We report the isolation of a novel pardaxin isoform from the toxic secretion of the Red Sea Moses sole (Pardachirus marmoratus). Mass spectrometrical analysis of the newly purified peptide revealed a different primary structure compared to the previously known pardaxin isoforms. Sequence analysis disclosed an aspartic acid residue instead of glycine at position 31 of the new isoform. According to the novel sequence, a synthetic Asp-31-peptide was compared with the native compound as well as with synthetic Gly-31-pardaxin. The isolated Asp-31-pardaxin isoform and its synthetic analog exhibited identical elution properties during reverse-phase HPLC, as well as similar dosedependent lytic effects on human erythrocytes at a concentration of 10 3T to 10 3S M. The hemolytic activity of Asp-31-pardaxins was lower than that of Gly-31-pardaxin and no synergistic effect between these peptides was found. The additional negative charge introduced by Asp-31 is likely to affect the selectivity of pardaxin pores towards a variety of ions.z 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Eye exposure to the organophosphorus (OP) irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor sarin results in long-term miosis and reduction in visual function. Anticholinergic drugs, such as atropine or homatropine, which are used topically in order to counter these effects may produce mydriasis and partial cycloplegia, which may worsen visual performance. This study was aimed to test the efficacy of short-acting anticholinergic drugs against sarin-induced miosis and visual impairment, which will minimally insult vision. Long-Evans rats, exposed topically to various sarin doses from 0 to 10 μg, showed a dose-dependent miosis, which returned to pre-exposure levels within 24-48 h. Tropicamide treatment rapidly widened the miotic effect to a different extent depending on time following treatment and dosage given. Cyclopentolate, however, showed a delayed response that finally widened the pupils in a dose-dependent manner. Atropine treatment showed a rapid widening of the pinpoint pupils exceeding baseline level finally causing mydriasis. Light reflex test showed that the contraction ability of the iris following atropine treatment was impaired, as opposed to the use of tropicamide which facilitated the iris contraction, similar to control. Finally, tropicamide and atropine treatments ameliorated the visual impairment, as opposed to cyclopentolate, which worsened visual performance. Considering that tropicamide treatment against sarin exposure did not cause mydriasis nor did it impair the iris contraction flexibility as a response to light, the use of this drug should be taken into consideration as a first-choice topical treatment against OP intoxication.
Pardaxin (PX) is a voltage-dependent ionophore that stimulates catecholamine exocytosis from PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells both in the presence and absence of extracellular calcium. Using a battery of phospholipase A(2) inhibitors we show that PX stimulation of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymes is coupled with induction of exocytosis. We investigated the relationship between PX-induced PLA(2) activity and neurotransmitter release by measuring the levels of arachidonic acid (AA), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and dopamine release. In the presence of extracellular calcium, the cytosolic PLA(2) inhibitor arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF(3)) inhibited by 100, 70, and 73%, respectively, the release of AA, PGE(2), and dopamine induced by PX. The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059) reduced by 100 and 82%, respectively, the release of AA and PGE(2) induced by PX. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)) inhibitors methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate, AACOCF(3), and bromoenol lactone (BEL) inhibited by 80 to 90% PX stimulation of AA release, by 65 to 85% PX stimulation of PGE(2) release, and by 80 to 90% PX-induced dopamine release. Using vesicle fusion-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we found similar levels of inhibition of PX-induced exocytosis by these inhibitors. Also, PX induced the formation of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complexes, an effect that was augmented by N-methylmaleimide. This complex formation was completely inhibited by BEL. Botulinum toxins type C1 and F significantly inhibited the release of AA, PGE(2), and dopamine induced by PX. Our data suggest that PX stimulates exocytosis by activating cystolic PLA(2) and iPLA(2), leading to the generation of AA and eicosanoids, which, in turn, stimulate vesicle competence for fusion and neurotransmitter release.
Organophosphates are highly toxic substances, which cause severe brain damage. The hallmark of the brain injury is major convulsions. The goal of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal MR changes in the brain of paraoxon intoxicated rats. T2-weighted MRI and ¹H-MR-spectroscopy were conducted before intoxication, 3 h, 24 h, and 8 days postintoxication. T2 prolongation mainly in the thalami and cortex was evident as early as 3 h after intoxication (4-6% increase in T2 values, P < 0.05). On spectroscopy, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine and NAA/choline levels significantly decreased 3 h postintoxication (>20% decrease, P < 0.005), and 3 h lactate peak was evident in all intoxicated animals. On the 8th day, although very little T2 changes were evident, NAA/creatine and choline/creatine were significantly decreased (>15%, P < 0.05). Animals who succumbed had extensive cortical edema, significant higher lactate levels and a significant decrease in NAA/creatine and NAA/choline levels compared to animals which survived the experiment. Organophosphates-induced brain damage is obvious on MR data already 3 h postintoxication. In vivo spectroscopic changes are more sensitive for assessing long-term injury than T2-weighted MR imaging. Early spectroscopic findings might be used as biomarkers for the severity of the intoxication and might predict early survival.
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