scholarly journals Lipoamidase is a multiple hydrolase

1990 ◽  
Vol 271 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Oizumi ◽  
K Hayakawa

The substrate specificity of lipoamidase, purified from the pig brain membrane with lipoyl 4-aminobenzoate (LPAB) as a substrate, was extensively studied. This single polypeptide was found to hydrolyse the bonding between amide, ester and peptide compounds. However, stringent structural requirements were found in the substrates, e.g. LPAB was hydrolysed, whereas biotinyl 4-aminobenzoate was not, as stated in our previous paper [Oizmui & Hayakawa (1990) Biochem. J. 266, 427-434]. The enzyme specifically recognized the whole molecular structure of the substrate, whereas it loosely recognized the bond structure of the substrate; e.g. the dipeptide Asp-Phe was not hydrolysed, whereas the methyl ester of Asp-Phe (aspartame) was. The exopeptidase activity was demonstrated by lipoamidase; however, longer peptides than the hexamer seemed not to be substrates. Lipoyl esters, which were electrically neutral, exhibited higher specificity with longer acyl groups. Molecular mass and molecular hydrophobicity (hydropathy) seemed to determine the substrate specificity. Lipoyl-lysine, acetylcholine and oligopeptides were hydrolysed at similar Km values; however, acetylcholine was hydrolysed at a velocity 100 times higher. Although many similar specificities were found between electric eel acetylcholinesterase and lipoamidase, distinctly different specificity was demonstrated with lipoyl compounds. The role of lipoamidase, which resides on the brain membrane and possesses higher specificity for hydrophobic molecules, remains to be elucidated.

1994 ◽  
Vol 299 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Palumbo ◽  
M d'Ischia ◽  
G Misuraca ◽  
L De Martino ◽  
G Prota

A melanogenic enzyme catalysing the rearrangement of dopachrome has been identified in the ejected ink of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. This enzyme occurs as a heat-labile protein which co-migrates with tyrosinase under a variety of chromatographic and electrophoretic conditions. On SDS/PAGE it shows like a single band with an approx. molecular mass of 85 kDa. The enzyme possesses high substrate specificity, acting on L-dopachrome (Km = 1 mM at pH 6.8) and on L-alpha-methyl-dopachrome, but not on D-dopachrome, L-dopachrome methyl ester, dopaminochrome and adrenochrome. Significant inhibition of the catalytic activity was observed with tropolone and L-mimosine. H.p.1.c. analysis of the enzyme-catalysed rearrangement of L-dopachrome revealed the quantitative formation of the decarboxylated product, 5,6-dihydroxyindole. These results point to marked differences between melanogenesis in cephalopod pigment cells and in melanocytes, which may have important implications in relation to the use of sepiomelanin as a model for studies of mammalian melanins.


Author(s):  
J.E. Johnson

Although neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) has been examined by light and electron microscopy for years, the nature of the components in the dystrophic axons is not well understood. The present report examines nucleus gracilis and cuneatus (the dorsal column nuclei) in the brain stem of aging mice.Mice (C57BL/6J) were sacrificed by aldehyde perfusion at ages ranging from 3 months to 23 months. Several brain areas and parts of other organs were processed for electron microscopy.At 3 months of age, very little evidence of NAD can be discerned by light microscopy. At the EM level, a few axons are found to contain dystrophic material. By 23 months of age, the entire nucleus gracilis is filled with dystrophic axons. Much less NAD is seen in nucleus cuneatus by comparison. The most recurrent pattern of NAD is an enlarged profile, in the center of which is a mass of reticulated material (reticulated portion; or RP).


1969 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 294-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Mihara ◽  
T Fujii ◽  
S Okamoto

SummaryBlood was injected into the brains of dogs to produce artificial haematomas, and paraffin injected to produce intracerebral paraffin masses. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood samples were withdrawn at regular intervals and their fibrinolytic activities estimated by the fibrin plate method. Trans-form aminomethylcyclohexane-carboxylic acid (t-AMCHA) was administered to some individuals. Genera] relationships were found between changes in CSF fibrinolytic activity, area of tissue damage and survival time. t-AMCHA was clearly beneficial to those animals given a programme of administration. Tissue activator was extracted from the brain tissue after death or sacrifice for haematoma examination. The possible role of tissue activator in relation to haematoma development, and clinical implications of the results, are discussed.


1966 ◽  
Vol 16 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 018-031 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Sherry ◽  
Norma Alkjaersig ◽  
A. P Fletcher

SummaryComparative studies have been made of the esterase activity of plasmin and the streptokinase-activator of plasminogen on a variety of substituted arginine and lysine esters. Human plasmin preparations derived by different methods of activation (spontaneous in glycerol, trypsin, streptokinase (SK) and urokinase) are similar in their esterase activity; this suggests that the molecular structure required for such esterase activity is similar for all of these human plasmins. Bovine plasmin, on the other hand, differs from human plasmin in its activity on several of the substrates studied (e.g., the methyl esters of benzoyl arginine and tosyl, acetyl and carbobenzoxy lysine), a finding which supports the view that molecular differences exist between the two animal plasmins. The streptokinase-activator hydrolyzes both arginine and lysine esters but the ratios of hydrolytic activity are distinct from those of plasmin and of other activators of plasminogen. The use of benzoyl arginine methyl ester as a substrate for the measurement of the esterase activity of the streptokinase-activator is described.


2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (46) ◽  
pp. 2101-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter Csécsei ◽  
Anita Trauninger ◽  
Sámuel Komoly ◽  
Zsolt Illés

The identification of autoantibodies generated against the brain isoform water channel aquaporin4 in the sera of patients, changed the current diagnostic guidelines and concept of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In a number of cases, clinical manifestation is spatially limited to myelitis or relapsing optic neuritis creating a diverse. NMO spectrum. Since prevention of relapses provides the only possibility to reduce permanent disability, early diagnosis and treatment is mandatory. In the present study, we discuss the potential role of neuroimaging and laboratory tests in differentiating the NMO spectrum from other diseases, as well as the diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options. We also present clinical cases, to provide examples of different clinical settings, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic decisions.


2004 ◽  
pp. 406-412
Author(s):  
Paul Okunieff ◽  
Michael C. Schell ◽  
Russell Ruo ◽  
E. Ronald Hale ◽  
Walter G. O'Dell ◽  
...  

✓ The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage metastatic disease is currently under debate. Previous randomized studies have not consistently supported the use of radiosurgery to treat patients with numbers of brain metastases. In negative-results studies, however, intracranial tumor control was high but extracranial disease progressed; thus, patient survival was not greatly affected, although neurocognitive function was generally maintained until death. Because the future promises improved systemic (extracranial) therapy, the successful control of brain disease is that much more crucial. Thus, for selected patients with multiple metastases to the brain who remain in good neurological condition, aggressive lesion-targeting radiosurgery should be very useful. Although a major limitation to success of this therapy is the lack of control of extracranial disease in most patients, it is clear that well-designed, aggressive treatment substantially decreases the progression of brain metastases and also improves neurocognitive survival. The authors present the management and a methodology for rational treatment of a patient with breast cancer who has harbored 24 brain metastases during a 3-year period.


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