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F Widmer

Publications and source records attributed to F Widmer.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Phosphorylation-site mutagenesis of the growth-associated protein GAP-43 modulates its effects on cell spreading and morphology.

The 43-kD growth-associated protein (GAP-43) is a major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of axonal growth cones, developing nerve terminals, regenerating axons, and adult central nervous system areas associated with plasticity. It is a cytosolic protein associated with the cortical cytoskeleton and the plasmalemma. Membrane association of GAP-43 is mediated by palmitoylation at Cys3Cys4. In vitro and in vivo, phosphorylation by PKC exclusively involves Ser41 of mammalian GAP-43 (corresponding to Ser42 in the chick protein). To identify aspects of GAP-43 function, we analyzed the actions of wild-type, membrane-association, and phosphorylation-site mutants of GAP-43 in nonneuronal cell lines. The GAP-43 constructs were introduced in L6 and COS-7 cells by transient transfection. Like the endogenous protein in neurons and their growth cones, GAP-43 in nonneuronal cells associated with the cell periphery. GAP-43 accumulated in the pseudopods of spreading cells and appeared to interact with cortical actin-containing filaments. Spreading L6 cells expressing high levels of recombinant protein displayed a characteristic F-actin labeling pattern consisting of prominent radial arrays of peripheral actin filaments. GAP-43 had dramatic effects on local surface morphology. Characteristic features of GAP-43-expressing cells were irregular cell outlines with prominent and numerous filopodia. The effects of GAP-43 on cell morphology required association with the cell membrane, since GAP-43(Ala3Ala4), a mutant that failed to associate with the cell cortex, had no morphogenetic activity. Two GAP-43 phosphorylation mutants (Ser42 to Ala42 preventing and Ser42 to Asp42 mimicking phosphorylation by PKC) modulated the effects of GAP-43 in opposite ways. Cells expressing GAP-43(Asp42) spread extensively and displayed large and irregular membranous extensions with little filopodia, whereas GAP-43(Ala42) produced small, poorly spreading cells with numerous short filopodia. Therefore, GAP-43 influences cell surface behavior and phosphorylation modulates its activity. The presence of GAP-43 in growing axons and developing nerve termini may affect the behavior of their actin-containing cortical cytoskeleton in a regulatable manner.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1991

Amidation of growth hormone releasing factor (1-29) by serine carboxypeptidase catalysed transpeptidation.

The applicability of serine carboxypeptidase catalysed transpeptidation reactions, using amino acid amides as nucleophiles, for C-terminal amidation of peptides has been investigated. With the aim of converting an unamidated precursor into GRF(1-29)-NH2, an interesting biologically active derivative of growth hormone releasing factor, a number of model reactions were initially investigated. In such a transpeptidation reaction, where the C-terminal amino acid is replaced by the amino acid amide, used as nucleophile, the C-terminal amino acid residue of the substrate can be chosen freely since it functions as leaving group and does not constitute part of the product. Since the C-terminal sequence of GRF(1-29)-NH2 is -Met-Ser-Arg-NH2 the model reactions Bz-Met-Ser-X-OH (X = Ala, Leu, Arg) + H-Arg-NH2----Bz-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2 + H-X-OH were first studied. With carboxypeptidase Y and X = Ala or Leu the amidated product could be obtained of 98% and 41%, respectively. With carboxypeptidase W-II and X = Arg a yield of no more than 72% could be obtained. The choice of Ala as leaving group in combination with carboxypeptidase Y therefore appeared optimal. With the longer peptide Bz-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Ala-OH the amidated product could be obtained in a yield of 78%, using carboxypeptidase Y, the only other product being Bz-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-OH, formed due to the competing hydrolysis reaction. The full length peptide GRF(1-28)-Ala-OH was synthesized by the continuous flow polyamide solid-phase method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amides↗
PubMed1991

Carboxypeptidase mediated C-terminal amidation of polypeptide acids.

The possibilities of obtaining polypeptide amides in good yields from polypeptide acids by carboxypeptidase catalyzed transpeptidation have been investigated in different C-terminal amidations catalysed by CPD-Y, placing particular emphasis on the structure of the leaving group. In models for GRF(1-29) acid, larger hydrophilic leaving groups like threonine were particularly useful in reactions with arginine amide acting as nucleophile. In models for calcitonin acids, good results were obtained using also large hydrophobics like methionine and tryptophane in amidations with ammonia acting as nucleophile. Influences on both rate and synthetic efficiency of similar trend, but different magnitude, were observed in both salmon and human calcitonin models and high yields were attainable also in longer peptides or if recombinant secreted enzyme was employed.

