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Biomedical subjects

A Husain

Publications and source records attributed to A Husain.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Rat ovarian angiotensin II receptors, renin, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The ovarian renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been studied extensively in the virgin cycling rat, but little information is available about this system in pregnant and postpartum rats. We show that renin and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)--the key enzymes involved in angiotensin II (Ang II) formation--and Ang II receptors, are present in pregnant and postpartum rat ovaries. From gestation Days 2-4 to 10-12, active ovarian renin ranged from 1.12 +/- 0.13 to 1.27 +/- 0.19 ng Ang I/h/mg and comprised between 68 and 86% of total (active+inactive) ovarian renin activity. Between Days 10-12 and Days 14-16 of pregnancy, ovarian active renin activity increased slightly, but inactive renin disappeared, suggesting its activation; the remaining active renin then decreased 62% by Days 18-20 (p < 0.05). On postpartum Day 2, both active and total ovarian renin activity exceeded that of Days 2-20 of pregnancy (p < 0.05); levels of both then declined sharply by postpartum Day 3 (p < 0.05). In pregnant rats, levels of ovarian Ang II receptors, identified by the specific binding of [125I]-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II to ovarian membranes, were high between Days 2-4 and 10-12 of pregnancy, ranging from 12.8 +/- 1.7 to 15.7 +/- 3.4 fmol/mg, but steadily declined by 82% between gestation Days 10-12 and 18-20 (p < 0.05). Postpartum Ang II receptor levels on Days 2, 3, and 4 showed a gradual increase from low levels comparable to Days 18-20 of pregnancy. Ovarian ACE activity did not change throughout pregnancy or during the postpartum period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Multiple determinants for the high substrate specificity of an angiotensin II-forming chymase from the human heart.

Human heart chymase, a chymotrypsin-like serine proteinase that hydrolyzes the Phe8-His9 bond in angiotensin I (Ang I) to yield the octapeptide hormone angiotensin II (Ang II) and His-Leu, is the most specific, efficient Ang II-forming enzyme described. Other mammalian chymases display a much broader substrate specificity. To better define its substrate specificity, we have mapped the extended substrate-binding site of human heart chymase using Ang I analogs. The enzyme has a preference for aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan at the P1 site. At the S2 subsite there is a significant preference for proline over hydrophobic or hydrophilic amino acids. There is no clear preference for hydrophobic or hydrophilic amino acids at the S'1 and S'2 subsites, but an Ang I analog containing a P'1 proline is not hydrolyzed and one with a P'2 proline is hydrolyzed poorly. An increasing reduction in reactivity occurs when the P position amino acids in Ang I are deleted sequentially from the N terminus. An increase or decrease in the length of the His-Leu leaving group also produces a marked decrease in reactivity. No single determinant in Ang I is preeminently required for efficient catalysis, but several factors acting synergistically appear to be important. Thus, we propose that ideal substrates for human heart chymase should contain the structure nXaa-Pro-[Phe, Tyr, or Trp]-Yaa-Yaa, where n greater than or equal to 6; Xaa = any amino acid; Yaa = any amino acid except proline. This structure exists in Ang I and neurotensin, both of which are good substrates for human heart chymase. These findings indicate that the selection of the scissile bond by the extended substrate-binding site of human heart chymase is more restricted than that in other chymases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Cloning of the gene and cDNA for human heart chymase.

