| 1416888 |
Antipneumocystis activity of water-soluble lipopeptide L-693,989 in rats |
10.1128/AAC.36.9.1964. |
Antimicrob Agents Chemother |
Antipneumocystis activity of water-soluble lipopeptide L-693,989 in rats
Abstract
- Water-soluble lipopeptide L-693,989 was evaluated for its antipneumocystis activity in rats. Rats from colonies with latent Pneumocystis carinii infections were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone for 6 weeks to facilitate the development of acute P. carinii pneumonia (PCP). After 6 weeks, the rats were maintained on dexamethasone and were treated twice daily for 4 days with various concentrations of L-693,989. At a dose of 0.15 mg/kg of body weight, the compound effectively eliminated 90% of the cysts in 4 days. Trophozoite forms of P. carinii were still present in these animals, as determined by using a P. carinii-specific DNA probe. A 3-week therapy study showed that the trophozoite load did not expand during treatment and that the trophozoites already present at the initiation of therapy appeared to persist. This may be a consequence of the stage specificity of the compound for cyst development and the severe immunosuppressive effects of dexamethasone on rats. When evaluated as a daily parenteral prophylactic agent, L-693,989 was effective in preventing the development of both P. carinii cysts and trophozoites, demonstrating its potential for use in prophylaxis and implying that the cyst stage of P. carinii is an obligatory step in trophozoite multiplication. The foamy exudate commonly associated with P. carinii infections was absent in the lungs of rats on prophylaxis. The compound was also evaluated via oral administration and was found to have a 90% effective dose of 32 mg/kg for therapy of acute infections and 5 mg/kg for daily prophylaxis.
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| 1417781 |
cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of human pancreatic procarboxypeptidase A1 |
10.1042/bj2870299. |
Biochem J |
cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of human pancreatic procarboxypeptidase A1
Abstract
- Using polyclonal antibodies raised against human pancreatic procarboxypeptidases, a full-length cDNA coding for an A-type proenzyme was isolated from a lambda gt11 human pancreatic library. This cDNA contains standard 3' and 5' flanking regions, a poly(A)+ tail and a central region of 1260 nucleotides coding for a protein of 419 amino acids. On the basis of sequence comparisons, the human protein was classified as a procarboxypeptidase A1 which is very similar to the previously described A1 forms from rat and bovine pancreatic glands. The presence of the amino acid sequences assumed to be of importance for the zymogen inhibition by its activation segment, primarily on the basis of the recently reported crystal structure of the B form, further supports the proposed classification.
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| 1417998 |
Structure of macrocyclic K+, Rb+-complexon of meso-valinomycin monohydrate, cyclo-(D-Val-Hyi-Val-D-Hyi)3-.H2O, in a crystalline complex with dioxane by x-ray structural data |
None |
Bioorg Khim |
Structure of macrocyclic K+, Rb+-complexon of meso-valinomycin monohydrate, cyclo-(D-Val-Hyi-Val-D-Hyi)3-.H2O, in a crystalline complex with dioxane by x-ray structural data
Abstract
- The crystal structure of a valinomycin analogue, cyclo-(D-Val-Hyi-Val-D-Hyi)3-x(C60H102N6O18) crystallized with dioxane and water molecules, has been solved by X-ray direct methods. The conformation found is analogous to one established for free meso-valinomycin crystallized from other organic solvents. It is characterized by a centrosymmetric bracelet form, stabilized by six intramolecular 4----1 type hydrogen bonds between amide N-H and C = O groups. One water molecule is fixed asymmetrically by hydrogen bonds in the internal negatively charged cavity of the complexon. The meso-valinomycin molecule "bracelets" in the crystal form stacks alternatively with dioxane molecules.
