Vorkommen und Eigenschaften der proteolytischen Enzyme des Magensaftes und der Mitteldarmdrüse des Flußkrebses Astacus astacus (L.) und Cambarus affinis (Say)

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Exopeptidase- und Dipeptidaseaktivitäten des Hepatopankreas und Magensaftes von Astacus astacus (L.) und Cambarus affinis (Say) quantitativ bestimmt (Durchschnittswerte von ca. 90 Tieren). Die besonders im Magensaft vorkommende Carboxypeptidase hydrolysiert Carbobenzoxyglycyl-l- phenylalanin und Carbobenzoxy-l-glutamyl-l-tyrosin ungefähr gleichstark (pH-Optimum 7,6 bzw. 7,0). Im Vergleich zur kristallisierten Pankreascarboxypeptidase wird das Magensaftenzym stärker durch Hydrozimtsäure als durch o-Phenanthrolin gehemmt. SH-Gruppen sind für die Wirkung nicht nötig. Die Leucinamid- und Leucin--naphthylamid-Hydrolyse ist nicht auf die klassische Leucinaminopeptidase, sondern auf eine metallionenunabhängige und puromycinempfindliche Arylamidase-ähnliche Wirkung (pH-Optimum 7,7–8,0) zurückzuführen. Amidase- und Dipeptidase (Substrat: Glycyl-l-lencin)-Wirkung sind besonders im Hepatopankreas aktiv.

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Occurrence and properties of proteolytic enzymes in the gastric juice and hepatopancreas of the crayfishes Astacus astacus (L.) and cambarus affinis (Say)I. Exopeptidases

Summary The exopeptidase and dipeptidase activities of the hepatopanereas and gastric juice of Astacus astacus (L.) and Cambarus affinis (Say) were determined (mean values from approximately 90 exemplares). The carboxypeptidase which was highly active in the gastric juice hydrolyzes carbobenzoxyglycyl-l-phenylalanine and carbobenzoxy-l-glutamyl-l-tyrosine at about the same rate (pH-optimum at 7,6 and 7,0 respectively). Compared with the crystalline pancreas carboxypeptidase the gastric juice enzyme was stronger inhibited by hydrocinnamic acid than by o-phenanthroline. Sulfhydryl groups are not essential for the enzyme action. The observed hydrolysis of leucine amide and leucine--naphthyl amide could not be attributed to the classic leucine aminopeptidase but to an arylamidase like action (pH Optimum 7,7 to 8,0) which was independent of metal ions and puromycin-sensitive. The amidase and dipeptidase (substrate: glycyl-l-leucine) are mainly localized in hepatopanereas.

     

Das unterschiedliche Verhalten der Exopeptidasen des Hepatopankreas und Magensaftes vom Flußkrebs Astacus astacus (L.) und Cambarus affinis (Say) bei der Gelfiltration auf Sephadex sowie gegenüber Effektoren

Zusammenfassung Das Hepatopankreas (HP) der Flußkrebse Astacus astacus (L.) und Cambarus affinis (Say) enthält eine hochmolekulare Carboxypeptidase A-Wirkung (Substrat: Carbobenzoxyglycyl-l-phenylalanin) (K _d-Wert auf Sephadex G-200=0,04) und eine Arylamidase-Wirkung [Substrat: l-Leucin--naphthyl-amid·HCl (LNA)], sowie Dipeptidase-Wirkung (Substrat: Glycyl-l-leucin) (K _d-Werte auf Sephadex G-200=0,46 bzw. 0,39). Carboxypeptidase B (Substrat: Hippuryl-l-arginin)-Aktivität wurde im HP nicht gefunden. Im Gegensatz zum HP ist die Carboxypeptidase A des Magensaftes (MS) niedriger molekular (K _d-Wert auf Sephadex G-150=0,62; Molekulargewicht: ca. 30000), die LNA-ase des MS höher molekular (K _d-Wert auf Sephadex G-150=0,26). Außerdem enthält der MS eine hochaktive Carboxypeptidase B-ähnliche Wirkung, die sich auf Sephadexgel wie die Carboxypeptidase A verhält. Chelatbildner (,-Dipyridyl, o-Phenanthrolin) hemmen die Hippurylarginin-Wirkung nicht. Die Carboxypeptidase A des HP wird durch EDTA und Hydrozimtsäure deutlich, durch p-Chlormercuribenzoat gering aktiviert und durch 2-Mercaptoäthanol (10^–3 m und höhere Konzentrationen) stark gehemmt.