We have recently identified and characterized a chymotrypsin-like serine proteinase in human heart (human heart chymase) that is the most catalytically efficient enzyme described, thus far, for the cleavage of angiotensin I to yield angiotensin II and the dipeptide His-Leu. Compared to other chymases, this enzyme also has an unusually high degree of specificity for the substrate angiotensin I. We report here the molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the gene and cDNA encoding human heart chymase, and determination of its entire deduced amino acid sequence. These data indicate that human heart chymase is highly homologous to other members of the chymase subfamily of chymotrypsin-like proteinases and, most likely, all evolved from a common ancestral gene. Potential regulatory elements found in the 5'-untranslated region of other chymases are also found in the human heart chymase gene. However, this gene lacks mast cell-specific sequences found in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of the rat chymase II gene. In addition, human heart chymase contains clusters of unique amino acid sequences located at key positions likely involved in substrate binding, which may contribute to its high substrate specificity. These contrasting features of the human heart chymase gene and cDNA, and the potential determinants of its primary structure that underlie its unique functional characteristics are considered.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical properties of the ovarian granulosa cell type 2-angiotensin II receptor.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors, estimated by the specific binding of the peptide Ang II receptor antagonist [125I] [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, are localized on multiple ovarian structures, including follicular granulosa cells. Using the Ang II receptor subtype-selective nonpeptide antagonists, DuP 753 [selective for the type 1 Ang II (AT1) receptor] and PD 123319 [selective for the type 2 Ang II (AT2) receptor], we show that follicular granulosa cells, in vivo and in vitro, exclusively express the AT2 receptor. To understand the function of Ang II in ovarian follicles, we compared the biochemical properties and transmembrane signaling pathways of the granulosa cell AT2 receptor with those properties generally associated with Ang II receptors found in the adrenal zona glomerulosa, where the AT1 receptor predominates. The mol wt of the granulosa cell AT2 receptor (approximately 79,000), estimated by affinity cross-linking studies, is similar to that of the adrenal zona glomerulosa Ang II receptor. Like the adrenal zona glomerulosa Ang II receptor, binding inhibition studies show that the granulosa cell AT2 receptor binds Ang II and Ang III with high affinity (IC50, approximately 0.5 nM for both peptides), but not Ang-(1-7) (IC50, approximately 0.5 microM) or Ang-(1-5) (IC50, greater than 10 microM). However, unlike the adrenal zona glomerulosa Ang II receptor, the granulosa cell AT2 receptor does not undergo agonist-induced endocytosis. Further, Ang II does not affect basal or stimulated inositol phosphate production, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, or adenylyl cyclase or guanylyl cyclase activity in granulosa cells. The granulosa cell AT2 receptor does not appear to directly interact with guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins, since agonist dissociation from the AT2 receptor is unaffected by the GTP analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate); in contrast, the AT1 receptor appears to directly interact with guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein, because agonist dissociation from the AT1 receptor is stimulated by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). These studies clearly demonstrate that the granulosa cell AT2 receptor is functionally distinct from the well characterized adrenal zona glomerulosa Ang II receptor. The exclusive presence of the AT2 receptor on the granulosa cell makes it an ideal cell type for studying the potential, but as yet unknown, function of this receptor.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1990

Identification of a highly specific chymase as the major angiotensin II-forming enzyme in the human heart.

Although angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming enzymatic activity in the human left cardiac ventricle is minimally inhibited by angiotensin I (Ang I) converting enzyme inhibitors, over 75% of this activity is inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors (Urata, H., Healy, B., Stewart, R. W., Bumpus, F. M., and Husain, A. (1990) Circ. Res. 66, 883-890). We now report the identification and characterization of the major Ang II-forming, neutral serine proteinase, from left ventricular tissues of the human heart. A 115,150-fold purification from human cardiac membranes yielded a purified protein with an Mr of 30,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based upon its amino-terminal sequence, the major human cardiac Ang II-forming proteinase appears to be a novel member of the chymase subfamily of chymotrypsin-like serine proteinases. Human heart chymase was completely inhibited by the serine proteinase inhibitors, soybean trypsin inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and chymostatin. It was partially inhibited by p-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, but was not inhibited by p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and aprotinin. Also, human heart chymase was not inhibited by inhibitors of the other three classes of proteinases. Human heart chymase has a high specificity for the conversion of Ang I to Ang II and the Ang I-carboxyl-terminal dipeptide His-Leu (Km = 60 microM; Kcat = 11,900 min-1; Kcat/Km = 198 min-1 microM-1). Human heart chymase did not degrade several peptide hormones, including Ang II, bradykinin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, nor did it form Ang II from angiotensinogen. The high substrate specificity of human heart chymase for Ang I distinguishes it from other Ang II-forming enzymes including Ang I converting enzyme, tonin, kallikrein, cathepsin G, and other known chymases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Engyodontium album endocarditis.

This is the first reported case of native valve endocarditis caused by Engyodontium album. This fungus, rarely seen as a human pathogen, is separated from Tritirachium species by its lack of pigmentation and from Beauveria species by the presence of conidiogenous cells in whorls.

Endocarditis↗
PubMed1990

Angiotensin II-forming pathways in normal and failing human hearts.

