Sodium Fluoride Mimics the Effect of Prostaglandin E2 on Catecholamine Release from Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

We have reported recently that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and that PGE2 and ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, synergistically induced a gradual secretion of catecholamines from the cells. Here we examined the involvement of a GTP-binding protein(s) in PGE receptor-induced responses by using NaF. In the presence of Ca2+ in the medium, NaF stimulated the formation of all three inositol phosphates, i.e., inositol monophosphate, bisphosphate, and trisphosphate, linearly over 30 min in a dose-dependent manner (15-30 mM). This effect on phosphoinositide metabolism was accompanied by an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+. NaF also induced catecholamine release from chromaffin cells, and the dependency of stimulation of the release on NaF concentration was well correlated with those of NaF-enhanced inositol phosphate formation and increase in cytosolic free Ca2+. Although the effect of NaF on PGE2-induced catecholamine release in the presence of ouabain was additive at concentrations below 20 mM, there was no additive effect at 25 mM NaF. Furthermore, the time course of catecholamine release stimulated by 20 mM NaF in the presence of ouabain was quite similar to that by 1 microM PGE2, and both stimulations were markedly inhibited by amiloride, with half-maximal inhibition at 10 microM. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin did not prevent, but rather enhanced, PGE2-induced catecholamine release over the range of concentrations examined. These results demonstrate that NaF mimics the effect of PGE2 on catecholamine release from chromaffin cells and suggest that PGE2-evoked catecholamine release may be mediated by the stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism through a putative GTP-binding protein insensitive to pertussis toxin.     

Corrosion of metals in natural waters influenced by manganese oxidizing microorganisms

Case histories and proposed mechanisms formicrobiologically influenced corrosion of metals andalloys by metal depositing microorganisms arereviewed. Mechanisms with indirect participation ofthese microorganisms, usually iron- and manganeseoxidizing species, are distinguished from anothermechanism which accounts specifically for theelectrochemical properties of deposits containingoxides and hydroxides of Mn in higher oxidationstates. The possible influence of such deposits whichwere formed microbiologically is evaluated. Theevaluation is based on the principles ofelectrochemical corrosion of metals and on theelectrochemical properties of Mn^3+/4+- compounds.After briefly reviewing the microbiologicalMn-oxidation, experimental evidence for the predictedcorrosion by such deposits is provided and a model formicrobiologically influenced corrosion by manganeseoxidizing microorganisms is proposed for stainlesssteel. Possible consequences of the model andpractical aspects of such a corrosion are discussed.     

Adenosine and Glutamate Modulate Each Other's Release from Rat Hippocampal Synaptosomes

Abstract: In rat hippocampal synaptosomes, adenosine decreased the K⁺ (15 mM) or the kainate (1 mM) evoked release of glutamate and aspartate. An even more pronounced effect was observed in the presence of the stable adenosine analogue, R-phenylisopropyladenosine. All these effects were reversed by the selective adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist 8-cyclo-pentyltheophylline. In the same synaptosomal preparation, K⁺ (30 mM) strongly stimulated the release of the preloaded [³H]adenosine in a partially Ca²⁺-dependent and tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive manner. Moreover, in the same experimental conditions, both l -glutamate and l -aspartate enhanced the release of [³H]adenosine derivatives ([³H]ADD). The gluta-mate-evoked release was dose dependent and appeared to be Ca²⁺ independent and tetrodotoxin insensitive. This effect was not due to metabolism because even the nonmetabolizable isomers d -glutamate and d -aspartate were able to stimulate [³H]ADD release. In contrast, the specific glutamate agonists N-methyl-d -aspartate, kainate, and quisqualate failed to stimulate [³H]ADD release, suggesting that glutamate and aspartate effects were not mediated by known excitatory amino acid receptors. Moreover, NMDA was also ineffective in the absence of Mg²⁺ and l -glutamate-evoked release was not inhibited by adding the specific antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid or 6–7-dinitroquinoxaline-2, 3-dione. The stimulatory effect did not appear specific for only excitatory amino acids, as γ-anunobutyric acid stimulated [³H]ADD release in a dose-related manner. These results suggest that, at least in synaptosomal preparations from rat hippocampus, adenosine and glutamate modulate each other's release. The exact mechanism of such interplay, although still, unknown, could help in the understanding of excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity.     

Change of liver metabolism of 1,2-dibromoethane during simultaneous treatment with carbon tetrachloride

The combination of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and 1,2-dibromoethane (DBE) in isolated rat hepatocytes led to a significant potentiation of both lipid peroxidation and of plasma membrane damage observed after a single treatment with CCl₄. Such a synergistic effect appeared to be related to the CCl₄-induced shift of DBE metabolism from the cytosolic conjugation with glutathione towards the microsomal transformation into toxic intermediates. In fact, CCl₄ significantly inactivated hepatocyte total GSH-transferase, i.e. the DBE detoxification pathway. Furthermore, while the microsomal metabolism of CCl₄ was not affected by the simultaneous presence of DBE, the amount of DBE reactive metabolities covalently bound to hepatocyte protein was significantly enhanced in the presence of CCl₄.     

Interaction between atmospheric and pedospheric nitrogen nutrition in spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) seedlings

The effect of NO₂ fumigation on root N uptake and metabolism was investigated in 3-month-old spruce (Picea abics L. Karst) seedlings. In a first experiment, the contribution of NO₂ to the plant N budget was measured during a 48 h fumigation with 100mm³m^?3 NO₂. Plants were pre-treated with various nutrient solutions containing NO₂ and NH₄⁺, NO₃^? only or no nitrogen source for 1 week prior to the beginning of fumigation. Absence of NH₄⁺ in the solution for 6d led to an increased capacity for NO₃^? uptake, whereas the absence of both ions caused a decrease in the plant N concentration, with no change in NO₃^? uptake. In fumigated plants, NO₂ uptake accounted for 20–40% of NO₃^? uptake. Root NO₃^? uptake in plants supplied with NH₄⁺plus NO₃^? solutions was decreased by NO₂ fumigation, whereas it was not significantly altered in the other treatments. In a second experiment, spruce seedlings were grown on a solution containing both NO₂ and NH₄⁺ and were fumigated or not with 100mm³m^?3 NO₂ for 7 weeks. Fumigated plants accumulated less dry matter, especially in the roots. Fluxes of the two N species were estimated from their accumulations in shoots and roots, xylem exudate analysis and ¹⁵N labelling. Root NH₄⁺ uptake was approximately three times higher than NO₃^? uptake. Nitrogen dioxide uptake represented 10–15% of the total N budget of the plants. In control plants, N assimilation occurred mainly in the roots and organic nitrogen was the main form of N transported to the shoot. Phloem transport of organic nitrogen accounted for 17% of its xylem transport. In fumigated plants, neither NO₃^? nor NH₄⁺ accumulated in the shoot, showing that all the absorbed NO₂ was assimilated. Root NO₃^? reduction was reduced whereas organic nitrogen transport in the phloem increased by a factor of 3 in NO₂-fimugated as compared with control plants. The significance of the results for the regulation of whole-plant N utilization is discussed.     

Aphid Herbivory Drives Asymmetry in Carbon for Nutrient Exchange between Plants and an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus

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