Biomedical subjects

I Svendsen

Publications and source records attributed to I Svendsen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

A novel thermostable inhibitor of trypsin and subtilisin from the seeds of Brassica nigra: amino acid sequence, inhibitory and spectroscopic properties and thermostability.

A novel thermostable protein inhibitor of trypsin and subtilisin, called BN, was isolated from the seeds of Brassica nigra. The purified protein gave a single band on SDS-PAGE, corresponding to a molecular mass of 15 500 +/- 1000 Da. The inhibitor is composed of two disulfide-linked polypeptide chains, consisting of 39 and 90 residues, respectively. The amino acid sequence of the two chains was determined by Edman degradation of peptides, isolated from enzyme hydrolysates with TPCK-trypsin, EndoLysC proteinase and a Glu-specific proteinase of reduced and vinylpyridinated protein samples. A segment of the 'heavy' chain, between residues 65 and 81, showed homology with the reactive site loop region of the 6-kDa trypsin inhibitors from Nicotiana alata. The basic residue in position 39 (N. alata) or 70 (napins) is conserved as arginine or lysine in all inhibitors from N. alata and in all napins hitherto sequenced. Probably, the two families of trypsin inhibitors have structurally similar reactive sites. BN exhibits an extremely high thermostability: CD measurements showed that during heating to 97 degrees C it preserves a considerable part of the polypeptide backbone folding. Studies on the fluorescence properties of the inhibitor BN in the absence and presence of neutral or ionic quenchers demonstrated that the intrinsic emission of this protein is dominated by a tryptophyl residue, buried in the interior of the protein matrix. 20% of the light absorbed by Tyr 63 of the 'heavy' chain is transferred to Trp 26 of the 'light' chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

The glyoxysomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase precursor from Brassica napus has enzymatic activity when synthesized in Escherichia coli.

Glyoxysomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase is the last enzyme in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids in plant glyoxysomes. A full-length cDNA of the glyoxysomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase from Brassica napus and a truncated version, lacking the N-terminal targeting signal were cloned in a T7 promoter-based vector. Both recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and activity was measured. Full-length and truncated 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase have comparable activity in E. coli. Moreover, full-length 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase was purified from E. coli and N-terminal sequencing of the protein confirmed that the precursor form indeed is enzymatically active.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase↗

PubMed1997

Characterization of the substrate specificity of the major cysteine protease (cruzipain) from Trypanosoma cruzi using a portion-mixing combinatorial library and fluorogenic peptides.

The substrate specificity of the major cysteinyl proteinase of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (cruzipain) was investigated, by combinatorial replacement of amino acid residues at positions P5-P'5, using a fluorescent quenched solid-phase library assay. Positively charged residues appear to be a general preference in the P5-P3 and the P'5-P'3 positions, while a hydrophobic residue was always required at the P2 position. A broad range of amino acids could be accepted at the P'1 position. A clear difference in terms of specificity between cruzipain and human cathepsin L was observed for the accommodation of Pro at the P2 position. The P1 specificity was investigated by a more detailed enzyme kinetic analysis using peptidyl-MCA (where MCA is methylcoumarin amide) and Abz-peptidyl-EDDnp [where Abz is o-aminobenzoic acid and EDDnp is N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethylenediamine] as substrates, and the results were compared with those obtained using human cathepsin L. Cruzipain showed a clear preference for benzyl-Cys or Arg at the P1 position. Human cathepsin L presented similar behaviour to that of cruzipain for the hydrolysis of the epsilon-NH2-Cap-Leu-Xaa-MCA (where Cap is epsilon-aminocaproyl) and Abz-Lys-Leu-Xaa-Phe-Ser-Lys-Gln-EDDnp series, whereas the mammalian enzyme was able to tolerate large P1 residues, such as phenylalanine, better than cruzipain in the latter series.

Alanine↗

PubMed1997

A mitochondrial-like targeting signal on the hydrogenosomal malic enzyme from the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis: support for the hypothesis that hydrogenosomes are modified mitochondria.

