Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027960 (mole)
 21,279 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Methods are described for the covalent attachment of succinoyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-ValCH2Cl, an active site-directed inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase (EC 3.4.21.11), to microspheres of human albumin. The insertion of side arms of various lengths revealed that maximum inhibition of this enzyme was obtained when the spacer arm was at least 24.3 A in length. Approximately 30 molecules of the inhibitor could be attached to each molecule of albumin. Such derivatized microspheres were capable of inhibiting approximately one mole of elastase per mole of albumin, which is comparable to the inhibitory activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin. Experiments in vivo in which rats were injected intravenously with radiolabeled microspheres to which the inhibitor had been attached showed a rapid and exclusive uptake by the lungs. About 40--50% of the injected microspheres subsequently remained in the lungs with a half-life of approximately 17 days. These derivatized microspheres thus appear to offer promise as a therapeutic agent for emphysema.
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PMID:Albumin microspheres as carrier of an inhibitor of leukocyte elastase: potential therapeutic agent for emphysema. 28 51

The effects of pH on the formation and dissociation of the complex of trypsin and PSTI was investigated using pancreatic juice of two patients. Pancreatic juice was eluted from a Sephadex G100 column with the buffer in different pH values, and the trypsin inhibitory activity in the eluate was measured. Under alkaline and neutral conditions, the complex of PSTI and trypsin was observed, while in acidic condition, dissociation of the complex was occurred. Molar ratio of PSTI and trypsin in the complex was found to be one mole/one mole. Human serum, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin dissociated the complex of PSTI and trypsin.
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PMID:[Effects of pH on the formation and dissociation of the complex of trypsin and PSTI]. 137 60

Solitary mastocytoma (mast cell naevus) of the skin represents a relatively rare dermal tumour. Its occurrence on the lower eyelid is exceptional. We report the case of a 4 month old male infant who exhibited a firm, yellowish nodule (1 cm in maximum diameter) on the lower lid of the right eye from birth. Histologically, the tumour consisted of strongly metachromatic tissue mast cells (TMC) infiltrating the whole dermis, the adjacent subcutaneous tissue and the lid muscle. Since comparable skin lesions in other sites were not observed, a diagnosis of solitary mastocytoma was made. Immunocytological investigations revealed strong reactivity of the TMC to antisera against vimentin, common leucocyte antigen (CLA), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT). A minor proportion of the TMC reacted to antisera against lysozyme and KiB3. Surprisingly, the TMC also reacted to antisera against certain regulatory peptides (RP), namely adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), leu-enkephalin and met-enkephalin. However, absorption controls revealed that the immunostaining for ACTH and the two enkephalins was non-specific. The immunocytological phenotype of TMC suggests a close relationship to the myeloid-monocytic lineage, but a possible relationship between TMC and the diffuse neuroendocrine system needs further investigation.
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PMID:Solitary mastocytoma of the eyelid. A case report with special reference to the immunocytology of human tissue mast cells, and a review of the literature. 312 Apr 1

Based on available knowledge, this study shows that alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) plays an important role in protecting lung elastin from elastolytic proteinases, particularly human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Studies previous to this one showed that alpha 1-PI was very susceptible to inactivation by oxidants. We sought to use this oxidant sensitivity as an in vivo marker for ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure. The mechanism of alpha 1-PI inactivation by O3 and NO2 was examined to provide insight concerning the pathogenesis of oxidant-mediated lung damage. Attention also was focused on the bronchial leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (BLPI), which inhibits HNE in the bronchial secretions. Careful examination of blood plasma samples from individuals exposed to 0.5 ppm O3 for four hours on two consecutive days failed to detect any inactivation of alpha 1-PI. This result showed that blood alpha 1-PI was not a satisfactory marker for O3 exposure, but, more importantly, demonstrated that inhaling O3 for short periods does not grossly inactivate this important protein. Studies on BLPI showed that it is a significant inhibitor of HNE and probably plays a more important role in protecting the lung than previously thought. BLPI, like alpha 1-PI, was found to be inactivated by oxidants, including O3 and NO2. The mechanism of O3 inactivation of leukocyte proteinase inhibitors was studied using alpha 1-PI, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-Achy), BLPI, and Eglin C. While all these inhibitors differed in structure, the concentrations of O3 required for inactivation were essentially the same, except for alpha 1-Achy, which only lost half of its inhibitory activity. It would seem from these results that O3 can damage proteins via the oxidation of any of the following: tryptophan (Trp), methionine (Met), tyrosine (Tyr), or histidine (His) residues. Interestingly, Eglin C, which does not have oxidizable amino acids in its inhibitory active site, was inactivated by the same amount of O3 as BLPI, BLPI was easily inactivated by a methionine-specific oxidant, suggesting an important role for methionine in this inhibitor. In vitro exposure of alpha 1-PI and BLPI to 800 moles of NO2 per mole of inhibitor resulted in 35% and 50% losses of HNE inhibitory activity, respectively. Tryptophan was destroyed by NO2 and studies are in progress to examine effects on other amino acids.
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PMID:Effects of ozone and nitrogen dioxide on human lung proteinase inhibitors. 326 87

