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Effects of imipramine on tyrosine and tryptophan are mediated by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.

Imipramine (IMI; 20 mg/kg) in rats decreased the plasma tyrosine concentration by 21% (90 min), whereas norepinephrine (NE; 1.25 mg/kg) raised it by 72% (40 min). Since NE raised plasma tyrosine by stimulating alpha-adrenoceptors, as shown by phenoxybenzamine (PB) completely abolishing this increase, an experiment was done to find out whether IMI lowered plasma tyrosine by blocking alpha-adrenoceptors. In contrast to PB, IMI pretreatment failed to alter the NE-induced elevation in plasma tyrosine, suggesting that at this dose IMI is not an effective alpha-adrenergic antagonist in vivo. Thus, IMI would not appear to reduce plasma tyrosine by blocking alpha-adrenoceptors. In a separate experiment, propranolol blocked the ability of IMI to lower plasma tyrosine. Propranolol also prevented a 17% elevation in brain tryptophan levels induced by IMI but did not alter the 29% decrease in plasma tryptophan. PB by itself decreased plasma tyrosine, but this decrease was not greater by additionally treating with IMI. Salbutamol (10 mg/kg), a beta 2 agonist, lowered plasma tyrosine to 76% and raised brain tryptophan to 143% of control. These results suggest that IMI decreases tyrosine concentrations in plasma and raises tryptophan in brain by stimulating beta-adrenoceptors.

Animals↗

Whole body leucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine kinetics in end-stage liver disease before and after hepatic transplantation.

The kinetics of leucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine metabolism following orthotopic human liver transplantation in end-stage liver disease in hospitalized patients were evaluated and compared to controls. The investigation was carried out by protein turnover studies using 13C leucine, D5-phenylalanine, and [U-14C] tyrosine by continuous infusion and employing a stochastic model in 32 patients with end-stage liver disease, 17 of whom went on to receive an hepatic allograft, and 7 controls without significant liver disease who underwent elective abdominal surgery. Mean tyrosine flux in the liver disease group was 3,242 +/- 811 (n = 32) v 2,899 +/- 688 mumol/h in controls (n = 7) (P less than .001), while the tyrosine oxidation was 328 +/- 179 v 422 +/- 185 mumol/h (P less than .001). Tyrosine clearance in pretransplant patients was 719 +/- 345 (n = 17) v 1,193 +/- 568 mL/min (P less than .005) in posttransplant patients (n = 17) with virtually no overlap. There was a significant correlation between serum albumin levels and the tyrosine clearance (r = .60, P less than .05), but correlations with other conventional liver function tests were of a low order. Leucine and phenylalanine kinetics in liver disease patients did not show any significant differences from controls. Leucine and tyrosine fluxes in controls did exhibit a significant correlation (r = .70, P less than .05), but no correlation was observed in patients with liver disease. These findings indicate that the kinetics of the amino acid tyrosine are substantially altered by end-stage liver disease, with the most profound effect on tyrosine clearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carbon Isotopes↗

Phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine: comparative determination with L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine and L-[1-13C]phenylalanine as tracers in man.

The in vivo rate of conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine (PheOH) can be estimated using combinations of stable isotope-labeled phenylalanine and tyrosine. We have compared in four healthy adult men the rates of phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine based on the following pairs of primed, continuous tracer infusions administered simultaneously: (1) L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine and 2H2-tyrosine with a 2H4-tyrosine prime, and (2) L-[1-13C]phenylalanine and 2H2-tyrosine with a 1-13C-tyrosine prime. Phenylalanine oxidation was determined from measurement of 13CO2 excretion in expired air. Tracers were given for 8 hours, with subjects being in the postabsorptive state during the first 3 hours and in the fed state during the remaining 5 hours. Mean (+/- SD) rates (mumol.kg-1.h-1) of phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine for fasted and fed states, respectively, were 5.1 +/- 2.9 and 6.8 +/- 3.4 with 2H5-phenylalanine and significantly higher (P < .05) at 11.1 +/- 5.6 and 12.7 +/- 7.7 with 13C-phenylalanine as tracer. Phenylalanine oxidation was 9.9 +/- 2.0 and 13.5 +/- 2.6, respectively, for fasted and fed states, and these mean values did not differ (P > .1) from the rate of phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine determined using 13C-phenylalanine. These results indicate the need for caution in interpreting kinetic aspects of phenylalanine metabolism when based on isotopic data from multideuterated phenylalanine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Melittin inhibits epidermal growth factor-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation: comparison with phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore A23187.

