Biomaterial Database

Cystathionine synthase activity in human lymphocytes: induction by phytohemagglutinin. 1972

J L Goldstein, and B K Campbell, and S M Gartler

Uncultured human leukocytes contain no detectable cystathionine synthase activity. A method is described in which the addition of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to short-term lymphocyte cultures results in a significant induction of enzymatic activity. This PHA-stimulated activity has characteristics that resemble those previously described for cystathionine synthase of normal liver and cultured fibroblasts. Lymphocyte cystathionine synthase activity is completely dependent on the presence of homocysteine and is absent or severely deficient in extracts from individuals with the syndrome of homocystinuria. This system for induction of cystathionine synthase in lymphocytes thus provides a simple in vitro technique for (a) diagnosing homocystinuria, (b) studying the mechanism of enzyme regulation and differentiation, and (c) examining the nutritional and hormonal control of cystathionine synthase activity both in normal subjects and homocystinuric patients.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008214	Lymphocytes	White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D002855	Chromatography, Thin Layer	Chromatography on thin layers of adsorbents rather than in columns. The adsorbent can be alumina, silica gel, silicates, charcoals, or cellulose. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Chromatography, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatography,Chromatographies, Thin Layer,Chromatographies, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatography
D003540	Cystathionine	Sulfur-containing amino acid formed as an intermediate in the conversion of METHIONINE to CYSTEINE.
D004790	Enzyme Induction	An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis.	Induction, Enzyme
D005260	Female		Females
D006712	Homocystinuria	Autosomal recessive inborn error of methionine metabolism usually caused by a deficiency of CYSTATHIONINE BETA-SYNTHASE and associated with elevations of homocysteine in plasma and urine. Clinical features include a tall slender habitus, SCOLIOSIS, arachnodactyly, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, genu varus, thin blond hair, malar flush, lens dislocations, an increased incidence of MENTAL RETARDATION, and a tendency to develop fibrosis of arteries, frequently complicated by CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENTS and MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p979)	CBS Deficiency,Cystathionine beta-Synthase Deficiency Disease,Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficiency,Deficiency Disease, Cystathionine beta-Synthase,CBS Deficiencies,Cystathionine beta Synthase Deficiency Disease,Deficiencies, CBS,Deficiency Disease, Cystathionine beta Synthase,Deficiency, CBS
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man