Biomedical subjects

F Mayor

Publications and source records attributed to F Mayor.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Chemical modification of the glycine receptor with fluorescein isothiocyanate specifically affects the interaction of glycine with its binding site.

Fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to modify lysine residues of the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor. Pretreatment of rat spinal cord synaptic plasma membranes with FITC specifically affected the ability of glycine to displace [3H]strychnine binding. Glycine completely prevented the effect of FITC modification, suggesting the existence of lysine group(s) either at or in the vicinity of the agonist binding site. Labeling of purified glycine receptor with FITC indicates that such lysine residue(s) are located in the 48,000 daltons polypeptide. Chemical cleavage of the FITC-labeled 48-kilodalton subunit with N-chlorosuccinimide reveals two major labeled fragments of Mr 13.9 kilodalton and 8.5-kilodalton, respectively, the labeling of each being protected by glycine.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Interaction of bilirubin with gangliosides.

Gangliosides seem to play an important role in the interaction of the neurotoxic pigment bilirubin with the synaptosomal plasma membrane (Vázquez et al. [1988] J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1255-1265). In this report, a further characterization of the bilirubin-ganglioside interaction is presented. The interaction is fast, and it is observed at any pH in the range 7.0-9.0. The characteristics of the interaction are different from those observed with other membrane lipids, including sphingomyelin. A model of binding to a single population of sites is able to adequately fit the experimental data. This model predicts a decrease in the tendency of bilirubin to interact with gangliosides and an increase in the binding capacity as the pH is decreased from 8.0 to 7.0. Our data would suggest a role for gangliosides in explaining the preferential accumulation of bilirubin in some areas of the brain and the toxic effect of this pigment in neuronal membrane-related functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Thermodynamics of agonist and antagonist interaction with the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor.

The thermodynamic parameters associated with the interactions of agonists and antagonists with glycine receptors in rat spinal cord membranes were determined. The binding of the antagonist [3H]strychnine and the inhibition of strychnine binding by 11 different glycinergic ligands were examined at temperatures between 0.5 and 37 degrees C. The density of receptors was not affected by the temperature at which the incubation was performed, but the ability of glycine receptor agonists and antagonists to compete with [3H]strychnine binding varied markedly. The affinity of the receptor for the antagonists strychnine, 2-aminostrychnine, RU-5135, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo[5,4-c]azepin-3-ol, and the ligands bicuculline, norharmane, and PK-8165 decreased at higher temperatures. The binding of these ligands was enthalpy-driven. In contrast, the affinity of the agonists glycine, beta-alanine, and taurine and of the antihelmintic ivermectin increased at higher temperatures, and their binding was characterized by substantial increases in entropy. In addition, temperature affected the allosteric interaction between the glycine and strychnine sites of the receptor, as indicated by changes in the Hill number of the competition curves for glycine. Our results clearly indicate that the binding of agonists and antagonists to the glycine receptor is differentially affected by temperature, probably as a consequence of the different changes induced in the receptor conformation.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

beta-Adrenergic receptor kinase. Activity of partial agonists for stimulation of adenylate cyclase correlates with ability to promote receptor phosphorylation.

The beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) kinase is a recently discovered enzyme which specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor. We have utilized the agonist-dependent nature of this phosphorylation reaction to characterize the ability of partial agonists to interact with the receptor. Partial agonists were tested for their ability to: 1) stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in a three-component reconstituted system, and 2) promote phosphorylation of beta AR by beta AR kinase. There is an excellent correlation between the ability of partial agonists to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and promote receptor phosphorylation by beta AR kinase (y = 1.02x-0.01, r = 0.996, p less than 0.001). Peptide maps of receptor phosphorylated by beta AR kinase in the presence of full or partial agonists are virtually identical with the partial agonist pattern reduced in intensity. Moreover, kinetic studies of beta AR phosphorylation by beta AR kinase suggest that partial agonists alter the Vmax of the reaction with little, if any, effect on the Km. These results suggest that at steady state partial agonists transform a smaller portion of the receptor pool into the conformationally altered or activated form which serves as the substrate for beta AR kinase, although they do not completely rule out the possibility that a partial conformational change is occurring.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1988

Interaction of bilirubin with the synaptosomal plasma membrane.

