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Biomedical subjects

J E Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Wilson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Myocardial fibrosis in endomyocardial biopsy specimens: do different bioptomes affect estimation?

Estimation of fibrosis in endomyocardial biopsy specimens (EMB) is integral to their assessment; typically, EMB fibrosis is assessed qualitatively. We quantitated percent fibrosis in 697 paraffin-embedded, Masson's trichrome stained EMB taken from 6 sites along the right ventricular septum and from 1 site in the left ventricular free wall, utilizing Caves-Schultz (C-S) and Cordis (C) bioptomes and a scalpel in 34 formaldehyde-fixed autopsy hearts, 22 of which were anatomically normal (AN) and 7 of which were idiopathically dilated. Total tissue area and area of fibrosis were quantitated by computer-based image analysis. The mean total areas as obtained by the C-S and C bioptomes and scalpel were 0.0535 cm2 (+/- 0.028), 0.0338 cm2 (+/- 0.020), and 0.4370 cm2 (+/- 0.144), respectively. The C-S and C bioptomes and the scalpel from all hearts yielded percent fibrosis of 10.6, 12.3, and 5.4, respectively. The AN hearts had percents of 9.3, 11.8, and 4.5, while the ID hearts had 11.0, 13.7, and 7.3% fibrosis, respectively, by each sampling method. A consistent pattern was observed: the larger the piece of endomyocardium, i.e., scalpel greater than CS greater than C, the lesser the quantitated percent fibrosis. Thus, beyond allowing for biological variability in the degree of endomyocardial fibrosis, the impact of EMB size and the biotome type must be accommodated in qualitative surgical reports pertaining to myopathic hearts.

Adult↗

The complete amino acid sequence of the catalytic domain of rat brain hexokinase, deduced from the cloned cDNA.

The complete amino acid sequence of the catalytic domain of rat brain hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of cloned cDNA. Extensive similarity in sequence, taken to indicate similarity in secondary and tertiary structure, is seen between the mammalian enzyme and yeast hexokinase isozymes A and B. All residues critical for binding glucose to the yeast enzyme are conserved in brain hexokinase. A location for the substrate ATP binding site is proposed based on relation of structural features in the yeast enzyme to characteristics commonly observed in other nucleotide binding enzymes; sequences in regions proposed to be important for binding of ATP to the yeast enzyme are highly conserved in brain hexokinase.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Rat brain hexokinase: the hydrophobic N-terminus of the mitochondrially bound enzyme is inserted in the lipid bilayer.

Mitochondrially bound rat brain hexokinase was labeled with the photoactivatable reagent, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine. This highly hydrophobic reagent is strongly partitioned into the hydrophobic environment of the membrane core, and thus selectively labels segments of a protein that penetrate this region of the membrane. Labeling of hexokinase was shown to be restricted to the N-terminal region of the molecule. Approximately 80% of the radiolabel was removed by treatment of the enzyme with chymotrypsin, which preferentially cleaves a hydrophobic 9-residue sequence at the extreme N-terminus of the enzyme, and it is considered likely that the remaining 20% was associated with two additional hydrophobic residues, immediately adjacent to this segment but not susceptible to cleavage by chymotrypsin. Labeling of the enzyme was shown to be dependent on maintenance of the association with the membrane. These results are consistent with a model in which binding of hexokinase involves insertion of an 11-residue hydrophobic N-terminal "tail," possibly existing in alpha-helical secondary structure, into the hydrophobic core of the membrane.

Affinity Labels↗

Rat brain hexokinase: amino acid sequence at the substrate hexose binding site is homologous to that of yeast hexokinase.

