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Biomedical subjects

E Schleicher

Publications and source records attributed to E Schleicher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

An optomechanical transducer in the blue light receptor phototropin from Avena sativa.

The PHOT1 (NPH1) gene from Avena sativa specifies the blue light receptor for phototropism, phototropin, which comprises two FMN-binding LOV domains and a serine/threonine protein kinase domain. Light exposure is conducive to autophosphorylation of the protein kinase domain. We have reconstituted a recombinant LOV2 domain of A. sativa phototropin with various (13)C/(15)N-labeled isotopomers of the cofactor, FMN. The reconstituted protein samples were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy under dark and light conditions. Blue light irradiation is shown to result in the addition of a thiol group (cysteine 450) to the 4a position of the FMN chromophore. The adduct reverts spontaneously in the dark by elimination. The light-driven flavin adduct formation results in conformational modification, which was diagnosed by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. This conformational change is proposed to initiate the transmission of the light signal via conformational modulation of the protein kinase domain conducive to autophosphorylation of NPH1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Substrate binding to DNA photolyase studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Structural changes in Escherichia coli DNA photolyase induced by binding of a (cis,syn)-cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) are studied by continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double resonance spectroscopies, using the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor in its neutral radical form as a naturally occurring electron spin probe. The electron paramagnetic resonance/electron-nuclear double resonance spectral changes are consistent with a large distance (> or =0.6 nm) between the CPD lesion and the 7,8-dimethyl isoalloxazine ring of FAD, as was predicted by recent model calculations on photolyase enzyme-substrate complexes. Small shifts of the isotropic proton hyperfine coupling constants within the FAD's isoalloxazine moiety can be understood in terms of the cofactor binding site becoming more nonpolar because of the displacement of water molecules upon CPD docking to the enzyme. Molecular orbital calculations of hyperfine couplings using density functional theory, in conjunction with an isodensity polarized continuum model, are presented to rationalize these shifts in terms of the changed polarity of the medium surrounding the FAD cofactor.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2001

Diabetes-associated sustained activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB.

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been suggested to participate in chronic disorders, such as diabetes and its complications. In contrast to the short and transient activation of NF-kappaB in vitro, we observed a long-lasting sustained activation of NF-kappaB in the absence of decreased IkappaBalpha in mononuclear cells from patients with type 1 diabetes. This was associated with increased transcription of NF-kappaBp65. A comparable increase in NF-kappaBp65 antigen and mRNA was also observed in vascular endothelial cells of diabetic rats. As a mechanism, we propose that binding of ligands such as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), members of the S100 family, or amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) to the transmembrane receptor for AGE (RAGE) results in protein synthesis-dependent sustained activation of NF-kappaB both in vitro and in vivo. Infusion of AGE-albumin into mice bearing a beta-globin reporter transgene under control of NF-kappaB also resulted in prolonged expression of the reporter transgene. In vitro studies showed that RAGE-expressing cells induced sustained translocation of NF-kappaB (p50/p65) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus for >1 week. Sustained NF-kappaB activation by ligands of RAGE was mediated by initial degradation of IkappaB proteins followed by new synthesis of NF-kappaBp65 mRNA and protein in the presence of newly synthesized IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. These data demonstrate that ligands of RAGE can induce sustained activation of NF-kappaB as a result of increased levels of de novo synthesized NF-kappaBp65 overriding endogenous negative feedback mechanisms and thus might contribute to the persistent NF-kappaB activation observed in hyperglycemia and possibly other chronic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Endothelin 1 transcription is controlled by nuclear factor-kappaB in AGE-stimulated cultured endothelial cells.

