Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.21.69 (APC)
 16,337 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Tryptase, a mast cell serine protease, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma, but formal evidence to support this hypothesis has been limited by the lack of specific inhibitors for use in vivo. Therefore, in this study we examined the effects of two inhibitors of tryptase, APC 366 [N-(1-hydroxy-2-naphthoyl)-L-arginyl-L-prolinamide hydrochloride] and BABIM [bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane] on antigen-induced early and late responses, airway responsiveness as measured by carbachol provocation, microvascular permeability as measured by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) albumin concentrations, and tissue eosinophilia from biopsies in allergic sheep. APC 366 and BABIM were administered by aerosol in all experiments. In vehicle control trials, antigen challenge resulted in peak early and late increases in specific lung resistance (SRL) of (mean +/- SE, n = 6) 259 +/- 30% and 183 +/- 27% over baseline, respectively. Treatment with APC 366 (9 mg/3 ml H2O given 0.5 h before, 4 h after, and 24 h after antigen challenge) slightly reduced the peak early response (194 +/- 41%), but significantly inhibited the late response (38 +/- 6%, p < 0.05 versus control trials). Twenty-four hours after challenge, APC 366 also completely blocked the antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled carbachol observed in the control trial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Tryptase inhibitors block allergen-induced airway and inflammatory responses in allergic sheep. 852 Jul 78

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), a potent atherogenic lipoprotein, has been shown to cause the alteration of various endothelial functions. We have examined the effect of oxidized LDL on the cofactor activity for thrombin-dependent protein C activation and expression of thrombomodulin (TM), a cell surface antithrombotic glycoprotein, on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Oxidized LDL prepared by irradiation of LDL with 254-nm ultraviolet light did not directly affect the cofactor activity of isolated TM. Exposure of the cells to oxidized LDL (25-200 microg/ml), but not native LDL and acetylated LDL, reduced TM cofactor activity in parallel with its antigen levels on the cell surface in an oxidation-, concentration- and time-dependent manner. TM mRNA levels were reduced prior to decrease in TM antigen levels and were 50% of the control levels at 3.0 h after treatment of the cells with oxidized LDL. The apparent half-life time (t1/2 = 2.8 h) of TM mRNA in the oxidized LDL-treated cells, however, did not significantly differ from that (t1/2 = 2.6 h) in the control cells when the cells were coincubated with 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, a transcriptional inhibitor. Treatment of the cells with bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor for the proton pump of the lysosomes, inhibited intracellular degradation of the LDL and prevented down-regulations of the mRNA and the cell surface TM antigen levels caused by oxidized LDL. The inhibitor molecule in oxidized LDL was shown to be a lipid; organic solvent extracts (300 mg/ml cholesterol, an equivalent concentration with lipids in 200 microg/ml oxidized LDL) of oxidized LDL inhibited expression of TM antigen to nearly the same extent as the oxidized LDL, although water extracts did not affect TM expression on the cells. These results suggested that down-regulation of TM on endothelial cells exposed to oxidized LDL resulted from inhibition of its transcription mediated by lysosomal degradation of oxidized LDL and that a lipid component in the LDL could be an active species. A decrease in TM expression on the surface of endothelial cells may contribute to promote thrombosis in atherosclerotic lesions.
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PMID:Oxidized low density lipoprotein reduces thrombomodulin transcription in cultured human endothelial cells through degradation of the lipoprotein in lysosomes. 862 46

Irinotecan [7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin (CPT-11)] is a promising water-soluble analogue of camptothecin [S. Sawada et al., Chem. & Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo), 39: 1446-1454, 1991]. We have reported previously the presence of an important polar metabolite, in addition to 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) beta-glucuronide, in samples of plasma taken from patients undergoing treatment with CPT-11 (L.P. Rivory and J. Robert, Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 36: 176-179, 1995; L. P. Rivory and J. Robert, J. Cromatogr., 661: 133-141, 1994). Plasma samples (0.5 ml) containing comparatively large amounts of this metabolite were extracted by solid-phase columns and subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in parallel to fluorometric detection. The metabolite yielded [M + 1] ions with a m/z of 619, representing the addition of 32 atomic mass units to CPT-11. Purified fractions were subjected to proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and the structure determined, 7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopentanoic acid)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycampothecin (APC), was further validated following synthesis. Like CPT-11, APC was found to be only a weak inhibitor of the cell growth of KB cells in culture (IC50, 2.1 versus 5.5 micrograms/ml for CPT-11 and 0.01 microgram/ml for SN-38, the active metabolite of CPT-11) and was a poor inducer of topoisomerase I DNA-cleavable complexes (100-fold less potent than SN-38). In contrast to CPT-11, APC was not hydrolyzed to SN-38 by human liver microsomes or purified human liver carboxylesterase. Furthermore, APC did not inhibit the hydrolysis of CPT-11 in these preparations. Interestingly, APC was only a weak inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase in comparison to CPT-11 and neostigmine. It appears likely, therefore, that APC does not contribute directly to the activity and toxicity profile of CPT-11 in vivo.
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PMID:Identification and properties of a major plasma metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11) isolated from the plasma of patients. 870 9

