scholarly journals Introductory remarks to the second session

1981 ◽  
Vol 293 (1063) ◽  
pp. 63-64
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Enzymatic Catalysis ◽  
Transition States ◽  
Phosphoglycerate Kinase ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Steady State Rate ◽  
And Function ◽  
Enzyme Structure And Function ◽  
And Control

The four presentations in this session cover studies on different aspects of enzyme structure and function. They effectively illustrate how one has to combine different approaches to arrive at an understanding of enzymatic catalysis and control. Nowadays, the molecular description of an enzyme is hardly credible without detailed crystallographic information. Thus, Dr Blake’s paper on the structure of phosphoglycerate kinase is particularly relevant to our understanding of phosphate-transfer mechanisms. The question of the relation between structure in the solid and solution is still with us and n.m.r. has proved to be the best way to study the differences and similarities. M any enzyme substrate complexes have been ‘mapped’ in solution, by using the perturbation of the n.m.r. spectra by param agnetic centres as a measure of interatomic distances. How such results can lead to both structural and mechanistic information will be discussed by Dr Mildvan. To understand mechanisms we must also get some information about the nature of transition states. Here, stereochemical observations play an important role and Dr Lowe will describe some elegant work on the use of chiral phosphates in approaching this problem. Finally, it is important to describe structures, intermediates and transition states in terms of the kinetic behaviour of the enzyme and Dr Dalziel will give us an example of both steady-state and pre-steady-state rate studies. Measurements of reaction rates ultimately link studies on the isolated enzyme to their behaviour in vivo . As this last step in the sequence is not covered by the formal presentations at this meeting I should like to show briefly how n.m.r. can now be used to obtain fluxes of enzyme catalysed reactions in vivo both in the steady state and at equilibrium.

scholarly journals Modelling the Human Placental Interface In Vitro—A Review

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Marta Cherubini ◽  
Scott Erickson ◽  
Kristina Haase
Keyword(s):  
Drug Testing ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Control

Acting as the primary link between mother and fetus, the placenta is involved in regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange; thus, healthy placental development is crucial for a successful pregnancy. In line with the increasing demands of the fetus, the placenta evolves throughout pregnancy, making it a particularly difficult organ to study. Research into placental development and dysfunction poses a unique scientific challenge due to ethical constraints and the differences in morphology and function that exist between species. Recently, there have been increased efforts towards generating in vitro models of the human placenta. Advancements in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), microfluidics, and bioprinting have each contributed to the development of new models, which can be designed to closely match physiological in vivo conditions. By including relevant placental cell types and control over the microenvironment, these new in vitro models promise to reveal clues to the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and facilitate drug testing across the maternal–fetal interface. In this minireview, we aim to highlight current in vitro placental models and their applications in the study of disease and discuss future avenues for these in vitro models.

scholarly journals Netrin-1 in Atherosclerosis: Relationship between Human Macrophage Intracellular Levels and In Vivo Plaque Morphology

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Susanna Fiorelli ◽  
Nicola Cosentino ◽  
Benedetta Porro ◽  
Franco Fabbiocchi ◽  
Giampaolo Niccoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Atherosclerotic Process ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Control ◽  
Macrophage Accumulation

Netrin-1 is a laminin-like protein that plays a pivotal role in cell migration and, according to the site of its release, exerts both pro and anti-atherosclerotic functions. Macrophages, key cells in atherosclerosis, are heterogeneous in morphology and function and different subpopulations may support plaque progression, stabilization, and/or regression. Netrin-1 was evaluated in plasma and, together with its receptor UNC5b, in both spindle and round monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) morphotypes from coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and control subjects. In CAD patients, plaque features were detected in vivo by optical coherence tomography. CAD patients had lower plasma Netrin-1 levels and a higher MDMs expression of both protein and its receptor compared to controls. Specifically, a progressive increase in Netrin-1 and UNC5b was evidenced going from controls to stable angina (SA) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Of note, spindle MDMs of AMI showed a marked increase of both Netrin-1 and its receptor compared to spindle MDMs of controls. UNC5b expression is always higher in spindle compared to round MDMs, regardless of the subgroup. Finally, CAD patients with higher intracellular Netrin-1 levels showed greater intraplaque macrophage accumulation in vivo. Our findings support the role of Netrin-1 and UNC5b in the atherosclerotic process.

