Trans-tegumental absorption of L-alanine and L-leucine by a monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi

Parasitology ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Halton
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Neutral Amino Acids ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Significant Difference

SummaryAn in vitro investigation has been made of the relative roles of the gut and tegument in the absorption of the neutral amino acids L-alanine and L-leucine by a marine fish-gill parasite, Diclidophora merlangi. The use of ligatures to preclude oral ingestion of trace-labelled medium has proved inadequate, invariably damaging the tegument, as revealed by stereoscan electron microscopy, and resulting in artifactual levels of absorption. Three alternative procedures have given consistently reliable data on the route of entry of low molecular weight substrates. (1) Ultrastructural examination of worms previously incubated in electron-dense cationic tracers has shown that, in vitro, there is no oral intake of sea water. (2) The suspending of worms in trace-labelled medium with the mouth out of the medium and comparing amino acid uptake with that of worms totally immersed in medium has revealed no statistically significant difference in the absorption levels. (3) Application of section (freeze-dried) auto-radiography to detect diffusible isotope has demonstrated directly transtegumental absorption of a neutral amino acid. It is concluded from these experiments that Diclidophora has a tegumental transport system for absorbing certain neutral amino acids, and whilst, clearly, the worm is sanguinivorous and digests blood in a well-developed gut, it may also be capable of supplementing this diet with low molecular weight organic nutrient absorbed directly from sea water via the tegument.

scholarly journals Obtaining and estimating the potential of protein nutraceuticals from highly mineralized collagen-containing beef raw materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
N. Yu. Mezenova ◽  
S. V. Agafonova ◽  
O. Ya. Mezenova ◽  
L. S. Baidalinova ◽  
T. Grimm
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Mineralized Collagen

Highly mineralized collagen-containing beef raw materials (tibia, fibula and costal bones) are a source of valuable protein nutraceuticals. They include high molecular weight proteins, oligopeptides and amino acids, which anabolic and physiological potential is used insufficiently. Protein nutraceuticals were obtained by high-temperature hydrolysis of beef raw materials in combination with enzymolysis by proteolytic enzyme preparations Alcalase 2,5 L, Protamex, Protosubtilin G3x. The water-soluble fraction of hydrolysates was studied after its separation and freeze-drying on the content of nitrogenous compounds, fats, minerals, formol-titrated nitrogen, fractional molecular composition. The mathematical dependencies of accumulation of low molecular weight products of protein hydrolysis on enzymolysis duration and doses of different enzyme preparations were obtained. The rational technological scheme of complex processing of beef raw materials with production of protein, fat and mineral-protein additives was proposed. The protein weight fraction in the freeze-dried protein hydrolysates was 69.5–89.6%. All studied protein additives contained peptides with a molecular weight of not more than 100 kDa. The content of low-molecular weight oligopeptides with a molecular weight of less than 10 kDa in the protein additives obtained by enzymatic thermal hydrolysis was more than 90%. The amino acid composition of protein additives produced by different hydrolytic methods was analyzed. Sensory and functional-technological properties of freeze-dried protein compositions were studied. The amino acid potential, high assimilability and physiological activity of protein nutraceuticals from collagen-containing beef raw materials were established. It is recommended to use them in the composition of specialized biologically active additives (BAAs) to food of the osteotropic direction in recipes of specialized and personalized products as a source of amino acids and active peptides.

scholarly journals Action of growth hormone in vitro on the net uptake and incorporation into protein of amino acids in muscle from intact rabbits given protein-deficient diets

1976 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Turner ◽  
P. J. Reeds ◽  
K. A. Munday
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Amino Acid Uptake ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Amino Acid Incorporation ◽  
Acid Incorporation

