Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P15088 (mast cell)
 14,925 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cathepsin B activity was demonstrated histochemically in unfixed cryostat sections of inflamed human gingiva using the 2-methoxy-4-naphthylamide (MNA) substrates Z-Val-Lys-Lys-Arg-MNA and Z-Ala-Arg-Arg-MNA with a post-azo-coupling technique. Enzyme localisation was confirmed by immunocytochemistry with polyclonal sheep anti-human cathepsin B. In both cases, staining was found in connective tissue fibroblasts and also in cells varying in shape from rounded to more irregular forms. The latter were present both in areas of cellular infiltration and in the oral and pocket epithelium. Examination of adjacent sections with monoclonal antibodies directed against leukocyte differentiation antigens showed that the rounded to irregular cells were CD68 positive macrophages and monocytes. The histochemical staining had the form of fine cytoplasmic particles consistent with the known lysosomal occurrence of cathepsin B. Cells stained by the post-coupling method using the tryptase substrates Z-Ala-Ala-Lys-MNA and D-Val-Leu-Arg-MNA showed a different distribution and morphology, with reaction product confined to mast cell granules. The differences between the cathepsin B and tryptase staining patterns were confirmed by differential extraction from cryostat sections with salt-free and high-salt buffers respectively. Biochemical characterisation of activities in the extracts with the 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (AFC) substrates Z-Val-Lys-Lys-Arg-AFC and Z-Ala-Ala-Lys-AFC and protease inhibitors confirmed the identity of the two enzymes. Selective inhibitors could also be used in histochemical incubations to distinguish between cathepsin B and tryptase staining.
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PMID:Comparative histochemical, biochemical and immunocytochemical studies of cathepsin B in human gingiva. 751 62

It has previously been shown that mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) synthesize and secrete endothelin-1 (ET-1) and express ETA-type endothelin receptors (ETA-R). The study presented here was designed to elucidate the influence of different cytokine conditions for cellular differentiation and maturation on the ability of primary mouse BMMC to respond to exogenous ET-1. BMMC were grown for 2 wk in IL-3 alone and then cultured for 2 to 3 wk with kit ligand (KL) and/or IL-3 in the presence or absence of IL-4. ET-1 induced a very rapid (< or = 1 min) and dose-dependent release of histamine and serotonin from BMMC cultured in the presence of both IL-3 and IL-4. The effect of ET-1 was quantitatively comparable with IgE/Ag-induced mediator release and comprised up to 20% and 16% of total cellular histamine and serotonin, respectively. In BMMC grown with KL or KL plus IL-3, a substantial effect of ET-1 on amine release was only observed when IL-4 had been included in the culture medium. These IL-4 effects could not be observed if BMMC grown in IL-3 and/or KL were preincubated for 1 or 24 h with IL-4 before activation with ET-1, suggesting that a differentiation process rather than a functional priming effect had been initiated by IL-4. In BMMC, the histamine and serotonin release induced by ET-1 (10(-6) M) was inhibited by an ETA-R-specific antagonist (cyclic [D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu-D-Trp]) in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition at an antagonist concentration of 10(-8) M. ET-1 stimulated leukotriene C4 biosynthesis up to 4.5-fold in BMMC cultured in the presence of IL-4. No such ET-1 effect was observed in BMMC cultured in media containing IL-3, KL, or a combination of both cytokines. Peritoneal cells (containing 2 to 3% serosal mast cells) obtained from BALB/c mice released 87 +/- 2% of histamine within 1 min after challenge with ET-1. Our results demonstrate that ET-1 can directly act as a histamine and serotonin secretagogue and as a stimulator of leukotriene C4 production in mast cells. IL-4 appears to be critically involved in the differentiation of immature mast cell precursors to an ET-1-reactive phenotype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:IL-4 renders mast cells functionally responsive to endothelin-1. 753 Jul 42

