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Bovine Liver (bovine + liver)
Selected AbstractsEnzyme-mediated sulfide production for the reconstitution of [2Fe,2S] clusters into apo-biotin synthase of Escherichia coliFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2000Sulfide transfer from cysteine to biotin We previously showed that biotin synthase in which the (Fe,S) cluster was labelled with 34S by reconstitution donates 34S to biotin [B. Tse Sum Bui, D. Florentin, F. Fournier, O. Ploux, A. Méjean & A. Marquet (1998) FEBS Lett. 440, 226,230]. We therefore proposed that the source of sulfur was very likely the (Fe,S) centre. This depletion of sulfur from the cluster during enzymatic reaction could explain the absence of turnover of the enzyme which means that to restore a catalytic activity, the clusters have to be regenerated. In this report, we show that the NifS protein from Azotobacter vinelandii and C-DES from Synechocystis as well as rhodanese from bovine liver can mobilize the sulfur, respectively, from cysteine and thiosulfate for the formation of a [2Fe,2S] cluster in the apoprotein of Escherichia coli biotin synthase. The reconstituted enzymes were as active as the native enzyme. When [35S]cysteine was used during the reconstitution experiments in the presence of NifS, labelled (Fe35S) biotin synthase was obtained. This enzyme produced [35S]biotin, confirming the results obtained with the 34S-reconstituted enzyme. NifS was also effective in mobilizing selenium from selenocystine to produce an (Fe,Se) cluster. However, though NifS could efficiently reconstitute holobiotin synthase from the apoform, starting from cysteine, these two effectors had no significant effect on the turnover of the enzyme in the in vitro assay. [source] Synthesis of Monosaccharide-Derived Spirocyclic Cyclopropylamines and Their Evaluation as Glycosidase InhibitorsHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 9 2003Christian Blüchel The glucose-, mannose-, and galactose-derived spirocyclic cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a,1d, 2a,2d and 3a,3d were prepared as potential glycosidase inhibitors. Cyclopropanation of the diazirine 5 with ethyl acrylate led in 71% yield to a 4,:,5,:,1,:,20 mixture of the ethyl cyclopropanecarboxylates 7a,7d, while the Cu-catalysed cycloaddition of ethyl diazoacetate to the exo -glycal 6 afforded 7a,7d (6,:,2,:,5,:,3) in 93,98% yield (Scheme,1). Saponification, Curtius degradation, and subsequent addition of BnOH or t- BuOH led in 60,80% overall yield to the Z- or Boc-carbamates 11a,11d and 12a,12d, respectively. Hydrogenolysis of 11a,11d afforded 1a,1d, while 12a,12d was debenzylated to 13a,13d prior to acidic cleavage of the N -Boc group. The manno - and galacto -isomers 2a,2d and 3a,3d, respectively, were similarly obtained in comparable yields (Schemes,2 and 4). Also prepared were the differentially protected manno- configured esters 24a,24d; they are intermediates for the synthesis of analogous N -acetylglucosamine-derived cyclopropanes (Scheme,3). The cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a,1d, 2a,2d and 3a,3d are very weak inhibitors of several glycosidases (Tables,1 and 2). Traces of Pd compounds, however, generated upon catalytic debenzylation, proved to be strong inhibitors. PdCl is, indeed, a reversible, micromolar inhibitor for the ,- glucosidases from C. saccharolyticum and sweet almonds (non-competitive), the , -galactosidases from bovine liver and from E. coli (both non-competitive), the , -galactosidase from Aspergillus niger (competitive), and an irreversible inhibitor of the , -glucosidase from yeast and the , -galactosidase from coffee beans. The cyclopropylamines derived from 1a,1d or 3a,3d significantly enhance the inhibition of the ,- glucosidase from C. saccharolyticum by PdCl, lowering the Ki value from 40,,M (PdCl) to 0.5,,M for a 1,:,1 mixture of PdCl and 1d. A similar effect is shown by cyclopropylamine, but not by several other amines. [source] Expression of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase in cultured neural cellsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2008Radovan Murín Abstract The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) , isoleucine, leucine, and valine , belong to the limited group of substances transported through the blood,brain barrier. One of the functions they are thought to have in brain is to serve as substrates for meeting parenchymal energy demands. Previous studies have shown the ubiquitous expression of a branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase among neural cells. This enzyme catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting step in the irreversible degradative pathway for the carbon skeleton of valine and the other two branched-chain amino acids. Unlike the acyl-CoA derivates in the irreversible part of valine catabolism, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate could be expected to be released from cells by transport across the mitochondrial and plasma membranes. This could indeed be demonstrated for cultured astroglial cells. Therefore, to assess the ability of neural cells to make use of this valine-derived carbon skeleton as a metabolic substrate for the generation of energy, we investigated the expression in cultured neural cells of the enzyme processing this hydroxy acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase (HIBDH). To achieve this, HIBDH was purified from bovine liver to serve as antigen for the production of an antiserum. Affinity-purified antibodies against HIBDH specifically recognized the enzyme in liver and brain homogenates. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the ubiquitous expression of HIBDH among cultured glial (astroglial, oligodendroglial, microglial, and ependymal cells) and neuronal cells. Using an RT-PCR technique, these findings were corroborated by the detection of HIBDH mRNA in these cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence double-labeling of astroglial cells with antisera against HIBDH and the mitochondrial marker pyruvate dehydrogenase localized HIBDH to mitochondria. The expression of HIBDH in neural cells demonstrates their potential to utilize valine imported into the brain for the generation of energy. [source] Positive contrast imaging of iron oxide nanoparticles with susceptibility-weighted imagingMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Frank Eibofner Abstract Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles can be utilized to label cells for immune cell and stem cell therapy. The labeled cells cause significant field distortions induced in their vicinity, which can be detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In conventional imaging, the signal voids arising from the field distortions lead to negative contrast, which is not desirable, as detection of the cells can be masked by native low signal tissue. In this work, a new method for visualizing magnetically labeled cells with positive contrast is proposed and described. The technique presented is based on the susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) post-processing algorithm. Phase images from gradient-echo sequences are evaluated pixel by pixel, and a mask is created with values ranging from 0 to 1, depending on the phase value of the pixel. The magnitude image is then multiplied by the mask. With an appropriate mask function, positive contrast in the vicinity of the labeled cells is created. The feasibility of this technique is proved using an agar phantom containing superparamagnetic iron oxide particles,labeled cells and an ex vivo bovine liver. The results show high potential for detecting even small labeled cell concentrations in structurally inhomogeneous tissue types. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Phosphoglyceride crystal deposition diseasePATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2000Katsutoshi Miura An extremely rare phosphoglyceride deposition disease is reported. A healthy 62-year-old Japanese woman suffered from tumors that repeatedly appeared in injured soft tissues for more than 20 years. No immunologic disorders or abnormal laboratory data were found. Histology showed foreign body granulomas consisting of macrophages surrounding yellowish-white crystals. The crystals were weakly positive by von Kossa's method, were dissolved in 30% acetic acid with gas, and were easily dissolved in 0.1 N NaOH or potassium hydroxide, losing their crystal structure. Using a scanning electron microscopy X-ray microanalyzer, phosphorus and calcium peaks were detected. Phosphoglycerides were detected by microscopic infrared spectrophotometry and microsampling mass spectrometry. The gold hydroxamic acid method for detecting phosphoglyceride showed strong positive staining in the crystals. Based on the above analyses, the deposited crystals were regarded as phosphoglyceride, which bound calcium as a counter ion. The crystals tended to be deposited at sites of injury, where macrophages had accumulated. The patient had received many injections of a medicine made from alcohol extract from bovine liver. We suspect that this medicine was related to the cause of the deposition as the deposition repeatedly appeared at the site of the injections. [source] |