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The statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMG-CoAR), and are utilized to decrease levels of atherogenic lipoproteins in patients with, or who are at high risk of, cardiovascular disease. This study describes the inhibition of a recombinant, catalytic fragment of human HMG-CoAR by a new statin, rosuvastatin (CRESTOR(R)). Binding is reversible and involves an initial complex [inhibition constant involving the enzyme-inhibitor complex (E.I), K (i), approximately 1 nM], which undergoes a slow transition ( t ((1/2)) to reach steady state is 33-360 s) to give tighter association [steady-state inhibition constant involving E.I and the second E.I complex in a two-step mechanism (E.I*), K (i)*, approximately 0.1 nM]. At steady state, rosuvastatin is at least as potent as atorvastatin, cerivastatin and simvastatin. It is more potent than fluvastatin and pravastatin. For rosuvastatin, inhibition kinetics are competitive with respect to HMG-CoA and non-competitive when NADPH is varied. At 37 degrees C, binding is linked to a large favourable enthalpy change [Delta H degrees =-69.0 kJ/mol (-16.5 kcal/mol)] and a small entropic penalty [ T Delta S degrees =-9.6 kJ/mol (-2.3 kcal/mol)]. These characteristics, and the high affinity relative to that of 3 S -HMG-CoA ( K (d) approximately 6.6 microM), are discussed in relation to the crystal structures of complexes with HMG-CoAR.

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) follows the heat change when a test compound binds to a target protein. It allows precise measurement of affinity. The method is direct, making interpretation facile, because there is no requirement for competing molecules. Titration in the presence of other ligands rapidly provides information on the mechanism of action of the test compound, identifying the intermolecular complexes that are relevant for structure-based design. Calorimetry allows measurement of stoichiometry and so evaluation of the proportion of the sample that is functional. ITC can characterize protein fragments and catalytically inactive mutant enzymes. It is the only technique which directly measures the enthalpy of binding (delta H degree). Interpretation of delta H degree and its temperature dependence (delta Cp) is usually qualitative, not quantitative. This is because of complicated contributions from linked equilibria and a single change in structure giving modification of several physicochemical properties. Measured delta H degree values allow characterization of proton movement linked to the association of protein and ligand, giving information on the ionization of groups involved in binding. Biochemical systems characteristically exhibit enthalpy-entropy compensation where increased bonding is offset by an entropic penalty, reducing the magnitude of change in affinity. This also causes a lack of correlation between the free energy of binding (delta G degree) and delta H degree. When characterizing structure-activity relationships (SAR), most groups involved in binding can be detected as contributing to delta H degree, but not to affinity. Large enthalpy changes may reflect a modified binding mode, or protein conformation changes. Thus, delta H degree values may highlight a potential discontinuity in SAR, so that experimental structural data are likely to be particularly valuable in molecular design.

Triclosan is used widely as an antibacterial agent in dermatological products, mouthwashes, and toothpastes. Recent studies imply that antibacterial activity results from binding to enoyl (acyl carrier protein) reductase (EACPR, EC 1.3.1.9). We first recognized the ability of triclosan to inhibit EACPR from Escherichia coli in a high throughput screen where the enzyme and test compound were preincubated with NAD(+), which is a product of the reaction. The concentration of triclosan required for 50% inhibition approximates to 50% of the enzyme concentration, indicating that the free compound is depleted by binding to EACPR. With no preincubation or added NAD(+), the degree of inhibition by 150 nM triclosan increases gradually over several minutes. The onset of inhibition is more rapid when NAD(+) is added. Gel filtration and mass spectrometry show that inhibition by triclosan is reversible. Steady-state assays were designed to avoid depletion of free inhibitor and changes in the degree of inhibition. The results suggest that triclosan binds to E-NAD(+) complex, with a dissociation constant around 20-40 pM. Triclosan follows competitive kinetics with respect to NADH, giving an inhibition constant of 38 pM at zero NADH and saturating NAD(+). Uncompetitive kinetics are observed when NAD(+) is varied, giving an inhibition constant of 22 pM at saturating NAD(+). By following regain of catalytic activity after dilution of EACPR that had been preincubated with triclosan and NAD(+), the rate constant for dissociation of the inhibitor (k(off)) is measured as 1.9 x 10(-4) s(-1). The association rate constant (k(on)) is estimated as 2.6 x 10(7) s(-1) M(-1) by monitoring the onset of inhibition during assays started by addition of EACPR. As expected, the ratio k(off)/k(on) = 7.1 pM is similar to the inhibition constants from the steady-state studies. The crystal structure of E. coli EACPR in a complex with coenzyme and triclosan has been determined at 1.9 A resolution, showing that this compound binds in a similar site to the diazaborine inhibitors. The high affinity of triclosan appears to be due to structural similarity to a tightly bound intermediate in catalysis.