In HER14 cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including its own receptor. The bee venom peptide, melittin, impaired EGF-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner. The melittin effect was similarly reproduced by calcium ionophore A23187. The effect of melittin and calcium ionophore A23187 on EGF-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation was abolished by treatment of cells with the calcium chelator EGTA. Phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA) inhibited EGF-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and when compared to melittin or calcium ionophore A23187, only PMA potentiated the EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins immunologically related to mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases of 40 kDa and 44 kDa molecular mass. Unlike PMA, the effect of melittin and calcium ionophore A23187 on inhibition of EGF-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation was lost neither in protein kinase C-depleted cells nor in cells treated with the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors NaF and Na3VO4. Melittin inhibited high affinity binding of EGF to its receptor in intact cells, but this effect was not prevented by EGTA. It is concluded that melittin and calcium ionophore A23187 differ from PMA in their inhibition of EGF-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo, by acting via a Ca(2+)-dependent pathway, that is independent of protein kinase C, protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and high affinity binding of EGF to its receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

Effects of hemorrhagic hypotension on tyrosine concentrations in rat spinal cord and plasma.

Tyrosine is the precursor for catecholamine neurotransmitters. When catecholamine-containing neurons are physiologically active (as sympathoadrenal cells are in hypotension), tyrosine administration increases catecholamine synthesis and release. Since hypotension can alter plasma amino acid composition, we examined the effects of an acute hypotensive insult on tyrosine concentrations in plasma and spinal cord. Rats were cannulated and bled until the systolic blood pressure was 50 mmHg, or were kept normotensive for 1 h. Tyrosine and other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) known to compete with tyrosine for brain uptake were assayed in plasma and spinal cord. The rate at which intra-arterial [3H]tyrosine disappeared from the plasma was also estimated in hemorrhaged and control rats. In plasma of hemorrhaged animals, both the tyrosine concentration and the tyrosine/LNAA ratio was elevated; moreover, the disappearance of [3H]tyrosine was slowed. Tyrosine concentrations also increased in spinal cords of hemorrhaged-hypotensive rats when compared to normotensive controls. Changes in plasma amino acid patterns may thus influence spinal cord concentrations of amino acid precursors for neurotransmitters during the stress of hemorrhagic shock.

Amino Acids↗

Further studies on the relationship between tyrosine supply and catecholamine production in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells.

To elucidate a possible role of tyrosine supply as a factor modulating catecholamine biosynthesis in the adrenergic cell, the transport of [14C]tyrosine into cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was first examined, and the relationship between [14C]tyrosine transport and [14C]catecholamine formation was then investigated. Under the conditions which were routinely employed to determine the rate of catecholamine biosynthesis, tyrosine was taken up into the cells in a manner independent of extracellular Na+ and Ca2+, and this uptake was also insensitive to ouabain and various metabolic inhibitors. The stimulation of these cells with high K+ and other secretagogues caused no significant alteration in the uptake. While, tyrosine transport was markedly inhibited by tyrosine analogues and other L-aromatic amino acids, and this inhibition was accompanied by the reduction of [14C]catecholamine formation. In contrast, tyrosine transport was markedly enhanced by flavone, and this enhancement was also accompanied by the augmentation of catecholamine production under the same experimental conditions. These results seem to indicate that the transport of tyrosine into the cells may be closely related to catecholamine formation within the cells, thus providing an evidence for a possible role of tyrosine supply as one of the factors affecting catecholamine production in the adrenal chromaffin cell.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Properties of stearylamine liposomes containing tyrosine phenol-lyase.

