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J M Tager

Publications and source records attributed to J M Tager.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Effect of peroxisome proliferation on ether phospholipid biosynthesizing enzymes in rat liver.

1. The effect of the peroxisome proliferators clofibrate and plasticizer on the activities of the first two enzymes involved in either phospholipid biosynthesis, i.e. dihydroxyacetone-phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) and alkyldihydroxyacetone-phosphate synthase, were studied in rat liver homogenates and purified peroxisomes. 2. DHAP-AT in homogenates increased by 2 to 3-fold both in total and specific activity. However, the specific activity in purified peroxisomes showed no significant increase demonstrating for the first time that there is no specific induction of this enzyme that exceeds the induction of total peroxisomal protein. 3. Alkyldihydroxyacetone-phosphate synthase showed no significant increase in total and specific activity in homogenates and a slight decrease of its specific activity in purified peroxisomes was observed. 4. The total amount of plasmalogens did not increase upon proliferation and a slight decrease in the percentage plasmalogens in total phospholipids was observed. 5. Proliferation did not influence the phospholipid composition of the peroxisomal membrane.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1990

Infantile phytanic acid storage disease, a disorder of peroxisome biogenesis: a case report.

The infantile and classic forms of phytanic acid storage disease belong to the newly recognized group of peroxisomal disorders. In this paper we report the full clinical, morphological and biochemical results in a patient with infantile phytanic acid storage disease. The results indicate a generalized loss of peroxisomal functions due to a deficiency of peroxisomes as demonstrated in hepatocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗
PubMed1990

Activity of glucocerebrosidase in extracts of different cell types from type 1 Gaucher disease patients.

Glucocerebrosidase activity in extracts of leukocytes, Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphocytes and fibroblasts from Portuguese Type 1 Gaucher disease patients was studied. The residual glucocerebrosidase activity in all extracts from patients was less than 25% if measured in the presence of bile salt taurocholate. However, if measured in the absence of bile salt the residual enzyme activity in extracts from patients was cell type specific: it was severely reduced in the case of fibroblasts, mildly reduced in the case of lymphoblasts and not significantly reduced in the case of leukocytes. The glucocerebrosidase activity in extracts from all control cell types was stimulated by taurocholate. In the patients the enzyme activity in fibroblasts extracts was also stimulated but that in lymphoblasts and leukocytes was inhibited by the bile salt. The differences in glucocerebrosidase activity (in the absence of taurocholate) in extracts from different cell types from Gaucher disease patients are attributable to differences in the proportion of glucocerebrosidase present as a monomer with low activity (form I) and as a highly active aggregate (form II) that may also contain sphingolipid activator protein 2 (SAP-2). In extracts from leukocytes and lymphocytes from Type 1 Gaucher disease patients, but not in those from fibroblasts, a relatively high proportion of enzyme is present in aggregated form with near normal specific activity.

Cell Line, Transformed↗
PubMed1990

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. Deficiency of 3-oxoacyl-coenzyme A thiolase in peroxisomes and impaired processing of the enzyme.

The rhizomelic form of chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) is a peroxisomal disorder characterized biochemically by an impairment of plasmalogen biosynthesis and phytanate catabolism. We have now found that the maturation of peroxisomal 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase is impaired in fibroblasts from RCDP patients. To establish the subcellular localization of the 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase precursor protein, cultured skin fibroblasts were fractionated on a continuous Nycodenz gradient. Only a small amount of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase activity was present in the catalase-containing (peroxisomal) fractions of RCDP fibroblasts in comparison with control fibroblasts. Moreover, the amount of thiolase protein in immunoblots of the catalase-containing fractions was below the limit of detection. Finally, the beta-oxidation of [14C]palmitoyl-CoA was found to be reduced in these fractions. We conclude that the mutation in RCDP leads to a partial deficiency of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase activity in the peroxisomes and, concomitantly, an impairment in the ability to convert the precursor of this protein to the mature form. The reduction of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase activity results in a decrease in the rate of peroxisomal beta-oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA. However, the capacity of the peroxisomes to oxidize very-long-chain fatty acids must be sufficient to prevent excessive accumulation of these compounds in vivo.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase↗
PubMed1990

Genetic relationship between the Zellweger syndrome and other peroxisomal disorders characterized by an impairment in the assembly of peroxisomes.