The interaction of the neurotoxic pigment bilirubin with synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from rat brain was investigated. The interaction seems to involve three steps: (a) a rapid formation of an electrostatic complex between bilirubin and polar lipid head groups; (b) a slow inclusion of the pigment into the hydrophobic core of the membrane; and (c) a SPMV-induced bilirubin aggregation, observed when membrane capacity for bilirubin is exceeded. The association constant of the initial complex increased markedly when pH was lowered below 7.4, particularly in SPMV isolated from newborn rats. A preferential binding of bilirubin to pure gangliosides and sphingomyelin was observed, thus suggesting a role for these lipids as first targets of the pigment in the synaptic membrane. The inclusion of bilirubin into the membranes was gradually enhanced when decreasing the pH or the age of the rats from which SPMV were isolated. In addition, membranes from 2-day-old rats have a higher capacity for bilirubin incorporation compared to those from adult rats. Experiments with reconstituted liposomes of varying protein and cholesterol contents suggest that the effect of age may be related to changes in synaptosomal membrane fluidity during development. Our results support the hypothesis that the interaction of bilirubin with the synaptic membrane plays an important role in the molecular mechanisms of bilirubin neurotoxicity.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1987

Agonist-dependent phosphorylation of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.

Desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor, a receptor which is coupled to the stimulation of adenylate cyclase, may be regulated via phosphorylation by a unique protein kinase. This recently discovered enzyme, known as the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, only phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor. To assess whether receptors coupled to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase might also be substrates, we examined the effects of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase on the partially purified human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. Phosphorylation of the reconstituted alpha 2-adrenergic receptor was dependent on agonist occupancy and was completely blocked by coincubation with alpha 2-antagonists. The time course of phosphorylation of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor was virtually identical to that observed with the beta-adrenergic receptor with maximum stoichiometries of 7-8 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor in each case. In contrast, the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor, which is coupled to stimulation of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, is not a substrate for the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase. These results suggest that receptors coupled to either stimulation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase may be regulated by an agonist-dependent phosphorylation mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1987

Purification and characterization of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta-ARK) is a recently discovered enzyme which specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) as well as the light-bleached form of rhodopsin. beta-ARK is present in a wide variety of mammalian tissues. The kinase can be purified from bovine cerebral cortex to greater than 90% homogeneity by sequential chromatography on Ultrogel AcA34, DEAE-Sephacel, CM-Fractogel, and hydroxylapatite. This results in an approximately 20,000-fold purification with an overall recovery of 12%. The purified kinase has an Mr approximately 80,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Several findings indicate that this peptide contains the beta-ARK activity. First, on hydroxylapatite chromatography the enzyme activity coelutes with the Mr approximately 80,000 protein as revealed by Coomassie-Blue staining. Second, under phosphorylating conditions the Mr approximately 80,000 protein is phosphorylated. Finally, the Mr approximately 80,000 protein specifically interacts with reconstituted agonist-occupied beta-AR. Kinetic parameters of the enzyme for beta-AR are Km = 0.25 microM and Vmax = 78 nmol/min/mg whereas for rhodopsin the values are Km = 6 microM and Vmax = 72 nmol/min/mg. The Km value of the enzyme for ATP is approximately 35 microM using either beta-AR or rhodopsin as substrate. Receptor phosphorylation by beta-ARK is effectively inhibited by Zn2+, digitonin and a variety of salts. The availability of purified beta-ARK should greatly facilitate studies of its role in receptor desensitization.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Somatostatin induces translocation of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and desensitizes somatostatin receptors in S49 lymphoma cells.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase is a cytosolic enzyme that specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR). Beta AR kinase appears to be translocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane when kin- S49 lymphoma cells are incubated with either beta-adrenergic agonists or prostaglandin E1, both of which act through receptors which stimulate adenylate cyclase. We report here that brief (approximately 20 min) exposure of wild type S49 lymphoma cells to somatostatin (which inhibits adenylate cyclase) promotes the translocation of beta AR kinase to an extent comparable to that observed in the presence of the beta agonist isoproterenol or prostaglandin E1. Beta AR kinase activity can be measured using either beta AR or rhodopsin, the retinal receptor for light, as a substrate. The translocation process triggered by somatostatin is rapid, reversible, and is associated with somatostatin receptor desensitization. The latter is apparent as an attenuation of the inhibition by somatostatin of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes of S49 cells preincubated in the presence of the peptide. These results strongly suggest that beta AR kinase is able to phosphorylate and desensitize both stimulatory and inhibitory adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors, thus emerging as a general kinase that regulates the function of different receptors in an agonist-specific fashion.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Stoichiometry of sodium- and chloride-coupled glycine transport in synaptic plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain.

