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Trypanosoma cruzi: parasite-induced release of lysosomal enzymes by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The release of beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) engaged in phagocytosis and lysis of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes was studied in the presence or absence of chagasic serum. Lysosomal enzyme release was enhanced when parasites were sensitized with serum from a chronic Chagas' patient, increased up to 3 hr of incubation at 28 C, and depended on the PMN:parasite ratio. The release of lysosomal enzymes was determined by the presence of 2 mM cyanide, 2 microM azide, 3 mM amobarbital, and 1 mM phenylbutazone. These drugs inhibited the killing of sensitized T. cruzi by interfering with the oxidative microbicidal mechanisms of PMN without affecting the uptake of the parasites. Lysosomal enzyme release occurred in the presence of cyanide and azide, indicating that in these cases the enzymatic release was unrelated to the killing of the parasites. Amobarbital and phenylbutazone, which stabilize PMN membranes, inhibited the release of beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme by PMN. The addition of 10 micrograms/ml of cytochalasin B inhibited the phagocytosis and killing of sensitized T. cruzi by PMN but increased the enzymatic release by effector cells. Since cytochalasin B did not affect the close contact between PMN and parasites, it appears that the enzymes released to the extracellular milieu were not toxic to noningested parasites. Furthermore, the lysosomal enzymes did not lyse bystander unsensitized parasites. Therefore, the release of lysosomal enzymes during the interaction of T. cruzi epimastigotes and PMN seems to be related to the triggering event of the phagocytic process and does not bear a cause-effect relationship with parasite death.

Amobarbital↗

Steady-state kinetic properties of FoF1-ATPase: the pH effect.

1. The kinetic properties of FoF1-ATPase from submitochondrial particles isolated from rat heart were studied, with emphasis to the pH effect. The velocity data were treated according to the Hill equation, and the results were discussed on the basis of the knowledge on the soluble F1-ATPase properties. 2. Three kinetic phases were observed in the range of pH 6.0-8.5, with apparent dissociation constant values (K0.5) of 0.001, 0.04 and 1.5 mM (respectively sites I, II and III) at pH 7.0. Their contribution to the total activity of the enzyme were pH-dependent on the range of 6.0-7.0, but not from 7.0 to 8.5, where the maximal velocity (V) for site III was some 4-fold larger than for site II, and the total V of sites II and III was some 40-fold larger than V assumed for site I. Therefore, two catalytic sites seem to participate significantly in the catalysis at steady-state condition. 3. Azide increased the sites II and III K0.5 values as well as decreased the site III V. In the presence of bicarbonate these two sites were not distinguishable, and the kinetic parameters at pH 7.0 were similar to those for sites II and III combined. Both azide and bicarbonate did not have a significant effect on site I, and this behavior was not pH-dependent. 4. The studies on the effect of pH on the kinetic parameters showed the following results: (1) the optimum pH for V was around 8.5; (2) decrease in the K0.5 values at pH below 7.0 for site II, and increase at pH over 7.0 for sites II and III; (3) in the pH range of 6.0-8.5 the Hill coefficient increased for site II, decreased for site III, and an intermediary effect was observed for the sites II and III combined, with a Michaelis-Menten behavior in the highest affinity pH, which was found in the physiological range.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Polar appearance and nonligand induced spreading of measles virus hemagglutinin at the surface of chronically infected cells.

Fixation with glutaraldehyde (GA) and paraformaldehyde (PFA) preserved measles virus hemagglutinin at the surface of chronically infected cells. Cells fixed with PFA but not with GA exhibited hemadsorption with green monkey cells. PFA fixation, in contrast to GA fixation, also preserved the immunogenicity of measles virus hemolysin. These fixatives and the removal of the measles virus hemagglutinin from the cell surface by trypsin enabled studies of the appearance of the hemagglutinin at the surface membrane. Results obtained by immunofluorescence technique and by hemadsorption indicated that measles virus hemagglutinin appeared polarly at the cell membrane and then spread around the surface. This was substantiated by measurements of the immunofluorescence intensity at the single cell level per membrane unit and per cell, and by measuring the binding of iodinated immunoglobulins per 10(6) cells. The appearance was inhibited by sodium azide and cytochalasin B. The spreading was not inhibited by sodium azide, but was influenced by cytochalasin B. The spreading did not proceed at 4 degrees C. On the basis of these findings, a hypothetical model for appearance and spreading of measles virus hemagglutinin was proposed.