Inhibitors of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, EC 1.1.1.205) are effective immunosuppressive drugs that may also have additional potential applications as antitumour and antimicrobial agents. The clinical value of the most potent and specific inhibitor of IMPDH, mycophenolic acid, is limited by its rapid metabolism in vivo to an inactive glucuronide derivative. There is, therefore, a considerable incentive to develop structurally novel, preferably non-nucleoside, inhibitors with greater metabolic stability than mycophenolic acid. Here, we describe a high throughput screen for inhibitors of IMPDH, which facilitated the discovery of a single novel non-nucleoside inhibitor from a collection of approximately 80,000 compounds. The inhibitor is a pyridazine, which, like mycophenolic acid, exerts uncompetitive inhibition of IMPDH. Analysis of the enzyme kinetics suggests that the inhibitory action of the pyridazine is similar to that of mycophenolic acid, which involves trapping of a covalent intermediate formed during the conversion of IMP to xanthosine monophosphate. Chemical modification of the lead compound resulted in pyridazine derivatives with enhanced potency against IMPDH and guanine nucleotide synthesis in cultured cells in vitro and also against guanine nucleotide synthesis in the mouse spleen in vivo. One of the compounds was available in sufficient quantity to demonstrate highly effective immunosuppressive activity in a model of delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. To our knowledge, the novel pyridazines described in this report represent the first non-nucleoside uncompetitive inhibitors of IMPDH with immunosuppressive activity since the discovery of the inhibitory activity of mycophenolic acid and its derivatives thirty years ago.

Novobiocin is an antibiotic which binds to a 24 kDa fragment from the B subunit of DNA gyrase. Naturally occurring resistance arises from mutation of Arg-136 which hydrogen bonds to the coumarin ring of novobiocin. We have applied calorimetry to characterize the binding of novobiocin to wild-type and R136H mutant 24 kDa fragments. Upon mutation, the Kd increases from 32 to 1200 nM at 300 K. The enthalpy of binding is more favorable for the mutant (DeltaH degrees shifts from -12.1 to -17.5 kcal/mol), and the entropy of binding is much less favorable (TDeltaS degrees changes from -1.8 to -9.4 kcal/mol). Both of these changes are in the direction opposite to that expected if the loss of the Arg residue reduces hydrogen bonding. The change in heat capacity at constant pressure upon binding (DeltaCp) shifts from -295 to -454 cal mol-1 K-1. We also report the crystal structure, at 2.3 A resolution, of a complex between the R136H 24 kDa fragment and novobiocin. Although the change in DeltaCp often would be interpreted as reflecting increased burial of hydrophobic surface on binding, this structure reveals a small decrease. Furthermore, an ordered water molecule is sequestered into the volume vacated by removal of the guanidinium group. There are large discrepancies when the measured thermodynamic parameters are compared to those estimated from the structural data using empirical relationships. These differences seem to arise from the effects of sequestering ordered water molecules upon complexation. The water-mediated hydrogen bonds linking novobiocin to the mutant protein make a favorable enthalpic contribution, whereas the immobilization of the water leads to an entropic cost and a reduction in the heat capacity of the system. Such a negative contribution to DeltaCp, DeltaH degrees , and TDeltaS degrees appears to be a general property of water molecules that are sequestered when ligands bind to proteins.

Squalene synthase (SQS) catalyses a step following the final branch in the pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme, therefore, is an approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis with the potential for low side effects. We have characterised the inhibition of rat liver microsomal SQS by 3-(biphenyl-4-yl)quinuclidine (BPQ). BPQ follows slow binding kinetics in that the rate of accumulation of product decreases with time if the inhibitor is added when the assay is started. Preincubation of BPQ and SQS leads to a biphasic dose-response where accumulation of product is linear with time only for the sensitive phase. When the farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) substrate is present at 19.6 microM, approximately 77% of the SQS activity is sensitive to the inhibitor (vOs) and the remainder is insensitive (vOi). The apparent inhibition constants (K'i values) are respectively K'is = 4.5 nM and K'ii = 1300 nM. Similar biphasic behaviour is exhibited by other inhibitors and in microsomes prepared from human and marmoset liver. As the concentration of FPP is reduced below 19.6 microM, there is a decrease in the relative contribution from vOi. Conversely, the value of K'is for BPQ remains constant when the FPP concentration is changed, showing noncompetitive kinetics with respect to this substrate. Possible causes of the observed kinetics are discussed. Inhibition by BPQ is said to follow tight binding kinetics because the value of K'is is similar to the concentration of inhibitor binding sites. Thus, to avoid an artefactual variation in potency when the enzyme concentration is varied, it is necessary to allow for the effects of depletion of free inhibitor. Furthermore, estimates of potency that average activity across the two phases are influenced by the relative contributions of each phase. These contributions differ according to the FPP concentration and the species used as the source of microsomes. Thus, it is necessary to separate the phases to compare measurements made in different experiments. Our observations indicate that careful experimental design and data analysis are required to characterise the kinetics of SQS inhibitors.

