Purification and tissue/species dependence of the specificity of buffalo kidney cathepsin B

A simple purification scheme was developed for isolation and purification of cathepsin B from buffalo kidney. The use of CM-Sephadex and chromatofocusing helped in better and simultaneous separation of cathepsin B, H and L. As judged by PAGE and SDS-PAGE studies, the enzyme was found to be pure on the basis of charge and had a molecular mass of 25.5 kDa. The amino acid composition, number of free sulfhydryl groups and other major physico-chemical properties of the purified enzyme were similar to the properties reported for cathepsin B from other sources/tissues. However, the NH2-terminal amino acid residue of the enzyme was found to be Ala as against Leu reported from other tissues/species. The total carbohydrate content was also found to be significantly lower (3.6%) as compared to 7.0-7.6% reported for the enzyme from other sources. Thiol reducing compounds activated the enzyme whereas thiol blocking compounds inhibited it. The buffalo kidney enzyme hydrolyzed Z-Phe-Arg-MCA (Vmax/K(m) = 17.1) as the most efficient substrate followed by Z-Arg-Arg-MCA, BANA and BAPNA. Among the protein substrates, goat hemoglobin (Vmax/K(m) = 874) was found to be the most preferred. Rabbit muscle aldolase, usually considered to be a good substrate for cathepsin B, proved to be a poor substrate for this enzyme; only 25-30% inactivation of aldolase was observed. Antibodies raised against the enzyme recognised only cathepsin B and did not have any cross reactivity with cathepsin H or L from the same or different sources. These differences in the properties of the buffalo kidney enzyme vis-a-vis the same enzyme from other tissue/species have been attributed to specialized function of cathepsin B in diversified tissues.

Molecular biology of opioid receptors: recent advances

Endogenous opioid peptides and opiates like morphine produce their pharmacological effects through the membrane bound opioid receptors. These receptors belong to a superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors, all of which possess seven membrane-spanning regions. Structure-activity relationship studies of opioids opened up new avenues for the pharmacological characterization of the opioid receptors. As a further advancement in this direction, molecular cloning has led to the identification of three different types of opioid receptors -- OP1 (delta), OP2 (kappa) and OP3 (mu) -- thereby supporting the results of earlier pharmacological studies which postulated their existence. The three opioid receptors are highly homologous. Consequent to the development of highly specific and selective agonists and antagonists, it was proposed that the three types of opioid receptors could be further categorized into different subtypes. However, the molecular biology data generated so far do not support the presence of the various subtypes of the three well-characterized opioid receptors. Recent strides towards the advancement of our knowledge relating to the molecular biology of these receptors have been reviewed in this article.

Catalytic and physico-chemical characteristics of goat spleen cathepsin B

To improve the level of purity of cathepsin B, we have modified the published procedure [Agarwal, S.K. and Khan, M.Y. (1987) Biochem. Int. 15,785-792] by incorporating CM-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography and chromatofocusing. The enzyme thus isolated could be resolved into one 26 kDa major and a minor 27 kDa protein bands on SDS-PAGE. The two components, however, could not be separated by gel filtration and they eluted, in a single peak corresponding to a molecular mass of 28.1 kDa. Among the various substrates tested, Z-Phe-Arg-MCA with a Km of 0.058 mM and hemoglobin with a Km of 1.449 microM were the most preferred synthetic and protein substrates respectively. It was found to be a glycoprotein with an acidic pI of 4.8. The enzyme was activated by various thiol-reducing reagents and inhibited by cysteine proteinase inhibitors, divalent cations, lysyl group modifiers, anti-inflammatory drug and denaturing agents. The hydrodynamic behaviour of cathepsin B suggested a compact and globular conformation. Immunodiffusion studies with anti-goat cathepsin B indicated a tissue/ species dependence.