We compared angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and carboxypeptidase A (CPA), two zinc metallopeptidases, for the hydrolysis of the usual ACE synthetic substrate benzoylglycyl-histidyl-leucine (HHL) investigating the possible interference by CPA in the determination of ACE activity in biological fluids. Both purified enzymes hydrolyse HHL in a radiochemical assay with the same optimal pH, a characteristic divalent metal requirement, a close similar behavior against inhibitors of other metallopeptidases, such as enkephalinase and kininase I, and the involvement of arginine and lysine residues in their active site. Conversely, CPA does not show the other catalytic properties of ACe, i.e. chloride dependence, low Km for HHL, inhibition by specific synthetic ACE inhibitors and antibody, also hydrolysis of the other ACE substrate furylacryloylphenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine (FAPGG). We advise the use of ACE inhibitors to validate ACE measurement with HHL or, alternatively, FAPGG, which is a more specific substrate for ACE, must be preferred, although the poor sensitivity of the spectrophotometric assay with this substrate limits its use to blood samples.
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PMID:Carboxypeptidase A hydrolyses benzoylglycyl-histidyl-leucine but not furylacryloyl-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine, two usual substrates for angiotensin I-converting enzyme. 758 46

Tryptase-like activity has previously been identified biochemically in gingival homogenates and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using substrates linked to the 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (AFC) leaving group. In the present study, activity was demonstrated histochemically in tissue sections with analogous 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (MNA) substrates. Z-Ala-Ala-Lys-MNA and D-Val-Leu-Arg-MNA were the most sensitive substrates. Comparison of staining patterns with the MNA substrates and toluidine blue indicated that enzyme activity was localized to mast cell secretory granules. Most stained cells were in the lamina propria, but a few were in the epithelium. The number of stained cells was somewhat greater in inflamed tissue from chronic periodontitis patients than in healthy tissue from controls. However, hardly any staining was seen in inflamed granulomatous tissue. Using high-salt buffer containing heparin, it was possible to extract enzyme activity from tissue sections for biochemical analysis with corresponding AFC substrates. Inhibitors gave similar results in the biochemistry and histochemistry. The inhibitor response and pH profile of the enzyme were the same as that found earlier with gingival homogenates and GCF and were again consistent with mast cell tryptase. The enzyme may have a role in the pathology of chronic periodontitis.
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PMID:Comparative histochemical and biochemical studies of mast cell tryptase in human gingiva. 769 9

In this paper, data are presented on purification and properties of a new serine endopeptidase (duodenase) isolated from bovine duodenum mucosa. The enzyme has been purified to homogeneity by combinations of ammonium sulphate fractionation, carboxymethyl-cellulose 52 chromatography, and affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4B with Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor as a ligand. Some physicochemical properties of this protease have been investigated. The molecular mass of the purified duodenase was determined to be 29 +/- 0.5 kDa by SDS/PAGE and G-2000 SW column chromatography. The enzyme molecule is a single chain and the native enzyme is a monomeric protein. Its isoelectric point was estimated to be 10 +/- 0.2. Duodenase has two forms (I and II) which possess similar properties but differ in their amino acid composition. The new protease is a glycoprotein and contains approximately 3.5% sugars. The enzyme displays trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities and hydrolyzes the amide bonds of substrates having Lys, Arg, Tyr, Phe and Leu residues at the P1 position. Duodenase is most active at pH 7.9-8.2. Duodenase was irreversibly inhibited by diisopropylphosphofluoridate and phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride, indicative of an active-site serine in this protease. alpha-N-Tosyl-L-lysine chloromethane and alpha-N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethane, which react with an active His, caused marked inhibition of trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities of duodenase. The enzyme activity was strongly suppressed by trypsin inhibitors from different sources (soybeans, bovine lungs and Lima beans). Chicken egg white ovomucoid had no effect on the duodenase activity. The N-terminal sequence of the native duodenase (24 amino acid residues) shows high similarity with those of human and murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte granzymes, human leukocyte cathepsin G and rat mast cell chymases. The biological role of duodenase is discussed.
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PMID:Duodenase, a new serine protease of unusual specificity from bovine duodenal mucosa. Purification and properties. 786 48

