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Biomedical subjects

R Federico

Publications and source records attributed to R Federico.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Translocation and persistence of EDU (ethylenediurea) in plants: the relationship with its role in ozone damage.

Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Lit) were treated with N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolinidyl)ethyl]-N'-phenylurea (EDU) (150 microg ml(-1)) in hydroponic conditions. The EDU concentration in different plant tissues was measured by HPLC. EDU accumulated in leaves and persisted for more than 10 days showing a slow degradation. Using five different EDU concentrations, a significant relationship between EDU concentration in nutrient solution, ozone tolerance and EDU concentration in leaves was shown. Leaves which contained more EDU were less sensitive to ozone damage. Investigations on protoplasts and cell cultures showed that EDU did not enter the cells. Possible implications of EDU accumulation in the leaf apoplast are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Competitive inhibition of mouse brain nitric oxide synthase by amiloride: a case for enzyme cross-inhibition.

Amiloride, a diuretic and antihypertensive drug, inhibits Na+ transporting systems, diamine oxidases and the human urinary plasminogen activator. Present results indicate that amiloride is a competitive inhibitor of mouse brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS; Ki = 4.5 x 10(-4) M, at pH 7.5 and 37.0 degrees C), but not a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, representing a case for enzyme cross-inhibition. The decreased levels of NO, as a consequence of NOS inhibition, might induce some clinically-adverse amiloride reactions, such as an unexpected reduced antihypertensive effect.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1993

Purification and fine characterization of a major allergen from Olea europaea pollen extract.

Olea europaea (olive) pollen extract was prepared by aqueous extraction and characterized by biochemical and immunochemical methods. Two components, displaying respective mol. wt. of 17,000 and 19,000, were the most reactive allergens, being the doublet (designated Ole e I) recognized by most sera tested. The 19,000 mol. wt. component, purified by conventional biochemical procedure and lectin-affinity chromatography from the Ole e I doublet, was deglycosylated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and by ELISA inhibition. The results obtained suggest that the 19,000 mol. wt. component represents the glycosylated form of the 17,000 component.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Role of carbohydrate moieties in cross-reactivity between different components of Parietaria judaica pollen extract.

Cross-reactivity between the different components in Parietaria judaica pollen extract has been investigated by polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies before and after chemical deglycosylation obtained by trifluoromethanesulphonic acid (TFMS) treatment of the extract. In western blotting a polyclonal rabbit antiserum, obtained by injecting purified Par j I, was able to recognise many components of the native extract. However, its reactivity was restricted, after chemical deglycosylation of the extract, to the major allergen alone, indicating that its cross-reactivity was due to sugar moieties. Moreover, out of several monoclonal antibodies raised by injecting the whole Parietaria judaica extract, one (1A4/2F8) was also able in western blotting to recognise an epitope shared by many components of the extract except the major allergen Par j I. However, in this case the broad reactivity of the antibody was not affected by the deglycosylating procedure. When the reactivity of Parietaria judaica extract was tested before and after sugar removal, against specific IgE from a pool of patient sera, no differences could be demonstrated, thus indicating that carbohydrates are not strongly involved in the binding of Parietaria judaica-specific IgE. The results indicate that both proteic and carbohydratic cross-reactive epitopes are shared by many components of Parietaria judaica pollen extract.

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

The amino aldehydes produced by spermine and spermidine oxidation with maize polyamine oxidase have anti-leishmanial effect.

Purified maize polyamine oxidase bound to hydroxylapatite was utilized as an enzymatic reactor to produce oxidized spermidine and spermine. The oxidation products showed a consistent inhibitory activity on Leishmania infantum in mice. 1,3-diaminopropane showed a much lower activity. Moreover chemically prepared 4-aminobutyraldehyde had a similar ED50 to that of oxidized spermidine. It is concluded that among the compounds arising from polyamine oxidation those with the greatest anti-leishmanial effect are 4-aminobutyraldehyde and 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-aminobutyraldehyde.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1991

Use of monoclonal antibodies for the characterization of allergenic extracts.

The diagnosis of allergic diseases is commonly carried out by using poorly standardized preparations containing allergenic and non-allergenic components. Recently, monoclonal antibody technology has been applied to the biochemical characterization and to the purification of allergens, in order to evaluate their potential role in the standardization of diagnostic and therapeutic extracts. Three main results have been achieved: 1) the characterization of allergenic epitopes recognized by IgE and IgG from patients' sera; 2) the purification by affinity chromatography of relevant allergenic components; 3) the development of immunoassays for the quantitation of allergens in the commercially available extracts used for diagnosis and therapy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of maize polyamine oxidase.

Some structural and biochemical characteristics of polyamine oxidase (PAO) purified from maize shoots have been examined. The enzyme has only alanine as N-terminal amino acid and its N-terminal sequence shows a significant degree of homology with tryptophan 2-monooxygenase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi. The pH optimum for the stability of the native enzyme is 5, similar to that of the barley leaf enzyme. Calorimetric analysis shows a single two-state transition at pH 6 with Tm 49.8 degrees. At pH 5 the thermal stability is increased by more than 14 degrees. Amine oxidation products, delta 1-pyrroline and diazabicyclononane, are competitive inhibitors of PAO activity (apparent Ki = 400 and 100 microM respectively). Moreover these compounds improve the thermal stability of the enzyme. N1-Acetylspermine, which is a good substrate for mammalian PAO, acts as a non-competitive inhibitor for the plant enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Phytochrome-Mediated Control of Diamine Oxidase Level in the Epicotyl of Etiolated Lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) Seedlings.