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| 1418236 |
7-Desmethyl-microcystin-RR, a hepatotoxin from a waterbloom of Microcystis aeruginosa |
10.1515/znc-1992-0603. |
Z Naturforsch C J Biosci |
7-Desmethyl-microcystin-RR, a hepatotoxin from a waterbloom of Microcystis aeruginosa
Abstract
- A peptide toxin was isolated from a waterbloom of Microcystis aeruginosa from Lake Frøylandsvatn in Norway. The isolation procedure included liquid and solid phase extraction and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid analysis yielded D-glutamic acid, D-erythro-beta-methylaspartic acid and D-alanine in equimolar and L-arginine in twofold molar ratios. The presence of dehydroalanine was confirmed by hydrogenation and subsequent amino acid analysis with combined gas liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Investigation of the toxin with fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry showed a nominal relative molecular mass of 1023. 3-Amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyl- 4,6-decadienoic acid (Adda) was identified by 1H NMR and 1H, 1H COSY spectroscopy. The structure of the toxin was elucidated as 7-desmethyl-microcystin-RR.
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| 1420990 |
IR (vibrational) CD of peptide beta-turns: a theoretical and experimental study of cyclo-(-Gly-Pro-Gly-D-Ala-Pro-) |
10.1002/bip.360320912. |
Biopolymers |
IR (vibrational) CD of peptide beta-turns: a theoretical and experimental study of cyclo-(-Gly-Pro-Gly-D-Ala-Pro-)
Abstract
- IR vibrational CD (VCD) has been observed for the cyclic pentapeptide cyclo-(-Gly-Pro-Gly-D-Ala-Pro-) in solution in CDBr3. The observed VCD spectra do not resemble the VCD features of any of the previously reported peptide secondary structures, such as alpha-helical, "random coil," or sheet structures, and might be due to the beta-turn contained in this molecule. To shed light onto the origin of the observed spectra, VCD intensity calculations, based on the solution and solid-state structures of cyclo-(-Gly-Pro-Gly-D-Ala-Pro-), have been carried out. In addition, calculated VCD data for pure beta-turns are discussed.
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| 1421398 |
Prothrombin Himi: a compound heterozygote for two dysfunctional prothrombin molecules (Met-337-->Thr and Arg-388-->His) |
None |
Blood |
Prothrombin Himi: a compound heterozygote for two dysfunctional prothrombin molecules (Met-337-->Thr and Arg-388-->His)
Abstract
- A congenitally dysfunctional form of prothrombin, Prothrombin Himi, shows reduced fibrinogen clotting activity, although it retains full hydrolytic activity toward synthetic substrates. To elucidate the structural abnormality of the variant prothrombin, we first performed genetic analysis of dysprothrombin. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the exons 8 through 14 of the proband and her family members' prothrombin genes, which code the thrombin moiety, followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, identified two variant conformers in exon 10 specific to this family. One variant allele detected in the father was inherited by the proband and one of her sisters, and the other detected in the mother was also inherited by them. This result indicates that the proband has two different base pair changes in the gene. Sequencing showed two novel point mutations in the proband's gene. One is a T to C transition at position 8751, resulting in the substitution of threonine for methionine at codon 337 (Thrombin Himi I). The other is a G to A transition at 8904, resulting in the substitution of histidine for arginine at codon 388 (Thrombin Himi II). By sequencing analysis of her parents, it was determined that Thrombin Himi I was inherited from the father and Thrombin Himi II from the mother. These results confirm that Prothrombin Himi is compound heterozygous for two dysfunctional prothrombin molecules.
