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R N Puri

Publications and source records attributed to R N Puri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

High molecular weight kininogen inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by inhibiting binding of thrombin to platelets.

In this study we show that high molecular weight kininogen (HK) inhibited alpha-thrombin-induced aggregation of human platelets in a dose-dependent manner with complete inhibition occurring at plasma concentration (0.67 mumol/L) of HK. HK (0.67 mumol/L) also completely inhibited thrombin-induced cleavage of aggregin (Mr = 100 Kd), a surface membrane protein that mediates adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced shape change, aggregation, and fibrinogen binding. The inhibition of HK was specific for alpha- and gamma-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, because HK did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, calcium ionophore (A23187), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), PMA + A23187, or 9,11-methano derivative of prostaglandin H2 (U46619). These effects were explained by the ability of HK, at physiologic concentration, to completely inhibit binding of 125I-alpha-thrombin to washed platelets. As a result of this action of HK, this plasma protein also completely inhibited thrombin-induced secretion of adenosine triphosphate, blocked intracellular rise in Ca2+ in platelets exposed to alpha- and gamma-thrombin, inhibited thrombin-induced platelet shape change, and blocked the ability of thrombin to antagonize the increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels induced by iloprost. Because elevation of cAMP is known to inhibit binding of thrombin to platelets, we established that HK did not increase the intracellular concentration of platelet cAMP. Finally, HK did not inhibit enzymatic activity of thrombin. To study the role of HK in the plasma environment, we used gamma-thrombin to avoid fibrin formation by alpha-thrombin. Platelet aggregation induced by gamma-thrombin was also inhibited by HK in a dose-dependent manner. The EC50 (concentration to produce 50% of the maximum rate of aggregation) of gamma-thrombin for washed platelets was 7 nmol/L and increased to 102 nmol/L when platelets were suspended in normal human plasma. The EC50 for platelet aggregation induced by alpha-thrombin in plasma deficient in total kininogen was 40 nmol/L. When supplemented with HK at plasma concentration (0.67 mumol/L), the EC50 increased to 90 nmol/L, a value similar to that for normal human plasma. These results indicate that (1) HK inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by inhibiting binding of thrombin to platelets; (2) HK is a specific inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by alpha- and gamma-thrombin; and (3) HK plays a role in modulating platelet aggregation stimulated by alpha-thrombin in plasma.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of diadenosine 5',5"'-polyphosphates.

Certain diadenosine 5',5"'-polyphosphates are potent inhibitors of ADP stimulated platelet aggregation, acting possibly via competitive ADP-receptor binding. 1H NMR studies of a series of such compounds where the number of phosphate groups between adenosine groups was varied from 2 to 6 were performed to analyze possible preferred solution conformations and to define structure-activity relations. Relative to mononucleotides ADP and ATP, chemical shifts of adenosine proton resonances in diadenosine polyphosphate analogs are upfield shifted suggesting base stacking. This effect is greatest for AP2A and AP3A. Coupling constants of ribose ring proton resonances support the idea of an anti-base-ribose ring conformation, and 3JH5'-P values suggest a preferred gauche H-C-O-P structure. In all cases, NMR parameters for AP2A are near-limiting values for a static base stacked conformation. Increasing the number of phosphate groups between adenosine moieties tends to weaken this interaction.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Plasmin-induced platelet aggregation is accompanied by cleavage of aggregin and indirectly mediated by calpain.

We recently reported that thrombin-induced platelet aggregation 1) is accompanied by cleavage of aggregin, a 100-kDa membrane protein and a putative ADP receptor, 2) is indirectly mediated by intracellularly activated calpain, and 3) requires the occupancy of high-affinity thrombin receptors. Because of the similarities between responses after platelet activation induced by thrombin and plasmin (greater than or equal to 1.0 casein unit/ml), we investigated whether or not plasmin-induced platelet aggregation proceeds by the same mechanism that underlies thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. We found that the rate of plasmin-induced aggregation of washed intact platelets and that of platelets modified by 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (FSBA, an affinity analogue of ADP, which covalently modifies aggregin) were similar, indicating that the aggregation is independent of the ADP effect. Plasmin completely cleaved [3H]FSBA-labeled aggregin in intact platelets. A mixture of metabolic inhibitors (2-deoxy-D-glucose, gluconolactone, and antimycin A) completely inhibited plasmin-induced platelet aggregation and plasmin-induced cleavage of aggregin, demonstrating that an energy-requiring step is involved in the reaction. The synthetic hexapeptide affinity reagent Phe-Gln-Val-Val-Cys(NpyS)-Gly-NH2 (NpyS = 3-nitro-2-thiopyridine), a potent and specific inhibitor of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and platelet calpain, completely inhibited plasmin-induced platelet aggregation and plasmin-induced cleavage of aggregin. These results suggest that, like thrombin, plasmin-induced platelet aggregation is accompanied by the cleavage of aggregin and these responses are indirectly mediated by the intracellularly activated calpain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cleavage of a 100 kDa membrane protein (aggregin) during thrombin-induced platelet aggregation is mediated by the high affinity thrombin receptors.

Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation is accompanied by cleavage of aggregin, a surface membrane protein (Mr = 100 kDa), and is mediated by the intracellular activation of calpain. We now find that agents that increase intracellular levels of platelet cAMP by stimulating adenylate cyclase, also inhibit thrombin binding and platelet activation by destabilizing thrombin receptors on the platelet surface. Iloprost (a stable analog of PGI2) and forskolin each completely inhibited platelet aggregation by 2 nM thrombin and markedly decreased cleavage of aggregin. Thrombin inactivated by D-phenylalanine-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK-thrombin) binds to the highest affinity site for thrombin on the platelet surface, but thrombin modified by N alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone (TLCK-thrombin) does not. We now demonstrate that preincubation of platelets with PPACK-thrombin blocked platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin induced by 2 nM thrombin. In contrast, TLCK-thrombin neither blocked platelet aggregation nor the cleavage of aggregin. These results show that a) platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by thrombin (2nm) involves the occupancy of high affinity alpha-thrombin receptors on the platelet surface, and b) stimulators of adenylate cyclase which increase cAMP, inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by mechanisms which include inhibiting the binding of thrombin to its receptors.

Calpain↗

Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation involves an indirect proteolytic cleavage of aggregin by calpain.

5'-p-Fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine (FSBA), a nucleotide analog of ADP, has been shown to inhibit ADP-induced shape change, aggregation and exposure of fibrinogen binding sites concomitant with covalent modification of a single surface membrane polypeptide of Mr 100,000 (aggregin). Since thrombin can aggregate platelets which have been modified by FSBA and are refractory to ADP, we tested the hypothesis that thrombin-induced platelet aggregation might involve cleavage of aggregin. At a low concentration of thrombin (0.05 U/ml), platelet aggregation, exposure of fibrinogen receptors and cleavage of aggregin in FSBA-modified platelets did not occur, indicating ADP dependence. In contrast, incubation of [3H]FSBA-labeled intact platelets with a higher concentration of thrombin (0.2 U/ml) resulted in cleavage of radiolabeled aggregin, aggregation, and exposure of fibrinogen binding sites. Under identical conditions, aggregin in membranes isolated from [3H]FSBA-labeled platelets was not cleaved by thrombin. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin were concomitantly inhibited by a mixture of 2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-gluconic acid 1,5-lactone, and antimycin A. These results suggest that thrombin cleaves aggregin indirectly by activating an endogeneous protease. Thrombin is known to elevate intracellular Ca2+ concentration and thereby activates intracellular calcium dependent thiol proteases (calpains). In contrast to serine protease inhibitors, calpain inhibitors including leupeptin, antipain, and ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid (chelator of Ca2+) inhibited platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin in [3H]FSBA-labeled platelets. Leupeptin, at a concentration of 10-20 microM, used in these experiments, did not inhibit the amidolytic activity of thrombin, thrombin-induced platelet shape change, or the rise in intracellular Ca2+. Purified platelet calpain II caused aggregation of unmodified and FSBA-modified platelets and cleaved aggregin in [3H]FSBA-labeled platelets as well as in isolated membranes. The latter is in marked contrast to the action of thrombin on [3H]FSBA-labeled membranes. Thus, thrombin-induced platelet aggregation may involve intracellular activation of calpain which proteolytically cleaves aggregin thus unmasking latent fibrinogen receptors, a necessary prerequisite for platelet aggregation.

Adenosine↗

Selective inhibition of thrombin- and plasmin-induced platelet aggregation by a synthetic peptide disulfide.

1. A synthetic peptide disulfide, Gln-Val-Val-Cys(NpyS)-Gly-NH2 (P1) inhibited thrombin and plasmin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin. P1 did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by other agonists nor did it inhibit shape change. 2. P1 also inhibited purified platelet calpain II. 3. The correspondence between the molecular structure of P1 and inhibitory sequence of the peptide in domain 2 of high molecular weight kininogen has shed light on the molecular nature of the cellular mechanism underlying thrombin- and plasmin-induced platelet aggregation and the inhibition by P1. 4. P1 may prove to be useful in designing and improving future protocols of thrombolytic therapy to prevent reocclusion. P1 may also have a role in inhibiting thrombin formed during angioplasty and thus preventing restenosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inactivation of yeast hexokinase by o-phthalaldehyde: evidence for the presence of a cysteine and a lysine at or near the active site.