Interaction of the NH2-terminal domain of fibronectin with heparin. Role of the omega-loops of the type I modules

Determinants of the interaction of the 29-kDa NH2-terminal domain of fibronectin with heparin were explored by analysis of normal and mutant recombinant NH2-terminal fibronectin fragments produced in an insect cell Baculovirus host vector system. A genomic/cDNA clone was constructed that specified a secretable human fibronectin NH2 fragment. With the use of site-directed mutagenesis a set of 29 kDa fragments was obtained that contained glycine or glutamic acid residues in place of basic residues at various candidate sites for heparin binding in the five type I modules that make up the domain. The recombinant fragment containing the wild type sequence had a nearly normal circular dichroic spectra and a melting profile, as assayed by loss of ellipticity at 228 nm, that was indistinguishable from that of the native fragment obtained by trypsinization of plasma fibronectin. A substantial proportion of the wild type recombinant fragment bound to heparin-Sepharose, where it was eluted at the same NaCl concentration as the native fragment. The wild type fragment was capable of promoting matrix-driven translocation, a morphogenetic effect in artificial extracellular matrices that depends on the interaction of the fibronectin NH2 terminus with heparin-like molecules on the surfaces of particles. Mutant fragments in which arginines predicted to be most exposed in the folded fragment were converted to glycines retained the same affinity for heparin as the wild type fragment. In contrast, a mutant fragment in which the single basic residue (Arg99) in the minor loop ("Omega-loop") of the second type I module was converted to a glycine had an essentially normal melting profile but exhibited no binding to heparin and failed to promote matrix-driven translocation. A mutant fragment in which the single basic residue (Arg52) of the first type I module was converted to a glycine also completely lacked heparin binding activity, but one in which the single basic residue (Arg191) the fourth type I module was converted to a glycine retained the ability to bind heparin. A mutant fragment in which the single basic residue (Lys143) in the Omega-loop of the third type I module was converted to a glutamic acid lacked heparin binding activity but had a CD spectrum similar to the heparin-liganded native protein and was capable of promoting matrix-driven translocation. The results indicate that multiple residues in the Omega-loops of the fibronectin NH2-terminal domain participate in its interactions with heparin. In addition, the conformation of one of the nonbinding mutants may mimic the heparin-induced structural alteration in this fibronectin domain required for certain morphogenetic events.

Re-evaluation of hyaluronidase in peribulbar anaesthesia

AIMS/BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidase can augment the actions of local anaesthetics in peribulbar anaesthesia. However, evidence suggests satisfactory anaesthesia can be achieved using mixtures without hyaluronidase. A randomised double blind study was conducted on 50 patients, undergoing peribulbar anaesthesia, to validate this observation.

METHODS

Patients received a standard mixture of local anaesthetic (0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lignocaine in a 1:1 ratio) with or without hyaluronidase (25 IU/ml of mixture), pH values 5.16 and 5.24 respectively. Time taken to establish satisfactory anaesthesia to allow surgery was noted.

RESULTS

The onset time to globe akinesia in the control group ranged from 2 to 15 minutes (mean 5.64 and median 4 minutes) and in the hyaluronidase group from 2 to 12 minutes (mean 4.64 and median 4 minutes). The volume of local anaesthetic injected to achieve satisfactory anaesthesia ranged from 8 to 16 ml (mean 10.96, SD 1.95) in the control group and 10 to 18 ml (mean 11.64, SD 2.8) in the hyaluronidase group. A Mann-Whitney test to compare onset times to globe akinesia between groups gave a p value = 0.6 and 95% confidence interval (-1 to 2 minutes).

CONCLUSION

Addition of 25 IU/ml of hyaluronidase to a standard pH unadjusted local anaesthetic mixture does not significantly reduce the time to the onset of satisfactory globe akinesia.

Wedge-shaped intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: MRI-pathologic correlation

On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, wedge-shaped areas of signal abnormality noted in association with liver lesions have been attributed to secondary phenomena and are said to be substantially larger than the actual tumor. We describe the MRI and pathological appearance of a wedge-shaped cholangiocarcinoma. In cases where therapy might be affected, biopsy of wedge-shaped MRI abnormalities associated with hepatic malignancy should be considered for accurate tumor staging.