Diamine oxidase (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) levels are strongly reduced in epicotyls of 3-day-old etiolated lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) seedlings upon exposure to continuous red and blue light, as compared to etiolated controls. Far-red light inhibits DAO activity to a lesser extent. A less marked effect can also be obtained by short (5-10 min) daily exposures. Phytochrome involvement in this light-mediated response has been demonstrated by red/far-red reversibility experiments. These findings provide the first evidence that mechanisms underlying the photoregulation of DAO level in the Leguminosae are related to photomorphogenesis and are essentially unrelated to the photosynthetic capacity of the seedling.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1986

Single-step purification of superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes by immunosorbent column.

A simple and rapid procedure for the purification of superoxide dismutase (SOD) from bovine erythrocytes by means of affinity-purified anti-SOD antibodies coupled to Sepharose 4B is reported. The method allowed 80% recovery of electrophoretically pure enzyme directly from hemolyzed red blood cells. The mild elution conditions (3.5 M MgCl2) and the stability of the immunoadsorbent permit the column to be reused several times (greater than 50). The physicochemical properties of the enzyme obtained by this method are identical to those of the native protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Superoxide Dismutase from Lens esculenta: Purification and Properties.

Superoxide dismutase has been purified to homogeneity from Lens esculenta cotyledons and shoots. The two forms appeared to be identical. The purified enzyme contained two electrophoretically distinct bands. It contained two ions of Cu and two ions of Zn. Gel filtration experiments indicate a molecular weight of about 33,000. The spectrum of ultraviolet and visible regions and electron paramagnetic resonance were similar to those of Cu-Zn mammalian superoxide dismutase.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1985

Determination of diamine oxidase in lentil seedlings by enzymic activity and immunoreactivity.

A competitive radioimmunoassay for the quantitation of diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) from Lens culinaris is reported. Specific antibodies raised in rabbits immunized with a homogeneous preparation of the enzyme were incubated with purified (125)I-enzyme and with either unlabeled diamine oxidase or plant material. Antigen-antibody complexes were isolated from the mixture by incubation with Staphylococcus protein A. The sensitivity of the test was about 5 nanograms in terms of enzyme protein. This assay was applied to the determination of the enzyme in extracts from lentil shoots grown either in the dark or in the light. Diamine oxidase activity and enzyme protein (as determined by radioimmunoassay) were measured during 7 days after germination. Both enzymic activity and enzyme protein declined slowly in the dark and rapidly in the light. These results indicate that fluctuation of the enzymic activity in this organ, both in the light and in the dark, are mediated via changes in the amount of the enzyme protein and not via the action of an inhibitor.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

The unpredictable outcome of autotransplanted adrenal gland tissue after bilateral surrenalectomy for Cushing's disease.

Sixty-two patients have been operated upon for Cushing's disease at our Surgical Department. Thirteen with adrenal bilateral hyperplasia underwent autotransplantation of thin slices of adrenal gland in order to overcome the inevitable disadvantages that occur after total adrenalectomy. Only in two instances was good functional activity of the transplant observed and the patients could be weaned of steroid replacement therapy. In the other patients, the transplanted tissue was an unsatisfying source of steroid hormone. In disagreement with the results of previous promising reports, adrenal autotransplantation after total adrenalectomy provided unfavorable results in the patients we studied. Eucortisolism is achieved at a low rate, increasing skin pigmentation and Nelson syndrome are not prevented. Furthermore, the transplant may hyperfunction and determine a new state of hypercortisolism. Considering our discouraging data when Cushing's syndrome has been clearly established, the use of microsurgical treatment of the pituitary gland should be favored in adult patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A transplasmamembrane electron transport system in maize roots.

Ferricyanide is actively reduced by intact maize (Zea mays L., var XL 342) roots. This reduction is salt and temperature dependent, is stimulated by fusicoccin, and is accompanied by decrease of external pH. In anaerobic conditions, ferricyanide partially restores fusicoccin-induced proton extrusion. A salt-, temperature-, and pH-dependent cyanide-insensitive NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity can be demonstrated in microsomes isolated from the same plant tissue. This evidence supports the hypothesis, as proposed by Craig and Crane (1982 Plant Physiol 67: S-558, S-835), that the ferricyanide reduction is carried out by a transmembrane NADH dehydrogenase.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Isolation and preliminary characterization of electrophoretic variants of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase.

Three electrophoretic variants of superoxide dismutase can be detected in bovine erythrocytes by gel electrophoresis and electrofocusing. The two major forms, having isoelectric points at pH 5.2 and 4.9, were isolated by preparative focusing or chromatography. No differences were found in molecular weight, metal content, antigenicity, electron spin resonance spectrum, visible and ultraviolet optical spectra. In contrast, holo- and apo-superoxide dismutase, which have an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the two major forms, showed unresolved isoelectric points but significantly different antigenicity. This result suggests that their different electrophoretic mobility is mainly conformation-related. The variant with pI 5.2, corresponding to the protein purified by ordinary procedures, was found to be inactivated by heat treatment faster than the other form. The latter one, on the other hand, gave rise to a multiple pattern of electrophoretic bands after incubation at 75 degrees C. It is suggested that superoxide dismutase multiplicity in erythrocytes is not genetically determined, but may be related to segregation of subunits, made non-identically by post translational asymmetrical modification.

Animals↗