Jean Wallach

Dehydroepiandrosterone protects low density lipoproteins against peroxidation by free radicals produced by γ-radiolysis of ethanol–water mixtures

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) are believed to play a central role in the events that initiate atherosclerosis. Antioxidants have been shown to decrease the oxidation of LDL, leading to the diminution of atherosclerosis. Since it is well-known that decreased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are linked to the development of atherosclerosis, we studied the modulation of the oxidation of LDL by DHEA. LDL were obtained from 10 healthy subjects and oxidized by free radicals produced by gamma-radiolysis of ethanol-water mixtures. The formation of conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), the vitamin E content, as well as the incorporation of 4-[14C]DHEA in LDL and the chemotactic effect of oxidized LDL in the presence of DHEA towards monocytes, were investigated. It was found that DHEA was able to inhibit the oxidation of LDL by reducing over 90% of the conjugated dienes and TBARS formation, as well as by reducing the vitamin E disappearance and significantly decreasing the chemotactic activity towards monocytes. Our results suggest that DHEA exerts its antioxidative effect by protecting the endogenous vitamin E of LDL.

Lipopeptides with Improved Properties: Structure by NMR, Purification by HPLC and Structure–Activity Relationships of New Isoleucyl‐rich Surfactins

The biosynthesis of bacterial isoleucyl‐rich surfactins was controlled by supplementation of L‐isoleucine to the culture medium. Two new variants, the [Ile4,7]‐ and [Ile2,4,7]surfactins, were thus produced by Bacillus subtilis and their separation was achieved by reverse‐phase HPLC. Amino acids of the heptapeptide moiety were analysed by chemical methods, and the lipid moiety was identified to β‐hydroxy anteiso pentadecanoic acid by combined GC/MS. Sequences were established on the basis of two‐dimensional NMR data. Because conformational parameters issuing from NMR spectra suggested that the cyclic backbone fold was globally conserved in the new variants, structure–activity relationships were discussed in details on the basis of the three‐dimensional model of surfactin in solution. Indeed, both variants have increased surface properties compared with that of surfactin, and this improvement is assigned to an increase of the hydrophobicity of the apolar domain favouring micellization. Furthermore, the additional Leu‐to‐Ile substitution at position 2 in the [Ile2,4,7]surfactin leads to a substantial increase of its affinity for calcium, when compared with that of [Ile4,7]surfactin or surfactin. This effect is assigned, from the model, to an increase in the accessibility of the acidic side chains constituting the calcium binding site. Thus, the propensities of such active lipopeptides for both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were improved, further substantiating that they can be rationally designed.

Ionophorous and sequestering properties of surfactin, a biosurfactant from Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Surfactin is a bacterial lipopeptide containing two carboxylic groups. Its sequestering properties (surfactin binds calcium and magnesium ions) were determined in aqueous solution at pH 9.5. The calculated association constants were K = 1.5 × 105 M−1 for Ca2− and 1.9 × 104 M−1 for Mg2+. Its complexing properties were determined by the two-phase distribution system; the aqueous phase contained Ca2+ or Rb+ ions and the lipidic phase contained surfactin. At pH 9, surfactin forms a 1:1 complex with Ca2+ and a 2:1 complex with Rb+ and it shows a higher affinity for divalent cations than for monovalent cations. Surfactin is non-selective in binding monovalent cations but is slightly more effective in binding Ca2+ than Mg2+ or Ba2+. Surfactin is also a mobile carrier to transport monovalent and divalent cations across a solvent barrier and mediates the exchange between H− and inorganic cation.

Cumulative influence of elastin peptides and plasminogen on matrix metalloproteinase activation and type I collagen invasion by HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells

HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells express at their plasma membrane the elastin-binding protein (EBP). Occupancy of EBP by elastin fragments, tropoelastin or XGVAPG peptides was found to trigger procollagenase-1 (proMMP-1) overproduction by HT-1080 cells at the protein and enzyme levels. RT-PCR analysis indicated that elastin peptides did not modify the MMP-1 mRNA steady state levels, suggesting the involvement of a post-transcriptional mechanism. We previously reported that binding of elastin peptides to EBP induced other matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MT1-MMP) expression [20]. Since those peptides were here found to also accelerate the secretion of urokinase from HT-1080 cells, culture medium was supplemented with plasminogen together with elastin peptides at aims to induce or potentiate MMPs activation cascades. In such conditions, plasmin activity was generated and exacerbate proMMP-1 and proMMP-2 activation. As a consequence, elastin peptides and plasminogen-treated HT-1080 cells displayed a significant type I collagen matrix invasive capacity.