Inhibition of expression of delayed hypersensitivity by neutralizing monoclonal anti-T-cell fibronectin antibody

T-cell fibronectin (FN) is a unique cellular FN that is rapidly synthesized by memory T cells in response to antigen. Monoclonal anti-T-cell FN antibodies have been used to clarify the role of T-cell FN in the in vivo expression of delayed hypersensitivity. IgGl(kappa) mouse anti-human T-cell FN monoclonal antibodies 231 and 248 recognized epitopes on the FN cell-binding domain, were cross-reactive with plasma FN, and neutralized human and guinea-pig T-cell FN monocyte agglutinating activity. When injected intradermally together with tuberculin or 30 min before topical application of reactive sensitizer, antibody 231 significantly decreased macroscopic expression of guinea-pig delayed hypersensitivity at 24 hr in a dose-dependent manner. Similar doses of antibody 248 caused a slight statistically non-significant enhancement of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) expression. Inhibition of visible skin responses was not associated with qualitative or quantitative changes in cellular infiltrates at the reaction site. Antibody 231 modulated expression of delayed hypersensitivity in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner to the FN-binding mycobacterial antigen 85 proteins. This is consistent with anti-T-cell FN and antigen 85 acting on the same molecule in vivo.

Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinaemia, cystinuria and lysinuria

The case of a 45-year-old woman with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina is documented. Additional features in this case, to the authors' knowledge not previously described in gyrate atrophy, are massive cystinuria, massive lysinuria, axial hypermetropia and diabetes. Gyrate atrophy is a rare autosomal recessive degenerative disease of the choroid and retina and is accompanied by defective ornithine metabolism. Simell and Takki demonstrated the association with hyperornithinaemia in 1973. The main metabolic features are those of hyperornithinaemia and ornithuria caused by a deficiency of the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, ornithine aminotransferase (OAT). The responsible human gene has been localised to chromosome 10. Despite the generalised deficiency of OAT, the literature indicates significant pathological involvement of the eye only. Ophthalmological features of the disease are myopia (up to 10-20 dioptres), night blindness, constricted visual fields and complicated cataracts. The clinical picture has been detailed previously by various authors. The case of a 45-year-old woman with gyrate atrophy and hyperornithinaemia is documented here. She has been followed up for 12 years and fully investigated. Additional features in this case, to our knowledge not previously described in gyrate atrophy, are massive cystinuria, massive lysinuria, axial hypermetropia and diabetes.

Activation of a heparin-degrading enzyme by a 'protein matrix' effect

An unusual activating effect of protein on Flavobacterium heparinase is described. The phenomenon is nonselective with respect to protein species, but does not occur with other biomolecules such as nucleic acids, polysaccharides, or free amino acids. We show that protein activates heparinase over broad ranges of temperature and ionic strength, and stabilizes the enzyme against both reversible and irreversible structural changes. The nonselective activation of an inducible enzyme by protein may be an important regulatory mechanism in microenvironments in which the concentration of organic material may vary.

Brucellosis among hospital employees in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

To report experience with brucellosis among expatriate hospital employees in an area of the world where brucellosis is endemic.

DESIGN

Review of cases from the viewpoints of direct supervisor and treating physician, including epidemiologic interviews and clinical follow-up.

SETTING

Tertiary care hospital center in a developing country that increased from 125 beds to 450 beds during the period studied.

PATIENTS

Employees with clinical findings suggesting brucellosis and in whom a positive blood culture or significantly elevated serologic test confirmed the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Nine hospital employees from nonendemic areas developed brucellosis. Five were from England and four from North America. Seven were bacteriology technologists, one was a nurse, and one was an obstetrician. Each had an acute febrile illness with malaise, arthralgia, or headache. Brucella titers were > or = 1:1,280. Five were bacteremic with positive Brucella cultures. All responded to anti-Brucella therapy. Three patients had relapses, but there were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Saudi patients, brucellosis is generally attributable to drinking infected milk or contacting infected animals. On the other hand, among expatriate hospital employees, the infection is likely due to processing Brucella cultures or dealing with infected body fluids. In 1988, the laboratory began stricter infection control measures. Since then, there has been only one case of brucellosis among the hospital employees.

