Apparent unbalance between the activities of 6-phosphogluconate and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases in rat liver

The ratio of activities of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase measured in liver extracts of rats in lipogenic nutritional conditions is only 0.2, suggesting an apparent physiological unbalance between the two dehydrogenases of the hexosemonophosphate shunt. This potential unbalance is enhanced by the fact that TPNH is a more powerful competitive inhibitor of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase than of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Accordingly, a strong activation of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase would be required for efficient functioning of this pathway, unless there is an alternative outlet for 6-phosphogluconate so far unrecognized in animal tissues.     

Auerbach's plexus of mammals and man: Electron microscopic identification of three different types of neuronal processes in myenteric ganglia of the large intestine from rhesus monkeys,guinea-pigs and man

Summary Ganglia from Auerbach's plexus of the large intestine (caecum, appendix vermiformis, colon transversum and rectum) in man, rhesus monkey and guinea-pig are composed of nerve cells and their processes, typical Schwann cells and a vast neuropil. The neuropil consists of dendrites and axons of intrinsic nerve cell perikarya and axons of extrinsic neurons. Axonal profiles in large nerve fibre bundles are of uniform size and appearance, embedded in infoldings of Schwann cell cytoplasm and contain occasional large granular vesicles, mitochondria and neurotubules. Preterminal axons widen into vesicle filled varicosities, some of which establish synaptic contact with intrinsic nerve cell bodies.At least three different types of neuronal processes can be distinguished in the myenteric neuropil according to the size, appearance and commutual proportion of vesicles present in axonal varicosities, and their ability to accumulate exogenous 5- and 6-hydroxydopamine and 5-hydroxydopa: 1. Axonal enlargements containing a major population of small electron lucent synaptic vesicles (350–600 Å in diameter) together with a small number of membrane-bound, opaque granules (800–1,100 Å). These profiles have been identified as cholinergic axons. The boutons establish synaptic contacts with dendritic processes of intrinsic nerve cell bodies; membrane specializations are found at the preand postsynaptic sites. 2. Axonal beads of sometimes very large diameter, containing an approximately equal amount of large granular vesicles (850–1,600 Å) and small, electron lucent or faintly opaque vesicles (400–600 Å). The granular core of the large vesicles is of medium electron density and may either fill the entire vesicle or is separated from the limiting membrane by a more or less clear interspace. The fibres probably belong to intrinsic neurons, and because of the similarity of the large, membrane-bound vesicles with neurosecretory elementary granules, they have been designated p-type fibres (polypeptide fibres). The granular core of the vesicles in these fibres becomes more electron dense after treatment with 5-OH-dopa. The accumulation of an amine precursor analogue in combination with a possible storage of a polypeptide substance (or an ATP-like substance) resembles the situation in several diffusely distributed endocrine cell systems. 3. Varicosities of axons equipped with small (400–600 Å) empty or sometimes granular vesicles, medium sized (500–900 Å) vesicles with highly electron dense cores and occasional large (900–1,300 Å) granular vesicles. Pretreatment with 5-OH-dopamine increases the electron density in almost all medium-sized granular vesicles and some of the large granular vesicles; an osmiophilic core develops in some small vesicles. 6-hydroxydopamine results in degenerative changes in the varicosities of this type of neurons. Concomitantly, both catecholamine analogues markedly reduce neuronal noradrenaline in the large intestine, as demonstrated by fluorescence histochemistry and in fluorimetric determinations. The ultrastructural features of these varicosities and their reaction to 5- and 6-OH-dopamine indicate that they belong to adrenergic, sympathetic nerves. No membrane specializations could be detected at sites of close contact of the adrenergic boutons with dendrites and cell bodies of intrinsic nerve cells.Supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.Supported by a grant from Albert Pahlsson's Foundation, Sweden. The work was carried out within a research organization sponsored by the Swedish Medical Research Council (projects No. B70-14X-1007-05B, B70-14X-712-05, and B70-14X-56-06).     