Human aortic elastin from normal individuals and atherosclerotic patients: lipid and cation contents; susceptibility to elastolysis

Aortic elastins, isolated from 30 humans of different ages, were purified by alkaline extraction, and separated into two groups depending on the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and calcification (grades 0 and 1). It was confirmed that the severity of atherosclerosis increases significantly with age (P less than 0.001) and elastin content decreases with atherosclerosis (P less than 0.001). The hydrolysis of the aortic elastins using pancreatic porcine elastase (PPE) was studied. It was observed that increased elastolytic activities are connected with severity of atherosclerosis (P less than 0.001) and both Vm and Km apparent kinetic parameters are affected (P less than 0.001). Correlation tests have shown that enzymatic hydrolysis is significantly modified by cholesterol (P less than 0.05), calcium (P less than 0.001) and magnesium concentrations (P less than 0.01) but only cholesterol changes significantly Vm and Km parameters.

An enzymatic method for preparation of homopolymannuronate blocks and strictly alternating sequences of mannuronic and guluronic units

Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginates were lysed by an overexpressed polymannuronate lyase AlxMB (only acting on two or more consecutive, nonacetylated mannuronate units) to prepare either mannuronate blocks (poly-M blocks) with dp approximately 30, or strictly alternating sequences of mannuronic and guluronic acid (poly-MG blocks) with dp > 20. The poly-M blocks were obtained by lysis of a P. aeruginosa polymannuronate that has 50% O-acetylation at C-2 and C-3. The poly-MG blocks were obtained from a P. aeruginosa alginate that contained both mannuronate and guluronate residues. The polysaccharide was first deacetylated and then treated with the lyase to excise the mannuronate units from the alternating-MG blocks. Both types of blocks should have potent biological effects and should provide useful specific substrates for characterisation of other alginate lyases.

Determination of elastolytic activity using a conductimetric method.

Summary The elastolytic activity of elastase has been measured by using a conductimetric method, the substrate being unmodified insoluble elastin. The method is based on the conductivity increase which appears when the peptidic bonds are cleaved. Apparent V m and K m values have been obtained from the conductivity recordings: they are in good agreement with the published figures obtained through classical methods, using modified elastin.

Lipase assay in duodenal juice using a conductimetric method

Lipase activity in duodenal juice is known to undergo important variations in pathologic states, especially in cases of chronic pancreatitis. Almost all of the current assay methods are based on the measurement of hydrolysis of olive oil or triolein, mainly by potentiometry. As we have developed a conductimetric method for enzyme activity measurements, we have applied it to lipase assay. A higher experimental conductimetric sensitivity is obtained when liberated acids have a short chain (higher limiting equivalent conductivity). We have therefore used triacetin as a substrate and compared out method with potentiometry (pH-stat) and spectrophotometry. The correlation coefficients of both methods with conductimetry were 0.94 and 0.97, respectively, indicating that the conductimetric method may be used for lipase assay in duodenal juice, using triacetin as a substrate.

Conductimetric Assay of a Bacterial Lipase, Using Triacetin as a Substrate

Abstract A conductimetric method has been applied to measure lipase activity. When using triacetin as a substrate, a linear relationship between initial rate and enzyme concentration is demonstrated up to 600 U in the cell (4 ml). Kinetic parameters of triacetin hydrolysis have been derived from conductimetric data, in the concentration range of solubility of the substrate. The limiting parameters (temperature, choice of buffer, substrate) are discussed in the last part.

Novel 21-aminosteroid U-74389G inhibits low-density lipoprotein peroxidation induced by .OH and O2−. free radicals

LDL peroxidation represents one of the first event in the atherogenesis process. Inhibiting LDL oxidation may impede this process and offers a new mechanism to retard atherogenesis. 21-Aminosteroids, derived from methylprednisolone, have recently excited much interest by virtue of their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The aim of our work was to investigate the effect of a novel 21-aminosteroid, U-74389G, in the LDL peroxidation initiated in a metal- and cell-free system by oxygen free radicals, .OH and O2-., generated by water gamma-radiolysis. In a concentration dependent manner, U-74389G increased the resistance of LDL to oxidation measured by the length of the lag phase, reduced the formation of conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and also reduced the alpha-tocopherol disappearance by about 47% at the concentration 20 microM. U-74389G was also able to reduce the chemotactic activity of oxidized LDL towards monocytes, as well as the cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. These observations suggest that the U-74389G is a potent antioxidant by decreasing LDL peroxidation and this should be evaluated in in vivo models as a potential therapy to retard atherogenesis.