Salting-out behaviour of the domains of ovomucoid

The solubility of ovomucoid and of four fragments comprising domain I, I+II, and III of the protein in concentrated ammonium sulphate solution were studied at different pHs (25 degrees C) and at various temperatures (pH 7.0), and the salting-out parameters Ks and beta were determined for the five proteins. The aqueous solubilities of ovomucoid and the four fragments were highly dependent on temperature which causes structural alteration due to thermal unfolding of the proteins. The values of KS and beta for domain III and domain II+III at different pHs were similar to those of other globular proteins whereas those of ovomucoid and domain I and domain I+II were atypical. They were explained in terms of the lack of structural stability and the presence of carbohydrate moieties in domains I and II.

Neurobrucellosis: clinical and therapeutic features

Eighteen patients with neurobrucellosis are described. Eleven patients had meningitis alone or with papilledema, optic neuropathy, or radiculopathy. Four patients had meningovascular complications manifested by stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage from a presumed mycotic aneurysm. Two patients had parenchymatous dysfunction, including a child who had a cerebellar syndrome without evidence of direct infection of the central nervous system. One patient presented with polyradiculopathy. Twelve of 16 patients had pleocytosis; none had cell counts greater than 419 x 10(6)/L. Most patients had hypoglycorrhachia and elevated levels of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Results of an agglutination test for Brucella in serum were positive for all patients. Six of 16 patients had positive blood cultures, and four of 14 had positive CSF cultures. Antimicrobial treatment included concurrent administration of two or more of the following drugs: streptomycin, tetracycline (or doxycycline), rifampin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Eleven patients fully recovered. Five patients were left with residual neurological deficits. Four of these patients suffered permanent hearing loss, one of whom also had significant loss of vision in one eye. One elderly senile patient with meningovascular brucellosis remained in a vegetative state despite receiving antimicrobial therapy for 6 months. One patient died due to rupture of a mycotic aneurysm within 7 days of initiation of therapy. One other patient was treated after sustaining an intracerebral hemorrhage, but this patient's condition was diagnosed only after discharge.

Tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase activity is increased in human gastric mucosa of alcoholics

Sulfation plays a major role in the processing of secretory proteins. We report here on tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase activity in human gastric mucosa of normal and alcoholics. The tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase was identified in the Golgi-enriched fraction. In alcoholics, the activity of sulfotransferase was 2- to 3-fold higher than in normals. However, no change in the activity of UDP-glucose-ceramide glucosyltransferase, a marker for Golgi, between alcoholics and normals was observed. The tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase enzyme required Triton X-100, MnCl2 and 5'-AMP, and obtained optimum activity at pH 6.8 in the presence of 0.5% Triton X-100, 20 mM MnCl2, 50 mM NaF, and 2 mM 5'-AMP. The apparent Km for poly-Glu6, Ala3, Tyr1 (EAY; 47,000) was 1.9 x 10(-6) M and for 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), 1.4 x 10(-6) M. The results suggest that alcohol abuse causes enhancement in the expression of gastric mucosal tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase activity.

Structure-activity relationship in buffalo spleen cathepsin B

Effect of pH, urea, and guanidine hydrochloride on the activity and structure of buffalo spleen cathepsin B was investigated. At alkaline pH, there was an irreversible loss of the structure as well as the activity of the buffalo enzyme. At acidic pH, however, the inactivation of the enzyme was reversible. The enzyme reversibly lost most of its activity at denaturant concentrations which did not cause a significant change in its secondary structure. The inactivation could be attributed to minor perturbations in the environment of the amino acid residue(s) at and/or around the active site of the enzyme. High urea/guanidine hydrochloride concentrations leading to the structural changes in cathepsin B made the inactivation process irreversible.

Age related changes in the rat adrenal cortex

The present study revealed that the growth of the rat adrenal gland was relatively slower than general body growth. However, growth of the cortex preceded that of the medulla. The parenchyma showed three usual zones but a fourth inconstant lipid-poor, zona intermedia between outer glomerulosa and middle fasciculata was also observed. In all cortical zones, the predominance of dark cells over the light cells occurred irrespective of the age groups studied. The advancing age replaced capsular cellular elements with fibrous ones whereas the mitotic activity of the parenchymal cells decreased and an increase in the intracellular lipid in the outer and ascorbic acid in the inner cortex was observed. The glycogen which was restricted mainly to the inner cortex remained unaffected by aging process while the acid phosphatase activity from the inner reticularis extended to the outer cortex in aged group.