The hydrogenosomal malic enzyme (ME) was purified from the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis. Using reverse genetics, the corresponding cDNA was isolated and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence of the ME showed high similarity to ME from metazoa, plants and protists. Putative functional domains for malate and NAD+/NADP+ binding were identified. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the new ME suggests that it is homologous to reference bacterial and eukaryotic ME. Most interestingly, the cDNA codes for a protein which contains a 27-amino-acid N-terminus which is not present on the purified mature protein. This presequence shares features with known mitochondrial targeting signals, including an enrichment in Ala, Leu, Ser, and Arg, and the presence of an Arg at position-2 relative to amino acid 1 of the mature protein. This is the first report of a mitochondrial-like targeting signal on a hydrogenosomal enzyme from an anaerobic fungus and provides support for the hypothesis that hydrogenosomes in Neocallimastix frontalis might be modified mitochondria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Isolation and reconstitution of cytochrome P450ox and in vitro reconstitution of the entire biosynthetic pathway of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin from sorghum.

A cytochrome P450, designated P450ox, that catalyzes the conversion of (Z)-p-hydroxyphenylacetaldoxime (oxime) to p-hydroxymandelonitrile in the biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucoside beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-(S)-p-hydroxymandelonitrile (dhurrin), has been isolated from microsomes prepared from etiolated seedlings of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). P450ox was solubilized using nonionic detergents, and isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, Triton X-114 phase partitioning, and dye-column chromatography. P450ox has an apparent molecular mass of 55 kD, its N-terminal amino acid sequence is -ATTATPQLLGGSVP, and it contains the internal sequence MDRLVADLDRAAA. Reconstitution of P450ox with NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase in micelles of L-alpha-dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine identified P450ox as a multifunctional P450 catalyzing dehydration of (Z)-oxime to p-hydroxyphenylaceto-nitrile (nitrile) and C-hydroxylation of p-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile to nitrile. P450ox is extremely labile compared with the P450s previously isolated from sorghum. When P450ox is reconstituted in the presence of a soluble uridine diphosphate glucose glucosyltransferase, oxime is converted to dhurrin. In vitro reconstitution of the entire dhurrin biosynthetic pathway from tyrosine was accomplished by the insertion of CYP79 (tyrosine N-hydroxylase), P450ox, and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase in lipid micelles in the presence of uridine diphosphate glucose glucosyltransferase. The catalysis of the conversion of Tyr into nitrile by two multifunctional P450s explains why all intermediates in this pathway except (Z)-oxime are channeled.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Isolation and reconstitution of the heme-thiolate protein obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase from Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

The heme-thiolate (cytochrome P450) enzyme which catalyzes the 14alpha-demethylation of obtusifoliol has been isolated from microsomes prepared from etiolated seedlings of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. The obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase is a key enzyme in plant sterol biosynthesis and a target for the design of phyla-specific sterol 14alpha-demethylase inhibitors. Microsomal cytochrome P450s were solubilized by using the detergents Renex 690 and reduced Triton X-100, and the obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase was isolated by DEAE ion exchange and dye affinity column chromatography. The isolated enzyme has an absorption spectrum characteristic for low spin cytochrome P450s and produces a Type I binding spectrum with obtusifoliol as substrate. Binding spectra were not obtained with lanosterol, campesterol, sitosterol, or stigmasterol. Obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase has an apparent molecular mass of 53 kDa and is estimated to constitute approximately 20% of the total cytochrome P450 content of the microsomal membranes and about 0.2% of the total microsomal protein. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of reconstitution experiments with dilauroylphosphatidylcholine micelles containing isolated obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase and sorghum NADPHcytochrome P450 oxidoreductase demonstrated the conversion of obtusifoliol (4alpha,14alpha-dimethyl-5alpha-ergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-3beta-ol) to 4alpha-methyl-5alpha-ergosta-8,14, 24(28)-trien3beta-ol, the 14alpha-demethylated product of obtusifoliol with a double bond introduced at the Delta14 position. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein is MDLADIPQ/KQQRLMAGXALVV. Five internal sequences were obtained after endoproteinase Lys-C and Glu-C digestion. The fragment AAGAFSYISFGGGRH aligns with the unique heme binding domain of mammalian and yeast sterol 14alpha-demethylases which belong to the CYP51 family. Therefore it is conceivable that the obtusifoliol 14alpha-demethylase from plants also belongs to the CYP51 family, the only P450 family so far known to be conserved across the phyla.

