PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “TYROSINE DECARBOXYLASE”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Autoimmune diabetes in 26 villages outside Madras.

Autoimmune diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Autoantibodies against major antigens GAD65 and IA-2 as well as some minor antibodies are markers for autoimmune diabetes already several years before clinical onset in most populations. Screening the population for these autoantibodies can help identify subjects at risk for developing type 1 diabetes. In our study we screened 20,903 inhabitants in 26 villages outside Madras for diabetes. Among them 3.64% were detected to be diabetic. The aim of our study was to detect the presence of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), tyrosine phosphates (IA-2) and tissue transglutaminase (TTG) antibodies. We studied 169 individuals from this population, 75 of them were diagnosed as diabetics, based on presence of sugar in the urine and an elevated blood sugar, 58 had hypertension, and 36 were healthy subjects. We used radioimmunoassay with in vitro translated and transcribed human recombinant 35S-GAD65, IA-2 and TTG antigens. We observed presence of GAD65Ab in 10%, IA-2Ab in 5%, and TTGAb in 5% in diabetic subjects, while the healthy subjects and people with hypertension didn't carry any of these antibodies. We conclude that prevalence of autoimmune diabetes mellitus based on antibody screening in this population is significantly high.

Autoantibodies↗

Insulin in diabetes prevention.

Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) is a chronic immune-endocrine disease in which there is a progressive destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells, caused primarily by autoreactive T cells. Many islet cell proteins including insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and tyrosine phosphatase antigens (IA-2) are targeted by the autoimmune responses in IDD patients. Since its discovery 75 years ago, insulin has been the major player in the clinical management of hyperglycaemia in these patients. The morbidity and mortality associated with IDD derives mainly from the complications of the disease. However, routine insulin injections seldom achieve a consistent, near-normal glucose level, where multiple daily doses of the hormone involve considerable restrictions to a normal lifestyle. In terms of economics, the management of diabetes is expensive, and in the USA diabetes alone accounts for one seventh of the healthcare budget. These clinical, lifestyle and economic issues emphasize the need to investigate alternative preventative measures in IDD treatment. Recent reports suggest a pivotal role for insulin in various aspects of the immune system. In this study, insulin and B-chain were used to modulate autoimmune responses in non-obese diabetic mice, findings which have therapeutic implications in man.

Administration, Oral↗

Fulminant autoimmune Type 1 diabetes during interferon-alpha therapy: a case of Th1-mediated disease?

AIM: A case of autoimmune Type 1 diabetes with some unique characteristics developing in a 29-year-old male during treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis is reported. PATIENT AND METHODS: In this patient IFN-alpha treatment was well tolerated and successful in the cure of hepatitis with eradication of HCV infection within 3 months, but at 8.5 months Type 1 diabetes appeared and insulin therapy was started and maintained thereafter. HLA class II molecular typing was determined and retrospective measurement of islet cell (ICA), glutamate decarboxylase (GADA), tyrosin phosphatase IA-2 (IA-2A) and insulin (IAA) antibodies was performed in serum samples obtained before and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.5, 10 and 13 months after the beginning of IFN-alpha treatment. RESULTS: Complete HLA class II typing was consistent with homozygosity for the HLA DRB *03011, DQA1 *0501, DQB1 *0201 haplotype. All autoantibodies were undetectable prior to IFN-alpha therapy and remained undetectable up to 6 months of treatment; at 8.5 months, at the time of diabetes onset, ICA were detectable at low titre while GADA were present at high titre. Both ICA and GADA persisted at high levels in subsequent samples. IA-2A remained undetectable in all serum samples, while IAA appeared only after treatment with exogenous insulin. DISCUSSION: This appears to be a case of autoimmune Type 1 diabetes induced by IFN-alpha treatment and developing on a predisposed genetic background with an unusually rapid development of the autoimmune process as reflected by the absence of detectable autoantibodies up to 2.5 months prior to disease onset. In this example of fulminant Type 1 diabetes a pathogenic process unbalanced towards a Th1-mediated autoimmune response is hypothesized. Diabet. Med. 18, 329-332 (2001)

Adult↗

Analysis of promoters from tyrosine/dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase and berberine bridge enzyme genes involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy.