Squalene synthase (SQS) is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol and is a target for improved agents to lower plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). A series of novel 3' substituted quinuclidines have been discovered as inhibitors of the rat liver microsomal enzyme. In this study, we demonstrate the inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo, of two examples of the series. When microsomes were preincubated with compounds, before addition of substrate, both 3-(biphenyl-4-yl)quinuclidine (BPQ) and 3-(biphenyl-4-yl)-3-hydroxyquinuclidine (BPQ-OH) were found to cause biphasic inhibition of the enzyme with apparent inhibition constants (K'i) for the sensitive phases of 12 nM and 15 nM, respectively. The K'i values for the insensitive phases were 1.8 microM and 2.9 microM, respectively. The two examples inhibited equally both steps of the SQS-catalysed reaction, as shown by parallel inhibition of 3H+ release and labelled squalene formation from [1-3H]farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). BPQ and BPQ-OH were shown to be inhibitors of hepatic sterol synthesis from mevalonate with ED50 values of 10.6 and 7.1 mg/kg, respectively, after acute oral administration to the rat. BPQ-OH was chosen for further study and, to determine its selectivity of effect on the mevalonate pathway in vivo, the effect of a dose of 70 mg/kg on the pattern of labelled mevalonate incorporation into the various lipid fractions of the rat liver was examined. As expected, the incorporation into squalene and sterol products was inhibited by about 70%. An appearance of label in fractions corresponding to farnesyl and geranylgeranylpyrophosphates, as well as the corresponding alcohols, was observed in treated but not control animals. In addition, the administration of compound resulted in the appearance of peaks of mevalonate-derived radioactivity in an acidic fraction believed to represent metabolites of farnesol. Such results are consistent with inhibition of the mevalonate pathway at, and not before, SQS. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the incorporation of labelled mevalonate into ubiquinone 10, and the synthesis of dolichols was apparently unchanged. The results suggest a specific effect of BPQ-OH on rat liver SQS. The compound is, therefore, an interesting lead for further investigation of this class of compounds.

Aldose reductase (aldehyde reductase 2) catalyses the conversion of glucose to sorbitol, and methylglyoxal to acetol. Treatment with aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) is a potential approach to decrease the development of diabetic complications. The sulphonylnitromethanes are a recently discovered class of aldose reductase inhibitors, first exemplified by ICI215918. We now describe enzyme kinetic characterization of a second sulphonylnitromethane, 3',5'-dimethyl-4'-nitromethylsulphonyl-2-(2-tolyl)acetanilide (ZD5522), which is at least 10-fold more potent against bovine lens aldose reductase in vitro and which also has a greater efficacy for reduction of rat nerve sorbitol levels in vivo (ED95 = 2.8 mg kg-1 for ZD5522 and 20 mg kg-1 for ICI 215918). ZD5522 follows pure noncompetitive kinetics against bovine lens aldose reductase when either glucose or methylglyoxal is varied (K(is) = K(ii) = 7.2 and 4.3 nM, respectively). This contrasts with ICI 215918 which is an uncompetitive inhibitor (K(ii) = 100 nM) of bovine lens aldose reductase when glucose is varied. Against human recombinant aldose reductase, ZD5522 displays mixed noncompetitive kinetics with respect to both substrates (K(is) = 41 nM, K(ii) = 8 nM with glucose and K(is) = 52 nM, K(ii) = 3.8 nM with methylglyoxal). This is the first report of the effects of a sulphonylnitromethane on either human aldose reductase or utilization of methylglyoxal. These results are discussed with reference to a Di Iso Ordered Bi Bi mechanism for aldose reductase, where the inhibitors compete with binding of both the aldehyde substrate and alcohol product. This model may explain why aldose reductase inhibitors follow noncompetitive or uncompetitive kinetics with respect to aldehyde substrates, and X-ray crystallography paradoxically locates an ARI within the substrate binding site. Aldehyde reductase (aldehyde reductase 1) is closely related to aldose reductase. Inhibition of bovine kidney aldehyde reductase by ZD5522 follows uncompetitive kinetics with respect to glucuronate (K(ii) = 39 nM), indicating a selectivity greater than 5-fold for bovine aldose reductase relative to aldehyde reductase.