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The differential behaviour of the exopeptidases from hepatopancreas and gastric juice of the crayfish Astacus astacus (L.) and Cambarus affinis (Say) during gelfiltration on sephadex and towards effectors

Summary Hepatopancreas (HP) of the crayfishes Astacus astacus (L.) and Cambarus affinis (Say) contains a high molecular carboxypeptidase A like action (substrate: carbobenzoxyglycyl-l-phenylalanine) (K _d-value on Sephadex G-200 =0,04), an arylamidase like action (substrate: l-leucine- -naphthylamide·HCl; LNA), and a dipeptidase (substrate: glycyl-l-leucine) (K _d-values on Sephadex G-200 0,46 and 0,39 respectively). Carboxypeptidase B (substrate: hippuryl-l-arginine) activity was absent in HP. Contrary to the exopeptidases of HP the carboxypeptidase A of the gastric juice is of lower molecular weight (K _d-value on Sephadex G-150=0,62; molecular weight approx. 30.000), and the arylamidase of the gastric juice is of higher molecular weight (K _d-value on Sephadex G-150=0,26). Moreover gastric juice contains a highly active carboxypeptidase like activity, with identical behaviour on Sephadexgel as carboxypeptidase A. ,-dipyridyl and o-phenanthroline are without effect on the hippurylarginine splitting activity. Carboxypeptidase A of HP is significantly activated by EDTA and hydrocinnamic acid, and slightly activated by p-chloromercuribenzoate. 2-mercaptoethanol (10^–3 molar and higher concentrations) inhibits strongly the carboxypeptidase A of HP.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. Hanson möchte ich für sein Interesse an dieser Arbeit sowie für die kritische Durchsicht des Manuskriptes vielmals danken. — Der medizinisch-technischen Assistentin Frau Johanna Scheel danke ich für ihre wertvolle Mit-arbeit bei den Versuchen.     

Intracellular recordings from nonspiking interneurons in a semiintact,tethered walking insect

Nonspiking interneurons were investigated in a tethered, walking insect, Carausius morosus, that was able to freely perform walking movements. Experiments were carried out with animals walking on a lightweight, double-wheel treadmill. Although the animal was opened dorsally, the walking system was left intact. Intracellular recordings were obtained from the dorsal posterior neuropil of the mesothoracic ganglion. Nonspiking inter-neurons, in which modulations of the membrane potential were correlated with the walking rhythm, were described physiologically and stained with Lucifer Yellow. Interneurons are demonstrated in which membrane potential oscillations mirror the leg position or show correlation with the motoneuronal activity of the protractor and retractor coxae muscles during walking. Other interneurons showed distinct hyperpolarizations at certain important trigger points in the step cycle, for example, at the extreme posterior position. Through electrical stimulation of single, nonspiking interneurons during walking, the motoneuronal activity in two antagonistic muscles—protractor and retractor coxae—could be reversed and even the movement of the ipsilateral leg could be influenced. The nonspiking interneurons described appear to be important premotor elements involved in walking. They receive, integrate, and process information from different leg proprioceptors and drive groups of leg motoneurons during walking.     

The evolution of male-female dimorphism: Older than sex?

This contribution considers the evolution of a dimorphism with respect to cell fusion characteristics in a population of primitive cells. These cells reproduce exclusively asexually. The evolution towards asymmetric fusion behaviour of cells is driven by selection promoting horizontal transfer of an endosymbiontic replicator. It is concluded that evolution of asymmetric cell fusion in this scenario is more likely than evolution of sexual differentiation in a sexually reproducing population. Pre-existing dimorphism with respect to cell fusion may thus have been the basis for the establishment of sexual differentiation at the level of gamete fusion, and this in turn is fundamental to the evolution of two different sexes, male and female.     