Incubation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) with erythrocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes induced an increase in endothelin 1 (ET-1) production. The effect of erythrocytes on ET-1 synthesis was dependent on glycemic control. ET-1 levels after incubation with erythrocytes derived from patients with HbA(1c) levels <6% were just half the levels observed after incubation with erythrocytes from patients with HbA(1c) levels >8%. Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML)-containing protein isolated from patients' erythrocytes induced ET-1, and CML-containing protein-dependent ET-1 induction was blocked by the recombinant decoy peptide soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which comprises the NH2-terminal Ig domain of the receptor for AGEs. In vitro-generated AGEs induced ET-1 mRNA transcription (nuclear run-on assay and Northern blot) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Transient transfection of BAECs with a chimeric construct containing the 5' promoter region of the ET-1 gene linked to a reporter gene confirmed that AGE induced ET-1 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed AGE-inducible binding of members of the nuclear factor-kappab (NF-kappaB) family to a potential binding site at -2,090 bp. Binding was functionally significant because overexpression of the cytoplasmic inhibitor of NF-kappaB or deletion of the NF-kappaB binding site reduced ET-1 induction, whereas overexpression of NF-kappaB p65 induced ET-1 even in the absence of AGEs. Thus, ET-1 transcription is controlled by the AGE-inducible redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappaB.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Diabetic retinopathy risk correlates with intracellular concentrations of the glycoxidation product Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl) lysine independently of glycohaemoglobin concentrations.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We investigated whether either the amount of diabetes-induced intracellular oxidative stress or the concentration of hyperglycaemia-induced advanced glycation endproducts is associated with the risk of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: We measured concentrations of the glycoxidation product Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine and two non-oxidation-dependent advanced glycation end-products (methylglyoxal-derived and 3-deoxyglucosone-derived) in CD45RA+ T-cells from 21 Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy and from age-matched nondiabetic control subjects. RESULTS: Intracellular concentrations of both oxidation-dependent Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine and oxidation-independent advanced glycation endproducts were increased in memory T-cells from diabetic patients. Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine: diabetic median-24176 arbitrary units/mg protein (95% confidence interval 18690-34099 arbitrary units/mg protein); nondiabetic-9088 arbitrary units/mg protein (confidence interval 6994-10696 arbitrary units/mg protein; p < 0.0001). Methylglyoxal-derived advanced glycation end products: diabetic-5430 arbitrary units/ mg protein (confidence interval 3458-13610); nondiabetic-271 arbitrary units/mg protein (confidence interval 61-760 arbitrary units/mg protein; p< 0.0001). 3-Deoxyglucosone-derived advanced glycation end products: diabetic-8070 arbitrary units/mg protein (confidence interval 7049-16551 arbitrary units/mg protein); nondiabetic-1479 arbitrary units/ mg protein (confidence interval 1169-3170; p< 0.0001). Only Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine concentrations, however, inversely correlated with the duration of retinopathy-free diabetes (r = -0.51; p < 0.02). Diabetes-dependent Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine accumulation did not correlate with age, diabetes duration, or averaged glycohaemoglobin concentrations. In vitro experiments wih menadione and lymphocytes confirmed that Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine concentrations reflect intracellular oxidative stress. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Monitoring intracellular concentrations of increased oxidative stress in long-lived CD45RA+ lymphocytes by markers such as Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine possibly identifies a subgroup of patients at high risk for microvascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