The activity of tyrosine phenol-lyase, a chemotherapeutic enzyme with a dissociable pyridoxal phosphate cofactor, was studied after incorporation into multilamellar positively charged liposomes. Tyrosine phenol-lyase activity was assessed in the presence and absence of exogenous pyridoxal phosphate. A maximum of 75% total enzyme activity was associated with liposomes when prepared from a molar lipid ratio of egg lecithin, cholesterol, stearylamine (7 : 2 : 1, w/w). The total tyrosine phenol-lyase activity was comprised of 25% membrane-associated enzyme and 50% encapsulated enzyme. Encapsulation increased the stability of the enzyme under the in vitro conditions of cold storage at 4 degrees C for 3 weeks and under elevated temperatures up to 61 degrees C. Liposomal encapsulation afforded little protection against trypsin and no protection against whole mouse plasma in vitro. Heat-treated plasma (100 degrees C for 1 h) had little effect on the activity of free and encapsulated tyrosine phenol-lyase. These results indicated that whole plasma contained a heat-labile factor(s) which destroyed both the liposomal and free tyrosine phenol-lyase activity. Plasma clearance after intraperitoneal injection of tyrosine phenol-lyase in B6D2F1 female mice was retarded by liposomal encapsulation, particularly when the animals were pre-treated with empty liposomes; however, only a small proportion of free and liposomal tyrosine phenol-lyase was absorbed. The free enzyme rapidly lost holoenzyme activity after absorption but the liposomes maintained holoenzyme activity. Even though liposomes preserved holo-tyrosine phenol-lyase activity, the holoenzyme was not present in sufficient concentration to sustain a reduced plasma tyrosine level.

Amines↗

Tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y are increased in ciliary ganglia of sympathectomized rats.

We have examined the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y in ciliary ganglia of normal adult rats and of adult rats in which the environment of these neurons was altered by sympathectomy at birth. Following neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine treatment, the proportion of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons in ciliary ganglia was significantly increased. In ciliary neurons of both control and sympathectomized rats, neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was preferentially co-localized with tyrosine hydroxylase. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase and its increase following sympathectomy. In situ hybridization studies revealed that many ciliary neurons contain mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase and for neuropeptide Y. Like tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, the number of ciliary neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and the amount of mRNA per cell were increased in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. In contrast, neuropeptide Y mRNA levels were the same in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. Nerve growth factor is a candidate for mediating the effects of sympathectomy and most ciliary neurons in control and sympathectomized rats expressed immunoreactivity for the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor. In addition, ciliary neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-treated animals possessed increased nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity. These studies indicate that both tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y in the ciliary ganglion are regulated by alterations in their environment. Their expression was enhanced by chemical sympathectomy which does not affect ciliary neurons directly but, rather, removes sympathetic innervation of shared targets, including the iris. In situ hybridization analysis suggests that the increased tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y levels result from different mechanisms and provides evidence that neuropeptide levels can be regulated without changes in mRNA levels.

Animals↗

Stimulation-dependent phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in rat corpus striatum.

Incubation of rat corpus striatal synaptosomes with 32PO4 led to a time-dependent incorporation of 32P into tyrosine hydroxylase. Depolarization of the synaptosomes with elevated [K+]o increased 32P incorporation into tyrosine hydroxylase. The depolarization-dependent increase in 32P incorporation into tyrosine hydroxylase occurred rapidly (less than 15 sec), persisted in the presence of elevated [K+]o (up to 120 sec), required the presence of [Ca++]o, and was associated with serine (but not threonine or tyrosine) residues. After limit tryptic digestion of the 32P-tyrosine hydroxylase, several phosphopeptides were separated by HPLC, and elevated [K+]o increased 32P incorporation into two of these phosphopeptides. Thus, depolarization of dopaminergic terminals from the rat corpus striatum increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, and the increase in phosphorylation appeared to occur at multiple sites. Multiple-site phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase has been previously shown in peripheral catecholaminergic tissues. However, substantial differences in the elution profiles of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphopeptides from striatal synaptosomes and from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were observed. Thus, qualitative differences in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase may exist among the many catecholaminergic systems.

Animals↗

Stability and reactivation of tyrosine radicals from ribonucleotide reductase in tumor cells studied by ESR.

