Biochemical and biophysical research communications
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · May 1994
Activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase by a factor other than nitric oxide or carbon monoxide contributes to the vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents in the aorta of rats treated with endotoxin.
We have examined the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase and possible mediators of its activation in the vascular hyporeactivity caused by bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) ex vivo. Treatment of rats with E. coli LPS (10 mg/kg, i.v. for 3h) resulted in a significant reduction in the contractions elicited by norepinephrine (NE; 10(-9)-10(-6) M) in endothelium-denuded aortic rings ex vivo. Methylene blue or LY-83583, inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase, completely restored contractions to NE, whereas the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), caused only a partial restoration. ⋯ Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, further suppressed the contractions in rings from LPS-treated rats. These results suggest that hyporesponsiveness to NE caused by LPS is due to the activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase, which is partially mediated by N(O), but not by CO. Moreover, LPS may induce the production of another mediator(s) that activate soluble guanylyl cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · Sep 1992
Inhibition of nerve growth factor-induced B-50/GAP-43 expression by antisense oligomers interferes with neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells.
Substantial evidence has now been gathered for the involvement of B-50/GAP-43 in neuronal development and regeneration. The precise role of this protein, however, is still debated. ⋯ In the present study, a B-50/GAP-43 antisense 5'-oligomer interfered both with the NGF-induced increase in B-50/GAP-43 and with neurite outgrowth, whereas an antisense 3'-oligomer was ineffective. We conclude, that in PC12 cells under normal conditions B-50/GAP-43 expression and neurite outgrowth are or become coupled upon NGF-induction, in contrast to the situation in PC12 clones with no or very low B-50/GAP-43 expression.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · Jul 1992
Volatile anesthetics selectively alter [3H]ryanodine binding to skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors.
The effect of clinical concentrations of volatile anesthetics on ryanodine receptors of cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was evaluated using [3H]ryanodine binding. At 2 volume percent, halothane and enflurane stimulated binding to cardiac SR by 238% and 204%, respectively, while isoflurane had no effect. In contrast, halothane and enflurane had no effect on [3H]ryanodine binding to skeletal ryanodine receptors, while isoflurane produced a significant stimulation. These results suggest that volatile anesthetics interact in a site-specific manner with ryanodine receptors of cardiac or skeletal muscle to effect Ca2+ release-channel gating.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · Nov 1990
Primary structure and expression of the Ssc-protein of Salmonella typhimurium.
A 1020-bp open reading frame (ORF) was found immediately downstream of the ompH gene of Salmonella typhimurium. This ORF (ORF-36) encodes a moderately hydrophobic protein with 341 amino acid residues (calculated molecular mass, 35,928 Da). The ORF-36 product was detected in minicells. ⋯ Thus it appears that the enterobacterial ompH and lpx genes are separated only by the ORF-36 and ORF-17.4 genes. We also discuss the data on the function of the ORF-36 protein. On this basis, we suggest that the protein could be called the Ssc protein.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · Aug 1989
Chromium (V) and hydroxyl radical formation during the glutathione reductase-catalyzed reduction of chromium (VI).
Electron spin resonance measurements provide evidence for the formation of long-lived Cr(V) intermediates in the reduction of Cr(VI) by glutathione reductase in the presence of NADPH and for the hydroxyl radical formation during the glutathione reductase catalyzed reduction of Cr(VI). Hydrogen peroxide suppresses Cr(V) and enhances the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Thus Cr(V) intermediates catalyze generation of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide through a Fenton-like reaction. Thus the mechanism of Cr(VI) toxicity might involve the interaction between macromolecules and the hydroxyl radicals.