Biomedical subjects

D W Karl

Publications and source records attributed to D W Karl.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Stripping interfering sugars from samples using adapted bacteria.

Bacteria adapted to individual sugars quickly remove targeted sugars--stripping them--from samples in which unwanted sugars interfere. Adapted bacteria are equivalent to specific reagents for removal of sugars down to bacterial Km values, micromolar to submicromolar concentrations. Bacterial stripping is a simple method, useful when background sugars in micro-to millimolar concentrations (or larger) interfere with analysis of sought-for sugars. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella are easily adapted to individual sugars such as lactose, fructose, etc., by growing the bacteria on them. Hence one can easily create (and store) many kinds of cells ready to sponge up or strip out unwanted compounds. E. coli specifically remove several sugars from samples containing 100-500 nmol of sugars, using 1-5 mg of adapted cells, and 25 degrees C temperatures. Stripping requires 1-5 min and consists of mixing cells and sample, spinning down the cells, and withdrawal of stripped supernate. A 1-5 min interval is adequate for uptake and stripping, but far too short for cells to metabolize the sugars that were taken up. Hence the cells do not leak metabolites, but act as specific adsorbants without injection of appreciable byproducts into the sample.

Adaptation, Biological↗

PubMed1991

Preliminary assessment of removal of pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides with colloidal zirconia adsorbents.

Preliminary evaluation of bare or polymer-coated colloidal monoclinic zirconia of nominal particle size 100 nm indicated that it is an effective adsorbent for pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as measured by chemical and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assays. Zirconia at 50 micrograms ml-1 adsorbed 99.95% of added E. coli O128 LPS. Residual LPS levels below 0.1 ng ml-1 were easily attained. Colloidal zirconia was able to remove LPS from solution in the presence of bovine albumin (BSA). Some LPS contaminating BSA lacked affinity for zirconia. Preadsorption of phosphate onto bare zirconia blocked LPS adsorption. However, phosphated-oligomeric glycidyl (epoxy) pentaerythritol-coated colloidal zirconia could be derivatized with imidazole-containing ligands to produce an LPS-binding surface. Preliminary results of adsorption of LPS by the coated particles indicated a reduced level of LPS binding compared to bare zirconia, probably because the particles aggregated during the derivatization process, reducing the effective surface available for LPS adsorption.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1990

A novel acid proteinase released by hybridoma cells.

An acid proteinase has been detected in culture supernate of the 9.2.27 murine hybridoma. This enzyme extensively degrades albumin and transferrin during short incubations at pH 3 and below. Limited proteolysis of the 9.2.27 IgG2a appears to occur in the culture supernate. Proteolysis in enhanced at low pH in the presence of urea or 1 M acetic acid. The proteinase activity accumulates in continuous perfusion, total cell recycle cultures, beginning during exponential growth of the hybridoma. It is destroyed by boiling and blocked by pepstatin, but not by inhibitors of cysteine or serine proteinases or by EDTA. The low pH optimum may distinguish this enzyme from the known rat and mouse aspartic acid proteinases including cathepsin D and cathepsin E.

Albumins↗

PubMed1990

Effect of platelet activation on the agglutination of platelets by von Willebrand factor.

Agglutination of human platelets by bovine von Willebrand factor (vWF) or by human vWF in the presence of ristocetin is inhibited by ADP and by several other platelet agonists but not by epinephrine. Vincristine, which causes a shape change by disrupting microtubules, neither inhibited agglutination nor blocked the effect of ADP. The action of ADP was blocked by ATP, by p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine, and by the thiol-reactive regents cytochalasin A and p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate. In contrast to its effects on vWF, ADP enhanced agglutination induced by wheat germ lectin. ADP caused a small decrease in the number and affinity of binding sites for vWF on platelets, too small to explain the inhibition of agglutination. The ability of ADP and other agonists to inhibit agglutination appears to be related neither to inhibition of adenylate cyclase nor to the loss of their discoid shape but rather to the membrane changes that accompany the shape change.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1987

Modification of the platelet-binding domain of von Willebrand factor.

Radioiodinated Bolton-Hunter reagent was used at low specific activity to probe for the function and reactivity of amino groups on von Willebrand factor (vWF), a plasma protein involved in platelet responses to damaged endothelial surfaces. The platelet receptor for vWF contains a membrane protein termed glycoprotein Ib. Modification of only one or two amino groups per vWF subunit caused a 50% reduction in the platelet-agglutinating activity of vWF, and a decrease in its ability to bind to platelets. All multimeric forms of vWF are modified. Loss of platelet-agglutinating activity on modification of less than 2% of the amino groups on each vWF subunit suggests that the amino groups in the glycoprotein Ib-binding domain of vWF are both particularly reactive and essential for its function.

Amino Acids↗