Biomedical subjects

C Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to C Kumar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Cloning and characterization of a novel endothelin receptor from Xenopus heart.

Endothelin (ET) receptors display subtype heterogeneity and so far three subtypes of ET receptors, namely ETA, ETB, and ETC, have been identified, cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Based on the binding profile of ET and related peptides, a novel ET receptor (ETAX) was identified in the follicular membranes of Xenopus laevis oocytes (Kumar, C. S., Nuthulaganti, P., Pullen, M., and Nambi, P. (1993). Mol. Pharmacol. 44, 153-157). Here we report the cloning and characterization of this ETAX subtype from X. laevis heart. A cDNA was isolated that encodes a protein of 415 amino acids that shares 74, 60, and 51% identities with human ETA, human ETB, and Xenopus ETC receptors, respectively. Competition binding studies of the cloned receptor expressed in COS cells using ET-related peptides suggested that this receptor is pharmacologically identical to that expressed in Xenopus oocyte follicular, heart, and lung membranes. Phosphoinositide turnover and oocyte electrophysiological studies indicated that the cloned receptor is functionally coupled to a second messenger system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Identification of a novel endothelin receptor in Xenopus laevis liver.

Membranes prepared from Xenopus liver displayed high density of high affinity endothelin (ET) binding sites. These sites have the same affinity for [125I] ET-1 and [125I] ET-3. Scatchard analysis of the specific binding from saturation binding experiments revealed an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 93.1 and 70.9 pM and maximum binding (Bmax) of 602 and 651 fmol/mg protein for [125I] ET-1 and [125I] ET-3, respectively. Competition binding experiments using [125I] ET-1 and unlabelled ET-1, ET-3, S6c, and BQ123 indicated that ET-1 and ET-3 were the most potent in displacing [125I] ET-1 binding from these membranes (IC50 1 and 0.3 nM, respectively), whereas S6c BQ123, selective for ETB and ETA receptors, respectively, did not have any inhibitory effect up to 1 microM. These data clearly indicate that the ET receptors present in Xenopus liver membranes belong to a new subtype of ET receptor. Because it resembled mammalian ETB receptors in its affinities for ET-1 and ET-3, we propose that this receptor be called the ETBX receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Reactive oxygen inducing vasoconstriction in the isolated perfused rat liver.

The effect of reactive oxygen generation on intact livers was studied. Production of reactive oxygen species in perfused livers isolated from normal and endotoxin-treated rats was measured using chemically enhanced chemiluminescence. The resting state chemiluminescence of the livers increased on endotoxin administration and was maximal about 6 h after treatment. Chemiluminescence from the livers was further stimulated severalfold by inclusion of phorbol myristate acetate in the perfusion medium, reaching maximum intensity 3 h after endotoxin treatment. Oxygen consumption by the endotoxin-treated liver showed a transient increase followed by a significant decrease on phorbol myristate acetate stimulation, which was inhibited by dexamethasone. These results are consistent with the occurrence of a respiratory burst followed by oxygen-radical-species-induced vasoconstriction in the intact perfused liver. The evaluation of reactive oxygen species by resident and accumulated macrophages in the intact liver is made possible by these studies, and related effects on the liver could be conveniently and quantitatively followed using this model.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Characterization of a functional angiotensin II receptor in Xenopus laevis heart.

High-affinity (104 +/- 18 pmol/l) and high-density (204 +/- 25 fmol/mg) angiotensin II (AII) binding sites have been identified in Xenopus laevis heart membranes. Competition binding of [125I]Sar1,Ile8 angiotensin (SIA) to these receptors by peptide analogs selective for the mammalian AII receptor subtypes AT1 and AT2 suggested that the amphibian AII binding sites were more closely related to the AT1 receptor subtype. Also in common with AT1 receptors, dithiothreitol and GTP gamma S inhibited [125I]SIA binding to Xenopus heart receptors, exhibiting IC50 values of 600 and 0.95 mumol/l, respectively. In addition, Xenopus oocytes injected with Xenopus heart mRNA were capable of mobilizing calcium when exposed to AII, demonstrating that Xenopus AII receptors are functionally linked to a second-messenger system similar to that coupled to mammalian AT1 receptors. However, in contrast to both AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes, nonpeptide antagonists DUP 753 and SK&F 108566 (AT1 receptor selective) and PD123319 (AT2 selective) did not bind the Xenopus AII receptors, thus establishing that the amphibian receptors were pharmacologically unique. Together, these results demonstrate that Xenopus heart AII receptors are functionally similar to mammalian AT1 receptors but are pharmacologically distinct from both AT1 and AT2 receptors.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1993

pH dependent conformational changes modulate functional activity of the mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein.

