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Journal ArticleDOI

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

01 Nov 1969-Journal of Clinical Investigation (American Society for Clinical Investigation)-Vol. 48, Iss: 11, pp 2156-2167
TL;DR: 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 and appear to be important in the transfer of Organic anions from plasma into the liver.
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.

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Citations
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Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: GSH status, the biologically relevant chemistry of GSH, the forms in which GSH can be present within the cell, along with the GSH content of cells and the methods for analysis of this substance are discussed.
Abstract: Publisher Summary Glutathione (GSH) is the most important nonprotein thiol in living systems and is of widespread occurrence in the intracellular milieu of animals, plants, and microorganisms GSH was isolated and named by the English biochemist Frederick Gowland Hopkins This chapter discusses GSH status, the biologically relevant chemistry of GSH, the forms in which GSH can be present within the cell, along with the GSH content of cells and the methods for analysis of this substance GSH-related biochemical reactions and the biological roles of GSH are discussed in the chapter The use of perturbations in GSH status as a means for investigating GSH-related phenomena and an analysis of the consequences of perturbation are presented A short summary of genetic lesions related to GSH is also included Like chemically induced perturbations in GSH status, genetic lesions provide valuable insights into the role of GSH in normal functions and processes in cells The chapter concludes with some brief comments about the future of the relationship of GSH status to cellular processes

1,208 citations

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The knowledge of the way in which mutagens and carcinogens are metabolized is essential to a better understanding of their mode of action and of the processes for their detoxication.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione s-transferases in metabolism of chemical carcinogens and other electrophilic agents. GSH is a tripeptide (I) that is present in nearly all living cells and is the most abundant sulfhydryl compound present in animal tissues, mainly in the cytosol. The chapter illustrates the wide range of electrophilic agents, including several known mutagens and carcinogens, which conjugate with GSH, a process usually catalyzed by the GSH S-transferases. This conjugation is probably a protective mechanism and is the initial stage in mercapturic acid biosynthesis for the elimination of foreign compounds from the body. GSH S-transferases provide protection not only by catalyzing the conjugation of a potential toxicant with GSH, but also by preferentially binding, even covalently, that toxicant. The reactive electrophiles that conjugate with GSH also bind to DNA, RNA, and protein and identification of GSH conjugates provide information on the nature of these biologically active intermediates or even their immediate precursors. Thus, the knowledge of the way in which mutagens and carcinogens are metabolized is essential to a better understanding of their mode of action and of the processes for their detoxication.

1,124 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results show that 1 mol of Alb-BR can scavenge 2 mol of peroxyl radicals and that small amounts of plasma bilirubin are sufficient to prevent oxidation of albumin-bound fatty acids as well as of the protein itself, indicating a role for Alb- BR as a physiological antioxidant in plasma and the extravascular space.
Abstract: Bilirubin, when bound to human albumin and at concentrations present in normal human plasma, protects albumin-bound linoleic acid from peroxyl radical-induced oxidation in vitro. Initially, albumin-bound bilirubin (Alb-BR) is oxidized at the same rate as peroxyl radicals are formed and biliverdin is produced stoichiometrically as the oxidation product. On an equimolar basis, Alb-BR successfully competes with uric acid for peroxyl radicals but is less efficient in scavenging these radicals than vitamin C. These results show that 1 mol of Alb-BR can scavenge 2 mol of peroxyl radicals and that small amounts of plasma bilirubin are sufficient to prevent oxidation of albumin-bound fatty acids as well as of the protein itself. The data indicate a role for Alb-BR as a physiological antioxidant in plasma and the extravascular space.

738 citations

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: There appears to be sufficient enzyme for all three roles in detoxification of glutathione S-transferases; the binding of bilirubin is an example of a major function common to all higher species.
Abstract: The physiological roles of the glutathione S-transferases, by whatever name, seem to result in detoxification As is true of albumin, members of this group of proteins bind an enormous number of compounds that appear to have in common only hydrophobic topography; the binding of bilirubin is an example of a major function common to all higher species If the ligand bears a sufficiently electrophilic center, it will be attacked by the nucleophile GSH; such compounds would be the substrates of the enzyme And should such a ligand be extraordinarily reactive--as, for example, some of the epoxide carcinogens generated by the cytochrome P450-linked, mixed-function oxidases, or even 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene--then reaction may occur either with GSH or irreversibly with the transferase itself By reason of the wide distribution and high intracellular concentration of these proteins, there appears to be sufficient enzyme for all three roles in detoxification

