(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induces contraction of the rat aorta by a calcium influx-dependent mechanism.

Although the consumption of tea has been associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in this beverage has shown seemingly contradictory actions on vascular tissues, for example vasorelaxant activity that could contribute favourably to prevention of cardiovascular disease, and contractile activity that could act in the opposite direction. The purpose of the present work was to study the contractile effects of EGCG on isolated rat thoracic aorta rings and its effects on the cytosolic free [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](i)) measured with fura-2 in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cell line. In partially depolarised (15 mM KCl) aortic rings EGCG (30-300 microM), (+/-)-BAY K 8644 (0.1 microM) and thapsigargin (1 microM) induced a Ca(2+)-dependent, endothelium-independent contraction associated with [Ca(2+)](i) elevation in RASMC. EGCG enhanced the responses elicited by (+/-)-BAY K 8644 and thapsigargin both in aortic rings and in RASMC. Nifedipine totally inhibited the (+/-)-BAY K 8644-induced contraction, but only partially blocked the contractile responses to EGCG and thapsigargin, while SKF 96365 abolished both responses. The effects of these channel blockers were associated with a decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) in RASMC. Re-introduction of Ca(2+) in the medium after depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with thapsigargin in a Ca(2+)-free solution elicited a contraction of aortic rings and an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in RASMC. In both cases, this response was partially sensitive to nifedipine, abolished by SKF 96365 and clearly enhanced by EGCG. These results suggest that EGCG induces a transient endothelium-independent contraction in the rat aorta, probably by increasing smooth vascular cell membrane permeability to Ca(2+) through both non-specific and dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca(2+) channels.

Effect of beta-estradiol on voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels in rat hippocampal neurons: a comparison with dehydroepiandrosterone.

We investigated the effects of beta-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) increases induced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), high K(+) and N-methyl-D-aspartate acid (NMDA) in cultured hippocampal neurons. Acute treatment with beta-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate inhibited the GABA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases to the similar extent. Tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effects of beta-estradiol. On the other hand, GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptor antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline, blocked the GABA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases. Previously, we demonstrated that GABA- and high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases were commonly mediated by voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Therefore, we examined the effects of these steroids on the high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases. The inhibitory effect of beta-estradiol on the high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases was much greater than that of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. beta-Estradiol inhibited the NMDA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases with an IC(50) of 51.8 microM and NMDA responses were reduced to half in the presence of 10 micro M nifedipine, indicating that the NMDA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases also involved VGCCs. Further, we examined the inhibitory effect of beta-estradiol on the high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases in the presence of a N-type VGCCs antagonist, 1 microM omega-conotoxin, or a L-type VGCCs antagonist, 10 microM nifedipine. The IC(50) value of beta-estradiol alone (45.5 microM) was similar to that of omega-conotoxin (33.1 microM), while the value combined with nifedipine was reduced to 2.2 microM. beta-Estradiol also abolished the positive modulatory effect of L-type VGCCs agonist, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Bay K 8644). Our results showed that the inhibitory mechanism of beta-estradiol is different from that of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and beta-estradiol may act primarily at L-type VGCCs.

FtsI and FtsW are localized to the septum in Escherichia coli.

The localization of FtsI (PBP3), a penicillin-binding protein specifically required for cell division in Escherichia coli, was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy and found to localize to the septum. The localization of FtsI was not observed in ftsZ or ftsA mutants, indicating that it was dependent on the prior localization of these proteins. Addition of furazlocillin, a specific inhibitor of FtsI, prevented localization of FtsI even though FtsZ and FtsA localization occurred. Interestingly, the localization of FtsN was also prevented by furazlocillin. FtsZ displayed limited localization in furazlocillin-treated cells, whereas it was efficiently localized in FtsI-depleted cells. FtsW, another essential cell division protein, was also localized to the septum.

A murein hydrolase is the specific target of bulgecin in Escherichia coli.

