercial preparations of IVIG for GAD65 autoantibodies is therefore recommended before treating patients.

Antibody Affinity↗

Simulation of energetic stability of facetted l-glutamic acid nanocrystalline clusters in relation to their polymorphic phase stability as a function of crystal size.

A molecular modeling approach is used to study the stability of different polymorphic forms of l-glutamic acid through building and optimizing molecular clusters of different sizes and shapes with the latter corresponding to the predicted crystal growth morphologies. The results reveal that the initially nucleating (according to Oswald rule) metastable (alpha) form is the more energetically stable form at small cluster sizes of ca. 200 molecular units, whereas the stable (beta) form is more stable when the cluster size is larger.

Algorithms↗

Is glutamic acid the pyramidal tract neurotransmitter?

Applied by microiontophoresis, 1-hydroxy-3-amino-pyrrolidone-2 (HA-966) antagonized excitation by glutamic acid but not by acetylcholine of neurones in the rat cuneate nucleus. HA-966 blocked the short latency excitation of cuneate neurones following stimulation of the pyramidal tract on 28 of 40 cells (70%). Thus, glutamate or a related amino-acid may be the neurotransmitter released by pyramidal tract neurones.

Acetylcholine↗

Alternative splicing of GAD67 results in the synthesis of a third form of glutamic-acid decarboxylase in human islets and other non-neural tissues.

Two forms of glutamic-acid decarboxylase (GAD) have been identified in mammalian tissues: a 65-kDa form (GAD65) and a 67-kDa form (GAD67). Alternate splicing produces one or two smaller variants of GAD67 in the brain of embryonic mice and rats. Additionally, a short, heretofore unidentified transcript homologous to GAD67 has been detected in human testis RNA. Because GAD, the enzyme responsible for gamma-aminobutyric acid production and a key autoantigen in type I diabetes, has unclear function in non-neural tissue, it is important to understand its pattern of expression. Unlike GAD65, GAD67 is not produced in human pancreatic islets. Here, we describe a novel splice variant of GAD67 that is produced in human islets, testis, adrenal cortex, and perhaps other endocrine tissues, but not in brain. This transcript directs the synthesis of a protein without GAD enzymatic activity: GAD25. A unique peptide sequence at the carboxyl terminus of GAD25 is highly conserved between mice, rats, and humans. We conclude that humans produce a third form of GAD in non-neural tissues and that human islets, although they do not synthesize full-length GAD67, do express this shortened variant.

Alternative Splicing↗

Interaction of glutamic-acid-rich proteins with the cGMP signalling pathway in rod photoreceptors.

The assembly of signalling molecules into macromolecular complexes (transducisomes) provides specificity, sensitivity and speed in intracellular signalling pathways. Rod photoreceptors in the eye contain an unusual set of glutamic-acid-rich proteins (GARPs) of unknown function. GARPs exist as two soluble forms, GARP1 and GARP2, and as a large cytoplasmic domain (GARP' part) of the beta-subunit of the cyclic GMP-gated channel. Here we identify GARPs as multivalent proteins that interact with the key players of cGMP signalling, phosphodiesterase and guanylate cyclase, and with a retina-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCR), through four, short, repetitive sequences. In electron micrographs, GARPs are restricted to the rim region and incisures of discs in close proximity to the guanylate cyclase and ABCR, whereas the phosphodiesterase is randomly distributed. GARP2, the most abundant splice form, associates more strongly with light-activated than with inactive phosphodiesterase, and GARP2 potently inhibits phosphodiesterase activity. Thus, the GARPs organize a dynamic protein complex near the disc rim that may control cGMP turnover and possibly other light-dependent processes. Because there are no similar GARPs in cones, we propose that GARPs may prevent unnecessary cGMP turnover during daylight, when rods are held in saturation by the relatively high light levels.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

AMPA/kainic acid glutamate receptor antagonism in the zona incerta dorsal to the subthalamic nucleus inhibits amphetamine-induced stereotypy bur not locomotor activity.

The effect of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), an alpha-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA)/kainic acid glutamate receptor antagonist, injected into the zona incerta (ZI) was investigated to determine whether the behavioral responses to systemic amphetamine involve AMPA/kainic acid receptors in this brain region. Rats were injected bilaterally in the ZI with either vehicle or DNQX (1 microgram/0.5 microliter) and immediately given a systemic injection of D-amphetamine (0.5, 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Locomotor activity was recorded for 1 h. DNQX did not significantly affect hypermotility stimulated with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine, but markedly increased the level of locomotor activity elicited by the higher dose, 10 mg/kg. To test the hypothesis that the enhanced locomotor response to high dose amphetamine was due to an inhibition of stereotyped behavior, the effect of DNQX in the ZI on amphetamine and apomorphine-induced stereotypy was investigated. DNQX significantly inhibited stereotypy induced by amphetamine (10 mg/kg) and apomorphine (1 mg/kg), with the onset of inhibition of amphetamine-induced stereotypy corresponding to the onset of enhanced locomotor activity. Ibotenic acid lesions of the ZI produced similar results, having an insignificant effect on locomotor activity stimulated by low dose amphetamine (1 mg/kg) and an attenuation of apomorphine-induced stereotypy which was of a magnitude comparable to that produced by DNQX. Thus, the AMPA/kainic acid subtypes of glutamate receptors in the ZI may be involved in the regulation of motor function mediated via striatal output but not mesolimbically generated locomotor activity.

Animals↗

Cloning and partial nucleotide sequence of human glutamic acid decarboxylase cDNA from brain and pancreatic islets.

We report partial nucleotide sequences of the human enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) from brain and pancreatic islets which encode the middle 180 amino acids of GAD. The brain and islet GAD sequences display a high degree of sequence homology with the equivalent region of other mammalian brain GAD cDNAs. Alignment of the brain and islet GAD sequences showed that there were 45 nucleotide differences which, at the translational level, would result in seven amino acid substitutions. These results which suggest that different isomeric forms of human GAD exist in brain and pancreas may be relevant to the pathogenesis of stiff man syndrome (SMS) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), respectively, two distinct but associated clinical disorders in which GAD is the target of autoantibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Strong hydrogen bonding interactions involving a buried glutamic acid in the transmembrane sequence of the neu/erbB-2 receptor.

The receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the neu/erbB-2 proto-oncogene is constitutively activated by a single valine to glutamic acid substitution at position 664 in the predicted membrane-spanning sequence of the receptor. We have explored the structural changes involved in receptor activation with polarized FTIR and magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. The hydrophobic transmembrane sequence folds into a well-defined alpha-helical structure spanning the membrane bilayer. Measurements of the pKa and 13C chemical shift anisotropy of Glu 664 reveal that the side chain carboxyl group is protonated and strongly hydrogen bonded. These studies provide direct evidence for glutamate hydrogen-bonding interactions in the mechanism of receptor dimerization and activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