A simple,rapid protocol for adventitious shoot development from mature cotyledons of glycine max cv bragg

Mature soybean cotyledons (Maturity group VII) were cultured on modified MS containing 0–2.5 μM indole-butyric acid (IBA); 0–10 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.7% agar. Embryonic axes of explants were removed prior to culture initiation and cultures were incubated at 24°C with 45–50 μE. s⁻¹.M⁻² of mixed irradiance with 16 h photoperiod. Shoot proliferation occurred at 0–2.5 μM IBA and 5–10 μM BAP, while in the presence of 2.5 μM IBA alone, only roots developed. Abnormal shoots were produced with 2.5 μM IBA and 5–7.5 μM thidiazuron. Adventitious shoot development started 7–14 d after culture initiation in the region where the embryonic axis was previously attached to the cotyledon and shoots were visible within 28 days. The presence of the embryonic axis inhibited shoot morphogenesis. The shoots were rooted on half strength MS inorganic salts plus vitamins, 2% sucrose, 0.5 μM NAA acid or 2.5–5 μM IBA, or 5–10 μM IAA, and 0.7% agar. Rooted plants were acclimatized under a mist in the greenhouse. This simple, rapid,in vitro adventitious shoot development protocol could be adapted for transformation/regeneration studies in soybean. Trade and company names are used in the publication solely to provide specific information. Mention of a trade or company name does not constitute a warranty or an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of other products or organizations not mentioned.     

5,6-二氯吲哚乙酸对水稻幼苗芽鞘向地性的影响

5,6-Cl_2-IAA可以诱导水稻芽鞘产生斜向地性生长。其倾斜角度与外加5,6-Cl_2-IAA的剂量呈线性关系,其反应具有特异性(IAA,6-BA,ABA和BR均不能诱导这种反应)。反应可在2～3h后产生,它可作为5,6-Cl_2-IAA的生物检定依据。切除芽鞘顶尖或外加TIBA对这一反应无明显影响,另外乙烯生物合成抑制剂AVG也不能消除5,6-Cl_2-IAA诱导的斜向地性生长。     

Effect of Desipramine on a Glycoprotein Sialyltransferase Activity in C6 Cultured Glioma Cells

The tricyclic antidepressant desipramine, when added to culture medium, gave rise in C6 rat glioma cells to a decrease of the activity of the enzyme asialofetuin sialyltransferase. The inhibition was dose and time dependent and was observed in both multiplying cells and cells blocked with 2 mM thymidine or depletion of amino acids. This inhibition was rather specific to the sialyltransferase, as under the conditions where this enzyme was inhibited up to 70%, other enzymes such as dolichol phosphate mannose synthetase, glutamine synthetase, and glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase remained unaffected. This inhibition was not reversed after removal of desipramine from the medium and was not observed by direct addition of desipramine to the sialyltransferase incubation assay. Under the same conditions, W-7 [N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide], which is known to be a potent calmodulin antagonist and an inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent kinases, gave the same concentration-dependent inhibition profile of sialyltransferase as desipramine, whereas H-7 [1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine], which is an inhibitor of protein kinase C and cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, had no effect. So, it is suggested that desipramine inhibits the sialyltransferase activity in C6 glioma cells through a calmodulin-dependent system.     

Autoradiographic Localization of Angiotensin II Receptor Binding Sites on Noradrenergic Neurons of the Locus Coeruleus of the Rat

The locus coeruleus (LC) of the rat was lesioned by microinjection of selective neurotoxins into the brainstem. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 3 micrograms/microliter, given unilaterally at two sites 0.6 mm apart on the rostro-caudal axis of the LC, was used to lesion catecholamine-containing neuronal elements. Ibotenic acid, 2.5 micrograms/0.5 microliters, administered similarly was used to lesion nerve cell bodies. Two weeks after administration of the neurotoxin, lesion efficacy was determined based on the norepinephrine content of the cerebral cortex ipsi- and contralateral to the lesion. 6-OHDA lesions of the LC caused a 46% reduction in ipsilateral cortical norepinephrine and a 60% reduction in specific 125I-[Sar1, Ile8]-angiotensin II (125I-SIAII) binding in the LC. Ibotenic acid lesions of the LC caused a 73% reduction in ipsilateral cortical norepinephrine and a 81% reduction in specific 125I-SIAII binding in the LC. These results indicate that AII receptor binding sites in the LC are localized on noradrenergic nerve cell bodies or their dendritic and axonal ramifications within the LC.