A deletion in the structural gene for the soluble lytic transglycosylase, the predominant murein hydrolase in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli, has been constructed. The mutant grows normally but exhibits increased sensitivity toward mecillinam, a beta-lactam specific for penicillin-binding protein 2. In the presence of furazlocillin or other beta-lactams with a specificity for penicillin-binding protein 3 which normally cause filamentation, bulges were formed prior to rapid bacteriolysis. Similar morphological alterations are known to develop in wild type E. coli cells when furazlocillin is combined with bulgecin, an antibiotic of unusual glucosaminyl structure. It turned out that bulgecin specifically inhibits the Sl-transglycosylase in a noncompetitive manner. Since bulgecin shows some structural analogy to the murein subunits we postulate that the soluble lytic transglycosylase, in addition to its active site, has a recognition site for specific murein structures. The possibility of an allosteric modulation of the activity of the enzyme by changes in the structure of the murein sacculus is discussed.

Partitioning of a mini-F plasmid into anucleate cells of the mukB null mutant.

The partition-proficient mini-F plasmid pXX325 was stably maintained in the mukB null mutant, which is defective in chromosome partitioning into the two daughter cells. In the null mutant, the plasmid was partitioned into both nucleate and anucleate daughter cells, independently of host chromosomes.

Initiation of growth in pbpAts and rodAts mutants of Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli strains harbouring pbpAts mutations are particularly sensitive to functional alterations of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP 2) at the initiation of growth. Shift-up to 42 degrees C results in the inability of cells to reach a steady rate of growth and division. Furthermore, a very high proportion of cells generate minicell-like structures which are pinched-off through a process requiring the activity of penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP 3).

Two distinct transpeptidation reactions during murein synthesis in Escherichia coli.

Murein synthesized in ether-permeabilized cells of Escherichia coli deficient in individual penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and in the presence of certain beta-lactam antibiotics was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the muramidase split products. PBP 1b was found to to be the major murein synthesizing activity that was poorly compensated for by PBP 1a. A PBP 2 mutant as well as mecillinam-inhibited cells showed increased activity in the formation of oligomeric muropeptides as well as UDP-muramylpeptidyl-linked muropeptides, the reaction products of transpeptidation, bypassing the lipid intermediate. In contrast, penicillin G and furazlocillin severely inhibited these reactions but stimulated normal dimer production. It is concluded that two distinct transpeptidases exist in E. coli: one, highly sensitive to penicillin G and furazlocillin, catalyzes the formation of hyper-cross-linked muropeptides, and a second one, quite resistant to these antibiotics, synthesizes muropeptide dimers.

Interaction of FtsA and PBP3 proteins in the Escherichia coli septum.

Mutations in the ftsA gene of Escherichia coli conferred a higher resistance to lysis induced by penicillin or by a combination of cefsulodin and furazlocillin. The ftsA2 allele codes for an FtsA protein which is inactive at 42 degrees C but is able to regain its activity once it is transferred back to 30 degrees C; ftsA2 filaments formed at 42 degrees C in the presence of penicillin divided once the penicillin was removed and the temperature was lowered to 30 degrees C. Potential septation sites in the filaments of wild-type cells treated in the same way remained inactive. The binding of a radioactively labeled derivative of ampicillin to penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3) was significantly decreased in strain D-3, containing the mutant allele ftsA3, when the binding assay was performed at the restrictive temperature. A molecular species able to cross-react with an anti-PBP3 serum was nevertheless found to be present in the envelope of D-3 cells. These observations suggested that the FtsA protein, a protein with a structural and regulatory role in septation, and PBP3, a protein enzymatically active in the synthesis of murein for septation, interact with each other.

The pharmacokinetics of furazlocillin in healthy humans.

The pharmacokinetics of the novel acylureidopenicillin furazlocillin, 6-[D-2-(3-furfurylidenamino-2-oxo-imidazolidine-1-carboxamido)-2 -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-acetamido]-penicillanic acid and of its penicilloic acid derivative were investigated in five healthy male volunteers after intravenous administration of 2 and 4 g dosages. The volunteers were either in a lying or sitting position throughout the duration of the studies. The concentrations of the drug in plasma and urine were measured by two different methods in parallel: a microbiological assay and a newly developed high pressure liquid chromatography method. The latter method was also applicable for quantitation of the penicilloic acid derivative in these biological fluids. The drug's plasma protein binding (66%) and apparent red cell-plasma partition coefficient (0.055) were concentration independent. The pharmacokinetics of the drug were first order only at the lower dose level. The apparent half lives of three distinguishable phases were, respectively, 4(t1/21), 18 (t1/22), and 64 (t1/2z) min. The total and renal clearances of the drug were, respectively, 303 and 79 ml/min. The latter value implied tubular secretion of the drug. Graphical and digital computer analyses of the data were performed with a linear three compartment body model. Small but consistent deviations from linear kinetics caused by the nonrenal elimination route were observed after administration of the higher dose (4 g). In contrast, renal elimination showed no such dose dependency and was first order. The disposition kinetics of furazlocillin were body position independent. The penicilloic acid derivative of furazlocillin was found in plasma and urine in all the five subjects tested. The percentage of the dose excreted renally as the derivative amounted, respectively, to 5.2 and 7.0% after the lower and higher dosage of furazlocillin, with significant inter- and intrasubject variability. The renal clearance of the derivative was 41 ml/min.

