Role of proteolysis in copper homoeostasis

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Solioz

The cop operon of Enterococcus hirae controls cytoplasmic copper levels. It encodes two copper ATPases, a repressor, and the CopZ metallo-chaperone. Transcription of these genes is induced by copper. However, at higher copper concentrations, CopZ is degraded by a copper-activated proteolytic activity. This specific proteolysis of CopZ can also be demonstrated in vitro with E. hirae extracts. Growth of the cells in copper increases the copper-inducible proteolytic activity in extracts. Zymography reveals the presence of a copper-dependent protease in crude cell lysates. Copper-stimulated proteolysis of CopZ appears to play an important role in copper homoeostasis by E. hirae.

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10103-10103
Author(s):  
G. Aust ◽  
M. Loeffler ◽  
I. Hanisch ◽  
M. Wobus ◽  
E. Wandel ◽  
...  

10103 Background: Tumor cells at the invasion front of several carcinomas differ in their molecule pattern from cells in central tumor regions. As recently shown by us, this includes the cell surface receptor CD97 (Am J Pathol 2002,161:1657–67). Here, we link related differences in cell biological and biomechanical properties to the characteristics of tumor invasion. We combine in vitro and in vivo experiments with computer simulations of tumor progression and analyze the particular role of CD97 in this process. Methods: We compared the cDNA pattern of clones with adjustable expression of normal or C- terminal truncated CD97 using microarrays and confirmed the results at the protein level. Clonal cell motility was analyzed by time-lapse video microscopy. The scid mouse model was used to monitor tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, we introduce a novel class of individual cell-based computer models of tumor invasion into stroma. The approach enables us to analyze the impact of different cellular alterations on the organization and dynamics of the tumor invasion front and we can study several assumptions about the origin of these alterations. Results: CD97 overexpression stimulates single cell motility and increases proteolytic activity and IL-8 secretion in vitro and promotes growth of tumors in scid mice. In contrast, tumor cells overexpressing truncated CD97 show lower proteolytic activity, impaired in vitro motility and in vivo tumor growth. By computer simulation studies we demonstrate that the observed effects induced by CD97 can strongly increase the invasion capacity of tumors. Furthermore, they can cause a specific morphology of the invasion front which is known to correlate with poor prognosis. Thus, as a consequence of our computer simulations and findings in vitro and in vivo, we suggest that CD97 plays an active role in the propagation of de-differentiated carcinomas. Conclusions: Our combined experimental and theoretical computer analysis provides a novel insight in how variations of individual cell properties can be linked to different patterns of tumor cell invasion. Our results suggest that proteolytic activity at the tumor front in conjunction with elevated and directed cell motility are key steps to aggressive tumor invasion. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


1990 ◽  
Vol 45 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 823-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Griebenow ◽  
Alfred R. Holzwarth ◽  
Kurt Schaffner

Abstract Chlorosomcs containing BChl a790 have been isolated from Chloroflexus aurantiacus on sucrose density gradients using the detergents Miranol. Deriphat. N.N-dimethyldodecyl- aminc-N-oxidc, and dodecyl-p-D-rnaltoside. All freshly prepared samples cither lack the poly- peptide of approximately 5 kDa. which appears identical with the 5.6-kDa protein previously assigned the role of BChl c-binding [R. G. Feick and R. C. Fuller. Biochemistry 23, 3693- 3700 (1984)]. or they contain only a minor amount thereof. This polypeptide accumulates in the chlorosomcs in vitro at room temperature within 24 h after isolation. The reaction cannot be prevented simply by addition of the protease inhibitors benzamidinc. F.-caproic ac|d. and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. However, upon denaturation, as required lor gel electrophore- sis, of the freshly isolated chlorosome sample the formation of the 5-kDa polypeptide is inhibit- ed. We conclude that this species, viz. 5.6-kDa protein, is a degradation product of another - as yet unidentified - protein present in the chlorosome preparations. Despite the pronounced proteolytic activity which affords the 5-kDa fragment, the native absorption and fluorescence properties of BChl c and BChl a arc essentially not changed in these chlorosome preparations.