Yeast hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1), a homodimer, was rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by o-phthalaldehyde at 25 degrees C (pH 7.3). The reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics over a wide range of the inhibitor concentration. The second-order-rate constant for the inactivation of hexokinase was estimated to be 45 M-1.s-1. Hexokinase was protected more by sugar substrates than by nucleoside triphosphates during inactivation by o-phthalaldehyde. Absorption spectrum (lambda max 338 nm), and fluorescence excitation (lambda max 363 nm) and emission (lambda max 403 nm) spectra of the hexokinase-o-phthalaldehyde adduct were consistent with the formation of an isoindole derivative. These results also suggest that sulfhydryl and epsilon-amino functions of the cysteine and lysine residues, respectively, participating in the isoindole formation are about 3 A apart in the native enzyme. About 2 mol of the isoindole per mol of hexokinase dimer were formed following complete loss of the phosphotransferase activity. Chemical modification of hexokinase by iodoacetamide in the presence of mannose resulted in the modification of six sulfhydryl groups per mol of hexokinase with retention of the phosphotransferase activity. Subsequent reaction of the iodoacetamide modified hexokinase with o-phthalaldehyde resulted in complete loss of the phosphotransferase activity with concomitant modification of the remaining two sulfhydryl groups of hexokinase. Chemical modification of hexokinase by iodoacetamide in the absence of mannose resulted in complete inactivation of the enzyme. The iodoacetamide inactivated hexokinase failed to react with o-phthalaldehyde as evidenced by the absence of a fluorescence emission maximum characteristic of the isoindole derivative. The holoenzyme failed to react with [5'-(p-fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine. The dissociated hexokinase could be inactivated by [5'-(p-fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine; the degree of inactivation paralleled the extent of reaction between o-phthalaldehyde and the nucleotide-analog modified enzyme. Thus, it is concluded that two cysteines and lysines at or near the active site of the hexokinase were involved in reaction with o-phthalaldehyde following complete loss of the phosphotransferase activity. An important finding of this investigation is that the lysines, involved in isoindole formation, located at or near the active site are probably buried.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aldehydes↗

Inactivation of yeast hexokinase by 2-aminothiophenol. Evidence for a 'half-of-the-sites' mechanism.

Yeast hexokinase is a homodimer consisting of two identical subunits. Yeast hexokinase was inactivated by 2-aminothiophenol at 25 degrees C (pH 9.1). The reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics until about 70% of the phosphotransferase activity was lost. About 0.65 mol of 2-aminothiophenol/mol of hexokinase was found to be bound after the 70% loss of the enzyme activity. Completely inactivated hexokinase showed a stoichiometry of about 1 mol of 2-aminothiophenol bound/mol of the enzyme. The evidence obtained from kinetic experiments, stoichiometry of the inactivation reaction and fluorescence emission measurements suggested site-site interaction (weak negative co-operativity) during the inactivation reaction. The approximate rate constants for the reversible binding of 2-aminothiophenol to the first subunit (KI) and for the rate of covalent bond formation with only one site occupied (k3) were 150 microM and 0.046 min-1 respectively. The inactivation reaction was pH-dependent. Dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine restored the phosphotransferase activity of the hexokinase after inactivation by 2-aminothiophenol. Sugar substrates protected the enzyme from inactivation more than did the nucleotides. Thus it is concluded that the inactivation of the hexokinase by 2-aminothiophenol was a consequence of a covalent disulphide bond formation between the aminothiol and thiol function at or near the active site of the enzyme. Hexokinase that had been completely inactivated by 2-aminothiophenol reacted with o-phthalaldehyde. Fluorescence emission intensity of the incubation mixture containing 2-aminothiophenol-modified hexokinase and o-phthalaldehyde was one-half of that obtained from an incubation mixture containing hexokinase and o-phthalaldehyde under similar experimental conditions. The intensity and position of the fluorescence emission maximum of the 2-aminothiophenol-modified hexokinase were different from those of the native enzyme, indicating conformational change following modification. Whereas aliphatic aminothiols were completely ineffective, aromatic aminothiols were good inhibitors of the hexokinase. Cyclohexyl mercaptan weakly inhibited the enzyme. Inhibition of the hexokinase by heteroaromatic thiols was dependent on the nature of the heterocyclic ring and position of the thiol-thione equilibrium. The inhibitory function of a thiol is associated with the following structural characteristics: (a) the presence of an aromatic ring, (b) the presence of a free thiol function and (c) the presence of a free amino function in the close proximity of the thiol function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aniline Compounds↗

