白藜芦醇通过介导eNOS表达促进局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠脑内血管再生

目的探讨eNOS在白藜芦醇促进局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠大脑缺血皮质区血管再生中的作用。方法 80只SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham组)、模型组(I/R组)、模型+白藜芦醇组(I/RB组)、模型+白藜芦醇+eNOS特异性拮抗剂L-NAME组(I/RBL组)。采用线栓法制备大鼠局灶脑缺血/再灌注模型,再灌注后2h后腹腔注射白藜芦醇,连续7d,以再灌注后24h、48h、7d为观察时相点。对I/R、I/RB和I/RBL组大鼠行改良神经功能缺损程度评分,HE染色观察大脑缺血皮质区病理结构变化,Western Blot检测eNOS蛋白表达,免疫组织化学检测VEGF、CD34表达情况,荧光定量PCR检测eNOS mRNA表达。结果 I/RB组再灌注后各时间点大鼠大脑缺血皮质区eNOS蛋白及mRNA、VEGF蛋白表达较I/R组明显升高,侧脑室注射L-NAME阻断eNOS作用后,I/RBL组eNOS、VEGF表达较I/RB组降低。同时,白藜芦醇可有效促进缺血后神经功能恢复、改善缺血损伤后脑组织病理变化,增加CD34~+微血管密度。结论白藜芦醇可能通过上调局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠大脑缺血皮质区eNOS和VEGF表达,促进脑微血管再生,发挥缺血损伤后脑保护作用。     

Ephrin-B2促进大鼠局灶脑缺血再灌注后VEGF表达及血管新生

目的:探讨Ephrin-B2对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后脑组织中血管新生的调节作用及其可能的机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组及、缺血再灌注组及Ephrin-B2干预组,后两组再分为4天、7天、14天、28天亚组;线栓法制备局灶性大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型;改良神经功能评分(modified neurological severity scores mNSS)评分法对各时间点模型进行评分;Western blot及荧光定量PCR检测缺血脑组织中血管内皮生长因子(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor VEGF)的表达;以免疫荧光双标法定位VEGF表达的细胞类型;以CD31+BrdU计数缺血半暗带中新生微血管密度(microvessel densityMVD)。结果:Ephrin-B2干预组与缺血再灌注组各时间点亚组比较,新生微血管密度测定计数较缺血再灌注组均显著增加(P0.05),神经功能评分均显著降低(P0.05),VEGF mRNA水平及蛋白表达水平均显著增加(P0.05),VEGF主要表达于CD31阳性的血管内皮细胞。结论:Ephrin-B2通过上调VEGF的表达促进脑缺血再灌注后缺血半暗带血管新生,从而促进神经功能缺失的修复。     

Ephrin-B2对脑缺血大鼠模型神经功能恢复的促进作用及机制研究

为了探讨局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠采用Ephrin-B2干预促进大鼠神经功能的恢复及作用机制,本研究选取了72只成年雄性SD大鼠,采用随机数字表法分为:空白组(等量生理盐水)、假手术组(等量生理盐水)、模型组(等量生理盐水)和干预组(Ephrin-B2连续干预3 d),每组各18只。通过对比各组大鼠神经功能评分,检测对比各组大鼠缺血侧大脑海马组织中血管细胞间黏附分子-1(VCAM-1)、核转录因子(NF-κB)蛋白、微血管密度的水平,检测并比较各组大鼠缺血侧海马组织中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)m RNA及蛋白的表达水平,我们发现造模后第4、8、12、14天,干预组大鼠的神经功能评分显著的低于模型组(p0.05);造模后第4、8、12、14天,干预组、模型组大鼠的缺血侧大脑海马组织中VCAM-1、NF-κB蛋白显著的高于空白组和假手术组(p0.05);干预组大鼠的缺血侧大脑海马组织中VCAM-1、NF-κB蛋白显著的低于模型组(p0.05);造模后第4、8、12、14天,干预组大鼠的缺血脑组织中微血管密度显著的高于模型组(p0.05);造模后第4、8、12、14天,干预组、模型组大鼠的血侧脑组织VEGF m RNA及蛋白显著的高于空白组和假手术组(p0.05);干预组大鼠的血侧脑组织VEGF m RNA及蛋白显著的高于模型组(p0.05)。本研究表明,局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠采用Ephrin-B2干预能促进大鼠神经功能的恢复,可能与促进新生血管形成有关。     

