The formation of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonamide during the preparation of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonylamino acids

1. The amount of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonamide formed during the reaction of an amino acid with 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonyl chloride depends on the structure of the amino acid and on the conditions used. 2. The reaction probably involves attack of a further molecule of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonyl chloride on the 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonyl-amino acid and also gives the aldehyde (or ketone) with one carbon atom less than the parent amino acid.     

The conformational changes of alpha 2-macroglobulin induced by methylamine or trypsin. Characterization by extrinsic and intrinsic spectroscopic probes.

The conformational changes around the thioester-bond region of human or bovine alpha 2M (alpha 2-macroglobulin) on reaction with methylamine or trypsin were studied with the probe AEDANS [N-(acetylaminoethyl)-8-naphthylamine-1-sulphonic acid], bound to the liberated thiol groups. The binding affected the fluorescence emission and lifetime of the probe in a manner indicating that the thioester-bond region is partially buried in all forms of the inhibitor. In human alpha 2M these effects were greater for the trypsin-treated than for the methylamine-treated inhibitor, which both have undergone similar, major, conformational changes. This difference may thus be due to a close proximity of the thioester region to the bound proteinase. Reaction of trypsin with thiol-labelled methylamine-treated bovine alpha 2M, which retains a near-native conformation and inhibitory activity, indicated that the major conformational change accompanying the binding of proteinases involves transfer of the thioester-bond region to a more polar environment without increasing the exposure of this region at the surface of the protein. Labelling of the transglutaminase cross-linking site of human alpha 2M with dansylcadaverine [N-(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonamide] suggested that this site is in moderately hydrophobic surroundings. Reaction of the labelled inhibitor with methylamine or trypsin produced fluorescence changes consistent with further burial of the cross-linking site. These changes were more pronounced for trypsin-treated than for methylamine-treated alpha 2M, presumably an effect of the cleavage of the adjacent 'bait' region. Solvent perturbation of the u.v. absorption and iodide quenching of the tryptophan fluorescence of human alpha 2M showed that one or two tryptophan residues in each alpha 2M monomer are buried on reaction with methylamine or trypsin, with no discernible change in the exposure of tyrosine residues. Together, these results indicate an extensive conformational change of alpha 2M on reaction with amines or proteinases and are consistent with several aspects of a recently proposed model of alpha 2M structure [Feldman, Gonias & Pizzo (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 5700-5704].     

A fluorescent calmodulin that reports the binding of hydrophobic inhibitory ligands.

Ca2+ binding to calmodulin in the pCa range 5.5-7.0 exposes hydrophobic sites that bind hydrophobic inhibitory ligands, including calmodulin antagonists, some Ca2+-antagonists and calmodulin-binding proteins. The binding of these hydrophobic ligands to calmodulin can be followed by the approx. 80% fluorescence increase they produce in dansylated (5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonylated) calmodulin (CDRDANS). In the presence of Ca2+, calmodulin binds the calmodulin inhibitor, R24571, with an affinity of approx. 2-3 nM and hydrophobic ligands, including trifluoperazine (TFP), W-7 [N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulphonamide], fendiline, felodipine and prenylamine, with affinities in the micromolar range. This binding is strongly Ca2+-dependent and Mg2+-independent. Calmodulin shows a reasonably high degree of specificity in its binding of these ligands over other ligands tested. CDRDANS, therefore, provides a convenient and simple means of monitoring the interaction of a variety of hydrophobic ligands with the Ca2+-dependent regulatory protein, calmodulin. CDRDANS binds to phospholipid vesicles made of (dimyristoyl)phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or (dipalmitoyl)phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and produces fluorescence increases only in the presence of Ca2+ and at temperatures above their gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition. Although the fluorescence changes in CDRDANS accurately report phase transitions in these liposomes, its binding to these vesicles is weak. Calmodulin probably requires a high-affinity lipid-bound receptor protein for its high-affinity binding to natural membranes.     

