Is there a relationship between endometrial polyps and obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the relationship between endometrial polyps and obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 202 patients who applied to our gynecology clinic with complaints of infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and abnormal uterine bleeding, diagnosed to have endometrial polyps by hysteroscopy, were compared with 79 patients without polyps, retrospectively. The relationships between risk factors and presence of a polyp and polyp size were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of cases with endometrial polyps was significantly greater than the controls. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the cases with polyps was also significantly greater than the controls. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to prevalence of DM or HT. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that obesity is an independent risk factor in the development of endometrial polyps. Clinicians should be aware in terms of endometrial polyps in the assessment of patients with BMI ≥30. There was no relationship between HT or DM with presence of polyps.

Purification and biochemical characterization of a novel cysteine protease of Entamoeba histolytica.

Cysteine proteases are important virulence factors of Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis. A novel cysteine protease from parasite extracts was purified 15-fold by a procedure including concanavalin A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite and DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The purification resulted in the obtainment of an homogeneous protein with a molecular mass of 66 kDa on native PAGE. In 10% SDS/PAGE, three bands of 60, 54 and 50 kDa were evident. Each of the three specific mouse antisera raised against these proteins showed cross-reactivity with the three bands obtained from the purified eluate. The N-terminal sequencing of the first 10 amino acids from the three proteins showed 100% identity. These results support the hypothesis of a common precursor for the 60, 54 and 50-kDa proteins. Protease activity of the purified enzyme was demonstrated by electrophoresis in a gelatine-acrylamide copolymerized gel. Its activity was quantified by cleaving a synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrate such as N-carbobenzyloxy-arginyl-arginyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. The optimum pH for the protease activity was 6.5; however, enzymatic activity was observed between pH 5 and pH 7.5. Typical of cysteine proteases, the enzyme was inhibited by 4-[(2S, 3S)-carboxyoxiran-2-ylcarbonyl-L-leucylamido]butylg uanidine and iodoacetamide, and activated by free sulfhydryl groups. The cellular location of the enzyme was examined on trophozoites before and after contact with red blood cells using indirect immunofluorescence and cellular fractionation. The 60-kDa cysteine protease translocated to the amoebic surface upon the interaction of trophozoites with red blood cells. This result provided evidence for participation of the 60-kDa protease in erythrophagocytosis.

Purification and characterization of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2 from Molinema dessetae (Nematoda:Filarioidea).

High levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC 1. 1. 1. 27) activity have been detected in the filarial worm Molinema dessetae. The two major LDH isoenzymes (LDH1 and LDH2) from female worms were purified by successive chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose, carboxymethyl (CM)-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite columns followed by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC)-gel filtration. LDH1 and LDH2 isoenzymes were found to be dimers with subunits of 58 kDa. They had similar properties with regard to substrate and coenzyme affinity. The apparent Michaelis constants (K(m) values; mean +/- SEM, n = 10) were 0.34 +/- 0.04 mM for pyruvate, 0.25 +/- 0.02 mM for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), 2.5 +/- 0.21 mM for lactate, and 0.18 +/- 0.02 mM for NAD, which suggested that pyruvate reduction was the favored reaction. LDH1 and LDH2 were affected by p-chloromercuribenzoate and Hg2+, and such inhibitory effects could be reversed by the addition of thiol compounds (L-cysteine or beta-mercaptoethanol) as observed for mammalian LDH. Oxalate acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of pyruvate reduction (Ki = 4.7 +/- 0.35 mM; mean +/- SEM, n = 10) and as a competitive inhibitor with lactate (Ki = 2.3 +/- 0.21 mM), whereas oxamate acted as a competitive inhibitor with pyruvate (Ki = 3.3 +/- 0.28 mM) and was noncompetitive with lactate (Ki = 19 +/- 1.2 mM). These substrate analogues exerted similar effects on mammalian LDH, but the inhibition constants were significantly different. The existence of structural and kinetic differences between mammal and filarial LDH isoenzymes prompted us to evaluate them as targets for chemotherapeutic attack.

Enzymatic properties of the stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa Bloch and Schneider, 1801) venom and purification of a lethal, hypotensive and cytolytic factor.

The crude venom of the stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) possesses numerous enzymatic properties (hyaluronidase, eight esterases and ten aminopeptidases). Verrucotoxin was isolated by DEAE and hydroxyapatite chromatography, followed by FPLC gel filtration on Superdex 200 HR 10/30. It was found to be a glycoprotein with a mol. wt of 322,000 +/- 2000, comprising four subunits, 2 alpha (83,000) and 2 beta (78,000). Verrucotoxin, as the crude venom, is lethal for mice, haemolyses washed rabbit erythrocytes and induces a fall in arterial pressure in anaesthetized rats.

