Enzymatic synthesis of ATP from RNA and adenine

Summary The title compound was prepared by a three-stage enzymatic procedure consisting of (i) RNA hydrolysis to a mixture of ribonucleosides using intact mycelium of Spicaria violacea, (ii) transribosylation of exogenous adenine employing whole cells of Escherichia coli as a biocatalyst, and (iii) conversion of formed adenosine into ATP by the enzymes of alcohol fermentation and the kinases extracted from baker's yeast.     

An analysis of the displacement mechanism of predecessors by a pandemic strain

Biophysics - The relationship between pandemic morbidity and the shared participation of a pandemic variant in epidemic process has been studied based on the example of the first pandemic wave of...     

Immunochemical properties of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II]

Immunochemical analysis of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit type II was performed with the use of two rabbit antisera elicited to a free R-subunit from pig brain and to a RcAMP complex. Quantitative precipitation of the homogeneous antigen revealed six determinants on the R-molecule. Of these at least one is localized in the R-fragment (37 kD), the others--in the N-terminal part of the R-molecule. The antigenic determinants seem to be remoted from the cAMP-binding centers, since the attachment of the affinity purified antibody Fab-fragments to the R-subunit did not influence the cAMP-binding activity of the latter. The antibodies to RcAMP caused dissociation of the holoenzyme. The antibody Fab-fragment binding to the R-subunit prevented its association with the catalytic subunit. The results of immunochemical analysis suggest that the R-subunit adopts different conformations when bound to cAMP or to the catalytic subunit.     

Development of the visual system of anchovy larvae,Engraulis anchoita: A microanatomical description

During the early ontogeny of fish larvae, the accurate development of the visual system plays a key role, because it is involved in locating food, orientation, selection of favorable habitat, and evasion of predators. The structure of the eye of the fish is typical of vertebrates, with some modifications related to the aquatic environment. In the present work, we describe the development of the larval eye of Engraulis anchoita for the first time. Larvae were collected at the Permanent Station of Environmental Studies (EPEA) in coastal waters of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean during research cruises in 2015 and 2016. We describe the histology of the retina layers, determine the beginning of the functionality of the eye, and discuss a possible synchronization with the development of the digestive tract. This study provides information about the biology of E. anchoita, the most abundant fish species in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Also, recent studies have shown responses of the retina and other tissues to the increase in environmental acidity. Therefore, results of this study are also discussed with respect to the possible effect of acidification on the larvae of this species. The continuity of the time series developed at the EPEA will allow monitoring the effect of long-term environmental and biological variables on the early ontogeny of anchovy in the context of climate change. The high commercial fishing potential of E. anchoita due to its high abundance, as well as its essential role in the trophic web of other commercially valuable fishing resources of Argentina, reinforce the need to continue deepening knowledge about this species. Research highlights:

• Eyes of Engraulis anchoita larvae are functional from early larval stages.
• At hatching, the retina is formed by only few layers from which the other layers differentiates during ontogeny.
• Focal distance increases with larval growth.

     

The effect of tetrodotoxin on the sodium gating current in the squid giant axon.

The effect of tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the sodium gating current in the squid giant axon was examined by recording the current that flowed at the pulse potential at which the ionic current fell to zero, first in the absence and then in the presence of TTX. The addition of 1 microM TTX to the bathing solution had no consistent effect on the size of the initial peak of the gating current, but resulted in small changes in the timecourse of its subsequent relaxation which were mainly caused by a reduction of about one quarter in the component that has a delayed onset and may possibly arise from changes in the state of ionization of groups in the channel wall when the lumen fills with water. Our findings suggest that the binding of TTX at the outer face of the sodium channel does not interfere with the mechanisms of activation and inactivation by the voltage sensors, but has an allosteric effect on the access of internal cations to the inside of the channel.     

Organization of reflex sympathetic influence on rate and force of cardiac contraction]

In acute experiments on 21 cats it was proved that the change of afferent impulse on vagus nerves by means of either freeze-block or electrostimulation of their central ends results in differential reflex influences on rhythm and force of the cardiac contractions caused by sympathetic nervous system. The cut of the lower cardiac nerves may cause 'break-up' of the observed reflex, removing or inverting its ino- or chronotropy component. The given phenomenon was revealed in the experiments with high arterial pressure and with absence of tonic chronotropy influences of the left lower cardiac nerve.