The peroxisomal diseases can be divided into three categories: 1) diseases in which morphologically distinguishable peroxisomes are virtually absent (Zellweger syndrome; infantile Refsum disease; Hyperpipecolic Acidaemia; neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy); 2) diseases in which peroxisomes are present but several peroxisomal functions are impaired (rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia punctata; Zellweger-like syndrome?); and 3) diseases in which a single peroxisomal function is impaired. We have used complementation analysis after somatic cell fusion in order to investigate the genetic relationship between diseases in category 1. The activity of acyl-CoA: dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase, which is deficient in these diseases and in rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia punctata, was used as an index of complementation. The cell lines studied, all of which complemented with rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia punctata, could be divided into at least 4 and possibly 5 complementation groups. This indicates that at least 5 and possibly 6 genes are involved in the assembly of peroxisomes. One of the complementation groups is comprised of cell lines from patients with the Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum disease and Hyperpipecolic Acidaemia. Thus mutations in the same gene can lead to clinically distinguishable diseases. On the other hand, the Zellweger cell lines studied fall into 3 complementation groups and the infantile Refsum disease cell lines into 2 groups. Thus mutations in different genes can lead to the same clinical phenotype. Fusion of complementary cell lines lacking morphologically distinguishable peroxisomes leads to assembly of peroxisomes, which can be monitored by measuring particle-bound catalase biochemically or by immunofluorescence. In two combinations of cell lines assembly of peroxisomes was rapid and cycloheximide insensitive. Thus the components required for peroxisome assembly must be present in a stable form in the parental cell lines, at least one of which must contain peroxisomal ghost-like structures.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

L-pipecolate oxidase: a distinct peroxisomal enzyme in man.

We investigated the oxidation of L-pipecolate in human liver. The results obtained with L-pipecolate from which traces of D-pipecolate had been removed by a preincubation with D-aminoacid oxidase indicate that a distinct L-pipecolate oxidase rather than D-aminoacid oxidase is responsible for the L-pipecolate dependent H2O2-production in human liver. Importantly, L-pipecolate oxidase was found to be localized in peroxisomes which adds to the growing number of enzymes and metabolic functions which can be ascribed to peroxisomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Properties of acid ceramidase from human spleen.

We have characterised ceramidase activity in extracts of human spleen from control subjects and from patients with Gaucher disease. In Triton X-100 extracts of control spleens, a broad pH optimum of pH 3.5-5.0 was found; no ceramidase activity was detectable at neutral or alkaline pH. About 45-60% of acid ceramidase could be extracted from spleen without detergents, but for complete extraction, Triton X-100 was required. For the radiolabelled substrate oleoylsphingosine, a Km of 0.22 +/- 0.09 mM and a Vmax of 57 +/- 11 nmol/h per mg protein was calculated in spleen from a control subject. Flat-bed isoelectric focussing in the presence of Triton X-100 revealed a pI of 6.0-7.0 for acid ceramidase; similar values were found for sphingomyelinase and glucerebrosidase. HPLC-gel filtration indicated that in the presence of Triton X-100, acid ceramidase has an Mr of about 100 kDa. In the absence of detergents, the enzyme forms high-molecular-weight aggregates. Similar aggregation behaviour was observed for sphingomyelinase, while the elution of beta-hexosaminidase was not affected by detergents. The elution profile of glucocerebrosidase was only slightly altered by Triton X-100. There was no difference in the properties of acid ceramidase present in spleen from control subjects and from patients with type I Gaucher disease.

Acid Ceramidase↗
PubMed1989

Optimal conditions for the generation of monoclonal antibodies using primary immunisation of mouse splenocytes in vitro under serum-free conditions.

We have further optimised the serum-free in vitro immunisation system described by Ossendorp et al. (J. Immunol. Methods 91, 257, 1986) for the generation of hybridomas secreting specific antibodies. Thyroglobulin and the hapten 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone coupled to chicken serum albumin were used as antigens. For an optimal outgrowth of antigen-specific B cells the presence of T cells, thymocyte-conditioned medium and antigen are required. The addition of supernatant from EL-4 cells (stimulated by phorbolmyristate acetate) inhibits the outgrowth of antigen-specific B cells. Using six-well plates with a surface area of 10 cm2 per well, an optimal IgM response was obtained when 10(7) splenocytes in a total volume of 2 ml/well were cultured for 3 days in the presence of antigen and thymocyte-conditioned medium. Increasing the concentration of cells whilst maintaining a constant surface area resulted in a decreased response.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Prenatal and perinatal diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders.