Reduced preload and afterload to the heart are important effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the treatment of congestive heart failure. However, since angiotensin II (Ang II) directly increases the strength of myocardial contraction, suppression of Ang II formation by ACE inhibitors could potentially reduce the beneficial effects of Ang II on the failing heart. To study how ACE inhibition suppresses cardiac Ang II formation in man, we characterized ACE-dependent and ACE-independent Ang II-forming pathways in eight normal and 24 failing human hearts obtained at cardiac transplantation. Ang II-forming activity in left ventricular (LV) membrane preparations was assessed by measuring the conversion of [125I]angiotensin I (Ang I) to [125I]Ang II. LV [125I]Ang II-forming activity in normal hearts (35.5 +/- 2.7 fmol/min/mg, n = 8) was not different from that in hearts from patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (25.5 +/- 2.9 fmol/min/mg, n = 9) and was 48% lower (p less than 0.001) in hearts from patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy (18.5 +/- 1.9 fmol/min/mg, n = 15).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Angiotensins and the failing heart. Enhanced positive inotropic response to angiotensin I in cardiomyopathic hamster heart in the presence of captopril.

We examined the hypothesis that the positive inotropic effect of angiotensin I (Ang I) may be retained in the presence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors so that it may have a direct beneficial effect on the heart. Accordingly, isolated perfused hearts (Langendorff preparation) of 300-day-old cardiomyopathic hamsters (a model of spontaneous cardiomyopathy) and age-matched normal hamsters (controls) were infused with Ang I in the presence of captopril; propranolol was added to the perfusing medium to block catecholamine-mediated effects of angiotensins on the heart. Left ventricular developed pressure and the rate of increase in left ventricular developed pressure increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in both the cardiomyopathic and the normal hamster heart despite concomitant reduction in myocardial flow rate favoring a direct inotropic effect of Ang I in both normal and myopathic hearts; these changes were significantly higher by almost threefold in the cardiomyopathic than in the normal hamsters (p less than 0.01) and were blocked by the angiotensin II (Ang II) antagonist [Sar1,Thr8]Ang II. Comparing dose-left ventricular contractility response curves for Ang I and Ang II, ED50 for responses was identical in both normal and myopathic hearts, whereas peak responses to Ang II were double those to Ang I in normal hearts but were almost identical in the myopathic hearts. Binding of [125I]Ang II in six cardiomyopathic and four normal hamster hearts was of high affinity, but there was no evidence for Ang I-saturable high-affinity binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin I↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-containing follicles in the rat ovary during the estrous cycle and effects of ACE inhibitor on ovulation.

Ovarian angiotensin I (Ang I)-converting enzyme (ACE), estimated by the specific binding of the ACE inhibitor [125I]iodo-MK-351A, is localized on multiple ovarian structures, including follicular granulosa cells, corpora lutea, terminal epithelium, and ovarian blood vessels, but total ovarian ACE does not display a cyclic pattern of variation during the rat estrous cycle. We have previously shown that ACE is localized on the granulosa cell layer of a subpopulation of rat ovarian follicles. Our present study shows that ovarian granulosa cells contain high affinity [binding site affinity (Kd), approximately 90 pM] and low capacity [binding site density (Bmax), approximately 12 fmol/2.5 X 10(5) cells] [125I]iodo-MK-351A-binding sites and convert [125I]iodo-Ang I to [125I]iodo-Ang II (greater than 85% of this conversion was inhibited by the ACE inhibitor captopril). Throughout the rat estrous cycle, 94-100% of developing follicles and 89-96% of atretic follicles contained high levels of ACE; however, ACE was either not observed or its levels were very low in preovulatory follicles. These findings indicate the presence of high levels of biologically active ACE on the surface of granulosa cells and suggest a potential role for follicular ACE in early stages of follicular maturation and atresia. Although ACE is known to process a variety of peptides found within the ovary, and these peptides may have opposing effects on follicular maturation, we attempted to define the cumulative effect of ACE inhibition on follicular maturation. Short and long term (6- and 14-day) infusions of captopril (6-day, 30.5 +/- 3.5 ova; 14-day, 28.5 +/- 7.5 ova) in immature rats, in which ovulation was induced by sequential treatments with PMSG and hCG, did not significantly affect ovulation compared with that in vehicle-infused control rats (6-day, 22.4 +/- 2.4 ova; 14-day, 20.8 +/- 3.1 ova), suggesting that ACE inhibition does not modify the follicular selection process in a way that affects ovulation. This may explain the lack of any reports of adverse effects of clinically used ACE inhibitors on ovulation.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1989

Angiotensin II receptors in normal and failing human hearts.

