Prophage P2 does not kill recB bacteria.

$\text{Escherichia}\text{coli}$ carrying a temperature-sensitive $\text{recB}$ mutation and lysogenic for phage P2 was able to grow normally even at 42°C, at which temperature the bacteria are phenotypically $\text{recB}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$. At this temperature, the bacteria were, however, unable to support the growth of λspi^? phages.     

Structural changes in the cell membrane of lambda-lysogenic Escherichia coli induced by colicin E2.

The structural changes in the cell membrane of λ-lysogenic $\text{Escherichia coli}$ induced by colicin E₂ were examined. The addition of colicin E₂ made the cells susceptible to various detergents and the transport rate of o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactoside into the colicin-treated cells was stimulated markedly by adding a low concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The fluorescence intensity of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate bound to the cells was markedly increased by adding colicin E₂. Colicin E₂ stimulated the incorporation of ${}^{32}\text{P}$ from prelabeled phosphatidylglycerol to cardiolipin. All these changes probably suggesting the structural alteration of the cell membrane were dependent on the presence of the $\text{rex}$ gene of λ prophage in the cells.     

Electron microscopy study of viral DNA packaging with lambda head mutants

In a previous study, various intermediates in λ DNA packaging were visualized after lysis of λ-infected cells with osmotic shock and sedimentation through a sucrose formalin cushion onto electron microscope grids. Along this line, a systematic screening for intermediates accumulated in all head mutants available was performed. λA^?-infected cells accumulate only empty spherical protein shells (petit λ) bound at an intermediate point along the DNA thread. In situ digestion experiments with restriction endonuclease EcoRI show that the petit λ-DNA complexes are formed at a fixed point on the DNA concatemer. In $\text{λNu1}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{-}\text{infected}$ cells, however, most petit λ was not bound to DNA. In Fec^? cells, which are defective in formation of concatemers but normal in head protein synthesis, most petit λ did not sediment onto the carbon film of the grid. In $\text{D}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ mutant, petit λ, partially full heads and empty heads with released DNA were observed. λFI^?-infected cells also accumulate petit λ and partially full heads. The present studies suggest that protein pNu1 is required for complex formation between head precursors and DNA concatemers, $\text{p}\text{A}$ for the initiation of DNA packaging, $\text{p}\text{D}$ and $\text{p}\text{F}$I for the promotion of DNA packaging, and $\text{p}\text{D}$ for stabilization of head structures. The results obtained with other head mutants involved in formation of mature proheads and head completion confirm earlier results obtained by different techniques.     

Elasnin,a new human granulocyte elastase inhibitor produced by a strain of Streptomyces

Elasnin, a new human granulocyte elastase inhibitor, has been isolated from $\text{Streptomyces}\text{noboritoensis}$ KM-2753. Elasnin is a neutral, lipophilic colorless and viscous oil ($\text{n}{}_{\mathrm{D}}{}^{17}\text{=1.4983}$, $\text{[α]}{}_{\mathrm{D}}{}^{18}\text{?0.9°}$, λ_max^EtOH 291 nm (ε, 7760)). The molecular formula was C₂₄H₄₀O₄ (M.W.: 392) as determined by its elemental analysis and mass spectrum. Elasnin inhibits markedly human granulocyte elastase, but is almost ineffective for pancreatic elastase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin and papain.     

Kinetics of 42K and 86Rb loss from the crayfish retina in the dark and the effect of light on the rate of isotope loss

⁸⁶Rb and ⁴²K loss from non-illuminated crayfish retinas is described by a sum of two exponential functions with rate constants λ₁ ≈ 0.12 min^?1 and λ₂ ≈ 0.006 min^?1. ⁸⁶Rb and ⁴²K movements distinguish mainly by the λ₂ rate constants, $\text{λ}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>Rb</mtext>}}\text{λ}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>K</mtext>}}\text{= 0.7}$.Ouabain causes a delayed increase in the rate of isotope loss from non-illuminated retinas (λ ≈ 0.009 min^?1 after 40 min). Light stimuli evoke a temporary increase in the rate of both ⁸⁶Rb and ⁴²K loss by the same factor (2.7 under these conditions). In the presence of ouabain the light-induced isotope loss is abolished after 40 min if the retina is periodically illuminated but not if the retina is kept in the dark.     

