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Abuse of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.): studies on the metabolism and the toxicologic detection of its ingredients elemicin, myristicin, and safrole in rat and human urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Seeds of nutmeg are used as spice, but they are also abused because of psychotropic effects described after ingestion of large doses. It was postulated that these effects could be attributable to metabolic formation of amphetamine derivatives from the main nutmeg ingredients elemicin (EL), myristicin (MY), and safrole (SA). In a case of a suspected nutmeg abuse, neither such amphetamine derivatives nor the main nutmeg ingredients could be detected in urine. The metabolites of EL, MY, and SA were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in rat urine and their presence in human urine of the nutmeg abuser was confirmed. The identified metabolites indicated that EL, MY, and SA were once and twice hydroxylated at the side chain. In addition, EL was O-demethylated at 2 positions followed by side chain hydroxylation. MY and SA were demethylenated and subsequently methylated. In the human urine sample, the following metabolites could be identified: O-demethyl elemicin, O-demethyl dihydroxy elemicin, demethylenyl myristicin, dihydroxy myristicin, and demethylenyl safrole. As in the human urine sample, neither amphetamine derivatives nor the main nutmeg ingredients could be detected in the rat urine samples. Finally, toxicologic detection of nutmeg abuse was possible by identification of the described metabolites of the EL, MY, and SA in urine applying the authors' systematic toxicologic analysis procedure using full-scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after acid hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction of analytes, and microwave-assisted acetylation of extracted analytes.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗

Interaction between nitric oxide and ethylene in the induction of alternative oxidase in ozone-treated tobacco plants.

The higher plant mitochondrial electron transport chain contains, in addition to the cytochrome chain, an alternative pathway that terminates with a single homodimeric protein, the alternative oxidase (AOX). We recorded temporary inhibition of cytochrome capacity respiration and activation of AOX pathway capacity in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv BelW3) fumigated with ozone (O(3)). The AOX1a gene was used as a molecular probe to investigate its regulation by signal molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide (NO), ethylene (ET), salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid (JA), all of them reported to be involved in the O(3) response. Fumigation leads to accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in mitochondria and early accumulation of NO in leaf tissues. Although ET accumulation was high in leaf tissues 5 h after the start of O(3) fumigation, it declined during the recovery period. There were no differences in the JA and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid levels of treated and untreated plants. NO, JA, and ET induced AOX1a mRNA accumulation. Using pharmacological inhibition of ET and NO, we demonstrate that both NO- and ET-dependent pathways are required for O(3)-induced up-regulation of AOX1a. However, only NO is indispensable for the activation of AOX1a gene expression.

Cyclopentanes↗

Monoclonal antibodies to the alternative oxidase of higher plant mitochondria.

The higher plant mitochondrial electron transport chain contains, in addition to the cytochrome chain which terminates with cytochrome oxidase, an alternative pathway that terminates with an alternative oxidase. The alternative oxidase of Sauromatum guttatum Schott has recently been identified as a cluster of proteins with apparent M(r) of 37, 36, and 35 kilodaltons (kD). Monoclonal antibodies have now been prepared to these proteins and designated as AOA (binding all three proteins of the alternative oxidase cluster), AOU (binding the upper or 37 kD protein), and AOL (binding the lower or 36 and 35 kD proteins). All three antibodies bind to their respective alternative oxidase proteins whether the proteins are in their native or denatured states (as on protein blots). AOA and AOU inhibit alternative oxidase activity around 49%, whereas AOL inhibits activity only 14%. When coupled individually to Sepharose 4B, all three monoclonal resins were capable of retaining the entire cluster of alternative oxidase proteins, suggesting that these proteins are physically associated in some manner. The monoclonals were capable of binding similar mitochondrial proteins in a number of thermogenic and nonthermogenic species, indicating that they will be useful in characterizing and purifying the alternative oxidase of different systems. The ability of the monoclonal-Sepharose 4B resins to retain the cluster of previously identified alternative oxidase proteins, along with the inhibition of alternative oxidase activity by these monoclonals, supports the role of these proteins in constituting the alternative oxidase.