To demonstrate the existence and help clarify the function of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors in the human heart, we characterized the cardiac Ang II receptor and examined the levels and distribution of ventricular Ang II receptors in normal (n = 6) and failing (n = 14) hearts. Ang II receptors were characterized using the Ang II receptor agonist [125I]Ang II. Cardiac [125I]Ang II-binding sites were of high affinity (Kd, approximately 1 nmol/L) and low capacity (Bmax, approximately 3 fmol/mg membrane protein) and were pharmacologically specific [IC50 values for Ang II, [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, and Ang III were 1.2, 3.0, and 400 nmol/L, respectively; the inactive Ang II metabolite Ang-(1-5), at a concentration of 1 mumol/L, inhibited [125I]Ang II binding by less than 10%]. These characteristics of cardiac [125I]Ang II-binding sites are similar to those of previously characterized mammalian heart Ang II receptors. In normal adult donor hearts (n = 5), Ang II receptor density in the left ventricle [LV, 2.90 +/- 1.40 (+/- SE) fmol/mg] was similar to that in the right ventricle (RV, 3.82 +/- 1.10 fmol/mg). The ventricular Ang II receptor density in adult patients with idiopathic (LV, 1.77 +/- 0.35 fmol/mg; RV, 1.58 +/- 0.29 fmol/mg; n = 8) or dilated cardiomyopathy (LV, 2.00 +/- 0.58 fmol/mg; RV, 2.56 +/- 0.52 fmol/mg n = 5) was similar to that in the normal heart. Ventricular Ang II receptors, localized by autoradiography using the Ang II receptor antagonist [125I]-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, were consistently found in the myocardium, cardiac adrenergic nerves, and coronary vessels of normal and failing ventricles. In human ventricles Ang II receptor levels were not correlated with age. Because ventricular Ang II receptor density in a normal neonatal human heart and that in a heart from an adolescent patient with idiopathic cardiomyopathy were more than 10-fold and more than 5-fold higher, respectively, than in normal adult ventricles, we investigated whether postnatal changes occur in ventricular Ang II receptors in rats. In male and female rats ventricular Ang II receptor density was about 2-fold higher in 1-day-old rats compared to that in 10-day-old or peripubertal rats. These data suggest developmental regulation of ventricular Ang II receptors. Our findings suggest that direct and neural angiotensinergic inputs to the myocardium play a role in the regulation of cardiac function in man and that these inputs are preserved in the failing heart.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Uncommon aspects of mediastinal teratoma. CT X-ray and MRI study].

CT and MRI features of a multicystic mediastinal teratoma, which was surgically and pathologically confirmed, are presented. CT found 4 cystic tumors of mediastinum with water density content and thick capsule. One kyste contained a fat density area and peripheric calcifications. MRI showed will defined high signal intensity on Spin-echo T1 weighted images. CT and MRI are not reliables in predicting or excluding adherence to adjacent structures. The particularity of this case was the presence of a communication between the anterior right cyst and the posterior left one. This communication passed by the transverse sinus of pericardium.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Adaptogenic activity of Indian Panax pseudoginseng.

The crude extract and saponins of Indian pseudoginseng and saponins of Korean ginseng have been studied using a battery of biological tests in rats and mice. Indian pseudoginseng saponins were found to exhibit better activity than the Korean ginseng saponins in several tests employed. The results indicate a need for in-depth study of Indian pseudoginseng as an adaptogenic agent, after cultivation of the plant under controlled conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Regulation of angiotensin II receptors in cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells by follicle-stimulating hormone and angiotensin II.

The regulation of ovarian granulosa cell angiotensin II (Ang-II) receptor formation and progesterone secretion by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Ang-II was studied in cultured cells prepared from hypophysectomized, diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Ang-II receptors (estimated by the specific cell binding of the Ang-II receptor antagonist 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang-II) were present on freshly prepared granulosa cells and increased by over 2-fold (to 2150 binding sites/cell; KD = 0.5 nM) when cultured in serum-free medium for 48 h. FSH prevented the normal increase in Ang-II receptor expression. Maximal FSH-dependent decrease in Ang-II receptors and increase in progesterone secretion occurred at 100 ng/ml FSH. The inhibitory effect of FSH on granulosa cell Ang-II receptor content was partially mimicked by the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP, since 8-bromo-cAMP suppressed (by 96%) Ang-II receptor content to a greater extent than FSH (by 60%). Granulosa cell Ang-II receptor content was not modified by progesterone or 17 beta-estradiol, but was decreased by testosterone (by 35%). Ang-II also produced a decrease in granulosa cell Ang-II receptor content, but did not modify progesterone secretion or aromatase activity. The effect of Ang-II on granulosa cell Ang-II receptor content was mimicked by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, but not by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, suggesting that an elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ may be important for the homologous down-regulation of the Ang-II receptor. These data show homologous and heterologous down-regulation of granulosa cell Ang-II receptors. If these regulatory mechanisms exist in the FSH-sensitive healthy follicle, our findings suggest that in the process of maturation, healthy and dominant follicles may become decoupled from angiotensinergic influences.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1988

