PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Vittur

Publications and source records attributed to F Vittur.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Solubility properties of alkaline phosphatase from matrix vesicles.

Alkaline phosphatase has been extracted from matrix vesicles of a calcifying cartilage with 0.15 M KCl, 0.4 M guanidinium chloride and 0.05 M deoxycholate/50% butanol mixture. The catalytic properties of the three extracts have been compared. Although the highest amount of enzyme activity is extracted with the latter reagent (55%), some of it is also extracted with KCl (11%) and guanidinium (7%). By submitting isolated matrix vesicles to a short time sonication the distribution pattern of the alkaline phosphatase activity in the extracts is clearly modified, as the amount extracted with KCl increases from 14 to 50% and the portion extracted with deoxycholate decreases from 55 to 27% of the total enzyme activity of matrix vesicles. The enzymatic preparations were comparable on the basis of specific activities, affinity for the substrates (p-nitrophenylphosphate, ATP), thermostability, sensitivity to inhibitors and activators. By electrofocusing a value of pI = 4.15 was found for the alkaline phosphatase of matrix vesicles independently of the extraction medium. These results contradict the concept that alkaline phosphatase is exclusively an intrinsic membrane protein.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

In vitro biosynthesis by articular chondrocytes of a specific low molecular size proteoglycan pool.

Proteoglycans synthesized by articular and epiphyseal chondrocytes in culture were compared. Proteoglycans extruded by the two types of cells into the culture medium are of identical Mr. On the other hand, the proteoglycans of cells or pericellular matrix synthesized by the articular chondrocytes are characterized by an heterogeneous fraction of low-Mr which is not present in the material derived from epiphyseal chondrocytes. There are at least two components in this fraction: the first seems to be a precursor of aggregated proteoglycans, the other may represent a component of cell coat. Stimulation of the cell cultures with vitamin D metabolites and somatomedin enhances proteoglycan biosynthesis but no modification is observed in the proteoglycan Mr.

Animals↗

Influence of calcium depletion on medullary bone of laying hens.

Medullary bone of birds maintained on a low-calcium diet represents a good model to study modifications of matrix composition in calcified tissue undergoing intense formation and resorption. The composition of the bone matrix during the low-calcium diet has been analyzed by both chemical and histological techniques. Sixty White Leghorn pullets 1 year old were used for the experiment. Fifteen birds served as controls and were killed on day zero; the remaining birds were placed on a calcium-deficient diet (0.13% calcium) and sacrificed after 4, 7, and 12 days of treatment in groups of 15. Serum levels of calcium, PTH, and estrogens were also measured. Chemical analysis of the samples were made for total nitrogen, hydroxyproline, hexosamine, hexoses, calcium, and phosphorus. Collagen and proteoglycans of the matrix of medullary bone of the egg-laying hens were found to be affected by the low-calcium diet. They either increased or decreased during the experiment but never in parallel. The increment of serum PTH is considered responsible for the variations in the amount of collagen. The effects of this hormone are magnified by the fall of serum estrogens as shown also by variations in the amounts of noncollagenous protein. In the late phase of the diet the matrix is represented by poorly calcified osteoid tissue rich in noncollagenous protein, i.e., proteoglycans and glycoproteins.

Animals↗

Ca2+-binding glycoprotein in avian bone induced by estrogen.

The discovery in calcifying cartilage of a glycoprotein, endowed with high calcium affinity and alkaline phosphatase activity, has prompted the investigation of the presence of this compound in other calcified tissues. From medullary bone, a tissue which is highly mineralized under estrogen stimulus, a glycoprotein has been extracted which had the properties described. Besides the high calcium affinity (KD = 10(-7)M), this protein shows phosphatase activity and rate of hydrolysis of ATP, GTP and pyrophosphate was measured. Analysis of the chemical composition of the matrix of the medullary bone indicates that proteoglycans are present in large amounts. The calcium binding glycoprotein appears to be a compound present in different calcified tissues.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

Enzymatic properties of the Ca2+-binding glycoprotein isolated from preosseous cartilage.

The Ca2+-binding glycoprotein isolated from preosseous cartilage shows also alkaline phosphatase activity. The purification procedure indicates that the enzyme is inhibited in crude extract and conceivably in the intact tissue; the activity may be controlled by the proteoglycans present in the matrix. Other substrates are hydrolyzed by the purified enzyme in addition to p-nitrophenylphosphate; the highest specific activity was measured with ATP and pyrophosphate (PPi) at pH 7.5 and 9.0 Mg2+ induces an activation of ATP and PPi hydrolysis; Ca2+ activates hydrolysis of ATP but inhibits that of PPi. The glycoprotein shows also transphosphorylase activity, L-serine being the best phosphate acceptor. The release or transfer of Pi catalyzed by the glycoprotein can be an important step in calcium phosphate precipitation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Short-TE projection reconstruction NMR microscopy of trabecular bone.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of projection reconstruction (PR) NMR microscopy in the quantitative evaluation of trabecular bone architecture. Short-TE PR spin-echo microimages were acquired at 7.05 T on normal bone explants. The main structural parameters such as bone volume fraction (BVF), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp.) were obtained from the 3D microimages using the method of directed secants. Quantitative structural data were then compared with those derived from conventional spin-echo microimages. Our study indicates that projection reconstruction NMR microscopy promises to be more accurate than the conventional FTI method in the analysis of trabecular bone.

Animals↗