Salmonella was isolated from 6 of 20 (30.0%) samples of fresh meat, and from 28 of 140 (20.0%) samples of frozen meat processed for human consumption from captive Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe. Salmonella enterica isolates showed a serovar distribution of 41.2% (14/34) subsp. enterica, 11.8% (4/34) subsp. salamae and 41.2% (14/34) subsp. diarizonae. Analyses of fresh meat samples yielded Aeromonas (A. hydrophila) in 18 of 20 samples (90%), and a mean aerobic plate count (APC, 30 degrees C) of 5.79 cfu/g, a mean coliform count (TC, 37 degrees C) of 5.08 cfu/g and a mean faecal coliform count FC, 44 degrees C) of 4.76 cfu/g. It is suggested that the presence of Salmonella in meat samples may be due to skin surface contamination originating from faecally polluted rearing water ponds combined with excessive handling procedures during flaying. The common presence of Salmonella, including serovars of proven pathogenic potential, in crocodile meat offered for human consumption should concern consumers and public health authorities, as well as staff employed at crocodile farms.
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PMID:Prevalence and serovar distribution of Salmonella in fresh and frozen meat from captive Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). 872 92

Aerobic plate counts (APC 37 degrees C and APC 25 degrees C) and Escherichia coli enumerations (Petrifilm) were used to determine sources of bacterial contamination during sheep dressing, determine the hygienic efficacy of hand wash and knife 'sterilization' procedures and compare the hygiene efficiency of conventional and inverted sheep dressing systems. The major slaughterline sources of microbial contamination were: fleece > workers' hands > faecal pellets > knife blades. Aerobic plate counts (APC 37 degrees C) exceeding log 4.4 cfu cm-2 were considered indicative of direct fleece contact, whereas E. coli numbers exceeding log 3.3 cfu cm-2 were considered indicative of direct faecal contact. A 44 degrees C water hand rinse removed 90% of the microbial contamination from workers' hands, but rinsed hands, particularly those contacting the fleece, still carried a microbial population exceeding log 4.0 cfu cm-2. A 44 degrees C rinse followed by an 82 degrees C water dip reduced the contamination on knife blades to less than log 3.0 cfu cm-2. Inverted dressing systems produced carcasses with a lower contamination level than conventional systems. With both systems little increase in contamination occurred after pelt removal. The areas of highest contamination were the forequarter region with inverted dressing and the hindquarter with conventional dressing. In both cases these regions are the sites where cuts are made through the skin. With both systems contamination around these cuts was entirely consistent with direct fleece contact resulting from 'rollback'.
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PMID:The hygienic efficiency of conventional and inverted lamb dressing systems. 881 52

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a high-molecular-mass glycoprotein which contains binding sites for complement component C4b, anti-coagulant vitamin K-dependent protein S and serum amyloid P component (SAP). The major form of C4BP in plasma is composed of seven identical alpha-chains and a single beta-chain. We have expressed full-length cDNA for the alpha-chain in a eukaryotic expression system and characterized functional properties of non-beta-chain-containing C4BP. During synthesis, recombinant alpha-chains polymerized into two different high-molecular-mass C4BP forms which were composed of seven or eight alpha-chains. Recombinant C4BP bound C4(H2O) (used instead of C4b) equally as well as native C4BP, functioned equally as well as factor I cofactor in the degradation of C4(H2O) and bound to SAP. In contrast, the recombinant C4BP did not bind protein S and therefore did not inhibit the ability of protein S to function as a cofactor to activated protein C. Tunicamycin treatment of the transfected cells prevented N-linked glycosylation, but did not affect polymerization of the alpha-chains into a high-molecular-mass C4BP. The non-glycosylated C4BP had comparable properties to glycosylated C4BP in several functional assays. These results demonstrate polymerization of C4BP alpha-chains to be independent both of the beta-chain and of the N-linked carbohydrates. Moreover, N-linked carbohydrates and the beta-chain were neither required for the ability of C4BP to bind C4b and to function as factor I cofactor nor for the interaction with SAP.
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PMID:Expression and characterization of a recombinant C4b-binding protein lacking the beta-chain. 894 35