A rapid colorimetric assay for heparinase activity

A rapid, sensitive, assay for enzymes that degrade heparin is described. The procedure is based on the interference of heparin with color development during the interaction of protein with the dye Coomassie brilliant blue. The loss of this property when the glycosaminoglycan is degraded by heparinase can be used to quantify activity of the enzyme in pure form, or in complex biological samples such as tissue homogenates or serum. The assay is also suitable for studying dependence of heparinase activity under conditions such as varying pH and temperature.

Induction of morphological transformation, anchorage-independent growth and plasminogen activators in non-tumorigenic human osteosarcoma cells by lead chromate

The possible carcinogenicity of insoluble chromium (VI) compound, PbCrO4, in human cells has been tested using a nontumorigenic human osteosarcoma cell line (HOS, TE 85). Electron microscopic studies show that PbCrO4 is phagocytosed by HOS cells and accumulates within the vacuoles in the cytoplasm. A number of cell lines have been isolated following multiple treatment of HOS cells with PbCrO4. These cell lines are morphologically different from HOS cells, form anchorage-independent colonies in soft agar and form quickly regressing small tumor nodules in athymic nude mice. The cellular and secreted plasminogen activator (PA) levels of 5 cell lines isolated after PbCrO4 treatment are increased up to 8 fold and up to 10 fold respectively as compared to untreated HOS controls. SDS-PAGE analysis in the presence of copolymerized substrates is consistent with increase in 55 kDa urokinase-type PA (u-PA) and 68 kDa tissue-type PA (t-PA). These results show that PbCrO4 treatment leads to stable phenotypic changes indicative of the transformation of HOS cells.

Echinococcosis (Hydatid disease): lessons from experience with 59 patients

The records of 59 patients with echinococcal hydatid disease were reviewed. Ultrasonic and computed tomographic imaging were found to be the most reliable diagnostic procedures. Thirty-seven patients with large symptomatic cysts underwent surgery. Most often, conservative extraction of the inner embryonic membranes proved effective, but cysts not extensively involving vital structures were totally excised. Cetrimide became the local scolecidal agent of choice; a role for albendazole in systemic chemotherapy is anticipated. Elective surgery in 30 patients was safe, but urgent surgery in seven patients with acute complications from cyst rupture was followed by substantial morbidity and mortality.

Unfolding-refolding behaviour of chicken egg white ovomucoid and its correlation with the three domain structure of the protein

The urea and heat-induced unfolding-refolding behaviours of chicken egg white ovomucoid and its four fragments representing domains I, II + III, I + II and III were systematically investigated in 0.06 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) by difference spectral measurements. The effect of temperature on ovomucoid and its fragments was also studied in 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and in presence of 2 M urea at pH 7.0. Intrinsic viscosity data showed that ovomucoid and its different fragments did not lose any significant amount of their structure under mild acidic conditions (pH 4.6). Difference spectral results showed extensive disruption of the native structure by urea or temperature. Isothermal transitions showed single-step for domain I, domain I + II and domain III, and two-step having one stable intermediate, for ovomucoid and its fragment representing domain II + III. However, the presence of intermediate was not detected when the transitions were studied with temperature at pH 7.0. Strikingly, the single-step thermal transitions of ovomucoid and its fragment representing domain II + III, became two-step when measured either at pH 5.0 or in presence of 2 M urea at pH 7.0. Analysis of the equilibrium data on urea and heat denaturation showed that the second transition observed with ovomucoid or domain II + III represent the unfolding of domain III. The kinetic results of ovomucoid and its fragments indicate that the protein unfolds with three kinetic phases. A comparison of three rate constants for the unfolding of intact ovomucoid with that of its various fragments revealed that domain I, II and III of the protein correspond to the three kinetic phases having rate constants 0.456, 0.120 and 0.054 min-1, respectively. These data have led us to conclude: (i) the unusual stability of ovomucoid towards various denaturants, including temperature, is due to its domain III, (ii) initiation of the folding of the ovomucoid molecule starts from its NH2-terminal region which probably provides the nucleation site for the formation of the subsequent structure and (iii) domains I and II have greater mutual recognition between them as compared to the recognition either of them have with domain III.

Interaction of fibronectin with heparin in model extracellular matrices: role of arginine residues and sulfate groups

The interaction of heparin with the NH2-terminal domain of human plasma fibronectin was studied by using matrix-driven translocation, an assay for the adhesion of extracellular macromolecules with cell or particle surfaces within artificial collagen matrices. Partial desulfation of heparin rendered it ineffective in competitively inhibiting the interaction of the fibronectin NH2-terminal domain with heparin-coated particles, suggesting a role for sulfate groups of heparin in the interaction. Analysis of the fibronectin domain in terms of its primary structure, its proposed organization into "type I modules", and its hydrophilic and flexible segments led to the identification of several arginine-containing sites of potential interaction with the sulfate groups of heparin. Modification of increasing numbers of arginine side chains with 1,2-cyclohexanedione under mild conditions eventually led to decreases in translocation-promoting activity, and of heparin binding capacity as measured in a gel-shift assay, but the major portions of these functions were retained even when the four most accessible arginines (attributed to sites in and adjacent to the large loops of the type I modules) were modified. With the modification of additional arginines (attributed to sites in the small loops), both functions were lost. The peptide Gly-Arg-Gly, corresponding to a repeated determinant at the tips of two small loops, inhibited translocation, but arginine alone did not. Cleavage of the large loops by CNBr also led to loss of translocation-promoting activity. The correspondence between the molecular determinants of matrix-driven translocation and those previously found for mesenchymal morphogenesis indicates the utility of this system in the analysis of adhesive interactions of biological importance.

Potentiation of renal tumorigenicity by cyclosporine A in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Male Wistar rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes were treated every third day with 10 mg/kg (13 rats) of cyclosporine A (CyA) for 20 weeks. At sacrifice, 7 of 13 rats (53.8%) demonstrated renal tumors. By contrast, only 2 of 16 streptozotocin diabetic rats (12.5%) without CyA demonstrated renal tumors. No tumors were noted in 10 non-diabetic control rats. These studies suggest that CyA potentiates renal tumorigenicity in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

The salting-out behavior of human plasma fibronectin and its possible correlation with heparin-induced cryoprecipitation of the protein

The solubility of human plasma fibronectin in concentrated ammonium sulfate solutions was measured at pH 7.0 and varying temperatures as well as at 25 degrees C and varying pHs. The salting-out parameters, KS and beta were found to increase linearly with temperature in the range 5 degrees-50 degrees C. KS-pH and beta-pH profiles were found to have maxima at pH 7.0. The dependence of both of the solubility parameters of plasma fibronectin on temperature and pH was thus found to be anomalous. The possibility of a correlation between the heparin-induced cryoprecipitation of fibronectin and the dependence of its solubility parameters on pH and temperature is considered. It is suggested that heparin-induced precipitation of human plasma fibronectin at low temperatures is caused by (i) a cold effect and (ii) conformational change in the protein due to heparin binding.

Further characterization of buffalo spleen cathepsin B

Cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1) from buffalo spleen was isolated to homogeneity and its molecular weight was determined to be 25 KDa. The enzyme was found to be a glycoprotein having a total carbohydrate content of 7%. The NH2- and COOH-terminal amino acid residues were identified as Leu and Thr, respectively. The specific extinction coefficient, E1%1cm, of the enzyme was determined to be 13.2. The value of intrinsic viscosity and equivalent hydrodynamic radius of the enzyme were calculated to be 3.47 ml/gm and 2.34 nm, respectively. Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits were found to cross-react distinctly with the purified buffalo enzyme. Using BANA as substrate, the Km and Vmax values were determined to be 0.93 mM and 5.57 Units/mg, respectively. The buffalo enzyme was also found to be highly active against protein substrates, and the Km values for casein and BSA were measured to be 1.12 and 1.74 microM, respectively.