Administration of D-galactosamine (GalNH2) is known to produce alterations in plasma glycoprotein levels, including alpha 1-antitrypsin. The authors have studied the effects of GalNH2 on circulating protein bound carbohydrates and on the plasma concentrations of two alpha 1-antiproteases, transferrin, IgG, and albumin in rats. The alpha 1-antiproteases from GalNH2-treated rats were isolated and their molecular weight, isoelectric point, and carbohydrate composition compared with those of control rat alpha 1-antiproteases. Total plasma protein, albumin, and transferrin levels in the GalNH2-treated rats do not differ significantly from those of control rats. Plasma protein-bound carbohydrate is decreased significantly in the experimental animals, compared with controls: sialic acid decreased 60%, neutral sugars decreased 43%, and amino sugars decreased 38%. The concentrations of alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) and a higher molecular weight alpha 1-antiprotease designated AP2 are decreased by 79% and 38%, respectively. AAT isolated from the plasma of GalNH2-treated rats contains 2-3 fewer moles of sialic acid, 3 fewer moles of neutral sugar, and 2 fewer moles of amino sugar per mole of antiprotease than AAT isolated from controls. AP2 from GalNH2-treated rats contains 1 fewer mole each of sialic acid, neutral sugar, and amino sugar per mole of antiprotease than AP2 from controls. These alterations are similar to those seen in humans with genetically determined alpha 1-antiprotease deficiency.
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PMID:Galactosamine-induced alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in rats. Alterations in plasma glycoproteins and alpha 1-antitrypsin carbohydrate composition. 349

Elastase/elastase inhibitor imbalance in the lung has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. In light of this, it may be significant that the activity of two major elastase inhibitors, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1Pi) and bronchial mucous proteinase inhibitor, can be decreased by oxidizing agents. The effect can be observed with ozone, substances present in cigarette smoke, and oxygen metabolites generated by lung macrophages as well as peroxidative systems released by other phagocytic cells. Thus alpha 1Pi recovered from lung washings of cigarette smokers has only half the predicted normal activity per mg inhibitor and contains 4 moles of methionine sulfoxide (oxidized methionine) per mole of inactive inhibitor. By contrast, alpha 1Pi purified from nonsmokers' lung washings is fully active and contains only native methionine. At the same time, lung washes from some smokers show significantly greater hydrolytic activity against a specific synthetic elastase substrate than do lung washes of nonsmokers. These findings suggest that some smokers may develop an acquired imbalance between elastase and elastase inhibitor in their lungs, favoring activity of the enzyme. In addition to the potential effect of cigarette smoking on lung elastase/elastase inhibitor balance, smoking also may interfere with elastin repair mechanisms. Specifically, acidic water-soluble gas phase components of cigarette smoke prevent synthesis of desmosine cross-links during elastinogenesis in vitro. This report will attempt to correlate the foregoing information on biochemical changes in the lung induced by cigarette smoking with the development of emphysema in the smoker.
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PMID:The role of oxidative processes in emphysema. 660 Aug 89

The gene encoding human protease inhibitor 4 (kallistatin; gene symbol PI4), a novel serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin), has been isolated and completely sequenced. The kallistatin gene is 9618 bp in length and contains five exons and four introns. The structure and organization of the kallistatin gene are similar to those of the genes encoding alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, protein C inhibitor, and alpha 1-antitrypsin. The kallistatin gene is also similar to the genes encoding rat and mouse kallikrein-binding proteins. The first exon of the kallistatin gene is a noncoding 89-bp fragment, as determined by primer extension. The fifth exon, which contains 308 bp of noncoding sequence, encodes the reactive center of kallistatin. In the 5'-flanking region of the kallistatin gene, 1125 bp have been sequenced and a consensus promoter segment with potential transcription regulatory sites, including CAAT and TATA boxes, an AP-2 binding site, a GC-rich region, a cAMP response element, and an AP-1 binding site, has been identified within this region. The kallistatin gene was localized by in situ hybridization to human chromosome 14q31-q32.1, close to the serpin genes encoding alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, protein C inhibitor, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and corticosteroid-binding globulin. In a genomic DNA Southern blot, kallistatin-related genes were identified in monkey, mouse, rat, bovine, dog, cat, and a ground mole. The patterns of hybridization revealed clues of human serpin evolution.
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PMID:Molecular cloning, sequence analysis, and chromosomal localization of the human protease inhibitor 4 (kallistatin) gene (PI4). 783 86