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Biomedical subjects

Stefan Berger

Publications and source records attributed to Stefan Berger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

New and easy strategy for cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of the 5S subunit of transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium f. shermanii.

Methylmalonyl CoA-oxalacetate transcarboxylase (EC 2. 1. 3. 1) from Propionibacterium f. shermanii is a biotin dependent enzyme which transfers CO2 from methylmalonyl-CoA (MMCoA) to pyruvate via a carboxylated biotin group to form oxalacetate. It is composed of three subunits, the central cylindrical hexameric 12S subunit, the outer six dimeric 5S subunit, and the twelve 1.3S linkers. We here report the cloning, sequencing, expression, and purification of the 5S subunit. The gene was identified by matching the amino acid sequence with that of deposited in the NCBI database. For cloned 5S subunit sequence shows regions of high homology with that of pyruvate carboxylase and oxaloacetate decarboxylase. The gene encoding the 5S subunit was cloned into the pTXB1 vector. The expressed 5S subunit was purified to apparent homogeneity by a single step process by using Intein mediated protein ligation (IPL) method. The cloned 5S gene encodes a protein of 505 amino acids and of M(r) 55,700.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Identification of corticosteroid-regulated genes in cardiomyocytes by serial analysis of gene expression.

Corticosteroids (aldosterone, cortisol/corticosterone) exert direct functional effects on cardiomyocytes. However, gene networks activated by corticosteroids in cardiomyocytes, as well as the involvement of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) vs the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in these effects, remain largely unknown. Here we characterized the corticosteroid-dependent transcriptome in primary culture of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes treated with 10(-6) M aldosterone, a concentration predicted to occupy both MR and GR. Serial analysis of gene expression revealed 101 aldosterone-regulated genes. The MR/GR specificity was characterized for one regulated transcript, namely ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase-3 (Art3). Using cardiomyocytes from GR(null/null) or MR(null/null) mice we demonstrate that in GR(null/null) cardiomyocytes the response is abrogated, but it is fully maintained in MR(null/null) cardiomyocytes. We conclude that Art3 expression is regulated exclusively via the GR. Our study identifies a new set of corticosteroid-regulated genes in cardiomyocytes and demonstrates a new approach to studying the selectivity of MR- vs GR-dependent effects.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed2006

Diffusion NMR as a new method for the determination of the gel point of gelatin.

The gelation of gelatin has been investigated using pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR. For the first time, diffusion results have been used to determine the gelation point, which is indicated by a minimum in the self-diffusion coefficient of the free polymer fraction vs temperature. Biexponential analysis of the diffusion decay data allowing the diffusion of free and network-bound gelatin to be determined separately has been applied to provide an extended insight into the gelation process. Low-amplitude oscillatory shear rheology and time-resolved dynamic light scattering (DLS) as classical polymer characterization methods were applied as control experiments. All three methods yielded a gelation temperature of 24-25 degrees C for the cooling regime. Hysteresis effects could also be observed.

Diffusion↗
PubMed2006

Electronic properties of furyl substituents at phosphorus and their influence on 31P NMR chemical shifts.

The electronic properties of 2-furyl and 3-furyl substituents attached to phosphanes and phosphonium salts were studied by means of IR spectroscopy and experimental and computational (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The heteroaromatic systems proved to be electron withdrawing with respect to phenyl substituents. However, phosphorus atoms with attached furyl substituents are strongly shielded in NMR. The reason for this phenomenon was studied by solid state (31)P MAS NMR experiments. The chemical shift tensor was extracted, and the orientation within the molecules was determined. The tensor component sigma(33), which is effected the most by furyl systems, is oriented perpendicular to the P-C bonds of the substituents. P-furyl bonds are shorter than P-phenyl bonds. We assume therefore a lower ground-state energy of the molecules, because of the electron withdrawing properties of the 2-furyl systems. The sigma(para) component of the (31)P NMR magnetic shielding is therefore smaller, which results in an overall increase of the magnetic shielding.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Can one gain spectral information plus time by 3D HMBC via back-projection?