Journal Article↗

[Remodeling of basement membrane in association with cancer invasion].

Type IV collagen the major component of basement membrane (BM), is composed of six genetically distinct alpha chains. In normal breast tissue, benign breast tumors, and in the intraductal components of invasive ductal carcinoma, alpha 1 (IV) and alpha 2 (IV) chains were stained in all BM, whereas alpha 5 (IV) and alpha 6 (IV) chains were restrictively localized in a linear pattern in the epithelial BM. However, in invasive ductal carcinoma, alpha 1 (IV) and alpha 2 (IV) chains were discontinuously or negatively stained in the cancer cell nest, and the assembly of alpha 5 (IV) and alpha 6 (IV) chains into the BM was completely inhibited. The results indicate that the mammary gland forms a second network of BM composed of alpha 5 (IV)/alpha 6 (IV) chains, in addition to the classic network of alpha 1 (IV)/alpha 2 (IV) chains. Remodeling of type IV collagen alpha chains during the development of invasive breast cancer seems to be differentially regulated, and to be associated with modification of histopathological findings.

Basement Membrane↗

Characterization of the family of dimers associated with Fc receptors (Fc epsilon RI and Fc gamma RIII).

The receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) is a multimeric complex containing one alpha chain, one beta chain with four transmembrane domains and one homodimer of disulfide-linked gamma-chains. The Fc epsilon RI gamma-chains form additional disulfide-linked dimers with the homologous zeta- and eta-chains, as part of the TCR complex. The low affinity receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RIII)2 on NK cells is also associated with zeta-chains. Here we show that the gamma-chain is expressed in NK cells both as a group of heterogenous gamma gamma homodimers and also as a heterodimer bound to zeta. Fc gamma RIIIA is associated with three types of dimers zeta zeta, gamma zeta, and notably gamma gamma as well. In fact, gamma gamma appears to be the predominant species associating with Fc gamma RIIIA. The surface expressed Fc epsilon RI also associates with the same group of heterogenous gamma gamma homodimers. We also show that there is no C-terminal posttranslational cleavage of gamma occurring before its insertion into the plasma membrane as previously suggested. Thus, like the TCR, Fc gamma RIIIA may form a variety of receptor isoforms, though at present we do not understand the functional implications of these structures.

Animals↗

The effect of low frequency stimulation on myosin light chain phosphorylation in skeletal muscle.

Phosphorylation of the P-light chain of myosin from skeletal muscle by myosin light chain kinase is dependent upon calmodulin and Ca2+. Investigations were performed to determine if the rapid Ca2+ transients that occur during low frequency repetitive stimulation are sufficient to activate myosin light chain kinase with significant P-light chain phosphorylation. In addition, P-light chain phosphorylation was correlated with potentiation of isomeric twitch tension (staircase phenomenon). Stimulation of rat gastrocnemius muscle at 5 Hz in situ results in a time-dependent phosphorylation of the P-light chain of myosin. Initially, there was a rapid rate of phosphorylation within the first 10 muscle twitches (0.19 to 0.40 mol of phosphate/mol of P-light chain) followed by a slower rate of phosphorylation. These data indicate that myosin light chain kinase can be activated during repetitive stimulation at a low frequency in the range that occurs in vivo, despite the fact that the muscle is in the relaxed state during most of the period between each stimulation. Potentiation of isometric twitch tension was found to be temporally correlated to light chain phosphorylation at 5 Hz. It is postulated that the transient changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration associated with low frequency stimulation are sufficient to activate myosin light chain kinase, and, furthermore, the magnitude of the potentiation of isometric twitch tension may be related to the extent of phosphorylation of myosin during a stimulus train.

Animals↗

Regulation by insulin of amino acid release and protein turnover in the perfused rat hemicorpus.