Reactivity of the N-terminal region of fibronectin protein to transglutaminase 2 and factor XIIIA

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is secreted by a non-classical pathway into the extracellular space, where it has several activities pertinent to fibronectin (FN), including binding to the gelatin-binding domain of FN and acting as an integrin co-receptor. Glutamines in the N-terminal tail of FN are known to be susceptible to transamidation by both TG2 and activated blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIIIa). We used immunoblotting, limited proteolysis, and mass spectrometry to localize glutamines within FN that are subject to TG2-catalyzed incorporation of dansylcadaverine in comparison to residues modified by FXIIIa. Such analysis of plasma FN indicated that Gln-3, Gln-7, and Gln-9 in the N-terminal tail and Gln-246 of the linker between fifth and sixth type I modules ((5)F1 and (6)F1) are transamidated by both enzymes. Only minor incorporation of dansylcadaverine was detected elsewhere. Labeling of C-terminally truncated FN constructs revealed efficient TG2- or FXIIIa-catalyzed dansylcadaverine incorporation into the N-terminal residues of constructs as small as the 29-kDa fragment that includes (1-5)F1 and lacks modules from the adjacent gelatin-binding domain. However, when only (1-3)F1 were present, dansylcadaverine incorporation into the N-terminal residues of FN was lost and instead was in the enzymes, near the active site of TG2 and terminal domains of FXIIIa. Thus, these results demonstrate that FXIIIa and TG2 act similarly on glutamines at either end of (1-5)F1 and transamidation specificity of both enzymes is achieved through interactions with the intact 29K fragment.     

Cross-linking of cold-insoluble globulin by fibrin-stabilizing factor.

Cold-insoluble globulin (CI globulin) was purified from human plasma and identified on the basis of its sedimentation coefficient, electrophoretic mobility, and concentration in normal plasma. CI globulin was distinguished from antihemophilic factor (AHF) by amino acid analysis, position of elution from 4% agarose, and electrophoretic migration in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate without prior reduction. CI globulin and AHF could not be distinguished by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate after reduction and probably have very similar subunit molecular weights. CI globulin apparently consists of two polypeptide chains, each of molecular weight 2.0 x 10(5), held together by disulfide bonds. CI globulin was a substrate for activated fibrin-stabilizing factor (FSF, blood coagulation factor XIII). FSF catalyzed the incorporation of a fluorescent primary amine, N-(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, into CI globulin and also catalyzed the cross-linking of CI globulin into multimers, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate after reduction. In the presence of fibrin, cross-linking of CI globulin by FSF occurred without the formation of CI globulin multimers. Instead, polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 2.6 x 10(5) and 3.0 x 10(5) were seen. The formation of these polypeptides coincided with the loss of the alpha chain of fibrin and CI globulin. The polypeptides were not seen when fibrin alone was cross-linked. The formation of the polypeptides was greater in fine clots than in coarse clots, and greater in clots incubated at 0 degrees than in clots incubated at 37 degrees. In clots made from purified fibrinogen, CI globulin, and FSF, the concentration of CI globulin in the clot liquor was greater if either FSF or calcium ion was omitted and cross-linking did not take place. These observations suggest that CI globulin is enzymically cross-linked to one of the chains of fibrin, most likely the alpha chain, and is thus covalently incorporated into the fibrin clot. CI globulin is very similar to a protein in the plasma membrane of fibroblasts. The cross-linking of CI globulin to itself and to fibrin may typify reactions also involving the fibroblast membrane protein.     

Characterization of the mitochondrial Na+-H+ exchange. The effect of amiloride analogues

The kinetic properties and inhibitor sensitivity of the Na+-H+ exchange activity present in the inner membrane of rat heart and liver mitochondria were studied. (1) Na+-induced H+ efflux from mitochondria followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. In heart mitochondria, the Km for Na+ was 24 +/- 4 mM and the Vmax was 4.5 +/- 1.4 nmol H+/mg protein per s (n = 6). Basically similar values were obtained in liver mitochondria (Km = 31 +/- 2 mM, Vmax = 5.3 +/- 0.2 nmol H+/mg protein per s, n = 4). (2) Li+ proved to be a substrate (Km = 5.9 mM, Vmax = 2.3 nmol H+/mg protein per s) and a potent competitive inhibitor with respect to Na+ (Ki approximately 0.7 mM). (3) External H+ inhibited the mitochondrial Na+-H+ exchange competitively. (4) Two benzamil derivatives of amiloride, 5-(N-4-chlorobenzyl)-N-(2',4'-dimethyl)benzamil and 3',5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzamil were effective inhibitors of the mitochondrial Na+-H+ exchange (50% inhibition was attained by approx. 60 microM in the presence of 15 mM Na+). (5) Three 5-amino analogues of amiloride, which are very strong Na+-H+ exchange blockers on the plasma membrane, exerted only weak inhibitory activity on the mitochondrial Na+-H+ exchange. (6) The results indicate that the mitochondrial and the plasma membrane antiporters represent distinct molecular entities.     

Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in the erythrocytes and uterus of the rabbit

1. Two forms of the zinc-containing enzyme carbonic anhydrase (EC 4.2.1.1) were isolated from rabbit erythrocytes and two forms from rabbit uterine tissue (endometrium) in the progestational stage of pregnancy (days 6-8 of gestation). Separation of the isoenzymes was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, preparative polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. A comparison was made of the general properties and kinetic behaviour of the purified isoenzymes. 2. Although indistinguishable in terms of molecular weight and zinc content the isoenzymes were very different as catalysts of the hydration of carbon dioxide. The two erythrocyte isoenzymes, found in almost equal amounts, differed more than 100-fold in specific activity. Of the two isoenzymes prepared from either endometrial or entire uterine homogenates one was kinetically indistinguishable from the erythrocyte high-activity form, whereas the other, also possessing high activity, was found only in the endometrial or uterine tissue. Present evidence suggests that the former isoenzyme originated from residual blood contaminating the tissue homogenates, and that a marked rise in the content of the latter isoenzyme accounts for the increase in rabbit endometrial carbonic anhydrase activity that previously has been observed in early pregnancy. 3. Minor forms of the erythrocyte isoenzymes, having a characteristic quantitative and electrophoretic relationship to one another, were occasionally produced during purification. 4. The actions were investigated of the inhibitors acetazolamide (5-acetamido-3,4-diazole-1-thia-2-sulphonamide), 1,1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonamide and ethoxyzolamide (6-ethoxybenzothiazole-2-sulphonamide) on the hydration of carbon dioxide and the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate catalysed by the isoenzymes. 5. The low-activity erythrocyte isoenzyme was superior to the high-activity form as a catalyst of beta-naphthyl acetate hydrolysis.     

Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in the erthrocytes and dorsolateral prostate of the rat

1. Three forms of the zinc-containing enzyme carbonic anhydrase (EC 4.2.1.1) were isolated from the erythrocytes of the rat and two forms from the dorsolateral prostate of the rat. Several additional minor components were observed but not isolated. Separation of the isoenzymes was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. 2. The general properties of the isolated isoenzymes, their molecular weights and their contents of zinc were closely similar. As catalysts of the hydration of carbon dioxide, however, they were distinctly different. The two most abundant isoenzymes of the erythrocytes, which were found in equal proportions, differed 70-fold in specific activity, whereas the isoenzymes of the dorsolateral prostate were similar to one another and resembled the high-activity component of the erythrocytes. The inhibition of the latter by acetazolamide (5-acetamido-1-thia-3,4-diazole-2-sulphonamide) was mainly competitive, whereas in identical conditions the low-activity erythrocyte component and the dorsolateral prostate isoenzymes were non-competitively inhibited. 3. The use of chloroform-ethanol to remove haemoglobin from the rat haemolysate was found (a) to bring about changes in the kinetic properties of the soluble isoenzymes and (b) to cause the appearance of an additional isoenzyme. 4. The actions were compared of the inhibitors acetazolamide, 1,1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonamide and ethoxzolamide (6-ethoxybenzothiazole-2-sulphonamide) on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate catalysed by the isoenzymes. 5. The low-activity erythrocyte isoenzyme was an efficient catalyst of the hydrolysis of beta-naphthyl acetate whereas the high-activity forms were much less active towards this ester. Neither of the isoenzymes present in the dorsolateral prostate catalysed this reaction. 6. Carbonic anhydrase in the rat dorsolateral prostate accounts for no more than 5% of the unusually high content of zinc in this organ.     

Nicotinamide 3,N4-ethenocytosine dinucleotide, an analog of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Synthesis and enzyme studies.