1. Net amino acid uptake, and incorporation into protein have been measured in vitro in the presence and absence of porcine growth hormone (GH) in muscle from intact rabbits fed for 5 d on low-protein (LP), protein-free (PF) or control diets.2. In muscle from control and LP animals GH had no effect on the net amino acid uptake but stimulated amino acid incorporation into protein, although this response was less in LP animals than in control animals.3. In muscle from PF animals, GH stimulated both amino acid incorporation into protein and the net amino acid uptake, a type of response which also occurs in hypophysectomized animals. The magnitude of the effect of GH on the incorporation of amino acids into protein was reduced in muscle from PF animals.4. The effect of GH on the net amino acid uptake in PF animals was completely blocked by cycloheximide; the uptake effect of GH in these animals was dependent therefore on de novo protein synthesis.5. It is proposed that in the adult the role of growth hormone in protein metabolism is to sustain cellular protein synthesis when there is a decrease in the level of substrate amino acids, similar to that which occurs during a short-term fast or when the dietary protein intake is inadequate.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Plasmin Generation in Plasma By Heparin, Low Molecular Weight Heparin and a Covalent Antithrombin-Heparin Complex (ATH)

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4217-4217
Author(s):  
Gabriela Chang ◽  
Helen M. Atkinson ◽  
Leslie R. Berry ◽  
Anthony K.C. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are widely used anticoagulants for thrombosis treatment. However, these anticoagulants have limitations such as increased bleeding, variable dose response, required frequent monitoring, and, in the case of LMWH, inability to inhibit thrombin. This has led to the development of a covalent complex of antithrombin and heparin (ATH), which has been shown to overcome many of these shortcomings. ATH has faster rates of inhibition of many coagulation factors, is able to inhibit clot-bound thrombin, and is a more effective inhibitor of both venous and arterial thrombosis in animal models. Moreover, in a rabbit thrombosis model, ATH has been shown to decrease clot mass and fibrin accretion, while the contrary was observed for UFH. From these observations, it was suggested that ATH may enhance fibrin breakdown and thus led to investigations into the effects of UFH and ATH on fibrinolysis. In vitro studies have shown that UFH enhances antithrombin inhibition of plasmin. In addition, ATH displays a slightly greater inhibition of plasmin generation and activity. Such studies were conducted in purified systems, in the absence of other plasmin inhibitors naturally present in plasma. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of UFH, LMWH, and ATH on plasmin generation in plasma. Methods: At 37°C tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and soluble fibrin fragments (fib) were added to normal adult pooled platelet poor plasma supplemented with 0.35, 0.7, 1.4, or 2.1 U anti-Xa/ml UFH, LMWH, or ATH, to initiate plasmin generation (8.93nM tPA and 300µg/ml fib). At various time points, subsamples were mixed with excess plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) (55.12nM) to stop further plasmin generation. The plasmin concentration at each time point was determined using a plasmin-specific chromogenic substrate and a standard curve produced from purified plasmin. Results: Comparisons of mean area under the curve (AUC) for plasmin generation displayed a significant decrease in plasmin generation in the presence of all three anticoagulants at all doses tested (p<0.05). Comparing the anticoagulants at similar doses, plasmin generation was significantly decreased in the presence of ATH (15384.66±1930.23nM/min) compared to LMWH (23892.28±3090.54nM/min) at 0.7 U/ml (p<0.05). At a dose of 1.4 U/ml, there was significantly less plasmin generated, over time, in the presence of UFH (20089.49±3022.1623nM/min) and ATH (19273.86±1805.7323nM/min) when compared to LMWH (24743.18±1265.1023nM/min) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in plasmin inhibition between UFH and ATH at any of the doses tested. Conclusion: The present study supports previous findings that UFH and ATH can facilitate antithrombin inhibition of plasmin. It is also observed that LMWH catalyzes the inhibition of plasmin by antithrombin but possibly to a lesser extent. These findings suggest that ATH has a similar inhibitory effect on plasmin generation and activity in plasma compared to UFH, despite its overall superior anticoagulant properties. Therefore, previous in vivo observations displaying decrease in clot mass with administration of ATH was due to its enhanced anticoagulant abilities and not fibrinolysis enhancement. These findings add to our understanding of ATH mechanisms of action and aid in its development for clinical use. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Effect of Standard Heparin and a Low Molecular Weight Heparin on Thrombolytic and Fibrinolytic Activity of Single-Chain Urokinase Plasminogen Activator In Vitro

