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Biomedical subjects

R Pagani

Publications and source records attributed to R Pagani.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

The inhibition of rat liver threonine dehydratase by carbamoyl-phosphate. The formation of carbamoylpyridoxal 5'-phosphate.

The effects exerted by carbamoyl phosphate (CP) and cyanate (KCNO) on rat liver L-threonine deaminase have been studied. The two compounds showed that same effects, inhibiting through a competitive mechanism both the holoenzyme and the dialyzed enzyme; inhibition was more evident for the latter. Ki values, both for L-threonine and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), were lower for the apoenzyme and the inhibitors also affected the Km of the apoenzyme for PLP. The effects of CP and KCNO are mainly due to an interference in the association reaction apoenzyme + PLP in equilibrium holoenzyme This was clearly demonstrated by the fact that, when PLP was incubated with CP or KCNO, it failed to enhance the activity of the holoenzyme nor did it reactivate the resolved apoenzyme. Such interference of CP and KCNO in the L-threonine deaminase activity was mainly due to a specific mechanism, the formation of a new derivative of PLP. The reaction of PLP with either CP or KCNO occurred readily, at low concentrations, under physiological conditions. The new compound was identified as 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrido[3,4-e]1,3-oxazin-2-one derivative by ultraviolet-visible spectra, elemental analysis, infrared, NMR and MS spectra. In this paper we formulate the hypothesis that this compound is involved in the regulation of the CP and PLP intracellular content and in the control of PLP dependent enzymes.

Animals↗

Intracellular calcium and pH alterations induced by Escherichia coli endotoxin in rat hepatocytes.

In this study, the fluorescent Ca2+ probe fura-2 and the fluorescent pH indicator BCECF have been used to monitor cytosolic free Ca2+ and intracellular pH (pHi), respectively, in isolated and cultured hepatocytes treated with Escherichia coli O111:B4 endotoxin. Uptake of 45Ca2+ was also measured to study the effect of endotoxin on the extracellular calcium influx. Endotoxin treatment produced a progressive increase of cytosolic Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner caused by both induction of a significant release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and stimulation of the extracellular calcium influx. The perturbation of Ca2+ homeostasis by endotoxin may cause an abnormal stimulation of physiological processes, developing lethal cell injury. Endotoxin also produced a significant decrease in the pHi of hepatocytes which can justify important metabolic alterations during endotoxicosis.

Animals↗

Binding studies and localization of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide in cultured hepatocytes by an immunocolloidal-gold technique.

In this study, the uptake and localization of an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, and the temperature effects on these processes, were studied in rat cultured hepatocytes using a binding assay and an immunocolloidal gold technique. The lipopolysaccharide was found to bind to the cell membrane and microvilli after short incubation times, at both 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. This was followed by a dispersed localization into the cytoplasm, reaching mitochondria. The uptake was found not to be receptor-mediated. A decrease of temperature, delays, but does not prevent, the lipopolysaccharide internalization.

Animals↗

Purine nucleotide content of lymphocytes from healthy subjects and asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive patients.

The purine nucleotide content of lymphocytes of normal subjects and asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive patients was analyzed by HPLC. An increase in IMP and a decrease in ADP, GDP, ATP and GPT were observed in the HIV-infected patients with respect to healthy subjects. The changes may depend on different factors and indicate that the virus influences purine nucleotide metabolism of the cell. The finding sheds light on the metabolic situation of the infected cell, and could be applied to monitoring the disease.

Adult↗