NAD Glycohydrolase Activities and ADP-Ribose Uptake in Erythrocytes From Normal Subjects and Cancer Patients

Erythrocytes from cancer patients exhibited up to fivefold higher NAD glycohydrolase activities than control erythrocytes from normal subjects and also similarly increased [14C] ADP-ribose uptake values. When [adenosine-14C] NAD was used instead of free [14C] ADP-ribose, the uptake was dependent on ecto-NAD glycohydrolase activity. This was reflected in the inhibition of ADP-ribose uptake from [adenosine-14C] NAD by Cibacron Blue. ADP-ribose uptake in erythrocytes appeared to be complex: upon incubation with free [14C] ADP-ribose, the radiolabel associated with erythrocytes was located in nearly equal parts in cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Part of [14C] ADP-ribose binding to the membrane was covalent, as indicated by its resistance to trichloroacetic acid-treatment. A preincubation with unlabeled ADP-ribose depressed subsequent erythrocyte NAD glycohydrolase activity and binding of [14C] ADP-ribose to erythrocyte membrane; but it failed to inhibit the transfer of labeled ADP-ribose to erythrocyte cytoplasm. On the other hand, incubation with [adenosine-14C] NAD did not result in a similar covalent binding of radiolabel to erythrocyte membrane. In line with this finding, a preincubation with unlabeled NAD was not inhibitory on subsequent NAD glycohydrolase reaction and ADP-ribose binding. ADP-ribose binding and NAD glycohydrolase activities were found also in solubilized erythrocyte membrane proteins and, after size fractionation, mainly in a protein fraction of around 45kDa-molecular weight.     

Impaired Na+,K+-ATPase activity as a mechanism of reactive nitrogen species-induced cytotoxicity in guinea pig liver exposed to lipopolysaccharides

In animal models of endotoxin, the excess production of NO and the reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are potent oxidant and nitrating agents, lead to lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, tissue dysfunction and injury and inactivate enzymes in many cell types. Although liver functions are well known to deteriorate following bacterial infection, the underlying specific mechanism(s) remain a matter of considerable debate. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on Na+,K+-ATPase activity of guinea pig liver, and to investigate the possible contribution of RNS by measuring of iNOS activity and 3-nitrotyrosine (nTyr) levels. Liver Na+,K+-ATPase activity were maximally inhibited 6 h after LPS injection (p < 0.001 ). nTyr was not detectable in liver of normal control animals, but was detected markedly in LPS exposed animals. LPS treatment significantly increased iNOS activity of liver (p < 0.001). The regression analysis revealed a very close correlation between Na+,K+-ATPase activity and nTyr levels of LPS treated animals (r = -0.863, p < 0.001). Na+, K+-ATPase activity were also negatively correlated with iNOS activity (r = -0.823, p < 0.003) in inflamed tissues. Our results have strongly suggested that bacterial LPS disturbs activity of membrane Na+,K+-ATPase that may be an important component leading to the pathological consequences such as hepatocyte cell loss and dysfunction in which the production of RNS are increased as in the case of LPS challenge.     

The cagA status of Helicobacter pylori isolates from dyspeptic children in Turkey

There are inconsistent reports regarding cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) status of Helicobacter pylori isolates and the severity of the mucosal lesions in children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cagA(+) strains and to evaluate its correlation with clinic and endoscopic findings. We examined 45 H. pylori strains that were grown on brain-heart infusion agar supplemented with 7% horse blood. Following 72 h of incubation colonies were harvested and bacterial DNA was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction primers F1 and B1 were used to amplify a 348-bp internal fragment of cagA. The prevalence of cagA in Turkish pediatric patients was 55.6%. No association was found between cagA status and the severity of gastro-duodenal lesions.     

Effect of oxidative stress on in vivo ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2

Different lines of evidence indicate that eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) can be ADP-ribosylated endogenously. The physiological significance of this reaction has, however, remained unclarified. In order to address this issue we investigated the in vivo ADP-ribosylation of eEF2 and the effect of oxidative stress thereon. The investigation revealed that the endogenous ADP-ribosylation of eEF2 is complex and can take place in K562 cell lysates either under the action of endogenous transferase from [adenosine-14C]NAD or by direct binding of free [14C]ADP-ribose. These two types of ADP-ribosylation were distinguished by use of different treatments based on the chemical stability of the respective bonds formed. Under standard culture conditions, in vivo labeling of eEF2 in the presence of [14C]adenosine was reversed to about 65% in the presence of diphtheria toxin and nicotinamide. This finding implied that the modification that took place under physiological circumstances was, mainly, of an enzymic nature. On the other hand, H2O2-promoted oxidative stress gave rise to a nearly two-fold increase in the extent of in vivo labeling of eEF2. This was accompanied by a loss of eEF2 activity in polypeptide chain elongation. Oxidative stress specifically inhibited the subsequent binding of free ADP-ribose to eEF2. The results thus provide evidence that endogenous ADP-ribosylation of eEF2 can also take place by the binding of free ADP-ribose. This nonenzymic reaction appears to account primarily for in vivo ADP-ribosylation of eEF2 under oxidative stress.     

Effects of melatonin on 3-nitrotyrosine formation and energy charge ratio in guinea pig kidney in LPS-induced stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide on guinea pig kidney by measuring the energy charge ratio and 3-nitrotyrosine levels. In addition the possible protective role of melatonin against lipopolysaccharide-mediated peroxynitrite formation and energy depletion of kidney was determined. Guinea pigs were either pretreated with melatonin or saline (for the control) followed by intraperitoneal administration of E. coli. Six hours after the administration of E. coli, guinea pig kidney ATP, ADP, AMP and 3-nitrotyrosine levels were measured by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. There was a significant increase in the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine and decrease in energy charge in the endotoxin-induced group. However melatonin administration prevented 3-nitrotyrosine formation while failing to prevent or restore changes in the energy charge ratio of the kidney.     

CYTOKINETICS OF TUMOUR AND ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND VASCULARIZATION OF LUNG METASTASES IN C3H/HE MICE

A model of lung metastases was developed using intravenous injection of tumour cell aggregates of spontaneous C3H/He mammary tumours in syngeneic mice. the growth rate of lung tumours decreased with increasing tumour volume, with mean host survival of 46 days. the cytokinetics of individual tumours ranging between 0.004 and 4.2 mm³ in volume were studied. the labelling index (LI) ranged between 12 and 17%, the DNA synthesis time (T_s) being 9–10 hr. the growth fraction (GF) ranged between 26 and 38%. the cell cycle time (T_c) was found to be 18–19 hr. the LI and the GF decreased with increasing tumour volume doubling time (T_d). No correlation was found between the tumour volume and T_c. the LI of endothelial cells within these tumours, ranging between 0.004 and 4.2 mm³ in volume was 14–15% and endothelial cell proliferation was not affected by tumour growth. Vascular parameters were also determined for these tumours as a function of tumour volume. Vascular volume increased with increasing tumour size while the percentage of capillary vessels decreased. the cellular volume to capillary volume ratio increased with increasing tumour volume. Necrosis was observed in 0.27 mm³ tumours and increased with increasing tumour size. The results from these studies suggested that the age-dependent decrease in proliferative activity of tumour cells growing in the lung is related to change in effective vascularity.