Inhibition of tyrosine kinases is a possible approach for the treatment of cancer. We have investigated the catalytic mechanism of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGF-RTK) in order to obtain information for use in structure-based searching for inhibitors. Initial rate studies imply that EGF-RTK forms a ternary complex together with ATP and peptide substrate. Investigation of pH and temperature dependence suggests that the kinase reaction requires the ionised form of a carboxylate (pK = 6.3) and the protonated form of another group (pK = 9.1). These characteristics are consistent with a mechanism where the carboxylate of Asp813(pK = 6.3) facilitates deprotonation of the tyrosyl hydroxyl of the peptide substrate, activating it as a nucleophile to attack the gamma-phosphorus of ATP which interacts with a protonated enzyme side-chain (pK = 9.1), possibly the guanidinium group of Arg817. This proposed catalytic mechanism was used to define a query when searching for inhibitors in a database of predicted three-dimensional structures. The procedure involved searching for compounds that mimic the ATP gamma-phosphate, tyrosyl hydroxyl and the tyrosyl aromatic ring, all of which seem to interact strongly with the enzyme during catalysis. This search allowed identification of inhibitors of EGF-RTK which were used to define queries for two-dimensional searching of a larger database, leading to the discovery of 4-(3-chloroanilino)quinazoline (CAQ) which is a potent inhibitor (Ki = 16 nM) of the enzyme. The compound is believed to be the first representative from a new structural class of anilinoquinazoline tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It follows competitive kinetics with respect to ATP and noncompetitive kinetics when the peptide is varied, implying that it functions as an analogue of ATP. CAQ is a novel and potent lead in the search for tyrosine kinase inhibitors as potential agents for the treatment of cancer.

The use of viral antigen expression in lymphocyte cultures to prioritize the culling of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) infected cattle was evaluated as a means of controlling the spread of infection in heavily infected herds. Selective culling was implemented in five commercial dairy herds containing between 126 and 304 cattle with infection prevalences, based on serological testing using the agar gel immunodiffusion test, of 19.4%, 20.3%, 20.1%, 20.6% and 39%. All seropositive cattle were tested for BLV antigen expression in lymphocyte cultures, and 51% found to express detectable quantities of viral antigens. In the four herds with 19% to 21% infection prevalence, all antigen-positive animals were culled immediately. Antigen-negative animals were retained in the herds for at least 16 months. Only two new infections were recorded in these four herds after antigen-positive animals had been culled, despite the continued presence of the antigen-negative animals. In the herd with 39% infection prevalence, a rapid reduction in the incidence of infection was achieved, even though only those animals with the highest levels of antigen expression were culled initially. Experimental transmissions from seropositive cattle indicated that sheep could be infected from an antigen-positive cow with fewer than 10(3) lymphocytes, whereas more than 10(6) lymphocytes were required to transmit infection from an antigen-negative cow. Estimation of the amount of integrated BLV DNA in serial dilutions of blood from antigen-positive and antigen-negative cattle provided an explanation for the higher infectivity of antigen-positive cattle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldose reductase (aldehyde reductase 2, ALR2) is often isolated as a mixture of two forms which are sensitive (ALR2S), or insensitive (ALR2I), to inhibitors. We show that ICI 215918 ((2-6-dimethylphenylsulphonyl)-nitromethane) follows either noncompetitive, or uncompetitive kinetics with respect to aldehyde for ALR2S, or the closely related enzyme, aldehyde reductase (aldehyde reductase 1, ALR1). Similar behaviour is exhibited by two other structural types of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI), spirohydantoins and acetic acids, when either aldehyde, or NADPH is varied. For ALR2S, we have demonstrated kinetic competition between a sulphonylnitromethane, an acetic acid and a spirohydantoin. Thus, different ARIs probably have overlapping binding sites. Published studies imply that ALR2 follows an ordered mechanism where coenzyme binds first and induces a reversible conformation change (E.NADPH-->E*.NADPH). Reduction of aldehyde appears rate-limited by the step E*.NADP+-->E.NADP+. Spontaneous activation converts ALR2S into ALR2I and increases kcat. This must be associated with acceleration of the rate-determining step. We now propose the following hypothesis to explain characteristics of ARIs. (1) Inhibitors preferentially bind to the E* conformation. (2) The ARI binding site contains residues in common with that for aldehyde substrates. When aldehyde is varied, uncompetitive inhibition arises from association at the site for alcohol product in the E*.NADP+ complex which has little affinity for the substrate. Any competitive inhibition arises from use of the aldehyde site in the E*.NADPH complex. (3) Acceleration of the E*.NADP+-->E.NADP+ step upon activation of ALR2 reduces steady state levels of E* and so decreases sensitivity to ARIs.

Sheep were experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) by inoculation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from BLV infected sheep. Monoclonal antibodies were used to monitor changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in the first few weeks after inoculation. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected BLV DNA in PBL of infected sheep 11-15 days after inoculation, that is, before antibodies to viral structural proteins were detected at 15-39 days post-inoculation. A rise in the number of both B and T lymphocytes coincided with detection of infection by PCR. At this time, an increase in the number of circulation CD8+ lymphocytes resulted in a low CD4: CD8 ratio. It appears that in BLV infection there is a host specific cell-mediated immune response to infected lymphocytes rather than a general immune response to foreign antigens. This response, which is characterized by an increase in the number of circulating CD8+ lymphocytes, precedes seroconversion. There is considerable variation between animals in this cytotoxic T lymphocyte response.

The thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitor ICI D1694 (N-(5-[N-(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-6-ylmethyl)-N -methylamino]-2 - thenoyl)-S-glutamic acid) is a structural analogue of the substrate N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH2FH4) and is currently under clinical evaluation as a treatment for cancer. The compound is shown here to be a mixed non-competitive inhibitor of TS from murine leukemia (L1210) cells when 5,10-CH2FH4 is varied. This result suggests formation of an inactive complex between TS, 5,10-CH2FH4 and the inhibitor. Thus, binding to only one of the two active sites on the TS homodimer may be sufficient to prevent catalysis fully. Treatment of L1210 cells with ICI D1694 is known to cause intracellular accumulation of the tetraglutamate derivative which is shown here to have a 60-fold higher affinity for TS. The IC50 for inhibition of L1210 cell growth is below the Ki value of ICI D1694 for L1210 TS but above that of the tetraglutamate. The formation of polyglutamates and concentration of drug inside cells, therefore, seem to be responsible for biological activity.

A simple ELISA is described for quantifying expression of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) antigens in short-term cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from infected cattle. The PBL-ELISA demonstrated that antigen expression levels in infected cattle could vary by more than 50-fold. Inoculation of sheep with dilutions of lymphocytes from two BLV-infected cattle, differentiated in the PBL-ELISA by 50 to 100-fold, suggested that antigen expression levels were correlated with infectivity. Haematological data indicated that increased antigen expression in PBL cultures was associated with an increased number of circulating B-lymphocytes, irrespective of whether or not an animal had lymphocytosis. This supported the hypothesis that BLV-infected cattle that are PBL-ELISA positive are more infectious and may present a greater risk of transmitting the disease. The applicability of the PBL-ELISA to a field situation was assessed with 98 BLV-infected cattle from three commercial dairy herds with infection prevalences of 11%, 23% and 47%. Similar percentages (49%, 50% and 52%) of PBL-ELISA positive cattle were identified among those infected cattle available for testing in the three herds. An additional 22 infected cattle from an experimental herd were tested to assess the stability of antigen expression levels over an 8 month period. Fewer (27%) of these cattle were identified as PBL-ELISA positive and antigen expression levels were generally lower than those observed in the commercial herds. Antigen expression levels in the experimental herd remained stable over the period of the study. The potential of the PBL-ELISA to assist in BLV eradication programs by identifying those seropositive cattle with the greatest potential to transmit infection is discussed.

Many of the complications of diabetes seem to be due to aldose reductase (aldehyde reductase 2, ALR2) catalysing the increased conversion of glucose to sorbitol. Therapy with aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) could, therefore, decrease the development of diabetic complications. (2,6-Dimethylphenylsulphonyl)nitromethane (ICI 215918) is an example from a newly discovered class of ARIs, and we here describe its kinetic properties. Preparations of bovine lens ALR2 exhibit biphasic kinetics with respect to glucose and various inhibitors including ICI 215918. The inhibitor sensitive form (ALR2S) has a higher affinity for glucose than does the inhibitor insensitive form (ALR2I). Only ALR2S was characterized in detail because ALR2I activity is very low at physiological levels of glucose and is difficult to measure with accuracy. Aldehyde reductase (ALR1) is the most closely related enzyme to ALR2. Inhibition of ALR1 was, therefore, investigated in order to assess the specificity of ICI 215918. The values of Ki and Kies (dissociation constants for inhibitor from enzyme-inhibitor and enzyme-inhibitor-substrate complexes, respectively) for ICI 215918 with bovine kidney ALR1 and bovine lens ALR2S have been determined. When glucose is varied, the compound is an uncompetitive inhibitor of ALR2S (Kies = 0.10 microM and Ki is much greater than Kies), indicating that ICI 215918 associates with an allosteric site on the enzyme. These kinetic characteristics would cause a decrease in the concentration required to give 50% inhibition when glucose levels rise during hyperglycaemia. ICI 215918 is a mixed noncompetitive inhibitor of ALR1 (Ki = 10 microM and Kies = 1.8 microM) when glucuronate is varied. Thus, the compound has up to 100-fold specificity in favour of ALR2S relative to ALR1. Therapeutic interest has now centred upon at least three distinct structural types of ARIs: spirohydantoins, acetic acids and sulphonylnitromethanes. Using one representative of each type, we have demonstrated kinetic competition for inhibition of ALR2S. This observation strongly suggests that the different inhibitors use overlapping binding sites.

Protein engineering is a powerful tool for studying relationships between receptor structure and function--providing that it is used and interpreted appropriately. Site-directed mutagenesis, deletion mutagenesis and construction of chimaeric proteins have all been used to characterize receptors. In this review, Walter Ward, David Timms and Alan Fersht describe the application of protein engineering, illustrating important concepts with experimental data. They explain that detailed study of function requires careful dissection of mechanistic steps. Care must also be taken when selecting replacement residues; mutation should not cause delocalized structural reorganization or else the true significance of functional change will remain unclear.