Net changes in the concentrations of 18 amino acids in perfusate and skeletal muscle were followed during perfusion of hemicorpus preparations from fed rat. Perfusate levels of 16 amino acids showed little change from their initial concentrations during the 1st h, but increased dramatically during the 2nd and 3rd h. Aspartate and glutamate levels decreased continuously throughout the perfusion. Release of alanine and glutamine accounted for approximately 50% of the total change in perfusate amino acids. The increase in perfusate amino acids was derived from net breakdown of muscle proteins and not from leakage from the intracellular pool as evidenced by elevated concentrations of intracellular amino acids in perfused muscle. Addition of insulin to the perfusate did not change the pattern of amino acid release during the 1st h of perfusion. However, during the 2nd and 3rd h the hormone completely prevented the net release of most amino acids and maintained intracellular concentrations of most amino acids at levels found in upperfused tissue. Effects of time of perfusion and insulin on amino acid release were accounted for by changes in the rate of protein turnover. Protein synthesis in gastrocemius and psoas muscles in control perfusions decreased after 1 h to approximately 50% of the initial rate. This decrease was accompanied by a 2-fold increase in the level of ribosomal subunits, indicating development of a block in peptide chain initiation. Addition of insulin maintained the initial rate of synthesis and the in vivo level of ribosomal subunits, demonstrating that the hormone prevented the block in peptide chain initiation from forming. Addition of insulin after 2 h reversed the perfusion-induced block in initiation. Synthesis of the specific muscle protein myosin was increased 45% over the control rate in the presence of insulin. Insulin also produced a 50% decrease in the rate of protein degradation during the 2nd and 3rd h of perfusion. A similar effect was noted when protein synthesis was inhibited by addition of cycloheximide. Higher concentrations of insulin were required to maximally inhibit protein degradation than to increase protein synthesis. Involvement of lysosomal proteases in the effect of insulin on protein degradation was evaluated by measuring cathepsin D activity in psoas muscle homogenates. "Free" enzyme activity increased as a result of perfusion while addition of insulin maintained this activity at the unperfused level. Neither perfusion nor insulin had any effect on total cathepsin D activity. Alterations in protein degradation and lysosomal enzyme activity were not due to changes in levels of adenine nucleotides, GTP, or creatine phosphate.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Monoclonal IgM cryoglobulinemia associated with gamma-3 heavy chain disease: immunochemical and biochemical studies.

A patient (Mia) with a monoclonal IgM(kappa) cryoglobulin (cryo IgM) developed additional heavy chain disease proteins of the gamma3 subclass 8 years later. Biochemical studies of the cryo IgM indicated that the heavy chain was VHI, but the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the light chain did not permit a definite assignment of its Vkappa subgroup. Two major fragments of the gamma3 chain were distinguishable by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. The smaller component (designated Mia F) had a molecular weight of approximately 30 000 and the larger component (designated Mia S) 35 000. Both fragments had G3m(21) and G3m(27) allotypic determinants. These data and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the gamma chain fragments suggested that Mia S consists of the major part of the gamma3 hinge region plus the CH2 and CH3 domains of the gamma3 chain, whereas Mia F may be derived from the former as a result of postsynthetic cleavage. The partial amino acid sequence of the Mia S fragment is homologous to the hinge region amino acid sequence of human gamma3 chains reported in the literature, with only one amino acid difference out of the 11 residues compared. This difference may represent an allotypic difference within the gamma3 subclass. Alternatively, the production of Mia S may have resulted from the accidental derepression of a "silent" constant region gene not expressed in normal individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural and functional analysis of the two haemoglobins of the antarctic seabird Catharacta maccormicki characterization of an additional phosphate binding site by molecular modelling.