Tyrosine/dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase (TYDC) and the berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) represent the entry point and a key branch point, respectively, in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in select species of the Papaveraceae and Fumariaceae. Genomic clones for tydc7 and bbe1 from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) were isolated. Deletion analysis of tydc7 and bbe1 5'-flanking regions revealed the location of putative regulatory domains necessary for expression of the beta-glucuronidase (gus) reporter gene in a transient assay system based on the microprojectile bombardment of cultured opium poppy cells. A 105-nucleotide region between -393 and -287 of the tydc7 5'-flanking region, and a 155-nucleotide region between -355 and -200 of the bbe1 5'-flanking region, were found to be essential for promoter activity. RNA gel blot analysis showed that tydc7 and bbe1 expression is induced in cultured opium poppy cells in response to wounding or treatment with a pathogen-derived elicitor. Time-courses for the induction of tydc7 and bbe1 mRNAs in wounded cells were nearly identical to those for GUS activity in cells bombarded with select promoter-gus constructs when the -393 to -287 region of tydc7, or the -355 to -200 region of bbe1, was present. Our data suggest that the wound signal caused by the entry of DNA-coated microcarriers into opium poppy cells was sufficient to induce tydc7 and bbe1 promoter activity, and that wound-responsive regulatory elements are located within domains identified by deletion analysis.

Alkaloids↗

Adsorption of Streptococcus faecalis on diatomite carriers for use in biotransformations.

Adsorption of cells on particulate carriers is potentially one of the most cost-effective immobilization techniques available. Diatomite carriers, such as Celite, have desirable physical properties, are inexpensive, and are suitable for both mycelial and bacterial systems. This work investigated the use of diatomite carriers as a biocatalyst support in a packed-bed reactor where L-tyrosine was enzymatically decarboxylated using adsorbed, non-growing cells of Streptococcus faecalis. Composition of microbial adsorption on different Celite types, with mean pore sizes ranging from 0.55 to 22 microns, showed there was no significant difference in biomass loading capacity under the conditions used. Using Celite 560, biomass loadings in a packed-bed reactor varied from 10 to 30 g dm-3 of reactor volume, which compares favourably with other adsorption methods. When used to decarboxylate L-tyrosine, the reactor was found to have a half-life of 15-20 h. A combination of enzyme activity loss and slow leakage of biomass from the packed-bed reactor was responsible for the decline in conversion. Treatment of the S. faecalis cells with glutaraldehyde significantly reduced the enzyme activity loss and extended the reactor half-life to 65 h, but had little effect on the rate of cell leakage from the reactor. Further work on reduction of cell leakage rate seems necessary for evaluation of the system's practicality.

Adsorption↗

Alleviation of motor hyperactivity and neurochemical deficits by endocannabinoid uptake inhibition in a rat model of Huntington's disease.

Recent studies have demonstrated a loss of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the postmortem basal ganglia of patients affected by Huntington's disease (HD) and in transgenic mouse models for this disease. These studies have led to the notion that substances that increase the endocannabinoid activity, such as receptor agonists or inhibitors of endocannabinoid uptake and/or metabolism, might be useful in the treatment of hyperkinetic symptoms of this disease. In the present study, we employed a rat model of HD generated by bilateral intrastriatal injections of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a toxin that selectively damages striatal GABAergic efferent neurons. These rats exhibited biphasic motor disturbances, with an early (1-2 weeks) hyperactivity followed by a late (3-4 weeks) motor depression. Analysis of GABA, dopamine, and their related enzymes, glutamic acid decarboxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, in the basal ganglia proved marked decreases compatible with the motor hyperkinesia. In addition, mRNA levels for CB1 receptor, neuronal-specific enolase, proenkephalin, and substance P decreased in the caudate-putamen of 3-NP-injected rats. There were also reductions in CB1 receptor binding in the caudate putamen, the globus pallidus, and, to a lesser extent, the substantia nigra. By contrast, mRNA levels for tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra remained unaffected. Interestingly, the administration of AM404, an inhibitor of endocannabinoid uptake, to 3-NP-injected rats attenuated motor disturbances observed in the early phase of hyperactivity. Administration of AM404 also tended to induce recovery from the neurochemical deficits caused by the toxin in GABA and dopamine indices in the basal ganglia. In summary, morphological, behavioral, and biochemical changes observed in rats intrastriatally lesioned with 3-NP acid were compatible with a profound degeneration of striatal efferent GABAergic neurons, similar to that occurring in the brain of HD patients. As expected, a loss of CB1 receptors was evident in the basal ganglia of these rats. However, the administration of substances that increase endocannabinoid activity, by inhibiting the uptake process, allowed an activation of the remaining population of CB1 receptors, resulting in a significant improvement of motor disturbances and neurochemical deficits. These observations might be relevant to the treatment of hyperkinetic symptoms in HD, a human disorder with unsatisfactory symptomatic treatment for most patients.