A structural analog of NAD+, NICOTINAMIDE 3,N-4ethenocytosine dinucleotide (epsilonNCD+), has been synthesized, characterized, and compared in activity with the natural coenzyme in several enzyme systems. The Vmax and apparent Km values were determined for NAD+, epsilonNCD+, and epsilonNAD+ (nicotinamide 1, N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide) with yeast alcohol, horse liver alcohol, pig heart malate, beef liver glutamate, and rabbit muscle lactate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases. The Vmax for epsilonNCD+ was as great or greater than that obtained for NAD+ with three of the enzymes, 60-80 per cent with two others, and 14 percent with one. EpsilonNCD+ was found to be more active than epsilonNAD+ with all six dehydrogenases. EpsilonNCD+ served as a substrate for Neurospora crassa tnadase, but could not be phosphorylated with pigeon liver NAD+ kinase. NAD+ pyrophosphorylase from pig liver was unable to catalyze the formation of epsilonNCD+ from the triphosphate derivative of epsilon-cytidine and nicotinamide mononucleotide, but was able to slowly catalyze the pyrolytic cleavage of epsilonNCD+. The coenzyme activity of epsilonNCD+ with dehydrogenases can be discussed in terms of the close spatial homology of epsilonNCD+ and NAD+, which may allow similar accommodations within the enzyme binding regions.     

Dansylcadaverine specific staining for transamidating enzymes.

Versatile fluorescent staining methodologies, based on the incorporation of dansylcadaverine[N-(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylamino-l-naphthalenesulfonamide] into N,N-dimethylcasein, are described for the detection of transamidating enzymes of the endo-γ-glutamine:ε-lysine transferase type. Activity staining was employed for comparing the electrophoretic behaviors of such transamidating enzymes derived from human and guinea pig tissues. Two enzymatically active forms of guinea pig liver transglutaminase were found.     

Amide bond cleavage monitored continuously through detection of a dansylcadaverine leaving group.

The transglutaminase-catalyzed incorporation of the fluorescent amine, dansylcadaverine, into casein derivatives, such as N,N-dimethylcasein, is accompanied by a large increase in intensity of emission (Lorand et al., Anal. Biochem. 44, 221-231, 1971). We have sought to make use of this sensitive detection device for the continuous, on-line monitoring of an amide-splitting reaction in which dansylcadaverine served as the leaving group. The transglutaminase-coupled test system comprised gamma-glutamyldansylcadaverine as the first substrate and gamma-glutamylamine cyclotransferase as the enzyme responsible for releasing dansylcadaverine from the gamma-amide. At close to saturating levels of transglutaminase, the measured rate of increase of fluorescence, i.e. the steady-state rate of dansylcadaverine incorporation into N,N-dimethylcasein, showed a near-linear relationship with the concentration of gamma-glutamylamine cyclotransferase present in the assay mixture. The general approach developed may be applicable to the assay of other amide cleaving enzymes.     

Inhibition of the adhesion of Chinese hamster ovary cells by the naphthylsulfonamides dansylcadaverine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthylenesulfonamide (W7)

Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with dansylcadaverine or N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthylenesulfonamide (W7) reduced cell attachment in a reversible, dose-dependent manner. The concentration of dansylcadaverine required to produce 50% inhibition of adhesion was significantly higher than that of W7, 300 microM and 50 microM, respectively. Concentrations of dansylcadaverine and W7 which produced decreased adhesion also antagonized calmodulin-dependent activation of phosphodiesterase. Chlorpromazine, another calmoldulin antagonist also decreased cell attachment. Dansylcadaverine and W7 both interfere with cellular transglutaminase activity, but several other transglutaminase antagonists, such as methylamine, butylamine, putrescine and bacitracin, had no effect on CHO cell attachment. We conclude that naphthylsulfonamides such as dansylcadaverine and W7 may inhibit the attachment of CHO cells by a mechanism which could involve inhibition of calmodulin-dependent processes, although further studies are required to show a direct role of calmodulin in cell adhesion.     

Development of selective inhibitors of transglutaminase. Phenylthiourea derivatives

For the purpose of developing a transglutaminase inhibitor which could be effective in physiological and pharmacological studies, a series of phenylthiourea derivatives of alpha, omega-diaminoalkanes were designed, synthesized, and evaluated kinetically as inhibitors of transglutaminases. A homologous series of compounds of the structure phenylthiourea-(CH2)n-NH2, where n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, were tested for the inhibition of both guinea pig liver transglutaminase-catalyzed amine incorporation into various glutamine-containing substrates and plasma transglutaminase (factor XIIIa)-catalyzed amine incorporation into fibrin and fibrin cross-linking. It was found that the inhibitory activity of the compounds increases with increasing number of methylene groups in the side chain up to a maximum of n = 5. A further increase in the length of the methylene side chain to n = 6 results in decreased activity. The Ki value (4.9 X 10(-5) M) of 1-(5-aminopentyl)-3-phenylthiourea (PPTU) (n = 5) for the inhibition of guinea pig transglutaminase-catalyzed amine incorporation into the B chain of oxidized insulin is in close agreement to its Km(app) value (7.1 X 10(-5) M) obtained using 14C-labeled PPTU. PPTU was also found to be a potent inhibitor of plasma transglutaminase-catalyzed fibrin cross-linking. The finding that the specificity of the alkylamines for inhibition is correlated with the length of their methyl side chains is compatible with those reported for aliphatic amines and monodansylcadaverine analogues (where dansyl is 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl). The phenylthiourea derivatives, however, are far less toxic in mice than monodansylcadaverine as indicated by their LD50 values: PPTU, 400 +/- 25 mg/kg; and monodansylcadaverine, 160 +/- 20 mg/kg.     

