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W Kramer

Publications and source records attributed to W Kramer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization and chemical modification of the Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport system in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit ileum.

The Na(+)-dependent uptake system for bile acids in the ileum from rabbit small intestine was characterized using brush-border membrane vesicles. The uptake of [3H]taurocholate into vesicles prepared from the terminal ileum showed an overshoot uptake in the presence of an inwardly-directed Na(+)-gradient ([Na+]out > [Na+]in), in contrast to vesicles prepared from the jejunum. The Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake was cis-inhibited by natural bile acid derivatives, whereas cholephilic organic compounds, such as phalloidin, bromosulphophthalein, bilirubin, indocyanine green or DIDS - all interfering with hepatic bile-acid uptake - did not show a significant inhibitory effect. Photoaffinity labeling of ileal membrane vesicles with 3,3-azo- and 7,7-azo-derivatives of taurocholate resulted in specific labeling of a membrane polypeptide with apparent molecular mass 90 kDa. Bile-acid derivatives inhibiting [3H]taurocholate uptake by ileal vesicles also inhibited labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide, whereas compounds with no inhibitory effect on ileal bile-acid transport failed to show a significant effect on the labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide. The involvement of functional amino-acid side-chains in Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was investigated by chemical modification of ileal brush-border membrane vesicles with a variety of group-specific agents. It was found that (vicinal) thiol groups and amino groups are involved in active ileal bile-acid uptake, whereas carboxyl- and hydroxyl-containing amino acids, as well as tyrosine, histidine or arginine are not essential for Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport activity. The irreversible inhibition of [3H]taurocholate transport by DTNB or NBD-chloride could be partially reversed by thiols like 2-mercaptoethanol or DTT. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of taurocholate during chemical modification with NBD-chloride were able to protect the ileal bile-acid transporter from inactivation. These findings suggest that a membrane polypeptide of apparent M(r) 90,000 is a component of the active Na(+)-dependent bile-acid reabsorption system in the terminal ileum from rabbit small intestine. Vicinal thiol groups and amino groups of the transport system are involved in Na(+)-dependent transport activity, whereas other functional amino acids are not essential for transport activity.

Affinity Labels

Liver-specific drug targeting by coupling to bile acids.

Bile acids are selectively taken up from portal blood into the liver by specific transport systems in the hepatocyte plasma membrane. Therefore, studies were performed to evaluate the potential of bile acids as shuttles to deliver drugs specifically to the liver. The alkylating cytostatic drug chlorambucil and the fluorescent prolyl-4-hydroxylase inhibitor 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-beta-Ala-Phe-5-oxaproline-Gly were covalently linked via an amide bond to 7 alpha, 12 alpha,-dihydroxy-3 beta- (omega-aminoalkoxy)-5-beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugates S 2521, S 2539, S 2567, and S 2576 inhibited Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake in a concentration-dependent manner both into isolated rat hepatocytes and rabbit ileal brush border membrane vesicles, whereas the parent drug chlorambucil showed no significant inhibitory effect. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugates were able to prevent photoaffinity labeling of bile acid binding proteins in rat hepatocytes by the photolabile [3H]7,7-azo derivative of taurocholic acid indicating their bile acid character. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugate S 2577 was able to alkylate proteins demonstrating the drug character conserved in the hybrid-molecules. Liver perfusion experiments revealed a secretion profile of the chlorambucil-bile acid conjugate S 2576 into bile very similar to taurocholate compared to chlorambucil which is predominantly excreted by the kidney. 4-Nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-beta-Ala-Phe-5-oxaproline-Gly- t-butylester (S 4404), a fluorescent peptide inhibitor of prolyl-4-hydroxylase, was not transported in intact form from portal blood into bile in contrast to its bile acid conjugate S 3744; about 25% of the peptide-bile acid conjugate S 3744 was secreted in intact form into bile within 40 min compared with less than 4% of the parent oxaprolylpeptide S 4404. In conclusion, these studies reveal that modified bile acid molecules can be used as "Trojan horses" to deliver a drug molecule specifically into the liver and the biliary system. This offers important pharmacological options for the development of liver-specific drugs.

