In Vitro Reduction of Tetrazolium Indicators by Sulfhydryl Compounds

There was considerable variation between the sulfhydryl induced in vitro reduction of the oxidation-reduction indicators (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, 2,3-diphenyl 5-methyl tetrazolium chloride, neotetrazolium chloride, neotetrazolium phosphate-2B, blue tetrazolium, tetrazolium violet, potassium tellurite, methylene blue, and resazurin). The neotetrazolium salts and potassium tellurite showed the greatest reducing activity. The reduction of the indicators by oxidized sulfhydryl compounds in the presence of potassium cyanide closely paralleled the reduction of the sarrte indicators by reduced sulfhydryl compounds. Iodoacetamide was the most effective sulfhydryl inhibitor as demonstrated by indicator reduction.     

Effects on Mitochondrial K Flux of pH,K Concentration,and N-Ethyl Maleimide

Based on published evidence that cation transport in mitochondria is not significantly dependent on a membrane potential, it is suggested that the process of mitochondrial cation transport may be nonelectrogenic. These experiments focused on the possibility that K⁺ flux into rat liver mitochondria may be directly coupled, via an energy-linked carrier mechanism, to OH^? influx or H⁺ efflux. The dependence of the unidirectional K⁺ influx on the external K⁺ concentration indicates involvement of a saturable mechanism. Increasing the external pH from 7.0 to 8.0 increases the apparent V_max of the K⁺ influx without significantly altering the apparent K_m for K⁺. The pH dependence is greater in the presence of N-ethyl maleimide, a known inhibitor of the mitochondrial P_i/OH^? exchange mechanism. N-Ethyl maleimide decreases the apparent V_max at pH 7.0 and increases it at pH 8.0. Evidence indicates that both N-ethyl maleimide and a high external P_i concentration may stimulate the K⁺ influx at alkaline external pH (8.0) by preventing net exchanges between endogenous P_i and external OH^?. An apparent first-order dependence of the K⁺ influx on the external OH^? concentration is observed in the presence of N-ethyl maleimide. These results are consistent with a possible role of external OH^? as a cosubstrate of the K⁺ transport mechanism.     

Mechanism of ATP-sensitive K Channel Inhibition by Sulfhydryl Modification

ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels are reversibly inhibited by intracellular ATP. Agents that interact with sulfhydryl moieties produce an irreversible inhibition of K_ATP channel activity when applied to the intracellular membrane surface. ATP appears to protect against this effect, suggesting that the cysteine residue with which thiol reagents interact may either lie within the ATP-binding site or be inaccessible when the channel is closed. We have examined the interaction of the membrane-impermeant thiol-reactive agent p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonate (pCMPS) with the cloned β cell K_ATP channel. This channel comprises the pore-forming Kir6.2 and regulatory SUR1 subunits. We show that the cysteine residue involved in channel inhibition by pCMPS resides on the Kir6.2 subunit and is located at position 42, which lies within the NH₂ terminus of the protein. Although ATP protects against the effects of pCMPS, the ATP sensitivity of the K_ATP channel was unchanged by mutation of C42 to either valine (V) or alanine (A), suggesting that ATP does not interact directly with this residue. These results are consistent with the idea that C42 is inaccessible to the intracellular solution, and thereby protected from interaction with pCMPS when the channel is closed by ATP. We also observed that the C42A mutation does not affect the ability of SUR1 to endow Kir6.2 with diazoxide sensitivity, and reduces, but does not prevent, the effects of MgADP and tolbutamide, which are mediated via SUR1. The Kir6.2-C42A (or V) mutant channel may provide a suitable background for cysteine-scanning mutagenesis studies.     

Reversible Inhibition of Spore Germination by Alcohols

Low levels of alcohols have been found to inhibit the process of spore germination. The extent of germination is dependent upon the concentration of alcohol present in the germinating medium. This inhibition is reversible since removal of the alcohol from the spore environment allows germination to proceed.     