Isoenzymatic diagnosis of filariae: a method for separation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from Molinema dessetae (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is highly active in filariae and could be a valuable tool for phyllogeny studies. Unfortunately, the isoenzymatic diagnosis of filariae is often difficult for LDH because of a poor mobility of the enzymes in starch gels which are the most commonly used in such studies. We propose here a method to separate filarial LDH isoenzymes using disc electrophoresis. The experiments were carried out on male and female Molinema dessetae in order to compare their respective isoenzymes. The study of several parameters such as buffer systems, percentage of bisacrylamide and progression time led to optimize the enzyme separation. LDH from male and female filariae were compared to mammal LDH-H4 and LDH-M4. Five and four LDH isoenzymes were found, respectively, in male and female worms. Relative concentration of each isoenzyme diverged between male and female worms. Mammal muscle LDH-M4 type moved between LDH2 and LDH3 from female worms, and between LDH1 and LDH2 from male worms. Mammal heart H4 type enzyme was very different in electrophoretic mobility. The ratio of each isoenzyme was determined by densitometry. The major isoenzymes from female worms will be studied as a biochemical target for chemotherapeutic attack.

Purification and properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from Molinema dessetae (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

The presence of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31), an enzyme at the branchpoint of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle was detected in the Filaria Molinema dessetae. This enzyme has not previously been identified in Helminths, which have so far been found to only possess a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32). This enzyme had a level of activity comparable to that of pyruvate kinase, and was relatively less active than enzymes such as malate dehydrogenase or lactate dehydrogenase. We propose here a method of purification of M. dessetae PEP-carboxylase. When purified to electrophoretic homogeneity, the enzyme had a molecular weight of 64 kDa. Kinetic studies indicated that the carboxylation reaction had an optimal pH of 5.8. The enzyme was inhibited by cations such as Fe2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ but required the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+. The enzyme was thermostable. The apparent Km value of 2.38 mmol for phosphoenolpyruvate for the carboxylation reaction was higher than previously reported values. The Km value for KHCO3 was found to be 1.6 mmol. PEP-carboxylase did not catalyse the reverse reaction.

Comparative effects of anthelmintics on c-MDH from Molinema dessetae (Nematoda: Filarioidea) and from a mammal.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) (E.C.1.1.1.37) activity was detected in the filaria Molinema dessetae at a level similar to those found in other filariae. In M. dessetae, the cytoplasmic form (c-MDH) predominated and the study was performed on partially purified fractions. The pH optimum for oxaloacetate reduction was 6.1, with maximal activity at 7811 nmol min-1 mg protein-1, but high concentrations of oxaloacetate inhibited MDH activity. The Km value for oxaloacetate was determined as 22 microM for M. dessetae c-MDH and 33 microM for mammalian c-MDH. Anthelmintic drugs were compared as potential inhibitors of filarial and mammalian c-MDH. Among the compounds evaluated, amocarzine showed a specific inhibitory effect on filarial c-MDH through only at high concentrations. Suramin alone showed an inhibitory effect at low concentrations (Ki = 1.15 microM) but without selective action towards filarial c-MDH. The suramin type of inhibition was found to be competitive. Suramin probably acts on both enzymes in the same manner. Nevertheless, M. dessetae c-MDH is proposed as a suitable enzyme assay model to screen MDH inhibitors as potential filaricides.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a monoclonal antibody Fab fragment specific for an influenza virus haemagglutinin and of an escape mutant of that haemagglutinin.

Preliminary crystallographic data are given for two molecules involved in the interaction between the humoral immune response and the influenza virus. These molecules are the Fab fragment of an antibody specific for the haemagglutinin of influenza virus strain X31 (Hong Kong 1/68 (H3N2)) and a mutant of X31 haemagglutinin that escapes recognition by that antibody. Crystals of the haemagglutinin are isomorphous to those of X31, whose structure is known; they diffract to 3.4 A resolution. Crystals of the Fab fragment are trigonal with space group P3(1)21 (or P3(2)21) and diffract to 2.6 A resolution. The unit cell dimensions are a = b = 98.9 A, c = 89.2 A. A native data set has been collected for both proteins.

Purification and carbohydrate structure of natural murine interferon-beta.