Calmodulin antagonists increase the amount of mRNA for the low-density-lipoprotein receptor in skin fibroblasts.

The effects of calmodulin antagonists on the amount of LDL receptor (LDL-R) mRNA in cultured human fibroblasts was examined by hybridization with a fragment of LDL-R cDNA. In a 'Northern' blot the fragment hybridized to a 5.3-kilobase RNA, as expected for LDL-R mRNA. The concentration of this RNA was increased in preparations from cells that were treated with trifluoperazine or W-7 [N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulphonamide]. The selectivity of the increase was established by using a probe for beta-actin mRNA. In dot-blot hybridization it was observed that the calmodulin antagonists cause 2-4-fold relative increase in the amount of LDL-R mRNA.     

Cleavage site analysis of a serralysin-like protease, PrtA, from an insect pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens and development of a highly sensitive and specific substrate

The aim of this study was the development of a sensitive and specific substrate for protease A (PrtA), a serralysin-like metzincin from the entomopathogenic microorganism, Photorhabdus. First, cleavage of three biological peptides, the A and B chains of insulin and beta-lipotropin, and of 15 synthetic peptides, was investigated. In the biological peptides, a preference for the hydrophobic residues Ala, Leu and Val was observed at three substrate positions, P2, P1' and P2'. At these positions in the synthetic peptides the preferred residues were Val, Ala and Val, respectively. They contributed to the efficiency of hydrolysis in the order P1' > P2 > P2'. Six amino acids of the synthetic peptides were sufficient to reach the maximum rate of hydrolysis, in accordance with the ability of PrtA to cleave three amino acids from both the N- and the C-terminus of some fragments of biological peptides. Using the best synthetic peptide, a fluorescence-quenched substrate, N-(4-[4'(dimethylamino)phenylazo]benzoyl-EVYAVES-5-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, was prepared. The approximately 4 x 10(6) M(-1) x s(-1) specificity constant of PrtA (at K(m) approximately 5 x 10(-5) M and k(cat) approximately 2 x 10(2) s(-1)) on this substrate was the highest activity for a serralysin-type enzyme, allowing precise measurement of the effects of several inhibitors and pH on PrtA activity. These showed the characteristics of a metalloenzyme and a wide range of optimum pH, similar to other serralysins. PrtA activity could be measured in biological samples (Photorhabdus-infected insect larvae) without interference from other enzymes, which indicates that substrate selectivity is high towards PrtA. The substrate sensitivity allowed early (14 h post infection) detection of PrtA, which might indicate PrtA's participation in the establishment of infection and not only, as it has been supposed, in bioconversion.     

Phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase from bovine and rat liver: Some physical and chemical properties

Phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase was purified from bovine liver using a modification of the procedure developed for the rat liver enzyme (Shiman, R., Gray, D. W., and Pater, A. 1979. J. Biol. Chem. 254:11300–11306). The enzyme preparation appeared essentially homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. Electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate revealed that about 95% of the protein had a mobility, corresponding to M_r=51,000. The remaining 5% was recovered in two minor bands corresponding to M_r of about 35,000 and 15,000 and is likely to result from limited proteolysis of the native enzyme with dissociation of the fragments on denaturation by detergent. The enzyme comigrated with the rat liver enzyme on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in both systems studied. No significant difference was observed between the amino acid composition of the bovine and rat liver enzyme, in the reactivity of their sulfhydryl groups or in their iron content (i.e. 1.5–3.0 iron atoms per peptide chain of M_r=50,000). Both enzymes contained less than 0.01 copper atom per peptide chain. The enzymes were inhibited in a similar manner by the chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (selective for iron and copper), but not by bathocuproine disulfonate (specific for copper). The results indicate that the bovine and rat liver enzymes are closely similar and that iron, but not copper, is essential for enzyme activity. High performance size-exclusion liquid chromatography revealed that both native enzymes exist in different oligomeric forms, but further studies are required to understand the physicochemical basis for this phenomenon.Abbreviations Bathophenanthroline 4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline - bathocuproine 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline - Hepes N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - dansyl 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl - DMPH₄ 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine - M_r relative molecular mass     