Amides↗
PubMed1990

Identification, localization, and primary structure of CAP-23, a particle-bound cytosolic protein of early development.

We report the identification of CAP-23, a novel particle-bound cytosolic protein associated with developing cells in both mammalian and avian tissues. CAP-23 was a substrate for purified protein kinase C (PKC) in vitro, and the protein was phosphorylated in a PMA-sensitive manner in cultured cells, indicating that it is a PKC substrate in situ. cDNA coding for chick CAP-23 was isolated. The deduced sequence revealed an unusual amino acid composition that strikingly resembled that of rat GAP-43, a growth-associated neuron-specific PKC substrate. Further predicted features of CAP-23 included a PKC phosphorylation site at Ser-6, and the presence of basic NH2- and COOH-terminal domains. CAP-23 was encoded by an mRNA of approximately 1.5 kb, whose distribution during chick development resembled that of the corresponding protein. Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of a single main hybridizing species in the chick genome. The distribution of CAP-23 during development was analyzed with Western blots and by immunofluorescence on tissue sections. In cultured cells the protein appeared to be distributed in a regular spotted pattern below the entire cell surface. In early chick embryos (E2), CAP-23 was present in most if not all cells. The protein then became progressively restricted to only some developing tissues and to only certain cells in these tissues. In most tissues CAP-23 levels fell below detection limits between E15 and E19. Highest levels of the protein were found in the nervous system, where CAP-23 levels peaked around E18, and where elevated levels were still detectable at birth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

On the design of urokinase-labile prodrugs II. Structure-activity relationships in the urokinase catalyzed hydrolysis of H-GluGlyArg-anilides and -benzylamide.

Six H-GluGlyArg-anilides with different ortho or para substituents in the aniline group, and H-GluGlyArg-benzylamide were synthesized. KM and kcat for the urokinase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the compounds were determined at 37 degrees C and pH 7.40. In the initial rate measurements, HPLC was used for product quantitation. KM varied between 0.20 mM and 8.9 mM, whereas kcat varied between 0.8s-1 and 16.5s-1 for the investigated substrates. A Hammett plot and a "Charton plot" of the rate data are presented. kcat were, to a minor extent, dependent on the pKa of the leaving group, whereas steric effects had a more marked influence on the overall rate constant. A o-benzyl substituent in the aniline-leaving group exerts less sterical hindrance to the enzymatic hydrolysis than expected from the Charton plot. The significance of the results in relation to the development of urokinase labile dextran prodrugs in discussed.

Drug Design↗
PubMed1984

A model for the distribution and clearance of inert substances in subcutaneous tissue.

The subcutaneous space has received attention in recent years as a route for the continuous administration of drugs and implantation of drug delivery systems. Yet little work has been devoted to an examination of the mass transport (distribution) of drugs in the subcutaneous space and the factors that influence their rate of clearance. A mathematical model is developed to describe the spreading and resorption of substances infused into the subcutaneous space. It simulates radial diffusion and flow in the direction of spreading as well as lateral convection into the systemic circulation. An analytic solution is obtained for the distribution of the substance as a function of time and position in the subcutaneous space. Two independent parameters, v (Péclét no.) and H (generalized Biot no.), are found to control the transport. Examples are presented to illustrate the effects of these parameters on the distribution of substances in the subcutaneous space.

Absorption↗
PubMed1982

Calf rennet lysozyme.

A glycosidase displaying endo-N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase specificity (EC 3.2.1.17) was isolated from calf rennet. This lysozyme was also present in abomasal secretions from calf and adult cattle. Multiple molecular forms revealed by electrofocusing might be artefacts. The main enzyme form had Mr approx. 15 000, pH optimum 5.0, pI7.5, and a remarkable conformation stability. Competitive inhibition was observed with both N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid, with apparent Ki values of 29 mM and 2.4 mM respectively. The isolated enzyme also displayed significant chitinase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

beta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger. Separation and characterization of three multiple forms.