1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (03) ◽  
pp. 923-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
D M Lourenço ◽  
A M Dosne ◽  
A Kher ◽  
M Samama
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Clot Lysis ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Plasma Clot ◽  
Thrombolytic Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plasma Factor

SummaryThe effect of unfractioned heparin (UH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (Kabi 2165 - Fragmin®) on in vitro scu-PA thrombolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity was investigated. Thrombolytic activity was evaluated by following lysis of radiolabeled plasma clot immersed in plasma in presence of scu-PA alone or with either form of heparin. A 200 IU/ml scu-PA concentration produced clot lysis within 7 hr. UH or LMWH led to a slightly faster clot lysis which was statistically significant only at the 2nd and 3rd hour. No significant difference could be evidenced between UH and LMWH effect. During clot lysis, plasmin, generated within the clot led to a gradual transformation of scu-PA to tcu-PA, specially after a 4-hr incubation. Appearance of tcu-PA activity in the plasma surrounding the clot was significantly inhibited by either form of heparin. This finding contrasts with results observed in purified systems and suggests the presence of heparin-dependent plasma factor(s) inhibiting tcu-PA formation or its activity. Possible candidates might be anti-thrombin III and PAI-3.No fibrinogen breakdown was observed when plasma was incubated for 7 hr at 37° C in presence of scu-PA alone (200 IU/ ml) or with either form of heparin. However, in presence of a plasma clot, an important fibrinogen breakdown was observed during clot lysis reflecting the action of plasmin and/or tcu-PA generated within the clot, in the surrounding plasma. Fibrinogenolysis was less pronounced in the presence of both heparin preparations possibly as a consequence of the reduction in the tcu-PA level. These results underline the importance of plasma factors in the interaction of heparin with plasminogen activators such as scu-PA.

Isolation and characterization of full-length functional cDNA clones for human carcinoembryonic antigen

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3221-3230
Author(s):  
N Beauchemin ◽  
S Benchimol ◽  
D Cournoyer ◽  
A Fuks ◽  
C P Stanners
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Isolation And Characterization

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression is perhaps the most prevalent of phenotypic changes observed in human cancer cells. The molecular genetic basis of this phenomenon, however, is completely unknown. Twenty-seven CEA cDNA clones were isolated from a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Most of these clones are full length and consist of a number (usually three) of surprisingly similar long (534 base pairs) repeats between a 5' end of 520 base pairs and a 3' end with three different termination points. The predicted translation product of these clones consists of a processed signal sequence of 34 amino acids, an amino-terminal sequence of 107 amino acids, which includes the known terminal amino acid sequence of CEA, three repeated domains of 178 amino acids each, and a membrane-anchoring domain of 27 amino acids, giving a total of 702 amino acids and a molecular weight of 72,813 for the mature protein. The repeated domains have conserved features, including the first 67 amino acids at their N termini and the presence of four cysteine residues. Comparisons with the amino acid sequences of other proteins reveals homology of the repeats with various members of the immunoglobulin supergene family, particularly the human T-cell receptor gamma chain. CEA cDNA clones in the SP-65 vector were shown to produce transcripts in vitro which could be translated in vitro to yield a protein of molecular weight 73,000 which in turn could be precipitated with CEA-specific antibodies. CEA cDNA clones were also inserted into an animal cell expression vector and introduced by transfection into mammalian cell lines. These transfectants produced a CEA-immunoprecipitable glycoprotein which could be visualized by immunofluorescence on the cell surface.

Discussion: Amino-acid activation by individual enzymes

1958 ◽  
Vol 149 (936) ◽  
pp. 401-402
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Distribution Pattern ◽  
Mammary Tissue ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Acid Activation ◽  
Amino Acid Activation ◽  
Interesting Paper