Purification of Two Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases II from Rat Brain and Their Action on Proline-Containing Neuropeptides

From the soluble and membrane fractions of rat brain homogenate, two enzymes that liberate dipeptides of the type Xaa-Pro from chromogenic substrates were purified to homogeneity. The two isolated dipeptidyl peptidases had similar molecular and catalytic properties: For the native proteins, molecular weights of 110,000 were estimated; for the denatured proteins, the estimate was 52,500. Whereas the soluble peptidase yielded one band of pI 4.2 after analytical isoelectric focusing, two additional enzymatic active bands were detected between pI 4.2 and 4.3 for the membrane-associated form. As judged from identical patterns after neuraminidase treatment, both peptidases contained no sialic acid. A pH optimum of 5.5 was estimated for the hydrolysis of Gly-Pro- and Arg-Pro-nitroanilide. Substrates with alanine instead of proline in the penultimate position were hydrolyzed at comparable rates. Acidic amino acids in the ultimate N-terminal position of the substrates reduced the activities of the peptidases 100-fold as compared with corresponding substrates with unblocked neutral or, especially, basic termini. The action of the dipeptidyl peptidase on several peptides with N-terminal Xaa-Pro sequences was investigated. Tripeptides were rapidly hydrolyzed, but the activities considerably decreased with increasing chain length of the peptides. Although the tetrapeptide substance P 1-4 was still a good substrate, the activities detected for the sequential liberation of Xaa-Pro dipeptides from substance P itself or casomorphin were considerably lower. Longer peptides were not cleaved. The peptidases hydrolyzed Pro-Pro bonds, e.g., in bradykinin 1-3 or 1-5 fragments, but bradykinin itself was resistant. The enzymes were inhibited by serine protease inhibitors, like diisopropyl fluorophosphate or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and by high salt concentrations but not by the aminopeptidase inhibitors bacitracin and bestatin. Based on the molecular and catalytic properties, both enzymes can be classified as species of dipeptidyl peptidase II (EC 3.4.14.2) rather than IV (EC 3.4.14.5). However, some catalytic properties differentiate the brain enzyme from forms of dipeptidyl peptidase II of other sources.     

Inheritance of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase: genotyping in Chinese,Japanese and South Korean families reveals dominance of the mutant allele

Summary Genotyping of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH I) was performed in enzymatically amplified DNA of 20 Chinese, Japanese and South Korean families (85 individuals) and in 113 unrelated persons by employing allele-specific oligonucleotide probes and dot blot hybridization. Genotyping individuals with phenotypic deficiency of ALDH I activity always showed the presence of at least one mutant allele. The data are compatible with a model assuming dominant inheritance of the mutant allele, which we have previously suggested on the basis of a population study.     

dsg, a gene required for cell-cell interaction early in Myxococcus development.

dsg mutants of Myxococcus xanthus are conditionally defective in fruiting body development, including sporulation. Unable to develop on their own, these mutants can assemble fruiting bodies with spores if they are mixed with wild-type cells. To elucidate the developmental defect in dsg mutants by close comparison with wild type, such mutants have been backcrossed by transduction, using a closely linked insertion of transposon Tn5 for selection. Backcrossed dsg mutants form aggregates that are larger, less compact, and less symmetrical than dsg+ fruiting bodies. Also, the starvation-induced sporulation in dsg aggregates is delayed and reduced. However, dsg mutants can be induced by glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide to sporulate at levels approaching those of wild type. dsg mutants may thus have a primary defect early in development which diminishes their capacity to aggregate and which indirectly decreases the number of fruiting body spores. The linked insertion of Tn5 also facilitated cloning the dsg gene. The cloned dsg+ allele was shown to be dominant to both the dsg-429 and dsg-439 alleles, and both mutant alleles were shown to belong to the same genetic complementation group. Subcloning of restriction fragments, deletions, and insertions of transposon Tn5 agree in locating the dsg gene to an 850-base-pair segment of the cloned region.     

Fossile Reptil-Eischalen (Chelonia,Crocodilia, Dinosauria) aus dem unteren Barremium von Galve (Provinz Teruel,SE-Spanien)

The Lower Cretaceous vertebrate bearing sediments of Galve (province of Teruel, SE Spain) have yielded some hundred fossil eggshell fragments, all slightly diagenetically altered. Concerning their microstructure, an assignment of the material to different taxa of reptiles was possible. The eggshell assemblage of Galve consists of a-c) three types of chelonian eggshells, one of them probably representing the subfamily Batagurinae, which would extend this taxon back into the Lower Cretaceous, d) the oldest known crocodilian eggshells, with lacunae systems on the outer surface, comparable to Recent taxa, and e-f) two different types of dinosaurian eggshells. In correspondence to the suggested fluviatile paleoenvironment of Galve, the fossil eggshells described herein are fragmented and represent mostly turtles and crocodiles.