|
| 1421439 |
SDZ PSC 833 and SDZ 280-446 are the most active of various resistance-modifying agents in restoring rhodamine-123 retention within multidrug resistant P388 cells |
10.1097/00001813-199208000-00017. |
Anticancer Drugs |
SDZ PSC 833 and SDZ 280-446 are the most active of various resistance-modifying agents in restoring rhodamine-123 retention within multidrug resistant P388 cells
Abstract
- Multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells may result from overexpression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) but may be down-modulated by resistance-modifying agents (RMAs). The cyclosporin SDZ PSC 833 and the cyclopeptolide SDZ 280-446 were found to be the strongest RMAs known to date for restoring the sensitivity of MDR cells to anticancer drugs, as well as for restoring their retention of daunomycin, a fluorescent anthracycline. Using rhodamine-123 (Rhod-123), another fluorescent probe of Pgp function which also differentiates sensitive and MDR cells, several RMAs were compared for their capacity to inhibit Pgp function. At variance with the data obtained with the daunomycin probe, a series of RMAs did not detectably restore Rhod-123 retention by the MDR cells. With the remaining RMAs, achieving the same levels of Rhod-123 retention required 3 times lower RMA concentrations when the RMA was added to the MDR cells for both the initial uptake and the efflux of Rhod-123 rather than for its uptake only. Nevertheless, the data emphasized the large superiority of SDZ PSC 833 and SDZ 280-446 over all other RMAs.
|
| 1428538 |
Unusual thionation of a cyclic hexapeptide. Conformational changes and dynamics |
10.1111/j.1399-3011.1992.tb00101.x. |
Int J Pept Protein Res |
Unusual thionation of a cyclic hexapeptide. Conformational changes and dynamics
Abstract
- One carbonyl oxygen of the cyclic hexapeptide cyclo(-Gly1-Pro2-Phe3-Val4-Phe5-Phe6-) (A) can be selectively exchanged with sulphur using Yokoyama's reagent. Surprisingly it was not the C= of Gly1 but that of Phe5 which was substituted and cyclo(-Gly1-Pro2-Phe3-Val4-Phe5 psi CS-NHPhe6-) (B) was obtained. Thionation results in a conformational change of the peptide backbone although the C=O of Phe5 and the corresponding C=S are not involved in internal hydrogen bonds. Two isomers in slow exchange, containing a cis Gly1-Pro2 bond in a beta VIa-turn (minor) and a trans Gly-Pro bond in a beta II'-turn (major), were analyzed by restrained molecular dynamics in vacuo and in DMSO as well as using time dependent distance constraints. It is impossible to fit all experimental data to a static structure of each isomer. Interpreting the conflicting NOEs, local segment flexibility is found. MD simulations lead to a dynamic model for each structure with evidence of an equilibrium between a beta I- and beta II-turn about the Val4-Phe5 amide bond in both the cis and trans isomers. Additionally proton relaxation rates in the rotating frame (R1 rho) were measured to verify the assumption of this fast beta I/beta II equilibrium within each isomer. Significant contributions to R1 rho-rates from intramolecular motions were found for both isomers. Therefore it is possible to distinguish between at least four conformers interconverting on different time scales based on NMR data and MD refinement. This work shows that thionation is a useful modification of peptides for conformation-activity investigations."
|
| 1429464 |
Microcin 25, a novel antimicrobial peptide produced by Escherichia coli |
10.1128/jb.174.22.7428-7435.1992. |
J Bacteriol |
Microcin 25, a novel antimicrobial peptide produced by Escherichia coli
Abstract
- Microcin 25, a peptide antibiotic excreted by an Escherichia coli strain isolated from human feces, was purified to homogeneity and characterized. Composition analysis and data from gel filtration indicated that microcin 25 may contain 20 amino acid residues. It has a blocked amino-terminal end. Microcin synthesis and immunity are plasmid determined, and the antibiotic was produced in minimal medium when the cultures entered the stationary phase of growth. The peptide appears to interfere with cell division, since susceptible cells filamented when exposed to it. This response does not seem to be mediated by the SOS system.