Antibodies, Viral↗

UV spectroscopic studies of human erythrocyte superoxide dismutase.

Using UV absorption spectroscopy, first derivative spectroscopy, and UV difference spectroscopy, the active site of human superoxide dismutase is probed. First derivative spectra (dA/d lambda versus lambda) show the HESOD spectrum to be a composite of Phe and Trp absorbance. The 278 and 288 nm Trp absorbance peaks are sensitive to solvent polarity. A 5-10% decrease in these peaks accompanies copper removal from the active site indicating greater solvent access to Trp in the apoenzyme than the holoenzyme. A Trp UV difference peak at 305-310 nm documents the presence or absence of copper at the active site, and documents also the movement of a nonbridging copper-binding His (His 46 or 120) when HESOD is inhibited by azide or when the copper moiety is reduced. Trp absorbances indicate that neither cyanide nor KCl inhibition affects the Cu(II)-His bonds. Phe UV absorbance is increased by the presence of copper at the active site and increased further by the addition of cyanide or azide. Neither Trp nor Phe responds to the presence of zinc in the active site. A molecular graphics program, FRODO, shows Trp and the four Phe residues lying in an approximate ring around the active site of HESOD and thus excellently placed to report on active site perturbations.

Apoenzymes↗

An essential role for the conserved Glu-133 in the anion interaction with superoxide dismutase.

Negatively charged glutamic acid residues at positions 132 and 133 in human Cu2Zn2SOD are located at the entrance to the active site cavity and affect electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged substrate. The mutants in which these residues have been neutralized separately and together by conversion to glutamine residues or changed to a positive group on position 133 have been characterized through a variety of biophysical techniques. The structure around the metal ions, as monitored by spectroscopic measurements, is the same in the mutants and native enzyme. The mutants have been characterized with respect to the affinity for the anion N3-. The mutants have larger affinity for azide than the WT, as a result of the removal of one or two negative charges or of the introduction of a positive group. The pattern of the azide affinity constants parallels that of the rate of O2- dismutation. The substitution of the negative Glu-133 with a positive group does not induce a larger increase in the affinity as well as in the catalytic rates with respect to its neutralization. These patterns cannot, therefore, be rationalized only in terms of electrostatic interactions. The behavior of the mutants towards the substrate (O2-) and substrate analogue (N3-) is discussed on the basis of theoretical predictions available in the literature.

Anions↗

Azidoalanine mutagenicity in Salmonella: effect of homologation and alpha-methyl substitution.

Azide mutagenicity in susceptible non-mammalian systems involves the requisite formation of L-azidoalanine, a novel mutagenic amino acid. The biochemical mechanism(s) of azidoalanine-induced mutagenesis, however, is not known. Previous studies of the structural requirements for azidoalanine mutagenicity suggested the importance of free L-amino acid character, and that bioactivation of azidoalanine to the ultimate mutagenic species is required. To gain more insight into possible enzymatic processing, the alpha-methyl analogue, alpha-methyl-azidoalanine, and the homologue, 2-amino-4-azidobutanoic acid, were synthesized and tested for mutagenic potency in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1530. In addition, azidoacetic acid, a possible azidoalanine metabolite, was prepared and tested. The results show that alpha-methyl substitution effectively blocks the mutagenic effects of azidoalanine with alpha-methyl-azidoalanine being nearly devoid of mutagenic activity. In contrast, homologation of azidoalanine to yield 2-amino-4-azidobutanoic acid produces a marked increase in molar mutagenic potency. As with azidoalanine, the mutagenic activity of this homologue is associated with the L-isomer. Azidoacetic acid, however, was only very weakly mutagenic when tested as either the free acid or ethyl ester. This low mutagenic potency may indicate that bioactivation does not involve the entry of azide-containing azidoalanine catabolite into the Kreb's cycle. The high potency of 2-amino-4-azidobutanoic acid may be indicative of more efficient bioactivation and/or greater intrinsic activity. Importantly, the latter finding clearly shows that potent azido-amino acid mutagenicity is not limited to azidoalanine alone.