三七皂苷R1对大鼠缺血心肌VEGF、bFGF的影响

目的:探讨三七皂苷R1对大鼠缺血心肌VEGF、bFGF的影响。方法:选择雄性Wistar大鼠39只,建立心肌梗死(AMI)模型,术后24h存活大鼠随机分为药物组(n=13)、对照组(n=13),另设假手术组(n=8)。药物组给予三七皂苷R1水溶液(2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)腹腔注射、对照组及假手术组给予等体积生理盐水腹腔注射,用药4周。于实验终点处死大鼠,心肌组织取材,Ⅷ因子染色计数微血管数(MVC)及微血管密度(MVD),免疫组织化学法观察缺血心肌VEGF、bFGF蛋白的表达。结果:药物组及对照组MVC、MVD均高于假手术组,且药物组高于对照组(P0.05);大鼠缺血心肌药物组及对照组VEGF、bFGF蛋白表达均高于假手术组(P0.05),且药物组高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:三七皂苷R1促进大鼠缺血心肌血管再生同时可上调缺血心肌VEGF、bFGF蛋白水平。     

黄芪丹参不同配伍对气虚血瘀模型大鼠血液流变学和血管内皮因子的影响

目的:研究黄芪丹参不同配伍对气虚血瘀证大鼠血液流变学和血管内皮因子的影响。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、丹参组、黄芪组、黄芪丹参1:1组、2:1组、4:1组,采用限食、游泳、皮下注射肾上腺素方法建立气虚血瘀证大鼠模型,对照组与模型组给予蒸馏水,用药组分别给予不同剂量的丹参、黄芪及不同比例黄芪丹参配伍灌胃给药治疗,连续27日。测定血液流变学指标,内皮素-1(ET-1)、一氧化氮(NO)、血栓素B2(TXB2)和6-酮-前列腺素-F1α(6-keto-PGF1α)含量。结果:模型组大鼠血液流变学参数和血管内皮因子与对照组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。与模型组比较,黄芪丹参1:1组、2:1组、4:1组血液流变学参数显著降低(P0.05或P0.01),NO、6-keto-PGF1α、6-keto-PGF1α/TXB2明显升高(P0.01),ET-1、TXB2明显降低(P0.01)。与1:1组比较,2:1组血液流变学参数显著下降(P0.05或P0.01),NO、6-keto-PGF1α、6-keto-PGF1α/TXB2显著升高(P0.05或P0.01),TXB2明显降低(P0.05)。2:1组大鼠血液流变学参数和血管内皮因子与4:1组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01)。结论:黄芪丹参配伍对气虚血瘀证大鼠模型具有改善血液流变及保护血管内皮作用,其中以黄芪丹参2:1组最佳。     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注后血清中血管内皮生长因子与神经元凋亡的研究

目的:通过检测SD大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)与神经元凋亡动态表达变化的关系,以探讨两者之间的相关性。方法:将40只大鼠随机分为8组:对照组、假手术组和脑缺血30min再灌注12h组、1d组、3d组、5d组、7d组、及14d组,每组5只。采用ELISA双抗夹心法检测大鼠血清中血管内皮生长因子、原位细胞凋亡TUNEL法检测脑组织中的凋亡神经细胞数。结果:再灌注12h、1d、3d、5d、7d及14d大鼠血清VEGF表达和凋亡神经元百分比的变化均为负相关性(均为P<0.05)。结论:在脑缺血再灌注大鼠模型中,缺血诱导使VEGF的表达发生变化,VEGF通过直接或间接的途径抑制神经元凋亡。     

