BACKGROUND Certain cancers depend for growth on uptake of cystine/cysteine from their environment. Here we examined advanced human prostate cancer cell lines, DU-145 and PC-3, for dependence on extracellular cystine and sensitivity to sulfasalazine (SASP), a potent inhibitor of the x(c)(-) cystine transporter. METHODS Cultures were evaluated for growth dependence on exogenous cystine, x(c)(-)...

The cystine knot three-dimensional structure is found in many extracellular molecules and is conserved among divergent species. The identification of proteins with a cystine knot structure is difficult by commonly used pairwise alignments because the sequence homology among these proteins is low. Taking advantage of complete genome sequences in diverse organisms, we used a complementary approac...

Abstract Background: DECT is a new evolving technique used for in vivo prediction of renal stones chemical characterizations. Aim Study: This study aims to assess the role Dual Energy computed Tomography (DECT) evaluation stone compositions. Patients and Methods: prospective cohort study, it included 30 patients. Classic single energy examina-tions were done (100-120 kVp) followed by performed ...

We report our early experience with a new device for endoscopic stone disintegration: the Swiss lithoclast. This device was used to treat 200 patients with stones in kidney, ureter, and bladder. Its effectiveness was 100% when the stone could be approached irrespective of size or composition, and no complication was encountered. Prof. A. Kostakopoulos, Department of Urology, Sismanoglion Genera...

Recent evidence implies that impaired metabolism of glutathione has a role in the pathogenesis of nephropathic cystinosis. This recessive inherited disorder is characterized by lysosomal cystine accumulation and results in renal Fanconi syndrome progressing to end stage renal disease in the majority of patients. The most common treatment involves intracellular cystine depletion by cysteamine, d...

Amino acid efflux from highly purified rat liver lysosomes exposed to the methyl ester derivatives of leucine, methionine, tyrosine and cystine was examined. The lysosomal efflux of leucine, methionine and tyrosine was unaffected by the presence of MgATP, whereas cystine efflux was stimulated by MgATP. Exposure of lysosomes to 2 mM-MgATP resulted in lysosomal acidification and a 0.5 pH unit inc...

Investigations concerning the urinary excretion of cystine by normal subjects and by individuals with cystinuria, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, and other pathological conditions have been reported previously from this laboratory (2-6). In continuing these studies, modification of the cystine assay method seemed desirable to minimize destruction of cystine which may occur in the mediu...

We and others recently demonstrated increased glutathione levels, stimulated cystine uptake, and induced gamma-glutamylcysteinyl synthase (gamma-GCS) in vascular cells exposed to nitric oxide donors. Here we report the effects of peroxynitrite on glutathione levels and cystine uptake. Treatment of bovine aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells with 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxyni...

The effect of loading renal tubule cells with cystine was studied by incubating them with cystine dimethylester. Proline uptake into brushborder membrane vesicles isolated from the cystine loaded cells was not different from that observed into brushborder vesicles isolated from tubules incubated in buffer alone. Incubating brushborder membranes with 2 mM cystine dimethylester for 10 minutes red...

Cystinosis is a severe inherited metabolic storage disease caused by the lysosomal accumulation of cystine. Lifelong therapy with drug cysteamine bitartrate necessary. Cysteamine cleaves intralysosomal cystine, and thereafter, it can exit from organelle. The need for frequent dosing every 6 h high prevalence gastrointestinal side effects lead to poor adherence. purpose our study was improve tre...