|
| 1430225 |
An amino acid polymorphism within the RGD binding domain of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIIa is responsible for the formation of the Pena/Penb alloantigen system |
10.1172/JCI116084. |
J Clin Invest |
An amino acid polymorphism within the RGD binding domain of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIIa is responsible for the formation of the Pena/Penb alloantigen system
Abstract
- The human Pena/Penb alloantigen system represents a naturally occurring polymorphism of human platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIIa, and has previously been implicated in the onset of two important clinical syndromes, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and posttransfusion purpura. To investigate the molecular basis of the polymorphism underlying the Pen alloantigen system, we used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify platelet-derived GPIIIa mRNA transcripts. DNA sequence analysis of amplified GPIIIa cDNAs from nucleotides 161 to 1341 (encompassing amino acid residues 22-414) revealed a G526<==>A526 polymorphism that segregated precisely with Pen phenotype in twelve other individuals examined. This nucleotide substitution results in an Arg (CGA) to Gln (CAA) polymorphism at amino acid 143 of GPIIIa. Interestingly, this polymorphic residue is located within the putative RGD binding site (residues 109-171) of GPIIIa. Platelet aggregation patterns of a Penb/b individual, however, were nearly normal in response to all physiological agonists tested, indicating that this polymorphism does not grossly affect integrin function. Short synthetic peptides encompassing residue 143 were unable to mimic either the Pena or Penb antigenic determinants, suggesting that the Pen epitopes are dependent upon proper folding of the polypeptide chain. Finally, we constructed allele-specific recombinant forms of GPIIIa that differed only at amino acid residues 143. Whereas anti-Pena alloantibodies were able to recognize the Arg143 recombinant form of GPIIIa, anti-Penb antibodies were not. Conversely, anti-Penb alloantibodies were reactive only with the Gln143 isoform of the GPIIIa molecule. It thus appears that amino acid 143 of GPIIIa is not only associated with Pen phenotype, but specifically controls the formation and expression of the Pen alloantigenic determinants.
|
| 1438206 |
Ser-752-->Pro mutation in the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta 3 subunit and defective activation of platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) in a variant of Glanzmann thrombasthenia |
10.1073/pnas.89.21.10169. |
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A |
Ser-752-->Pro mutation in the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta 3 subunit and defective activation of platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) in a variant of Glanzmann thrombasthenia
Abstract
- Integrins are membrane receptors which mediate cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion. Integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) acts as a fibrinogen receptor of platelets and mediates platelet aggregation. Platelet activation is required for alpha IIb beta 3 to shift from noncompetent to competent for binding soluble fibrinogen. The steps involved in this transition are poorly understood. We have studied a variant of Glanzmann thrombasthenia, a congenital bleeding disorder characterized by absence of platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding. The patient's platelets did not bind fibrinogen after platelet activation by ADP or thrombin, though his platelets contained alpha IIb beta 3. However, isolated alpha IIb beta 3 was able to bind to an Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser affinity column, and binding of soluble fibrinogen to the patient's platelets could be triggered by modulators of alpha IIb beta 3 conformation such as the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptide and alpha-chymotrypsin. These data suggested that a functional Arg-Gly-Asp binding site was present within alpha IIb beta 3 and that the patient's defect was not secondary to a blockade of alpha IIb beta 3 in a noncompetent conformational state. This was evocative of a defect in the coupling between platelet activation and alpha IIb beta 3 up-regulation. We therefore sequenced the cytoplasmic domain of beta 3, following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on platelet RNA, and found a T-->C mutation at nucleotide 2259, corresponding to a Ser-752-->Pro substitution. This mutation is likely to be responsible for the uncoupling of alpha IIb beta 3 from cellular activation because (i) it is not a polymorphism, (ii) it is the only mutation in the entire alpha IIb beta 3 sequence, and (iii) genetic analysis of the family showed that absence of the Pro-752 beta 3 allele was associated with the normal phenotype. Our data thus identify the C-terminal portion of the cytoplasmic domain of beta 3 as an intrinsic element in the coupling between alpha IIb beta 3 and platelet activation.