A reactive Glc analog, N-(bromoacetyl)-D-glucosamine (GlcNBrAc), has recently been used (D. M. Schirch and J. E. Wilson (1987) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 254, 385-396) to label the Glc binding site of rat brain Type I hexokinase. This site has been located in a 40-kDa domain at the C-terminus of the enzyme previously shown to be the location of the substrate ATP binding site (M. Nemat-Gorgani and J. E. Wilson (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 251, 97-103). In the present study, peptide mapping of hexokinase modified by radiolabeled GlcNBrAc yields three labeled peptides (Peptides I-III). Peptides I and III, as well as catalytic activity, are protected by inclusion of Glc or GlcNAc during reaction with GlcNBrAc. These two peptides show considerable homology to contiguous regions in the sequences of yeast hexokinase isozymes A and B. Peptide III is homologous to a sequence which, based on the X-ray crystallographic work by Steitz and co-workers, is located near the Glc binding site of yeast hexokinase; Peptide I is homologous to an immediately adjacent (toward the C-terminus) region of yeast hexokinase. An essential serine residue implicated in the binding of Glc to the yeast enzyme is also conserved in Peptide III from rat brain hexokinase. These results provide strong support for the view that the "catalytic domain" at the C-terminus of the mammalian Type I hexokinase shares a common ancestry with yeast hexokinase. Peptide II appears to be nonspecifically labeled by GlcNBrAc since labeling is insensitive to the presence of protective ligands such as Glc or GlcNAc; the sequence of Peptide II shows no detectable homology with the yeast isozymes.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Rat brain hexokinase: location of the substrate hexose binding site in a structural domain at the C-terminus of the enzyme.

A glucose analog, N-(bromoacetyl)-D-glucosamine (GlcNBrAc), previously used to label the glucose binding sites of rat muscle Type II and bovine brain Type I hexokinases, also inactivates rat brain hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) with pseudo-first-order kinetics. Inactivation occurs predominantly via a "specific" pathway involving formation of a complex between hexokinase and GlcNBrAc, but significant nonspecific (i.e., without prior complex formation) inactivation also occurs, and equations to describe this behavior are derived. Inactivation is dependent on deprotonation of a residue with an alkaline pKa, consistent with the modified residue being a sulfhydryl group as reported to be the case with the hexokinase of bovine brain. The affinity label modifies three residues (per molecule of enzyme) at indistinguishable rates, but only one of these residues appears to be critical for activity. Amino acid analysis of the modified enzyme indicates derivatization of three cysteine residues; there was no indication of modification of other residues potentially reactive with haloacetyl derivatives. Kinetic analysis and effects of protective ligands were consistent with location of the critical sulfhydryl at the glucose binding site. Peptide mapping techniques permitted localization of the critical residue, and thus the glucose binding site, in a 40-kDa domain at the C-terminus of the enzyme. This is the same domain recently shown to include the ATP binding site. Thus, catalytic function is assigned to the C-terminal domain of rat brain hexokinase.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Rat brain hexokinase: location of the allosteric regulatory site in a structural domain at the N-terminus of the enzyme.

After denaturation in 0.6 M guanidine hydrochloride, rat brain hexokinase becomes highly susceptible to proteolysis by trypsin. Glucose 6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) and its analog, 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate, selectively protect the N-terminal half of the molecule from proteolysis. These compounds do not protect the C-terminal half of the molecule, nor do they protect enzyme activity; the Glc analog, N-acetylglucosamine, does protect the C-terminal domain and catalytic activity, but does not prevent proteolysis of the N-terminal half of the molecule. These results are consistent with previous work [M. Nemat-Gorgani and J. E. Wilson (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 251, 97-103; D. M. Schirch and J. E. Wilson (1987) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 254, 385-396] demonstrating that binding sites for both hexose and nucleotide substrates, and thus catalytic function, are associated with a 40-kDa domain located at the C-terminus of the enzyme. They further demonstrate that the binding site for the allosteric effector, Glc-6-P, lies in the N-terminal half of the molecule and is distinct from the catalytic site. Using protection against proteolysis as a reflection of binding, it is shown that the Glc-6-P binding site in the N-terminal region has all the characteristics described for the allosteric effector site on this enzyme in terms of affinity for Glc-6-P, specificity, and synergistic interactions with the hexose binding site in the C-terminal region of the molecule. This disposition of catalytic and regulatory functions in discrete halves of the molecule is consistent with suggestions by several investigators that mammalian hexokinases evolved by a process of duplication and fusion of an ancestral gene coding for a hexokinase similar to the present-day yeast enzyme, with the regulatory site of mammalian hexokinases having evolved from what was originally a catalytic site.