Comparison of plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum fractions obtained from whole white adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes

The influence of the mode of preparation upon some of the characteristics of white adipose tissue plasma membranes and microsomes has been reported. Plasma membrane fractions prepared from mitochondrial pellet were shown to have higher specific activities of $\text{(Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ than plasma membranes originating in crude microsomes. Isolation of fat cells by collagenase treatment was found to result in a decrease in specific activity of the plasma membrane enzymes; in plasma membranes prepared from isolated fat cells, the specific activity values obtained for $\text{(Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ and 5′-nucleotidase were only 42% and 6.3% respectively of those obtained in plasma membranes prepared from whole adipose tissue. Purification of whole adipose tissue crude microsomes by hypotonic treatment caused extensive solubilization of the endoplasmic reticulum marker enzymes, NADH oxidase and NADPH cytochrome $\text{c}$ reductase. The lability of endoplasmic reticulum marker enzymes, however, was found to be greatly diminished in the preparations from isolated fat cells. The possibility that NADH oxidase and NADHPH cytochrome $\text{c}$ reductase activities found in the plasma membranes are microsomal enzymes adsorbed by the plasma membranes is discussed. The peptide patterns as well as the NADH oxidase and NADPH cytochrome $\text{c}$ reductase activity patterns of plasma membranes and purified microsomes were compared by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate or Triton X-100 polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

A high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cells

The activity of calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase which possesses a high affinity for free calcium (high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$, EC 3.6.1.3) has been detected in rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cell plasma membranes. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ had an apparent half saturation constant of $\text{77 ± 31}\text{nM}$ for free calcium, a maximum reaction velocity of $\text{9.9 ± 3.5}\text{nmol}$ ATP hydrolyzed/mg protein per min, and a Hill number of 0.8. Maximum activity was obtained at 0.2 μM free calcium. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ was absolutely dependent on 3–10 mM magnesium and the pH optimum was within physiological range (pH 7.2–7.5). Among the nucleoside trisphosphates tested, ATP was the best substrate, with an apparent $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ of 30 μM. The distribution pattern of this enzyme in the subcellular fractions of the ascites hepatoma cell homogenate (as shown by the linear sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation method) was similar to that of the known plasma membrane marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), indicating that the ATPase was located in the plasma membrane. Various agents, such as K⁺, Na⁺, ouabain, KCN, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and NaN₃, had no significant effect on the activity of high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$. Orthovanadate inhibited this enzyme activity with an apparent half-maximal inhibition constant of 40 μM. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ was neither inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin-antagonist, nor stimulated by bovine brain calmodulin, whether the plasma membranes were prepared with or without ethylene glycol $\text{bis}\text{(β-}\text{aminoethyl ether}\text{)-N,N,N′,N′-}\text{tetraacetic acid}$. Since the kinetic properties of the high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ showed a close resemblance to those of erythrocyte plasma membrane $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$, the high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ of rat ascites hepatoma cell plasma membrane is proposed to be a calcium-pumping ATPase of these cells.     

Induction of passive monovalent cation-exchange activity in heart mitochondria by depletion of endogenous divalent cations

Depletion of mitochondrial divalent cations by addition of the ionophore A23187 results in a marked increase in passive ${}^{42}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ exchange activity. The exchange is activated by increasing pH and temperature and inhibited by added divalent cations. The reaction is independent of the amount of A23187 present, but depends on the concentration of external K⁺ (K_m = 25 mm). Intramitochondrial ⁴²K⁺ in cation-depleted mitochondria exchanges passively with external Na⁺ and Li⁺, but not with choline⁺. The evidence suggests that removal of mitochondrial divalent cations by A23187 activates the endogenous $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ exchange component of the mitochondrion and that the activated exchanger promotes cation/cation exchange in the absence of a metabolic pH gradient.     