Mouse interferon-beta (Mu-INF-beta) induced in C-243 cells with Newcastle disease virus was purified in four steps including ammonium sulfate fractionation. DEAE-cellulose, monoclonal Mu-IFN-beta antibody affinity and Mono-S cation-exchange chromatographies. Specific activity of the purified Mu-IFN-beta ranged over 1.1-1.4 X 10(9) NIH units/mg protein. This preparation was submitted to pronase digestion and gel on Fractogel TSK HW-40. The permethylated and acetylated glycopeptide fraction was analyzed by chemical-ionization (ammonia) mass spectrometry. The major glycopeptide is composed of Gal, Man, GlcNAc and NeuAc with a molar ratio of 2.0:3.6:3.4:0.5. The GLC pattern of methyl derivatives obtained by methanolysis and acetylation of fully methylated glycopeptide identified 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methylgalactose; 3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-mannose; 2,3,4- and 2,4,6-tri-O-methylgalactose; 2,4,di-O-methyl mannose and 3,6-di-O-methylglucosamine. These results when compared with data on N-glycans suggest the following structure for the carbohydrate moiety of Mu-INF-beta: (formula; see text).

Purification of a lethal fraction from the venom of the weever fish, Trachinus vipera C.V.

We report the purification of a lethal fraction of Weever fish venom using preparative electrophoresis. It was found to be composed of four identical subunits with an overall mol. wt of approximately 324,000. A 20 g mouse was killed instantly by an i.v. injection of 2 micrograms.

Glycosidases induced in Aspergillus tamarii. Mycelial alpha-D-galactosidases.

Two alpha-D-galactosidases (alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) produced by Aspergillus tamarii were purified from the mycelial extract by a procedure including chromatography on hydroxyapatite, DEAE-cellulose and ECTEOLA-cellulose. Each of these enzymes showed a single protein band corresponding to the alpha-D-galactosidase activity when examined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. They catalysed the hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl alpha-D-galactoside, melibiose, raffinose and stachyose, but did not attack the galactomannans. Their Mr values were respectively 265000 +/- 5000 and 254000 +/- 5000 by the method of Hedrick & Smith [(1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 155-164]. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate in each case showed a single protein band, with Mr 88000 and 77500 respectively. The purified enzymes contained carbohydrate, consisting of N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, glucose and galactose in the estimated molar proportions of 1:9:5:8 in alpha-galactosidase I.

Glycosidases induced in Aspergillus tamarii. Secreted alpha-D-galactosidase and beta-D-mannanase.

An alpha-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) and a beta-D-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78), which were secreted into the growth medium when Aspergillus tamarii was cultivated in the presence of galactomannan, were purified by a procedure including chromatography on hydroxyapatite and DEAE-cellulose columns. Each of these enzymes showed a single protein band, corresponding to their respective activities, on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Both enzymes were shown to be glycoproteins containing N-acetylglucosamine, mannose and galactose, with molar proportions of 1:6:1.5 for alpha-D-galactosidase and 1:13:8 for beta-D-mannanase. Mr values as determined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate and by the electrophoretic method of Hedrick & Smith [(1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 155-164] were 56000 and 53000 respectively. The alpha-D-galactosidase differed markedly from the mycelial forms I and II studied in the preceding paper [Civas, Eberhard, Le Dizet & Petek (1984) Biochem. J. 219, 849-855] with regard to both its kinetic and structural properties.

Purification and properties of alpha-D-mannosidase from the germinated seeds of Medicago sativa (alfalfa).

alpha-Mannosidase of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) was purified 1340-fold. The purification method included dialysis of the crude extract against a citrate/phosphate buffer, pH 3.9, (NH4)SO4 precipitation, hydroxyapatite chromatography, chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and finally a preparatory electrophoresis on polyacrylamide-gel gradient by Doly & Petek's [(1977) J. Chromatogr. 137. 69--81] method. Each step of purification was checked by polyacrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis. The purified enzyme showed a single band, corresponding to alpha-mannosidase activity. alpha-Mannosidase has a mol.wt. 230 000 as estimated by Hedrick & Smith's [(1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 155--164] method and also by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate by Weber & Osborn [(1969) J. Biol. Chem. 244, 4406--4412]. The enzyme comprises four subunits of different molecular weight. Optimum pH and Km values were determined with p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-mannoside as substrate. When incubated at a temperature between 20 and 62 degrees C before assay, alpha-mannosidase initially shows an increase in activity. alpha-Mannosidase is stable when the pH is about neutrality. It can be inactivated by several metal ions, including Zn2+. At a pH below 5 the enzyme undergoes irreversible inactivation. The presence of EDTA at acid pH considerably enhances the inactivation of the enzyme. This inactivation due to EDTA can be specifically reversed by incubation with Zn2+.

alpha-Galactosidases II, III and IV from seeds of Trifolium repens. Purification, physicochemical properties and mode of galactomannan hydrolysis in vitro.