Acetates↗

Subcellular fractionation of amoebapore and plasma membrane components of Entamoeba histolytica using self-generating Percoll gradients.

Separation and initial characterization of subcellular organelles from Entamoeba histolytica have been achieved by the use of self-generating Percoll gradients. Adequate resolution was obtained within one hour of amoeba homogenization. The ion-channel forming activity, amoebapore, was found associated with highly dense, small diameter particles, that were resolved from the numerous digestive vacuoles, and the plasma membrane. Following iodination of intact trophozoites with lactoperoxidase, the label was found to be incorporated into two distinct sedimentable fractions. The major component contained the near totality of the concanavalin A binding glycoproteins and the 5-iodonaphthalene-1-azide labelled intrinsic membrane proteins. It therefore was identified as the plasma membrane. The minor lactoperoxidase-iodinated component was found in the upper section of the gradient, associated with a particulate fraction nearly devoid of concanavalin A-binding glycoproteins. This fraction appears to represent particulate material on the external surface of the amoeba that is distinct from the plasma membrane. The digestive vesicles, which were identified by the presence of acid phosphatase and beta-D-glucosaminidase activities, appeared in the gradient as one main peak with a shoulder in the region of the plasma membrane. Analysis of the polypeptides and their labelling pattern in each fraction of the gradient are presented. Distinctive characteristics are discussed including the identification of a unique soluble protein highly labelled by 5-iodonaphthalene-1-azide.

Animals↗

Difference in hydrogen peroxide release between human neutrophils and neutrophil cytoplasts following calcium ionophore activation. A role of the subcellular granule in activation of the NADPH-oxidase in human neutrophils?

The role of subcellular granule in the capacity to generate reactive oxygen metabolites in human granulocytes was studied using normal cells and organell-free neutrophil cytoplasts. The cytoplasts are devoid of granules but have an intact ligand-receptor coupling mechanism. Both the chemotactic peptide formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) and the ionophore ionomycin induced a chemiluminescence response in normal cells, but only FMLP stimulation was associated with any notable hydrogen peroxide production. However, in the presence of azide, a potent inhibitor of the hydrogen peroxide-consuming enzymes, catalase and myeloperoxidase, a pronounced release of hydrogen peroxide was also induced by ionomycin. The response of cytoplasts to FMLP proceeded with a rate and time-course similar to those seen in intact cells, whereas in response to ionomycin they produced very low quantities of hydrogen peroxide, even in the presence of azide. Analysis of the data presented in this study leads to the following conclusion: (i) FMLP, which acts through cell surface receptors, causes the cells to produce oxygen metabolites, which, to a large extent, are released from the cells, a process that is not dependent on subcellular granule; and (ii) ionomycin, which bypasses cell surface receptors, is also capable of stimulating hydrogen peroxide formation that is granule-dependent and that is retained inside the cells.

Azides↗

Temperature dependence in the absorption spectra of beef liver catalase.

The spin characteristics of the ferric heme groups in native beef liver catalase, and in the complexes formed by reaction with fluoride, cyanide, azide, thiocyanate, and cyanate ions have been studied using absorption spectroscopy over the temperature range of 4-285 K. The azide, isothiocyanate, and isocyanate complexes of catalase are considered to be high-spin ferric heme complexes at room temperature, but undergo a thermal spin change below 300 K. The temperature dependence of these absorption spectra, however, cannot be analyzed in terms of simple Boltzmann distributions between two S = 1/2 and S = 5/2 spin states. The data show that these spin changes occur over a very narrow temperature range, but do not result in the formation of completely, low-spin complexes. The data also suggest that the thermal spin changes that occur below the glassing temperature of the solvent are dependent upon the conformational changes which take place within the protein itself with a change in temperature, and which directly affect the environment of the heme group.

Animals↗

Effect of inhibitors on acid phosphatase activity in the haemolymph of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera:Lygaeidae).

1. Cyanide and azide showed increases in inhibition during the latter part of the fifth stadium after juvenile hormone (Law-Williams) application. 2. Azide showed greater inhibition in the adults than in the fifth instars except for the JH-treated fifth female which showed approximately the same amount of inhibition as the adult female.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Characterization of the secA gene of Streptomyces lividans encoding a protein translocase which complements and Escherichia coli mutant defective in the ATPase activity of SecA.