Thymosin beta(4) serves as a glutaminyl substrate of transglutaminase. Labeling with fluorescent dansylcadaverine does not abolish interaction with G-actin

Thymosin beta(4) possesses actin-sequestering activity and, like transglutaminases, is supposed to be involved in cellular events like angiogenesis, blood coagulation, apoptosis and wound healing. Thymosin beta(4) serves as a specific glutaminyl substrate for transglutaminase and can be fluorescently labeled with dansylcadaverine. Two (Gln-23 and Gln-36) of the three glutamine residues were mainly involved in the transglutaminase reaction, while the third glutaminyl residue (Gln-39) was derivatized with a low efficiency. Labeled derivatives were able to inhibit polymerization of G-actin and could be cross-linked to G-actin by 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide. Fluorescently labeled thymosin beta(4) may serve as a useful tool for further investigations in cell biology. Thymosin beta(4) could provide a specific glutaminyl substrate for transglutaminase in vivo, because of the fast reaction observed in vitro occurring at thymosin beta(4) concentrations which are found inside cells. Taking these data together, it is tempting to speculate that thymosin beta(4) may serve as a glutaminyl substrate for transglutaminases in vivo and play an important role in transglutaminase-related processes.     

A sensitive assay of galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase by high-performance liquid chromatography using galactosyl-N-dansyl-sphingosine as substrate

A rapid and sensitive method was devised for determining β-galactosidase activity specific for galactocerebroside. A fluorescent derivative of galactocerebroside, 1-O-galactosyl-2-N-1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl-sphingosine, was used as substrate, and the product, 2-N-1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl-sphingosine, was taken into organic solvent phase. Quantitative analysis of 2-N-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl-sphingosine was carried out fluorometrically by use of high-performance liquid chromatography on silica gel column.     

Species difference in enantioselectivity for the oxidation of propranolol by cytochrome P450 2D enzymes

We examined and compared enantioselectivity in the oxidation of propranolol (PL) by liver microsomes from humans and Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). PL was oxidized at the naphthalene ring to 4-hydroxypropranolol, 5-hydroxypropranolol and side chain N-desisopropylpropranolol by human liver microsomes with enantioselectivity of [R(+)>S(-)] in PL oxidation rates at substrate concentrations of 10 microM and 1 mM. In contrast, reversed enantioselectivity [R(+)相似文献   

Biosynthesis of heparin. Solubilization and partial characterization of N- and O-sulphotransferases.

Assay methods were developed enabling separate determination of N- and O-sulphotransferase activities in an enzyme preparation from mouse mastocytoma. N-Desulphoheparin and chemically N-acetylated heparan sulphate were used as specific exogenous sulphate acceptors in the transfer of [35S]sulphate residues from adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-[35S]sulphatophosphate to amino and hydroxyl groups respectively. The resulting 35S-labelled polysaccharides were isolated as their cetylpyridinium complexes on filter paper. Sulphotransferases were solubilized from a mastocytoma microsomal fraction by treatment with detergent-alkali. The pH optimum for both enzymes was about 7.5 Km with regard to adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate was estimated to be 2 X 10(-5) M for the N-sulphotransferase and 1 X 10(-4) M for the O-sulphotransferase(s). The enzymes required bivalent cations for maximum activity, Mn2+ stimulating both the N- and O-sulphotransferase four- to five-fold, whereas Ca2+ increased the N- but not the O-sulphotransferase activity. The O-sulphotransferase was found to be more sensitive to heat-inactivation, 60% of the activity being lost after 1 min at 50 degrees C, whereas only 15% of the N-sulphotransferase activity was lost. In contrast, the N-sulphotransferase was selectively inhibited (or inactivated) by NaCl; at 0.125 M-NaCl concentration the O-sulphotransferase activity was essentially unaffected, whereas the N-sulphotransferase activity was depressed by 80%. These results strongly indicate that N- and O-sulphate-transfer reactions should be ascribed to different enzymes, or, alternatively, to separate and independent active sites on the same enzyme molecule.