Carbon Monoxide↗

PubMed1996

Primary structure of the plant serpin BSZ7 having the capacity of chymotrypsin inhibition.

The primary structure of barley grain serpin BSZ7 was deduced from a cDNA encoding 397 amino-acid residues. More than 70% of the residues were confirmed by sequencing peptide fragments. The N-terminus was identified as an acetylated Ala by using mass spectrometry coupled with amino-acid analysis. None of the four putative N-glycosylation sites were found to be glycosylated. The positional identity of BSZ7 with plant and mammalian serpins is 69-72% and 25-32%, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Plant glyoxysomal but not mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase can fold without chaperone assistance.

Glyoxysomal (gMDH) and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) from watermelon are synthesized as higher molecular weight precursor proteins. By overexpressing the precursor forms as well as the mature subunits with a histidine arm at the carboxy-terminus, it has been possible to purify relatively large amounts especially of the glyoxysomal precursor protein for studies of their refolding capacities after denaturation with guanidinium hydrochloride, heat or low pH. Glyoxysomal MDH and its precursor is capable of its spontaneous folding over a wide range of temperature conditions. Refolding can be enhanced by inclusion of BSA and ATP as stabilisers in the folding buffer. The N-terminal transit peptide of gMDH facilitates folding, but does not function as an intramolecular chaperon. Chemically denatured mitochondrial MDH requires chaperones for refolding. GroEL/GroES/ATP increase the yield and rate of watermelon mMDH folding dramatically while GroEL and Mg-ATP alone are not sufficient to provide folding assistance similar to the results with hydrophobic mammalian mMDH. The watermelon glyoxysomal MDH interacts with GroEL-like hydrophilic mammalian cytoplasmic MDH, a binding which has to be released by Mg-ATP before spontaneous folding can ensue. Interestingly, watermelon mMDH exhibited a much higher heat stability than gMDH or mammalian mMDH in the presence of BSA/ATP as well as GroEL/GroES/ATP. The differences between glyoxysomal and chaperone-assisted mitochondrial folding patterns are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1996

Expression and divalent cation binding properties of the novel chemotactic inflammatory protein psoriasin.

Psoriasin is a novel chemotactic inflammatory protein that possesses weak similarity to the S100 family members of Ca(2+)-binding proteins, and that is highly up-regulated in hyperproliferative psoriatic keratinocytes. Here we have used the psoriasin cDNA to express recombinant human (rh) psoriasin in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein containing a hexa His tag and a factor Xa cleavage site in the NH2-terminus. The protein was purified by affinity chromatography on Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid agarose, digested with factor Xa, further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and characterized by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and NH2-terminal sequencing. The ability of rh psoriasin to bind Ca2+, Zn2+, and Mg2+ was determined by dialysis experiments. We found that rh psoriasin may bind at least seven molecules of Ca2+ in KCl and several molecules in NaCl, with an affinity for the first bound molecule of 1.3-1.6 x 10(4) M-1. This indicates that psoriasin may cooperatively bind several molecules of Ca2+ when present in the extracellular space, or putatively, if localized in subcellular compartments where the concentration of Ca2+ is relatively high. At least eight molecules of Zn2+ were bound in KCl and four in NaCl, with an affinity just below 1 x 10(4) M-1 for the first molecule. Thus psoriasin does not bind significant amounts of Zn2+ at physiological concentrations. Mg2+ and Ca2+ are bound anti-cooperatively and binding of each of the ions (Ca2+, Zn2+, or Mg2+), is accompanied by conformational changes that move tyrosine residues to more hydrophobic areas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Transplanting two unique beta-glucanase catalytic activities into one multienzyme, which forms glucose.