The amino-acid sequence and the oxygen-binding properties of the two haemoglobins of the Antarctic seabird south polar skua have been investigated. The two haemoglobins showed peculiar functional features, which were probably acquired to meet special needs in relation to the extreme environmental conditions. Both haemoglobins showed a weak alkaline Bohr effect which, during prolonged flight, may protect against sudden and uncontrolled stripping of oxygen in response to acidosis. We suggest that a weak Bohr effect in birds may reflect adaptation to extreme life conditions. The values of heat of oxygenation suggest different functional roles of the two haemoglobins. The experimental evidence suggests that both haemoglobins may bind phosphate at two distinct binding sites. In fact, analysis of the molecular models revealed that an additional phosphate binding site, formed by residues NA1alpha, G6alpha and HC3alpha, is located between the two alpha chains. This additional site may act as an entry/leaving site, thus increasing the probability of capturing phosphate and transferring it to the main binding site located between the two beta chains by means of a site-site migratory mechanism, thereby favouring the release of oxygen. It is suggested that most haemoglobins possess an additional phosphate binding site, having such a role in oxygen transport.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The extracellular hemoglobin of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris. Determination of subunit stoichiometry.

The giant extracellular hemoglobin of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, has four major O2-binding chains, a, b, and c (forming a disulfide-linked trimer) and d ("monomer"). Participation of additional "linker" chains L1, L2, and L3 is necessary for the assembly of the approximately 3,900+ kDa two-tiered hexagonal structure. We have determined the proportions of linker chains, trimer, and chain d in the hemoglobin by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography which resolves all of the components and also permits simultaneous determination of the heme content. The proportions of components were determined by two independent procedures: integration of the absorbance peaks at 220 nm and amino acid analysis of the peak fractions. The results indicate that the weight proportion of linker chains is 0.163 +/- 0.023. This value, together with molecular masses determined both by amino acid sequence analysis and by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, gives a molar ratio of abcd chains to linkers of 8:1, corresponding to the minimal unit (abcd)2.L. This ratio suggests that 24 (abcd)2 units and 24 linker chains form the complete structure with a total calculated mass of polypeptide of 3,975 kDa with hemes on chains a, b, c and d and on one linker. The calculated heme content is 3.1% not including carbohydrate. This accounts for a measured heme content of 3.0% on a polypeptide basis. Additional mass (approximately 133 kDa, 3.4%), attributed to carbohydrate, brings the total mass to 4,108 kDa with a minimum molecular mass/heme of 20,500 Da. The presence of equimolar quantities of three unique linker chains means that the apparent one-twelfth structural units seen by electron microscopy cannot all be identical.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stoichiometry of subunits and heme content of hemoglobin from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris.

The extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, has four major O2-binding chains, a, b, c (forming a disulfide-linked trimer), and d ("monomer"). Additional structural chains, "linkers," are required for the assembly of the approximately 200-polypeptide molecule. The proportion of linker chains had been reported to be one-third of the total mass on the basis of densitometry of Coomassie Blue-stained SDS-gels. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), however, gave 16.3% linkers on the basis of both 220-nm absorbance and amino acid analysis (Ownby, D. W., Zhu, H., Schneider, K., Beavis, R. C., Chait, B. C., and Riggs, A. F. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 13539-13547). The subunit proportions have now been redetermined by SDS capillary electrophoresis as a test of the HPLC results. The electrophoresis, monitored at 214 nm, avoided the use of Coomassie Blue and provided results identical with those obtained by HPLC. Capillary electrophoresis monitored at both 214 and 415 nm was used to show that linker chains do not bind heme. Heme content has been found to be 2.9% by determination of hemin, amino acid analysis and dry weight. Measurement of the rate of hemin loss from oxidized L. terrestris Hb shows that high rates of loss can account for values of heme content significantly below 2.9% (or 0.26% iron).

Animals↗

The structural basis for the recognition of acetylated histone H4 by the bromodomain of histone acetyltransferase gcn5p.

