Enhanced Noradrenergic Neuronal Activity Increases Homovanillic Acid Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Idazoxan, a highly specific and selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, caused a dose-dependent increase in the concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA) a metabolite of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, in cisternal CSF of freely moving rats. This increase in HVA level could be antagonized by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine. The increase was directly proportional to the concurrent elevation in level of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, a metabolite of noradrenaline, in the CSF of individual rats and followed a similar time course. It is suggested that the HVA level in CSF may be increased under conditions of enhanced noradrenergic activity and that, in such situations, it reflects noradrenergic rather than dopaminergic neuronal activity. Care should be taken, therefore, when changes in central dopaminergic activity are assessed by measurements of HVA level in CSF.     

It’s a knockout: CCN3 suppresses neointimal thickening

The role of CCN proteins in vivo is only just becoming understood. A prototypical member of the CCN family, CCN3 suppresses proliferation. In a study in press, Shimoyama and colleagues show that mice lacking CCN3 have a hyperproliferative response to vascular injury. These data, along with other recent observations, suggest that CCN3 may represent a novel therapy for hyperproliferative diseases.     

Peptides and multiple antigen peptides from Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: preparation, immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity in C57BL/6 mice.

Four monoepitopic MAPs (MAP A, B, C and E) and one bis-diepitopic MAP B-E derived fromthe primary sequence of Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, previously tested in BALB/c mice, were examined for their immunogenicity and protective capacity in C57BL/6 mice. Despite multimerization into MAPs, MAP Aand MAP C were poorly immunogenic. In contrast toBALB/c mice, MAP E was non-immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice. Peptide B in the form of MAP B orbis-diepitopic MAPB-E elicited immune responses in C57BL/6 mice that were associated with a significant decrease in worm burden. The MAPs were prepared by the stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis using Boc/Bzl chemistry, successfully purified on the RP-HPLC column and characterized by RP-HPLC, HPCE and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. A general strategy for MAPs purification is discussed here and the purification of MAP Band MAP E is documented in detail.     

The effects of mechanically-induced stress and plant growth regulators on the growth of lettuce,cauliflower and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants

The plant growth regulators, gibberellic acid (GA₃), ethephon and chlormequat chloride (CCC) were sprayed on young lettuce, cauliflower and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants, which had either been given or not been given a mechanically-induced stress (MIS) treatment. MIS was applied by brushing the plants with paper for 1.5 minutes each day. GA₃ increased extension growth of bean and leaf length of lettuce in unbrushed plants as much as in brushed ones. CCC and ethephon were less effective at reducing the height of brushed bean plants compared to unbrushed ones. The effects of CCC on the growth of cauliflower and lettuce plants was not influenced by brushing, whereas unbrushed plants responded more readily to ethephon than did brushed ones. The effects of CCC on growth were generally similar to those of MIS whereas the effects of ethephon were in many ways different to MIS.The results are discussed in relation to the use of PGR and MIS treatments for modifying plant growth.     

[3H]SCH 23390 Binding to Human Putamen D-1 Dopamine Receptors: Stereochemical and Structure-Affinity Relationships Among l-Phenyl-1H-3-Benzazepine Derivatives as a Guide to D-l Receptor Topography

Abstract: A series of l-phenyl-1 H -3-benzazepine analogues were assessed for enantiomeric and structure-affinity relationships at human putamen D-1 dopamine receptors labelled with [³H]SCH 23390. Substitution at the 7-position of both 3-H and 3-methyl benzazepine molecules critically affected affinity for these receptors over a 500-fold range. The general rank order of potency of 7-substituents was Cl = Br ≫ CH₃ > OH ≥ H. 3-Methyl substituents increased the affinity of 7-H and 7-OH compounds two- to fivefold compared to desmethyl counterparts. The displacement of [³H]SCH 23390 binding showed substantial enantioselec-tivity; the R-enantiomer of SKF 83566 was 500-fold more potent that its S-antipode. However, the displacement of [³H]spiperone binding from D-2 sites in the same tissue showed negligible enantioselectivity. Through such structure-affinity relationships, these studies may help to define the topography of the human brain D-1 dopamine receptor and guide the design of more selecive agents for functional studies.