Author(s):  
Janet H. Woodward ◽  
D. E. Akin

Silicon (Si) is distributed throughout plant tissues, but its role in forages has not been clarified. Although Si has been suggested as an antiquality factor which limits the digestibility of structural carbohydrates, other research indicates that its presence in plants does not affect digestibility. We employed x-ray microanalysis to evaluate Si as an antiquality factor at specific sites of two cultivars of bermuda grass (Cynodon dactvlon (L.) Pers.). “Coastal” and “Tifton-78” were chosen for this study because previous work in our lab has shown that, although these two grasses are similar ultrastructurally, they differ in in vitro dry matter digestibility and in percent composition of Si.Two millimeter leaf sections of Tifton-7 8 (Tift-7 8) and Coastal (CBG) were incubated for 72 hr in 2.5% (w/v) cellulase in 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0. For controls, sections were incubated in the sodium acetate buffer or were not treated.


Author(s):  
David B. Warheit ◽  
Lena Achinko ◽  
Mark A. Hartsky

There is a great need for the development of a rapid and reliable bioassay to evaluate the pulmonary toxicity of inhaled particles. A number of methods have been proposed, including lung clearance studies, bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, and in vitro cytotoxicity tests. These methods are often limited in scope inasmuch as they measure only one dimension of the pulmonary response to inhaled, instilled or incubated dusts. Accordingly, a comprehensive approach to lung toxicity studies has been developed.To validate the method, rats were exposed for 6 hours or 3 days to various concentrations of either aerosolized alpha quartz silica (Si) or carbonyl iron (CI) particles. Cells and fluids from groups of sham and dust-exposed animals were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Alkaline phosphatase, LDH and protein values were measured in BAL fluids at several time points postexposure. Cells were counted and evaluated for viability, as well as differential and cytochemical analysis. In addition, pulmonary macrophages (PM) were cultured and studied for morphology, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis by scanning electron microscopy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Giuseppa Morabito

Dietary polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals, modulating cellular redox transcription factors in different in vitro and ex vivo models. Dietary intervention studies have shown that consumption of plant foods modulates plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC), a biomarker of the endogenous antioxidant network, in human subjects. However, the identification of the molecules responsible for this effect are yet to be obtained and evidences of an antioxidant in vivo action of polyphenols are conflicting. There is a clear discrepancy between polyphenols (PP) concentration in body fluids and the extent of increase of plasma NEAC. The low degree of absorption and the extensive metabolism of PP within the body have raised questions about their contribution to the endogenous antioxidant network. This work will discuss the role of polyphenols from galenic preparation, food extracts, and selected dietary sources as modulators of plasma NEAC in humans.


Planta Medica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Lee ◽  
TG Ahn ◽  
CW Kim ◽  
HJ An
Keyword(s):  

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Corral ◽  
R. González-Conejero ◽  
J. Rivera ◽  
F. Ortuño ◽  
P. Aparicio ◽  
...  

SummaryThe variability of the platelet GP Ia/IIa density has been associated with the 807 C/T polymorphism (Phe 224) of the GP Ia gene in American Caucasian population. We have investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of this polymorphism in Spanish Caucasians. The T allele was found in 35% of the 284 blood donors analyzed. We confirmed in 159 healthy subjects a significant association between the 807 C/T polymorphism and the platelet GP Ia density. The T allele correlated with high number of GP Ia molecules on platelet surface. In addition, we observed a similar association of this polymorphism with the expression of this protein in other blood cell types. The platelet responsiveness to collagen was determined by “in vitro” analysis of the platelet activation and aggregation response. We found no significant differences in these functional platelet parameters according to the 807 C/T genotype. Finally, results from 3 case/control studies involving 302 consecutive patients (101 with coronary heart disease, 104 with cerebrovascular disease and 97 with deep venous thrombosis) determined that the 807 C/T polymorphism of the GP Ia gene does not represent a risk factor for arterial or venous thrombosis.


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