The bromodomain is an approximately 110 amino acid module found in histone acetyltransferases and the ATPase component of certain nucleosome remodelling complexes. We report the crystal structure at 1.9 A resolution of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gcn5p bromodomain complexed with a peptide corresponding to residues 15-29 of histone H4 acetylated at the zeta-N of lysine 16. We show that this bromodomain preferentially binds to peptides containing an N:-acetyl lysine residue. Only residues 16-19 of the acetylated peptide interact with the bromodomain. The primary interaction is the N:-acetyl lysine binding in a cleft with the specificity provided by the interaction of the amide nitrogen of a conserved asparagine with the oxygen of the acetyl carbonyl group. A network of water-mediated H-bonds with protein main chain carbonyl groups at the base of the cleft contributes to the binding. Additional side chain binding occurs on a shallow depression that is hydrophobic at one end and can accommodate charge interactions at the other. These findings suggest that the Gcn5p bromodomain may discriminate between different acetylated lysine residues depending on the context in which they are displayed.

Acetylation↗

L and H cells of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease show immunoglobulin light-chain restriction.

The nodular form of lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease (NLPHD) is widely accepted to be a B-cell-derived neoplasm. Despite this consensus, previous studies have not shown monotypic immunoglobulin (Ig) light-chain expression by the putatively malignant L & H cells. We have studied paraffin-embedded tissue from 19 cases of NLPHD for the presence of Ig light and heavy chains and J chain. In addition, frozen tissue, available from one case, was examined with antibodies to light chains. In paraffin material, in each case L & H cells in individual nodules were examined for the presence of Ig light chain restriction. Kappa-light-chain restriction was detected in all L & H cells in all nodules in 5/19 cases (26.5%) and this was confirmed in frozen sections available from one case. Of the remaining 14 cases, 13 (68.5%) showed kappa-light-chain restriction in a proportion of nodules and in 1 case light-chain restriction was not observed. Of 14 cases stained with antibodies to Ig heavy chains 13 contained IgG, and in 1 case no heavy chains were demonstrable. Most L & H cells in 15 cases examined contained J chain. Our finding of monotypic L & H cells in NLPHD in 95% of our investigated cases provides strong evidence for the neoplastic nature of L & H cells and supports the hypothesis that NLPHD is a malignant nonHodgkin's B-cell lymphoma.

Antigens, CD↗

Biosynthesis and maturation of the Lyt-2/3 molecular complex in mouse thymocytes.

The biosynthesis and maturation of the three subunits alpha (Mr = 37,000), beta (Mr = 32,000), and gamma (Mr = 27,000) of the mouse Lyt-2/3 antigenic complex have been studied by using two monoclonal antibodies directed against a monomorphic determinant of the Lyt-2 antigen. Short time-pulse labeling of thymocytes reveals three different high mannose intermediates that give rise upon endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase H digestion to three distinct precursor polypeptides of Mr = 22,000 (alpha P), Mr = 18,000 (beta P), and Mr = 19,500 (gamma P). Pulse-chase analysis indicates rapid posttranslational processing, because mature forms already appear after 10 min of chase. The half-life of the endo-H-sensitive early forms are in the range of 20 to 30 min. Both the alpha and beta subunits are suggested to contain three N-asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, one of which is of the high mannose type. In contrast, the gamma-chain contains only one such glycan unit of the complex type. Moreover, the results presented show that all three chains undergo additional posttranslational modifications. Finally, the data suggest that the cytoplasmic domains of these chains are of different size.

Animals↗

Excess alpha chains are lost from beta-thalassemic reticulocytes by proteolysis.

During incubation of reticulocytes from patients with beta-thalassemia, after labeling of the hemoglobin with radioactive amino acids, the excess alpha chains are gradually lost from the cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon. A system was developed in which reticulocytes from beta-thalassemia patients are labeled with [3H]leucine, washed several times in nonradioactive medium, and then incubated in the same medium containing puromycin added in order to stop further protein synthesis. The results have clearly shown that excess alpha chains are gradually degraded by proteolysis. N-ethylmaleimide or epsilon-aminocaproic acid inhibited the proteolysis of free alpha chains. The addition of either ATP or hemin did not change the rate of alpha chain degradation. The time required to degrade 50% of the pool of free alpha chains was directly dependent on the initial value of this pool. This finding suggests the absence of a significant individual variation in the ability to proteolyse free alpha chains.