Effect of endurance training on leucine metabolism in perfused rat skeletal muscle

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (6) ◽  
pp. E648-E656 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Hood ◽  
R. L. Terjung
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Trained Group ◽  
Leucine Metabolism ◽  
Leucine Oxidation ◽  
Hindlimb Muscle ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
And Control

An isolated single rat hindlimb muscle preparation was used to examine the influence of exercise training on leucine metabolism during steady-state conditions at rest and during isometric contractions. Treadmill training increased the activity of citrate synthase in the hindlimb muscle by 40-45%. Leucine oxidation, measured as the rate of alpha-decarboxylation, was not different between trained (2.28 +/- 0.15 nmol.min-1.g-1, n = 9) and control (2.57 +/- 0.20, n = 9) muscle at rest. In addition, successive 40-min contraction periods at 15 and 45 tetani/min induced similar increases (50 and 100%, respectively) in leucine oxidation in both groups. However, trained muscle maintained a greater tension output (P less than 0.05) during contractions and exhibited a greater oxygen consumption (VO2) (P less than 0.05) during 45 tetani/min. Thus the rate of leucine oxidation, relative to VO2, was less (P less than 0.05) in the trained group. This response was probably related to differences in intracellular factors modulating branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting step in leucine oxidation. Although our observed rates of muscle leucine alpha-decarboxylation can reasonably account for the rates of whole-body leucine alpha-decarboxylation of nontrained individuals found during steady-state tracer studies in vivo, this is less reasonably the case for the trained group. This suggests that a greater rate of leucine oxidation by nonmuscle tissues (e.g., liver) may occur in trained compared with nontrained individuals.

scholarly journals Caspase-9 mediates the apoptotic death of megakaryocytes and platelets, but is dispensable for their generation and function

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (18) ◽  
pp. 4283-4290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. White ◽  
Simone M. Schoenwaelder ◽  
Emma C. Josefsson ◽  
Kate E. Jarman ◽  
Katya J. Henley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Caspase Activation ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Platelet Production ◽  
Effector Caspase ◽  
Functional Regulation ◽  
Caspase Cascade ◽  
And Function

Abstract Apoptotic caspases, including caspase-9, are thought to facilitate platelet shedding by megakaryocytes. They are known to be activated during platelet apoptosis, and have also been implicated in platelet hemostatic responses. However, the precise requirement for, and the regulation of, apoptotic caspases have never been defined in either megakaryocytes or platelets. To establish the role of caspases in platelet production and function, we generated mice lacking caspase-9 in their hematopoietic system. We demonstrate that both megakaryocytes and platelets possess a functional apoptotic caspase cascade downstream of Bcl-2 family-mediated mitochondrial damage. Caspase-9 is the initiator caspase, and its loss blocks effector caspase activation. Surprisingly, steady-state thrombopoiesis is unperturbed in the absence of caspase-9, indicating that the apoptotic caspase cascade is not required for platelet production. In platelets, loss of caspase-9 confers resistance to the BH3 mimetic ABT-737, blocking phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and delaying ABT-737–induced thrombocytopenia in vivo. Despite this, steady-state platelet lifespan is normal. Casp9−/− platelets are fully capable of physiologic hemostatic responses and functional regulation of adhesive integrins in response to agonist. These studies demonstrate that the apoptotic caspase cascade is required for the efficient death of megakaryocytes and platelets, but is dispensable for their generation and function.

scholarly journals Opposing effects of bim and bcl-2 on lung endothelial cell migration

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. L607-L620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Grutzmacher ◽  
SunYoung Park ◽  
Tammy L. Elmergreen ◽  
Yixin Tang ◽  
Elizabeth A. Scheef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Endothelial Cell Migration ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Capillary Morphogenesis ◽  
Steady State Rate ◽  
Cell Adhesion And Migration ◽  
And Migration ◽  
And Function

Integration of cell adhesive, survival, and proliferative processes is essential for capillary morphogenesis of endothelial cells (EC) in vitro and vascular development and function in vivo. Unfortunately, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that impact these processes are poorly defined. Here we examined how lack of bim and/or bcl-2 expression impact lung EC function. The absence of bcl-2 or bim had a significant impact on EC adhesion and migration. Lack of bcl-2 expression decreased lung EC migration, whereas lack of bim expression increased migration compared with their wild-type counterparts. Decreased adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin was observed in both bcl-2−/− and bim−/− lung EC, with bcl-2−/− EC having very little adhesion to either matrix protein. Capillary morphogenesis was greatly diminished in bcl-2−/− EC, which correlated with decreased lung alveolarization in vivo, an angiogenesis-dependent process. We also observed aberrant production of extracellular matrix proteins, eNOS expression, and nitric oxide production in bcl-2−/− lung EC, which could contribute to inability to undergo capillary morphogenesis. The changes in cell adhesion and migration noted in the absence of bim or bcl-2 were independent of their impact on apoptosis. We observed no significant affect on the steady-state rate of apoptosis of lung EC in the absence of bim or bcl-2. Thus, bcl-2 family members, bim and bcl-2, play a central role in modulation of EC proangiogenic properties, which goes beyond their role as simple mediators of mitochondrial homeostasis and apoptosis.