毛蕊异黄酮通过抑制calpain-1的表达发挥抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的研究

目的:探讨毛蕊异黄酮抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用是否与抑制calpain-1的表达有关。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组以及药物组,采用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉阻断(MCAO)模型,于缺血再灌注前30 min腹腔注射给予20 mg/kg毛蕊异黄酮或等体积的溶剂。再灌注24 h后,行神经功能学评分、脑梗死面积以及神经元凋亡检测;再灌注12 h、24 h时,采用免疫组化和蛋白印迹技术检测大鼠脑皮层calpain-1的表达。结果:与假手术组大鼠比较,MCAO模型组大鼠再灌注24 h后神经功能学评分、梗死面积、神经元凋亡率及calpain-1的表达均明显升高(P0.05),而毛蕊异黄酮能够降低模型组大鼠再灌注24 h后神经功能学评分、梗死面积、神经元凋亡率以及calpain-1的表达(P0.05)。结论:毛蕊异黄酮可能通过抑制calpain-1的表达发挥抗脑缺血再灌注损伤作用。     

高压氧预处理对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:研究高压氧预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法:36只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组及高压氧预处理组,每组12只。高压氧预处理组大鼠在造模前5天给予高压氧预处理。采用线栓法建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型,观察高压氧预处理对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积的影响,检测大鼠缺血脑组织COX-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达以及IL-1β、TNF-α、MDA的含量。结果:高压氧预处理可明显改善脑缺血再灌注大鼠神经功能缺损评分,减少脑梗死面积,降低COX-2m RNA和蛋白表达量,抑制IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,降低MDA水平。结论:高压氧预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤具有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与抑制IL-1β、TNF-α、COX-2的表达以及减弱脂质过氧化反应有关。     

小檗碱对缺血性脑梗死大鼠氧化应激/炎症反应、血管生成的作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨小檗碱对缺血性脑梗死大鼠氧化应激/炎症反应、血管生成的作用。方法：选取60只SPF级SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和小檗碱组各20只。建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型。术后及给药后7d采用Longa标准评分评估大鼠神经功能。检测各组大鼠脑组织的抗氧化活性和炎症因子水平。采用免疫组化检测脑缺血再灌注皮质微血管密度（MVD）。采用实时定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）检测低氧诱导生长因子- 1 （HIF-1 ）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF） mRNA表达水平。采用蛋白免疫印迹试验检测VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平。结果：模型组和小檗碱组大鼠术后具有神经功能缺损症状表现,Longa评分均高于对照组。给药7 d后,模型组和小檗碱组大鼠Longa评分均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,且小檗碱组大鼠Longa评分低于模型组（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,模型组丙二醛（MDA）水平显著升高,而谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）活性显著降低（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,小檗碱组MDA水平显著降低,而GSH-Px和SOD活性显著升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,模型组白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平显著升高（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,小檗碱组IL-1β、TNF-α水平显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。给药7 d后,模型组和小檗碱组MVD、VEGF mRNA和HIF-1 mRNA表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,而小檗碱组MVD、VEGF mRNA和HIF-1 mRNA表达水平高于模型组（P＜0.05）。给药7 d后,小檗碱组和模型组VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,而小檗碱组VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平高于模型组（P＜0.05）。结论：小檗碱通过抑制氧化应激/炎症反应、促进血管生成从而达到脑保护作用,其机制可能与激活HIF-1 /VEGF信号通路有关。     

甘草查尔酮A对局灶性脑缺血再灌注小鼠Nrf2/HO-1信号通路和神经炎症反应的影响

目的:探讨甘草查尔酮A对局灶性脑缺血再灌注小鼠Nrf2/HO-1信号通路和神经炎症反应的影响。方法:体重23~25 g的雄性C57BL/6小鼠总计96只,随机分为4组(n=24):假手术对照组(Sham组)、脑缺血再灌注组(MCAO组)、溶剂组(Vehicle组)、甘草查尔酮A组(LA组)。采用大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)模型致大鼠脑缺血损伤。72 h后行神经功能学评分,2,3,5-三苯基氯化铵(TTC)染色检测脑梗死体积,Western blot法检测脑Nrf2、HO-1、TNF-α、IL-6蛋白表达水平,TUNEL染色法检测凋亡细胞数。结果:与Sham组比较,MCAO组和Vehicle组小鼠神经功能评分明显降低(P0.05),脑梗死体积显著增加(P0.05),而核蛋白Nrf2和胞浆蛋白HO-1蛋白表达水平较低(P0.05),炎症因子IL-6和TNF-α表达水平明显增加(P0.05),脑实质炎性细胞浸润显著增多(P0.05);与MCAO组和Vehicle组比较,LA组小鼠神经功能评分明显增加(P0.05),脑梗死体积显著减少(P0.05),而核蛋白Nrf2和胞浆蛋白HO-1蛋白表达水平更高(P0.05),炎症因子IL-6和TNF-α表达水平明显减少(P0.05),脑实质炎性细胞浸润明显减少(P0.05)。结论:甘草查尔酮A可缓解脑缺血再灌注损伤后出现的神经炎症反应及细胞凋亡,进而减轻神经功能障碍和脑梗死体积,其机制可能与激活Nrf2/HO-1信号通路相关。     