Five alpha-galactosidases (alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) were identified by chromatography and by their different electrophoretic mobilities, in the germinated seeds of Trifolium repens (white clover). alpha-Galactosidases II, III and IV were purified to homogeneity, with increases in specific activity of approx. 4600-, 4900- and 2800-fold respectively. The enzymes were purified by a procedure that included (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, hydroxyapatite, Sephadex G-75 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and preparative polyacrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis. The purified enzymes showed a single protein band, corresponding to the alpha-galactosidase activity, when examined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The pH optimum was determined with o-nitrophenyl alpha-D-galactoside and the galactomannan of T. repens To as substrate. All three enzymes are highly thermolabile. Hydrolysis of oligosaccharides and galactomannans was examined, including two galactomannans from the germinated seed of T. repens (T24 and T36). By sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis the mol.wts. of the multiple forms of enzyme were found to be identical (41 000).

Purification and properties of beta-mannanases I and II from the germinated seeds of Trifolium repens. Mode of galactomannan degradation in vitro.

Two beta-mannanases (beta-mannosidases, EC 3.2.1.25) purified from the germinated seeds of Trifolium repens by a procedure that included chromatography on hydroxyapatite, gel filtration on acrylamide/agarose (Ultragel 5/4) and preparative polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis. The final purification step completely resolved two beta-mannanases with distinct specificities, which were termed beta-mannanase I and beta-mannanase II. beta-Mannanase I was purified 1400-fold and beta-mannanase II 1000-fold. The purified enzymes showed a single protein band when examined by polyacrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis. beta-Mannanase I, apparent mol.wt. 43 000, accounted for 49% of the total activity recovered from the final step of purification. beta-Mannanase II, apparent mol.wt. 38 000, accounted for the remaining 51% of activity. Molecular-weight determinations were by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and by the electrophoretic method of Hendrick & Smith [(1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 155-164]. The substrate specificities of both enzymes were examined with the galactomannans of T. repens and of Medicago sativa, as well as with manno-oligosaccharides. The pH optimum was between pH 5.1 and 5.6 for both enzymes.

Polyacrylamide gradient electrophoresis for protein purification on the milligram scale.

A preparative-scale electrophoretic technique for protein fractionation and elution on a discontinuous gradient of acrylamide is described, which permits the separation and elution of a pure protein from a mixture containing 4-20 electrophoretically different proteins. The sharpness of the gradient electrophoretic resolution is demonstrated by the separation of proteins consisting of bovine serum albumin polymers and lactate dehydrogenase and enzymes such as acid phosphatase. The compositions of various discontinuous gradients of acrylamide and their application to enzyme purification are discussed. It was found that 60% of the enzyme activity loaded on the gel is recovered after gel fractionation and elution.

Purification and properties of an alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase from the seeds of Trifolium repens (white clover).

Five alpha-D-galactosidases (alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.22) have been identified by chromatography and polyacrylamide-disc-gel electrophoresis in the germinated seeds of Trifolium repens (white clover). alpha-Galactosidase I has been purified to homogeneity with an approx. 2000-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme was purified by a procedure which included precipitation by dialysis against citrate/phosphate buffer, pH3.5; (NH4)2SO4 precipitation; hydroxyapatite, DEAE-cellulose and ECTEOLA-cellulose column chromatography. Each stage of purification was controlled by polyacrylamide-disc-gel electrophoresis; the purified enzyme showed a single protein band that corresponded to the alpha-D-galactosidic activity. The pH optimum was found to be between pH 3.8 and 4.2; the enzyme is highly thermolabile. Hydrolysis of oligosaccharides and galactomannans has been examined, and it has been found that alpha-galactosidase I exhibits two enzymic activities, namely alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase and galactosyltransferase. By the polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis method of Hendrick & Smith (1968), and by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the mol.wt. has been estimated to be 43 000 and 41 000 respectively. These results indicate that alpha-galactosidase I is a monomeric protein and that both enzymic activities associated with the enzyme reside on the same polypeptide chain.

Purification and properties of a beta-mannanase from alfalfa seeds.

A beta-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.25) has been purified from germinating Alfalfa seeds by successive chromatography steps; on hydroxyapatite, DEAE-cellulose and ECTEOLA-cellulose. The enzyme preparations were homogeneous as judged by gel electrophoresis. A 5000-fold increase in specific activity (from the crude extract) was obtained. The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of 40 000. Several of its properties were determined: pH optimum 5.2 and optimal temperature of activity 50 degrees C. The hydrolysis of galacto- and gluco-mannans (with various ratio of mannose to galactose and glucose) as well as that of mannooligosaccharides was studied in detail. A prefered point of attack at the third position from the non-reducing end was shown. Comparative results from the hydrolysis of intact galactomannans, of galactomannans previously hydrolysed by galactosidase, suggest that galactose hinders the accessibility of the mannan backbone to the enzyme.