Adenine↗

Estimation of elution times on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of pyridylamino derivatives of sugar chains from glycoproteins.

Addition of a sugar residue to a pyridylamino (PA) sugar chain affects its elution time on reverse-phase HPLC and the contribution of the sugar residue is not influenced by the other sugar residues [S. Hase, S. Natsuka, H. Oku, and T. Ikenaka (1987) Anal. Biochem. 167, 321-326]. The partial relative elution times (Ei) of 22 sugar residues were calculated from the relative elution times (the elution time relative to Man5Glc-NAc2-PA) of three kinds of PA-sugar chain: the oligomannose and N-acetyllactosamine types and sugar chains with a xylose residue. The relative elution time of a PA-sugar chain can be calculated by summing the Ei values of all of the constituent sugar residues. The calculated relative elution times of 44 PA-sugar chains agreed well with the observed values. This method can be used to estimate the relative elution times of PA-sugar chains that are not yet available, and to estimate the structures of sugar chains in limited amounts of glycoproteins by a combination of sugar composition analysis and exoglycosidase digestion.

Aminopyridines↗

Myosin light chain phosphorylation in 32P-labeled rabbit aorta stimulated by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and phenylephrine.

The mechanism(s) of force development in vascular smooth muscle following pharmacological activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters are not known. In this study, we examined the myosin light chain phosphorylation response following stimulation by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) or phenylephrine in rabbit aorta which had been incubated with 32PO4 in order to label ATP pools. Through tryptic phosphopeptide mapping of myosin light chain from intact tissue and comparison to controls using purified components, we inferred that Ca2+-dependent force stimulated by PDB was associated with small increases in serine-19 phosphorylation, consistent with a contractile mechanism involving indirect activation of myosin light chain kinase. Additional residues, consistent with the in vitro substrate specificity of protein kinase C, were also observed to be phosphorylated in response to PDB and represented proportionately a larger fraction of the total phosphorylated myosin light chain in Ca2+-depleted tissues. Stimulation by an alpha 1-adrenergic agonist (phenylephrine) resulted in phosphorylation of residues which were consistent with an activation mechanism involving myosin light chain kinase only. These results indicate that in rabbit aorta the contractile effects of PDB may be partially mediated by Ca2+-dependent activation of myosin light chain kinase. However, the data do not rule out a component of the PDB-stimulated contractile response which is independent of myosin light chain phosphorylation on the serine-19 residue. In addition, activation by a more physiological stimulus, phenylephrine, does not result in protein kinase C-mediated myosin light chain phosphorylation.

Amino Acids↗

Excessive activation of tyrosine kinases leads to inhibition of proliferation in a thyroid carcinoma cell line.

Autocrine stimulation of growth is a hallmark of many tumor cell lines. In this work we investigated the synthesis and secretion of growth factors and the expression of their corresponding receptors in HTC-TSHr thyroid carcinoma cells. These cells synthesize epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGF beta) receptors and in addition transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), PDGF-A and PDGF-B chains, respectively. Addition of EGF or PDGF-BB to the culture medium resulted in growth inhibition of HTC-TSHr cells. In contrast, treatment of the cells with low concentrations of neutralizing anti-TGF alpha antibodies or tyrosine kinase inhibitors led to stimulation of cell proliferation. Low concentrations of neutralizing anti-PDGF-B antibodies did not affect growth of the cells. As expected, cell proliferation was inhibited when high concentrations of either neutralizing anti-TGF alpha antibodies or anti-PDGF-B antibodies were applied. PDGF-AA did not influence growth of HTC-TSHr cells. We conclude that growth of HTC-TSHr thyroid carcinoma cells is influenced by two autocrine loops between TGF alpha and EGF receptors and between PDGF-B and PDGF beta receptors. However, our data suggest that excessive activation of tyrosine kinase receptors in these cells results in a relative inhibition rather than stimulation of growth.

Cell Division↗