Oligonucleotides containing 2'-O-aminopropyl-substituted RNA have been synthesized. The 2'-O-(aminopropyl)adenosine (APA), 2'-O-(aminopropyl)cytidine (APC), 2'-O-(aminopropyl)-guanosine (APG), and 2'-O-(aminopropyl)uridine (APU) have been prepared in high yield from the ribonucleoside, protected, and incorporated into an oligonucleotide using conventional phosphoramidite chemistry. Molecular dynamics studies of a dinucleotide in water demonstrates that a short alkylamine located off the 2'-oxygen of ribonucleotides alters the sugar pucker of the nucleoside but does not form a tight ion pair with the proximate phosphate. A 5-mer with the sequence ACTUC has been characterized using NMR. As predicted from the modeling results, the sugar pucker of the APU moiety is shifted toward a C3'-endo geometry. In addition, the primary amine rotates freely and is not bound electrostatically to any phosphate group, as evidenced by the different sign of the NOE between sugar proton resonances and the signals from the propylamine chain. Incorporation of aminopropyl nucleoside residues into point-substituted and fully modified oligomers does not decrease the affinity for complementary RNA compared to 2'-O-alkyl substituents of the same length. However, two APU residues placed at the 3'-terminus of an oligomer gives a 100-fold increase in resistance to exonuclease degradation, which is greater than observed for phosphorothioate oligomers. These structural and biophysical characteristics make the 2'-O-aminopropyl group a leading choice for incorporation into antisense therapeutics. A 20-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide capped with two phosphodiester aminopropyl nucleotides targeted against C-raf mRNA has been transfected into cells via electroporation. This oligonucleotide has 5-10-fold greater activity than the control phosphorothioate for reducing the abundance of C-raf mRNA and protein.
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PMID:2'-O-aminopropyl ribonucleotides: a zwitterionic modification that enhances the exonuclease resistance and biological activity of antisense oligonucleotides. 897 41

Warfarin, like all the 4-hydroxycoumarin compounds, has an asymmetric carbon atom. The clinically available warfarin preparations consist of a racemic mixture of equal amounts of 2 distinct S and R isomers, the former being 4-times more potent as anticoagulant and more susceptible to drug interaction. Warfarin is highly water soluble and rapidly absorbed from the stomach and the upper gastrointestinal tract; its plasma concentrations peak 60 to 90 minutes after oral administration. Warfarin binds to the enzyme vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase in liver microsomes, stopping the cycle of vitamin K and reducing gamma-carboxylation of the precursors of vitamin D-dependent pro- and anticoagulant factors. A variable fraction of the binding with the target enzyme, albeit small, can be reversed by competitive displacers, such as dithiol-reducing agent activity. Differences in dithiol-reducing activity have been suggested as a contributing factor to the wide interindividual differences in sensitivity to oral anticoagulants. The anticoagulant effect is caused by a small fraction of the drug, since most (97 to 99%) is protein bound (mainly to albumin) and ineffective. Drugs that can displace the albumin binding will increase the action of warfarin, even though this effect is counteracted by a more rapid elimination of the drug. The elimination half-life of warfarin varies greatly among individuals, ranging from 35 to 45 hours; the S isomer has, however, an average half-life shorter than the R isomer. The plasma levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins are determined by a dynamic equilibrium between their synthesis and half-life times. The delay before warfarin takes effect reflects the half-life of the clotting proteins; the levels of factor VII and protein C (with shorter half-lives) are reduced earlier, reaching steady inhibited levels in about 1 day, whereas factor II takes more than 10 days. Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) with warfarin or other coumarin derivatives is increasingly administered to patients for primary or secondary prevention of various arterial or venous thromboembolic diseases. If in some clinical conditions OAT is given indefinitely, in others--such as venous thromboembolism or after tissue heart valve replacement--anticoagulants are usually given only for the high risk period of thrombotic complication. A recent large prospective study performed by the Italian Federation of Anticoagulation Clinics showed that about 30% of the patients who began OAT for various clinical indications stopped treatment at different times, confirming that withdrawal from OAT is an occurrence that affects a large number of patients. The expression 'rebound phenomenon' was adopted to indicate a hypercoagulant condition occurring after warfarin withdrawal. A possible more frequent recurrence of thromboembolism after cessation of anticoagulation became a matter of controversy and many clinical studies, mostly observational and noncontrolled, reported on the issue with inconsistent results. Most authoritative commentators agreed that rebound phenomenon, though possible, was not clinically relevant and did not differ in frequency and intensity according to mode of withdrawal. Scientific interest in the topic waned until more sensitive methods for investigating blood hypercoagulability became available. In recent years, many studies (reviewed in the text) have investigated the levels of different markers of hypercoagulability [fibrinopeptide A, activated factor VII, prothrombin fragments F1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, D-dimers (DD)], consistently finding an increase in their values after cessation of anticoagulation. Changes in the levels of markers of activated blood coagulation were prospectively investigated by our group in 32 patients with venous thromboembolism who were randomly withdrawn abruptly or gradually from warfarin treatment. Our results indicate that interruption of anticoagulant treatment frequently elicits low grade acti
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PMID:Warfarin withdrawal. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic considerations. 898 60