A 12kDa, heat stable protein (IF1) inhibiting hydrolytic activity of submitochondrial particles was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from buffalo heart mitochondria. Specific activity of the purified fraction was > 5000 units/mg. Maximal inhibition was observed at pH 6.0 and was Mg++ and ATP dependent. Circular dichroism studies showed that the inhibitor peptide undergoes a dramatic, reversible conformational change in response to pH which correlates well with its ability to inhibit ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by inhibitor depleted submitochondrial particles. It is shown for the first time that IF1 with a predominantly beta-sheet component is more efficient at suppressing ATPase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Purification and characterization of an ATPase inhibitor protein from buffalo mitochondria.

A heat stable, 12kDa protein was purified to homogeneity from buffalo heart mitochondria. It suppressed hydrolytic activity of membrane bound mitochondrial ATPase and its functional activity was Mg++ and ATP dependent. Maximal inhibition was achieved at slightly acidic pH. Its ability to inhibit ATP hydrolysis was significantly diminished at alkaline pH and high ionic strength and the purified protein had a tendency to aggregate under such conditions. Circular dichroism (CD) studies revealed that the protein undergoes reversible changes in secondary structure from a predominantly alpha-helical form at alkaline pH to a beta-sheet structure at slightly acidic pH. These distinctly different conformations could be correlated with functionally 'inactive' and 'active' forms.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1993

Isolation and expression of a novel angiotensin II receptor from Xenopus laevis heart.

A Xenopus laevis heart cDNA library was screened using the human angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor cDNA coding sequence as a hybridization probe. A cDNA was isolated that encodes a protein of 363 amino acids that shares 63% sequence identity with the human AT1 receptor. Radioligand binding studies with the cloned receptor expressed in COS cells indicated that it is an angiotensin II receptor that possesses pharmacological properties distinct from those of the two known mammalian receptor subtypes, AT1 and AT2. Electrophysiological studies with the recombinant receptor expressed in X. laevis oocytes revealed that the amphibian receptor, like the mammalian AT1 receptor, can functionally couple to a second messenger system, leading to the mobilization of intracellular stores of calcium. However, nonpeptide antagonists selective for the mammalian AT1 and AT2 receptors do not block angiotensin II-stimulated functional responses in injected oocytes, which confirms that the amphibian receptor is a pharmacologically unique angiotensin II receptor. Nevertheless, based on conservation of structural features and motifs and similarity in coupling mechanisms, we speculate that the cloned Xenopus receptor is the amphibian counterpart of the mammalian AT1 receptor, having acquired its unique pharmacology as a consequence of evolutionary divergence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Dexamethasone down-regulates the expression of endothelin receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Steroid hormones have been shown to modulate a number of physiological processes in addition to their potent antiinflammatory effects. Endothelin (ET) is a newly discovered vasoconstrictor that is synthesized and released by endothelial cells and acts on adjacent vascular smooth muscle cells by interacting with specific cell surface receptors. Proinflammatory agents such as thrombin and transforming growth factor beta have been shown to up-regulate ET gene expression in vascular endothelial cells. We wondered whether the anti-inflammatory steroids might have any regulatory effect on the ET receptors present in the vascular smooth muscle cells. Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (A-10 cell line, ATCC.CRL 1476) were used as a model system to study the effects of glucocorticoids on ET receptor expression and function. These cells display high density and high affinity ET receptors that belong to the ETA subtype. Pretreatment of these cells with dexamethasone reduced the number of ET receptors by 50-60% without changing the affinity. Of the steroids tested, dexamethasone was most effective followed by prednisolone and hydrocortisone. Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid, was 5000-fold less potent than dexamethasone. This effect of dexamethasone was dependent on the time of pretreatment and concentration of the steroid used. This down-regulation of ET receptors was also accompanied by an attenuated response to ET-1 in dexamethasone-pretreated cells. The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone was selective for ET receptors because the vasopressin-mediated response was unaffected. In addition, dexamethasone pretreatment of these cells resulted in 50-60% reduction in the steady-state level of ETA receptor mRNA as revealed by Northern analysis. These results suggest that glucocorticoid pretreatment of smooth muscle cells resulted in the down-regulation of the ETA receptor at the mRNA level.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Cloning and characterization of a human angiotensin II type 1 receptor.

A human liver cDNA library was screened using a rat type 1 angiotensin II receptor cDNA coding sequence as a probe. cDNA clones were isolated which encoded a protein of 359 amino acids that shared 94.4% and 95.3% identify to rat and bovine type 1 angiotensin II receptors, respectively. Ligand binding studies of the cloned receptor expressed in COS cells suggested that it is pharmacologically a type 1 angiotensin II receptor subtype. Electrophysiological studies of the receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed that it could functionally couple to a second messenger system leading to the mobilization of intracellular stores of calcium. Southern and Northern blot analyses indicated that the cloned receptor is represented as a single copy in the human genome and is expressed in many tissues of different histogenic origin with the exception of brain, where mRNA transcripts were barely detectable.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Glutathione and ischemia-reperfusion injury in the perfused rat liver.