Kinetics of bidirectional active sodium fluxes in the toad bladder

The kinetics of isotopic Na⁺ flows was studied in urinary bladders of toads from the Dominican Republic. Initial studies of the potential dependence of passive serosal to mucosal ²²Na⁺ efflux demonstrated the absence of isotope interaction and/or other coupling with passive Na⁺ flow. The electrical current $\text{I}$ and mucosal to serosal ²²Na⁺ influx were then measured with transmembrane potential clamped at $\text{Δψ = 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100}\text{mV}$. Subsequent elimination of active Na⁺ transport mucosal amiloride permitted calculation of the rates of active Na⁺ transport $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>Na</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ and active and passive influx and $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>Na</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ and $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>Na</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>p</mtext>}}$. The results indicate that for Dominican toad bladders mounted in chambers only Na⁺ contributes significantly to transepithelial active ion transport; hence $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>Na</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$. $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ was abolished at $\text{Δψ = E = 96.3 ± 1.9}\text{(S.E.) mV}$. As Δψ approached $\text{E}$, active efflux $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ became demonstrable. At $\text{Δ = 100}\text{mV}\text{,}\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ exceeded $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$, so that $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ was negative. Experimental values of $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ agreed well with theoretical values predicted by a thermodynamic formulation: $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>exp</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= 0.985}\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>theor</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{(r = 0.993)}$. The dependence of $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}$ on Δψ is curvilinear.     

Characterization of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase liposomes: II. Effect of α-subunit digestion on intramembrane particle formation and Na+,K+-transport

The effect of the protein structure of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ on its incorporation into liposome membranes was investigated as follows: the catalytic α-subunit of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ was split into low-molecular weight fragments by trypsin treatment and the digested enzyme was reconstituted at the same protein concentration as intact control enzyme. The reconstitution process was quantified by the average number of intramembrane particles appearing on concave and convex fracture faces after freeze-fracture of the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ liposomes. The number of intramembrane particles as well as their distribution on concave and convex fracture faces is not modified by the proteolysis. In contrast, the ATPase activity and the transport capacity of the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ decrease progessively with increasing incubation times in the presence of trypsin and are abolished when the original 100 000 molecular weight α-subunit is no longer visible by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis. Apparently, functional ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ with intact protein structure and digested, non functional enzyme consisting of fragments of the α-subunit reconstitute in the same manner and to the same extent as judged by freeze-fracture analysis. We conclude that, while trypsin treatment modifies the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ molecule in a functional sense, it appears not to modify its interaction with the bilayer in producing intramembrane particles. On the basis of our results, we propose a lipid-lipid interaction mechanism for reconstitution of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$.     

Characterization and partial purification of an intestinal lipase.

The isoelectric points of the blood group $\text{A}{}^1\text{, A}{}^2$ and $\text{B}$ gene-associated glycosyltransferases in human ovarian cyst fluids were found by isoelectric focusing to be in the pH range 9.5–10. The $\text{A}{}^1$ and $\text{B}$ transferases in serum had isoelectric points similar to those of the enzymes in cyst fluids but $\text{A}{}^2$ transferases in serum had considerably lower isoelectric points, in the pH range 6–7. The difference in the pI values of the $\text{A}{}^1$ and $\text{A}{}^2$ transferases in the serum of a donor of the genotype $\text{A}{}^1\text{A}{}^2$ enabled the two enzymes to be preparatively separated by the isoelectric focusing technique. The dissimilarity in the pI values of the $\text{A}{}^2$ transferases in ovarian cyst fluids and serum samples indicates that the isoelectric point arises from a post-translational modification of the enzyme protein.     

Photoconversion and regeneration of active protochlorophyll(ide) in mutants defective in the regulation of chlorophyll synthesis

Seedlings carrying mutations in regulatory genes for protochlorophyll(ide) synthesis accumulate protochlorophyll(ide) in darkness in amounts exceeding the wildtype level. Thus, +/tig-d¹² and $\text{tig-b}{}^{24}\text{tig-b}{}^{24}$accumulate 2-fold, $\text{tig-o}{}^{34}\text{tig-o}{}^{34}$ 5- to 6-fold, and $\text{tig-d}{}^{12}\text{tig-d}{}^{12}$ 15-fold more protochlorophyll(ide) than the wild type.The amount of photoconvertible protochlorophyll(ide) accumulated in darkness is the same in all genotypes, despite the large differences in total protochlorophyll(ide) content, indicating a constant number of photoconversion sites.When briefly illuminated leaves are returned to darkness, regeneration of active protochlorophyll(ide) from the pool of inactive protochlorophyll(ide) takes place in wild-type and mutant leaves. Compared to the wild type, the rate of protochlorophyll(ide) activation during 4- and 10-min dark periods is higher in +/tig-d¹², $\text{tig-b}{}^{24}\text{tig-b}{}^{24}$, and $\text{tig-o}{}^{34}\text{tig-o}{}^{34}$, but lower in $\text{tig-d}{}^{12}\text{tig-d}{}^{12}$.There was no indication that the accumulation of protochlorophyll(ide) influences the conversion sites of the protochlorophyll(ide) holochrome, as the kinetics of photoconversion of initially active protochlorophyll(ide) in leaves with the genotypes +/+, +/tig-o³⁴, and $\text{tig-o}{}^{34}\text{tig-o}{}^{34}$ are similar or identical.     