N(epsilon)(carboxymethyl)lysin and the AGE receptor RAGE colocalize in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether glycoxidation products and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are present and colocalize in subfoveal membranes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Surgically removed subfoveal fibrovascular membranes from 12 patients, 11 related to ARMD and 1 to an idiopathic membrane, were analyzed for the presence of the glycoxidation product N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysin (CML), one of the receptors for advanced glycation end products, RAGE, and the activation of NFkB, using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CML-like immunoreactivity was found in all ARMD specimens examined adjacent or colocalized with RAGE, but not in the idiopathic membrane. RAGE immunoreactive material was found in CD68-positive cells and in the fibrous matrix. CD68-positive cells and surrounding areas stained for p50, the activated form of NFkB. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that glycoxidation products are present in subretinal membranes of patients with ARMD. The concomitant expression of RAGE in these membranes and the finding of activated NFkB is suggestive of an implication of glycoxidation product formation in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Glucosamine induces translocation of protein kinase C isoenzymes in mesangial cells.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the high glucose-induced stimulation of matrix protein production in mesangial cells. Since we have found (Kolm-Litty et al., 1998) that glucosamine, similar to the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), mimicks high glucose-induced TGF-beta1 overexpression and subsequent matrix overproduction, the action of these agents on the translocation of PKC isoenzymes was studied in cultured mesangial cells. Exposure to 12 mM glucosamine resulted in rapid and specific translocation of PKC-isoenzymes in mesangial cells i.e. glucosamine caused an increased and sustained translocation of PKC-alpha, -beta and -epsilon while PKC-zeta was essentially unaffected. Comparison with PMA-induced translocation exhibited distinct differences. Exposure to high glucose concentrations of mesangial cells induced translocation of PKC-beta and down-regulation of PKC-epsilon while PKC-alpha and -zeta were essentially unaltered. Presence of azaserine an inhibitor of glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase, the key enzyme of the hexosamine pathway, attenuated the high glucose-induced effects on the membrane fraction of PKC-beta. Our results indicate that i) glucosamine is a potent stimulator of PKC-translocation exhibiting an isoenzyme specific translocation kinetic which is different from PMA-induced PKC-isoenzyme translocation ii) the hexosamine pathway may be possibly involved in the high glucose-induced activation of PKC.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Intracellular processing of transforming growth factor-beta in mesangial cells.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional regulator of cell-growth, differentiation and extracellular matrix formation in several physiological conditions. It plays a crucial role in the process of glomerulosclerosis. Mature TGF-beta 1 is secreted as a latent form associated with the latency associated peptide (LAP), and its activation occurs through the LAP cleavage. The intracellular localization and the mechanisms of activation of TGF-beta 1 protein have not been elucidated in the mesangial cell. In the present report we examined the intracellular processing from TGF-beta 1 precursor to the latent-TGF-beta 1 in cultured mesangial cells by immunocytochemistry, using three rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes of human TGF-beta 1. The anti-LAP-TGF-beta 1 precursor Ab stained mesangial cells in the perinuclear region and in the cytoplasm in the area corresponding to the rough endoplasmic reticulum; the anti-COOH-terminal fragment of TGF-beta 1 Ab reacted in the same area, in vesicular structures located in the cytoplasm and furthermore, in the mesangial cell clusters, so-called hillocks, with an extracellular pattern; the anti-NH2-terminal fragment of TGF-beta 1 Ab stained only large exocytotic vesicles at the periphery of the cytoplasma. Our investigations suggest a conformational rearrangement of pro-TGF-beta 1 molecule occurring between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the TGF-beta 1 secretion and support the idea that in mesangial cells the activation of TGF-beta 1 occurs during the secretion process. In conclusion, the processing of TGF-beta 1 in mesangial cells seems to be similar to that one observed in other mesenchymal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A detailed protocol for the measurement of TGF-beta1 in human blood samples.

Quantification of the multifunctional cytokine Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in blood samples has aroused increasing interest in recent years, since an abnormal regulation of this cytokine appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of different diseases, such as autoimmundiseases or malignant tumors. The measurement of TGF-beta1 is complicated by a lot of problems concerning the collection, preparation and handling of blood samples, the platelet contamination, and the TGF-beta1 activation procedure. Here, we recommend detailed instructions for measurement of TGF-beta1 in blood plasma samples which should be followed to exclude the determination of false positive or negative results.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Structural and functional changes in diabetic glomerulopathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by glomerular basement membrane thickening and mesangial expansion. Immunohistochemical studies of diabetic kidneys showed an increased collagen type IV synthesis and deposition in the mesangial matrix, while the glomerular heparan sulfate proteoglycan content was decreased. In nodular glomerulosclerosis massive deposition of collagens III and VI appears, possibly indicating irreversibility of the pathological process. These structural changes seem to be the underlying cause for the alterations of renal functions like persistent albuminuria and proteinura. In a recent study significant glomerular infiltration by macrophages at all stages of glomerulosclerosis was observed. The pathogenesis of the multitude of cellular, structural, and functional abnormalities in diabetic nephropathy is likely to be multifactorial, involving chronic hyperglycemia as well as genetic determinants. In vitro studies with cultured glomerular cells have indicated that hyperglycemia induces transforming growth factor beta, a matrix-producing cytokine. The hyperglycemia-induced cytokine production may involve protein kinase C activation and/or the formation of advanced glucosylation end products. The elucidation of the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy may suggest new ways for therapeutic interventions.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Distribution of basement membrane components in normal adipose tissue and in benign and malignant tumors of lipomatous origin.