|
| 1440501 |
Synergistic antithrombotic properties of G4120, a RGD-containing synthetic peptide, and argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, in a hamster femoral vein platelet-rich thrombosis model |
None |
Thromb Haemost |
Synergistic antithrombotic properties of G4120, a RGD-containing synthetic peptide, and argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, in a hamster femoral vein platelet-rich thrombosis model
Abstract
- The synergistic antithrombotic properties of G4120, a synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) containing peptide which strongly inhibits platelet aggregation, and of Argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, were examined in a reproducible quantitative hamster femoral vein platelet-rich mural thrombosis model. Bolus injections of G4120 and Argatroban inhibit thrombus formation in a dose-dependent way; 50% inhibition (ID50) is obtained with 11 micrograms/kg G4120 and with 2 mg/kg Argatroban. Combined bolus injections of 3 micrograms/kg G4120 with 0.5, 0.75 or 1 mg/kg Argatroban and of 1 mg/kg Argatroban with 1.5 or 3 micrograms/kg G4120 caused linear dose-dependent inhibition of thrombus formation, whereas 3 micrograms/kg G4120 or 1 mg/kg Argatroban alone had very little effect (less than 20% inhibition). ID50 was obtained with the combination of 3 micrograms/kg G4120 and 0.5 mg/kg Argatroban, corresponding to an equi-effective fractional combination of 0.62 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.50 to 0.74. Alternatively the ID50 was obtained with the combination of 1 mg/kg Argatroban and 1.3 micrograms/kg G4120, corresponding to an equi-effective fractional combination of 0.52 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.18 to 0.86. In both instances these results are indicative of a significant synergistic interaction. Bolus injection of 10 mg/kg aspirin, 100 U/kg heparin or the combination did not inhibit thrombus formation. The synergistic effect of the combination of platelet inhibiting RGD-peptides and synthetic thrombin inhibitors could be useful in the prevention of arterial occlusion with platelet-rich thrombus in patients with ischemic heart disease following thrombolytic therapy or angioplasty, although this combination is not expected to reverse platelet thrombus formation.
|
| 1440636 |
Microcystin-like toxins in different freshwater species of Oscillatoria |
10.1016/0041-0101(92)90448-e. |
Toxicon |
Microcystin-like toxins in different freshwater species of Oscillatoria
Abstract
- In January and September of 1989 and March 1990 blooms of Oscillatoria rubescens, Oscillatoria tenuis and Oscillatoria mougetii were found in Lake Simbirizzi and Lake Flumendosa in Sardinia, and in Lake San Puoto in the Lazio region of Italy. By using different extraction methods and HPLC analysis, two microcystin-like toxins (RR-like and YR-like), similar to some of the toxic compounds produced by the Cyanophycea Microcystis aeruginosa, were detected in these blooms.
|
| 1445085 |
Lupinosis in yearling cattle |
10.1111/j.1751-0813.1992.tb07507.x. |
Aust Vet J |
Lupinosis in yearling cattle
Abstract
|
| 1445998 |
Formation, characterization, and toxicity of the glutathione and cysteine conjugates of toxic heptapeptide microcystins |
10.1021/tx00029a002. |
Chem Res Toxicol |
Formation, characterization, and toxicity of the glutathione and cysteine conjugates of toxic heptapeptide microcystins
Abstract
- Microcystins LR, YR, and RR, cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins produced by cyanobacteria, were synthetically converted into glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys) conjugates. Fast atom bombardment mass spectra showed M + H+ ions corresponding to GSH and Cys conjugates of microcystins LR, YR, and RR for the obtained compounds. 1H NMR spectral analyses revealed that two singlet signals of olefinic protons of N-methyldehydroalanine (Mdha) in microcystins disappeared in the conjugates, confirming that thiols of GSH and Cys added nucleophilically to the alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl of the Mdha moiety. On examination of the 50% lethal dose (LD50) with intravenous injection using mice, both GSH and Cys conjugates showed reduction in toxicity compared with microcystins, but their toxicity still remained. Microcystin LR and its GSH conjugate were separated and identified in a standard mixture by using a frit-fast atom bombardment liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (Frit-FAB LC/MS) method. Obtained conjugates in the present study would be important compounds as the standard samples for study of metabolism of microcystins, and the Frit-FAB LC/MS method would be applicable to mass spectrometric identification of metabolites of microcystins.
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