Peroxisomes play an essential role in human cellular metabolism. Peroxisomal disorders, a group of genetic diseases caused by peroxisomal dysfunction, can be classified into three groups: (1) disorders of peroxisome biogenesis with a generalized loss of peroxisomal functions (Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, infantile Refsum disease, hyperpipecolic acidaemia); (2) disorders with a loss of multiple peroxisomal functions (rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata and Zellweger-like syndrome; (3) disorders with loss of a single peroxisomal function (X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, peroxisomal thiolase deficiency, bifunctional protein deficiency, acyl-CoA oxidase deficiency, classic Refsum disease, hyperoxaluria type I and acatalasaemia). Prenatal diagnosis is indicated in all these genetic disorders with the exception of classic Refsum disease, most types of hyperoxaluria type I and acatalasaemia. A variety of techniques is available now for the prenatal diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders in the first or second trimester of gestation. Prenatal diagnosis was performed by us in 70 pregnancies at risk for a disorder of peroxisome biogenesis, three for rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, four for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and two for a defect in peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Fourteen affected fetuses were identified; no false negative cases were obtained.

Female↗
PubMed1989

High yields of specific hybridomas obtained by electrofusion of murine lymphocytes immunized in vivo or in vitro.

We have studied the use of electrofusion to obtain hybridomas producing antigen-specific antibodies after immunization of murine lymphocytes in vitro. Under optimal conditions fusion frequencies of the order of magnitude of 10(-3) were obtained, which is approximately 80-fold higher than the mean value obtained with fusion induced by polyethylene glycol. The number of antigen-specific hybridomas was also increased in a comparable way. The high yields of specific hybridomas observed with electrofusion were independent of the immunization procedure, the antigen or the hapten of interest, or the sources of the lymphocytes. The data presented in this paper indicate that electrofusion may be an extremely attractive alternative method for immortalization of human lymphocytes following immunization in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and other peroxisomal diseases caused by a failing peroxisomal beta-oxidation system: clinical expression, diagnosis and treatment].

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a sex-linked, neurodegenerative disorder which in its most stereotypic form manifests itself in a boy who progresses normally for the first years of life and then presents with CNS signs and symptoms such as behavioural abnormalities, visual and auditory disturbances and an abnormal gait. The course of the disease is progressive, culminating within a few years in dementia, blindness, quadriplegia and death. Recently it has become clear that ALD is caused by an impairment in the peroxisomal beta-oxidation system leading to the accumulation of very-long-chain fatty acids. Accumulation occurs not only in plasma but also in brain giving rise to increasing myelin instability and subsequent demyelination. Apart from X-linked ALD there are a number of other disorders all characterized by a deficient peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity. It is remarkable that the clinical presentation of these different inborn errors of peroxisomal beta-oxidation differs markedly. In this paper the inborn errors of peroxisomal beta-oxidation known at present will be discussed with particular emphasis on ALD.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗
PubMed1989

Secretion of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase from the brush border of human kidney proximal tubule cells.

We have shown previously (R.P.J. Oude Elferink, E.M. Brouwer-Kelder, I. Surya, A. Strijland, M. Kroos, A.J.J. Reuser, J.M. Tager, Eur. J. Biochem. 139, 489-495 (1984)) that human urine contains considerable amounts of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase (about 50% of the total alpha-glucosidase activity present). We have now purified alpha-glucosidase from human kidney. Only about 5 to 10% of the total lysosomal alpha-glucosidase present in kidney comprises the precursor form of the enzyme. By means of immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies, the precursor of alpha-glucosidase was detected in the brush border of the proximal tubule cells. Taking into account the amount of precursor alpha-glucosidase excreted daily into the urine and the amount present in the kidneys, we conclude that extensive secretion of precursor alpha-glucosidase occurs from the brush border of the proximal tubules.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1988

Requirements for the generation of memory B cells in vivo and their subsequent activation in vitro for the production of antigen-specific hybridomas.

We have studied the conditions required for the activation in vitro of memory B cells generated in vivo. BALB/c mice were immunised by a single injection of antigen emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Splenocytes were isolated after different time intervals and cultured in a serum-free medium in the presence of antigen and thymocyte-conditioned medium. After 3 days the splenocytes were fused with myeloma cells. A minimum time interval of more than 2 weeks between priming in vivo and stimulation in vitro was required in order to obtain antigen-specific IgG-secreting hybridomas. After a time interval of 4 weeks or longer most of the antigen-specific hybridomas secreted IgGs. During stimulation in vitro the presence of antigen and of T cells was found to be essential for obtaining an antigen-specific IgG response. The addition of thymocyte-conditioned medium enhanced the IgG response.

Animals↗