Multimeric bivalent immunogens from recombinant tetanus toxin H<Subscript>C</Subscript> fragment,synthetic hexasaccharides,and a glycopeptide adjuvant

Using recombinant tetanus toxin H_C fragment (rTT-H_C) as carrier, we prepared multimeric bivalent immunogens featuring the synthetic hexasaccharide fragment of O-PS of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa, in combination with either the synthetic hexasaccharide fragment of O-PS of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Inaba, or a synthetic disaccharide tetrapeptide peptidoglycan fragment as adjuvant. The conjugation reaction was effected by squaric acid chemistry and monitored in virtually real time by SELDI-TOF MS. In this way, we could prepare well-defined immunogens with predictable carbohydrate–carrier ratio, whose molecular mass and the amount of each saccharide attached could be independently determined. The ability to prepare such neoglycoconjugates opens unprecedented possibilities for preparation of conjugate vaccines for bacterial diseases from synthetic carbohydrates.     

Monoclonal antibodies to the hydrogenase ofThiocapsa roseopersicina

Monoclonal antibodies were produced to electrophoretically pure hydrogenase fromThiocapsa roseopersicina. Protein immunoelectroblotting was used to identify the hydrogenase-specific antibodies. Among the 18 monoclonal antibodies selected by enzyme immunoassay, three were found to react with highly immunogenic trace contaminating proteins. One cell line produced antibody that inhibitied hydrogenase activity. This was the first specific inhibitor of the hydrogenase function. The results suggest that monoclonal antibodies could provide valuable new informations about the enzyme structure as well.     

Microinjection of oxytocin into limbic-mesolimbic brain structures disrupts heroin self-administration behavior: a receptor-mediated event?

The systemic injection of oxytocin (OXT) decreases the self-administration of heroin in heroin-tolerant rats. Since OXT-ergic binding sites are present in limbic and mesolimbic brain regions, the effects of intracerebral microinjections of OXT were investigated. In heroin-tolerant rats, the microinjection of OXT (2 ng) into the anterodorsal part of the nucleus accumbens or into the ventral hippocampus disrupted the self-administration of heroin. The effect of intrahippocampal microinjections lasted longer than that of intraaccumbens injections. The administration of N alpha-acetyl-(2-0-methyltyrosine)-oxytocin (ACME-OXT), an inhibitor of oxytocin receptors, prevented the disruptive effect of intrahippocampal OXT injections on heroin self-administration. It is concluded that limbic-mesolimbic brain structures have an essential role in the expression of the disruptive action of OXT on heroin self-administration. It appears that OXT-ergic binding sites mediate the effects of OXT.     

Inhibition of electroshock-induced seizures by cholecystokinin-related peptides in mice

The effects of several doses of cholecystokinin octapeptide sulphate ester (CCK-8-SE) and nonsulphated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8-NS), and two CCK-related peptide analogues Ac-Thr5-caerulein, and nonsulphated Ac-Thr5-caerulein were investigated on electroshock-(ES)-induced seizures after intraperitoneal administration in mice. As parameters, the duration of the tonic and clonic phase of the fit, and those of postictal coma and behavioural depression were measured. CCK-8-SE decreased the duration of the clonic phase; its highest dose, 3.2 mumol/kg, shortened the coma. CCK-8-NS antagonized only slightly the clonic phase of seizure. Ac-Thr5-caerulein did not influence ES-induced seizures in any dose, only increased the duration of behavioural depression. Similarly to CCK-8-NS, the nonsulphated form of Ac-Thr5-caerulein inhibited selectively the clonic phase of seizures. The reference drugs, diazepam and phenobarbital, antagonized dose-dependently and most effectively the tonic phase of ES-induced seizures, but in much higher doses than did the CCK-related peptides. Besides, diazepam increased and phenobarbital decreased the duration of postictal coma. The results showed that the tested CCK-related peptides inhibit prevalently the clonic phase of ES-induced seizures after peripheral administration.     

The role of Ca2+ in hormonal imprinting of the Tetrahymena

It is known from model experiments on Tetrahymena that primary exposure to a hormone induces receptor formation or amplification, in other words a hormonal imprinting. Substances acting on the intracellular Ca2+ level of the Tetrahymena, such as TMB-8, EDTA, EGTA, NiCl2 and La(NO3)3, interfered with hormonal imprinting of the unicellular to different degrees, and some of them influenced hormone (insulin, TSH) binding also independently of imprinting. Interference with the intracellular Ca-metabolism generally influenced imprinting by insulin and TSH, which were mediated by different mechanisms, to dissimilar degrees, or in opposite directions. On combined application of the agents acting on Ca-metabolism, their effects were additive. It appears that intact Ca-mediation is an essential prerequisite for normal hormonal imprinting.     

Incorporation of the carbocyclic analogue of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate into a synthetic DNA

The carbocyclic analogue of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine, C-BVDU, is a very potent and selective anti-herpes-virus compound. In order to synthesize and study the properties of a DNA that contains C-BVDU, the 5'-triphosphate, C-BVDUTP was prepared and evaluated as a potential substrate of the E. coli Klenow DNA polymerase enzyme. Although C-BVDUTP proved to be a very poor substrate also of this enzyme, it could be incorporated up to 3.6% into the synthetic DNA, poly(dA-dT, C-BVDU). This level of substitution decreased significantly the template activity for DNA and RNA polymerases, as compared to that of poly(dA-dT).     

The plasma membrane of yeast protoplasts exposed to hypotonicity becomes porous but does not disintegrate in the presence of protons or polyvalent cations

Protoplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae swelled, lysed and disintegrated when exposed to hypotonic solutions at neutral pH. At pH 4.5 or lower the hypotonically treated protoplasts did not disintegrate and they retained their intracellular proteins, nucleic acids and nucleotides. However, they became leaky for K+ and Ca2+, indicating that pores had been created in the surface membrane, relaxing the osmotic stress. Upon readjustment of pH to neutral, the hypotonically treated protoplasts released the intracellular content and disintegrated. Also, at low pH, protoplasts did not swell in isotonic ammonium acetate and were refractory to the permeabilizing effect of nystatin and to lysis with low concentrations of detergents. Protoplasts were similarly protected against lysis and disintegration by hypotonic treatment or by detergents, even at neutral pH, if the incubation media contained polyvalent cations, especially Zn2+, La3+, spermine, and Ca2+ chelated with EDTA. The protoplasts exposed to hypotonic stress at low pH did not respire and could not regenerate into viable cells. Effects of H+ and polyvalent cations on intramembrane forces acting between molecules of membrane phospholipids are considered along with possible changes in interactions between membrane proteins.