Using the isolated perfused rat liver, we investigated the relationship of glutathione (GSH) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and liver cell damage during ischemia/reperfusion in normal and GSH-depleted conditions. Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence was used as a sensitive index of tissue ROS generation. After 30 minutes of equilibration, livers were subjected to global ischemia for various times (60 or 90 minutes) and then reperfused for another 120 minutes. Intracellular ROS levels increased sharply at the onset of reperfusion and then declined slowly. After 30 to 60 minutes of reperfusion, ROS levels started to increase progressively in a linear fashion. However, sinusoidal glutathione disulfide release did not increase during reperfusion in the same livers, suggesting that intracellular ROS generation is too low to cause a significant increase in GSH oxidation. Pretreatment with phorone (300 mg/kg intrapentoneally [ip]), which reduced hepatic GSH by 90%, did not cause any difference in intracellular ROS generation compared with the control livers. There were also no significant differences in lactate dehydrogenase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) release between the control and phorone-treated livers during reperfusion after various times of ischemia. These data indicate that ROS generation in the normal isolated perfused liver during ischemia/reperfusion is extremely low and intracellular GSH does not serve as a major intracellular defense system against such a low oxidative stress.

Acridines↗

PubMed1992

Comparison of the effect of a mitochondrial uncoupler, 2,4-dinitrophenol and adrenaline on oxygen radical production in the isolated perfused rat liver.

Using the isolated perfused rat liver, we examined the effect of stimulation of mitochondrial respiration by 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and adrenaline on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, liver damage and lipid peroxidation. ROS production was monitored by luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and oxygen uptake was measured simultaneously. Liver damage and lipid peroxidation were evaluated by measuring hepatic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) release. Tissue ROS level decreased and oxygen uptake increased soon after 2,4-DNP infusion. On termination of 2,4-DNP infusion, there was a sharp increase in lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, which declined slowly, but luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence did not change prominently. Hepatic LDH and TBARS release increased gradually during 2,4-DNP infusion and were manifested by termination of the infusion. Allopurinol did not affect ROS production and TBARS release, but delayed increases in LDH release after termination of 2,4-DNP infusion. Adrenaline, which stimulates mitochondrial respiration without uncoupling caused similar but smaller ROS changes observed in 2,4-DNP. LDH and TBARS release were not affected significantly by adrenaline infusion. These results indicate that uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation decreases ROS production and restoration of oxidative phosphorylation enhances ROS production and liver damage. Xanthine oxidase is unlikely to contribute to enhanced ROS production after termination of 2,4-DNP but has some protective effect during uncoupling.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

PubMed1992

Phorbol myristate acetate-induced lung injury: involvement of reactive oxygen species.

Using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, isolated rat lungs perfused with physiological salt-Ficoll solution were studied to test whether phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced lung injury was mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). PMA (0.03 micrograms ml-1) caused small but significant increases in lung ROS levels and pulmonary arterial perfusion pressure (Ppa) but did not induce lung oedema. PMA (0.15 micrograms ml-1) induced lung oedema with large increases in ROS production and Ppa. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibited the increases in ROS, Ppa, and lung oedema. Catalase and dimethylthiourea inhibited lung oedema but did not attenuate the increases in ROS and Ppa entirely. Indomethacin attenuated lung oedema partially but did not inhibit the increases in ROS and Ppa. These data indicate that PMA-induced lung injury is dependent on PMA concentration and ROS are responsible for such lung injury. Thromboxane plays a minor role for PMA-induced lung injury. The different effects of oxygen radical scavengers suggest that different radical species contribute to the increased pulmonary vascular response and lung injury.

Acridines↗

PubMed1992

The effect of ruthenium red during Ca2+ depletion and repletion in the isolated perfused rat liver.

Perfusion of rat liver with Ca(2+)-depleted buffer induces oxidative stress and liver damage, which can be prevented by Ca2+ repletion (Okuda et al. J Lab Clin Med). In the present study, we investigated the action of ruthenium red on acute Ca2+ loading after Ca2+ depletion in the isolated perfused rat liver. The major findings of this study are that 1) Ca2+ depletion-induced liver damage was related to mitochondrial disfunction; 2) ruthenium red inhibited the oxidative stress and liver damage normally seen during Ca2+ depletion; 3) ruthenium red inhibited the Ca2+ depletion-induced mitochondrial disfunction. These observations suggest that mitochondrial Ca2+ cycling is responsible for Ca2+ depletion-induced oxidative stress and liver damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Oxygen radical generation during ischemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat liver monitored by enhanced chemiluminescence.