The secA gene of Streptomyces lividans was cloned using as probe a 57-mer oligonucleotide based on conserved sequences of the Escherichia coli secA and the Bacillus subtilis div genes. It encodes a protein of 946 amino acids (aa) with a deduced M(r) of 106,079, with high similarity to all known SecA proteins. All the previously described conserved motifs of SecA proteins were conserved in the S. lividans protein. The secA gene of S. lividans restored sensitivity to sodium azide in E. coli SecA4 (AzR) a mutant with an azide-resistant (ATPase defective) SecA protein. However, it did not complement the temperature-sensitive mutation in E. coli MM52 (SecAts) (a conditional lethal mutant defective in protein translocation) allowing only poor growth at the nonpermissive temperature. secA homologous sequences were present in 11 different species of Streptomyces and Nocardia.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Alterations in oxidative activity and superoxide dismutase in Halobacterium halobium in response to aerobic respiratory inhibitors.

Aerobic incubation of Halobacterium halobium with low concentrations of cyanide or azide resulted in a twofold increase in activity of the Mn-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD). A similar effect was observed with antimycin A, albeit at a higher concentration. Oxygen consumption increased 100% at concentrations of cyanide, azide, and antimycin A that produced maximal SOD induction. Luminol chemiluminescence of H. halobium cells, indicative of oxidative activity, was elevated in the presence of concentrations of aerobic respiratory inhibitors that corresponded to maximal levels of SOD induction. In addition, oxidation of NADH by cell extracts was maximal at inhibitor concentrations that correlated with the peak induction of SOD. Proton fluxes for H. halobium cells also corresponded to concentration ranges of inhibitor resulting in greatest SOD levels, indicative of a potential uncoupling effect. A similar phenomenon was also observed with the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. Growth was unaffected by inhibitors at the concentrations used for SOD induction. The results are interpreted as an induction of enhanced levels of SOD through a combination of increased electron flow and an increased oxidative environment.

Aerobiosis↗

Inhibited enzyme electrodes. Part 3. A sensor for low levels of H2S and HCN.

It is shown that an inhibited enzyme electrode, using cytochrome oxidase, will respond to H2S, HCN and azide ion. For all three inhibitors the kinetics of the inhibiton and recovery processes have been analysed using the theoretical model presented previously (Albery et al., 1990a). Rearrangement of the differential equation describing inhibition and the development of the necessary software has enabled us to obtain values of the concentration of inhibitor in a matter of seconds after exposure of the sensor. The sensor will measure concentrations of H2S down to 1 ppm in the gas phase and concentrations of HCN and azide ion down to 0.4 mumol dm-3 in the solution phase.

Azides↗

Adhesion contact dynamics of 3T3 fibroblasts on poly (lactide-co-glycolide acid) surface modified by photochemical immobilization of biomacromolecules.

A simple and effective method of biomacromolecule immobilization on biomaterial surface for direct tuning of biophysical parameters such as the initial cell deformation rate, degree of cell spreading and adhesion kinetics is important for tissue engineering. The photochemical immobilization of azide-chitosan (Az-CS) on poly (lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) is applied here. Chitosan immobilization on PLGA through the photoactive azide group further facilitates subsequent grafting of other biocompatible biomacromolecules like gelatin (Gel) through the active amine groups on CS. This study quantitatively compares the 3T3 fibroblast adhesion dynamics on three PLGA surfaces (Gel-CS-PLGA, CS-PLGA and unmodified PLGA surfaces) using Confocal-Reflectance Interference Contrast Microscopy (C-RICM) together with phase contrast imaging. CS-PLGA and Gel-CS-PLGA surfaces developed were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and water contact angle and cell adhesion contact dynamics measurements. The cell adhesion was strongest on the Gel-CS-PLGA surface and lowest on unmodified PLGA. The steady state adhesion energy attained by the cells on gelatin modified PLGA surface is determined as 4.0 x 10(-8) J/m(2), which is about 400 times higher than that on PLGA surface (1.1 x 10(-10) J/m(2)). Significantly increased cell adhesion with Gel-CS-PLGA is postulated to result in increased cell spreading. Our integrated biophysical method can quantify the transient contact dynamics and is sufficiently accurate to discriminate even between Gel and CS modified surfaces.