Endo cellulases of plant pathogenic erwinias degrade cellulose as well as the cellulosic domains of barley (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucan. Depolymerization of the latter substrate is mainly caused by (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucanases, which hydrolyze (1-4)-beta glycosidic linkages adjacent to (1-3)-beta linkages. To construct an enzyme for efficient degradation of barley (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucan, the sequence encoding the catalytic domain and interdomain linker of the cellulase from Erwinia carotovora subspecies atroseptica was fused to that for the heat stable Bacillus hybrid, H(A12-M) delta Y13 (1-3,1-4)-beta glucanase. The chimeric enzyme secreted from Escherichia coli cells did not remain covalently assembled as judged by SDS-PAGE. However, the glycosylated and intact enzyme (denoted CELGLU) is secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris. CELGLU exhibits both cellulase and (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucanase catalytic activities, and was accordingly classified a true multienzyme. HPLC and NMR analyses revealed that among the products from CELGLU, di- and trimeric oligosaccharides were identical to those produced by the parental cellulase. Tetrameric oligosaccharides, derived from the (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucanase activity of CELGLU, were further degraded by the cellulase moiety to yield glucose and trimers. Compared with the parental enzymes, CELGLU exhibits substantially higher Vmax for degradation of both soluble cellulose and barley (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucan. These findings point to construction of multienzymes as an effective approach for engineering enzymes with novel characteristics.

Artificial Gene Fusion↗

PubMed1996

Evidence for a major role for glucagon in regulation of plasma glucose in conscious, nondiabetic, and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

Effects of glucagon immunoneutralization on plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon were studied 2-4 h after intravenous injection of a high-affinity, monoclonal glucagon antibody into normal as well as moderately and severely alloxan (ALX)-induced diabetic rabbits (n = 5-7). A monoclonal trinitrophenyl antibody was used in control studies. Endogenous glucagon was completely neutralized as evidenced by undetectable levels of free glucagon and high plasma glucagon-binding capacities. In postabsorbtive normal rabbits, glucagon neutralization decreased plasma glucose by 2.2 +/- 0.3 mmol/l, and the resulting plasma levels of insulin and glucagon (indirectly measured) were 8 +/- 3 and 640 +/- 129% of baseline, respectively. However, when euglycemia was maintained by means of glucose infusion (steady-state plasma glucose and glucose infusion rate: 6.6 +/- 0.1 mmol/l and 3.0 +/- 0.4 mg.kg-1.min-1), both plasma insulin and glucagon remained unaltered. Thus, the glucose infusion rate accurately reflects glucagon's contribution to postabsorbtive glucose production. In both moderately and severely diabetic rabbits, immunoneutralization of glucagon decreased plasma glucose by approximately 8 mmol/l, leading to euglycemia (7.3 +/- 1.1 mmol/l) and reduced hyperinsulinemia (41 +/- 9% of baseline) in the former and to partial restoration of euglycemia (12.7 +/- 1.8 mmol/l) and unchanged insulin levels in the latter group of diabetic rabbits (P < 0.05 vs. controls in all studies). No significant changes were observed in control studies. In conclusion, glucagon is an important regulator of postabsorbtive glucose production in normal rabbits and plays an important role in the maintenance of hyperglycemia in ALX-induced diabetic rabbits.

Alloxan↗

PubMed1995

The primary sequence of cytochrome P450tyr, the multifunctional N-hydroxylase catalyzing the conversion of L-tyrosine to p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde oxime in the biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

The heme thiolate protein cytochrome P450tyr is a multifunctional N-hydroxylase converting L-tyrosine to p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde oxime in the biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin in Sorghum bicolor (Sibbesen et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 3506-3511). Using a polyclonal antibody toward cytochrome P450tyr and oligonucleotide probes designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of tryptic fragments, a full-length cDNA clone encoding cytochrome P450tyr has been isolated and sequenced. The open reading frame encodes a protein with a molecular mass of 61,887 Da. A comparison with the amino acid sequencing data demonstrates that the protein is not subjected to posttranslational modification at the N- and C-terminal ends except for the removal of the N-terminal methionine residue. Highest positional identity (30.8%) is found to the 3',5'-flavonoid hydroxylase of petunia (CYP75A1) and to a cytochrome P450 sequence from avocado of unknown function (CYP71A1). Consequently, cytochrome P450tyr is assigned as the first member of a new cytochrome P450 family denoted CYP79. The N-terminal region of cytochrome P450tyr contains the four domains characteristic for cytochrome P450 enzymes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in animals. The amino acid sequence before the proline-rich domain is longer in cytochrome P450tyr and in four cytochrome P450s presently available from other monocotyledoneous plants compared to the sequences from dicotyledoneous plants but is concluded to contain a single transmembrane helix with the N-terminal located in the lumen of the ER and the bulk of the protein protruding into the cytoplasm. The heme-binding cysteine residue of cytochrome P450tyr is recognizable at position 493 but this region deviates from the consensus sequence by having an unusual alanine residue at position 495. The central region of helix I contains three residues, Ala-352, Asn-355, and Pro-356, deviating from the consensus sequence. CYP56 is the only other known cytochrome P450 using tyrosine as substrate and contains the same Asn-Pro substitution in the consensus sequence of helix I indicating the importance of these residues in defining substrate specificity. The conserved threonine residue which normally helps to form the oxygen binding pocket is absent. The cytochrome P450tyr sequence represents the first amino acid sequence of a functionally characterized cytochrome P450 enzyme from a monocotyledoneous plant and the first sequence of a membrane-bound N-hydroxylase with high substrate specificity. Multifunctional N-hydroxylases of the cytochrome P450 type have not been previously demonstrated to catalyze biosynthetic pathways in living organisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