Normal adipose tissue as well as 13 benign and 17 malignant lipomatous tumors (lipomas, hibernomas, lipoblastomas, and liposarcomas) were immunohistochemically analyzed for their expression of the basement membrane components collagen IV, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and fibronectin. Monovacuolar cells in normal white fat tissue and in lipomas generally exhibited a distinctive pericellular basement membrane composed of collagen IV and laminin, whereas heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin were almost completely missing. In brown fat tissue and hibernomas the characteristic multivacuolated cells differed from the monovacuolated white fat cells by the additional content of heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin and the more intensive staining for the other components tested. In contrast, multi-/monovacuolated cells in lipoblastomas exhibited no characteristic immunohistochemical feature because they reacted irregularly and only faintly for collagen IV, laminin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Spindle cell areas in benign lipomatous tumors displayed more fibronectin than laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan indicating a "preadipose" fibroblast-like cellular differentiation. In liposarcomas, only well-differentiated lipoma-like neoplasms revealed a basement membrane pattern resembling that of white fat tissue. Otherwise, in nonlipoma-like liposarcomas, a marked decrease particularly of collagen IV staining was evident. Poorly differentiated liposarcomas mostly failed to express any of the basement membrane components, but showed a relative increase of fibronectin. Our results provide evidence that the staining pattern of basement membrane components parallels the histogenetic derivation of benign lipomatous tumors from either brown or white adipose tissue and, additionally, may reflect such a derivation in liposarcomas.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Increased glomerular alpha 1 (IV) collagen expression and deposition in long-term diabetic rats is prevented by chronic glycosaminoglycan treatment.

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and, in particular, with mesangial matrix expansion. Previous studies have indicated that administration of chemically modified, low-anticoagulant heparins prevents some of the morphologic and physiologic alterations occurring in experimental diabetic nephropathy. The effect of prolonged heparin treatment on the glomerular expression and deposition of alpha 1 (IV) collagen, which is a major component of the mesangial matrix, has not been reported previously. Four groups of rats were studied for 12 months: two control groups and two groups of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. One group in each branch received modified heparin continuously from the induction of diabetes. After 12 months synthesis and deposition of alpha 1 (IV) collagglomerula and adjacent tubuli were determined by nonradioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Mesangial cells were localized by Thy 1.1 staining. Long-term diabetes caused a significant increase in alpha 1 (IV) collagen deposition in the mesangial matrix and a more than 2-fold enhancement of glomerular cell alpha 1 (IV) collagen transcript levels, mainly in mesangial cells. The alpha 1 (IV) collagen mRNA levels of proximal tubular cells and visceral epithelial cells were similarly increased. Chronic treatment of diabetic rats with modified heparin completely prevented the increased alpha 1 (IV) collagen deposition and expression. The increased glomerular deposition of alpha 1 (IV) collagen observed in long-term streptozotocin diabetic rats appears to depend on an increased alpha 1 (IV) collagen synthesis. Because chronic application of low-anticoagulant heparin completely prevents the increased alpha 1 (IV) collagen synthesis by mesangial cells, this result suggests a new therapeutic option for the prevention of diabetic nephropathy in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Glomerular basement membrane-derived perlecan inhibits mesangial cell adhesion to fibronectin.

To explore whether the heparan sulfate proteoglycan, periecan, may act as a regulator of glomerular cell behavior, we examined the effects of perlecan on adhesive properties of rat and human mesangial cells in culture. We observed that mesangial cells did not adhere to purified perlecan. Mesangial cell adhesion to fibronectin, but not to laminin, was inhibited when perlecan was present in the substratum, reaching complete inhibition at 20 micrograms/ml perlecan. Similarly, perlecan reduced mesangial cell adhesion to the 120 kDa fragment of fibronectin and to bovine serum albumin-coupled RGD peptides both lacking the fibronectin heparin-binding domains, indicating that the inhibitory effect of perlecan does not require interaction of its heparan sulfate chains with fibronectin. The core protein of perlecan seems to be relevant, since perlecan retained most of its anti-adhesive potency after total deglycosylation. It is unlikely that perlecan causes steric inhibition of the cell binding sites of fibronectin by direct binding, since the 120 kDa fragment of fibronectin which includes the cell binding site, did not bind to intact perlecan. In the presence of submaximal inhibitory concentrations of perlecan, soluble RGD peptides (100 micrograms/ml), by themselves without effect, completely inhibited cell adhesion to fibronectin. Using immunocytochemistry, we examined the effects of perlecan on the organization of fibronectin-specific, RGD-dependent beta 1 integrins in focal contacts. When perlecan was added to the substratum, human mesangial cells adhered to fibronectin only in the presence of collagen I. Under these conditions, perlecan did not significantly alter the organization of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin into focal contacts of mesangial cells which adhered to a substratum composed of collagen I plus fibronectin. These data suggest that perlecan exerts its anti-adhesive effects on mesangial cells via a core protein-dependent mechanism which reduces the avidity of the fibronectin receptor. The resulting avidity level is too low for mediating cell binding but sufficient to induce integrin organization into focal contacts.

Animals↗