Evidence for the existence of a C25-sesterterpene pathway of steroidogenesis not involving cholesterol as an obligatory intermediate

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 714-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagu R. Bhavnani ◽  
Tony Wong
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Radiochemical Purity ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Dilution Technique ◽  
Isotope Dilution Technique ◽  
Alternate Pathway

Previous in vitro studies had indicated the possibility of steroidogenesis through a C25-sesterterpene pathway in which squalene and cholesterol are not required as obligatory intermediates. To investigate whether such a pathway exists in vivo, the precursor role of [7-3H]23,24-dinor-5-cholene-3β,20-diol in the in vivo formation of cortisol by the guinea pigs was studied. The [3H]23,24-dinor-5-cholene-3β,20-diol was synthesized by reacting [3H]pregnenolone acetate with a Grignard reagent. The product was purified by chromatography and its radiochemical purity was established by the isotope dilution technique. In the first experiment a total of 134 × 106 dpm of [3H]23,24-dinor-5-cholene-3β,20-diol was injected subcutaneously into three guinea pigs. Urine was collected for 8 days and was pooled. Only 12% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine. The urine was extracted and a neutral extract (3 × 106 dpm) was obtained. From this extract 2.3 mg of cortisol containing 2.9 × 104 dpm was isolated. Radiochemical purity of the isolated cortisol was established by the isotope dilution technique. Radiochemical purity was further confirmed by conversion to cortisol 21-acetate and subsequently to 11β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and recrystallization to constant specific activity. The results of this experiment were confirmed by repeating the experiment with a higher specific activity [3H]23,24-dinor-5-cholene-3β,20-diol. These results indicate that the C25-sesterterpene pathway is a possible in vivo alternate pathway of steroidogenesis, not involving either squalene or cholesterol as obligatory intermediates.

Paradoxical effect of salbutamol in a model of acute organophosphates intoxication in guinea pigs: role of substance P release

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. L915-L923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Chávez ◽  
Patricia Segura ◽  
Mario H. Vargas ◽  
José Luis Arreola ◽  
Edgar Flores-Soto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance P ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Neurokinin 1 ◽  
Substance P Release

Organophosphates induce bronchoobstruction in guinea pigs, and salbutamol only transiently reverses this effect, suggesting that it triggers additional obstructive mechanisms. To further explore this phenomenon, in vivo (barometric plethysmography) and in vitro (organ baths, including ACh and substance P concentration measurement by HPLC and immunoassay, respectively; intracellular Ca2+ measurement in single myocytes) experiments were performed. In in vivo experiments, parathion caused a progressive bronchoobstruction until a plateau was reached. Administration of salbutamol during this plateau decreased bronchoobstruction up to 22% in the first 5 min, but thereafter airway obstruction rose again as to reach the same intensity as before salbutamol. Aminophylline caused a sustained decrement (71%) of the parathion-induced bronchoobstruction. In in vitro studies, paraoxon produced a sustained contraction of tracheal rings, which was fully blocked by atropine but not by TTX, ω-conotoxin (CTX), or epithelium removal. During the paraoxon-induced contraction, salbutamol caused a temporary relaxation of ∼50%, followed by a partial recontraction. This paradoxical recontraction was avoided by the M2- or neurokinin-1 (NK1)-receptor antagonists (methoctramine or AF-DX 116, and L-732138, respectively), accompanied by a long-lasting relaxation. Forskolin caused full relaxation of the paraoxon response. Substance P and, to a lesser extent, ACh released from tracheal rings during 60-min incubation with paraoxon or physostigmine, respectively, were significantly increased when salbutamol was administered in the second half of this period. In myocytes, paraoxon did not produce any change in the intracellular Ca2+ basal levels. Our results suggested that: 1) organophosphates caused smooth muscle contraction by accumulation of ACh released through a TTX- and CTX-resistant mechanism; 2) during such contraction, salbutamol relaxation is functionally antagonized by the stimulation of M2 receptors; and 3) after this transient salbutamol-induced relaxation, a paradoxical contraction ensues due to the subsequent release of substance P.