Animals↗

Familial aortic dissection in absence of ascending aortic aneurysms: a lethal syndrome associated with precocious systemic hypertension.

The interaction of elevated blood pressure and aortic metabolism in the genesis of aortic dissection is uncharacterized. A kindred with fatal familial aortic dissection in association with precocious systemic hypertension and in absence of a definable connective tissue syndrome has undergone genealogical, clinical, pathological, and biochemical evaluation. Six family members spanning three generations have died of acute dissection. Five men died at a mean age of 28 years (range 22-34), while the proband's paternal grandmother died at 62 years of age. All were hypertensive. A constellation of subtle clinical features points toward deficient integrity of connective tissues; however, major hallmarks of known connective tissue syndromes including aortic root ectasia or aneurysms are absent. Studies of cultured dermal and aortae fibroblasts of two of the proband's brothers mitigate against Ehlers-Danlos IV syndrome. This family's susceptibility to aortic dissection reflects the synergistic liability of coexistent elevated blood pressure and metabolic abnormalities in the genesis of aortic degeneration.

Adult↗

A modified ELISA that selectively detects monoclonal antibodies recognizing native antigen.

A modified ELISA procedure is described which permits selective detection of monoclonal antibodies reactive with the native antigen. The essence of the method is the use of immobilization methods that do not result in denaturation of the antigen during adsorption to the microtiter plates. This was accomplished by using polyclonal antibodies, adsorbed to the wells of the microtiter plate, as the immobilizing agent.

Animals↗

Rat brain hexokinase: location of the substrate nucleotide binding site in a structural domain at the C-terminus of the enzyme.

8-Azido-ATP serves as a substrate for rat brain hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1). Irradiation of hexokinase in the presence of this photoactivatable ATP analog results in inactivation of the enzyme. ATP and hexose 6-phosphates (Glc-6-P, 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-P) previously shown to competitively inhibit nucleotide binding protect the enzyme from photoinactivation; other hexose 6-phosphates do not. Hexoses (Glc, Man) previously shown to enhance nucleotide binding also protect against photoinactivation; other hexoses do not. These effects of hexoses and hexose 6-phosphates can be interpreted in terms of the conformational changes previously shown to result from the binding of these ligands and to influence the characteristics of the nucleotide binding site (M. Baijal and J. E. Wilson (1982) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 218, 513-524). Limited tryptic cleavage of the enzyme produces three major fragments having molecular weights of about 10K, 40K, and 50K, and thought to represent major structural domains within the enzyme (P. G. Polakis and J. E. Wilson (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 234, 341-352). Tryptic cleavage of the enzyme, photoinactivated in the presence of 14C-labeled azido-ATP, discloses prominent labeling of the 10K and 40K domains, which are known to originate from the N- and C-terminal regions, respectively. Labeling of the 40K domain is influenced by ligands in a manner that corresponds to the effectiveness of these ligands in protecting against photoinactivation whereas labeling of the 10K domain is not affected by these same ligands. It is concluded that the 40K domain includes the binding site for nucleotide substrates. More refined two-dimensional peptide mapping techniques demonstrate that the predominant site of labeling is a peptide segment, molecular weight approximately 20K, that is located in the central and/or C-terminal region of the 40K domain. Labeling of the 10K domain is attributed to nonspecific interaction of azido-ATP with the hydrophobic sequence shown to be located at the N-terminus of brain hexokinase (P. G. Polakis and J. E. Wilson (1985) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 236, 328-337).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Giant cell arteritis of the legs. Clinical isolation of severe disease with gangrene and amputations.

