Irwin M. Arias

Bio: Irwin M. Arias is an academic researcher from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bilirubin & Jaundice. The author has an hindex of 37, co-authored 96 publications receiving 5435 citations. Previous affiliations of Irwin M. Arias include Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory & Centra.

Two hepatic cytoplasmic protein fractions, Y and Z, and their possible role in the hepatic uptake of bilirubin, sulfobromophthalein, and other anions

Abstract: Two hepatic cytoplasmic protein fractions, designated Y and Z, which bind sulfobromophthalein (BSP), bilirubin, and other organic anions, have been separated by G75 Sephadex gel filtration. The physiologic role of these protein fractions has been investigated. They are present in the 110,000 g supernatant fraction from the livers of all the species tested (rats, mice, guinea pigs, Rhesus monkeys, sheep, and man). Tissues which do not preferentially extract BSP or bilirubin from plasma do not contain these fractions, with the exception of small intestinal mucosa which contains Z. Anion binding by Y and Z fractions is not due to contamination with albumin. These fractions are responsible for the cytoplasmic localization of bilirubin in Gunn rats, and the fractions bind bilirubin, BSP, or indocyanine green (ICG), whether given in vivo or added in vitro to liver supernate from normal rats. Flavaspidic acid-N-methylglucaminate, bunamiodyl, and iodipamide, drugs known to interfere with the hepatic uptake mechanism, compete with bilirubin and BSP for binding to Z. These proteins appear to be important in the transfer of organic anions from plasma into the liver and provide a tool for the investigation of hepatic uptake mechanisms.

Ligandin: a Hepatic Protein which Binds Steroids, Bilirubin, Carcinogens and a Number of Exogenous Organic Anions

Abstract: THREE protein preparations from the rat liver 100,000g supernatant fraction have been independently purified to homogeneity. They are basic azodye carcinogen-binding protein (β-ABP)1,2, corticosteroid Binder I3,4 and Y protein5. The compounds they bind include certain steroids and their metabolites, bilirubin and certain carcinogens and their metabolites. Several dyes and cholecystographic agents and other organic anions are also bound (Table 1). Binding occurs whether the compounds are injected in vivo or added in vitro to liver homogenates.

Glutathione, metabolism and function

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Multiple Forms of Human Glutathione S-Transferase and Their Affinity for Bilirubin

Abstract: The initial enzymic step in mercapturic acid formation is catalyzed by glutathione S-transferase. Several species of this enzyme, designated as transferases α. β, γ, δ and e an the basis of increasing isoelectric points, were isolated from human liver. Evidence is presented that each of the purified species is homogeneous with respect to sodium dodecylsulfate-gel electrophoresis. Transferases α, β and ɛ each appear as a single band an gel electrofocusing: transferases α and δ are present as two and three bands, respectively, with each band catalytically active. Amino acid analysis indicated the five transferases to be either very closely related or identical in this respect. All enzyme species have a molecular weight of about 48 500 and consist of two apparently identical subunits. The spectrum of substrates is the same for each although the enzymes differ slightly in specific activity. As is the case for the rat liver enzymes, each of the human transferases binds bilirubin although this compound is not a substrate

The glutathione S-transferase supergene family: regulation of GST and the contribution of the isoenzymes to cancer chemoprotection and drug resistance.

Abstract: The glutathione S-transferases (GST) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All eukaryotic species possess multiple cytosolic and membrane-bound GST isoenzymes, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as noncatalytic binding properties: the cytosolic enzymes are encoded by at least five distantly related gene families (designated class alpha, mu, pi, sigma, and theta GST), whereas the membrane-bound enzymes, microsomal GST and leukotriene C, synthetase, are encoded by single genes and both have arisen separately from the soluble GST. Evidence suggests that the level of expression of GST is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals. In this article the biochemical functions of GST are described to show how individual isoenzymes contribute to resistance to carcinogens, antitumor drugs, environmental pollutants, and products of oxidative stress.A description of the mechanisms of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulat...

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin and Related Halogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Examination of the Mechanism of Toxicity

Abstract: In this review, we have examined the biochemical and toxic responses produced by halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and have tried to develop a model for their mechanism of action. These compounds bind to a cellular receptor and evoke a sustained pleiotropic response. In many tissues this response consists of the expression of a battery of enzymes which are, for the most part, involved in drug metabolism, but in other tissues, those which develop toxicity, an additional set of genes is expressed which effects cellular involution, division, and/or differentiation. The toxicity of these compounds appears to be due to the sustained expression of a normal cellular regulatory system, of which we were previously unaware. In future investigations it is hoped that we will learn the nature and physiologic role of this regulatory system. Only then can we hope to understand the mechanism of toxicity of these compounds.

Assays for differentiation of glutathione S-transferases.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter provides the spectrophotometric, titrimetric, nitrite, and cyanide assay for the differentiation of glutathione S-transferases. Spectrophotometric assays depend upon a direct change in the absorbance of the substrate when it is conjugated with glutathione (GSH). Because each of the reactions is catalyzed at a finite rate in the absence of enzyme, care is needed to reduce nonenzymatic catalysis by minimizing substrate concentrations and by decreasing pH wherever necessary. Titrimetric assay is based on the principle that the conjugation of alkyl halides with GSH can be measured titrimetrically. Although acid production accompanies many of the transferase catalyzed reactions in which thioethers are formed, titrimetry is only used when more convenient assays are not available. Nitrite assay is based on the principle that nitrite is released when GSH reacts with nitroalkanes or with organic nitrate esters. The nitrite can be assayed as the limiting factor in a diazotization reaction with sulfanilamide that produces a readily quantitatable pink dye. Cyanide assay is based on the fact that when glutathione transferases catalyze the attack of the glutathione thiolate ion on the electrophilic sulfur atom of several organic thiocyanates, it results in the formation of an asymmetric glutathionyl disulfide and cyanide. Cyanide can be readily quantitated by a calorimetric method.