Naturally occurring tyrosine radicals from the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RR) have been recorded by ESR in proliferating ordinary Ehrlich-ascites (EA) tumor cells of mice. Tyrosine radicals are stable in EA cells at room temperature for 2 h. Up to 500 mW no microwave saturation occurs. The relatively high stability and non-saturation of tyrosine radicals in EA cells suggests a suitable protein conformation in the M2 subunit enabling a close contact between the tyrosine radical and the antiferromagnetic iron complex. This facilitates an ESR study of functionally essential tyrosine radicals of RR in EA cells at low temperature and recommends this cellular system for studying such processes as inhibition and activation, which change the content of tyrosine radicals of the proliferation-linked RR. Oxygen treatment of non-proliferating (quiescent) EA cells reactivates tyrosine radicals 2-3 fold as found in strongly proliferating cells. We conclude that in quiescent cells, suffering from a lack of oxygen due to their high density in the peritoneal cavity, a reactivation of tyrosine radicals occurs by oxidation of non-radical tyrosine residues of inactive M2 subunits.

Animals↗

Modulation of cyclic AMP levels in a clonal neural cell line by inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation.

The convergence of tyrosine kinase and cyclic AMP (cAMP) signal transduction pathways was investigated in the HT4.7 neural cell line with inhibitors of tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphatases. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP production by 40-60% in whole cells, with no effect on basal cAMP levels. In both whole cells and membranes, genistein also inhibited cAMP produced in response to direct stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin. However, in the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, genistein presentation resulted in an increase in cAMP levels. Genistein inhibited phosphodiesterase activity by 80-85%, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation stimulates both cAMP synthesis and degradation. The decrease in cAMP levels by genistein was not merely competitive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase with respect to ATP, since the Km of adenylyl cyclase for ATP remained essentially the same in either the presence or the absence of genistein. Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, which inhibits by a different mechanism than genistein, also decreased forskolin-stimulated cAMP in whole cells. As would be expected for the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the control of cAMP production, inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases by vandate increased forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. These results suggest that cAMP production can be regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation, and the simultaneous activation of both cAMP synthesis and degradation may serve to alter the duration of cAMP elevation.

Animals↗

Tyrosine 125 of alpha-synuclein plays a critical role for dimerization following nitrative stress.

alpha-Synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. Increasing evidence suggests that the nitration of tyrosine residues in alpha-synuclein induced by oxidative injury is involved in the formation of inclusions characteristic to these synucleinopathies. Exposure of alpha-synuclein to peroxynitrite induces nitration of tyrosine residues, thereby forming alpha-synuclein oligomers. However, the contribution of tyrosine residues to either the nitration or the oligomerization is currently unknown. The present study used recombinant wild-type and mutant alpha-synuclein proteins to investigate the role of each alpha-synuclein tyrosine residue in the in vitro formation of alpha-synuclein oligomers under nitrative stress. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that wild-type alpha-synuclein protein was able to accumulate and form an inclusion-like structure in the cytoplasm of living cells upon introduction by streptolysin O. Authentic peroxynitrite induced nitration of tyrosine residues in alpha-synuclein protein, as well as dimerization of alpha-synuclein. The formation of both SDS- and heat-stable dimers suggests cross-linking between nitrated tyrosine residues. Nonetheless, dimerization of alpha-synuclein proteins lacking tyrosine 125 was significantly decreased compared with alpha-synuclein proteins lacking tyrosine residues at positions 39, 133, or 136. Presumably, tyrosine 125 plays a critical role for alpha-synuclein dimerization under nitrative stress.

DNA, Complementary↗

The peroxynitrite product 3-nitro-L-tyrosine attenuates the hemodynamic responses to angiotensin II in vivo.