Quantitation of renal uric acid synthesis in the chicken

1978 ◽  
Vol 234 (5) ◽  
pp. F446-F451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore Y. Chin ◽  
A. J. Quebbemann
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Activity Ratio ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Portal Circulation ◽  
Dilution Technique ◽  
Renal Metabolism ◽  
Isotope Dilution Technique

The contribution of uric acid synthesized in the kidney (nephrogenic uric acid) to the total uric acid excreted in the urine was studied in the chicken by use of the isotope-dilution technique. In the nonfasted chicken the urine-to-plasma specific activity ratio (SAR) of [14C]uric acid was 0.83, suggesting that a minimum of 17% of the uric acid excreted in the urine is synthesized in the kidney. During allopurinol infusion into the renal portal circulation of one kidney the SAR increased to 0.99, indicating that the renal synthesis of uric acid was almost completely inhibited and that the SAR is a valid indicator of the contribution of nephrogenic uric acid excreted into the urine without first entering the circulation. Chickens fasted for 18 h showed a lower rate of renal synthesis of uric acid. Hypoxanthine infusion into the systemic circulation increased the rate of renal synthesis of uric acid in both fasted and nonfasted chickens, suggesting that circulating precursor levels may in part regulate the renal synthesis of uric acid. kidney; specific activity ratio; allopurinol; renal metabolism Submitted on July 14, 1977

THE ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE AND ANDROSTENEDIONE AS PRECURSORS OF EPITESTOSTERONE IN GUINEA PIGS (IN VIVO AND IN VITRO STUDIES)

1971 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Szamatowicz ◽  
Michel Drosdowsky ◽  
Max F. Jayle
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Testosterone Production ◽  
Liver Slices

ABSTRACT After injection of [7α-3H] androstenedione and [4-14C] testosterone into male and female guinea pigs, doubly labelled aetiocholanolone, 5α-androstanedione and epiandrosterone were identified in the urine. No epitestosterone was detected. Ovaries, testes, adrenals and liver slices were incubated with the same precursors. Epitestosterone production was observed in all organs except in the adrenals. According to the epitestosterone 3H/14C ratio, it can be concluded that in guinea pigs an interconversion of testosterone, androstenedione and epitestosterone takes place. In liver, androstenedione is preferentially converted to epitestosterone without sex differences, whereas in ovary and testis epitestosterone derives preferentially from testosterone.

IN VITRO STOFFWECHSEL VON [4-14C]-TESTOSTERON IN VESICULARDRÜSEN VON RATTEN

1969 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut R. Henrichs ◽  
Wilhelm Dirscherl
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Dilution Technique ◽  
Isotope Dilution Technique ◽  
Chromatographic Behaviour

ABSTRACT Experiments to elucidate the in vitro metabolism of [4-14C] -testosterone in seminal vesicles of rats are described. Besides unchanged testosterone, the following metabolites were isolated and identified by their chromatographic behaviour: 3α,17β-dihydroxy-5α-androstan, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one, 3β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione. The first 3 of these compounds were also identified by the inverse isotope dilution technique. The reduction in ring A yields 5α-metabolites only.

scholarly journals 14-3-3 Facilitates Ras-Dependent Raf-1 Activation In Vitro and In Vivo

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3947-3955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Roy ◽  
Robert A. McPherson ◽  
Ann Apolloni ◽  
Jun Yan ◽  
Annette Lane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Membrane Recruitment ◽  
Oncogenic Ras ◽  
Epidermal Growth

ABSTRACT 14-3-3 proteins complex with many signaling molecules, including the Raf-1 kinase. However, the role of 14-3-3 in regulating Raf-1 activity is unclear. We show here that 14-3-3 is bound to Raf-1 in the cytosol but is totally displaced when Raf-1 is recruited to the plasma membrane by oncogenic mutant Ras, in vitro and in vivo. 14-3-3 is also displaced when Raf-1 is targeted to the plasma membrane. When serum-starved cells are stimulated with epidermal growth factor, some recruitment of 14-3-3 to the plasma membrane is evident, but 14-3-3 recruitment correlates with Raf-1 dissociation and inactivation, not with Raf-1 recruitment. In vivo, overexpression of 14-3-3 potentiates the specific activity of membrane-recruited Raf-1 without stably associating with the plasma membrane. In vitro, Raf-1 must be complexed with 14-3-3 for efficient recruitment and activation by oncogenic Ras. Recombinant 14-3-3 facilitates Raf-1 activation by membranes containing oncogenic Ras but reduces the amount of Raf-1 that associates with the membranes. These data demonstrate that the interaction of 14-3-3 with Raf-1 is permissive for recruitment and activation by Ras, that 14-3-3 is displaced upon membrane recruitment, and that 14-3-3 may recycle Raf-1 to the cytosol. A model that rationalizes many of the apparently discrepant observations on the role of 14-3-3 in Raf-1 activation is proposed.

Biochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties of PEGylated Cystathionine γ-Lyase from Aspergillus carneus KF723837

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf S.A. El-Sayed ◽  
Marwa A. Yassin ◽  
Salwa A. Khalaf ◽  
Mohamed El-Batrik ◽  
Gul Shad Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Covalent Binding ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Native Page ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties

Cystathionine &#947;-lyase (CGL) was purified to its electrophoretic homogeneity from<i> Aspergillus carneus</i> by various chromatographic approaches. The purified enzyme has four identical subunits of 52 kDa based on SDS and native PAGE analyses. To improve its structural stability, purified CGL was modified by covalent binding to polyethylene glycol moieties. The specific activity of free-CGL and PEG-CGL was 59.71 and 48.71 U/mg, respectively, with a PEGylation yield of 81.5 and 70.7% modification of surface ε-amino groups. Free- and modified CGL have the same pattern of pH stability (8.0-9.0). At 50°C, the thermal stability [half-life time (T<sub>1/2</sub>)] of PEG-CGL was increased by 40% in comparison to free-CGL. The activity of CGL was completely inhibited by hydroxylamine and Hg<sup>+2</sup>, with no effect by EDTA. Free-CGL (0.04 m<smlcap>M</smlcap><sup>-1</sup>s<sup>-1</sup>) and PEG-CGL (0.03 m<smlcap>M</smlcap><sup>-1</sup>s<sup>-1</sup>) have a similar catalytic efficiency to <smlcap>L</smlcap>-cystathionine as a substrate. The inhibition constant values of propargylglycine were 0.31 and 0.52 µ<smlcap>M</smlcap> for the free- and PEG-CGL, respectively. By in vitro proteolysis, PEG-CGL retains >50% of its initial activity compared to <10% of the free-CGL for acid protease for 30 min. From in vivo pharmacokinetics in New Zealand white rabbits, the T<sub>1/2</sub> was 19.1 and 28.9 h for the Holo free-CGL and PEG-CGL, respectively, ensuring the role of PEGylation on shielding the CGL surface from proteolytic attack, reducing its antigenicity, and stabilizing its internal Schiff base. By external infusion of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (10 µ<smlcap>M</smlcap>), the T<sub>1/2</sub> of free- and PEG-CGL was prolonged to 24 and 33 h, respectively, so dissociation of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate was one of the main causes of loss of enzyme activity. The biochemical and hematological responses of rabbits to free- and PEG-CGL were assessed, with relative similarity to the negative control, confirming the nil toxicity of enzymes. The titer of IgG was duplicated in response to free- versus PEG-CGL after 45 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerned with purification and PEGylation of CGL from fungi, with higher affinity for <smlcap>L</smlcap>-cystathionine. With further molecular studies, CGL will be a promising enzyme against various cardiovascular diseases and antioxidant deficiency, as well as for generation of a neurotransmitter (H<sub>2</sub>S).

scholarly journals Development of an Albumin-Based PSMA Probe With Prolonged Half-Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teli Liu ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Yanan Ren ◽  
Xiaoyi Guo ◽  
Jinquan Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Radiochemical Purity ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Tumor Burden ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Specific Membrane ◽  
Psma Inhibitor

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an attractive target for the diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer as it is specifically overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. Improving the circulation of radioligands in the blood is considered as an effective strategy that can improve tumor burden, which benefits detection of small lesions and improves the effect of PSMA radioligand therapy (PRLT). In this study, we introduced maleimidopropionic acid (MPA) to a PSMA-targeted tracer and developed Al18F-PSMA-CM, which targets human serum albumin (HSA) binding and PSMA. Al18F-PSMA-CM is evaluated in vitro and in vivo for stability, PSMA specificity, and biodistribution in 22Rv1 tumor-bearing mice. Al18F-PSMA-CM was prepared with a radiochemical purity of &gt;99% and specific activity of 11.22–18.70 MBq/nmol. Al18F-PSMA-CM was stable in vitro and in vivo and prolonged circulation in blood with a binding ratio of 47 ± 3.2% and Kd value of 3.08 ± 0.45 nM to HSA. The uptake of Al18F-PSMA-CM in PSMA(+) 22Rv1 cells was increased in 2 h, and the uptake was blocked by a PSMA inhibitor, ZJ-43. The Kd value of Al18F-PSMA-CM to PSMA was 8.46 ± 0.24 nM. Al18F-PSMA-CM was accumulated in kidneys and 22Rv1 tumors [74.76 ± 15.42 and 6.16 ± 0.74 ID%/g at 2 h post injection (p.i.)], which were decreased by −80.0 and −84.3% when co-injected with ZJ-43. Al18F-PSMA-CM showed high PSMA specificity and accumulated in 22Rv1 tumors with increasing uptake in 4 h. MPA moiety showed the ability to prolong the half-life of tracers, and the MPA-conjugated tracer showed the potential to improve tumor uptake. MPA may be a choice to develop radiopharmaceuticals for PRLT of prostate cancer.

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