Measurement of immunoreactive angiotensin peptides in rat tissues: some pitfalls in angiotensin II analysis.

Angiotensin II, the major effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, is an endocrine and paracrine regulator of tissue function. To determine its physiological role, it is important to quantify angiotensin II and related fragment peptides in tissues and plasma as a first step toward understanding angiotensin II metabolism within tissues. A fully characterized, sensitive, and reproducible immunochemical assay has been developed for quantitating angiotensin II immunoreactivity in tissues and plasma. We identified two methodological events of critical importance, incompletely addressed in previously reported studies. First, the nonspecific interference resulting from Sep-Pak processing was found to be due to hydrophobic impurities in the octade-casilane absorbent which were eliminated by washing the Sep-Pak with tetrahydrofuran and hexane before use. Second, a significant discrepancy was observed in the recoveries of angiotensin II and 125I-angiotensin II added to tissue extracts following high-pressure liquid chromatography. Angiotensin II immunoreactivity extracted from decapitated rat adrenal gland, brain, and kidney (target organs for angiotensin II), ovary and uterus (potential target organs for angiotensin II), and plasma has been characterized. The predominant component of the angiotensin II immunoreactivity was the biologically active octapeptide angiotensin II. However, in the brain, the ratio of angiotensin II to C-terminal angiotensin II immunoreactive fragments was lower than observed in other tissues studied. Other angiotensin II C-terminal immunoreactive peptide fragments-the biologically active heptapeptide and the biologically inactive angiotensin(3-8) and angiotensin(4-8)--were also detected in variable quantities in the various tissues.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1988

Evidence for extracellular, but not intracellular, generation of angiotensin II in the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.

Based on the observation that high levels of renin and angiotensin II (Ang II) are found in the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG), it has been postulated that Ang II is formed intracellularly by the renin-converting enzyme cascade in this tissue. To test this hypothesis, we examined renin-angiotensin system components in subcellular fractions of the rat adrenal ZG. Renin activity and immunoreactive-Ang II (IR-Ang II) were observed in vesicular fractions but were not colocalized. In addition, angiotensinogen, angiotensin I, and converting enzyme were not observed in the renin or IR-Ang II-containing vesicular fractions. These data do not support the hypothesis that Ang II is formed intracellularly within the renin-containing vesicles of the ZG. Rather, since modulatable renin release from adrenal ZG slices was observed and renin activity was found in dense vesicular fractions (33-39% sucrose), it is likely that Ang II formation in the ZG is extracellular and initiated by the release of vesicular renin. Receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent degradation of Ang II in ZG lysosomes have been shown by others. The presence of IR-Ang II in light vesicular fractions (15% sucrose) and the finding of a high correlation between ZG IR-Ang II and Ang II receptor levels suggest that the primary occurrence of this peptide in the ZG is by receptor-mediated endocytosis. In ZG lysosomal fractions 125I-labeled Ang II was degraded to 125I-labeled des-[Phe8]Ang II. Since Ang II antibodies do not recognize des-[Phe8]Ang II, these findings explain why IR-Ang II in the ZG is due predominantly to Ang II and not to its C-terminal immunoreactive fragments.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1988

Distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II-receptor binding sites in the rat ovary.

Recent reports of the presence of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the mammalian ovary suggest that angiotensin II (Ang II) may be elaborated by this structure. In this study, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme in the synthesis of Ang II, was identified enzymatically and localized to the germinal epithelium surrounding corpora lutea, granulosa cells of some--but not all--follicles, and blood vessels of the rat ovary using a potent and specific radiolabeled ACE inhibitor, 125I-351A. Follicles that bound 125I-351A also contained Ang II-receptor binding sites. Co-localization of RAS components to the follicular granulosa cells and the ability of Ang II to promote estrogen formation suggest that the ovarian RAS may promote follicular development and assertion of dominance.

Animals↗