Peroxynitrite is a potent oxidant formed endogenously by the near diffusion-limited reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide anion. Peroxynitrite specifically adds a nitro group to the ortho position of the phenolic ring of free and protein-associated tyrosines to form the stable product 3-nitro-L-tyrosine. Systemic administration of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine markedly inhibits the subsequent hemodynamic responses to alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists in anesthetized rats. Angiotensin II is an important modulator of vascular tone. The vasoconstrictor effects of this hormone are known to involve the release of catecholamines from sympathetic tissues. In the present study, we examined whether 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (2.5 mumol/kg i.v.) would attenuate the hemodynamic responses produced by angiotensin II (0.1-1.0 microgram/kg i.v.). Angiotensin II produced increases in mean arterial pressure, and renal and mesenteric vascular resistances, but no changes in hindquarter vascular resistance. The pressor and renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictor responses produced by angiotensin II were significantly attenuated 30-60 min following the administration of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine. Further attenuation of these responses was evident 120-180 min following the administration of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin also diminished the pressor and renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictor responses produced by angiotensin II. These results demonstrate that 3-nitro-L-tyrosine inhibits the hemodynamic responses to angiotensin II, possibly through the inhibition of alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated events. The effect of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine on the hemodynamic action of angiotensin II raises the possibility that 3-nitro-L-tyrosine may be involved in the pathogenesis of the hemodynamic disturbances associated with inflammatory conditions, such as atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion, and sepsis, where formation of peroxynitrite is favored.

Anesthesia↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit p110 of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor inhibits its kinase activity in L6 myoblasts.

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (HCRI) causes apoptotic cell death of a muscle cell-derived cell line, L6 myoblasts, by involving the phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase pathway and tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, although the relationship between PI-3 kinase pathway and tyrosine phosphorylation responses remained to be elucidated. Here, we show that HCRI induces tyrosine phosphorylation of catalytic subunit p110 of PI-3 kinase as early as 5 min after addition of HCRI into culture medium. We could not detect the tyrosine phosphorylation of the regulatory subunit p85 of PI-3 kinase under the present experimental conditions. Concomitantly, the kinase activity toward PI in p110 immunoprecipitates was decreased with a similar time course. Furthermore, both herbimycin A and genistein, potent inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activity, inhibited HCRI-induced inhibition of PI-3 kinase activity as well as HCRI-induced apoptotic cell death. Once the catalytic subunit p110 becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated, the regulatory subunit p85 appears to be dissociated from the catalytic subunit, because we observed a decreasing amount of p85 regulatory subunits in p110 immunoprecipitates in response to HCRI treatment. These results strongly suggest the novel function of tyrosine phosphorylation of catalytic subunit p110 of PI-3 kinase in the regulation of its kinase activity. The tyrosine phosphorylation of these catalytic subunits may play an important role in the intracellular signal transduction of apoptotic cell death. To our knowledge, this is the first report that tyrosine phosphorylation of p110 catalytic subunit acts as a negative regulator of its kinase activity.

Animals↗

Differential influence of tyrosine residues of the common receptor beta subunit on multiple signals induced by human GM-CSF.

BACKGROUND: GM-CSF induces the proliferation and differentiation of a broad range of hematopoietic cells. Stimulation with this cytokine results in the induction of rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, including the common beta subunit of its receptor. However, the significance of beta subunit phosphorylation with regard to regulation of signaling molecules and the functions of GM-CSF is less well understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of cytoplasmic tyrosine residues, we performed mutational analyses of the beta subunit. METHODS: A series of beta subunit mutants with 1, some, or all of 8 cytoplasmic tyrosines converted to phenylalanines were constructed. These beta subunit mutants were expressed in murine BA/F3 cells together with the wild-type human alpha subunit, and their potentials to transmit signals were examined. RESULTS: A mutant beta subunit lacking all cytoplasmic tyrosines (Fall) activated JAK2, but not Shc, SHP-2, the Raf/ERK cascade, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), or the c-fos promoter, nor did it effectively induce proliferation. Adding back each tyrosine to Fall revealed that (1) Tyr577 was necessary and sufficient for Shc phosphorylation; (2) Tyr577, Tyr612, and Tyr695 were involved in activation of SHP-2, the Raf/ERK cascade, and c-fos transcription; and (3) all tyrosines, but particularly Tyr612, Tyr695, Tyr750, and Tyr806, facilitated STAT5 activation. Impaired cell growth was also partly restored by any of the tyrosines. Interestingly, the Fall mutant was still capable of suppressing apoptosis and maintaining cell viability. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that beta subunit tyrosines possess distinct, yet overlapping, roles in the activation of multiple signaling pathways induced by GM-CSF. In addition, GM-CSF may activate both beta subunit tyrosine-dependent and -independent pathways, with the latter being sufficient to transmit survival signals.