Volume growth, murein synthesis, and murein cross-linkage during the division cycle of Escherichia coli PA3092.

Cells of Escherichia coli PA3092 were synchronized by centrifugal elutriation. The synchronously growing cells were double labeled with -3H or DL-[meso-2,6-14C]diaminopimelic acid (DAP) at different times. Cells incorporated [3H]DAP at a continuously increasing rate during their cycle, with a maximum occurring at about 30 min before division for trichloroacetic acid-precipitated cells (whole cells) and about 10 min before division for sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated cells (sacculi). This was in good agreement with the observed kinetics of volume growth under these conditions. Furazlocillin, which preferentially interacts with penicillin-binding protein 3, modified the pattern of incorporation of [3H]DAP. Electron microscopy indicated that furazlocillin did not inhibit the initiation of division but rather its completion. In addition, we measured the cross-linking of the murein inserted at different times during synchronous growth. The highest percentages were found to occur around division. At this same time, the cross-linking of old peptidoglycan was found to be decreased.

Penicillin-binding proteins in Clostridium perfringens.

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of Clostridium perfringens were studied. Six PBPs ranging in molecular weight from approximately 42,000 to 100,000 were detected in the cytoplasmic membrane. The relative affinities of the PBPs for 16 beta-lactam antibiotics were determined. Most of the drug saturated PBP 3 and 4 at concentrations equal to their minimal inhibitory concentrations, suggesting that these PBPs are the killing targets for beta-lactams. Mecillinam showed unique properties; it had a higher affinity for PBP 5 than for other PBPs, and it was the only agent tested which caused inhibition of growth without saturating PBP 4. Interestingly, all beta-lactam antibiotics tested induced filament formation despite having different binding patterns to the PBPs of C. perfringens.

Evidence for involvement of penicillin-binding protein 3 in murein synthesis during septation but not during cell elongation.

Furazlocillin (1 microgram/ml) and piperacillin (5 microgram/ml) bound specifically to penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP-3) and not to the other major PBPs in intact Escherichia coli cells. The effect of this specific binding to PBP-3 on murein synthesis of elongating and synchronously septating cells was investigated in two thermosensitive division mutants, E. coli BUG6 and E. coli JE10730, the latter possessing a thermolabile PBP-3. Synchronous cell division was induced by shifting the cultures from the nonpermissive temperature (42 degrees C) to 30 degrees C. Both [14C]diaminopimelic acid incorporation into murein of intact cells and [14C]N-acetylglucosamine incorporation into murein of cells permeabilized with ether was inhibited by an average of 42% in septating cells. In filaments growing at the nonpermissive temperature, we detected no inhibition and, frequently, a 10 to 15% stimulation of murein synthesis. The two drugs, at concentrations used in the above experiments, bound exclusively to PBP-3 both in elongating and septating intact cells and in ether-treated cells. These results support the hypothesis that PBP-3 activity is exclusively required for septal murein synthesis.

Effects of furazlocillin, a beta-lactam antibiotic which binds selectively to penicillin-binding protein 3, on Escherichia coli mutants deficient in other penicillin-binding proteins.

Furazlocillin binds selectively to penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP-3), prevents septation of Escherichia coli, and allows the cells to form long filaments without lysis. The effect of furazlocillin on the morphology, autolysis, and murein synthesis of E. coli mutants deficient in either PBP-1A, PBP-1Bs, or PBP-2 was studied. The results reveal that PBP-1A and PBP-1Bs functions are not equivalent since furazlocillin affects the morphology, autolysis, and murein synthesis of PBP1A- mutants quite differently from that of PBP-1Bs mutants. Different "PBP-2-" mutants were found to respond to furazlocillin in dramatically different ways: strain LS-1 cells formed elongated rods with a central bulge which eventually lysed, whereas SP6 cells formed stable "barbells" in which the two daughter cells were well separated but remained connected by a thick central region.