scholarly journals Mutagenesis of Zinc Ligand Residue Cys221 Reveals Plasticity in the IMP-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Active Site

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 5667-5677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori B. Horton ◽  
Sreejesh Shanker ◽  
Rose Mikulski ◽  
Nicholas G. Brown ◽  
Kevin J. Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Zinc Binding ◽  
Saturation Mutagenesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Binding Residue ◽  
And Function ◽  
Enzyme Structure And Function ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

ABSTRACTMetallo-β-lactamases catalyze the hydrolysis of a broad range of β-lactam antibiotics and are a concern for the spread of drug resistance. To analyze the determinants of enzyme structure and function, the sequence requirements for the subclass B1 IMP-1 β-lactamase zinc binding residue Cys221 were tested by saturation mutagenesis and evaluated for protein expression, as well as hydrolysis of β-lactam substrates. The results indicated that most substitutions at position 221 destabilized the enzyme. Only the enzymes containing C221D and C221G substitutions were expressed well inEscherichia coliand exhibited catalytic activity toward β-lactam antibiotics. Despite the lack of a metal-chelating group at position 221, the C221G enzyme exhibited high levels of catalytic activity in the presence of exogenous zinc. Molecular modeling suggests the glycine substitution is unique among substitutions in that the complete removal of the cysteine side chain allows space for a water molecule to replace the thiol and coordinate zinc at the Zn2 zinc binding site to restore function. Multiple methods were used to estimate the C221G Zn2 binding constant to be 17 to 43 μM. Studies of enzyme functionin vivoinE. coligrown on minimal medium showed that both IMP-1 and the C221G mutant exhibited compromised activity when zinc availability was low. Finally, substitutions at residue 121, which is the IMP-1 equivalent of the subclass B3 zinc-chelating position, failed to rescue C221G function, suggesting the coordination schemes of subclasses B1 and B3 are not interchangeable.

scholarly journals Operating regimes of covalent modification cycles at high enzyme concentrations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronny Straube
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Biological Networks ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Enzyme Concentration ◽  
Covalent Modification ◽  
Enhanced Sensitivity ◽  
Comprehensive Classification ◽  
Operating Regimes

AbstractThe Goldbeter-Koshland model has been a paradigm for ultrasensitivity in biological networks for more than 30 years. Despite its simplicity the validity of this model is restricted to conditions when the substrate is in excess over the converter enzymes − a condition that is easy to satisfy in vitro, but which is rarely satisfied in vivo. Here, we analyze the Goldbeter-Koshland model by means of the total quasi-steady state approximation which yields a comprehensive classification of the steady state operating regimes under conditions when the enzyme concentrations are comparable to or larger than that of the substrate. Where possible we derive simple expressions characterizing the input-output behavior of the system. Our analysis suggests that enhanced sensitivity occurs if the concentration of at least one of the converter enzymes is smaller (but not necessarily much smaller) than that of the substrate and if that enzyme is saturated. Conversely, if both enzymes are saturated and at least one of the enzyme concentrations exceeds that of the substrate the system exhibits concentration robustness with respect to changes in that enzyme concentration. Also, depending on the enzyme’s saturation degrees and the ratio between their maximal reaction rates the total fraction of phosphorylated substrate may increase, decrease or change nonmonotonically as a function of the total substrate concentration. The latter finding may aid the interpretation of experiments involving genetic manipulations of enzyme and substrate abundances.

Osseointegration interface of calcified bone and endosseous implants

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1096-1097
Author(s):  
K.E. Krizan ◽  
J.E. Laffoon ◽  
M.J. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Structure And Function ◽  
Titanium Implants ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Endosseous Implants ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cacodylate Buffer ◽  
One Year ◽  
And Function

With increase use of tissue-integrated prostheses in recent years it is a goal to understand what is happening at the interface between haversion bone and bulk metal. This study uses electron microscopy (EM) techniques to establish parameters for osseointegration (structure and function between bone and nonload-carrying implants) in an animal model. In the past the interface has been evaluated extensively with light microscopy methods. Today researchers are using the EM for ultrastructural studies of the bone tissue and implant responses to an in vivo environment. Under general anesthesia nine adult mongrel dogs received three Brånemark (Nobelpharma) 3.75 × 7 mm titanium implants surgical placed in their left zygomatic arch. After a one year healing period the animals were injected with a routine bone marker (oxytetracycline), euthanized and perfused via aortic cannulation with 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M cacodylate buffer pH 7.2. Implants were retrieved en bloc, harvest radiographs made (Fig. 1), and routinely embedded in plastic. Tissue and implants were cut into 300 micron thick wafers, longitudinally to the implant with an Isomet saw and diamond wafering blade [Beuhler] until the center of the implant was reached.

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