Sheep were experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and developed leukaemia and lymphosarcoma 30-88 weeks later. Ten sheep with lymphosarcoma were necropsied and lymphocyte subpopulations were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and lymphocyte suspensions prepared from a range of lymph nodes, tumours and spleen. The leukaemic phase of BLV infection was characterized by an increase in the number of circulating B lymphocytes. The number of T lymphocytes was also increased with the CD8+ subpopulation proliferating at a much greater rate than the CD4+ subpopulation. In PBL the CD4:CD8 ratio fell rapidly as leukaemia developed, being 1.15 (+/- 0.18) 5-8 weeks before necropsy and 0.38 (+/- 0.09) at necropsy. During this period the number of B lymphocytes increased from 11.2 (+/- 0.7) to 379.4 (+/- 85.8) x 10(9)/L. CD4:CD8 ratios were also low in all lymph nodes and spleens of leukaemic sheep at necropsy. Most of the cells in solid tumours were B lymphocytes but a small population of T lymphocytes with a low CD4:CD8 ratio was identified.

Many of the complications of diabetes appear to be closely linked to increased conversion of tissue glucose to sorbitol which is catalysed by aldose reductase (aldehyde reductase 2, ALR2). Inhibition of ALR2 could, therefore, lead to a reduction in the development of diabetic complications. Ponalrestat ["Statil" (a trademark, the property of Imperical Chemical Industries PLC), "Prodiax" (a trademark, the property of Merck, Sharp and Dohme), ICI 128436, MK538] inhibits ALR2 from a number of sources. Until now, the mechanism of this inhibition has not been fully elucidated. In this paper, we present a detailed mechanism for inhibition of bovine lens ALR2 by ponalrestat. Treatment of humans with some ALR2 inhibitors leads to side-effects, some of which may result from interactions with other enzymes. Aldehyde reductase (ALR1) is probably the most closely related enzyme to ALR2. Inhibition of ALR1 from bovine kidney was, therefore, investigated in order to assess the specificity of ponalrestat. The values of Ki and Kies (apparent dissociation constants for inhibitor from enzyme-inhibitor and enzyme-inhibitor-substrate complexes, respectively) for the interactions of ponalrestat with ALR1 and ALR2 has been calculated by non-linear fitting of kinetic data. These values indicate that ponalrestat does not compete with binding of glucose of NADPH to ALR2, nor with binding of glucuronate or NADPH to ALR1. Lack of competition and the structural dissimilarity of substrates and inhibitor make it unlikely that ponalrestat will utilize substrate binding sites on other enzymes, and so produce undesirable side-effects via such a mechanism. Ponalrestat is a potent inhibitor (Ki = Kies = 7.7 nM) of ALR2 and follows a pure noncompetitive mechanism with respect to glucose. Efficacy, therefore, will not be decreased by development of hyperglycaemia. The compound is a mixed noncompetitive inhibitor of ALR1 when glucuronate is varied. The values of Ki and Kies are 60 microM and 3 microM, respectively, so that inhibition tends towards uncompetitive. The selectivity of ponalrestat in favour of ALR2, therefore, lies in the range 390 to 7,800-fold, being higher at lower concentrations of glucuronate. The high selectivity of ponalrestat in favour of ALR2 rather than ALR1 suggests that the compound is unlikely to inhibit other enzymes which have less homology with ALR2.

We describe the isolation and characterisation of a full-length cDNA sequence (pZH-21) of a human ribosomal protein (rp) mRNA isolated from a cDNA library constructed from the human ZR-75-1 mammary tumour cell-line. The predicted protein is highly basic and shows 72% homology at the amino acid (aa) level with yeast rp L44. Comparative RNA blotting of ZR-75-1 poly(A)+ RNA isolated from cells cultured in the presence of the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen demonstrates the presence of a number of mRNA species whose concentration is elevated co-ordinately 5-6-fold in the presence of 17beta-oestradiol. Insulin in the presence of tamoxifen, also enhanced rp mRNA levels suggesting increased levels are a reflection of cell proliferation as opposed to specific hormonal regulation. Genomic analysis demonstrates the presence of a family of related human sequences, and homology with rat and guinea pig rp genes, but not yeast DNA. The conservation of rp aa sequence, in the absence of detectable homology at the nucleotide (nt) level, points to an important common functional role of the L44 protein in ribosome structure and function in man and yeast.

Serological test results for leptospiral species on serums from cattle and pigs performed by the diagnostic laboratories of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries from July 1973 to June 1976 were used to determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of 3 leptospiral serotypes in Queensland. There was a higher prevalence of antibodies to L. hardjo than to L. pomona in cattle, whereas in pigs the prevalence of antibodies to L. pomona was much higher than that for L. tarassovi or L. hardjo. Feral pigs had a particularly high prevalence of L. pomona antibodies. There is a different geographical distribution of antibodies to L. pomona and L. hardjo. L. hardjo antibodies appear to be fairly uniformly distributed but there is a higher prevalence of L. pomona antibodies in low rainfall areas. This relationship was shown to be significantly correlated.