Developmental compartmentalization in the dorsal mesothoracic disc of Drosophila.

The clonal analysis of the development of the dorsal mesothoracic (wing) disc shows that clones initiated after a given time do not cross over certain demarcation lines in the adult cuticle. The property of $\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ (non-Minute) recombinant cells to overgrow the $\text{M}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ background cells was used to demonstrate the establishment of clonal restrictions during development. It has been shown that $\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ clones initiated at a given time of development share common demarcation lines that delimit what we call “a developmental compartment.” As development time and cell proliferation of the anlage proceed, large compartments become split into pairs of smaller ones. A study of the number of cells in a given compartment at the time of its splitting into subcompartments indicates that the “developmental segregation” takes place in groups of neighboring cells and suggests that the number of segregated cells is different and characteristic for each compartment. Within a given compartment, a single clone of $\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ cells gives rise to 60–90% of the total number of adult cells. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the regulative properties of the morphogenetic fields, and the relation of these to developmental compartments is discussed. Since homoeotic mutants transform entire developmental compartments into one another, the hypothesis is advanced that homoeotic genes control compartment development.     

Thymidine accumulation by choroid plexus in vitro

In vitro, the accumulation and release of [methyl-³H]thymidine ([${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine) by the isolated choroid plexus, the anatomical locus of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, was studied. With concentrations of [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine in the medium of 1.0 μm (or greater), the choroid plexus accumulated [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine against a concentration gradient by a process that depended on intracellular energy production but did not depend on intracellular binding or metabolism of the [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine. This transport process was inhibited (although differentially) by various nucleosides and low temperatures but not by 2-deoxyribose or pyrimidine bases. With concentrations of less than 1.0 μm [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine in the medium, the choroid plexus accumulated [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine against a concentration gradient. However, the majority of the [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine within the choroid plexus was metabolized to [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine nucleotides at low extracellular [${}^3\text{H}$]thymidine concentrations (3 nm). This accumulation process depended, in large part, on saturable intracellular phosphorylation. Thymidine was the principal form released from choroid plexuses that had been incubated for various times in media containing concentrations of thymidine from 3 to 1.0 mm. The release of thymidine from choroid plexus was depressed by cold temperatures and a very high (2.56 mmol/kg) intracellular thymidine concentration.     

Calcium ion-flux across phosphatidylcholine membranes mediated by ionophore A23187

The antibiotic A23187 carries Ca²⁺ across Müller-Rudin membranes made from $\text{1,2-}\text{dierucoyl}\text{-sn-}\text{glycero}\text{-3-}\text{phosphocholine}$ and $\text{n-}\text{decane}$. The conductance of the membranes is not increased by the Ca²⁺-transport. The flux depends linearly on Ca²⁺ concentration and ionophore concentration (above pH 6). It increases with increasing pH, approximately by a factor of 4–5 between pH 6 and pH 8. Maximal Ca²⁺-fluxes of about $\text{10}{}^{\mathrm{?10}}\text{mol}\text{·}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{·}\text{s}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ were found. A counter transport of H⁺ could not be detected.The complex formation between A23187 and Ca²⁺ in egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles was studied spectroscopically. The results are consistent with the formation of a 2 : 1 complex. Optical absorption measurements on single phosphatidylcholine membranes were used to calculate the concentration of membrane-bound ionophore A23187.     

Author index

The ionic influence and ouabain sensitivity of lymphocyte Mg²⁺-ATPase and $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{-(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-activated}$ ATPase were studied in intact cells, microsomal fraction and isolated plasma membranes. The active site of 5′-nucleotidase and Mg²⁺-ATPase seemed to be localized on the external side of the plasma membrane whereas the ATP binding site of $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ was located inside the membrane.Concanavalin A induced an early stimulation of Mg²⁺-ATPase and $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ both on intact cells and purified plasma membranes. In contrast, 5′-nucleotidase activity was not affected by the mitogen. Although the thymocyte Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was 3–5 times lower than in spleen lymphocytes, it was much more stimulated in the former cells (about 40 versus 20 %). $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity was undetectable in thymocytes. However, in spleen lymphocytes $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity can be detected and was 30 % increased by concanavalin A. Several aspects of this enzymic stimulation had also characteristic features of blast transformation induced by concanavalin A, suggesting a possible role of these enzymes, especially Mg²⁺-ATPase, in lymphocyte stimulation.     