The primary structure of carboxypeptidase S3 from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991.

The complete amino acid sequence of penicillopeptidase S3, a serine carboxypeptidase isolated from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991, has been determined. The enzyme consists of 481 amino acids arranged in a single polypeptide chain. Six glycosylation sites were established in positions 41, 218, 256, 326, 384 and 392. The molecule contains six cysteinyl residues among which disulfide bridges was established between Cys-71-Cys-333 and Cys-233-Cys-289. Carboxypeptidase S3 is homologous to carboxypeptidase PEPF (or carboxypeptidase I) from Aspergillus niger (67% identical positions). It is proposed that these enzymes form a separate sub-family among the serine carboxypeptidases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Arg-27, Arg-127 and Arg-155 in the beta-trefoil protein barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor are interface residues in the complex with barley alpha-amylase 2.

Arginine residues in barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) involved in binding to barely alpha-amylase 2 (AMY2) were differentially labelled using AMY2 as protectant and phenylglyoxal (PGO) and [14C]PGO as modifying agents. Chymotryptic fragments of labelled BASI were purified by reverse-phase HPLC, and we concluded that the radiolabelled Arg-27, Arg-155 and most likely Arg-127, identified by amino acid, sequence and 14C analyses, are protected by AMY2. While Arg-106 and Arg-107 showed intermediate reactivity and apparently were only partly accessible, Arg-15, Arg-41 and Arg-61 reacted with PGO and were thus exposed in the BASI-AMY2 complex. Patterns of arginine modification by [14C]PGO in free or in AMY2-complexed BASI were consistent with the results of differential labelling. The AMY2-protected arginines in BASI are at a distance from each other, as deduced from crystal structures of different beta-trefoil proteins (Erythrina caffra and soybean trypsin inhibitors, interleukin-1 alpha and -1 beta and WASI, the wheat homologue), suggesting that the BASI-AMY2 complex has multiple contacts at a larger interface. Accordingly, 11-16-residue-long BASI oligopeptides synthesized to include Arg-27, Arg-106/Arg-107 or Arg-127 were unable to suppress the formation of BASI-AMY2 or the effect of an inhibitory monoclonal antibody to BASI. Since Arg-27 is not conserved in rice and wheat ASIs, we further propose that Arg-155 in BASI is the kinetically identified PGO-sensitive group that is essential for inhibition [Abe, Sidenius and Svensson (1993) Biochem. J. 293, 151-155].

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Biochemical and molecular characterization of a barley seed beta-glucosidase.

A 60-kDa beta-glucosidase (BGQ60) was purified and characterized from seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). BGQ60 catalytic activity was restricted to the cleavage of short-chain oligosaccharides composed of (1-2)-, (1-3)-, and/or (1-4)-beta-linked glucose or mannose units. These oligosaccharides are the primary products of endosperm cell wall polysaccharide hydrolysis by other enzymes. In keeping with this, complete hydrolysis of the major polysaccharide of barley starchy endosperm cell wall, (1-3,1-4)-beta-glucan, to free glucose was shown to require the concerted action of endo-(1-3,1-4)-beta-glucanase and BGQ60. The complete amino acid sequence of BGQ60 was determined by protein sequencing combined with the deduced sequence of the corresponding cDNA and genomic clones. The BGQ60 primary structure exhibits extensive homology to members of glycosyl hydrolase family 1 (EC 3.2.1.21). Southern and Northern blot analysis with the cDNA as probe indicated that BGQ60 is encoded by a single gene, and that BGQ60 mRNA only accumulates in the starch endosperm tissue of late developing seeds. The bgq60 structural gene of approximately 5 kilobases contains an open reading frame encoding 485 amino acids interrupted by 9 introns. The complete nucleotide sequence of the bgq60 structural gene represents the first characterized plant gene encoding a beta-glucosidase. The barley BGQ60 is a novel plant beta-glucosidase with a hitherto undescribed specific enzymatic activity. The possible biological functions of BGQ60 during barley seed development and germination are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Analysis of the primary structure of the chloroplast isozyme of triosephosphate isomerase from rye leaves by protein and cDNA sequencing indicates a eukaryotic origin of its gene.