Heterodimers of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus have been produced by mutagenesis at the subunit interface. Oppositely charged groups have been engineered into the subunits so that they can form a complementary pair. Wild-type tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase is a symmetrical dimer in which the side chains of the 2 Phe-164 residues interact at the subunit interface. Phe-164 was mutated to Asp in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and to Lys in a truncated enzyme (des-(321-419)tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase) which lacks the two tRNA-binding sites, but which can catalyze pyrophosphate exchange. The size difference allows subunit association to be studied by gel filtration chromatography. These changes induce reversible dissociation from active dimers into inactive monomers at pH values which favor ionization at position 164. A mixture of the two mutants near neutral pH is apparently fully active in pyrophosphate exchange and consists of a heterodimer of [Asp164]tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and [Lys164]des-(321-419)tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Despite having only one binding site for tRNA, heterodimer has full aminoacylation activity at high concentrations of tyrosine. We have therefore produced a family of dimers that differ in stability near neutral pH. This novel approach using protein engineering allows specific dimerization of subunits of the same size that have different defined mutations, each subunit being tagged by the charge. Such hybrid proteins can be used to study subunit interaction.

Sheep were experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) by the inoculation of PBL from leukaemic sheep. Antibodies to viral structural proteins were detected at from 2 to 6 weeks after inoculation. At seroconversion, all sheep had a marked increase in the number of circulating lymphocytes, due essentially to an increase in the number of B cells. The number of circulating B cells then decreased but remained higher than pre-infection levels. A second increase in this population preceded the development of a B cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. Generalized lymphosarcoma was diagnosed at necropsy of all sheep. Variation between individual sheep in the time from infection to the development of tumours allowed two clearly delineated groups of nine sheep to be compared. A study of changes in the B cell and T cell populations during the first 16 weeks of infection suggested that the initial response to infection influences the subsequent rate of leukaemogenesis. At seroconversion the number of circulating B cells was significantly higher in group 1 (10.16 +/- 1.51 X 10(9)/l) than in group 2 (6.47 +/- 2.76 X 10(9)/l). Group 1 sheep became leukaemic at 20-50 weeks after infection, whereas group 2 sheep did not do so until 70-95 weeks after infection.

To investigate relationships between serological titres to 2 serovars, pomona (L. pomona) and hardjo (L. hardjo), of Leptospira interrogans and abortions, log linear and logit models were fitted to herd and individual cow data from cattle serologically negative for brucellosis. Serological titres to both serovars were significantly related to abortions in individual cows, with L. pomona having a stronger relationship than L. hardjo. L. hardjo was not significant when herd data were analysed. Differences between dairy and beef cattle in the serological titres found to both L. pomona and L. hardjo were detected when data sets of all cattle or cattle with no history of abortion were analysed. The beef/dairy differences may be due to different management practices and/or to different geographical distributions of both serovars and populations of beef and dairy cattle. If there are no cattle in a herd with a reciprocal titre of 3000 or greater for L. pomona, it is unlikely that L. pomona is associated with the abortion problem. There was no specific L. hardjo titre which separated high and low probabilities that the serum came from a cow or herd with an abortion history.

One of 2 groups of 15 non-pregnant cows was vaccinated twice 6 weeks apart by the subcutaneous route with a killed adjuvant 45/20 vaccine. At the time of the first vaccination a bull was introduced for a period of 14 weeks. All animals were challenged with 1.5 x 10(7) Brucella abortus organisms given into the conjunctival sac 18 weeks after the second vaccination of the vaccinated group. The largest lesions at the site of vaccination (8 cm diam.) were seen 2 weeks after inoculation. Small lesions were still visible in 8 animals 1 year after vaccination. There was no appreciable serological response to the first vaccination. After the second vaccination some animals gave low positive titres, but all were serologically negative after 10 weeks. After challenge the highest complement fixation and standard agglutination tests were given by animals in the non-vaccinated group. Serum samples from 5 animals (2 vaccinated and 3 not vaccinated) showed a prozone effect at low dilution in the complement fixation test. In the non-vaccinated group 9 of the 15 cows became pregnant, 7 of which had weak calves or aborted and were shown to be infected with Br. abortus. The other 2, of which 1 was serologically positive, reared normal calves. Of the 10 vaccinated cows that became pregnant, 8 reared calves, 1 had a weak calf and the other aborted. These 2 cows and 1 other were infected. Considering the 11 infected pregnant animals 9 or 80 percent, lost their calves. The number of surviving calves was significantly higher in the vaccinated group indicating that the use of this 45/20 vaccine has considerable economic benefit. In each group 3 of the non-pregnant animals were infected.