The enzyme beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) from Aspergillus niger was purified and resolved into three multiple forms, using molecular sieving, ion-exchange, an hydrophobic chromatography. The isolated enzyme forms accounted for 83%, 8%, and 9% of the total beta-galactosidase activity, respectively. They were glycoproteins with estimated molecular weights of 124,000, 150,000 and 173,000, isoelectric points of about 4.6, and pH optima between 2.5 and 4.0. Amino acid and carbohydrate analyses showed that multiplicity was mainly due to dissimilar carbohydrate contents (about 12.5%, 20.5% and 29% neutral carbohydrates, respectively). The multiple form pattern might depend on the culture conditions. The beta-galactosidase forms were heat-stable up to about 60 degrees C. The Km values for lactose ranged from 85 mM to 125 mM, whereas those for the synthetic substrate o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside were equal to about 2.4 mM. The V values obtained at 30 degrees C for lactose and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside were 104 units/mg enzyme protein and 121 units/mg enzyme protein, respectively (weighted averages for the three enzyme forms). The slight reactional dissimilarities between the three enzyme forms are unlikely to be physiologically relevant. The biological significance of A. niger beta-galactosidase multiplicity might be related to the observed differences in carbohydrate content, as suggested by recent reports on other microbial glycoprotein enzymes.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1976

Regulatory properties of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Kinetic studies and fluorescence titration.

Mechanisms involved in the action of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EC 1.6.1.1) have been investigated by means of kinetic studies and fluorescence titration. Our results, as well as those from previous investigations, suggest that the allosteric MWC model (Monod, J., Wyman, J., and Changeux, J. P. (1965), J. Mol. Biol. 12, 88-118) may be used as a first step for the explanation of the properties of the transhydrogenase. The basic reaction of the enzyme is the oxidation of reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPNH) by diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN+). In terms of the model, the functional R state is favored by TPNH, whereas the product triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPN+) behaves as an allosteric inhibitor, and is therefore assumed to favor the nonfunctional T state. To a slight extent, the T state is also favored by inorganic phosphate. On the other hand, adenosine 2'-monophosphate and several other 2'-phosphate nucleotides function as activators, and hence are presumed to shift the allosteric equilibrium toward the R state. The studies in this paper suggest a specific regulatory site for the transhydrogenase.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1976

Regulatory properties of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Active enzyme ultracentrifugation studies.

Active enzyme ultracentrifugation studies of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EC 1.6.1.1.) show that the enzymatic reaction is catalyzed by a molecular species characterized by an S20,W value of about 34 S, whatever the reduced substrate may be (tri- or diphosphopyridine nucleotide). The filamentous aggregated form of the enzyme (S20,W = 121 S and higher), identified by previous investigations (Cohen, P. T., and Kaplan, N. O. (1970), J. Biol. Chem. 245, 2825-2836; Louie, D. D., Kaplan, N. O., and Mc Lean, J. D. (1972), J. Mol. Biol. 70, 651-664), appears, therefore, to be an inactive species. The physiological implications of the enzyme are discussed. Several lines of evidence lead to the conclusion that the transhydrogenase might act as an essential link between carbohydrate catabolism and the respiratory chain.

Macromolecular Substances↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dissection autoradiography: a screening technique using storage phosphor autoradiography to detect the biodistribution of radiolabelled compounds.

INTRODUCTION: This study reports an alternative, rapid, whole body autoradiography technique which utilises storage-phosphor imaging technology. Conventionally, tissue or whole body sections have been used to examine the distribution of radiolabelled test compounds. However, the information acquired relates only to the sections examined, and the amount of radioactivity within the whole organ cannot be quantified. We have developed a rapid semi-quantitative technique that produces a concise visual representation of the distribution of the isotope throughout the entire animal: dissection autoradiography (DAR). METHODS: By dissecting a mouse which has been administered 14C-labelled methotrexate (MTX) and drying the tissues on a gel dryer, whole organs and aliquots of body fluids can be exposed to a phosphor imaging plate. The data obtained was analysed with the software associated with the phosphor imaging system and, by using 14C standards, the amount of 14C per total organ or tissue was quantified relative to other samples. Another widely used method to detect radiolabelled material in vivo is tissue solubilisation (TS) followed by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). This conventional method was compared with DAR. RESULTS: The new technique described in this communication was found to have a high level of reproducibility (R(2)= 88-95%). Whilst DAR was less sensitive than TS and LSC, trends over time in the biodistribution of 14C-MTX throughout most tissues were consistent between techniques. DISCUSSION: Whilst TS and LSC was a more sensitive technique, it was labour intensive and expensive in terms of consumables and time when compared with DAR. Dissection autoradiography has the potential to be used to screen quickly large numbers of samples in the biodistribution studies of various conjugates, isomers, derivatives or formulations of a parent compound, following a variety of routes of administration.

Animals↗