An MD simulation of the system carboxypeptidase A (CPA) with the tetrapeptide Val-Leu-Phe-Phe has been performed in order to learn about the substrate disposition just prior to nucleophilic attack. We have explored the model in which the substrate does not substitute the zinc-coordinated water (the "water" mechanism). The simulations do suggest as feasible that the Zn-OH2 group performs a nucleophilic attack on the Phe-Phe peptidic bond. We have also investigated the model in which the carbonyl oxygen displaces the zinc-coordinated water. In this case the substrate and Glu-270 orient themselves to allow an anhydride intermediate during the peptidic bond cleavage (the "anhydride" mechanism). Based on the results of the simulations, both "water" and "anhydride" mechanisms are structurally feasible, although the former model seems more probable on chemical grounds.
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PMID:The enzymatic mechanism of carboxypeptidase: a molecular dynamics study. 815 67

Anti-inflammatory properties have been ascribed to a series of N-(fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl) amino acids called leumedins that inhibit the activity of granulocytes and T-lymphocytes. We evaluated one of these leumedins, N-(fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl) leucine (NPC 15199), in a model of ileitis in guinea pigs. Ileitis was induced by intraluminal trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS 30 mg/kg in 50% ethanol) in anesthetized guinea pigs. NPC 15199 was administered daily (10 or 100 mg/kg, s.c.). After 7 days, the guinea pigs were anesthetized, and saline was administered intraluminally into an ileal loop created at the site of TNBS administration and was withdrawn after 30 min. The changes in lavage protein, nitrite levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and mast cell numbers were used as indices of inflammation and injury. NPC 15199 (10 or 100 mg/kg) attenuated or abolished TNBS-induced elevations in lavage protein and nitrite content. Only the high dose of NPC 15199 (100 mg/kg) attenuated ileal MPO activity and mast cell hyperplasia. Histological disturbances induced by TNBS administration included crypt hypertrophy, mucosal and submucosal fibrosis and smooth-muscle hyperplasia. These disturbances were reversed by high-dose NPC 15199 (100 mg/kg) but were minimally affected by low-dose NPC 15199 (10 mg/kg). We conclude that NPC 15199 prevents mucosal injury and dysfunction in this model of intestinal inflammation. Inhibition of granulocyte infiltration does not appear to be essential for the beneficial effects of NPC 15199 and suggests that the alternative actions of NPC 15199 may be pertinent to this model.
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PMID:Guinea pig ileitis is attenuated by the leumedin N-(fluorenyl-9- methoxycarbonyl)-leucine (NPC 15199). 839 62

1. The adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel current was recorded in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the patch clamp technique with inside-out patch configuration. Modification of the channel activity by intracellular application of an endoprotease trypsin was studied, and was related to a possible model of regulation of this channel. 2. Maximal ATP-sensitive K+ channel activity was observed immediately upon formation of inside-out patches in the ATP-free internal solution, thereafter activity declined both spontaneously and gradually with time; a phenomenon known as rundown. When trypsin (1 mg/ml) was applied to the intracellular side of the membrane upon formation of inside-out patches, spontaneous run-down did not occur, and this trypsin action was irreversible. Neither trypsin (1 mg/ml) applied with trypsin inhibitor (0.25 mg/ml) nor heat-denatured trypsin (1 mg/ml) could mimic this effect. When trypsin was applied to the patches after run-down, channels were reactivated at approximately 13 min. 3. Treatment with trypsin did not affect unitary current amplitude, channel gating kinetics, or sensitivity to intracellular ATP. 4. Intracellularly applied Ca2+ induced run-down of channel activity in a dose-dependent manner. In membrane patches that were treated with trypsin (1 mg/ml) for 20 min, intracellularly applied Ca2+ up to 1 mM did not induce run-down of channel activity. 5. Intracellular application of an exopeptidase, carboxypeptidase A (1 mg/ml), but not Leu-aminopeptidase (0.5 mg/ml), prevented spontaneous or Ca(2+)-induced run-down of channel activity. 6. As postulated for several other channels, such as Na+ and Ca2+ channels, there may be a possible 'chemical gate' that is responsible for run-down of this channel activity. Application of trypsin might somehow modify this 'chemical gate', resulting in prevention of spontaneous or Ca(2+)-induced run-down. This target site for trypsin may be situated on the carboxy-terminus of the channel proteins, or of associated regulatory units. Because ATP sensitivity remained intact after trypsin treatment, the trypsin-selective site for channel inhibition is not related physically to the ATP binding site.
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PMID:Modification of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel by trypsin in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. 841 Jul 13