The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus crystallizes as a symmetrical dimer with each subunit having a complete active site. The enzyme-substrate complexes, however, are known to be asymmetrical in solution because the enzyme exhibits half-of-the-sites activity by binding tightly only 1 mol of tyrosine or 1 mol of tyrosyl adenylate per mole of dimer. Evidence is now presented that the unligated enzyme is also asymmetrical in solution. Symmetry was investigated by construction of heterodimers containing one full-length subunit and one truncated subunit, allowing the introduction of different mutations into each monomer. Each dimer is active at only one site, but the site used is randomly distributed between the subunits. Each heterodimer thus consists of two equal populations, one activating tyrosine at a full-length subunit and the other at the truncated subunit. No detectable interconversion is found between active and inactive sites over several minutes either in the absence of substrates or when the enzyme is turning over in the steady state. Kinetic evidence implies that wild-type enzyme is inherently asymmetrical even in the absence of substrate.

Wild-type tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrTS) from Bacillus stearothermophilus is a symmetrical dimer. Four different heterodimeric enzymes have been produced by site-directed mutagenesis at the subunit interface so that the monomers are linked by a potential salt bridge in a hydrophobic environment. The two Phe-164 residues of wild-type TyrTS are on the axis of symmetry and interact in a hydrophobic region of the subunit interface. Mutation of Phe-164 to aspartate or glutamate in full-length TyrTS and to lysine or arginine in an active truncated enzyme (delta TyrTS) induces reversible dissociation of the enzyme into inactive monomers. Mixing mutants in equimolar amounts produces four different heterodimers: TyrTS(Asp-164)-delta TyrTS(Lys-164); TyrTS(Asp-164)-delta TyrTS(Arg-164); TyrTS(Glu-164)-delta TyrTS(Lys-164); TyrTS(Glu-164)-delta TyrTS(Arg-164). A general method is derived for analyzing the kinetics of dimeric enzymes that reversibly dissociate into inactive subunits. Application to mutants of TyrTS allows estimation of dissociation constants (Kd values) for the dimers. At pH 7.8, the heterodimers have Kd values of 6-14 microM, whereas for homodimers Kd = 120-4000 microM. These values decrease to about 30 microM for homodimers of TyrTS(Asp-164), TyrTS(Glu-164), and delta TyrTS(Lys-164) when the pH favors uncharged forms of the side chains at position 164. Each of the four salt bridges engineered into the hydrophobic subunit interface of TyrTS appears, therefore, to be weak. These engineered salt bridges may be compared with naturally occurring ones. In the latter, there are complementary interactions between the charges in the salt bridge with polar groups in the protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus is a classical example of an enzyme with half-of-the-sites activity. The enzyme crystallizes as a symmetrical dimer that is composed of identical subunits, each having a complete active site. In solution, however, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase binds tightly, and activates rapidly, only 1 mol of Tyr/mol of dimer. It has recently been shown that the half-of-the-sites activity results from an inherent asymmetry of the enzyme. Only one subunit catalyzes formation of Tyr-AMP, and interchange of activity between subunits is not detectable over a long time scale. Paradoxically, however, the kinetics of tRNA charging are biphasic with respect to [Tyr], suggesting that both subunits of the dimer are catalytically active. This paradox has now been resolved by kinetic analysis of heterodimeric enzymes containing different mutations in each subunit. Biphasic kinetics with unchanged values of KM for Tyr are maintained when one of the two tRNA-binding domains is removed and also when the affinity of the "inactive" site for Try is reduced by 2-58-fold. The biphasic kinetics do not result from catalysis at both active sites, but instead appear to result from two molecules of Tyr binding sequentially to the same site. A second molecule of Tyr perhaps aids the dissociation of Tyr-tRNA by displacing the tyrosyl moiety from its binding site. A monomer of the enzyme is probably too small to allow both recognition and aminoacylation of a tRNA molecule. This could explain the requirement for the enzyme to function as an asymmetric dimer.

Trichothiodystrophy, or sulfur-deficient brittle hair, is a clinical marker for a neuroectodermal symptom complex that usually features mental and physical retardation and may also include nail dystrophy, lamellar ichthyosis, ocular dysplasia, dental caries, and decreased fertility. Cystine-deficient hair is common to all patients. The hairs from two new patients were studied, and the most distinctive microscopic hair findings were striking bright and dark bands seen with polarizing microscopy using crossed polarizers. To date, all hair samples showing this banding have had an abnormally low sulfur content. Two-dimensional electrophoresis on the two protein fractions of the abnormal hair confirmed that the abnormality is caused by decreased synthesis of high-sulfur matrix proteins. Disturbances of the transport or utilization of sulfur-containing amino acids in other neuroectodermal tissues may be proposed to account for the various disease features in these persons.

1. Charge-shift electrophoresis showed that cholera toxin and its subunits have no hydrophobic surfaces. 2. Amino-acid composition and sequence data suggested that the proteins have no masked hydrophobic regions. 3. The A subunit of cholera toxin may interact with polar molecules in the membrane to exert its effect inside the cell. 4. The only hydrophobic part of tetanus toxin was the H-chain.