Characterization of cytochrome P-450SCC-containing liposomes

Purified cytochrome $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria was incorporated into liposomes by the cholate-dilution method utilizing either dialysis or Sephadex gel filtration. Among synthetic phospholipids tested, dioleoylglycerophosphocholine showed the best stability during the incorporation of $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ into liposomes. A maximum amount of heme was incorporated into liposomes at a molar ratio of phospholipid to the cytochrome of approx. 200. When $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was incorporated into the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes by the cholate-filtration method, the $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}\text{-}\text{containing liposomes}$ showed two major populations on the elution pattern of the Sepharose 4B gel filtration, and were seen at a diameter of 200–600 Å and its aggregated forms. When the cytochrome was incorporated into dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes or cholesterol-free adrenocortical mitochondrial liposomes, $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was less stable than $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ in aqueous solution. Cholesterol or adrenodoxin markedly stabilized the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. Liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ required cholesterol for its optimum reduction with adrenodoxin, adrenodoxin reductase, and NADPH in the presence of CO. About 70% of the total heme in the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes was reduced by the enzymatic reduction in the presence of cholesterol, indicating that 70% of the total molecules are exposed to the surface of the outer monolayer. In order to see the location of the heme in membrane, the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine-liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was subjected to $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ treatment. This reagent destroyed the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. These results suggest that the heme is located in the proximity of the $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ reacting sites which are exposed to the surface, or located on the vincinity of polar heads of the membrane.     

ATP/ADP exchange activity of gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase

The ATP/ADP exchange is shown to be a partial reaction of the $\text{(}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ by the absence of measurable nucleoside diphosphokinase activity and the insensitivity of the reaction to $\text{P}{}^1$, $\text{P}{}^5$ -di(adenosine-5′) pentaphosphate, a myokinase inhibitor. The exchange demonstrates an absolute requirement for Mg²⁺ and is optimal at an ADP/ATP ratio of 2. The high ATP concentration ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}\text{= 116 μ}\text{M}$) required for maximal exchange is interpreted as evidence for the involvement of a low affinity form of nucleotide site. The ATP/ADP exchange is regarded as evidence for an ADP-sensitive form of the phosphoenzyme. In native enzyme, pre-steady state kinetics show that the formation of the phosphoenzyme is partially sensitive to ADP while modification of the enzyme by pretreatment with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the absence of Mg²⁺ results in a steady-state phosphoenzyme population, a component of which is ADP sensitive. The ATP/ADP exchange reaction can be either stimulated or inhibited by the presence of K⁺ as a function of pH and Mg²⁺.     

Comparison of parameters estimated from A/Ci and A/Cc curve analysis

The parameters estimated from traditional A/C _i curve analysis are dependent upon some underlying assumptions that substomatal CO₂ concentration (C _i) equals the chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C _c) and the C _i value at which the A/C _i curve switches between Rubisco- and electron transport-limited portions of the curve (C _i-t) is set to a constant. However, the assumptions reduced the accuracy of parameter estimation significantly without taking the influence of C _i-t value and mesophyll conductance (g _m) on parameters into account. Based on the analysis of Larix gmelinii’s A/C _i curves, it showed the C _i-t value varied significantly, ranging from 24 Pa to 72 Pa and averaging 38 Pa. t-test demonstrated there were significant differences in parameters respectively estimated from A/C _i and A/C _c curve analysis (p<0.01). Compared with the maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation rate (V_cmax), the maximum electron transport rate (J_max) and J_max/V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis which considers the effects of g _m limit and simultaneously fits parameters with the whole A/C _c curve, mean V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (V_cmax-C _i) was underestimated by 37.49%; mean Jmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (J_max-C _i) was overestimated by 17.8% and (J_max-C _i)/(V_cmax-C _i) was overestimated by 24.2%. However, there was a significant linear relationship between V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis and V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis, so was it J_max (p<0.05).     