Affinity Labels

A monomeric von Willebrand factor fragment, Leu-504--Lys-728, inhibits von Willebrand factor interaction with glycoprotein Ib-IX [corrected].

von Willebrand factor interaction with glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIb alpha) plays a critical role in the initial phase of platelet adhesion at high shear rates, and it may also play a role in platelet thrombus formation in partially occluded arteries. Previous studies have indicated that two peptides, Cys-474--Pro-488 (peptide 153) and Ser-692--Pro-708 (peptide 154), inhibit von Willebrand factor--GPIb alpha interaction. We have expressed a recombinant fragment of von Willebrand factor, Leu-504--Lys-728 [corrected], with a single intrachain disulfide bond linking residues Cys-509--Cys-695 and examined its ability to inhibit von Willebrand factor--GPIb alpha interactions and platelet adhesion at high shear forces. This recombinant fragment, named VCL, inhibits ristocetin-induced, botrocetin-induced, and asialo-von Willebrand factor-induced platelet aggregation and binding to platelets at an IC50 = 0.011-0.260 microM, significantly lower than the IC50 of peptide 153 or 154, IC50 = 86-700 microM. Peptides 153 and 154 did not result in any inhibition of platelet adhesion (IC50 greater than 500 microM). In contrast, VCL inhibited 50% of platelet adhesion at 0.94 microM and at 7.6 microM inhibited greater than 80% of platelet adhesion to human umbilical artery subendothelium at high shear forces. VCL inhibited the contact and spreading of platelets and also caused a marked decrease in thrombus formation. These studies indicate that VCL may be an effective antithrombotic agent in preventing arterial thrombus formation in areas of high shear force.

Amino Acid Sequence

Intestinal absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics and oligopeptides. Functional and stereospecific reconstitution of the oligopeptide transport system from rabbit small intestine.

The H(+)-dependent uptake system responsible for the enteral absorption of oligopeptides and orally active beta-lactam antibiotics was functionally reconstituted into liposomes. Membrane proteins from rabbit small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles were solubilized with n-octyl glucoside and incorporated into liposomes using a gel filtration method. At protein/lipid ratios of 1:10 and 1:40, the uptake of the orally active alpha-amino-cephalosporin, D-cephalexin into proteoliposomes was stimulated by an inwardly directed H+ gradient and was protein-dependent. In these proteoliposomes the binding protein for oligopeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics of Mr 127,000 could be labeled by direct photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin revealing an identical binding specificity as in the original brush border membrane vesicles. The uptake system for beta-lactam antibiotics and oligopeptides showed a remarkable stereospecificity; only D-cephalexin was taken up by intact brush border membrane vesicles, whereas the L-enantiomer was not taken up to a significant extent. This stereospecificity for uptake was also seen after reconstitution of solubilized brush border membrane proteins into liposomes demonstrating a functional reconstitution of the peptide transporter. Both enantiomers however, bound to the 127-kDa binding protein as was shown by a decrease in the extent of photoaffinity labeling of the 127-kDa protein in the presence of both enantiomers. After reconstitution of subfractions of brush border membrane proteins obtained by wheat germ lectin affinity chromatography into proteoliposomes, only liposomes containing the 127-kDa binding protein showed a significant uptake of D-cephalexin whereas the L-enantiomer was not transported. The uptake rates for D-cephalexin into proteoliposomes correlated with the content of 127-kDa binding protein in these liposomes as was determined by specific photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin. The purified 127-kDa binding protein was also reconstituted into liposomes and its ability for specific binding of substrates as well as stereospecific uptake of cephalexin could be restored. These results indicate that the binding protein for oligopeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics of Mr 127,000 mediates the stereospecific and H(+)-dependent transport of orally active beta-lactam antibiotics across the enterocyte brush border membrane. We therefore suggest that this 127-kDa binding protein is the intestinal peptide transport system (or a component thereof).

Affinity Labels

Renin inhibitory pentols showing improved enteral bioavailability.

Incorporation of a C-terminal pentahydroxy functionality led to potent, low molecular weight hydrophilic renin inhibitors lacking the P1' side chain. As these compounds are easy to synthesize and have sufficient water solubility, they were chosen for further study. Compound 33 was transported across rabbit intestinal brush border membrane vesicles and yielded a hypotensive effect in sodium-depleted rhesus monkeys which lasted for 90 min when dosed at 2 mg/kg id.