Animals↗

Peroxynitrite-induced tyrosine nitration and phosphorylation in human platelets.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) induces nitration of tyrosine residues and inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation in cell free systems. We investigated the effect of peroxynitrite on protein tyrosine nitration and phosphorylation in resting or thrombin-activated platelets. Peroxynitrite (150 microM) rapidly induced tyrosine nitration of 187, 164, 113, 89, and 61 kDa proteins in gel-filtered platelets which persisted up to 4.5 h. Repeated exposure of platelets to peroxynitrite produced increasing levels of nitration. Peroxynitrite also rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of 120, 117, 95, 80-85, and 70 kDa platelet proteins, but this decreased by 5 min. The same pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation, but with higher intensity, was induced by thrombin in control platelets. Pretreatment of platelets with peroxynitrite decreased thrombin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation at 0.05 and 1 U/ml thrombin but not at 2 U/ml thrombin. Platelet activation responses such as P-selectin expression, serotonin secretion, and aggregation were also decreased by peroxynitrite treatment at low thrombin concentrations. Peroxynitrite exposure and tyrosine nitration decreased platelet sensitivity to thrombin but did not absolutely prevent tyrosine phosphorylation and other platelet responses.

Blood Platelets↗

Tyrosine transport is regulated differently in patients with schizophrenia.

Previous PET studies of tyrosine transport have suggested that the transport of tyrosine from blood to brain compartment is not dependent on its plasma concentration in patients with schizophrenia. In order to examine this relationship, the transport constant (K1) of tyrosine was determined in five patients with schizophrenia and five normals. L-[1-11C]Tyrosine was injected i.v. and arterial blood samples were taken during PET scanning. The tyrosine transport was assessed during baseline conditions and after oral administration of L-tyrosine at a dose (175 mg/kg) that significantly elevated the plasma levels. K1 was determined from tracer kinetic modelling. The transport rate dropped in the normals after tyrosine loading, which is consistent with the prevailing notion that the brain transport system for neutral amino acids works close to saturation, whereas it was virtually unchanged in the schizophrenics. The results demonstrated that tyrosine transport was not saturated in the patients with schizophrenia and thus could lead to elevated brain concentrations of tyrosine.

Biological Transport↗

The Shc adaptor protein is highly phosphorylated at conserved, twin tyrosine residues (Y239/240) that mediate protein-protein interactions.

BACKGROUND: Signal transduction initiated by a wide variety of extracellular signals involves the activation of protein-tyrosine kinases. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues in activated receptors or docking proteins then function as binding sites for the Src homology 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domains of cytoplasmic signalling proteins. Shc is an adaptor protein that contains both PTB and SH2 domains and becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to many different extracellular stimuli. These results have suggested that Shc is a prominent effector of protein-tyrosine kinase signalling. Thus far, only a single Shc phosphorylation site, the tyrosine at position 317 (Y317) has been identified. Phosphorylation of Y317 has been implicated in Grb2 binding and activation of the Ras pathway. RESULTS: Here, we report the identification of two major and novel Shc tyrosine phosphorylation sites, Y239 and Y240. These residues are present in the central proline-rich (CH1) region and are conserved in all isoforms of Shc. Y239/240 are co-ordinately phosphorylated by the Src protein-tyrosine kinase in vitro, and in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation or in v-src-transformed cells in vivo. Mutagenesis studies indicate that Y239/240 make an important contribution to the association of Shc with Grb2. Phosphopeptide-binding studies suggest that these two tyrosine residues may be involved in interactions with a number of cellular proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Shc is the most prominent general substrate for protein-tyrosine kinases in vivo. The identification of two novel Shc phosphorylation sites indicates that Shc has the potential to interact with multiple downstream effectors. Shc Y239/240 are highly conserved in evolution, suggesting that the phosphorylation of these residues is of fundamental importance. We propose that distinct Shc phosphorylation isomers from different signalling complexes and thereby activate separate downstream signalling cascades.

3T3 Cells↗