Using luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (Lm-CL and Lg-CL), we monitored oxygen radical generation during ischemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat liver. Both enhanced chemiluminescence levels decreased during 30 min of ischemia and increased markedly at the onset of reperfusion. When the liver was subjected to another 30 min of ischemia, reperfusion caused a progressive increase in both types of enhanced chemiluminescence. Administration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) into the perfusate strongly attenuated Lm-CL, but had a limited effect on Lg-CL. Catalase (CAT) and allupurionol (ALP) failed to attenuate both types of enhanced chemiluminescence. Thus the predominant oxygen radicals in the liver during reperfusion is superoxide and the lack of effect of ALP on oxygen radical generation indicates that hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction is unlikely to be a primary source of oxygen radicals. The different response to SOD in Lm-CL and Lg-CL is considered to be based on the diffusion space of luminol and lucigenin in the tissue. The relationship between oxygen radical levels and tissue damage, and the site of oxygen radical detection are discussed.

Acridines↗

PubMed1992

Role of extracellular Ca2+ in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the isolated perfused rat liver.

The influx of extracellular Ca2+ has been postulated to be one of the mediators of ischemia-reperfusion injury. A possible link between Ca2+ influx and oxygen radical generation has also been suggested. In the present study, using the isolated perfused rat liver, we evaluated the role of extracellular Ca2+ on oxygen radical generation, liver damage, and lipid peroxidation during 30 min ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. Oxygen radical generation in the liver was continuously monitored by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Liver damage and lipid peroxidation were evaluated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) release into the effusate, respectively. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (much less than 30 microM) oxygen radical generation from the liver increased gradually over 2 hr and there were concomitant increases in LDH and TBARS release. When livers were made ischemic and then reperfused, oxygen radical generation increased at the onset of reperfusion and then decreased over 30 min of reperfusion. After 30 min of reperfusion, livers reperfused with low Ca2+ buffer showed a linear increase in oxygen radical generation as well as progressive increases in LDH and TBARS release. On the other hand, livers reperfused with Ca2+ containing (1.25 mM) buffer showed no further increase in oxygen radical generation and no evidence of progressive liver damage and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that Ca2+ overload is not a primary cause of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury and that the presence of extracellular Ca2+ during reperfusion is necessary to maintain normal liver function.

Acridines↗

PubMed1992

Depletion and repletion of Ca2+ in the perfused rat liver.

Repletion with Ca2+ often leads to damage of previously Ca(2+)-depleted hearts (the calcium paradox). The behavior of the liver under similar conditions is not well understood. With a perfused rat liver model, we examined liver cell damage and lipid peroxidation during Ca2+ depletion and repletion and used lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence as a measure of oxygen radicals. During 30 minutes of Ca2+ depletion, release of lactate dehydrogenase and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance did not change significantly. When Ca2+ depletion was extended to 150 minutes, release of lactic acid dehydrogenase and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance and tissue oxygen radical levels all increased progressively, accompanied by decrease in oxygen uptake. Ca2+ repletion after 30 minutes of Ca2+ depletion caused small increases in release of lactic acid dehydrogenase and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance but significantly suppressed the changes described, compared with expression in depleted livers without Ca2+ repletion. There were large releases of sinusoidal glutathione and glutathione disulfide at the onset of Ca2+ depletion, which declined within 15 minutes. On Ca2+ repletion, sinusoidal glutathione level decreased to its baseline but glutathione disulfide level did not change significantly. During long-term Ca2+ depletion, sinusoidal glutathione level was significantly higher than baseline but glutathione disulfide level remained low. These results indicate that long-term Ca2+ depletion causes oxidative stress and liver damage. Ca(2+)-dependent release of sinusoidal glutathione appears to result from causes other than oxidative stress. There is no evidence for the calcium paradox in the liver; in fact, reexposure to Ca2+ protects the liver from the injury caused by Ca2+ depletion.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Oxygen radical production during ischemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat liver as monitored by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence.

We have applied the Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence technique to the isolated perfused rat liver during ischemia and reperfusion to monitor the production of oxygen radicals in tissue. Livers under perfusion with Luminol-containing buffer were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Their chemiluminescence was continuously monitored to obtain the time course of oxygen radical production. Transient bursts of oxygen radical production were observed in the livers as indicated by chemiluminescence changes on reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase treatment abolished while catalase treatment enhanced the reperfusion-induced chemiluminescence transient.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence of the perfused rat heart during ischemia and reperfusion.

We show that the production of Luminol reactive oxygen radicals in the perfused rat heart under ischemia and reperfusion can be monitored continuously by measuring the chemiluminescence of Luminol-perfused hearts. Luminol did not affect the monitored physiological parameters of the hearts. Chemiluminescence increased during ischemia and reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase treatment of the heart before ischemia, but not catalase, abolished these increases.

Animals↗