Mitochondrial dysfunction in perinatal asphyxia: role in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Perinatal asphyxia (PA)-induced brain injury may present as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal period, and long-term sequelae such as spastic...     

Preface

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry -     

Simultaneous saccharification and protein enrichment fermentation of sugar beet pulp

Summary A product with 40 % protein content was obtained from sugar beet pulp (1.25–2.0 mm) in 48 h one stage (simultaneous) saccharification/fermentation process under optimized conditions using a specific enzyme mixture andCandida tropicalis strain, also saving about 40 % enzymes in comparison to a 2-stage process.     

Cross reactivity and enzyme sensitivity of immunoaffinity purified Sm/RNP antigens

Immunoaffinity purified Sm/RNP antigens from buffalo and goat liver were studied to determine the role of RNA and proteins towards the antigenicity of Sm and RNP antigens. A more direct approach using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on nylon beads has been utilized to look into the problem. The effect of enzyme treatment and the role of RNA and protein fractions in influencing antigenicity have been described. RNA seems to be involved in the maintenance of RNP specific polypeptides in suitable conformation so as to keep them in solution. Removal of RNA leads to insolubilization of RNP specific polypeptides. Antibodies to Sm and RNP antigens have been shown to cross react with poly A containing heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein with no cross reactivity with thymus RNA or DNA.     

Solid state fermentation for L-glutamic acid production using Brevibacterium sp.

Summary Solid state fermentation system was used to cultivate Brevibacterium sp. on sugar cane bagasse impregnated with a medium containing glucose, urea, mineral salts and vitamins for producing L-glutamic acid. Maximum yields (80 mg glutamic acid per g dry bagasse with biomass and substrate - mg/gds) were obtained when bagasse of mixed particle size was moistened at 85–90 % mositure level with the medium containing 10 % glucose. This is the first report on the cultivation of Brevibacterium sp. in solid cultures for production of glutamic acid.     

Analysis of woody vegetation of Corbett National Park,India

The heterogeneous vegetation mosaic of the South Turkana region of north Kenya is associated with diversity in the region's physical environment. The abundance and distribution of the dominant species are related to gradients in those abiotic factors that influence water availability, including precipitation, soil texture, and topographic relief. Research focused on three Acacia species that are a major component of the Turkana vegetation; A. tortilis, A. senegal, and A. reficiens. These species each exhibit a different response to variations in abiotic factors. Consequently, species abundance varies independently across the landscape, creating a continuum of intergrading populations. Community types can be identified within the mosaic of intergrading populations. Although community borders are not discrete due to continual change in species abundance, types are identifiable and are repeated in areas with similar environmental conditions. The landscape patterns are representative of Whittaker's (1953) climaxas-pattern, with communities created by individual patterns of populations responding to environmental gradients, creating a continuum of community change across the landscape.     

Mating-induced loss of sex pheromone and sexual receptivity in insects with emphasis on Helicoverpa zea and Lymantria dispar

Mating in most species of insects leads to a transient or permanent loss in sexual receptivity of the females. Among moths, this loss of receptivity is often accompanied with a loss of the sex pheromone in the absence of calling, which also could be temporary or permanent. Most of the earlier work on changes in reproductive behavior after mating was done with Diptera in which sperm and/or male accessory gland secretions were shown to be responsible for termination of receptivity. In the corn earworm moth, Helicoverpa zea, mated females become depleted of pheromone and become nonreceptive to further mating attempts, but only for the remainder of the night of mating. A pheromonostatic peptide isolated from the accessory glands of males may be responsible for the depletion of pheromone, while the termination of receptivity is independently controlled. In the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, the changes in behavior following mating are permanent. In this species, the switch from virgin to mated behavior involves three steps: a physical stimulation associated with mating, transfer of viable sperm to the spermatheca, and commencement of oviposition. Signals generated by these factors operate through neural pathways and, unlike in H. zea, accessory gland factors seem not to be involved. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

Pentosan polysulfate,a potent anti HIV and anti tumor agent,inhibits protein serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases

The effect of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotides (NAD⁺ and NADP⁺) on Ca²⁺ transport in rat liver nuclei was investigated. Ca²⁺ uptake and release were determined with a Ca²⁺ electrode. Ca²⁺ uptake was dependent on adenosine triphosphate (ATP; 2mM). The presence of NAD⁺ (2mM) or NADP⁺ (1 and 2mM) caused a significant inhibition of Ca²⁺ uptake following addition of 2mM ATP. Ca²⁺, which accumulated in the nuclei during 6 min after ATP addition, was significantly released by the addition of NAD⁺ (0.5–2mM) or NADP⁺ (0.1–2mM). However, the effect of NADH (2mM) or NADPH (2mM) on Ca²⁺ uptake and release clearly weakened in comparison with the effects of NAD⁺ and NADP⁺. Meanwhile, ryanodine (10M), thapsigargin (10M) or oxalate (0.5mM) had no effect on Ca²⁺ uptake and release in rat liver nuclei. These reagents did not significantly alter the effects of 2mM NAD⁺ on Ca²⁺ uptake and release. Thus, NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ had a potent effect on Ca²⁺ transport in rat liver nuclei. The present findings suggest that the liver cytosolic NAD⁺ (NADP⁺) is a factor in the regulation of the nuclear Ca²⁺ concentration. (Mol Cell Biochem121: 127–133, 1993)     

Facile technique of protein precipitation by application of electric current

Summary Precipitation of proteins has been achieved following passage of direct electric current in various protein solutions. Application of as low as 3 V of electric current showed precipitation but the rate increased with increase in electric current. With 9 V there was more than 85% precipitation of protein within 15 min. Precipitation occurred at a wide range of pH and temperature. Electrophoretic analysis of precipitated proteins show that they are not denatured by application of electric current. Proteins thus precipitated can be easily recovered by centrifugation.