The primary structure of the chloroplast isozyme of triosephosphate isomerase from rye leaves was identified by protein and cDNA sequencing and compared to the deduced amino acid sequence of a cDNA for the cytosolic isozyme. The mature cytosolic and chloroplast isozyme proteins share 64% amino acid sequence identity. The cDNA for the chloroplast isozyme codes for a precursor protein consisting of an N-terminal transit peptide of Mr 4351 and a mature subunit of Mr 27,282. Southern blot analysis indicates that the two rye isozymes are encoded by two independent single genes. Amino acid residues or sequence regions of basic functional relevance in known triosephosphate isomerases are strictly conserved in the chloroplast isozyme. The chloroplast isozyme contains 6 cysteine residues, instead of 4 in the cytosolic isozyme. A cysteine at position 143 of the chloroplast isozyme appears to be modified. Phylogenetic trees constructed on the basis of sequence comparisons for triosephosphate isomerases from different species of all major taxonomic groups indicate that the chloroplast isozyme is much more closely related to eukaryotic cytosolic enzymes than to eubacterial enzymes. The results indicate that the nuclear gene for the chloroplast isozyme originated with that for the cytosolic isozyme through duplication of an ancestral eukaryotic gene, rather than through gene transfer from a prokaryotic endosymbiont.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Isolation by anion-exchange of immunologically and enzymatically active human islet glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells.

The enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase is a major autoantigen of the beta cell. Autoantibodies against this enzyme are observed before the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in man and may be of predictive value. There is evidence that this enzyme is involved in the development of autoimmune diabetes in animals. In order to facilitate the investigation of the role of L-glutamine acid decarboxylase in IDDM, we expressed the 65 kDa isoform of human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase in insect cells using a baculovirus-based vector. The material was expressed at high levels (up to 50 mg/l of cells). Partially purified metabolically labelled L-glutamic acid decarboxylase bound to immunoglobulins in the sera from 20 of 49 subjects with newly-diagnosed IDDM. The enzyme was isolated in high yields (up to 26 mg/l cell culture) with fully maintained enzymatic activity by either ion-exchange chromatography or immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified L-glutamic acid decarboxylase inhibited the binding of radioactive L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, prepared by in vitro translation of mRNA, to immunoglobulins in the sera of subjects with IDDM. Recombinant human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, isolated from Sf9 cells, is a suitable material for the large scale investigation of the utility of this enzyme in the prediction and prevention of autoimmune diabetes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Role of glucagon in maintenance of euglycemia in fed and fasted rats.

The role of glucagon in the regulation of blood glucose in fed and fasted anesthetized rats was studied by injecting intravenously 4 ml/kg of a high-capacity (40 nmol/ml) high-affinity (0.6 x 10(11) mol/l) monoclonal glucagon antibody. Blood glucose was lowered by the antibody by 2 mmol/l in fed rats but remained unchanged in 10- and 48-h-fasted rats. Antibody injection significantly reduced plasma insulin in both fed and 10-h-fasted rats. In 10-h-fasted rats, propranolol injection decreased blood glucose by 0.6 mmol/l, and combined with antibody administration, a decrease by 1.1 mmol/l was observed. Blood glucose was never < 3.3 mmol/l. Thus glucagon is partly responsible for maintenance of euglycemia in fed rats, whereas during fasting it plays a limited role. However, immunoneutralization of glucagon reduces insulin secretion irrespective of blood glucose. Additional mechanisms seem to be responsible for the maintenance of blood glucose in the fasting state when glucagon and the sympathoadrenergic system are blocked.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