The stoichiometric properties of the glycine transporter were studied in synaptic plasma membrane vesicles from rat brain. The present results, together with previous data from our laboratory, allow us to suggest a stoichiometry of 2 Na+ and 1 Cl- per glycine zwitterion for the translocation cycle catalyzed by the glycine carrier. We propose a kinetic model with an ordered mechanism for the binding/debinding of solutes.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Tyrosine transport into isolated rat brain synaptosomes. Ionic dependence and kinetic studies.

The ionic dependence and kinetics of the uptake of L-tyrosine into isolated rat brain synaptosomes has been investigated. L-Tyrosine has been found to enter the synaptosomes through three different transport systems showing distinct ionic requirements and kinetic characteristics. The one with the lowest affinity for tyrosine (Km 0.6 mM) showed a strong Na+ dependence. This system seems to provide the nerve cell with a safety mechanism that ensures the supply of tyrosine even in the presence of high levels of competing amino acids. The second one (Km 50 microM) does not appear to exhibit any strong ionic requirements and features most of the characteristics of the L-system for large neutral amino acids. Finally, the third shows the most interesting ionic dependence. Its activity increases at very low Na+ external concentrations, but this increase is prevented by the removal of divalent cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+. This ionic behaviour, along with the affinity constant of this system (Km 6 microM) (within the range of tyrosine extraneural concentrations), suggests that it is an initial regulatory step in the synthesis of catecholamines.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Alanine and lactate as gluconeogenic substrates during late gestation.

Rates of alanine incorporation into glucose by isolated liver cells of fed rats are 5-fold higher than those observed when lactate was used as substrate. The rates of gluconeogenesis from alanine and lactate in isolated liver cells of fed pregnant rats increase 50 and 200-400%, respectively, over virgins during the last 3 days of gestation. The results support the existence of an increase in the alanine-glucose cycle in the late pregnancy as an important homeostatic pathway in the supply of glucose to the growing fetus.

Alanine↗

PubMed1986

Effect of bilirubin on the membrane potential of rat brain synaptosomes.

The effect of the neurotoxic pigment bilirubin on the membrane potential of rat brain synaptosomes was studied by using the tetraphenylphosphonium ion (TTP+) technique. Bilirubin induces a rapid depolarization of synaptosomes, as reflected by an efflux of previously accumulated [3H]TTP+. This phenomenon persisted when the membrane potential across either the plasma membrane of the synaptosome or the inner membrane of the entrapped mitochondria was selectively depressed, thus indicating that both components of the synaptosomal membrane potential were affected by bilirubin. Bovine serum albumin, used at a albumin/bilirubin molar ratio of 1:1, had the capacity to completely prevent and reverse the effect of bilirubin. This fact demonstrates that the bilirubin-induced TPP+ release from synaptosomes is a reversible process that requires the presence of bilirubin interacting with the synaptosomal membranes. These results, together with the inhibition by bilirubin of [3H]TPP+ and [2-14C]acetate uptake by synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles isolated from rat brain, suggest that bilirubin depresses the membrane potential across the synaptosomal plasma membrane by a mechanism involving alterations in ion permeability. This effect could be of relevance in the pathogenesis of bilirubin encephalopathy.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The glycine receptor: pharmacological studies and mathematical modeling of the allosteric interaction between the glycine- and strychnine-binding sites.

The displacement by glycine of 3H-strychnine binding to rat spinal cord membranes cannot be explained by a simple competitive interaction. Indeed, protein-modifying reagents can completely abolish the inhibition of 3H-strychnine binding by glycine and other agonists, whereas the interaction of strychnine itself and other related compounds with the binding site is unimpaired. Moreover, glycine cannot inhibit completely saturable 3H-strychnine binding, the extent of its maximum inhibitory effect depending on the ionic composition of the medium. Hill coefficients less than 1 (whose magnitude also depends on the assay medium) were obtained from glycine displacement curves. These properties are consistent with a mathematical model of two different, but mutually interacting, binding sites for strychnine and glycine on the glycine receptor. The effect of ions and protein-modifying reagents might be explained in this model as modifications of the mechanisms that mediate the allosteric interaction, and/or the affinity of glycine for the receptor. The agonists beta-alanine and taurine and the new antagonists, THAZ, iso-THAZ, and 4,5-TAZA, also seem to interact with a site different from the strychnine-binding site, probably the glycine-binding site.