Comparative study of Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Escherichiacoli, Lactobacilluscasei and Saccharomycesboulardii probiotic properties

The present work investigates some probiotic properties of four different microorganisms (Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis BB-12, Escherichia coli EMO, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to compare cell wall hydrophobicity, production of antagonistic substances, survival capacity in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice without pathological consequence, and immune modulation by stimulation of Küpffer cells, intestinal sIgA and IL-10 levels. In vitro antagonism against pathogenic bacteria and yeast was only observed for the probiotic bacteria B. animalis and L. casei. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was higher for B. animalis and E. coli EMO, and this property could be responsible for a better ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice. Higher levels of sIgA were observed mainly for S. boulardii, followed by E. coli EMO and B. animalis, and only S. boulardii induced a significant higher level of IL-10. In conclusion, for a probiotic use, S. boulardii presented better characteristics in terms of immunomodulation, and B. animalis and L. casei for antagonistic substance production. The knowledge of the different probiotic properties could be used to choice the better microorganism depending on the therapeutic or prophylactic application.     

Occurrence of N-malonyl-D-alanine in pea seedlings

One of the ninhydrin-negative alanine conjugates isolated from pea seedlings was identified as $\text{N-}\text{malonyl}\text{-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{alanine}$.The identification of this conjugate was carried out by a comparison of its gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties, and its nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra with those of synthetic $\text{N-}\text{malonyl}\text{-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{alanine}$. The alanine in the conjugate was shown to be present as the D-isomer by enzymatic and chromatographic analyses.     

Ligand-dependent reactivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with showdomycin

Showdomycin inhibited pig brain ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ with pseudo first-order kinetics. The rate of inhibition by showdomycin was examined in the presence of 16 combinations of four ligands, i.e., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP, and was found to depend on the ligands added. Combinations of ligands were divided into five groups in terms of the magnitude of the rate constant; in the order of decreasing rate constants these were: (1)$\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, (2) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and none, (3) $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{,}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, (4) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{,}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{, (5)}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and ATP. The highest rate was obtained in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP. The apparent concentrations of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP for half-maximum stimulation of inhibition ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>s</mtext>}}$) were 3 mM, 0.13 mM and 4μM, respectively. The rate was unchanged upon further increase in Na⁺ concentration from 140 to 1000 mM. The rates of inhibition could be explained on the basis of the enzyme forms present, including E₁, E₂, ES, E₁-P and E₂-P, i.e., E₂ has higher reactivity with showdomycin than E₁, while E₂-P has almost the same reactivity as E₁-P. We conclude that the reaction of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ proceeds via at least four kinds of enzyme form (E₁, E₂, E₁ · nucleotide and EP), which all have different conformations.     

The effects of multiple features of alternatively spliced exons on the KA/KSratio test

Background  

The evolution of alternatively spliced exons (ASEs) is of primary interest because these exons are suggested to be a major source of functional diversity of proteins. Many exon features have been suggested to affect the evolution of ASEs. However, previous studies have relied on the K _A /K _S ratio test without taking into consideration information sufficiency (i.e., exon length > 75 bp, cross-species divergence > 5%) of the studied exons, leading to potentially biased interpretations. Furthermore, which exon feature dominates the results of the K _A /K _S ratio test and whether multiple exon features have additive effects have remained unexplored.     