I should like to comment on one aspect of Dr Gutfreund’s interesting paper. As he mentioned, we have found evidence that amino acids, after becoming enzymically activated by ATP through the formation of an enzyme-bound amino acyladenylate compound, are transferred to a low molecular weight RNA which, by accident or design, resides in the same crude activating enzyme fraction. It is gratifying that Dr Gutfreund has found a distribution pattern of amino acids on this RNA which roughly agrees with the pattern in the major protein products of mammary tissue. He points out, however, that there is no such correlation when one looks at the pattern of amino-acid activation. Indeed, because of this anomaly, some workers have devised theories of activation involving transacylation steps to account for activation of those amino acids for which an enzyme has not been found. Dr Gutfreund implies that there is much confusion and mystery here, and even suggests that the specificity of activation might be accounted for by soluble RNA , rather than by individual enzymes.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of full-length functional cDNA clones for human carcinoembryonic antigen.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3221-3230 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Beauchemin ◽  
S Benchimol ◽  
D Cournoyer ◽  
A Fuks ◽  
C P Stanners
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Isolation And Characterization

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression is perhaps the most prevalent of phenotypic changes observed in human cancer cells. The molecular genetic basis of this phenomenon, however, is completely unknown. Twenty-seven CEA cDNA clones were isolated from a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Most of these clones are full length and consist of a number (usually three) of surprisingly similar long (534 base pairs) repeats between a 5' end of 520 base pairs and a 3' end with three different termination points. The predicted translation product of these clones consists of a processed signal sequence of 34 amino acids, an amino-terminal sequence of 107 amino acids, which includes the known terminal amino acid sequence of CEA, three repeated domains of 178 amino acids each, and a membrane-anchoring domain of 27 amino acids, giving a total of 702 amino acids and a molecular weight of 72,813 for the mature protein. The repeated domains have conserved features, including the first 67 amino acids at their N termini and the presence of four cysteine residues. Comparisons with the amino acid sequences of other proteins reveals homology of the repeats with various members of the immunoglobulin supergene family, particularly the human T-cell receptor gamma chain. CEA cDNA clones in the SP-65 vector were shown to produce transcripts in vitro which could be translated in vitro to yield a protein of molecular weight 73,000 which in turn could be precipitated with CEA-specific antibodies. CEA cDNA clones were also inserted into an animal cell expression vector and introduced by transfection into mammalian cell lines. These transfectants produced a CEA-immunoprecipitable glycoprotein which could be visualized by immunofluorescence on the cell surface.

scholarly journals Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine and α-methylphenylalanine on amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in mouse neuroblastoma cells

1978 ◽  
Vol 174 (3) ◽  
pp. 931-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Kelly ◽  
T C Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Phenylalanine Hydroxylase ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Acid Uptake

The phenylalanine analogues p-chlorophenylalanine and alpha-methylphenylalanine were used to inhibit phenylalanine hydroxylase in animal models for phenylketonuria. The present report examines the affects of these analogues on the metabolism of neuroblastoma cells. p-Chlorophenylalanine inhibited growth and was toxic to neuroblastoma cells. Although in vivo this analogue increased cell monoribosomes by 42%, it did not significantly affect poly(U)-directed protein synthesis in vitro. P-Chlorophenylalanine did not compete with phenylalanine or tyrosine for aminoacylation of tRNA and was therefore not substituted for those amino acids in nascent polypeptides. The initial cellular uptake of various large neutral amino acids was inhibited by this analogue but did not affect the flux of amino acids already in the cell; this suggested that an alteration of the cell's amino acid pools was not responsible for the cytotoxicity of the analogues. In contrast with p-chlorophenylalanine, alpha-methylphenylalanine did not exert these direct toxic effects because the administration of alpha-methylphenylalanine in vivo did not affect brain polyribosomes and a comparable concentration of this analogue was neither growth inhibitory nor cytotoxic to neuroblastoma cells in culture. The suitability of each analogue as an inhibitor of phenylalanine hydroxylase in animal models for phenylketonuria is discussed.

scholarly journals The structure of a glycopeptide isolated from the yeast cell wall

1968 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sentandreu ◽  
D. H. Northcote
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Yeast Cell ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Yeast Cell Wall ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Elimination Reaction ◽  
Sephadex Column