Reaction of low molecular weight aminothiols with o-phthalaldehyde.

o-Phthalaldehyde has been recently shown to be a useful reagent for chemical modification of cyclic nucleotide dependent protein kinases, hexokinase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. It reacts covalently with closely spaced (approximately 3 A) sulfhydryl and epsilon-amino functions of cysteine and lysine residues, respectively, of these enzymes to yield fluorescent isoindole derivatives. We have found the reagent to be equally useful to investigate the degree of reactivity of sulfhydryl and amino functions in substances that do not possess enzymatic activity, e.g., glutathione, homocysteine, and cysteine. The kinetics of the reaction of nonenzymatic aminothiols with o-phthalaldehyde can be followed rapidly and conveniently by continuously monitoring the increase in relative fluorescence of the isoindole derivatives. The fluorescence emission maxima of the o-phthalaldehyde adducts can be used to compute molar transition energies that provide qualitative but useful information concerning the degree of polarity of microenvironment of the sulfhydryl and amino functions participating in isoindole formation. The kinetic and spectral data obtained from the reaction between o-phthalaldehyde and nonenzymatic low molecular weight aminothiols may be helpful in comparing the reactivities of the sulfhydryl and amino functions in enzymes.

Aldehydes↗

Inactivation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase by o-phthalaldehyde.

Rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, a tetramer of identical subunits was rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by o-phthalaldehyde at 25 degrees C (pH 7.3). The second-order rate constant for the inactivation was 30 M-1s-1. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was completely protected from inactivation by the substrate--fructose-1,6-diphosphate but not by the allosteric effector--adenosine monophosphate. The absorption spectrum (lambda max 337 nm) and, fluorescence excitation (lambda max 360 nm) and fluorescence emission spectra (lambda max 405 nm) were consistent with the formation of an isoindole derivative in the subunit between a cysteine and a lysine residue about 3A apart. About 4 isoindole groups per mol of the bisphosphatase were formed following complete loss of the phosphatase activity. This suggests that the amino acid residues of the biphosphatase participating in reaction with o-phthalaldehyde more likely reside at or near the active site instead of allosteric site. The molar transition energy of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase--o-phthalaldehyde adduct was estimated 121 kJ/mol and compares favorably with 127 kJ/mol for the synthetic isoindole, 1-[(beta-hydroxyethyl)thio]-2-(beta-hydroxyethyl) isoindole in hexane. It is, thus, concluded that the cysteine and lysine residues participating in isoindole formation in reaction between fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and o-phthalaldehyde are located in a hydrophobic environment.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by high molecular weight kininogen.

1. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of [3H]FSBA-labeled aggregin is mediated by platelet calpain. 2. Plasma HMWK inhibits platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin in intact platelets, indirectly by thrombin and directly by calpain. 3. Inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by HMWK is specific for this proteolytic enzyme. 4. HMWK is the major inhibitor of thrombin-induced activation of platelets in plasma.

Fibrinogen↗

Adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase: fluorescent affinity labeling of the catalytic subunit from bovine skeletal muscle with o-phthalaldehyde.

The catalytic subunit of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase from bovine skeletal muscle was rapidly inactivated by o-phthalaldehyde at 25 degrees C (pH 7.3). The reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the second-order rate constant was 1.1 X 10(2) M-1 s-1. Absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopic data were consistent with the formation of an isoindole derivative (1 mol/mol of enzyme). The reaction between the catalytic subunit and o-phthalaldehyde was not reversed by the addition of reagents containing free primary amino and sulfhydryl functions following inactivation. The reaction, however, could be arrested at any stage during its progress by the addition of an excess of cysteine or less efficiently by homocysteine or glutathione. The catalytic subunit was protected from inactivation by the presence of the substrates magnesium adenosine triphosphate and an acceptor serine peptide substrate. The decrease in fluorescence emission intensity of incubation mixtures containing iodoacetamide- or 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine-modified catalytic subunit and o-phthalaldehyde paralleled the loss of phosphotransferase activity. Catalytic subunit denatured with urea failed to react with o-phthalaldehyde. Inactivation of the catalytic subunit by o-phthalaldehyde is probably due to the concomitant modification of lysine-72 and cysteine-199. The proximal distance between the epsilon-amino function of the lysine and the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine residues involved in isoindole formation in the native enzyme is estimated to be approximately 3 A. The molar transition energy of the catalytic subunit-o-phthalaldehyde adduct was 121 kJ/mol and compares favorably with a value of 127 kJ/mol for the 1-[(beta-hydroxyethyl)thio]-2-(beta-hydroxyethyl)isoindole in hexane, indicating that the active site lysine and cysteine residues involved in formation of the isoindole derivative of the catalytic subunit are located in a hydrophobic environment. o-Phthalaldehyde probably acts as an active site specific reagent for the catalytic subunit.