Allosteric Regulation↗

PubMed1986

Activation and inhibition of 3H-strychnine binding to the glycine receptor by Eccles' anions: modulatory effects of cations.

The ammonium salts of Eccles' anions are inhibitors of 3H-strychnine binding. By contrast, the binding is activated by the sodium salts of these anions. This activation is due to an increase in the affinity for 3H-strychnine. Pretreatment of the membranes with acetic anhydride abolishes the effect of sodium salt, whereas ammonium salts remain unaffected. In the presence of chloride the inhibitory effect of ammonium predominates over the effect of sodium. These results suggest that the effect of Eccles' anions is profoundly modified by their counter-ions and that Na+ and ammonium are acting through distinct sites on the glycine receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Hormonal and metabolic changes in the perinatal period.

A review of some hormonal and metabolic changes occurring during the four stages of the perinatal period is presented. Glucocorticoids and insulin are the hormones that mediate liver glycogen accumulation during late fetal stage. In the presuckling period, muscle glycogenolysis supplies the lactate moieties that are oxidized by the neonatal tissues, representing the alternative substrate until glucose and ketone bodies become available. The postnatal increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations and the decrease in the insulin/glucagon ratio triggers liver glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, and hence postnatal hypoglycemia is reversed. In the suckling period, the oxidation of fatty acids, ketone bodies utilization and active gluconeogenesis supply the bulk of the energy and carbon components required to support the rapid growth rate of this period. The increase in the insulin/glucagon ratio that occurs with the change to a carbohydrate-rich diet starts the induction of lipogenesis at weaning.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1985

Effect of postnatal anoxia on bilirubin levels in rat brain.

The effects of a period of anoxia 18-24 h after birth on bilirubin levels in rat brain were investigated during anoxia, recovery, and development. Postnatal anoxia induces a significant, temporary increase (up to 200% with respect to control values) in newborn rat brain bilirubin levels during anoxia and short-term recovery. Pretreatment of the newborn rats with a single dose of the drug sulfixosazole markedly enhances bilirubin accumulation in the brain of the anoxic rats. A second rise in brain bilirubin concentration is detected in a group of the newborn rats 3-6 days after oxygen deprivation. Autoradiographic localization of radiolabeled bilirubin following in vivo experiments suggests that this substance is preferentially accumulated in some areas of the newborn rat brain as a consequence of postnatal anoxia, and indicates, together with the effect of sulfixosazole, that as a result of anoxia, a displacement of unbound bilirubin from blood to the nervous tissue occurs. Our results confirm the importance of anoxia as a risk factor for the development of bilirubin-induced encephalopathy. The possible relevance of intracerebral hemorrhages caused by perinatal asphyxia producing delayed bilirubin accumulation in the newborn rat brain is suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Roles of cAMP and free fatty acids on the activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt.

Basal glucose utilization by isolated rat adipocytes have been found to be increased ten times in the presence of certain preparations of albumin. In these conditions the effects of several adrenergic agonists and related compounds on glucose oxidation, lipolysis and triacylglycerol synthesis in isolated fat cells have been studied. Oxidation of D(1(-14)C) glucose in rat adipocytes was almost completely inhibited by norepinephrine and isoproterenol when added to incubated fat cells. Agents able to modify intracellular AMP cyclic levels by different mechanisms display a similar ability to imitate the effect of lipolytic agents. The inhibition of glucose oxidation due to norepinephrine and isoproterenol is partially reverted by propanolol. Under the same conditions in which norepinephrine and isoproterenol markedly reduced glucose conversion to 14CO2, they stimulated lipolysis and triacylglycerol synthesis and in this case propanolol also reverted those actions. However, in these experimental conditions, norepinephrine and isoproterenol did not raise cAMP levels 10 min after hormone addition. It is concluded from these data that glucose oxidation through hexose monophosphate shunt, activation of lipolysis and triacylglycerol synthesis in isolated rat fat cells by lipolytic agents occurs by a mechanism(s) that depend(s) on intracellular free fatty acids levels.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed1982

[Pathogenesis of cerebral dysfunction in phenylketonuria].

Although the enzymatic etiology and the link between this and the accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites in phenylketonuria has been amply established, the pathogenesis of the brain dysfunction accompanying this inherited metabolic disease is still under research. Effects of phenylalanine and its metabolites, some leading to irreversible defective structural features in the nervous system, and others to reversible defective neurotransmission, are described as responsible of the mental retardation and other neurological and behavioural symptoms characteristic of phenylketonuria.

Brain↗