L-641,953 (R-8-fluoro-dibenzo[b, f]thiepin-3-carboxylic acid-5-oxide): a novel thromboxane-prostaglandin endoperoxide antagonist

The effects of L-641,953 (R-8-fluoro-dibenzo[b, f]thiepin-3-carboxylic acid-5-oxide) have been studied on pulmonary and other smooth muscle preparations in vitro and in vivo. When studied in vitro on guinea-pig tracheal chains, L-641,933 produced significant shifts in the dose-response curves to the prostaglandin endoperoxide analogues, U-44069 (pA2 7.06) and U-46619 (pA2 7.14), and prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha (pA2 6.33) had minimal activity against contractions induced by histamine (pA2 4.38), 5-hydroxytryptamine (pA2 4.63), and acetylcholine (pA2 4.56) and slightly enhanced relaxation induced by PGE2. When tested on the guinea-pig gall bladder strip in vitro, L-641,953 antagonized contractions induced by U-44069 (pA2 7.03) but was less active against those induced by PGF2 alpha (pA2 6.03), PGE1 (pA2 5.62), and histamine (pA2 4.84). When tested in vitro on the guinea-pig pulmonary artery, L-651-953 significantly antagonized contractions induced by U-44069 (pA2 7.04), U-46619 (pA2 7.14), and PGF2 alpha (pA2 7.16) but was less effective against contractions induced by histamine (pA2 4.19). Schild analysis indicated that L-641,953 was fully competitive against contractions of either the guinea-pig tracheal chain induced by U-46619 or the guinea-pig pulmonary artery induced by U-44069 and U-46619. When tested on human platelets in vitro L-641,953 inhibited aggregation induced by U-44069 (IC50 1.3 X 10(-6) M) but not ADP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Novel synaptic structures in the central nervous system of the locust Schlstocerca gregaria

Summary An electron-microscopical study of locust thoracic ganglia reveals that synapses in the neuropily are morphologically heterogeneous. In addition to the conventional dyadic type described frequently in the literature, there is a second type with a complex arrangement of presynaptic dense material and a non-dyadic postsynaptic configuration. Serial-section analysis of these synapses suggests that the presynaptic structures include irregular or curved bars, and small projections.Although the proportion of non-dyadic synapses in the neuropile as a whole is small, a substantial number have been found on the branches of an identified flight motor neurone, labelled intracellularly with metal ions in conjunction with silver intensification. Samples from the arborization of this neurone give some indications of the distribution of non-dyadic synapses on it.The results are discussed in the context of distribution of synapses on other identified locust neurones, and the functional morphology of synapses in other phyla.     

GABA-mediated synaptic inhibition of projection neurons in the antennal lobes of the sphinx moth,Manduca sexta

Responses of neurons in the antennal lobe (AL) of the moth Manduca sexta to stimulation of the ipsilateral antenna by odors consist of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials. Stimulation of primary afferent fibers by electrical shock of the antennal nerve causes a characteristic IPSP-EPSP synaptic response in AL projection neurons. The IPSP in projection neurons reverses below the resting potential, is sensitive to changes in external and internal chloride concentration, and thus is apparently mediated by an increase in chloride conductance. The IPSP is reversibly blocked by 100 microM picrotoxin or bicuculline. Many AL neurons respond to application of GABA with a strong hyperpolarization and an inhibition of spontaneous spiking activity. GABA responses are associated with an increase in neuronal input conductance and a reversal potential below the resting potential. Application of GABA blocks inhibitory synaptic inputs and reduces or blocks excitatory inputs. EPSPs can be protected from depression by application of GABA. Muscimol, a GABA analog that mimics GABA responses at GABAA receptors but not at GABAB receptors in the vertebrate CNS, inhibits many AL neurons in the moth.     