1. Glycopeptides containing mannose were extracted from isolated yeast cell walls by ethylenediamine and purified by treatment with Pronase and fractionation on a Sephadex column. 2. A glycopeptide that appeared homogeneous on electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation had a molecular weight of 76000, and contained a high-molecular-weight mannan and approx. 4% of amino acids. 3. The amino acid composition of the peptide was determined. It was rich in serine and threonine and also contained glucosamine. No cystine and methionine were detected. 4. The glycopeptide underwent a β-elimination reaction when treated with dilute alkali at low temperatures. The reaction resulted in the release of mannose, mannose disaccharides and possibly other low-molecular-weight mannose oligosaccharides. During the β-elimination reaction the dehydro derivatives of serine and threonine were formed. One of the linkages between carbohydrate and amino acids in the glycopeptide is an O-mannosyl bond from mannose and mannose oligosaccharides to serine and threonine. 5. After the β-elimination reaction the bulk of the mannose in the form of the large mannan component was still covalently linked to the peptide. This polysaccharide was therefore attached to the amino acids by a linkage different from the O-mannosyl bonds to serine and threonine that attach the low-molecular-weight sugars. 6. Mannan was prepared from the glycopeptide and from the yeast cell wall by treatment of the fractions with hot solutions of alkali. The mannan contained aspartic acid and glucosamine and some other amino acids. The aspartic acid and glucosamine were present in equimolar amounts; the aspartic acid was the only amino acid present in an amount equivalent to that of glucosamine. Thus there is the possibility of a linkage between the mannan and the peptide via glucosamine and aspartic acid. 7. Mannose 6-phosphate was shown to be part of the mannan structure. Information about the structure of the mannan and the linkage of the glucosamine was obtained by periodate oxidation studies. 8. The glucosamine present in the glycopeptide could not be released by treatment with an enzyme preparation obtained from the gut of Helix pomatia. This enzyme released glucosamine from the intact cell wall. Thus there are probably at least two polymers containing glucosamine in the cell wall. 9. The biosynthesis of the mannan polymer in the yeast cell wall is discussed with regard to the two types of carbohydrate–amino acid linkages found in the glycoprotein.

scholarly journals Apical Membrane Permeability of Mytilus Gill: Influence of Ultrastructure, Salinity and Competitive Inhibitors on Amino Acid Fluxes

1987 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-230
Author(s):  
STEPHEN H. WRIGHT ◽  
TIMOTHY W. SECOMB ◽  
TIMOTHY J. BRADLEY
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Gill Tissue ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Passive Permeability ◽  
Membrane Area ◽  
Kinetics Of

The apical membrane of gill integumental cells from the mussels Mytilus edulis and M. californianus serves as a permeability barrier separating sea water from a cytoplasm rich in amino acids and other small organic molecules. Morphometric analysis of transmission electronmicrographs indicates that the membrane area of these cells is increased between 10- and 18-fold by the presence of a microvillous brush border. The microvilli do not appear to influence the kinetics of solute transport across the cell apex, as determined using a mathematical model of the relationship between membrane structure and the kinetics of transport. Rates of amino acid loss from the integument were low, and estimates of the upper limit of the passive permeability of the apical membrane to amino acids ranged from 0.5 to 10×10−10cm s−1. Abrupt exposure of intact mussels or isolated gill tissue to 60% sea water (19% salinity) resulted in a transient, 40- to 80-fold increase in the rate of loss of all amino acids from integumental tissues. Upon exposure to full-strength sea water, efflux rates returned to near control values. Exposure to 60% sea water also inhibited the carrier-mediated accumulation of amino acid: uptake of 0.5 μmol1−1 [14C]alanine and [14C]taurine was reduced by 80% compared to control uptake in 100% sea water. This inhibition was not adequate to account for the increase in net efflux of taurine from gill tissue into 60% artificial sea water (ASW), though the inhibition of alanine uptake may have contributed significantly to the increased loss of this amino acid. Efflux of discrete structural classes of amino acid occurred when integumental tissues were exposed to 50 μmoll−1 concentrations of structurally related analogues. It is concluded that the apical membrane of gill cells has a very low passive permeability to amino acids, and that the overall permeability of the gill can be increased in a reversible fashion by exposure to reduced salinity or to high external concentrations of amino acid.

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