651 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Enterohepatic recycling occurs by biliary excretion and intestinal reabsorption of a solute, sometimes with hepatic conjugation and intestinal deconjugation, and may prolong the pharmacological effect of certain drugs and drug metabolites.
Abstract: Enterohepatic recycling occurs by biliary excretion and intestinal reabsorption of a solute, sometimes with hepatic conjugation and intestinal deconjugation. Cycling is often associated with multiple peaks and a longer apparent half-life in a plasma concentration-time profile. Factors affecting biliary excretion include drug characteristics (chemical structure, polarity and molecular size), transport across sinusoidal plasma membrane and canniculae membranes, biotransformation and possible reabsorption from intrahepatic bile ductules. Intestinal reabsorption to complete the enterohepatic cycle may depend on hydrolysis of a drug conjugate by gut bacteria. Bioavailability is also affected by the extent of intestinal absorption, gut-wall P-glycoprotein efflux and gut-wall metabolism. Recently, there has been a considerable increase in our understanding of the role of transporters, of gene expression of intestinal and hepatic enzymes, and of hepatic zonation. Drugs, disease and genetics may result in induced or inhibited activity of transporters and metabolising enzymes. Reduced expression of one transporter, for example hepatic canalicular multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 2, is often associated with enhanced expression of others, for example the usually quiescent basolateral efflux MRP3, to limit hepatic toxicity. In addition, physiologically relevant pharmacokinetic models, which describe enterohepatic recirculation in terms of its determinants (such as sporadic gall bladder emptying), have been developed. In general, enterohepatic recirculation may prolong the pharmacological effect of certain drugs and drug metabolites. Of particular importance is the potential amplifying effect of enterohepatic variability in defining differences in the bioavailability, apparent volume of distribution and clearance of a given compound. Genetic abnormalities, disease states, orally administered adsorbents and certain coadministered drugs all affect enterohepatic recycling.

606 citations

References
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Journal Article
TL;DR: Procedures are described for measuring protein in solution or after precipitation with acids or other agents, and for the determination of as little as 0.2 gamma of protein.

289,852 citations

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The turbidity produced when protein is mixed with low concentrations of any of the common protein precipitants can be used as an index of protein concentration, and this advantage is used to eliminate the interference of nucleic acids in the estimation of protein.
Abstract: Publisher Summary The turbidity produced when protein is mixed with low concentrations of any of the common protein precipitants can be used as an index of protein concentration. The resulting turbidity is maximum after about 10 minutes and may be measured spectrophotometrically in the wavelength region of 600 m. Standardization may be effected by comparison with the turbidity produced by a suspension of a dried protein precipitate, or reference may be had to the methyl acrylate-styrene polymer. Turbidimetric techniques are rapid and convenient, but they yield different values with different proteins. They do not permit differentiation between protein and acid-insoluble compounds such as nucleic acids. Protein estimation with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent include (1) biuret reaction of protein with copper ion in alkali, and (2) reduction of the phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic reagent by the tyrosine and tryptophan present in the treated protein. Protein estimation by ultraviolet absorption takes advantage of the fact that nucleic acid, however, absorbs much more strongly at 260 mμ than at 280 mμ, whereas with protein the reverse is true. This advantage is used to eliminate, by calculation, the interference of nucleic acids in the estimation of protein.

3,391 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper shall describe a method for the quantitative determination of both direct and indirect bilirubin in serum, in which protein precipitation and consequent loss of bilirubs have been eliminated and a quantitative study of the behavior of the direct, reaction has been made possible.

1,670 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A NEW mutant strain of rats was discovered in 1934 among the A. ~ breeding stock of the Connaught Laboratory animals, and appears relatively yellow in color owing to an abnormal amount of bile pigment in its system.
Abstract: A NEW mutant strain of rats was discovered in 1934 among the A. ~ breeding stock of the Connaught Laboratory animals. The mutant appears relatively yellow in color owing to an abnormal amount of bile pigment in its system; or in other words it is jaundiced. In animals other than man there appears to be no record of hereditary jaundice, save that of the rat, in which the icterus (yellow pigmentation) is evident at birth or shortly afterwards and persists throughout the life of the animals. The first indication of a new mutation relates to the observation of three young of a litter of thirteen which had a definite yellow tinge, while both parents were normal in appearance. The original rat stock is of Wistar origin, among which Dr. Helen Dean King has no record of such a mutation.

317 citations