Irreversibility in cells

In general, regulatory enzymes catalyze reactions that are irreversible in cells, that is, reactions that are far from equilibrium. Why must this be the case ... 

The well-known fact that in irreversibly damaged cells, respiratory control is lost and is accompanied by oxidation of cytochromes a and as, as well as NADH (Taegtmeyer et al., 1985), was originally thoug it to be due to substrate deficiency (Chance and Williams, 1955) but may be due to an enzymatic defect resulting in an inability to metabolize NADH-linked substrates (Pelican etal., 1987). It seems likely therefore that return of function is dependent on preservation of mitochondrial membrane integrity, and the structure and activities of respiratory chain (R.C) complexes I-IV (Chance and Williams, 1955). 

Cellular changes may result in cell death, which if extensive, may produce irreversible damage to an organ or tissue or may result in the death of the individual. If the cell recovers, altered metabolism and function may still occur, which may be repaired or may result in the manifestation of clinical symptoms. These changes may also be expressed at a later time as tumors or cellular mutations, which may result in abnormal tissue. 

In the latest version of Toxtree, another rulebase has been implemented for the in vivo micronucleus assay (ToxMic rulebase) which identifies 30 SAs from the Benigni-Bossa rulebase for genotixic carcinogenicity and five alerts specific for the micronucleus assay [47], The occurrence of micronucleus in cells, tissue, or blood is linked to irreversible mutations which can also lead to cancer. 

From observations such as these the concept has arisen that bacterial growth, in the sense of an irreversible increase in cell substance or volume, and cell division may be considered to some extent as separate and independent processes at least, in so far as growth may occur either with or without the operation of the cell division mechanism. ... 

Ribosome inactivating cytotoxic protein that irreversibly inhibits protein synthesis in cells, causing cell death. It is a solid obtained from bacteria (Shigella dysenteriae). 

Ribosome activating cytotoxic proteins that irreversibly inhibit protein synthesis in cells, causing cell death. They are obtained from bacteria (Escherichia coli serotype 0157 H7). Verotoxin 1 is almost identical to shiga toxin (C16-A032) and differs only by a single amino acid. Verotoxin 2 has significant differences. 

Reaction (52) occurs at the gradient interface of the bolus addition until local Hb(02) concentrations have been reduced, at which point additional NO reduces the iron(III) to iron(II) which can further react with free NO to form Hb(NO). The validity of this mechanism was verified by the observation that addition of CN- ion, which binds irreversibly to metHb to form metHb(CN), significantly attenuated the formation of Hb(NO) in both cell-free Hb and RBC. Mathematical models used to simulate bolus addition of NO to cell-free Hb and RBC were compatible with the experimental results (147). In the above experiments, SNO-Hb was a minor reaction product and was formed even in the presence of 10 mM CN, suggesting that RSNO formation does not occur as a result of (hydrolyzed) NO+ formation during metHb reduction. However, formation of SNO-Hb was not detectable when NO was added as a bolus injection to RBC or through thermal decomposition of DEA/NO in cell free Hb (DEA/NO = 2-(A/ A/ diethylamino)diazenolate). SNO-Hb was observed... 

J. E. Ferrell, Jr., and W. Xiong, Bistability in cell signaling How to make continuous processes discontinuous, and reversible processes irreversible. Chaos 11(1), 227 236 (2001). 

However, there are no known SB systems with Mg in aqueous solutions. The Mg anode s irreversibility in aqueous solutions is thought to be due, in part to the existence of monovalent Mg ions during the electrochemical discharge, in part to the selfcorrosion and film formation, and in part caused by other factors (136,140). All attempts to deposit this metal on the negative electrode from aqueous electrolytes have failed. It is claimed that the Mg cell with molten salt electrolyte, LiCl-KCl eut., is reversible (141) it operates at temperatures above the eutectic melting point, i.e. about 400°C. Small amounts of water might decrease the operating temperature. 

Methods based on the inhibitory effect of the analyte and the use of an enzyme thermistor have primarily been applied to environmental samples and typically involve measuring the inhibitory effect of a pollutant on an enzyme or on the metabolism of appropriate cells [162]. The inhibiting effect of urease was used to develop methods for the determination of heavy metals such as Hg(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I) by use of the enzyme immobilized on CPG. For this purpose, the response obtained for a 0.5-mL standard pulse of urea in phosphate buffer at a flow-rate of 1 mL/min was recorded, after which 0.5 mL of sample was injected. A new 0.5-mL pulse of urea was injected 30 s after the sample pulse (accurate timing was essential) and the response compared with that of the non-inhibited peak. After a sample was run, the initial response could be restored by washing the column with 0.1-0.3 M Nal plus 50 mM EDTA for 3 min. Under these conditions, 50% inhibition (half the initial response) was obtained for a 0.5-mL pulse of 0.04-0.05 mM Hg(II) or Ag(I), or 0.3 mM Cu(II). In some cases, the enzyme was inhibited irreversibly. In this situation, a reversible enzyme immobilization technique... 

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