The 3D HMBC technique is compared with a time saving technique in which the projection-reconstruction (PR) principle is applied. Using strychnine as an example we demonstrate that after recording essentially three planes of the 3D cuboid a comparable result can be obtained, if certain constraints of the data dimensions are obeyed.

Image Enhancement↗
PubMed2005

Loss of the limbic mineralocorticoid receptor impairs behavioral plasticity.

Corticosteroid action in the brain is mediated by the mineralocorticoid (MR) and the glucocorticoid (GR) receptor. Disturbances in MR- and GR-mediated effects are thought to impair cognition, behavior, and endocrine control. To assess the function of the limbic MR in these processes, we inactivated the MR gene in the forebrain of the mouse using the Cre/loxP-recombination system. We screened the mice with a limbic MR deficiency in various learning and exploration tests. The mutant mice show impaired learning of the water-maze task and deficits in measures of working memory on the radial maze due to behavioral perseverance and stereotypy. They exhibit a hyperreactivity toward a novel object but normal anxiety-like behavior. The behavioral changes are associated with abnormalities of the mossy fiber projection and an up-regulation of GR expression in the hippocampus. Adult mutant mice show normal corticosterone levels at circadian trough and peak. This genetic model provides important information about the consequences of a permanently altered balance between limbic MR and GR, with implications for stress-related neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Mineralocorticoid receptors are indispensable for nongenomic modulation of hippocampal glutamate transmission by corticosterone.

The adrenal hormone corticosterone transcriptionally regulates responsive genes in the rodent hippocampus through nuclear mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. Via this genomic pathway the hormone alters properties of hippocampal cells slowly and for a prolonged period. Here we report that corticosterone also rapidly and reversibly changes hippocampal signaling. Stress levels of the hormone enhance the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials in CA1 pyramidal neurons and reduce paired-pulse facilitation, pointing to a hormone-dependent enhancement of glutamate-release probability. The rapid effect by corticosterone is accomplished through a nongenomic pathway involving membrane-located receptors. Unexpectedly, the rapid effect critically depends on the classical mineralocorticoid receptor, as evidenced by the effectiveness of agonists, antagonists, and brain-specific inactivation of the mineralocorticoid but not the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Rapid actions by corticosterone would allow the brain to change its function within minutes after stress-induced elevations of corticosteroid levels, in addition to responding later through gene-mediated signaling pathways.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2005

Ag NMR as a tool for mechanistic studies of Ag-catalyzed reactions: evidence for in situ formation of alkyn-1-yl silver from alkynes and silver salts.

[Structure: see formula]. As demonstrated by 1H, 13C, and 109Ag NMR, a pi-alkyne-Ag complex and then an alkynyl silver are in situ formed from alkyne and silver salt in conditions related to those used for Ag-catalyzed alkynylation or for Ag/Pd-catalyzed sp-sp2 cross-coupling reactions. This finding allows for a rationale of the mechanisms of these reactions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Saturation transfer difference measurements with SU(VAR)3-9 and S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

Saturation transfer difference NMR measurements were performed to investigate the interaction of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) with SU(VAR)3-9 from Drosophila melanogaster. SU(VAR)3-9 has a SET domain and plays an important role in methylation of lysine-9 of histone H3 which results in gene silencing. We determined the binding epitope of AdoMet and compared it with a crystal structure of another SET protein.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Advanced approaches for the characterization of a de novo designed antiparallel coiled coil peptide.

We report here an advanced approach for the characterization of the folding pattern of a de novo designed antiparallel coiled coil peptide by high-resolution methods. Incorporation of two fluorescence labels at the C- and N-terminus of the peptide chain as well as modification of two hydrophobic core positions by Phe/[15N,13C]Leu enable the study of the folding characteristics and of distinct amino acid side chain interactions by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and NMR spectroscopy. Results of both experiments reveal the antiparallel alignment of the helices and thus prove the design concept. This finding is also supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) in combination with NMR experiments was used for verification of the oligomerization equilibria of the coiled coil peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of steroid receptor function by gene targeting in mice.

