Biomedical subjects

B Bánfi

Publications and source records attributed to B Bánfi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

A Ca(2+)-activated NADPH oxidase in testis, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Superoxide and its derivatives are increasingly implicated in the regulation of physiological functions from oxygen sensing and blood pressure regulation to lymphocyte activation and sperm-oocyte fusion. Here we describe a novel superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase referred to as NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5). NOX5 is distantly related to the gp91(phox) subunit of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase with conserved regions crucial for the electron transport (NADPH, FAD and heme binding sites). However, NOX5 has a unique N-terminal extension that contains three EF hand motifs. The mRNA of NOX5 is expressed in pachytene spermatocytes of testis and in B- and T-lymphocyte-rich areas of spleen and lymph nodes. When heterologously expressed, NOX5 was quiescent in unstimulated cells. However, in response to elevations of the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration it generated large amounts of superoxide. Upon Ca(2+) activation, NOX5 also displayed a second function: it became a proton channel, presumably to compensate charge and pH alterations due to electron export. In summary, we have identified a novel NADPH oxidase that generates superoxide and functions as a H(+) channel in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. NOX5 is likely to be involved in Ca(2+)-activated, redox-dependent processes of spermatozoa and lymphocytes such as sperm-oocyte fusion, cell proliferation, and cytokine secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

A mammalian H+ channel generated through alternative splicing of the NADPH oxidase homolog NOH-1.

Voltage-gated proton (H+) channels are found in many human and animal tissues and play an important role in cellular defense against acidic stress. However, a molecular identification of these unique ion conductances has so far not been achieved. A 191-amino acid protein is described that, upon heterologous expression, has properties indistinguishable from those of native H+ channels. This protein is generated through alternative splicing of messenger RNA derived from the gene NOH-1 (NADPH oxidase homolog 1, where NADPH is the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1999

A novel H(+) conductance in eosinophils: unique characteristics and absence in chronic granulomatous disease.

Efficient mechanisms of H(+) ion extrusion are crucial for normal NADPH oxidase function. However, whether the NADPH oxidase-in analogy with mitochondrial cytochromes-has an inherent H(+) channel activity remains uncertain: electrophysiological studies did not find altered H(+) currents in cells from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), challenging earlier reports in intact cells. In this study, we describe the presence of two different types of H(+) currents in human eosinophils. The "classical" H(+) current had properties similar to previously described H(+) conductances and was present in CGD cells. In contrast, the "novel" type of H(+) current had not been described previously and displayed unique properties: (a) it was absent in cells from gp91- or p47-deficient CGD patients; (b) it was only observed under experimental conditions that allowed NADPH oxidase activation; (c) because of its low threshold of voltage activation, it allowed proton influx and cytosolic acidification; (d) it activated faster and deactivated with slower and distinct kinetics than the classical H(+) currents; and (e) it was approximately 20-fold more sensitive to Zn(2+) and was blocked by the histidine-reactive agent, diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC). In summary, our results demonstrate that the NADPH oxidase or a closely associated protein provides a novel type of H(+) conductance during phagocyte activation. The unique properties of this conductance suggest that its physiological function is not restricted to H(+) extrusion and repolarization, but might include depolarization, pH-dependent signal termination, and determination of the phagosomal pH set point.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Electron currents generated by the human phagocyte NADPH oxidase.

Electron transport across biological membranes is a well-known feature of bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts, where it provides motive forces for vectorial transport processes. In contrast, electron transport is generally not found in the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells, possibly because it would interfere with electric processes at the plasma membrane. An exception is provided by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase, which generates superoxide (O2.-) through electron transfer from cytosolic NADPH to extracellular oxygen. The enzyme is essential for host defence, and patients with chronic granulomatous disease, who lack the functional enzyme, suffer from severe infections. It has been suggested that electron transfer by the NADPH oxidase might be electrogenic. Here we demonstrate, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, the generation of electron currents by the NADPH oxidase in human eosinophil granulocytes. The currents were absent in granulocytes of sufferers of chronic granulomatous disease and under conditions of low oxygen. Generation of electron currents across the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells has not been observed previously and might be-independently of the generation of superoxide-a physiologically relevant function of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Differential effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade on degranulation and superoxide production of human neutrophil granulocytes.

The effects of two different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and erbstatin analog) and an inhibitor (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone; PD98059) of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase on the primary granule exocytosis and superoxide (O2.-) production of human neutrophil granulocytes were compared. The effector responses induced by stimulation of the chemotactic receptors by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and platelet-activating factor were blocked both by genistein and erbstatin analog. In contrast, degranulation and O2.- production triggered by the activation of protein kinase C with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate were reduced by erbstatin analog but not by genistein. This inhibitory pattern was observed in both effector responses, but the sensitivity of O2.- production toward tyrosine kinase inhibition was markedly higher than that of degranulation. PD98059 caused no considerable effect on any of the above responses. The data presented indicate that tyrosine kinases are involved not only in the respiratory burst but also in the organization of the degranulation response of neutrophil granulocytes. It is suggested that several tyrosine kinases of different inhibitor sensitivity may participate in the transduction of extracellular signals. However, activation of the MAP kinase cascade does not appear to be involved in either of the investigated biological responses of the neutrophils.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