A competition binding assay for determination of the inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate content of human leucocytes

We developed a competition binding assay for estimation of the intracellular inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and optimalized it for the measurement of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content of human blood leucocytes. The present method is considerably cheaper and requires five times fewer cells than the commercial Ins(1,4,5)P3 kit. The mean Ins(1,4,5)P3 content of human blood monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes amounted to 3.3 +/- 1.2 microM, 3.1 +/- 1.4 microM, and 4.6 +/- 1.5 microM, respectively. After stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP) the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content of human granulocytes and monocytes increased 2-3 times within 10 sec and then gradually decreased, returning to basal values at 60 sec. Lymphocytes did not respond to f-MLP with an increase in their Ins(1,4,5)P3 content.     

Semiquinone radicals of methylamine dehydrogenase, methoxatin, and related o-quinones: a pulse radiolysis study

Methoxatin is a novel o-quinone coenzyme found in a variety of dehydrogenases and oxidases. In this paper we present the visible absorption spectra, apparent pKa, and midpoint potentials of the methoxatin and two analogous phenanthrolinedione semiquinones. We have also obtained absorption spectra for the semiquinone forms of the methoxatin-containing holoenzyme methylamine dehydrogenase and of its resolved methoxatin-containing subunit. The two protein and the methoxatin semiquinone spectra all differ from one another.     

C-C bond formation at the 3'-position of nucleosides by the use of their enol esters

Nucleosides having an enol ester structure in the sugar portion were synthesized and their reaction with several types of electrophiles were carried out. This furnished a new method for constructing C-C bond at the 3'-position.     

Hepatocidol toxicity of Listeria species

A novel rat hepatocidal test, based on morphological changes in monolayer culture and the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released into the medium after exposure to culture filtrates of Listeria spp. was used to determine listerial toxicity and pathogenicity. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes exposed to brain heart infusion (BHI) culture filtrates from ATCC strains of Listeria monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, released 91-92% and 95% of LDH after 3 h and 18.5 h, respectively. Cultured monolayers changed from normal hepatocytes into nonviable round forms. Brain heart infusion broth and BHI culture filtrates of other Listeria spp. were nontoxic to hepatocytes. The rat hepatocidal test is a quantitative and rapid system for studying listerial toxicity and pathogenicity.     

In vivo study on medullary H(+)-sensitive neurons

Using the micro pressure ejection technique, we examined responses of medullary neurons with nonphasic discharges (164 units) to direct application of acidified mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, pH 6.85-7.05) in decerebrated spontaneously breathing cats. We found 16 H(+)-sensitive cells; they were excited promptly on application of approximately 500 pl of acidified mock CSF in the vicinity of the neuron under investigation, whereas they were unaffected by microejection of the control mock CSF (pH 7.25-7.60). Of the 16 H(+)-sensitive cells, 10 units were further found to be excited by transcapillary stimulation of the central chemoreceptors by using a method of intravertebral arterial injection of CO2-saturated saline. The discharges increased in a similar time course to that of ventilatory augmentation. Distributions of these 10 specific H(+)-sensitive cells were found in the vicinity of nucleus tractus solitarii as well as deep in the ventrolateral medulla. The present results suggest a possibility that pH-dependent central chemoreceptors, if any, would be located in two distinct medullary regions described in this study.