Animals↗

A continuous cell line (KK-2) from a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Tumor tissue located in the occipital lobe with hemorrhage was obtained from a 19-year-old patient. Histological examination indicated it to consist of undifferentiated small, round cells without neuronal or glial differentiation, and possibly to be a type of primitive neuroectodermal tumor. The tumor cells were cultured for 3 years and a continuous cell line (KK-2) was established. KK-2 was transplantable to nude mice. With immunocytochemistry, neuron-specific enolase, protein gene product 9.5, vimentin, TUJ1 (a monoclonal antibody specific for neuron-associated class III beta-tubulin isotype) and 6H7 (a monoclonal antibody to NCAM produced by us) were detected. None of the following could be found: glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, neurofilament and synaptophysin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, gastrin releasing peptide corticotropin-releasing factor, substance P, somatostatin, chromogranin, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase. The original tumor and KK-2 cells obtained after 3 years of culture and transplants in nude mice displayed essentially the same ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics. KK-2 cells showed no differentiation to mature neuronal, glial or ependymal cells. This cell line may possibly serve as a useful model for studying cellular differentiation of human neuroectodermal tumors and normal neuronal development.

Adult↗

Activation of tyrosinase in mouse melanoma cell cultures.

Tyrosinase activity increased in Cloudman S-91 mouse melanoma cell homogenates incubated at 37 degrees C for a minimum of 8 h. Enzyme activity continued to increase for 48 h at which time the maximal level of activation was observed. Activation did not occur at 4 degrees C and did not occur in the cytosol fraction of the cell, suggesting that the response was localized to melanosomes. The activated enzyme was resistant to solubilization with the nonionic detergent, Triton X-100, and preparation of homogenates in this detergent did not inhibit the temperature-dependent activation of the melanosomal fraction of the cell. The activation process increased the Vmax of tyrosinase 10-fold and lowered the Km by a factor of 2 as determined by the tyrosine hydroxylase assay. The increase in tyrosinase activity was detectable by three assay methods: tyrosine hydroxylation, melanin synthesis, and by tyrosine decarboxylation. The formation of melanin, however, was found to be 1/20 that of either tyrosine hydroxylation or decarboxylation, a finding which suggests that the melanin pathway may be blocked at 5,6-dihydroxyindole. The "self-activation" response could not be mimicked by incubating cell homogenates with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Activated tyrosinase could be inhibited by the addition of fresh cell extracts, a finding which suggests that tyrosinase inhibitors may be present in these cells.

Animals↗

Diagnosis and treatment of neurotransmitter disorders.

The neurotransmitter disorders represent an enigmatic and enlarging group of neurometabolic conditions caused by abnormal neurotransmitter metabolism or transport. A high index of clinical suspicion is important, given the availability of therapeutic strategies. This article covers disorders of monoamine (catecholamine and serotonin) synthesis, glycine catabolism, pyridoxine dependency, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism. The technological aspects of appropriate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, shipment, study, and interpretation merit special consideration. Diagnosis of disorders of monoamines requires analysis of CSF homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, ortho-methyldopa, BH4, and neopterin. The delineation of new disorders with important therapeutic implications, such as cerebral folate deficiency and PNPO deficiency, serves to highlight the value of measuring CSF neurotransmitter precursors and metabolites. The impressive responsiveness of Segawa fluctuating dystonia to levodopa is a hallmark feature of previously unrecognized neurologic morbidity becoming treatable at any age. Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency have more severe phenotypes and show variable responsiveness to levodopa. Glycine encephalopathy usually has a poor outcome; benzoate therapy may be helpful in less affected cases. Pyridoxine-dependent seizures are a refractory but treatable group of neonatal and infantile seizures; rare cases require pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is relatively common in comparison to the remainder of this group of disorders. Treatment directed at the metabolic defect with vigabatrin has been disappointing, and multiple therapies are targeted toward specific but protean symptoms. Other disorders of GABA metabolism, as is true of the wide spectrum of neurotransmitter disorders, will require increasing use of CSF analysis for diagnosis, and ultimately, treatment.

Journal Article↗