Affinity Labels↗

Inactivation of guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase from bovine lung by o-phthalaldehyde.

Guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) dependent protein kinase is inactivated by o-phthalaldehyde. The loss of phosphotransferase activity following treatment with o-phthalaldehyde was rapid, and the second-order rate constant at 25 degrees C and pH 7.3 was 35 M-1 s-1. The inactivation reaction did not follow saturation kinetics. The cGMP-dependent protein kinase was protected from inactivation by its substrates, MgATP and Ser-peptide. Fluorescence excitation and emission spectroscopic data showed that an isoindole derivative was formed following the reaction between cGMP-dependent protein kinase and o-phthalaldehyde. Four moles of isoindole per mole of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase dimer was formed following complete inactivation by o-phthalaldehyde. In the absence of cGMP, the protein kinase lost only 50% of its cGMP binding activity while there was almost a complete loss of its phosphotransferase activity. Studies in the presence of 20 microM cGMP, however, showed that about 2 mol of isoindole groups per mole of the protein kinase dimer was formed following complete inactivation by o-phthalaldehyde. The second-order rate constant for inactivation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase by o-phthalaldehyde in the presence of 20 microM cGMP was 40 M-1 s-1. Fluorescence measurements of samples containing inactivated, iodoacetamide-modified, or 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine-modified, cGMP-dependent protein kinase and o-phthalaldehyde showed that the intensity of fluorescence in each case was about 50% of that obtained from unmodified, active cGMP-dependent protein kinase and o-phthalaldehyde.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldehydes↗

Glutathione monoethyl ester: preparation, uptake by tissues, and conversion to glutathione.

Glutathione monoethyl ester (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycyl ethyl ester), in contrast to glutathione itself, is effectively transported into many types of cells. The ester is converted intracellularly into glutathione. Intraperitoneal injection of 35S-labeled ester into mice was followed by rapid appearance of isotope in the glutathione of liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and heart; the glutathione levels of these tissues also increased. Oral administration of the ester to mice also increased cellular glutathione levels. Relatively little extracellular deesterification was found. Transport of glutathione ester into human erythrocytes and intracellular conversion to glutathione was observed. The findings suggest that the glutathione ester will be useful as a radioprotecting agent and in the prevention and treatment of toxicity due to certain foreign compounds and oxygen. The ester may be useful in experimental work on glutathione transport, metabolism, and function, and in related studies on oxygen toxicity, radiation, mutagenesis, and ageing. Methods for the preparation of glutathione monoethyl ester and several related compounds are given.

Administration, Oral↗

Isolation, purification, and characterization of a peptide that contains the beta-ketoacyl reductase, enoyl reductase, and beta-hydroxyacyl dehydrase activities of the pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase.

Controlled proteolytic cleavage of pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase with elastase (4% w/w) for 5 h yields two peptides that are designated II and IV. After 5 h of proteolysis the incubation mixture containing these peptides retains all of the component enzyme activities of the fatty acid synthetase complex. The two peptides are then separated by chromatography on an Affi-Gel Blue column. Gel filtration of the fraction containing peptide II yields a homogeneous peptide as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The molecular weight of this peptide has been estimated to be 130 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography, and amino acid analysis. The sedimentation coefficient for peptide II is approximately 7.4S. Peptide II contains the domains for the beta-ketoacyl and enoyl reductases and beta-hydroxyacyl dehydrase activities of the fatty acid synthetase complex.

3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase↗

Radioprotection by glutathione ester: transport of glutathione ester into human lymphoid cells and fibroblasts.

Glutathione is not effectively transported into human lymphoid cells, normal human skin fibroblasts, and fibroblasts from patients with genetic deficiencies of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase or glutathione synthetase. On the other hand, the monoethyl ester of glutathione, in which the carboxyl group of the glycine residue is esterified, is readily transported into these cells and is hydrolyzed intracellularly. This leads to greatly increased cellular levels of glutathione, which often exceed those found normally. Glutathione ester was found to protect human lymphoid cells of the CEM line against the lethal effects of irradiation. Under the conditions employed, complete protection was found when the ester was added prior to irradiation. Addition of the ester after irradiation was partially effective, suggesting that GSH may also function in repair processes.

Biological Transport↗