Giant cell arteritis rarely presents as clinically advanced extra-ocular ischemia or gangrene. Clinically isolated leg involvement with amputation is even more unusual. A 69-year-old woman is described who had giant cell arteritis necessitating bilateral leg amputations. No other clinical sequelae have ensued during a four-year follow-up period. Temporal artery biopsy subsequent to the amputations revealed no arteritis. Disparities between the usual patterns of clinical and anatomic involvement in giant cell arteritis underlie the potential diagnostic difficulties in this disease. Although typically diagnostic, temporal artery biopsy does not always bridge the clinical and anatomic disparities.

Aged↗

Hexokinase A from mammalian brain: comparative peptide mapping and immunological studies with monoclonal antibodies.

Immunological reactivity of partially purified hexokinase A (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) from brain of several vertebrate species has been compared by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and seven monoclonal antibodies raised against the rat brain enzyme. The epitopes recognized by three of these antibodies have been rather widely conserved among the species examined (rat, mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, cat, dog, sheep, cow, pig, chicken), while this was not the case for the epitopes recognized by the other antibodies, which differed markedly in their distribution among these species. The domain structure of these enzymes has been examined by peptide mapping (after limited tryptic digestion) in conjunction with immunoblotting techniques employing monoclonal antibodies. The results indicate that the overall domain structure of these enzymes is similar to that previously described for rat brain hexokinase A, but that there are significant differences in the size of these domains in enzymes from different species.

Animals↗

Correlation of hexokinase content and basal energy metabolism in discrete regions of rat brain.

Brain hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) levels in seven regions of rat brain were estimated by photometric measurement of immunofluorescence in cryostat-cut sections. When compared with basal rates of glucose metabolism in these regions, estimated by the 6-[14C]glucose method, a significant correlation was observed. Thus, hexokinase content reflects metabolic energy demands.

Animals↗

Agenesis of the gallbladder: case report and familial investigation.

In this article we report a case of gallbladder agenesis, confirmed at laparotomy, and the subsequent investigation of that patient's family for others with evidence of agenesis. Ultrasonography was chosen as the principal diagnostic tool, and of the eight family members available for study, one was found to have no demonstrable gallbladder by either ultrasonography or oral cholecystography. The overall incidence of gallbladder agenesis is said to approximate 0.01% to 0.04%. However, in each of the four existing familial studies a much higher incidence is noted. With regard to gallbladder agenesis, these data strongly suggest the existence of a familial hereditary trait.

Adult↗

In vitro synthesis of rat brain hexokinase.

Hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) has been synthesized in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system directed by poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from rat brain. Identification of the in vitro synthesis product as hexokinase was based on its immunoprecipitation with anti-hexokinase serum as well as the generation of identical peptide maps after partial cleavage of the in vitro product and authentic hexokinase with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase or chymotrypsin. The in vitro product and authentic hexokinase were indistinguishable in molecular weight (SDS-gel electrophoresis); thus, despite the fact that, in situ, much of the hexokinase in brain is found in association with mitochondria, it is not synthesized in the form of a higher molecular weight precursor as is characteristic of other mitochondrial proteins. This is in accord with the view that hexokinase is best considered as a classical 'soluble' enzyme which is capable of exhibiting reversible association with mitochondria. The in vitro product cochromatographs (during anion-exchange HPLC) with authentic hexokinase previously shown to have a blocked (presumably acetylated) N-terminus; this procedure is capable of resolving the N-terminally blocked form of the enzyme from a partially proteolyzed form having a free N-terminal amino group. Thus the in vitro product is apparently N-acetylated by an enzyme system previously shown to be present in reticulocyte lysates. A significant fraction of the in vitro synthesized hexokinase attained a conformation characteristic of the native enzyme as judged by the observations that it could be immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies recognizing the native enzyme but not by antibodies recognizing denatured hexokinase, and limited tryptic cleavage of the in vitro product gave fragments identical to those seen with the native enzyme and thought to reflect the organization of structural domains in that enzyme. However, based on these same criteria, the majority of the hexokinase synthesized in vitro appears to exist in a folding state that is not identical to that of either the fully denatured or native enzyme.

Animals↗