The presence of two (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibitors in equine muscle ATP: Vanadate and a dithioerythritol-dependent inhibitor

A potent inhibitor of $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity was purified from Sigma equine muscle ATP by cation- and anion-exchange chromatography. The isolated inhibitor was identified by atomic absorption spectroscopy and proton resonance spectroscopy to be an inorganic vanadate. The isolated vanadate and a solution of V₂O₅ inhibit sarcolemma $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ with an $\text{I}{}_{50}$ of 1 μM in the presence of 1 mM $\text{ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethylether)}\text{-N,N′-}\text{tetraacetic}$ acid (EGTA), 145 mM NaCl, 6mM MgCl₂, 15 mM KCl and 2 mM synthetic ATP. The potency of the isolated vanadate in increased by free Mg²⁺. The inhibition is half maximally reversed by 250 μM epinephrine. Equine muscle ATP was also found to contain a second $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ inhibitor which depends on the sulfhydryl-reducing agent dithioerythritol for inhibition. This unknown inhibitor does not depend on free Mg²⁺ and is half maximally reversed by 2 μM epinephrine. Prolonged storage or freeze-thawing of enzyme preparations decreases the susceptibility of the $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ to this inhibitor. The adrenergic blocking agents, propranolol and phentolamine, do not block the catecholamine reactivation. The inhibitors in equine muscle ATP also inhibit highly purified $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ from shark rectal gland and eel electroplax. The inhibitors in equine muscle ATP have no effect on the other sarcolemmal ATPases, Mg²⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase and $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$.     

Properties of bilayer membranes in the presence of dipicrylamine. A comparative study by optical absorption and electrical relaxation measurements

In order to test the question if a pool of lipophilic ions may exist in black lipid membranes which cannot be detected by electrical relaxation measurements we have performed simultaneously measurements of the optical absorption of a lipophilic ion. The absorbance of membrane-bound dipicrylamine at 410 nm was measured with a sensitive spectrophotometer which can detect absorbance changes $\text{? 4 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?5}}$. A minimal concentration of about 6 · 10¹¹ dipicrylamine ions per cm² of the membrane could be detected with this instrument. The dipicrylamine concentration in the membrane obtained with the optical method $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>opt</mtext>}}$ is compared with the concentrations $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>el</mtext>}}$ obtained from simultaneous electrical relaxation measurements. $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>opt</mtext>}}$ and $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>el</mtext>}}$ agreed at low dipicrylamine concentrations (10^?8–10^?7 M in the aqueous phase) and showed saturation at higher concentrations (up to 5 · 10^?6 M). In the saturation range $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>opt</mtext>}}$ was maximally four times higher than $\text{N}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>t</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>el</mtext>}}$. The significance of this difference is discussed together with general aspects of the saturation phenomenon.     

Increase of Na+K+ ATPase activity in intact rat brain synaptosomes after their interaction with phosphatidylserine vesicles

Intact synaptosomes prepared from rat brain were incubated with phosphatidylserine vesicles. The synaptosomes incorporated the phospholipid in proportion to its concentration in the preincubation medium. The activity of membrane-bound enzyme $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase increased proportionally after treatment with phosphatidylserine liposomes.When breaking phosphatidylserine-enriched synaptosomes by osmotic shock or by sonication and when preparing synaptosomal membranes, the expected increase of $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase activity was not seen. Therefore, cellular integrity was fundamental in order to see the effect of phosphatidylserine on $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase activity.     

On the effect of rfe mutation on the biosynthesis of the 08 and 09 antigens of E. coli.

From phosphomannose isomerase-less mutants of $\text{E. coli}$ strains 08 and 09, $\text{rfe}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ derivatives were constructed by recombination with a $\text{Salmonella rfe}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ donor. In contrast to membranes from the parent $\text{E. coli}$ strains, those from the $\text{rfe}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ recombinants did not synthesize the 08 or 09 mannan from GDP mannose $\text{in vitro}$. They could, however, be restored to biosynthetic activity with butanol extracts from the $\text{E. coli rfe}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ bacteria. This indicated that the $\text{rfe}$ mutation affects the synthesis of a hydrophobic acceptor.