Corticosteroid hormones regulate a variety of developmental, physiological and pathological processes via their cognate receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Using modern genetic technologies, including bacterial artificial chromosome-based transgenesis and conditional gene targeting, we have generated a panel of tissue-specific and function-selective mutations of the two corticosteroid hormone receptors in the mouse. These mouse models have allowed us to gain new insights into corticosteroid hormone signaling in vivo. By investigating a hepatocyte-specific GR mutation, it has been possible to define a novel biological action of GR, namely to function as a coactivator for Stat5-mediated gene transcription in the control of body growth. The investigation of brain-specific mutations have not only allowed us to better understand hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation by glucocorticoids, but also to analyse corticosteroid action in various aspects of brain function like anxiety-related or addiction-related behaviour, and learning and memory. A function-selective mutation in the GR has allowed us to dissect different pathways in the gene expression regulation by this receptor, namely to separate DNA response element-binding dependent gene activation from response element-independent gene regulation via interference with other transcription factors. These different transcriptional activities of GR play an important role in glucocorticoid-mediated immunosuppression.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

Saturation transfer and chemical exchange measurements of the stereochemical drift occurring during the Wittig reaction.

The Wittig reaction of butylidenetriphenylphosphorane with benzaldehyde using LiHMDS as base in THF was studied. The stereochemical drift (different ratio obtained in alkenes versus oxaphosphetane intermediates) was followed by low-temperature 1D NMR techniques. A retro-Wittig reaction is demonstrated using 13C and 31P saturation transfer experiments and homonuclear DPFGSE-ROE techniques.

Benzaldehydes↗
PubMed2004

Flavonoid binding to a multi-drug-resistance transporter protein: an STD-NMR study.

Flavonoids are well known to inhibit the function of the multi-drug-resistance (mdr) transporter by interacting with their ATP binding domains. The precise orientation of these molecules inside the ATP binding pocket is still unclear. We applied the saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR technique to investigate the binding of the flavonoid luteolin and its 7-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside to the recombinant nucleotide binding domain (NBD2) of mouse-mdr. First, this NMR technique confirmed binding of both ligands to NBD2, as was determined from tryptophan fluorescence-quenching experiments. Further, the results suggest binding of both luteolin and its 7-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside by their polar groups at positions 4, 5, and 3' to the protein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗
PubMed2004

Determination of the binding specificity of the 12S subunit of the transcarboxylase by saturation transfer difference NMR.

In this study we present the characterization of the interaction of biotin and methylmalonyl-CoA (MMCoA) with the carboxyltransferase subunit (12S) from the transcarboxylase (TC) from Propionibacterium shermanii. This biotin dependent multienzyme complex catalyses the transfer of carbon dioxide from methylmalonyl-CoA (MMCoA) to pyruvate. The Saturation Transfer Difference NMR (STD) technique was performed to determine the binding epitope from biotin and MMCoA to the 12S subunit. We could show by titrations during STD experiments that biotin and MMCoA bind cooperatively in one binding pocket.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗
PubMed2004

Triphenylphosphane complex formation with hexyn-1-yl silver.

Hexyn-1-yl silver shows broad signals in 1H, 13C and 109Ag NMR. In the presence of 1 equiv. of triphenylphosphane, the signals are much sharper and at low temperature 109Ag,31P and 107Ag,31P coupling can be observed. On 109Ag decoupling, the 31P spectrum still shows the 107Ag,31P coupling indicating the formation of a coordination complex.

Alkynes↗
PubMed2004

The pH-dependence of preferential solvation as studied by intermolecular homo- and heteronuclear NOE measurements of adenosine in water-trifluoroethanol mixtures.

A study of the state of solvation of the adenine ring in adenosine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt in water and in a (7.5:2.5) water-TFE mixture has been carried out by measurement of homo- and heteronuclear intermolecular NOE enhancements between water or TFE and the aromatic protons of these compounds. The results give evidence of site specificity in solute-solvent interaction for both solvent systems and preferential solvation of the solute by TFE in the water-TFE mixture. Significant pH dependence of these interactions has been discovered.

Adenosine↗