The structures formed by a pulmonary surfactant model system of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), and recombinant surfactant-associated protein C (SP-C) were studied using scanning force microscopy (SFM) on Langmuir-Blodgett films. The films appeared to be phase separated, in agreement with earlier investigations by fluorescence light microscopy. There were smooth polygonal patches of mostly lipid, surrounded by a corrugated rim rich in SP-C. When the films were compressed beyond the equilibrium surface pressure, the protein-rich phase mediated the formation of layered protrusions. The height of these multilamellar structures embodied equidistant steps slightly higher than a DPPC double layer in the gel phase. At the air-water interface too, a high compressibility at low surface tension was indicative of the exclusion of matter. The exclusion process proved to be fully reversible. The present study demonstrates that some of the matter of the model pulmonary surfactant can move in and out of the active monolayer. The SFM images revealed a lipid-protein complex that was responsible for the reversible exclusion of double-layer structures. This mechanism may be important in the natural system too, to keep the surface tension of the alveolar air/water interface constantly low over the range of area encountered upon breathing.
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PMID:The structure of a model pulmonary surfactant as revealed by scanning force microscopy. 899 33

When Na+ binds to thrombin, a conformational change is induced that renders the enzyme kinetically faster and more specific in the activation of fibrinogen. Two Na+ binding sites have here been identified crystallographically by exchanging Na+ with Rb+. One is intermolecular, found on the surface between two symmetry-related thrombin molecules. Since it is not present in thrombin crystal structures having different crystal systems, the other Na+ site is the functionally relevant one. The second site has octahedral coordination with the carbonyl oxygen atoms of Arg221A and Lys224 and four conserved water molecules. It is located near Asp189 of the S1 specificity site in an elongated solvent channel (8 x 18 A) formed by four antiparallel beta-strands between Cys182-Cys191 and Val213-Tyr228. This channel, extending from the active site to the opposite surface of the enzyme, was first noted in the hirudin-thrombin structure and contains about 20 conserved water molecules linked together by a hydrogen bonding network that connects to the main chain of thrombin. Although the antiparallel beta-strand interactions of the functional Na+ binding site are the same in prethrombin2, the loops between the strands are very different, so that Asp189 and Arg221A are not positioned properly for either substrate or Na+ binding in prethrombin2. A water molecule with octahedral coordination has also been identified in factor Xa at the topologically equivalent Na+ site position of thrombin. Since activated protein C shows enhanced activity with monovalant cation binding, the same position is probably utilized by Na+. Since thrombin crystals could not be grown in the absence of Na+, the cation was leached from Na(+)-bound thrombin crystals by diffusion/exchange. Although both Na+ and their coordinating water molecules were removed from the Na+ binding sites, the remainder of the thrombin structure was, unexpectedly, the same. The lack of an allosteric change is most likely attributable to crystal packing effects. Thus, the structure of the slow form remains to be established crystallographically.
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PMID:The molecular environment of the Na+ binding site of thrombin. 910 91


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