Reversible Inhibition of Lymphocyte-mediated Cytotoxicity by Cytochalasin B

ALLOGRAFT immunity is characterized by the appearance of sensitized lymphocytes which are specifically able in vitro to destroy target cells carrying the sensitizing alloantigens. These cytotoxic lymphocytes represent thymus-derived effector cells^1,2 and are quite distinct from alloantibody-producing cells, which are also formed during induction of allograft immunity³. Although contact between viable cytotoxic lymphocytes and target cells is necessary for destruction, the events which lead to target cell lysis are still unknown⁵.     

Potent Reversible Inhibition of Myeloperoxidase by Aromatic Hydroxamates

The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) promotes oxidative stress in numerous inflammatory pathologies by producing hypohalous acids. Its inadvertent activity is a prime target for pharmacological control. Previously, salicylhydroxamic acid was reported to be a weak reversible inhibitor of MPO. We aimed to identify related hydroxamates that are good inhibitors of the enzyme. We report on three hydroxamates as the first potent reversible inhibitors of MPO. The chlorination activity of purified MPO was inhibited by 50% by a 5 nm concentration of a trifluoromethyl-substituted aromatic hydroxamate, HX1. The hydroxamates were specific for MPO in neutrophils and more potent toward MPO compared with a broad range of redox enzymes and alternative targets. Surface plasmon resonance measurements showed that the strength of binding of hydroxamates to MPO correlated with the degree of enzyme inhibition. The crystal structure of MPO-HX1 revealed that the inhibitor was bound within the active site cavity above the heme and blocked the substrate channel. HX1 was a mixed-type inhibitor of the halogenation activity of MPO with respect to both hydrogen peroxide and halide. Spectral analyses demonstrated that hydroxamates can act variably as substrates for MPO and convert the enzyme to a nitrosyl ferrous intermediate. This property was unrelated to their ability to inhibit MPO. We propose that aromatic hydroxamates bind tightly to the active site of MPO and prevent it from producing hypohalous acids. This mode of reversible inhibition has potential for blocking the activity of MPO and limiting oxidative stress during inflammation.     

Inhibition of Hog Liver Crystalline Quinolinate Phosphoribosyltransferase by Nucleotides,Quinolinate Analogues and Sulfhydryl Reagents

Effects of the precursors and intermediates of the NAD biosynthetic pathway, and of quinolinate analogues etc. on hog liver crystalline quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (an intermediary enzyme in the de novo NAD biosynthetic pathway) activity were investigated. The enzyme activity was inhibited by many kinds of nucleotides, phthalic acid and SH reagents. But amino acids, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide had practically no effect. The apparent inhibition by ATP removed by raising Mg²⁺ concentration. Phthalic acid was proved to be a competitive inhibitor to quinolinic acid. The Ki value for phthalic acid was calculated at 1.7 × 10^?4 m by a Dixon plot.     

Auxin-Regulated Reversible Inhibition of TMK1 Signaling by MAKR2 Modulates the Dynamics of Root Gravitropism

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Reversible Inhibition of Acetylcholine Synthesis and Behavioural Effects Caused by 3-Bromopyruvate

3-Bromopyruvate inhibits pyruvate decarboxylase in brain homogenates and causes a 90% drop in acetylcholine tissue content at a concentration of 2 mM. Stereotaxic injection of 3-bromopyruvate into the basal forebrain causes after 7 days a 40% drop of acetylcholine concentration and pyruvate decarboxylase activity in the cortex and hippocampus, and greater decreases at the site of injection. However, values return to normal 18 days after injection. Choline acetyltransferase is partially inhibited only at the site of injection after 7 days. Choline transport and choline concentration are not affected at either 7 or 18 days after injection. Impairments in spontaneous alternation and in retention of passive avoidance were seen only 7 days after the injection. The results suggest that stereotaxic injection of bromopyruvate can induce discrete reversible cholinergic lesions on a time scale useful for behavioural experiments and for comparison with neurodegeneration.     

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by sulphasalazine and its metabolites.