Characterization of partially purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from porcine lens

The partial purification of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from pig lens has been achieved by treatment with deoxycholate followed by density gradient centrifugation. The specific activity of the final preparation, ranging from 300 to 500 nmol/h per mg protein, is increased approx. 100-fold compared to the homogenate. A parallel increase in $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity is also observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis reveals six major protein bands, one of which is the 93 kDa α subunit of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ which can be phosphorylated by reaction with [γ-³²P]ATP. A second band contains a glycoprotein which displays an apparent molecular weight of 51 000 and thus appears to be the β subunit of the enzyme. The enzyme is sensitive to ouabain with the $\text{I}{}_{50}$ for $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ inhibition being 1.2 and 1.3 μM, respectively. Several agents which inhibit $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from other tissues such as oligomycin, Ca²⁺, vanadate, $\text{N-}\text{ethylmaleimide}$, $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid}$ (PCMBS) and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) also inhibit the lens enzyme. Monovalent cations other than K⁺ are partially effective in activating the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$)-ATPase and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activities. The K⁺ congeners were relatively more effective in supporting $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ compared to $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity. Other kinetic properties of the lens enzyme are also comparable to those of the enzyme from other tissues. Utilizing the partially purified membrane bound enzyme, discontinuities in Arrhenius plots of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity, $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and fluoresence polarization of the fluidity probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), are observed near the physiological temperature of lens. The possible significance of these observations for the mechanism of cataract formation are discussed.     

Reconstitution of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase into phospholipid vesicles with full recovery of its specific activity

(1) ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from rectal glands of the spiny dogfish has been reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. The nonionic detergent octaethyleneglycoldodecyl monoether (C₁₂E₈) is used to dissolve both the enzyme and the lipids and reconstitution is accomplished by subsequent removal of the detergent by adsorption to polystyrene beads. (2) About 60% of the enzyme incorporates in the right-side-out orientation (r/o). The fraction of molecules in the inside-out orientation (i/o) increases from about 10% to about 30% with a parallel decrease in the fraction of ‘non-oriented’ (n-o) molecules (both sides exposed) when the protein/lipid ratio decreases from 1:10 to 1:75. (3) The orientation of enzyme molecules detected from vanadate binding is the same as measured from activity, i.e., the turnover of the enzyme molecule in the diffrent orientations is the same. (4) The recovery of the specific activity of the incorporated enzyme increases with an increase in the protein/lipid ratio and is 100% with a protein/lipid ration of about 1:20 or higher. Full recovery is only obtained provided a proper lipid composition is chosen which includes both negatively charged phospholipids, preferably phosphatidylinositol, and cholesterol. (5) The ATP-dependent, K⁺-stimulated Na⁺-influx is found to be about 35 μmol Na⁺ per mg (i/o)-protein per min at 22°C in 1:10 protein/lipid liposomes. The specific activity corresponds to 3 Na⁺ transported per ATP molecule hydrolyzed.     

An electron spin probe study of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase-Containing membranes

The modulating effect of membrane lipids on enzyme function has been described by several investigators. We have used the spin probe $\text{N-}\text{oxyl}\text{-4′,4′-}\text{dimethyloxazolidine}\text{-12-}\text{keto}$ methyl stearate (M 12-NSE) to study this interaction in ox brain membranes enriched with $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$. This methyl ester of stearic acid is practically insoluble in aqueous media, and consequently spectra of M 12-NSE-labelled preparations are free of “liquid lines”.At least two types of spectra may be obtained when ox brain microsomes are spin labelled with M 12-NSE, indicating the presence of two distinct binding sites. At one site the spin label is relatively unrestricted and gives rise to an isotropic spectrum. A second spectrum, which is obtained from spin label at another site, is similar to that which is observed after incorporation of M 12-NSE into phospholipid bilayers. This suggests that this latter site is within the core of the microsomal membrane.The two binding sites differ in their affinity for the spin probe. The low affinity site is both more abundant in crude preparations and is more easily removed by detergent treatment; spin labels at this site produce isotropic spectra. The high affinity sites are fewer in number and produce broad spectra. In addition these high affinity sites increase in concentration as the enzyme undergoes purification.The two sites are quite distinct in their sensitivity to ascorbic acid, the low affinity site showing a considerably greater rate of reduction by this agent.This study also demonstrates that the delipidation effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium deoxycholate on $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase-enriched}$ microsomes from ox brain are not identical.It is suggested that the two spin probe binding sites represent two different lipid domains, one of which is very closely associated with the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme and may reflect a protein-directed phospholipid specificity for this enzyme.