We have recently reported that in vitro, mast cells were sensitive to the action of L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-OMe), a lysosomotropic compound. We now report the in vivo effect of Leu-OMe on mast cells, qualitatively assessed by using the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. The L- but not the D-stereoisomer of Leu-OMe (25 mM) injected together with Dactylis glomerata, pollen-specific, IgE-containing serum inhibited the PCA reaction in rat skin triggered by a subsequent challenge with the corresponding allergen. When specific IgE antibodies were injected in the rat skin 3 days after the L-Leu-OMe, subsequent challenge with the antigen displayed a recovery of the PCA reaction. Thus, an in vivo L-Leu-OMe treatment, at a concentration which did not lead to any macroscopic tissue injury, elicited either an alteration of mast cell mediator release or an inhibition of allergen-induced vasoactive mediator release through a functional deactivation and/or a depletion of mast cells.
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PMID:In vivo assessment of mast cell functional alteration induced by L-leucine methyl ester, using the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis technique. 842 65

To enhance the already high quality of diffraction data for crystals of the hydrophobic protein crambin, X-ray data were collected at 130 K by the method of H. Hope to 0.83 A resolution. Refinement with PROLSQ yields a model with an R value of 10.5%. The final model had three parameter anisotropic vibration factors for all atoms, which included 367 protein heavy atoms, 372 hydrogen atoms and 144 solvent atoms with one ethanol molecule. Dihedral angles and hydrogen-bonding distances generally agree with earlier studies of high-resolution protein structures, but some new patterns are noted. Solvent-related helix distortions are reminiscent of those described by others. Helix and beta-sheet regions show distinct patterns in their side-chain conformations. Despite crambin's hydrophobic nature, its accessible surface area in the crystal is surprisingly close to that of water-soluble proteins like myoglobin and carboxypeptidase A. More of crambin's hydrophobic surface is buried in the crystal, perhaps accounting for its high order of diffraction. A total of 24% of the 46 residues show discrete disorder at 130 K. This includes five side-chains at both 300 and 130 K, and six more side-chains and an ethanol molecule at 130 K. Disorder is associated with the sequence microheterogeneity at Pro/Ser22 and Leu/Ile25, with space filling or with solvent disorder. Correlated conformations extend over three to five residues. The patterns of disorder in this structure reveal important principles of protein structure and its dynamics. Finding disordered groups correlated over 5 to 8 A suggests that co-ordinated motion extends in groups rather than simply as uncorrelated movement around an atom center. Thermal diffuse scattering experiments on insulin and lysozyme are consistent with this interpretation. Nearly all of the protein-bound solvent has been located. Less than 1% of protein accessible surface area remains uncovered by solvent or crystal contacts. Preliminary analysis of the solvent network reveals two main networks in each of four solvent regions.
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PMID:Atomic resolution (0.83 A) crystal structure of the hydrophobic protein crambin at 130 K. 845 May 43


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