Sulphasalazine (SZ) inhibits prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis in vitro with a potency comparable to that of aceylsalicylate. The metabolites of SZ, sulphapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, were of considerably lower potency as inhibitors of PG biosynthesis in the synthetase preparations used. Th inhibition of prostaglandin production by SZ could at least partly account for the clinical utility of sulphasalazine in ulcerative colitis. Sulphapyridine may help to maintain inhibitory concentrations of SZ by restraining bacterial breakdown of the active drug.     

Inhibition of leucocyte elastase by heparin and its derivatives.

Leucocyte proteinases, e.g. leucocyte elastase and cathepsin G, are inhibited by heparin. The activities of pig pancreatic and Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastases are unaffected by this polysaccharide. Heparin derivatives of known Mr and degree of sulphation were isolated. The inhibition of leucocyte elastase by these oligosaccharides can be classified as tight-binding hyperbolic non-competitive. Ki values ranged from 40 nM to 100 microM and were found to be inversely correlated with the chain length of the oligosaccharides. Desulphated compounds lacked inhibitory potential towards leucocyte elastase. Over-O-sulphated di- and tetra-saccharides are more potent inhibitors than their over-N-sulphated counterparts. It is proposed that the therapeutic use of heparin and its derivatives could be extended to disease states such as emphysema and rheumatoid arthritis, where the role of leucocyte elastase has been clearly established.     

Reduction of a Tetrazolium Salt and Superoxide Generation in Human Tumor Cells (HeLa)

Experiments have been carried out to explore the use of a tetrazolium salt, MTT(3-(4,5-dimelhylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide in the detection of intracellularly generated superoxide in HeLa cells. From the use of a low molecular weight lipophilic mimic of superoxide dismutase, as well as superoxide dismutase, and inhibitors of superoxide dismutase, it is suggested that at least 20-30% of the intracellular reduction of MTT is due to superoxide. Whilst this may arise from mitochondria another possible intracellular source in HeLa cells may be xanthine oxidase.

The overall rate of intracellular MTT reduction in HeLa cells is inversely dependent on levels of serum in the culture medium. Serum components with a modulatory role in this context are those with antioxidant function.

Reduced MTT is also detectable extracellularly in cultures of HeLa cells and at least 80% of this is due to superoxide. Use of inhibitors suggest that whilst a small proportion (30%) may arise through an NADPH-oxidase type enzyme, other sources of extracellular superoxide in HeLa cells remain a possibility.     

Reversible inactivation of rat liver inorganic pyrophosphatase by substrate and its analogs.

Dissociation of Mg2+ from one of the two metal-binding sites whose occupancy is absolutely required for catalysis by rat liver inorganic pyrophosphatase is a slow reaction (tau 1/2 = 3 h). Polycarboxylic Mg2+ complexons markedly accelerate this process due to their binding with Mg2+ on the enzyme. PPi, ATP and a number of diphosphonate analogs of PPi also bind with Mg2+ on the enzyme with concomitant decrease in enzyme activity by 75% but do not release the bound Mg2+. The resulting ternary complex rapidly (tau 1/2 of several seconds) dissociates upon dilution into substrate-free medium. PPi and imidodiphosphate, which are substrates for pyrophosphatase, decrease the rate of reactivation by at least two orders of magnitude. The results can be explained by existence of two interconvertible forms of the enzyme, of which one is inactive and is stabilized by substrate or its analogs.     

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase/pyrophosphatase activity of PC-1 by its association with glycosaminoglycans.

PC-1 is a type II membrane-bound glycoprotein consisting of a short N-terminal cytoplasmic domain and a large C-terminal extracellular domain, which contains phosphodiesterase/pyrophosphatase activity. When Jurkat T cells were cultured with dibutyryl cAMP, the membrane-bound PC-1 and its soluble form were induced. They were purified as a homodimer of a 130 kDa peptide and a 120 kDa monomer, respectively, and the same two forms could also be obtained from COS-7 cells that had been transfected with PC-1 cDNA. The membrane-bound and soluble forms of PC-1 were indistinguishable from each other in terms of their enzyme kinetics and N-glycosylated moieties. Thus, the enzymatically active and fully glycosylated form of soluble PC-1 was utilized to search for its interacting molecules. The phosphodiesterase/pyrophosphatase activity of PC-1 was competitively inhibited by glycosaminoglycans, such as heparin and heparan sulfate, which are the major components of the extracellular matrix. PC-1 was capable of binding to heparin-Sepharose and the binding was inhibited in the presence of the enzyme substrate, ATP or its nonhydrolyzable analog. The enzyme activity of PC-1 itself, however, was not required for the binding to heparin-Sepharose. These results suggest that PC-1 might function as an adhesion molecule independent of its enzyme activity to associate with glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix.     

