PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Bossa

Publications and source records attributed to F Bossa.

153 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Structural identity between the iron- and manganese-containing superoxide dismutases.

We have recently reported the first complete amino acid sequence of an iron-containing superoxide dismutase. The iron enzyme is thought to be closely homologous to the manganese-containing superoxide dismutases. The availability of complete amino acid sequence information for four manganese superoxide dismutases and the crystal structures for two iron and two manganese superoxide dismutases prompted us to investigate the degree of homology between the two proteins at various levels. We report that it is not possible to clearly distinguish the two proteins on the basis of their secondary or tertiary structures. It would appear that a small number of single site substitutions are responsible for conferring distinguishing properties between the two proteins. Substitution of glycine 77 and glutamine 154 by a glutamine and an alanine respectively in Photobacterium leiognathi iron superoxide dismutase may distinguish the kinetic and other particular properties of this protein from the manganese protein (and other iron superoxide dismutases). Furthermore the primary structure of both the iron and manganese proteins does not appear to have any homology with any other known amino acid sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Functional results of colorectal and coloanal anastomosis with and without pouch].

In the last two decades one of the main targets of anorectocolonic surgery has been to develop sphincter saving procedure able to achieve good results with acceptable five-years survivals, optimal local control of the diseases and low rate of local cancer recurrence. Partially the development of new operative techniques such as low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch, the TME operation and the nerve sparing procedure have reach this target. In fact, often after these operations we can observe a functional syndrome called "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome". The basis of this syndrome have to researched in anatomical and physiological alterations that followed a reconstructive operation. It is characterized by frequency and fragmentation of the stool, feeling of incomplete evacuation, tenesmus and urgency. Fecal continence may be compromised to different levels: usually with alteration limited to soiling and impaired control of flatus, occasionally with loss of liquid stool, rarely with loss of solid stools. The anorectal function will be altered for long time following the surgical procedure and the stabilization of functional results may require 1-3 years. On the basis of these considerations, the authors examine the etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of the "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome", suggesting some expedients to prevent the functional problems. Analysing our experience and a wide specific bibliography, they also underline the indispensable point to achieve a good functional results after a reconstructive procedure. The author conclude asserting that the absence of these points have to be carefully valued because, in these situations, a simply colostomy is able to guarantee a better quality of life that a colorectal/coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch but associated to functional problems.

Anal Canal↗

The primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart: peptides obtained by cleavage with pepsin and with Staphylococcus aureus protease.

Results obtained after digestion of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart with pepsin and with the protease from S. aureus are described. Peptic digestion produced a very complex mixture of peptides, which were purified and analyzed; structural information contained in these peptides covered nearly the entire molecule. Moreover, the lengths of some individual peptides and the peculiar self-overlapping found with families of peptides from adjacent regions were especially useful and interesting. Not all the possible peptides originating after digestion with S. aureus protease were isolated and examined. However, the high specificity of this protease and its usefulness for sequence studies were confirmed. In particular, the S. aureus peptides obtained were important for establishing the amidation state of glutamic acid/glutamine residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Our experience with treatment of varicocele in a day-surgery protocol].

In the last few years the increasing interest for non-invasive operating techniques has allowed to reevaluate the sublinguinal varicocelectomy surgical technique for idiopathic varicocele surgical treatment. During the years 1998-2001, 29 patients have been operated on sub-inguinal varicocelectomy (14 patients were suffering from idiopathic varicocele of third grade, 11 of second grade, 3 of first grade, and 1 subclinical). Out of the 29 patients, only 10 were unable to procreate. All patients were operated under local anesthesia and discharged the same day (day-surgery). Owing to Authors' experience, the sublinguinal varicocelectomy by optical magnifying devices represents the "gold standard" in the idiopathic varicocele treatment because it allows to minimize relapsing rates, to limit post-operation complications, to improve the reproductive faculty of seminal fluid both qualitatively and quantitatively, to cut patient's operating costs significantly, to keep the operation time within acceptable limits, and to be easily learned and carried out.

Adult↗

The primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart: peptides obtained by cleavage at basic residues.

Results obtained as part of a study of the primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart are described. In particular, the S-aminoethylated protein was digested with trypsin and with the lysine specific protease from A. mellea. In the first case peptides contained 221 out of the total of 401 amino acid residues in the protein were obtained. By contrast the digest with A. mellea protease was not examined exhaustively and six peptides containing 49 amino acid residues were isolated. Digestion of the trifluoroacetylated and S-aminoethylated protein with A. mellea protease yielded a mixture of large fragments three of which, containing 89 amino acid residues, are described here. The combined results of these three digests yielded 66.6% of the total structure, concentrated mainly in the N-terminal half of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart: peptides obtained by cleavage with thermolysin and chymotrypsin.

The production, purification and analysis of peptide derived by digestion of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase with thermolysin and chymotrypsin are described. Despite the complexity of the peptide mixture obtained and the relative shortness of the fragments produced, these digests proved to be very useful for the completion of the primary structure determination of the enzyme. In fact, information for 87% of the total structure was contributed by thermolytic peptides, and for 89% by the chymotryptic ones. Moreover some of these peptides were essential for elucidating controversial points of the sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The primary structure of human erythrocyte copper/zinc superoxide dismutase: cleavage with Staphylococcus aureus protease, determination of the N-terminal blocking group and location of the disulfide bond.

Results obtained after digestion of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from human erythrocytes with S. aureus protease are described. In particular, peptides soluble in alkaline conditions proved essential for completing the determination of the primary structure of the enzyme; other peptides were important for establishing the amidation state of dicarboxylic amino acid residues and for confirming controversial sequences. The human enzyme is acetylated at the NH2 terminus and contains an intrasubunit disulfide bond connecting half-cystine residues 57 and 146.

Amino Acid Sequence↗