Different routes for integral protein insertion into Ricinus communis protein-body and glyoxysome membranes

Total polyadenylated RNA from ripening or germinating Ricinus communis L. endosperm was translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysate in the absence or presence of canine pancreatic microsomes. The products were immunoprecipitated using antibodies raised againts Triton X-114-extracted integral membrane proteins of protein bodies or glyoxysomes. While the proteins of proteinbody membranes were found to insert co-translationally into added microsomes, this was not observed in the case of glyoxysomal proteins. This observation was confirmed using antibodies raised against a purified glyoxysome membrane protein, alkaline lipase. These results indicate that different routes exist for the insertion of membrane proteins into the two organelles. In both cases membrane-protein insertion does not appear to be accompanied by proteolytic processing.Abbreviations anti-PB antiserum to integral protein-body membrane proteins - anti-G antiserum to integral glyoxysomal membrane proteins - anti-L antiserum to alkaline lipase - ER endoplasmic reticulum - M_r relative molecular mass - mRNA poly(A)-rich messenger RNA - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - poly(A) polyadenylic acid - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Dietary fat influences electric membrane properties of neurons in cell culture

1. SJL/J mice were maintained on semipurified diets which differed in the ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid content (P/S). Exposure was from conception and was maintained for periods ranging from 6 to 34 weeks. 2. Neural cell cultures were prepared from dorsal root ganglia (DRG). After 6 and 20 days of culture, neuronal electric membrane properties were determined quantitatively by intracellular recording. 3. A number of significant differences were observed for the two dietary conditions. DRG from mice on the low-P/s diet had an increase in the rate of fall of both phases of repolarization which, in conjunction with the reduced action potential overshoot, led to a reduced action potential duration. This shift to shorter-duration action potentials was accompanied by a shift to more monophasic falling phases. The low-P/S neurons also exhibited a decreased afterhyperpolarization, decreased specific membrane resistance, and decreased membrane electrical time constant compared to high-P/S neurons. 4. It was concluded that the P/S ratio in the diet can have a significant effect on the electric properties of neurons. The high-P/S neurons tended to have action potentials with biphasic repolarizations and longer durations. In contrast, the low-P/S neurons tended to have action potentials with monophasic repolarizations and shorter durations. Moreover, the known ionic dependence of these two types of action potentials suggested that the low-P/S diet resulted in action potentials with a more exclusive Na dependence, while the high-P/S diet resulted in action potentials with both Na and Ca dependence.     

A new species of pagamea (Rubiaceae) from the Brazilian Guayana

Pagamea aracaënsis Boom, endemic to Serra Aracá, Brazil is described and illustrated, and its relationship toP. anisophylla Standley & Steyerm, is discussed.     

The pharmacology of L-670,596, a potent and selective thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist

L-670,596 ((-)6,8-difluoro-9-rho-methylsulfonyl benzyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydrocarbazol-1-yl-acetic acid) has been shown to be a potent receptor antagonist as evidenced by the inhibition of the binding of 125I-labeled PTA-OH to human platelets (IC50, 5.5 x 10(-9) M), inhibition of U-44069 induced aggregation of human platelet rich plasma (IC50, 1.1 x 10(-7) M), and competitive inhibition of contractions of the guinea pig tracheal chain induced by U-44069 (pA2,9.0). The compound was also active in vivo as shown by inhibition of arachidonic acid and U-44069 induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig (ED50 values, 0.04 and 0.03 mg/kg i.v., respectively), U44069 induced renal vasoconstriction in the pig (ED50, 0.02 mg/kg i.v.), and inhibition of ex vivo aggregation of rhesus monkey platelets to U-44069 (active 1-5 mg/kg p.o.). The selectivity of the compound was indicated by the failure to inhibit, first, ADP-induced human or primate platelet aggregation and, second, bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig in vivo and contraction of the guinea pig tracheal chain in vitro to a variety of agonists. It is concluded that L-670,596 is a potent, selective, orally active thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist.     

A Freeze-Sectioning Method for Preparation of the Detergent-Resistant Cytoskeleton Identifies Stage-Specific Cytoskeleal Proteins and Associated mRNA in Xenopus Oocytes and Embryos

Proteins of the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton fraction and the detergent-soluble fraction from Xenopus oocytes and embryos are examined using a procedure which allows rapid and uniform extraction of tissues and large, single cells. SDS-polyacrylamide gels reveal only a few prominent cytoskeletal proteins in the early embryo, however qualitatively different proteins begin to appear after gastrulation. Incorporation of [³⁵S]-methionine into newly synthesized proteins indicates that there is synthesis and assembly of proteins into the cytoskeleton, but the amount remains low until after gastrulation. The use of nucleic acid probes for alpha-tubulin and actin mRNA indicates that about 80% of these mRNAs in the oocyte and meiotically mature egg are bound to the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton.