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W T Jenkins

Publications and source records attributed to W T Jenkins.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Patterns of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolism in normal human pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) obtained by bronchopulmonary lavage from 6 normal non-smoking volunteers were incubated with [3H]-benzo[alpha]pyrene to ascertain the normal metabolism and conjugation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Through the use of a crude glucuronidase preparation, both glucuronic acid and sulfate conjugates were examined. Phenols and quinones were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography as the principal free metabolites formed during 1 h incubation with benzanthracene induced PAMs. In addition, phenols and quinones were major substrates utilized by these cells for conjugation during the incubation period. The ranges of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites produced by PAMs from non-smokers were compiled and the variation in production as well as detoxification of proximate carcinogenic benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes by benzanthracene or cigarette tars adsorbed to asbestos fibers.

Human mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, cultured in the presence of amosite asbestos (AS), demonstrated a slight increase in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity compared with non-induced (control) cultures (P = 0.005). A much greater increase in enzyme activity occurred following addition of the inducers benzanthracene (BA) or cigarette tars (CT) to cell cultures (P less than 0.001 in both instances). Significant enzyme induction also occurred when AS fibers were first preincubated with CT or BA, washed with acetone, then added to lymphocyte cultures (P less than 0.003 in all instances). This increase in AHH activity was not as great, however, as the induction observed when BA or CT was added to cell cultures. No further increase in enzyme activity was noted when AS and CT or AS and BA were simultaneously added to culture lymphocytes (P greater than 0.070 in all instances). The results demonstrate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as BA and other components of CT, are adsorbed and transported by amosite AS particles. These AS-PAH complexes are capable of inducing AHH in cultured human lymphocytes.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1975

Factors contributing to the inhibition of aspartate aminotransferase by dicarboxylic acids.

At pH 8.0 aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) reacts with the modified substrate, erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-aspartate, to form a mixture of enzyme-substrate complexes absorbing at 492 nm. A variety of dicarboxylic acids were studied spectrophotometrically as competitive inhibitors of this reaction. All of the inhibitory dicarboxylic acids form a complex with the enzyme, absorbing at 362 nm. In addition, some of the dicarboxylic acids form a protonated complex absorbing at about 435 nm. This complex, which is the conjugate acid of that absorbing at 362 nm, is formed only by those dicarboxylic acids which can assume a configuration in which the two carboxyl groups are positioned as in maleic acid. Bulky substituents, such as aromatic rings or even methyl groups, prevent the formation of the protonated complex, presumably because of steric restrictions at the active site. Substitution of the central carbon atom of glutaric acid by heteroatoms of increasing charge density results in a progressive decrease in inhibitory effectiveness, at pH 8, primarily due to a loss of this pH-dependent stabilization of the enzyme-dicarboxylic acid complex. Acids with an aromatic ring are among the most potent dicarboxylic acid inhibitors of this enzyme in spite of the fact that they do not undergo the pH-dependent stabilization of their enzyme complexes. From these observations it was concluded that the affinity of aspartate aminotransferase for dicarboxylic acids is determined as much by the mechanism of binding as by the solvation and steric effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1973

D-alanine oxidase form Escherichia coli: localization and induction by L-alanine.

Dialyzed membranes of Escherichia coli prepared by an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-lysozyme method catalyze the oxidation of both l-alanine and d-alanine. The specific activities for the oxidations of both d-alanine and l-alanine are increased fivefold when the cells are grown in the presence of either l-alanine or dl-alanine, but are increased only slightly when grown in the presence of d-alanine. In the dl-alanine-induced system, the specific activities for the oxidations of some other d-amino acids are also raised. dl-alanine also induces two other alanine catabolizing enzymes, alanine dehydrogenase and alanine-glutamate aminotransferase which are found in the "soluble" fraction of lysozyme-treated cells. The oxidations of both l-alanine and d-alanine were associated with the membranes of induced cells. After the membranes were disintegrated by sonic treatment, both l-alanine and d-alanine oxidation catalysts sedimented in a sucrose density gradient together with d-lactate and l-lactate dehydrogenases, apparently as a single multienzyme complex.

Alanine↗
PubMed1973

D-alanine oxidase from Escherichia coli: participation in the oxidation of L-alanine.

Cell wall-membrane preparations of Escherichia coli, prepared by the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-lysozyme method, contain enzymes which catalyze the oxidation of d-alanine and, to a lesser extent, l-alanine into pyruvate and ammonia without the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The kinetic parameters were (i) pH optima of 8.3 to 8.4 for l- and d-alanine and (ii) a K(m) value of 6.6 +/- 0.2 mM for d-alanine. Several coenzymes were without effect when added to the reaction mixture. The participation of d-alanine oxidase in the oxidation of l-alanine was demonstrated. The evidence is based on (i) results of cellular fractionation; (ii) labeling experiments; (iii) inhibition studies with aminooxyacetate and cycloserine; (iv) denaturation experiments; and (v) demonstration of the presence of an active racemase.

Acetates↗