Amino Sugars

Acute genital injury in the prepubertal girl.

In an effort to develop guidelines for the management of acute genital injuries in prepubertal girls, we categorized 32 cases by the object that allegedly caused the injury: straddle injuries, nonpenetrating injuries, penetrating injuries, and torque injuries. Using these categories and the anatomic features of symmetry and/or hymenal transection, we determined that the most dangerous injuries were the penetrating injuries that were symmetric and transected the hymen; in this series these were all the result of sexual assault. Future studies are needed to determine if these unique injuries can be managed with less physical and psychosocial trauma to the young patient.

Black or African American

Effect of erythropoietin on ischemia tolerance in anemic hemodialysis patients with confirmed coronary artery disease.

From a total of 81 patients on maintenance hemodialysis who underwent coronary angiography, 8 patients fulfilled the criteria: significant coronary artery disease, hematocrit less than 27%, reproducible (ECG) positive treadmill test, no disturbance of repolarization in ECG at rest. Exercise stress testing was performed at a hematocrit of 25 +/- 2% and following erythropoietin therapy at a hematocrit of 34 +/- 0.5%. Symptom-limited exercise performance increased in all patients (1.10 +/- 0.3 W/kg b.w. vs. 1.44 +/- 0.31 W/kg b.w., p less than 0.01) as well as exercise duration (489 vs. 362 s, p +/- 0.01). ST segment depression during maximal exercise was reduced from a mean of 2.1 to 0.4 mm (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that amelioration of renal anemia by erythropoietin in dialysis patients with significant coronary artery disease reduces exercise-induced myocardial ischemia.

Adult

Abnormal diastolic left ventricular filling by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

To determine characteristics of diastolic left ventricular (LV) function in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), two groups of CAPD patients without (n = 23; group 1) vs with (n = 25; group 2) LV hypertrophy (greater than 13 mm) were compared with a group of untreated non-renal hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy (n = 11; group 3) using Doppler-echocardiography. Age and body surface area were comparable in all three groups, mean CAPD-duration (32 +/- 28 vs 26 +/- 23 months; p = NS) was comparable in renal patients. LV systolic function in echocardiography (LVEF: 62 vs 64 vs 63%) and systolic time intervals were normal and comparable in all three groups. Atrial maximum filling velocities (96 +/- 25 vs 91 +/- 25 vs 67 +/- 8 cm/s) were comparably increased, the ratio of maximal early/atrial filling velocities was comparably decreased (0.73 +/- 0.25 vs 0.77 +/- 0.21 vs 0.99 +/- 0.05) in both groups of renal patients as compared to group 3 (p less than 0.05-0.01). Atrial filling fractions were increased in all three groups, more pronounced in group 1 than in group 3 (50 +/- 11 vs 40 +/- 7%; p less than 0.05). The normal correlation of Doppler parameters with age and with LV radius/thickness ratio was altered in renal patients such that high patient age tended to have an additional negative influence on LV diastolic function of hypertrophied, but not of normal myocardium. Isovolumic relaxation time was prolonged in all three groups (134 +/- 38 vs 131 +/- 34 vs 116 +/- 17 ms; p = NS). We conclude that in patients on CAPD, diastolic LV filling is impaired both in normal and hypertrophied myocardium. High age is a factor that further attributes to diastolic dysfunction of hypertrophied myocardium in CAPD.

Age Factors

Intestinal uptake of dipeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics. I. The intestinal uptake system for dipeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics is not part of a brush border membrane peptidase.

The uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics into small intestinal enterocytes occurs by the transport system for small peptides. The role of membrane-bound peptidases in the brush border membrane of enterocytes from rabbit and pig small intestine for the uptake of small peptides and beta-lactam antibiotics was investigated using brush border membrane vesicles. The enzymatic activity of aminopeptidase N was inhibited by beta-lactam antibiotics in a non-competitive manner whereas dipeptidylpeptidase IV was not affected. The peptidase inhibitor bestatin led to a strong competitive inhibition of aminopeptidase N whereas the uptake of cephalexin into brush border membrane vesicles was only slightly inhibited at high bestatin concentrations (greater than 1 mM). Modification of brush border membrane vesicles with the histidine-modifying reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate led to a strong irreversible inhibition of cephalexin uptake whereas the activity of aminopeptidase N remained unchanged. A modification of serine residues with diisopropyl fluorophosphate completely inactivated dipeptidylpeptidase IV whereas the transport activity for cephalexin and the enzymatic activity of aminopeptidase N were not influenced. With polyclonal antibodies raised against aminopeptidase N from pig renal microsomes the aminopeptidase N from solubilized brush border membranes from pig small intestine could be completely precipitated; the binding protein for beta-lactam antibiotics and oligopeptides of apparent Mr 127,000 identified by direct photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin showed no crossreactivity with the aminopeptidase N anti serum and was not precipitated by the anti serum. These results clearly demonstrate that peptidases of the brush border membrane like aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV are not directly involved in the intestinal uptake process for small peptides and beta-lactam antibiotics and are not a constituent of this transport system. This suggests that a membrane protein of Mr 127,000 is (a part of) the uptake system for beta-lactam antibiotics and small peptides in the brush border membrane of small intestinal enterocytes.

Affinity Labels

Bile salt binding to serum components. Taurocholate incorporation into high-density lipoprotein revealed by photoaffinity labelling.

1. Photoaffinity labelling of human serum albumin with the sodium salts of (3 beta-azido-7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oyl)-2-amino[2(-3)H (N)]ethanesulfonic acid, (7,7-azo-3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oyl)-2-amino[2(-3)H (N)]ethanesulfonic acid and (11 zeta-azido-12-oxo-3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oyl)-2-amino[2(-3)H (N)]ethanesulfonic acid resulted, in each case, in a considerable covalent incorporation of radioactivity into the protein. 2. Photoaffinity labelling of whole serum, obtained from fasting test persons, revealed with all three photolabile derivatives of taurocholate at the physiological concentration of 2.1 microM the incorporation of radioactivity not only into albumin but also into high-density lipoprotein, as demonstrated by density gradient centrifugation and by immunological characterization. 3. The bulk of radioactivity incorporated into high-density lipoprotein by photoaffinity labelling of whole serum was found to have been associated with the lipids. Only 10-20% of the label was covalently bound to apolipoproteins, predominantly to the apolipoproteins A-I and A-II. 4. The interaction of taurocholate with high-density lipoprotein has been confirmed by density gradient centrifugation using 14C-labelled taurcholate. It is assumed that the interaction of taurocholate with high-density lipoprotein is physiologically of significance.

Adult

Antiphytoviral activity of 2,4 dioxo hexahydro triazine.

Three treatments with 2,4 dioxo hexahydro triazine (DHT) significantly reduced the concentration of potato virus X (PVX) in systemically infected tobacco plants. In hypersensitive plants DHT caused a reduction in the number of local lesions produced by PVX. In systemic and hypersensitive hosts, treatment with DHT resulted in a more or less marked reduction in the concentration of, and in the number of local lesions caused by, potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus A (PVA), tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Three days after treatment with DHT the incorporation of 32P into TMV RNA was significantly reduced, while that into host RNA was less affected.

Antiviral Agents

[Dioxohexahydrotriazine, a new synthetic antiphytoviral compound (author's transl)].

This paper reports the first results of studies made to determine the antiviral activity of dioxo hexahydro triazine, a newly developed antiphytoviral compound. After treatment with dioxo hexahydro triazine, the concentration of helical potato virus X in leaves of Nicotiana tabacum "Samsun" was found to be considerably reduced in both the serological test and local lesion test conducted on Nicotiana glutinosa at temperatures of 14 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C. In secondarily infected leaves, the reduction of the concentration of potato virus X in the range of from 1 mol/l to 10(-3) mol/l was so that it was no longer possible for viruses to be detected serologically. In vitro, however, dioxo hexahydro triazine, which was added to the inoculum, did not produce a significant change in the activity of the virion of potato virus X. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that dioxo hexahydro triazine tends to affect replication steps of viruses. The use of dioxo hexahydro triazine also had the effect of greatly and highly significantly reducing the concentration of the isodiametric cucumber mosaic virus.

Antiviral Agents