Rapid, Reversible Inhibition of Nitrate Influx in Barley by Ammonium

The rate of influx of nitrate into the roots of intact barleyplants was measured over a period of 3–5 min from externalnitrate concentrations of 1–150 mmol m^–3, using¹³N-labelled nitrate as tracer. Ammonium at external concentrationsof 0.005–50 mol m^–3 inhibited nitrate influx ina manner which did not conform to a simple kinetic model butincreased approximately as the logarithm of the ammonium concentration.At any particular ammonium concentration, inhibition of nitrateinflux reached its full extent within 3 min of the ammoniumbeing supplied and was not made more severe by up to 17 minpre-treatment with ammonium. On removing the external ammonium,nitrate influx returned to its original rate within about 3min. Potassium at 0.005–50 mol m^–3 did not reproducethe rapid effect of ammonium on nitrate influx. Net uptake of nitrate also decreased when ammonium was supplied,over a similar timescale and to a similar extent as nitrateinflux. The decrease in nitrate influx caused by ammonium wassufficient to account for the observed reduction in net uptake,without necessitating any acceleration of nitrate efflux. Key words: Hordeum vulgare, roots, ion transport, short-lived isotopes, ¹³N     

Cell Cycle Synchronization at the G2/M Phase Border by Reversible Inhibition of CDK1

Chemical agents for cell cycle synchronization have greatly facilitated the study of biochemical events driving cell cycle progression. G1, S and M phase inhibitors have been developed and used widely in cell cycle research. However, currently there are no effective G2 phase inhibitors and synchronization of cultured cells in G2 phase has been challenging. Recently, a selective CDK1 inhibitor, RO-3306, has been identified that reversibly arrests proliferating human cells at the G2/M phase border and provides a novel means for cell cycle synchronization. A single-step protocol using RO-3306 permits the synchronization of >95% of cycling cancer cells in G2 phase. RO-3306 arrested cells enter mitosis rapidly after release from the G2 block thus allowing for isolation of mitotic cells without microtubule poisons. RO-3306 represents a new molecular tool for studying CDK1 function in human cells.     

Reversible inactivation of myosin subfragment 1 activity by mechanical immobilization.

The Mg-ATPase activity of skeletal muscle myosin subfragment 1 (S1) is reversibly eliminated when it is aggregated by the force of osmotic pressure dehydration using polyethylene glycol (PEG). Several experiments indicate nucleotides bind aggregated S1, but the effects of binding are attenuated. Compared with S1 in solution, epsilonADP binds aggregated S1 with reduced affinity, and the bound epsilonADP fluorescence intensity is more effectively quenched by acrylamide. When ATP binds aggregated S1, the tryptophan intensity increases to only 50% of the solution level. Chemical cross-linking of cys-707 to cys-697 by p-phenylenedimaleimide is less efficient for aggregated S1 x MgADP. The data are consistent with aggregated S1 being able to bind nucleotide but not being able to complete the usual conformation change(s) in response to binding. If S1 is kept from aggregating by increasing the ionic strength at the same osmotic pressure, its Mg-ATPase activity and ATP-induced tryptophan fluorescence intensity increase are normal. The combined data are consistent with an ATP hydrolysis mechanism in which S1 segmental motion is coupled to its enzymatic activity. In this model, segmental motion is mechanically constrained by aggregation; the constrained S1 can bind ATP, but it cannot complete the hydrolysis mechanism.