3T3 Cells↗

Design and synthesis of novel celecoxib analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors: replacement of the sulfonamide pharmacophore by a sulfonylazide bioisostere.

A group of celecoxib analogues in which the para-SO(2)NH(2) substituent on the N(1)-phenyl ring was replaced by a para-sulfonylazido (SO(2)N(3)) 4, or a meta-SO(2)N(3) 8, substituent were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition studies showed that 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonyl azide (4) with a para-SO(2)N(3) substituent was a selective COX-1 inhibitor. In contrast, 3-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonyl azide (8a) having a meta-SO(2)N(3) substituent (COX-1 IC(50) >100microM; COX-2 IC(50)=5.16microM; COX-2 selectivity index >19.3) is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. A molecular modeling (docking) study showed that the SO(2)N(3) group of 8a inserts deep inside the secondary pocket of the COX-2 binding site. The SO(2)N(3) moiety of 8a can undergo a dual H-bonding interaction via one of its SO(2) oxygen-atoms, and an electrostatic (ion-ion) interaction via the terminal azido (N(3)) nitrogen-atom, to the guanidino NH(2) of Arg(513) in the secondary pocket of COX-2. These observations indicate that an appropriately positioned SO(2)N(3) moiety is a novel alternative bioisostere to the traditional SO(2)NH(2) and SO(2)Me pharmacophores present in selective COX-2 inhibitors, that are only capable of H-bonding interactions with the COX-2 isozyme, for use in drug design.

Azides↗

Synthesis of hypermodified adenosine derivatives as selective adenosine A3 receptor ligands.

We investigated the A(3)AR affinity and selectivity of a series of 2-substituted 3'-azido and 3'-amino adenosine derivatives as well as some 5'-uronamide derivatives thereof. All compounds showed high A(3)AR selectivity. While the 3'-azides appeared to be A(3)AR antagonists with moderate A(3)AR affinity, their 3'-amino congeners exhibit significantly improved A(3)AR affinity and behave as partial agonists. For both the 3'-azides and the 3'-amines, the 5'-methylcarbamoyl modification improved the overall affinity. Introduction of a 2-phenylethynyl substituent provided high affinity for the A(3)AR.

Adenosine↗

A generic building block for C- and N-terminal protein-labeling and protein-immobilization.

Expressed protein ligation (EPL) and bioconjugation based on the maleimide group (MIC-conjugation) provide powerful tools for protein modification. In the light of the importance of site-selectively modified proteins for the study of protein function, a flexible method for the introduction of tags and reporter groups into the C-terminus of proteins employing EPL and MIC-conjugation was developed. We describe the solid-phase synthesis of a generic building block, equipped with fluorescence markers or different functional groups. This generic building block allows for a flexible incorporation of different tags into proteins and was used for the introduction of fluorescence markers into the C-terminus of Rab and Ras GTPases by EPL or MIC-conjugation techniques. In addition, a building block appropriately modified for the incorporation of an azide into proteins was synthesized. Azide-functionalized Ras protein was immobilized on a phosphane-modified surface by means of Staudinger ligation providing a highly chemoselective ligation method for the immobilization of proteins.

Azides↗

One-electron oxidation of beta-amyloid peptide: sequence modulation of reactivity.

Amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) is a 39 to 43 amino-acid-long peptide implicated in Alzheimer's disease. One of its mechanisms of toxicity is related to its redox properties. Therefore we studied its one electron oxidation using azide free radicals produced in gamma and pulse radiolysis, and compared the results with those obtained with the reverse sequence Abeta(40-1). HPLC analysis combined with absorption, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF MS were used for product identification. Met35 was shown to be the target in Abeta(1-40); oxidation leads to a major compound that is Abeta with methionine sulfoxide. Similarly, oxidation of fragment Abeta(29-40) also leads to methionine sulfoxide. For Abeta(40-1), Met35 is not reactive and Tyr10 is the target of azide radicals. The major products are peptide dimer linked by dityrosine and trimer. The lowering of the one-electron reduction potential of the MetS+/Met couple, which was proposed, is in agreement with our findings. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such a drastic effect of the primary sequence is observed in a small peptide. In addition, it is also the first experimental demonstration of the sensitivity of the one-electron reduction potential of methionine on neighboring groups.

Alzheimer Disease↗