The influence of protein binding upon tissue fluid levels of six beta-lactam antibiotics.

The effect of protein binding upon the penetration of six-beta-lactam (three penicillins and three cephalosporins) antibiotics into tissue fluid was studied in humans. A cantharides blister technique was used. It was found that there was a linear relationship between the percentage of protein binding and the penetration into the blister fluid of the antibiotic as measured by the area under the curve of the protein-free fraction. This finding is further evidence that protein binding may have important influence upon the likely efficacy of an antimicrobial agent.

Comparison of mezlocillin, piperacillin, Bay k 4999 with carbenicillin and ticarcillin against enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five penicillins (carbenicillin, ticarcillin, mezlocillin, piperacillin and Bay k 4999) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, indole positive Proteus sp. and Enterobacter species was determined by an agar dilution method. Bay k 4999 and piperacillin were found to be the most active of the semi-synthetic penicillins tested against P. aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. Bay k 4999 was slightly more active than piperacillin against E. coli, about as active as piperacillin against Pseudomonas, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis and indole positive Proteus, but more active than piperacillin against Enterobacter species.

Clinical pharmacology of a new ureidopenicillin: Bay K 49999.

A new semisynthetic ureidopenicillin (Bay K 4999) demonstrates favorably in vitro antibacterial efficacy against human-pathogenic gram-negative rods in comparison to mezlocillin and azlocillin. A comparative paramcokinetic study was done with 10 test subjects after 30 min intravenous infusion of 4.0 g of Bay K and mezlocillin, respectively. The serum concentration course during a period of 10 h showed an open three-compartment model for both antibiotics. The urine recovery of Bay K 4999 during 24 h was only 32.6 +/- 4.3% of the applied dose. In three test subjects with normal renal function, the average renal clearance of Bay K was 61.0, the total serum clearance was 409.2 ml/min/1.73 m2. 31 patients were treated with a daily dose of 3 x 1.0--2.0 g Bay K for severe bronchopulmonary, UTI and cholangiogenic infections. The therapeutic results were good; the relatively high number of side effects should be further investigated in animal studies and require more clinical experience.

Comparison of the activities of the new ureidopenicillins piperacillin, mezlocillin, azlocillin, and Bay k 4999 against gram-negative organisms.

The in vitro activities of the new ureidopenicillins piperacillin, mezlocillin, azlocillin, and Bay k 4999 were compared with those of ampicillin and ticarcillin against 336 Enterobacteriaceae, 109 nonfermenters, 55 Neisseria, and 28 Haemophilus influenzae isolates. Bay k 4999 displayed the largest spectrum of activity and had lower minimal inhibitory concentrations than any of the other penicillins against all of the species tested. Piperacillin showed the same spectrum but was slightly less active than Bay k 4999; it was slightly more effective than mezlocillin against Enterobacteriaceae and fully as active as azlocillin against Pseudomonas. All ureidopenicillins were substantially more active than ampicillin and ticarcillin. Isolates highly resistant to ampicillin or ticarcillin were also less susceptible to the ureidopenicillins.

In vitro activity of furazlocillin (Bay k 4999) compared with those of mezlocillin, piperacillin, and standard beta-lactam antibiotics.

The activity of furazlocillin (Bay k 4999) was compared with those of mezlocillin, piperacillin, and standard beta-lactam antibiotics against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. These new expanded-spectrum penicillins were less active than penicillin G against most gram-positive organisms. Furazlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin showed activity comparable to ampicillin and penicillin G against Haemophilus influenzae and penicillin-susceptible neisseriae, respectively. None of the drugs tested was effective against penicillin-resistant gonococci. The activity of furazlocillin was greater than that of mezlocillin, piperacillin, ampicillin, or carbenicillin against many Enterobacteriaceae. However, certain beta-lactam-resistant strains among these organisms were not highly susceptible to any of the three new penicillins. Furazlocillin was less active than piperacillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but was more active than carbenicillin or mezlocillin. Inoculum effects and discrepancies between minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal bactericidal concentrations were observed with furazlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin against several genera. The kinetics of bacterial killing by the new penicillins were often slow and incomplete over 24 h, especially in tests with Enterobacter and P. aeruginosa. Synergy was demonstrated between furazlocillin and aminoglycosides against a variety of gram-negative bacilli and Streptococcus faecalis.